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Vol. 136, No. 11

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December 5, 2013

Students arrested on drug charges Casey DeLima

@LutherChips

Since 1884

Phoning in

News Editor

Four Luther students were arrested on allegations of marijuana possession on Wednesday, Nov. 20 on campus.

Justin Harris (‘17), Caleb Funke (‘17), Jorge Loyo (‘17) and Harrison Knutson (‘17) were allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Luther College security requested the assistance of the Decorah Police department and the Iowa State Patrol,at the Ashmore-Jewell Barn near Baker Village that evening.

All four students were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and taken into custody.

Loyo spoke about the incident.

“I was going out with my friend Justin and we were going out to have a cigarette,” Loyo said. “We met up with some guys and we parked in the parking lot by the red barn. Within two or three minutes of being there Luther Security came up behind us. Right away they called the cops.”

The Decorah Police department and Iowa State Patrol arrived on site and began to search the four Arrests continued on page 4

Aaron Zauner/Photo Bureau

Put a ring on it. The 30-plus year tradition of Phonathon supports Luther’s annual fund for all over campus.

“The annual fund raises $1.7 million every year and a big part of it comes from a phone campaign that is all student-led. The annual fund is split into just about thirds—scholarships, academics and refurbishing campus. All of these areas are right in front of your face every day here at Luther.”

This year Phonathon implemented a new computerized calling software.

Matt Helm “This year we used an online system compared to Staff Writer the million different forms you had to sort through Phonathon wrapped up its 2013 calling season in previous years,” Phonathon Co-Chair Connor recently, dialing the phone 17,468 times and raking Mattison (‘15) said. “All you had to do was press connect and you didn’t even have to dial numbers. in $229,652.73.

“It is a significant chunk,” Student Engagement Phonathon continued on page 4 Coordinator for Development Kate Duffert (‘11) said.

This year’s Phonathon raised $230k for the annual fund with a new system for making calls.

Singing of Christmas spirit

College surplus reaches $4 million Maggie Steinberg

Staff Writer

Britta Thompson/Chips

Christmas at Luther 2013. “Full of Grace and Truth,” runs from Dec. 5-8 in the CFL.

The Board of Regents met recently to discuss the financial well-being of Luther College.

At the end of every fiscal year, which runs from June 1 to May 31, the college often develops a small surplus from money that was not spent during the year. This past fiscal year, there was a surplus of about $4 million, which is slightly larger than in previous years.

The faculty representative to the Board of Regents, Professor of Mathematics Richard Bernatz (‘77), explained that the surplus gets spent on things such as capital projects, maintenance, debt, employee health care and quasi-endowments.

“Capital projects are mainly items that have value that would depreciate over time [such as the] Miller-Dieseth Drive,” said Bernatz. “Other money has been diverted to the Climate Action Fund or the Preus Library media project.”

Years resulting in tighter budgets often have smaller surpluses.

Improvements such as roof repairs or other necessary maintenance are often deferred when there’s not enough surplus money. In years such as this, when there is extra money, those projects get done.

Student Representative to the Board of Regents Paul Esker (‘14) pointed to other schools plagued with budget problems. This could force them to have to make tough decisions in what they can keep.

“The surplus is a necessary part of financial stability,” Esker said.

“Many schools have had to trim staff or cut entire majors.”

In good years, the surplus money can be put into quasi-endowments, which place restrictions on how that money can be used. Outside agencies such as the federal government and other regulatory bodies enact these restrictions. Luther also has other reserves, one of which goes toward Surplus

continued on page 4

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News

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December 5, 2013

Sorority sells bracelets for charity Abby Carpenter

Staff Writer

Luther sorority Chi Theta Rho (XθP) is supporting the Red Thread Movement for women in Nepal for the second year in a row by tabling near the cafeteria on Nov. 18 -22.

“XθP supports the Red Thread Movement because we are a group of women who like to focus on sisterhood and understand that we can become stronger by supporting each other,” XθP President Libby Devens (‘14) said. “In doing this, we can support our sisters overseas. We started this philanthropy two years ago because of how aware Luther students are of the sex trade and knew that with all our help, we can make a small difference for the women who need it.”

As part of the movement, these Nepalese women make red bracelets and by doing so are kept off the streets and out of sex slavery. The women’s bracelets cost three dollars, and the money goes right back to them.

XθP Philanthropy Chair Jessica Larson (‘14) contacted the Red Thread Movement to get the bracelets, and she has also been working with the movement to get a speaker to come next year.

“It’s a really cool organization, because they send you the bracelets free of cost, and then you just sell the bracelets and send the money back to them, and they send it out to Nepal,” Larson said.

Although there have been no difficulties in obtaining the bracelets, the sorority has been experiencing some trouble selling them.

“Honestly, we’re starting to have a problem because so many people have their bracelets from last year and they don’t want to buy another one,” Larson said. “We’re working on a way to try to get around that because we can always take more donations.”

Devens believes that people who supported the Red Thread Movement last year could support it again this year.

“These bracelets last forever; I’ve had mine for about 6 years

Abby Carpenter/Chips

Work the red thread. Allison Vollinger (‘15), Brianna Clancy (‘15) and Holly Williams (‘15) pose with their bracelets. now,” Devens said. “If anything, having a collection of them or buy them for someone you care about.”

In order to reach a new crowd, Larson is planning on contacting the Oneota Community Food Co-op to see if they can sell bracelets in town.

“I’m bummed that we’re not doing as well this year, because I was so pumped about it,” Larson said. “We have to figure out if we’re going to do it again next year, but I’m excited to see what the speaker can do.”

Career center offers “Beyond the Bubble” seminars for life after Luther

Marin Nycklemoe

Staff Writer

For some Luther students, planning for life after graduation is simple whether they’re going to a graduate school or they have a job already secured. For others, this isn’t the case.

The question of what to do next is one many dread to answer; or they simply have no idea how to adapt to a new work environment.

To help with the question of life after Luther, the Career Center has begun working on a new series of workshops and seminars to help Luther students become more prepared for life outside Luther. The workshops and seminars, entitled “Beyond the Bubble” by Luther students, will begin in January and will offer tips on issues ranging from how to sell yourself in an interview to how to fix your car.

“This new program is just one step more than the workshops we already have,” Interim Head of the Career Center Brenda Ranum said. “Learning what your strengths are and identifying

them, especially learning how to share them with potential employers, is that step further, that we are seeking with this internship.”

The seminars themselves will be split up into two different blocks. The first block will be aimed entirely at work study students and will be more professionally f o c u s e d .

Students who have a work study are encouraged to talk with their supervisors to see when they can attend the seminars. The students who go to the first block of seminars will be paid for each 90-minute session they attend.

Some of the professional seminars are, “Good to Great Employees: The

Critical First Year on the Job,” “Less Is More: Getting (Important) Things Done in the Age of Information Overload,” “Excel Training” and “Basic Computer Maintenance and Trouble Shooting.”

“Work-study supervisors are supportive of the program because the seminars will strengthen the professional skills of student employees better -Brenda Ranum and prepare them for life beyond Luther,” Ranum said. “By participating in the seminars, students will be better prepared to communicate to future employers and/ or graduate school committees the skills they have developed that will transfer to meet their needs.”

