February 21st Issue

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CHIPS LUTHER COLLEGE

“Let the chips fall where they may.”

Vol. 135, No. 14

February 21, 2013

His or Hers?

The search for the next president is down to two candidates: Mark Hagerott and Ann Duin.

Katherine Mohr

Staff Writer

The search for Luther’s next president is drawing to a

Since 1884

Jess Sawdy (‘14) attended the receptions for both candidates. technical program in the College of Liberal Arts at the sustainability program will continue as well as work with alumni programs and outreach,” Sawdy said. “Each hopefully the one chosen can lead with enthusiasm and integrity.”

Leading up to the campus visit was a yearlong process conducted by a search committee appointed by the headed the group. After receiving several nominations of

Richard Torgerson’s position when he retires at the end of the year.

Dr. Mark Hagerott visited on February 5-7, while Dr. Ann Duin’s (‘77) visit took place on February 10-12.

The visits included a tour of campus, meeting with faculty and staff and an open reception where students were encouraged to ask the candidates questions.

Please Recycle

Luther’s search process is open, which means all students, faculty and staff are made aware of who the are conducted anonymously, the openness is highly valued among the Luther community.

“Secrecy is just not something that is a part of Luther College’s identity,” Search Committee Faculty

then selected Hagerott and Duin to visit campus after a that an open search guarantees that everybody will agree with the choice, but it does allow people to communicate their preferences and their concerns about the candidates.”

Academy. He has held several other leadership positions, including Director (Dean) of the Division of Humanities

Presidential search continued on page10

Enrollment, academic Meth Arrests probation on the rise Emily Gehlsen

Staff Writer

After an unexplained rise in the number of both first-year and upperclassmen students on academic probation this fall, Luther students and faculty are working hard to bring the numbers down.

The percentage of students on academic probation has not exceeded 4.6% in the past four years, but the fall semester of 2012 saw the number rise to

6%.

The number of students can explain the reason for the increase. Statistics of the class of 2016 have shown that the class size is larger than the past few years, totaling to a class size of 645.

“The percentage did go up, but that’s a difference of only a couple students,” Registrar

now that’s not happening.”

slight fluctuation in numbers is not significant. You have to look at big jumps, and right

Academic Probation continued on page 10

academic probation they are notified by the Registrar’s Office. For first-years, or students with fewer than must be at least a 1.75.

Students on academic probation are required to complete an academic

Decorah Police executed a search warrant early Sunday at 610 1/2 Maple Avenue in Decorah, where they discovered more than

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

News

2

February 21, 2013

An energy competition with bite

Hungry for help.

Dylan Hinton

accustomed to conserving these resources,

This year’s Energy Competition theme is frightfully exciting and sustainably contagious and the prizes are to die for.

The Luther College Zombie Energy Competition starting Feb. 25 marks the beginning of an event more viral than the Harlem Shake.

This is Luther’s third year participating in Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN), the largest energy reduction competition in the world. Sustainability is planning a variety of events to promote the competition and is hoping the zombie theme will appeal to apocalyptically-minded students.

“The skills you need to survive a zombie apocalypse are the same skills you need to be sustainable,” Sustainability Representative Libby Holmes (‘13) said. “When you think about a zombie apocalypse you think about energy and water shortages. If you’re

with zombies.”

From Feb. 25 to Mar. 15, the energy and water conservation of each of the residence halls will be monitored and recorded. This information will be sent to CCN and will contribute to the program’s national energy reduction goal, as well as compared to other campuses in the United States and Canada. Each of Luther’s residence halls will also be pitted against each other in a separate campus wide competition.

In addition to being prepared for every possible scenario in the future, Sustainability staff are hoping to help students build the foundation for living a sustainable future by making this competition as big as possible.

“We’re kicking off the competition with a huge carnival on Feb. 23 and each residence hall will be hosting blackout

Staff Writer you’re going to be more prepared to deal

events every week,” Holmes said.

These blackout events will attempt to gather as many students as possible into one common area in the residence hall where a certain amount of energy will be used no matter how many people are using the space. The idea is that students will come to these areas to study and socialize, leaving dorm rooms unlit and unplugged, thereby conserving energy.

The blackout events are opportunities for students to conserve water and electricity, and gain points for their residence hall.

Each hall determines the events on a weekly basis. Possible events include study parties, movie nights and board game marathons.

Residence halls also have the possibility to win prizes.

“This year we’re excited to offer $500 to the second place hall,” Sustainability’s

Energy and Waste Steward Erika Kambs (‘08) said. “The money will then go to the hall council, who will draft a few options for how to use the money, and students will then be able to vote on the option they like the most.”

In addition to hall prizes, each week there will be a $10 gift card awarded to one student who participates in the blackout event in each residence hall.

On top of the prizes, students can actively engage in learning and instilling practical conservation techniques into their daily lives.

“Being a student at Luther College, a campus that has made such a strong commitment to sustainability, this is an opportunity to start being aware of conservation strategies,” Kambs said.

“This is an important event to engage in, and a chance to tune into the global energy conversation.”

Departments search for new faculty Peter Jarzyna

Staff Writer

A new president won’t be the only change Luther’s academic setting will experience in the coming year.

Faculty turnover is currently under way in a number of departments, including History, English, Art, Biology and Music.

Department Head and Professor

of History Marv Slind will be retiring after 13 years at Luther. An offer has recently been made for his immense number of new faculty “The president gave an opening address introducing the new faculty, and there were 44 of us,” Slind said.

“It’s mostly a matter of coincidence when that happens.”

When asked what new directions he would like to see the History Department go in coming years, Slind noted that he hopes to see the addition of a historian of Latin America to the faculty.

Assistant Professor in Art History Kate Elliott recently returned from an academic hiring conference in New York. The Art Department is in the process of hiring a full-

time, tenure-track sculptor to teach ceramics, sculpture and additional classes.

