the review It’s moving day at Washburn washburn university
Trang Le Nyugen, last year’s women’s MIAA tennis player of the year, hopes to capture the title again. Page A5
Serving Washburn University since 1897
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Robert Burkett WASHBURN REVIEW
Tuesday morning Washburn woke to a new reality as two respected members of the Washburn community stepped down from their positions. Both Robin Bowen, now the former vice president of academic affairs and Wanda Hill, now the former treasurer and vice president of administration, stepped down from their positions as outlined in a statement released late Monday evening by University Relations. Washburn Student Government president Garrett Love praised Bowen for her service to Washburn students. “Dr. Bowen always was willing to listen to us on different issues to help us work towards things like success week and making the Washburn Transformational Experience an optional program,” said Love. “I feel like Washburn will still be able to stay focused though on issues like the strategic plan that Dr. Bowen helped to head up.” The announcement, while surprising, wasn’t completely shocking to some.
“This was an enormous surprise, committee. “Nobody really has any but not a complete surprise as there idea what’s going on right now.” had been a rumor floating around about Bowen, who started as vice presithe future status of the two people who dent of academic affairs at Washburn stepped down for about a week be- in 2007, was working through the profore a formal cess of completannouncement ing the strategic was made,” “ plan for Washsaid Tom Praburn, as well as It seems like there sch, faculty senrestructuring the ate president. general education has been more Despite the curriculum when movement than has rumor mill, the the news broke. administration “This was rebeen the norm in the had already ally surprising, in past of Washburn. informed the her case, since she proper people seemed like she of the decisions. was just starting - Tom Prasch “I was told to get comfortable Faculty Senate President in a meeting in her job,” said with President Prasch. “Since ” she came in, havFarley on [Monday] about the ing to replace a decisions,” said very popular and Prasch “I believe, though, the various well-respected person on campus deans were told sometime last week.” in Ron Wasserstein (vice president The Washburn community is trying of academic affairs 2000-2007).” to make sense of what has transpired. Hill stepping down also leaves “It was a complete surprise to faculty and students pondering me,” said Kathy Menzie, chair of what prompted the move at such the faculty senate academic affairs a critical time for Washburn. With
a budget crunch and a tough local economy, the resignation of the vice president of administration and treasurer position raised eyebrows. It’s hard to see how transitioning to someone new can be beneficial to the university while it is in such a budget crunch, said Prasch. President Farley was in meetings and unavailable for comment. “This is a personnel issue and we don’t comment on those as a policy,” said Dena Anson, director of university relations. Anson did, however, go on to comment on the nature of the situation, terming it as “normal for this time of year.” Other members of the Washburn community though feel that the situation is anything but normal. “From my personal perspective, this is not a normal situation, having two vice presidents step down at the same time,” said Prasch Anson also dismissed any connection of Hill’s resignation with the dismissal of Michael Gunter, formerly head of Internet System and Services who worked under Hill until last semester after the SunGard software installation debacle.
Musical Chairs David Monical
Robert Burkett is a member of the advanced news writing staff. Reach him at robert.burkett@washburn.edu.
Elliot Haugen
now: Interim ISS Director
Nancy Tate
was: Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs now: Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs
The two people brought in to take over for Bowen and Hill will be Nancy Tate, current associate vice president of academic affairs now promoted to the title of acting vice president of academic affairs and John Moore to interim treasurer and vice president of administration. Tate will be assuming a position that she is familiar with, having filled the same position prior to the hiring of Bowen in 2007. Moore will be returning to Washburn University in the same role he worked at from 1997-1999 before leaving in 2000 to pursue a position with the Kansas Health Institute. As the deck continues to be shuffled at Washburn, some people can’t help but wonder when all the staff changes that the school has seen will end. The multitude of staff changes during the last 10 months has kept Washburn changing nameplates around. “It seems like there has been more movement than has been the norm in the past at Washburn,” said Prasch.
Robin Bowen
was: Vice President of Academic Affairs now: ?
now: Director of Admissions
Michael Gunter was: ISS Director now: ?
Wanda Hill
was: Vice President for Administration and Treasurer now: ?
