Seminars educate Science and Technology seminar series presents new research.

See page 3

Volunteers welcome Help-in-Crisis welcomes volunteers for a variety of tasks.

See page 8

Vo l u m e 1 0 4 , I s s u e 2 0 | Tu e s d a y, J a n u a r y 2 9 , 2 0 1 3 | Ta h l e q u a h , O k l a . 7 4 4 6 4

Master Plan brings long-term vision to campus

JACCI ALWORDEN
TNE WRITER RiverHawks, past and present, can greatly affect NSUs future. All four of NSUs campuses are changing, as are the academic programs. Students have an active voice in what they would like to see happen on their campus. The master plan has been launched and is in the discovery phase of its process. The goal of the master plan is to formulate facilities and an infrastructure plan that will effectively support the universitys academic mission and the student learning environment for the next thirty years, said Tim Foutch, vice president of operations. The master plan will include the Tahlequah, Broken Arrow, Muskogee and an online campus. Each campus has different priorities to achieve that will maintain the unique identity associated with that campus. The master plan process itself will determine the priorities, said Foutch. This planning will engage hundreds of university constituents including students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and partners. It will provide them a platform to share ideas and give feedback to assist in establishing master plan priorities. David Koehn, vice president of business and continued on page 2

Jacqueline Alworden/TNE NSUs campus is consistently expanding. Construction crews work on the new student activities center.

Northeastern alumna snags SNAG award

JAmEs BAgWELL
TNE WRITER Kassie Kerns, Pryor alumna, is the winner of the fall 2012 SNAG award. SNAG or Starting New at Golf, is an international company that produces equipment and curriculum designed to teach children the fundamentals of golf. I was really excited to win this award, said Kerns. The equipment that I received is worth about $3,000 and because of that, not many schools in Oklahoma can purchase this equipment. The SNAG program is a safe and structured approach to teach golf to new learners. It builds strong fundamentals of the game, such as putting, chipping and pitching, and helps children develop their swing. It is also versatile enough that it can be played anywhere. Our programming extends globally, said Terry Anton, CEO of SNAG. Since we are a Tahlequah company, we wanted to assist NSU physical education students as they graduate by giving them a complete school golf package. The package includes equipment for teaching up to 48 kids of varying ages, and curriculum including lesson plans for golf units. The award has been given out each semester since the fall of 2010 and is presented to an outstanding health and physical education intern after their final full internship. To be eligible to win the award, each HPE student completes a unit in SNAG golf in their HPE Secondary Methods course. In that class, they must then teach a golf unit to public school students. Finally, during their full internship in the last semester before graduation, candidates write an essay about continued on page 2

To err is human. To fix it is TNE Policy. Corrections can be found on Page 4. To report a correction call 918.444.2890. TNE Web site: www.nsunews.com

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NSUs master plan promotes online presence

continued from page 1 finance, said the master plan creates a road map. The map will make sure the funds or the available capital funds will be used to ensure they are applies to the highest priorities on campus. The master plan will also help us prioritize our limited resources, and work to secure outside funding for our highest priority projects, said Koehn. Funding for the master plan will come from various departments. NSU will get some of its resources from state and federal grants. The university is already geared up for the challenges it will face to secure extra funding that is not covered by these state and federal grants. The fundraising and the budget development needed to support the identified master plan priorities will be incorporated into the established fundraising and budget process used by the university currently, said Foutch. The master plan initiatives will ensure the funds that are available are utilized most effectively. Students can expect new academic developments as well. Dr. Frank Markley, academic planner, said the master plan is contemplating new degree plans that would directly correlate to jobs after graduation. We are looking at what kinds of jobs are needed and what we can do to help our students get those jobs, said Markle. We are also seeing a trend in online education, and we are going to develop that. Dr. William Rugg, vice presidents of academic affairs, said part of the master plan is to develop a more prominent online presence that is easy to navigate. Soon students will be able to access the NSU homepage and find an online tab. There they can see if a class is online, ITV blended or in-class. , The Tahlequah campus has opportunity for vast expansion. This could possibly include new buildings or repurposing old ones. The planners on the master plan board know that it is important to conserve the identity of our campus. The open concept and historic core of campus will remain intact. Neal Kessler, lead campus planner, said Tahlequahs campus has evolved organically over many years, unlike the BA and Muskogee campuses. In the end, this will be your master plan, not ours, said Kessler. This is your university. Yes, we are all a part of one community and one team to accomplish these goals, but this is still your campus. One of the goals of the master plan is to unite the NSU community in a common vision. It is important to note that before when projects were done, they were done outside the workings of a master plan, therefore not really giving the projects direction, said Rugg. With this master plan, the future plans for each campus have focus and direction. Everything that happens will be a part of the master plan. That is the beauty of it. It is cohesive. For more information, email alwordej@nsuok.edu.

