The Vista Aug. 21, 2017 by The Vista

Volume 115, Issue 1

the VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”

ucentralmedia.com vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista

Monday, August 21, 2017

UCO Funding Bucked

Old North, a staple of the University of Central Oklahoma, is located at the west end of campus. UCO is ranked last in funding for students from the Oklahoma government. (Provided/ UCO Video Services).

Christian Tabak @vista1903 Reporter

As public universities and colleges across Oklahoma scramble to adjust their budgets to another year of reduced appropriations funding, a recent study revealed that the Sooner State has led the nation in slashing funding for higher education over the last five years. Since Fiscal Year 2012, state appropriations for higher education have been reduced from $1,042,529,350 to $857,022,108 for what amounted to an overall 17.8 percent decrease, according to a study published by Illinois State

University. The study found that the only other states whose state appropriations saw an overall decrease over the same period were Louisiana, West Virginia, Alaska, Kentucky, Arkansas and Kansas. The trend has continued into Fiscal Year 2018, with the state’s higher education system sustaining a six percent decrease at a time when many institutions are still recovering from FY 2017’s staggering 16 percent cut. Higher education received a $774 million allocation for FY 2018, $36 million less than the $810 million allocated last year and significantly less than the $936 million originally requested for the year by the Oklaho-

ma State Regents for Higher Education. The significant decrease in funding has meant that many universities and colleges across Oklahoma have been forced to implement stringent cost cutting measures, according to Angela Caddell, Associate Vice Chancellor for Communication with the State Regents. “Following the higher education budget reduction for FY 2017, which exceeded $157.9 million, the additional budget cut for FY 2018 will result in a further reduction of academic programs, personnel, student services and college degree completion initiatives,” said Caddell. To help reduce costs further, the

regents have implemented measures such as sharing faculty and administrators between institutions, joint academic degree programs between institutions and the consolidation of campus sites, according to Caddell. Regional universities, such as the University of Central Oklahoma, are amongst the hardest hit by these cuts. UCO’s own appropriation funding has been slashed by almost 40 percent since 2008 and the 2018 reductions have put further strain on the university, according to Patti Neuhold, UCO’s Vice President for Finance.

See “Funds” Continued page 8-9

Table of Contents

CONTENTS Section A: Campus News Stipend Program ...........................................3

Voices ....................................................10-11

Around the Campus ..................................4-5

Stampede Week .....................................12-13

Greek House/Photo Story .........................6-7

HR Society/Academic Team .................14-15

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The Vista is published weekly during the spring, summer, and fall semesters. In all issues, The Vista has opportunities for both classified, online and print ads. Email your questions to: thevista.ads@gmail.com

UCO Funds ..................................................9 The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, weekly during the academic year, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained.

Section B: Metro Equal Housing/Bryant Square ..................2-3

Teachers Leaving/Edmond COP ...........11-12

Edmond/New Stores ................................4-5

High School Football .................................13

Maps 3/Edmond .......................................6-9

Hashtag/Yoga ........................................14-15

Section C: Sports Donation/Soccer, Football ........................2-3

UCO Volleyball......................................10-11

Robinson Feature/Bucking Bronch ..........4-5

Golf .......................................................12-13

Football/New Stable .................................6-9

MIAA/Cross Country ...........................14-15

Section D: Features King Mo/Mike Cook ................................2-3 Letters/Page 1 Continued..........................6-7

Lauren Nelson/Humour Column...............4/5

EDITORIALS Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO. LETTERS The Vista encourages letters to the editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced, and must include the authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s printed name, major, classification and phone number. Phone numbers are included for contacting purposes only. Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters. Address letters to: Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131. Letters can be emailed to vistaeditorletters@gmail.com.

STAFF Peter Agnitsch Elizabeth Spence Austin Moseley Cara Johnson Megan Thele Kateleigh Mills Michelle Pennza Christian Tabak Faith Kelly Nate Baldwin Jonathan Goudeau Dylan Brown Ryan Naeve Hayden Barzditis Teddy Burch

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor/Reporter Online Editor Graphic Designer Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter Photographer Photographer Advisor

Classes are starting and students are back on campus. While many things are changing around UCO, some iconic staples are still the same. (Provided/ Vista Archives).

Stipend Program

No Allowance For Teachers

Broncho Lake, University of Central Oklahoma. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).

Kateleigh Mills @kateleighsuz Online Editor

A stipend program that was used primarily for one-time payments has not been used since fiscal year 201415, according to the UCO budget. UCO’s vice president of finance, Patti Neuhold said the stipend program was used to help employees with one-time investments to help offset the cost of living or acknowledging professional accomplishments. Due to the nearly 5-percent cut to higher education's state appropriations and the hike in tuition, the two main factors that impact the Unversi-

ty budget, money was moved around to be able to pay for teachers and other key departments. “When you have a lot of good people who can find jobs somewhere else for a lot more money, it’s really hard to not try and shift or move money around in order to keep good people,” Neuhold said. Neuhold said she lost two people in her office to other universities because they could find more pay. She said the university has not been able to generate enough additional revenue in order to pay for teachers at a competitive market rate. The salary adjustments within the budget have a direct correlation with

the amount of money that goes into the University budget. “Because we are losing state funding and our enrollment is declining a bit, we are actually taking existing dollars from operating budgets and people are just reallocating those,” Neuhold said. She said moving the money around is just internal reallocations and not additional expenses. Departments typically have their own operating budgets, Neuhold said, although some may not have a salary budget, depending on what type of staff is within the department and how they get paid. Comparing last year’s budget to

this year, there was a decrease in the salary adjustments for professional staff and faculty but an increase in the salaries for skilled workers and non-exempt staff. Neuhold said that could be because of a variety of reasons, from not having enough money or some departments that don't need adjustments. “We can only take out of operating before we are left with nothing to operate on,” Neuhold said. Some of the money that has been shifted around in the budget includes a lower raise in teacher pay from last year that has gone to pay to tenured professors.

A Letter from Provost, John Barthell Dear UCO Students: Welcome to the fall semester 2017! We are all so pleased to welcome you to campus, whether you are a new student entering your first college courses at UCO or whether you are a returning student settling in for another year at Central. Our vibrant metropolitan university campus abounds with opportunities for you to excel in your area of interest, including 20 degrees, 110 programs, 192 majors and 86 minors to provide you with the best options for your career. Our talented full-time faculty members span six colleges: Business, Education & Professional Studies, Fine Arts & Design, Liberal Arts, Mathematics & Science, and the Jackson College of Graduate Studies. This combination of talent and award winning mentorship, together with our caring

staff members and administration, explains why our campus was just named again as a “Great College to Work For” by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Speaking of student learning opportunities at Central, please know that April 4-7 of 2018 (next spring semester!) will be the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, or NCUR. Thousands of students from across the country will be joining us here in celebration of student-centered performances and presentations, and from all disciplines. This could be your opportunity to submit an abstract to participate directly in this incredible event. October will be “NCUR Awareness Month”, so look for information that will help you understand the opportunities you will have during this important time on our campus.

We feel that experiences like these are so important that we provide the Student Transformative Learning Record, or STLR, to assist you and your faculty or staff mentors to record important experiences (in global and cultural competencies, leadership, research, service, wellness) that will supplement your academic transcript and help you develop skills employers demand. Please visit www.uco. edu/activities to see how you can participate in this unique transformative learning effort that began on our campus over a decade ago. At UCO you are developing skills for a lifetime. You will be grounded in a liberal arts education that emphasizes your ability to think critically and communicate effectively, but you will also be trained in a program that will support a career of your interest. This includes opportunities

in the thriving Oklahoma City Metropolitan environment where Central also has a presence at UCO Downtown, the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM), and the CHK/Central boathouse on the Oklahoma River. Please explore these options. On our campus in Edmond, we continue to improve and beautify our environment with improvements to facilities such as the opening of the “new” Old North where classes are once again being taught. We are proud of the learning environment we are creating for you. At UCO we want to live our mission of helping students learn and I thank you for joining in that experience with us. John F. Barthell, PhD Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

Around the Campus

AROUND THE CAMPUS

Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 Central Locate: From 7:30 a.m. to 1

p.m. in the Human Environmental Science and Business building, UCO faculty and staff will help students find their classes.

HAB Poster Sale: From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

at Broncho Lake’s Blue Tent, members from the Homecoming Activities Board will offer posters for sale to decorate apartments, dorms and homes.

Fraternity and Sorority Life Fair:

From 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Fraternity and Sorority Life Fair is scheduled to be at Broncho Lake next to the Nigh University Center. UCO has 22 active chapters on campus will be there to give information about their organization and will be prepared to answer any questions about Greek Life. If weather prevents the event from being held outside, the event be on the NUC’s second floor. More information about Greek life can be found on www.uco.edu/fsl.

ROTC Picnic: From 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Picnic will be providing a free lunch around Broncho Lake.

Stampede Week: The Evasons:

Beginning at 8 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Ballrooms on the third floor, Stampede Week will present The Evasons, a mentalist duo who has performed in more than 35 countries and has appeared on TV. The event is free for UCO students, faculty and staff.

Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017 Central Locate: From 7:30 a.m. to 1

p.m. in the Human Environmental Science and Business building, UCO faculty and staff will help students find their classes.

HAB Poster Sale: From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

at Broncho Lake’s Blue Tent, members from the Homecoming Activities Board will offer posters for sale to decorate apartments, dorms and homes.

Volunteer & Part Time Job Fair:

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Volunteer and PartTime Job Fair is scheduled to be at Broncho lake under the blue tent. This fair will have local employers from around Edmond and Oklahoma City who are offering part-time jobs and organizations who are looking for volunteers. If weather prevents the event from being held outside, the event will be on the NUC’s Ballrooms on the third floor.

OBI Blood Drive: From 11 a.m. to 4

p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Ballroom C on the third floor, members from the Oklahoma Blood Institute are scheduled to have a blood drive.

Stampede Week: 3OH!3: From 6 p.m.

to 8 p.m. at the Hamilton Field House lawn the Student Programming Board and Stampede Week will kickoff a concert featuring alternative pop punk duo 3OH!3. Admission is exclusively open to UCO students, faculty and staff with a valid UCO ID.

Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017 Student Involvement Fair: From 9:30 to 2 p.m. the Student Involvement Fair is scheduled to be around Broncho Lake. Organizations will have tents and tables set up with student representatives ready to answer questions for students. The Student Organizations Office will also be there to help students get involved on campus. OBI Blood Drive: From 11 a.m. to 4

p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Ballroom C on the third floor, members from the Oklahoma Blood Institute are scheduled to have a blood drive.

Stampede Week: Foam Drop: From

8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Plunkett Park, Stampede Week will present FoamDrop, a party that will have foam cannons, music and UCO merchandise. The event is free for UCO students, faculty and staff.

Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017 Interfaith Fair: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

the Interfaith Fair is scheduled to be around Broncho Lake. The fair is designed to provide students information about the various religious and spiritual groups on campus. Students can learn when upcoming events for these groups are, such as worship services, meetings, and other programs.

Panhellenic Orientation: Beginning at 6 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Constitution Hall, located on the south end of the building, members from the Panhellenic Council will host an orientation for women who are registered to go through the recruitment process. Stampede Week: Comedic Magicians David & Leeman: From 8 p.m.

to 9 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Ballrooms on the third floor, Stampede Week will present comedic magicians David and Leeman. They are an award winning duo from Los Angeles who has performed on America’s Got Talent in 2014. The event is free for UCO students, faculty and staff.

ACACIA: Summer Volleyball: From

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the ACACIA fraternity house, members from ACACIA are scheduled to host volleyball for prospective new members. The fraternity house is located at 213 E. Hurd., Edmond OK 73034.

Around the Campus Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 Organization Registration/Renewal Training: From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the

Nigh University Center’s Room 202, members from the Student Organizations Office will have training for student organization leaders and advisors. All leaders and advisors attending a session must register. The trainings include registration, OrgSync and Budget training. More information can be found by contacting the Student Organizations Office at 405-974-2625 or visiting them in the Nigh University Center’s Room 424.

A5 Navigating Your Community: From 2

p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Room 201, members from Campus Activities are scheduled to host an event to help student s find their way around Edmond. Student’s will learn safety tips and how to use the city’s CityLink system.

ACACIA: Summer Volleyball: From

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the ACACIA fraternity house, members from ACACIA are scheduled to host volleyball for prospective new members. The fraternity house is located at 213 E. Hurd., Edmond OK 73034.

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for more news stories, updates, features, reviews and more. Did you know?

UCO’s Undergraduate Academic Advisement office in the Nigh University Center will be allowing walk-ins through the month of August. The advisement office is located on the first floor of the Nigh. Undergraduate Academic Advisement office hours: Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm Some departments are allowing walk-in appointments in August.

Tuition Notice:

Information gathered for ‘Around the Campus’ can be found on UCO’s OrgSync page, uco.edu, blasts.uco.edu, Campus Activities, departments and organizations across campus.

Students will be able to add classes until the tuition deadline on Aug. 25 by midnight. Carrying the tuition balance past the due date automatically enrolls students in a payment plan with the bursar. There will be a $40 payment fee to start the payment plan for remaining balances. Starting in September a student’s account balance that isn’t paid off will accumulate a 1.5 interest rate every month that a student doesn’t make a payment. Having an outstanding tuition balance of $500 and above will prevent students from being able to enroll and a hold will be put on the student’s transcript. Students are not able to drop or add classes online if there is a hold. For questions contact the Enrollment Office at 405-974-2727 or visit the office in the Nigh University Center’s Room 124.

Greek House

Welcome To Their House

Christian Tabak @vista1903 Reporter

After almost a year of demolition and construction, members of the University of Central Oklahoma’s Alpha Gamma Delta sorority will have access to their new and improved off-campus chapter house by late September. The new house is more than 13,000 square feet and will be able to accommodate more than 30 livein members, as well as the house director. Improving on the accommodations and features, the new facility will be comparable to the houses of UCO’s other sororities, according to Abby McCollom, coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life at UCO. “It is great to see Alpha Gamma Delta getting a space that fits their needs and continues to support them in the same way their facility did before. Getting a new facility is always exciting for the women in the chapter and the alumnae who have donated their time, talent and money to the project,” McCollum said. Features include a new chapter room and craft room in the basement, as well as dining, living and study spaces. Along with a full kitchen, the house also features a night kitchen which will allow members 24/7 access for individual meal preparation. The second floor will house the

The new Alpha Gamma Delta House is located west of campus, and is set to be finished near the end of September. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista).

majority of the live-in bedrooms as well as a spa-like bathroom and two laundry rooms. There will be a large porch and balcony on the front of the house, as well as parking for the live in members in the back, according to Sara Dunbar, the chapter’s off-cam-

pus advisor. “Although it is the goal of any chapter to have a competitive space for recruitment, Alpha Gamma Delta wants their new home to be comfortable and inviting and to reflect the best parts of the membership experi-

Alpha Gamma Delta House, under construction, on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista)

ence,” Dunbar said. While planning for the construction of the new house officially began in September 2015, Dunbar said chapter members and alumnae had been discussing the need for a new chapter house for the past seven years. The chapter’s original off-campus house was built in the early 1960s and the needs of the chapter had changed significantly since then. “The chapter house was not large enough, nor sturdy enough to simply add on and to keep up with the growing Fraternity and Sorority life population at the UCO campus,” Dunbar said. Demolition for the house was finally approved by the Edmond City Council last June and construction of the house began last September. The total cost of the construction and furnishings of the new house will be approximately $4 million upon completion, but funding for the project came directly from the Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity Housing Corporation at no increased cost to the members, according to Dunbar. Completion of the house and move-in for the members is scheduled for the end of September.

