December 12

dn 5 12 the

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Friends in film

NU’s legends of the fall

Students bond in UNL’s Film & New Media program

DN Sports selects top performers of semester

thursday, december 12, 2013 volume 113, issue 072

NU Foundation purchases home for President Milliken REECE RISTAU DN

The University of Nebraska Foundation has purchased a $750,000 home for University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken.

The 7,000-square-foot home, located at 2810 S. 27th St., was purchased using private funds and a major gift from a donor. The foundation has been supplying Milliken and his family $24,000 a year for housing, but those funds will cease when they move in.

The decision to provide Milliken a home was voted on by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents in September 2012, Dorothy Endacott, a foundation spokeswoman, said.

From the 1960s to the 1990s. However, after an electrical fire in the late 1990s destroyed the foundation-owned university residence at the time, a housing stipend was allotted instead, Endacott said.

The new house has space to accommodate university events and guests, as well as space for the Milliken family. Endacott said Milliken currently hosts university events for donors and students at his privately owned home. The board decided a foundation-owned home could better cater to these events.

Tim Clare, the chairman for the regents, said in the Lincoln Journal Star that nearly all of the Big Ten schools provide houses for their presidents.

The schools that provide an official residence are Michigan State University, Northwestern University, Penn State University, Purdue University, Ohio State University, the University of Iowa, the University of Michigan, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Schools that provide a housing allowance are Indiana University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The previous owners of the pur-

chased home were Don and Jill Everett. Don Everett is the president of Runza Restaurants.

Nebraska Watchdog, an independent investigative news organization, reported that Common Cause Nebraska, another watchdog organization, has opposed the purchase, saying it takes money off of the tax roll. The group said the money should be spent on lowering tuition or sending more kids to college.

Student reactions to the purchase were mixed.

Eric Reznicek, a senior finance and marketing major and a student member of the Board of Regents, said the new house will save money.

“It will actually in the long run save us a couple dollars because of how many events he hosts,” said Reznicek, who is also president of the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska. “J.B. Milliken (currently) pays taxes on the house since it is through private funds. Now that the

money is going through the foundation, it’s tax-free.”

However, other students are more skeptical of the decision.

“He’s still a university employee, and that’s showing partiality to one employee over another,” said Jonathan Baker, a freshman advertising/ public relations major. “The amount of money they spent on it is what bothers me because it’s unnecessary.”

Nebraska Watchdog reported on the other benefits Milliken receives.

Milliken receives a supplemental retirement allowance of $12,000 annually, a university car with gas, insurance and maintenance covered, a country club membership and a $22,000 annual expense account.

Baker asked why such a large amount of money is necessary.

“What’s the purpose of a nearly million-dollar home?”

NEWS@ DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

courtesy photo

The University of Nebraska Foundation purchased this $750,000 house for University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken.

Keep calm and study on UNL facilities provide study areas, extended hours, snacks to combat Finals Week stresses

story by melissa allen | Photos by Tiago zenero

Taryn Smith, a freshman nutrition exercise and health science major, studies for finals in Love Library South on Tuesday. The library offers several rooms for students who want quiet places to concentrate on their homework.

A

s Finals Week approaches, University of Nebraska-Lincoln facilities are providing places for students to study and relax on campus.

Love Library, the C.Y. Thompson Library on East Campus and the Wick Alumni Center will be extending their hours on the last days of dead week, and the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center will be open 24 hours.

“I was hesitant to do the opening, as I do not want to encourage poor sleep or study habits,” said Andre Fortune, Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services and Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center in an email. “However, students told me they’re up anyway, and this gives them a great place to study and socialize that is not college

or major specific.”

As projects and tests begin to pile up, the multicultural center, Love Library and the Campus Recreation Center will provide stress-relief activities for students as well.

Stress can have a big impact on a person’s body, said Kimberly Barrett, the assistant director of Campus Recreation Wellness Services and Fitness Programs.

“Performing stretches and yogic exercises helps you to work out the muscle aches and headaches that often come from your body carrying stress,” Barrett said. “(And they) give your body the opportunity to relax and say, ‘enough … time to sleep.’” news@ dailynebraskan.com

study spaces: see page 3

UHC sees increased Adderall requests during Finals Week As end of semester approaches, students request prescription drugs to improve last-minute studying Tyler Williams DN With finals quickly approaching, the University Health Center is seeing an increase in students reporting Attention Deficit Disorder-like symptoms. But health center officials want students to know that

there’s no shortcut to a prescription, especially for students looking to improve their last-minute preparation using drugs such as Adderall.

Adderall and Ritalin are two examples of medications called psychostimulants that are mainly prescribed to combat the effects of ADD and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. These prescription drugs help keep ADD and ADHD patients concentrated in class, and when abused, can also be used by other students in their attempts at maintaining GPAs during the final weeks of the semester.

Gail Lockard, a UHC psychologist, said she deals with many students hinting or outright asking for prescriptions for Adderall and other psychostimulants.

But testing for ADD is a long, multi-stage process, she said. In the first stage, the patient sits down for a minimum of an hour in a face-toface interview with a psychologist, who talks to them about all facets of their life, not just their academic performance.

“The symptoms of ADD are cross-dimensional, meaning that you will see them in home, in social life, at work and in school,” Lockard said.

This interview may also include several self-evaluations asking questions about the student’s past, attention span, restlessness and impulsivity, among many other things.

After this interview is completed, the patient will then take a larger diagnostic test, which takes

about three hours to complete and costs $340 to administer. This test will specify in greater detail what the patient is suffering from and give the psychologists a better idea of how to handle the problem. After this test is taken, the psychologists will gather information from the initial interview, assessments and the diagnostic test along with family history. Using this information, they will have a follow-up session with the patient. It is at this point where first mentions of medication are made, if the psychologists think that may be a good form of treatment. The whole process takes about a month, and that’s if the

adderall: see page 2

@dailyneb | facebook.com/dailynebraskan

Photo illustration by Jake crandall | Dn

During Finals Week, the University Health Center has an increase in students asking for prescription psychostimulants such as Vyvanse and Adderall.

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dailynebraskan.com

thursday, december 12, 2013

DN CALENDAR

DEC.

12

Faculty Senate discusses switching from Blackboard UNL considers swap to new software before contract ends in July 2015

On campus what: UNL Horticulture Club Poinsettia Sale when: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. where: Nebraska Union, Nebraska East Union

what: The Bathtub Dogs: The More You Know when: 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. where: Nebraska Union, Ballroom more information: Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for nonstudents. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

what:

UNL Symphony Orchestra when: 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. where: Kimball Recital Hall more information: Tickets are $3 for students, seniors and $5 for general admission.

IN LINCOLN what: “Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus” when: 7 p.m. where: Lincoln Southwest High School Silver Hawk Theatre, 7001 S. 14th St. more information: Call the Silver Hawk Theatre Box Office at (402) 436-1335

what: “Babes In Toyland” – Nebraska Youth Theatre when: 7 p.m. where: Haymarket Theatre, 803 Q St. more information: Call (402) 477-2600 for tickets.

what:

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol when: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. where: Nebraska Wesleyan University’s McDonal Theater, 51st Street and Huntington Avenue more information: Tickets are $10 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and $5 for students.

dipaige osborne dn The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is considering a switch from Blackboard Inc. The educational software company’s approximate $250,000 licensing and $200,000 for technical support and infrastructure contract won’t expire until July 1, 2015, but the discussion of whether to continue with it is already underway.

Mark Askren, UNL’s chief information officer, discussed the possible change at the Dec. 3 Faculty Senate meeting.

“We’re in the middle of a contract; I realize it would be hard to change,” Askren said at the meeting. “My starting point was to see if there was interest. None of us would take that lightly. We spend a great deal of money, but money isn’t the issue. But is it the best product?”

Heath Tuttle, assistant director for learning and emerging technologies, said the discussion is only in the beginning stages. Desire2Learn, Inc. and Canvas by Instructure will be considered in addition to Blackboard, with the possibility of other vendors. According to Tuttle, Desire2Learn and

Canvas are both younger prod- 18 percent of responders dissatucts in the market. Canvas was isfied or very dissatisfied with founded in 2008 and Desire- Blackboard.

Some faculty had opinions 2Learn started in 1999, while about what should be included Blackboard started in 1997.

But Tuttle said they would in the new program at the Faculty Senate meeting. One fachave to have a very strong preulty member said it was vital sentation for the university to consider terminating its long for the website to be viable for its users with disabilities, while relationship with Blackboard. another said the integration of “When you look at the costsocial media would be benefibenefit ratio, I think they’d cial. have to make a very strong case “Already faculty identified for why their product and services would benefit the campus some needs, so I think the point more than what we currently of these visits is to get that feedback from students and have,” Tuttle said.

Presentations by the three faculty,” Tuttle said. “I don’t want to make assumptions companies are set for early spring semester. Faculty, stu- about what students want, so we really want feedback from dents, Information Technology those groups.”

Services and the public will Tuttle also said an overbe invited to provide feedback all decision about each busiwouldn’t be ness’ product We’re in the made for some and ask each time. presenter quesmiddle of a “It won’t be a tions.

Surveys contract; I realize quick decision,” will be given to he said. “I honattendees and it would be hard estly can’t put a the Faculty Sentimeline on it. It ate Informa- to change.” just depends on tion Technology the feedback we Committee and Mark Askren get.”

Askren will then chief information officer Although make a decision the feedback is about whether important, it’s to proceed with Blackboard or choose another ultimately up top the Faculty Senate IT committee. company.

“This is faculty-driven isAt the Faculty Senate meeting, Askren also discussed an IT sue,” Askren said. “So if you needed to consider alternasurvey nearly 200 faculty members responded to about their tives, that is a faculty-driven satisfaction with Blackboard discussion.” news@ among other IT issues. The dailynebraskan.com survey showed a bell-shaped curve of satisfaction with about

adderall: from 1 health center and patients’ schedules sync up perfectly. She said a monthly prescription can range in cost from $75 and $210 for one person.

