**There will be a matinee showing Wednesday November 9th at 2:07 p.m. with evening performances November 10th – 12th at 7:07 p.m. in the Will Rogers Auditorium.

Bill Cain’s play Equivocation calls for a cast of six actors to tackle upwards of eighteen roles, to portray a story based upon a lie about a true story, and to present such themes as religious persecution, vengeance, posterity, and the moral question of truth in the face of certain death.

RSU’s cast delivers all of this with a flourish. Two actors were assigned only one role each—Jerry Sipp, an equity actor from NewYork, who plays William Shagspeare and Hannah Westlund as his daughter Judith. While they may not have the sheer amount of characters to portray as their fellow cast members, these two provide anchors from which the play may rise.

Greg Thompson brings solidity to the character of Richard and lends wonderful recitations of Shakespeare’s works within the play. David Prock’s versatility and sheer energy are sure to make him a crowd favorite.

Colter Sharon’s mild Nate contrasts well with his outstanding performance of Cecil, a character one might love to hate. And finally Josh Gammon’s steady role as Armin is not to be overlooked— that character as well as others found in the second act of the play are replete with insight and humor.

This production could not be possible without the direction of David Blakely, closely helped by his assistant director Mary Mackie and costume designer Renée Cox. The production team and crew have helped to create a spectacular and elaborate set and have devised clever ways to bring to life onstage the seemingly impossible.

Performing a play based heavily upon language and the art of manipulating words, the cast delivered lines mostly in a seamless fashion even in their first performance. While the runtime may seem daunting to some, the plot pulls the audience in from the first scene to the last.

A play featuring the Bard himself, a Machiavellian villain, the infamous Gunpowder Plot, and a bold investigation of the human condition is sure to enlighten and please. The play also demonstrates just how many forms equivocation can take through its many characters and their needs and desires.

While Shakespeare is a main subject, the tone is contemporary, which renders it very accessible. This play is an extremely bold endeavor for a university theatre group, but with it RSU has achieved brilliant success.

It will be running through the 12th with a matinee showing Wednesday the 9th at 2:07, and then the 10th – 12th at 7:07 in the Will Rogers Auditorium.

After years of deliberation over hiring a company to take care of the Food Services, Rogers State University administration has landed a five year contract with Sodexo to do just that. Sodexo is a company with over 350,000 employees spread across 80 different countries. Sodexo provides food services for a number of other schools such as TU, NSU, NEO, and even Claremore Public Schools, so they are no stranger to the food services industry.

When asked about the administration’s decision to contract RSU’s food services to a separate entity, Tom Volturo, Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance, stated that they were looking for a company “that was used to running a food service operation on a University campus.” Mr. Volturo went on to say that Sodexo brought a lot to the table, and given their size and influence, it just made sense. Volturo also said that RSU’s decision to us Sodexo was also based on the fact that Sodexo will be able to provide food services to the Bartlesville and Pryor campuses quickly and efficiently when the need arises for food services on each of those campuses.

Many students aren’t too pleased with the change, however. Kylie Dent, a Medical Molecular Biology major, stated that Sodexo doesn’t offer enough choices. This particular concern was expressed by every student that was interviewed. Keith Poverud, a student at RSU, said the “prices are ridiculous,” and that the quality of the food has gone down since Sodexo took over the food services. Poverud does, however, like the new setup, and the sandwich bar, which seems to be a hit with many of the other students as well.

These issues may be alleviated in the future. Sodexo has already ordered 3 new, state of the art monitors that will display menu items as well as RSU event calendars. These monitors will be shipped and installed in approximately three weeks. Another change coming to RSU will be the addition of a resident dining hall, which will be located in the new dorm. Mr. Volturo said the new dining hall “is in our long-term plans,” but gave no specific time-frame for completion. Mr. Volturo says that the resident dining hall will be most beneficial to the students who need a “well balanced, three meals a day” place to eat. The current food court will stay on campus after the resident dining hall is completed so that students will still have access to food that can be obtained quickly.

Sodexo is putting together a Student Board of Directors, consisting of 7-9 RSU students. This Board of Directors will be responsible for making suggestions for new menu items, promotions, and other changes in the food services. John Nickel, General Manager for Sodexo, stated that all of the current promotions and menu items are implementations of suggestions that were made by Sodexo’s National Student Board of Directors, and that RSU’s Board will have a lot of power in regard to menu items and promotions for RSU. All students that are interested can find out more in Student Affairs, which is located on the second floor in the Centennial Center.

