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THE YISTg February 23, 1984
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Vol. 82, No. 39
Report performs service, surprises commissioners
Anne Campbell, formerly of The President's Commission for Excellence in Education, spoke Tuesday night to members of Phi Delta Kappa about A Nation At Risk, a report released in April concerning the quality of education in America.
Exchange student pins hopes on law By Kathleen Olson When you come from a country where soccer breathes as the number one sport and American football is non-existent, your first football game may leave you completely bewildered. If not bewildering it was at least confusing for Morten Vigilius, a CSU International student from Copenhagen, Denmark. "I didn't know what was going on," Vigilius grinned. Vigilius first came to the United States as an exchange student in 1980. "I had already graduated from high school in Denmark and then just for the experience I came over and spent 10 months in an American High School, for some cultural exposure," Vigilius explained. As an exchange student, Vigilius attended Midwest City High School where he met his girlfriend. According to Vigilius when he completed his 10 months at Midwest City, he decided to come back to Oklahoma and attend CSU. Currently a junior, he plans on graduating next Spring with a Political Science degree. After
graduation, Vigilius will marry his girlfriend, who is also a CSU student, and then he hopes to attend law school somewhere in the United States "Law is what I'm interested in and in Denmark there are very few lawyers. It's very hard to become a private practicing lawyer. It's easier in this country to become your own boss," Vigilius stated. Vigilius works part time for the Political Science Department and enjoys studying at CSU. "I know my professors and the people around here, partly because I work here and because it's a small college," he explained. Comparing the social climates of Denmark and America, Vigilius says the people of the U.S. and Denmark cannot be compared. According to Vigilius, Danes are much more "casual" than Americans. He also explained that Denmark is not socially confined to a major group of people. "There is more diversity, there is not really a mainstream of people." Unlike most American schools, Denmark schools do not offer See Student on page 6
In this issue... International grapvine attracts students...page 4 Bookstore moves into video market...page 5 Excellence rewarded by club...page 6 Huff, Astle key people for grapplers...page 7 Bronchos named to All-District team...page 8
By MaryGaye Franklin Associate Editor The report A Nation At Risk released in April sparked a lot more interest in education than the commission that wrote it anticipated, said Dr. Anne Campbell, who served on the President's commission. Campbell, former commissioner of education for the state of Nebraska, was here Tuesday to speak to the mid-state chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, the national honorary education society. "I think the report performed a service which surprised most of us who were on the commission," said Campbell in an interview Tuesday. "None of us thought it would spark the interest it did. The report was an "open letter" written by The President's Commission for Excellence in Education to the American people. The report claimed education in America was suffering from a "rising tide of mediocrity." "I think the report called attention to the importance of education in our country and served to get people interested in it so reforms could start to take place," Campbell said. "We now have a golden opportunity to take advantage of the renewed interest in education to improve the quality of our schools." Campbell said the commission was formed by Terrell Bell, U.S. secretary of Education because of his concern about the quality of education in America.
"Many people feel the report was negative," Campbell said, "but if you get past the part that makes you mad and gets your attention, then there is a great deal of things that are very positive about the report." Campbell said that she personally did not think education was in that bad a shape but there were always areas which need attention and improvement. "I want to emphasize the fact that the report was a consensus of the opinions of the 18 members of the commission," Campbell said. But that is what a democracy is all about, people with different philosophies can give and take and reach a consensus. "There are two reasons why education comes to the front in a country— when they get in economic trouble or are having problems falling behind in defense and they go to the public schools for help," Campbell said. "We have both now in the U.S. and we want to beat someone, that is what brings education to the forefront." Campbell pointed to the problem with adequately funding education but noted, "excellence in education costs, but in the long run mediocrity costs more." Another problem Campbell noted was that universities around the country have not put much emphasis on teacher education. See Campbell on page 3
Fowler gets the 'big call' By Linda Jones Entertainers live for the day when the call comes, when they get the word they're wanted for the big show. Jenny Fowler, Miss CSU 1983, got the big call from Opryland and thought it was a practical joke. She didn't even return the call until her roommate convinced her it was the real thing. "My roommate is always playing practical jokes on me," said the petite brunette who won the CSU pageant last year with a blues rendition of "Black Coffee." "When I got home one evening, I saw a note to call Opryland with a long distance number. I thought she was just playing another joke on me." Reason prevailed and Jenny called the number to find that Opryland wanted her to join their cast Feb. 17 for rehearsals in preparation for a March 25 opening. Fowler will perform three times a day in the Roy Acuff theater in the top show in the park. Fowler is still reeling from the news. "More than 10,000 singers and dancers try out every year for Opryland. Only about 85 new ones are added to the cast each season, Fowler said. The Opryland auditions have a reputation for being far tougher than those of Six Flags, Silver Dollar City, where she performed last year, and Disneyland, Fowler said.
"At the Opryland audition, you sing a few bars and they let you go. In the others, at least you get to finish your song." Not only did Jenny finish her audition, but she was called back to dance. "They teach you a routine. This one was country and fairly long.
A lot depends on being able to "pick up" quickly. I learned the dance, then was called back again to sight read and sing two more songs. If they like you, they till you to go get measured for a costume." See Fowler on page 3
Goddard crowned Queen of Hearts Susie Goddard, 1011 N.E. 10th, Oklahoma City, has been named Queen of Hearts at Central State University. She was crowned Tuesday night during the campus Queen of Hearts dance to benefit the American Heart Association. Contestants competing for the Queen of Hearts title raised $4,065, the most ever for such an event on campus. "That's a lot of money for students," said Dr. Dudley Ryan, vice president for student services. "We were really thrilled with the total." Goddard was the representative of Delta Zeta sorority. Other candidates were Karen Bentley, Lawton, Alpha Gamma Delta; Cathy O'Donnell, Cleveland, Sigma Kappa; Susan Stangl, Sparks, Murdaugh Hall;
LaDonna Workman, Bartlesville, West Hall, and Laurie Unruh, Hennessey, East Hall.
Fees increase Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recommended a 10 percent increase in general enrollment fees and a 15 percent increase in nonresident tuition for the 1984 fall semester during their Tuesday meeting. If legislative action supports the Regents' recommendation, the general enrollment fees for lower division undergraduates here would increase from $13.90 per semester credit hour to $15.30. Out-of-state student tuition would increase from $28.45 to $32.70. Upper division undergraduate fees would increase from $15.15 to $16.65. Nonresidents would pay $36.10 per credit hour here.