by Colin Durant

Cameron Aggie men’s golf won the Lone Star Conference Men’s Golf Championship title on April 17 during the Firestone-sponsored league event at the Trophy Club Country Club in Trophy Club, Texas in their eighth-ever conference win, the last being in 2008.

The men won with a score of 863 on 54-holes, one stroke under par. The Aggie men were the only team to score under par overall at the event with the closest competitors being Abilene Christian in second place at three strokes over with a score of 867 and Midwestern State in third with a score of 873, nine strokes over par.

Despite a somewhat disappointing fall season for the team, Head Coach Jerry Hrnciar said he believed in his team going into the tournament.

“At the start of the tournament I told the men we had the most balance,” Hrnciar said. “It showed today. Everyone had a sub-par round. We put a lot of effort into it. A lot of people thought we were down this year.

But, the most enjoyable part was to have three second team all-conference players to Abilene’s three. I told the men to go out and beat the first team this year. That’s what we did.”

The men started off their first and second days strong with scores of 288 and 283 respectively, but faltered slightly in the third day of play with a score of 292. Cameron had the advantage going into the final day with a five stroke lead over Abilene Christian.

Coach Hrnciar said the team had a tough time putting on the first day but fought back with the leadership of senior golfer Garrett Smith.

“Garrett putted extremely well,” Coach Hrnciar said. “That’s something we did better today, but I still saw five little putts missed, which broke my heart.”

Despite the adversity, Coach Hrnciar said in an interview with The Lawton Constitution his team fought a hard battle to secure the victory.

“It was a battle all the way through and there were some times I thought we were really in trouble,” Hrnciar said. “I couldn’t be prouder of the way these guys fought off adversity and were able to bring it all home.”

Garrett Smith charted the course for his teammates finishing one shot under 215 (71-68-76) and third place overall in the tournament, as well as earning all-tournament honors.

Other golfers for Cameron included junior Trey Lawson, also all-tournament, with a one-over par 217 (74-71-72), junior Brady Porter at 218 (73-74-71), sophomore Michael Kelly at 219 (76-70-73) and junior Kregg Wood at 231 (70-85-76). Lawson, Porter and Wood had previously received all-conference honors going into the championship.

Coach Hrnciar said the win reflects a determination in his team.

“We had some things go bad for us early but somehow everyone was able to hang in there,” Coach Hrnciar said. “Golf is such a mental game and I think the guys really showed they have what it takes to get the job done.”

The win secures the Cameron men a chance to extend their season with an entry into the regional tournament to be held at the Jefferson City Country Club in Jefferson City, Missouri on May 6-9.

The women’s golf team also competed in the tournament finishing in fourth place with a score of 629 after two rounds, 53 strokes over par. The women fell to Tarleton State, taking first place, Midwestern State, in second, Texas A&M-Commerce, in third, and tying for fourth with Angelo State.

Women’s Golf Head Coach Rick Goodwin said the team experienced growth this year, setting themselves up for future success.

“We are still young, so we will all get to play together for a couple more years,” Goodwin said. “We need to keep improving but it’s nice to see how we’ve grown this season.”

by James Meeks

On April 14, The Curefighters, a group consisting only of the James family, held a fundraiser at the McMahon Softball Complex. The fundraiser was held for their son, Seth James, who is suffering from Cystic Fibrosis (CF).

Mandy and Kent James, Seth’s parents, have held this fundraiser for the past seven years to raise awareness and money to one day find a cure for cystic fibrosis.

According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website, CF is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States.

The foundation’s website also states that people living with cystic fibrosis must follow a regular treatment routine to stay healthy and maintain optimal lung function. Most often, treatment for the disease begins with techniques to trigger strong coughs that help loosen and clear thick mucus from the airways.

Seth, a student at Eisenhower Junior High School, said that he is involved in many sports, such as football and wrestling.

“Next year I’m probably not going to do football, I’m going to do wrestling again and also try to get back into baseball,” he said.

Seth also explained his post-graduation ambitions.

