Volleyball fights to the end their season NEWS 12
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LUTHER COLLEGE
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“Let the chips fall where they may.”
OCTOBER 30, 2014
Serving the Luther College community since 1884.
VOLUME 137, NO. 7
Class of 1964 gives college record-breaking donation
50 YEAR PHILANTHROPY. The Class of1964 announced their record-breaking donation to the college at halftime of the 2014 Homecoming football game. Aaron Lurth / Photo Bureau KATIE NELSON STAFF WRITER The Luther College Class of 1964 gave a $2,045,338.72 gift to the school
over Homecoming Weekend in honor of their 50th reunion. The amount far surpassed the class’ original donation goal of $1 million.
Students participate in satellite voting SPENCER HODGE STAFF WRITER Students had the opportunity to vote on campus via the satellite absentee voting stations that were held in the Dahl Centennial Union lobby on Thursday, Oct. 23. One hundred and fifty-five students submitted ballots that will elect various government positions including the Iowan Governor, U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives. President of Luther College Democrats Charles Weathers (‘15) stressed the influence of Iowa as a voting state. “Even if [students] are from out of state, I encourage them to vote in Iowa,” Weathers said. “The entire executive board of Luther College Democrats are almost entirely from Oregon, but we want to vote here because [Iowa] is a swing state and it can decide which direction the country will go.” Luther College Republicans President Aime Karam (‘15) also believes Iowa to be an important place to vote. VOTING, PAGE 4
“I think people saw the 50 years as a real milestone and they wanted to give something back,” Reunion Committee member Emily Bodensteiner (‘64)
said. “We never imagined that we’d get to that level [of $2 million]. It was a pleasant surprise.” According to the Office of Development, the money will go to several funds on campus such as family and college scholarships funds athletics, music or activities funds or the annual fund. “If a donor is excited about supporting athletics, or supporting music or supporting a department, they can choose to put that money there, and we encourage them to so,” Vice President for Development Keith Christensen (‘80) said. “We honor donor intention with their designations.” Director of Annual Giving Maria Smith (‘95) works with classes each year to plan giving campaigns for 10, 25, 35, 40 and 50 year reunions. According to Smith, the largest gifts always come from the 50th. “The 50th is always the biggest reunion,” Smith said. “It is kind of the crown jewel of our reunion programming.” This year’s gift broke the giving record, according to Smith. DONATION, PAGE 4
Board of Regents meets on campus EMILY CROWE STAFF WRITER The Board of Regents gathered on campus for the first time this year on Oct. 24-25. The board gathers on campus three times a year for a weekend of meetings and interactions with the Luther students, faculty and staff, including a luncheon with students and a dinner with faculty. During their time on campus, the board meets as a whole and in subcommittees. It is during these meetings that the board approves budgets, tenure, majors and other projects to uphold the Luther College Mission statement, according to Executive Assistant to the President Karen Martin-Schramm. “A lot of the board’s work is behind the scenes, but [students] benefit from their decisions when they choose to take on debt to renovate Towers or when they choose to add a new major or approve the students’ degrees at commencement,” Martin-Schramm said. “Ultimately, the board is making sure that the college is functioning well.”
According to Martin-Schramm, the board is comprised of people from a variety of careers, races, genders and ages from places all around the world. “[Board members] are nominated by the president, but we also look for people who can offer different expertise and resources and time to Luther,” MartinSchramm said. “President Carlson also has ideas of people she wants to cultivate, but it takes time. You don’t just go out and
ask someone if they want to be a regent. You want to establish a relationship with that person, figure out how much time and energy they have for this assignment, figure out their passion for Luther.” Aside from the 30 president-appointed Board members, the Luther Board of Regents has three student representatives and three faculty representatives. REGENTS, PAGE 4
REGENTS RECONVENE. The Board of Regents met on campus for the first time this year on Oct. 24-25. Bjorn Myhre / Chips
NEWS
PAGE 2 OCTOBER 30, 2014
NEWS EDITORS: ANNA JEIDE & MARGARET YAPP
SAC Concerts changes voting process MAKEDA BARKELY STAFF WRITER SAC Concerts is experimenting with a new selection process for the 2015 spring concert. Every student on campus had the opportunity to voice his or her opinion by voting for an artist via email. Fourteen artists were available for the student body to choose from when voting. The results from voting were used to determine the top five choices, from which SAC Concerts will make the final decision. Because they play such a large part in preparing for concerts, SAC Concerts committee members will have the final say for the spring artist out of the five candidates the student body chooses. “We wanted to make sure that at the end of the day there’s the student body vote,” SAC Concerts Co-chair Katherine Tangen (‘15) said. “Then SAC Concerts still needs to feel like they have an important say as well.” In the past, members of the SAC Concerts committee were the only students that had the privilege of helping choose artists for the spring and fall concerts. The campus-wide vote came as a result of a Social Work Practice III project by social work majors Ashley Sweet (‘15) and Chrisann Zuerner (‘15), SAC Concerts committee opened up voting to the entire Luther population. For the project, students had to work with a partner toward changing something in their community that they think is an issue. “I felt like there should be more representation of what the entire student body wants [for an artist] versus what a specific committee wants,” Sweet said. Sweet and Zuerner approached SAC Concerts Co-Chairs Tangen and Mahoney in early October with the results of a survey they had done with several student groups, showing the students’ interest in being able to vote for the spring artist. “Most of us won’t join the committee or we don’t feel as passionate about it, but we want to have a say,” Zuerner said. In response, SAC Concerts chose to test out the idea by letting every Luther student voice their opinion through an online poll. The Google poll was sent to students through various student group email lists in order to try to get a higher number of student responses while also trying to respect the Luther administration’s efforts to cut back on mass emails. “We’re really excited to finally figure out what the Luther student body wants,” Tangen said regarding the poll. Although this new voting protocol is just a test run,
EXPLORING NEW ARTISTS. SAC Concerts brought Pentatonix to perform at the 2014 spring concert. This year, students will help choose 2015 spring concert artist. María da Silva / Photo Bureau
there have been many positive reactions throughout the student population. “I think it’s awesome because I know there were a lot of people that were not so happy with some of the previous concert choices,” SAC Concerts committee member Alayna Nelson (‘16) said. “This way everyone
gets a chance to say what they want as opposed to just a select few.” For students who wish to be more involved in the concert voting process and performance coordination, SAC Concerts committee accepts members year-round.
Forensics Speech and Debate Team qualifies for nationals RACHEL WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER Three Luther students will head to the National Forensic Association (NFA) national competition after the team’s success in their first tournament of the season. Isaac Heins (‘18), Hannah Burmahl (‘16) and Speech and Debate Team
President Jordy Barry (‘15) qualified for the national competition in spring 2015. According to speech and debate tournament database SpeechWire, the Luther College Speech and Debate Team returned from South Dakota State University’s (SDSU) Jack Rabbit Joust Forensics Tournament with third,- fifth- and sixth-place finishes
on October 10-12. New team member Heins placed third in dramatic interpretation, in which each contestant performs a piece from a stage, screen or radio act with multiple characters. “The first round was a little rough, but then the second and third went well, and I was very excited to break to finals,” Heins said. “Even though I got
third, I’m still very excited to be going to finals this year.” Sending three competitors to the NFA national competition is unprecedented for the team which is in its third year as an organization. “Sending more members to nationals, I think, is a reachable goal,” Barry said. While celebrating their recent successes, the Speech and Debate Team worked to prepare for the next tournament. Many of the competitors entered into new categories for the next tournament. “I’m planning on doing Poetry, Impromptu and Persuasive Speaking this next tournament,” Burmahl said, prior to the tournament. After placing sixth in Poetry at SDSU and qualifying for nationals, Burmahl continued to challenge herself by competing in different categories. FORENSICS, PAGE 3
NEWS
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NEWS EDITORS: ANNA JEIDE & MARGARET YAPP THURSDAY
Seven-Day Forecast
OCTOBER 30, 2014 FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY
H B B H R B H 32/55
25/41
35/45
41/48
38/54
37/54
37/53
Forensics claims victory Life Outside Luther
DEBATING THEIR WAY TO NATIONALS. Team members Barbara Stier (‘18), Raleigh Sims (‘16), Isaac Hiens (‘18), Sarah Sturn (‘17) and Jordy Barry (‘15) prepare at practice. Rachel Williams/Chips
FORENSICS, PAGE 2 “I want to do Persuasive [speech] because I want to have more experience in platform speaking, or making speeches,” Burmahl said. “I also want to do Impromptu [speech] to step out of my comfort zone.” Impromptu is a type of platform
speaking in which the student has two minutes to prepare a five-minute speech a given topic. According to Barry, their hard work paid off at Fright Fest. Seven of the members placed in the top 10 in their respective categories. Barry placed first in Extemporaneous Speaking, Jason Leuthold (‘16) placed third in Program Oral Interpretation and
Burmahl placed third in Poetry. The team as a whole feels positive about the potential shown at these first two tournaments of the season and wants to continue to improve. The Luther College Speech and Debate team meets Tuesdays at 6:45 p.m. in the Mott Room. For information, send an email to forensics@luther.edu.