Photo Story

Hallelujah, It’s Rainin’ Bronchos Cara Johnson @cara_johnson_ Photo Editor

Move-In staff sit under a tent near West Hall to assist students and check out carts for those moving in on SaturA student wears a “Central is My Home” Poncho, providday, Aug. 12, 2017. Staff used tarps to create extra shelter from the rain, tying one end to the tent, and the other to ed due to the rain on Move-In day on Saturday, Aug. 12, a tree. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista). 2017. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista).

Students, parents, and volunteers cart belongings through the rain into The Quad during Move-In on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista).

A move-in volunteer helps a new Broncho unload and move suitcases into The Quad on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista).

Students carry a tote through rain towards West Hall during Move-In on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista).

UCO Funds

UCO Students Valued

“10 years ago, the state provided almost 60 percent of our institutional budget; today, they provide less than 22 percent. The majority of the remaining budget has shifted to tuition and fees,” Neuhold said. The latest appropriations cuts have seen UCO receiving a 6.1 percent reduction in state funding. At 22 percent funding from state appropriations, this means that UCO has the lowest rate of taxpayer contribution per student among the state’s 13 public universities. “Although troubling on its face, this also clearly demonstrates that we are the most effective and efficient university in the state in applying taxpayer dollars to student education,” UCO President Don Betz said in an email statement. The greatest challenge the university faces with the continued budget slashes is in its ability to offer competitive salaries for both recruiting and retaining qualified faculty, according to Neuhold. The strain for retaining and hiring is most apparent among the university’s academic advisement staff. With

Broncho Lake, University of Central Oklahoma. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).

an average rate of one academic counselor per 1,500 students, UCO’s ratio is significantly higher than the national average of 296 students per academic counselor reported in the National Academic Advising Association’s 2011 survey. Last year the university enacted a three-month hiring freeze in order to accumulate funds that would help offset the funding decrease and preserve jobs. This year the university will be considering vacant positions, according to Neuhold. “Because of the advance strategic action, we were able to finish the year with all of our campus community still intact," said Neuhold. "We will continue to make every effort to protect the jobs of the members of our campus community by looking to leverage vacant positions for alternative funding.” Along with vacant positions, the university will also be considering possible long term budgetary solutions by identifying recurring expenses that can be reduced and by addressing enrollment and retention strategies. “Efficiencies, attrition, position freezes and the use of one-time revenues will offset most, if not all, of this gap," said Betz. "However, we cannot continue to sustain our operations with ever-decreasing state funding without identifying permanent reductions in our annual, continuing operating expenses.” Universities and colleges have also turned to tuition increases to help offset the appropriation reduction. In June, state regents approved tuition increases at 23 of the state’s public colleges and universities. Only two universities, Oklahoma Panhandle State University and the Science and Arts University of Oklahoma, did not raise tuition. While the state’s average tuition increase for FY 2018 sits at 5.3 percent for undergraduate students and 5.2 percent for graduate students, students at UCO are facing a six percent increase at both the undergraduate and graduate level. “We are mindful that increasing tuition is counterproductive to our mission to serve the people of this community and to ensure accessible and affordable education for our state," said Neuhold. "We will continue to work toward alternative solutions to help ease this burden.” With total tuition and fees accounting for 63 percent of the budget, the continued reductions have placed the

UCO Funds

Least In State, Continued university in the unusual position of operating less like a state institution, according to UCO’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Myron Pope. “We have to depend more on tuition fees and, in many ways, we are beginning to have conversations about the reality that we are operating more like a private institution," said Pope "If you’re familiar with private institutions, they mostly operate off of tuition dollars and are tuition driven. Consequently, for us, that’s where we are.” From an enrollment perspective, Pope said that one of the most significant impacts is the state's reduction in funding for concurrent enrollment programs. Funding for concurrent enrollment programs for high school students was covered at 65 percent in FY 2017, but has decreased to only 27 percent this fiscal year. “When that happens, it limits our ability to continue to expand that program," said Pope. "Before now, the institution has pretty much just covered the portion the state has not funded, but we’re at a point now that if it drops down any further we can’t continue to support that program at a higher level.” While an exact correlation between the cuts and UCO’s own total enrollment rates remains unclear, continued increases to tuition coupled with sluggish increases in student financial aid threaten to burden students with the cost of attendance, according to Pope. The university’s Spring 2017 Demographics Book, released by the Office of Institutional Research, showed that enrollment rates declined by seven percent over the last five years. For students, reduced enrollment and student fee revenue has meant a reduction in the university’s student activities and athletic budgets as well as a reduction for the campus’ event funding. Total funding for student organizations decreased from $773,377 in FY 2017 to $756,491 in FY 2018 and total funding for student entertainment programing decreased from $1,625,831 in FY 2017 to $1,564,127 in FY 2018. The most significant reduction in student activity funding came to university’s athletics budget, with a decrease from $1,937,200 in FY 2017 to $1,845,932 in FY 2018. Student activity funding is directly correlated with the university’s credit hour production, a number that is based on the number of enrolled

University of Central Oklahoma’s Old North. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).

credit hours and directly impacted by enrollment rates. The university’s FY 2018 budget for student activities was built based on an estimated 378,000 credit hours for the 2017-2018 academic year, a 12,000 decrease in enrollment from last year’s 390,000 credit hours, according to Pope. “The amount of federal Pell grant and federal loans have not increased at a level to keep up with the cost of funding for public higher education, not just at UCO, but within all of

higher education and, consequently, students face more difficulties for the cost of attendance,” said Pope. To ensure that the state’s available financial aid remains proportionate to these increases in tuition, the state regents approved an additional 8.1 percent increase for tuition waver and scholarship programs provided by the state’s institutions for higher education, according to Caddell. While the state’s ongoing budget crisis leaves the prospect of increasing funding for public education un-

certain for the future, both the State Regents and the state’s public institutions for higher education remain committed to improving the current situation, according to State Regents Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “We will continue to make the case that there is no better investment to ensure a brighter future for Oklahoma than the investment our policy leaders can make in higher education,” said Johnson.

VOICES

A10

Voices of Oklahoma

“My biggest regret was not getting out of the car to give my father one last hug before he left for Iraq. But one of the coolest things, at his funeral the song “God Bless the USA” was playing and at the line ‘now I stand up next to you and defend her still today’, my mother, brother, Papa, Gran, and I all stood up and immediately everyone in the entire building stood behind us.” - Brett Chase, OU Alum

“I bought this house next to the Capitol. I’ve been driving by it since I was 16 or 17, never imagining I’d live there. Now I own it. You know when the best time was to buy property? A long time ago.” - McClain, OK Property Owner

“This is my wife, Tori. We’ve been married for three years now. We are actually on a date right now for my birthday. The Navy moved us here from New Mexico about four years ago and we’re hoping to travel the world and see all the different places.” - Nikki (left), Navy Woman

A11

VOICES

“I went to Nicaragua a few weeks ago to help build homes. That was one of the most eye opening experiences ever. Those kids appreciated everything they had and what they had was nothing. There were kids jumping from one block to another for playtime. We built a house for this woman who was sleeping on a hammock between two trees with what little of belongings she had around her. Her daughter had killed herself a month or so before, a week after her husband died. A few weeks after that her sister passed away from a disease. This lady was all alone and she had nothing with her. It made me realize all the things we take for granted.” - Kersten Wojack, UCO junior

“When I go back home to Mississippi, I really want to write songs. I have a lot of songs up in my head and hopefully one day I want to write the number one. You see I have to go back to Mississippi to help my mom, but while I’m down there I really want to get my songs out. I think my stage name might be ‘Mississippi Boy’. ”

- Clyde of Mississippi

“My sister and I started this shop 12 years ago. I had just graduated with a church and ministry degree and couldn’t find a job, so I called up Amber, my sister, and said ‘let’s open up a coffee shop’. So the next day she put in her two weeks and a year later we opened up.” - Jacob, founder of The Underground

“The world is moving so fast and sometimes you need to hit the streets and do the dirty work. I’m an artist and all my pieces are abstract. I try to incorporate myself and my insides into my work.” - Sydney, OU Alum, artist All photos by Janessa Egler, Contributing Photojournalist.

International House

A12

International House In Foreign Territory Megan Thele

@1bigtimenicole Reporter

The International House at the University of Central Oklahoma has moved to Central Plaza, where it will have more room and serve a larger number of students. “It’s been a talk for a long time,” said June Chong, International House Manager. “The benefits of moving here weighed more than staying [on Chowning].” Moving to Central Plaza was an opportunity that couldn’t be passed up, as it helps the International House get closer to its end goal. The previous location, 912 N. Chowning Ave., had limited space and could not house students. “To meet the criteria of a national international house, you have to have international students living there,” said Chong. Central Plaza, a former UCO residence hall, is now an off-campus housing option for students, and is a popular option for international students. With international students already living there, it was a perfect fit for the International House to meet national criteria. More space was one of the largest benefits of the move. There are ballrooms, conference rooms, a dining parlor and an outdoor patio that can be used for International House events. The rooms can be rented for free to any UCO student, faculty,

Central Plaza, new host of UCO’s International House, is located south of campus on 2nd St. The organization will be housed inside the off-campus residence building, which will put them closer to international students. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista).

staff, organizations, and the Edmond community, according to Chong. The larger spaces can accommodate larger groups in environments that can be casual or formal. “We recently had an event where we had to accommodate 100 people,” said Chong. “It wouldn’t have been feasible to hold 100 people in the house on Chowning.”

Events and projects are still in the works for the fall semester, but high tea will still be offered. In past years, high tea has been held every Friday at 2 p.m., but Chong said this may change as they are working to partner with other groups on campus. Their hope is to get more students involved with events, since there are already so many students living in

the building and it is a shorter walk from campus. “I think that the move to Central Plaza will be good for the International House,” said Vy Luong, a UCO junior and Global Leadership Ambassador. “There are so many international students already living at Central Plaza and it’s easier for me to walk to from campus housing.” The former International House is going to be the house for the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, which is being re-established on campus this fall. There are multiple ways for students to find more information on the International House and events going on there, according to Chong. They will become more active on OrgSync and plan to update it with events through the semester, and will continue to use Facebook as their main social media page. For additional information and a calendar of public and private events, students can go to uco.edu/ihouse or email the International House at ihouse@uco.edu. Students, faculty and staff, and the Edmond community can visit the International House at Central Plaza, 930 E. 2nd St., Edmond, OK 73034.

UCO’s Tri-Sig House is the site of the former International House. It is located northeast of campus on Chowning Ave. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista).

Stampede Week

A13

UCO’s 2017 Stampede Week

Megan Thele

@1bigtimenicole Reporter

Stampede Week is the official kickoff for the new school year at the University of Central Oklahoma; the first week of classes is filled with fairs, activities, shows and a concert. “It is a week for our students to come together again after being away all summer,” said Kenzee Butler, Stampede Week director. “Our hope is that students can make connections, have fun and get full of Broncho spirit again.” This year’s activities will include mentalist duo The Evasons, comedic magicians David and Leeman, and Foam Drop, a party with foam cannons, glow sticks, music and UCO spirit items. The co-sponsored Student Programming Board and Stampede Week concert will feature electropop duo 3OH!3. “We want to have events every single night so that students have something to do and stay connected,” said Ellen Engh, Stampede Week advisor. Each day will feature fairs with

Students play corn hole at Broncho Rally on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016 during Stampede Week 2016. (Provided/ Vista Archives).

different ways for students to get involved on campus and in the surrounding community. This year’s fairs include Fraternity and Sorority Life, volunteer and part time jobs, student involvement and interfaith organizations. “The fairs are great ways for students to find ways to get involved,” said Engh. “Every event during the day is a way to get connected to others and UCO.” Other day events include an ROTC

picnic on Monday and an OBI blood drive on Tuesday and Wednesday. Central locate and the Homecoming Activities Board poster sale will take place Monday and Tuesday. “The goal that when students come back to campus, we want them to be excited, feel welcome and make them feel connected to the campus and community again,” said Butler. Stampede Week’s official kickoff was Wake Up In Wantland on Saturday. This year’s event featured

carnival-type rides, glitter tattoos, a photo booth, food vendors and a DJ. On Sunday, the Bronze and Blue Scrimmage gave students a chance to learn chants and get ready for the upcoming football season. “The scrimmage is a great way for freshmen and new students to learn chants and for everyone to get a UCO swag item, come out and support Broncho football and get excited for the football season,” said Butler.

Dr. Ice Named Interim Dean

Faith Kelly @vista1903 Reporter

Dr. Randal Ice has been named the interim dean of the College of Business, relieving Mickey Hepner of his duties. He has worked as a professor of finance and is the Barnabus Endowed Chair. “Unlike the academic chairs that report to deans, deans do not have prescribed terms," said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. John Barthell. The there will be

a national search in order to select a permanent dean for the College of Business. “A dean serves as the chief executive officer of a college at a university," said Barthell. "Deans typically are representative of the expertise found within that college. For example, Dr. Ice originates from the Department of Finance, a key discipline found in any business college.” According to Barthell, Dean Hepner left the faculty of the Economics Department to help guide the college to Association to Advance

Collegiate Schools of Business, in which he served as dean of the college. The AACBS website described the organization as a global business education network and association. A Special Centralities was sent out by Barthell regarding the soon-to-be dean. It lists Dr. Ice’s distinctions such as his involvement in developing opportunities for students and study abroad, such as directing the CaSTLE program, Creating a Study Tour Leadership Experience. Dr. Ice holds a doctorate from Oklahoma State University, an

M.B.A. from the University of Michigan and a B.B.A. with distinction from the University of Oklahoma. Barthell said, “With historic cuts to our institution's budget during the last two years, the college will now rely on the strong budgetary expertise of Dr. Ice as its interim dean.” It was not specified whether the transition of deans was in connection with the school’s budget cut. Dr. Ice began his position as interim dean on August 1. There is not a set timeline for when the search for a new dean will be completed.

HR Soceity

A14

Bronchos Win Merit Award UCO HR Society Awarded by SHRM Misty Jordan

@MistyDawn_95 Contributing Writer

The University of Central Oklahoma’s Human Resources Society (HR Society) won The Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) Merit Award for 2016-2017 due to their civic engagement, professional development and academic achievements. The SHRM, formerly known as the American Society for Personnel Administration, is the largest professional HR society in the world, with representation in 165 countries and a membership total of around 285,000 people. In the United States alone, the HSRM has more than 575 chapters and the headquarters are located in Washington D.C. The Student Chapter Merit Award program recognizes chapters annually for outstanding performance in the following areas: Student Chapter Requirements; Chapter Operations; Chapter Programming and Professional Development of Members; Support of the Human Resource Profession; and SHRM Engagement. In order to win the award, chapters must sponsor professional development workshops, work with local businesses, and volunteer regularly. The SHRM Student Chapter Merit Award program began in 1972 in order to encourage student chapters

Dr. Meagen Baskin, Masala Thomas, Hannah Mette and Elizabeth Wooters stand with their prize check awarded to them along with a merit award by the Society for Human Resource Management. (Provided/ Dr. Meagan Baskin).

to strive for perfection. The UCO HR Society was founded in 1981 and has grown to 92 members. They meet once a month in the UCO College of Business at 5:45 p.m. The dates for this semester’s meetings are as follows: August 31; September 28; October 26; and November 16. Each month a speaker is brought in and free food and drinks

are provided to all who attend. The purpose of the UCO HR Society is the provide an organization that increases knowledge of the Human Resource field and how it relates to all areas of business. UCO HR Director Dr. Matthew Leon said, “We provide leadership opportunities, professional development, local business connections, internships,

jobs and certification preparation in the field of human resource management for undergraduate students. We have been very successful placing our officers and active members in HR positions throughout the OKC metro area and beyond.” The UCO HR Society helps students learn about their field and improve upon their skills in human resource management, especially those who are pursuing a career in HR. They teach students the Code of Ethics of the Society of Human Resource Management and encourage them to follow them. The society shows three of the six areas of the Central Six through leadership, service learning and civic engagement, as well as discipline knowledge. The organization is run by officers. UCO HR Society volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House and actively participates in the Oklahoma City Human Resource Society. The organization brings in eight speakers a year, visits sites such as Sonic and Orange Leaf, and hosts professional development workshops.

