04/26/2016

Southern Maine Community College Issue 6, #12 | April 26th, 2016 By the students; For the students

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Illaria Dana Education Major

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inancial hardships and budgetary woes have arrived at SMCC. If you are the type of student who cares about their education, if you are not aware of the fall out of these two concerns, then you need to continue reading. In fact, every student should read this, as it is not only yours but all of our educational experiences that are at stake.

SMCC has implemented structural changes as a result of a deficit in its budget. These changes have been termed the “realignment.” Their purpose is to maintain the integrity of SMCC as an institution while making relevant and financial adjustments to its programs.

Considering the scope a n d complexity of this “realignment,” this column is dedicated to explaining, hopefuly in a clear and concise manner, where the cuts have been made, defining “realignment” in terms of the departmental needs and goals, and some of the rationales for these cuts.

In the final edition of this semester, which comes out on May 10, The Beacon will delve further into what these cuts mean to the departments and the quality of education in these departments and across campus as the realignment unfolds and evolves.

While staff and faculty have been laid off, ten positions have been affected to date. One program has suspended enrollment with the intent of closing down the program, one program will be reconfigured in partnership with the University of Southern Maine, and three programs have lost faculty members.

The first casualties of the “realignment” are layoffs. A personal look at these layoffs was printed in our last edition of The Beacon in the interview with Dr. Genevieve Cox. Last week, Charles Gregory, Dean of Academic Affairs, was kind enough to speak on the deficit and current variables that affect the cost of operating SMCC.

a deficit because of the costs of operation.”

While the Board of Trustees can recommend this increase, in the past, increased

“Year to year, it is very difficult for the people who watch our budget to know exactly where we are, because of the following factors. Number one is the state appropriation that we get from the legislature. Typically we have a year warning if this amount is going to change. This makes up about a third of our budget. Our budget is about 40 million dollars. People make up about 75 percent of that budget.

“All of the employees received a three percent salary increase. It doesn’t sound like much, but those are big numbers, and they add up. This is variable number two.

“Variable number three is benefits: the cost of healthcare, the money that is invested in people that is not part of their salary.

“A variable that has gotten a lot of attention is tuition. The Board of Trustees has tried to keep the cost to the student reasonable. The current cost of tuition is 90 dollars per credit hour. SMCC is one of the lowest in New England. Our Board of Trustees wants that, because it helps students come to SMCC.

“One of the things we’re looking at doing is raising tuition, which always causes fear when you say that. We’re looking at raising the tuition two to three dollars per credit. For every dollar the system raises in tuition, SMCC gets approximately $100,000.”

The cost of tuition is largely determined by the Maine State Legislature.

“The Board of Trustees is meeting to seriously discuss the tuition future for the next academic year. In addition, President Cantor is anticipating approximately $1,000,000 as

tuition has been declined by the Appropriations Committee of the Maine State Legislature to support students with economic hardship. These students need support to gain access to higher education. 60 percent of degree seeking students at SMCC were low income students in 2014-15.

In order to meet the demands of this deficit, the Construction Technology Department has suspended enrollment. Students who are currently enrolled will be able to continue their education next year.

Once current students have graduated, the department will be closed.

As the department stands now, one fulltime faculty has been laid off. A part-time instructor will teach these courses next year.

The second full-time faculty member will be laid off once the program shuts down.

One has to wonder if this is the best course of action for SMCC, the construction industries in Maine, and Maine’s economy.

While officials from the industry may state that the employees they hire do not need to have an Associates degree, given the technological advances in construction technologies, one could wonder if a shift with these advances in mind could position SMCC to play a significant role in this field.

Culinary Arts has a more complicated future. There were four full-time faculty (Continued on Page 3)

Oddworld AN INTERVIEW WITH THE SOULSTORM DEVELOPER Christian Guthrie CNMS Major

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arch 16 marked the next installment in the beloved Oddworld franchise. Recently, I had the opportunity to ask Oddworld inhabitants about their recent project title called Soulstorm. Since the late 90s, Oddworld has been critically acclaimed for its unique take on storytelling as well as the complex characters that fill the narrative with a plethora of metaphorical and symbolical content. After the success of their recent game called New ‘N’ Tasty (2014) as well as carrying the benefits of a strong business model, their new game Soulstorm aims to weave a more darker narrative.

With the success of New n’ Tasty, fans have been eagerly awaiting the next project from the team at Oddworld Inhabitants and Just Add Water. How was it decided that Soulstorm was the next game to work on?

We’ve partnered with Frima Studio in Quebec for Oddworld: Soulstorm. They’ve

got a large studio, are a little bit closer to our HQ in California and we felt they were able to assemble a great team of experts in some key areas that we want to develop and improve upon for Soulstorm.

We constantly monitor fan feedback when deciding what to do next and, after New ‘n’ Tasty was finished, we started to see an expectation from fans that they

would see the same ground-up remake treatment given to Abe’s Exoddus. At the same time, we saw a proportion of people who wanted something brand new, something on a grander scale, from Oddworld.

The idea formed that we could do both: revisit Exoddus’ story while also creating something new and fresh.

So Oddworld: Soulstorm is the best

of both worlds, because it will explore the same broad, potentially familiar, narrative framework that our long-time fans will feel a connection to while expanding upon it with entirely new gameplay elements and much deeper, more fleshed-out plotlines.

The Oddworld series has been well known for its many symbolic and metaphorical storytelling elements that create a truly unique experience. What can fans expect from Soulstorm in terms of the overall tone of the narrative?

One of the things we occasionally heard in reaction to New ‘n’ Tasty was that it seemed brighter and not as dark or creepy as some of the Oddworld games had in the past. Much of that is probably due to modern lighting techniques and some nostalgia on the part of long-time fans but we could definitely identify with that point of view, to a degree.

For Soulstorm, we hope our initial reveals have been a strong indication that we’re fully aware that fans expect Oddworld to be a dark and dangerous place that (Continued on Page 10)

Campus News Let’s Channel This Energy: Tedx SMCC Revisited Illaria Dana Education Major

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ind the gap was the theme for Tedx SMCC. The phrase encouraged viewers to connect disparate ideas and people within their lives. The rehearsal for Tedx SMCC highlighted the work of student volunteers in the Communications and New Media and Information Technology Departments, as well as the level of commitment required by speakers and staff.

Lloyd Metcalf, freelance artist/illustrator and adventure writer, reminded viewers that, “actively pursuing a dream in the modern world is rare these days.” He called out the hypocrisy of idolizing people who are successful while discouraging people for pursuing dreams, such as art. Metcalf said, “We start measuring [people’s] value by how much money we think they’ll make,” rather than their commitment to an ideal and working to reach that ideal.

The gap that Metcalf overcame was being told he would most likely work at a mill in smalltown Maine which effectively postponed his dreams of illustrating and designing “fantasy tabletop role playing games.” He overcame this gap by attending and graduating from the SMCC Communications and New Media Department.

Kristen Miale, President of the Good Shepherd Food Bank, spoke about the stigmas against poverty. She said, “The United States is the only country that blames poverty on the poor.” The gap that Miale closed was the belief that people in poverty should be able to attain self-actualization without having their basic needs met such as safety and security, psychological well-being,

love and well-being, and esteem. She followed psychologist Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to show telling people in poverty to “just get a job” discourages self-improvement. She reminded viewers that, “there is a person behind the poverty.”

The third speaker was Jess Knox, Founder and President of Olympico Strategies. Knox told viewers that, “Today’s model for prosperity is outdated. The new model for success will mean you can have meaningful impact on your community.”

