THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
VOLUME 120 ISSUE 30 NDSUSPECTRUM.COM
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY | FOR THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE
North Dakota State of Drones New university policy outlines UAS usage on campus
FILE PHOTO | THE SPECTRUM
DJI Phantom drones are among the most popular models sold in the United States. New university policy mandates drone users follow FAA and local law.
Casey McCarty Head News Editor
Students at North Dakota State wishing to use their personal unmanned aerial systems, also known as drones, that they were gifted over winter break may want to take notice of a new policy passed by NDSU. NDSU’s faculty senate proposed and voted to approve an amendment to the NDSU policy manual regarding the use of UAS.
The policy change proposal mandates that drone operators adhere to all rules, regulations, supervisions and laws created by the Federal Aviation Administration and local governments. Though the FAA does not mandate recreational flyers must have a form of a pilot’s license, the FAA mandates all consumers flying for fun must be at least five miles away from all airports if they wish to
fly without prior approval from the airport’s air traffic control. Flyers may also fly their UAS during daytime, or 30 minutes before sunrise and after sunset if the aircraft has proper anti-collision lighting in a time known as “civil twilight.” “Since the NDSU campus is adjacent to Hector airport we certainly fall into this category,” Aaron Reinholz, the director of research operations of NDSU’s
Office of Research and Creative Activity, said. Recreational drone operators must always yield the right of way to manned aircraft and must always remain in the line-of-sight, or in view, of the operator. If the UAS weighs in excess of 0.55 pounds it must be registered with the FAA. The maximum weight for recreational drones is 55 lbs. UAS operators are required to register their
drone with the FAA before flying. Those who qualify in the criteria to register their drones and do not register are subject to civil and criminal penalties. The cost of registration is $5 and can be completed online. Reinholz has written procedures for utilizing UAS devices for research purposes that are available through the ORCA’s website. The Washington Post
reported 1.2 million consumers would gain possession of a drone over the most recent holiday season, and the FAA said that approximately 2.5 million drones were to be sold in 2016. Editor’s Note: This article is primarily about recreational use of UAS devices. If you wish to make money or have commercial use of a UAS device, you should contact the FAA for more information.
A New Way to Park and Pay Casey McCarty Head News Editor
North Dakota State parking and transportation services has rolled out a new app for NDSU students. The app, known as Passport Parking, offers a new way to pay for parking. Users can open an app in their smart phone or tablet that will allow them to pay for parking. Payment through the app will be entirely electronic, mitigating the need to carry dollars and quarters to pay
for parking. To pay to park in a lot, users will enter the lot’s zone number and parking space they wish to park in. From there, they choose how long they wish to stay in the lot. Passport Parking allows users to track how long their vehicle has been parked at a meter on campus and also allows users to know the time remaining from their metered car. Parking sessions can also be extended through the app’s software. NDSU pay lots that will be
accessible through Passport Parking are the Memorial Union lot, the Visitor Lot, the lot at the Wallman Wellness Center and the T2 lot. Unveiled on Jan. 10, the app is available through both the App Store on iOS and through the Google Play Store on Android devices. To find the app through both mobile marketplaces, search for Passport Parking. Users of the app agree to abide by all zone signage on restrictions and rules.
BENJAMIN NORMAN | THE SPECTRUM
INSIDE
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Know your news: The current events crossword returns for the spring
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Theatre B joining other national theaters in Ghostlight Project
Dexter Miller quietly building a big senior season for men’s basketball
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News
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
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Remembering the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
NDSU celebrates Civil Rights activist through events
Alex O’Reilly Staff Writer
“The time is always right to do what is right.” “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” A proponent of peaceful protest, Martin Luther King Jr. passionately vocalized his belief in the necessity for nonviolent civil disobedience during the African-American Civil Rights Movement, which began around 1954. King was born Jan. 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, to Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King. Martin Luther King Jr. Day takes place on the third Monday in January annually, around the time of Dr. King’s birthday, and is an American federal holiday. MLK Day was declared a federal holiday by President Ronald Reagan in 1983. Even so, it took approximately three years for the first observance of the holiday to occur. Additionally, it was not until the year 2000 that MLK Day was first
recognized and observed by all 50 states of the United States of America. “Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day is more important than ever,” Jaclynn Wallette, director of multicultural programs, said. “King, who was a key civil rights pioneer, encouraged nonviolence and peaceful mass civil disobedience to change the fabric of the nation during the 1940s until his death on April 4, 1968. “He understood that peaceful demonstrations were the only way to guarantee their cry for rights would be heard and answered,” Wallette said. Hate, violence, racism and much more were all prevalent before, during and after the time of the Civil Rights Movement, including present day America. Regarding this, Wallette said, “One of the issues the nation is currently grappling with is the need for people to come together to unify the country. This desire to unify people is one of the key tenets of King’s message. His birthday provides the opportunity for our students to pause, if only for a moment, and reflect on his message and hopefully (it will) inspire people to volunteer that day in the community.”
Wallette continued, “In an effort to educate the NDSU campus on topics related to diversity, the Office of Multicultural Programs assists in the planning of events for the different cultural months and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. These events have ranged from students holding a spoken word and poetry event, to speakers in the community sharing their visions of peace, to musical events as well as a candle light vigil for victims of social injustice.” At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, the Office of Multicultural Programs, as well as various members of NDSU’s Performing Arts Department, hosted an event at Beckwith Recital Hall to honor Martin Luther King Jr. “This year, students in the NDSU Performing Arts Department will do a powerful stage reading of one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s signature speeches ‘I have been to the Mountaintop,’ which was King’s last speech before his assassination,” Wallette said. “In this speech, he challenges our county to deliver the promises outlined in the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of
Martin Luther King delivers his iconic ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. Independence to all of its citizens regardless of race, creed, color, gender identity and political affiliation, to name a few. According to the
advertisement for the stagereading event, “In it he calls for unity, economic actions, boycotts and nonviolent protests while challenging the U.S. to live up to its
AMERICA.GOV | PHOTO COURTESY
ideals.” On Monday, The Volunteer Network also hosted its annual MLK Service Day event.
Three Minutes, One Thesis Grad students practice brevity, public speaking in contest Alex O’Reilly Staff Writer
As the semester kicks off, undergraduate students are thinking about what classes they must complete in order to finish their degree. Some graduate students, however, are looking forward to the upcoming event, the Three Minute Thesis. In order to participate in this event, graduate students will be recommended by faculty within their majors
and then decide whether or not they would like to present. What is a Three Minute Thesis? The goal of a Three Minute Thesis is to communicate the work of the graduate student, whether it be experimentation in engineering, psychology or any other subject, in no more than three minutes. This becomes a challenge because, according to ndsu. edu, a typical thesis would
take around nine hours to present, but when looking for jobs in that person’s field the chances of having a nine-hour interview are next to none. The Three Minute Thesis pushes graduate students to communicate their work in clear and concise ways that employers and the general public alike will understand. Renee Bourdeaux, a former participant and finalist in this event, who presented about “Financial Conversations Between
Romantic, Committed Partnerships,” talked a little bit about her experience. She said that the event was “great” preparation for the career world, and practice to “succinctly explain” her research in understandable terms. Bourdeaux expressed difficulty in compressing her two-year thesis project into only three minutes, but that it was worthwhile as she got to speak on something she was passionate about.
Bourdeaux has graduated from NDSU with her Ph.D. and will not be participating in the Three Minute Thesis this year. The event will take place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 1 in the Memorial Union. The winner will receive $1,000. Last year, the grand champion Manpreet Bains presented about “Modulatory Effects of Neural Proteins on Your Microbiome.” Finalists also presented on topics such as pacemakers
or pancreatic cancer treatment. The original idea to hold a Three Minute Thesis event started in Australia, and has since spread around the world because of its ability to ready students for employment opportunities. This year the Three Minute Thesis is open to the public and will not only reveal the groundbreaking work of the graduate students but could even spark curiosity in the brains of undergraduates.
NDSUSPECTRUM.COM Spectrum
The
It's a good idea.