Shuttle service prices increase NOAH LANGHOLZ STAFF WRITER Luther’s Shuttle Service has increased its prices due to a variety of factors over the past few years. Coordinator of Student Organizations Kasey Nikkel explained the causes for increased prices. “The prices have gradually increased over the years due to several factors: increased charter bus prices, gas prices (despite the current gasoline prices) and part of the fee of using a third party company to now do our online ticketing system,” Nikkel said. “The purpose of the shuttle service is not to make a profit but to simply provide a safe means of transportation that is of value to the student and his/her family.” Nikkel reminds students that there are ways to avoid extra costs when purchasing shuttle tickets. “If you purchase your ticket online students will be charged an additional $2 processing fee,” Nikkel said. “Students can avoid this by directly purchasing their tickets at the Box Office.” The actual price increases are all under $15. “Data has shown that some of the tickets have increased anywhere from $5-$10 dollars, with the most significant increase in the past two years being $13,” Nikkel said. Luther students have mixed reactions about the changes, but many still use the service. Due to the prices associated with having a car on campus, some students prefer the independence that comes with using the shuttle service. “It’s a way for me to get home without my parents coming to pick me up,” Sam Milligan (‘15) said. “It allows me a lot of freedom.” Many students find the shuttle service convenient when they are unable to carpool or are traveling to different parts of the country than where they live. “There are times when I can’t find a ride back with someone
else,” Robbie Helgason (‘15) said. “Another major advantage is that you’re not on someone else’s schedule.” Prices vary depending upon the location of the shuttle destination. The most expensive destination is Chicago, priced at $63 for a one-way ticket. Despite the convenience that the service affords, Helgason says that he may not use the shuttle as much in the future. “I think there will always be people who use it,” Helgason said. “As prices rise I will start looking for other means of transportation.” Tickets can be purchased for upcoming breaks online at www.tickets.luther.edu or at the Ticket Office.
U.S. Governors, Army go own way on Ebola quarantine The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday recommended new restrictions for people at highest risk for coming down with the Ebola virus and symptom monitoring for those at lower risk, but some state governors and even the Army are carving their own paths. As contradictory state policies proliferate in response to Ebola fears, the CDC’s recommendations mark an effort to create a national standard, one that would protect public health without discouraging people from helping to fight its spread overseas. As Marines part at Afghanistan, legacy lingers The Marines’ handover of Camp Leatherneck to the Afghans is more than a signal that America’s longest war is ending. It is a reminder that the Marines’ battlefield gains were tempered by losses: 378 killed, nearly 5,000 wounded. Camp Leatherneck is the sprawling base in Afghanistan’s Helmand province from which the Marines surged against the Taliban in 2009. Ancient shipwreck discovered near Aeolian Islands Divers descended 410 feet into dark Mediterranean waters off the coast of Italy, their lights revealing the skeleton of a ship that sank thousands of years ago when Rome was a world power. A sea-crusted anchor rested on a rock. The ship’s cargo lay scattered amid piles of terra cotta jars, called amphora. Highly trained technical divers with a Florida-based group called Global Underwater Explorers GUE for short are helping Italian researchers unlock the mysteries of an ancient shipwreck thought to date to the second Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage. Able to descend hundreds of feet farther than most divers, they aide the archaeologists by swimming about the wreck fetching artifacts as no robotic submersible can. NSA surveillance limits: the focus turns to courts While Congress mulls how to curtail the NSA’s collection of Americans’ telephone records, impatient civil liberties groups are looking to legal challenges already underway in the courts to limit government surveillance powers. Three appeals courts are hearing lawsuits against the bulk phone records program, creating the potential for an eventual Supreme Court review. Meanwhile judges in lower courts, meanwhile, are grappling with the admissibility in terror prosecutions of evidence gained through the NSA’s warrantless surveillance. Possible complete mammoth skeleton found in Idaho A portion of a Columbian mammoth skull and tusks have been uncovered in southeastern Idaho, and experts say a rare entire skeleton might be buried there. Experts estimate the mammoth was about 16 years old and lived about 70,000 to 120,000 years ago in what was a savanna-like country populated with large plant-eaters and predators. Compiled from: www.ap.org
NEWS
PAGE 4 OCTOBER 30, 2014
NEWS EDITORS: ANNA JEIDE & MARGARET YAPP
Regents visit campus REGENTS, PAGE 1 “There are three students who serve on the board as representatives, and they are the students’ voice on the Board of Regents,” Martin-Schramm said. “At each business meeting, one of the students will give a report to the whole Board. We tell the students that they aren’t just speaking as themselves; they are speaking on behalf of the student body.” The student representatives on the Board of Regents this year are President of Student Activities Council (SAC) Ben Nordquist (‘15), Vice President of Student Senate Maggie Steinberg (‘15) and Vice President of SAC and Student Senate Treasurer Dietrich Jessen (‘15). “I got the position as a student representative through Student Senate,” Nordquist said. “SAC always has one liaison to the senate.” The student representatives give the Board of Regents a student perspective on the impact of the decisions they make, according to Nordquist. “A lot of regents see the school from the 10-thousand-foot view; the way that they are familiar with the school is through a
lot of numbers, big trends and patterns that people bring to their attention, so the reason they have incorporated student addresses is to get the students’ on-the-ground perspective,” Nordquist said. “The reason [the regents] are here is not because they are business men trying to figure out the best way to run Luther, but because of us.” The regents have a set number of years that they can serve on the board, according to Martin-Schramm. “We have fouryear terms and they can serve up to three terms, and most people serve all 12 years,” Martin-Schramm said. “When you think about the time and energy and dedication to Luther, it is really something.” Despite the amount of work the board does for Luther, the regents really enjoy the time they serve on the board,
according to Martin-Schramm. “I hear from the regents that this is the favorite board they have ever been on in their life,” Martin-Schramm said. “These are well-connected people who serve on a variety of boards, and just like Luther has a sense of community on campus, I think the board members develop deep bonds with each other.” The Board of Regents meetings are almost all open to the public; the only exclusive part of the weekend is when the board goes into executive session, according to Martin-Schramm; otherwise, the regents are happy to see students. “The board loves to talk to students,” Martin-Schramm said. “They believe in education and what we do for students.” The next Board of Regents meeting will be Feb. 20-21, 2015.
