The Saint: Issue 4, fall 2011

Hockey at AQ

Aquinas College welcomes their first hockey team after a year-long wait.

The ArtPrize winners are in | 3 page 7

theSaint

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 Volume 31, Issue 4

We occupied Grand Rapids first.

>>NEWS Class in Malawi

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For students of Aquinas College, travelling to Malawi for class with professor Swithina Mboko just might be a reality.

Rabbani murdered

New faculty art exhibition at AMC | 6

The occupation is now

Grand Rapids residents form own movement based on Occupy Wall Street, New York protests continue

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A look into the assasination of Burhanuddin Rabani, opposition leader of Afghan president Hamid Karzai.

A history of track

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Aquinas’ track coach Dave Wood publishes a history of a local track club.We check it out.

>>A&E

People and Things

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The new Jack’s Mannequin album is fresh out of the the studio. The Saint’s Cecilia Kellogg gives it a spin.

Goodnight Desdemona | 5 Aquinas’ theater department brings Shakespeare to life– with a twist MATT KUCZYNSKI / THE SAINT

>>SPORTS Soccer coach sets record | 8 With 92 wins in his career, Aquinas’ head soccer coach Joe Veal has set a school record.

Men’s XC claims title | 7 The men’s cross country team claimed first place in the BethelInvitational. TheSaint’s GeorgeVanDenDreissche has all the details.

On the march: About 20 members of the Occupy Grand Rapids group that camped in Ah-Nab-Awen park marched through the streets of downtown Monday, cheering “Banks got bailed out , we got sold out,” and “We are the 99 percent.” The camp disbanded peacefully after police moved in Monday night to enforce a local ordinance against overnight camping in city parks. specific set of goals or demands. camp, citing rules about the hours of various signs made by group members.

By Dan Meloy and Matt Kuczynski However, group members do have operation of city parks. The activists Sign slogans included “We are the The Saint Editors 99%” and “The future is yours occupy Grand Rapids residents took general ideas on what they want fixed left the area peacefully.

However, according to a post on together”. a cue from the Occupy Wall Street with the economy, and what changes While the group is not in direct the Occupy Grand Rapids Facebook movement in New York and set up in society need to take place.

“We have severe frustration that page, those who wish to continue communication and association with their own occupation in downtown the top 1% do not want to lower their the action will be walking around the Occupy Wall Street movement, Grand Rapids this weekend.

On Sunday, the group known income in order to lower the deficit,” downtown at night in legal areas. group facilitators mentioned that they as Occupy Grand Rapids held two said David Edwards, a member of General Assemblies are scheduled to were inspired by the movement and meetings, a planning meeting at noon Occupy Grand Rapids. “Instead it continue at 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. are demonstrating in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement. and a general assembly meeting at 6 goes down to the lower class, the blue- daily. collars, the white-collars, the student.”

The groups encampment at the “[We are] standing in solidarity p.m. in Ah-Nab-Awen Park.

While the group has not decided park featured items such as tarps to with what is happening all over The number of people at the assembly fluctuated throughout on a formal actions as of yet, the group lay and sleep on. Food collected by the world,” said Teresa Zbiciak, a the day reaching a maximum of 40 is committed in standing united and the group that was protected from the concerned Grand Rapids citizen. avoiding factionalism. elements by a tarp.

“People are excited, and the lack of members and observers.

Po l i c e s h o we d u p M o n d a y The most eye-catching feature clarity of the group does not sway At press time, the group does not have a formal mission statement, nor a night with orders to dismantle the of the group’s headquarters were the them.”

Aquinas Senior named NAIA Researchers claim to National Offensive Player of the Week break speed of light

By Kaylee Cooper The Saint Reporter

Physicists, greater scientific community are skeptical

By George Van Den Dreissche The Saint Reporter The research lab CERN near Geneva, Switzerland recently released a report saying the speed of light had been broken, a value that was once believed to be a universal constant.

A subatomic particle, known as a neutrino, was clocked traveling 60 nanoseconds faster than the speed of light. Researchers accounted for an error of 10 nanoseconds in the test.

The data was collected from a 1300 metric ton particle detector called the Oscillation Project with Emulsion-tRacking Apparatus (OPERA).

The neutrino was tested by being shot underground 730 kilometers (454 miles) between the transmitting and receiving stations. OPERA has been conducting research on neutrinos for three years and has tested over 16,000 particles, gaining the landmark results only on one of the most recent tests.

The discovery shocked researchers because it upsets the theoretical base of physics as it is known today. Albert Einstein’s famous theory of relativity states that no particle containing mass can reach or break the speed of light, and that any particle containing mass will reach infinite mass as it approaches the speed of light and will thus

require infinite energy to breach the speed of light.

Neutrinos consist of a very small mass, and thus should be governed by this law of physics.

When any major theory that has been upheld for a century is challenged, it is met with strong skepticism from scientific communities. Many modern physicists are skeptical about the r e s u l t s , give n that o nly the o ne experiment thus far has broken this cosmic constant. In order to validate the possibility of faster-than-light particles, OPERA is currently asking other scientists, especially those in the United States and Japan, to attempt to replicate the results of the test.

Aquinas junior Ian Hart feels that the skepticism surrounding the experiment is reasonable.

“They probably published on the grounds that if they are the first to get it, then they are the first to break it.

If they are wrong, well, then they are wrong like countless others before them,” he said.

However, senior Nick Wheeler feels optimistic about the results. “I feel like things are changing all the time, so why can’t the speed of light be broken?” he said. “Theories are always believed in science and then disproved, why shouldn’t the theory of relativity be any different?”

Senior forward Jaime Tomaszewski, a captain on the Aquinas women’s soccer team, was declared the National Offensive Player of the Week in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics on Tuesday, September 27.

“It just feels like all the hard work and training has really paid off,” said Tomaszewski, “I am just so thankful.”

T h e t e a m i s 1 0 - 3 t h i s ye a r.

Tomaszewski’s award is a source of pride and inspiration for the other members of her team.

“Jaime is a great captain and leader on the field,” freshman forward Melissa Hogan said. “She’s an inspiration to all of our team.”

See TOMASZEWSKI page 8

MIRIAM PRANSCHKE / THE SAINT

Full force: Tomaszewski (right, with ball) shows off her skills in a match against Cornerstone University.

Women’s rights activists awarded Nobel Prizes

By Asa Woodbeck The Saint Reporter Three women’s rights activists— President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, and Tawakkul Karman of Yemen—were announced as joint-winners for the Nobel Peace Prize Friday, October 7 in Oslo, Norway.

Thorbjørn Jagland, Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, commended this trio “for their nonviolent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.” In a brief interview following the announcement, Jagland elaborated on the committee’s choice this year.

“One of the big challenges we have

in the world today [is] that of violence against women and rape,” he stated.

“Women have to play a much bigger role in peace building.”

The Nobel Committee, he continued, came to this decision in the hopes of inspiring women all around the world to take part in standing against injustice.

Especially significant is the need for the Arab world to appreciate the importance of women in its struggle for democracy.

In this regard Karman—as the first Arab woman to win the prize—clearly stands out.

As a leading figure in protest movements against Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Karman has challenged authoritarian regimes across the region

even before many Arab uprisings started.

Her work continues through outlets such as the human rights group Women Journalists without Chains, of which she is the head.

In 2005 Sirleaf became the first democratically elected female leader in Africa. Sirleaf has worked to attain peace and promote the status of women in her country.

Gbowee’s efforts in Liberia helped bring an end to the civil wars between 1989 and 2003, in which hundreds of thousands of lives were lost. She has sought to ensure women’s participation in elections and protection against rape.

A ceremony honoring these women will take place on December 10 in Oslo.

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THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12 2011

Aquinas: Campus club AQ Light wins award for youth ministry

Grand Rapids: Awesome Foundation hoping to inspire and provide

Michigan: Grand Valley turns to gender neutral housing policy

Nation: Prosters moving towards capitalists’ homes

AQ Light, an on-campus club that organizes retreats for middle school students, was recently recognized by the Catholic Campus Ministry Association with the Exemplary Programs Award, honoring groups that “develop leaders for the future.” Rretreats are a full weekend long, and take place both on and off campus throughout MI.

The Awesome Foundation, a non-profit awarding a $1,000 grant each month to a selected entrepeneur, has established its first Michigan chapter in Grand Rapids. Each chapter consists of a 10 member board who donates $100 each month to the organization and select the recipient.More info at www.awesomefoundation.org.

In response to college suicides across the country, particularily among gay and transgender students, GVSU is joining more than 50 colleges nationwide that offer a “gender neutral” option for gay or transgender students who would feel more comfortable living with the opposite sex. The University of Michigan has added the option, as well.

Over 50 arrests took place in Boston for those participating in the Occupy Wall Street protest on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Plans have been revealed for a “Millionaires March” which will take protesters to the homes of capitalists, including News Corp CEO Rupert Murdoch, JP Morgan Chase CEO Jaime Dimon and oil tycoon David Koch.

Mugs, spoons, and Thermoses unite Business professor Dr. Swithina Mboko is offering a social entrepreneurship monica rischiotto |news editor

Start your summer with Malawi

Ever since I was a little, trips to the local coffee shops before school have been a regular event. When I go home for the summer (and am lucky), my dad takes my siblings and me to grab a cheap $1 cup of joe at one of our nearby haunts. He calls it “therapeutic,” this time spent in the morning with family and soemtimes friends for a short visit and a simple treat.

And as long as it wasn’t Starbucks, home of the “fancy foo-foo drinks” (as my dad likes to call them), we were always willing to give a new coffee shop a whirl, which was fun in and of itself.

With that being said, when I walked into the Kendall Art Gallery for ArtPrize this past weekend, artist Jonathan Brilliant’s piece depicting what he believed to be a representation of the “natural environment of caffeine culture” couldn’t help but catch my eye.

The piece consisted of 2,500 coffee holders connected together one by one to create long, loopy tubes that dangled from the ceiling and draped along the floor. The tubes surrounded a still life 3-D construction of over 70,000 wood coffee stir sticks that were held together, without one speck of glue in sight.

In Brilliant’s work statement, he highlighted that it was the environment and culture of a coffee shop that inspired his piece. He wanted to use materials that were known to the average audience, something people could connect and familiarize with their everyday life. In one recent interview with Charleston Magazine he explained, “I am not so much interested with caffeine as I am in caffeine culture.” Therefore not so much with the product of coffee, but rather the coffee shop itself.

Interestingly, he recently blogged, “In this ongoing series of work, I now continue to explore my sense that the coffee shop and related consumer environs are more organic and nurturing than the ‘real’ natural environment.”

Yet as much as the piece was fascinatingly constructed, the thousands of wooden sticks and paper cup sleeves are nothing like the coffee shop environment I have grown up with and still look forward to experiencing.

The ideal coffee shop should not even have paper cups, therefore no need for paper cup sleeve holders. Wooden sticks, while convenient, are replaced with regular, metal spoons. One mason jar for the clean ones and another filled with water for the dirty. Your coffee is served in a mug, an invitation for yourself and perhaps a friend to sit down. If you are in a rush, you have brought a thermos to take it to go. This is not an idealist image, this kind of enviroment that exists in coffee shops around the country.

Yet our society, Brilliant’s perspective included, paints quite a different picture, and it is one that does not feel natural or organic. When I walk into a Starbucks, whether it’s on the corner of Michigan Ave. in Chicago or down the street in Gaslight Village, for example, I can always feel my heart begin to beat slightly faster, sometimes my hands even get a little clammy (just a warning in case we ever go to Starbucks together).

