by Steven
Dixon
Advertising
director
As a staff member of The Southeastern, I occasionally read our fine publication to find out what’s going on. I happened to read the article in last month’s publication about SE choosing a new mascot.
Personally, I do not imagine a buffalo or a horse when I hear the words “Savage Storm.” I think of an animal of the sky, like a falcon or a hawk. A savage storm is a natural force not to be reckoned with, and the hawk or falcon falls under the same idea I think.
Or hey, if nothing else, we could be original, and go back to having the Fighting Teachers again.
The article reported that the idea came from a consensus of focus groups consisting of students, faculty, staff and alumni. But were these focus groups open to anyone or by invitation only?
I think that since this mascot is going to represent the entire school and student body to increase student participation and pride, they should have a lot more student participation in finding a mascot.
Speaking of student participation and pride, I think it’s going to take a lot more than a mascot to do that.
I know its comparing apples to animals, but when I hear the two words “college” and “university,” I think of opportunity when I hear the latter. Southeastern just doesn’t have that university feel to me, neither with the campus itself nor the opportunities and experience you gain from other larger universities. I don’t see any long-running traditions, no real tailgating – just too many limitations; I thought we were all responsible adults here? I also believe that some of the student activities and building accessories need some revamping – i.e. have areas dedicated to student activity open later and bring up to date the facilities (this is 2012, not 1992). It’s a great institution and has provided me with the opportunity to extend my higher education, but I think that the school could do a lot more to satisfy some of these requests.
Lastly, I want to touch a little on beautification of the campus. We have begun to do a great deal of beautifying our campus, but I think more could be done – possibly even in a green way. I think trees should line our sidewalks, providing shade (especially between the parking lot and Science Building), not aimlessly strung throughout the campus. I like what they have done near the Russell Building and the Fine Arts Building as well as the VPAC, why can’t there be more of that everywhere else?
I know a lot of students complain there isn’t anything to do in the Durant area. Well, I think if that opinion is voiced (and in a mass way) to the right people, something could be done to correct this.
So with my rant over, I now ask – a call to action – for students, faculty, staff and the general population of Durant and Lake Texoma to come together and voice your opinions. We were all young once – think what would draw people here, not make them look at other options.
As the saying goes, “a closed mouth don’t get fed.” This is your community; you live here, so your opinions do matter.