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“The Vagina Monologues”
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The founding of Luther College in perspective
Volleyball hires new head coach
COLLEGE
LUTHER “Let the chips fall where they may.”
VOLUME 140, NO. 13• EST. 1884
MARCH 1, 2018
Strategic Action Plan approved Board of Regents sets four overarching goals and 15 objectives for the next five years GRACE ONSRUD STAFF WRITER The Strategic Action Plan for the next five years was approved by the Board of Regents on Feb. 10 after an 18 month-long planning process. The plan will focus on four overarching goals and 15 objectives for the college. These goals and objectives are based on input from students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The Action Plan Task Force used these goals and objectives to formulate 49 priority actions that will begin at Luther over the next five years. The four goals are to reinvent the liberal arts education for relevance in a global society, support career preparation and resilience amidst global change, promote inclusivity as a core value, and be a leader in financial sustainability. Over the next few years, Luther is looking to revise general curriculum, restructure of the diversity council, and focus on experiential learning opportunities such as internships. The Action Plan also includes
actions to maximize enrollment, such as increasing affordability through scholarships or adding new degree programs. Not all of these changes will take place next year, but there will be an ongoing discussion in upcoming years as to how the Strategic Planning Committee and the Action Plan Task Force can implement changes that will move Luther closer to reaching the four goals. The Committee and Task Force members include students, faculty, and staff who were chosen through a nomination process. The planning committee collected data through surveys and “idea walls” around campus where students expressed concerns and ideas. Interim Dean for Institutional Planning and Mission Bradley Chamberlain, who co-chaired the Strategic Planning Committee and the Action Plan Task Force, said that student and faculty input significantly influenced the outcome of the plan. “Based on the conversations that happened over the first nine months [of the planning process], we came up with a series of planning themes that we really wanted to focus on,” Chamberlain
said. “What we chose to prioritize is based on the input that we received from the campus, community, and beyond.” Vice President for Finance and Administration and Co-Chair of the Action Plan Task Force Eric Runestad said that some of the priority activities for the first year have already begun and he hopes that the community will start to feel the effects. “Hopefully students are starting to experience some things,” Runestad said. “[Interim Dean for Institutional Equity and Inclusion] Lisa Scott’s work is an example of that. She’s been holding workshops and trainings for students, faculty, and staff. That’s an example of an initiative that has already begun.” Another initiative beginning this year is the “Next Steps For Sophomores” program, which is an effort to help sophomores plan their next few years at Luther and beyond.
STRATEGIC PLAN | PAGE 4
Center for Sustainable Communities introduces new energy tracker FORREST STEWART STAFF WRITER The Center for Sustainable Communities hosted an event called “The Appening” to unveil the new web application "Energy Genius" for Baker Village residents on Feb. 20. The web app allows Baker residents to track their electricity usage in real-time and compare their unit’s usage with other units. The app's data collection and development was funded by a Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Grant as well as Luther College’s Climate Action Fund. Fifteen students attended “The Appening” event to learn about the web app, but all Baker Residents are included in the system and have access to their unit’s data. When students log on to the web app they will see their own unit’s usage as a red line and all other units displayed anonymously as grey lines. They can also look specifically at the last 20 minutes of usage. The web app is designed to give students immediate feedback on how their behaviors affect their electricity consumption, something that Energy Educator Nathan Campbell ('18) says is often difficult to achieve. “When you recycle something you get a certain amount of positive feedback from doing that action, but when you take a shorter shower you have to acknowledge in your mind that the shorter shower is using less water and less energy to heat that water,” Campbell said. “[The web app] gives people the same kind of tangible feedback for their behaviors that something like recycling does.” Assistant Director of the Center for Sustainable Communities Maren Beard ('08) says there is evidence to suggest that this practice will work.
“There’s some research out there about electricity bills where when people get a smiley face versus a frowny face they are more likely to conserve electricity,” Beard said. Baker resident Emily Starman ('18) says she thinks the web app will have an impact on her own personal electricity usage and sees connections between the program and Luther’s larger mission. “I think [the web app] is really cool,” Starman said. “It plays into a lot of Luther’s ideals about becoming more knowledgeable about what kind of citizen you are and becoming a responsible citizen of the world.” According to Beard, the information has already led to savings. “This fall there was a huge spike in one unit where they were using astronomical amounts of electricity and that pointed to an issue that facilities was able to address,” Beard said. “It’s good to have better data in order to pinpoint problems and save money there too.” Local technology consultant Scott Bassford developed and designed the web app. Bassford shared his goals for the impact of the web app. “I really want to get some kind of result out of it,” Bassford said. “We’re definitely going to have some good [energy] savings on it even if the students do nothing. But hopefully they will [use it].” Beard shares Bassford’s optimism. “I really hope we see a 20 percent, 30 percent, or even 40 percent reduction in energy usage,” Beard said. “It’s hard to say what that could look like but I think there could be some really good outcomes.” Beard added that she hopes the web app helps students in their transition to postcollegiate life.
Quinton Griffith ('18) and Erik Nelson ('18) use the new web app at “The Appening." Forrest Stewart (‘19) | Chips “I really see it as important for us to equip students for a changing world and also for the world after Luther,” Beard said. “I think Baker is a great place for this to start because soon our students are going to be leaving and renting apartments or buying houses and having to pay these bills.” While there are complications involved in expanding the web app to include students in
other residence halls, Beard said that options are being weighed. “We would love to [extend the program to other residence halls],” Beard said. “It just depends on the infrastructure and the cost. I think it would be really cool for every student to have access to that information in real-time.” The website can be found at https://luther. energygenius.com/google/.
NEWS
PAGE 2 MARCH 1, 2018
NEWS EDITORS: KATRINA MEYER & ANA LÓPEZ
New Board of Regents members aim to further Luther values
Shannon Duval ('95).
GILLIAN KLEIN STAFF WRITER Luther’s Board of Regents recently elected two new members to their committee: Shannon Duval (‘95) of Castle Rock, Colorado and Anjie Shutts (‘93) of Des Moines, Iowa. The board is a major decisionmaking body on Luther’s campus, and the addition of new members creates more voices representing Luther College. President Paula Carlson explained the function of the board. “Our contribution to the college is important because we are responsible for the wellbeing and future of the college,” Carlson said. The process to identify and recruit board members begins with the Institutional Planning and Board Affairs Committee of the Board of Regents. It is through this smaller board with
Photo courtesy of Catholic Health Initiatives
the help of President Carlson that prospective individuals are presented to the larger Board for nominations. Those nominated are elected by current board members. According to President Carlson, Shutts and Duval fit the candidate profile needed for membership. “Mrs. Duval’s special knowledge she brings to the board is the role of philanthropy and ensuring the strength of nonprofit organizations,” Paulson said. “Mrs. Shutt’s is bringing us legal knowledge: the critical skills and knowledge of the legal environment in Iowa.” Duval graduated from Luther in 1995, received a master’s degree from Indiana University in higher education administration
Anjie Shutts ('93).
and philanthropic studies, and moved to Denver to focus on the field of philanthropy. According to Duval, working
“College is one of the largest investments students make fiscally,” Duval said. “It’s about investing for the next chapters of your life and as students' leader, I want to keep that in mind.” C u r r e n t l y , Duval serves as the president and chief development officer for the National Catholic Health Initiatives Foundation. Duval highlighted how her work in philanthropy can apply to the Board’s role in telling the Luther narrative. “My previous work in nonprofit organizations helps build the Luther story,” Duval said. “How we attract investment in Luther is part of that story, and I think I have a skill set in
“Business at Luther College goes beyond educating young people in their majors, but also asking ourselves: ‘What can we offer students beyond just going to class and getting a degree?'” - Anjie Shutts ('93) in philanthropy gave her the opportunity to reflect on the fiscal aspects of the college and how she, as a new board member, can address these issues at Luther.
