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Students attend National Trumpet competition in Texas
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Luther hosts annual Ethnic Arts Festival
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COLLEGE
LUTHER “Let the chips fall where they may.”
VOLUME 140, NO. 14• EST. 1884
MARCH 8, 2018
Understanding others Luther responds to through storytelling
#NeverAgain EMMA BUSCH STAFF WRITER
Professor of Political Science Pedro dos Santos explains the refugee crisis in Syria. Piper Wood (‘21) I Chips PIPER WOOD STAFF WRITER Professor of Political Science Pedro dos Santos and Asha Aden (‘20) delivered the second of three lectures in the Paideia Lecture Series “Be the Change” on Feb. 27 in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall. The lecture was titled “What is to be done? Humanizing the Refugee Crisis” and focused on issues stemming from the wake of mass refugee immigration all over the world. To begin the lecture, dos Santos spoke on the complexities of the Syrian refugee crisis. He explained basic information surrounding the Syrian civil war and refugee crisis. Dos Santos then analyzed the relationships between the United States, various militia groups, rebel groups, and government organizations in Syria, and how these forces combined to create the complicated conflict and refugee crisis. Dos Santos highlighted the importance of keeping the politics of the war separate from the humanitarian crisis caused by the large numbers of refugees fleeing Syria. “It is important to understand the complexity of issues, and
move away from the polarizing political dichotomies,” dos Santos said. “The Syrian conflict is one thing and helping the people affected by the conflict is a whole other thing.” Aden went on to explain how the politics of the refugee crisis leads to the dehumanization of refugees. According to Aden, both pro-refugee and anti-refugee movements can dehumanize. Anti-refugee movements do this by using stereotypes. “By emphasizing the differences and exploiting myths and lies about religious and cultural values of many of those fleeing conflict and natural disasters, those using this argument dehumanize refugees by positioning them as complete outsiders, unworthy of their help,” Aden said. She went on to explain the misguided intentions of the pro-refugee movement that views immigrants and refugees as “superhuman.” According to Aden, to be “superhuman” they somehow have to be better than normal humans to avoid blame and hate. Aden explored the dehumanization of the refugees through the consequence of presenting refugees as innocent humans in need of help.
On Feb. 26 Luther released a statement in support of high school students participating in the #NeverAgain movement. “Luther College applauds students’ expression of their beliefs and supports active citizenship,” the statement read. “We want to assure students that participating in peaceful protest does not jeopardize your admission to Luther College, even if you are disciplined or suspended. Our socially conscious community is fully committed to developing whole persons who are equipped to understand and confront a changing society.” The #NeverAgain movement began in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Shooting in Parkland, Florida which resulted in 17 deaths and 14 injuries after a former student opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle on Feb. 14. Since then, high school students have worked to nationally organize walkouts in support of gun control and in memory of the victims of mass shootings. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, over 250 other colleges around the country have expressed their support of the movement as well, including Harvard, Yale, and MIT, in the wake of many high schools threatening to discipline participating students. According to Vice President for Enrollment Management Scot Schaeffer, the statement was released to clarify Luther’s position for incoming students. “Following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, as students started planning peaceful protests, colleges across the country, including Luther, started receiving questions from prospective students,” Schaeffer said. “They were asking if the college’s offer of admissions would be rescinded if the student participated in a peaceful protest and was suspended by their high school.”
REFUGEES | PAGE 4
STATEMENT | PAGE 4
Asha Aden (‘20) demonstrates the power of storytelling. Piper Wood (‘21) I Chips
Neuroscience department receives grant GILLIAN KLEIN STAFF WRITER The neuroscience department received a Roy J. Carver charitable trust grant of $200,000 on Feb. 15. They will use the grant to buy equipment to further research opportunities. According to the Roy J. Carver Charitable website, from 1987 onwards, the Carver charitable trust has awarded $330 million in the form of 2,100 individual grants to educational and philanthropic institutions and organizations, specifically focused in the areas of biomedical and scientific research. The private philanthropic foundation was founded through the will of Roy J. Carver, former industrialist and philanthropist. Co-founder of the neuroscience program and
Professor of Biology Scott Carlson emphasized why this grant is crucial to his students’ educational experience. “I plan to use part of the grant for my electrophysiology classes,” Carlson said. “This field studies organisms at the small level, and up to this point it’s been purely theoretical. Now it’s going to come to life.” Neuroscience major Emily Turner (‘19) is excited about the grant. “Neuroscience is still a relatively new field in general and encompasses many areas of study,” Turner said. “Being a part of this major means lots of hands-on lab experience, especially since there is always something new to learn.” NEUROSCIENCE | PAGE 4
Linh Luong (‘20) (left) and Emily Fuller (‘19) (right) work with a microscope in a biology lab. Gillian Klein (‘20)I Chips
NEWS
PAGE 2 MARCH 8, 2018
Political science department loses two faculty, will replace one
NEWS EDITORS: KATRINA MEYER & ANA LÓPEZ
"Accidental Courtesy" opens "Hope Over Hate" week
MARTIN DONOVAN STAFF WRITER The political science department will reduce the number of professors during the 2018-2019 academic year by replacing only one of two upcoming vacancies. The department will hire a visiting professor after Professors of Political Science Pedro Dos Santos and Paul Gardner leave at the end of the academic school year. Dos Santos will leave for a new position at College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University and Gardner will retire after 32 years at Luther. Political science major Sean McKenzie (‘20) expressed his concerns regarding the changes in the political science department. “It’s scary [and] unfortunate that one solid professor is retiring and then in the same year another very solid professor is moving,” McKenzie said. “It reduces the political science department [significantly].” The department is currently looking for a temporary one–year visiting professor for 2018-2019. The department will then start a search during the 2018-2019 academic year and eventually hire a new tenure track position. “The reason we did it as a visiting [professor] is because we had to do it quickly and [searches] can take forever, especially for a tenure track,” Associate Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department Carly Foster said. “For a tenure track you are asking people to permanently relocate here, so we want to give people a little more time to think about whether they want to apply.” The department is seeking a professor who has a similar research focus as Dos Santos — comparative and global politics. “The position we are hiring is for a one-year position for a person a who has expertise in international relations, international studies, comparative [politics], and international politics,” Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and Political Science Rachel Brummel said. “In particular, we are looking for somebody who has an area specialty, so a region in the world where they specialize. We are looking to get a global perspective, which is something that [Dos Santos] brought with his focus on Latin America.” The current search committee for the visiting professor consists of Brummel, Foster, and Professor of Political Science Michael Engelhardt. However, in 2018-2019 the political science department will form a search committee that will include Brummel, Foster and Engelhardt, as well as one to two professors outside of the department for the tenure track position. Political science major Joe Keeley (‘20) displayed concern about the department’s decision to only replace one of the two professors leaving. “It says something about how Luther isn’t prioritizing these subjects,” Keeley said. “Dos Santos leaving, to me, illustrates these subjects that can be used to retract students aren’t being prioritized or advertised by the college as much as they could be. This school should make a bigger priority in advertising these programs, hiring new professors, and really invigorating this department.” Despite the changes in faculty, the department does not intend to make significant changes to the curriculum. Moving forward, the political science department plans to further its work and collaboration with other academic departments in order to provide interesting courses for students. “The other thing that political science is really strong in is our intersections with other programs,” Brummel said. “[There are] connections with international studies, ... with environmental studies, ... with women and gender studies, [and the] Paideia program. So [we are] maintaining those connections, but looking at other ways to intersect with programs to continue to strengthen.”
