Students Get Down & Dirty

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Amanda Garcia

PHOTO | FRANKIE SANCHEZ

Web Editor’s Note: For more Work-A-Thon photos, click here!

The honor and glory of a university is the legacy and traditions it has set in the midst of constant change and passing trends. In 1985, the Work-A-Thon became one of West Texas A&M University’s traditions, and has become the launching event to a week full of memories, school spirit and celebration.

Modeled after similar events at larger universities (i.e. Texas A&M University’s “Big Event”), the Work-A-Thon has become a strategic approach for campus organizations to raise funds and for the University to receive a good cleanup before alumni and family members of students arrive for Homecoming.

“Mary Hill, the former dean of students, was tired of students asking for money for petty and insignificant activities,” Bill Craddock, Director of Recreational Sports and adviser of the Work-A-Thon, said. “She agreed that she’d donate money if the students would do something useful in return. The outcome of this was the Work-A-Thon.”

Picking up trash from Hastings to the First United Bank Center, sweeping and raking leaves around Old Main and fixing the volleyball court on Terrell Lawn are a few of the routine chores completed by the organizations participating in the Work-A-Thon.

“The labor done at the Work-A-Thon really does help,” Skip Chisum, Director of the JBK Student Center, said. “The University’s Physical Plant does an excellent job at maintaining the campus, so it’s a little difficult to find jobs for everyone. However, even the mundane things like picking up trash and raking really do make the campus look better, and it helps out a lot.”

In addition, the buffalo statue at Kimbrough Stadium gets a fresh coat of paint every year by one of the fraternities, the Horse Center and Kids Kollege playground are tended to and the foundation is set-up for the highly anticipated Homecoming bonfire.

PHOTO | FRANKIE SANCHEZ

“The Work-A-Thon is unique in how it not only benefits the community, but the individual who takes part in it as well,” Craddock said. “Someone’s participation in this event is impressive on a resume because it represents involvement and giving back to the community.”

Participation at the Work-A-Thon, on average, includes about 400 students and staff. This year the record was broken with 513 people

participating in cleaning up the campus. Though the 2003 record of over $9,000 was not broken, campus organizations altogether managed to raise a hefty amount of over $4,000 this year.

Out of the total money raised by an organization, 80 percent goes to the group, five percent is given to the organization’s choice of charity and the remaining 15 percent is distributed to the University departments that contributed funds for the free breakfast and t-shirts at the Work-A-Thon

“It’s ideal that every student takes ownership of WT,” Chisum said. “It’s their school and helping out in the Work-A-Thon aids in that bond.”

An Olympian in our midst

Posted on October 1, 2009 by Amanda Garcia

Michael Boit

Amanda Garcia
Prairie Reporter

Web Editor’s Note: Click here for more Olypmic photos!

For over a century, the world has been mesmerized by the competition and honor that come with the Olympic Games. Every four years, millions are captivated by the ceremony and grandeur of competitors from all over the globe striving for a chance of glory.

Despite the passing of the Games, West Texas A&M University is still able to thrive in that honor and glory. As of a month ago, Dr. Michael Boit, a former Olympian of middle distance running, came on staff as a visiting professor of sports and exercise sciences.

Boit was born in Nandi, Kenya and raised in Eldoret. His running career began while in school as a child, and his victories led to his progression of representing his school and his region in competitions. He ran the 400, 800 and 1500 meter run, along with the one-mile in cross country.

“Running is the easiest sport,” Boit said. “There’s no equipment needed except shoes, and even then, that’s not always necessary. I believe running is fundamental, and that all people were made to run. It’s inherent, but because of our lifestyles and the easier means of communication, people in general, have become lazy.”

After winning the national high school title for the 800-meter run and graduating from St. Patrick’s High School in 1969, Boit attended Kenyatta University in Nairobi to study sports and exercise sciences. After receiving his diploma, he came to America to further his education at Eastern New Mexico University where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree.

He went on to receive two Master’s Degrees from Stanford University and a doctorate from the University of Oregon.

His accomplishments don’t stop there. The same year he received his degree at ENMU, Boit qualified to participate in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany.

“It was an overwhelming and exciting experience,” Boit said. “It was such a long time ago; I was so young, and it was my first time out of Kenya. It was just overwhelming and exciting knowing that the whole world was watching, and so many people were cheering for you.”

