March 13, 2009
Volume 96, No. 20
The Voice of Taylor University since 1913
New center closer to reality
A&E
Still LOST five seasons later “Think Jack Bauer has a stressful day? How would he handle being transported through time every 15 minutes?”
WORLD
Five Worst Dictators “Al-Bashir received the dubious distinction of being the first active head of state to be sought by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
OPINIONS
What’s wrong with religion? “Without form, not only would religion die, but so would relationships.”
IN BRIEF AAA Wok Night
“A Taste of Siam” is the theme this semester, and students can look forward to a variety of Thai food from the Asian Awareness Association. Wok Night will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the DC on Tuesday, March 17.
ReadeAvenue.com
Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) has created an online art gallery to display and promote student work. The aim of ReadeAvenue.com is to help artists gain recognition, sell their artwork and share their stories. Artwork of various media covering differing subjects are now on display on the Web site. A portion of each sale will go toward the funding of other SIFE programs like Cheat Your Neighbor Cheat Yourself, Our Town Upland, Nicaragua spring break trip, Financial Literacy, seminar series and SIFE Conference.
Learn Self-defense
Interested in learning Taekwondo? The Asian Awareness Association is hosting a series of self-defense classes taught by highly-qualified professionals from the Downtown Martial Arts Club. Starting from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, each session costs $2 and will continue until the end of the semester. Classes are weekly and will be held in the KSAC aerobics room. Anyone is welcome.
WEEKENDWEATHER
TODAY 57/ 47
SUNNY
SATURDAY 41/25
PARTLY CLOUDY
SUNDAY 49/35
CLOUDY
Science Center has 60 percent of funds needed to begin construction By Hannah Beers Co-News Editor
On Friday, March 13, President Eugene Habecker announced a significant leap ahead in the fundraising progress for the new Science Learning Center. Within the last nine months, collected funds and commitments have increased from $5 million to $22 million. Provided by Office of University Advancement Vice President for University Advancement Ben Sells was An artist’s rendering of the Science Learning Center near the Reade academic building. especially encouraged to see is required to begin construc- and excellent programs with a the motivation behind aspects cialize. The planning stage for the progress despite the uncertain tion on the addition to Nuss- mission-critical tool that will of the design: “green” components will give the building a center started in the mid-1990s baum, which will include state- allow them to thrive.” economic climate. The current structure is over Leadership in Energy and En- and has gone through several “I think it’s a signal that peo- of-the-art labs and equipment, ple believe in Taylor ... and they wide communal areas, and an 40 years old and meant for vironmental Design (LEED) design variations, Bedi said. “This project has been a highwant to make it possible for eco-friendly geothermal heat- a smaller campus, Sells said. certification, and glass atriums Today, approximately one in will provide natural lighting to priority need for a long time,” students to be here,” Sells said. ing/cooling system. “Our science program is a five Taylor students are science all four floors. The new struc- Bedi said. “It is such a reward“(Donors) know that tuition doesn’t pay for resources like leader among Christian col- majors and the science depart- ture will have 34 classrooms ing experience for me to see this. We hope it’s an encour- leges throughout the world,” ment’s faculty and staff has in- and labs, as well as 39 faculty this emerge from a concept and agement for students and their Habecker said. “This new facil- creased from 13 to 40 members offices. Additionally, multiple a thought to a reality. And it’s communal areas will give stu- going to benefit students in so ity will provide our outstanding since 1965. families as well.” Provost Steve Bedi described dents space to study and so- many ways.” A commitment of $36 million students, world-class faculty
Upperclassmen: the (job) hunt is on Seniors press on in their search for jobs as graduation approaches By Benita Lee Co-News Editor Those jobs aren’t going to find themselves. You take a deep breath and plunge into the online abyss of job offers, requirements and resources. After hours of sifting through endless companies, your head is pounding from information overload and your brain feels like mush. You are unable to tear your eyes away from the screen, although you know staring at the word ‘résumé’ will not make an impressive one appear magically. A looming sense of panic threatens to overwhelm you. You are not alone; college students across the country are facing the same fear. As the economy plunges deeper into recession, everyone is affected. Amateur college graduates face tough competition from experienced workers, and the struggle to secure a job after college has become a widespread one.
