A weekly publication by Loras College students
Vol. 90, Issue 7
Nov. 3, 2011
A sweet cause 1971 grad becomes a bishop
photo by MArlon Torres
ABOVE: A girl and her elder look at the contents of a purple jack-o-lantern. LEFT: First-year Emma Smith accepts a donation from a fellow first-year.
NICK SENTOVICH staff writer
David Kagan (’71) recently was appointed as the Bishop of Bismarck, N.D. “I was completely surprised and at first, I just stood there staring out the window until he asked me if I accepted the Holy Father’s appointment,” said newly Bishop-elect Kagan. “I said ‘yes’ and, as the saying goes, ‘the rest is history.’” Kagan was born on Nov. 9, 1949 in Waukegan, IL, and grew up in Spring Grove, IL. Since his ordination, he has served at over ten parishes, including his most recent assignment as pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church, the largest parish in the Rockford, IL, deanery. Before that, he was named by Bishop Doran as vicar general for the diocese of Rockford, and has served as associate publisher for, the newspaper for the Rockford Diocese, the moderator of the curia, and as a diocesan counselor. Kagan was ordained a priest for the Rockford Diocese by Bishop O’Neil in 1975. “A great deal has happened in my life since I graduated from Loras, the best, of course, is being ordained a priest,” he said. His new diocese in Bismarck, has, as he says, “98 parishes, 89 priests, 3 Catholic high schools, 13 Catholic parish grade schools … (and) 70,000 Catholics.” As bishop, Kagan will be ordained into the “fullness of the sacred priesthood” and says he “must teach, sanctify and govern God’s people with the mind and heart of Christ.” He will be succeeding Bishop Paul A. Zipfel who served as bishop since 1997. “Try not to hear merely my voice saying thank you for your ‘yes,’” Zipfel told Kagan at a press conference, “ but hear the thousands of people … who will be touched, and wonderfully changed by the faith, service, and the love that you bring.” At the conference, Kagan told reporters that, “I have tremendous shoes to fill, and I only hope and pray that I am able to do that.” Kagan says he thinks the most rewarding part of being a bishop will be, “ordaining other men as priests for the Church and confirming young people in our Faith to be active Catholics no matter their vocations.” On the other hand, he says that the most difficult aspect of being a bishop is hard to answer justly. Bishop-elect Kagan will be ordained on November 30, and will bring his dog, Dash, to Bismarck. “Dash gets to relocate and I think he will like it since one forecast has us receiving snow — he likes the snow,” Kagan says. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him.
‘But I’m just a little boy’ CDC urges males aged 11-21 to be vaccinated against a Sexually Transmitted Infection.
Turn to Page 3 for more. illustration by Emily Full
photos by MARY AGNOLI
Students scare up some money for UNICEF by Matt Koch
assistant news editor
The familiar scene of sneering pumpkins, creeps and haunts, scary movies, witches and goons, and candy galore made its annual return. Indeed, Halloween has run its course. Even on campus, there was some trick-or-treating. You may have noticed the group of students going around to various residence halls on Wednesday night. These were not silly college kids trying to relieve the glory days of free candies. They were the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) fundraisers for the annual trick-or-treat. The UNICEF trick-or-treat fundraiser, where members go residence hallsto-residence halls collecting change, was organized by president and senior Alejandra Ruales, and her excitement level was easily detectable. “This is an extremely important fundraiser,” she said. “It is our biggest of the year, trailing the Salsa Fundraiser in the Spring.” “The fundraiser is great because we have a lot of fun while raising money for a great cause,” said Emma Smith, a first-year dressed as an Egyptian. Indeed, it was apparent among the infectious laughter, excited chatter and animated picture that they were all happy to be there. The group emphasized that every cent counts because it only takes 6 cents to provide water for one thirsty kid, $2 to provide nutrition for one hungry kid, and $44 to provide school supplies for 20 kids. Nicole Otruba explained UNICEF’s
Sophomore Austin Wolff gets creeped out by “Jason Voorhees” at the UNICEF fundraiser. cause “We believe in zero” by saying, “Twenty-thousand children die every day from preventable causes — we believe that number should be zero.” These untold, preventable tragedies occurring all around the globe are the fundamental concern of UNICEF. The Loras College UNICEF pro-
gram will be donating the money from fundraisers this year to the hunger relief efforts in Somalia. The following evening on Thursday, kids from the community were invited to come to Loras to trick-or-treat in the residence halls. Simultaneously, dance marathon invited the kids they help from the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital to come trick or treat as well. In the basement of Beckman Hall, they had numerous sweets, games and decorations set up for the occasion. Ashley Miller, a junior and the family relations co-chair for Dance marathon christened the event. “It’s one of the ways that we reach out to the kids that we will be doing the fundraiser for.” Like the kids in the Dubuque area, they also went trick or treating around the residence halls.
UNICEF members pose for a group shot. Junior Reena Dev turned herself into a UNICEF box.
Media students pounce on car dealership’s challenge
The video must be no longer than two minutes, and must present the vehicle in a creative fashion, aimed at a viewing audience of 18- to 30-year-old individuals. The videos will be made public via Faceby NICK JOOS book, asking for votes. There will be one co-executive editor winning video per car, and the winners Loras and UD students are putting the ped- will receive a scholarship. The creator of al to the metal for the next few weeks, hop- the best overall video will be given the oping to become the next commercial produc- portunity to produce the dealer’s next local er for Bird Chevrolet. Clarke University also television ad. was offered the opportunity, but declined. “This is a win-win situation,” said Dave The local car dealership is challeng- Walsh, president of Bird Chevrolet. “This ing students from these two Dubuque-area should expose our products, as well as the schools to create a video showcasing three creativity of our local college talent pool.” of their newest vehicles: the Equinox, Cruze and Sonic. continued on page 2
The winner of Bird Chevrolet’s contest will win the chance to produce a TV commercial