the
Mystician bismarck state college
[VOLUME 74|ISSUE 3|NOVEMBER 2012]
Tuaolo speaks on being a gay man in the NFL alyssa meier [editor-in-chief]
photo [alyssa meier]
On November 15, 2012, a 280 pound, 6-foot-tall, former NFL player came to Bismarck State College. He didn’t come to talk about football. He didn’t come to talk about fame. He signed autographs, but not because of the jerseys he had adorned or the awards he had won. Esera Tuaolo stood before a group of strangers and came to BSC for a World of Tolerance seminar and spoke the secret he had kept hidden from the public for years: “I’m gay.”
Openly gay former NFL player Esera Tuaolo speaks to a crowd in the Sidney J. Lee Auditorium at BSC during his World of Tolerance seminar on November 15.
December 14–15 Men’s and Women’s basketball games Pg|24
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Six Appeal December 22 and 23
To have sovereignty over one’s life means to have a great deal of responsibility Pg|18
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Spanish stands alone shannon hawkins [news editor] For most students, taking two years of a foreign language is required to attend an out of state college. Bismarck State College offers Spanish for first and second year, but as students fill out their class schedule and see that this is the only language available, some may ask why other languages aren’t offered on campus. “The purpose of the community college is to satisfy the people of the community,” Ryan Pitcher, Associate Professor of Spanish at BSC, said. “The demand from the community is Spanish.” French and German were once offered at BSC, but lack of demand prevented the classes from continuing to be offered. The goal of a state or community
college is to fulfill the community within the college. For now, Bismarck/Mandan only asks that students know Spanish. Pitcher has been at BSC for eleven years and is the only professor on campus to teach Spanish. He has four classes of Spanish a week and offers one humanities class, which covers Hispanic culture.
“Language learning and cultural learning go hand-in-hand,” Pitcher said. “Language just gets you in the door. If I spoke the language well, but I had no interest in knowing about the individual to whom I was speaking, there still wouldn’t be any communication. You get to know about the people and communicate with them both verbally and nonverbally as well.” Some, but not all, students
Tuaolo was raised in a povertystricken Hawaiian home along with eight brothers and sisters. He found a way to escape this life through football and ended up playing for Oregon State University before being drafted to the Green Bay Packers. He spent nine years in the NFL on five different teams. He told no one he was gay, burying his truth under layers of padding and fear. continued on Pg | 5
BSC receives 14.6 million dollar grant Pg|6
take Spanish to fulfill an elective requirement. Every semester, Pitcher asks his students why they are taking the class. Some take it because they need it for their major, while others take the class on their own. A few former students of Pitcher’s have gone on to become Spanish teachers and some have used their language skills for international business. Other students travel abroad with the knowledge they gained while in the class.
abroad for a semester and the credits would be transferred back to BSC. There’s also the possibility, if students complete the 200 level Spanish courses and are still attending BSC, to travel to Barcelona and put what they have learned into practice in the actual culture of the language. Another option is to take online Spanish to complete the course.
“The skills that they acquire with the language will certainly benefit them, and they see that after they leave school as well,” Pitcher said.
The demand is not high enough to offer the classes on campus, but the school is trying to provide the opportunity for those that wish to learn the language. With those opportunities soon in reach, students have the advantage to broaden their horizons and expand their knowledge to take into the real world.
BSC is working hard to provide more languages for students to try out. The campus is investigating the possibility of offering German courses at a university in Germany, in which students could study
“Proficiency is a little different than performance,” Pitcher said. “Proficiency is more important.”
alyssa meier [editor-in-chief]
L etter from the e d it or Dear readers,
nelly straub [design editor]
alesha pfennig [content editor]
june hunt [web editor]
jenny messer [photo editor]
shannon hawkins
[news editor]
jack pieper [life editor]
jhett cihak [sports editor]
For months, we have all witnessed the ads and watch the news and heard the names of candidates repeated hundreds of times. We were pushed and pulled in every direction and spammed with emails and phonecalls endlessly begging for our support. Somewhere in this election, and likely in previous ones, the real issues seemed to get lost. When you vote, you aren’t voting for that person as much as you are voting for what they say they are going to do. There may be a candidate who you dislike personally that still holds the same morals as you and should get your vote. There are also candidates you may support that have made some choices you don’t agree with. The same goes for the people you meet throughout life, whether they are teachers, co-workers, friends or simply your waiter at a restaurant one evening. There is a fine, but important, line between disliking a person and disliking things they have done. I won’t go off on a tangent about how nobody is perfect and you can’t judge people, but I will say this: our mistakes, no matter how big do not define us. There are “bad” people that are capable of incredible acts of kindness as well as “good” people who sometimes do horrible things. No one action can decide what kind of person anyone is. Let the little things go, whether the mistakes are yours or someone else’s. Maybe if we stop focusing so much on the mistakes we make, we won’t make as many.
[Staff] Jenni Berg Indy Castellanos Liz Hanson Josh Knels Katie Marthaller Desiree Pinks [Contributing Writers] Cameron Bartch Corden Drift Tanner Garen Trisha Grevson Sean Hushagen Jacob Kelly Sarah Morris Lyndsey Person Emily Poppe Dakota Stein
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[Videographers] Austin Balk Allison Keigley Katie Marthaller Michael Myers Angele Ngante Alesha Pfennig Mercer Sage Jerrod Schumacher Jacob Wentz
Comments/questions? 315 Schafer Hall 701.224.5467 editor@mystician.org
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4|C onstruction on campus St. A’s joins with Mayo 5 | Esera Tuaolo comes to campus 6|B renda Austin BSC Receives grant Chiropractors adjust life
photo [alyssa meier]
Brenda Austin [BSC Custodian]
Construction rises around campus
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Driving, or even walking, around campus students and faculty will see buildings going up and contractors working hard to finish different projects before the first heavy snowfall. Bismarck State College is seeing improvements and will be expecting more in the near future. Currently, BSC has three projects being worked on.
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“The projects were reserved from the legislation in 2011, in which time we received funding for the projects,” Dave Clark, the Executive Vice President at BSC, said.
“The groundbreaking will start after winter, so around April,” Clark said. “Unless we have a [mild] winter again like we did last year, and if the bids are successful.” This means when contractors are allowed to bid on the project, and whoever has the lowest bid gets hired. An architect states a price and contractors will either bid lower or equal to the estimated amount that the contractor gives. The lowest bidders get chosen because, whoever the project is being built for, has to hire three contractors. They hire general, electrical and mechanical contractors. Soon BSC will be shining like new.
Kuntz Glass workers install glass panels on the side of the Robert A. Kuntz maintenance building.
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Students will soon be able to access the fourth floor of the National Energy Center of Excellence. Work will be done by mid-November.
remodeling. Questions have been flying about when the remodeling is going to be started and finished.
photo [Graphic Design and Comm.]
katie marthaller [writer]
photo [Graphic Design and Comm.]
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Another project that is currently being worked on is the maintenance building, which cost $1.5 million. The maintenance building will hold the equipment used to help maintain the beauty at BSC. This building will also have the mailroom operation inside and will be named after Robert Kuntz, who worked at BSC for many years. “The maintenance shop is being built because the campus is growing, which requires more equipment,” Clark said. “We used to put the equipment in the garages behind the Armory, but it just got too small. If there is something wrong with a piece of equipment, they can fix it while it is in a shop.” When walking into the Student Union, people can observe a diagram of the building with its
The fourth floor of the NECE building is nearing completion.
St. Alexius aligns with Mayo Clinic cameron bartch [writer] St. Alexius Medical Center and Mayo Clinic announced that the Bismarck based organization
is now the newest member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. In western North Dakota, St. Alexius is the first medical center to pass Mayo’s rigorous review process and has been selected for membership of
the year-old network. St. Alexius Medical Center will now extend the presence of the Mayo Clinic Care Network in North Dakota, where Mayo first started the network in 2011. The network also has member organizations in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and New Hampshire.
photo [submitted]
“Today, our membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network will serve to further enhance the level of clinical expertise that our physicians and their patients have access to,” Gary P. Miller, President and CEO at St. Alexius Medical Center, said. “We are proud to be recognized for our long heritage of healing and quality and to be accepted as a member of the growing Mayo Clinic Care Network.”
St. Alexius officials announce their alliance with Mayo Clinic at a recent press conference.
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Mayo Clinic specialists and St. Alexius physicians are able to connect through an electronic consulting technique called eConsults. St. Alexius physicians also have access to the Mayovetted medical information through what’s called the AskMayoExpert database.
These tools will help St. Alexius provide the best care for its patients, as well as improve its systems and the health of the community. “This is a great day for our providers, but more importantly for health care consumers in our region,” Shiraz Hyder, M.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs at St. Alexius Medical Center, said. “Now our providers will be able to tap into the expert resources available at Mayo Clinic, which means even the more complex patients have the opportunity to be treated here at home in consultation with Mayo’s experts.” Two types of eConsults are: Asynchronous, a phone call or email between physicians without the patient present; Synchronous, in which communication is in real time through video or phone with the patient present. AskMayoExpert is a webbased system that shares Mayo’s significant breadth and depth of clinical expertise at the point of care in which St. Alexius can now use.