“We want someone who is grounded in traditional sculpture and actually makes things,” Elliott said. “Some sculptors now work very conceptually and don’t actually make objects. We want them to be able to think conceptually too, of course.”

BREAKFAST ALL DAY! M t W th F s Su

“Nothing fancy, just good food” 817 Mechanic St. Decorah 52101

Elliott stressed the importance of matching candidates with Luther’s unique niche in the Midwest.

“There’s a certain kind of candidate who wants to be here,” Elliott said. “They tend to be people who are excited about sustainability, about living in a relatively rural location, about the fact that we have a co-op. Fishing came up a lot in the interviews.”

The choral search committee is currently waiting on an offer for Associate Professor of Music Sandra Peter’s position. Acting Music Department Head Beth Ray Westlund (‘89) noted that they were hard at work narrowing down three candidates from the application pool.

“We always want and look for the strongest possible teacher, musician, performer, artist, conductor, scholar and colleague,” Ray Westlund said.

Additional faculty replacements include Professor of English Mark Muggli and Assistant Professor of Biology Wendy Stevens (‘69).

March, and announced soon after.

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

News

February 21, 2013

Seven-day Forecast

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Mon

Wed

Tue

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Life outside Luther News you can use from around the globe

24/21

29/14

26/16

33/26 35/28

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Research recognized

Compiled by: Sarah King News Editor

European Union places more sanctions on North Korea The European Union imposed trade and economic sanctions on North Korea while condemning “in the strongest terms” the nation’s latest nuclear test. from further tests and urged it to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty without delay. The statement came as the ministers met Monday in Brussels. *** Russians investigating adoptee’s death in Texas

Russia’s Investigative Committee said Monday that it had

agency.

Courtesy of Kimmy Rooney

Embracing an education. Kimmy Rooney (‘13) smiles with Senegalese children she worked with while researching cultural curriculum on a Ruth Caldwell research grant.

Brita Moore

Senegalese education research

Staff Writer

studied. Rooney received the Ruth Caldwell research

*** Israeli-Ethiopian birth control ignites debate

a community that has yet to fully settle into the Israeli mainstream.

Women’s activists and a series of media reports contend that Ethiopian women who immigrated to Israel over the past two

Rooney used the grant to conduct research through

alternative contraceptives.

Ethnomusicology research

it remains unclear why so many Ethiopian women were receiving

research grant for ethnomusicology from the of Feat.

***

music style. on her research.

“The main point of my senior paper is that

Colorado House passes gun control measures

people participating.” to create a curriculum that is relevant to students.”

Rooney presented her research at the Iowa Foreign “These musicians who traditionally play this she will present at NCUR and Luther’s Research

a few Democrats to make some of the votes close.

Alzheimer’s research

partying and dancing.”

and applied to the Midwest chapter of the

Kim Powell gave her the opportunity to do so in her research methods class.

*** Escape antics of ‘Houdini Horse’ caught on video

Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow Michael O’Brien in “I

want

to

eventually

get

a

Ph.D.

in

for opening stall doors.

The 9-year-old horse named Mariska somehow learned to open latches at Misty Meadow Farms near Midland in central Michigan.

don’t know hardly any other students who are in ethnomusicology.”

horse opening numerous locks. It catches how Mariska lets herself Woolsey has had to do some small revisions

locked in.” writing the paper.

Life outside Luther compiled from: http://ap.org

4

Features

February 21, 2013

Casey DeLima/Chips

A community affair. Maggie Steinberg (‘15) and Dylan Hinton (‘15) listen intently to the variety of opinions at the NEIPJC forum on Tuesday night.

Sharing perspectives on guns Forum on gun and public safety brings community together in discussion.

Eve Christiensen

Staff Writer

In light of shootings across the country in the past year – including the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary – the Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center (NEIPJC) held a community forum on guns and public safety on Tuesday in the Decorah City Council Chambers.

NEIPJC board member Matt Tapscott was the moderator for the event. He emphasized the importance of community discussion on the topic.

“We all have an incredible stake in this

Casey DeLima/Chips

Speaking her mind. Maggie Steinberg talked about gun education and her experience with shootings.

conversation,” Tapscott said.

Jennifer Self, NEIPJC volunteer and timekeeper at the forum, also encouraged a sense of communication from both sides of the discussion.

“We hoped to bring together both sides of the issue in the forum on Tuesday evening, and to provide an opportunity for everyone to share their perspective and listen to what others had to say,” Self said.

According to Self, the Center held the forum in order to find solutions for the community while also upholding the rights of the constitution.

“This is a difficult and complicated issue,” Self said. “We wanted to give our community a chance to discuss the issue in an open, civil, moderated forum.”

Political pressure, the practical purpose of guns, the term “assault weapon,” education of children, the presence of fear in America and background checks for gun owners were some of the topics discussed at the forum. Opinions varied widely, with some believing that guns should be eliminated entirely and others believing that anybody who is mentally stable should have the right to own a gun. Many, however, felt that background checks should be necessary for purchasing firearms.

Scott Fjelstul, a Federal Firearms Licensee from Ridgeway, spoke in favor of gun ownership at the forum.

“I need a high-capacity magazine because the criminal already has one,” Fjelstul said.

He said that he carries his gun every day with a permit and makes his living with guns. He also admitted his fear of the infringement on his rights by the government.

“I’m afraid of what the government is going to take away from us, and that the criminals are still going to have [guns],” Fjelstul said.

The Winneshiek County Sheriff and Decorah Police Chief were present at the meeting to provide information for attendees regarding guns and public safety. Decorah Police Chief Bill Nixon said that his job when dealing with this issue is to be prepared and trained for any breach of safety in Decorah. He also discussed the presence of fear in our country today.

“Are we not doing something or are we allowing

certain things to occur that contribute to that fear?”

