Chips March 26, 2015

Handel’s Messiah tradition returns to Luther

A&E 5 Baseball team welcomes new coaches

SPORTS 11

LUTHER COLLEGE

“Let the chips fall where they may.”

CHIPS

MARCH 26, 2015

Serving the Luther College community since 1884.

VOLUME 137, NO.18

A WELCOME RETURN. Students enjoy canoeing during the 2012 Driftless Adventure immersion trip.

Photo courtesy of luther.edu

First-year immersion trips return for 2015 ERIKA STORVICK STAFF WRITER After undergoing some renovations, the New Student Immersion Experiences have returned once more to Luther orientation. The program was not offered for the 2014-15 year due to questions regarding the leadership and safety of the trips.

The immersion trips will continue to welcome incoming students through outdoor adventure, but the experiences are now more focused on developing student leadership, according to Luther Outreach Coordinator Emily Neal.

“It really was a pause, just to make sure we were planning the best possible program for both our student leaders and our incoming first-years,” Neal

said.

Trips occur the week before classes start and offer an opportunity for first-year students to meet other first-years while enjoying the outdoors. According to the Luther website, these trips are intended to create bonds between incoming and current students and help students to reflect on the environment and engage in experiential learning.

“It is something beyond first-year orientation,” Rachel Brooks (‘16) said. “You are with this group of people, going on an adventure with them and making really good friendships, and you get to ask your leader lots of questions.”

The trips have previously been run through Outdoor Recreation but have now transitioned to the Center for Sustainable Communities. Neal is largely responsible for bringing the program back.

Neal made changes to ensure that Luther’s orientation programs were consistent with the safety protocol of other schools’ programs. Training for the immersion trip leaders now takes place throughout the spring semester. Leaders received Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training from The National Outdoor Leadership School on March 7-8. They are also scheduled to attend leadership and risk management seminars, lead several weekend trips as practice and participate in water safety training the weekend of May 9-10.

“I feel so empowered,” Ellen Badger (‘16) said. “If I’m outside and I see someone [in trouble], I know for sure I can help.”

IMMERSION TRIPS, PAGE 4

Approvals for off-campus housing decrease DANNY MAY STAFF WRITER Twenty students will be approved for off campus housing for the fall of 2015, according to an email from Residence Life sent on Monday, March 9. Students who planned on being approved to live off campus must now find a place to live on campus.

Assistant Dean for Student Life and Director of Residence Life Kris Franzen emphasized that Residence Life discourages students from signing leases prior to off-campus housing approval.

“We wanted to make sure students knew that off-campus approvals would be down,” Franzen said. “So we sent students an email encouraging them not to sign off-campus leases because they should plan on living on campus.”

Hailey Johnson (‘16) signed a lease with seven other students in the fall of 2013 but was not approved to live off campus for the fall of 2015 and must now explore other housing options. Johnson knew that Residence Life does not want unapproved students to sign leases and expressed her feelings about her situation.

“We understand where Luther is coming from,” Johnson said. “But it’s frustrating and a little sad that we won’t

be allowed to live one year off campus because of factors that we couldn’t control.”

Gabe Saemisch (‘16) also had planned on living in an off-campus house, but was denied in round one of approval.

Although he did not sign a lease, he has missed the deadline for on-campus opportunities such as Baker Village.

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING, PAGE 4

NEWS

PAGE 2 MARCH 26, 2015

NEWS EDITORS: MAKEDA BARKLEY & EMILY CROWE

Online photobook replaces physical yearbook, reduces costs ELIZABETH BONIN STAFF WRITER The Pioneer Yearbook is transitioning to an online photo book this year. However, students and alums will still be able to order a hard copy if they wish.

“The yearbook will be online, and everyone can check it as many times as they want,” Pioneer Co-

Graphic by Samantha Ea

editor Claudia Calderon Machicado (‘15) said. “If they like it, they can just order one and they will get the same thing that is online as a hard copy.”

The cost of the book was a large driving force in making the transition to online. In the past, the Cocurricular Activities Fee (CAF) paid for the creation of the yearbooks. However, each yearbook costs $40, compared to a free online photo book and an optional hard copy that will only cost students $20.

“One of the reasons is because a lot of things are moving online, so a lot of people actually prefer to see it that way,” Machicado said. “And in the last couple years, we didn't have that many orders for a hard copy.”

Yearbook staff had to order 500 copies last year in accordance with their contract with Jostens, the company they worked with. However, they only received 417 orders from students.

"They tried to revamp it a few times this past year, so 2013-14 was the first year they had it in color," Coeditor Alexandra Fitschen (‘15) said.

Despite the changes, interest in a hard copy of a yearbook was still low, so the decision to transition to online was made. An open house was held so that students could discuss the changes, and two students participated.

"Those are the only people who voiced their opinions about the change from a yearbook to a photobook," Pioneer Yearbook Adviser and Consultant Trish Neubauer said.

Since no objections were raised, the transition to

online began with a move to a different company.

"The beginning of the academic calendar year was focused on what would be the best website, research and applications to host the yearbook, but now we're working with a company called Magcloud," Machicado said.

The company gives the option of charging to view the photo book online, but Machicado and Fitschen decided it would be better for the students to have it for free. The new company also brings slight formatting changes.

“The new format is similar to what Pioneer Yearbooks have had in the past, but with less information," Fitschen said. “If you pick up last year's yearbook, you can see that there are lots of ‘blurbs’ that were put into the yearbook.”

The new company's format has not been without its difficulties.

"Since this is the first year, we don't have a lot of concrete information," Fitschen said. "We have been looking at past yearbooks for help, but we also have to navigate having a new format. With Jostens, they provided a system to use, complete with templates to create pages. With a new format, we have to do that ourselves."

Since they did not have as much information on the new format at the beginning of the year, they didn't have many people on staff. Pioneer Yearbook has been glad to receive some interest and is still looking for assistants to help create the photo book.

Students question security jurisdiction CODY ARNDTSON STAFF WRITER A group of Luther students were allegedly followed by Campus Security into town and given a verbal warning due to a traffic violation they committed on campus.

Marshall Stay (‘16) was one of those students. He said he experienced being followed by Campus Security on his way to Wal-Mart.

“I was going through the intersection

by Koren, when I noticed a security officer coming out of Koren, staring at me and getting into his van,” Stay said.

“I then noticed that he appeared to be following me very closely. After making a turn on the street I stopped the car in front of a house and he parked directly behind my bumper. I rolled down my window and I asked him if there was something wrong. He said that security was ‘cracking down’ on students who don't come to a complete stop at the

intersection by Koren.”

Another student, Lisa Rogers (‘15), said she experienced a similar interaction. She believes that this is an issue that needs to be addressed.

“We were going to T-Bock’s on some weeknight and we got into my roommate’s boyfriend’s car and we drove straight to T-Bock’s,” Rogers said. “When we parked behind the restaurant, we got out and there was a Luther van behind us.”

Rogers and the other passengers of the car expressed confusion about seeing a Luther-owned security vehicle off campus.

“He rolled down his window, and he did not say anything at first, which was really weird. Then he spoke to the driver and said, ‘The stop sign at the corner of Baker and College Drive is a stop sign, not a rolling stop.”’

In response to these occurrences, Stay and Rogers are questioning what the jurisdiction is of Campus Security

and whether these actions were appropriate.

Director of Campus Safety and Security Bob Harri stated that he did not know that his officers were following students off campus to give them a warning on traffic violations.

He continued to explain the borders and jurisdiction that Campus Security are responsible for.

“Safety and Security at Luther College is an in-house organization, meaning we are employees of and agents for the institution,” Harri said. “Our primary jurisdiction is the Luther campus, but there are many aspects of our area of responsibility that necessitates traveling off campus to other locations.”

Both students said that this encounter with Campus Security made them feel uncomfortable and was made into a bigger issue than what was necessary.

According to Rogers, rolling through a stop sign would be an issue in some situations, but this one experience to

her seems small on the scale of Campus Security issues.

“I feel as though there is a hierarchy of where safety issues are, and I feel like this is not the highest on the totem pole,” Rogers said.

Harri acknowledged that safety is at the forefront of Campus Security efforts.

“If a member of the Luther security staff observed a traffic violation that occurred on campus it would be within the scope of his/her employment to speak with the driver,” Harri said.

“Safety and Security is charged with the responsibility of providing for the safety of the campus community.”

