Monday, February 13, 2012 Volume 86 Issue 15www.aggiecentral.com

News Sports

A&E News

Sports Crossroads

Success StoriesThree Cameron alumni are given

special recognition on campus.

Page 3

TennisCoach Helvey gives

insight on Aggie Tennis’ opening

this month.Page 7

MinistryThe Baptist Campus Ministries strives to bring their message

to students.Page 5

HackingAn IT expert visits with students over current trends in

penetration testing.Page 2

BaseballCU’s baseball team brings a strong start

to the beginning of their season.

Page 7

International AidThe American Red Cross provides local and worldwide relief

on a daily basis.Page 8

Department of Defense begins massive financial reconstruction

By Colin DuRantCollegian Intern

See DEFENSEPage 2

The future of the Armed Forces: Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon. The proposed budget cuts may have far-reaching consequences that will affect the Lawton community and Cameron University.

Jeremyra Cross named new Miss Black CU

This year’s Dr. Valree Wynn Miss Black CU pageant took place at 7 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2012 at the CU Theatre.

This Ebony Society-hosted event featured six young women vying for both the crown and the opportunity to receive 18 hours of tuition for up to six semesters.

These young women included Precious Moore, a Masters of Science in Behavioral Science major; Ciera James, a freshman Accounting major; Brandi Jones, a senior Communications major; Jeremyra Cross a junior Psychology major; Ifeoluwa Egbeyemi, a freshman Chemistry major; and Didi Osanife, a senior Business Marketing major

The event started with the introduction of Aj Adenuga, a senior Biology major, and Brandi Goldsmith, the Ebony Society president, as the Master and Mistress of Ceremony, respectively. The Black National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing, was then recited.

The first round, which featured sports wear, was not judged. It promoted physical fitness and healthy lifestyle. Afterward, the five judges were introduced.

This year’s judges were: Maria Shahan, Beatrice Lipford, June Rain, Dianne Owens and Tammy Johnson.

The first judged round of the pageant was the Ambassadorial Wear segment. Here, the contestants dressed as famous African American women who had achieved success in their careers.

Jones, Osanife and Moore represented Halle Berry, Oprah Winfrey and Angela Davis, while Egbeyemi, James and Cross made appearances as Michelle Obama, Zelma Watson and Maya Angelou.

The talent segment came next, where Jones sang Natalie Cole’s “Orange

Colored Sky,” Osanife sang a rendition of “Hallelujah,” and James sang Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Love of All,” Moore gave a monologue about the African family, while Egbeyemi gave a soliloquy about drug abuse. For her part, Cross played Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” on the piano.

The final round of the pageant was the Evening Wear segment. In this round, the contestants came on stage in their evening gowns, where the judges asked them various questions.

Osanife explained why she thought her platform was important.

“This generation is the future,” she said. “We need to educate adults to be better role models for the youth.”

At the end of the night, a new queen was made: Jeremyra Cross was chosen to be Miss Black CU 2012. Ciera James and Ifeoluwa Egbeyemi were first and second runners-up, respectively.

Cross is excited and honored to be Miss Black CU 2012.

“As MBCU I first feel very honored that I was chosen to represent my university, and I will represent it well,” she said. “There is also a great feeling of excitement about the impact I hope to make as MBCU.”

Pageant Director Taylor Thompson said she thought the event went well.

“I think the event was very successful,” she said. “We had a huge turnout, everything ran smoothly and we stayed within our two-hour time limit.”

Cross said she would value memories from rehearsals the most.

“The memories I will cherish most will be from the practices. There were times where I never knew I could laugh so hard,” she said. “Never have I been surrounded by a more smart, beautiful, and positive group of young ladies. I will definitely miss the laughs, the smiles, and the positive energy that each of them brought into my life.”

The crowning moment: Jeremyra Cross dons the prestigious Miss Black CU crown after a long night at the pageant. Six young women participated in this year’s pageant.

By Teewhy DojuteleganNews Editor

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

Photo by Teewhy Dojotelegan

In a strategic shift outlined in a press conference at the Pentagon on Jan. 5, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said that the United States military will soon be undergoing massive restructuring that will have an important impact on all four branches of service: the Army, Marines, Navy and the Air Force. With Fort Sill being a major Army post and home of both the Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery schools, major changes in the Defense budget will undoubtedly have an effect on the Lawton/Fort Sill area and, by extension, Cameron University.

Secretary Panetta expounded on the reasons for the budgeting changes.

“First of all, we are at a strategic turning point after a decade of war,” Panetta said. “Second, the Congress of the United States, through the passage of the Budget Control Act, has required that the defense budget be reduced

by $487 billion over 10 years.”On Jan. 27, at a press conference held at

the Pentagon, Army Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno spoke about the budgets cuts and the affect they would have on the Army

“The time is strategically right to reduce the Army’s force structure,” he said.

He went on to specifically state that the numbers would be drawn-down from 570,000 personnel to 490,000.

This reduction in troop strength parallels similar restructuring in the military that took places following both World War II and the Cold War. Despite the lower numbers, General Odierno insisted that the Army’s strategic capabilities would not be reduced and the mission capabilities would remain the same.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey expounded on this point.

Photo by Teewhy Dojotelegan

NEWS2 February 13, 2012www.aggiecentral.com

Penetration testing seminar held at CETES

� e vast world of the Internet grows every day and, as technology progresses, the danger of personal information being stolen increases. Businesses fi nd ways to keep not only their information, but also client information safe from hackers to exploit.

To keep information safe, businesses must employ the help of I.T auditors to test the security of their systems. � ese tests, known as “Penetration Testing”, help businesses fi nd new ways to keep information safer.

Gregory Steen, a Cameron University graduate and current student at the University of Tulsa, gave a presentation over the Business of Penetration Testing, explaining the basics of conducting a test and legal issues an auditor faces while performing these tests.

According to Steen, penetration testing is a type of audit that a business can strike an agreement on with their client. � e test simulates a malicious attack and provides insight into a system’s security fl aws.

“It provides feedback to businesses to what their security

posture is like and it enumerates weaknesses and gives counter-measures,” Steen said. “You can give them counter-measures and suggestions once you are through with your audit.”

Steen explained how to start a negotiation with potential clients, as well as looking into what needs to be covered before starting the test itself.

“Penetration testing is an agreed form of an audit between two parties,” Steen said. “You

want to get this in writing and be legal for what you’re doing — you don’t want to get in trouble with the law or any type of legal issue because you decided to do something you weren’t supposed to do.”

According to Steen, he uses multiple programs in the course of his job that help crack passwords thus making systems recognize him as an authorized user. Medusa and Hydra are two of the password cracking systems

Steen uses as an auditor. According to Steen, IT

auditors must test the systems to fi nd all of the holes in the networks security because if the IT technicians test their own work, they may overlook holes that is exposed.

