HEADER 2017 • VOL. LIV, NO. 2 2017 • VOL. LIV, FALL FALL MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY CENTRAL OKLAHOMA Facing OLD NORTH the Challenges TM UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA I TABLE OF CONTENTS Be Central Show your UCO pride. 6 10 14 26 Tracking Crabs in Grand Cayman Breaking Language Barriers 4 UCO graduate student Kinsey Tedford just completed her third 24 UCO professors have helped develop an exciting program for summer in Cayman, researching a species that’s declining. younger students to learn English and succeed in school. Health on Track Chasing the Dream 6 Martha Brennan explains how she knew a radical cancer fighting 26 Steve Hansen, M.F.A., new dean of UCO’s College of treatment was her only choice, and why she’d do it again. Fine Arts and Design, brings major creativity to his job. International Recruitment, Tough Mitchell’s Expansion, Done! 10 Schools across the country are now competing for international 32 For so long a dream, the building now has it all — trendy Green students, a goal that’s increasingly difficult. Room, dance and theater class areas, dressing areas and more. Bee Curious Honoring Our Own 14 Sounds easy enough, but think again. The new E. barthelli, 34 Meet UCO’s five new Distinguished Alumni, all to be honored named for Provost John Barthell, has been enlightening. Oct. 13 on campus. Ticket deadline is Sept. 29. Standing on the Shoulders Look Out World! 20 Vice President of Student Affairs Myron Pope looks back at one 40 April 4-7 will be exciting days on the Central campus when Central student who helped him arrive in his role today. 5,000 undergraduate researchers and mentors are expected. ...a magazine published by the University of Get the official currency of UCO today! Use your MidFirst Bank UCO Debit Card or Credit Card for everyday Central Oklahoma for its alumni and friends. purchases and support the university. Every trip you make to the store; every coffee you purchase; every pizza you have delivered - it all counts. Just use the card to make your purchases and MidFirst Bank will do the rest. On the Cover In Every Issue Madison Payton is a sophomore from Miami, Oklahoma, 3 From the President Visit midfirst.com/uco for more details. NO. 2 2017 • VOL. LIV, FALL FALL double majoring in Forensic Science and Criminal Justice. 30 Central Happenings Member FDIC A member of last year’s UCO Cheer Team, her spirit seems Alumni Notes to defy the many challenges of today, some of which are 41 examined in this issue of Old North magazine. 45 In Memory MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY CENTRAL OKLAHOMA Facing OLD NORTH the 48 Letters Challenges Photo by Lauren Bieri, TM UCO Photographic Services Parting Shot Apple Pay™, Android Pay™ and Samsung Pay 49 II OLD NORTH • FALL 2017 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA 1 UCO0099_2017 Old North Ad.indd 1 8/8/17 12:58 PM The University of Central Oklahoma HEADER Alumni Association Presents: FROM THE PRESIDENT Thursday, Oct. 12: Bronchtoberfest 5 - 8 p.m. at the Patriarch in Edmond Q&A with President Betz Friday, Oct. 13: Golden Bronchos Reunion Breakfast 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. in the Nigh University Center Don Betz, Ph.D., is now in his seventh year as UCO president. Friday, Oct. 13: Distinguished Alumni Luncheon 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Nigh University Center During his time, Central has had a rise in the number of degrees Friday, Oct. 13: African American Chapter granted while state funding has 7 p.m. - Meet and Greet at Eddie’s Bar & Grill dropped from 50 percent in 2008 Saturday, Oct. 14: Homecoming Carnival to 22 percent for this academic 11 a.m. - KickoffWest of West Wantland of Wantland Stadium Stadium year. Now seemed a good time to ask about the challenges he Saturday, Oct. 14: Homecoming Game 2 p.m. - Nebraska Kearney vs. the Bronchos sees ahead. Q. What’s the No. 1 challenge you see Q. Is it just about buildings? Q. So, is it about building an facing UCO today? environment to make them all tech- ToTo register for these events and more, visit CentralConnection.org/Homecoming. A. Definitely not. savvy citizens who know how to get the A. That would have to be funding. We UCO has focused on creating the optimal information they need? begin the 2017-18 year in high spirits, but learning environments for our diverse we also have realistic expectations. We lost student population — recent high school A. No. UCO and other universities are another $2.63 million in state support this graduates, as well as nontraditional students dedicated to our graduates being more than year. However, we’re focused on creating returning to the university to change career-ready. We prepare them to be citizen- new partnerships and new sources of the trajectory of their career options and ready. support