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THE NU RECRUITS

FRANCO: UNL WILL STAND BY HOUSING Vice chancellor for Student Affairs responds to RA’s testimony about being asked to lie by Housing, DN editorial Page 3

• Nebraska picks up defense-heavy lineup of 17 players from across the nation PAGE 10 • Profiles of Cotton, Rose, Westerkamp PAGE 10 thursday, february 2, 2012

volume 111, issue 093

DAILY NEBRASKAN dailynebraskan.com

Bedbug-sniffing dog to visit all dorm rooms, Franco says Frannie Sprouls Daily NEbraskan

News outlets gathered around nine University Housing administrators Wednesday morning, waiting for answers about the bedbug situation on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus.

Sue Gildersleeve, University Housing director, sat in the middle of the long table.

“We believe that we have done everything we could possibly do,” Gildersleeve said.

Gildersleeve returned to Lincoln late last night from an undisclosed conference and left many of the answers to her colleagues.

The purpose of the meeting was to update the media about the bedbug situation on campus, said Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Juan Franco.

“Our goal is to inspect every room in all the residence halls on the campus,” Franco said. “We know this is a big enterprise … so how long will it take us to do that? It depends on our resources.”

Glen Schumann, associate director of facilities, estimated the time at a month to a month and a half.

The bedbug-sniffing dog, Spots, is the only dog qualified in the state of Nebraska, and Housing is looking at out-of-state agencies to

bring in a couple more to search all rooms, Franco said.

Cassie Olson, a senior communication studies major, said Housing has done a really good job informing students.

“Housing doesn’t want this to be an issue,” Olson said. “They’re doing their best to resolve this stressful situation.”

But bringing the dog around to check out the rooms isn’t 100 percent effective. Schumann stated the dog is 95 percent effective and Spots has been able to identify rooms with bedbugs.

There is another issue

with dogs: allergies.

Elizabeth Johnson, a senior Spanish and Russian major, said she’s extremely allergic to dogs and found it annoying when the dog came around her floor in Selleck Quadrangle.

Johnson lives in the Selleck 5100-6100 block of rooms and Spots came to sniff her resident assistant’s room.

She said she heard the dog did not positively identify bedbugs at first.

“They knew the RA had bites,” Johnson said. “They had to cut into the futon before they found the bugs.”

While Housing addressed how it was going to treat

Representin’ Story by emily nitcher | art by ian tredway

UNL students take advantage of opportunities to serve as campus ambassadors for variety of companies

When companies hire students to market their products on campus, it seems to be the textbook example of a successful merger of corporate America and academia.

Companies reach a large audience for relatively cheap, and students make money while expanding their resumes.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has several of these so called “brand ambassadors.” Students are hired, often as interns, to canvas the campus, spreading awareness for big name brands.

“Companies like MTV, Sun Drop and Verizon Wireless, among others, recognize the power of word of mouth,” said Laura Bundrick, vice president of University Relations for South Carolinabased Campus Entertainment. “Students get their information from peers, and by utilizing college students companies see a return on their investment.”

Campus Entertainment acts as a liaison between students and companies on more than 900 college campuses around the country.

They pay students, on average, $125 a week, although it depends on what product they’re representing.

Lauren Andrews, a sophomore advertising and public relations major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, made $1,000 during her sixweek internship with Sun Drop.

Andrews worked with Lauren Goodell, a sophomore marketing major, to distribute 15 cases of Sun Drop a week at various events. According to Goodell, they did events outside of the Nebraska Union and sponsored various greek events to distribute the soda each week.

But Andrews’ and Goodell’s experience is also an example of the possible problems in the seemingly perfect merger between

Xu page 4

companies and universities.

Sun Drop is a Dr. Pepper/ Snapple product, and UNL is a Pepsi-sponsored campus.

According to Kelly Bartling, news director for University Communications, handing out Sun Drop would be in violation of the university’s “pouring rights” agreement with Pepsi.

Andrews and Goodell were surprised to learn they had violated the agreement because they found the internship on Husker Hire Link.

“I was never asked to stop by university officials,” Goodell said. “A few actually took Sun Drop and thanked me for it. I was not aware of the university policy until recently, after our campaign was over.”

The line between what’s acceptable on campus and what’s not isn’t always clear.

“We don’t endorse or assist vendors in soliciting on

campus,” Bartling said. “To raise awareness is one thing, to sell a product is another.

A gray area would be using a brand ambassador to raise awareness.”

And it is the gray area companies depend upon.

Erin Carey said she was hired by Verizon Wireless to “create awareness” for the

company, and the senior advertising and public relations major enjoyed “bringing the brand to life.” Carey said she believes having brand ambassadors around campus can be a good thing.

“I think having brand ambassadors can be a positive experience if they don’t heckle students,” Carey said.

“We weren’t trying to sell phones. I think it can be a good thing until it’s taken to a level of trying to sell things, then it becomes something bad.”

Perhaps the greatest

Performing Arts page 5

example of students bringing a brand to life is the TOMS representatives at UNL. Toms currently has 16 students working to spread its message, and all of them receive no compensation of any kind.

Instead, they said their reward comes from knowing they’re helping others.

“I’m really passionate about what they do and how they help people for all the right reasons,” said Chelsea Stromer, a sophomore journalism major.

TOMS is a shoe company that gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold.

The group at UNL brings the most attention to TOMS when they participate in a “One Day Without Shoes” campaign every April.

“Obviously TOMS makes a profit, but you have to remember it’s for a good cause,” said Laura Yeramysheva, a junior psychology major. She started working for TOMS after she saw several students walking barefoot around campus during last year’s campaign.

Students who wish to work for TOMS have to apply through the company’s website, but Yeramysheva said the company just wants to make sure the people representing them are passionate about the message and mission of TOMS. Bartling said the use of brand ambassadors is nothing new she remembers first seeing them around campus five or six years ago, although she acknowledges it could have been going on longer.

According to Bartling, the university is taking a “wait and see basis” approach to monitoring these brand ambassadors. For now, companies and students will continue to enjoy the mutually beneficial relationship.

EmilyNitcher@ DailyNebraskan.com

bedbugs, administrators didn’t fully answer other questions.

When the story of Amanda Wekesser, a Selleck resident assistant, was brought to the table, Gildersleeve labeled the issue a sensitive topic.

“It’s pretty clear that what was shown in the emails was not the whole story,” she said. “It doesn’t give the full context.”

The issue was directed to Keith Zaborowski, Residence Life associate director, on whether Wekesser was informed not to say anything to her residents.

“Whether it’s an RA or a student, our protocol with

bedbugs: see page 2

ASUN passes bill to allow vote on grad student fee elias youngquist daily nebraskan

Graduate students will vote Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 on the increase of graduate student fees by $1 per credit hour to create a graduate-student travel fund. The Association of Students of the University of Nebraska approved this, and five other bills at its meeting Wednesday.

The majority of the evening’s discussion focused on Bill #20 and a potential amendment that would change the student fee associated with it from a per-credit-hour basis to a flat fee of $6.

“Of course, ASUN could pass the bill as is and show that ASUN respects the graduate student task force,” said Christopher Gibilisco, a philosophy graduate student and an outside speaker in objection of the amendment.

“There’s always another way to lobby the way funds are levied, but don’t do it on this bill.”

LJ McElravy, a human sciences graduate student and senator, argued that since the grants were available to any student regardless of how many graduate credits they were taking, the fee should be the same across the board.

“We have some that take 15 and there’s some that take one,” McElravy said.

“There is this giant disparity between what people are paying and what people are getting.”

Despite McElravy’s protests, the amendment did not pass and shortly later Bill #20 passed.

Absent from the meeting’s agenda was anything relating to the bedbug issue on campus, something executives felt was unnecessary after the steps taken by the university earlier in the day.

women’s basketball page 10

Another side to the story

Maintaining the beat

First place on the line

columnist begins series on u.s.Chinese relations

REcording Artist Stays Afloat in Competitive Industry

Women prepare for Big Ten Showdown against purdue

@dailyneb | facebook.com/dailynebraskan

them has always been it’s your choice what you chose to disclose,” Zaborowski said. “I can tell you I have never instructed anybody to say anything different.”

Corrine Gernhart, resident director of Selleck, was not present at the briefing to answer any questions.

Zaborowski, who said he meets with all the residence directors once a week, said there has not been a meeting recently to discuss protocol.

When the topic of Housing reporting “one single dead bedbug” was brought

ASUN approved six of seven bills this week. For full voting results visit www.dailynebraskan.com.

“We’re not taking an official stance after today’s press conference and the steps the university is taking, even if they are a little retroactive,” said Lane Carr, ASUN president and a senior history and English major.

Carr also mentioned, aside from the meeting, that ASUN is currently revising the student rights and responsibilities and taking a special look at the rights of student university employees.

During the meeting, ASUN also passed a bill to re-open conversations between the Nebraska Athletics Department and student groups about making sporting events more sustainable in the future.

“We just want to get the ball rolling again, renew communication lines about the issue,” said Matan Gill, a senator and junior construction management major.

The final four bills of the evening were three bills acting in the support of legislation running through the state capitol and one bill in opposition of a piece of legislation that could allow concealed weapons on campus.

“It’s smart of us to oppose this,” said Emily Schlichting, a senior communication studies and political science major and the ASUN speaker

ASUN: see page 2

Weather | sunny

56°35°

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thursday, february 2, 2012

Daily Nebraskan

Legislature, Omaha City Council clash over LGBT bill dan holtmeyer daily nebraskan

It’s perfectly legal for a Nebraskan to be fired or evicted because she or he is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. A battle between Omaha’s City Council and the State Legislature in Lincoln appears to be brewing to change that.

Councilman Ben Gray of Omaha recently announced plans to make the LGBT community a “protected class” — like race, sex, political affiliation, disability or religion, which legally can’t be the basis of employment or housing discrimination. A concrete proposal to that effect could come by the end of this month.

“I’ve seen enough smoke to know there’s a fire,” Gray told the Omaha World-Herald last week, adding that he knows gay and transgender people who’d left the city “because they saw it as an unfriendly place towards them.” Repeated calls to Gray’s office this week for comment weren’t returned.

But earlier this month, State Sen. Beau McCoy, also from Omaha, introduced LB 912, a bill that would put a stop to Gray’s plan by granting the authority to make that change to the state government alone.

McCoy has said the purpose of the bill is twofold: to make non-discrimination laws consistent across the state, which helps businesses, and to give anti-discrimination efforts more

teeth by putting the strength of the legislature behind them.