Photo courtesy of Anjie Shutts ('93)
helping us do that.” Shutts currently works as a family law attorney at Whitfield & Eddy Law Family Law Practice Group. Shutts emphasized the exciting and opportunity-rich education she wants to help Luther provide for current and prospective students. “Parents are looking for the best value [in colleges] and students are searching, too,” Shutts said. “I want to be a good steward to the college, especially at a time when higher education is being challenged to improve its system.” The Board’s main role is advising President Carlson and the senior board in making decisions to uphold the school’s mission. According to Shutts, part of upholding this mission is listening to and advocating for all voices on campus. “We want to include every voice on campus from faculty to student,” Shutts said. “Business at Luther College goes beyond educating young people in their majors, but also asking ourselves: ‘What can we offer students beyond just going to class and getting a degree?’” President Carlson commented on the Board’s anticipation of this new initiative. “We have taken the wisdom of the community and put them in this plan,” Carlson said. “This plan will strengthen Luther College for the future and the board is eager to begin implementing this across campus.”
NEWS
PAGE 3
NEWS EDITORS: KATRINA MEYER & ANA LÓPEZ
MARCH 1, 2018
Odell Bizzell speaks to the value of dreams
WEATHER THURSDAY Snow
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44/32 Odell Bizzell connected Martin Luther King Jr's dreams with student's dreams.
Cara Keith (‘21) | Chips
MONDAY Showers
CARA KEITH STAFF WRITER Nationally-reknowned blogger, rapper, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and internet personality Odell Bizzell gave his presentation "Keeping the Dream Alive: Four ways to model Dr. King's dream to achieve your own" on Feb. 20. The event, which was sponsored by the Student Activities Council Impact (SACI) drew in around 35 students and community members were in attendance. Bizzell’s lecture focused on four ways to model our dreams after Martin Luther King Jr.'s. According to Bizzell, this includes elevating your influence, being clear and disciplined, finding your passion, and understanding and practicing diversity. To open his presentation, Bizzell played one of his songs for the audience. Bizzell used this song to illustrate the overall theme of his speech. The main message of the song was that saying your dreams out loud can sound crazy. The song carried a powerful message for attendee Morgan King (‘19). “When he played his hiphip song, I really liked that the focus of it is if we wrote
39/26 TUESDAY Odell Bizzell is a nationally-known motivational speaker. Photo courtesy of Odell Bizzell.com
Cloudy down our dreams, we’d all seem a little crazy,” Morgan King said. “That concept to me was really amazing because I think it is true that from an outside perspective, a lot of our individual dreams seem so obscure and so hard to accomplish. But internally those dreams seem so possible and real to us.” After playing his song, Bizzell spoke about Martin Luther King Jr. and his effect on the Civil Rights Movement. Bizzell highlighted the fact that during the March on Washington Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech was a small portion of the entire event rather than the main focus. Bizzell asserted that this was an example of how actions can always have an impact others, no matter the circumstances. Bizzell highlighted the importance of finding inspiration for goals and how to use it to achieve said
goals. Bizzell spoke to his own goals and growth. “I knew I wanted to own my own business, and I knew I wanted to do things on my own terms, but I didn’t really know how until I met my mentor,” Bizzell said. “He was doing a presentation on something and he said, ‘perfected passion produces prosperity.' Your passion is the gift that God gave you and what you do with that is your gift back to God. After that, I decided I wanted to speak and write.” Bizzell explained his desire to live up to the legacy of his grandfather, his namesake. Bizzell discussed his desire to create his own legacy for his descendants. Bizzell highlighted the significance of recognizing and understanding diversity and cultural differences. Attendee Tiwonge Chirwa (‘19) felt that Bizzell’s presentation affected the audience.
“I feel that those who attended the talk felt inspired,” Chriwa said. “He talked a lot about education, especially in history, as being a powerful tool that would help people to understand the full picture in terms of understanding other cultures.” Bizzell concluded his presentation with a Q-andA-session about related topics. Morgan King commented on what she would have changed about the presentation. “I wish more people were there,” King said. “I wish there was a greater attendance because I thought there was just a very hopeful attitude for a lot of things going on in the world right now.” After his presentation at Luther, Bizzell traveled to speaking engagements in North Dakota, California, and Minnesota.
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Icons designed by Freepik from Flaticon.
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NEWS
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MARCH 1, 2018
Life Outside Luther
NEWS EDITORS: KATRINA MEYER & ANA LÓPEZ
Students present at entomology conference
Apple shares increase significantly, almost reaching record highs On Feb. 26 billionaire Warren Buffett bought more Apple shares in comparison to any other stock. This caused the price of the shares to increase significantly. This move by Buffett made Apple the largest common stock investment of his company, Berkshire Hathaway. Despite the increase, experts claim that the global smart phone market has been struggling to grow.
Trump tells governors to "not worry about the NRA" President Trump has embraced the idea from the National Rifle Association (NRA) to arm teachers in order to protect students. After the school mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, Trump assured 35 governors "don’t worry about the NRA. They’re on our side.” The NRA has opposed higher minimum ages to purchase guns. Trump said that he is looking into the possibilities of taking that measure. U.S. Appeal court says Title VII covers sexual orientation The Appeal Court said that Title VII, which usually bans sex bias also prohibits discrimination against sexual orientation. Previous decisions based on the same title claimed that the law was not meant to protect gay workers. The argument of the ruling was that sexual orientation is a function of a person's gender and therefore should be protected under Title VII. U.S. negotiator for regional content flies back from Mexico to talk with car companies U.S. negotiator Jason Bernstein met at one of the rounds of negotiation for NAFTA. Officials say that Bernstein is coming back to talk to automakers. The change in the negotiations came about from President Trump's proposal to source more from the United States. NAFTA members have insisted that this change would disrupt supply chains and prices.
First openly transgender recruit signs up for the U.S. military After a federal court ruled last year that the military would have to accept openly transgender recruits, the U.S. military accepted their first openly transgender recruit. This is the first time an openly transgender signed a contract to join the military. Advocates say that hundreds of transgender people will seek to join soon.