The UCO College of Business is home to UCO’s HR Society. The Society recently was awarded the Society for Human Resources Management Merit Award for 2016-2017. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).

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Academic Team

Closing the Books on Academic Team Chris Stum

@stum_chris Contributing Writer

University of Central Oklahomaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own Academic Team has lost all funds for the organization due to its lack of interest from students. This year, the UCO Academic team has failed to maintain its status as an active organization. According to UCO Policy, in order to maintain an active status each organization must submit an updated constitution and have an active executive board consisting of a president, vice president and treasurer. Since there are no current students that want to be involved, the academic team has reached an inactive status and will need to go through the process of renewal to be an active organization again. "The driving force behind the Academic Team was the former president Tracey Hickman, but he has since graduated and nobody wanted to take up his mantle," said former academic team advisor Robert Howard. "Hickman and several other students started the academic team

(Provided/ Pixabay.com).

because of a vision of a university academic challenge that news channel KSBI 52 had," said Howard. UCO's Academic Team was a student led organization centered around the special interests of students. "It's kind of like a niche,"said Howard. "The academic team runs like the show Jeopardy, but is much more difficult."

While an active organization, the academic team held regional competitions for high school and collegiate teams. The organization was also able to compete in a national competition in Atlanta, Georgia but did not receive any awards. Requirements to be on the former academic team were to maintain good grades, know random knowledge, and be able to think quickly.

"Being on an academic team is not easy,"said Howard. " Imagine the ACT, GRE and SAT combined into verbal questions under pressure. That's what these competitions are like." To find out more on the academic team and how you can reinstate the organization, contact Nicole Doherty in campus activities.

WELCOME BACK BRONCHOS! Students and staff bring in your UCO ID and get a

15% UCO Discount Does not include alcohol.

$2 Zu Brews 16 S. Broadway Downtown Edmond ALL DAY! www. thezusportsgrill.com 405.330.1833

SECTION B

METRO “Our Words, Your Voice.”

ucentralmedia.com vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista

Monday, August 21 , 2017

Oklahoma’s Little Big Town

Kateleigh Mills @kateleighsuz Online Editor

Data released by an Edmond economic development agency in April found increases in sectors such as population, taxable sales and commercial permits. The Edmond Economic Development Authority released data for the sectors in the annual Edmond Economic Abstract. The agency offers resources to help foster business development and economic growth. The 2017 Edmond Economic Abstract showed the city's demographics, quality of life, workforce, education, business climate and markets data. Edmond's 2016 population was calculated to be about 91,743, a 12.7-percent increase since 2010.

See “Edmond” Continued page 9

Broadway Ave. continues in to a downtown area of Edmond, filled with local shops, restaurants, etc. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).

Trains Can’t Toot Their Own Horn Christian Tabak @TheVista1903 Staff Reporter

A railroad crossing crosses 1st St. north of the Farmer’s Market in Edmond, Okla. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).

Railroad quiet zones may soon be in Edmond after funding was approved last month for a study to determine the necessary requirements for the city’s railroad crossings to be in compliance with federal and railroad quiet zone safety standards. Quiet zones are one or more consecutive railroad crossings where the use of locomotive horns are prohibited during routine conditions. Horns are still to be sounded in emergencies, to comply with federal and railroad authority regulations or at the discretion of the trains’ operating crews. Last year the Edmond City Council set aside $200,000 of the city’s 2017 budget for the purpose of contracting a study to evaluate the implementation of quiet zones throughout the city. This year the council was able to approve funding for a study to be conducted by Texas-based CTC, Inc. at their July 24 meeting. Approved at a cost of $57,000, the study’s funding comes from the city’s general fund unassigned reserves for emergencies and shortfalls.

As the original $200,000 was only a placeholder, the only expenditure for the project will be the $57,000, according to city spokesman Casey Moore. While funding for the study represents a major step forward in the process of implementing quiet zones, the most difficult part consists of evaluating the individual crossings and determining the feasibility and affordability of a quiet zone at each one, according to City Engineer Steve Manek. “We have to do a quiet zone study to meet the Federal Railroad Authority as well as the Burlington Railroad and Santa Fe requirements. We can’t just go out and implement a quiet zone and say this is going to work,” Manek said. Both the FRA and the railroads have specific regulations that need to be met to ensure that planned quiet zones are safe and that constant order is maintained between railroad tracks. Specific considerations include the number of trains that utilize the tracks, the number of vehicles that regularly cross, the proximity of driveways to the crossing and the infrastructure of each crossing, accord-

See “Trains” continued page 8

Equal Housing

Ministry Brings Faith for Equal Housing Elizabeth Spence @LizzLynn Managing Editor

Turning Point Ministries is an Equal Housing Opportunity that builds exclusively in Edmond, it was founded by Bob Turner, Dick Freeman and John Gruel in 2009 and continues to provide housing to those who qualify. Turning Point Ministries was a product of many volunteers from Habitat for Humanity wanting to continue to help provide affordable housing for those in need but instead of being secluded to Oklahoma City, they wanted to bring this into Edmond. Five houses were built with the help of Habitat for Humanity and then Turning Point Ministries was created to serve modest income families in Edmond. The first neighborhood that Turning Point built was Legacy Station, which has 12 homes and duplexes. "Our newest neighborhood, Heritage Village, has 37 lots," said President of Turning Point Ministries, Kari Galliart. "We have built eight homes in Heritage Village." According to Galliart, applicants for Turning Point homes must have a form of modest income and be willing to donate 200 hours of volunteer time towards the building of their home. To be eligible for a home, they must attend a home buyer education class, be able to qualify for a home loan, and have a particular need to live in Edmond. "Our home owners are hard-working individuals or families who have a need to live in Edmond (works in Edmond; caregivers of Edmond residents, a child or children of the family having special needs being serviced in Edmond, client is already living in Edmond or has children in school in Edmond, family/support system lives in Edmond)," said Galliart. In the past year Turning Point Ministries has been successful in building five homes for the applicants in Edmond. Two of the homes have been sold and two of the houses are under contract. There is still one house yet to be sold. The funding for Turning Point is provided in several ways. The first is through donations from any builders in Edmond, service organizations, foundations, and any individuals or Edmond residents that feel the need to give. The City of Edmond also provides support for Turning Point Ministries and the building of their homes.

Turning Point Ministry homes provide equal housing opportunities for Edmond residents. (Provided/ Kari Galliart).

They have invested over $700,000 in grants to help offset Turning Point's land development costs. Turning Point also hosts a fun run called the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, held in downtown Edmond and a golf tournament that has been previously held at Kickingbird Golf Club to raise funds for themselves. The University of Central Oklaho-

ma volunteered with Turning Point Ministries in 2015 and still provides students with this option through Volunteer and Service Learning. "Volunteer labor is used for painting, construction clean up, tile-work, setting cabinetry and trim work, and final clean up," said Galliart. "Community volunteers can donate their hours to those working toward

home ownership... Anyone interested in volunteering can complete the contact form on our website (turningpointoklahoma.org) and we will contact you and get you started!" Turning Point Ministries is excluded to Edmond and will continue to be according to Galliart. They plan on starting new homes soon.

Kari Galliart, President of Turning Point Ministries, sits on a bench. Turning Point provided homes for residents in Edmond that are afforadable. (Provided/ Kari Galliart).

Bryant Square

Bryant Square’s Fab Five Faith Kelly @Vista1903 Reporter

Bryant Square Shopping Center in Edmond is adding five businesses, most of which are said to be targeted to college students, and the construction should be completed within a year. The shopping center is adding two new buildings, with six different spaces. The first building will have two businesses. Torchy’s Tacos, a taco shop that has locations in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Texas. Five Guys is a fast-food restaurant that has multiple locations throughout the country. Kay Jewelers, General Nutrition Centers, and Verizon Wireless are being added to the neighboring building under construction, and there is an extra space that will be available. Janet Yowell is the Executive director of Edmond Economic Development Authority. “Our mission to assist business that’s in town and to bring new business," said Yowell. "We try and get a relationship with commercial real estate companies that own centers or are leasing.”

Construction sites sit empty at the corner of 2nd and Bryant in Edmond on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017. (Hayden Barzditis/ The Vista).

Yowell said the shopping center is one of the oldest in town and was in need of a renovation. “The company InvenTrust from Chicago purchased the whole center of Bryant Square," said Yowell.

"When you renovate, you are able to bring in more tenants. They are doing over so far $12 million in renovation.” Donna Young, the Office Manager of EEDA, said PDQ, the fast-food

restaurant that had been recently added in the shopping center, said it used to be Mackie McNear’s Steakhouse before they went out of business. “Verizon and GMC used to be the old Firestone that they tore down. Cici’s Pizza used to be over there and they tore that down too. So, Cici’s pizza moved toward Steinmart in the shopping center,” said Young. Young said Firestone Tires also used to be in the shopping center, and they are moving a new location across the street from the Oklahoma University Medical Center in Edmond. Yowell said Bryant Square Shopping Center is a popular spot for new businesses, since it is close to the University of Central Oklahoma. “They are businesses that are targeted toward students. We’re getting the wave of businesses that are expanding in the country. Fast casual restaurants are expanding in the country right now, versus sitting and dining.” Yowell said the construction in the shopping center should be completed in about a year. The start of the renovation and planning were begun about two years ago.

Construction sites at 2nd and Bryant are set to become the homes of several new businesses in Edmond. (Hayden Barzditis/ The Vista).

Edmond

Edmond City Metro Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017 Brisch Center for Historical Performance: Happy Birthday Margaret: A happy birthday from the UCO Jazz

Lab doors open at 7 p.m. and concert starts at 7:30 p.m., $10 for entry and get in free with UCO I.D.

Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017 Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market: Held at Mitch Park The

Annual Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market runs every Wednesday through mid-August. It is a family friendly environment where you can purchase regionally grown produce, Made in Oklahoma food items and items made or grown and sold by local youth.

Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 The Patriarch Craft Beer House:

Will Gaines will be performing live from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., you must be 21 or older to enter.

The Wise Guys: At the UCO Jazz Lab,

doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m., call the UCO Jazz Lab for ticket info.

33rd Annual Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Range Round-Up:

The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Range Round-Up features teams from 12 historic Oklahoma ranches in head to head competition for bruises and bragging rights. The OCA Range Round-Up consists of 6 events depicting day-to-day ranching jobs. The competition is fierce as ranches compete for a year’s worth of bragging rights and team awards. This uniquely western competition takes place at the fabulous Lazy E Arena.

Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017 Edmond Farmer’s Market: Festival Market Place & Plaza: From 8 a.m. to 1

p.m. the annual Edmond Farmer’s Market runs every Saturday mid-April - October. The market is located on 1st Street, one block west of Broadway in Edmond. It is a family friendly environment where you can purchase regionally grown produce and Made in Oklahoma food items.

Equillibrium at the UCO Jazz Lab:

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.

GloRun OKC at Mitch Park: The run is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and is $25 to $65 for admission. Black light 5K race and onemile for fun run. The run is for the benefit of The Recovery Center. The Patriarch Craft Beer House:

Live music will be from Adam and Kizzie from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. must be 21 or older to attend.

Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017 Dr. Hong Zhu et al: String Chamber Music Plus: At the UCO Jazz Lab,

the doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m., it is $10 for entry and free with a UCO student I.D.

Dr. Sam Magrill and Dr. Mira Magrill: M&M: The doors open at 7 p.m.

and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m., it is $10 for entry and free with a UCO student I.D.

Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017 Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market: From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,

The Annual Edmond Farmer’s Market & Junior Market runs every Wednesday through mid-August. It is a family friendly environment where you can purchase regionally grown produce, Made in Oklahoma food items and items made or grown and sold by local youth.

Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017 The Patriarch Craft Beer House:

Live music will be from Edgar Cruz from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. must be 21 or older to attend.

Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 The Patriarch Craft Beer House:

Live music will be from Jamie Bramble from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. must be 21 or older to attend.

Brian Gorrell & Jazz Company: At the UCO Jazz Lab, the doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m., it is $10 for entry and free with a UCO student I.D. Shortt Dogg: At the UCO Jazz Lab, the

doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m., it is $10 for entry and free with a UCO student I.D.

The Power of Children: Making a Difference: Tues. - Fri. 10 a.m. to 5

p.m. and Sat. 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., this exhibit is touring the United Stated through 2020 and highlights the power that world, action and voice can have in the face of hatred, racism and discrimination, at the Edmond Historical Society & Museum.

Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017 Slide Outta Summer: Held at Mitch

park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., “Wind down your summer with us at this ALL AGES (must be 4 years of age to be on the inflatables, we will have other free activities for younger kids) event in our ‘back yard’ at Mitch Park. We will have 9 inflatable water slides, DJ Shorty B (so you know there will be DANCING!) and food trucks (PLP Food Truck and Kona Ice OKC)! Cost for a wristband that will allow you to slide all day is $5 per slider and food is for purchase from the trucks. This means no outside food or drink :). Starting about Aug 22, you can purchase wristbands at the MAC building in Mitch Park. This way you can avoid lines and the ONLY way you can pay with a card - CASH ONLY the day of the event.”

The Patriarch Craft Beer House:

Live music will be from Joe Mack from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. must be 21 or older to attend.

Edmond Farmer’s Market: Festival Market Place & Plaza: From 8 a.m.

to 1 p.m. the annual Edmond Farmer’s Market runs every Saturday mid-April - October. The market is located on 1st Street, one block west of Broadway in Edmond. It is a family friendly environment where you can purchase regionally grown produce and Made in Oklahoma food items.

Smilin’ Vic: At the UCO Jazz Lab, the

doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m., it is $10 for entry and free with a UCO student I.D.

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017 UCO JAZZ LAB: The doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert for Dr. Peggy Moran with Conlon & Clewell starts at 7:30 p.m., it is $10 for entry and free with a UCO student I.D.

New Stores

Covell & Kelly New Stores

The Vista

@TheVista1903 Staff Reports

The new shopping district will be shaking things up with a few new stores located on Kelly and Covell in Edmond, there are opportunities here for a growing chance according to one shop owner. Three Dog Bakery, a unique bakery that uses all-natural ingredients and no artificial sweeteners for dogs, is one of the few stores opening up in the new shopping center. All About Cha, the only Korean Café in the Midwest according to the official All About Cha website, Roxie’s Ice Cream Social whose ice cream is made in-house in Oklahoma City in the original location, and Red Coyote are also located in the shopping center. “There is only one Three Dog Bakery in Oklahoma right here in Edmond where we make unique bakery treats for dogs using only natural ingredients,” said Kristin Boyett, one of the owners of Three Dog Bakery.