More often than not there is a line, and whether this be true or just my imagination, this overwhelming sense of rush and hurriedness overcomes me because the people to the front and to the back of me have this aura of needing to be somewhere other than there. Not to mention the people that are sitting down are all on their computers or their phones. There is this total absence of human to human connection. It does not feel natural, but stressful.

Aside from the fascinating physics and aesthetic appeal behind his piece, thematically it would have been significantly more refreshing to see Brilliant’s work made out of mugs and metal spoons.

In relation to our own campus, there have been several talks about how to make the Moose more sustainable.As for the social enviroment, I think it is safe to say the Moose is alive and well (don’t tell him, but aside from his grey hairs I think my dad would fit right in).

Apparently there is a lack of space for mugs, no room to wash them, the list goes on. But we as consumers can do things on our own. If we always carry water bottles with us, why not a thermos? Perhaps something worth discussing over your next cup of joe.

class next spring with students heading to Malawi as a grand finale

By Talia Clark The Saint Reporter Interested in sustainable business?

Travel? How about Africa?

Aquinas College now offers a way to experience all three through a new social entrepreneurship class being offered next spring by Dr. Swithina Mboko, which will end with a 10 day trip to Malawi on the eastern coast of Africa.

The trip will be ten days plus an additional four days of traveling to and from the destination. The tentative dates are May 6-May 19, 2012 and will be available for students of all fields of study. Fulltime students of at least sophomore status who are in good academic and disciplinary standing and are willing to share in community living that enables cross-cultural experience are eligible.

During this trip, students will travel to Liwonde National Park and Kungoni Center of Culture and Art, which was originally an arts and craft center, but has become a great hub of culture and history for the country of Malawi.

“I am from Zibabwe, and Malawi is right above it,” explained Mboko.

“I was shocked at the difference in lifestyle. It was life changing.

And I think this something that Aquinas students should experience, and could become an important and memorable part of their education.”

This trip is designed to help students learn how social ventures are created, managed, evaluated and sustained. The class will meet during the spring of 2012, fourth quad, with four one hour sessions.

Students will receive three credits for this course.

While students that are accepted to the program can make a proposal for the class to count for any major, “This is a great opportunity for sustainable business students, due to the needs and problems that are being faced in this d e ve l o p i n g c o u n t r y, ” s a i d Mboko.

COURTESY SWITHINA MBOKO Students will stay in shared houses within the residential The Warm Heart of Africa: Students now have an option to take a spring quad class that will end with a 10 day trip to Malawi on the east coast of Africa. neighborhood of Mangochi, which is noted as a safe and convenient neighborhood. Dr. tuition plus an estimated program International Programs at baldwjoe@ Mboko said, “Staying in this area will fee of $4200. The fee includes airfare, aquinas.edu.

Applications can be found in AB help us make a difference without h o u s i n g , b o a r d , b a s i c m e d i c a l giving anything, just showing them a n d i n s u r a n c e a n d t h e p r i c e o f 20 and are due back by December 1, so me thing diffe re nt c an make a excursions. For questions regarding 2011. For any questions about this financial aid and the cost of the trip, trip, contact Dr. Swithina Mboko at difference in their lives.”

The cost of the trip is Aquinas contact Joelle Baldwin, Director of sm004@aquinas.edu.

Calvin Art History Student Senate professor to lecture meeting update at Aquinas Speed bumps to be finished after Catholic Studies department hosts Henry Luttikhuizen on Rembrant’s use of Jesus in his work

By Yasmeen Ahmed The Saint Reporter On October 13 , Calvin College Art History professor Henry Luttikhuizen will be giving a lecture called “Facing Jesus in the Art of Rembrandt” from 7-9 p.m. in the Academic Building, room 231.

Luttikhuizen was born and raised in west Michigan and received his B.A. at Calvin College. He then moved on to receive his Master of philosophy at The Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto. Luttikhuizen then went on to earn his M.A. and PH.D. in Art History at the University of Virginia.

Now, Luttikhuizen is teaching Art History courses at Calvin College, in which most of his classes focus on medieval or renaissance art.

According to Luttikhuizen, “My lecture will investigate some of the ways that the seventeenth-century Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn incorporated contemporary, theological debates and meditative practices into his imagery.

“It will examine how depicting Christ’s human likeness evoked the presence of his divinity. This lecture is also intended to complement the forthcoming exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts: Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus.”

Luttikhuizen’s expertise is in Dutch Art, circa 1400-1700, but by no means is this the limit of his knowledge or curiosity. He is highly interested in this lecture subject in particular. “I am fascinated with the intersection between art and religious devotion,” he said.

“In the case of Rembrandt, it is fun to think about an artist who is a member of the Reformed Church, but lives in a Jewish neighborhood and paints subjects traditionally associated with Catholicism.

“What makes Rembrandt so intriguing is that he is pious, but fiercely

CCOURTESY CALVIN COLLEGE

Rembrandt and Jesus: Calvin College’s Luttikhuizen will be lecturing on “Facing Jesus in the Art of Rembrandt” on Thursday, Oct. 13, 7-9 p.m. in AB 231. independent, seeking an art of devotion that he can call his own,” Luttikhuizen continued.

He went on to describe Rembrandt’s paintings as highly naturalistic: “They have the uncanny ability to reveal the invisibility of feelings, thoughts, and desires. His pictures not only communicate the interiority of characters shown, they also encourage us to reconsider our own subjectivity in incredibly profound ways.”

In regards to why this specific lecture will be presented at Aquinas College, Dr. Pinheiro, director of Catholic Studies here at Aquinas, said, “Catholic Mission and Identity are now at the top of the College’s strategic plan, and the goal of the of the colloquium is to build Aquinas’s reputation as the go-to place for Catholic scholars and scholars of Catholicism in Michigan. The nonAquinas scholar presents a paper and the Aquinas faculty member comments afterward. Catholic Studies is a program focused on Catholic culture. We have held two of these events so far, one on philosophy and one on literature. The time had come to host an art event.”

Editor-in-Chief Matt Kuczynski

E-mail msk002@aquinas.edu

break, new committees formed

By Alyssa Frese The Saint Reporter There was much excitement for the Student Senate meeting held on Wednesday, October 5 in Donnelly Center. At the adjournment of the previous Senate meeting, there had been concerns about speed bumps that will be put up during Fall Break throughout the Aquinas College campus. The majority of concerns were from students who are dependent on modes other then vehicles for transportation.

“As a long boarder, I ride my board everywhere on campus… If we introduce the new speed bumps to campus, myself as well as all the other boarders are going to be put out...I’m all for safety here on campus… however, I suggest that this new form of traffic control be accomplished in a way that all residents, no matter their mode of transportation, can benefit,” said sophomore Angelina Bertoni.

Surprisingly, there was not a whole lot of talk about the speed bumps at this past Senate meeting. President Dr. Juan Olivarez acknowledged the fact that the news of the speed bumps was taken very well by the students. He also said a special thank you to Dean of Students Brian Matzke. The status of the speed bumps was made clear by junior Sara Bouwkamp, Vice Chair and

student representative for Traffic Board.

Bouwkamp said, “They were originally going to put in seven speed bumps, but now they are only going to put in four.

The speed bumps will only be a problem if you are driving more than 10 mph, so bikers and skateboarders should have no problem.”

In addition, two new ideas were presented. The first was a Planning Process which will be introduced by President Olivarez next semester. This will give students and staff alike the opportunity to have a say in the issues that will be going on around campus such as speed bumps. “I want to make sure the student voice is loud and clear,” he said.

The other idea introduced was the Grievance Committee which is a committee for students that have any major questions or concerns with the bylaws or need a resource to work towards changes made. The committee is headed by Political Affairs Director Senate Kathrine Woodhouse. The Grievance Committee was formed at the meeting and is now in action.

Other topics covered at the meeting were normal budgeting as well as announcements for upcoming club and organization events. The next student senate meeting will be Wednesday, November 2 at the AMC in Kretchmer Hall.

Of Note:

Inauguration Info

By Monica Rischiotto News Editor As tradition, during the honoring of Dr. Juan Olivarez as the new president of Aquinas College, the college will celebrate a day of inaugural events on Wednesday, October 26. All classes and campus offices will be closed on this day from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 4-5:30 Phone (616) 632-2975

p.m. The schedule of events includes 10 a.m. Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church (just west of St. Joe’s residence hall), the official Inauguration in the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center at 2 p.m., and from 4-5:30 p.m. there will be a campus-wide reception in the Wege Ballroom.

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THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2011

NEWS

AQ Track coach publishes new book

Head Track Coach and former athlete Dave Wood preserves GR track and field club history

By Sarah Branz The Saint Reporter

helping him give this young book ages of historical commemoration Dave Wood is a man whose and accuracy. The book is passion and devotion to sectioned chronologically, athletics knows no bounds. providing detailed From State Champion to Head information about the Track Coach and Associate athletes of each season Athletic Director at Aquinas and their past and present College to historian and author, accomplishments.

Wood has all his miles covered.

He went on to become His most recent athletic head coach of the Union achievement was writing A High School track team History of Grand Rapids City in 1978, eventually League Track and Field. This progressing to head coach book explores the history and at Ferris State University. records of the Grand Rapids He coached there for 12 City League from 1890-2008, years before settling down from the time of its birth up to as Head Track Coach and its dispersal.

Associate Athletic Director After the league’s break-up at our very own Aquinas many of the runners’ stories College, where he has were “never going to see the remained for the past 16 light,” Wood said, “I wanted years. to produce something people A History of Grand could use as a reference.” He Rapids City League Track decided to compile the history and Field can be found at COURTESY DAVE WOOD of the league, including photos, the athletic stores Gazelle, meet results, quirky tidbits, and From athlete to coach to writer: Aquinas College Head Track in Kentwood; Striders, much more into an organized Coach Dave Wood, who recently published his book on the in Grandville; and The history of a local city track club. almanac of sorts.

Runnery in Comstock A p o r t i o n o f Wo o d ’s “It was a pretty cool thing when I ran Park; and at Literary Life Bookstore on inspiration came from his own my first track meet,” he said, “I want to Wealthy Street. Wood has also donated involvement with the City League. a copy to Aquinas’ Grace Hauenstein share that experience.”

Wood ran for the Union High School Another portion came from his Library and the Grand Rapids Public track team, part of the Grand Rapids love of history and statistics. Wood Museum.

City League. He broke the record for graduated from Central Michigan the Mile Run during the 1971 season.

University with a minor in history,

World Religions Lecture Series in review

By Laura Farrell The Saint Reporter On Tuesday, October 4, the second installment of the World Religions: Role of Prayer lecture series was presented in Wege Ballroom. As a part of President Obama’s Interfaith Campus Challenge, Doctor Ali Erhan, Director of Corporate Relations at Aquinas College and Executive Board Member of the Islamic Institute on East Paris, and Imam Doctor Muaz Redzic presented what role prayer has in the the faith of Islam.

Redzic explained to the audience of Aquinas faculty, students, and members of the community what a normal day was like for an Islamic person in accordance to prayer. He explained the five times throughout the day that the Salah is prayed and the different bodily positions in which you are required to pray it.

Prayer plays a central role in Islam. Redzic explained how prayer “prevents bad doing and thought.

It serves to protect and shield us from falling into sin.” He then went into detail about the three locations that Islamic people hold special: the Mosques in Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. At these places, prayers said are believed to be magnified even more.

