Features Assistant

OBU has fostered some of the most accomplished people in today’s workforce.

However, one of the largest hurdles that these individuals face is finding a job in their field right after graduating college. 

Business management graduate Henry Contich currently works for Bass Underwriters, an insurance firm based in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

“I am the assistant manager of the catastrophic program,” said Contich.

“[This] basically means I help my boss analyze what might be considered a high or low risk that the company might take on. For instance, if someone repeatedly has damaged property then they might be considered more ‘high risk’ than someone who doesn’t if that makes sense.” Contich previously interned for this company before he graduated, and they offered him a job right when he graduated because of this.

“Initially I didn’t expect to go into insurance after I graduated,” said Contich.

“I didn’t think it had much to do with business management…but when I got here I kind of realized that I used things like excel and I analyze various things daily that kind of coincides with what I learned at OBU, so I’m definitely thankful for that.”

Contich commented on how he responded to receiving the job he currently holds so early in the game.

“I didn’t really expect to get a management position off the bat, which is what my degree really focused on, but the position I’m in now still uses a lot of elements that go along with management,” Contich said.

Contich described what his job looks like on a daily basis.

“It’s on a smaller scale…a large portion of my job day-to-day is filled with responding to emails and answering phone calls…but I still use a lot of things I learned.”

Last week, Contich passed his first insurance exam out of three he needs to take to get his license. 

Once he has his license, Contich plans on working at Bass Underwriters.

“I passed the first course and there are three courses total,” said Contich.

“I plan on staying in insurance for a while…as of right now I see myself at least staying here another five years or so then after that who knows where I’ll be with my career. I think that by then I’ll probably know substantially more about insurance and will probably have a better idea of what my next step is going to be.”

Contich originally got in contact with the manager there through his neighbor, who works at the same firm.

 “I think the key to getting a job close to your chosen field is to be open minded,” said Contich.

“I don’t think you can really expect to get an amazing job immediately…it takes work and requires you to build connections which you kind of begin doing when you accept an entry level position.”

Contich then went on to explain the importance of interning somewhere in your chosen field before you graduate.

“You learn way more out in the real world then if you were in a classroom,” said Contich.

“I mean OBU gave me some valuable tools, but I think that the experience I gained from interning and working [at Bass Underwriters] is something that I couldn’t imagine I would’ve learned in a classroom.”

Contich reiterated the importance of internships.

“Hands on experience is in my opinion, something that can’t be substituted,” Contich said.

“Once you graduate school, I’ve kind of come to realize that you never stop learning, you just learn in a different way…and at a much quicker pace.”

 Public Release

The Oklahoma Baptist University Debate team now boasts a national number one title.

OKBU competed in its third consecutive virtual debate tournament last weekend (Oct 23-24) hosted by South East Arkansas College. 

The team competed in the International Public Debate Association, and is now ranked number one in the nation. 

The team also posted its third consecutive second-place finish and celebrated the first individual division champion of the year in Violet Webber the Junior Varsity champion. 

Morgan Martin also finished as a quarterfinalist in JV. 

In the novice division, Emily Vann, Ayssa Rodgers, Imani Jackson, Ryanne Nelson, and Caitlin Hurlbut finished as Octofinalist with Samuel Peek and Sydney Collier finishing as quarterfinalist. 

Samuel Peek, Caitlin Hurlbut and Ryanne Nelson also earned first through third best speaker awards. 

The team will compete next at a virtual tournament hosted by Louisiana State University Shreveport Nov 7-8. 

Right Top: 

From left to right back row: Jade Stauffer, Caitlin Hurlbut, Sydney Collier, Samuel Peek, Jacob Bryan. 

Middle row: Morgan Martin, Mitch Sadler, Alyssa Rodgers, Emma Busby, Josh Morgan. 

Front row: Violet Webber, Ryanne Nelson, Imani Jackson, Emilie Vann, Scot Loyd.

 Zoe Charles

News Editor 

 On Oct. 9 visitation reopened at OBU. Visitation among dorms had previously been suspended due to COVID concerns.

While visitation is modified, in an email sent out to students Residential Life reported, “[. . .] so excited to welcome your friends from around campus into our home! Please be respectful and follow our community guidelines to ensure the safest visitation experience.”

According to an email sent out to students on Oct.9 the following rules have been put in place to help guide visitation protocols and expectations:

1. Your visitors must be OBU students.

2. Your guests can visit between 12 pm and 11pm on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

3. You must check in to the lobby at the RA desk.

4. Your visitors must remain in the lobby that you checked in to! The RAs at the front desk will ask for your ID as a placeholder in the lobby you check into! They will also take note of the time you checked into the lobby.

