ISSUE 3

Back to School Bash video at Lanthorn.com

Lakers herd Buffalo to 37-23 victory, B1

Grand Valley Lanthorn

Grand Valley State University

www.lanthorn.com

Monday, August 31, 2009

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Bright hopes for tough times

Fiscal Year Courtesy Graphic / GVSU Accountability Report

Finding funds: The graph shows the disproportionate decrease in state appropriations compared to increased demand for tuition revenue as a percentage of the general fund budget.

GV sets $255 million budget Executives explain need for tuition hike, staff salary increase

By Jenny Whalen GVL Editor in Chief

Following last year’s 13 percent tuition hike, a 5.3 percent increase this year finds university administrators once again answering a questioning student body.

The increase adds about $200 per semester to resident undergraduate tuition — tuition which accounts for 84.1 percent of Grand Valley State University’s $255 million budget.

In addition to the tuition increase,

the university’s Board of Trustees could,” Wolters said. “We have made approved a 2.8 percent salary raise for millions of cuts to get to where the staff, though one-third of the raise will budget is now. Every single thing the be delayed until April, administration provided GVSU does is with cost “We are using every meets budget goals. efficiency in mind. dollar, every hour and You can always While staff raises are part of the go deeper, though every square foot to operating budget, the quality of the best we can for Board of Trustees education is likely Chair Kate Pew to suffer.” our students.”

Wolters said she does Because state THOMAS J. HAAS not believe there is funding for GVSU GVSU PRESIDENT a direct correlation is not based on an between raising tuition enrollment count, and staff raises. the university “People would probably like us to roughly receives the same amount of hold on staff increases, but from the state funding it did 25 years ago for less quality perspective we didn’t feel we than 15,000 students as it does now for

its more than 24,000.

“Grand Valley is the lowest funded university in the state and has been progressively (moving) further from that midpoint,” said Jim Bachmeier, vice president for Finance and Administration. “I hope to never again bring a double-digit (percent) tuition increase in my professional career. We let tuition rates fall out of the center of the pack ... so the sum of lowest appropriation and year loss tuition wasn’t realistic or sustainable.”

In almost 50 years, GVSU has only raised tuition by double-digit percentages 15 times, the greatest being 19.6 percent in 1988-89,

See Bugdet, A2

Green housing project wins $10,000 award

By Paul LeBlanc GVL News Writer

The Grand Valley State University School of Engineering and Westown Jubilee Housing were honored with an award this summer for their partnership aimed at providing energy efficient housing for low income residents living in west Grand Rapids.

They received the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Partnership Award for Campus-Community Collaboration at the annual Governor’s Service Awards June 18, which was held at Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s Lansing residence.

The award is given out on a biannual basis to partnerships between Michigan universities or colleges and community organizations that seek to better the lives of local residents while simultaneously providing learning opportunities for students.

The award includes a $10,000 prize, which will be divided equally between the two parties.

The partnership involves engineering students and faculty at GVSU working to develop

See Engineering, A2

Courtesy Photo / Amanda Pitts

Green house: GVSU engineering students helped design this LEED-certified house on Watson Street in Grand Rapids.

Courtesy Photo / Brian Flanagan

Future visionaries: Cook Leadership Academy fellows discuss one of the keynote speakers at a leadership luncheon in a past year.

Leadership Academy equips future professionals

By Lauren Fitch GVL Managing Editor

Of the many things making Grand Valley State University unique, one program setting it apart from any other university in Michigan is the Hauenstein Center’s Peter Cook Leadership Academy.

Since its beginning in 2004, 30 to 40 GVSU students are inducted every year as fellows into the Cook Leadership Academy. Once in, the fellows attend monthly “Luncheons with Leaders” where they listen to influential leaders in the local community and have the opportunity to network and make connections.

“The best way we can serve the students is to cultivate their capacity for leadership,” said Gleaves

INDEX

A

Whitney, director of the Hauenstein Program was added, which Center and founder of the Cook requires students to attend four Leadership Academy. “We have the core workshops and two elective opportunity to make Grand Valley workshops on different aspects of ‘Leadership U.’” leadership to earn Whitney said “The best way we can the credential of any student can the leadership serve the students benefit from the certificate. is to cultivate experience as Associate a Leadership director of the their capacity for Academy fellow.

Hauenstein Center leadership.”

Students can be Brian Flanagan nominated by said the changes GLEAVES WHITNEY a professor or to the academy HAUENSTEIN CENTER DIRECTOR apply on their have taken it from own and are then a more scholastic interviewed before being accepted approach focused on research to into the program. the current focus on developing The Leadership Fellows Program relationships, networking and is only one aspect of the academy. teaching professionalism.

Recently the Leadership Certificate

News......................................................A3 Nation / World.......................................................A4 Opinion.........................................................A5 Laker Life.............................................................A6

See Leadership, A2

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Welcome to the Fall Semester! We have been busy this past summer but are excited to be under way. Enjoy your first day of classes and greet everyone you see with a ready smile.

As you are undoubtedly aware, the past year has been one of economic challenges in Michigan.

But in the midst of Haas some rough seas, we have much good news.

At Grand Valley State University, we understand the financial challenges faced by our students and their families, and we have responded. We have reduced operating costs by more than $7 million, avoided new expenditures and expanded financial aid, including creating nearly two dozen new scholarships. And as we work through this difficult time, we remain confident in our commitment to high academic quality, small classes and personal attention that defines the GVSU experience.

Still, we know some students will have a tough time paying their bills this year. If your circumstances change suddenly, please be in touch with our Financial Aid office right away.

We will do everything we can to help you weather the storm.

Despite tough times, GVSU has not stood still. To help meet the challenges in Michigan’s economy, GVSU has further expanded its academic programs into high-demand fields.

At its July meeting, the Board of Trustees approved several new majors. The major in Supply Chain Management will be offered by the Marketing and Management departments of the Seidman College of Business. A new Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMZ) major will be offered in the College of Health Professions - making GVSU the only university in Michigan offering DMZ as a baccalaureate major, and the only university in the U.S. offering pediatric echocardiography to undergraduates. The College of Health Professions has also introduced majors in Radiation Therapy as well as Radiologic and Imaging Sciences. The College of Education has realigned the Masters of Education degree to include specialties in Literacy Studies, Educational Leadership, Higher Education and Instruction & Curriculum.

We are also expanding facilities in Allendale. This year has seen the beginning of construction of the Learning-Living-Dining 2010 complex on the south end of campus. Living Centers 2010, located along 42nd Avenue in Georgetown Township, consists of three, three-story buildings, offering 608 beds in apartment-style units.

The Learning/Dining Center 2010, on the north end of Lot P on the Allendale Campus, will be a two-story building containing Fresh Food Service, a convenience store, a coffee shop, classrooms, faculty offices, study areas and more.

Some of you reading this message today will be living, studying and dining in these new facilities next year.

My wife Marcia and I are excited for the year to be under way, and we look forward to greeting you at the many events associated with the start of the new academic year. Go Lakers!

Sports...........................................................B1 A&E.........................................................B5 Marketplace................................................B7 Advertisement......................................................B8

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NEWS

Monday, August 31, 2009

Budget

Leadership

Grand Valley State University Historical Tuition Rates Resident, Lower Division, Undergraduate

continued from page A1

Amount

continued from page A1

according to the Office of Institutional Analysis.

As operating costs for the university have increased, state appropriations have been cut, shifting the burden of funding to students’ tuition dollars.

While GVSU expects to receive $62 million from the state this year, state appropriations account for only 24.3 percent of the university’s budget.

As for the monies promised higher education through the stimulus package, Bachmeier predicts GVSU will not see any significant funds.

“There will likely be more than $100 million of stimulus money that goes into the universities, but it will come to us as part of our operating budget,” Bachmeier said. “(The stimulus) stalled a very significant cut, but it will largely replace last year’s (funding cuts).”

To help weather continued financial challenges for students, GVSU President Thomas J. Haas has vowed to reduce operating costs, avoid

Grand Valley Lanthorn

Year GVL Graphic / Jenny Whalen

Tuition incline: As state appropriations decrease, students must pay with their tuition dollars to make up for the revenue lost. Tuition has increased greatly in recent years. *1980-81 tuition switched from quarters to semesters.

new expenditures and expand financial aid for GVSU. “We looked at our entire operation and we looked at where we could void costs,” Haas said. “We made some cuts that wouldn’t affect the quality of services to our students and we were able to capture about $7.2 million toward cost savings, which reduced the pressure on increasing tuition.”

The current budget

assumes a 3 percent reduction in appropriations from the state and an increased need for financial aid among GVSU students.

“We made sure financial aid was going to go up at least at the same rate as the increase in tuition, and we actually went up more than that, knowing the circumstances our students and families face,” Haas said.

More than $24 million of the university’s budget has been slated for financial aid.

Though most of GVSU’s financial aid is funded by private donations and university fundraising, Haas said because GVSU operates more as a private college than a statesupported institution, the model GVSU follows could have students who do not receive aid paying through their tuition dollars for those who do.

“It’s an interesting dynamic,” he said. “Many other institutions in Michigan are following

the same pathway, and our fundraising efforts have been very successful.”

While this year’s 5.3 percent tuition increase will hurt many GVSU students, Bachmeier said if GVSU had not started cutting prior to the economic crisis, GVSU would be forced to cut students’ programs, university staff and facilities, as many other institutions across the state and nation have done to rein in spending.

University executive officers, including Haas and Bachmeier, will also return their salary increases to the university.

“It doesn’t go a long way to balance the university budget, its more symbolic, but if you ask any of those (who gave up their increase) it probably feels a little more than symbolic,” Bachmeier said.

He estimates the sum of the salaries returned will be around $40,000.

“We are using every dollar, every hour and every square foot to the best we can for our students,” Haas said. “We try to use every dollar in the best way we can to provide the educational experiences and services that students deserve given their investment of tuition dollars.”

He attributes GVSU’s recognition as one of “America’s 100 Best College Buys” for the 13th year in a row as confirmation by students of GVSU’s educational value for the dollar. editorial@lanthorn.com

Though “leadership” is a fairly abstract term, Flanagan said the academy breaks it down into three main principles of competence, confidence and contacts. The goal is to equip all Leadership Academy fellows with these traits during their time in the program.

Patrick Reagan, downtown development authority director for Portland, Mich., graduated from GVSU with a master’s degree in public administration in 2008, after spending two years as a leadership fellow.

Reagan said the Leadership Academy gave him the opportunity to see how good leaders such as Thomas Haas, Whitney and Flanagan work today. He said the greatest lesson he learned was the distinct difference between leadership and management.

“Anybody can be a manager and order people to do a task,” Reagan said. “It takes a special individual to lead people and get the most out of people.”

He also noted the value of learning how to make connections and recommended the program for any serious student.

“Everybody’s going to get something a little different from it,” Reagan said. “It’s for anyone who wants to be a better person, a better

leader, a better member of the community.”

