November 11, 2010

Thursday, November 11, 2010

HONORING THEIR SERVICE The waiting sacrificing for game the military Lack of GI funds leaves student veterans empty-handed

GRACE WEBB

staff writer

In 2009, Congress passed the new G.I. Bill (officially the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944) benefits, which provides veterans with fouryear tuition payments, a monthly living stipend and $1,000 for books every year. But in fall 2010, veterans are still waiting to receive their benefits.

Christopher Butts is one of those veterans. A junior at Minnesota State Mankato majoring in law

index

enforcement, Butts said that backed-up funding is nothing new, but it has never been as bad as this year. Butts, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, said he knows what it’s like waiting for the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay out benefits, so he saved up during the summer to give himself some breathing room. But now it’s into November and his savings are running low.

“It sucks to be broke and have

Funding / page 6

Two veterans share their stories YOONKI KIM

staff writer

Veterans Day is a good time to thank and honor all American veterans for their service.

Victor Agunbiade, Seaman Apprentice in the U.S. Navy, said the day makes him feel great as a veteran. This is the first Veterans Day for him as Minnesota State Mankato student.

“It’s always cool to have people appreciating your service,” Agunbiade said.

He joined the Navy in 2008 and

served on a warship in the East Coast before he got a few years of on-ground duty. Recalling the year he spent on the warship, he said it’s good to have his feet on ground instead of being on the sea.

“The ship was as big as the library, but if you have to stay in the ship day after day, it’s hard,” he said.

Agunbiade said he bared the hardship and the risks of extreme training because he wanted to serve his country.

“There is time you want to quit, especially in the two months of

Stories / page 6

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Page 2 • Reporter

News

Choosing service before education

Some students make military duties their top priority ALEXI ROSKOM

staff writer

Many distant memories surface on Veterans Day for students who postponed their education to serve in the military.

Kelvin Borchardt, a sophomore at Minnesota State Mankato, is not a typical college student. Borchardt’s path after high school is a rare one: after immediately entering the workforce, he was so strongly impacted by the events of Sept. 11 that he joined the Army.

After four years of active duty serving as a combat soldier and airborne infantry, his service was extended for an additional year. After his five years of service ended, he decided to pursue higher education. While attending MSU in 2008 on a status of inactive ready reserve, Borchardt received a letter in the mail stating his reactivation and deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan in two weeks.

Generally, soldiers are notified six months prior to their departure, though in many cases it varies. Two weeks to resolve academics, housing and obligations before leaving proposed many challenges for Borchardt.

“Warrior to citizen, citizen to warrior and warrior to citizen is a hard transition,”

said Borchardt.

Leaving school early can be a difficult adjustment, but add on military service and culture shock, one needs to have confidence in administrative figures to resolve issues. Often, leaving for duty of service leaves military men and women with unresolved course duties.

Another fellow serviceman, Cody Wiens enlisted right out of high school and served a two-year tour in Iraq.

Following his years in the military, Wiens began to feel pressured into secondary education.

Committing to the Army opens the door to years of experience, but also implies putting other aspects of life on hold. The switch to an educational environment has its objects of challenge.

“Pursuing school has come with difficulties, but it has brought me to a great point in my life,” Wiens said.

In the near future, another individual will have to face what many have already been through. Anthony Joseph Pitts will be leaving for Kuwait on May 14, 2011 to assist with extraction in Iraq. The current MSU student will have to put his education on hold to serve.

“It will set school off by a year, but it is just one more year, I already put off school for a year when I started,” Pitts said.

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Thursday, November 11, 2010T

Mankato diversifies

Community discussion targets racial, cultural issues in Mankato BRIAN ROSEMEYER

staff writer

Members of the community filled the Centennial Student Union Ballroom Tuesday night to openly discuss topics such as racism and cultural struggles.

Minnesota Public Radio, in association with the Free Press, hosted the free public forum, aptly titled “Calling Mankato Home.”

Figures from all over the community, representing numerous ethnic groups, came to discuss living in Mankato.

The event filled the ballroom to the point where ushers needed to bring in stacks of chairs for people sitting along the wall.

Kate Smith of MPR emceed the event. Smith opened by noting that Mankato had been ranked as the 15th “best small city to raise a family” in America by Forbes Magazine.

“I see a lot of old friends and good diversity,” Smith said, in regards the crowd.

wale agboola• msu reporter The public voiced its ideas on the changing dynamic of Mankato in the community and within the workplace.

The idea for the forum came when the Free Press got to thinking about its coverage of Mankato’s diverse culture. The Free Press said it found it was lacking in that type of coverage.

“The goal of tonight is for everyone to walk out of the doors into the lovely evening knowing something they didn’t know before,” Smith said.

The forum was prefaced with a slideshow covering an East African family’s success in Mankato. The slideshow noted that since 2000, the population of non-whites in Mankato has increased more than 50 percent, including more than 500 refugee families from war-torn countries.

Community / page 7

Thursday, November 11, 2010

News

Graduate program flourishes Tough job market means higher enrollment at MSU BRIAN ROSEMEYER

staff writer

Fierce competition in today’s job market has caused a sharp rise in graduate program enrollment.

According to the New York Times, the number of students taking the Graduate Record Examination has increased 13 percent since 2009.

With tough economic times and a 9.6 percent unemployment rate in America, many students are finding it necessary to prolong their education beyond their bachelor’s degree in an effort to make themselves appealing to employers.

For students of Minnesota State Mankato enrolled in undergraduate programming and considering grad school, MSU offers great opportunities.

The director of Graduate Studies at MSU, Chris Mickle, has nothing but good things to say about the performance and growth of the university’s programming.

“Word is out about our program,” Mickle said, “and it’s good.”

Since 2006, enrollment in MSU’s grad program has increased 25 percent, including a 5.1 percent increase in the past year alone. 2,018 grad students account for 13 percent of total MSU enrollment.

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degree programs within six colleges, as well as four doctoral degree programs.

The benefits of grad school at MSU include a knowledgeable faculty, smaller class sizes and a wide array of study options.

The Princeton Review’s latest “Best 300 Business Schools” book ranked MSU’s MBA program among the best in the nation, and has done so for five consecutive years.

“We can go head to head with just about anybody,” Mickle said.

The faculty aren’t the only people excited about the program. Benjamin Druffel is a 29-year-old grad student enrolled in MSU’s Master of Music Conducting program.

Druffel has a bachelor’s in music education from Luther College and began working on his master’s in fall 2010. He considered a few other schools including the University of Georgia, the University of Massachusetts, and the University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music before deciding on MSU. Druffel said he chose MSU because he couldn’t refuse what the programming offered. He stresses the importance of having a small, devoted faculty.

“The small faculty is a big plus,” Druffel said. “Every member of the faculty knows who I am, and I know who they are.”

Druffel said the program has met and even exceeded expectations he had. “[The program] is excellent,” Druffel said.

“It’s guided on my needs.

It’s a very individualized program.”

For students who don’t want to or can’t study in Mankato, MSU is now offering graduate, as well as undergraduate, courses at a new location. Students nearer to the Twin Cities area can take classes in Edina at 7700 France. If traditional classroom courses are not a viable option for prospective students, MSU offers online programming. Grad student enrollment is made up of 15 percent online students.

The graduate program offered by MSU is flourishing. The program brings not only students from the region, but also students from across the country and across the globe.

“Our programs have a strong national and international reach,” Mickle said.

Mickle encourages students to explore all of their options when making a grad school decision.

For more information on MSU’s programming, visit http://grad.mnsu.edu or stop by the offices located at the Alumni and Foundation Center room 115.

Reporter • Page 3

Tragedy sparks education Mother of homicide victim aims to prevent

MEGAN KADLEC

staff writer

Chris Jenkins is a name not many students from Minnesota State Mankato recognize. However, his story is one that forces students to think about the harsh realities of their actions.

Chris was a college student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities who disappeared on Halloween night 2002. It took four years for the Minneapolis Police to rule Chris’ disappearance a homicide and it was another year until the family was told that Hennepin Country would not file criminal charges.

Chris’ mother, Jan Jenkins, will be at Mankato West High School today for a presentation entitled, “Stick Together, Stay Alive.” The presentation, sponsored

by Mankato Community Education and Recreation, will focus on the search and events that followed Chris’ disappearance.

“Choosing to investigate our son’s murder because authorities would not was a huge commitment of time, energy, dollars and an infinite emotional toll,” said Jenkins.

“We did the right thing. That’s what mattered.”

The program will also include a message of awareness so that no family will have to endure what the Jenkins family did. The safety

internet photo Chris Jenkins disappeared Oct. 31, 2002. His death was ruled a homicide.

message includes practical tips for protecting yourself and watching your friends’ backs while still leading a full life. “[Individuals should attend this event] to learn the reality of danger in the streets, how bars can and do treat patrons [and the] big picture of more than a hundred young men disappearing under mysterious circumstances, particularly in Minnesota and Wisconsin and other northern states, then found days/weeks/months later in water,” Jenkins said.

College students and other young adults have benefited from Jenkins’ talk about personal safety.

“Many young adults have told us they watch their drinks, their friends’ backs and stay aware of their

Safety / page 7

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Voices

T compiled by Wale Agboola

Do you think there is a difference between supporting the war and the troops?

Thursday, November 11, 2010 www.msureporter.com

EDITORIAL: ON VETERANS DAY, SUPPORT ALL OUR TROOPS, INCLUDING PRIVATE FIRST CLASS BRADLEY MANNING Today is Veterans Day. The countless deeds done and lives given by our veterans in the service of our country deserves an insurmountable amount of appreciation not one day can do justice.