5. You will have two hours to hang out in the lobby, if there is a wait for the lobby you are using. If there is not a wait, you can hang out for longer!

6. You will need to come to the front desk to let your visitors inside the building. You will need to stay with your guests while they are in the building. There is a restroom that your male guests can use located beside the RA desk.

7. Physical distancing and masks will be enforced during this time. Please be respectful if an RA asks you to comply with these measures.

8. Your guests are not allowed in your room.

9. The lights must remain on in the lobby and all feet must stay on the ground.

10. If you are hosting a small event, you may reserve the Lobby for a total time of 2 hours. Come to the RA desk to do so.

11. Failure to comply with these rules (masks, physical distancing, room capacity, visitation guidelines) will result in an RV and potential loss of visitation privileges.

According to an email sent to students by Erin Guleserian, Director of the Residential Experience, the following lobbies are opening for visitation: WMU – four lobbies, The Lodge – one main lobby, two side lobbies, and two study rooms, Agee – two main lobbies, Kerr – main Lobby, WUA – center building and Taylor – two lobbies and three study rooms.

If students do not respect these rules disciplinary action will follow. Such includes “for minor visitation violations [students] will receive a $10 RV. For a repeat violation, [students] will receive a $50 RV. After [a] third violation, the fine will continue to double, and [the student] will have to meet with the Dean of Students and will be put on academic probation.”

When asked why Residential Life decided to open up the modified visitation Kaleb Miears, Resident Director of The Lodge and The Village Apartments said, “Res Life has attempted to be thoughtful and mindful of student’s well-being both physically and socially. While we want students’ physical health to be maintained, we wanted to allow the student body more space to have safe social interactions. Allow visitation in the lobbies of the dorms because we can help to maintain safe physical distance, while allowing students some normality to their living situation.”

Miears also said in response to the question of how COVID had changed practices within Residential Life that, “COVID has really impacted a lot of what we do in Res Life. Our RAs/CLs are working more than they ever have been doing health screenings, sanitizing the lobbies, and ensuring that our dorms are safe for students’ health. We have also had to be creative in how we plan events, engage our students, and how the entire residential life role looks. However, our staff have been incredible and our priority in all of this is to make sure our students have the best living situation possible.”

When asked about the modified re-opening of visitation senior nursing major Natalie Gorzovalitis said, “I am glad we finally have some form of visitation, especially with the temperatures dropping, we are not able to meet outside as comfortably. Having a communal space besides the GC actually allows for better opportunity for interaction. It does seem strict but that should be accounted for before someone attempts to go, they have been fully informed and should not complain if they https://www.okbu.edu/student-life/student-housing/images/housing-options.jpg break the rules and get an RV.”

Junior chemistry major Caileigh Lavigne said, “I’m glad that visitation has reopened. When visitation was not allowed, I was kind of frustrated that we could not go hang out with our friends or do anything in dorms. We were allowed to hang out with them without our masks while we were eating, so why could we not hang out with them with masks on in a dorm? With visitation open again, I feel a lot less awkward; I don’t have to be surrounded by hundreds of others in the GC or be awkwardly separated in the library trying to work together without being too loud.”

When asked about whether or not she felt safe with the reopening of visitation sophomore family and community service major Grace Fairlie said, “ I feel somewhat safe. People haven’t really been perfectly following the rules and regulations so that is what makes me feel unsafe. However, when the RA’s actually enforce everything it is better and safer.”

Lavinge said, “I do feel safe in the dorms with the new policies. They are still requiring masks and social distancing, so I don’t feel unsafe. I think that RDs and RAs are doing a great job at making sure that everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing.”

“I do feel safe with the new COVID policies and procedures but sometimes I think the screening process needs more accountability, along with the quarantine and isolation and contact tracing,” Gorzovalitas said. “I can spot ways there can be loopholes to the contact tracing because not all students are trained in contact tracing like some others. I have also heard students saying people are not staying in when they are supposed to be quarantined, such as going to the grocery store.”

Sophomore nursing major Audrey Branham said, “I do feel safe under the new COVID procedures because I can personally practice more social distancing and precautions when I feel like I need to based on my particular situation.”

When asked about hopes for visitation in the future Branham said, “I obviously hope that we could have visitors in our rooms, especially for people such as siblings or for people that always hang around each other. But I understand that with the danger of COVID, it is probably safest and most likely that lobby visitation will be the limit until COVID is no longer an issue.”

For questions pertaining to visitation rules and regulations students should contact their Resident Directors.