Red Coyote and Three Dog Bakery are currently open but All About Cha and Roxie’s are still under construction. “The city of Edmond is in charge of districts that include major stores such as a Costco or Wal-Mart to be

placed in the city but not the small markets because that is strictly the land owner’s decision,” said Todd Hildabrand, Staff assistant to Edmond City Council and Edmond City Manager The decision to build these restau-

rants is left to the land owners that wanted to open the stores, not the City of Edmond’s, the difference between what the council decides in the City of Edmond is only for major stores and votes along with the intention of expansion if need be according to Hildabrand. The renovations for the city of Edmond are widespread as another district of stores will be opening up on the opposite side of the block located on Kelly and Covell as well. “I think this business could flourish in Edmond because it is a unique opportunity for us since we lived here in 1999,” Boyett said. “Moving from Kansas City was a good move on our end for our growing family and cannot wait to see where this takes us.” As some stores may still be underconstruction, Uptown Grocery, Three Dog Bakery, Red Coyote, Pepperoni Grill, Qdoba, Pie Five, Smitty’s Garage and Western Union are open and ready for business. A pile of concrete sits on the construction site near Covell & Kelly on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).

Maps 3

Scissortail Park Takes Wings Christian Tabak @vista1903 Reporter

The naming ceremony of downtown Oklahoma City’s Scissortail Park on June 29, represented a significant advancement in the completion of one of the last major development projects of Oklahoma City’s Metropolitan Area Projects Plan three capital improvements program. Designed to connect the core of downtown OKC with the northern shore of the Oklahoma River, the 70acre park will feature event space for 15,000 individuals, covered event pavilions, a three-and-a-half acre lake, a boathouse and other community amenities. The park is also hoped to dramatically increase development and investment opportunities for the downtown area. “The new park will be a place people will meet to enjoy the trails and water features, gather for concerts and events, spend time with their children, family and friends,” said Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett. Construction of the park’s 40acre upper section is expected to be finished by 2019, while the 30-acre lower section has a projected completion date of 2021. Funding for the park’s 132 million dollar budget has been provided for by the MAPS 3 one-cent sales tax initiative that began in April 2010

Rendering of Scissortail Park to come to downtown Oklahoma City, to be finished in 2018. (Provided/ Steve Hill, Chief of Staff to Mayor of OKC).

and is scheduled to end in December 2017. Voters approved the MAPS 3 program in 2009 as a continuation of the original MAPS one-cent sales tax improvement program that began in 1993 as a debt-free way to fund city

improvement projects. “I want to thank the Oklahoma City voters who approved MAPS 3 in 2009 for having the vision and confidence to take on a project like Scissortail Park,” said Cornett. “This park will be a community corner-

stone for generations.” The original limited-term tax finished in 1999, but was renewed again in 2001 for the MAPS for Kids program that generated 510 million dollars for Oklahoma City Public Schools improvement projects and was briefly renewed in 2008 to help fund improvements for an off-site practice facility to accommodate the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was renewed again in November 2009 to fund the MAPS 3 777 million dollar improvement projects. The MAPS 3 projects are overseen by the Oklahoma City Council and a Citizens Advisory Board, while eight subcommittees comprised of more than 60 community members provide additional support and oversight. Along with the upcoming Scissortail Park, the Oklahoma City Streetcar and downtown convention center, the program has funded the construction of the new Riversport Rapids whitewater rafting and kayaking center and the Bennet Event Center that opened in January 2017. Construction of the Oklahoma City Streetcar is already underway and is expected to be open for service by December 2018 while the groundbreaking for the new convention center is scheduled for later this year. Rendering of seating area in Scissortail Park, Oklahoma City. (Provided/ Steve Hill, Chief of Staff to Mayor of OKC).

Maps 3 OKCPS

OKCPS Threatens to Sue Christian Tabak @vista1903 Reporter

Oklahoma City Public School District is considering taking legal action against the leadership of the Oklahoma State Legislature for underfunding state public education, district officials revealed at a press conference held Thursday. In a resolution that will go before the OKCPS Board of Education on Monday, district members allege that the state’s legislative leaders have ignored their duty to provide the state’s public education system with adequate funding. "Oklahoma's legislative leadership has failed at their constitutional responsibility to provide textbooks for every child, and their moral responsibility to put Oklahoma's children and their education first," said OKCPS board member Mark Mann. The district cites Article 13, Section 6 of the state constitution as a possible failing of the legislature. The section reads, “The Legislature shall provide for a system of textbooks for the common schools of the State, and the State through appropriate legislation shall furnish such textbooks free of cost for use by all pupils therein.” Although the state’s public education saw a 1.6 percent increase for a total of $2.4 billion, the modest addition has still left many districts struggling to recover from previous cuts and has seen the continued deferment of a significant pay increase for state teachers. Edmond Public School officials have said they are surprised by the OKCPS resolution and have yet to digest the full extent of what the district is proposing, but that a reaction will be forthcoming. “We can understand their frustration. My biggest frustration is really based on teacher salaries,” said EPS Superintendent Bret Towne. With a plan that emphasized reducing expenses without eliminating programs, Towne said the Edmond school district increased its budget for this year by $6 million. While some of the gain was the result of revenue increases from sources such as motor vehicles and lapsed property taxes, the majority was a result of cutbacks and reductions. “Part of that was because of measures taken last year. Teachers gave up a day of salary, support people

Oklahoma kindergarten teacher Andrea Buckle reads to student at Orvis Risner Elementary. (Provided/ Edmond Public Schools).

gave up a day of salary and administrators gave up two days of salary, so we’ve had some sacrifices in our school district besides cutbacks,” Towne said. The district’s greatest concern continues to be raising teacher salaries to a competitive level that not only works to retain current teachers, but provides an increased interest in the teaching field. “That’s where we as a state really

need to focus, because everything revolves around having that quality teacher,” Towne said. While the district has had its struggles with vacant positions and a decline with teacher applicants, another area impacted by competitive pay has been in the district’s ability to retain bus drivers. The district has lost 12 bus drivers in recent weeks and a driver shortage has prompted the district to elimi-

nate nearly a dozen routes that have impacted Cross Timbers Elementary, Charles Haskell Elementary, Cheyenne Middle School and John Ross Elementary. “We need to be able to provide competitive salaries in that area. We’re competing with over the road truckers, local trucking, oil field services and those type of things and, again, it’s about money and we’re going to have to look at continuing to raise those salaries so we can keep those people,” Towne said. As OKCPS has been forced to cut between $35 and $40 million due to budget cuts over the last two years, OKCPS Superintendent Aurora Lora has said the district has faced its own share of reductions that have resulted in fewer workers and larger class sizes. "We just can't keep doing this. Our kids need us to stand up and demand that we have adequate funding for them to get a great education in this state," Lora said The decision of whether or not OKCPS will pursue legal action will be decided at their Board of Education’s meeting on Monday night. Classroom at Heritage Elementary School in Edmond, Okla. (Provided/ Edmond Public Schools).

Edmond

Trains Can’t Toot Their Own Horn, Continued Railroad quiet zones may soon be in Edmond after funding was approved last month for a study to determine the necessary requirements for the city’s railroad crossings to be in compliance with federal and railroad quiet zone safety standards. Quiet zones are one or more consecutive railroad crossings where the use of locomotive horns are prohibited during routine conditions. Horns are still to be sounded in emergencies, to comply with federal and railroad authority regulations or at the discretion of the trains’ operating crews. Last year the Edmond City Council set aside $200,000 of the city’s 2017 budget for the purpose of contracting a study to evaluate the implementation of quiet zones throughout the city. This year the council was able to approve funding for a study to be conducted by Texas-based CTC, Inc. at their July 24 meeting. Approved at a cost of $57,000, the study’s funding comes from the city’s general fund unassigned reserves for emergencies and shortfalls. As the original $200,000 was only a placeholder, the only expenditure for the

project will be the $57,000, according to city spokesman Casey Moore. While funding for the study represents a major step forward in the process of implementing quiet zones, the most difficult part consists of evaluating the individual crossings and determining the feasibility and affordability of a quiet zone at each one, according to City Engineer Steve Manek. “We have to do a quiet zone study to meet the Federal Railroad Authority as well as the Burlington Railroad and Santa Fe requirements. We can’t just go out and implement a quiet zone and say this is going to work,” Manek said. Both the FRA and the railroads have specific regulations that need to be met to ensure that planned quiet zones are safe and that constant order is maintained between railroad tracks. Specific considerations include the number of trains that utilize the tracks, the number of vehicles that regularly cross, the proximity of driveways to the crossing and the infrastructure of each crossing, according to Manek.

Railroad track stretch north and south through Edmond on the western side of Broadway. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista).

“The existing infrastructure will have to be evaluated to determine if constant warning is available, which is how the gates communicate with trains. Can a median be installed, are quad gates necessary, should a constant warning horn be used?” Manek said. The study is expected to be concluded by December. As each of the city’s 11 crossings present distinct differences, the study will need to individually evaluate each crossing for possible safety and infrastructure considerations. Once completed, the consultant will then work with the City of Edmond as well as the federal and railroad authorities to determine what measures will need to be implement-

ed and if there will be any long-term maintenance costs for whatever measures are installed. “This is not an easy process, this is the just the beginning study to determine what is feasible, estimate the costs and then see if they can be implemented,” Manek said. Decreasing noise pollution from Edmond’s train crossings has been a topic of discussion among city officials and community members for several years, according to Moore. “Citizen interest was the main driving force, while the other piece is to make downtown a more desirable place for housing,” Moore said. Downtown Oklahoma City and Norman have already implemented quiet zones earlier this year.

Edmond

Oklahoma’s Little Big Town, Continued From the start of the new millennium to last year, the population grew about 34.78-percent, according to the EEDA Communications Director Sarah Dickson. The EEDA predicted projected growth of about 10.74 percent from 2016 to 2021. Edmond's population demographics showed people between the ages of 20 to 29 make up the largest figure at 16.1 percent. They are followed closely behind by teens at 14.5 percent and people in their 50s at 13.1 percent. City Council approved several projects that aid new residents such as new storage facilities, shopping centers and residential land sells. "It's a place that still feels small, but it's not small," Mayor Charles Lamb told The Vista. Edmond's targeted industries for the business climate include wholesale trade, light manufacturing, information and professional, scientific and technical services. The annual abstract also found that the city is thriving in the health care industry, which created about a $225 million economic impact since 2010. The total taxable sales for Edmond

increased about 42.8 percent between 2006 to 2016 from numbers found by the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Taxable sales would include merchandise from retail and services from business, such as hotels, florists and car repairs. The city invested more than $7.6 million into the Bryant Square shopping center, allowing for renovations and room for new tenants like PDQ. The value of new commercial permits saw a drastic 62-percent decrease in value between 2014 to 2015, but now sits at about $109 million. “The Abstract is an essential tool for anyone promoting the Edmond area as well as for those considering a move to Edmond,” EEDA Executive Director Janet Yowell said in a press release. “The information provided in the Abstract plays a significant role in a company’s decision to expand their business in Edmond.” Other data found that Edmond had the lowest crime rate per thousand at 17.21 percent in the OKC Metro. The city's average household income was at $105,316 compared to United States' average of $77,008.

Cars drive east on 2nd St. in Edmond, Okla. on Monday, Aug. 14, 2017. Due to the increase in population in Edmond, traffic has increased accordingly. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).

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Teachers

B11

Oklahoma Teachers Pack Up

Miranda VanMeter @MoVanMeter Contributing Writer

The reality of low rates of pay for teachers in Oklahoma was driven home in May of this year when Oklahoma’s 2016 Teacher of the Year Shawn Sheehan announced he would be moving to Texas for better rates of pay. Problems with many aspects of the Oklahoma education system have been at the forefront for years now, especially after Education Week’s “Quality Counts” assessment in 2015 ranked Oklahoma 48th in the nation. By 2016, Oklahoma had made it to 46th, still at the low end of the spectrum, but this year the state was back down to 47th in the nation. Between low test scores and losing educators to other states and professions, education has becoming an increasingly important topic of conversation for Oklahomans. According to the Oklahoma Policy Institute, teachers in Oklahoma need about $6,100 added to their salaries just to keep up with the cost of living in Oklahoma, not to mention the fact that the state pays teachers about $13,000 less than the national average. Wendell Reese and his wife Emily both used to live and teach in Oklahoma, but decided to pursue their profession in Texas instead to pay the bills. “Our decision to move was based on how they invested in education financially and me furthering my career in coaching and teaching. Financially being how well they paid their teachers and how much they invested in the students,” Reese said. “In Oklahoma, the starting pay is $31,600. In DFW, the starting pay in 90 percent of the schools is no less than $50,000. We knew that if we wanted to have a family and not worry about struggling, we had to do

Due to low pay rates for teachers in Oklahoma, many are leaving the state to find higher paying jobs in the education field. (Provided/ Pixabay.com).

something about it.” As far as in the classroom, Reese said Texas does expect more from teachers and students. “One of the biggest differences I notice is how much financially invested these districts are with everyone. There’s not really a difference in quality of educators, but the demands of the teachers with the standards they teach are more difficult. The students use technology in almost every aspect here.” Overall, Reese thinks the solution is fairly simple. "Pay the teachers, pay the teachers, pay the teachers. And get education out of the hands of legislators who don't have any experience in education. End stan-

dardized testing and gear the curriculum to more student-centered and life-centered." Angela Willmett, a principal for Seminole Public Schools, used to teach in Texas before moving to Oklahoma with her family. She attributes the poor testing scores to the bar being set too low for Oklahoma students. “I resent the fact that Oklahoma students are not expected to make the same growth patterns as other states. I believe Oklahoma students are just as smart as any other. We just need to make sure we are not making excuses and have high expectations for all,” Willmett said. Veronica Allen, an education major and junior at UCO, said feels like

the teaching profession is where she is meant to be, regardless of the challenges currently facing Oklahoma educators. “I think now I am still in it because that’s where I feel God is calling me to be and that I want to make a difference and I feel like my talents lend themselves to this career,” Allen said. “Part of me wants to follow the dream I had when I was 12 and go work in the mission field, maybe somewhere in the continent of Africa. Another part of me would rather go to Europe where there’s a bit more respect for my profession. Another part of me wants to stay here and do my best with what I’ve got because our students need a teacher here, too.”

