The Student Voice Since 1903 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2005
University prepares for graduation
Orza to address students during `Leaders' event
by Tynesia Omopariola Staff Writer
by Kelley Chambers Managing Editor
The UCO Spring Commencement Ceremonies for the five colleges will be held May 6 and 7 at the Hamilton Field-House. Packets were mailed to the graduation candidates containing six guest tickets, wardrobe instructions and parking maps. Those that need additional tickets can request them at room 121A in the Nigh University Center. Caps, gowns and tassels can be purchased at the UCO Barnes and Noble Bookstore and Thompson's Bookstore up until the day of commencement. Brenda Raimondi, UCO Barnes and Noble Bookstore manager, will be at the graduation in case of last-minute needs. Thompson's Bookstore will sell items for graduation on both commencement days.
The President's Leadership Council and the International Student Council will host a talk by businessman, two-time Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate and former UCO professor Dr. Vince Orza at 5 p.m. March 25 in Constitution Hall. Orza said he was invited by UCO President Dr. W. Roger Webb to the event titled "For Leaders by Leaders." UCO Student Association President Lane Perry said he and ISC President Olanrewaju Daniels, will begin the event with a brief talk on time management, then turn the podium over to Orza. "He spoke at 'Lessons in Leadership' last fall," Perry said. "He was one of the best speakers. We know the students can relate to him and he's very interesting." Perry said the first 150 people to arrive will receive a complimentary copy of Orza's book, "If I Want Your Opinion I'll Tell It To You." Orza said he tailors the 45minute speech to each specific audience. "I do this all over the country," Orza said. "It's a lot of fun to do." Orza said the speech involves what it takes to be a leader and the ups and downs of leadership. Orza taught marketing at UCO from 1974 until 1990 when he made his first bid for governor. Orza is the chairman and CEO of Eateries Inc., an Oklahoma based business that operates several restaurants in the metro area.
Dan Smith/Photo Services
Wisconsin, an assistance dog, accompanies Roy Howe, staff writer for University Relations and UCO alumnus, at work. The "Friends of Roy Howe" organization is collecting donations to buy Howe an updated and equipped handicap van. Photo by Justin Avera
"Most of these students have been buying their books here for years, so we want to do as much as we can for them," said Jim McFarland, Thompson's Bookstore manager. Pat Lagrow, assistant vice president for the Office of Academic Affairs, said images of the ceremonies can be seen on big-screen monitors. Live music from a five-piece brass quintet will play instead of a tape. "I think people will like the new accommodations," said Lagrow. Applications for undergraduate commencement are still being accepted. The ceremony for those graduating with bachelor's degrees from the College of Education and Professional Studies will begin at 3 p.m. May 6. The ceremony for master's degrees from the College of Education and Professional Studies and all graduates from the College of Math and Sciences will begin at 7 p.m. May 6. The College of Business Administration ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. May 7. Ceremonies for the College of Arts, Media & Design and the College of Liberal Arts will begin at 2 p.m. May 7. All graduates should arrive at least one hour early and meet at Old North. Tynesia Omopariola can be reached at tomopariola@thevistaonline.com .
UCO community gives 'Friend' a hand ■
The "Friends of Roy Howe" are collecting donations to help colleague by Joseph Wertz Senior Staff Writer
UCO staff and faculty members are trying to help make it easier for a co-worker to get to the office. Members of the UCO University Relations Department formed a group to help provide Staff Writer Roy Howe with an updated and equipped handicap van. The "Friends of Roy Howe"
are working with private donors as well as the UCO Disability Support Services, which will help raise money through campus activities. Gypsy Hogan, publications editor and group member, says that Howe has had numerous problems with his current van and that a properly equipped van could cost more than $50,000. "He would never ask for this kind of help," Hogan said. "But we just finally told Roy that he has to let us help." Howe has been in a wheelchair for more than 20 years after an accident at Turner Falls. He has been using the same van
since the accident, which he says is outdated. "Every specialized part on the van is obsolete," Howe said. "There is no shop around here that will even touch it. Everything has to be rigged." Howe said a wheelchair lift for the van is several thousand dollars and that lowering the floor of the van is also required, which can cost as much as $18,000. Howe's original van was damaged when he ran into a house on March 10. Howe said he lost control of the van and narrowly missed hitting a pump at a gas station. "I really hate to say it, but
my wheelchair wasn't strapped down properly," Howe said. "The chair moved when I was turning into a driveway, and I was thrown to the floor of the van." Howe said most of the damage to the van was body damage and the house had damages totaling $8,400. Disability Awareness Week is April 4-7 and will feature several events to benefit Howe. The "Friends of Roy Howe" has raised around $7,000 and can be reached by calling 9742307. Joseph Wertz can be reached at jwertz@thevistaonline.com.
