February 12, 2008 www.thevistaonline.corn The Student Voice of the Linhersit:â– of Central Oklahoma Since 1903
Freshmen royalty crowned
CREATIVITY STRESSED AT SYMPOSIUM by Justin Langston Senior Staff Writer
On Friday, the University of Central Oklahoma hosted the Creativity and Innovation in Education Symposium. It served as the event for the launch day for the State of Creativity concerning higher education. The symposium had several speakers, including Sir Ken Robinson, Pascal Cools of Flanders DC, UCO University President Roger Webb, and Oklahoma Secretary of State Susan Savage. "The symposium was to start the discussion on how we, especially in higher education, can be innovative," said Cynthia Rolfe, UCO's vice president for Information Technology. • The symposium was dreamed up after Gov. Brad Henry declared 2008 as the Year of Creativity. The state wanted to harvest the creative spirit which has emerged over the past year, and also to make sure it didn't fade into the background once again, Rolfe said. "As we went through the different communities of Oklahoma, we found there was a lot of innovation that no one talks about," Rolfe said. - UCO volunteered to host the symposium because the administration felt creativity is an important skill for its students to have. The school took a leadership role in order to cultivate the intellectual atmosphere to allow creativity to flourish for students and faculty, she said. Rolfe believes the university doesn't want creativ-
ity to simply be a buzzword with no real substance. The school intends to apply creative thought to teaching and thinking skills by utilizing the creative method. This requires different thinking and is designed to expand and exercise aspects of the user's thinking skills, as well as to solve problems. By applying this to the classroom, it requires that students learn to think differently in each phase of problem solving. UCO also hopes to apply the use of creativity by recognizing that students in the same class are looking at the given information from different perspectives. By recognizing that people think differently and look at problems from different perspectives. The school believes people will do better at solving problems by taking in different perspectives and encouraging collaborative efforts, which the school sees as inherently more creative, Rolfe said. "You put 20 people in a room with one instructor, the instructor tells them the same thing and the 20 students interpret this through their own personal lens," Rolfe said. "Even if the individual is creative, he isn't' as creative as the collective consciousness." According to Rolfe, the university hopes its new initiative will better prepare students for the current world as well as enrich their own abilities as students and thinkers.
by Jordan Richison Staff Writer
by Vista photographer Brenda O'Brian
Sir Ken Robinson speaks at the Grand Ballroom in Nigh University Center on Friday, Feb. 8.
Justin Langston can be reached at jlangston@thevistaonline. COM.
Jacob Lewandowski and Elizabeth Le were named 2007-08 Freshman King and Queen on Feb. 6 during halftime of the Men's Basketball game at Hamilton Field House. After being announced the winners, 2006-07 Freshman King and Queen Jared Epling and Amanda Ardese crowned Lewandowski and Le at half court. Lewandowski, biology major, is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and Presidents Leadership Council. He is also involved with Freshman Follies, UCOSA, and Murdaugh Hall Council. Lewandowski has also volunteered for the 9-11 Service Project, WinterGlow and Dodge Ball for the Kids. Lewandowski said he was humbled and excited being named Freshman King. Le, speech language pathology major, is a member of the Delta Zeta sorority. She is involved in several activities on campus including WinterGlow Chair, Freshman Follies, and Emerging Leaders. Le said being named Freshman Queen feels absolutely incredible. She said getting crowned by Ardese made it even more special because she is one of her Delta Zeta sisters. UCO sprit coordinator
see FRESHMAN, page 5
Vice Pres. Munson Ex-police chief to speak tomorrow leads lobbying effort . M.T. Berry, OKC's first such an esteemed person to
black chief of police, will share with us at this event. Mr. speak in Heritage Hall Berry's accomplishments are a testimony to the progress of tomorrow.
by Nelson Solomon Staff Writer
UCOSA Vice President Cyndi Munson promised in her campaign last spring that she would make student lobbying a priority during her term. That goal is becoming a reality when representatives from UCO, on Feb. 27, will attend Higher Education Day at the state capitol. Munson said students from UCO travel to the state capital every year for this day, but their goal this year is to have UCO's presence and persistence known. "This year, our goal is to bring a record-breaking number of students to show that UCO is very serious about paying close attention to higher education where funding is concerned," she said. While most schools end their efforts at this event, Munson said her goal is to maintain the pressure on legislators. "We intend to follow up by
by Andrew Knittle Editor in Chief
by Vista photographer Brenda O'Brian
Cyndi Munson speaks to the Senate at the UCOSA meeting in the Robert S. Kerr Room on Monday, Feb. 11.
writing letters, making phone calls and making random trips to the capital to meet with state legislators about issues in higher education," she said. "Eventually, I would like to see that we get involved with the State Regents since
see MUNSON, page 3
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Oklahoma City's first black Chief of Police and U C O graduate Major "M.T." Berry will speak at 2 p.m. tomorrow in the Heritage Room, located in the Nigh University Center. Berry will be the keynote speaker for "The Audacity to Dream: African American Success Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," where he will address "leadership, character, civility and community," according to a university press release. Barry Lofton, president of the African American Faculty/ Staff Association, said Berry used hard work, education and commiment to become a success and noted how proud the local black community is of the former police chief. "We are delighted to have
African Americans," Lofton said. "He is an inspiration to individuals of all cultural backgrounds who strive to achieve their dreams." . Berry served as chief of police in Oklahoma City from 1998 to 2003 and currently works for OKC as an assistant city manager in charge of the fire and police departments, municipal courts, the Fire/ Police Capital Equipment Tax Office and other community services. The event, made possible by Multicultural Student Services and the AAFSA, will also honor Blanche Washington and Shelia Fugett-McGill for the pair's service to the university. "The Audacity to Dream: African American Success Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" is free and open to the public. For further information about the day's events, contact Lofton at 9743603.
"Sitting at the table doesn't make you a dinner, unless you eat some of what's on that plate. Being here in America doesn't make you an American. Being born here in America doesn't make you an American." -Malcolm X
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M.T. Berry, a UCO grad and Oklahoma City's first black chief of police, will speak in Heritage Hall on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.
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