Mystician | November 2012
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Gay NFL player comes out After his retirement, Tuaolo finally decided it was time to face the problem that he had been running from for years. “Something that should have taken us a couple of hours to do took us the whole day because I felt like someone was stabbing me with a knife,” Tuaolo said of his 2002 HBO Real Sports interview where he publicly came out. “I would run into the bathroom and throw up and just shake because I didn’t know what was going to happen once I said those words.” A 35-year-old secret finally released, and Tuaolo said he felt a weight lifted. He had dealt with the turmoil within himself; now he needed to face the rest of the world. Tuaolo received phone calls and emails from teammates and friends, including Craig Sauer, who was a linebacker with the Atlanta Falcons when Tuaolo was on the team. Sauer, though rooted in his beliefs that homosexuality was a sin, called his old teammate to let him know he was still his friend. “He was great about it,” Tuaolo told HBO correspondent Bernard Goldberg about his conversation with Sauer. “He said ‘you’ve been running and now you don’t have to run any more.’” Since publically coming out, Tuaolo has put his growing confidence to use and dedicates much of his time sharing his story around the country. “I’m tired of sugarcoating things,” Tuaolo said. “I spent
35 years in the closet holding my tongue, and I’ll tell you what – now I have a voice.” Tuaolo’s seminar, A World of Tolerance, focuses less on victimizing himself and more on attempting to make others understand the dangers of discrimination and hate. Tuaolo’s voice echoed throughout the Sidney J. Lee auditorium as he shared his message with the audience. “What should I do? Should I kill myself so people wake up?” Tuaolo asked of the people in the room all silently staring back at him. Though the event wasn’t as attended as anticipated, those that did attend seemed passionate about the subject and were eager to comment and ask questions. BSC president Larry Skogen spoke during the event, addressing the need for more diversity programs statewide to battle the harsh reality of discrimination. Skogen brought up the subject in his blog earlier in the week after North Dakota found itself at the top of a list of states who tweeted racist comments after Obama’s reelection was announced.
that disadvantaged them. “If our landlord wanted to kick us out, he could just because of our sexual orientation,” Thune said. “It’s completely legal.” The couple also addressed the fact that even if they decide to get married in a state it has been legalized in, their marriage is not valid federally because it has not been legalized nationwide. Thune said they had come to the seminar to hear what Tuaolo had to say and to learn. “It was so inspirational,” Thune said. “Really a shame more people didn’t come.” Tuaolo moved the audience with his story, his rendition of
“Beautiful” by friend Christina Aguilera and the passion he had for the cause, stating early on that he was there to try and make it easier for other gay individuals to live a life without fear. “You don’t want people to tolerate you,” Tuaolo said. “You want people to accept you.” When time came for questions, Tuaolo was asked more about his past and obstacles he had overcome before an older gentleman in the audience raised his hand. The audience fell silent to hear the man’s question. He did not ask of Tuaolo’s troubles. He did not request an autograph. The man rose from his seat and asked: “Can I hug you?”
“Respect everyone regardless of who they are, who they love or what they think,” Skogen said. Also in the audience were BSC sophomore Jeremy Thune and his boyfriend of two years Matthew Leidholm. The men said they didn’t feel like they had been discriminated against much by their peers, but did face issues with laws
photo [alyssa meier]
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Esera Tuaolo sings “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera to the audience as his ice breaker for the event.
TUITION ASSISTANCE | STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PAID TRAINING | MONTHLY PAYCHECK
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MOMENTS OF CHARACTER You always do what’s right, no matter what. THAT’S DISCIPLINE
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2012|Mystician
701.224.5467 bsc_mystician@yahoo.com
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Staff member decks the halls
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For the last six years, students have left for Thanksgiving break and come back to a Schafer hall that looks much different than before. Lights have been hung, garland is wrapped around posts and a tree full of multi colored ornaments is proudly displayed for all to see. The decorations remain on display throughout the season, while the person responsible goes on without recognition.
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Custodian Brenda Austin started working full time at BSC about seven and a half years ago after working as head cook at another school. After her first year, she was compelled to start decorating for the holiday season.
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“I found out no one had ever done it before … and I think the students need it,” Austin said.
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Austin brought some decorations from home and others from second hand stores and got to work, doing more for the campus than anyone asked of her to try and brighten someone’s day. “I can’t wait until they walk
in and see it,” Austin said of the students coming back onto campus after Thanksgiving to see her decorations.
Austin decorated her childhood home with her sister when they were young, painting Christmas scenes on the windows in the living room with watercolors. Back in those days, when Austin said they were always together, her four sisters and brothers would wake up on December 24 to open one present each before Christmas day.
tree and everything up until my dad came home.”
Years later, Austin’s oldest sister was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that soon took her life. The same cancer took her youngest brother in 2011, leaving Austin with one sister and one brother who, she teasingly says ‘will have to do.’ Austin has four children of her own, two of which
have grown and moved away. Every year when the holidays approach Austin takes to decorating Schafer hall as if it were her own home. For years, Austin has selflessly transformed Schafer hall in an attempt to coax some smiles and holiday spirit out of students, before the decorations are taken back down until next year.
“It was always from grandma and it was always pajamas, every year,” Austin said. “They were special because she usually made them.” One year, these early gifts were the only ones that were unwrapped. Austin’s father was in the Air Force and serving in Vietnam when the holidays came around. Instead of going on without him, Austin’s family postponed the holiday and had Christmas in June when they would all be together again. “We opened up one present and the rest of the gifts we left under the tree,” Austin said, laughing. “We left the
photo [alyssa meier]
alyssa meier [editor-in-chief ]
Brenda Austin prepares for the holiday season when she will decorate Schafer Hall for faculty, staff and students to enjoy.
Money granted for BSC lyndsey person [writer] Recently, Bismarck State College was awarded a grant from the Department of Labor called the Training for Regional Energy in North Dakota, also known as TREND. BSC and Fort Berthold Community College, Sitting Bull College, Turtle
Mountain Community College and Williston State College will receive $14.6 million dollars. “It’s a four year grant and the first three years is more program based and then the last year is more evaluation type things,” Kari Knudson, Vice President of the National Energy Center of Excellence at BSC said.
Mechanical maintenance technicians, truck drivers, carpenters, welders and electricians will be helped by this grant. “We are trying to help out with the workforce needs in western North Dakota so the biggest area of growth are the oil and gas industries. The big impact for BSC is to add additional equipment
in our programs,” Knudson said. “We’re going to be adding energy faculty, adding equipment and also identifying ways to potentially quicken the programs. Then they’d be able to get a job sooner out in the industry.” Advisors will also be checking up on students more often not just during college, but after they are out in the workforce as well.
Adjustment relieves aches and pains sarah morris [writer] As the semester comes to the halfway point, many students are feeling the aches of it all. The fatigue, headaches and sore muscles are somewhat becoming a routine. What if something could be done to make these pains more manageable? What many people do not know is that these symptoms can be helped or relieved by going to a chiropractor. Hands-on spinal adjustment is used, as well as other methods. The hands-on method helps the nervous system when something is interfering with it. Athletes, as well as students, can benefit from it whether a person is hurt in a sport or just sitting
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in class slouching in a chair. Dr. John Badinger has been a chiropractor for 17 years at Family Health Chiropractic in Bismarck. He explained how a person’s nervous system controls everything in a person’s body. If something is interfering with it, then a person’s health may be affected. Chiropractic care removes what is hurting the nervous system, therefore letting the body heal all by itself. “Adjustment is giving your body what you need,” Badinger said. Badinger uses mechanical devices, as well as table assisted adjustment in order to help his patients. These devices, although they look a little frightening, are pretty gentle on a person’s body.
“Studies are starting to show that chiropractic [care] can help our body in more ways than pain relief, ” Badinger said. If a person’s nervous system is not working as well as it should, he or she can have a lower immune system and poorer overall health. So not only can the pain lessen, one might not get sick as often either. Many chiropractors push the idea of healthy eating and exercise. Badinger described life as a “bucket.” This bucket, if filled with bad things, becomes heavier and more troublesome. Having good things in life, like going to a chiropractor regularly, eating well and exercising, makes the bucket lighter and easier to bear. “It is never too late, and it’s never too early [to see a
chiropractor],” said Badinger. The cost of visiting a chiropractor differs with which chiropractor a person goes to see. Insurance may cover some visits, depending on the insurance agency. There are risks to visiting a chiropractor, although they are rare. Spinal cord injury or a stroke may happen. A slipped disc or hernia may become worse. A person can inform his or her primary care doctor that he or she is visiting a chiropractor just to be on the safe side. As with any pain treatment, a person has to weigh the pros and cons. So as a student, athlete or both, no one wants to sit in pain. Chiropractic care may help many people and living without pain can create a better life.
Mystician | November 2012
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8|F eeture
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9 | There’s a class for that Alex Kottre Technology impairment
10 | S ix Appeal 11 | What’s up with the President Money saving tips Martial arts 12 | Soup Cafe 14 | Play Review
photo [kat kairschmann]
Alex Kottre [BSC student]
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photo [sean hushagen]
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Bismarck welcomes Feeture
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Cassidy Heid is a current Bismark State College student who last year decided to make his own clothing company, Feeture.
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sean hushagen [writer] Cassidy Heid, a Bismarck State College student, who last year decided to make his own clothing company, Feeture. Heid started out by recruiting help from his friend, Adam Bartolomew.
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I just wanna make gear that people are hyped on.
“He made the first shirts and beanies for me,” Heid said. He then started selling these sample products to his close friends. “I would make a hat for one friend and when another friend saw it they wanted one too,” Heid said “Everything I make is very limited edition, you can guarantee that there will be no more than thirty of a certain style of shirt or hat.” Heid learned how to sew and started by making beanies and other hats. He has moved into screen printing and making Feeture a more versatile product. Heid taught himself how to screen print and has been using that as his primary source of production. “I don’t really have any set goals right now,” Heid said. “I just want to make gear that people are hyped on. Since winter is coming, I will start making more clothes because I won’t be skateboarding as much.” Feeture derives its’ name from the iconic logo Heid designed while doodling back in his off period at Century High School. The design is a
From Left to right: Ben Gumeringer, Marissa Spear, Casey Miller and Deanna Price
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cross between a Kermit the frog style head attached to a foot. Feeture started off as a brand that was mostly worn by the Bismarck/Mandan skateboarding community, but is now branching out and starting to reach a wider audience. Feeture is sold at Discontent, on Main Ave. Heid also sells it from his house and from his car for the convenience of his customers. Zach Obergon and Jordan Brorby of Bismarck and Cliff Butler of Minot, are all proud to be sponsored by Feeture. This means that these three guys are given Feeture clothing to wear when they skate. As team riders, they are ambassadors for Feeture. When younger kids see these rad older guys skating, those kids want to imitate them. One way they can do that is by mimicking their clothing style. This allows Heid to sell more clothing and to invest further into his company. As a father of two young boys, Zach Obergon can still manage to balance his family life with his passion for skateboarding. “Zach is a high energy skateboarder, who manages to tear up the skatepark every single time he skates,” Heid said. “I don’t think he has ever had a bad day of skateboarding.” Brorby currently resides in Missoula, Montana, and is getting the locals pretty excited about Feeture. Butler has relocated to California where he is also spreading the word about Feeture.