Nixon asked. “How do we start reversing that, so people don’t have that fear, don’t feel the need to arm themselves against whatever it is that’s out there?”

Maggie Steinberg (‘15) attended the forum as well.

She is from Clackamas, Oregon – the town in which a gunman opened fire on shoppers in a mall on Dec. 11, 2012, three days before the -Matt Tapscott shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. She knew both of the victims who were killed in the shooting.

“That opened our eyes, especially after Newtown, to the types of guns people – especially young people – can have access to,” Steinberg said.

Steinberg worked in Washington, D.C. as an intern over J-term and attended the forum because she was interested in the viewpoints of Decorah community members. Her personal viewpoint is in favor of gun education between parents and children.

“I think that socially what really needs to happen is parents being more open about the reality of guns to their children,” Steinberg said, “so that young people aren’t raised with their only exposure to guns through movies and video games.”

She also said that mental illness must be examined, and help given to those that need it to eliminate gun violence in our society. She said background checks must be made, along with additional restrictions on citizens as a whole.

The Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center extends an invitation to Luther students to attend another gun and public safety forum at the City Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 5 at 7 p.m.

There will also be small-group discussion on specific questions regarding this topic. For more information, contact the Center at (563) 382-5337.

“We all have an incredible stake in this conversation.”

To read one student’s opinion on this debate or to learn how to submit your own, check out Opinion 8.

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

February 21, 2013

Features

5

‘Dissecting’ a career

Wendy Stevens steps down after 42 years in the biology department.

Sam Molzahn

Staff Writer

When Assistant Professor of Biology Wendy Stevens (‘69) came to Luther she was known for her unique pet.

“I would go to lecture and I’d often wear a boa constrictor,” Stevens said. “[My students] knew they were in a biology lecture.”

After graduating from Luther College and then earning her Master’s from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Stevens originally wanted to teach high school. While she was waiting for responses from schools to which she had applied, she contacted a former professor at Luther. He wrote back saying that they were looking for

Sam Molzahn/Chips

Wendy Stevens (‘69)

someone to help run general biology labs. She said, “sure, I’d come for a few years.”

What started off as a position running general biology labs, turned into a full time position as a professor of biology lasting forty-two years.

“After six years I planned to do something else but the Biology Department still wanted me,” Stevens said.

During her time at Luther her class load has shifted dramatically. While she started with general biology, she also picked up science methods classes and helped out in different labs. When Luther started offering nutrition, Stevens, a biochemist and dietician, taught the course. Later, she started teaching histology and anatomy. She also started the human dissection course in January 1997.

Stevens’ work in the Biology Department has not gone unnoticed.

“Professor Stevens is definitely one of the most dedicated teachers at Luther,” Professor of Biology Tex Sordahl (‘73) said. “She really has poured her heart and soul into Luther and its students.”

In addition to teaching, Stevens has had a large impact as an advisor. She is an advisor to many students pursuing careers in the health sciences and is the faculty advisor of the Health Sciences club. Stevens works to connect with students during their time at Luther.

“She was one of my first professors my first year,” Megan Hatfield (‘13) said. “She really genuinely cares about her students.”

Stevens’ relationships with students have helped her complete projects that she initiated.

In 1998, the physiologist Russell Rulon was planning to retire and Stevens wanted to thank him. She worked with the development office to contact alumni and – in conjunction

Sam Molzahn/Chips

A lifetime of teaching. Stevens (‘69) works with Caleb Snater (‘13) in the histology lab. with some of Rulon’s former students always wanted to take that course ‘there – formed an endowed chair in Rulon’s isn’t enough room,’” Stevens said. name. The connections that Stevens Stevens plans to make the most out of made with students made this project her free time once retired. She intends possible. to stay involved After the success in the Decorah of the endowed community and chair she turned spend more time her attention to the pursuing hobbies human dissection like gardening, lab. The lab was baking and quickly becoming weaving. She also too expensive -Professor Tex Sordahl plans to travel for the Biology and to write a Department to publication about fully fund the course. Stevens worked biology at Luther College. with her students at the time to pledge “I want to retire when I’m still money. The fund is currently up enjoying teaching, when I still have to $90,000 paid and $20,000 more good health so that I can do a few other pledged. Because of these funds, more things I wanted to do with my life,” students can take human dissection and Stevens said. “I’m still trying to figure have a better experience taking it. out what I really want to do with my “I don’t have to tell a student who’s retirement.”

“She really has poured her heart and soul into Luther and its students.”

Going once, going twice ... sold On Tuesday night, Believing and Achieving held a date auction fundraiser.

The date auction has historically been the organization’s best fundraiser, and this year was no exception. The auction raised over $215.

The money raised will be used to plan, organize and execute events for the mentors and mentees outside of regular mentoring days. It will also provide snacks during mentoring days at the elementary schools.

Believing and Achieving is a mentoring organization that helps elementary school students succeed both academically and socially in school. The group is looking for more mentors this semester. Contact Grace Swanson at swangr02@luther.edu if you are interested.

Bailey Mulholland/Chips

Sold to the highest bidder. (‘13), Charlie Bruer (‘13) and Anders Nilsen (‘14) at Tuesday’s Believing and Achieving event.

LUTHER COL

6

February 21, 2013

Arts & Ente

To the moon Cirque Zíva performers blend traditional Chinese art with astounding acrobatics.

Margaret Yapp

Staff Writer

“Beautiful costumes, fantastic human body feats .... an opportunity to simply be stunned by the beauty of it all.”

-Tanya Gertz

Photo Courtesy of Amitava Sarkar

Stacks of glittering human bodies form geometric shapes once reserved for Kindergarten building blocks. These same bodies then roll in multi-colored giant rings, all while juggling tiny metal balls.

These are just a few things that touring acrobatic group Cirque Zíva is bringing to Luther on Thursday, Feb. 21.

