Flip your Chips for April Fools!
13-16
Students make a difference over spring break
FEATURES 8
LUTHER COLLEGE
“Let the chips fall where they may.”
CHIPS
APRIL 3, 2014
Serving the Luther College community since 1884.
VOLUME 136, NO. 19
Print yearbook discontinued, digital format for 2014-15
DOCUMENTING THE YEARS. The future Pioneer Yearbook staff will work in an all-digital format, but students will still be able to get hard copies and customize them with photos of their own. Abby Carpenter / Chips ABBY CARPENTER STAFF WRITER After 78 volumes, the Luther College Pioneer Yearbook will no longer be sold to Luther students. The staff will make the transition to an online yearbook after this year. “There just isn’t enough interest,”
Pioneer Editor Aubrey McElmeel (‘14) said. “Our portrait numbers were really low.” The yearbooks are currently ordered through Jostens, which prints the yearbooks and sends them directly to students’ homes. Approximately 380 people ordered a yearbook this year, but Jostens required
at least 500 yearbook orders. Because Luther did not meet this requirement, the printed version of the Pioneer Yearbook as Luther currently knows it, which began in 1920, will no longer be available for students following this year’s edition. Because the yearbook staff did not want to do away with the yearbook
completely, they have decided to take an online approach for next year. “It will be more of a bare bones yearbook,” McElmeel said. “We’re still going to have individual portraits, and sports and organization pictures, and stuff like that, but we’re going to use a YEARBOOK, PAGE 4
Students create Craigslist-style sites ELIZABETH HURLEY STAFF WRITER
GET ONLINE. Dylan Essing (‘14) looks at campuscurb.net, the site which he helped to create. Elizabeth Hurley / Chips
Two groups of students have taken action to a need on campus for selling items. They have created websites similar to Craiglist, called campuscurb. net and thebluealps.com. The two sites, created by seniors and first-years, respectively, are both up and running and looking for users. Campuscurb.net is a site that started as a senior project. Teddy Ortega (‘13) initially came up with the idea for the site. Alex Dallman (‘14), Dylan Essing (‘14), Sam Hedrick (‘14), Noah Lange (‘14), Chad Levenhagen (‘14), Minh Nguyen (‘14) and Chris Wagner (‘14) collaborated with Ortega to create campuscurb.net. “Why not make a website for Luther students, by Luther students, for a place in that market?” Lange said. But their goal of creating a place where people
can buy and sell items to others is not limited to the Decorah area. Campuscurb.net seeks to cater to every college and university in the United States. Created in a way so that each school has its own “curb,” students can search for items according to category: books, goods or housing, and select the school they attend. Users can see items simply by going to the website, but to express interest in items, they must log in. Students can log in through one of four ways: through Facebook, with any Google-related username, Windows Live or Twitter. Once a user has found an item that he or she is interested in, the individual can email the seller. All further interaction and money exchange is done by the individuals. Users can access the site currently by the web address, and the team is hoping to have their mobile applications up by May. By the end of the project, users will have their choice of accessing the site via WEBSITES, PAGE 4
NEWS
PAGE 2 APRIL 3, 2014
NEWS EDITORS: WALKER NYENHUIS & BRITA MOORE
First-year Immersion on hold Program leaders take year to to reevaluate safety standards, liability and coordination. ANNA JEIDE STAFF WRITER The Immersion Program for first-year students will not be offered in 2014. “The Immersion Program is on pause so that it becomes a better program that aligns with the mission of the college and serves students to a greater capacity than it has in the past,” School Outreach Coordinator Emily Neal said. When the President’s Cabinet approved the program in early March, questions concerning student safety and the program’s leadership remained. “Most of the concerns were worries about issues of student safety and how we might respond to injuries and what our liability might be if we are trying to reduce our risk as much as possible,” Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Kevin Kraus said. Cabinet members hope that a more complete and comprehensive safety plan will be developed in the coming year.
Shifting leadership has also made it difficult for staff to coordinate and arrange the program year to year. “It’s been hard to find people who have the time at that point in the year, mid-August, to lead programs who didn’t already have work to do on campus,” Kraus said. Professor of Political Science John Moeller first developed the program in 2007 when he served as Director of the Center for Ethics and Public Life. Moeller’s vision was to create a program that would create a learning community for first-year students and introduce them to life at Luther. After Moeller, Dan Bellrichard led the program through Sustainability. When Bellrichard began working for Student Life, the program changed departments as well. In 2013, the program moved to the wellness department under the leadership of Director of the Nena Amundson Lifetime Wellness Program Greg Lonning. In 2014, it was unclear which department would
be responsible for the program. Neal, Lonning, Sustainable Foods Educator Maren Stumme-Diers and other faculty members worked together in an attempt to organize the program. However, by the time the program received approval from the President’s Cabinet in early March, there was uncertainty over having enough time to train staff and student leaders for each trip. “There was not enough time to plan it well and fulfill the needs of what the Cabinet wanted us to do in terms of safety, student and faculty leaders and feel confident that we could plan a great experience for students in the fall,” Neal said. Neal noted that taking a year off to reassess is in the best interest of the program. “It’s good to step away and think about the demand for the program,” Neal said. “We need a designated plan for how this is going to work. I don’t think people want to see this go away. Everyone recognizes the value for students, but when we run the trips we want to be sure they are as safe and consistent as possible.”
“The Immersion Program is on pause so that it becomes a better program that aligns with the mission of the college and serves students to a greater capacity than it has in the past.” - Emily Neal
New security cameras to be installed NILS JOHNSON STAFF WRITER The contract for the installation of 26 new security cameras was signed March 12, according to the Luther LIS blog. The initiative is part of Luther’s larger effort to increase security. It is preceded by last year’s installation of key-card locks and restricted access to residence halls and high traffic areas during the late hours of the night. The security cameras, which serve to “detect and deter” troublesome activity, will be placed primarily around entrances to residence halls and high traffic areas such as the entrances to major academic buildings. In previous years, similar installations such as the camera in the cafeteria have been known to generate negative feedback. Concerning the cafeteria camera installation in 2010, Melanie Kirk (‘12) wrote a letter of concern.
“I just feel very uncomfortable with the camera thing … it sounds a lot like a security camera,” Kirk said in her letter. “One of the things I like about Luther is it feels less like some big state school that’s constantly under surveillance.” Despite previous controversy, this initiative has the support of student representatives and administration. Both Security and Student Senate assert the new cameras will only benefit the student body. Director of Campus Safety and Security Bob Harri claims that all new implements to Luther security are updates to a conventional security model that has been utilized by most colleges and universities, not just state schools. “Security cameras are now simply an industry standard,” Harri said. Harri also noted that cameras are hardly new to the Luther campus. “Seven of the cameras are replacing
“Security cameras are now simply an industry standard ... Seven of the cameras are replacing implements that have already been in place around campus.” - Bob Harri
EYES IN THE SKY. Security will install 26 cameras around campus in coming months. A camera in Olson Hall is pictured above. Casey DeLima / Chips implements that have already been in place around campus,” Harri said. President of Student Senate Paul Esker (‘14) reported that the initiative received support from student representatives as well.
