By Emily Wiley, Editor-in-Chief The man who just beat the record for the most wins of any four-year collegiate softball coach didn’t even plan on coaching. Phil McSpadden received the distinction Friday when he won his 1,458 game at OCU. McSpadden was inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Associations Hall of Fame in 2014…
Cheer squad wins second consecutive national title
The small co-ed cheer squad won the National Cheer Alliance Collegiate National Championship for the second year in a row. The cheer and pom squads competed at the NCA and National Dance Alliance Collegiate National Championships on April 8-12 in Daytona. Both squads won national titles last year. The teams planned to defend their titles…
Big Event changes to accommodate budget cuts
By Kyle Wallace, Staff Writer Student Activities Council’s annual Big Event is undergoing changes to accommodate a smaller budget and increase the number of students served. SAC hosts Big Event to celebrate the end of the academic year and provide students with fun activities. This year’s event theme is World’s Fair, which will feature…
Freshmen reflect on first year with ceremony
By Taylor Rey, Staff Writer As the school year comes to a close, it’s time for freshmen to reflect on their first year college experiences with the annual Fire and Water Ceremony. OCULeads hosts the ceremony every year to commemorate the end of the year for each new freshmen class. OCULeads was created in…
SGA funds help send students to international conference
Two students will attend an international conference, thanks to Student Government Association. Sadeq Al-Fayyadh and Serwan Bakey, nursing Ph.D. students and members of the Iraqi Student Organization, requested funds from SGA at the Student Senate meeting March 24 to attend the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry to present their research. Their research is a quantitative,…
The science behind “a case of the Mondays”
Monday is dreaded across the world as the start of a new week of hard work and more stress. While I usually try to think particularly positively on Mondays, I began to wonder: is there some psychological preset that makes this the most dreaded day of the week for, well, nearly everyone?
‘Love Not Hate’ day returns
By Kayla McKenna, Staff Writer The annual Love Not Hate Day will return to campus for the tenth time this year. The event is hosted by religious life and provides an opportunity for the community to come together in support of solidarity and love in the face of turbulent political and social issues. The event…
Music students fulfill requirements
By Kyle Wallace, Staff Writer Undergraduate students are expected to complete a comprehensive assignment at the end of their four years at OCU, but music performance majors must complete two recitals before they can walk across the stage donned in a robe and mortarboard. Music performance juniors and seniors must give recitals to fulfill degree…
FIJI members receive charter after colonization
By Emily Wiley, Editor-in-Chief The men of Phi Gamma Delta have secured their chapter and are officially the Omicorn Chi chapter. After nearly six years of being on campus, Fiji received their charter from their headquarters on March 28. “It feels good,” said Jacob Overling, president of Fiji. “It feels different than other fraternities on…
Senators release applications for appointed positions
By Lauren Matheny, Lifestyles Editor Student Government Association is accepting applications for new officer appointments for the 2015-16 academic year. Chance Johnson, Student Government Association president-elect, will appoint officers to the SGA executive cabinet. Open positions include chief of staff, secretary of public relations, secretary of finance, and secretary of policies and initiatives. All students…
New housing assignment system begins
By Mackenzie Menter, Copy Editor There will not be a housing draft this year. Walker Hall will be co-ed, but open to freshmen only. Draper Hall will only be open to sophomores and up. Banning Hall will remain open only to honors students. Smith Hall will remain closed for renovations. University Manor Apartment will be…
SGA vice president-elect shares goals for next term
By Emily Wiley, Editor-in-Chief Students elected a new vice president of Student Government Association. Nic Rhodes, economics sophomore, was elected into the position of vice president of SGA April 1 after students voted via OrgSync. Rhodes ran against Brandon Elder, acting freshman, for the office. Rhodes was born in Hurst, Texas, where he played soccer at…
A walk to remember: the history of Relay for Life
As OCU participates in Relay for Life, MediaOCU looks into the history and success of the world-wide event.