He believes that people need to be allowed

iBec and co-founder of iKno Intranet, who started her own company at 22 and spoke of the difficulties of being taken seriously as a young woman, and Quang Nguyen, the Vietnamese community advocate who started his career at SMCC, and revealed the difficulties of the language barrier when learning English.

Michelle Neujahr, SMCC Business Professor and Business Coach and Nicole Maines, a University of Maine-Orono student and Transgender youth activist spoke about gaining confidence in understanding

the ability to serve people in similar situations to her own.

Maines spoke about becoming herself.

Her journey included alienation from her school system, her peers, and her parents.

Her speech humanized what many consider to be an issue remote from their personal lives. However, human rights are deeply personal, based on the belief that all people have the right to exist on this planet and to flourish. The final speaker was Liz Leddy, boxer and alcoholic in recovery.

Now that the event is over, the potential created by hard work is seemingly limitless. Kate Sibole, one of the faculty coordinators of the event, said, “I’m most eager to explore ways in which we can sustain the energy that was generated both during the planning and the production part of TEDx. It took up a huge and wonderful chunk of time!

Each and every student who volunteered- whether they came to one meeting or the entire year’s worth- was part of something that was bigger than all the parts.”

Sibole’s observations reflected the themes of TedX SMCC. Each speaker discussed creating bridges between what was possible and desirable, whether it was personal success, authenticity, or service to the greater community, with making these possibilities reality. Sibole said, “The response has been overwhelmingly positive and the outreach beyond the college community immense.”

Part of this response has been opportunities for students to connect with people in their future fields.

Without the platform of Tedx, it will be up to students and faculty to generate events with similar themes and outcomes.

While the speakers took stage, their diligence shows what students are capable of, bridging the gap between education and actuality.

Mind the Gap: During the Intermission, attendees were encouraged to share their GAPS, here are a few:

to make mistakes in small communities in Maine without the fear of being ostracized.

The interplay between global communities encouraging creativity and risks and small towns condemning actions that deviate from the social norm leave towns run by the fear of failure in the dust.

According to Knox, Maine must welcome new citizens to diversify the population and generate new ideas. Multiplicity and risks lead to innovation. This theme ran throughout all speakers’ talks, including Becky McKinnell, the President of

By the Students, for the Students

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Illaria Dana Executive Editor Aiden Bothwell Creative Director Abraham Chouinard Art Director Sarah Ford Graphic Design Samuel Carlson Social Media Manager

SECTION EDITORS

Evelyn Waugh Other World

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Samuel Carlson, Kellie Coulter, Gio DiFazio, Laura Falls, Sarah Ford, Christian Guthrie, Ness Hutchins, Dierdre Lee, Katelynn Oullette, Nicholas Small, and Christopher Tran Special Thanks to Steve Strand,

www.thesmccwwbeacon.wordpress.com The SMCC Beacon on facebook.com The SMCC Beacon at twitter.com

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THE SMCC BEACON | | April 26th, 2016

who they are and feeling resolved in order to take their place in the world. Neujahr was a teenaged rebel who, after becoming pregnant, got a scholarship to a community college. She had listened to motivational tapes as a child and is a business coach along with being an instructor. She spoke about her first night teaching. She had not shared her story and felt disconnected from her students. It was important to be authentic and share her emotions.

Her experiences reflect the importance of community college. Success, for her, is

Buyback at the SMCC Bookstore Come get cash for your old textbooks!

Buyback dates on South Portland Campus May 9th- May 13th Mon-Thurs, 9am-4pm

Buyback dates on Midcoast Campus May 11th- May 12th

And don’t forget to return your rental books by 5pm on Monday, May 16th!!

Campus News SMCC Business Club Speaker Series – 2016 Kellie Coulter Business Major

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n April 14th, students gathered in Jewett Auditorium for the Business Club’s Speaker Series. The first portion of the evening was an open discussion about transferring to the University of

Southern Maine. USM speakers suggested that students should motivate and lead, network and make contacts, and they encouraged participating in internships and peer-tutoring. During the Q&A, students were able to ask about their GPAs being transferred and their class flow from SMCC to USM. At USM, students begin with a

SMCC Realigns (Continued from Page 3) “We are trying to make the Culinary Arts Department more prestigious.” On an administrative level, this involves reaching out to local businesses, emphasizing contemporary trends in food such as “farm to table” that could involve the Horticulture Department.

SMCC will team up with USM to hire one full-time faculty to lead the Hospitality Management Program. Currently, there are no full-time faculty at either school to head this department.

The Nursing Department has lost two positions as well. Two full-time faculty are retiring, and their classes will be taught by part-time faculty members. Part-time faculty members are less expensive to the school, because their benefits are prorated and are less than full-time faculty. The Nursing Department has a high graduation rate, however, the cost of operation is also very high.

The estimated net deficit of the Nursing Department is $625,713 according to the Finance Summary by Degree Program, which was made available to all faculty in December 2015. Nursing has an estimated full-time enrollment of 93 students. After calculating the expenses of the department, the estimated net deficit per full-time enrolled student is $1,946. This illustrates the complexities of dealing with the deficit at SMCC. Liberal Studies also lost two full-time faculty positions. These decisions were made based on seniority. The full-time sociology and philosophy professor positions were eliminated.

As stated in the last edition, Dr. Cox’s position has been eliminated, and those courses will be taught by adjuncts. The philosophy instructor, Richard Pitre, will remain at SMCC, because another full-time English professor decided to retire a year early.

Outside of department cuts, one dean and three staff members were laid off. In spite of these changes, Dean Gregory emphasized the importance of maintaining strong academic standards at SMCC. “As a college, if we start handing out grades, in the short-term we would increase enrollment. But in the long-term, we’d destroy our reputation.”

Drawing students is important to the future of SMCC. Dean Gregory continued, saying, “High school graduation is forecasted to decrease three percent a year. We also have a strong economy right now. Students are getting jobs, so they feel they don’t need to come to college and get a degree.

“We’re seeing a decline in full-time student enrollment of 5 percent a year. Interestingly, we’re seeing a slight increase in night classes,” which reflects the needs of students who have jobs and families who are returning to college.

According to the SMCC Fact Book for 2014-15, the total number of students served in 2011-12 was 11,977. In 2014-15

that number had dropped to 9,870.

In order to attract students, SMCC must continue to have desirable programs that are functionally relevant. The blend of vocational and academic tracks, as well as the students who are returning to college after an interim in the world, create an opportunity to realign not only the structure of academic departments but to abide by a new philosophy that serves students.

There is a strong administrative attempt to do this. It can be seen in President Cantor’s “On Their Terms, Not Ours,” (OTTNO). Of course this school must operate on our terms, however, our terms are not independent of the faculty. Student success is not possible without strong relationships between faculty and students.

As mentioned by Dr. Cox, the only advisors for students are full-time faculty members. This means that some full-time faculty members have over a hundred students they are supposed to advise. Without proper advising, the likelihood that students will succeed is greatly reduced. This is reflected in that data about student success provided in the most recent fact book.

In 2014, 23 percent of students at SMCC were unsuccessful in their courses. That’s 4,514 students. In addition, the persistence of first time students from Fall 2013 to Fall 2014 was only 46 percent overall. For transfer students, students transferred within three years of enrollment at a rate of only 46 percent overall.

Advisors do more than make sure students are taking the right classes to graduate. They generate excitement about learning that can only exist on the personal level.

A system that purports connection but does not provide strong advisors and opportunities for students and faculty to connect is a failing system.

Students cannot be expected to reach out to their instructors and advisors on their own. This was evident in Phi Theta Kappa’s Chit Chat Program which provided free coffee for new students and their professors, hoping students would ask their professors to coffee. This program had limited involvement, because students were reluctant to ask their teachers for coffee.