“When I get into high school I want to focus on one, maybe two, sports try to get better at them so I can get a scholarship,” he said. “I want to get a scholarship to OU so I can be a brain surgeon.”

He recently just returned from a trip to Hawaii provided by the Make a Wish Foundation where Seth did many activities.

“We did a submarine tour and we also did a helicopter tour where we flied over the island going places and that was pretty cool,” he said. “There was a fun part where we were flying over the top of a mountain.”

Seth also scuba dived with his dad, where they explored the sea floor, and he also got to watch a luau.

“There was also a luau we went to and that was cool,” he said. “There was hula and fire dancing, and the food was pretty good.”

Celia Palmer, Executive Director of the Sooner Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, comes to the fundraiser every year to notify supporters how the research is progressing. She also notifies supporters how the money that is raised is being spent, as well the progress on researching a cure.

“On Jan. 31 the FDA approved a drug with the market name Kalydeco, Palmer said. “It began as a laboratory trial 13 years ago. It went through laboratory safety testing with non CF patients, then safety and efficiency testing with CF patients.”

According to Palmer, this drug helps cystic fibrosis patients with the G551D mutation of the disease to help improve lung function and lower sweat chloride levels.

Palmer also said that Kalydeco was funded through fundraisers like the Curefighter’s, rather than the government or a drug company.

The CFF has other drugs going through testing to help other patients with different mutations.

According to Mandy James, nearly $8,000 was raised to go toward CF research to find a cure, in addition to funding other drugs such as Kalydeco.

The Curefighters will continue to fight their son’s disease in hopes to one day find a cure for CF and will keep holding fundraisers for their son and other CF patients.

by Alex Rosa-Figueroa

The year was 2010, and I, a fresh faced and woefully idealistic college freshman, was driving back to North Shepler. This dormitory, the one that I called my home, was a domicile of peace. It was, for the time being, the one place where I could relax and vegetate, wiping off the sweat of my brow and entering a Zen-like state of sophomoric bliss.

This night, this ninth night of February, I was especially excited to go home. Though it was a little past the witching hour, my unusual countenance was born not of the standard euphoric exaltation one feels coming home from a long evening’s work — though I would be remiss, dear reader, if I were even to imply that being away from my cushy IT-job played only a small role in my evening’s reveries.

No, I was positively giddy for the simple, though not inexpensive, package taking refuge in my passenger’s seat. The culmination of nearly a year’s worth of waiting was at last before me. My dreams, long tempered with time, were now fully ready to be fully realized. Anticipation bred faltering hesitation as I made my way to my room, and I made sure to lock my door so none would bear witness to the jubilation that was to take place over the next five hours.

And when dawn had finally broken o’er the horizon of Cameron’s campus, the halls of the ninth floor echoed with my heartbroken, sorrow-laden cries:

“This game sucks.”

“Bioshock 2” was my first dip into the bitter pool of disappointing games. The sequel to one of the most lauded games of the decade— and certainly one of our few defenses in the “games are art, guys, really!” debate — and for it to be so underwhelming was a truly serious disappointment worth ranting about. And the worst part of the game had nothing to do with the game itself.

A full year before the game came out, one yet-unnamed magazine known as Game Informer published a lengthy article detailing the inner workings and story of the freshly announced Bioshock sequel. Readers were teased with the prospect of a dark game with a story that dealt with its own issues as well as fallout from the previous game’s ending. The final product contained none of these promised features, instead opting to shoehorn in a multiplayer section and offer as tribute a lackluster skeleton of a story, a withered, pale imitation of the first game, right down to the last act “twist.”

Understandably, people were upset, but were the game really all that bad? Well, yes, it was, but I don’t think people, myself included, would have been as mad had it not been for the article— had it not been for the form of advertising the game industry loves the most: hype.

Just last year, eager viewers of the Electronic Entertainment Expo were treated to a very somber, moving trailer for a game called “Dead Island.” The trailer featured, among other things, a child being turned into a zombie and attacking her parents. It was heavy stuff, and the trailer set a very high dramatic bar for the game.