“The reason [the Regents] are here is not because they are business men trying to figure out the best way to run Luther, but because of us.” - Ben Nordquist (‘15)
Luther receives record donation DONATION, PAGE 1 “It’s the largest gift we’ve gotten from a reunion class,” Smith said. “We’ve had [three] classes give over $1 million, but never $2 million.” Donations to this gift will still be accepted until May 31, so growth is possible. According to Christensen, the gift could grow by $100,000 – $250,000. According to various members of the class of ‘64, these donations are made for a variety of reasons. “I think it boils down to the fact that our class has a real connection to Luther and to each other,” Bodensteiner said. “It’s a connection to people and to the place. I think that there’s a real affection for what Luther stands for, and we all had a good experience there. And we come back.” Family connection was important with the giving as well, according to alums. “A number of alumni, including my wife and I, had children that were students at Luther,” Reunion Committee member Ron Dodd (‘64) said. “We respected the opportunity to attend Luther and encouraged our sons and daughters to attend Luther.” Alums are also thinking about current students, according to Smith. “Our alums are very interested in supporting current students and giving scholarship support,” Smith said. “That is one of the things that really speaks to them.”
Upcoming Events
Thursday, October 30 Bargain Barn Sale 5:00 p.m., Ashmore-Jewell Barn Religion Forum: Teaching the 7:00 p.m., F.W. Olin Building, Bible at Luther College Room 102 Friday, October 31 Senior Chapel: Joshua Davis 10:30 a.m., Center for Faith and Life, Main Hall Faculty Artist Series: Brad Schultz, 7:30 p.m., Center for Faith and Organ Life, Main Hall Saturday, November 1 Faculty Research Symposium All day, F.W. Olin Building, Room 102 and Valders Hall of Science, Room 206 Fall Fling All day Senior Recital: Emily Tope, Cello 12:00 p.m., Jenson-Noble Hall of Music, Noble Recital Hall Women’s & Men’s Swimming and 1:00 p.m., Home Diving vs. UW-Whitewater Senior Recital: Celia Garner2:00 p.m., Jenson-Noble Hall of Prouty/Shafer Stromwell, Violin/ Music, Noble Recital Hall Trumpet Sunday, November 2 Junior Recital: Jacob Jorgenson/ 2:00 p.m., Jenson-Noble Hall of Sara Ranscht, Trumpet/Cello Music, Noble Recital Hall Nordic Choir Concert 4:00 p.m., Center for Faith and Life, Main Hall Senior/Junior Recital: Leif Larson/ 7:00 p.m., Jenson-Noble Hall of Josh Olson, Percussion Music, Noble Recital Hall Monday, November 3 Day of the Dead All day Tuesday, November 4 Senior Recital: Kalle Akkerman, 7:00 p.m., Center for Faith and Organ Life, Main Hall Writing Your Resume and Cover 7:30 p.m., F.W. Olin Building, Letter Room 213 Information from luther.edu/events
STUDENTS GET OUT AND VOTE. County Auditor Benjamin Steines helps Ryan Castalez (‘15) as he recieves his ballot at the satellite voting site on the Luther College campus on Oct. 23. Spencer Hodge / Chips
Mixed opinions on midterm turnout VOTING, PAGE 1 “In my opinion, voting in a swing state means your vote means more,” Karam said. “Iowa is a really big player in politics. People like Michelle Obama and Mitt Romney come down to Iowa every few weeks to promote candidates because this place is undecided.” Karam commented on the student turnout at the stations. “In previous years [the turnout] has been as low as 15 or 30,” Karam said. “This year was a success, especially for a midterm election.” Winneshiek County Auditor Benjamin Steines thought the turnout was adequate but still much lower than presidential elections. “[The turnout] was a little
light,” Steines said. “People don’t get as interested in an election if there isn’t a presidential race on the ballot. When the station was here two years ago during the p r e s i d e nt i a l election we had over 600 people vote. Still, we had more voters than in a primary or a city election which turn out even lower votes.” Of those who did vote, Jacob Clausen (‘15) explained his reason for voting and the ease with which he did it. “I wanted to exercise my civil rights,” Clausen said. “Voting
is my duty to the country, and if I do it I can actually complain if things are going bad with the government. The [poll workers] were very informative and quick — I was in and out of there in five minutes.” F o r those who missed the voting, the Winneshiek courthouse accepts ballots through Nov. 4. “Although we advocate that people vote on campus to help our numbers with the auditor, [people] can always vote at the courthouse,” Weathers said.
“This year was a success, especially for a midterm election.” - Aime Karam (‘15)
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT A&E EDITOR: DYLAN HINTON
PAGE 5 OCTOBER 30, 2014
Ballroom’s season swings on
PARTNERS IN RHYTHM. Matt Holcomb (‘15) and Meg McClure (‘15) dance in Luther Ballroom/Swing’s first showcase of the season in September. Michael Hagstrom / Photo Bureau
as much as theirs is, but we also want to include as many people as we can,” Competitive Events Chair Michael Jungbluth (‘15) said. “We’re really looking to grow the club and grow the idea of ballroom dance outside of the club.” This year, the club includes 50 people on the competitive dance team, following the addition of 18 newcomers at the beginning of the year, the largest addition the team ABBY CARPENTER has seen since 2011. STAFF WRITER “We have 50 people who are really invested in being the best dancers they The Luther Ballroom/Swing team is a can,” Jungbluth said. team that values inclusion. This year it Throughout the year, the team has three outnumbers the University of Minnesota main competitions, two of which are in the team by almost 20 people. spring, but the competitive dancers use the “Our team is as focused on competitions fall semester to train. “This semester is really about working with each other to improve technique and get things as crisp and clean as we can going into our spring semester,” Jungbluth said. “That’s when we really dig in and go to at least two competitions.” The team’s first competition, Minnesota Ballroom Blast, took place on Saturday, Oct. 25. This particular competition is a little different than most that the team competes in, according to team members. “It’s a type of competition where you get specific critiques for the individual and the couple,” team member Megan Kundel (‘16) said. “For most competitions you just get a rating, and you either move on Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm | Thursday 9am - 8pm to the next round or you don’t. But this competition is special because you get comments back.” For most competitions, the couples move onto the floor in FASHION. FOR REAL LIFE. flights, where they AFFORDABLE BOUTIQUE SHOPPING dance for about 60 to 90 seconds. 115 Winnebago Street | Decorah, Iowa | 563.382.3600 The couples are
Luther Ballroom/ Swing prepares to compete with its largest team since 2011.
then ranked by the judges and could be selected to move on to the next level of the competition. Within the team, there are three different levels based on the dancers’ experience and time on the team: newcomer, bronze and silver. The team varies in dance background experience prior to the team, ranging from competitive show choir experience to no experience at all. “I was in show choir in high school, so this is a really nice replacement for that,” Jungbluth said. “It’s nice to compete in a dancing environment again.” Regardless of previous dance background, the team gains experience from practicing three times a week and has ranked highly in competitions in the past few years.
“We compete against some pretty big schools, and consistently we’ve done really well, especially at the Newcomer level, which is a lot of fun to see,” Jungbluth said. Some of the schools that the team competes against include the University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa, University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin. Publicity Chair Berit Breed (‘17) describes competitive ballroom dancing as both a unique and useful experience. “Having this skill set is so unique, and people don’t think about it until they show up at a wedding and see everyone ballroom dancing,” Breed said. “It’s something you can use all your life, and that’s why I really enjoy it.”
COUNTING THE STEPS. Abby Mark (‘18) and Samuel Nunnikhoven (‘17) showcase the skills they learned through Luther Ballroom/Swing. Michael Hagstrom / Photo Bureau
FEATURES
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FEATURES EDITOR: CASEY DELIMA
Cantine signs off FINAL TRANSMISSIONS. Jennifer Cantine will retire at the end of the month, having served as the General Manager of KWLC Radio for 27 years and having a 10-year career in public radio. Casey DeLima / Chips
MATT HELM STAFF WRITER General Manager of Luther College’s radio station KWLC and former communications studies professor Jennifer Cantine is retiring after 27 years of service at Luther. “Of course I’ve had second thoughts, but my husband and I want to travel, and I want to see my grandchildren more often than I do, which are the tried and true reasons why anyone would want to retire,” Cantine said. “I just want to be useful in life, retired or not, the moment I can’t be productive is the moment I don’t want to be here anymore. Right now it’s time for me to do new things.” Before she came to Luther, Cantine had a 10-year career in public radio. “Jen has an incredible wealth of experience,” KWLC News Director Emma Cassabaum (‘16) said. “She knows everything there is about radio, but she isn’t imposing or threatening,
she is warm and welcoming and ready to teach. She gives us the tools we need and does a great job breathing life into the station.” Two years ago, Cantine retired from teaching in the communication studies department, but stayed on as general manager of KWLC. “At first I thought I would really miss teaching, and I do, but the time I enjoyed the radio station the most has been this past year and a half,” Cantine said. “I tried out new things and got to focus more on what I like about the radio station the most, which is the students. I really like college age students.” Cantine carries on friendships with her students that last beyond their four years at Luther.
