The Student Voice Since 1903 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2005
PD warns about car burglaries ■ Recent string of car break-ins along Second Street prompts warning by Edmond police by Michael Robertson Staff Writer Edmond police are warning residents and visitors to protect their valuable possessions from thieves who
have been breaking car windows along Second Street. Glynda Chu, public information officer for the Edmond police department, said most of the break-ins have been at the Oxford Oaks apartment complex at 1920 E. Second St., the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites at 3850 E. Second and the Hampton Inn, west of Interstate 35 on Second Street. Chu said people should not leave electronic items like iPods and laptop computers unattended in their cars.
"The big target is the stereos and things they can pawn really quickly," Chu said. According to reports made by the UCO Department of Public Safety, no similar crimes have happened on campus in March or April. One student reported a stereo amplifier, a speaker box and about 90 compact disks stolen from their car April 13, though there was no forced entry into the car. However, that doesn't mean that UCO students aren't susceptible to thieves when they're off-campus.
UCO communications major Lisa Rogers emerged from Kang's Asian Bistro, 2080 E. Second, at about 8 p.m. April 19 to find her side window broken and her backpack missing. "I couldn't believe it happened right out in the open like that," Rogers said. "I was right on Second Street, right under a street lamp." Rogers said she didn't know her backpack was gone until she noticed a trail of candy on the ground. "There was an open pocket full of candy, and when I saw it, I knew my
backpack was gone," Rogers said. Rogers said she lost all of her schoolbooks, notebooks, her checkbook and videotapes containing a presentation project for one of her classes. "I'm having to re-shoot and re-edit all of that stuff," Rogers said. "Fortunately, my professors have been super gracious about it." Rogers said the police officer that responded to her call, Officer Neil Martin of the Edmond police, said
see BURGLARIES, page 3
Lt. Gov. Fallin promotes safe, responsible alcohol use
Splash!
by Ashley Romano Staff Writer In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month, Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin visited UCO April 20 to help launch the use of an interactive CD-ROM aimed at preventing the misuse of alcohol consumption among college students. "It (`Alcohol 101 Plus') will help educate us about some of the consequences when getting involved in things that may be excessive," Fallin told students, faculty and staff at a conference in the Wellness Center. Pam Beer, field director for
see FALLIN, page 3 CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS ■ The Information Technology Computer Lab in Rm. 107 of the Max Chambers Library will be open 24 hours a day from April 24 through May 6.
Photo by Justin Avera
David Kinney, criminal justice freshman, gets dunked at the annual "May Day Heyday" event April 22 by Broncho Lake.
`Happy trails to you': Professor of history to retire after 39 years ■ Old West historian to retire after almost four decades by Carrie Stewart Student Writer Royce Peterson will end a 39-year journey April 29 when he hangs his saddle and retires from full-time teaching and as director of the historical museurn and museum studies. Peterson, who is known for sharing his passion for cowboys, American Indians and the American west, has been with UCO since the summer of 1966. He began as a history professor and, in 1974, took over as the director of museum studies. Peterson has taught many classes throughout the years mostly on cowboys, American Indians and mining. He was the first professor at UCO to offer any classes on the history of American Indians. "One of my favorites was
cattle kings and fighters of the Old West," Peterson said. Dr. Kenny Brown, Department of History and Geography chair, said students have liked no other professor more than Peterson. "They love his classes. They take him over and over again," Brown said. "He is passionate about his classes, and the students see that." History senior Kim Penrod said, "We describe him as a cross between Robert Duvall and Daniel Boone." Peterson said he also has a love for music, particularly bluegrass. He has been with a bluegrass band, "The Barflies," for 36 years, and they played the bluegrass circuit for 25 years. Peterson was born in the high planes of La Mesa, Texas. He attended McMurry University in Texas and then received a scholarship from the University of Oklahoma to complete his graduate degree. He is married to Lenny,
Photo by Naomi Takebuchi
Royce Peterson, professor of history at UCO for almost four decades, will stop full-time teaching April 29 to work as an adjunct professor.
whom he met at UCO, and he has two sons, Rusty and Scott. Rusty retired from 23 years with the Navy Seals, and Scott retired after 12 years as a Marine Corps linguist. "I have had all good memories," Peterson said. "I've had
good people to work with." Peterson will still appear around campus as he continues to teach history as adjunct faculty. Dr. Carolyn Pool will take over the position of director of museum studies.
Vista receives five awards from Associated Press by Brett Deering Student Writer Five Vista staff members won awards at the Carl Rogan Awards Program sponsored by The Associated Press and the Oklahoma News Executives at their annual banquet April 16 at the Oklahoma City Waterford Marriott. "It is probably the most competitive news contest in the state," said Lindel Hutson, Oklahoma AP bureau chief, via e-mail. Hutson said 46 Oklahoma and five Arkansas and Texas newspapers that take the Oklahoma AP wire are eligible for the contest. Three newspaper divisions, based on circulation were eligible for the 27 awards. The Vista, in division C, represented circulation under 7,000. Hutson said of the 29 newspapers eligible in division C, 11 entered. Gavin D. Elliott, sports editor and former photographer
see AWARDS, page 4
■ The Miss Edmond Scholarship Pageant will be June 25 in Mitchell Hall. To be eligible, candidates must be at least 17 and have completed their junior year of high school. They can be no older than 23 on Oct. 31, 2005. Contestants will compete in interview, on-stage question, talent, physical fitness, evening wear and casual wear. ■ The Alumni Graduation Reception for spring and summer graduates will be April 27 in Evans Hall of the Alumni Reunion Center on the second floor. It will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The reunion is sponsored by the UCO Alumni Association and Nelnet. ■ Student-directed, one-act plays will be performed April 29 and 30 in Pegasus Theater of the Liberal Arts Building. They begin at 7 p.m. ■ The award-winning documentary The Corporation" will be at 2 p.m. April 27 in the Troy Smith Hall of the Business Building. ■ Broncho Pride bracelets are on sale for $3 in the university bookstore or at the President's Office. Proceeds benefit the President's Leadership Council.
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