As college students’ tight bud-gets enjoy relatively acceptable gas prices today, the daunting past of record-high gasoline that hit around last summer stays embedded in our memories. Remembering such hard times and going through the other current challenges of a recession, many may worry if the sequel of gas record highs will occur again in the near future. But according to many experts, there may be good news on this front. A gas spike last summer brought gas prices to unforgettable record highs of more than $4 per gallon. They then fell, bringing gas prices in many states to no more than $1.50 a gallon late last year, according to Kennth Musante of CNNMoney.com. These prices are driven by crude oil, the main ingredient in gasoline. The price was more than $100 a bar-rel in summer 2008. It has since dropped to $47 a barrel, after a brief drop to $32.40, according to Musante, making many

Americans happy. While many consumers fear a rise in gas prices, subtle increases have already occurred. In Janu-ary, the national average was up to $1.672 per gallon for unleaded, ac-cording to the American Automobile Association. “Oil companies don’t like to shock us,” said Jason Toews, co-founder of Gasbuddy.com, in Mus-ante’s article. “They like to ease us into higher prices.” Although slowly climbing high-er and higher, Toews does not see an occurrence of $4 a gallon occurring again anytime soon. He said he sees a more likely rise to $2.75 a gallon by summer, due to such factors as higher demand and the falling econ-omy. Other industry experts are in accordance when it comes to pre-dictions associated for the future of gas prices. According to the Energy Information Administration, cited in an article by Outside the Beltway writer Steve Verdon, $51 per barrel for crude oil in 2009 would offer consumers more reasonable, lower prices.

The current prices are not in OPEC’s, (Organiza-tion of the Petroleum Exporting Coun-tries) favor profit-wise, Verdon wrote, and lower prices may drive OPEC to hope for higher demand. In addi-tion, he said, they would be hoping for President Obama’s stimulus package to revive the economy so higher prices can be charged. “A lot depends on the nature and depth of the eco-nomic recession,” said UK Royal Institute of International Affairs pro-fessor Paul Stevens in Verdon’s ar-ticle. Adam Siemenski, chief energy economist of Deutsche Bank, was also quoted in Verdon’s article and said the week economy will bring a very low demand for gas unlike what we’ve experienced in the last quarter

of a century. With many critics and specialists not seeing the dreaded sequel of $4 per gallon gas occurring anytime in the near future, it brings a little hope to the strapped college student, as well as the average American con-sumer. Although gas will probably never be $1.19 per gallon like it was in the ‘90s, maybe our wallets can breathe easier for a little while.

T e x a s W e s l e y a n U n i v e r s i T y

The RamblerThe students’ voice since 1917

February 18, 2009 www.txwes.edu/rambler Vol. 102, No. 5

News Briefs

Guitar Hero

Do you think you have what it takes to strum and fret the sounds of Aeros-mith and Metallica? Join students as they take part in the cultural phenom-enon that is Guitar Hero World Tour. The jam ses-sion starts at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 in the lobby of Stella Russell Hall.

Chili and Tombstone

The Taste of Texas of-fers a remedy for the cold weather and a typical Wednesday; join them as they serve chili and show the movie Tombstone. Events start at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25 in Elizabeth Hall.

Rambler Contribution

Please send all news briefs to twurambler@yahoo.com. Submissions due by noon Friday to see brief in the following week’s issue.

Opinions Have you had someone pretend to be you? Is your identity safe online? Gain insight on the epidemic. Page 3

Sports Wesleyan baseball player shares testimony and thoughts for the promising upcoming season. Page 5

Expanding Horizons

For the 21st year, Texas Wesleyan will host Ex-panding Your Horizons in Science and Mathemat-ics conference. Middle school girls are invited to participate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 4 at the Sid W. Richardson center. Participants will take part in hands-on activities in workshops presented by professional women in the science or mathemat-ics fields. Conference cost is $5 per person, and the registration deadline is March 12. Contact Dr. Jane Moore at (817) 531-4882.

3PR, Princeton Review prepare pre-professional studentsMartin Garcia

NEWS EDITOR

Predicting the future for gas prices:

As the spring semester ever so quickly nears the halfway mark, students with post-secondary education goals are realizing that graduate school is right around the corner. With that in mind, Wesleyan’s Pre-Profes-sional Program (3PR) is teaming up with The Princeton Review to bring the Graduate School Test Fest to campus Feb. 21st. “Princeton came, and we liked the price tag,” said Ann Smith, recruitment and activities spe-cialist for the M.D. Anderson Pre-Professional Program. Smith, who is currently in the tail end of her first year in 3PR, is trying to implement a system which provides graduate school prospects with the tools necessary to prepare for the application process.