Attendees discuss Daryl Davis film at the screening of "Accidental Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race & America." Rozlyn Paradis (‘21) | Chips
ROZLYN PARADIS STAFF WRITER Campus Programming screened the documentary “Accidental Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race & America” on March 1. The screening is preparation for Daryl Davis visit to campus as part of the “Hope Over Hate” week, which intends to encourage difficult conversations on campus. The documentary follows musician, actor, lecturer, and author Davis as he befriends members of the Klu Klux Klan (KKK). Davis emphasizes his belief that dialogue with people with different values has the potential to make real change in the world. Through his conversations, Davis has befriended KKK members, discussed racially-based ideologies, and collected 26 robes from various KKK members. These interactions sparked honest conversations that debunked racist beliefs, inspiring many members to leave the KKK. Approximately 35 individuals attended the screening, including students, faculty, staff, and Decorah community members. Professor of Africana Studies and English Novian Whitsitt wishes that there had been more students in attendance. "It is important to take the opportunities provided by Luther to talk about [race relations]," Whitsitt said. After the screening, Whitsitt facilitated a discussion with the viewers. "Evaluating [Davis'] work can be complicated," Whitsitt said as he opened
Daryl Davis poses with a klan member after a rally. Photo courtesy of daryldavis.com the discussion after viewing the film. The responses of viewers varied. Director of the Center for Ethics and Public Engagement (CEPE) Victoria Christman found inspiration in Davis’ work. "I find that kind of openness and willingness to engage — to really be in dialogue with someone else — really inspiring," Christman said. In a scene near the end of the film, two young Black Lives Matter (BLM) activists outwardly disagree with Davis' methodology. They claim he was only making new friends — the KKK members — and collecting trophies — the robes — instead of “making real change,” like the BLM movement is. Discussion members were overall
KKK member Bob White with Daryl Davis. Photo courtesy of daryldavis.com
surprised that Davis chose to leave that scene in as it did not present him well. "I thought that it was quite honest of Davis to leave that scene in the documentary,” Christman said. “There was a certain vulnerability involved in doing that." Kristen Hansen (‘21) believes Davis's methodology proves his lack of understanding of systematic racism in the U.S. She does not discount his experience with racism in the U.S. but emphasizes that the BLM activists had different perspectives because they had grown up in predominantly black, urban communities whereas Davis grew up in many different countries. Decorah community member Liz Rog (‘81) commented on the split feelings this critique provoked. "There are just different kinds of work and we have to do all of it," Rog said, "Sometimes people are called to do different things." "One of the goals of the CEPE is to foster 'difficult conversations' both on campus and in the community,” Christman said. “I hope Davis will make all of us think about our individual reactions to other people. I hope that it will make us think about the potential we have for being bridge-builders in this world, and I hope it might help us listen rather than yell, and talk to one another rather than speak past one another." Davis will give a Luther College Humanities Distinguished Lecture on Thursday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College. The event welcomes the Luther and Decorah community.
NEWS
PAGE 3
NEWS EDITORS: KATRINA MEYER & ANA LÓPEZ
MARCH 8, 2018
Debate questions governmental moral obligations GRACE ONSRUD STAFF WRITER The Center for Ethics and Public Engagement (CEPE) and the Philosophy Society held the second Daniel H. Andreotti Memorial Student Debate on Feb. 28 in the Center For Faith and Life Recital Hall (CRH). The debate focused on the question: “Is a government’s primary moral obligation to its own citizens or to the people of the world?” Nazario Jap Dos Santos (‘19) and Ismail Hamid (‘19) argued for obligations to a country’s own citizens, while Rebecka Green (‘19) and Minh Anh Nguyen (‘20) argued for obligations to the people of the world. Both debates were organized by moderator Max Eness (‘20) and named after Daniel Andreotti, a close friend of Eness who passed away last year. Eness mentioned him in his opening to the debate. Green said that Eness reached out to her and the other participants in the debate with his question idea in January, and the five of them began to research the topic and prepare arguments soon after. Most of the preparation was done in the three weeks leading up to the debate, when the participants met biweekly to plan their arguments. The debate was mostly scripted as each side knew
the other side’s arguments ahead of time. The Q&A periods following each round of arguments were almost entirely unscripted. Green said that she hopes the debate pushed the audience to think more deeply about their beliefs on nationality. “Perhaps people will take their politics and go even a step further and ask, 'why do I think that nationalism is good or bad?' Why do I think globalism is good or bad?” Green said. “I want the audience to push themselves even harder about their own beliefs and moral systems after this debate and to better understand where they and others are coming from when it comes to how they approach nationality.” Hamid, said that his desire to learn about the topic and the debate process led him to participate, regardless of his own beliefs. “I don’t necessarily agree with all the ideas in my position, but I wanted to get into the exercise of researching a certain side and being able to articulate an argument,” Hamid said. “[I definitely wanted to be a part of ]this and seeing what a constructive conversation looks like and the fact that we need more of that in society right now.” Nguyen also learned from the debate, as this was her first time participating in a
Ismail Hamid ('19) presents his argument at the second Daniel H. Andreotti Student Debate. Grace Onsrud (‘20) | Chips
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37/21 Minh Anh Nguyen ('20) argues for a globalist perspective. Grace Onsrud (‘20) | Chips
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41/21 Rebecka Green ('19) presents a globalist position at the student debate. Grace Onsrud (‘20) | Chips formal debate. “I learned a lot about clarity and being as minimal and simple as I can [in an argument],” Nguyen said. Dos Santos said that he was drawn to participate in the event because of the importance of this topic in his life and culture. He hopes that the debate illustrated the complexities of the issue. “I do believe that the government should care about its people and prioritize its citizens to guarantee the survival of the country,” Dos Santos said. “And one of the reasons is because of my background. I come from [East Timor], so I believe that the survival of the country is very essential and we have to put our selfinterest first. I think the issue is the rise of far right nationalists everywhere.” Eness said that he participated in formal debates during high school and developed the idea to organize the Daniel
H. Andreotti Memorial Student Debates because of a lack of formal debate at Luther. “I think it came from what I saw as a lack of public rigor at Luther,” Eness said. “We all go to our classes and write stuff but we don’t get to apply those academic skills in public life ... Formal debate is something that was missing on Luther’s campus.” Attendee Sean McKenzie (‘20) said that he enjoyed the debate and admired the work of the participants. “The debaters were really well prepared and they knew their positions inside and out,” McKenzie said. “I hope the CEPE continues to put on events similar to this.” According to Eness, the debates will continue during the next academic year, but with a new organizer and moderator since he will study abroad. He encourages participation in future debates from any students who are interested.