Petra Alsoofy, a senior double majoring in political science and social studies, has been a Leadership fellow since the summer of 2008.

Alsoofy said her most memorable experience through the Leadership Academy was the “Shock of War, Trauma of Peace: PostTraumatic Stress Disorder Roundtable Discussion” where she met Vietnam War veteran Jim Hodges. “(The academy) teaches professionalism, which is needed in any career,” Alsoofy said. “It gives us really good tools to deal with most, if not all, situations that we’ll face in our careers or in our everyday lives.”

Alsoofy recommended the program to any student in any discipline, adding it really has prepared her to be a better leader.

“If you’re not so sure about what you want to do in your life, struggling to be a good student, have high hopes and big dreams or if you just want to have an excellent experience, then this program is for you,” Alsoofy said. “It really changed my focus and made be a better student and is preparing me to be a good leader and productive member of society.” managingeditor@lanthorn.com

Courtesy Photo / Brian Flanagan

Network: A group of 2008 leadership fellows gather on the Pew Campus.

Engineering continued from page A1

innovative ways to manage energy needs for low income families living in spaces provided by Westown Jubilee Housing.

“Westown Jubilee Housing makes it possible for low income families that would have problems qualifying for a mortgage to become home-owners through their ‘home-steading’ program,” said Shirley Fleischmann, a professor of engineering at GVSU who coordinates the partnership. “We are working with Westown to make sure that these homes are energy efficient.”

The partnership’s biggest success has been the development of a sixbedroom “Green House” on Watson Street in Grand Rapids, which more than 70 GVSU engineering students helped to design. The building has been LEED certified by the nonprofit Green Building Council, a designation given to buildings meeting certain criteria in relation to energy

savings, water efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions.

This past August, a group of senior engineering students did their capstone project on a house on Indiana Street, not far from the Green House.

They worked to transform the building from a one-anda-half story house to a twostory home.

Fleischmann noted the students did the project on a very limited budget and also developed web-based tools residents can use for energy planning for home upgrades or home design.

The Carter Partnership Award is given out by the Michigan Campus Contact, a coalition of university and college presidents focused on connecting higher education with community service.

The award was decided upon by a group of representatives from businesses, higher education, local communities and government organizations throughout the state of Michigan.

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At the Lanthorn we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible.

If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors of fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling (616) 331-2464 or by e-mailing editorial@lanthorn.com.

NEWS

Chelsea Lane, Assistant News Editor assistantnews@lanthorn.com

GVL DIGEST News in Brief

Women’s Center director named state coordinator Marlene KowalskiBraun, the director of Grand Valley State University’s Women’s Center, was named state coordinator of the Michigan American Council on Education Network for Women Leaders in Higher Education during the organization’s annual conference in Lansing.

Kowalski-Braun will serve a two-year term as coordinator.

“I look forward to creating two-way conversations related to the challenges and opportunities that present themselves as we continue to grow as a state network,” Kowalski-Braun said.

More than 260 female administrators, faculty and staff from various Michigan colleges and universities attended the two-day conference, where they discussed leadership strategies and goals for the future of higher education.

Faculty receive grant for wind turbine study Four GVSU faculty members have been awarded an almost $140,000 grant to investigate potential conflicts with locating wind power facilities along the coasts of Muskegon, Ottawa and Allegan counties.

The group received a grant valued at $139,912 from Michigan Sea Grant to explore various wind farm issues that raise economic, social, environmental, aesthetic and policy concerns.

The goal of the project is to help communities avoid potential wind energy development conflicts.

The study’s findings are expected to be completed and available to the public in May 2011.

Memorial service for GVSU founder Seidman A public memorial service for GVSU’s founder, L. William Seidman, will be held on Sept. 11 at the Allendale Campus’ Performing Arts Center at 3 p.m.

Seidman’s wife Sally and their children will attend and greet mourners during a reception in Kirkhof Center following the memorial. Seidman passed away in May. Those who plan on attending the service are asked to confirm their attendance online at http:// www.gvsu.edu/seidman.

University named among “Best in Midwest” The Princeton Review named GVSU as one of the best universities in the Midwest.

GVSU is one of 158 institutions to receive the honor.

The Princeton Review survey spans 80 questions and asks students to rate their own schools on several issues, including accessibility of their professors, the quality of campus food and various other aspects of campus life.

Business students receive national award Two GVSU business students took top honors at the SAP Marketing Innovators contest.

Accounting and management information systems major David Herrema, of Holland, Mich., and management information systems major Eric Koch, of St. Joseph, Mich., won SAP’s national 2009 competition.

The duo was awarded a trophy, plaques and $3,000 each in scholarships.

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, August 31, 2009

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Tipsters paid to report on crime ‘Fast 50’ initiative of Silent Observer program offers fiscal motivation to tip police on local crime

By Chelsea Lane GVL Assistant News Editor

Average citizens can help fight crime and make cash while doing it. It is not superheroism; it is Silent Observer.

Founded in 1972, the nonprofit organization Silent Observer provides Grand Rapids area residents with an anonymous, 24/7 tip line where they can call in to report past and potential crimes.

Silent Observer’s stated goal is to encourage community security and responsibility by allowing residents to assist police without fear of retribution or retaliation. The law protects Silent Observer records from court subpoena except if their information would clear a defendant of guilt. Tipsters may call (616) 774-2345 or toll-free at (866) 774-2345.

All Silent Observer calls are written down and forwarded to the law agencies involved with a specific case.

In 2008 alone, Silent Observer tips from Kent and Ottawa counties led to 77 arrests and 130 cases cleared. Students can report on-campus crime tips to Silent Observer, who will then send the information to the Grand Valley State University Department of Public Safety.

The most common crimes on the GVSU campus are larceny and malicious destruction of property, although overall crime rates are low.

“Crime touches all lives,

directly or indirectly,” said Chris Cameron, executive director of Silent Observer. “In addition to being a way students can safely report school crimes anonymously without fear of retaliation, this program encourages the development of responsibility.

Students can participate in a valuable extracurricular activity, while they benefit from a reduction in incidents on campus and enjoy an increased sense of security.”

DPS Det. William DeWitt also believes Silent Observer is a valuable tool for students with direct knowledge of a crime.

“Not only as students but as citizens of this country, I think that we have an obligation to report crimes that we observe,” DeWitt said.

“Any time that property is stolen or property is damaged, there is a victim.

Somebody has paid for that property.

If a person has information on who did that, then one of our primary goals is to get that property back or make the victim right in the end in the event that it’s damaged property.”

Last year, DPS received two tips about damaged campus property that eventually led to the perpetrators being convicted and paying for the damages as part of their sentences.

Silent Observer tipsters can also profit if their information

GVL Photo Illustration / Lindsey Waggoner

Watching closely: The Silent Observer phone line allows students to report crimes they witness in progress to police. The Fast 50 initiative will reward callers with $50 to $100 if the informational tip given results in an arrest.

leads to a successful arrest. The “Fast 50” initiative, designed specifically for students, offers rewards ranging from $50 to $100 for information resulting in an arrest.

“The existence of Fast 50 does not indicate that a school has a crime or drug problem, but teaches a proactive rather than reactive approach to administrators, students, parents and the community by publicizing a safer school environment,” Cameron said.

The reward money varies based on the severity of the crime and how helpful the caller’s information was for police.

Callers are given a tip number when they first contact Silent Observer with information, which they can then use to follow up on the status of their case at (616) 454-9110 without having to divulge their identity.

If a caller’s tip results in an arrest, then they will be given further information about how to collect their reward.

In 2008, Silent Observer authorized more than $12,500 in rewards for tips from residents of Kent and Ottawa counties.

DeWitt also encouraged potential callers to focus on helping fellow classmates and making their campus a

safer environment. He said he thinks first and foremost, Silent Observer was created to aid crime victims and provide closure in cases that may otherwise go unsolved.

“It’s not a snitching format,” DeWitt said. “It’s taking care of the victim and making that victim whole. (The callers) are not doing anything to the person that committed the offense; it’s just trying to help out the victim.”

Anyone seeking further information about Silent Observer may contact DeWitt at (616) 331-2691. assistantnews@lanthorn.com

Fulbright award takes English professor to Ghana

By Chelsea Lane GVL Assistant News Editor

Courtesy Graphic / Dan Yovich

Puzzle time: MathSuey is a unique equation game developed by GVSU professors Dan Yovich and Laura Bergells.

Professor duo develop MathSuey brainteaser

By Jenny Whalen GVL Editor in Chief

The object is to “break the hex.” The game is MathSuey.

MathSuey is the first math game created through the partnership of Grand Valley State University adjunct professors Laura Bergells and Dan Yovich.

Though MathSuey is GVSU alumna Bergells’ first endeavor into puzzle production, Yovich, the creator of the game Krypto, is no stranger to puzzle design.

“I have always doodled with math,” Yovich, a Purdue University professor emeritus, said. “While serving as an Army Security Agency officer during the Korean War, I was exposed to the world of cryptology and cryptanalysis – math played a very big part in code breaking.”

Yovich started experimenting with the idea of MathSuey last year while teaching Creativity in Marketing at GVSU. When he became ill midway through the year, Bergells stepped in to finish the course.

While working together to prepare weekly lesson plans, Yovich and Bergells decided to join forces to design and market MathSuey for publication.

“We instantly gravitated toward the idea of the book,” Bergells said. “People like to play their daily game, and there is a market for it. We’re still exploring options from publishers and are open to hearing offers from agents.”

One of the first markets the

pair explored was children, solution, calls out “Suey” and while a secondary market must demonstrate a correct targeted the elderly. equation to the other players By introducing the math before being declared the problem as a puzzle, Bergells winner. said she believes the game could “Unlike Sudoku, there are reduce math anxiety for children, multiple answers that could be while older adults could use correct and inspire creativity,” the game as a brainteaser to Bergells said. “People playing stimulate the mind. one game may come up with Neither Yovich nor Bergells multiple equations that make predicted the game’s widespread for simple or elegant answers. appeal as It can be a demonstrated conversation “Unlike Sudoku, by the positive starter, there are multiple response to especially answers that could if you are a the MathSuey Web site, math nerd be correct and h t t p : / / like me.” inspire creativity. m a t h s u e y.

I n ... It can be a com. designing “We used each “hex,” conversation the Internet to the authors starter ... ” test out initial select six ideas of how numbers LAURA BERGELLS people would ranging from GVSU ADJUNCT PROFESSOR respond to (the one to 31 game), how and place they would express equations each number in a hexagon. The and what form the game should authors then select a seventh take,” Bergells said. “When number, “the Suey,” that is I posted it on the Internet, we placed outside the hexagon. found people who are middlePlayers must add, subtract, aged enjoy playing the game as multiply or divide each of well, and it had a broader appeal the six numbers in the hex, than we originally thought.” regardless of order, to equal the In its present form, MathSuey Suey number. can function as a single-player Each number must be used, or multi-player game. but only once, to solve the When playing alone, equation that will break the hex. players are encouraged to time The Grand Valley Lanthorn themselves to improve their is the first college newspaper in math problem solving abilities. the U.S. to feature MathSuey.

