Lansing Community College’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1959
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Volume 57, Issue 9
jan. 19 - 31, 2016
The LCC Men’s Basketball team celebrates a victory earlier this season. The Stars are currently the top-ranked team in the nation in Division II.
Guest speaker offers message of forgiveness
‘Never Swim’ gets regional attention
Top-ranked LCC men win 12th game in a row
News >> Page 2
A&E >> Page 11
A&E >> Page 7
2|NEWS
jan. 19 - 31, 2016 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Activist offers story of forgiveness Aaron Emerson News Editor On Sept. 21, 2001, 10 days after terrorist attacks changed the U.S. forever, a totally different kind of change was born in Dallas, Texas. Rais Bhuiyan, a Bangladesh immigrant, was shot in the face with a double-barreled shotgun at a distance of four feet while working at his gas station. Bhuiyan spoke about that horrifying experience, and his life in the years that followed, at Lansing Community College on Thursday, Jan. 14 as part of a One Book #OneLCC presentation. The survival of Bhuiyan is what many would describe as a miracle. His subsequent forgiveness of the shooter and attempt to halt his execution was talked about across the world. During his lecture at LCC, Bhuiyan described the events that occurred in his life starting with that fateful day: Sept. 21, 2001. Mark Stroman was a white supremacist from Texas who developed a self-described hatred toward Muslims and Ar-
abs after the Sept. 11 attacks. In the 10 days following the attacks, Stroman set out on a shooting spree targeting Arabs, killing two and injuring Bhuiyan. After Bhuiyan was shot, Stroman stood over his body, waiting to make sure he died. “I looked on the floor and I saw blood was pouring like a faucet out of the right side of my head,” Bhuiyan said. “Then I looked up and saw that the gunman was still standing over me, and I thought that if I didn’t pretend to be dead, he would shoot me again, so I fell back on the floor and he left.” When asked about the shooting spree after his arrest, Stroman said he performed what many Americans wanted to do, but didn’t have the courage to carry out. He called himself a patriot and said he should be honored. How could somebody in Bhuiyan’s position forgive a person with seemingly no remorse for trying to take his life? He said it happened after he began to
Photo by Aaron Emerson
See Activist, page 3
Bangladesh immigrant Rais Bhuiyan shares his story of forgiveness at a One Book #OneLCC discussion on Thursday, Jan. 14 in room 244 of the Gannon Building.
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jan. 19 - 31, 2016 www.lcc.edu/lookout
LCC advising implements new changes Aaron Emerson News Editor LCC students have new options when it comes to planning out their college and future pathways. The advising center, now called the Center for Academic and Career Pathways, announced changes to its program that took effect Jan. 4. Among the changes are the addition of secure, online chat advising and new drop-in advising hours. LCC student Hannah Ware said though she does not anticipate needing advising in her final year, she believes the changes would have benefited her during her first two years. “It was usually a challenge to schedule (an advising appointment) when I needed it the most,” Ware said. “And as a student and worker, going online or dropping in for a few minutes would have helped a lot.” The online chat advising will offer students “on the go” a communication out-
let to advisers three days a week. The chat sessions are designed to last 10 to 15 minutes and can cover such topics as general education options, degree requirements, prerequisite information, transfer questions and more. Online advising can be accessed on LCC’s website on Monday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.; Tuesday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.; and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop-in advising is available three days a week for 10-15 minute sessions. They are run on a first-come, first-serve basis in the advising department inside the Gannon Building StarZone. Semester plans, curriculum guides and graduation information, prerequisite questions and more are sample topics provided on LCC’s website for dropin advising. Drop-in advising hours are on Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m.
Also announced among the advising changes was the creation of future advising and career discovery workshops. Full 30-minute advising sessions are available to schedule on Monday, Tues-
day, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.lcc.edu/advising or call (517) 483-1904.
wrote letters to Bhuiyan expressing his remorse, and offering gratitude for his forgiveness, Bhuiyan continued to lobby for Stroman’s life. He even hired attorneys on Stroman’s behalf in an effort to halt the execution. Ultimately, Stroman was put to death by lethal injection on July 20, 2011. Prior to his death, Stroman gave a statement to the media, telling the world how Bhuiyan changed his life. “It is due to Rais’s message of forgiveness that I am more content now than I have ever been,” Stroman said in part of the statement. Bhuiyan’s message of forgiveness and love did not stop with Stroman’s death, however. He lobbied in front of European parliaments and advocated to the company that manu-
factured the injection dose that was used on Stroman. That manufacturer, Lundbeck, Inc., discontinued the sale of its product to corrections departments in the United States. Bhuiyan said that has resulted in a shortage of lethal injection doses in the country. Bhuiyan eventually started sharing his story and presenting his message to others across the country. He started an organization called “World Without Hate” in 2011 that seeks to spread love and peace. He said one of his main objectives is educating the nation’s youth on his notion of forgiveness. He speaks at schools and colleges around the world and started a leadership program that trains 12 to 18 year
olds to start forgiveness friend groups. “In 20 or 30 years, the youth right now will be leading this country,” he said. Much attention has been brought to Bhuiyan and his story. He has appeared in news stories and TV shows from some of the most popular media. That led to Bhuiyan’s appearance at LCC. A book that was written about the shooting, “The True American” by Anand Giridharadas, was chosen as the featured book for LCC’s current One Book #OneLCC discussion. For more information on One Book #OneLCC, visit www.lcc.edu/library/ about/events/onebook. To learn more about Rais Bhuiyan and his organization, visit www.worldwithouthope.org/
Activist Continued from page 2
realize Stroman was a human suffering, just like himself. “Instead of hating him, I started seeing him as a human being like me,” Bhuiyan said. “I saw him as a victim, too.” Bhuiyan, a Muslim who describes his belief in God as “strong,” started advocating for Stroman’s life to be spared. “I realized if we kill Mark Stroman, we are simply losing human life,” he said. “He’s a human being like me, and I thought if he was given a second chance – even behind bars – he might become a better person and do something positive.” As the years went by and Bhuiyan relayed his forgiveness, Stroman said he had a change of heart. And as he
Photos by Brian Wells
Center for Academic and Career Pathways can be found on the first floor of the Gannon Building.