At the age of 23, he earned the bronze medal for his efforts in the 800-meter run and came in fourth place in the 1500 meter run.

IT’S ALL IN THE GENES: Michael Boit’s cousin, Philip Boit, competed in cross country skiing at the 1998 games held in Nagano, Japan. He was the first Kenyan to participate in the Winter Olympics.

“I was little bit disappointed in winning the bronze medal because I believe I should have won,” Boit said. “The person who came in first place was an American, and he won by 100th of a second. The man who came in second was a Russian, and he came in at the same time as me.

In the 1974 Commonwealth Games, Boit received the silver medal in the 800-meter run. In the 1977 World Cup of Athletes in Dusseldorf, Germany, he received the silver medal for the same race. He received the gold medal in the 1978 Commonwealth Games and the bronze in the same competition in 1982 for the 1500-meter run.

After years of thriving competition, Boit finally retired in 1985. After receiving his doctorate from the University of Oregon, he moved back to Kenya to teach at Kenyatta University.

Boit’s wife, Lillian, lives in Kenya, teaching education administration at the same university. They have two sons and a daughter. Their eldest son attended Texas Tech and now lives in Houston where he is putting his engineering degree into practice. The youngest son is studying electrical engineering at Eastern New Mexico University, and his daughter is attending Texas Tech working on her masters in sports and exercise sciences.

Boit has four sisters and four brothers. One of the deciding factors for him to teach temporarily at WT was because one of his brothers ran for the track team and lives in Amarillo. In addition, two of his nephews are currently attending WT.

“I like WT because the people are so friendly,” Boit said. “WT is a great institution, and this community is so nice to live in because everyone is so willing to help each other.”

Boit will be at WT for nine months, assisting in the instruction and recruiting for the sports and exercise department.

Greek Life: Is it all it’s cracked up to be?

Posted on September 24, 2009 by Amanda Garcia

Sigma Phi Delta, Clipart by Amanda Garcia

Amanda Garcia
Staff Reporter

With Hollywood’s help, Greek life can stereotypically be summed up in two words—beer and sex. Though other correlations might be made to brotherhood and “friendships that last a lifetime,” the party scene is what sororities and fraternities are known for. So bringing it back to campus, is Greek life at WTAMU really worth being involved in? From an outsider’s perspective, are there any redeemable qualities for these campus organizations?

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BEER AND PARTYING, RIGHT?

Movies like Animal House come to mind in relation to Greek life—police raiding outrageous parties, houses being trashed and drunken people promenading the streets. Despite the fact that there are schools that create this image, WTs chapters have a different reputation. Lieutenant Dale Davis of the Canyon Police Department reports that since the 1980s there have been minimal to no issues with these organizations.

“The sororities and fraternities have been doing a great job with not causing any problems around town,” Davis said. “I don’t know what adjustments were made, whether it was a change of authority or a transformed perspective, but whatever it was, it just seemed like these organizations have focused on straightening themselves up and becoming more responsible.”

A survey was conducted at Ohio State University where a question was posed to Greek students of how involved alcohol was in Greek life. Of those, 66.2% reported binge drinking and 17% acknowledged alcohol as being the essence of Greek life. The same question was asked to students who were not involved in a sorority or fraternity and 56% perceived alcohol to be a central part of Greek life. So how do these statistics hold up locally?

“I joined Phi Delta Theta because I wanted to see for myself what a fraternity was really like,” James Porter, junior sports and exercise science major, said. “I found out that it was nothing like the movies. Like with beer, there’s a policy that no alcohol can be at any Phi Delt-sponsored event.”

According to Dee Johnston, sophomore Ad/Pr major and a Delta Zeta, drinking is never forced upon anyone and isn’t even encouraged within the sororities.

“Though we are usually related to drinking, I have to say that it really isn’t just a Greek thing to do; it’s an overall college thing,” Johnston said. “Sororities at WT are nothing like what is portrayed on television. Delta Zetas are about upholding respect and dignity. If someone is going to drink, we strongly promote doing that responsibly.”

THEY DON’T SERIOUS HELP THE COMMUNITY, DO THEY?