Taken from: reuters.com
Laurie Adrian ('16), Elizabeth Glennon ('19), and Anna Li Holey ('18) present their poster at the Enomological Society of America's annual meeting. Photo courtesy of Kirk Larsen
MARTEL DEN HARTOG STAFF WRITER Luther students Shannon Meehan (‘18), Anna Li Holey (‘18), and Elizabeth Glennon (‘19) attended the Entomological Society of America’s (ESA) annual meeting in November of 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Meehan, Holey, and Glennon were accompanied by graduates Brian Gerike (‘12) and Laurie Adrian (‘16), and Professor of Biology Kirk Larsen. The group presented two posters on the research they conducted during the past two summers. One of the posters placed second in the Plant-Insect Ecosystem Undergraduate Research Poster Competition. The poster, titled "Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) oviposition and larval feeding preferences on five species of milkweed (Asclepias sp.) in Northeast Iowa," was led and authored by Meehan. The award-winning project investigated whether monarch butterflies prefer any of the five species of milkweeds native to Northeastern Iowa. During the summers of 2016 and 2017, these students and graduates conducted a variety of research projects on monarch butterfly growth patterns in the region. Meehan observed patterns of caterpillar and milkweed species in the Luther gardens, where data was collected. “We would go out once a week and turn over every single leaf on the milkweeds looking for eggs and caterpillars,” Meehan said. “It was fun to watch. One day you would have a plant where there was an egg, then the next week you see a small little caterpillar, and then a couple weeks later maybe it would be on a different plant, but now there’s a larger caterpillar.” They concluded that monarchs did not prefer any one species over another, but swamp milkweed did show a greater presence of eggs and caterpillars. Though the plots were only planted three years ago, monarchs have already begun to use this habitat, which is good news for the species. “In the plight of the monarch story, that was encouraging,” Meehan said. “If you plant milkweed, monarchs will come” Luther was one of few undergraduate
liberal arts institutions that attended the national conference. During their poster presentation at the ESA meeting, students got the chance to interact with fellow researchers and judges. “It was nice to be able to answer people’s questions because it wasn’t so much about just telling them our research; it was very interactive,” Glennon said. “I was able to work out things I hadn’t thought about before.” Another project focused on adult monarchs. The researchers conducted butterfly surveys observing adult butterfly populations planted and remnant prairies in Northeastern Iowa. Larsen highlighted the importance of studying monarchs throughout their life cycles, especially in Iowa. “It’s all part of trying to understand how milkweeds are serving as hosts for the monarch butterfly and how populations are doing because monarch butterflies are in trouble right now,” Larsen said. “The ultimate goal is to increase milkweeds on the landscape and to increase monarch production here in Iowa because Iowa is really an important area for monarch population growth in the summertime.” The third project involved rearing monarchs in the laboratory in order to learn more about their life cycles, growth, and eating patterns. Adrian now uses skills from this aspect of the research in the third-grade class she now teaches in Postville, Iowa. According to Holey, all of the Luther students and graduates benefited from collegiate-level research. “It was interesting to go through the whole research process, from writing a grant proposal, to getting it approved, conducting the research, creating a poster, and presenting our work in a concise manner,” Holey said. These research projects also enabled Luther students to experience a largescale scientific conference. Over 3000 professionals, academics, graduate, and undergraduate students attended from all over the world, all of whom added to the value of the experience for Glennon. “I enjoyed seeing how research can happen outside of a school system and how you can apply that to different areas like agriculture or medicine,” Glennon said. “It was nice to see the real-world implications of entomological research.”
STRATEGIC PLAN | PAGE 1 “[‘Next Steps For Sophomores’] is really to recognize that historically as an institution, we’ve placed a lot of emphasis on the first-year class and the juniors and seniors,” Runestad said. “There has been this opening, this opportunity, to really engage sophomores in this intentional reflection period that could help inform their class selection in their junior and senior year, help them discern majors if they haven’t done that already, and help them prepare for experiential learning opportunities that will ultimately advance them into their chosen professions.” The focus on creating opportunities for career preparation and experiential learning influenced many of the 49 actions. “We want to accelerate opportunities for research and internship experiences,” Chamberlain said. “We want to create opportunities for students to do these things besides just in the summer. So we are envisioning spaces in Minneapolis or Des Moines or Rochester, where students can go and reside [...] and have a significant internship or research experience that’s creditbearing.” The push to promote intersectionality between subjects and global thinking is another effort towards preparing students for the changing global society. “We are encouraging the faculty to consider a revision to the general education requirements," Chamberlain said. "Much of that would be done in order to emphasize what we think is one of the overarching goals within the plan, which is to prepare students to engage and lead and serve in a global society.” The plan also renews commitments to environmental sustainability on campus that were outlined in the previous strategic plan. Janet Irankunda (‘19) was one of three current students who served on the Strategic Planning Committee. She met with the committee biweekly for almost the entirety of the past academic year. She believes that connecting Luther students to the outside will help Luther to grow and adapt. “A big part of it is making sure our students are ready to go into the world,” Irankunda said. “Though we have good curriculum at Luther that prepares us in some ways, it’s not the same as really being immersed into the society outside of the Luther bubble. So we are trying to break that Luther bubble.” Irakunda said that student input was a large part of the planning process and she encourages students to get involved and speak up about their ideas. The planning process is always ongoing, as the committee decides which activities to begin for the next five years. “I think students should take the time to look at the plan because we are a big part of the changes that happen on campus,” Irankunda said. “We really do have a lot of power, but we need to take the initiative and get involved to make the changes we want to see in our school.”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
PAGE 5
A&E EDITOR: LILY KIME
MARCH 1, 2018
“The Vagina Monologues”: Empowering women through storytelling
Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues” opened with a piece called “Lists,” which was performed by 16 Luther students.
PIPER WOODS STAFF WRITER Sixteen Luther women raised their voices in the name of female empowerment in “The Vagina Monologues” on Feb. 22, 23, 24 in Jewel Theatre. “The Vagina Monologues,” a show originally performed by Eve Ensler, celebrates V-Day, a worldwide effort to bring awareness to domestic abuse issues affecting women worldwide. All proceeds from Luther’s performances went toward the Helping Services of Northeast Iowa and the One Billion Rising campaign. The cast performed the show to raise awareness of women’s issues globally. The monologue used emotional and factual recounts of different stories from around the world to connect audiences and educate others. “[‘The Vagina Monologues’] is a great representation of the female experience,” director Sam Tollefson (‘18) said. Tollefson was inspired to be a part of V-Day after seeing a performance of “The Vagina Monologues” in her first year at Luther. As the director this year, Tollefson assisted with the staging of each individual monologue and worked one-on-one with performers. Maddy Lomprey (‘21) performed
the monologue “My Short Skirt,” as well as “The Little Coochi Snorcher that Could.” Although the program deals with serious topics of rape, female genital mutilation, and gender discrimination, Lomprey appreciated the greater takeaway from the show: female empowerment. “[‘The Vagina Monologues’] brings light to things that people are really shy about talking about … from exploring your sexuality, to having a positive view of your body and loving yourself,” Lomprey said.