Science seminars bring expert knowledge to students

ANDREW sCOTT
TNE WRITER The science department continues to provide opportunities to give students the best education possible. Every year, they bring in six different scientists to speak at the science and technology seminar. We have had a wide variety of scientists that have come to speak at the seminars, said Dr. John deBanzie, department of natural science. This year, we have microbiologist and chemists that are speaking about anything from gut microbiota and probiotics to cancer chemoprevention. The seminars give the students of NSU a unique opportunity to learn about new research that is going on. When we teach about science in the classroom, it is mostly about what is already known, but when we bring in a scientist it shows the students what is going on now, said deBanzie. This also helps keep faculty up to date on what they are teaching. Not only are the seminars beneficial for students but for faculty as well. Some professors even encourage their students to attend the seminars. They see the benefits of learning in a new way. I encourage my students to attend the seminars because getting to see a real scientist enthusiastically sharing the story of their research is very different from reading about it in a textbook, or even hearing about it in class lecture, said Dr. Mia Revels, department of biology. They also allow students to make connections that may help them get internships or graduate assistantships at professional schools. Finding the right speakers for the seminars is key. I choose the speakers mostly through recommendations from other people or I go to the website of the university and see who would be interested in speaking, said deBanzie. Nearly 99 percent of the people that I ask say yes because they love to talk about their research and recruit students. It also gets their name and research out there to the public. Dr. Dragos Albinescu, professor of organic chemistry, will be speaking at one of the seminars this year. I will be speaking about cancer chemoprevention and the usage of the anti-cancer chemicals in vitamin D, said Albinescu. The seminars are not only for science students but open to anyone that wants to attend. The seminars are a pleasure to attend because we can interact with a people that have a various knowledge of science, said Javier Cuevas-Santos, Muskogee alumnus. There are a wide range of people that attend and it can enlighten students to other perspectives. The seminar series starts Jan. 30 and goes through April 10. Seminars take place every other Wednesday at 3 p.m. These series are a fair amount of work and I could not stand to put them on, if they were not useful for the students and faculty, said deBanzie. For more information, email Scott33@nsuok.edu.

SNAG award benefits golf education

ed to do something for the interns, said Dr. Vanessa Anton, assistant dean of the college of education. Often schools struggle with funding, and as our HPE graduates go out into the schools to teach, this award gives them, and the schools where they teach, equipment and programming to use in their physical education classes. Anton said Kerns was an amazing student. For instance, at Undergraduate Research Day in 2012, not only did she win Best Poster Presenter, but she also won the Student Choice Award, said Dr. Vanessa Anton. She has also presented sessions at the state level in our field. I am excited to see all the wonderful things she will do as a teacher. Although this particular award is only available to NSU students, SNAG reaches out to more than just residents of Green Country. SNAG is used by millions of children around the world to learn golf. Terry Anton said he has set a goal to more than double the amount of children introduced to golf with SNAG before the start of the Olympic Games in 2016. Golf is a life sport, and it is important that we grow the game, said Terry Anton. Golf is a great way to stay socially, mentally, and

continued from page 1 how they will use the equipment and teaching materials to better their school and their community. They then submit their essays to the company where a team from around the country judges them. The winner is announced at their final internship seminar, on their last day at NSU, where they are presented with the equipment. My husband and I just want-

Courtesy Photo Dr. Vanessa Anton, assistant dean of the college of education, with Kassie Kerns, recipient of the SNAG award. The SNAG program teaches golf to new learners.

physically active as we age. This is the only golf program that is taught in schools in several countries, said Kathy Hixon, professor of health and kinesiol-

ogy. It teaches the skills of the game in a safe and effective manner. For more information, email bagwellj@nsuok.edu.

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Skepticism arises with Abrams new enterprise

Star Wars. We all know it. For most, it stirs fond memories of childhood, adventure and wonder. It is safe to assume that most Americans have had a first-hand experience with The Force. This comes as no surprise to intense followers of the franchise, but some may not know that yes, in fact, a seventh Star Wars movie is set to be produced through Walt Disney and Lucasfilm rumored to release in 2015. The next Star Wars film? Perhaps the release of a seventh Star Wars film is not what is most shocking here. Perhaps what is most shocking is the appointment of J.J. Abrams as director of the next Star Wars film. Abrams is probably best known for his direction of Star Trek. For those who are fans of either franchise, it is easy to point out the distinct differences between the two. Before you blow your top, lets take a closer look. Michael Arndt, writer for Toy Story 3 and Oscar-winner for Little Miss Sunshine, and Simon Kinberg, writer for Sherlock Holmes, are collaborating with Empire Strikes Back writer Lawrence Kasdan to write this seventh installment. The matter of writing should
Courtesy photo J.J. Abrams is named to direct the next Star Wars film. He is most well-known for directing Star Trek in 2009.