Morgan Boyack
?
is: Executive Director of Governmental and University Relations now: ?
?
volume 136, Issue 23 • wednesday, April 7, 2010
John Moore
was: Vice President for Administration and Treasurer 10 years ago now: Interim Vice President for Administration and Treasurer
Kirk Haskins
was: Director of Admissions now: Professor
now: Special Assistant to the President
Cynthia Hornberger
Tom Ellis
was: Special Assistant to the President now: Vice President for Development, Washburn Endowment Association
The Mulvane Art Lab is making some changes. See why.
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WU Bookstore Celebrates Washburn Student Employee WeeK April 11th thru 17th
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Calendar
Wednesday, April 7
Panel Discussion, “The Militarization of Our Police Force” Henderson Learning Resource Center, Room 112 3 p.m.
Thursday, April 8 Documentary and Discussion, “Fagbug” Henderson Learning Resource Center, Room 112 5 p.m.
Friday, April 9 Softball Washburn University Softball Complex 2 p.m. Study Abroad Orientation Henderson Learning Resource Center, Room 112 3 p.m. WU After Hours Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. WU Opera, “The Mikado” White Concert Hall 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 10 Growing With Art Mulvane Art Museum 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Softball Washburn University Softball Complex 2 p.m.
News • Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Bod Beat
A closer look at celebrity-endorsed religions Kate Fechter WASHBURN REVIEW
The lives of celebrities fascinate many in today’s society. Their love lives, their clothing styles and sometimes even their religious beliefs are often a topic of conversation. Kabbalah and Scientology are two religions that might have remained largely unheard of if not for their celebrity followers. Kabbalah began to receive mainstream attention in 1998 when Madonna announced her involvement with the religion. She gave credit to the Kabbalah Centre for “creative guidance” on her Ray of Light album that year. Other celebrities who practice Kabbalah include Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore and Roseanne Barr. Barry Crawford, a Washburn professor from the philosophy and religious studies department, explained that Kabbalah is Jewish mysticism and means tradition. Crawford said he was not personally shocked when he found out Madonna was practicing it. “Mysticism is the quest for unity with the sacred and holy,” said Crawford. “The idea behind Kabbalah is that the world came from God’s person and has emanated from him. God is a part of us is the thinking. It would appeal to those with a mystical bent.” Kabbalah is traditionally only taught to those over the age of 40 who have a great understanding of the Torah and the Talmud. These people are called righteous gentiles. There are many books in the study of Kabbalah. Each is held with a varying level of regard for their validity. The Zo-
har is regarded as the most important Kabbalistic book and was written in the 13th century by Moses De Leon. “Kabbalists read the scripture as if it is a code language,” said Crawford. One of the basic ideas behind Kabbalah is that there are 10 emanations from God, referred to as Ein Sof, through which he reveals himself to people on earth. These emanations are called the sefirot. The performance of mitzvot combines the masculine and feminine aspects of the sefirot and brings spiritual harmony. Kabbalists believe there are four worlds. They range from the highest world, Atzilut and end with this tangible world, Assiya. The Web site kabbalah.info explains Kabbalists believe that the forms in all of these worlds are the same, but have different degrees of purity in elemental substance. Assiya has coarser and darker elements of reality than the others before it. The imprint left from the higher world to the lower world is referred to as “Branch and Root.” Kabbalah is extremely complicated, with many different interpretations on how it should and should not be practiced. An article published on koshertorah.com by the Rabbi Ariel Bar Tzadok denounced Madonna and those who teach her Kabbalah for violating Torah laws like modesty. It is universally understood however that Kabbalah should not be studied alone. “Kabbalah has been around since the middle ages when the Zohar was written,” said Crawford.
World Beliefs
Sunday, April 11 Monday, April 12 Law School Library Book Sale School of Law, Room 214 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 13
WU Idol and Comedian Pete Lee Washburn Room, Memorial Union 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 14 “Inscape 2010” Reading Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center 7 p.m. King Lecture in Religious Studies by Mark Nanos Washburn Room, Memorial Union 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 15 Crane Observatory Open House Stoffer Science Hall 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday, April 16 Study Abroad Scholarship Awards Ceremony Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 17 Baseball Falley Field 2 p.m. Alpha Delta Founders Day Dinner Topeka Country Club 6 p.m.