In the Islamic faith, prayer is a way to consistently be reminded of

MIRIAM PRANSCHKE/THE SAINT

Diversity in faith and prayer: Dr. Ali Erhan, Director of Corporare Relations at Aquinas College, lectured on the role of prayer in the Islamic tradition. the ways in which God is working within you. Redzic explained, “We need to be reminded and spiritually reenergized.” Essentially, the daily prayers are to keep you centered around God. As Erhan added, “[Prayer] brings you back and reminds you that your life is to serve God.” Erhan talked about the state in

which you must be in, to fully take part in the power of prayer. When you pray, you are agreeing to the central belief system and cannot have doubts. In other words, “You cannot be ignorant and ask for support or forgiveness.”

Perhaps one of the most important aspects of prayer in Islam is to understand the sincerity and patience that must be included. “It’s on his term, not ours. We have to learn to be patient and we have to accept.”

As the goal of this series is to grow interfaith understanding at both Aquinas College and the surrounding community, Erhan reflected on this,“It is educational because it shows us how our beliefs compares to the others and finding the similarities encourages us to continue in what we believe in.”

Erhan and Redzic shed light to the audience on the world of Islamic prayer. As the goal of this initiative is to create a deeper understanding of other religions to build respect, it was clear that Erhan and Redzic were successful.

The next lecture will focus on the role of prayer in Hinduism and will be presented by Fred Stella, Pracharak, West Michigan Hindu Temple. It will take place in Wege Ballroom, Tuesday November 8 at 12:30 p.m. with a light lunch served at 11:45 a.m.

ArtPrize Recap

By Brendan Hoffman The Saint Reporter The 2011 Grand Rapids ArtPrize winners were announced October 6 and displayed artists with Michigan ties in the winner’s circle.

The top winner due to popular vote was Mia Tovanatti’s “Crucifixion,” a large stained glass mosaic crucifix on display in Devos Place. She is a familiar face as a result of her winning second place in last year’s competition.

A total of 383,106 vo t e s we r e c a s t e d for the winner of the competition.

To va n a t t i ’s w i n was ultimately a b i t t e r s we e t a f f a i r, because her mother died earlier in the morning the day the winners were announced. There was much emotion when MIRIAM PRANSCHKE/THE SAINT Tovanatti accepted One to catch the eye: Mia Tovanatti’s mosaic piece the prize at Devos “Crucifixion” is this year’s ArtPrize winner.

Hall.

When asked at a post-ceremony said, “[Metaphorest Project] was press conference why she portrayed definitely one of my favorite pieces at the crucifixion of Christ Tovanatti ArtPrize and I’m happy that it will stay replied, “I don’t choose my subjects, a part of Grand Rapids since it won’t they choose me.” be taken down or anything.”

In second place was Tracy Van Lynda Cole won the last large Duinen’s “Metaphorest Project.” Van a wa r d o f t h e c o m p e t i t i o n w i t h Duinen is yet another familiar face as her sculpture “Rain.” A display of she was second place winner of 2009’s suspended movement, “Rain” is an ArtPrize competition. array of silver leaf on polyester film Taking its place on the wall of the held in air by an aluminum frame.

West Michigan Center of Arts and The design causes the pieces of film to Technology building downtown, move in a lifelike way.

Van Duinen and a team of artists and Much criticism by artists and student apprentices labored for 10 observers was brought against the months to create the mosaic mural. winners of this year’s competition due Most noticeable is the large face to the undecided merit of the award consisting of reflective glass looking recipients. Many feel that artists were at drivers as they arrive downtown. able to win based on name and past It can be said that this addition to the reputation, not the distinct feeling building brought life to an area that attached to the work of art. would have normally been left bare.

Aquinas student Hillary Leman

Snyder approves new tax law

By Scott Kaplan The Saint Reporter Governor Rick Snyder recently signed into law a bill that will raise the cost of healthcare premiums for teachers and other public employers. The new legislation, which was ratified earlier this year largely along party lines, is part of a republican-led effort to deal with Michigan’s perennially beleaguered budget through spending cuts and costsharing techniques.

Beginning on January 1, all public employers will be limited to paying no more than 80 percent of their employees’ health benefits. According to Snyder, the law represents “a fair and equitable approach that brings public employee benefits more in line with the private sector.”

Governor Snyder’s office pointed to research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics which found that, on average, public employers paid 90 to 95 percent of employees’ health benefits, while private employers only paid about 80 percent.

But even as analysts project that the new cost-sharing measures could save public employers $500 million annually, including $174 million for state government, Michigan’s teacher’s union and some liberal democrats have criticized the law.

According to the Michigan Education Association, union representatives had already agreed to a series of pay freezes and concessions on benefits with the Michigan Association of School Boards making the new law redundant and an attack on teacher’s collective bargaining rights.

Online university Afghan High Peace Council gaining international momentum

President assasinated in home Burhanuddin Rabbani was working with Taliban leaders to move towards peace

By Sarah Branz The Saint Reporter Burhanuddin Rabbani, former Afghan President and chairman of Afghanistan’s High Peace Council, was the targeted victim of a suicide bombing in his home in Kabul on Sept. 20, 2011.

The assassins waited several days in Kabul to meet with Rabbani, who was in Iran at the time. The bomb was hidden in one of the emissaries turbans, which detonated as the two shook hands.

Only a week earlier, Taliban rebels had launched surprise attacks on various neighborhoods in Kabul.

The High Peace Council had been working several months to restore amity with the Taliban—who had been forced out of power in 2011—and generate an armistice to end their war. The High Peace Council’s progress deteriorated

with the attack on Rabbani, and also led to a weakened state of government. The Taliban was refusing to make peace until foreign troops left Afghanistan. There are still nearly 150,000 foreign troops deployed in this location.

Pakistan is also being blamed for their involvement with the Taliban, though their spy agency refutes any rumors of involvement, according to Pakistan’s foreign ministry.

Rabbani’s death has increased national unrest and disagreement about how to continue the peace process, especially among ethnic groups. According to Mahmoud Saikal, former deputy foreign minister under current Afghan President Hamid Karzai, citizens have begun to take matters into their own hands for fear that their cries will otherwise go unheard.

President Karzai has lost much of

his support since Rabbani’s death, as Rabbani’s popularity and early public support of Karzai brought him many of his followers, according to political analyst Hiroun Mir. In his address to the nation, President Karzai tried to appease his citizens by mentioning many of the tactics that they were rioting for, but did not seem to have a concrete plan for the future. However, he announced that a traditional jirga—a tribal assembly of elders—will be held in order to help organize possible policies.

Rabbani was president of the Islamic Council of Afghanistan from 1992-1996, until he was ousted by the Taliban forces. He was, however, still effectively recognized by the United Nations as the president of Afghanistan until he relinquished the power in 2001 to current president Hamid Karzai.

News Editor Monica Rischiotto

E-mail mrj002@aquinas.edu

By Kaylee Cooper The Saint Reporter The Open University, located in the United Kingdom, gives over 263,000 students found in twenty-three different countries the opportunity to earn a college degree in a way that is atypical. With a mission to be open to all people, the entire program is centered on online classes. The OU gives many people who cannot physically attend a college or university a chance at obtaining a higher education.

In 1971, the OU opened its classes to its first 25,000 students and the program has just kept growing. Forty years later, it now offers around 600 courses.

Students of the OU say that it is a rigorous program that takes discipline and the graduates report having very little trouble finding work or getting accepted as transfer students into other higher education institutions in order to continue their education if they so choose. There are very few critics of the OU. Online schooling is beginning to pick up speed as universities like Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, Phone (616) 632-2975

and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have been putt ing their lecture materials online for free. The big question that remains is whether or not with learning material at the click of a button, students will lean more towards online education.

As far as Aquinas College is concerned, the future of online classes is still uncertain.

“Technology is important. We need to turn out students that our very computer savvy,” said Dr. Jennifer Dawson, Associate Dean of Student Affairs. Regarding Aquinas, she said, “If you look at the mission statement, those components are hard to create online. We value our human community.”

Aquinas currently is offering twelve online classes this semester.

“It’s not that we’re not onlinefriendly, but learning takes place in a structured community,” said Dr. Charles Gunnoe, Provost and Dean of Faculty. “We are open to explore online opportunities, but at this point face-toface communication remains relevant.”

opinion >> FROM THE CROWD

APPLAUSE TO...

The Detroit Tigers, for taking over the AL Central and dominating the Yankees; Netflix, for acknowledging and acting on public opinion and our heckle in the last issue; Aquinasaurus Rex, for representing the Saints at Notre Dame; The weather, for showing us its good side; Fall Break. You can’t get here soon enough.

HECKLES TO...

Construction on Fuller Avenue dragging on . . . and on; Fox, for slashing The Simpsons’ budget and ruining our hopes of new episodes ever being funny again; Professors that make papers and take-homes due the Monday after fall break. It’s called a “break” for a reason;

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THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2011

ArtPrize has problems

By Katherine Mata The Saint Reporter The highly-anticipated ArtPrize ended this past week with the winners being announced late Thursday night on October 6. Compared to the last two years, Art Prize was one disappointment too many.

What once seemed to be this gathering of creative, awe-inspiring and larger-than-life artwork turned out to be a display of work thrown together at the last minute. Maybe the artists were not told to actually bring creativity to this year ’s event.

However, the deadline for the artists was not forgiving this year, either. Artists scrambled to finish art and assemble it for public view.

Art Prize seems to be more about just getting the tourists in

as fast as possible and bringing in more money.

The biggest disappointment by far was the first place winner, Mia Tavonatti. It truly was a magnificent piece, a mosaic of the crucifixion. The religious subject is one to be admired and respected.but it is also a subject that has been repeated too often in history. For someone who enjoys art, one kind of expects to see something new and different being celebrated at an event like Art Prize. While engaging the older audiences on a spiritual level, it lacked an awe factor for the younger audiences. This piece is a wonderful addition to Grand Rapids, but it is borderline cliché.

In addition to a disappointing choice for the winner, Tavonatti has already been a part of the top 10

finalists of ArtPrize in 2010. This seems unfair to newcomers who deserved some attention from the judges. After Tavonatti’s win, however, ArtPrize addressed this issue by creating a rule that disqualifies previous finalists for the following year. While a little too late, ArtPrize is trying to keep this fair. Trying.

In order not to run the event into the ground, ArtPrize should consider the following things: emphasizing the need for new and unique art, allowing the artists to actually finish their work, and presenting the art to the public every other year. Without a doubt, ArtPrize is a wonderful idea. Yet, this time around, the level of excitement tapered off. Offering this event every other year will renew interest and keep the public wanting more.

Izzo’s cash is everyone’s gain How one man’s generosity spreads across the state

People who accidentally chain our bikes up with theirs; Muammar Gaddafi. Seriously, just give up and walk away with your sunglasses held high.

>>

from our view

We are as much the 99 percent as anyone that the “Occupy –“ movements are fighting for.

We are students flooded with loans.

We have seen our friends’ and relatives’ lives crumbling under the weight of exorbitant financial scheming.

We have watched our mothers and fathers struggle to find employment in a country that only sees those who work.

We have lived through the closing and exporting of small-town America and the rise of the giant corporations.

We stand in solidarity with the “Occupy –“ movements, in Grand Rapids, New York, and elsewhere.

And yet, watching all the events unfold, we can’t help but feel that these protests simply aren’t working right. Somewhere, in the mess of views and causes being stated by those participating, that sense of purpose isn’t coming through.