Stay suggests that in order for Security to achieve its goal of making the campus a safer place, Security must communicate more broadly than individual conversations with a few students.

“I think that rather than having an officer creepily follow those that don't stop at a stop sign, Security could make a public announcement on campus, possibly via email, which is definitely going to be more effective,” Stay said.

Neglected traffic regulations resulting in a verbal warning from Campus Security is not a top priority situation and could be approached differently, according to Stay. However, safety must be a concern for everyone on the Luther campus, according to Harri.

“If we can agree that traffic regulations are designed to keep us safe, then we should see the need to be in compliance with those regulations,” Harri said. “Sometimes we need to be reminded to be careful.”

NEWS

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NEWS EDITORS: MAKEDA BARKLEY & EMILY CROWE

MARCH 26, 2015

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Knepper lecture emphasizes teaching comparative religion EMMA DEIHL STAFF WRITER Professor of Philosophy at Drake University Timothy Knepper traveled to Luther to share his expertise regarding how to teach philosophy of religion at a college of the church on Tuesday, March 24.

Knepper, also the department chair of both philosophy and religion at Drake, focuses on comparative religion, a subject he became interested in while earning his Ph.D. at Boston University. He currently directs The Comparative Project at Drake, which works to teach a “global philosophy of religion in the local Des Moines community,” according to Knepper.

Members of The Comparative Project explore common religious themes from different religious perspectives.

“I think that if one wants to learn anything about religion in general, then they need to take into account as many different religious expressions and traditions as possible,” Knepper said.

During the Tuesday lecture, Knepper posed his argument that educators should teach philosophy of religion in a diverse manner, regardless of whether or not they teach at a church-affiliated college.

“One reason for this is fidelity to the object of inquiry—‘religion” includes not just Christian theism but the teeming diversity of religions around the world,” Knepper said.

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Life Outside Luther Israel’s Prime Minister apologizes to country’s Arab minority Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Israel’s Arab citizens on Monday for remarks he made during last week’s parliament election that offended members of the community. The move appeared to be an attempt to heal rifts and mute criticism at home and in the United States.

Netanyahu drew accusations of racism in Israel, especially from its Arab minority, when just a few hours before polling stations were to close across the country, Netanyahu warned that Arab citizens were voting “in droves.” The White House has rebuked his comments despite his re-election.

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Emma Deihl / Chips Prior to the lecture, Philosophy Society President Sarah Floden (‘15) shared her views and experiences concerning how Luther manages to teach philosophy of religion.

“I took a class with [Associate Professor of Philosophy] Matt Simpson when I was a junior, and it was the philosophy seminar on Nietzsche, who was a German p h i l o s o p h e r,” Floden said.

“We talked about how a lot of philosophers ask, ‘Does God exist?’ but Nietzsche asked, ‘What does it say about human beings that we wonder whether God exists?’

That just really changed the way I think about religion and about how religious identity is kind of tied to the human condition.”

“When you are working with people, you’re going to be working with religion.”

- Maggie Steinberg (‘15)

According to Floden, her philosophy classes at Luther provided her with opportunities to ask questions, enabling her to explore religion from a broader standpoint rather than simply from Christian beliefs. Floden and other members of the Philosophy Society attended Knepper’s lecture as a group and held a discussion following the event.

As a religion major, Maggie Steinberg (‘15) said she has been exposed to religion from a comparative standpoint.

“The professors in the religion department go above and beyond in making sure that it’s not entirely Christian-centered,” Steinberg said.

The religion major and minor at Luther focuses more on religion as an academic study rather than a faith-based study.

“My religion major has given me cultural competency; I know how to speak to people about other traditions,” Steinberg said.

“Having that background makes me not scared to speak about religion, which a lot of people are very hesitant to do. When you are working with people, you’re going to be working with religion.”

Knepper hopes Luther students and staff will leave his lecture with a better understanding of comparative religion.

“As the world continues to ‘shrink,’ and as religious tensions continue to mount, and as science continues to succeed,” Knepper said, “it will become increasingly important for us to know how to act justly and think critically about a diversity of religious expressions and traditions.”

Utah to use firing squads if lethal drugs are unavailable Utah became the only state to allow firing squads for executions when Gov. Gary Herbert signed a law Monday approving the method for use when no lethal injection drugs are available, even though he has called it “a little bit gruesome.”

The Republican governor has said Utah is a capital punishment state and needs a backup execution method in case a shortage of the drugs persists.

“We regret [that] anyone ever commits the heinous crime of aggravated murder to merit the death penalty, and we prefer to use our primary method of lethal injection when such a sentence is issued,” Herbert spokesman Marty Carpenter said. However, enforcing death sentences is “the obligation of the executive branch.”

Threat against Obama’s niece prompts security hike A threat against President Barack Obama’s niece, a player on the Princeton women’s basketball team, prompted increased security at the Tigers’ NCAA Tournament game at Maryland on Monday night.

No official statement was released addressing the threats. A phone message threatening Leslie Robinson was left at Maryland and the threat was taken seriously. After Monday’s game, Princeton coach Courtney Banghart confirmed that she was aware of the threat before tipoff but Leslie Robinson was not. The player did not appear in either of Princeton’s NCAA Tournament games.

Taylor Swift, Microsoft among those buying up .porn suffixes Taylor Swift, Microsoft Corp. and Harvard University are among those buying up .porn and .adult Web suffixes as a pre-emptive move before those domain names become available this summer. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, is making Internet address suffixes beyond the usual .com or .org available for people and businesses to use.

While some are in Chinese or other languages besides English, others could include the likes of .music, .app or .porn.

Compiled from: www.ap.org

NEWS

PAGE 4 MARCH 26, 2015

NEWS EDITORS: MAKEDA BARKLEY & EMILY CROWE

Luther students to present work at NCUR MATT HELM STAFF WRITER Luther College will send 13 students to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research at Eastern Washington University through the Scholars Program on April 1618.

“Luther has a long tradition of sending students to NCUR, and this year we received Leading the Way recognition from the conference for providing a significant number of students,” Associate Dean and Director of Curriculum Development and College Honors Terry Sparkes said.

Students submitted their research to Luther for an initial selection. Those nominated were then forwarded to the conference for the final selection.

“NCUR is the leading venue for the presentation of undergraduate research results,” Sparkes said. “The fact that our students are engaged in quality work that fits the goals of the conference is really positive. This is a beneficial opportunity for the top undergraduate students to learn from each other about what they are doing and to practice presenting their research in a

professional setting.”

NCUR showcases student research across a variety of college disciplines.

“One of the really exciting things about NCUR is that the audience is extremely diverse as it includes people in the arts, humanities and sciences,” Jenna Johnson (‘16) said. “It is really cool to explain your research to someone outside of your field and for them to understand what you are talking about as though a light bulb just went off in their head.”

Johnson is a part of an ongoing research project in the chemistry department titled “Lactones Derived from Fatty Acids: New Monomers for the Production of Bioplastics.”

“In this project we are synthesizing polymers that will be used to make biodegradable plastics which will be commercially viable and can help to alleviate some of the environmental problems that are associated with other non-biodegradable plastics,” Johnson said. “I’m going to take any opportunity that I can get to communicate my research. My thought about it is, what is the point of doing research if we don’t know how to share it with the world?”

Michona Johns (‘15) is presenting on “Maghrébin Identity in France: Sociocultural

IMMERSION TRIPS PAGE 1

Thursday, March 26 SAC Cinema presents: “The 8:00 p.m., Valders Hall of Science, Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies” Room 206 Friday, March 27 All day

Spring Oratorio: Handel’s Messiah 7:30 a.m., Center for Faith and Life, Main Hall Saturday, March 28 Softball - St. Mary’s University 2:00 p.m., Home Sunday, March 29 Dance Marathon Dodgeball Tour- 11:00 a.m., Regents Center nament Spring Oratorio: Handel’s Messiah 3:00 p.m., Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, Minn.