In group play, the first person to “break the hex,” or find a editorial@lanthorn.com

From Allendale to Africa, one Grand Valley State University professor hopes to broaden her perspectives during a trip to Ghana this year.

Amy Masko, an assistant professor of English, was awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to teach at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, one of GVSU’s sister universities.

Masko is one of 1,100 Fulbright Scholars who will travel abroad this year.

Masko The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and was first established in 1946.

Students and professors may apply for Fulbright fellowships and grants, which are awarded in recognition of academic or professional achievement and strong leadership in their fields of study.

After undergoing several different levels of review, she received notification in May that she had been selected for the award. Masko has taught at GVSU for six years. Her husband and their four children, ages 5 to 10, will live with her in Ghana for the next year. Masko said she hopes the trip will enrich her ongoing studies of race and schooling.

“I study race and schooling in an American context,” she said. “I think there is a lot to be learned from other countries, and I wanted to take this opportunity to broaden my research perspective, giving me a deeper understanding of the notion of culture.”

She selected Ghana as her destination because the country is a postcolonial nation with a stable, democratically elected government, and the nation is home to more than 50 diverse ethnic groups.

Although Ghana’s official language is English, most citizens speak different indigenous tongues as their primary languages.

As a result, language and cultural differences play a large role in the nation’s education system. Masko said she aims to examine the role of schooling in shaping national identity as well as explore the differences between home and school cultures.

“It is primarily an oral culture, so teaching and learning looks very different than it does here,” she said.

Masko also plans to visit some of Ghana’s landmarks, such as the Cape Coast Castle, which was once one of the world’s primary slave trade ports and is now a world heritage site.

In her courses at GVSU, Masko often incorporates multicultural issues. She said she believes her time in Ghana will deepen her understanding of different cultures and families, which will also prove beneficial for her GVSU students.

The idea of global education is an increasingly popular phenomenon. According to the Institute of International Education, the number of students studying abroad has increased 57 percent since 1999.

“Most countries now view international academic mobility and educational exchanges as critical components for sharing knowledge, building intellectual capital and remaining competitive in a globalizing world,”said Rajika Bhandari, IIE’s director of Research and Evaluation. assistantnews@lanthorn.com

Courtesy Photo

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Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, August 31, 2009

GVL DIGEST News in Brief

Benzie County inmate found hanged in jail cell

BEULAH, Mich. (AP) — The Benzie County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of an inmate who hung himself in his jail cell.

The department says in a statement that Edward D. Baughman, 49, of Elberta used bedsheets to hang himself in his one-person cell on Friday afternoon.

Jail staff performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead at Paul Oliver Hospital in Frankfort.

Baughman had been booked into the jail Aug. 16 on a criminal charge. The statement says no further information is available.

Body parts ID’d as those of St. Clair Shores man

H A R R I S O N TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel Friday says a skull and other skeletal remains found this week are that of a St. Clair Shores man missing for about 10 months.

Hackel and St. Clair Shores police Det. Jason Brown says dental records show the body is that of 43-year-old Daryl Petrucci, whose parents reported him missing in October.

The skull was discovered Thursday by a man cutting grass in a field in Harrison Township, 25 miles northeast of Detroit. More body parts, some of them still covered in clothing, were found scattered nearby on Friday.

NATION / WORLD

lanthorn@gvsu.edu

Nonprofit helps Michigan farmers’ business grow Food System Economic Partnership works with residents to promote sale of food grown in state

IDA, Mich. (AP) — Charles other farm products. She said local Bagwell wants to run an organic producers could share in millions of fish farm that would generate a dollars if southeast Michigan grew million pounds of tilapia a year. A all the food its residents consume. southeast Michigan nonprofit wants Michaelle Rehmann, director of to help him get his feet wet. the partnership’s Farm to School Bagwell, of Erie, was one of about Program, told those attending the 30 people who forum that local attended a recent growers have “That’s great for forum conducted opportunities to students and by the Food sell produce, meat their health and System Economic and dairy products Partnership. The to schools, translates into more Ann Arbor-based universities, opportunities for local h o s p i t a l s , organization promotes locally correctional farmers.” grown food for sale facilities and even to local farmers homeless shelters markets, retail for the needy.

MICHAELLE REHMANN businesses and Schools in FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM restaurants.

Ann Arbor and DIRECTOR Bagwell said Chelsea and a he would like to charter school in start construction of his tilapia Detroit already are holding “Farm farm within six months. He wants Fresh Fridays” or Wednesdays in to keep the farm and fish warm the fall where locally grown green with heat from a proposed trash-to- beans, cauliflower, potatoes and energy plant in Monroe County’s other produce are served in the Erie Township. cafeterias.

Jane Bush, a business “That’s great for students and development specialist for the their health and translates into more partnership, said there is growing opportunities for local farmers,” demand for locally grown food Rehmann said. such as fruits, vegetables, eggs and One school district had been

AP Photo / Charles Krupa

Growing organic: Barefooted Jason Cucchiara walks over potato plants while knocking potato bugs off at the Many Hands Organic Farm in Barre, Mass., July 22. The Ann-Arbor-based Food System Economic Partnership promotes the creation of similar organic farms in southeast Michigan. The organization recently held a forum to educate local residents on the growing demand for locally grown food and other farm products.

paying $45 a bushel for apples from the state of Washington, but the partnership found a local grower who sold them for $30 a bushel, she said.

Henry Ford Health Systems uses fresh food from local farms to serve to its patients and employees at its hospital in Oakland County’s West Bloomfield Township.

“These are institutions are not going away, so you can maintain

that relationship with them,” Rehmann said.

Bill Whittaker came to the forum looking for ways to finance expanding his raspberry and strawberry farm in LaSalle. He spoke with Tim Lake, a business consultant with the Monroe County Industrial Development Corp., one of the forum’s sponsors, about creating a plan to expand the business.

Space shuttle blasts off, finally flying on try three Seven astronauts aboard space shuttle Discovery head for space station with $5 million Stephen Colbert treadmill

By Marcia Dunn AP Aerospace Writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Space shuttle Discovery and seven astronauts blazed into orbit Saturday on a

spectacular midnight flight to the international space station, hauling up a treadmill named after a TV funnyman and thousands of pounds of more solemn supplies.

Discovery lit up the sky for miles around as it thundered away on NASA’s third launch attempt. Lightning flashed far in the distance, and the ascending shuttle resembled a bright star until it blinked out of sight five minutes after liftoff.

The space station was soaring more than 220 miles above the Indian Ocean, southwest of Tasmania, when Discovery took off. The shuttle will reach the orbiting outpost Sunday night.

“It looks like third time really is the charm,” launch director Pete Nickolenko told commander Rick Sturckow.

“We wish you and your team good luck and Godspeed.”

Tuesday’s launch attempt was called off by thunderstorms and Wednesday’s by fuel valve trouble. Everything came together in NASA’s favor Friday night; even the valve and its indicator switch behaved, allowing Discovery to blast off seconds before midnight Friday.

The shuttle safely reached orbit eight minutes later, on the following day.

NASA officials were relieved to see no foam flying off the fuel tank; a surprising amount of the insulation came off the fuel tank during last month’s launch of Endeavour, causing minor damage. More analysis is needed to ascertain whether any debris broke off Discovery’s tank, said space operations chief Bill Gerstenmaier.

Discovery’s most prominent payload is NASA’s new $5 million treadmill, which is named after Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert.

Colbert tried to get a space station room named after himself and even won the online vote earlier this year, but NASA went with Tranquility instead in honor of the 40th anniversary of man’s first moon landing.

The comedian said the treadmill — for “all those chubby astronauts” — is a consolation prize.

The treadmill is flying up in more than 100 pieces and won’t be put together until sometime next month.

In all, the space shuttle will deliver about 17,000 pounds of gear to the space station. The experiments include six mice that will remain at the orbiting complex until the following shuttle visit in November. Part of a bone loss study, the mice will be the first mammals — other than humans — to spend a prolonged period at the space station.

AP Photo / Chris O’Meara

Space scientists: STS-128 astronauts, front row from left, Pilot Kevin Ford and Commander Rick Sturckow, lead fellow crew members, from left, Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez, Flight Engineer Nicole Stott, Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester, Mission Specialist Christer Fuglesang, of Sweden, and Mission Specialist Danny Olivas, from the Operations and Checkout Building Aug. 28, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The seven astronauts are scheduled to liftoff later this evening on a trip to the international space station.

“Let’s go step up the science Discovery’s crew includes on the international space two Hispanics, the first time station,” Sturckow radioed right two have flown together in before liftoff. space. Both are MexicanThree spacewalks will be Americans, and one of them, performed during the 13-day Jose Hernandez, grew up shuttle flight, to install a new in a migrant worker family. ammonia tank, part of the space Hernandez will file bilingual station’s cooling system, and Twitter updates from orbit. A replace other equipment and Swede is also on board. retrieve outdoor experiments.

It was NASA’s 33rd The station also will get a nighttime shuttle launch and new resident, preceded, by just Nicole Stott.

“Let’s go step up two days, the She will replace 25th anniversary the science on an astronaut of Discovery’s the international first liftoff. Flags who moved in during the 13flew at halfspace station.” day shuttle flight staff throughout last month.

Kennedy Space RICK STURCKOW DISCOVERY That spaceman Center on Friday COMMANDER will return to in memory of Earth aboard Sen. Edward Discovery, as Kennedy. will Buzz Lightyear. The action Only seven shuttle flights figure toy has been in orbit for remain, including this one. A more than a year, courtesy of blue-ribbon review committee Walt Disney World. should file its report soon, Stott, who will spend at offering options to President least three months at the space Obama for the direction of station, tapped her heart with NASA’s human spaceflight her right hand before climbing program. As it stands now, the aboard Discovery and said, space shuttles will be retired “I love you” to the cameras, after space station construction presumably for her husband is completed in the next year to and 7-year-old son. year-and-a-half.

OPINION

editorial@lanthorn.com

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, August 31, 2009

A5

EDITORIAL CARTOON

EDITORIAL

Fiscal fiasco Battling increased tuition in a time of economic uncertainty may seem a futile act, but students should not lose sight of the power they have as a unified group to press the state for a better deal.

Rising tuition costs combined with an unstable economy have pushed many college students to the breaking point, and despite Grand Valley State University’s “grand value,” counting pennies and taking loans may not be enough for some.

Twenty-five years ago the state appropriated 75 percent of GVSU’s operating budget. Today, state appropriations have dropped to less than 25 percent.

With the state padding roughly one-fifth of GVSU’s $255 million budget, students are left to pay the difference with their tuition dollars — dollars that might otherwise have been spent on books, food and rent.

It is difficult to justify continued tuition increases in a time of economic downturn, but given the present lack of state appropriations, the university has limited funding alternatives.