International students conform to college life

ANDREW sCOTT
TNE WRITER Many international students struggle with college life. Many NSU students never give a second thought about attending events, picking up necessities or driving home for the weekend. For many NSU international students, these simple tasks can pose daily difficulties. In the cafeteria most students do not give much thought to what they put on their plate. This is not the case for some of the international students who have stricter diets because of their religious beliefs. Because of my religion I cannot eat meat or any rooted vegetables, which makes eating on campus and in Tahlequah hard, said Kushal Sanghvi, Bangalore, India graduate student. We canceled our meal plan because there just was not enough for us to eat. I would go to the cafeteria and only get fruit, vegetables and chocolate milk. This is not a meal. Some students even go as far as skipping meals because of the food. One of the foods that my friends cannot eat are potatoes, so if the meal is full of mash potatoes and meat they would skip that meal, said Syed Usman, Bangalore, India graduate student. They would like to try that food but their religion does not allow them to and they will not go against their religion. The campus has seen the needs of these students and has been trying to help them out in any way possible. The head chef of the cafete-

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POSTMASTER: Send PS from 3579 to NSU, Tahlequah, Okla., 74464-2399. The Northeastern (USPS # 395-580) is published weekly throughout the year except college holidays by Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Okla., 74464-2399. Periodicals postage paid at Tahlequah. Postmaster: send address changes to Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Okla., 74464-2399. For more information about advertising, classified or display, call 444-2890, seven days in advance of desired publication date. Editorial statements in The Northeastern and readers letters reflect those of the individual writers and not necessarily those of The Northeastern, its editors, staff, adviser or the administration of NSU. The opinions and comments therein do not necessarily reflect the policies or beliefs of the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges or the regional universities and that the student newspaper is not an official medium or expression of the Board or the regional universities. The Northeastern is a public forum. All submissions become property of The Northeastern. This publication was printed by The Muskogee Phoenix and issued by NSU as authorized by House Bill 1714. Four thousand copies were printed at a total cost of $695 for 32 pages. The Northeastern is a member of the Associated College Press Association, Oklahoma Interscholastic Press Association, Society of Collegiate Journalists and College Media Advisers. e-mail address: tne@nsuok. edu.

not present issues in the progression of Star Wars, but it remains to be seen whether the seventh installment will continue the story line of the first six, or tell a new one altogether. Blain McLain, Tahlequah visual communications senior, said he sees Abramss work as that of beauty. McLain even liked Cloverfield, which Abrams produced, but he also anticipates the comparisons at hand. My biggest fear is that the only thing coming out of this new endeavor for Abrams is the coining of the phrase Star Wrek, said

McLain. As this is the first Star Wars film under Disney management, people will be quick to bash the series as money-grabbing efforts if the film fails expectations. McLain remains optimistic, nothing Abrams talent to grab TV and film genres that are hard to appeal to the masses and deliver them to a broad audience while still satisfying the desires of the most hardcore of fans. So our fingers are crossed, and no matter what direction the series takes, hopefully Abrams has enough sense to leave Jar Jar Binks out of it.

Andrew Scott/TNE Syed Usman, Bangalore, India graduate student, works on assignments in the Office of International Programs. The Office of International Programs strives to provide a comfortable learning environment for international students.

ria has taken this as an opportunity to learn how to cook a different cultures food, such as curry, said Alyssa Buckley, acting director of international programs. We are also helping to get them a kitchen so that they can cook their own food. Another issue they are address-

ing is transportation. The students may have a hard time going to buy necessities because they are relying on friends. It is difficult for us to go into town, because we do not have vehicles, said Vinudo Muniraju, Bangalore, India graduate student. We have to rely on our

To clarify the story TCC fitness center open to NSU community appearing in the Jan. 22 issue of The Northeastern, only fulltime NSU faculty and staff are eligible to recieve free membership to the TCC fitness center.