As evidenced by our discussions with some of the members of the Minnesota State Mankato student body, no matter your interpretation or feelings of the wars the United States of America is involved in, the soldiers who fight in them must be admired as the collective definition of patriot for doing whatever is asked of them by those in charge of our country.

We at the Reporter salute all veterans whether thankfully still with us or have regrettably passed on, but we would like to give a special commendation to a soldier who will be spending his Veterans Day as a prisoner to his own country.

Private First Class Bradley Manning is currently being detained by military officials, and has been since his arrest in May, for leaking to Wikileaks.org approximately 260,000 classified cables and additional video of supposed misconduct being performed in our Gulf Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Manning’s actions have been considered a great risk to our national security and his arrest considerably just, but

Tolulope Oloko • Jr •Mech. Eng.

according to the Associated Press, even the Pentagon has concluded that the posting of secret Afghan war logs by the WikiLeaks website, to which Manning is the assumed leaking culprit, did not compromise any US intelligence sources or practices.

20th century Spanish philosopher George Santayana (not the guy who did that song with Rob Thomas) famously aphorized: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Well, some higher ups must disagree with that because they’ve found that they can forget and condemn someone else. Based on the evidenced presented thus far, Manning is being condemned for doing the same service to his country that legendary Vietnam War veteran “whisteblower” Daniel Ellsberg once did — supplying a media source with documents that showed the presidential administration at the time had been lying to the public and Congress about death tolls, civilian casualties and the projected outcome of the

“Supporting the troops refers to actually caring about a fellow service member whether it is through relation, friendship, or any type of way. Also it has a lot to do with more personal reasons that the one who supports them share with the service member. Supporting the war has to do with more of a moral standpoint; the views of one’s political affiliation, values in life and support of one’s country.

“There is a difference because supporting the war is based off who we are fighting. Basically saying you support the issue we are going to war for. Supporting the troops is supporting them for fighting for our country not the war.”

Vietnam War. Manning reportedly remarked that he made the decision because “I want people to see the truth ... because without information, you cannot make informed decisions as a public.”

True patriots have the interest of the entire nation in their hearts, not politics and/ or bureaucracy. And with a seemingly unwinnable war that was begun without Congressional approval and has turned our defense budget into the largest in the world and larger than the next 27 countries combined (almost all of which are our allies), what Manning and the like do for the truth, justice and well-being of our country should be applauded, not imprisoned.

That’s why today, along with all the other brave men and women who have served or are currently serving our country, we at the Reporter honor Private First Class Bradley Manning for his heroism.

Alyssa Kuffel• So •Ele. / Health Ed.

“Yes. I think you can support those fighting for your country without actually supporting the war. I completely respect all those who risk their lives, even if I don’t agree with all decisions regarding the war.”

Ann Kincaid• Sr • Bus. Mgmt.

“As a contributing member of our fine American society, I wholeheartedly support the maintenance of a military for the purpose of self-defense and the encouragement of freewill for all people. However, it is difficult for me to support the use of our military for the seemingly selfish purposes usually pursued in the middle east: namely the securing of oil resources.”

Adam Hanson• Sr •Physics

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Thursday, November 11, 2010

News

Reporter • Page 5

MSU’s oldest business fraternity turns 50

wINGS

Students dine and dance to celebrate BOB RINGER

staff writer

Fraternities have long been a fixture at Minnesota State Mankato, but none have been a part of the MSU community quite as long as Delta Sigma Pi, a group that will celebrate its 50th anniversary this weekend.

Delta Sigma Pi’s Epsilon Iota chapter, which has called MSU home since 1960, will celebrate its landmark anniversary Friday and Saturday.

Members of the Epsilon Iota chapter were unaware of their fraternity’s long history at MSU until recently.

“We didn’t know that until about a month ago,” said Erik Vanden Avond, the chapter’s vice president of media tcommunications. “Someone from our central office came for a visit and went down to the activities office and found out we are the oldest one on campus.”

After learning the news, members worked to coordinate an event to commemorate both the landmark year and the creation of the Epsilon Iota scholarship endowment, part of Delta Sigma Pi’s Leadership Foundation.

The chapter will host events for current and past members from all across the country, including the initiation ritual for the fall 2010 pledge class, campus tours for visiting alumni and a banquet at the AmericInn Hotel and Conference Center on Stadium Road.

The MSU Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi will kick off the festivities with a social event

at Jake’s Stadium Pizza Friday.

The pre-celebration party at Jake’s will give members and alumni a chance to mingle over pizza and beverages before a full day of events Saturday, according to Vanden Avond.

Saturday the MSU chapter will lead returning alumni on tours of campus, giving them a chance to see how the university has grown since their time at MSU. The 50th-anniversary banquet will be Saturday evening. The banquet will feature dinner and a dance, according to the chapter’s website.

During the banquet, guests will be able to bid on various items during a silent auction designed to help the scholarship endowment.

“We’re having a silent auction at the 50th anniversary to help fundraise and give back to our chapter,” Vanden Avond said. “We have lots of stuff from the Twins and also from the Vikings. We have some connections with sports teams so they donate some stuff.

Also, some of our distinguished brothers have donated a few things.”

The banquet is invitation only, with all current and past members of the fraternity being invited. However, the group expects a number of people involved with MSU’s College of Business to attend. Plates at the dinner will cost $15. Proceeds will help finance the chapter.

Delta Sigma Pi is a national professional fraternity that focuses on the study of businesses and emphasizes promoting a higher standard of commerce in the communities they are involved in, according

to the national Delta Sigma Pi website.

The MSU chapter has about 45 active members, with other members studying abroad or getting real-world experience through internships at various businesses. According to Vanden Avond, the fraternities look for members who are willing to get involved.

Members are required to attend weekly meetings and fulfill both fundraising and community service obligations.

Many Sigma Delta Pi alumni have gone on to successful careers in business.

Eduardo Aguirre Jr., a past U.S. ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Henry W. Bloch, chairman of the board for the H&R Block corporation and David Oreck, the man behind the lightweight vacuums and founder of the Oreck Corporation, all got their start at Delta Sigma Pi. Members of the fraternity, which is open to business majors and minors, also learn about the inner workings of the business world by traveling to conferences across the country and making important connections along the way.

“It’s a lot of fun and there are a lot of networking opportunities. After being in Delta Sigma Pi for a year now, I expect so much more of myself after I graduate school than I would have,” Vanden Avond said.

The Raptor Center, which works to rehibilitate birds that are disabled or recovering from injuries, showed students an eagle, an owl, a hawk and a falcon at the “Birds Gone Wild” show Wednesday. photos by peter phung

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Page 6 • Reporter

News

Thursday, November 11, 2010T

STORIES Both men have families that understand their decisions, both are satisfied with what they have learned in the military and the person it has made them today continued from 1

katie erickson • msu reporter Victor Agunbiade had to convince his family to allow him to join the Navy, which he felt was the right thing to do.

training in the boot camp, but I gave what it takes. I wanted to serve for my country,” Agunbiade said.

Agunbiade said the United States is built on such efforts of millions of veterans.

Another MSU student, Sergeant Joseph Koncur, is one such veteran. He returned in March from a deployment to Iraq where he served in Army headquarters in Baghdad for one year performing research and creating presentations to support the rebuilding of the country.

Serving in a place thousands of miles away from home was difficult for both veterans and their families.

Both Agunbiade and Koncur said what they missed the most during their service was their family.

Agunbiade said his family was worried about his enlistment. His wife, whose agreement was legally essential to join the Navy, was especially reluctant to consent to his decision. Ultimately, he was able to persuade his family and convince them he was doing the right thing.

Koncur had a similar experience with his family.

“They were worried when

they got to know I was going to Iraq,” Koncur said.

The family’s anxiety is not the only thing that weighed heavily on Koncur’s decision.

While he was in training to go to Iraq, his father passed away.

“At least my family, they understand my sacrifice. They understand that it was hard for me,” Koncur said.

Koncur said he figured out the value of everyday life when he couldn’t do natural and typical things, such as attending family affairs.

“When you’re over there, all you do is work,” Koncur said. “It’s 12 hours a day or more every day. [There’s] very little time off. So you really treasure when you can go smoke a cigarette or relax for a little bit, being able to go fishing, watching sports games. When I came home, I had a chance to go to see a Maverick hockey game. That was probably the highlight of coming home.”

Agunbiade also said the military is where people learn the value of small things they have to forsake while serving.

He said it takes some time to get used to the absence of small things, but he never regrets joining the Navy.

He said he remembers that once a woman approached him in the port and offered her hand.

“She was like, ‘You’re my hero, so I want to shake your hand,’” Agunbiade said.

He said a lot of people show their respect to veterans.

“It varies up to their generation, but especially old people, who remember the Vietnam War and Korean War, know the toils of veterans,” Agunbiade said.

Koncur agreed on the importance of his decision to join the military.

“I wouldn’t take back the decision to join the Army,” Koncur said. “Sometimes I ask the question to myself.

Looking back, I’m really happy with the decision.

It’s really formed who I am, especially being in Iraq, which is a huge part of who I am today.”

Of course, the year he spent in Iraq had a huge effect on him.

“It really hits you when you’re there the first time,” Koncur said. “I think it’s a good thing to everyone. You learn who you are really quickly. You find your Jesus, or whatever. I think you find yourself. Things there make you think about what’s really important in your life. You get your focus.”

