Opinion: As the Occupy move- A & E: Study abroad is a valuable experi- ment spreads, how should the ence students bring back to SNU church react? Read more on page 8 Read more on page 5 November 4, 2011 Volume 83 Issue 8 echo.snu.edu TheEcho Southern Nazarene University – Bethany, OK (405)491-6382 Musical cast members enjoy opportunity to “be goofy,” entertain audience Jaclynn Gray, Staff Reporter every practice because we all depend on each soon come to an end, but not just yet. The cast and crew of You’re A Good Man, other as a cast for motivation,” Dickenson “We all spend probably 20 hours a week Charlie Brown have put in hours upon hours said. practicing and preparing,” Hannay said. into making the set and running through Preparing for a big show can be stressful, “I spend most of the time with my cast lines to ensure perfection when performing. but having motivating cast members and members, but also quite a bit of time in the “We want to put on the best show that directors make it a lot easier. practice rooms perfecting my music and my we can, and also make sure that we are part.” having a blast doing it,” cast member Caleb “It is fun to be...getting to You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown has its Dickenson, junior, said. recapture those moments.” first performance Wednesday, November 9, This show is based off the famous comic at 8 pm in Herrick Auditorium, and will run strip Peanuts, which led to several cartoons. “I try and never beat down a cast member; through November 12th. The musical is one This musical is written like a fun-centered I keep telling them that they can do it and of the Homecoming events. Ticket prices comedy strip, and is recommended for the will always try to help them out in any way are $12 for adults; Senior Adults are $10, as whole family. It brings back many childhood that I can,” Dickenson said. well as all Faculty, Staff and Adult Studies memories for the cast members. With the show just around the corner, the Program personnel. Students are $5, and “It is fun to be playing the role of a kid hours of preparing and making it perfect will SNU Students are $4. and getting to recapture those moments I lived as a kid,” cast member Ryan Hannay, freshman said. “I love this musical because we get to be kids and be goofy, while putting on a show for our audience makes it a great time,” Dickenson said. Preparing for a production has its ups and downs, but staying positive is key. “Memorizing all the music, all the scenes, all the choreography, and all the blocking for your scene is probably the most challenging part,” Dickenson said. “Also, what it really boils down to is memorizing everything.” You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown will affect the cast for the rest of their musical careers by helping them develop useful skills. “I like that this show challenges my acting ability, and that it forces me to be a better performer and use more body language,” Hannay said. Personal goals are a driving force for this cast to have a successful show and to entertain the audience. “My personal goals are making sure that I have my stuff prepared and am ready for Ryan Hannay (left) and Joe Burleigh rehearse a scene from the musical. Photo provided by Stephany Reyes. 2 NEWS TheEcho NEWS BRIEFS Dr. Michelson selected to study the Green Collection Brenda Rivera, Staff Reporter are also the owners of Hobby these texts available for viewing Lobby, Inc. and a private Biblical and the beginning of research. Dr. Marty Alan Michelson has collection that was on display at “The Greens have done the received the honor of becoming the Oklahoma City Museum of world of Biblical Scholarship a a Scholar-Mentor with the Green Art. This collection is known great favor in their willingness Scholar’s Initiative. Students to share these important working with Michelson will be “The Greens have ancient texts. The Bible has able to further their knowledge shaped the culture of the world of the Green Collection through done the world of and the willingness to share US CUTS FUNDING TO UNESCO AFTER access to this vast resource, 107-14 VOTE RECOGNIZES PALESTINE biblical scholarship these important, ancient texts the largest privately-owned By a 107-14 vote with 52 absten- demonstrate their kindness and collection of Dead Sea Scrolls a great favor.” tions, UN culture and education their contribution to a world that agency UNESCO on Tuesday recog- known to our planet. These texts as the Passages exhibit and is is aware of the influence of the nized Palestine as a state. The US have not been researched or now being exhibited at other Bible,” Michelson said. responded by cutting all funding translated at any time, presenting