4 NEWS
jan. 19 - 31, 2016 www.lcc.edu/lookout
LCC police offer helpful tips for winter weather parking, driving Aaron Wilton Staff Writer Ice, snow and parking, oh my! The winter weather has certainly picked up recently and Lansing-area residents can expect it to be like this for the next month, at least. Students have struggled in the past to find parking spots on campus and The Lookout has covered this problem in several recent articles. Unfortunately, the winter seems to make parking even more difficult. LCC Police Lt. Rodney Bahl said finding a space is dependent on whether students are willing to walk a couple of blocks to and from their cars. “(There are) a few more complaints with parking,” he said, “Because it is cold out students want to park as close as possible. So, the ramp is flooded.” Bahl listed all the locations for free student parking. They are: • Gannon Parking Ramp on Grand Avenue • Lot I on the corner of Grand Avenue and Saginaw Street • Lot K on the corner of Grand Avenue and Madison Street • Lot M on Chestnut Street south of Saginaw Street across from the Lutheran Church • Lot P on Madison Street between Washington Square and Capitol Avenue
One Book #OneLCC to celebrate winners
Photo by Brian Wells
Despite the addition of student parking lots, many students still struggle to find parking on LCC’s main campus. Some of the recent reviews on LCC’s Facebook page cite the parking situation as a reason to give the school a lower rating.
• Lot R on Lapeer Street west of Capitol Avenue • Lot U on the corner of west Genesee Street and Capitol Avenue • Lot W on the corner of Capitol Avenue and Shiawassee Street Bahl also offered a few winter safety tips for inexperienced drivers. “The most dangerous (thing) is probably the black ice,” Bahl said. Black ice earned its name because the ice is clear, and thus blends in with the road surface. Hitting black ice can cause a driver to lose control of a vehicle. “Give yourself enough distance between you and the car in front of you,” he said. “That is always a good safe measure. “Keeping an eye on your speed (is important),” Bahl said, “Even though you’re
going the speed limit it may be too fast for conditions. “Taking off is always the easier part of driving in the snow (when) compared to stopping,” he added. “Going downhill and possibly having to stop … can be much more dangerous.” Drivers should get comfortable with their vehicles and know how long it takes to come to a safe stop, he said. New drivers should be extra cautious and use this winter as a learning experience. For more information on parking and police, or to get a map of all the student parking that LCC offers, visit the police station on the second floor of the Gannon Building on LCC’s main campus. The map is also available online at this link: www.lcc.edu/parking/parking_locations/
Newsletter has 411 on being healthy Jaimie Bozack A&E Editor Sneezes and sniffles plague some students who sit in classrooms during the spring semester trying to fight through illness. As the snow falls many students fall victim to common colds and flu as well as the stress that goes along with the semester. The Student Health 101 newsletter can be found in D2l or on the My LCC news page. Student Health 101 is an interactive newsletter meant to help students with health aspects including nutrition, fitness, careers, financial aid, recipes and more. Fitness and Wellness Program Di-
NEWS
rector Amy Stoakes said a new issue of the newsletter is published on the first of each month. “Every single issue highlights a topic and includes a variety of topics,” Stoakes said. “There is also a chance to win $1,000 each issue if students give feedback about the letter.” According to Stoakes, Student Health 101 started last academic year. She said readership data estimates there are about 8,000 readers. “I hope after students read it they will feel a little more relaxed and empowered,” Stoakes said. “I personally like the variation of articles.” Stoakes said the newsletter allows students to take a break from busy
school schedules. “We get so focused on other things that sometimes we forget about ourselves,” Stoakes said. “The newsletter is something that can help students learn something that might be able to help them.” Stoakes encouraged students to read the Student Health 101 newsletter. “Students may learn something that they did not expect to learn,” Stoakes said. “The letter is very open and very real. It is not like reading a textbook because it is fun.” The newsletter is available on phones, tablets and computers. To read the letter students can head to http://readsh101.com/lcc.html/
The winners of the One Book #OneLCC Writing Contest will be presented and congratulated at a reception on Tuesday, Jan. 26. The winners will read their work at the reception, which will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on the third floor of the library, located in the TLC Building on LCC’s main campus. Attendance is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register for the event, go to bit.ly/1SMxPjW/
‘Centre’ to provide book discussion
One Book #OneLCC enthusiasts will be discussing the connections between “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” and “The True American “by Anand Giridharadas on Tuesday, Feb. 2 from 12:15 to 1 p.m. at the Centre for Engaged Inclusion. The Centre is located in room 251.02 of the Gannon Building. The book discussion is free and open to the public. It will feature a provided lunch with registration. To register, visit bit.ly/1SMGHpM/
Health fair to promote health and fitness An LCC health fair will allow students and faculty to measure their health and fitness. The 11th annual Community Health Fair is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the third floor of the Gannon Building. The fair will provide health and fitness testing, back alignment testing, chair massages, blood pressure checks and more. A Poker Walk will take place at noon.
Jazz singer to perform with Jazz Quartet Local jazz fans will have the opportunity to see Michigan jazz singer Betty Joplin perform with the LCC Faculty Jazz Quartet this month. “A Jazz Celebration” will be held at the Dart Auditorium on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 4 p.m. The performance is free to attend and is in collaboration with LCC Student Life and the Black History Month Committee. For more information, visit www.lcc.edu/showinfo or call (517) 483-1488.
5|distractions
jan. 19 - 31, 2016 www.lcc.edu/lookout
6|SPORTS
jan. 19 - 31, 2016 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Lady Stars struggle against surging LMC Rich Schenck Sports Editor The LCC women’s basketball team (1-1 MCCAA West, 5-10 overall) fell 73-55 to a Lake Michigan College (3-0 MCCAA West, 13-2 overall) squad that entered the Gannon Gym Jan. 9 on a nine-game winning streak. “They definitely came in here prepared; they were a strong team,” LCC Assistant Coach Anita Castellon said. “They play well together and they communicate well together.” The Lady Stars came into the game having won three of their last five games, including a 61-51 win at home against last place Jackson College (0-4 MCCAA West, 2-14 overall) Jan. 4. Against Lake Michigan, it was a struggle offensively for LCC from start to finish. The Stars did not lead the entire night.