“Students have a beautiful, stunning night to look forward to,” Director of Campus Programming Tanya Gertz said. “[Cirque Zíva] has beautiful costumes, fantastic human body feats and lends an opportunity to simply be stunned by the beauty of it all.”

Cirque Zíva is an acrobatic touring group of twenty young women and men, all born and trained in China. The group formed in 2011 and found instant success; they are now in the midst of an expansive North American tour, which started in early January and will continue through spring of this year. It is the newest show from director Danny Chang, who is well known for his work as the artistic director of the Golden Dragon Acrobats.

“Although it is not yet a super well -established tour, Cirque Zíva shows a lot of promise,” Performing Arts Committee Publicity Co-chair Aaron Kvale (‘15) said. “The director has done a lot of great work previously and holds a lot of prestige.”

Cirque Zíva’s performance will include an array of traditional Chinese acrobatic art that has been performed for centuries. In a timely twist, the group will be on campus shortly after

the 2013 Lunar New Year, which took place on Sunday, Feb. 10.

Performing Arts Committee Vice President Weihang Zhou (‘14) grew up acrobatics during the Lunar New Year.

“The acrobatic dance is very popular and well-known in China, especially during the Lunar New Year,” Zhou said. “Even though Cirque Zíva isn’t performing on the actual Lunar New Year, it is only a week later, so I still feel like I am celebrating.”

Zhou will provide an introduction to the performance and plans to wear traditional Chinese dress during her speech. Zhou stressed the importance of having on-campus performances that stem from different cultures.

“Luther College encourages students to study abroad and does a lot of things to try and enrich the diversity on campus,” Zhou said. “For students who cannot study abroad, getting to see shows that come from another culture is really important.”

Luther Campus Programming tries to bring performers from all around

connections between cultures and life experiences.

“It is a vital part of a liberal arts education to explore aspects of life that you were not previously exposed to,” Kvale said. “By attending these different events, you are gaining an opportunity to experience something you might not have otherwise.”

Cirque Zíva is sold out, but Gertz encourages students to show up at the doors. Seats often become available, and nobody should miss the chance to see this performance.

Using your head. Cirque Zíva performers demonstrate amazing acrobatic abilities through many breathtaking acts, often relying on teamwork and trust.

LLEGE CHIPS

ertainment

February 21, 2013

7

Monologues declare ‘This is my body’ violence against women.

Written by Eve Ensler in 1996, the

Hannah Garry

Staff Writer

“This is my body.”

bring awareness to campus. laughter and excitement from the audience including Chelsey Kohnen’s (‘13), “It’s gone! I’ve lost my clitoris, I shouldn’t have worn it swimming!”

Others create an atmosphere of

excitedly dancing to “Break the Chain,” performance has begun. were interlaced with videos promoting the movement, which occurred on campus and worldwide Thursday, Feb.

Liked to Look At It,” which chronicles the tale of a woman whose opinion of her vagina is transformed by a man who

to V-Day, the global movement to end

loved to ogle it, are met with nervous laughter and sideways glances.

Performer Taylor Graydon (‘15) acknowledges the wide range of emotions the audience might experience, pointing out that all of the monologues are based on real interviews and experiences.

“They’re stories and they’re really diverse,” Graydon said. “Some of them are hilarious but then there are some that are a little tear-jerky. It’s nice to see different sides of it for all women and across different countries.”

The audience’s variety of emotions surrounding the performance’s content

can be attributed to the subject itself.

The topic of vaginas, admittedly, can be humorous and uncomfortable at the same time. Performer Kadie Smith (‘15) thinks that the subject of The Vagina of awkwardness, is also its greatest strength. “[Vagina is] such a weird word,” Smith said. “I think it’s only weird because it’s associated with a sexual organ … having

Stories’ just throws it right out there.”

Some are met with somber silence.

response to interviews conducted with wartime rape victims from Bosnia. The introduction of this monologue informs the audience that in Iowa, 1 in 8 women will experience forcible rape in her lifetime.

audience by encouraging them to think about the role of women in society and around the world.

“I think all women should be proud of their own vaginas,” Strafelda said. “They are an amazing part of every woman … and that shouldn’t be taken for granted.”

Smith agrees with this statement but also hopes the play helped to eradicate some of the uneasiness surrounding the topic of female sexuality.

“A lot of times the topic of sex and how women express it especially can be a taboo subject,” Smith said.

Those interested learning more about Hannah Garry/Chips

The rising. Vagina Monologues cast opened the performance by dancing to One Billion Rising anthem “Break the Chain.”

join the movement.

KWLC Review: My Bloody Valentine “m b v” Luke Stennes

Am” is a lot lighter on the guitar distortion and has sort

Hip Hop DJ of a wavy sound to it, and “New You” would not be out of place on 1990s alternative rock radio. This section is

Bloody Valentine. As a sophomore in high school, I sat down and listened to their sophomore release, “Loveless” all the way through. The feeling afterwards was indescribable. I had no idea how a record like “Loveless” could be produced by beings from this planet. It has been almost 22 years since that record was released. The long-awaited third record “m b v” is if not better than its revered predecessor. present: the ridiculously complex layering of guitars

sexual voices of Kevin Shields and Bilinda Butcher that sound so similar it’s sometimes tough to tell them apart; and the emotional journey you experience if you let the music wash over you. The group takes these trademarks and uses them to stay true to their roots, while breaking new ground in ways I never thought possible. “m b v” is only nine tracks long, and there’s a fairly obvious progression of sound and thought as you move through each third of the record.

The guitars are loud and distorted without ever being violent, and the voices of Shields and Butcher are buried beneath The second third of “m b v” is quite different, possessing an airy and lighthearted vibe. “Is This and Yes” has an electric organ/horn combo that I could imagine Tyler, the Creator wanting to rap over. “If I

album, making efforts to not remain stuck in the past.

