The Goo Goo Dolls visit campus
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mn April 21, 2011 | V86 | N28
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University keeps it all in the family for commencement By Ben Lawson Chief Reporter
Northwest alumnus and United States Army Col. Christopher Hughes is scheduled to address Northwest graduates and their families at commencement ceremonies Saturday, April 30. Hughes graduated from Northwest in 1983 with an undergraduate degree in political science. While attending school, Hughes was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa, Blue Key, Cardinal Key and the ROTC. “My time at Northwest taught me values such as hard work and integrity,” Hughes said. Hughes spent 28 years in the United States Army and he currently serves as a special assistant to the deputy commanding General of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division. He earned a master’s degree in business from Webster University and a master’s degree in national strategic studies from the National War College in Washington D.C. In the past, Hughes served as the executive officer to the secretary of the Army, the Army’s chief liaison to the
United States House of Representatives and lead terrorism investigator on the USS Cole Commission after the bombing of a ship in Yemen in 2000. Hughes commanded as many as 4,000 men. He served in military operations in Haiti, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kosovo and Iraq, counter drug projects in Central America and Colombia and humanitarian operations in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Panama and Honduras. His book “War on Two Fronts: An Infantry Commander’s War in Iraq and the Pentagon” won the 2008 Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Award for Excellence in U.S. Army History writing. Jonathan, Hughes’ son, will graduate from Northwest this year. Like his father, upon Jonathan’s graduation he will be commissioned as a second Lieutenant in the Army. Christopher Hughes said he is looking forward to returning to Northwest. “It is a huge honor and thrill to be able to speak at my alma mater, especially because I will be reading my son his Oath of Office that same day,” Christopher Hughes said.
Local officials speak on marijuana, its trendy, illegal holiday By Matt Leimkuehler Chief Reporter
Marijuana is a drug that circulates around college campuses across the nation. For decades, it has been a challenge most students have to face – whether or not to give in to what is legally right or wrong. According www.whitehousedrugpolicy.com, almost 50 percent of college students have tried marijuana in their lifetime and almost 17 percent are regular users (meaning almost daily use). According to the report, marijuana is indeed an addictive drug, contrary to what many may think. It contains withdrawal symptoms similar to that of nicotine, making the user irritable and edgy when not on the drug. Northwest’s Ryan Wessell, who teaches the drug brain and behavior course in the psychology department, agrees that daily use of the drug is not healthy
for any individual, college student or not. Withdraw is difficult to handle, and can add to the everyday stress and emotion a college student has to face. “They can’t handle the stress of everyday life,” Wessell said. “The withdraw symptoms are the opposite of what they are for any drug.” On a larger scale, Wessell believes that marijuana is far less dangerous then alcohol abuse, which is the most commonly abused substance among college students. “People do not get violent when they’re high,” Wessell said, but he feels as though there should be certain restrictions that go along with the intake of the substance. “I do not think you should be driving when you’re high, you should never drive under the influence.” Students who are open
Lydia Hurst (R) Manager of The Flower Mill Term expires Jan. 1, 2013
James (Bill) Loch (D) Vice president of Loch Sand and Construction Term expires Jan. 1, 2012
behind the vote
Douglas Wyckoff (D) Operates a private general dentistry practice Term expires Jan. 1, 2013
Mark Hargens (D) Retired associate superintendent in St. Joseph School District Term expires Jan. 1, 2015
By Brittany Keithley Editor-in-Chief
According to the Board of Regents web page on the University website, “The board holds the Northwest vision in highest regard.” From tuition increases to program cuts, the “vision” comes down to the board and their eight votes. However, as their routine meetings turn into marathon debates, students want to know who makes up our current Board of Regents and if those members hold the Northwest vision in highest regard by way of recent actions. The Board of Regents is currently made up of people from all walks of life. From entrepreneur to accountant. Dentist to homemaker. However, two positions on the Board are technically vacant - Rachelle Brown and Gary Panethiere’s terms expired at the beginning of this year and have yet to be filled. Until the new members are voted in by the Missouri Senate, Brown and Panethiere will continue to lend their services as board members. These two positions have yet to be filled because even though Gover-
Douglas Sutton (R) Retired director/ plant manager of Kawasake Motors Mfg. Corp. Term expires Jan. 1, 2013
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Gary Panethiere (D) Legislative auditor of Jackson County Term expires Jan. 1, 2011
A closer look at the Board of Regents
See REGENTS | A6
See WEED | A6
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Joseph Bosse (R) President of NEC Insurance Inc. Term expires Jan. 1, 2016
INSIDE Check out Dedication, Authority, Honor as we look into a Northwest professor’s experience serving in the United States Army Reserve. One-Star General Mark Corson talks about his love for soldiering and teaching. FEATURES | Page 7
Rachelle Brown (R) Homemaker and small business owner Term expires Jan. 1, 2011
Joseph Barbosa Student-regent, social science education major Term expires Dec. 31, 2011