Cameron Magazine Spring 2014

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Dear Alumni and Friends:

One of the best things about being on a university campus is that there is always something to attend for learning, engagement, or enjoyment. There are hundreds of classes, visual and performing arts events, intercollegiate and intramural athletics competitions, and dozens of seminars, club meetings, workshops, and speaking engagements. You will see a sampling of that array of activities in this issue of Cameron Magazine. We celebrated academic excellence during our annual Convocation ceremony and just a few weeks later, I was honored and humbled to be formally installed as Cameron’s 17th president. On Veterans Day we recognized our service members’ contributions and sacrifices including those of some of our own students. Finally, we closed the semester by celebrating the holidays as a community on our campuses in Lawton and in Duncan.

Cameron’s overall mission is to provide a top quality education at an exceptional value. Our dedication to providing a quality education was recognized this fall when our School of Business degree programs were reaccredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. I am very proud to share that Cameron University continues to hold a berth in the category of “Least Debt” in the annual Best Colleges rankings provided by U.S News & World Report. Last year, 64% of our graduating students had no debt.

Cameron graduates have greater opportunities to pursue their dreams and passions when repayment of student loans is not their primary concern. The financial support of so many donors, alumni, and friends make this possible for our students. In this issue, Debra Burch shares why she and the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce supported the university by establishing the Shelia O. Lee Scholarship. We are truly appreciative of their continuing aid and friendship.

This issue features student Sarah Darling who found a passion in both art and science. Ms. Darling shares her path to finding the best of both worlds. We celebrate the accomplishments of our faculty. Art faculty member Monika Linehan and psychology faculty member Dr. Jenel Cavazos were honored with the Harold and Elizabeth Hackler Teaching Excellence Award in November. This issue shares news of recent national recognition for George McCormick, assistant professor in the Department of English and Foreign Languages. Our alumni and friends are also a source of pride. I know you will enjoy reading about the inductees of the Class of 2014 Athletics Hall of Fame. For those of you who have not been on campus recently, I trust that you will find the pictorial of the campus transformation particularly interesting.

The faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of Cameron University are dedicated to the educational, cultural, and economic advancement of the communities we serve. I hope you will find evidence of that dedication in the following pages. Thank each of you for your interest in and support of Cameron University. I hope to see you on one of our campuses this spring.

Sincerely,

John McArthurPresident

Message from the President

1EVERY STUDENT. EVERY STORY.

Cameron Magazine is published in the spring and fall by Cameron University’s offices of Public Affairs and Alumni Relations. For more information, call (580) 581-2211 or (580) 581-2988, or email [email protected].

All contents © 2013 Cameron University.

This publication, printed by Cameron University Printing Services, is issued by Cameron University. 3,000 copies have been prepared and distributed at a cost of $1.45 each to the taxpayers of the State of Oklahoma. This institution, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services. Accommodations on the basis of disability are available by contacting the Office of Student Development at (580) 581-2209 or by e-mail at [email protected]. (12/2013)

President:John McArthur

Director of Alumni Relations:

Jennifer McGrail

Senior Director of Public Affairs:Josh Lehman

Director of Media Relations/Managing Editor: Janet E. Williams

Graphic Designers: Karyn HughesCiera Schibi

Editorial Assistant: Marty McCoy

Contributors: Tiffany Martinez

Don Vieth

Photographers: Bill AdamsJeff Dixon

Karyn HughesJennifer McGrail

Ann MorrisMichael PopeCiera Schibi

Janet E. Williams

Inside This

ISSUE Spring 2014 Volume 11, Issue1

CAMERONM AGAZINE

8 The Installation of President John McArthur A pictorial look at the installation ceremony of Cameron’s 17th president

10 Veterans Day 2013 Cameron pays homage to members of the U.S. Armed Forces

12 Finding the Art in Science Art major Sarah Darling utilizes her creative talents to demonstrate her love of science

16 The Hackler Award for Teaching Excellence Faculty members Dr. Jenel Cavazos and Monika Linehan receive Cameron’s highest faculty honor

22 Cameron PLUS Spotlighting four members of Cameron’s PLUS program

25 Why I Give/How A Donor Helped Me Debra Burch of the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce and Victoria Orndorff describe the personal impact of a donation to Cameron University

24 Sharing the Spirit Cameron and the Lawton Arts & Humanities Council celebrate southwest Oklahoma’s Native American heritage

26 Inspired to Write, Inspired to Teach George McCormick on how he draws inspiration from everyday life

28 And the Award Goes To... The Cameron University Alumni Association announces its 2014 honorees

FEATURES

Campus Update ...... 2Athletics ................14

Alma Matters ................ 32 In Memoriam ................ 35

DEPARTMENTS

18 On The Cover: Take a Look at Cameron Now! CU Alumni weigh in on Cameron’s campus transformation!

Campus UpdateTM

The Bachelor of Accounting, Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees offered by the School of Business have been awarded re-accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Accreditation is granted for 10 years. Cameron’s programs have been accredited since 2001.

“This re-accreditation by ACBSP reinforces Cameron’s commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and scholarship,” says Dr. John Camey, Dean of the School of Business. “We will continue to focus

on student learning in order to ensure that graduates of Cameron’s School of Business receive a top quality education that will prepare them to take their place in the business community.”

School of Business degree programs receive reaffirmation of accreditation by Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Dr. Ronna Vanderslice, Vice President for Academic Affairs, welcomes attendees to Cameron’s annual Convocation ceremony, a celebration of academic excellence. Students Florencia Tornero, Rebecca Espinosa, Hailey Harris and Colten Kennedy spoke during the ceremony, sharing their Cameron experiences.

Junior Miriah Kuch of Lawton, a member of Cameron’s Army ROTC battalion, was selected to carry the academic gonfalon representing the Department of Psychology during Convocation.

C O N V O C A T I O N 2 0 1 3

2 CAMERON UNIVERSITY

Mrs. Audelle Owen, wife of the late former president Don Owen, shares memories of Cameron House with Jennifer McGrail, Director of Alumni Relations, during an open house at Cameron House in the fall. The Owens were the first residents of Cameron House.

Students attending CU-Duncan are now utilizing the recreation center at Duncan’s Simmons Center (SC) at no charge, thanks to a partnership agreement between Cameron

University and The Simmons Center. CU-Duncan students now have access to a physical fitness center comparable to Cameron’s Aggie Rec Center in Lawton.

Cameron continues to excel at keeping student debt to a minimum, according to “U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2014.” Cameron is ranked ninth in the category of Least Debt, Class of 2012, among the 193 universities surveyed in the West region of those designated as Regional Universities and is 17th among all 621 Regional Universities surveyed. Significantly, only 36 percent of Cameron graduates incurred debt, the lowest percentage in the West region and seventh lowest of all Regional Universities.

Since academic year 2001-02, Cameron has increased resident tuition waivers and scholarship funding by almost 300 percent, from $756,000 to this year’s $2,208,100. In addition, the Cameron University Foundation will provide almost $300,000 in scholarship funding this year. Foundation scholarships are made possible through the generosity of donors who earmark their contributions specifically to benefit students through scholarship funding.

Ekanem Ekpenyong, a communication major from Nigeria, was one of the students who performed during the sixth annual International Student Scholarship Banquet. Proceeds from the annual event are used for an international student scholarship fund.

Cameron University earns berth in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2014 “Least Debt” rankings

Partnership between Cameron University and The Simmons Center benefits CU-Duncan students


Campus UpdateTM

Cameron has been selected by G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School® for the fourth consecutive year.

This honor places Cameron in the top 20 percent of colleges,

universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students.

“We are honored that Cameron University’s efforts to serve our service members and their families have resulted in designation as a Military Friendly School® for the fourth year in a row,” says Cameron President John McArthur. “Our commitment to serve those who serve our country is one of the action items in Cameron’s current long-range strategic plan, ‘Plan 2018: Values Driven, Action Oriented.’ It is gratifying to know that our actions are being recognized on a national level.”

