OU Daily newspaper wins college media awards
NORMAN — The student newspaper at the University of Oklahoma took two top honors at the recent National College Media Convention in Dallas. The OU Daily received a newspaper Pacemaker award, which has been called the Pulitzer Prize of college journalism, and a Pinnacle Award for Four Year Best College Media Outlet of the Year. Both awards were based on work done last academic year, when journalism senior Dana Branham was editor-in-chief.
Sooner yearbook received a Pacemaker Finalist award for the 2015-16 book edited by Rachel Campbell. Pacemakers are the highest award given by the Associated Collegiate Press. Pinnacles are given by the College Media Association.
OKC man wins humorous speech contest
Mike McVey, of Oklahoma City, has won the Toastmasters District 16 Humorous Speech Contest.
McVey, a member of Speakeasy Toastmasters Club, outshined the competition to win first place. In his speech entitled “Hubris or Hyperbole: The Making of a Self-Proclaimed Hero,” McVey provided a humorous recounting of a real life comedy of reclaiming his wife’s purse at a local restaurant.
Bishop McGuinness recognizes student of the month
Chichi Ughanze has been selected as the October Student of the Month at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School. Chichi was nominated by her peers and faculty for her leadership skills, dedication and loyalty to the school, a news release stated.
Ughanze has been a student ambassador since her sophomore year, representing McGuinness at various events in the community. Other club activities include Clancy Club, French Club, Senior Class Senator for Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Big Sis, ‘Lil Sis.
Also, she is a member of the Special Care Teen Board organizing events for special needs children. She leads various programs at St. Monica Catholic Church and St. Eugene Catholic Church throughout the year.
Ughanze is the daughter of Johnny and Prisca Ughanze, of Edmond. To be considered for this column, please send achievement announcements and photos to LLynn@Oklahoman.com. For The Oklahoman
With every passing year, the numbness spreads farther down Harold Mulhausen’s fingers.
The 87-year-old Marine veteran has lost nearly all of the feeling in his fingertips, toes and ears — lingering symptoms of frostbite that serve as a reminder of the brutal Korean War battle at Chosin Reservoir in 1950.
“The temperatures got as low as 45 F below zero, and we didn’t have any housing, no protection or shelter; our clothes were inadequate; there were no fires and you couldn’t dig holes because the frozen ground was like concrete,” Mulhausen said. “We were just out there in the open for 20 or maybe 25 days being shot at. Those are things you don’t forget.”
Mulhausen is one of three Oklahoma veterans representing the Korean War, Vietnam War and Afghanistan War speaking at Norman’s annual Veterans Day ceremony Sunday. The event is scheduled for the day after Veterans Day to avoid overlapping with the University of Oklahoma’s home football game Saturday.
Norman resident and Army veteran Roger Gallagher said the city’s celebration traditionally features one speaker, but this year organizers are taking a different approach.
“We wanted a crosssection of perspectives on war and what’s changed over the years,” Gallagher said.
Retired combat aviator Paul Merchant flew nearly 1,200 combat hours in Vietnam and received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star among his many accolades, according to an email from the City of Norman.
Lt. Col. Scott Houck remains in active duty and has served two tours overseas, including returning this summer from a year in Kosovo as the U.S. Military Intelligence Analysis Control Element Chief in support of NATO Operation Joint Guardian, according to the Mustang Times.
“All of these wars are basically the same,” Mulhausen said. “Maybe one is in the mountains and another in the desert, but men cried and cursed the same as they did in all wars.”
Outnumbered by the Chinese 8-to-1, Mulhausen vividly recalls the sights, smells and sounds of the battle where the 1st Marine Division trekked 78 miles under enemy fire to rejoin American troops at the Sea of Japan — a division now remembered as the “Chosin Few.”
Despite the pain it causes, Mulhausen tells his story to honor the soldiers he fought alongside and heal old wounds.
“I want to tell my part, things I remember, things that happened to me,” Mulhausen said. “It helps.”
The ceremony kicks off at 2 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial at Reaves Park, 2501 S Jenkins Ave., with military vehicles, a Black Hawk Helicopter and Oklahoma Highway Patrol helicopter on display. The Canadian River Cruisers will return with 20 to 25 classic cars, while Norman police will perform a 21-gun salute, a Boy Scout will play taps and “Amazing Grace,” and a North American T-6 “Texan” singleengined aircraft will perform a flyover.
Norman’s celebration is one of three Oklahoma events recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as “fitting tributes to America’s heroes” and a model for future observances.
For the second consecutive year, Norman’s celebration will not include a parade because of road construction on Lindsey Street, where organizers are hoping to relaunch the parade next year.
Organizers moved the parade to Main Street a few years ago, before road construction began, with the aim of attracting more spectators, Gallagher said. But the route was too long for high school bands carrying heavy instruments and older participants who had trouble walking more than two miles.
“It does take a little flavor away, but we have a lot of great things scheduled this year, and we think it will be even better next year when we can add the parade back in,” Gallagher said.
For more information, go to www.normanok. gov/content/normanveterans-committeeveterans-day-ceremony.