During his work as an IT auditor in Tulsa, Steen said, he was given a “get out of jail free card.” � is card allowed Steen to go around the City of Tulsa, testing out diff erent computer

systems without getting in trouble with the law.

Steen explained that after a test, a post-audit report must be written and delivered to the client.

“� e client is going to want you to give them feedback, you can’t go into a penetration test and stop at the end without giving them feedback,” he said. “� ey have to know what you looked at and what they can do to fi x it.”

Steen suggested the use of encryption fi les for users that use storage from cloud technology.

“I use an encryption fi le on the cloud-based storage that only I know the password to, so if it were to get attacked and they get the information out of there, they’re going to have an encrypted fi le that’s going to be useless,” he said.

According to Steen, there are encryption tools out there that normal users can download for free to protect their fi les.

“Anything that may have a Social Security Number on it that could represent them electronically, they need to keep that in an electronic vault encrypted and stored, even in their own computers and laptops, because those are the type of things thieves want to get at physically and digitally,” Steen said.

Hacking for safety: Gregory Steen giving a presentation about penetration testing. Mali-cious attacks on client databases are simulated in Penetration testing to show loop holes in security.

By James MeeksA&E Editor

DEFENSE continued frompage 1

“Capability is more important than size,” he said. “� is budget does not lead to a military in decline.”

� e changes refl ect large scale budget cuts within the Defense Department as the current administration attempts to make cutbacks in overall government spending to reduce the federal defi cit. In light of the focus on budget, General Odierno high-lighted a desire to fi nd effi ciencies and methods of reducing the cost of doing business.

One method General Odierno indicated that he intended to follow was making reductions in the growth rate of military com-pensation and other personnel-related cost and benefi ts. General Odierno also stated a desire to reduce energy requirements for Army operations.

In a question and answer session following his statement, General Odierno answered an inquiry about Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) as a func-tion of the Army changes. BRAC shifts in the military brought the United States Army Air Defense Artillery School to Fort Sill in 2005, creating the Fires Center of

Excellence.In terms of future closures or

shifts, General Odierno stated that most imminent BRAC shifts would likely aff ect overseas bases. Most changes in domestic bases would instead consist mostly of reductions.

� e defense budget cuts and restructuring are not without critics. Victor Davis Hanson, the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow in Residence at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, called out against the plan.

“� ere is plenty of fat in a Pentagon budget that grew after 9/11,” he said, “but such slashing goes way too far.”

According to the Fort Sill Public Aff airs Offi ce, Army offi cials have begun to establish plans for the budget cuts, but specifi c details have yet to be disseminated to lower command structures.

“As of this time, Fort Sill has not received any specifi c guidance but stands ready to support the Department of Defense and the Department of the Army’s budget eff orts,” the offi ce said.

CROSSWORDAcross1 Like Eastwood’s Harry6 Aromatic resin11 Emeril catchword14 Start of un año15 Add to the mix16 Freudian subject17 *Get really angry19 Cocktail cooler, in Coblenz20 Paris airport21 Having trouble deciding22 Hindu social division24 Fish eggs25 *Belfast-born fl utist27 “For shame!”29 Sedative30 Suffi x with bed or home31 Arthur of tennis34 Selected on a ballot, with “in”35 *2004 loser to George Bush39 Source of quick cash, briefl y42 Operating system since the ‘60s43 Ball hit over the wall47 Steals50 Title street of kids’ TV51 *Sandwich request

55 Accomplished56 Islamic deity57 College head58 Shower aff ection (on)59 __ tai: cocktail60 One of the four that end this puzzle’s starred answers63 Rock producer Brian64 Stealthy craft65 Zellweger of “Chicago”66 Room with bookcases67 Tolerate68 Flowers with swordlike leaves, briefl y

Down1 Expels from the country2 “Should I deal you a hand?”3 Abundantly supplied (with)4 Helen of __5 Partner of hither6 __ salts7 “Filthy” dough8 Preppy collars9 Downed Russian space station10 Mushroom with a black-edged top11 Secretion used in hives12 Stir up

13 Strolled, as to the saloon18 French state23 “Float like a butterfl y” boxer25 Karate relative26 Habitué28 __ Mahal31 Landers or Lee32 Enjoy the slopes33 Put a spell on36 Awed crowd reaction37 Stat start38 Casual hellos39 Humiliated40 Like many rural roads41 � ousand thousand44 “Papa Don’t Preach” singer45 Radiated46 Flights leaving around midnight, usually48 iPhone, e.g., briefl y49 Rules of conduct50 In __: harmonious52 Twin Cities suburb53 Subatomic particle54 Oohed and __58 Face-off with pistols61 Squealer62 Nonprofi t’s URL ending Solutions on page 5

Photo by James Meeks

News 3February 13, 2012www.aggiecentral.com

SIFE holds events to honor Lawton firefighters

Cameron honors outstanding alumniBy Tyler Boydston

Staff Writer

The Cameron University Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), together with the Lawton Fire Department, will be hosting the 2012 Lawton Firefighter’s Charity Ball on May 6 at the McMahon Centennial Complex.

The event is titled “Lawton Firefighter Appreciation Banquet” and is being held to honor the Lawton Firefighters and their families for risking their lives for the community.

The banquet will include a catered meal for firefighters, their families, event sponsors and dignitaries. SIFE is seeking sponsorship within the Lawton community for the event.

SIFE is an organization that works with leaders in business and higher education to mobilize university students to make a difference in their communities, while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders.

These students are made to work as a team on their campuses and apply business concepts to develop outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need.

In preparation for the event, SIFE has organized fund-raising activities every month of the semester. These fund-raising activities are organized to support local firefighters.

The first fund-raising activity kicked off in January after school resumed. SIFE members were stationed at the McMahon Centennial Complex and going around campus offices to collect monetary donations to support the Lawton Fire Department.

According to Dr. Dwight M. Hite, Assistant Professor at the School of Business and SIFE adviser, the donation effort for January was a success.

“In January, SIFE members collected over $500 in

donations across campus,” he said. “SIFE members visited campus offices collecting monetary donations.”

This month, fliers were distributed to students

and faculty members on information about SIFE-provided photo shots. These photo shoots are a way for people to get a special gift for

Valentine’s Day. According to Dr. Hite,

photos will be taken in room 225 in the School of Business Building. With no appointment

required, photos taken will be ready for pick up a day before Valentine’s Day. In addition, SIFE members will be selling St. Patrick’s Day cookies at the Shepler Center Lobby from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m.

On April 13, one month before the appreciation banquet, the CU Music department and SIFE will host a fund-raising concert in honor of the community’s local firefighters.