While programs like these, implemented by the administration, are meant to service students, support for faculty to engage students must come first and in a manner that shows the administration has skin in the game.

While there are great faculty who are involved, all faculty members need to spend more time on campus, to have office hours, to advise groups and individual students. However, these changes would not be without cost.

Cuts alone are not enough to realign SMCC. The budgetary woes give us an incredible opportunity to set serious goals that can position the school to meet the needs of our students and the economy in an innovative and progressive way.

clean slate when it comes to GPAs. Business classes transfer to their accounting and finance majors, which are two separate programs at USM. After a brief introduction from Business Club Officer Hannah Brimigion, main speaker Andrea Gleason presented insights on important topics for college students and general guidance on life goals. Andrea is a CPA, entrepreneur, and job recruiter for Pro Search. Andrea’s discussion focused mainly on the job market for students who plan on staying in Maine, career paths, salaries, and what to do for an interview. Presentation was a keyword that she brought up multiple times.

As a professional recruiter for a top agency, Andrea’s advice was absolutely valuable to all of us here at SMCC. Understanding how businesses run from their financial statements is beneficial.

Andrea said that while you will have more movement in a large company, you will get better exposure in a small company.

By wearing a ton of hats at a small company, you can get broader experience, and

you should always advocate for yourself by taking on more projects. While your Associate’s degree will open many doors for you, a Bachelor’s degree will open even more and will make your career path a true “profession”.

Andrea told us that if you don’t know how to start networking professionally then LinkedIn is a great place to begin, and every business student should have a LinkedIn account.

As for interviews, we should know by now to make sure that you go fully prepared! With all the social media options and websites available, there is no reason not to properly research whatever company you are interviewing with. Presentation is key!

Thank you, everyone who attended.

You all contributed to making this the largest crowd we’ve ever had for the Business Club Speaker Series!

For more information about Pro Search, visit PSICareers.com.

For more information regarding transferring to USM, you can email questions to cwfox@maine.edu.

Pictured above (left), guest speaker Andrea Gleason. Right, panel members from USM. Photos by Kellie Coulter.

The SMCC Business Club Volunteers at The Ronald McDonald House in Portland omeone once said, “You make a twelve years ago when her son was go-

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living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” It is so true! On Saturday, April 16th, members of the SMCC Business Club volunteered their time to make meals for the families residing at the Ronald McDonald House in Portland. This event was organized by Business Club member Nicole-Raye Ellis.

The Business Club purchased the food, and prepared a wonderful meal of chicken and vegetables stirfry, rice, salad and other items in the house’s kitchen for the 21 family residents (my job was clean-up...I wasn’t allowed to cook!)

A Ronald McDonald House is that “home-away-from-home” for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost. Portland’s Ronald McDonald House is just blocks away from the Maine Medical Center. Deb, a volunteer receptionist at the House in Portland, told me she was a resident approximately

ing through a lengthy hospital treatment.

Today, her son is a fifteen-year old handsome, engaging and healthy young man and also a volunteer at the House. Deb said that “having a meal prepared for families who have so much else to deal with is an enormous help, and greatly appreciated”.

It is such an honor to be associated with students like these volunteers who generously give their time and energy make a positive impact on their communities. Special thanks to SMCC students Matthew, Pamela, Tom, Alysa and Joey. Thank you!

With best wishes to all the families passing through the Ronald McDonald House, The SMCC Business Club

THE SMCC BEACON | | April 26th, 2016

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The Other World Transcending the Perfunctory: Portlanders Philosophize Together Evelyn Waugh Physics Major

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fter entering Portland Public Library, climbing the towering staircase, and finding the ‘Portland Room,’ one is immersed in an atmosphere of scholasticism. A large table sits at the front of the room, framed on one side by large, inviting windows, on the other by lofty shelves housing an impressive assortment of old books, fragrant with age.

Rows and rows of antique vinyl spines, tidy archives of local periodicals, maps, photographs, and manuscripts scream to the student, “Reference me.”

Abraham Schechter, Special Collections Librarian and Archivist, as well as a MECA, UMass, and Simmons alumnus, calls the Portland Room “the city’s best kept secret.” Here, philosophy is thriving.

Once a month, locals gather to engage in Socratic discussion. Portland Public Library’s Philosophy Forum began last August on an impromptu piazza outside a hotel in the epicenter of the Old Port. Almost a year later, the group still meets monthly, welcoming in new regulars and visitors.

Together, the group engages in roundtable-style discussion, contingent on collaborative thought.

This forum is a local example of meetings happening all over the world. In philosophy gatherings, people from different backgrounds come together to exchange their perspectives on open-ended questions.

At the core of the meetings are critical thought and active listening.

The forums fill a niche that attracts community members to the library. Libraries are departing from focusing just on offering materials to be borrowed, and increasing their function to that of a public venue, a community magnet. As such, the programs scheduled reflect the interests of the community. Schechter reported that one crucial desire of library patrons is to be engaged through human interaction.

Aside from fostering community inter- There is decorum.” Here is a sanctuary of action, the philosophy forum is a platform open discussion and commitment to honorfor analytical thought. “I think we all are ing one another’s experiences. analytical thinkers,” Schechter reflects, There is seldom a definitive answer to “We all have big opinions.” any philosophical question. Philosophy fo He uses talk radio as an example, possi- rums do not aim at establishing incontrovertbly alluding to the constant stream of over- ible truths. Much the opposite, the goal is to stated opinions broadcasted via AM. One revel in the question. Ambiguity becomes need only a tool for tune in to be the develassaulted by opment hot-headed and progMost people are used to residc o n t r o v e rress ideas, sy; our meas gray ing in a place of explicitness and dia exhibits areas and of right and wrong. Certainty is no shortage moral unof extreme certainties comforting, whereas vagueness stances.

It challenge us and doubt may be stressful. could be said to evaluate that we, as a the platform people, value on which we opinion. base our beliefs. This open space in which

“But what’s the venue? Does it have to new ideas lead where they may is the clibe social media? Does it have to be a chat max of collaborative thought. This is the forum? Can’t it be real face time? Can’t it sweet spot of Socratic dialogue. be in a community?”

Schechter says his role at this point Schechter used his experience as a in the discussion is like being a third base member of the Philosophy Symposium at coach. “I can see what the ball is doing, UMass, which he described as “energy giv- what the players are doing around the basing” to lay out the foundation for Portland’s es, and I’m just saying ‘Run it out! Run it own Philosophy Forum. Collaborative out! Keep going!’ I can see the outfielder is thought is pivotal to these meetings. still bumbling and fumbling..’Run it out!’ I

Each meeting focuses on one open end- just want to keep the momentum going.” ed question chosen by the group. As soon By the end of the discussion, the ambias the group digests the question, they gain guity of it all may be frazzling, understandtraction, bouncing ideas around. Answers ably uncomfortable to some. Most people are formed, scrutinized, kept or tossed. This are used to residing in a place of explicitworks because the participants are respon- ness and of right and wrong. Certainty is sible for being mindful of one another; they comforting, whereas vagueness and doubt create intellectual space, guide and respect may be stressful. one another. Here one finds the essence of “That’s a tough thing for people. You collaborative thought, the group mind tak- can watch first timers wrestle with that. Being flight. cause it gets away from ‘No, this is not how

“This thing has a got a life of its own,” it should be,’ and ‘Yes this is how it should Schechter explains. “The dialogue is as be.’ When you make exploration your goal, strong as the participants are committed. it means that everyone has got something Not just to the Socratic spirit, the spirit of to say, and not everyone is going to do that, inquiry, but also the civil discourse spirit. but everyone is going to benefit from hav-

ing a discussion.”