Feature

B12

Edmond Police Gets Younger Faith Kelly @vista1903 Reporter

J. D. Younger is the new Chief of Police at the Edmond Police Department; Younger worked for the Norman Police Department for 23 years, and left to become the Chief of Police at the Edmond Police Department on May 1. Younger said the role of the Chief of Police includes providing administration over the police department. He said that would include being responsible for human resources, logistics, facilities, and all things associated with a government entity. Younger went to high school in Del City, Oklahoma, and received his degree from The University of Oklahoma in Political Science, with a major in Law Enforcement and Administration. “In hindsight, I think my interests were always in service, and I’m a people person. I thought law enforcement was a good fit for me, and what my personality is and what I enjoy doing,” said Younger. Younger said the people he works with are amazing people. “They purposely choose a profession that puts them in situations that the majority of society wouldn’t want to be in, see, or hear about it. It’s not something that anyone wants to see. They do it in a great way; with compassion and empathy,” said Younger. If law enforcement is involved, it’s generally not a good situation. To the person involved, it could be the most traumatic situation they’ve ever been in. “To provide reassurance can be emotional, but it is also very satisfying. You can make someone’s day better than it was,” said Younger. He said for anybody going into the profession, to understand the profession, it’s more dynamic than what is shown on television. “The thing we have to guard against is becoming immune to what people would consider a traumatic experience. The officer may have experienced it multiple times that week. We try to remain sympathetic,” said Younger. According to Younger, the goals of the police department are to protect life, property, and peace. “Anyone that stays in this career for a period of time, and enjoy it, I have to believe that their core source

Edmond Police Department. (Provided/ Jennifer Wagnon, Edmond PD Public Information Specialist).

of satisfaction, at the end of the day they made an individual’s day better,” said Younger. Younger said the number one job police officers have, is to protect people’s rights. “Whether it’s collision, death, or abuse, it’s a fellow human being that needs help. If you can facilitate that help, even though it’s upsetting, there is a degree of satisfaction that you helped someone,” said Younger. He said police officers also have outlets for people in need, and can help them get the resources available to them. “Frequently you run across people that are in bad situations. We’re facilitators. When people are in need, or have a tragedy, a police officer understands resources that are available to them,” said Younger. Younger described one of his most impactful experiences as a police officer, in which he had been a police officer for one year. “In 1995, I responded on a medical emergency call that a 21-year-old went into labor at her house. I arrived before medical personnel and helped her deliver the child. I later got a thank you note and a Christmas card of the baby. There aren’t too many “cop” shows you watch when the experience of the day is delivering a baby. That’s one experience that lasted 15 minutes that I remember it like it was yesterday,” said Younger. He said police officers have experiences that can make impacts for the

rest of their career and life. Younger said from his experience, people in Oklahoma have caring hearts. “I was a police officer when Murrah Building was bombed and saw why it was a horrific and tragic accident. How people responded with compassion was amazing. It was a horrific event but amazing response,” said Younger. He said he’s witnessed Terrible

events costing lives, and seen how the community and people help each other. He said he is happy with the people he works with, and values the relationship the Edmond community has with its police department. “In Edmond, the relationship people have with the police department is the perfect relationship with shared values and priority of life,” said Younger.

J.D. Younger, new Edmond Chief of Police. (Provided/ Jennifer Wagnon, Edmond PD Public Information Specialist).

B13

High School Football

Wolves, Huskies, and Bulldogs, Oh My! Edmond High Schools Prepared For 2017 Season

Jonathan Goudeau @Goudeau_jdg Sports Reporter

Football season is right around the corner and for three Edmond high schools – North Huskies, Santa Fe Wolves, Memorial Bulldogs – the journey to the playoffs and state championship have begun. Edmond Santa Fe Head Coach, Kyle White will lean on his defense lead by Taurean Smith, as the Santa Fe Wolves look to make another trip to the playoffs. "We have five guys coming back on defense," White said. "He was a captain for us last year and is a twoyear starter." White looks for Running Back Mbari Snoody and Quarterback Kanan Hansen, who gained experience starting last year as a sophomore, to also have strong seasons. Senior Quarterback Cole Van Vuren will also see action and provides great leadership. Hansen will operate behind a brand new offensive line as the Santa Fe Wolves graduated all five starters from last year. "I'm excited about them," White said. "They came along through spring and team camp, we have seven to eight guys who we feel like can play for us." Edmond Santa fe faces off against Tulsa Washington in their season opener at home Aug. 25. First-year Head Coach Tanner Roof looks to reverse the fortunes at Edmond North. Roof replaces last year’s Head Coach Scott Burger, who retired last season. The Huskies went 1-9 last season. "We have a great senior core," Roof said. "A lot of really hard workers who had a great offseason and came together." One of those seniors, wide receiver Elijah Fisher, is the Huskies big play threat hauling in 42-receptions for 328-yards and four-touchdowns last season. "He's explosive, has big play potential and should do great for us on the offensive side of the ball this year," Roof said. Senior quarterback Ben McNaughton looks to build off the experience he gained as a first-time starter last year. Roof believes that the strength of the team is the defensive line which returns four starters. Returning Senior Defensive Tackle Hunter Richard had 31 tackles and one sack last season. Richard's play

Santa Fe Football Stadium. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista)

this season will impact where he potientially goes next year for college. He already has a NCAA Division 1 offer from Army. Senior Defensive End Noah Hooks had 40 tackles including 14 for loss and one sack last season. "They all have great speed, are athletic and are physical," Roof said. Edmond North starts its season versus Edmond Santa Fe on Friday Sept.1 at Santa Fe stadium. Edmond Memorial Head Coach Justin Merideth, is counting on four

upperclassmen to help guide the Bulldogs to the playoffs after finishing 5-5 last season. "If we can get better every week and build on what we've done the week before, I think we're going to be a very successful team," Merideth said. The Bulldogs return three-year starter Brendan Mitchell at wide receiver. At 6'5, Mitchell is a mismatch against defensive backs that he will face. "He brings experience along with

his hight, size and speed," Merideth said. "He's our big play and redzone guy." Senior Chris Pope plays offense and defense for the Bulldogs. He plays wide receiver on offense and he is a starter for the Bulldogs secondary. "He's the biggest two-way player on our team," Merideth said. "He's really good out in space and made some big plays for us in the return game." Junior Quarterback Blake Burgess looks to build off his sophomore campaign. "He's gotten bigger and stronger this offseason," Merideth said. "He's extremely accurate and a great leader for us." Senior linebacker Tre' Hill will once again be counted on to make plays for the Bulldog's defense. "He gets everybody lined up and makes sure they know what they are supposed to be doing," Merideth said. "Extremely hard worker who is powerful and a versatile playmaker for us." Edmond Memorial's season opener is against Stillwater at home Aug. 31.

Bleachers of the Santa Fe Football Stadium. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista).

Hashtag

B14

Residents Use New Hashtag Faith Kelly

@TheVista1903 Reporter

Hashtag is a new coffee shop located about half a mile from the University of Central Oklahoma with the intent of giving college students a place to study and have fun. DK Ko, owner of Hashtag, opened the coffee shop July 14. He had the idea of opening the coffee shop for about six months before it went into business. Hashtag’s address is 1102 East 2nd Street in Edmond, Oklahoma. It is located in the same parking lot as Target and Game Stop. Ko studied architecture at the University of Texas in Arlington, and said there were times in school when he wished he had better places to study. Before opening Hashtag, Ko owned Honeybee Bakery in Moore and took barista classes in Texas to further his craft. “When I was going to school, I would have an hour off to study but I didn’t know where to go. Student lounges weren’t as comfortable, so I wanted to create a stress-free environment for students to do their homework. Everyone gets their personal area since the booth walls are high. You’re in your own space,” said Ko. He had a short time to choose a name for his coffee shop. After hearing suggestions and considering other names, he said he chose Hashtag since the main clientele is expected

Wall mural at Hashtag, a new coffee shop in Edmond. (Hayden Barzditis/ The Vista).

to be students. “I felt like the word and symbol 'Hashtag' was something we use every day, especially since social media is so popular,” said Ko. Ko was looking for a place near UCO to open the business. He waited a month for the spot he found near UCO. When the fall semester at

UCO starts, Hashtag will offer a special desert bowl to students for $5. The desert bowl has shaved ice, ice cream, a fish-shaped bun and chocolate syrup. The fish-shaped bun, which is popular on Instagram, is one of the main items on the menu. It is formed from a Japanese dessert called Taiyaki and

Hashtag Coffee, located off of 2nd St., on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017. The coffee shop opened in July of this year, and provides students an off-campus spot to study, meet, or relax. (Hayden Barzditis/ The Vista).

can be filled with Nutella or fruit. The coffee shop has various deserts, including banana buns, ice cream waffle and walnut cake. The booths include outlets and the building has WIFI to encourage students to bring their laptops. There are two televisions in Hashtag, two couches and high-standing tables. Hashtag has five employees. Ko said he plans to hire more employees as the coffee shop may be busier when school starts. Ko said he plans to hold trivia nights when the semester begins, and wants the coffee shop to be a fun place to study and have fun. There is another Hashtag opening in Edmond at the corner of Santa Fe and Danforth, which is expected to be opened by the end of August.

“I felt like the word and symbol ‘Hashtag’ was something we use every day, especially since social media is so popular,” said Ko.

Yoga

B15

Yoga Flexible For Student Wallets Faith Kelly @vista1903 Reporter

Hidden Dragon Yoga has opened a studio in Edmond and is offering student discounts. Desirae Penton formed Hidden Dragon Yoga about four years in Oklahoma City. There are 15 teachers at the Oklahoma City studio, and eight at the Edmond studio. All of the instructors at Hidden Dragon Yoga are certified to teach through a training program called 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training. Nicole Sukenis is one of the instructors at the Edmond location, and is a graduate of UCO. Sukenis has been practicing yoga for about five years, and started instructing when the Edmond studio opened. “I realized yoga helped lower my stress levels during college, and helped turn off my brain for a little bit. It got me to slow down, get out of my head, and breath," said Sukenis. "It can benefit you on and off the mat, physically and mentally.” Hidden Dragon Yoga focuses on alignment based yoga. “Our focus is

really to build strength and flexibility, go a little slower and break poses down. Proper technique is important,” said Sukenis. Edmond resident, Dedra Schulz, said she appreciates that Hidden Dragon Yoga takes it slower. “I think it’s a very good place, with very helpful instructors," said Schulz. "I’ve been to a lot of yoga classes. So many places expect you to know it, but I need to break it down first.” Schulz said the instructors are also helpful in the way they correct her mistakes, which she said help her get better. Hidden Dragon Yoga offers a Welcome Package for new clientele, which gives one free day and 15 consecutive days for $15. Students can pay an $8 drop-in fee if they want a day of yoga. The regular monthly rates are $95 and student monthly rates are $60 for unlimited sessions. There is a Groupon pass which offers a month of unlimited sessions for $49. Hidden Dragon Yoga’s website lists the different types of yoga classes they offer and the times.

A group of people practice yoga in the studio at Hidden Dragon Yoga Edmond. (Provided/ Hidden Dragon Yoga).

The Oklahoma City studio offers about five classes a day, and the Edmond studio offers about three. Sukenis said she expects more classes to be offered as more people come to the Edmond studio. Sukenis and other instructors are offering an Edmond kinetic meditation workshop on August 26, from 2-3 pm. “You get to draw with charcoal and create this painting while you medi-

ate,” said Sukenis. The workshop at the Edmond studio is about an hour long, costing $20 for students and $25 for the public. She plans to hold more workshops in the upcoming months. The Oklahoma City studio is located at 26 North East 10th Street. The Edmond studio is located less than a mile from the University of Central Oklahoma, at 412 South Broadway.

SECTION C

SPORTS “Our Words, Your Voice.”

ucentralmedia.com vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista

Monday, August 21 , 2017

The Bronchos New Stable

Austin Moseley @Austin_Moseley Sports Editor

Bids on the University of Central Oklahoma's new 14 million dollar sports performance center have been completed and the facility is expected to be completed by Fall of 2018. The 14 million dollars will cover the construction and furniture cost for the new facility, which will be on the north end zone of the football field. UCO broke ground on the sports performance center back in

UCO softball, baseball, and football fields are located north of campus. (Provided/ UCO Video Services).

April and it is projected to be around 40,000-45,000 square feet. “All student-athletes will benefit from the use of this facility,” University of Central Oklahoma Athletic Director, Joe Muller said. “The facility will include weight training and sports medicine areas, coaches’ offices, an academic center, lockers rooms, nutrition and common areas and more.” JE Dunn Construction was selected as the construction manager,

letting them conduct the bidding on the project. For the 33 sub-categories that cover all the features of the facility, the lowest received bid won in every instance. The largest winning bid for the new facility was for the mechanical and plumbing area, where Wattie Wolfe won with a bid of $1,526,500. On the other side of the spectrum, the lowest winning bid was in the fences and gates category, where American Fence was the only bidder with a bid

of $5,420. While the majority of categories received multiple bids, there were some (signage, sports nets, coiling doors, constant force posts, masonry, final cleaning) that received no bids at all. Kevin Tero, Project Manager for UCO AES, said bidding was open to the public and there weren’t any sub-contractors who decided to bid See “New Stable” Continued Page 8

SPORTS C2

Sports

Game Of Facilities UCO Receives 13.5 Million Dollar Donation Austin Moseley @Austin_Moseley Sports Editor

An anonymous individual donated 13.5 million dollars last month to the University of Central Oklahoma to fund a new baseball stadium and athletic scholarships. The donation is the largest in school history, surpassing the previous amount of $10.5 million, donated by Chad Richison two years ago to help fund the new sports performance center. Since 2015 UCO has raised more than $25 million for their athletic program. The majority of the money from the donation will go toward upgrading the baseball field, but some will also go towards creating a permanent endowment for student-athlete scholarships. The amount going towards these scholarships is still uncertain, but it's said to be a significant amount. For baseball, they are working on a stadium that hasn’t been improved in nearly 30 years according to UCO Athletic Director, Joe Muller. Construction on the baseball stadium has not started and a completion date for the new facility has yet to be released, but with the money from the donation the university is expected to create one of the best stadiums

The UCO baseball stadium is located north of campus. Recently, the university received a donation to fund a new baseball stadium, in addition to athletic scholarships. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).

in Division II baseball. “Obviously, we’d like to have a new baseball facility as quickly as possible, but there are a lot of moving parts to projects like this, so a final completion date has yet to be determined,” Muller said. The construction of a new baseball stadium comes a year after the UCO Softball team renovated theirs. UCO

has ramped up its efforts to upgrade its facilities, with the construction of a new sports performance center currently underway. With the new stadium being built, it could mean a boost for the UCO baseball program. Recruiting, training, and conditioning could all see major improvements, leading to more UCO Bronchos drafted into the

MLB. Last year two UCO baseball players (Holden Capps, Gibson Russ) went pro, as the team went on to win 37 games and fell one game short of reaching the Division II World Series. The Kansas City Royals drafted Capps with the 240th pick in the 2017 MLB Draft and he has been playing for the Royals Rookie league team throughout the summer. Capps is the first UCO player drafted since 2008 and only the third Broncho drafted since 2004. “Anytime you can improve the facilities, on any level, it is a benefit to the program,” Chris Brannick, Director of Sports Media Relations at UCO, said. "The current student-athletes would have a better opportunity to train and compete. And also, future student-athletes can be lured to the university with better facilities. That’s a given. It’s harder to recruit with lesser facilities than even some high schools have.” With a new stadium and more scholarship money on the way, UCO baseball is looking to build toward a bright future. Geese walk across the baseball field at the University of Central Oklahoma on Monday, Aug. 14, 2017. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).

Sports

UCO Soccer Geared to Kick Off 2017 Season Nate Baldwin @nbaldwin05 Sports Reporter

The beginning of the women's soccer season starts September 1, with the new year comes a fresh slate for UCO after falling in the second round of the National Tournament last season. The Lady Bronchos took the field for camp in early August, and head coach Mike Cook wasn't taking former performances into account. "Training camp starts with a clean slate," Cook said. "We'll see who steps up." This year's roster will consist of a mixture between veteran players and newcomers. Returning 14 upperclassmen, UCO enters the season with plenty of experience. Yet, there's plenty of young players ready to get their careers off on the right track. "We have a solid core of returning players," Cook said. "Then we have some good incoming freshman to push the returners." Part of that core is the duo Forwards Katie Killion and Mikayla Lowery. "They've emerged as leaders for us on and off the field," Cook said. Leading the team in scoring a year ago, Killion will look to improve upon her 12 goals last season. Entering the season Cook hopes these veterans can "set a good exam-

ple" and show the new faces how to work the right way. "Trying to find that leadership on the team is very important," Cook said. The job of protecting the net for the Bronchos features two proven goalkeepers in senior Elle Stover and junior Ally Salls. Stover started 15 games in net as a sophomore in 2015, leading the team in saves (63). Salls returns from starting 20 games last year for UCO. She

recorded four shut outs and 76 saves as a sophomore. "What you did or didn't do last year isn't important to us, it's what you do when you come to training camp" Cook said. Whoever is in net for the Lady Bronchos, the team and their coach know where they want to be when the season ends. "Every year our goal is to win our conference," Cook said. A goal UCO will have their work

cut out for, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association has been one of the tougher conferences in the nation as of late. The Bronchos finished runner-up in last year's conference tournament final behind Central Missouri University. Heading into the new season Cook wants the team to become "mentally tougher." "We've been fairly young the last couple of years," Cook said. Moving forward, UCO will look to its experienced leaders to step up after going 5-6 on the road last year. Being a tougher team every week is what the Bronchos believe will help them get past whoever they face. In doing so, Cook hopes to bring more consistency to his team. "We were really good in spots last year, then we were very average," Cook said. The 2017 season kicks off against Angelo State before UCO begins conference regular season play

against conference rival Northeastern State University on Tom Thompson Field.