“We recognize the administration’s reasons for implementing the new system,” Esker said. “Student Senate is on board for insuring that the environment around Luther is safe for all students.” Additionally, the initiatives have achieved considerable success since their implementation. Since last year, Security has seen a considerable decrease in incidents and violations around campus. Incidents such as vandalism and fire-alarm violations have seen the greatest decrease. The security initiatives serve only to provide a safer environment and to deter future destructive and harmful activities on campus. This year’s decrease in incidents, Harri reports, marks a continuing upward trend in the improvement of safety, one he hopes to see continue.
NEWS
PAGE 3
NEWS EDITORS: WALKER NYENHUIS & BRITA MOORE THURSDAY
Seven-Day Forecast
APRIL 3, 2014 FRIDAY
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TUESDAY WEDNESDAY
R X H H N N H 33/38
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Cafeteria short on student workers CASEY DELIMA FEATURES EDITOR Dining Services is currently experiencing a shortage of student workers, leading to inconvenience for students dining and working in the cafeteria. Administrative Assistant and Student Manager Katie Wicklund (‘14) has witnessed many inconveniences the shortage has caused. “We have been short on workers throughout the entire caf,” Wicklund said. “When we don’t have students to serve, the cooks often have to go to the line to serve, meaning they cannot be in the kitchen preparing the food, resulting in running out of food and a long wait in line for customers.” Food Service Manager and Student Work Coordinator Leah McCrea remarked that shifts in the cafeteria can be difficult, leading students to become frustrated with the job. “Students work really hard at Dining Services,” McCrea said. “I think some students don’t want to come in and squeeze in a lunch shift before and after classes.” McCrea remarked that a shortage of workers is not a new problem, but this year has a greater shortage than usual. “We’re always short workers, especially on Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” McCrea said. “I’ve been here
17 years and it has always been like that. Though this is the first time that we’ve been so short on a Tuesday and Thursday as well. This year we didn’t start with as many students at the beginning of the year as we have in the past, and I think that makes a huge difference in the retention.” Wicklund commented that a lack of experience and high stress in these work positions is a factor in the shortage of workers. “We are having more trouble this year than the past couple years with students simply not showing up to their shifts and in turn being fired,” Wicklund said. “At the beginning of each semester I think the freshmen workers are thrown in without a lot of guidance, causing a lot of them to get fed up with the job and either quit or simply stop showing up.” Dining Services is working to create a new position to aid efforts in training student workers. “We’re thinking about training a full-time person to train students more thoroughly,” McCrea said. Dining Services is also working toward making work positions in the dishroom and other positions in the cafeteria more enticing. “We’re looking at incentives and prices,” McCrea said. “We’re also looking at making it a more fun environment to work in.”
“When we don’t have students to serve, the cooks often have to go to the line to serve, meaning they cannot be in the kitchen preparing the food, resulting in running out of food and a long wait in line for customers.” - Katie Wicklund (‘14)
33/46
31/46
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Life Outside Luther Glitches slow health care sign-ups In a flood of last-minute sign-ups, hundreds of thousands of Americans rushed to apply for health insurance Monday, but deadline day for President Barack Obama’s overhaul brought long, frustrating waits and a new spate of website ills. At times, more than 125,000 people were simultaneously using healthcare.gov, straining it beyond its capacity. For long stretches Monday, applicants were shuttled to a virtual waiting room where they could leave an email address and be contacted later. Russia pulls back a battalion from Ukraine border Russia said Monday it was pulling a battalion of several hundred troops away from the Ukrainian border but kept tens of thousands in place, prompting a worried response from the Kiev government about what the U.S. warned was still a “tremendous buildup.” Russia moved quickly to strengthen its economic hold on Crimea, with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev arriving in the newly annexed peninsula with promises of funds for improved power supplies, water lines, education and pensions for the elderly. British sailor rescued after falling overboard A British sailor has been rescued after falling overboard in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and spending one and a half hours in the north Pacific. Race officials say 46-year-old Andrew Taylor of London, a crewman on Derry-LondonderryDoire, was being treated for severe shock and possible hypothermia. Officials say he went over the side during a sail change in rough weather early Monday. The yacht stopped racing and began searching for Taylor. A race spokeswoman says Taylor’s safety tether was attached to him when he was recovered and that officials are investigating why it wasn’t attached to the boat. Atlanta archbishop apologizes over $2.2M mansion The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Atlanta apologized Monday for building a $2.2 million mansion for himself, a decision criticized by local Catholics who cited the example of austerity set by the new pope. Archbishop Wilton Gregory recently moved into a nearly 6,400-square-foot residence. Its construction was made possible by a large donation from the estate of Joseph Mitchell, nephew of Margaret Mitchell, author of “Gone With The Wind,” a Civil War epic that made his family wealthy. Oregon drops proposed ban on pot-laced munchies Oregon officials are backing off their proposal to prohibit sales of pot-infused treats at medical marijuana stores. In a new set of rules released Monday, the Oregon Health Authority will only ban marijuana-laced products that are made or packaged in ways that might appeal to children. That means nothing brightly colored or formed in the shape of animals, toys or candies. The rules also require marijuana products to be sold in child-proof containers free of cartoons or bright colors.
ORDER UP. Aaron Fargo (‘16) serves Teresa Zaffarano (‘14) in the sandwich line.
Casey DeLima / Chips
Compiled from: hosted.ap.org
NEWS
PAGE 4 APRIL 3, 2014
NEWS EDITORS: WALKER NYENHUIS, BRITA MOORE
Student sites fufill campus needs
MAKE A DEAL. Both student-originated marketplace sites, thebluealps.com and campuscurb.net, are open for business. Students can contact one another to buy and sell items. Photo courtesy of thebluealps.com and campuscurb.net WEBSITES, PAGE 1 Android, iOS app or a web browser. Thebluealps.com was formed by Patrick Larson (‘17), Lars Sorenson (‘17), Gus Nelson (‘17) and Anna Madrigal (‘17). Larson and Sorenson saw a need for this type of website on Facebook and decided to take action. Unlike campuscurb.net, thebluealps.com is a site made exclusively for those with a Luther email address. The site is currently aimed at Luther students, but extension to Luther faculty and other expansion ideas are being looked at for the future. “It’s a simple operation, but effective,” Larson said. The site works so that users must first create an
account, which is free to do. Once created, users can search for, tag, list and price items. Like on campuscurb.net, the exchange of items and money is done solely by the individuals. Members of both website groups responded positively to the idea of multiple sites for buying and selling things. “[It] definitely shows that there is a need for that [type of website] here at Luther,” Lange said. Larson had a similar reaction and hopes both sites will be useful on campus. “I think there’s a niche for both of us,” Larson said. “Either way, whichever one works out, as long as there is a service for college students.”