Learning is something that should be done throughout one’s lifetime. The alternative, as Schechter puts it, is “stagnation, digging in your heels.” When we are too attached to old methods of thinking, we sabotage our own progress.

College could be considered the best time to think about thinking, to investigate the scope of our own knowledge, and this could be why many are drawn to philosophy at this point in life. Examining our environments is what makes us human, and looking within is what moves us forward.

So find a center of uncertainty in your life.

Reject stagnation, embrace new ways of thinking, and continue to humble yourself whenever possible.

Above all else, ask questions. One need not be confined strictly to the shores of the absolute. Reject dogma. Wade out a bit, dip in your toes, and become comfortable with the phrase: “I don’t know.” Through practices as psychologically penetrating as these, one may make waves, liquefying thought patterns once assumed to be rock hard, and reaching new crests of understanding.

The meeting concludes at 8, and the group processes out of the library together. They go separate ways, out to see the world through separate eyes, and live their very separate lives. However, they share the kinship of seeing through a renewed lens, a slightly refreshed worldview achieved through examining reality together. Hopefully, examination will permeate all of their routine. Could Socrates comment, chances are he would say this makes their lives worth living.

Join the Philosophy Forum, held on the third Wednesday of each month from 6:30pm - 8pm in the Portland Special Collections room at the Portland Public Library. The next meeting is Wednesday, May 11.

K E d E n u W o r X G SE nting u H T he

ts: sen e r p hip ers d a d Le t an An n e lvem o v exposé of rape n nt I ude t S crimes on US college for ter n e C campuses, their instirutional The

cover-ups, and the devestating tolls of they take on students and their families. www.thehuntinggroundfilm.com

AN EXHIBITION & CELEBRATION FOR THE SPRING 2016 GRADUATES OF THE SMCC ART PROGRAM On view April 28-29th, 1-4 3FishGallery, 377 Cumberland Avenue Portland, Maine Opening Reception, Friday April 29th, 5-7 PM

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THE SMCC BEACON | | April 26th, 2016

Tuesday, April 26th at 2:00 PM Jewett Hall Auditorium, South Portland Campus

The Other World GIMP Your Image Manipulation Program The Future of Virtual Reality Nicholas Small IT Major

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IMP is an image manipulation program. If you are unfamiliar with the term “image manipulation” you might know it better as “Photoshop”.

Photoshop was one of the first and for a long time the best by far software for image manipulation. Therefore when people think of editing photos with a more professional touch they immediately think of

Photoshop. Fortunately there are many photo editing applications that do the same thing such as: Affinity Photo, Sketch, Pixelmator. These applications allow you to do anything from cutting, cropping, and image layering to the more basic options like color saturation and brightness. They also all cost money. Usually lots of money.

A new release of photoshop software can start at four hundred dollars. Most people in 2016 rent the software from Adobe.

Unfortunately the majority of the

Good Passwords and How to Create Them Dierdre Lee IT Major

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ost people aren’t very good at choosing passwords. The two most popular passwords (according to SplashData) are “password” and “123456”. Other popular choices include names of family members or pets, sports teams, and swear words. Frequently people will use one password for multiple sites, making them all vulnerable to compromise. Once someone knows your user name and password for one site, they can try that combination on other sites and gain access to your personal data. You should have a strong, unique password for every site you visit.

A good password should be as complex as possible. That means it should be long, include upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. There are multiple methods of cracking a password, and one of the simplest is a dictionary attack. The attacker will use a program that tries every word in the dictionary in an attempt to figure out the password. A more thorough attack will use dictionary words, lists of common passwords, and simple variants such as capitalizing the first letter, substituting a 4 for the letter a, or adding a few numbers at the end. To create a password that can’t be easily figured out using these kinds of attacks, avoid using words from the dictionary. Those programs use non-English dictionaries as well, so don’t think of this as an opportunity to break out your high school Spanish. Try to capitalize letters other than the first one, and add numbers somewhere other than at the end.

Special characters, such as &, % or $, are also good to add, and are frequently becoming required. Longer passwords take longer to crack, so the longer the better.

The problem with doing everything I’ve recommended is that the passwords end up being very hard to remember. One solution to that is using passphrases. A passphrase uses multiple words instead of just one. The easiest way to do this is use a sentence like “Once more into the breach!” but it’s fairly easy to guess that.

Using several unrelated words, such as the famous xkcd example, “correct horse battery staple”. It’s better to use as many words as you can comfortably remember, or try to incorporate more numbers or

symbols to make it more difficult to crack.

A final kind of pass phrase uses the first letter of a long phrase, such as “Oh say can you see, by the dawn’s early light”, which can be be reduced to oscysbtdel.

You can then change the s of see to a capital C, or the y of you to a capital U, turn the letter o to a zero, and you’re left with 0scUSbtdel. Add a special character, and you end up with a password that’s very difficult to guess or crack.

There are some people who do create strong passwords for each site they visit. In order to remember all their unique passwords, they keep a list next to their computer, easily available to anyone else passing by. Having a list of passwords by your computer – or worse, a sticky note stuck to the screen – defeats the purpose of having a password, but it’s very hard to remember all the different passwords you need for every site.

One option is use a password manager, which is a program that stores and organizes your passwords. You only need one password to access it, and it fills in your passwords for you. When you need a new password, it will create a strong, random password for you. Of course, you don’t want to forget your master password, and it can be intimidating to trust a third party with all your passwords. Make sure you choose a well-recommended program with a high level of encryption.

There is no way to be completely secure on the internet, but having strong passwords for each site will increase your safety online.

population is very unfamiliar with “Open Source Software”. Open source software is software for computers that is free. It is only free because the coders purposefully make the source code for the application available and editable. Open source code is created to be shared for free amongst the different forms of computer users. Some people use open source products for the product themselves and have no plan to edit or create new code. They want the product for its intended use. Other people download open source programs with intentions of editing the source code to customize a program or operating system to their specific needs and wants. Regardless of the reason all that matters is that open source software is free.

After the creation of Photoshop it was only a matter of time before another computer application programmer wanted to show off their ability to write code for an image manipulation application. And it happened when two college students wanted to present an interesting project to a professor. This project was a “General Image Manipulation Program” nicknamed GIMP for short. After nine or ten months of work they made it public in 1998. From there the software took off. Every open source programmer wanted their chance to make their own version of GIMP in hopes of outdoing the person before them.

GIMP is now approaching its 20th anniversary. It is standard in all Red Hat / Linux Operating System installs.

It has recently released one its most s u c cessful and productive version (GIMP 2.8.16).

This program has been compared to Photoshop CC, which is the newest version of Adobe’s Photoshop. The only difference is one is free and the other costs hundreds of dollars.

So why doesn’t anyone know of this amazing software you might ask. Unfortunately the products best trait is also its downfall. Because its free there is no profits made from the distribution of this product. With no money you can’t advertise the product. Without advertisement your product will only grow if it’s spoken about by its users. As user of both of these programs I can say that GIMP can do anything that Photoshop can with a nearly identical Graphical Interface for the user to work in.

If you are graphic designer/ photographer I strongly encourage you to download GIMP for free from “ www.GIMP.org”.