It used to be that protests had one mission and goal: Ending the Vietnam war, bringing the troops home from Iraq, closing the gap of segregation, stopping the fence on the Mexican border. This made the message of activists loud and clear. It brought them together into one grave union, ready to fight for what needed to change.

The Occupation has become the exact opposite of this. There is no single unified reason, but rather dozens of distinct demands under the umbrella of mob unrest. Although leaders may ascribe one or two purposes for the protests, everyone seems to have their own thing to complain about.

A few days ago, the Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek visited the crowds on Wall Street and warned them against becoming too absorbed in the thrill of the protest, saying, “Carnivals come cheap. What matters is the day after, when we will have to return to normal life. Will there be any changes then?”

Those of us still living that normal life are wondering the same thing.

theSaint 2011-2012 E D I T O R I A L B O A R D Editor-in-Chief News Editor A & E Editor

Matt Kuczynski Monica Rischiotto Stephanie Giluk

Dan Meloy Sports Editor Miriam Pranschke Photo Editor Nick Signore Managing Editor

By George Van Den Dreissche The Saint Reporter

Wolverine or Spartan, every fan starts to get the tingles before what many would call the biggest rivalry game of the season, Michigan vs.

Michigan State. It gets the blood going.

What is more exciting for a sports fan, though?

When members of an athletic association decide to give back to their university’s athletics program.

In particular, this is a reference to the Izzo family, which donated $1 million dollars to the Michigan State athletic fund, with the majority headed towards the football program….wait, what program?

And here I had always thought Tom Izzo was a basketball coach.

Izzo, head coach for the Spartans since 1995, has coached the team to six Final Fours, six Big Ten championships, and won the 2000 NCAA Division I National Title.

That’s no small feat.

And let’s not forget the $6 million dollar a season contract from the Cleveland Cavaliers Izzo

MISSION The Saint has worked diligently for the past 30 years to produce an informative, entertaining and journalistically-correct student publication. The Saint is distributed by students at Aquinas College and in the surrounding community.

Our goal is to continue to provide an open forum for the ideas, views and concerns of the Aquinas community.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR All letters must include a signature, typed or handwritten, and include a phone number for the sole purpose of verification. The Saint reserves the right to edit letters to the editor based on content, punctuation, length and libel issues.

Letters should not exceed 300 words. We will not print anonymous letters to the editor and will not accept letters to the editor over the phone.

>> write us a letter!

e-mail — msk002@aquinas.edu physical copies – AB, Room 2

During a time of struggle for Michigan (as a state from Detroit to Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor to Lansing) one cannot help but wonder, are the fortunes of the state changing? The Tigers are in the playoffs, the Lions are 4-0, and the Wings will secure a playoff spot because that is what the Wings do every season. The Michigan Wolverines are ranked in 10 in the BCS standings, and Michigan State beat Ohio State (about time somebody beat them). The sports teams are succeeding across the entire peninsula.

Then there is Izzo, giving back to his University on a whole front.

That is what creates such passion from State fans, and it is what drives Wolverine fans to ‘despise’ State every year. It is because of coaches like Izzo that make not only the Spartans, not only East Lansing, but the ENTIRE state of Michigan such a wonderful place to live and be a sports fan.

Coach Tom Izzo, I salute your dedication to the Spartan program (and yes, this is a salute from a Wolverine fan, GO BLUE!).

The fantasy football dilemma

By Nick Signore Managing Editor

As I sit watching my beloved Chicago Bears take on the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football, I find myself in the same position I do every Sunday and Monday: torn.

I want the Bears to win this game perhaps more than any regular season game in a long time. I can’t stand how Lions fans think they’re Super Bowl bound and that the Lions winning this game is a foregone conclusion.

However, my fantasy team is locked in a tight battle and I have

Adviser Dr. Dan Brooks *** Please note that the views expressed on this page are those of their respective author(s), and do not necessarily represent the views of The Saint as a whole.

rejected only last year to stay in East Lansing.

I do not know your standings with Michigan State, either for or against or indifferent, but as a Michigan fan, I am forced to confess a slight bit of ‘Green’ envy of MSU. Why? State has Izzo, enough said.

Reading over and over the press release of the Izzo family donation, I remain stunned. Here is a man that loves his program so much that not only did he reject a $6 million dollar contract, but follows up the next year with a donation of $1 million dollars to the school (does Izzo only deal in the millions?).

The most magnificent part of the donation: it is not even aimed at the basketball program. The donation will provide aid to the football program, scholarship funding, the marching band, and the Olympic Sports at State.

That’s right: in a time when high schools, colleges, and universities are cutting fine arts programs due to lack of funding, Izzo is donating cash to keep the fine arts funded.

Lions stud receiver Calvin Johnson on my team.

This tests my allegiances as a fan.

You know what? I’m not alone.

Millions of fantasy football players find themselves in the same predicament and it’s ruining who we are as fans.

As Matthew Stafford connects with Johnson on a 70-yard touchdown pass, I’m hit with mixed emotions. The Bears just gave up a huge touchdown in prime time and the crowd is going nuts but at the same time my fantasy team all but solidifies a victory.

In the end, the Lions triumphed

over the Bears, but my fantasy team kept on rolling. You see, if the Bears have a great season I earn bragging rights over my friends, but if my fantasy team has a huge year I win money.

This causes a giant conflict of interest.

Although fantasy football gives us a reason to follow games we otherwise wouldn’t and root for players that we’d never have a reason to, there are too many instances like this scenario that blur the lines between fantasy and reality fandom and ultimately ruin our sports allegiances.

Quiet in the library? Not here

By Matt Kuczynski Editor-in-Chief The library is the place where students go to get things done. Its walls have an almost sacred quality on campus–anyone who walks in is expected to stay quiet and respectful, not to mention all the last-minute paper prayers of desparation.

I should know. I’ve camped out at a desk next to the reference section, surrounded by stacks of books up to my head more times than I’d like to count.

However, most of the time, I didn’t mind the experience. Sure, the stress level was ridiculous, but it was quiet there. I could focus.

I could focus, that is, until people start messing with the “quiet” part.

It all started last semester, it seems.

Towards the end of the night and the end of an excruciating take-home

Managing Editor Nick Signore

E-mail nas003@aquinas.edu

midtern, a group of fellow students decided to have an intense discussion next to my desk about whose social life would change because of what had happened at a party a few days back.

As I tried to figure out a solution to suburban sprawl, I heard all about the latest breakups and boyfriend drama.

Needless to say, it’s hard to analyze national budgets when someone is screaming about how much they had to pay for an on-campus parking ticket.

Before you say it: I would had moved, but all the desks were taken since it was finals week. And yes, I would have gone home, but reference books stay in the library.

Now, it seems that every time I’m paging through thick tomes or digging through academic journals, someone has decided to use the next row over to discuss the intricacies of the most recent Phone (616) 632-2975

episode of Jersey Shore. As much as I dislike that show, I don’t mind people talking about it. Just not when I’m trying to do research.

The worst part about it is that many people don’t really care. No one is enforcing the rules on talking on cell phones in the library, and people who should be making sure that patrons at least keep their voices down, often don’t.

On the rare occasion when a library employee does address someone for being noisy, usually they’ll stop for a bit, and then start right back up again.

I know that there are disrespectful people everywhere, and that inconveniences like noisy library patrons happen. But there’s a point where the disrespect is just unnaceptable.

Especially when I’m trying to finish my term paper.

arts & entertainment Television: D’oh! The Simpsons stay

Movies: A new take on an old monster

Books: Barnes & Noble throws a temper tantrum

Following a round of very public negotiations with 20th Century Fox, The Simpsons has been renewed for at least two more seasons. There had been doubt due to budget cuts whether The Simpsons would return, but fans need not fear. Homer will be with us for a little while longer.

Aaron Eckhart, known for his role as Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight, is set to play Adam Frankenstein in the movie adaptation of Kevin Grevioux’s dark graphic novel. Don’t expect any neck bolts or tap dancing; the movie is set in a nourish metropolis and deals with Adam’s quest to discover his humanity.

The bookseller is angry that DC Comics made a deal with Amazon to sell 100 graphic novels, like Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series and Alan Moore’s Watchmen, exclusively on the new Kindle Fire.

Stores were ordered to strip all the comics that made the deal from Barnes & Noble shelves.

Weird science

stephanie giluk | a&e editor

There are many shows returning and premiering this fall that I’m excited to watch. The Walking Dead is getting ready to gore it up for their second season, American Horror Story looks almost unbearably creepy, and Supernatural is already infinitely better than it was in its sixth season.

The one show that has had the most positive change over the course of its series, however, is Fringe. I would like to take the time and wonder why this show isn’t more popular, because it is complete genius, just like crazy scientist Walter (why hasn’t John Noble won an Emmy yet?). The show is also emotional, well-written, visually mind-blowing and a lot of other things that should work in Fringe’s favor.

But for some reason, none of these attributes seem to be working for Fringe. Ratings are low even this early in the fourth season, which may be, in part, because it airs at 9 p.m. on Friday nights, when most people with social lives are out doing things social people do. Is it because Fringe is a sci-fi show that forces viewers to be engaged when they watch? It is because it’s smart?

Too smart for mainstream TV watchers to sit down and actively watch, season after season? The real answer is most likely all of the above.

Now, I’m not saying that Fringe is perfect. The first season was pretty rough, with characters that were just a little too everything: too mad-scientist, too tortured youth, too hard-nosed FBI agent. It’s clear (and creator J.J. Abrams has said) that there wasn’t much direction to the show during that first season.

Those early episodes were written so that viewers could jump in at any episode and realize right away what’s going on, and Fringe just can’t be that kind of show.

Luckily, by the end of the first season, Abrams and his team realized that and introduced a crazy twist (which I’ll try not to spoil for you) that changed the direction and tone of the series. Though this twist would alienate viewers who didn’t start watching until the second or third season, it made the show so much more incredible for those viewers who had been with the show from the beginning. The very thing that makes the show so good is also what might be its downfall; if Fringe isn’t able to pull in more viewers, this season might be the show’s last.

What’s great about Fringe, though, is that because the writers have accepted that they are going to alienate more viewers in order to make Fringe an increasingly excellent show, they can go all-out every single season. The show just gets better and better, with incredible character development (due to topnotch acting by Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, and Noble), awesome special effects, mind-bending twists and even Leonard Nimoy (nerd high five)!

For those who wish to immerse themselves in the world of Fringe science, I recommend watching all three seasons straight (a Fringe binge) in order to fully appreciate the series’ growth. I promise disappointment will not even factor into your vocabulary afterwards.

Since Fringe has not garnered the widespread success and popularity it deserves, I can only hope that there is an alternate dimension where Fringe is the most watched show on television, the whole cast has closets full of Emmys and I have awesome red hair.

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THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2011

<<

IN THE SPOTLIGHT >> BRAD PITT

The set of Pitt’s new zombie movie, World War Z, was raided

by Hungarian police Monday.

They seized 85 weapons, most of them automatic, from a warehouse.

Looks like Pitt was more than well prepared for a real World War Z.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Robopocalypse provides a detailed account of how the world is going to end

By Kelly Roth The Saint Reporter

Daniel H. Wilson’s debut novel, Robopocalypse, is an attentiongrabber that only lets up after the last page has been turned.

The book takes place in the near future in a world where humans and robots have existed side-byside peacefully until something or someone causes all robots to become dangerous. Archos, a robot overlord, begins to command other robots to start Exterminate: attacking humans and eliminating whole cities in the name of robot preservation.