“I made a last-minute decision to come for Homecoming this year and she welcomed me to stay at her house with open arms and even made incredible spaghetti for me,” Luther alum Seth Duin (‘12) said. “She was essentially my mom away from home. She’s made KWLC into something better than what it was when she arrived and spent over 20 years creating a larger family of KWLC alums.” Cantine’s presence at KWLC will be a hard one to replace, according to KWLC Program Director Peter Jarzyna (‘15). “She manages to fill the role in a way that really fosters community and creates an inviting collective of people,” Jarzyna said. “She signs her emails as ‘mom’ and
“She’s made KWLC into something better than what it was when she arrived, and spent over 20 years creating a larger family of KWLC alums.” -Seth Duin (‘12)
invites us over to her house and cooks meals for us. She’s just so authentic, and I know she loves what she does.” David Grouws will replace Cantine as the general manager of KWLC next semester. “David and I are spending some time together to help phase him in, but I know it will be good to have some new ideas,” Cantine said. “The station will be in good hands; my student workers are funny and smart and they love music and they have good hearts. Plus, I’ll still be in town, so it’s not like I’m going far.” The one thing Cantine will miss the most about her time at Luther is the people. “I think that most of the people who are attracted to Luther C ollege come here because they tend to be really grounded people; they get what it’s all about,” Cantine said. “You hear a lot about Luther being a tight-knit community and that we care about each other, and I honestly believe that to be true.”
SPIN Theatre hosts haunted house LAURA HAYES STAFF WRITER ‘Tis the season to be spooky. Student-run theater troupe SPIN Theatre will be hosting a haunted house in Storre Theatre from Oct. 29-31. “We looked at what the college had planned for Halloween and we thought that a haunted house would be a great way for us to flex our theatrical muscles,” Artistic Director of SPIN Theatre Tim Komatsu (‘15) said. The haunted house will feature a maze of five separate scenes with varying horror-inspired themes. According to Komatsu and the SPIN Theatre Marketing Manager Maggie Sulentic (‘16), some of the rooms will feature mythological creatures, phobias and a “team of ghouls and ghosties.” “We realize that while students go to Pinter’s [Gardens and Pumpkins] for the corn maze, doing something on-campus would be a great way for students to get involved in the spook-tastic evening without traveling a long
distance,” Komatsu said. SPIN Theatre was founded in 2004 with its inaugural production of Tom Stoppard’s play “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.” After its seventh year, the theater troupe took a two-year hiatus and was reborn in the fall of 2013. Recent performances have included “Lysistrata” and a one-act festival. Past shows like “A Night of Scenes” have been advertised as being “100 percent directed and produced by students.” “I think one of the biggest goals [of SPIN Theatre] is to enrich students’ theater experience,” Technical Director of SPIN Theatre Chelsey O’Connor (‘15) said. “To allow people to have creative freedom in the sense that they can choose to put on a piece that the [theatre] department may not.” SPIN also offers students of any major or year an opportunity to explore their interest in acting, design, directing or stage management. The haunted house will
function as fundraiser for the troupe. According to Sulentic, the money will go to the company’s general budget and allow SPIN to do more performances. Looking forward, SPIN is interested in performing a musical. The rights for a show, according to Sulentic, would cost a down payment of around $300. “We’ve had three performances in the past two years and spent a total of $150,” Komatsu said. “As a student-run group, we try to put on our own shows. The challenge with that is that rights are expensive, and building things is difficult with a shoestring budget.” Upcoming offerings from SPIN include a J-term class in which they will be performing Yasmina Reza’s play “God of Carnage” and a Night of Scenes Tickets for the haunted house will be on sale for $3 for Luther College students. Any student interested in participating in the haunted house is encouraged to email the SPIN Theatre Board of Directors, including Komatsu, Sulentic and O’Connor, to apply.
GET SPOOKY. Maggie Sulentic (‘16) (left) and Eva Gemlo (‘17) set up for the haunted house that will be in Storre Theatre from Oct. 29-31. Laura Hayes / Chips
FEATURES
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FEATURES EDITOR: CASEY DELIMA
OCTOBER 30, 2014
Students have Capitol semester MAGGIE STEINBERG STAFF WRITER While many Luther students spend their study abroad experiences overseas, some choose to study away in Washington, D.C., as part of the Lutheran College Washington Semester (LCWS). Luther is one of 12 colleges and universities currently participating in this program, which has been running since 1986. Chase Claflin (‘15) and Calvin Waller (‘15) are interning and studying around the District of Columbia area this semester. As part of the semester program, students are required to obtain an internship with an organization in the area they live in. Claflin, a political science major, interns at the Global Fairness Initiative, a small international nonprofit that specializes in countries with impoverished populations. “Every week I write news updates for the Board of Directors,” Claflin said. “I find specific events that are happening in our countries of focus and write blurbs for the Board of Directors so they know what’s going on.” As a research assistant, Claflin gets to work closely with certain projects. “I’m working on a project in Guatemala [with] local indigenous Mayan farmers who have no political standing whatsoever,” Claflin said.
“The government and seed corporations are coming in and destroying all their land. We’ve been there for two years now giving legal and political support. They just are now beginning to push back.” Waller, an international studies and political science major with a minor in Asian studies, currently interns at the Bridging Nations Foundation. The organization focuses on relations among India, China and the United States. “It’s cool because all the other interns are Chinese and our director is Indian,” Waller said. “I get a different perspective on news as opposed to what American newspapers are saying.” As an intern, Waller is also given the freedom to work on his own research project while at the Foundation. “The best part is getting to read a lot about India and going to events at the Brookings Institute and Carnegie,” Waller said. On top of the internships, students take evening classes twice a week for two hours. The courses are taught by guest professors or Ph.D. students. On Wednesdays, students go on field trips to attend plays, lectures, visit museums or tour government buildings. “We went to the Supreme Court,” Claflin said. “That was pretty cool. They have a basketball court on the roof.”
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. Calvin Waller (‘15) (far left) and Chase Claflin (‘15) (third from right) visit the Department of Defense during their semester in Washington D.C. Photo courtesy of Chase Claflin
“They call it the ‘highest court in the land,’” Waller added. Other trips included a tour of the Holocaust Museum, the Capitol and a visit to the Pentagon. Students also went to see Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) speak on the Tea Party. “I even got a picture with her,” Waller said. “But it was more as a joke to send to my mom. She’s not a fan.” Outside of academia, LCWS students live working lives as the internships often go from 9 a.m.5 p.m. every day on weekdays
except Wednesdays. They purchase their own groceries and cook in their apartments. On weekends, they get to explore the city. “It’s nice being here because there are always things going on,” Waller said. “I can go see authors speak or go to museums. I’m still waiting for Bill Clinton to come here.” LCWS alum Rachel Brummond (‘15) was on the program last semester. She reported having a great experience in District of Columbia, calling it “a dream.” “I was surrounded by people
who would geek out about the same things that I do,” Brummond said. “The whole experience was valuable to my professional and personal growth.” Waller and Claflin both agreed that their time near District of Columbia has been well spent. “It’s going to be strange going back for one more semester,” Claflin said. “It’s probably good I did this my senior year.” The LCWS is open to all Luther students, regardless of their majors. Courses are offered each semester and in the summer.
