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CHIPS LUTHER COLLEGE

February 27, 2014

Vol. 136, No. 15

Sports 11

Nursing earns $170k grant

Please Recycle

Since 1884

Carlson selected as presidential candidate Anna Jeide

Staff Writer

Katie Wolter/Chips

Back to health. Lucy Vens (‘14) works with a mannequin. A grant will bring new ones to the nursing department.

Katie Wolter

Staff Writer relationship with Carlson.

Carlson.

Nursing grant continued on page 4

Regents talk with students about costs, goals Meredith Bruster

Staff Writer

Meredith Bruster/Chips

Community atmosphere. Students interacted with the Board of Regents Feb. 20.

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February 27, 2014

Counseling Services forms survivor therapy group Hannah Butler

Staff Writer

Recent requests from students and faculty have launched a group for sexual assault survivors headed by Luther College counselor Martha Steele (‘75).

“We’re in a time now where people are again more aware that sexual assault happens on campus,” Steele said. “There have been people asking for a group, both faculty and students.”

Steele has run similar sexual assault survivor groups in previous semesters, but stopped about seven years ago because of a falling number of participants.

“Six or eight years ago we quit offering it because students quit being interested in participating in a group,” Steele Steele said.

As to whether the new sexual assault survivor group started because of increased sexual violence on campus Steele remains unsure.

“I only see the people that come to Counseling Services who are scheduled to see me, and I see about the same number of sexual assault survivors every semester,” Steele said. “I don’t have a sense of if it’s increased, or if there’s more reporting.”

Statistics regarding sexual offenses on Luther’s campus Clery Act, which requires all colleges under federal law According to the Clery Report in 2012 there were four received reports of forcible sexual offenses on Luther’s campus, while in 2011 there was one received report of a forcible sexual offense.

Statistics for 2013 will be posted by Oct. 1, 2014 and can be found on the Student Life Web page.

Resident Assistant Olive Peterson (‘16) supports the idea of the therapy group.

“Being an RA, I’ve had to deal with a situation involving sexual assault at Luther College, and I think said. “I think a group is necessary, and hopefully some end product will come about that will bring greater awareness to Luther College about sexual assault.”

While a lack of awareness about sexual assault on Luther’s campus may be a concern for some, Steele explains that the sexual assault survivor therapy group is not designed to increase awareness. said.

Casey DeLima/Chips

Photo courtesy of Imsouchivy “G.V.” Suos

Imsouchivy “G.V.” Suos (‘15)

Anna Jeide (‘16)

Peace Scholars chosen Brita Moore

News Editor

Two Luther students have been chosen as Peace Scholars for 2014.

Anna Jeide (‘16) and Imsouchivy “G.V.” Suos (‘15) will be introduced as Peace Scholars at the upcoming Nobel Peace Prize Forum and attend a seven-week-long conference in Lillehammer and Oslo, Norway.

“I’m honored to represent Luther College in the program this year,” Suos said. “It will definitely be a once in a lifetime experience for me.”

Jeide and Suos will be among students from five other colleges: Augsburg College, Augustana College (Sioux Falls), Concordia Steele explains that the therapy group will provide a safe time and place for survivors of sexual assault to explore healing and coping techniques.

“It’s based on sharing experiences, supporting each other, giving each other feedback and just strengthening healing strategies and coping strategies,” Steele said.

Luther student Kyle Burke (‘16) believes more emphasis should be put on sexual assault as a whole.

“We deal with individual cases, but we never look at the whole thing and say it’s a problem,” Burke said. “I think prevention is what needs to happen at this point.”

Steele remembers education prevention regarding

College (Moorhead), Pacific Lutheran University and St. Olaf College. According to its website, the program is “designed to deepen students’ understanding of the central issues and theories regarding conflict, war and peace.”

Jeide said she hoped for the chance to continue what she’s learned so far.

“During J-term this year, I traveled to East Africa to assist with reconciliation work in places of conflict,” Jeide said. “I hope that the Peace Scholars Program will add to that experience and deepen my understanding of peace dialogue and conflict resolution.”

Jeide and Suos follow in the footsteps of several current students who were Peace Scholars, including Maggie Steinberg (‘15), Cate Anderson (‘14) and Luke Hanson (‘14). sexual violence at Luther being present in the past.

“There have in the past been lots of educational efforts, and I think there’s not been one place where responsibility for education prevention has been located, so it kind of

“It’s based on sharing experiences, supporting each other, giving each other feedback and just strengthening healing strategies and coping strategies.”

To increase awareness about sexual violence, students may want to look -Martha Steele to a variety of different campus organizations.

“I think there are various efforts in various groups on campus,” Steele said. opportunities, and LC Fems has been really actively involved in some education opportunities.”

Peterson still sees a lack of preventative awareness about sexual assault on campus but is supportive of campus resources.

“Though we’re not raising awareness about sexual assault, we are doing a better job of letting [students] know what resources they should go to if that does occur,” Peterson said.

Steele said students can attend a sexual assault survivor group next fall or spring and encourages students who are interested to consult Counseling Services.

The cut-off date to enter this semester’s group was Friday, Feb. 21.

BREAKFAST ALL DAY! M t W th F s Su

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

doing that on campus,” Steele said. “I would say it used to be an effort of the campus as a whole,

News

February 27, 2014

Seven-day Forecast

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Leaks persist in Sampson Hoffland

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Life Outside Luther

Compiled by: Walker Nyenhuis News Editor

Defense Secretary says US Military must shrink Looking beyond America’s post-9/11 wars, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday proposed shrinking the Army to its smallest size in 74 years, closing bases and reshaping forces to confront a “more volatile, more unpredictable” world with a more nimble military. The nation can afford a smaller military so long as it retains a technological edge and the agility to respond on short notice to crises anywhere on the globe, Hagel said.

