January 26, 2012

Thursday, January 26, 2012 twitter.com/@msureporter

facebook.com /msureporter

Minnesota State University, Mankato

www.themsureporter.com

FRIDAY

H 31 • L 16

SATURDAY

H 24 • L 8

An America built to last

•web photo The members of the United States Congress stand to applause President Barack Obama (pictures above) as he gives the 2012 State of the Union Address Tuesday evening.

Obama’s 2012 State of the Union recapped MEGAN KADLEC

news editor

While many students at Minnesota State University, Mankato were busy studying or hanging out with friends on Tuesday night, President Barack Obama was delivering the annual presidential State of the Union Address in the United States House of Representatives Chamber.

While politics may not be of much importance to many students at MSU, the annual State of the Union Address is essential in determining the president’s views of the country and his approval ratings.

In the speech, Obama focused on education reform, creating new energy sources in America and repairing the country’s infrastructure with money that was not used in the Iraq War. Obama opened by thank-

inside: Voices.............................................4 Sports...........................................11 A&E...............................................15 Classifieds...................................19

ing the Armed Forces for their services during the past decade.

“These achievements are a testament to the courage, selflessness and teamwork of America’s Armed Forces.

At a time when too many of our institutions have let us down, they exceed all expectations,” Obama said.

“They’re not consumed with personal ambition. They don’t obsess over their differences.

They focus on the mission at hand. They work together.”

Obama proposed a new defense strategy that ensures America maintains a strong military while trimming the budget. He said that average Americans should strive to be more like the Armed Forces and that if they did, a new United States would emerge victorious.

“We can either settle for

a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by,” Obama said. “Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share and everyone plays by the same set of rules.”

He went on to argue that these values were bipartisan in nature and did not lie in any particular political party.

“What’s at stake are not Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. We have to reclaim them,” Obama said.

Obama also discussed the current economic crisis in America and how his administration has helped. In the six months before he took office, America lost almost four million jobs. Another four million jobs were lost

THE MSU WRESTLING TEAM HOPES TO GET BACK INTO THE MIX OF THINGS AGAINST AUGUSTANA AT HOME - PAGE 13

before Obama’s policies went into effect.

In the last 22 months, more than three million jobs have been created. Obama argued that the economy will only get better through American manufacturing. Master Lock CEO told Obama mere weeks ago that it actually made sense to bring jobs back to America again. The unionized plant is now running at full capacity in Milwaukee.

Obama proposed many tax programs that would benefit American companies who are keeping their jobs in the U.S. as opposed to outsourcing. He also announced the creation of a Trade Enforcement Unit that would investigate unfair trade practices in countries like China and the adaption of streamlined training programs that will land more Americans with

specific skill sets and jobs to match.

Obama then turned his focus to the educational system. He urged every state to require that students stay in high school through graduation, or until they are 18 years old. Colleges need to keep their costs down, and federal loan interest rates need to be lowered in order for students to afford the increasing cost of seeking a college education, Obama said.

The President also stressed the importance of new energy sources and providing tax break for entrepreneurs looking to start their own businesses.

“So much of America needs to be rebuilt. We’ve got crumbling roads and bridges.

A power grid that wastes too

State of the Union / page 7

ALSO: TRYING TO GET IN SHAPE FOR SPRING BREAK? - PAGE 4

Page 2 • Reporter

News

Thursday, January 26, 2012T

Number crunching your finances Fo r m s ma d e e a s y f o r s t u d e nt s i mp l i c it y

MEGAN KADLEC

news editor

MSSA Vacancies

Between balancing coursework, student organizations, internships and part-time jobs, students can get easily overwhelmed. Add balancing a checkbook, filing taxes, applying for FAFSA and paying bills to the mix, and a student’s workload can seem daunting.

The beginning of spring semester means four major things for most students at Minnesota State University, Mankato: tuition balances are due, textbooks need to be purchased, W-2 tax forms are available and it’s time to start filling out FAFSA paperwork so students can afford to finish school.

In order to combat some of the stress and anxiety surrounding these often-complicated financial matters, the Reporter has put together a list of tips and tricks students can use to make sure their financial future is in check.

Filing taxes early is key in not only receiving that tax refund check sooner, but also in minimizing any stress a student might have about filing taxes. If students wait until March 31 to file their taxes, they will have no time to ask questions or straighten out any problems they may have.

W-2 tax forms are available online for student who are employed at MSU and other employers should be making those documents available for employees within the next few weeks.

Students should apply for fi-

nancial aid as soon as possible as well. While it doesn’t necessarily seem important to do in February, it actually is.

The sooner a student fills out their FAFSA forms, the sooner they will receive a confirmation on how much money they will receive from the government in grants and subsidized or unsubsidized loans. Knowing this amount early is crucial to determining how you will pay the additional balance on your tuition, if there is a balance.

While not directly related to taxes or FAFSA, it is also important that students work out a budget to follow each month to ensure they don’t go into debt before they graduate from college. It is hard enough to pay off student loan payments in an entry-level position, let alone trying to pay off credit card bills and car loans.

One finance professional said if students of all ages knew how to manage their money before graduation, the U.S. economy would be in a more positive situation.

“If our educational system had any financial courses that enabled young children and eventually high school or college students to grasp the concept of money management and the impact it has on your entire life, the country would not be in the position it is today,” said debt expert Jason Simons. “I truly believe that the lack of education in this area is the cause behind most of the fi-

The MSSA will be holding an election for the following positions: • Arts & Humanities (1) • Graduate Studies (1) • Residence Hall - Crawford (1) • Residence Hall - mCelroy (1) • Residence Hall - sears (1) • SCIENCE, ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (1) • social & behavioral sciences (1) • Undeclared (1) • Off-Campus (1) Application Available Online: www.mnsu.edu/mssa

Need to scrap your vehicle? $$ CALL US $$ • Used parts, cars, trucks & repairables!

• Purchasing all grades of metal!

• 70' scale on-site!

• Free Pick Up! • Friendly, Reliable Service • Top Dollar Paid • Online Parts Search

HOURS: Mon.-Fri., 8-5

* Oct. 1 - March 31 Closed Saturdays

507-524-3735

(12 miles south on Hwy. 22)

bandrautotrucksalvage.com

An MSU student uses the time he needs to study to fill out tax forms.

nancial problems we have today.”

Whether or not poor money management is directly related to the economic recession across the nation is a matter of opinion.

However, students can benefit from knowing how to make a budget and knowing how to stick to it.

A budget is simply a comparison of how much money someone makes a month versus how much they spend. For example, if a student makes $500 per month, a budget will simply allow that student to properly budget how much money he or she can spend on certain things such as rent, groceries, electricity payments and entertainment.

While many adults frown upon students having credit cards, they do serve a purpose. If a student uses a credit card to buy gas and groceries and pays the full balance on their credit every month, there will be no consequences.

In fact, that student will have a credit score when they graduate and will often be better qualified to lease a car, rent an apartment or receive a loan of any sort.

It is when these students don’t know how to use their credit cards or pay of their card balances that they get in trouble.

Searching for your credit score may be one of the most valuable pieces of advice given to young

angela kukoski • msu reporter

professionals. Individuals often don’t check their credit scores simply because they don’t know how to do it.

“Unfortunately, a high percentage of the people who call our company have never pulled a credit report or don’t have any idea how to read one,” Simons said. “We expect that someone who owns a home or drives a car automatically has the ability to manage their money.”

Whether taught as a young child or just learning about finances, it is important for students to realize what forms they need to fill out, when and why to avoid sometimes disastrous results.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

News

Unveiled

ALLISON MATTHEWS

staff writer

Diversity is a part of everyday lives of students at Minnesota State University, Mankato, but do students actively think about the diversity in their lives?

Minnesota State University Student Association hosted “Unveiled” Monday night in the CSU Ballroom to explore diversity and gets students talking about it.

The title for the event speaks for its self as it sought to unveil the many stigmas attached to diversity and how diversity plays a role on campus.

Host Timothy Akhalu explained that discussing diversity makes many

Reporter • Page 3

MSUSA event promotes diversity through Monday night presentation

• web photo MSUSA hosted Monday’s diversity event.

people feel uneasy, but it is important to address people’s different identities, especially at MSU. “Diversity is moving beyond simple tolerance,” Akhalu said. “It’s about celebrating dimensions in individuals.”

Akhalu said that MSU makes it a priority to address diversity. Diversity is a part of the five core values at MSU. Integrity, access, responsibility and excellence make up the other four core values.

During his presentation, Akhalu asked audience members to define what diversity meant to them.

One audience member

said, “It is being accepting of all different cultures.”

“Life is diverse,” another audience member said.

Akhalu said that diversity is not an issue, but it is a lifestyle.

Office of Disabilities Assistant Director Beth Claussen spoke about the ways people with disabilities are marginalized in society and how MSU addresses needs for disability services.

Claussen explained the different societal models throughout history that guided public opinion of disability.

The religious model stated that disability is the

result of sin in some form, according to Claussen. The medical model focused merely on the diagnosis of disability. The charity movement had good intentions but ultimately pitied people disabilities, Clausen said.

The current social model paves the path to use “people-first language” as the basis for addressing disability awareness. Inter the social model, people should not be viewed solely based on their disability. It is just one of the many aspects that make them who they are, according to Claussen.