“Discrimination doesn’t have a border between towns and communities,” McCoy said in an email. “Nebraskans who live in Gering, Kearney or a farm outside Wahoo deserve the same protections as those who live in larger cities.”

Opponents of the bill, however, say if the ball can’t get rolling in one city, this legal change might not happen at all. Some accuse McCoy of intentionally acting against Gray’s proposal, though the connection remains unclear.

“I actually think that’s why he introduced it,” said Pat Tetreault, director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s LGBTQA Resource Center (the name includes “questioning” and “ally” in the acronym), speaking for herself and not UNL. “If you really want to end discrimination across the state of Nebraska, then pass a law the ends discrimination.”

Few areas of Nebraska have added LGBT protection on their own, and opponents to the extension often cite freedom of religion in their firings of those they consider abnormal or sinful. The city of Lincoln includes sexual orientation as a protected class in its contract with city employees, but Omaha and Grand Island don’t. All four University of Nebraska campuses, Nebraska Wesleyan University and Southeast Community College

include the provision, but Peru, Wayne and Chadron State Colleges do not.

McCoy’s bill wouldn’t affect those that include sexual orientation in dealings with employees, such as UNL or Lincoln, because the university and city act as businesses in that context, not local governments.

Otherwise, a town or county ordinance would be nullified if it stretched beyond the state’s list of protected classes.

Several UNL students were in favor of making workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal in Omaha and across the state — none of six interviews disagreed with that point. Most were surprised to learn that it wasn’t illegal in the first place.

“That actually bothers me a lot,” said Sylas Bailey, a sophomore Spanish and international studies major from O’Neill, a town in northern Nebraska.

“Saying, ‘No, we have to do it all at once’ is a step backward, because it makes it less likely.”

Bailey and others were unsure if enough momentum for a change would build on its own.

“It’s easier to change something one city at a time, as opposed to statewide,” said Jasmyn McAlister, a sophomore psychology and Spanish major who didn’t know beforehand that people could be fired because of their sexual orientation.

She called Gray’s idea a

“necessary change.” One thing that wasn’t necessary, she said, was McCoy’s bill.

“I don’t think it should be necessary to be statewide, because you can do it statewide regardless,” McAlister said.

This isn’t the first time Gray has tried to add the LGBT community to Omaha’s nondiscrimination statutes. Another proposal in late 2010 was rejected by the Omaha City Council in a split 3-3 vote with one abstention. Before that, Omaha’s State Sen. Ernie Chambers had proposed a similar change in 2007.

Through the years, those measures’ opponents have questioned the need for a new protected class. There’s no way of knowing how big of a problem housing or employment discrimination based on sexual orientation is, because the state doesn’t have a legal reason to track complaints. But in a strongly conservative state, Tetreault said, it’s probably happening. She called the bill’s potential impact “chilling.”

“The message you’re sending is, ‘It’s OK to discriminate against people,’” she said. “It really puts the minority at the mercy of the majority.”

Whether the state could agree as a whole to extend protection to gay people is unclear. In 2000, for example, 70 percent of voters voted in favor of amending the state constitution to prohibit state recognition of same-sex couples.

State earns ‘F’ in smoking prevention conor dunn daily nebraskan

that a 10 percent increase in taxes on cigarette packs is the magic number. He said as long as the tax remains at that percent increase, there will be reduction in smokers and, at the same time, an increase of state revenue.

The bill did not pass.

Wadum said there wasn’t enough support from the Revenue Committee to advance it to the floor. “In the hearing last year, s o m e

Nebraska can’t seem to get a break.

On top of being the second highest state on the national binge drinking list this year, Nebraska fell on the bad end of the American Lung Association’s 10th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report.

Ranked in four separate categories that have been proven to save lives and cut health care costs, Nebraska received “F’s” in tobacco prevention, cigarette tax and cessation. The only “A” that Nebraska received was in smoke-free air.

“We grade based on criteria that is set by our national office,” said Mike Wadum, the advocacy director for the American Lung Association in Nebraska.

Historically, many states don’t fair well in the report due to their laws and funding for tobacco control and prevention, ian Wadum said. tred wa The Centers for Disy|d aily ease Control and Prevenneb ras tion recommend each state c o m kan spend more than $21 million mittee mema year on tobacco preven- bers expressed fear that tion and control. Nebraska the bill would be targeting spends about $4 million. lower-income populations Wadum said the ALA’s cur- because that population rent goal is to get state legis- tends to smoke more.” lation to raise the tax on cigWadium said the senators arette and tobacco products. and governor currently have Last year, State Sen. Mike bigger priorities.

Gloor of Grand Island intro“That’s understandable duced LB 436 to Nebraska’s with Nebraska’s current Committee on Revenue. The budget shortfall,” Wadum bill would’ve raised the cur- said. “But we believe that if rent cigarette tax of 64 cents tobacco control was funded to $1.99 per pack. at a higher level, then there Gloor said, during the would be less of a budget public hearing for LB 436, burden on Medicaid because

most smokers also tend to be living off of Medicaid.”

According to Wadum, the ALA’s target is 11- to 13-yearolds. He said 90 percent of regular smokers started when they were in the middle-school age group. “It’s surprising to many people that the addiction starts at such an early age, but that’s the key age group we’re working with,” he said.

Across the country, teenage smoking rates are higher than adult rates. On ALA’s State of Tobacco Control website, the high school smoking rate is listed at 18.5 percent while the adult smoking rate is at 17.2 percent.

Wadum said there is still a big problem with young people getting their hands on cigarette and tobacco products. The products used to be available in public vending machines until the state passed legislation to eliminate those vending machines. “Buying and shoplifting tobacco is still a growing problem,” Wadum said.

He said the ALA has looked into price-sensitive studies that report the higher the price, the less inclined young people are to take up the habit.

But students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln disagree.

Mikala Mace, a freshman psychology major, is a smoker.

“I can tell you right now that I will still buy them even if they raise the taxes,” she said.

Mace said she believes that if someone wants to slowly kill themselves by smoking, it’s their decision, and the

HEALTH

government shouldn’t punish them by making them have to pay more.

Alex Libby, a freshman pre-criminology and criminal justice major, said the government shouldn’t be able to tax something more just because they think it’s wrong.

“What if they wanted to stop people from drinking soda to help stop America’s obesity problem, so they started taxing that like crazy?” he said.

On the other hand, some UNL students agreed with raising the tax.

“Smoking is absolutely disgusting,” said Kaitlin Kruse, a freshman psychology major. She said even though she believes raising the tax on cigarettes won’t do anything, it’ll help tell people that it’s wrong and they’ll lose even more money over something that’s killing them.

Brianna Dziuk, a freshman athletic training major, said she can see both the pros and cons of raising the tax on cigarettes. She said if groups like the ALA want to raise the taxes on unhealthy things, then fast-food and alcohol products should also be raised.

Wadum said there is still hope for the failed LB 436 in the next session, and as long as there is still hope, the ALA will continue to push for higher taxes on cigarette and tobacco products.

“Tobacco isn’t good for anybody,” Wadum said.

“And it all borders on where someone’s rights stand and where they begin.” conordunn@ dailynebraskan.com

courtesy photo

But since that year, six states and Washington, D.C., have extended marriage rights to gay couples. The policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which banned openly gay men and women from the military, was repealed more than a year ago.

College freshmen largely support gay marriage, according to a recent poll by the University of California, Los Angeles. Another last year by the Human Rights Campaign, the largest gay rights organization in the country, found almost threefourths of Nebraskans in favor of extending employment protection to the LGBT community.

“I think that a lot has happened in 12 years,” said Richard Claussen, a junior business major. If the state brought employment and housing discrimination up to a vote, he said, “If it didn’t go through, it’d definitely be a lot closer than 70-30.”

Tetreault was not as sure, however.

“People need to think about what the actual consequences of the law will be,” she said.

“For change to happen, people to have to speak up and take a stand for the right thing, and the fair thing.” danholtmeyer@ dailynebraskan.com

asun: from 1 of the house. “I just don’t think guns have a place in a place of learning.”

Bill #17 in opposition to the legislation passed.

One of the bills that passed in favor of legislation, Bill #19, spoke in favor of cutting bio-medical research to smaller state universities for the sake of budget. Eric Kamler, a junior agriculture economics major and the Government Liason Committee chair, explained that, since 1998, a settlement from a tobacco lawsuit has been

funding bio-medical research. However, spending from that fund has been higher than the money going in from the settlement.

“That may sound selfish, but there just isn’t going to be enough money to go around,” Kamler said.

The legislation, if passed by the unicameral, would return the funds to only the original flagship universities: Creighton, UNL and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. eliasyoungquist @dailynebraskan.com

bedbugs: from 1 up, Gildersleeve said the misinformation didn’t matter.

“We treated that room just as if it had been an extreme situation,” Gildersleeve said. “I’m a little confused as to why that is a big issue.”

In her answer, Gildersleeve stated that only one dead bedbug was found in Wekesser’s room.

“That’s not being transparent,” Wekesser said, hearing the quote Wednesday afternoon. “Dead bugs can’t bite, but live ones can still get transported.”

On Tuesday night, Wekesser attended a Selleck staff meeting, which Zaborowski, Gildersleeve, Gernhart and Rob Andrews, assistant director of Residence Life, attended.

Wekesser sat between Gildersleeve, Zaborowski and Gernhart and recorded the meeting without their knowledge.

None of the administrators attempted to speak with her and have not spoken with Wekesser since Tuesday’s article.

Wekesser said

administrators were present at the meeting to be more transparent and provide updates on campus.

Andrews addressed the issue of miscommunication between the different levels.

“There’s a lot of people sharing information,” Andrews said. “We’ve had an error already in the last couple of weeks where something was just reported wrong. So I can’t guarantee that all the information is 100 percent accurate.”

The error was not mentioned during the meeting.

After hearing about what was said at the media briefing earlier Wednesday morning, Wekesser said students should pull together to search their rooms and belongings and report it immediately if they find bedbugs.

“The entire university should be pulling together right now to get rid of this problem,” Wekesser said.

“I think that’s a step in the right direction.”

Franniesprouls@ dailynebraskan.com

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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.

The Daily Nebraskan is published by the UNL

Publications Board, 20 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St., Lincoln, NE 685880448. The board holds public meetings monthly.