Koncur said having focus is one of the reasons he joined the Army and it actually helped him do better in school as well. He is finishing his masters in geography and teaching at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

Agunbiade agreed that people get to know more about themselves and that his experience in the Navy was worthwhile.

“I’m satisfied, really satisfied.” Agunbiade said.

“There’s a lot of things you can learn in the Navy as long as you try to. I actually recommend people to join the

Navy.”

Koncur said he wished there was more respect and awareness about veterans’ devotion to their country.

“You know, people are still dying,” Koncur said. “We still have a lot of people in Afghanistan and Iraq. There are also other MSU students who are serving there. I just want people to understand that it took a lot of effort and a lot of people and their families’ sacrifice. People do consider foreign policy as part of their politics. Just remember the sacrifice of the military.”

submitted photo Joseph Koncur is happy with his decision to join the Army because he believes it made him who he is today.

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News

Reporter • Page 7

FUNDING Process to receive benefits COMMUNITY is more tedious than difficult

SAFETY Jenkins’ story was featured on an NBC mystery special

continued from 1

continued from 3

no money and have everyone want money from you,” Butts said.

Butts’ friend Dwain Stenzel agreed. Stenzel also served in the Marine Corps and is now a freshman at MSU. He said he received one G.I. payment in September and nothing since then.

“It would be an issue if I hadn’t saved up,” Stenzel said.

Stenzel and Butts said late payments aren’t unusual and that they always knew someone in their unit who hadn’t been paid on time, even while in active duty.

However, they agreed that the new G.I. bill is still a lot better than the old one.

Under the old bill’s benefits, veterans were paid monthly sums, but they were responsible for covering all tuition and housing expenses out of that money, which sometimes did not cover everything. “[The new G.I. benefits bill] is a much better program,” Butts said. “I just wish there weren’t so many hiccups or problems to get it to you. [The V.A.] hasn’t had time to streamline it. There’s still a bunch of paperwork problems. I’ve called six times — no one knows what they’re talking about.”

Butts said it can be a hassle with all the paperwork involved. When the paperwork is sent in, it usually takes about 30 days to start receiving benefits.

Sometimes, it can take much longer. Last year, Butts said, benefits were backed up for eight months and the V.A. was forced to issue emergency funds to veterans.

Dee Schmidt, who is in charge of the paperwork for veterans’ benefits, said that this year is really not too bad.

“It’s actually going pretty well,” Schmidt said.

She said that close to 200 student veterans enrolled at MSU have been paid, with only nine veterans still waiting to receive their benefits. Schmidt said last year was much worse since the new bill was just starting to take effect and the V.A. had to switch over.

“Their software systems weren’t designed for [the new bill],” Schmidt said. “They’re working with what they have, but it’s a time-consuming process.”

continued from 2

Schmidt explained that the process veterans must go through to receive their benefits isn’t as difficult as it is tedious. Veterans apply online at the V.A.’s website (or on paper, but electronically is preferred) and then the V.A. sends out certificates of eligibility.

Schmidt must certify these so the veterans can receive benefits. She sends the V.A. information about how many credits student-veterans are taking and how much tuition costs. The cost is the real hold up, Schmidt said, since tuition isn’t set by the time school begins in August. Tuition cost is determined through legislative processes that can run into September.

“This will be a problem every fall,” Schmidt said.

She also said that the process gets backed up in fall because the V.A. is hit with so many applications.

In addition, payment speed depends on when veterans file their paperwork, since nothing can happen until they send in the necessary forms.

If they don’t send her the information early, it will take her longer to get everything set up for them.

“It’s a lot better than last year,” Schmidt said. “Things have gotten a lot smoother and hopefully it will get better every semester.”

Stenzel said MSU has been very understanding about veterans’ G.I. problems.

“MSU is aware [of the situation],” Stenzel said.

“That’s a bonus. It’s good that our school is aware of the problems that can arise.”

Stenzel said other schools, such as Normandale, aren’t so patient. Veterans have run into problems paying tuition and acquiring late fees, and some have even been forced to drop out of classes because they couldn’t get the funds they needed to pay. At MSU, veterans don’t rack up late fees, and the university even lets them charge up to $500 on their account so they can buy books.

Still, Stenzel and Butts would definitely like to receive their benefits soon.

“Every single day, I’ll go online to check my bank statement,” Butts said. “‘Did it hit today?’ No. Usually [I check] at 12:01 in the morning.”

Tony Filipovitch, the chair of the Urban and Regional Studies Institute at Minnesota State Mankato, started the discussion with an account of his arrival to Mankato. He described the Mankato he saw in 1978 as having very little diversity and said he has watched it grow.

The talks continued with a number of commentaries from members of the Sudanese, Somali, Dakota and homosexual communities. The majority of what was said revolved around the concept that Mankato is growing and becoming more accepting of ethnic culture, but there is still a lot of room for progress.

As the discussion shifted from the head tables to the audience, the focus of the forum turned to diversity in the workplace and the difficulties faced by immigrants working in Mankato.

Sudanese and Somali community members stressed the troubles they find while searching for work in the community, and, once a position is achieved, the problem of language and cultural gaps. Speakers reiterated the need for employers to find common ground with their immigrant employees and the need for cultural and linguistic translation.

A Sudanese man offered further insight regarding racism when he said that stereotyping is human nature and is difficult to control. He added that America is a great country and Mankato a great city. He said he admired the services he is receiving.

After the open forum concluded, Smith invited Reggie Edwards from the Region Nine Development Commission to add to the discussion.

“The things I heard tonight were the advancement of the community,” Edwards said. “I see great progression, but there is still much to be done.”

Talip and Filiz Ozturk are social studies education majors at MSU. The Ozturk’s are international students from Turkey who attended the event.

“I liked [the forum] because it helps people to understand each other,” Talip said. “A good community needs communication.

People need to speak about their lives in Mankato.”

Filiz said she enjoyed the event very much as well.

“I forced my husband [Talip] to come here,” Filiz joked. “I wanted to come because I’m a student at MSU and the Lincoln Community Center. I have many international friends and lots of U.S. experience. I came to Mankato 10 months ago, and realized the people of Mankato are very friendly.”

You can read the live blog transcription of Tuesday’s forum

by Michael Caputo at http:// minnesota.publicradio.org/.

environment. We’ve been told we’ve already saved lives,” Jenkins said.

Since the murder of her son, Jenkins has made appearances on many national television programs and in August the story aired on an NBC “Solve My Mystery” special. Jenkins’ book, “Footprints of Courage,” will be available for purchase for $12. Books can be personalized and signed by the author.

The presentation will be 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Mankato West High School Auditorium. Tickets are $8 for individuals and $14 for families. Students, staff and faculty who wish to attend may pre-register by calling 507-387-5501 or registering online at www.mankatocer. com.

In her presentation, Jenkins

Jan Jenkins

internet photo

expresses the importance of life.

“Your life matters.

Every moment counts. Life is precious. Live it fully,” Jenkins said.

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Page 8 • Reporter

News

Obama honors Korean War vets

W &N orld

Thursday, November 11, 2010

ation

Thursday, November 11, 2010 www.msureporter.com

Documentary sheds light on post-traumatic stress

‘Wartorn’ chronicles stories from the Civil War to Iraq NEW YORK (AP) — “I am not so well. I am clear off the hooks,” wrote a soldier who soon would be discharged from the Army as unfit to serve. Back at home in Pennsylvania, he turned increasingly paranoid and violent. Then he killed himself.

The year was 1864 for this young Civil War veteran.

It would take more than a century, and many more wars, for post-traumatic stress disorder to be recognized as a medical condition and to be acknowledged by the U.S. military as a raging fact of life.

A new HBO documentary, “Wartorn: 1861-2010,” charts this heartbreaking story, from the U.S. invasion of Iraq all the way back to the Civil War, whose veterans, according to the film, accounted for more than half the patients in mental institutions of that era.

James Gandolfini is an executive producer, returning the former “Sopranos” star to veterans affairs after his 2007 HBO documentary, “Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq.”

“Wartorn” premieres at 9 p.m. EST on Thursday, which, of course, is Veterans Day. There may be no more fitting way to honor the nation’s fighting men and women than to bear witness

to the struggle many of them never can stop fighting.

“We should be aware of what’s happening,” said Gandolfini, discussing the film not long ago in his Manhattan office. “Unless people start thinking about it, one way or another, it’s not going to stop.”

As in “Alive Day Memories,” Gandolfini appears on camera only sparingly in “Wartorn.”

Explaining his role in the film, he took pains to describe himself as “certainly no expert in any of this. I just want to ask questions and see what they say.”

Among numerous military personnel with whom he met, he is seen in Baghdad talking to Sgt. John Wesley Mathews, who tells him, “Days upon days of living at such a high alert level physically will burn your candle out.”

At Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, Gandolfini inquires how many soldiers who served in intense combat situations return home “completely fine.”

“Those folks are pretty rare,” says Col. Charles C. Engel of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress.

“Nobody is really unscathed,” says Col. John Bradley, Walter

Reed’s chief of psychiatry.

Far from unscathed was Noah Pierce of Gilbert, Minn.

His mother tells of his torment after serving two tours in Iraq.

He finally sought relief by pressing his dog tag against his temple and firing a bullet from his handgun through it into his skull.

“The United States Army turned my son into a killer,” says his mother, Cheryl. “They trained him to kill to protect others. They forgot to untrain him.”

Symptoms of PTSD are vividly displayed by William R. Fraas Jr., who, back home with his family in El Paso, Texas, speaks of his anger, agitation and guilt after three tours in Iraq.

Even a trip with his wife and kids to Walmart is more than he can handle.