Mercifully, people were savvy enough to realize that, hey, maybe zombie-bashing game #413 wouldn’t exactly have the dramatic gravitas the hype suggested, so few were surprised when the fairly mindless game launched in early September.

Unfortunately, falling prey to the hype machine is as much our fault as it is the companies that drive it. Now, here’s the part of the editorial where I give you, dear readers a rundown of media literacy. Instead, I’ll break it down for you quite simply:

Stop getting over excited about the things you like. It’s just hurting you in the long run.

Being enthusiastic about a thing, whether that thing be a movie or a sequel to a game you really liked and paid $60 for, is fine. But getting so excited that you start using words like “euphoric exultation,” or “sophomoric bliss?” You’re going to be disappointed. It will happen.

Hey, remember how excited we were to see three all new “Star Wars” movies? How’d that turn out, anyway?

by Tyler Boydston

With the second season of AMC’s TV show “The Walking Dead” at a close, fans of the post-apocalyptic show are now wondering what to expect from the show’s third season, set to premiere in the fall.

The show, based on the comic series of the same name, focuses on Rick Grimes and his struggle to lead a group of survivors in the zombie apocalypse as they deal with their plight, going through daily chores and living in a different world. The comic debuted in October 2003 and is still releasing a new issue monthly.

The TV series premiered on AMC in October 2010 . Frank Darabont, director of films “The Shawshank Redemption” and “The Green Mile,” wrote and directed the first episode. During the second season, Frank Darabont was let go from his position of Executive Producer.

The first season consisted of six episodes, and the show returned in October 2011 with a second season that featured a total of 13 episodes.

The third season of the show was announced shortly after the second season’s premier, which set records with 7.3 million viewers during its first airing, garnering 11 million upon the encore presentation that aired immediately after.

The finale of the show’s second season, which premiered on March 18, hinted at different aspects from the comics that are set to be appearing in the third season, including a new cast member and a new location for the cast.

One character from the comic series, Michonne, appeared in a brief cameo in this year’s finale, wielding swords and carrying two jawless and armless zombies behind her. The character, initially appearing in issue 19 of the comic, even has a prequel comic based on her that was featured in the March 2012 issue of Playboy magazine. Michonne, despite being portrayed by a stand-in actor in the season two finale, will be played by Danai Gurira upon the show’s return in the fall.

Another aspect of the comics hinted at in the season two finale was the prison, a location that is featured in over 30 issues of the comic series, and introduced new characters, such as inmates Dexter, Andrew, Thomas and Axel, into the story.

Within the story of the comics, the prison eventually led to the characters stumbling upon another community called Woodbury. Though it is not explicitly stated in the show, some online fans have speculated that the community mentioned in the latter half of season two may be the Woodbury from the comic series.

In the comics, a character known to audiences as Phillip Blake, also referred to as the Governor, led Woodbury.

The Governor first appeared in issue 27 of the comics, and has since been listed as IGN’s 86th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time. A novel based on the character’s origins, entitled “Rise of the Governor,” was released in October 2011. Before the close of the show’s second season, it was announced that British actor David Morrissey would portray the antagonist in the show’s third season.

While the show is gearing up for its third season, the comic book series is still going strong, with its landmark 100th issue set to debut this July, featuring nine different covers from different comic book artists, including the series’ regular artist Charlie Adlard, as well as artists Todd McFarlane, Sean Phillips, Marc Silvestri, Bryan Hitch, Frank Quitely and Ryan Ottley. The 16th trade paperback for the series, featuring issues 91 through 96, is also set to hit bookstores in June.

The third season of “The Walking Dead” does not have a set date to return as of yet, but is expected back in the fall with a confirmed total of 16 episodes.

by Tiffany Martinez

Career Services, of the Student Development Center of Cameron University, is approaching its busiest time of the year: the end of the spring semester.

As students prepare to receive their degrees in just a few short weeks, the staff of the Student Development Center is providing Aggies with the tips and tools to complete their graduation check lists.

Director of Student Development, Dr. Jennifer Pruchnicki has been preparing students to enter the work force for the past six years.

