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Dining Services to reduce work study
Ingrid Baudler/Chips
Missing signs. One stop sign was taken from this intersection.
One weekend, 12 stolen street signs Ingrid Baudler Brita Moore/Chips
Tightening belts. There will be fewer student workers in the caf for J-term and spring semester.
Brita Moore
Staff Writer
Dining Services will be cutting the number of student workers during J-term and spring semester than they had this fall due to a drop in demand for these work study positions. Several positions within Dining Services are also changing. “We are looking to see where student labor is best Tudor said. “It’s something that pretty much happens
Services staff to look closely at which jobs need the most and Dining, while also allowing students to honor their work-study offerings. Dining Services currently employs 600 students. This number is expected to drop by 50 or
News Editor
12 street signs were taken around Decorah the weekend of Nov. 10. Only one of these incidents resulted in an arrest.
more. “Luther maintains, and always will, the commitment Tudor said.
Austen Graham (‘13) was arrested and charged with public
the schedule for January term and spring semester. Typically fewer people return to work there for a variety of reasons, including study abroad, academic commitments, or simply choosing to work somewhere else or not at all. “We don’t schedule fewer people; we have fewer
Tudor also emphasized that campus work study should be a real work experience and students should always have something useful to do. Dining services
Drive and Leif Erickson at 1:36 a.m. on Nov. 11. Nixon said. “In addition to the risk it creates, it also costs the city Graham declined to comment. While there have been street signs stolen in the past, Nixon said it is unusual to have this many stolen in one weekend. However, the Decorah Police Department does not have plans to prevent the theft of more signs. Nixon said. “There are a few signs that have been reinforced,
continued on page 10
From divine to earthly Prof. Narveson’s new book explores the early modern writers’ use of biblical readings
that hadn’t been seen before. For Narveson, the research opened her eyes to the personal lives of the people who wrote the manuscripts. “I began to discover that it was a really important way for them to understand themselves and to tell
Matt Yan
had the clergy telling them what their religious
Staff Writer
Five years ago, Associate Professor of English Kate Narveson began doing research on how ordinary people use the Bible to understand their lives. This past September, she published her work in a new book titled “Bible Readers and Lay Writers in Early Modern England: Gender and
Matt Yan/Chips Accomplished. Narveson holds the books in which she has had work published.
Narveson’s book explores how laypeople in 16th and 17th century England used their understanding of the Bible to create their own writings, which brought about a non-professional writing culture
For women especially, they began to feel a sense of authority and expertise that they hadn’t had access Narveson said she has been interested in the topic ever since graduate school, so writing the book was inevitable. “I’ve always been interested in the ways that people try to turn into narrative their experience of different from being interested in theology and Narveson continued on page 10
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News November 29, 2012 Hispanic culture through talent show
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Noah Nelsen-Gross/Chips
Moving makes many laughs. Luther students groove to the macarena dance at the second annual Spanish talent show between various hispanic culture performances.
Noah Nelsen-Gross
for the second annual Spanish
Students and community members packed into Marty’s
featuring acts displaying Hispanic culture. The event was all good fun, but the purpose of the show went well beyond the
Staff Writer Talent Show on Nov. 15
events of the evening. Associate Professor of Spanish and Italian Anna De Santis started the talent show last year, but it is something she has done in the past at
other places. “It was a tradition I did with my students when I was teaching at Penn State,” De Santis said. “I normally did it in the classroom with a little group of students from each class. When I got here last year and saw the facilities, I thought it would be a good thing to do with all the students of Spanish.” The larger venue that Marty’s offers allowed De Santis to take the idea of the talent show to the next level. Despite the general air of good-natured fun that surrounded the entire event, it was also a learning experience. “The purpose is to give the students the opportunity to speak Spanish in a real-life situation,” De Santis said. Along with being applicable to class, the talent show also served as a cultural experience for both the students and the people in the audience. “I think it is a good way for people to be exposed to Hispanic culture and to represent the Spanish department reaching out to others,” talent show judge Elisabeth Hottel (‘13) said. This concept of a primarily
cultural experience is something that De Santis agrees with. “It’s a good experience for American students to watch the Latin culture and listen to the natural language,” De Santis said. The language is a significant part of the experience. The entire show is in Spanish, from the host’s dialogue to the acts themselves, but rather than limiting accessibility it adds to the overall experience. “You can always tell by inflection or body language a little bit more of what is going on, and I think that is really beneficial as you can still reach out to the average student in that way,” Hottel said. It is all part of a cultural experience that is available once a year to all students here at Luther. Although it may seem intimidating to attend a half an hour event in a different language, everyone can take something away from attending. They also offered salsa dancing, skits, cooking lessons, and the macarena. The Hispanic Organization of Latinos and Amigos (HOLA) won with a Jerry Springeresque skit.
‘We made some friends, we made some enemies’ Luther student improv group Top Banana places third at their first tournament Tony Chase
Staff Writer
Campus improv troupe Top Banana took third place at the Upper Midwest College Improv Tournament in Minneapolis on Saturday, Nov. 10. After taking second place in the first round, the team made their way to the finals as a wild card, taking third out of eleven teams. “We learned a lot from this competition,” Mary Bissen (‘13) said. “We picked up some new ideas, and got the chance to see what other schools are doing.” In the process, Charlie Bruer (‘13) learned something unexpected from a close source. “My parents weren’t nearly as mad about me swearing in front of them as I thought they’d be,” Bruer said. Even though the troup did well against well-known opponents, Luther’s student humor group was still pushed on their skills. “I think the biggest challenge for us was performing for an audience of people that do not know anything about us,” Bissen said. “When we’re performing for our peers, it’s much easier
to be funny because they know us as individuals; they know our humors, our body language.” Meeting new teams and seeing their performance style was also an interesting experience for the team. “We got a chance to see long-form, which is one long scene,” Bissen said. “[this] is very different from what we do, short-form, which features several shorter scenes.” One of the biggest take-away messages from the tournament for the team came from Chelanga Langason (‘16). “Do not eat McDonald’s breakfast before improv tournaments,” he said. Always viewing the lighter side of things, Bruer’s thoughts on meeting new teams were pleasantly droll. “We made some friends, we made some enemies,” Bruer said. “It’s okay though, because we’re all theater kids so we can’t fight.”