 Courtesy Photos/The Bison

 Zoe Charles

News Editor 

October is National Breast Cancer awareness month. As per its name, Breast Cancer is cancer affecting one or more areas within the breast.

According to Cancer.org, “most breast cancers begin in the ducts that carry milk to the nipple (ductal cancers), [however] [s]ome start in the glands that make breast milk (lobular cancers). [In addition to these], [t]here are also other types of breast cancer that are less common like phyllodes tumor and angiosarcoma. A small number of cancers start in other tissues in the breast. These cancers are called sarcomas and lymphomas and are not really thought of as breast cancers.”

Breast cancer is very common throughout the female population with NationalBreastCancer.org reporting that, “1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime [. . .] [making] Breast cancer the most common cancer in American women, aside from skin cancers. It is estimated that in 2020, approximately 30% of all new women cancer diagnoses will be breast cancer.”

According to NationalBreastCancer.org, “in 2020, an estimated 276,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. as well as 48,530 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.”

While these numbers are high, it is also important to note that according to NationalBreastCancer.org, “64% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage (there is no sign that the cancer has spread outside of the breast), for which the five-year survival rate is 99%” and that “[t]here are over 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.”

In addition to the statistics regarding the commonalities of breast cancer in women, it is also important to note that it affects many women on a psychological level seeing as that breasts are often associated with femininity and desirability.

According to Simmons.edu, “though people respond differently, patients who receive a cancer diagnosis often experience a number of common emotions, including various levels of stress, anxiety, and fear related to uncertainty about what the future holds and self-image.”

Simmons.edu also reported that, “The link between physical and psychological health, particularly as it pertains to breast cancer, is well documented.”

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “mortality rates were found to be nearly ‘26 times higher in patients with depressive symptoms and 39 times higher in patients who had been diagnosed with major depression.’ Additionally, a ‘decrease in depression symptoms’ was associated with longer survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer.’”

While Breast Cancer is often stigmatized as being a “woman’s issue” the truth remains that, while rare, men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer.

According to NationalBreastCancer.org, “in 2020, an estimated 2,620 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in the U.S. and approximately 520 will die.”

This number is much lower than the estimated “42,170 women [that] will die from breast cancer in the U.S.” this year according to the same source.

According to NationalBreastCancer.org, “Male breast cancer can exhibit the same symptoms as breast cancer in women, including a lump. Anyone who notices anything unusual about their breasts, whether male or female, should contact their physician immediately.”

However, NationalBreastCancer.org also states that, “If you find a lump, schedule an appointment with your doctor, but don’t panic — 8 out of 10 lumps are not cancerous.”

 When it comes to detecting breast cancer, especially among young adults, self-conducted breast exams are of the utmost importance.

According to NationalBreastCancer.org, “John Hopkins Medical Center states, ‘Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform breast self-exams at least once a month [. . .] [f]orty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important.’”

In addition to self-exams, mammograms are often used to detect signs of Breast Cancer. Mammograms can detect the cancer even without the presence of a lump.

According to Cancer.org, “Women who are at high risk for breast cancer based on certain factors should get a breast MRI and a mammogram every year, typically starting at age 30. Women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year. Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.”

According to 13 WHAM, a local branch of ABC News, in light of Covid-19, “Breast cancer screenings are down 25 percent from a year ago.” The article continued that “[a]t first, women had no choice. Mammography facilities shut down at the start of the pandemic. But they’re open now, and doctors warn the risk of not going is far too great.”

Mammograms are often covered by health insurance, however many facilities offer free and/or discounted mammograms if needed.

For more information on how to conduct a self-exam visit https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-self-exam 

 Peyton King

Features Editor

Junior journalism and mass communications major Lily Huff once said, “If you’re in college and don’t have a caffeine dependency, are you even in college?”

This brought up a genuine curiosity, especially in light of the month of October. 

How many people at OBU would say they have a caffeine dependency?

Caffeine can not only cause negative effects within itself, but lack thereof can also negatively affect the consumer.

 According to the Mayo Clinic, reasons to cut back on caffeine intake may be insomnia, restlessness, irritability, rapid heartbeat, stomach issues and anxiety.

On top of these symptoms of caffeine addiction, symptoms of withdrawal are also a sign of addictions.

So for individuals who have ever experienced a headache that can only be remedied by a cup of joe, a lack of concentration that can only be focused by an energy drink or a chronic drowsiness that can only be energized with a couple full cups of mountain dew, October may be a month of realization – and maybe even rehabilitation.

 October is Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month.

So if there are any OBU students who’ve been concerned about their daily caffeine intake, now is the time to make a change. 