Don’t see your event in the calendar? Call the Review newsroom at 670-2506 to have your event included in an upcoming edition. It’s FREE. For upcoming Washburn athletic events, go to www.wusports.com.
its. These spirits or thetans were subjected to films that programmed them into a false reality, involving other religions and other beliefs of non-scientologists, and subdued them. When man came into being, the alien spirits inhabited humans and are the reason people live in a false reality. Through the auditing process thetan levels are raised as one’s inner thetan is enlightened. Upon reaching level three, the thetan becomes an operating thetan. The only people who live in true reality are the “OT 8” or operating thetan level of eight. Prior to these secrets being leaked, only those who within the church with an operating thetan level of three were told this secret. James R. Lewis, an author and professor, has a doctoral degree in religious studies and specializes in modern religions. Lewis wrote about this in his book “Scientology.” Lewis also explains that the church will only give information about this belief to those who are church members with an operating thetan level of three. Scientology frowns heavily upon psychiatry. Tom Cruise had a well- publicized battle with Brooke Shields over the use of medication and psychiatry in 2005. Scientologists believe through auditing the need for psychiatric care becomes unnecessary. Church members pay money for auditing sessions. There is a Church of Scientology in Kansas City, Mo. and in Wichita. For more information, check out scientology.org. Kate Fechter is a junior mass media/psychology major. Reach her at kate.fechterstamper@washburn.edu.
Live United campaign launched; Local authors to read published works of them were read, but only a handWhitson Washburn first group to campaign Whitney ful of submissions were picked to be WASHBURN REVIEW
WU Opera, “The Mikado” White Concert Hall 7:30 p.m.
United Way Popcorn Fundraiser Main Lobby, Memorial Union 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“It’s had bursts of popularity from the 1300s all the way down to today.” Scientology was created by L. Ron Hubbard in 1952, but it was not until celebrities like Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley and John Travolta became followers that it became a well-known religion. The first Church of Scientology was created in New Jersey in 1953. According to scientology.org, the word scientology, when broken down, means “to know about knowledge or knowing.” The official definition of Scientology according to the group itself is: “the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, universes and other life.” “It was created by a science fiction writer, L. Ron Hubbard,” said Crawford. “The goal in Scientology is to rise out of a perceived darkness and rise up to the light.” The official Scientology Web site, scientology.org, says that when practicing Scientology, members of the church called Auditors will use a device created by Hubbard to “help the individual rid himself of spiritual disabilities” and “increase individual abilities.” This is done using what Scientologists refer to as a religious artifact, the Electropsychometer or E-meter, which measures your spiritual state or change in state. The Church of Scientology has Sunday services, codes for Auditors, an honor code, codes for members, a creed for the church itself and credos for managers and members. The Church of Scientology believes that an alien named Lord Xenu froze aliens and vaporized their spir-
Photo by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review
Live United: Washburn University is the first donor group to hold a campaign for the United Way this year. There will be events benefiting the United Way now through May.