Courtesy of Top Banana
Jokes for folks. Top Banana members Chris Paulson (‘13), Sarah McRoberts (‘14)
BREAKFAST ALL DAY! M t W th F s Su
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Local eagles fly the coop Peter Jarzyna
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Staff Writer
Decorah’s resident bald eagles are on the move, building a new nest. They can be caught on a streaming service presented by the Raptor Resource Project. Director and Founder of the Raptor Resource Project Bob Anderson said he was near heartbroken to discover that the eagles were building a second nest. The grief did not linger, however, as he quickly remembered that this is a natural thing for eagles to do. “I felt sick when I saw that they were building another nest,” Anderson said. “Then I realized that it’s what they do. They build multiple nests. That doesn’t mean they won’t use their old nests, in fact it happens quite frequently that they still lay eggs in them.” Bald eagles often make second and even third nests. Anderson expressed uncertainty regarding the motives of this particular case. “We don’t know what’s going to happen; we really don’t,” Anderson said. “Sometimes they build a new nest and don’t use it, sometimes they’ll move from the old one to the new one.” The Raptor Resource Project was born in the ‘80s from efforts to preserve the Peregrine Falcon population in the central U.S. Anderson was heavily involved in captive breeding of the falcons as a means to reintroduce them into the Midwest. It was amid these efforts that the ‘bird-cam’ the nest of a Peregrine Falcon. From that point it
only grew, and they now have 24 bird-cams in six states. The Decorah EagleCam was installed six years ago when PBS Nature asked Anderson and company to produce a documentary on the American eagle. During its fourth year of activity, the RRP used bandwidth from Luther College, which immensely For reasons both ethical and legal, the RRP cannot yet put cameras in the new nest—at least not while the eagles are still in the process of building it. “We switch the cameras out when the birds have
they start their winter courtship.” draw of the EagleCam. “The worst case scenario is if they do lay their eggs in the new nest we’ll put cameras in the new nest next fall,” Anderson said. “Considering we’ve wouldn’t be all that bad for me.” According to Anderson, virtually every school in the state of Iowa is following the Decorah EagleCam. Eli Klosterboer (‘15), whose biology class often took a look at the eagles’ activities, remembered the excitement that surrounded the EagleCam’s genesis. “There was a lot of buzz when they started streaming the footage a few years ago,” Klosterboer said. “Especially when the eggs were hatching, people would get really wrapped up in it. It’s fun to watch the hatchlings grow up.” Check out the Raptor Resource Project and the Decorah EagleCam at www.raptorresource.org.
Compiled by: Sarah King News Editor
Egypt’s president stands by his decrees Egypt’s President Mohammed Morsi struck an uncompromising stand Monday over his seizure of near absolute powers, refusing in a meeting with top judicial authorities to rescind a package of constitutional amendments that placed his edicts above oversight by the courts. Meanwhile, Morsi’s supporters canceled a massive rally planned for Tuesday to compete with a demonstration by his opponents, citing the need to “defuse tension” at a time when anger over the president’s moves is mounting, according to a spokesman for the president’s Muslim Brotherhood. The opposition rally was going ahead as scheduled at Cairo’s Tahrir Square, birthplace of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak’s regime nearly two years ago. *** NY Governor Cuomo says Sandy cost $32 billion in damages and losses Top political leaders in New York put their heads together Monday on big requests for federal disaster aid as Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that Superstorm Sandy ran up a bill of $32 billion in the state and the nation’s largest city. The cost is for repairs and restoration and does not include an additional accounting of over $9 billion to head off damage in the next disastrous storm, including steps to protect the power grid and cellphone network. *** Mexican beauty queen killed in shootout A 20-year-old state beauty queen died in a gun battle between
Mexico’s not uncommon ties between narcos and beautiful pageant contestants. The body of Maria Susana Flores Gamez was found Saturday lying plagued state of Sinaloa, the chief state prosecutor said Monday. It was unclear if she had used the weapon. “She was with the gang of criminals, but we cannot say whether she participated in the shootout,” state prosecutor Marco Antonio Higuera said. “That’s what we’re going to have to investigate.” ***
The teenage actor who plays the half in the hit CBS comedy “Two and a Half Men” says in a video posted online by a Christian church that the Nineteen-year-old Angus T. Jones has been on the show since he was 10, which used to feature bad-boy actor Charlie Sheen and remains heavy with sexual innuendo, but says he doesn’t want to be on it anymore. In the video posted by the Forerunner Christian Church in Fremont, Calif., Jones describes a search for a spiritual home. He says the type of entertainment he’s involved in adversely affects the brain and “there’s no playing around when it comes to eternity.” Screenshot courtesy of raptorsource.org
A new nest. Local Decorah eagles have begun building their second home. After its completion, the Decorah EagleCam plans to place new cameras near the nest.