Claussen said that 20 percent of people in the world will have a disability at some point in their lives.

The Office of Disabilities accommodates about 600 students each year by providing a variety of resources, according to Claussen.

Claussen said that addressing disability is about learning to move beyond its stigma.

“Why does it [Office of

Disability Services] belong on campus? Because learning is a part of life,” Claussen said.

Claussen described her 13-year-old son as stubborn, lover of all things orange colored, a hunter and who has down-syndrome.

“Disability does not define who he is,” Claussen said.

Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center Program Advisor Julia Keleher spoke about the ways the LGBT Center addresses diversity.

Keleher said she came out to her family and through that, she became diverse. She said that a 14-year-old boy committed suicide recently because he was relentlessly bullied for being gay and that he is just one of many who commit suicide or hurt themselves due to bullying or discrimination.

“Without that respect for diversity, things like that shake you to your core,”

Unveiled / page 9

Voices

TODAY’S “BEST OF” SURVEY: WHAT BAR HAS THE BEST CHICKEN WINGS IN MANKATO? HEAD TO FACEBOOK.COM/MSUREPORTER OR VISIT CSU 293 TO VOTE!

Thursday, January 26, 2012 www.msureporter.com

Do your parents really understand your college lifestyle?

CASSIE RAYMAN

staff writer

Let me start out by saying that I love my parents.

They’re both great people, but the truth is, they have absolutely no idea what I’m actually doing at college.

I can’t help but feel like this is an idea that resonates amongst many, but not all, of the students at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

For example, last semester I was in the library working on a final paper when I received a phone call from my dad. I answered primarily because usually when he calls there is something of immediate relevance that needs to be attended to.

A few sentences into the conversation, my dad’s train of thought came to an abrupt halt when he decided I wasn’t speaking loudly enough. I explained that I was in the library and that speaking loudly was highly frowned upon. As I tried to explain this, I made my way to the entrance of the library in hopes of being able to raise my voice loud enough for my dad’s ability to hear but before I

made it there, my frustrated dad had already hung up the phone. Needless to say, he didn’t understand the library is a place of quiet on most occasions, nor did he understand that it was going to take me more than 15 seconds to reach the entrance of the library. I don’t believe we ever resolved the issue to be discussed on the phone either, now that I think about it.

My library incident was one of many college related incidents where my parents and I had a misunderstanding about “what the hell I was doing”. Some of these incidents resulted in attempts to explain the concept of college credits, how long a semester lasts, what it meant when I mentioned I was writing a “final paper,” general education requirements and why I was so stressed out during, and prior to, what I feel my parents had come to understand as “the notorious finals week.”

My experiences alone though are not the only moments of frustration college students can share in trying to communicate with their parents just “what the hell they

are doing.”

One of the major topics that I feel I tend to hear most often from my college peers is what I like to call the “having a hangover in class” disagreement. (Clever, I know.) Most parents do not see why it is acceptable to have a hangover in class. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t acceptable, but for some students it’s just going to happen.

First of all, if you’ve had this disagreement with your parents, it’s probably best you don’t tell them next time you have to depart from class early because you thought you were going to throw up midlecture. Unless, of course, you have a legitimate illness not related to your alcohol consumption the night before.

Second, what I feel most parents are missing is that while college is a place of furthering one’s education, socializing is still a part of the college experience as a whole. Socializing need not always involve alcohol, but in some instances it does.

These sometimes alcohol involved instances, to name a few, may include a birthday,

a successful completion of a major exam, a good grade on this major exam or not completing the take-home portion of your major exam because your laptop decided to crash at the most inconvenient of times. If you’re anything like me, the frying of your hard drive on your laptop may feel something similar to the ending of the world.

My point is that college students need the freedom to socialize in reward for all the stresses and hard work put into attending college, or their pursuit of higher education may seem somewhat fruitless.

Consuming alcohol before a full day of classes is not necessarily my suggestion, but it is the reality for some.

So, while parents may be right that rolling into class with a hangover is irresponsible, they could still try finding some understanding in the strains of college life that may have caused this drinking.

These strains are far greater on those students who not only work full-time but also are full-time students. Spending eight hours on campus

Parents / page 7

TRYING TO GET IN SHAPE? KYLE RATKE

editor-in-chief

It’s that time of year again: the time when everyone tries to follow through with their New Year’s resolutions and attempts to get in shape for Spring Break.

For the four years I’ve been here, it’s almost comical how routine this all is. The gyms will be packed for the next few months, which can be annoying to the consistent gym-goers. Chances are after the first week of March, the gyms will be dead again and people will have no motivation.

Why does it have to be like this? The Reporter doesn’t think it should. This issue features ads from local gyms, fitness centers and other ways for you to stay in shape.

Whether the school gym is too packed, or you’re graduating soon and need to look for another way to stay in shape, give some of these places a shot.

If you’re one of those people who will be in shape for the next few months and then fall back off the tracks in the middle of March, that’s your business.

For those of you who are serious, take these opportunities into consideration.

Q. WHY DID YOU START WORKING FOR THE REPORTER?

Q. IS KEVIN LOVE WORTH THE MAX-CONTRACT?

ated from here with a journalism degree. He suggested that I should work for The Reporter, because it is a great way to practice news writing and get your name out there for when I graduate. So I applied last January, and I have loved working here since.

Q. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE REPORTER MEMORY?

JD: Absolutely. He’s one of the few players that not only gets double doubles and shoots 35 percent from the three point line, but can also be a vocal and demonstrative JD: I came to MSU last year inleader. Without him, the team wouldn’t be able to functending on majoring in journalism tion nearly as well and improve as a team for years to because one of my uncles gradu- come.

JOEY DENTON Sports Writer

JD: It would to definitely have to be covering the Vikings training camp. I was so nervous that I almost passed out when I got to talk to Jared Allen and Chad Greenway. I mumbled a little bit, but they understood my questions. Talking to the players and writing about them made me realize that being in sports journalism is something I would love to do for the rest of my life, and I would like to thank The Reporter for giving me that opportunity.

T

Thursday, January 26, 2012

News

Reporter • Page 5

Fair proves full of opportunity Resource Fair invites local organizations to CSU Ballroom

ELISE KONERZA

assistant news editor

Local service organizations gathered in the Centennial Student Union Ballroom Wednesday to represent, promote and educate students and the Mankato community of new opportunities.

These opportunities represent a service learning objective. The organizations were well-developed and professional in every sense of the matter.

Organizational spokespersons were well-versed in what each organization had to offer and the personal benefits that go along with each, as well as community wide benefits.

One featured organization coined the phrase and title of, “Resistance to Globalization.” Anika Cristwell, a Minnesota State University, Mankato graduate student focusing on non-profit leadership, spoke on the organization’s behalf. The organization exemplifies that students can make a difference and

get involved in changing the world.

Specifically, Cristwell said the group is a knitting circle. Students will have the chance to learn self-sufficiency and build strong relationships within the organization. You will be granted the opportunity to learn how to knit and crochet. In the making, is a “Mitten Fund,” which is very new to the organization. This fund will centralize the makings of knitted or crocheted mittens and scarves to Africa.

“We’re going to make mittens and scarves that are actually warm, not cheap store-bought ones,” Cristwell said.

If you are interested in joining, the organization meets Mondays at 4 p.m.

Students explore what the Resource Fair had to offer Wednesday. outside the LGBT Center.

Corrections Club made within their major. The club Reyes or Kelli Cline for an appearance representing invites guest speakers to more information. a display for students who meetings and takes prison/ Public Relations Stumay be interested in correc- jail tours. Corrections Club dent Society of America tions, sociology, political, meets bi-weekly and varies (PRSSA) was also a school or social behavioral majors between Wednesdays and featured organization at the or any major. It is a great Thursdays at 5 p.m. Contact fair. PRSSA is a studentway for students to get inthe club president Alicia professional organization volved and gain experience

megan kadlec • msu reporter

that explores the business world of public relations.

The club also branches off with Expertise PR, a student run public relations firm. Expertise PR is currently promoting an event at

Resource fair / page 8

Job & Internship Fair Pizza & Prep Session Learn how to prepare for the Job & Internship Fair while enjoying FREE pizza & pop.

Wednesday, Feb. 1 4-5:50p in CSU 253,4,5 Sponsored by Federated Insurance.

Page 6 • Reporter

News

Apple juggernaut gets little investor respect

NEW YORK (AP) — Apple is worth $415 billion, putting it neck and neck with Exxon Mobil as the world’s most valuable company.

But by standard Wall Street measures, its stock is a bargain.

There’s a big discrepancy between Apple’s earnings and its stock price, and it became even more glaring on Tuesday, when the company reported results for its latest quarter. The well-managed launch of the iPhone 4S and the ever growing popularity of Apple products around the world conspired to send earnings and sales zooming past analyst estimates.

Apple’s sales were $46.3 billion in the quarter that ended Dec. 31, up 73 percent from a year ago.

That’s more than twice the revenue of its old nemesis, Microsoft Corp.

Net income grew 118 percent to $13.06 billion. That’s more than Google Inc.’s revenue for the quarter.

Investors cheered —sort of.

Apple’s stock rose 6 percent Wednesday, hitting a new all-time high of $454.45.

And analysts believe the stock should be trading higher, based on the earnings expected this year.