Cameron University recognized as Military Friendly School® for fourth consecutive year

The Cameron University Alumni Association hosted a Root Beer Float party for students and alumni to kick off the fall semester. CUAA President Jessica Champagne (center) and board members Rhonda Mahaffey and Gordon Shaw were part of the alumni volunteers.


Legendary coach Ted Owens returned to campus last fall to sign copies of his book, “At the Hang-Up: Seeking Your Purpose, Running the Race, Finishing Strong.” Owens coached Aggie men’s basketball and baseball from 1956 to 1960. Under his leadership, the basketball team was ranked number one in the nation in 1958 and the baseball program nabbed the NJCAA National Championship in 1958.

T E D O W E N S

Dr. Joanni Sailor, assistant professor of psychology, was one of five individuals appointed to the transition team for the new State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure. The board, which became active on November 1, is a new composite body overseeing the licensure of

marital and family therapists, professional counselors, and behavioral practitioners.

Coordinator of diversity affairs Taylor Thompson has been named Miss Black Oklahoma USA 2014. She will represent her home state at the national Miss Black USA Pageant in Washington, D.C. next August. Thompson, a CU alumna, was named

to the state title as a Delegate-At-Large following an interview and evaluation process, as there is no Oklahoma state pageant.

Dr. Wendy N. Whitman Cobb, assistant professor of political science, is the author of “Unbroken Government: Success and the Illusion of Failure in Policymaking,” a 204-page examination of the U.S. government. The book presents a positive message about the United States

government by exploring the influence of presidents, the Congress, and bureaucracies in making policy.

Vicki Henson, coordinator of veterans affairs, was elected president of the Western Association of Veterans Education Specialists (WAVES) last fall. The organization serves the needs and interests of veterans, faculties and administrators at institutions of

higher education. Henson was elected during the association’s annual conference in late July and will serve a two-year term. She previously served as the organization’s president from 2007-09.

Vicki Henson

Dr. Wendy N. Whitman Cobb

STAFF & FACULTY NEWS

Taylor Thompson

Dr. Joanni Sailor

Dr. Terry Conley, Dean of the School of Science and Technology, was elected to serve as president-elect of the Oklahoma Academy of Science at the organization’s Technical Meeting in November. Following the completion of his

two-year term, which began January 1, 2014, Conley will serve as president of the organization. Conley first became involved with OAS in 1976 when he was an undergraduate student at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Since then, he has attended numerous OAS technical meetings and field meetings. Conley played a significant role in OAS’s recent annual technical meeting and the concurrent Wichita Mountains Symposium, which were held at Cameron last fall.

Dr. Terry Conley


Campus UpdateTM

Short stories by Dr. Hardy Jones included in new anthology

Two short stories penned by Dr. Hardy Jones, associate professor in the Department of English and Foreign Languages, have been included in “Southern Gothic: New Tales of the South,” an anthology of short stories, poems and original art. Jones’ contributions are “A New Bike for Little Mike” and “Visitin’ Cormierville.” Both deal with Cajun characters in the throes of physical, emotional, and spiritual crises.

Dr. Abbas Johari, professor in the Department of Computing and Technology, was honored with two awards by the Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT) during the

organization’s annual International Convention last fall. Johari received the Presidential Award in recognition of his excellent service to the Educational Technology Research and Development (ETR&D) Journal. He has served as editor of the International Review section of the journal for 10 years and is also a consulting editor for the Development section. In addition, he was honored with the International Division Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding service to the division.

Claudia Edwards, graduate coordinator for the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, is the co-author of a new educational book, “Engaging Teachers in Classroom Walkthroughs.” The 170-page volume was

published by ASCD, the second-largest educational organization in the country, and is aimed at K-12 teachers and school administrators. Edwards and co-authors Donald Kachur and Judy Stout wrote the book as a follow-up to their 2010 volume, “Classroom Walkthroughs to Improve Teaching and Learning.”

Claudia Edwards

Dr. Abbas Johari

Sharon Rigsby Julie Kendall

Congratulations to Sharon Rigsby, administrative assistant for the School of Science and Technology, and Julie Kendall, enrollment specialist for the Office of the Registrar, on receiving the Fall 2013 Pickaxe Award.


Students, faculty, staff and community members gathered at both the Lawton and Duncan campuses to celebrate the holiday season in early December.

Ole Kim welcomed students, faculty, staff and community members to the Lawton festivities.

Cameron’s Centennial Singers provided entertainment at both events. Following their performance at CU-Duncan, President John McArthur (back row, right) joined the group for a festive photo.

The McMahon Centennial Complex and Bentley Gardens took on a distinctive holiday glow after the tree was lit.



the installation of

John M. McArthurOn October 23, 2013, President John McArthur was formally installed as Cameron’s 17th president. During the ceremony, he was saluted by Jessica Champagne, President, Cameron University Alumni Association; Lani Malcom, Chair, CU Staff Advisory Council; Dr. Mike Dunn, Chair, CU Faculty Senate; and Kevin Stieb, President, CU Student Government Association. Dr. Glen Johnson, Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and Richard R. Dunning, Chairman of the University of Oklahoma, Cameron University and Rogers State University Regents, conducted McArthur’s investiture.

Following the ceremony, held in Aggie Gym, attendees gathered at an outdoor reception in front of the Administration Building to congratulate President McArthur.

Dr. Glen Johnson, Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, spoke during the installation. During his remarks, he reminisced about his long-standing relationship with President McArthur which began when Johnson was president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University and McArthur was a member of the faculty.


President McArthur greets staff member Philip Kinslow following the installation ceremony.

Dr. Mike Dunn, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and chair, Faculty Senate, displays the university’s mace, which symbolizes the authority of the faculty in academic matters and the practice of shared governance within the university.

Richard R. Dunning (right), Chairman of the University of Oklahoma, Cameron University and Rogers State University Regents, places the presidential medallion around the neck of President John McArthur.

President John McArthur and his wife, Dr. Karla Oty, welcomed Dr. Don Davis, who served as Cameron’s 15th president, following the installation ceremony.

veterans day

celebration•2013•

Cameron’s annual Veterans Day observance in November 2013 recognized the sacrifices and contributions of the U.S. Armed Forces with a series of events aimed at honoring both active duty and retired service members.

During a special ceremony held in Veterans Grove, Cameron participated in the National Remembrance Roll Call, reading the names of those lives lost since last Veterans Day. Brigadier General Christopher F. Bentley, Commandant, Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, spoke about the sacrifices made by U.S. service members and veterans, referring to them as “heroes – past, present and future.” After the ceremony concluded, President John McArthur joined students, faculty, staff, and guests on Cameron’s first Remembrance Walk through campus to see the more than 6,750 American flags on display. Each flag represented a life lost in Iraq or Afghanistan.

President John McArthur welcomes Brigadier General Christopher F. Bentley, Commandant, Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, to the Veterans Day Ceremony.

RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF U.S. ARMED FORCES


1. Members of the Comanche Battalion, Cameron’s U.S. Army ROTC program, prepare to post the colors to signify the beginning of the university’s Veterans Day ceremony.

2. Albert Johnson, Jr., Vice President for University Advancement, chats with Cameron supporter LTC (Ret.) Jerry Orr. Both veterans of the U.S. Army, they each read names from the National Remembrance Roll Call during the Veterans Day ceremony. Cameron was especially honored to have Mr. Orr’s participation, as he was recently inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame.

3. Cameron students take the time to write a note of thanks to veterans on display boards that were posted throughout campus.

4. A student passing through Cameron Village pays homage to service members amid a field of American flags.

5. A bench commemorating the service of First Lieutenant Brandon Landrum was dedicated during the Veterans Day ceremony in Veterans Grove. 1LT Landrum was a 2011 Cameron graduate who was killed in May 2013 while serving in Afghanistan.

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SARAH DARLING FINDING THE ART IN SCIENCE

“I love science, but I love art,” she says. “I just want to have the best of both worlds.”

Darling often draws or paints while simultaneously listening to science documentaries. Quantum mechanics and astrophysics are her favorite branches of science – which is made evident by her artwork – and she accredits this fondness to a genetic predisposition.