About the sites: Campuscurb.net is open for students at any school in the United States. Login with Facebook, Twitter, Google or Windows Live. Thebluealps.com is open for anyone with a Luther email address.
Yearbook to transition online YEARBOOK, PAGE 1 system like Shutterfly, where students can add their own pages. So you can
add your own pictures of your friends and purchase the yearbook that way.” Shutterfly is a website on which users create digital scrapbooks for a small fee. The site has an option for creating and purchasing yearbooks as well. Students
can keep the yearbook as an online album for free indefinitely, or purchase the book in print. “It’s up to the students on how much they want to spend,” Pioneer Co-adviser Kassandra Miller said. “There’s a set amount for the bare bones, and then an amount of how much it costs for you, whether you want to add one page or 100 pages. It gives you more control of what you want in
A house nicknamed “Sunnyside” sat on the current location of the CFA for many years. It was the home of C.K. Preus, the second college president.
your yearbook.” The print version of the online yearbook will come in the form of a hard-copy book and is predicted to start at approximately $15 for the noncustomized version. The yearbook staff is hopeful that the online yearbook will be successful. “I’m hoping there will be more interest, because there will be more opportunities to make it your own, and I think it will be a little bit cheaper,” McElmeel said.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT A&E EDITOR: MAGGIE STEINBERG
PAGE 5 APRIL 3, 2014
Artists in the Haus “FOUNDATION OF BLUE AND BRONZE.” Luther alum Rose Weselmann’s (‘13) piece was selected for the Emerging Artist’s Exhibition at ArtHaus in Decorah. Her piece will be one of many judged on its concept, composition, originality, and artistic maturity. Photo courtesy of Rose Weselmann (‘13)
SPENCER HODGE STAFF WRITER
A professional panel of jurors awarded 13 Luther students the opportunity to display their artwork with other young artists around the Driftless Region at the fourth annual Emerging Artist’s Exhibition at Decorah’s ArtHaus studios. The opening reception for the show will be held free for the public Friday, April 4 at 7 p.m., and the work will remain in the galleries for viewing through Friday, April 25. “All panelists agreed that the submissions as a whole were very strong and diverse in media–making their task extra challenging,” ArtHaus Co-director and Visiting Faculty in Art Lea Lovelace said. “We feel like we have a very strong, diverse show representative of emerging artists of the area.” Traditionally, the show allows entrants living within a 150–mile radius of Decorah between the ages 18-21 to submit artwork to the panel. They are judged on the following criteria: concept, composition, originality and artistic maturity. This year, the panelists chose 29 of 96 submissions ranging in all sorts of mediums. The artists chosen from Luther were Nicole Billips (‘14), Ian Carstens (‘14), Jayne Cole (‘14), Jenna Darsee (‘14), Corinne Sawyer (‘14), Laura Turco (‘16), Hana Bachmann (‘14), Dia LeFebvre (‘14), Dan Bruins (‘14), Teresa Zaffarano (‘14), Samuel Gathje (‘15) and Luther alumnus Rose Weselmann (‘13) and Emily Temte (‘13). Along with the opportunity to have their work in the show, these artists will also compete for Best in Show, Runner Up and
Honorable Mention awards. The chosen runner up will be given a $100 prize and the Best in Show winner will be given a $200 prize along with a solo show at ArtHaus next year in February. “Luther alum Robby Scott (‘13) was our winner last year and had a successful exhibition open the first friday of February entitled ‘Welcome to the Show,’” Lovelace said. “He sold several works that evening and there were around 120 people in attendance. Since his opening he was accepted into the MFA painting program at University of Iowa.” One student spoke on the excitement this opportunity brings to them. “I am hoping to reach a wider audience with my work and to gain feedback on how people other than students and professors view my creations,” Gathje said. “I am really excited to share my work with the Decorah community and to advance my place as a studio artist.” The show is Gathje’s first exhibition outside of Luther’s galleries. His two chosen submissions are wooden sculpture pieces called “Dancer” and “Purpleheart on Birch.” Another student reflected on her excitement and nervousness to display her artwork. “I am extremely excited,” Billips said. “I’ve helped with the show as an intern in the past, but this is my first time as an artist. It can be hard to submit your work for exhibitions. You always want to make your best work and have people enjoy it.” Billips’ typical medium is painting and sculpture. Her chosen submission is a lace painting called “Untitled Utah.” Those interested in the viewing or purchasing artwork from the show can do so at the ArtHaus on 508 W. Water Street.
“It can be hard to submit your work for exhibitions. You always want to make your best work and have people enjoy it.” - Nicole Billips (‘14)
“PURPLEHEART ON BIRCH.” Sam Gathje (‘15) used his skill with woodwork to create this piece for the Emerging Artist’s Exhibit. Photo courtesy of Sam Gathje (‘15)
“DANCER.” Sam Gathje’s (‘15) second submission created out of wood is another contender for the awards given during the exhibit. Photo courtesy of Sam Gathje (‘15)
OPINION
PAGE 6
MANAGING EDITOR: JAYNE COLE
APRIL 3, 2014
Concerns with marketing Luther BAILEY MULHOLLAND STAFF WRITER As someone who works in marketing, I think I’m qualified to say that its purpose is to sell: products, services, places, ideas. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. People persuade each other all the time, marketing just does so on a grander scale with flashy pictures and heart-stringtugging music. Advertisers insist that you
buy this car or donate to this cause, or in my case that you attend the wonderful institution that is Luther College. I’ve been a student employee with the Luther College Video Bureau for over two years, during which time I’ve learned quite a bit. Some of it technical, some of it artistic and a whole lot of it in public relations. As in dealing with people, what they like and don’t like, what inspires or offends them and how they identify themselves. My projects consist of short promotional films aimed primarily at prospective students. I create an appealing picture of Luther College so they become interested, arrange a visit and hopefully enroll. My most recent video was titled “The Many Faces of Luther College,” in which a variety of
students wrote on a chalkboard what they felt made them unique to Luther. The goal was to highlight diversity within the Luther community and show how that doesn’t only mean difference in race or religion. Although well-received, the film came under fire on a few counts. “Luther’s not really that diverse,” I was told. “You show some words too often like you’re trying to make a political point,” I was told. “You used too many white students, isn’t it supposed to be a diversity video?” This criticism originated in varied places for varied reasons, but was ultimately concerned with an inaccurate portrayal of Luther College. My response is this: Luther may not be diverse when compared to institutions ten times its
size, or those located in metropolitan areas, but it has come quite a long way since its founding. My intention was to celebrate this progress, dispel a misconception of homogeneity and attract future diversity. As for displaying particular words too frequently, I’ll use the “artistic tunnel-vision” excuse: I simply looked for camera shots that fit best without noticing repetition of words. My bad. Regarding the race comment, I believe diversity means more than just appearance, and the featured students represent this. And so I offer a lesson, kids: You can’t win. You cannot please everybody all of the time, even if it’s in your job description. Discern who matters most, remain true to your art and sell the message you believe in.