Were GVSU not to increase tuition, it is likely the university would be forced, as so many other institutions across the state and nation have been, to cut programs, faculty and student services.

Finding a few million dollars to spare in a $255 million budget is fine when playing with numbers on paper, but when services such as The Rapid are eliminated and computer labs start charging for paper and ink, such cuts are no longer as reasonable as first believed.

GVSU may be the fastest growing university in the state, but as long as mother Michigan continues to cut our allowance, we are resigned to the role of forgotten child with the lowest appropriations in the state.

Because GVSU’s state appropriations are not based on an enrollment count, as the student population grows state appropriations per student drop.

In this respect, GVSU students are treated as second-rate entities to their counterparts at the University of Michigan, Michigan State and Michigan’s 12 other public universities.

Such treatment is unjust and must be rectified. The state has no intention of increasing its appropriations to GVSU, an action which has a direct negative affect students.

GVSU boasts more than 24,000 students, most of whom are constituents of the very legislators who control funding for state universities.

One letter to a state representative or senator may not make a difference, but the combined voice of some 23,000 voting citizens will force attention and action on this fiscal discrepancy.

The student-run newspaper of Grand Valley State University

Editorial Page Board Jenny Whalen Eric Lee Lauren Fitch Chelsea Lane

Editor in Chief Business Manager Managing Editor Assistant News Editor

Valley Vote

GVL / Jacob Bowen

YOUR INSIGHTS

What is a goal you have for this semester?

“I want to increase my studies and bring my grades up, and meet more people, and try to find an organization that fits me.”

“I want to stay focused on my school work and make a lot of new friends. I want to get the full campus experience.”

“The main thing is I don’t want to fall behind in school.

I also want to be more outgoing and meet a lot of new people.”

“My main goal is to get good grades, but I also want to get involved as much as I can in the campus community.”

“One of my main goals is to get comfortably acclimated and to meet new people and develop my personality more — to learn more about myself and the school. ”

Brianna Johnson Junior Public Administration Muskegon, Mich.

Eric Stout Junior Film & Video White Lake, Mich.

Anthony Meppelink Freshman Criminal Justice Zeeland, Mich.

Faith Fetrow Freshman Pre-Med Gaylord, Mich.

Emily Gretel Freshman Photography Elk Rapids, Mich.

GVL STUDENT OPINION

Death panels, socialized medicine, oh my!

Paul LeBlanc GVL Columnist

I’m sure there was a time when town hall meetings were actually meaningful public forums where citizens could come together to discuss important issues impacting their communities.

Nowadays, town hall events are less meetings than angry pep rallies for disenchanted citizens to hurl rhetoric at their representatives in Congress.

I attended such a town hall meeting on the subject of health care reform a few weeks ago in my hometown of Rochester Hills. The event was held by my local state representative, Republican Tom McMillin, and

Patricia Saenz

Yes: 4.76%

GVL Columnist

This week’s question: Should college faculty be allowed to teach, write or advocate on behalf of homosexual practice and same-sex marriage?

Vote online at Lanthorn.com

GVL OPINION POLICY The ultimate goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn opinion page is to stimulate discussion and action on topics of interest to the Grand Valley Community.

Student opinions do not reflect those of the Grand Valley Lanthorn.

The Grand Valley Lanthorn welcomes reader viewpoints and offers three vehicles of expression for reader opinions: letters to the editor, guest columns and phone responses.

Letters must include the author’s name and be accompanied by current picture identification if dropped off in person.

Letters will be checked by an employee of the Grand Valley Lanthorn.

Letters appear as space permits each

issue. The limit for letter length is one page, single spaced.

The editor reserves the right to edit and condense letters and columns for length restrictions and clarity.

All letters must be typed.

The Grand Valley Lanthorn will not be held responsible for errors that appear in print as a result of transcribing handwritten letters or e-mail typographic errors.

The name of the author may be withheld for compelling reasons.

The content, information and views expressed are not approved by nor necessarily represent those of the university, its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty and staff.

politicians. Also not to my surprise, McMillin’s panel did nothing to correct them.

One woman’s voice trembled as she expressed her concern that people with mental and physical disabilities would not get access to health coverage under “ObamaCare,” a worry no doubt brought on by Sarah Palin’s lie about “government death panels” deciding the fate of her son with Down syndrome. Nevermind that all of the Democratic proposals specifically require all insurance plans to cover everyone regardless of health status – something they are not currently required to do.

But an honest, open discussion of what the Democratic health reform packages actually entail was never on McMillin’s mind.

Even if one does not agree with the

creation of a new public insurance option, there are numerous aspects of these reform measures that everyone should be able to agree on.

These include the new rule prohibiting insurance companies from denying people coverage based upon health status as well as forcing insurers to pay out a minimum amount of revenues to cover treatment, rather than allowing them to pocket excessive amounts of money while denying consumers coverage for needed services.

The special interests and a greedy minority party with its sights set on 2010 could care less about finding an agreeable solution to the nation’s health care crisis.

Now why isn’t anyone screaming at town halls about that? pleblanc@lanthorn.com

Where have all the big names gone?

Should colleges permit students to carry guns on campus?

No: 95.24%

proved to be more staged political theater than actual meeting.

McMillin’s event is a perfect example of everything that is wrong with the current debate on health care reform.

The event included a “panel of experts” on the Democratic health care proposals currently circulating in Congress.

This panel consisted of a former health industry businessman, a former Republican congressman who worked to defeat health reform in 1994 and a well-known local archconservative who also happens to be a physician.

“Experts” in what exactly? Defaming health care reform?

Not to my surprise, audience members voiced concerns about the proposals in response to patently false claims spread by special interests and Republican

As the semester starts up again, we begin to look back fondly at our memories of summer before we embark on classes, quizzes, internships, etc. Even if you did have to work or attend classes this summer, you must admit, it was still more relaxing than the fall semester.

From beach trips and town festivals to bonfires and camping trips, it seems as though there was always something fun going on this summer.

Personally, I was in Berlin for study abroad and had a blast listening to techno music, going to a Regina Spektor concert and eating Döner kebabs.

Summer appeared to be especially nice for all the

people who spent it in another country. Maybe it’s the accents or the appreciation of clean water that makes it better, but I digress.

The world did not stop spinning this summer, and of course we had our fair share of bad news come our way.

Stories that seemed to reoccur were all the death announcements. Almost every day these past months, news broadcasts all over the world would begin their stories with something along the lines of: “This week we mourn the death of …” or “was found dead earlier today.”

We lost so many celebrities New York Magazine officially titled 2009 as the “Summer of Death.”

In June alone we said goodbye to some iconic figures such as Ed McMahon, Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Billy Mays, and

in July we lost Walter Cronkite and Frank McCourt.

There was an inexplicable amount of talent lost with these celebrities alone. Who else could sell Mighty Putty and OxiClean like Billy Mays?

I realize it is a little morbid to write about death, especially the first week of school, but death became the overall theme to our summer. As I walked through the flea markets on the outskirts of Berlin, it seemed every vendor had some Michael Jackson song playing on his or her CD player. As I boarded the UBahn, the monitors on the train would announce the news from America, which usually consisted of one of our celebrities dying, or Barack Obama. There is always something in the news about Obama isn’t there?

Recently in August

we lost a few more stars, including two Kennedys: Ted Kennedy and Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

According to New York Magazine, from May to June we have lost a total of 21 big names.

However, two others were added after the article was published, including the death of Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein just this past weekend.

As August draws to a close and September begins, let’s hope the death toll lowers a bit as we begin our journey through the fall semester.

We must begin to remember our bike lock combinations, find a good place to store our swipe keys and begin to circle all the dates of our big test this semester on our syllabuses. I don’t think we will have the time to hold anymore candlelight vigils for celebrities this year. psaenz@lanthorn.com

A6

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, August 31, 2009

LAKER LIFE

Susie Skowronek, Laker Life Editor lakerlife@lanthorn.com

Student takes health message to Africa Grad student Megan Walling teaches health, hygiene during summer mission in Mozambique

By Allison Bleeker GVL Staff Writer

While many college students spend summer working, going to the beach or sleeping until 2 p.m., one Grand Valley State University graduate student spent her summer in a unique way teaching health and hygiene class in Balama, Mozambique.

Part of a team, Megan Walling taught local residents how to prevent simple illnesses such as malaria and dysentery, which cause many deaths in developing nations.

“Our main message was teaching how disease and germs are transmitted, the importance of hand washing and using latrines and effective at home treatments of diarrhea,” Walling said.

With commonplace illiteracy and hundreds of different tribal languages, the team’s lessons were all demonstrations and discussions, said

team member Dr. Sherrie Tamburello. treatment because of lack of resources “Most people (in Mozambique) and/or knowledge.” do not have access to physicians,” Walling said her living conditions in Tamburello said. “As in many African Balama would be considered poverty countries, there are few nurses and in the U.S., but in Mozambique they health care workers and even fewer were considered very luxurious. physicians. Use of local healers and “I stayed at a large mission station in herbalists is still very Balama, Mozambique, common.

Also the which is in northern “Unfortunately, in few physicians there Mozambique, five (reside) mainly in Mozambique, like hours inland from the urban settings and Indian Ocean Coast,” most developing most people live in she said. “We stayed nations, health rural settings.” in a large guest house While staying care is scarce and made out of concrete in Balama, Walling with a tin roof. There what is available is was no running water visited the local hospital, which had and no electricity. inadequate.” minimal resources Solar power was used MEGAN WALLING with which to treat to power a few lights GVSU GRADUATE patients. at night. We had bucket STUDENT “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, showers with water in Mozambique, like heated over a kerosene most developing nations, health burner.” care is scarce and what is available The area surrounding the station is inadequate,” Walling said. “It is Walling stayed in consisted of mud not uncommon for a person in rural huts with grass roofs. Some of the Mozambique to have to walk hours villagers had working pumps for water, upon hours to reach a hospital and while others had to collect water from upon arrival to not receive the needed a stream many miles away.

Courtesy Photo / Megan Walling

Learning: Megan Walling gathers with some of the children who attended the local mission in Mozambique where she taught them the basics of disease prevention and germ transmission.

Walling went to Mozambique with Vox United of Holland, Mich., a nongovernmental organization working mainly in South Africa to address issues related to the HIV/AIDS crisis there. She was able to fund her trip through an internship stipend from the American Humanics program at GVSU. Walling connected to the program through public administration professor Quincy Williams.

“We as Americans often take things for granted,” Williams said. “This trip hopefully served as an eye-opening experience that not many people have the opportunity to be a part of.”

As a graduate with dual bachelor’s degrees in Health Professions and Public and Non-Profit Administration, Walling would like to continue with this type of work in the future.

“As a physician assistant, I hope to continue traveling overseas to developing nations to provide health and hygiene training and/or medical help,” Walling said. ableeker@lanthorn.com

Courtesy Photo / Megan Walling

Teaching team: Nora Kuipers, Megan Walling and Dr. Sherrie Tamburello helped the group from Vox United of Holland, Mich., in educating the Mozambique natives during the summer.