Test Fest will do just that as it will provide students with one free practice test of the MCAT, LSAT, GMAT or GRE.

The session will also include a catered lunch followed by a test strategy session given by one of the program’s expert instructors. “The ultimate goal is to do this every semes-ter,” Smith said. “We need to have a benchmark to realize what the students still need to learn, and we must remain informed as to what they need to

be working on.” 3PR has seen a resurgence this year as par-ticipation has multiplied. The organization now caters to a long list of pre-professional individu-als including law, medical, ministry, psychology, sociology and pre-college teaching. Test Fest will demonstrate the Pre-Profes-sional Programs’ desire for its increasing number of students to succeed. “Students are now taking their career paths more serious, and they want to develop those in-dividual strengths,” Smith said. Test Fest is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 21 on Wesleyan’s campus. Students can reg-ister for the event at www.princetonreview.com/events or by calling 800-2Review before Friday. For questions, call Ann Smith at (817) 531-4484.

Courtesy of Google Images

Hatton Sumners

The Hatton W. Sumners Foundation Scholarship will accept applications until Feb. 23. Scholars chosen will receive up to $3,500 a semester and will participate in special forums on public policy and leadership. Preference is given to those studying political science, pre-law, history or social studies. Students from other pro-gram areas who have high academic achievement and exhibit a strong sense of community responsi-bility will also be consid-ered.

Three years in the books and Burleson site moves right alongEunicE nicholson

STAFF WRITER

While the thought of gas at more than $4 a gallon is still fresh on the minds of drivers, sources say that this sum-mer’s hike shouldn’t be as worrisome.

“As the 3PR audience grows in size, the program requires a restructure that imple-ments events like Test Fest.”

– Anne Smith

Recruitment and Activities Specialist M.D. Anderson Pre-Professional Program

As Texas Wesleyan’s Burleson site begins its fourth year of service, the staff finds themselves reflecting on three years of growth. “We started with five stu-dents in 2006,” said Judy Ar-nold, Burleson site coordina-tor. “This semester we have over 60 students enrolled in classes,” Arnold said. The Burleson site, lo-cated in Johnson County just south of Fort Worth, opened its doors to students in Janu-ary 2006. A satellite campus of Texas Wesleyan, it offers junior and senior level cours-es to students who have com-pleted general course require-ments or hold an associate’s degree. The significant growth is largely attributed to Arnold, said Dr. Carlos Martinez, dean of the school of education. “The key to our success in Burleson lies in the connection Judy has with the community,” he said. Arnold has been a member of the Wesleyan staff more than 18 years. She has lived in Burleson since she was 11-years-old. Arnold is a member of the local Rotary Club of Burleson and serves as the club’s director of com-

munity service. She is also involved in her church and knows many of the people of Burleson.For her, the situation is a win-win. “I’m helping Wesleyan provide more options for its students, and I am helping my community by pro-viding higher education to its resi-dents,” Arnold said. When local universities began es-tablishing satellite campuses in the Metroplex several years ago, Wes-leyan wanted to do the same, Mar-tinez said. Originally, a location in Collin County, north of Dallas, was considered. But Martinez said that when the connection was made with the city of Burleson and the First United Methodist Church in Burle-son was suggested as a location, it was a good opportunity.

In addition, part of the space at the church was already occupied by Hill College, a two-year community

school. “I think it is a tribute to Wesleyan to be forward-thinking and to be able to take a risk and branch out to give students options they deserve,” Arnold said. “Most of our students come from Hill College and the Southeast cam-pus of Tarrant County College. We help make the transfer to Wesleyan easy by nurturing them.”