“My dad is a scientist, and my mom is a graphic designer,” she says with a laugh. “I guess it’s pretty easy to see where my interests stemmed from. I have two younger sisters who are also very much into art and science.”

Between her supportive advisors, loving family and exceptional university, Darling says she feels driven and prepared to enter her senior year this fall.

“I had done research on other colleges, but I am so glad I picked Cameron,” Darling says. “It isn’t only affordable and close to home, but it’s developed me more than I ever thought possible. The artists and teachers here are really phenomenal. I didn’t expect it – at first I thought, ‘Oh, it’s art.’ But I’ve really come to realize that this is something way more intricate. The teachers are so knowledgeable – in all fields. They’ve made me 100 times better and 100 times smarter. The one-on-one interaction that you get here, you don’t get everywhere else. Cameron is amazing. The people here have very much inspired me to continue into my scientific studies and the arts.”

Last fall, her ability to combine her love for science with her artistic talent was on display during the month of October in Cameron’s Sciences

Complex. Darling’s graphic design, oil painting, gouache and colored pencil skills were all on display via 11 pieces of art that included exquisite portraits of Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking and Isaac Newton.

The exhibit was the first in a series of art exhibits in the Sciences Complex that will blur the lines between art and science.

“It was really an honor,” Darling says of being chosen as the first artist for the exhibition space. “Now people know the arts are here and they also know art students have other passions.”

“I LOVE SCIENCE, BUT I LOVE ART.

I JUST WANT TO HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.”

Some students arrive at Cameron knowing exactly what academic discipline they wish to tackle. Others are content to explore the possibilities for a couple of years before declaring a major. For junior Sarah Darling, the path to a degree was a bit more complicated.


Art professor Katherine Liontas-Warren gives Sarah a congratulatory hug at the exhibition opening.

Darling became an Aggie in the fall of 2010. She experienced quite a struggle during her first two years at Cameron while deciding exactly what path she should choose to travel. She ultimately decided - with the guidance of faculty members in the art department - that she needn’t limit herself to one path alone.

“My main focus on art is a very recent thing,” Darling says. “It happened during the summer. I was really trying to figure out who I am and what I want to do. I talked to my advisers a little bit. They helped me by simply listening, and by being themselves – because that encouraged me to be myself. And this is who I am, my goal is to tell people, ‘Here I am, I know science and I am an artist.’ Just because you excel in

“I AM SO GLAD I PICKED CAMERON...THE ARTISTS AND TEACHERS HERE ARE REALLY PHENOMENAL.”

one thing, doesn’t mean you cannot excel in another.” Darling relates that advisors Katherine Liontas-Warren and Monika Linehan taught her how to see and use her skills to define her view. For that, she is forever thankful.

“I want to be just like them,” Darling says, explaining her teachers helped her recognize that art was her first passion but not her only one. “They helped me understand what freedom I have through art. I can create whatever I want with a paper and brush!”

She also has another goal.

“I hope to get a master’s degree in art and teach at a university,” Darling says.

“Hopefully, I will encourage students the way they have encouraged me.”

–Tiffany Martinez


The Cameron University Athletics Hall of Fame will welcome five new inductees during a ceremony on Friday, February 28. Basketball player Larry Bennett, football player and later coach Fred Cheek, volleyball player Kelsey Kosick, boxer Gene Morgan and athletic director/coach Bill Shahan will take centerstage and join 40 previous honorees. The event takes place during Cameron’s annual slate of Homecoming activities.


Larry Bennett played basketball at Cameron from 1967 to 1971. Nicknamed “Sugar Bear,” he was the first player in Cameron basketball history to start for four years. He is fourth on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,599 points, averaging 15.5 per game. Since leaving Cameron, he recorded a 36-year coaching record of 726 wins and 484 losses, leading Oolagah to a state championship in 1994 and just missing out by finishing second in 2003. Bennett retired from coaching in 2007.

After playing football at Cameron in 1964-65, Fred Cheek returned as an assistant football coach and head track coach in 1969-70. As a player, he was named a Junior College Grid Wire All-American Halfback and led the nation in scoring with 134 points. Cheek rushed for 793 yards on 99 carries (averaging eight yards per carry) and helped lead the Aggies to an undefeated season, a number one ranking and a berth in the Junior Rose Bowl. He is currently a State Farm Insurance agent in Lawton.

C a m e r o n U n i v e r s i t y

At h l e t i c s Hall of FameClass of 2014

LARRY BENNETT FRED CHEEK

Bill Shahan’s 19-year tenure at Cameron, including three years as head basketball coach and three years as athletic director, were fraught with challenges. He experienced the transition from junior college to four-year college and the impact that change had on athletics, and also guided the Aggies through their first season in the Oklahoma Collegiate Conference. A dedicated athletics employee, Shahan paved the way for improved facilities so the Aggies could excel. He remains a devoted Aggie fan and a friend to the Cameron athletic department.


A member of the Aggie volleyball team from 2001 to 2003, Kelsey Kosick was an All-American in 2003, a three-time Lone Star Conference First Team Member and Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Year two seasons in a row. She is second in program history with 1,595

kills, fourth with 1,301 digs, and set the game high for kills in a match with 30 and digs in a match with 10. Kosick led the Aggies to NCAA Regional and LSC North Division titles. She now resides in Fort St. John, British Columbia, where she is a certified practitioner of rolfing, a holistic therapy system.

Gene Morgan started boxing for Cameron when he was just 14 years old, representing Cameron from 1948 to 1957. In that 10-year span, he fought 112 amateur fights, won four District Golden Gloves, three State Golden Gloves, and two State AAU titles. His boxing highlights include the 1953 National Golden Gloves Tournament, where he scored three first-round knockouts.

BILL SHAHAN

KELSEY KOSICK GENE MORGAN

Dr. Jenel Cavazos and Monika Linehan were honored with the Harold and Elizabeth

Hackler Teaching Excellence Award in November, joining an elite group of 24 previous recipients of Cameron’s most prestigious faculty honor. Alumni Harold and Elizabeth Hackler established the award through an endowed lectureship in 1996 in order to recognize and reward members of Cameron’s extraordinary faculty.

Cameron student Jacob Jardel introduced Cavazos, assistant professor of psychology. Jardel, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Behavioral Sciences, spoke of the impact Cavazos has on Cameron’s psychology students. “Her interactions with students exhibit a mutual respect that she uses to make class more advantageous and more enjoyable for everyone,”

he said. “She uses that discourse in general to make those things in which she is involved flow in a way that’s equal parts professional and colloquial.”

Jardel concluded his introduction of Cavazos by conveying that he was fortunate that Cavazos had been “an integral part of my Cameron experience.”

Accepting her award, Cavazos acknowledged her students, referring to them as “the most passionate, creative and innovative students ever. They have the spirit, heart and willingness to achieve their goals. They take everything we do in the classroom and make it into their own thing.”Cavazos also expressed her love of teaching by saying, “I am honored to be given the

HACKLER AWARD for Teaching Excellence

2013 Hackler Teaching Excellence Award honorees Dr. Jenel Cavazos (left) and Monika Linehan (right) are joined by Cameron University President John McArthur.


Previous Hackler Award recipients congratulate 2013 honorees Dr. Jenel Cavazos and Monika Linehan. Pictured from left to right are Dr. Ted Snider, Dr. Joanni Sailor, Dr. Ramona Hall, Dr. Jenel Cavazos, Monika Linehan, Dr. Sarah Janda, Dr. Mary Dzindolet, Dr. Mike Husak and Dr. David Fennema.

opportunity to teach our students every day. I don’t think of myself as being a great teacher. I go into the classroom and do what I do.”

She continued by saying that she believed all teachers should have an excitement for the field of study they teach. “I love psychology,” Cavazos said. “I hope that shows in what I do in the classroom on a daily basis.”

Cavazos concluded her acceptance by saying, “The best teachers I ever had were very easy to talk to. I try to make sure I’m approachable and easy to talk to. I tell my students about things I’ve done wrong and mistakes I’ve made. I want them to know that I’m vulnerable – I’m no different than they are, I just have more knowledge and experience that I can share.”