“We were trying to get into the post more,” LCC sophomore Mackenzie Geister said. “Just go inside-out instead of running up the court, shooting it and being one and done.” The Lady Stars found themselves down 35-21 at halftime, converting only 36 percent (9 of 25) of their shots, while allowing LMC to convert nearly 60 percent (7 of 12) from three-point range. “Our defense didn’t come out and execute the way we were expecting it to,” Castellon said. “We needed to close the zone a little tighter. They have some good shooters, they play well together and you can see it in their record.” In a game where not much went right for LCC, there were a few bright spots. The freshman duo of Chasity Potter and Courtney Wolf combined for 27 points on 42 percent shooting from the field. The Lady Stars began the fourth quar-
ter on a 7-0 run, but the momentum was quickly derailed after LCC freshman Keiarra Guy was called for a technical foul. LMC’s 10-point lead quickly grew to 65-45. Castellon explained it has taken some time for the team to adapt to the season’s game plan with injuries and numbers on the bench. “We just need to adjust individually and as a team,” she said. “Make some minor adjustments up high, down low on both zone and in man-to-man. Once we make those, I think we’ll be ready for when we go down there.” The Lady Stars were scheduled to travel to Kalamazoo to take on No. 12 Kalamazoo Valley CC (3-0 MCCAA West, 14-1 overall) but the game was postponed. LCC was scheduled to host Grand Rapids CC (2-2 MCCAA West, 8-7 overall) Jan. 16 and then travel to face Kellogg CC (1-2 MCCAA West, 4-8 overall) Jan. 20.
Photo by Brian Wells
Chasity Potter drives around players from Lake Michigan College during the game at LCC on Saturday, Jan. 9. The Stars lost 73-55.
The Lions are primed to scare away another legend The year 1998 spelled the end to the career of Barry Sanders … who retired in his prime. The current Calvin Johnson situation is a horrible bout of Déjà vu for Lions fans. Playing for the Lions is as much of a physical challenge as it is a mental one. We could go on and on about how this franchise has ruined players; how Detroit is a perpetual meat grinder of talent. Rumors gaining steam about Johnson’s departure, and his statement Jan. 6 regarding retirement, do not bode well. “Megatron” has terrorized opposing defenses for nine years, and he
could very well turn his back on the records he has been chasing since 2007. Who’s to blame him? He’s given his absolute best years to a franchise that has squandered draft picks, given out undeserving contract extensions and handed him two one-and-done playoff appearances. Let’s do some math real quick. After nine years, Barry Sanders was 3,086 yards short of Emmitt Smith’s record of 18,355 yards. After nine
years in the league, Johnson needs 11,276 yards to break Jerry Rice’s record of 22,895 receiving yards. But if you consider the increase in passing yards over the years, the feat is reasonably possible. With a cap hit of $24 million, it would be a shame to have him not make the money he deserves. He has been a transcendent talent for the Lions, for his position and for the game itself. Business is business, however, and
he may very well go down as one of the most depressing cap casualties for a player of his caliber. Detroit faithful will demand blood for losing another legendary talent, and with good reason. If Johnson decides to hang his cleats up next to the touchdown ball he kept in the 24-20 win over the Bears on Jan. 3, he will undoubtedly be the “Barry Sanders” of our era. In a league obsessed with the “What have you done for me lately?” mentality, every Lions fan needs to ask themselves, what have the Lions done for Calvin lately?
Green’s physicality gives opponents matchup nightmares & QA
The Lookout Sports Editor Rich Schenck reIsaiah cently spoke with LCC men’s basGreen ketball freshman Isaiah Green. The Southfield High School product notched 12 points and 11 rebounds in the Stars’ 81-68 win against Lake Michigan College Jan. 9. Green is 10th in the nation in blocks
and his 151 total rebounds are good for fifth in the nation. What gave you the itch to play basketball? “It all started at age 3, my dad had a little hoop outside. He picked me up and I dunked it. I used to shoot on it and play around in my room. I had a hoop outside and I grew up playing basketball … AAU. I played for the family. In high school I was
varsity all four years. I came here and I still love the game. I still have that dream.” What made LCC basketball the right fit for you? “Coach Mike Ingram, he’s a great coach. My dad used to coach with him and I knew they were successful. They recruited me and they wanted me and I wanted to go where I was wanted.”
Any plans after LCC? “My plan is to get a basketball scholarship, Division I.” How is your downtime spent? “I love drawing. I’m an artist. My major is in arts and design.” Who is your ideal role model athlete? “Kevin Durant; he is my favorite player. And Anthony Davis.”
Photo by Brian Wells
Isaiah Green shoots on Jan. 9.
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jan. 19 - 31, 2016 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Big men power LCC over Redhawks Rich Schenck Sports Editor A determined Lake Michigan College (1-2 MCCAA West, 11-5 overall) was handed an 81-68 loss courtesy of the top-ranked LCC men’s basketball team (2-0 MCCAA, 14-1 overall) in the Gannon Gym on Saturday, Jan 9. But the real highlight of the night was LCC Head Coach Mike Ingram honoring sophomore Javon Haines with a commemorative ball for scoring his 1,000th point of his LCC career. The Stars handed LMC its second straight loss while collecting their league-high 12th win in a row. “That’s a tough team to play against,” Ingram said. “They run a lot of offense and they can wear you down. They can slow the game down.” LMC used that offense to keep the Stars behind for much of the first half, only relinquishing its stranglehold on the lead just before halftime. It was LCC’s first lead since 2-0. “At halftime Coach (Ingram) told us we had to rebound and that’s what
we did,” LCC freshman Isaiah Green said. “We started going after the boards more; we knew it was going to be tough.” Redhawk 6-foot-7 sophomore center Arsenio Arrington and 6-foot-3 forward Terry Davis caused trouble on both ends of the court for LCC big men Jimmy Kodet, Kingsley Anacheluniwa and Green, notching a combined 40 points and seven blocks on the night. “We haven’t played a lot of teams with big guys,” Green said. “But you know, we practice against big guys, so that’s how we prepare. We work hard. That’s what it is all about.” LCC came out in the second half with a renewed vigor, going on a 10-2 run to push its 43-36 halftime lead to 15. Both teams fell into a scoring slump for roughly five minutes until LMC’s Arrington was sent to the foul line, breaking a defensive deadlock with 9:30 left in the game. LCC’s big men began to impose their will on the game from that point.