*** Uganda’s president signs anti-gay bill Uganda’s president on Monday signed an anti-gay bill that punishes gay sex with up to life in prison, a measure likely to send Uganda’s beleaguered gay community further underground as the police try to implement it amid fevered anti-gay sentiment across the country.

Abby Carpenter/Chips

The ceiling can’t hold us.

Abby Carpenter

Because a majority of these examples occur on

Staff Writer the roof, the Chemistry Department is the first

With the recent extremes in weather, leaks have become a more pressing issue for Sampson Hoffland Laboratories.

Chemistry Stockroom Manager LuAnn MeekerGast says the leaks are due to various problems, such as cracks in the plumbing and human error, but the majority of the leaks are due to weather.

“Perhaps the most consistent problem is weather extremes causing the air handling system to frost up,” Meeker-Gast said. “When the weather gets back to normal, the water melts and runs underneath the big units on the ceiling and finds its way to the chemistry lab. I believe we’re currently in the process of looking at options for sealing up those cracks, but I haven’t been part of those discussions yet.”

floor to notice the water-stained ceiling tiles.

A leak in the Organic Chemistry Lab is in a part of the room away from all the desks and equipment. If it had been another place on the ceiling, the leak could have tampered with the equipment or chemicals. Instructor in Chemistry Alisa Winsauer describes the situation.

“When I came in one day there were trash cans sitting in a wheelbarrow under the leak,” Winsauer said. “But it was in the middle, it couldn’t have picked a more perfect spot!”

Like the leak in the organic chemistry lab, many of the leaks have been fairly minor, or in an out-of the way place, not presenting the need to cancel any classes. However, there have been plenty of replaced ceiling tiles.

“It never hits a single tile, so they always have to do between two and four,” Winsauer said. “We just try to switch out the ceiling tiles whenever they turn brown because that doesn’t look good and we want students to have a nice environment, but I’m not sure how many they’ve gone through.”

Meeker-Gast stresses that while there are a number of leaks in Sampson Hoffland, they are not necessarily a major problem.

“It’s kind of like there’s 100 white tiles and 1 black tile – you notice the black tile,” MeekerGast said. “We’re kind of focused on when we have problems, but a lot of things have worked really well. They were kind of innovative with the ventilation and stuff, so we’re kind of learning as we’re going.”

*** California senator pleads not guilty to corruption State Sen. Ron Calderon pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges that he accepted $100,000 in bribes in return for pushing legislation, charges that could send him to federal prison for years.

If convicted of all charges, the potential sentence could total nearly 400 years.

*** Japan energy plan to keep nuke as important source meltdown three years ago, saying nuclear power remains an important source of electricity for the country. The plan presented Tuesday to the Cabinet for approval in coming weeks says Japan’s nuclear energy dependency will be reduced as much as possible, but it says reactors that meet new safety standards set after the 2011 nuclear crisis should be restarted.

*** Author to help rebuild libraries in Phillipines U.S. author Mitch Albom has launched a drive to rebuild 10 libraries in Tacloban, a central Philippine city ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan in November. National Book Store Foundation, his Philippine partner in the project, said Tuesday that Albom has pledged to raise $160,000, starting with his own contribution of $10,000 for the libraries. He has enlisted famous writers to contribute their books to the Donated Reading for Youth of the Philippines project, including Stephen King, Amy Tan and J.K. Rowling.

*** Supreme Court seems divided in climate case The Supreme Court appeared divided on Monday over the sole Obama administration program already in place to limit power plant and factory emissions of gases blamed for global warming. The justices took on a small, complicated piece of the politically-charged issue of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in an extended argument that included references to Dunkin’ Donuts stores, football games and light bulbs. The examples were meant to illustrate the vast potential reach of the program, in its critics’ view, or its limited nature, as the administration argued.

*** News Compiled from: http:/hosted.ap.org Abby Carpenter/Chips

Drip, drip, drop. Trash cans in the Organic Chemistry Lab catch water from a leak.

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

News

4

February 27, 2014

Grant goes to technology Nursing grant continued from page 1

Katie Wolter/Chips

Blood work. Associate Professor of Nursing Jayme Nelson (‘87) draws blood from a mannequin.

actually hear as far as heart sounds and lung sounds. These are pretty incredible mannequins that can talk, sweat, their pupils constrict. The technology is really something to see.”

Students have also expressed appreciation for the opportunities the new instruments will give them and hopefully help them do their jobs better in the future.

“If you have previous experience then you have knowledge which you can use and implement not only as a student, but also when you’re a nurse practicing,” nursing major Lucy Vens (‘14) said.

While the simulation equipment will greatly influence the education of nursing students, the nursing department hopes that it will also benefit other students as well.

“We are working now to develop interdisciplinary opportunities,” Nelson said. “We’re hoping that new courses and opportunities for other students who might be interested will be developed. We see lots of potential and avenues for growth.”

Luther faces concerns with ice injuries Spencer Hodge

However,

the

main

struggle

for

Staff Writer Swallow arose after the injury. She

The mix of the snow melting and the latest freezing chills has left campus with slippery sidewalks. Some students have fallen and gotten hurt this year, such as Emily Swallow (‘17), raising questions about the best ways to deal with icerelated injuries.

“I slipped on the icy stairs outside of the Brandt study lounge on the west side,” Swallow said. “I fell hard on my ankle and broke it.”