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*** Ohio’s ‘cleaning fairy’ gets 1 year of probation An Ohio woman dubbed the “cleaning fairy” after she broke into a home, cleaned it and left a $75 bill has been put on probation for one year. A judge sentenced 53-year-old Susan Warren of Elyria to one year of probation on Monday in Cleveland on her guilty plea to attempted burglary. She also must do 20 hours of community service. The woman told authorities she was driving by the Westlake house and “wanted something to do.” She broke in, washed some coffee cups, took out the trash, vacuumed and dusted inside the house. Then she left a bill written on a napkin and included her phone number. Life outside Luther compiled from: http://ap.org
Features
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November 29, 2012
Breaking bread
Courtesy of Ellen Macdonald
Staff writer Walker Nyenhuis heads to the Decorah Community Meal – and takes us along on the adventure. Walker Nyenhuis
Staff Writer
It’s Thursday evening, and I have dinner plans in town. I briskly trudge South along College Drive, enveloped by the unwanted chill and early darkness of mid-November. Up ahead, I can see my destination as a thin silhouette against the night, quietly resting on top of a hill that I knew I would be climbing soon. After ascending a flight of stairs, I maneuver my way through the parking lot and find myself facing my destination’s entrance. I quickly go through the doors and almost immediately hear the sound of clanking plates accompanied by laughter. It appears to be coming from the building’s lower level, so I hastily shuffle down the nearest staircase
and stumble upon a large open space filled with full tables of people eating dinner and participating in cheerful conversation. In the fellowship hall of First Lutheran Church, I have found the Decorah Community Meal. I hop in line, grab a plate and begin my culinary adventure. A hearty bowl of donated chili and Italian breadsticks from McCaffrey’s Dolce Vita are the first items to find themselves on my plate, followed shortly by a dish of salad. Once I grab a few selections from the bountiful dessert table, I turn around and began searching for a seat. Though I do not recognize anyone in the room besides a few professors, I am determined to not spend this delicious meal alone. I approach a table with half of its seats still available and politely ask its inhabitants if my presence would be welcomed. The response is immediate and positive, so I take a seat. Throughout the meal, we discuss many topics, ranging from the Decorah Vikings’ successful football season to Shetland ponies and Halloween in town. I then ask questions about the event and discover that I am not the only first-timer. The man sitting across me, owner of the aforementioned pony, had only heard about it days ago and decided that he wanted to experience it for himself.
Courtesy of Ellen Macdonald
A family affair. Otter Dreaming and his pre-adoptive daughter Cleo have a good time at the Decorah Community Meal together.
At this point, my stomach is full, but I am still hungry for answers. I am directed to Coordinating Committee Member Lor Miller, who is deep in conversation with someone and holding a small child. When she is available, I introduce myself. She begins telling me about the project’s history. The first Decorah Community Meal was hosted earlier this year on Feb. 16 in First Lutheran Church’s fellowship hall. Since then, the event has been held every third Thursday of the month in the same location, serving a free dinner to everyone from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Each month, McCaffrey’s Dolce Vita donates the meal’s main course while different organizations sign up as support sponsors, whose members provide side dishes, desserts and volunteers for the kitchen. The coordinating committee contains members of the Northeast Iowa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, First Lutheran Church and Ryumonji Zen Monastery. Attendance has been steadily increasing month by month. Currently, approximately 200 people of different cultural and financial backgrounds gather each month to partake in the meal and interact with other
Courtesy of Ellen Macdonald
On the menu. Community members and
Decorah area residents. The warm and welcoming environment of the meal is made possible through the power of collaboration and community building. For more information about participating in the meal or signing up as a support sponsor, contact the coordinating committee by emailing decorahcommunitymeal@gmail.com. Everyone is welcome at the community table.
Walker Nyenhuis/Chips
Clean-up crew. Associate Professor of Music Jim Griesheimer and a Good Shepherd Lutheran Church member do dishes after the Communty Meal.
Courtesy of Otter Dreaming
Helping hands. Coordinating Committee Member Lor Miller helps organize the meals.
LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS
Features
November 29, 2012
5
Little pals make for big fun Carrie Juergens
Staff Writer
While walking through the classrooms in Main on Sunday, Nov. 18, the hectic scenes were equal parts loud and adorable. Luther students, or “Bigs,” were paired off with younger children ages 3-13, or “Littles” as part of Luther College Pals. They took part in activities like coloring, games, sports, a cakewalk and one uncharacteristically quiet room was designated for watching “The Lorax.” Many students meet once a month for two hours with the same child, and they forge lasting friendships through their time spent together. “You get to watch a child grow and establish a relationship with them,” Pals Executive Board Member Kathleen Brandser (‘14) said. Pals has had an enduring legacy at Luther. “The program has been around for at least 15 years,” Pals Executive Board Member Sam DePagter (‘13) said. “Leah Broderick (‘15) is now a Big, and she was a Little
when she was younger.” The kids in the program come from around the area – not just Decorah, but Calmar, Postville and other nearby towns as well. “I really like the community ties,” Pals member Amy Shishilla (‘13) said. “It’s an easy way to make a positive impact and it’s really fun. The kids are wild, and it’s a great way to spend two hours every month.” There are structured activities each month provided for the kids and students. In December they’ll be visiting with Santa, watching Christmas movies, drinking hot cocoa, eating cookies and making crafts. Sometimes, though, the kids just want to play and investigate Luther’s campus. “My Pal and I would run around the football field and explore Regents sometimes,” Shishilla said. The process of matching Littles and Bigs is an intense one. The Executive Board sets a deadline for Little and Big applications every year. Then they individually match each kid with a student.
There are over 160 kids who participate in Pals. The program also has a high retention rate, meaning a lot of the same Littles and Bigs come back each year. “I’ve had the same Pal for almost 3 years,” Pals Executive Board member Chloe Gumpert (‘14) said. “I look forward to seeing him every time.” Michael Njus is 7, almost 8. He is also the son of Associate Professors of Psychology David Njus (‘90) and Kristy Gould. He and Gumpert have been meeting through Pals for two and a half years. “My favorite part of Pals is playing games and hanging out with Chloe,” Njus said. “Chloe is 21. I have a cat named Mozart, and I’m allergic to cats. He’s 15, so he’s like a hundred year old person. We might get a dog. We’re thinking about it.” Needless to say, the kids make the program. “My pal, named Kessely, would run like a horse across the football field, and act like she was holding the reins. She’s only 3,” Shishilla said. The kids and the students enjoy the activities.
Carrie Juergens/Chips
What a pal. “My favorite part of Pals is playing games and hanging out with Chloe. Chloe is 21. I have a cat like a hundred year old person. We might get a dog.