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NEWS
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MARCH 8, 2017
Life Outside Luther Former Russian spy critically ill Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal who was accused of betraying fellow agents to British intelligence is now critically ill after exposure to an unknown substance. Relations between Britain and Russia have been tense ever since 2006 when the British suspect Vladimir Putin authorized the killing of another former spy using radioactive material. Former Trump aide refusing to comply with Mueller investigation Former Trump aide Sam Nunberg has said that he will not comply with a subpoena to testify for a grand jury in the Mueller investigation. Nunberg worked with the Trump campaign in 2015 until he was fired for racially-charged messages on Facebook. Mueller has now charged several Trump aides along with a dozen Russians over the course of his investigation.
NEWS EDITORS: KATRINA MEYER & ANA LÓPEZ REFUGEES | PAGE 1 “Altogether, good intentions can dehumanize refugees, too,” Aden said. “The ways we talk about refugees and to refugees are important because it impacts the way people perceive refugees, shaping opinions and behavior.” As a solution to the demonization and dehumanization of refugees, Aden proposed sharing immigrant and refugee stories. Aden shared three refugee stories, including the story of her experience growing up as the daughter of Somali refugees. Through these narratives, Aden hoped to inspire action and understanding for the lives of refugees in America. “Since both of my parents are refugees, it is an issue that is very near and dear to me,” Aden said. “I feel connected to it, and I am compelled to speak out about it.” Audience member Katy Roets (‘18) appreciated the diversity of the stories. “I really liked that [Aden] showed stories of refugee women,” Roets said. During the Q & A portion, Roets asked Aden about her experiences in the education system as a young child of refugees growing up in Rochester, Minnesota. “The first time I went to preschool I did
not speak English," Aden said. "It was a confusing, scary day for me." Dos Santos and Aden offered ideas for audience members to become involved. They stressed the importance of being informed, reading diverse news outlets, and donating time and money to the organizations working directly with refugees, such as the White Helmets or Lutheran Services in Iowa. Moving forward, dos Santos is optimistic about international conversation on campus. “Having this conversation shows that people are caring for these issues and listening to it, and trying to make good decisions to solve it,” dos Santos said. “Humans are taking the opportunity to help other humans.” Aden is also optimistic about the future of citizens support in solving the refugee crisis. “I have optimism in the people,” Aden said. “If the people push the government, they can make a change.” The next lecture in the “Be the Change” series will be given by Assistant Professor of Art David Kamm and Professor of English Lise Kildegaard. The lecture will be titled “Turn and Face the Strange: Creative Activity as a Catalyst for Change,” and will take place on March 20.
Fights and arrests break out before a white nationalist speech in Michigan Richard Spencer, a white nationalist, was scheduled to speak at Michigan State University. But before he started, fist fights broke out leading to 12 arrests. Over 500 people were waiting outside to protest Spencer's speech, and they clashed with about 40 supporters. The director of operations for Richard Spencer's organization the National Policy Institute, Gregory Conte, was one of the people arrested. Kim Jong Un expressed interest in advancing ties with South Korea Kim Jong Un met with senior South Korean officials on Tuesday to talk about inter-Korean ties, and possibly pursue the reunification of Korea, according to a North Korean press release. The South Korean delegation met with Kim Jong Un in an attempt to urge North Korea to talk with United States ambassadors. Relations have been very tense between all three countries since North Korea began testing more advanced nuclear weapons in recent months. The Olympics in South Korea served to ease tensions for a few weeks, and this meeting is a result of the easier relations.
Professor of Political Science Pedro dos Santos and Asha Aden ('20) lecture together on the refugee crises. Piper Wood (‘21) | Chips
NEUROSCIENCE | PAGE 1 There are two main tracks within the neuroscience major: psychology or biology emphasis, allowing students in the department to cater the major to their other studies. Students in the major can choose additional courses from departments like biology or psychology to specialize even further in the neuroscience major.
The neuroscience program’s success began with the combined work from the biology and psychology departments. Carlson, along with Professor of Psychology Kristy Gould, and Assistant Professor of Biology Stephanie Fretham ('05) designed the program to focus on neuronal function and its role in behavior. Gould highlighted how the grant aligns with their goal to provide students with the
STATEMENT | PAGE 1 Many Luther students have responded positively to the statement online and see it as a sign of encouragement to incoming Luther students to express their beliefs. “I think that it’s really encouraging to see that coming from the higher-ups in Luther, just because they’re supporting people that stand up for what they believe in and that’s really important in today’s society,” Abby Leblanc (‘20) said. “The younger generation really needs to step up and have their voices be heard, and this [statement] is encouraging that.” Others feel similarly but are also concerned about high school students potentially taking advantage of the college’s support and misusing their right to protest. “It’s really cool that Luther has decided to give students this kind of opportunity to express themselves and go out and support their beliefs," Mary Flaherty ('20) said. "But I do think that Luther should have some sort of interview with the students that decide to [protest] to make sure that their intentions were genuine and they weren’t trying to use it as an excuse to get out of their classes or to seem cool in a certain sense. But I think for the most part, Luther supporting future students is awesome.” Schaeffer also noted mixed reactions in response to the statement. “The statement was emailed to prospective students and posted on Luther’s social media channels,” Schaeffer said. “We have heard from prospective students, parents, alumni, and friends who welcomed Luther’s position on this question. Some agreed with the decision and others did not.” Many marches and events have been held in response to the shooting already, but the first national walkout will be led by the Women’s March Youth EMPOWER organization on March 14. More than 185,000 students are expected to participate in this 17-minute walkout on the one month anniversary of the Stoneman Douglas shooting. There will also be a "March for Our Lives" held in Washington D.C. and many cities around the country on March 24.
quantitative and assessment skills to pursue differing careers. “We are going to be purchasing equipment that students can use in laboratory work and outside the class,” Fretham said. “This presents students with opportunities to develop their skills in a new way.” Neuroscience major Linh Luong (‘20) emphasized the positive effect the grant will have on all neuroscience majors.
Shares begin to recover after scare sparked by Trump's trade war comment Asian trade markets are beginning to recover after the initial shock of Trump's proposed trade wars. Trump announced his attention to start a trade war by proposing tariffs on steel and aluminum. Stocks around the world are also recovering slowly as the fear begins to wear off. Leading Republicans in the United States are also pressuring Trump to rethink his stance on the tariffs and the trade war.