A leaking gutter above these stairs pours water from the roof onto them, which then freezes and is hard to see.

It is one of many walkways on campus currently covered in ice.

“We use sand and salt for the ice,” student groundskeeper Carter Holmes (‘14) said. “The salt melts the ice and the grit is for traction.”

The grounds crew has consistently thrown material on the ice and shoveled the snow, but the problems remain.

When falls do happen, some students need help. It was nearly midnight when Swallow fell. She was unsure how serious her injury was, and she was unsure what to do because many people were asleep.

“There are always RAs in the building,” Brandt RA Lukas Hampton (‘15) said.

“We are connected to important resources like security and are always available, at all times of the night. You do not have to be scared to ask for help.”

ended up having surgery Feb. 19, getting screws, a plate and some staples in her leg. She continues to follow up at Winneshiek Medical Center and needs help getting around.

“When they told me I had to come again for another appointment, my biggest concern was how I was going to get there, not that there was something wrong with my leg,” Swallow said.

The morning after the fall, campus security gave Swallow a wheelchair and a ride to the hospital to evaluate the injury. Although security offers an initial ride to the hospital they cannot help with following appointments.

Swallow does not have a car on campus, so she has depended on others, usually other students, for rides to the hospital.

Sometimes she has been left without a ride. She has contacted security for help getting between buildings, but for various reasons, they cannot always help students in non-emergency situations.

“We can only provide transportation for medical emergencies,” Director of Campus Safety and Security Bob Harri said. “If a student is going to a follow-up visit at the hospital and they have time ahead to plan their own transportation, that is what they should do. The reason is because leaving campus to give rides takes us away from other students who might need us on campus.” on the sidewalks and wheelchairs make

Spencer Hodge/Chips

On thin ice. Slips on campus prompt debate on how to best help injured students.

too. in the elevators,” Swallow said. “I have to remove my leg attachment before I get in. The handicap buttons don’t work all the time either, which is a problem because the doors are really heavy here.”

For the time being, Swallow will have

to continue to make do with the situation, as security is limited in its options.

“When students or staff are injured and have some kind of mobility issue on campus, we drive them all over,” Harri said. “We ask people for a little extra leeway because sometimes we are busy with something else. We don’t have an abundance of people sitting around waiting for college transports.”

spring

career fair thursday, march 6, 2014 • 10 a.m.–3 p.m. • main lounge, dahl centennial union All students are invited to attend.

The Career Center Second floor, Dahl Centennial Union (563) 387-1025 career@luther.edu http://career.luther.edu

February 27, 2014

Arts & Entertainment

5

Indiana, take note The Luther College Concert Band travels to perform at regional conference in Indiana.

Matt Helm Staff Writer

The Concert Band is set to embark on a three–day tour Feb. 26-28 to Muncie, Indiana to participate in the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) North Central Divisional Conference.

“CBDNA is the most prestigious conference we could play at as a college band,” Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music Joan deAlbuquerque said. “We are playing for other college band directors. To be invited to it is really huge–there are only seven bands playing total, and this year there were a lot of submissions.”

The theme of the conference is “Looking Back and Listening Forward,” celebrating the traditions of the past and exploring the future of the wind-band movement.

“The music for our program was selected with the theme in mind,” deAlbuquerque said. “We’ve been working really hard since the fall. The students are rehearsing in sectionals outside of the regular rehearsal time trying to clean things up.”

The ensemble will regionally premiere “Morning Sun upon the Wild Prairie Rose” by John Carnahan, a work commissioned in honor of Luther alum Bud Herseth (‘43), an influential trumpeter in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Carnahan, alongside Joseph Thalken, the composer of the 1940s gangster–inspired “Baby Face Nelson and the Femme -Joan Fatale,” and James David, the composer of the yet-to-bepremiered “Two Lane Blacktop,” will also travel to Indiana to hear their pieces performed by the Concert Band.

“I like cool rhythms so I enjoy playing ‘Baby Face Nelson and the Femme Fatale’ by Joseph Thalken,” Concert Band President Laura Christensen (‘14) said. “It is jazzy and complex.

All of the music we have has been really fun to put together. Concert Band is just really good at clicking.”

Photo courtesy of Photo Bureau

Months of preparation. Luther College Concert Band has been practicing since the fall for the upcoming conference and will regionally premiere a piece commissioned for Luther alum Bud Herseth (‘43).

In the past, Concert Band tours have usually been during fall break. The CBDNA Conference will cut into three days of school, a fact that has some students in Concert Band worried.

“We’ve known about the tour for a while, but it is getting to be that point in the semester where I’m starting to have my first tests and I’m also going to have to make up two missed lab sessions,” clarinet player Lindsey Colyer (‘15) said. “But tour is such a big part of forming that sense of community in Concert Band, so I’m looking forward to it despite having to make up my missed classes.”

That sense of deAlbuquerque community is something felt by deAlbuquerque as well.

“The students in Concert Band are such special people,” deAlbuquerque said. “Making music with them is a joy and an honor. We are like a family. When I wave my baton it doesn’t make any sound— what’s making the sound is all of them. It is a collaborative effort.”

Concert Band will perform their CBDNA program at the Dorian Band Festival on March 2 at 7 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life.

“The students in Concert Band are such special people. Making music with them is a joy and an honor. We are like a family.”

Photo courtesy of Photo Bureau

Unity and tradition. Joan deAlbuquerque directs Concert Band during the 2012 Homecoming concert.

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February 27, 2014

Healthy bodie healthy mind President of Food Council Callie Mabry (‘14) spoke about the importance of the event.