CU student Manda Shae Dickinson introduced Linehan, associate professor of art. Dickinson is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In introducing Linehan, Dickinson likened art students to a sketch and art teachers to the artists who are refining them. “As time passes, layers of paint are added…I’m a painting well-nurtured. I want to thank this woman (Linehan) – a professor and an artist who treats every student as a masterpiece.”

Linehan, herself an alumna of the CU Department of Art, said she was thrilled to be a faculty member at Cameron. “I was part of the art department in its infancy. As a student, I got so much out of my education here. I am so fortunate now to be able to give back to the university and to my students.

She explained that because the art curriculum deals with teaching creativity and artistic thinking – both abstract

concepts – she strives to be a role model and a mentor. “I want to know my students as individuals. I take the time to get to know them. That’s really important. I can find out what their strengths and weaknesses are. It can be difficult to try to teach each student individually, yet I tailor my courses to the needs of the students in that class each semester.”

She also shared her teaching philosophy. “To be a successful teacher, you have to be adaptable and flexible,” Linehan said. “You have to challenge each student to push the limit of their artistic potential. This approach is not always easy. It’s challenging, but it’s really worth it when you see the end result, when you see that breakthrough. To play a role in student success, no matter how small that role, is the ultimate reward for teaching.”

- Janet E. Williams



When the Cameron University Alumni Association (CUAA) wanted to find a way to take CU alumni for a stroll down memory lane, they realized that social media was the key. Over the course of the Fall 2013 semester, Cameron’s Office of Alumni Relations has posted “before and after” photos of campus on the CUAA Facebook page. The effort has definitely engaged Cameron alumni, especially those who live outside the Lawton-Fort Sill community and have not been able to visit campus in years. Many, in fact, have not returned to campus since they graduated, and they are amazed at the transformation.

“One of the things we hear most from alumni who have been back recently is how much campus has changed,” says Jessica Champagne, president, CUAA. “We realized we could take these changes directly to our alumni by utilizing social media. Whether the alum graduated 5, 10, 25, or even 50 years ago or more, our posts are

refreshing memories and showing how the Cameron campus has truly changed over the years.”

Jennifer McGrail, director of the Office of Alumni Relations, says that the posts have allowed her office to expand its interaction with alumni. “It’s wonderful to see the comments that are posted,” McGrail says. “We’ve been able to capture stories and memories that might otherwise have been lost over time. We’ve also sent additional information about how the university is thriving to a host of alumni, many of whom have joined the CUAA, which in turn has drawn more attendees to CUAA events.”

Cameron Magazine is pleased to feature a sampling of the photos posted on Facebook and some of the comments received.


How’s this for a before and after? Pictured on top is the Clarence L. Davis Memorial Student Union as it appeared shortly after opening in 1962 and in the center the building as it appears today – the Academic Commons. The renovation turned the former student union into a state-of-the-art facility that houses Cameron’s convergence media program, classrooms and the Sarkeys Foundation Computer Lab.

While the building known as the Clarence L. Davis Memorial Student Union has changed, the elements contained within - the food court, book store, and recreational area still exist under that name. They were greatly expanded and moved into the McMahon Centennial Complex (bottom), the hub of student activities on campus. The facility also houses the McCasland Ballroom, which is utilized by community members throughout the year for meetings, workshops, wedding receptions, high school proms and so much more.

“I had some great memories at the Student Union from being a kid hanging in the Student Union talking with one of the employees from the bookstore of my dream of building a bubble house under water to playing spades and some studying during my own college years. Lots of awesome memories!” -Judy Dunn, B.B.A., 1990

“The old one was a good study spot but the new MCC is awesome.” -Kevin Chandler, B.A., 2009

“The old student union was the place to be in my day – playing spades for hours on end, talking with friends and general bull.” -Joan E. Gardiner, B.M., 1973

If you’re looking for before and after photos that does the most to depict Cameron’s transformation, here they are! Both were taken from the roof of North Shepler. In 1974 – and up until 2008, the area depicted was an asphalt parking lot. Much to the dismay of students, faculty and staff, the parking lot was demolished, and in the course of a year, an amazing transformation took place. In Fall 2009, asphalt became oasis with the Bentley Gardens. As for all those dismayed students, faculty and staff members, they quickly embraced the change!

“When I dropped my son off at Shepler to begin his freshman year, I kept saying, ‘No, really! This used to be a big ugly parking lot.” – Karen Kelley Loman, B.A., 1987

“The campus is absolutely beautiful! Almost makes me want to go back to school…almost. LOL! “ – Judy Dunn, B.B.A., 1990

“I was there in 1974! Great memories!” – Judy M. Chapman, A.A.S., 1973; B.S., 1985; M.B.S., 1991

“Good to see the campus growing.” – William Rojas, B.S., 1995

“Great to see CU growing and thriving.” – Kevin Chandler, B.A., 2009

“What! When did Cameron get a pond/little lake? I am so old! Long live the class of 1984!” – Robert Hennessy, B.S., 1984


Connect with the Cameron University Alumni Association on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cameronalumni or by scanning the QR code.

1963 Cameron Hall

1963 north Hall 1963 south Hall

2013 cameron village

2013 shepler center


When Cameron opened as a high school in 1908, many students resided on campus, resulting in a variety of residential structures throughout Cameron’s 100-plus years. In 1963, residential students had the options of living in Cameron Hall, North Hall or South Hall. Today, students living on campus have the choice between Shepler Center which offers traditional single and double occupancy rooms, or Cameron Village, which offers the comforts of apartment-style living with the convenience of on-campus housing.

“When I first started at Cameron, I think all that was left was South Hall, and you could see it was repurposed as storage. You could see mattresses in the windows, just piled upon each other. I love the campus now! So beautiful!” – Jennifer Beaty Godinez, B.A., 1998; B.S., 2008

“It warms my heart and makes me miss my grandparents (Ned and May Shepler). So glad my dad (Don Bentley) could do so much in their honor and to help the school. I still regret not coming to the ceremony for the gardens when they released the butterflies.” – Tisha May Bentley, attended 1992-1993

“Lived in Shepler from Fall of ’85 through spring of ’87. Great memories. Except for carrying large art projects across campus in the blowing snow. That I do not miss. LOL.” – Fred Andrew Simpson, attended 1985-1988.

“Wow…I recall a music appreciation class in South Hall.” – James Oates, B.S., 1975

pluspresidential leaders and university scholars

One of Cameron’s most coveted student honors is acceptance into the Presidential Leaders and University Scholars program. The four-year PLUS scholarship is awarded to outstanding high school seniors who excel in the areas of academics, leadership, involvement and community service. The PLUS program offers students the opportunity to participate in a four-year leadership development program aimed at shaping tomorrow’s leaders. Several PLUS scholars have provided comments about what participation in the program means to them.

For more information on the PLUS Program, or how to support the program, please visit www.cameron.edu/PLUS or email [email protected]

Cameron PLUS students spruce up an elementary school playground during the 2013 Day of Caring.


PLUS scholars celebrated the holiday season with a toy drive.PLUS students attend a leadership retreat where a “trust fall” is one of the many activities involved.

PLUS has given me a group to be connected to here on campus and has kept me motivated. The PLUS activity that has benefitted me the most is the requirement that we are involved in a campus organization. Through the Programming Activities Council, not only am I able to be involved here on campus but I am able to bring my family along with me. Another important benefit will be seen in my character. I will have learned how to be a great leader to and a benefit to my community.

Stacy Hill, third-year PLUS scholar

Being a PLUS scholar has given me the opportunity to speak with and learn from many leaders we have here on campus. It’s almost as if I have been receiving a how-to guide in becoming an active member in my future profession and community. One thing in particular that will always be a part of me because of PLUS is my increased drive - a drive not just to be successful, but to be satisfied in my accomplishments.

Cameron Brewer, fourth-year PLUS scholar

The experience in PLUS lets me know I’m not alone through my college experience. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to get involved in the community, which provides hands-on experience, an opportunity to learn new things, and interaction with others. It makes me appreciate all that I have, and it really shows me how something as simple as pitching in can make a difference. I hope the experience I gain will shape me into a better leader.