See Burleson, page 2

Photo by Tiara Nugent

Why we shouldn’t expect last year’s hike but still shouldn’t get too comfortable

Judy Arnold, Burleson site coordinator, has anchored the program that has seen a jump from five students to more than 60.

shaMEka hyattSTAFF WRITER

Arnold said she and her colleague, Ashley Shetter, transfer ad-mission counselor and regional recruiter, work with Hill College students planning to transfer to Wesleyan to complete a bache-lor’s degree in education. Arnold said that establishing relation-ships with students before they enroll at Wesleyan has taken some of the guess work for the students out of the process. Colette Rose is a resident of Burleson and a senior at the site. Rose also serves as president of the Burleson Leaders Uniting Educators (BLUE), a Burleson site student organization serving the local community. Rose also volunteers her time assisting Ar-nold with various duties at the site. In addition to the site’s convenient location and feeling that she’s part of the Wesleyan family, there is another reason Rose said she chose Wesleyan. “English as a second language is part of the Wesleyan educa-tion degree plan,” Rose said. “Most school districts now require this certification.” In addition to Arnold and Shetter, the Burleson site employs two full- time education professors, Dr. Kim Tyler and Dr. Lorrie Webb. The Burleson site currently offers a bachelor’s degree program in early childhood through grade six and select courses in busi-ness and liberal studies. The site also offers courses toward a mas-ter of education in administration/principalship certification in the summer. The site also has its benefits for students at the historic campus. Additional computers were added to the Burleson site computer lab to provide all Wesleyan students who live near Burleson the convenience of working closer to home.

“Student service is what we are all about,” Arnold said. “We hope to expand and add other programs in the future.”In the mean time, she’s enjoying the current success of her students. “My greatest joy is to see Wesleyan students graduate…to feel I had a small part in helping them achieve their goals,” she said. The Burleson site is located at 130 E. Renfro in Burleson, three blocks west of Interstate 35. For more information contact Judy Arnold at (871) 295-7373.

NewsFebruary 18, 2009 The Rambler 2

Burleson, from page 1

Photo by Tiara Nugent

The Wesleyan satellite campus opened its doors in 2006. The Bur-leson building houses the Wesleyan site as well as Hill College, a community college.

Business school goes HD, links students via technology The Armstrong Mabee Business Building is new and improved. Three LCD high definition televisions now hang in the lobby of the business building, set off by a cherry finished wall and new carpeting. The television sets will be used to broadcast mainly news-related channels. Dr. Hector Quintanilla, dean of the school of business, worked with Mac McLain, finance professor, and Wells Far-go Bank in securing a grant for this project. This area will be known as the “Wells Fargo Information Center.” A seating area in the center will also be provided, com-plete with business-related periodicals like Fortune, Busi-ness Week and The Wall Street Journal. According to the proposal, the major goal of this center is to “create a dynamic learning space where students and guests can experience a connection to the world of finance and business.” Its objectives, as stated in the proposal, are to “promote

business education, increase financial literacy and provide a study area that encourages learning and student interaction.” Quintanilla said the new center will connect students’ learning and understanding about business through the news. The televisions will broadcast HD channels CNBC, CNN and the new Fox Business Channel. Associate Dean Dr. Sameer Vaidya said he believes that the televisions and periodicals will help business students keep in touch and up to speed in the business and financial world. The televisions should be fully operational by the end of the semester. The television sets, mounted on the lobby wall, are Samsung 46-inch LN46A550 models. Each HDTV will have an HDMI cable routed through the wall, and in a

locked closet, there will be three DirecTV high-definition re-ceivers. DirecTV offers more than 130 channels broadcasting in high definition.

Seth NelSoNSTAFF WRITER

Photo by Gasten Schoonover

The Wells Fargo Information Center will host a row of new flat screens that will connect students to the world of business. The televisions should be powered up by the end of the semester.

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The RamblerFounded in 1917 as The Handout

Harold G. Jeffcoat, Publisher Kelli Lamers, adviser Martin Garcia, news editorTiara Nugent,editor-in-chief Bryce Wilks, sports editor Ryan Authier, entertainment editor Ashely Oldham, advertising manager Gasten Schoonover, photo editor Rachel Horton, Web editor

Member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.Opinions expressed in The Rambler are those of the individual author only

and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Texas Wesleyan community as a whole. Letters to the editor: The Rambler, a weekly publication, welcomes all letters.

All submissions must have a full printed name, phone number and signature; however, confidentiality will be granted if requested. While every consideration is made to publish letters, publication is limited by time and space.

The editors reserve the right to edit all submissions for space, grammar, clarity and style. Letters to the editor may be subject to response from editors and students on the opinions page.

“We are not afraid to follow the truth...wherever it may lead.” -Thomas Jefferson

Address all correspondence to:

Texas Wesleyan University, The Rambler, 1201 Wesleyan St., Fort Worth, TX 76105.Newsroom: 531-7552 Advertising: 531-7582

E-mail: twurambler@yahoo.com

Rambler Ratings Thumbs up to Gamma Sigma Sigma for holding a Valentine’s bake sale.

