February 18, 2014

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MSU resource aims to help teachers excel PRATAKSHYA BHANDARI Staff Writer The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was established to help faculty members at MSU achieve excellence in teaching by providing them with relevant tools and facilities.

It is fully equipped with the latest technology and innovation such as a lecture capture studio where faculty members can record their lectures for review and self-evaluation. It also boasts a teleconference room, a green screen room and studio space, new software and platforms for faculty members to experiment with and a resource library among other things. Innovation it seems, is at the core of how the CETL operates.

Patricia Hoffman, the director of CETL, said that it operates with a philosophy that there are always new things to learn about teaching and faculty should be constantly working to better itself. Hoffman also said that technology is evolving and teaching methods need to constantly change, but technology

itself is not CETL’s focus. Instead, it is focused on providing enough tools for faculty members to develop skills that they can apply in their classrooms.

In addition to technology, the CETL has various programs designed to help faculty members develop skills required to become better educators. The brown bag lunch series is a program that meets to discuss

various issues relevant to faculty and staff at MSU. These seminars range from book discussions to current innovations and latest technologies. Faculty members also get a chance to speak in their area of expertise.

The brown bag series is currently open to graduate teaching assistants, faculty and adjunct faculty members.

The CETL also has various

other programs offered to faculty members. With time limitations in mind, it has programs ranging from five minute workshops to month-long certificate programs. Students Consulting on Teaching is another program for teachers to have their students directly involved in the teaching process. The program allows professors to ask students for feedback and perspec-

tive on their teaching methods.

According to Hoffman, the CETL’s goal is to be able to provide enough resources for faculty members to become welladjusted educators. “There is a lot of collaborative work going on at CETL on behalf of the faculty,” Hoffman said about the various programs and efforts for faculty development.

Web Photo

Instructors conduct a video conference..

Sorority conducts Healthy Relationship Week EMMA DEPPA Staff Writer Last week an important awareness campaign took place on campus. Alpha Chi Omega sorority, Delta Tau chapter at Minnesota State University, Mankato, promoted Healthy Relationships Week.

This week is set aside to promote healthy relationships and prevent unhealthy ones, with the slogan “Love shouldn’t hurt.” It is dedicated to bringing awareness about domestic violence, but is more focused on teen-dating violence. This is a crucial and informative time for these young adults as they begin dating and it is impor-

INSIDE:

tant to build upon a foundation of healthy relationships. KatieLynn Brooks, the Risk-Reduction chair of AXΩ, said, “It is important for people to learn about healthy relationships so that people know what a healthy relationship looks like: love, compromise, support, respect, and happiness. Knowing this will help people have an eye for unhealthy relationships in their lives, or in the lives of other people and seek help to change that relationship.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, teen-dating violence is defined as 'the physical, sexual, or psychological/ emotional violence within a dating relationship, as well as

stalking. It can occur in person or electronically and may occur between a current or former dating partner.” Emotional abuse is often the most difficult to recognize, but is identified as threatening a partner or harming his or her sense of self-worth. Examples include name-calling, shaming, bullying, embarrassing on purpose, or keeping him/ her away from friends and family.

This means that anything from insults and humiliation, to slapping and hitting is considered dating violence and is not okay.

In order to promote this event, Alpha Chi Omega tabled in the Centennial Student Union

and initiated the “Love Is…” campaign. They handed out paper hearts, each including a “Love is…” statement written by one of the members of their chapter, which said what love meant to each of them personally, as well as a purple ribbon.

Also at their table they had a whiteboard where passersby could write what love meant to them and have it posted on the AXΩ website.

Chapters across the country participated in this important awareness week. According to the Chapter’s national website, “The goal of Alpha Chi Omega’s Healthy Relationships Week is to foster the development of healthy relationships,

CHRIS REED: THE MSU LEGEND - PG. 9

and by so doing, prevent domestic violence.”

“The most important part of this week is getting people to know that the conversation doesn’t end with the end of this week. We should be talking about it, learning about it, noticing healthy or unhealthy relationships and practicing healthy relationships ourselves everyday!” concluded Katie-Lynn Brooks.

If you or a loved one is in an unhealthy relationship, there are many resources available.

For the National Dating Abuse Helpline, you can call 1-866331-9474 or text 77054. Help is out there, don’t be afraid to seek it.

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2 • MSU Reporter

SAM WILMES News Editor Minnesota State University, Mankato, will be sending nine engineering students to spend a week in Windisch, Switzerland this month to start working on an international multi-university project sponsored by German automobile manufacturer Audi.

Six students from the Department of Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology, two from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering & Technology and one from the Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering.

This is the first year Minnesota State, Mankato will participate in a POLE project and the university will be the only North American institution participating in the project.

The students will be in elite company, as they will be joining 45 other students from nine different universities from around the world.

The 45 students will be divided into eight multi-disciplinary groups during February 20-24“Kick off week,” that will consist of team building exercises in Switzerland.

Afterwards, they will be returning home to their universities to work on building and designing interactive products for a four-month innovative project called “Think 2025.”

This year’s project is the latest in a series of Project Oriented

News

MSU to take part in international project

Learning Environment (POLE) semester projects that have been organized for fourteen years by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Windisch, Switzerland.

An industry partner sponsors every semester project, providing students and faculty the opportunity to form a partnership with an industry in order to work efficiently within multicultural environments on international teams regardless of any factor, including geographic and language barriers.

Many different disciplines will be brought together for this project, including mechanical engineering, industrial and product design, mechatronics, electrical engineering, plastics technology, computer science, medialogy, process management and automotive engineering.

The “Think 25” teams will be attempting to anticipate societal needs in a broad sense for the year 2025 in one of five environments: workplace, shopping, transit, education or home.

Students working on the project will be supervised by 18 faculty members from participating universities. Assistant Professor in the College of Science, Engineering & Technology’s Automotive & Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program David Guerra- Zubiaga will be the supervisor for MSU. “I vow to provide POLE AUDI with the icebreaking and innovative ideas with my full enthusiasm and dedication along with

coordination among the group members,” Electrical Engineering major and POLE project participant Raj Tripathee said.

Design reviews will be held via video- conference on March 26 and April 30, with the final presentation taking place on June 4. Student project solutions will then be on display in an exhibition booth for several weeks

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

this summer in Germany at Audi headquarters.

The 2014 POLE participating Institutions include: •Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Guadalajara (Mexico) •Merz Akademie, Stuttgart (Germany) •BTK, Berlin (Germany) •Zwolle and Technical University Delft (The Netherlands)

Project members take part in a teleconference with Audi.

•University of Lund (Sweden) •Minnesota State University, Mankato (United States) Automotive Engineering major Jack Hawkins is also excited for the possibilities connected with the project.