McSpadden claims record-breaking wins
Submitted Softball coach Phil McSpadden collects the milestone victory in the Stars’ 13-1, 8-0 sweep of Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) on April 10 at Ann Lacy Stadium. McSpadden reached win No. 1,458. He has the most wins against four-year schools of any college softball coach. The OCU coach owns a 1,458-356 record in his 28th…
Weather apps for a rainy day
April showers bring May flowers to Oklahoma–but they also bring the risk of severe weather to our state. When severe storms hit, most people flip on the TV or turn on the radio to check our local forecast. But for those of us kept busy with rehearsals, practices, and classes, it can be difficult to get accurate weather reports. Here are some apps designed to do just that: alert you when severe storm is in the area, and tell you when it’s safe to stay out, and when it’s time to take cover.
Officials wave student parking tickets after severe weather
The United Methodist Hall parking garage will not be open today, April 8, in the case of severe weather, according to university housing. Students who received parking tickets in the United Methodist Hall parking garage during the storms on March 25 will not pay for those tickets. Students, faculty and staff were informed via email…
‘Comparison is the thief of joy:’ how to shield yourself from negativity
“Comparison is the thief of joy,” said that philosophical 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt. But how do you resist the urge to feel inferior on a campus full of over-achievers? Here’s my take on the thorny question of comparison.
Visiting artist offers Maymester class
Submitted The university’s visiting artist Mike Wimmer will teach a three-week Maymester course titled “Exploring the Landscape” at various locations throughout the city this spring. The course is open to all majors and will meet on weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon May 11 through June 1. The art course will count as a three-hour elective…
Pfau becomes ‘outstanding wrestler’
Submitted Sophomore wrestler Cody Pfau became the outstanding wrestler of the Women’s USA Wrestling University Nationals. Pfau pinned defending champion Erin Golston of the New York Athletic Club in 1:58 to capture the 105-pound championship. Eight Stars placed in the tournament. Those OCU individuals who took second at their respective weights were Kayla Aggio at…
Women’s golf team finishes sixth
Submitted The women’s golf team posted a sixth-place finish in the Houston Baptist Husky Invitational March 31 at Riverbend Country Club. Oklahoma City, ranked fourth in NAIA women’s golf, compiled a 313-319-314–946 to end the tournament ahead of four NCAA Division I teams. Sophomore Kailey Campbell tied for 17th to pace the Stars. Campbell provided the Stars…
Marchesani claims golfer of the week
Submitted Junior golfer Anthony Marchesani reeled in the NAIA men’s golfer of the week for March 23-29. Marchesani became NAIA golfer of the week for the second time and SAC golfer of the week for the fourth time in his OCU career. On March 23-24, Marchesani won co-champion honors in the Battle at the Primm…
Webster featured in Sports Illustrated
Submitted Senior wrestler Emily Webster became the second OCU athlete to be featured in Sports Illustrated’s Faces in the Crowd section. Webster made the March 23 issue of the magazine. The Faces in the Crowd recognizes the best up-and-coming amateur athletes from around the country. Webster recently finished her OCU wrestling career as an undefeated…
Softball team keeps No. 1 ranking
Submitted The softball team defeated Oklahoma Baptist 13-3 and 10-0 March 2 at Ann Lacy Stadium. Senior Jocelin Diaz, junior Kyndra Holasek, junior Kayley Humann and junior Jeananne Ruck hit home runs. OCU, ranked No. 1 in NAIA softball, moved to 31-1, 10-0 in the Sooner Athletic Conference. The Stars plated at least 10 runs for the 14th time…
SGA election results announced
The polls have closed and the votes have been counted and the new vice president of Student Government Association has been announced. Nic Rhodes, economics sophomore, will take office at the inauguration ceremony hosted by SGA. All students are invited to the ceremony. Six other candidates ran uncontested. They automatically assumed their positions for the…
Students prepare to attend, present research at biology conference
The Beta Beta Beta South Central Regional Convention gives biology students a chance to present their biological research and compete to go to the national convention. Five OCU students will present at the convention: Dylan Smith-Sutton, cell and molecular biology junior, Stormy Vandeplas, environmental studies senior, Erin McCoy, biology junior, Lillie Pennington, biology junior, and…
Faculty, staff to receive honors at ‘festive’ awards party
By Kyle Wallace, Staff Writer Faculty and staff who have dedicated five or more years to the university will be honored at the Starskys employee recognition ceremony. The Starskys are an annual employee service and recognition event hosted by university advancement, human resources and the president’s office. The event will be from 3 to 5…