Taken from: reuters.com
Emily Fuller ('19), Linh Luong ('20), Jenna Reimann ('20), and Cosette Schneider ('20) work with microscopes. Gillian Klein (‘20) | Chips
“As for the $200,000, I think it will positively impact the present and future of the neuroscience program,” Luong said. “It will increase our research opportunities that will help us put our knowledge to use.” Applying knowledge and advancing research in the medical field is one of many objectives Roy J. Carver held in founding the charitable trust. According to the Roy J. Carver Charitable website, he was especially interested in supporting research activities to advance scientific knowledge and improve human health. “Students may begin proposing their own independent research with the equipment we will purchase,” Fretham said. “[Students being] given the equipment to develop their own research opens doors for everyone.” The grant has also given students like Turner the opportunity to take her knowledge further than the Luther community. “This major has skills you can apply to other areas of interest,” Turner said. “We can start to understand what our research means for individuals and the greater community.”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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A&E EDITOR: LILY KIME
MARCH 8, 2018
Eight Luther musicians travel to National Trumpet Competition CARA KEITH STAFF WRITER Eight trumpet students will represent Luther College at the National Trumpet Competition in Denton, Texas, beginning on Thursday, March 8. The students selected to participate as an ensemble in the National Trumpet Competition (NTC) are Liam Fraser (‘18), Michael Winkler (‘19), Maddy Ihde (‘19), Chelsey Schmeling (‘19), Curtis Cook (‘19), Sarah Lodge (‘19), Chloe Beck (‘20), and Marya Haugland (‘20). Winkler qualified to perform as a soloist at this competition. This is the third year that Luther College has sent students to participate at the NTC, and Winkler is the first-ever soloist from the college. The competition is held at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas and the competitors age anywhere from junior high to graduate school. In order to participate in this event, the Luther trumpet ensemble sent in an audition tape, and then they were accepted to audition for the quarterfinals. Winkler explained the audition process for getting a chance to compete in the NTC. “We’re kind of left to our own devices so we basically just got together, rehearsed, got a recording, and sent it in,” Winkler said. “Then a panel of judges comprised of different teachers from around the country and different players that
the board of the competition pulls in approves different groups. We got our results in January and basically just went insane practicing the music until now.” This year the rounds of the competition will include a quarterfinal, a semifinal, and final round. The NTC accepted more groups this year due to adding a quarterfinal round instead of sending groups straight to the semifinal. In the past, the Luther trumpet ensemble has not made it past the semifinal round. The octet has been working to prepare the song “Into the Blue” by Kevin McKee for the competition. According to Ihde, the previous two years the Luther College trumpet ensemble participated in NTC were learning experiences. “Our first year that we went, we did not do super well, and that was because we didn’t really know what to expect, never having gone to this competition before,” Ihde said. “We were the only ensemble that used music stands to play music, so it was a shock to us to see what we should actually be doing. Last year, we did really well. We ranked somewhere between fourth and seventh out of 20.” Over the past three years, the Luther trumpet ensemble improved their performances by memorizing their music and adding choreography. This year, the ensemble is focusing more on the music than on the choreography in
Chloe Beck (‘20), Maddy Idhe (‘19), Marya Haugland (‘20), and Michael Winkler (‘19) were all accepted to compete in the National Trumpet Competition. Photo courtesy of Luther College Symphony Orchestra’s Facebook page order to perfect their piece. They have rehearsed approximately twice a week since October. In addition to performing in the ensemble, Winkler also earned the opportunity to compete in the solo undergraduate division at the NTC. Winkler was responsible for his audition as a solo performer. “It’s a really similar process to the ensemble auditioning,” Winkler said. “I think it’s a lot more competitive in the sense that there’s a lot more people who know of the opportunity, and it’s a lot easier to prepare something yourself and send it in than it is to organize a group and
really have everyone be committed to that. It’s the first year I’ve been able to do this, and I’ve auditioned for the past two years as well. I don’t really know exactly what to expect but I’m really excited.” Overall, the Luther musicians feel prepared to perform well at the competition. According to Fraser, the Luther trumpet ensemble hopes to leave their mark at the NTC. “This year we expect to be memorable,” Fraser said. “If nothing else, we hope that people hear our performance and think, ‘That’s impressive, and I hope those young adults do great things in whatever
they do.’ Ideally, it would be fun to make it through the quarterfinal round because that’s new this year and would mean we could perform at least twice. If we can make it through to semifinals, the ultimate goal would be to make it to finals, which is just the top three ensembles [at the competition].” The NTC takes place Thursday, March 8 until Saturday, March 10. The event also includes master classes taught by musicians from around the country. Assistant Professor of Music and director of the Trumpet Ensemble John Cord declined to comment.
Gospel Sunday celebrates with music and spirit JORGE CONTRERAS STAFF WRITER Gospel Sunday, a celebration of diversity through music, took place in the Center for Faith and Life (CFL) on Sunday, March 4. Over 60 people attended the music-centered
church service. Gospel Sunday is an annual College Ministries tradition that features the Gospel Choir and another Luther choir. This year it was Collegiate Chorale performing. The service was made even more special by a visit from Vicar Lenny Duncan, who delivered
Gospel musician Moses Maina and Gospel Choir member Janet Irankunda (‘19) sing during Gospel Sunday. Emily Turner (‘19) | Photo Bureau
the sermon. According to Pastor Mike Blair, Gospel Choir positively incorporates cultural traditions into the community. “Gospel Choir brings a spirit of joyful community to those who sing and those who hear their music,” Blair said. “Directors Brendon Adams and Sam Simataa bring the gifts of South African and Namibian musical traditions as well. Gospel Choir blesses the community with a diverse offering of Gospel and African music.” Current leader of the Gospel Choir Sthela Gun Holly Hanitrinirina (‘19) believes that the traditions of the Gospel Choir bring joy to its members and the church. “The best part of Gospel Choir is the tradition and the spirituality in gospel singing,” Hanitrinirina said. “We come together on Saturday and start to learn everything the day before we sing at church. We start with not knowing anything to be able to sing and share the gift the next day.” Member of Gospel Choir Janet Irankunda (‘19) commented on how the music was incorporated into the sermon. “All of the music during the sermon was provided by our amazing band; they basically improvised all of the music during that time,” Irankunda said. “I wish I could say that there was planning but in a way
that really wouldn’t be gospel. In the gospel tradition, improvisation is key, and the inspiration or continuation of song is part of its beauty.” Hanitrinirina sees a connection between the music and the gospel message. “Gospel music is in sermon itself; the content of gospel songs are prayers, messages, or celebration,” Hanitrinirina said. “It is the same with sermons, but it is just musical version.” For Blair, the band successfully incorporated music into the sermon and made the community interact with it. “Adams brings a stellar team of Gospel musicians for gospel Sunday, and the ensemble is well versed in the gospel tradition of call and response,” Blair said. “They used their music during the sermon to underscore the preaching of [Duncan] and invite the community to a more holistic way of listening and engaging in the sermon.” Irankunda expressed her love for the choir and emphasized its differences from other college ensembles. “I love being a part of Gospel Choir,” Irankunda said. “It is such a different style of singing than what we get in our traditional Luther College ensembles. It provides a space where structure isn’t the goal and there is freedom in all you do.”