“The purpose of this event [was] to celebrate that food is nourishment for our bodies and that eating is a wonderful time for being social and for enjoying a meal,” Mabry said. “This is one way to be supportive of people with eating disorders and to make ourselves aware.”

Another way students were able to increase their awareness of eating disorders was by going to Scharmer’s Elizabeth Hurley Staff Writer lecture on Feb. 25. Scharmer has been studying eating disorders for a while, and her studies led her to do a research This week is National Eating Disorder project this past summer at the University Awareness Week. Active Minds, of Minnesota where she worked with Food Council and Christina Scharmer some of the world’s leading researchers. (‘14) have collaborated with National Her talk was centered around the effectiveness of Eating Disorder education and Awareness (NEDA) awareness campaigns in order to sponsor when working with events on campus eating disorders, to raise awareness as well as talking about eating about the stigmas disorders and their surrounding eating symptoms. disorders.

A c c o r d i n g “A lot of people to the National think that it’s just Association of vanity,” Scharmer Anorexia Nervosa said. “Or that it’s and Associated something that Disorders, only one people choose to in 10 people with have. The truth is that eating disorders it’s actually a serious get treatment. mental illness.”

However, Luther -Christina Scharmer (‘14) But this students and week is organizations on not just campus are seeking about promoting awareness; to change that.

On Tuesday, the caf hosted an event it’s about changing the called “Eating is a Celebration.” During conversations about eating dinner, the caf served comfort food such disorders.

On Feb. 26, there was a as chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese and set up a fancy ambiance by film screening of “Killing Us playing soothing background music and Softly,” a film centered on media’s impact on our body decorations. images.

Vice President of Active Minds Sadie Stoiber (‘15) hopes that this week will promote change within the greater Decorah community as well.

“We have fantastic resources [on campus],” Stoiber said. “But for further treatment [of eating disorders] it’s a little harder in Decorah. Hopefully, after this week people will get the hint and there can be more resources available, or at least we can do something about making the resources out of Decorah more accessible.”

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week leads organizations to sponsor activities on Luther campus

“A A lot of people think that it’s just vanity, or that it’s something that people choose to have. The truth is that it’s actually a serious mental illness.”

An anonymous student who has suffered from an eating disorder spoke about their experience.

“I would look in the mirror and think, ‘I can be better’,” the student said, “It became a power struggle, a battle between me and my body. I was fortunate in the fact that my family recognized the warning signs and sat me down. They talked to me. They helped me get better before it got any worse.”

When asked about their thoughts on National Eating Disorder Awareness Week and the events being sponsored on Luther campus, the student expressed their approval and hope for change.

“I think it’s great,” the student said. “I think it’s really important to get this information out so that people can learn to help themselves and to help others. I hope that this week will get people talking about this subject and that it will make a change.”

Another event going on for NEDA Week is a TED Talk, “Eating Disorders from the Inside Out,” which will have discussion panels afterwards. The TED Talk will discuss the biological perspective of eating disorders and is on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. in Mott-Borlaug.

Mindful eating. Alex Lohrbach (‘15) holds up a mindful eating tip during Eatin

OLLEGE CHIPS

tures

es, ds

February 27, 2014

Words withthe Weather Man Luther professor talks about our cold winter and being a weather statistician.

Jayne Cole

Managing Editor

Did you know this is the third coldest Decorah February ever recorded? Professor of Mathematics Richard Bernatz (‘77), who holds a Ph.D in Applied Math and an MA in Meteorology, has been able to make use of his knowledge by researching weather trends in Decorah. Producing monthly weather statements for the public, this professor continues to share his research out of enjoyment. Although the spring temperatures are uncertain, one thing is for sure: Bernatz has found a way to apply math that is relevant and applicable to Decorah residents and Luther students alike.

Chips: What does it mean to be a weather statistician?

Richard Bernatz: It is not a paid job, just something I like to do. I am interested in fluid dynamics, atmosphere sciences, and river hydrology and the application of my formal training in mathematics to those fields.

We have daily weather records for Decorah beginning in 1893.

I began analyzing them statistically, resulting in interesting data such as record high and low temperatures for each day, month, and season. I compose and distribute a monthly newsletter that puts the current weather in a historical context.

Is the current weather “extreme?”

Any day, month or season has the potential to be extreme in some way. I think people are maybe paying more attention now, though. For example, the Weather Channel, cable news

sources and media outlets have a tendency to dramatize an event. There is more awareness when we do have an unusual month or season. However, this February is shaping up to be the second or third coldest for Decorah since record-keeping began.

So is this spring going to be just as cold?

I am much better at stating what happened than what is going to happen. Students learn in the meteorology course I teach that “persistence” is a good forecast method. It means that whatever happens today will happen tomorrow. This method can be extended to a longer time frame. It would not be a bad forecast to say March will be cold because February is cold.

The pattern has to break, however, but when? The switch is too difficult to forecast because of the complex dynamics of the Earth’s atmosphere. I would be very famous if I could consistently and accurately predict when a pattern will change.

The chaotic dynamics of the atmosphere provides both a curse in not knowing when it will change, and a blessing in knowing it will change.

Is there any advice you would like to give to Luther students?

There are a lot of different ways mathematics can be applied to client disciplines. One can study mathematics for mathematics sake. However, one can use mathematics to quantify and better understand a complex system such as our atmosphere.

Learning to garden Gardening classes held for Luther students, staff and Decorah community.

Carrie Juergens

Staff Writer

Casey DeLima/Chips

ng is a Celebration Night on Feb 24.