Subscriptions are $95 for one year. job applications The Daily Nebraskan accepts job applications year-round for paid

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thursday, february 2, 2012

Daily Nebraskan

campus briefs UNL participates in ‘Border Challenge’ blood drive Big Ten universities, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, are rallying together to collaborate with the Red Cross to increase blood donations in winter, when colds and flus keep donors from giving blood.

Six Big Ten universities are participating in the “Border Challenge” blood drive, which takes place at UNL from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3. UNL is partnering with its local Red Cross to set up blood drives from the start of January to the end of February.

Potential blood donors need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification. To see the scheduled date, times and locations, visit http://go.unl.edu/aoz.

Deadline to apply for alternative spring break trips is Feb. 10 During spring break, students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln can make a difference for children in the Midwest.

Students have until Feb. 10 to apply to volunteer for one of UNL’s spring break alternative service break trips.

Students, faculty and staff can volunteer at a Head Start program in Kansas City, Mo., help restore a camp for children with HIV and AIDS in Minneapolis or provide elementary academic support in Pine Ridge, S.D. There will be several information sessions for students interested in applying. The first session is Jan. 31 at 4:30 p.m. in the Nebraska Union. For more information or to apply, visit the UNL Center for Civic Engagement in the union.

Eating program teaches healthy food substitution The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Campus Recreation will teach students, faculty and staff and the general public about living healthy by making food substitutions.

The rec center will offer a two-part program to teach those in attendance to make substitutions in the grocery store or in restaurants to increase the nutrition in the food they eat.

The “Eat This, Not That” program begins Jan. 31 with a supermarket survival guide and continues Feb. 7 with restaurant dining. Participants are not required to attend both sessions.

Sessions cost $10 for UNL students and CREC members and $20 for the general public. To register, visit http://go.unl.edu/eat_this_not_that.

—Compiled by Kim Buckley kimbuckley@dailynebraskan.com

3

Study: How you see others reflects self maren westra daily nebraskan

Anyone who had an imaginary friend as a kid knows what it’s like to invent personalities for people who don’t exist. Usually, this activity is outgrown, but University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers Peter Harms and Fred Luthans have brought it back to a number of adults. A recent study coauthored by the two shows that the way people imagine others reflects their own personalities.

To test this theory, the two applied a concept known as “psychological capital,” a theory developed by Luthans 10 years ago and used in a number of UNL studies, to the participants.

The theory of psychological capital targets personality characteristics or concepts that make individuals more prone to positive growth and direction, especially in the workplace.

The measurement of psychological capital consists of four components: hope, efficacy, resiliency and optimism, otherwise known as “HERO.” According to Luthans, these concepts were decided upon as important

first involvement on a project using the concept.

Luthans also said that having the HERO concepts contributes to a strong and desirable work ethic.

“It’s about the hero in us,” he said.

To test each individual’s measure of these concepts, Harms and Luthans presented each participant with hypothetical situations and asked them to report on how a co-worker would react to e a c h one.

Luthans estimated that bet w e e n t h r e e and four hundred people were involved, reporte d l y from a range of career fields. whereas T h e other charr e acteristics searchare fully ers had d e v e l t h e m oped by imagadultine how hood, a coL u worker thans lauren vuchetich | daily nebraskan w o u l d said. r e s p o n d to three Psychological capital has been successfully used in stimuli: a new job, a supermilitary, industry and edu- visor wanting to speak with cation, according to Harms, him or her and making a although he said this is his mistake at work. characteristics to have because they contribute to theory and research and are open to development. They are separate from a person’s personality in that they can continue to be developed as an individual matures,

RESEARCH

“By imagining others they revealed who they are,” Luthans said.

According to Luthans, these tests were a simpler form of projective personality tests, a tool used in psychology for years in which a participant sees a picture and tells a story about it.

Harms said this was an effective way of measuring the way respondents view others. He said that if asked outright, many people who view others negatively have the tendency to respond positively as a means of maintaining relationships with others. Using the hypothetical situations takes away this bias, he said, because it targets people’s unconscious perceptions of others.

The situations revealed the basic level of positivity of each respondent and were about “taking positive psychology to the workplace and realizing what’s positive with people, not what’s negative,” Luthans said.

The study will be published in an upcoming edition of the Journal of Organizational Behavior.

“I think (this study) could be very useful for developing self-awareness,” Harms said.

Luthans agreed. “It’s really having an impact.” marenwestra@ dailynebraskan.com

Dawes wins Barnes & Noble Award Weston poor daily nebraskan

One University of NebraskaLincoln professor was recently recognized for his lifetime of work with writers in the community.

Kwame Dawes, University of Nebraska Chancellor’s Professor of English and Glenna Luschei Editor of Prairie Schooner, the universities quarterly publication, was announced the recipient of the 2011 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award. The award will be presented to Dawes at the Poets & Writers’ awards ceremony in March, according to the press release. The award honors Dawes’ work helping writers in the community.

“You just do it, because it’s what you do,” Dawes said.

Dawes said it’s a gratifying award. It’s an award for what he said he’s been doing for as long as he has been seriously writing.

“There’s a community of writers, and I’m a part of that

community,” Dawes said. “And as much as I benefit from that community, I wanted to help it too. To get an award for that is bonus. It’s nice.”

The importance of the award isn’t lost with Dawes. He said his father was also a writer.

Dawes said he gained inspiration from watching his father help other writers, as well as from his mother, who was a social worker.

Dawes said he hasn’t given much thought to what he will say at the awards ceremony, but writing, encouraging writers and making the door open for other writers is something he said he could talk about all day.

The Writers for Writers award demonstrates how much is known for his pedagogical work, wrote Susan Belasco, English department chair, in an email.

“All of us are thrilled that Professor Dawes won the prestigious Barnes & Noble Award, which honors him for his outstanding work with other writers,” Belasco wrote. “We are

extremely pleased to have Professor Dawes on our faculty, he brings additional luster to our creative writing faculty, all of whom are accomplished, wellpublished writers.”

She added that Dawes’ work as editor of Prairie Schooner is off to a good start, and they are all impressed with his plans and ambitions for the journal.

His co-workers at the Prairie Schooner also had much to say about Dawes and winning the award.

“Every day I enjoy my work as managing editor,” wrote Marianne Kunkel, an English graduate student and managing editor of the Prairie Schooner, in an email. “I admire and greatly respect Kwame Dawes’s positive influence on the journal, UNL’s English department, the university, the city of Lincoln and — now that he’s received this extremely prestigious award-his impact on writers and the writing community worldwide.”

Dawes was praised by coworkers from the Prairie Schooner and the department alike

for his initial ideas when he arrived at UNL last fall. He has implemented the new “Air Schooner” biweekly podcast, as well as launching a new website for the Prairie Schooner last month. According to Dawes the podcast focuses on literature, writing and telling stories. Next week’s podcast will be dedicated to the Irish celebration the Prairie Schooner is hosting campus wide to celebrate its newly released issue.

The award being presented to Dawes is for what he has done for the writing community. But for him, it’s second nature.

“My theory is that if I’ve benefited from the kindness of people, then it’s my responsibility to continue that,” Dawes said. “And that’s what I’ve told writers that I’ve worked with and believe I’ve helped. And they ask what can I do to repay you, and I say, ‘Do it for somebody else.’” westonpoor@ dailynebraskan.com

courtesy photo

letter to the editor

Franco: University will stand by Housing The following letter was submitted by Juan Franco, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, in response to a Jan. 31 article and editorial. The article contained an RA’s testimony saying she was asked to lie about a bedbug infestation. The editorial called for the director of University Housing, Sue Gildersleeve, to step down.

I am writing to communicate to students about UNL’s response to the bedbug situation in some of the campus residence halls.

First of all, we are concerned about the inconvenience and disruption that this is causing some of our students. We are also concerned about getting this problem resolved as quickly as possible. To that end, we have brought in outside resources, including exterminators, equipment and a bedbug dog; purchased new equipment, and are aggressively addressing any and all concerns related to the bedbug situation.

We will continue to address the problem, and at the same time work to minimize the disruption to our students.

The Housing task force assigned to address the problem is working with students who have concerns and responding quickly — often within 10 minutes

of a reported concern — and appropriately, without drawing public attention to individuals, but rather to the problem and its solutions.

As you probably know, we did find additional bugs Monday night and an additional two on Tuesday.

The bedbug detection dog, Spots, found six rooms and three lobby areas that tested positive in Selleck, and those areas are being treated. So far we have had 25 rooms that have tested positive and have been treated.

Some common areas have also tested positive and have been treated (check the Housing website for the latest update).

The process we have used in detecting the bugs is as follows: We have, as I mentioned earlier, hired a dog, Spots, and his owner to go through the rooms (there is a video of Spots on the Housing website in case you are

interested).

When the dog detects bugs we then either treat the item or the entire room as appropriate.

In some cases, it has been necessary to treat a backpack; in other cases, an entire room.

The treatment of choice is heat — 130 degrees for about four hours. There are a limited number of heaters in the area.

We are working to bring in more–including buying our own equipment to have immediately available.

Here’s the plan going forward: We will continue using dogs — and are making plans to fly more in if necessary — although we think we have identified an additional trained dog in Omaha. Spots will return to our campus this Friday, and beginning Feb. 6, he will be here every day for at least the next month.

We will continue using heat treatments of affected areas, and

we are also investing in our own machines. We have purchased eight heat duffel bags as well as equipment for CO2 freezing treatment.

In short, we are doing everything we can. We will continue this process in a manner that causes the least disturbance to students as possible until the situation is resolved.

We are also looking for students to be our “eyes and ears.”

We need our students to be partners in this by reporting any suspicions of bedbugs immediately to their housing unit front desk.

No reports of bedbugs in the resident halls came to the attention of anyone in Housing until after our winter break, and the response was immediate. In all cases, the well-being of students comes first.

This is a fast-changing situation, over an extended time and University Housing Director

Sue Gildersleeve has provided sound leadership throughout this incident. I am well aware of the communications about the bedbug situation, and can confirm that she and her staff members have gone out of their way to be transparent and open with information on the situation, including sending letters to parents and posting daily updates on the Housing website, while protecting the privacy of our students. We are also making posters to go in our housing units with information on where to find daily updates: on the Web, on the Housing Facebook page and in Tweets from University Housing.

Two open sessions for students have been arranged. These are opportunities for students to talk directly with Ms. Gildersleeve and Housing staff members about the situation, what is being done about it and any stu-

dent concerns. Those sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 9 p.m. in the Selleck Dining Room and Thursday, Feb. 9 in Mari’s Lounge in the Abel-Sandoz complex.