“It’s getting close,” he says, expressing his need to flee this big, seemingly threatening store.

“We got people staring at us.”

“Wartorn” also hears from a group of World War II veterans who for the first time open up about the stigmatizing condition then termed “combat fatigue” that has plagued them ever since.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Celebrating Veterans Day halfway around the world, President Barack Obama is saluting the bravery of U.S. troops who fought in the Korean War. Obama recognized 62 veterans of that 1950s conflict who were in the audience at an Army installation in Seoul, South Korea. The president told the veterans that the world is better off because of their

actions here decades ago.

Obama also recognized Korean soldiers who fought alongside American forces.

After three years of combat, U.S. troops drove the invading North Korean forces out of South Korea and back over the 38th parallel, now the Demilitarized Zone that divides the countries.

Obama is in South Korea for a meeting of the Group of 20 economic powers.

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Where to Worship

Reporter • Page 9

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

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

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114 Pohl Rd., Mankato 507-386-1242 - Worship 10:00 a.m.

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

WORD OF LIFE FREE LUTHERAN CHURCH (AFLC) 20013 Stoltzman Road Mankato (507) 387-3857

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- Individual Spiritual Counseling

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SUNDAY WORSHIP

302 Warren Street 507-389-1969 stjohnsmankato.org

8:00 & 10:30 am

EVENING PRAYER Tues. & Thurs. 5:30 pm

Bethlehem Lutheran, ELCA Sunday Services 8:15 & 10:45

United Pentecostal Church Connecting everyone to Jesus Christ through worship, evangelism, discipleship and fellowship.

Sunday School.................................. 10:00 a.m.

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Page 10 • Reporter

News

Thursday, November 11, 2010T

Smart takes the stand An honorable Testifies against kidnapper, says he used goodbye religion to justify his self-serving actions SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Elizabeth Smart testified Wednesday that the street preacher accused of kidnapping her in 2002 frequently prayed that the teenager would fulfill her marital duty of having sex — something she said was “about the farthest thing” from her prayers.

Smart took the stand a third day and gave a spirited rejection of Brian David Mitchell’s defense contention that he suffers from an escalating mental illness and holds extreme religious beliefs that lead him to think he is directed by God. Mitchell was a crude, vulgar, self-serving person who used religion to justify his actions, including her kidnapping and rape over nine months, she said, calling him a hypocrite.

“He was his number one priority, followed by sex, drugs and alcohol, but he used religion in all of those aspects to justify everything,” Smart said in a clear voice, confidently expressing her own religious knowledge.

“Nine months of living with him and seeing him proclaim that he was God’s servant and called to do God’s work and everything he did to me and my family is something that I know that God would not tell somebody to do,” she said. “God would never

tell someone to kidnap her at knifepoint from their bed, from her sister’s side ... never continue to rape her and sexually abuse her.”

Smart finished her testimony Wednesday morning after about 30 minutes of cross-examination by a defense lawyer for Mitchell, who’s accused of taking her from home knifepoint on June 5, 2002, when she was 14.

Mitchell, 57, is charged in federal court with kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor across state lines.

If convicted, he faces a life sentence.

Now 23, Smart was found in March 2003 with Mitchell on the streets of a Salt Lake City suburb.

In previous testimony, she said during those nine months that she endured almost daily rapes and was forced to drink alcohol, use drugs and view pornography.

On the night of her kidnapping, Smart said Mitchell led her to a mountainside camp above Salt Lake City, where she was stripped of her red pajamas and dressed in white robes before being forced to marry him in a quickie ceremony Mitchell performed himself.

Mitchell also repeatedly threatened that Smart, her family, or anyone who tried to help her would be killed if she ever tried

to escape.

Smart said she did reach out for help on one of the trips she made with Mitchell and his nowestranged wife, Wanda Eileen Barzee, from their campsite.

“Ms. Barzee took me into the bathroom at the Hard Rock Cafe and I tried to scratch ‘help’ into the bathroom stall,” Smart said.

Much of Wednesday’s testimony centered on Mitchell’s use of faith and his writing, “The Book of Immanuel David Isaiah,” a rambling tome that outlines his own brand of religions that mixed Bible teachings with the early doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and New Age philosophers.

Smart said she had read the book and Mitchell had spoken of it with her but that she had never heard him discuss his controversial ideas about faith — including polygamy — with anyone else.

During a short crossexamination, Smart was asked by federal public defender Robert Steele whether Mitchell’s use of prayers and blessings seemed familiar to her own practice of Mormonism.

Smart said there was some similarity, but Mitchell used spoken prayers to manipulate her and Barzee, including to have sex.

Fort Snelling Memorial Rifle Squad attends funerals MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The bus stops on the cemetery path and the silver-haired men file out, sober-faced and silent amid a sea of white marble tombstones. Some carry rifles, some flags, a few hold bugles. They’ve all come to say goodbye — to a stranger.

This is their eighth funeral of the day. They have five more to go.

The men are members of a special fraternity of veterans.

Two generations. Three wars.

Survivors of places such as Khe Sanh, Chu Lai, Tokyo Bay, the Chosin Reservoir.

Recipients of Purple Hearts and Bronze Stars. Now all together, offering a final salute to those who, like them, served long ago.

Their gait may be slower than it once was, their shoulders a bit more stooped, their eyesight not quite as sharp, but every weekday, 12 months a year, in knee-deep snow and blistering heat, the men of the Fort Snelling Memorial Rifle Squad are out in force and in formation,

paying tribute to veterans being laid to rest.

The volunteer squad travels in its own bus across the vast Fort Snelling National Cemetery, conducting full military honors: The call to arms. The white-gloved salute. Three rounds of rifle shots. The mournful wail of two bugles. The folding of the flag. A few words of thanks to the family. Then one final salute.

It’s a sad ceremony, but a celebration, too.

“When you fire those three volleys and play Taps, that’s a signal to somebody upstairs that someone special — a veteran — is on the way there,” says Ted Nemzek, an 82-year-old squad member and Korean War vet whose Bronze Star hangs jauntily from his cap.

“It’s a wonderful way to say goodbye. It’s meaningful.”

He should know.

He and the squad have said goodbye more than 57,000 times.

Construction for disabled veterans memorial begins Former Broadway actress fundraises for cause

MIAMI (AP) — For South Florida philanthropist Lois Pope, the journey to create a memorial for disabled veterans began more than 40 years ago when she sang for Vietnam War vets at a rehabilitation center.

Pope made herself a promise that night, that if she could ever do something for disabled veterans, she would.

On Wednesday, Pope hosted the groundbreaking of The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. It will be within view of the Capitol on a 2.4acre plot, across from the U.S. Botanic Garden.

Pope, a onetime Broadway actress and singer whose late husband owned the National Enquirer, said at the groundbreaking ceremony that she got the idea for the tribute when she learned — after performing for disabled veterans — that there was no permanent memorial in their honor.

“Long after the fighting on the battlefield ends, our

disabled veterans continue to fight to reclaim their lives and readjust to society,” Pope said.

“Far too often, they are marginalized and forgotten.

This memorial will ensure that they and their sacrifices will always be remembered, while educating future generations about the human cost of war.”

Pope, 77, of Delray Beach, said it took her about 14 years to see that promise through to fruition. It took her five months just to get the then-secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jesse Brown, on the telephone. Then she partnered with the Disabled American Veterans and thus began the 24-step process of getting the memorial off the ground.

The nation has more than three million living disabled veterans, including 53,000 who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Congress passed a bill, which President Bill Clinton signed, allowing for the establishment

of the memorial. Its design is a star-shaped reflecting pool with a surface broken by a single eternal flame. The site will be framed by glass and granite walls, representing both the strength and fragility of human spirit, she said. A grove of ginkgo trees beside the pool will signify the persistence of hope, she said.

Actor Gary Sinise, the star of TV’s “CSI: NY” and the memorial’s spokesman, said the tribute is long overdue. In the movie “Forrest Gump,” Sinise’s character, Lt. Dan Taylor, loses both legs in Vietnam.

“We have various monuments and memorials to honor our fallen warriors from various wars, but there is nothing that has been done to pay tribute to disabled veterans,” he said by telephone from Studio City, Calif. “They have to live the rest of their lives with the scars of the battle.”

Sinise said America owes its veterans a great debt.

“It will never be enough.

No matter what we do, we can always do more. You don’t want people to get lost in the cracks or fall through the system,” he said.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said in prepared remarks that the memorial “will stand as an enduring tribute to the towering courage, selfless sacrifice, and steadfast loyalty of all our disabled Veterans.”

“The creation of this memorial is fitting tribute to patriots who answered the Nation’s call of duty, and who have, in the face of devastating injury, shown us a quality of courage at which we can only marvel,” Shinseki said.

Pope wants to officially dedicate the memorial on Veterans Day 2012, but she still has some fundraising to do. The price tag is $85 million, all of which is private funds, including $9 million of her own money.

About $10 million was donated

by more than a million members of Disabled American Veterans.

She still has about $2.5 million to raise. To help fill the gap, the group is selling commemorative coins from the U.S. Mint.

“The most ironic thing is that they built their own memorial,” Pope said.

Art Wilson, head of DAV and co-founder of the memorial foundation, said the memorial is also important to educate citizens and lawmakers.

“It’s there to remind our lawmakers every day of the service and sacrifice,” he said.

So, ultimately, what does Pope want people to get out of a visit to the memorial?