Dr. Hite said that all donations collected during these fund-raising activities will go directly to the Lawton Firefighter’s Association.

Robert Conner, a senior Business Administration major, is the project manager for the event.

According to Conner, this is one of the biggest projects the organization has embarked on, and it will encourage team effort and bring a sense of connection with the school and community.

“This project will allow people bring their talents to the table,” Conner said. “Everyone will have the opportunity to volunteer for the community and this will bridge a sense of connection with the community and some businesses.”

Conner believes that this event is a way of showing the firefighters and their families that CU appreciates all they do for the community.

SIFE meetings are held once every month at the school of business in room 100. There is no membership fee for the organization.

Members of the organization often get the opportunity to meet with executives from various large corporations.

Interested students can contact Dr. Hite on 580.581.7993 or visit him at room 209 in the business building.

By Lizzy OwoyemiStaff Writer

Honor for service: The Lawton Firefighters pose for a photo behind a fire truck. The Students In Free Enterprise are working to raise funds to honor these men on May 6.

Hard work pays off: Anna Politano, Adrian Wiggins and Dr. Robert Muller are outstanding CU alumni. The Acclaimed Aggies program recognized them as alumni who have gone on to be successful in their chosen careers after graduating from CU.

Cameron University has recently picked three alumni to be the Acclaimed Aggies of the 2012 spring semester.

According to Senior Director of Public Affairs Josh Lehman, the Acclaimed Aggies program is a way to recognize students who have had successful ventures after graduating from CU.

“The program was started in 2005, and was designed to recognize alumni that have gone on to professional success,” Lehman said.

The Acclaimed Aggies of this semester are Dr. Robert Muller, Anna Politano and Adrian Wiggins.

Dr. Muller opened the Muller Family Dentistry in 2006 and is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1998 and received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center four years later.

Politano is the current managing editor of the Oklahoma Living Magazine and former news editor at the Guthrie News Leader. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

Wiggins is currently the women’s basketball coach at Fresno State University, having been with the team since 2005 and has not had a losing season.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in

1995 and a Master of Science in Behavioral Sciences with a concentration in Alternate Studies six years later.

According to Lehman, the process in which the Acclaimed Aggies are chosen each semester also has a specific order to it.

“Acclaimed Aggies are nominated by faculty, staff and alumni,” Lehman said. “Of the pool of candidates chosen, the three have to receive executive approval from there.

They look for a wide spectrum of fields that we offer at Cameron. Everything is considered, as they are looking through a wide range of majors.”

According to Lehman, the new Acclaimed Aggies are chosen before the start of school so they can be shown

throughout the semester.“The candidates are usually

picked in July and January of each year,” Lehman said.

The alumni chosen as Acclaimed Aggies also took time out of their school schedules during their time at CU to participate in different activities and groups around the campus, sometimes even serving as presidents and vice presidents of their associations.

“Most people chosen over the years were involved in Cameron events in some way or another as students,” Lehman said.

The three chosen this semester were also involved in extracurricular activities during their times at CU.

Dr. Muller was a student worker for the Department of Physical Sciences and served as

the president of the Chemistry Club.

He was also involved in intramural sports and the Biology Club.

Politano wrote for the Cameron Collegian and later served as the managing editor for the publication.

She was also the vice president of the International Foreign Language Honor Society and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi.

Wiggins was a member of the Psychology Club, and honor roll student and was a member of the Aggie Baseball Squad for four years.

He also served as the head coach for Cameron’s women’s basketball team from 2000 to 2002.

Posters of the Acclaimed

Aggies have been placed around the campus and can be found detailing each of the alumni’s accomplishments since receiving their diplomas and details of their studies at CU.

President Cindy Ross stated on the CU website that alumni, such as the spring 2012 Acclaimed Aggies, inspire current students.

“Alumni such as Robert, Anna and Adrian inspire our current students and demonstrate that a Cameron degree is an invaluable tool in the professional world,” said CU President Cindy Ross. “Cameron is rich indeed in the quality and success of our graduates, and we are pleased to recognize the accomplishments of these three outstanding alumni.”

Training to save lives: Firefighters work hard to put out a fire during a training session. SIFE is raising funds to honor these men of valor with an aprreciation banquet.

Photo courtesy of the Lawton Fire Department

Phot courtesy of the Lawton Fire Department

Photos courtesy of the CU Public Affairs

Voices4 February 13, 2012www.aggiecentral.com

Editorial StaffManaging Editor - Elijah MorlettAsst. Managing Editor - Aaron GillNews Editor - Teewhy DojuteleganCrossroads Editor - Dianne RiddlesA&E Editor - James MeeksSports Editor - Matt BerbereaCopy Editor - Alex Rosa-FigueroaAggie Central Editors - Aaron Gill, Mitch WatsonArchivist - Mitch Watson

Newsroom StaffFinancial Officer - Susan HillStaff Writers - Megan Bell, Tyler Boydston, Kelsey Carter, Fern Cepeda, Leah Chaffins, Rachel Engel, Angela Goode, Jessica Goodman, Sarah Holloway, Tiffany Martinez, Lizzy Owoyemi, Miranda RainesInterns - Sarah Brewer, Colin DuRantCirculation Manager - Matt ThompsonAdvertising Manager - Elijah MorlettPhotographer - Kelsey Carter

Newswriting StudentsValera Ainsworth, Adrian Alexander, Amanda Goemmer

Faculty Adviser Dr. Christopher Keller

About UsThe official student newspaper of

Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Edmond Sun via the Duncan Banner.

Letters PolicyLetters to the editor will be printed

in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.

The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks.

All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification.

Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to collegian@cameron.edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Nance Boyer 2060 or at www.aggiecentral.com.

Our Views The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Aggie Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma.

Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.

COLLEGIANFounded in 1926

veritas sempiterna

THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

A different take on Valentine’s Day

By Tiffany MartinezStaff Writer

In August of 2008, out of pressure from family and lots of you’ll-really-wish-you-would-have-later’s, I made the decision to enroll in college.

At the time I was young, wild and in love, and my priorities consisted of my boyfriend and my drinking habit. At 18-years-old, more than uncertain about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, I jumped aboard the train that everyone seemed to be pushing me toward.

Half-hearted and extremely nervous, I became a student at Cameron University.

Make no mistake; I’d been in gifted and talented programs for as far back as I could remember. I’d come from a fairly large school, made decent grades, and stayed “involved.” But my mind was never in those classrooms.

I spent my teenage years at the end of a beer-pong table or in front of a mirror. Monday through Thursday only existed so there would be a Friday and Saturday night. I wondered how long this college spiel could possibly last. At least I could tell them I tried.