Retraction

friends or sooner cab to take us where we need to go. Many international students struggle with transportation. NSU is set to change that. Starting Feb. 1, we will begin a transportation service that will take the students anywhere they need to go, said Buckley. We are also starting a welcome basket for the students with basic needs, such as pillows and sheets. These will be placed in their dorms for when they arrive. The NSU campus strives to make international students feel right at home. Many programs are beginning that may provide benefits for the international students For more information, email Scott33@nsuok.edu

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NSU student becomes published author

DREW BENNETT
TNE WRITER To publish a book is a great achievement. This achievement is something that Brittany Porter, Malden, Mass. junior, recently accomplished. After five years, her book The Universe is Ours, is now published and available for purchase on Amazon and Kindle. I actually finished writing the novel before I started NSU, said Porter. Fall 2012 was my first semester at the university, but I chose to publish it during my first semester there, because I wanted to share it with the world as soon as possible. I have always loved to write, even when I was really young. I loved writthe bookstore. Her ing poems or short novel is the kind of stories that other story that speaks to people would enjoy. many different kinds A novel just seemed of readers, whether like the next step. you like romance, The novel is a roscience fiction or suspense. mantic fantasy thriller about six people Porter is working taken from past civiwith Dana Boren lizations of Earth, Boer, university marketing coordinabrought together in Brittany Porter tor, and Cole Maran alternate dimension to prevent evil incarnate tin, manager of the RiverHawk Shoppe, to set up a book signing from rewriting history. When I read her novel I ab- in the campus bookstore. I think it is great that a student solutely loved it, said Belinda Hodges, Porters sister, who is able to accomplish something helped her with editing. It was like this, Boren Boer said. It is an amazing story and exactly the always astonishing to see somekind of book I would search for at one with such passion and drive. They are planning the event in February. It is a great thing to have a student author in our store, said Martin. We always have students in the shop and we have had book signings before, but this is the first time we have had a student hold a book signing. Porter wants aspiring writers to remember to never give up. Start writing your novel, keep at it, and one day it will be complete, said Porter. Publishing companies may not want to publish you, but if you have enough drive your book will get out there. Finishing your novel, as difficult as the process may be, is only half of the process. Marketing your book and having it reach your intended audience is the other half. Porter said she knew she wanted the story to be told and the only way anyone would ever see it was to finish. I felt so connected to the characters after spending so much time working on it, that in a while I also felt like I kind of owed it to them, said Porter. Porter plans to write a sequel to her novel after she reaches a personal goal of 100,000 copies. She has also entered her book into the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest. The contest winner receives a publishing contract with Amazon.com and an advance of $50,000. For more information, email Bennettn@nsuok.edu.

NAB offers trip to Amsterdam and Paris

mIRANDA CAughRON
TNE WRITER Northeastern Activities Board is planning an international trip to help students experience the world. This is the first time NAB has done an international trip. The trip will be May 13-20 and will visit Amsterdam and Paris. I would love for students to become a more global citizen as they experience life outside of the U.S., said Sarah Johnson, coordinator of campus activities. The trip has the ability to make history real and awaken the cultural realities of the world to students. I hope students enjoy themselves and return changed for the better. Students can get Hospitality and Tourism Management internship credit from Kin Thompson, assistant professor. This is the first time for Thompson and Johnson to team up to sponsor a trip. No education is complete without travel, said Thompson. This is a great opportunity to see the world in a safe, friendly environment. Sarah Johnson is going on this trip and she is an accomplished photographer. You will most definitely have life-long memories. The trip will be eight days. Students will spend three days in Amsterdam, three days in Paris and two days of travel. Students may also choose the two-day extension to London. My wife has already scoped out the flea markets in both cities, said Thompson. It will be really cool to see what kinds of things they sell there. Im hoping for a great international experience for our students. This trip is open to students and non-students. Students can bring family and friends. The cost is roughly $2,800. Tricia Price, Wright sophomore said she is ecited to go on this trip I have traveled abroad before and there is nothing like it. I feel that to grow as a person, a citizen and a culture you have to experience parts of the world beyond our own small piece, said Price. Students will have the opportunity to see world-renowned sights such as the Eiffel tower and the home of Anne Frank. Along with many scheduled tours, students will be able to enjoy free time in both cities. I had some extra change check money saved back from over the years and I couldnt think of any better way to spend it than to travel out of the country, said Sarah Fletcher, Oktaha, senior. This will be my first trip out of the U.S., and I am so excited. France has been on my bucket list for a long time. I cant wait to check it off. I have a couple of friends who decided to go too, so I think its going to be a ton of fun. Students can sign up for this trip online. Students may also pick their own sightseeing and add the two days in London. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, said Fletcher. Travel while you can. You dont want to look back and regret missing out on such a great opportunity. For more information, email caughrom@nsuok.edu.