Every Greek organization has a specific philanthropy that they annually support and raise awareness for across campus. Outside of helping the local community through the Work-a-thon, Don’t Mess with Texas and Highway Clean-ups, each chapter supports a national charity or cause. For instance, Zeta Tau Alpha supports Breast Cancer Awareness through the Race for the Cure, which will be taking place in Amarillo this Saturday. Also occurring that day will be Alpha Tau Omega’s Corn Hole contest. The contest will be held in the tailgating area before the football game and all proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Phi Delta Theta holds a chili festival every spring to raise funds for Lou Gehrig’s disease. Last year, about 600 people attended raising several thousands of dollars for this foundation.

According to the survey earlier mentioned, 32.6% of non-Greek students contribute community service not required by the organizations they’re involved with. Greek students double that with the amount of community service activities they partake in that are not required by their organization.

“Statistics show that the Greek system is the largest network of volunteers in the U.S., with members donating over 10 million hours of volunteer service each year,” Matthew Maples, associate director of the JBK Student Center and Alpha Tau Omega alumni, said. “Each of the WT chapters puts in thousands of hours each year, as well as, thousands of dollars in donations for community service.”

IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

Despite the drama-saturated shows on TV, Greek life at WT isn’t as appalling as some may think.

“I had no ambition to join a fraternity,” Ethan Black, senior sports and exercise science major and an Alpha Tau Omega, said. “I seriously thought it was stupid, but then I checked it out for myself. What really stood out to me was how the fraternity I was checking into was Christian-based and that appealed to me because I’m really big on my faith. The ATOs were founded on the Bible and in Jesus Christ, and I’ve found that I’ve been encouraged to grow in my faith since I’ve joined.”

Academics and community are of high priority in these organizations. Some institutions, such as Alpha Tau Omega, give away scholarships for academic excellence.

Delta Zeta has one of the top accumulative GPAs with a 3.4 because of their emphasis on doing well in their studies. Every chapter has set up required study sessions in order to support and help one another.

“Fraternities and sororities are held to a high standard by both their local and national leaders,” Maples said. “One of the standards that they are expected to maintain is a high GPA. For that reason their grades are monitored by both their local and national governing bodies.”

SO WHY SHOULD I GET INVOLVED WITH GREEK LIFE?

If you are looking for an organization that provides opportunities for networking, giving to the community and having fun, then Greek life just may be for you.

“I joined Delta Zeta because I gained a family away from home,” Johnston said. “We look for real people, those who are strong individuals. In order to be a strong group, we need women who know who they are, are confident in themselves, committed to what they do and to bring all of that into the chapter.”

For more information concerning sororities and fraternities at WT, stop by the CORE office in the JBK today.

Paris when it sizzles

Posted on September 17, 2009 by Amanda Garcia

PHOTO BY DR. ROBERT HANSEN

This past July, Dr. Robert Hansen spent five blissful days at the International Congress of Voice Teachers in the heart of Paris.

The Congress is a conference specifically for voice teachers from all over the world. With over 60 countries being represented, 400 educators attended this year.

These meetings deal strictly with classical music and include performances from the actual attendees, informative lectures, workshops with useful tips to further their professional growth and scientific presentations. They take place at different venues around the world every four years.

“The atmosphere at an International Congress is very exciting,” Dr. Robert Hansen, professor of music, said. “In the exchange of ideas, we realize that we have so much in common. As professional singers and teachers of singing, we all aspire to common goals of creating excellent music and educating singers.”

The Congress took place at the Folies Bergere, the most renowned theatre in France.

“The Folies Bergere is one of the most historic and musically important theatres in Paris,” Hansen said. “It was the home of the famous Can-Can girls, and an amazing number of historically important artists performed there. It was an eerie feeling to be on such a stage.”

Along with a Swedish soprano and a German baritone, Hansen performed the opera “Marie Antoinette.” Though there were 65 representatives from the U.S. at the Congress, Hansen had the honor to be the only American to perform in front of his colleagues.

“Singing for one’s peers is the most difficult performance,” Hansen said. “They all know how you do what you do, if you are doing it correctly and well. Fortunately, I was on my best behavior and all went perfectly!”

PHOTO BY ROBERT HANSEN | Dr. Robert Hansen performed at the Folies Berge in Paris admist 400 of his colleagues from all over the world. In front of the theatre, a sign states in French, "The most famous musical theatre in the world".

Along with the conference, Hansen had time to enjoy the charm of the cit

“I’m glad there was time to experience the history and the art in Paris,” Hansen said.“It inspires one to stand four feet from the Mona Lisa or to stand in the cell where Marie Antoinette was held captive by the revolutionaries.”