Monday, March 30 Chapel: Jane Hawley 10:30 a.m., Center for Faith and Life, Main Hall

The trips are now fully student-run. The student leaders are responsible for planning the trip itinerary as well as leading the trip. A faculty member will attend each trip for extra help, but the majority of the safety and planning rests on the student leaders’ shoulders. “[The Center for Sustainable Communities] wanted to make sure there was this two-fold component,” Neal said. “Not only were we taking kids into the outdoors

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Makeda Barkley / Chips

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING, PAGE 1 “I feel the recent decrease of off-campus housing is not an unreasonable policy for Luther to enact,” Saemisch said. “I empathize with the position Luther College is in. The problem lies—for me at least—in the heavy advertisement of off-campus housing senior

7:30 p.m., Center for Faith and Life, Main Hall 7:30 p.m., Jenson-Noble Hall of Music, Noble Recital Hall

Wednesday, April 1 Gerhard Marcks Lecture: Dr. Joni 7:00 p.m., Olin Hall, Room 102 Kinsey Thursday, April 2 Student Exhibit: Michaleen Melby All day and Stephanie Diebel Information from luther.edu/events

to prepare them for their time at Luther . . . we also wanted to see that the trip leaders themselves were having transformative experiences as leaders.”

According to Neal, the hope is to continue to build the training program so different trips will be possible during the school year as well.

“Nature teaches you about yourself in a way that no other way can,” Neal said. “When people are immersed in nature, they realize they belong to something much bigger than themselves. It takes the self-centeredness out of our approach to life.”

Off-campus housing declines

Tuesday, March 31 Esther Bauer presents “Living History: A Holocaust Survivor Story” Luther College Piano Quartet

interdisciplinary work that these courses offer. I encourage students to consider it,” Sparkes said. “The Scholars Program is very flexible and it offers a variety of opportunities that enhance the general education.”

First-year immersion trips undergo changes for 2015

Upcoming Events

Midterm

Perceptions in Politics and Film.”

“I did research in the area of film and politics by looking at films by Abdellatif Kechiche and how he represented his Muslim North African characters differently than how media in France often represents them,” Johns said. “Assistant Professor of French Anne-Marine Feat promotes students applying to conferences so she encouraged us to submit our work to NCUR.” The Scholars Program oversees undergraduate research opportunities such as NCUR as well as scholarship advising, the Student Research Symposium and the Intersections Curriculum.

“Students couldn’t fit interdisciplinary classes into their schedules with the old Honors Core Program so we decided to redesign it so that it would be more available to students,” Sparkes said. “Interdisciplinary seminars are now more accessible because they no longer require prerequisites.

Seminars also typically fulfill an all-college requirement.”

The Scholars Program offers one or two interdisciplinary courses per semester.

Participation in these courses is steadily growing.

“Students typically love the high-level

OFF-CAMPUS LIFESTYLE. Justin Velzke (‘15) washes dishes in his house off campus.

Danny May / Chips

year when prospective students are considering Luther. The policy portrayed is one of, ‘students will have the opportunity to live off campus senior year if they so choose.’”

Johnson also addressed life at Luther next year with the housing redistribution.

“I think it’s going to have a larger effect than people realize,” Johnson said. “It’ll definitely change the culture of Luther. If I was an incoming freshman hearing that I couldn’t live off campus, it would make my decision about coming to Luther a lot harder.”

Current off-campus resident Greg Scott (‘15) gave perspective on next year’s housing situation.

“It’s definitely a bummer for people that wanted to get off campus and can’t,” Scott said. “But there are some positives to it. Some of the houses are not in the best condition. I think it’ll certainly be a different dynamic.”

On-campus housing will be a more significant part of lives of Luther upperclassmen in the future if the trend continues.

“I like on-campus housing, and I appreciate the different options Luther has,” Johnson said. “But there aren’t nearly enough [options] to accommodate the desires of the students. I think they just need to listen to what the students want more if they want to continue having students come to Luther.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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A&E EDITOR: DYLAN HINTON

MARCH 26, 2015

A RESOUNDING CHORUS. The Cathedral Choir, Collegiate Chorale and Nordic Choir, along with the Symphony Orchestra, will perform George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” on Friday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life and Sunday, March 29 at Orchestra Hall.

Laura Proescholdt / Chips

Handel’s “Messiah” returns LAURA PROESCHOLDT STAFF WRITER After an 11-year hiatus, George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” is coming back to Luther. The Cathedral Choir, Collegiate Chorale and Nordic Choir, along with the Luther College Symphony Orchestra, will perform the oratorio Friday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life and Sunday, March 29 at 3:00 p.m. at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.

Coordinator for Music Organizations and Marketing Eric Ellingsen (‘99) stresses that, though the music department is performing Handel’s “Messiah” this semester, the department is not reinstating the “Messiah” tradition of the past.

Instead, the “Messiah” was selected as this year’s spring oratorio, which students perform biennially. In choosing an oratorio, the music department saw the “Messiah” as the best fit for the current makeup of students.

“We don’t want to get peoples’ hopes up,” Ellingsen said. “There were some

mistakes and people thought we were going to bring back the tradition, but we chose the ‘Messiah’ because of the students that we had, and everything else was just good timing.”

Handel’s “Messiah” has a long tradition at Luther College. The first performance was directed by Carlo Sperati and took place in 1925. At this time, Luther was a men’s school.

According to Professor Emeritus Weston Noble (‘43), this made finding vocalists a unique challenge.

“The men – it was fine. But the women – we were sending the word out in Decorah ... it was all right at times, maybe not so good,” Noble said.

From its inception in 1925 until 2004, “Messiah” was performed each Christmas at Luther weekend for 79 years. As a student, Noble performed the “Messiah” and even had the chance to direct.

“When I was a senior, the director was new; he came here from Chicago,” Noble said. “He wasn’t very enthused about rehearsals, so he asked me if I would do a lot of them. Boy, was that a great time.”

During his tenure as director, Noble

Handel’s “Messiah” will be performed on Friday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life and on Sunday, March 29 at 3:00 p.m. at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.

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opened the performances to alums and began to use Luther students as soloists instead of hiring professionals from Chicago. These changes engendered huge growth in the event.

“I’m sure it was the largest ‘Messiah’ chorus anywhere,” Noble said. “The ‘Messiah’ rehearsals were open to anybody that wanted to walk in.”

Noble saw the event as a way for past students to maintain their connection to the college and to one another.

“It was the greatest unifier of the alums we’ve ever had,” Noble said.

Director of Choral Activities Allen Hightower explained that Handel’s “Messiah” is an essential piece for music students to have in their repertoire, and this also influenced the department’s choice.

“It’s like Shakespeare for the English major,” Hightower said.

Handel’s “Messiah” is a famous work that depicts the life of Jesus Christ in its entirety. According to Smithsonian Magazine, Handel composed the massive work in a three-to-four week period between August and September of 1741. Originally meant for the Easter season, it premiered in Dublin on April 13, 1742.

For Symphony Orchestra violinist Celia Garner-Prouty (‘15), the genius of Handel’s piece enables her to connect to the work.

“I’m playing it for the musical beauty while other people might be playing it for the religious beauty, so it all depends on your perspective,” Garner-Prouty said. “The ‘Messiah’ is a masterwork. In every chorus that I’ve played and every story that I’ve heard, I can hear the mastery in it. That’s what speaks to me – the beautiful music.”

Hightower feels that the timeliness of the piece may speak to audience members spiritually as well as musically.

“It was not accidental that we programmed the performance as we come into Holy Week,” Hightower said. “‘Messiah’ very uniquely tells the story of Christ. I think people can receive this at many different

A LUTHER TRADITION. Pictured above is a poster from the 1940s when “Messiah” was performed every year.

Photo courtesy of the Luther Fine Arts Collection levels. Certainly, as a singer, it’s a great work of art, and certainly it is a larger expression of the faith dimension of Luther College.”

Soloist Lis Athas (‘15) explained that Hightower encouraged her to utilize her skills as a theatre major to facilitate connection with the audience.

“He reminded me that I’m an actor,” Athas said. “He wants the expressiveness as much as we do as artists. The beautiful sounds will be there because we are a gorgeous, talented group of voices and instrumentalists. I think his musicality is about making sure we’re technically correct and that we’re not forgetting what the message is to be shared.”

According to soloist Isabela Rosales

(‘16), the long history of Handel’s “Messiah” at Luther is another way that the piece may speak to audience members.

“For those who were at Luther when this was a tradition, I think that this is something that defined the Luther choral experience for them,” Rosales said. “It’s going to be great to perform for people who hold this particular oratorio so dear to their hearts.”

Garner-Prouty is excited to become part of Luther’s “Messiah” tradition through these performances.

“It is a tradition, and it is really cool to be part of a tradition because it’s like you’re let in on a secret,” GarnerProuty said. “Except then you’re sharing that secret with everyone.”