“My general sense of the students that come in and are prescribed who really need the medicine tend not to abuse or share them,” Lockard said, explaining that after being prescribed the medication, students are required to sign a paper very clearly explaining to them that selling or sharing their prescriptions is a felony.

“We take it very seriously,” Lockard said. “There are a lot of folks out there really struggling with this, and we want them to know that we are here as a resource for them.”

Despite the health center’s efforts to deter illegal use, abuse

of the drug still occurs among students. One such student, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he first started taking Adderall in high school.

“Initially I didn’t feel anything,” he said. “I was just browsing Facebook, but when it kicked in, I looked at the clock and it said midnight. Then I looked back, and it was 5:50 in the morning.”

The student said he first heard of the drug in high school when his academic decathlon team was up for state and was told about Adderall by the older members who used it. He said that was the first time he considered using the drug.

“I took it over the course of a week preparing for the competition,” he said. “Over that time I lost about eight to 10 pounds.”

Without a legitimate pre-

scription, the student must use a network of friends to find the drug.

“Usually I have friends who have dealers,” he said. “I can just call them and pay my friends.

I’ve never actually talked to a dealer.”

The student said that at the beginning of the semester he didn’t take Adderall frequently, but as finals drew closer his use became more and more frequent.

“It’s kinda like the feeling you get before a big sporting event where you feel super focused and concentrated, but it lasts hours instead of minutes,” he said. “It’s a pretty good feeling. I think that it has helped me, but to be honest it’s really a way to make up for procrastination.” news@ dailynebraskan.com

News briefs nominations sought for advising, service to students awards

Two awards are open for nominations: the James V. Griesen Exemplary Service to Students Award and the University of Nebraska Foundation/Builders Award for Outstanding Academic Advising. The service to students award was established in 1986 as the Chancellor’s Exemplary Service to Students award and renamed in 2006 to honor former Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Griesen. The award recognizes extraordinary and consistent performance by individuals serving UNL students. The NU Foundation/Builders award was established in 1987 to recognize faculty or advising staff demonstrating outstanding advising ability and making a contribution to the educational enrichment of UNL students. All UNL faculty and staff are eligible for the awards, which include a $1,500 stipend. Any UNL student, faculty member, staff member or administrator may nominate. Guidelines and nomination forms are available online at stuafs. unl.edu. For more information on the Griesen Award, contact Tonda Humphress at thumphress1@unl.edu or at (402) 472-3755. For more information about the NU Foundation/Builders Award, contact Alicia Haugen at ahaugen@nufoundation.org or at 402-458-1210.

national academy of inventors honors biochemistry professor

Biochemistry professor Donald Weeks has been named a National Academy of Inventors fellow, which is an honor given to innovators and inventors. The Maxcy Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources was recognized for his contributions in plant and algal biotechnology and his efforts to translate research discoveries into solutions for society. The academy chose 143 fellows who represent 94 universities across the United states. Together, the fellows hold more than 5,600 U.S. patents – Weeks holds 10 U.S. patents and 22 international patents. Weeks has been a member of the UNL Biochemistry Department since 1989 and was named an American Association Advancement of Science fellow in 2009. He and the other 2013 fellows will be inducted at the academy’s third-annual conference in March at Alexandria, Va. This is the second year a UNL faculty member has been named an NAI fellow. To see a complete list of the 2013 fellows, visit academyofinventors.com/search-fellows.asp.

junior earns Film Festival internship

Taylar Morrissey, a junior theater major, will be one of 150 students serving as a student intern at the American Pavilion at the Cannes International Film Festival from May 11 to May 26. The program provides experience for students interested in film, culinary arts and hospitality/event management. Interns start with two days of orientation, then start their service jobs for six hours per day. The American Pavilion is the center of the U.S. film industry’s festival presence. Interns also participate in The Roundtable Series, which allows them to have small group discussions with noted individuals in the film industry such as Tim Roth, Jude Law and Michael Moore. For more information about Morrissey or to follow her Cannes experience, go to her blog tayngerousadventures.blogspot.com.

—news@dailynebraskan.com

Haymarket continues to add new attractions Railyard District encourages new business openings, creation of Digital Haymarket guide gabrielle lazaro dn Adding an ice-skating rink is only the beginning for the Lincoln Railyard district.

Since its grand opening in September, new businesses and attractions have sprung up in the area, and many new attractions will join in the next few months, along with a Digital Haymarket guide.

“From the downtown perspective, it’s been encouraging to see the type of visitors that this area’s attracting,” said Todd Ogden, marketing director of Downtown Lincoln Association. “It seems to bring a lot of families, kind of a new crowd. Sometimes you worry it’s going to suck business out of another area, but I think it’s bringing a new crowd, which is something we’re encouraged by.”

Restaurants opening soon include the El Mariachi Taco Cantina, which features authentic Mexican and Latin American food; Joystick Gamebar, which is an arcade and bar that specializes in selling food on a stick; and Longwells, another bar and grill known for serving 76 different types of beer.

Ogden estimated the restau-

rants would be opening in the der a large quantity, so we were able to use it for several years. We next couple of months. felt now was a good time to upOther businesses opening up date due to the new changes.” include the Hyatt Hotel at 600 Q The interactive map will inSt., just south of the Canopy Lofts coming in February and the Cata- clude an image of the building lyst, the Union Bank small busi- and a detailed history of what it used to be and what it is now. ness center.

The Arena Lofts, on 800 Q St., Technically, the new Canopy are also in the process of being Lofts west of the tracks are not built in the old tool house in the part of the historic area nor are Historic Haymarket. The lofts will they historic buildings, Cunningbe single-bedroom lease units and ham said.

“We will try to incorporate the first floor of the building will them,” he said. “But at this point include a Twin Peaks.

These lofts are targeted to- we really are not sure. Things are still in planning stages.” ward students and young profesA $9,500 grant from the Visisionals. The completion date of tors Promotion the project is still Committee will unknown, Ogden make this all possaid.

It’s been according to “Sometimes encouraging sible, a recent Lincoln the construction Journal Star arslows up in win- to see the type of ticle. ter,” he said. “But visitors that this “The Haya lot of these places market District will be opened up area’s attracting.” applied for this by spring, if not grant,” Cunningbefore.” todd ogden A Digital Hay- downtown lincoln association ham said. “The grant will help market guide pay for everything should also be up we’ve got, design of website and and running by summertime, according to Jeff Cunningham, who printing of brochures.”

The new interactive map will runs the nonprofit Lincoln Hayalso help with self-guided tours. market Development Corp.

This guide will include an The updated printed map will be updated print copy and a cor- handed out at various businesses responding interactive map that and in the Lincoln Visitors Center will be found on lincolnhaymar- in the Lincoln station. Currently, city planning members guide ket.org when it’s completed, Ogtours per scheduled appointment. den said.

“We’re hoping to set up more The current print version was tours in advance, but that’s more updated in 1987. phase two of this project,” Ogden “It’s a good brochure for when said. we made it back at the time,” news@ Cunningham said. “They did ordailynebraskan.com

sean flattery | DN

daily nebraskan editor-in-chief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402.472.1766 Hailey Konnath managing editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402.472.1763 Jacy Marmaduke ENGAGEMENT EDITOR. . . . . . . . . . . . 402.472.1763 Nick Teets news. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402.472.1763 associate editor Frannie Sprouls

Conor Dunn assignment editor Faiz Siddiqui

projects editor opinion editor Ruth Boettner

Amy Kenyon assistant editor arts & life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .402.472.1756 co-editor Shelby Fleig

Nathan Sindelar co-editor Tyler Keown co-editor sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402.472.1765 editor Zach Tegler

Paige Cornwell assistant editor Kyle Cummings assistant editor

Design chief Alyssa Brunswick

photo chief Morgan Spiehs

video chief Nickolai Hammar

copy chief Danae Lenz

web chief Hayden Gascoigne

art director Inge Johannsen

Sean Flattery assistant director general manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . .402.472.1769 Dan Shattil Advertising. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .402.472.2589 manager Penny Billheimer Chris Hansen student manager publications board. . . . . . . . . . . . . 308.520.9447 chairman Jeffrey White professional AdvisEr . . . . . . . . . 402.473.7248 Don Walton

Founded in 1901, the Daily Nebraskan is the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s only independent daily newspaper written, edited and produced entirely by UNL students.

General Information The Daily Nebraskan is published weekly on Mondays during the summer and Monday through Friday during the nine-month academic year, except during finals week.

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Check out DailyNebraskan.com for access to special features only available online. ©2013 Daily Nebraskan.

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thursday, december 12, 2013

Holiday

3

photos by Allison Hess

blooms

TOP: Andrew Spader, a sophomore agricultural business major, buys a poinsettia in the Nebraska Union on Wednesday afternoon. The UNL Horticulture Club sells between 100 and 200 poinsettias on each campus.

BOTTOM: The UNL Horticulture Club has been growing and selling poinsettias every winter for at least the past 10 years. They start the flowers from when they are small plants and grow them in a greenhouse on UNL’s East Campus.

Valerie Crook, manager at the Instructional Design Center, looks at poinsettias in the Nebraska Union on Wednesday afternoon.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Horticulture Club annually sells poinsettias in the Nebraska Union and the Nebraska East Union Wednesday and Thursday afternoon.

Multicultural council celebrates 10 years the theme “MGC is Forever” to honor the milestone. All of Founded in 2003, those who participate in the council and alumni are invited. greek council has The guest list will also include provided involvement staff and faculty from the Office of Academic Success and opportunities for Intercultural Services and others students of all colors involved with the UNL multicultural community.