Ben Fitch WASHBURN REVIEW The United Way “LIVE UNITED” campaign was launched Thursday with the goal of raising awareness and understanding among the Washburn community. And, of course, grab donations. Robin Moser, assistant director of Alumni Affairs, said the event was a success. Including the committee members, around 30 people were present. Washburn led as the first donor group to host a campaign by the United Way for 2010. “It’s nice to call Washburn a pace setter,” said Moser. “We set an example for other organizations.” Committee members Susan Duffy, campaign chairwoman and executive director of the Kansas Corporation Commission, President Jerry Farley and Miriam Krehbiel, United Way president, were present to talk about the partnership. In addition, 10 participating agencies were present to show the community how they contribute. They were the Boy Scouts Jayhawk Area Council, Topeka AIDS Project, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A., American Red Cross, Let’s Help Inc., Prevention and Recovery Services, TDC Learning Centers Inc. and ERC/Resource and Referral. “Washburn is such an important part of the community, and vice-versa—the community is an important part of Washburn,” Moser said. “It’s nice to give back to those partner agencies. It’s just a really nice partnership that’s developed.” Donations continue throughout the year, but Washburn’s campaign runs April through May. Employees have until April 30 to turn in donation
sheets, and the amount raised will be announced at the wrap-up on May 7. “Last year we raised about $33,000. It’s definitely about the dollars but also about the volunteering and advocacy,” Moser said. Even if donors decide not to give money, they may participate in Meals on Wheels or simply wear the “LIVE UNITED” T-shirt. The United Way of Greater Topeka bases its mission on three tenets—giving, advocating and volunteering. Partner agencies include 37 different organizations throughout Topeka, while the United Way invests in more than 80 programs. “Washburn is trying to mirror what the United Way does in terms of their tenets,” said Moser. One strategy employed by the United Way is the flash mob, during which a large group of people assembles suddenly in a specific location to make a point then disperses. Some students might remember a flash mob in the Memorial Union dining area last September—staged by the United Way. The United Way has existed in Topeka for more than 80 years. The organization was under the name Topeka United Funds, Inc. during the 1966 tornado, at which time it aided the community in repairs and relief. Moser said she encourages everyone to participate in events through April and May. The next event will be Tuesday, when participants will be giving away popcorn in the Union. “It’s a great way for students to participate too,” said Moser. “You can swing by and throw in a dollar for some popcorn.” Ben Fitch is a senior mass media major. Reach him at benjamin.fitch@washburn. edu.
published. Students in the publishing lab class serve as the editors and deWashburn students and the gen- signers of this journal. Students also eral public will be treated to a literary, handpicked, edited and published all and poetry reading and visual art show. the pieces that have been submitted. The event, a celebration of the release The celebration is a way for stuof the 2010 Inscape journal will take dents to kick off the release of the place on Wednesday April 14, at 7 p.m., publication and show it to the public. at the Bradbury Thompson Alumni “Students have worked really hard center. Various writers and poets will and put their blood, sweat and tears read from their original work that will into this publication,” said Smarsh. be featured in Inscape. Copies of Inscape will Since its inception be sold at the Washburn UniINSCAPE in 1972, Inscape, a literversity Bookstore and are ary journal, has evolved also available online. The with the times to its present form. publishers of Inscape encourage you Throughout its existence, Inscape has to come join them in the celebration of aspired to serve as a vibrant element the release, with a comfortable atmoof the literary landscape by inviting sphere and food and beverage provided. creative risks, by publishing quality For more information on Inworks of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. scape 2010, check out its FaceThe journal is compiled of piec- book page and Web site at www. es of literature and visual art that has inscapewashburn.wordpress.com. been submitted from the region and all over the country. Sarah Smarsh, faculty advisor of Inscape said that about 350 submissions of poetry, Whitney Whitson is a member of the ad200 fiction pieces and 40 nonfiction vanced news writing class. Reach her at stories were submitted this year. All whitney.whitson@washburn.edu. -paid for by WSGA-
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Wednesday, April 7, 2010 • News
Debate team wins nationals
bledee, assistant director of forensics. Tim Hrabe For the past four years the team has WASHBURN REVIEW been striving for this title. Three years ago, the team won third place, and the The Washburn University Debate past two years it has been runner up. Team is celebrating this week after its This year, two of the team memwin at the 2010 National Parliamenta- bers made it to the top 10 individury Debate Association Championship . ally. Joe Allen, a junior majoring in The event was held at Texas Tech sociology, received third overall and University in his teammate, Lubbock, Texas. Laura Knoth, The NPDA is “ also a junior one of the oldsociology maThe Team National est and largest jor, placed fifth. debate competirecepChampionship is the tion Awas held tions with apin true measure of the proximately 190 the lobby of the teams and 360 Living Learning team. speakers from 60 Center for uniuniversities comversity president peting this year. Jerry Farley to Wa s h b u r n congratulate the was represented team on their - Steven Doubledee at the competivictory. FarAssistant Director of Forensics tion by 10 teams. ley said that he Four of them ” was very proud ended up in the of the team. tournament part Both coachof the competies, Doubledee tion, which lead them to win the title. and Kevin O’Leary, director of foTheir topics this year covered many rensics, were on hand for the recepcurrent events, including health care, tion and thanked Farley for his conmilitary involvement in Afghanistan tinuing support of the debate team. and the Roman Catholic Church. The team was present for the reThis year the team won Over- ception. One team member was not in all Squad Sweepstakes, which is not attendance. O’Leary said that Bobby based on how well teams do in the French, one of the debaters that made competition, but rather on the depth of it to the tournament, had to be taken to the arguments of the team members. the hospital immediately after the con“We feel that the Team Na- test. O’Leary said that he had spoken tional Championship is what Wash- with French’s parents who said he was burn wants to win because it is the fine and should be back home soon. true measure of the team. We have Tim Hrabe is a member of the advanced a lot of depth, we’re like the Yan- news writing class. Reach him at timothy. kees in that aspect,” said Steve Dou- hrabe@washburn.edu.
