A DAY IN THE LIFE Spend the day with Mick, arguably Loras’ most beloved security guard Pages 6-7
FUTURE DUHAWKS Meet 2 prep athletes who are eager to be a part of Loras’ programs, Page 12 February 15, 2018— Vol. 96, Issue 9
R E T S L E U S S L FLUSTER C S S
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Announcement of the end of the cluster requirement sends a wave of relief for many students
by BRENNAN PIVNICKA | staff writer
The college recently announced that the 2017-18 school year will be the last one in which cluster courses will be required for graduation. All students graduating after the current semester are free to dispense with the decades-old qualification. To clarify, cluster courses are classes that are paired with another class of similar subject matter, with lessons coordinated between the two to maximize the student learning level of the topic and show the relevance of the material to real-world situations. They also were designed to ensure that students received an adequate number of courses in order to ensure graduation. “It is important to expose students to the perspectives of two different disciplines on the same topic,” said Donna Heald, vice president for academic affairs. “We did our best to check the AGE requirements needed every semester.” She stated that the decision to discontinue the requirement aspect of the cluster came about during the planning stages for the 201819 school year, when administrators realized there was a lack of staff necessary to cover the teaching of every offered cluster course. “Lots of our faculty who taught clusters were retiring. This year, there just weren’t enough left.” Despite this, Heald noted that clustered classes continue to carry much educational value, citing several campus organizations, such as the Breitbach Scholars, that likely still will require the taking of cluster courses. continued on page 3
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How do you feel about clusters no longer being part of the required curriculum at Loras? “I feel that there was no educational benefit of clusters except to talk about two topics between both classes.” ~first-year Darby Callahan
“Registration will be less stressful, and now I will be able to complete all of my advanced general education classes without having to repeat any.” ~junior Bayley Monroe
“I think it is a good decision because it was a stressor for many people to try to get into one.” ~sophomore Sam Anderson
“It sucks for some students, but we can’t do anything about it now.” ~senior Sami Jo Graff
“From my personal faculty perspective, I enjoyed teaching in every one of the 10 clusters I was involved with. It was great to be in the seats with the students getting a student's point of view. I learned not only more about the content and concepts from these other professors but also about how they taught, what worked and what needed work. With clusters gone, how will this interdisciplinarity continue?” ~Dr. Tom Davis, professor of Biology
WHAT DU YOU THINK?
The Lorian solicited open-ended answers for this “What Du You Think?” feature. The comments appear to show that the vast majority of students and faculty are in favor of ending the cluster course requirement. The five respondents pictured above approved publication of their answers and allowed us to take their photographs. Of the 71 total people who responded to the survey, 50.7% have not taken a cluster course, 22.5% have completed their cluster requirement, 15.5% people were professors, and 11.3% of people are currently enrolled in a cluster course.
Commemorating a legacy of journalism Professor Pisarik honored with service award at annual media conference in Des Moines in February by KAYLA THOMPSON | news editor
On Feb. 1-2, student journalists throughout the state were recognized for their hard work and accomplishments at the Iowa College Media Association (ICMA) conference in Des Moines, IA. The Lorian and LCTV were among the many school organizations to receive awards for their efforts, but this year the association also honored the legacy of one of its co-founders: Loras Professor Patrick Pisarik. The final award of the conference is named after Dr. John Eighmey, a former Iowa State University journalism professor. According to the ICMA website, it is given annually “to recognize an individual whose efforts have been instrumental in advancing the quality of media education in Iowa.” It is considered the highest recognition of the event. Media-studies professor Craig Schaefer had the privilege of recognizing his late colleague and friend as this year’s recipient. “It was one of the finest moments I have had in all my years of teaching to recognize Professor Pisarik for his dedication to his students and journalism,” Schaefer said. “It was a wonderful tribute to the legacy he left in Iowa.” Pisarik was one of several nominees the ICMA board considered in early October. He was selected prior to his passing on Oct. 30. Only the board member who tallies the votes
photo by KAYLA THOMPSON
The Pisarik family poses with the Eighmey award. Professor Pisarik was voted this year’s recipient prior to his Oct. 30 passing, and his family accepted on his behalf. gets to know the winner until the ceremony, but circumstances were different this year due to Professor Pisarik’s passing. Schaefer was alerted of the news and shared it with the Pisarik family shortly after the funeral, then helped arrange for them to accept the award on his behalf.
Professor Pisarik’s wife, LeAnn, and three of his four children — Christopher, Jesse, and Stephanie — as well as other family members were present at the award ceremony. Christopher, the eldest Pisarik son, said a few words on his father’s behalf. He thanked the association for the honor and
encouraged the student journalists to work hard and continue his father’s passion. Pisarik helped found the ICMA and served as both vice president and president. “Professor Pisarik sought to build an association for students to come together to learn and share from other students, advisors and professionals,” Schaefer said. The ICMA Board of Directors also unanimously voted to rename the student journalism award to the Patrick Pisarik Student Journalist of the Year. LCTV executive news producer and Loras College junior Kelly Kuboushek was one of the three finalists for this award. “It was such a privilege to be honored as a finalist for an award named after such a genuine professor and mentor,” Kuboushek said. “He truly cared about each of his students and loved his job.” Outside of Loras, Pisarik worked in the news media world, serving as a graphic designer and photojournalist for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Prior to teaching at Loras for nearly 25 years, he taught at the University of Northern Iowa. He also served as moderator of The Lorian for many years. Despite his sudden passing in October, his legacy will continue on through the Loras community and the collegiate media association. To learn more about the association, visit www. iowacollegemediaassociation.com.