Wilson constructs his fast paced thriller through a series of vignettes spanning the three-year-long Robot War with the human resistance.

There is Cormac Wallace, the unlikely soldier; his memories of the battles are part of the frame story.

His opening account takes place at

Congresswoman Perez and her family, along with many others, try to escape the city after her daughter discovers that her beloved toys have joined the robots’ cause. Perez’s daughter proves to be a crucial part of the resistance.

Then there are the Osage people, who provide both safe haven and an army. All these separate stories intertwine as the war progresses.

Wilson’s novel does hit a bit too close to home, considering how much society relies on technology, but the book attests to the will of the human spirit.

When humanity is threatened, COURTESY DOUBLEDAY Roboapocalypse chronicles the rise of the machines. very different people will join the end of the war, when he decides an engineer, is in love with his robot together to fight as one. As Big someone must record what human- bride but is also trying to find a way Rob, a robo-baddie, puts it, “Humanto infiltrate the robots’ minds so he kind is a species born in battle, deity has gone through.

Joining the human resistance is can potentially stop the war. fined by war.”

London features Lurker, a teenthe husband-wife team, who singleRobopocalypse will keep readers handedly attempt to demolish New ager with a diabolical mind and too hooked as they become invested in York City while house appliances, much free time. Once the war starts, all the characters and, ultimately, the smart cars and once helpful robots Lurker uses his free time and unsur- outcome of the human race. force the remaining humans into hid- passed hacking skills to aid the resistance and send a message that may ing.

In Tokyo, Mr. Takeo Nomura, win the war.

Beware the Ides of March wardness of Gosling, Clooney creates a hard-headed, outspoken governor who demands attention from the voters. Clooney, not surprisingly, is pitch perfect for this role. With two actors like Gosling and Clooney, it is hard not to like the film.

Ides of March presents a different and unique look into the presidential campaign. Instead of focusing on the campaign itself, director and writer George Clooney focuses on the personal lives of the people behind the campaign and how they are connected.

COURTESY COLUMBIA PICTURES The emotional plot is Mr. President: Can Gosling handle politics? enough to make the audience wonder if

By Katherine Mata the film will ever end. Though the The Saint Reporter Politics is infamous for dirty film shows a different and intriguing tricks, broken promises and false view of politics, other directors have hope. Ides of March addresses these shied away from building a personal unfortunate issues while focusing on and political film for a good reason; it can be too overwhelming or coma presidential primary.

Stephen Myers, played by Ryan pletely boring. Gosling’s failure to Gosling, is devoted to support- accept that people are not perfect ing Governor Mike Morris’ (George while trying to cover his own misClooney) presidential campaign. takes did not leave the audience too Unaware of the common dirty tricks thrilled about having to spend over pulled by the opposing candidates, an hour watching the mess unfold.

George Clooney, though a great Myers blindly accepts Morris’ “guaractor, should reconsider a few things anteed” win on faith alone. But after being tricked into revealing Morris’ while directing and writing movies. strategy, losing the one he loves and Specifically, Ides of March seemed to getting fired, Myers begins to under- end in the middle of a shot. There was no real cliffhanger, but there was stand the unofficial rules of politics.

Ryan Gosling, at first, is a ques- no closure for the audience or Gostionable choice for a political charac- ling’s character. Clooney could take ter. Gosling’s career, unfortunately, a few pointers on how to build a plot will always be overshadowed by his to engage the audience.

Overall, Ides of March was a good best romantic film, The Notebook. Yet Gosling delivered the appropriate movie to kill some time, but most awkward and dry humor necessary likely undeserving of all the Oscar for his character. To offset the awk- buzz generated so far.

A & E Editor Stephanie Giluk

E-mail shg001@aquinas.edu

Jack’s Mannequin doesn’t disappoint

By Cecilia Kellogg The Saint Reporter After fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2005, Andrew McMahon, founder and front man of Jack’s Mannequin, wrote his second album, The Glass Passenger, focusing mainly on his battle with cancer.

His third album, People and Things, this is anything but another Musical genius: tour through McMahon’s inner struggles. This album has a much broader appeal. For people entering their mid-twenties, it is a sound track to the feelings and situations they deal with every day.

The album opens with “My Racing Thoughts,” which uses McMahon’s almost magical ability to pull many different thoughts into a mix of lyrics into one complete song. This track has almost the perfect mixture of instrumentation, with a piano piece that stands out. The single’s downside is that there seem to be many fans and critics that believe the track lacks the ability to draw in new fans while also keeping the faithful in tune.

There were a few songs that were originally meant to be included on previous albums, and one is “Hey, Hey, Hey.” Andrew writes “I’m the glass passenger,/ I’ve returned to the scene of the crime./ With my bus and my band I am taking a stand./ So sing with me just one more time. /Yah I say, Hey, Hey, Hey, we’re all gonna die.” This song especially shows what the band has become over the last couple of years. “Hey, Hey, Hey” lets fans hear a piece of Andrew’s life that he’s never expressed before.

Throughout the album, a more mellow side of Jack’s Mannequin is heard that has been sampled in past albums but never so clearly until People and Things. The track “Restless Phone (616) 632-2975

COURTESY INTERSCOPE RECORDS

Fans won’t be able to hit pause.

Dream” is Jack’s Mannequin’s first album-released song not containing a single note played on a piano; it is purely acoustic and very beautiful.

The band as a whole seems to come together more than ever this album, with songs like “Television” and “Amy, I” that are more musically mature then their last two albums.

Jack’s Mannequin is taking a new stand in the piano rock part of the music world and that brings them closer to the top.

Matt Thiessen, from Relient K, contributed his skills for three songs on People and Things. The songs are “Amy, I,” “People Running” and “Platform Fire,” which he helped co-write. While all three songs are of great quality, “Amy, I” is arguably the best with strong wording at the beginning and an incredibly catchy chorus.

People and Things is a mixture of genius word play, strong piano chords that play along in a unique harmony with guitar and bass, and drums that have their own hold on the album. Overall, People and Things is yet another success for Jack’s Mannequin, even to the point where all Jack’s Mannequin fans can be heard saying, “It’s almost impossible for Andrew McMahon to write a bad pop album.”

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A&E

Dubsteppin’ through Siberia

By Paris Close The Saint Reporter It has been two years too long since listeners have received a new record from Lights’sValerie Poxleitner. In 2009, she presented her debut studio album, The Listening, which featured notable hits: “Drive My Soul,” “February Air” and “Savior.” She released an EP entitled Acoustic in 2010, proving that her voice is even more enticing without assistance from auto-tune. Since then, Lights has been working on her second studio project, Siberia, in which she displays a clear dubstep influence and even includes guest appearances from Canada’s own Holy F--- and Shad.

Will this new route the synth-pop princess has taken leave fans doubting her newest project? Since this is the first time Lights has ever featured another artist on any of her projects, listeners will be kept on their toes.

The first track, coincidentally titled “Siberia,” takes listeners on a frosty journey of love. It is evident that the song’s heavenly tone tells a tale about affection’s pursuit. Unlike Lights’ first record, Siberia delivers a powerful line of upbeat dance tunes. “Toes,” which features Holy F--- is a love story expressed on the dance floor, with various electronic patterns. “Fourth Dimension” and “Suspension” also command listeners to get on the dance floor, sharing an intergalactic melody that comprises a hard drubbing dubstep undertone.

The majority of the album will definitely reach mass acclaim from followers; however, some chances are better left untaken. Hard hitting tracks “Flux & Flow” and “Everybody Breaks a Glass” would appeal immensely to audiences without the uncomplimentary rapping.

Shad’s shoddy rapping style brings the song down, but it is hard not to admire Lights’s daring move of fusing hip-hop elements into her music. With an album as brilliant as this, though, it is hardly necessary.

Closing the album is “Day One,” which is a nine-minute ambient instrumental that can easily be mistaken for a tune from M83. The track mixes a layer of sounds including organs, synthesizers and even an electro-trance sequence sure to help drift listeners off to pleasant dreams. Overall, the album is a must have. Siberia is sure to please audiences, with its mesh of rigid dance, affectionate lyrics and planetary elements. Lights’ fans will not be disappointed.

Student art exhibit deserves attention

By Chuck Hyde The Saint Reporter

Though most Grand Rapids citizens know about ArtPrize, considerably less are aware of another art show that has run simultaneously with ArtPrize for the past two years. The University Club is located in the Fifth-Third building in the middle of downtown GR. Though it is already home to many art pieces, the club began displaying more these past few weeks. They are hosting the work of several artists from the city’s many colleges. Cindi Poll, general manager of the club, said that since they are the University Club, having a student exhibit just “made sense.”

The exhibit featured artists from all of the city’s major colleges, including two from Aquinas, Michaela Farley and Liz Maxian. The colleges were allowed to select the students to be featured.

Head of Aquinas’s Art Department Ron Pederson chose Farley and Maxian because both were “excellent examples” of what the school has to offer.

The artists themselves were honored to display their artwork. The exposure has given them both a public, centrally located venue to display their work. Farley’s piece was created using pinhole photography. She thought the show was, “a great way to get [her] art out there for the public to see.”

Maxian’s art was of a different medium. She painted with acrylic on Masonite, experimenting with a more fluid style than what she normally works with. She thinks that art shows like the one at the University Club are, “a great opportunity for aspiring artists.”

ArtPrize artist Michael Feehan agrees. When asked about the show, Feehan said that he was “truly proud” to have his art displayed along the “young and promising artists.” At the opening of the exhibit, he spoke with both Aquinas artists, and said that he “was quite impressed with all the works displayed.”

Shows like this one will always be a great opportunity for student artists to display their work. Maxian says that these events will be, “an incentive for younger students to work towards.”

THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2011

Real Steel is Rocky for robots

By Andrew Bailey The Saint Reporter Take Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots, Rocky and a little kid who can’t really act but knows how to be cute, and you get DreamWorks’ new release Real Steel. This movie does fulfill the promise of being able to watch giant robots beating the snot of each other.

The problem with the movie, though, is that it is unoriginal.

Hugh Jackman plays Charlie Kenton, COURTESY DISNEY PICTURES a boxer with a flaw- Ready to rumble: Jackman readies robot Atom for a fight in Real Steel. less record but who has been made obsolete by robots that, un- destroyed by eight foot tall robots. do whatever the person it is shadowing like human because of certain “laws,” The newly founded father son does. Using a combination of the two can fight to the death. Kenton gets into team, though they do not see eye to functions, Kenton trains Atom and Max the robot boxing game with one major eye at first, quickly form a bond when makes Atom dance and cause minor problem: he is terrible with everything Max finds, cleans up and has Jack- property damage. involved in the sport of boxing except man’s girlfriend (Evangeline Lilly) fix Real Steel offers a lot of enfor the actual boxing. up a sparring robot named Atom. The tertainment for the ticket price and is Enter Kenton’s son Max, played by bot can take plenty of hits but does not worth every penny. Having said that, Dakota Goyo, who adds some much have any real fighting strength. Atom, do not go into the film looking for Osneeded personality to what otherwise though, does have two fighting func- car worthy acting and script writing. would have a movie filled with nothing tions: a voice function, which allows The movie is, after all, Rocky VII: Rock more than a defeatist Hugh Jackman for voice commands, and a shadow ‘em Sock ‘em Robots. watching his hopes and dreams being function, which means the robot will

AQ play a Shakespearean delight dic twisting of Shakespearean tragic figures.