Nursing program boosts confidence DANNY MAY VOLUNTEER WRITER Every year, third-year nursing students spend two full semesters in Rochester, Minn. gaining first-hand clinical experience. The students work with doctors and nurses at Mayo Clinic, going to class and attending eight-hour clinical sessions twice per week. “You get to see a ton of different things that you don’t see anywhere else,” 201314 Rochester student Jessica O’Brien (‘15) said. “It’s our first big hospital experience.” The program provides students with “a concentrated study of nursing concepts by caring for children and adults with physical and emotional problems,” according to Luther’s website. “You see a lot of critical patients,” 2013-14 student Kaymi Lang (‘15) said. “You also get to go on specialty units to decide what area of nursing you want to go into.” These units include pharmacology, pathology, medical surgery, psychiatry and pediatrics.
In the first five weeks, students must come back to Luther for class on Tuesdays, their one day off from Mayo duties during the week. “We come back to Deborah for lab,” Current Rochester Nursing Student Anna Arbisi (‘15) said. “We work with the mannequins in Valders.” Despite its difficulty, students find the program beneficial. “It’s really tough, but worth it. I feel so much more confident in my skills and ability,” O’Brien said. “You can tell [the benefit of the program] when comparing sophomores and seniors, especially in regard to communication and empathy.” Despite difficulty, Lang confirms that she learned a lot from spending time in Rochester. “It was hard and stressful, but you learn so much after being with a professional team,” Lang said. “You don’t realize just how much you learned.” Students interested in the Rochester nursing program can visit the nursing page on Luther’s website for more information and contact references.
“I feel so much more confident in my skills and ability.” -Jessica O’Brien (‘15)
FUTURE CAREGIVERS. The 2013-14 nursing students pose in Rochester, Minn. Photo courtesy of Kaymi Lang
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
PAGE 8 OCTOBER 30, 2014
A&E EDITOR: DYLAN HINTON
Drama ignites discussion MURDER DOWN SOUTH. L.A. Theatre Works presented a 1960s era murder drama about a black homocide detective solving a murder case in the heart of Alabama. Photo courtesy of tickets.luther.edu ERIKA STORVICK STAFF WRITER L.A. Theatre Works brought the heat to Luther on Friday, Oct. 24, presenting “In The Heat of the Night” to a packed CFL. The radio-theatre performance was based on John Ball’s 1965 novel. “I committed to this show really early because ‘In the Heat of the Night’ is a stunning story,” Director of Campus Programming Tanya Gertz said. “It raises up a lot of issues that are important.” “In the Heat of the Night” is about a murder that occurs in smalltown Alabama during the Civil Rights movement. Police officials apprehend a black suspect in the train station only to discover that he is actually a homicide detective from California. The man, Virgil Tibbs, helps the cops to solve the crime and, in the process, overcome some of their racial prejudice. The play was provocative, laden
with violence, images like the Ku Klux Klan hoods and offensive language. Director Brian Kite explained that this was done in an attempt to accurately portray the environment of Alabama during the 1960s. “If we tried to whitewash the truth, we would actually be more offensive and insulting to our audiences,” Kite said. “People would be upset if we tried to gloss over it rather than tell it how it is.” After the show, Kite and the actors joined Professor of English Martin Klammer onstage and invited the audience to ask questions about the play. It was a frank discussion, delving into questions on race, justice and even gender explored in the play. Parallels were also made between the play and current events; most notably the Ferguson case. “It’s very unfortunate that we have this parallel, almost a direct comparison,” actor Ryan Anderson said. “We’ve come such a long way, and it’s stuff to celebrate. But this
is not a post-racial America, in my opinion.” The discussion about race continued in the lobby after the production. Members from student organizations, ranging from the Black Student Union and the Diversity Center to the Philosophy Society and PRIDE, co-sponsored the discussion. Students were invited to sign a pledge to keep the conversation going. “It’s so important that we’re having these discussions,” Anderson said. “Nothing will change unless we talk about it.” Students, faculty, community members and the L.A. Theatre company were all present and engaged in the post-performance conversation. Many students found this opportunity to talk about racial issues beneficial. “I really appreciated this show for the depth it provided,” Ryson Stuart (‘15) said. “Most Center Stage shows are entertaining, but [with] this one I felt like I learned a lot, also.” “In the Heat of the Night” was
intended to be a learning experience. L.A. Theatre Works provided an afternoon session for younger Decorah students in addition to their evening performance and postperformance discussion. In each setting, the actors strove to portray the truth about racial relations in America both past and present. “Students [who did not attend] missed an incredible opportunity to learn something about America that many of us don’t want to think about,”
Executive Director of the Diversity Center Sheila Radford-Hill said. “In order to make [our country] better, we have to understand it more.” For those unable to make it to the show, “In the Heat of the Night” is also available on DVD or as John Ball’s original novel. Sharing these with others, in addition to participating in diversity events on campus, are just a few ways to keep conversations about race going on campus.
MAKING THE PLEDGE. Marley Crossland (‘15) pledges to continue the conversation about race. Erika Storvick / Chips
Track review:
XO!, “Starin’ At It” CARL BATES KWLC STATION MANAGER Don’t be surprised if you hear “Starin’ At It,” the debut single by the new addition to Island Records, play on your car radio the next time you turn it on. The duo “XO!” is composed of rapper Maliibu Miitch and classically trained singer Helene Britany. The two come from radically different backgrounds. Britany, 19, hails from a suburb of Atlantic City, fresh out of high school where she was a straight-A student, class president and a cheerleader. Miitch, 23, hails from the urban environment of South Bronx. The two came together after relocating to Los Angeles to craft an effective synthesis of radio-ready R&B and hip-hop. This synthesis is evident on this single. Britany and Miitch each have a verse performed in their respective vocal deliveries, both wearing their influences on their sleeves. Britany croons in a style reminiscent of Mariah Carey, and even though her delivery is understated, she demonstrates her vocal prowess. Miitch also provides a capable verse in a cadence and delivery influenced heavily by
current female hegemon in hip hop, Nicki Minaj. However, where this single excels is in the hook, which blends the two styles, neither fully rapped nor sung, delivered in a seductive, almost whisper-like voicing. The lyric, “Love the way you’re starin’ at it,” is both catchy and timely as the theme of this year’s hottest singles from female artists ranging from “Anaconda” to “All About That Bass” revolve around female assertion and control over their own sexuality. This track is assisted by minimalist production from producer Dem Jointz, featuring a repetitive funk-inspired baseline assisted by a spattering of guitar chords, trap high hats and more organic sounding drum fills. Dem Jointz adds further depth to the instrumental by introducing a near-unintelligible dancehall sample in the intro and hook which adds energy and color to the single. As of now, the music video for this single has less than 40,000 views; expect
that number to multiply in the coming weeks,especially after the release of their next single, “Figure 8,” which is produced by DJ Mustard, perhaps the hottest producer in Hip Hop and R&B at the moment.
For the best in new independent music, tune into KWLC Radio Monday through Friday from 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 7 a.m. - 1 a.m. KWLC can be found at 1240am on the radio dial or online at kwlc.luther.edu.
