The Student Voice Since 1903 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2006
UCO professor's Route 66 mural vandalized by Jessica Snell Staff Writer
looking at the American flag with her back to the viewer. "I understand there is graffiti art out there. That is not what I think happened here," Palmer said. He said he does not understand why anyone would deface something to state their opinion but that he is not discouraged by the vandalism. Palmer said he approached Larry Willingham, the owner of W&W Tire with the idea of the mural over a year ago. Palmer said the "Route 66" mural is very personal for Mr. Willingham. It features pictures of him and his wife when they first met and his son when he went into the Navy. Of his 600 murals across the state, only two have been vandalized, he said. "If you put a mural on the side of a building you are less likely to get vandalized, but it does happen," Palmer said.
The "Route 66" mural on the south wall of the W&W Tire building at 302 S. Broadway was found vandalized over Memorial Day weekend. The phrase "fight racism" was spray-painted twice over a black woman in the mural. Edmond Police spokesman Randy Payne said it could be in connection with three recent church vandalisms, but there are no suspects at this time and no detectives have been assigned to the case. "There is no particular symbolism in any of the mural," said Dr. Bob Palmer, UCO art professor and creator of the mural. The mural features the Stattie of Liberty, the American flag, a young man in a military uniform, classic American cars, a Route 66 sign, the word "America" in white above the American flag Jessica Snell can be reached at and a young black woman jsnell@thevistaonline.com .
by Vista photographer Brett Deering
Christin Bertolino takes a break from her job at Arby's May 22 and looks at the words "fight racism" spray-painted on a mural at WPM Tire, 302 S. Broadway in Edmond. The vandalism occurred some time over the weekend of May 20-21.
s senior to Student scientists to study 'beeLhavior journalism aid African orphans by No Lupov Staff Writer
He said the bees that students will study are honeybees and leafcutting bees but do not include the African bees which are known to be more aggressive. The UCO students will work with Turkish and Bulgarian professors to create a multicultural environment
for the students in accordance with the federal grant. "It is important to emphasize the international nature of this grant," Barthell said. Two other professors from the United States will be involved with the project, Dr. Wells Harrington from University ofTulsa
After receiving a federal grant from the National Sci, ence Foundation, the UCO College of Math and Science selected four students to re, search the behavior and ecology of honeybees and leafcutting bees in Bursa, Turkey. Dr John Barthell, dean of the UCO College of Math and Science, said the students will try to better understand the link between organisms and their histories in other regions of the world. The students from UCO who are involved in the research are Sky Checotah, Ashley Ann Cro, Le Hang Lisa Pham and Robert Tyler Reidenbaugh, the peer mentor of the group. A student from Northeast University and one from Lexington University will also participate in the project. "The primary goal of the project is to give students, who are potential scientists, the opportunity to experience science as a process," Barthell by Vista photographer Alex Gambill said. "Involving undergraduate students in research helps im- Ty Reidenbaugh, left, biology senior, and Ashley Cro, forensic sciprove their critical thinking." ence freshman, observe a large carpenter bee June 5 on the roof Barthell said. of Howell Hall.
and Dr. Charles Abramson from Oklahoma State University. The international professors are Dr. Adem Bicakci, Dr. Ibrahim Carmak, and Levent Aydin are from Uladag University in Turkey. Dr Peter Nentchev is from Bulgaria. The project began June 6 and the students will spend three weeks in Bursa. This will be the first of three summers UCO students wi 11 participate in the study. "I have had couple of opportunities to do research before," said Checotah. "The main part is being part of a research team and learning something." In accordance with the terms of the grant, recruitment is from universities that do not have a substantial research focus and have large minority enrollments, with participation in the project based on grades and letters of recommendation. Barthell said the students selected from Oklahoma attended a UCO course to prepare them for the experimental core. Upon their return to the United States, the scientists will make presentations to students and faculty and publish their data. No Lupov can be reached at ilupov@thevistaonline.com .