7

but this directly applies to his experience as a gardener and in designing landscapes.

Driftless Gardens is his business, and he’s since 2010.

Scott explained that it’s a unique kind of person who gets into gardening and tending to the earth.

“It seems like there are certain industries and

On Monday, Feb. 24, a gardening class was held in Valders 362 for Luther faculty and students, along with Decorah community members. The 33 attendees learned about the key factors to consider before planting a

just really passionate about what they do,” Scott

and veteran gardeners.

Luckily for those who missed the class, there are more classes available. Maren Stumme-Diers, the Sustainable Foods Educator in Luther’s environmental studies

doing it because they have great hours or great pay, they’re doing it because they really love it,” Scott said.

During the class, Scott laid out for the attendees the different factors that go into planning a garden. These include consideration for who will be gardening, the space where you’ll be gardening, what will be grown and where to place plants. There were more details surrounding preparing the land for a garden and the time and place of planting seeds or transplants.

Jackie Jones, a gardener who’s been at it since 1974, still found the class to be informative.

“There’s always at least one thing to be

class of a series.

“The Center for Sustainable Communities is putting this class series together, and they’re really geared at students, staff, faculty and community members. We want everyone to have free access to good information and some local experts to help answer questions and to provide guidance,” Stumme-Diers said.

The gardener teaching the class, Jeff Scott, has a decade of experience in organic farming and gardening. He has a background in art,

like horticulture is one of those, that the people who

gleaned or reminded of in every class,” Jones said. “I’m not familiar with the construction paper mulch, so that’s something new that I can explore.”

Jones tends a garden with her husband in the hospice care system. A lot can be conveyed through the dedication it takes to “One of our projects for our Master Gardener group is to work with the hospice nurses and I have missed doing that since we came back to town because I don’t have the large gardening space that we had before,” Jones said.

“But that’s one of the things that I want to do more of again, to put in a larger space where I can arrangements for hospice clients -… Flowers are just a way of letting someone know that complete strangers think about them.”

Scott is excited to see how far Luther has come in its sustainability programs.

“Even if it seems like a topic that might I encourage people to try to make it to one of these classes and just kind of think about something new and learn something else outside of just classes and activities,” Scott said.

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

Arts & Entertainment

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February 27, 2014

A focus on film Photo courtesy of elenarue.com

Lights, Camera, Action.

Directors from around the country come to Luther to Anna Jeide

Staff Writer

From Feb. 28–March 2, Luther College will host the Student films.

Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm | Thursday 9am - 8pm

FASHION. FOR REAL LIFE. AFFORDABLE BOUTIQUE SHOPPING

115 Winnebago Street | Decorah, Iowa | 563.382.3600

February 27, 2014

Opinion

9

Perception

Recently, there have been a series of vandalismrelated incidents around campus which have received a lot of attention from members of the Luther College community. One such event, a defacement of posters, was perceived to have potential race motivations behind it and was met with outcries of injustice. This event even solicited a Wednesday night worship service provided by College Ministries devoted to the topic of race. I personally do not believe that that particular incident, nor any of the other incidents for that matter, including the theft of a basketball from an art installation, was in any way racially motivated. There were those, however, whose speculation and perception may have led them to a different conclusion, and that is what I believe is most damaging about this situation.

Luther prides itself on being an open, welcoming and positive community, but if a guest of the College was visiting and saw some Black History Month posters defaced or an art installation vandalized, their perception of this place would be permanently tarnished. Let’s not kid ourselves, these kinds of situations happen all the time around campus, but that doesn’t mean that their damage to other students is any less severe. Yes, beyond

the damage that our reputation as a community may to a public area such as the 24-hour prayer chapel or help have, other students are the ones who are most harmed to prevent his/her friend from damaging a bulletin board by these actions. Students who took the time and effort when they are in a state of less than ideal decision making. to hang the posters, students who designed and created Luther College has been my home for three and a half the art installation and students years now and can honestly say who work tirelessly to make Luther that I can’t imagine spending them College as positive and open a anywhere else, but that doesn’t community as possible. As members mean we can’t make this place a of this community we need to take little bit better with some respectful responsibility for its upkeep, and consideration and understanding. that means thinking hard about the Student Senate will work to see consequences that our actions and if possibilities for people to come the actions of those around us may forward to rectify their actions have on the students around us and without fear of punishment is a viable the perceptions of this community as alternative to help strengthen the a whole.

Luther Community, but we cannot Now I don’t expect people to make this change alone. We all - J. Adam Sorenson (‘14) must work to make Luther College confess to things like tearing down bulletin boards, nor do I think that the best possible community we can. our goal should be to eradicate that The friendly, warm, hospitable place type of behavior from our campus, but we can create that I fell in love with. an environment that works to prevent and remedy such actions. For example, one could return a stolen basketball - J. Adam Sorenson (‘14)

“One such event, a defacement of posters, was perceived to have potential race motivations behind it...”

Good news for 2014 graduates Each year the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) surveys its employer members about their hiring plans and other employmentrelated issues in order to project the market for new college graduates. The Job Outlook 2014 survey is a forecast of hiring intentions of employers as they relate to graduates of the Class of 2014.

Good news! This year, employers are optimistic about the job market for the 2014 grads. In fact, they expect to hire 7.8 percent more 2014 grads for their U.S. operations than they hired from the class of 2013. (When opportunities at international operations for new grads are factored in, the hiring outlook is even better, with an overall increase in hiring of 12 percent.)

Although these employers prefer to do much of their on-campus recruiting in the fall, grads can expect to see many of them on campus in the spring.