As the first week of school turned into the second, and the second turned into the third, my classes shrunk and my work load grew.

It was not at all what I had thought it would be. I was not just a number. The classes were not free reign of whichever student spoke the loudest. There were not a stack of run-off’s handed out to draw flowers on until your class period was over.

It was not that I had expected college to be the same as high school, but I suppose I had expected a certain level of similarity between the two, but my prediction couldn’t have been more wrong.

By the end of my second semester at Cameron, the Communications building was my

home away from home. I had begun working

relationships with peers and faculty that seemed to bring out the best in me.

Responsibility, a word I seemed to have always run from, was slowly easing its way into my life, and I loved it. I had people looking me in the eyes and expecting a product of high-quality because they knew I was capable of it.

My sluggish, though evident, change of heart made me realize that the environment a person is in has an enormous impact on attitude, morals, and maturity level.

The confidence that my teachers put into me, combined with the recurrent atmosphere of other brilliant minds, constantly

challenged viewpoints I’d held all my life. Never before had I been so exposed to the world around me.

Not only did my “college epiphany” enhance my efforts in school — which brought more scholarship money my way — it also enhanced my general life.

After six years of holding a hand which often came down on me, I ended my romantic relationship. My best friends changed. I discontinued the patterns of reckless behavior that had come to define me.

I’d gained knowledge that allowed me to better organize my priorities, and confidence to follow through with those decisions.

In my opinion, it was the environment of higher education that helped me to change.

People say that college is not for everyone. I disagree. Yes, college teaches you ethics, theories, regulations and principles, but it also teaches you about yourself. There is nothing more incredible or self-fulfilling than that.

Though I will be spending this Valentine’s Day single, I am certain it will be the best one yet. Many people don’t realize that loving yourself takes discovering who you are first.

The special people I have met through university life have helped me along the way to self-discovery. I am certain I have never loved myself more than I do in this moment.

Education is love. Happy V-Day, CU.

Learning to stay true to oneself

Applying expression: A woman shows her ankle tattoo while dressed in work attire. Tattoos and piercings are a popular way of self-expression, even though some people have chosen to create policies against them in work environments.

By Aaron GillAsst. Managing EditorLately I have been wondering

why people do the things they do, and it makes me wonder what is responsible for their behavior.

There are always times that I have done things my parents did not always agree with. For instance, when I wanted to start wearing skinny jeans my parents were completely against it; granted, I did grow up in a small country town in Texas, but I digress. The point I am trying to make is that no matter what you do, someone always has something to say about it, whether that something you do has a positive connotation or not.

I know when I started wearing the types of clothes I wear and acting the way I do, people – namely my family – tried to blame it on something, anything. I remember when I was a kid and wore JNCO jeans, and my mom said that the reason I wanted to wear them was because of “that blasted rap music.”

This accusation still resonates as I sit behind this computer screen, trying to remember all the phases of life I went through. When I was 18, I had

a phase where I wanted to be a cowboy. For people that know me or have ever seen me, you are probably reading this and asking yourself, “is this guy serious?” Unfortunately, I am.

You see, as the youth of America, we do what we think will get us to fit in better. Whether we admit to this or not, we all know it is true. I once started listening to Nickelback because a girl I wanted to date was the biggest Chad Kroger fan I had ever known. Little did I know that this would be the turning point in my life.

Everything happens for a reason, and only when we start to realize why things are happening do we truly open ourselves up to who we want to be. I have come to that realization that I do not want to change myself just because to be socially acceptable.

I wrote in my last article about my multiple tattoos and my stretched ears; this is something that I find comfortable about myself, and it is as if I am using my body to tell my story.

People constantly ask about my ears. They ask if getting them stretched hurt, but never really ask why I wanted to stretch them in the first place, automatically assuming I did it because of the music I listen to or the people that I hang out with. In all honesty, I started stretching my ears because I was bored in my dorm room one night. I was not that hipster kid that just wanted to be like the lead singer of a band who had the tattoos and stretched ears.

I constantly tell my mom that my “give-a-damn” is busted, and that I no longer care what people say about me. I dress the way I do because it is comfortable and I have the tattoos and piercings because they are something that

I love and always will. When people are constantly asking me what I am going to do if I need to get a job, I answer simply: I will fill out an application or send in my resume in hopes of getting an interview to show the employer that I can do the job no matter what my appearance is.

Granted, clothing easily hides all of my tattoos, but I constantly get looks and the eyes are usually aimed straight at my ears. When this happens I smile and keep walking. There is not much that catches me off guard because I have gone through the phases; I have already been the kid that was trying to find his identity.

Now that I have a pretty firm grasp of what I want to be when

I grow up, I am not nearly as scared as I was when I was 18 and got my first tattoo. I know that in my field my work is more important than my appearance. Besides, I’m a writer and do not plan on appearing on TV.

I guess what I was trying to get across with this article is this: you just need to accept yourself for who you are, and be happy with it. Once you figure it out, if everything will seem to fall into place for you. At least, that is what happened to me.

It’s like Alice in Wonderland: “We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.” Take that for what you will, but once you grasp it, hold on to it, because I have found it to be truth.

Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

A&E 5February 13, 2012 www.aggiecentral.com

BCM holds new Monday ServiceBy Fern Cepeda

Staff Writer

While some students stay at home on Monday evenings watching television or browsing the Internet, there are students that take an hour of their time to be a part of worship. Every Monday night of the semester, Cameron University’s Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM), hold a worship service.

Monday night’s Centered On Reaching Everyone (CORE) service began with a welcome and a prayer. Once the prayer was over, everyone stood up and joined together to sing songs, with lyrics provided on a screen. Center stage, singing and playing an acoustic guitar, was Emake Ugiomoh, a Nigerian student in charge of worship. Once songs were over, Danny Toombs, Director of BCM, took over.

Toombs started off with a saying, “God is good”, to which the students replied with “all the time.” This call-and-response has been in use for 10 years, and attendees learn the phrase in different languages and

include it throughout the service. Toombs then presented two students as the speakers of the day.

Kayla Hope and Dakota Scott, mission trip volunteers, did a photo presentation of their mission trip to China. The speakers informed attendees about what they did on the trip and all the new things they learned. A large focus was on how they felt God had guided them, how they ended up enjoying their time, and their willingness to go again. Toombs’ favorite part of the service is when he hears the students talk about God.

“I love watching students coming together to worship God,” he said. “I love when they are teaching, and how hungry they are to learn about God.”

A CORE service’s content is not the same every week. Services generally run with Toombs speaking, though he encourages students to speak or find guest speakers to come and talk about God.

Speakers are hardly necessary for the CORE experience; One month will heavily focus

on prayer, in which attendees exclusively pray with no speaker.