“Learning what your strengths are and identifying them, especially learning how to share them with potential employers, is that step further.”

The second set of seminars will be more focused on personal developments; they will focus on different aspects of life that are not covered in school and are necessary for living in today’s world. Some of the seminars are titled “Putting Your Best Foot Forward—Knowing and Promoting Your Strengths in the Workplace and Beyond,” “How To Leverage LinkedIn For Your Life After Luther,” “Your Money, Your Life,” “Healthy Cooking on a Budget” and “Living on Your Own,” a workshop about car and home maintenance.

These are only a few of the seminars available. Ideas from students for more seminar topics are encouraged.

The Beyond the Bubble seminars will be held every Tuesday beginning in January and going through spring semester. Seminars will be offered on Tuesdays during the shadow block (9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.) and in the evening from 7:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

More information on how to register for the seminars will be coming soon.

News

December 5, 2013

Seven-day Forecast

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Adam Carroll returns to speak about finance Hannah Garry

Staff Writer can’t,” Carroll told the audience.

According to the College Board, the average undergraduate has $24,568 in student loan debt.

“If you can drink it, eat it, or wear it, it doesn’t According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the go on plastic.” This was one piece of advice Adam average income for a college graduate in their first Carroll gave Luther students. year after graduation is $28,800.

After giving a well-received talk at Luther last Carroll presented both of these facts to the year, Adam Carroll returned to give a lecture titled, audience along with money“Winning the Money Game” saving tips he’s picked up over on Wednesday, Nov. 20. the years.

SAC Leadership co-chairs Many tips tied back to the Kendra Moser (‘14) and Libby idea that “plastic” credit cards Kropp (‘14) were interested in can allow people to get into having him back. spending habits they can’t “We feel financial support.

Carroll explained that management is an important young people often spend more part of leadership and college money than they have with life, so we made it a priority to bring a financial speaker,” -Adam Carroll credit cards and therefore not only rack up debt but don’t get Moser said. the opportunity to learn how to Carroll was inspired to give save money as adults. talks to college students about money after he faced Carroll used audience participation frequently tens of thousands of dollars of credit card debt and during the talk, having them repeat some of his student loans after he graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. These days Carroll holds himself mantras such as not using “plastic” for daily items.

“The main takeaway message was, ‘save today in up as an example. After scrupulously saving for two years he got rid of his debt and can afford to live order to have the future you want later,’” Kropp said.

“We think this is great advice for college students well.

“Do, for two years, what most people won’t do, so because it sets up a mentality of saving money, you can live for the rest of your life like most people paying off debt and being financially stable.”

“Do, for two years, what most people won’t do, so you can live for the rest of your life like most people can’t.”

3 News from the rest of the world

Life Outside Luther

Compiled by: Casey DeLima News Editor

Train going too fast at curve before wreck A commuter train in New York that derailed over the weekend, killing four passengers, was hurtling at 82 mph as it entered a 30 mph curve, a federal investigator said Monday. But whether the wreck was the result of human error or mechanical trouble was unclear, he said. Rail experts said the tragedy might have been prevented if Metro-North Railroad had installed automated crash-avoidance technology that safety authorities have been urging for decades. The locomotive’s speed was extracted from the train’s two data recorders after the Sunday morning accident, which happened in the Bronx along a bend so sharp that the speed limit drops from 70 mph to 30 mph.

***

New Egypt draft charter sets powers for military Extensive amendments of the constitution adopted under Egypt’s ousted Islamist president give the military more privileges, enshrining its place as the nation’s most powerful institution and the source of real power, while removing parts that liberals feared set the stage for the creation of an Islamic state. The new draft constitution is a key first step in implementing a political transition laid down by the military after it removed Mohammed Morsi from power. A 50-member panel declared the draft finished Monday, paving the way for a nationwide referendum within 30 days to ratify the document.

***

Fatal beating followed police threat A bloody beating by police that left a California homeless man dead began when one of the officers on trial in his death grew frustrated with his evasiveness, snapped on a pair of latex gloves and told him, “Now you see my fists? They’re getting ready to [expletive] you up,’” a prosecutor said Monday. The warning came after the officer, Manuel Ramos, had bantered with Kelly Thomas, a 37-yearold mentally ill man, for more than 10 minutes while investigating a call that Thomas had been tampering with cars at a Fullerton transit center, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas told jurors in his opening statement at the trial.

***

Dog found under rubble 9 days after Ill. tornado A six-month-old pit bull that was buried under a pile of rubble for more than a week after a tornado ripped through a central Illinois city has been coaxed to freedom with hot dogs and reunited with his owner. Illinois National Guard member Jacob Montgomery, was separated from the dog, Dexter, when the Nov. 17 tornado destroyed his third-floor apartment in Washington. Montgomery combed through the wreckage multiple times but found no sign of Dexter.

Nine days after the storm, a neighbor who was looking for his cat, sent Montgomery a Facebook message with the help of a group called Rescuing Animals in Need to tell him Dexter had been found partially buried in debris where the apartment building used to stand.

***

Hannah Garry/Chips

Playing the money game. Sarah Matthieson (‘15), Bethany Seavers Templeton (‘16) and Gene Halverson (‘14) participate during Carroll’s lecture, “Winning the Money Game”.

* CHIPS* Read it, partner.

Since 1861

Topless barber charged with unlicensed cosmetology A woman who allegedly offered topless hairstyling services in northern Colorado faces criminal charges, but police say the problem isn’t cutting hair without a top. It’s cutting hair without a license. The Longmont Times-Call reports 46-year-old Suzette Hall was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of practicing cosmetology without a license. Hall’s former partner says she advertised $45 topless haircuts online. According to the arrest warrant, the former partner called police about the topless styling because she “did not believe this was safe or proper.”

*** Global News Compiled from: http://hosted.ap.org

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

4 THIS WEEK IN

News December 5, 2013 Students allegedly found with marijuana in Jewell Barn Arrests

HISTORY (12/5-12/11)

**** 12/5/1933 - The 21st Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, ending the era of alcohol prohibition in the United States.

12/6/1907 - An explosion in a network of mines owned by the Fairmont Coal Company in Monongah, W. Va., kills 361 miners.

12/7/1787 - Delaware becomes the first modern U.S. state after ratifying the Constitution.

12/8/1993 -The North American Free Trade Agreement is signed into law, a pact between Mexico, the U.S. and Canada eliminating tariffs and trade restrictions.

12/9/1992 - British Prime Minister announces that HRH Charles, Prince of Wales, and his wife, Princess Diana, are separating.

12/10/1898 - The Treaty of Paris is signed in France, bringing the SpanishAmerican War to an end, giving the United States control of Spanish holdings such as Guam and Puerto Rico.

12/11/1946 - The United Nations General Assembly votes to establish the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund in the aftermath of World War II.

Courtesy of http://infoplease.com, http://history.com

continued from page 1

students.

“They took us from the car and searched the whole place,” Loyo said. “They pat us all down, and someone had put stuff in their pants, so they looked at the rest of us and said, ‘Drop your pants and your boxers.’ I didn’t have anything and they kept badgering me. They were badgering me. They were even talking about doing a cavity search.