Thumbs down to the shallow, hard-to-grip Coke bottle lids.

Thumbs down to the broken printer in NBC 102.

Thumbs up to maintenance for keeping our campus trash- free.

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Who are you? Did you buy that diamond ring or go on that expensive shopping spree last weekend?

Your credit card was used, but was it you?There is more and more talk about losing your

identity to theft. Today people are coming up with increasingly easy and clever ways to steal someone’s identity. Simply throwing away your mail or losing a receipt can lead to identity theft.

The reported findings for Javelin/Better Business Bureau Survey state, “within the last 12 months, 9.3 million Americans were victims of identity theft.” Most thieves obtain personal information through traditional

means such as lost or stolen wallets, untrustworthy family and friends and theft of paper mail rather than electronic channels.

This means that 68.2 percent of the stolen information was obtained off-line versus the 11.6 percent obtained online.

According to the Better Business Survey, “85 percent of victims find out about their identity theft in a negative manner, whereas 15 percent of victims find out due to proactive action taken by a business.”

Some ways to reduce your risk of identity theft include canceling your paper bills

and statements and instead check your statements and paying bills online since statistics show us this is a safer method. Monitor your account balances and activities electronically at least once a week.

For some, online accounts still feel

uncomfortable. If this is you, other ways to reduce your chances

of identity theft include reviewing

paper bank and credit card

statements monthly and monitor your billing cycle for missing bills, unexplained withdrawals or transfers as well as unexplained payments. Also consider using a paper shredder and being careful what you throw away and where.

Unfortunately, whenever you show your driver’s license, give your social security number or simply fill out an application for a job or to move into a new apartment you are risking your identity being stolen.

According to the Sun Journal, a 34-year-old New York woman was sentenced to two years and eight months in federal prison after pleading guilty to identity theft. The Feb. 5 newspaper article reported that “while working in an assisted-living facility, she obtained personal information, including social security numbers, and documents from two residents. She then used the stolen information to try to get credit cards from two banks and make purchases on the Internet.”

You never know where it can happen, so protect your information.If you do choose to make purchases and complete account transactions

online, precautions must be taken. Do you really know how safe it is to put your personal information on the computer? Probably not.

When shopping online, it is never safe to give the merchant your credit card or bank account information through e-mail or instant messaging.

According to Practical Answers for Digital Life, purchasing with credit cards online is a safe way to pay bills. It is very easy to dispute charges if you encounter problems such as your credit card being charged for items you never purchased or like your credit card number being stolen. U.S. credit card brands are prepared to protect you, with policies like MasterCard Zero Liability.

When shopping online, make sure to read the privacy policy that should be posted on the Web site. If for any reason you do not feel comfortable with the policy or if there is not one posted, do not make a purchase from them.

Another safe way to shop online is with a service called PayPal. PayPal is an eBay company and acts as the payment middleman. This allows people to send money to each other over the Internet in a way that is secure for the buyer and the seller. PayPal takes care of the transactions without the seller ever seeing your payment information. For information on setting up an account, visit www.paypal.com.

There are millions of victims of identity theft in the United States each year. Make sure that you take the necessary precautions listed above to ensure your safety, including reviewing your credit report, which can be obtained free for annual review.

Don’t give anyone the opportunity to steal your identity. Taking charge will help put an end the potential of losing your identity.

Monique

nolly

Smoking, it’s a filthy habit. It makes your

clothes smell, gives you bad breath and is an increasingly expensive habit to maintain. It also relieves stress, calms anxiety and goes great with alcohol.

As for myself, I am counted amongst the dirty smoker population, and while I can see that there are

definitely negative effects to smoking, I don’t think smoking should be a banned activity.

In the past couple of years, lawmakers throughout the area have past city ordinances banning smoking in most public places. While the ordinances vary slightly from city to city, most prohibit it in restaurants where alcohol does not make up the vast majority of sales. In other words, it’s generally prohibited unless you’re in a bar. Cities also cracked down on smoking outside the entrances of a building.

They took the smoking sections out of the restaurants, and the smoking community responded with a gravely grumble. They took it out of bowling alleys, to which we hacked and coughed in disdain. They banned us from buildings’ entrances, and we puffed in corners. We were down, but not out. Pushed to the side, but not eliminated. Coerced but not killed.

That may all change. According to nbcdfw.com, Texas legislature

is currently working on a bill that would push the smoking ban even farther, banning smoking everywhere, except for private residence (which, who knows, may come next).

