Volume 39 Issue 13 by University Times

inside this issue:

Part II of IcelandAdventure

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University of Maine at Presque Isle Volume 39 Issue 13

Dragapella Visits UMPI

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Journalism for Northern Maine

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APRIL 22, 2011

A Positive Outlook:

Looking through the eyes of child soldier Michel Chikwanine Ben Pinette STAFF WRITER

Monday, A pril 4, was no ordinary day at the M u l t i - p u r p o s e ro o m i n the Campus Center here a t U M P I . C ro w d s f ro m UMPI and afar came and settled in to hear the story of Michel Chikwanine, a child sold i e r f ro m A f r i c a . His stor y has been felt across other college campuses around the U.S. and parts of Canada. He recounts some of his early year s living as a child in Africa. “When I was five years old, I made decisions that

would impact the rest of my life,” Chikwanine said. Chikwanine’s passion at a young age was playing soccer. As a kid, he used to skip school and play soccer with friends, including one particular day that changed his life forever. “I was playing soccer one day with some friends and, all of a sudden, I heard gunshots. We dropped to the g round. We were demanded to get into a rebel truck.” S ome of C hikw a ni n e ’s most memorable m o me nts were also so me o f hi s wor st.

Left to right: Professor Shirley Rush activist Michel Chikwanine.

“While I was in the truck, I heard crunch sounds on the g round. They were actually skeletons,” Chikwanine said. Chikwanine was then cut and poisoned by a rifle, then ordered by an officer to shoot his best friend. “I saw my best friend lie there in blood. Then I heard ‘you killed your best friend, your family will never take you back,’” Chikwanine got out relatively easy as he ran for three days in the thick jungles of Uganda, Africa. He was reluctant when he came across a local gas station and found the store owner, who was an acquaintance. T he next thing Chikwanine knew, he was lying in a hospital bed. “T hat changed my whole life altog e t h e r , ” Chikwanine said. For the next y e a r , Chikwanine’s mother, father and two siblings lived in a plastic tent, getting by on simple foods such as cor nmeal and beans. He didn’t know it, and but Chikwanine’s

Michel Chikwanine

life was about to suf fer another blow. “One day I was walking home from school and I saw my mother on the front lawn. She was cr ying and pointing towards the inside. I went in to s e e my f at h e r s h o t a n d bleeding. He later died in my hands. T he next thing I knew, I saw with my own eyes my mother and sister being raped on our f loor. There was nothing I could do about it,” Chikwanine said. By the time this occur red, at age 11, Chikwanine had decided to become a refugee and travel to other African countries to witness firsthand the problems people

faced in the developing world. He also wanted to see some of the raw beauty that comes from the people who live there. Today, more than 10 ye ar s late r, Chi kwanin e travel s a cross North Am e ric a and sp eaks to audiences about his strugg les. At this time, Chikwanine has spoken to over 100,000 people and wa s also on Oprah ’s Am b a ssad or s Ro ots o f Action speaking tour. He gave everyone in the audie nce that n ight a few pieces of advice to take action against the strugg les still h appening in Africa today: lear n more, ge t invo lved and help make a difference.

The University Times Staff Editor Lanette Virtanen Assistant Editor Kayla Ames Stephanie Jellett Sarah Graettinger Staff Writers Kayla Ames Stephanie Corriveau Naima deFlorio Sarah Graettinger Michael Greaves Stephanie Jellett Steven McKenney Michael Mink Mika Ouellette Henry Pelletier Ben Pinette Taylor Ussery Lanette Virtanen Martha Franklin-Wight Brianna Williams Angelic Nicholson Contributors Chris Corsello Jim Stepp Don Zillman Adviser Dr. J The U Times welcomes submissions from the campus campus. Send digital versions of articles, photos, etc., to utimes@maine.edu and jacquelyn.lowman@umpi.edu

University Times

ampus

April 22, 2011

Dear readers, Summer is fast approaching, but we still have things going on here on campus. Natalie Stovall will be here May 7: don’t forget to go see her in Wieden gym. OAPI has more adventures happening, as well. So keep an eye on the bulletin boards. Soon the grass will be green, jackets will be put away and sandals and shorts will be the clothing of choice. The warmer weather will soon be upon us so enjoy the nice days when we have them. Lanette Hi Everybody! I am super pumped for this weekend! Wal*Mart will not enslave me. J I’m going to Bangor to get some much needed shopping done! I hope everyone has a great weekend and indulges in lots of chocolate (this is the only time you can get away with it). Stephanie Greetings, I’ll follow Lanette’s example and tell everyone that the next issue of the U Times will feature stories about University Day sessions. U-Day is one of my favorite annual events, and I hope you’ll enjoy learning about new things as much as I do. Something else to look forward to: in a few short weeks, most of us will be returning home. I live four hours away, which makes packing a hassle. If you want an idea on how to make this process easier, check out the ad for Storage Solutions featured in this issue. UMPI students receive a 25 percent discount! Other than that, hope everyone does well on their finals. Benjamin Franklin said “Diligence is the mother of good luck,” and I agree. So work hard, good luck and make sure to read the next issue of the U Times! Thank you, Kayla

D at es fo r S u b missi on s to t h e U T i me s

April 25 Any submissions recieved after a deadline will be published in the following issue. If you have any questions please contact Dr. Lowman at 768-9745.

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From Don’s Desk

The Value of Higher Education Part of the life of the president of any public university involves the role of the university in the economic development of its region, state and nation. On April 12, former Maine State Economist and present Executive Director of the Maine Development Foundation Laurie LaChance visited campus and community to talk about the connections between higher education and economic development. Laurie gave us plenty of food for thought on this topic. A few days before I talked to a gathering of Young Professionals (college graduates in their first years in the workforce) held on campus. I reflected on the roles of this university (and any public university) in economic development. I called attention to sev-

eral matters. First, UMPI is one of the largest employers in the region. Our workforce of approximately 160 full-time faculty, staff and administrators are a significant part of the local economy. Our campus activities spend dollars at many local businesses. Our 1400 students do the same. We are an economic engine. Second, we are educating students who will take their knowledge to the workforce and add value to the community at large. Some of this “value added” will be in the paid jobs that

the graduates do. Equally important is the civic leadership that will be provided by our graduates. This can range from leadership of a non-profit organization, a religious

community or a unit of state or local government. Third, if we view our “product” as education (a concept that offends many people), we become an exporter of

the product as we welcome students from outside our geographic region to UMPI. The students could be from Bangor or Lewiston, Los Angeles or Chicago, Beijing or Jerusalem. In the economy of 2011, we should recognize that higher education is one of the United States’ most attractive exports. Fourth, our faculty, assisted by staff and students, help economic development in their work with private corporations, government agencies, economic development organizations and nonprofit groups. I take great

pleasure in reviewing the dozens of connections between campus and the community that are dedicated to making a better community— better economically, better culturally, better socially. I am especially delighted when faculty will involve their students in these activities. I’ve seen many instances where a shorttime student involvement in such a project leads to a paying job with the business or agency that has benefitted from the student’s work. Talking to maturing professionals, they often relate how that first job has then shaped their entire career. What a wonderful example of a “win-win” situation. What a great illustration of the value of a university education.

Developed for School Brianna Williams STAFF WRITER

What do the younger children in our communities do in school, and how do our student teachers know how to teach them? The Professional Development School at the University of Maine at Presque Isle is working on creating constructive answers to those questions. It began with the start of a relationship between the program and three different schools. SAD 1, Caribou and MSSM jumped on board at the opportunity. Barbara Chalou, an UMPI professor of education who is heavily involved with the PDS, said, “It’s a beneficial part-

nership between university and schools.” This program helps college students who are thinking about teaching. The students get to teach children at different levels of schooling. Each student gets placed in a classroom to teach for about a year. Chalou said, “At heart, it is much richer than the 15 week teaching.” Chalou is referring to the standard 15 week period for student teaching. Julie Savage is one of the first students who got to try this program out. She started her teaching in the fall and got done in the spring.

