Issue 25

Cross Country Teams prepare for National Championship | B1

Lanthorn G r a n d Va l l e y

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T H E S T U D E N T - R U N N E W S PA P E R S AT G R A N D VA L L E Y

T h u R S D AY, N O V E M B E R 17, 2011

lanthorn.com SLIDESHOW

SFC protests downtown for 40 Days of Life

M. BASKETBALL

www.lanthorn.com/multimedia

BLOGS CHASING THE SKY

Lanthorn columnist Kevin VanAntwerpen discusses his life as part of a moderately successful indie rock band.

Courtesy Photo / Robert McClintic

Picketing: Members of GVSU’s Students for Life organization gathered for the 40 Days of Life rally (pictured). The anti-abortion group plans to continue protesting every Wednesday.

Kevin Vanantwerpen

GVL Columnist

YOUNG, DOWNTRODDEN Young men faced with slim job prospects after school.

ANDREW JUSTUS

GVL Columnist

SPORTS BUZZ The men’s basketball roster is missing a few faces.

BRADY FREDRICKSEN

GVL SPORTS EDITOR

www.lanthorn.com/blog

WHAT’S INSIDE

A B

A2 News A3 Opinion A4 Your Space B1 Sports B4 Laker Life B5 Marketplace

By Lizzy Balboa GVL Staff Writer

T

he Grand Valley State University chapter of Students for Life joined anti-abortion groups all around Grand Rapids to participate in the annual 40 Days for Life protest. The demonstration began on Sept. 28 and went through

Nov. 6, ending with a rally of personal testimonies and prayers.

Throughout the 40-day round-theclock protest, students stood in silent prayer in front of the Heritage Clinic for Women on Fulton Street.

Although the nationwide protest is officially over, SFL President R.J. McVeigh said the student group will continue to demonstrate every Wednesday throughout the year.

“The entire reason that we’re there is to show our support for the mothers and fathers facing these decisions,” McVeigh said. “We want to show them that they have other options, that they don’t have to do this.”

The anti-abortion organization is balanced out at GVSU by Voices for Healthy Choices, a pro-abortion rights group. Voices for Healthy Choices counteracts Students for

See Protest, A2

GV alum reflects on career as Loth named assistant prosecuting attorney interim VP of

By Anya Zentmeyer GVL News Editor

Greg Babbitt has seen some “weird cases” in the 31 years he has been an assistant prosecuting attorney in Ottawa County.

“I’ve had an individual who tried to hire somebody to murder their ex-husband, I’ve had drug cases and we’ve done criminal sexual conduct charges, and those can range from rape to child abuse,” Babbitt said. “I’m also involved in the medical marijuana cases in our county.”

But perhaps his most rewarding case happened three years ago during a double-homicide investigation, when two brothers robbed a jewelry store after murdering the owner and a customer who was there at the time. With no witness and no security cameras, Babbitt Babbitt had to rely on the results of the crime scene investigation to give

See Alum, A2

SEC hosts water tasting

GVL / Anya Zentmeyer

Please Recycle

Life movements through campaigns like wearing arm bands that read “Choice” when SFL students cover their mouths with tape for the Day of Silent Solidarity, Demuth said.

“I would definitely say there’s tension (between the organizations) because they are two groups of people with very different beliefs about

Clean water: Members of the Student Environmental Coalition table on Monday afternoon in the Kirkhof Center lobby. The activity asked passerby to “taste test” three different samples of water that had been removed from their packaging: two brand names – Aquafina and Fiji – versus tap water. Those who participated received a free mason jar, with a sticker designed by an SEC member on the lid. The group is attempting to ban bottled water from GVSU’s campus and was collecting signatures for a petition.

Development

By Samantha Belcher GVL Staff Writer

Grand Valley State University President Thomas Haas announced that Karen Loth will become the interim vice president of University Development, effective Jan. 3.

Loth Loth, currently assistant vice president in the office, will replace current VP Maribeth Wardrop after she retires at the end of the year. During the transition period between Loth’s appointment and the hiring of the new vice president, Loth will maintain the responsibilities of both positions.

“It will be a good challenge,” Loth said.

The length of Loth’s term as vice president is uncertain. Provost Gayle Davis is currently interviewing applicants to be permanently appointed to the position.

Loth said she wants to keep up the momentum that University Development has maintained since its creation 15 years ago. Under Wardrop, the office has raised $200 million in private donations, most recently from the Shaping Our Future campaign. As Loth prepares for her new position, she said is looking forward to working with GVSU donors.

“They know Grand Valley is making a difference,” Loth said.

Loth graduated from Michigan State University with an English degree and teaching certificate. Before coming to GVSU in 2010, Loth worked as an intern director and career planner at Aquinas College for 15 years. She said she was drawn to GVSU because of its focus on excellence and its students.

Loth worked as an intern director and career planner at Aquanis College in Grand Rapids for 15 years. sbelcher@lanthorn.com

A2 NEWS Protest

continued from A1

this issue,” said Danielle Demuth, a GVSU professor and student staff assistant in the Women’s Center.

A senior counselor from the clinic who wished to remain unnamed said the center, itself, provides counseling to its clients to discuss other possible options.

“Every woman who comes here sits down with a counselor,” she said.

“Oftentimes what comes into play are spiritual issues.”

The employee said the people who get abortions at the clinic are often mis-

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2011

understood and misjudged by the antiabortion protesters.

“Nobody gets pregnant just to have an abortion,” she said. “That’s ridiculous. They realize there will be a sacrifice and loss regardless of their decision.”

The counselor requested that, in addition to the prayers to end abortion, the protesters also pray for affordable child care, an end to domestic violence and other situations that put women in the predicament in which they feel the need to choose between giving birth and aborting the fetus.

The counselor said she has not yet had any negative encounters with the

Students for Life group, which she said was tame and respectful to the women during the 40 Days for Life campaign.

She said the protests hardly affect the business at all.

“Some people said they felt more empowered to come here because of the people out front,” she said. “It made them more resolute in coming here.”

The law requires demonstrators to stay on public property, which, on Fulton Street, is the sidewalk right next to the road.

McVeigh said the fast and heavy traffic on the street is dangerous and sometimes frightening.

Although St. Luke’s University

Parish at GVSU was heavily involved in the protest, 40 Days for Life was an ecumenical movement, and the Students for Life group is also unaffiliated with a particular sect.

“We’re not a religious group,” McVeigh said. “We’re a service and advocacy group.”

Demuth said the Women’s Center offers a diverse array of resources, from Christian-based counseling to Planned Parenthood.

Sign-up information for Students for Life or Voices for Healthy Choices can be found at www.gvsu.edu/studentlife/stuey. ebalboa@lanthorn.com

“Someone needs to be the voice for the victims... ”

Alum

continued from A1

him something he could use.

A single fingerprint left on a cigar box by one of the brothers was enough to convince the jury the defendants were guilty.

“Greg did an absolutely fantastic job of putting that together and putting the two responsible people on train and convicting them of firstdegree premeditated murder,” said John Scheuerle, Babbitt’s colleague and fellow assistant prosecuting attorney for Ottawa County. “So that was really a significant accomplishment for him.”

A Muskegon, Mich., native, Babbitt was in the last group of men drafted during the Vietnam War, an unlikely first step on the path to what would be his career for the rest of his life.

“When I got drafted, it was interesting to me to find out what my rights were and so forth, so when I got out of the army I decided that would be the route that I was going to take,” Babbitt said.

After the war, he attended Grand Valley State University when it was still in its early stages as a cluster college and

Lanthorn

Volume 46, Number 25

Greg Babbit Assistant prosecuting attorney, GV alum eventually went on to earn his law degree in 1980 from Cooley Law School.

Babbitt got his foot in Ottawa County’s law circuit shortly after, serving as a law clerk for two circuit judges in 1981.

