The Vista Oct. 29, 2009

Page 1

•••

twitter.com/UCO360

000

UCO360.com

S

IHI I N 1 VOICE OF THE UN IVE RSITY OF CENTRAL OKI \FI \\ \,( F 1 0 0

Pre-Law Society welcomes OCU speaker

Sorority adresses male student struggles

Ryan Costello

Tiffany Brown stqgW riter

Staff Writer

The University of Central Oklahoma Pre-Law Society will host a special guest speaker at its monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 4. Bernard Jones, a representative of the Oklahoma City University Law School, will be speaking at 4 p.m. in room 124 of the Business Administration building. Jones works as an admissions officer for OCU's law school and will be informing students on the necessary steps to gain entry to law school. These steps include entry tests, recommendations and other preparations. Dr. Marty Ludlum, the faculty adviser to the PreLaw Society, believes that the most important role of the student-led group is to help produce successful graduates for future law practice. His office's walls were clad with various awards, degrees and two spare sports coats, Ludlum see PRE-LAW , page 6

PHOTOS ON UCO360.COM

Volleyball Check out Allison Rathgeber's photos from the UCO v. East Central University game.

VIDEO ON UCO360.COM

The Huddle Check out the past episodes of The Huddle, a sport's talk show featuring; Dylan Buckingham, Dan Peed and Chris Wescott. COMING UP ON NEWSCENTRAL Check out Zach Jacob's segment, Going Green to Save Green and his tips to be environmentally friendly while saving a buck.

facebook

Photo Provided

In this photo from the Spring 2009 commencement ceremonies, a girl celebrates graduation with the word "out" taped to her cap. Many graduating UCO seniors have made the decision to stay in Oklahoma.

From UCO to who knows where Tiffany Brown s,„flii rite r Walking barefoot across the sand and feeling the cooled waves of the ocean, washing away the sand particles at sunset or sunrise on the coast has become part of the charm in places such as South Padre Island or San Francisco. Even in cities that are not near or require a long drive to the ocean, manmade lighting and attractions in cities such as Raleigh and New York, which overpower the shadows of darkness at night, are enough to entice students leave a state like Oklahoma. • For some individuals, Rodeo Drive in California or Times Square in New York, to name a few, have become the place where legends can be seen or where legends are made. While the charm of many big cities in the United States has lured Oklahomans away from the state in the past, economic strains across the nation have recently taken away that lure. APsources have reported California, Texas, and North California as the top three states attracting college graduates as residents.

Several University of Central Oklahoma seniors and college graduates have not been overcome with symptoms of what is called "brain drain." Brain drain is considered to be the migration of skilled or educated people from one place to another. Some of the reasons that contribute to individuals leaving for other places include better jobs, better opportunities or better pay, among other reasons: Many seniors, though, have made the decision to stay in Oklahoma. "Oklahoma and Texas have done relatively well economically, considering the last year or so," Joseph Lopez, a University • of Central Oklahoma graduate said. Lopez said he would not consider moving to a state like California due to its economic state, but he would consider moving to Texas. "It's not good, but it's not bad," Lopez said about the economies of both states. Other students are saying big city life has not lured them away from Oklahoma. Christa Copeland and Brook Taylor, seniors who are graduating in December, said they were going to stay in Oklahoma where they could

find jobs and build networks. Seniors such as Sharday Kay have cited family as a reason for not leaving Oklahoma in hopes of succeeding in life. Regardless of the reasons why UCO students are deciding to stay in the state, the statistics are showing that Oklahoma is one of the most stable states during the economic downturn. While cities such as Los Angeles, Orlando and Detroit have been suffering major losses due to the economic downturn, Oklahoma has remained steady. Unemployment, foreclosure, the loss of job security and other issues that are causing great concern among United States citizens have not yet affected Oklahoma on the scale that is affected other states. Overall cost of living has been below the national average. In lieu of the recession, Oklahoma City has been ranked 12 out of 200 and Tulsa 47 out of 200 on "Forbes Best Places for Businesses and Careers" list. For those who do make the decision to leave, the risk of leaving may or may not outweigh the benefits to staying in Oklahoma.