Church localizes to reach Canyon

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Amanda Garcia

Hillside was passing out these watter bottles at Canyon High.

Hillside Christian Church launched its Canyon campus on Sunday, August 30 in the Canyon High School auditorium.

“Hillside’s mission is to love God as we lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ,” Cameron Reeves, Hillside’s Canyon campus pastor, said.

“We have four key values — worship, grow, serve and share. Our purpose is to provide opportunities and an environment for people here in Canyon, from all shapes and sizes, to put these values into action.”

To get the word out for the church’s local launch, the staff not only hung up fliers all over WTAMU’s campus, but also set up a booth on the pedestrian mall for the CORE’s organizational fair. As students walked to and from buildings, the staff passed out water bottles to them with the launch date and website on the labels.

“The welcoming atmosphere is what attracted me the most,” Dale Davis, assistant marketing director for WT Athletics and youth coordinator for Hillside’s Canyon campus, said.

“I made Hillside Christian my church home because though it’s a big church, I’ve felt God’s love through every friendship I’ve made there.”

With no permanent building of their own, the church’s structure is revolved around the already established mentality of weekly small groups. This concept is based on Ecclesiastes 4:12 — “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him — a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

These small groups concentrate on digging into the Bible together, praying for and encouraging one another, and keeping each other accountable throughout the week. The groups are broken up by location and by age groups.

“I encourage students to come check out Hillside at Canyon because it’s a fresh experience; it’s something new,” Davis said.

“I guarantee that when you walk in the door, you’re going to be encouraged until you leave.”

The Canyon campus has a two-year agreement to gather in Canyon High School’s auditorium for Sunday services, and the staff is utilizing office space on the square.

Within a year or so, the church body will begin strategizing to find a building of their own.

“As I pray for Canyon, I’m reminded of the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15,” Reeves said.

Canyon Jr. High, where Hillside launched its Canyon campus. Photo by Wikimedia.com.

“It’s a story of two sons and it captures two wrong ways to get to God. The younger son represents a non-religious person trying to live life the way he pleases, no father needed. The older son represents a religious person trying to earn the favor of the father on his own by obeying all the rules. In the end, both sons’ lifestyles separate them from the father. Both types of people live here in Canyon; I’ve even been both types myself. We want people to know, though, that there is a loving God, and He sent His Son who followed all the rules for us. Our gospel is one of freedom and of love.”

Hillside Christian Church of Canyon congregates for Sunday services at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. For more information, visit the church’s website at www.hillsidewired.com.

Everything’s bigger in Texas: Local cowboy restaurant makes world-renown fame

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Amanda Garcia

PHOTO BY AMANDA GARCIA | DON’T SQUAT WITH YOUR SPURS ON: Because of the installation of Interstate 40 in 1970, the Big Texan Steak Ranch began losing a great deal of business. Realizing his business was in jeopardy, R.J. Lee decided to go where the people were. He thought it was best to move the Big Texan Stake Ranch away from its original location on Route 66 to an area near the new highway. Several years later, in 1976, a random fire destroyed more than half of the restaurant. With the help from friends, family and employees, though, the building was quickly rebuilt. The Big Texan was only closed for one business day because of the significant amount of contributions to help restore the building.

Amanda Garcia
Photographer

Roy Rogers once said, “When my time comes, just skin me and put me up there on Trigger, just as though nothing had ever changed.”

Though it has been over two decades since R.J. Lee’s passing, the mark he left on the Texas Panhandle remains as his restaurant, the Big Texan Steak Ranch, continues to gain recognition worldwide.

In the late 1950s, R.J. and his wife, Mary Ann, moved their family to Texas in hopes of continuing their American dream.

“Dad was a true Yankee from Chicago,” Bobby Lee, owner of the Big Texan Steak Ranch, said.

He loved cowboys and wanted to go where cowboys lived. He came to Texas in search of them and didn’t find any, so he made one of his own.”

In 1960, R.J. opened the Big Texan along Route 66 in Amarillo. His goal was to create an environment that embodied the spirit of the Wild West he admired so much while serving food that lived up to the “first-class Texas style.”

“Route 66 gave the Big Texan its life, its heartbeat really,” Bobby said.

When people from all over the country drove through Texas, they wanted to eat where the ideal cowboys ate. They chose the Big Texan over franchised restaurants because it was the epitome of the Old West they saw on television and movies.”