Emily Precure, 24, takes the ball down the field during a 2016 soccer game at UCO. (Provided/ Vista Archives).

Sports

Here’s To You Mr. Robinson Peter Agnitsch @peteypete33 Editor-in-Chief

Back in 1999 the top song was Cher's song “Believe”, the movie that won the Oscar for Best Picture was Shakespeare in Love, and the UCO Men's basketball team was led by star player Eddie Robinson. "It was great and I loved it," Eddie Robinson reflecting on his time at UCO. He is now playing Professional basketball in the first annual season of the Big3 league for the Killer 3's. "I love it and the Big3 I think it’s going to be around for a while," said Eddie Robinson. Robinson grew up in Flint, Michigan. Where he struggled finding a sense of normalcy moving from house to house, except for the local basketball courts that became home. In the tenth grade, Robinson dropped out of Flint's Northern High. He concentrated on basketball throughout the day, playing pickup basketball every day, which led him to playing Ammeter Athletic Union basketball with the Flint J's. "You Knew he was going to end up in the NBA," said AAU teammate and former NBA player Morris Peterson to Sports Illustrated. With Robinson's future looking bright, he decided to take the next step to get his GED and go to play for Junior College's Trinity Valley CC and Brown Mackie. After his two seasons, he decided to declare for the NBA draft, which he went undrafted. Since he did not sign an agent for the draft it allowed him to go back to college, where he then went to UCO. In his junior season, he averaged 14.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Robinson's role on the Broncho's team can be described as a point-center, where he brought up the ball most times. "He is 6'9, ran like a deer and could jump out of the Gym," said Mike Kirk. "I think I was the tallest guy on the team," said Robinson. The 1997-1998 season for the Bronchos is argued as the school’s most successful season in history. They went 25-7, winning the Southland conference and finishing in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division II Tournament. Robinson's senior year was the stuff of legends with it being regarded as one of the top seasons of all-time. He averaged 28 points per game, which led NCAA Division II. Robinson scored over 40 points

Eddie Robnson, 32, dunks the basketball during a game at the University of Central Oklahoma. (Provided/ UCO Photo Services)

in four different games that season. With him breaking the school record for most points in a game with 52-points against Southwestern Oklahoma State. He might have scored the most points against SWOSU, but many believe that his best game was versus NCAA Division 1 Texas Christian University. The Bronchos lost the game but being led by Robinson were up going into half. Mike Kirk described Robinson as the best player on the floor. That includes former NBA player Lee Nailon, who averaged 22.8 points and 9.3 rebounds. Mike Kirk described a game where Robinson stole the ball from the half-court then on the fast break, alley-ooped it to himself and threw down a dunk. Robinson finished his career at UCO as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division II history. After UCO, Robinson signed a two-year contract with the Charlotte Hornets. He was one of the bright spots coming off of the Hornets bench averaging 7.2 points. When Robinson became a free agent in the 2001 off-season, he signed with the Bulls on a 5-year 32-million-dollar contract. His stint became short on the Bulls though with the team buying out the last two years of his contract.

After the NBA, Robinson still played professional basketball with one year in the D-league for the Idaho Stampede and then one year in 2012 for Halifax Rainmen in Canada's NBL. With Robinson being out of the game for five years a new opportu

nity arose with Ice Cube's Newly Formed Big3 league. "We obviously had a combine for the draft, I think that was key for me to have a great performance and show I can still do what I can do," said Robinson.

Eddie Robinson, 32, jumps for a shot during a University of Central Oklahoma basketball game in the late 1990s. (Provided/ UCO Photo Services)

Sports

Bucking Broncho: ‘Tis the Season Nate Baldwin @nbaldwin05 Sports Reporter

It's the most wonderful time of the year! No, not Christmas. A different kind of Christmas that comes around every September; of course I’m talking about the return of football. For football fans the feeling resembles something like the return of a long lost love. It’s like a comet that comes and goes only for a short time. There is just a different feeling in the air when you walk outside. The changing colors of the leaves and cooler winds are like signals. Signals from the football gods telling us the best time of the year is here. Over the last six months we have been forced to resort to other forms of entertainment. During the summer months when there was nothing else to turn to, soccer was there, and I appreciated it. Some great goals were scored and saves made. Yet, it’s time we stop acting like we’re true soccer fans. The second a meaningful snap of football takes place, soccer will be forgotten faster than that meme two days ago. Now, just in case you are saying “wait there is also baseball,” yes I know. Again, big fan of baseball. While it may not be as badly forgotten as that one other sport, lets be honest here, without Aaron Judge hitting powerful bombs every day or Bryce Harper’s majestic hair flips, baseball would be in the gutter. Once football returns, baseball disappears until the League Championship Series.

Detroit Lions defensive back D.J. Hayden (31) breaks up a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Chester Rogers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) There is so much excitement heading into the new football season. Who will climb the College Football Playoff mountain? What teams will take the next step towards the Championship? School pride, rivalries and passion are all things that make the college football season so intriguing. Then in early September, like so many before, the NFL season is underway. The “Be-all, End-all”

of major sports. The number one broadcast on five television networks is back every Sunday afternoon and Monday night. Football is the ultimate team sport, 11 men all working together to accomplish the same goal, each piece as important as the other. A violent and possibly disturbing game that, when performed to perfection, is pure beauty. How can something

based on men colliding into each other as hard as possible be so beautiful? To be completely honest, I haven’t the slightest idea. Maybe it's the sight of perfect teamwork coming together. Maybe the beauty is just the violence itself. Either way the game has a certain mysticism to it that enamors millions of us year in and year out. While other sports (basketball) rely solely on the stars to run the league and create their own teams, football is about the process. The real players don’t step in and make demands like a 15-year veteran. Football is about the grind. All the hard, grueling work done leading up to the game, all made worth it. It’s something that can hit close to home with all of us. Whether you’re a college football fan waiting to fly your school colors high and proud, an NFL fan itching to set up your first fantasy lineup, or even a diehard like myself who has been watching Canadian Football to prepare for what is to come. After that kickoff, we’re all football fans.

Seattle Seahawks safety Demetrius McCray reacts after a missed chance at an interception during the second half of the team’s NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Sports

UCO Prepared to Tackle Season Jonathan Goudeau @goudeau_jdg Sports Reporter

After a strong off-season, the University of Central Oklahoma football team looks to improve on last years 3-8 record. "Getting back on track and putting last year behind us is a big deal," said Head Coach Nick Bobeck. The Bronchos return (this amount of seniors), who look to lead the team. "We have a really good group of seniors," Bobeck said. "We have a strong group along the offensive line, wide receiver core and the offensive backfield." The offense looks to improve on their 27.9 points per game average led by Senior Quarterback Chas Stallard, and Running Backs Clay McKenzie and Jake Gandara. Stallard appeared in nine games last season and threw 941-yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He is a duel threat quarterback running for 408-yards and six touchdowns on the ground. "Chas Stallard is probably going to end up being one of the best quarterbacks that have ever played here at the University of Central Oklahoma," Bobeck said. McKenzie led the Bronchos as the leading rusher with 171 carries for 785 yards and 13 touchdowns. Gandara chipped in 606 yards and six touchdowns on 117 carries providing the Bronchos with a 1-2 punch in the backfield. The Bronchos return Senior Wide Receivers J.T. Luper and Josh Crockett. "I'm excited about the wide receivers," Bobeck said. "We have guys like Josh Crockett and J.T. Luper coming back and L'liot Curry who played a lot last year, we have some true freshman who can push (for playing time) and some transfers who can push as well." Up front, the Bronchos must find replacements at center and left guard. "We have a great competition going on at both guard positions", Bobeck said. "We have four guards and two centers that can play. We have a strong group." The Bronchos run defense last season gave up 155.6 yards per game contributing to the defense given up 38.4 points per game. "If you can stop the run you can force people's hands," Bobeck said. "If you can't you have to dedicate more people to it and you become weaker in the passing game and start giving up big plays."

The University of Central Oklahoma preps for a Fall 2016 game in Wantland Stadium. (Provided/ Vista Archives)

Junior Defensive Tackle Carson Smith was fifth on the team in tackles with 37, including seven for loss. "Carson Smith is probably one of the best defensive tackles in our conference and maybe even all of Division 2 football. He's a really good football player," Bobeck said. Smith is the only defensive lineman thats spot is set on the depth chart. "Defensive tackle is our biggest concern," Bobeck said. "We have some talented guys but we are young and we don't know how they're going to react to being thrown into the fire." Last season, the Bronchos relied on the back seven, with four that recorded over 40 tackles, led by senior safety Riley Galyon (91 tackles). "We have a lot of talented and experienced kids in the back seven," Bobeck said. The Bronchos secondary played a big part last year, with six interceptions and 11 pass deflections last season and look to cut down on the 291.9 yards per game they gave up through the air. The Bronchos start with their season opener against Lindenwood at home on Thursday, August 31. "Game one is huge," Bobeck said. "If you win game one, you get yourself moving in the right direction and build positive momentum for the rest of the season."

Sports

Projected 2017 Starting Lineup

Jake Gandara

Clay McKenzie Chas Stallard

Paten Bond JT Luper

Sam Noble

Tyler Hughes

Noah Hammons

Nick George

Carson Smith

Aaron Williams

Jordan Stafford

Mvhayv Locust

Josh Crockett

Eli Hooks

Braden Calip

Omari Cole

Hank Humphers

Addison Staggs

Colton Lindsey

Chris Pogi

Riley Galyon

Sports

The Bronchos New Stable, Continued ations of student-athletes,” Muller said. “This gift will not just impact student-athletes from one sport, but will truly impact all student-athletes in the UCO program.” The sports performance center is part of UCO’s fundraising initiative “Complete the Dream.” This project has three phases: build a sports performance center, an indoor practice facility, and a softball stadium. The softball stadium was completed this year, with the team able to play their first season in their new facility.

Austin Moseley @Austin_Moseley Sports Editor

on those categories, saying it is not uncommon for some areas to not receive bids. Tero says that these areas will most likely be re-bid, or if the contract is small enough, they would seek multiple quotes from qualified vendors. Lockers are another area the university is re-evaluating. Tero said they are working on the design of the lockers, which will be released sometime during the duration of the project. Muller said sixty percent of the funding for the facility came from private donations, with the other 40 percent coming from bonded debt. Chad Richison, former UCO student-athlete and founder of Paycom Software, donated 10 million dollars two years ago, which jump-started UCO on their goal of constructing the new facility. “This gift represented, at the time, the largest gift in the history of the university and will help build facilities that will impact future gener-

The Hamilton Fieldhouse, on the notheast end of campus. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).

“This gift will not just impact student-athletes from one sport, but will truly impact all student-athletes in the UCO program,” said Muller.

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Sports

Jordan Cramer

Karyn Chrisman

Elizabeth Boyd

Callie Bangasser

Kadie Dewey

Kelly Crow

Taylor Bevis

Allie Davis

Haley Deschenes

Jordan Spence

Dominique Lipari

Lyndsey Becker

Ericka Scholl

Alexis Washington

Malia Kaaiohelo

McKenzie Fyfe

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Sports

UCO Volleyball Season Set to Begin

Nate Baldwin @nbaldwin05 Sports Reporter

The University of Central Oklahoma volleyball team will begin their season in September as they look to continue "maintain the same [winning] culture" of recent years and serve up the 2017 campaign with a slightly different group out on the court. After losing five seniors, including their leader Katy Davis, the Lady Bronchos look to step up and fill the shoes of those who came before. "We lost a lot of experience and maturity this year," Head Coach Edgar Miraku said. There will be seven players this season getting their first taste of college volleyball. Davis' absence will be felt both on and off the court as UCO loses their captain and one of the best setters in program history. Davis finished third on the UCO all-time assists record with 4,442. Junior Taylor Bevis looks to fill Davis' void this season for UCO, as she led the team last season with 415 kills. "We're hoping she fills the leadership role," Miraku said. The Lady Bronchos will need her power over the net throughout the course of the season. "Her hitting ability is crucial for us," Miraku added.

This year's team will feature a new assistant coach in Alisa Blair. She joins UCO after spending the past three seasons with Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas. Blair was named 2014 Coach of The Year and led Hill College to 83 victories during her tenure. For Miraku, the main focal point this off-season has been the defense.

Without the ability to dig out big shots and set teammates up, Bevis' striking won't mean much. "The key to winning for us is what kind of defense we have." A major piece of that defensive success will be sophomore Dominique Lipari's ability to extend volleys. Lipari led the Lady Bronchos last season with 477 digs as a

Katy Davis, 2, returns the ball across the net during a Fall 2016 volleyball game in Hamilton Fieldhouse. (Provided/ Vista Archives).

true freshman. The team will rely on Lipari's defense to give them a chance at setting up a good shot. Good defense leads to good offense. That is the philosophy UCO is going with this year. The Lady Bronchos hope to build off last season's success as they come off a 30-4 record, going 15-3 in conference play while never losing a home game before falling to Washburn University 0-3 in postseason play. "Going through our conference can be tougher than the National Tournament," Miraku claimed. Once a team qualifies anything can happen and, according to Miraku, the opportunity is there. While this season's volleyball team may lack the experience of previous teams, Coach Miraku will have the Bronchos ready to play. As the season draws near, UCO continues to prepare and set their sights on their goal. "We want to make the National Tournament," Miraku stated. "Put ourselves in a good position to win." September 1 marks the start of the 2017 season for the Bronchos as they enter the Tarleton State Classic. The home opener will not be until September 14 during the UCO Crossover Tournament before they begin conference play against Missouri Southern University.

The University of Central Oklahoma volleyball team competes during a Fall 2016 match in Hamilton Fieldhouse. (Provided/ Vista Archives).