“I am excited to get together with all of the other schools to brainstorm about what the future holds,” Hawkins said.

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“Inequality for All” spotlights injustices in economy Minimum wage, tax system and big money are tackled in the presentation.

d d HANNAH KLEINBERG rStaff Writer

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MSU Reporter • 3

News

On Sunday, February 13th, the university showed an eyeopening film called ‘Inequality for All.’ Sponsored by MN State Mankato’s Kessel Peace Institute and Library Services, this show was free of charge and took place in the center ballroom in the Centennial Student Union.

The documentary highlighted the injustices of the American economy and attacked issues such as minimum wage, the tax system and the big money that goes into politics. Former United States Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich, delved into the cause and effects of our country’s swelling inequality of wealth distribution in America. Reich argues against the current economic pattern and calls for the United States to put forth the tactics that brought about high levels of prosperity and economic success after World War II. Jacqueline Vieceli, director of the Kessel Institute for the Study of Peace and Change and professor at MNSU, couldn’t agree more with Reich’s argument.

“I’m glad The Reporter is writing about this issue,” Vieceli said. “It should concern students very much.”

In the film and restated by

Professor Vieceli, there isn’t enough investment in the education system and labor conditions are becoming less and less favorable to the working class citizen.

“This means that you and your peers and those coming after you, will have a harder time getting a good education,” she said.

“You will be saddled with debt that may be a hardship throughout your lives and the jobs you may get will be less secure and less rewarding than those your parents had.”

Despite the grim statistics and predictions ahead, however, there is hope. And that is what this documentary strives toward.

On their website, inequalityforall.com, you can find a variety of ways to work against the overwhelming tide of poverty and economic abuse.

Among many things, you can sign a petition that would raise the national minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour and would also mean the first increase to tipped employees in 20 years. This is a part of Robert Reich’s “Low Pay is Not Ok” campaign. This site also gives directions on how to be an advocate for economic justice by completing five things that can be done within five minutes. Fast facts are also available to learn more about this growing topic.

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“The good news is that it’s not too late,” said Vieceli. “You can inform yourselves, take political

action and use your vote to require your representatives to fix the laws and other parts of our

financial system which are creating these problems.”

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Less attention needed to gay draft prospect Reporter writer argues that we have progressed to the point where heated debate on the issue is unnecessary.

ALEX KERKMAN Staff Writer For those of you who are not sports fanatics, you may have missed the recent news that is generating quite a few headlines.

Michael Sam, All-American defensive end from Missouri and likely selection in the upcoming 2014 NFL Draft, has announced that he is gay.

Naturally, the internet exploded after his announcement, with everyone seeming to have some sort of opinion on the matter. Some described him as the Jackie Robinson of our generation. Others were outraged at his announcement, declaring that he would never fit in the NFL. Many questions have been raised, such as: Will he be accepted by his teammates? Will this announcement hurt his draft status? Will the locker room be uncomfortable for everyone involved? I have a question of my own- how is this still an issue?

In no way am I diminishing what Michael Sam has done.

There has never been an active player in any of the four major North American professional sporting leagues (MLB, NBA, NHL) to admit to being gay.

Having the courage to be the first one to do so would be hard to find in a lot of people. Then add in the fact that he is a 22-

year- old right out of college who has never played a single snap of professional football and it’s especially powerful. Whether or not you agree with his lifestyle, you have to admit it is a very brave thing for him to announce to the world.

However, shouldn’t we as a society be o.k. with this right now, to the point it isn’t a major American talking point? Harvey Milk was elected in 1978, becoming the first openly gay politician 36 years ago. Since then, 17 states have legalized same sex marriages, hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity have been declared punishable by federal law and “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” was repealed. Are sports really going to be the final frontier when it comes to LGBT rights?

In some ways, this may be a good thing. Anyone who says sports have no impact on the rest of the world are clearly forgetting Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, and Mohammad Ali. Between Michael Sam and the ongoing awareness given to the 2014 Winter Olympics and LGBT rights in Russia, gay awareness is nearly at an all time high.

That’s why I’m so confused

by New York Giants defensive back Terrell Thomas saying that Michael Sam’s sexuality would be a major problem in an NFL

locker room. Or why an NFL general manager, who wished to remain anonymous, reportedly said that he would draft Sam because “his team wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

No matter what happens, Michael Sam wins here. By outing himself, he also outed any poten-

tial negative employees as well and doing so before the draft will probably make this a non-issue half way through the season.

Whatever his future holds, one thing can be for certain; Michael Sam will be credited as a pioneer for LGBT activism in America.

FAITH NEUMANN, ETHNIC STUDIES “I would accept any teammate.

Their sexual identity has nothing to do with their capabilities.”

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Web Photo Michael Sam (shown here) has become the 1st openly gay draft prospect in the NFL.

“Would you accept an openly gay person as your teammate?”

RICKY NESS, HEALTH SCIENCE “Yes, because each player has their own right for their lives and to help them through their works for the sport.”

Minnesota State University, Mankato

EYASU WOLDEAMANEUEAL, MET “Yes, because everyone has the right to be or to do anything in this world.”

DUCKWEO JONG, POLITICAL SCIENCE “I think it is not an important thing to me, they just choose their own gender characteristic.”

• Letters exceeding 400 words may not be accepted. The Reporter reserves the right to edit letters to fit space or correct punctuation. The Reporter reserves the right to publish, or not publish, at its discretion. Letters must contain year, major or affiliation with the university, or lack thereof. All letters must contain phone numbers for verification purposes.

Compiled by Yohanes Ashenafi

ALISON SAWATZKY, CORRECTIONS “I wouldn’t care. Their sexual orientation is not my business to judge.”

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

News

Crude oil spotlighted in recent presentation

With an estimated 90 million barrels used each day, petroleum, and crude oil remain one of the most important resources on our planet since it’s discovery more than 4000 years ago.

Known as “black gold,” it’s no secret that our nation holds crude oil dear to our hearts. The United States consumes the most petroleum in the world, more than doubling the amount that China uses, which holds second place.

Although crude oil was found outside the wall of Babylon many years ago, the first oil wells were drilled in China around 347 AD. With depths of around 800 feet, the oil, referred to as “burning water,” was used to evaporate brine so that salt was produced.

Edwin L. Drake paved the way for the modern petroleum industry in 1859 when he drilled the first oil well in the United

States. Located in Western Pennsylvania, the discovery of oil led to the first rush by companies to claim land and start drilling.

The United States has come a long way since then, with the government intervening when necessary. Pipelines, offshore drilling and importing continues to lead the way for the US’s energy needs.