FEATURES
PAGE 6 MARCH 8, 2018
FEATURES EDITOR: SHASA SARTIN
Ethnic Arts Festival Does the learning stop here?
Minh Anh Nguyen (‘20) shares information about Vietnam with Geoffrey Dyck (‘18) at the Ethnic Arts Festival.
KRISTEN WUERL STAFF WRITER On Saturday, March 3 students proudly displayed clothing, food and art from their countries of heritage and origin in the Ethnic Arts Festival. The Diversity Center hosted the event which started with a fair and buffet in the Center for the Arts (CFA) and concluded with the flag procession and performances in the evening in the Center for Faith and Life (CFL). “The point of the festival is to show how our people live and what’s going on [in our home countries],” Communications Assistant Samson Masanga (‘20) said. “We want our conversations to be organic. The root of the festival is to show people that even though we have many apparent differences we also share a lot of things. In the end, we see that we’re not that different after all.” Several international students said the Ethnic Arts Festival is a good introduction for Luther students and
community members to learn more about different cultures throughout the world. “I think the [Ethnic Arts Festival] is a great opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate cultures for at least one time in an entire year,” Elisabeth Do Rosario Vicente (‘20) said. “Although you’re not necessarily representing your whole country perfectly [during the festival], it gives you a chance to share what your culture is and to let people know more about it. It’s a very interesting approach.” President of the International Students and Allies Association (ISAA) Zakithi Nkosi (‘19) believes that the Ethnic Arts Festival represents students’ countries to the extent that they present them. “I give as much information about [Swaziland] as possible and try to paint a good enough picture of it, but someone else might do it differently,” Nkosi said. “I think the performance aspect really illuminates the whole festival. It gives people a physical example of what’s going
Rana Alananbeh (‘21) does henna at the Ethnic Arts Festival.
Kristen Wuerl (‘18) | Chips
Kristen Wuerl (‘18) | Chips on.” The performances and flag procession occur in the evening after the country fair and buffet. This year, the performance featured nine acts. These acts ranged from a sentimental singing duet about goodbyes between Jenny Woods (‘18) and Belal Krayem (‘18), to various traditional dances, to a Vietnamese fashion show. Vicente performed in a dance from her home country, Timor-Leste. “Performing makes me happy,” Vicente said. “When you’re performing, you show [the audience] how everything is done, and [the audience] gets more insight into what everything is.” Although some students believed that the Ethnic Arts Festival represented their countries well, other students felt differently. “I can’t promise that [the festival] will give people enough of an experience of my home,” Masanga said. “If you were to go to Kenya, it would be different than if I were to go. The festival kind of gives you a flavor but you can never give someone the experience [of actually being there]. There’s only so much I can do. You have to see it [for yourself ].” Masanga thought that creating a workshop could be beneficial for students and community members to learn more about global cultures. “Doing a regular workshop talking about countries in depth [would be kind of similar to the Ethnic Arts Festival], but it would... keep it fresh,” Masanga said. “If we could have a bimonthly activity that talks about one country and its current state or huge headlines, I think that would be continuing the ethnic arts conversation.” Nkosi and Vicente also wanted to see changes to the festival. “My first year the festival was in the Union,” Nkosi said. “Moving it to the CFA made it less accessible to students. I wish more Luther students would come, especially people who are interested in other cultures and study-abroad opportunities. It’s always so nice to learn something about another country that you can’t visit.” Vicente agreed that not many Luther students come — especially in comparison to Decorah community members — and attributed the low student attendance to the advertising of the festival. “Students are not very aware of the festival,” Vicente said. “I think it should be advertised even more on campus and in Decorah. This event is very important and only occurs once a year. These cultures have been brought to Luther and they should be seen and appreciated.”
FEATURES
PAGE 7
FEATURES EDITOR: SHASA SARTIN
MARCH 8, 2018
Music Ed. majors get WILD Decorah Lutheran Church and Music Ed. partner up for program MATTHEW GLEAVES STAFF WRITER Every Wednesday morning, the Decorah Community School District has a late start due to an inservice hour for teachers. Luther’s music education program recently turned this late start into an opportunity by starting Wednesday Inservice with Luther students at Decorah Lutheran Church (WILD). Headed by Assistant Professor of Education and Coordinator for Music Education Jill Wilson and Instructor in Music Linda Martin, WILD started in the fall of 2017 to give Luther students teaching experience while also developing the basic music skills of elementary students. Each Wednesday, Luther music education majors teach students in third through sixth grade from 8:00-8:50 a.m. on Wednesday mornings. WILD also serves as a practicum for music education students. Luther students receive practical experience while providing elementary students with an outlet for music outside of regular school programs. “It is really important to place melodies and rhythm at an early age, so that all throughout their lives, they will learn [melodies and rhythm] more easily and it will become a part of them,” Martin said. “Music needs to be offered as something that is simply fun to do and good for us. It’s good for our bodies and souls.” Luther students create lesson plans that they bring to life at WILD to give them authentic teaching experiences. “It’s a great chance for our students to get experience with real life children,” Martin said. “They do peer teaching in class some[times], where they’re teaching each other. But it’s just not the same [as] teaching a group and saying, ‘This is a second grade song and this is a second grade game,’ and these [Luther] students learn it in 30 seconds. It’s really good for them to get out there and see that it is harder for these younger students.” Music education major Eliot Douma (‘19) taught during the fall semester with WILD. According to Douma, he learned that there are aspects of teaching that are different than he envisioned. “Before this experience, I just assumed you have to have the ‘Elmo’s World’ personality working with elementary kids,” Douma said. “You know, it has to be very clean and chipper all the time. I think, if anything, the kids can be in tune to when you are faking it, that’s a really interesting thing. So you can teach the music you’re interested in and you can be yourself. There is room for that.” Michaela Gyure (‘19) also felt that this teaching experience challenged her expectations. “It’s so different getting to work with actual elementary school students,” Gyure said. “Because
the best lesson plans will go perfectly [in class], and then you try it on actual [elementary] students, and you realize you really need to slow things down. Or, maybe they get it a lot faster than you thought they were going to.” According to Douma, Decorah values arts and education as a community. This creates a positive environment for music education majors to gain experience in their field. “Decorah is kind of an unusual place to do music education because this community does value the arts and education a lot,” Douma said. “And then with this program, since it was a before-school, optional thing, you basically got all the kids that really liked music. So it was kind of a music education paradise.” Martin agrees that WILD has benefitted all involved. “WILD is a positive connection between the college and community that [is] mutually beneficial,” Martin said. “We need that kind of thing. We need to keep that kind of thing going and give it more of a spotlight.”