“The best part about it for me is when people tell me how much fun they have,” Blake Funke (‘13) said. The parents also deeply appreciate what the students contribute to the community through their commitment to their Pal. David Njus reflected on the kindness of the students
involved. “It’s a nice relationship – Michael likes Chloe a lot,” David Njus said. “It always impresses me how many people from the Luther and Decorah communities are involved. It’s nice that so many students take the time to do it.”
No Shave November: Stubbling across the finish line Margaret Yapp
Staff Writer
The end is here, for November is coming to a close. I don’t mean to sound dramatic, but with the end of this month ends life as we know it. I, for one, have grown to enjoy all of the scruffy cheeks around campus. I have tried to convince all of my hairy friends to keep their beards past the upcoming thirtieth day, but unfortunately I am up against a pretty big enemy: Christmas at Luther. Moms and PBS alike are not too keen on Luther men channeling an excessively large Fleet Foxes cover band on national television. Oh well, I guess we will all just have to wait until next year.
Joel Barkel (‘13) Even
during
meeting with Barkel I knew that he would prove to be a bearded force to be reckoned with. There have certainly been some ups Margaret Yapp/Chips and downs, but at week four it is clear that he has achieved something great, and perhaps a bit annoying. “The beard is causing interference with the internet connection in Baker Village. “Just taking in all of the static electricity, it is basically like a gigantic EMP on my face.” One of Barkel’s roommates commented later: “To charge my phone I just bring it up to his face when he is sleeping and zzzz...” The roommate prefers to stay anonymous, in an effort to avoid Barkel’s itchy-face-induced rage. November has clearly been a roller coaster
for not only Barkel, but everyone who comes in contact with him. His friends had hope that the thirtieth would bring some relief, but unfortunately Barkel has no plans on stopping. “No Shave November is just a month, but your beard is so much more than that,” Barkel said. “It is a lifestyle. It is a way that you live. Sometimes people need the joy of a wellbearded face, and that’s what I’m here for.” I thought there was no end in sight, but perhaps there is a light at the end of this fuzzy tunnel. “My mom would kill me if I didn’t shave for Christmas at Luther,” Barkel grumbled. “So that’s that.”
everyone likes it.” A simmered down Raiche means his capacity for kindness is on a whole new level; throughout the month Raiche has been nothing but courteous to his competition, even when he comes face to face with them. “I saw Phil Hanson in the caf yesterday,” Raiche said. “I didn’t recognize him immediately, but I stared at him for a while and we eventually locked eyes. He just said, ‘Nice beard,’ and I freaked out – I was like ‘Oh my God, it’s you!’ It was such an honor.”
Phil Hanson (‘16)
Sam Raiche (‘15) This is my second year following Raiche, and not much has changed. Every November he starts out strong, but then the chlorine stunts the hair growth and he gets sleepy. Margaret Yapp/Chips “This month was pretty normal, I guess,” Raiche said. “It added a beard to my life. It didn’t necessarily help my action with the ladies, but I don’t know that it hurt either. My beard was just always there. We’re buds, my beard and I.” There is one big change that I can sense in Raiche, and that is his attitude. Last year he was of a bearded autumn in Decorah. This year he has calmed down. However, he does have one silly plan for the future. “I’ll be doing Mustache at Luther,” Raiche said, explaining how he will handle the issue of beards during Christmas at Luther. “I hope
Margaret Yapp/Chips
The selfproclaimed underdog, Hanson had low expectations from the start. He did not expect any growth at all, but was pleasantly surprised by week four. “I noticed the
other day that I was getting the pedo-stache,” Hanson said. “But that is all you can really see.” Unfortunate growth patterns aside, Hanson which took place in his cozy dorm room. We sat surrounded by motivational posters I can only hope were put up for the sole purpose of No Shave November. “I guess I didn’t get the beard, which would have been nice,” Hanson said. “But once again I did my test to see if I could grow good facial hair, and came up with the result, which was ... no.” He hasn’t let the big “no” get him down, however, and Hanson encourages other males to take part in the activity next year. “No Shave November should be called No Shame November,” Hanson grinned. “I knew going in that I wasn’t going to have anything nice at the end, but it is more about participating in the manly activity of beard growing. Just go in, grow a beard, see what you got, gross out some chicks and have fun.” Hanson ended our chat by saying that he will shave before Christmas at Luther because he does not want to have a nasty mustache. Maybe Sam Raiche should take note?
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Arts & Entertainment
November 29, 2012
fun. Michael Crowe/Chips
Michael Crowe
Editor-in-Chief
fun. packed the Regents gym on Saturday, Nov. 17, performing for a sold-out crowd. SAC Concerts brought the group to campus as part of the REVERB Campus Consciousness tour, which works to raise awareness for environmental and social justice issues, including gay marriage rights.
“Colleges are fertile ground for activism and change,” fun. lead singer Nate Ruess said in a REVERB press release. “It’s exactly where we need to be as we launch our support for LGBTQ equality.” Having just returned from Europe, fun. spent much of their afternoon at Luther playing racquetball. Andrew Dost, bassist and keyboardist for the group, tore himself away for a few minutes – still dressed in gym shorts and bright hi-top socks – to talk about what the past few years have been like for the band. On touring: “It sounds exotic and exciting, but the reality is very tiring,” he said. Though they may be tired, fun. has kept a busy calendar of activism the past year. They founded The Ally Coalition (TAC) with designer Rachel Antonoff, which “works with members of the music, fashion and entertainment worlds to raise awareness and funds in support of LGBTQ equality,” according to theallycoalition.org. Dost noted that TAC is geared primarily toward straight people who wish to act as allies and supporters to the cause. “We also want to make it understood to people at our shows that this is a human rights issue that affects everybody,” Dost said. “We want to do what we can to educate people, to get them involved in their communities where they might be needed and, more than anything, just get people to start conversations.” their progress in this regard. “With environmentalism there’s concrete things you can do, with [gay rights] there’s not really a thing beyond getting laws changed and
Michael Crowe/Chips
Some nights. Nate Ruess of fun. rocks the Regents center.