FEATURES

PAGE 6 MARCH 26, 2015

FEATURES EDITOR: ABBY CARPENTER

Luther organizations lend a hand

HAPPY TO HELP. Jayne Pearson (‘15), Sam Ward (‘15), Mallory Carr (‘17) and Hannah Wright (‘18) volunteer at a Caf to Community night on campus, in which students package leftover food from the cafeteria to donate to the food bank in Decorah. Photo courtesy of Nora Felt

COLIN ROBINSON STAFF WRITER Luther students have a wide array of opportunities to become involved in service groups within the student body and the Decorah community. Such organizations include Alpha Phi Omega (APO), Habitat for Humanity, Believing and Achieving (B&A) and Students Helping Our Community (SHOC).

Each group gathers together in order to plan volunteer events.

Some may have a focus on community as a whole, while others may find their focus more specific to a certain group of people.

“We let service drive everything we do,” APO Chapter president Margaret Homeier (‘16) said.

The Luther chapter of the national fraternity often helps with events like Caf to Community.

“There are chapters all over the country and adult APO officers to help us be the best chapter that we can be,” Homeier said. “It’s nice to be able to connect with other chapters for tips and service ideas. We’re even working on planning an event with all the chapters in Iowa. It’s nice to be a part of something bigger.”

A group similar to APO is Luther’s SHOC organization. This group’s focus is to assist the community in any way possible.

“SHOC partners with many different organizations in Decorah to offer help with the food bank, trail building and many of the events put on by the larger Decorah community,” President of SHOC Nora Felt (‘15) said.

SHOC is formed and run by students. The organization is focused on supporting both Luther and Decorah through their service.

“With no member fees and minimum volunteer hour requirements, SHOC presents students with the ability to choose how they want to volunteer and be active in the thriving Luther area,” Felt said. “It truly is student led.”

Believing and Achieving, another student-led group, focuses on helping local children with academics and providing support as their friends.

“Our group is good for helping at-risk children who just need a little more attention,” President of B&A Tyler Crowe (‘15) said.

“Whether it’s academic or social, these are kids who come from homes that aren’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination.”

The group assists at Carrie Lee Elementary and John Cline Elementary in Decorah. Luther students meet twice a week with a student from one of the two schools.

“Sometimes they just need that two hours a week where they

have the undivided attention of someone they look up to,” Crowe said. “You make them feel like the center of attention. These kids just need time, and time is sometimes hard to get in this world.”

One of Luther’s far-reaching service organizations is Habit for Humanity and is a service option for someone looking to travel and help people in other places around the country.

“Luther College’s Habitat for Humanity chapter is all about building connections,” President of Luther College’s Habitat for Humanity Travis Nietert (‘15) said. “Each year we strive to make new connections across the country with various Habitat chapters, as well as bring a group of 45 Luther students together in one place.”

The group has traveled across the U.S. for many different service projects. They have also participated in relief efforts for survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

“I think there is something really powerful about the fact that every year more than 45 students are willing to give up their break time in order to serve others,” Nietert said. “Rather than choosing to spend their breaks relaxing at home or traveling with friends, our members commit themselves to a week of service.”

For students interested in becoming a member of one of these service organizations, the requirements are simple: a small amount of time and the willingness to help others.

COME TOGETHER. Luther’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity poses with the house they helped remodel this spring break in Columbia, South Carolina.

Photo courtesy of Travis Nietert

FEATURES

PAGE 7

FEATURES EDITOR: ABBY CARPENTER

MARCH 26, 2015

Martin passes baton

A DECADE OF CANTOREI. Linda Martin leads a Cantorei rehearsal.

Samantha Phillips / Chips

SAMANTHA PHILLIPS STAFF WRITER After 10 years with Cantorei, Instructor in Music Linda Martin will step down as director of the

choir this spring and pass the role on to Assistant Professor of Education and Coordinator for Music Education Jill Wilson.

“I just feel like there’s a time for everything,” Martin said. “Ten years is a nice round number, and I have felt good about what I’ve

done. I’m also just feeling like it’s time to slow down just a little bit and look toward the future, which will be retirement in a few years, and I thought this would be one way that I could start to go in that direction.”

Martin first developed the idea to pass on the directorship when she learned that Wilson was going to be Luther’s new music education director. The two share a unique history dating back more than 30 years when Wilson began taking piano lessons from Martin as a child. Their relationship came full circle this year when they teamed up to teach a course on elementary music methods together.

“We share really similar philosophies, and I have a ton of respect for her, so it’s really easy for us to work together,” Wilson said. “We’ve known each other for so long.”

Though she is easing up on conducting responsibilities, Martin will take on two additional music education classes come fall.

Since joining the college faculty in 2003, Martin has been an adjunct voice teacher, instructed an ear training class and worked closely with Professor Emeritus Weston Noble (‘43) as a guest lecturer.

“It has been an exciting time to be a member of the Luther ensemble team,” Martin said.

“I have seen five ensemble

conductors (Noble, Nyline, Arnold, T. Peter and S. Peter) leave their positions at Luther during my years here, and I have seen five new conductors (Arnold, Hightower, de Albuquerque, Last and Robison) join our ranks.

Darling and Judisch were also long-term faculty who retired during the past 12 years. All of these people have had a significant and positive effect on my time at Luther.”

Martin thinks very highly of Luther’s music department and feels lucky to have been a part of it for so long.

“If students are willing to take advantage of what we offer, they can get a tremendous education here,” Martin said. “There are people waiting to help. Yes, you have to reach out and take a hand once in awhile, but people are all over in many areas, ready and willing to give the aid that you need to be successful and to be happy and healthy.”

Though Martin will not leave Luther, the students in Cantorei will still miss her. Maddi Norell (‘15) explained that Martin was the reason she stayed in choir.

“I enjoyed how she was making a community out of the choir,” Norell said. “It was kind of nice to have a smaller, closer group of girls. So I’m still in [Cantorei] now because she was always so welcoming in that way. Whenever

I think of Cantorei, I think of Linda Martin.”

Wilson attributed Martin’s success as an educator and director to three guiding principles she discusses frequently.

“Being a good musician and knowing your stuff musically, being able to motivate people and enjoying working with students, and being organized,” Wilson said.

“She does all those three very well.

She cares about her students like crazy; she knows her stuff and she works hard. She’s got it; she’s got the combination.”

Martin introduced Wilson to members of the choir in the beginning of March so they could meet their new director. Wilson feels fortunate to share such a close relationship with Martin and looks forward to a smooth transition of leadership.

“I think that the foundation is going to be very similar and I feel good that she’s here and that I can bounce ideas off of her,” Wilson said.

Martin looks forward to cheering Wilson on in the future as well.

“I still feel really good about what I’ve done and about whose hands I’m leaving them in,” Martin said. “It’s been a great 10 years, and I will be their biggest supporter in the years ahead—of the choir and of Dr. Wilson. I look forward to supporting them however I can.”

Torresdal and Steele to retire FRANCES STEVENSON STAFF WRITER After more than 50 years combined service at Luther, Director of Counseling Service Pam Torresdal (‘74), and Luther counselor Marty Steele (‘75) are retiring this spring.

“They’re just compassionate people,” Administrative Assistant of Counseling Service Mary Cannady said. “They give 110 percent, and their caring attitude has really shone through.”

Torresdal and Steele are a part of the counseling system that serves Luther students, and both regard their experiences at Luther as positive and rewarding.

“I’ve worked multiple other places,” Steele said.

“I’ve never worked with a team that is as supportive as [Luther’s] team is. I always know that Pam and the other counselors have my back.”

Both Torresdal and Steele are looking for something new in their fields, although neither plans on looking for a new position directly after retirement.

“I’ve done this work here for many years and I’m coming to a place [in life] where I’m ready for a transition,” Torresdal said.

After 26 1/2 years, Steele plans on taking some time after Luther to be with family.

“I’d like to spend time with my elderly mother and my children who live all around the world,” Steele said. “I won’t be looking for another professional position.”

Torresdal has worked at Luther for 30 years not only in Counseling Service but also as a professor in the psychology department, and she speaks very highly of Luther for its Counseling Service and also the academic departments.

“My favorite part has been the really wonderful

conversations I’ve had with students over the years; getting to know students, hearing about their lives and being able to be a part of a very positive change,” Torresdal said.

Cannady speaks highly of both counselors and notes their desire to help students thrive at Luther. “[I see students] growing with their help,” Cannady said. “The three words that come to mind are compassionate, caring and respectful.”

According to Steele, young adults are an important group of people when it comes to mental health, and college mental health counselors can be very influential for many young adults.