Photos [Bryan Hempstead]
Mystician | November 2012
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Unusual classes fill up schedules jenny messer [photo editor]
These courses are considered “weird” because of the fact that they typically have lower attendance than the mainstream courses. For example, if students would rather learn to defend themselves than to play basketball, they may take Self Defense. Beginning Birding focuses on fieldwork with birds. Intro to photo[Graphic Design and Comm
When it’s that time of the year to sign up for courses, there’s many options that student’s may not be aware of. BSC offers a variety of “weird” courses to students such as Self Defense, Beginning Birding, Intro to Aquarium Keeping, Rope & Rigging, Children’s Literature,
Philosophy in Cinema, Basic TV and Video, Intro to Forensic Science and Meteorology.
Jean Rolandelli, associate biology professor at BSC visits a salt water aquarium on the second floor of the Jack Science Center.
Aquarium Keeping introduces students to the different types of plants, animals and maintenance in an aquarium. Rope & Rigging teaches the different types of knots, uses of rope, and basic rigging techniques. Children’s Literature breaks children books down into themes and how they impact the child. Philosophy in Cinema compares movies and the ways they shape our lives. Basic TV and Video teaches video production and practice by working on the Mysticast. Intro to Forensic Science relates chemistry to the criminal investigation process. Meteorology focuses on the atmosphere, seasons, and different weather conditions. Jean Rolandelli, the Intro to Aquarium Keeping instructor, has been teaching at BSC for 17 years. When she first came to BSC, one condition of her teaching here full time was to change the Biology Floor. “This is the Biology floor, we should have living things every where,” Rolandelli said.
“I wanted to bring in salt water tanks in because the great majority of students don’t get to dive in the ocean and see what these things look like.” The Biology floor bought their first Aquarium in 1996 which has been maintained by Rolandelli and her son. Current students in Intro to Aquarium Keeping don’t actually get to help take care of the aquariums because they can easily go down hill just in the matter of a few days. Rolandelli’s class normally has between 10-15 students, but this semester has 6. Intro to Aquarium Keeping is one credit and an eight-week course, so attendance is mandatory. All of these courses count towards a student’s degree in some shape or form, either counting as enrichment or just a different form of the class that still falls under that subject. These are just some of the examples that BSC offers to students instead of taking the “normal” classes and are still very beneficial.
Kottre hits the right notes Alex Kottre, 20, is from Lincoln and graduated from Bismarck High School. This is her second year at Bismarck State College and is studying vocal performance and music education. She plays piano, which she started a year ago. Kottre started singing at a very young age and has continued to do so throughout her life. Depending on who is listening, Kottre gets an adrenaline rush when she sings. “It makes me happier than anything I’ve ever done,” Kottre said. She chose BSC because she was uncertain if majoring in music
was the right choice, but has been reassured through working with the music staff and program here. After BSC, Kottre plans on attending Berklee Music College to major in vocal jazz performance and pursue a performance career.
Kottre admires jazz and soul music because they’re ‘real’ and easier to connect to the songs and what they are about. Her jazz inspirations include Jamie Cullum,
Michael Buble and Billie Holiday. Allen Stone and Etta James are her soul inspirations. In her spare time, Kottre reads a lot and works at Northbrook pharmacy.
She has written a few songs, and has performed at Urban Harvest this past summer and at Peacock Alley. “Anytime I hear a song with a legit vocal, I instantly want to learn it,” Kottre said. “And hearing people who can do things with their voices that I can’t do inspires me to become a better and more versatile singer.” She grew up in a musical family where her sisters played instruments and sang and a father who played guitar since he was 13.
photo [kat kairschmann]
alesha pfennig [content editor]
Alex Kottre takes a break between singing and playing piano.
[ Technology impairs communication skills
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indy castellanos [writer]
News
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2012|Mystician
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It is true that both educators and students can benefit from taking advantage of the digital world. However the constant need to stay “connected” to others via texting, Facebook and other forms of social media, has unintentionally caused just the opposite effect. Texting friends throughout the day instead of calling to have a thorough conversation, emailing professors instead of meeting in their office, and sending Facebook messages to mom instead of responding to her handwritten letters are all ways our communication has become less personal and more digital.
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According to research compiled by Pew Research Center, 73% of college students said they could not study without the aid of their technology. This included reading e-books, using electronic flashcards and studying
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“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” This famous quote, once said by Albert Einstein, has proven to be more truthful with each passing day. In this modern 21st century, new devices with incredible capabilities have completely changed the learning experience. Most students swear that their cell phones, tablets and laptops keep them on track throughout their college careers. However, there is a point when the usefulness of our technologies exceeds and begins to distract us from the real world.
from recorded lectures. 38% also confessed to not being able to go 10 minutes without checking their cell phones for emails, text messages and Facebook notifications. Because the size of our devices have become so miniature, they often go unnoticed in the classroom and cause for distracted students.
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Six Appeal News
sean hushagen [writer] as their job. That made me think about it a lot more seriously.
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I obviously enjoyed music and was in BHS’s New Generation Jazz Choir and Concert Choir and had a good time with all that.
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I remember winning a reward at the North Texas Jazz Festival for vocal percussion. What the award stated was that in the opinion of the judges I had the skill to become a professional at it [performing vocaly]. I remember being pretty surprised by that.
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Is this how you imagined how your life would be ten years ago?
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Reuben Hushagen - I definitely did not expect to be here ten years ago. I was 14-years-old and a freshman in high school. That was the first year I made high school All State Choir as a freshman, so that was a confidence booster. Fast forward a year when I was a sophomore in high school when we saw Impulse doing contemporary a ca pella music at Bismarck High School, and seeing these guys doing a cappella music
What past experience and knowledge do you bring to the group?
photos [sean hushagen]
Nathan Hickey - Well as far as previous experiences I bring to the group, I was in Basses Wild in college at the University of Minnesota and that was fun.
How do I see the future looking for Six Appeal?
Andrew “Berko” Berkowitz - I have to look to the past in order
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Jordan originally raised the idea to me in 2008 that we should do this [sing] professionally. I hadn’t considered it until I took the time to look and see where my life was going. I was taking a year off between my two years at Bismarck State College. During my off year of not participating in any musical activity for the first time in seven years, I realized I needed to have that [music] in my life. I had a really big void in my life when again the opportunity arose. We had the opportunity to work with an agency, and actually do it. I remember when I was living in Colorado getting a call on the ski lift from Jordan. I have a strong background in musical theatre, so I enjoy doing exaggerated facial expressions and movement. A lot of that is from how I really like to really ham things up. I think I bring a lot of performance energy. I rev the guys up with dumb things I do, like giving someone a funny look and they start cracking up which really brings energy to the group. Also, musically I started singing in a church choir when I was really young and I’ve been playing violin for ten years. I have the ability to be a solid background voice and blend really well. Off the stage, I have one thing I am trying to do, and that is to get us as a group to post more things on YouTube. You may notice we don’t post that frequently but I am trying to push us into getting a nice camera so we can get more videos out there, it’s something I feel like we could do a lot more with. to see what direction future is going. In the past year we have grown so much with finding a permanent sixth member and with really locking down what we’re doing, and what we want to do. It feels like we are on a growth, like the line on the chart is just going straight up. If I were being more specific I would say getting the CD done, getting into bigger markets, and getting more and more college shows. This next year college shows are going to be our bread and butter, how we make money. Adding longer educationals to places we are visiting. Possibly doing some cruise ship shows and doing shows overseas as well. Those are very large possibilities for Six Appeal within just 2013, so the future of Six Appeal is looking good.
The 2012 National Harmony Sweepstakes* Champions Six Appeal sat down and answered some questions in preparation for their upcoming performances in Bismarck at the Belle Mehus Auditorium. Six Appeal will perform at 7:30 p.m. on December 22 and 2:30 p.m. on the 23. Ticket prices will be 15 dollars for students and 18 dollars for adults. Six Appeal vocal band is the new hot a cappella group sweeping the nation. These guys can adapt to any situation, traveling coast to coast performing their arrangements of classic oldies, current chart-toppers and their original compositions. [I remember Jordan] saying ‘we have the opportunity to actually do this for real, but you have to move out of Colorado and move up to the cities.’ By the time I got to the top of the ski lift I was ready to go. When we started doing this, I didn’t expect us to be where we are now. Go back to 2010 when we first started touring and just goofing off, and we were six guys on stage in street clothes singing marginally better than the groups at the colleges we were touring. Now all of a sudden being the 2012 National Harmony Sweepstakes Champions, that was a huge leap and again not where I expected to be its been an adventure, let’s call it that. *The Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival is a national competition that brings together hundreds of vocal groups together. The groups come to the festival after going through a regional competition in one of eight cities and perform in front of celebrity judges in hopes of becoming the next national champions.
What is it like to be one of original members of Six Appeal?
Michael Brookens - It is a unique perspective that is humbling and empowering. First of all, because I saw this group at its worst, which was when we
How did Six Appeal Form? Jordan Roll - Six Appeal formed in 2006 at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. The first version of Six Appeal
As the newest member, how did you become part of the group?