x
“It was kind of a music education paradise.” - Eliot Douma (‘19)
Eliot Douma (‘19) and Michaela Gyure (‘19) both participate in WILD at the Decorah Lutheran Church. Photo courtesy of Eliot Douma (‘19) and Michaela Gyure
PAGE 8
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
MARCH 8, 2018
A&E EDITOR: LILY KIME
Luther College students past and present bond over Russian music LILY KIME A&E EDITOR With claps, chants, and traditional Russian music, the Luther College Balalaika Ensemble presented a concert in the atrium of the Center for the Arts (CFA) on Sunday, March 4. The concert featured traditional songs, instruments, and costumes from Ukrainian and Russian culture. This concert consisted 12 songs from both Ukrainian and Russian music traditions. Most songs featured vocals by Ami Hall (‘96). There were also several instrumental pieces. The ensemble included instruments such as: the prima balalaika, the prima domra, the kontrabass balalaika, and the accordian. The balalaika is a traditional Russian stringed instrument that is shaped like a triangle. The music featured had messages that ranged from romantic love, lust, heartbreak, and celebration. In 1992, Full Professor of Russian Studies Laurie Iudin-Nelson founded the Balalaika Ensemble. Iudin-Nelson found this concert particularly meaningful because of the foure returning Luther and Balalaika Ensemble alums, including Hall, Luther’s first Russian studies major and four-year Balalaika ensemble member. “This weekend was really special to me because of all of the [alums] that came back,” Iudin-Nelson said. “It was great to see every one of the [alums] because we all stay in touch.” While including the alums in the concert enhanced the experience, it was challenging to schedule a practice before the concert. According to Iudin-Nelson, the ensemble was only able to practice once the day before the concert. Considering
Ami Hall (‘96), Luther’s first Russian major, was the vocalist for the Balalaika Ensemble’s performance. this obstacle, Iudin-Nelson was pleased with the ensemble’s performance. “There were a few rough entrances, but given the fact that the group had not played together except once the day before, they did an amazing job,” IudinNelson said. Midway through the concert, Iudin-
Nelson and Hall performed three vocal and accordian duets. According to Iudin-Nelson, this was a purposeful break intended for the other returning performers whose callouses had worn off, making playing uncomfortable. Along with four alumni performers, the ensemble included three current students. Zach Mayer (‘21) played the kontrabass balalaika at the reccomendation of Associate Professor in Library and Information Studies Andrea Beckendorf. Mayer’s first day with the group was the day before their performance, but he had past experience with Russian music. “It is a fun way to expose myself to folk music from a different part of the world from a culture that I’m not used to hearing music from,” Mayer said. “In grade school, I performed with an ensemble that performed a lot of folk music, including Russian folk music. So it was kind of fun to revisit that.” Approximately 30 people attended the concert, including children and community members. Many of the pieces incorporated audience participation. Associate Professor of Music and Composer-in-Residence Brooke Joyce attended the event and appreciated the community atmosphere.
“This was my first time hearing the Balalaika Ensemble,” Joyce said. “And I thought it was great fun. I especially enjoyed all the ways we were invited to participate as audience members.” Currently, the ensemble is the only collegiate Balalaika Ensemble in the United States. Because of this, they are often invited to play at other school and community venues. The ensemble has also performed at Grinnell College and St. Olaf College, IudinNelson’s alma mater. According to Iudin-Nelson, the ensemble has traveled nationally in the past, but such performances have not happened in several years due to lack of funding. In a community that focuses on Norwegian heritage, the Balalaika Ensemble brings diversity through the traditions of Ukrainian and Russian heritage. According to Joyce, it is beneficial to the community have the opportunity to experience culture beyond those that we may be already familiar with. “It is wonderful ... to have on-campus groups like the Balalaika Ensemble,” Joyce said. “They expand our worldview and give us a positive and enriching experience of another culture. It’s especially exciting to have our Balalaika players include faculty, alumni, and current students.”
“This weekened was really special to me because of all of the [alums] that came back. It was great to see every one of the [alums] because we all stay in touch.” - Full Professor of Russian Studies Laurie Iudin-Nelson
Full Professor of Russian Studies and founder of the Balalaika Ensemble Laurie IudinNelson plays the accordian during the Balalaika Concert. Lily Kime (‘19) | Chips
Lily Kime (‘19) | Chips
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 Jorge Contreras Olivia Enquist Martin Donovan Piper Wood Matthew Gleave Cara Keith 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
MARCH 8, 2018
EDITORIAL
Salt or gravel: student safety or environmental concern? The weather this winter has been all over the place. One day it’s 50 degrees and the next day is well below freezing. As a result of the weather whiplash we are all experiencing, water is melting and then freezing which leads to an abundance of ice all over KATRINA MEYER the Luther pathways. I NEWS EDITOR don’t typically mind ice. I’m from the Chicago area, so we deal with wintry weather conditions all the time. Living so close to Lake Michigan means that we deal with lake-effect snow frequently. It isn’t convenient, but it’s not a big problem because the city uses salt. Salt causes the freezing point of ice to lower which makes it easier to melt the ice. It also creates traction when walking. Other places in the United States use sand or gravel to create traction either because they do not have ice or because they are concerned about the environmental impact of salt. Sand and gravel create traction when walking, but in my opinion, they don’t do enough in the Midwest winter conditions. Luther’s campus isn’t the easiest to navigate. The paths around campus don’t always take the most direct routes, and the hills make everything more complicated. During the winter, it can be downright dangerous trying to walk around campus, especially around bigger hills such as the ones leading to Jenson or Olson. I had a personal experience with that danger about a week ago.
I was walking across campus after a week of ice, snow, and wintry mix. The ground was slick, and I didn’t have to lift my feet to move forward. It felt like I was skating across half of the campus. By the time I got back to the hill leading down to Olson, I had nearly fallen several times. At the top of the hill, I felt my feet start to slide out from under me once again. Because I was on a hill and the ground was solid ice, there was nothing I could do to regain my balance. I fell hard and ended up sliding a little down the hill before I could regain my balance. I knew that I fell hard, hit my butt hand, and dropped my phone. Finding my phone, standing up, and continuing down the hill was not an easy task. When I got back to my room, I could see that bruises were already forming on my hand and on butt and that I had cracked the screen on my phone. I’ve heard many similar stories during my time at Luther. It isn’t just about a lack of coordination or balance. A lot of students have difficulty walking around campus without falling during the wintertime. I believe that that is an issue. Sand and gravel just don’t do enough to help students get around. They may add some traction, but mainly the little pieces get stuck in my shoes and tracked into buildings all around campus. I believe that it should be a priority to make students as safe as possible when walking around campus. I know that salt isn’t as environmentally friendly as gravel or sand, but there is an option to buy salt that is less harmful to the environment and I feel like that would be a good compromise between the two sides. At the end of the day, I feel like taking care of students during long, cold, and icy winter seasons is enough to justify the use of a brand of salt that also takes environmental concerns into account.