The event begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Nebraska Union.

Colleen Fell The banquet will also include DN an awards ceremony honoring the accomplishments of the last Matt DaSilva can’t imagine what 10 years, and new board memhis college experience would bers will be introduced. have been like had he not joined DaSilva, who is currently the the Multicultural Greek Council. public relations chair for MGC, “I feel like I would just go to said the event is formal, but class and then go home,” DaSilnothing too huge. va said.

“We’ve been planning it only DaSilva, a senior hospitality, for a few months,” he said. restaurant and tourism manageThe MGC was originally ment major who will graduate founded with the from the Univerpurpose to acsity of NebraskaOur goal of commodate the Lincoln in Deexisting Africanbeing on cember, said he American and has many good campus is to be Latino-based ormemories of the ganizations on council after join- a positive part of campus.

Since ing the Sigma the community.” its founding, the Lambda Beta fraMGC has added ternity his junior Sonia sandoval two sororities afmulticultural greek council year. ter UNL’s Africanvice president The council, American organiwhich is in its zations left to form 10th active year, a chapter of the has assisted nuNational Pan-Helmerous multicultural students lenic Council. The MGC currentto become more involved with ly consists of four sororities and campus and Greek life. fraternities including Lambda And now it’s time to cel- Theta Nu, a historically Latinaebrate. based sorority; Sigma Lambda The council will host a banBeta, a historically Latino-based quet dinner Friday night with fraternity; Sigma Lambda Gam-

unl’s multicultural greek council The council includes four organizations: lambda theta nu – A historically Latina-based sorority sigma lambda beta – A historically Latino-based fraternity sigma lambda gamma – A historically Latina-based sorority sigma psi zeta – An Asian-interest Greek sorority All four have multicultural membership. The council will celebrate 10 years with its “Multicultural Greek Council is Forever” at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Nebraska Union. All council participants and alumni are invited. ma, a historically Latina-based sorority; and Sigma Psi Zeta, a multicultural, Asian-interest Greek sorority. All offer multicultural membership.

As for having the MGC on campus for the last 10 years, it’s a big deal, DaSilva said. “(MGC) is definitely moving in the right direction, but there’s still more to accomplish,” he said.

Sonia Sandoval, a junior theater design and technical production major at UNL, is a member of Lambda Theta Nu and is the vice president of MGC. “This means mostly that we have come so far, and we are at such a strong point,” Sandoval said.

Organizations in MCG are also responsible for community volunteer work, which Sandoval said has helped the organizations to garner media attention.

“Our goal of being on campus is to be a positive part of the com-

munity,” she said.

Some of MGC’s community service includes hosting an annual Winter Children’s Carnival, volunteering at a local women’s shelter and participating in a local philanthropic event, Safe Quarters, in which MGC organizations were the top gatherers of donations among UNL groups for the past two years.

In the next 10 years, Sandoval said she would like to see the MGC become even more involved with the community.

“We’re headed in the right direction right now, but there’s always more to do,” she said.

The organizations could benefit from having more new members.

“We’re a diverse organization,” he said, “and I’d like to see it continue to grow.” news@ dailynebraskan.com

Center collects for special deliveries Barkley Center to send 15 packages of books, educational materials to children in foster care Nam Tran DN The Barkley Memorial Center’s Cen-

ter for Child and Family Well-Being is seeking donations to help provide packages for Nebraska children in foster care.

Located on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus, the Barkley Center established a global partnership for the effort with the Letterbox Club, a company in Great Britain that provides educational materials to children ages 5 to 13.

The inspiration for the partnership came several years ago, when Alexandra Trout, an associate research professor at the Barkley Center met the Letterbox Club founder in Canada.

“We used to do other types of

study spaces: from 1

provide packages to 15 children in holiday gift-giving type things, and foster care in the next six months. The so this was an idea to get us as a center all back into donating to something,” center is accepting donations through Trout said. “It seemed to fit very well Dec. 20 to help provide packages for with what we do, because we’re all children that will be filled with edueducators, and we work with kids cational materials, games, letters and and child welfare. My daughter was books.

“Letterbox provided book packfour at the time and really loved getting things in the mail. So this whole ages for 10 children in foster care for the last two years, and we are hoping idea of providing for kids or giving these packages to kids who have to up that number to 15 children this year if possible,” said Lori Synhorst, so little. It’s not uncommon for kids in foster care to move several times. director of Data Center at the Special Education & ComThey often have very munication Disorfew belongings that It gives them ders Center. “We are theirs.” will send six packMany youth in a sense of ages to these chilfoster care frequentexcitement and dren, one a month ly face challenges for 6 (months).” with education and pride to have Synhorst said struggle academicalthe packages are ly. Children in foster things that belong special for the recipicare systems could to them.” ents. be moved around “These book lori synhorst and usually don’t data center director at packages are often have much material special education and the only type of mail for them to continue communication disorders children in foster learning. Receiving center settings have ever packages, parcels received,” she said. and personal let“It gives them a ters lets the children sense of excitement and pride to have know they’re not alone and help is things that belong to them.” available, Trout said.

Trout said the Barkley Center The Barkley Center’s goal is to

mail donation checks to: Letter Box Club c/o Lisa Pollard Center for Child and Family Well-Being 247H Barkley Memorial Center University of Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0738 doesn’t contact the children directly, so its staff doesn’t get to see the reaction to the packages.

“But we did get a phone call from one our foster parents last year, and it turns out the kid declared themselves a reader, and they had read their first book ever, and it was one the books that we had sent,” Trout said. “Never having read a book before and just having these books and having the books to themselves and waking up at night and reading, the parent was just really excited. We love doing it.”

NEWS@ DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

tiago zenero | dn

Edgar Soto and Sonia Nguyen, both freshman exploratory majors, study together at the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center on Tuesday.

Top places to relax on campus 1. Campus Recreation Center Dec. 8 through Dec. 20, all fitness and yoga classes will be free, including Zumba, Power Pump, Total Body Tone and more.

2. Love Library Healing Hearts Therapy Dogs will be located in room 110 Thursday, Dec. 12, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Lucy the Border Collie/Lab mix and Tank the French Bulldog Monday, Dec. 16, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Bernice the Chihuahua and Boo the Shepherd mix Tuesday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m. to noon – Izzie the Goldendoodle and Tide the Boxer mix 3. Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center Wednesday, Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. – Professional massage chair sessions Thursday, Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. – Dinner in the Ubuntu room and late-night staff versus student board game competition Friday, Dec. 20, 4:30 p.m. – Partner gingerbread house-making competition at in the Ubuntu room

Top places to study on campus 1. Love Library During Finals week, Love Library will be providing tea, coffee and hot cocoa for students at 8:30 a.m., 4 p.m. and in the early evening. From Dec. 15 to Dec. 17, the library will be opened until 1 p.m.

2. Engineering Library-Nebraska Hall During the day, popcorn, candy and cookies will be available. In the evening, coffee, tea and hot cocoa will be available.

3. Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center On Dec. 9, the multicultural center began being open 24 hours, and will continue until 11 p.m. Dec. 20.

4. East Campus: C.Y. Thompson Library From Dec. 15 to Dec. 17, hours will be extended until 1 a.m.

Cookies and coffee will be available from 9:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.

5. Wick Alumni Center The Wick Alumni Center will have extended hours during Finals Week and will be providing snacks and drinks.

Sunday, Dec. 15: 6 p.m. to midnight Monday, Dec. 16: 8 a.m. to midnight Tuesday, Dec. 17: 8 a.m. to midnight Wednesday, Dec. 18: 8 a.m. to midnight Thursday, Dec. 19: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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OPINION

thursday, december 12, 2013 dailynebraskan.com

d n e d i to r i a l b oa r d m e m b e r s HAILEY KONNATH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

RUTH BOETTNER

FAIZ Siddiqui

opinion editor

PROJECTS EDITOR

AMY KENYON

SHELBY FLEIG

assistant opinion editor

A&L CO-EDITOR

JACY MARMADUKE

ZACH TEGLER

MANAGING EDITOR

sports EDITOR

CONOR DUNN

KYLE CUMMINGS

news assignment EDITOR assistant SPORTS EDITOR

our view

UNL needs diverse groups to embrace multiple cultures The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Multicultural Greek Council is celebrating 10 years, so now seems like a good time to celebrate.

The council is small, made up of only four organizations that range from Latino and Latina-based to Asian-interest, although it accepts members of all ethnicities. But its impact has been huge for the members involved, many of whom make up some of UNL’s 12 percent non-white student resident population.

Let’s face it: UNL is mostly white, and the majority of student organizations reflect that. The Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board is glad organizations like the Multicultural Greek Council – and the local chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council – exist to embrace diversity not just through words but also through actions.

Recent racially charged events have highlighted the need for a council like this one at UNL. Student organizations that promote both diversity and unity are more likely to produce advocates of those very principles. And to be sure, UNL needs more advocates.

What’s more, the organizations that make up the council have given their members opportunities to connect with one another and develop leadership skills. They’re producing strong, educated leaders that will benefit not only our university but also our state.

As a new semester approaches, so does a new opportunity to become a part of these organizations. If one sounds like the right fit for you, consider joining. You could end up like Matt DaSilva, who says he can’t imagine what college would be like if he hadn’t joined the council. He’ll graduate in December with a year and a half of great memories.

opinion@dailynebraskan.com

editorial policy The editorial above contains the opinion of the fall 2013 Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, its student body or the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. A column is solely the opinion of its author; a cartoon is solely the opinion of its artist. The Board of Regents acts as publisher of the Daily Nebraskan; policy is set by the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board.