Trey Jones - I joined Six Appeal through Craigslist actually. They (Six Appeal) were touring in Florida while I was on vacation in Minnesota. I was looking on Craigslist for places to play guitar and do some solo work when I came across an add that Six Appeal needed a tenor. So I sent them a video of me singing and playing guitar, and they called me about five minutes later. I started rehearsing with them a short while later, and it’s a wrap from there. were our least experienced, and I have also seen our group at its best. When we started in 2006 and now being six years later, it’s given me a unique perspective on what a huge issue really is and what is trivial. Owning your own business and being an even-handed performance ensemble, there are daily issues that need to be resolved. Being able to recognize what a significant problem really is, and also recognizing the importance of the social factors is actually a lot bigger than what I actually thought. The music aspect of what we do is huge but not as much as I had thought it would be. A lot of what we deal with is of a business nature and in an interpersonal nature. It’s getting things done, a lot of it is interacting with other people who have similar goals and different ways of attaining them.
was with four people, and it was called Four Fly White Guys. We performed for a freshman talent show. After the show, we decided to keep singing and we picked up a couple different members and entered the next talent show as Six Appeal. Then we did it as a fun hobby through college and started doing educationals and started making a little bit of money from it. As we moved into our senior year we had some interest from a couple agencies in us so we decided to keep pursuing singing after we graduated. We found a couple new members including Reuben, Berko and Nathan. Within the last year, we added Trey into the mix. We have been touring professionally now for the past two years.
Mystician | November 2012
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What’s up with the President photo [alyssa meier]
Here is another look into the life of President Larry Skogen. If you have something you would like to ask him, send your questions to editor@mysitician. org. Stay tuned for more from the Mystician and from Dr. Larry Skogen. alyssa meier [editor-in-chief ]
Skogen left North Dakota to train as a police officer at the Lowry air force station in Denver, Colorado, where he remained for the next few years. Here, he faced the constant turmoil brought on by the war in Vietnam, as well as the race war taking place within the United States. Though Skogen was living within a military world, he was constantly facing the same problems as anywhere else in the country. “I’m in Denver and there’s people dying of drug overdoses and there’s race riots,” Skogen said. “It was a very different time.” Skogen then received the opportunity to transfer overseas to work as a police officer in Italy for two years. Here, he attempted to keep working on his degree, though he was only able to take one class a semester. Realizing
Larry Skogen shows off the shadowbox that he received after spending 26 years in the Air Force. he joined the military in order to pursue his education, Skogen moved back to Dickinson and earned his degree in history. After beginning to teach history in Cooperstown, Skogen was compelled to continue school and get his bachelor’s degree, which posed a slight problem for him. “This is before online education so you had to actually go someplace,” Skogen said. “I’m living in Cooperstown and the closest place to go is Fargo, which is a long haul.” Skogen opted to, once again, return to the military and started work on Intercontinental Balistic Missiles in Missouri, where he also finished his Master’s degree in history. “Then I applied for a position on the faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy and they accepted me,” Skogen said. “I went to Colorado Springs and got to teach at the Air Force Academy there.” After three years, Skogen was
Save yourself
Many find it easy to keep
The solution to money wasted on food is simple, cook at home.
given the chance to go for his Ph. D, which he accepted. Once he received this degree, he taught at the USAFA for several more years before another move.
Four decades have passed since Skogen first enlisted in the military and several years since his retirement from it, yet he does not forgot how it affected his life.
“I went back and ended up as an officer for missiles in Wyoming,” Skogen said. “[I] Became the Inspector General there for a wing and retired out of there.”
“I absolutely have no doubt that, today, I’m where I’m at because of my military career,” Skogen said.
One might be surprised at all the different recipes that can be created with a simple package of Ramen noodles. Costing a little less than a quarter per package, Ramen noodle soup is great at filling the stomach during cold winter months.
ID as many pizza and sandwich shops gladly offer discounts for students when an ID is shown.
Eventually, trying to live off noodles will become tiresome but there are still simple ways to save and allow for extra cash when craving a greasy pizza. Get into the habit of carrying a student
If one is still finding themselves short on cash, there is always the option of taking advantage of simple selling sites like EBay and Craigslist. One might be surprised at all the items they may find to sell if they take the time to search those dusty storage boxes. Old cell phones, cameras and outgrown clothing can quickly be converted into holiday spending cash.
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Between tuition, books, housing and food, college students are constantly spending and one might find themselves low on cash during the holiday seasons. Fortunately, there are simple money saving tips to ensure that students are not flipping couch cushions seeking loose change for presents.
track of larger expenses such as rent or a car payment, but do not realize that small, daily expenditures are what really add up and can leave one short changed. Buying a Starbucks coffee every day, having pizza delivered and inserting countless dollar bills into vending machines are examples of ways students easily rack up their spending without ever truly realizing it.
Larry Skogen traveled to Colorado, Missouri and Italy during his time in the military.
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indy castellanos [writer]
photo submitted [larry skogan]
In 1972, after beginning his college education at Dickinson State University, a young Larry Skogen decided to take advantage of the GI Bill and join the United States Air Force, not knowing then that he would end up dedicating 26 years of his life to the service.
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Studio kicks it up a notch
2012|Mystician
“I’ve been fascinated with martial arts since I was a young man,” Ehrnmantraut said. “It started with wrestling and Judo in middle school and high school. On the day after starting at University of Mary, my friend gave me a coupon to go to a class.
“Find a martial art, stick to a core curriculum and develop something solid from your centers so you have something to fall back on, something to add onto other martial art experiences,” Ehrnmantraut said. “Don’t be closed minded, but set a goal
With classes at the Northern Plain Dance Academy in Bismarck and at the Armory on campus, Ehrnmantraut has been teaching children and adults alike for over twenty-five years.
to achieve a rank of black belt, and set your goals higher.” “This has been a really good experience,” Levi Jensen, BSC and Taekwondo student said. “Grandmaster Ben is really cool. He teaches us all the basics of Taekwondo.”
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I’ve been training ever since.”
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Many action movies with fight scenes use some sort of martial arts. Several great actors have graced the silver screen with their skills; Jackie Chan, Chuck Norris, Cynthia Rothrock, Jet Li and, perhaps most famous, Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee revolutionized the media of martial arts with his impressive skills and training regime and opened the gateways to multiple forms of martial arts.
Individuals seeking to learn the ways of martial arts may turn to Grandmaster Ben Ehrnmantraut. He is a seventh degree black belt in Taekwondo, fourth degree black belt in hapkido and fourth degree black belt in art of sword, kondo.
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josh knels [writer]
Ehrnmantraut teaches his students basic and advanced techniques of Martial arts. Ehrnmantraut can be contacted at benjamin. ehrmantraut@bismarckstate. edu, and 1-701-400-7367.
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A local café serves more than just a hot meal.
Soup Cafe founder and operator, Mark Meier, said God called him to open the doors at 619 Memorial Highway in Bismarck. His motto is “DWJD: Do What Jesus Did!” and he tries to show the gospel by leading as an example.
This [life] is a testing period for eternity. And how long is eternity? It’s forever. -Mark Meier Each day the cafe serves 50 or more people mainly from the Bismarck-Mandan area. The food served comes largely from community donations and is available to anyone with no charge.
photos [karly kruckenberg]
To start a conversation about the Lord, volunteer Terry Hansen opens with telling others that he is adopted. He is not an adopted child, instead he is adopted in Christ. Using this ice-breaker makes it easier for Hansen to start a religious conversation without forcing his beliefs on to others.
alesha pfennig [content editor] karly kruckenberg [photographer] As the holiday season nears, a theme of kindness and giving back to others is seen more often. From buying someone’s Starbucks to shoveling the neighbor’s driveway, people are showing their holiday charity. Although many appreciate all of these acts of kindness, we seem to forget about the people who commit their lives to giving back and helping others on a daily basis. One great example of commitment to others can be seen through Mark Meier, founder and operator of the Heaven’s Helpers Soup Café at 619 Memorial Highway, Bismarck. Previously, Meier worked as a territory manager for Xerox, but in 2008 decided to give up his comfortable living in order to follow the calling that God laid on his heart. He knew that helping those in need was what he had to do, and now he completely dedicates his life to helping others and the Café. In March of 2009, Meier established Heaven’s Helpers Soup Café, which act as “a ministry of serving the poor, feeding the body of Christ and working toward creating Disciples of Christ.” The café runs on the donations from members of the
community and from the help of volunteers who help Meier with the café work. Grocery donations have been helping the café since July of 2009, which was the last time that they have had to shop. From these donations, Meier makes homemade soup and sandwiches. Additionally, the bibles, books and teaching materials that they have are free to anyone who asks. For Meier, all the work that he does is done in high spirits. He does not see his efforts being done in vain and he doesn’t watch the clock waiting for closing time to come. Meier lives the way that God has intended him to. He may not have all the extra amenities that many of us feel we need, yet he is completely content. “This [life] is simply a testing period for eternity,” Meier said. “And how long is eternity? Eternity is forever.” In essence, the Soup Café’s goal is to preach and teach the word of Christ. The entire foundation is set upon strong Christian beliefs, however they do not work to ‘beat the word into those who enter their doors.’ The idea is that with the environment and with the actions displayed, people will find God and see his love through the actions of those involved in the café. They work by the motto “DWJD: Do What Jesus Did!”
The cafe, although not very big, reflects the message that Meier tries to communicate. Scriptures line the walls and Christian music plays in the background and on the televisions.
The cafe serves everyone. Volunteers, like Sandy Hagel (far left) and family, also regularly visit the Soup Cafe, to enjoy a meal.
Irish family dances away at BSC selected to play seven-year-old Michael, which left Wetch to “voice over” the little boy while the sisters spoke to and put their arms around an invisible child. Along with a storytelling voice, Wetch can pull off a young child’s tone, which left the audience laughing quite a bit.
shannon hawkins [news editor]
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These eight characters proved that they were strong enough to hold their own as their characters battled love, oppression and the desire to have a night of dancing, despite their religious background. Lughnasa is a Celtic festival that celebrates the harvest on the first of August by feasting
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photo [jack pieper]
“Dancing at Lughnasa” is set during the Great Depression of the 1930s in the fictional Catholic village of Ballybeg, Ireland. The audience views the complicated lives of the five Mundy sisters. Kate, played by Shelby Johnson, is the oldest sister and is the household’s only reliable source of income. Maggie, played by Allison DeKrey, is the second oldest and the jokester in the family. Agnus, played by Tiara Maxon, is the middle sister, and knits as a way to bring extra money into the house. Rose, played by Jaime Houser, is the mentally handicapped second youngest. Chris, played by Kayla Hill, is the youngest sister with an out-of-wedlock son, Michael. Michael is seven at the time of the story, but the events of what happened are narrated by the character as a 35-yearold man, played by Brandon Wetch. Michael’s estranged father, who returns once a year to court Chris, is Gerry Evans, played by Zach Watson. Jack, the Mundy brother, is a missionary priest who returned from Uganda after catching malaria.