Later that year, he was offered the job of assistant prosecuting attorney, and has been there ever since.

“I found out I like being on this end of the law,” he said.

“Someone needs to be the voice for the victims and that’s essentially what we do. Somebody has to speak up for the victims — those people have been injured or their families have been killed. I found out that I’m pretty good at it, and I enjoy it so I decided I would make my job on this end rather on the private end of the law.”

As assistant prosecuting attorney — not district attorney, a title Babbitt said is often confused due to television and film — Babbitt’s office represents members of the general public on cases ranging from mental health hearings to support matters with people on public assistance.

He said the toughest part about his job is the stigma about law enforcement that is a result of public perception.

“That perception that the prosecutors and police are somehow going to be violating your rights or their rights — it just doesn’t happen,” Babbitt said. “It’s great stuff for TV or books, but it just doesn’t happen that way in the real world.”

Despite the sometimesnegative place prosecuting attorneys have in the public eye, Babbitt said he is happy with the path he has chosen, and feels confident about the decisions he has made.

“We are the voice for the victims,” he said. “It’s so interesting that everybody is worried about the defendant — which is okay — but nobody worries about the victims and what happens to them. They didn’t ask to be the victim, and somebody has to be our there representing and supporting them. So, that’s what we do. “ And for Babbitt, that’s all it boils down to: being an advocate for those people who have been wronged.

“When we’re done with a case, sometimes the victims will come up and shake your hand or give you a hug or whatever, because they’re more than appreciative for what you did, and the police did, and the courts did,” he said. “Because if we don’t do it, nobody will do it for them.” news@lanthorn.com

EDITORIAL STAFF

ADVERTISING STAFF

NEWS BRIEFS GV library dean appointed to Library of Michigan board Lee Van Orsdel, dean of Grand Valley State University libraries, has been appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to the Library of Michigan Board of Trustees, effective immediately.

The board Van Orsdel joins makes recommendations to the Michigan Department of Education on issues pertaining to the Library of Michigan.

Van Orsdel will take a three-year term, expiring on Oct. 1, 2014. Van Orsdel has been at GVSU since 2005 and has more than 30 years of library experience.

Fitness and Wellness Center to offer stress and sleep screening The Fitness and Wellness Center at Grand Valley State University is offering free stress and sleep screenings to all GVSU students, faculty and staff, before the week of finals.

Space in the screenings is limited and registration is required, with two sessions on Dec. 5. from 3 to 6 p.m. and on Dec 6. from noon to 4 p.m.

The screenings will look to evaluate levels of stress, inform participants on how stress affects health and how to manage stress levels. To register contact the Fitness and Wellness Center at rec@gvsu.edu or call 616331-3659.

Historian to speak on Jacqueline Kennedy Jason Duncan, an Aquinas College historian, is being hosted by Grand Valley State University’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies to speak about the life of John F. Kennedy’s wife, Jacqueline.

The presentation will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, 300 Pearl St. NW. Duncan’s presentation, “JFK through Jackie’s Eyes,” will discuss information following the former president’s death along with newly released interviews of Jacqueline Kennedy.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICARTIONS 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 in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com

BUSINESS STAFF

Editor-in-Chief EMANUEL JOHNSON

Laker Life Editor HALEY OTMAN

Layout Editor VALERIE WALDBAUER

Advertising Manager KEVIN HAUSFELD

Business Manager ALEX HOUSEMAN

The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published twice-weekly by Grand Valley State University students 62 times a year. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the Grand Valley Community.

For additional copies, please contact our business offices.

POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to Grand Valley Lanthorn, 0051 Kirkhof, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, 49401

Managing Editor SAMANTHA BUTCHER

A & E Editor BRIANA DOOLAN

Asst. Advertising Manager KIMBERLY VERELLEN

News Editor ANYA ZENTMEYER

Image Editor ERIC COULTER

Layout Staff KENDALL GILBERT KAYLA KOENIGSKNECHT

Receptionists SHANTI COLLINS ANGILEENA GIBSON

Assistant News Editor DAN SPADAFORA

Assistant Image Editor RANE MARTIN

The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published under the authorization of the GVSU Newspaper Advisory Board.

Sports Editor BRADY FREDERICKSEN

Copy Editor HALEY OTMAN

Web Team THOMAS LEE ERIC MATCHETTE TY BAILLIE DANIEL HODGES

Account Managers MICHELLE SCHEFFERS RENAY SCHOENMAKER ERIKKA SIMPSON Ad Designers RANDI FORD LAUREN PURDY

Distribution THOMAS LEE STEPHEN PRATT STEVEN MERDZINSKI

A3 OPINION LANTHORN OPINION ONLINE

Visit LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

READ THE BLOGS “Chasing the Sky”

By Kevin VanAntwerpen GVL Columnist

VALLEY VOTE

Have you been affected by the recent string of Facebook hacks?

“Justus Blog”

By Andrew Justus GVL Blogger

Vote online at lanthorn.com

EDITORIAL

Last issue’s question: Did Rick Perry’s “oops” moment kill his bid for the GOP presidential nomination?

YES 78% NO 22%

GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON I BY DAN SILLS

Screwed system GVSU and Hillsdale have legitimate gripes after being denied berths in the 2011 NCAA Division II football playoffs.

W

henever playoff time rolls around for any given sport at any given level, you always hear about someone or some team getting screwed out of a playoff spot, but this is especially true in American football. Whether it’s the 2008 New England Patriots, who went 11-5 that year but could not secure a wildcard spot in the playoffs, or the countless NCAA Division I football teams who have finished the regular season undefeated and been on the outside looking in at the BCS National Championship game, there have always been issues with who makes the postseason and who goes home early, some gripes more valid than others.

While the Division II postseason system is much more satisfying than the BCS (hey, at least we have a playoff system instead of some computer that determines the two most viable options for national champion), our system is not without its faults. In the GLIAC, both Grand Valley State University and Hillsdale College each have legitimate gripes after not making this year’s playoffs.

After finishing the season on a seven-game winning streak and as the only school in the GLIAC conference ranked in the top 25 of the AFCA Coaches poll, GVSU (8-3, 7-3 GLIAC) was denied a playoff berth. Instead of adding on to the nation’s longest playoff appearance streak, the Lakers were forced to take a backseat while Saginaw Valley State University (7-3, 7-3 GLIAC), who finished tied with the Lakers in the conference after losing to GVSU 49-24 the day prior to the NCAA Division II playoff selection show, and Wayne State University (8-3, 7-3 GLIAC), who finished tied with the Lakers in both GLIAC and overall records, each managed to waltz their way into the big dance.

As bad as it sounds, someone was going to get left out, and with three straight GLIAC losses early in the season, it would seem at best reasonable that it be GVSU. Hillsdale, on the other hand, should be pissed, and they have every right to be. The Chargers (8-3, 8-2 GLIAC) had one of their better seasons in recent memory and capped it off by winning the GLIAC. Even the “Bowl Confusion Series” and its mess of a postseason system offers BCS and at-large bids to conference winners. Sure, the Chargers get to celebrate the fact that they were the best team in the conference this season, but why do they have to sit back and watch Saginaw Valley and Wayne State, each of whom finished lower in the conference, go on to the playoffs while they sit and watch? That’s like getting the winning ticket in the lottery and having all of the winnings go to someone who came one number short.

It’s understandable, even expected, to have some teams have good seasons that don’t yield playoff berths, but a conference winner and a nationally ranked team that don’t make the playoffs while two other teams with lower records in the same conference do — that just shouldn’t happen.

Lanthorn

The student-run newspapers at Grand Valley State University

EDITORIAL PAGE BOARD EMANUEL JOHNSON SAMANTHA BUTCHER ANYA ZENTMEYER KEVIN HAUSFELD

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Advertising Manager

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.