Before the earnings report, 45 Wall Street analysts who follow the company believed, on average, that Apple should be worth about $556 per share. After the report, the analysts rushed to raise their estimates, some as high as $650.

“This isn’t supposed to be happening to a company of this size,” said David Rolfe, chief investment officer at Wedgewood Partners Inc., manages a $150 million fund where Apple is the largest component. “In our collective investment experience, none of us have ever seen this before.”

There are two main reasons for the missing hundred-dollar bills in Apple’s stock price.

One is Apple’s policy of hoarding the cash it makes, like a dragon resting on a pile of gold. It doesn’t pay dividends or buy back stock like many companies do.

The policy is all the more striking when you consider the size of the cash pile: $97.6 billion. That’s enough for a $100 special dividend for every Apple share.

For years, analysts have been pressing Apple for a plan to do something with the cash. The company’s standard response has been that the cash gives it flexibility to buy other companies and strike long-term supply deals.

But on a post-report confer-

ence call with analysts on Tuesday, chief financial officer Peter Oppenheimer hinted that a change might be in the air, saying the board is in “active” discussions about what to do with the cash.

“I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a dividend by the end of calendar-2012,” said Michael Walkley, an analyst with Canaccord Genuity.

The dividend would be important, not so much because it would directly reward shareholders, he said, but because it might vastly expand the number of investment funds that would be allowed to buy Apple stock.

Growth-oriented funds already own a lot of Apple shares, and can’t stomach any more. Apple has “run out of room,” in the words of analyst Toni Sacconaghi at Sanford Bernstein.

Meanwhile, value-oriented funds have rules against buying companies that don’t pay dividends, and own few Apple shares, he said. He, too, thinks it’s likely that Apple will institute a dividend, which would raise the stock price by broadening the range of funds that will own Apple.

The other main reason for the low stock price appears to be that Apple has grown so big, so fast. Investors and analysts have refused to believe that a company of that size can grow at an annual rate of 73 percent, like it did in the latest quarter.

Wall Street analysts have been “woefully conservative on Apple,” Rolfe said. “The mantra has been: Hey, a company this size just cannot keep growing at these unbelievable rates.”

Scott Sutherland, an analyst at Wedbush Morgan, does believe Apple’s earnings growth will slow.

But even if today’s breakneck pace can’t hold up, and growth moderates to 21 percent per year, the shares are still worth $585, he said.

There’s no sign of growth slowing this year, however. Apple is expected to launch the iPad 3 in a few months, and perhaps a TV set some time this year. This summer, analysts expect an iPhone with a new look and the ability to use Verizon Wireless’ and AT&T Inc.’s new high-speed “LTE” data networks. That would be the biggest iPhone launch in years, Sutherland said.

“It will crush the iPhone 4S launch,” he said.

Thursday, January 26, 2012T

Preparing for the MADELINE GREENE | staff writer

d l r o W l a Re

M ajor Decisions

So you’ve spent all this time sitting in classes, learning all the tools that will help you land your dream job. Wait just a second; do you even know what your dream job is?

Say you have just really enjoyed the classes you are in, fallen into a major from the days when you were just worried about getting some general education credits out of the way or maybe you chose your major without knowing what you wanted to do with it when you graduated. Either way, you’ve been taking classes for the purpose of earning a degree and someday finding a job.

You are not alone if you are feeling a little nervous about how your major can evolve into a job that you enjoy. I’ve been a declared Mass Media major for three and a half years, and some days I’m not sure what opportunities are out there for me or what my dream job really is.

While you are feeling lost and confused about what you can do with your major, there are a few options to calm your nerves and get you looking at perspective options for the job hunt. It isn’t going to be easy, but by the end you will be sure to know what direction you are headed.

Talk to your professors. Most of the time your professors have

worked in the field they are teaching. They can give you an idea of what jobs and opportunities are available for someone who has your personal skill set. And since you are in their classes, they know what your strengths are, which allows them to guide you to what part of the field that you would be most successful in.

Talk to your advisor. Your advisor may have resources that can help you in your search for the “dream job.” Whether it be online or referring you to a colleague, they might have some useful guidance that will help you head in the right direction.

Another nice thing is that they know what other classes you’ve taken, and they may be able to give you a look into how you can connect all the things you have learned in college to a certain job or career.

Visit the Career Development Center. I know I have said this before and it may seem as if I am giving the CDC the

utmost praise… it is because I am. The CDC is one of the best places on campus to help you plan for the future. I mentioned before that they have resources that link what you are studying to a career path. Whether you need help or just want to look through their reference materials, it is always a good place to stop for help when it comes to the next step.

Do some Internet research.

I mean, it really is as simple as typing… what can you do with a __________ major? It may seem oh so simple, but I promise you’ll learn a lot more than you expected and may find that your dream job is a lot closer than you had first imagined.

See you next week, Mavericks. Until then, search for what your dream job is. You may be surprised at the possibilities and opportunities out there in your field of study. If you start looking now and dreaming big, you won’t be sorry. I promise.

megan kadlec • msu reporter

HUNTINGTON HILLS • F re e I n t e r ne t / C a b le T V • Pe t F r ie nd l y • Wa l k i n g d i s t a nc e from M SU • Pool / B BQ / Vol leyb a l l • $385 p e r p e r s on / room

Are your UGGS UGGLY? 744 James Avenue - Mankato, MN 56001 728 N. Riverfront Dr., Mankato

www.katobears.com Monday-Friday 9-6

507-625-5163

We clean UGGS!

(507) 387-3771

Email: huntington.hills@live.com

Thursday, January 26, 2012

News

STATE OF THE UNION “Each time I look at that flag, I’m reminded that our destiny is stitched together like those 50 stars and those 13 stripes.” continued from 1

much energy. An incomplete high-speed broadband network that prevents a small business owner in rural America from selling her products all over the world,” Obama said.

Obama said that in order to rebuild America, half of the money the nation is not using to fight the war should be used to pay off debt while the other half should be used to rebuild the nation.

Obama also discussed tax breaks, proposing that the wealthiest two percent of Americans should not be receiving tax breaks, that everyone should pay their fair share of their taxes.

“When Americans talk about folks like me paying my fair share of taxes, it’s not because they envy the rich,” Obama said. “It’s because they understand that when I get tax breaks I don’t need and the country can’t afford, it either adds to the deficit, or somebody else has to make up the difference – like a senior on a fixed income; or a student trying to get through school; or a family trying to make ends meet.”

In addition to tax breaks and new policy, Obama proposed a Veterans Jobs Corp that will aid communities in hiring veterans as cops and firefighters “so that America is as strong as those who defend her.”

Many Republicans, and

some democrats, doubt Obama’s ability to lead the country. Obama addressed the issues of partisan attitudes in America and said that, despite ideological differences, everyone is still American.

“I recognize that people watching tonight have differing views about taxes and debt; energy and health care,” Obama said. “But no matter what party they belong to, I bet most Americans are thinking the same thing right now: Nothing will get done this year, or next year, or maybe even the year after that, because Washington is broken.”

The economy is in crisis, partisan disagreements are as

heated as ever, though Obama urges that as long as America stands together, the country will never falter. Though possibly idealistic, the tone of the speech made those in attendance proud of their country.

“Each time I look at that flag, I’m reminded that our destiny is stitched together like those 50 stars and those 13 stripes. No one built this country on their own,” Obama said. “This nation is great because we built it together. This nation is great because we worked as a team. This nation is great because we get each other’s backs.”

• web photo Obama embraced Arizona congresswoman Gabby Giffords before the State of the Union address.

No pencil? No problem.

Text library book call numbers to your phone

Reporter • Page 7

MSSA elects new senators CHELSEA MILLER

staff writer MSSA elected new faces and shed light on upcoming campus events at its Wednesday meeting.

There was a full house at this week’s Minnesota State Student Association meeting. It included a presentation from Community Engagement, senator elections, and a lot of future event announcements.

Assistant Director of Community Engagement Denise Billington came before the senate to reinforce the awareness of the programs impact on the community. Community Engagement is a program which connects students to service opportunities in Mankato. Billington introduced three students who then voiced why the program is important to them.

“It is beautiful to have a system in place that brings students together around service to develop leadership skills,” Billington said.

Election for the senate seats that will represent Arts and Humanities, undeclared, Crawford, and off-campus students took place. All were filled except the off-campus spot. Michael Cain, Lance Skelig and JT Mandebvu were sworn in tonight and took

their seats at the table.

“I thought I could give back to a school that gave me so much,” Cain said, “And figure out why my academic success happened and what was going on behind he scenes to make that happen.”

IMPACT has a long list of exciting new events like tonight’s “Dubsteppin’ in the CSU,” which will take place, as the title denotes, in the new Centennial Student Union Ballroom. Also in the CSU, Stomper’s Epic Birthday Bash will be on January 28 at 9 p.m. featuring free food, bowling, billiards and plenty of free prizes. Students could win a football autographed by Vikings player Toby Gerhart and other autographed sports memorabilia.

“Also a sweet grand prize which I can’t reveal,” said Impact’s public relations chair.

The Maverick Bullpen has been given a completely new look, and students will see many upcoming events held there to show off the new design. For Super Bowl Sunday, the Bullpen will host a screening of the pre-show on 55-inch monitors.