We are asking students to act as partners in the solution — by reporting any concerns about bedbugs immediately to the front desk of their housing unit, by being informed and watchful so that no new problems are brought into the housing units and by cooperating fully with the protocols to eradicate the pests.

As always, I invite students to contact me with further concerns, and I pledge to continue to work with Ms. Gildersleeve and Housing staff members to solve this as soon as possible.

Juan N. Franco

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Opinion DAILY NEBRASKAN

dailynebraskan.com

page 1

thursday, february 2, 2012

DAILY NEBRASKAN editorial board members IAN SACKS editor-in-chief CHANCE SOLEM-PFEIFER arts & entertainment editor opinion editor HAILEY KONNATH RHIANNON ROOT ZACH SMITH

news assignment editor

assistant opinion editor

our view

ASUN avoids chance to talk about Housing Housing, bedbugs, media coverage — these topics have dominated the University of NebraskaLincoln campus for the past two days.

Tonight, the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska met for its weekly meeting.

Its topics: a conceal-and-carry bill pertaining to UNL faculty and staff, university diversity plans, stainability within the Athletic Department, healthbased research, the renovation of Lincoln’s Centennial Mall, cutting bio-medical research funds from other universities and leaving travel grants to vote by graduate students.

What it didn’t discuss: how to represent the opinions of students on campus regarding the Housing controversy.

ASUN had issues on its plate tonight, and the Daily Nebraskan understands that. Several bills, including those research-related and the impact of conceal-and-carry laws on campus, are important and benefit from a unified student voice agreeing or opposing. Some of them, however, including the renovation of the Centennial Mall, probably could have waited.

The DN isn’t asking for a bill or statement. But some discussion should have been expected.

It seems a missed opportunity to capitalize on student opinion — something student governments fall prey to all too often.

So the DN repeats a criticism it issued regarding UNL’s student government last semester when it failed to join Nebraska Wesleyan University in taking a stance regarding the Keystone XL pipeline: A student government should be flexible. It should be attune at all times to the issues and debates arising among its student constituents.

ASUN does its job; it focuses on student fees and policies, and has performed productively and admirably this academic year. And addressing the need to evaluate the rights of student university employees is commendable too.

We simply wish to see a student government that could be a little more proactive and involved.

opinion@dailynebraskan.com

editorial policy The editorial above contains the opinion of the spring 2012 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.

neil orians | daily nebraskan

Solutions in Sino-U.S. relations

O

ne name is so familiar to us that we run into it a couple times a day. It could be in the headlines, it could be in a finance class when a professor talks about the U.S. sovereign debt issue and it could also be complaints from friends about how “In China, Human Costs Are Built Into an iPad.” Some of you might say, “Wait a minute, what just happened? Where did China get the money to buy so much U.S. debt? What made China a threat to the United States? Will China be another Soviet Union? Or a bigger sized Japan? Where did all these Chinese students come from?”

Sometimes, I wonder about all these questions myself. As a Chinese student studying in the United States, on one hand I remember how different my life was from Americans in movies 10 or 15 years ago. On the other hand, I now feel my living standards are similar to my American friends.

For the past two and half years, I’ve tried very hard to understand America. Now, I think I also need to spend some time to reflect on my own Chinese experience. To China, I am an outside insider. It helps me think.

Often, I feel stressed as a Chinese person in the United States. I can hear and feel criticisms about China.

The Chinese are polluting the earth, stealing intellectual property, taking jobs away, manipulating their currency and gaming international trade.

It seems like a social norm now that if something doesn’t turn out right in America, even the U.S.’s budget deficit problem, China is always the

Jiajun xu one to blame.

I think I understand it. It’s always easier to blame others when one gets into trouble. Twenty years ago, Japan was the target. Before then, there was the Soviet Union.

However, besides those disagreements on national issues, I also feel that I’m not so different from my American peers. We all want to have good paying jobs upon graduating from college. Sometimes, we all wonder if a college degree is really worth the time, effort and money. We all understand if we want to have a better future we have to work harder ourselves, instead of blaming others.

We know the world is not perfect, but we also share the passion of making the world a better place.

We aren’t as different as we were 20 years ago. As Thomas Friedman says, the world is getting flatter, and without realizing it, Americans and Chinese people are getting closer together.

It’s not like 60 years ago. China isn’t the Soviet Union. History proves the “Cold War” strategy didn’t serve the world well, and it definitely won’t be a good solution if we decide to try it again. The challenges that the Sino-U.S. relationship is facing today deserve solutions, not additional misunderstandings. What I firmly believe

is that the United States and China should be friends instead of opponents, partners rather than competitors. We should work together to build each other up, rather than tear each other down. We can all be better off if we cooperate.

It’s always easy to talk this way, but not so easy to act. When the unemployment rate is high, when it’s difficult to make ends meet, when the competition is beyond severe, there’s no doubt that people will get negative. I think that’s where I feel the pressure of being Chinese in America.

I’m not here to complain about the current situation. I’m here to offer my solutions. I’m going to write columns on China. I hope they’ll help people understand China from a Chinese perspective.

As Americans, you have a right to learn about China from a different view.

I agree with President Abraham Lincoln that government is “of the people, for the people and by the people.”

I think the best way to find solutions to challenges that the United States and China face today is to help people from each side understand each other. In this series, I will start with the story of the Chinese people, following with the Chinese economy and ending with why I don’t think China will be a threat to the world.

Please look for my next article about the Chinese people or “Zhong Guo Ren.” It will be mainly based on my reflections and personal understandings about the Chinese, historically, culturally and politically.

Jiajun (Abe) Xu is a junior finance and economics major. Reach him at jiajunxu@dailynebraskan.com.

Gingrich’s ‘Manifest Destiny’ needs revisions

T

his week has been interesting for outer space.

For something so vast and mysterious, space stays pretty quiet in mainstream news. During his campaign in Florida this past week, however, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, turned our eyes back to the stars.

In a likely unintentional homage to President John F. Kennedy, Gingrich vowed that, as president, he would put a U.S. colony on the moon in nine years. Take that, 1969.

Gingrich’s “Manifest Destiny: Lunar Edition” has been met with mixed reviews. Opponent Mitt Romney mocked the plan. True to form, Ron Paul deflected the question and managed to not really respond at all. And now, experts seem divided on the issue, half saying it is not plausible and the other half saying we have reached the age of “Space Odyssey.”

Of course, everyone can agree that a lunar neighborhood would be crazy expensive —to the tune

of hundreds of billions of dollars.

And you thought campus housing was bad.

However, Gingrich offered a potential way to pay for this plan as well: use 10 percent of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration budget for prizebased competitions. The lunar base —and Gingrich’s simultaneous space plan to finally venture to Mars —would be “90 percent private sector.”

Under this plan, NASA would offer prize money to the first person or corporation that successfully completed the project.

The work would be privately funded and executed. Collecting the prize money would presumably allow NASA access to the winning team’s plans and technology.

It should be noted that a similar idea has also been presented

by President Barack Obama.

There’s a history to this idea.

The New York Times article “For Moon Colony, Technology is the Easy Part,” reports that a prizedbased incentive program paid Charles Lindbergh $25,000 for

kaley cook flying across the Atlantic Ocean.

Recently, a program paid out $10 million for a commercial spacecraft.

Critics say these types of programs spend money this economy doesn’t have. Others say we’re further crippling ourselves by not putting more effort into science. Incentive programs complete projects at a fraction of the cost, but are we willing to spend even that?

There’s a moral side to the issue, too. Is this where innovation is headed? To financial-based programs, which give advantages to large corporations and wealthy individuals seeking glory? Are we able to give up the idea of ingenuity for the sake of ingenuity

and replace it with a race for cash?

Of course we are. This is a capitalist society.

If corporations are willing to shell out money and complete projects in exchange for recognition, that sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

Not to mention, there are a number of issues we are facing that could be solved, or partially solved, by new technology at a lower cost. The most topical of these are green energy and alternate fuel. An incentive program to find new ways to run electricity might yield results that are beneficial and closer to home.

Space, while mysterious and romantic, is still pretty far away.

And, let’s face it, after addressing the cost, the real question about Gingrich’s plan becomes: Why? Other than living out the plot of “Avatar,” there doesn’t seem to be much practical use in living on another planet. The moon doesn’t offer a wealth of resources. While I’m impressed Gingrich offered a plan to deflect the costs of his program, he

hasn’t supported the lunar base with a reason yet, beyond it being America’s “destiny,” which was just a really great choice of words. No one could say that pursing our interpretation of destiny has ever harmed us in the past.

The proposal took another turn when Gingrich explained that the colony would eventually be able to apply for statehood, giving the term “non-continental US” a whole new meaning. Gingrich believes if populated by 13,000 people, the moon could become the 51st state. For some reason, I think Guam might have something to say about that.

So, Gingrich’s plan could use a little revising. It might be best to ask him more about it after he leaves the space-loving state of Florida. However, his revival of the incentive plan should be taken more seriously, if for no other reason than it gives the one percent something to do with their piles of money.

kaley cook is a sophomore international studies major. reach her at kaleycook@ dailynebraskan.com.

performingarts DAILY NEBRASKAN

thursday, february 2, 2012

dailynebraskan.com

pagE 5

the

beat goes

on

STORY BY KATIE NELSON PHOTOS BY MATT MASIN

Music producer stays devoted to his craft despite tough business

B

rett Holihan, owner of Startracker Studios, plucked the strings of an upright bass as he spoke.

“I’m no genius, but I’m able to make a living out of writing music and doing arrangements,” he said.

He may not consider himself a genius, but his wispy, unkempt hair is reminiscent to that of Einstein, and with the current state of the economy, it has to take some brains —or at least a little luck—to keep a music studio afloat.

Startracker studios, located in Holihan’s basement in Lincoln, Neb., is a mixture of professional recording equipment, instruments and stacks of music. Walls are lined with bookshelves, pictures

and check stubs from Virgin Records and Disney (something Holihan displays because he has found they are the best way to show customers his credentials).

“People would just be blown away if they knew what was going on in that studio,” said Dick Kinney, a recording engineer intern at Startracker Records. “He’s just a perfectionist. He will sit for hours and fix something that you couldn’t notice.”