Q:

dsills@lanthorn.com

Should GVSU have made the playoffs this year?

“Yes. We worked hard “No. They were all year and deserved getting a little to be there.” too cocky and comfortable winning all the time, especially in previous years … they are not the best team in DII.”

“No … We were outplayed and outperformed by other GLIAC schools in the beginning of the year when we lost three games in a row.”

“Sure, but I’ll be honest, I really haven’t paid any attention to GV Athletics.”

“Not only should GVSU have made the playoffs, (but) the word ‘playoffs’ in the context of DII sports should be freely interchangeable, if not replaced, with Grand Valley State University.”

Collin Rymarz Sophomore Business Deckerville, Mich.

Mitch Burdick Senior Mathematics Battle Creek, Mich.

Nidya Prego Senior Integrated Science Grand Rapids, Mich.

Matt Finelli Senior Biomedical science Grand Rapids, Mich.

Katie Locricchio Senior Allied health science Troy, Mich.

Save money, not the environment

By Chris Slattery GVL Columnist

In case you haven’t noticed, the temperature is dropping and the days are getting shorter in Grand Rapids (city motto: “Hope you don’t mind wind”).

Because of this, we students must switch on our lights and crank up our thermostats in order to (A) see and (B) watch Iron Chef comfortably.

This can be a huge burden on any college student, an already sad and pathetic sack of financial instabilities, who hates paying bills to a corporation whose “energy” apparently fuels from “consumer” complaints. (I’m

being subtle. Get it?)

So how do we persevere?

Is there any way to lower our energy consumption? There has to be a practical way to save money while destroying the environment, right?

Right, because I am here with some options that will make you wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?” and “Why would anyone think of that?” You can remain frugal and keep nature fragile with these alternatives: • In case you hadn’t noticed, trees are everywhere.

It’s like, “Alright, trees, we get it! You’re old and stuff!”

With your Grand Valley State University-issued chainsaw everyone received at freshman orientation, cut down a couple dozen trees and burn them in the living room of your apartment or dorm room. It keeps your dwelling not only warm, but well-lit.

Keep the spirit of defores-

tation burning! You may not have started the fire, but it is always burning to stop the world from turning.

Fire and smoke damage may be taken out of your security deposit, so watch out for complexes that are looking to screw students for an extra buck.

• Aerosol cans used to be huge, but similar to mullets and 8-tracks, the fad faded out. And while a business-inthe-front/party-in-the-back hairstyle refuses to make a comeback, you can party anywhere you want with a home-made aerosol heater.

Ignore any and all of the warnings on the side of old cans of insecticide and construct a device that uses CFCs for their intended purpose: being flammable and widening the hole in the ozone layer.

• Remembering to turn lights off is hard, and it can

be really frustrating upon receiving that electric bill.

Since finding motion-control lights can be suuuuuuch a draaaaaaag, why not train an animal to turn of your lights for you? I suggest using an endangered animal to really stick it to nature in a way that says, “A gorilla is endangered? So is my Netflix subscription if I pay too much for leaving my TV plugged in all day.”

It might be difficult to train an animal to flip a light switch (that’s why we were chosen to have opposable thumbs!), but there is nothing more rewarding than watching a possibly-starving screwhorn antelope fulfill its designated duty for the first time.

Rising heating costs are a problem, but we can show this freezing climate who is boss. cslattery@lanthorn.com

L E T T ER TO T H E ED I TO R

Students are the 99 percent

Well its official, we are definitely in the trenches of the semester right now. You can’t just withdraw and fall back from your classes anymore. You are stuck. You are beginning to build immunity to the coffee I.V. that you plug yourself into every morning and you are considering switching to espresso.

Ammo is running low, morale is running low, and that awesome beach body that you developed during the summer is starting to fade as chocolate cake turns into a coping mechanism. This sucks.

So why does your life suck right now? You could be completely rational by taking a step back and realizing that you are paying for this misery, but then you might just lose it from the irony. So instead I think we should do the easiest thing and blame the professors. They

may act like they hate coming to that 8 a.m. class as much as you do, but don’t tell me that they don’t all smirk slightly when test day arrives. And you want to know what, I will give that to them.

They worked hardm got that Ph.D. or whatever degree their field requires and now they teach ignorant people like you and me.

However, let’s consider some facts.

According to the quick facts on gvsu. edu for 2011-2012 there are a total of 835 professors/instructors and 24,662 enrolled students. Now given that administration doesn’t really matter here as they don’t give out homework (but believe me they will come knocking when it comes to money, I am going to ignore them from the total. And then it hit me. Professors make up about 3 per-

cent of the campus population, so about 1 percent, and we the students (well you can do the math and hopefully you realize where this joke is going) make up about 99 percent.

Student body we have been ruled by the vast minority for too long. At first I thought we should rise up and occupy, but believe me no one wants to sit in a history classroom longer than they have to. So enough dancing lets get to the point. Professors say that for every hour that you are in a class you should spend three hours studying, five if its a science class. I think this is unfair as we science majors are forced to work harder,

see LANTHORN.COM to view the full version >> Letter to the Editor

A4 your space

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

ART OF THE ISSUE

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

VanAntwerpen column offensive to anime lovers I

’m not sure if this should be sent to you or to the columnist in question but I know this needs to be said. I did not find this piece to be funny or interesting in any way, shape, or form. This was offensive to a large number of people know personally and many I don’t yet know. The piece itself seems to want to be funny or satirical but it comes off as a warning for guys about women who don’t deserve to be given a chance. A lot of women play video games and have normal relationships, same with girls who watch anime (not to mention that he calls it crappy and poorly voiced which is more opinion than fact), there is need to be so insulting. It’s like being in middle school or high school and the “popular kids” decide to pick on the nerds and the geeks. I thought we moved on from this but clearly we haven’t. It’s comedy gold (he said sarcastically).

Why exactly did he pick World of Warcraft anyway? What about guys who play Modern Warfare all the time? It doesn’t even suggest the girl is obsessed with the game, just that she plays it and the guy will never compare.

Why? That’s not funny.

Do girl gamers not deserve the chance for a relationship because they game?

Sounds like a double standard in the works to me.

Alcoholism is one I saw

as more of advice rather than a joke. It seemed just as out of place as the others but I didn’t see the point. Do men need to stay away from girls who drink? What about guys who get super drunk and party? Is that OK? What if a party guy wants a party girl? Is this not possible? I just don’t understand what was meant by this.

FaceBook pages for Pets was amusing only because I know people who do this, but all of them have good relationships and are fairly stable. This was also very short and only said to run but never explained why. Maybe to save on space for other pointless ramblings?

Anime is the second of the offenses and it is again for the reasons above. He could have put any TV show or movie genre or even some other activity but he wrote about Anime.

I get that he seems to not like it, and that’s OK, but to suggest that people shouldn’t date girls who like anime is beyond ignorant. Why do they not get a second date? Cause they like something? This isn’t funny, it offends a lot of people and even if it was meant as a joke it reeks of too much personal bias to even be a good joke.

Panel Vans made me laugh but it seems very out of place.

Constant Talk about the ex was another that seemed like more of an

advice column than a joke of any kind. But what struck me as odd and confusing was why the relationship could only go 2 ways, either with heart break or stalking.

There is no other option?

What about the girls who get help and don’t be obsessive and have good healthy relationships?

Are all men supposed to run and shun women who have been hurt in the past or cling to the past instead of being there for them?

Do we just ignore them because either we get hurt or they get clingy? Why is only the guy side being factored in anyway? Parts of the description seem to be joking with references to shrine building and satellite surveillance but it is still not funny.