Students can watch the game with friends and enjoy the snack bar.

Page 8 • Reporter

Spring Health & Fitness

Republican primaries CHRISTIAN HAGEN

web editor The Republican presidential nomination process has grown increasingly complex, with constant shifts in momentum and leadership, civility and controversy.

After a strong debate performance that surprised many pundits and viewers, Newt Gingrich climbed from the back of the Republican field to the forefront by winning the South Carolina Republican primary by a wide margin.

With Rick Santorum’s late stunner in Iowa and Mitt Romney’s strong win in New Hampshire, there have been three Republican contests with three different winners. The only remaining Republican candidate who hasn’t won a state is Ron Paul.

Suddenly, the contest is anyone’s game and the next few weeks will make all the difference. Florida looms on January 31, and whoever wins that will

be the presumptive leader going into February’s races and may launch them forward into Super Tuesday on March 6th.

Here’s a run-down of some of the standout primaries and caucuses on the horizon: -Jan. 31: Florida. Polls show Romney and Gingrich in a statistical tie. The two have traded barbs over integrity and conservative credentials, while Santorum has tried to sway values voters and Paul has stuck to his libertarian guns.

-Feb. 4: Nevada. After a difficult senate race in 2010, Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid came out on top in Nevada, possibly indicating that Tea Party Republican politics won’t win over voters there.

-Feb. 7: Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri. The first multiplestate voting day of the primary season. If the four current contenders are still swinging momentum and leads, this could be the day that a clear winner emerges. At the very least, one

person might drop out, if they haven’t already.

-Feb. 11: Maine.

-Feb. 28: Arizona, Michigan. This may be the ultimate pre-amble to Super Tuesday.

If Romney is still in the fight and can convince moderates in Michigan of his credentials, he might take the lead. If Gingrich is trailing, a strong-enough showing in Arizona can swing things in his favor even if he loses Michigan voters. Meanwhile, Arizona might be a place where Santorum and Paul can make a last stand to stay in the race.

-March 3: Washington.

-March 6: Super Tuesday. 16 states and territories will vote on one day which may make or break the election and decide the Republican nominee. If there’s not a clear victor before this date, there will most likely be one after. If it’s still close coming into this day, expect vicious rhetoric and very harsh debates.

Massage by Karmella Benefits of Massage

One-Hour Massage

• Decreased Anxiety • Greater Energy • Improved Concentration

(Mention ad to receive this offer) Expires: Feb. 29, 2012

• Increased Circulation • Enhanced Immunity • Helps Recovery from Workouts

All Natural/Organic Products

(507) 344-0044

416 Park Lane, Mankato www.massagebykarmella.com

Thursday, January 26, 2012

RESOURCE FAIR “It is a great way for students to get involved and gain experience within their major.” continued from 5 the RedSky Lounge Greenhouse Effect event. Feature artist, Prof is the headliner and will perform the day of the event at 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3.

“PRSSA offers experience to public relations students to fundraise and support the club, while having public relations professionals speak at some of the meetings and taking trips to public relations firms,” said junior Isaac Hanson.

Julie Walker, a speech professor at MSU, attended the event promoting her new organization that fo-

cuses on teaching computer skills to adults. Walker takes the time to initiate and teach the world of the web to adults who may not be knowledgeable in the practices and offerings of the web, making it less daunting for adults to claim a Facebook page or open an e-mail account.

About 30 organizations attended the event, showcasing their best and brightest hoping to acquire new members or simply hand out informational materials to promote their organizations.

THIELE CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Kenneth L. Thiele

430 S. Broad St., Mankato, MN 56001

(507) 387-5591

20/20 Optical Bring this coupon for a 10% Discount on a complete pair of glasses.

DBA of Ophthalmology

507-625-2020 HOURS: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Dr. James Connors TOTALDENTALCONCEPTS

The Latest Technology to Benefit our Patients

Improving thousands of lives, one spine at a time

Phone: 507-388-5315

Dr. Bryce Anderson Chiropractor

Anderson Family Chiropractic 121 East Main St., Suite 102 Mankato, MN 56001

www.AndersonFamChiro.com

Celebrating 21 Years of CEREC the ONE appointment, completely ceramic & tooth-colored dental restoration or crown.

Providing SINGLE TOOTH ANESTHESIA Local anesthetic for patient comfort No uncomfortable Injection NO numbness to the lip, cheeks or tongue Call to experience how comfortable dentistry can be

507-345-4752

201 N. Broad St. Suite 204, Mankato, MN

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Spring Health & Fitness

PARENTS “Some parents may be completely understand of their student’s college lifestyle and stresses.”

UNVEILED “There is no such think as a born leader.

You can be diverse and be a leader.”

continued from 4

Keleher said.

Keleher said the LGBT Center serves about 5,000 students every year through its events and program.

Keleher said that the LGBT Center serves all students and advocates for diversity within MSU. One way to address diversity in classrooms is through the LGBT Center Peer Advocate Program, according to Keleher.

Professors and instructors can request LGBT

attending classes then jetting to work to complete an eighthour work day is not easy.

Just because we’re young doesn’t mean we’re capable of putting in 16-to-17-hour days, just so everyone is clear.

I have only touched on a few college disagreements I have experienced and seen my fellow college students at MSU endure with their parents. This gap of understanding could most definitely have something to do with the social changes within each generation, which is another complex story all on its own.

So, while some parents may be completely understanding of their student’s college lifestyle and stresses, some parents are not. As frustration may drag on for many, including myself, I feel it’s important for students to know they are not alone. Just know, fellow students, that somewhere out there at this very moment, another student is struggling to explain to their parents exactly “what the hell they are doing at college.”

Reporter • Page 9

continued from 3 Center staff and students to partake in a panel discussion to begin a dialogue on LGBT awareness.

“There is a great sense of community at the LGBT Center,” Keleher said. “We welcome all students to come.”

Akhalu explained that Keleher and Claussen come from just two of the many centers on campus that contribute to diversity on campus.

Akhalu said that some of

the biggest components of diversity is forgiving others and moving forward.

“Forgiveness is a big part of human life that people don’t want to do,” Akhalu said. “There is no such thing as a born leader. You can be diverse and be a leader. Leaders learn how to be a leader through society.

It’s about respect, inclusivity of others around and an open heart.”

Trust the specialists for state-of-the-art medical and surgical eye care using the latest advanced technology.

• Outpatient Cataract Surgery • Laser & General Eye Surgery • Medical Eye Exams • Lasik Surgery • Cataract Evals • Glaucoma Evals • Diabetic Eye Exams • Lesion Removal

10% OFF Lasik Surgery with MSU ID

John E. Hoines, M.D. Gerald A. Roust, M.D. Emily S. Birkholz, M.D. Seth A. Consoer, M.D.

345-6151

1630 Adams Street, Mankato of Mankato P.A.

www.2020mankato.com

Call 387-7463

• Single month to month for $30.00 (plus tax) • 6 months for $150.00 (plus tax) • Unlimited Tanning $12/mo.

NEW SPECIAL OFFER! • Four months for $100.00 (plus tax) with FREE Tanning Offer only valid with ad. Offer expires 2/3/12.

(507) 345-8663

261 Bunting Lane, Mankato, MN 56001 (Behind Jake's Pizza) www.buildntone.com

We use the newest diagnostic technology in chiropractic to give you the best possible care.

Dr. Anthony Moldan

Trained under the Official Chiropractor for the Minnesota Vikings!

Effective Relief for: • Headaches & Migraines • Back, Neck & Shoulder Pain • Arm & Leg Pain/Sciatica • Stress & Tension

• Sports Injuries • Auto Accident Injuries • Work Related Injuries • Asthma & Sinus Pain

320 Stadium Road Receive a FREE Chiropractic Suite 300 Exam, Nerve System Scan & Report of Findings ($115 value) Walking distance from Campus!

Expires March 30, 2012.

Same-Day Appointments Offer applies to new patients only.

Available!

www.RiverRidge-Chiropractic.com

Page 10 • Reporter

Where To Worship

Thursday, January 26, 2012

WHERE TO WORSHIP SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:00 & 10:30 am

302 Warren Street 507-388-1969 stjohnsmankato.org

SUNDAY SCHOOL Adults 9:30 - 10:15 am Children 9:30 - 10:30 am All Sacred Pathways Honored!

114 Pohl Rd, Mankato

EVENING PRAYER Tues. & Thurs. 5:30 pm

507-386-1242

- Worship 10:00 a.m.

2nd Sunday every month - Salon Discussion 10:00 a.m.

3rd Sunday every month - Metaphysical/Spiritual Guidance & Counseling - ONENESS Blessing Opportunity 10:00 a.m.

4th Sunday every month

www.hopeinterfaithcenter.com

SERVICE TIMES: Sunday: 8:30 am.... Family 9:45 am.... Traditional 11:00 am... Contemporary

- Excellent Bible-based teaching - Choice of music styles: - Contemporary includes full band playing relevant worship songs - Traditional includes organ and hymns

1250 Monks Avenue - 345-4011 On the corner of Monks Avenue and Balcerzak Drive.

Close walking distance from MSU! Give Bethel a try and see if it can be your 'church home away from home'!

Come - just as you are - now is the time to worship.