They searched us without reading us our rights.”

Luther College Security could not be reached for comment at this time.

Harris, Funke and Knutson declined to comment.

Luther College has a zero tolerance stance on drugs. Illegal drugs are not allowed on any campus property. Police authorities are often involved with investigation and prosecution when illegal drug use or drug possession is suspected. Students found with illegal drugs face probable suspension.

“I feel violated by the police department and how they handled it,” Loyo said. “I love Luther.

I love the school and the people I’ve met here and the classes I’ve taken. Luther has been my dream school since I’ve started high school. This was the first college that I got exposed to what with crosscountry and wrestling. I came here and I loved the campus. I was really excited to come here, but now that I see how they handled things, it’s a really big eye-opener.”

Regent pledges to match funds Phonathon continued from page 1

It made it a lot more efficient and we were able to make a lot more calls.”

Board of Regents member Arne Sorenson (‘80) pledged to match the gifts of those who had not donated in over a year as well as matching the increase on those who gave more than they did last year.

“In the past there have been matches, but they’ve been anonymous,” Duffert said. “This year we were actually able to reveal the name, which is really huge. It helped us a lot and we had a lot of increased pledges and new gifts because of that.”

Phonathon has been going on for over 30 years at Luther.

“A lot of schools have a hard time maintaining a Phonathon program and ours is pretty unique because most schools have paid callers but ours are all volunteers,” Duffert said. “The fact Courtesy of Luther Phonathon that it’s been going on for 30 years and is still relevant and Call them up. Phonathon team members discuss their strategy. working is really unique and special.”

Luther’s surplus saved for future projects, to pay off debt Surplus continued from page 1

health care costs for its employees. Since employees have a pool in which money is used for health care costs, years in which the costs exceed the existing pool are covered by the reserves.

“Luther College, like most other colleges, will have some amount of debt,” Bernatz said. “It’s good to have a reserve for paying off that debt.”

Bernatz also spoke about the operating reserve, which helps when the costs of operating the college exceed the projections.

“The general cost of operating the college [is from] energy costs from natural gas, energy needs, etc.,” Bernatz said.

“Some years with lots of snow need lots of hours to clear the snow from sidewalks and such, [which leads to] higher maintenance

a high rate of scholarships. costs.”

All in all, Bernatz said he thinks it is a “The Board of Regents is very involved good thing for Luther to have a surplus and concerned with what [the college does] at the end of the year because that means with tuition and increases,” Bernatz said. the college is doing a Though the surplus good job of estimating fluctuates every year, how much the costs it funds projects all are going to be for the around campus that year. By keeping track keep Luther functioning of the money coming as an institution and it in and the money Luther is spending, provides a cushion for the college knows that future projects that may it will have enough -Richard Bernatz (‘77) not have the complete resources to cover the funding they need. costs.

“Luther’s financial As students often security certainly helps us fulfill our wonder why tuition keeps getting raised, mission,” Esker said.

“The surplus is Bernatz says to remember that the number on paper does not reflect the number being spent on projects that benefit the college put into the college, since Luther has such community.”

“Luther College... will have some amount of debt. It’s good to have a reserve for paying off that debt.”

Breakfast all day!

M t W th F s Su

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

d r o

W of the

Week

expostulate \ik-spos-chuh-leyt\

verb 1. to reason earnestly with someone against something that person intends to do or has done.

Arts & Entertainment

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December 5, 2013

An artist’s sense Anna Jeide/Chips

Place jam. Wendell Arneson’s (‘68) artwork intentionally leaves interpretation to the viewer. His gallery “A Sense of Place” will be on display in the CFA until Friday, Dec. 13.

Wendell Arneson (‘68) brings new gallery “A Sense of Place” and artistic vision to Luther.

Anna Jeide

Staff Writer

They say “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Professor of Art at St. Olaf College and Luther alum Wendell Arneson (‘68) believes in the unique relationship between art and the individual.

“The power of any piece is gained through the viewer looking at it and making connections to their own life, which I think is very important,” Arneson said.

On Thursday, Oct. 31, Arneson returned -Wendell to Luther for a gallery reception of his exhibit, “A Sense of Place,” at the Center for the Arts. “A Sense of Place” is composed of black and white multi-media drawing and colorful oil paintings. Many students, faculty and community members came to tour the exhibit and meet Arneson. “[Arneson] has a personal iconography

that he repeatedly draws upon to create his images,” Art Gallery Coordinator David Kamm said.

Arneson’s pieces may resemble humanlike images, but he has intentionally left interpretations up to the viewer.

“One thing that’s important to me is that I can’t tell you specifically what any one particular piece means,” Arneson said.

“There are multiple references that I hope invite the viewer in if they stand in front of one piece for more than 15 to 20 seconds.”

During his visit, Arneson also dedicated time to working with Luther students.

“When I told him there wouldn’t be time to eat dinner, he didn’t care,” Kamm said.

“He said the students come first.”

Arneson’s career as an educator grew from an inborn desire to teach.

“After [graduating from] Luther, going into education seemed like a natural fit, something I’ve always been Arneson (‘68) passionate about,” Arneson said. “What I do with students is help them trust their own instincts. It’s difficult, but it’s very engaging,” Kristin Anderson (‘16) had the opportunity to work one-on-one with Arneson.

“The biggest thing I got out of talking to him was to get into the studio and make stuff

“There are multiple references that I hope invite the viewer in if they stand in front of one piece for more than 15 to 20 seconds.”

even if you don’t feel like it, and not worrying about one [thing] being the best thing you’ve made so far,” Anderson said.

As a student at St. Olaf College, Assistant Professor of Art History Kate Elliott took classes from Arneson.

“He would always say, ‘you gotta get yourself to the studio.’ Even if you don’t feel like doing it, you have to treat it like a job and get yourself there,” Elliott said.

Abiding by his own advice, Arneson continues to produce new work, in addition to teaching.

“All that work [in ‘A Sense of Place’] was done in the past two years,” Elliott said. “He makes stuff all the time.”

Kamm hosted the gallery reception for

Arneson’s exhibit and invited Arneson to visit his drawing class.

“He pays attention to his students but is able to focus on his own work as well,” Kamm said. “It seems like he’s able to do that without compromising either one.”

For Arneson, creating art is not just a profession, but also an essential component of life.

“It’s one of those things that add depth and magic and mystery to my life in general. It brings a kind of resonance and meaning to each day as I reflect on things around me,” Arneson said.

“A Sense of Place” will be on display in the Kristin Wigley-Fleming Gallery in the Center for the Arts until Friday, Dec. 13.

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December 5, 2013

The pie lady Photo courtesy of Natalie Shields

Pie gets even prettier. Poet Kate Lebo mixes her word skills with her love of pie, making each passion even sweeter. Lebo visited Luther on Nov. 19.

Poet Kate Lebo visits Luther, bakes a pie.

Sam Molzahn

Staff Writer

Author, artist and pie baker Kate Lebo visited Luther College Tuesday Nov. 19 to teach in a writing workshop, perform a reading from her book, “A Commonplace Book of Pie” and teach a class on pie baking.