OPINION
PAGE 9
MANAGING EDITOR: SARAH KING
OCTOBER 30, 2014
Hoping to create better housing A Senate Sit-Down “If Luther does not provide adequate housing to students who may not fit within traditional sex and gender identities, then it is failing its mission of embracing diversity. Current housing for those who do not fit into traditional gender binaries is limited; the few options that do exist can be both isolating for the students and expensive [...] This proposal would allow students of any sex or gender to apply to live together in any Baker Village house, with two stipulations: Stipulation 1: That all double occupancy rooms be filled with students of the same sex. Baker houses are either composed of six single bedrooms or two singles and two doubles, so this requirement can be filled by any combination of male and female students.” - excerpt from the Official LCSS CO-Ed Baker Proposal, presented April 24, 2014 According to Campus Pride, a nationally recognized non-profit dedicated to creating safer spaces for LGBTQIA students, more than 90 percent of twoand four-year institutions in the United States remain completely inaccessible and inhospitable to transgender students. Luther is part of that 90 percent, and this policy would not shift it to the other 10 percent. When a person types “transgender” into the website for Luther, the first result to come up is a pulled quote from the Center for Disease Control. That then continues to name PRIDE and the Diversity Center as the only on-campus resources open to transgender students and their parents. Typing “transgender housing” results in 1) a dated link under the
Counseling Services umbrella, with a dated description of what it means to be transgender, 2) a link to “Global Concerns Groups” listing groups like Habitat for Humanity, AYNAH and PRIDE and 3) an article from 2011 that enumerates the initial proposal, which interchanges coed, transgender and gender neutral as though they are synonyms. Varied and comfortable housing options should be made readily available and accessible to all students, no matter their gender identity or expression. Using gendered language like “male” and “female” in this proposal invalidates the identities of any non-binary students who would like to live on campus, as well as any intersex students who have considered attending Luther. Director of the Stonewall Center at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst Genny Beemyn and the coordinator of Campus Pride’s Trans Policy Clearinghouse wrote this succinct line, which encapsulates the need for change in institutional policy, especially at Luther College: “For a campus to be truly trans-inclusive, it must change policies and practices that exclude trans students or place them in unsafe or uncomfortable situations.” For all readers who may not know what is slated for review by the Board of Regents this year, there is a proposal for co-ed housing in Baker that should, if passed, provide more options to students who are trans and/or non-conforming to the gender binary. Policy that reinforces the importance of “sex” while seeking to provide “adequate housing to students who may not fit within traditional sex and gender identities” reinforces a problematic categorization system whose detrimental effects are obvious in the following ways: 1) Distinguishing differences between
genetalia and gender identity is important when beginning dialogue about genderspectrum and identity minorities. To lump these terms together in policy that is meant to address students who feel that most acutely is to be contradictory to the very nature of the policy’s goals. 2) Requiring legal documents to reconcile assigned birth sex and gender identity invalidates the identities of transgender students who do not have access to or do not wish to conduct gender reconstruction surgeries. 3) Co-ed is a term traditionally used to describe environments where male and female persons are welcome. Again, students who do not conform to the binary are instantly “othered” from this policy, just by looking at the title. The main objective of this policy is not to make it so that romantic couples can live together; it is to provide safe and comfortable housing for students not currently addressed in our present housing policy. Operating within a broken system while trying to rescue those who have fallen through the cracks of the current system is well meaning but inefficient. Gender-neutral housing is a necessity for this campus, not a luxury. Without it, we are hindering the development of current and/or potential students who may seek to leave this institution or choose to stay closeted during their time here in order to be guaranteed on-campus housing. Passing this policy the way it is currently drafted would appear on the surface to be progressive, while maintaining the status quo. The status quo doesn’t get us where we should be; the status quo is not the 10 percent. Zora B. Hurst (‘17) Student Senate Diversity Representative for Gender and Sexuality
Re-engaging with the election SAM WARD AD REPRESENTATIVE I’m writing this for my fellow students, those who are disenchanted and disinterested in politics and would rather remain disengaged on the sidelines than to join in on the dialogue and fulfill the simple yet important duty of voting. I’m not naïve; I know the reasonable arguments you have for not tuning in, for being disgusted by the campaigns and for rightfully questioning the whole political process. In fact, I’m sure I share many of your frustrations with electoral politics. However, I have voted and many of you will not. This is my call for you to vote. On Novemebr 4, one of the most important races in recent memory will be determined. We have the opportunity to fill the first open Senate seat in Iowa in more than thirty years and to potentially decide who controls the United States Senate with either Congressman Bruce Braley or State Senator Joni Ernst. Regardless of your political affiliation, this is a historic election for Iowa and the nation. Unfortunately this election is happening in a midterm year when voter turnout is predictably reduced and in a climate where trust in each other and our government are low. Fewer people will vote and fewer people will decide this historic election. If you are still indifferent and still don’t plan on voting, then perhaps my calls for one candidate will persuade. The contrast between the two on nearly every single issue cannot be clearer.
Two issues stand out the most for Luther students - or, rather, two agencies do. Bruce Braley will strengthen the Department of Education, working to lower interest rates on Pell grants for your education. He will support the Environmental Protection Agency, ensuring the government does its best to be responsible stewards of the environment. Joni Ernst has repeatedly said she would eliminate both agencies. These agencies have far-reaching roles and affect many of us, but she believes they are bloated bureaucracies. That’s fine, but she must also responsibly address what happens next. What happens to Pell grants that allow many of us to afford college? How would pollutants be regulated and the use of the environment controlled? Amongst many others, these are questions that affect all of us and require thoughtful answers. Ernst has offered no specifics on what will happen after her Tea Party-inspired agenda takes effect. These are real issues that will impact you and the world you live in whether you vote or not. This election deserves a thoughtful and engaged electorate. The issues at stake deserve you to take the time to learn about the candidates and participate in the process. I know why I strongly support Bruce Braley and believe his policies are right. I don’t mind if you disagree, as long as you do so thoughtfully and not hypocritically by also taking the time to vote. Take advantage of Iowa’s same day registration and early voting laws by visiting the County Auditor’s office at 201 W. Main Street before next Tuesday and vote early.
Out-of-classroom opportunities Career Corner Nonprofit Career Fair As students, many of us have volunteered with a nonprofit organization, but have you thought about beginning your career in a non-profit organization? If the idea intrigues you, the Career Center has just the event for you. On Thursday, Nov. 6 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., the Career Center will be hosting a Volunteer/Nonprofit Fair in the Dahl Centennial Union Lounge. At this fair, students will be able to meet representatives from local, regional and national nonprofit and government organizations to learn about their work and the opportunities that they have available for undergraduates and soon-to-be graduates, including internships, full-time positions or volunteer roles. There are 23 different organizations attending the event, from local organizations like ArtHaus and Winneshiek Energy District to national nonprofits such as College Possible and Peace Corps. Each of these organizations has diverse and exciting opportunities, and they are looking for strong Luther students who share their passion to make a difference. When networking with nonprofit representatives, you will be able to discuss how they are working to fight poverty, homelessness, educational issues, oppression and wasteful energy usage. If you visit with one of the church missions, you could visit about opportunities to help spread their teachings to underprivileged people. A full list of the participants is available at our website, www.luther.edu/careers/, with links to each company’s website. If you are seeking an internship or full-time position, be sure to have your resume ready to share. For those interested in Peace Corps service, a representative will also be giving a presentation that evening from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Main 112. The Peace Corps presentation will focus on how to tailor your resume and prepare for the interviews, highlighting how you can make a difference, especially in the community abroad. J-Term Internship Program Internships have always been a great way to build your resume and gain new professional experiences. The networking and experience that can come from these opportunities is invaluable, both in a professional setting and on a resume. This J-Term, the Career Center is offering internships through our J-Term Internship program form at least 55 different organizations. A number of these organizations have multiple positions available. These internships offer a wide variety of opportunities and have a wide range of locations, from local Decorah businesses to positions in California and Virginia. These opportunities are offered by Luther alums and other friends of Luther College. To apply for these internships you must stop into the Career Center to pick up each specific application. We have a binder full of information on each employer’s needs and the majors they are looking for in applicants, as well as the positions and locations available. Please talk to one of our staff in order to help with getting the applications for each organization. You can also find out more information about each opportunity through our website at http://www.luther. edu/careers/internships/jterm/. The online information on these internships is updated weekly, so for an up-to-date account you’ll need to visit the Career Center. While many of these internships are unpaid, some organizations are able to offer stipends. If the internship is not in the Decorah area, there is also the possibility of financial aid loans to assist in covering the cost. For more information on the available financial assistance, please contact Kathy Kerber in the Financial Aid office. Please note that the internships are intended for sophomores, juniors and seniors, and most have an application deadline of Tuesday, Nov. 11. Michael Jungbluth (‘15) Career Assistant