According to a study conducted by pubmed.com, caffeine of any form was consumed by 92 percent of college students in the year 2019.

 While coffee was the main source of caffeine intake in male and female consumers, energy drinks, sodas and tea were also reported amongst the forms of daily consumption.

The study also recorded the multiple reasons students provided for caffeine use. 

These reasons include, “to feel awake (79%); enjoy the taste (68%); the social aspects of consumption (39%); improve concentration (31%); increase physical energy (27%); improve mood (18%); and alleviate stress (9%).”

These numbers reflect those of the responses gathered from OBU students and faculty by a report conducted by The Bison student newspaper.

[Insert year and Major] Megan Presley shared her daily caffeine habits after answering, yes, she has a caffeine dependency.

“I drink pop or soda. So like Diet Coke or Coke, normally,” Presley said.

On average, Presley said she consumes three or four cans of soda on a daily basis.

But soda isn’t the only form of caffeine OBU students are consuming. 

Seeing as there is a Starbucks on Bison Hill, coffee is a common choice amongst caffeine enjoying college students.

 [Insert year and Major] Caleb Finch is one of such students.

Finch claimed his order depends on how much money he wants to spend, but his go-to Starbucks drink is four shots of espresso with half and half and vanilla. 

Finch described his caffeine intake in terms of shots of espresso.

“Probably two, three shots a day,” Finch said.

According to Finch, he picked up his caffeine habit first semester of 2019 due to a “bad sleep schedule.”

A member of OBU faculty that claims a caffeine dependency is Assistant Professor of Communication Arts and Debate Scot Loyd.

With Coke Zero being his caffeine of choice, Loyd claims to intake at least two cans of this soda a day. 

Loyd said this presents many problems for him because of recent news surrounding Coke Zero production.

“Coke Zero, as I understand, is not being manufactured anymore,” Loyd said. 

“Now this contributes to my stress greatly as an American. I think as Americans we have a right to Coke Zero. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Loyd explained how a lack of Coke Zero consumption affects his physical and mental state.

“I experience an existential crisis followed by kicking and screaming and me ending up in a fetal position on the floor,” Loyd said.

But all jokes aside, caffeine dependence can cause serious signs of withdrawal within caffeine consumers.

According to an article written by psychologist, professor and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada, Elizabeth Hartney for 

verywellmind.com, caffeine withdrawal can affect not only the physical  physical state of the individual, but the mental state as well.

“As with all addictions, the pattern of intoxication and withdrawal can mask emotional difficulties that are avoided by seeking out the pleasurable effects of caffeine. Lack of energy, lack of motivation, and depression may underlie caffeine addiction,” Hartney writes.

“It can also overlap with work addiction, as some people use the stimulating effects of caffeine both to increase energy for and interest in the mental and physical activities associated with their jobs. Similarly, caffeine addiction can mask the avoidance of more fulfilling activities and relationships.”

So if any OBU students or faculty feel that they might have a caffeine dependency, it might be a good idea to try and wean off of caffeine intake throughout the month of October.

Instead of drinking a soda or cup of coffee, try adding morning and afternoon walks to your day, replacing your caffeinated beverage with sparkling water, herbal teas or lemon water or even try to add five-minute desk stretches to your daily routine.

Though it might be difficult at first and could cause a few headaches, individuals may find that dropping a caffeine dependency betters their day-to-day functionality by cutting out the time it takes to prepare a caffeinated drink, decreasing the amount of money spent on caffeine and even just making them feel healthier.

Who knows? Maybe October could be the start of a new, caffeine-free lifestyle.

 Matthew Gower

Assistant News Editor

For students seeking additional assistance with their classes, one of the best options on campus is the Milburn Student Success Center located on the third floor of the library.

The Milburn Student Success Center, which was dedicated to Paul and Ann Milburn in November 2012, conducted 3,306 sessions in the first few months and employed over one hundred students, aims  to provide students with academic tutoring and peer resources.

 “We’re still doing one on one personal support, but more spread out…you’ll notice that there is signage in various parts of the building that says the maximum number of people that can be in a space…the library is allowing students to reserve the AG Auditorium for a study group that can hold [up to] 25 people,” said Kirt Henderson, director of student success.

 Students can be  paired up with a mentor for one on one assistance or group study sessions. 

 Some of the services mentors can help students with include studying for exams, proof-reading papers and reassurance for their everyday classes.

If there is a wait to be paired with a mentor or group, the Student Success Center has now implemented an automated text message system that will tell them when a mentor is available to help. 