Assistant Professor of English Andy Hageman met Lebo while at the University of Washington. Hageman asked Lebo to come to Decorah as part of her national tour.

“She and I are Facebook friends, and I saw that she was

Sam Molzhan/Chips

Apples and Barry. Professor of English Nancy Barry cuts apples at Kate Lebos’ Pie School.

doing this national tour and she would post photos from readings and pie schools,” Hageman said. “I saw she was doing Iowa City and Minneapolis and I thought, ‘we’re right between there,’ and so I sent her an email and asked her if she wanted to stop. She teaches creative writing so she was excited to get to come to a college.”

During the stay, Lebo taught a workshop in a creative writing class and gave a reading from her book.

“I attended her reading, which was very good on her part,” Angela Stancato (‘14) said. “I enjoyed it immensely, and she was really great. There weren’t a lot of people there, which was disappointing. Especially students, there were only a handful of us. I think because [the reading] was so small that might have actually been not too bad of a thing since there was audience participation. The way her book is formatted, she has these prose poems about pie and was asking the audience to shout out your favorite pie and you got your piehoroscope read to you.”

Lebo also fielded questions from the audience at the reading.

“It’s great to hear someone read their poetry,” Hageman said. “But as it came out in the Q&A, she talked about poetry but she [also] talked about radical homemaking and feminism and we had really great questions. Even just the questions that came out made me think that it was a really good reading.”

Lebo’s book was born out of a project that she did during her time at the University of Washington. “‘A Commonplace Book of Pie’ started as a zine that was part of a collaborative sculpture project with an artist named Brian Schoneman,” Lebo said. “We did the show and it was great. Then the zine took on it’s own life. It’s a feast of genres.”

A zine is an independently produced book where the author, editor and producer are the same person. This allows the author to have greater creative control on the project. “A Commonplace Book of Pie” is no longer sold as a zine but is available as a book.

During her visit, Lebo also taught “Pie School” at First United Methodist Church. A small group of students, faculty, staff and community members gained some first-hand experience as Lebo ran a demonstration of how to make an apple pie. Lebo ran through everything from the crust to the filling, and even taught how tell when the pie is finished baking, which is when the fruit juice bubbles up over the crust.

Sam Molzhan/Chips

Lebo mixes it up. Kate Lebo teaches Luther students the craft of pie at her Pie School.

“I had first-year students from my Paideia class, through advanced students,” Hageman said. “We had staff, people from around campus and faculty. It was a really good mix, to have people who have baked hundreds of pies and people who like to eat pie whenever they can. We got to socialize and really communicate with each other.”

Lebo’s events ran throughout the day and gave a sample of her expertise as a teacher, author and pie baker, offering a range of activities and educational opportunities. Because of her menagerie of skills, Lebo made her own career and brought that knowledge to Luther.

“One of the things that everyone in college worries about is ‘should I do what I love or should I follow the money?’”

Stancato said. “[Lebo] is one of those great examples of being able to do both. I think that’s a really good thing to see, especially for a kind of disenchanted senior, to be really worried about the job market and to see that it’s actually possible.”

OLLEGE CHIPS

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December 5, 2013

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Photo courtesy of luther.edu

Faculty blog cultivates conversation Laura Hayes

Staff Writer to let their voices be heard in a very section. This not only allows the reader circles divided into eight sections carved

Faced with the question of how to increase Luther College’s web presence, Director of Web Content Tabita Green found the answer: faculty blogging.

Thus, the Ideas and Creations blog was born. Around 12 faculty members were invited to blog once or twice a semester on a wide variety of topics, ranging from projects and research to study abroad adventures. The new Ideas and Creations blog, which can be found on the luther. edu homepage, provides a platform for faculty across the disciplines.

“One of our web projects this fall was to create a more engaging news portal,” Green said. “The main purpose of the Ideas and Creations blog is to paint a vivid picture of our amazing faculty,

accessible medium and to get a glimpse of their philosophy on teaching, thoughts on current events, research projects and more.”

In order to capture the Luther education experience in its entirety, the blog features the work of professors from all departments. The subjects range from Associate Professor of Computer Science Bradley Miller’s “The future of the book” to Associate Professor of Religion Guy Nave’s “What good is a Ph.D. for reading the Bible?”

“The blog increases cross-discipline dialogue across campus,” blog reader Lindsey Colyer (‘15) said. “It brings attention to issues outside of your major.”

In true blog fashion, the Ideas and Creations blog utilizes a comment

to give the blogger feedback but also allows for conversation to be generated.

Through the comment section, readers have the ability to directly communicate with both the blogger and other respondents.

“For the most part, the responses have been positive,” Nave said. “I’ve been receiving comments from people saying that they are appreciative. 90% of the comments have been like that. It’s been interesting to generate conversation.”

On other blog posts, comments have had a different purpose. In his blog post, “Help solve an archeological mystery!”

Assistant Professor of Classics Dan Davis described an image he found while visiting Ephesus, Turkey. Along the Arcadian Way, he saw more than 30

into the road. In his blog, Davis said that they could possibly be wind roses, used by sailors prior to compasses, religious symbols or game boards.

In his piece, Davis posed the question: what was the purpose of these circles?

“Some people wrote in and had the same explanations. One of the respondents said that these may be circular religious symbols,” Davis said. “So I did more web research. I found an article that in the catacombs in Rome there are these eight-spoke circles that appear to spell out Ichthys.” Ichthys is Greek for Jesus Christ Son of God Savior.

From feedback to research, the Ideas and Creations blog will continue to be sporadically updated throughout the remainder of the school year.

No shave: the end is here Margaret Yapp

Features Editor

Margaret Yapp/Chips

Close up. Hellmann’s scruff at the end of November.

Kurt Hellmann (‘16) Kurt Hellmann (‘16) had a rough month. He started out No Shave November as an underdog, worked really hard for four weeks, and ended No Shave November as an underdog.

“It was rough, but I guess I persevered,” Hellmann said, scratching his face. “The stares from people were not so fun.”

It is actually hard not to stare at Hellmann’s facial hair. His scruff curls in ways I previously thought impossible, defying all sorts of laws of physics.

“It was worth it,” Hellmann said. “I gave it a solid attempt.

Definitely. Yeah. I’m okay. It’ll be fine.”

Maybe the next 11 months will be all the time Hellmann needs to live up to his expectations.

“If you shoot for the moon, you’ll land among the stars,” Hellmann said.

Michelle Strafelda (‘14)

All jokes aside, Michelle Strafelda (‘14) is a hairy woman.

She’s hairy because that’s what humans are, and she’s done pretending it isn’t true.

“It’s silly to me that we pretend [hair] doesn’t exist, even though everyone has it,” Strafelda said.

After having her armpit pictured in Chips two weeks ago, Strafelda had several Luther community members approach her and ask how it was going. Many of them smiled and giggled, an understandable reaction to something so unusual in our culture.

“I hope that people who see my hairy armpits, although they might be shocked at first, realize that they don’t have to shave theirs, either,” Strafelda said. “If they don’t want to, of course; some people like [to shave] and thats totally fine. But to me, it just seems so trivial.”