There are usually 50-70 students that attend CORE service, and all are welcome to join. Catie Huskey, Criminal Justice graduate, enjoyed her first time going to the service.

“I really enjoyed the service,” she said. “I liked how it brought students together to worship God. I will definitely go back again.”

Toombs gets the word out to students about CORE service through Facebook, word of mouth and by adding it on Cameron’s calendar. CORE isn’t the BCM’s sole function, though..

At 7:30 p.m., before each CORE service, a discipleship group for Bible study gets together. From 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays the BCM offers a free lunch for all

students. The group also has a leadership team that meets up on Thursday nights.

Once the CORE service is over Toombs ends the service with a prayer and with the beginning’s call and response: “God is good, all the time.”

Students are welcome to stay and interact with others in the BCM after the service. CORE services begin at 9:00 p.m., Mondays in the BCM.

Cameron Baptist Collegiate Ministries: CORE meetings are held at the BCM every Monday. Students are encouraged to speark or find guest speakers to talk about God.

Sig Tau holds “Manlympics”

By Matthew BerbereaSports Editor

Every four years, top athletes from around the globe carry on the Greek tradition of the Olympics. Here at Cameron University, Sigma Tau Gamma is beginning a similar tradition: the Manlympics.

The second annual Manlympics were held Feb. 1 in the McCasland Ballroom on the second floor of the McMachon Centennial Complex. The Manlympics featured such events as the root beer chug and burp, and the push, snap and high five.

Nine contestants faced off for the title of Manlympics

Champion and a grand prize of $100. The field consisted of eight men, including reigning champion Myles Mendez, and for the first time one female contestant, Jamie Hatcher.

One contestant talked about the different events and what it took to prepare for the Manlympics. Senior Journalism major Aaron Gill, 21, said that he had to mentally get ready for all things man before the contest.

“A lot of Red Bull was involved,” he said, “as well as multiple push-ups. There was also a high jump competition in the waiting area between some of the other contestants and me.”

The event capped off a week full of Sig Tau events including

“Jeobrody” and “Thumb Wars”. Executive Vice President of Sig Tau Tommy Smith said that the purpose of holding these events is to raise awareness of the fraternity around campus and to have a good time in the process.

“We do it during rush week, and these events get our names out there,” Smith said. “Traditional schools will do stuff at their houses or sit down and talk about their fraternity, whereas we like to hold open campus events that anybody can come. “

With a large number of non-traditional and commuter students here at Cameron University, Smith said it is difficult to plan events that will

draw a large number of students. “We go on a retreat every year

with our executive board and we sit down and figure out where we want to go as a fraternity and what kind of events we would want to go to,” Smith said. “With Cameron University, it’s kind of hit and miss. Sometimes you’ll go (to an event) and there will be 100 students, but sometimes it will be the same event on the same night the next year and you’ll get 15 guys. So we try to make it a point to create events that we would like to go to, that we would have fun at, so if nobody shows up we still have a good time.”

The contestants did everything they could to give

the crowd a good time, but it was ultimately up to the judges to determine the winner. The judging was not only based on actual performance in the various events, but style as well.

When all was said and done, it was 18-year-old Psychology major Juan Martinez who walked away victorious claiming the $100.00 prize. Martinez said that winning Manlympics made him proud to be a man.

“It feels pretty good, I feel manly now,” Martinez said. “This just gave me a massive ego boost. Today has just been my day. This is the era of Juan winning.”

Martinez also said that being the winner has made him instantly more comfortable with his manhood.

“I feel so manly from the Manlympics that I’m not afraid to say that I like musicals, that’s how manly I feel. I do love musicals.”

Tommy Smith said that when the voting was added up Martinez was the clear winner based on the judges’ final scorecard.

“I’m not one to argue with the judges,” Smith said, “I was surprised. But when you tally up the scores and the way everything was voted, there is no contesting it.”

Manlympics Gold Medalist: Juan Martinez took home the gold and $100 after winning the second annual Manlympics.

Writers series continues with Dr. Phong NguyenBy Colin Durant

Collegian Intern

Students, faculty, alumni and members of the Lawton/Fort Sill community gathered at the CETES conference center on the evening of Friday, Feb. 3 for the final reading of this year’s Cameron Visiting Writers Series.

The Department of English and Foreign Languages, as well as Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society, sponsored this academic year’s series, which has featured numerous writers including Dr. Jeanetta Calhoun Mish and Moria Crone. The series concluded with a reading and question and answer session with Dr. Phong Nguyen.

Dr. Phong Nguyen is a professor of English and the author of “Memory Sickness and Other Stories”, a collection of short stories. Dr. Nguyen published “Memory Sickness and Other Stories”, in June 2011 to critical acclaim, winning the Elixir Press award for fiction. In addition to writing, Dr. Nguyen teaches fiction-writing and literature at the University of Central Missouri and edits the biannual literary publication “Pleiades: A Journal of New Writing and Reviews”

Introducing Dr. Nguyen was friend and colleague – and Visiting Writers Series coordinator – Dr. Bayard Godsave. Dr. Godsave highlighted Dr.

Nguyen’s “singular, distinct, recognizable style.” Dr. Nguyen opened with some remarks about

“Memory Sickness”, and then read two short stories: one from the collection, and another from his larger body of work.

Dr. Nguyen first read “The Wheel of History,” a short story published in the Kenyon Review Online

The story focused on a child refugee of the Khmer Rouge regime struggling to adapt to American life after his experiences in Cambodia. The short story’s title comes from a Khmer Rouge saying featured in the story.

After the first reading, Dr. Nguyen read his story “Death of an Ironist”, which provided a more light-hearted foil to “Wheel of History”. The story looked at the character of Kenneth Frick, a man on the eve of surgery.

Following the readings, Dr. Nguyen engaged in a question and answer session with the audience. Questions ranged from questions about the writing and publishing process to more academic questions about language and form.

Dr. Nguyen also made a defense of the short story as a medium in which American literature held the top.

“The thing I like about the short story is that it’s a very American art form,” he said. “It’s something Americans do very well.”

He defended the commerical viability of short stories.

“Publishers have the false impression short story collections don’t sell,” he said.

Dr. Nguyen went on to praise the economy of language that the short story provides, and expressed his belief in its superiority to the novel.

Dr. Nguyen remained to chat with students and sign copies of his book. Cameron University plans to continue the Visiting Writers Series in future academic years.

photo by Matthew Berberea

photo by Fern Cepeda

Sports6 February 13, 2012www.aggiecentral.com

Lady Aggies come up big against ACUBy Megan Bell

Sports Writer

The Lady Aggies fought hard this past week as they took on two very good teams.

The Black and Gold hit the road on Wednesday, Feb. 1, as they journeyed to play San Angelo on their home court.