In summary this just wasn’t anything I enjoyed reading or ever want to read again. It seems that every week I find some new reason to stop picking up the Lanthorn, but I was never expecting to read something that would insult so many of my friends and even my own wife. I don’t think I will be reading any more issues because of this. There is still a chance I will, but more likely not if this kind of thing is allowed to be printed.

Michael Adams Proudly married to a Anime Loving Gamer girl who loves her pets.

Want to see your art, photos, poems, letters or short stories in the paper?

send your space submissions to:

editorial@lanthorn.com

Only in North Korea Kyle DeGroff, Graphic Design

B SPORTS

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

SPORTS EDITOR BRADY FREDERICKSEN sports@lanthorn.com

SPORTS

SHORTS BRIEFS FOOTBALL Lubbers Stadium can be in your pocket

CROSS COUNTRY

Going The Distance

Men’s, women’s cross country teams prepare for National Championship race on Saturday

By Melane Huhn GVL Staff Writer

L

Disappointed that football season is over? Well, for those needing more Lubbers Stadium in their lives will have a chance to do just that tonight as fans will have the opportunity to take home a piece of history from Lubbers Stadium.

The Grand Valley State University football field will undergo renovations this summer, and from 4 to 7 p.m., fans can take a portion of the natural grass surface, which will be replaced by field turf in 2012.

Other updates to Lubbers Stadium will include lowering the field by seven feet and inserting additional seating around the track.

The event is free of charge, but fans should park in Lot A and bring their own shovel, tarp, plastic bags and any other supplies they will need for the project.

W. SOCCER Soccer places seven on All-Region team Being the No. 1 team in the nation takes talent on all levels, and that onfield talent was rewarded for their efforts this season when seven players on the Grand Valley State University soccer team were named to the Daktronics All-Region first or second teams.

Led by GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year, junior forward Ashley Botts, GVSU saw junior forward Kayla Addison, senior midfielder Erin Mruz, junior midfielder Alyssa Mira, senior defender Megan Brown and junior goalkeeper Chelsea Parise earn first-team honors, while sophomore defender Kayla Kimble earned second team recognition.

The first team members will also be in contention for All-America honors when they are announced on Nov. 30.

Courtesy Photos / Cross country teams

Fleet feet: The women’s (above) and men’s (below) cross country teams pose with their GLIAC Championship trophies. Both teams are preparing for the national championship race in Spokane, Wash. Last year, the women’s team won the national championship for the first time, and the men came in third, the highest finish in the program’s history. The races begin at 11 a.m. Saturday and can be viewed at www.ncaa.com.

W. SOCCER

ooking to make longdistance history like Lewis and Clark, the Grand Valley State University men’s and women’s cross country teams will be traveling west to compete this weekend for a national title at the NCAA Division II National Championship meet in Spokane, Wash.

The Lakers and teams across the country will put their best feet forward this Saturday, each vying for the national crown. The meet will take place at the Plantes Ferry Sports Complex, with the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and the Spokane Regional Sports Commission partnering up to cohost the race.

The Lakers are looking to blaze the trail and come away with two national titles. In 2010, the women’s team captured its first national championship in program history in Louisville, Ken., while the men placed the highest in the program’s history, finishing in third place.

With the race fast approaching, GVSU head coach Jerry Baltes said he knows his team is ready for the competition.

“Both squads have put in the needed work both physically and mentally to be ready to compete at a high level this weekend,” he said. “Now we just need to focus on competing to the best of our ability on Saturday.”

Throughout the season, both teams have competed almost exclusively in the Midwest, making this their first trip out west. The challenge in this race will not only come from stiff competition but the climate as well.

“We are prepared for any weather condition,” Baltes said. “We have raced in rain, mud and cold all season, and that is what it looks like we will face again. So we will be ready for what Mother Nature throws our way and make the most out of it.”

While staying focused, the Lakers have knocked down the miles they run during the two weeks of training for the national meet to make sure they have fresh legs for Saturday, but the intensity has stayed the same throughout the season.

The men have only one focus this weekend, to finally get over the hump of winning their first national championship. After last year’s finish, the men have been hungry for the title and have only fallen once this season — at Division I Penn State University by eight points.

“The big difference this year has been confidence, which has been especially difficult with all of the injuries and illnesses our team has gone through,” said senior Anthony Witt, GLIAC runner of the year. “We came into this year with only one goal, and we have stayed focused and confident in our training so that we can achieve that goal this weekend.”

While the men run for their first title, the women are looking to repeat. After a slow start to the season, Baltes said the women are now on track to race this weekend after a great race for the Regional title.

“We are going to race and compete to win the national championship,” said senior Rebecca Winchester. “Like Jerry always says, this is a business trip.”

To watch the race online, visit www.ncaa.com at 11 a.m. Saturday. mhuhn@lanthorn.com

SCHEDULE W. Soccer

Friday at NCAA Regional Final, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday at NCAA Quarterfinal, 3 p.m.

M. Swimming

Friday at Ball State, 6 p.m.

Saturday at Ball State, All day

GVL / Robert Matthews

National contenders: Defender Megan Brown rushes to steal the ball during Sunday’s match against University of Wisconsin-Parkside. The regional final begins Friday at 5:30 p.m.

W. Swimming

GV advances to face Northern Kentucky in NCAA Regional Final

M. Cross Country

By Joe Maher-Edgin

Friday at Ball State, 6 p.m.

Saturday at Ball State, All day Saturday at NCAA Championship, 11 a.m.

W. Cross Country

Saturday at NCAA Championship, 11 a.m.

M. Basketball

Saturday vs. Bellarmine, 3 p.m.

GVL Staff Writer

Northern Kentucky University is the next opponent for the Grand Valley State University’s women’s soccer team as it continues a postseason campaign into the third round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.

GVSU head coach Dave Dilanni and the Lakers will travel to Golden, Colo. to face the Norse in the Midwest Regional final, echoing a matchup from two seasons ago.

The Lakers last came up against Northern Kentucky on their way to becoming 2009 National Champions

in a nail biter decided by a 5-4 penalty kick shoot out after two stalemate periods of overtime.

“We have a great history,” Dilanni said in an interview on the Dave Dilanni Show, recalling the 2009 NCAA Regional Final. “We played them in Denver two years ago … it was a good game and went to [penalty kicks].”

The Lakers will be looking to retain possession of the ball against the Norse and continue to play strong defensively in order to control the pace of the game.

“We want to possess the ball a little more and make them chase us,” Dillani said. “They’re a very good team … we’ll be very aggressive defensive-

ly and look to play direct to put some pressure on their back line.”

Dilanni said he expects his team to work harder as they begin to face more difficult opponents.

“We’re going to have to play very well, as you should,” he said. “As you advance you have to play a little bit better because you’re playing better opponents.”

The Lakers respect their regional final opponents and their head coach Bob Sheehan.

“Sheehan has got a great team over there and great program quite honestly,” Dilanni said. “They’ve done a fantastic job the last 15 to 20 years.”

Sheehan shared similar compli-

ments and said his team is enjoying its current run in the tournament.

“We’re glad to play anybody – we’ll play whoever is next on the bracket,” Sheehan said. “Obviously if it’s Grand Valley, then we’re thrilled to play [them]. Dave is a personal friend and he’s done a remarkable job with the program. We’re thrilled with opportunity to keep playing.”

The Lakers will face Northern Kentucky at 3 p.m. Friday at the Colorado School of Mines soccer stadium.

An interactive bracket of this years tournament can be found on the tournament website at www.ncaa.com/ sports/soccer-women/d2. jmaheredgin@lanthorn.com

B2 SPORTS

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

BASKETBALL

Lakers look to new, old faces in upcoming season

By Brady Fredericksen GVL Sports Editor

T

his time a season ago, the Grand Valley State University men’s basketball team entered its season ranked No. 3 in the country and boasted one of the most experienced rosters in the GLIAC. After a strong start to the season, a rash of injuries and inconsistent play led the team to a 5-5 finish down the stretch, denying the Lakers an NCAA Tournament berth for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

Fast forward to this season, and the Lakers have an entirely new look. Gone is senior All-American forward Justin Ringler, who led the team in points, rebounds and assists last season.