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THE SPECTRUM | NEWS | THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
IN T HE N E WS
VERTICAL:
1. Restaurant-bar that received Fargo's blessing to reopen
TE ST Y O U R K NO W L ED GE OF C U R R ENT EVENT S
2. Eugene Cernan was the last American to walk here 4. This office announced an app to help users pay for stubs 6. This event, on Friday, will bring protests and parties to D.C. 9. Proposed ND bill could ban these people from settling here 10. ND Gov. who announced further cuts to state's budget 11. The richest _____ men are as wealthy as the world's poorest half 12. This downtown 'Kitchen' just went out of business 15. Act from Pres. Obama on Tuesday that freed prisoners
HORIZONTAL:
3. This fiery head coach's kid may be a Bison 5. Next week, this billionaire, who didn't attend public schools, will lead this department 7. Offensive symbol found on gay pride flag shared by ND legislator on FB 8. This Bison team just broke into the Top 25 13. Name of activist, journalist who spoke at Concordia 14. College in Athens that Bresciani has shown interest in 16. Crowds of women will do this in D.C. on Sunday 17. Salad restaurant looking for a new name 18. This program at Dickinson may be cut because of budget woes BENJAMIN NORMAN AND EMILY BEAMAN | THE SPECTRUM
In A Nutshell Bresciani’s current contract with NDSU runs through June 2018. During the open forum, Bresciani had questions about the deleted emails in 2013, student fees that subsidize Division 1 athletes and tenure for faculty. Ohio University would provide a larger school, with a similar enrollment, 19,000, on the main campus in Athens.
Amanda Johnson Staff Writer
Goodbye, Bresciani?
North Dakota State President Dean Bresciani is one of four finalists applying to be the next president at Ohio University. Last Thursday, Ohio University held an open forum with “more than 100 student, faculty and community members packed” into a ballroom on campus, the Forum reported.
past year as compared to the previous year. In the past year, the Fargo Police department “saw 60 fights that involved a weapon or someone injured,” WDAY reported. Most of the fights involved people at bars and around the time when a bar would be close, 70 to 80 percent of the fights. WDAY reported the increase in aggravated assaults “put the number of serious fights at a 5 year high.” Fargo police have increased patrols around bar closing time in the early
Downtown more dangerous
Downtown Fargo has seen a 22 percent increase in aggravated assaults in the
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morning to try and reduce the number of fights that occur.
Medical marijuana laws
“North Dakota lawmakers say the state needs more time to craft rules to oversee the state’s voter approved medical marijuana law,” KFGO reported. On Monday, a joint house and senate meeting was held to decide on the proposal to delay the law until the end of July. The delay was supported by both republican and democratic leaders. The intent of the delay
is “to ensure the law is regulated correctly” and is not “a move by lawmakers to keep the law from going into effect,” KFGO reported. The law allows for marijuana use as medicine for people suffering from debilitating illnesses and won with 65 percent voter approval in November.
Rolls-Royce pays out
“A [United Kingdom] court has said it will approve a £671 million agreement between RollsRoyce and U.K. and U.S. authorities to settle bribery
and corruption cases,” BBC reported. Rolls-Royce will have to pay $170 million to the U.S. Justice Department and £497 million to the Serious Fraud Office after investigations started in 2012. The SFO “allows organizations to pay huge penalties, but avoid prosecution, if they freely confess to economic crimes such as fraud or bribery,” BBC reported. Since the news of the settlement Rolls-Royce shares have risen by 7 percent.
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INDOOR POOL Wood floors, heat paid, Exercise center, builtin microwave, close to malls & restaurants. Cats OK 701-282-6357 Dakotaview@hegenes. com Looking to move? Cornerstone Rentals MGT has amazing incentives! Receive 1/2 off your first 3 months rent and only pay a $99 deposit with an 18 month lease. We are pet friendly and have 2 bedroom apartments available in West Fargo for $795 within walking distance to lots of great restaurants, coffee shops and shopping centers. Call Rita at 701-793-
7368 or email rita@ cornerstonerentalsmgt. com. Pictures are available at cornerstonerentalsmgt. com. HELP WANTED: FARGO TO FARGO BIZ MARKETING & PROMOTION OFFICE AND MARKETING STAFF POSITIONS. HOURLY + BONUSES. DAYS OR EVES. GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN BUSINESS MARKETING AND PROMOTION. WEST FARGO OFFICE LOCATION. CALL CAYDE (701) 282-8333 (701) 2100666
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The Spectrum
8 Ways to Save Space in Your Dorm Room Because the floor isn’t the biggest shelf in the room Kaitlyn Grube Staff Writer
Dorm rooms are notorious for being small with very little storage space. With two people living in one room, it can be a struggle to find enough room for all the necessities that come with living on your own. Here are eight ways to open up some much-needed space:
1. Plastic drawers
This may seem like a no-brainer, but many people just don’t realize those plastic drawers you can buy at Wal-Mart really open up space in any dorm room. The nice thing about the plastic drawers is they can
fit almost anywhere. If you have extra closet space, you can find a set of plastic drawers to fit in there. Lofted your bed? Plastic drawers are great to stick under the bedframe for clothing, school supplies or spare blankets. They are available in a variety of sizes to fit all your storage needs.
2. Over-the-door shoe racks
The over-the-door rack was a great invention. While the original idea was for shoes, the small fabric pouches are suitable for almost anything. They are the perfect size for shampoo bottles, curling irons and any extra pens and pencils lying around.
On the back of a closet door, dorm room or bathroom door, these racks save a lot of space for everyday living.
3. File holders
File holders can be placed on desks, dressers or any flat space available. While they can be used for notebooks, folders and school books too, they are also great for standing up curling irons, hair straighteners and snacks. Multiple file holders can stand next to each other in a small space.
4. Storage tubs
Storage tubs are used a lot during the moving process. They’re easy to pack, load and unload. Think about keeping a storage tub or two
Want to avoid this situation? Follow these tips for optimal room organization.
after the moving process for all the extras you don’t need on a daily basis. These are good for extra blankets, extra sheets, out of season clothing and even old or new school supplies that are not being used during the current semester.
5. Shower totes
When sharing bathrooms with large groups of people, it’s always nice to be efficient. Shower totes are a great way to move shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors, toothbrushes and any other bathroom necessity without all the hassle. They come in a variety of colors and different styles to suit individual needs.
6. Command hooks
Command hooks are helpful when hanging pictures and pin boards, but they are also useful for jewelry, toothbrushes, towels and more. Cheap and easy to use, command hooks are a great option for dorm rooms because they don’t damage walls. If you have a lot of jewelry, command hooks are a great way to hang necklaces and bracelets without having to devote space to a jewelry box.
7. Shower curtain rings
This may seem a little unorthodox, but shower curtain rings are helpful in hanging clothing as well as shower curtains. Just clip rings to a hanger and you have a new storage option.
Hang scarves, tank tops and baseball hats this way as a way to save space.
8. Closet organizers
There are several different types of organizers that can be hung in a closet. Some are cloth, some are plastic, but they are all helpful when trying to save space. These can be used for extra clothing; however, they’re also great for notebooks, books, movies and other miscellaneous items that don’t have a place anywhere else. Some even fit small storage bins in them, allowing for smaller items to be stored safely. All of these are great options to open up and utilize space in a dorm room without breaking the bank.
WIKIMEDIA | PHOTO COURTESY
What Your Drink Says about You A definitive guide to winter-weather sipping Rio Bergh
Features Editor
In light of the decidedly less than stellar weather, I’ve decided it’s time to write a definitive guide to the consumption of hot drinks. “Wow, Rio, you’re really stretching for content,” you say. To which I reply, “Is it really that obvious?” Regardless of stretching, here’s the listicle you’ve been waiting for. Be warned: number four will shock you.
1. White Chocolate Mocha.
Nothing says “basic” like a steaming cup of pseudocoffee topped with whipped cream and multi-colored sprinkles. That aftertaste coating your tongue? It’s the shame of being so mainstream it hurts.