So, who is in demand? Overall, employers are most interested in grads with bachelor’s degrees in business, engineering, computer/information science, sciences and communication disciplines.

Within these degrees, here are the top majors sought by employers: The top business majors: Finance, Accounting, Business Administration/Mangement, Management Info Systems,and Marketing. The top science majors: Mathematics (incl. Statistics), Chemistry and Physics. The top Communication Majors: Communications and Public Relations.

The top liberal arts majors: Political Science and Psychology. The top engineering majors: Mechanical, Electrical, Computer and Chemical Engineering.

So who is hiring? For finance, accounting and business administration majors, the most interested industries are government; finance, insurance and real estate; and retail trade. For computer science

and information science majors, the most interested industries are information; miscellaneous professional services; and finance, insurance and real estate.

Many employers plan to sweeten their job offers to bachelor’s degree graduates with increases in starting salaries. Although benefits might not stand out like salary and taxes do on your pay stub, benefits are an important part of your compensation. Most responding employers expect to offer the following benefits: life insurance, medical insurance, 401(k), annual salary increases, dental insurance and employee assistance/counseling.

If you are starting to think about your job search, make an appointment with one of our Career Center staff. It’s not too early to start making plans, and the job outlook is promising this year!

- Brenda Raumm, Career Center

Spencer Hodge/Chips

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

February 27, 2014

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 or columns do not necessarily represent the views of the Chips staff. The author is solely responsible for opinions expressed in Chips commentary.

Chips will not accept submitted articles or campus announcements.

Submissions for letters to the editor should be submitted as a word document to chipsedt@luther.edu with “Letter to the Editor” as the subject line. Letters to the editor are subject to editing without changing the meaning of changes prior to publishing. Letters must be signed, 300-400 words and submitted

by Sunday at 5 p.m. the week before publication. Publication of all letters is at the discretion of the editor.

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Spring 2014 Staff Editor-in-Chief....................Ingrid Baudler Managing Editor........................Jayne Cole News Editors....................Walker Nyenhuis Brita Moore Features Editor....................Casey DeLima A&E Editor.....................Maggie Steinberg Sports Editor.............................Julia Joseph Staff Writers....................Meredith Bruster Hannah Butler Abby Carpenter Hannah Garry Matt Helm Elizabeth Hurley Anna Jeide Carrie Juergens Maddy Kofoed Luke Manderfeld Bailey Mulholland Jenna Nelson Katie Wolter Head Copy Editor........Cameron Meyferth Copy Editors...........................Emily Crowe Bethany Seavers Templeton Ad Representative..........Lauren Meintsma Ad Accountant.....................Sam Matheson Photography Coordinator..Casey DeLima Photographer.....................Abby Carpenter Web Manager...........................Noah Lange Design Technician..................Bjorn Myhre Web Technician........................Isaac Davis Social Media Director.............Alex Catena Circulation Manager................Tess Wilson Adviser.....................................David Faldet Associated Collegiate Press Best of Midwest 2014 Publication Website, second place Best of Show, fourth place

Opinion

10

Why I dance

“I dance to make a difference, I dance to see them smile, I dance to let them know they are loved, I dance because if they can fight, I can dance.”

These are a few of many reasons why Luther Students will be taking part in Luther College’s first-ever Dance Marathon. We are all dancing “For The Kids” on April 12. Luther College Dance Marathon (LCDM) is a new student organization on campus that strives to provide a community of emotional and financial support for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN). Dance Marathon is a national fundraising program of CMN centered on the celebration of the lives and struggles of children with serious and terminal illnesses. Throughout the year each LCDM member gets to know an incredible child (known as a “miracle kid”) while fundraising for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital.

The year includes multiple fundraising opportunities, the chance to be a part of a “morale” group that is led by a student captain and the privilege of meeting and loving these incredible children. LCDM is a 12-hour event that will be held in the Regents Center and is equal-parts rave, inspirational talk and party. It is tradition at these occasions that the students do not sit for the entire event as a sign of solidarity for these kids. During the event our CMN kids and their families will give talks about their struggles (and

dance, of course) and we will celebrate just how far they have come. The event culminates in the final hour with the “big reveal” of our fundraising total.

So now comes the questions: Why do I dance? Why does this mean so much to me? Dance Marathon is an event I wouldn’t miss out on, and my dancer story is longer than others.

While many are dancing for these kiddos to see a better tomorrow, I know what it’s like to be the kiddo hoping that someday her siblings will get to come home.

When I was 11 -Jenna years old, my twin siblings were born at a total of two months early for their “premature” birth date, meaning they were in total three months premature.

These tiny bundles of joy had me wrapped around their finger from day one, but I was faced with knowing they may not make it through the night. My siblings were born at a whopping 4 pounds, 6 ounces and 6 pounds, 2 ounces, and they were small but mighty fighters.

While my siblings were not treated at the University of Iowa Children’s hospital, there was talk of their going there if they did not develop appropriately.

The scariest thing about having premature siblings is that their organs are not developed completely yet. In some cases, their brains are not fully developed, they are under sized and in some cases these kiddos can’t fight to the next day.

My small siblings looked like some kind of crazy robots hooked up to breathing

masks, swaddled in blankets and warmed to a similar temperature to the womb, they had breathing tubes through their noses and little monitors clamped to their fingers and toes.

Yet, they survived, pushed through and continue to be my heroes every day.

That first year was hard. There was a point when my brother couldn’t hold his weight and a time when my sister’s features were all scrunched into a small part of her face because it wasn’t fully developed when she arrived.