Despite government efforts to regulate the petroleum industry, citizens in areas where oil rigs are being deployed face new problems. “Crude Awakening, an article from Governing magazine published in 2011, brings light to the situation facing many North Dakotans.

Most workers in the oil and gas sector earn more than $90,000 a year, and with oil companies sweeping into North Dakota, jobs are easy to come by. Although seemingly a positive thing, communities have been facing problems resulting from the sudden change of eco-

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Prosecutors say they may retry a Florida man on first-degree murder charges in the fatal shooting of a teenager after an argument over loud music.

A jury convicted Michael Dunn, a 47-year-old software developer, on Saturday of attempted murder for shooting into a carful of teenagers after the argument, but jurors couldn’t agree on the most serious charge of first-degree murder. A mistrial was declared on that charge.

State Attorney Angela Corey said her office would consider seeking a retrial.

Meanwhile, defense attorney Cory Strolla said he plans to appeal based on several issues, including how the jury could reach guilty verdicts on four counts and deadlock on another.

Dunn was charged with fatally shooting 17-year-old Jordan Davis, of Marietta, Ga., in 2012 after the argument over loud music coming from the SUV occupied by Davis and three friends outside a Jacksonville convenience store. Dunn, who is white, had described the music to his fiancee as “thug music.” He claimed he acted in self-defense.

The trial was Florida’s latest to raise questions about selfdefense and race, coming six months after George Zimmerman was acquitted in the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, about 125 miles

south of Jacksonville. The Dunn trial was prosecuted by the same State Attorney’s Office that handled the Zimmerman case.

After more than 30 hours of deliberations over four days, the 12 jurors found Dunn guilty of three counts of attempted second-degree murder and a count of firing into an occupied car.

Earlier in the day, the panel said in a note to Judge Russell L. Healey that they couldn’t agree on the murder charge. They also had the option of convicting him of second-degree murder or manslaughter. The judge asked them to continue their work, and they went back to the deliberation room for two more hours before returning with a verdict.

“I’ve never seen a case where deliberations have gone on for this length of time,” Healey said afterward, praising the jurors.

“They’ve embraced their civic duty, and they are to be commended for that.”

Jurors declined to talk to the media.

Dunn showed no emotion as the verdicts were read. Each attempted second-degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, while the fourth charge he was convicted on carries a maximum of 15. A sentencing date will be set later.

Davis’ parents each left the courtroom in tears. Afterward his mother, Lucia McBath, ex-

RYAN BERNDT Staff Writer

nomic climate.

Mountrail County, which generates $313 million in revenue from oil, only receives $16 million back from taxes. With the county’s population growing exponentially, more money is needed to fund housing developments, hire more law enforce-

ment personal and provide more medical services.

“I think we need to keep pushing towards renewable and more sustainable energy sources,” Sophomore Becky Wegscheid said. “I feel for all the poor animals that have to suffer due to negligence with handling crude

MSU Reporter • 5

oil!”

The argument continues to rage on between continuing our addiction to petroleum, or putting more money towards sustainable energy. As time continues and technology grows, let’s hope we can save wildlife from our own mistakes.

Web Photo

An oil rig located in Texas.

Florida man may face second trial pressed gratitude for the verdict.

Sunday would have been the teen’s 19th birthday.

“We are so grateful for the truth,” McBath said. “We are so grateful that the jurors were able to understand the common sense of it all.”

Jurors heard testimony that Dunn, who has a concealed weapons permit, fired 10 shots, hitting the vehicle nine times.

Davis was the only person hit.

Dunn, in claiming self-defense, testified that he thought he saw a firearm pointed at him from the SUV as the argument escalated. No weapon was found in the SUV. Dunn also told jurors he feared for his life, perceiving “this was a clear and present danger.”

Prosecutors contended that Dunn opened fire because he felt disrespected by Davis. The teen made his friend turn the music back up after they initially turned it down at Dunn’s request.

Dunn was parked in the spot next to the SUV outside the convenience store.

According to authorities, Dunn became enraged about the music and ensuing argument.

One person walking out of the convenience store said he heard Dunn say, “You are not going to talk to me like that.”

Dunn testified he heard someone in the SUV shouting expletives and the word “cracker,”

which is a derogatory term for white people.

“That defendant didn’t shoot into a carful of kids to save his life. He shot into it to save his

pride,” Assistant State Attorney John Guy told the jury earlier in the week. “Jordan Davis didn’t have a weapon, he had a big mouth.”

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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Prudence needed on Valentine’s Day gifts ASHLEY GERKEN Staff Writer

Web Photo Although exotic trips and promise rings are now common, sometimes a gift as simple as chocolate can fit the bill.

Valentine’s Day is known primarily for the Hallmark cards, chocolate and flowers. It is really sweet when a guy or girl buys something for their significant other. However, now it seems to get more extreme in gift buying.

People are surprising their love with trips to exotic places.

Valentine’s Day is also filled with engagements. I’m almost sick of how much people buy for someone. Valentine’s Day is not Christmas people.

This year I have seen at least two guys buy guns for their girlfriends, two marriages and a few proposals. Proposals are cute, but are guns acceptable? I think it is a good idea. It is an investment and practical. I know that it might alarm others with all of the shootings that have been happening. Not everyone is capable of making good choices with a gun.

People should be cautious of how the relationship is going because if it is going bad then the other person might turn on you in the dark of the night. I’m kidding, but this is more enabling when the resources are made available.

Trips are also romantic, but they are expensive as well. I hope everyone has a fun time.

Gifts where you get to spend time together are more memorable. Cooking and dancing classes are cheaper and productive dates.

Another gift I saw was a promise ring. Back home, promise rings are sweet, but every couple I know who had one never lasted. Next year, if anyone is thinking about buying a promise ring, just make sure no one shells out the money for an engagement ring before it is too soon either.

People are spending more and more, but I would rather save up some of the big ideas for the future. Save up some money to get through school and buy something super special later.

If anyone got that gift that cost a fortune, I’m very happy for you. I’m so glad to see the smile that your love gave you. I also got an extravagant gift, but it was a Christmas/Valentine’s combo. I would rather have a gift made from the heart. I’m a sucker for hand written love letters or spending time together.

Here is the bigger tip that everyone should remember, if you love someone, don’t wait until some special calendar holiday to show that special someone, or someones, that you care. Surprises are only surprises if there is no clue to what is going to happen. p Also, if you are committedl to someone, buy them a puppy.t Don’t get a girl pregnant andf say that is their Valentine ’s Dayc gift. s

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MSU Reporter • 7

News

UN letter to Kim Jong Un warns on accountability

Retired Australian judge urges Kim to “take all necessary and reasonable measures” to stop crimes against humanity.