Energizer Wednesday 6:00 pm 7:00 pm

Free Dinner Worship

SUNday EVENING WORSHIP 7:00 pm

With Holy Communion

BIBLE STUDY

Small groups formed at times you can meet 329 Ellis Avenue (kitty-corner from McElroy residence hall)

...to know Christ and make Him known.

"NAV NITE"

Large group worship

WEDNESDAYS

@ 9pm in CSU 284 msuNAvs.com CONNECT•GROW•WORSHIP

Facebook: Campus Lutheran Chapel-Mankato

Made For More?

St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center

Sunday Mass

7:00 & 9:00 p.m.

Ostrander Auditorium

Join us for worship, prayer, fellowship, and life-transforming Bibical teaching.

7 pm in Centennial Student Union Every Sunday & Wednesday, Room 201

Maranatha Christian Fellowship For more information contact Johnathan at bislew@mac.com

Hosanna Lutheran Church Services: Saturday: 5:30 pm contemporary Sunday: 8:00 am traditional

9:30 am contemporary

11:00 am contemporary Wednesday: 7:00 pm contemporary Young Life Support (YLS) times: Wednesday: 5:45 pm with dinner

served at 5:00 pm Sunday: 9:30 am

105 Hosanna Dr. Mankato (507) 388-1766 www.hosannamankato.com

CROSSROADS

LUTHERAN CAMPUS MINISTRY crossroadsatmnsu.org

TUESDAYS

Lunch 4 a Buck 11:00am-1:00pm

WEDNESDAYS

Worship at 8pm

THURSDAYS

Free Yoga Class 5:30pm

SUNDAYS

Plus... Bible Study, Daily Mass, Adoration, RCIA, Retreats, Counseling and more.

The WELL at the CSU 6:30pm

Find us on the web at: www.catholicmavs.org www.facebook.com/catholicmavs

Campus Pastor: Rev. Tammy Dahlvang

625-6779

lcmcrossroads@gmail.com

Sports

This Week in Maverick Sports:

Thursday, January 26, 2012

MSU WRESTLING VS. AUGUSTANA 7 P.M. SAT. BRESNAN ARENA

WOMEN’S HOCKEY VS. NO. 3 MINNESOTA 7:07 P.M. FRI. AND 3:07 P.M. SAT. ALL SEASONS ARENA

www.msureporter.com/sports

Mavericks travel to Winona searching for big upset The No. 6 Warriors are sitting atop the NSIC and will be out for revenge at home against MSU, who ended Winona’s season last March.

REECE HEMMESCH

staff writer

Photo Courtesy of Sport Pix Sophomore guard Jimmy Whitehead (10.6 points per game) is one of the few Mavericks who had a hand in last season’s big win in Winona. Rest assured the Warriors and their fans will be hungry for a win on Friday.

For the struggling Minnesota State, Mankato men’s basketball team, the past few weeks the talk has been about the one signature win the program needs to push itself back into its winning ways.

All the Mavericks need is just one well-played game in this middle part of this season to give them the drive to finish out the season strong and possibly make a run in the conference tournament.

While last weekend’s miniupset of Minnesota-Duluth is a positive step, the really big win could not come at a better time than this weekend, when the Mavericks head east for a big matchup with No. 6 Winona State.

Over the past few years a huge rivalry has formed between these two squads that has produced incredibly close matchups that almost always feature two of the top teams in the NSIC. Since MSU rejoined the conference in 2008 after a stint in the now defunct NCC, Winona and the Mavericks have met six times on the court, with four of those contests going to MSU, but the last two wins have been Winona’s.

Of those six matchups, five

of them have been decided by seven points or less, with the only larger margin of victory coming last season when the two teams met at the Taylor Center.

MSU dominated that game from start to finish, claiming a 19-point victory. But Winona would have its revenge on the Mavericks later in the season, knocking top-seeded MSU out of the NSIC tournament in the second round.

The two squads squared off one final time with everything on the line in the NCAA Regionals, with the Mavericks ending the Warriors season with a 96-81 triumph at Bresnan Arena.

Since then Winona State has taken over the top spot in the conference so far this season, posting an impressive 12-1 conference record and 17-2 overall record.

The Warriors have won their last six games, all in convincing fashion, after a mid-season stumble saw Winona drop its first conference game to Northern State by a score of 60-58.

The Warriors have since regained their confidence and are now ranked sixth in the National Division-II Coaches Poll.

MSU will certainly have its hands full all night with Winona,

MEN’S HOOPS / page 12

Women’s Basketball

MSU eager to start a new streak after consecutive setbacks

TIGE HUTCHESON

staff writer

After hitting its first losing streak since the beginning of conference play last weekend, the Minnesota State, Mankato women’s basketball team will have its hands full again when it tries to put an end to it this weekend.

The Mavericks are preparing for weekend road games against Upper Iowa and Winona State, two very improved and confident teams.

MSU will also have to play in two of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference’s most hostile road environments.

In the first matchup of the weekend, the Mavericks will take on the Winona State Warriors (11-8, 6-7 NSIC), a team that MSU unexpectedly upset 66-55

in Mankato back in December.

It’s a safe bet that the Warriors will be looking for some revenge at home in McCown Gymnasium.

“It’s always a battle when we play Winona State,” said MSU head coach Pam Gohl. “They’re playing with confidence right now and they really feel like they can play with anybody, and we’re going to have to bring our very best to beat them at their place.”

Last time at home, the Maver icks managed to hold Michelle McDonald (15.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game), an AllAmerican candidate and one of the best players in the NSIC, to just eight points in 32 minutes of action.

While senior forward Laura Weber does deserve a lot of credit for containing McDonald so well

last time around, MSU will need her to do it again on Friday. “[Weber and McDonald] both played great defense on each other and they ended up kind of cancelling each other out, and sometimes that just happens when you have two really strong post players going against each other,” Gohl Laura Weber said. “We’re not going to change a lot of what we did last time, but we know [McDonald] is going to be a little more aggressive this time.

She’s one of the best posts in the league and we have to make sure

we’re ready to go.”

Awaiting the Mavericks on Saturday is the Upper Iowa Peacocks (1-16, 1-12 NSIC). They are a team that, despite only one win to show for it, has improved a lot and is playing its best basketball of the season.

“Upper Iowa is a much-improved team. They only have one conference win, but they’ve been in a lot of very close games this season,” Gohl said. “They play really well at home; it’s a tough place to play and we’re going to have to be ready to go.”

Led by a 5’9” backcourt of Whitney Kieffer (14.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game) and Jeri Jacobson (13.1 and 6.2), the Peacocks sit dead-last in most of the NSIC’s offensive statistical categories, but have the weapons

to put up points on any given night, especially at home.

This matchup could be considered a trap game if Gohl’s squad doesn’t arrive ready to play.

But while Upper Iowa shouldn’t be taken lightly, Friday night’s matchup against the Warriors will speak volumes.

The Mavericks have already proven they can hold their own against any team in the league, but with weekend series’ starting to repeat and familiar opponents getting another shot at one another, this time will be a little harder.

After turning heads and coming out of nowhere in the first half of the season, the Mavericks will now be asked to prove themselves again without the element of surprise.

Page 12 • Reporter

Sports

Thursday, January 26, 2012T

MSU Women’s Hockey Gameday Lee Handel • sports editor

No. 3 Minnesota (20-4-2, 14-4-2-1 WCHA) at Minnesota State (7-19-0, 3-17-0-0 WCHA) 7:07 p.m., Friday • All Seasons Arena 3:07 p.m., Saturday • All Seasons Arena

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL School Wayne State Augustana U-Mary

Conf. OVR 11-2 17-2 11-2 14-3 10-3 13-4 MAVERICKS 8-5 12-5 Minn. Duluth 8-5 11-6 Northern State 6-7 11-8 Winona State 6-7 11-8 St. Cloud State 6-7 9-8 Minn. Crookston 5-8 8-9 MSU-Moorhead 5-8 8-9 Concordia-St. Paul 5-8 8-11 Bemidji State 5-8 7-11 SW Minnesota State 4-9 5-12 Upper Iowa 1-12 1-16

RECAP: Sometimes when a squad is struggling to get wins like the Minnesota State, Mankato women’s hockey team is as of late, the best opponent to face is a top-tier opponent because it forces the underdog to raise its level of play. The Mavericks hope that will be the case this weekend when they welcome the University of Minnesota to All Seasons Arena for what is almost always the most-anticipated home series of the season. MSU enters the weekend having lost five in a row after winning its first game of 2012 at Bemidji State. The Mavericks were swept by St. Cloud State and Ohio State the last two weekends, falling into last place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Last weekend in Columbus, the Buckeyes avenged their two home losses to MSU from last season by defeating the Mavericks 3-1 on Friday and 4-2 on Saturday. Last weekend was a bit kinder to the Golden Gophers, who defeated Bemidji State 3-2 at Ridder Arena on Friday before tying with the Beavers 3-3 on Saturday. The third-ranked Gophers currently sit in second place in the WCHA, six points behind the front-running Wisconsin Badgers.