H C TE K L A T

Deirdre Lee is a member of the Information Technology Senior Seminar course and is planning on a career as a Network Administrator. http://www.deirdrelee. com/beacon.html

Christopher Tran IT Major

T

he definition of “Mixed Reality” is the merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new environments and visualizations where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time. Microsoft is currently developing on a device called HoloLens. It is a device that gives the user the ability to see a mixed reality through a pair of goggles. Similar to carpenter’s wearing safety goggles for their occupation, Engineers can put on HoloLens and use it to interact and design within a virtual environment on top of a real one. It can be used to make video calls, design blueprints for architects, or even create people to interact with. It does all this by using advanced sensors to capture information about what you’re doing and the environment you’re in. It also uses a holographic see-through lens that utilizes an optical projection system, which helps generate the images you seen when using the HoloLens. Last, but not least, HoloLens has a HPU that processes large amounts of data per second that is captured by the sensors. Imagine an invisible touch screen and that is essentially what HoloLens does and does it well.

At the moment, Microsoft is shipping development kits for anybody to buy and use for their own endeavors. It is currently priced at $3000. It’s exciting to imagine where the world is going with Virtual Reality. We have devices utilizing mixed reality and virtual reality. Although it may be only at an ocular level, virtual reality will continue evolve. The world already has given us a way to even interact in the VR space. The HoloLens has its advanced sensors and HTC’s Vive has twin joystick controllers. We may not even have to have these peripherals because body scan technology can be used to all people to be the controllers. For example, IBM had conducted an alpha test utilizing their A.I. Watson’s softLayer cloud technology to create a VR world where the VR headsets are used to allow 208 lucky gamers to move and interact with the world after going through a 3D body scan. This experiment was based on advanced technology from a popular light-novel series called Sword Art Online. In the book it describes a device that can place people in a VR world. Players in the book can talk, walk, and feel while in that world while their bodies are put in a coma-state while using the device. Although the book is pure fantasy, it looks like this generation will be able to experience full-body virtual reality within a lifetime and I for one am excited.

Christopher Tran is a member of the Information Technology Senior Seminar course and is planning on a career in Application Software. http://christopherlytran.com/

THE SMCC BEACON | | April 26th, 2016

5

Opinions and Editorials Divisive Laws Threaten Value of Human Life Sarah Ford CNMS Major

M

ississippi recently passed a law that allows discrimination. Business owners are now legally allowed to refuse service to people if they feel that it would violate their religious beliefs. This law is obviously anti-LGBT, but if someone refused service to a black person could they make the argument that serving them would violate their religious beliefs?

North Carolina also passed a law that requires people to use the public bathroom that corresponds to the gender on their birth certificate. The people in support of the law claim that it’s to “protect young girls in public bathrooms,” but there have been no cases where a girl was attacked by a trans woman in a public bathroom. There have, however, been many cases where trans people (specifically trans woman) have been injured or even killed simply for existing.

If the ultra-conservative legislators that are pushing for these laws to pass actually cared about protecting women, they would realize that trans women are real women and not men just dressing up as women in order to infiltrate girls’ bath-

rooms. Of course, the people in support of these laws don’t care about humanity at all.

They’re just pretending to care about girls’ safety when it benefits them and their religious ideologies and allows them to throw trans women under the bus.

The passing of these two frankly disturbing laws raises some questions over why people even thought they were necessary in the first place. Homophobic people feel like they were being targeted and punished when gay marriage was legalized all over the country.

The religious, homophobic people felt like their beliefs weren’t being taken seriously anymore. It’s funny how they’re

gally allowed to refuse someone service simply because their sexual orientation is different. Members of the LGBT+ community are being killed, attacked, and threatened every day and homophobes have the gall to act like they’re the

oppressed ones.

These laws are also taking us in a

Members of the LGBT+ community are being killed, attacked, and threatened every day and homophobes have the gall to act like they’re the oppressed ones complaining about how they’re being discriminated against when people call them homophobic, especially when they are le-

direction that sounds unpleasa n t .

People can’t just do whatever they want “in the name of religious freedom.” Religious freedom does not allow individuals

to minimize the sanctity of life. Despite the stereotypical bible-beating homophobe, a lot of anti-LGBT people aren’t even religious, they’re simply unpleasant people.

Some even claim to be anti-religion but that doesn’t make them any different than the religious people they claim to dislike. These laws enable people who aren’t even religious to use that as an excuse to practice hate.

After all, there’s no way to test if someone’s really “religious enough” to use that as a defense if they come under fire for discrimination. By “religion,” everyone knows that they mean specifically Christians.

Yes, our supreme court recently ruled to make marriage legal for everyone, and that’s a huge victory!

Many people assumed that was the ultimate end goal of the movement, but that’s not true at all. With these obviously anti-LGBT laws being passed, the fight is far from being over.

Candlelight Vigil JOIN US for a rally and

candlelight march around campus to support direct action against rape and other forms of sexual, relationship and domestic violence.

Wednesday, April 27th at 7:30 PM Flagpole in front of the Campus Center, South Portland

(above artwork by Shandar Erebus) Art exhibition for the Spring 2016 graduates of the SMCC art program. Featuring the artwork of: Jessica Baker, Colton Blake, Shandar Erebus, Delany Fone, Night and Torie Trynor.

Art will be on view at 3fish Gallery in Portland on Thursday, April 28th and Friday April 29th from 1-4.

The opening reception will be held on Friday, April 29th from 5-7pm.

Do you or does someone you know need support?

Contact: Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine 1-800-313-9900 (24 hour crisis and support line) SMCC is commited to educating students & staff about issues of sexual violence. The MCCS Make Your Move! campaign offers clear and sensible guidelines for how to stay safe & protect the well-being of others. Go to the MCCS website and click on colleges, then resources to find more information.

Reports of sexual misconduct or assault can be made to the SMCC security office on the South Portland Campus 25/7/365 or by phone at 207-741-5553. For more info and resources please read the Student Sexual Misconduct and Assault Policy (the appendix contains useful resources for survivors and those helping them)

6

THE SMCC BEACON | | April 26th, 2016

Opinions and Editorials Look Both Ways Christian Guthrie CNMS Major

O

ver the past few years, there has been a shift in the culture in the Portland area. It is a new, more chaotic method of how the fair citizens traverse the streets of the city. Crosswalks have become decorations. Pedestrians have been walking freely across traffic with no inkling that their lives could end in a second. This is a Public Safety Announcement: Look both ways before crossing the street, use crosswalks, and most importantly, utilize the pedestrian signal buttons. Otherwise, Darwinism will put its almighty foot down.

The Old Port area and the Southern Maine Community College campus have been the major contributions to this new, and increasing, trend in crossing the road. One week ago, a bicyclist decided to throw caution to the wind and pass the intersection. Little did he take

into account that a driver was turning a corner, after almost ramming into him, his only notion was to say, “Sorry.” He had not

into oncoming traffic without even attempting to stop, he is in the wrong.

Instead of looking at looking at your

Pedestrians have been walking freely across traffic with no inkling that their lives could end in a second. used the crosswalk, or pushed the pedestrian signal button to stop the flow of traffic.

In most cases, the bicyclist would have had the right of way. But because he decided to just speed

phones, next time take a second, push the button for the pedestrian signal, and wait for the red hand

Dear Editor,

icon to turn into a person. Believe it or not, there more people this world than are I am writing to in complain about you, and death is permanent.

Just look both The Beacon’s editor for the latest issue ways before crossing. of your paper.

Your article on TEDxSMCC was critical and way too novel for the context. Alex Serrano writing up an opinion piece on the event was inappropriate, and at times misinformed regarding participants intentions and hard work. An opinion piece was not the right way to go about this event. The facts, and hearty quotes, would have sufficed.

While it is nice to write about students who are having babies, and working hard, posting it under the article about Dr. Cox was tactless. This is where an opinion piece was needed, because it is a piece of news that brings controversial feelings and emotional to light. Announcing she was fired, so transparently, loses the care and compassion she deserves.

Please consider these sensitive points in future papers and their composition, thank you, and have a good week.