GVSU lends helping hands during move-in Upperclassmen, faculty, alums donate time to welcome freshmen to Allendale Campus

By Susie Skowronek Laker Life Editor

Cars crammed onto Grand Valley State University sidewalks while boxes, bags and flat screen televisions sat in heaps upon the grass around Kleiner.

For the freshmen move-in festivities, senior Anna Neuenshwander returned Wednesday to her freshman home - north campus - with her sorority.

She greeted freshmen and helped them tote their luggage to their new living spaces.

“It was fun for me to move in freshman year,” Neuenshwander said. “It feels good to relive it.”

In the midst of the commotion, President Thomas Haas and wife Marcia Haas cheerfully steered an ice cream cart. They greeted old faces and welcomed new ones with ice cream sandwiches, popsicles and Klondike Bars.

President Haas gave students the ice cream for free, but told them as they unwrapped the bars, “As long as you study hard!”

Along with Frey, Johnson, Kirkpatrick, North B, West B, Ott and Robinson residents, freshman Laura Todd and her co-residents moved into Swanson Wednesday morning. To quicken the move-in process, Department of Public Safety officers directed drivers to unload cars within 5 minutes.

“I went to the bathroom while we were unpacking,” said Rose Todd, Laura Todd’s mother. “When I came back, Laura’s pile of stuff had vanished.”

Members of the football team had rushed the pile of suitcases and boxes to Todd’s room on the fourth floor.

Due to the effort of the Helping Hands program, fraternities, sororities, student organizations, faculty, staff and alumni worked together to unload cars,

stack furniture and answer questions of excited students and nervous parents.

The long-standing Helping Hands tradition helps to build relationships between the upperclassmen and freshmen, students and faculty, and students and alumni, said Gennie Hill, graduate assistant for Campus Programs and Campus Life.

“The staff can get the first interaction with the new students,” said D.J. Koessler, Campus Programs staff assistant. “It breaks the ice. For the fraternities and sororities, who like to do community service, they can show a good example for the incoming students.” lakerlife@lanthorn.com

GVL / Andrew Mills

Keeping cool: GVSU President Thomas J. Haas and his wife Marcia hand out ice cream to volunteers Alicia Crawford and Anna Neuenschwander during move in. Haas and his wife traveled through north campus passing out the sweet treats.

Iceland

NOTES FROM ABROAD — THE BLOG Five GVSU students studying in various nations around the world will share their experiences and insights every Monday with the GVSU community through the Lanthorn’s new “Notes from Abroad” blog, available on Lanthorn.com.

Follow Travis Kovaleinen in Iceland this week.

See more: Visit Lanthorn.com for

the “Notes from Abroad” blog.

GVL / Travis Kovaleinen

GVL Photo / Kim Miller

New faces: Hilda Gutiérrez, Monica Deleon and Angie Peña play an ice breaker game at Transitions.

Transitions eases intro to campus life

By Alexandra Butkovich GVL Staff Writer

Despite the dreary weather, at 8 p.m. Thursday, a swarm of students departed from north campus, heading for the Fieldhouse Arena.

Freshmen crowded into the large room for an evening of activities as Transitions kicked off the new school year.

At the kickoff, the Transitions participants listened to music with their new friends, and formed ties as a new part of the campus community.

When Transitions leaders called roll for each of the dorms, the new residents answered with thunderous applause.

Speakers Frank Kitchen and Rodger Campbell led the students in several games, helping them to mingle, while a comedic meet-and-greet allowed the participants to get people more involved.

The speakers explained their three rules: “Have as much fun as possible, meet as many new people as possible and avoid lawsuits.”

Games included frantic introductions to as many people as possible in one minute and acting out a favorite hobby to a group.

Another game involved two people forming a house with a third playing the occupant. They would have to trade teams when Kitchen or Campbell decided there was a tornado or an earthquake.

To “work the tension out,” Kitchen and Campbell had the freshmen forming lines to rub each other’s shoulders.

Freshman Stephanie Klinefelter said these activities helped her become less of an onlooker and become more of a participant in the school community.

“At the beginning of the week, I was lost,” Klinefelter said. “But I figured out that I actually have to live here, and this helped me realize that this is my home now.”

The Transitions program helps incoming students adjust to campus life and meet new people with events lined up for the entire move-in weekend.

Junior Jessica Chandler, a first-time Transitions leader, finds the program a fun way to help freshmen become acclimated to campus life.

“I enjoyed Transitions when I was a freshman,” Chandler said. “It’s where I met a lot of my friends.”

Transitions leaders, such as Chandler, trained for three and a half days, learning modules to help facilitate activities.

Events such as Meijer Madness, Convocation, the first Laker Late Night and the Transitions kick-off welcome the new students to campus.

Transitions serves as an orientation to commuter, transfer and international students as well.

N e s a n t h e n y Kanagalingam, from London, is spending a year abroad at Grand Valley State University. She said she was excited to mingle at transitions.

“The international students are more separated,” Kanagalingam said. “It’s great meeting new people and learning a new culture.” abutkovich@lanthorn.com

SPORTS

Matt Kuzawa, Sports Editor sports@lanthorn.com

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, August 31, 2009

B

Big plays outweigh early miscues Lakers win Lady Bluff Volleyball Classic

The Laker women’s volleyball team went 3-1 in the Lady Bluff Volleyball Classic during the weekend.

In their first action this season, the No. 4 ranked Lakers opened the trip with a 3-1 victory over Texas-Permian Basin. In a topfive showdown, host school West Texas A&M, ranked fifth in the nation, blanked Grand Valley State University 3-0 in front of a large Buffalo crowd.

The Lakers bounced back with two, 3-0 shutouts of their own over Southwestern Oklahoma and No. 19 Nova Southeastern.

NUMBER CRUNCHER

Football team demonstrates strengths, weaknesses in season-opener victory Matt Kuzawa GVL Sports Editor

The usual suspects were at it again as the No. 1 Lakers opened the season with another victory — their 43rd consecutive regular season win.

Despite some stiff competition from No. 11 ranked West Texas A&M, Grand Valley State University managed a decisive 37-23 defeat among a crowd of 15,093 at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium Saturday night.

There was plenty of both good

and bad for the Lakers in the seasonopening victory. Here’s a look at a few of them: Good Senior quarterback Brad Iciek is coming off of his worst game as a Laker in a season-ending loss to the University of Minnesota-Duluth in which he threw three interceptions.

The team has to be happy with how their starting quarterback bounced back with a solid 17 for 25, 216 yard, three touchdown performance on Saturday. Iciek made few mistakes as he distributed the ball to seven different receivers.

See Football, B2

15,093 People in attendance who watched GVSU’s football team defeat home team West Texas A&M team in Canyon, Texas

43 Consecutive regular season wins for the Laker football team

9 Penalties committed by the GVSU football team in the season opening win

452 Yards given up by the Laker defense, including 408 in the air

0 Goals scored by either team after 90 minutes of play in the women’s soccer opener against No. 6 Columbus State

9 Kills and five blocks for junior Krysta Kornack in the women’s volleyball 3-0 victory over No. 19 Nova Southeastern

Courtesy Photo / Eric Stoike

Run around: A GVSU football player avoids a tackle during Saturday’s away game against West Texas A&M. The game constituted the Lakers’ 43rd consecutive regular season win.

Football Recap GVSU

West Texas

First Downs.............................

Rushes-Yards (NET)..................

Passing Yards (NET).................

17 36-161 216

25 18-44 408

Passes Att-Comp-Int................

Total Offense Plays Yards.........

Fumble Returns-Yards..............

Punt Returns-Yards..................

Kickoff Returns-Yards...............

25-17-0 61-377 1-72 2-16 3-45

55-40-1 73-452 0-0 1-11 7-136

Interception Returns-Yards......

Punts (Number-Average).........

Fumbles-Lost...........................

Penalties-Yards........................

Possession Time......................

1-11 2-41.5 2-1 9-96 29:38

0-0 2-34.5 3-3 12-68 30:22

Third-Down Conversions.........

Fourth-Down Conversions.......

Red-Zone Scores-Chances.......

Sacks By: Number-Yards..........

8 of 13 1 of 2 4-4 2-4

7 of 14 1 of 3 3-5 0-0

Rushing: GVSU- James Berezik 19-105; P.T. Gates 8-62; Justin Sherrod 4-9; Blake Smolen 1-4; TEAM 1-minus 2; Brad Iciek 3-minus 17. West Texas A&M- Kelvin Thompson 10-54; Tanner Marsh 1-11; Mark Ford 1-3; TEAM 1-minus 2; Tim Cowdrey 1-minus 11; Taylor Harris 4-minus 11.

Passing: GVSU- Iciek 17-25-0-216. West Texas A&M- Taylor Harris 34-46-1-332; Tanner Marsh 6-9-0-76.

Receiving: GVSU- Mike Koster 7-68; Smolen 3-64; Ryan Bass 2-13; Greg Gay 2-11; Tony Carreri 1-33; Andrew Lorman 1-18; Berezik 1-9.

West Texas A&M-Tyson Williams 8-92; Kelvin Thompson 7-26; A.J. Ruffins 5-70; Brittan Golden 5-50; Stephen Burton 4-31; Wade Langley 3-36; Josephius Martin 2-48; Kendrick Cutsinger 2-14; Joe Joe Jones 2-4; Mark Ford 1-37; Jeremy Watson 1-0.

Interceptions: GVSU- Jacob McGuckin 1-11. West Texas A&MNone.

Fumbles: GVSU- Gates 1-0; Berezik 1-1. West Texas A&M-Williams 1-1; Cowdrey 1-1; Harris 1-1.

Lakers gain new leader at QB

By Matt Kuzawa GVL Sports Editor

There is one noticeable difference between the Lakers’ starting quarterback of the past two seasons and the 2009 signal-caller: leadership.

And that is not a knock on last season’s starting quarterback, Brad Iciek. Actually, it is more of a compliment.

The quarterback for the past two seasons was quiet and did what he was told. This year’s quarterback is doing the telling.

However, there is one glaring similarity GVL Archive / Andrew Mills between last season’s starting quarterback and United front: Quarterback Brad Iciek calls for the snap this season’s: It is the same guy. during a game at Saginaw Valley last season. Iciek will again Iciek, a senior from Grandville, will return for serve as the starting quarterback for the Laker team. his third season under center for the Lakers but them, Martin said. Iciek said he understands the with a new demeanor. importance in such a mindset.

“If you see him on the practice field this year, “My goal every single play is to make sure I think you’ll notice it pretty everyone is in the right place quickly,” said head coach and to make sure we’re in a Chuck Martin. “He has more “Becoming a leader play that will put us in the best of a presence with our football sometimes is putting position to score,” Iciek said. team.” when things are going yourself out in front bad,“And That presence is something keeping everyone upbeat Iciek had struggled with in of the team and and positive. We’re capable of the past two seasons for the making a big play at any time.” taking charge of a Lakers and can be traced to his Even though he was one of childhood. situation.”

