Ya-Rei Chan | The Wichitan

Sociology major Ronette Hoffart plays BINGO with James Lockhart, a resident at Wichita Falls Care Center. Hoffart is one of many students who dedicate their time to help others through community service. Helpful Hands graphic by Daniel Chavez

Students give time to care for others
Brooke Veigl | For The Wichitan

Ronette Hoffart walked into the Alzheimer’s Unit at the Texhoma Christian Care Center not knowing what to expect. She wandered into the cafeteria, a sea of wrinkled faces and glazed eyes staring blankly at her. Hoffart, assistant director of the Catholic Campus Center, was joined at the nursing home by other students, who, beginning this semester, devote one day a month doing charity work and community service projects. “A woman kept making eye contact with me. When she finished eating I sat with her,” Hoffart said. “She began yodeling, so I told her to sing me a song. “She sang the hymn, ‘I’ll Fly Away’ and all the nurses and patients began singing along. It was sad because you could tell she used to sing, but her voice was real shaky.” Community service projects have become an important part of the Catholic Campus Center Bible study this semester. In the past, weekly studies held at the CCC consisted of students discussing books of the Bible. According to Debbie Neely, director of the CCC, students who came to the first Bible study of the semester voted unanimously in favor of spending one of every three weeks doing community service. “We have had an increase in participation this whole semester and have retained more students since the projects began,” Neely said. “The students have formed a much stronger bond with one another by participating in community service than I think they would have otherwise.” Some of the places they have helped are Texhoma Christian Care Center, the Boys and Girls Club and First Step, a shelter for battered spouses and their children. They have also worked with a youth group at See Service

New officers aim to create diversified SGA
Eleanor Roberts | Staff Reporter

The face of student government has changed. Nyian Farrell won Student Government Association after defeating former president Michael Mills 300 to 194 in student elections two weeks ago. Farrell and her two team members, Vice President Ed Blankenship and Secretary Seema Mankodi will make the transition into office in the fall semester. Blankenship received 337 votes and, his competitor Valerie McCubbins received a 112 votes. Mankodi received 355 votes while her challengers Chad Newman and Brian Gonzalez received 26 and 118 votes, respectively. “I am thrilled to death that we won as a team,” Blankenship said. He said he looks forward to working with his teammates and the three of them should work well together. Farrell referred to the team members as well-organized, dedicated individuals who have the same love and passion for MSU as she does. “I think the student body should be well represented with diversity,” she said. Farrell noted her team reflects that diversity. Each member is from a different background, they study different majors, and each is involved in a variety of school activities and organizations. She said that with this diversity they each will bring different talents to the SGA office. Farrell said her most anticipated accomplishment will be the opportunity to work with the university to improve student retention rates. She envisions the SGA as a place for students to voice their concerns. Farrell, Blankenship and Mankodi have a number of goals they wish to fulfill next year. They hope to improve the quality of education at MSU by keeping the faculty accountable for holding office hours. They want to continue encouraging quality education opportunities by recognizing faculty accomplishments in the classroom. Another priority on their agenda is the value of the university. The new office members want to enhance the public image of MSU through increased community involvement and by encouraging more student involvement in campus activities. The team has many more visions for the future of MSU including creating a more community oriented atmosphere by using activities that help new students feel a part of the university community. The team will strive to ensure there are no cuts to student services spending if there are tuition increases. They want to create a Student Activities Transcript in which a student can keep all information about student organization memberships, scholarships, awards, community service, and other items of interest in one central location. They want to see a “one-stop shop” where all university forms can be found. The team hopes to continue and expand campus beautification, too.

Rogers awaits budget ruling
Jason Palmer | Staff Reporter

The administration at MSU will have to wait a little longer to determine how the statewide budget crunch will affect this school. The Texas Senate passed their version of an appropriations bill for the next two years, and the Texas House of Representatives passed a bill more than two weeks ago. The House bill included nine different articles that split the money into various programs, including the higher education fund that MSU draws from. Despite the progress made in the two divisions, both bills must be reconciled in a joint committee of both houses to finalize a bill before it will be sent to Governor Rick Perry. The Senate debated for five hours before voting on their version, and House Legislators filed for 484 amendments. That could stretch the debate out for weeks. “With all the discussion they will be having, we are just in a holding pattern,” said budget director Valarie Maxwell. MSU President Jesse Rogers, along with Maxwell, must wait until both appropriation bills clear the House and the Senate before they will know just how much money MSU will receive. Once the final version is passed in both the House and the Senate, the two divisions must come to an agreement between the differences. The House appropriation is expected to be See Budget

One-acts offer something for all
Ashley Dennis | For The Wichitan

Jason Palmer | The Wichitan

Jason Wagner (Red), Carrie Sullivan (Samantha), and Lindsey Stewart (Maggie) star in “Who Made Robert DeNiro King of America,” directed by senior theater major Ben Brotzman.

Last weekend kicked off the 2003 Festival of Student Directed One-Act Plays, hosted by the MSU Theater Department. This year’s one-acts featured a variety of talent and topics. The first round of one-acts included “The Problem”, directed by Jessica White, “Double Date,” directed by Ramelle Ferguson and “Duck Variations,” directed by Jeremy “J. L.” Volsteadt. This weekend’s plays will feature “Who made Robert DeNiro King of America,” directed by Ben Brotzman and “Laundry and Bourbon,” directed by Christy Maddox. Student performances can be seen May 2 and 3, 2003 in the Bea Wood Studio Theater, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $3 for everyone. “Who Made Robert DeNiro King of America” tells the story of Maggie, a successful writer who is feeling the frustration of writer’s block. After her husband Red loses his job as a sheet rocker, he tries his luck at writing a screenplay. When Maggie’s agent Samantha visits Maggie to help free her of her block, Red manages to sneak his own work to Samantha in the process. “Laundry and Bourbon” is a comedy set in Maynard, Texas during summer, 1980. The play centers around three small town wives whose marriages have turned out to be less than what was originally hoped for. “[What interested me in this play was] that the character is so different than myself,” said Brette Paglierani, a sophomore theater major who plays Hattie Dealing. “I hope the audience finds it funny and sees the connection between the characters and the realness of the characters. The student audiences thought it was funny, so I think [the public] will enjoy it,” said Paglierani. Each year, graduating theater majors must take a course in play directing where they are required to write four papers and prepare a prompt book, which contains a photocopy of the play as well as research notes and stage directions. They must then direct a one-act play at the end of the semester. Although student directors are allowed to select their own plays, it must first meet the approval of their instructor. “Plays must be at least See Plays

 

This will be my last update for The Wichitan Online since January 23, 2002! Thank you for reading everyone! It's been fun.

Daniel Chavez | Sitemaster