College students are equipping themselves in every possible way to push ahead of the pack. Sites like Monster.com, Hotjobs.yahoo.com and CareerBuilder.com provide everything from job listings to career tools to professional advice. Other resources include FastWeb. com and CollegeGrad.com, where students can perform searches for jobs in industries of their choice. But online resources alone are not enough. Preparation and relevant work experience are key to attracting the interest of hiring companies. Programs like the University of Dreams and the Washington Internship Program provide training and networking opportunities to connect participants with the internships of their choice. “Internships are no longer an option; they’re a necessity,” said Eric Normington, Chief Marketing Officer of the University of Dreams. “The number one thing that employers are looking for is relevant work experience, so the value of an internship is more important and more impactful than ever,” he said. Luke Burket, ’06 Taylor graduate and current sales manager for the Columbus Blue Jackets,
Director of Career Development Jill Godorhazy-Smith assists improving his résumé. also highlighted the need for faculty in his department exstudents to be well-equipped tremely beneficial in landing a and prepared to face the com- job. “You realize how many peopetitive job market. “With the economy the way ple they know, both on campus it is, people are being pretty and away from campus, that picky about who they hire,” may be beneficial to you ... in Burket said. “It’s very com- landing your future job,” Burpetitive, and if you can’t show a ket said. Taylor’s academic departreturn on their investment (in hiring you), you’re really go- ments have shown to be dediing to struggle to land even an cated in their commitment to preparing students for graduentry-level job.” While he was at Taylor, Bur- ation. Senior capstone courses are ket found connecting with
Sarah Neel
sophomore Phillip Pinegar in
mandatory for many departments, like mathematics, physics, media communication, visual arts, Christian education and biology. These range from field trips or retreats during January term to research projects and presentations. Practicums and internships are usually required or encouraged for larger departments. Professors provide guidance
See Job Hunt, Page 2
Aerospace conference comes to campus By Stephanie Leis Contributor A keynote address by shuttle astronaut Col. Kevin Ford and special tribute to the late Indiana State Sen. David Ford are among the highlights for the third annual Access Technology Across Indiana (ATAIN) Conference on Aerospace and Space Science on March 19 at Taylor University. Ford is the brother of the late Sen. David Ford. This year’s conference will memorialize the life and contributions of the senator. He served District 19, comprised of Adams, Allen, Blackford, Grant and Wells
Counties, from 1994 until his death in 2008. ATAIN is a consortium of research institutions and organizations promoting scientific advances and developments and facilitating their transfer to industry, according to its Web site. The event brings government officials and professionals from the aerospace and defense industry to campus for presentations and networking opportunities with Indiana collegiate students, faculty and staff. A panel discussion of technology and economic development initiatives championed by Ford is on the agenda. Panel
members include Ron Gifford from the Indy Partnership, Mark Lawrence from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Mark Shublak of Ice Miller, LLP. Two separate sessions follow, with the first option being an aerospace technical advances one and the other a K-12 education one. Col. Kevin Ford’s keynote address is titled “Making Space for Our Future.” Ford, a retired United States Air Force colonel, NASA pilot and astronaut, is scheduled to pilot the space shuttle Atlantis in August on the STS-128 mission. Ford will also speak to K-12
students at 4:00 p.m. His speech, “Taking America to the Moon and Beyond in the Coming Decades,” will focus on his training and expectations of what life in space will be like. The launching of a balloon into near space will end the conference. Don Takehara, director of Taylor’s Center for Research & Innovation (CR&I) and associate professor of research, said poster and vendor displays from universities and companies in the defense and aerospace industry will be available. Past universities and companies include Purdue, Notre Dame, Rose-Hulman,
Taylor, ITT, Raytheon, Rolls Royce and NSWC Crane Naval. “Senator David Ford unselfishly served others and gave them opportunities to grow,” Takehara said. “At this conference, we want to follow in his footsteps by spurring technology, education and economic development in Indiana through aerospace and space science.” Sen. Ford helped with the ATAIN conference in 2007 because “he genuinely wanted to help people,” Takehara said. This conference is free to the public. Online registration is required.