Also gone are Alvin Storrs, Wes Trammel, Nick Carreri and Asauhn Tatum, four of GVSU head coach Ric Wesley’s main rotation players last season. Storrs left the team at the end of last season, Tatum transferred to Chattahoochee Technical College in Georgia, and Trammel and Carreri, both seniors, unexpectedly left the team this summer.

“We’ve had a tough, certainly interesting, offseason,” said Wesley, who lost three players to graduation, one to transfer and four others voluntarily. “We had some guys decide they didn’t want to play, which is sort of normal, but we had some guys let us down by deciding so late in the summer, which is really disappointing that they would do that to us.”

Despite the personnel losses, the Lakers will bring a young and athletic team to the court this season.

With seven new players, the always-important depth and chemistry factors will be tested, but as junior guard Tony Peters said, chemistry between teammates has been a smooth transition.

“I think it’s coming along just fine,” said Peters, who averaged six points per game last season. “It is a lot different because of the new faces, but we’ve had plenty of time to practice. We still have a long way to go, but we’ve also come a long way.”

The team gauged that progress in a preseason exhibition game against Iowa State University last week.

Although the Lakers fell 77-

Courtesy Photo / Matt Cashore

Sophomore slump: Redshirt sophomore forward Kellie Watson shoots the ball. Watson transferred to GVSU after playing at Notre Dame for two years.

Two years later, Watson looks to help Lakers

By Stephanie Deible GVL Intern

GVL / Rane Martin

Fresh faces: Senior guard James Thomas makes a break for the basket during Wednesday’s home opener against University of Michigan-Dearborn. The team lost five of its impact players during the offseason.

“We have good team chemistry, so we might not

have quite the luxury we’ve had in terms of depth and veterans, but at the same time, I think our chemistry and our commitment will be better.

”

Ric Wesley GVSU head coach 62 to the Cyclones, they saw where they were and where they needed to go from there.

“The guys that are returning have really pulled together, and I think we have a pretty good group of veterans that are very close,” Wesley said. “We have good team chemistry, so we might not have quite the luxury we’ve had in terms of depth and veterans, but at the same time, I think our chemistry and our commitment will be better.”

Chemistry is an important

factor for any athletic team, and the Lakers have said they feel comfortable with where they’re at in that regard. Newcomers like junior transfers Tyrone Lee, who is expected to start in the place of the departed Ringler, and Josh Anderson, the son of former NBA player Nick Anderson, will look to fit into the rotation in the same way seniors Nick Waddle and James Thomas did in the same situation last season.

“One big thing that I like about the newcomers is that we all have the same goal:

we want to win,” said Waddell, a center. “We all go hard at practice, and we all go at each other at practice and it shows on the court because we’re all one big family.”

Along with Waddle, who lost almost 30 pounds this offseason, the team brings back a good chunk of its rotation from last season. Senior guard James Thomas, one of the GLIAC’s top shooters last season, will be looked upon to help fill the scoring void along with Peters and senior center Mike Przydzial.

Junior point guard Breland Hogan is also back, and teammates said he has taken on more of a leadership role and is playing as more of a traditional, ball-distributing game.

“We really need him to have a great year for us,” Wesley said. “He’s going on his third year starting, he has worked extremely hard and I think he feels really comfortable in what we do as well as what his role is – I think he’s really ready to have a great season.”

The Lakers opened the season last night with a 9451 win against the University of Michigan-Dearborn last night and will play one of their toughest games of the year Saturday when defending national champion Bellarmine University visits the Fieldhouse Arena.

“It’s always tough when you play high level teams early in the season, we don’t have the luxury of easing into it and you play them when you play them,” Wesley said.

“We’re trying to mix in some old guys with the new ones, so it’s going to be tough, but it’ll be a good opportunity against the defending national champions.” sports@lanthorn.com

The game of basketball is not often associated with a roller coaster, but sophomore forward Kellie Watson’s journey to get back on the court with the Grand Valley State University women’s basketball team has had its ups and downs so far.

Coming out of high school in 2008, Watson was named Miss Basketball, an award given annually to the top high school basketball player in Michigan.

After receiving the award, Watson accepted an athletic scholarship to play at the University of Notre Dame, and she sensed her best playing days were ahead of her.

“I was really excited that I had the opportunity to sign with one of the top Division I programs in the country,” she said. “There was really no other reason for me to be anything but excited to start in the summer and see what Division I basketball was really all about.”

In her first season with the Fighting Irish, Watson appeared in all 31 games and was second on the team threepoint field goals with 28.

“My freshman year I had great opportunities,” she said.

“My whole class had a lot of opportunities to play because there were some injuries to upperclassmen that really opened the window for us.”

With her first season behind her, Watson looked to be a mainstay in South Bend, but an early season knee injury and recurring shoulder injuries, which began in high school, forced her to sit out almost the entirety of her sophomore season.

While Watson was on the mend, she began to evaluate her future and decided transferring to GVSU would be a better path to take.

“The physicality of the Big East was getting to be a lot for my body to handle,” she said.

“I already had three shoulder

surgeries at that point, and I was just coming off of surgery on my knee. I think I just realized [Notre Dame] wasn’t right, it wasn’t the place that was the best for me.”

Upon arriving at GVSU in 2009, Watson could practice with the Lakers, but NCAA transfer rules prevented her from competing in games until the following season.

Watson suffered another setback when she dislocated her shoulder the day before GVSU took part in its annual season-opening exhibition game at Michigan State University, forcing her take a medical redshirt and sit out the 2010-2011 season.

Watson said the injuries and not being able to go out and compete for two full years was as frustrating beyond words, but all the experiences taught her how much she loved basketball and to appreciate the small things in life.

“You never know when your last game is going to be, you never know when your last play is going to be,” she said. “So you just have to out there and give everything you’ve got all time.”

With all the injuries behind her, Watson’s determination is a welcome sight for the Lakers during the 2011-12 season.

“She’s worked very hard to be able to play still,” said junior guard Lauren Stodola.

“She’s gone through so many injuries that could’ve stopped anyone’s career, but she loves the game and just wants to play.”

Despite her playing status being unknown after another shoulder injury this season, the former Gatorade Player of the Year brings a strong work ethic and experience of playing at the Division I. “She’s played at a very high level and she’s been successful,” said GVSU head coach Janel Burgess “We just ask that she brings a competitive edge and helps improve our team from top to bottom sports@lanthon.com

SPORTS B3

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

M. SWIMMING

Brother inspires Slovakian swimmer to come to U.S.

Zach Sepanik

F

GVL Staff Writer

GVL / Robert Matthews

Slovakian splash: Freshman swimmer Milan Medo practices with the team. Medo, who was born and raised in Bratislava, Slovakia, came to the U.S. in August to swim for GVSU. Medo said American athletes have better opportunities to focus on sports - Slovakian athletes have to take 60 credits per year - and are trained more rigorously, both in classes and the pool.

reshman Milan Medo is just getting started with his career as a collegiate swimmer at Grand Valley State University, but he’s also just getting started with his life in America.

Medo was born and raised in Bratislava, Slovakia. There he prepped at the Gymnasium of St. Vincent De Paul before coming to the U.S. in August to swim at GVSU. “I lived in Slovakia all my life,” Medo said. “It is completely different here. Back in Slovakia, we don’t have campuses. It is basically just one building. The training is harder here and I feel it is much better suited for me.”