A life outside of music was never really an option for Holihan. With a grandmother who was a piano professor for the Conservatory of Music at Madison by the age of 16 and a father who was a member of Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye, he has been immersed in music for as long as he can

holihan: see page 6

Lincoln musician brings humble talent to open mic kelsey haugen daily nebraskan

bethany schmidt | daily nebraskan

Nicole Lape, a freshman classics and religious studies major at the University of NebraskaLincoln, poses with her guitar.

Student musician ranks 63rd in national contest

After Guitar Center’s competiton, Nicole Lape keeps recording

adrienne Anderson daily nebraskan

Every day thousands of people post videos of themselves on YouTube singing original music, covering artists they’ve grown up with and vying for attention from the rest of the online viewers in the hopes they will become “the next big thing.”

For Nicole Lape, a

freshman classics and religious studies major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the idea to post her videos on YouTube came as a reaction to a recent singer-songwriter contest that she entered in the fall of 2011. Hosted by Guitar Center, the contest gave musicians the opportunity to submit one of their songs online and ultimately win the opportunity to record a three-song EP with producer John Shanks.

The idea to hold the contest on the internet was, as Lincoln Guitar Center store manager Jacob Van Noy said, was a great success.

“A lot of people don’t like getting judged,” he said.

“It’s nerve wracking. This way, you can write a song and submit it online.”

For Lape, the contest was a personal success: She placed 63rd out of almost 20,000 applicants.

The idea for the contest, according to Van Noy, came from the participants, who had entered some Guitar Center’s prior promotional contests.

“What we’ve found is that males would be the only people who would go for it,” he said. “But there are a lot of singer-songwriters who are women. We know that a lot of women are

Contest: see page 7

There’s a certain appeal to a humble artist more interested in promoting others than himself.

This is the case for both Mark Lowe and the talents he looks for when booking featured musicians at Lincoln’s Crescent Moon Coffee.

“I’ve dealt with a lot of egos in my life and I refuse to have one,” Lowe said.

As a lifelong blues-folk kyle bruggeman | daily nebraskan singer/songwriter, Lowe has run into too many art- Mark Lowe poses for a photo in Crescent Moon Coffee, ists who let their talent and where he runs a weekly music show. success get to their heads.

“It’s a great opportunity “A good song comes from He runs Thursday night open mic night at Cres- for people to share their finding a way out of a music and it’s a social tough situation.” cent Moon Lowe finds that most event too,” and prefers of Tom Waits’ songs are he said.

I write more in a featuring soR u n n i n g written in this vein, so he ciable perstyle that people the open regularly includes a couple formers with can commiserate mic and Tom Waits songs in his set great attibooking at lists. with.

A good tudes. Being In his early professional Crescent able to consong comes from career, Lowe lived in New Moon has verse with finding a way been an en- York, where he played at both aspiring joyable ex- coffee shops and other loout of a tough and profesperience for cal venues. sional musisituation.

“I don’t think I was that Lowe, since cians is one good then, but I needhe has alof Lowe’s ed that to get better,” he ways been favorite asmark lowe p a s s i o n a t e said. “Now it’s easy for me pects of the blues-folk singer/songwriter to get up and play. It’s a about munight. sic. Growing good time.”

“I love to Lowe has also played at encourage people to play,” up, he was impacted by several other venues from his brother, who became he said. “The best way to get better is to play in front a musician early on. Some Los Angeles to France and of Lowe’s professional in- everywhere in between. of people.”

“I can’t imagine not havLowe remains open fluences include singerabout the styles and genres songwriters such as James ing some connection with music, whether it’s local, he chooses to feature on Taylor and Tom Waits.

“I write more in a style Thursday nights, so all lowe: types of musicians feel that people can commiserate with,” Lowe said. welcome.

see page 7

upcoming events “Mamma Mia!”

when: Thursday and Friday, 7:30 p.m. where: Lied Center for Performing Arts how much:$49-$60 (public), $24.50-$30

(students)

Dead Prez Thursday, 8 p.m. where: Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St. how much: $20 at the door when:

Cass McCombs Thursday, 9 p.m. where: Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St., Omaha how much: $10 when:

6

thursday, february 2, 2012

Daily Nebraskan

Rodeo offers Overall,‘Silence’ warrants listen theatrics, little piece of home B jack sampson daily nebraskan

A FINER ART

Katie Nelson I feel inclined to complain about today’s weather, simply because it is cooler than the weather we experienced earlier in the week, which I know is absolutely silly.

Students were able to leave behind their heavy coats to bask bare-armed in the sunshine. I don’t really know why, but warm weather makes me want to go home.

For those of you who don’t know, I’m from Kearney, Neb. And for those of you who don’t know where Kearney is, I don’t blame you: normally I try to forget. However, when the day is as beautiful as it was on Monday, there are only a few things that can make it a little better: a six pack of Molson Canadian, a pickup bed filled with your closest friends and stars.

Residents of Kearney know how to have a good time. So why would their theater be any different?

There are community theaters; there are high school theaters. Hell, some Nebraskan towns even have professional groups. But today we’re going to diverge from my usual bate of “theater is culturally enriching” and “attend First Friday” and delve into the biggest, baddest and best performance space in all the Wild West.

You walk into a place where the floor has been covered with dirt. The line at the concession stand is a mile long and people are only lining up for alcohol which, I can assure you, the venue will run out of by the end of the evening. And as you enter the arena itself, you are greeted by the loudest, most egregious blast of country music you can imagine. An enormous American flag is staring you down from across the room. The smell of livestock is overwhelming. And, for me, the best and worst parts of home

are mixed together.

You’re at a rodeo.

I’m sure you’re wondering how I’m going to play this ridiculous scenario off as art or at the very least, theater.

Judging by the look he shot me earlier, my editor is wondering the exact same thing.

Although rodeos are considered sport, they are first and foremost entertaining.

The overture of country music ends as the opening lines of the announcer’s deep voice draws the crowd from their personal conversations into this evening’s performance. The actors (cowboys) line up as they are introduced and immediately afterward all join in the opening number: “The StarSpangled Banner.”

We all know how the rest of the night goes: the audience watches in anticipation as each plot is played out before them. The rising action, climax and falling action are repeated several times, as each cowboy mounts a bull and tries to hold on for eight seconds. Apparently it’s harder than it looks. Comic relief is added as rodeo clowns tell jokes and distract raging bulls. And, of course, there is always a standing ovation.

Well, at the very least there is applause. Usually people are standing because they are trying to leave, but that’s entirely beside the point.

It’s no Lied Center.

It’s a cowboy’s theater.

And as unconventional as it may seem, there are lights and there is music. There are actors and there is a plot.

But the script is written each night and sometimes these shows have more injuries than rehearsals for “Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark.”

But it’s home or at the very least, a version of it. Believe it or not, it can also be culturally enriching. After all, what’s theater if there isn’t a little blood?

Katie nelson is a sophomore broadcast journalism major. Reach her at katienelson@ dailynebraskan.com.

K’naan is possibly the most unique rapper in the game right now.

The self-proclaimed “Dusty Foot Philosopher” is a Somali artist who grew up in poverty, surrounded by ruthless violence. At 13 years old, he and his family fled from the turmoil and bloodshed of the Somali Civil War and eventually made a home in Toronto.

Inspired by his Somali roots, K’naan brings a refreshing new perspective to the genre of hip-hop.

His recently released five-song EP, “More Beautiful Than Silence,” is a sharp transition from his previous two albums, which featured beats influenced by Somali, Ethiopian, reggae and folk music. Unlike his previous works, “More Beautiful Than Silence” delves into the world of pop music with a more electronic feel.

The EP opens with “Is Anybody Out There,” featuring Nelly Furtado. It’s a fastpaced song about loneliness and struggle, but is arguably the most pop-influenced track in K’naan’s short career. Yet he manages to make it work with the same sharp storytelling and sense of narrative that propelled his career to where

MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN SILENCE EP

K’naan

Grade

it is today.

The EP continues with “Nothing to Lose” featuring hip-hop legend, Nas. This song showcases two of the most lyrically-inclined rappers in hip hop as they reminisce over their troubled childhoods. Regrettably the compelling content and expressive delivery of each emcee is overshadowed by a painfully generic chorus that fails to effectively transition from verse to verse.

K’naan slows down the tempo on eponymouslynamed “More Beautiful Than Silence” with a soft, melodic chorus that plays out like a lullaby. “Better” follows the title track with an uplifting beat that samples a melody from Coldplay’s “Lost.” Unfortunately the autotune-abused chorus undermines the powerful messages of selfgrowth.

“Coming to America” rounds out the EP by exploring K’naan’s path from Somalia to the states. With help from Ladysmith Black Mambazo, K’naan infuses

courtesy photo

traditional African music with poetic rhyme schemes in this well-rounded final track.

All in all, “More Beautiful

Than Silence” is worth a listen, despite a few mishaps.

to come to him. Instead of writing out every note, Holihan gathers as much information as possible about a company —which usually includes travelling to the company itself —or choir before he writes.

“Now, it’s like I give up that control and I let the piece play in my head,” he said.

Holihan has written hundreds of pieces of music, and he can crank out a jingle quickly, but he takes time on his compositions.

After all, compositions are music, while jingles are created to sell. But as he looks around, Holihan has begun to discover the selling trend becoming prevalent, even necessary, in today’s music community.

“I call it the “Wal-Mart effect,’” he said. “If they can synthesize it and make a million off of it, then the people who are making chairs by hand (and) tables by hand are in trouble.”

Since his touring days, he has watched music evolve into something that is mostly created electronically and has become a business that anyone can step into. Record companies are no longer paying for small no-name acts to tour and gigs are less common. In the eyes of cynics, the music industry dies a little every time acts like Katy Perry and Ke$ha rise to fame.

But Holihan is not one of the cynics. He sees small shows at local bars as a success. He agrees that it is harder to make it as a musician in such a competitive industry, but doesn’t think it is impossible. There will be people who will follow the popular music trend,

You can program the heck out of any synthesizer in the world and it’s not going to do the same thing that you feel when you connect with the artist.

Jacksampson@ dailynebraskan.com

holihan: from 5 remember. Holihan was invited to play with the high school band when he was in seventh grade and completed his undergraduate degree in music at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Holihan worked on his Master’s at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln but never submitted his thesis.

Instead, he opened Startracker Studios when the printing company he’d been working at went under, and has been working there ever since. Aside from the temporary job in the printing industry, Holihan has never had to work odd jobs to support his musical lifestyle.

In fact, Holihan put himself through college playing in multiple bands, one of which opened for The Monkees’ reunion tour in Madison, Wis. He recalls a time when fans spent their weekends

following the band instead of going to the cinema, when gas was 24 cents a gallon and a $500 gig would help pay the bills.