55 players who traveled to West “He grew up with the idea Texas A&M, Iciek undoubtedly that you keep your mouth shut is expected to not only be “one CHUCK MARTIN and you do what you’re told,” of the guys” but also to be “the GVSU HEAD COACH Martin said. “He’s not one to guy.” question things. He’s not one to “Not just him handling his tell other people what to do.” business, but him trying to say Although it is OK to sometimes be a “yes‘OK, I’m the manager of this group,” Martin said. man,” Martin said he also wants Iciek to realize “I’m not better than you guys, but I am going to sometimes it is better to say no. They challenged manage the situation and make sure we’re all him with that concept in the offseason. doing what we’re supposed to.”

“Becoming a leader sometimes is putting Martin said he expects Iciek to go into coaching yourself out in front of the team and taking charge one day and do great things. Martin added he of a situation,” Martin said. “Or maybe even would have no problem hiring him as his graduate telling a coach, ‘Hey, I know you’re calling this, assistant or quarterback coach, though he would but this is what I want to run.’” be hesitant to put him in charge.

While Iciek has always had those thoughts “When it came time to be a coordinator, I in his head, he is only now starting to act on wouldn’t hire (Iciek) because (he) wouldn’t take

GVL Archive / Andrew Mills

Taking command: Quarterback Brad Iciek throws a pass during the fourth quarter of GVSU’s win over the University Indianapolis last season. Iciek, a senior, will return for his third season under center for the Lakers.

control of the situation,” Martin said. “That’s a step for him in his own life and his own maturity.”

The Lakers certainly would benefit from that maturation, and so far coaches agree, “Brad Iciek 3.0” is looking to be a new and improved version of last year’s model. sports@lanthorn.com

Ex-GVSU rower pushes toward Olympic gold LANTHORN now on

Senior Sarah Zelenka sets sights on joining Olympic team following World Championships

By Emanuel Johnson GVL Sports Writer

Follow LanthornSports on Twitter for up-tothe-minute coverage of Laker games, players and coaches

It is no secret most college athletes who dream of pursuing a professional athletic career see their ambitions come to an end along with their senior year. In fact, according to NCAA.com, less than 3 percent of college athletes move on to the professional level.

However, Grand Valley State University senior rower Sarah Zelenka could be on a path to that select 3 percent. Zelenka was chosen this past summer to participate in the

U-23 Rowing World Championships Through her trials and tests, in Racice, Czech Republic as a Zelenka found she had some more representative of the U.S. work to put in on her quest to become She said the an elite rower. Her experience opened boat finished dead “The whole her eyes, while last with a time experience of also testing her of 6:57.21 in the strength.

Wo m e n ’s - F o u r competing at such “There were a Grand Final race. a high level and lot of times when Belarus clocked improving myself I was tested more in at 6:48.8 to take mentally than home the gold in as a rower was physically just the championship amazing.” because of all of race. the talent around However, SARAH ZELENKA me,” she said. “I Zelenka said the GVSU SENIOR learned how much experience did not you have to work deter her at all. In and believe in fact, it gave her an yourself to succeed in this sport. You even stronger desire to compete at have to be able to overcome what the professional level. your weakness is.”

“Now that I’ve had a little taste

of it, I think it’s definitely something that I want to be involved in,” she said. “The whole experience of competing at such a high level and improving myself as a rower was amazing.”

The next step for Zelenka is to pursue Olympic gold. GVSU head rowing coach John Bancheri, who guided Zelenka through all four years of her collegiate rowing career, said she already has the physical set to be a competitive Olympian.

Zelenka’s best erg score, a figure to represent a rower’s in-water strength, stands at 6:57 for 2,000 meters.

“At this point it’s a matter of developing a touch at a higher level,” Bancheri said. “You look at the best

See Rowing, B2

B2

Monday, August 31, 2009

SPORTS Football continued from page B1

With the playoff loss still lingering over Iciek in the offseason, the Lakers’ signal caller can now officially put it behind him. He is now coming off of a good performance, which has to be a big confidence boost for Iciek for the rest of the season.

Bad With only two returning linemen on the Lakers’ offensive line, it is expected there would be some growing pains. That was evident by the botched snaps between junior center James Hardy and quarterback Brad Iciek. One resulted in the ball bouncing into the end zone, requiring Iciek to fall on it, earning a safety.

While the young offensive line should only improve over time, it is still an area of concern until Hardy develops consistent delivery to Iciek.

Grand Valley Lanthorn With the return of junior wide receiver Koster from academic ineligibility, the Lakers are assured to have at least one big-time receiver if Smolen is taken out of the equation by an opposing team’s double team.

Bad Just as the Lakers’ receivers found weak spots in the opposing defense, West Texas A&M seemed to as well. The Buffaloes managed 408 yards against the young, inexperienced GVSU cornerbacks. This may be one of the soft spots on the Lakers’ defense, with first-year starter Enrique Shaw and secondyear starter Robert Carlisle at the corners. Despite the lack of experience, Buffaloes’ passing attack will be one of the better offenses the Lakers will face early in the season, allowing time for them to gel with safeties Jake McGuckin, a senior, and sophomore Zach Breen.

Good At certain times during the game, senior wideout Blake Smolen seemed to disappear and was held in check by the West Texas defense. While this may seem a bad thing, this opened up big plays for other players such as Mike Koster and Tony Carreri. Last season, when running back James Berezik sat out in the Lakers’ playoff loss to MinnesotaDuluth, Smolen was taken out of virtually every play, leaving Iciek with few weapons to move the ball down the field.

Good The Lakers’ pass rush undoubtedly took a hit with the loss of defensive All-American Dan Skuta to graduation.

However, Skuta’s wreckingmate senior Danny Richard is poised to have a monstrous year, as evidenced by his two sacks Saturday night. Richard had his way with West Texas’ offensive line at times, as his speed around the edge proved valuable in applying pressure to Buffaloes’ quarterback Taylor Harris.

Rowing

semester left in her academic career at GVSU, but the team will not have the pleasure of seeing her row competitively again for the Lakers. She will continue workouts with the team until her graduation and then will move to Princeton, N. J. to continue training with the U.S. national team.

Bancheri said he is sad his best rower will not be able to return to the team, but he

continued from page B1

athletes in any sport and their fundamentals are perfect.

The only way you get that is through time. Sarah still has a few more seconds of speed to develop, and if she continues to put in the time that she has been putting in, she’ll be at the Olympic level within three years.”

Zelenka still has another

On a few plays Richard seemed to be out of the play, however, he kept his feet moving, running full speed down field to make a play on the ball. His speed on the edge will give defensive coordinators fits, and Richard is likely to end up with a double-digit sack total by season’s end.

Bad There were a few mental lapses by the Lakers in the opening half of Saturday’s game. It may just be earlyseason jitters, but it cannot sit well with head coach Chuck Martin to see his starting running back Berezik cough up the ball on the Lakers’ second possession of the season. That, coupled with nine penalties totaling 96 yards, has to change for the Lakers to make a run at a championship.

It appeared halftime provided the Lakers with a chance to regroup and refocus on their way to 27 consecutive points to take a 34-9 lead. But before a 46-yard touchdown from Smolen at the end of the first half, the Lakers appeared to be mentally distraught.

Good The Lakers, accustomed to subpar Division II opponents, gained valuable big-game experience just one game into the 2009 season. Win or lose this would have benefited the young players no matter what, and may prove pivotal for a successful playoff run for the Lakers. sports@lanthorn.com

is excited by the prospect of having coached a future Olympian.

“It’s quite a thrill,” he said.

“It’s no different than a parent watching their child grow from an infant into something great. I mean, we have a great system and a great program, but she had to put in the work to be at the level that she’s at.” ejohnson@lanthorn.com

SPORTS

Grand Valley Lanthorn

Monday, August 31, 2009

B3

Tampa serves as soccer’s ‘measuring stick’ University of Tampa proves even match for GVSU as three-year, non-conference rivalry continues with tied game early into the 2009 campaign.

“It’s a good chance to play some tough competition and The ninth-ranked Grand to later go back to this game Valley State University to see what we need to get women’s soccer team took the better at,” he said. “Whenever field Sunday you can in Florida “It’s a good chance match up against an with highto play some tough opponent level teams they are all competition and to like Tampa too familiar this early, later go back to this with — always game to see what we it’s the No. 24 exciting University need to get better at.” for our of Tampa players.”

Spartans.

In the It was DAVE DIIANNI brief history the fourth GVSU HEAD COACH between time the GVSU and Lakers have Tampa, it squared has become off against the Spartans a competitive relationship since 2006. Since then, it with rankings and national has become an exciting non- championship implications conference rivalry. on the line.

“It’s definitely been a fun In the 2006 meeting, the and unique rivalry featuring Lakers shut out the Spartans two very good programs,” 2-0 to reach the National said GVSU head soccer Championship game held in coach Dave DiIanni. “You Pensacola, Fla. However, in have Midwest soccer going 2007, the Spartans got revenge up against South soccer to see by stunning the top-ranked who is better.”

Lakers 2-1 in the national DiIanni added playing semifinal rematch in Orange against a high-caliber Beach, Ala. The Spartans opponent such as Tampa is would later go on to win the a “fun measuring stick” this

By Jared Greenleaf GVL Staff Writer

National Championship under then first-year head coach Gerry Lucey.

Last August, the No. 3-ranked Lakers defeated the No. 1-ranked Spartans 1-0 in an early season nonconference game held in front of more than 900 fans in Allendale.

“It’s a big regional game for us to play, and it sets the tone for the rest of the season,” said senior forward Irie Dennis, who notched the lone goal to help defeat Tampa last season.

DiIanni said it has always been an aggressive, competitive battle against Tampa.

“They’re a very solid, hard-nosed, athletic program with a great head coach in Gerry (Lucey),” he said.

When facing a team such as Tampa, in the past and present, experience is always a key asset this early in the season.

“Our team is very young, so a lot of the girls haven’t experienced playing (Tampa),” said junior midfielder Kristen Eible. “With the young players we have, we just need to take it one game at a time so those

GVL Archive / Bri Goodyear

Breaking defense: Junior Jenna Wenglinski, a defender from Portage, Mich., runs past an opposing Tampa Bay player in a past matchup between the No. 9 GVSU Lakers and the No. 24 University of Tampa Spartans.

players can gain experience.”

With the home-and-home series now complete with Tampa, DiIanni said the team is likely to end the four-year relationship with the Spartans, unless they face each other in the NCAA Tournament.

“It’s been a very fun,

challenging experience against (Tampa),” DiIanni said. “Gerry (Lucey) and I respect one another, as well as our players to one another.

It’s going to be exciting to see this team grow through these games and as we move through the next three

months.”