The program got her get ready to teach. Savage said, “I wouldn’t have traded my experience

The program helps the students to identify with what they need to teach. With the

for anything. Instead of 15 weeks at two different schools, you have that same mentor teacher for a whole year. You make a connection with her.”

partnership going on, the college of education knows what to help college students prepare for. This helps strengthen the connection between what edu-

cation students are learning and what’s being done in K12 classrooms. This program is truly a win-win for everyone. UMPI students get a tremendous opportunity to gain experience and develop as teachers. L o c a l schools gain the services of talented teachers for an entire year. The schools that hire UMPI graduates will gain seasoned, confident, accomplished teachers ready to hit the ground running.

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Chris’ Corner

Do Not .... D o n o t under mine your worth by comparing your self to other s. It is because we are dif ferent that each of us is special.

f o r t h e f u t u r e. B y living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.

D o n o t s e t yo u r g o a l s by what other people deem important. Only yo u k n o w w h a t i s b e s t f o r yo u .

D o n o t give up when you still have s o m e t h i n g t o g i ve. Nothing is really ove r until the m o m e n t yo u s t o p tr ying. It is a fragile t h re a d t h at b i n d s u s t o each other.

D o n o t let your life slip through your finger s by living in the past nor

encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we lear n how to be brave. D o n o t shut love out of your life by saying it is impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give love; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it t o o t i g h t l y. D o n o t be afraid to

your

Do not dismiss d r e a m s . To b e

without dreams is to be without hope; to be without hope is to be without pur pose. Do not run through life so fast that you forget not only where you have been, but also w h e r e y o u a r e g o i n g. Life is not a race, but a jour ney to be savored e a c h s t e p o f t h e w a y. Have a wonderful day.

Life After UMPI Naima deFlorio STAFF WRITER

When does the college life end? It’s so easy to sleep in, miss your classes and pull allnighters. Are you wondering how to maintain that lifestyle while making your future job into a career? Even the local car rental company employee in one small town admitted it’s impossible. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business almost a year ago. No longer is he the able to be the life of the party. Most of his paycheck goes to paying off his school loans and meeting basic living expenses. He lives at home. There’s no extra money to go out drinking, and even if there is, his drinking tolerance is so high, it’s no fun anyways. You have to choose between getting drunk and showing up for work. You have to choose between spending your whole paycheck on alcohol to have a good time or trying to build your credit score. Nobody really believes that life as we know it in college continues after graduation. Panic sets in, your heartbeat starts skipping or racing, maybe both.

More is expected from students today from these education paths than ever before. In the case of business students, the majority of schools across the U.S. have implemented a clause known as “the professional demeanor clause.” The equivalent exists in every field of study, whether it’s formally incorporated into the syllabi or not. You don’t have to be a business major or even a student to benefit from the guidelines provided within most standard professional demeanor clauses. It’s not a complete list of bad behavior, but rather discourages prime behaviors that are considered unacceptable and disrespectful. These standards are a mutual understanding between instructors and students. In having this clause, it’s saying: here are the behaviors to avoid. In a recent interview with chair of UMPI’s college of professional programs Clare Exner, she shared how she drew her inspiration from a series of preexisting professional demeanor clauses that were already in place and implemented in college settings around the country. It’s not about punishing stu-

dents, but creating an inviting and welcoming environment that fosters professionalism in the classroom. The department hopes it will help make for an easier transition into the workplace. It’s like when children are young and reach up to touch the stove and you say, “Careful, it’s hot.” It’s the same with students. The classroom is the perfect place to reinforce positive behaviors in professional preparation for after college. As Bria Ryder, an UMPI business major student who is also the president of the Professional Business Leaders Club said, “This policy will, in my opinion, teach students how to conduct themselves in an appropriate and professional manner. We all know what professional is, but this policy helps students practice what we are learning.” According to Carolyn Dorsey, the chair of the business department, how you present yourself professionally affects not only how others perceive you, but also how they respond to you. There is a whole area of nonverbal communication, such as rolling eyes, that may

communicate lack of interest, general boredom, hostility toward a given idea/concept or presentation. Nonverbal communication sends silent messages expressing anything and everything we may be feeling. Think of the way small children cross their arms across their chest

in refusal of doing something. It’s okay: sometimes people feel this way. If you recognize that a co-worker is ill at ease, with a few changes to the way that you are seated, you can convey interest in what they are saying and maybe help make them feel more welcome.

Basic Expectations: - Be prepared for class. - Expect to participate in discussion. - Exhibit active listening. - Focus on topic being discussed. - Respect others’ right to different opinions. - Avoid disrespectful body language, including sighing and rolling one’s eyes. - Do not leave class without advance notice (unless emergency). - Do not use electronic devices for non-class related work. *Including texting. *Including checking time. - Do not initiate or participate in side conversations while class discussions/presentations are in progress. - Do not interrupt class presentations or lectures without permission to do so. - Do not continue behaviors the instructor has classified as disruptive.

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The Sun Will Rise Again Kayla Ames

Owl’s Nest, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on March 16, both UMPI residents and the public could have taken time to sit and reflect on the recent earthquake and tsunami. Various staff and faculty members took turns sitting quietly, making themselves available to talk or listen to whoever needed it. “There were faculty and staff that came and sat in the space. They were available to

touching or inspiring mes- with friends a moment of need, the vigil that took sages such as “I’m praying before, grew respectfully place in the Owl’s Nest on for all” and “My heart goes quiet as they passed. Still March 16 helped prove that On March 11, 2011, a out to you. The sun will rise massive earthquake, 8.9 in again.” A slide show played magnitude, struck Japan. continuously throughout the Roads cracked, buildings fell day, showing those present and fires spread across the the extent of the damage landscape. This quake trigand making it easier to gered a tsunami with waves understand the immensity of reaching up to approximately the situation. 33 feet, which swept away “This time of reflection people, homes and crops provided a hands-on way of alike. Between that and ensutaking time out to rememing aftershocks, not to menber that this event in Japan is affecting so Among other things, people passing by could many people, light a candle for the victims of the including earthquake in Japan. local people,” Mary others tried to smile and we are all willing to support L a w r e n c e , lighten the mood, remind- each other. Whether interc o o r d i n a t o r ing us that, even in times of ested in sharing pain, conof confer- despair, optimism is essen- cerns or hopes for the future, ences and tial. staff, faculty and fellow stuspecial pro“We live in a global soci- dents were ready to listen. grams, said. ety,” Platt said, “and anytime Like the people of Japan, Rather we can come together as a they demonstrated strength than try to community to recognize the and gave us reason to believe dismiss the impact devastation such as a that there’s still good in the painful real- tsunami can have on the world. Darkness and A board outside the Owlʼs Nest, on which anyone could ization or world, I believe it is a service destruction need not win, it to all of us.” apparently, and the sun can, write messages of condolence, support or inspiration. explain away, UMPI Similar to the way we indeed, rise again, if only tion explosions at nuclear talk about what was happen- decided to process this dev- proved ourselves ready to there are those willing to plants along the coast, occu- ing, the global impact and to astating event and take a support Japan in their time carry on in the meantime. pants of Japan lost property help individuals validate their few hours to with and, unfortunately, thousands questions/concerns,” April connect Sue Platt, coordinator of stufellow human of lives. According to The beings thouWashington Post, as of dent activities, said. Other than reflecting, sands of miles March 21, the death toll was talking and simply sharing away. Some believed to have surpassed space with others affected by people walking 8,000, with 13,000 still missing. All over the world, televi- the disaster, attendees could by the Owl’s sion programs and newspa- pray, draw, write a poem, Nest stopped, pers were abuzz with updates light a candle, or design a drawn in by the of the disaster, and hearts card. Rows of tea lights somber music heartwent out to the people of glowed in one corner, faint and but comforting and reminiswrenching phoJapan. Here at UMPI, we cent of hope. Anyone passtographs that expressed our sympathy and support in a quieter, but no ing by could also write on a made up the movable white board. Many slide show. less profound, way. took the opportunity to leave Others, laughing In the Campus Center A group of students watching the slideshow. STAFF WRITER