Macy Garcia, first-year PLUS scholar

Being a PLUS student is important because I am learning to become a better leader. By learning new techniques, leadership theories and ideas, and other PLUS students’ own ideas, I’m on my way to being the person I want to be. I feel like I’m getting to know my community better, and this could lead to my community involvement even beyond my years in PLUS.

Elissa Broadaway, second-year PLUS scholar


Cameron partnered with the Lawton Arts & Humanities Council (LAHC) to present Sharing The Spirit 2013-14, a series of events celebrating Native American heritage in southwest Oklahoma.

During the kick-off event, a reception and exhibition of the Cameron University Foundation’s John C. Paynter Collection of Native American Art, Billie Whipp, LAHC directior, and Dr. Von Underwood, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts, discuss the work of Comanche artist Tim Saupitty.

Sharing the Spirit 2013-14 also featured “The Beat of Tribal Drums and the Dance of the Comanche People,” a workshop focusing on Native American powwow etiquette hosted by Eleanor McDaniel. Jared Wahkinney, Head Man Dancer for the workshop, leads participants through the steps of a social dance that is popular at powwows throughout the Southwest.

Kiowa artists Robert Redbird, Jr., (left) and Robert Redbird, accompanied by Joquetta Redbird, attended the exhibition. They are pictured in front of a painting by Redbird, Jr.


“The Shelia O. Lee Endowed Scholarship is greatly helping me pursue my education! With the scholarship, I was able

to purchase my supplies and textbooks to prepare me for my classes. Receiving this scholarship has been an incredible honor for me, and I hope to continue this next year with

Cameron University.”

“The Shelia O. Lee Scholarship is a source of great pride for the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce. It was funded by members of the Chamber as well as friends and business colleagues of Shelia Lee who wanted to memorialize Shelia’s lifelong love of learning and leadership contribution to the business community. With this scholarship being awarded to a business student, we are able to support an educated workforce and the dreams of future business leaders.”

DEBRA BURCH is the president and CEO of the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce. In addition to taking the lead in establishing the Shelia O. Lee Endowed Scholarship in 2011, the Chamber is also a member of President’s Partners.

WHY I GIVE

HOW A DONOR HELPED ME

VICTORIA ORNDORFF is a sophomore business major from Lawton. She is the recipient

of the Shelia O. Lee Endowed Scholarship.

www.cameron.edu/cu_foundation

If you want to help Cameron students achieve their academic

goals, contact the Office of University Advancement.

580-581-2999SCAN THE QR CODE TO GIVE TODAY!



uccessful writing calls for a successful drawing of inspiration,” says George

McCormick, assistant professor in the department of English and Foreign Languages.

This drawing of inspiration, he attests, comes in spurts from various activities, experiences and routines. It has never come so often and so naturally for him until now.

“I’ve gotten a lot of work done here in Lawton,” McCormick says, “Writing-wise, it’s been a place of great success.”

So great, in fact, that McCormick was honored earlier this year with the 2013 PEN/O. Henry Award for his short story, “The Mexican.” The PEN/O. Henry Award is accorded to the 20 best short

stories published in English in U.S. and Canadian magazines during the previous year. And if claiming that prestigious honor isn’t enough, McCormick also managed to complete, edit and market his first novel, “Inland Empire.”

Constant reading, university atmosphere and cross-country adventures have served as the greatest contributors to his most recent accomplishments.

“I always tell my creative writing students: There is no writing without reading,” McCormick says. “You have to be a vivacious reader in order to write.

Where some people have talked about that anxiety of influence – where they

don’t want to sound too much like what they’re reading – I teach my students the exact opposite. You should want to sound like somebody you admire, or you should try techniques that you admire in somebody else’s work.” A member of the Cameron faculty since 2010, McCormick also teaches freshman composition and popular fiction courses.

“Being a teacher has allowed me to stay around what I love,” McCormick says. “Day in and day out, I can think about and talk about and read about the things that I love and get paid for it. I’m absolutely blessed. The satisfaction I’ve had here – whether it’s teaching individuals who are first-generation college students, having mothers in my classroom and non-traditional students and people that have always been told they cannot get a college education and seeing them work as hard as they do - it’s incredible. To be at a university that is honestly so progressive, I love it. I take a lot of inspiration from my students.”

Reaching out to students and exploring the Lawton community has afforded him new strengths and perspectives to incorporate in his works. He chose Lawton as the setting for his forthcoming novel.

“I’m interested in writing about places like this,” McCormick says. “If I’m writing about an area that I live in, it’s a way to engage in it.”

McCormick, who has lived on both coasts and throughout the Midwest, admits he is still adjusting to life in the heartland. He finds that witnessing the contrast of lifestyles and culture throughout is a great benefit in his line of work.

“Traveling has always been important to me,” McCormick says. “I’ve traveled a lot by bus and by train. Outside of the upper northeast, I don’t think there’s an inch of public railroad track that I haven’t traveled on. Traveling kind of wakes you up to the world. All of a sudden things look new to you. By bus, I’ve had a chance to see how other Americans live – people that don’t have a lot of money or people that have two kids and all of their stuff with them. I’ve seen the country kind of dramatized on the bus in ways that regular middle class America never sees, and that’s made an impression on me.”

Like any good writer, he incorporates those impressions in his work. “Traveling is a huge part of what I write about. My characters are constantly picking up and going places. They’re always on the move. I think I like writing about that because it’s sort of adventurous but on the other hand, there is so much uncertainty. That always makes for an interesting story when people are out of their safety zone.”

McCormick has found a safety zone of his own at Cameron and in Lawton. The inspiration that keeps coming his way will no doubt manifest itself in more award-winning fiction. His students will also benefit.

“I’m looking forward to working along with Dr. Bayard Godsave and Dr. Hardy Jones to make our English department as strong as it can be,” McCormick says. “We’re establishing a well-earned reputation as a place for writers to come to, and that excites me.”

– Tiffany Martinez

“S



The Cameron University Alumni Association (CUAA) is pleased to announce the honorees of the 2014 CUAA Awards, bestowed annually on alumni and faculty.

The recipients will be feted at a ceremony during Homecoming Week.

Cameron University Alumni Association honors Alumni & Faculty

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Now in his 23rd year of service to Cameron University, Dr. Leon Fischer has become one of Cameron’s most respected faculty members. For Fischer, students come first.

“Dr. Fischer has demonstrated in his many years with Cameron that he can be more than just a teacher of men and women,” says student Pershon Davis. “He has set the example for others to follow in that it takes hard work and devotion to the job to become a leader, supervisor and mentor.”

Student Courtney Landoll says, “He takes the time to listen to what we have to say and always gives good advice. He pushes us to do well, not only in the classroom and campus activities, but in our lives as well.”

“Working and interacting with our students has been the truly special part of being a university faculty member,” Fischer says. “It has always been my goal to know who my students are and what their interests and goals are early on. I have always tried to impress on my students that we never quit learning and that we should learn something new every day of our lives.”

Not only has Benson Warren played an integral role in the growth of Cameron’s Department of Art, he has been equally influential in the university’s growth for the past 40 years. His knowledge, expertise in his field and contributions to the university have made a positive and lasting impact on the lives of his students, his peers and both the Cameron and Lawton communities.

Monika Linehan, a fellow faculty member and a CU alumna who was one of Warren’s students, has high praise for him. “Having known Benson for close to 40 years in the roles of teacher, mentor, fellow faculty member and friend, I can honestly speak to his competence, effectiveness and dedication to the teaching profession, the students and this university.”

Known for his expertise in bronze and iron casting, Warren has exhibited his work nationally in major invitational and juried exhibitions and has received numerous awards for his artwork. During the 1980s, he coordinated a series of artist-in-residence workshops in which nationally renowned sculptors created large-scale outdoor works with the participation of Cameron art students. Not only did this result in a rich and unique learning experience for the students, it was the start of Cameron’s outdoor sculpture collection.