However, with the installation of Interstate 40 in 1970, business for the restaurant declined as the convenience of the new highway detoured travelers away from their location on the Route 66.

With their business dropping by 95 percent, the crucial decision was made to relocate the restaurant away from the “Mother Road” to the frequently used highway.

Though it is now located on the north side of I-40 East between the Lakeside and Whitaker exits, the original building is still standing on the 4500 block of East Amarillo Boulevard.

The novelty of the Big Texan came through the 72-ounce steak challenge.

Legend has it that a cowboy came into the restaurant one day ranting and raving over how hungry he was. By boasting that he could eat “the whole darn cow,” R.J. placed a 72-ounce steak dinner in front of him.

From that day forward, the challenge was established that anyone who could eat the 72-ounce steak dinner (which includes a 72-ounce sirloin steak, a baked potato, salad, dinner roll and shrimp cocktail) in an hour, the regularly priced $72 meal would be free. As their taunting slogan states, “Many have tried, many have failed.”

Next year, the Big Texan will celebrate its 50th anniversary. To commemorate its half-century mark, the owners are setting up a world steak-eating championship.

The few that have already conquered the 72-ounce steak challenge will be invited to return for the championship. Categories will be set up for professionals and nonprofessionals, and the winners of each group will receive $10,000.

Since R.J.’s passing in 1990, his children have continued his legacy and have transformed the restaurant into a full-blown industry. In addition to the thriving restaurant, it’s now a catering service, a motel and an in-house advertising agency.

The Big Texan Motel is conveniently connected to the actual restaurant and continues the restaurant’s theme of vintage Wild West. The company offers special rates for specific holidays such as Valentine’s Day and New Year’s. For the convenience of their customers, they have an extra large parking lot for RVs, semi-trucks and horse trailers.

Visitors have access to a complimentary “horse hotel” where customers can rest at ease knowing their horses are being well taken care in the secure and maintained arena located near the motel.

The Big Texan also runs a catering company and “Texas,” the musical production located in Palo Duro Canyon, has been one of their top clients for several years.

They also own a limousine fleet that transports their customers from their hotels to the restaurant as a complimentary incentive to make their Texas experience more memorable.

The Big Texan also has an in-house advertising agency where they produce all their marketing tools. By taking charge of their own publicity, the owners are able to customize their advertisements in the fashion they desire. Their billboards scattered along I-40 are only a few of their productions.

Bobby, along with his brother and sister, were all born and raised in Amarillo. Since the day they were born, they were immersed in the life and business of the Big Texan.

Bobby graduated from WT in 1983 with a general studies degree, many of his hours dedicated to mass communications in print media and advertising.

During his college career, he played for the football team and was on staff with The Prairie.

“Though I don’t think my dad could have possibly seen how far his dream would go, I do believe his main goal was to make the Big Texan world renown,” Bobby said.

His goal has been reached; the world knows about us. We’re proud to represent Amarillo and the Panhandle area, and we look forward to continue embodying the spirit of Texas.”

Earth Day: Campus-Wide Awareness

Posted on April 23, 2009 by Amanda Garcia

Amanda Garcia
Photographer

WT organizations and students joined to celebrate National Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22 and will continue Earth Day activities throughout the rest of the week.

“Earth Day is a nationally recognized day during which all members of our society are invited to reflect upon issues which transcend politics or controversy,” Stephanie Bowden, senior history major and project manager for Earth Day of the Environmental Science Society, said.

University campuses have long established the standards for change and evolution within our society, WT has joined that effort by offering a forum for discourse over the environment.”

Earth Day was established as a nationally recognized day of awareness for the care of the environment on April 22, 1970 by former US Senator of Wisconsin Gaylord Nelson. On that day, approximately 20 million Americans rallied for widespread conservation of the environment.

In 1990, it became an international movement with 200 million people from 141 countries uniting for the cause. Over the past several decades, thousands of environmental groups and millions of people across the globe have joined the 39 year old movement, along with WT’s Environmental Science Society and many other campus organizations.

The Environmental Science Society was officially instituted as a campus organization ten years ago and is advised by Dr. William Rogers, professor of environmental science.

Last year for Earth Day, the Society invoked a campus-wide campaign. All over the University, flyers were displayed on water fountains stating, “What if you had to pay to use this?” and on electrical outlets saying, “What if there was nothing to fuel this?”