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Look at the Hairy Legs on That Girl! Lanette Virtanen

ly did was raise the level of entertainment that was had Move over Miss America by all who attended. Wieden and make room for Ms. auditorium was filled with UMPI. What this contest students, faculty and local lacked in contestants, it made community members who up for in talent and fun. This were all in for a treat. With eight contestants contest also made up for the competing for the coveted lack of estrogen on stage with crown, the competition was plenty of attitude. When fierce. Sportswear, talent and UMPI hosted its Ms. UMPI eveningwear were what the contest April 7, it was done to “ladies” w e r e judged on, and they had their work cut out for them. Keith Madore and Jennie Savage hosted the event and just before the curtains were d r a w n Madore “The Conjoined twins LeAnne and Brianne, psaid, rettiest who were this yearʼs runner-up. girls on campus are help raise funds for the senior class of 2011, but what it real- behind this curtain.” Then it was time to meet STAFF WRITER

the contestants. First was Ben Costello as Bonita Sheets, whose talent that evening was sweeping the floor. Second was Rich Felbaum as Carmen Getting, whose talent was a card trick. Third was Josh Williams as Wanda Rhinhands. For her talent, she serenaded the audience. Fourth was Josh MacKinnon as Ivona Beonya, who also sang for the crowd. Fifth was Chris Moore as Bev Ridge and her talent was cup stacking. Sixth was Bryan Jennings as Ginger Vitus, whose talent was singing and dancing. Last, but certainly not least, were the first conjoined twins. Seth Dorr and Chad Parker were LeAnne & Brianne Douche, and for their talent they did a ventriloquist act. Between the acts, there was plenty to occupy the time, including juggling by Justin Fereshetian and, in between the next set, beat boxing by Tyler Harding. After the last part of the contest came the judges. Sharon Roix from the Alumni Board, Charles Johnson, a member of the campus faculty and Candace Roy, who is a member of the community, had

Contestant Bryan Jennings as Ginger Vitus.

the hard task of picking a winner. The judges debated long and hard, but once decided, it was obvious by the crowd’s reaction that they had chosen correctly. The runner up for the evening was LeAnne & Brianne, the conjoined twins. The winner of the Ms. UMPI of 2011 was Josh MacKinnon. After the contest was over

Chelsie Higgins said, “Refreshing and provocative, two thumbs up!” Josh Peaslee, who is dating Higgins, said, “If I wasn’t dating Chelsie I would have gone back stage to get phone numbers.” Judge Charles Johnson said, “There were some hotties… I don’t know if that’s appropriate for me to say.”

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For the Love of UMPI: Erin Benson

Martha Franklin-Wight

only surpassed by her love for the university. Why do people love Erin “She always says if she wins Benson? Because Erin Benson the Megabucks, it is going to the loves people…and she loves the university,” Ethelyn Boyd said. university. Benson has been at Boyd has worked with Benson UMPI for 18 years. A graduate on many projects. of Florida State University, she “She has such a challenging was born and raised in Miami. job. She is always positive, even At age 24, newly married, keeled and has dedication to the Benson and her husband university,” Boyd said. moved to Aroostook County, Charlie Bonin, the vice where her husband’s home was. president for administration “I never ever thought that I and finance, has also worked would be living in a small, with Benson. northern, rural town. I came up “Erin is very dedicated to this here with the intent we would institution. She is a cheerleader move somewhere to entice students to else,” Benson said. further their educa“I fell in love tion. She takes the with the place. It’s a time and effort to make great place for so certain the students many reasons. It’s understand what is safe. When I went expected of them, the to FSU, it was the importance of a higher third largest rape education, financial per capita city in aid available and the the U.S. Now that opportunities that exist I am a mother, safeto broaden their hority is a concern. zons,” Bonin said. The safety factor up “The whole staff is here is incredible,” phenomenal and do Benson said. a terrific job,” UMPI was a lifeBenson said. line for Benson “Some institutions when she first go after what they moved to the area. term ‘the best and the “It fulfilled a huge Erin Benson enjoys the constant aroma of brightest.” They are learning, ideas, philosophy and culture need in my life,” missing out. I think we Benson said. that is present at UMPI. have the ability to She enjoyed all the cultural like no matter what my age, that change lives. It is like an diversity that UMPI had to I could do this,” Virtanen said. onion. With the peeling of offer. Benson worked in radio Benson has been a great those layers, you find a beautiprior to UMPI. As the director influence in Virtanen’s life. ful pearl beneath. It is a pleasof admissions, Benson and her “When I first was told that I ure to be a part of that office have the responsibility of should go back to school and process,” Benson said. recruiting students. get a college degree, Erin Benson enjoys being a par“Our role is to bring in stu- Benson was the person that I ent to her two children, which dents. We go out on the road went in to talk to. After spend- includes frequent hockey and and recruit,” Benson said. ing time talking to her and skiing trips. She loves to travel Recruitment consists of high telling her a little about my and enjoys movies. But her school visits, college fairs, mail- background, I know without a love of the university and stuouts and the Web. doubt that I wouldn’t be here if dents is what sets Benson apart, “In the fall, admission coun- it wasn’t for her.” as the admissions director who selors are ‘road warriors.’ Some Benson’s love for students is is all heart. STAFF WRITER

Europe for Three Months? Yes, Please! Angelic Nicholson STAFF WRITER

Ever thought about traveling? Maybe after you get finished college? Would you believe people if they told you that you could do it now? You pay a low price, but get paid weekly. And all you need to do in return is to supervise and teach children. For one UMPI student, this possibility is becoming a reality. Spain, Italy, France and England are just some of the many options that one lucky UMPI student got to choose from before picking a country to experience. Marlee DeMerchant, a third year education major, is planning to go international for the summer. With a tough decision facing her all semester long, unsure of what foreign country she’d like to experience, DeMerchant has chosen France. “I’m excited. I’ve never had an opportunity to experience something like this,” DeMerchant said. “I’m really hoping that I’ll learn from the experience and that I’ll be able to take what I’ve learned in the classroom and apply it over the summer.” With an opportunity like this only coming once or twice in a lifetime,

DeMerchant couldn’t be more excited about it. With the spring semester end slowly approaching, DeMerchant is counting down the days till June 23, 2011: the day she arrives in France. “I can’t wait to go. There were so many camps to choose from,” DeMerchant said. Over the summer, DeMerchant will be responsible for a group of children. She will need to take care of their needs and to keep them entertained in between activities. With several different activities offered through the Kingswood Camp, DeMerchant is sure not to have a dull summer. DeMerchant will be taking in several excursions over the three month span. They include Disney World Paris, Chocolate Factory, Park Asterix, Vimy Ridge and World War I battlefields. Scotia Personnel, Ltd., is the job company DeMerchant was hired through. With an application fee of $614 U.S., this job could be your reality as well. If you love to travel or always wanted to see a country in Europe, this may be an opportunity for you. You might not have to wait to be done school to see a country across the Atlantic. You could be doing it this summer.

are on the road for three months or more. It’s fun, but tiring,” Benson said. Benson enjoys watching her students grow. “I enjoy seeing the excitement of students and seeing them learn. We have a lot of nontraditional students who don’t know if they are capable. You would be amazed to see people grow and develop. It is a privilege to see their lives change.” Lanette Virtanen is one such student. “She’s always made me feel