When I asked Strafelda how, all things considered, November shaped up, she responded simply.

“It has been totally fine, and maybe that’s the point,” Strafelda said.

Margaret Yapp/Chips

One hairy woman. Strafelda’s armpits after one month.

Margaret Yapp/Chips

There it is. Raiche’s face forest at the end of November.

Sam Raiche (‘15) This week, my meeting with Sam Raiche (‘15) was strangely calm. A little too calm. We met by the lovely fireplace in the Union. He was wearing a tuxedo and baby pink earmuffs. I approached slowly and sat down next to him. Without having to ask a single question or even greet him in anyway, Raiche spoke to me in a whisper.

“It was good, I’m a little disappointed, I guess,” Raiche murmured. “I thought it’d come in a lot fuller. But, whatever. A beard does what it wants ... I guess.”

I ventured a glance at Raiche’s face. His beard did look a little patchy, but its length was impressive. I told him this. He nodded and smiled just a little bit. His eyes glistened with unfallen tears.

“Okay,” Raiche said. “These past three Novembers have been fabulous. Thank you. I love you.”

At that, he slowly stood up, put on baby pink gloves and sprinted into the chilly night.

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

December 5, 2013

Arts & Entertainment

8

Fall scenes and drama queens Julia Joseph/Chips

I challenge you to a duet. Martin Kulstad (‘15) and Jimmy Deignan (‘15) perform the duel scene from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 1879’s opera “Eugene Onegin.”

Students grow as performers through fall opera scenes.

Julia Joseph

Staff Writer

Opera music filled the Noble Recital Hall on Nov. 22 and 23, as students took part in fall opera scenes, a performance titled “Duels, Divorce and Divas.”

“This is my first time doing a real opera,” Alison Vuolo (‘15) said. “It showed me how fun it can be and gave me a greater appreciation for this type of music and performance … There are more people to work off of and you can use their energy to get into your character.”

Luther’s opera program offers a variety of ways for students to learn about the art form. Fall opera scenes is one way for students to get involved in opera, whether they are planning to pursue it as a future career or not.

“As with many music classes this is a one-credit course, but the students go above and beyond that amount of work,” Assistant Professor of Music Karen Kanakis said. “It’s also a great opportunity for us to work with students who aren’t our voice students.”

The fall performance is filled with multiple scenes from different operas, giving students a chance to be different characters throughout the show.

“Since the students are only playing their character for one scene it gives us the chance to cast them and see their potential for a role that they aren’t necessarily ready for in a full opera,” Assistant Professor of Music Jacob Lassetter said.

Kanakis and Lassetter co-directed the fall opera scenes. While the course was once available to open enrollment, they had to begin auditioning students due to opera’s growth in popularity at Luther.

“It’s great to get more people involved and be able to see my peers growing throughout the course,” Kelley Lokensgard (‘15) said. “Dr. Kanakis and Lassetter work well together. They each musically directed half

of the show and than directed the opposite half for staging.”

Opera’s other major appearance on campus comes from the spring opera, another audition-based class mostly filled with students focusing on opera as a career.

“Opera scenes are definitely different from other work because you get a chance to play multiple characters,” Hannah Scholbrock (‘15) said. “This course really showed me how much work it takes and what it will be like in the real world.”

With the experience of the directors and the passion from the students, the scenes came to life in two performances. Students noted the experience as a practical look into the life of a professional performer.

“It not only added to my resume, but if I ever end up hired for one of the roles like Gaston [from La Traviata], I’ll have a major chunk of the role already learned and prepared,” Braun Oldenkamp (‘15) said.

“It makes me even more excited as I continue the search for summer opera programs.”

Film Review

From the Stork’s Nest: “Ender’s Game” Andrew Stork

(Viola Davis) to be humanity’s greatest chance of

Film Critic victory in Earth’s fight with the “Buggers.” As Ender

Film adaptations of novels, though typically successful, are not without failed exceptions. The personal relationship devoted readers have with the original work gives more weight to these few failures, subsequently making fans fearful of the film’s outcome. The recent release of “Ender’s Game” had followers of Orson Scott Card’s classic wrestling with such a fear.

While it’s not quite the book, many will be pleased that the movie’s stunning visuals, good character development and powerful symbolism make for an entertaining interpretation.

In 2086, Earth’s advancements in space have transitioned toward a globalized government, where three parties represent the political leadership.

Discovering the existence of an opposing alien race (the Buggers), tensions between the civilizations ultimately lead to war.

To eliminate the alien threat, the government forms the International Fleet, a battle school designed to prepare Earth’s brightest children for fighting the next invasion.

Andrew “Ender” Wiggin (Asa Butterfield) is identified by the International Fleet’s Colonel Hyrum Graff (Harrison Ford) and Major Gwen Anderson

enters the battle school, his exhilarating trials and triumphs reveal his true genius, but simultaneously introduce the audience to ethical questions about humanity’s endeavor to accelerate institutional growth.

When Card first published “Ender’s Game” in 1985, he went beyond creativity typical to the science fiction genre. Using broad settings of Earth and space, Card used Ender’s experience to show readers the Cold War’s effects on postmodern culture and politics. This complex relationship is where readers and non-readers of the book will find weaknesses with the film. At times there are uneven tonal shifts as the movie tries to jam-pack moral questions in with societal references.

Fortunately, the film’s strengths outweigh these primary weaknesses. It may not exactly follow the novel, but the film creates a futuristic environment with mesmerizing images and intelligent approaches to the story’s institutions and characters.

The actors give solid performances, allowing smooth delivery for most of the film’s messages.

“Ender’s Game” may not be revolutionary, but it guarantees the thrills of imagining humanity’s future in space, while also allowing you to see connections to issues our world faces today. Grade: B-

Poster courtesy of impawards.com

9

Opinion

CHIPS

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

The opinion section is designed to provide a forum for Chips , its staff members and the Luther community. Opinions expressed in articles, editorials or columns do not necessarily represent the views of the Chips staff. The author is solely responsible for opinions expressed in Chips commentary.

Chips will not accept submitted articles or campus announcements.

Submissions for letters to the editor should be submitted as a word document to chipsedt@luther.edu with “Letter to the Editor” as the subject line. Letters to the editor are subject to editing without changing the meaning of the letter. Authors will not be notified of changes prior to publishing. Letters must be signed, 300-400 words and submitted by Sunday at 5 p.m. the week before publication. Publication of all letters is at the discretion of the editor.