The last third is what will make or break your

they highlight the work the band has done between drum and bass and achieves surprisingly awesome results. “Nothing Is” batters your mind with driving guitars and incessant snare drum without ever feeling overwhelming. “Wonder 2,” the last track on the album, is what catapults “m b v” into otherworldly status. I do not think it would be possible for them to jam one is the most adventurous song on an already adventurous that sounds like a helicopter touching down. “m b v” is a truly ethereal experience. In short, it sounds like an extremely talented band has been working on it for almost 22 years. On “m b v,”

Courtesy of StaticBlog

Bloody Valentine gives us a glimpse into another world, and it is beautiful.

Opinion

8

February 21, 2013

CHIPS Gun conversation, not really Editorial

Chips is a student publication of

paper is designed, composed, edited and managed entirely by Luther students. It is published weekly during the academic year, excluding the month of January. to provide a forum for Chips , its staff members and the Luther community. Opinions expressed in articles, editorials or columns do not necessarily represent the views of the Chips responsible for opinions expressed in Chips commentary.

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Spring 2013 Staff Editor-in-Chief...................Michael Crowe Managing Editor..........................Ethan Groothuis News Editors...............................Jayne Cole Sarah King Features Editor......................Jessy Machon A&E Editor......................Walker Nyenhuis Sports Editor..................................Matt Yan Staff Writers.........................Ingrid Baudler Abby Carpenter Eve Christiansen Hannah Garry Emily Gehlsen Dylan Hinton Noah Lange Katherine Mohr Sam Molzahn Brita Moore Bailey Mulholland Margaret Yapp Head Copy Editor...................Benj Cramer Copy Editors...............................Katie Hale Kirsten Hash Ad Representative.................Charlie Bruer Becca Dugdale Ad Accountant.....................Ramesh Karki Photography Coordinator..........Casey DeLima Web Manager...........................Noah Lange

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slew of questions for me. No one directly challenged these ideas. “all of the shooters in recent years have either been on antidepressants or coming off of them.”

He continued, blaming our “pill-popper culture,” and saying that “all of the kids around here are on some sort of drug.”

I commend the moderator for stepping forward to correct him, and reminding the audience that that is just not factually true.

But that was the only instance of actual conversation. conducted. On one hand, the civility of the event was impressive.

Michael Crowe

Editor-in-Chief

I attended the community forum on Decorah gun policy last week. However, it was not a conversation. It was a series of rants. Policy changes were not discussed. Speakers merely told each other whether they were for or against stricter gun policy.

Maybe that’s the problem, that there’s already a dichotomy present in our minds.

Regardless, in the search of a civil debate, the event lost its impact. Many simply rattled off confusing remarks based on questionable facts.

One man, in response to the idea that high-capacity magazines might be outlawed, proclaimed, “I love my magazine,” noting that it would be inconvenient to him to reload more frequently when target shooting. No one pushed him to justify his affections,

and both are double-speak.

He went on to explain that the receiver from his trailer hitch is

everyone got fair and equal time to express themselves without interruption, and then politely yielded to the next speaker.

On the other hand, this made the meeting feel less like a conversation, and more an airing of long-held grievances, many

conversation. gun ownership law and those against are near fanatical in their fervor. But what’s the point? Does a meeting like this change minds? I can’t answer that. But I don’t feel reassured.

audience tonight?” he asked, pausing to look around. No one moved. He continued, “See? We need to change that.” I agree. meeting in this series will be held at the City Council Chambers attached to the police station on March 5 at 7 p.m. I encourage you to attend, add your voice and maybe question a few others.

In short, in the name of civility, this event was effectively robbed of its effectiveness. A civilized forum means each person can state their opinion for discussion, not just their own version of history.

Opinion: Roast Mutton

Happiness and the Human Spirit

Casey DeLima

Staff Writer

I hear that uttered by people of all ages, whether it's an answer to the question of where you want to be in ten years, or perhaps a plea during a particularly horrible day. It really makes sense, who doesn't enjoy being happy? However, as I grow into my life, I am beginning to wonder exactly why happiness is the ultimate goal in life. Why, exactly, is everyone so unhappy about not being happy? I can't help but notice that a lot of people make themselves much more upset than they would be initially because of how adamant they are about being happy all of the time when it really just isn't possible. So, I'll ask it again: what makes happiness this great and saving power that needs to be our default postion?

I have absolutely nothing against happiness, don't get me wrong. I, like the rest of the human race, enjoy nothing more than a golden ray of happiness in my life. I'm not arguing against happiness, but rather trying to defend the days when we're not happy.

I know there's really nothing nice about the days when all we want to do is lock ourselves in our dorm rooms and cry or sleep or never talk to another human being again, but I don't know that there would be any true happiness or appreciation for what makes us happy without those days.

Sadness, pain, and struggle are like Miracle-Gro for the human spirit, and without them I don't know that we'd ever appreciate any of our experiences at all. Our bad days contribute to our of wholeness means that as much as struggling sucks, something good will come of it. Flowers grow from where dirt used to be.

I may not be able to speak for everyone, but I know I'm not the only one that can say that they've run from their problems. More often than not, we're too afraid to feel our negative feelings. We'll do anything to distract ourselves from our negative feelings, and we're quick to tell others to “just cheer up!” But what are our feelings asking of us than to just be felt? So

instead, by denying those feelings, we're locking them away inside of us to grow underneath our distractions and to slowly crack the bones of our bones. feeling our emotions is much stronger than the negative feeling to begin with, and we get so scared of our feelings that we end up feeling even worse than we needed to.