The UNL Publications Board, established by the regents, supervises the production of the paper. According to policy set by the regents, responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands of Daily Nebraskan employees.

letters to the editor policy The Daily Nebraskan welcomes brief letters to the editor and guest columns but does not guarantee their publication. The Daily Nebraskan retains the right to edit or reject any material submitted. Submitted material becomes property of the Daily Nebraskan and cannot be returned or removed from online archives. Anonymous submissions will not be published. Those who submit letters must identify themselves by name, year in school, major, and/or group affiliation, if any. Email material to opinion@ dailynebraskan.com or mail to: Daily Nebraskan, 20 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St. Lincoln, NE 68588-0448.

Mike Rendowski | dn

Donate to charities, despite policies ‘

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is the season for giving. The rustle of shopping bags fills the frosty air, and as you leave practically every department store, you’ll hear the jingle of the Salvation Army bells. Recently, people have become hesitant to drop whatever change they have from their recent purchase into those bright red buckets. This is because of the implication going around for a few years that the Salvation Army refuses to aid members of the LGBT community. While I encourage people to be conscious of what platforms their money is funding, I also encourage all to keep a generous, optimistic spirit, especially during the Christmas season.

In summer 2012, the Huffington Post held an interview with a Salvation Army official.

The included audio clip is, quite frankly, uncomfortable to listen to. Major Andrew Craibe has received all kinds of flak for the statements he made — though what I find most offensive is the statements he didn’t make. The direct, doctrinal questions posed by Australian journalists Serena Ryan and Paul Dillon were met with a reluctance to explain why “gays should be put to death” could even be implied by the Salvation Army’s mission statement. In the interview, Ryan asks about the mission statement’s reference to Romans 1, a chapter which sparks many heated debates. A cursory glance of the text does indeed imply that a man or woman participating in the act of homosexuality is deserving of death. However, as with any information, this implication is cleared up with further reading. Before even mentioning death in verse 32, the writer of the scripture lists an entire paragraph of other sins that should be avoided. Among these sins are murder and gossip, unkindness and disobeying one’s parents.

That’s right. Homosexuality and murder and plain old grumpiness are placed in the same list. Who can live up to that? The purpose of these verses is to emphasize someone’s need for a savior, not to condemn every sinner to death. By his comments, Craibe was either unwilling or incapable of explaining that.

When asked directly if “gay people deserve death,” he responded, “You know, we have an alignment to the Scriptures, but that’s our belief.”

In a world that values facts and proof over

annie stokely

faith, we all need to be able to defend what we believe, even beyond the realm of religion.

It’s not enough to just make a claim and stoically stand by it; we must explain why. Unfortunately, many feel pressured or even attacked when asked to explain what exactly they believe, as we can hear in Craibe’s flustered tone in the interview. Such questions aren’t meant to be an attack, but an honest search for understanding. Where there is misunderstanding, as we see in this situation between the Salvation Army and the LGBT community, there is conflict.

Regrettably, what Craibe didn’t say left the Salvation Army with a heaping pile of homophobic accusations to clean up. In October 2013, Huffington Post published an article titled “7 Companies That Don’t Support Gay Rights,” listing the Salvation Army fourth.

This article also references the original interview, clearly still outraged: “Yes, a human being, in 2013, thinks another human being should die simply because they’re gay.”

The Salvation Army hasn’t been inactive in all this. In November, Truth Wins Out, one of the Salver ’s original accusers, published a thank you to the organization “for removing links to two notorious ‘ex-gay’ ministries that it had listed as sexual addiction resources.”

Also on the Salvation Army’s official website is a clarification of its opinions of the LGBT community: “Since its founding nearly 150 years ago, The Salvation Army has lived out its mission: to meet human needs in His name, without discrimination. People who come to the Army for assistance will be served according to their need and our capacity to help - regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.”

The problem, then, is not that the Salvation Army refuses to help people of the LGBT

community — because it does help them. The conflict continues to rise when, from the wording in their non-discrimination and employment policies, it’s not fully clear if people who identify as LGBT are allowed to work for the Salvation Army. There are instances where the answer is yes, they are. Jacquelynn Massengill is a Salvation Army volunteer who identifies herself as transgender. Massengill’s story is on the Salvation Army website’s nondiscrimination page.

As this is a problem steeped in religious and ethical issues, it’s not something that can be resolved quickly. Please note the Salvation Army hasn’t been dealing with these accusations by standing in a corner screaming with hands over their ears. Until the Salvation Army makes a more official statement of where it stands with the LGBT community, the decision to drop a few coins in that red bucket is entirely up to you.

But do note that this charity does so much for those in need. The Salvation Army helps anyone who comes to its door. According to the website, the Salvation Army serves “nearly 30 million Americans, or one person every second, from a variety of backgrounds.” Donating to the cause doesn’t mean you’re supporting hatred.

It means you’re helping shelter the weary, feed the hungry and bring hope to the hopeless. In a big city with many charities, you don’t have to donate to the Salvation Army if you don’t agree with its policies. But in smaller cities, the Salvation Army may be the only place many underprivileged people can turn to.

Even if you disagree with the Salvation Army’s policies, don’t let it dampen your generous spirits in this season of giving. Holiday gifts don’t all have to be bought and wrapped with a pretty bow. The most valuable and encouraging gifts are much simpler than that. Spending an afternoon volunteering at a food pantry. Surprising your co-workers with their favorite lattes one morning. Leaving a crumpled piece of paper with an encouraging note in the pocket of your significant other’s jacket that you borrowed. Or even just dropping a handful of change into a red bucket. These are things that remind the people around us that we care. Things that others will remember and appreciate long after the sleigh bells stop ringing.

Annie Stokely is a sophomore English major. Reach her at opinion@ dailynebraskan.com.

Obama’s liberal policy damages US

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hat makes up an ideology?

How does one determine through all the gray area whether what you are doing is right or wrong or just an opinion? It’s easy to fall back on a failed experiment by stating that it was only an opinion, and it is easy to argue hypothetical theories to try to persuade people to believe you. However, with the application of the theory, when the ideology is tested and fails, we begin to see the nature of what was wrong with that ideology.

This is what we are seeing with an everevolving ideology today, one that is engulfing big cities and forcing hundreds of millions of Americans to the breaking point. In this day and age, liberalism has become an outdated ideology. The liberalism of old, the kind that guided Franklin D. Roosevelt, was honest and decent, with an ideology that fell in line with good American values.

Today, a modern ideology has changed and is almost unrecognizable. Today, it isn’t hard to see that President Barack Obama’s second term, his second attempt to implement a failed ideology, is going to be a worse train wreck than his first. The current “liberal tyranny express,” on the tracks to socialism, is heading straight for a crumbling bridge.

For those who still believe in the agenda Obama has laid out, take the facts into consideration and deliberate them carefully. The ideology he portrays has failed, and for the last three years I, along with many Americans who aligned themselves with both Republicans and Democrats, have pointed out the failure. One must accept the faults and failures and also realize this country was founded on religious ideals, a free market and hard work.

The liberal ideology Obama has put forth has failed repeatedly, starting with our soldiers and American diplomats overseas. Depending on what source you read, you will find that the number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Obama’s watch is anywhere between 66 and 75 percent. While this is astonishing, it’s not surprising if you understand anything about war.

If you sit around and react to what the enemy

zach nold does, you will always be on the losing end. You have to go out, hunt the enemy down, and hit them before they can hit you. It also doesn’t help our soldiers overseas when a bunch of politicians who know nothing about war write the rules of engagement.

The same goes for our diplomats overseas; when they ask for more protection, give it to them. According to Fox News, Obama was surrounded by secret service when U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens was murdered by radical Islamists, despite the presence of security. Three security guards also died in the attack. Obama then failed to capture the people responsible. More to the point, he has failed to show he gives a damn. If he can’t care for his own ambassadors, do you really think he cares about you?

If you have tried to sign up for Obamacare, you can find his lack of concern on your computer screen. This giant burden, with a website that doesn’t work, is trying to tax young Americans to pay for those who don’t care to work.

Yet all the young students who decided to vote for a man who has implemented a horrendous program that is going to ruin our healthcare system are quickly finding out that they will not be able to afford insurance for a long time.

According to Forbes, premiums are doubling and tripling, and your choices of hospitals and doctors are diminishing. The Huffington Post reported that plan cancellations are widespread. It’s only a matter of time until the law is repealed, but by then the damage will have been done. The worst part is that certain individuals are too stubborn to accept that they

were wrong and approach the problem from a different point of view. You can’t fit a round peg in a square hole. Sometimes wrong is simply wrong, and the Affordable Care Act is wrong.

There is failed theory, and then there are lies. Obama has been really good at breaking promises and lying. According to ABC News, he promised to cut the national debt in half; he has not only failed to do that, but according to CBS News, he has added more debt in his first four years than President George W. Bush did during eight years with two wars, Hurricane Katrina and a failing economy. Not only did he not cut the national debt, but he hasn’t created enough jobs. For the last five years, we have had more than 7 percent unemployment. This is completely unacceptable. As one of the most prosperous nations in the world, we should be able to have less than 4 percent unemployment, which is the median of frictional unemployment. Frictional unemployment is the median where between 2 and 7 percent of the workforce are still in the labor force but between jobs.

In the end it doesn’t matter what the man said; all that matters is what guided him. His guide was an ideology, a liberal ideology that at one point in time promoted charity, honesty, diversity and even work ethic. Now all we get are partisan battles, free handouts that hurt everyone in the long run, being spied on and told that our rights aren’t inherent anymore.

Modern liberalism and the social experiment Obama has brought to the White House have failed. Five years ago, I wasn’t upset he was elected president, but no matter what party you fall into, he doesn’t seem to have the best interest of the country in mind. All he has done in the name of modern liberalism has been detrimental to all of us. For the last three years, my writing has tried to show everyone this tactfully. This is your wake-up call: Deny the facts if you like, but Obama isn’t holding this country together — only the common American is. We are the only ones who can dull the impact his destruction is having on this great nation.