OPINION
PAGE 10 OCTOBER 30, 2014
Luther College Chips Chips is a student publication of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. The paper is designed, composed edited and managed entirely by Luther students. It is published weekly during the academic year, excluding the month of January. The opinion section is designed to provide a forum for Chips, its staff members and the Luther community. Opinions expressed in articles, editorials and columns do not necessarily represent the views of the Chips staff. The author is solely responsible for opinions expressed in Chips commentary. Chips will not accept submitted articles or campus announcements. Submissions for letters to the editor should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document to chipsedt@ luther.edu with Letter to the Editor as a subject line. Letters to the Editor are subject to editing without changing the meaning of the letter. Authors will not be notified of changes prior to publishing. Letters must be signed, 300-400 words and submitted before Sunday at 5:00 p.m. the week before production. Publication of all letters is at the discretion of the editor. Contact Chips: Phone: 563-387-1044 Fax: 563-387-2072 Email: chipsedt@luther.edu Advertising: chipsads@luther.edu Website: lutherchips.com Facebook: facebook.com/LutherChips Twitter: @LutherChips Fall 2014 Staff Editor-in-Chief: Managing Editor: News Editors:
Walker Nyenhuis Sarah King Anna Jeide Margaret Yapp Features Editor: Casey DeLima A&E Editor: Dylan Hinton Sports Editor: Julia Joseph Staff Writers: Makeda Barkley Abby Carpenter Emily Crowe Laura Hayes Matt Helm Spencer Hodge Nils Johnson Noah Langholz Jenna Nelson Katie Nelson Maggie Steinberg Erika Storvick Bailey Mulholland Alison Vuolo Rachel Williams Head Copy Editor: Katie Hale Copy Editors: Cameron Meyferth Bethany Seavers Templeton Ad Representative: Alex Brandt Sam Ward Ad Accountant: Tyler Hovey Photography Coordinator: Casey DeLima Photographers: Abby Carpenter Bjorn Myhre Design Technician: Bjorn Myhre Web Manager: Isaac Davis Promotions Director: Zora Hurst Distribution Manager: Elizabeth Hurley Adviser: David Faldet
MANAGING EDITOR: SARAH KING
Reflections from a Peace Scholar ANNA JEIDE NEWS EDITOR If you’re like me, you feel that break was just enough time to resurface for a breath of fresh air before plunging back into the depths of research papers, exams, presentations or that project you should have started weeks ago. Halfway through the semester, some of us still feel overwhelmed. At times it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. When I sink to this level of exhaustion, I think back to an experience I had over the summer. I had the opportunity to study abroad in Norway as a Peace Scholar, along with Imsouchivy Suos (‘15) and 11 other students from Norwegian-American liberal arts colleges. Together, we spent the summer learning about dialogue, conflict resolution and peace studies at the Nansen Dialogue Network in Lillehammer and at the International Summer School (ISS), University of Oslo, Norway. At the ISS, I was surrounded by students from other countries who made me laugh, made me cry, made me feel frustrated, guilty and grateful. While I found many students who shared common interests, there were plenty of others who I disagreed with. We debated everything from
CAN I TOUCH IT?
gender equality to the U.S.’s role in international politics. I found myself considering different points of view that I had not thought of before. I remember overhearing a debate between two students from Macedonia about their country’s political climate. One student argued that politics would always be corrupt and that Macedonia would never make progress. The other student accused him of being too pessimistic in his attitude. She claimed that people who give up too soon are the ones who prevent their country from progressing. She believed that progress would come from people who offered solutions, not just critiques. Listening to my friends’ debate prompted me to reconsider my views. While both had good arguments, in the end I wanted to agree with the woman who was more optimistic. Conversations like these were frustrating but always eye-opening. I left Norway feeling humbled by how much I don’t know but also that I agree with my friend: we shouldn’t give up, even when change appears impossible. As a Peace Scholar, I learned many things that I would not have learned at Luther. I was challenged to defend my beliefs in ways I never had to before. Being a Peace Scholar made me realize how much I still don’t know and how much I still need to learn. After being a Peace Scholar, I can’t listen to the news about Russia, Palestine, the United Kingdom or the Balkan region without picturing the faces of friends and students I met in Norway. I should have cared more about what goes on in the world before, but I certainly care now. And because of that, I am glad to be back at Luther. I am glad I can return to an
environment that continues challenge me, because now I realize how vital my education is. One class specifically, Theology and Religious Diversity, has forced me to pick apart my own beliefs and question why they exist. As a class, we ask the difficult questions of how to relate to those who hold very different beliefs. It seems we always come away with more questions than answers. But it is these deep questions that remind me why I am here. When it feels like I am just going through the motions, I have to remember that these are not theoretical questions. The debate between my friends from Macedonia was a serious discussion of how two young adults should choose to shape the future of their country. When we discuss religious diversity in class, those conversations inform how we choose to live with others who believe differently. For me, this has suddenly become more than just showing up to class. After midterms, we are halfway there. And when I feel exhausted, I have to remind myself that I am in a place where I can develop my beliefs and challenge myself and my peers, both in and out of the classroom. There are not many places in the world that offer support and criticism at the same time, and I believe Luther is unique in that respect. After being a Peace Scholar, I see Luther with different eyes now. It is not the same utopian community I left. This place is not perfect, but if it were, there would be no room for growth. Hopefully when my time at Luther is done, I will have some answers to unanswerable questions and a clearer concept of how to be a decent human being in this messy world.
Dante De Grazia
SPORTS
PAGE 11
OCTOBER 30, 2014
SPORTS EDITOR: JULIA JOSEPH
Luther teams benefit from local and international recruitment BAILEY MULHOLLAND STAFF WRITER Each year Luther athletics attempts to build their teams with recruitment, either individually or through team-hosted visits. As an NCAA Division III school, Luther does not offer scholarships to athletes for their participation. Coaches can, however, actively pursue potential student-athletes. This is an extensive process which varies depending on the sport. “We start by ‘casting a big net,’ contacting any prospective students who meet basic academic and athletic standards for our program,” Head Track & Field Coach Jeff Wettach (‘79) said. He attributes much of the preliminary work to Athletic Department Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Wrestling Coach Billy Huebner. “Coach Huebner contacts high school coaches and students in the Midwest area by email, calling and texting – [the latter] is now NCAA legal,” Wettach said. “Once a student shows interest, other coaches take it from there.” The football coaches frequently travel to high schools, the basketball coaches watch film of potential players. Other sports have their own methods, but the next goal is always to secure a visit. “More students enroll at Luther than other colleges in general once they’ve visited campus,” Wettach said. “We encourage prospective students to visit campus any time at their convenience.” Aside from individual visits, however, track & field hosts visit event days. Prospective students are invited to visit during Norse Relays in April and for a specialized overnight stay with members of the current team in February. The program recently added events in October and November as well. “At the very least we want to give prospective students opportunities to meet coaches and student athletes,” Wettach said.
ONE TEAM. Natty Maynard (‘17) (Number 26) was recruited from Shattuck-St. Mary’s to add to the Luther men’s soccer program. Will Heller / Photo Bureau. Tailored tours and attending a class are also significant components. Norse Soccer involves a large number of international students, so the process of recruitment differs slightly for Head Men’s Soccer Coach Chris Garcia-Prats. “I have connections with the U.K. and Brazil, [but] a lot of our [international] guys have attended school in the states prior to coming to Luther,” Garcia-Prats said. Shattuck St. Mary’s, a boarding school in Faribault, Minn. has a strong soccer program and is a source of many international student-athletes, according to Garcia -Prats. “Luther College encourages the recruitment of international students on a school-wide level, and soccer is a global sport, so our program definitely benefits from that,” Garcia-Prats said. One quarter of the current Men’s Soccer team hails
from outside the U.S., including Latvia, Barbados, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia. As for visit days, “Most visits are individualized and what works for the prospective student athlete,” Garcia-Prats said. “The main piece in regards to the visit is to connect them to our players and coaching staff. We want them to feel a part of our team.” Regardless of the sport, Supervisor of Campus visits Marty Berg of Admissions coordinates all visit event activities. “When the coaches decide to have a visit day, they work with me to create a schedule,” Berg said. “I help arrange [events], contact faculty for permission for visiting students to sit in on classes and arrange Admissions presentations if desired.” The Luther campus and community is a place one must experience to appreciate, and both the college and athletic teams are benefitting, one prospective student visit day at a time.