North Korean officials did not cooperate with the panel’s investigation, saying in correspondence last year that the country “totally and categorically rejects” the probe ordered by the U.N.’s 47-nation Human Rights Council, which is based in Geneva.

The commission’s three members — which also include Sonja Biserko of Serbia and Marzuki Darusman of Indonesia — said the findings are based on testimony from 80 witnesses at four public hearings in Seoul, Tokyo, London and Washington last year plus more than 240 confidential interviews with victims and others.

North Korea is unlikely to face prosecution because China, one of five veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council, generally opposes such referrals to the International Criminal Court.

Photo Courtesy of Associated Press Retired Australian judge Michael Kirby gestures after delivering the commission’s report during a press conference at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, Feb. 17, 2014.

GENEVA (AP) — A U.N. panel warned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday that he may be held accountable for orchestrating widespread crimes against civilians in the secretive Asian nation, ranging from systematic executions to torture, rape and mass starvation.

It is unusual for a U.N. report to directly implicate a nation’s leader. But in a letter accompanying a yearlong investigative report, the chairman of a threemember U.N. commission of inquiry, retired Australian judge Michael Kirby, directly warned Kim that international prosecution is needed “to render accountable all those, including possibly yourself, who may be responsible for crimes against humanity.”

“Even without being directly involved in crimes against humanity, a military commander may be held responsible for crimes against humanity committed by forces under the commander’s effective command and control,” Kirby wrote.

He urged Kim to take “all necessary and reasonable measures” to stop crimes against humanity and insure that they are properly investigated and pros-

ecuted. Kirby added, however, there was no indication the North Korea would do so.

The investigative commission’s 372-page report is a wideranging indictment of North Korea for policies including political prison camps with 80,000 to 120,000 people, state-sponsored abductions of North Korean, Japanese and other nationals, and lifelong indoctrination.

“They are wrongs that shock the conscience of humanity,” Kirby said, comparing them with Nazi atrocities.

Details of the findings were reported Friday by The Associated Press.

Speaking to reporters after the release of the report, Kirby said it was impossible not to include Kim’s name in the list of suspects because of what he described as the government’s totalitarian nature.

Kirby referred to prison camps, which North Korea says do not exist. “However, the satellite images show the prison camps and we had testimony, which is quoted in the report, which tells the stories of the prison camps” that include starvation and stunted growth in babies, he said.

“Too many times in this building there are reports and no action,” Kirby said of the United Nations. “Well, now is a time for action. We can’t say we didn’t know.”

Before the report’s release, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said her country’s position was “very clear.”

“We think we should establish a constructive dialogue to solve the disputes over the human rights issues based on equal footing and mutual respect,” Hua told reporters in Beijing. “It will not help the situation to bring the issue to an international court.”

Kirby also wrote to China’s U.N. ambassador in Geneva saying there’s evidence that Chinese officials have in some cases shared with North Korean officials “information about the contacts and conduct” of North Korean nationals subject to repa-

triation.

The ambassador, Wu Haitao, responded by denying that repatriated North Korean citizens from China face torture in North Korea.

U.S. State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said the report showed that North Korea’s human rights situation “is among the world’s worst.”

The report will create pressure for release of the remaining Japanese, South Korean and other abductees still in North Korea, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Monday in Tokyo.

“I think together the United States and Japan will work to guarantee the return of the abductees to their families and to their homes,” Royce told Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has worked on the abduction issue for more than a decade.

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‘Putting’ up a historic career Senior Chris Reed has put himself into legendary status in MSU athletics, excelling on the football field and on the track.

LUKE CARLSON Staff Writer With a big smile and a humble goodbye, Minnesota State University, Mankato senior offensive lineman and standout shot put thrower Chris Reed walked back to the training room to take the ice pack off his arm after the two of us sat down for a short interview last Wednesday. After inspiring me with his accomplishments and life story, he left me with a farewell that turned out to be a portent for the upcoming weekend.

“Hopefully after resting up today and doing a little more lifting, I’ll be able to pop off some big throws this weekend,” Reed said.

Well, he just so happened to pop off another amazing throw in Saturday’s track and field meet at Myer’s Field House. Reed shattered his own MSU indoor record in the weight throw with a launch that traveled 66’7’’ to best his previous mark of 64’10”. It was his third time breaking a record this year after he broke the record for the shot put throw twice, once at the Jack Johnson Classic at the University of Minnesota last month, and most recently at the Field House during a meet on February 1st with a throw of 65’10.25”.

“I wanted to get over the 20 meter mark (around 65’6” feet), which is kind of a benchmark for collegiate throwers, after I had posted a 19.99 meter mark previously in the year,” mentioned Reed. “Once I did it I knew immediately and I started jumping up and down and yelling and screaming. I was elated,” Reed said.

An Omaha, Neb. native, Reed started his throwing career at Omaha Central High School when his freshman art teacher got him into the sport and introduced him to the school’s track and field program. And after two state titles, Reed was ready to make his jump to MSU in 2010.

Since that time in high school, Reed has excelled at the shot put

REED• Page 12

CHRIS REED’S CAREER ACCOLADES

2011: -Won shot put at NSIC-

Indoor Championships, 2nd in weight throw -NSIC Champ in shot put, 3rd in discus (outdoor) -Honorable Mention All-NSIC pick (football)

2012:

-3rd place finish in shot put at NCAA D-II Track and Field Championships (outdoor) -NSIC champion in both shot put and discus (indoor and outdoor) -2nd place finish in shot put at NCAA D-II Track and Field Championships (indoor)

2013:

-National Champion in shot put, seventh in the hammer throw and discus at NCAA D-II Outdoor Track and Field Championships -Started all 12 games (football) -NSIC South Division All-Conference Second Team (football)

2014:

-Broke the NCAA D-II record in shot put throwing 65’ 10.25” (indoor)

Career:

-Named All-American six times (4 for shot put, 1 for weight throw 1 for discus and 1 for hammer throw)

Photo Courtesy of Minnesota State Athletic Communications The two-sport athlete brought the MSU indoor weight throw record, which he broke earlier, to 66’7”.

Mavericks unplug Chargers DEREK LAMBERT Staff Writer The Minnesota State University, Mankato men’s hockey team has been playing well lately. So well, in fact, that they are now in a tie for first place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association with Ferris State University, a task that seemed too far out of reach just over a month ago.

