Simple Video Sequence

Karlie Tipton checking out a camera in Gaylord Hall's new computer lab:

Crisis PR Video

Zumbathon for Breast Cancer Awareness

Elizabeth Hart, Women's Outreach Center coordinator, demonstrates how to properly give a breast self-exam using a model.
Photo by Stephanie Brooks


On Oct. 22, more than 25 women danced their way toward a healthier lifestyle -- and a cure for breast cancer.

OU's first-ever Zumbathon was held at the Huston Huffman Center, a culmination of a joint effort between Recreational Services and the Women's Outreach Center to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Activities at the Zumbathon also helped to raise awareness and address concerns about breast cancer among young women.

"So many women are affected by this disease, and not just the ones who have it, but also the ones close to them," said Kathy Moxley, Women's Outreach Center coordinator.

Each participant paid a $10 entry fee, all of which was donated to the Komen foundation. Upon payment, participants gained entry to a 2-hour long Zumba class, taught by instructors at the Huston Huffman Center. Some attendees stayed for the entire class, but all were free to come and leave as they pleased, or take breaks when needed. A food table, with fruit and water, was on hand for those prepared to dance the night away.

Zumba is a high-energy, cardiovascular exercise to music and resembles hip-hop dancing. Moxley said the idea of using Zumba to raise money for breast cancer research came from Amy Davenport, director of recreational services. Davenport decided to stage the event in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Once the date was set, Davenport enlisted the help of the Women's Outreach Center to teach participants about the disease.

"There are so many myths and misnomers (about breast cancer) out there, and we wanted to put some of those to rest," said Elizabeth Hart, Women's Outreach Center coordinator. Hart also serves as the Susan G. Komen graduate assistant for the Women's Outreach Center.

One of the activities during the Zumbathon included an educational segment on the four keys to breast health. Every half-hour or so, the Zumba music stopped, and Hart and Moxley spoke to the group about a particular way to help guard against breast cancer.

"Exercise is one of the keys to breast health. By being here, all of you are already taking that very important step," Hart said.

Zumba itself has been catching on quickly at the Huston Huffman Center, usually with full or nearly-full classes, Davenport said. While Zumba just made its debut this semester at OU, the fitness craze -- marked by bass-thumping music and on-the-spot choreography -- did not start here. Hart said Zumba's influence extends to both coasts of the country as well as overseas.

"It's been around for a lot longer than people think," she said.

Emma Newberry-Davis, University College freshman, was one of the approximately 25 women who participated in the Zumbathon. She said she does not attend regular Zumba classes, but usually attends special Zumba events -- especially if a cause is involved.

"I think what's so great about Zumba is that, besides encouraging people to exercise and get fit, with this (event), it also encourages the idea of girl power," Newberry-Davis said.

In between Zumba sessions and educational segments, Hart and Moxley drew participants' names for various prizes, such as massages, personal training sessions and cookbooks.

Outside the Zumba room was a quieter side of the Zumbathon. In the Huston Huffman Center lobby, registration and information tables offered literature on breast health, as well as shower cards to remind women to give themselves monthly breast self-exams. One of the tables even featured breast models, so that passersby could practice examining them.

"Each of these (models) has eight lumps in it, though it's hard to tell," Hart said. "That's why you have to be so thorough (when giving a self-exam)."

At another table, the Alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority sold T-shirts and raffle tickets, with all proceeds benefiting the Komen foundation. The sorority partnered with the Women's Outreach Center to create and sell the T-shirts. Luanne Vo, pre-medicine senior, said the sorority hosts several events throughout the year to raise breast cancer awareness, including Mr. Pink and Pie-a-Prof.

"This is a cause we really stand behind. We raised $2,600 last year, and this year, we're going for $3,000. We want to get better every year," Vo said.

Overall, Zumbathon coordinators they were impressed by the turnout and hoped to make the Zumbathon a recurring event. Newberry-Davis expressed a similar sentiment.

"I loved the Zumba, the prizes were fun, and I think it was a really great night of unity," she said.




Emma Newberry-Davis discusses her experiences with breast cancer and how she stands behind the cause.



The 4 keys to breast health:

Art on Main

The sixth annual "Art on Main - A Celebration of Oklahoma Art and Music" took place on Saturday, Oct. 10 in Jenks, Okla. More than 100 Oklahoman artists of all trades showcased their art and talent. Festival attendees enjoyed live bands, wine-tasting, fried food, local art and warm weather. Some even dressed up their dogs for the occasion.

Possible Midterm Topics

#1: On Oct. 23, the Intramurals division of the Huston Huffman Center is hosting a 4-on-4 volleyball tournament. This is one of the big intramural events of the season and has been widely publicized. Since entry dates are next week (starting Oct. 13), I imagine some students will be practicing and forming teams in preparation, so that would be another photo op in addition to the tournament itself. I could gather an audio clip from one of the students who won, participated or just watched. I am still brainstorming ideas for other multimedia elements I could add.

#2: Breion Rollins was hired by OU in the spring of 2009 to develop health and wellness initiatives for OU faculty and staff. This is apparently a new approach OU has taken on in order to improve the health of those working for our university. I plan to speak with Breion this week to find out if he has anything scheduled in the coming weeks to do just that. If he does, and timing allows, that is another possibility for my midterm project.

Audio File

Dusty Somers interviews me about Gaylord Hall's new renovations:

Camping Equipment for Rental

OU students who wish to go camping no longer have to dig in their closets for long-lost sleeping bags or mess kits. Instead, they can rent camping equipment from OU Recreational Services for one day, one weekend or one week as part of the OUtdoor Pursuits program.

Malinda Williams, assistant director of OU Recreational Services, said rentals have been on the rise since program staff purchased the equipment back in the spring of 2008. In addition to students, OU faculty and staff may take advantage of the program, and Huston Huffman Center members are automatically eligible as well.

“We want to make this equipment available and accessible so students don’t have to buy everything,” said Larissa Mainers, OU Recreational Services facility coordinator. “This [program] is just one of many outlets we can take to help students live an active lifestyle,” she said.

Williams also pointed out that Oklahoma’s many campgrounds offer students a wide array of locations in which to use the equipment. She said some of the more commonly traveled areas include campgrounds and hiking trails at Lake Thunderbird State Park in Norman, Turner Falls Park in Davis, Mt. Scott in Lawton, and Roman Nose State Park in Watonga.

Williams said OU Recreational Services decided to offer the rental service because many of the Big 12 schools were doing the same. Suggestions from members of the Huston Huffman Center also played a role.

As of now, Williams said most people find out about the rental program through the OU Recreational Services Web site or word-of-mouth. However, she and Mainers want to get the word out to a wider variety of people and are currently designing marketing strategies to reach that goal.

Interested students may contact Williams or Mainers at 325-3053. To rent equipment, students need only a student ID and must pay applicable rental charges. The equipment is available all year long and can be taken anywhere. Rental policies and charges are listed on the OU Recreational Services Web site at http://recservices.ou.edu/content/view/323/150.



Above is some of the camping equipment available for rent through the OU Recreational Services OUtdoor Pursuits program.

photo by Stephanie Brooks