The Wichitan Online

Eric Terry’s hobby is worth ‘watch’ing
Monica Lewis | For the Wichitan

Ya-Rei Chan | The Wichitan

Eric Terry began collecting pocket watches when he was only nine after the death of his grandfather. He inherited pocket watches from both of his grandfathers and now owns 23 different varieties.

As technology and electronic efficiency replace human connections, it is easy to forget history and tradition. One MSU student keeps his heritage alive by collecting little pieces of times gone by. His collection brings to mind a turn-of-the-century era, replete with sophisticated gentlemen and refined ladies. Eric Terry collects pocket watches. Terry, 30, received his first watch from his father at age nine. The watch belonged to Terry’s grandfather, Carter McGregor, who passed away before he was born. “That watch is all I have to know my grandfather. I look at that watch with reverence and I intend to pass it on to my son,” Terry said. The watch is nestled in the lilac satin of a dark purple velour case trimmed with gold-colored fabric and is seldom displayed. All 23 pocket watches in Terry’s personal collection keep reliable time and are occasionally worn. Terry favors vests so he can carry his watches properly. Terry is a rare and charming traditionalist. He not only carries a Swiss Army knife but also a handkerchief for ladies in need. And the strapping 6-foot-2-inch Terry can wink with the best gentleman. Included in Terry’s collection is Swiss-made watch with glass backing. The clear backing allows for a view of the watch’s parts. The silver watch is an intricate mass of chrome and brass gears. The tiny mechanisms appear delicate but sturdy, each part functioning independently. Several of Terry’s watches are kinetic. Kinetic watches do not require batteries and is instead powered by the movement of the wearer. “A few years ago when everyone was making a big stink about kinetic watches, I laughed. It is not new technology, I have kinetic watches from the ’40s,” Terry said. Terry received an additional piece of family history when he inherited the pocket watch belonging to his grandfather on his mother’s side. The watch was a gift from employees to McGregor when he was president of the Archer City Bank. Terry’s grandfather also went on to become chairman of MSU’s Board of Regents. McGregor’s watch is striking. A scene of running English horses is engraved on the sturdy, gold watch. Terry’s watches, and the memories of the men who once owned them, have accompanied him through some of his finest moments. Terry was wearing a watch the day he was married, when his two children were born and he intends to wear one to his MSU graduation. Terry continues to add to his collection with watches he purchases from garage sales, antique shops or even E-Bay. The monetary value of a watch does not interest Terry. He said he looks for the “uniqueness of a watch, the imperfections that give it character.” See Watch

Students, faculty organize protest against Iraq attack
Paige Dickerson | Staff Reporter

Students, faculty and community members gathered Tuesday night to protest a war on Iraq . The Peace Action Coalition, the group that initiated the protest, began as a women’s book club but transformed into a discussion group about current events around the world. “We were concerned about what we saw developing and all the references to pre-emptive war,” said Joy Parsons, a member of Peace Action Coalition. “We were angry about the war so we decided to quit whining and do something,” said Elizabeth Lewandowski, a member of Peace Action Coalition and professor of theater said. “We talked about past peace movements and decided that many of them began on college campuses.” The Tuesday meeting was a gathering of anyone opposed to a war now. A petition was available to sign, and attendees could leave e-mail addresses and phone numbers so plans could be made later for possible protest marches. Petitions will be sent to Rep. Mac Thornberry, Senators Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Phil Gramm and President George Bush. “We tried to keep our purpose very focused because we know that our group is very diverse and our reasons for opposing the war are very diverse,” Parsons said. “My personal reasons are I think it is going to cost a shameful amount of money. I’m not sure it will correct anything either,” she said. “There are so many unanswered questions, and I’m afraid it will have the boomerang effect and all of their neighbors will become our enemies. It could become a spiral of violence.” The purpose of Peace Action Coalition is to protest a pre-emptive war against any individual or country. “We want as many people as possible to let them know we are not all behind this. Our government will respond,” Lewandowski said. “I would love to have to pay a lot of money to send a lot of signatures to DC.” The Peace Action Coalition hopes the City of Wichita Falls will pass a resolution in opposition to the war, similar to one passed in Chicago. “The City of Chicago passed a resolution that the City of Chicago is opposed to the war with Iraq. I think that is a pretty strong statement,” Lewandowski said. She said she feels students should speak their opinions whether or not they are opposed to the war. “Whether students agree or disagree they need to be aware of what is going on. It is easy to keep your head in the sand when you are in college, but in reality the world is changing every day and silence means agreement,” she said. Although no specific date has been set for a protest march, one is expected in the next couple of weeks. “We want to get more people involved so that we can decide as a larger group when would be good,” Lewandowski said. “This issue is not about my country is right whatever it does. I don’t think this is best and I’m a voter. Even if I were the only one I would still feel this way,” she said. Being a member of Peace Action Coalition is free. There is no specific set of beliefs except that pre-emptive war is wrong. “There are times when it is important to stand up and go to war. I think World War II was one of those times. But it was not just about one person. It wasn’t just about Hitler. It was about a bigger machine,” Lewandowski said. Students who are interested in getting involved in Peace Action Coalition should contact Lewandowski at 397-4392.