2. Chai Latte, Extra Hot, with Soy Milk and a Shot of Vanilla. A drink
order with less than three additional requests in it doesn’t fully capture the complexity of your high-maintenance personality. Making baristas contemplate suicide is one of your favorite hobbies. 3. Hot Chocolate. Don’t spill on your Uggs because it’ll probably stain. 4. Plain Coffee. It’s electric. None of us want to hear your canned speech about how the only legitimate way to drink beans is black. Or the one about “the stronger, the better.” Please leave now, you stinking purist. 5. Domestic Beer. You are a college student, possibly over the age of 21, with no imagination and horrible taste. This is, after all, a list
for hot drinks.
6. Imported Beer. This is
just to even out the last item on the list. You might be a prick. 7. Hot Toddy. You might be sick. Or classy. Or 80. Maybe some combination of those. 8. Irish Coffee. Starting at 8:00 in the morning? You go, Glen Coco. 9. Water. Two words: Amish Mafia. No matter what this article says, rest assured, your drink does not define you. Just look outside and remember that you are a special snowflake, just like all the others. In fact, from a distance, you blend right into the indecipherable mass. And, like the snowflake, you’ll melt if the water is hot enough. So have your drink with pride; nobody cares.
WIKIMEDIA | PHOTO COURTESY
Let’s be honest, you want to know what that hot chocolate is telling the rest of the world.
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THE SPECTRUM | FEATURES | THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
FARGO FASHION
Clean out Your Closet, Get Paid
How to sell your unwanted clothes to resale stores
Keyona Elkins
Contributing Writer
Feeling a little strapped for cash after the holidays? You can make money while simultaneously getting rid of old clothes (or unwanted Christmas gifts) by taking them to consignment or resale stores. Used clothing stores resell everything from dresses to jeans to handbags for clearance prices — imagine PINK tanks for $10 and Free People tops for $14 — and they get their merchandise from fashionistas looking to clear out their closets. True consignment stores, like My Best Friend’s Closet, sell items for you. You bring in the pieces you want to consign, and they choose which to take based on what they think will sell in their store. My Best Friend’s Closet typically buys higher-end brands, and their customer base is a bit older, so your gently used work clothes will do much better there than last year’s crop top. The key phrase here is “gently used;” resale shops won’t take anything with holes, tears or noticeable wear. Also, while some
shops will buy all seasons of clothing, consignment stores work faster, so they only want things that are currently in season. You typically need to call and make an appointment if you’re bringing in over 10 items, and it is your job to call or stop in to check if any of your items sell. You only get paid after they sell, at which point you’ll earn 50 percent of the selling price (minus tax and a small fee). The store does markdowns every 40, 60 and 90 days and then donates unsold items after that, so it is a bit of a risk. If you’re looking for quick cash, consigning isn’t your best option, but if you’re patient and have in-demand items, this method could earn you the most money. Resale stores, sometimes called buy-outright shops, like Plato’s Closet and Clothes Mentor, give you cash up front when you bring in your used clothes. Just walk in with your wares and an ID, and after a quick 10-15 minute inspection, they’ll buy whatever meets their standards. They pay you 30-40 percent of what they price it at in the store, which usually puts about $3 in your pocket per item. “We purchase things that were sold in retail stores
KEYONA ELKINS | THE SPECTRUM
Clothes Mentor will give you cash on the spot for your unwanted used clothes, but you might just end up spending it right away in their cute boutique. within a year to a year and a half,” Chelsea Murphy, a sales associate at Clothes Mentor, said. “We’re always looking for more athletic wear, and we purchase all seasons.” To maximize your profits, Murphy suggested bringing in currently trendy pieces and higher-end brands that are still in great condition. Clothes Mentor doesn’t accept many juniors’
brands, but Plato’s Closet a few doors down will, and they’re also the only resale shop in town that buys men’s clothing too. They are a little less particular with how on-trend items have to be, but they still need pieces that are current, stylish, unstained and freshly washed. Plato’s Closet sales associate Jewell Atkins said
their store is always looking to buy more North Face jackets, American Eagle and Rock Revival jeans and popular shoe brands like Converse and Vans. So search through your closet, and if you are looking to make even more cash, offer to take others’ unwanted clothes off their hands for them, and bring in your mom’s or boyfriend’s
stuff too. If one store doesn’t want everything in your haul, try somewhere else. They might simply already have enough of that kind of item and don’t need more, or they might have different buying standards. If you are not sure if a garment is new or trendy enough, try it anyway; you have nothing to lose and some extra spending money to gain.
the Skies BISON TakeKitetofestivals abound in India, ABROAD marking the beginning of winter’s end Laura Ellen Brandjord Contributing Writer
After an intense week of missed flights, phone problems and course registration, I was ready for a change of pace. Something off campus to preoccupy my mind for a while was just what I needed — enter Hyderabad’s International Kite Festival, the perfect escape. Many similar events are held all over the country as part of the celebrations of the festival Makara Sankranti. The harvest festival marks the movement of the sun into the Capricorn (Makara) zodiac sign. This transition is the first to occur after the winter solstice, and thus marks the beginning of winter’s gradual demise as well
as the end of the current harvest season. Although each zodiac transition has a corresponding Sankranti, the two most important are Makara Sankranti and Karka (Cancer) Sankranti. The venue for the kite festival was roughly an hour and a half away, so the bus rolled out of the campus at 7:45 a.m. with students in various stages of sleep deprivation headed for the festival. We were originally supposed to arrive at the very start of the festival, however, as it sometimes happens in India, the program was running behind. This translated to standing by the ticket booth for an hour waiting to get into the event. Despite the lackluster start, once we entered and took our seats on the ground bordering the professional kiters’ field, it was worth the wait.
LAURA ELLEN BRANDJORD | THE SPECTRUM
Kites of all shapes and sizes take to the skies at Hyderabad’s International Kite Festival. Endless strings of butterflies, hand painted faces and a massive whale were just a few of the kites
manned by teams and volunteers from multiple countries. Perusing the stalls selling food, crafts or giving
away amateur kites gave us the perfect opportunity to stretch our legs when they became stiff from sitting.
When EDM wasn’t blasting over the speakers, performers put on cultural shows consisting of dances and Hindu epics on stage. When stress and tension builds, the best remedy is a change of scenery and an activity to occupy yourself with. Whether that change of scenery is in the form of a weekend trip or just a drive to a movie in a theater on the other side of town, you may find the time spent away from the causes of your stress will enable you to better tackle them once you return. Hyderabad’s International Kite Festival was exactly what I needed. Laura is an NDSU student currently studying in Hyderabad, India. She writes a weekly column on her experiences while abroad.
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Arts & Entertainment
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New Semester, New Entertainment 2017 gives fans of sports, TV, music and gaming something to look forward to Austin Smith
Contributing Writer
The 2017 spring semester is here. Unfortunately, that puts a halt to bingewatching Netflix series, drinking “cool-aid” with relatives and indulging in unholy amounts of Grandma’s irresistible goodies. Yes, the winter break is over. Time to retire the sweatpants and actually give a crap. But don’t let the idea of a new semester get you down in the dumps, 2017 has a lot to offer.
Super Bowl LI
Sports fan or not, there is no escaping football in America. With the playoffs underway, anticipation inches to the summit as we get closer to knowing which two teams will go head-tohead.
Luring in a mind-boggling average of over 110 million viewers for the past three years, it’s baffling how Super Bowl Sunday isn’t a nationally recognized holiday. Sporting an overpriced team jersey, kicking it with family and friends and ganging up with fellow fans to shout colorful insults at the TV when refs make seemingly unjustifiable calls all wrap the Super Bowl into a memorable, exciting event; one you surely won’t want miss. Super Bowl LI kicks off Feb. 5.
show’s thrilling story and unforgettable “Did that just freakin’ happen?” moments. There’s plenty of swordswinging, dragon-flying, house-deceiving action to be experienced before the 25th rolls around. Get ready, season seven is coming.