Dance marathon seeks volunteers for first event Letter to the Editor If you’re looking for the best 12 hours of your life, don’t worry, it’s not too late to sign-up for the first annual Luther College Dance Marathon! Our very first “BIG EVENT” will be held on Saturday, April 12th from noon to midnight in the Regents Center. The “BIG EVENT” is a culmination of our fundraising effort benefitting the financial and emotional well-being of the children and families who have been treated at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Essentially, these 12 hours are a time that the kiddos and their families can put their hardships aside and celebrate their fight
for life. And you can make an impact! You can help these kiddos forget their worries and strife to help them remember what it is to be a kid and have a great time being goofy with friends. There’s more: not only will you make a huge impact on the lives of these kiddos, but they will also touch your heart. Seeing how hard these kids fight everyday makes us appreciate how precious life is and how fortunate we are to have our health. Their unwavering positive outlook on life shows us that even in the face of adversity, our situations don’t define us; our attitude does. Together we as Luther College can come together to create a better tomorrow not only for these kiddos, but for everyone. This life changing experience will be filled
with dancing, performances by campus groups, keynote speeches from those impacted by the organization, games, fun, smiles and overall happiness. You can sign up for LCDM by Googling “Luther College Dance Marathon” and signing up on Donor Drive. The $15 registration fee includes food for the day, a t-shirt, and your entry to the greatest 12 hours of your life! We would love for you to join the already 450 strong to celebrate the fight and the life of the kiddos our organization supports! So register, put on your dancin’ shoes and join LCDM for a day to remember because it’s all FOR THE KIDS! FTK, Libby Logsden (‘15) & Sam Weinberg (‘15) Recruitment and Morale Co-Chairs Luther College Dance Marathon
“If you are looking for the best 12 hours of your life, don’t worry, it’s not Luther College Dance Marathon!” -Libby Logsden (‘15) and Sam Weinberg (‘15)
For the goddesses of Luther College Letter to the Editor For women, having our period is as natural a part of life as eating or breathing. So why has the monthly flow become a topic of such secrecy and dread? For many, menstruation is a disposable subject and has been so since the invention of throwaway pads and tampons in the 1930s. Today, the majority of women are managing their moontime with these products. Though they may be convenient, we are finding more and more that disposable pads and tampons are putting our health and the environment at serious risk. Every year a pre-menopausal woman spends around $60 on disposable pads or tampons. This may not sound like much, but it all adds up since the average woman experiences 35 years of fertility. Throughout those years, a single woman will pollute our landfills with nearly 19,000 disposable pads and tampons! These little throwaways are not biodegradable and take more
than 700 years to decompose, outliving the woman who used them by over 600 years! It is estimated that the 4 billion women who occupy the earth today will leave behind a legacy of over 80 trillion used pads and tampons before they leave it, pads and tampons that will still be in the ground in the year 2700. While companies cash in on this $718 million industry, they pollute the bodies of millions of women without any obligation to disclose the products’ ingredients. Companies are not compelled to inform the public of the materials they use because that would violate the corporation’s right to free speech, so the damages mount in silence. The fact is, conventional feminine hygiene products are made almost exclusively of synthetic plastics. These particular plastics expose us to a number of toxic chemicals, including dioxin, a known carcinogen considered to be one of the world’s most toxic substances. Women who are exposed to these toxins regularly through the use of conventional pads and tampons put themselves at risk of bladder and vaginal infections, Toxic Shock Syndrome, intensified menstrual cramps, deleterious bacterial growth, disrupted cell growth, miscarriage and even certain types of cancers. Thankfully, many smart women have been thinking about all of this for a long time and organizing amongst themselves to increase awareness and openness in the
menstruation conversation. Today, there are numerous alternatives to conventional pads and tampons that do not harm our bodies and the earth. My favorite is the reusable, cotton “eco-pad.” Cotton pads are very affordable, easy to use and generally last 7-10 years. They are also easy to care for: simply toss them in the wash with your laundry or soak them in a bucket of cold water and scrub with biodegradable soap. If you soak your eco-pads before washing, be sure to empty the water in your garden or houseplants: the ‘menstrual tea’ is incredibly high in plant-happy nutrients! Many women also like to use MoonCups or Diva Cups, which are available for sale at the Oneota Co-op. These alternatives are chemical-free, longlasting, biodegradable and free women everywhere from habitually polluting their bodies and land. I stopped using tampons a little over a year ago and feel infinitely more liberated, healthy and in tune with my body. In order to pay less both environmentally and economically and to help the world move into a new way of thinking about menstruation, women everywhere should consider making the exciting change to reusable materials, the compassionate and sustainable alternative to toxic disposables. The women of the world are stepping into a new era that is a celebration of sacred femininity. Join us in the movement to be kind to ourselves and our planet! - Annie Zylstra (‘15)
OPINION
PAGE 7 APRIL 3, 2014
Luther College Chips Chips is a student publication of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. The paper is designed, composed edited and managed entirely by Luther students. It is published weekly during the academic year, excluding the month of January. The opinion section is designed to provide a forum for Chips, its staff members and the Luther community. Opinions expressed in articles, editorials and columns do not necessarily represent the views of the Chips staff. The author is solely responsible for opinions expressed in Chips commentary. Chips will not accept submitted articles or campus announcements. Submissions for letters to the editor should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document to chipsedt@ luther.edu with Letter to the Editor as a subject line. Letters to the Editor are subject to editing without changing the meaning of the letter. Authors will not be notified of changes prior to publishing. Letters must be signed, 300-400 words and submitted before Sunday at 5:00 p.m. the week before production. Publication of all letters is at the discretion of the editor. Contact Chips: Phone: 563-387-1044 Fax: 563-387-2072 Email: chipsedt@luther.edu Advertising: chipsads@luther.edu Website: lutherchips.com Facebook: facebook.com/LutherChips Twitter: @LutherChips Spring 2014 Staff Editor-in-Chief: Managing Editor: News Editors:
Ingrid Baudler Jayne Cole Walker Nyenhuis Brita Moore Features Editor: Casey DeLima A&E Editor: Maggie Steinberg Sports Editor: Julia Joseph Staff Writers: Meredith Bruster Hannah Butler Abby Carpenter Hannah Garry Matt Helm Spencer Hodge Elizabeth Hurley Zora Hurst Anna Jeide Nils Johnson Maddy Kofoed Luke Manderfeld Sam Molzahn Bailey Mulholland Jenna Nelson Katie Wolter Head Copy Editor: Cameron Meyferth Copy Editors: Emily Crowe Bethany Seavers Templeton Ad Representative: Lauren Meintsma Ad Accountant: Sam Matheson Photography Coordinator: Casey DeLima Photographers: Abby Carpenter Bjorn Myhre Design Technician: Bjorn Myhre Web Manager: Isaac Davis Social Media Director: Alex Catena Circulation Manager: Tess Wilson Adviser: David Faldet
MANAGING EDITOR: JAYNE COLE
Materialism’s toll Letter to the Editor Three years ago a movement by people in the United States started, a movement that brought attention to the discrepancy between the rich and the rest of the population. The top 1% of our population simply had too much money and we, the lowly 99%, demanded our fair share of material wealth. Occupy Wall Street spread across the country with small groups of people protesting against the rich few. Even in Decorah protesters lined the courthouse steps for many consecutive Saturdays. I think the Occupy Wall Street movement and the bashing of the top 1% probably did something, but what exactly it did, to me, is reiterate our obsession for material wealth, greed and the lack of compassion. Don’t get me wrong, we do need to point out the discrepancies in our society and world, but we must remember that we, the people of the United States of America, are rich beyond measure. Let me tell a story about Brian, a youth director in Bozeman, Montana. Brian has kids in his youth program who have their lunch paid for by the government and who apply for scholarships to go on youth group adventures. I think it is sad that these very same kids, who need monetary support, arrive at the start of the weekend youth trip with the newest iPad, latest phone and 50 bucks to spend over the weekend. New gadgets have become such a norm in our society that even families who live below the poverty line and whose children are fed by food stamps have the latest, greatest gadget. What has happened? How have we become a nation that worships material goods? A society where one is judged on how much money and stuff can be accumulated before one dies. How have we slipped into a way of life where greed, power and the need for more is what drives our daily actions?