to UNESCO; the US provides over museums. Part of the world’s biggest an opportunity for students to 20% of its funding. Despite US and Michelson had the opportunity collection of ancient texts Israeli claims that it hurts the peace fully immerse themselves in the of being a designated respondent and items having to do with process, Palestine plans to continue Bible. to a lecture called “Answers to Judeo-Christianity, this is an to seek recognition by UN agencies. “This will allow teams of csmonitor.com New Theories Regarding How international project that makes scholars to study the ancient Adel Hana/AP We Got the Bible” held at the it possible for young scholars to wisdom of the Bible - for applied Museum of Art while the exhibit make scholarship opportunities discernment and extended was still in Oklahoma City. His around the Green Collection. The influence in advancing good presentation will also soon be project includes many institutions news for the future of our available on DVD and he looks and allows for the mentoring of world,” Michelson said. forward to viewing it. students. It is a great opportunity The collection of texts is Michelson is quite happy with not only owned by the Green Family, who how the Green family is making continued on page 3 HACKER GroUP DEMANDS DRUG CARTEL RELEASE ITS KIDNAPPED MEMBER Online hacker group Anonymous posted a video demanding that the Zetas, a Mexican drug cartel, release a member who had been kidnapped. In the video, a masked member threatened to release the names of approximately 100 Zeta contacts, possibly on November 5. Security experts suggest this plan, dubbed #OpCartel, if carried out would en- danger both Anonymous members and those they denounce. nytimes.com The Atlantic Wire WORLD POPULATION REACHES SEVEN BILLION, ACCORDING TO UN ESTIMATE While exact dates and numbers are impossible to confirm, the UN desi- gated Monday, October 31, as the day that the planet’s population reached seven billion. UN estimates suggest by 2025 the world’s popu- lation will be eight billion, and by 2083, ten billion. time.com Randy Olson Dr. Marty Michelson (far right) will have the opportunity to study the Green Collection. Photo provided by Todd Brant 11. 4.11 NEWS 3 Obama presents student loan reform, plan criticized by GOP candidates Abbey Marra, Staff Reporter There are two simple words in the English language which, when combined, immediately bring connotations of dread, anxiety, and despair: student loans. While it continues to increase, the total outstanding debt of college students in the United States has recently surpassed $1 trillion, which is more than the nation’s credit card debt. The College Board announced that 56 percent of students with a bachelor’s degree from a public university graduated with around $22,000 in debt, while 65 percent graduating from private universities averaged $28,000. While the vast majority of college students in the United States face this student loan debt, President Obama is attempting to alleviate some of the stress associated with the heavy burden. “College isn’t just one of the best investments you can make in your future, The Financial Assistance Office offers information on loans, grants, and more. Photo provided by Stephany Reyes. it’s one of the best investments America “We should be doing everything we can York, regarded the presidents proposal as a can make in our future,” Obama said at the to put a college education within reach for “Ponzi-scheme,” arguing that, “by promising University of Colorado in Denver. “We want every American,” Obama said. “It’s never every student, ‘You don’t have to pay off your you in school. But we shouldn’t saddle you been more important, but let’s face it: It’s student loans as a student,” the president will with debt when you’re starting off.” also never been more expensive.” inevitably bankrupt the country. Recently, he announced a new plan At the same education forum, Minnesota regarding student loans in the United States. “We should be doing congresswoman Michelle Bachmann argued, He plans on accelerating a law that was passed “I believe it is an abuse of power from the by Congress last year which will lower the everything we can to put executive to impose via an executive order a annual required payment on student loans a college education within wholesale change in the student loan.” from 15 to ten percent of one’s income. Bachmann said the change creates a “moral Additionally, instead of the remaining debt reach for every American.” hazard” when it comes to student debt. being forgiven after 25 years, the new plan While this new plan might be appealing to “There is a morality in keeping our financial reduces this number to 20 years.