New Eminem album
‘Game of Thrones’ season seven
Winter is coming. As a matter of fact, winter is already here, but the new season of “Game of Thrones” has yet to come. Announced last year, the hit series faces its end with the release of only two more seasons. A gut-busting
TOPHER MCCULLOCH | FLICKR.COM
Nintendo’s Switch is the latest in their impressive line of gaming consoles. blow to die-hard fans, myself included, but all the more reason to become fully immersed in the final 17 episodes (presuming season eight consists of 10
episodes). Season seven airs June 25, giving you approximately three months to confirm the conviction that it is not too late to catch up on the
Whispering from ear to ear are rumors of a new Eminem album set to drop in 2017. Although it has not officially been confirmed that a new album will be released by the famous rapper, fans have their fingers and toes tightly crossed. Rumor has it the new album may even feature songs in collaboration with Madonna and Adele. To this day, I am still caught singing the words “mom’s spaghetti” whenever “Lose Yourself” makes its appearance on Pandora. Let’s just hope the hype
is real and Eminem serves us a fresh plate of Debbie Mather’s special sometime this year.
Nintendo Switch
Since the birth of the iconic NES, Nintendo continues to develop consoles aimed at enhancing the video game experience. Perhaps the most intriguingly designed console thus far comes this year: the Nintendo Switch. The Switch features a portable screen with two attachable controllers that, when combined, form a handheld gamepad. TV connection is made possible by the included docking station, conveniently giving owners the options of at home or on-the-go play. Nintendo finally unveiled the specific release date to the public: the Switch will hit stores on March 3, along with “Zelda: Breath of the Wild.”
Fargo Flicks: Dogs and Death ‘Split’ and ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ hit the screen in late January COLUMN
Andrew Fugleberg Contributing Writer
Kidnappings, rogue operatives and adorable dogs are all in store for movie fans this month as “Split,” “xXx: Return of Xander Cage,” “A Dog’s Purpose” and more hit the screen.
‘Split’ Jan. 20
Imagine what it would be like to be abducted by a strange man in broad daylight. You, along with two of your friends, are held captive in a room with no windows. The captor is strange, and seems to be a completely different every time you see him: sometimes wearing glasses and being a neat-freak, sometimes acting like a nine-year-old child. This is exactly what happens in “Split,” putting an interesting spin on an abduction story. Three female captors must
try to convince one of their abductor’s 23 personalities to let them go before the 24th personality, dubbed “The Beast” comes out to play. Starring James McAvoy, “Split” is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
are guaranteed when watching this movie — allowing frantic dog lovers and casual fans to enjoy themselves.
‘Resident Evil: The Final Chapter’ Jan. 27
‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’ Jan. 20
Vin Diesel is back again in third installment of the “xXx” franchise. Xander Cage (Diesel), former extreme athlete and current government operative, returns to recover an immensely powerful weapon, known as Pandora’s Box, which can control global military satellites and cause a lot of damage. He recruits several to assist him, including the likes of a hacking expert (Nina Dobrev) and a precise sharpshooter (Ruby Rose). Action, explosions and several dramatic fights are sure to be seen, giving fans
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Joy, laughter and tears will characterize ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ when it’s released Jan. 27. ample entertainment.
‘A Dog’s Purpose’ Jan. 27
Dog lovers: prepare to bawl your eyes out when this movie releases Jan. 27.
“A Dog’s Purpose” follows the reincarnation journey of a single soul as it keeps being reborn as different dogs throughout its life. Based on the successful book by W. Bruce Cameron,
the main character lives several different lives, ranging from a boy’s best friend to a police officer’s partner. Laughter, tears and plenty of adorable dogs
“The Resident Evil” franchise is back for one last hurrah, with the main character, Alice (Milla Jovovich), recovering after being betrayed by someone she thought she could trust. As the evil Umbrella Corporation gains forces to mount a massive attack on all remaining apocalypse survivors, Alice must also gather her own team to fight to survive. This movie is advertised as being Alice’s most difficult challenge to face, really raising the stakes in this final movie. Of course, lots of action, guns, disgusting mutants and hand-to-hand combat will be prominent in this film, along with a kick-butt female lead.
Theatre B Joining Nation’s Theaters in Ghostlight Project Local theater reaffirms commitment to inclusion, participation and passion Paige Johnson A&E Editor
According to Wikipedia (I know, I know, bear with me) a ghost light is an “electric light that is left energized on the stage of a theater when the theater is unoccupied and would otherwise be completely dark.” The same article mentions the principle reason for this is safety, removing the danger of navigating a dark theater without accidentally falling into, say, the orchestra pit. There’s also a bit of superstition attached to this long-held tradition: each theater’s resident ghost also
needs light to move about the theater and perform when no one is there. This year, there will be another layer added to the ghost light’s history, a layer of inclusion and compassion for everyone who participates in theater. On Jan. 19, theaters around the nation will collectively create a “light” for the future, renewing a pledge that theaters stand for and protect inclusion, participation and compassion for everyone - no matter their religion, gender, race or class. The local Theatre B has a long tradition of supporting these values. In the past, they have participated in similar national events,
“As actors, we embrace ‘the other,’ bravely stepping into someone else’s shoes, allowing audiences to practice empathy for characters in situations they can only imagine.” – Carrie Wintersteen, executive director Theatre B including when they staged “The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later” in 2009 and “8: The Play” in 2012. They also coordinated with Minnesota State University Moorhead and their Rainbow Dragon Center in 2011 to perform “Standing with Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays.” “When the Ghostlight Project came to my attention, I was thrilled,”
said Theatre B Executive Director Carrie Wintersteen in a press release sent to The Spectrum. “Theatre B’s mission is to invigorate civic conversation. We specify respect, empathy and trust in our values statement. And our vision includes the goal of being enmeshed in an equitable, inviting and creative community. The Ghostlight Project is a way to remind
everyone that these are the values that guide our work.” To celebrate the Ghostlight Project, people are encouraged to come to the current home of Theatre B, the Broadway Theatre Garage, on Jan. 19 at 5:15 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., there will be a lighting ceremony, which will include the lighting of the theater’s ghost light. Members of
the Theatre B ensemble will also read from their favorite works that highlight inclusion, participation and compassion, the values of the Ghostlight Project. “As actors, we embrace ‘the other,’ bravely stepping into someone else’s shoes, allowing audiences to practice empathy for characters in situations they can only imagine,” Wintersteen said. For more information on the Ghostlight Project at Theatre B, please call (701) 729 - 8880. If you wish to learn more about participating theaters and the inspiration for the Ghostlight Project, you can visit their website, theghostlightproject.com.
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THE SPECTRUM | A&E | THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
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Variety Through the View of a Lens Post Capture provides breadth of perspectives and talent in MU Gallery exhibit Paige Johnson A&E Editor
From Dec. 15 to Jan. 26, 14 North Dakota State photography students are exhibiting their work in the current Memorial Union Gallery show, Post Capture. Post Capture is a combination of advanced photography and independent study photography students. Through the course of the fall 2016 semester, these students were given the opportunity to explore their own style of photography and topics of their choosing. The advanced photography students chose one topic to explore through their photography during the fall semester. They then
produced five different variations of this topic through their photography, eventually choosing and framing one for the current MU exhibition. Meanwhile, the independent study students worked on one semesterlong project specifically centered around a topic and technique of their choosing. These ranged in installations to darkroom prints. Students featured in the exhibition include seniors Josh Barduson, Nichoal Gordon, Kelsey Hanson, Derek Hatzenbuhler, Hannah Jessen, Ben Neyers, Kaitlin Ridl, Kiley Smith, Breanna Thompson and Christopher White. Juniors Shelby Biffert and Kellie Clark as well as sophomores Laura Wuflestad and Mama
Mangue are also featured in the exhibition. The combination of advanced photography students and independent study students gives a wide showcase of the talent and interests among student photographers at NDSU. The range of ages and majors also gives each photographer a unique perspective on the world around them. All these photographers’ works will be on display through Jan. 26, with a reception on Jan. 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the gallery. If you can’t make it to the gallery, the Memorial Union Gallery’s Flickr page features photographs of the current exhibition.