Sixth Endeavor games to host U.S. soldiers by Divona Phillips Staff Writer
UCO is set to host the 2006 Endeavor Games for Athletes with Physical Disabilities, June 8-11 at UCO and Deer Creek High School in Edmond. The event's special guests will be several U.S. soldiers who were severely injured in Iraq and Afghanistan and will compete in the games. Shelly Ramsey, special events coordinator for UCO Disabled Sports and Events, said the creation of the Endeavor Games was to promote sports and athletics to those who are disabled. "A need was seen for a multisport event for the physically
disabled," Ramsey said. "There were events around for just wheelchair athletes, but there was nothing that encompassed all physical disabilities." Katrina Shacklee, assistant director of UCO Disabled Sports and Events and Robbie Robertson, the development coordinator of UCO Disabled Sports and Events started The Sports Group, a nonprofit group for hosting sporting events. Though now defunct, the group was integral in organizing the first Endeavor Games in 2000. The group worked with the Greater Oklahoma Wheelchair Association to expand on an event that the association sponsored for wheelchair athletes.
In the six years of the games' existence, participation has more than tripled with approximately 300 athletes from all over the world scheduled to compete this year. Events this year include archery, junior and adult 3-on3-wheelchair basketball, bocce ball, power-lifting, shooting, track and field, tennis, table tennis, wheelchair softball and swimming. The Endeavor Games has partnered with Disabled Sports USA, a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the Wounded Warrior Project to host the soldiers as they participate in the competition. Ramsey said the event is ben-
Theo's corner sums up summer sports Also: 2006 World Cup at 11° Pegasus Theater See Sports pg. 6
eficial to let the soldiers know that there are things they can still do that they did prior to their injuries. "A lot of. these young men, prior to going to the war in Iraq, were very active and athletic," she said. "This is a great opportunity to show them that their life doesn't have to change and they can be active athletes." All scheduled events are open to the public with opening ceremonies at 7:30 p.m. June 9 in Hamilton Field House. For more information, contact Shelly Ramsey at 974-3151. Divona Phillips can be reached at dphillips@thevistaonline.com .
by Heather Warlick Managing Editor
UCO students find many ways to pass the time during their summer breaks. Some will work full time, some will sleep all day and others will spend their days lounging at the pool. Journalism senior Taylor McCord will spend her summer break working to make a difference in the lives of street children in Kenya. After she received vaccinations for yellow fever, typhoid, polio by Vista photographer Alex Gambill and hepatitis, the Taylor McCord, journalism senior, packs her 21 year-old left suitcase June 31 for her trip to Africa. Oklahoma City on June 1, bound for London, where she stayed "I walked in the streets and overnight. that's where I saw these chilFrom London, McCord flew dren, dirty clothes, no shoes, to Nairobi, Kenya where she stoned and noisy," Haneveld boarded a train for the 12 hour said. The children, who speak ride to Mombasa. While in Swahili, told her they sniffed Africa, she will have to take glue to ease their hunger pains. medication every day to prevent "They scared me a bit because malaria. they were demanding money McCord will spend a month and food and despite being chilvolunteering at the Lioness dren, their attitude was rude." Cubs home, an orphanage in She said many of the street. Mtwapa, a small town just out- children's parents have died of side Mombasa. AIDS, or they are so poor they "There is a real social justice can't take care of their families. trend going on right now where "In Kenya about 700 people people are speaking out about are dying daily of AIDS and what is going on in the world," children are dropped off on the McCord said. "I just want to act streets with no one to care about on it." them," Haneveld said. "I know The orphanage was founded in that not all the children are really 2002 by Irene Okech-Haneveld, street children. Some of them are who first witnessed the plight sent by their parents to beg." of the street children in 1996 Haneveld said she purchased during her travels to Nairobi the home with her own funds. and Mombasa. She said it was Since the public schools in then she became determined to Mombasa are full, sending the change the lives of as many of children to private school is an these children as possible.
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