Distribution Manager Lyndsay Monsen Faculty Adviser David Faldet
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The Norse Poll Should Luther use gravel or salt on the sidewalks?
LUTHER COLLEGE
CHIPS Chips is a student publication of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. The paper is designed, composed edited and managed entirely by Luther students. It is published weekly during the academic year, excluding the month of January. Fax: 563-387-2072 Email: chipsedt@luther.edu Advertising: chipsads@luther.edu Website: lutherchips.com Facebook: facebook.com/LutherChips Twitter: @LutherChips Instagram: @luthercollegechips
“I think I’d be more likely to slip and fall on gravel than I would ice, so I would prefer that the college uses salt in the winter.” -Katie Hendrickson (‘18)
“I really don’t care what you put on the ground as long as I don’t fall because I am clumsy as hell.” -Hannah Carmon (‘19)
“I fell like it depends on the walkway that is being used. Maybe used walkways could have salt put on them, but lesser used walkways could go with gravel and sand.” -Daniel Opdahl ( ‘21)
OPINION
PAGE 10 MARCH 8, 2018
MANAGING EDITOR: ELIZABETH BONIN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Counseling services needs proper tools to address eating disorders The first result that popped up on my Google search was “common.” 200,000 cases occur per year with approximately one death as a direct result every 62 minutes. Eating disorders. Not just anorexia or bulimia or binge, but also EDNOS (eating disorder not otherwise specified), avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, and diabulimia. Many more could be added to that list, but that’s not my purpose in this piece. Listing the multitude of eating disorders that exist won’t make readers read this piece, in fact, you would have probably never finished this sentence if I had kept going. Eating disorders have been on my mind, especially due to the fact that this past week was National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA) week. Most readers are likely scratching their heads at this point, trying to recall if there was a campus organization or event to acknowledge NEDA week. Don’t stress yourself trying to remember because there’s nothing to remember. Luther did nothing to
take advantage of a week dedicated to educating and celebrating the uprising advocacy for eating disorders. Luther’s willingness to address anxiety
“For a school that aims to address every branch of wellness, we are two steps behind.” -Gillian Klein (‘20) and depression head-on are impossible to miss. Between the quiet solitude of the Zen Den to the “all are welcome” mantra of counseling services, our school is a seemingly loud advocate for the general wellness of students. But zoom in on this image and something is unsettling. Why aren’t we acknowledging the deadliest
mental illness in the US? There is currently a mortality rate of 1 in 10 individuals succumbing to the disease’s insidious grasp. I was disheartened for a short period of time because we all want the stories we know or the things we cherish to matter to the world around us like they matter to us. However, people don’t talk about things unless you make people want to talk about them. It’s time to supply reasons to start talking. And the first thing we need to understand is that eating disorders are a spectrum, from minor disordered eating to medically diagnosed. Furthermore, the National Eating Disorder Association found that most eating disorder behaviors begin between the ages of 18-21 years old, also the time most people happen to be enrolled in college. Yet as a 20-year-old student here on campus, I find myself biking or driving off-campus each week to attend therapy sessions because Luther has no therapists trained to address eating disorder or disordered-eating patients. I found help because in-patient treatment
for my more extreme case of disordered eating taught me how to build a support system. But what about the students who don’t know how or where to find resources? What about people who are not directly affected, but want to know more for their loved ones or just because? I believe that people are not ashamed of eating disorders, but uncertain how to talk about them. We fear the things we do not understand. The root of this problem all starts with the seeds of our silence. We don’t talk because we fear. We don’t know how to talk or what to talk about. For a school that aims to address every branch of wellness, we are two steps behind. A revelation came to me as I concluded this piece: Luther’s campus does not need convincing to care. We do care. But giving people the resources to know how to talk about how they care is where we need to begin. Signed, Gillian Klein (‘20)
EDITORIAL
Why aren’t pads and tampons free?
ELIZABETH BONIN MANAGING EDITOR Ah March, that wonderful month when one moment the sun is shining and your skin is glowing and the next you have 10 assignments due tomorrow and you begin to question where there is enough room for all the snow. The only reason I like March is because it is National Women’s History Month. This is a fantastic opportunity to look at the strides women have made in
the past decades such as the right to vote, breaking into the STEM field, and the #MeToo movement. Though I’m excited about these advancements, there are still improvements to be made. One area that I noticed is seriously lacking in equality is women’s health. Buckle up kids, we’re talking about pads and tampons. Get comfy. The other day I was in the Main bathroom and noticed the rusted away pad and tampon dispenser. I wonder why this outdated machine is even here. Let’s be honest, the pads and tampons in there are probably older than me. I think I speak for all women when I say I would rather fashion my own pad or tampon out of toilet paper before I used a 22-yearold cardboard tampon. In fact, in a state of dire emergency I have done just that and am prepared do it again if
necessary. Another issue is that both the pads and tampons cost 50 cents. If someone expects me to use one of those things, I think I should be compensated for the struggle and discomfort. The 50 cent cost is also outdated because if some unfortunate soul received a little surprise, chances are they aren’t carrying around quarters in their back pocket. And has anyone noticed how expensive pads and tampons are? My personal favorite jumbo box of Playtex tampons are around 10 dollars at Walmart, the equivalent of a nice meal. With 12 months in a year, that adds up to money I could have spent on textbooks, food, clothes, tuition, etc. Some of you might be wondering, “Shouldn’t you know when your period is coming?” Ah, only in a perfect world. Even with birth control,
the human body has a wild mind of its own. Varying health issues and body type can greatly affect a person’s cycle. As a female athlete that is barely five feet tall, I can attest that tracking your period can be as tricky as tracking a firstyear’s trip to and from Scoe’s. People try to be prepared in all situations, but with so many classes, assignments, and extracurricular activities, the fact that the floodgates might be prepared to open any minute isn’t always at the forefront of our minds. So Luther College, I ask you, “Why aren’t there free pads and tampons in campus bathrooms?” Health services provides free condoms to students, yet to my knowledge they do not provide pads or tampons. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong. But with that said, it’s just a little ironic. Men, you can choose to
keep it in your pants. Ladies, we can’t choose to not bleed once a month. We would if we could, but alas, biology. It seems unfair to me that in many other institutions, condoms are thrown out like nothing, yet pads and tampons are treated like some dirty secret in the closet. Pads, tampons, and periods are nothing to be ashamed about. It’s human biology. Periods are expensive and not always easy to track, so it’d really put a ray of sunshine on a cloudy March day if Luther provided free pads and tampons in the bathrooms for those poor souls who received an unpleasant surprise. Providing this convenience is a step toward supporting women’s health care. So I say let’s pass out pads and tampons like professors hand out Paidea quizzes. Happy Women’s History Month.