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The Bismarck State College Theatre Department presented the play “Dancing at Lughnasa” from Oct. 17-21, a production written by Brian Friel in 1990. This is Daniel Rogers, BSC’s Associate Professor of Theatre and Speech, 40th play he has directed at Bismarck State, and was more than excited to dive into the culture of the production.
Maggie gives an invisible seven-year-old Michael a lesson in the yard of the Mundy household. and dancing. Some Pagan practices are involved with the celebration, which is what deters Kate from allowing the sisters to participate, yet, the girls want to go out and dance like they did when they were younger. The true heart of this play is the Marconi, the little radio that the sisters keep in the household. Although it’s not broken, the radio rarely works for the girls. The most pivotal scene in the play is when one of the sisters gets the radio to run and Maggie starts dancing, throwing flour in the air and shrieking with laughter as she begins a basic Irish jig around the kitchen. It’s not long before the other sisters catch on to the rhythm and begin to join Maggie in the dance. Kate steps outside to do her own Irish dance, preferring her sisters didn’t see how much she really wants to dance, too, with the stage lighting turning blue to reflect her outside in the night. The scene is a joyful, chaotic anthem of what it really means to be free for a moment as the sisters scream, stomp their feet, clasp hands and forget their lives. When Marconi shuts itself off, the sisters freeze, as if coming out of a trance. Chris’s expression is the definition
of raw devastation as she rushes forward to fix the radio. The audience was so impressed with the dancing and the realistic wildness of the young woman, some viewers gave a round of applause as soon as the music stopped. One of the hardest parts about the production was the accents. At least three out of the eight actors constructed an authentic Irish accent. The rest of the cast either didn’t have a strong enough voice, it would come in and out or it just wouldn’t be there alltogether. It was very hit or miss. After each scene, the actors would freeze while the spotlight shined on the 35-year-old Michael, sitting in a chair off to the side of the stage. He would recount how he felt at the time of the scene and then what would happen to the sisters in the future. Wetch, no doubt, was the perfect choice for Michael, as he had the voice of a storyteller. His tone was reflective, his eyes shining with happiness as he remembered the better times of being with the sisters and his tone sympathetic and sad when the mood of his tale would switch. There was no younger actor
Gerry Evans is, essentially, a player, and Watson put on his character’s straw hat and worked his cane like a pro. One shocking element that older Michael reveals is that, even when Evan’s tries to court Chris and asks her to marry him repeatedly, Evans has a family back in Wales and dies in bed with Michael’s half-brother by his side. The stage crew did an impressive job of giving the set a British touch with the Mundy’s stone fence surrounding the home. It had a very ancient, Irish appearance. Sound crew fixed the music of the Marconi in a way that would make it come directly out of the radio instead of speakers surrounding the stage and theater. Overall, more physical conflict could have been shown instead of the sisters gathering around to talk about their personal struggles, yet that did not take away from the depressing tone of watching the sisters fall apart in the end. The only bright speck of happiness was when the sisters danced in the home and let themselves forget about their community and their lives. The rest of the time, the girls are either trying to hold onto their family, their lovers and what they have, or they lose it completely. There are a few moments of laughter, but the somber atmosphere still hangs in the air, even after the actors walk off the stage, never taking a bow for the audience. The cast did a fantastic job of taking the audience into the life of a struggling Irish family, and what it means to have everything slowly slip away.
Mystician | November 2012
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o p inion
16 | Staff Ed. 17 | Guest Column 18 | Beyond outspoken Tanner’s Column 19 | From a mind’s eye Common Sense 20 | Dakota’s Column Jenni’s Column
photo submitted [rebecca duben ]
Hamid Shirvani [NDUS Chancelor]
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photo [alyssa meier]
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Teachers not defined by degree
Is it possible to teach effectively without a teaching degree? It may come to a surprise that at many colleges and universities, including Bismarck State College, professors are not required to have a degree in teaching. It may come to a surprise that one is able to teach without a required degree yet; many of our instructors here on campus do not hold one. Incoming professors are required to hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the discipline courses being taught. BSC also requires many to currently meet standard teaching levels and hold substantial experience. As for technical fields such as welding, automotive and engineering, preferred abilities are interpersonal skills, as well as experience in non-traditional teaching. Many students on the BSC campus share neutral feelings and most had positive comments on current instructor experience. “It makes sense if a professor
has studied biology for six years and is now allowed to teach biology,” a BSC student said. “But, just because that professor had a degree in biology does not mean that professor knows how to teach it” There’s no evidence that having a degree in teaching negatively affects student learning. Many students agreed that teachers are setting up their class according to course being taught, while also relaying information resourcefully and effectively. Why should we care? As students, we are paying an abundance of money to receive a college degree and learn as much as possible from the courses taken. As students we are responsible for our future, and with that in mind wouldn’t it be much more comforting knowing that a professor has the credentials to teach effectively? We students have a very important role in learning the information being taught. We
have a duty to study, read and utilize tutoring if necessary in understanding the material. Students play as big of a part in learning as do the instructors in adequately expressing information to the students, offering resources for those who need them and preparing us for the big world. “If there was a voting on this topic, I would vote that professors would need to reach current teaching standard’s, in order to teach a curricular,” another BSC student said. “If they fail to reach those requirements a class for teachers to attend should be mandated.” Having a mandated class for instructors to attend in order to learn the most effective ways for teaching is one solution to this issue. Another tactic that many professors can include in their lectures and class time is the use of personalizing knowledge and expressing it well to each type of learner within the class.
We want to know what you think! Send a letter to the editor, including your name and contact information to Bismarck State College Schafer hall room 315 or in an email to editor@mystician.org.
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Mission Statement The purpose of college media is to serve and give voice to the students. We, as the student-based forum of journalism on campus, are expected to provide content that is informative, fair and concise. With this goal in mind, the newspaper is dedicated to striving for accuracy and maintain ethical practices. The Bismarck State College Mystician strives to be objective and is not affiliated with any religion or organization. The Mystician upholds the principles guaranteed by the First Amendment and utilizes these rights to bring diverse, entertaining and thought-provoking material to the college community.
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Disclaimer Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual writer and not necessarily shared by Bismarck State College or the Mystician staff.
Mystician | November 2012
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NDUS gets new chancellor The North Dakota University System welcomed Hamid Shirvani as the new chancellor. Shirvani, 61, received his master’s degree from Harvard and his doctorate from Princeton before becoming the President of California State University in 2005. As chancellor, he will oversee the activity in the 11 North Dakota campuses. He took over for the previous chancellor, William Goetz, in August.
Critics say that higher education, too, has lost its center, that it lacks a unifying purpose and has splintered into a myriad of incoherent fragments, none of which lead students to thinking about, much less conceptualizing, the larger questions of life. If truth be told, some of that criticism applies. That dangerous fragmentation comes from faculty who are territorial about their disciplines, academic leaders who fail to embrace the larger picture in defense of their own particular unit, and students and families who seek only a fast-track jobs. And in North Dakota, it has come from a system that, over time, operates less as an integrated system and more as a series of related but not necessarily integrated pieces.
2012|Mystician
With a focus on accountability and transparency, this proposal creates a clear system that will best serve students — demanding that they be prepared and then giving them an effective education to meet their needs. By doing so, we will attract the better students-and faculty-and see greater success across the board. There is no greater risk to a university than complacency. Our students, their families, and the citizens of North Dakota expect much more from us. We need to examine our programs, question our pedagogies, identify promising innovations, develop better measures for assessing our progress, and include in all our learning objectives the critical elements of oral and written communication, moral and quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking. As we watch the current election unfold, we need to ask ourselves how higher education can become a more energizing force in the life of our citizens.
We need to ask; How do we foster leadership — in politics, in business, and in every walk of life, including, of course, in higher education itself? And we need to look at how many of our disciplines provide courses on leadership and moral responsibility. All too often, we assume that these components are embedded in every college program but the world tells us a more cautionary tale — of leaders, including those in higher education, whose ambitions are neglectful of moral issues. We need to teach the benefits of civil discourse and to model for our students the value of an engaged and participatory citizenry. And we need to hold everyone in our own university system to the highest standards of integrity, without exception.
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How can we set our collective sights on attracting the ablest students from around the country and from around the world to enrich our state with highly skilled and highly motivated professionals? How do we keep North Dakota’s best and brightest from seeking education in another state? The Pathways to Student Success proposal lays out a plan that will address our low graduation rates, standardize tuition, and assess how well our secondary schools are preparing students for higher education.
-Hamid Shirvani
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The truth is, our colleges and universities in North Dakota are accomplishing far less than they could and should be. We have been too focused on filling classroom seats and residence halls rather than addressing issues of quality. Numbers do matter, but not at the expense of quality. Similarly, if our students are burdened by an incoherent or irrelevant curriculum and a poorly paid and indifferent faculty, the results will show up quickly.
This challenge applies to faculty as well as students. While we have many distinguished and committed faculty, we need to recruit and retain more. Where feasible, we need to encourage hiring adjunct faculty with terminal degrees in their disciplines, while recognizing and retaining many of our highly experienced instructional staff who are expert teachers.
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This need — determined by the very real need to serve the future of this state by preparing our young people for an everchanging, ever-challenging future — is the driving force behind the Pathways to Student Success plan.
Our energies over the next decade must focus on those goals and activities that center on student learning. This means raising the ACT scores of students, making their senior year in high school more focused on college preparedness, connecting student readiness to institutional capacity, increasing the productivity of our faculty, and participating in ongoing self-evaluation.