We just want to get a conversation started, or keep a conversation going.” On each stop of the Campus Consciousness tour, fun. has met with LGBTQ group members. Dost said that overall, they’re hearing positive things from the groups and that their campuses are supporting their efforts. President of PRIDE Charles Banta said they were given complimentary tickets to raise funds and awareness for the organization, as well a chance to bring 10 prominent campus LGBTQ allies on campus to the small gathering with the band. “We mostly talked about the Women and Gender Equality House that will be opening this Spring and then the various proposals that have come up toward reslife regarding gender neutral and co-ed housing,” Banta said. Concert goers posed for pictures outside the venue with signs reading, “I’m an ally because ____.” Merch available at the event included a tote with the slogan “God Hates Bags” printed on the side, a play on the anti-gay Westboro Baptist slogan. Still, though the members of fun. work to parlay their fame into social change, Dost felt that, as artists, the group has other responsibilities as well. “I’m trying to make people feel a little bit better about being alive, because being alive is mostly horrible,” Dost said. “It’s mostly just awful, and if we can make it a little better then I’d like to do that. The whole point of artist is to remind people what it’s like to be alive, what it’s like to love, what it’s like to be devoted and what it means to really feel something deeply.”
LGBTQ meet and greet Walker Nyenhuis
Staff Writer
Prior to the main show, supporters of Luther’s LGBTQ and Women and Gender Studies groups gathered with 30 contest winners in the Regents Center for an ice cream social with fun. following their soundcheck. “We got to be super close to them,” PRIDE member Dakota Lancour (‘15) said. “They played some of their older songs that they don’t usually play … We actually interacted with them for a bit and they seemed like really cool people.” Sponsored by Ben & Jerry’s and The Ally Coalition, the lively event was a chance for attendees to discuss issues of LGBTQ rights and marriage equality while exploring different tables of the “Consciousness Village,” facilitated by REVERB’s Campus Consciousness Tour in the Regents Center lobby. Throughout the ice cream social, attendees could hear fun. warming up in the gym with covers of popular songs. Finally, the doors opened to the eager crowd of 40, who rushed to the stage as the band performed Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” followed by an impromptu cover of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” After the sound check, Ruess, guitarist Jack Antonoff and keyboardist Andrew Dost strolled over to the crowd of contest winners to banter and ask if they were excited for the concert. The band then met with Women and Gender Studies Program Director Jane Hawley (‘87), PRIDE President Charles Banta (‘13), and other PRIDE executive board members for a personal discussion about LGBTQ rights on campus and their experience with the Campus Conciousness Tour. “It made me happy to see how interested they were,” Banta said. “It was especially hopeful because their message is reaching so many people.” Those who wish to join fun. in the equality can visit www.theallycoalition. org to learn about becoming an ally and education, awareness and advocacy.
LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS
November 29, 2012
Arts & Entertainment
7
The Ghosts of Christmas at Luther Past, Present and Yet to Come Margaret Yapp
said. “They had seen some numbers dwindling in participation, and at the same time Juletide
Christmas at Luther comes to campus every year without fail and brings with it a frenzy of six-hour rehearsals, sought after tickets, and an abundance of holiday spirit. The C@L experience is full of excitement and joy for performers and audience members alike, and has become a normal part of winter on campus. Despite its enormous popularity, most students do not realize the history behind our yearly celebration. Before C@L, Luther had one of the longest running “Messiah” traditions in the United States, established by former Nordic Choir Director Professor Emeritus Weston Noble (‘43). “Messiah” is an oratorio composed by George Handel. During its most popular time at Luther, as many as a thousand musicians participated in the performance. In the mid 1980s, the Luther music department began a Christmas show, then called the Juletide Festival. This was the beginning of the celebration we know today. “There were a few years where we did both the ‘Messiah’ and a Christmas show during the same weekend,” Noble said. “The practice schedule was a killer, especially for the strings.” The years that Luther students performed both “Messiah” and the Juletide Festival were busy and complicated, and the “Messiah” tradition eventually ended in 2005 with Noble’s retirement. “There was a feeling that we had maybe worn out the ‘Messiah,’” Norsemen and Collegiate Chorale Director Andrew Last (‘97)
to do one program – which ended up being Christmas at Luther.”
Staff Writer
in 2002. Over the years, C@L has become a nationally renowned concert. This national recognition is helped along by PBS, which the latest production annually. This year is a “It is a tremendous source of pride,” Noble said. “What other way can we be exposed to national television? I once got a call from a woman someplace down South, and she said to me, ‘I have no idea where you people are but that is the most wonderful thing I ever saw.’” These sentiments are mirrored all over the nation, but especially in the students that perform. “One year a fellow who had not made a choir
him express his feelings, and amidst this crying he looked up and said, ‘well can’t I at least set up the risers?’ Then I started crying, but it just shows how much this performance grips the students.” C@L tickets sell out fast, but hope is not lost for those that could not get one this year. “Somebody told me a few weeks ago that in all the time they had been working here there has only been one time that they have turned away a walk-in ticket,” Last said. “They always try to seat everybody that they possibly can, so keep trying!”
Photo Courtesy of Photo Bureau
“Hallelujah!” Weston Noble (‘43) conducts Handel’s “Messiah” in 1957.
Photo Courtesy of Andrew Last
Juletide. Luther choirs and orchestra perform the Christmas concert in 1996.
Junior seminar art show is T.O.A.S.T.ed Katherine Mohr
Staff Writer
“We named it T.O.A.S.T. because we could,” Micayla Irmiter (‘14) said. The junior art seminar exhibition is currently on display in the Gregerson gallery in the CFA, and was in the Union Gallery as well. The show is the culmination of junior seminar, required for the art major. Each student in the seminar submits a piece for the show. The class decided on the name T.O.A.S.T. for no particular reason, Gabrielle Boisseau (‘14) explained. “It doesn’t really represent anything. It’s more [representing] the ambiguity that is unexplained, especially with the periods in between letters,” Boisseau said. The ambiguity is represented in all of the installations the students are exhibiting. Ian Carstens’ (‘14) piece is a collaboration with Emily Temte (‘13). The pair created three large doughnuts from inner tubes and plaster, which they say are only for their aesthetic value. “It was purely for fun,” Temte said. “They were based off of a Halloween costume for Ian … It’s something that was very easily understandable.” For Carson Adams (‘14), it was a few too many political ads and commercials that inspired him to design his installation. It consists of an armchair and an outdated television, showing a looped video of Adams himself dressed as a newscaster, propagating an attack ad about a soda brand.