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Visit to the Land of Fire and Ice Part Two: Continuation from Last Issue though I couldn’t understand geology the way everyone else could. Where there wasn’t land that looked like tundra, there were mountains and ridges so high you couldn’t see them from the car even if you craned

looked over our spoils later that Thordur Andresson took us out ing the spectacular black beach night, identifying scoria, basalt onto the floor to see the machines in Vik and getting to see the and tuff conglomerate. close up. After that, we explored Icelandic horses up close. As a Monday morning saw us at Tuesday was a short day. We the coast, ate in the Hellisheidi Geothermal went searching for a fjord, or a the town of Plant with Helgi Petursson, who long, narrow inlet of the sea Grindavik and is involved in public relations. bordered by steep cliffs, usually even discovered a Between Petursson and a video formed by glacial erosion. solar system model e n t i t l e d Though we did find some- similar to the one “Geothermal thing the locals call a fjord, it here in Maine. Energy and Its didn’t meet the exact geologi“This must Origins,” we cal definition. Along the way, be what it feels learned all about a few group members taught like to be on the process used to me about some principles of the moon,” harvest geothergeology, including the princiMcCartney said mal energy and ple of superposition, original as we drove send it to conhorizontality, lateral continu- past miles of sumers throughout ity and inclusion, along with lava fields. Iceland. I was the theory of uniformitarianA few hours astounded to learn ism. McCartney pointed out a later, we were on that the process is rift zone, where plates of the a plane headed Kevin McCartney inside the so efficient that earth’s crust are moving home. I was happy second geothermal power plant. only two degrees of apart, leading to fractures and to be back in the heat is lost along faults. While eating at a KFC States, especially back in first time international traveler, the way. later in the day, Watson, Maine, where there were this was an amazing experience. “It’s an enorHersey and Godbout tried out American restaurants and trees I’d love to return again in two mous energy Left to right: Michele Hersey, Gary the network of slides in the that reached above the knee. or three years if Professor resource, the geot- Parent and Kassy Watson in front playroom, an experience Still, I knew I would miss many McCartney decides to lead hermal energy,” of one ofthe waterfalls. Watson compared to going things about Iceland – the another group,” Ames said. Petursson told us. When most people hear Hellisheidi Power Plant is your neck. I imagined them as down boreholes (narrow shafts friendly people, delicious pasnature’s skyscrapers, only much drilled into the ground). tries and breathtaking land“Iceland,” they think ice and very environmentally conwider. From one spot to the While the rest of the group scapes, to name a few. A part of cold. In actuality, the island is scious, making the station susnext, we saw signs of rock slides spent time in the Blue Lagoon me will never forget the smell of much more. It’s inhabited by tainable by pumping unused men and women so closely water back into the earth as and erosion, braided streams and glaciated valleys, houses linked to their own history well as carefully monitoring the melded into the landscape and that they could probably still chemical content of nearby speak with their Viking ancesrivers and such. I remember cave-like structures carved into the rock. tors. In the summer, the fields reading that one fourth of Our last stop of the day was and hills are green and lush, Iceland is an active volcanic not to mention spotted with zone and encountering new Kirkjufjara, a black beach. There, we found a natural land cascading waterfalls. It’s a terms such as steam separator, bridge and an interesting mateplace of contradictions that mist eliminator, steam condensrial embedded in the cliff side somehow harmonize – fire er, turbine and generator. and ice, volcanoes and glaWe spent the rest of the day which no one could positively identify. The waves there were ciers, nature and humanity. outside, mesmerized by waterthe highest I’ve ever seen. At Only a few short weeks ago, falls, some of which were actusix students and one professor ally runoff from Eyjafallajokull, one point, the rest of the group noticed the tide was rising and had the extraordinary privithe volcano that made headrealized they would have to tear lege to witness this first-hand. lines after erupting in 2010. I can’t speak for everyone else, “You can tell there were sev- themselves away from the surrounding geology long enough but I’d like to think that the eral different events,” Hersey Group photo at Kirkjufjara, a black beach. to outrun it. Snow began to fall sights we beheld and things we said as we drove to the next soon after, forcing everyone to early Wednesday, McCartney, sulfur on a cold, crisp breeze or learned will, like the mounlocation, obviously fascinated load up. Having collecting sam- Ames and I toured another geot- those lofty mountains. tains of Iceland, remain for a by what she saw. ples throughout the day, we hermal power plant. Manager “My favorite part was visitlong time to come. I, too, was fascinated, even Kayla Ames

STAFF WRITER

Univer si t y T i me s ! CAMPUS ! A pr i l 22 , 2 011

Giving Kids a Chance to Change Kayla Ames STAFF WRITER

Having people in our lives to support us is very important. When we do something wrong, as is inevitable, it’s nice to know someone will understand and help us face the consequences. Too many, though, don’t have anyone. For them, there’s plenty of consequences but no support. Often, these conditions lead to bad habits, including truancy, or absence from school without permission, and withdrawal. Charles Johnson, assistant professor of criminal justice here at UMPI, discussed these negative impacts during a seminar on Thursday, Feb. 17, which took place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and drew at least 50 people. He pointed out that truancy levels in the U.S. are staggering and drop-out rates in some school districts are as high as 61 percent. The title of his presentation was “Models for Change– Systems Reform in Juvenile Justice: An Evaluation of the Spokane Country (Wash.) Juvenile Court Models for Change Project.” For the first few minutes,

sitting down with them for hours, you realize it has the capacity of breaking you down as a person. It makes you reprioritize. Too often the system fails.... The 5 percent of juveniles who are on the margins don’t matter to us.... It’s too easy to do that,” Johnson said. The other key was buy-in from the top down, the top being the office of the superintendent. Those in higher power decided the project was worth their commitment and so agreed to support it. This is very important, since other schools have been known to neglect their duties and simply disregard those students who refuse to cooperate. Johnson believes this model will work for all who wish to adopt it, as long as they’re willing to persevere. During the question and answer portion of the seminar, Johnson talked about the consequences of cutting longterm programs similar to Models for Change as well as the prevalence of young delinquency and how it almost always leads to a life of crime if not stopped (Al Capone slapped his teacher

long before he became a mobster). He also discussed what happens when kids think the system is being too hard on them, how alternative schools might fair with this program and other problems that contribute to truancy and dropout, among other things. Overall, Johnson emphasized our ability to alter our own trajectory. Those who desire another destiny than the one they seem meant for don’t necessarily have to follow the path that will lead them there. “I hope you realize there are times in your life when things will change– your star will hit an asteroid and go in a different direction,” Johnson said. Like making a mistake, change is inevitable. We should embrace the latter and, in the case of those with a record of truancy or juvenile delinquency, strive to improve our trajectory. Rather than allow society and past failures to define us, we can, in essence, be the masters of our own fates. Johnson believes that with a good mentor and solid support, all are capable of changing themselves for the better.

Gary Smith came to UMPI like teaching, they can contin- the teachers in Thailand. along with Seri Parndejpong, ue teaching for another year Of course, the students are still the director of Lertlah or so and be paid like one of going to UMPI. So, they need to schools, to sign an agreement allowing students to teach in their schools. The different subjects that students will teach are English, math, science, computer and PE. The program will pay for the flight expenses. All of their accommodations will be provided. Each of the students will be placed in a home with a living allowance. At the end of their teaching experience, F r o m l e f t t o r i g h t : B a r b a r a C h a l o u , D o n the student teachers will be Z i l l m a n , S e r i P a r n d e j p o n g a n d G a r y S m i t h evaluated. If the students do s i g n i n g t h e a g r e e m e n t .

still be involved with classes and class work. So the students will be doing their class work online for the 10 months. Smith said, “Apart from coursework, they will be learning to teach in a classroom about lesson planning, behavior, special activities work and to teach in a multicultural setting.” The students here are given an amazing opportunity when it comes to going to Thailand. They get to teach in a different setting and still go to school. It’s an opportunity that will happen once in a lifetime. So what are you waiting for?