But the price of gas rose, Hollywood started to turn out movies on a regular basis and suddenly simply playing music for others’ enjoyment wasn’t enough to pay rent.

“I remember complaining on Wednesday nights when traveling off to get a gig... like ‘Oh God, another gig,’” he said. “Now it’s like, eat my words, ‘Oh God, I wish there was a gig.’”

While part of a band called Jettin’ James, the group was offered a national tour with Speed Weapon and Cheap Trick, But Holihan didn’t go. He decided to stay behind and finish his degree.

“I was kind of the apple of the group,” he said. “I didn’t want to trust my fate to such instability.”

He doesn’t regret it and in fact, he continues to be in bands today. He currently plays lead trumpet and bass in a group called Imprint.

Holihan attributes his lasting success to mixing his passion for music with the education and business industries. Studios that only record bands don’t last, he said. Holihan writes jingles for local companies and pieces for college choirs as well as recording local bands. Holihan also teaches a series of classes at Southeast Community College.

Over the years, Holihan says his composition style has changed drastically.

He used to force the music to come from him but now, he allows the music

brett holihan

owner of startracker studios

he said, but there will be others who don’t.

“You really have to think for yourself,” he said. “You really just can’t be led like a sheep any longer.”

As for the musicians, nothing can replace the sound of a real instrument.

In a current project, he was faced with an artist asking him to program drums into the album, but Holihan refused.

“You got to know where to stand your ground,” Holihan said. “You can program the heck out of any synthesizer in the world and it’s not going to do the same thing that you feel when you connect with the artist.”

He is going to keep creating —even if he loses his hearing. Holihan explained that, as long as the “ear inside of his head” continued to work, he would continue to hear music.

“The true jazzers stayed in jazz; the true rock and rollers still stayed in rock and roll and the classic musicians kept on learning Bach, Beethoven (and) Brahms,” Holihan said.

“The real music is coming back, but I don’t think it ever left.” katienelson@ dailynebraskan.com

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thursday, february 2, 2012

Contest: from 5 playing music and writing music.”

The contest certainly caught Lape’s eye and now, almost four months after the contest began, she is continuing to pursue her music despite not winning.

7

lowe: from 5

“I’m still writing music and promoting my music page, recording my songs in my spare time up in my dorm,” she said. “I’m trying to put together an album right now.”

Lape, who started her

music career in the 5th grade after being offered a part in her school’s musical, has grown up grounded in music.

“I taught myself how to play the guitar and the piano,” she said. “My vocal

skills were from choir and church and I began to develop my own style when I was leading worship. Music is just how I express any feelings that I have.

You can just listen to my songs and you’ll know exactly what was going on.”

Despite her passion and talent, there is something holding Lape back from recording her music.

“Right now I can’t use my own name to promote any of my music because I’m a (UNL) student athlete,” Lape, a student bowler, said. “It goes against NCAA policy.”

Essentially Lape will have to wait to be able

to tack her name on to her music and her promotional pages. But upon graduating, she’ll be able to move forward, using her name to promote her music and her image.

Yet music isn’t the only thing Lape is hoping to do after she graduates. She also hopes to move to Chicago and start graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in theology. In fact, it is likely that Lape will try and find a way to combine her degree and her music.

“My music isn’t just a gift,” she said. “It’s my way of worship.” adrienneanderson@ dailynebraskan.com

national, whatever,” Lowe said.

Even though he has a strong attachment to music, Lowe generally doesn’t produce albums, since he finds the recording process–especially recording vocals and guitar tracks separately–to be a bit of an alien experience.

“I find it very difficult to record two different parts at once,” he said. “I do it, I’ve done it, but I don’t like to do it.”

Lowe’s preferred venue will always be the coffee shop, the setting he feels suits his style the best.

Although he loves performing at Crescent Moon, he refuses to fill a spot on open mic night because he doesn’t want to deny anyone a chance to play.

This is especiallly since the Thursday performance slots have been expanded to accommodate the increasing amount of musicians requesting to play.

The opportunity to play in front of a crowd is a crucial one in Lowe’s mind and he witnesses the results from week to week.

“I get to see a lot of new people and I see people get better,” Lowe said.

Melinda Martinson, owner of Crescent Moon, is grateful that Lowe has undertaken the operation of running the open mic and booking in recent years, as well as offering his professional advice.

“Before him, I appreciated what musicians did, but I didn’t understand how technically difficult it was,” Martinson said.

She also appreciates the originality he brings to any song he performs.

“I’ll hear a song he plays by someone else and it sounds completely different,” Martinson said. “He puts his own personality in his music.” kelseyhaugen@ dailynebraskan.com

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thursday, february 2, 2012

Daily Nebraskan

Tough stretch ahead for NU Dan Hoppen Daily Nebraskan

A month ago, when Nebraska was routinely facing two ranked opponents each week, a break like the one the Huskers just experienced would have seemed enjoyable.

But now it’s here, and coach Doc Sadler just wants to get back on the court. The team has some momentum coming off a win in Iowa on Jan. 26 but hasn’t played since then. When the Huskers take on Northwestern tonight, it will be their second game in 12 days.

“I hate it. You can’t get in a rhythm,” Sadler said. “Right now at this time of year, you’d like to be in a rhythm.

Practice is no fun for anybody. You’re trying to keep guys fresh, but at the same time you’re trying to get guys to execute much better.

It’s an evil necessity.”

Brandon Ubel has a bit of a different view. When he looks at the schedule, he sees a brutal stretch approaching —starting tonight, the Huskers will play four games in ten days.

Any break offered up this week is welcomed.

“I think it was good to get a couple days of rest there,” Ubel said. “We had a really long stretch of games in a short period of time. We’re able to get our legs under us and forget about the win (against Iowa) and not get too overconfident.”

The Huskers had Friday and Sunday off, a chance to gear up for a stretch that will likely define NU’s season. After Northwestern, the Huskers face Minnesota at home Sunday, Michigan at home next Wednesday and

play at Penn State three days later.

In other words, the team will have much better idea of its postseason positioning ten days from now.

It all starts tonight with the Wildcats, who’ve been up and down this season.

They scored an upset over Michigan State two weeks ago, but have dropped three straight since, including 20plus point losses at Wisconsin and Minnesota.

With two players in contention for all-conference teams in John Shurna and Drew Crawford, both averaging more than 17 points per game, Northwestern appears to be better than its record on paper. On closer examination, it’s the close contests that have hurt them.

The Wildcats are 1-3 in conference play in conference games decided by seven points or less.

“They’ve got some talented players and they’ve been playing well,” Ubel said. “They’re a little similar to us in that they haven’t been able to close out some games down the stretch.”

The Wildcats’ attack centers around the duo of Shurna and Crawford, who have combined to score more than 52 percent of Northwestern’s points this season. Shurna has been the Wildcats’ star for the past three seasons, and while his shooting numbers have dipped slightly in his senior year, he still shoots better than 42 percent from 3-point range and 45.1 percent overall.

“I think he scores a lot in transition so we’re going to have to make sure we pick him up,” Sadler said. “You’re not going to be able to just run back and lose him.”

file photo by patrick breen | daily nebraskan

After having a week off since their last game, Nebraska prepares for four games in 10 days.

Crawford has been a surprise, jumping from 12.1 points on 42.3 percent shooting last year to 17.2 points and 50.4 percent shooting this season. He’s scored 20 or more points in three of Northwestern’s last five games.

It’s well documented that Northwestern and Nebraska are two of the three Division I schools still searching for their first win in the NCAA tournament, and this game could go a long way in determining whether

either school will even get a chance to beat the streak this year.

If the Huskers win, it will likely be because they managed the long break well, getting some much-needed rest while avoiding the rust.

“If we win, we’ll look back and say they knew how to handle it,” Sadler said. “If we don’t and we don’t play good, obviously there’ll be something we have to change up.” danhoppen@ dailynebraskan.com

bowling

No. 9 Nebraska sets lofty goals Nedu Izu Daily Nebraskan

Coming into the 2012 bowling season, Kristina Mickelson had two personal missions: to become a better bowler and for Nebraska to become the NCAA National Champion.

So far the junior has already achieved her first goal.

Only time will tell until the team reaches the latter, but Mickelson has showed signs to her coach in the team’s last tournament that she has improved significantly this season.

“I think her potential is being realized and she’s getting better every day,” Nebraska coach Bill Straub said.

On the weekend of Jan. 19, Mickelson proved to herself and the team that she was prominent when she bowled an individual average of 222 pins per game, earning a spot on the Big Red Invitational’s All-Tournament team.

“She’s very determined and fundamental,” Straub said.

“She has a great future.”

During that weekend, the

Huskers finished the tournament in third place with a team average score of 206.18.

The Huskers’ lone home meet coincided with the best tournament they’ve had all season and couldn’t have come at a better time, according to Mickelson.

“That tournament was the first time we led the first two days,” the Bellevue native said. “I think it gave our whole team a huge boost of confidence. I think it’s a blessing that it happened early in the semester so it will help guide us to nationals.”

The NU women have appeared in the NCAA National Championships the last eight consecutive years, last winning it all in 2009.

The program has won eight national championships total, one of them being in 2004 that included All-Americans Shannon Pluhowsky and Jamie Martin.

The two former Husker bowlers were honored last week as Pluhowsky was named the World Women’s Bowler of the Year and was

elected into the World Bowling Writers Hall of Fame.

Martin was inducted Omaha Bowling Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place on April 28.

Straub said he was proud to hear the good news about his two former athletes.

“Shannon has been a multichampion, one of the best bowlers of all time,” he said.

“And now she’s being recognized for that.”

The coach added that he sees a little bit of Martin in Mickelson.

“They’re both from the same town and have great work ethic,” Straub said.

Last season, the team finished third and this year the team has displayed signs of Mickelson’s goal coming true, according to Straub.

“They’re heading in the right direction,” he said. “They’ve worked really hard since the Big Red Invite and determination is high right now. I think they’ll handle themselves nicely the rest of the season.”

This week Nebraska travels down to Arlington, Texas

to compete in a tournament hosted by Prairie View A&M University.

The tournament will run from Friday, Feb. 3 through Sunday, Feb. 5, and will include No. 7 Vanderbilt and No. 8 Arkansas State.

Although the Cornhuskers come in ranked No. 9, Mickelson thinks the team has learned a lot from their last meet and is determined to finish in first place.