The Lady Aggies battled their way on the court, determined to claim victory. Unfortunately, Cameron fell short one point in overtime, losing to the Rams 54-53.

The Black and Gold seized control of the ball in the first half, dropping baskets in the hoop and refusing to let San Angelo take the lead. The Lady Aggies cruised into the locker room at half time with a 25-23 lead.

The home team came out aggressive in the second half, and the teams traded leads early on. Cameron took advantage of the weaknesses in the opponent’s defense and pulled ahead, snatching a seven point lead with a quarter of the half left in play. San Angelo saw the lead as a challenge, and fought for the win.

They locked down the Lady Aggies, preventing them from scoring another basket. During this lockdown, the Rams scored seven points of their own, equalizing the scoreboard in the final minutes of the game.

Going into overtime, the Black and Gold pulled ahead in the first 20 seconds. The Rams retaliated by stealing the lead, forcing the Lady Aggies to work harder. Cameron regained the lead thanks to Junior

Alexis Williams’ clutch three-pointer shot. Unfortunately, the remaining two minutes of overtime did not go in favor of the Black and Gold.

Head Coach Tom Webb was disappointed in the performance of his team in overtime, as well as throughout the entire game.

“We got the lead in overtime and just did not execute,” he said. “We gave up some easy baskets, and it hurt us. Offensively, we did not do

much. We struggled to get the ball inside … but it was really the offense in general. It was hard for us. As a whole, it was a pretty ugly game.”

He said that the defenses were equal during the game, cancelling each other out, forcing the game to come down to execution in the end.

The loss dropped Cameron into fifth place in the Lone Star Conference (LSC). Coach Webb said that it is a very competitive

conference, and the team does not have slip up room.

“Number one, we have just got to plug away,” he said. “It is a long conference season. We (teams in the LSC) are playing for the same thing: a good play-off seed.”

The Lady Aggies faced Abilene Christian in the Aggie Gym on Saturday, Feb. 4.

The Black and Gold executed pristine rebounding and their trademark defense, taking the

victory over the Wildcats, 58-54.

Cameron came out firing in the first half, working to redeem itself from the loss earlier in the week. The Lady Aggies headed into the locker room at half time with a lead over Abilene Christian.

The second half was no picnic for the Black and Gold. The Wildcats came back for revenge over the first half, stealing the lead for the majority of the second half. Cameron took advantage of its opportunities, and after receiving an early technical foul sophomore Ali Brown posted four points and seven rebounds, assisting the team in outrebounding the Wildcats 48-33 in the game.

Coach Webb was pleased with the defensive teamwork on display.

“We are athletic. We are really long and we have bought into the defensive philosophy as a team,” he said. “When that happens, you can be good. It is all the team, their time, their work, their deal.”

The triumph for Cameron gave the team its 10th conference victory, tying the school record set in 2001-2002. Coach Webb is still aiming to improve the team’s dynamic.

“We just tied the record for the most conference victories in school history,” he said. “But, we are really trying not to worry about anything except for today. That has been good for us. We have three keys we still need to improve on: execution, more bench play and growth … and staying fresh and excited. We need that to be better too.”

Driving to the lane: Senior Nicole Pendarvis drives past an ACU defender Feb. 4 at Aggie Gym. The Aggies pulled off the victory over their conference foes with a final of 58-54.

Men’s Basketball holds court at homeBy Megan Bell

Sports Writer

The Cameron Aggies men’s basketball team seized back-to-back victories this past week.

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the Black and Gold traveled to San Angelo, Texas to face the San Angelo Rams. The Aggies clawed their way to a victory, beating the Rams 56-52.

The Aggies came out fighting and refused to let San Angelo pull ahead. Both teams headed into the locker room at half time, with the Aggies clenching a four-point lead, 25-21.

The Black and Gold continued to control the pace and hold the lead in the second half. About halfway through, the Rams pulled within two points of the Aggies, but failed to edge their way any closer. Toward the end of the half, the Rams stole control of the ball, trailing the

Black and Gold by three points; however Cameron maintained a strong defense and rejected any attempt San Angelo made to score.

Head Coach Wade Alexander was proud of the way his team executed their defense.

“We practiced hard on it all week,” he said. “We finally played good team defense. We were able to play at the speed we needed to, especially since we were in foul trouble. It was a total team effort.”

The Black and Gold triumphed over Abilene Christian on Saturday, Feb. 4 in the Aggie Gym, dominating the majority of the game and ending with a score of 77-65.

Coach Alexander was pleased with the offensive performance of his team.

“The number one thing was that we took care of the ball,” he said. “We only had six turnovers

for the game. Also, a lot of the guys stepped up tonight.”

Cameron had a lot of drive as they started the first half of the game. Their momentum carried them in the locker room at half time with Jonathan Patino scoring a fade away three-pointer as the clock expired at the end of the half.

The Aggies played equally strong in the second half, outscoring the Rams 45-36 points.

Coach Alexander was again pleased with the way his entire team played offensively.

“On the offensive end, we were just executing really well,” Coach Alexander said. “Plus, this is two games in a row where Milt (Garner) was in foul trouble. But tonight, we were fine without him out there, and able to get things done.”

The Aggies presented impeccable teamwork and played on the strengths and weaknesses of each player. Coach Alexander said that in the locker room they had discussed contributing anyway they could. He said that his team did exactly that and that everyone put forth great effort.

The back-to-back wins allow Cameron to maintain its hold on third place in the Lone Star Conference standings.

Coach Alexander said that he is excited to have his 6’8” forward, Vinicius Telo, return to the court next week. The

Brazilian native led the team in scoring 18 points per game prior to going down with an ankle injury.

“That’s going to give us some

post play that we are missing,” he said. “That will also give the rest of our guys a confidence builder knowing we have another weapon. He is coming back at a good time. We were playing well without him, but I think we can play better with him.”

Coach Alexander said there is always room for improvement on the court, but he is happy to have his team all strong and healthy again.

“While we are clicking right now, when we add Telo, we will need to learn to make that click for us again,” he said. “We are playing well at the right time of the year, but the main thing is to stay healthy and continue to improve.”

Laying down the law: Sophomore guard Desmond Henry goes up for two of his 16 points against ACU Feb. 4 at home. Cameron went on to win big with a final score of 77-65.

Photo by Brandon Neris

Photo by Brandon Neris

Sports 7February 13, 2012www.aggiecentral.com

Aggies Baseball continues strong start

The Aggie men’s baseball team went on a clean sweep through their first five games of the season at McCord Field.

The Aggies had an interesting weekend earlier this month, as two games were called due to darkness. The men also had to battle weather conditions early in the season, which made for some interesting baseball.