HISTORY: The Mavericks did not fare too well when they traveled north to Minneapolis earlier this season in October, as they were swept by the Gophers and completely shut down by standout Minnesota goaltender Noora Raty. MSU dropped the first game 0-3, and then were blown away in the second contest 0-7. The Mavericks lost all four games they played against the Gophers last season as well, getting outscored 16-3 in those contests. Minnesota has also had its way in the all-time MEN’S BASKETBALL series between the teams, holding a decisive 51-3-3 advantage over MSU. The last time the Mavericks defeated the Gophers School Conf. OVR was when they did it back-to-back during the 2006-07 season.

Winona State St. Cloud State MSU-Moorhead Bemidji State Minn. Duluth SW Minnesota State Augustana Northern State Concordia-St. Paul MAVERICKS Upper Iowa U-Mary Wayne State Minn. Crookston

12-1 11-2 9-4 9-4 8-5 8-5 7-6 6-7 5-8 5-8 4-9 3-10 3-10 1-12

17-2 15-2 13-4 14-5 11-6 9-8 10-7 10-7 8-9 6-11 7-10 4-13 4-13 5-12

M HOCKEY (WCHA) School

Conf. OVR

Minnesota Minnesota Duluth Colorado College Nebraska Omaha Denver North Dakota Michigan Tech St. Cloud State Wisconsin Bemidji State

13-5-0 17-9-1 11-3-2 17-4-3 11-7-0 14-9-1 9-6-3 12-10-4 8-5-3 13-8-3 9-9-0 13-10-2 8-7-1 11-12-1 7-8-3 10-12-4 7-9-2 12-10-2 5-9-2 11-11-2 MAVERICKS 4-13-1 8-17-1 Alaska Anchorage 3-14-1 6-14-2

W HOCKEY (WCHA) School

Wisconsin Minnesota

Conf. OVR

16-2-2-1 22-2-2 14-4-2-1 20-4-2 North Dakota 11-7-2-1 15-8-2 Ohio State 10-9-1-1 13-9-4 Minn. Duluth 9-10-1-1 12-11-1 Bemidji State 8-10-2-0 14-10-3 St. Cloud State 4-16-0-0 5-19-2 MAVERICKS 3-17-0-0 7-19-0

MSU NOTES: The MSU offense has really struggled to click this season, and last weekend was no exception. The Mavericks’ lone goal in last Friday’s 3-1 setback came from sophomore forward Tracy McCann on a rebounded shot from junior Erika Magnusson. The score against Ohio State was the third of the season for McCann, who is an Ohio native. Saturday’s 4-2 defeat featured another slow start for MSU, falling behind 4-0 before scoring the game’s final two goals.

Junior blue-liner Emilia Andersson converted on the power play for her fourth goal of the season, with assists going to junior Lauren Smith and senior Jackie Otto. Sophomore forward Kari Lundberg followed by notching her team-leading seventh goal of the season, with McCann and junior Lauren Zrust tallying the helpers. Sophomore goaltender Danielle Butters impressed when given the opportunity in net on Friday, saving 33 of the 36 shots she faced… The Mavericks are averaging only two goals per game this season, but are giving up only three goals per game. They are also averaging nearly as many shots per game (29) as their opponents (31), so they simply need to create more high-quality shots. Smith, along with sophomore forward Lauren Barnes, lead the team in scoring with 16 points apiece. Barnes leads the team Emilia Andersson in assists with 12, while Lundberg’s seven goals pace the squad. Not having the goal-scoring capabilities of sophomore forward Kathleen Rogan the last 17 games has really hurt MSU offensively. Rogan, along with injured senior forward Moira O’Connor, accounted for two of the Mavericks’ three scores against the Gophers last season.

Zrust scored the other goal… MSU’s Eric Means, who used to play for the Gophers, is still looking for his first win over his alma mater as a head coach.

U of M NOTES: The Mavericks aren’t the only WCHA team to be shut out by Raty, the junior goaltender from Finland, who has 21 shutouts as a Gopher and could break the school record with another one this weekend. She also leads the WCHA in goals against average this season. On offense, Minnesota is led by sophomore sensation Amanda Kessel (21-28—49) and senior Jen Schoullis (17-26—43).

PREDICTION: One win for Means and the Mavericks this weekend in Mankato would almost certainly be the highlight of the season, especially if they do it with Raty in net. However, the Gophers need both of these games and likely will take them. MSU will, however, score in both contests to postpone Raty’s shutout record.

MEN’S HOOPS especially in the post.

Junior center Clayton Vette is Winona’s most dominant force down low. Vette is currently eighth in the NSIC in scoring, putting up 16 points per game for the Warriors. He also averages almost seven rebounds per game for WSU. The big man from Winona will most likely be a major problem for the Mavericks due to the fact that they do not have a true center on the team.

Freshman forward Zach Romashko will more than likely take on the role of guarding Vette for this one, but Vette has a one-inch height advantage

continued from 11 over Romashko, not to mention two more years of experience as well.

Winona’s Grant Johnson will also be a key factor in this one, averaging over 15 points per game at the guard position; but don’t rule MSU out of this one just yet.

The Mavericks lost a close one to Winona earlier this season in Mankato by a score of 78-72.

If MSU can hang with the Warriors and shut down their two key players, the Mavericks could leave Winona on Friday night with a big upset win under their belt.

The Home of the Mile Long Buffet

COLLEGE $6 buffet students who NIGHT forpresent their

SUNDAYS|4:30-8PM

student i.d.

BUFFET HOURS: Monday-Friday 11am-2pm & 4:40pm-8pm

HOURS: 7 Days a Week 11am-9pm

BRING A FRIEND!

Saturday & Sunday

11am-8pm

507-386-7077

1551 Tullamore St., mankato

Thursday, January 26, 2012 Wrestling

MSU wrestlers prepare for make-or-break

weekend RYAN LUND

staff writer

The Mavericks will finally wrestle in the comforts of Bresnan Arena this weekend, hosting an NSIC matchup against rival Augustana on Saturday in Mankato.

Before that, MSU must take care of business on the road against No. 3 Upper Iowa tomorrow in Fayette, Iowa.

The Mavericks are in a rut as of late and are winless in their last four matches, with their last win coming back on January 7, a 35-6 victory over Central Missouri.

They will attempt to rebound after a disappointing three-loss performance at the Ranger Duals in Kenosha, Wis. last weekend.

The schedule won’t get any easier, as MSU will travel to Fayette on Thursday for a matchup with the third-ranked Peacocks.

Upper Iowa remains undefeated in NSIC duals following its 28-9 home victory over Southwest Minnesota State University on Sunday.

The current UI squad also includes national No. 1s Kyle Pedretti and Trevor Franklin.

These two standouts will make upsetting the Peacocks tomorrow difficult for MSU. The Augustana Vikings, holders of an impressive 9-1 overall record, enter the weekend coming off a three-win showing at the Wheaton Duals in Wheaton,

Illinois.

Augie junior Jordan Richardson and sophomore Steve Poffenberger went undefeated in the Duals, each recording three wins on the weekend.

The Mavericks, traditionally one of the top contenders in the NSIC, are in the midst of one of their worst showings in recent memory with a 2-5 overall record.

The team has spent much of the season battling injuries to key grapplers, including senior Aaron Norgren, but head coach Jim Makovsky believes that the problem lies outside of the team’s injury woes.

The team, he says, simply needs to start putting in the effort.

“We have to accept the basic premise that there are two options when we go out there: win or die trying.”

A higher level of competition from MSU, however, may not be enough to stop streaking Augustana this weekend.

The Vikings, off to their best start since the 2003-04 season, have won eight of their last 10 matches, which includes their current four-match winning streak.

MSU and Augustana will face-off in Bresnan Arena at the Taylor Center at 7 p.m. this Saturday in Mankato.

Sports

Reporter • Page 13

MSU Men’s Hockey Gameday Joey Denton • staff writer

Minnesota State (8-17-1, 4-13-1 WCHA) at Bemidji State (11-11-2, 5-9-2 WCHA)

7:37 p.m., Friday • Sanford Center 7:07 p.m., Saturday • Sanford Center RECAP: Last weekend was all about momentum and keeping its composure for the Minnesota State, Mankato men’s hockey team, as it lost a 1-2 heartbreaker on Friday before winning a 5-4 thriller on Saturday in two overtime games against Nebraska-Omaha. Both teams went goal-for-goal all weekend, and once again the Mavericks continued to show signs of just how good this team can be. Last week’s WCHA Offensive Player of the Week, junior forward Eriah Hayes, had a four-point weekend, including a hat trick in Saturday night’s big 5-4 win. Sophomore forward Johnny McInnis also had a clutch performance in that game, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime while also picking up an assist in the game. Junior goalie Phil Cook had his first weekend of starting both games this season, and he still played at a high level. He recorded a win and a loss, stopping 35 shots on Friday and 39 shots on Saturday.

HISTORY: The Mavericks travel way up north to Bemidji to play a very familiar WCHA team, the Bemidji State Beavers. In their previous eight outings against the Beavers, the Mavericks have gone 7-0-1. But in their 94-game history the Beavers have 36 wins, 45 losses and 13 ties against the Mavericks.

MSU NOTES: Right now the Mavericks are showing that they have the tools offensively and defensively to compete in this league, they just need to put them together in the same game. Since Christmas, the Mavericks are 3-3 and all three of those losses are on Friday nights. In those three losses, they have been outscored 10-4, and in their victories they have outscored their opponents 11-5. On Saturday, Head Coach Troy Jutting moved Eriah Hayes to a different line, joining freshman forwards Jean-Paul Lafontaine and Matt Leitner, which seemed to be a good fit that night. With Leitner’s vision and passing and Hayes and Lafontaine’s ability to put the puck in the net, it should continue to be a very efficient line.