As for the transition into collegiate swimming, Medo has already made an impact on his new team. Most recently, the reigning GLIAC men’s swimmer of the week broke the GVSU freshman record in the 50-yard freestyle this past weekend against Michigan State University.

He is one of the team’s top sprinters, but also enjoys competing in the individual medley.

GVSU head coach Andy Boyce said it’s Medo’s work ethic that makes him a valuable asset to the team.

“One of the top things we look for in a swimmer is academics, as well as a good work ethic and fast times out of high school,” he said. “Milan definitely had all those

attributes. He is a very hard worker and he specializes in many different strokes. He fit in really well with the team right from day one. It has been a great transition.”

Medo’s first took up swimming when he was approached by his school’s swim coach in the second grade.

“The swim coach asked if I wanted to swim and I said, ‘Sure, why not?’ I liked swimming from the beginning,” Medo said.

As the coach started Medo on his way toward a career in the pool, it was his family, especially his brother, Martin, who really inspired him to continue and search for an education outside of Slovakia. Martin was an exchange student three years ago at a high school in Williamsport, Ind., but now studies in the Czech Republic.

“My family is very supportive of me and swimming. Definitely my family was an inspiration,” Medo said. “Also, my brother is a swimmer. He inspired me to apply to an American college because he was an exchange student. He really liked it and improved a lot in swimming, so I started applying. It didn’t work out for Division I universities, so I looked at Division II and Grand Valley was my first choice.”

Medo has also realized the limits a student athlete faces in Slovakia as compared to the U.S., reflecting on his brother’s time here that made him a better swimmer.

“Athletes in Slovakia have a disadvantage when

t h e y study at the university because t h e y have to take 60 credits a year, ave r a g e , ” MEDO he said.

“I wouldn’t say it is easier, but it is better to be an athlete overall. I have more time to train, and it is easier to set up my schedule.”

Besides the training aspect Medo is getting used to, the team aspect is something new to him as well.

“One thing he is realizing is how different of a sport college swimming is than club swimming,” said senior teammate Aaron Beebe. “He is adjusting to the different demands of being on a team.

You have to swim what the team needs you to swim and that is a big realization, even something I went through.

The biggest thing that I have been able to help him with in terms of swimming is just adjusting to different training. The training he got back home is a very different style.”

Even with the differing culture, training regimen and people around him, Medo said his time in the U.S. so far is nothing but positive.

“I am really satisfied and it is one of the best times of my life,” he said. “The coaching is great, the team is great and the people here are awesome.” zsepanik@lanthorn.com

W. HOCKEY

Courtesy Photo / Cory Whitaker

Icy finish: The GVSU women’s club hockey team (pictured) defeated Ohio State University 7-1 this weekend but suffered losses to Colorado State, Michigan State and the University of Rhode Island, 1-0, 4-0 and 4-2, respectively.

Youthful Lakers rally after mixed weekend Jon Van Zytveld GVL Staff Writer

For the young Grand Valley State University women’s club hockey team, taking the season one game at a time has proven difficult at times, but after struggling last weekend, the team will look to focus in the rest of the year.

“It has been a good early season, especially with how young our team is,” said GVSU head coach Cory Whitaker, now in his fifth year of coaching for the Lakers. “They’ve done a good job of coming together as a team and implementing all the things that we’ve been throwing at them over the last two months.”

However, the Lakers (84-2) agree that the teams that they have faced thus far have not been particularly challenging, and when facing more aggressive competitors, the team found

themselves somewhat out of their element.

“The problem that that creates is that you begin to fall into a rut of either overconfidence or a lack of performance because of the ability to usually win fairly easily,” Whitaker said.

“When we did get a chance to face off against the bestof-the-best, we did not fare as well as I would have liked.”

This pattern became clear last weekend when the Lakers found themselves facing off against major competitors Ohio State University, Colorado State University, Michigan State University and the University of Rhode Island.

While the team successfully combated the Buckeyes, winning 7-1, the Lakers fell to the other three schools, losing 1-0, 4-0 and 4-2, respectively.

“This last weekend wasn’t our best, but that’s what happens when we get into tour-

nament play with so many new faces,” said defender Meghan Jahn, a senior. “A lot of it was our mentality going into the games. I think we were a little overconfident, and that didn’t turn out in our favor.”

Despite their overconfidence, the team has acknowledged their deficiencies and aim at improving those areas as the season continues to progress.

“I think that we took our early wins for granted and got a little ahead of ourselves,” said forward Sam Dame, a freshman. “We

need improve our consistency.”

Now that the Lakers are aware of the problem, they are committed to evolving as a team and working on improving their individual play.

This will be essential for the team in their upcoming Thursday night game against the Division I Liberty University (10-1).

“We are really looking to improve our consistency and find our inner drive,” coach Whitaker said. “I think that those are the things that we have to get better at if we

honestly want to continue to compete against the bestof-the-best and not have the kind of mental lapses that we have had during the past couple of games.”

The Lakers remain optimistic, knowing that the difference between a winning and losing game boils down to teamwork and the amount of hard work put in during

practice.

“Coming off of a weekend where we lost a few, hopefully we can respond well to the competition,” Jahn said. “Liberty is going to be the team to beat, and I think that everyone should be able to get pumped up in order to play our best against them.” jvanzytveld@lanthorn.com

a &e

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

B4

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR BRIANA DOOLAN arts@lanthorn.com

Political science major lives for the stage

r e t h g u a l e Inappropriat

GVL Archive

Political actress: GVSU junior Sarah Tryon performs during GVSU’s performance of “Twelfth Night.”

By Tyler Steimle GVL Staff Writer

Courtesy Photo / Jan Lewis

Criminally comedic: Two actresses don the stage in a production of “Crimes of the Heart.” GVSU’s production of the Pulitzer-prize winning play continues through Saturday.

‘Crimes of the Heart’ delivers laughs despite taboo topics

By Chris LaFoy GVL Staff Writer

S

ome topics and issues are traditionally funny, but some issues are almost never funny.

The newest theatre production at Grand Valley State University seeks out these rarely funny issues and forces audiences to submit to hilarity.

“Crimes of the Heart,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning play written by Beth Henley, opened at GVSU on Friday and continues this weekend with shows at 7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday.

“Crimes of the Heart” is performed in the Louis Armstrong Theater on GVSU’s Allendale Campus. Tickets range from $6 to $12 and can be purchased in the Louis Armstrong Theater box office or online through Star Tickets.

The story follows the three Magrath sisters: Babe, Meg and Lenny. These adult sisters all come back together in their

hometown of Hazlehurst, Miss., in the mid-seventies after Babe shoots her abusive husband. The plot revolves around the sisters relationships with each other and the outside world. Each sister has sacrificed something throughout their lives and each tries to come to terms with that sacrifice throughout the play.

Henley’s unconventional dark comedy convinces the audience to laugh at topics and issues that most would find inappropriate. Adultery, racism, suicide and abuse are just a few of the cringing topics that would typically turn an audience off, but to the credit of the script and the production, rolling laughter filled the auditorium.

“Crimes of the Heart” is set in the kitchen of the home the sisters grew up in. Currently, only Lenny resides in the home, taking care of their critically sick grandfather.

The set construction of this single room was effective without being overly elaborate.

A small kitchen table sat in the middle of the stage where much of the action took place. A single window was placed above the sink. This window was the only indication of time change over the day and a half of storyline.

The play opens with Lenny, played by sophomore Alyssa Simmert, as she celebrates her 30th birthday alone. She is interrupted by her obnoxious neighbor and cousin Chick Boyle, played by Krista Scott. Chick is a crowd favorite and constantly funny.

At this point the audience discovers that Babe has shot her husband and is in jail. Babe, played by Taylor Barton, is the youngest of the sisters and the only one that is married. Her husband, the town’s most prominent lawyer, has been severely injured by a bullet in stomach.