“I want them to be grateful for the sacrifices of disabled veterans. I want them to come away with the feeling of gratitude and respect, and when they see a disabled veteran to go say ‘Hi. Thanks for what you have done for our country,’” she said.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

News

Reporter • Page 11

Study Break Thursday, November 11, 2010 www.msureporter.com T O D A Y S S T U D Y S P O N S O R E D

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Advertisement

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Announcing the construction of 25 more cottages for August 2011

Thursday, November 11, 2010 www.msureporter.com

What We’re Digging

Sports

Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon 2

Chad Pennington is back!!!

Paul Millsap hitting three 3-pointers

THE LEGENDS OF THE FALL

photos courtesy of Dan Moen (illustration), Shannon Rathmanner and Sportspix

As the fall season for MSU athletics is dying down, the reporter sports staff is handing out its annual top-5 Fall Athletes award. See where your favorite MSU athletes finished pages 14 & 15 Men’s hockey

Mavericks look to recover from last weekend’s sweep PAT DELANEY

staff writer

Another weekend on the road against another ranked opponent.

It has been a draining part of the season for the Minnesota State men’s hockey team.

The Mavericks will now travel to Denver to take on the No. 15-ranked Pioneers.

Despite the tough road schedule, the Mavericks have not made excuses for their play on the ice. In fact, last weekend’s sweep had the team more frustrated than they had been all season.

“It drives you nuts to lose,” said senior defenseman Channing Boe. “Whenever you get beat you’re not happy about that. Guys come to the rink more ready and pissed off.”

Boe is one of five seniors who has no intentions of letting a tough schedule get in the way of accomplishing the team’s goals. The seniors on this team were part of the

last Maverick team that was in contention for the NCAA tournament.

The group were freshmen when MSU finished fifth in the WCHA and played a thrilling three-game series against Minnesota where every game went to overtime. The Mavericks eventually lost that series, but it appeared to be a sign of positive things to come.

However, that momentum never carried over and the Mavericks have found themselves at the bottom of the conference the last two years.

With last weekend’s sweep, MSU is in danger of again digging themselves into a deep hole.

“It puts that much more pressure on us to come away with points,” said Boe. “If we can at least get some points after getting no points last weekend that would be a positive, and if we can get two wins that would be huge to get us to 4-4-2.”

Head coach Troy Jutting said he was proud of the way his team responded in the second game of the NebraskaOmaha series, even though they didn’t come out on the winning end. With the injuries the Mavericks have suffered and the constant traveling, Jutting says his team is learning a lot about themselves.

“It would be easy for them to pack their bags,” said Jutting. “I’ve been proud of them.”

The Mavericks will have a week off following their weekend series at Denver. The extra rest is well-needed, but it will also provide more incentive to come away with points this weekend.

MSU is one of only two teams in the WCHA to have played eight conference games at this point. Despite this, the Mavericks still are still behind five teams in the WCHA who have played fewer games, including Denver.

While the Mavericks backs likely will be against the wall all season, the team has done a good job of staying positive.

This team has shown more resiliency during the week even after a disappointing weekend — something that lacked the past two seasons.

Stealing a win this weekend and getting healthy during their off-week will be just what the Mavericks need to get on the right track. While MSU may not appear to be a legitimate contender yet, the team is confident that they will be.

“Playing tough teams is always good,” said Boe. “It makes you better. It gives us an idea of where we’re at and where we need to be.

The chemistry on this team has probably been the best since I’ve been here. We hold ourselves accountable and stay positive and upbeat even after a tough weekend.”

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON WITH MSU? MSU Volleyball hosts Bemidji State (7 p.m.

Friday) and Minnesota-Duluth (4 p.m.

Saturday).

MSU Football hosts Minnesota Duluth (1 p.m. Saturday).

MSU men’s basketball team drops an exhibition game to the University of Wisconsin, 93-59.

Page 14 • Reporter

Sports

Thursday, November 11, 2010T

The Reporter’s Top-5 Fall Athletes

Some athletes impressed and surprised us, others did exactly what we knew they could. Either way, here are the athletes of the fall REPORTER SPORTS STAFF

5.

FOOTBALL NSIC North Div. OVR 9-0 10-0 8-1 8-2 5-4 6-4 3-6 3-7 2-7 2-8 2-7 2-8 0-9 1-9

NSIC South Div. OVR 8-1 10-0 6-3 7-3 5-4 6-4 5-4 6-4 5-4 6-4 3-6 4-6 2-7 2-8

VOLLEYBALL (NSIC) School

Conf. OVR

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(1) Concordia-SP 18-0 (4) SW Minnesota St. 16-2 (3) Wayne State 14-2 (7) Minnesota-Duluth 15-3 (16) MAVERICKS 11-7 MSU-Moorhead 10-8 Augustana 10-9 St. Cloud State 7-11 Northern State 6-12 Bemidji State 6-12 Winona State 6-12 Upper Iowa 5-13 U-Mary 1-17 Minnesota Crookston 0-18

24-4 24-3 25-3 23-4 19-7 14-12 14-14 12-14 14-13 12-14 11-15 8-19 6-22 0-26

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School (14) Augustana Concordia-St. Paul MAVERICKS Wayne State Winona State SW Minnesota State Upper Iowa

Forward/ DefenderAudas is the type of soccer player that every coach wants, as she posAUDAS sesses a style of play that all winners have, which has been on display throughout her four years playing soccer at MSU. Her effort and versatility on the field have been one of the main reasons the Mavericks made it to the NCAA tournament three out of four years. Audas does things on the field that often go unnoticed on the stat sheet and she has always put the team first. This did not go unnoticed by opposing coaches, as she earned NSIC All-Conference First Team honors this season. Audas registered three goals and two assists this season, as she transitioned from a forward to a defender this year. Audas had already earned NSIC AllConference Third Team honors in 2009, as well as being on the NSIC All-Academic Team. She set career highs in goals, assists and points in 2008 with 3,8 and 14 respectively. The Omaha, Neb. native played 81 games over four years for the Mavericks, and her enthusiasm on the field will likely be missed. She wraps up her impressive career with 10 goals and 15 assists as a Maverick.

— L.H.

MIDWEEK MEAL & DISCUSSION

School (1) Minnesota Duluth (18) St. Cloud State Bemidji State U-Mary MSU Moorhead Northern State Minnesota Crookston

JESSIE AUDAS, SR. SOCCER

4.

BRITTANY HENRY, SO. SOCCER

Forward - Henry served as the Mavericks’ sparkplug this season, tallying a team-leading 12 goals and 25 points. Her ability to put the ball in the back of the net propelled the Mavericks to many victories this season.

Henry also showed a knack for scoring goals in bunches, scoring two goals in the same game on three different occasions. She was also clutch for the Mavericks, with three of her goals being game-winners. Her two-goal performance against

3.

different roles during her St. Cloud State in time with the Mavericks. the first-round of the In 2010, she often did NSIC Tournament not start games because earned her NSIC the team needed her Player of the Week offensive firepower off honors last week. the bench. Her ability Henry was named to score goals is already to the All-NSIC top-notch, and if she can Second Team in expand her game in other 2010 and figures to HENRY be a star on offense areas, she is sure to be an for the Mavericks elite player for the next for years to come. After starring couple of years.— L.H. for Mahtomedi in high school, Henry has had to adjust to some

BRITTANY STAMER, JR. VOLLEYBALL

Setter - Hard to believe that we missed out on putting Stamer on this list last year. Her 1,442 assists set a new program record and after her second year, she already had 2,197 assists.

Not too shabby.

Since coming out of Hutchinson High School, Stamer has paced the Maverick offensive attack, and although big hitters such as Chelsea Fogarty and Amanda Beekman come away with the coveted kill, Stamer is the one setting them up.

Depending on how the Mavericks do (they still have two games this weekend and could possibly play in the NCAA

tournament for the second straight year), Stamer could beat her old record in assists, as she has already compiled 1,110, which is first on the team.

Stamer is also STAMER fifth on the team in digs with 234.

Stamer is fourth in the NSIC with 11.56 assists per game on a team with the third highest hitting percentage in the conference. This is saying something when five of the nation’s top-16 teams play in the NSIC.

It isn’t uncommon for an outside hitter praising Stamer for her passes on the court, it happens during nearly every interview.

Stamer won multiple awards last season including AVCA Division II All-Central Region Team, Second-Team honors on the 2009 Daktronics, Inc. All-Central Region Volleyball Team and was also an AVCA 2009 Division II AllAmerican Honorable Mention.

Don’t expect these awards to slow down for Stamer anytime soon. — K.R.

Top Five / page 15

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Sports

Reporter • Page 15

TOP-5 FALL ATHLETES Beekman tries to spike Mavericks into NCAA Tournament for second straight season. continued from 14

2. TAYLOR BROOKINS, JR. FOOTBALL

Running back - Taylor Brookins wasn’t supposed to have the impact he’s had on the MSU football squad.

Running back Jake Aberg (third on the list last season) was away from the field for personal reasons, and Brookins took advantage of it.

In starting just five games, Brookins has ran for 738

yards on 140 cartimes. ries and scored He has a nice blend seven times. of quickness and elusiveness in the open After getting just 21 carries in his field, but shows hints first three games, of power at the line of scrimmage to burst to Brookins errupted in week four the second level.

Brookins 80.2 against ConcordiaBROOKINS St. Paul, running yards per game are for 170 yards off sixth in the confer22 carries and scoring three ence, his 5.3 yards per carry

1. AMANDA BEEKMAN, SR. VOLLEYBALL

Outside hitter - She’s been a key player on the MSU volleyball for three years, and her senior year has been no different.