social activist movement rooted in theater performance. V-Day has raised over $100 million dollars for anti-violence programs and women’s resources around the world, including One Billion Rising, a global movement with the goal of empowering women. Both V-Day and One Billion Rising were started by Ensler. These organizations speak out against violence against women, a topic that is a focus of many of her written works. Performer and assistant director Emily Youel (‘19) performed and assistant director this year, performing in “They Beat the Girl out of My Boy.” In light of current events, Youel appreciates the platform that “The Vagina Monologues” offers women. “I think that when we are given that opportunity to talk about something that usually is repressed, it makes it all the more powerful of an experience,” Youel said. “The Vagina Monologues” have prompted sharing female stories globally and displays the universality of the female experience. The cast hopes to start a conversation about the uncomfortable topics of sexuality and abuse in the Luther community. “My hope is that people who aren’t aware of these things can learn and maybe feel
Piper Woods (‘21) | Chips
“[‘The Vagina Monologues’] is a great representation of the female experience.” - Sam Tollefson (‘18) Ensler, the author of “The Vagina Monologues,” is a Tony award winning playwright, performer, and activist. “The Vagina Monlogues” has been translated into over 48 languages in over 140 countries around the world. Ensler has also written poetry, novels, and has also taken part in the production of two documentaries. “The Vagina Monologues” was originally an Off-Broadway play, but has grown into a platform for sharing women’s stories and inspiring change. 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of V-Day, the non-profit organization and
One Billion Rising, a campaign launched in 2012, works to end violence against women. Photo courtesy of OneBillionRising.org uncomfortable in a good way, and anyone else can feel empowered to share their voices and own stories,” Youel said. All proceeds from “The Vagina
Monologues” will benefit Helping Services of Northeast Iowa, which provides domestic abuse advocacy for survivors, as well as One Billion Rising.
FEATURES
PAGE 6 MARCH 1, 2018
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
FEATURES EDITOR: SHASA SARTIN
special edition SHASA SARTIN FEATURES EDITOR In the second part of the Black History Month special edition of the Features section, I wanted to look at what may be peripheral parts of Luthers black history. First, we have a story on Luther's origination. I wanted to give attention to this because the idea that Luther was created in response to the abhorrence of slavery is true, to an extent. I think the question that the information in this story raises is "what is Luther to do about issues of racial discrimination in 2018, given this history?" The issue of Luther's responsibility is interesting, and I think we're making strides. Luther's Black Student Union in conjunction with Interim Dean for Equity and Inclusion and Director of Diversity Center Wintlett Taylor-Browne organized for paid transportation, a meal, and tickets to see Marvel's Black Panther film. A film highly regarded for its representation of black people. Events like this are active steps towards equity for black students.
In perspective: Anti-slavery sentiments behind Luther's founding EMMA BUSCH STAFF WRITER It is commonly said that Luther College was founded by Norwegians opposed to slavery in the United States following the outbreak of the Civil War in April of 1861. While this is true, the history of Luther’s founding is more complex than many on campus may know. In October of 1857, the Norwegian Synod agreed to establish a Norwegian higher-learning institution in America. While they raised funds to build Luther, students were sent to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Reverend, scholar, and future Luther president Laur Larsen was appointed to the seminary’s Norwegian professorship. According to College Archivist Hayley Jackson, this arrangement was called into question when congregations became aware of the seminary’s position on slavery. “There was a letter written to an editor in one of the Norwegian [newspapers] talking about this rumor that in Missouri, they were pro-succession and pro-slavery down
Founding president of Luther College Laur Larsen. Photo courtesy of Luther College Archives
there,” Jackson said. “There was [another] letter to the editor asking Dr. Larsen if this was true. He didn't answer. Larsen looked [at it as] just a letter to the editor. ‘I'm busy trying to run a school, I'm trying to run churches; I don't have time.’ But they interpreted his silence as a yes, so it kind of blew up from there.” While the issue of slavery in the United States was a topic many Norwegians felt strongly about, members of the Norwegian Synod like Larsen held a view of slavery that differed from the laity of their congregations. Assistant Professor of History Anna Peterson said members of the synod in the United States were also at odds with their counterparts in Norway on the issue. “[The Synod] came out and said that there's no way that you can use the Bible to condemn slavery,” Peterson said. “That's in contrast to what the faculty in Oslo, Norway said and they got into a fight. They found it morally reprehensible but they said that they can't read that into the scriptures. It's complicated in that sense because it is a theological discussion as well as a moral discussion.” According to Professor of History Jacqueline Wilkie, shortly before the founding of Luther, Larsen returned to Norway to try to convince Norwegian pastors to come to America. Many Norwegians who heard him speak took issue with his theological stance on slavery. “He had previously written that there was no biblical reason for opposing slavery, even though it was morally repugnant,” Wilkie said. “He was actually not speaking on that topic [while] in Norway. He was speaking in Norway on the topic of the need for a continuation of Norwegian institutions in America, the need to have more pastors, [and] the need to establish institutions of higher learning. But he was actually challenged in Norway regarding his stance on the question of slavery.” Missouri was split between the Union and the Confederacy during the Civil War. Even though St. Louis
Archived photo of early Luther students. was under Union control, it was contested because of its location near the junction of the Missouri, Mississippi, and Illinois rivers. Due to safety concerns in this precarious location, Concordia closed. In response, in June of 1861, the Norwegian Lutheran Synod assembled in Rock Prairie, Wisconsin to discuss plans for the future college. Synod leadership and the laity differed in opinion on whether Luther’s opening should be halted indefinitely or if they should send students to another seminary in Indiana, similar to the previous arrangement with the St. Louis seminary. “There was this debate about whether they should wait two years or whether it should happen immediately because they could send people to the other German Lutheran seminary in Indiana,” Wilkie said. “They had some people in Indiana. That's where the laity said, ‘No, we're dividing from them now and we're doing it immediately.’ So the notion of the immediate opening of a college happened in that meeting. And the issue of slavery is central to that
demand that, ‘No, we're separating from those people because even the one in Indiana is still associated with this position we oppose.’” While the Norwegian Synod’s opposition to slavery was a factor in this decision, Peterson says that their motive for founding Luther was also based on their desire to create Norwegian institutions in America. “Having their own school that they could have control over that was going to have instruction in Norwegian was [part of this goal],” Peterson said. “It was going to be located to mass settlement for Norwegians to attend. So that was part of their motivation. Slavery was part of the discussion, but it's never the sole motivator for why it shouldn't have been in Missouri.” College Pastor Mike Blair says that Luther’s founding story reminds us that we can look to our institutions history for guidance with current issues. “It tells us that Luther College in its founding was concerned about questions about racial justice and these questions still matter today,” Blair said. “We have much to learn
Photo courtesy of Luther College Archives from our [founding] ancestors and that legacy, but we also have a significant legacy to live up to. It's a legacy that's needed in our world today that seems to be polarized around questions of justice and racism, so to me, it offers a story that is something of a compass for Luther College.” Blair points to the Decolonizing Lutheranism movement as a way in which members of the Luther community can engage with the past and present in order to cultivate an engaged community. “The core message [of Decolonizing Lutheranism] is about grace and that everyone is a beloved, worthy, gifted child of God, so the question is then how we create a community where people experience that,” Blair said. “So some of that has to do with stepping back from some of our assumptions and beginning to unlearn some things. For instance, it's good to celebrate that there's a Norwegian heritage at Luther College, but if you get to know the stories in depth, then you find out it's not a quaint story about Ole and Lena making lefse.”