Sophomore Bettina Mulligan added, “I really liked how it was e m p o we r i n g to women,” referring to her enjoyment MIRIAM PRANSCHKE/THE SAINT at playwright Comic gold: Catie Berg is perfect as manic Constance Ledbelly.

Ann-Marie

By Sarah Parlette MacDonalds’s overzealous and advenThe Saint Reporter turesome leading ladies and their lifeTantalizingly tasteful and refresh- -threatening enthusiasm.

Frazzled, Ugg-wearing, feathingly raunchy, Goodnight Desdemona er-pen-bearing Constance Ledbelly, (Good Morning Juliet) is this season’s played by junior Catie Berg, represents most hilarious comedy. The mockShakespearean parody, which was everyone’s inner Shakespeare nerd. performed by the Aquinas College While quoting blank verse and envistudents this past Thursday through sioning her future demise, Ledbelly, Sunday, contained an over-the-top cast with some mystical help, is transported of creatively crafted characters. From first to Cyprus in Othello and then to a bloodthirsty Desdemona to an over- Verona to play her part in Romeo & Jusexed Juliet, this fabulous farce made liet. Her astonishing adventures forces audiences laugh to the point of tears her to face a furious Othello (Cordelwhile also making them ponder new lo Jordan) and a flamboyant Romeo (sophomore Christopher van Der Ark) possibilities.

“I think it’s an interesting portray- while discovering her own identity and al of the characters because you don’t strength.

When Ledbelly lands in Cyprus, think of them like that, “said AQ junior she accidently interrupts the plans of Cassandra Wolfe, referring to the come-

snarky Iago (Julian Kratochvil) and befriends Desdemona (sophomore Rachel Varley). Stomping around like a WWE wrestler, Desdemona is the polar opposite of the dainty character created

by Shakespeare. She bellows her eagerness and roars about her love of battles and violence to a mousy Ledbelly, who can’t stand the sight of blood. After a few choice words from the devious Iago and bouts of witty repartee, Bergs’ awkwardly adorable spinster is summoned to Verona, Italy.

Instead of finding a star-crossed couple, Ledbelly discovers two teenagers regretting rash nuptials. Upon her first encounter with the Capulets and Montagues, who are brawling, beerguzzling frat brothers, Ledbelly ends up trapped (literally) between Romeo and his Juliet (Lindsey Hansen) in a twisted love triangle. After a few unexpected sexual events and intelligent dirty jokes, Ledbelly must cope with burgeoning problems as she searches for the fool that will take her home.

Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) is ripe with adult puns, hysterical humor and clever word play that would make the Bard himself would be proud. A talented cast completes the parody, effortlessly pulling in the audience and keeping them laughing until sides split and jaws hurt.

Faculty display talent at AMC

By Lauren Rico The Saint Reporter On Sunday, October 2, the Aquinas art faculty proudly displayed their artwork for friends, family and students to see.

Nine faculty members showcased their work. Artists include art professor and Gallery Director Dana Freeman; art professors Madeline Kaczmarczyk, Chris LaPorte, Sharon Sandberg, H. J. Slider, Don Kerr and Kurt Kaiser; Leisa R. Keenan and Art Department Chair Ron Pederson.

Freeman organized the faculty exhibit. She also displayed a particularly striking three panel digital photography piece entitled Between the Poles of the Conscious I, II, and II. Inspired

by Kabir’s poem of the same title, the photos capture a young woman in the fetal position submerged in water.

When asked about the young woman, Freeman said, “It’s as if she’s in limbo, suspended in a state [where she] might have a spiritual connection.”

Kaczmarczyk displayed four of her ceramic pieces. One of her pieces includes Large Black Slab Formed

Vase, a piece that masterfully illustrates beautiful and intricate designs that practically leap off the vase.

Kaczmarczyk advises AQ student artists to “work as much as you can, as often as you can. The muse doesn’t hit when you’re not MIRIAM PRANSCHKE/ THE SAINT working.”

Keenan‘s art Teacher’s pet: Dana Freeman’s piece is on display at AMC. work stands to be said, “…the materials sometimes dicone of the boldest pieces in the gallery. tate what is or isn’t possible, and since I Entitled Stop or Go, Keenan simply but have gotten more and more into createffectively described her piece as “be- ing work that celebrates structure and ing crushed.” balance, the physical challenges are While much of the art at the exhibit what it’s all about.” could be seen but not touched, Kaiser’s The Faculty Exhibit is currently Balance Play encouraged visitors to be- opened now until November 4, Moncome a part of the artwork. His wooden day- Thursday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday: and metal structure is brought to life 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and weekends 2-6 when anyone pushes down on the base p.m. The gallery will not be open durand the whole structure resembling a ing fall break. leaf gently rocks back and forth. When he sets out to create a new piece, Kaiser

AQ music dept. in perfect harmony

By Rachel Luehm The Saint Reporter The Aquinas College Music Department had its Fall Sampler Concert and Open House on Sunday, Oct. 9, which was a tribute to the first 75 years of the college’s life. The program showcased music that was composed between 1886 and 1971 and was emceed

by Professor Gary Eberle. He masterfully infused historical elements into the program as he gave brief accounts of the development of Aquinas and its music program.

The afternoon started out with “Morris Dance Tunes” by Gustav Holst, performed by the Aquinas College Band, and a traditional Appalachian folk song performed by

AQpella. While the first song started the show off with gusto, the folk song showcased the serene voices of the AQpella members.

Next were a few lively pieces by the Guitar Ensemble including “Frevo” by Brazilian Celso Machado followed by two songs with lyrics written by Saint Thomas Aquinas. In an interesting twist to the afternoon, the jazz band played Duke Ellington’s hit, “Satin Doll,” as well as the Beatles tune “Norwegian Wood.”

Lastly, the afternoon ended with two choral pieces written in the late 1930’s and 40’s. These pieces, entitled “The Last Words of David” and “My Spirit Sang All Day” were performed by the 57 member Aquinas College

A & E Editor Stephanie Giluk

E-mail shg001@aquinas.edu

Chorus and ended the concert on a high note.

It was freshman Jaime Sansone’s first time attending a music department concert on campus and she said, “It was really cool to hear how the history of the school tied in with the pieces they played.”

Sophomore Louis Allen said that he, “appreciated the rather full audience and the facts given by the professor.” He also was impressed, “that all the groups were so well put together.”

The concert was the first part of a two part series that the music department has scheduled. The second part will be in the spring and will showcase songs from the latter 50 years of the college’s existence.

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FIFA 12 does soccer justice

By Joe Foldenauer The Saint Reporter “Let’s play some FIFA!” will be shouted by gamers after buying the new FIFA 12. FIFA is the one of the greatest soccer video game series ever made, so it is no wonder that this game is as exceptional as its predecessors.

Gamers may want to purchase this one instead of just renting it for a few days.

The running, kicking and playing defense was a bit too easy in the last game, but FIFA 12 amps up the realism. Tactical defending has enhanced the game for players that are die-hard fans. Instead of the typical default style video games commonly follow, this game makes playing the game of soccer almost as real as being on the field. Another fascinating feature of the game is being able to dribble the ball. In FIFA 12 players have greater control of the ball when going down the field Playing this game the old fashioned way will only diminish the impressive realism.

Learning how to adapt in the game is difficult and a bit time consuming but pays off in the end.

Because of the advanced realism of this game, the players have become more intelligent and realistic as well.

When someone is tackled in this game, it is clear how the player is going to take the tackle, improving this game over many sports games where moves never play out like they would in real life.

The graphics are amazing. The stadiums look just like how they would if a FIFA game was on television. The players are also more life-like and the game provides more information on each player in order to offer gamers their pick of players.

Overall, this game was a lot of fun. A good sports game to play with friends, FIFA 12 does not disappoint.

Jazz band hits the right note

By Katherine Mata The Saint Reporter There is nothing better than soul soothing music on a stressful night.

Students were able to take a break from studying to enjoy a performance from Aquinas’ jazz band at the Moose Café.

Many students flocked to the Moose Café to support the band where the atmosphere, more so than usual, was welcoming and upbeat.

Whether it was the trumpet that commanded attention or the smooth saxophone that filled the air, most found themselves moving with the music.

It was clear that the jazz band’s musicians put in a lot of work for this performance. Each musician had his or her own unique sound with their instrument. The band did an excellent job complementing each other and highlighting certain instruments in wonderful, awe-inspiring solos.

Sophomore Raymond Kalinowski, a member of the jazz band, believes they put on an amazing performance.

“It is one of many to come. We are always getting better,” confides Kalinowski.

The band mixed up the beat to appeal to everybody, even those that do not consider themselves jazz aficionados. Instead of slower and quieter jazz, the band brought in a catchy funk beat to reanimate the scene. “It’s an American classic,” clarifies Kalinowski. “[Jazz] can shift between rock, blues, hip hop and so many other sounds.” The band did an amazing job displaying the different characteristics and beats of jazz. Jazz does not have to be the music that dampens the atmosphere and presents a serious attitude, and the talented members of the band made that clear to students.

The band is planning on several more events for students and the public to enjoy. According to Kalinowski, students should watch for the jazz night in Kretschmer Hall in November and their performance in the Christmas concert in December. “We also have other gigs outside of Aquinas,” emphasizes Kalinowski, “Sometimes we get donations... for doing so. Those are always fun to let others, besides Aquinas, [to hear] and enjoy our music.”

These talented and hard-working musicians put on wonderful and inspiring performances throughout the year. Take a break, relax and dance along to the jazz bands’ tunes.

sports

page

Red Wings: Detroit starts season 2-0

Ultimate: AQ Rex competes in South Bend, preparing for Huckfest

Lions: Honolulu Blue go 5-0, defeating Bears on Mon. Night Football

The Detroit Red Wings started their season by winning their first two games. On Oct. 7 the Wings defeated the Ottawa Senators in their season opener 5-3. The next day Detroit defeated hated-rival the Colorado Avalanche 3-0. The Red Wings will next play the Vancouver Canucks.

Aquinasauraus Rex, the club Ultimate Frisbee team of Aquinas College, competed at the Whitesmoke Invitational in South Bend, IN Oct 1-2.

AQ Rex competed against teams from Notre Dame, Northwestern and Western Michigan. The team is now preparing for Huckfest on Saturday, Oct. 29 in Grand Rapids.

The Detroit Lions have continued their marvelous start to the season by defeating the Chicago Bears 24-13 in Detroit on Monday Night Football. It is the first time since 1956 that the Lions have started the season going 5-0. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson has been superb this season with 24 catches for 321 yards and eight touchdowns.

For baseball, too many playoffs are a bad thing dan meloy | sports editor There is nothing like baseball in October. The tension in the stands, batters stepping up in the bottom of the ninth with the season on the line, steam rising from the pitcher’s skin while you see his breath in the crisp October sky.

The passion and excitement in playoff baseball is one of the highlights of all American sports.

But like so many great things in this world, too much of a good thing turns out to be a bad thing.

And that is what Major League Baseball is running up against next year.

For the 2012 season each league will feature eight teams in the postseason, as opposed to the current format of four teams per league.

This format will make the MLB resemble more the National Hockey League or the National Basketball Association, if that ever pops back up again.

And while there is no doubt that the more playoff teams there are, the greater the number of fans that will be please that their team is in the postseason. It also at the same time ruins one of the great things about the current playoff format in baseball-exclusivity.