Combining forces to create jobs Mulvane Art Museum gift shop and Washburn Bookstore: a beneficial merger
Jeff Dailey WASHBURN REVIEW Even with today’s struggling economy and the state’s lowered budget on higher education, Washburn’s book store and the Mulvane Art Museum gift shop have combined forces and created three new jobs on campus. The gift shop was previously run by volunteers from the Women’s Board of the Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum group. The volunteers did everything from helping out with receptions and running the gift shop to organizing fundraisers for the museum. The women from this group will continue to help run the museum by volunteering their time being gallery attendants, sharing their knowledge of the art in the museum and helping with tours. The jobs that were created are with the gift shop only and include two part time positions and a student position covering the weekday hours as well as being open on the weekends. “The decision to have the bookstore and the gift shop be run under one big umbrella was a group decision,” said Kay Farley, the bookstore director. Farley went on to explain the business plan of the bookstore and why it came to the conclusion of working together with the gift shop. With the bookstore creating jobs that would keep workers at the gift shop during regular hours it would prove to be monetarily beneficial. This decision was made, in part, because the gift shop was sometimes closed during museum hours, meanung museum visitors were unable
to purchase souvenirs from the shop. The business plan worked, but the decision was not final yet. Farley and Cindi Morrison, the director of the Mulvane Art Museum, confided in the volunteers for their approval of the bookstore taking over the task of running the museum’s gift shop. “The gift shop being open at the same time as the museum will prove to be beneficial to the museum,” said Morrison. With the volunteers, the Mulvane Art Museum and the bookstore all on the same page, the decision
was definite. The bookstore has taken over running the museum’s gift shop and will provide museum visitors the opportunity to visit the gift shop on their way back to their everyday lives. With the consistent schedule being put in place by the creation of these jobs, the museum stands to only benefit from the recent actions.
Jeff Dailey is a member of the advanced news writing class. Reach him at jeffrey. dailey@washburn.edu.
Photo by Heather Ramsdell, Washburn Review
Merging Businesses: The Mulvane gift shop will now be open during Mulvane Museum’s regular hours. The WU bookstore will now be in charge of the museum gift shop.
Advisers talk about more than classes Lauren Eckert WASHBURN REVIEW
Photo by Matt Wilper, Washburn Review
Preparing for the Future: Matt Mills picks up a guide to registration in Morgan Hall. Early registration for classes began April 8 with seniors and will continue until next semester.