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Photos were not only displayed, but also installed, adding dimension to the photography exhibit.
The New Oz of NBC’s ‘Emerald City’
Newest remake of ‘Wizard of Oz’ adds grit to classic story
Isaac Sullivan
Contributing Writer
When I imagine the land of the Oz, I often think of the dreamy technicolor world of munchkins, wicked witches and ruby slippers. L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz” is one of the most celebrated stories in American history, giving it countless re-imaginings on stage, in books or on screens. Among the more famous interpretations are Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” and the musical “The Wiz.” Also among them are lesser-known adaptations
like “Tin Man,” a television mini-series featuring Zooey Deschanel, and the 2013 Disney film “Oz, the Great and Powerful.” Clearly, many people see “The Wizard of Oz” as a winning storyline. How else could we stomach at least five dozen retakes of the original story? NBC’s “Emerald City” marks the latest attempt at one of those adaptations. The question is: Is it worth it? This version of Oz is like many others. It features the cyclone that whisks Dorothy away to Oz, witches — a lot of them — and the man behind the curtain himself, the Wizard of Oz. Like many adaptations,
the key elements of the original story are in place. However, what makes “Emerald City” different from other versions of the land-over-the-rainbow is its diversity of character backgrounds. For instance, this version of Dorothy Gale is Hispanic and is also a registered nurse. The Scarecrow is now an amnesiac and also appears to be a veteran of war and the Wicked Witch is a madam of a brothel in the Emerald City and an opiumaddicted drug addict. These differences are only the tip of the iceberg. The more intriguing parts about this Oz is the complexity of its storyline. All throughout the pilot episode, political intrigue
and maneuvering are taking place in a “Game of Thrones”-esque setting. The Wizard is again a man of science, but this puts him in a unique position as Oz is a land of magic. He loathes magic, so much so that he actively tries to subdue its practitioners by outlawing it, much to the chagrin of the remaining witches in Oz. It forms a curious sort of dichotomy with the witches trying to preserve Oz’s old roots that are steeped in magic, and the Wizard trying to move Oz into its own modern era with science at its forefront. The tension is almost at a boiling point between these two powers, with the Wizard poised to obliterate
Oz’s past. Some of the most prolific moments in “Emerald City” are with Dorothy. Instead of an innocent farm girl, the audience gets an RN who means business, even going so far as to steal medication from a geriatric patient in order to care for a sick relative. Dorothy is not the type of girl that you want to mess around with. It is this departure from innocence that makes “Emerald City” so daring. Rather than having Dorothy scurrying away from lions, tigers and bears, the writers let her pull the trigger — and trick the Witch of the East into killing herself, I might add. She is the hero of the story. What makes “Emerald
City” different from other versions of Oz is its grit. It does not care if feelings get hurt. What matters is its brutal diversity. Although this may be a fallacy to assume, but it does signal that perhaps Hollywood is moving in a more diverse direction, being willing to let women into more leading roles, and not being afraid to show different but more realistic parallels to reality. Whether this show will become the next hot topic remains to be seen. However, this writer believes that it should at least be given a chance. The next episode of “Emerald City” can be viewed at 8:00 p.m. Friday on NBC.
Jon Krakauer’s ‘Missoula’ A far too relevant book REVIEW
Erik Jonasson II Spectrum Staff
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Netflix’s ‘Sense8’ covers topics including community, LGBTQA issues and cultures.
‘Sense8:’ More than a Netflix Show, It’s a Movement ‘Sense8’ tackles multiple controversial topics in a fun, positive way
COLUMN
Bruno Lozano Staff Writer
Those voices you hear in your head from time to time, or all the time? What if I told you, those voices are seven other individuals living their life just like you. “Sense8” centers around eight people who are mentally and emotionally linked. They all face a great risk that can get them killed.
In my opinion:
There is a lot to talk about with this show. This show is a great example of how far we, as a society, have come when considering so many controversial topics. “Sense8” surrounds multiple topics like the LGTBQ+ community, drugs, interracial couples, economic standards and cultures. Each character comes from a completely different background but they learn from each other. We, as an audience, get to see how other people from
different cultures interact. Each individual has their own set of skills, which is something we can see in society. Each character helps each other within their group depending on the needed skill. It is like a perfect society working together to achieve a bigger goal without hate or judgment. I believe this show does a great job at showing a small-scale, perfect society, where everyone is treated equally. They all support each other whenever they need it and it is great to see that. The plot and overall “umbrella” of the show does get confusing from time to time. We learn along with the actors in the show. The reason it is confusing is because each character learns different information depending on their situation. There is an overall theme of this bad guy who is trying to destroy the sense8 group, but we don’t know much about him and everything we know only comes from
one of the eight storylines. In my opinion, the reason this show is great is because the target audience Netflix has is mainly young people who are already growing in this changing society. The more the show gains popularity, the more awareness it brings to society making it easier for younger generations to learn about all the positive changes that can come in the future. I would recommend this show to anyone from all walks of life. It is a great example of what a society can look like. It’s an eyeopening show because it covers topics most shows are afraid to discuss. The fact that they target so many “problematic” topics affecting society now without fear of hatred is what makes this show respectable. Watch season one and part of season two on Netflix now. The rest of season two will be fully uploaded on May 5.
There is very rarely an author that causes me to set a book down and take a minute to reflect on what was just said. Jon Krakauer has done this to me multiple times. I came into “Missoula” knowing of Krakauer’s work; he is one of my favorite authors having written: “Into Thin Air,” “Into the Wild,” “Under the Banner of Heaven” and several others. These books are all jarring and offer something that I love from non-fiction books: facts. Krakauer does his research and “Missoula” is no different. “Missoula” follows a deeply troubling and relevant topic: sexual assaults in college towns and the justice system that seeks (yet occasionally fails) to find justice for the victims. Following several rape cases, Krakauer goes in depth uncovering every last detail. He also follows the subsequent court cases that paralleled these cases. Krakauer offers details on all of the characters involved in the justice system while also offering many facts for the reader to be aware of. My advice? Steer clear of Google for this book is shocking. What I found even harder than putting the book down was not going to my trusty friend Google to ruin the big reveal to me. Krakauer has done this before. As a high schooler,
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Krakauer’s book analyzes the justice system in its treatment of sexual assault on college campuses. I had to physically remove “Under the Banner of Heaven” from my house for a day due to its content. Be prepared for a book that will tell you all of the details in graphic and sometimes disgusting detail. This book is not for the faint of heart. What is shocking about this book is that you can see its practical effects in everyday life. One does not have to look far to see a major university facing
a similar situation, the University of Minnesota. This is a far-reaching book. As someone who likes reading books that offer me something, it was shocking and truly sad to see how relevant this book really is. The product of all of this is amazing, though. A book that will honestly teach you about rape and debunk some common rape myths. I would suggest this book to anyone looking for a challenging book. This was a very good read.
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Opinion
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
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The Spectrum
A Sorrow-filled Goodbye and a Bitter Hello Obama’s departure leaves a nation in tears
Cierra Steffensen Staff Writer
After eight years of wonderfully diverse service to our country, Barack Obama said his farewells this past Tuesday. We have now all had a few months to begin digesting the future that America holds. With a new president and shift
in the political party we, as Americans, are in for a major change. Although there were many doubts throughout the country as Obama stepped into office, there was a large shift in energy. The election of a black man for president was an extremely prominent leap in the right direction. As a nation filled with many freedoms, diversity is something that must be recognized and attainable in positions of power. President Obama made this visible. Obama created a bond with the American people that will never be broken. He will be missed for not
It is sad to know that someone who can cause such hate and fear throughout a country will be running it in a short amount of days. only his successes related to political change, but also his sincerity when addressing the nation as an all-inclusive leader. His passion for creating a more accepting and diverse nation was obvious from the moment he took office. It is hard to ignore hateful words and slander when they fill social media regarding politics. Many of these hateful words coming from Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States.