UCO alumnus charged with 'murder for hire' by Kelley Chambers Managing Editor A UCO journalism graduate was arrested March 15 in Edmond on a complaint of solicitation to commit murder. Bradley Chase Pemberton, 42, was arrested by the Edmond Police Department in the parking lot of Pearl's Cajun Kitchen on Danforth, where Pemberton was employed as the restau-
rant's manager. Pemberton is said to have discussed a murder plot -involving a former co-worker who accused him of sexual assault — with an unnamed informant who turned the information over to Edmond police. Glynda Chu, public information officer for the EPD, said an investigation into Pemberton began in February. "We had an informant that
called and said he had been approached for murder for hire by Mr. Pemberton," Chu said. She said the informant told police Pemberton had offered between four and $5,000 to have the female "taken care of," which Chu said the informant interpreted as meaning "dead." The initial sexual battery charges stem from an incident last year with a then 17-year-old waitress, when Pemberton was
her manager at Pearl's Oyster Bar on NW 63rd in Oklahoma City. Pemberton was recorded on audiotape talking with the informant on two separate occasions March 9 and 10, before his arrest, at which time he discussed several scenarios to have the murder committed, Chu said.
see PEMBERTON, page 3
Betz to bid farewell to UCO ■ Susanne Betz will wrap up her time at UCO May 31 when she leaves to prepare for a move to the University of WisconsinRiver Falls by Ashley Romano Staff Writer
Photo by Justin Avera
Susanne Betz, executive director of the Educators' Leadership Academy at UCO, will soon leave to begin work at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Watching Sunday night OETA British comedy shows may sound pretty mind numbing to some Americans. But to Susanne Betz, executive director of UCO's Educators' Leadership Academy, these programs provide a British flavor reminiscent of her youth. Betz was born in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia to American parents and was influenced by British culture until the age of 10, when she moved to the Sooner state. She didn't get to experience the feel of her Australian home again until she married Dr. Don Betz, UCO's current provost and vice president
of Academic Affairs, and went to London for her honeymoon 12 and a half years ago. "The way they do things over there reminded me a lot of my childhood," she said. "When in Australia, we would sing 'God Save the Queen' every morning in school, for instance." Even though Betz has lost her Aussie accent, she said she will not lose hope for the future when she leaves her post at UCO and begins a new one at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where she will work side-by-side with her husband. Betz said she was appointed the associate of the chancellor, which engages her in public service work for the university and community while assisting Dr. Betz, who will start his new career as chancellor July 1. "Susanne has an incredible capacity for organization and problem solving," said Dr. W. Roger Webb, president of UCO. "She has done a masterful job with ELA. She has put UCO in much closer contact with various educational entities in the state of Oklahoma."
see BETZ, page 3
Kelley Chambers can be reached at kchambers@thevistaonline.com .
CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS ■ Applications will be accepted through April 4 for the Pugh Family Pioneer Award. Applicants must be sophomores or juniors in the fall of 2005. Applications are available in the Foundation Office, Rm. 102 of Evans Hall. ■ The annual Earth Day fair will be April 20 by Broncho Lake. To register an organization for a fair booth, download the form on the Campus Life tab on UCONNECT. ■ 'The Big Event," a day of service, will begin at noon April 9 by Broncho Lake. Registration is going on for team leaders. To register as a volunteer or team leader, visit "The Big Event" tab on UCONNECT, or call Derek Burks at the Volunteer Center at 974-2621. ■ Volunteer team leaders are needed for "The Big Event," April 9. For information, contact the Volunteer Center at 974-2621 or e-mail dburks@ucok.edu . ■ Nominations are being accepted for student organization Sponsor of the Year and leadership awards. Applications are on the Campus Life tab of UCONNECT.
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