Short war may not hurt U.S., profs say
Eleanor Roberts | Staff Reporter

War with Iraq – if it is short and does not involve major casualties – would not damage U.S. prestige or have a significant effect on the economy, two MSU history professors believe. However, they cautioned that an extended conflict could erode support at home and with it Bush’s popularity. “If we back down it would hurt us…make us look like blunderers,” said Everett Kindig, associate professor of history. War, however, could hurt the United States in terms of diplomacy. “It will cause problems in dealing with other difficult nations like Korea,” he said. Dirk Lindemann, associate professor of history, agreed that the duration of war would be an important factor. “If it is relatively short war like the Gulf War it probably won’t affect us that much,” he said. “If the war tends to drag on it can have economic ramifications.” If there is war, “The longer the war, probably, the more division there will be in this country,” he added. “That means there will be more casualties. We were spoiled from the other war because there were minimum causalities.” Lindemann said the war would be technologically oriented so casualties would be reduced. “But, if you want to get Saddam out you’re probably going to have to do some serious fighting in Baghdad and other places.” Lindemann pointed out that Bush’s stance has strained relations with European allies like France and Germany but he thinks President Bush could mend political fences by operating from a position of strength. “This could boomerang for Bush as well, politically in the long run,” he said. “If the war lingers and we have high casualties that’s not going to make him See Iraq

Celebrating diversity, black history
Amanda Carlson | For the Wichitan

Juan Tapia | The Wichitan

Business computer information systems major Adrienne Russell, senior, and history major Paul Gray, senior, look at an African American history book in the library.

Black History month is right around the corner, which brings up this looming question: Why are there so few African American professors at MSU? With the student body reflecting a wide array of racial diversity, why isn’t that same diversity also reflected in the faculty? Right now, MSU employs only two African American professors. Vice President for Academic Affairs Friederike Wiedemann sees need for more African American professors at MSU is great, but bringing them here is a difficult task. “African American professors have the choice of where they want to go. Most would rather go to a big name university where there is more to offer,” Wiedemann said. Because of our location and the size of the university, MSU has a harder time attracting minority professors than larger schools located in metropolitan areas such as Dallas, Houston or Austin. According to Wiedemann, minority professors are a hot commodity all over the country, so these professors can literally choose where they want to go, and they aren’t choosing Midwestern State. Wiedemann also said attracting African American professors is difficult because people want to go where there are others in which they can identify with and feel comfortable with. “If we had more [African American professors], then more would come.” Ernest Dover, professor of political science, declined an interview, but did express his frustration of the subject by saying that he’s tired of fighting because it doesn’t seem to make a bit of difference. With these difficult obstacles to overcome, Wiedemann says the university will continue searching for as long as it takes because it is a valuable cause. “Do we shrug our shoulders and say oh well? No.” “It’s important for students to be taught by people from all various backgrounds. Simply to see a person of a different background as an influence has an effect on students,” Wiedemann said. This month, black history will be remembered on campus in many different aspects. Weidemann and the deans of the different colleges decided to try and plan at least one program per college commemorating black history month. Programs include a panel discussion covering black employment trends held by the College of Business Administration on Feb. 18. The West College of Education is contributing by adding a “Diversity” button on its website, with its first topic focusing on the contributions of African Americans in education. Each faculty member will contribute and include links to relevant information that may be used in classrooms. The College of Fine Arts will air and interviews with Angus Thompson discussing the black church and the civil rights movement, and Dr. Dover who will discuss Thurgood Marshall and his times. Getting it all started on Feb. 3 from 1-3 p.m. in Akin Auditorium will be the College of Heath and Sciences and Human Services, who will host guest speaker Dr. Michael Ward, academic dean and associate professor at Jewish Hospital College of Nursing and Allied Heath in St. Louis. His topic of discussion will be “Practical considerations for recruiting and retaining a minority student: the educator’s guide.” Wiedemann believes these programs are important for all students and faculty to attend. “There is a history we have to deal with, and a future for which we have to prepare. We are for our students who will live in that future.” In the meantime, the search will continue to bring more African American professors to MSU, but the celebration of a history that concerns both a race and a nation will go on. See History