This need — determined by the very real need to serve the future of this state by preparing our young people for an ever-changing, ever-challenging future — is the driving force behind the Pathways to Student Success plan.
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Just as we look to politicians to act with the courage of real leadership, so we must insist that our academic leaders take the long view and act with courage and insight and then look to our legislators and the public to support their vision. North Dakota University System operates in the public trust. To fulfill that trust, we must have a clear idea of what we intend to accomplish. Without a coherent purpose, we fall victim to trivial pursuits.
When I consider the challenges of higher education and the purposes for which we in academe bring together our collective strengths, it seems clear that we are tasked to (a) develop the ability in students to communicate to a variety of audiences and in a variety of modes; (b) enhance their ability to think critically and clearly; (c) help them to find a clear set of ethical principles on which to conduct their private and public lives; (d) prepare them for responsible citizenship; (e) provide the tools to learn how to live and work morally and responsibly in our global community; (f) find comfort and curiosity in a breadth of interests; and (g) prepare them for a world of work whose skill sets are continually changing.
photo submitted [rebecca duben]
We live in a splintered society, one in which the arguments of ideology often undercut the possibilities of rational decisionmaking, leaving us paralyzed by anxiety and mistrust. In the midst of the storm of political debate leading up to the election are ongoing arguments about the purpose and effectiveness of higher education.
The Pathways for Student Success plan also provides for a better return on taxpayer investment while, at the same time, gives greater transparency to and helps hold down the cost of tuition for students. We need clarity in our expectations and we need to develop clear processes that will support our vision for what the best system of higher education in North Dakota can be.
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hamid shirvani [guest writer]
-These are big demands. Our university system needs transparency, accountability and a coherent center. Pathways to Student Success offers a clear vision for the road ahead. I ask for your support.
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Beyond Outspoken naps on a daily basis and got to sleep on Toy Story sheets. Our homework was doing color by numbers. We had story time, and our spelling words were “duck,” “bike” and “zoo.”
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Life was simple. Most things were determined by our parents and we were OK with that. Soon, though, we started growing up. We were given more and more control over our lives and didn’t always know what to do with it. If you could go back and talk to our younger selves and help them along the way, would you?
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There are always stories we wish we didn’t have to tell.
Life was simple alyssa meier [editor-in-chief ] All too often, I find myself thinking, “I wish I was still a kid.” Most of the time it’s when I’m in the middle of a car payment or trying to make dinner out of a head of lettuce and a can of spaghetti sauce. This is the time in life when we are growing up and trying to find our place, but sometimes I still wish that I could go back to being five. The only car I had was for my Barbie. It didn’t need gas, rarely got dirty and could be fixed with super glue if I ever crashed it. I had personal chauffeurs
to drive me wherever I needed to go. I just sat in the backseat and colored or took a nap and woke up at my destination. I was basically teleporting. Homemade meals were eaten three times a day at the table with the entire family. Clothes didn’t matter. No one cared about the brands that you wore and wearing a tutu over jeans was socially acceptable because it was just stinking cute. Same goes with hair. You could wear a ponytail on top of your head with a bow in it and still be the coolest kid in kindergarten. We were forced to take
Many readers probably wouldn’t do it, with good reason. Some things can not simply be taught through lectures. There are dozens of things we were told by our parents about what we should and should not do in life. How much did we actually listen to? I know how much my parents went through with me just because of my curious nature. I talked to strangers. I wandered off when they weren’t looking. I ate food off of the floor. Unless I directly and immediately felt the consequences, they didn’t matter to me. It was something I needed to learn on my own. I had strange people follow me to work because I was too nice to tell them to go away. When I was only a couple of years old, I ended up at my neighbor’s house one day when my mother’s back was turned. I got food poisoning. I messed up and I got in trouble, but I will never - OK, probably never - make those same mistakes again. I learned because I had to live
with what I did, like many others. But, looking back, there are some things I wish I could avoid. I could have lived without dropping my phone in the Century High School bathroom. I didn’t need to have a truck run over my ankle to learn to stay aware when it’s dark out and I’m by a road. Some of the jerks I have had the privilege of encountering were simply unnecessary. Seriously, I got the point after the first one. I wish I could tell myself who to trust and what choices will get me into trouble, as if I was a bowling ball about to roll into the gutter before the guard rails came up and led it in back toward the pins. If only life was that easy. If only it was that simple and safe. If only it was that boring. We all have a few scars, physical and emotional, that we are sure we could have gone without experiencing. There are always stories we wish we didn’t have to tell. There are memories stuck inside our heads that will remain well into our old age. These little blunders and giant catastrophes are what will supply us with laughter for years to come. Those stories will be the ones that we tell our friends and our family when we’re old and wrinkly, sitting at a nursing home living off applesauce. These stories are what will keep us far, far away from being defined as dull. You’re going to screw up. You will make judgment calls and that will come back and run you down like a monster truck. You’ll let your family, your friends and yourself down on countless occasions, and that’s OK, because you’re still learning. Whether you are 9, 19 or 90, you will be learning every day that you live. You may be legally an adult, but until the day you die, you will be stumbling around, learning right and wrong, just like a child.
Give me drugs or give me death The purpose of the legal system should be to protect people from other people, not from themselves. Many people are arrested and punished for the use of drugs, which is generally an individual choice that does not harm anyone except for the individual. There are multiple reason for drugs to be legalized ranging from taxation, prison population, police resources, street violence and medical issues etc. Whether they are good reasons or not, they shouldn’t even matter. What should matter is the fundamental concept of freedom. What does it mean to be free? For a country that embraces the idea of freedom as much as the United States, it surely does not follow up to that idea. Freedom is exemption from external control, interference or restraint. In order for a legal system to put freedom
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into effect, it must be designed to allow people the freedom to do what they want and protect people from having their freedom infringed upon by others. When someone has their freedom neglected upon, they are being victimized. Something happens directly to them, against their will. This would be something like being robbed or assaulted. In a victimless crime the only person involved is the person conducting the crime. Nobody is being victimized, thus no freedom is being infringed upon. Every victimless crime instituted in our legal system moves us further away from this concept of freedom. Living in a free country means people will have to tolerate things they don’t like. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that does not mean that opinions should be legislated. To have sovereignty over one’s life means to have a great deal of responsibility. With that
we should have the right to live as productively or destructively as we choose. It is our life and we should be able to screw it up
any anyway we want. Punishing people for making choices, which only affect the individual needs to stop; the laws need to be changed.
photo [alyssa meier]
tanner garen [writer]
Mystician | November 2012
]
From a Mind’s Eye
photo [jack pieper]
tomorrow” is not something one should follow - speaking from personal experience. If you do, it’s real easy to fall into a rut of being so far behind it becomes near impossible to catch up.
Final days of College alesha pfennig [content editor] Remember in high school, when all of the colleges set up tables in the gym and we got to miss class to go walk around and pretend like we care about what college we go to, but really it was an excuse to meet up with friends and talk about who is looking good that day or how much we dislike so-andso. Yeah, so do I, and here I sit, pencil in hand, thinking how I only have three weeks left on Bismarck State College’s campus. It’s funny to think about my last three years of college. I came to college only knowing I wanted to go into Journalism, not realizing I’d eventually be a copy editor, senior editor and content editor. It hasn’t been easy by any means - even if I made it look easy – but I’ve learned a lot about a lot of things.
Everyone thinks you have to know what you want to do with your life when you start college. Wrong. If you’re just getting your generals done, great, that is less you have to worry about in the future when you do find your niche. Trust me, I’m so grateful I fell into something I love. You have a lot of time to figure out your life. Don’t do something you’re not truly happy doing. It’s not worth it. If you’re taking a class and you find yourself dreading every class period, drop it. A withdrawal looks better than an F, and good ‘ol BSC allows you to retake courses, so drop it and take it next semester and get a better grade. Word of advice, don’t let it get to that point. The whole “why do today what you can put off until
Surprisingly, people actually do grow up. Even when you think there’s no hope for some people, they can rise up and mature. Leave the past in the past. If you don’t talk to certain people anymore, don’t take it personally; life goes on. However, there are some people who have a hard time moving on and becoming a different, better-rounded person. Forget about those people, they’ll only bring you down. You’re not going to like everyone you meet and they might not like you. But, please, give them the benefit of the doubt. If they prove you right, then fine, but remember that when someone doesn’t like you. With that being said, go talk to people you don’t know. Seriously, you never know who you can meet, they just might become one of your best friends. Just because you are really good friends with someone, does not mean they will be a suitable
In every single aspect of life, the voice that is inside you needs to be used. Stay busy. Responsibly busy, that is. Make time for everything and be confident. Keep your expectations low. Life is not always what it seems. Communicate. In every single aspect of life, the voice that is inside you needs to be used. Trust me. Communication helps in staying responsible, confident and understanding the expectations of the task that needs to be accomplished, whatever that may be. Alls I have left to say before I part with Bismarck State College Mystician. The sun will rise tomorrow - I don’t care that the world may end, it will still rise somewhere in the universe - be happy and do not take yourself or life for granted. Times get tough, life feels pointless, but do not let that bring you down. Each and every one of you are meant to do something in this life and you are all beautiful. Keep smiling, everything will work out in the end. If it is for me, it will for you. Have a wonderful spring fellow BSC students. And remember to bring some crayons - you never know when you might want to doodle your feelings out. Happy Holidays!
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I feel like high school, and the beginning of college I guess, was just a way of life. You get up, go to school and go home or go to
work, and the day is done. When the thought of college came about, easy was all I’m thinking. Taking classes I want to take when I want to, sign me up. Little did I know that even though I’m going to school less hours of the day, there is the same amount of homework, if not more than high school.