Sarah Goldberg

ILLUSTRATION BY CRAIG STANLEY

$9 million dollar marijuana operation busted in Northern Maine Sarah Ford CNMS Major

T

hree men were convicted with growing marijuana in the largest drug bust Maine has ever seen. They were also

convicted with harboring illegal workers. They were sentenced with more than 30 years of prison between the three of them. The operation was hidden in the forest, with over 3,000 plants

found and fourty pounds of processed pot. The legal case was an extended process, with several different men coming forward about the operation,

Editor’s Response: Your careful consideration is appreciated.

As The Beacon is a student paper, the writing of students, including their opinions and interpretations of facts and events, is of the utmost importance. After reviewing Mr. Serrano’s article, there were no inconsistencies with his interpretations of Tedx SMCC and the event itself. However, since the column did not go into detail about certain aspects of the event, a follow-up article appears in this edition.

The second point was about the placement of the interview with Dr. Cox and the birth notices on the same page. As you may be aware, Campus News is a two-page section, so if these two articles were not on the same page, they would have been on opposing pages. Due to the size constraints of The Beacon, it is imperative that all student work finds space in the paper.

As for the nature of the interview with Dr. Cox, while we would not want to speak for her, we also thought she deserves respect. By telling her story, we sought to provide the respect she warrants as a vital member of this community.

We hope that you will consider writing for The Beacon. No single student’s ideas should dominate a democratic platform for students’ voices.

We would appreciate your diligence in reporting events on Campus and beyond.

If you’d like to have your voice heard and your words published in the Beacon, email illariardana@smcc-

me.edu

THE SMCC BEACON | | April 26th, 2016

7

Poetic License

Arts and Features

Steve Luttrell Katelynn Ouellette

N

eeli Cherkovski writes that “Steve Luttrell tailors life down to essential and luminous moments that celebrate our humanity.” Explain how the poems in this collection (Plumb Line) illustrate the truth of this comment. Be sure to cite specific poems in your response.

Steve Luttrell’s Plumb Line is a collection of poems filled with profound revelations concerning humanity in its simplicity and following contentment. While he writes sparingly, Luttrell’s poems offer honest accounts of his own true appreciation for humanity which can be specifically explained in his poem “Eyes and All,” where he exhibits the first of many creations in Plumb Line dedicated to his partner, Catherine: Mornings are made magic in my reflection in your eyes in the first light of day

As humans driven by primal and reproduction-driven bodies, we are at the same time lucky to experience deep and connecting emotions towards other human beings (or multiple human beings) in our short lives. We tie floss-thin knots around these entities we cannot help but latch ourselves on to and, in Luttrell’s case, express our incredulous appreciation for. Luttrell’s “Mornings/are made magic” because he can see his own reflection in the eyes of the woman he loves as the sun rises. Epistemological reasons as to why the sun will again rise tomorrow are rather irrelevant after witnessing accounts of such pure and centering bliss that we may find in another human being during our lives.

While Luttrell excels in revealing the more intimate testimonials of his life in Plumb Line, he also divulges a wider variety of his “celebration of humanity” in poems such as “The House”:

a place to live make a life continue as they say

windows doors

a history of rooms

the house their house for now

welcome

come in

sit down The hospitality Luttrell evidently finds in the last stanza of this poem (above) contributes to this “celebration” in that there will always be people willing to open their hearts and homes to others as an immediate impulse rooted in their own welcoming human nature.

Though the “house” in this poem may be figurative, the invitation to feel welcome in terms of a physical body containing history and openness exceeds palpability. “Welcome/come in/sit down” exemplifies a “luminous moment” of another one of the necessary components of humanity and the love that can be felt between people.

Steve Luttrell’s poem “The Song” illustrates Cherkovski’s description of Plumb Line as a “truth (to) celebrate our humanity”:

Who knows the size of forever or which day may be the last day.

…

to know it is as it was, always timeless and without measure.

In this poem, Luttrell reveals gratitude for his existence. “To know it is/As it was, always” refers to the reflection of being in the past and in the present as a sort of centering purpose of life. His poem “The Neighborhood” contributes to this theme: “all that’s been/ lost is time” referring to the idea that we are not missing anything from our lives except for what has already happened in them. Time is clearly not a guarantee in life, it is a privilege.

It is enough, for Steve Luttrell, to be aware of this sense of belonging, “on this street/with its houses” and despite everything “here/tonight.”

Understanding Du Fu Laura Falls

u Fu has the ability to show a large portion of an individual’s adventures through life in only a few short lines of poetry. Du Fu gives us the opportunity to see what life was like back in the 8th century by showing us the experiences of those living during this time. In “Poem for Wei Ba” Du Fu shows us a man who is catching up with an old friend, and in this poem he not only shows the experience that the man is currently having, but also the experiences the two men have had together in their past through their reminiscing.

How long can our youth and vigor last?

The hair at our temples is already gray.

We inquire about old acquaintances to find that half are ghosts- shocked cries betray

These men have spent so much of their lives apart, but still manage to bond through their mourning of lost friends.

They are aware that their lives have taken them to very different places and that this brief moment of catching up will soon be lost in the continuation of their lives. Although they may have had a wonderful time discovering where each others lives have taken them, they will soon be back to not knowing what has become of the other.

Tomorrow we will be separated

by the peaks of mountains,

each of our worldly affairs

lost to the other’s sight.

D

8

the torment of our hearts.

Some of the poems tell us much more somber tales of the tragedies in life. In “A Woman of Quality” Du Fu tells the story of a woman who had everything, but

THE SMCC BEACON | | April 26th, 2016

war took that all away. Her brothers were killed and now the world has forgotten her.

The world turns quickly against

those who have had their day—

fortune is a lamp-flame

flickering in the wind.

This woman grew up privileged, and now that she has no family to her name, she has become nobody. She is insignificant to the people that she used to be so important to. Her husband has left her behind and has moved on and taken a new wife.

But he has eyes only

for his new woman’s smile,

and his ears are deaf

to his first wife’s weeping.

She is still the woman she was before, but without her status and family name, she is left homeless to mourn the loss of her family and of the life she once knew.

Du Fu gives another example of what time has taken away in “Jade Flower Palace”. A prince with all of the riches in the world, who presumably was well known in his lifetime, is now only remembered by the ruins of his once beautiful palace.

The shattered pavements are all Washed away. Ten thousand organ Pipes whistle and roar. The storm Scatters the red autumn leaves.

His dancing girls are yellow dust.

Their painted cheeks have crumbled Away. His gold chariots And courtiers are gone. Only A stone horse is left of his Glory.

He will never be remembered for who he was in his lifetime, only for what he built.

Time has shown that what we do in our lives, no matter how important we may think it is, will more than likely be forgotten.

Arts and Features Eye in the Sky Review Ness Hutchins CNMS Major

E

ye in the Sky, directed by Gavin Hood, is a military drama about British Colonel Katherine Powell, Helen Mirren, whose military operation to capture terrorists in Kenya is jeopardized

when a young Alia, Aisha Takow, crosses into the kill zone and elicits an international dispute over the consequences of combat in the modern world. Originally released in Europe in 2015, this is one of famed actor Alan Rickman’s final performances. He plays Lieutenant General Frank Benson of the British royal army.

Eye in the Sky features a diverse cast fitting with the plot. It’s great to see multiple women represented in the military structure as well, especially in positions of power such as Helen Mirren as Col. Powell.

Yet, predictably, the people who play the roles with the most power within the film are not people of color.