“Career Services helps students through pretty much every step of their career development,” Dr. Pruchnicki said. “We help with resume writing, interview techniques, and even networking.”

According to Dr. Pruchnicki, Career Services is open to all current CU students, as well as alumni, at no cost.

“President Ross has implemented the Cameron Guarantee Program, which is great,” Dr. Pruchnicki said. “So if there is a Cameron graduate that’s not prepared for the job force, then they can have the remediation or extra classes that they need. I really think our Cameron grads are ahead of the game.”

Located at the third floor of North Shepler, Career Services is open to Aggies all year round.

“Spring is very busy for us, but we could always be busier,” Dr. Pruchnicki said. “We hope that students continue to come in. We know they are looking for summer jobs and internships and that is something we are glad to help them with.”

Career Services is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday. The staff encourages appointment making, but it is not required.

“We recommend that students make an appointment so that we can give that one-on-one time to them,” Dr. Pruchnicki said. “We also have ‘Walk In Wednesdays.’ Every Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. we set aside time to help students.”

The benefits of Career Services are available online as well, Dr. Pruchnicki explained.

“We recognize that students are very busy, and not all of them fit into an eight to five mold,” Dr. Pruchnicki said. “We have great tools that are available online. There are resume templates that can be completed by students and sent into our office for feedback.”

In addition to providing students with books, DVD’s, magazines, online services, snacks and self-assessment tools, Dr. Pruchnicki said that Career Services holds a numbers of events each year for job-seeking Aggies.

“We do an Exploring Major Series every year that offers students an opportunity to speak with a faculty member or someone working in their field of interest,” Dr. Prucknicki said.

She said events such as the Exploring Major Series are beneficial because it gives students a closer look into the types of jobs they hope to pursue.

“They are able to get advice, or find out how much money they could be making,” Dr. Pruchnicki said.

Career Services aims reach any CU student that desires assistance in the workforce.

“We have companies that contact us specifically to employ Cameron students and alumni,” Dr. Pruchnicki said. “And they should want them because they’re the best.”

by Colin Durant

Cameron University will hold its commencement ceremony for the class of 2012 at 7:30 p.m. on May 4 at Cameron Stadium. According the Office of the Registrar, approximately 1,030 graduates will be eligible to walk the stage as part of this year’s ceremony.

The commencement speaker for this year will be Oklahoma State Regent for Higher Education Toney Stricklin, a Cameron alumni from the class of 1975 and retired Major General from the United States Army. State Regent Stricklin received the Distinguished Service Award from Cameron University in 2000, as well as being named a Distinguished Alumni by the Cameron University Alumni Association in 2008.

In a press release, CU President Cindy Ross said the university was honored to feature State Regent Stricklin at commencement.

“His exemplary leadership and service will encourage our graduates, while his extraordinary accomplishments will inspire them,” President Ross said.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The ceremony will feature a pre-commencement concert at 7 p.m. by the Cameron University Pan Express, conducted by Dr. James Lambert, Chair of the Department of Music. Commencement will conclude, as per Cameron tradition, with a fireworks display ending at approximately 9 p.m.

Provost John McArthur said commencement is one of his favorite academic events.

“It allows our campus community an opportunity to celebrate successes and accomplishments of our students with their families and our community,” Provost McArthur said. “I look forward to congratulating another wonderful class of Cameron Aggies.”

Candidates for graduation participating in commencement should report to the east end zone of Cameron Stadium no later than 7 p.m. on May 4 with their card received in their “Graduation Times” mailer.

For students who earned their master’s degrees during the 2011-2012 ceremony, Cameron will conduct its Hooding Ceremony at 2:00 p.m. on April 29 at the University Theatre. Oklahoma Secretary of Education Dr. Phyllis Hudecki will be the speaker.

In a press release, President Ross praised the students receiving their master’s degrees for their dedication.

“Attainment of a master’s degree is the culmination of many years of hard work, sacrifice and academic achievement,” President Ross said.

In regards to the tradition of “hooding,” Provost McArthur said the ceremony was established to recognize scholarly and professional achievements beyond a bachelor’s degree.