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Help-In-Crisis welcomes volunteers

kELI hOffmAN
TNE WRITER For NSU students looking for a place to log some volunteer hours, Help-in-Crisis could be the place to do that. HIC provides a safe haven for victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse. Their services are available to men, women and children. Were trying to get people to take more steps toward the healthy sides of relationships, and the respectful sides of relationships, said Jyme Lowe, prevention coordinator. Established in 1980, HIC was the only domestic violence shelter to serve Wagoner County. Cindy Bernett, grants administrator, said that it continues to be the only shelter that serves Adair, Cherokee, Sequoyah and Wagoner counties. Many organizations provide scholarships to students in exchange for volunteer hours, and volunteering at HIC could be one of the ways to fulfill those requirements. There are a wide variety of ways students can get involved with HIC. The main office is located in Tahlequah, but they also have offices in Sallisaw, Stillwell and Wagoner. Students who wish to volunteer may go to the main office and fill out a volunteer application. The application is to keep track of everyone who volunteers. Everyone who applies is eligible to help. Volunteers are needed for tasks ranging from household repairs, plumbing and running errands to public speaking, fundraising and answering the crisis line. Volunteers who wish to answer the crisis line must go through hotline training. They can also be domestic violence or sexual assault advocates. These advocates are on call certain days. If they get a call, their job is to direct calls to the appropriate people and meet the victim at the hospital or police station, to be there for them and take them to the shelter. The Encore Store is a resale shop located across the street from the main office. They handle all of the clothes and other items that are donated to HIC. Any money made there goes back to help fund HIC. This whole store is about giving back to the community, and we really do do that, said Bobbie Smith, Encore resale manager. Volunteers are needed to do a range of things at the store, such as sort, wash, tag and hang clothes. They are also needed to sweep, organize books, clean dishes and do other odd jobs. Occasionally, Encore will receive a piece of furniture or is asked to pick up furniture from someones house, so volunteers who are capable of heavy lifting are needed at those times. People can donate their unwanted clothes, books and furniture to Encore, and they will put them up for resale. Any clothing that cannot be used will be sent to another charity that can make use of it. HIC also organizes many events and fundraisers to help bring awareness to the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault. The community can participate in these events, as well as volunteer. These events include Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, Vagina Monologues and Purses for Prevention. They need models for a fashion show, which is something new they are trying this year. HIC operates largely off of grant funding and a contract with Oklahomas attorney generals office and from foundation grants, community donations and fundraisers. Many of the grants they have require that HIC provides a match in money but allows them to match with volunteer hours instead. Volunteers are vital because they help us in all these different ways, said Bernett,. Theyre vital to the funding sources a lot of times to keep the doors open and the services coming in. They help us more than they know. Victims of domestic violence or sexual assault are encouraged to call the crisis line, which is answered 24 hours a day. For more information, email hoffma04@nsuok.edu.

Fraternities seek new members during spring rush

ZACh TuCkER
TNE WRITER Spring rush week is Jan. 28 through Feb. 2 for male students. On campus there are six Interfraternity Council groups: Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Lambda Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Kappa Sigma and Phi Sigma Kappa. Rush is open to all, but each fraternity has different requirements to gain entry. Primary and formal rush is in the fall, but spring rush is also available. Spring rush is a challenge because it isnt as known as fall rush and we have to go out and look for guys, said Dakota Beller, Lambda Chi Alpha member. It also gives a full semester to recognize someones character before they enter our fraternity as well. Each fraternity is in search of quality members to further the future of their chapter and brotherhood. We have a very strong brotherhood within our chapter and are looking for guys focused on bonding with a group of men dedicated to make the chapter and each other better, said Scott Schwegler, Pi Kappa Alpha president. The fraternities of NSU pursue scholarship and social excellence as well as community and campus involvement. Each year many NSU students rush fraternities and become a part of an organization that they will belong to for life. I suggest rushing for all NSU students, said Cole Fuller, Pi Kappa Alpha member. It was one of the greatest decisions of my college career and now I consider myself a part of one of the strongest organizations on campus. A concern of some potential Greek students is the fear of being unaccepted. The variety of people in all Greek associations across campus is vast. There is a fraternity for every type of person. We hope to see a large class of guys to come out and rush, said Ace McCarthy, Phi Lambda Chi member. The spring rush is still beneficial for both the fraternities and men rushing. IFC and all fraternities on campus hope to see many men out to spring rush week. For questions and more information visit the Greek Affairs Office downstairs in the University Center. For more information contact tuckerz@nsuok.edu.

James Bagwell/TNE Fraternities work to seek out members during spring rush. Lambda Chi Alpha informs students of their organization.

