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DAYS UNTIL NOV. 2
The Student Voice Since 1903
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2004
Forensics program receives $500K ■ The Department of Justice awarded the Forensic Science Department a federal grant to further the development of the program. by Sarah Skinner Staff Writer
Congressman Ernest J. Istook and UCO President W. Roger Webb announced Oct. 11 that the UCO Forensic Science Department received a $500,000 federal grant for its growing program. The money was awarded by the Department of Justice to further advancements in forensic science education at UCO, and the forensic science department plans to use the grant to buy new equipment and to remodel the existing laboratories.
"It's going to help out with our equipment, new state-of-the-art equipment," said Arnie Hacker, senior forensic science major and vice president of the forensic science club. "It's going to enhance it and develop it further so we can get the actual equipment they use in the lab. Some of our stuff is really dated." The Oklahoma State Bureau of Education is working with UCO to use the grant to create cutting-edge laboratories. OSBI is building a $20 million facility across the street from the forensic science labs so that the remodeled labs and new equipment can be used
The spirit behind Buddy Broncho
program currently has by both UCO and the 158 students enrolled, OSBI. This will provide "These funds will and the graduate proopportunities for forensic science students to learn build on UCO's gram, which began in from those already worksuccess as a 2000, has 54 students enrolled. The master's ing in the field. "This is not only a leader in training of science graduate proworking facility, but also forensic science gram has three options: criminalistics, technical a training facility, akin to investigation and forenthe weather center at professionals." sic nursing. OU," Istook said. - ERNEST J. (STOOK David L. Von UCO is the only Congressman, Oklahoma Minden, a professor school in Oklahoma to offer a bachelor's of sciof chemistry at UCO, ence degree program in said he believes the O.J. forensic science. The undergraduate Simpson trial is what first brought peo-
ple's attention to the field of forensic science. He said he thinks it is what showed people what happens in the laboratory and behind the scenes. UCO will continue working with the state and federal governments, and they want to keep in contact, so that government can have an idea of what is needed, and provide the money to get it, so the laboratories at UCO remain up-to-date. "Forensic science is vital to fight crime," Istook said. "These funds will build on UCO's success as a leader in training forensic science professionals."
Ablaze of glory...
■ Freshman Daviyion Johnson takes the role of college mascot to a new level. by Michael Robertson Staff Writer
UCO freshman Daviyion Johnson is excited about his new job. This summer, as a recent graduate of Southeast High School in Oklahoma City, he was hired to fill the shoes of UCO's team mascot, Buddy Broncho. While working at a summer camp, Johnson was looking for scholarships online, and saw a notice for the mascot job. "Basically, I saw this job, and I just played phone tag until I got it," Johnson said. Daresa Poe, spirit director for Campus Life, created the posting in hopes of finding someone that would improve the cheer teams' chances of par-
in Dallas, and that to go, he would have to leave the next day. "My friends couldn't believe I was in cheer camp," Johnson said. "(But) I enjoyed every minute of it." Johnson found that it would take some practice and training to get ready for his new job. "It's not as easy as I thought it would be," he said. "People always ask if it's hot in the suit, and I'm like, 'yes.' Johnson said that once he has the suit on, he can't take it off, and he can't talk to fans. He also found that it's hard to see kids in his walking path when he has the head on, and he has to be careful. "When kids come up to talk to me, I have to be careful to not step on them or anything,
Photo by Justin Avera
A crowd gathers around "Broncho Blaze," a bonfire celebration of Homecoming, Oct. 12 at the East Hall field. Homecoming events will continue through Oct. 16.
CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS
One-time Mr. UCO makes homecoming, faces cancer ■ Former wrestler and recent graduate takes on his toughest match yet as he battles Hodgkins Lymphoma. by Kelley Chambers Staff Writer
Photo by Justin Avera
Daviyion Johnson is the man behind the mask of Buddy Broncho. Johnson started the gig this semester, his first semester at UCO.
ticipating in state and national cheer competitions. When she finally got to talk to Johnson, she hired him on the spot. "She was like, 'How would you like to go to cheer camp?'" Johnson said. What he didn't know was that cheer camp was
because I can't see to the side," Johnson said. Buddy Broncho is only required to perform at football and basketball games, but Johnson likes to try and go to
see BUDDY, page 3
On the Isues:
a six-part series of articles a ecting voters
Part Two: Economy The Vista continues its election series aimed at getting students engaged before the Nov. 2 presidential and local elections.
SEE PAGE 4
Two years ago Aaron Sweazy was crowned Mr. UCO and was a returning member on the wrestling team, with no inkling that cancer was lurking in his body. It was only while working in a computer lab on campus that he noticed a problem. "I was typing some stuff and felt a crick in my neck, and I felt a lump and went to the clinic on campus," Sweazy said. "It (the lump) was popping out, but they didn't think it was anything major and they put me on antibiotics." Unfortunately it was much more. Now Sweazy, 24, who was diagnosed with stagefour Hodgkins Lymphoma in April 2003, is living with his parents in Chapman, Kansas, and undergoing weekly chemotherapy treatment. He will return to campus this weekend for what he described as his "Coming Home" for Homecoming.
But Sweazy is not letting his condition drag him down. Instead he does what has to be done to live with cancer and tries to cheer up others also suffering in his small Kansas town. "I try to keep upbeat," he said. "On chemo(therapy) days I dress up in crazy shirts and pretty much go in dressed like a clown." Sweazy said his antics and good cheer help others who are receiving cancer treatments, and his overall appearance is far from what many think of as a cancer patient. "I look so healthy and I'm so optimistic," he said. "People think of cancer patients looking like holocaust people." Sweazy's Web site, www.caringbridge.org/ks/a aronsweazy/, which chronicles his battle with cancer, also features pictures of him posing and smiling with friends and visiting the Wrestling Hall of Fame, which is one Of the places he plans to visit on his way to Homecoming. "I'm going to stop by Stillwater on Thursday and
■ "Make a Difference Day" will begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 30. Sixty volunteers are needed for the service project, and anyone interest should sign up by Oct. 27. To sign up, contact Derek Burks, UCO Volunteer Center Coordinator in Room 414 of the Nigh University Center, at 9742621, or e-mail dburks@ucok.edu . ■ UCAB will host a free movie night Oct. 14 and will show "Spiderman 2" at 7 p.m. in Constitution Hall. ■ Homecoming 2004 T-shirts are now on sale in the Campus Life Office. Short sleeve shirts are $7, and Long sleeve shirts are $10.
Photo Provided
Aaron Sweazy
go to the Wrestling Hall of Fame," he said. "That lifts my spirits." And while Sweazy admittedly may not have been the best wrestler UCO has ever seen, wrestling Coach David James applauded his dedication to the program. "He wasn't our front line guy," James said. "He was there every day and competed. The guy is an amazing individual. His attitude was one that rubbed off on people." James said he was taken aback when he heard about
see SWEAZY, page 3
■ The Student Health Center will give flu vaccinations Oct. 25 for $15. For more information, call the Student Health Center at 974-2317.
INDEX Opinion 2 News 3 Campus Events 3 Sports 6 Classifieds 8 American Democracy jcct
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