With the Lakers’ return from Florida, they will kick off the first of four home games in a match against the University of Missouri- St. Louis. Game time is set for 5 p.m. Friday. jgreenleaf@lanthorn.com

GVSU tennis athletes earn academic honors

By Aaron Brandt GVL Sports Writer

Grand Valley State University tennis program’s success is not just restricted to games, sets or matches. Both the men’s and women’s teams scored victories not only on the court, but also in a different arena: the classroom.

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association awarded the Laker tennis program with an All-Academic Team award to the men, as well as several individual awards.

Graduates Audrey Koopsen and Jamie Oppenlander, along with junior Philipp Claus, received ITA Scholar Athlete awards for their high individual marks in the classroom.

Head coach John Black stressed the importance of solid academics in his program.

“If somebody has good grades, it probably means that they are disciplined, they know how to set a schedule, and they are dedicated to something,” Black said. “We had a whole bunch of intelligent athletes.”

A team must have a younger athletes this year.” cumulative GPA of 3.20 or A major contributor to the higher on a 4.00 scale, and an men’s high cumulative GPA individual must have a 3.50 was Claus.

GPA or higher on the same “Philipp (Claus) strives scale to qualify. for excellence in everything “All it takes is one person he does,” said senior Tony with a low GPA and you Dang. “His work ethic is can lose out on the honor, unbelievable.” especially when the there are That work ethic combined only 10 players to average with a mental approach led together,” Black said.

Claus to triumph last season.

Both Koopsen and “Philipp (Claus) defines Oppenlander intelligence stood out “Tennis players have on and off the academically said to think so much on court,” on the sophomore the court that it’s women’s Josh Kazdan. t e a m , “He might about half mental receiving the not be the and half physical. It strongest or ITA Scholarnaturally translates have the best A t h l e t e award before stroke, but to school ... ” graduating he outsmarts from GVSU. every single JOSH KAZDAN “We are one of his GVSU SOPHOMORE pleased to opponents.” have Jamie T h a t strategy also (Oppenlander) back as an translated to his schoolwork. assistant coach,” Black “To him, academics are said. “She will be a positive extremely important and not influence on some of the just passing his classes but

excelling in them,” B l a c k said.

“He attacks his schoolwork with the same focus as he does on the court.” Claus Black attributed the team’s ability to concentrate on both academics and tennis, to their level of experience.

“Half of the men’s team is seniors,” he said. “I’m looking for them to show my underclassmen how to work hard, win matches and stay focused.”

However, that same academic work ethic was not always present on the men’s team.

“Academics weren’t on our minds as much as they should have been,” Dang said. “We later realized that it wasn’t the time to play around anymore, and we all matured together.”

One of the first lessons the team learned was how to

handle the largeamount of travel required by a full Division II schedule. “ W e found out that we Oppenlander needed to be smart and prepare your work ahead of time before we go on trips,” Kazdan said. “Distractions can be handled through good time management.”

The players must use their heads to win a match, which

tends to translate to the classroom. “ Te n n i s players have to think so much on the court that it’s about Koopsen half mental and half physical,” Kazdan said. “It naturally translates to school, which is why we won those awards.” abrandt@lanthorn.com

B4

Monday, August 31, 2009

SPORTS

Grand Valley Lanthorn

Lions’ QB race continues: Culpepper vs. Stafford

By Larry Lage AP Sports Writer

DETROIT (AP) — Daunte Culpepper and Matthew Stafford seemed to do enough Saturday to keep the Detroit Lions’ quarterback competition wide open. Heck, even Peyton Manning thought they did well.

Culpepper threw for a touchdown and Stafford passed for 160 yards to help Detroit beat the Indianapolis

Colts 18-17 in an exhibition game.

Three-time MVP Manning has said Stafford — the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft — would be best served to play right away as he did, but left Ford Field away impressed with Detroit’s top two QBs. “I thought both of them looked good,” Manning said.

“It seems like the race is going to go down to the wire.”

Lions coach Jim Schwartz

chose to begin the first and third preseason games with Culpepper under center, but wouldn’t discuss plans for the exhibition finale Thursday night at Buffalo.

Schwartz did say, though, he is planning to use his top players more than most coaches do in the fourth exhibition.

“We’re still in evaluation mode,” Schwartz said. “We’re going to approach it the same way we did these other three games.”

Culpepper completed seven of 12 passes for 67 yards, deftly avoiding the rush to make some throws and showing enough poise to connect with his third option on the TD — Bryant Johnson for a 3-yard score.

“I feel great,” said Culpepper, who was a Pro Bowl-caliber QB in Minnesota before a knee injury in 2005.

“I honestly feel like I did before I got hurt.”

Stafford was 13-of-19 and threw an interception, which his coach blamed on Johnson for not being more aggressive.

The strong-armed QB made a 40-yard throw to fellow rookie Derrick Williams and a 37-yarder to Calvin Johnson, showing why Detroit drafted the former Georgia star.

“I feel like I’ve played well,” Stafford said. “I don’t know what they’re going to do. It’s not up to me.”

Drew Stanton followed Culpepper and Stafford, and led Detroit (2-1) to the winning points with 4:13 left.

He threw a 21-yard pass to rookie Dan Gronkowski and a 2-point conversion to John Standeford.

While Detroit’s QB situation is murky, Manning is still in charge for the Colts, just as he’s been since they drafted him first overall in 1998.

The reigning MVP was 12of-15 for 123 yards, including a 6-yard TD to Dallas Clark, who had six receptions for 63 yards.

“Both drives at the beginning of both halves were quality,” Manning said.

“On the two drives where we did not get points it was more us than them. It was us selfdestructing.”

Colts rookie Curtis Painter, playing in place of sore backup Jim Sorgi, completed nine of 14 passes for 145 yards and an interception that should’ve been caught by receiver John Matthews.

Indianapolis (1-2) put

AP Photo / Paul Sancya

Leaping ahead: Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jerraud Powers (49) intercepts a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Bryant Johnson (80) during the second quarter of an exhibition NFL football game, Aug. 29, in Detroit.

several banged-up players on the inactive list, but coach Jim Caldwell wasn’t in the mood to make excuses for the Lions’ 412 yards of offense.

“Regardless of who goes in there and plays for us, we expect them to play as well as anyone else, whether he’s a starter or not,” Caldwell said. “For the most part, we

just didn’t get it done.”

Caldwell was encouraged cornerback Marlin Jackson and safety Antoine Bethea were healthy enough to play.

“In both cases the guys haven’t had an opportunity to play much at all this preseason,” Caldwell said.

“So, to get them out there was very important.”

Football Viewing Party

GVL / Luke Hotwagner

Coming together: Fans gathered in Lubbers Stadium Saturday to watch GVSU take on West Texas A&M in the first football game of the season. The game was broadcast from Canyon, Texas for local fans to watch on the stadium’s big screen. The Lakers defeated West Texas A&M 37-23 before a crowd of 15,093 in Texas.

A&E

Haley Otman, A&E Editor arts@lanthorn.com

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, August 31, 2009

B5

Art show maps travel experiences GVSU students contrast summer trips to NYC, southwest desert in combined art exhibition

By Haley Otman GVL A&E Editor

A desert land in southwest America inspires Grand Valley State University professor Dellas Henke because he can see and touch man’s impact on the landscape over thousands of years.

The metropolitan bustle of New York City inspires GVSU assistant professor Anna Campbell because it is one of the few places she can really experience art firsthand.

Henke, along with GVSU professor Anthony Thompson, created a class called “Desert Southwest Workshop” and spent four weeks in the desert with his students. Campbell created “Mapping New York” and traveled to the Big Apple for two weeks with her students.

The two classes combined for an art exhibition, “Arcadian/ Metropolitan,” which is on display through Thursday.

Campbell’s class returned from New York City with a wide variety of projects that will be on display.

Campbell said her students finally got to work large, adding although

they always had the chance to do where she saw homeless people it at GVSU, they never got to see in New York — the same material enough to inspire them to. the homeless would use to make a “You can feel really safe ... and sign. Another student focused on hermetically sealed within the memory and drew a map of the city campus,” Campbell said. “You get from memory each day for eight the sense that everything you need days after she arrived home, to to know can be show some things found here.” are lost and some “You can feel But once the are altered. really safe ... and students reached Evelyn Derico, New York City, an art history hermetically sealed they realized what major who took within the campus. they had been the New York trip, You get the sense that said she now plans missing.

The class visited on moving there everything you need the Studio Museum graduation. to know can be found after in Harlem, the Her project here.”

Whitney Museum involved recording of American Art, sound bytes at ANNA CAMPBELL Coney Island for each destination, GVSU ASSISTANT PROFESSOR visual culture because she research, public believes sound is art including subways and many one of the most overlooked senses. more places during their time in She later burned the sounds to CDs New York. and made a book to accompany All students incorporated with it. mapping into their projects, or “You can create your own “defining space and marking New York experience,” Derico territory,” Campbell said. One said. “Things are definitely way student made a map out of more interesting when you get to corrugated cardboard, plotting experience them firsthand.”

arts@lanthorn.com

GVL / Andrew Mills

GVL / Andrew Mills

Capture time: This photo book records one student’s journey during this summer’s “Desert Southwest Workshop.”

The theme of all the projects in the “Arcadian/Metropolitan” art show was mapping the trips made to New York City and the American southwest in various mediums. Students who embarked on these trips chose their own medium.

The students in Henke and Thompson’s class also got to experience things firsthand, though what they saw was very different.

“Desert Southwest Workshop” ventured to Jemez Springs, in the mountains of New Mexico; Magdalena, a site of Hispanic, Navajo and Anglo culture; the North Rim of the Grand Canyon; the Grand Escalante National Staircase, and more places.

“We really try to get students to pay attention to the human response to landscape,” Henke said. “The land really is used by them — it’s not just a park or a pretty place to walk.”

Henke said his students were very adventurous and found areas off the beaten path that neither professor knew anything about.

Most of his students have at least three pieces in the show, and each professor also has their own works displayed.

“Arcadian/Metropolitan” is open in the Padnos Gallery through Thursday, with a closing reception Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Common ground: The squares of cardboard map locations where one art student met homeless people during her trip to New York City. The cardboard was chosen because it is a material the homeless often use.

GVL / Andrew Mills

Contrast: The “Arcadian/Metropolitan” art show stands on display in the Padnos Gallery through Thursday. Each group’s destination stands in contrast to the other as diplayed in various art forms.

UICA nabs rights to show feature film, ‘The Answer Man,’ months before DVD release

By Haley Otman GVL A&E Editor

Ryan Dittmer, film program manager at Grand Rapids’ Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, saw a great opportunity when writer/director John Hindman came out with “The Answer Man,” and eagerly approached Magnolia Pictures to see if he could show it.

“The Answer Man” is a romantic comedy starring Jeff Daniels and Lauren Graham. It is Hindman’s first feature film, but it has already garnered a plethora of praise and has been featured at many film festivals, including this summer’s Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Mich., and the Sundance Film Festival.

The UICA decided it would be a great film to show to the Grand Rapids and Grand Valley State University communities.

