Thursday, September 10, 2009
www.msureporter.com
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Losing a friend and father Tim Walz goes to
Remembering Jordan Kagermeier Afghanistan, Africa Congressman assesses the progress, overall conditions of war-torn areas
ALI RAMSEY
staff writer
To his older brother Jeff, Jordan Kagermeier was a creator and a communicator. To his father Jim he was a deep thinker. But to almost everyone else in Mankato he was unknown. A generation ago, Jordan was just like most students walking around this campus. He strolled around with an attitude like he had all the answers, and the intellect to back them up. Jordan made a name for himself as an artist and writer, then left to slip quietly into the real world of marriages, children and jobs. That all ended this summer, though, when he passed away unexpectedly. Compared to other members of his Mankato family — Jeff was mayor of the city for nearly six years and Jim’s architectural firm designed Gage Towers — Jordan’s accomplishments were less publicized, but still meant the world to those around him. Jordan had a passion in everything from art and writing to antiques and music. “To categorize him as an artist is such a tough thing to
DANNIE HIGGINBOTHAM
news editor
submitted photo Jordan Kagermeier, pictured with his wife Jessica and daughter Ruth, was a former Reporter editor. He died unexpectedly in his home July 1.
do,” Jeff said. “Because art is such a broad category.” One of Jordan’s first loves, though, was the art he created. He used everything from doors and windows to left over architectural blue prints
as a canvas. To him, making art wasn’t about the money he could earn from selling it, but rather the love and happiness he experienced from making it.
Losing / page 3
House Representative Tim Walz gave a conference call Tuesday to discuss his recent trip to Africa and the Middle East. The weeklong trip took Walz through Afghanistan, Kenya, Mali, Djibouti and Morocco. Walz said there had been many changes in Afghanistan, where he was able to navigate with ease. “The last time I was in Afghanistan was in 2008,” he said. “ Back then we were continuously stopped on the street by armed guards.” Walz met with General McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, to discuss what progress has been made in the country and what the U.S. still needs to concentrate on. He said he paid extra attention to the works of the special operations forces, such as
Navy SEALS, on the front lines. “Our troops on the front lines are fighting against some of the worse there is out there,” Walz said. McChrystal is expected to ask Congress to send additional troops, something Walz says he still needs to think about. Walz hopes the issue of sending more troops becomes one of great national debate— “as big as health care.” “I’m not yet convinced we need more troops,” he said. “I first want to see where they would be used and to know it’s for an outcome and not just to leave a footprint.” Walz spent time in Kenya to assess how the country is fairing with an influx of Somalian refugees and how it resists insurgent groups. He said Somalia was on its way to being a “failed state.”
Afghanistan / page 2
Remembering tragedy, eight years later Mass communications students to hold memorial Friday NICOLE SMITH
editor in chief Friday marks the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks — the tragedy that shook the
nation. We all remember where we were that day, when thousands of people lost their lives in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. It took great loss to instill unity among Americans. But over the past eight years, the sense of unity has begun to fade. This year, Congress is giving citizens an official reminder of the importance of giving back. In April, Congress passed legislation within the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, to recognize Sept. 11 as
the National Day of Service and Remembrance. At Minnesota State, a handful of public relations students are stepping up for the campus to recognize this day and the lives lost. Along with professor Ellen Mrja, students enrolled in strategic communications campaigns will host a 9/11 memorial Friday. From 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the Centennial Student Union mall, the class will collect non-perishable food items, personal care products and cash donations for the ECHO Food Shelf, a local charity selected by the students. MSU student Erin Rohrer
index
illustrations by ann reichel • msu reporter Editorial...................................6 Voices......................................7 Variety....................................11 Sports....................................15 Classifieds.............................19
Reporter writer upset at TLC for not educating
MSU Zoology program explored
See Voices, page 7
See page 8
Reporter’s guide to fall TV See Variety, page 11
will also share a few remarks at the event, followed by a moment of silence. Mrja’s class decided to plan an event at MSU after discussing the case study of a major charitable event that had taken place following the Sept. 11 tragedies. “As we discussed the case, we realized that it’s a shame that as the memory of that horrible day is fading, so is the sense that we had of being one family, that we were meant to take care of one another,” Mrja said. In just more than a week, the students have planned every aspect of the event, from
Remembering / page 8