“In all the years that I’ve worked in mental health, the age group of young adults is sort of the most exciting group to me,” Steele said. “I have really valued the opportunity to be supportive of students at a real important part of their lives and I value their willingness to trust me and talk with me and allow me to kind of accompany them as they make changes in their lives.”

There is a search underway for a new Director of Counseling Service and a new counselor to replace Torresdal and Steele at the end the 2014-15 academic year. Many students use Counseling Service and the past few years have been particularly busy.

“We’ve been very busy in the last couple of weeks,” Torresdal said. “The busiest parts of the academic year are usually after fall break, after Christmas and then mid-February until commencement, particularly November, March and April.”

Students who are considering counseling are encouraged by Torresdal, Steele, Cannady and all the other counselors to come in and make an appointment keeping in mind that there is no commitment and everything is completely confidential.

“It’s free,” Steele said. “It’s private. Try it out.”

THREE DECADES AT LUTHER. Pam Torresdal will retire from Luther after this year.

26 YEARS OF HELPING STUDENTS. Marty Steele will retire from Luther after this year.

Photo courtesy of luther.edu

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 8 MARCH 26, 2015

A&E EDITOR: DYLAN HINTON

D’Ambrosio shares writing KASI MISSELDINE STAFF WRITER Award-winning author Charles D’Ambrosio read original creative work for Luther’s Guest Reading Series on Wednesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. D’Ambrosio has published two books of fiction, “The Point and Other Stories” and “The Dead Fish Museum.” He has also written two essay collections entitled “Orphans” and “Loitering: New & Collected Essays.”

According to D’Ambrosio, his work pays close attention to the way his words and sentences sound together, giving him a distinctive style that inspires admirers of his work.

“I tend to rely on my ear, favoring sound over sense in the act of composition,” D’Ambrosio said. “To get a little kooky, I have this idea that sound is out ahead of sense, that it’s faster by a step or two, and that it will carry you past your everyday objecting mind, taking you places you might not otherwise go.”

Brett Steelman (‘14) recently attended one of D’Ambrosio’s readings at the University of Iowa and was impressed by the author’s instinctive use of sound and language.

“When I read his stories I have to read with a dictionary,” Steelman said. “[D’Ambrosio] has a poetic resourcefulness with imagery that revamps perspective in a really useful way. He doesn’t really believe in polished work. [The author] talks about making his prose feel like rough drafts. He writes with his heart and puts faith in whether or not it sounds right.”

D’Ambrosio commented on his writing process, clarifying his use of unpolishedsounding material.

“As for not ‘polishing’ the work, that’s a little bit of an illusion, because everything I write

is absolutely worked over in draft after draft,” D’Ambrosio said. “I wouldn’t want to suggest that what’s on the page is just a bunch of spew.”

According to D’Ambrosio, his style is an intentionally raw one, but it still requires work.

“The attempt is to get at something messy and raw, with a surface texture that feels true to life, capturing the spectacle of the mind in motion, but to get there takes a ton of rewriting,” D’Ambrosio said. “Plus, for whatever reason, I’m wary of pretty phrases and formulations, flattering as they often feel to me, at least initially. I’m always asking, ‘What’s the cost of that cute little coherence, that tidiness? Where’d the confusion go, the conflict, the doubts, the uncertainties?’”

In addition to his use of language, readers are also struck by D’Ambrosio’s ability to craft believable characters. Coordinator of Diversity Recruitment and organizer of the event Keith Lesmeister (‘01) is inspired by D’Ambrosio’s writing. “[D’Ambrosio’s] commitment to his characters and the way he writes about people on the fringe of society has all been an influence to me. If any of the ways [D’Ambrosio] uses language could influence my work, that would be great. If I could have 10 percent of Charles D’Ambrosio influencing my work, it would be 10 percent better.”

D’Ambrosio’s advice to aspiring writers is simple and encouraging.

“Read a lot; write a lot,” D’Ambrosio said.

“And don’t be afraid. That’s a complete waste of time. Early on I remember thinking there was someone I was supposed to appeal to, someone who’d grant me permission, but that only caused delay, a long and stupid waiting around, because of course no one stands guard at the gate–you just go ahead and get started.”

A DIFFERENT APPROACH. Author Charles D’Ambrosio adopts a writing style that he describes as “a little kooky.”

Photo courtesy of Charles D’Ambrosio

CREATIVE COLLECTIONS. &KDUOHV 'è$PEURVLR KDV SXEOLVKHG WZR ERRNV RI ĆFWLRQ and two essay collections.

Photo courtesy of Charles D’Ambrosio

Album review:

Tobias Jesso Jr., “Goon” PETER JARZYNA KWLC PROGRAM DIRECTOR No one likes a whiner. We’ve all had our blows–there goes love, here comes loss, so the great world turns.

At some point over the past few years, Tobias Jesso Jr. discovered a nugget of lovelorn esoterica known only to post-hippy domestics and loungefastened songwriters, retired, cheap cocktail perpetually in hand: with the sound of ‘60s pop music, a bro with a

nice, even somewhat nasally voice can embed his whined woes (traditionally concerning love and loss) with titanic significance.

Around 2011, Jesso bottomed out in Los Angeles–on top of a broken heart (on account of a rough breakup) and broken bones (on account of being hit by a car), his aspirations to make a life in music were dripping down the proverbial gutter. When the 29-year-old songwriter retreated to his Vancouver home, he set down his acoustic guitar and began to feel his way around the keyboard.

For the best in new independent music, tune in to KWLC Radio Monday through Friday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. KWLC can be found at 1240AM on the radio dial or online at kwlc.luther.edu

He finally caught some attention with early demos “Just a Dream” and “True Love,” including West Coast producer Chet “J.R.” White, of the now-defunct band Girls. Soon enough, White was on board to produce Jesso’s debut album, alongside the coveted likes of prevailing studio guru Ariel Rechtshaid and Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney.

“Goon” marks an alignment of stars for young Jesso; under his production team’s modern studio take on ‘60s simplicity (Harry Nilsson and Randy Newman are clear references), Jesso’s whines wane and wax over affectionate mid-tempo organs, warm and simple piano lines and the occasional gospel choir backing. The lead single “How Could You Babe” is a cathartic centrifuge of all the sentiment he still seems to foster toward his ex (for fun, watch his cheek and jaw muscles contort like a post-polyjuicer during his emotive performance of the song on Letterman, accompanied by the Roots).

In the sparsely orchestrated six minutes of “Hollywood,” Jesso invokes the defeat and despondence he encountered in the City of Angels – it’s the most haunting and aesthetically adventurous song on the album, and perhaps an indication of directions his

Photo courtesy of consequenceofsound.net rather accessible sound could advance to. A studio-fresh version of “Just a Dream” is tucked away toward the back half as though to draw maximum tear-shed from those whose levees aren’t yet weeping gently. In the song, Jesso addresses an imagined daughter, doing his best to coax her out of anxiously feeling the weight of the world, and fearing for its end.

“Goon” is not a challenging listen.

If you were to read the lyrics aloud in a silent room, you’d have a pretty

sterile experience. But with the help of studio wizardry and some lingering geist of woeful ‘60s romanticism, Jesso succeeds in bringing on the feels.

OPINION

PAGE 9

MANAGING EDITOR: SARAH KING

MARCH 26, 2015

Student fears effects of terrorism in Tunisia Letter to the Editor I’m studying abroad in Tunisia this semester. It’s been an absolutely amazing experience that I could talk about forever, but in recent days, the beauty and richness of the country has been overshadowed by the events of March 18.

Early in the afternoon that day, I, along with the whole country of Tunisia, was shocked and horrified as I heard news of tourists being gunned down as they entered the Bardo Museum just a few miles from where I study and live. Over the following few days, news reports continued to roll in – a barrage of rising death tolls, bits and pieces of new information, statements from politicians and security forces, and political commentary. Immediately there were vigils, protests and demonstrations to show solidarity with the victims and to condemn terrorism.

Despite all the madness, for most around here, myself included, the chill pace of life has continued on much as it normally would. But now, as I’ve gone about my days, strangers, friends and acquaintances alike keep asking me: “Aren’t you afraid?”

It’s true; the targets of the attack were foreign visitors to the country like myself. It would be a lie to say that I wasn’t shaken. I’ve been up nights thinking of all the many entirely realistic circumstances under which I

could’ve been at the Bardo that day. But I wasn’t. I’m safe. And yet, I am afraid, just not for those reasons. My relative proximity and relevance to the attack have certainly left me unnerved, but not afraid for my life or myself.