Johnson talked about the basis of the research project and explained that its funding was courtesy of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Having observed the success of the Community Truancy Board in the West Valley School District of Spokane Valley, Washington, he wondered what set it apart. Truancy and drop-out rates were decreasing, but why? One of the things on which Johnson elaborated was the Becca Bill, a piece of legislation intended to nip truancy in the bud. Inspired by a 13-year-old girl from Spokane named Rebecca Hedman who was brutally killed while living on the streets, it was established in 1993 in response to an increase in the number of homeless children. The bill requires school districts to keep track of the number of student absences and notify parents when their children have failed to obey attendance procedures. There are different consequences for certain numbers of unexcused absences, two of which include a student/parent conference and a petition filed with juvenile court ordering the student to attend. Together, they

try to find solutions to the issue of truancy and prevent more kids from ending up like Rebecca Hedman. “There are Beccas out on the street and they don’t even know it,” Johnson said. A key to the success of the Community Truancy Board, according to many teachers and administrators, was the addition of a court-appointed mentor named Martin Kolodrub. Kolodrub would visit students who had violated attendance procedures and try not only to find the root of the problem, but form a connection with them as well. Johnson thinks those types of mentors are fundamental to solving dilemmas but, unfortunately, are missing from other truancy-reduction models. “I’m a fairly conservative guy, and I’ve always been on the right side of the law. I admit now that I could have been seen as one of those people willing to ignore the juveniles who are repetitively truant. But when you meet some of these young people not connected with their society or with a mentor such as Martin Kolodrub, with his process of

Thailand Adventure

Brianna Williams STAFF WRITER

Students who are planning to teach have an amazing opportunity. They can go to Thailand to teach. This is the second year that the practicum program has been going on. Students with a teaching degree can begin their trip to Bangkok, Thailand in May to teach children from three years old to sixth graders. Gary Smith, assistant director of Lertlah schools, said, “Five students from UMPI plan on going to teach. They will be teaching for 10 months.”

Un iver si t y T i me s ! CAMPUS ! A pr il 22 , 2 0 11

America’s Favorite Stephanie Jellett STAFF WRITER

Kinsey Sicks performing one of their parodies.

Kinsey Sicks serenading Justin Fereshetian.

The Wieden auditorium was full of students and community members Tuesday, March 29 at 8 p.m., as they awaited the performance of a lifetime. The lights were dimmed down low and the audience patiently waited. April-Sue Platt, area coordinator, started off the evening by saying this is the second out of three cultural events that UMPI CAB has put on this year. The sound of heels scurried across the stage floor and four men – err, women — formed a line across center stage. As they stood together, they started to sing “Yes, he’s a she and yes she’s a he.” They danced around on stage and did a parody to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.” But instead of Beyonce’s lyrics, they chanted, “Don’t be mad if tuition pays for this!” Trixie opened the show by welcoming everyone and stating, “Yes, I am single and available.” She talked about how exciting it was to be at UMPI, and then Trampolina exclaimed: “And to think we came all the way from America!” The audience roared with laughter. Trixie talked about how she found out that The Connection on Main Street was not a church. The Kinsey Sicks then did another parody, this time to 25 For Haiti’s “We Are the World,” but instead, they sung, “We arm the world, we harm the children.” The Kinsey Sicks has been performing for 17 years and their singing has allowed them to travel to 40 states, Canada, Mexico and Australia. They’ve released seven CD’s and have two films, one being a concert and the other being a behindthe-scenes documentary. So why do they keep singing? Winnie said, “I can’t imagine a job more fun,” while Trixie said, “I am just living my dream.” Trampolina’s very irritated answer was, “Because you pay me!” It was then time for them to play and sing a game called “things you shouldn’t say.” They listed off things you shouldn’t say if you’re a politician, a doctor, a teacher, a waiter, a therapist, in the men’s bathroom, at work or on a blind date. The audience couldn’t stop laughing. And that’s when Trampolina said, “Jeez, this audience sure is funny!” and the crowd laughed even more. Trixie talked about how she had a secret love that no one knew about and it was time to reveal him. Trixie searched and searched until she finally found who she was looking for: Ryan McPhedran. She went up to him in the audience and spoke to him and sang. McPhedran was laughing and feeling a little awkward. Trixie gave

Univer si t y T i me s ! CAMPUS ! A pr i l 22 , 2 011

Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet! him a hug while covering his girlfriend’s eyes with her hand. Trixie returned to the stage and Winnie, Rachel and Trampolina were the bearers of bad news, handing her a letter from her gynecologist. Trixie was so upset with the results, she had to sing. ABBA’s “Mamma Mia!” was next on the parody list, except it was turned into “gonorrhoea.” The audience couldn’t stop laughing. Rachel, who wanted to get someone from the audience to sing too, brought Justin Fereshetian up on stage. “I saw him coming down the aisle and I thought I was in the clear when he walked by me. But then I saw him turn around and I knew I was in trouble. He stopped at the end of my row and I was telling myself: ‘Oh, really?! You got to be kidding me! Of all people they just happen to choose me!’ Go figure,“ Fereshetian said about being up on stage. They all sang “He’s a sheep guy” to him while crowding around and danced. “I felt really awkward the whole time I was up there because it’s just one of those things that you just don’t expect,” said Fereshetian, “It’s not one of those things that you plan on, you know? I mean, you go into those things understanding that someone’s going to get asked up on stage but you never really expect it to be you.” Just when the audience got up and gave them a standing ovation, assuming their performance was over, Rachel told everyone to sit back down because they weren’t done. Their last song was a combination of a game and song to get the audience involved. The song was called “I’m wearing sexy underwear.” The audience laughed and cheered and tried the standing ovation once they finished (and stated it was the end). “It was pretty funny — inappropriate, but funny. I laughed the whole time, pretty much,” Fereshetian said when asked about their performance. “They were really funny and got a lot of people to go out and watch them,” Caitlin Ballard said. It was long before Wieden’s entranced cleared out. Trampolina was talking to people while they signed up for the mailing list. Trixie and Rachel sat at the table and sold merchandise while Winnie floated from both stations and signed autographs. That was definitely a memorable night for people — no one will be able to forget the acappella singing drag queens that came to Northern Maine.

Trixie after the show.

From left to right: Trixie, Rachel, Trampolina and Winnie.

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A Different Kind of Beautiful Mind Lanette Virtanen STAFF WRITER

Were you hearing right? Was that a Saturday morning cartoon that you heard up in the Pullen art room on March 16 around 6pm? If you thought you were hearing Pinky and the Brain, you were spot on. No, it wasn’t a bring-your-kids-towatch-cartoons night. It was an event that was celebrating Brain Awareness Week. Students and community members were on hand when biology professor . Rachael Hannah and art professor Renee Felini put together an evening that you wouldn’t soon forget, thank your cerebrum for that. In trying to make this easier for people to understand, Hannah teamed with Felini to do this project from an artistic point of view. The art gallery had only standing room and was filled with young and old alike who wanted to learn and participate in the project. The night started out with Hannah showing the cartoon, which is her favorite because it helps to break down the parts of the brain. Seeing that cartoon

will get young kids interested in learning about the brain. Hannah also took this time to let everyone know that it’s a myth that we only use 10 percent of our brains and drugs’ ability to damage brain cells is a fact. Felini then stood up to show the plaster brains that would later be painted and explained the process that went into making the molds. The room was then sectioned off into groups of four to five and sent into the art room to start on painting the mold of the brain. Each group worked with a mold and combined colors to paint the sections of the brain that had been explained in the 15 minute lecture given by Hannah earlier in the day. With the help of Bryanne Thomas, Felini and Hannah walked around the room answering questions and offering help when needed. Hannah thanked The Dana Foundation, The Society for Neuroscience, Rene Felini and UMPI working together on this project. 54 people showed up, took part and had a fun night learning about the brain.