 The text service is both free and available to all students.

The mentors are student workers who have already taken the course they mentor for and are experienced and willing to help students currently taking the course. The student workers/mentors can work up to 20 hours a week.

 “…We’re doing our best to bring those  [study sessions] to Zoom as well…If a student is in quarantine, they can access it. Also, if a student says I don’t feel comfortable going…they can stay in their dorm room or apartment and still access a study session,” Henderson said.

He said also that after a student attends at least one of the sessions, they tend to return either regularly, or when they need extra help or a second opinion with a project or with studying for an exam.

With possible mid-terms coming up for students and finals a couple months away, students can expect to see extra studying events coming up in the near future. The Student Success Center will let students know via email about extra study sessions including when and where they will take place a few days beforehand and again the day of an event.

One of the most popular events, Civ Cram Jam, will be announced closer to the dates of the sessions. The schedule of study sessions for each class can be found at okbu.edu/academics/student-success.

 Since the library reopened in August students have been required to take screenings at the front desk (if they have not already done so for the day) before browsing for books, using computers or entering the Student Success Center. The staff as well as students maintain physical distancing while working.

The Milburn Success Center, located on the third-floor room 308 of the library, is open Sunday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Monday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Their staff encourages any and all students to take advantage of their services. 

 Jacob Usry

Features Assistant

According to the CDC, over 100 Million Americans have diabetes in the United States. 

Even with the disease being so prevalent, there are still some who don’t fully understand how demanding treatment is on the people who have it.

“It’s a 24-hour job,” OBU alumni Micah Hawkins said. 

“You always have to make sure your blood sugar is where it needs to be. I have to calculate everything that has carbs in it and then take a certain amount of insulin. I take a shot every time I eat.”

There are different ways to inject insulin into one’s bloodstream, but the most popular method, according to US National Library of Medicine, is to use a pen needle.

 Hawkins described the process she undergoes when using a pen needle.

“Say I eat an apple,” Hawkins said. 

“An apple has 15 carbs in it and I usually go by 5 units of insulin when I inject it, so I just grab my pen needle and…it has about 300 units of insulin in it. So, I just twist the setting to however many units of insulin I need and put on a disposable needle and its ready to go…it’s basically like an automatic syringe.”

Hawkins said one of the most challenging tasks about having diabetes is the effort it takes to calculate the carbs in everything she ingests. 

This can be especially difficult if she eats at a restaurant.

“When I was little, we didn’t have the technology we had today,” Hawkins said. 

“So, I had this thing called a ‘carb count book,’ which basically had everything that has carbs in it…so I would just flip through it and it would give me the serving size so I could add everything up.”

 “Now…since I’ve been doing it so long I kind of guesstimate how much everything is. A lot of restaurants have the option to ask for nutrition facts, which they usually have on little cards that you can look at and see,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins has type one diabetes – which she developed at an early age.

Unlike type two diabetes – which is often a consequence of poor health that leads to a weakened response to insulin – type one diabetes occurs when an individual does not produce insulin at all.

 Hawkins’ diabetes is not a result of lifestyle choices like inactivity – it is simply a matter of genetics. 

However, whenever patients with type one diabetes try to be physically active, it also comes with its own set of challenges.

Hawkins spoke on her personal experience with this struggle.

“Every Thursday me and my friends go play sand volleyball,” Hawkins said. 

“We usually go around seven p.m. so I eat dinner before.”

 But as per usual, eating comes with a specific amount of insulin. 

 Hawkins explained how exercising creates cause for altering her insulin  injections.

“For example, if I were to have Chick-fil-a for dinner I would normally give myself close to 6 units, but if I’m working out after I give myself about three units and take a Gatorade with me…because running or any exercise makes it drop so I need something to bring with me in order to raise [my insulin levels] back up after,” Hawkins said.

 Given that every individual with diabetes must inject themselves with insulin on a daily basis, and for most individuals – multiple times a day, it can be quite taxing on the body.

“It doesn’t really matter where I inject myself with the needle,” Hawkins said. 

“I usually do the back of my arm, my stomach or the back of my leg. I rotate each time I inject myself, so it doesn’t develop any hard tissue…if I do the same spot it doesn’t take the insulin as well anymore.”

 Hawkins believes not only is diabetes something individuals shouldn’t be afraid of, but those who have it shouldn’t let it define their lives.

“It doesn’t matter, it’s who you are and it’s who I have become,” Hawkins said. 

“[Diabetes is] nothing to be embarrassed about. No one would judge you if everyone had to take these shots to survive. Be proud of who you are.”

Courtesy Photo / The Bison