The third sister Meg, played

by Sophie Ni, arrives in Mississippi from Hollywood where she was attempting to become a famous singer and actress. Meg is the wild-child of the sisters and her romantic adventures result in many laughs.

Throughout the circumstances of the next 36 hours, Lenny attempts, at times unsuccessfully, to keep her family together and happy. This responsibility comes partly because of their mother’s suicide when the sisters were children.

Because “Crimes of the Heart” is set in 1974 in Mississippi, the culture and lifestyle of

“act,During the first the audience

seemed hesitant to laugh at some of the more taboo issues, but the skillful delivery of the actors soon warmed up the crowd...

”

the South plays an important role in the production. Social status, gossip and small-town life mean the sister’s actions are publicly scrutinized.

During the first act, the audience seemed hesitant to laugh at some of the more taboo issues, but the skillful delivery of the actors soon warmed up the crowd, convincing them to react to the most unpleasant of subjects.

Only six actors donned the stage over the course of the play, the three sisters being featured the most. Their performances boosted a classic time-period play to a current comedy that thoroughly pleased their opening night audience. clafoy@lanthorn.com

Grand Valley State University junior Sarah Tryon keeps busy studying political science, but spends as much time as she can on the stage.

Most recently, Tryon played Viola in GVSU’s production of Twelfth Night for the annual Shakespeare Festival this fall.

“The first part of the semester was all Shakespeare, all the time, every day,” Tryon said.

Tryon has been acting for as long as she can remember. Her first musical was “Annie” in elementary school. “(It was) the first show that I fell in love with,” she said. “Ever since then, I was hooked.”

Since her debut in elementary school, Tryon has performed in as many plays and musicals as she could manage. In high school she had roles in “Beauty and the Beast,” “Hello, Dolly!,” “Les Misérables” and “West Side Story.”

“My musical director and my play director in high school were both very encouraging and told me that I should do this,” Tryon said.

“They were kind of like my third parents.”

Tyron said she also remembers wanting to be a lawyer when she was six, which played a role in her decision to follow her interest in politics at the university level.

“I hate politics, but I love it,” she said.

“Nothing ever happens, but the process of nothing happening is really interesting to me.

The world functions the way it does because of politics.”

She said her parents have been supportive, but also encouraged her to pursue a more practical course of study while she works to refine her acting abilities. Her first major was writing, which gave way to biology. Now she majors in political science and minors in theatre.

Jack Lane, box office and house manager for the Louis Armstrong Theater, said the demanding combination is rare but beneficial.

“As a role model for so many other students, I think Sarah’s a good candidate for aspiring theatre students and students in general,” said Lane. “(She has an) excellent GPA considering the demanding nature of being in so many productions.”

Tryon said that her friends make it fun and inspire her to be better.

“Every time we get on stage it’s just like you’re playing with your friends. I live with two actors — it’s acting, all the time, every day,” Tryon said. “My friends are fantastic actors and I want to be as good as them.”

With only a little more than a year left at GVSU, Tryon is already looking to the future.

“Broadway is the goal,” Tryon said. “After school the plan right now is to move to the city and start auditioning and see what happens.

Right now all I can do is work as hard as I can because it’s going to dictate where I can go.” tsteimle@lanthorn.com

Fishladder accepting student submissions Student-run literary journal accepting photos, art, writing

By Rene Rodriguez GVL Staff Writer

One of a handful of outlets on campus for students to publish their writing, Grand Valley State University’s official literary and art journal is now accepting submissions.

Fishladder, which is edited by students and filled with undergraduate writings and artwork, is an annual publication that comes out each spring.

In addition to art and photography, Fishladder publishes fiction, poetry, nonfiction and drama.

“We encourage writers and artists of all majors to submit their work,” said Ian McCaul, Fishladder fiction editor.

The deadline for the upcoming issue is Dec. 17. All students interested in submitting a piece of work can go to fishladder. wordpress.com for further instructions.

All GVSU undergraduate students are eligible to submit.

While Fishladder contains only creative writing, students are welcome to write in any theme or genre of their choosing.

The newest issues of Fishladder are dispersed at an unveiling party every winter semester in Lake Ontario Hall. Students can also find older issues of Fishladder in the third-floor meeting room of Lake Ontario Hall.

“It’s great to have several places on

campus that will accept your work,” said Erin McBain, a creative writing major.

“Sometimes getting your work out to the public is just as hard as writing it.”

In addition to accepting submissions, Fishladder is also accepting applications for editor and reader positions for next year.

Fishladder is still accepting student applications to fill these positions for next fall.

“Although we’ve already chosen our staff for this year, students still wishing to get involved should look for staff applications at the start of the next fall semester,” said Lynn Dimick, current editor-in-chief.

“But of course, all students can submit their writing and artwork for publication in this year’s journal.” rrodriguez@lanthorn.com

Courtesy Photo / gvsu.com

Fishin’ for submissions: A former Fishladder cover. The journal is accepting art and fiction submissions through Dec. 17.

B5

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Services

Internships

“Interested in Advertising?”

Come check out GV Ad Club on Monday nights in MAK BLL 110. Join other passionate ad stuentsfor agency tours, workshops, networking and much more! Check out our Facebook page for more info!

PapeReady.com- Professional editing, proofreading, and advice for college essays. $3 per page, MLA, APA, and Chicago styles accepted. Contact PapeReady@gmail.com

REWARD! A Lanthorn news stand is missing from Niemeyer Honors College building. We are offering a reward for information leading to the recovery of this item.

Call: 616-331-2460 E-mail: Lanthorn@gvsu.edu

Advertising Designer Wanted for the Grand Valley Lanthorn. Must be proficient in Adobe Photoshop & InDesign. Illustrator preferred, but optional. Application due 11/29, email a resume and portfolio to advertising@lanthorn.com or call 616-331-2484 with questions.

MarketLab Job Title: Copywriter Intern & Web Design Intern Location: Caledonia, MI Salary Level: $12/hr.

Search Job ID: 15559686 & 15559687 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

Announcements

Visit Mug Shots for weekend drink specials. Thursdays $4 Long Islands, Friday Closeout Selects $2 U-call Its, Saturday $3 Three-Olives Vodka. Located next to Mancino’s What do you want to change in the world?

Visit www.gvsu.edu/socialjustice to enroll in Change U revolution.

Roommates Female subleaser wanted for Winter 2012. Copper Beech.

3bed, 3 1/2 Bath. $425/month plus water ($12

by Allendale Township) and electric. For more info contact Ashley at simsash@mail.gvsu.edu Female subleaser wanted.

Jan-June. 48 West Apartment. $460/month internet & cable included. Please contact Lexie asap at carrle@mail.gvsu.edu Looking for 2 possibly 3 roommates for a house in Standale.

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Employment

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Subleaser Needed for Country Place Apartments (G4), Winter 2012. $1700 for the semester but willing to go lower. Please call or email Darcie if interested at delaneda@mail.gvsu.edu.

Subleaser Needed! Willing to pay subleasing fee! 4 bedroom/4 bathroom Apt. at 48West, moving out by Jan. rent $465/month (12 month lease). Three female roommates, willing to work out a deal. Contact Sam at wallacsa@mail.gvsu.edu. or call 269-689-8104.

McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon Job Title: Event Coordinator Location: Grand Rapids, MI Hours: 10-20 hrs.

Search Job ID: 15559843 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ The Stow Company Job Title: Human Resources Internship Location: Holland, MI Salary Level: $9-$11/hr.

Hours: 20 hrs.

Search Job ID: 15559552 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Grand Rapids Community College Job Title: Human Resources Intern Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: $10/hr.

Hours: 25-30 hrs.