After a sweep over Bemidji State at home two weekends ago, this past weekend saw the University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers come to town in a two game series at the Verizon Wireless Center. With a record of 1-30-1, the Chargers seemed to be a team that should be swept, especially at home. The Mavericks took care of business this weekend, earning themselves a share of first place in the WCHA. Friday night saw Cole Huggins record the third shutout of

his rookie season in a 4-0 victory on Valentine’s Day. Junior defenseman Zach Palmquist scored the game-winning goal in the first period when freshman Mike Huntebrinker sent a

Jean-Paul Lafontaine

goal mouth pass to Palmquist, who was crashing down the slot when he buried the puck past Chargers goaltender Matt Larose. Sophomore Bryce Gervais then added a shorthanded

goal after making a slick move to his forehand to beat Larose for a 2-0 lead. Before the first period ended, freshman Sean Flanagan tallied his fifth goal of the year, leading all Maverick defenseman. On a beautiful power-play goal, captain Johnny McInnis found Flanagan at the top of the power play, and Flanagan unleashed a slap shot that found the back of the net for a 3-0 lead.

Though the Mavs peppered Larose with 15 shots in the second period, Larose stood tall and held the deficit to 3-0 heading into the third period.

In the third, Gervais added his second of the game with a power play goal when Palmquist threaded a pass through the neutral zone, sending Gervais alone on a breakaway, where he slipped the puck between Larose’s legs to end the scoring at 4-0.

HOCKEY• Page 10

10 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

HOCKEY “Ferris will play Alaska-Anchorage next weekend while the Mavericks take the weekend off before heading to Lake Superior State University on Feb. 28. With the sweep this past weekend, the Mavericks cannot finish below second place in the conference, and have secured home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. A good sign because MSU is 13-1 on home ice this season.” continued from 9 Huggins made 17 saves on his way to a shutout, while the Mavs threw 46 shots of their own on Larose, and scored two powerplay goals on three opportunities with the man advantage.

Saturday night’s game was a similar scene for both teams.

Carmine Guerriero started in goal for Huntsville in favor of Larose on Saturday, but saw his fair share of shots as well, facing 61 in the game, and an astonishing 28 in the third period.

Junior Jean-Paul Lafontaine opened the scoring for the Mavs on a delayed penalty when he squeaked a puck past Guerriero on the short side for a 1-0 lead, Matt Leitner and Gervais with the assists. Then the Maverick power play generated some offense when senior Zach Lehrke

Cole Huggins

found McInnis wide open in the slot for a one-timer that McInnis buried to go up 2-0 on the Chargers.

In the second period, Lafontaine struck again while on the power play to bring the score to 3-0. On a feed from Leitner, Lafontaine ripped a shot that trickled through the near side post and Guerriero to find its way to the back of the net.

Then in the third period, when the Mavs put 28 shots on goal, which would be a good amount in an entire game, Chase Grant scored the lone goal on a rebound to put the score at 4-0 for the second straight night.

Stephon Williams collected his first shutout of the year in the win, and the Mavericks scored two power-play goals in six opportunities to earn the sweep over the Chargers. Also notable, Lafontaine’s first period goal on Saturday was his 100th career point as a Maverick. He joins teammate, fellow junior Leitner, who also broke the 100-point barrier this season.

The Mavericks’ play as of late has been good for some of the players on the national stage as well. Lafontaine’s 38 points are good for eighth in the NCAA, with Leitner just two points behind him at 36. They are the toptwo scorers in the WCHA. Lafontaine also stands sixth in the NCAA with 20 goals and first with 14 power-play goals, while Leitner’s 27 assists are also good for sixth in the nation in that category. Johnny McInnis has also been quietly creeping up the national scoring charts and has

Arnold Bagamba • MSU Reporter Junior forward Jean-Paul Lafontaine (above) past the 100th career point mark in this Saturday’s 4-0 win over Alabama-Huntsville.

moved into 12th in the NCAA with 17 goals.

On a team level, the Mavs are third in the NCAA on the power play with a success rate of 26 percent, and their penalty kill is fourth, coming in at just less than 88 percent.

Looking ahead, the Mavericks are in good position in the WCHA. While just over a month ago it seemed as if the WCHA regular season race was a race for second, and that no team could catch Ferris State, that has changed. After Bemidji State took Ferris down 2-1 on Satur-

Bryce Gervais

day night, MSU is now tied for

first place in the WCHA with 34 points. Though Ferris has two games in hand on the Mavs, things are looking up.

Ferris will play Alaska-Anchorage next weekend while the Mavericks take the weekend off before heading to Lake Superior State University on February 28.

With the sweep this past weekend, the Mavs cannot finish below second place in the conference, and have secured home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. A good sign, because MSU is 13-1 on home ice this season.

"I'm moving off campus. Now what?" www.livekato.com A great source for tips to help the transition from dorm to off-campus life.

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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Sports

Perfect weekend gives Mavericks shot for NSIC regular season crown The Mavericks need one more win than it’s the Winona State Warriors next weekend for the NSIC title.

cord of 221 assists set by Gene Glynn in 1975-76 season.

Monaghan recorded his second straight double-double while Marei finished and team-high 17 points and nine rebounds. MSU was able to take a 41-13 lead into halftime and maintain their double-digit lead throughout the entire second half.

The Mavericks are set to complete the regular season this weekend when they travel to the University of Sioux Falls Friday before a matchup Southwest Minnesota State in the regular season finale Saturday.

“We are going to finish up at University of Sioux Falls and Southwest State. Go over there and have a chance to win a conference championship, and that’s what we want to do,” Margenthaler said.

With the most important games not far away, the Mavericks want to continue to do what has brought them success over

e

e

BASKETBALL• Page 12 David Bassey • MSU Reporter The two-game sweep this past weekend extends their winning streak to seven games.

LUCAS RYAN Staff Writer The Minnesota State men are asserting themselves as the class of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference with the postseason less than two weeks away.

The Mavericks will enter the final weekend of the regular season ridding a seven-game winning streak after earning wins over Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston over the weekend.

“Anytime you can go on the road and sweep it is an important thing, especially at this time of the year,” Head coach Matt Margenthaler said.

The Mavericks started the first of four road games to wrap up the regular season Friday in a back and forth affair with Bemidji State. The Mavericks were led by junior forward Assem Marei and senior forward Connor O’Brien with 22 points apiece in the 79-74 win in Bemidji. Junior guard Zach Monaghan posted a double-double with 15 points

and 11 assists while Marei also earned a double-double with 10 rebounds.

The game was back and forth the entire way with a total of 17 lead changes. Neither team led by more than five points until MSU went on an 8-0 run with 6:31 remaining in the second half to give the Mavericks an eight-point lead. The Beavers managed to pull within three of MSU with 15 seconds remaining, but a pair of free throws from Monaghan iced the game for the Mavericks.

“Going into Bemidji, a team that is one game behind us, and able to get that victory there gives us some separation going to the last weekend. And I couldn’t be happier with how the guys played,” Margenthaler said.