“We bowled well the first two days but things didn’t go our way the third day,” she said. “We’ve learned a lot from then to now. If we maintain all the fundamentals, we will get those strikes and big things will happen for us.”

In Straub’s eyes, “big things” mean a national championship.

“Instead of finishing third, our goal is to win it all and get one step closer to nationals.” he said. “They’re playing right now the best they have all year. I hope it continues.” neduizu@ dailynebraskan.com

women’s basketball

file photo by matt masin | daily nebraskan

Coach Connie Yori’s squad looks to take a big step in matchup against Big Ten conference leader Purdue.

Huskers set to battle Purdue for Big Ten lead Sean Whalen Daily Nebraskan

According to Jordan Hooper, the women’s basketball team goes into every game telling themselves the team they’re playing is “the best in the conference” and that “this is our biggest game of the year.”

But that way of thinking will be more than just a motivational tool when the Huskers step onto the court tonight because their opponent, Purdue, is the best in the conference and tonight’s showdown is their biggest game of the year thus far.

Much rides on the line for a resurgent Nebraska team, including tournament positioning, AP rank (currently No. 16) and their own pride and respect from opponents.

Oh, and one other thing: first place. Ohio State is off Thursday, so if the Huskers win, they’ll tie Purdue for first place in the conference with a 8-2 record and hold the tiebreaker.

For the team, this is not just another game.

“This is definitely a huge game and everybody knows it,” Hooper said. “I don’t think we’re letting that get to us, we’re taking it one practice at a time, one film session at a time. We’re going to go out there and play our hearts out and just see what happens.”

Before anyone gets too ahead of themselves, going into West Lafayette and beating Purdue is no small feat.

The only team to beat Purdue at the Mackey Arena so far this season is consensus No. 2 Notre Dame, who rolled the Boilermakers 66-38 on Dec. 10.

While Purdue’s No. 15 ranking and 8-1 conference record (18-4 overall) look great, outside of a win over Texas A&M in nonconference play, PU’s best win is probably against Kansas State. The Boilermakers have lost to Central Michigan and Iowa (their last game) by 30 points combined and their eight conference wins have come over Minnesota (twice), Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan State and Northwestern —who all rank No. 6 or worse in the conference. PU has won five games by five or fewer points and their four losses were by an average of more than 17 points.

The Huskers have a similar resume, with one big win (at Penn State), some blowout losses and wins over lesser Big Ten schools. With four seniors and two juniors amongst its top eight players, PU will have a decided

experience edge over the young Huskers. Those young Huskers will have to play an extremely strong game to beat what coach Connie Yori believes may be the toughest team in the conference.

“Purdue is a really good basketball team and they’re especially good at home,” Yori said. “They know they’re playing for a lot, and we have a chance to go in and compete against one of the best teams in the league. I’m sure our guys will be very excited to play this game.”

Unlike Nebraska’s topheavy team, Purdue has a sort of ensemble roster, with no player in the conference’s top 13 scorers. Hooper, Lindsey Moore and Emily Cady average more points than the Boilermakers’ entire starting lineup. But Purdue doesn’t win with offense: its defense does the job, ranking first in the conference in points per game allowed and in field goal percentage defense. For a Husker team that hasn’t shot particularly well of late, PU’s staunch defense could be a problem.

But the thing is, the Huskers are pretty sure they’re ready for Purdue’s defensive look.

“They are a really good defense, but we’ll get some open looks, our coaches have a good plan,” Moore said. “They play the same style as we do, so we kind of know how their defense is going to come at us. I think the game will be higher scoring than everyone expects.”

Hooper, in particular, would like a good shooting night —she was 4-for-24 from the field against Illinois, a performance she knows must improve for the Huskers to have a chance Thursday.

“It wasn’t my best shooting night (against Illinois) ... clearly,” Hooper said with a chuckle. “Oh well. I’ll bounce back, I’ll be fine. You can’t dwell on a really bad shooting night or you’ll stay in the rut, and I’d really like to get out of it.”

With the media converging on Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, perhaps it’s fitting for the Huskers to be heading out there for a big game of their own.

“It’s a weird coincidence we’re playing (close to Indianapolis) with the Super Bowl so near,” Moore said.

“It is a big game but we’re not trying to make it a bigger deal than it is. It’s still just a game, and a lot can happen, there’s so much of the season left. They’re a good team; it should be a good game.” seanwhalen@ dailynebraskan.com

Daily Nebraskan

thursday, february 2, 2012

9

nebraska recruiting class 2012 by state

Recruiting press conference highlights ··Nebraska coach Pelini said it’s possible Braylon Heard will move from running back to cornerback. Justin Jackson moves back to center after playing defensive tackle last season. Max Pirman — who joined the team last year as a tight end/defensive end/linebacker will play outside linebacker in 2012. ··Entering signing day, Pelini said he expected to get all three recruits the Huskers signed Wednesday (Aaron Curry, Alonzo Moore and Vincent Valentine), while he was unsure whether Andrus Peat would sign with Nebraska. ··Nebraska has moved to a multi-year scholarship plan, replacing the oneyear renewable scholarship for football recruits. ··Both athletes in the recruiting class — Alonzo Moore and LeRoy Alexander — will start out as defensive backs. ··Linebackers coach Ross Els will act as recruiting coordinator and special teams coordinator in 2012. ··Defensive end Josh Williams was dismissed from the team due to an unspecified violation of team rules, Pelini said.

Fullback Lester Ward will graduate and will not be on the team for his final season of eligibility. ··Any remaining scholarships are being held for CB Charles Jackson —if he qualifies —and for walk-ons who earn them, Pelini said.

lauren vuchetich daily nebraskan

cotton: from 10

rose: from 10 It’s kind of a hit-and-miss deal.”

Tony Severino, Rose’s former coach at Rockhurst High in Kansas City, Mo., isn’t surprised at Rose’s aggressiveness on the recruiting trail. He saw those leadership traits during Rose’s high school days and believes they’ll translate into his college career.

“That’s the kind of kid he is,” Severino said. “He’s not afraid to put himself out there and maybe say some things to get people going.

He’s a very confident young man. He’ll become a leader up there if everything falls into place.”

Rose said he wasn’t bombarded with recruiting messages from other players because he committed early on to Nebraska and remained solid until signing day. He loved NU during his visits, even tweeting that he wished he could take all five of his official visits to Nebraska.

“Going up there and meeting the staff and getting close with the players and getting to know the university outside of football, the academics and all that, was great,” he said. “Nebraska made it the easiest. I was able to relate to the people up there. I wanted to be a part of what they already have going on up there.”

The Husker coaching

staff no doubt appreciates Rose’s efforts on the recruiting trail, but his signature Wednesday was more than enough for them. According to 247sports.com, Rose is the country’s eighth best linebacker and the third best prospect in Missouri.

His play in the Under Armour All-American game on Jan. 5 had national experts buzzing. The 6-foot, 225 pound linebacker made several plays, including an interception, against some of the country’s top prospects.

“He showed in the Under Armour game that he can cover,” Severino said. “He’s a little bit shorter than some of those guys are going to be, but he’s got really great instincts. He has a good feel to know where the ball is. He’s just one of those guys.”

Rose can’t wait to enroll at Nebraska and get a chance to flash his skills. But even before slipping on the uniform he’s made a difference with his efforts to bring other players in.

“You just try to give them your best lines,” Rose said.

“You just want them to consider Nebraska.”

And his buddy Fuller, who spurned the Huskers for Bruin blue and gold?

“We’ll play him for the next two years, so we’ll have to get him back for that.” danhoppen@ dailynebraskan.com

games at the tight end position for NU in 2011.

“If I can challenge Ben for a depth-chart spot, then I think success on offense. the team is in big trouble,” Seeing the “Seeing the offense Sam Cotton said. “But I’ll and how much they’ve come in and compete and offense and progressed has got me how much they’ve try and get my spot on the really excited,” Westerteam. I’m not just gonna take kamp said. “The offense progressed has got any days off or anything like is looking pretty good. me really excited.” that.”

I’m just really excited to Cotton isn’t going to take jordan get out there and be a days off because during this westerkamp part of it.” entire recruiting process, he nu football recruit Early in his career at hasn’t been able to take things Montini, Westerkamp first-team All-American for granted. Even though he’s contributed immediately, by USA Today, in addithe coach’s son, he was still posting 51 receptions tion to being named Ilafraid that only other schools for 1,156 yards and 16 linois Player of the Year would be giving him offers. touchdowns including by the Chicago Tribune So when the hometown a 99-yard touchdown and ESPN Chicago.

Huskers gave him a call offercatch. ing Cotton a scholarship he Despite the talent level Nebraska’s young of Nebraska’s incoming was excited, but that wasn’t corps of wide receivers class —which ranks 29th the only feeling. could provide Wester- according to 247sports.

“It really was a relief,” Cotkamp with an opportuni- com —Pelini said he is ton said. “After I got done ty for immediate playing more concerned with with a long camp, it had been time, but coach Pelini players’ a few weeks and I was startdevelopment said it’s too early to tell. during the next two to ing to get worried that maybe “We don’t promise three years. didn’t like what they New York Times Syndication Salesthey Corporation playing time,” The Pelini saw.

“It’s not what you have 500 Seventh Avenue, 10018 said.

“And then after being really going in,” Pelini New said.York, N.Y. Westerkamp played in For worried “It’s what you get going Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 about it I got a call the Semper Fidelis All- out.” from Bo and got the offer.”

American Bowl in Janurobbykorth@ chrispeters@ dailynebraskan.com ary, and was named aFor Release Thursday, February 02, 2012dailynebraskan.com

westerkamp: from 10

Edited by Will Shortz ACROSS 1 4 8 12

2012 class of walk-ons boast 17 Nebraskans Robby Korth Daily Nebraskan

Every fan that’s walked through the gates of Memorial Stadium, into the third largest city in Nebraska on Saturdays knows about the walk-on tradition at Nebraska.

Last season alone, nine former walk-ons put on the scarlet and cream as starters in front of those fans in the stadium and the ones in living rooms from Omaha to Scottsbluff.

One of those fans was Lincoln Southeast tight end/defensive end Trey Foster.

Foster wasn’t a typical fan and he wasn’t just a typical player for the Lincoln Knights.

In his senior season, Foster was named first-team All-Nebraska by the Omaha WorldHerald and Lincoln Journal Star as a defensive end.

And that talent was enough to draw interest from Ohio and South Dakota State and even a scholarship offer from Southeast Missouri State.