Get your rated-PG costumes ready for the annual Student Government Association Kiddie Carnival! All RSU student organizations are encouraged to join in fun by hosting games and giving out candy during this community event. The Kiddie Carnival will take place on Friday, Oct. 28^th on the Claremore Recreation Center lawn. SGA is running a candy drive through Wednesday, Oct. 19^th to supply the children of Claremore with ample goodies. The organization that donates the most candy wins an ice cream party. Sugar for all!

SGA representatives are hard at work in our meetings. We are passing resolutions that protect students’ privacy (SR 4000 on requiring strict student anonymity in Instructor Evaluation Forms) and debating bills to improve our constitution (SB 4001 on qualifications for Executive office). SGA is also helping to fund events on campus like CCSA’s Mental Wealth Day on Oct. 18^th, and recognizing new student organizations. Welcome, Plato’s Academy and Pre-Professional Health Club!

Oklahoma City, here we come! SGA is sending delegates to the state capitol for two events this semester: the Oklahoma Student Government Association this month and the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature next month. During these sessions, RSU student delegates will meet in the House of Representatives Chamber to problem solve through legislation with college students across the state.

The SGA Judicial Review Board is still out deciding SGA’s immediate constitutional future. If approved, the SGA will become a bicameral legislature with two bodies: a Senate of department-elected senators, and a House of Representatives of organization delegates. This change in the SGA constitution was voted on by the student body during special elections, but sent to the JRB on question of constitutionality at the first SGA meeting post-election results. We eagerly await our fate.

The next Student Government Association is Friday, Oct. 14^th at 1 p.m. in HS 135. For more information visit us at www.facebook.com/RSU.SGA or drop by the SGA offices in the Centennial Center.

Wren Baker was Athletic Director at RSU from 2006-2011 before making his move to Northwest Missouri State University where he continues to work as the Director of Athletics.  Replacing Baker and preparing for an eventful school year, Ryan Bradley is named Rogers State University’s new Athletic Director.  What does the Athletic Director do? Bradley describes it as “Wearing many hats.”  He gathers fundraising, manages 10 programs, 7 heads coaches, & a staff of 25 people, and wants to help get Claremore identified as a “college town” by the athletic programs.

Being only 29 years old, Bradley has worked for RSU in some capacity. He has held positions such as: Sports Information Director, Assistant Athletic Director, and Associate Athletic Director. Before working for RSU, Bradley had worked for the AAA Memphis Cardinals. When asked if being the youngest athletic director had a positive or negative role on his job Bradley said part of it was that he had worked there for 5 years prior during the leadership of Wren Baker.  Baker was young as well, which might have made people more acceptable of the age in that type of leadership role. Ryan Bradley was inspired by his father, Ron Bradley (RSU’s Head Baseball Coach) to move forward in his career. He says the great thing about RSU is that it allows him to be with his family as well as carrying out the responsibilities of his job.

When asked how social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) have their effect on RSU athletics Bradley said he wanted to “use video streaming of every athletics events in order to bring the community together, through the sportsmanship of RSU athletics, and making RSU athletics more accessible to the local community.” Bradley’s vision for RSU sports is “To “PUSH AHEAD” with 4 million dollars for athletic facilities, to Join NCAA Division 2, for 2012. Where does the money come from in order to pay for these new athletic facilities? Bradley said it he didn’t know the exactly specifics of where the money came from, but it`s through the athletic fee that is on every students tuition fee and also through fund-raising. Bradley’s number one goal when he took the job was “to make RSU the best small college athletic program in the state of Oklahoma.”

There has always been the question “Will RSU get a football program?” Bradley shares that “We want to make sure that our athletics all around are structurally set before we move onto tackling a football program. As of now, there are no plans in place right now, to add a football program.” However, Bradley says that they are looking and studying other sports that they might want to add to the RSU athletic program such as Volleyball & Tennis.

When Bradley was asked who his hero is, Bradley replied his Dad, Ron Bradley. He says his father was a great role model to follow, since he was able to balance his sports career with a family life. “When you’re a little kid, it`s the professional athletes, it’s the rock stars, it’s the movie stars, that you look up to. Then when you get older it`s the people that are the closest to you, that have the most impact on your life. Maybe they’re not famous, but those are the people that you realized have a much bigger influence on you then you ever realize. ” Bradley’s advice to the student at RSU: “The importance of education cannot be overestimated” Completing your degree, especially into today’s economy, is important. Find out what you want to do, and go do it.”

During the Spring 2011 semester, Rogers State University graduate S. Patrick Mills presented his capstone project for a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree. “Queerly Educated” is a play that includes sixteen monologues by sixteen separate characters that explore growing up lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning in Oklahoma. The Capstone committee voted it “Outstanding Capstone Project” for the 2010-2011 year, and now, it is even being produced for the 2011-2012 RSU Theatre season.

