The Student Voice Since 1903 . UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2006
NO Artist unveils new Broncho statue
UCO seniors say farewell to college life
by Alex Gambill
by Nathan Winfrey
Staff Writer
Senior Staff Writer
Spring Commencement ceremonies for graduating seniors will be held May 5-6 in Hamilton Field House. Seniors leaving this semester have mixed feelings about ending their time at UCO, and offer advice for those who will soon follow in their footsteps. "It feels sad. I will terribly miss my home at UCO," said Tambra Nowell, business communication senior. She said the most important thing she learned here is to value other people. "Enjoy them, spend time with them, learn from them, help them," she said. Nowell said she wishes she had met more people during her years at UCO. "It feels like an accomplishment to graduate. It's exciting and kind of scary at the same time," said David Doughty, broadcasting senior. "I learned that life is what you do now, not what you do tomorrow." He said he doesn't think he would change anything about his undergraduate years. Looking back on his favorite memory, he said, "One in the middle of the night a couple years ago, I lived in Murdaugh, and it was pouring outside. Myself and a friend walked around campus and played in the rain all throughout the campus. It was so fun." James Gripka, accounting senior, said it feels great to graduate. He said the best thing about college was just hanging out with friends, and that the most important thing he learned was responsibility. "If I had it to do again, I would probably try to get involved with more organizations on campus," Gripka said. Adam Smith, general studies senior, said his most memorable college experience was willing the intramural pingpong championship in 2005. He said the most important thing he learned in college was the wrist flick he uses in
by Vista photographer Midori Sasaki
Broncho pride on display
From left, Oklahoma Arts Council executive director Betty Price, UCO President Dr. W. Roger Webb, Edmond Mayor Saundra Naifeh and the statue's artist, Harold T. Holden, celebrate the unveiling of UCO's new statue April 25 on Second Street, south of the Nigh University Center.
Students march for 'Invisible Children' by Heather Warlick Staff Writer
UCO students will join more than 35,000 students in 130 city capitals nationwide April 29, by participating in the "Global Night Commute," an all-night demonstration held worldwide to raise awareness of the "Invisible Children" who are being brutalized and murdered by rebels of the Ugandan govsee GRADS, page 4 ernment. The UCO Democratic Socialists will present a free screening of "Invisible Children," an MTV-style documentary about the plight of the victims of Uganda at 7 p.m. April 27 in the Troy Smith Lecture Hall in the Business Administration Building. "Fifteen to 20 of my friends are meeting at our church, Bridgeway, to walk the seven miles to the steps of our Capitol," said Taylor McCord, UCO journalism junior. "We are just excited to be involved with something that has no political by Vista photographer Midori Sasaki or economic agenda." "Americans are closing their Alissa Stinnett, nursing senior, eyes to open the worlds' to an models her new graduation cap unseen war. By lying down, we April 24 in the Nigh University are joining the invisible chilCenter bookstore. dren in Northern Uganda and
see COMMUTE, page 4
It's that time of year again. After you wake up from the dream in which you just missed your final, check The Vista to find out when the actual exam will begin.
See Finals schedule, pg. 3
see STATUE, page 4
UCO hosts mass immunization drill
demonstrating that our government put an end to the longest running war in Africa and one of the worst crises in the world today." These are the words the organizers of Global Night Commute want participants to memorize and tell anyone who will listen. "The cause is simple, to save lives," McCord said. The insurgent movement known as the Lord's Resistance Army, currently led by Joseph Kony, has been terrorizing the civilians of Uganda since 1987. The goal of the army is to overcome the Ugandan government and install the Ten Commandments and Christian mysticism as law. In his attempt to overthrow the Ugandan government, Kony has constructed an army that consists primarily of children. These children, whose numbers may currently exceed 30,000, are kidnapped by the LRA, often after seeing their parents tortured and executed. The children are then trained as brutal soldiers or used as sex slaves. Nearly two million Ugandans have been forced into "inter-
Finals Schedule
UCO's newest addition of public art, "The Broncho," was unveiled April 25 on the east corner of Garland Godfrey Drive in front of Second Street. Cowboy artist Harold T. Holden designed the bronze lifesize statue that on its back legs stands at about 10 feet. Ken Fergeson, chairman of the National Bank of Commerce in Altus, commissioned the broncho. Holden said he tried to embody the spirit of the UCO Bronchos with its aggressive pose. "I did a small model of it first, and it probably took about three weeks," Holden said. Holden said the Crucible in Norman did the final casting of the life-size creation. Holden said the planning and construction of the statue took about six months. "I hope that this monument respects the spirit and the integrity of the university," said Steve Kreidler, UCO's executive vice president of administration. "UCO's our strongest partner in the beautification of Edmond," said Edmond Mayor Saundra Naifeh. Naifeh thanked UCO for its contributions to public art.
by Vista photographer Midori Sasaki
Oklahoma City-County Health Department employees Danny Mainus, client support clerk, left, and Dan Hester, mental health team leader, participate in a mock mass immunization drill April 26 in Hamilton Field House.
Ap Golf season ends The UCO women's golf team was not chosen to participate in the NCAA Division II Women's West Regional Golf Tournament.
See Sports pg. 14