Our sadness, anger, pain, and any other thing we consider negative are negative for a reason; they don't feel good, and often times aren't good at all. However, it's wrong that they don't eventually contribute something good

grows because of new experience, and along with new experiences aren't only rainbows, unicorns and joy, but also tears and bad days ... and there's no way to have one without the other. As my favorite author, Jonathan Safran Foer said, “You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness.”

Again, I don't mean to attack happiness! Happiness should always have a place in your life because it's a nice thing that happens to us. However, that's just it, happiness isn't the goal — it's not even the journey. It's a state of mind, and states of mind are bound to change.

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

Opinion

February 21, 2013

9

Editorial: Jayne Explainies

Lenten Motivation because of the tradition of “giving something up.”

Some Christians traditionally spend the 40 days

is done to commemorate the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert before his public ministry. or add something to their daily lives, are taught to remember the sacrifices Jesus made as they replicate

Jayne Cole

News Editor

I hate Lent. Disclaimer: I am not Catholic and go to church on Christmas and Easter pretty much

props to anyone who can give up coffee for an entire 40 days. I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t even go one day, let alone do it for unselfish reasons.

What bothers me, however, are the people who give things up for “Lent” who aren’t Christian with hidden motives for doing so. For example, many people give up sweets for Lent. With some digging, however, you will find that most of those people have no idea why they are doing it and have some other

particular dread for me, but not because I have to attend my first church service of the year. I dread it

my seminary studies for a Master’s of Divinity in the ELCA. So after completing my studies at Luther College, working entry-level customer service jobs as a to be great employment options for me when my goal was to earn cash for a dream. However, Minnesota Reading Corps is an option that you can consider in your life after Luther College.

If you asked me what I wanted to do (‘03), serving a year with Minnesota Reading Corps was the last thing on my mind. Actually, it was not even an option because I switched my major several times during my college career and as a result, I needed to add an additional semester. Upon completing my Bachelor of Arts in sociology, I was eager to start

California. When I was there I had many amazing experiences and thrived off of my academic studies. However when I graduated, I faced the dilemma many people who obtain higher education a job. I wanted to do meaningful work but I could not afford to be an unpaid volunteer for an organization.

up” away from its intent of focusing on Jesus. It makes the season of lent focus on individuals, not the Big Man up above. It’s like these people just want one more shot at their failed New Year’s your friends that you walked past the dessert table seven times and didn’t even think about touching the M&M dream bars.

Let me clarify that those “ulterior motives” are perfectly acceptable. You want to eat healthier?

Cool! I get that. I also get the appeal of having group support. If a ton of other people are trying to wean themselves off of video games during Lent, it makes it a lot easier for you as well.

I think that if there is another motive, you should recognize it and acknowledge the true reasons behind your goal. You want to go 40 days without chocolate because your roommate bet you that you couldn’t do it? Go for it! And make sure to rub it in their face when the only slip up you had was the when you thought the chocolate chip cookies were oatmeal raisin. Just don’t call that Lent.

So I was thrilled when I received the position of being a reading tutor with Minnesota Reading Corps. My main job description is to read daily with kindergarten though third grade students who are not reading at the appropriate grade level. With this daily attention their their reading skills improve immensely.

Not only is this extremely important work in addressing the achievement gap in our country, it is also a chance for me to get to know the kids that I work with better. Hearing about the events in their lives like classroom learning and birthdays makes my students become an integral part of my life.

Minnesota Reading Corps provides me a biweekly $500 living stipend and a $5,550 educational award upon completing 1,720 hours of service.

I’m not just an unpaid volunteer for an organization that needs an additional set of hands for an evening. What is even better is that in addition to tutoring students daily, I also help out with an afterschool program on a daily basis … and I am allowed to count that toward my service hours as well, because it is expected that Minnesota Reading Corps members engage in their community!

In fact, I believe in Minnesota Reading Corps so much that at the end of my on board for an additional year! While this kind of opportunity was not on my mind as a Luther College graduate, doing something important while engaging in children’s lives is now something that is on my mind every day.

Betsy Dreier (‘03)

Editorial: Walk Hard

Please (Harlem) Shake Responsibly

Walker Nyenhuis

A&E Editor

Many adjectives are thrown about when the Harlem Shake is mentioned in conversation these days: “Ridiculous,” “random” and “rambunctious”

being just a few callous (and alliterate) examples. I would argue that the appropriate adjective is actually “misunderstood.”

For the scores of you who have given up the Internet for Lent, allow me to shed light on this latest viral sensation. First off, the Harlem Shake is a real dance, tracing its roots back to 1981 New York.

Last August, music producer and “trap” artist Baauer crafted a song of the same name, and just recently 30-second videos featuring a sample of the song and enthusiastic groups of costumed dancers have rapidly While the videos do not directly adhere to the original 1981 style, there is definite structure to the refurbished shake. For the first 15 seconds, there is a single (typically masked) dancer, casually thrusting to the beat while others appear to take no notice. Suddenly the line “Do the Harlem Shake” is played, dropping

the beat and instantly summoning a platoon of dancers, who join the instigator in an uninhibited extravaganza of dance until the video ends with a beastly growl.

Is this a new form of peer pressure? Nay, these brave men and women are pioneers, boldly encouraging us to forget our troubles and simply shake. Whatever your reason, the Harlem Shake provides the perfect opportunity to escape from the minutia of everyday life and dance for the sake of pure enjoyment.

A crucial element of being human is doing and feeling unexplainable things. We watch others do other unexplainable things, and it makes us happy. It often makes us laugh. It gives us a sense of connection and belonging to something we enjoy, though we cannot quantified or qualified; it just is. Embrace the absurdity.

I’ll get off my soapbox. Would someone please hand me my Power Rangers mask?

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

News

10

February 21, 2013

Building a strong community.

Presidential search nears finish Presidential search

continued from page 1

These contributions are valuable for the search committee’s decision. An anonymous search means that not as many people could provide feedback to the committee.

