February 12th 2014 Issue

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Learning Singing of abroad during freedom in J-Term Africa Features 6 A&E 5

CHIPS LUTHER COLLEGE

“Let the chips fall where they may.”

Vol. 136, No. 13

February 13, 2014

Blogger sniffs out dog’s story

Photos courtesy of Maja Proescholdt

Sarah King

many young people, she watched the 21st Century

Volunteer Writer Fox movie “Anastasia” and got swept up in the

story of the Romanovs’ deaths during the Russian Every year Luther students receive recognition Revolution. and awards for their exceptional research, which Because of her considerable research on the typically comes about from senior papers. However, Romanovs, Proescholdt sees beyond their titles one student has shown that technology is allowing and views them as just another large family that changes in the ways people can become connected included dogs. in scholarship. Even something seemingly simple, “I knew that their other dogs were killed during like a blog post, can garner international attention. the execution and I had always assumed that [Joy] Maja Proescholdt (‘15), who had also died,” Proescholdt is studying in Nottingham this said. “He was mentioned in a year, was recently cited by The couple of books that I read, and Siberian Times for her research I always wondered what had and blog post on Joy, one of the happened to him. I went online dogs that belonged to the last and I couldn’t find anything imperial family of Russia, the about him.” Romanovs. With time, Proescholdt found “Obviously my parents read my a post online that referenced blog, I hope, so they’ll read about an article that told otherwise. it, along with other people who -Maja Proescholdt (‘15) Following the trail, she set out care about me, but I didn’t expect on a journey that put her in anything else...so I was really touch with scholars around the surprised when I found out,” Proescholdt said. world, each of whom were kind enough to help her The entire saga began years ago with something in her search for the true story of what happened seemingly simple: her passion for history, to the royal dog. Joy originally belonged to Alexei particularly Russian history. Romanov, the son of the last Tsar, Nicholas II, and “Just growing up as a kid and hearing about Tsarina Alexandra. Anastasia and, of course, watching the movie, Associate Professor of Russian Studies Laurie Iudinthe mystery surrounding it was really interesting Nelson was pleased to hear of Proescholdt’s success. to me,” Proescholdt said. “I really care about the “She is very interested in what she is learning Romanovs and started to care about their story. It’s (Russian language and history), and her enthusiasm fascinating and there’s lots to discover.” Proescholdt’s research Proescholdt has felt a particular connection to continued on page 4 this part of Russian history from an early age. Like

“I really care about the Romanovs... It’s fascinating and there’s lots to discover.”

Since 1884

Students campaign for debt awareness Abby Carpenter

For the love of dogs. Maja Proescholdt‘s (‘15) research led her to Alexei Romanov and his dog, Joy.

Please Recycle

Staff Writer

The United States’ national debt is currently $17 trillion and increasing every day. To involve Luther in discussions related to debt, Jordy Barry (‘15) and Laura Mesadieu (‘15) applied to participate in Up to Us, a nationwide campaign that strives to educate students about the national debt. Out of more than 70 schools that applied, Luther was one of 24 schools selected to participate. As an economics and political science double major, this campaign is something Barry feels very passionate about. “We want to spark conversation on campus,” Barry said. “We want people to be thinking about this. We as a generation need to come together and urge those that are in power to take the steps needed to reduce the national debt.” Mesadieu decided to join the campaign because she wanted to make a difference. “I like the idea of being someone that does something in the community and of being a leader,” Mesadieu said. On Saturday Feb. 8, Barry and Mesadieu hosted a game night in Marty’s. Students played games and joined in the conversation about the national debt. To ignite conversation, Barry and Mesadieu provided fortune cookies that contained facts about the national debt. If enough students participate and get involved in the campaign, Luther could have the opportunity to attend the Clinton Global Initiative Conference in Arizona. There, students will discuss the national debt with other schools and the Clintons, as well as represent Luther and northeast Iowa’s ideologies about the matter. Additionally, the winner will receive a $10,000 prize. If they are selected as the winners, Barry and Mesadieu intend to donate a portion of the money to Luther student organizations. Barry and Mesadieu invite students to attend the debate held on Feb. 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Valders 206. Panelists will include Decorah Mayor Don Arendt, Director of the Center for Ethics and Public Life Greg Jesson and Northeast Iowa Tea Party member Thomas Hansen. Barry reiterated the idea that the national debt is a problem that affects everyone in the U.S. “This is something that extends across all party lines,” Barry said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a Republican, Democrat, somewhere in between, Up to Us continued on page 4


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