Cross Country Men finish 2nd and women place 3rd at Iowa Conference Championships
2012 Election Our columnists weigh in on their candidates
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November 1, 2012 — Vol. 91, Issue 6
Student Life
Community
Conference shines a spotlight on LGBT issues
Making cents of the world by KT HEIDORN copy editor
by NINO ERBA staff writer
Last weekend, Dubuque proudly waved its rainbow flag as the Better Together Dubuque conference took place. Culminating on Saturday, the all-day event brought together a broad spectrum of people for various LGBT awareness events. The first major event of the day was a speech given by activist Zach Wahls that centered around growing up with two moms. One of the most moving moments of his speech was when he spoke of one of his mother’s battle with multiple sclerosis. He drove home the idea of how important marriage was in this time of struggle. Some of the subjects covered in the conference included ally training for those who support LGBT individuals; LGBT individuals in business; hazing and bullying; Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell; and Suicide Prevention. Many of the events had some connection with Loras. There was a DuTalk session about civil discourse, and many friendly faces were presenters. Professor Breyan Strickler helped run a writing workshop; Art Sunleaf and Elizabeth Miller talked about hazing and bullying; Michelle Bechen led the ally training; recent grad Trav Ayers co-led a presentation about HIV and other STIs; and Brett Robbins, Mara Kelly and Kristin Anderson-Bricker gave a comprehensive overview of LGBT history and sex education. There were other friendly faces as well, such as Josh Jasper from the Riverview Center and Molly Menster from both the Dubuque Human Rights Department and the Dubuque LGBTQ Youth Network. Other highlights included an opportunity to talk with Zach Wahls and buy his memoir, which he released recently; a raffle with prizes linked to businesses in Dubuque; and a family-friendly afternoon, giving kids a chance to play, get their faces painted, and makes arts and crafts.
photo by KATHERINE EDWARDS
Students attended the celebration in Wahlert where they participated in rituals and enjoyed Nepalese food.
Taste of home by ANDREA BERNS
R
copy editor
upesh Shrestha, among others, wanted to bring a little taste of home to Wahlert Hall on Thursday, Oct. 25. Sharing food, kite-flying and family fun 7,500 miles away from home is no easy task, but Duhawks from near and far united that night, celebrating the Nepalese tradition, Dashain.
“Because Loras has a significant number of Nepalese students, I think celebrating Dashain is very important here at Loras,” said senior Rupesh Shrestha. “It’s that time of the year when Nepalese want to be home the most and get homesick. Therefore, it’s a way to make them feel at home by celebrating Dashain.” The celebration began with an informative presentation about Dashain by Shrestha and junior Smriti Shakya. “It’s a great way [for Americans] to learn about a new culture, as well as to be a part of a diverse community,” said Shrestha The history of the celebration goes back to ancient times when the Hindu goddess Durga claimed victory over the demon Mahisasur. Thus, the main theme of Dashain is celebrating
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good over evil. The traditional foods eaten by the Nepalese during these fifteen days are rice and various kinds of meat including chicken curry and mutton curry. There is no doubt that Dashain is a colorful festival. This is demonstrated through cleaning and decorating the house with candles and flowers throughout the 15 days as well as flying colorful kites through the sky and displaying big puppets made to look like the demon Mahisasur, which are then burned to symbolize the goddess’ triumph over him. Family is also a significant part of the festival, and there is always family-friendly gambling and wonderful memories. The festival lasts for 15 days and is celebrated from September to mid-October.
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On the evening of Oct. 25, genies, deer, knights and fairies braved the brisk fall evening, and made their way from dorm to dorm trick-or-treating. However, these 20 volunteers weren’t asking for candy, but for loose change to be donated to UNICEF, the world’s largest humanitarian organization. UNICEF, a part of the United Nations, focuses on child survival, child development, as well as basic education and gender equality, and has claimed to have saved more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Loras’ UNICEF is a part of the UNICEF Campus Initiative that advocates, educates, and raises money for the 19,000 children that die every day from preventable causes. Trick-or-treat for UNICEF looks to do just that. According to UNICEF, the trick-or-treat initiative was started during World War II as an effort to help children abroad affected by the war. The effort is to encourage children to trick-or-treat for candy, but also donations so that other kids around the world have an opportunity to live “happy and healthy lives.”
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photo by KELSEY BERGAN
Students do some fundraising during UNICEF’s Trick-or-Treat initiative on Oct. 25.
Psi Chi Honor Society welcomes former Loras president by KYLE SCHAFFER staff writer
photo by KYLE SCHAFFER
Msgr. Barta addresses the Psi Chi Honor Society during their “Get Psyched Night.”
The Loras College Psi Chi Honor Society made their mark on campus this past week with their “Get Psyched Night.” Psi Chi began the night with their bi-annual induction ceremony of qualified Psychology majors. This semester, eight individuals were inducted: Ana Baldinger, Jessie Donels, Coleman Heaney, Jessica Fino, Emily Steepleton, Shelby Roach, Amy Nader, and Evayn Roper. The keynote speaker of the night was Reverend Monsignor James Barta, who is no stranger to Loras College. Msgr. Barta began his professional career at Loras College in 1961 as an assistant professor in the psychology department. Eight years later Msgr. Barta was named associate professor and in 1974, he was named professor. During his time as a Psychology professor he served as the chairperson of the psych department and as Faculty chairperson. In 1977 he was named Academic Dean and continued his role as a psych professor. In 1987, Msgr. Barta was named President of Loras College and served for seven more years.
Barta challenged attendees, new and experienced alike, to always challenge views and ideas presented and to not shy away from the controversial topics. In 1994, the Archbishop appointed Msgr. Barta regional vicar for the Archdiocese of Dubuque, and in 1999 was named vicar general. He has since retired and resides at the Villa Raphael. Msgr. Barta spoke fondly of his years here at Loras. His talk was a comprehensive look at the history of psychology both here at Loras and in a broader context. His stories were numerous as he recalled his days as both a teacher and a researcher. His love for the classroom, for research, and for psychology were evident throughout the evening. Barta challenged attendees, new and experienced alike, to always challenge views and ideas presented and to not shy away from the controversial topics. He recalled his early career where psychology had a stigma that was not only negative but even was suggested to have been from evil
forces. Barta has spent his career and his life proving that the discipline of psychology not only can intermingle with faith, but complement it. His final message to those gathered was to not take lightly the sharing in others’ lives and to always see the humanity in the individual as not just a machine, a conditioned animal or summation of electrical impulses in the brain. Barta’s humor, wit and ability to engage an audience was a testament to his lasting legacy as a priest, professor and friend of Loras. Junior Nick Neibergall, president of Psi Chi, was thrilled to have such a great turnout. “We were honored to have the former president of Loras College, Msgr. Barta, as our keynote speaker for tonight’s event,” said Neibergall, “Psi Chi’s main goal this year is to continue the legacy left by Barta and others, and to strengthen the presence and involvement of the psychology department on campus. We again congratulate our new Psi Chi members. Their excitement and commitment as well as the success of tonight’s event are testament of the exciting things that lie ahead for the psychology department here at Loras.”