“ ‘Queerly Educated’ has the potential to be very controversial, it has the potential to deeply impact the people who see it, and I’m proud that RSU is not shying away from that,” explained Associate Professor Renee Cox when I asked her about the play. Professor Cox, who has been part of the theatre program for six years in the way of costume designer, will be directing the play—marking it her directorial debut at RSU.

As part of the Capstone Committee, Professor Cox was one of the first to read the play, passing it along to RSU Theatre Program Director David Blakely, who immediately saw the potential and wanted to produce it at RSU. Cox, Blakely, and Mills worked on revising and editing the play all summer—even after Mills was deployed to Afghanistan, where he remains serving in the United States military today.

Judges from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival will be attending two of the play performances at RSU and deciding whether or not to include the play in an annual competition. If the play is selected, it will be performed by the RSU Theatre group in Norman, Oklahoma at the festival in February 2012.

Cox explains that “The audience will definitely feel like they’ve been on a bit of a roller coaster ride by the time the show is over— but in a good way!  I would imagine that audience members, after they’ve left the show, will find themselves thinking about it for quite a while afterward”. Cox also wants to stress that the show contains mature content, and is meant for a mature audience.

“Queerly Educated” will debut in the Baird Hall Performance Studio on October 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th at 7:07PM. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for seniors, and completely free to RSU students and staff with RSU ID’s. Reservations are strongly recommended because seating is limited.  For more information on reservations, contact the RSU Theatre Box Office at 918-343-6882 or by e-mail: dmackey@rsu.edu.

The cast includes: Rebecca Jordan, Jeremy Ryder, Andrew Grimes, John Parker, Tim Reiland, Andrew Nichols, Derek Thurman, Ashlee Overton, Pan Miller, Jalexa Schell, Matt McCann, Dr. Greg Thompson, Laura Fleck, and Mike Laborico.

Are you looking for a new organization to join? Do you enjoy discussing the works of philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle and Socrates with other like-minded individuals? Then Plato’s Academy wants you!

Plato’s Academy is a new student organization on the Claremore campus of Rogers State University. This organization was founded by: Christine LaMont, Jake McNaughton, Drew Tripp, Amy Hendrix and Matthew Hendrix. Dr. Frank Grabowski is the advisor of Plato’s Academy. These individuals revived the club after its long absence from the university in recent years.

Christine LaMont, one of the founding members, says, “We wanted to revive a club so that students like ourselves–who show an interest in philosophy and things pertaining to philosophy, could have a place to discuss those interests and become more involved with philosophy related events around town.”

The group will be attending Dr. Grabowski’s speech at the Tulsa Philosophical Society on October 19^th at 7pm. His speech will tie-in perfectly with the month of October, because he will be discussing: The Philosophy of Horror.

Open to all current Rogers State Students, Plato’s Academy will delve into different philosophical works from books to sound bites and even some artwork. There are no dues to pay in this organization—all they ask from you is your time and enthusiasm about philosophy.

Meetings for Plato’s Academy are held every other Wednesday, from 12:15 – 1:15pm in Baird Hall, Room 228. The dates and times of the meetings are subject to change.

For more information about Dr. Grabowski’s speech or the club in general, you can find the club on Facebook. Just search for Plato’s Academy.

A lone student casually strolls onstage. He sings to himself—unaware of the eyes upon him. He nearly chokes on his words when he turns around. He calls for assistance and another group of individuals enter. They cower— horrified —behind a table. Soon they are joined by a trio of girls with their hair half done, who squeal and amass with the others. While whispering amongst themselves, they agree that “The Play Must Go On”. The group disperses into a comedic adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, officially beginning Rogers State University’s “Original Recipe”.

Started in 2005, Student Directed Plays have been bringing fresh creativity to the Claremore community. Enter Mr. David Blakely- the Director of RSU’s Theatre Program. Since his entrance onto the theatre scene he has gone on to write and direct over one dozen plays. Blakely has been bringing quality theatre work to RSU since 2005.

From the moment when the lights dimmed to the final uproarious applause, the plays of “Original Recipe” kept the audience enthralled. After “The Play Must Go On” cast a comedic spin on Shakespeare, Blakely’s “Under Shirt” kept the audience giggling between the two perspectives of a shopping experience and bisexuality. It featured RSU student Yamile Legarreta and Greg Thompson as a father/daughter duo shopping to update his “godawful style”.