SPORTS
PAGE 11
MARCH 8, 2018
SPORTS EDITOR: BEN SELCKE
Men’s tennis starts season strong with early win NATALIE NELSON STAFF WRITER
Sakchham Karki (‘21) and Brian Murman (‘19) practice doubles on the tennis courts. excellent job of welcoming these guys into our program and setting the right tone for the younger players. There is a lot of eagerness in our new players, and they have added a positive dynamic to our team.” Jensen said he feels he carries extra responsibility as the only senior member of the team. “I believe that I must be there for my teammates whenever they need me as I know they will have my
Natalie Nelson (‘19) | Chips
back as well,” Jensen said. “I look forward to developing good team chemistry and achieving our team goals this year. Each of my previous three seasons I have created friendships that will last a lifetime. I am looking forward to the teammate bonding that will develop during the course of the season.” The season will last 19 weeks, with 25-30 matches and two tournaments.
Norse of the Week
Though official conference play begins in April, Luther Men’s Tennis has already started their season, winning three of their last four games. Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach Adam Strand (‘04) prepared his players for the coming season with specific practices and goals for the winter. “I meet individually with each member of the team after the fall season to put together a plan for the off-season while also talking about spring goals,” Strand said. “We divide our time between drilling, point play, and fitness. The mental side of the game and nutrition are also focuses for our program. I am a big proponent of spending a lot of time on doubles, as that is where I believe that I can make the biggest impact as a coach.” Brian Murman (‘19) said practices happen in shifts throughout the day. “You either practice in the morning or sometime in the afternoon depending on one’s class schedule,” Murman said. “We do strength work two days a week at 6:45 a.m. Practices are competitive, loud, and fun. We bring the best out in each other everyday. Each player on this team is so evenly matched which makes each practice that much more intense. As a player, you know you have to bring your best each and every day.” Strand also said he hopes the team will win the conference championship and advance to the NCAA tournament. “Those are always our biggest performance goals as a team,” Strand said. According to Jake Smith (‘19), in order to win the conference, the team needs to be driven and passionate. “Tennis is a mental game,” Smith said. “It can be extremely demanding at times. Nevertheless, when you have a group of close friends it becomes much easier to handle.” Anders Jensen (‘18) said their biggest challenge will be Coe College, a meet Luther will host on April 21. “Coe College will be the favorite to win our conference, but we believe that we can beat any team in the conference if we play well,” Jensen said. “Every player on our team is dedicated to improving and competing hard every day. We push each other to be the best players that we can be.” Strand said that half the team this year is comprised of new players. “We have five first-year players and a sophomore transfer,” Strand said. “Our older guys have done an
Anna Strien (‘18) won 2017 Female Athlete of the year at the 2018 Norse Awards. Steve Pasche and Yarrow Pasche presented the award. Photo courtesy of Photo Bureau
SPORTS
PAGE 12
SPORTS EDITOR: BEN SELCKE
MARCH 8, 2018
Softball moves up to eighth in national poll
Weekly Standings Luther Wartburg Loras Dubuque Central Coe Nebraska Wes Buena Vista Simpson
Baseball 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Recent Scores
2-0 4-1 3-1 2-1 3-2 1-1 1-3 0-3 0-4
Feb 28 vs. Carleton College W 7-0
Upcoming Schedule
March 10 vs. Gustavus
Paige Timmerman (‘20) catches a ground ball.
OLIVIA ENQUIST STAFF WRITER Luther Women’s Softball started their season strong by winning both of their indoor Rochester Dome games on Feb. 24 and winning three of their four games on March 3-4. The team is currently ranked eighth nationally in the NCAA Division III Top-25 national poll by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). With these recent wins Luther moves up one position from the pre-season standing. “Our goal is to be in the top 25 at all times,” Head Softball Coach and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Renae Hartl said. “The seniors this year have never not been in the poll every single week of their career, but it isn’t something that we really talk about. You could talk to the girls and I bet that they wouldn’t even know what we’re ranked. It’s fun to just maintain that high level of standards at all times.” The team’s practice schedule started on Jan. 23, giving them a month of practices before their first game. They attended their first games of the season at the Dome Tournament in Rochester, Minnesota on Feb. 24. The Norse played against The University of Wisconsin-Stout and Carroll University. The team credited the construction of the blue turf field as something that has given them more opportunities to practice skills outside. “Practices have been going well,” Hartl said. “For starters, we have had some great weather, but it’s the addition of the blue turf that’s been really refreshing. That’s been the neatest part about our preseason and it’s been different because of that. We went outside yesterday for probably the fourth time already.” Anna Strien (‘18) stated that the team’s cohesiveness is a formula for their success. “I would say definitely team chemistry is a huge factor in what comes out on game day,” Strien said. “It is something that is developed not just when our official season starts or with team bonding activities which are definitely always fun to do, but it also takes place when we meet for the first time on campus when we go through our fall ball practices together with our coaching staff.” Bailey Hocker (‘18) also attributed the team’s success to their chemistry. “We all want what is best for one another and the team,” Hocker said. “We have been working hard and will continue to do so until the last pitch is played. Together we are able to accomplish our goal, each day brings a new challenge but I feel like we are more than ready to tackles whatever comes our way.” The team’s next challenge will come when they travel to Florida to compete over spring break. The week is heavily scheduled and the team plays almost a quarter of their season within that time. Usually the Women’s Softball Team
Olivia Enquist (‘19) | Chips will play ten games with one day off in between them. The team often looks forward to the trip. “We embrace it,” Hartl said. “We go down, we compete, and we enjoy the sunny weather. We usually have one off-day over spring break. The team usually plays six games, followed by an off-day and another four games. It’s something to look forward to. It’s fun to be outside in the sunshine and the 90-degree weather.” The busiest part of the season occurs around April when they make the push through the Iowa Conference schedule. During this time, the team plays against familiar schools and enjoys competing against rivals. “I think we always get excited to play against Coe and Central,” Hartl said. “I always think that anybody can beat anybody within the Iowa conference, but we’ve developed some really fun rivalries with them over the years.” Their next game will be in Greenville, IL, against Greenville University on March 9.
Buena Vista Simpson Luther Loras Central Nebraska Wes Dubuque Wartburg Coe
Softball 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Recent Scores
2-0 6-0 5-1 3-1 4-3 6-5 2-2 1-3 2-6
March 4 vs. Lake Forest College L 1-3
Upcoming Schedule
March 9 vs. Greenville University
Coe Loras Luther Simpson Central Dubuque Wartburg Nebraska Wes Buena Vista
Men’s Tennis 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Recent Scores
March 4 vs. La Crosse W 6-3
7-3 4-2 4-2 6-4 6-6 2-4 2-5 0-5 0-2
Upcoming Schedule
March 17 vs. Carlton College
Brooke Balk (‘19) catches a ball.
Olivia Enquist (‘19) | Chips