April 20, 2012

Page 1

LIFE CENTRAL MICHIGAN

Interior design class places students in the shoes of their designs’ occupants, 3

Central Michigan University

Safety Jahleel Addae anchors a hard-hitting secondary, 7

| Friday, April 20, 2012

[cm-life.com]

Two more football players in police investigation White, Sawicki, Harris kicked off team by Enos By Aaron McMann University Editor

Two more Central Michigan University football players are involved in an ongoing investigation that resulted in the arrest of three others this week. CMU Police Chief Bill

Yeagley said Thursday Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick continues to review the case that led to the Tuesday arrests of sophomore tight end Joe Sawicki and freshman receiver Danel Harris, and the Wednesday surrender of sophomore running back Austin White. “The fact of the matter is that there are other people named in our investigation,” Yeagley told Central Michigan Life. “Two others are being in-

vestigated. … The prosecutor will have to make a decision.” Yeagley declined to identify the two individuals, but acknowledged that they were members of the CMU football team. Burdick could issue an arrest warrant any day or decide not to at all, Yeagley said. Sawicki, of Illinois, did not appear in Isabella County Trial Court Thursday morning for a scheduled preliminary exam. Under the guidance of his attorney, Lansing-based Peter

C. Samouris, Sawicki waived his right to have a preliminary exam within the 14 days guaranteed under Michigan law. He has another preliminary exam scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Thursday at the Isabella County Trial Court before Judge William R. Rush. Samouris, when contacted Thursday, declined comment on Sawicki’s arrest, saying the court is still in discovery mode. “He’s a fine young man and I think this case will resolve it-

self,” Samouris said. Sawicki was arrested Tuesday and charged with a threecount felony: delivery and manufacturing of narcotics, possession of narcotics and maintaining a drug house. He and White, who are roommates, are alleged to have been growing and selling psilocybin, a form of hallucinogenic mushrooms, inside their Celani Residence Hall room.

[INSIDE] w CMU Hall of Fame swimmer in critical condition following brutal attack, 3 w CMU alumnus Ron Kirkwood part of Pulitzer staff, 3 w Mount Pleasant woman charged. with assault, 5

A Arrest | 2

Nigerian student faces federal wire fraud charges By Emily Grove Metro Editor

Photos by Victoria Zegler/staff photographer

Bloomfield Hills senior Mehul Tolia, also known as DJ Brownbear, began mixing music after experimenting with software and playing various shows around Indiana University’s campus in 2008. “I immediately became addicted to it,” Tolia said. “The ability to mix completely different genres of music while keeping people on their toes really is an art in itself.”

‘not just a hobby’ By Paulina Lee | Staff Reporter

He said he took two years off after his sophomore year at Indiana University. “I took off to DJ and produce,” he said. “I was working with five other guys, making and producing music and deejaying around the country — Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Indiana.” Tolia, who also plays the drums and piano, said music has always played a major role in his life. “I’ve always looked to music

as my outlet from stress,” Tolia said. “I had a pretty interesting childhood. Nothing was ever handed to me. So now I appreciate everything I’ve got. Music for all the stressful times was just sitting there; I could always rely on it.” After getting into deejaying, Tolia said he realized music could be a professional hobby. “But it’s not just a hobby, it’s a passion,” he said. “I can take it wherever I go and it’s something

By Alayna Smith Staff Reporter

Tolia is hosting his first live concert with headliner Timeflies, a hip-hop/electro music duo based out of New York, this Sunday at The Wayside Central, 2000 S. Mission St.

that will keep me grounded forever. It keeps me sane.” Tolia’s DJ name comes from a nickname he had in high school. “In high school, everyone called me ‘Brownbutt,’” he said. “I was one of five Indian people. I got along with everyone. As the DJ passion grew, people kept calling me ‘Brownbutt,’ so I thought I’d convert that into ‘Brownbear.’” For “DJ Brownbear,” it’s all about the crowd’s vibe.

metro@cm-life.com

Administration talks admission challenges during open forums

Student DJ Brownbear to open concert for Timeflies Sunday, aspires to be a pediatric dentist Sophomore Mehul Tolia, known as “DJ Brownbear,” will open for Timeflies at their first concert in Michigan this Sunday at Wayside Central, 2000 S. Mission St. Before attending Central Michigan University, Tolia attended Indiana University and Oakland University. Now he’s studying audiology at CMU, but plans to take his dental exam this summer. “I really want to be a pediatric dentist and work with kids,” Tolia said.