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Men’s Golf Primed To Tee Off Austin Moseley @Austin_Moseley Sports Editor

The University of Central Oklahoma Men’s Golf team is ready to tee off their season, following last year where they won the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Golf Championship. The Bronchos return all five players from their MIAA Championship team with Eli Armstrong, Cody Troutman, Nick Pierce, Alexander Hughes and Wesley Jackson. “All five are going to make a huge impact on the team this year,” Head Coach Josh Fosdick said. Armstrong, who was named to the NCAA Division II PING All-Region team last season, leads the Bronchos with an average score of 72.97 in 12 tournaments. “Eli is clearly the man to beat on the team, with a team low scoring average and as one of the most consistent players last year I know he will be gunning for the conference player of the year title,” Fosdick said. Hughes is the reigning MIAA individual champion, who started to hit his stride late last year. Fosdick said he’s looking forward to how Hughes will follow his success from last year and mentioned he had a great summer, making it to elite eight in state amateur. Troutman is a player that has had back issues throughout his career, but still managed to have the second best average score on the team last year with 73.18. “If he is healthy he is easily one of the top golfers in the conference and region,” Fosdick said. If Troutman’s back starts to act up though, Fosdick will think about all the options. “I simply want him to have a good quality of life down the road, so if that means sitting out in the fall then we might have to look at options of keeping him around an extra year to compete when he is 100%. Troutman, an economics major, earned First Team CoSIDA Academic All-American honors for the 2016-17 season. The senior out of Edmond, finished with a 4.0 grade point average, as he became the first player in school history to receive the award. Troutman’s other academic awards for the 2016 season include All-MIAA honors and the Elite 90 award for having the highest GPA at the NCAA Golf Championships. Jackson is entering his last year and according to his coach is looking

T.J. Eckert watches his approach shot during a 2016 golf round. (Provided/ UCO Photo Services).

Eli Armstrong after hitting a ball during a golf round in the 2016 season. (Provided/ UCO Services).

to end it with a bang. “Wesley also made it to the Elite 8 at the State Amateur, and he, along with Cody, have had very good summers so far. With this being their last year of competition, I know they are wanting to end it with a bang.” A freshman last year, Pierce is looking to improve upon a season in which he narrowly missed out on winning MIAA freshman of the year. The sophomore had the third best average score on the team with 74.12 and now looks to take the next step

in his second season. The UCO Men’s Golf team had seven players earn MIAA Honor Roll, which requires athletes to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Eli Armstrong, Holden Crago, T.J Eckert, Wesley Jackson, Peyton Knell, Nick Pierce and Cody Troutman earned the honor for the Bronchos. The Golf Coaches Association of America named Troutman and Jackson Srixon/Cleveland All-America Scholars. Student athletes must maintain a 3.2 GPA, have a stroke

average under 78, have three years of competition at the collegiate level and academically must be a junior or senior. “I’ve pushed them to not only want to be successful on the course to be to strive to be the best team in the department,” Fosdick said. “That means commitment to studying when they’d rather play golf. At the end of the day, they are here for the degree. Golf is simply the tool to help many of them come and get it.”

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Women’s Golf Ready for Greens Austin Moseley @Austin_Moseley Sports Editor

As the leaves begin to fall, the University of Central Oklahoma Women’s Golf Team prepares for their upcoming season in a week. Last season, the Bronchos were unable to make the national tournament, but the team says they are confident they can make a strong comeback this season “We missed nationals by two shots last year, so I expect them to come in hungry and ready to compete,” head coach Michael Bond said. The Bronchos were a young team last year, with only two upperclassmen out of their seven golfers. Now with a year of experience under their belts, Bond hopes the team can improve upon last year’s season. Despite only one player (Anna Pool) making it to Nationals, the team still finished high individually in the MIAA. Marla Souvannasing earned first team All-MIAA honors, Makena Mucciaccio and Sydney Roberts earned second team honors and Anna Pool earned honorable mentions. Souvannasing has been named to the All-MIAA first team in each of her first three seasons. She did not finish lower than fifteenth in nine out of the 10 tournaments she played in, while placing third at the MIAA Fall Preview and NSU Classic. “Marla is our lone senior and has

Anna Pool swings through a hit during a 2016 golf round. (Provided/ UCO Photo Services).

had one of the top two best careers in school history,” Bond said. “She is tied for career wins and is a proven leader.” Anna Pool, a sophomore out of Coffeyville, Kansas, earned a spot in the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championships last year where she finished 33rd out of 72 players. Bond says he believes Pool will play a vital role on the team and continue

to build upon her success from last year. Roberts, who is also a sophomore, had four top-10 finishes and won the Diffee Ford Lincoln Invitational at Kickingbird in her first season as a Broncho. “Sophomores Anna Pool and Sydney Roberts will build off their freshmen seasons and play a vital role in our teams success.” The Women’s Golf team did well in the classroom as well, with six golfers making MIAA Academic honors. Makena Mucciaccio, Sydney Roberts, Anna Pool, Marla Souvannising, J.T. Neuzil and Allyson Wilcox were the players who earned this honor, which their coach said he was extremely proud of. “It is a great thing to not have to worry about the academic side,” Bond said. “The team gets the job done in the class room and we have one of the highest team GPA’s in the nation, as well as a team at UCO.” With the season just a few strokes away, Bond says his team is up for the challenge. “We have to strive to be better today than yesterday and this group can do that,” Bond said.

J.T. Neuzil watches after hitting a ball during a 2016 golf round. (Provided/ UCO Photo Services).

Women’s Golf Schedule September 5-6 Central Region Preview September 11-12 U Indy Classic September 24-25 MIAA Fall Preview October 2-3 - UCO RCB Classic October 16-17 Regional Fall Preview

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MIAA Football Breakdown

Wide receiver Josh Crockett, 6, runs the ball during a Fall 2016 football game at Wantland Stadium. (Provided/ Vista Archives). Jonathon Goudeau @goudeau_jdg Sports Reporter

As the University of Central Oklahoma prepares for the upcoming season they have the task of competing in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), who has sent numerous teams deep into the playoffs. 12 teams play in the MIAA conference and six had a winning record last season. Three teams, the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats, Central Missouri Mules and Emporia State Hornets all made the playoffs with Northwest Missouri State claiming their second straight national championship. Both Fort Hays State and Washburn played in a post season bowl game. The MIAA has won five national championships since 2006 with four belonging to Northwest Missouri State and one to Pittsburgh State. "We know that if you get into the playoffs from our conference that you have a chance to win the whole thing," Head Coach Nick Bobeck said. The Bronchos were picked eighth in the Coaches Poll and seventh in the Media Poll. "You have a different set of challenges you have to face each and

every week," said UCO Quarterback, Chas Stallard about having to prepare for MIAA opponents. One challenge is having to stop opposing offenses. Northwest Missouri State and Pitt State averaged

more than 40 points per game. The Bearcats were the fifth best scoring offense in the entire country, with Pitt State finishing close behind as the thirteenth best scoring offense in the nation. Other offenses in the

Quartrback T.J. Eckert, 10, gets tackled during a Fall 2016 game in Wantland Stadium. (Provided/ Vista Archives).

MIAA including, Central Missouri, Emporia State and Missouri Western all averaged over 30 points per game. "It takes every guy doing their job," Broncho's Defensive Tackle, Carson Smith said about stopping opposing offenses in the MIAA. On defense, Northwest Missouri State led the conference only allowing 12 points a game, with five other teams in the conference giving up fewer than 30 points a game. Defenses in the MIAA also racked up a high number of interceptions as nine teams had more than 10 interceptions, led by Emporia State who had 21. However, Northwest Missouri State held was the lone MIAA team to hold opponents under 350 yards a game. "There's a lot of speed and a lot of strength," Stallard said about MIAA defenses. On the special teams side Fort Hayes State, Pitt State, and Central Missouri all had a kick return for a touchdown, with the Bronchos ranking fourth in both kick and punt return yards. The Bronchos look to take the first step toward a playoff spot when they open the season against Lindenwood.

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Cross Countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fresh Legs Jonathon Goudeau @goudeau_jdg Sports Reporter

The University of Central Oklahoma's cross country team looks to put last season behind them, after finishing 18th in the NCAA Division 2 regional championships, and begin the year anew. "Losing Maddie was a real blow," head coach J.D. Martin said. "They are tough kids who responded well. They stepped up and we finished as well without Maddie as we did the year before when we had her." The return of senior Maddie Brown, however, is a reason for optimism this season. "She is our best runner," Martin said. "Her being back means everything." The Bronchos return senior Sheri Snyder, who was the highest placing Broncho in each race last season. Snyder's best performance came at the OBU Classic where she finished 24th with a time of 19:26. Fellow senior Audrey Campbell's best perfor-

Audrey Campbell, left, and Sheri Snyder, right, compete at the NCAA Central Regional cross country meet. (Provided/ UCO Photo Services). mance also came at the OBU Classic where she finished 25th with a time of 19:27. "Sheri and Audrey did a really good job last year, they really impressed me," Martin said. Coaches look for continued improvement from junior Savannah Waddell who finished fourth in every race for the Bronchos last season. Her highest finish last season was

52nd in the UCO Land Run with a time of 20:51. "She's improved so much," Martin

said. "She's had a really good summer and I'm expecting really good things out of her." The Bronchos are counting on contributions from their two new runners, freshmen Maddison Cornelius from Mustang and Arizona Hummingbird from Wagner.

"I'm expecting good things out of both those kids," Martin said. The Bronchos start the season in the UCO Land Run on Saturday, September 2. "I'm excited about this year's team," Martin said. "If we can keep them all healthy, I think we will have a really good season."

SECTION D

FEATURE “Our Words, Your Voice.”

ucentralmedia.com vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista

Monday, Aug 21, 2017

Charles Lamb Edmond’s Shepherd Peter Agnitsch @peteypete33 Editor-in-Chief

Edmond Mayor Charles Lamb was re-elected to his third term in office on April 4. Lamb has been the mayor of Edmond for the past six years. He is fulfilling the project of Tomorrow's Edmond, which is a project to help develop Edmond. "It's a vision of what we want this community to be," said Lamb. The project includes the completion of a hotel and conference center that is projected to have its soft opening Nov. 22, and its dedication opening Dec. 16. Lamb attended UCO when it See “Mayor Lamb” Continued page 7

The Cyndi Project Mayor Charles Lamb addresses an audience during a 2015 ribbon cutting ceremony. (Provided/ The CIty of Edmond PIO).

Kateleigh Mills @kateleighsuz Online Editor

Raised in a single-parent household with dreams of going to college, Cyndi Munson defied the odds and became the first Asian-American woman to be elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Munson was raised with her sister Sandra by a military father. She said she had difficulties at home when her father divorced her physically, emotionally, and verbally abusive mother when she was 13. "I had a little bit of a bumpy ride in junior high because I was distracted about what was going on at home," Munson said. "I just kind of lost focus, which was really not me." She spent the majority of her high school years taking advanced placement classes and participating in the student government at Eisenhower High School. She said getting involved in school was a getaway for her to escape any of the issues she

was having. She said her father wanted both her and her sister to attend college, regardless of all the factors that might prevent them from going. "It was kind of a crazy time, but we were focused on going to school and going to college," Munson said. After visiting the University of Central Oklahoma she decided that it could be a place for her to excel and get involved on campus. She said UCO was the best fit financially for her. While on campus she was involved in the UCO Student Association, serving as the speaker of the house and the vice president, President's Leadership Council, Student Programming Board, Homecoming, WinterGlow, and Sigma Kappa. Munson was homecoming queen her senior year and was awarded the Presidential Gold Medal for Leadership and Public Service. She spent a semester before she graduated studying non-profit and voluntary services at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She See “Cyndi Project” Continued Page 7

(Provided/ Cyndi Munson)

Feature

All Hail UCO’s King Mo Victor Quezada @VicQ87 Reporter

As Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal waits for a shot at the Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship title, he believes he wouldn’t be where he is today if it had not been for the University of Central Oklahoma. “I give all the respect to UCO for making this happen and it is nice to reminisce about my time there,” Lawal said. Born in Las Vegas, Lawal moved to Plano, Texas and then became interested in professional wrestling. Competing out of Plano, he was not offered much from Texas universities, as his offers were partial scholarships or to walk-on the universities wrestling team. Lawal then received a scholarship offer from the UCO Wrestling team. “You had no idea, I was not offered much coming out of Plano¬¬¬, Texas as far as a scholarship,” said Lawal. “UCO was the only university that truly believed in me.” It did not take long for Lawal to make his presence known on the UCO wrestling team. In his first season, Lawal’s record was 27-12. He had two falls and five major decisions before being crowned second nationally with his team the following season in 2001. UCO won the national championship in 2002 with Lawal having an individual record of 39-2 with 10 falls, seven technical falls, and 10

Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal takes down an opponent during a match. (Provided/ UCO Photo Services)

major decisions. “We were not to be messed with back then [UCO] because we messed everyone up,” Lawal said. Lawal finished wrestling at UCO with a record of 103-22, before transferring to Oklahoma State his senior year. He went on to claim an NCAA Division 1 Wrestling National Championship to end his collegiate career.

After college, Lawal continued his wrestling career for the Senior U.S. freestyle wrestling team, where he was 2007 Golden Grand Prix International Open Champion, placed second at the Golden Grand Prix International, and was a three-time Senior National Champion. Lawal started his Mixed Martial Arts career in 2008 to seek the best

Muhammed Lawal wrestles an opponent during a match at UCO. (Provided/ UCO Photo Services).

competition inside the steel cage. Lawal has been in the MMA circuit for nine years. Along with his Mixed Martial Arts career, Lawal joined Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling from 2012 to 2015. Lawal was in Bobby Lashley’s corner for the world heavyweight championship match in Slammiversary X. A string of injuries kept him out of action in TNA before making a statement about his future career being “100% Mixed Martial Arts.” Lawal’s notoriety came when he defeated Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, which led to Lawal’s seven straight wins in the Bellator Circuit, with his current 21-6 record. “The actions in the ring speak for themselves as I worked from day one,” Lawal said. Bellator President Scott Coker expects current light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader to defend his title by the end of the year. “Bader should fight ‘King Mo’ next,” Coker said on The MMA Hour. “King Mo’s ready to go down to 205 and ready to fight before the end of the year, so maybe we’ll have Bader and King Mo before the end of the year.”

Feature

Mike Cook’s Winning Recipe

Nate Baldwin @nbaldwin05 Sports Reporter

As the UCO Women's Soccer team take the field this season, they will be led by head coach Mike Cook, who has been with the Bronchos since their inception 20 years ago. "It was a great opportunity," Cook said. "It's been gratifying and humbling to see the progress and success we've had here." In 1998, the University of Central Oklahoma added women's soccer to their list of athletic programs. That was when a young Cook came over from Southern Nazarene University and never looked back. Cook had been the head coach for both the men's and women's soccer teams for SNU since 1993, where he led the women's team to back-toback NAIA semifinals before coming to UCO, about a five minute drive from his home. "A school like UCO has a lot of potential," Cook said. "It was the next step for me." The inaugural season for the Lady Bronchos ended with an 11-9 record, the next season was much of the same in a 13-5-1 record in 1999. The early years of building the program saw its share of adversity. The lack of history and recognition of the university is what Cook said were the hardest obstacles to get over. In Cook's third year, UCO took the next step and finished 20-3 with both regular season and Lone Star Conference Tournament titles, advancing to their first National Tournament and shining some light on the program. "As the country got to know our program, we started to get some more All-American caliber players," Cook said.

UCO women’s soccer coach Mike Cook addresses the team. (Provided/ UCO Photo Services).

The increase in recruiting made a difference. From 2004-2007 UCO Soccer dominated the LSC winning four straight league championships, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2007. "We had a good core of players who knew how to get it done," Cook said. The Lady Bronchos have reached the National Tournament on 11 occasions since 2000, giving Cook a 280-102-28 record as head coach. He also ranks in the top tier in career winning percentage at 73.