But they are here today, and every day I’m lucky that such a Darsee (‘15) great staff of nurses and doctors could be there to look out for my siblings.

This fall we took a trip with the morale captains to tour the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. We got to enter the lobby area of the neonatal hospital where premature babies are looked after. There were tons of pictures along the walls telling stories of tiny, extremely early babies who had been rushed to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital and made it.

Kiddos get sent to this hospital daily because the technology in this hospital can support these babies. Babies from as far as Nebraska come to Iowa City to be treated, to fight and to survive.

While many premature babies don’t make it each year, I am dancing for those babies who have struggled, who have fought and who are dancing today in our hearts or in front of our eyes. I am so thankful to have my siblings in my life; they are a joy with each passing day. I get to see their smiles every day and get to experience the miracle of development through technology that has allowed premature babies to survive.

I dance for those families, the ones whose children are still fighting, to let them know that it gets better. But most of all I dance every day for those kids, the smiles on their faces and the memories I can help them have. I will be their biggest support system, I will dance, I will make a difference and I will help raise money to research and get even better technology to save even more lives.

That’s why I will be dancing on April 12 for 12 hours without caffeine or without sitting, because kids not so far away are fighting and I want them to know I’ve got their backs.

“I will be their biggest support system, I will dance, I will make a difference and I will help raise money to research and get even better technology to save even more lives.”

Courtesy of Jenna Darsee

Dance it out. The Luther College Dance Marathon is to be held on April 12.

-Jenna Darsee (‘15)

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

Sports

February 27, 2014

Softball takes the field

Hannah Garry

Staff Writer

of the season March 1-2 in the Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) Dome. Despite a large number a strong start to the season. They are coming in with a ranking of seventh in the nation.

Head Softball Coach Renae Hartl feels that the team has been working hard to live up to this ranking.

“My thinking has been, ‘I don’t know if we are, but we’re going to practice like it’, and the girls have responded so

well,” Hartl said.

Captains Becca Girvan (‘14) and Kayla Hatting (‘14) feel the team has faced some adjustments this year as they

“We’ve been spoiled the last couple of years where we only had a few freshman coming in, so most of the returners were used to playing with each other,” Girvan said.

To prepare for the season, the team worked hard to become more familiar with one another.

“We spent a lot of our off-season getting to know each other,” Girvan said.

Now, at the onset of the spring season, the captains and Hartl feel that the team is ready to play together.

11

“I think that the hard part is behind us,” Hartl said. “I think the captains did an outstanding job in November, be one instead of 24 different people,” Hartl said.

This tournament will bring together 11 nationally ranked teams over three days. Hartl thinks St. Norberts and Gustavus will likely be Luther’s biggest competition.

“I think those will be two really exciting games for us,” Hartl said.

Both the captains and the coach acknowledge that this tournament will be a time to learn things about the team.

“I think our goal is always to win all of them. Is it going to be pretty? You can hope so, but I think what we’d like to

Jamie Rasmussen/Photo Bureau

Norse unite. Luther’s softball team joins together to get ready for the game ahead. They kick-off their season March 1 at the RCTC Dome in Rochester.

Norse of the Week Julia Joseph Sports Editor

demanding practices. The reason we swim so many yards over the season is so that we can build up our cardio. By At the Liberal Arts Championship on Feb. 13-15, Clare doing this, we are able to recover faster from exercises that Slagel (‘16) set a school and LAC record for the 400 meter involve having a high heart rate. medley relay along with LAC records in the 100 and 200 What is your favorite pre-meet meal? backstroke and 500 freestyle. Jake Sund (‘17) came in Sund: Spaghetti with cottage cheese and breadsticks. second in the 400 IM and third in the 200 breaststroke.

Slagel: Usually we start our meets in the morning. In this Chips: What was the best part of LAC? case I love oatmeal with granola!

Jake Sund: Being part of a team that accomplished more How has the coaches’ training plan helped in your than I ever predicted. The amount of time that everyone performances? dropped was amazing! You're not only swimming a race Slagel: Everyone on the team has complete and total respect for Coach Lance Huber and Coach Bethany Clare Slagel Nicoll (‘10). Both are previous swimmers, and they have the atmosphere and excitement was so motivating. a lot of credibility in knowing how to train us as well as The best moments by far were watching my teammates understanding how to taper us individually. Everyone on reactions and complete joy when they saw how well they the team is a little different, and thus different swimmers did or how much time they dropped. require different training and approaches to taper. One of What aspects of training helped you prepare for the the reasons that the team was so successful at LAC is the Championships? trust in our training and our coaches.

Sund: When the swimmers have practice in the morning, How do you get pumped up before a race? sometimes we cross-train on land to build up our strength Sund: I warm up by swimming a few laps in the pool. for the pool. This allows us to power through the physically After that I go over to the ready room and sing a song in my head to get the correct stroke tempo for the race.

Slagel: I fold my clothes. I usually end up having to calm my nerves rather than trying to get pumped up. Plus I like to think it really scares the competitors.

How does the team support one another during competition?

Sund: The great part about the Luther Swim Team is that we are Aaron Zauner/ Photo Bureau always the loudest group. It is so Record speed. Clare Slagel (‘16) broke records in the 100 and 200 backstroke. great to be part of a team that is

Kate Knepprath/Photo Bureau

Just keep swimming Jake Sund (‘17) swims the breast-stroke for Luther, getting third at LAC. always cheering for you at the end of your lane!

Slagel: We have special cheers before our relays dive in, and the distance team even has a special cheering kickboard named George!

What was your favorite Olympic Sport to watch?