Pegasusnew.com reports that the city of

Rowlett has already passed stricter smoking restrictions for the residents, and visitors, of their fair city. Offenders of the new smoking ordinance will find themselves strapped with a $500 fine.

Other Texas towns are expected to follow suit, leading up to a statewide ban. Still one of the last states in the nation to allow smoking in public places, Texas’ smokers find ourselves on the dawning of a new, tobacco hostile era.

Smoking is increasingly unpopular in this day and age. Many mass media ad campaigns have

been set up to discourage people from smoking, and much legislation has passed concerning the subject.

While I don’t encourage anyone to take up smoking, I think those who choose to do so should not be forced into quitting, especially by the government. I understand that secondhand smoke affects others, if in no other way but

severe annoyance, and those of the non-smoking community surely have the right to breathe all the fresh air they want. But measures have already been taken to ensure this.

Smoking is prohibited in restaurants and most other public places, it is barred 15 to 20 feet from a building’s entrance, and people who see you smoking are legally obligated to make exaggerated coughing sounds when they walk by you and call you “cancer face,” (OK, that last part is made up, but you just wait…).

Pushing the ban even farther just seems like kicking a guy when he’s down … and while he’s trying to light up a smoke. Smoking is still allowed in bars, which, if the ban takes effect, would change all of that.

This is perhaps where the bill will meet its most resistance.

Those who frequent bars, more often than not, also smoke. If an establishment is set up to serve nothing but poison, why can’t a patron partake in other poisons as well? Don’t like the smoke in bars? Perhaps you would feel more comfortable in one of the thousands of other restaurants in the Metroplex that serve alcohol and/or have their own smoke-free bar, catering

to all you fresh air junkies. Smoking is an unhealthy practice, but if

we’re going to start banning things based on how healthy they are for us, then fast food, sodas and those cars spilling out all that carbon monoxide should be the next to go.

Again, I don’t advocate that others smoke, but on the behalf of everyone who does, please keep your enthusiasm for fresh air in your malls and restaurants and leave the dive bars and bowling alleys to us smokers.

ChuCk Fain

Chuck Fain is a senior English major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

Embrace your identity ... before someone else does

Butt out.Private smoking not the public, government’s business

Monique Nolly is a senior mass communication major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

Who do you eat lunch with?

Queen Noor of Jordan

John Stossel ABC’s 20/20 host

For more information or to pick up an application, contact:

Office of Financial Aid (817) 531-4420Application Deadline: February 23, 2009

Tommy FranksU.S. General

Tony SnowFormer White House Press Secretary

Robert JordanU.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 2001

Jeb BushFlorida’s 43rd governor

Dominique DawesU.S. Olympic gold medalist and nationalHumanitarian

Clarence ThomasU.S. Supreme Court Justice

Steve ForbesEntrepreneur

Buzz AldrinU.S. Astronaut

As a student at Texas Wesleyan, you have the opportunity to apply for the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship, up to $3,500 per semester toward tuition for your junior and senior years, is open to all students. Preference is given to those studying political science, pre-law, history, or social stud-ies. Students from other program areas who have high academic achievement, are involved in activities, and exhibit leadership and a strong sense of community responsibility will also be considered. Sumners Scholars also participate in special forums, lectures and programs on public policy, leadership, and civic participation.

It could be them.

God is life. Baseball is just a detail. That’s what Ryan Ragsdale used to wear as he strutted around the halls of Smithfield Elementary School. No one can question Ragsdale’s passion for the game, but his love for Christ is what has been evident in his demeanor and in his life. This guidance and conviction has ultimately translated into production on the diamond for the junior catcher.

Baseball has been a part of Ragsdale’s life as long as he can remember—15 years to be exact. What now seems like so many days ago, he ventured out (like many athletes do) and took a stab at basketball, football and cross country, but once he got to high school, Ragsdale knew that his main focus was on baseball.

“I love everything about the game, and I wouldn’t trade one minute of my time on the field for anything,” he said. “The drama, the intensity, the heartbreak and victory – there’s just nothing like it.”

It’s this kind of passion and love for the game that drives head coach Mike Jeffcoat’s team to success. The Rams are currently riding back-to-back 40-win seasons—something that hasn’t been done since the ’79 and ’80 seasons.

In the current streak the Rams have captured one Red River Conference tournament championship, and the team has also advanced to the Region VI final.

It’s evident that Jeffcoat’s major league presence has influenced his teams, but by adding Texas Rangers Hall-of-Famer and Rams assistant coach Rusty Greer to the coaching staff, he has created an environment that is unmatched by many of the Rams’ opponents.