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NAB spring break trip offers fun and service

mIRANDA CAughRON
TNE WRITER Northeastern Activities Board will sponsor a spring break trip March 15 through 20. The trip will include three days at Keystone Resort and one day of community service in Denver. Students can do whatever they wish, said Tricia Price, NAB chairman of the board. If skiing is not really your thing, then you can go horseback riding. There are little workshops the resort hosts, and there is also a fabulous outlet mall just down the slope from the resort. The prices vary depending on whether a student signs up for skiing or snowboarding and how many people are staying in each room. Any NSU student can go on this trip. I would encourage people to attend even if they arent interested in skiing, said Keshia Kincaid, Stilwell junior. It is a great inexpensive way to get out of Oklahoma for a while. There are lots of other activities to do such as hiking trails, tubing and shopping. If you are a beginning skier like I was, the baby slopes are also a lot of fun. You will make tons of fun memories. Students can put this on their account with NSU. If a student receives financial aid or a scholarship and has money left over, it may go toward the payment for the trip. I had never been skiing before so learning to ski was a blast, said Kincaid. A blizzard was also moving in while we were at the top of the mountain which was neat to see. NAB has always taken a spring break trip, but has chosen to make this an alternative spring break trip, which means students will do approximately an hour of community service as well. NAB loves promoting a good time and good values as well. I personally just want everyone to have a wonderful time, said Price. Spring Break is supposed to be about having fun, and we want to provide a way to do that. I also hope that the students will take pride in the fact that a portion of their trip is dedicated to helping others with the community service project. Sign-ups will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis as deposits are paid. Limited spaces are available. I wanted to go to Colorado, said Price. I havent ever skied, so I am pretty excited about that as well. On this trip I will get to have new experiences, shop, serve others and get away from the stress of school for a while. I think that sounds like a great time. Students must pay a $100 deposit by Jan. 31. Students must have their trip paid in full by Feb. 15 in order to attend. I had no idea NAB hosted a spring break trip, said Leslie Davis, Chewey junior. That works out perfect for people who did not have anything planned or for people who wanted to do something but did not have a group to go with. Students can sign up for the spring break trip in the student activities office. It is a fun trip for a really cheap price, said Taler Tiger, Beggs senior. It is fun even if you do not like to ski because there are plenty of other activities to do. For more information, email caughrom@nsuok.edu.

TuEsDAy, JAN. 29 Mens Spring Rush Jan. 28 Feb. 2 Safe Zone Training 3 p.m. 5 p.m. BAAS Annex, Broken Arrow campus ThuRsDAy, JAN. 31 NAB Comedian 7 p.m. 8 p.m. Womens Basketball at Northwest Missouri State: 5:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Maryville, Missouri Mens Basketball at Northwest Missouri State 7:30 p.m. 10:30 p.m. Maryville, Missouri fRIDAy, fEB. 1 Black History Month Feb. 1 Feb. 28 Tulsa Ballet: Lady of the Camellias 8 p.m. 9 p.m

Tuesday Jan. 29
Womens Tennis at Harding University 1 p.m. 4 p.m. Searcy, Arkansas sATuRDAy, fEB. 2 Womens Basketball at Missouri Western State University 1:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. St. Joseph, Missouri Mens Basketball at Missouri Western State University 3:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. St. Joseph, Missouri mONDAy, fEB. 4 Northeastern Student Government Association 4 p.m. 5 p.m. Education Building BAED 136 Broken Arrow campus BCM Impact 8:00 p.m. 9:15 p.m. Baptist Collegiate Ministry

Friday Feb. 1

Monday Feb. 4

Isolated Showers Chance of Rain: 30% High: 68 Low: 36 Wednesday Jan. 30

Mostly Sunny Chance of Rain: 10% High: 53 Low: 29 Saturday Feb. 2

Partly Cloudy Chance of Rain: 10% High: 51 Low: 29

Partly Cloudy Chance of Rain: 0% High: 54 Low: 29 Thursday Jan. 31

Partly Cloudy Chance of Rain: 20% High: 48 Low: 29 Sunday Feb. 3

Showers Chance of Rain: 40% High: 37 Low: 25

Sunny Chance of Rain: 0% High: 54 Low: 31

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Student Disability Services presents Murderball

JACCI ALWORDEN
TNE WRITER Murderball, will come to NSUs Tahlequah campus. The documentary is scheduled at 7 p.m. on Feb. 12 in the UC redbud room. This is a documentary film about a group of men in wheelchairs who play on an extreme basketball team that competes in the Olympics, said Donna Agee, coordinator of student disability services. The sport is extremely competitive and cut throat. The film is not only educational but also entertaining. Agee said it helps students to see someone in a wheelchair in a different light. It helps break the mold. This film shows people in wheelchairs that have accepted their disabilities but are still living wonderful lives. Student Disability Services hopes to educate students, faculty and staff with this film. This is the first time the film has been shown on campus. If you have not had much exposure to people with disabilities, you have perceived stereotypes, said Agee. Sometimes those stereotypes can get in the way of learning about the true person when you cannot look past a disability. I think that that is one of the things that people who watch the film can benefit from. Stephen Hurlbut, former student council for exceptional children member, said he thinks it is important to understand what struggles people with disabilities go through on a daily basis. It is