“I take a lot of what I see from my everyday life,” Adams said. “I thought it would be a way of critiquing commercialism, the way that we’re exposed to it and forced to think in a certain way, being told what we’re supposed to believe.” Perhaps the most instantly noticeable installation in both galleries is Boisseau’s, which is a cardboard statue of a person wearing a sweatshirt and jeans, facing toward the wall and away from the viewer. Boisseau has received a lot of feedback about her pieces, most expressing fear, initially, about seeing a “person” huddled in the corner. “I stumbled on to this idea, and I continue to make these installations because of people’s reactions to them,” Boisseau said. “It always amazes me how many will show concern for this ‘person.’ People asking if he is okay and coming up and touching his shoulder really speaks to how nice people at Luther can be.” Some of the art is made for its aesthetic value, some for its interactive nature.
pop. “It’s a meditation piece as a stress reliever from the repetitive action with liquid,” Irmiter said. “It’s also interactive in the sense that people are allowed to go pop the bubble wrap which is something people do to relieve stress.” Though the purposes of the pieces may differ, the show is valuable to all
students—both those whose pieces are in the show and those who see the artwork. “[The junior seminar exhibit], in particular, is intended to provide handson experience for art majors and minors in creating, preparing and presenting independent work via a group exhibition,” said. “Gallery exhibits enrich and expand
the Luther experience for students, whether or not they are involved in art.” Though the show is rife with ambiguity, beginning with its name, its cohesiveness lies in the fact that the artists love what they do. “When you see individuals get all [their] artwork together, you really get a feel for what’s new in art,” Adams said.
Katherine Mohr/Chips
Doughnut Holes. Emily Temte (‘13) and Ian Carstens (‘14) in their tasty creation. Sunday Service @10:30am . St. Benedict School (402 Rural Ave.) . 563-387-7706 is offering rides from campus to their 10:30 church service. A van with the LifeHouse logo leaves from the Union @ 10:00 Sunday mornings.
Opinion
8
CHIPS
Chips is a student publication of
Opinion
November 29, 2012
The Local Option was a miracle.
The paper is designed, composed,
had barely any income and Walmart offered low prices, so the obvious decision was to do all of my shopping at the blessed utopia just down the highway. This is clearly, and understandably, a common thought pattern.
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
articles, editorials or 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 word document to chipsedt@luther.edu with “Letter to the Editor” as the subject line. subject to editing without changing
summer, when I returned to Iowa City and consequently rediscovered my (more than) slightly pretentious roots. My parents had a goal of buying all feat, and their actions caused me to realize that for the past year I had
Margaret Yapp
Columnist
I grew up with a vague idea of Walmart as a bully that ruined local business – not surprising for the daughter of a small business owner in Iowa City. My parents were never aggressive in their distaste for the superstore, but they did not shop there, so neither did I. But times change, and after my senior year of high school, my best friends and I went on a road trip. We wanted to pay for it by ourselves, which obviously meant making it as cheap as humanly possible. Thus the decision was made: we were buying our groceries at Walmart. I will spare you all the details of what happened inside, for it is what occurred afterward that matters. I am not exaggerating when I say that I exited Walmart a new woman. The phrase “Deals at every corner!” took craft supplies under the same roof was astounding. I was excited, sweaty
Walmart, but by doing so I was taking away revenue from local farmers, bakers and other shop owners, that would in turn give directly back to my community. so easy to do in Decorah. For example, our coop sells local produce, bakery items, cheeses, coffee, the list goes on. By shopping there you are not only supporting the business owners/ employees, but also the food suppliers. If you cannot afford the co-op to do all of your grocery shopping (I sure cannot), try Fareway. Granted, Fareway is also a chain, but they make every effort to sell local foods whenever possible, become involved in their communities and donate to charities big and small. objects and any other day-to-day living necessity you might need, right In Decorah we are blessed with local alternatives to anything you might
will not be notified of changes prior to and holding a jar of jam that I had purchased for 59 cents. To me, Walmart publishing. Letters must be signed, 300-400 words and submitted by Sunday at 5 p.m. the week before publication. Publication of all letters is at the discretion of the editor. Contact Chips Phone: 563.387.1044 Fax: 563.387.2072 the semester. E-mail: chipsedt@luther.edu Advertising: chipsads@luther.edu website: http://lutherchips.com containers of who-knows-what to who- across the aisle from each other (four to
Across the Pond: Marissa Schuh (‘14)
I love trains th
.
knows-where, or slow and expensive
each table), and upon reaching our seats had to ask some women to move out
well-kept railway station in or near their city center, sending out dozens of trains a day to every part of Britain. Because the roads here are terrifying (and our study-abroad contract forbids driving), trains are our go-to form of
became clear the group had no plans of
is the way to go. Trains have taken me
stood in the aisle teetering in high heels
villages, and the absolute middle of nowhere. For more about trains, travels, and
They laid down on our table, asked us to hold their shoes, ran their hands through
http:// marissagetsnotty.blogspot.com.
Jayne Cole Peter Jarzyna Carrie Juergens Brita Moore Bailey Mulholland
easy to get almost anywhere, with the local rail company offering rides almost hourly
known places. The fares for these trains vary a lot, reaching up to £65 for a ticket
way down to tickets under £5 for nearby towns or trains that leave at undesirable before the city buses were running in order to catch a (very cheap) 5:20 a.m.