LMC began throwing numbers under the basket to combat Green’s physical ability (11 rebounds). Kodet’s threepoint range (2 of 5) kept the Redhawks’ defense honest on the back end. That opened up Haines (27 points), sophomore Brian Morton (18 points) and freshman Curtis Davison (five points) to close out the game with a combination of outside jumpers and dime passes once the LMC defense was sucked in. “I think I have some kids that haven’t reached their potential yet,” Ingram said. “I think they know it and they want it to happen as soon as they get in the game. (We need to) get those guys to relax and let the game float to them.” The Stars’ game against Kalamazoo Valley Community College on Jan. 13 was postponed. They were scheduled to host eighth-place Grand Rapids CC (1-2 MCCAA West, 8-5 overall) Jan. 16 and play at ninth-place Kellogg CC (0-3 MCCAA West, 3-10 Overall) Wednesday, Jan. 20.
Photo by Brian Wells
Isaiah Green attempts to score during LCC’s game against Lake Michigan College on Saturday, Jan. 9. The Stars won 81-68.
LANSING
Be focused. Your dream of earning your bachelor’s degree is within reach thanks to the partnership between Ferris State University and Lansing Community College. Take your Ferris classes on the campus of LCC and walk into your future without walking away from your community. Be focused. Be successful right where you are.
010816
Ferris State University is an equal opportunity institution. For information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit ferris.edu/non-didcrimination.
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jan. 19 - 31, 2016 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Stars on national radar in Division II By Rich Schenck Sports Editor
Since the LCC men’s basketball team finished the 2014-15 season eighth in the NJCAA Tournament, LCC Head Coach Mike Ingram’s squad has been on a roll. The 2015-16 season has featured many records being broken and a climb up from No. 9 to the No. 1 ranking in Division II. The Stars had a 12-game winning streak through Jan. 13 and have their sights set on a national championship.
LCC’s Javon Haines battles with a Lake Michigan College player for a loose ball during the game Jan. 9 in the Gannon Gymnasium at LCC.
Photos By Brian Wells LCC’s Brian Morton goes up for a reverse layup against Lake Michigan College Jan. 9.
Players from Schoolcraft College try to keep Javon Haines (24) from scoring.
National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Men’s Basketball Top 20 Poll
Javon Haines heads for the hoop during action Jan. 9 iagainst Lake Michigan at LCC.
Rank
College
State
Record
Points
Prev.
1
Lansing
MI
14-1
235
1
2
Sinclair
OH
16-0
227
3
3
Kirkwood
IA
14-2
212
4
4
Dean
MA
11-0
184
5
5
Triton
IL
16-2
170
9
The NJCAA DII men’s basketball poll is voted on by a 12-member panel made up of representatives from each district
9|ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
jan. 19 - 31, 2016 www.lcc.edu/lookout
New Star Wars: ‘A Force’ once again Jeremy Kohn Editor in Chief
The hype surrounding “Star Wars: the Force Awakens” was undeniable. People wondered if the first movie in the Star Wars franchise without creator George Lucas could live up to the hype. Could Disney and director J. J. Abrams bring the magic back to Star Wars? Written by Abrams and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, The Force Awakens takes place 30 years after the events in “Return of the Jedi.” The Empire has fallen after the death of Darth Vader. The Order of the Jedi to most is a myth and a fairytale whispered throughout the galaxy. From the ashes of the Empire a new threat known as The First Order, led by the enigmatic Kylo Ren (played by Adam Driver) terrorizes the galaxy. Ren is obsessed with finding a map that he believes will lead him to Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. Moments before a First Order village raid, Resistance pilot Poe Damer-
Photo from BagoGames on Flickr
on (played by Oscar Isaac) retrieves the map from a village elder and hides the remnants in his droid BB-8. In the midst of this raid, a First Order Stormtrooper (played by John Boyega) begins to have second thoughts on the tyrannical order he has joined. He makes the decision to escape the order. During his escape he crosses paths with a Resistance pilot Dameron, who agrees to help him. During his escape he gives the trooper the name Finn.
Dameron helps Finn escape reaching the desert planet Jakku. Finn, while wandering the planet, meets a scavenger named Rey (played by Daisy Ridley), who is in possession of Dameron’s droid BB-8. Finn convinces Rey that the information in BB-8 is of the utmost importance to the Resistance. After a series of several events Rey and Finn find themselves teaming up with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca, who help lead them to the Resistance and its leader, General Leia Organa (Car-
rie Fisher), to deliver the map safely. This film looks and feels like a Star Wars film. The sets do not look pristine. The costumes designs are new, but evoke the designs of the original films. The CGI in the film is minimal and done appropriately. The acting and dialogue in this movie are both top-notch. Newcomers Ridley, Boyega and Driver really shine. And Harrison Ford doesn’t miss a beat as Han Solo. You will find yourself laughing in this movie more than in any other Star Wars film. There are several unanswered mysteries in the movie that will have audiences guessing what could occur in future Star Wars movies. My minor complaint is that this movie follows the plot details of “Star Wars: A New Hope” a little too closely, which I feel the franchise cannot do with the upcoming Episode 8. Overall, Abrams and Lucasfilm have taken the nostalgia of the old and mixed it with new exciting characters and plot developments, thus returning the much needed magic, mystique and heart back to a galaxy far, far away.
‘Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon’ raises bar Aaron Wilton Staff Writer
“Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon” restores the magic of the “mystery.” “Super Mystery Dungeon” hit American shelves Nov. 20, 2015. In this new adventure we see the return of the personality quiz as a method of Pokémon selection. The player must answer a short series of questions, after which a Pokémon will be selected based on the answers. These quiz questions decide the partner
with whom players will be matched. This feature is a staple in the “Mystery Dungeon” games. The last entry into the series, “Gates to Infinity,” had done away with the quiz and allowed players to simply pick a Pokémon for themselves and their partner. This takes away some of the emotional attachment that players should feel for their character. In an attempt to please everybody, “Super Mystery Dungeon” allows players to choose different Pokémon if they dislike the ones selected by the quiz process.
I began my journey as Totodile, with Fennekin as my partner. At the start of the story the main character wakes up in a forest clearing, discovers that he/she has been turned into a Pokémon, and is promptly chased by angry Beheeyem. Then, the player runs into another Pokémon that lives in a “nearby” village. After making it safely to the village, the main character is enrolled in school. Meeting Fennekin was a strange experience as I spotted him skulking outside of
my savoir’s house. After going outside to investigate, Fennekin introduced himself and offered to show me around town. The town plaza is as expected, with various shops and services, including: Kecleon shop, Kangaskhan storage, Pelipper post office and Hawlucha move tutoring. I really enjoy the personality quiz and the unique beginning this adventure features. The look and feel of the game are classic and it plays easily for veterans of the series. I highly recommend this game for veteran players or newcomers to Pokemon.
