The Student Voice Since 1903 TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2005
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
Radke slated to serve as interim vice president ■ The search for a permanent VP of Academic Affairs will begin in the fall by Tynesia Omopariola Staff Writer Dr. Bill Radke will serve as the interim vice president of
Academic Affairs starting July 1, 2005 when Dr. Don Betz leaves to become Chancellor. Radke said working closely with Betz makes it easier to fill his new position. "It's sad to see Betz leave, but we all know this is a great opportunity for him so we are happy as well," he said. Radke said Betz has done a
lot of things for academics at UCO. "We have a better defined mission thanks to him," he said Radke said more than ever before campus activities are aligned. Decreasing class sizes and the number of students served by faculty are some of the things Radke wants to accomplish. Restoring Old
North, building new classrooms and creating more faculty offices are among the ideas Radke said he would like to see. Pat Lagrow is the assistant vice president of Academic Affairs who will be the interim associate vice president. Lagrow has been a faculty member since 1982 as a professor in the Department of
Nursing in the College of Mathematics and Science. "I've worked with her for two years and I trust her completely," Radke said. Dr. Bill Radke is the associate vice president of Academic Affairs and has been at UCO for 30 years. In 1975, Radke became a faculty member as a professor of biology in the
College of Mathematics and Science. From January 2000 through 2002, he was an Assistant Dean of the Joe C. Jackson College o Graduate Studies and Research. The search for a permanent vice president of Academic Affairs will begin in the fall. Tynesia Omopariola can be reached at tomopariola@thevistaonline.com .
ROTC cadets recognized at Battalion ball by Ashlie Campbell Staff Writer The ROTC Broncho Battalion held its 36th Annual Military Ball at the Renaissance Hotel in Oklahoma City March 25. A total of 130 attended the event, including Lt. Col. Stuart Jolly, battalion commander; Timothy Bridges, associate dean of the College of Business Administration; and guest speaker Brig. Gen. Keith Lee Thurgood. Thurgood, who has served in the military for more than 24 years, is the assistant division commander of the 95th Division in Oklahoma City. "It's an honor and privilege to speak to the cadets," Thurgood said. "The speaker was really inspiring, and I'll take his words into the future," said Cadet Aaron Love, sophomore. Ten cadets were commissioned at the ceremony. Harold Carpenter III, Photo by Naomi Takebuchi
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Members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard from Lexington, Okla., talk inside a Chinook helicopter that landed on campus March 24.
Chinook lands to prepare cadets by Ashlie Campbell Staff Writer A CH-47 Chinook Helicopter landed at UCO March 24 to prepare ROTC cadets for upcoming field training exercises. "It is in order for cadets to practice loading, unloading, safety and emergency procedures," Jolly said. "It is also so everyone on campus can see a Chinook up close and familiar-
ize themselves with the Army's high-tech equipment." Cadet James Dougherty, sophomore, said he was impressed with the knowledge and efficient presentation of the capabilities of the Chinook by the Oklahoma Army National Guard. "It was great training on equipment that we will be using since I want to become an Army aviator myself," Dougherty said.
Cadet Ryan Rhodes, junior, training that soldiers are using said he appreciated the opportu- currently in forward deployed nity to experience the training locations around the world," that deployed soldiers are cur- Rhodes said. The Chinook, from the 149th rently using in locations around Aviation Company in the world. "It was motivating to know • Lexington, Okla., is used for what training assets the Army transporting troops and loading has to offer in our future," equipment, Jolly said. The April 8 - 10 training, Rhodes said. "Hopefully, as an infantry officer, I will have the which will include land navigaopportunity to train with Army tion and situational exercises, will be at Fort Sill in Lawton Aviation." "It was neat to experience and involve four other universi-
by Michael Robertson Staff Writer The UCO International Student Council held their second International Town Hall meeting March 25 in Constitution Hall in the Nigh University Center. ISC Vice President Josephine Mangoli opened the meeting by welcoming the 20 to 25 people who attended. She then introduced UCO Student Association Senate Pro Tempore Dallas Strimple, who is running for UCOSA president, to the podium. Strimple gave a short speech asking for the support of the international student community in his campaign. Strimple addressed international student concerns, including what has in the past been perceived as unfair treatment by the UCO Department of Public
Safety toward international students and plans to establish a student lounge and game room in the University Center. Next, ISC President Olanrewaju Daniels took the stage. He addressed the relative lack of attendance at the meeting compared to the international student population at UCO. "We're not going to give up because this place is not filled up," Daniels said. "We have close to 1,500 international students, and we want to reach them." Daniels then introduced UCOSA President Lane Perry. Perry gave a speech about what he's accomplished while in office and what he would like to see accomplished in the future at UCO. Perry said his term as president will be over in April. Perry complimented Daniels, and said even though he isn't running for student body president, he thinks Daniels would do a good job. "Wherever Danny goes, he's going to be really successful," Perry said.
Mangoli then introduced Danny Durning, president of the Envoys, a student group designed to "increase global cultural understanding." Durning gave a speech about safety. He talked about a Moroccan student who was recently hit by his own car while he was trying to stop someone from stealing it, a Japanese student who was also hit by a car while riding her bike, and an Indonesian student who was shot at random while driving and was paralyzed. Durning said international students should be especially careful, since they may not realize some of the dangers in their new environment. He warned them to be more aware of crime and encouraged them to be careful around traffic. Daniels then gave another speech, this time about how international students shouldn't accept any limitations placed on them. "You have to make a deci-
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Ashlie Campbell can be reached at acampbell@thevistaonline.com .
India to be focus of PASSPORT study program
ISC holds 'town hall' meeting ■ ISC addresses relations between DPS, international students
ties. Only UCO cadets will arrive by helicopter; others cadets will arrive by bus. "We try to expose them [our cadets] to as many experiences as possible, so when they are in the Army they will be better prepared to deal with the situations the Army will expose them to," Jolly said.
by Ashley Romano Staff Writer
Photo by Naomi Takebuchi
Sangeetha Tadimalla performs a traditional Indian dance.
UCO's students, faculty and staff will soon have the opportunity to experience Indian culture through the newly stamped PASSPORT program. Initiated in 2004, the program selects a country to highlight during the fall semester, said Dr. Brent Wendling, chairman of the planning committee for the program. He said the purpose of the program is to bring a "clearer picture of other cultures and peoples around the world" closer to the UCO community. The program will showcase a series of events, including a study tour to India Dec. 26 and an Indian film festival featuring Bollywood films, Wendling added. "Bollywood produces more
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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see INDIA, page 3