March
6, 2008
www. thevistaonline. corn The Student Voice of the University of Central Oklahoma Since 1903
High school artists show creativity in Nigh Gallery by Carrie Cronk
sions were wonderful pieces of work. Burnham added the exhibition shows great diverThe Donna Nigh Art sity this year. Gallery, on the fourth floor of The exhibition was open the Nigh University Center, to all ninth through 12th is filled with the masterpiec- graders, and students from 29 es of numerous Oklahoma schools across the state subhigh school artists for the mitted 1,181 works of art for "Young Talent in Oklahoma judging. Of those, 169 were Exhibition," which runs from selected for the exhibition, March 1 to March 28. she said. Oklahoma Center for Arts According to a univerEducation Program Director sity press release, "Entries Ines Burnham said the exhi- are judged by UCO faculty bition is an art competition members, professional artthat highlights Oklahoma ists and association members, high school artists and the with thousands of dollars in artwork they created. scholarships, tuition waivers Zina Gelona, UCO galler- and cash being awarded each ies and collections director, year." said the exhibition provides Burnham said three jurors the university an opportuni- examined slides and descripty to showcase the artwork tions of each artist's work of prospective students and before selecting the award displays the quality of arts winners and the 169 pieces education in the state's high that were either hung in the schools. gallery or included in the digBurnham said this is the ital art show, which can be second year the College of viewed on the high definition Arts, Media and Design, and televisions in the area. the Oklahoma Center for Awards included "three Arts Education have spon- juror choices, 12 merit sored the exhibition, which awards, and five cash prizes has been held annually for of $100 each," Burnham said. the last 48 years. Although Plainview High School stuthe two groups sponsored dent Dustin Colbert won The the exhibition, she added, Dean's Choice Award (which "The event was actually put was selected by the Dean of together by the Oklahoma Art CAMD, John Clinton), which Education Association and is a $500 cash award for his the Oklahoma Arts Council." piece, "The Art 'n music." Gelona and Burnham said Gelona said awards were they felt this year's submis- presented during the openStaff Writer
by Vista photographer Chris Albers
"She Knows AU" by Andrea Phan at Plainview High School. Winning works from the Young Talents of Oklahoma are on exibit at the Nigh University Center.
ing reception, which was held during the afternoon on March 1. The "Young Talent in Oklahoma Exhibition" is
"We do an opening on the fourth floor rotunda of the state capitol each year," Burnham said. "We would encourage anybody that sup-
part of National Youth Arts Month, which is held every March to raise awareness about the importance of arts education in our schools.
Wellness Center turns 5-years-old
UCO hosts OSGA conference
by Jordan Richison Staff Writer
The Wellness Center celebrated its five-year anniversary on Tuesday. The campus workout spot averages about 1,600 visitors a day with its state of the art workout facility, which features two full-size basketball courts, a weight room, a track and several different classes like Yoga and Palates Wellness Center director Mark Herrin kicked off the festivities. He talked about the impact the facility has had on the UCO community in the last five years. "The Wellness Center has had such an impact in such a short time," Herrin said. According to him, the center has become a big recruitment tool for UCO in trying to convince prospective students to enroll at the university. Shortly after Herrin spoke, President Webb stepped up to the podium and talked about how fast the last five years have gone by. "It's hard to believe this used to be the drivers training track," Webb said He talked about how the Wellness Center was more than a place for personal fitness but a perfect place for an academic progress and research for the Department of Kinesiology. Herrin praised
Mon. through Thurs. at 5 p.m.
by Nelson Solomon Staff Writer
by Vista photographer Chris Albers
Oklahoma Health Commissioner Mike Crutcher speaks Monday afternoon at the Wellness Center's five-year anniversery celebration. the staff for all their hard work and dedication over the last five years. Currently 22 fulltime workers, 11 part-time workers and 55 student workers are on the staff. Herrin thanked the students for their support and cooperation. He said they listened to every idea and opinion in hopes of making the Wellness
Center even better. "A lot of the change at the Wellness Center has been student driven," Herrin said. He also thanked the school's administration for their support in allowing them to bring in new programs every year. Herrin praised President Webb for his vision of wanting to bring
a facility like this to UCO. "Without his vision and direction, none of this would have been possible," Herrin said. Oklahoma Health Commissioner Mike Crutcher was the guest speaker at the celebration. Crutcher, who
see WELLNESS, page 9
UCO is hosting the 27th Spring Congress of the Oklahoma Student Government Association this Thursday and Friday, March 6 and March 7, according to Student Body President Jason Hines. "We had the largest delegation, 28 people, at the Fall Congress and then we placed a bid to host the Spring Congress," Hines said. UCO had just one representative to the last . Spring Congress, and this year has 31 registered attendees, Hines said. Hines said the Spring Congress is the bigger of the two sessions, and there are more people who attend in the spring. There are 10 bills that will be considered at this year's Congress, and Hines wrote four of the bills. One of Hines' bills deals with campus safety in regard to the recent events at Virginia Tech University and Northern Illinois University and another bill deals with increasing the number of academic and mental health counselors on campuses.
"Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be." -Kahlil Gibran
ports art education to come ... to the State Capitol for the Youth Arts Day opening." This year's event was held Tuesday.
OVERDOSE ON TYLENOL? PAGE 6
Hines is also recommending student management of student activity fees, and making all Oklahoma campuses tobacco-free. "A lot of these bills are meant to get students talking and engaged; just by us passing this resolution doesn't make these things happen, but it gets students thinking about it, it gets them passionate about one side or the other," Hines said. "The purpose of OSGA is to give a recommendation to the Oklahoma Legislature and the Oklahoma Board of Regents on issues related to higher education. "Nothing is binding by anything we pass, but it does give a strong voice to the people that do make a difference and pass legislation that impacts college campuses," he said. Hines said that this is the first time at least in the last five or six years that UCO has hosted the event. In order to be able to host the conference, a school must have the facilities, hotels nearby, a food service provider and printing capabilities, Hines said.
see OSGA, page 9