Head Coach Todd Holland said he was proud of his Aggies for keeping their heads up after the rain and through the cold to pull out three wins against Oklahoma Panhandle State.

“It was windy and cold, but the guys

figured it out,” he said. The Aggies had to figure out a game

plan to battle back from the game that was called on Feb. 3 due to darkness.

“We made adjustments at the plate and did what we needed to do,” Holland said.

The Aggies resumed play against Panhandle State on Feb. 4, starting the game in the top of the fourth inning where the Aggies were down 3-0 Panhandle State.

In the bottom of the fourth the Aggies – with one out on the scoreboard – had junior Thomas Galvin reach on a walk. This brought up senior Josh Dawson, who would send a shot out to right field for a double and advance Galvin to third. Next up to the plate was senior Benshell

Garcia. Garcia grounded out to the third baseman, but not before the RBI was counted as Galvin crossed the plate and also brought Dawson to the corner.

The Aggies ended the inning plating one run on one hit, no errors and leaving one on base.

CU found some momentum in the bottom of the fifth, where the Aggies would plate two runners on two hits, two errors, leaving no one on base.

Sophomore Brad Blumer was the first to reach for the Aggies, singling to right. He would then advance to second after a wild pitch crossed the plate to right-handed junior Tyler Cox. Cox would the single through a gap on the left side, advancing Blumer to third. With runners on the corners, next up was senior Taylor

Lyons. Lyons would reach after hitting into a fielders choice, which would get Cox, and second while Lyons was credited with the RBI as Blumer crossed home. Lyons later stole second and reached third on an error, and then plated one for the Aggies on an error.

The Aggies plated no runners in the sixth, but came back in the seventh from 4-3 Panhandle State to plate two runners and win the game after Lyons crossed the plate, with a score of 5-4.

In the second game of the day, the Aggies came out bats blazing as they plated 3 runs in the first inning and six runs in the second bringing the score to an intimidating 9-0 Aggies.

The Aggies would score the last of their runs in the bottom of the sixth when Josh Dawson stepped into the box and swung for the fences and ripped the over the right field fence, putting the Aggies up 10-2 going into the top of the seventh.

Coach Holland expressed how proud he was of Blumer’s batting performance throughout the day.

“Brad had an unbelievable day,” Holland said. “He got a good ball on that homerun and just swung away.”

The teams went into the fourth game of the series looking to finish a seven-inning game before the daylight burnt out over McCord Field.

The Aggies were on a roll when, in the top of the fourth, the game was called due to darkness, leaving the meeting to be completed at a later date; the game will be picked up in April in the top of the fourth, with the Aggies up 5-3.

The Aggies suffered their first loss of the season to the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Bulldogs.

After playing multiple scoreless innings the Aggies fell behind the Bulldogs in the top of the ninth when SWOSU scored four unearned runs.

Coach Holland said he was proud of his Aggies pitching staff as there were no earned runs on the day.

“We had no earned runs today. That shows a lot about our pitching, and what they’ve been able to do so far,” Holland said.

By Aaron GillAsst. Managing Editor

Working the late shift: Junior lefthander Jordan Watson delivers a pitch against SWOSU Feb. 7 at McCord Field. Watson pitched eight innings giving up no earned runs, but the Aggies stumbled in the top of the ninth and lost 6-4.

Tennis teams prepare for spring seasonCameron Aggie Tennis

opens up this month starting their spring season after an undefeated fall season for both the men and women’s teams.

The men’s tennis team opened the season on the road Feb. 9 at Collin College in Plano, Texas, with another match on Feb. 10 at University of Texas Arlington. Women’s tennis opens up with road action on Feb. 20 against Southern Nazarene in Oklahoma City.

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings for NCAA Division II tennis ranked both Cameron men and women on a national and regional level. Nationally, the men are ranked No. 17 in the country while the women have a national ranking of No. 15.

Regionally, the men rank No. 3, trailing only Southern Baptist and Lone Star Conference rival Abilene Christian. The women secured a No. 2 regional ranking, also falling behind Abilene Christian.

Head Tennis Coach James Helvey is not letting preseason rankings for the men’s and women’s Cameron Aggie tennis teams get to his head, though he is proud of his teams’ success.

“It’s fun to be in the top twenty,” Helvey said. “If I can be in the top ten percent of what I’m doing, I can be successful.”

In terms of individual rankings, four men made the regional singles rankings, with freshman Nicolai Ferrigno coming in at No. 7, while senior Thomas Peixoto ranked at No. 11. Additionally, Juniors Duje Janjic and Jorge Gerosi ranked

No. 13 and No. 16 respectively. For doubles, the team of

Peixoto and Janjic came in No. 3, with Ferrigno and senior Mateus Campos at No. 5.

Aggie women Julia Puckhaber and Amanda Moberg made national preseason singles rankings at No. 37 and No. 45 respectively. Regionally, the junior Puckhaber found herself ranked No. 5 while Moberg came in at the No. 7 spot. As a doubles team, Puckhaber and Moberg are ranked No. 5 as well.

In light of the rankings, Coach Helvey still emphasizes the importance of hard work to his team, recognizing that with rankings come expectations.

“We’ve just got to get out and play,” Helvey said. “The only number that matters is the one at the end of year.”

The women’s team features a veteran lineup of returning

players. The Lady Aggies hope to recreate the success of last year’s season, in which they had an 18-8 record and advanced to the national tournament — the only Cameron athletics team to do so. The team fell in the first round to Barry University, who went on to win the championship.

The men’s team this year is less seasoned, with only two players returning from last year. However, the Aggies do have some new players to help fill out the roster, including Gonzalo Garzon, a transfer from Oklahoma Baptist University.

Coach Helvey is pleased to have Garzon on the team.

“He’s a really quality player, and we were real lucky to get him,” Helvey said. “He will be a significant gain for our program.”

Coach Helvey was also hopeful about another new

player bolstering the team, freshmen Dean Weiglet of South Africa.

“He needs a little work and development, but he’s got good foundational skills,” Helvey said. “I look forward to really working with him.”

According to Coach Helvey, the teams have benefited from a mild January, which has allowed for more outdoor practices than usual.

“We’ve been really fortunate with great weather for January,” he said. “We started practicing last Tuesday.”

Coach Helvey was confident about his player’s preparation and reported that his players remained in excellent shape over the holiday.

“A lot of my kids worked out over the break and it shows, and I’m real happy about that,” he said. “We’ve gotten off to a really good start.”