to meet our campus needs. to more adequately meet the needs of Throughout their time at UCO, our their families. We also have a significant students are continually and intentionally What are those needs? population of high school students who directed toward hands-on experiences Q. earn college credit at UCO each semester. in the community and state through a A. In February 2017, we reopened Old One common characteristic is that they combination of volunteer internships and North after its closure for 17 years. There all utilize ever-changing technology in campus responsibilities. They also have is a succession of capital projects planned their work and their personal lives. This outreach into the community through or underway that are designed to meet the will continue into the future, requiring a more than 200 student organizations. Featuring a live performance by learning and working opportunities for our capacity for adaptability that may prove to The positive outcomes include increased staff, faculty and particularly our students. be challenging for many. This is the essence exposure and awareness of the metro’s of Kevin Kelly’s assertion in his book, challenges and opportunities. In turn, An example is the new STEM Teaching Handmade Moments “The Inevitable,” when he writes, “All of prospective employers are able to more and Research Center that’s expected to be us — every one of us — will be endless effectively assess our students’ capacities completed by next fall. It will expand the newbies in the future simply trying to keep and attitudes, which in turn can lead to opportunities for relevant undergraduate up.” One of our continuing institutional satisfying careers for our students. About 82 research in a variety of disciplines, including responsibilities is to prepare our graduates percent of our graduates remain in the state, Forensic Science and Nursing. It represents 5-8 P.M. • THURSDAY, OCT. 12 for a life of change and a passion for the majority in the metro area, contributing 5-8 P.M. • THURSDAY, OCT. 12 UCO’s active response to the metro’s and learning. Their success in this new high- to the growth and vitality of the area and state’s call for more graduates in those fields. TheThe PatriarchPatriarch CraftCraft BeerBeer House && LawnLawn tech world is essential for their futures as our fellow citizen. It is clearly in the OKC A second example of responding to the well as Oklahoma City’s and Oklahoma’s Metro’s and the state’s best interest to RSVP at CentralConnection.org/Homecoming educational needs of the region will be the prosperity. appropriately fund higher education so that RSVP at CentralConnection.org/Homecoming expansion of the Liberal Arts building, to we can achieve these desirable outcomes and be started in January 2018 and occupied by build the future of the state. the summer of 2019. 2 OLD NORTH • FALL 2017 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA 3 UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY OFOF CENTRALCENTRAL OKLAHOMAOKLAHOMA TM TM ALUMNIALUMNI ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATION interested. Land crabs aren’t showy, touristy,” he said. However, they are one of the larger animals on the island and have been one of the largest in population. From an ecological standpoint, they help with nutrient recycling and help distribute seeds, through their diet and movement. Eventually, Cayman officials worked with Bass to establish a place for a graduate student to spend several months in the summer collecting data on the crabs. Tedford seemed the obvious pick, Bass said. “She’s independent, works extremely hard, focuses on the task while being open-minded and treating people with great respect,” he said, noting he had to have that kind of confidence in someone to assure that all his years of building good relationships would In Grand Cayman remain. Tedford said that while By Gypsy Hogan her nighttime work is fairly consistent, her A low grade on a test has led Kinsey Tedford on a daylight hours are not. journey she could never have imagined as a freshman who The Cayman government thought about being a nurse. maintains a cluster of apartments for Professor David Bass and graduate student Kinsey Tedford Instead, she just completed her third summer of research lodging for scientists like Tedford. Her explore sites in Grand Cayman where they are doing research. work in Grand Cayman, where she has made nightly roommates this summer were a West German searches for the area’s indigenous land crabs. Dressed turtle biologist and “two shark people, one from in reflective vests, she and her volunteers patrol the the United Kingdom and the other from South highways and search the brush for the crabs that Africa.” The international camaraderie is definitely a plus, are dwindling in numbers because of development. Tedford’s Tedford said.