MSU junior guard Zach Monaghan set a MSU singleseason assists record Saturday as the Mavericks earned an 82-55 win over Minnesota Crookston.

Monaghan leads all of Division II basketball with 224, which surpasses the previous MSU re-

MSU Reporter • 11 DAVID BAC K ES

SOCHI SPOTLIGHT With all the excitement over the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Rus., Minnesotans are particularly excited about the eight players on the US men’s hockey team who hail from this great state. Even more specifically, those in the Mankato area are excited to watch former Minnesota State University, Mankato star David Backes, who is in second Winter Olympics with the US men’s hockey team. Through USA’s three preliminary round games, Backes has scored two goals. In the opening game, Backes scored the fourth goal in a 7-1 route over Slovakia. He also scored a goal in Sunday’s 5-1 victory over Slovenia to aid USA in a 3-0 record and the no.

2 seed for the medal round.

For fans who were hoping for a USA versus Canada finale in the gold medal game, it isn’t to be. With Sweden receiving the no. 1 seed, the US received the no. 2 seed, and Canada the third seed. The Americans will face off in the quarterfinals on Wednesday against the winner of Slovakia and Czech Republic. The winner of that game will go on to play the winner of Canada’s quarterfinal matchup against either Switzerland or Latvia. Although it won’t be a CanadianAmerican finale, I’m sure gold would still be just as sweet for Backes and team USA.

12 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Reed “I always try to stay in the weight room, stay active and limit the amount of time I have off during break. Sitting around doesn’t really solve anything or make me any better, so I try to avoid that as much as I can,” Reed said.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

BASKETBALL

continued from 11

continued from 9 and has helped the football team have a slew of successful seasons, including an undefeated regular season this last fall.

When asked about how he juggles both sports, Reed is quick to mention his passion for the games. “I love both sports so it’s just a matter of finding time to get them and my classes all into my schedule,” Reed said. He said that his love of the game and a commitment to hard work allow him to not just play his sports, but to excel in them.

And in order to excel in them, Reed has to tailor the way he trains for each of his sports as the school year goes on. “My sports intertwine a lot. Being strong and explosive are important in both, so they complement each other well,” Reed said.

Reed explained that he integrates more of that explosiveness into his workouts for throwing due to the need to lift heavy objects and the intensity of throwing in a short period of time.

He explained that he always tries to remain active, especially during break when he has a lot of potential downtime. “I always try to stay in the weight room, stay active, and limit the amount of

time I have off during break. Sitting around doesn’t really solve anything or make me any better, so I try to avoid that as much as I can,” Reed said.

When asked about what his coaches and teammates have meant to him over the years, Reed answered with a quick and simple “a lot.” His mom and dad have come up from Omaha for almost every football game and track and field meet this year, a four and a half hour drive that Reed says he is always thankful his parents make. “For them to come up here for every event in the last year has meant a ton,” said Reed.

Another presence in Reed’s life that has been so important to him has been his grandmother.

“My grandma has been wonderful,” gushed Reed. He explained that she keeps a file of all the events and records over his career and is never slow to support him and remind him of his accomplishments. “I keep the trophies, but I’m sure she’d take them if I gave them to her,” laughed Reed.

Besides his parents, coaches and grandmother all keeping in touch with constant texts, emails, and phone calls, Reed has even

met his significant other on the track team. “One of the other throwers is my girlfriend. We met three years ago on the shot put squad and she’s been supporting me ever since,” Reed said.

“What makes Chris so special is that he is disciplined and has a great desire to continuously improve. He is a 3.0 student, one of the best offensive linemen in our conference, the best shot put thrower in D-2 and has a job on nights and weekends,” said MSU offensive line coach Jason Eck about how much fun it has been to coach Reed. “I’ve really enjoyed seeing him do well and I look forward to continuing to follow him as he graduates next December and moves on to new challenges, which could very well include professional football or competing to be an Olympian,” Eck said.

Whichever path Reed may take in his journey past college next year, he will bring with him the love for the game as well as the love from those around him.

Those qualities are what make Reed who he is now and they will represent how outstanding of an athlete, student, and person he is in the years to follow.

Arnold Bagamba • MSU Reporter

the last seven games. If they can continue to play at this level in the postseason they should be prone to make a deep playoff run.

“We are honestly just focusing on ourselves and just getting better every day. I think that we have playing at a very good pace

and had a very great flow the last month of the season. We just need to continue doing things we doing right now and even do them better, and if we can do that in the post season, then great things can happen,” Margenthaler said.

The Annual Economics Lecture Series on

“What is Democracy Good For? Paradoxes of Voting Theory”

Thursday, February 20th, 2014 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm Ostrander Auditorium Minnesota State University, Mankato For more information, contact: Ihsuan Li 389-5753 Ihsuan.li@mnsu.edu Amanda Greenig 389-2969 amanda.greenig@mnsu.edu

The Department of Economics invites the University and the Mankato communities to its Annual Economics Lecture Series featuring Dr. Alex T. Tabarrok

Dr. Tabarrok is Bartley J. Madden Chair in Economics at George Mason University. He is the co-author with MarginalRevolution and co-founder of the online educational platform Marginal Revolution University.

He is the author of Launching the Innovation Renaissance (TED books) and Modern Principles of Economics (with Tyler Cowen).

This event is free to the public

Sponsored by: Department of Economics Omicron Delta Epsilon, Kappa Chapter of Minnesota Economics Club

MSU Reporter • 13

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Follow the Reporter on Twitter @MSU Reporter or Like Us on Facebook facebook.com/msureporter

Email the A&E Editor: reporter-arts@mnsu.edu

507-389-5157

Hautman, Lemon highlight next chapter of GTRS MIRANDA BRAUNWARTH Staff Writer

Photo Courtesy of GTRS Pete Hautman

Minnesota Statue University Mankato will continue their Good Thunder Reading Series Tuesday with the authors Pete Hautman and Alex Lemon.

The writers are part of a four day Eddie B. Barber Visiting Writer Residency; they will give workshops, meet with high school students, lead discussions and read from their works.

The four day visitation will begin with writing workshops in prose and poetry. Threse will be lead Tuesday through Friday from 10:00-11:00 a.m. in The Centennial Student Union. Hautman will be in room 202 and Lemon in room 203.

Hautman and Lemon will be interviewed as part of the “Authors in Transit” series on radio

station KMSU-FM. The interview will air on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. and Friday at 11:00 a.m. and will be archived on the GTRS website.

On Thursday the authors will lead a discussion on the craft of writing at 3:00 p.m. in CSU Ostrander Auditorium.

A reading from Hautman and Lemons published works will take place Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in CSU room 253.