Michael Johnson
Illustrator..........................Michael Johnson
lutherchips.com
how far you can get in a day for under £20 if you are willing to get up early, arrive home late or deal with train transfers. In my experience, the trains are clean and on-time. The people on board are from all walks of life – student athletes travelling to and from matches, business people commuting, old people on sightyou meet a lot of people travelling for football matches, decked out in the scarves of the team they support. While the trains are great and generally people are respectful, there is the group experienced what will hopefully remain the worst train experience of my
Par for the Norse
LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS
Opinion
November 29, 2012
9
Opinion: Roast Mutton
The Legos of life at your building blocks and start to tell you where to put what and how to do this and which way you should be going with it. We've all had someone—parents, friends, teachers, peers, society—interrupt us and try to steer us in the “right” direction. They claim they know what's best,
Casey DeLima
Photography Coordinator
learning we as humans are going to do is from our own experiences. People can give you advice until they're blue in the face, but I don't know if we'll ever truly value that advice unless we get a few kicks of reality every now and then. My policy is to explore. Go wild. Make the most of yourself and take chances because you'll get nowhere in your life without feeling some pain – and then
have the opportunity to make a wonderful masterpiece,
could have just one big tower ... and then there's mine, which is probably a giant pile of chaos. My point is, everyone's life is going to be different than yours, but that doesn't mean it isn't beautiful and something to be appreciated.
change it around and people are going to begin to peek
in danger on purpose and think you're invincible, but what I mean to say is that being fearful and tiptoeing around everything is never going to get you to where you want to go.
immediately. Think it through, see if it's what you really is your life, so your feelings and your thoughts are the most important things about it. There's nothing wrong with considering advice or even asking for it, but you
one another in both tone and content.
been pretty sure about the differences between the two. Besides the fact that the second one was a dance, and included
must always make sure it's what you think you should do. Build your blocks in any way you want to; they are,
mind about something in your life, no matter who else it life around all by yourself. Help will always be offered, and it's never wrong to take it, but I do believe there is a great importance in doing a lot of things by yourself for yourself.
you that life will not follow any plan or road map that
people change, life changes—everything is constantly changing. Don't run from it, embrace it. There will be millions of opportunities for all of us and they will never stop appearing, as long as you look closely and keep an open mind. Take one day at a time and always have laughter and fun with everything you do because this is your life and, if I were you, I'd want to remember laughing and dancing go so wrong that the sky will fall. The sun will always
the two central marriages are likely to be successful because the couples developed their relationships as same-sex acquaintances before they became engaged as opposite-sex lovers
detail, and, Bang!, they know which one they provide alternative realities, kind of
model of generosity, but he becomes a bit of a fool in that nobody even bothers to announced and celebrated. Malvolio, who imagines marriage with his lady because it offers him a path toward wealth and power.
The Experimental Wrighter
accompanied not only by remorse — remorse is actually common to both plays — but blood.
(to be performed this weekend) and
years been institutionalized as “the great writer,” our culture tends to think of him
(For that earlier column, see http:// www.luther.edu/english/ourshakespeare/ newsstories.)
so completely, unredeemably foolish likely to succeed is between the lush standing as a representative of all that is good and true and past, and therefore endlessly repetitious. experimental
in
his
approach
to
potential spouse. Maria, no matter how attractive the two characters may be individually. The tipoff to the problems are these two lines: •When Maria proposes an elaborate
interchangeable.
in “Festival”), a man who is wise for our good, and for the good of the other perhaps too wise for his own good and
other two names. But in fact these plays — and all of “Our Shakespeare” Twelfth Night events “Faith in Shakespeare” Chapel Talk
by
the
“wright = make,” not “write = to form letters with a pen.”). True, his plays can be categorized by genre (comedy, tragedy, history), but even those categories overlap wildly in their content. “Hamlet” may be
structural features vary dramatically.
be destined for each other. Then stuff gets in the way (“stuff” like fathers, lies, sexual temptation, greed, class consciousness). Then the stuff is overcome and the couple comes together in a happy ending. But
Book discussion
•Performances
“I was adored once” in response to the
students
couples as a way of introducing contrasts between individual personalities and, more importantly, between types of relationships. Thus the so-called happy ending is actually a series of endings with varying degrees of happiness. Degrees of Love Chips I wrote
steward Malvolio, Toby says this about end. one that adores me.” character announces how successful the revenge plot has been and announces, “In recompense whereof [Toby] hath married her.” We now have three marriages. But just
because we can model ourselves after any individual character, but because qualities and values and to some degree, perhaps, reshape ourselves. “Twelfth
its mountain of pleasures is another language suited to a lover. He may be a
LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS
News
10
November 29, 2012
Dining Services New book published in Sept. rearranges jobs to meet student needs Narveson
continued from page 1
doctrine and all the philosophical systematic sides of religious experience. I’m more interested in how religious experience is a way that people try to understand themselves.”
Dining Services continued from page 1
“We don’t want people just standing around because we don’t have jobs for them,” Tudor said. Cafeteria kitchen prep employee Kristina Krause (‘15) agreed. “Even when the caf isn’t busy, the kitchen is always busy, at least cleaning up,” Krause said, “Because if you’re cooking food, it gets messy, and you need to clean it up before you can do anything else. There’s always something to do.” One of the greatest areas of need right now is in the caf dish room, even with the greater number of students. “Most nights the dish room gets really short, and they take people out of kitchen prep for it,” Krause said. “When you only have seven people washing dishes for the amount of people that is eating, it gets a little out of control.” Dining Services is currently working out the numbers of students who will be working during J-term and spring and will be until mid-December. “I don’t have a deadline for students to stop scheduling,”
Student Work Coordinator Leah McCrea said. “I will keep scheduling students until we are full.” Busy student academic schedules can be an obstacle for creating a cohesive work schedule, but it is possible to overcome. a schedule that works for everybody,” Krause said. “If you talk with Leah, you’ll usually be able to work it out.” Meeting the demands from an average of 1200 students at lunch and dinner is no small task, but Student Manager Vanessa Libbey (‘14) praised her peers for doing so. “The people we do have get the job done,” Libbey said. “The caf is a great work environment because you can accomplish things that will help people immediately.” Regardless of who is able to work, Dining Services still intends to maintain high standards. “The last thing we want to see is for quality and speed of services to be affected,” Tudor said. Students interested in working for Dining Services can contact McCrea at mccreale@luther.edu.
