The Vista Jan. 24, 2006

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The Student Voice Since 1903 University of Central Oklahoma

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

New program fosters mentor relationships

Work halted on new OSBI building

by Courtney Bryce Managing Editor

Rising construction costs cited by Christina Purdom Staff Writer The $20 million OSBI Forensic Science Center, to be located across 2nd Street from the campus, is in jeopardy due to rising construction costs and lack of funds. Jessica Brown, OSBI Public Information Director said the building was not under-funded initially but a jump in construction costs has put work on the building on hold. “When the hurricanes hit, the prices of construction materials skyrocketed,” Brown said. Brown said it has been estimated that construction costs are rising about one percent each month. OSBI has asked the state legislature for an additional $5 million dollars in supplementary funds to finish the enclosure and to furnish the building, which cannot be occupied until it has been completed, Brown said. “The director (DeWade Langley) has had some budget meetings with the Capitol this month,” said Jerry Hire, OSBI special projects officer. “We’re not hearing good things,” Brown said. “The City of Edmond, UCO, and OSBI have all worked very hard and we hope the state can scrape together the money we need to finish,” Brown said.

by Vista photographer Brett Deering

Construction stalls temporarily on the OSBI Forensic Science Center due to rising construction

Please see OSBI, page 3 costs.

Leadership Central welcomed 102 students, faculty and staff to a new mentorship program in an orientation Jan. 18. Dr. W. Roger Webb, UCO president, spoke about what a mentor relationship should be. “This has to be a two way street,” Webb said. “It has to be give and take. We learn from each other and this relationship goes both ways.” Webb said good mentors are those that don’t whine but overcome disappointments. He said mentor ships help people to discover hope. “I truly believe we are the product of every relationship we have,” Webb said. “It’s important who you hang out with whether you are 19 or 59.” Webb said the message he wanted everyone to leave with was to pass on the lessons they learn. “I hope you do not forget to pass it on,” Webb said. “That’s the real message I have for you.” Michael Goodman, vice president of the student government, said he came up with Central Connection after being paired up with a mentor in an outside organization. “In any mentorship you’re bound to learn something,” Goodman said. Goodman said he was one of 50 students his junior year of high school to be part of a program called Youth Leadership Oklahoma. He said they toured the state in order to learn more about the people and cultures of

by Vista photographer Brett Deering

Dr. Cheryl Steele is UCO's executive director of leadership programs.

Opera singer postpones UCO concert Show rescheduled for Mar. 3 by Melissa Wilkins Staff Writer

Leona Mitchell, a well-known opera singer, will critique music students in a three-week workshop beginning Jan. 24. The workshop will give students a chance to find out their vocal strengths and weaknesses, said Audrey Henderson, event CENTRAL CONNECTION, coordinator for the School of page 3 Music. Mitchell was scheduled to give a concert Jan. 24, but she cancelled because of a sudden illness. The concert is rescheduled for March 3 and the Box office Bill Aycock, will reserve seating for the 120 tickets already sold. Interpersonal Mitchell is best known for communicaher performance as “Bess” in tions junior, the first complete recording of mans the George Gershwin’s “Porgy and soundboard Bess.” at Z99, UCO's A graduate of Oklahoma City student radio University, Mitchell has given station. Z99 numerous vocal performances introduced a throughout Europe, Asia and new Christian North America. morning For more information contact Dr. Sam Magill at 974.5684. show Jan. 10.

Christian morning show debuts on UCO radio radio show to get everyone’s day started off,” said Aycock, interpersonal communications junior. He said they picked the time most students would be getting ready for their first classes. “We try to play the top songs on Christian radio now,” Koehn said, which includes Third Day, Jars of Clay, Audio Adrenaline, Chris Tomlin and Jeremy Camp. In addition to music, the show features “Anne’s Dating Advice” on Thursdays at 8:45 a.m. with broadcasting department desk clerk Anne Johnson, who answers students’ questions about love

by Nathan Winfrey Staff Writer UCO radio station Z99 FM launched its newest segment, “Christian Morning Radio,” Jan. 10. The show airs Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9:25 a.m., with hosts “Wild” Bill Aycock, “Mello” Matt Koehn and “The Morning Girl” Lisa Rodgers. “We thought it was about time we had a Christian segment on the radio station,” said Koehn, broadcasting junior. “We realized that there are a lot of people at UCO that like Christian music, and we wanted to come up with a good

Please see RADIO, page 3

by Vista photographer Midori Sasaki

Melissa Wilkins can be reached at mwilkins@thevistaonline.com.

There she is...

INSIDE Student Profile UCO's Melissa Montgomery follows her dream of singing professionally all the way to Nashville, Tenn. See Profiles Pg. 3

Entertainment The Vista's Nathan Winfrey reviews the vampire squel, Underworld: Evolution. See Entertainment Pg. 5 En Garde! Sports Editor Kristen Limam trades jabs with the UCO Fencing Club. INDEX Opinion.......................2 News..........................3 Sports.........................4 Classifieds...................6

See Sports Pg. 10

Sallee crowned Miss UCO by Melissa Wilkins Staff Writer Jill Sallee was crowned Jan. 20 at the 30th Annual Miss UCO Pageant. Sixteen students competed for the title, a scholarship and a chance to compete for the title of Miss Oklahoma this summer. “I think the Miss UCO pageant is a good opportunity for people who have the right motives to make difference and become a role model for their peers and younger women,” said Amanda Buntin, Mass Communications major. Former Miss UCO, Keelee Bright kicked off the pageant with her performance of “A Moment Like This.” In front of a panel of seven judges, each contestant competed in the categories of swimwear, casual wear, formal wear and an on-stage question.

Bridget Jaime was first runnerup also taking home the Ad-Sales award. Lindsey Rine won the People’s Choice award, while Jaclyn Strahorn and Rine tied for the Miss Congeniality award. Leslie Similly tied with Sallee for the Director’s award. Michelle McCoy, dance performance major, took the Best Talent award for her dance routine and the Best Swimsuit award Cara Blankenship was ranked as third runner-up and Strahorn was fourth runner-up. “If I had only won the award for Best Talent I would have been happy, I was completely elated,” McCoy said. As the pageant came to a close, some students celebrated while others shed tears.

Please see MISS UCO, page 7

Keelee Bright crowns Jill Sallee at the Miss UCO pageant Jan. 20 at Mitchell Hall.

by Vista photographer Midori Sasaki


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