Norse of the Week JULIA JOSEPH SPORTS EDITOR Parker Beard (‘17) finished second in the dual meet against UW-La Crosse on Friday, Oct. 24. Running on his home course, Beard finished with a time of 21:33.9, 12.7 seconds behind the first place finisher. Beard has finished in the top seven in two other meets this season. Luther’s cross country teams are preparing for conference championships on Saturday Nov. 1. Chips: After finishing first for Luther, how do you feel going into Conference after last week’s race? Beard: Pretty excited. It was a good building block in our season both as a team and individually. I’m excited to see what I can do in an 8k as we go into championship season. What has been your favorite meet so far this season? I think they just keep building up. A couple weeks ago we went to La Crosse. That was my second 8k this season, so that was really fun. Then Friday topped that. It’s always really fun to see just how the meet turns out. You can just feel it building up.
FINAL STRETCH. Parker Beard (‘17) battles UW La Crosse on Luther’s course on Friday, Oct. 24. Photo courtesy of Ally Fillmore. What are you going to do to prepare for Conference Championships? It’s nothing different than what we’ve been doing all season. The season is geared toward championship season so it’s just getting into the thick of things. We’re still running a lot. Do you have any pre-race rituals you do? Just get warmed up and make sure we’re loose. The last couple weeks I’ve run barefoot. A ritual a lot of people have is to put on their spikes, but I think it’s fun to take off my shoes and be ready to run. Why did you decide to run barefoot?
A couple weeks ago I was late finishing my warm up and I didn’t feel like putting my spikes on so I just took my shoes off and it was really fun. Does Coach Steve Pasche do anything to help get you guys ready pre-meet? He lays down a strategy we’ve been following the whole year. It’s another stepping stone as we’re getting to the climax. We just get out there and run and have fun. What’s been the biggest challenge this season? Individually, getting enough sleep. As a team, we’ve had challenges with
injuries. A goal is getting all 42 guys out to run and compete, so maybe this weekend. It hasn’t happened yet. Every other team says running is their sport’s punishment, so why do you do it? I love the freedom. In practice, you can run anywhere with the people you love. From the team aspect, it’s just a great bunch of guys. Some days I wonder why I run, but there are those moments when it really pays off and is totally worth it. What’s your favorite weather to run in? I like just about any weather, but I like less than ideal. Wind is a challenge that I don’t always appreciate. Luther seems to thrive in adversity so we do well in difficult weather conditions What is your favorite distance to run? I’m still figuring that out. Whatever’s next.
SPORTS
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SPORTS EDITOR: JULIA JOSEPH
OCTOBER 30, 2014
Volleyball closes season
Weekly Standings Men’s Soccer #8 Loras #13 Wartburg Dubuque Luther Simpson Central Coe Buena Vista
IIAC 6-0 4-1-1 4-1-1 4-2 2-4 2-4 1-5 0-6
Overall 13-2-1 10-3-4 6-7-3 14-2-1 11-8 5-11 4-13 4-12-1
Recent Scores
Oct. 28 @ University of Dubuque W 4-3 2OT Oct. 25 @ Central College W 3-0
Upcoming Schedule
Nov. 1 IIAC Tournament Quarterfinals vs. Central 7 p.m.
Women’s Soccer HIGH HITTER. Dubuque.
Kelsey
Sorensen
(‘15)
goes
in
for
an
attack
against University of Will Heller / Photo Bureau
part of the team’s leadership team dynamic. Our motto Lohberger (‘15), will say for two years. She worked this year was ‘stronger farewell to the team after to bring the team together together.’ They back each this season. “It’s going to be hard to The Luther College mentally in these tough other up.” From the players’ have it end,” Broderick said. Volleyball team played their games. “One of our struggles perspective, the team was “But if I can pass anything last game of the season on was coming just as cohesive. down to next year’s team, Tu e s d a y, together “These girls are my I hope it is that they have Oct. 28. motto and playing best friends at Luther,” confidence in themselves Luther went “Our one, Broderick said. “We always and their abilities.” four games this year was as and being have a blast. It doesn’t In spite of a challenging against Coe ‘ s t r o n g e r ‘on’ on the matter if we are at 5:30 a.m. season, the team reports College, losing the together.’ They same day,” practice or we’re there until gaining more than wins. at night. We always “I’m really proud of the m a t c h back each Bs r ao die rdi c k. 7:30 enjoy being around each girls,” Dudek said. “They 1-3. The up.” “Volleyball other.” could have given up halfway team faced other is a big Broderick, along with cothrough the season, but a difficult - Danielle Lynch m e n t a l captains Kelsey Sorensen I haven’t seen that. They s e a s o n game, and if (‘15) and McKinzy never gave up.” this year but never lessened it’s not there for one person, their positivity and it affects all of us. To remedy that, you’ve got to fix determination. The team started off the yourself. You’ve got to be season with a victory against confident in your abilities La Crosse. It was a highlight and know you’re out there of the season, according to for a reason. From there, Assistant Volleyball Coach it’s just trust.” To build this trust Jordyn Dudek (‘14). “That was a great start to in themselves and one the season and it boosted another, the team found a our spirits. We learned way to continue supporting that if we really pushed, we one another, on and off the court. could win,” Dudek said. “I asked them, ‘What The team continued to BLOCKED. Lindsey Ryan (‘16) (front left) and push throughout, but it did sets us apart from any Lexie Erickson (‘17) at the net with Natalie not always yield a win. Head other team?’” Lynch said. Stockman (‘18) as backup for what may Volleyball Coach Danielle “Everyone said that they come. Kate Knepprath / Photo Bureau Lynch led the team through love each other. That’s our a season of close games. “We just seem to be the team that’s getting right there and then losing by two points,” Lynch said. “They are fighting so hard and then not being able to finish. They are working hard but then not getting the win.” Another team might have become discouraged midseason, but this team kept up their motivation. “When you haven’t had a good couple games, it’s easy to get a negative attitude, but they haven’t,” Lynch said. “They are fighters.” STRONGER TOGETHER. Team captain Kelsey Sorensen (‘15) (center left) keeps Team Captain Leah the team passionate throughout the match. Bre Pierce / Photo Bureau Broderick (‘15) has been ALISON VUOLO STAFF WRITER
Dubuque Central Loras Wartburg Luther Coe Buena Vista Simpson
IIAC 5-1 4-1-1 4-2 3-2-1 3-3 3-3 0-5-1 0-5-1
Overall 14-4 9-4-3 10-7 8-5-4 13-3 9-8 3-11-3 2-15-1
Recent Scores
Oct. 25 @ Pella Iowa vs. Central College L 2-3 Oct. 28 @ University of Dubuque L 1-2
Upcoming Schedule
Nov. 1 IIAC Tournament Quarterfinals TBA
Football
#6 Wartburg Buena Vista Central Coe Luther Dubuque Loras Simpson
IIAC 4-0 4-0 3-1 2-2 1-3 1-3 1-3 0-4
Recent Scores
Overall 7-0 5-2 5-2 3-4 4-3 2-5 2-5 3-4
Oct. 25 @ Wartburg College L 7-52 Oct. 18 @ Buena Vista University L 41-48
Upcoming Schedule
Nov. 1 vs. Coe College 1 p.m.
Volleyball
Coe Buena Vista Wartburg Central Simpson Dubuque Luther Loras
IIAC 6-0 5-1 4-2 3-3 2-4 2-4 1-5 1-5
Overall 25-7 20-8 22-9 16-8 12-16 12-22 12-15 13-18
Recent Scores
Oct. 28 vs. Coe College L 1-3 Oct. 21 @ Wartburg College L 0-3