Eriah Hayes BSU NOTES: The Beavers are coming into this weekend tenth in the conference with a 5-9-2 WCHA record. Last weekend they were swept in Denver, with 3-6 and 2-3 losses. Before getting swept, the Beavers were on a fivegame winning streak, including a win against Denver and sweeps of Alabama-Huntsville and Bowling Green. The Beavers have had their struggles offensively and defensively throughout this season, ranking tenth in both goals scored per game (2.56) and goals scored against per game (3.44). Offensively they are led by junior forward Jordan George, who leads the team in goals scored (12) but has only one goal in his last six games. Goalie-wise, the Beavers have been going back and forth with veteran Dan Bakala and freshman Andrew Walsh. Both of them have put up similar numbers, but the youngster Walsh has more wins in fewer starts this season.

PREDICTION: The Mavericks have had a rough time starting a series off on the right foot this season, losing every Friday game so far. According to McInnis, one of their vocal points is to get off to a good start this Friday.

After three Friday losses in a row, the Mavericks have a chance to turn that around and come home with at least one win this weekend.

need a ride?

call!

FRIENDLY, COURTEOUS DRIVERS

CALL KATO CAB 24/7!!

Photo Courtesy of Sport Pix The Mavericks will have their first home match in 2012 when rival Augustana comes to Bresnan Arena on Saturday night.

388-7433

Page 14 • Reporter

Advertisement

Thursday, January 26, 2012

ale S at On y da i r F .m.! a 10

Saturday, March 3rd - 7 p.m.

Tickets $15/$12 with student ID Tickets available at the Verizon Wireless Center Ticket Office and all Ticketmaster locations. Charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.

A&E

The Winner is....

Tim Kroon

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Who answered the riddle: What is it that breaks at the mere mention of its name?

With: Silence.

www.msureporter.com/arts-entertainment

Mr. Kroon Won Two Bags of M&Ms; one peanut, one not so much peanut.

Haywire A Review

When the President Stands, No One Sits

JAMES SCHUYLER HOUTSMA | staff writer

CHRISTIAN HAGEN

web editor

B

etween a heated Republican presidential primary season, a contentious legislature, and the President’s recent State of the Union address, politics have been dominating the American news.

But whether the speeches and rallies have you feeling a tad uninspired or feeling fired up for a major election year, there are plenty of options for dramatic entertainment to get yourself invested in the political process.

The following is a list of productions from within the last 10 years that exemplify the best of American political drama.

The West Wing - Aside from being the most awardwinning series in television history, The West Wing is also one of the most inspiring. It’s true that it has a liberal bent (critics sometimes referred to it as “The Left Wing”), but conservative characters like Ainsley Hayes and Arnold Vinick keep the show balanced and worthwhile for both sides of the aisle.

BA NG !

/p ag e1 6

Have

You Voted Y e t ?

If not, there is still plenty of time.

This week Mankato needs to know:

Best of all, Martin Sheen’s President Bartlet is one of television’s finest characters.

The Ides of March - A new release on home video this month, The Ides of March stars Ryan Gosling and George Clooney in two of their best roles to date as, respectively, a political strategist and the beloved candidate who employs him. A stellar cast grounds the production from top to bottom in realism, but it’s the focus on Gosling and his character’s difficult choices in the face of life-changing scandals that makes the movie stick with audiences.

Milk - A true American tragedy is retold in inspiring fashion as Harvey Milk tackles oppression on behalf of a previously unheard gay community. Sean Penn shines in his best role to date, playing America’s first openly gay politician to perfection, netting him an Oscar for Best Actor in 2008 when the film was also nominated for Best Picture.

Battlestar Galactica - Few would have thought that a rebooted series about humans battling robots in space would have been so deeply political, but Battlestar evokes many of America’s greatest political dilemmas with surprising sincerity and intelligence, including a season in which the human protagonists are slowly worn down by their villainous opponents until they resort to suicide bombing and deplorable tactics, revealing to the audience that all along the enemy we’ve been watching is us.

Charlie Wilson’s War - Tom Hanks plays Charlie Wilson, a lazy congressman who hasn’t made his mark on Washington and

16 ge pa

Who has the best chicken wings in town?

/ CS TI LI PO

possible.

Soderbergh also reminds us of stray too far from what you’d his knack for assembling a stelexpect from an action movie. lar cast. Just hearing names like Almost everything else, however, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassdoes. And in going against your bender, Michael Douglas, Antoexpectations, Haywire goes above nio Banderas, Channing Tatum and beyond the regular fare. and Bill Paxton in one roster is Haywire is the story of Malenough to at least catch the eye lory Kane, a freelance covert of casual moviegoers and to make agent film buffs who is drool. burned They’re all during reliable as a job in ever and Dublin. a few of Now them share she’s on the honor a mission of getting to find absolutely out why destroyed she was by our betrayed main charand get •web photo acter. venBang. Bang bang... Bang bang BANG! Which geance now brings on her us to the cornerstone of this movenemies. And yes, I too just ie’s uniqueness. Mallory is played thought of more than 10 movies by real life MMA fighter Gina with the same plot. That’s not Carano. And in her first ever to say it’s a bad or disengaging starring screen role, she is….. plot in any way, it just needed to not bad, actually. There be thrown out there that it has were a few stiff readindeed been done before. ings here and there, but The magic comes from just in all honesty, she’s about everything else that’s presgot a strong screen ent. This is directed by Steven presence and Soderbergh, who has proven Soderbergh himself versatile when it comes (wisely) from jumping between different doesn’t genre movies like Ocean’s Elevdeen, Traffic and Contagion. The guy always brings a great degree of intrigue and life to his movies, and this is no exception. The cinematography has a great color scheme and that clean, digital feeling similar to Contagion.

Soderbergh also brings back his Ocean’s composer David Holmes. Holmes is a DJ by trade, and it shows.

He once again carries over those infectious, jazzy beats from Ocean’s, creating an atypical score for an action movie, in the best way

H aywire, story wise, doesn’t

Politics in Movies and Television

GO TO THE REPORTER’S FACEBOOK PAGE, OR TO THEMSUREPORTER.COM TO PLACE YOUR VOTE TODAY!

Page 16 • Reporter

BANG! “This movie

has brutal, naturalistic fight scenes, with few edits, that work so incredibly well because Carano can actually do those things in real life”

continued from 15 mand too much dramatic weight from her that she can’t yet deliver. But here’s what makes this movie stand out: There are some pretty great movies with main characters who are bad-ass women (Hanna), some okay ones (Salt) and some terrible ones (Sucker Punch).

But in almost all of them (and in reality, almost every modern action movie, The Bourne Series being the main example here) the hand-to-hand fight scenes go by in a highly edited, lightning quick blur. The actors fighting probably don’t look too terribly great or natural at it, so the editors cover it up, and the audience suspends their disbelief for the sake of not ripping their hair out.

But this movie has brutal, naturalistic fight scenes, with few edits, that work so incredibly well because Carano can actually do those things in real life. Take into account that while filming her battles with Tatum, Fassbender, and McGregor, a safety team had to be on set to make sure that she didn’t accidently kill them. It’s this amount of believability and the refusal to (literally) pull punches that makes Haywire so ultimately satisfying.

And, surprisingly enough, the movie is not without its subtle proddings about how viewers react to women and violence.

The audience I saw it with flinched just a little the first few times Mallory got bashed around. They were even more surprised when they saw how hard she bashed back.

But Haywire is first and foremost an action movie and doesn’t try to fool you into thinking otherwise.

It’s another example of a prime director taking Bmovie material and making it A-grade entertainment.

And with a brisk 95 minute runtime, the movie is fresh air, not only in January (a month historically deprived of good movies), but in all recent action movie memory.

A&E

Thursday, January 26, 2012T

The Oscar Nominees

POLITICS “Between a heated Republican presidential primary season, a contentious legislature, and the President’s recent State of the Union address, politics have been dominating the American news.”

Through the eyes of Christian Hagen CHRISTIAN HAGEN | web editor

I

t’s rare that people complain about the Academy Awards before the ceremony.

But such is the case with the 2012 Oscar nominations; many writers, myself included, have drafted lengthy, often furious diatribes on how ridiculous and pathetic this year’s awards nominees are.

Why the anger? To be crude: The Academy has lost their balls.

Just a few years removed from The Departed, No Country for Old Men, and The Hurt Locker, the Best Picture nominations read like they were written

by Oprah’s Book Club.

Gritty, honest, compel-

ctor 2012 Best A

Demian Bichir, George Clooney, Jean Dujardin, Gary Oldman, Brad Pittt

Life, an experimental, abstract, and hard-towatch drama that moviegoers mostly haven’t even heard of.

Now, it’s common for people to bemoan films that were left out. But the volume of movies left off the list, when compared to what’s present, is inexcusable.

Extremely Loud, for example, boasts the lowest RottenTomatoes score of any film ever nomi-

Best Picture, 2012

Hugo, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, Tree of Life, War Worse, The Artist, The Descendants, Extremely Close & Incredibly Close, The Help ling, artistically advanced movies like Drive and Shame and The Ides of March are absent from the list.