With only one wild-card position up for grabs, baseball has become the last sport where winning your division truly matters. Football is a close second with only two wild-card teams. But one of the long standing traditions in the sport of baseball, a sport that is all about tradition, is pennant races.

Baseball is the sport of longevity, where the ability to outlast your opponents over the course of a 162 game season is far more important than having a good couple of weeks at the end of the season. This has been one of baseball’s most valued assets throughout history.

When the 20th century began, the World Series was made up of the best team from the American League and the best team in the National League. If you were second in your league, well tough luck, try again next year.

Then as the league expanded in the 1960s each league broke off into two divisions and thus the playoffs were born.

But even then there was an emphasis on being first in your division by the season’s end.

Up to that year that tradition continued as each league featured three divisional champions, and only one wildcard team.

This system was by far the most fair in American sports. Games in April and May were just as important as games in September. For a fan, it did not matter if you saw your team in the early season or near the end of the year. Each game was just as important as the other.

But now that tradition of focusing on being in first place, and valuing longevity over short bursts of success is gone. With a grand total of 16 of the 30 teams making the postseason next year, teams with a losing record have a shot at winning the World Series. A team could finish third in the division, and still win a pennant.

The MLB is confident they are going to make the postseason more exciting, and it probably will be. At the same time, regular season games will become less important.

Instead of lamenting a close loss in June that drops your team two games behind the division lead, baseball will be transformed to the mentality of “Oh, it’s June. Who cares what the Tigers do?”

And while more playoff teams will generate more excitement, at what point does competition integrity override trying to create excitement?

If excitement was the real goal of MLB, they should put all the teams in the playoffs. Just draw names out of a hat for pairing.

Forget the regular season, forget the long term goal. We want trophies, and we want trophies now.

This seems to be direction that American sports are heading, all in the name of appealing to the masses. Rather than having an eight month long march to a championship, Americans want a month of sporting euphoria.

And now this quest for the “excitement” has taken down its oldest foe: Major League Baseball–the last meaningful regular season.

7

THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2011

<<

WHAT TO WATCH

>> VOLLEYBALL

The volleyball team hosts city-rival Davenport University tonight at 7 p.m. in the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center. Before students leave for Fall Break, the Saints will face conference power Indiana Tech at 6 p.m. on Friday night.

On a record pace

Women’s soccer breaks school winning streak record

MIRIAM PRANSCHKE / THE SAINT

Nowhere to turn: Freshman forward Melissa Hogan, junior defender Courtney Havens, and junior midfielder Heather Lewis trap a Cornerstone player.

By Morgan Dantzer The Saint Reporter Women’s soccer made history on Saturday, October 1 when they were victorious against Rochester College in their 6th consecutive shutout. The Saints now hold the record for longest winning streak in school history following their 3-0 victory.

Freshman forward Melissa Hogan scored unassisted and then off of a corner kick. Senior forward Jaime Tomaszewski also scored for the Saints. Senior goalkeeper Kelsey Duley recorded

3 saves.

Aquinas played in their first Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference match on October 5. They defeated their big rival Cornerstone University 2-1 in overtime.

“The conference games are big games for us and are what we have been preparing for all season,” said Duley. “We need to continue to play hard and attack like we have been lately.

Mentally, the preparation starts before game day even arrives and I feel mentally prepared if I am physically pre-

pared and confident for a match. I know my teammates are working hard for me, and I am doing the same for them.”

In the match against Cornerstrone Duley had three saves. Sophomore midfielder Elizabeth Vaughan and senior midfielder Matthea Brandenburg each scored for the Saints.

“The team has been doing a good job of playing with the same intensity we had earlier in the season. We have had a pretty successful season thus far,” said Brandenburg. “That being said, there is sometimes a temptation to become content. I think we have been doing a good job of not becoming content.

We would like to move on to the next level, conference play, with a greater level of intensity. As the conference tournament begins, this becomes all the more important, as our play determines how long our season will go on or how quickly it will end.”

On Saturday, October 8 the Saints traveled to Ann Arbor to compete against Concordia. Adding to their winning streak, Aquinas won 4-1.

Sophomore midfielder Madeline Rammal scored off of a penalty kick. Senior forward Jaime Tomaszewski recorded a hat-trick.

The Saints have a record of 11-3 overall and 2-0 in the WHAC. The Saints play their next game at home on October 15 against Siena Heights University.

Tigers defeat the Yankees, trail the Rangers 2-0 in the ALCS

By Brendan Hoffman The Saint Reporter The Detroit Tigers have started on their road to a pennant. The Tigers began their march towards a World Series title by facing a hefty first round matchup against the New York Yankees.

Game one in the series was all about the Yankees. In an odd start, after one and a half innings, the game was delayed for rain and left starting pitchers Justin Verlander and CC Sabathia off the mound when the game resumed a day later. Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano lead the Yankees to a 9-3 win with a grand slam and ultimately driving in six runs for the day.

The Tigers would take ownership of game two in a commanding fashion.

Detroit’s Max Scherzer was throwing with a win on his mind. Throwing six no-hit innings, the Tigers were looking for an offensive strike. They found this in first baseman Miguel Cabrera hitting three RBIs and a home run. The Tigers went on to win 5-3.

Detroit made it two wins in a row with game three, topping the Yankees

5-4. Justin Verlander started for the Tigers and pitched eight innings where he had a rocky start but smoothed things out in later innings. Late season acquisition left fielder Delmon Young won the game for the Tigers by hitting a go ahead solo home run in the seventh inning to break the 4-4 tie and give the Tigers the win.

The Yankees would take game four as a result of a highly productive Yankees offense. The Tigers simply could not compete with New York’s run production and fell 10-1, making the series tied at 2-2.

Game five would prove to be the decisive game to decide the series. In a surprise move the Tigers scheduled young pitcher Doug Fister to start the pivotal game five. Thanks to early home runs by third baseman Don Kelly and right fielder Delmon Young, the Tigers had an early 2-0 lead.

This good start would carry through into the later innings, ending up with the Tigers holding onto a 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. Closer Jose Valverde was

brought into the game to seal the victory. After two fly outs, Valverde would strike out Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez to win the American League Divisional Series.

The Texas Rangers won the other American League series and will be the Tigers’ next opponent in the American League Championship Series.

The Rangers lost their first game to the Tampa Bay Rays but went on to win three straight games to take the series.

The Rangers have a powerful offense and will be a good match for the Tigers’ brilliant pitching staff. Third baseman Adrian Beltre and shortstop Elvis Andrus are going to be the biggest threat to the Tigers at the plate.

At time of print the Tigers are trailing the Texas Rangers 2-0 in the American League Championship Series, with game four today at 4:19 p.m.

In the National League Championship Series, the Milwaukee Brewers are tied with the St. Louis Cardinals 1-1 with game three tonight at 8:05 p.m.

Women’s volleyball in the midst of WHAC play

By Sam Swartout The Saint Reporter With an outstanding 15-8 record, the Aquinas College women’s volleyball team is out for a bid to the National Tournament.

After tough back-to-back losses to Cornerstone University in late September, the team was looking for a win and found it in a 3–0 victory over Marygrove College. “At this point in the season, things are going we well as can be expected,” said Head Coach David Rawles. “The ladies are working well together and at this point we are in 2nd place.”

With a 2-3 loss to Lake Superior State looming over their heads, the team was back with vengeance with a 3-0 victory over Concordia University on Oct. 5 and again against Lourdes on Oct. 7 winning 3-2. Helping lead the Saints to victory this season is senior defensive specialist Sarah LeClair. “Sarah is leading the team with 20 digs and is the best libero Aquinas has ever had. She has the all-time career record for digs and she is an incredible asset to our team,” said Coach Rawles.

With hopes of peaking in November, the team is both mentally and physically preparing themselves for the challenges they will face later on this

MIRIAM PRANSCHKE / THE SAINT

Rejection: Right-side hitters freshman Allison Griffiths and sophomore Jackie Overton team up to block a spike. season.

“We got off to a slow start, but we are catching up to our potential and have a really good chance at winning the WHAC tourney and making it to nationals,” said LeClair.

With every loss the team has faced, they have found strength within themselves and grown as a team.

“With seven new freshmen on the team, the older girls have been trying to explain our experiences to them and

Sports Editor Dan Meloy

E-mail dpm001@aquinas.edu

are telling them to play their hearts out every game because the time will fly by and soon enough they will be seniors,” said LeClair.

Aquinas is now 3-1 in the WHAC with five league games remaining.

The Saints will be playing at home against crosstown rival Davenport University on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. and again at home against Indiana Tech University on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.

Phone (616) 632-2975

Aquinas is ready to drop the puck

By George Van Den Driessche The Saint Reporter Hockey will become an official Aquinas sport as the Saints will take to the ice rink for the 2012-2013 season.

Last year a club team was formed with the main push for a team coming from sophomore Hugh Ingalls, who will be playing forward on next year’s team.

Preliminary discussions about creating a hockey team led to the creation a club team, the first step to becoming a varsity sport. By the end of the school year, the team had fundraised enough money to purchase ice time at Griff ’s Ice House, located at 30 Coldbrook St. NE. The team was also in search of a head coach.

The team’s faculty advisor at the time was Duane Ambrose, a professor in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation department. Ambrose has also recently been named the assistant coach for the team.

“The primary goal for the school was finding a coach this summer,” said junior forward Nolan Smith. There was a continued focus on securing funding and creating community awareness for the team.

The Saints found their head coach in Mark VanVliet over summer break.

VanVliet was the former head coach of South Christian High School and former assistant coach to crosstown rival Davenport.

Currently, the team practices once a week for one and a half hours at Griff ’s Ice House. The team also plays their games at Griff ’s on Sunday nights at 7 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.

“Practices are really helping,” said Smith. “You can tell the cohesion is there amongst the teammates.”

The Saints are going to be a part of the American Collegiate Hockey Association and will be competing against schools such as Calvin, Hope, Davenport, and Grand Valley State in the Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference.

The Saints, however, are still in need of a goaltender.

“I am really excited to see the growth of a program like this and I hope we can carry the enthusiasm through the next year,” said Smith.

AQ Golf teams finish seasons strong

By Rachel Luehm The Saint Reporter

The women’s golf team has had an excellent season this year. The Saints have made waves in the WolverineHoosier Athletic Conference and finished third in the league. On Oct. 1, the women had had a great showing at Hawthorne Hills Country Club. The Saints delivered an outstanding performance when they won the jamboree with a total of 703 strokes, just edging out Madonna. Leading the Saints was sophomore Kristina Raiz who tied for first with 170 strokes .

Raiz was named the WHAC golfer of the week last week.

The Saints finished the fall season by placing sixth at the final jamboree of the season at Madonna University.

Aquinas shot a 366 overall with senior Taylour Giesen leading the Saints shooting an 80 and placing second overall. Aquinas finished the season third in the conference behind Madonna and Indiana Tech.

“It was a disappointing way to end a great season,” said freshman Elizabeth Couturier. “We hope to place in the top three within our conference, and to win our final tournament and go to nationals.”

The Saints will need to win the WHAC Championship in order advance to nationals.

The men have also been working hard this season finishing out their last jamboree on Sept. 29 when they placed seventh at Concordia with 328 strokes.

Leading the Saints at the last jamboree was senior Alex Smith, who tied four other individuals for 16th place with 79 strokes, while junior Mike Wolfe also tied with four others for 23rd place with 81 strokes. The Saints finished in seventh place in the WHAC.