Pete Hautman, a fiction writer for adults and young people, has authored more than twenty novels.

His style varies from science fiction (Rash and The Obsidian Blade) to mystery (Blank Confession) to contemporary drama (Godless) and romantic comedy (The Big Crush).

His book Godless was the 2004 National Book Award Winner, his book The Big Crush was

a Los Angeles Book Prize Winner and he has three New York Times Notable Books.

Hautman’s latest book is The Cydonian Pyramid, and it is the second book in the Klaatu Diskos trilogy series. The third book is expected to come out in April 2014.

Hautman grew up California and Minnesota and today resides in Minnesota and Wisconsin with novelist and poet Mary Logue.

Alex Lemon is an author who specializes in poetry and creative nonfiction writing. He currently has four published works -- one book, Happy: A Memoir, and three poetry collections, Mosquito, Hallelujah Blackout, and Fancy Beasts. In 2014 he will bring forward The Wish Book and an essay collection. Lemon’s

GTRS • Page 14

Photo Courtesy of GTRS Alex Lemon

Mindy projecting comedic gold ANDREW SIMON Staff Writer Lost in the shuffle of bigger, more successful comedies and high-rating dramas, there’s FOX’s The Mindy Project. The brain child of Mindy Kaling (of The Office fame), the series has a knack for laugh-out-loud hilarity, fresh storytelling, strong characters, and being ridiculously charming and entertaining. All of which is surprising, because for the most part, the series just wants to be another comedy about finding love in the big city, but with Kaling at the helm, the series became so much more.

Mindy Lahiri (Kaling) is running her own OB/GYN practice with co-partners Danny (Chris Messina), the charming Man’s Man, and Jeremy (Ed Weeks), the slick-talking Englishman.

The series centers on these characters and how they navigate their respective relationships and workplace shenanigans.

Most shows take a while to find their footing, but Mindy Project seems to know exactly what it is right out of the gate.

Self-referential, tackling serious issues not-so-seriously, the dialogue is crisp and sharp, boasting

banter that is honest, self-aware, and full of quirk. Each of the characters are likable and fallible, weird but yet relatable, off kilter but ridiculously charming.

Mindy Lahiri grew up watching romantic comedies and drama, and now as an doctor in New York, she seizes the moment and tries to make her life come off as one, but it never quite works.

She’s strong and confidant, but also a self-sabotaging buffoon who is more likely to trip over a strategically placed cactus in the middle of the floor instead of gracefully kiss her love interest.

If the hilarious content isn’t enough, Mindy Project throws out all the stops with a myriad of guest stars – Bill Hader pops up several times as Mindy’s ex who becomes even more ridiculously cartoonish as the seasons go on, Seth Rogen as a longtime friend stationed in Afghanistan, Allison Williams as a love interest, James Franco as a handsome, sleazy doctor, BJ Novak and Ed Helms as potential dates, and Ellie Kemper in a scene-stealing role as a crazy woman intent on making Mindy’s life a nightmare.

The series has laughs, but add in the spectacular comedic work of these veterans actors, and each episode they’re in is a true high-

Web Photo

light. But that’s not to discount the wonderful work of Chris Messina and Ed Weeks, who are both tour de force comic actors who exude snarkiness and charisma simultaneously.

The real stunner though is Kaling. So many shows live and breathe the voice of the showrunner, like The WB’s Gilmore Girls

and MTV’s Awkward., and Mindy Kaling’s voice is so intrinsic in creating the witty tone of The Mindy Project. These characters are embarrassingly intelligent idiots, and their dialogue is that of the smartest person in the room saying the stupidest, most cringeworthy thing they could say.

Their comments on romance,

on weight (a central issue of Kaling’s character, although, to her credit, she’s self-deprecating without being self-pitying), on cultures, and on sexuality is brutally honest and highly hilarious thanks to Kaling’s gift for writing immensely funny lines that

MINDY • Page 14

14 • MSU Reporter

A&E

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Dressing for Sochi Current fashion trends are making for a memorable Olympics.

GTRS “Pete Hautman, a fiction writer for adults and young people, has authored more than twenty novels.” continued from 13

Web Photo Germany’s rainbow unforms have clashed with Russia’s anti-gay policies.

MADELINE ZAFFT Staff Writer Winning the gold and silver isn’t the only topic of discussion when talking about the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. When the Winter Olympics started a little over a week ago, and even beforehand, the team uniforms and attire was a matter being thoroughly chatted about.

Who designed the uniforms?

Will the uniforms stretch in the right places and be able to handle some of the tricky aerodynamics that lots of the sports demand for Olympics events?

None other than American designer Ralph Lauren was chosen and took great pleasure of creating the designs for the apparel that is being worn by team USA. Lauren made sure the items were in fact “Made in the USA” after getting heat during the Summer Olympics of 2012 when it was revealed that the USA team uniforms were actually manufactured in China and not in the USA. During the opening ceremony this year team, USA showed off Lauren’s creations that consisted of sweaters made in a sweater factory in California and fleece pants made from circular knit fleece from South Carolina and cotton yarns made in Georgia.

Some other teams however took the bullet, or should I say

the bronze medal this year for their Olympic fashion game; Germany being one of the teams that caused a little bit of controversy with its vibrant colors of the rainbow: the uniforms were thought to be a rebellion against Russia’s antigay policies but the designer of the controversial German wears, Willy Bogner for Adidas, claimed they were a “celebratory design inspired by the wonderful atmosphere” of the Summer Olympics held in Germany’s capital of Munich in 1972.

The one and only member of team Mexico, Hubertus von Hohenlohe-Langenburg, is another whose Olympic outfit that has been receiving a lot of buzz.

Hubertus is participating in the event of alpine skiing and will be doing so in a mariachi-themed race suit designed by Kappa. The 55-year-old, the oldest alpine skier competing in Sochi, is used to making fashion statements -- he received lots of attention for his attire when he donned a Mexicano esperado suit at the Vancouver Olympics.

The men’s Norwegian curling team has stirred up a conversation of style confusion and patterns: of the 2,996 athletes attire, the Norwegian pants have been the most talked about. During their first practice they wore floral patterned trousers, Norwegian soccer socks and “sixpence” flat caps. The team said

it was a throwback to Scotland where the sport originated 400 years ago. They have a total of nine different extreme pants to show off over the progress of the games. In their first game against USA Norway’s pants resembled abstract Mondrian paintings.

“Anytime people are going to talk about curling in USA Today or the New York Times due to wardrobe, it helps bring curling to the forefront, and that’s good.

Honestly, when you’re out there, you do not notice them. Not at all,” U.S. skipper John Shuster said about the popular pants of team Norway.