UMPI student and community members painting brains.

Rachael Hannah and Renee Felini

UMPI students and community members show off their “smart” creativity when designing brain art.

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University Times

ommunity April 22, 2011

! 13

Something to Crow About

Naima deFloria STAFF WRITER

Winter cold changed everybody. Students and professors rushed from cars to buildings and building to building. Rushing to the anticipated warmth of such final destinations, details on the way from point A to point B became insignificant. Maybe you remember the crunch of snow underfoot or the way the faux smoke rings could be formed while breathing out. In the season of winter, the crows either left the campus or stopped their traditional loudness. Perhaps the cold got to them, too. Only days before, snow covered everything. Melting snow left the ground spongy underfoot with mud sinkholes, but warm days have firmed that up. Under shadowed canopies provided by trees, patches remained hidden from the sun. It was a beautiful day, like the ones hoped for in the dead of winter. Enjoying the beauty of spring, there were the crows. Silently they perched on sculptures, light posts, flag poles, and one was hopping around. Hopping makes most city folk conclude the bird is injured. A human may only see mud. A bird sees the hidden worm in the mud. In bird watching, you’ll discover hopping is part of the ritual of worming. Perhaps this

simulates rainfall and tricks the worms into coming forth. Or maybe it is a way to pass the time. Crows are a little different. They hop around, but in curious pursuits of distraction, something shiny becomes interesting. A common method employed is to walk like an

Maybe you have surfed the net most of your life. And yet the ability to search with Google doesn’t mean you know how to find job listings. Searches yield plenty of results, but problems arise in finding jobs you qualify for. People in the County are being laid off or have been laid

overweight sentry and then turn over things on the ground such as leaves, sticks, rocks and garbage. This method is most common and works for them. Crows have effective systems to finding worms. But humans, we aren’t programmed for job searching. In recent days of applying for entry level jobs, the answer is pretty much the same: not that many companies are accepting applications.

off. As a result, students at UMPI include a seasoned group having already worked their way up corporate ladders. Maybe you’ve heard them talking about the CareerCenter. There are mythic misunderstandings of what Maine CareerCenters offer and who is welcome. Reanne Thompson, an UMPI student in the athletic training program, weighed in on what she sees.

“Most people have the misconception it is there only if you can’t get a job because there’s something wrong with you. Or that you can’t get a job, which is not true because they help a variety of people,” Thompson said. Not being a displaced worker, but a college student soon to enter the job market, it’s never been a place you thought of visiting. On campus is Career Services. Off campus, available to everyone, is a truly hidden gem: your local CareerCenter. “Think of this as your own personal, fully staffed office. Nothing costs you anything: resume paper, printers/printing, copier, reference books and workshops,” Steve Gagnon of the Presque Isle CareerCenter said. There are workshops held weekly in the mornings or mid-afternoons with topics such as “Creating Winning Resumes.” In previous years, they’ve had workshops hosted at UMPI. Staff happily give feedback on resumes and help with prepping for interviews. “I didn’t know they had the free printing services. I only knew about it because my mom used it,” T hompson admitted. “I didn’t have a clue.” Her awareness occurred in

eighth grade when her stayat-home mom decided to start working. You might go there and find out that the jobs available require more education. Maybe you’ve wanted to go, but figuring out how to juggle everything might make the idea off-putting. Need help filling out financial aid documents and getting you into college? Call today: 207-760-6300 or 1-800-635-0357. Like a directional compass, if they don’t offer the services, they’ll point you in the right direction. “I would go after graduating because I would not know about where to go for jobs in the area and say these are the places you should apply,” Thompson said. Students at UMPI were not aware of what the CareerCenter offered. “Going to career fairs would help. It needs to be more publicized: have more television and radio ads because people don’t read the newspaper anymore,” Thompson said, citing the Dean’s Daily News (DDN) as an example. The CareerCenters do have a website, http://www.mainecareercen ter.com/locations/, and presence on Facebook, where you can find out about upcoming trainings and workshops. Come on in and talk with the friendly staff today. Walk-ins welcome!

Univer si t y T i me s ! Community ! A pr il 2 2 , 2 011

A Little Goes a Long Way

Steven McKenney STAFF WRITER

As human beings, we all may have regrets of things we wish we had done differently. Maybe we have demons we need to curb to truly feel at ease with ourselves. Or maybe there’s just

something that we need to get done to redeem ourselves from events in the past. And once we finally jump our hurdles, the benefits can be endless. For proof, just ask faculty art professor Renee Felini. Felini is now in her 10th year of her “Art as My Vehicle” project. For this installment for the project, Felini and a crew of cameramen have created a

short film featuring her running a full mile. Felini’s desire to run a mile goes back to her days in school. “I have no memory of every finishing a mile,” Felini said. “I could never finish the mile back in school. Sometimes, I would even kind of cheat and skip laps.” Among other reasons, Felini says that one of the biggest reasons was because she had gotten into smoking at one point in her life. Felini says that quitting was tough, but the art always helped her stay motivated. And not only is art a form of therapy or release, but seeing herself record her progress through art also makes her feel as if she has to validate her image. This ideology is actually where Felini got her title; “Art as My Vehicle.” The title was actually something she came up with as an undergrad, which is also when she got the idea for the project. “I got the title from an old saying that the artist is the vehicle for what they make,” Felini said. “For me, I saw a way to reverse that idea for the art to make something out of me. It helps when you create art based on what you did, because it makes you feel like you have to live up to it since you committed to making it. Art never lies. People do.”

Creating the film wasn’t all that easy, either. In fact, it took her about 12 minutes to actually finish running her mile. “I was following a van with a camera hooked up to it and there was another car there that also had a camera on it. There were two camera angles, but no real editing. It actually took me the whole film for me to run a mile.” Felini has the opportunity to show her drive to finish the mile in a n o t h e r PechaKucha event as part of her Art as My Vehicle project in the Waterville Grand Hotel. She’ll also show it at a separate event to premier her film at the Rail Road Square, also in Waterville. And even if she finished this project to clear her name, if you will, the benefits are equally gratifying to others as well. Felini says that the donations are to go to Japan to support them after their recent tragedy. “There are two events. One is the next PechaKucha event that takes place in the

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Waterville Grand Hotel. There’s a minimum $5 donation. The other is my own event, which is free. There are snacks to buy at my event; we take any donations we can get. “Waterville is actually joining cities around the world to support Japan. For us, there are

Renee Felini

the two events, but other cities do it in different ways. We actually donated to Haiti for our last one.” There’s no doubting the benefits of all of this. For Felini, she gets to prove to herself that she

can commit to her visions and strive to meet her goals. In the process, her film can also inspire others to meet their goals as well. Even if it doesn’t happen right away, there’s always a way to realize your goals if you try your hardest. And we can all show our support for her cause and the rest who are helping Japan through their tragedy. To find out how you can get involved with the cause, you can find Felini on Facebook as well as her Facebook page donated to her project, “Art as My Vehicle.” You can also visit her website for her project at http://www.artasmyvehicle.com . Felini will be premiering her film at Rail Road Square in Waterville at 11 a.m. on April 16. The PechaKucha event in Waterville takes place later that night at the Waterville Grand Hotel from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. We can all take a little something from Felini’s story. In her progress, she not only met her goals, but has the chance to inspire others as well. We can all look at where determination got her. There’s even a chance to help the less fortunate with their struggles. They say a little goes a long way, and every little bit counts. Even the smallest amount of support can change so much.

Please Donate for Animal Shelter! UMPI’s Phi Eta Sigma is collecting donations for the animal shelter. Possible things to donate include: cleaning supplies, kitty litter, dog and cat food, pet dishes, toys and newspapers. Items may be dropped off at the Residence Life Office. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Rebecca Stepp at rebecca.stepp@maine.edu. Thanks for your help!