The Marshall native leads the team with 321 kills, which is more than 50 of any other Maverick and he also has a team-high 3.34 kills per set.

Beekman recently moved to the No. 3 spot all-time in kills, but don’t think this is a lifetime achievement award.

She’s totaled 176 digs along with 43 blocked shots this

on nationally ranked season and has the teams.

Mavericks a weekend If Beekman can away from the NCAA keep up her great Tournament. play into the postseaThe Mavericks are son, an All-American No. 7 in the region, award might be in and will need to deher favor. feat the No. 7 (UMD) Beekman was team in the nation named to the AllSaturday, if they want BEEKMAN to get in. A win would NSIC First Team this likely make them a week and was named lock.

NSIC Offensive Player of the Beekman is ranked No. 8 Week on Sept. 13th. in kills in a loaded NSIC. Six Last season Beekman was of the seven above her play named to the NSIC All-Con-

Honorable mentions

are fifth and his seven touchdowns are tied for third.

No matter what happens with the running back position, expect Brookins to be the starter next year, and exceed his yards this season.

Oh yeah, he still has one more game to add onto these numbers.

— K.R.

ference Team, the AVCA 2009 Division II All-Central Region Team and second team honors on the 2009 Daktronics, Inc. All-Central Region Volleyball Team.

She, along with Stamer, was named AVCA 2009 Division II All-American Honorable mention.

Beekman hopes her last go around with the Mavericks isn’t this weekend, but if it is, she has ended it playing solid volleyball — K.R.

Soccer- Nicole Dooher, Brittany Cygan Volleyball- Amanda Thompson, Kimber Kuhl, Chelsea Fogarty Football - Jesse Hamilton, Adam Thelen, Chris Schaudt Men’s golf - Kyle Bahe Women’s golf Samantha Bergmann Men’s cross country David Barmassai

Academic Advantages - Convenience - Connections

Live on campus next year!

Online residence hall room selection Noon Monday, November 15 - Midnight Friday, April 1 All students currently enrolled at Minnesota State Mankato may choose a room or semi-suite online beginning Monday, November 15 at noon.

Just go to mnsu.edu/reslife.

If you don't live on campus now and have questions, call us at 507-389-1011 to get your info to sign up online.

Department of Residential Life

111 Carkoski Commons, Mankato, MN 56001 Voice: 507-389-1011 or 800-722-0544 MRS/TTY: 800-627-3529 or 711 (MRS/TTY) Fax: 507-389-2687 Email: resife@mnsu.edu A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. Minnesota State University, Mankato is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity University. This document is available in alternative format to individuals with disabilities by calling the Department of Residential Life at the above numbers.

Page 16 • Reporter

MSU Women’s Hockey Gameday Lee Handel • staff writer

Sports

Thursday, November 11, 2010

MSU Men’s Hockey Gameday Pat Delaney • staff writer

Minnesota State (2-4-4, 2-4-2 WCHA) at Denver University (4-4-2, 3-2-1 WCHA) Minnesota State (4-5-1, 3-5-0-0 WCHA) at Ohio State (6-3-1, 2-3-1-1 WCHA) 7:07 p.m., Friday • OSU Ice Rink 3:07 p.m., Saturday • OSU Ice Rink

RECAP: After sweeping a WCHA opponent for the first time in almost two years, the Minnesota State Mankato women’s hockey team travels to Columbus this weekend looking to string some more wins together.

This year’s version of the Mavericks has the skill level to compete in the WCHA, and the schedule is finally giving them an opportunity for favorable results. They will square off against an Ohio State squad this weekend that they need to beat if they want to change their recent fortunes in the conference. The Mavericks took care of business last weekend at home against a winless St. Cloud State team, taking the first game 4-1 and the second 4-2. The Buckeyes were in Grand Forks last weekend, losing to North Dakota 3-2 in overtime on Friday and tieing the Sioux 2-2 on Saturday.

HISTORY: The Mavericks have always struggled against the Buckeyes, going 5-36-3 against OSU all-time. The Buckeyes dominated the Mavericks last season, winning all four matchups between the two teams. OSU defeated the Mavericks by scores of 7-6 and 4-1 in late October, and then stole both contests played in Mankato in January 6-0 and 3-2. Although MSU lost two of the games by only one goal, they allowed 20 Buckeye goals in the four meetings and will need to shut down their high-powered offense this weekend.

MSU NOTES: 14 different Mavericks registered at least a point in the two wins over SCSU last weekend, as MSU showed off its team depth.

On Friday, junior captain Ariel Mackley scored her first goal of the season, the third of the blue-liner’s career. Freshman Kathleen Rogan continued her strong start in the game, with her team-leading sixth goal of the season. Junior forward Moira O’Connor tallied her third goal of the year and rookie Darion Bruyere netted her first career Maverick goal in the 4-1 win. On Saturday, fellow freshman Tracy McCann stole the show with two goals in the 4-2 triumph, her second and third of the season. Finnish forwards Emmi Leinonen and Nina Tikkinen also scored in the contest. Tikkinen was picking up points all weekend, recording three assists in Friday’s game and a goal and assist on Saturday. The five-point weekend earned Tikkinen this week’s WCHA Offensive Player of the Week honors. Both Maverick goaltenders started a game, with junior Alli Altmann picking up the win in net on Friday and freshman Danielle Butters on Saturday.

DU NOTES: Like the Mavericks, the Pioneers have also had trouble scoring in the early parts of the season. They are only scoring 2.6 goals-per-game, which is tied with MSU for ninth in the WCHA. Sophomore forward Drew Shore leads the Pioneers in scoring with 12 points.

Freshman forward Jason Zucker is second on the team with nine points.

Freshman goaltender Sam Brittian has emerged as the Pioneers top goaltender. In eight games he has a .931 save percentage.

OSU NOTES: The Buckeyes can put the puck in the net, and are led by junior forwards Laura McIntosh (6-15—21) and Natalie Spooner (12-5—17). Sophomore forward Hokey Langan (4-12—16) is also off to a solid start. Freshman goaltender Lisa Steffes has logged every minute in net for the Buckeyes this season, posting a respectable .929 save percentage.

7:37 p.m., Friday • Magnuss Arena 7:07 p.m., Saturday • Magnuss Arena RECAP: The Mavericks were swept last weekend against Nebraska-Omaha. DU went 1-1-0 last weekend in a home-and-home series against Colorado College.

HISTORY: The Pioneers lead the all-time series 19-13-5. The Mavericks are 0-1-5 in their last six meetings against the Pioneers. Mavericks head coach Troy Jutting has a career record of 9-16-5 against DU.

MSU NOTES: The Mavericks suffered their first sweep of the season last weekend. MSU had trouble putting the puck in the net against UNO getting outscored 10-3 in the series. Senior defensemen Kurt Davis recorded his second goal of the season to increase his point total to a team leading nine points. Sophomore goaltender Phil Cook started the last six games for the Mavericks and will likely get the nod again for at least the opening game of the series. Cook has a .905 save percentage. The Mavericks will hope to get more production from forwards Andrew Sackrison and Michael Dorr who are second on the team in scoring with six points.

DU NOTES: Like the Mavericks, the Pioneers have also had trouble scoring in the early parts of the season.

They are only scoring 2.6 goals-per-game, which is tied with MSU for ninth in the WCHA. Sophomore forward Drew Shore leads the Pioneers in scoring with 12 points. Freshman forward Jason Zucker is second on the team with nine points. Freshman goaltender Sam Brittian has emerged as the Pioneers top goaltender. In eight games he has a .931 save percentage.

STAT: The Mavericks best opportunity to score this weekend will be after the first period. The Pioneers have allowed 25 goals this season after the first period, most in the WCHA. PREDICTION: The Mavericks played one of the 10 best teams in the country last weekend against UNO and that experience will help them find a way to come away with two points this weekend.

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PREDICTION: Although it won’t be easy, the Mavericks need to gain at least a split in this series just to keep the momentum going from last weekend. The Buckeye offense will challenge the combination of Altmann and Butters, who will each need to play well in net when called upon in order for the Mavericks to have a chance. Steffes is due for a bad night in net for the Buckeyes, the Mavericks will split..

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Thursday, November 11, 2010 www.msureporter.com

Mankato

What We’re Dogging

A&E

PEOPLE

MUSIC

PICTURES

Zooey Deschanel

“Cannibal”--Ke$ha

This picture of Jake

rides

the

current

MPR subset to hit Mankato on its Q&A with Roma di tour around the state Luna’s Channy Casselle MARGARET STECK

staff writer

One thing that many students who move to Mankato from the Twin Cities miss is the music scene. But Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current aims to ail your auditory wounds by bringing Minneapolis-based band Roma di Luna to town tonight for the Mankato leg of “The Current Road Trip.”

Roma di Luna, a five-person ensemble that combines gypsy music, bluegrass, folk and soul, began as a husband-and-wife folk duo playing at the Minneapolis Farmers Market. The original duo, spouses Channy and Alexei Casselle, will be coming to Mankato tonight to relive their twosome days.

“We will just be the duo, which is always kind of a cool thing to do because we don’t get to do it too much anymore,” said Channy Casselle. “We are really looking forward to it and hope people come out and have a good time.”

Roma di Luna released its third album, “Then the Morning Came,” Oct. 5., nearly two years after the birth of their daughter, Pelagia. In fact, the past two years have been busy for the whole band, with guitarist Ben Durrant, drummer Ryan Lovan and backup singer Jessi Prusha all having children — the only exception to child-bearing being bassist James Everest.