In order to communicate the state in which the world’s water supply is in, they held a simulated water sale where ordinary bottles of water cost $20. Also, Society members set up exhibits across campus that reflected the possible future if preservation of the environment is ignored.

“The goal of Earth Day is to raise awareness and to offer alternatives to some actions which will result positively upon our environment,” Bowden said.

The natural resources upon which we rely are precious and limited. In order to ensure a successful future, it is important to establish some fundamental changes to our lifestyles now. The students who participated in Earth Day are helping to establish a precedent for future generations; one which calls for the conservation and reverence of our most elemental resource.”

This year, this society along with Tri Beta, SIFE, the Alternative Energy Institute, Class 4 Winds and the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District are joining forces to make students keenly recognize the damaging effects of pollution and the need for conservation and preservation in our environment.

On, Wednesday, April 22, the involved campus organizations set up informational booths on the pedestrian mall dedicated to individual environmental issues.

The organizations passed out free material and also had purchasable items available that clarified the state of which the world is in due to pollution.

SIFE held a bake sale at their booth and another organization passed out compact florescent light bulbs to students that checked out their display. A unique give-away were the Society’s reusable shopping bags.

A competition was set up through University email several weeks in advance of Earth Day where students were challenged to submit designs that should be printed on the bags.

After voting on the design, the Society declared the winner through email, printed the customized design on the shopping bags and distributed them to students who came by the pedestrian mall.

“The idea for this cooperative effort came from my desire to maximize the number of students we could reach,” Bowden said.

I also feel that it is imperative for organizations and departments throughout our campus and community to bridge efforts and establish a standard for civic relationships. In this manner, we evolve from single entities separate from one another to a cohesive myriad of cooperative and yet still distinctive groups.”

Earth Day 2009 will continue throughout the rest of the week. The Cornette Library has set up displays with informative periodicals and books concerning environmental issues.

Also, Campus Cleanup was rescheduled for Thursday, April 23 in order to correspond with the week’s theme of conserving the environment.

And on Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24, several photographs that capture the heart of Earth Day will be displayed in the JBK that were loaned out by the students of Lori Westermann’s photography course.

“Earth Day 2009’s objective is to promote awareness of issues within our community and to offer students various ways to decrease their impact upon the environment,” Bowden said.

By inviting other organizations to join, I hope that we can affect more students and citizens by offering them an array of perspectives regarding pollution, conservation and preservation.”

For more information concerning activities, contact the Environmental Science Society at (806) 679-9220.

Adviser Spotlight: Hanson preserves storytelling, teaching children through puppetry, stories

Posted on April 16, 2009 by Amanda Garcia

PHOTO BY RIK ANDERSON | ONCE UPON A TIME: Dr. Trudy Hanson educates the students in her storytelling and puppetry course to capture kids’ attentions through lively and interactive performances of children books. These students are also members of the Panhandle Storytelling Guilde that performs for chidren at various libraries and schools.

Amanda Garcia
Photographer

Theologian Harvey Cox once said, “All human beings have an innate need to hear and tell stories and to have a story to live by.” For Dr. Trudy Hanson and the students of the Panhandle Storytelling Guild, this adage rings true.

“The Panhandle Storytelling Guild is a student organization devoted to preserving the art of storytelling in our community,” Dr. Trudy Hanson, the Panhandle Storytelling Guild adviser and department of communication head, said.

Students who are enrolled in the storytelling and puppetry course (SCOM 4330) automatically become members of this campus organization. Throughout the semester, Hanson trains students how to make stories come alive and how to spark and maintain the interests of children through performance.

“My storytelling and puppetry course has been the only class I’ve had with Dr. Hanson, but I am so thankful she is my instructor,” Porsche McIntosh, sophomore education major, said.

There are many things I like about her as a professor but the one thing that sticks out the most is her kindness and generosity. She is a very down-to-earth person and is always interested in her students as individuals.”

In the duration of the semester, Hanson splits her class into groups and requires the students to work together to perform various children books. After practicing before their own peers, the guild members then perform their skits and stories for children at different locations such as the WTAMU Kids Kollege, Canyon Public Library and Paramount Terrace Elementary School.

The student organization also has an ongoing service learning project with Bushland Elementary where the college students coach the elementary students on how to effectively perform an assigned story.