15 Mark and Emily Get a Facelift Unive r si ty Tim es ! Community A pr il 22 , 2 011

Michael Greaves STAFF WRITER

W h e n yo u h e a r t h e wo rd “ l i b r a r y, ” yo u p ro b a bl y t h i n k o f b o o k s, g ov ernment documents, infor mation resources… a n d n o i s e ? I f t h e l at t e r s t r i k e s yo u a s o d d , yo u h av e n’ t b e e n t o t h e P re s q u e I s l e L i b r a r y l at e l y. B u t d o n’t wo r r y : t h e n o i s e i s n’ t p e r m a n e n t a n d i t ’s fo r a g o o d c a u s e. T he Mark and Emily Tur ner Memorial Librar y w a s n a m e d a f t e r M a rk and Emily Tur ner. T hey donated $60,000 to help with construction of the o r i g i n a l bu i l d i n g i n t h e late 1960s and in 1967, the library was opened. The library has been a

vital part of the commun i t y eve r si n c e 1 9 6 7 s o mu c h s o t h a t i t ’s o u t g rown its original space.

be completed sometime in Ju l y 2011. The University Times interv i e we d L i s a N e a l S h aw,

The Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library under construction.

S o i t ’s c u r re n t l y u n d e r construction and has b e e n s i n c e l at e O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 . I t i s p ro j e c t e d t o

resource librarian, and S o n j a P l u m m e r, l i b r a r i a n , wh o s a i d t h i s a b o u t the new edition:

“ T h e r e h ave b e e n a number of donations to t h e p ro j e c t . M a r y S m i t h donated $1 million. The City of Presque Isle has donated $24,000. The library board has donated $25,000. Other community funds have raised $60,000 for the new addition, so it will be reached.” Reg ardless of the noise of construction, the librar y is still going strong. T he new addition will include a new e n t r a n c e, a n e w a n d i m p rove d reference ro o m , a l i t e r a c y t u t o r room, a community room, an art g aller y, an elevator for librar y goer s with disabilities, more computer s for people to use, more

room for books and more ro o m for c o m mu n i t y events. T hey also plan to have all of the windows, doors and heating and cooling units re placed. What do the librarians think of all this? “ We a r e p l e a s e d with the library expansion, given the reputation that it holds for excellence. Better equipment will help us better serve o u r c o m m u n i t y. ” T h e l i b r a r y ’s h o u r s a r e M o n d a y, Tu e s d a y and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p. m . We d n e s d a y a n d Fr i d a y from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p. m . , S a t u r d a y 9 a . m . t o 2 p. m . a n d S u n d a y 1 0 a . m . t o 2 p. m .

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UMPI students will get 25% off storage!! For more information contact: Shawn P. Manter, Vice President Storage Solutions 52 Houlton Rd. P.O. Box 189 Presque Isle, ME 04769 Phone: 764-5438 Fax: 514-8001

University Times

April 22, 2011 ! 16

Taylor Ussery STAFF WRITER

I t ’s at l e a s t t h re e months of long road t r i p s. I t ’s d a i l y p r a c tices in between hours of classes. It’s the silence after defeat and t h e t h r i l l o f v i c t o r y. Every athlete knows what it’s like, but UMPI senior athletes know best. K ay l a F l e m i n g, a two-year player for UMPI basketball recalls all these things. Fleming didn’t play her first two years at UMPI, but joined the team with same passion she had in high school. Fleming said, “I simply decided that I missed the game and wanted to play again.” Wi t h a l l t h e t h i n g s that playing for UMPI reinforced, including discipline, timeliness and trust, she doesn’t regret the decision at a l l . F l e m i n g, a s i s t r u e of all our other senior athletes, says the playing for UMPI has allowed her to form friendships that will last a lifetime. Fleming is just one

p o r t s

Senior Profiles

of UMPI’s senior s who has many memories and much promise for her future. “A f t e r g r a d u a t i o n , I’m going to Israel to coach and play basketb a l l at a c a m p. A f t e r that, who knows?! I will definitely continue to love the g ame of bas-

Kayla Fleming ketball and play as much as I can,” Flemming said. Fleming was the heart and voice behind the spirit of the women’s basketball team. Her knack for encouragement is something that team members have adopted as a staple for the team.

The name Chris Coffin has graced the lips of UMPI sports fans for two years now. Coffin came to UMPI to finish up his college career and instantly became a bit of a hometown hero. Originally from here in Presque Isle, Coffin said, “I played for UMPI because I couldn’t stop playing the sports that I loved and after transferring from my last college, I wanted to play in front of my hometown.” Coffin could get the crowd riled up in any given basketball game by shooting threes, and he made a championship run

for the golf team. Like many seniors, one of Coffin’s favorite things about playing for UMPI

Not many athletes can claim that they competed for the national championship in their sport. All of them want to, but not everyone can. Shelly Hanson, senior cross country runner, competed for a national title multiple times. Many UMPI athletes will tell you that after four year s at UMPI, they g ained per severance and strength and never lost passion for the sport that they love. Hanson is no different. She ran nationals this year with an injury to her left knee and she clocked in at a time bet-

ter than last year. Hanson always loved running. For her, it was not just friends and competition, but stress relief, too.

Chris Coffin

Shelly Hanson

was not only his teammates, but everyone who shows up to the games. After graduation, Coffin plans to leave Presque Isle for the West Coast with his fiancée. But don’t think for a minute that the move will stop him from doing the things that he loves most. Coffin said, “I imagine I’ll play some men’s league basketball. And I’ll play golf until the day that I die!” Coffin isn’t the only one who says he’ll play his sports forever. In fact, there isn’t even one UMPI senior athlete who plans to give up their sport come graduation. Hanson said, “The best thing about running for UMPI was all the different people you get to meet.” UMPI senior athletes seem to agree without contest that the people you meet while competing for UMPI are the best part of each season. Hanson mentioned lifelong friendships as the number one thing that she’ll take with her from running for UMPI. Hanson isn’t quite sure what her plans are for after graduation, but she knows for sure that she’ ll keep running.

University Times

oice

Michael Mink STAFF WRITER

The disciplines of organ and tissue transplantation have come a long way since the first confirmed successful kidney transplant in 1954. Since then, doctors have been able to replace a whole array of organs, from hearts, livers, pancreases, corneas and lungs to being able to perform live-donor lung and liver transplants. Today, technology has the ability do all these things. But as the baby boomer generation gets older, it finds itself reaching the point where it is in need of more organ transplants than there are available donors. Scientists have

April 22, 2011

Frontiers Looking Bright for Regenerative Medicine been working hard so that the only donor patients may need is themselves. Simply put, regenerative medicine is the ability to create and replace tissues in the body that have lost their ability to work proficiently due to disease, damage or age. Scientists in the biomedical field are using tissue engineering to grow organs in laboratories from patient’s own cells that can then be grown outside of the body and be transplanted back to the body afterwards. So far, scientists have been able to grow bladders, heart valves, fingers, ears, urethras and skin outside of the body from the cells of the patient and then successfully transplant it there after.

Dr. John L. Patten, D.O., of the Penobscot Community

organ donor shortages aren’t a problem.

Health Center in Bangor, envisions a future where

Patten says that in the future, “Organs will be accessible over

! 17

the counter and ready to be connected and exchanged with diseased and injured ones.” Patten also says that there will likely be a slew of new cell therapy techniques that regenerative medicine and tissue engineering can bring. Patten said, “It will enable health care providers to select more appropriate treatments for rehabilitation according on the patient’s needs.” With these developing technologies, we’ll also have new methods of repairing an organ to full functionality without ever requiring a full transplant. The world will, ideally, no longer have donor organ shortages, improving the quality of life for all.