FEATURES
PAGE 7
FEATURES EDITOR: SHASA SARTIN
MARCH 1, 2018
BSU organizes
"Black Panther" viewing
SHASA SARTIN FEATURES EDITOR & OLIVIA ENQUIST STAFF WRITER Black Student Union (BSU) with support from the Diversity Center and Dean for Institutional Equity and Inclusion Lisa Scott arranged a viewing of the movie “Black Panther” in Rochester, Minnesota on Feb. 17. According to Scott, part of why the event was organized is that Black Panther contradicts the harmful narrative that African countries are barren of technological development and wealth. “Wakanda offers the possibility of a country that was never colonized,” Scott said. “The movie asks ‘what if that had never happened?’ The movie is an interruption in the narrative of how African nations are perceived.” As an international student from Malawi, the disruption of this narrative is also important to Tiwonge Chirwa (‘19). “In most movies that try to incorporate Africa they always paint a one-sided story,” Chirwa said. “They only show the poor side. This time it was different because
it really showed the richness of African culture and not only the slums.” Scott, Chirwa, and other people all over the world appreciated the rich portrayal. The movie was a box office hit, becoming the highest grossing movie in history by a black director and predominantly black cast within its opening weekend. Globally, the movie has already grossed over 700 million dollars after its second weekend. According to Vanity Fair, 37 percent of the domestic audience was African-American viewers, breaking the Hollywood myth that movies need to appeal to white Americans for commercial success. BSU Treasurer Tamar Tedla (‘20) said the representation of black people in a superhero movie like this was significant to her. “It made me feel really good seeing that people who look like me can have these roles,” Tedla said. “They can be behind the screen and they can be on screen. It was really cool to see that people who look like me can be considered as directors, actors, or actresses.” It was also of great importance to Tedla that the film provided representation of dark skinned people — women in particular — who are often left out of
Tiwonge Chirwa ('19) demonstrates the Wakandan greeting as depicted in the movie between characters T'Challa and Shuri . Photo courtesy of Tiwonge Chirwa ('19)
Official promotional poster for Marvel's Black Panther film. major Hollywood productions. “What I especially liked about the movie is that people with darker complexions played a large role in the movie,” Tedla said. “In a lot of movies, you will see an African-American woman, but she will have lighter skin. It is expected in our society to favor people who have lighter skin tones or even favor black women who have straight hair.” Tedla also noted the level of detail given to the hair of the black female characters in order to provide an accurate representation of the hairstyles worn by black women throughout the African diaspora. “There wasn’t a single hot comb or straightener [used] and the hairdresser made sure that everyone had their natural braids or curls,” Tedla said. “It was beautiful to see not only darker black women but [also] women with their natural hair in the movie. I felt inspired.” BSU Secretary Asha Aden (‘20) said that the large cast of black women was important to her especially because of their occupations. “All the female characters were either warriors, scientists, or rulers,” Aden said. “Because of that aspect, there was a lot of black women empowerment.” The student responses to “Black Panther” are exactly the reason BSU and
Photo courtesy of IMDb.
Scott wanted to provide an opportunity to see the film. Scott said that BSU President Harleigh Boldridge (‘18) proposed the idea and approached her and TaylorBrowne in November about planning a screening. Scott and Taylor-Browne arranged transportation to Rochester because they were not sure that Decorah’s Fridley Viking Theater would have the film. Originally the bus was only for BSU members to take. Then, because some BSU members would be gone at a conference during the weekend in question, it was opened to PRIDE members as well. In the end, it was open to all students, something Scott thought was beneficial. “I appreciated the opportunity to connect with students and see folks spending time with people they may not normally be around,” Scott said. “I was really happy to see the diversity within the students that went to go see the movie.” Chirwa also thought it was important that Luther students see the film because it challenges the paradigm of what African countries can be. “I think it was important they took Luther students to the movie because telling a different story of power and majesty about African and black people really matters in changing the narrative,” Chirwa said.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
PAGE 8 MARCH 1, 2018
A&E EDITOR: LILY KIME
Top Banana fills the house Lights, camera, laughs! Top Banana, Luther’s only improv troupe, performed in Storre Theater on Friday, Feb. 23. All seats were filled ten minutes before the performance with attendees sitting on the stairs, the floor, and leaning against the wall. Top Banana member Vince Grube (‘21) was excited to perform for the full house. “It’s a cool feeling to fill the house up,” Grube said. “I think last night was the second time that we have filled the house.” The show started off with a game called “Late To Work.” Scene participants mimed to Top Banana member Karl Nycklemoe (‘18) why he was late to work, how he got there, and where he worked. The audience provided the details and decided that Nycklemoe was late due to menstruation, arrived via speedboat, and worked at a slaughterhouse.
According to Top Banana member Emma Brashear (‘18), improv is a form of acting in which the audience plays a significant role. “We ask for suggestions before each game and use them to inspire the scenes we put on,” Brashear said. “We often banter with the audience between games. A good audience makes good improv.” The next game was called “Build a Better Bear.” This game involved three actors being assigned the letters "D. A.," and the actors then invented movie titles that could be abbreviated by those letters. The audience voted for the scene they wanted to see via applause. Annika Peterson (‘19) won the audience’s votes with “Damnit, Alexa!” The scene ensued featured an Amazon Alexa — played by Hope Shishilla (‘21) — reading her manual to her owners. “Rule number one: do not massage Alexa,” Shishilla said. “Rule number two: give all our your personal belongings and firstborn child to Alexa. Rule number three: do not interrupt Alexa.” The show also included the games “New Choice,” “Bermuda Triangle,” and “5-4-3-2-1,” involving repeating a scene with fewer characters each round. The scene for this game featured a couple finding a knife in their bedroom. Grube’s favorite game of the night was “Bermuda Triangle."
“‘Bermuda Triangle’ is technically a pretty difficult game because you need to have three very distinct characters, and I think we did that really well,” Grube said. “That made it a fun game both for the audience to witness and [for us] to be a part of.” The show ended with a game called “Our Town,” which is played at the end of every Top Banana show. After the audience gives the actors a town name, in this case “Slimy Sasquatch,” the actors introduce their characters and begin the scene. In this scene, the second-prettiest Princess Lila, played by Shishilla, and Sassy the Beautiful Sasquatch, played by Peterson, competed to be prettiest. Attendee Amanda Brobst (‘19) said her favorite part of the show was when Shishilla lost the contest but decided her new title would be “most confident.” “I appreciated that after an hour of silly, senseless comedy, they ended on a more wholesome note,” Brobst said. “It made ‘Our Town’ particularly special; self-confidence is a quality that a lot of college students seem to lack, so it was a cute reminder to us to uphold that.” Shishilla thought this was Top Banana's best show so far this year because the group trusts each other. “There’s a kind of trust that you have to establish for an improv group, because, unlike a performance group where you rehearse and have a structure, I have to know I can depend on this other person [during a scene],” Shishilla said.