“Each university has a distinctive hood that joins the cap and gown to complete the academic regalia,” Provost McArthur said. “We are proud of our master’s-level graduates and look forward to their continued success.”

Regalia for both graduation ceremonies can be purchased at the CU Bookstore in the McMahon Centennial Complex at a cost of $24 for undergraduate and associate candidate packages and $50 for graduate degree recipients, hood included.

Further information regarding commencement can be found at www.cameron.edu/commencement and www.cameron.edu/hooding.

This is the issue of the Cameron University Collegian from April 23, 2012

Colton Rowe reports the team for the next Cameron Theater play held a flash mob in the MCC.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Groceries for college students? We need ‘em! Reporter Angie Prasain says students left with a loot.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Tiffany Smith reports Donna Bebo visited the Acoustic Rock Coffeehouse, as part of her campaign for congress.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Cameron University holds a celebration for the Nepali New Year. Colton Rowe reports.

Click here to view the embedded video.

by Miranda Raines

In a three game series against Abilene Christian (24- 10, 10-6) on Friday, April 5, at Cameron Field, the Aggies (15-23, 6-11) were able to pull a win out in game two of the series.

The Cameron Aggie Softball team sat at the eighth and final playoff spot as a result of the games against Abilene Christian and Midwestern State.

Head Coach Beth Watson was proud to say the women were able to take the loss of game one and turn it around in the second.

“It was a great win for us,” Coach Watson said. “Game one didn’t go our way, but we kept fighting in game two, and Kelsy (Hebert) did a great job in circle in game two. She really had them fooled out there. And they are a great offensive team.”

Although sophomore Kelsy Hebert did not get the win game two, she allowed only seven hits in six innings, before senior Carrie Dilks took over.

Some other standout players in the games Friday, freshman Micah Foutch, juniors, Drew Wright, Sonia Foutch and Amanda Karth each picked up RBI’s.

Coach Watson said Freshman Tara Martini stood out again as a crucial hitter.

“Tara Martini is proving to be pretty clutch,” Coach Watson said. “It’s always good to get some timely hitting, and we got that today in game two.”

The next day in game three, Dilks took the loss as the Aggies fell 5-1 to the Wildcats.

Martini knocking in her second walkoff hit of the series scoring freshman Misty Dooley, in the one run of the game.

Coach Watson explained that because the Aggies could not string together any hits, it was difficult to score.

“We really wanted to win this game and the series,” she said. “We played hard throughout. They just came up with a big hit late in the game.”

In the double-header against Midwestern State, CU dropped to 15-26 on the year with a 6-14 record in the conference, on April 10.

The Aggies suffered a 5-1 and 2-0 loss in Texas. Coach Watson said these losses were difficult to take.

“It’s tough,” Coach Watson said. “These were two games we really wanted. Anytime we play MSU we want to walk away with the victory.”

Junior pitcher Cheyenne Brown was first up in game one and allowed three runs on two hits in one and a half innings, before being relieved by Dilks who gave up two runs on five hits.

The one and only RBI of the game for the Aggies came from junior Leah Trousdale in game one. She walked in the run after three consecutive singles in the top of the second.

The Mustangs (20-20, 10- 10) came back quickly with three of its five runs in the second inning, the majority coming from two doubles.

The final two runs in game one for Midwestern State came in the bottom of the fifth, locking in the final score.

Hebert was charged with the loss in game two putting her record at 4-7 for the season. She pitched six innings, allowing six hits with only two runs. She was able to hold the Mustangs off in the final three innings, leaving them hitless.

Even with a loss it was another standout game for Hebert, Coach Watson said.

“Kelsy (Hebert) threw a great game today,” Watson said. “She has been doing that a lot lately. We just couldn’t get any support behind her. That makes it tough on the pitcher, but she battled and kept us in the game from start to finish.”

Dooley and Wright picked up back-to-back singles, but CU was unable to take advantage, leaving the women at a final score of 2-0.