“It’s pretty awesome to have two former big league players as coaches, especially two that achieved what they did on the field,” Ragsdale said.

He and the rest of the 2009 squad show no signs of mercy and anticipate their next bid to the championship this season.

“I think we honestly have the best talent I’ve ever played with,” Ragsdale said. “As cliché’ as it may sound, I think we can go further than any baseball team we have ever had here at Wesleyan.”

He also noted that the team is well-rounded, deep at every position and has really good chemistry, a vital part of any successful ride.

Ragsdale is geared up mentally and physically to bring home the glory in Wesleyan’s favor. Along with the spiritual certainty associated with his life, he is motivated day in and day out by knowing that every time he suits up and steps on the field he can get better.

Better yet, he has strong desires to perfect his game. “I know life could be a lot worse, and I know that I’m very

blessed to still be playing,” Ragsdale said. “Everyday is a new challenge, a new chance to do something great.”

Although Ragsdale comes from a high school team that saw multiple district championships and area tournament bids, he said he couldn’t put a price tag on how valuable his Rams experience has been.

To him, playing for the Rams brings to a whole new level the meaning of being a team. Jeffcoat and company preach and reaffirm the value of hard work, and it shows.

The .370 career hitter plans to play as long as he can, while he still has fun doing it.

Considering baseball’s current state of affairs in the “steroid era,” Ragsdale admits that he frequently gets the ‘are you on steroids’ joke from his friends, but the impressive Wesleyan lifetime batting average speaks for itself. Ragsdale has never made performance enhancers part of his game, and he hasn’t let them affect him personally.

After the time comes to hang up his cleats, Ragsdale said he plans to attend dentistry school and train to be an orthodontist. Success will surely follow him wherever he goes, as his determination to triumph hasn’t surrendered too much.

For being only a detail, the game of baseball has positively impacted the Rams’ redshirt junior to an end that is unimaginable. He’s truly a role model to his teammates, his friends and to everyone else around him.

SportsFebruary 18, 2009 The Rambler 5

Log on towww.ramsports.netfor the latest game information and profiles of your

favorite Wesleyan teams and athletes

Quick Quote

Upcoming EventsFeb. 19*5:30 p.m. Women’s Bas-ketball vs. Wiley

*7:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Wiley

Feb. 20*10 a.m. Softball vs. North-western Oklahoma State

*1 p.m. Softball vs. Kansas Wesleyan

*3 p.m. Softball vs. Univer-sity of Science & Arts

Feb. 21*5:30 p.m. Women’s Bas-ketball vs. Southwestern Assemblies of God

*7:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Southwestern Assem-blies of God

Feb. 23*1 p.m. Baseball vs. LSU-Shreveport

*3 p.m. Baseball vs. LSU-Shreveport

*5:30 Women’s Basketball vs. Paul Quinn

*7:30 Men’s Basketball vs. Paul Quinn

Feb. 24*1 p.m. Baseball vs. Texas College

*3 p.m. Baseball vs. Texas College

Sports BriefsRams run past HTUFeb. 14The basketball team defeat-ed Huston-Tillotson 79-63 and in the process, amassed their highest regular season win total since the 1982-83 team went 22-6. They also pushed their current winning streak to 11 games. That is tied for the sixth longest streak in school history and the longest since a 12 game streak in 1983.

Lady Rams pick up forfeit win against HTUJan. 24The Huston-Tillotson women’s basketball team forfeited their game against the Lady Rams to give Wesleyan their fourth conference win.

No. 17 Rams knock off Lubbock ChristianFeb. 14The baseball team handed Lubbock Christian their first loss of the year, 4-0. Pitcher Cody Poche went 8.1 scoreless innings and allowed no runs on two hits while striking out five.

Softball sweeps home openerFeb. 13The softball team took their first two victories of the sea-son over the LSU-Alexandria Generals. Ashley Oldham took the win in both games, running her pitching record to 2-2.

“Losing streaks are funny. If you lose at the beginning, you get off to a bad start. If you lose in the middle of the season, you’re in a slump.If you lose at the end, you’re choking.” - Gene Mauch Former MLB manager

Photo by Gasten Schoonover

Senior golfer Kevin Doskocil perfects his warrior pose in preparation for Wesleyan’s yoga class. Doskocil took the class last semester and said it has helped his focus and flexibility.