I’m afraid for Tunisia. The 2011 revolution began with protests against rampant unemployment and a weak economy caused by years of corruption and poor governance by the regime. While the revolution won Tunisians their freedom, the economic situation has only gotten worse, and for a country that relies heavily on tourism and foreign investment, the drop in those things resulting from the slaughter of innocent foreigners is a blow they cannot afford. The continued economic decline will likely result in higher unemployment, greater public dissatisfaction and political instability over time – the very conditions that allow extremist groups to flourish.

This attack was terrorism in its purest form: using violence to create fear for political purposes, and I am afraid because it will probably work.

I highly doubt that tourism to Paris has suffered much since the Charlie Hebdo attack; we see France as a safe and stable place. But the Islamophobia that such attacks perpetuate hits much harder for a country that is 98 percent Muslim, and the perception of Tunisia as a hotbed of terrorism may permeate among those who don’t know differently. While Twitter has seen the trending #JeSuisBardo hashtag with many tweeters pledging to visit Tunisia in the coming months, most tourists will probably write off the country when planning their next vacation.

So, as someone who has grown to love this country and does not wish to see it fall apart, yes. I am very afraid.

Phil Hanson (‘16)

SAC Concerts explains delayed announcement Letter to the Editor On behalf of the Student Activities Council, we would like to respond to the unforeseen delay in announcing the spring concert.

Each concert and the planning surrounding it is different, and this spring’s concert has been especially unique. Last semester’s co-chairs decided to experiment with a new process this year to select which artist(s) should be invited to Luther College. They started by creating an online poll for the student body to generate a list

SPRING CONCERT FEELINGS

of possible bands and musicians. The top five artists were shared in another poll with the SAC Concerts committee who then ranked their top five preferences.

Next, separate offers were submitted to the artists who received the most votes: Jessie J., followed by Neon Trees and Meghan Trainor.

After waiting one to two weeks for a response from each of the three listed, the co-chairs were disappointed to hear that each offer was rejected for various reasons.

After inquiring about other possible artists, the co-chairs were informed that many of the musicians on the initial list were unavailable, so a new poll was created and shared with the Concerts committee members. Nick Jonas was the clear artist of choice, so an invitation was

extended to his management and was accepted.

Because of this unfortunate situation, there was a long delay in announcing the artist that was beyond anyone’s control. Nick Jonas was planning on touring with Iggy Azalea, but her tour was rescheduled and a new plan was created for his spring schedule. This information was recently released, which is the reason there was a delay in letting campus know what the spring concert is going to be.

With that being said, Nick Jonas will come to Luther Monday, April 20, 2015. We thank you for your patience and hope you share our excitement for the upcoming concert.

Sincerely, Dietrich Jessen (‘15) and Dani Basche (‘15)

Sarah King

“Granola” labeling an unhealthy trend LUANNA GERDEMANN COLUMNIST In case you aren’t up to date with the latest Luther lingo, the word “granola” doesn’t just refer to a healthy snack anymore. “Granola” is a word used to describe a person. It’s often equated to what we think of as “hippies” or “hipsters.”

Consider yourself a “granola” if you do the following: practice vegetarianism, hug trees on the daily, slack line, cry every time you take off your Birkenstocks or Chacos, live at the Oneota Community Co-op, own anything from Patagonia, REI or LL Bean, or have an Instagram full of VSCOcam nature edits.

Most recently, the “granola” subculture of Luther has begun to flourish with the warm weather.

The first I heard about this group of people was through Yik Yak. Many people posted under the username “granola” and wrote about their coop trips and Birkenstocks/Chacos.

Another key characteristic of a “granola” is their open-mindedness, liberal perspective and acceptance of different people and their style of living. Luther’s liberal arts community located in the small town of Decorah, Iowa, is perfect for anyone who is considered a “granola.”

While the term “granola” is trendy and somewhat comical, it seems to be categorizing anyone who is liberal into a mold. After reading the yaks about the “granola” at Luther College, a lot of the focus on the liberal mind of the “granola” almost puts the term into a negative light, deeming “granolas” as crazy, far-left hippies. Luther is a liberal arts school with a wide spectrum of perspectives on campus. The diversity of thought is vital to the success of a college campus but can sometimes create barriers due to varying beliefs amongst students and even professors.

Instead of categorizing the liberal perspective into a Birkenstock/ Chaco-wearing veg head, we should be embracing their ideals and listening to our fellow peers. Even though we don’t agree with someone, we shouldn’t automatically put them into a category.

We all too often push away what we don’t like to hear and don’t accept those who get our thought process out of its comfort zone. It also works the other way. Sometimes I find that people are so open-minded that they refuse to listen to anyone else’s opposing opinion.

I guess it’s pretty “granola” of me to want everyone to keep an open mind, but maybe we should stick to using it as a term for something that’s put on yogurt instead a label that’s placed on people.

OPINION

PAGE 10 MARCH 26, 2015

MANAGING EDITOR: SARAH KING

Generational critiques

Luther College Chips

Editorial

Chips is a student publication of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. The paper is designed, composed edited and managed entirely by Luther students. It is published weekly during the academic year, excluding the month of January.

The opinion section is designed to provide a forum for Chips, its staff members and the Luther community.

Opinions expressed in articles, editorials and columns do not necessarily represent the views of the Chips staff.

The author is solely responsible for opinions expressed in Chips commentary.

Chips will not accept submitted articles or campus announcements.

Submissions for letters to the editor should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document to chipsedt@ luther.edu with Letter to the Editor as a subject line.

Letters to the Editor are subject to editing without changing the meaning of the letter. Authors will not be notified of changes prior to publishing. Letters must be signed, 300-400 words and submitted before Sunday at 5 p.m. the week before production. Publication of all letters is at the discretion of the editor.

Contact Chips: Phone: 563-387-1044 Fax: 563-387-2072 Email: chipsedt@luther.edu Advertising: chipsads@luther.edu Website: lutherchips.com Facebook: facebook.com/LutherChips Twitter: @LutherChips

We have all heard it: social media has made young adults more concerned about themselves and their Facebook friends or Instagram followers than about news. However, according to the recent study conducted by the American Press Institute and the Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs, Millennials might be consuming more news than many people think.

In fact, six in ten adults under age 30 get news every day, be it from television, laptops, the radio or cellphones. Of those young adults, 71 percent say that the Internet is their main source of news. The former leading source of news, T.V., was reported as 55 percent among the same age group.

Even more telling is the device on which the Internet is used to get news. 44 percent of American

adults own a smartphone. 62 percent of American adults who own a smartphone get news on it every day.

So while older generations are claiming that Twitter, Facebook, Reddit and other social media sites are making Millennials self-involved and unaware of the world around them, it seems possible that the opposite is true.

While Americans age 18-29 are likely to read half as much of an online article as adults age 30-54, young adults click on twice as many news-related links as middle-aged Americans. There is a saying that Americans know a little about a lot, rather than a lot about a little.

Millennials seem to be getting a broader variety of news with less depth than the previous generation, Generation X. News is written to make this possible. The headline and the first paragraph or two of a news story is supposed to give readers the

The Norse Poll

most important information. If readers find the story particularly interesting, they can read the whole story to get the smaller details.

It is impossible to track how far into an article a person reads before moving on in print. Therefore, it is impossible to track the depth of news Generation X is reading. It is possible, however, to track how far a reader scrolls down a news page before clicking away. It is for this reason that Millennials are criticized for their short attention spans, for only reading the first few sentences of news stories.

This is not a new trend. No one has time to read a newspaper front to back every day. The new formats in which young adults are reading news is simply making it possible to over-analyze the way they interact with their surroundings. Ultimately, social media is not changing the habits of Millennials as much as Generation X would like to believe.

How do you consume news?