Contact Chips Phone: 563.387.1044 Fax: 563.387.2072 E-mail: chipsedt@luther.edu Advertising: chipsads@luther.edu website: http://lutherchips.com

Fall 2013 Staff

Editor-in-Chief....................Ingrid Baudler Managing Editor......................................Jayne Cole News Editors........................Casey DeLima Brita Moore Features Editor....................Margaret Yapp A&E Editor......................Walker Nyenhuis Sports Editor..................................Matt Yan Staff Writers.......................Abby Carpenter Hannah Garry Laura Hayes Matt Helm Dylan Hinton Anna Jeide Carrie Juergens Julia Joseph Sam Molzahn Marin Nycklemoe Maggie Steinberg Britta Thompson Head Copy Editor......................Katie Hale Copy Editors............................Nils Johnson Cameron Meyferth Ad Representative..........Lauren Meintsma Ad Accountant.....................Sam Matheson Photography Coordinator..........Casey DeLima Photographer................................Abby Carpenter Web Manager...........................Noah Lange Design Technician..................Bjorn Myhre Web Technician........................Isaac Davis Social Media Director.........Eric Anderson Circulation Manager................Tess Wilson Adviser.....................................David Faldet

Opinion

Rise up

After four years of life inside Luther’s football program, I suddenly find myself on the outside looking in. I’ll admit it’s an uncomfortable position, especially considering the day-to-day impact this program has had on my life. This short amount of time without football has left me reflecting on my experiences.

A 2-8 season is a bad season. I’m disappointed in how my final year ended, but the numbers only tell half the story.

To the casual fan, the work-ethic of those who play, the dedication of those who coach them and the commitment of the administration that supports them often goes unnoticed, especially when those efforts do not result in wins. Success is not possible without a working relationship between these three groups – players, coaches and administration.

The coaches and players on our team are unsatisfied with where our program stands, none more so than the seniors who only recently ended their careers. All of us have

Column

December 5,2013

fought to improve ourselves each day since in the IIAC that does not play on field turf the end of the 2012 campaign. For players, and, more importantly, the grass field that this meant real sacrifices: financially, we have hasn’t been improved upon in 18 emotionally, socially and physically. I years.

In order to compete with IIAC schools know that our coaching staff (although they have only been with us a short time) we need to make concrete investments in have made similar sacrifices and have also our football program – an upgraded field is only the beginning. embraced their share The notion that of responsibility for investment follows our success. success is misguided.

Unsuccessful When a program is football seasons struggling, that is the at Luther are not most important time unique to this for the administration current group of to redouble its coaches and players. commitment. More and For those of us more Iowa Conference counting, Luther schools are upgrading football has not won a conference -Rich Vickers (‘14) their facilities and touting those resources championship since in the recruiting 1978. It is clear process.

Although that there exists a culture at Luther which, at the very least, Luther’s academics and student life are has been unable to put an end to this thirty- second to none we are falling further and five-year drought. I’ve played at every further behind when it comes to the quality stadium in the Iowa Conference and can’t of our athletic facilities.

The players on this team have accepted help but notice concrete examples of the higher level of commitment shown by their share of responsibility for how this rival colleges to their respective football season has turned out. After all, it is we programs. For example, Wartburg (the who lace up our cleats on Saturdays – we 2013 conference champions) recently are the only ones who can make plays refinished their field turf and installed a on the field. Although the results of our 14.5-by-36 foot Jumbotron scoreboard, efforts can be discouraging at times, our Central installed a similar model at their players will not waver. We only hope that field and Coe recently approved a multi- the commitment from the administration of million dollar project to upgrade their the school we love will match our resolve. athletic facilities. Luther is the only team -Rich Vickers (‘14)

“In order to compete with IIAC schools we need to make concrete investments in our football program...”

Noise in Morocco

Carrie Juergens

Columnist

One thing that I will never forget about Morocco is the noise; its relentless intensity follows you throughout the day. Whether you’re inside, outside, commuting, working or resting, the noise swallows you, envelops you. This kind of an environment was exhausting for me. I am a sensitive person in terms of auditory stimuli and I always have been. It’s a blessing when it comes to staying in tune in a hundredperson choir; it’s a curse when I’m constantly being bombarded by sound. Some Associated Collegiate Press days I was so overwhelmed National Online Pacemaker Award 2011 that I got a headache and didn’t want to talk to anyone—not lutherchips.com

even my friends. And I always want to talk to people. I’m an extrovert. For those of you who know me, this will come as a shock, as I’m pretty loud myself.

The medina is a constant cacophony of sound—sunrise, midday, mid afternoon, sunset and twilight are heralded with the “ALLAH AKBAR!” of the call to prayer. But it’s not just one mosque in the medina; there were three within a block of where I lived. I slept through the call to prayer most days, but it was always a bit of a jolt when it woke me up. It’s lovely, and you can’t help but have respect for people who pray that early in the morning. But as for me? I wanted sleep…

The first few weeks of living in the medina, I walked down a main commercial street to and from school. Because I was a Westerner, I got talked at relentlessly—“Ma’am, we have the best prices here!” “How are you today?” “This would look lovely on you!” “Where are you going?” “What are you looking for?” “Can I help you?” “Wow, you’re beautiful!” “Are you lost?” “Do you have a sister?”

“I have a brother who’s single.”

“I’m single.” “Are you single?”

Luckily about the second week I walked to school, the vendors realized that I was living nearby and let me have a bit of peace.

Some would even greet me as I passed, but in a more respectful manner than before.

The sound was a wall: impenetrable and overwhelming. A motorcycle revved in the distance, and cars beeped their horns ceaselessly.

A mother scolded her child in the medina. The child threw a fit, screaming and crying, because he wanted a sweet. A stray cat begged for fish, yowling at the fisherman’s feet. He cursed at it and threw it a few guts and it ate noisily. Vendors hawked their wares, always yelling for sales, “Come on come on comeoncomeoncomeon fifty dirhams, fifty dirhams, fifty dirhams!” and women combed through the secondhand clothes behind the vendor, gossiping and giggling. Two best friends fought over rugs like they were gold — one friend had been in the carpet business for his entire life and wouldn’t give his friend the low price he was looking for. The friend protested — they’d been

neighbors since birth. If anyone deserved a good price, it was he.

The two (practically brothers

by Moroccan standards) were in each other’s faces, shouting, eyes bulging, veins popping, as though they were worst enemies. The debate wouldn’t end in a death match, but more likely than not with one of them backing down and deciding it wasn’t worth the breath and time to fight over rugs.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m too mild for an environment this intense. I remember once my host sister, host mother and host grandma all yelling together. The sound was bouncing off the walls like crazy, and it was super loud in our tiled house. When I asked what the argument was about, they revealed the issue at hand: baby clothes. They were arguing at top volume over what kind of clothes to get for a baby. The juxtaposition of so much noise over such a tiny being got to me, and I started to laugh. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more out of place, or less Moroccan. But that’s OK. I learned that I need a quieter environment to truly thrive, and I’m better for it.

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

Opinion

December 5, 2013

10

Column: Eve was framed

Drag Queens, Thanksgiving, & shoes! Oh my!

Melinda McMahon

Columnist

For most American families, part of the Thanksgiving tradition is watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (or having it on in the background while cooking that last batch of sweet potatoes). This year’s parade had the usual fanfare of floats, celebrity guests and musical performances. One such performance was from the cast of the hit Broadway musical “Kinky Boots.”

“Kinky Boots,” written by Cyndi

Lauper and Harvey Fierstein, premiered in Chicago in October 2012. Based on the 2005 movie, which was based on a true story, “Kinky Boots” tells the story of a struggling British shoe factory owner, Charlie, who teams up with a Drag Queen, Lola, to save his business. Together they produce a line of fetish-style boots for Drag Queens and form a partnership that has them both realizing that they aren’t as different as they once thought.