A Central Michigan University graduate student is facing federal wire fraud charges for his alleged involvement in an internet scam. On April 10, a joint investigation between the U.S. Secret Service and the Michigan State Police Mount Pleasant Post led to the arrest of Nnamdi Ezeli, a 30-year-old Nigerian native studying at CMU. Ezeli was arrested in Union Township after being investigated for his involvement in an internet fraud scheme. A press release from the Michigan State Police states Ezeli was arrested for violation of US Code 18USC 1343, Wire Fraud. The maximum penalty carries a fine of not more than $1 million and confinement not to exceed 30 years in federal prison or both. Ezeli was allegedly posting

items for sale on Craigslist, though he did not have the items in his possession. Payment was sent to Ezeli, but victims of the scheme did not receive their items. The majority of the victims identified did not live in Michigan, and no local victims were identified. Many of the victims were from across the country and Canada. Observant local business personnel first reported suspicious activity, spurring the investigation. Ezeli went before a U.S. magistrate judge in federal court in Bay City on Thursday. He is being held pending further investigation and judicial action. The Central Michigan University Police Department assisted with the investigation. At this time there is no further information and the investigation remains ongoing.

“I just zone out when I DJ,” Tolia said. “I try to read the crowds. I also do weddings almost every weekend, which is a totally different scene. For me, it’s about making people forget what’s happening, and focus on what’s right now — let’s have a drink and dance. No pressure, no stress.” Tolia said his parents are very supportive. A DJ | 2

Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services Steven Johnson said Central Michigan University could have some big enrollment decisions to make in the future. Johnson discussed a key issue facing the university in the upcoming years during forums on Wednesday and Thursday. He cited the declining pool of high school students looking to attend college and what challenges this poses for university admissions. Given that about 96 percent of CMU’s first year incoming students are from Michigan, this poses enrollment concerns that need to be addressed. “Either we have to increase our market share and go up against the competition of about 14 other state institutions and community colleges which number about 20, or the range of private institutions that exist in this area,”

Johnson said. “That is a strategic decision we need to make.” The forums were held to open up lines of communication between CMU administration and all faculty, staff and students. University President George Ross, Provost Gary Shapiro, Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services David Burdette, Vice President of Development and External Relations Kathleen Wilbur and Johnson presented information on their corresponding fields within the university, and all took questions from the audience as well as online viewers at the end. Both hour-long forums, taking place in the Bovee University Center Auditorium and Moore Hall’s Townsend Kiva respectively, were also streamed live online. One of the greatest challenges facing the university is maintaining retention rates.

A forum | 2

Relay for Life aims to raise $50,000 this weekend By Jeff Ketcham Staff Reporter

Students will walk the track in the Indoor Athletic Complex to raise money to fight cancer as part of Relay for Life from 11 a.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. Sunday. This year, Relay for Life, the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, has a goal to raise $50,000. As of Thursday afternoon, Relay for Life was close, with $48,886 raised by 73 registered teams made up of 840 participants. The top fundraising team is Larzelere Residence Hall, followed

by Merrill Hall Council and the Health Professions Residential College. “It’s jam-packed with activities, performers, games, prizes, food, etc. for the whole 24 hours,” said Brianna Reuter, a senior from Clarkston. “I want people to know they can stop in and out whenever — there is no charge to get in, and they don’t have to be registered on a team in order to get in. It’s just a 24-hour party and all are welcome.” In addition to the 840 registered participants, 1,500 more students are expected to stop

in throughout the night, said Kristen Adams, CMU alumna from Lansing and community representative for the American Cancer Society. “We have entertainment planned all night, including On the Rox, Fish n’ Chips, Matt Moore, a professional Hawaiian luau troop, a punt, pass and kick contest, Fear Factor and more,” Adams said. The event will start off with University President George Ross leading the first lap during the opening ceremony. At noon, a survivor ceremony will allow participates to honor all

the survivors of cancer and will include a survivor lap. Later in the event, there will be a luminaria ceremony to honor those who lost their lives to cancer. “This (luminaria) ceremony is the most emotional, because nearly everyone can say they have been touched by this disease,” Reuter said. Finally, there will be a fight back ceremony, where participates will promise to continue spreading awareness about cancer and the lifestyle changes that can be made to prevent it. studentlife@cm-life.com

93 Years of Serving as Central Michigan University’s Independent Voice

Bethany Walter/staff photographer

University President George Ross talks to a member of the audience during the presentation of the University Forum on Wednesday afternoon in the Bovee University Center Auditorium.


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April 20, 2012 by Central Michigan Life - Issuu