Pablo’s Panaderia provides authentic Mexican cuisine Jaimie Bozack A & E Editor
I have been living in Old Town on Lansing’s north side for almost a year and have neglected to try many of the restaurants located blocks away from my house. I woke up every morning and fell into the same routine of eating at the same restaurants I always have. I finally decided to try something new after my growling stomach woke me up from my nap one afternoon. I followed my stomach a couple blocks down to Pablo’s Panade-
ria, located at 311 E. Grand River Ave. in Old Town. I was joined by my boyfriend, Jason. We walked into the building that looked bare on the outside and were surprised by the splash of color painted on the inside walls. Pablo’s is a quaint sit-down restaurant that offers indoor and outdoor (during warm weather) seating options. The biggest surprise upon walking in was meeting the man behind Pablo’s Panaderia. It was Mr. Pablo Maldonado himself. He greeted my boyfriend and I with a friendly smile and sat us down. Pablo’s has made its name in Lansing’s
Old Town and has become a staple of the area. It is known as “home of la torta,” a Mexican bread used to sandwich beans, cheese, avocado, onion, meat, tomato and jalapenos. There are several sandwiches to choose from on the menu. Pablo’s food is authentic, which is a nice change for me. On any given Friday night the most authentic my household gets is frozen burritos from Meijer. After reviewing the menu I decided on a chopped steak and veggie quesadilla. Before I had time to start thinking about how hungry I was, chips and salsa were
brought to the table. The salsa was so good it almost filled me up before the meal. I couldn’t pull myself away from grabbing a chip and dunking it into the fresh salsa. Finally the main course came. In minutes an empty plate sat in front of me with a used napkin on top. The quesadilla was one of the best I have had in the Lansing area. It was large for the price, had a lot of flavor and the steak was given in a hefty portion. Overall, Pablo’s Panaderia had great food, a nice atmosphere, free Wi-Fi and great service. The best part? It was a dinner for two people for under $20.
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11 A&E
jan. 19 - 31, 2016 www.lcc.edu/lookout
‘Never Swim Alone’ gets standing ovation Jaimie Bozack A&E Editor Members of LCC’s theater department traveled to Milwaukee Jan. 6 and 7 for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. The festival is an event where college students from different states come together to partake in workshops, watch performances and perform for scholarship opportunities and awards. “Never Swim Alone” was LCC’s first fall 2015 production. It followed the story of two childhood friends Frank and Bill, competitive businessmen trying to out-do one another. The characters have a referee who decides which businessman is better in each round. Director Deb Keller said she was overjoyed when she found out cast members had been awarded a spot in the festival. “We don’t know if any awards have been won yet, but just getting there is a huge honor,” Keller said. “We are the only LCC show to ever go, so it was an amazing feat.” Keller said it was special to be able to get recognized outside of Lansing. “It was so cool to be rock stars for a week,” Keller said. “It was cool to get recognized and recognize other people’s work. Getting to the festival proves that there is something very valuable here at LCC.” According to Keller the final show of the festival was the best performance
the actors have given. Students Connor Kelly, Heath Sartorius and Monica Tanner stood hand-in-hand while taking their last bow of the night. A crowd of over 500 gave them a standing ovation for their performance of “Never Swim Alone.” “My favorite memory is Thursday after the final show when every cue went right, the show closed and those actors took a bow and everyone was rising to their feet,” Keller said. Sartorius played Frank, one of the businessmen. He said he enjoyed the festival’s positive energy. “While I’m sure my ego is quite swollen now, it was great having so many people respect and support each other at a compe-
tition because everyone just loved theater so much,” Sartorius said. Kelly played Bill, another businessman. He said they rehearsed 12 hours per week leading up to the festival. “The festival made me want to have a much more fulfilling career as an actor,” Kelly said. “It was cool just being able to let people who weren’t from Lansing see this incredible show.” Tanner played the referee and performed on Aerial Silks. According to Tanner she had no prior experience with Silks until learning the art for the show. “It was really difficult to learn Silks,” Tanner said. “I had never undertaken such an intricate skill before, but one of the hardest parts overall physically was
building up the strength to be able to maneuver my own body weight while suspended in the air.” Tanner received an award for her Silks work and said she is proud of her accomplishment. “To be so openly accepted by the audience gave me the opportunity to be fully honest with my role,” Tanner said. “It showed me that performing in front of large audiences is in fact the very thing I want to do with my life.” According to Tanner the festival allowed them to show people their hard work and skill. “Knowing our hard work had been recognized was a wonderful feeling because it meant that Deb’s vision was being recognized,” Tanner said. “It was her vision that guided us along with our work effort and I knew that we had created something that could move people in the way that only theater can.” Tanner said there was many amazing moments during the festival. “Standing between my co-stars, holding on to them, as a wave of energy and love washed over us in gratitude for the work we had just done was great,” Tanner said. “The other great moment was going backstage and seeing all of my fellow LCC students in tears because they had been so moved by what we had just done.”
Jaimie Bozack A&E Editor The city of Detroit has had its fair share of struggles through the past few years. Like Lansing, the Motor City has had problems with crime, homelessness and residents struggling to make their dollar stretch. Deeper within the roots of both cities lies another common trait that is keeping both cities alive and thriving: music and art. “Lansing X Detroit” is focused on showcasing the talent that both Detroit and Lansing have to offer during a two-night celebration at Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., in Lansing. The show will take place Friday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door and $15 for a combo ticket, which includes admission for both nights. Day one will feature Lansing’s Kim Vi and The Siblings, along with Stefanie Haapala, Nigel & The Dropout, DL Rossi and Lucy. Day two will feature headliner and De-
troit native Jahshua Smith, along with Valley Hush, James Gardin and Convenient, Trash. Rapper Jahshua Smith started making music in 2003 and released his first mixtape in 2006. He is originally from Detroit, but graduated from MSU in 2008. “When I first started I was looking for any road into hip-hop,” Smith said. “I have always been a very music-oriented person and I had dreams of making my own rap music.” Smith said he wants to inspire people with his performance during the “Lansing X Detroit” show. “What I want fans to take away from these shows is that there are a lot of young, hungry artists who all have the talent,” Smith said. “My hope is that we can begin to bridge the gap between the two cities so that people can experience music from both.” Smith said he is excited to make his way back to Mac’s Bar after last playing the venue two years ago.