8

SPORTS

THE SAINT |WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 , 2011

TOMASZEWSKI from page 1 Hogan assisted Tomaszewski in becoming the first female soccer player since 1999 to score seven goals in backto-back matches for Aquinas. “Knowing that I played a part in Jaime achieving this award makes me feel awesome,” said Hogan.

Tomaszewski is hoping this achievement will benefit her in reaching some personal goals.

“It’s big for me because I’m shooting to play semi-professional in the future,” said Tomaszewski, “and I’m also going for the record of most goals this year.” National recognition for her skill and sportsmanship will surely benefit Tomaszewski in her objectives.

However, she made it clear that she did not get the award all on her own.

“We put a lot of hours in as a team,” Tomaszewski said.

Head coach Mark Fales is very proud of his team and stated the need for teamwork in order to have individual success.

“This team can compete at the national level, no doubt,” said Fales.

“This award certainly can’t hurt the team; it helps to convince them of their capability. It’s a team effort, and it shows how hard we drive Jaime in practice.”

Fales emphasized the work and effort that the team has put in this year in order to build up a strong team and a strong chemistry between the players on the individual level.

The team is aiming to win the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference and continue to achieve more on a national level. Tomaszewski and the rest of the women’s soccer team are looking forward to a great rest of the season.

Women’s cross country heads down the home stretch

By Sam Swartout The Saint Reporter Making a run for the national title is well within the reach of Aquinas College’s women’s cross country team.

In the Greater Louisville Cross Country Classic the Aquinas ladies placed 13th out of 32 teams. “We progressed very well through September and we competed at a hard level. This is a good sign that we will be better down the road towards nationals,” said Head Coach Mike Wojciakowski.

In their latest meet, the Bethel College Invitational, the women placed fourth out of 11 teams. “This meet was a nice test for us against schools that are our own size. The ladies really stepped up and finished nicely,” said Coach Wojciakowski.

In their next meet on Oct. 22, the women will be racing at home at Riverside Park. There will be 30 schools competing. With this being a cross-regional race, schools from as far as California will be competing at the meet. This will be a competition for only National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics schools. From this race national rankings will be decided and changed.

Aquinas is ranked 16th in the most recent NAIA poll.

Helping lead the team in this charge is junior Alina Dhesseleer. “I want to see us close the gaps between each other even more. Often the end of the race is the most challenging place to try to stick together, and I would love to see us finishing up the last mile of the race together with our respective groups,”she said.

A winning legacy Men’s soccer team goes 11-2 while Head Coach Joe Veal sets school record

ANNIE BURCH / THE SAINT

Looking down field: Junior defender Kyle Dyke takes the ball up the field.

By Talia Clark The Saint Reporter The Aquinas College men’s soccer team is sizzling with an 11-2 record and a five game winning streak.

The Saints opened the month of October with a 5-1 over Rochester College. After Rochester conceded an own goal, sophomore defender Tyler Fischer scored a hat-trick and junior forward Casey Higgason scored a goal all before halftime in the 5-1 rout.

On October 5, the offense was sharp as junior midfielder Billy Creaman, who started the game on the bench, scored two great goals to help lead the Saints in their victory against Marygrove College.

Women’s lacrosse gears up for

By Laura Ferrell The Saint Reporter

Men’s cross country wins Bethel Invitational

season with fall ball

The Aquinas College women’s lacrosse team did not disappoint, remaining undefeated in the 2011 fall season.

The team started off the Homecoming festivities on September 24 by crushing the Western Michigan Lacrosse Club.

On October 1, they took on Central Michigan University, beating them 8-5, in a tight game. Then the team took on Grand Valley StateUniversity in a competitive match and won 8-2. Finally, the Saints capped off the day by beating the Western Michigan Lacrosse Club 16-2, for the second time this fall.

Throughout the day, the Saints stunned, scoring 32 times with 12 different players scoring. With junior captain goalkeeper Bre Stockall in Spain for the fall semester, sophomore goalkeeper Meghan Gray held down the net with a fifty percent save percentage and a goals against average of 4.00.

Looking forward to the spring season, the team will use the winter off season to focus on getting into prime condition. Junior captain Kati Rogers explained the set work ethic for training, “We are going to practice three times a week, working on conditioning, to be able to accelerate on the field”. Ea-

MIRIAM PRANSCHKE / THE SAINT

Eye on the ball: Senior attacker and team captain Hannah Brogger focus on maintaining possesion in the team’s fall scrimage. ger to avenge their loss in regional loss last year, the Saints want to be ready to compete at the highest level. After starting the season with four games out of state, the team will start off their regular season against Calvin College on March 15.

Another change to the women’s lacrosse team this year is their move from the Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Leauge to the National Women’s Lacrosse League, a league sponsored by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics made up of NAIA

After Marygrove scored 10 minutes into the match, Fischer scored in the 25th minute.

Marygrove kept Aquinas on their toes with another goal in the 30th minute. The Saints once more made a quick draw when Cremeans scored in the 32nd minute.

Aquinas’ defense improved in the second half, not allowing Marygrove to record a shot. With the Saints creating all the chances, Cremeans struck with only 13 minutes left before the end of the second half to give Aquinas a 3-2 victory.

The victory marked the 91st win for men’s soccer Head Coach Joe Veal, who now holds the school record for

most all-time wins at Aquinas College.

“They put out a great effort today,” said men’s soccer Assistant Coach Chad DuRussel. “We battled hard.”

As the Saints head into conference play, the team is nothing but focused on the task ahead.

“We need to keep working hard to keep preparing for conference,” said senior defender Sven Welz. “Got to work hard and push each other at practice.”

The Saints’ hard work paid off, as the team pulled out a great win on Saturday.

Higgason played a leading role on Saturday in the team’s conference opener against Concordia last Saturday. Higgason scored two goals in the first half for the Aquinas Saints. He was not alone on the score sheet as sophomore midfielder Michael Gagnon and sophomore forward J.C. Smith scored as well to give the Saints a 4-0 in their first conference game of the season.

The Saints were in complete control of the game as senior goalkeeper Jesse Guevara-Lehker did not have to make a save in order to earn the shutout.

“Great team effort today, the whole team. Great work,” said junior Heath Somers.

The Aquinas Saints are looking at an 11-2 record right now. Their next game will on the road against arch-rival Cornerstone University on October 12 at 4 p.m.

schools that have varsity women’s lacrosse. “It will give us a chance to compete against other NAIA schools nationwide and fill in our schedule against NCAA teams,” said women’s lacrosse head Coach Frank Rogers.

The Saints are looking forward to another promising Spring season. As Coach Rogers explained, “Overall, I am very happy with the fall, we worked hard, have identified areas we need to work on and are getting ready for the spring.”

By George Van Den Driessche The Saint Reporter The Aquinas College men’s cross country team won the Bethel College Invitational with a score of 21 points.

Last Friday the Saints traveled to Indiana for the Bethel College Invitational. Aquinas was able to secure a first place finish out of 12 teams with a score of 21.

Saint runners placed first through fourth, 11th, 12th, and 15th out of 81 runners. Senior Dustin Heiler won the event with a time of 25:44.

The success of the Saints comes from the seniors this season. “We have a senior laden team this year and having that upfront has enabled us to revert back to our pack like mentality,” said senior Andrew Libs On Oct. 1, the Saints traveled to Louisville, KY to compete in the Greater Louisville Cross Country Classic.

The Saints competed in three different races at the Classic. The Gold Race featured Aquinas’ top runners and the Saints finished 22nd out of 29 teams.

Aquinas history was made in Louisville as the Saints had the eighth fastest team time in team history, recording an average time of 25:32.

Contributing to the history time was Heiler witha 24:59, senior Devin lea with a 25:27, senior Nick Thelen with a 25:37, senior Mike Gravelyn with a 25:41 and sophomore Dan Foley with a time of 25:57.

In the other races at the event the Saints placed 27th out of 33 schools in the Blue Race, and 21 out of 35 schools in the Silver Race.

The success of the team is due to the seniors on the team for their work ethic, selflessness, and team orientation.

“Not only is it important to have these four guys up front, but it’s equally important to have everyone on the team pushing to get better,” said Libs.

“This is what keeps us moving forward and improving year after year.”

The Saints are ranked 12th in the most recent NAIA Coaches Poll.

Still, Aquinas has their eye on a conference championship, and a berth to the National Championship.

Aquinas’ next meet will be the NAIA Great Lakes Invitational on Oct. 22 at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids.

This will be a meet for only NAIA schools and will serve as the final tuneup before the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championships on Nov. 5 at Riverside Park.

Close family ties motivate Aquinas’ Abby Hagan

COURTESY ABBY HAGAN

Junior Abby Hagan holds the school record for best round in women’s golf, shooting a 76 this year.

Sports Editor Dan Meloy

E-mail dpm001@aquinas.edu

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“We are always within the top 3, so I think Nationals is a really good possibility. Everyone on the team has been coming in with good scores. Our performance in the spring will determine whether we will go on to Nationals or not. I just want us to get the best team score. I know we are capable of doing great things.”

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Most students join sports because their friends do or it is just expected of them. Junior Abby Hagan, from Flint, had a different reason for getting involved with golf: her family.

“I started playing golf when I was around 8 years old, although I did not competitively play until high school.

Golf is a really big family sport; both my mom and dad’s side of the family play golf, so I grew up around the sport,” said Abby.

Golf has become a really important part of Abby’s college career as well.

She would not have ended up here at

Aquinas College if it had not been for golf.

“I found out about Aquinas through recruiting. When I came to visit, I really liked the campus. I love the smallness of Aquinas,” said Abby.

Golf is not only about winning for Abby. It is about doing her best, not only for herself but for her family.

Abby spoke very highly of the bond she not only shares with her teammates at Aquinas but of the family members she has grown up with. Abby not only keeps herself motivated; she is very encouraging to her teammates as well.

“Abby is a great player and always seems to keep her cool out on the golf course. I have played with her several times, and every time she is very en-

guiding her through golf is her father.

“My dad has taught me so much.

Even now, he is the first one I will call after our meets. He gives me really good pointers and is always there for me,” said Abby.

Abby has worked hard for a reason. She has huge goals for the women’s golf team this season and is determined to make Nationals.

415 Cherry

[ College

By Alyssa Frese The Saint Reporter

couraging and a joy to be around,” said junior teammate Anne Couturier.

“Off the golf course she is still fun, charismatic. If I have learned anything from Abby I would have to say how dedication really does pay off. Abby spends a lot of her time practicing and trying to make herself a better player.

Her drive helps our whole team to perform better.”

“Abby always has a positive attitude and is a leader for our team both on and off the course,” said junior teammate Elizabeth Couturier. “From Abby I have learned to always make the best out of my round no matter what. Abby is a very valuable member of our team and she has worked very hard to reach the level she is at right now.”

As for Abby, her motivation is simply to do well all around. She is currently majoring in Psychology and minoring in Communication. She has to have the drive to not only improve her game but to keep her grades up in the classroom.

“To stay motivated, I always envision the possibilities of the end result.

I know that studying hard and practicing may not always seem like the most fun things to do but I know that it will most likely pay off in the end,” said Abby.

This kind of attitude pays off as Abby holds the school record at Aquinas for best score at a meet, a 76.

Abby’s high school team also won at states twice while she was playing. As for the academic part of Abby’s career, she has stayed very focused and plans to continue her education and move on to graduate school when she finishes her undergraduate next year at Aquinas.

Although Abby had plenty of coaching growing up, the person she gives credit for being her coach and

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