“I think it is very important for students, especially speech majors and future teachers, to take the storytelling and puppetry course and to be apart of the Panhandle Storytelling Guild,” McIntosh said.

In my opinion, storytelling is special in its own way and brings out the good in many people.”

The guild has sponsored the annual WTAMU Storytelling Festival since 1990. This year’s event will feature professional storyteller Diane Ferlatte. She is known for her performances over the Brer Rabbit tales. She will perform these stories at the festival along with explaining how such tales encouraged slaves during their oppression.

The festival is on May 1 and will begin at 10 a.m. in the Branding Iron Theatre. A storytelling workshop will be held for university students and community members from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in room 185 of the Fine Arts Complex. At 7 p.m., select graduate students will perform their renditions of popular children’s stories in the Branding Iron Theatre followed by Ferlatte’s own performance.

“I love the fact that Dr. Hanson uses real life situations to teach her course,” McIntosh said.

I have learned many things from her and I hope to use many of her teaching methods in my own classroom setting when I become a teacher.”
Hanson began working at WT in August 1989 and established the Panhandle Storytelling Guild as a student organization in 1995.

Along with coaching students on the best techniques for performing stories, she serves as the Storytelling Festival director and assists in planning the annual Storytelling Festival.

“As a high school senior, I was elected as state president of a student organization and was called on to give several speeches,” Hanson said. “I love public speaking and decided I wanted to major in speech communication.”

Hanson was born in Magnolia, Mississippi and was raised outside of Kentwood, Louisiana. Hanson received her bachelor of science in speech/English education from Louisiana State University in 1971 and she went on to earn her masters in public address in 1973. She obtained her doctorate in higher education with a minor in communication studies from Texas Tech in 1994.

“I love the art of storytelling—whether I am teaching or performing,” Hanson said. “In my mind, the best teachers are those
who use the power of story in their instruction to inspire as well as to challenge students.”

For more information concerning the Panhandle Storytelling Guild and the Storytelling Festival, contact Dr. Trudy Hanson at (806) 651-2800.

Ozark Mountain Encounter Navigators anticipate Summer Training Program in Branson

Posted on April 9, 2009 by Amanda Garcia

PHOTO BY AMANDA GARCIA | SILVER DOLLAR SUMMER: Joslyn Dzik (far right), senior education major, prepares to leave for work with fellow students from the Navigators’ Summer Training Program. During the eight-week program, students from all over the nation work full-time at Silver Dollar City, an 1800s-themed amusement park in Branson, and are trained how to casually share their Christian convictions with people they work with and the customers they encounter at work.

Amanda Garcia
Photographer

The Navigators are eagerly anticipating their annual Summer Training Program (STP). College students involved with this national organization from across the southwest region of the country will be gathering together for eight weeks in Branson, Mo.
“The purpose of STP is to first and foremost help students grow in their relationships with the Lord,” Mitch Williamson, assistant director of the WT Navigators, said.

“Not only are students laying a firm foundation in their faith in Jesus Christ that will last for the rest of their lives, but they’re also living life with 40 like-minded, like-hearted Christians and making money through an amazing summer job.”

The Navigators slogan is “To know Christ and to make Him known.” They stress disciplines in reading the Bible daily, memorizing scripture and sharing Christ’s love with the people they encounter through their words and actions.
Throughout the summer, the 40 students from across the nation will focus on concreting their own personal disciples in reading the Bible and scripture memory, and receive intensive training on how to share their faith in Christ with others in a casual and practical manner.

In addition, the students will be working full-time at Silver Dollar City, a greatly esteemed amusement park in Branson. After being given helpful instruction and tools to explain the Gospel, the students will immediately go to work to put their knowledge into action with their co-workers and customers.

“The reason why I went to STP the summer of my freshman year was because I was told that the program’s intensive training would give me a year’s worth of spiritual growth in two months,” Krisa Allen, junior education major, said.

I wanted to deepen my relationship with the Lord and learn how to communicate my convictions to people in an effective way. The foundation I built in my faith that summer I know I will use and build upon for the rest of my life. I came back to school the following semester with an eager desire to share the great news of Christ to my fellow students.”

The Navigators also focus heavily on discipleship where people partner together to keep each other accountable in their personal relationships with the Lord.

Students who attend STP are broken into teams made up of four people. Throughout the summer, the members of each team will keep one another responsible in memorizing scripture and having a daily devotional. The teams will also go through intensive Bible studies together.