Sean Smith: (1976-2009) Troy Smith: (1922-2009) Amy Sinnell Stahl I ther

The physical plant at the University of Central Oklahoma lost a coworker and friend this past weekend. Sean Lee Smith was headed off to do some plumbing jobs on Saturday morning when a car pulled out in front of him near the MacArthur and Northwest Expressway intersection, Tom Barmann, Smith's supervisor, said. When he swerved to miss the vehicle, he lost control of his truck and crossed the centerline. He was ejected from the vehicle and killed at the scene. Smith worked at the physical plant for what would have been "four years to the day" on Monday,

Carol Overton, a secretary at the plant, said. In those four years, Smith earned a reputation as an "extremely good worker" and a "good friend. Everyone that ever worked with him will miss him," Barmann said. Anne Hayhurst, whose husband, Lloyd Hayhurst, worked alongside Smith, said, "The whole physical plant is really shook up about it." Smith's coworkers gathered Monday morning when they got to work to hear the news, and a candle was placed on his desk in remembrance, Anne Hayhurst said. They also went and "placed wreaths at the scene and said [their] prayers," Barmann said. According to Barmann,

Diu-.) YOU KNOW.? Daylight- saving time will end this Sunday at 2:00 a.m. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 added four weeks to daylight-saving time in the United States by beginning three

weeks earlier and ending one week later.

see SEAN , page 6

Roger Webb said in a statement. Staff" I rites "He and his wife, Dollie's, generosity shines Troy N. Smith Sr., found- in the bright futures of our er of Sonic Drive-in restau- students who benefit from rants and a major contribu- the opportunities they have tor to UCO, died Monday helped create here. The Oct. 26 at the age of 87. Central family grieves with Smith's restaurants Dollie, Troy, Jr., Leslie and raised money for the Troy the rest of the Smith famSmith Lecture Hall in the ily at his loss, and is glad to Business Administration have called this Oklahoma Building that was built over pioneer a friend," twelve years ago. "He truly believed in this Smith also donated $3 university and his legacy will million in the value of stock continue to live on through shares to the university. the lives of all the students At the time of the donation it was the' largest unre- he touched with his generstricted gift the university osity and leadership," Anne had received, according to Holzberlein, vice presiAdrienne Nobles, director of dent for Development and marketing and communica- Executive Director of the UCO Foundation, said. tion at UCO. Memorial services will "Troy Smith's impact will be felt at the University of be held at First Christian Central Oklahoma for years Church of Edmond on to come," President W. Friday, Oct. 3oth.

Tivanna Harris

WEATH ER TODAY

TOMORROW

High: 63 °

High: 64 °

Low: 57 °

Low: 42°

RAIN LIKELY

PARTLY CLOUDY

4.1111 14

While programs on the University of Central Oklahoma campus have focused on the plight of women and the barriers that imply they are the inferior sex, one sorority is taking the time to address the struggles male students on campus may face. In particular, UCO's Delta Sigma Theta Inc. sorority, Iota Omicron chapter has begun an initiative to reduce the amount of underachieving black males on campus. Iota Omicron held a two-part series of the Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence (EMBODI) initiative earlier this week. The idea to host the EMBODI initiative began when the Iota Omicron president attended a regional conference, Stephanie McCurdy, secretary of the chapter, said. It was presented to the chapter and the members liked the idea. Yet it was not until she attended a campus event that made her pursue the idea of hosting an event that would empower males. The event had 50 to 60 participants, McCurdy said, but only two of the participants at that event were male. She felt the lack of participation from men on the UCO campus was a problem that needed to be addressed. "This was not an issue that could be ignored," McCurdy said. No other Greek Panhellenic sorority on campus had attempted to cross gender lines and address the issues concerning males on a large scale, she said. The athletic program was the only program that made strides to deal with issues concerning men, particularly men in sports, she said. She began by proposing the idea of creating an EMBODI program and speaking with officials in the athletic department at Hamilton Field House. The next step for McCurdy was not just simply proposing the idea, but putting it in writing. She explained how the Delta Sigma Theta sorority faced many barriers while attempting to bring the EMBODI initiative to the campus. "I knew that if I could see SORORITY , page 6


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.