“Part of being a strong community is being transparent,” Search Committee Member Karen

Martin-Schramm said. “This is a huge decision for Luther College, so the search committee wants as many people as possible to provide feedback and input.”

No matter which finalist is selected by the search committee, all involved with the process appreciate the enthusiasm from the candidates and of the students.

“I’m confident that Luther will remain on track and we won’t exist on the record and contributions of

the president alone,” Whitsitt said. “This is a strong institution that has a very solid sense of itself.”

Martin-Schramm believes in the students’ adaptability to whichever candidate is chosen.

“I’m proud of the students and how they’ve been interested all the way along in this process,” MartinSchramm said. “I think it speaks highly of the future here, and that the new president will be embraced.”

The new president will be announced soon.

Know thyself, again First- years Student-run on probation philosophy society returns to campus.

Bailey Mullholland

Staff Writer

Ever wondered about the meaning of life, truth, reality, or free will? If so, you’re not alone.

Assistant Profesor of Philosophy Holly Moore and a few dedicated students have recently revamped the Luther College Philosophy Society.

“It’s been an off/on student club for a long time,” and leadership over the past few years. “But [now it’s] student-run and aimed at letting students develop their own philosophical interests.”

President Andrew Meland (‘13) and Vice President Aaron Eddy (‘13) are excited about renewed interest and a fresh format.

“We made a change this year,” Meland said.

“Before, it was doing readings beforehand, and people don’t necessarily want more work to do.”

The group originally functioned by choosing topics or philosophers week to week, but has

developed more structure. It now plans to host student-suggested movie screenings, such as “The Matrix” and “Memento,” alternately with short related readings and discussion.

“We’re really trying to make it more accessible to the average college student, someone who might not have a philosophy background but wants to explore it,” Eddy said.

He also hopes to hear more from Luther professors about their research and is looking forward to a faculty panel the society will host on Feb. 21.

“It’s amazing how many intelligent professors we have here, and we don’t really hear about … how they’re contributing to the academic community,” Eddy said. “In the past, Novian Whitsitt and Gereon Kopf have talked about articles they’ve written, and this [panel] could be an opportunity to see some [more] of that.”

Ultimately, Meland and Eddy hope to see the club continue as an outlet for Luther students to ask big questions, discuss and challenge each other outside of the classroom. Moore feels similarly.

“To me, philosophy is about a way of life, being a critical thinker, being curious,” Moore said. “The society promotes that.”

Academic Probation continued from page 1

recovery plan (ARP). The ARP helps wrong and set goals for the next semester using different types of learning styles.

Students are also strongly advised to meet with tutors from the Student Academic Support Center (SASC).

SASC has seen a higher demand for tutors from more students this year.

“We don’t want people to think that this is only a place you can come if you’re doing poorly in your classes,” SASC Director Gwen Van Gerpen (‘01) said. “We help all students that want to improve.”

Vazquez (‘16), academic probation has opened his eyes to what college is like.

“I know what I’m capable of, but I just wasn’t putting in the effort,” Vazquez said. “This is real. College is fun, but you have to take it very seriously and have a balance of fun and studying.”

Vazquez meets with a SASC tutor every week. He is changing his study habits, and is close to being taken off

Correction Last week, Jon Jensen

Casey DeLima/Chips

I think, therefore I am starting a club. Abhra Biswas (‘13) expresses his thoughts during the most recent Philosophical Society Meeting, in which they discussed the critical race theory.

in a headline on page 3 as ‘Jenson.’ We apologize for the spelling mistake.

of the academic probation list.

Although there has been a rise in numbers of students on academic probation, Luther faculty believes in the capability of students.

“I’ve seen kids do much better when they’ve found their place academically,” Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Kevin Kraus said. “I’m up and accept the help, I bet that most of them can do better.”

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

Sports

February 21, 2013

11

Norse dominate at LAC Abby Carpenter

Staff Writer

The Luther swimming and diving team has been training since October in preparation for its final meet, the Liberal Arts Championships (LAC). The meet took place in Cedar Rapids at Coe College from Feb. 14 to 16. In preparation, the swimmers spent the last few weeks leading up to LAC “tapering,” which is a more relaxed style of practicing.

“For six months, the athletes are brought up to a level of discomfort, but yet at the same time training aerobically and gaining strength,” Head Coach Lance Huber said. “So what the taper does for them is let the body heal. It gives the muscles the opportunity to become stronger. From a swimmer’s perspective, taper is nothing but rest, relaxation and the opportunity to swim fast without fatigue - best time of the year next to Christmas!”

Tapering is one way for the swimmers to prepare for LAC, but another big part of the preparation is shaving. For the past few weeks, the men swimmers may have appeared especially scruffy, with long grown out facial hair. People may not have noticed that the girls stopped shaving their legs way back in October. For swimmers, the slight drag that the extra hair creates in the water makes a big difference.

Shaving off the extra hair before LAC helps the swimmers to drop a lot of time.

“So tonight we’ll shave,” Devan Benjamin (‘13) said on Wednesday. “And that’s like super exciting.

In January, all the girls grew out their armpit hair … it’s kind of gross. But it’s just tradition!”

For swimmers and divers, LAC is often an extremely emotional time because it is their last meet of the season unless they go to Nationals.

“I just want to go out feeling proud of myself and my team,” Benjamin said. “I just want to have fun and look back and say ‘Okay, I had fun. That’s good.’

If that means I don’t swim my best, that’s what it means. But it’s LAC, and I feel confident, and people usually swim their best, so hopefully everybody will surprise themselves.”

Just keep swimming.