“It’s a good choice for a romantic comedy if you like movies about dysfunctional people who find happiness through each other,” said Phil Meade, public relations manager.

Jeff Daniels, a Chelsea, Mich. native, plays Arlen Faber, who wrote a book about spirituality 20 years ago, yet is still thought of as “the man with all the answers,” according to the movie’s Web site. The characters played by Lauren Graham and Lou Taylor Pucci show up in his life, hoping he can provide them each with direction. “But the truth is, he

hasn’t got a clue,” the Web site notes.

Hindman wanted to make fun of new-age psychobabble in an American culture he said deifies the newest book release, in addition to telling a story about fathers and sons. He decided to put those ideas into a ‘40s- and ‘50s-style romantic comedy to make it more hopeful and less crass and cynical, Hindman added.

Daniels loved the script so much he signed on before Hindman figured out how the film was going to be funded.

The UICA was glad to show a film starring a Michiganian, but Meade said the ultimate decision to show it was because it is a high-quality film.

The second leading star, Lauren Graham, is widely known for her role as Lorelai Gilmore on the show, “Gilmore Girls.” In real life, Graham is similar to Lorelai because “she’s really smart, she talks fast, she’s really funny— she really helped me to make her part better,” Hindman said.

Graham was able to help Hindman evolve her character into something even better than what was in the script.

Hindman advised film students at GVSU to really listen to input from the people they decide to work with on projects and be flexible.

“You need to trust the people that you’ve hired,” he said. “And it is OK to say ‘I don’t know’ or ‘What do you think?’”

Hindman spent much of 2008

Courtesy Photo /phoenixfilmfestival.com

Finding answers: Lauren Graham and Jeff Daniels co-star in the romantic comedy “The Answer Man.” The role of Daniels, a Michigan native, contributed to the decision to show the film early as part of the film series at Grand Rapids’ Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts.

working on the film. The crew spent six weeks on pre-production, shot from March to April and finished the editing right before Christmas.

“Through this whole process, Michigan has been such a huge supporter,” Hindman said. “You guys really love Jeff (Daniels). What a great state.”

Neal Block, the head of theatrical booking at Magnolia Pictures, who

distributed the film, said, “We can thank the impeccable taste of Ryan Dittmer, who runs the film program at the UICA and approached Magnolia about playing ‘The Answer Man.’” The film is currently showing at the UICA and will run through Sept.

10. Visit http://www.uica.org for more information. Admission costs $5 for members and $7 for non-members. arts@lanthorn.com

Courtesy Photo / Stefonharris.com

Profile: Stefon Harris was recently the subject of a documentary by WGVU, “The Art of Listening.”

WGVU wins CINE Award

By Danielle Slabbekoorn GVL Staff Writer

“The Art of Listening,” a broadcast documentary by WGVU on world-renowned vibraphonist and composer Stefon Harris, recently won the CINE Golden Eagle Award.

WGVU, a service of Grand Valley State University, created four documentaries following the musical outreach of Harris, a jazz player and art specialist.

From the four, “The Art of Listening” won the CINE Award in the People & Places section of the Non-Fiction category. “(CINE) gives their awards to non-fiction media that showcases problems, issues (and) happy stories,” said Barb Roos, a film and video professor at GVSU and recipient of three Golden Eagle awards.

Ken Kolbe, assistant general manager of WGVU, said he was particularly proud of this production, as WGVU filmed a detailed, two-year journey with Harris, 30, while he taught children how to make music a daily form of art.

Philip Lane, production manager of WGVU, directed and produced the documentaries on Harris.

“When I work on pieces, I want it to be the best it can be.

I am ecstatic when it wins an award and gets recognized by peers,” Lane said.

WGVU joins a prestigious group, as Ken Burns, Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard, for example, have also won CINE awards.

Lane’s production showed Harris not only on a performance basis but also a real-life basis.

The documentary followed Harris as he did a Residency for Artist in Kalamazoo. It depicted Harris’ journey to visit underprivileged schools and introduce music as a learning form.

“Music and art are so important in education, even (though they are) becoming less and less part of our curriculums,” Lane said, which is why he wanted to be sure to document Harris’ outreach.

He added Harris ventured to make music not just something one hears, but something to which one listens.

Harris used the listening of music as an instrument in learning how to listen to people.

In the documentary, Harris said each time the same piece of music is played it is different because of the various situations and audiences that influence it.

He later used this situation to explain how people can communicate to others by “really understanding the science of listening, of respect and tolerance,” as he shared in a separate interview with WGVU. Also on the production journey, a group called The People’s Unitarian Church commissioned Harris to compose and perform a whole suite of music. He performed with his ensemble, “Portrait of the Promise.”

“The Art of Listening” documentary also won the following 2009 awards: two Bronze Telly Awards, the Videographer Award of Excellence and the First Place Gold Camera Award from the U.S. International Film & Video Festival.

“It’s all about listening and discovering,” Harris said in a WGVU interview. dslabbekoorn@lanthorn.com

A&E

Grand Valley Lanthorn

Monday, August 31, 2009

B6

Artist-Faculty Series to open fall musical season

By Josh Brunsting GVL Staff Writer

On-campus music performances make their fall debut today with the first of five Artist-Faculty Series concerts.

Today’s performance will feature Grand Valley State University professors Danny K. Phipps, bassoon; Arthur

Campbell, clarinet; Helen Marlais, piano; and Marlen Vavrikova, oboe.

Richard Stoelzel, associate professor of music at GVSU, started the series last year.

“The piece that we will be performing is a very special one,” Phipps said. “The piece was first performed at the

International Double Reed Conference. It was the first time the conference was in England in 20 years. I played at that conference too, so it’s a really sentimental performance for me.”

The performance will feature an influential repertoire of 18th and 19th century woodwind music.

“The set of music is very important and influential in the woodwind world,” said fellow performer Vavrikova.

“It features and highlights all woodwind and is a collection of early Baroque pieces. Very virtuosic pieces of music, making it all the more fun to perform.”

This performance is one of two that will feature Vavrikova.

She will perform with professors John Clapp and R. Christopher

Byrens on Sept. 26.

“I was raised in a very musical house,” Vavrikova, a native of the Czech Republic, said. “My mother played piano, and ever since I first picked the oboe when I was 10, I couldn’t stop.”

Stoelzel created the series to be a teaching tool for students at GVSU. “The arts are very important,” Phipps said. “Not only is this a chance to get the arts into the community for everyone, not only for the students, but it also gives the students a chance to see these high class performers, who are also their teachers, collaborate. Collaboration is an important part of music and its performance.”

In hopes of bringing more art out into the community, GVSU will not only continue the ArtistFaculty Series and the longrunning Arts at Noon Series, but it has also decided to start a series of new programs.

These new series include the Faculty Chamber Players as well as a new series of performances: The Fall Arts Celebration.

The performances are all brought to campus in hopes

of not only teaching students who are in the music program, but also to expose non-music students to the arts.

“I went to a few of the performances on campus and found them really enjoyable,” said student Megan Stonestreet.

“I am not a student of the arts and never really had much of a chance to see this level of performance previously. It’s

really a great learning and eyeopening experience. I can’t wait to see what more is in store.”

The Artist-Faculty Series will be at 8 p.m. today at the CookDeWitt Center on GVSU’s Allendale Campus. Admission is free to the public. For more information about the musical events on campus, visit gvsu. edu/music. jbrunsting@lanthorn.com

Courtesy Photo / Neisha Fuson

Musical talent: Professor Diane McElfish performs last year in the ArtistFaculty Series on violin as Robert Byrens plays accompaniment on piano.

Drive on out: fall weekend getaways on a college student’s budget

By Haley Otman GVL A&E Editor

See more: Visit Lanthorn.com

for an extended version.

It is easy to get burned out at the beginning of the school year from the sudden onslaught of homework, reading and tests. The Lanthorn offers semi- to barely-local destinations for a weekend of entertainment, all within driving distance.

MUSKEGON

40 minutes from campus

SOUTH BEND, IND.

2 hours from campus

For cash-strapped students, Muskegon’s Pere Marquette Beach offers an alternate view of Lake Michigan with free entry.

“It’s a great place to catch a sunset or watch big ships dock in the channel,” said Jennifer Folett, a tourism information aide for the Muskegon County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Folett’s favorite sleep destination is the Shoreline Inn in the Historic District, which is right on the Muskegon Lake and the bike trail, and rents out kayaks to guests.

For more information to help plan your getaway, visit http://co.muskegon.mi.us.

South Bend, Ind., offers a college town on a much larger scale than Allendale. The University of Notre Dame calls it home, and its historic campus is the No. 1 attraction for visitors.

“We (also) have a fabulous zoo,” said Vicki Warner, administrative assistant at the South Bend/Mishawaka Convention and Visitors Bureau. South Bend offers a chocolate company for sweet-toothed visitors and a fish hatchery for adventurous ones, in addition to many great parks, Warner said.

For more information to help plan your getaway, visit http://www.exploresouthbend.org.

ANN ARBOR

2 1/2 hours from campus

PETOSKEY

3 1/2 hours from campus

“Being that it’s a huge college town, there are a lot of affordable things” in Ann Arbor, said Marianne Klinker, the communications director for the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. There are many clubs and venues for entertainment, especially the Bowling Pig and the Elbow Room, which is in nearby Ypsilanti.

“It’s a great area to see a concert,” Klinker said. All over town, businesses consistently offer food and drink specials for students.

For more information to help plan your getaway, visit http://www.annarbor.org.

“We have things going on all the time,” said Peter Fitzsimons, of the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau.

Petoskey keeps an up-to-date event calendar on its Web site, detailing every upcoming event for visitors to easily schedule their trips. The northern Michigan city offers free concert series through summer and on the more expensive side, dinner theater, plays, recitals and operas.

For more information to help plan your getaway, visit http://petoskeyarea.com. arts@lanthorn.com

See more: Visit Lanthorn.com for a web exclusive on “The Darkroom.”

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Monday, August 31, 2009

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Laker Fans Gear Up!

Pull on your blue T-shirts, grab the face paint and call your friends — it’s time for fall sports and whether you’re rowing in the bleachers for a football game, screaming on the sidelines of a volleyball match or cheering on the runners at a cross-country race, we’re all Laker fans.

If you’re a die-hard fan or just there for the social atmosphere, attending fall sporting events is part of the Grand Valley State University tradition.

This fall, add dinner to your pre-game festivities or go out for drinks after the big game to celebrate the latest victory. Most local restaurants and bars such as The Main Street Pub in Allendale or Monte’s and O’Toole’s in Grand Rapids offer special deals and student discounts depending on the night. Make the most of our fall sports and start a new game tradition.

Plan your night out around upcoming home games including:

• Women’s soccer - 5 p.m. Sept. 5 • Women’s golf - TBA Sept. 7 • Women’s volleyball - 7 p.m. Sept. 11 • Football- Battle of the Valleys, 7 p.m. Sept. 12

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Grand Valley Lanthorn