Looking back at his time at UCO, Cook knows every season brings new challenges. "You have to be kind of lucky with injuries," Cook said. "There's years when you think you're going to be decent... other years it surprises you." For Cook, it's about more than the success that may come on the field. It's about getting his players an education and growing as people. "It's not all about the soccer," Cook said. "We want them to get a good education as well." Over the past two decades Cook has coached hundreds of young players, helping them become not only better athletes but better students. Cook has been around UCO long enough that his former players have now grown up and led their kids to him. The trust players have for him even long after their playing time, tells him all he needs to know. A lot has changed over the past 20 years for UCO, throughout his tenure Cook said he's seen both the program and school grow. "The perception of the university has changed, to see us get more national recognition is great," Cook said.

11- National Playoff Appearances 6- Regular Season Titles 5- Lone Star Conference Championship’s 6-Time LSC Coach of the year Coached 98 All-Conference, 59 All-Region, and 7 All-Americans Record as Head Coach 280-102-29

Feature

Discover UCOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Miss America Peter Agnitsch @peteypete33 Editor-in-Chief

"Lights, Camera, Action, Hi and welcome to Discover Oklahoma I'm Lauren Nelson," that is how Lauren Nelson greets her audience on Discover Oklahoma. That isn't how Nelson got her claim to fame though, she is most known for winning the crown of Miss America in 2007. "It really was a dream come true," said Lauren Nelson Nelson started her pageant career when she was 16-years-old. Her first taste of major success in pageants was in 2004, where she won the crown of Miss Teen Lawton. Then later that year she also won Miss Teen Oklahoma. To add onto her success in 2004, she walked away with the crown of Miss Oklahoma state fair. Two years later, Nelson took a giant step in the world of pageants being crowned Miss Oklahoma in 2006. She was the youngest to ever be named Miss Oklahoma at 19-years-old. Since Nelson won the crown it earned her a spot in the competition for Miss America and was awarded a $16,000 scholarship. Nelson competed against 49 other women from different states to take home the crown of Miss America in 2007. She was the sixth person from Oklahoma to win the honor. One of the prizes of her winning Miss America was a $50,000 scholarship. "It probably was one of the scariest moments and one of the most exciting moments of my life to that point," said Nelson. Her stage performance was singing You'll be in my Heart by Phil Collins. "The Reason I got into pageants is because I like to sing," said Nelson. Her platform for the pageant was Be NetSmart an organization to protect kids on the internet. "Internet Safety for kids was an important issue and it still is," said Nelson. She went undercover as a minor to help catch child predators on the TV show Americas Most Wanted. Nelson had to chat and make phone calls with the child predators to help lure them in to be arrested. "It was scary," said Nelson. Before winning Miss Oklahoma and Miss America Nelson was attending the University of Central Oklahoma. She was in her sophomore year when she won Miss America. After she won both crowns Nelson was forced to put college

Lauren Nelson, Miss America 2007. (Provided/ WikimediaCommons).

aside because her schedule was so demanding of her time. When Nelson's reign was over she returned to UCO and majored in Music theater but later changed her major to Public Relations. "I felt like I had some experience with Public Relations through the pageant," said Nelson. Nelson performed in several musical productions at UCO. She was one of two freshman to perform in the play Pajama Game, and also performed in the production Hot N? Cole: A Cole Porter Celebration. "I loved the professors and I loved the music theater department," Nelson said. "That's really what brought me to UCO." UCO has had a major impact on Nelson's life. It is where she met her husband and even got her first job out of College working for former

UCO President Webb. "UCO has changed my Life," said Nelson. During her reign as Miss America, Nelson appeared on Jeff Foxworthy's show Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader. She decided to drop out of the game and say, "I'm Lauren Nelson. I'm Miss America, and I'm not smarter than a fifth grader." Nelson didn't walk home empty handed though, with 175,000 dollars. All of her winnings on the show went to the Miss America Scholarship Foundation. Her first job in television, was co-anchoring the 4 pm newscast with Robin Marsh at KWTV News9 in Oklahoma City. She worked at KWTV for three years, she had to leave though when she got pregnant and decided she could only work

part-time. So she was offered a part-time position as a reporter for Discover Oklahoma, where she would be promoted a few years later to Co-anchor. "It's awesome," said Nelson " I get to see the best of what this state has to offer." It might have been ten years since Nelson won Miss America, but she is still making an impact on the pageant scene by befriending and guiding current Miss UCO Lacey Williams. "Lauren is a wonderful role model for young women," Said Williams. Williams and Nelson have even become personal friends with Williams attending church with Nelson and her Family. "Lauren reaches out to so many young women at our church, it is great having someone to look up to like her," Said Williams.

Column

UCO Loan Shark Feeds Off Of Tuition Increase Warning: This is a Fictional Column Intended for Satire Frank Lombardo has been loaning out money to local businesses and since the recent spike in college tuition, he has began loaning money to students and since then, business has only gotten better. Lombardo’s office is in a small room at the back of ‘Pantocello’s’ a restaurant that serves Italian cuisine. “When you write this, make sure you don’t put my real name; call me ‘The Loan Shark,’” said The Loan Shark. At Edmond Ivy League College University (EILCU), the rates of tuition were raised almost 30 percent more than the previous year. This made the tuition almost four-million dollars for students who attend for one semester; for a year it’s eight-million. “We realized that the best schools are the most expensive ones,” said Richard Hamilton; Dean at EILCU. “This isn’t like a golf game where the lowest score wins. It’s more like a game of basketball, or other sports games; where the highest score wins.” The eight-million a year tuition cost at EICLU has caused students to find more desperate and interesting ways of getting the loans needed; that’s where The Loan Shark can help. “Oh I’ll get you your money,” said The Loan Shark. “But paying me back is gonna cost you. It might be as simple as paying me back over a ridiculously extended period of time. Or just give me your first child. I don’t care, I can get creative with it.” Austin Farraday is the head scientist at EICLU and has begun extensive research into how students will be able to pay for the tuition. “The students should definitely borrow money from Lombardo,” said Farraday. “I borrowed money from him when I went to EICLU. I promised to promote his business any chance I got, also I promised

(Illustration/ The Vista).

him my ex-wife.” “These kids need to have a degree from college,” said The Loan Shark. “Can you name any successful people who didn’t get a college degree? I didn’t think so.” “Frank Lloyd Wright, Steve Jobs,

“He was sitting at the back of a mid-grade Italian restaurant,” said Joe Mccallum; a student at EILCU. “He loaned me almost four-million bucks for school. To pay him back I just had to sign a paper saying that I would give him my

(Illustration/ The Vista).

and Bill Gates. There are so many successful people without college degrees,” said Farraday. Many students have already gone to The Loan Shark for help with loans and many have already had to pay him back.

heart if a ‘heart transplant’ situation had to occur with him. So much better than paying him back for the rest of my life.” “I promised him my first three children,” said Cara Thompson. “He loaned me sixteen-million

dollars for my first two years of school. I’ll just try not to get attached to those first three, still better than paying him back for the rest of my life.” “I’m helping these stupid kids get an education,” said The Loan Shark. “I almost never get a student that wants to pay me back over an extended period of time, they say that anything is better than that.” “I forgot to pay him back, now I have to literally pay him money,” said Craig Stephenson; a graduate from EILCU who had once borrowed money from The Loan Shark. “I was a bio-chemistry major and unfortunately he got creative with my payment plan. He told me that when I graduate, he wanted me to make a ‘Cat-Dog’ kind of pet. I spent ten years of my life splitting canine genes with feline genes, nothing worked.” “I remember Craig,” said The Loan Shark. “He taped a dog and a cat together and thought that I wouldn’t notice it. I wanted a pet that had a dog head on one side and a cat head on the other. How hard is that?”

Letters

A Letter From UCO President, Don Betz August 21, 2017 Hello UCO students! Welcome to Fall 2017! Whether you are a first-time student or returning to continue your path toward graduation and your future, we are delighted you are here. Your vitality, creativity and collaborative skills are an integral part of the UCO experience. You will find an exceptional faculty and resourceful staff focused on creating a transformative learning opportunities for you. Our mission is clear. We are here to help you learn, persist, achieve and graduate. We will match your determination and diligent efforts to fulfill your aspirations with our passion and expertise for teaching and learning. We believe in you. There are no shortcuts to lasting, meaningful success. You are pursuing a degree and the skills, motivation, values and attitudes that will serve you well from this time forward. In this way, you are preparing for a life of learning which will be essential as you adapt many times to the world of challenge, opportunity and change in which you will live, work and create possibilities for yourselves and those whom you will care for. Becoming familiar with Central’s mission and vision, Transformative Learning, and the Central Six will help you achieve long-term success.

Every major Central building has them on wall mounted posters for easy viewing. One of the consistent ingredients for success in college is to get involved. Central is an exceptional place and I urge you to discover the abundance of organizations, activities, civic initiatives, sports and other ways that Central students gather together and create unique learning activities for themselves and each other. UCO is an historic institution, 127 years young, with a proud tradition of excellence in many fields. We are also known as a university that cares for its students. Our class sizes are designed to connect you with faculty. Our costs are competitive in the region and the nation for a comparable university. Our focus is on you striving to achieve the fullest dimension of your potential. In your success we find great joy. We believe you are the change. The challenges we all face in Oklahoma, the nation and beyond require that we master learning, adapting, collaborating, and creating. We are here with you to offer you the best we have from our experience, expertise and insight. We believe in the power of learning as the most effective instrument when confronting current issues and those unforeseen. Your ability to learn, create, communicate, and collaborate will serve you well in work and in life in the years and decades to come. You can

President Don Betz (Provided/ Vista Archives).

become a college of one, and enrich your family, community, state, tribe, country and world. You can be the change. Your talent, passion and persistence make you society’s most sustainable resource. Our culture of learning, leading and serving was enkindled in the minds, hearts and intentional efforts of those who came before us and founded this institution. Now, and in the years to come, we will be guided by the spirit and values of men and women that were moved to erect Old

North as an unmistakable educational beacon. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. We at Central are here to educate, encourage, challenge, motivate, and occasionally, inspire you. But you will make the choices. Choose persistence and success. Choose to graduate. We are here to help you. Welcome to Central! Don Betz, Ph.D. President

A Letter From UCO Chief of Police, Jeff Harp August 21, 2017 Welcome to the University of Central Oklahoma. UCO’s Public Safety office is comprised of five units employing more than 40 full and part-time staff persons who help you stay safe and secure on campus. They include University Police, Access Control, Security Technology, Environmental Health and Safety and Emergency Management. We believe that service is the core of our mission and strive to support each student’s transformational learning experience. While you are on campus, UCO Police Services is your police department. Our police officers are certified, commissioned, armed and trained to standards that exceed those required by many other departments in Oklahoma. Our headquarters is located on the western edge of

campus just west of the Education Building. It is open and our Communication Center staffed every hour of every day, year-round. Please do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 in an emergency or our non-emergency number, 9742345 if you have questions or need non-emergency assistance. Whether you are returning or are new to UCO, there are some resources available that will help you stay safe. First is Central Alert. You are automatically enrolled in it, but for it to be worthwhile you need to provide the system your cell phone number. You can find Central Alert within UCOnnect and can add or update information. This is the primary way we will notify you of information in an emergency. You can also sign up for weather alerts via text messaging. We strongly recommend you also download the Rave Guardian UCO Safety App for your cell phone. You

can get it from the Apple Store or Google Play by searching for Rave Guardian App. It includes some very beneficial applications to help keep you safe. Entering your UCO email account information unlocks two options including being able to call us directly which also shows us your location on or off campus in an emergency. Over the summer we updated and expanded some of our security technology initiatives. New Call Boxes are installed in many campus buildings. They are bright yellow and have a sign above them indicating their purpose. Just touch the button to make a call for help, assistance or information. These past few months have also seen the installation of additional surveillance cameras across campus as well as the launch of electronic access control systems in the residence halls and other facil-

ities. UCO will continue to expand our security technology capabilities to keep our campus safe and make it more convenient for everyone. If you have questions about safety or security activities on our campus please call us at 974-2345, or visit our web site via www.uco.edu/administration. You can also access the current edition of our Annual Security Report which provides details on all campus safety services via the main UCO web site (search for “Annual Security Report” in the A to Z Index). The newest issue of this report will be available by October 1st. We wish you a safe and successful year at Central. Jeffrey Harp, Chief of Police/Executive Director of Safety and Transportation Services.

Feature

The Cyndi Project, Continued Kateleigh Mills @kateleighsuz Online Editor

Scouts Council here," Munson said. She graduated from UCO in 2008 with Bachelor of Arts in political science and a minor in business and leadership, becoming the first in her family to graduate from college. After working for the Girl Scouts in Oklahoma, she knew she wanted to continue working with girls and young women. She decided to go to graduate school at the University of Nebraska, where she earned a Master of Science in leadership education degree and worked for the Girl Scouts in Nebraska. She worked briefly for a small nonprofit helping students fill out FAFSAs when applying for college. Munson said that job opened her eyes to the need for more mentorship and guidance on applying for college. She decided to move back to Oklahoma in 2010 after she knew she was at a point to bring what she learned back to her home state. "I wanted to be somewhere where

I was really making change and really giving back to people who had invested in me," Munson said. She said she learned a lot about what issues were facing younger women and formulated ideas to help them by working for the Girl Scouts. She said she never thought to run for office until several people had told her to do so. She took a year to run for office with minimal funding, but made up for it by visiting the people in the district daily. After the year was over, she lost the election. Because of the special election in 2015, following Rep. David Dank's death, she ran in a special election and won with more than 54-percent of the vote. She is a democratic representative who speaks for the 85th district. Minority Leader Scott Inman released a statement in 2015 that said Munson was elected to represent a district that the Republican party held consecutively for at least 50 years. While in office she has authored several pieces of legislation, some of which helps provide protections

for Alzheimer's patients, improving the rights of victims of sexual assault and election reform. She said some of the difficulties she has faced is answering to her constituents about what is happening at the Capitol following a difficult session earlier this year. Munson said if college students are wanting to be heard at the Capitol, they need to come and share their experience and personal stories with the state legislators.

I was really making change and really giving back to people who had invested in me,” Munson said.

The Oklahoma State Capitol houses the state’s senator and representative offices. (Provided/ WikimediaCommons).

Charles Lamb Edmond’s Sheperd, Continued called Central State College. Lamb graduated from UCO in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts. Nine years later he received his masters in Urban Affairs. While at UCO Lamb joined the ACACIA Fraternity and the National Guard. He took a year off from school when he went to basic training, and served 6 years in the Guard. Before his career in politics, Lamb was a housing consultant who provided services for elderly housing projects for 17 years. He spent more than 11 years with the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Federal Housing Administration subdivision. Lamb served his first term on Edmond's City Council in 1993, after winning his first election. "I thought I could bring my history, my knowledge of land use issues into the discussion and be part of the team and help the process," said Lamb. Lamb lost his 1989 political campaign for the Edmond City Council. "I did a poor job articulating that in '89," said Lamb. He was named mayor pro tem in May 2005. Lamb held this role until October 2011, when Douglass was

appointed to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission by the governor, leaving a vacancy for mayor. Then, the council elected Lamb the new mayor of Edmond and was sworn in on Nov. 14, 2011. "It was a unique thing," said Lamb. Two years later, Lamb ran for mayor and won the race to begin his second term in 2013. Lamb wanted to become mayor so he could be able to see things that he has touched come to life. The Urban Forestry Commission, a commission to help plant trees in Edmond, has been one of those things. He was a member and former chairman on the commission from 1999-2006. "It has continued to grow and expand," said Lamb. During Lamb's career, he has been honored with many awards and accolades. These include being inducted into three different halls of fame in Edmond and having the Charles D. Lamb OMPA power plant located near Ponca City, dedicated in his name.

Edmond Mayor Charles Lamb. (Provided/ The City of Edmond PIO).