Historic run

Om is where the heart is

Photo by Jose Valdez

With an 11 game winning streak, the basketball team has captured 21 wins so far, just one short of the all-time regular season record. The 1982-83 squad went 22-6, and the current team has five regular season contests remaining. The winning streaks ranks as the longest since 1983 as well, when that team strung together 12. Senior guard Kennith Gober (above) averaged 18 points per game over the Rams past five wins.

Now there are no more excuses for not getting your exercise. Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend a free yoga class held at noon each Wednesday. The class is taught by Pati Alexander, vice president of enrollment and student services and certified yoga instructor. “I have more energy and flexibility,” said Alexander, who began practicing yoga approximately 10 years ago for relaxation. “It forces me to quiet my mind and listen to my body as I practice the postures.” She said she started the class as a means to give back to Wesleyan where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and has worked since 1984. “I love the family atmosphere here,” she said. Upon becoming certified last May, Alexander also teaches at yoga class for Burleson Independent School District and for a continuing education class at Tarrant County College’s south campus. Alexander claims that anyone, even those who have physical handicaps, can practice yoga. “One of the things I love about yoga is you have to quiet the mind first in order to get the maximum benefit from the postures,” said Alexander. “Quieting the mind is very relaxing to me.” Stressed out students should take advantage of this free and valuable opportunity that has unlimited benefits. You can relax and channel stress all while gaining physical endurance. If everyone did yoga everyday, Alexander claims the world would be “more peaceful and less focused on physical ailments.” The free yoga class meets every Wednesday from noon to 12:50 p.m. in the renovated Baker Building on the corner of Wesleyan Street and Rosedale.

Weekly yoga class offered on campus by vice president, certified yoga instructor Alexander

Rene` edwaRdsSTAFF WRITER

Baseball:Pitcher Cody Poche was named conference pitcher of the week after tossing a two-hitter against ranked opponent Lubbock Christian Feb. 14.

Softball: Shawna Henderson was named conference offensive player of the week and Ashley Oldham was named pitcher of the week

for their performances against LSU-Alexandria Feb. 13. Henderson went six of seven with four runs scored and Oldham picked up two wins.

Men’s Basketball:Chris Berry picked up his seventh nod for conference player of the week after turning in two 25 point games against Langston and Huston-Tillotson.

Courtesy of Ryan Ragsdale

Ryan Ragsdale boasts a .370 lifetime batting average, but the junior catcher is more involved with his faith than his statistics.

Grateful for the game MaRtin GaRcia

NEWS EDITOR

Conference award winners

Catcher ‘Rags’ uses baseball platform to display faith

EntertainmentFebruary 18, 2009 The Rambler 6

To submit an event for the calendar, e-mail

twurambler@yahoo.com.

On Campus:

• Baptist Student Ministries: Carter Conference Room, noon. Free lunch served

Off Campus:

• Lykke Li: Granada Theater, 8 p.m.

On Campus:

• Methodist Student Movement: Poly UMC, 12:15 p.m. Free lunch served.

•Terra Nova: Thad Smotherman Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

OnCampus:

•Terra Nova: Thad Smotherman Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

•The Amadeus Guitar Duo: Martin Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Weekly Movie Releases:

Fired Up; Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail

ALook AheAd

Off Campus:

•Swan Lake: Bass Hall, 2 p.m.

•.Slipknot/Coheed and Cambria: Nokia Theatre, 7 p.m.

Off Campus:

• The Chieftains: Bass Hall, 8 p.m.

• 3PR: Bobby Bragen Fellowship Hall, noon

On Campus:

• Chapel: Poly UMC, 12:15 p.m. Free lunch served.

Weekly DVD Releases:

The Haunting of Molly Hartley; Badland; The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice

On Campus:

•Terra Nova: Thad Smotherman Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

• Community Outreach Concert with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Martin Hall, 7:30 p.m.

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VIRTUAL SUB-REALITY

Video games are an earmark of our generation. When talking to someone about video games, the question usually isn’t “Do you

have a console?” rather, “Which one do you have?” Video game consoles have grown up with this generation. They

have matured and developed just as we have. From flat, platform-only characters to lavish, interactive 3-D worlds, video games’ impressive development have lead many to speculate with fantastic wonder about what their future holds.

But since we’re in the present and there’s so much cool stuff to enjoy here, let’s focus on the now.