Even raunchy but critically beloved comedies like 50/50 and Bridesmaids were snubbed.

What was nominated? Sap. Treacle.

Molasses. In a list of nine films (the rules were changed this year so that there will be between five and 10 nominees, depending on votes), there are throwback Hollywood comedies (Midnight in Paris, The Artist), rote dramas (The Descendants, The Help, Moneyball), and a few cheesy family fillms (Hugo, War Horse, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close).

The only nominee with any artistic ambition is The Tree of

nated for Best Picture, and has been ignored by audiences and critics alike; War Horse is much the same story.

Why were they nominated? Politics. Big names like Tom Hanks and Stephen Spielberg bought their way into the nominations. In a year where the Academy banned certain practices of campaigning because they all but rigged the awards for The King’s Speech last year, it’s the same story all over again.

The acting awards are less egregious but more perplexing.

Why did the child from Extremely Loud get a nomination over a much-lauded performance by Albert Brooks in Drive (also

Actress 2012 Best

Glenn Close, Viola Davis, Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams

continued from 15

nominated: Jonah Hill for Moneyball. I like the guy, but “Academy Award Nominee Jonah Hill” is a bizarre phrase). Why were Ryan Gosling and Michael Fassbender, who were in several brilliant roles throughout 2011, nominated for exactly nothing?

Other things to note: There are only two Best Original Song nominees. Thankfully, one of them is from The Muppets....Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who won for their Social Network score last year, were not nominated for their Girl With the Dragon Tattoo score....

Kristen Wiig’s screenplay for Bridesmaids was nominated for Best Screenplay, as was the script for The Descendants, co-written by Community actor Jim Rash.

doesn’t really care, when he suddenly takes up the cause of helping Afghanistan defeat the Soviet invasion in the 1980s. The film is surprisingly light-hearted for a film about such a serious subject, which can make it a little less realistic, but if you’re looking for a breezy primer on how we got into, and out of, Afghanistan, look no further.

Inside Job / Restrepo / Waiting for Superman - 2009 was a monumental year for documentaries that chronicle the major issues of modern politics. Inside Job is an award-winning look into the financial disaster that caused the world’s markets to fall into a crisis. Restrepo is the haunting and brutal look at a squadron of American soldiers trying to defend Afghanistan’s most dangerous outpost. And Waiting for Superman is a cogent call-to-action which examines the failures of America’s schools and how we can save them for the futures of our children.

ROOMS FILLING QUICKLY!

CALL NOW!

Beautiful Outdoor Pool

Spacious Apartments

1 & 2 Bedrooms

Rent begins at $385/mo.*

FREE Parking on Campus

Heat & Water included

1 Mile from Campus

Laundry Facilities

* Based on double occupancy in 2 Bdr.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

A&E

Reporter • Page 17

n o & i t i T d h n e o A C n n tic r e

ycle d o M Two Bands, One Show, Lots of Fun EMRE ERKU | staff writer

T

hey’re hard rockers with style, a style that involves an infusion of hard guitar riffs, hip-hop, dance and funk. Modern Condition and The Anticycle are true bands that remind us that the old school Sublime and Red Hot Chili Peppers sound is still available for enjoyment.

And they show us that the mainstream nonsense on your car radio isn’t always the best outlet for musical satisfaction.

Even for those who enjoy drunken dancing in the club, every orifice of the musical body is penetrated by the styling of these two bands. You could either be bouncing around in a mosh pit full of bruise covered faces or you could be sensuously grinding against a sexy fox on a sticky dance f loor. Both bands music can harmoniously intertwine with either setting.

Modern Condition was formed just over a year ago in the Huskie city of St. Cloud.

Members include Josh Johnson, Mike Lardy, Andy F., Junty, and a man who simply goes by the name, “Q.” They bring to the table the many forms of music that can be utilized into making quality ear candy.

Johnson explains as so.

“We use the different elements available to make an upbeat sound and a tasty treat.”

Included with this upbeat sound are the lyrics themselves and the deciding factors of their inf luence.

“We try to tell stories about our lives and the people around us. Our mindset is the honesty about who we are, that’s what resonates with people,” explained Johnson.

And they are indeed honest with who they are. Many of the lyrics in their songs are all about getting messed up and doing wrong. Yes, other songs are different, but getting messed up pops out and takes a cold hard grip of attention, and Modern Condition runs straight into it instead of running away.

The AntiCyle’s music comes off as a bit more garage band-

like. Members Gared Stimpert, James Inman, Jason Keuhl, Ryan Raider and Johnny E. Lectrik produce a sound that scratches more of a reggae/punk itch with a hip/hop ointment to sooth it out. 311 and System of a Down definitely comes to mind when listening to this band. There are many hip/hop type spits in the lyrics while the guitars jam rampantly throughout many of the songs.

Stimpert, tries to elaborate a bit more about his band’s music.

“In General, format wise, our music goes for funk rock, with one guitar, drums, reggae baselines and hip/hop vocals.”

They, too, try to convey certain distinct messages in their music and are trying to keep a strong foothold planted in the underground music community.

“Through our writing, we try to send the various messages that we can, but mainly it’s for a good time. We are a band that seemed to begin as a union of hip/hop, indie rock and progressive screamo that matured into a coalescence of these styles and more funk, acid metal,

• web photo

reggae and hip/hop,” explained Stimpert.

Underground, indeed, they are. Their instruments have that raw like feel as if they were plugged into the electric outlets of a mother’s garage. Like the Green Day of the Kerplunk days, The AntiCycle is a band of the true nerve of punk rock, even though their sounds differ all around.

So come one, come all to The Red Sky Lounge on January 28th where you can see both these bands perform their wide array musical antics.

For a sample of both of the band’s visit, www.reverbnation. com/moderncondition or www. myspace.com/theanticycle.

Page 18 • Reporter

Advertisement

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Classifieds

For Rent

For Rent

Notices

Find a Place to Rent or Post Listings at RadRenter.com Southern Minnesota’s Rental Listing Website.

4/26 W W W .

COLLEGETOWN MAN KATO. COM Brand new rental cottages, each bedroom has a full private bath. Clubhouse with all the amenities.

4/26 WWW.RENTMSU.COM 3-10 Bedroom houses, multiple locations, 65+ houses to choose from.

4/26 1 YEAR OLD TOWNHOMES for rent. 5 bedrooms. Call 501-9955300 for more information. 3/29 1,2,4 BEDROOM APARTMENT/ House garage available. Close to MSU. Available July 1 2012.

Call Scott for showing at 507951-1974.

3/13 ONE LARGE DUPLEX, CERTIFIED for 2, 2 car garage, large yard, close to MSU. $600 per month or $300 per person.

Available July 1, 2012. Call Scott for showing 507-951-1974. 1/31 5 OR 4 OR 3 OR 2 OR 1 BEDROOM houses/apartments available right now. Some for next year. Many to choose from.

Check out our website www. ottoH.com owner/agent or call 507-625-1010.

6/20 3 BEDROOM APARTMENT FOR rent; downtown entertainment district; prime location. (507) 351-2024.

1/26

W W W .

COLLEGESTATIONMANKATO. COM 1-5 Bedroom options.

Affordable living, free parking, on bus route.

4/26 CEDAR MEADOW APARTMENTS for fall 2012.

3 bedroom apartments in new energy efficient building. $915 per month plus free cable and internet call 507-327-2831 cedarmeadowapartments.com.

3/1 4 AND 5 BEDROOMS-ALL Utilities included in rent. Call 507995-5300 for more information.

3/29

FREE SHOTOKAN KARATE classes offered Mon/Thurs 6-8 pm, Tues 7-9 pm, Room PH 102.

Beginners are welcome. Need not be a MSU student to join. For info call Brad @ 507-388-5301 or lostgonzo@gmail.com or search MSU Shotokan on facebook or yahoo groups.

4/26

Help Wanted

BARTENDERS WANTED! $250/ day potential. No experience necessary. Training available.

Age 18+ OK. (800)965-6520 Ext 170.

5/23 S T U D E N T P AY O U T S . C O M PAID survey takers needed in Mankato. 100% free to join! Click on surveys.

4/26

Roommates Wanted 2012-2013, QUIET F, 3 BDR apt.

Rent/utilities $300/Mon, near campus, call 763-772-5443. 1/31

Sublease MANKATO STUDENT TO SUBLET room in new Warren Street Townhomes with 4 other students. Across the street from campus. Rent $400/month plus utilities. 507-830-0307.

1/31

Reporter • Page 19

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite Mankato businesses in the Reporter’s upcoming “Best Of Mankato” issue.

IT’S AS EASY AS 1-2-3!!

1

Vote for categories mentioned in the Variety section of our print version.

Drop entries off in the Reporter Office (CSU 293)

2

Vote on our website at: http://themsureporter.com/ bestofmankato2012/

3

Vote on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ msureporter

UPCOMING REPORTER Special Advertising Issues: Health & Fitness January 26th

Super Bowl January 31st

Valentine’s Day February 14th

Spring Housing Fair February 21st & February 23rd

Best Of Mankato February 23rd

Page 20 • Reporter

Advertisement

Thursday, January 26, 2012