You know, when that alarm is going off a half hour before you have to leave for class, and all want to do is hit snooze time after time, by all means, do not do it. Once you miss a class, it is entirely too easy to miss more than is necessary. When this happens, one may feel the need to create excuses rather than owning up to being lazy and tired. Because in reality, everyone knows the whole reason you missed your Monday/Wednesday 9 o’clock class was due to sleeping in. Quit with the excuses. Most teachers don’t even care if or why you missed class. It’s your grade and you’re paying for it. You are only lying to yourself. Man up to your faults and fix them. College is where we figure out the start of who we truly are. Create a respectable person, for yourself and others. In order to do this, don’t make school everything. Make time for your hobbies and own life. School doesn’t need to have your 110% focus. You matter just as much as school does.
roommate. As you get older, you realize that money may not be everything, but it definitely plays a huge role in life. Bills suck. Groceries? Sometimes they are not a priority, which isn’t always a bad thing, you can come up with some clever recipes. For instance, Chipotle Chicken Corn Chowder poured over some noodles with a little added spices and there you have it, Corn Chowder pasta. But if you have a job - one that you like - it helps not only financially, but to get away from school for a little bit.
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Almost every year, there is an “end of the world” prediction that often pops up out of nowhere and catches the attention of the masses that happen to believe it. The end of the world, better known as the apocalypse, has been predicted over the years in nearly all civilizations, dating back to the beginning of mankind. However, the most recent apocalypse prediction is the Mayan Doomsday, which begins on Dec. 21, 2012. The Mayan’s were an ancient civilization that looked to the stars and created a giant stone calendar, which stated that the world would end
[ November
2012|Mystician
on Dec. 21, 2012. This apocalypse prediction was documented years ago, and has steadily gained popularity and belief that this date will be the actual end of the world. Some people believe that this will be the end of days, mostly due to the frequency of natural disasters. With the supposed end-of-theworld coming, what will people do? Those that believe that the end is upon us all have their own agendas. Some will choose to be with their own families, others would want to sort things out before dying. Many will flock to churches, whether they were regular members of the church or not. Some may attempt things that they’ve always wanted to do. “I do believe that the word
will end, though not in a biblical sense,” Elizabeth Bowen, a BSC student, said. “With the Obama re-election and the current state of the world, I think that mankind has disintegrated past the point of no return. With everything that has been going on, I can’t help but feel that we, as a society, is ending.” Not everyone believes that the world will end. After many failed end-of-the-world prophecies, many people do not believe that the world will end on Dec. 21. They believe that it will be like every other day. So, what can we expect for next months supposed last day on Earth? One thing that we can guarantee on is that many people
will be keeping their eye on Dec. 21, believer or not. Those who believe will be preparing for the worst, while those who do not will do what they always do. To them, it will be a regular Friday.
life
josh knels [writer]
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Mayan Doomsday draws near Whatever happens, people must remain calm and watch the events fall out. If the world is literally shaking beneath your feet, meteors are falling on your heads or a river of lava as surrounded you, it is safe to assume that the world has indeed ended. Until then, do not panic. If you are a firm believer of the end of the world as we know it, please do not do anything drastic that would involve hurting yourself or others. The world may be there tomorrow.
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photo [jenny messer]
life
Kindness is key
dakota stein [writer]
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North Dakota is becoming a popular state with many people moving to the state seeking employment, a stable economy and a friendly environment. With the enormous jump in population, we are seeing more races, cultures and religions emerging into our school systems, businesses and everyday life. How are we as North Dakotans treating and welcoming the incoming people?
As many of us know, North Dakota seems to be distant from the rest of the country. We have many things that are separating our state from others, one including population. Here, in North Dakota, we have some diversity, but nothing compared to the last few years. We have seen many people of all races and cultures emerging into our booming oil industry, joining in on our farmland and lending a helping hand to many people around the state.
There is a problem that arises from every situation and one concerning this is discrimination. Discrimination is a problem around the state whether it includes the young or the old. We as people are not spreading kindness and accepting everyone as equal. With the inflow of people, I have seen more discrimination than I ever had in my day. Now, I know that discrimination happens all over whether it is in schools, jobs and even our own homes. Yet as humanity we have a job, which is to treat everyone as equals and give them the same treatment, even if their race and skin color doesn’t match our own bodies. We have come a long way from years ago when the country was torn on race and ethnic background, yet it seems that it is becoming worse through media, movies and social networking. Citizens are basing ideas and even actions on the race and color of others. Why? In North Dakota we see very few minority groups. As we see more and more, I hear nothing but hostility and judgment from surrounding neighbors. Why should we be upset? People are coming into our
state because it’s great here; we have many things to offer while many are seeking a stable place. We should not become hostile to others wanting what we as North Dakotans want, a fair chance and the ability to live long, happy lives. Let’s not restrict anyone from achieving that, whether they are a different color of race. So how do we stop discrimination? It all starts with the mind perception of people. Don’t let your mind wander on stereotypes and judgments of others. Talk and meet with a person before you discriminate based on color or culture. We can also start by making a choice everyday as we walk out of our homes, by lending a hand to someone who is new in town, whether it be helping with directions or carpooling. We all have an opportunity everyday to help someone out who isn’t familiar with their surroundings; you never know, that person just might become your best friend. I hope to see more acceptance and less hostility on campus as well as around town. Let’s bring people together based on ideas, aspirations and creativity and not restrict anyone from their full potential due to discrimination and racism.
Screens are taking over the world Let’s say it is the 1950s. No cell phones, no Internet and no home computer. OK, so not many of us can even imagine this type of so-called life. If you were alive then, you have seen first-hand how totally gaga the human population has gone over technology, for better and worse. How do most people start the day after the alarm? Maybe with one of those heaven-sent coffee pots that all you have to do is put in a weird shaped coffee ground cup and simply press a button, and, voilà, a perfect cup of joe. Maybe some of you, of whom I do not trust, don’t prefer the taste of coffee and start your days with some kind of satellite/Internet radio bumpin’. After all it isn’t really in with the in crowd to be blaring your AM radio throughout the city. But, hey, if that’s what you do, once you hit the gravel, people will redneckognize. Then, after your morning routine, you are off into a world where your basic survival relies on technology. Even the things we take for granted are powered by some sort of technology. A very prominent, obvious one is traffic lights. If you are not driving your car, you need other drivers to yield so you can get your tuchus to the other side. Cell phones are also a form of survival. Yeah, you can easily access the authorities and
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EMTs in a time of emergency, but that use for the phone is only an option now. Now, people’s Angry Birds game gets interrupted by a phone call. Whoops. Excuse me for calling you on your phone, yes phone, not Angry Birds hand-held machine.
...after your morning routine, you are off into a world where your basic survival relies on technology.
the room complaining of explosive diarrhea. Or the second, mumble a nervous, high pitched “hi” and pretend you are answering the most life alternating, highly time sensitive text. Of course the text is long, so it coincidentally takes up all of the time until your name is called. Hallelujah, no more awkward. Just kidding, now, after you’re called, the mother of all necessary awkwardness begins. Another thing your cell phone can be used for is going on the Internet. Most commonly, the Internet is used for leisure activities. Translation, time wasting sites that trick your mind into thinking you are doing something worthwhile, most commonly known as Facebook, or Pinterest, though
that’s debatable. OK, I admit it, recovering Pinaholic, minus the recovering part. Anyway, there you are, plopped on the couch for hours staring at your phone or computer. The most stimulating thing going through your mind is how, while Facebook stalking, you found out your mom’s grandma’s daughter’s husband is the dad of your boyfriend. Oh shiz, you’re probably related. What did you do with all of your time before technology became so accessible? Oh, that’s right. People actually had to talk through the awkwardness, like human beings. They weren’t texting while they were having a family meal. And, they most likely got more beneficial things done.
Another popular use for the phone is as an awkwardness avoider. In the twenty-first century, as soon as your body feels that initial beginning feeling of “the awkward,” before you can think, your hand is reaching for your cell phone and hoping it will - please, oh, please - miraculously become a time machine. For example: “Oh, hey cute, male classmate that I have only talked to a couple of times, waiting in the same tiny gynecologist waiting room.” Thats right, gynecologist, no shame, welcome to 2012. In this situation, it has become second nature to do one of two things to deal with the awkwardness. One, as soon as you recognize the person, run out of
photo [jenny messer]
jenni berg [writer]
Mystician | November 2012
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sports
18 | J esse Kessel Duck population grows NHL lock out 19 | Volleyball victors 20 | N ew Mystic Logo Soccer season ends Calendar of events
photo [alyssa meier]
Jesse Kessel [BSC basketball player]
There is no eye in team Born in Uganda Africa, Jesse Kessel is the son of two missionaries who took care of kids who were in an orphanage. Kessel, known by his friends as Haggi, moved to Dickinson when he was just five years old. He has lived in Dickinson since then. Kessel chose Bismarck State College because of basketball and proximity to home.
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“I wanted to be close to family where they could watch me play basketball,” Kessel said. Kessel’s future plan is majoring in sports training. He is currently getting his prerequisites before he transfers to finish his major. He has had the same goal since he was young, but after a life changing day that caused him to lose sight in his eye, his goal has a deeper meaning.
“The one [pellet] in my eye is out,” Kessel said. “There are five left in my face, one in my hand and one in my left shoulder.” It only took Kessel two years to adjust to one eye on the basketball court. He said the depth perception was the most difficult obstacle to overcome. It still affects his vision, forcing him to stay mainly on the right side of the court. “With that disadvantage, I can prove others wrong, and do what others do with two eyes,” Kessel said. The one-eyed freshman plays point guard and shooting guard for the Mystics. Opponents who underestimate Kessel quickly learn he will beat them with his precise passing and “anklebreaking” ball handling.
Jesse displays his athletic abilities while he prepares for the next Mystic basketball game.
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“I would like to play basketball professionally,” Kessel said. “I want to prove to everybody that you can play basketball with one eye.”