Annika Peterson (‘19) and Karl Nycklemoe (‘18) show affection during a scene. Madie Miller (‘19) | Photo Bureau
Emma Brashear (‘18) volunteers Vince Grube (‘21) for an improv game. Madie Miller (‘19) | Photo Bureau
Adrienne Lee (‘19) lets out her frustration at a Top Banana practice. Madie Miller (‘19) | Photo Bureau
NATALIE NELSON STAFF WRITER
Blending cultures with music and compassion JULIA LIEB STAFF WRITER European and Middle Eastern culture, smooth woodwind riffs, and intricate improvisation define Lamajamal, a Chicagobased instrumental and vocal ensemble. Lamajamal brought their unique music style to the Center for Faith and Life (CFL) as a part of the Center Stage Series on Saturday, Feb. 24. Lamajamal performed 15 songs from traditional to contemporary genres, including an Egyptian classic, “Balad Al Mahbub,” by Mohamed Abdel Waheb; a Bulgarian folk song “Gankino;” a Levantain folk medley “Ramallah;” and an original, “Schtunk.” Their musical style combines classical; folk; and sacred music of the Middle East, North Africa, Balkans, Turkey, Greece, and South Asia. Attendee Mimi Armatas (‘19)
appreciated the Greek influences present in many of the songs. “I connected to the Greek music the most because I am half Greek, and I have listened to Greek dance music before,” Armatas said. Established in 2004, Lamajamal is comprised of woodwind and santouri player Eve Monzingo, percussionist George Lawler, bassist Joseph Spilberg, and oud and accordian player Ronnie Malley Each member is trained in multiple instruments and their cultural traditions, which informs their diverse repertoire. The name of the ensemble is derived from the Arabic word "jamal," which means "beauty." “[After performing together for many years], we realized we were forming our own lexicon, our own ability to access communities because we were able to speak to them in their own vernacular,”
Malley said. Spilberg hopes that the group’s diverse repertoire and attention to cultural detail interests audience members. “We respect all music on a personal level,” Spilberg said. Lamajamal travels around the world visiting the regions that inspire their music, including Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. They have performed at festivals; in renowned venues; in interfaith establishments; as well as at Christian, Jewish, and Muslim worship services. “[Our mission] is to identify historical and social commonalities among different musical styles, cultures, and religions to create a sense of global citizenry,” Malley said. Along with their performance as a part of the Center Stage Series, Lamajamal visited music classes, such as "History of Jazz" and "Post 1900 and World Music"
Ronnie Malley plays the oud and is the primary vocalist for Lamajamal. Julia Lieb (‘21) | Chips on Feb. 22. Professor of Music Juan Tony Guzman (‘90) praised the positive work that Lamajamal’s music has on a community like Luther. “Their level of music-making is fantastic," Guzman said. "Instead of dividing people, they are bringing people together." Guzman noted the group’s ability to combine different influences and ethnic traditions into a musical style. “[Lamajamal’s] music speaks to our time, yet retains the flavor of their roots,” Guzman said. “Their music integrates old tradition
with a modern sound.” The members of Lamajamal hope that their music will inspire audiences to open their eyes and ears to non-Western styles of music. “We hope our music stimulates students’ curiosity for the exploration of new musical styles and instruments,” Monzingo said. Guzman appreciates Lamajaml's dedication to spreading different genres of music around the world. “Lamajamal is serving humanity by showing the diversity of musical differences,” Guzman said.
OPINION
PAGE 9
MANAGING EDITOR: ELIZABETH BONIN
STAFF Editor-in-Chief Jacob Warehime Managing Editor Elizabeth Bonin News Editors Katrina Meyer Ana López Features Editor Shasa Sartin A&E Editor Lily Kime Sports Editor Ben Selcke Staff Writers Gillian Klein Natalie Nelson Grace Onsrud Emma Busch Julia Lieb Olivia Enquist Jorge Contreras Piper Wood Martin Donovan Cara Keith Matthew Gleave Part-time Writers Forrest Stewart Kristen Wuerl Martel DenHartog Rozlyn Paradis Head Copy Editor Olivia Benson Copy Editors Elyse Grothaus Lyndsay Monsen Ad Representatives Bergen Gardner Web Content Manager James Miller Social Media Director Elyse Grothaus Distribution Manager Lyndsay Monsen Faculty Adviser David Faldet
SUBMISSIONS Submissions for letters to the editor should be submitted 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, 400-700 words, and submitted before Sunday at 5 p.m. the week before publication. Publication of all letters is at the discretion of the editor. Chips will not accept submitted articles or campus announcements. Opinions expressed in columns and letters are those of the authors(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Chips or organizations with which the author(s) are associated.
MARCH 1, 2018
EDITORIAL
Ethics of photography on study abroad and mission trips Studying abroad, mission trips, and humanitarian efforts are all valuable experiences that many students participate in each year. They allow us to learn and develop. However, they also give us an unexpected excuse to exploit. BEN SELCKE It happens often SPORTS EDITOR during trips abroad. Someone visits a new country and feels compelled to take pictures of everything they see. This sometimes includes children. When they return from the trip, they post the pictures they took, some of which might include the children they interacted with on the visit. It is these pictures that are posted over social media that are problematic. There are ethical questions that we should be asking ourselves about these pictures. First, these are children, and before taking that picture, did you ask for permission from the parent? What about permission from the children themselves? In the United States, if a stranger with a camera suddenly started to take pictures of your children, you would have reason to be concerned and angry at the stranger. Shouldn’t these same rules apply elsewhere in the world, too? It is almost unthinkable that I or anyone could go to a school I was volunteering at tomorrow in Decorah
and take pictures of children without their parents’ permission and post them online. However, this is what happens frequently on service trips and study abroad trips. Thinking more critically about the issue, who do these pictures benefit? Does that child you took a picture with or of gain anything from its existence? What do you gain from the picture? Maybe people will think better of you since you dedicated your summer helping someone in need. Maybe you seem a little more interesting since you traveled somewhere new, and maybe you want to get your social media accounts more “likes.” My point is that people use children as a prop to serve their own needs. These pictures from trips to developing nations, which depict mostly people of color, contrast pictures from trips to Western Europe. In these pictures you have cities, buildings, and visits to museums. What are not typically included in these pictures are, for example, French school children playing at a park. I suspect if you did you might be reported to the local authorities. If you do for some reason have pictures of children at a park in France, I also suspect you asked permission from the parents of the children to take their picture in the first place. Now I cannot say definitively that someone did not get permission from the parent of the kids whose house a mission trip was helping to rebuild, but correct me if I am wrong — they probably did not ask in advance. By all means, document a trip with pictures. Just remember to ensure the pictures you take do not exploit children as a prop.
The Norse Poll Is it appropriate to take pictures of children on study abroad or mission trip without permission?
