The Vista Jan. 11, 2007

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INSIDE Page 2 Page 4 Page 8 Page 14 www.thevistaonlne.com

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The Student Voice of the University of Central. Oklahoma Since 1903

"Baptizing the Evangels"

Hoover award

granted to UCO by Lyndsay Gillum Staff Writer

by Vista photographer Alex Gambill

From left, Bronchos John Neal, Terry Tucker, and Luke Belt defend against an Evangel during UCO's victory of a 31 point difference.

ISC wanting to help local international community

by Vista photographer Travis

Marak

Jonathan Nazari, international student president, speaks during the first official meeting for International Student Council.

by Abha Eli Phoboo Staff Writer

Jonathan Nazari, the new president of UCO's International Student Council, called his first official meeting of the semester on January 8, at

Nigh University Center. Nazari won the elections last semester, taking over from former ISC President Josephine Mangoli. "This meeting is to inform everybody about the plans ISC has for this semester," said Nazari. "We have won the best student council award at UCO

before and we want to maintain that. We also want to do more to support the international community in Edmond." Other elected ISC officials for spring 2007 formerly took their offices: Marco Rodriguez from Venezuela as vice-president, Koichi Sakamoto from Japan as Public Relations, Albana Djata from Albania as treasurer and representatives of various country organizations. Nazari talked about the ISC's calendar of events for this semester and the various issues of international students at UCO. The issues brought up included the payment policy at the'Bursarir office for international students, easing the transitional process for new students and proposing scholarships and other financial aids. The Bursar's office has tightened its payment policy for international students. "Current international students will be allowed to owe money to the university only for the ongoing semester," Jalal Daneshfar, international adviser, explained, "If students owe money for the preceding semester also, the university will withdraw student enrollment." The issue for scholarship opportunities for international students was raised in the meeting. UCO has limited scholarship opportunities for international students. Daneshfar acknowledged this, stating, "There are two untapped sources: foundation and tuition waiver." According to official reports, until January 5, UCO's Office of

"We have won the best student council award at UCO before and we want to maintain that." Jonathan Nazari

International Student Services had cleared 180 new arrivals. International students are required to report to the OISS soon after they arrive. Nazari and Rodriguez created a videotape to help new international students understand the process of enrollment. "It explains payment, ID acquirement, immunization, etc," said Nazari, who conducted the video orientation and met with the students to explain about the country student organizations on campus and to answer their questions. The OISS uses its hospitality suites in the Broncho Apartments to help international students who do not have housing stay a day after arrival. The first night is free, but after that, students must pay $25. Rodriguez also talked about the Stay-A-Day program that the International Office is working on. "It will enable students to stay with people in Edmond upon arrival, and then get their enrollment done and move to their housing arrangements."

The Department ofSociology, Criminal Justice and Substance Abuse Studies received the prestigious J. Edgar Hoover Memorial Scholarship for 2006. UCO was one ofthe eight universities chosen nationwide to receive the $2,500 scholarship. Dr. Elaine Bartgis, a professor of criminal justice in the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice and Substance Abuse Studies, said that colleges or universities are selected by retired FBI agents. Agents are selected randomly in a lottery and the names drawn get to recommend a college or university. UCO was selected to receive the scholarship by UCO Alumni Richard Lafaver, who graduated in 1949. "The College of Liberal Arts and the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice and Substance Abuse Studies are thrilled to be recognized with this prestigious scholarship," Pamela Washington, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts said The J. Edgar Hoover

Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to J. Edgar Hoover, the creator of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and father of modern law enforcement in the United States. The foundation was formed in 1967 when a group of retired special agents joined together to form an organization that would promote the ideals of Mr. Hoover by providing scholarships to needy college students who are pursuing degrees in law, enforcement studies or forensic sciences Dr. Bartgis stated that the Criminal Justice Committee decided to split the $2,500 in half over two semesters. $1,250 will be given out next fall and the remaining amount will be given out the 2008 Spring semester "Anytime an organization, particularly the criminal justice department, feels like education is important to students and future practioners and are willing to contribute to a scholarship fund, I think that it's great," Dr. Bartgis added. Lyndsay Gillum can be reached at Igillum@thevistaonline.com.

Former FBI agent to help forensics

Abha Eli Phoboo can be reached at aphoboo@thevistaonline.com .

Cheerleader dies in car accident by Andrew Knittle Staff Writer

Brittanie Montgomery

UCO sophomore Brittanie Montgomery, a member of the New Orleans/OKC Hornets dance team The Honeybees, was killed Dec. 21 in a two-vehicle collision on a busy Oklahoma City thoroughfare as she headed to practice around 6 p.m. According to police reports, 19-year-old Montgomery was eastbound on Northwest Expressway when she lost control of her vehicle and crossed the median, colliding with a pickup truck heading in the opposite direction.

Watch News Central Channel 6 @ 5 p.m.

A family of four traveling in the westbound pickup truck survived the accident without life-threatening injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, police said. Gina Harris, Montgomery's mother, said she didn't learn about her daughter's death until 1 a.m. the following morning when four Oklahoma City police officers delivered the news in person. "I know there were a few fatalities in that area that day, so I guess it took them a little while to figure everything out," Harris said. Harris said her daughter dreamed of becoming a pro-

fessional dancer, possibly a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Montgomery recently took a big step in that direction by earning a spot on The Honeybees for the 2006-2007 NBA season, a testament to her work ethic and determination. "Brittanie didn't make The Honeybees last year, but she worked hard and made it this year on her second try," Harris said. "What she had in life, she busted her butt for." Harris said Montgomery's 11-year-old sister is dealing with the death as well as can

see Montgomery, page 11

"Wars teach us not to love our enemies, but to hate our allies." - W. L. George

by Vista photographer Travis Marak

Assistant director Dr. Thomas Jourdan will contribute to the chemistry department this semester.

by No Lupov Managing Editor

The extensive recruitment of experienced specialists from FBI to UCO Forensic Program continues this semester. After starting a new era for the department since fall, Dr. Dwight Adams, director of the forensic program and new retired agent from the FBI lab in Quantico,

Thursday 60144

Virginia, will be boosting the quality of UCO education. Last Friday marked the beginning of Dr. Thomas Jourdan as the new assistant director of the UCO Forensic Institute. After 20 years in the field as a special agent working in collecting and analysis of evi-

see FBI, page 5


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