Search Job ID: 15548836 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Internship Opportunity Job Title: Grand Haven Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Location: Grand Haven, MI Salary Level: Unpaid Search Job ID: 15559651 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP Job Title: Semester of Discovery Intern Summer 2012 Location: Detroit, MI Search Job ID: 15559663 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

Production Control Intern Job Title: Burke E. Porter Machinery Company Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: Paid Hours: up to 40 hrs.

Search Job ID: 15559653 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Central Park Players Job Title: Marketing/ Arts Management Intern Location: Grand Haven, MI Salary Level: Unpaid Search Job ID: 15559702 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Advantage Benefits Group Job Title: Graphic Design Internship Location: Grand Rapids, MI Search Job ID: 15559660 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Mill Steel Company Job Title: Accounting/Intern Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: Paid Hours: 15-20 hrs.

Search Job ID: 15559447 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) Job Title: Communications Intern Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: Unpaid Search Job ID: 15555079 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Cambridge Mortgages Job Title: Assistant Loan Officer Intern Location: Grand Rapids, MI Hours: 20+ hrs.

Salary Level: $8/hr. plus bonuses Search Job ID: 15558590 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

Advertising Internship at The Grand Valley Lanthorn Winter 2012. Responsibilities will include primary & secondary research, flier design, and miscellaneous task.

Must be an Advertising/PR or Marketing Major/Minor. Opportunities for advancement.

Applications due 11/29, email a resume and portfolio to advertising@lanthorn.com or call 616-331-2484 with questions.

College Pro Job Title: Summer 2012 Management Internship:Franchise Manager Location:Grand Rapids,MI Salary: Paid Internship Email David at dleveque@collegepro.com or visit www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Course Hero Inc. Job Title: Business Development Student Leader Location: Allendale, MI Salary Level: $10/hr.

Search Job ID: 15557803 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

Miscellaneous Get Caught Promotion. Rules and Restrictions. Only one student or faculty is a winner per issue. Readers will be chosen at random throughout the week on campus.

The prize awarded is to-be-determined at random but may include gift cards, t-shirts, etc. Winners are requested to have their picture taken and answer some questions to be published in the Lanthorn.

Opportunities Bartending. High income potential. Training courses and equipment available. Call 1-800-965-6520 ext. 226

Wanted The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan is looking for a volunteer caricature artist for our Mardi Gras Ball on February 18th. If interested email: svinton@nkfm.org

B6

a &e

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

three artists

to ‘Ensorcell’ visitors with exhibition

By Cory Finkbeiner GVL Staff Writer

The definition of “ensorcell” is to bewitch with fascination or enchantment. Ensorcell is also the representative word for the aptly named BFA exhibit in which three Grand Valley State University students will share their illustrations.

Fine arts students Alex Deykes, Kim Allen and Rebecca Mills will hold a reception for their exhibition free and open to the public tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Calder Art Center.

Each artist will showcase a unique set of artwork, but the separate pieces are also complementary.

The exhibit is in the Stuart and Barbara Padnos Student Art Gallery and closes today.

“We were placed together because we all have an emphasis in Illustration and we all have a tendency to create similar subject matter,” Deykes said.

Deykes called her classmates’ art well done and creative, saying each artist stands out through their abilities and talent.

Deykes’ work is eight pieces of

digital illustration with a character design theme.

“These pieces focus on four different characters interacting in specific environments that they reside in,” Deykes said.

Mills’ work is also drawn digitally, using Adobe Photoshop to create a realistic but somewhat rough style.

“I try to utilize brushes and textures that mimic traditional media to some degree, as I’ve found that a lot of digital art looks very ‘plastic,’” Mills said.

Mills said she enjoys drawing animals and educating others about wildlife by telling stories through her drawings.

“I’ve always preferred to work digitally due to both the speed of the workflow and the increased ability to edit the work in the midst of creating it,” she said.

Mills wouldn’t say the computer makes the process easier overall, though.

“My illustrations for this exhibit are based on an instance of a hawk hitting a window at my house last summer and having to be taken to a nature center for rehabilitation,” she said. “I decided to make a vaguely children’s book-like nar-

still a chance to

By Briana Doolan and Brian Ledtke GVL Staff

Emphasis in printmaking, visual studies and ceramics will be presented by Grand Valley Students for the last time today in “Circles: BFA Exhibition”.

The gallery, located in Grand Valley State University’s Performing Arts Center, features work by Amanda Wieczorek, Jackie Jurgens and Becky Bloem. The gallery closes at 5 p.m. tonight followed by a closing reception hosted by the department of art and design from 5 to 7 p.m.

The reception will be held at the Performing Arts Center in Room 1121.

“There is a great diversity of art work available for viewing so be sure to come to the closing reception at the art gallery,” said Cathy Marashi, project coordinator at the art gallery support center. “There is printmaking with incredible statements through writing, elegant porcelain and embroidered pottery and woodblock

rative series of illustrations out of this event.”

The theme of Allen’s work is childhood imagination and the worlds children create through play, made in cut paper collage.

“It’s essentially just cutting and gluing paper together,” said Allen.

“I’ve made the images in pairs, the first being the real life game the kid is playing and the second piece depicting what they imagine and worlds they’ve created.”

Allen is the only artist in the exhibition working without a computer.

“The other two artists showing with me both do digital illustrations,” she said. “They do incredible work that I could never imagine attempting, but I’m sure they would say the same for my intricate, hand-cut illustrations.”

The Ensorcell exhibition is a window into a college career of work for three young artists who grew into their current styles together.

“It’s been really interesting seeing their styles and subject matter evolve over the past three years,” said Mills.

GVL / Eric Coulter

cfinkbeiner@lanthorn.com

On display: GV student Alyssa Beck views the Ensorcell exhibition, located in the Padnos Art Gallery. A reception for the exhibit begins tonight at 5 p.m. in the Calder Art Center.

catch the circles

prints on handmade seeded paper that is biodegradable.

Visitors are also able to take home the seeded paper to be planted.”

Jurgens is graduating after this semester with a bachelor of fine arts and an emphasis in visual studies.

“The BFA exhibits are a really great, relaxed social event where you can snack and look at what your peers have been working so hard on all semester,” Jergens said. “Every student pursuing a bachelor of fine arts has to create work for a final show, it is essentially their thesis project.”

Jurgens’ project is a series of woodblock prints on handmade paper with lettuce seeds sown inside. She has made multiples of each print as she intends you to take them and plant them. Each print she made bears a simple but assertive phrase.

“These phrases are assembled from text fragments of WWI and WWII propaganda and are reflective of human fragility,” Jurgens said.

Bloem is a senior pursuing a BFA in ceramics.

“As with many students here at Grand Valley, the three of us are part of the future of art making.

It’s a start and the three of us are excited to be the featured artists in the Performing Art Center Gallery this week.

”

Becky Bloem GVSU senior, “Circles: BFA Exhibition” artist

“The pieces that I have featured in the gallery focus on space and the barriers and connections that separate interior and exterior,” Bloem said.

She said the gallery is great opportunity for her and the other students involved to get their names out there.

“As with many students here at Grand Valley, the three of us are part of the future of art making,” said Bloem. “It’s a start and the three of us are excited to be the featured artists in the Performing Art Center Gallery this week.”

Wieczorek is a senior

in BFA exhibition studying art and design with an emphasis in printmaking and a minor in art history.

Wieczorek will be displaying two 20-page books with text and prints as well as an installation piece with collaged prints and video.

“Students, faculty and staff

should come see this show because I think it is important to see what students are doing creatively and how they represent this University,” she said.

For more information call the Art Gallery at 616-3312563. arts@lanthorn.com

GVL / Dylan Graham

Take root: The closing reception for “Circles: BFA Exhibition” (pictured) will be held Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the GVSU Art Gallery. The exhibition showcases the work of three seniors pursuing bachelors of fine arts degrees, and includes works printed on seeded paper that attendees can later plant.