Throughout his career, Warren has selflessly given of his time and expertise for the betterment of Cameron University. He has served multiple terms, often in a leadership capacity, on numerous significant university committees. His service was recognized in 2010 when he received the first Excellence and Innovation in University Service Award.

Dr. Leon Fischer Chair, Department of Agriculture

Mary Dixie Mullin Endowed Chair in Sciences

School of Science and Technology

Benson WarrenProfessor of ArtSchool of Liberal Arts

FACULTY HALL OF FAME

The Faculty Hall of Fame Award honors current or retired faculty and emphasizes teaching effectiveness, positive impact on students’ lives and involvement at Cameron outside of the classroom and in the community.


Arriving at Cameron College in 1960, Lonny Morrison excelled both on the football field and in the classroom. He served as class president, ROTC company commander, a member of the Student Senate and captain of the football team. After receiving an Associate of Arts degree from Cameron, he earned a B.A. from Washburn University, an M.B.A. from Oklahoma State University and a law degree from the University of Texas.

A member of Cameron’s 1961 national champion football team, Morrison was instrumental in the 2011 establishment of the Cameron University Foundation’s Endowed Scholarship of the 1961 Junior Rose Bowl and National Championship Football Team.

Morrison became a highly successful attorney with his own firm, Morrison & Shelton. His service to his profession was twice recognized by the State Bar of Texas, with the Presidents’ Award, the highest honor awarded by the Bar to recognize exemplary service.

He served in leadership roles for numerous organizations, including the State Bar of Texas, the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association, the Texas Bar Foundation (of which he is a Fellow), and the Texas Commission for Lawyer Discipline. He is also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

Retiring from his law practice in 2006, Morrison now operates Testa Rossa Ranch, Ltd. and Offenhauser Oil & Gas, LLC, an active exploration company.

Commander (Ret.) Joseph LawrencePharmD, MBA, BCPS, FAPhA, MSC, U. S. Navy

Lonny Morrision Class of 1962

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to Cameron alumni who are 40 years of age or older. The Outstanding Young Alumni Award is presented to Cameron alumni who are 39 years of age or younger. The awards are presented to alumni who have made significant contributions to society and whose accomplishments and careers have brought credit to Cameron in one or more of the following areas: by distinguishing themselves in their careers, in service to their community, or through continued support of Cameron University.

Although his time as a Cameron student was relatively short, attending CU from Summer 1990 to Summer 1992, Joseph Lawrence has gone on to maximize the educational background he received as an Aggie. After completing his general education requirements, Lawrence left Cameron to pursue a degree in pharmacy.

Prior to his recent retirement, Lawrence had risen to a top leadership position in the Department of Defense. A member of the U.S. Navy, he served as the director of the Department of Defense Pharmacoeconomic Center, where he oversaw the direct operational support for all DoD pharmacy points of service, including more than 57,000 military, community/retail and mail-order pharmacies. Lawrence also served as the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) for the Uniform Formulary Beneficiary Advisory Panel, which reviews and comments on the development of the Uniform Formulary by the DoD Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.

He is board-certified in Pharmacotherapy by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties and a Fellow of the American Pharmacist Association. Among the many honors he has been accorded throughout his distinguished career are the Navy Junior Pharmacist of the Year, the Navy Specialty Leader Award and numerous Navy and Marine accolades.


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Jennifer Meason attended Cameron University as a Regional University Baccalaureate Scholar, pursing a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in marketing and a minor in communications. Recognized as one of Cameron’s Top 20 Students, she began an internship with Cotton Electric Cooperative during her senior year that has resulted in a fulfilling career in the utility industry. She is currently Cotton Electric’s Vice President of Marketing and also serves as Chief Operating Officer at CESI, a company subsidiary. She has shown her gratitude to Cameron by offering internships to CU students on several occasions.

Her contributions to Cotton Electric are lauded by CEO Warren Langford, who says, “Her academic background in business, marketing and communication has been a tremendous benefit to our customers. Because of Jennifer, our customer satisfaction rate is one of the highest in the industry.”

A member of the Walters Rotary Club, Meason served as the organization’s president in 2008. She remains active in numerous civic organizations throughout the state. Her professional affiliations include participation in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Management Internship Program and membership on the Touchstone Energy Strategic Communications Advisory Committee.

As Vice President and General Manager of Renal Solutions, Inc./SORB Technology Division, Steve Merchant is impacting lives every day. The company is an industry leader in the development of sorbent-based hemodialysis systems, and Merchant’s product research and development has played a significant role in that reputation.

Merchant received a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Cameron in 2000, then earned a Master of Science and a Ph.D., both in chemical engineering. He joined the Renal Solutions/SORB Technology in December 2007 as a product development project engineer. His research has resulted in the development of an FDA-approved sorbent device used with hemodialysis systems. He has also conducted research on medical devices as well as the area of materials/process.

He was promoted to his current position in August 2011, where his responsibilities include organization management and leadership, project management which includes multiple new product development projects under FDA-approved design controls, and intellectual property.

John J. Maholtz, Chief Operating Office of Renal Solutions, Inc., relates that Merchant “has earned an excellent reputation for his technical depth, problem-solving skills and relationship management abilities…There is no question that Dr. Merchant strives for excellence in everything that he does.”

Jennifer MeasonClass of 2000

Steve MerchantClass of 2000

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNI



Alma MattersAlumni who received more than one degree are listed by year of their first degree. Those who

attended but did not graduate are listed under the year they would have graduated; or in some

cases, the last year they attended. If you have changed your address, have a new job or have

other news to share, contact the CU Alumni Office, 2800 W. Gore Blvd., Lawton, OK 73505,

580-581-2988, [email protected], or on the web at www.cameron.edu/alumni.

1950

Col. (Ret.), Walter H. Murphy (AA’53), Griffin, Ga., established the Mary Rule Murphy Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Oklahoma’s Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education with a gift of $100,000. The fund is in memory of Murphy’s late wife, Mary Rule Murphy.

Robert L. Westerman (AA’58), Stillwater, retired from Oklahoma State University’s faculty after a career of service and scientific discovery that has helped strengthen and diversify Oklahoma’s agricultural businesses and communities that rely on them.

1960

Joe M. Kinzer, Jr. (AA’60), Edmond, was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame. He served as president of Northern Oklahoma College from 1990-2008.

1970

Tom Ryan (BBA’72), Oklahoma City, was named executive vice president of marketing and business alliances by American Bank Systems.

Dr. Ed Legako (BS’74), Lawton, was named to the Board of Advocates for the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Kent Earnest (BA’74), Centerville, Ohio, published a book based on personal travels called, “Summer of ’65: The Adventures and Misadventures of a Teenage World Traveler.”

Rick Bryan (BBA’76), Blue Ash, Ohio, retired from the Cancer Support

Community. He served as the organization’s executive director for 10 years.

Edward A. Goeas, III (BA’76), Alexandria, Va., was a Republican pollster for the 2012 Presidential Election. He is a partner in The Tarrance Group, a Republican strategic research and polling firm.

Milton Sovo (BS’77), Apache, has been appointed as trustee to the Apache Town Board. Dr. Edward Shelton (BS’78), Saudi Arabia, Senior Executive Director of Saudi Aramco Oil Company in Dhahran, has authored two books, “Transformational Leadership” and “Discovering Leadership.”

Bill Burgess (BA’78), Lawton, was named to the Board of Advocates for the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Gary Jones (BBA’78), Cache, was guest speaker at the Chandler Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Kevin Potter (BS’79), Bartlesville, served as a judge for the Family Crisis and Counseling Center’s “Kick Up Her Heels” event.

1980

Arthur Patrick (BS’80), Lawton, was elected to the Great Plains Technology Center’s Board of Education.

Robert Johnston (BBA’81), Frederick, was inducted to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials to honor his 20 years as Frederick’s city manager and his three decades of work in city government.

Bill H. Clark (BBA’81), Ada, was named to the Citizens Bank of Ada board of directors.