Trump is a man who will verbally attack someone in order to make himself feel more powerful, a man who belittles women and bases their successes solely on looks and has continuous meltdowns on Twitter like he is a 12-year-old girl who just got her heart broken. And a large majority of his socially representative supporters aren’t much better. Tomi Lahren, for example, does political rants on TheBlaze, but can’t
ever seem to address the opposing political parties with any sort of equality. The use of name-calling, extreme white privilege and a lot of hand gestures make for a cringe-worthy video covering current “political” topics. “It is sad to know that someone who can cause such hate and fear throughout a country will be running it in a short amount of days,” an NDSU student who wished to stay anonymous said when
discussing the upcoming inauguration in regards to current events. What happens when something negative is said by another country’s leader involving his work done in the office. Will we be safe, or will negative words spewed by our president cause us harm because he can’t keep his temper in check? All in all, the strewn hate shown by Trump compared to the love and connectivity shown by Obama and his family is a disappointing change within this nation’s great office.
January 20th, 2009 January 20th, 2017 Farewell, departure from the White House The Obamas will leave the White House for the last time as the presidential family.
OBAMA
2015 4 201 201 3
THANKS,
2 201
Same-Sex marriage legalized Obergefell v. Hodges: samesex marriage is legalized in all 50 states.
2009
The Stimulus Package is signed Obama signs The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA or stimulus package) of 2009, investing billions in the country.
201 1
June 26th, 2015
6 201
February 17th, 2009
0 201
January 16th, 2016 The Iran Deal The Obama administration puts sanctions on Iran to stop them from possessing a nuclear warhead without military involvement.
His Inauguration Obama is inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States.
November 6, 2012 Wins the 2012 Election (defeats Mitt Romney) Obama defeats the republican candidate Mitt Romney to receive his second term.
March 23, 2010 The Affordable Care Act (ACA aka Obamacare) Obama signs ACA into law. "The uninsured rate has never, ever been lower. Healthcare costs are rising at the slowest rate in 50 years." Barack Obama from his farewell speech.
May 1, 2011 Osama Bin Laden is killed, War in Iraq is ended Navy seals kill one of the most wanted men in history, Osama Bin Laden. Obama later that years withdraws troops from Iraq.
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From a Grateful Millennial: Farewell Obama Thoughts on eight successful years
Erik Jonasson II Opinion Editor
“Four more years.” The crowd chanted. It is hard to not share that feeling. I grew up with Barack Obama. He was elected
OPINION
when I was just a young, little, awkward middle school student. He was my president, but more importantly, he was the president that taught me what a president was. On Jan. 10, we said goodbye to Obama. Though he will for sure leave a mark from his hilarious dinner speeches to his gorgeous relationship with Joe Biden it shouldn’t be mistaken how much this country has changed in eight years. Don’t be mistaken. Over his eight years in office Obama truly left a mark on
“Yes we can. Yes, we did.” this country. As of right now, the United States relies on imported oil for less than a quarter of our consumption, a number that hasn’t been lower since the 1970s. Science flourished under Obama. We now have a major automaker who produces nothing but electric cars, Tesla. Renewable energy is, of course, unfinished business; it does seem to be heading
in the right direction. His stimulus package helped find relief from the worst recession since the great depression. A gamble of $832 billion that saved 1.6 million jobs a year for four years and raised the economic output by 2-3 percent while preventing an increase in poverty. Under Obama, the supreme court ruled in favor of equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.
A moment that will go down in American history. Though the memories remain, looking back it is becoming harder and harder to see the opposition. Equality has flourished since 2008. Something we can thank Obama for. Obama’s work with the Iran deal without military intervention is probably his greatest accomplishment to date. By doing this, Obama’s administration dismantled and removed two-thirds of its centrifuges, shipped 25,000 pounds of enriched
uranium out of the country and Iran has provided access to its nuclear facilities. This feat, without military involvement, is truly an amazing legacy for the Obama administration. Even though it might be easy to remember Obama from his one-liners or funny picture,s we should remember Obama for how he changed America. To quote Obama from his farewell address, “Yes we can. Yes, we did.”
THE SPECTRUM | OPINION | THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
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I Love ‘Harry Potter,’ I Hate Harry Though I read the first book again, and I hate the booger
Erik Jonasson II Opinion Editor
This is my third time and I can say this with more certainty than ever before: I love the “Harry Potter” books, I just hate Harry. Underneath, I always kind of hated his little butt, but now I am certain. Over break, I needed something to do. I thought that a trip down memory lane would suit me well. I own all the “Harry Potter” books so reading the series over again was an easy choice. So the first book opens up by describing the state of Harry’s life. Granted,
it sucks, so naturally this makes you cheer for him. His aunt and uncle are terrible in a cartoonish fashion. Dudley is basically everything wrong with children ever. The jerks would not even give Harry a proper birthday. What happens next kind of ruins my cheering for Harry. He gets told he is special by a hairy giant in a hut on his birthday. It is all downhill from there. Harry turns into the rich kid who flies on a broom slightly better than other people. Who, for some reason, always talks about himself. If he was quiet about his being special it would not be obnoxious, I mean take a note from Longbottom, Potter. With that being said, the other characters are just so much better. Hermione works very hard all the time and seems like a worthwhile friend to have.
Underneath I always kind of hated his little butt, but now I am certain.
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She is always trying to help the group with research or her superior smarts. Ron is sweet, although
dumb sometimes. He is at least endearing. These two characters engrave themselves in your heart,
Harry is just there to be the hero. No one wants a friend like Harry.
Hell, even though Draco kind of sucks I still like him more as a character than our scar-faced 11-year-old hero. The same goes for Snape. The teacher that treated you like crap, but secretly had your back the whole time? Yeah, that is amazing. Snape is a hero for crying out loud. The only character in the first book that I really don’t care too much about, other than Harry, is Voldemort. Granted. the Dark Lord has not come back fully yet, give him a few books, he’s going to be good, wink wink. Reading the first book was fun, but take my advice, cheer for anyone except Harry. Cheer for Longbottom, cheer for Ron, heck, cheer for Dumbledore or Snape. These characters are way more deserving of your love and affection than, cough, “the boy who lived.”
Auditorium Desks: The Bad, Awful and STEM Desks The absolute worst part of my semester
Grant Gloe Staff Writer
You all know the awkward, but necessary, dance of the auditorium desk. “Uh, hey ...” as you need
to move someone’s coat or even their leg to get your desk out. We all do it, yet it just seems to get worse every time. On top of that, every auditorium desk unfolds differently. Nothing like moving someone’s coat or leg to no avail and have to move their arm so you can pull it up. God help you if you’re not familiar with the A. Glenn Hill Center (STEM Building, it will always be the STEM building) desks that fold out from
under your leg. I will never understand the design of those. It’s like modern art that’s trying too hard to be, ya know, a desk. The engineer must have really liked puzzles. Not to mention they are tiny, God are they tiny. I swear the amount of papers I’ve kept on my leg during an exam because the desk is about eight square inches is ridiculous. Why do our GPA’s have to hinge on a tiny piece of wood? It’s the most stressful
part of the semester and you have to spend it working on a coaster. I propose a new desk that avoids all this awkwardness. One that is not unnecessarily complex yet avoids even having to look at your neighboring classmate. That’s right: a desk that is always folded out and wraps all the way across so you can just sit down into the seat. I can see I have lost a few of you. Bear with me for just a
second. Imagine it is about five minutes into class and one guy shuffles in late. He is trying not to make a big deal out of it and the teacher barely even notices. Everything is going great until he reaches his desk and tries to climb in. While short-lived, the fact that there is a single student in a silent auditorium clambering to get over his desk and fall haphazardly into his seat becomes incredibly apparent. And then, of course,
there is everyone leaving. You either have to hop up and over the desk without falling and hurting yourself, or, if you are slim enough, try to slide under the desk and onto the floor without someone falling on you. Yes, I’d have to do it as well, but if I feel it’s funny enough I will tank myself and take everyone down with me. Down with the old, the different and the weird. In with the new, the uniform and the weird.