But those schools weren’t even on Foster’s radar.

“I can’t say they really (stood a chance),” Foster said.

“The community has always told me ‘you’re going to be a

Husker, you’re going to be a Husker,’ and it’s really grown on me.”

And it’s likely the 17 Nebraskans walking on had a similar experience based on the tradition of the program at NU. That tradition is something Nebraska coach Bo Pelini is getting used to.

“I get a little more comfortable with it now that we’re going into year five,” Pelini said.

“I’m developing an understanding of who these guys are and what they can become and they kind of remind you of some guys that are in your program now.

“And you can compare them to some guys who maybe were at a similar point a couple years ago.”

Since Pelini feels more comfortable, he’s also optimistic for the future of the walk-ons, and some of them might make an impact right away.

“I think there’s good talent in that group,” Pelini said.

“Not only some guys that fill some specific needs for us number one, but number two, it’s a good group of football players. Guys that have a lot of potential to grow, I like this group of guys, I do, I think there’s a lot of talent there.”

And that optimism from Pelini and company has Foster ready to start his career at NU. He looks to those players of the past as his inspiration.

“A lot of great Huskers started off as walk-ons and became great players,” Foster said. “I can see myself doing that and becoming a scholarship player in the next year or so and doing some great work.”

But even last week, Foster was unsure about which university he would attend to play college football. Then Thursday night he made the decision to pass up on the opportunity to go to school on a scholarship, playing for Nebraska, his hometown team since he was 7-years-old.

“I just can’t see myself going anywhere else,” Foster said.

“Nebraska was just the best thing that I saw.”

And with all the pressure that’s been on Foster with this decision, he’s just happy to finally say he’s a Husker.

“I’m relieved. These last couple weeks have been stressful,” Foster said. “But I can say I’m glad with the decision I’ve made.” robbykorth@ dailynebraskan.com

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Hello and farewell With 37-Down, complete Facile Start of a brainteaser whose answer appears in order, from top to bottom, in this puzzle’s circled squares City in the San Gabriel Valley Complete John XI’s successor War of 1812 battle site Schedule abbr.

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PUZZLE BY DAVID STEINBERG

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For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-8145554.

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Sports DAILY NEBRASKAN

page 10

dailynebraskan.com

thursday, february 2, 2012

nebraska 2012 recruiting class Lone in-state recruit joins father, brothers Robby Korth Daily Nebraskan

Jared Afalava hometown: South Jordan, Utah position: Linebacker Ht. 6-3 Wt. 215

LeRoy Alexander hometown: Toledo, Ohio position: Athlete Ht. 6-2 Wt. 190

Tommy Armstrong hometown:

Cibolo, Texas position: Quarterback Ht. 6-2 Wt. 210

Thomas Brown

hometown: Gardena, Calif. position: Linebacker Ht. 6-2 Wt. 210

Sam Cotton hometown: Lincoln, Neb. position: Tight end Ht. 6-4 Wt. 240

imani cross hometown:

Gainesville, Ga. position: Running back Ht. 6-1 Wt. 220

junior college transfers

There was an air of nervousness inside Prasch Gymnasium before the athletes of Lincoln Southeast High School signed letters of intent to their college.

Ten athletes, five boys and five girls, sat along a long black table draped with a Knightsthemed table cloth in front of their family, friends and members of the media.

But one boy stood out. He wasn’t the biggest, he didn’t look the fastest or the most athletic, but he was the reason the cameras rolled out. He was the reason for the circus.

He is Sam Cotton, the only in-state football player in Nebraska’s 2012 signing class.

And when the microphone arrived for Cotton to make a statement about why he chose Nebraska to the gathered crowd, the answer to come was obvious.

“I chose Nebraska because

Dan Hoppen Daily Nebraskan

Devin Fuller was the target.

Michael Rose had met the fellow recruit during a visit to Nebraska last summer and had kept in contact with the dual-threat quarterback from New Jersey. When Fuller announced that he would make his decision last Sunday night, Rose put on the social network version of a full-court press.

He tweeted at or about Fuller several times, trying to help NU secure a commitment from the four-star (according to 247sports.com) prospect.

This Sunday’s tweet sums it up best: “We got the ice cream, enough whip cream, @devin7fuller would be the whole jar of cherries top!”

Things didn’t work out as planned for Rose or the Husker coaching staff. Fuller surprisingly committed to UCLA, brushing aside NU, Rutgers and Arizona, among others.

Mohammed Seisay hometown: Springfield, Va. position: Defensive back Ht. 6-2 Wt. 200

Star rankings from 247sports.com

The Huskers play the Bruins in each of the next two seasons.

Rose didn’t win this battle, but he understands the nature of the beast. Rose, a four-star linebacker, committed to the Huskers in July of 2010 and has spent his time since then trying to entice other recruits to join him. Not every guy will respond with as much enthusiasm as he did. But he wants to try anyway.

“There’ll be guys that will listen and guys that won’t,” Rose said. “I was able to help with some of the recruits that will come and some didn’t.

That’s the life of a college coach, I guess. You’ve got to be able to take a little rejection. I don’t mind doing it because I think it’s going to help us in the long run.”

The recruiting game has changed with the advent of Facebook and Twitter. Gone are the days when a college coach could only interact with

aaron curry hometown: Keller, Texas position: Defensive tackle Ht. 6-3 Wt. 275

greg McMullen hometown: Akron, Ohio position: Defensive end Ht. 6-5 Wt. 255

alonzo moore

cotton: see page 9

a prospect through a phone call. With the increasing popularity of football camps and all-star games, high school players from different parts of the country interact more.

Once a player commits, he can now easily communicate with his peers and try to sway them.

Rose said he doesn’t hit them over the head with Husker love. Most of the time, he doesn’t even talk football with the guys. But he tries to establish that connection, something that a coach with an agenda doesn’t have the opportunity to do.

“I’m just honest with them.

I try to be up front and genuine,” Rose said. “With coaches, they’re going to tell you what you want to hear. Those guys will find out who’s bs-ing them and who’s not. Sooner or later they’re going to figure it out.

rose: see page 9

Hometown: Winnfield, La. Position: Athlete Ht. 6-2 Wt. 170

Avery Moss hometown: Tempe, Ariz. position: Defensive end Ht. 6-4 Wt. 245

Michael Rose

hometown: Kansas City, Mo. position: Linebacker Ht. 6-0 Wt. 230

Paul Thurston

hometown: Arvada, Colo. position: Offensive lineman Ht. 6-5 Wt. 275

Record-setting WR sold on NU atmosphere Daily Nebraskan

hometown: Philadelphia, Pa. position: Linebacker Ht. 6-1 Wt. 220

he came on the visit, I was like we already have been through this before, can’t you tell him?”

But the Huskers are getting more than just the son of an assistant coach. Cotton is a threestar tight end recruit according to 247sports.com and brings as much talent, if not more, than his older brother at the top of the depth chart.

“It’s good. I think he’s a talented young guy and I think he’s very similar to what Ben was at this time, maybe a little ahead of where Ben was when we recruited him a few years ago,” Pelini said. “Hopefully he develops the same way and brings the same things to the table. I’d take another Ben Cotton in a second.”

But it isn’t likely Sam Cotton will make an immediate splash at Memorial Stadium, and he’s OK with that. Sam’s older brother Ben started 11

Signee participates in recruiting with Twitter

Chris Peters

Zaire Anderson

I’ve always wanted to play for my dad,” Cotton said.

A chorus of “aww” rang down from the bleachers as the high-school girls gushed at what Cotton had just said.

Sam is the son of NU associate head coach Barney Cotton, and playing for his father has always been a dream of the 6-foot-4 235 pound tight end. “(My dad) has always talked to me about workouts and stuff and what I’ve gotta do to finally get to play for him, so he’s not just giving me input on what I need to do, he’s actually there to change it and make me better on the spot,” Cotton said.

And the father-son dynamic is a good thing for Nebraska, NU coach Bo Pelini said.

In the Huskers signing day press conference Pelini joked about having to deal with the Cottons on their recruiting visit.

“It’s getting pretty ridiculous, isn’t it?” Pelini said. “The worst part about it is having to spend time with him and talk to him like he’s a father. When

Jordan Westerkamp committed to play wide receiver at Nebraska almost four months before the 2011 football season began.

In December, he started to have second thoughts.

After Westerkamp led Montini Catholic High School (Lombard, Ill.) to its third-straight Illinois 5A State Championship, he received an offer from Notre Dame.

Westerkamp grew up watching the Fighting Irish play —his parents are Notre Dame fans —so he took a visit to South Bend, Ind. On Jan. 9, Westerkamp decided to pass on the Irish and honor his commitment to the Huskers.

“I really felt at home,” Westerkamp said. “You want to have that feeling.”

One of the most impactful moments on Westerkamp’s decision to stick with

Nebraska was his visit on Oct. 9 —Nebraska’s recordsetting come-from-behind victory against Ohio State.

“What really stuck out to me was the heart the Nebraska team had,” Westerkamp said. “It was unbelievable to see a game like that.”

Westerkamp, like fellow recruit Michael Rose, tried to stay in contact with other Nebraska targets throughout the season. One of his biggest selling points, something coach Bo Pelini agreed with, was to get recruits to take a visit to Nebraska and see the program firsthand.

“I try to recruit as much as possible,” Westerkamp said. “I tell them just to go out there and see it.”

Westerkamp’s own recruiting was essentially a battle between Nebraska and Notre Dame, though he had over a dozen other offers from schools like

Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern and West Virginia.

In his three seasons playing for Montini, Westerkamp never had fewer than 1,000 yards receiving. His career 235 receptions for 4,618 yards and 68 touchdowns are all Illinois state records.

Westerkamp’s father, Robert, was ranked in the top 10 in a number of Illinois state records as a wide receiver at Montini. Over the course of his high school career, Jordan Westerkamp broke every one of those records.

In the Class 5A Illinois State Championship Game, Westerkamp caught 12 passes for 353 yards and five touchdowns to lead Montini to a 70-45 win. Westerkamp said he hopes to lead Nebraska to the same kind of

westerkamp: see page 9

Vincent Valentine

hometown: Edwardsville, Ill. position: Defensive tackle Ht. 6-3 Wt. 300

Jordan Westerkamp hometown: Lombard, Ill. position: Wide receiver Ht. 6-2 Wt. 195

Corey Whitaker

hometown: Murrieta, Calif. position: Offensive lineman Ht. 6-5 Wt. 270