February 9, 2010

Page 1

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

www.msureporter.com

Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Helping women across the globe

B e a r y

Women’s Center benefit to aid women in Congo ELENA SHUFELT

assistant news editor

f u n d a y wale agboola • msu reporter Minnesota State psychology freshman Maria Almoite participates in Impact’s Stuff a Bear event Monday afternoon in the Centennial Student Union.

Living internationally

MSU graduate comes back to talk about his experiences working in eastern Europe DANNIE HIGGINBOTHAM

news editor

index

In today’s international market, it’s getting harder and harder to get by in business without knowing a second language. Minnesota State graduate Eric Paul Luhmann, a businessman based in Moscow, knows this all too well. Luhmann, a 1987 grad, majored in French and international business before he received his MBA from the University of Maryland. Soon after, he got an internship Editorial...................................4 Voices......................................5 Variety......................................8 Sports....................................11 Classifieds.............................15

with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), who sent him to the former Czechoslavakia to work in countries newly created by the fall of the iron curtain. “I had studied in France [while at MSU] and that put the bug in me and let me know I was right to study French and put the bug in me to live in Western Europe,” Luhmann said, saying he didn’t think he would end up in the east. In 1994, OPEC sent Luhmann to live in Moscow

for six months, though he ended up staying for a year. He resigned from OPEC a short time later and stayed in Moscow as a constultant before he began working for Amstead Rail. Luhmann said central and eastern European businesses have a love/hate relationship with the United States. One issue that can often get in the way is that of US trade embargos and sanctions. “Russia doesn’t care about Iran,” Luhmann said. “The U.S. can’t supply anything to

Music and poetry will help fight global violence against women at the V-Benefit Show at Pub 500 Wednesday. This is the first year for the benefit, which supports “The Vagina Monologues” and raises awareness about violence against women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “It’s going to educate people about the issues and how they affect people across the world,” said Lauren Pilnick, a producer for the event and the sexual violence education coordinator at Minnesota State. Spoken-word performers, musicians and poetry readers will help to inform the public about violence issues. In between acts, people can learn more information about violence on campus

and in the Congo. The V-Benefit Show is sponsored by the Women’s Center and Pub 500. Pub 500 will donate $1 for every artichoke-and-spinach dip bought during the event. This is a free allages event that is open to the public. The benefit will help sponsor “The Vagina Monologues” Feb. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. in Ostrander Auditorium. This year, it has a new cast of 25 women and two new monologues. The goal is to empower women through the knowledge and insight of other stories while bringing awareness about issues of violence against women. This year’s spotlight monologue is “A Teenage Girl’s Guide to Surviving Sex Slavery.” Pilnick said the

Globe / page 6

Decisions in Washington have a huge impact globally on whether businesses flourish or suffer.”

— Eric Paul Luhmann, MSU grad the Ukraine or Russia if it knows the supplies could be sent to Iran.” Business is also affected by changes in U.S. politics and policies. “Decisions in Washington have a huge impact globally on whether businesses flourish or suffer,” Luhmann said. Luhmann said he has lived overseas during the presidencies of three presidents: Clinto, Bush and Obama.

Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law contribute to finish lead role in Heath Ledger’s final film See page 8

“During the Clinton years, things were euphoric,” he said. One way this was shown was through the popularity of soft drink companies. Russians wanted Coca Cola, since they advertised in English and seemed American. Pepsi continued its advertisements in Russian, which turned people away. It was tough to be an American in Russia after Sept.

Living / page 2


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February 9, 2010 by MSU Reporter - Issuu