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Sports
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
NDSUSPECTRUM.COM
The Spectrum
Big Dex Posting a Big Senior Season The veteran forward from Bismarck quietly building a stellar resume, helping surging Bison Thomas Evanella Staff Writer
At the center of the men’s basketball team, both on and off the court, is senior forward Dexter Werner. Taking up the role of the sixth man in his sophomore and junior campaigns, Werner became a vital contributor for the Herd. Now a senior, Werner’s role has increased. While sharpshooting guards Paul Miller and AJ Jacobson do the most scoring, Werner hangs in the paint, scoring when called upon. His 11 points per game do not jump off the stat sheet, but his contributions go far beyond offensive production. Defensively, Werner hunkers down below the net, drawing opponents’ largest players and gobbling up rebounds. His 7.5 rebounds per game leads NDSU and is seventh in the Summit League. His defensive prowess, while not easily quantified, doesn’t go without notice and is something the Bison could not do without. Having won two Summit League titles and beaten No. 5 seed Oklahoma in March Madness, expectations for the Bison men’s basketball team have been elevated. Big Dex, as he is known to students and fans, takes a slow approach to handling these expectations. “We have a very young team, so obviously we’ve been going game-by-game and just getting a little better,” Werner said. Werner has also noted a culture change in the program. “I think the culture has changed here. As far as being a mid-major school, it’s changed from having that good team every four or five years and then having to rebuild and get back. The expectation is to have those successes every year now,” he said. The program’s culture change revolves around sustaining success. “As the program’s gotten
better, we get those better players in as freshmen, and so I think that helps us rebuild faster and the expectation is to maintain the level of success instead of rebuild it,” Werner said. A seasoned veteran with the accolades to prove it, Werner explains the importance of experience by saying, “It definitely just helps you (to have) been there and done it.” He noted that building success is like a chain reaction, that as older players succeed, younger players observe and learn, better equipping them to succeed down the line. Dexter’s experience was on full display in the Bison’s recent matchup against the University of South Dakota. NDSU built up a sizeable lead, but the Coyotes rallied back in second half, tightening up the game into the final seconds. Werner was fouled with only seconds remaining, and he nailed both of his free throws to seal the game. Although he was the one with the ball in his hands at the stripe, it was all a team effort. “They were really rolling, in that second half, and we were kind of cold,” Dexter said. “We had a couple of big shots from some guys, and then some defensive stops at the end. We got some stops that kept us in it and that’s what set us up for that last play. I was shooting the free throws, but it was 100 percent a team effort.” After the victory over USD, head coach Mark Richman was filmed in the locker room celebrating with the squad and telling them they had a chance to be something special. Werner explained this, putting into context the other teams on which he has played at NDSU. “I think all teams are different. They’re all special in their own way. Obviously we had that team in 2014 that beat Oklahoma and that’s a pretty special team because we (had) all those seniors and four of them are one thousand point scorers,”
he said. This year’s iteration of the team is very different though. “We’re a very young team, so for us to be having the success that we’re having so far is what makes us special. I think that’s what he meant, to just keep building on it and keep improving,” he stated. The Bison are currently 4-1 in conference play and sitting in first place, with USD and Fort Wayne nipping at their heels. But Dexter isn’t concerned much by what other teams are doing. “I think it’s all about us, just keep doing what we’ve been doing, keep improving,” he explained. “Obviously, we’ve been 4-1 to this point, but there’s a lot of stuff to improve on, so just keep building on little things, just finding those nitpicky things that we can improve on as a team and not really focus on what other teams are doing.” The Herd welcome the Mastodons and their high scoring offense to the SHAC on Thursday night. IPFW boasts the top scoring offense in the conference, averaging 84.6 points per game. NDSU’s defense is stout though, and Werner explained what type of performance it’ll take to bottle up their attack. To stop the Mastodons, he said, “It’s definitely going to be a team effort, that’s gonna be a point of emphasis for us, so we’ve got to crank up our D. It’s gonna be a lot of group defense. It’s hard to guard people one-on-one, so (we have) to tighten up our game plan, and make sure we’re locking in on our defensive assignments and personnel.” Dexter Werner has developed a cult following during his years in Fargo. But it wasn’t always easy for the big man. “That redshirt year, and your first year or two in the program when you’re not seeing the court, that’s a big change from high
FILE PHOTO | THE SPECTRUM
Dexter Werner goes for the block last year. This year, Werner is putting up a big senior season. school when you’re used to playing all the time. So, that’s definitely a tough mental challenge; to go into a program and then not see the floor. You start to doubt yourself a little bit, and it’s a long year, especially at college,” he commented. “It’s definitely paid off. It’s been enjoyable. I’ve just
been soaking it in as much as I can.” When asked to say if he was pretty popular, Dexter shrugged modestly and simply said, “Yeah.” Hailing from Bismarck, Werner shares a hometown with Bison legend Carson Wentz. So as not to irk his teammate Jacobson, a graduate of Fargo’s Shanley
High School, Dexter took the high road to answer whether or not he thinks NDSU’s best athletes come from the state capital. “I’ll leave that one up for debate,” he said. Undebatably, Dexter Werner is the most vital asset of a team poised to play in March.
Thoughts and Predictions on NFL Playoffs A wild weekend (that started Sunday) sets up excitement Cody Tusler Staff Writer
Was it just me or were all the playoff games until Sunday’s very one-sided and not that exciting? All the games in the Wild Card were close ones until the teams stepped on to the field. Then in the division round on Saturday was the same. Finally, on Sunday’s games, I finally had that feeling of “Yes. This is what I was waiting for. This is playoff football.” Saturday had the most interesting games of the weekend. First off with Seattle and Atlanta, I don’t know of many people that had Seattle winning besides the bandwagon fans that hopped on a few years ago, that may be because I don’t know many people in general, nevertheless it may be time to get off and let Seattle have their true and real fans. Atlanta has the best offense in the league with MVP candidate Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and the great
one-two punch of Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman to name a few. Their defense is stellar as well. With Vic Beasley Jr. leading the league with 15.5 sacks in just his second season in the league. This helping the Falcons to have one of the best run defenses in the league. The game started out nice, better after a penalty on a long punt return from Devin Hester brought the ball inside Seattle’s own 10 and then the next two plays ended the short drive in a safety by Ben Garland. The Falcons went on cruise control to win 36-20. The second game of the night with New England Patriots and Houston Texans started out hot. With the score 17-13 in favor of the Pats going into the half. This had me thinking, “Can the best defense in the league stop one of the hottest offenses right now?” In the second half, I was proven wrong. New England came out and was like, “You think you can play with us? That’s cute.”
“They have this guy called Aaron Rodgers, you might have heard of him. On the second-to-last play of the game, Rodgers made a play that was designed like what you do in a backyard football game.” The Patriots went on to win 34-16. Tom Brady now has 23 playoffs wins, that is more than 27 teams since the merger. Bill Belichick has 24 playoff wins as a coach, one with the Browns in 1994. I figured out why Brock Osweiler is not that good this year. He is 6’8” so he is not getting as much oxygen and it’s hard for him to breath and he gets all loopy and get see and makes bad decisions while on the field. Now Sunday is where the real action happens. The game we all were waiting for. Green Bay and Dallas, not for the reason that Joe Buck and Troy Aikman called the game. Where’s that petition at? I like you Troy, not you Joe. The game started great for Green Bay, jumping out to 21-3 before Dallas
made it 21-13 before the half. Dallas came storming back to tie it at 28-all with 4:08 left. Now I don’t like Green Bay for the purpose I’m a Vikings fan, but I hate Dallas. Green Bay would make a field goal with 1:33 left before Dallas made their own field goal with 58 seconds left. Now that’s too much time for the Packer offense. They have this guy called Aaron Rodgers, you might have heard of him. On the second to last play of the game, Rodgers made a play that was designed like what you do in a backyard game. Just tell people what to do and get open. He through a dot to Jared Cook to set up Mason Crosby for a 51-yard gaming winning field goal. In the final game of the weekend, Chris Boswell was the hero. Going 6-6 in
field goal to help Pittsburgh defeat Kansas City 18-16. Usually Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell are the big names, but not today. With some say that on KC two-point conversion to tie the game at 18-all called back on a hold was a bad call. Yeah, Eric Fisher just wanted a huge hug from James Harrison. It clearly was a hold. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had some strong words on the call, but maybe if he would have caught the ball with 3:00 left in the 3rd and not have the unnecessary roughness for 15 yards that finished in a field goal for the Chiefs, maybe you could have had a touchdown and won the game. Know your roll, do your job and shut your mouth. If you win, say little. If you
lose, you say less. Rant over. With both games next week being both exciting match ups, I’m going to make some bold predictions. Pittsburgh having such an explosive offense with lots of weapons, they are going into Nebraska and winning. This will be 13 out of the last 14 years that either Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or Ben Roethlisberger have been in the Super Bowl of the AFC. The lone year being in the 2012-2013 season with Joe Flacco for the Ravens. In the NFC championship game, Atlanta is going to win it. It will be a very high offensive game, but defense wins championships and Falcons have a better defense than the Packers. Setting up for the Super Bowl, Atlanta, being in their second Super Bowl and first since 1999, will defeat the Steelers, winning their first Super Bowl in franchise history.