Michael Cox (BA’83), Columbus, Ohio. performed with both the Cameron University Jazz Ensemble and the Cameron University/Lawton Community Jazz Ensemble during the Department of Music’s 2013 Jazz Festival Concert. Terry Salmon (BS’84), Moore, has been appointed by Gov. Mary Fallin to the Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development Board.

Mike Fullerton (AAS’86), Newcastle, is a member of the Newcastle City Council.

Leah Anne Books (BBA’87), Durant, achieved membership in Cetera Investment Services LLC’s President’s Club.

Sherrie Richey (BS’88), Marlow, married Ronnie G. Shipman on September 28, 2013.

Leslie Bridges (BBA’89), Duncan, was promoted to Executive Vice President and Senior Credit Officer at First Bank & Trust Co.

1990

Brian R. Bauer (BS’90), Carlisle, Pa., retired from the U.S. Army after 26 years of military service. He is employed as a healthcare administrator at Dunham U.S. Army Health Clinic in Carlisle Barracks, Pa.

Jay Johnson (BBA,’90), Duncan, is the 2013 recipient of the Oklahoma Hospital Association’s Advocacy in Action Award. He is the president/chief executive officer of Duncan Regional Hospital.

Bianka Wilson (BACC’93), Mulberry, Fla., was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Ascom Group. Dewayne Burk (BS’93), Lawton, was named Chief of

the Lawton Fire Department. He has been with the department since 1992.

Geneice McCoy (AS’94), Augusta, Ga., serves as chair of Georgia’s Region 2 Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases Planning Board.

Susan VanBuskirk (BBA’95), Ringling, was promoted to Executive Vice President and Senior Operations Officer at First Bank & Trust Co.

Nathaniel Meraz (BA’95), Elgin, was named the 2013 District #13 Assistant Superintendent/Central Office Administrator of the Year by the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators.

Dr. Jamie Polk (MED’96), Lawton, is the assistant superintendent for educational services at Lawton Public Schools.

Darcy Reeves (BBA’96), Duncan, took over the position of executive director for the Chisholm Trail Arts Council.

Denise R. Aguilar (BA’97, MA ’98), Lawton, was named 2012-13 Teacher of the Year at Central Middle School.

2000

T.W. Shannon (BA’00), Oklahoma Speaker of the House, Lawton, was honored

by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and Council of Presidents with the 2013 Distinguished Service Award.

Edna Pittman (BA’00), Oklahoma City, is founder and CEO of BARI (Being A Real Influence). She worked with Oklahoma legislators to pass Demarion’s Law in 2008. Pittman, a motivational speaker, is a contributing author to “The Motherhood Diaries.”

Jay Hunt (BS’00), Lawton, is the supervisory sports specialist for Fort Sill’s Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.

Dr. Ann Warn (MBA’01), Lawton, was appointed by Gov. Mary Fallin to the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision.

Justin Sampler (BA’01), Inola, serves as pastor at First Baptist Church in Inola. He is also a chaplain for the Oklahoma Army National Guard.

Kirk Wilson (MA’01), Edmond, received the John F. Kennedy Center Arts Integration Award from Black Liberal Arts Center, Inc.

J. Adam Calaway (BA’01), Ardmore, is the director of communications at The Sam Roberts Noble Foundation.

Jarrod Heath Stevenson (BA’01), Edmond, received the Clarence Darrow Award as Attorney of the Year by the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (OCDLA).

Veronica Tuttle (BS’02), Comanche, teaches reading skills, spelling, vocabulary, writing, oral presentation, library skills, grammar and music at Temple Public Schools.

Alex Ihler (BU’02), Belton, Texas, is lead agent/CEO of HBA Sports.

Aubrena O’Neal (BBA’02), San Diego, Calif., and husband LCDR Matthew O’Neal celebrated the arrival of their son, Noah, in May 2012. They celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in June 2012.

Kenneth Martin (BA’02 & MA’03), Molino, Fla., is the author of “The Ultimate Story Puzzle Bible Challenge,” published by Tate Publishing. Christen Humphries (BA’03), Temple, was one of the artists featured in The Goddard Center’s exhibit, “Holiday Gallery Gourmet,” in 2012.

Gokhan Yilmaz (MS’05), Tallahassee, Fla., traveled to his native Turkey to participate in the Turkish National Team Coaches Clinic. He is associate head coach/volleyball at Florida State University.


Grant Givens (BS’10), Duncan, is the head coach of the Lady Demons.

Sabrina Harrell (BM’11), Lawton, was a featured vocalist for the Lawton Knife and Fork Club dinner meeting.

Lisa Baughman (BS’11), Eagle River, Alaska, is an Environmental Scientist at PND Engineers, Inc.

Carla Jihan Palmer (AS’11), Anadarko, exchanged wedding vows with David Eric Myers on January 5, 2013.

Morgan Gould (MBA’12), Lawton, spoke at the Great Plains Chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management meeting last March.

Rebecca Rodriguez (BS’12), Cache, married Dustin Boswell on August 24, 2013. Mitch Watson (BA’12), Lawton, was honored last July with a second place award for Best Multimedia Presentation for “The Two-Wheelin’ Reporter,” a series of stories about low-cost locales suitable for family vacations. The award was presented by the Public Radio News Directors Incorporated. He was a reporter for KCCU-FM at the time.

Chelsea Turner (BS’07), Tulsa, is the director of player development and team manager for the University of Tulsa’s women’s basketball team.

Lisha (Condit) Elroy (BS’07, MS’12), Duncan, is the principal at Woodrow Wilson Elementary.

Ronnie Paul Runnels (BS’09), Cache, was the winner of the 2013 ING Unsung Heroes competition.

Dr. Scott Jenkins (BS’07), Duncan, obtained the designation of Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician from the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians.

John Herbert (BS’07), Cache, is the defensive coordinator for the Cache High School football team and assistant coach for the baseball team.

Brenna Alvarez (AAS’07 & BS’09), Lawton, has been promoted to lieutenant at the

Lawton Police Department. She joined the department in 2006.

Jason Poudrier (BA’08, AS’08), Rush Springs, discussed literary expression as a means of coping with PTSD at the Veterans Reclaim Armistice Day panel held during Vonnegut Fest 2013 in Indianapolis.

Richard Folsum (AAS’08, BS’09), Comanche, is a member of the Marlow Police Department.

Zachary M. Ange (BS’09), Cache, was named boys’ basketball coach at Cache.

Lindsay Camarena (MED’09), Fletcher, is a fourth grade teacher for Fletcher Public Schools.

Lynn Wilson (MBA’09), Claremore, is the Service and Contract Specialist for ONABEN, a national non-profit organization that works with Native tribes throughout the country by providing curriculum, training and organizational consulting focused on developing entrepreneurship in Native communities. She is also an adjunct instructor at Rogers State University.

2010

Taylor Thompson (BA’10), Lawton, was named Miss Black Oklahoma 2014. She will participate in a national pageant in August.

FUTUREAggies(Left) Eliyah Daelyn Routon-Gardner, born May 18, 2013, is the son of Brent M. (Class of 2012) and Carol Gardner. Brent comes from a long line of Cameron alumni, including his mother, father, grandfather, and numerous aunts and uncles. Eliyah, he says, will one day be an Aggie as well.

(Right) Elizabeth Joy Brown Turner is the daughter of CU staff member Jonna Brown and Leo Turner II. She was born November 18, 2013.