Third on the bill was “Geoffrey Goes to School”, which showed us that even monsters have human urges. Student Pan Miller channeled Peter Boyle from Young Frankenstein—a growling, intelligent, and impulsive beast.

“The Next Blue Moon” taught theatre attendees about “Martin ‘dadgum’ VanBuren”, loving, and the power of expression through song. A Glee-esque production, the audience burst into laughter when Ma, played by Cheryl Malek, informed her love struck son Jimmy to not “think with his happiness”.

Finally, RSU’s own Mary M. Mackie questioned the boundaries of reality and sanity with her appropriately titled play “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This”. Director Colter Sharon brought to life the ethereal imagery provoked by Stevie Long’s character Audrey’s fantastic visions.

Starting the 2011-2012 theatre season with the premiere of such intelligent and original productions, the anticipation for what is to follow is immense. Already, October’s production of “Queerly Educated” is sparking up controversy and excitement on campus. Written by former student S. Patrick Mills, it consists of 16 monologues each describing the experiences of being gay in the Tulsa-Claremore area.

Following that on November 3, is Bill Cain’s “Equivocation”— a play about Shakespeare’s commissioning by the King to write about the infamous Gunpowder Plot. The play’s run ends on November 5, which is Guy Fawkes Day.

Another theatre event to look forward to is the readings of Lanford Wilson’s “Talley Trilogy” from March 8-10. It is described by the theatre program on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/RSUTheatre) as a play that shows “in spite of a world full of pain, a deep faith in mankind”.

At the end of the season is a classic—“The Odd Couple” by Neil Simon. Relatable to by RSU student and audience member alike, it is the hilarious story of two roommates who are complete opposites of each other. Having earned Tony awards in categories like Best Actor (Play) and Best Author (Play), it promises to be the cherry on top of the sundae that is the RSU Theatre season.

I hadn’t been attending RSU for very long before the now defunct fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha was shut down in the fall of 2010.  One year later, and RSU is now looking forward to starting a new fraternity.  If you haven’t seen the fliers around campus or heard from the future members, the name of this new fraternity is Kappa Sigma, one of the largest and most preferred fraternities in North America.

Recruitment has only been going on for about a month and there’s already been great interest from many students wishing to join.  According to Michael Blose, the fraternity was scheduled to become official in the spring semester, but due to this great interest they’re now looking to starting up as soon as possible.  Michael and the other founding members have been recently organizing events to attract more future members, such as the water balloon fight with the sororities that took place several days ago.

They are also planning other events soon, but have nothing to announce at the moment.  However, you can expect events to take place in the weeks to come.  For what my opinion is worth, I was neither for nor against the new fraternity when I first heard about it.  However, after finding out that quite a few classmates of mine were joining it and learning about what they hoped to gain from it, my opinion was changed.

I asked Michael why he wanted to start the fraternity and he said it was for the brotherhood and the memories that would come out of being in a fraternity.  So, if you’re looking for a fraternity that is more like a family, then this fraternity could be the one you’re looking for.  If you would like more information on the fraternity, you can contact Michael Blose via email at sdmichaelblose@rsu.edu.

This event is free and open to the public. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about careers and educational opportunities in several fields—Mental Health, Criminal Justice, and Social Science. According to CCSA’s press release, “In addition, RSU Counseling Services and volunteers from Grand Lake Mental Health Center will provide mental health screenings for RSU students and access to the chocolate fountain for all who participate.”

RSU Career Services will also be hosting a social science career and graduate school fair in conjunction with the event. Rounding out the day’s activities, Oklahoma Blood Institute will host its fall blood drive.

The event is sponsored by the Community Counseling Student Association, Psi Chi, Psychology Club, RSU Career Services and RSU Counseling Services.

Jordan Beasley, the forward/midfielder from Lafayette, Louisiana, is a new edition to the Lady Hillcat’s Soccer Team.  Jordan graduated from Lafayette High School where she received many honors including First Team All-State, First Team Academic All-State, First Team All-District, All District Offensive MVP and Team MVP. Jordan is majoring in Medical Molecular Biology and when asked why she chose Rogers State University, she replied “I chose RSU because the people here were so friendly. Also the soccer program is fairly new and has made so much progress. Besides I always wanted to go out of state for college.”

The Lady Hillcats have made progress and continue working towards a successful season.  “We are off to a great start, but we are still building” says Beasley. The Lady Hillcats suffered their first loss of the season as they fell to Oral Roberts University, 2-0. When asked how this loss affected the team, Jordan shares her input.  “Losing only 2-0 to a Division 1 team, knowing that we kept up with them the whole game, shows that we have a great opportunity to go all the way this year.”