Happy moth Birthday, Oklahoma www.thevistaonline.com
The Student Voice of the University of Central Oklahoma Since 1903
November 15, 2007
Director
Student film documents Oklahoma history
arrested for shoplifting by Justin Langston
by Hannah Jackson
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
In support of the Oklahoma Centennial, the UCO Broadcast Department is airing "Cathedral on the Prairie" Nov. 13 through Nov. 16. Seven UCO students produced the documentary as part of a television news class taught by Dr. Keith Swezey. The documentary is split up into sections. The first, which aired Tuesday evening, documented the late 1800s. It details some of Oklahoma's history, including the facts that its first public schoolhouse was in Edmond and the first principle was Richard Thatcher. It also explained that before Old North was built, students were taught in the First Methodist Church. In 1983, when Old North was completed, students marched from the church to the new school building. In 1897, the first class graduated from the school, consisting of two men and two women. All four sections of the documentary include interviews of historians and Edmond residents. There are pictures and film footage that the students found in the archives at the UCO library. The second section of the documentary, which aired Wednesday evening, documented the 1900s through the 1920s. "I concentrated on the school during that time," said Emily Parrott, who worked
AP Photo
Settlers race across the border into Indian Territory as a signal opens the area to white settlement in this file photo shot in Oklahoma City on April 22, 1889. The capital of what is now the state of Oklahoma has expanded through annexation from 80.01 square miles in 1958 to 620 square miles.
1830
1803 What is now Oklahoma is acquired through the Louisiana Purchase, one of history's biggest real estate bargains.
see CENTENNIAL, page 4
1889
President Andrew Jackson President Harrison signs signs the Indian Removal legislation that opens up Act as the United States 2 million acres of land in expands westward. present day Oklahoma. The term 'sooner' is coined to describe those who arrived early to stake their claims.
Following the discovery of oil in the Oklahoma territory, the former No Man's Land becomes the nation's 46th state on Nov. i6.
Program to help smokers kick the habit by Hannah Jackson Staff Writer
by Vista photographer Chris Albers
The 31st annual Great American Smokeout begins today. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the Smokeout's goal is to start smokers on a path to a healthier, non-smoking lifestyle.
News Central Channel 6 Mon. through Thurs. at 5 p.m.
The Great American Smokeout. It's probably not what you think. And it's probably not what you're hoping. That's in April. This is the opposite. The American Cancer Society and the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust are urging Oklahoma Smokers to quit for two days on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16. The Great American Smokeout has occurred on the third Thursday of November every year for 30 years. This year, ACS and the endowment trust are extending the event into Statehood Day, Oklahoma's Centennial. "As our state's first century comes to a close, tobacco use remains our number one cause of preventable death," said Tracey Strader, executive director of the endowment trust. "The good news is most smokers want to quit and free help is just a phone call or a click away." "Thousands of smokers across the country take part in the Great American Smokeout each year," said
"When you want to fool the world, tell the truth."
Kristen Taylor, regional communications director for the ACS. Mark Brennamen, an adjunct teacher and graduate student at UCO, dedicates much of his life to helping smokers become non-smokers. He said of the many smokers who will quit for one or two days, most will resume smoking, but there is a chance that this day could initiate a lifetime change. "Most people will go back and start smoking, but some people will have the confidence to do it and try it again a next day and perhaps become a life-time none smoker," said Brennamen. "What happens is that a lot of people realize that it's not going to kill them when they go a day without smoking," said Brennamen, Tease Austin, a senior applied liberal arts major, said she smokes socially and isn't ready to quit, but she would stop for a day in support of the ACS. "Smoking isn't something you can quit cold turkey, and I don't have the will power right now," said said. David Meserole, a junior broadcast major at UCO, said although he'd never
heard of the Great American Smokeout, he'd be willing to give it up for two days because he's trying to quit anyway. "I need to quit by January," said Meserole, "It's a goal I set because I go snowboarding every January. I'm the only person that smokes. It's a 12-hour trip and smoking stinks!" Smokers who are trying to quit can visit www.greatamericansmokeout.org , or attend Brennamen's "Non-smoking seminars" which take place every Monday at 1 p.m. and are free for students. Other options include 1-800-QUIT NOW, a helpline which will tailor a quit-smoking plan to each individuals needs, including a "quit coach" and free nicotine patches or gum. "Choosing The Great American Smokeout as the day to quit and using all available resources gives smokers a greater chance of quitting for good," said Taylor.
Hannah Jackson can be reached at hjackson@thevistaonline.com.
Stacy McNeiland, UCO's executive director of Alumni Relations, was arrested last week on a complaint of shoplifting after the loss prevention officer of the J.C. Penny store at Penn Square Mall allegedly witnessed McNeiland select five items and enter a fitting room, according to the police report. As of press time, the university has not made any decisions regarding McNeiland's future at UCO available to the public. "Sheisalongtimededica :d, excellent employee but is now on paid administrative leave through next Wednesday," UCO News Bureau Director Charlie Johnson said. "This will allow her time to deal with these allegations and will also allow UCO time to evaluate the situation as the facts become available." According to the report, the loss prevention officer witnessed McNeiland enter the store with an empty brown bag. The officer told the police McNeiland then entered a fitting room with five items, but only hung up four after leaving. Allegedly, the officer entered the stall and found a discarded tag of a blouse on the floor of the fitting room. According to the report, McNeiland looked at jewelry for a while before exiting the store. The loss prevention officer soon caught up with McNeiland and escorted her back into the store. The officer allegedly found the missing blouse in the bag McNeiland had carried into the store. According to the report, McNeiland claimed the whole thing was a mistake, but eventually admitted to stealing the blouse and said she was sorry. McNeiland was arrested and taken to Oklahoma County Jail. Justin Langston can be reached at jiangston@thevistaonline.com .
Coach Langston dismissed by Andrew Knittle Staff Writer
Head football coach Chuck Langston's year continued its downward slide Wednesday as President Roger Webb announced the coach would not return next season, according to a press release from university spokesman Charlie Johnson. The coach's dismissal came just five days after the Bronchos lost their final game of 2007, ending the season with a losing record.
see LANGSTON, page 4
Oklahoma Centennial See Editorial, page 2
—Otto von Bismarck