LUTHER COLLEGE
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“I definitely think that there is a good and a bad way to approach that. I think that sometimes it can come across like a ‘savior complex’ even unintentionally. So, I think that there is a safer way to go about taking pictures than the way that it happens sometimes.” -Mackenzie Flaherty (‘20)
“I was on a mission trip in South Dakota on a Native American reservation, and on the reservation they didn’t believe in taking pictures because they believed that taking a picture of someone took away a part of their soul, so we were not allowed to take pictures with them. I really think that it depends on the culture.” -Abby Leblanc (‘20)
“I was just abroad in Namibia, and some of the situations were a little iffy because at one of the schools we went to, the kids didn’t speak English. That was a little uncomfortable to take pictures with them, but one of the women that we were with was taking pictures with her organization, so we were forced into it a little bit. I personally was a bit uncomfortable with that. But, in every other situation, the children always wanted to take pictures with us, so it wasn’t an uncomfortable thing.” -Mary Flaherty (‘20)
OPINION
PAGE 10 MARCH 1, 2018
MANAGING EDITOR: ELIZABETH BONIN
TO THE EDITOR
We need a Luther College Republicans club It is no secret that we have a politically left-leaning campus, but that is not because everyone on this campus is liberal. There are plenty of conservatives at Luther. However, why is it that we do not have a Luther College Republicans club and have two liberal clubs: Luther College Democrats and Luther College Young Democratic Socialists? As a Democrat, this frustrates me. Dialogue on this campus leans only one way when it comes to politics and that
is a problem. Liberals are trapped in a bubble of confirmation bias with little to no pushback and seldom have the opportunity to either have their beliefs challenged or have them strengthened through debate. When I spent a semester in D.C., I met both liberals and conservatives who went to colleges that fostered healthy political discussions and saw firsthand how such conversations could occur at Luther College. Thankfully, steps are already being
taken. The Center for Ethics and Public Engagement (CEPE) have started a Red/ Blue dialogue series and has already seen success. That being said, as amazing as the CEPE is, they cannot do this by themselves. It is up to the students to foster this environment. I am calling on conservatives and/or Republicans to stand up and create a Luther College Republicans club. I know for a fact that smart conservatives/Republicans exist on this campus. In fact, I have had many
discussions with some of them. I know that they could easily hold their own in a political dialogue at Luther. I understand why they would be scared or think that stating their beliefs would not be worth it but for the benefit of both liberals and conservatives on this campus, we need to create more political dialogues. This starts with the creation of a Luther College Republicans club. Signed, Geoffrey Dyck (‘18)
EDITORIAL
Students returning from semesters offcampus deserve support
OLIVIA BENSON HEAD COPY EDITOR Every semester dozens of Luther students spend time off-campus studying abroad, student teaching, or participating in residencies or other off-campus educational opportunities. For many, they put in significant effort to ensure that their transition to their off-campus experience is smooth by planning travel arrangements, ensuring their rooming situation is set for the next year, and tying up loose ends on campus. Having student taught offcampus this fall I can attest that I spent part of my spring and much of my summer packing and preparing for my learning experience outside of Luther.
Upon completion of my semester away I was excited to return to campus, reconnect with friends, and enjoy my last semester as a student. However, my enthusiasm could not counteract the disappointment and frustration I felt over the lack of support I received upon returning to campus. My experience returning to Luther began with my room key not being at the front desk, which led to a security guard unlocking the Residence Life office for me and looking in drawers until he found the stack of keys. Not exactly a warm welcome home. Further, when I pursued returning to music ensembles and work study positions I had to be entirely proactive in ensuring that I would be able to reenter communities I had been a part of for years. While I understood the need for me to initiate these conversations, I was shocked to find I had already missed deadlines for some opportunities, or that they had forgotten about my return in the spring and had already made other arrangements. I was lucky enough to
negotiate the positions and work study hours I needed, but I was appalled at how much I had fallen off the radar of groups of which I was a significant member. I could not help but wonder as to why there seemed to be no systems or procedures to support my return to campus. I was also lucky, I am not one of the students off-campus in the spring who for next year’s room draw must depend on a friend or peer, trusting a fellow student with a significant decision concerning their next year on campus. Additionally, I had been removed — or never added to — certain email lists, such as those for residence halls, seminars, or other events and opportunities on campus. I won’t lie, it was nice to receive less mail about events on campus and the like that I could not attend. Yet this also left me unaware about developments or changes on campus in the fall that have continued to affect me into the spring. I was ignorant concerning information regarding my housing and very nearly missed my music lesson and seminar,
as no one was informed I was rejoining the studio. The week before I moved back to campus I remember feeling uneasy about the lack of information I had received, wondering if there was something I had missed, dumbfounded about the lack of communication on behalf of the college. I understand that perhaps this is just the reality of being off-campus for a semester, that the quick transition back to college might just inevitably be difficult. Further, I recognize that only a small portion of Luther students are off-campus in any one semester, that it is hyperbolic to suggest that this is a high-priority issue for administration in the midst of low-enrollment and other challenges. However, I would argue that the alienation and absence of support for off-campus students would be easily solved with a few simple college-wide systems or email chains that can ultimately keep off-campus students from being isolated. This could mean simply alerting professors and bosses sooner of which students will
be returning to campus next semester, or organizations, ensembles, residence halls better communicating with off-campus students about events, elections, changes, etc. that will continue to affect them in the spring. By simply providing these supports, students will not only have to depend on themselves and their initiative when it comes to returning to Luther. By being kept in the dark as an off-campus student I lost all my say in changes or events that I had a stake in, lost some of my independence, and was made to feel second-rate to students that were accessible, informed, and on-campus. I don’t want to suggest that my experience is indicative of everyone’s. However, it cannot be denied that Luther is doing a disservice to student teachers, students studying abroad, or students pursuing other educational opportunities. Students should not be punished and inconvenienced for their time off-campus. Rather, they deserve to feel positive and supported upon returning to Luther, not as if the college as a whole has moved on and forgotten them.
SPORTS
PAGE 11
MARCH 1, 2018
SPORTS EDITOR: BEN SELCKE
Luther out-shoots Simpson in IIAC semifinal game BEN SELCKE SPORTS EDITOR
Anna Edel (‘19) drives the ball to the net in the game agaist Simpson. Photo courtesy of Photo Bureau
Kyle Gilberg (‘19) and Collin Kern (‘20) were both members of two relays which placed third at the IIAC Indoor Conference Campionships on Feb. 23 - 24. Gilberg and Kern earned all-conference honors in the distance medley relay and the 4 x 800-meter relay.