Although the talk of the uniforms and performing attire will die down when the 2014 Winter Olympics comes to a close, it is sure to surface again in the next in two years at the 2016 Summer Olympics being held in Rio De Janeiro. Individuals will surely look back at the wacky and sometimes controversial choices of clothing from Sochi. Who knew such an athletic production such as the Winter Olympic could deliver so much conversation about fashion? Now, when taking a study break and catching a bit of the Olympics from Sochi on the television, you will be able to witness for yourself some of the unique and sometimes outrageous outfit choices worn by the greatest athletics in the world.

writing has been seen in Esquire, American Poetry Review, Best American Review, and numerous others. Awards include 2005 Fellowships in Poetry from the NEA and a 2006 Minnesota Arts Board Grant. He frequently review books for Dallas Morning News. He lives in Ft. Worth Texas, and teaches at TCU. All events featuring the authors are free and open to the public.

The Good Thunder Reading Series is funded by the MSU Department of English, a part of the College of Arts and Humanities. Funding also comes from the Office of Institutional Diversity, the Nadine B. Andreas Endowment, the Eddie B. Barber Visiting Writer Endowment, the Robert C. Wright Endowment and other individual donors.

Other funds are awarded for the event through Minnesota grants. The MSU Library services and the Barnes & Noble Bookstore on campus offer additional services.

To learn more about the Good Thunder reading series, contact Richard Robbins at the MSU Department of English at 507-389-1354, or at www.english.mnsu.edu/gt/.

MINDY “These characters are embarrassingly intelligent idiots, and their dialogue is that of the smartest person in the room saying the stupidest, most A cringe-worthy thing S they could say. ”

r V s are immediately quotable. m This reviewer binge-watchedi all thirty-eight episodes of Min-a dy Project within a two day win-a dow, and although the journeyi was several hours of near non-N stop smirking and out-loud hi-w larity, the wait for new episodesl on April 1 seems like a long andH daunting one. The show doesn’tj have the makings of a great hitt -- it’s not a multi-cam sitcom likew The Big Bang Theory or Two anda a Half Men, and it doesn’t adhered to the in-camera docu-style ofi The Office or Parks and Rec-c reation, but it has its own littles niche similar to New Girl and theb now-canceled Ben and Kate, iti lives by its own rules, has its ownr style, and is a funny and originalc ride because of it. m With a mid-season finale last winter that left the series possi-r bly heading in a direction NewP Girl’s spectacular sophomorec run did, there’s a chance MindyL Project will be better than ever,n and that’s saying something, in-t deed, so now would be the per-f fect time to catch up on Mindyl Kaling’s brilliant brand of quirkyw humor. t F d t t r

continued from 13

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MSU Reporter • 15

A&E

A whimsical whitewashing The “heartwarming” vs. “schmaltzy” argument rages on with Winter’s Tale.

ANDREW SIMON Staff Writer

Out of the three major loverelated titles released this past Valentine’s Day, Winter’s Tale seemed the most promising. A mysterious trailer with an seemingly immortal Colin Farrell and -a love that would transcend time -and death, with an Irish speaking Russell Crowe on a horse in New York hunting Farrell down -with menacing glares, the film looked very promising indeed.

How it ended up is entirely subjective. For audiences who want the schmaltz in full force, that will make the viewer go ‘oohh’ dand ‘awwee’ in warm-hearted delight, Winter’s Tale is a crowning achievement of sentimental -cinema. For anyone looking for something a little bit deeper, a bit classier, a bit more interestting, Winter’s Tale will have them nrolling their eyes or resisting a chuckle at its made-for-Hallmark moments.

It’s 1916 and Peter Lake (Far-rell) is a thief on the run from Pearly Soames (Crowe), the big crime lord of New York City. yLake was a member of Pearly’s nefarious gang whose sole objective is to destroy miracles, and -for reasons unspecified, Lake left. In his run, a pure white horse with the ability to fly points him to Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay, Downtown Abbey), a dying girl with tuberculosis, and the two form a love that stands the test of time, nearly a century later. Now in 2014, his mind

wiped but the threat of Pearly still very real, Lake tries to find the missing piece of his soul, while meeting another dying girl

with his emotions, but here he delivers a performance that is compelling enough to make it noteworthy. Findlay’s role is re-

this actor play the mythic Fallen Star is a real treat.

As stated above, enjoyment of Winter’s Tale will depend on the

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who it may just be his destiny to save.

Starting off with the positives, Crowe and Farrell are tremendous in their roles. Crowe nails the Irish accent and gangster visage perfectly, and when he gets vicious, it’s a terrifying sight.

Farrell has never been particularly gifted with showing range

grettably marginal, but for the time she’s onscreen, she’s perfectly acceptable, regulated to being an innocent, charming girl with high spirits facing fear and death. There are a handful of bit players that, when onscreen, one can’t help but think, ‘it’s that guy from that one movie!’ The biggest surprise is a cameo from a once A-List actor playing the role of Lucifer, located in the sewers of New York. The role is only two scenes long, but to see

viewers ability to just go with it.

With that said, here forward are a handful of negatives charged at the film, and be warned, there are spoilers within. The budget was small by Hollywood standards, but that doesn’t forgive the ridiculously bad CGI of the white horse Athansor flying through New York, or an unforgivably embarrassing CG shot of a cradle being placed at sea. The script could have used a number of revisions to allow audi-

ences to grow accustomed to this heightened reality Winter’s Tale presents, where an organization of (presumably) demons live in secret aiming to squash miracles, horses can fly, destiny exists, and people can live for over a hundred years to save a child magically.

The real rub is the final point, where Peter Lake fulfills his destiny but does so in a manner that is not unique to his character – meaning, it wasn’t some knowledge he possessed or gift he harnessed that brought about salvation, it was just magic, magic that didn’t necessarily require Peter Lake, making this whole story, although awfully romantic and emotionally sweeping in its own right, not make a whole lot of sense, even within its own rules. And the final shot, the final bit of Peter’s story, once one eliminates all the romantic hubbub about it and looks at it literally, is baffling bad.

A passion project from Oscarwinning writer/director Akiva Goldsman, it’s clear that Winter’s Tale was made with love and affection, but in his consumption of telling this tale, Goldsman forgot the biggest rule when establishing a fantastical world – setting it up. Thus, the viewer is left with a game of playing catch-up and trying to understand what’s going on, if the movie is being cartoony, or genuinely earnest.

The film boasts some strong ideas that, if executed differently, could have truly been an inspiring and magical film, but instead, what it boils down to is a confusing effort that desires pulling at the heart strings instead of making sense.

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16 • MSU Reporter

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Tuesday, February 18, 2014