Kessel was involved in a hunting accident when he was thirteen, losing his visibility out of his right eye. Kessel had three seperate surgeries to remove most of the pellets, but still has some BB’s in him.
photo [alyssa meier]
jhett cihak [sports editor]
Duck population rises dramatically jack pieper [life editor] As an avid duck hunter, I’ve seen more ducks this year than I have ever seen. And I have come to a conclusion the duck hunting really can’t get much better than this for those of us in North Dakota. Every year since 1955, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has conducted a 2.1 million square mile Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, with much help from the Canadian Wildlife Service and many other state wildlife
agencies. The results from the survey these last few years have been jaw dropping. This year’s survey has yielded the highest ever-recorded duck populations. On average, all duck specie populations are 43% higher than their long-term breeding average with an estimated population of 48.6 million ducks. Those numbers translate into what has been, and what will continue to be, an awesome hunting season for duck hunters throughout the country and, especially right here, in the Midwest. However, the real numbers have yet to show up or pass
through the Dakotas. The majority of the duck hunters that have been seen moving through the Dakotas in these first few weeks of the season have been the “locals” and smaller duck species like teal. Within the next few weeks, all of the ducks that are still up in Canada will begin their annual migration to their wintering grounds in Central America and the southern United States. As they are en route south, many of those ducks will fly down the Central flyway, which passes directly through North Dakota. This year alone, over 14.9 million ducks were
surveyed in North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. “The sheer numbers of birds and sufficient carryover water from last year should result in a good fall flight from the U.S. prairies,” Dr. Jim Ringleman of Ducks Unlimited’s Regional Field Office said. So, if you currently are a duck hunter, get ready to have an awesome year, or if you would like to begin duck hunting, this would be a fantastic year to start as the birds are plentiful and the places to hunt in this state are endless - if you know the right people, of course.
NHL locks out players jacob kelly [writer] On Sept. 15, the National Hockey League locked out its players due to lack of a Collective Bargaining Agreement. The last time a lockout was imposed on the players was in 2004, and the entire season was lost. As of Oct. 15, the lockout has been a month old and 82 regular season games have been lost through Oct. 24. According to the NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, about $100 million dollars was lost with the cancellation of the entire pre-season and another $140 to $150 million dollars has also been lost due to the cancellation of the first 82 games. The topic at hand, keeping the two sides from making an agreement, is Revenue Sharing.
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On the last CBA, the players received 57 percent of the cut. Last year, that cut earned them a whopping $3.3 billion dollars. On the new CBA, the NHL first offered a proposal to change the players cut to 43 percent, then on Oct. 16 the NHL proposed a 50 percent share. If an agreement is reached soon, the NHL can have a full 82 game season and playoffs with the Stanley Cup Finals in late June. Many star NHL players have gone to Europe to play in their native countries. One player who is currently on a roster in his home country is Alexander Ovechkin, who currently is playing for the Kontinental Hockey League franchise called Dynamo Moscow in Moscow, Russia, his hometown. The NHL franchise he plays for is called the Washington Capitals.
Mystician | November 2012
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photo submitted [sue borud]
Volleyball team set themselves up for a win
Mysticis volleyball team displays their Region XIII award. (left to right) Top: Coach Jen Astle, Shelby Eamon, Kelsey Glatt, Leslie Beaudoin, Taylor Wade, Madison Deibert, Brooke Vedaa, Victoria Douglas and Coach Jeni Walsh. Bottom: ReeAnn Mehus, Meagan Wenstad, Casey Reamann, Payton Borud and Mackenzie Wade. blocker from Dickinson, Payton Borud, a sophomore setter from Hazen and Kelsey Glatt, a freshman right-side hitter from Bismarck, were named part of the All Region XIII All-Tournament team. Glatt received the title of All Region XIII player. Glatt and Casey Reamann, a freshman libero from Bismarck, were the All-Conference players.
jenni berg [writer] The BSC Mystics women’s volleyball team ended the season with many honors. Head coach, Jeni Walsh and assistant coach, Jenn Astle were named coaches of the year at the Region XIII tournament in Wahpeton, ND. Four of the players also received recognition. Leslie Beaudoin, a freshman middle
“We won the Region XIII tournament in Wahpeton for the
first time in 16 years. During the season we were ranked number 19 in the nation at one point and continued receiving votes until the end of the season. We lost out to the number 13 ranked team to go to the National Tournament,” Walsh said. The Mystics also won the Fergus Falls Invitational tournament with a score of 4-0. They won against Northland Community college, who
finished third in the nation in JUCO Division III. Three of the Mystics were named Players of the Week throughout the season. Glatt, Madison Deibert, a freshman outside hitter from Dickinson and Mckenzie Wade, a sophomore outside hitter from Devils Lake, were named this fall. The Mystics finished their 2012 season with a 27-10 record.
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Mystics get a new logo The Bismarck State College Athletic department has welcomed a new logo for the Mystics. While updating the website, Buster Gilliss, the athletic director, decided that the Mystic logo needed to be strengthened. “The goal was to create a simpler, stronger Mystic that better represents the strength and spirit of the campus and the student athletes,” Marnie Piehl, Public Relations/ Communications Director, said. There was no rhyme or reason for the old logo and was difficult to reproduce on apparel, online and in print. With no usage guidelines, there was inconsistent use throughout campus and in the Athletics. In late August of this year, Michelle Kraft, graphic designer from the BSC Instructional Technology and Design department; Buster
Gilliss, Dee Bertsch, Kilee Wilson, Jason Harris and Mel Fischer, all part of the Athletic department, designed the logo.
part of the ND state fleet and it was BSC’s turn to get a new bus. These buses can be wrapped and when BSC was asked what they wanted, the timing of the new logo was perfect.
“Michelle did a lot of research,” Piehl said. “She got a good understanding of what exactly a Mystic is and represents.”
beautiful traveling billboard of a bus. The website is on the back end so other drivers even know how to find out more about BSC.” The bus was delivered from Florida, and one of the owners said it turned out so well that he’d be using pictures of it to show off their technology.
“Michelle Kraft designed the wrap using the new Mystic,” Piehl said. “Now we have this
By looking at strong mascots from other schools and how they are used, Kraft used that information when creating the new logo. Kraft’s goal was to create something fierce and had a wide array of standardized options for use. “We wanted to make sure that the new Mystic would be used consistently so everyone always knows who they’re cheering for,” Piehl said.
photo [alyssa meier]
alesha pfennig [content editor]
There was some confusion with the old logo. Whether it represented Wizards, Magicians or something of the sorts. The new logo clearly identifies the BSC Mystics for who they are, the Mystics.
BSC’s new Mystic bus stops outside of the Armory to pick up Athletes for their game.
North Dakota colleges are
Season ends with a loss fifth yellow card of the season, putting him out for one game.
jhett cihak [sports editor]
Bismarck State College faced off against Century College on Oct. 19. The victor of the regional tournament matchup went to play Anoka Ramsey College the following day. The regional champion heads to Chicago, Illinois where the super regional tournament is held this year. The Mystics entered as the number three seed in the tournament without their starting Left Midfielder, Nyle Williams. Williams received his
SUNDAY
find the back of the net.” One mistake led to the teams defeat. The Mystics played a back and forth game with Century College. Each team had minor mistakes, but only Century took advantage of one.
“I am very confident,” Midfielder, Kody Duncan said prior to the Bismarck State College and Century College regional game. “I think we can take Century. We should put them out of the water.”
“We had a turnover on our end in the corner,” Dusso said. “[The ball] was passed to the middle on a guy who wasn’t covered at all and he just had an easy goal.”
The Mystics went on to lose the game 1-0. Spencer Dusso, the team’s center defender, gave his take on the game.
Bismarck State College had opportunities to score but were unsuccessful. The Mystics did not give in and kept fighting until the very end. They tightened up
“We played really well, we only had a couple mistakes and they capitalized on one of them,” Dusso said. “We just couldn’t
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TUESDAY
their defense and the offense had chances to score. On a corner kick, BSC had a good chance on a volley attempt, and the Century defense bent but did not break.
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
“We were a little disappointed we did not come out on top,” Dusso said. “We played really hard, but they [Century] were just the better on the night.” The BSC soccer team’s season is over. Now begins the offseason for the team. Some sophomores prepare themselves for their future plans. The freshman train and look forward to next season while trying to improve on last year’s result.
FRIDAY
SATURDAY 1
Eat a red apple day Student Art Exhibition, Gannon Gallery, BSC Library Dec. 1-14
2 Christmas in the park begins
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Coats and Toys for Kids Day
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Wear brown shoes day
Arial tour of lights Every day until January 1 $40 Per pe rson
10 Human Rights day
The Movie Game” romantic comedy, Sidney J. Lee Auditorium 7:30 p.m.
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National chocolate-flavored anything day
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GradFest, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Student Union Dec. 5
11 BSC Music Program Annual Holiday Concert, Sidney J. Lee Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11
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The Movie Game” romantic comedy, Sidney J. Lee Auditorium 7:30 p.m.
Hannukkah begins
National cotton candy day
membrance day
Women’s basketball at 2:00 p.m. @BSC
The Movie Game” romantic comedy, Sidney J. Lee Auditorium 7:30 p.m.
The Movie Game” romantic comedy, Sidney J. Lee Auditorium 7:30 p.m.
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Poinsettia Day
Ice Cream Day
Women’s basketball at 6:00 p.m. @ Anoka-Ramsy Community College
Men’s basketball at 1:00 p.m. @ BSC
International Mountain Day
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Wright Brothers’ Day
Bake cookies day
Oatmeal Muffin Day
Go caroling day
The end of the world
Six appeal at the Belle Mehus @ 7:30
National maple syrup day
Conversations at BSC– Charles Dickens and America, Sidney J. Lee Auditorium, 3 p.m. Dec. 16
National look on the brightside day
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Bacon day
Christmas Eve
Six appeal at the Belle Mehus @ 7:30
7
Pearl Harbor re-
“The Movie Game” romantic comedy, Sidney J. Lee Auditorium 7:30 p.m.
www.executive-air.com
9
5
National Bathtub party day
New Years Eve
25
Christmas
26
27
28
29
National boxing day
Make Cut Out Snowflakes
Men’s basketball at 3:00 p.m. @ BSC
Pepper Pot day
Day
National Fruitcake day