Zach Nold is a senior English major. Reach him at opinion@ dailynebraskan.com.

aRTS & LIFE

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thursday, december 12, 2013 dailynebraskan.com @dnartsdesk

courtesy photo

The Lincoln Children’s Museum will host Candy House Funshop workshops every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday this month.

Children’s museum holds annual Candy House Funshop Funshop event, kids receive a special experience with their families 5th annual event while providing funding for the museum to create future events. gives parents, kids “Each time families particichance to spend time pate in an event like this, all the money goes directly back to suptogether building porting the activities and events creative candy houses and programs that take place at the museum throughout the entire year,” Kumke said. “This really is a fundraiser for the museum that Hannah Ratliff allows us to present the different DN programs that we do not just during the winter, but all year long.”

The Lincoln Children’s Museum Though the workshop’s prois making a fun holiday tradition ceeds help fund events throughout possible again with the fifth an- the year, Kayla Hass, a University nual Candy House Funshop. of Nebraska-Lincoln junior and The event, which allows parthe museum’s education assistant, ents and children to spend an said she is particularly excited for hour together creating their own kids to visit the museum during candy house, begins Thursday the holiday season. with a workshop at 10 a.m. and “The whole entire third floor of two later workshops at 5 and 6 the museum (where Candy House p.m. The event runs through the Funshop is held) is decorated as a Thursdays, Saturdays and Sunwinter wonderland, and I think that days of this month with various magical aspect brings a lot to this workshop times each day. Work- event,” Hass said. “We have someshop participants receive a cardthing called ‘Reindeer Row,’ which board house frame, frosting and involves separate rooms with lightdecorating candies for $25 for muup reindeer in them, and we have seum members and $30 for nonvarious signs that talk about the members. If you can’t make it to a elves and the reindeer and Santa workshop, the museum sells takeClaus and stuff like that, so I think home kits for $25. But according the whole magical aspect is really ento the museum’s dijoyable for the chilrector of marketing, dren.”

I think it’s Michaella Kumke, The museum’s participating inside decorations are just a fun the museum allows only part of an exfor a more fun and way for kids to perience that alrelaxed environ- just be kids.” lows parents and ment for kids and kids to grow closer. parents.

Though the event michaella kumke has only been go“I think it’s children’s museum marketing just a fun way ing on for five director for kids to just be years, the musekids,” Kumke said. um’s staff hopes to “When you have make it a tradition something like this at home, it can that lasts much longer. Hass only get messy, and so I think parents wishes they had started earlier so love that the museum takes care that she could have participated of the mess, and kids love that as a child. parents aren’t constantly saying “I definitely wish there was ‘no, don’t do that,’ ‘watch out,’ something like this when I was ‘clean that up.’ They really just little,” Hass said. “I know that my get to come and have fun and let family always talked about dotheir creativity guide their little ing a gingerbread house, but we candy house masterpiece.” never did. I think it would have Though not having to worry been nice to have a place to come about a mess in the house is nice, and do it, because then it kind of Kumke said the most important holds you accountable to making aspect of the event is allowing one and enjoying the memory.” parents and kids to play together­ The museum hopes parents — an opportunity that isn’t al- will take advantage of this opways available during the busy portunity to connect with their holiday season. children in a fun and exciting at“Play is such an important mosphere. After all, Kumke said, part of learning, and lifelong love kids aren’t kids forever. of learning is something we want “It all boils down to taking to support at the museum and as the time to pause in a hectic seaan organization in this commuson,” Kumke said. “Our motto is nity,” Kumke said. “Candy House ‘Quick, before they grow up,’ and Funshop is one way that the enanyone who has little ones in their tire family can come together lives know that kids seem to grow and spend that time playing. You overnight. (So) it’s a time for evknow, the holiday season is a time erybody to pause, and celebrate especially magical for children. the season in a fun, playful way.

So when you create opportuni- It’s just an afternoon or evening of ties for children and families to fun. Just pure fun. So I think it’s have those special memories and part of a rich holiday tradition. celebrate those moments, it really And it’s in a place where it makes adds to being a kid.” sense to celebrate childhood.”

And the museum wants kids arts@ to keep having opportunities to dailynebraskan.com play. Through the Candy House

Logan Gee, a senior film and new media major, readjusts the camera after switching to a different lens. All of the equipment used in student projects is owned by the film and new media department, therefore reducing costs dramatically.

Friends in

film

Film, new media program students create short movies, projects with equipment from Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film

story by Maranda Loughlin | photos by Spencer Myrlie

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skeletal crew of about 15 students bustles around tangles of lighting, camera and audio wires in a Temple Building classroom. The team arrived at 10 a.m. with Bruegger’s coffee and fruit snacks.

At 1:16 p.m. after all the necessary props are set up, the project’s assistant producer, Megan Fleming, calls out from behind a table of crushed pop cans and cookies: “Quiet on set.”

And all that’s heard are the rehearsal of lines and the ticking clock at the back of the room.

At which point the movie’s producer, senior film and new media major Nathan Hansen, checks with the audio crew to make sure the clicks are not being picked up by the microphones. He takes the clock out; the team’s on a time crunch.

Each year at the University of NebraskaLincoln, students in the film and new media program develop short movies or other creative projects to fulfil major requirements, boost resumes and enter in potential film festivals.

Through the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, students are supplied the equipment and creative liberations they need to shoot their visions, write scripts and even construct their own capstone projects.

This might not have been possible without the help of associate professor Richard Endacott.

For the past 14 years, Endacott has refined the film and new media emphasis at UNL with a team of film colleagues. Because of the professor and his crew, the emphasis grew into an complete undergraduate program that admits just 10 to 15 students each year.

“It’s hard to get in (to the program), but if you don’t screw up, you get a hell of a lot out of it,” Endacott said. “You get way more than what you pay for. I consider that the biggest secret.”

The emphasis has a smaller number of faculty and staff, allowing only a select group of students into the program.

“We are accommodating the number of students we can to accommodate them effectively,”

Endacott said. “Any program that lets anyone in isn’t a program you want to be in. You can’t open the floodgates and let anyone into the program.”

The process of creating a 12-minute film takes students a summer of drafting and gathering information, a semester of planning and a semester of filming and producing.

On the set of Hansen’s production — a commercial for a film that senior Dominic Ciofalo is directing — three students work the camera on the dolly track, while two hold microphones toward the actors testing sound. One student wearing a backwards cap runs around adjusting six lights that hang from the disheveled ceiling tiles. He pulls safety gloves out of his back pocket to avoid searing his hands on the heat of the film lamps.

After the lighting elements are correctly in place, the student sits down and grabs a handful of goldfish. He sports a blue short-sleeved “#1 Dad” shirt.

His name is Dylan Adams, but he also goes by “Dad.” Just like nine of the other guys in the film crew.

“I was just on set one day, and I don’t remember who started calling who ‘Dad’ first, but then there was like this army of ‘dads’ on set,” Adams said.

The student producer on set, Hansen, remembers the time when he thought he only had one dad in this world.

“We used to think that when we were kids that you only had one dad, and he was your dad,” Hansen said. “But as you grow up and you get on film sets you find out a very interesting fact about life, that ‘dad’ doesn’t just have to apply to your dad.”

“Being a dad is a style of life. It’s just about being a dependable, awesome person,” Hansen said. “I don’t think you can apply to be a dad. It just happens on our movie sets.”

Because the students have known each other for three to four years, they have become close on set and off. Not only does Adams want additional works to add to his resume, he also wants

film: see page 6

‘Journey Into Christmas’ event honors Nebraskan author Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation will hold open tour of author’s historical house with holiday decorations Kieran Kissler DN The Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation is offering an informational holiday-themed tour of a historical house.

The “Journey Into Christmas” event has opened up Aldrich’s former house in nearby Elmwood,

Neb., to people of all ages. Volunteers have decorated the house with the intention of informing the public of Aldrich’s significance and raising money necessary to fund the foundation. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 to 12. There is no fee for children younger than 5. The coming weekend will be the last available weekend for the event.

Aldrich was a local author who published nine novels and more than 160 short stories between the 1920s and 1940s. Many of her books are set in Southeastern Nebraska and involve fictional accounts of real events such as dust storms, the Great Depression and other natural disasters. Even though her characters were fictional, they involved descriptions of real people and

their everyday struggles. Because of her contribution to Nebraska’s history, she was inducted into the state’s Hall of Fame.

“Through all the hardships, her characters show the strength of character, love and positive attitude required to endure these hardships and make a life in our state’s early days,” said Teresa Lorensen, executive director of the Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation.

Rob Clements, board president of the foundation, agreed.

“Mrs. Aldrich was an influential Nebraskan and author,” he said. “She has many connections to the University of NebraskaLincoln and was very invested in education.”

The event will feature guided tours from the foundation’s staff

On our tour you can learn about an influential Nebraska author and times she lived in, along with seeing unique holiday decorations.” teresa lorensen

director of bess streeter aldrich foundation

who will inform guests of Aldrich’s legacy as they tour the historical house. Visitors also have the opportunity to give themselves selfguided tours. Along with other decorations, there will be adorned Christmas trees in every room. As an added bonus, there will be complimentary cookies and hot apple

cider at the end of the tour, as well as the opportunity to browse the gift shop. While the history of Aldrich is the main focus of the tour, there are other elements that the tour guides will focus on.

“Whether your interest is history, literature or architecture, there is something for everyone,”

Lorensen said. “Our tour guides are welcoming and knowledgeable.”

During this winter season, there are numerous holiday tours throughout the state. However, many focus solely on the interior decoration of the homes. The “Journey Into Christmas” event staff hopes to set the event apart from others by not only embracing the house’s historical context, but also its small-town feel.

