The Vista Dec. 04, 2007

Page 1

The Stud

Voice

the Univ

er 4, 2007

sity of Central Ok oma Si

to hold meeting

Prole or creates steel art

by Hannah Jackson Staff Writer

by Aaron Wright Managing Editor

Eight UCO representatives are traveling to Indianapolis for the final judgment on Chuck Langston's alleged infractions of National Collegiate Athletic Association rules. The Committee of Infractions meeting is scheduled for Dec 6, said Charlie Johnson, UCO News Bureau Director. Langston, who is attending the meeting, will be accompanied by President W. Roger Webb as per NCAA request. According to Johnson, other attendees include Tami Peck, UCO Director of Compliance; Drew Duke, UCO Executive Director of Student Financial Services; Bill Farley, athletic director; Brad Morelli, UCO legal counsel and Toby Baldwin, outside counsel. Baldwin was hired in March 2007 specifically for UCO's internal investigation into the allegations. His services will end upon return from the Infractions Committee meeting. The NCAA investigation into Langston's infractions began in August 2006 and took almost a year to formally send information regarding the allegations, which UCO received on Aug. 3, 2007. The case included 10 alleged infractions of the governing body's bylaws, beginning in 2003 and lasting until May 2007, mostly relating to recruiting issues. The listed allegations include UCO funds paying for a prospective athletes surgery, UCO funds paying a prospective athletes tuition at Rose State College and other irregularities of a similar nature. Almost three weeks after the notification was received, Webb suspended Langston

"The image of a paper airplane is universal, ageless and timeless," said Joe Daun, UCO art professor. He felt the statue of a paper airplane against the backdrop of modern planes taking off from Tinker Air Force base would inspire people to look to the past while dreaming of the future. That is why Daun chose to create this design for Tinker Federal Credit Union in Oklahoma City. He entered the sculpture competition with Lori Alspaugh, director of development for the College ofArts, Media and Design and creator of the design. "Tinker Federal Credit Union wanted a sculpture that represented banking, aviation and their 60 year anniversary," said Alspaugh. Daun and Alspaugh received the commission in August and Daun installed the piece on Nov. 21. The statue was unveiled at 3 p.m. on Nov. 27. "This is an extremely tight frame for such a monumental piece," said Daun. However, Daun is used to deadlines. He has been involved with art since before he was in the double digits. "I started taking photographs before I was 10 years old and was involved in photography classes from the age of 13," he said. His art classes continued throughout his schooling. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in studio art in 1990 from Florida State University. After graduation, He attended graduate school in San Antonio, Texas and earned his master's in fine arts. His next job was

NCAA'

see NCAA, page 3

' ""'"""" "

whom. w 0 • • • 40 •

t„►. ♦ • '0114,4 4.014,

1141

by Vista photographer Chris Albers

The essence of tranquility and the presence of holiday spirit radiate from our beloved campus Thursday evening during the WinterGlow festival.

by Vista photographer Chris Albers

by Vista photographer Chris

Lindsay Sakai, junior, recieves a free caricature drawing at UCO's WinterGlow in the Nigh University Center.

A holiday elf dazzles children with carnival tricks at UCO's WinterGlow Christmas celebration Thursday night.

see DAUN, page 5

Dr. Mickey Hepner named 2007 Professor of the Year by Nelson Solomon Staff Writer After spending a few minutes in his office, it was easy to see why Dr. Mickey Hepner was a great selection for the U.S. Professor of the Year program's 2007 Oklahoma Professor of the Year Award. Hepner is an associate professor in the Department of Economics in the College of Business Administration and serves as the director of the UCO Public Policy Institute. His passion for teaching and charisma were clearly evident in the few minutes spent talking with him. "This award is truly one of the most prestigious and surprising awards I have ever received, especially since there are six letters of recommendation from students," Hepner said. He won the award at a luncheon on Nov. 15 held in

Washington, D.C., according to Hepner. Hepner is one of 40 teachers and professors from throughout the country who have received the award in their respective states, according to a press release from University Relations. The U.S. Professors of the Year program salutes the most outstanding undergraduate instructors in the country—those who excel in teaching and positively influence the lives and careers of students, according to their official Web site. Hepner referenced a quote from Alex Haley, author of "Roots." "Haley said, 'Anytime you see a turtle up on top of a fence post, you know he had some help,' and that applies to me as well. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for all those who helped me along the way," he said. Sponsored by the

News Central Channel 6 Mon. through Thurs. at 5 p.m.

by Vista photographer Chris Albers

UCO economics professor Dr. Mickey Hepner at his office in Thatcher Hall Friday afternoon. Dr. Hepner was recently honored with the U.S. Professor of the Year program's 2007 Oklahoma Professor of the Year Award. Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement ofTeaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the

U.S. Professor of the Year program is the only national program to recognize excellence in undergraduate teaching

"When you're feeling terrific, notify your face." —

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

and recognizes the nation's most outstanding undergraduate instructors, according to the press release. Hepner began teaching at UCO after earning his doctorate degree at the University of Oklahoma in 2001. He teaches Principles of Microeconomics, Principles of Business Statistics and Labor Economics, as well as Prices, Profits and the Market Economy for UCO's MBA program. He has authored reports for state organizations such as the Citizens Policy Center and writes a weekly column on public policy issues for the Sunday edition of the Edmond Sun. Among the honors he has received this year are the UCO President's Award for Leadership and Civic Engagement and Department of Economics Distinguished Teaching Award. Established in 1905, the

Dr. Washington dead?

CSI: Edmond See page 3

Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching is an individual policy and research center whose primary mission is to encourage, uphold, dignify and improve the cause of higher education, according to the press release. The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is one of the largest international associations of education institutions in the world, serving more than 3,300 universities, colleges, schools and related organizations in 55 countries. Hepner maintains that he doesn't deserve the award. "I still don't think this award is something I've earned," he said.

Nelson Solomon can be reached at nsolomon@thevistaonline.com.


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.