Sund: My favorite sport during the Olympics has been doubles ice skating. It is amazing to see their strength while staying so precise with each jump! It's a sport that I have a lot of respect for.

Slagel: I have always been intrigued and amused by the Biathlon. Skate skiing is such a demanding aerobic activity, but it is combined with the skill and focus of target shooting. It is amazing how the athletes are able to gain control of their breathing and body to completely concentrate on the target before them.

Have you noticed a difference from the new pool this season?

Sund: The new pool has been such a blessing to the team. The pool gives us the opportunity to practice in a competition setting all the time instead of only at meets.

I would argue that the Luther pool could be the fastest 25 yard pool in Iowa.

Slagel: The team is so thankful for everyone who has supported and given donations to the pool. It has made such an incredible difference in our training. We have had the ability to use new tools like the power tower for resistance training. During training it is so nice to have natural light and better ventilation in the pool area.

Sports

February 27, 2014

International athletes here to play

12 Weekly Standings Men’s Basketball

Luke Manderfeld Staff Writer Student athletes at Luther come from other nations and backgrounds.

International student-athletes have made themselves known, hoping to make a difference for their team.

Ramesh Karki (‘14) has been one of the most notable tennis players over his years at Luther College. Karki spent his childhood in Nepal, playing tennis with fellow future Luther student Utsab Rijal (‘10). Karki was recruited to Luther College because his coach had strong ties to the school.

“My coach had a son that graduated in the ‘90s,” Karki said. “I also played with [Rijal] when I was a kid, so he helped get me to Luther.”

Karki only played individual tennis when in Nepal, so when he came to Luther and started to play for a team, he had a new atmosphere to play tennis in.

“It was different for me [to play for a team],” Karki said. “It helps you a lot, too. You aren’t the only one trying to win. It makes it a lot more fun.”

Over his four years here, Karki has been one of the dominant forces on the tennis team. He has a college record of 55-22 in singles and 48-28 in doubles and has been named to the Iowa Conference all-conference team three times.

Another couple of international student athletes are Czenvic Rojer (‘16) and Carlos Pineda (‘16). They played baseball as kids on the island of Curacao, a nation of about 150,000 people right off the coast of Venezuela, and went to Highland Community College in Illinois for two years before transferring to Luther College this

IIAC Central Dubuque Loras Buena Vista Luther Wartburg Coe Simpson

Overall 18-7 21-4 15-10 13-12 15-10 13-12 11-14 4-21

11-3 10-4 8-6 8-6 7-7 7-7 3-11 2-12

Recent scores: -Feb. 22 vs. Dubuque L 66-72 Photo courtesy of littleleaguekorsou.com

Upcoming schedule:

Flashback. Carlos Pineda (‘16) pitching for his Curacao Little league team. academic year.

In Curacao, baseball opportunities The nation of Curacao is known for decline when a player gets to a certain its strong baseball roots. In 2004, a age, causing Pineda and Rojer to make little league team a choice. A lot of from Curacao beat the other players in the U.S for the title Curacao were coming game. The Curacao to play college baseball team that featured in America, so they a few professional decided to come play baseball players such here as well. as Jurickson Profar They decided to (Texas Rangers) and come to Luther because Jonathan Schoop their baseball coach at (Baltimore Orioles) Highland Community also featured Pineda.

College had graduated -Ramesh Karki (‘14) from Luther and Pineda pitched a successful game to because of the strong win the title, striking academics. out 11 batters and only walking one.

“It seemed like a good program Rojer was originally a soccer player compared to other programs that were until his mother did not want him to recruiting us,” Rojer said. play anymore. His grandfather took him They look to come in and make a to the baseball field and taught him the big impact on the baseball team. This fundamentals of baseball. season will be their first for Luther “That was the first time that I really College, but it is clear that they want got into baseball,” Rojer said. “One day nothing less than the best. this coach saw me and asked me to play “We want to win, win, win,” Pineda for a club team, and I said why not?” said.

“It was different for me [to play for a team]...you aren’t the only one trying to win.”

Women’s Basketball IIAC Loras Coe Dubuque Simpson Wartburg Buena Vista Central Luther

Overall 17-8 15-10 17-9 14-12 12-14 12-14 11-14 11-14

12-2 10-4 10-4 9-5 5-9 5-9 3-11 2-12

Recent scores: -Feb. 22 vs. Dubuque L 76-83

Wrestling #1 Wartburg #11 Coe #19 Loras #12 Luther Dubuque Buena Vista Central Simpson

IIAC 7-0 6-1 4-3 5-2 3-4 2-5 1-6 0-7

Overall 18-0 13-5 11-10 16-7 10-8 3-9 7-10 3-14

Upcoming schedule: -March 1 NCAA III Regionals @ Dubuque

Men’s Tennis IIAC Luther Coe Buena Vista Central Simpson Wartburg Dubuque Loras

Overall

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

7-3 7-0 2-3 5-2 3-5 2-3 1-4 0-4

Recent scores: -Feb. 23 @ Kalamazoo, Michigan L 1-8 -Feb. 22 @ Holland, Michigan W 8-1 Upcoming schedule: -March 1 @ Owatonna, Minn 1:30 p.m.

Women’s Tennis IIAC Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Back to the beginning. Czenvic Rojer (‘16) plays in Curacao.

Coe Luther Wartburg Central Loras Buena Vista Simpson Dubuque

7-0 6-1 5-2 4-3 3-4 2-5 1-6 0-7

Overall 11-1 8-3 7-3 8-3 5-7 5-6 1-12 4-10

Upcoming schedule: -March 1 @ Owatana, Minn. 1:30 p.m.