“On our tour you can learn about an influential Nebraska author and times she lived in, along with seeing unique holiday decorations,” Lorensen said. “It is a warm, small town experience close to the city.” arts@ dailynebraskan.com

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dailynebraskan.com

thursday, december 12, 2013

Harry Potter holds UNL photo club to host sale, raffle special memory around holidays kieran kissler

“You’re a wizard, Harry.”

To many, that movie line represents the Harry Potter series, a well-known and very successful franchise. However, to me, it’s a symbol of my childhood and adolescence. Of late nights spent reading hundreds of pages by flashlight. And of movie parties and lasting friendships.

I read my first Harry Potter book when I was in second grade.

By the end of that year, I had read the first three books and was anticipating the moment that I could buy the fourth. Year after year, I would purchase, read and re-read every one of those books. It’s safe to say that Harry played a major role in my childhood.

Because the Holidays are just around the corner, I cannot help but think of Harry Potter more than anything else (sorry, baby Jesus). It’s not because the books and movies include the celebration of Christmas, which they do, but because of the nostalgia and happiness that I associate with the series. Most of my Christmas mornings while I was a child involved opening a package that included something from Harry Potter, whether it was a book, movie or even a wand that I used to pretend was real when I got into arguments with my siblings.

Including last year ’s break, my winters have been spent re-reading the books for the thousandth time and introducing the movies to anyone I can.

Now, before you label me as some awkward fangirl, let me clarify a few things. I have never been interested in fan-fiction, nor has Harry Potter ever sent me into obsessive-compulsive disorder. It simply holds a special place in my heart, similar to people who remember their first home run or their first favorite song.

I was not an exceptionally talented child. Athletics were a large part of my life, but I never excelled the way other kids did. Singing was out of the question for me; I still don’t know the difference between harmony and melody. For a while, I was the shy girl who had trouble making friends. But I could read well — and man, did I read. The first Harry Potter book was the first large chapter book that challenged me and kept me interested long enough to keep coming back for more.

As I got older, I discovered that many of my peers were also fans of the series. You can imagine how exciting it was for me to finally find friends who enjoyed the same things I did. There were many times we read the books together, whether it be in class or on the back of the bus on the way to our basketball competitions. Friday and Saturday nights were for the movies, when we could dis-

cuss how much the directors left out, where they succeeded and so on. Those friendships that initially formed over a mutual love for the Harry Potter series blossomed into bonds that lasted throughout high school and have followed me into college.

The initial appeal of the series was the magic; who doesn’t want to be a wizard or witch?

The Hogwarts castle was a fairy tale compared with the leaky and bland hallways of my schools.

Harry’s friendship with Ron and Hermione provided a source of comfort for me while I was having difficulty finding my own friends. Professors Snape and Dumbledore were symbols of the teachers in my life; those who were especially strict and those who invested in me enough for me to actually remember something they taught me.

I can’t forget to mention the intense battles with dragons and evil wizards that kept me up until the wee hours of the morning.

The sport of Quidditch was alluring enough that it has gained an actual following in the real world.

Author J.K. Rowling did more than write seven highly-successful novels; she created a magical world in which everyone can find a belonging.

The series-long feud between Harry and Voldemort is a portrayal of the classic theme of good versus evil. Even though Rowling decorated the novels with other stories and details that both humored and fascinated me, the theme of the good in Harry triumphing over the evil in both the world and Voldemort never escaped the pages. As nerdy as it sounds, these novels inspired me to continually seek the goodness that I saw in myself and others.

Perhaps the largest reason behind my infatuation with this series is its focus on the ideals of friendship and love. Anyone who has ever read one of the books or seen one of the movies understands this concept; the characters truly and deeply care about each other. In today’s world of social media and impersonal communication, it can be hard to remember how much we actually need each other. Even when a character dies in the series, his or her spirit is kept alive by the memories and love they showed to the other characters. As Professor Dumbledore said, “Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and above all, those who live without love.”

This winter break will be no different than years past. You can expect to find me racing my little brother to see who can read the books faster (he’ll probably win) or sitting among friends while we rewatch the movies and argue about which one is best for the hundredth time (for the record, it’s the fourth one). No matter how much I age, the Harry Potter series will hold a special place in my heart and continually remind me of a happy childhood.

Always. if you know of any harry potter support groups for kieran, email us at arts@ dailynebraskan.com.

Club members will submit works of art, photos to annual sale on Friday, Saturday in Richards Hall Grace Solem-Pfeifer dn

Grant McMullen tried drawing and painting, but struggled to convey his artistic visions. It wasn’t until he picked up a camera that he felt something click.

“The reason I chose photography is that I can get my point across,” said McMullen, a junior art major. “It took me a while to get to where I am right now, but I finally feel that I’m able to achieve what I’m trying to get across a lot more easily.”

McMullen is a member of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Fine Art Photo Club, a group that promotes the photography experience and exposure of its undergraduate members. Throughout the school year, the club puts on photography shows around Lincoln.

On Friday and Saturday, the group’s work will be on sale to public as part of its annual Fine Art Club Photo Sale and Raffle.

Photos submitted by club members will be on sale for $20 to $80 in Richards Hall, Room 121, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. A raffle will also be held for the chance to win signed book by photographer Keith Davis and other prints.

Drew Davis, the president of the club, tries to help students such as McMullen build professional experience working within field of photography.

“It’s a group for socializing and building portfolios,” said Davis, a senior art major with a photography emphasis. “It’s important to show our work as a group, to build resumes and get their foot in the door and get them information that they need in the real world.”

Davis will submit several pieces to be sold at the sale. His favorite subject matter to photograph is architectural landscapes, such as grain elevators and buildings on UNL’s campus.

“I like the idea of structure and these details that people overlook every single day,” Davis said. “They just walk past it, but it’s the framework of how life works. Every day people go-

It’s important to show our work as a group, to build resumes and get their foot in the door.”

drew davis

photo club president

ing in and out of these buildings without realizing their importance.”

While the nearly 20 members in the group share a passion for photography, their styles, goals and subject matters vary. McMullen favors photographic series that tell a narrative, and he said he appreciates the nuanced feedback provided by the Fine Art Photo Club.

“My photographs focus on telling stories,” McMullen said.

“It’s more about my ideas and my conflicts than being beautiful aesthetically. So I can tell the group my idea, and they can tell me what’s working. It’s a lot like asking a car mechanic what’s wrong with your car. You want to get that insight from someone in the field.”

The group meets once every two weeks for peer review sessions. In order to gather feedback

from the broader arts community, Fine Art Photo Club also hosts bimonthly shows. These events allow students to network within photography circles and build resumes.

Many upperclassmen in the club are also planning professional careers in the field of photography. McMullen hopes to continue to work with photography as an artist. While Davis expects to continue fine art photography as a hobby, he plans to work as a commercial photographer in the automotive industry.

For both students, photography presents a unique outlet as an art form.

“A painting or drawing is completely imagined by an artist, whereas with a photo there is always a little life and truth,” McMullen said. arts@ dailynebraskan.com

Movie adaptation falls short of book Poor pacing through ‘The Book Thief’ movie disappoints audience, while novel is innovative, exciting CAssie Kernick DN “First the colours, then the humans, that’s how I usually see things. Or at least, how I try.

Here is a small fact, you are going to die.”

This is the opening line of Markus Zusak’s novel, “The Book Thief.” The film adaptation chose to keep this line exactly the same, and with good reason.

Nothing hooks listeners more than poetic language letting them know that they are going to die. Humans love the beauty in tragedy, the nobility in death, and this is exactly the pathos the film strived to reproduce.

However, keeping the original opening line is one of the few decisions that the filmmakers actually got right. While I realize films and books are different mediums of art, either one should still be art, and art makes one feel something. The novel is hauntingly beautiful, told from the perspective of death, it is innovative and chilling and leaves readers staying up all night to find out what happens to the protagonist, Liesel.

In contrast, the movie seemed to drag. There were often moments where I wondered how

much longer it would continue.

Although making a film with a two hour and 11 minute run-time originally seemed justified to unfold the rich plot, the pacing of the movie was off from the beginning.

The film opens showing a train transporting Liesel and her brother to Germany to be with their new family, as their mother can no longer support them. Unfortunately, the brother dies within a minute of the start of the film, and the audience is rushed into viewing the funeral ceremony. This is where Liesel steals her first book, “The Gravedigger ’s Handbook.” This is an incredibly important scene in order to understand the beginning of Liesel’s thievery and more importantly to later understand her ever-developing personality.

However, this crucially important scene felt rushed and poorly set up. This made it difficult to watch other scenes that had significantly less importance but were allotted much more time for development. The poor pacing of the film made moments that in the book were heart-wrenching, barely notable as they got lost in the rest of the scenes.

This failed timing may also be the cause of Liesel’s poor character development. I am uncertain if the Liesel’s character development failed because of bad acting

by Canadian Sophie Nélisse, or if the poorly written screenplay is to blame. One thing is for sure, though: In the film, Liesel seemed excruciatingly static. A child who was abandoned by her mother, loses her brother and then faces struggle after struggle should be

constantly developing during the course of these events.

Yet unlike in the book where Liesel is vibrant and constantly adapting, in the movie, even as years pass, Liesel seems to remain exactly the same. This large failure is somewhat made up for by the impressive performances of Liesel’s step “poppa” and her best friend Rudy.

Poppa is played by Geoffrey Rush whose performance is nothing short of amazing. From the second he appears on screen, he steals a place in audience members’ hearts as the quirky old uncle they always wished they had.

Rudy also hooked the audience almost immediately with his lemon-colored hair and glistening smile. Any emotion I experienced during the film was brought out by these well-developed and relatable characters.