“It’s a good way to show love to the two cities that define me as a person and musician,” Smith said. “Detroit being my hometown and Lansing being the city where I made the connections that would allow me to perform all over the country.” Smith plays with a six-piece band that includes lead vocals, background vocals, drums, keyboard, electric guitar and bass guitar. “Each show we get better and stronger because we’ve learned each other’s cues and there’s no better band in the world when it comes to improvisation,” Smith said. LCC student Justin Holland said he is looking forward to the “Lansing X Detroit” show. “I am a big fan of Kim Vi and the Siblings and James Gardin,” Holland said. “Ever since I moved here two years ago I have found a home in local Lansing venues.” For more information and to purchase tickets head to www.macsbar.com/
Rapper Jahshua Smith performs during the 2014 Art Attack in REO Town on Sept. 7. Smith will be headlining the “Lansing X Detroit “show on Saturday, Jan. 23 at Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.
Photo by Brian Wells
Connor Kelly, left, and Heath Sartorius rehearse a scene for “Never Swim Alone” during fall 2016. The play was staged during the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Milwaukee.
‘Lansing X Detroit’ looks to bring cities together
Photo by Jaimie Bozack
12 feature
jan. 19 - 31, 2016 www.lcc.edu/lookout
LAND contest awards creative writing Jeremy Kohn Editor in Chief The annual Liberal Arts Network and Development (LAND) contest, held in the fall, gives LCC students a chance to submit creative writing works of essay, fiction and poetry. Winners for the 2015 contest were announced in early December. LCC student Cruz Villarreal of Lansing won first- and second-place honors in the essay category with his entries entitled, “The Passing” and “A Christmas Wish.” In the short fiction category, LCC student Emma Houle of Grand Ledge won first place for her story entitled “Nighttime.” Second place for the short fiction was awarded to Harmony Lowe of DeWitt for her story, “Cyborgs, Murder and Spaceships.” Of the students who submitted poetry, LCC student Emma Houle of Grand Ledge won first place for her poem entitled “The Fall of Man.” Second place in the poetry category was awarded to Kylie Haizlip for “It Might Be Better.” Villarreal spoke on being selected a winner.
Photo by Jeremy Kohn
LCC student Cruz Villareal poses with his winning LAND essays “The Passing” and “A Christmas Wish”.
“These essays are creative non-fiction, they are both biographical in nature,” Villarreal said. “Both essays focus on the theme
of poverty; they were both very cathartic for me to write.” First-place winners won Skullcandy head-
phones. Second-place finishers received a Dane electric zPen. Several LCC professors served as judges for the contest. English professors Brigette Thornes, Susan Serafin-Jess and Psychology professor Vaughn Vowels were judges for the poetry category. English professors Rosalie Petrouske, Marcy Bauman and CTL professor Melissa Lucken judged the fiction entries. The essay entries were judged by English professors Mark Galik and Brant Losinski, as well as Phany Sarann of Tutoring services. Losinski spoke about the experience of participating as a judge. “I was looking for a story or essay that really stood out,” Losinski said. “I try to remind my students that some of the best things they can write about are those things that tap in to their own passion and experiences, and that was certainly evident in the winning piece.” First- and second-place winners in LCC’s LAND contest are entered in the state LAND competition. Results of the state competition will be announced in late February.
Students create bright futures through art classes Shelby Schueller Associate Editor When one thinks of art degrees, fine arts such as learning to paint and draw are some of the first things that come to mind. In the LCC Communication, Media and the Arts Department, students have the opportunity to learn fine arts and more. Professor Fred Clark, program faculty chair, mentioned how art classes at LCC can appeal to all students regardless of major, as well as community members. “Every student is going to have an objective,” he said. “Some students are taking a class because they just really need to not be taking anymore math and science and stuff like that. They just really need to balance their load. “If they’re happy and enjoy the experience, I think that’s great, I think that’s a success even though they may not be art majors.” “For many of our students, they’re going to be interested in becoming a professional artist,” Clark continued. “To me a success for a student would be that they have the skills that they need to get into a top-flight college and have a very good chance of getting a scholarship there.” There are no real requirements to be an
art major; one must simply declare it, according to Clark. There is no entrance exam and no one is turned away. However, many art classes have prerequisites which usually involve basic drawing and basic design. According to Clark, there are over 100 courses offered through the Communication, Media and the Arts Department during spring and fall semesters. Most of these courses are offered at LCC main campus, with some exceptions, and include fine art such as painting, drawing and art history, in addition to occupational art classes such as graphic design, web development, computer animation and more. Clark said LCC is very hands-on in teaching students the computer design programs needed for real life application, and the college updates technology about every three years. The department also offers career counseling, academic advising and supplies such as electronic pens for tablets. LCC Computer Graphics Animation student Maranda Zimmerman said the best part about taking art classes at LCC is the professors. “They have experience in the field they teach so if you have a question, you can ask someone who has first-hand experi-
ence,” she said. “They also make sure to tell you how each thing that you learn in class applies to the real-world jobs you’ll be hunting for. “Without these classes I feel that I would be missing out on so much valuable information,” Zimmerman said. “There are so many techniques, facets and possibilities when going into art that you may miss out on something fantastic that you didn’t know existed. My time at LCC has just really opened my eyes to all the amazing things art can do.” In addition to creating comic strips for The Lookout, Zimmerman makes T-shirt designs, custom shoes and murals. She also illustrated a children’s book over the summer. “Art is communication,” Clark said. “People were doing art before there was writing. People were doing art probably almost before human beings learned how to talk. It’s just fundamental. “Great art in a museum is wonderful and that’s an important part of who we are as a society, but it’s also about advertising and communication.” “I just want people to know that this is a really dynamic, exciting place to be and that we want students,” Clark said.
Photo by Brian Wells
A plaque hangs on the wall in one of the hallways on the first floor of the Gannon Building, commemorating the Eric Zimmerman Visual Arts Fund. The fund was created to allow the purchase of artwork created by LCC’s various art programs.