Spring 2015 Staff Editor-in-Chief: Managing Editor: News Editors: Features Editor: A&E Editor: Sports Editor: Staff Writers:

Head Copy Editor: Copy Editors: Ad Representatives: Ad Accountant: Photographer: Design Technician: Web Manager: Social Media Director: Distribution Manager: Adviser:

Walker Nyenhuis Sarah King Makeda Barkley Emily Crowe Abby Carpenter Dylan Hinton Julia Joseph Cody Arndtson Elizabeth Bonin Erin Danielson Emma Deihl Matt Helm Danny May Kasi Misseldine Sarah Owens Steve Peterson Samantha Phillips Laura Proescholdt Colin Robinson Frances Stevenson Erika Storvick Elizabeth Tabaka Margaret Yapp Katie Hale Cameron Meyferth Bethany Seavers Templeton Alex Brandt Hannah Mick Tyler Hovey Cody Arndtson Samantha Ea Isaac Davis Britany Thorpe Elizabeth Hurley David Faldet

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Senate seeks open communication A Senate Sit-Down The Student Senate Communications Committee has a lot to say this semester. As written in a previous article during the fall, the Communications Committee is revamping how Student Senate and the student body communicate with each other to express ideas, concerns, questions and solutions.

To make the interactions more visible, the committee has utilized the Student Senate bulletin board located across from Nordic Brew in the Union. We have titled the board “Say What You Need To Say� to get students to say what they need to say to Student Senate.

The board is very interactive, and we wish to have students approach the board with questions and be excited to get to know the senators they have chosen to be the voice of the student body. Included on the board is a question of the week that will be updated by the Communications Committee. The intent is to get students to think about the question and comment what they need to say about it on the comment cards that have been placed on the board. These questions will also be asked to various members of Senate that week and their answer and photo will be placed on the

board. The purpose of this is to get the student body more involved in knowing who their senators are and knowing that they have thoughts on popular questions around campus as well. Students do not need to only comment on the question of the week, however. Other appropriate questions, comments or suggestions are welcome. What we hope to create is an easy way for students to interact with Student Senate.

Before each full Senate meeting, the comment cards will be collected and brought to the meeting to be shared with all of the senators. These will help to formulate discussion on what is needed and what concerns the student body has. The hope is to address these issues on the board the next week via the question of the week or a statement on the board.

We as a committee believe that this new way of communication is critical because it is visible to a wide majority of campus, is interactive with both senators and the student body and is open to a wide variety of questions and ideas. Through this, we are able to approach more issues and ideas on campus by being able to think bigger and create more for the students of Luther College.

We hope that the Luther student body is open to this new approach and utilizes it with enthusiasm! As always, to connect more with Student Senate, like us on Facebook under “Luther College Student Senate,� follow us on Twitter @LCStudentSenate and on Instagram at lcstudentsenate. We can’t wait to see what you need to say.

Ashley Kappers (‘16) Junior Class Representative Communications Committee Chair

SPORTS

PAGE 11

MARCH 26, 2015

SPORTS EDITOR: JULIA JOSEPH

Baseball welcomes new coaches STEVE PETERSON STAFF WRITER Luther’s baseball team returned to Iowa from their Spring Break tournament in Tucson, Arizona and will begin the new divisional season under a brand-new coaching staff, with Head Baseball Coach Bryan Nikkel at the helm.

Nikkel, who will also serve as Luther’s Facilities Director, comes to lead Luther’s team after coaching and recruiting at Augustana College (South Dakota) for the past four seasons. He helped lead the Augustana Vikings to two NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances.

“A big thing for me is to have a level of positive energy that is unmatched,” Nikkel said. “I expect that out of the guys, but I also demand it from myself. It’s important to combine that mentality into our highenergy practices.”

Nikkel is joined by Assistant Baseball Coach Jeremey Ische, who previously served as an assistant coach for Southwest Minnesota State University.

Over Spring Break, the Norse baseball team was invited to compete in the Tucson Invitational Games at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. The event was a tournament as well as a chance for many teams from colder climates to have

some spring training in warm weather.

The norse varsity team went 2-4 over the week-long tournament, beating Mount Marty College (South Dakota), while falling to Hamline University (Minnesota), Carthage College (Wisconsin) and Marian University (Wisconsin). Luther also played Augsburg College (Minnesota) twice, grabbing a win and a loss in the two meetings.

The Tuscon Invitational marks the team’s second tournament during their early spring season. Earlier this March, the Norse went 3-1 during a round-robin tournament in Jacksonville, Illinois. According to the coaching staff, it was a successful first outing and a good opportunity for coaches to get a better handle on their players.

“It was good to just see the team play hard, and we had a chance to move some guys around at different positions,” Nikkel said.

“It’s tough to make predictions for the [upcoming] season, but I feel good about where we are,” Nikkel said. “Being new, we just don’t know a lot about [the other IIAC conference teams], but I think that we’ll be competitive if we continue to play hard.”

Ische echoed Nikkel’s uncertainty about the upcoming season, but stressed that the team’s development through their new coaching system will yield good results.

WORDS OF WISDOM. New Head Baseball Coach Bryan Nikkel works with players to incorporate new tactics.

Steve Peterson / Chips “In practice we want to create a lot of competitive environments,” Ische said. “We want to be more efficient with everything we’re doing so our practices will be more intense.”

Nikkel and Ische work alongside Pitching Coach Blaine Barthel, who also serves as an assistant coach for Luther’s football team.

“We’re going to be good on the mound,” Barthel said. “We’ve got a lot of younger guys who are competing for positions, so it’ll be good to see that unfold.”

According to the coaches, the transition into their new positions has continued to be a good experience.

“The team has been really receptive,” Nikkel said. “We try to have an ‘open door policy’, where if anything is different than [players] are used to, they’ll let us know so we can adjust accordingly.”

Optimism for the future is an attitude which reflects what the coaches have observed from the players.

“We’re lead by a great group of seniors,” Nikkel said. “Those guys really seem to want it. It’s a good example for the rest of the team.”

The Norse head to Simpson College for two back-to-back double-headers on March 27-28.

Celebrating National Athletic Training Month SARAH OWENS STAFF WRITER The athletic training staff at Luther is celebrating the work they do by recognizing National Athletic Training Month this March.

“It’s a more fun atmosphere and people are less stressed out,” Luther College Athletic Training Organization (LCATO) President Megan Richason (‘15) said. “We’re always together and we can just tell that we’re a lot closer this month,” Being located on lower campus can make it easy for the rest of the student population to forget about the athletic training staff, according to athletic training student Rhianna MacDonald (‘17).

“My favorite thing about this month is getting the word out and having all the athletes learn more about athletic training and everything we do,” MacDonald said. “We don’t just carry water and make ice bags; there’s so much more to athletic training than that. This month we’re also learning why the athletes appreciate what we do; that’s what I look forward to most.”

The members of LCATO worked hard to construct a variety of activities that would help the group to grow closer and also strengthen the relationships between athletes and trainers. With Olympic competitions, March Madness ankle tape-offs, a ‘Why I Heart My Athletic Trainer’ board hung in Regents and features of athletic training students on LCATO’s Facebook page, the group has been keeping busy in celebration.

“March is kind of long for athletic training students with the overlap of winter and spring sports and the stress of midterms,” Richason said. “It’s a good way to break all that up and have fun together.”

The athletic trainers hope that this month will help their athletes fully understand why they have chosen to pursue this occupation.

“Athletic training is a profession that requires a lot of education, and I think people take it for granted sometimes,” Richason said.

“This year’s theme for athletic training month is ‘We prepare–you perform.’ We do rehab and all of these things to get our athletes

BOUND TOGETHER. Rhianna MacDonald (‘17) shows her competitive side in the March Madness ankle tape-off to celebrate National Athletic Training month.

Sarah Owens / Chips back to what they love to do, and I think that’s what we put out there this month. We love seeing you guys do what you do. That’s what we do.”

Luther coaches working in close contact with the trainers believe this month is essential to give them the recognition they deserve.

“Their season is the longest, and their hours are longer than anybody’s,” Head Women’s Basketball Coach Amanda Bailey said. “As far as academics, it is probably one of the most timeconsuming majors on campus. Really, they get most of the hands-on experience on campus. But I think a lot of the times

they don’t necessarily get to be out in the spotlight and have all the attention drawn to them for everything that they do. Without them, we would not be commissioned to finish our entire season whatsoever.”

Not only is the athletic training staff vital to the sports teams on campus, but coaches agree that they deliver high-quality care as well.

“By far this is the best training staff I have ever been a part of,” Head Football Coach Aaron Hafner said. “I think what also sets them apart from a lot of people is that they relate very well to the players and coaches. Kids want to go in there and get help. They want to get evaluated to make sure that they’re healthy because ultimately we all have the same thing in mind, which is to get players able to perform at the highest level in competitions.”

As the month rolls on, the trainers have noted a difference in the mood of the training room.