RiverHawk Jam provides glimpse of campus

kELI hOffmAN
TNE WRITER RiverHawk Jam is the first impression many potential students will get of NSU. It provides an opportunity to see what campus life is all about, and for some, it may be the deciding factor. Prior to my first journey to NSU, I was clueless where I would be spending my first year of college, said Devon Beurie, Noble freshman. However after attending a weekend event, yes, it was what reinforced my decision. In fact, RiverHawk Jam was the determining factor of attendance. The event is mostly aimed at high school juniors, but seniors who may still be unsure or have questions about NSU are welcome. Parents are also welcome to accompany their student. The day starts with an introductory session in the morning. Every student that attends has a chance to win one of five scholarships. A scholarship will also be given to a random student who uses social media such as Twitter and Facebook to discuss the event. In addition to the scholarships, each student will be given a free T-shirt for attending. Presentations are given during the session. The presentations go over how to get admitted, transfers and how to apply for scholarships and financial aid. Following the presentations, students and their parents will be broken up into groups and given a tour of campus by a trained student ambassador. Students who are interested in becoming a student ambassador can apply and an interview will determine if they get the job. To apply, one must be a current NSU student with a minimum GPA of 2.5. This program allows for other opportunities in recruiting, said Beurie. It mainly involves guiding tours and visitors around campus, explaining important facts about NSU while providing an experience that will hopefully be encouraging enough for them to come back and talk to us. Lunch will be provided and then students can tour housing or go to the colleges and organizations fair. At the fair, students can meet with faculty and a variety of student organizations around campus. We try to get enough to give a general sense of the different organizations that we have on campus, said Kyle Murray, university representative. So well do like student government association and NAB. We try to have some religious organizations, maybe some of the arts, music or something like that. We try to get an equal representation from a handful. Those who attend Jam will also be given free admission to the RiverHawk basketball games that will take place that evening. NSU students are encouraged to come show support at the games. We encourage students to come out and show their school pride and give the students a look ahead at what its going to be like to be a student at NSU, said Emily Konieczny, assistant director of high school and college relations. We challenge them to come out to the games. For more information, email hoffma04@nsuok.edu

important to know how they live their lives and that they are not so different from anyone else, aside from their disability. Realism is not often considered when watching a film. Yet it is something that this movie does have. There is not a lot of media out there that is realistic when it comes to this sort of thing, said Agee. The movies paint such a different picture of people with disabilities, finding a film that depicts people and their struggles in a real way was challenging. This documentary really is an eye opener. Jessica Breske, SCEC president, said she thinks it is good that student disability services is putting on films to help educate students and faculty here on campus about those with disabilities.

Jacqueline Alworden/TNE Donna Agee, coordinator of student disabilities services, works to plan the Murderball, event. By showing this documentary film Agee hopes to shed light on people living with disabilities.

She believes that it is a good thing to advocate and show awareness about people with disabilities. Her goal is to let people know that they are normal, but they have something that make them unique, that this uniqueness makes them who they are. SDS has offered other eye opening experiences in the past. Agee said a few years back they set up a wheelchair obstacle course. They had students go through the course, and the ones who participated were amazed by how hard it was to actually complete. SDS also did a blind dinner. Participants were blindfolded and could only communicate with a partner.This was just another way they wanted to show students how hard it is to live with disabilities.

There is also a new organization on campus for students with disabilities and able-bodied students who would like to join. I am starting a revolution on campus, said Britany Burris, Tahlequah sophomore. The organization is called, We Are Human Too. It is a disability rights group working for better accessibly on campus and in the local community. We want to educate people. Disability rights are something that affects everyone Situations and abilities change, and people need to be aware of that fact, said Burris. Able-bodied people take their abilities for granted, and that is my biggest pet peeve. If you have the ability to do, use it For more information, email alwordej@nsuok.edu

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NSU Hall of Fame welcomes new inductees