We have become hostile to anyone who interferes with our accumulation of more wealth, including the top 1%. Instead of showing hostility to those with more and further accentuating our desire and godliness of money and wealth, we should be following Christ’s teachings by showing compassion and grace to those in the world who are less fortunate. We need to remember that nearly 800 million people live on less than $1 per day while two billion people live on less than $2 per day. We have nothing in comparison to complain about. So shame on us. Shame on us for being so ignorant and for preaching compassion while acting out hostility. For thinking that we, some of the richest people in the world, deserve more money, more goods, more wealth and more riches to die with. Although we may be the proletariat here in the United States, we are in fact the bourgeois of the world. Let us not act with greed and jealousy of those who have more, but lead by example with compassion and grace. Remember to be humble. Remember to show compassion. So what can we do? To start with, I challenge you all to see how long you can go without buying any material goods. This past summer I tried just this, and wanted to spend money only on food and drinks. And I failed. I failed because hammocks were a hit at camp. One person brought a hammock and then everyone got one. We built hammock villages, stacked them and slept 15 feet in the air. Obviously I bought one. But I could have slept on my sleeping pad, in a tent or used other peoples’ hammocks. And what is my hammock doing now? It’s sitting at home, gathering dust and filling up my closet along with all of my other stuff. I find myself asking, “Did I really need that hammock?” So the next time you yearn to shop, ask yourself if you really need whatever you might buy. Remember the environmental impact it had to make it and ask yourself “Do I really need it?” Remember how your money could be put to a better use, benefiting those less fortunate than you and ask yourself, “Do I really need it?” And think about what is behind your desire to buy that material good and ask yourself, “Do I really need it?” But seriously, I challenge you, as we end our year here at Luther College, to see how long you can go without buying any material goods and by doing so, reflect on your relationship to them. -Sam Zook (‘14)
“...I challenge you, as we end our year here at Luther College, to see how long you can go without buying any material goods...” - Sam Zook (‘14)
Student senate elections A Sit-Down with Senate Since the members of the Student Senate make up the official voice of the student body at Luther College, we have a simple question for you: what would make Luther better for students? Every student has an answer to that question. Sure, for the most part, Luther students are content with the state of things on campus; but without fail, everybody has something they don’t like and an idea of how it could be better. Yet despite many ideas, fewer students answer the next, more important question: how shall we make those ideas a reality? The Student Senate has a pretty solid answer: “together, and you should join us.” If you have some big ideas for Luther College, run for the Student Senate. It’s a body of students with big ideas, voices to share them and passion to enact them. It’s a student grassroots coalition for a better Luther, though
perhaps mistaken for a bureaucracy. It’s a way for you to give your visions for our College a chance to be realized. Interested, but unsure where to start? Fear not: running for Student Senate is simple. Get started at luther.edu/ studentsenate, where you’ll find the Election Guidelines and all the other materials you’ll need. Before you can run in the election, you must submit two documents. The first is a simple Election Application, which can be printed off and handwritten or submitted electronically. The second document, which we call a “Support Sheet,” is a collection of twenty-four signatures from your peers. The signatures should be from the constituents you would represent in the position for which you seek to run. (For example, if you run for Junior Class Representative, only collect signatures from members of the Class of 2016. If you run for a Diversity Rep position, get signatures from anyone and everyone!) Submit these two items to the Student Life office (on the top floor of the Union) by Thursday, April 9th. Then, after nine wild days of campaigning (think posters, door-knocking, etc.) from Monday, April 14 to Wednesday, April 23, it’s election time! Ballots will be sent to all students via email on Thursday, April 24, and results will be announced soon after elections close. Here’s a little secret: we want you to join us. We want your ideas, your voice, and your passion. If you have any questions, email me at hanslu01@luther.edu. - Luke Hanson (‘14)
“If you have some big ideas for Luther College, run for Student Senate.” - Luke Hanson (‘14)
FEAT
PAGE 8 APRIL 3, 2014
FEATURES EDITOR:
A charitable
Habitat for Humanity and College Ministries travel South during their spring break to volunteer. KATIE WOLTER STAFF WRITER While many students relaxed on beaches or visited their hometowns for their spring breaks, some students involved in Habitat for Humanity and College Ministries spent their spring breaks fulfulling Luther College’s mission statement: “As people of all backgrounds we embrace diversity and challenge one another to learn in community, to discern our callings, and to serve with distinction for the common good.” Whether in Guatemala or Santa Fe, N.M., these students spent their spring breaks serving for the common good. “Part of the commitment is to do something that has long-term connections to places,” Campus Pastor David Vásquez said. “For both of our spring break trips we try to establish a connection with a community rather than changing every year and going somewhere else, we want to just build on those relationships.” Vásquez and Associate Professor of Spanish Rita Tejada along with 18 Luther students spent their week of service in Guatemala.
MIS AMIGOS Y YO. Miguel Dueñas, Guatemala.