There will be another notable pair at the event, The Current weekday morning hosts

internet photo The Current’s Steve Seel, top, and Jill Riley will host today’s event.

The two are spreading the music of the Twin Cities to four Minnesoatan cities throughout the ‘Road Trip’ series.

Jill Riley and Steve Seel. Riley and Seel will be hosting the free, all-ages event.

“We do lots of interviews with artists on the radio, but in this setting, the audience gets to participate in one themselves,” Seel said. “So it’s a genuine conversation including everyone in the room, creating a unique experience for every Road Trip stop.”

Each stop includes a different local Minneapolis band with varying sounds to create what Seel calls a “kind of Minnesota music mini love fest.” In October, the Road Trip traveled to Duluth with musician Jeremy Messersmith.

“We chose a wide crosssection of artists from the extremely diverse local scene to go out on these short day-trips,” Seel said.

The Coffee Hag, located on Riverfront Drive, provides a perfect venue for the intimate performance to take place.

“It’s a great location to host an intimate concert and a conversation between the musicians, The Current DJs and our audience,” Christina Schmitt, The Current public relations manager, said.

Sponsored in part by the Minnesota Legacy Arts and Cultural Grant, without which the trips wouldn’t be possible, The Current will bring a Twin Cities band to four Minnesota cities, including their first trip to Duluth. They will be traveling to Rochester and Austin in the spring.

T P H A E G E O D 2 Y 0 S S E Y

Where is the band from and how long have you and Alexei been playing together?

Alexei and I are both from Minneapolis. We both went to high school together, and we started playing music together and started Roma di Luna six years ago when we got married.

The band really came out of our marriage, our relationship and our friendship. The band has been playing together for about three years, but pretty much everybody who is in the band was a part of the very beginning stages, whether they helped record the (album) or helped us with getting shows or just playing once in a while with us. It has been kind of a support since it started.

Where did the name Roma di Luna come from?

It means Gypsy of the Moon, kind of a rough translation, and it can be attributed to the fact that we are a folk band and the things that we sing about. We kind of wanted to be a sort of gypsy band, a local band for the people.

It is sort of just this folk band from outer space or something.

You and Alexei started playing on the street corners and at the farmers market just to get a little extra cash. What made you start pursuing performing as a profession?

It just happened naturally.

We really just started busting

because we liked playing music and we had no intention of being a band, and then people would ask us to open a show for them, and they would ask us to play at their birthday party, and it just sort of naturally progressed to a full-fledged band. It was a really natural progression.

How would you describe your music?

It’s moody music, but it also has a very joyful, soulful mood or kind of a sad mood — kind of a moving mood. It is a performance experience for the audience. I think we are a band that is completely different live than when recording or at least, I think (we are) more exciting live. Our music is as much about our performance as it is about what the lyrics are. It has a varied influence between both folk and rock ‘n roll.

Who are your musical influences?

My most significant ones as a child were Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, Sam Cooke — those are the (musicians) that I grew up listening to.

For Alexei — Bob Dylan. Alexei grew up in hip-hop, so there is a lot of R&B and storytelling. We have a lot of older influences, but there are some newer bands that (are) really influential to us, too.

Roma / page 18

internet photo Married couple Channy, left, and Alexei Casselle formed Roma di Luna not expecting it to become their job.

Page 18 • Reporter

A&E

ROMA “I think we all just want to keep on being able to perform.” continued from 17

bers working on songs together to form a cooperative thing between all of us. As much as people are living up the married couple in the press, it is less about that relationship than ever before. (It is) just about a band of five people playing together.

What has been your biggest challenge as a band? internet photo Roma di Luna’s Channy Casselle describes the band as a blend of different disciplines: “...We are all heavily influenced by different music styles.”

Looking at the upcoming performances, Roma di Luna has eight shows in the next month and a half around Minnesota, in Madison and in Chicago. Do you have a set playlist for each performance or does it vary for each venue?

We definitely change it up for each venue. There is definitely a conversation that all five of us have before a show. It’s a process and sometimes we just talk about it on the way to the venue, but we usually have to get to the venue so we can feel out the crowd a little bit — feel out the venue before we completely decide.

With over half of the members of the band having chil-

dren in the past two years, how do you find time to rehearse?

Well, I think we would all go mad if we didn’t. I think especially for me…I still very much want (the music) in my life and need that in my life. It’s still my job. You know, it is really not very glamorous, at least for us.

How has your music evolved since you first started playing?

It was a lot more about me and Alexei writing songs together — I would write the lyrics or I would write some chords and he would write some lyrics. It was really back and forth and really about the two of us. We really evolved in having five people, five core mem-

I think my mood swings are probably the biggest thing. What has also kept us together this long is that we are very honest and love each other a lot, but I think everyone kind of has their own baggage, just like any relationship.

So just personal issues and things that are going on in (the members) own lives.

What is the band’s long-term goal?

We are kind of in a process of just figuring that out, so I think our goal is to just keep on making music that we care about. A lot of the stuff we are working on now is very different than the last record, but it is also coming from the same place. I think we all just want to keep on being able to perform. I think that is my main goal, to keep on performing and making music.

Thursday, November 11, 2010T

Gibson begins custody battle with ex-girlfriend LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mel Gibson appeared in court Wednesday for the first time for a custody hearing involving his infant daughter with an estranged ex-girlfriend.

The Academy Award winner arrived for the all-day session about 10 minutes before Russian musician Oksana Grigorieva at a downtown Los Angeles courthouse, escorted by deputies.

He remained out of sight during a lengthy morning break, but walked calmly through the courthouse with his attorneys to and from a luncheon strategy session.

Gibson did not speak to the group of reporters convened outside Judge Scott Gordon’s closely guarded courtroom. By law, the custody proceedings are closed to the public and the case file is sealed.

At least part of Wednesday’s session was spent addressing the release of information about the case, but attorneys for both sides declined to comment in detail

about what occurred. They are scheduled to reconvene Nov. 22.

“We’re not going to talk out of respect for the nature of the proceedings,” Grigorieva’s attorney, Daniel Horowitz said.

Gordon has convened several hearings in the case and ruled last month that sheriff’s detectives should have unfettered access to information obtained from Grigorieva’s computer. The department is investigating claims by Gibson that his ex-girlfriend attempted to extort him after their breakup.

Detectives also looked into allegations by Grigorieva that the actor-director abused her during a fight in January, although she waited months to report the incident. Potential evidence in that inquiry has been turned over to prosecutors, but no charges have been filed.

Gibson’s divorce from his wife of 28 years is still pending.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

A&E

Two girls, one game

Reporter • Page 19

Camo, cash, cleavage and the story of two students’ quest for ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops’

GRACE WEBB

staff writer

Minnesota State Mankato students Lindsey Wollan and Alycia Dahl had a problem Monday: They wanted to buy the new “Call of Duty: Black Ops” video game, but they didn’t have the money.

Luckily, they managed to come up with an “enterprising” solution — going from dorm to dorm knocking on all the doors in guys’ hallways. They would ask the male students for loose change to add to their game fund and offer high-fives and hugs, along with old Halloween candy, in return.

“We started at guys’ rooms, since guys think it’s epic if girls play war games,” Dahl said.

Dahl, a business major, and Wollan, who plans to go into cosmetology, also knocked on female students’ doors at first, but, after receiving mostly blank stares, they decided to focus on men. They started in Gage

submitted photos Left: Alycia Dahl, left, and Lindsey Wollan show off the spoils of one homework-less Monday night. Right: $70.34 is made up of a lot of loose change.

playing the newest version of “Call of Duty.”

Wollan and Dahl said most people they talked with were very friendly, though some guys didn’t believe them when they said they liked playing video games. Some even thought the women were raising money for male friends, since the thought of females playing “Call of Duty” was too hard to comprehend. Still, the women said about 75 people attributed to their cause, and they said they want to give all the

Towers on the top floor and hit all the male floors until the sixth story, where the C.A. told them what they were doing counted as soliciting, and they weren’t allowed to do it. The two women still needed to raise $18, though, so they moved on to Crawford and also asked around on Facebook.

After two and a half hours, they managed to raise $70.34, enough to buy the game. They were in line at Wal-Mart at 10 p.m. Monday, and within hours, they were

donors a big thank-you.

“Some guy emptied out his whole piggy bank,” Dahl said.

Wollan and Dahl attribute their success mostly to the hugs and high-fives they offered, plus their donors’ good humor, though they admitted the sexy way they dressed for the occasion probably helped.

“Guys like boobs,” Dahl said.

“A nice bra and a low shirt will get a girl far in life,” Wollan agreed. “It’s sad, but true.”

Dahl and Wollan have both been playing video games as long as they can remember.

“I’ve played forever,” Dahl said. “My dad played video games like (it was his) religion.”

Wollan also has an extensive gamer history, which is apparent through the Mario Brothers’ mushroom tattooed on her wrist.

“I don’t remember not having a Super Nintendo,” she said.

While both women greatly enjoy playing video and computer games, they agree that there is a discrepancy in the way games are marketed.

“There’s such a guy demographic,” Dahl said. “(The games are) all targeted at guys. Make some girl soldier that doesn’t have huge boobs and a skanky shirt!”

“You look at ‘COD’ and ‘Halo,’ (and) they’re all dude games,” Wollan said. “But it’s fun, so we play them anyway.”

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Page 20 • Reporter

A&E

Greece Lightnin’: MEGAN KADLEC

staff writer

Monsters, gods and warriors are not the typical characters seen in a play at Minnesota State Mankato, or most places for that matter. The Department of Theatre and Dance is proud to present its latest addition to the 2010 -2011 season, “The Odyssey,” directed by Paul J. Hustoles, the department chair.