“We welcome people from all over and I just hope people will take advantage of what we have.” To see art by Maranda Zimmerman, visit her Facebook page at www.facebook. com/artbymaranda/ For more information about the Communication, Media and the Arts Department, students are encouraged to call the department office at (517) 483-1564 and ask to speak with a faculty member. Students may also get more information by visiting www.lcc.edu/cma/art/
13 A&E
jan. 19 - 31, 2016 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Alumnus Spotlight: Rachelle Hough
LCC alumnus well known for her theatrics Jeremy Kohn Editor in Chief William Shakespeare famously wrote the words: “All the world is a stage and the men and women are merely players.” For LCC alumnus Rachelle Hough, her passion of the stage began at LCC. Hough, 25, attended LCC from 2007 to 2010, where she studied technical theater. She worked with the theater program on several of its productions. The LCC alumnus said her favorite LCC memories were taking classes she normally wouldn’t have tried, such as welding and soldering. She mentioned Michael Wright, who previously taught shop classes at LCC, as someone who was very influential in her career opportunities. “He worked with me in the IATSE (The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employment) internship, which is the stagehand union,” Hough said. While at LCC, Hough worked
sound production for both the Wharton Center and The Union at Michigan State University. “I loved working at Wharton; it was always a good time,” Hough said. “It was where I began to learn how the professional world of theater worked and to get hands-on experience a classroom couldn’t teach me.” After LCC, Hough has spread her theatrical wings. In the past five years, she has worked as a sound engineer for Ringling Bros. Circus, “In the Mood” and “Cirque Dreams.” Hough talked about traveling the globe with the Ringling Bros. Circus. “Ringling Bros. was a once in a lifetime experience,” she said. “I got to travel around on a moving train for two years, meet people from different countries and cultures and work with some incredible animals. It was a life changing experience for me in my early 20s. Hough is currently working as a sound engineer for a national Broad-
Courtesy photo
Rachelle Hough is shown in San Antonio at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
way Cabaret tour. “Cabaret is one of the most wellknown musicals that hasn’t been out in a long time,” Hough said. “I take care of all the microphones and the
band, along with everything that happens sound wise.” For more information on “Cabaret: the Broadway Musical” visit www.cabaretmusical.com/
14|OPINION
jan. 19 - 31, 2016 www.lcc.edu/lookout — THE KOHN EFFECT —
My sabbatical from social media is underway A new year is upon us once again. And what ritual do we associate with at the beginning of the year? You know, those empty promises we make to ourselves each year such as quitting smoking or going to the gym. Yep, you guessed it: New Year’s Resolutions. While most resolutions are commitments which last the entire year, my resolution is a little different. Last semester, I wrote a column expressing my frustration with how people from this generation are obsessed with their cellphones and social media.
As you are reading this column I find myself more than two weeks removed from social media. It has been quite a liberating experience. Now that I have told you this confession, I can talk about the different discoveries I have experienced with my sabbatical away from Facebook. First, I have rediscovered great music I haven’t listened to in ages. Bands such as Incubus, Mr. Bungle, Queens of the Stone Age and Faith No More have given me the same pleasure I felt when I listened to them for the very
first time. My new daily ritual, which has replaced Facebook, is reading the news. Google, BBC News, Al-Jazeera, Reuters, Huffington Post, MLive and Lansing State Journal are sites I visit to keep tabs on the latest happenings locally and around the world. I find myself watching more educational television shows. TED talks have been a frequent in my Netflix Queue. To those who don’t know; TED talks are lectures with experts in all different fields of education. While watching TED talks I have learned such valuable lessons as why yawning may be contagious, the notion that playing music may stimulate the brain more
than any other activity, and how humans can actually grow new brain cells. My writing itch has also been ignited. I find myself picking up where I left off on a fantasy novel “Shrouded Secrets” I wrote for a Write the Novel class I took a few semesters ago. I would personally recommend this purge from Facebook to anyone who thinks Facebook has become more of a conditioned habit rather than a means to connect socially. Even though there are a lot worse addictions out there than social media, there are so many other activities and discoveries you can enjoy if you simply log off your computer or put your phone down.
— sights & sounds —
‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ brings me to the light There are two words every movie theater employee has come to have a love-hate relationship with over the past few weeks. Those two words have made over $700 billion in the box office, brought millions of people into theaters and have movie theater employees working overtime. “Star Wars” are those two words, and I am one of those movie theater employees. Since the opening day of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on Dec. 18, I have worked over 40 hours per week at NCG Cinema in the Eastwood Towne Center. I have never been the biggest Star Wars fan. Now, after dealing with hundreds of customers every hour and making tons of popcorn, I have basically become the scrooge of Star Wars.
Part of my dislike for Star Wars is because of the 3 a.m. until 11 a.m. shift I had to work on opening night. Maybe it was from lack of sleep or food, but by the end of the opening night shift I understood the hype behind Star Wars. People came to line up hours early for a chance at the best seats to see Star Wars. One man arrived six hours early and camped out first in line with a blanket and a bucket of popcorn. Fanatics came dressed as Chewbacca. Stormtroopers marched down NCG’s halls. People staged lightsaber fights while passing time in the lines.
News crews came out to witness and take footage of the Star Wars mania. NCG sold out of all Star Wars promotional items such as special edition Star Wars cups and popcorn buckets within the first few hours. I began to finally understand the hype and love behind Star Wars and why I had never had the same love. Most fans grew up on Star Wars. For some it was their childhood, so watching the movies gives them an emotional connection to when they were young. I never grew up on Star Wars. I am watching the movies for the first time
as a 20 year old. I don’t have the same emotional connection most fans have. For me they are just movies. Star Wars as an NCG employee? There were times I wanted to go hide away in the bathroom until the line died down. There were also times I laughed, smiled and gasped as the most interesting people walked into the building. Being a movie theater employee at this time was being a part of history. Seeing Star Wars as a non-Star Wars fan? I am now a fan. Watching it on the big screen among hundreds of people who genuinely love the movie was special. I will never have the same childhood connection to Star Wars as most, but I will always have a new appreciation for the movies.