Being a multimillion-dollar film, the production value is high. The film is well made, with convincing scenes of Kenya that help transport the audience into this foreign territory, but nothing is particularly striking or memorable about the cinematography of Eye in the Sky. Although Mirren, Rickman, and the rest of the cast play their parts convincingly the overall plot felt flat. Most of the movie is Mirren and Rickman trying to convince the British Prime Minister to give the go ahead for the drone strike while he stalls for time by referring up to his superiors. This builds tension as the audience watches the window of opportunity to catch the Muslim radicals close, while Alia continues to sell bread in the market outside the fence of their meeting place.

The whole film feels like a game of elaborate telephone where a young girl’s life is at stake. The build-up to the ending also makes the film feel disingenuous. Further exploration into the aftermath of the event that takes place would have given the character’s actions more context, making the audience better understand the gravity of the difficult decisions world military leaders need to make.

Eye in the Sky ticks all the boxes for a thrilling military drama, but nothing about it stands out or goes above and beyond. If you’re a fan of this particular genre or want to see more Alan Rickman, rent it once it’s out on DVD. Otherwise, just skip this film.

Maine Mayhem Premiere Draws Close Samuel Carlson CNMS Major

A

s April comes to a close, most students are busy preparing for finals.

Students involved with the “Maine Mayhem” project in the Communications and New Media Studies Department of SMCC, however, are finishing their almost year long journey to create films. These aren’t just your run-of-the-mill, everyday, sort of student films, though. These films are premiering at the Nickelodeon in Portland on May 12th! There are only two showings of this highly anticipated, annual festival;

one at 6:30pm and another at 8:45pm.

People from all over the area look forward to and come to this event, as it is a great way to support local arts and get a good look at any number of the next possible Scorsese’s and Kubricks.

The films that are debuting at the Nick are: Waters by Graceson Cyr, Alone Together by Mackenzie Bartlett, According to No Plan by Ryan Marshall, Bored Games by Andrew Anzora, and White Skies by Kyle Gravel.

If you love film, or even if you’re “just friends”, you’re not going to want to miss this! Search for “Maine Mayhem 2016 Premiere!” on Facebook to find a link to ticket sales, and don’t forget to RSVP to the event!

Students interested in making movies can investigate the Communications & New Media major, check in with Professor Corey Norman for details!

THE SMCC BEACON | | April 26th, 2016

9

Campus News PTK Inducts New Members, Officer Team Attends Nerd Nation Illaria Dana Education Major

P

hi Theta Kappa, PTK, inducted 17 new members on Sunday, April 2. In order to be eligible for membership, students must have GPAs of 3.5 or higher.

Hence, membership in PTK holds a certain amount of clout. It reflects the commitment and work students have put forth for their academic achievements.

Along with their academic engagement, PTK members run two service commitments during the academic year. These are called the College Project and Honors in Action. Members of Alpha Chi Nu, the SMCC branch of PTK, always participate in these projects.

Their College Project this year was Chit-Chat, a program that unites new students and students with potential threats to completing college with their professors over a cup of coffee. New students and academic success students had this opportunity twice: once in the fall and once in the spring.

Only a few students took advantage of this opportunity, which is not to blame them, but rather, to state a fact. Since Chit Chat is sponsored by Sodexo, who provides the coffee, it may be unrealistic to open this

opportunity up to all students. However, what students in Alpha Chi Nu have learned is that any opportunity is one that deserves a response. If a culture is needed at SMCC that creates dynamism and vitality, perhaps opening up Chit Chat would be a good place to start.

For their Honors in Action project, members of Alpha Chi Nu built a greenhouse at Dyer Elementary School in South Portland. The greenhouse will be furnished with beds in May. The greenhouse will hopefully generate exploration in nature and provide young students with produce.

New members of Alpha Chi Nu are not required to become officers. In fact, many of them will not join the officer team. Many students seem to join PTK to gain access to their scholarships and to wear a gold tassel at graduation.

But members who do not become officers or attend the meetings are missing out on service. Service forces students to connect to their peers and larger communities.

Service cannot be done in isolation, and service requires examining the needs of the larger community.

Since Alpha Chi Nu decides on their projects, service is a function of critical thinking. Members get to examine their communities, determine a need, and decide

the way to address this need. sion screens to their right and left.

Each year, PTK holds a conference Looking around the audience, listening called Nerd Nation. This year, the confer- to loud pop music, was narcotizing. While ence was held in National Harbor, Mary- Alpha Chi Nu did win an award, and this land, right outside of Washington D.C. award was estimable, the showmanship Just under three thousand members were in at Nerd Nation was in stark contrast with attendance including four members and one advisor from SMCC. At Nerd Nation Alpha Chi Nu received a Most Distinguished Officer Team award.

The work that Phi Theta Kappa chapters do on a local level is impressive. However, at the international scale, Phi Theta Kappa events lack the (From left) Erik Squire, Ellie Garnsey, Illaria Dana, Autumn Therisame essence as ault, and Tracy Calder who is not pictured. local chapters.

There is no emphasis on critical thinking, scholarship, or community organization. service. The emphasis is on showmanship This demonstration creates a dichotoand the kind of reward that makes students my in leadership. Students who are cominto consumers rather than active partici- petent and serve their communities are enpants in the world around them. couraged to forget it all during a weekend

The international officer team at Nerd of showmanship and networking. As Ella Nation, kind of like newscasters of Nerd J. Baker, civil rights activist and grassroots Nation, wore business suits and ball gowns. organizer said, “My theory is strong people They spoke at podiums with microphones, don’t need strong leaders.” and their images were projected on televi-

ODDWORLD (Continued from Page 1)

GRADUATE WITH EXPERIENCE. Attend an upcoming open house on May 5 at 5:30 pm.

ARCHITECTURE INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIES

Register now! the-bac.edu/innovate 617.585.0123

10

THE SMCC BEACON | | April 26th, 2016

has its sinister side. That doesn’t mean we’re losing the humor that has always been present in our games. Abe is still a bit of a klutz and the unlikeliest of heroes, but he’s also had a really difficult time escaping Rupture Farms and guiding his emancipated brothers out of their enslavement. That struggle has got to take a toll on him as a character and he’s now faced with so many more hardships to overcome that have got to feel dangerous and troubling for the player to navigate alongside him. That journey, even for a lovable goofball like Abe, is going to be hard and troubling.

Oddworld is a series that isn’t afraid to experiment. With titles in the past such as Stranger’s Wrath, what can fans expect from the series in the future?

We like to do things that aren’t in other games. Way back when it all started, we could have simply emulated popular platform games that had defined the genre. Abe could have simply been our take on Mario or Sonic, a super powered hero in a story where the fun comes from demonstrating those heroic abilities. Instead, we made it much more about becoming a hero than simply being a hero. We thought that there was fun to be had in defining that journey from regular guy to savior of a species and we thought the most fun could be derived from taking the journey with a most unlikely candidate for heroics. That concept, and idea of Gamespeak, were really the two de-

fining elements of Abe’s games.

With Stranger’s Wrath, we could have simply made a first person shooter or a third person action game. But we thought about how to make those genres in the most Oddworld way possible. What about a shooter where the main character doesn’t like guns?

So that idea gives birth to the whole live ammo concept which is a defining element of Stranger’s Wrath and still quite unique.

With Soulstorm, we’re obviously working within the constraints of making a 2.5D platform. So we have the big concepts in place but that doesn’t mean we don’t have plenty of space for innovations that we want to squeeze in. Unfortunately, I can’t talk too much about what we’re planning because it’s still so early in production but you can rest assured that our willingness to experiment with new gameplay concepts remains intact and we’ll have a lot more to show you in a few months...