By Colin DuRantStaff Writer

Practice makes perfect: Freshman Nicolai Ferrigno and junior Julia Puckhaber prepare for the upcoming season Jan. 24 at Streich-Henry Family Tennis Complex. Both teams go into the year ranked in the top 20 nationally and will be looking to build on last year’s success.Photo by Matthew Berberea

Photo by Matthew Berberea

Photo by Brandon Neris

Crossroads8 February 13, 2012www.aggiecentral.com

American Red Cross offers more than disaster reliefBy Dianne Riddles

Crossroads Editor For some, the words “Red

Cross,” or the emblem of a red cross on a white background, have long been associated with disaster and crisis. For others, that red cross brings to mind images of volunteers, relief and aid to natural disaster victims. Whatever the mental association may be, The American Red Cross or ARC, has always provided help to victims of domestic disasters.

According to Disaster Response Coordinator Kimberly O’Brien with the Lawton ARC, the organization is a 501c3 charitable organization that is funded in part by United Way and manned by volunteers. The local organization covers five and a half counties: Comanche, Cotton, Jefferson, Stephens, Tillman and the southern half

of Caddo.O’Brien said that she started

with ARC as a volunteer and was hired as a staff member in September 2011. With her perspective and experience, she completely understands the value of volunteers.

“We are volunteer driven; we are absolutely volunteer driven,” O’Brien said. “Having been both a volunteer and a staff member, I can see just how much we really do need and appreciate our volunteers.”

In addition to the disaster relief provided during the wildfires in and around Fort Sill and Medicine Park last summer, the ARC provided assistance to the Lawton community during the 2010 ice storm, sheltering those that were left without power and heat for extended periods of time.

According to O’Brien, the ARC is not only a volunteer

based organization, but it is donation driven. The organization heavily relies on regular donations from ordinary individuals who come in and want to give back.

“The most touching stories for me are those in which we made an impact in a client’s life and that client comes back and wants to give it back,” she said. “They want to pay it forward.”

O’Brien said that the Disaster Action Team is the group of people who are the first responders of the ARC and are the ones who get the first calls and notifications when a disaster strikes.

“They are the boots on the ground,” she said. “They are the ones that directly go out into the communities and work with the clients who have been affected by disaster.”

According to O’Brien, dedicated people with many different skills and talents

also come to ARC, such as instructors who donate their time to teach CPR, or administrative assistants who volunteer once a week to help with filing.

“There is always a part that volunteers can fit into,” O’Brien said. “We are always looking for dedicated people that really want to just give back to the community.”

The ARC offers many services in other areas that some might not realize when thinking of the ARC. Five areas of service include: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.

O’Brien said that the ARC is

always looking for anyone who would like to give back to the community, whether they are volunteering on a regular basis or as a one-time occurrence. She said that anyone who is interested may pick up an information packet and take some time to figure out where the best place is for that person to contribute his or her own personal talent or skills. O’Brien also said that ARC provides extensive training for those interested in volunteering.

According to O’Brien, the packets are available at the ARC office at 6 SE Lee Blvd. For more information, one may call 580.355.2480 or go to www.okc.redcross.org.

Contributions to the ARC by check or money order payable to the American Red Cross of Central and Western Oklahoma and mailing to Dept.#96-0397, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73196-0397.

American Red Cross volunteers in action: A couple of volunteers work together to stock a Red Cross truck with bottled water. These two volunteers gave their time in an effort to give back to their community during a disaster when victims needed them most.

Students, artists, coffee aficionados, and those seeking open conversation now have a place to come together. The Acoustic Rock Coffee House was designed with these people in mind, and is offering new experiences for locals.

Owner Kristopher Martin said that the inspiration for the Acoustic Rock was a need for local musicians, and the desire to provide Lawton with a coffee house.

“My business partner, Kertis Johnson, has owned the building for a little while, and he wanted to open a place where he could do karaoke or where band players could come in and practice,” Martin said. “It has been a dream of mine to open up a bar or coffee shop, so, I sent him a message one day that said we needed to open a coffee bar.”

Martin said that since then, musicians from in and out of town have come after hearing about a place for them to play.

“We have had people come in from out of town, like Chickasha, but mostly we are getting a lot of local people who are coming in just looking for a place to play,” he said. “They are like, ‘Wow, this is exactly what we needed’.”

Inside, Martin has the walls covered with pieces of artwork that create a true coffee house vibe. Most of the pieces are the work of local artist and the coffee house manager.

“My manager, Megan DeMarco, she did most of the art you see in here,” Martin said.

Martin encourages local artists to bring their work in to the establishment if they are looking for a place to showcase work they are selling.

“Any local artists who have one or two pieces of art that they would like to sell, should bring it in,” he said.

The serene atmosphere was also created with Cameron students in mind, Martin said. Besides the many tables and quiet, customers can connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi and print off any homework while they are there.

“We offer free Wi-Fi, printer, and printing service,” he said. “If a student wants to come in and

work on a paper, or do a study group and they need to print out something, they can plug in their computer and print it off.”

There is no shortage of entertainment at the Acoustic Rock Coffee House; according to Martin, certain weeknights have scheduled events.

“Wednesday night I am starting a speech-poetry-inspirational night,” Martin said. “We are calling it Espresso Yourself. Thursday night is our live acoustic night. The only thing that we ask is that people bring their own musical equipment.”

Martin said he also hopes the coffee house will provide a place for Christians to feel free to express themselves.

“Tonight we are doing our first contemporary Christian night,” Martin said. “We have some different praise and worship teams that are coming from various churches, and we are encouraging anyone else to come. This is kind of an open mic night for contemporary Christian artists who do not have places to play.”

Providing a fun place for underage youths was also part of the design, Martin said.

“One of the things we really wanted to do was to have a place where underage people could have a place to go,” Martin said. “What we wanted to accomplish was to give these people a place to hang out. You can go to ABC and get coffee, but there isn’t much else to do there. There may be music sometimes, but other than that there is not much to do.”

Starting a new business can be intimidating, but Martin said the response from locals has been encouraging.

“When we opened up, we really were not expecting Lawton to accept it as quickly as it did,” Martin said. “One of the best compliments we keep getting is that Lawton has needed a place like this.”

The next big event planned at the Acoustic Rock Coffee House is the “Un-Valentines Day A.R.C.H. Single’s Celebration” from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Feb. 14th. The event will feature live music and door-prizes. Tickets are $10, and fifty percent of the proceeds will go to Family Promise.

For more information, please call 580.699.5220 or go to the Acoustic Rock Coffee House page on Facebook.

New venue for local music: The Acoustic Rock Coffee House is an alcohol and smoke-free establishment in Lawton where customers can listen to live music while drinking coffee and eating breakfast. Many customers have said this is just what Lawton has been needing for entertainment.

Coffee house is welcome venue for local musiciansBy Leah Chaffins

Staff Writer

Photo by Leah Chaffins

Photo courtesy MCT Campus