DearCampusCommunity,

Weneedyourhelp! UMPI will be having a Relay for Life Team again this year for the American Cancer Society -- the event will be held in Caribou on June 3rd and 4th. Lisa Leduc and Laurie Boucher will be co-captains of the UMPI team. We are looking for faculty, staff, students and their families to help us with this event. We need participants to help raise money and/or walk around the track. If you would like to participate on the UMPI Owl’s team with either raising money and/ or walking please contact either Lisa (ext. 9436 or lisa.leduc@umpi.edu) or Laurie (ext. 9512 or laurie.boucher@umpi.edu) and more information will be given – we do need to know who wants to participate soon, so please contact us as soon as you can. Also you can sign up for our team on the Relay For Life Web Page at: www.relayforlife.org/aroostookme - Everyone who participates with raising money and/or walking (yourself, spouse, child, friend, etc.) has to register through the website – if you need help, please see Lisa or Laurie for assistance - Once on the website, go to the right and click on Top Teams - View All - Then scroll down to the end where we are “UMPI Owls” and “UMPI Owls 2” and click on either team, it does not matter which one - Once in, you can click “Join Our Team” and get started. - It will ask you for a registration fee of $10 – just click the button that you will pay later – UMPI actually pays this fee for us because they are a sponsor of the event.

University Times

ifestyle

18 !

April 22, 2011

The Reel Deal: ‘Did You Hear About the Morgans?’ Stephanie Corriveau STAFF WRITER

PG-13 103 minutes ** Sometimes you happen to come across a movie and you’re pleasantly surprised. Other times…well, not so much. Unfortunately, “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” is one of those films that fits into the latter category. It appears that it might be a decent movie, but even though you don’t have the highest expectations, you’re still left disappointed. “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” could have a really great storyline, but the film just doesn’t work up to its full potential. The film is about Paul (Hugh Grant) and Meryl Morg an (Sarah Jessica Parker), who trade in their

last name for “Foster” when they get caught up in the witness protection prog ram. Taken out of their comfortable city lives and placed out in the countr y, Paul and Meryl find themselves trapped in a sort of nightmare. Can they survive the bears…and each other? T here are movies that are a lot worse than “Did You Hear About the Morgans?,” but w h at ’s most disappointing about this film is that some of the scenes

could’ve been made a lot more interesting. T he funniest part in the movie is

the Sarah Palin reference, but that only lasts a second. M o re comedy

could’ve been added relating to their time out in the wilder ness. Also, the r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t we e n Pa u l a n d Mer yl seems a little tense. Sure, they’re supposed to have a strained relationship at the beginning of the film. But, despite their supposed bonding ove r t h e i r w i t n e s s protection prog ram ex p e r i e n c e, i t s t i l l s e e m s t h at t h ey d o n’t r e a l l y w a r m u p t o e a ch o t h e r. A l t h o u g h yo u m ay h ave had some slight hopes for this film, “Did Yo u Hear about the M o rg a n s ? ” l e ave s yo u w i s h i n g t h e re could’ve been something more.

Love ‘70s Music? Remember those summer nights with the convertible top down, riding along? It didn’t matter where you were, the radio was always on and playing great music. Well, the music’s always back every Saturday night

from 6-10 p.m.

with WUPI’s own Rob Carleson. From ABBA to ZZ Top, it’s all right here.

Unive r si t y T i me s ! LIFESTYLE ! A pril 2 2 , 2 011

Jim Stepp CONTRIBUTOR

Saturn Shines Bright

About every 12 ½ months the Earth catches up to Saturn in its orbit. When this occurs the Earth passes between Saturn and the Sun and Saturn shines at its brightest. Saturn made its closest approach to the Earth on April 3 when it passed just 800,712,026 miles (1,288,621,092 km) from us.

I can still remember the first time I saw Saturn through my little 2.4 inch telescope. I could see a small ball with colored bands going around it. I was also able to see Saturn’s moon Titan and the rings clearly visible. What a beautiful sight. Of course that was nothing like the picture attached to this article. This picture was taken by Paul Haese of South Australia on March 30, 2011 with a 14 inch telescope. Last year, Saturn’s rings were closed as seen from the Earth. Now the rings are beginning to open up. Currently, the rings are open 8.6 degrees and will continue to open for the next seven year. The most amazing thing about the rings is how big they are and how narrow they are. Saturn’s rings are about 175,000 miles (284,000 km) in diameter, but are only a few hundred yards thick. Latest theories about the formation of Saturn’s rings suggest that the rings were once a moon that ventured too close to Saturn and was ripped apart by

gravitational forces. The rings are now kept in their present orbits by small moonlets that nudge the particles in the rings back into the current ring structures when they start to drift too close or too far off course. Saturn’s largest moon is Titan. Titan is so large that it has a relatively thick atmosphere. Its atmosphere is actually 1.45 time more dense as the Earth’s and is comprised of

Nitrogen and Methane. Titan is a cold place with an average temperature of -292 f (-180 c). Titan also is at just the right temperature that Methane exists as a solid, a liquid, and a gas, similar to how water acts here on the Earth. This means you can watch it snow methane at night, watch it melt in to a liquid, run off as a stream and collect in a methane lake. Saturn is truly an amazing place. THE NIGHT SKY Before May 5, the ISS is visible in the evening sky. After May 10, the ISS is visible in the morning sky. Go to www.heavens-above.com for exact times and locations – You will need to register at this site and load your location to be able to get exact times. The University of Maine at Presque Isle is located at 68d00m7.8s West longitude and 46d40m45.6s North latitude. To get a free sky chart go to www.skymaps.com * All of the times and dates below are calculated by

http://calsky.com. You must do the free registration in order to get accurate times.

Sun and Planet Rising and Setting 04/25

Sunset 1933 Mercury

04/30@0506 Moon degrees north of Venus

6.6

04/20@2044 ISS close to Castor (Alpha Gemini) 0.82 degrees separation

05/01@0026 Jupiter degrees from Jupiter

0.4 8

05/03@0250

New Moon

05/04@2105 37 Taurus

Moon eclipse

Not visible Venus 0436 – 0530

04/22@2228 Venus 51.1 minutes south of Uranus

Mars N o t visible

04/23@0400 April Lyrids Meteor Shower – 7/hr

05/05 50th Anniversary of Freedom 7 launch. Alan Shepard becomes the first US man in Space (1861

Jupiter 0506 – 0518

04/24@0400 April Lyrids Meteor Shower – 4/hr

05/08@0137 Mercury degrees from Venus

Saturn 2006 – 0454

04/24@2246 Moon

05/10@1646 Moon

Uranus N o t visible

04/29@0354 Mercury at Aphelion – farthest from Sun (43,391,430 miles or 69,816,812 km)

04/17@0206 Moon at Perigee – closest to the Earth (222,558 miles or 358,096 km) F u l l

04/18@1942 Venus at Aphelion – farthest from the Sun (67,705,373 miles or 108,937,946 km) 04/19 Expected launch date of the Space Shuttle Endeavour – Second to the last shuttle to be launched

Last

Lyrids

05/01@0442 Mercury degrees from the Moon

04/22@2100 April Meteor Shower Peak

THE NIGHT SKIES OVER AROOSTOOK COUNTY All times are listed in Eastern Time. Please add 1 hour for Atlantic Time. 04/16@2106 Moon 7.6 degrees south of Saturn

04/17@2244 Moon

04/19@1420 Mercury 37.2 minutes north of Mars

04/22@0400 April Lyrids Meteor Shower – 6/hour

Sunrise 0527

quarter

04/29@1547 Space Shuttle Endeavour scheduled to launch – The second to the last scheduled space shuttle launch

1.4

First Quarter

05/11@1042 Venus degrees from Jupiter

0.6

05/11@1557 Mercury degrees from Jupiter

2.1

05/15@0731 Moon at Perigee – Closest to the Earth 05/17@0708

Full Moon

Happy Studying!!