Narveson, who said that she loves writing. In reality, the most stressful tasks were organizing the chapters and deciding how far she could go with her claims. “You wonder sometimes, am I placing too much weight on these details, making big claims on not enough historical evidence?” Narveson said. “So, could I really make the claims that I was making? Organizing a whole book is hard. It was like an artistic exercise.” The book has received favorable reviews from
several sources, including Durham University Department of Theology and Religion head at Alec Ryrie. Ryrie had no reservations about giving the book his full praise. “This is a really tremendous piece of scholarship: subtle, humane, insightful and – when it needs to be – biting,” Ryrie said. “Sometimes, in my darker moments, I wonder what literary scholarship is really for. This kind of thing is what.” The praise is not lost on Narveson, who said she enjoys the recognition that her work receives. what you wrote interesting is the greatest reward and honor to have, especially for academics,” Narveson said. “The other thing that really pleased me is that people say that it’s well written and a pleasure to read, which was one of my aims.”
Working on a “tremendous piece of scholarship.”
Brita Moore/Chips
LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS
Sports
November 29, 2012
11
Decorah clinches fifth state title NORSE SPOTLIGHT ATHLETE
Photo courtesy of Tyler Rinken
Float like a butterfly, sting like a Viking. Josey Jewell (#42) soars into the endzone during state tournament play.
Decorah records perfect season, 14-0. Jayne Cole
Staff Writer
Decorah High School football won the 3A State Championship last week, defeating Sioux City Bishop 49-21. Several Luther students are currently involved with the program. Tyler Rinken (‘14) played for the Vikings for four years. This season he returned to the gridiron in a different position: the broadcasting booth. Hired by KVIK 104.7 FM radio for play-by-play commentating, Rinken continued spreading his passion for Decorah football. “It’s fun to call the games from the booth because I have been around it so long and know the plays and what’s going to happen,” Rinken said. Rinken credits the team’s depth, strong defense and simple offensive plays as the reason for their success. “It’s power football; try to stop us,” Rinken said. Appearances at the state tournament have become a tradition for
27 times, making Decorah one of the most successful 3A programs in Iowa. “Being part of the Decorah football team is something special,” Rinken said. Alli Kephart (‘15) made the trek to the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls,
“It’s a special group of guys,” Alli Kephart said. “The best part was watching them come out of the locker room bawling after the game.” Alli Kephart feels that the team’s success resonated with Luther students because of Decorah’s atmosphere. Many members of the blue to support the team. “It reminds everyone of their hometown,” Alli Kephart said. “Decorah is such an ideal place to grow up in. It’s a close knit community.” Athletic Trainer Emily Stoneking (‘15) also assisted the team this season as part of her clinical experience for the athletic training major. All sophomore athletic training majors worked with high school teams for their clinical rotations. Stoneking had the opportunity to travel with the team and serve the earned their state tournament berth. “There was so much adrenaline,” Stoneking said. “It was a rush of energy. I was so excited to be there.” As a three-sport athlete in high school, Stoneking valued this experience. “It was a really good opportunity,” Stoneking said. “I never had the opportunity to participate in a state tournament in high school and I felt like part of the team.” The Decorah team is expected to face a rebuilding year next year, but many have faith that they could come out on top again. “Decorah is known for being consistently powerful,” Rinken said.
Matt ‘Lynx’ Beniak (‘13) Major: Elementary education with a middle school endorsement Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minn. Sport: Cross country Why I chose to run at Luther: I loved the team atmosphere. Head Coach Steve Pasche was a big draw in my decision as well as the former head of the Education Department, Judy Nye. Favorite cross country memory: All the road trips I’ve taken with teammates and all the regional and national meets. Nothing beats making some noise for some friends at those big races.
Photo courtesy of Tyler Rinken
Bringing home the hardware. Decorah football celebrates its
Pre-competition ritual: Try and stay relaxed and get a laugh in with a teammate to calm the nerves. The L-U [chant] we throw down before we race is also pretty good. Sports role model: Petter Northug Favorite movie: “Gladiator” If I could have lunch with anyone, it would be: My brother
Sports
12
Football coach resigns in wake of winless season Michael Crowe
linebacker for the Norse. He said he’s
Editor-In-Chief inches.
College.”
November 29, 2012 Weekly Standings Wrestling Coe Dubuque Wartburg Buena Vista Luther Loras Central
Head Football Coach Mike Durnin announced his resignation this week, following a winless season (0-10) for the Norse. Luther will now begin a national
IIAC 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1
1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-1
Recent scores:
situations and in the end caused us to lose Upcoming schedule:
interest of the Norse
Football Coach of Luther College,” Durnin said in
Jaronik said the off-season goals for the “We are still going to work on bettering
Durnin
Jaronik said.
Central Loras Luther Coe Dubuque Wartburg Buena Vista
IIAC 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Recent scores:
Upcoming schedule:
unfortunate.
Men’s Basketball Luther football closed the book on their
IIAC Central Dubuque Luther Coe Loras Wartburg Buena Vista
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Recent scores:
Upcoming schedule:
Michael Crowe/Chips
Pump it up. Matt Jaronik (‘14) and the rest of the Norse football team have
IIAC
Norse compete at nationals SPORTS INFORMATION
Loras Luther Coe
0-0 0-1 0-1
0-1
Recent scores:
LUTHER COLLEGE Upcoming schedule:
IIAC Loras Luther Coe Recent scores:
0-0 0-1 0-1
Upcoming schedule:
Jayne Cole/Chips
All-American. With a 20th place finish, Tricia Serres (‘16)
0-1