JAmEs BAgWELL
TNE WRITER NSU Athletic Department announced they will add four more names to the NSU Hall of Fame. The 2012 NSU Hall of Fame banquet will be 11 a.m. Feb. 9, in the University Center ballroom. At that time Kelli Thomson Collins, John W. Dull, Joe Green, and Eddie E. Shafer will be inducted into the NSU Athletic Hall of Fame. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor that the NSU athletic department can bestow upon a person. said Scott Pettus, assistant athletic director. Everyone who is inducted must meet a certain criteria in one of three categories, athletic, coaching or merit of service. The NSU Athletic Hall of Fame has inducted nearly 150 people since the award began in 1986, and includes former players, coaches and support personnel that have been key parts in the success of NSU athletics. To achieve this honor can be incredibly fulfilling and surprising for some who receive it. This feels like a great honor, said Green. This is the second time that I have been nominated to be in the Hall of Fame, and I was surprised to hear that I was being inducted. Green lettered in football, baseball, and track as a student at NSU, a feat that is almost unheard of in college athletes today. Green spent three years as the starting quarterback for the Redmen from 1974 to 1976. I know I would be excited to be in the Hall of Fame. said Gracjan Szuba, Sopot Poland senior. I have made a lot of great friends as a student athlete, and I have learned a lot about the game as well. Coach Gipson has a lot of knowledge about basketball that he is passing on to his players. It would just be really exciting to be a part of history like that. After years out of college, the inductees had some wisdom to share with current student athletes as well. Obtaining such an accomplishment can take years of hard work, dedication and commitment. For many though, this award makes it all worth it. You commit yourself to a college and you give it everything you got, said Dull. They are giving you an opportunity to do what you love while getting a college education. You should give them nothing less than playing with your whole heart. Dull played his freshman season at Missouri State University. He then went into the service where he spent the next three years as a U.S. Army Paratrooper. Dull was recruited to NSU in the middle of the 19541955 season. He lettered for three years as a Redmen basketball player, and was the second leading scorer in the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference during the 1955 1956 season. Shafer graduated in 1966 but that did not keep him from holding the NSU record for strikeouts in a single season for the next 41 years. Collins had a perfect singles season in 1994 with a record of 250. For more information, email bagwellj@nsuok.edu

Tennis coach returns to alma mater

ZACh TuCkER
TNE WRITER The RiverHawk tennis team is led by new head coach Amanda Stone in 2013. Stone graduated from NSU in 2007 and was a three-year member of the tennis team. Stone transferred from Eastern Oklahoma College after her sophomore year. Her freshman year, Stone competed at Oral Roberts University. Stone played basketball at both institutions. Switching from basketball to tennis allowed Stone to gain another year of eligibility at NSU and she found much success in her final three seasons of college athletics. After graduation, Stone headed north to Kansas City where she worked three years for Garmin Navigation, and then decided she wanted to pursue a career in coaching. I realized I wanted to get back into athletics, specifically coaching college tennis, said Stone. Stone took an assistant coaching job at Division III Rochester University in Rochester, N.Y. where she coached mens and womens tennis from fall 2012 to fall 2013. Stone made her way back to Tahlequah after long time coach Ron Cox retired in the fall. I had a job agency that notified me when coaching jobs opened up and I saw the NSU job was open and contacted the athletic department and things just fell into place, said Stone. This is Stones first head coaching job. She says she could not be happier to be back at NSU to coach at her alma mater.

Zachary Tucker/TNE NSU President Dr. Steve Turner and wife Penny met with the womens tennis team Jan. 22 at the presidents house. The RiverHawks will kick off their season Feb. 1 at Harding University in Searcy, Ark.

I didnt expect to return to NSU this soon, but I am excited to coach this great group of ladies, said Stone. The RiverHawks will open play Feb. 1 in Searcy, Ark. at Harding University. The women did not compete in any matches this fall and have worked hard this spring to prepare for the season. We have been working hard on our doubles and singles play along with conditioning this

spring, said Ivana Belejova, senior captain. Coach brought new drills and ideas that have really improved our games. A new strength and condition program was introduced to the ladies that should benefit the RiverHawks. The team also visits indoor facilities in Claremore and Broken Arrow to beat the unpredictable Oklahoma weather. The indoor facilities are a sign that Coach wants this team to be

successful, said Kate Nesbitt, Missouri freshman. Coach Stone plans to bring a new style of aggressive doubles play to the plate this season called RiverHawk Doubles. All doubles combos will be equally leveled on the court. It is a big change, but we are training ourselves to be as aggressive as possible in doubles play, said Stone. After their first match at Hard-

ing, the ladies will head to Arkadelphia, Ark. to face North Central Texas College, Drury and Ouachita Baptist Feb. 8 and 9. I have a lot of confidence in all our girls and hopefully we can start playing well by crunch time in April, said Stone. The RiverHawks and Stone work daily to gain an edge on the competition in 2013. For more information contact tuckerz@nsuok.edu.

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