Today, video games are increasingly interactive, evolving from their isolated, sedentary nature. Games such as Rock Band and Guitar Hero are extremely popular, especially with the addition of

such accessories as the bass guitar and drums. These allow more people to play together, creating a more social, interactive gaming environment. I know several people who have formed “bands” and get together on a designated night to “jam” (“Mike’s Joint” has 70,000 fans already!).

Other interactive consoles such as Nintendo’s Wii provide interactive game play on sports games such as boxing and golf, as well as an array of accessories like the Wii Zapper (gun), the Wii Fit board and a steering wheel (I have been heavily involved in some Wii Tiger Woods myself).

Xbox also has interactive features, like Xbox Live, which lets you challenge, or cooperate, with your friends via the Internet while you scream insults and obscenities at each other through a head set. Games like Halo, Call of Duty and Gears of War are popular now, especially with the Xbox Live feature. Senior theatre major Robert Carroll, for instance, said he frequently gets online with a group of friends to play Gears of War and “blow away some mutants.”

Another popular game today is WOW, or World of Warcraft, which has done much to bring rouge elves and level 37 mages into the main stream and out of the dark geek closet. Though not played on a game console, it consistently ranks in the top five sellers at Game

Stop (gamestop.com). WOW is played online by people all over the world, making it the most all-inclusive, interactive game of its kind.

According to a study published in USAToday.com, with college students, “PC games were the most popular games overall, played by 71percent of students.” Also, some studies suggest that college students playing video games may actually be beneficial socially.

Steve Jones, who conducted the study, said that the research was important because this generation has grown up with video games, and “we haven’t actually done anything to look at how gaming fits into their lives.” Apparently, it fits in just fine.

Even excluding the obvious interactive games, single player games also have the ability to bring students together.

“What we saw was that gaming is a very

social activity,” said Jones. “There might be one person at the controls, but there are five or six people looking at the screen, talking and giving advice to ‘go there’ or ‘push this button.”

Video games have been around for a relatively short time, (though to most of us, it seems like forever) and they don’t seem to be going anywhere. They appeal to the young and old(er), they are constantly being updated and reinvented, and they are now helping to bring people together.

I still remember the Christmas when I got my first 8-bit Nintendo (which I still have, and it still works by the way), the overwhelming flood of joy I felt when I opened the present and the excruciating torture of waiting for my dad to hook it up.

Since then, I, and seemingly the rest of my generation, have had a fascination with video games. In light of recent evidence, they’re not only fun, but good for you (socially, but let’s not split hairs). So, do something good for yourself, take that Wesleyan refund check, or that income tax check, and go get a video game.

ChuCk

FAin

Chuck Fain is a senior writing major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

Not a fan of real life? Try being a rogue dwarf or a mage ninja in the incredibly popular online interactive game World of Warcraft.

Modern video games provide college students entertainment and interactivity

Theatre Wesleyan will present Terra Nova by Ted Tally beginning Feb. 17. Adapted from the journals of arctic explorer Capt. Robert Falcon Scott, Terra Nova blends scenes of the captain and his men during the arctic expedition with flashbacks of Scott and his wife along with a view of Roald Amundsen, Scott’s Norwegian rival whom he is on a race to beat to the South Pole.

Terra Nova is directed by Jeanne Everton, associate professor of theater and assisted by Kayla Bland, senior theater major. The show features Wesleyan students Dillon Maroney, Chase Burnett, Whitney Park, Max Marquez, Christopher Hatcher, Ben Phillips and Austin Rose.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19-21 and Feb. 26-28. There is also a 2 p.m. performance March 1. The show will be presented in the Thad Smotherman Theatre in the Law Sone Fine Arts Building at the corner of Binkley Street and Avenue E.

Tickets are $8 for general admission, $6 for all Wesleyan faculty and staff and $4 for all students with ID. Tickets go on sale Feb. 17. The theater box office is open 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and one hour before curtain on show days. For reservations call (817) 531-4211.

Photo by Gasten SchoonoverFreshmen Melissa Pierce, Kerri Maestas and Shacora Bunting spend free time rocking out with Guitar Hero.

Theatre Wesleyan marches into spring with Terra Nova

A night with the symphony

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will perform at Texas Wesleyan University at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 21, in Martin Hall. The family-friendly concert is free and open to the public. The performance includes Vivaldi’s beloved “Spring” movement from The Four Seasons as well as Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik and Symphony No. 25 in G Minor.

Courtesy Theatre WesleyanThespians (from left) Whitney Park, Dillon Maroney and Chase Burnett star in the spring pro-duction of Terra Nova.

Courtesy of Jeffrey Washington