“My favorite part of the program was my team,” Allen said. “The weird thing about being constantly surrounded by people is that you learn a lot about yourself—the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s like what Proverbs 27:17 says—‘As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.’ It was comforting knowing that my sisters in Christ would keep me accountable throughout the summer and encourage me when things got hard. We were striving to know and please the Lord in all that we do together.”

Eight students from WT are enrolled to attend STP. They are required to raise $1500 which covers lodging and food expenses for the whole summer. Students will arrive in Branson on May 29. The eight-week program will end on Aug. 3.

“Christianity and evangelism aren’t about making converts but about genuinely caring for people in need,” Williamson said.
“I’m excited that several of our students are going this year because I know that when the summer is over and they return to WT that they will have a deeper passion for reaching their fellow students in a loving and sacrificial way. I’m excited to see what God is going to do in and through them.”

For more information about the Navigators’ Summer Training Program, check out www.mynavsummer.com.

Horsemen’s Association strides to serve industry community

Posted on April 2, 2009 by Amanda Garcia

Amanda Garcia
Photographer

PHOTO BY AMANDA GARCIA | WALKING THE COURSE: Dr. John Pipkin, Dr. Lance Baker and Amanda Love co-advise the Horsemen’s Association. As mentors of the organization, they oversee and encourage members to participate in activities that benefit the overall horsemen community of the area.

West Texas A&M University is known for its excellence in equestrian training and competition. With the top faculty in the country guiding students, it is no wonder why this program is so successful. The Horsemen’s Association is one of the many supporting factors of the equestrian program.

“The Horsemen’s Association is an extra- and co-curricular student organization that serves the interest of any WT student, regardless of their major, that has any interest in horses,” Dr. John Pipkin, co-adviser of the Horsemen’s Association, said. “The organization addresses education, social and leadership development, and service.”

The Horsemen’s Association gives students the chance to network with one another and the community. In their meetings, members are informed of how the Horse Judging and Equestrian teams are progressing. As an organization they work together to support the horsemen community.

Their activities could consist of setting up fundraisers, assisting with horse shows, races and rodeos, or merely hanging out together at the Bayer Select (the American Quarter Horse Association world show that takes place in Amarillo).

“A great opportunity we have in the Horsemen’s Association is our mentoring program,” Toree Winchell, WT alumni and assistant horse judging coach, said.

Juniors and seniors are paired up with freshmen and sophomores to give them guidance on what classes to take, recommend professors for particular courses and maybe even curriculum assistance.”

The student organization is notorious for its Haunted Grove, an annual Halloween event in which the students create their own rendition of a haunted house at the University Horse Center. The public affair gives students an opportunity to interact with the community and is a profitable tactic to raise funds for the organization.

Another way for the students to intermingle with the community is the clinics they host with the American Quarter Horse Association. These clinics focus on teaching kids the basics of riding and training horses.

Pipkin advised the Horsemen’s Association at Texas Tech for five years and 16 years at WT. He received his bachelors of science in animal science and masters in reproductive physiology at Texas A&M University and received his doctorate in animal science at Texas Tech.

“I’ve been involved with horses all my life,” Pipkin said.

I considered going to school to be a veterinarian, but gained an interest in reproductive physiology while taking a class as an undergraduate student. My interest grew in that area as a masters student, so I continued in that area of study in my doctorate.”

Pipkin, alongside Dr. Lance Baker and Amanda Love, advises the 35 active members of the University’s chapter of this national organization.

“The advisers are vital in the role they play,” Winchell said. “They make the relationship between students and faculty interactive. They enable horsemen to do anything they need to accomplish their goals and are always looking for new ways for students to relate with their community.”

With the University’s mission as their foundation, the advisers’ goal is to guide students in accordance with the organization’s objectives.

While their focus is to develop students’ talents and abilities, the advisers also strive for the members to serve the horsemen community in the area and to be actively engaged in all aspects related to the horse industry.

“The best part of my job is working with students and helping them be successful,” Pipkin said.

I have been blessed to have the opportunity to work with some truly exceptional students here at WT and it has been exciting to watch and be a small part of their tremendous successes.”

For more information concerning the Horsemen’s Association, contact either Dr. John Pipkin or Amanda Love in the Department of Agricultural Sciences at (806) 651-2550.

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