As Benjamin predicted, Luther swimming and diving swam its best at LAC, with the men’s team placing 2nd, and the women’s team placing 1st for the seventh consecutive year. The women posted an impressive 1,064 points to runner-up Loras’s 449. The women’s 200 and 400 medley relays made a B-cut for Nationals, and Jason Orvis (‘16) placed first in both the 100 and 200-yard backstroke. Major awards went to Clare Slagel (‘16) for Female Swimmer of the Meet and Zoe Johnson (‘16) for Female Diver of the Meet, both of whom won all of their events. Lance Huber won Female Swimming Coach of the Meet, and Dave

Happel won Female Diving Coach.

Swimmers who swam an A-cut NCAA qualifying time are guaranteed a spot at Nationals in Texas in March. However, even if a swimmer didn’t perform an A-cut speed, there is still a possibility to qualify because regardless of NCAA qualifying times the swimmers with the top 16 times in the nation will go to Nationals. As a result of her time in the one meter dive, Johnson qualified for the NCAA III Regional in San Antonio, Texas on Mar. 1-2. The top two divers from each of the four Regionals qualify for Nationals, while sixteen will be selected at-large.

Luther falls to Wartburg, Johnson scores 1000th Sports Information Luther College Wartburg College outscored Luther 8-0 in the final three minutes of play en route to a 70-63 victory over the

Eyes to the sky!

Norse in the Regents Center this past Saturday. Two free throws by Carrie Kilen (‘15) at the 3:00 mark gave the Norse a short lived 63-62 lead, after trailing by as many as five at the midway point of the second stanza.

Taylor Johnson (‘14) (right) led all scorers pouring in a game high 27 points. Johnson entered the game needing 13 points to record her 1,000th point. She joins an elite group becoming the 11th player in women's basketball history to achieve this mark. Johnson also tallied her 12th double-double of the year collecting a team high 12 rebounds.

Johnson, who has helped lead Luther to the Iowa Conference Tournament for the first time in four years, has 410 points this season for a career total of 1,014.

She has also been credited with 614 career rebounds and is one of three players in Norse history to have scored 1,000 points and collected over 600 rebounds.

Meagan Koepnick (‘15) also reached double digits with 14, while Kilen was one point shy with nine.

Four Knights tallied double figures led by Kailey Kadivo, who also had a double-double, with 15 points and 16 rebounds.

On Feb. 19, Luther traveled to Dubuque and dropped a 74-80 OT decision in the first round of the IIAC Tournament. Koepnick scored a career high 24 points, while Johnson and Kilen contributed 20 and 15 points, respectively. Kilen’s score was a career high. Luther was making its first appearance in the IIAC Tournament History in the making. for the first time in four years. The Norse completed the year with an overall record of 13-13.

Sports

12

IIAC Champs

February 21, 2013 Weekly Standings Simpson Dubuque Loras Coe Luther Central

IIAC 13-1 9-5 8-6 7-7 6-8 5-9 5-9 3-11

Overall 23-2 16-9 18-7 17-8 13-12 13-12 12-13 10-15

Recent scores:

Upcoming schedule: Dubuque 6:00

Luther Dubuque Coe Simpson Central Loras Aaron Lurth/Photo Bureau

Go Norse Go! A rowdy sea of Luther students dressed in blue cheer on the men’s basketball team during the championship-clinching game. The exciting, energetic home court atmosphere helped the team to a victory over rival Wartburg. when they played in the National tournament, came back to cheer on (‘13) have been around and they have

Men beat Wartburg 78-61 to win regularseason title, tie Buena Vista.

Ingrid Baudler

staff writer

Luther men’s basketball locked in the IIAC co-champion title and top seed for the IIAC tournament with a record of

78-61 in front of enthusiastic spectators

student section.

success to the quality of Luther’s players.

“Everyone wanted to be part of a

The team’s success did not come easily.

postseason. best teams in the country, over Christmas level,” Franzen said.

Overall 18-7 19-6 19-6 13-11 15-10 7-18 10-14 8-17

Recent scores: 78-61 Upcoming schedule:

Men’s Swim and Dive Luther Loras Simpson Coe

last year.”

Dillahunty remembers Head Coach Mark Franzen’s hard work.

“His determination just rubs off on everyone,” Dillahunty said. “You just

IIAC 2-0 2-1 1-1 0-3

Overall 3-3 3-5 2-2 0-7

Recent scores: • Feb 14-16 Liberal Arts Championships 2nd of 10 Upcoming schedule: • Mar. 20 NCAA III Championship @

“That’s just a compliment to the (‘15) said. “It’s very competitive.” in overtime partly because they are not afraid to take risks.

three years with a conference title, a trip to Nationals in 2011 and a narrowly lost conference title in 2012 in an overtime Nnamdi Okolue (‘11) and Jacy Dillahunty (‘11), who were on the team

are new. Other than Mike Crocker (‘14), Cale Austin (‘15), Nate Meyer (‘16) and

IIAC 11-3 11-3 9-5 8-6 8-6 3-11 3-11 3-11

same.”

Luther earned a bye for the IIAC

The IIAC Tournament Championship is

Luther Loras Coe Simpson

IIAC 2-0 2-1 1-2 0-2

Overall 6-0 5-4 1-6 1-3

Recent scores: • Feb. 14-16 Liberal Arts Championships 1st of 12

who was MVP of the conference two

Upcoming schedule: • Mar. 20 NCAA III Championship @

Coe Luther Dubuque Loras Central Sinpson

IIAC 7-0 6-1 4-3 4-3 3-4 3-4 1-6 0-7

Recent scores: • Feb. 18 vs. Cornell Aaron Lurth/Photo Bureau

Eat my dust! Tyler Wedemeier (‘13) dribbles past a Wartburg opponent looking for an opening to score.

Aaron Lurth/Photo Bureau

We are the champions. Members of the basketball team and President Torgerson celebrate with the trophy after beating Wartburg 78-61 to win the regular-season conference championship.

Upcoming schedule:

Overall 19-0 12-6 10-8 10-8 9-12 12-6 2-9 1-14