WEEK
Norse of the
Women’s Basketball won their semifinal game of the Iowa Conference tournament 84 - 61 against Simpson on Thursday Feb. 22. The Iowa Conference Tournament determines which team advances to the national tournament and is separate from the final IIAC standings. Prior to the conference tournament Luther finished second in the IIAC winning 12 of their 16 games, behind Wartburg. Simpson finished sixth in the IIAC. From the start of the game the Luther Norse led, scoring 19 points in the first quarter to Simpson’s 8. After the game, Head Women’s Basketball Coach Amanda Bailey emphasised the importance of starting off strong. “It is always important to come out and set the tempo of the game in the first five minutes,” Bailey said. “Playing ahead will build confidence and allows you to take some chances instead of putting you on your heels.” By the half, Luther lead Simpson 43 23. According to Sydney Rehnelt (‘18), Simpson performed well later in the game; she agreed with Bailey on the importance of starting off strong. “Simpson is known to, if they are staying with you by the half, come back,” Rehnelt said. “We talked about needing to get a lead early in order to beat them in practice.” Luther beat Simpson in a game earlier in the season. Bailey was hesitant to
anticipate an outcome prior to the game, but did leverage her understanding of the previous Simpson game when creating a game plan. “Every game throughout the season plays out in your head and you can never assume that the outcome of one game can determine the next,” Bailey said. “[However], we knew that they had a physical game on Tuesday and that they would be tired, having to make the long trip only in two days, so we were going to come out and make them play our style.” The final quarter of the game saw the greatest number of points scored as Simpson tried to make up lost ground. However, their efforts proved unsuccessful. The game ended 84 - 61; Luther. Sarah Holtz (‘20) led Luther in points scored with 18 followed closely by Katie Waller (‘18) with 17 points and Laura Hamilton (‘20) with 12 points. In the final game of the Iowa Conference Tournament, two days after the Norse’s victory over Simpson, Wartburg defeated Luther in Waverly, Iowa 86 - 74, advancing Wartburg to the Division III National Tournament. Bailey looks forward to next season, emphasizing the challenges the team overcame this year. “We lost many players throughout this year due to sickness, injuries, etc. and it was completely out of our control,” Bailey said. “I truly believe that we became a stronger team because of this and we learned to adapt and be resilient. I am excited to see what this group will do next year.”
Kyle Gilberg (‘19) and Collin Kern (‘20) sprint to the finish line during a 1000-meter race earlier in the year. Photo courtesy of Photo Bureau
SPORTS
PAGE 12
SPORTS EDITOR: BEN SELCKE
MARCH 1, 2018
Brittany Sisk steps onto the court to lead women’s volleyball MARTIN DONOVAN STAFF WRITER Luther’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Renae Hartl announced Brittany Sisk as the new Head Volleyball Coach in December. “We are thrilled to name Sisk as the next head coach of our volleyball program,” Hartl said in a December statement. “I believe she is a premier young coach that will bring us some very exciting times ahead.” Prior to coming to Luther, Sisk was the Head Coach at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois for the 2017 season. Sisk also served as the Head Coach at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana from 2014 until the school closed in 2017. Additionally, Sisk was the Assistant Coach at the University of WisconsinRiver Falls and a volunteer Assistant Coach at Bethel University. Sisk played volleyball at St. Mary’s University where she was a three-year starter, a two-time captain, and twotime team MVP. During her senior year at St. Mary’s, Sisk ranked third in the nation in assists and helped lead the Cardinals to the NCAA Division III national tournament. Sisk came to Luther because she and her husband wanted to live in the area as her husband’s job also relocated to Iowa. “I am originally from Faribault, Minnesota, and my husband and I met in college at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota,” Sisk said. “We have always hoped that our careers may take us back to those roots. My husband’s company asked him to start the process of expanding into Iowa, and the minute I heard that I checked to see if this position at Luther was still posted, and it was.” Sisk’s hiring came in the wake of the resignation of the former Head Volleyball Coach Danielle Lynch who left Luther in November for personal reasons. According to co-captain, Karissa Kime (‘20), the team’s affinity toward Lynch made the beginning of the transition difficult; but as the team has spent more time with Sisk there has been a growing enthusiasm among the players. “When we found out that Coach
Weekly Standings Men’s Basketball Nebraska Wes Loras Buna Vista Simpson Wartburg Central Dubuque Coe Luther
IIAC 13-3 12-4 10-6 9-7 9-7 7-9 7-9 5-11 0-16
Recent Scores
Overall 22-3 19-6 17-8 13-11 16-9 10-15 15-10 9-16 5-20
Feb 17 vs. Buena Vista L 70-71
Women’s Basketball Wartburg Luther Coe Loras Buena Vista Simpson Nebraska Wes Dubuque Central
IIAC 16-0 12-4 11-5 8-8 8-8 7-9 5-11 3-13 2-14
Recent Scores
Overall 25-0 18-9 14-11 16-9 13-12 13-12 14-11 5-20 7-18
Feb 17 vs. Buena Vista W 83-62
Upcoming Schedule
Feb 22 IIAC Tournament
Men’s Swim and Dive Nebraska Wes Coe Luther Loras Simpson
IIAC 5-0 3-1 1-2 1-4 0-3
Recent Scores
Overall 7-0 3-4 1-4 3-9 2-5
Feb 14-17 Liberal Arts Championships
Women’s Swim and Dive Coe Luther Loras Simpson Nebraska Wes
IIAC 3-0-1 2-0-1 3-2 1-2 0-5
Recent Scores
Overall 5-1-1 2-2-1 7-6 6-2 0-7
Feb 14-17 Liberal Arts Championships
Brittany Sisk walks across the court. Lynch was leaving we were really heartbroken because she was really close to all of us,” Kime said. “In the transition period we were all skeptical because it is a big change. But now since we have all met Coach Sisk and spent some time with her I think we all agree that she is awesome and we are looking forward to the season in the fall.” Vo l u n t e e r Assistant Coach, Sophia Engelman (‘13) spoke on her personal experiences as a member on Luther’s volleyball team transitioning between head coaches. “I went through three different
“Since we have all met Coach Sisk and spent some time with her I think we all agree that she is awesome and we are looking forward to the season in the fall.” - Karissa Kime (‘20)
Photo courtesy of Luther Athletics head coaches when I was a student, so I know that transition really well,” Engelman said. “It can be really hard, but I think with the end of the era, from [Lynch] to [Sisk], there is an excitement to go to the next level. I think with another [coaching] style it may push them to a level that Luther volleyball hasn’t seen in a long time. I think sometimes that new energy or a different energy can really help student athletes capitalize in the skills that they already have.” Currently, the Women’s Volleyball team is in between their fall season and non-traditional season, also known as spring season. Under NCAA guidelines, Division III volleyball programs are limited to a five-week spring season. The earliest coaches can begin their spring season is Feb. 1, and it has to be completed at least five days before an institution’s final exams. Sisk will begin her team’s spring season after Luther’s spring break; but until then, Sisk cannot lead volleyball practices.
Wrestling Wartburg Loras Coe Central Dubuque Luther Simpson Nebraska Wes Buena Vista
IIAC 8-0 7-1 6-2 4-4 4-4 4-4 2-6 1-7 0-8
Recent Scores
Feb 15 vs. St. Olaf College W 50-4
Overall 18-2 17-1 13-6 6-4 9-6 10-7 3-11 2-9 1-9
Upcoming Schedule
NCAA III Central Regionial