This is the fifth year that College Ministries has taken students to the town of San Miguel Dueñas. The group partnered with a local organization called Open Windows. Founded in 2001 by Jean Uelman, Teresa Quiñonez and Erica Kaplan, Open Windows serves the community of San Miguel Dueñas by providing 2,600 children with learning services and programs to improve their life options and elevate their self-sufficiency. During the week, the group catered to the needs of the community by doing whatever was asked of them, which included painting the local library and leading an after-school program for children, among other jobs. “Every day involved a certain theme, for example joy or diversity, and we will introduce the theme in a way to the whole group of students,” Brianna McClain (‘15) said. “We had different sets of activities for them to do such as crafts, games, and music that revolved around that certain theme.” Before the group left for Guatemala they met weekly, writing lesson plans for the afterschool program and traveling to Postville to visit and get to know some of the immigrants there who have relatives in the area of San Miguel Dueñas. “I’ve gotten to know quite a few of the people that live in Postville, a lot of people that were involved in the immigration raid that happened in 2008,” Ryan Goos (‘16) said. “I’ve gotten to be really close with them so I’m just excited to meet their family members and deepen my connection with the immigrant
community [in Postville].” Along with doing whatever renovation work was needed and running the afterschool program, the group got to spend a few days taking in some of the recreational opportunities Guatemala has to offer. “Some people took a plane to fly to see some Mayan ruins for the day which was cool,” Goos said. “I climbed a volcano and rode horses.” A little closer to home a group of 50 Luther students and faculty advisers served for the common good by building homes for low-income families with Habitat for Humanity in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “Building is a ton of fun, especially when it’s for someone who is really going to appreciate the house,” Co-President of the Leadership Team for Habitat for Humanity at Luther Anna Arbisi (‘14) said. “Also, it’s always fun to meet the families and see how excited they are to move in.” According to the Habitat for Humanity website, 827.6 million people worldwide are living in urban slums, and by 2020 the world slum population will approach one billion people. By volunteering their time and effort, Luther students are helping to decrease those
numbers. “I had an amazing trip … with Habitat for Humanity. We helped work on a few homes for a few very deserving families,” Daniel Stover (‘16) said. “We were able to meet some of the people we were helping, and they were extremely grateful.” Although co-presidents for Habitat for Humanity Aribisi and Travis Nietert (‘15) have been on previous spring break trips building homes, no experience was necessary to go on this trip. “A lot of people who go have never had any experience with building, but it’s a great chance to learn,” Arbisi said. “It will definitely help me in the future if I ever need to fix . anything … I feel a lot more confident with power tools now that I have been on this trip a few times.” Many students who go on these trips claim to be positively impacted by the things they do and the people they meet. “It helped me realize how simple it is to help others. Even small contributions can make a big difference in another person’s life,” Stover said. “All you need is some energy and a positive attitude.”
“It helped me realize how simple it is to help others, even small contributions can make a big difference in another person’s life. All you need is some energy and a positive attitude ” - Daniel Stover (‘16)
San Photo courtesy of Ryan Goos
WORKING HARD. (From left) Lisa Ausen (‘15), Jenny Olofson (‘16), Selam Woldermariam (‘16), Katie Berner (‘14) prepare for work. Photo courtesy of Anna Arbisi
RELIGION ACROSS BORDERS. College Ministries visited the main church in San Miguel Dueñas. Photo courtesy of Ryan Goos
TURES
PAGE 9
CASEY DELIMA
APRIL 3, 2014
spring break
BUILDING HABITATS FOR HUMANITY. Students from Habitat for Humanity pose together during their spring break trip to New Mexico. Photo Courtesy of Anna Arbisi
Shuttle bus gains popularity HANNAH BUTLER STAFF WRITER Since its start in 2007 the Luther College shuttle system has been gaining ridership and responding to student requests. The shuttle system works to transport students to and from campus during scheduled breaks in the school year. The shuttle system continues to make changes, now offering four different routes instead of its original one route. From its beginning the shuttle system has attracted over 2,000 student passengers. The once single available route to Minnesota has now expanded to include Central Iowa, Chicago, Madison and Rockford, Ill. Conversations among Student Life, Admissions and Sustainability launched the shuttle system nearly seven years ago. Coordinator of Student Services and overseer of the shuttle system Sue Halverson explained that the system started as a service to the students. “It was a direct response to student needs,” Halverson said. “As Luther has an increasing number of students who come from greater distances, it provides flexibility to students and their families to plan for travel to and from campus.” Changes occur when students provide the shuttle system with feedback. Passengers can fill out an online feedback form or email the shuttle system as a way to express their concerns. Josh Harper (‘16) began riding the since shuttle his first year at Luther and is pleased with some of the recent changes that have been made. “Instead of having to leave at 7:00 a.m. the day after most people leave, they’ve now added one [bus] for those of us living in Illinois that leaves the day before at 4:00,
which is a lot nicer,” Harper said. “I know at least for people like me that was one of our biggest complaints or concerns, and it was nice of them to address it.” Another recent change includes a no-refund policy implemented in the 2012-2013 academic school year. Shuttle passenger Sadie Stoiber (‘15) finds this concerning. “Another thing that’s kind of frustrating is they don’t give refunds if you cancel your reservation, and they’re kind of unclear about canceling reservations, so that’s
one other concern I guess I have,” Stoiber said. “Yeah, $30 is cheap, but that’s also a lot of money you could be getting back.” Tickets for the shuttle range from $30-$50 and are charged to student accounts. During Stoiber’s time at Luther these prices have remained consistent Three kinds of transportation are used within the system including Iowa Hawkeye Stages shuttle buses, smaller middle-sized shuttles and a number of Luther vans for transporting smaller numbers of students.
HOMEWARD BOUND. Students prepare to board the shuttle home for Spring Break. Abby Carpenter / Chips
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
PAGE 10 APRIL 3, 2014
Time to tour
A&E EDITOR: MAGGIE STEINBERG
THE BEST FOR GLASS. Renowned contemporary composer Philip Glass will be playing piano during his Center Stage performance. Photo courtesy of Photo Bureau
A modern composer “MEMORIZATION MODE.” before their upcoming tour.