Not only has the series grown exponentially in the past few years, the fine folks at Oddworld Inhabitants are set on delivering a quality experience to the industry. Throughout clever use of marketing through social media after the initial reveal of Soulstorm, fans can expect that Abe’s journey is about to take a dip in the dark side. Keep an eye out for more information when Soulstorm releases. The current date is slated to be in the latter half of 2017.

Sports Linking SMCC to the TPC

SEAWOLVE ALUMNUS GOES PRO 1 COURSE AT A TIME Gio DiFazio CNMS Major

Gymnasium to attend SWOSU on a full

I

n 2011 Tommy Stirling and The SMCC Golf Team, placed SMCC in the national spotlight by winning numerous tournaments and finishing two golfers among the top five in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Golf Tournament.

Alex McFarlane of Cape Elizabeth finished 4 over par tied for fifth place, but Tommy Stirling, the Gorham, Maine native, ran away from the field with a score of four under par over the course of the two day tournament.

After finishing among the top two in the Class A State qualifier in high school his junior and senior year, Tommy decided to take his talents to Southern Maine Community College, to jumpstart the golf program, and hopefully gain the attention of college scouts. Somehow, Tommy flew under the radar, coming out of high school. ”The reason that I came to SMCC was to play golf.”

After finishing as an All-American in 2010, 2011 brought forth the most illustrious season in SMCC Golf history, with numerous “Player of the Week” awards and tournament victories.

Unbeknownst to Tommy, he and McFarlane had qualified for the national championship. “We didn’t know that we even qualified.” Tommy mentioned to this sports reporter. After Coach Richards called Tommy into his office, Tommy got news that he and Alex qualified for the National Championship, in which Tommy handled his competition with ease shooting a 68 on day one, and a 72 on the second day, capturing the victory at The Penn State University Blue Course.

After gaining exposure at the community college level, and making his name on the college circuit, Tommy was recruited by the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Bulldogs. On April 11, 2012 Tommy signed his letter of intent here, at the Hub

SM

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trying to cut strokes off his score. “I’m grinding it out right now with four jobs…

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t d 16 - Hall r A a CC t Aw 0, 20 ing

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.I’m working on getting full sponsorship to I can focus my time on golf.”

TPC Prestancia is among the nation’s premier golf courses. Tommy is working in outside services at TPC Prestancia, which offers Tommy a chance to hone his game, as well as make a name for himself.

Attracting sponsorships from golf companies will be the key step in Tommy’s young career. It’s hard to live off of the small paychecks that are earned on weekend tournaments, but coupled with a sponsorship he can focus all of his time on honing his craft.

“It’s not just weekend golf.” Tommy cuts right to the point. Every time he steps on the links is not an opportunity to make a new acquaintance, and to improve his golf game in the ultra competitive world of professional golf. The change in competitive atmosphere was quickly apparent to Tommy after he moved to Florida, as he had to dedicate time to make the jump from Am to pro. “You really have to hack it to be good.” Tommy has made the past 3 out of six cuts in pro tournaments and will be hoping for a successful spring in the West Florida Golf Tour.” “I’ve paid my dues, I’m ready to make some money.”

Tommy will be playing in Maine this summer in professional events. Among them the Maine Open to be hosted by the Augusta Country Club in Augusta, Maine. The tournament is scheduled for July 24-26.

Please come out and support Mr. Stirling in following his dream.

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scholarship.

Tommy made the team as the number 4 golfer his junior year and quickly saw success at the next level.

As the Bulldogs number four golfer, Tommy gained valuable experience, making the jump from the junior college level, to the division two level which is highly saturated with talent.

After finishing his junior season, Tommy made an impression with the college golf community, his senior year and shot a 74 in his final college event at The Strawberry Creek Super Regional Tournament in Eureka, Missouri.

A marketing major, Tommy knows consistency inside and outside of the classroom. Stirling is as quick to help with your math homework, as he is to challenge you at a game of ping-pong. It is impossible to question the durability, or consistency that comes with

not missing a single event in four years of competition, and Tommy did just that. After stepping into the top slot his senior year, and providing senior leadership to the Bulldogs squad, Tommy was named An AllGAC honorable mention.

The experience that Tommy gained as an ace at SWOSU was monumental in fueling his drive to become a successful golfer at the professional level. After graduating with a marketing degree in 2014 Tommy had to make his name as an amateur and moved to Sarasota, Florida.

“I played strong as an amateur too.” I think that it’s safe to say that Stirling did play strong as an amateur considering that he is currently playing in The West Florida Golf Tour. These “mini tours” as Tommy goes on to call them, are a great way to start a pro golf career and gain exposure.

The struggle is real though, as Tommy states that he’s working four jobs, all while

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THE SMCC BEACON | | April 26th, 2016

11

Baseball and Softball Stays Hungry Gio DiFazio CNMS Major

W

ith less than three weeks to go in the spring semester, the softball and baseball teams are rounding third base and heading for home plate ending their fall and spring seasons. Arms are sore and bats are dented as the end of the month of April is fast approaching and the baseball and softball teams see the light at the end of the tunnel.

April is jam packed for both of these teams with the majority of ball games fall within the month of April, which makes it exceptionally tough on these student athletes as they must finish out the end of the semester in the classroom, as well as out on

the diamond.

The Lady Seawolves have had their backs against the wall for the majority of the season, and this month, the YSCC is throwing everything in its arsenal in the direction of the Lady Seawolves. The softball team found themselves in the win column only twice this month, when Massasoit Community College fell mercifully to the hungry SMCC softball squad, 18-6 and 14-4 on April 10th and 12th respectfully.

As of now, the SMCC baseball squad is riding high among a four game win streak. The wins include a 10-0 beat down of CMCC and three wins against NHTI, 10-3, 12-2 and 9-6. As the postseason approaches, the Seawolves are riding high going with the playoffs insight and have their eyes on

a playoff run that could take them into the championship game.

In the most recent contests, SMCC softball stood opposite the YSCC’s top team, the NHTI Lynx for three games on Friday and Saturday, April 22nd and 23rd.

The Lady Wolves managed to limit the Lynx offensive firepower, but inconsistent defense allowed NHTI to come up with huge innings in both games of the doubleheader. NHTI proved to be the superior team in all contests ass they won easily, 151, 14-2, 15-3 respectfully.

On the same day, the baseball team captured two wins in a doubleheader here at the Graves Athletic Complex. Calab Chambers had an impressive outing for the Seawolves, finishing the afternoon with

two doubles, two home runs, eight RBIs, four runs and a stolen base in two games throughout the course of the day.

Come out and support this Seawolves softball and baseball teams, but if you haven’t been to a game, make sure you make it out to the doubleheader, against our rival school, Central Maine Community College Mustangs. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2:30 Wednesday afternoon, while the second contest will be kicked off directly following the first.

While the Lady Wolves have struggled as of late, if they manage to make a berth in the YSCC Tourney, anything can happen and this community would love nothing more than to rally behind them.

Nathaniel Cyr puts the ball in play driving Chase Morales in the second game of a double header during Saturdays action.

Transfer to the University of Maine, the state’s flagship university in Orono • Choose from nearly 100 majors and academic programs • Maximize your SMCC transfer credits by applying them toward a UMaine bachelor’s degree • Take advantage of SMCC-UMaine transfer agreements • Transferring credit is easier than ever in areas such as engineering, engineering technology, and food science and human nutrition

Lindsay Marston delivers a pitch in game two against the Lynx of NHTI

Apply now to attend in fall 2016 Experience UMaine’s transfer-friendly admissions process. No application fee necessary. UMaine values your SMCC courses and will provide you with a credit analysis soon after your admission decision. Admission decisions are immediate upon receipt of required documents.

Transfer scholarships available.

Apply by June 1.

go.umaine.edu/transfer The University of Maine is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.