The message of “Kinky Boots” is one of tolerance, understanding, friendship and achieving economic success (which Charlie achieves through his partnership with Lola). When the cast performed two songs during the Parade, however, some viewers were outraged.

According to an article of Huffington Post Online posted on November 29, various reactions pulled from Twitter consisted of, “I realized how much the country has declined. ‘Kinky Boots’ is disgusting and wrong!” “‘Kinky Boots’ is a disgrace” and “‘Kinky Boots’ is what’s wrong with America.”

Now, I could understand the previous reactions if the performance was somehow inappropriate, but that’s

My guess as to what has people where my issue with this reaction lies outraged is the use of Drag Queens and - the Macy’s Parade takes place in New that all the performers were wearing the York City, and at the end of November fetish-style boots (most with tights or it is entirely too cold for anyone to be trousers as well). showing an inappropriate amount of skin. You could see My next maybe six inches of statement is some dancers’ thighs going to be rather and some dancers’ blunt: welcome to biceps, but everything musical theater. else was completely This happens. covered. As for the It’s nothing new, songs, “You Raise and it’s not going Me Up,” is about the anywhere anytime partnership of Lola and soon. The fact that Charlie as friends who Drag Queens are supported each other now performing through extremely on Broadway trying times. The probably means song also has Charlie the scene will -Melinda McMahon (‘14) only get bigger. celebrating the support his wife gave him People who and her acceptance are outraged by of Lola. The song “Kinky Boots” celebrates elevating friends and always have missed the point of the show and offering love and support. The second of the songs selected for the parade: song they sang, “Just Be,” is a power self--love, acceptance and expression. anthem of self-acceptance and self“Kinky Boots” isn’t what’s wrong love. Maybe I missed something, but with America. If this message outrages these all seem like good things to me. you, you’re what’s wrong with America.

“People who are outraged by ‘Kinky Boots’ have missed the point of the show and of the songs selected for the parade...”

should be treated equal” idealism. However, I feel like getting from it is that a woman’s sexuality is a comedy, not a serious topic. It gives off the these days feminists have strayed vibe that it’s not okay for men from what is most important: to be a part of the performance EQUALITY. Not this ‘women are or the stories. That’s why I better than men, so men should was proud to hear that there treat us better’ bull-crap that keeps popping up everywhere. will actually be a male voice I walk to the library and in this year’s production. see posters that look like high Seriously girls, it’s time to lay off on the whole mega schoolers made them saying, “I need feminism because…” feminist shouting match.

Get back to the basics.

Seriously? Is that really going to get anybody’s attention?

-Hana Bachman (‘14) IT’S ABOUT MEN AND WOMEN BEING EQUALS, Another problem I have is the not one dominating another way we present feminism today. gender.

An example that immediately From a feminist who believes we can better represent comes to my mind is the Vagina Monologues. It’s just about women shouting angrily about their vaginas and ourselves. contains no actual or visible point. The only idea that I’m -Hana Bachman (‘14)

“Get back to the basics.

It’s about men and women being equals, not dominating another gender.”

Dear Editor: What is up with all of these over-the-top feminist boohas? I’m a woman and I fully appreciate the “women

Opinion

Why I’m scared of humanity

Cameron Meyferth

Copy Editor

I’m legitimately scared of humanity.

Not because people kill or steal from one another. No, those are perfectly normal things that many species on our planet have been doing for thousands of years. I’m scared of humans on a much deeper level. Humans do things that are completely beyond comprehension,

and I don’t know or understand why their own when theirs die and sea otters rape and drown baby seals; however, they do what they do.

I have only one example that will no animal but a human would have the hopefully get my point across. The other capacity, let alone the desire, to make a GIF of a man day, I was lying on holding an image of my bed, minding Miley Cyrus with my own business and browsing the his phallus going through a cut-out popular website hole of her mouth “Reddit” on my and shaking it smartphone. All was around so that said well and good—a phallus goes around funny meme here, in a circle, and then a picture of a kitten put that GIF on an there—when I came information sharing upon an unspeakable network (i.e. the horror. internet) that Don’t get me millions of people wrong. The animal -Cameron Meyferth (‘16) around the world kingdom can live have access to. the thug life pretty It just completely hard.

Lions hunt astounds me.

Thousands of years of down and eat gazelles, penguins steal human progress and evolution.

Evereggs from other penguins to raise as

“Humans do things that are completely beyond comprehension, and I don’t know or understand why they do it.”

increasing rates of technological advancement.

Near-instant communication to almost anywhere on the planet. Rockets fueled by liquid hydrogen. A robot on Mars for crying out loud! Yet this is what humans do?

Post GIFs of helicoptering phalli inside the faces of female pop singers? I don’t even known what to say.

WAKE UP WITH

CHIPS LUTHER COLLEGE

brightening your day since 1884

LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS

Sports

December 5, 2013

11

Women’s basketball breaks records Team ties single-game scoring record and sets new assist and rebound records in 108-93 win over North Central, improves to 5-1.

Matt Yan

Sports Editor

The women’s basketball team went on a scoring rampage on Saturday, Nov. 30 against North Central College. The women put up 108 points to tie the Luther single-game scoring record. The Norse tallied 30 assists and 80 rebounds in their 108-93 win, setting new school records in those categories.

The 80 rebounds shattered the old record of 60 rebounds, set in 1984 against Iowa Wesleyan. The team fell two field goals short of the single-game record of 47.

Five Norse scored in double digits, led by Taylor Johnson (‘14) and Logan Hjerleid (‘14). Johnson scored 25 points and made 12 rebounds, while Hjerleid had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Nellie Nelson (‘14), Haley Kirkpatrick (‘17) and Tayler Jenks (‘16) also scored in the double digits in the win against North Central.

“After the rough [61-77] loss against LaCrosse we needed some good wins to get us back on the right track, and the 3-0 run against solid teams has showed the potential our team has,” Kirkpatrick said. “We started working much better as a team, which is also why those wins meant a lot to us. That’s what we are about: team ball. Although we scored 108 points our team takes pride that we also broke the rebounds and assists records because that’s what helps win games.”

Rebounds were the difference in the North Central game as Luther had 80 rebounds to North Central’s 50. Jenks stressed the importance of team chemistry in the record-breaking performance.

“The [3-0] streak we are on is all because of team effort,” Jenks said. “We are working really well together. We beat [North Central] at their own run-and-gun style of play and out-rebounded them.”

Luther also defeated UW-Platteville 90-86 and St. Olaf 71-52. The win against Platteville was at home in front of a crowd of 268. Johnson had 23 points and Lyndsi Woolems (‘14) contributed 13. Most of the scoring came from the free throw line, where Luther was 24 for 32.

Johnson has scored a team-high 114 points this season for an average of 19 points per game. She has led the team in overall scoring the last two seasons and has scored 1192 points in her Luther career. Because of her double-digit outings against Platteville and North Central, Johnson was named the IIAC Athlete of the Week.

In spite of her numerous individual accolades, Johnson has remained humble and focused on the team’s success.

“Each game we play is extremely important to each of us, and we are consistently trying to improve and prepare for conference play,” Johnson said.