Collegiate Chorale and Cathedral Choir will be touring the Upper Midwest for their spring tour. MEREDITH BRUSTER STAFF WRITER Collegiate Chorale and Cathedral Choir will embark on their separate tours this coming weekend, both ending with their own homecoming concerts. Collegiate’s tour is April 3—6 and Cathedral’s tour is April 4—6. Collegiate will perform throughout the Midwest, singing in Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Sioux Falls and Southern Minnesota. Cathedral’s tour will take them to various towns in Minnesota. During the tour, each choir will participate in home stays and high school exchanges. Both choirs will return to Decorah on the evening of April 6. Collegiate and Cathedral arranged their programs into sets and will perform a variety of contemporary and traditional pieces. Cathedral Choir will begin their performance with Vaughn William’s “Oh Clap Your Hands” and transition into pieces featuring the various themes of light such as the light of love, the light of wonder and the light of Jesus. “We have pretty diverse programming,” Cathedral Choir Director Jennaya Robison (‘96) said. “[There is] some pretty traditional repertoire; some Bach, Hassler and … a piece by Esenvalds—it’s called ‘Stars’—with water-tuned glasses.” Cathedral Choir Vice President Hannah Sackett (‘16) says “Stars” is one of the choir’s favorite pieces to sing. Collegiate will also perform a variety of themed music sets including some Christ-themed contemporary pieces by composers Jeffery Ames
Meredith Bruster / Chips
and Randall Stroope. Ames’s “Oba ti de” is sung in Yoruba and means, “Here comes the King.” In addition to their regular hour-long rehearsals throughout the week, Cathedral and Collegiate members rehearsed for three hours this past Sunday, March 30. “We are now definitely in memorization mode,” Collegiate Chorale Director Andrew Last (‘97) said. “In comparison to Nordic Choir, which gets five days a week for rehearsal, we get three days a week, so we are trying to do the same kind of a tour with much less time…there’s some strategy involved in terms of planning the music.” The singers aren’t too stressed about the quick turnaround. “People are a little bit nervous memorizing and about the quality of it, but [they are] confident, and I think we’re in a really good place,” Sackett said. Many of the students are excited to get to know their fellow singers better and to perform their repertoire in front of an audience. “I’m looking forward to our [repertoire] a lot, and just getting to know people,” Collegiate President Alison Vuolo (‘15) said. Collegiate Vice President Jim Cochrane (‘14) agrees with Vuolo. “The most exciting part is getting to meet people and building the connections,” Cochrane said. “It’s our one big trip out of Luther every year. I think it’s exciting to show people what [we’ve] got.” Robison also values the skill level of Luther’s singers. “The amazing thing about Luther is that you have three SATB [Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass] choirs who all present full-length programs … close to the same difficulty level,” Robison said. “To be able to have that pool of talent and expertise to draw from really makes Luther a special experience.” To hear music from the tour, the Luther campus is invited to Cathedral’s homecoming concert on Wednesday, April 9 at 7 p.m. and to Collegiate’s concert Thursday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Philip Glass will perform in the CFL amid declining student attendance. MATT HELM STAFF WRITER The Center Stage Series ends its season this Friday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. by bringing renowned contemporary composer Philip Glass for an intimate concert at the Center for Faith and Life. “This is a once in a life-time opportunity to see one of the most influential music makers of the 20th century perform right here at Luther,” Director of Campus Programming Tanya Gertz said. Even though Luther aims to bring a variety of talented, engaging performers to the stage, Gertz reports a decline in student attendance at Center Stage Series events and encourages them to attend. “The Center Stage Series offers the least investment on the part of the student possible with the biggest return,” Gertz said. “The Philip Glass concert will be one of those moments that you can look back on after college and brag about. You don’t have to be an expert on music to be inspired by the art.” Glass is credited as a major player in the minimalist music movement, but prefers to refer to his work as “music with repetitive structures.” A wide range of audiences, regardless of their academic backgrounds, can enjoy his music. “Glass is one of the few ‘classical’ American composers whose appeal reaches far beyond the concert hall,” Associate Professor of Music and Composer-in-Residence Brooke Joyce said. “His style is almost immediately recognizable. Slowly changing patterns that evolve over time and undulating intervals.” He has composed a number of film scores, including Stephen Daldry’s “The Hours” (2002) and several award-winning documentaries by Errol Morris, such as “The Thin Blue Line” and “The Fog of War.” “My electro-acoustic composition class is focusing on writing music for film, so it will be extremely special to see a film composer at Luther,” Leif Larson (‘15) said. “I rarely hear music from the late 20th century being performed at Luther by students or outside performers. Students seem to be pretty excited for it, and I think whatever the youth get excited about is worth noting.” ACM-Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Ethnomusicology Michael O’Brien is excited for his composition students to be able to connect their in-class readings with a live performance. “[Glass] blurred the lines between ‘art’ music and popular music and played mostly in venues that were outside of the typical concert hall scene,” O’Brien said. “One of the interesting tensions that I like to explore when teaching Glass’ music to music majors is how much he has deliberately chosen to stay outside of the academic music circuit for a while.” Students are also encouraged to attend a question and answer session with Glass on Saturday, April 5 at 9:00 a.m. Tickets to the show are $30 or free with CAF. Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm | Thursday 9am - 8pm
FASHION. FOR REAL LIFE. AFFORDABLE BOUTIQUE SHOPPING
PREPARING TO PERFORM. Cathedral Choir rehearses with Dr. Robison in preparation for their tour around Minnesota. Meredith Bruster / Chips
115 Winnebago Street | Decorah, Iowa | 563.382.3600
SPORTS APRIL 3, 2014
SPORTS EDITOR: JULIA JOSEPH
Springing into the season Many teams traveled during spring break to warmer temperatures.
Trips Results & Highlights Golf Orlando, Fla. Meet score: 287-289 vs. Farmingdale State Univ.
LUKE MANDERFELD STAFF WRITER When other students got to have a break for a week, many student athletes in spring sports went all around the nation to play their sports. “It is always fun to go on the trips,” golf player Tobias Kohl (‘14) said. “Golf is like relaxation to me. I just enjoy the nature.” The spring trips are important for sports teams in Iowa. The snow and cold make it hard for the teams to get practice outside, making the trip to warmer climates important. “This trip was our first time outside,” softball player Kayla Hatting (‘14) said. “We have been in domes all year, so we finally get some work outside. Going from the dome to the actual dirt feels so nice.” The coaches gain new perspective on the team outside. They can see things that they could not necessarily see in an indoor practice. “Seeing who takes what kind of a role is important during the trip,” Head Baseball Coach Alex Smith said. “We saw about 13 to 14 guys offensively and a number of pitchers, it’s nice to see how some of these players react.” Quality bonding time is a big piece of these trips. The new first-year student athletes look to get closer with some of the upper-classmen. It adds to the overall team chemistry. “The guys got to stay in hotel rooms with each other and got to have some solid team bonding,” Smith said. “We
Men’s Tennis Orlando, Fla Trip record: 5-0 W 5-4 vs. Elmhurst College Women’s Tennis Orlando, Fla. Trip record: 5-0 W 5-4 vs. George Fox University
READY FOR ANYTHING. Doubles vs. Loras preparing for their Spring Break trip and rest of the season. Toby Ziemer/ Photo Bureau got to go out together, and the guys got to interact without the stress of school or worrying about class times.” While the student athletes dealt with the challenges of the sport during the week, the warmer weather made the practices more fun. “A lot of guys that don’t go on the trips would switch places with the players going on trips in a heartbeat,” Head Tennis Coach Adam Strand said. “The guys are competitive and work hard. You can’t just sleep everyday until noon, but getting away from the midwest and the cold really is worth it for the guys.”