Although there were parts of the film that did stop me from checking my watch, there was one particular constant that was weaved throughout the film that nagged me like no other.

The language. The majority of the film was spoken in English; however, seemingly randomly, there would be times when the characters would speak mainly in German and subtitles would appear. While I imagine this was done for emphasis, the sporadic placement caused any deeper resonation of the words to be lost on a confused audience.

While the novel is innovative and cathartic, the movie lacked any form of luster to set it apart from any other middle grade movie produced in the last year. And while I tried my best

THE BOOK THIEF STARRING

Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson

DIRECTED BY

Brian Percival

to not constantly compare it to the novel, it became increasingly difficult. The novel has been a longtime favorite and to this day evokes emotion that causes me to reread it religiously. This makes it glaringly obvious that the movie failed as I walked away from the theater with no more of a feeling toward the film than “meh.” arts@ dailynebraskan.com

film: from 5 to be on set with Hansen and the other film team members.

“They’re my best buddies, so I want to be on set with them,” Adams said. “But I always try to make myself expendable to other people.

Here’s what I make of it, if you aren’t working on sets in college, you’re not getting the experience you need.”

With such a small population of students in the college, not only do the peers become friends, but each individual gradually becomes known and useful within the school for their expertise or experiences in past projects. Many students are acknowledged for having more than one special skill-set as well.

“The students develop a reputation for what skill-sets they have, but different people can wear different hats as they are needed.”

Endacott said. “The currency in the school is really what you can give to your fellow students.”

In 2013 school year and coming 2014 semester Hansen, Adams and different groups of junior and senior students in the film and new media program will be creating about five different films, each lasting about 12 minutes, according to Endacott.

Hansen will fulfill his capstone project as the producer for two of those films.

“I love it. I love film so much,” Hansen said. “Going to the movies and seeing stuff like ‘Nebraska,’ you get to see something and feel something that you can’t get anywhere else. I don’t really know how to really explain it other than, that I just love doing it.”

At the beginning of the year, Hansen and the directors compiled a binder full of the script, actors names, contracts and all the other necessary documents needed in a draft to produce a film. Then the team took it to Endacott and the other program teachers.

“As faculty, we can be compared to as ‘the studio,’ and the students are the directors pitching their ideas to us,” Endacott said.

“And about 90 percent of the time, the students meet our expectations that we set for them. But 10 percent of the time they don’t, and they cause headaches. But hopefully they learn something from it.”

To be in the film program a student must maintain 3.0 GPA. Even when the university’s GPA stan-

GIMME

FIVE

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Good things about life

The sound of a child laughing! It is a sweet treat that has been bestowed upon us all.

Hugging your mom! I love her, and she smells good.

Buffets!

spencer myrlie | dn

Film and new media majors set up a scene for their capstone project. They are still raising money for the film, and they will continue filming during the next few months.

And I really like the stories we’re doing this year and I want to share them with other people.”

Nathan hansen

senior film and new media major

dard changes, the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film is never asked to lower the GPA requirement.

“The university has never said ‘lower your standards,’ and that’s a remarkable thing,” Endacott said.

“From the dean of the university to the director of the school … they understand it.”

Although students can apply for grants and are able to fundraise to create their films, it doesn’t always happen that way. For Hansen, a lot

of the production of the film has already come out of his own pocket.

“I mean if we are going to do this project, we have to find funds in order to pay for the set,” Hansen said. “If it comes down to being horrible, I might have to make that call to Mom and Dad.” But the hard money and time that goes into creating the film is all worth it to Hansen, and not just because it’s for a capstone course.

“There’s no better feeling in the world than making something and

then sitting in a theater with a bunch of people who are watching your film,” Hansen said. “Then having people clap and enjoy it … it’s just so cool to express yourself through your story.”

“And I really like the stories we’re doing this year, and I want to share them with other people,” Hansen added. “That’s why I do it.”

Although Adams is a crew member in these projects because of his love for film and because he gets to hang out with his buddies, he also does it for the experience.

“The guy who hires you is going to be looking at your reel and his assistant is going to look at your resume,” Adams said. “I’m a firm believer in letting your work show itself. If your reel kicks ass, it’s going to be worth more than a fluffy resume.” arts@ dailynebraskan.com

Pain is temporary.

Hugging your dad! I love him, too.

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HUSKER NightLife

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Announcements 15Th Week Policy This refers to the last week of classes before finals week Check out the Faculty Senate website main page for the complete revised policy. asun.unl.edu (located in tab on top “Documents” or stop by the Student Government office at 136 Nebraska Union

$9.00/15 words $5/15 words (students) $1.00/line headline $0.15 each additional word Deadline: 4p.m., weekday prior

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9

thursday, december 12, 2013

A SEMESTER IN REVIEW

FALL 2013

Nebraska wins the season-opening Chip-N Club Invitational in Lincoln behind a one-two finish by sophomore Cassie Deeg and senior Steffi Neisen.

A 2-year-old recording of coach Bo Pelini’s expletive-ridden discussion of Nebraska fans surfaces, leading to speculation about the future of his job.

WOMEN’S GOLF SEPT. 10

FOOTBALL SEPT. 16

SOCCER AUG. 23

Making the first start of his career in place of Taylor Martinez, redshirt freshman quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. throws for 169 yards and runs for 38 yards in the Huskers’ 59-20 victory against South Dakota State.

FOOTBALL SEPT. 21

FOOTBALL SEPT. 14

Nebraska defeats Southeast Missouri State 4-0 in its season opener. Freshman forward Jaycie Johnson scores 2 goals in her debut.

VOLLEYBALL SEPT. 22

No. 23 NU loses for the second year in a row to No. 16 UCLA, which scored 38 unanswered points after trailing 21-3.

In its last non-conference match, No. 12 Nebraska loses in five sets at No. 6 Texas.

No. 22 Nebraska wins 2-1 at Wisconsin on a goal by junior midfielder Caroline Gray with 1 second remaining in the second overtime.

Behind a career-high 225 rushing yards from junior Ameer Abdullah, who would become a first-team All-Big Ten performer, Nebraska defeats Illinois 39-19.

SOCCER OCT. 18

FOOTBALL OCT. 5

MEN’S GOLF OCT. 26 NU shot a three-round total of 865 to finish sixth at the Give ‘Em Five Invitational in El Paso, Texas, bettering its previous season-best result by 22 shots. Sophomore Kolton Lapa and freshman Justin Jennings tied for 22nd for Nebraska.

SOCCER OCT. 27

VOLLEYBALL & SOCCER SEPT. 27-28 In one weekend, Nebraska’s No. 12 volleyball team and soccer team sweep games at Illinois and Northwestern.

SWIMMING & DIVING OCT. 12

VOLLEYBALL OCT. 4

In its season-opening dual, Nebraska ties with visiting Iowa State 150-150.

With No. 8 Minnesota visiting the No. 10 Huskers in Lincoln, Nebraska sweeps the Golden Gophers behind 21 kills from senior outside hitter Kelsey Robinson, who went on to become the Big Ten Player of the Year.

FOOTBALL NOV. 2

No. 21 NU defeats No. 16 Penn State in two overtimes on a Jaycie Johnson goal.

Senior quarterback Ron Kellogg III throws a 49-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to redshirt freshman wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp on the final play, leading Nebraska to a 27-24 win against Northwestern.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NOV. 8

Nebraska’s season ends in a 4-1 loss to Boston College in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

No. 9 Nebraska upsets No. 6 Ohio State in Lincoln behind scores of 589 in air rifle from senior Sunny Russell and freshman Rachel Martin.

SOCCER NOV. 22

RIFLE NOV. 23 FOOTBALL NOV. 23

The No. 17 Huskers defeat UCLA 77-49 in their first game in the Pinnacle Bank Arena.

With the help of a 99-yard kick return by junior Kenny Bell and a gamewinning 42-yard field goal by senior place kicker Pat Smith, Nebraska wins 23-20 in overtime at Penn State.

MEN’S BASKETBALL NOV. 8

Nebraska beats Florida Gulf Coast, which made the Sweet 16 in the 2013 NCAA Tournament, 79-55. Sophomore forward Shavon Shields scores 28 points for NU.

SOCCER NOV. 15

No. 10 NU beats Southeastern Louisiana 4-0 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, with all 4 goals coming from Jaycie Johnson, who became the first freshman to score 4 goals in a tournament game.

DEC. 7

NU moves onto the third round of the NCAA Championship as Kadie Rolfzen leads the No. 9 Huskers with 15 kills in a sweep of Oregon, who eliminated Nebraska in the 2012 tournament.

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By Wayne Gould

Yesterday’s Answer

Jaycie Johnson scores the lone goal in No. 18 Nebraska’s win against Iowa in the championship match of the Big Ten Tournament. The Huskers won the regular-season title and became tournament conference championships for the first time since 2000.

In a rematch against the Golden Gophers, the No. 11 Huskers win at No. 9 Minnesota in five sets behind a career-high 20 kills by freshman outside hitter Kadie Rolfzen, one of two freshmen on the All-Big Ten team.

The Huskers win in the Big Ten/ ACC Challenge for the second straight year, beating Miami 60-49 at home. Sophomore transfers Walter Pitchford and Terran Petteway combine for 27 points.

Five Huskers make the finals of the Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas, as No. 4 James Green collects a title for No. 10 Nebraska at 157 pounds.

VOLLEYBALL DEC. 7

SOCCER NOV. 10

MEN’S BASKETBALL DEC. 4

WRESTLING

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10

thursday, december 12, 2013 dailynebraskan.com @dnsports

male athlete of the semester

sports coach of the semester

file photo by jake crandall | dn

Soccer coach John Walker led Nebraska to its first conference title since 2002 and improved his record to 282-124-25 in 20 seasons.

file photo by morgan spiehs | dn

Junior running back Ameer Abdullah was the first Nebraska player to eclipse 1,500 rushing yards in a season since Ahman Green in 1997. Abdullah is ninth on Nebraska’s all-time rushing list with 2,855 career yards.