The Norse had a long road ahead at halftime in the game against St. Olaf. Luther trailed 37-33 at the halfway mark and was shooting 25.8% compared to St. Olaf’s 40%. Head Coach Amanda Bailey must have fired the team up with a motivational speech because the Norse exploded in the second half with a 38-15 run to win going away 71-52. The women doubled their first-half effort with 54.8% shooting in the second half.

“We knew coming in that St. Olaf was going to be tough,” Kirkpatrick said. “Our shots just weren’t falling but [we knew] we were still in it. We came out confident in the second half and our shots were just falling and our defense was solid.”

Early season tests against teams like St. Olaf give the women a good idea of where they stand before facing conference opponents.

“The start to this season has been very strong for us,” Meagan Koepnick (‘15) said. “These non-conference games are great challenges before we get to conference play in January. Our game this Saturday [Dec. 7] at Viterbo University will be another good test for us moving forward.”

The women know that strong starts don’t necessarily mean strong finishes, as Luther went 4-2 early on last season and finished 13-13.

“Our 5-1 start is great, but we are not content and are still looking to improve,” Woolems said. “We have a lot of experience on the team this year and I think that will help us to reach our season goals.”

Breanne Pierce/Photo Bureau

Give me the ball! Amanda Busta (‘16) calls for a pass during the game against St. Olaf. Luther won 71-52.

Breanne Pierce/Photo Bureau

Seniority rules. Lyndsi Woolems (‘14) and Taylor Johnson (‘14) have led the Norse to a strong start this season. Johnson is scoring an average of 19 points per game, while Woolems is shooting 43% from the field.

Kate Knepprath/Photo Bureau

Getting fired up. Head Coach Amanda Bailey points out an infraction during the win against St. Olaf.

Sports

12

Mitchell, Serres earn All-American honors

December 5, 2013 Weekly Standings Wrestling Coe Wartburg Dubuque Loras Luther Buena Vista Central Simpson

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

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

Recent scores: -N/A Upcoming schedule: -Dec. 6 vs. Dubuque @ Dubuque

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

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

Overall 5-0 5-1 4-1 3-2 3-2 3-2 4-3 1-3

Recent scores: -Nov. 30 vs. North Central W 108-93 -Nov. 26 vs. UW-Platteville W 90-86 Upcoming schedule: -Dec. 7 vs. Viterbo @ La Crosse

Men’s Swim and Dive Photo courtesy of Taisa Kushner

Jayne’s training pays off. Jayne Cole (‘14) runs the 6K at cross country nationals. Cole finished 110th in 22:42.

Mitchell takes 28th, Serres 32nd at national meet. Men place 14th, women 27th overall.

Carrie Juergens &

Matt Yan

Staff Writer

Sports Editor

Luther finished the cross country season at the national meet with two All-Americans in their midst. Marty Mitchell (‘14) placed 28th on the 8K course with a time of 25:16 to pace the men’s team to 14th place, eight places above their projected place of 22nd. Tricia Serres (‘16) placed 32nd with a time of 21:58 on the 6K course and is now a two-time AllAmerican in cross country. The women’s team placed 27th.

“Going into the race, we all knew that everyone would go out fast,” Serres said. “Our race plan was to get out but know that the race wouldn’t be run in the first 400 meters. We stayed relaxed in the beginning, got to work in the middle, and charged on home to the finish.”

Mitchell, a fifth-year senior, made the most of his final season of eligibility with his AllAmerican finish.

“It’s been a goal for awhile,” Mitchell said.

“I just put together the right race on the right day.”

Mitchell attributed his final placing to the Luther race strategy. Instead of going all-out from the beginning, Mitchell paced himself to victory.

“I went out more conservatively this time,” Mitchell said. “I followed the general Luther strategy that we practice, so I was patient for the first two miles and moved up during the

rest of the race. Once I was in 40th I realized I was pretty close, so I finished as strong as I could.”

Serres felt fortunate to have races like she did this season. Though many of the women’s team suffered injuries during their season, many also stepped up their game.

“A lot of girls who hadn’t really run on varsity got to step up and be on varsity, and then push our team to the national meet, which was really cool,” Serres said.

Women’s coach Yarrow Pasche was proud of the runners’ progress throughout the year.

“It’s been a different year in that some people at the end of this season found themselves in different positions than they have been in before, so it’s a great opportunity to perform at their best and have that challenge, and [see] the really exciting places they get to go with it,” Pasche said.

Pasche and men’s coach Steve Pasche tend to focus on the joy of running more than anything else.

“What we try to do is build great excitement for just running, being with your teammates, enjoying the trails we have here in Decorah, enjoying the challenge that comes with running and that fitness that comes with running,” Yarrow Pasche said.

National qualifier Austin Bauer (‘14) finished in 42nd place, narrowly missing a top35 All-American berth. Bauer expressed some sadness about his running career with Luther coming to a close.

“I’m definitely going to continue running after college,” Bauer said. “I mean, it’ll be a lot different not being on the team. That really hit me at the regional meet, that this is one of the last times that I’ll have a team to run for.

But I look forward to continuing to improve.”

Mitchell had similar reservations.

“I’ll actually be joining a team in the Twin Cities for the spring, so I’ll still be racing,” Mitchell said. “I’m still planning on continuing running. I’ll be coming back on occasion for races as an alumni and pacing people to some

crazy times, basically pretending that I’m still running at Luther.”

Serres is an underclassman, but feels responsible for the team.

“Even though I’m a sophomore, I still feel like I have a leadership role on the team, being one of the lead runners,” Serres said.

“So surrounding my other teammates with a positive environment and good work ethic and everything, it’s important that they see that.”

The cross country team is very close-knit and the seniors are glad to have been a part of the running family at Luther.

“It’s a really good community,” Bauer said. “I wouldn’t want to spend my time with anybody else.”

The importance of her team’s support wasn’t lost on Serres, who said she felt energized by the spectators’ cheers and team spirit.

“I feel so blessed to have been able to toe the line with my teammates at the National Championships,” Serres said. “It [was] such a great way to end the season.”

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

Loras Luther Coe Simpson

Overall 3-1 1-3 1-4 0-3

Recent scores: -Nov. 23 4th at River City Relays -Nov. 16 vs. Simpson W 173-18 Upcoming schedule: -Dec. 7 @ Rochester Invitational

Women’s Swim and Dive IIAC 2-0 1-0 0-1 0-2

Loras Luther Coe Simpson

Overall 3-1 3-1 2-3 0-3

Recent scores: -Nov. 23 4th at River City Relays -Nov. 16 vs. Simpson W 203-24 Upcoming schedule: -Dec. 7 @ Rochester Invitational

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

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

Overall 6-0 3-1 4-2 3-2 3-2 2-3 2-4 0-6

Recent scores: -Nov. 30 vs. Illinois Tech W 79-65 -Nov. 29 vs. Barclay W 96-49

Photo courtesy of Rob Serres

Fifth year, first time All-American.

Marty Mitchell poses with his AllAmerican medal at the national finals.

Upcoming schedule: -Dec. 7 vs. Viterbo @ La Crosse