The production is an adaption by Mary Zimmerman of Homer’s epic Greek poem, “The Odyssey.” The story centers on Odysseus and his 10-year journey home after the Trojan War. During his extended absence, Odysseus’ wife and son, Penelope and Telemachus, must handle a swarm of boisterous soldiers

competing for Penelope’s hand in marriage.

“The themes are huge. It is life and death and to me this is one of the most romantic stories of all western literature,” Hustoles said.

The show features senior Clayton Rutschow as Odysseus, senior Megan Volkman-Wilson as Penelope and junior Kim Steffen as Athena. Though Rutschow and Steffen are highly experienced actors, this production poses a new opportunity for the two, who have never done classical theatre, and for Volkman-Wilson, who is fairly new to the world of non-musicals.

For a non-musical show, the cast of “The Odyssey” is extremely large, with 29 actors who play hundreds of parts and

characters. Needless to say, the show can easily be classified as an epic.

While the novel may be a classic, the play is done in a sleek, modern style.

“I want to tell a really good story. So many modern plays are kind of plotless, but this is a play with action. And not only is it action, it is huge action. People die, people go on journeys… it is epic,” said Hustoles.

Because the scene changes so frequently, the show is being done with little scenery, and instead the production crew is focusing on lighting, music and costumes to tell the story.

“We have very limited use of scenery in this show. There will be (a lot of) costumes, because out of the 29 actors, there are

Thursday, November 11, 2010T

29 actors. Hundreds of parts.

Only one play — “The Odyssey.” only three or four who don’t change. This is both simple and complex at the same time,” said Hustoles.

“Another aspect of this show is the movement,” Steffen said. “The show itself is just a base; we’ve added (a lot of) stuff to this show to make it a performance. There is music, there is movement and there are spectacular lights, sounds and images. It is not a dance show, but it is very movement based.”

The decision to direct “The Odyssey” this season was definitely not one of impulse for Hustoles.

“I’ve known the story since I was probably in the second or third grade, so I’ve always been fascinated with it. …I’ve wanted to do [‘The Odyssey’] for a long time, but it’s big, it’s complicated and we thought that the time was right,” said Hustoles.

The creative team of “Metamorphoses,” a play Hustoles directed back in 2004, has been reunited for this production. Hustoles worked alongside faculty emeritus and scenic designer Tom Bliese, as well as MSU masters in music graduate, music composer and performer, Michael Croswell. The two will be appearing as Nadine B. Andreas Guest Artists for this production.

Though the production has come with its fair share of chal-

lenges, the actors said they are blessed to have these challenges to face.

“We call them challenges, but I really think they have been more like adventures. We have learned so much as students of theatre through the course of this production,” said Steffen.

MSU’s “The Odyssey” should be far from your average, dull, classical performance.

“I think it is going to be exciting. A lot of students confuse classical with dull and boring.

They think it’s going to be stale… but it’s active, it’s colorful, it’s striking,” said VolkmanWilson.

“I think live theatre is incredible exciting,” Hustoles said.

“And I think students often confuse what they saw in high school with more advanced live theatre… Even if they’ve read ‘The Odyssey’ or seen a movie version, I’m going to guess that no one who reads this will have seen a live (production) of ‘The Odyssey.’ It’s very rare.”

However, the show shouldn’t be seen exclusively for the rarity of a performance, but also for the world it creates.

“It is not just about the spectacle. It’s about how everyone eats, breathes and lives this world. Let us entertain you for the night. You will not be disappointed,” said Rutschow.

photos courtesy of the theatre department

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Two part time positions also available working approximately 25 to 30 hours per week during evening and weekend shifts. Critical job requirements include two years of experience with personal computers, including Internet, experience with Windows 3.x through Windows 7, MAC OS and/or TCP/IP, knowledge of standard Internet services including SMTP, POP3, DNS and FTP, proficient with all versions of Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express, an understanding of all Microsoft and Macintosh operating systems, and excellent verbal and written communication skills.

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Thursday, November 11, 2010

A&E

No cars burned in laugh riot

Comedy troupe visits MSU Mankato, teach two-hour session on improv BRIAN ROSEMEYER

staff writer

Abnormally large genitalia, buckets of truth, prostitutes managing coffee shops and Albert Einstein’s masturbation problem — these are some of the legacies of legendary comedy troupe the Upright Citizens Brigade.

Aside from these obviously hilarious achievements, the UCB has also given us a slew of fresh, alternative comedic talent.

Formed in 1990 out of Chicago’s ImprovOlympic theater, the group consisted of four members: Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh, Matt Besser and Amy Poehler. The team continued its jocular improv sets in New York City and eventually expanded to Los Angeles.

In LA, the UCB formed an improv-based comedy theatre, pulling comedians from the area out of seedy clubs and into seedy theatre.

Tricia McAlpin, Johnny Meeks, Joel Spence and David Harris are among the current team of funny people on the UCB’s roster, and on Monday night they tore the Ostrander Auditorium a new laugh hole.

Brought in by the Maverick Comedy Club, the UCB let its signature brand of humor run rampant among the many MSU students who attended the event. Skits spanned from an edgy bread factory to a serial strangler who couldn’t control his asphyxiating urges.

The improv team gave the audience chances to participate by reading aloud random text messages from their phones to

form the basis for sketches.

The group said they had a great time performing at MSU. “That was a great crowd, very hip.

They understood most our references and nuances,” Harris said. “They were very engaged. Everyone was great.”

MSU’s own improv team, Tofu Panda, took the stage after the UCB and showed off its own prowess as off-thecuff performers.

On Tuesday, the UCB gave a lucky group of 16 students a chance to join them for an improv workshop.

Joel Spence taught the twohour comedy-building session.

“Improv is one of the funnest things you can do,” Spence said at the beginning of the lesson.

He got the students active immediately by forming a large circle in which students performed ridiculous actions back and forth to one another in rapid fire.

The warm-up session commenced with an association exercise that had students simultaneously shouting religious figures and STDs at each other from across the room.

After the warm-up exercises, Spence invited students up in three-person groups to perform loosely guided improv sketches.

“Release yourself from being funny,” Spence instructed.

The sketches the students produced were first-class. Slaying ice dragons in Antarctica is funny, right?

Spence then condensed the session into two-person scenes, where he would frequently stop students to offer guidance.

“Human beings can justify anything,” Spence said. “Take an unusual thing and flesh it out.

We end up doing a bunch of stupid shit, but it turns out funny.”

Ryan Blix, a 23-year-old student at South Central College, attended the event.

“I’ve never done anything like that before,” said Blix.

“You always have to be saying ‘yes.’ Basically, if someone says something, even if it’s way out there, it becomes the reality of the scene. And you have to find a way to justify that.”

Reporter • Page 21

Katy Perry knows Victoria’s Secret NEW YORK (AP) — Katy Perry led the dance party that doubled as the finale of Wednesday night’s Victoria’s Secret fashion show, an annual parade of skimpy, sexy and over-the-top lingerie.

In a yellow, strapless bustier dress covered in pink hearts, Perry — who also wore the thigh-high boots that were a trend among the catwalkers — fit right in with the likes of models Adriana Lima, Chanel Iman and Karolina Kurkova.

Her other outfit was a purple bustier that boasted a bustle.

Perry sang a medley of her own songs, including “Teenage Dream,” ‘’Hot N Cold” and “California Gurls,” but it was Blondie’s “Call Me” booming through the speakers that got the three dozen models bouncing around the stage.

Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry was in the audience along with Serena Williams, Adrian Grenier, Nicky and Paris Hilton and Tyson Beckford.

R&B star Akon got his turn to serenade the models, performing “Angel” during the section of the show dubbed “Heavenly Bodies.” There were even a few dance moves between the singer and Lima, donning a $2 million bra encrusted in Diamiani diamonds and sapphires.

Other themes were the exotic “Wild Things,” the heavy metal-infused “Tough Love,” the flirty “Pink Planet,” the sports-themed “Game On,” and the wholesome-but-notreally “Country Girls.” For that, model Lindsay Elling-

son put on a straw corset and Alessandra Ambrosio wore a high-neck chiffon baby-doll top with a super-low panties.

Unlike most fashion shows, the clothes here are not all that important, but the elaborate signature wings and other props, including boxing gloves and peacock tails, add to the excitement on the runway.

Victoria’s Secret says that underneath all the sparkle, feathers and studs are some push-up bras and lacy bottoms that are sold in stores, but, really, who’d notice?

Several catwalkers got their first pair of wings this year, which is a literal and figurative coronation of the brand’s top models. They include Erin Heatherton, Lily Aldridge and Candice Swanepoel.

The difference between some of the newer models and more seasoned VS Angels, however, is an electricity and warmth that was largely missing from the runway. Doutzen Kroes and Miranda Kerr sat out because they are both pregnant, and the company and Heidi Klum, who got the crowd going last year when she bared a toned, fit body just weeks after giving birth, recently ended their affiliation.

Longtime model Isabeli Fontana did enjoy a fully engaging moment during this show when she strutted in a silver bra and sequin swim bottoms carrying an oversized barbell and tossed it to a group of bare-chested male gymnasts.

TV audiences get a chance to see the action when CBS televises the show on Nov. 30.

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dan moen • msu reporter The Upright Citizens Brigade performs a skit about a compulsive strangler meeting his girlfriend’s parents.

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Page 22 • Reporter

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Reporter • Page 23

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Thursday, November 11, 2010