Abdullah carries load for offense Chris Heady DN Ask senior Quincy Enunwa, or even coach Bo Pelini.

They’ll tell you. They’ll shake their heads while they say it, too. It’s not even a question in their minds anymore.

Without junior running back Ameer Abdullah, there’s no way Nebraska would have eight wins this season.

“No doubt,” Enunwa said Wednesday.

“I’m so glad we had Ameer.”

Abdullah carried a heavy offensive load this season, rushing for 1,568 total yards, and became the fifth Husker in program history to rush for more than 1,500 yards in a single season. He notched 10 100-yard rushing games, including eight straight, and in games he didn’t eclipse the 100 mark, he averaged 91 yards. The junior led the Big Ten in rushing this season and is the Daily Nebraskan Male Athlete of the Semester.

Enunwa called Abdullah the saving grace of the offense this season. In a year riddled with injuries, spoiling what was touted to be one of the great Husker offenses of the Pelini era, Abdullah became the heart and soul of the run-heavy Husker offense. And with 2,855 career rushing yards, Abdullah now sits at ninth in school history in rushing yards with full intentions on returning for his senior season.

“Ameer is always going to be productive,” Pelini said early in the season.

After senior quarterback Taylor Martinez went down in the UCLA loss on Sept.

14, Abdullah proceeded to run for a total

Pelini has been high on Abdullah all of 364 yards in the next two games, leading the Huskers to victories against South season. He called Abdullah an All-AmerDakota State and Illinois and setting the ican in his book, and offensive coordinator Tim Beck said Abdullah was “just standard of what would be coming of him this season. “I’m not comparing him to in the zone” most of the season. But the praise and accolades, such as the All-Big Barry Sanders, but the way he can put his Ten team which he was selected to, mean foot in the ground, and he’s going fornothing to Abdullah. ward, and next thing you know he’s going Earlier this season when Pelini called east-west and creating space,” Pelini said. him an All-American, he shrugged it off.

Abdullah was key in two of Nebras“That’s great,” Abdullah said of Pelika’s wildest finishes of the season, the first being a game-winning touchdown ni’s comments. “That’s cool. I just try to win the next game. I’m not against Michigan on the really about being an Allroad. Late in the fourth quarter in Ann Arbor, He’s Ameer. American.”

Abdullah’s next chalMich., Abdullah dove into There’s not lenge will be the Gator the end zone from 5 yards Bowl against Georgia, who out to put the Huskers up too many running ranked fourth in the SEC 17-13 with two minutes rein run defense this season. maining. The win against backs like him.”

But Enunwa doesn’t think Michigan gave Nebraska Abdullah will have any the second place in the Big trouble. He’s certain he’ll Ten Legends Division. quincy enunwa senior wide receiver be productive.

Abdullah also had a “He’s Ameer,” Enunhand in Nebraska’s miracuwa said. “There’s not too lous Hail Mary win against many running backs like him. He proNorthwestern. Abdullah caught a checkdown pass from senior quarterback Ron duces against any defense. Michigan State couldn’t stop him, and they were supKellogg III on a fourth-and-15 call with posed to be the top defense in the nation.” fewer than 30 seconds remaining and With Abdullah in the Gator Bowl, powered his way past two Northwestern Nebraska should have a shot at a ninth defenders to keep the drive alive. win for the fifth straight year. And that’s “That play Ameer made on fourth something Pelini and Enunwa point at down was special,” Pelini said after the Abdullah to thank for. game. “That’s just a guy willing it to get “I know one thing. I wouldn’t trade to that first down marker. That shows the type of competitor he is, and that’s him for anybody,” Pelini said. “I wouldn’t the type of football player he is. I want trade him for anyone in the country.” sports@ to make sure that doesn’t get lost because dailynebraskan.com that throw doesn’t ever happen without that. It was a phenomenal effort.”

Soccer coach turns losing team into Big Ten champion Josh Kelly DN After going 7-12-1 in the 2012 season, the Nebraska soccer team went 19-4-1 in 2013 and in the process won a regular-season Big Ten title and a Big Ten Tournament title. The Huskers were rewarded with a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

It’s difficult to turn a below-.500 team into a champion, and that is why Nebraska soccer coach John Walker is the Daily Nebraskan’s choice for Coach of the Semester.

With the relentless work that was put into this year’s team, Walker is thrilled with the results and with how each player put in her dues to reach a common goal: a Big Ten Championship.

“I am extremely happy for the team for their tangible accomplishments – the two Big Ten titles, fourth best RPI in the country, fifth highest number of wins in the country and doing all of this in a major conference with a very hard schedule,” Walker said.

With the passion that was shown

by Walker day in and day out, it was effortless for the players to return to favor. Freshman forward Jaycie Johnson, the team’s leading scorer, said Walker was crucial in helping her develop as a player.

“He helped me out so much in my freshman season,” Johnson said. “My whole game wasn’t there yet, and I’m so thankful for his patience with me and the work that he has put in to help me in working on my skills.”

Johnson wasn’t the only one of Walker’s players to receive recognition, though.

Senior defender Ari Romero was named a second-team NSCAA AllAmerican, Walker’s 18th player to earn the honor. Also getting noticed for their accomplishments, along with Johnson,

were senior midfielder Jordan Jackson and senior goalkeeper Emma Stevens, who were named to the All-Region team with Romero.

Nebraska had its season end in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Boston College, losing 4-1 to the ACC opponent. Boston College went on to the quarterfinals, losing to national runner-up Florida State.

With the offseason upon them, the Huskers will be spending their time working on every phase of the game.

With all the players on the team ready to raise their game to the next level, Walker is ready to take the challenge to keep his team a big name in college soccer.

“We are a player-developmentdriven program, and we will continue to emphasize this in the months ahead,” Walker said. “There will be a large emphasis of instruction directed towards mastering of functional techniques: ball striking, volleying, finishing, heading, crossing, etc. Finally we will spend a significant component on group and team defending and transitional play.”

Walker knows if the team works hard enough, it can reach new heights. If his players put in 100 percent each day, like they did this season, then he knows he will have more great seasons to come.

“I am proud of how they conducted themselves on a daily basis: how hard they trained, how competitive they were, how tough they were, their intelligent play, their excellent sportsmanship, their willingness to work at establishing and maintain excellent group dynamics,” Walker said. “All of these things that they did on a daily basis require real sacrifice, real commitment and unselfishness.

“By doing these things, they put themselves in the position to achieve their amazing tangible accomplishments.” sports@ dailynebraskan.com

female athlete of the semester

Freshman leads transformed squad in scoring Josh Kelly DN It’s rare that a freshman in her first collegiate season makes contributions as tremendous as those of Nebraska freshman forward Jaycie Johnson.

Johnson was the leading scorer for the Nebraska soccer team, which had one of its most successful seasons. The Huskers won the Big Ten regular-season title and tournament along with earning an NCAA Tournament berth, and that is why Johnson is the Daily Nebraskan’s Female Athlete of the Semester.

It didn’t take long for Johnson to gain some recognition on the team, scoring the first two of her 17 goals in the first matchup of the season against Southeast Missouri State.

From then on, she has been receiving praise from her teammates and coach John Walker.

“Jaycie had a terrific freshman season,” Walker said. “She really improved as the season progressed and was playing her best soccer down the stretch in the latter part of the season. Overall, she was crucial to the team’s success.”

Johnson knew she was going to score a few goals in her first season, but it wasn’t until a crucial point late in the season when she found that things were clicking for her.

“Probably right after Penn State I hit my stride,” Johnson said. “I was more comfortable at the college level, and I think the girls were more comfortable in trusting me with the ball.”

During conference action, Ne-

She scored some big goals in big games.

She is an inclusive striker. She does more than score goals.” john walker soccer coach

braska hosted Penn State to determine which team would take the top spot in the conference. After a late goal from the Nittany Lions, the two teams went to overtime.

Late in overtime, Husker senior goalkeeper Emma Stevens passed the ball to Johnson, and Johnson drove the ball coast to coast to send a screamer in for the game-winning goal against the No. 16 Nittany Lions. The success didn’t stop there, though. Walker said Johnson was notorious for scoring late goals for the team.

“She scored some big goals in big games,” Walker said. “She is an inclusive striker. She does more than score goals, and she is unselfish in the way that she goes about playing the game.”

Reflecting on the many highlights of the season, one moment stuck out to Johnson the most.

“Our Indiana game when we won the Big Ten Title was my favorite moment of the season,” Johnson said. “No one thought that we would get there, and to do it on senior day was great for the senior girls on the team.”

As for personal accomplishments, her best game came in the

first round of the NCAA Tournament. Johnson scored 4 goals against Southeastern Louisiana in the first round of the tournament, tying the NCAA record for most goals in a tournament game. It was the first time it was done by a freshman.

Boston College ended Nebraska’s season in the next round, and with a taste of NCAA Tournament competition, Johnson is hungry to return to the big stage with bigger expectations this time.

“I want to get back to the NCAA Tournament,” Johnson said. “And this time, get to the Final Four.”

Because Johnson has three seasons left with the program, Walker knows exactly what to do to make her even better player – something he cannot wait to start on.

“She really improved her fitness as the season progressed, and I think she understands now the advantages of having prolonged running power,” Walker said. “She increased her on-field communication throughout the season as her confidence grew, and I am sure that this will continue also. It will be exciting to watch her develop.” sports@ dailynebraskan.com

file photo by jake crandall | dn

Freshman forward Jaycie Johnson scored 17 goals, including 7 game-winners, for NU, and she was one of three unanimous selections to the Big Ten All-Freshman team.