THE SPECTRUM | SPORTS | THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
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The Issues Found When Revamping a Logo Chargers, Juventus highlight problematic trend in sports
Taylor Schloemer Sports Editor
Over the past week, two famed sports teams have unveiled new logos, and now the community is asking one question. To quote Jeremy Clarkson from The Grand Tour, “How hard can it be?” Let’s start with the one most familiar to the American audience, the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. With the relocation of the team to LA, the organization dropped a new logo and it was terrible. It was a simple italicized LA that overlap and with a lightning bolt tailing off the L. The color scheme was blue and white, similar to that of the Los Angeles Dodgers with the bolt looking like something from the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. In the age of social media, the reaction was swift and negative. Twitter blew up with variations of the logo, with “LOL” and “LAME” spelled out in the font, Harry Potter’s famous scar changed to the logo, and a simple L. That was just the fan reaction. Other sporting organizations hopped on the bandwagon; the Dallas Stars released their “new logo,” which looked familiar. It was the star of the Dallas Cowboys logo with the color changed to the Stars green. The Sacramento Kings trolled the Lakers with a proposal for them. It even got to the point that the Lightning had to clarify that they “are just friends” with the Dodgers. The Chargers have since made two changes to the logo, the first changing the color scheme to the Charger’s light blue and
yellow. This was welcomed by being photoshopped onto Pikachu’s tail. The next change got rid of the LA altogether. And still, it was booed at a Clippers game last week. Then just this week, Italian soccer giant Juventus dropped their new logo. The old classic was replaced with a J in a fancy font. Not surprisingly, Twitter had another field day. So, the question that must be asked is why do teams change their logos? For the Chargers, it was all about rebranding during the move to a new city. But this was a special logo. In an interview with NBC Sports, the Chargers president of business operations A.G. Spanos said the logo was supposed to “launch our brand into the market and supplement — not replace — our official team marks.” It is an odd move to have your first released logo be promotional. Most teams that pull that stunt already have a main logo. Hard to blame the public on misunderstanding the logo’s use, when it is not known what the logo is going to be. As for Juventus, it is hard to see why the change occurred. The club has been around since 1905, and the crest has not changed much since. And even during an odd phase in the ‘80s, the central bull has been part of the logo. It is all gone now. This shows that the world as a whole is changing, becoming less rooted in tradition. It is a bit of a shame really. Perhaps one of the good stories about the Rams going back to Los Angeles was based on the historical context. Think, what if the Bison revived some of the old logos, that would all be fine. But if NDSU created a new logo, and it did not have a Bison, it is a safe guess that there would be some backlash, and students would go on to create their own.
“It is an odd move to have your first released logo be promotional. Most teams that pull that stunt already have a main logo. Hard to blame the public on misunderstanding the logo’s use, when it is not known what the logo is going to be.”
The new logo for the Los Angeles Chargers didn’t go over well with both fans and critics alike.
Juventus, an Italian soccer club, revamped its logo, much to the public’s dismay.
TWITTER.COM | PHOTO COURTESY
JUVENTUS.COM | PHOTO COURTESY
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THE SPECTRUM | NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY | THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
BISON ROUNDUP Taylor Schloemer Sports Editor
Wrestling It was a split weekend for the Bison at the Virginia Duels, going 2-2 in the meet, with both losses coming to ranked opponents. The opening two duals last Friday went the Bison’s way, taking down No. 24 Virginia and The Citadel. From the offset, the Bison held the advantage over Virginia. Josh Rodriguez, the No. 4 ranked 125-pound wrestler in the nation, took the decision 7-2 over No. 7 ranked Jack Mueller. It lead the Bison to win five of the first six matches. The one set back for the Bison was Taylor Nein falling to No. 7 ranked George DiCamillo at
141. The Bison took a 27-13 win over the Caviliers. The Citadel proved to be the easiest test for the Bison on the weekend. The Bison won the dual 36-9 thanks to a trio of tech falls. Andrew Fogarty, Dylan Urbach and Tyler McNutt each recorded a tech fall late in the dual to seal it for the Bison. Saturday proved to be another beast, with No. 5 Virginia Tech and No. 19 Arizona State on the schedule. The headliner in the semifinal match-up with Virginia Tech was the opening match at 125. Joey Dance met with No. 4 Rodriguez. Dance escaped with a 5-3 decision. NDSU made headway into the match, with Nein registering a fall and Cam Sykora, Clay Ream and Fogarty all claiming
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decisions. The Hokies unleashed five more ranked wrestlers to take the match 22-15. In the third place dual, the Bison once again got off to a hot start with Rodriguez, Sykora and Nein all gaining points for the Bison. The start was not enough for the Bison, as they fell by a single point, 20-19. Track and field The second indoor meet for the Bison ended with records broken all around. For the women, weight throw record holder Katelyn Weimerskirch got off to a hot start. Her winning throw of 66-02.25 ranked her No. 9 in the NCAA. She was followed closely by Courtney Pasiowitz, Bailey Retzlaff and Maddy Nilles. All four now rank in the top-eight all-time for the Bison.
Pasiowitz went one better in the shot put, recording a throw of 50-10.75 to win and go to No. 6 all-time. On the track, a 13-yearold record was broken. Amy Andrushko broke the school record in the 1000m. Her time of 2:52.45 broke Kinsey Cole’s record. For the men, the throwers picked up right from where they left off last season. Alex Renner added to his own shot put record, throwing 63-00.25. That throw puts him at No. 3 in the nation. Payton Otterdahl was up to a similar task in the weight throw. He set the new school record at 6806.50, shattering the record by three feet. Former record holder Conrad Schwarzkopf improved his personal best to take second. The Bison also swept the
200m dash, with Landon Jochim pacing J.T. Bulter and Karter Gorney. Men’s basketball The Bison’s winning streak was snapped at four, suffering their first loss in the Summit League in Denver, 79-55. The defense of the Bison was present, but the offense was missing from the start. NDSU caused 11 turnovers, eight off steals, but could only convert those to 13 points. The Pioneers defended the boards well, out rebounding the Bison 49-27 and taking an 18-4 edge in second chance points. Poor shooting attributed to the Bison loss, shooting a low 29 percent in the first half and 31.7 percent in the game. A.J. Jacobson and Paul Miller both shot 4-11, and were the only double-
digit scorers with 13 and 12. Women’s basketball The Bison women got points on the board, but Western Illinois shot 49 percent to defeat the Bison 110-89. The high scoring affair saw the Bison on the back foot early, with the Leathernecks streaking to a 32-20 lead after the first quarter. The Bison lost the game in two places. WIU outscored the Bison 24-0 on points off turnovers, and by a 24-2 margin on the break. NDSU turned the ball over 13 times. Sarah Jacobson led the Bison with 18 points and eight assists, with Rylee Nudell getting a career-high 15 points.