— if the schue fits —
Make new habits, not unattainable New Year’s resolutions A new year has come again, and with it the onslaught of Facebook posts that all say something along the lines of “new year, new me.” While this idea was probably inspiring the first time it was read, where do all the New Year’s resolutions disappear to by March? Every year, too many New Year’s resolutions are broken before they even really have the chance to begin, leaving us with a feeling of regret and maybe even a little self-frustration. The difficulty in keeping a New Year’s
resolution often stems from trying to create a habit immediately. As soon as the clock hits midnight, we decide to dramatically change our lives, which is not how lasting lifestyle changes are formed. One of the best ways to make a resolution into a habit is to take it slow. Instead of going to the gym every day of the week – a huge commitment to make so suddenly – try going to the gym once a week for a while, then twice a week, and so on. It will be easier on your body and your schedule while giv-
ing you something to work toward. If you want to stop drinking soda, cut down a little at a time so your body has time to become less addicted to the caffeine and sugar. No matter what the resolution is, incorporating it into your life slowly tends to be more easily attainable than to completely change a lifestyle habit that you have had for years.
Changing a lifestyle is a process, and if you mess up once, twice or even a few times, the best thing to do is try not to get frustrated. Even a little progress is better than no progress at all. If the resolution gets broken, dust yourself off and try again. The more you work toward your goal, the easier it will become, and you will be glad you did not give up.
15 opinion
jan. 19 - 31, 2016 www.lcc.edu/lookout — staff editorial —
What will the New Year bring to LCC?
2016 is here. With a new semester comes the promise of new stories and another year
for our staff to grow. While we have many familiar faces returning to The Look-
out, we welcome a new face to the staff: page designer Nicole Cade.
Who is your favorite star wars character? Jeremy Kohn
Nicole Cade
Editor in Chief
assistant paginator
“Luke Skywalker. He is the epitome of a hero.”
“R2D2. He’s cute, sassy and a great sidekick.”
kohnj2@lcc.edu
caden@lcc.edu
Aaron Emerson
Staff Writer
emersoa@lcc.edu
“Am I the only American who has never seen it?”
Shelby Schueller
News Editor
schuels1@lcc.edu
Jaimie Bozack
A&E Editor
bozackj@lcc.edu
Rich Schenck
Sports Editor
schen1@lcc.edu
Brian Wells
Photo Editor
wellsb6@lcc.edu
“I’ve never seen Star Wars.” “Han Solo. He is comical and “Mace Windu. It’s Samuel L. “Luke Skywalker. I dressed as Jackson with a purple light saber.” him as a kid for years.” kicks butt.”
EMMA SCOTT
Aaron Wilton
Lurah Peterson
lead PAginator
Staff Writer/AD Sales
Advertising Manager
“JarJar Binks because mesa like the way he talk.”
“Chewbacca. He’s an awesome character and a fluffball.”
scotte8@lcc.edu
“I don’t like Star Wars.”
wiltona@lcc.edu
petersl8@lcc.edu
Larry Hook
Adviser
hookl@lcc.edu
“C3PO. He’s loyal and a great bleepin’ interpreter.”
What will the New Year bring to LCC and The Lookout? One of the biggest stories last year was the remarkable success of LCC’s sports program. The women’s cross country team won a national championship and the men’s basketball team finished 2015 ranked first in the nation. LCC was one of 30 community colleges selected for a Bill Gates Grant last semester. This is a grant that will help the college reach its goal of guided pathways for its degrees and certificates. Will we see the beginnings of this new system in 2016? LCC President Brent Knight spoke on the importance of beautifying LCC. Will 2016 continue with more projects, such as planting trees and construction to create a more
engaged campus? Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero spoke last year at the State of the City address in the LCC Commons. One of the big announcements was the LCC program “Get a Skill, Get a Job.” This program guarantees students in a trade skill program will find a job upon completion. Little has been said about “Get a Skill, Get a Job” since the mayor’s speech. Will we hear more about this in the near future? The Lookout staff encourages students, staff and faculty to offer us story ideas. Send us your story ideas. You can email Editor in Chief Jeremy Kohn at kohnj2@lcc. edu or Adviser Larry Hook at hookl@lcc.edu/
Complete your BACHELOR’S DEGREE with Siena Heights University on the LCC Campus! Undergraduate programs available in: • Accounting • Applied Sciences • Community Services • Multidisciplinary Studies • Professional Communication
CONTACT US TODAY! Phone: 517.483.9726 • Email: lansing@sienaheights.edu INQUIRE ONLINE AT: www.sienaheights.edu/lcc
Your Dreams. Your Goals. Your Education. YOUR SIENA!
16|LAST LOOK
jan. 19 - 31, 2016 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Students reach for the stars during new semester
e WhICH of Your classes ar you most excited about? “Psychology. I’ve heard good things about it.”” Alex Eccleton, 19, Dental Hygiene
“Math 120. I had a good experience last year.”
Students study during a General Chemistry lecture on Thursday, Jan. 14.
Shelby Schueller Associate Editor After an unseasonably warm winter break, blustery weather and LCC students returned with enthusiasm as spring semester began Jan. 11. According to Dana Cogswell, director of institutional research from the LCC Center for Data Science, there were 14,934 students enrolled in LCC credit courses as of Jan. 11. For many of these students, the new semester brings inspiration to achieve high grades. “My goal is to finish at the top of
my class,” LCC student Joe Stevens said. “I’m not really OK with being average.” LCC Student Troy McAlister said he wants to focus on the future this semester. “I plan to get a 4.0 in all of my classes so I can transfer to MSU,” he said. LCC Students Allyssa Minarik and Lance Burns also plan to finish the semester with a high GPA. Burns said another goal of his is to not get into debt. LCC has many resources to help students achieve these goals on main campus such as: tutoring services in the Learning Commons; ac-
ademic advising; textbook rentals in the library and Learning Commons; and writing help at the LCC Writing Center, located in room 202 of the Arts & Sciences Building. To schedule a tutoring appointment through the Learning Commons, visit www.lcc.edu/tutorial. For more information about academic advising, visit www.lcc.edu/ advising/contact. For more information about the Writing Center, visit www.lcc.edu/as/ writingcenter. To make an appointment, call (517) 483-1907.
Colin Callahan, 18, Business
“Japanese. It’s a little break in the monotony of math.” Dillon Viilo, 25, Computer Science
Photos By Brian Wells
Students study and wait for class in the thirdfloor lobby of the Gannon Building during the start of the spring semester at LCC. The lobby is a quiet area to study.
Thunder Ives plays a game on his laptop in the Gannon Commons on Thursday, Jan. 14.
Students are returning to the Gannon Commons to hang out with friends, study and grab a bite to eat now that spring semester classes have started.
The Gannon parking ramp remains mostly full throughout the day at the beginning of the semester. Despite the bad weather, the third floor of the ramp has remained open.