Terry F. Adams, ‘77, Altus Curtis W. Adler, ‘83, IndiahomaVernie Ray Alba, ‘67, Lawton JoAnn Jones Barker, ‘71, Lawton Tom Bateman, ‘72, Lawton Richard Sarge Beard, ‘76, Lawton John Owen Blair, ‘76, Lawton Patricia Brady, ‘59, Elgin Dorotha L. Brister, ‘79, Lawton Rita Marie (Edwards) Burch, ‘49, DepewLarry Jay Burnison, ‘78, Lawton Panatha B. Callahan, ‘78, Ft. Cobb Robert L. “Bob” Carver, ‘68, LawtonJ. Mack Cox, ‘53, Cache Dorthy L. Crow, ‘76, Lawton Fleta Yvonne Crumpton, ‘90, HobartSandra Denise Deeter-Hall, ‘81, Garland, TexasAbraham Lincoln Deutschendorf, ‘55, LawtonHayden Dillard, ‘47, Duncan L.W. Duncan, ‘48, Lawton Elva Eladawi, ‘95, Lawton William “Bill” Elbert, ‘79, Lawton John M. Fisher, ‘52, Marlow David Gene Fraser, ‘77, Edmond Jeanne Glass, ‘72, El Reno Dorothy Ellen Grose, ‘40, Boise City Jerry Joe Hamilton, ‘72, Cache James Michael Hardin, ‘70, Rowlett, TexasLeslie Franklin Hastings, ‘61, LawtonMelvin Francis High, ‘56, DuncanEdward Tracy Hixon, ‘92, Madill Ray Hobbs, ‘54, Chowchilla, Calif.Julie Hobbs-Vandelinde, ‘88, Elgin Carroll E. Horton, ‘87, Lawton Edward Claud Hunt, ‘48, Lawton

Pamela Crow Hutchins, ‘06, Boston, Mass.Margaret E. Jensen, ‘83, Tulsa Judy Elizabeth Jolly, ‘89, LawtonMike Jopling, ‘75, Foley, Ala. Kenneth Keel, ‘50, Stratford Allie May Keith, ‘86, Oklahoma CityNikki Kirkendoll, ‘00, Yukon Mark K. Koonce, ‘93, Oklahoma CityBrandon J. Landrum, ‘11, Lawton Carl F. Lindgren, Sr.,’58, Lawton Richard Lowe, ‘50, Chickasha Rose Carol Mahaffey, ‘84, IndiahomaRobert C. “Bob” Martin, ‘48, Cache Eden “Buzz” Matheny, ‘41, ArdmoreJessie Mae (Bradley) Mengel, ‘41, Little Rock, Ark.Sarah E. Miller, ‘29, Reno, Nev.Willia Ann Clark Mitchell, ‘73, FrederickEllen Virginia Monroe-Rush, ‘42, Colorado Springs, Col.Albert Kirk Nelms, Jr., ‘69, Lawton Delphine F. Nelson, ‘90, Lawton Walter A. Nunn, ‘62, Lawton Phyllis Parrent, ‘70, Blanchard Jack Allen Pauling, ‘72, Tulsa Betty Pennington, ‘63, Piedmont Evelyn M. Phelps, ‘44, Marion, IAMarcus D. Price, ‘49, Centennial, COBuford F. “Coach” Pringle, ‘48, Rose Hill, Kan.Kenneth Claude Rhoads, ‘84, Cache Jonathan W. Rhodes, ‘76, Walters Virginia Lou Roundtree, ‘67, Chandler, Ariz.

Theodora Sarah Schneeberger, ‘37, Oklahoma City David A. Scruggs, ‘74, Lawton Alvin Douglas Skaggs, ‘40, Dallas, TexasTelisa Dawn Smith, ‘08, Duncan Jerry E. Snare, ‘85, Medicine Park Joyce A. Stevens, ‘52, Norman Paula A (Desautel) Stutzman, ‘72, South Bend, Ind.Polly Temple, ‘39, Wichita Falls, TexasLeo Thaler, ‘87, Lawton Sharon Thurman, ‘72, Walters Don Van Dyke, ‘52, Fort Worth, TexasJerry Palmer Watson, ‘55, Hurst, TexasRoger E. Wilson, ‘70, Frederick Theadore F. ‘Ted’ Wise, ‘83, Lawton Marilyn L Woods, ‘72, Lawton John Wyant, ‘58, Piedmont

CAMERON FACULTY AND STAFFMary Apauty, LawtonEarl Byrd, SterlingM. Louise McKinley, Jefferson, Ga.Marjean Nadeau-Millard, MustangJustina Powers, Duncan Ralph Whiteley, Lawton

In MemoriamSympathy is extended to the family and friends of those alumni and Cameron employees who have been reported deceased.


All dates and times are subject to change.TM

Calendar of Events

J A N U A R Y10 Magic Lantern Film Society presents silent double feature “The Gold Rush” and “Steamboat Bill, Jr.” 6:30 p.m., CETES Conference Center

20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service 8 a.m.

20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration with Dick Gregory; 5 p.m. panel @ McCasland Ballroom; 6:30 p.m. banquet @ Aggie Rec Center; ticket info: 580-357-7226

21 Dr. Hyunsoon Whang in concert 7:30 p.m., University Theatre

30 CU@SC: 2014 Student Art Preview and Dr. Thomas Labé in concert 6:30 p.m., Simmons Center, Duncan

F E B R U A R Y1 Miss Black CU Pageant 7 p.m., University Theatre

4 New Music Festival with St. Louis Equinox Ensemble 7:30 p.m., McCutcheon Recital Hall

7 Visiting Writer’s Series present Francesca Abbate 7 p.m., CETES Conference Center

14 Magic Lantern Film Society presents a Woody Allen double feature, “Annie Hall” and “The Purple Rose of Cairo” 6:30 p.m., CETES Conference Center

20 Red River Career Expo 12:30 p.m., Aggie Rec Center

20-23 Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” Th-Fr-Sa @7:30 p.m., Su @ 2 p.m., University Theatre

24-MARCH 1

homecoming 2014

28 CU Athletics Aggie Hall of Fame reception and banquet 5:30 p.m., McCasland Ballroom Homecoming Bonfire and Pep Rally 8:30 p.m., Cameron Village

MAR 1 Aggie Family Fun Run 8 a.m., Aggie Rec Center Aggie Family Coffees 10 a.m., Shepler Center Aggie Family & Friends Awards Luncheon 11 a.m., Shepler Ballroom Homecoming Tailgate Party and Chuckwagon Cookoff 12:30 p.m., north of Aggie Gym

27 Cameron University Jazz Festival 7:30 p.m., University Theatre

For Aggie Athletics schedules, go to cameronaggies.com or scan with a smart phone.

FEBRUARY 1


M A R C H2 CU/Lawton Community Band and Civic Chorale 3 p.m., University Theatre

4 Graduate Studies Preview Night 6 p.m., McMahon Centennial Complex

4 Concert Choir/Centennial Singers in concert 7:30 p.m., University Theatre

7 Magic Lantern Film Society presents “Seven Days in May” 7:30 p.m., CETES Conference Center

7-8 Opera Workshop performance 7:30 p.m., McCutcheon Recital Hall

11 CU Concert Band 7:30 p.m., University Theatre

17-21 Spring Break (no classes; offices remain open)

27 CU Percussion Ensemble with guest artist Jerry Simon 7:30 p.m., University Theatre

28 Magic Lantern Film Society presents “Yojimbo” 7:30 p.m., CETES Conference Center

A P R I L5 Senior Art Exhibition reception 6:30 p.m., Museum of the Great Plains, Lawton

11 Magic Lantern Film Society presents “Field of Dreams” 7:30 p.m., CETES Conference Center

17-20 “Where’s Charley?” Th-Fr-Sa @ 7:30 p.m., Su @ 2 p.m., University Theatre

29 CU Concert Choir/Centennial Singers 7:30 p.m., University Theatre

M A Y1 CU Concert Band/77th Army Band 7:30 p.m., University Theatre

8 Hooding Ceremony 6 p.m., Aggie Gym

9 Commencement 7:30 p.m., Cameron Stadium

10 ROTC Commissioning Ceremony 5 p.m., McCasland Ballroom

MARCH 11

MAY 9

2800 West Gore BoulevardLawton, Oklahoma 73505-6377580.581.2211

NON- PROFIT ORG.U.S. Postage

PAIDLawton, OK

Permit No. 85

Attention: To submit an address change, please call the CU Alumni Office at 580.581.2988, or email [email protected]

Stay connected to the excitement. Join the CUAA today!WWW.CAMERON.EDU/ALUMNI OR CALL (580)581-2988

CAMERON MAGAZINE

Documents

Cameron Magazine Spring 2014