BATTER UP. Eric Pittman hit a home run against Lawrence University. Photo courtesy of John Patrikus
and outdoor track used to be located wheree the library parking lot and Olin building are today.
For some of the teams, the spring trip was their first competition of the year. The players love to start their season in warmer weather, and to get outside adds to the excitement. “A lot of people are rusty from only hitting balls inside. It’s funny seeing some guys struggle the first couple of matches until they get into form,” Kohl said. “We all just love the competition and love the warm weather. It’s always nice to get away from the cold of Iowa.” All of the teams now look to get their spring season underway after coming back from the warm weather.
“This trip will be our
from the dome to the actual dirt feels so nice.” -Kayla Hatting (‘14)
SAFE. Andy Briggs (‘14) beats the pick-off play back to second base.
Baseball Tuscon, Ariz. Trip record: 5-5, 2-2 vs Buena Vista Walk off vs. Valley City State University Softball Clermont, Fla. Trip record: 8-1 Homerun to W 3-2 vs. Carthage College with a homerun to win LUFDA North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Trip record: 3-4 Freya Georgia Trip record at Southerns: 3-4, 11th Old Capitol tournament: 3-3, 3rd Pound Georgia Trip record: 6-1, Winners of Bsquad tournament
Photo courtesy of John Patrikus
SPORTS
PAGE 12
SPORTS EDITOR: JULIA JOSEPH
Golf hits the course
APRIL 3, 2014
Weekly Standings Baseball
Wartburg Dubuque Simpson Buena Vista Luther Central Loras Coe
IIAC 4-0 3-1 4-2 2-2 2-2 1-3 1-3 1-5
Recent Scores
Overall 10-6 7-8 10-5 13-3 8-6 9-6 3-8 4-9
March 29 @ Tuscon, Ariz. vs. Buena Vista W 10-9, L 0-6 March 26 @ Kino Sports Complex vs. Carthage W 6-3
SUCCESS. The 2012-13 team after winning the team championship. BAILEY MULHOLLAND STAFF WRITER Prolonged winter weather conditions have done little to dampen the spirits or deter the preparations of the Luther College Men’s Golf team. Their spring season began on Saturday, March 22 with their annual spring break training trip to Orlando, Fla. “This has been a difficult spring,” Head Men’s Golf Coach Scott Fjelstul said, referring to the persistent snow blanketing practice fields. “Some years we’ve hit balls outside before getting on the plane to Florida, but obviously this weather hasn’t allowed us to do that this year.” His athletes have been diligent in their off-season training nonetheless. Working around the reservation schedules of inseason sports, they practice almost daily in the North Gym. “We do what we can with the weather,” Joel Bruns (‘14) said, acknowledging the effect of an unpredictable spring on all competitive golfers. “Everyone’s going through the same thing, so it’s an equal playing field.” Aside from direct training, team unity and fitness have been top priorities for the group this year. “Golf is different from other sports because it’s so individual,” Andrew Peter (‘14) said. “You don’t have to practice
Photo courtesy of Luther photo gallery
with your team, but we like to.” The athletes met frequently throughout the winter months to train together, some incorporating auxiliary work-outs for fitness. “We [want to] get in good shape for the season,” Peter said. “Strength and flexibility are really important for golf.” Once conditions allow for outdoor practice the team will train up to seven days a week at either Oneota Golf Course or the campus driving range. Although the spring season is shorter and less competitive than the fall, the athletes are anxious to take advantage of all opportunities to compete. “We are e x c i t e d about the spring season because we think we have an excellent chance to succeed,” Fjelstul said. “[There’s] a lot of talent and a very deep roster. There will be many guys competing for the top spots and the opportunity to travel.” Most tournaments host around 12-16 schools, and Luther competes against a variety of teams including those from Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and National
Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The conference tournament is always a highlight and in the back of the athletes’ minds. “I always look forward to conference and I feel like this year our team is going to be very well prepared and very cohesive,” Bruns said. “I can’t wait to see what we can do.” Personal goals of achievement and team camaraderie seem to be mutually supportive aspects of Luther golf. Tyler Hovey (‘17) joined not only for his love of the sport, but the atmosphere. “We're all competitive with each other, trying to qualify for the limited number of spots for that week's meet,” Hovey said. “But at the same time every guy on the team is willing to give you tips and pointers to help you improve your own game.” Fjelstul maintains a similarly positive and team-oriented attitude entering the spring season. “The whole thing is about the guys and the team and the opportunities in front of us.”
“Golf is different from other sports because it’s so individual. You don’t have to practice with your team, but we like to.” - Andrew Peter (‘14)
Upcoming Schedule
April 4 @ Dubuque vs. Loras 3:30 p.m. April 8 vs. Wartburg 3:30 p.m.
Softball
#7 Luther #9 Coe #12 Central Wartburg Dubuque Simpson Loras Buena Vista
IIAC 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Overall 15-2 18-3 18-4 16-6 11-5 13-9 10-8 8-10
Recent Scores
March 30 @ Clermont, Fla. vs. Williams College W 8-0 March 27 @ Clermont, Fla. vs. Middlebury College W 8-1
Upcoming Schedule
April 5 @ Indianola, IA. vs. Simpson 2 p.m. April 7 vs. Central 3 p.m.
Men’s Tennis Coe Luther Buena Vista Central Simpson Wartburg Dubuque Loras
IIAC 4-0 2-0 2-2 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-2 0-2
Overall 18-4 16-4 3-10 8-5 5-8 3-7 1-7 0-6
Recent Scores
March 26 @ Orlando, Fla. vs. UW-Oshkosh W 7-2 March 26 @ Orlando Fla. vs. Elmhurst College W 5-4
Upcoming Schedule
April 5 vs. Coe 1 p.m. April 6 vs. Carleton 2 p.m.
Women’s Tennis Coe Luther Wartburg Central Loras Buena Vista Simpson Dubuque
IIAC 7-0 6-1 5-2 4-3 3-4 2-5 1-6 0-7
Overall 16-3 13-5 7-5 9-3 5-7 5-9 1-13 4-10
Recent Scores
March 26 @ Orlando, Fla. vs. Elmhurst College W 9-0 March 25 @ Orlando Fla. vs. Calvin College W 8-1
Upcoming Schedule
April 11 @ Winona vs. UW-Eau Claire 6:30 p.m.
NEXT SHOT. Elliot Horst (‘16) reads the green during a match last season. Photo courtesy of Luther photo gallery
HITTING STRAIGHT. Matt Axelrod (‘14) competing during the 2013 season. Photo courtesy of Luther photo gallery