“I’ve even noticed that some of the athletes seem more appreciative of the treatments that they’re getting in the training room,” athletic training student Emily Stoneking (‘15) said.

Check out the Luther College Athletic Training Facebook page to learn a little more about the athletic training staff.

SPORTS

PAGE 12

SPORTS EDITOR: JULIA JOSEPH

MARCH 26, 2015

Luther athletes compete at NCAA Championships ERIN DANIELSON STAFF WRITER The NCAA Division III National Championships awarded One National Champion and three All-Americans to Luther athletes between March 13-21.

Three Luther teams were represented in Championship competitions.

Leah Broderick (‘15) competed in the high jump and pentathlon at the Indoor National Track Meet in Winston-Salem, N.C. Clare Slagel (‘16) swam the 100-and 200-meter backstroke, along with the 500m freestyle at the National Swim Meet in Shenandoah, Texas. Wrestlers Jayden DeVilbiss (‘15), Dakota Gray (‘16), Conner Herman (‘15), Blake Letney (‘16), Evan Obert (‘15), Drew Van Anrooy (‘16) and Reed Van Anrooy (‘17) competed at the National Wrestling Meet in Hershey, Penn.

Going into the tournament, Head Wrestling Coach Dave Mitchell was excited about the group of wrestlers that would be competing for the Norse.

“I think we are fourth in the country for the number of wrestlers qualified,” Mitchell said. “We have three guys that are seeded nationally as well.”

Mitchell emphasized the toughness and fight of the athletes competing in nationals.

“The best thing about this team, I think, is just the fight that they exhibit,” Mitchell said. “Going into the national tournament, it is really more about that than it is anything else. Everybody is good, everybody is talented, but it’s just a twoday, four-sessions event that is going to be tough. There are going to be obstacles and things that go wrong, but you just have to pick yourself up and keep going.”

One of the things that makes Luther’s wrestling team stand out is the group’s overall academic performance, according to Mitchell. This year Herman, Letney, Obert and both Van Anrooy brothers earned all-academic awards, which is a school record for one season.

“We have a really strong group of students on this team, as well,” Mitchell said. “We will have five scholar AllAmericans this year. For Obert, I think this is his third scholar All-American award, and for Letney and Herman it will be their second scholar award. As far as the team, there is a scholar award for the top ten starters, and I think we will end up eighth or ninth in the country.”

The team ended up ninth in division III in terms of academics, with a team GPA average of 3.46. Along with having five wrestlers named scholar All-Americans, the team had three wrestlers earn All-American honors in the national tournament. Obert (133) placed third, Herman (285) placed eighth and Drew Van Anrooy (141) was runner-up.

In the Indoor Track & Field National Championships, Broderick finished 10th with 3,363 points in the pentathlon and 17th in the open high jump. This was Broderick’s first trip to Indoor Nationals, but she competed in the heptathlon at outdoor nationals last spring.

“I’m looking forward to competing at this level; it’s a lot different than conference,” Broderick said. “Everyone can have a good day or a bad day just like every other

Weekly Standings Wrestling IIAC 7-0 6-1 5-2 3-4 3-4 3-4 1-6 0-7

#1 Wartburg #8 Luther #10 Coe Central Loras Dubuque Simpson Buena Vista

Recent Scores

Overall 18-1 13-6 9-8 8-4 9-11 8-13 7-11 2-14

Mar. 13-14 NCAA III National Championships 9th Place

Baseball

NATIONAL CHAMP. Clare Slagel (‘16) won the 100meter backstroke at the national meet March 20-21.

Photo courtesy of Luther Athletics meet, but there is just more at stake here.

Obviously winning is what people go there for, but it’s just a different atmosphere. I think going to outdoor nationals last year is a huge advantage.”

In the pentathlon, Broderick placed fourth in the shot put and high jump, sixth in the long jump, 14th in the 800m and 16th in the 60m hurdles, where she ran a personal best of 9.74 seconds. Going into the event, Broderick was looking forward to having another opportunity to compete.

“I obviously want to do my best and I want to be able to pull the pieces of all five events together and then have a good high jump day on day two, but I want to compete with the best and contend for the title,” Broderick said.

At the national swim meet, Slagel won the 100m backstroke in 54.57 seconds, improving from her third-place finish last spring. Slagel was previously the National Champion in the 200m backstroke in 2014 and swam to a third-place finish in the event Saturday, March 21. Slagel placed 20th in the 500m freestyle event.

After returning to Luther as a National Champion for the second year in a row, Slagel reflected on her experience at nationals.

“Competing at nationals is just so different than competing at any other meet because of the caliber of athletes that are there and the girls that you get to race against,” Slagel said. “It’s nice because you never get to swim with these teams from the east coast, and then you see everyone at nationals.”

Although winning is something many athletes strive for in a season, Slagel said that in swimming, a season is all about selfimprovement.

“I think a lot of people tend to focus on the place,” Slagel said. “I was actually more proud of my race in the 200m backstroke just because I dropped time in that in comparison to the 100m. Also because there is a little more strategy to the 200m backstroke.”

#18 Wartburg Loras Simpson #19 Buena Vista Luther Dubuque Central Coe

IIAC 4-0 3-1 1-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-4

Overall 14-1 8-6 3-9 10-1 5-5 5-7 4-6 7-5

Recent Scores

Mar. 21 @ Tucson, Ariz. vs. Carthage College L 3-9 Mar. 20 @ Tucson, Ariz. vs. Augsburg College W 7-4

Upcoming Schedule

Mar. 27 @ Indianola, Iowa vs. Simpson College 3:30 p.m.

Mar. 28 @ Indianola, Iowa vs. Simpson College 1 p.m.

Softball

READY FOR NATIONALS. Leah Broderick (‘15) poses with Head Track & Field Coach Jeff Wettach (‘79) at the National Meet in Winston-Salem, N.C. Photo courtesy of Leah Broderick Going into the meet, Slagel said her goals were to swim hard in every event and also enjoy the experience.

“I wanted to be happy no matter what. It’s easy to get caught up in other peoples’ expectations and especially with performances of last year,” Slagel said. “The way to do it is to go into nationals thinking, ‘OK, this is an excellent opportunity, but no matter what happens I’m going to have fun with it.’”

Slagel was especially thankful for her teammate Jackie Hughes (‘17), who continued to train by her side during the re-taper leading up to nationals. Slagel also gave credit to her coaches, teammates and the many hours spent in the pool and weight room.

“Lance and Bethany are amazing coaches,” Slagel said. “Not only are they brilliant in regards to our training and technique, but they are so crucial in helping to develop the team into a family. I would never wish for any other team. I have the highest respect and love for my teammates and my coaches who have become such a family to me, and I am completely blessed every day to be a part of this team.”

#7 Luther #13 Simpson #19 Central Wartburg Coe Buena Vista Dubuque Loras

IIAC 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Overall 20-0 18-2 14-5 13-5 11-5 7-7 7-9 7-9

Recent Scores

Mar. 21 @ Clermont, Fla. vs. Amherst College W 10-2 (6) Mar. 21 @ Clermont, Fla. vs. Allegheny College W 10-5

Upcoming Schedule

Mar. 28 vs. St. Mary’s University 2 p.m.

Mar. 31 @ Dubuque, Iowa vs. Loras College 3 p.m.

Men’s Tennis #35 Coe Wartburg Luther Central Simpson Dubuque Buena Vista Loras

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

Recent Scores

Overall 12-4 6-7 6-8 2-4 3-10 4-8 1-6 0-8

Mar. 18 @ Orlando, Fla. vs. Marian University L 14-17 Mar. 17 @ Orlando, Fla. vs. Hobart College L 4-5

Upcoming Schedule

Mar. 28 @ Cedar Rapids, Iowa vs. Coe College 1 p.m.

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

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

Recent Scores

Overall 17-5 12-6 8-6 7-4 5-8 5-12 4-9 0-10

Mar. 18 @ Orlando, Fla. vs. St. Lawrence University L 0-9 Mar. 17 @ Orlando, Fla. vs. Calvin College W 9-0

Upcoming Schedule

Apr. 3 @ Winona, Minn. vs. Wheaton College 6 p.m.

NATIONALS BOUND. Reed Van Anrooy (‘17), Evan Obert (‘15), Dakota Gray (‘16), Drew Van Anrooy (‘16), Conner Herman (‘15), Jayden DeVilbiss (‘15) and Blake Letney (‘16) competed at the national wrestling meet March 13-14.

Photo courtesy of Luther Athletics