More information is available at cameronaggies.com

by Colin DuRant

As the spring season begins to draw to a close, Cameron Aggie Tennis remains in full swing as the women played six matches the week of April 6 and the men played two with both teams concluding against Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas.

The women managed to pick up five wins and the men went one for two on the week.

The women began their run of matches here at Cameron at the Streich-Henry Tennis Complex against St. Mary’s University on April 6. Improving on an 8-1 victory over the Rattlers earlier in the season, the women swept the San Antonio team 9-0.

Julia Puckhaber and Antonia Moberg shutout their opponents 8-0 at the No. 3 doubles spot and the women’s singles collectively failed to drop a single set.

The women took on Tarleton State later that day in a conference match that they won 7-2. The Aggies went up 2-1 against the TexAnns in doubles play to secure the early lead.

Cameron locked in the victory in singles play with Amanda Moberg, Sara Londono, Elvira Sholles, Florencia Tornero and Antonia Moberg all earning singles wins at the No. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 spots respectively.

The next day the women broke their streak falling 4-5 to the Oklahoma Christian Eagles at home. Only Puckhaber and Sholles obtained a doubles win at the No. 2 position defeating Gariela Carrillo and Marta Contel Miranzo 8-2.

In singles play, Puckhaber managed a 6-0, 6-4 win at the No. 2 position and Sholles also defeated her opponent 6-1, 6-3 and No. 4. All other Cameron women fell though allowing the Eagles to pick up the win.

After a few days break, the women picked up the racquets again on April 10 against the Dallas Baptist University Patriots at home with a 7-2 win.

The women began the match with a 3-0 lead in doubles with the No. 1 pair of Amanda Moberg and Sara Londono winning 8-5, the No. 2 pair of Puckhaber and Sholles winning 8-3 and the No. 3 pair of Florencia Tornero and Antonia Moberg winning 8-5.

In singles play, only No. 1 and No. 6 fell with all other Lady Aggies securing wins allowing the team to achieve the victory.

On April 11, the Lady Aggies traveled to Wichita Falls to take on conference opponent Midwestern State where the women picked up an 8-1 win.

The women went up 2-1 in doubles play earning victories at the No. 1 and No. 3 position. Cameron would go on to sweep singles play to lock in the triumph.

Coach James Helvey said he felt like all of the women having been performing well, but he highlighted Antonia Moberg as a stand-out.

“She has really stepped-up,” Helvey said. “She’s really turned her game around and has been going in the right direction. She’s playing fantastic doubles.”

As of press time, the women will have taken on Arkansas- Fort Smith at home on April 13, hoping to bring their 21-3 record to 22-3 before Lone Star Conference tournament seedings are released on April 16.

The men came off a longer break than the women coming into the Dallas Baptist University match at home on April 10, after not playing since March 29. The men made the most of the homecoming match against the Patriots with a 9-0 sweep.

In doubles play, the Aggies took an early lead with the No. 1 pair of Thomas Peixoto and Nicolai Ferrigno, the No. 2 pair of Mateus Campos and Gonzalo Garzon and the No. 3 pair of Duje Janjic and Dean Wiegelt all winning with scores of 8-3, 8-3 and 8-1 respectively.

The success continued into singles play as the men winning without dropping a single set and Campos and Gerosi achieving 6-0, 6-0 victories the No. 5 and 6 positions.

The men traveled to Wichita Falls to take on Midwestern State in a match Coach Helvey didn’t take lightly.

“They were a really strong rival for many years,” Helvey said. “We’ve taken care of business with them for the past five years, but Midwestern’s got a really good team.”

The Mustangs showed their mettle against the Aggies and managed to narrowly defeat Cameron in a 5-4 decision. The Aggie men went down 1-2 after doubles play with only the No. 1 team of Peixoto and Ferrigno winning 8-3.

Peixoto, Ferrigno and Gerosi also managed singles wins, but losses at the No. 2, 5 and 6 positions allowed Midwestern State to pick up the victory.

The loss brings the men’s record to 15-8, but the Aggies will take on Arkansas-Fort Smith at home on April 13 to conclude their regular season.