The enrollment process can be daunting for students trying to map out their academic futures. From academic advising appointments to PIN numbers to course schedules, students have a lot to remember. What many students are not aware of however, are the numerous resources available to assist them through this process. The first step students should take involves finding and setting up an appointment with an academic adviser. Whether it be an adviser that is department-specific or from the office of Academic Advising, it is important that students find someone to talk to that they can trust and rely on. Dannah Hartley, an academic adviser in the CUSP office, cannot stress enough how important the advising process is for students. “A lot of students think advising is strictly picking out classes,” Hartley said. “That’s part of it, but there is so much more involved.” With five advisers in the CUSP office, students who do not have department specific advisers or are looking to sit down and discuss their future are encouraged to call in to make an
appointment or stop by the CUSP of- students can identify the requirefice in Morgan Hall, 122, to sign up ments that they have already fulfilled. for a 30-minute advising session. The audit also lists the detailed “We can talk about more than requirements needed, including maclasses,” Hartley jor and minor said. “We can requirements, discuss majors, “ general educaA lot of students faculty, getting tion requireinvolved, jobs— ments, universithink advising is we cover more ty requirements, strictly picking areas of engageelectives and ment than stua complete list out classes. That’s dents imagine.” of the classes part of it, but there Hartley also taken. The ausaid it is impordit also lists the is so much more tant for students number of credit to find someone hours completed involved. they are comfortin addition to the - Dannah Hartley able talking to. student’s grade Academic Adviser, CUSP It is also point average. beneficial to Students ” students if they who keep track keep track of of their academtheir own progress during their edu- ic progress will undoubtedly have a cation. Students have direct access to smoother transition from semester to unofficial academic transcripts and semester. But it is important to rememdegree audits on their MyWashburn. ber that when in doubt, ask questions. A degree audit breaks down all “We would love for students to the requirements that students must come by the office as often as they have complete in order to graduate. Au- questions,” Hartley said. “It doesn’t dits are available on the Student have to be just once a semester.” tab under the Student Self-Service Lauren Eckert is a junior mass media menu. By clicking the link that says major. Reach her at lauren.eckert@ Process Degree Audits/Transcripts, washburn.edu.
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Opinion • Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Importance Guns, strippers steal legislative focus of security concealed by carry bill Editorial Board WASHBURN REVIEW
Two weeks ago, I used this small area of space to address the massive issue of school violence and the need for tactics to combat this growing epidemic. Since then, it has been brought to my attention that the state of Kansas is considering measures that would ultimately be counterproductive to the fight against school violence. The Kansas House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would give anyone with a concealcarry license the ability to legally carry a firearm on college and university campuses. Despite arguments from school administrations, all campuses will be forced to abide by the law unless proper security is in place to prevent armed individuals from entering the premises. These security measures include metal detectors, metal detector wands or other electronic equipment or personnel used for detecting weapons. Although the bill is currently before the Senate and has yet to jump through the legal hoops to be passed, the sheer thought of attending a university where a law like this is in place terrifies me. I can’t even begin to fathom what kind of argument could possibly be presented that would make this law right and just. The fact that this bill is under consideration makes me wonder if our state legislation pays attention to the news at all. Have they not seen the reports from Virginia Tech and Alabama-Huntsville? By allowing people to carry firearms on campus, it’s almost like we’re asking for a school shooting to happen. Sure, individuals have to go through a lengthy process to obtain a license, including FROM THE training and a EDITOR background check, but even that can’t guarantee they won’t open fire on campus. When you look at most (if not all) other school shooting cases, the individual wielding a firearm didn’t have a criminal record or any evidence of reckless behavior. There is absolutely no way to ensure someone won’t open fire on innocent people, and by allowing armed individuals to set foot on campus, we are only contributing to the risk. Additionally, if this bill passes and universities want to continue securing their premises, they’ll have to buy equipment to monitor every entrance. With hundreds of entrances on each college campus throughout the state, we’re looking at spending millions of dollars just to abide by this law. Since our state budget won’t provide the funds for this project due to the economic crisis, colleges and universities will have to raise the cost of tuition, which ultimately means we have to pay more money just to be safe. Those who support the bill argue that carrying a gun in public places (like college and university campuses) would make them feel more safe and secure. However, if you attend Washburn, you’re part of a campus that functions with a full-time law enforcement staff patrolling the area 24/7. If security measures are already in place, what is carrying a gun on campus going to do for you? Protect you from other people who are carrying guns, too? The decision to pass the bill or not seems like a no-brainer to me, but evidently our legislators don’t seem to think so. I hope and pray our state government will look at the consequences of signing this bill into law and see that the benefits will never outweigh the costs. Nicole Stejskal is a junior mass media major. Reach her at nicole.stejskal@ washburn.edu.
Bod on
“
street Do you like or dislike Stephen Ferrel Junior
“Dislike. I’m pretty sure there’s more shootings on college campuses than any other.” Heather Prescott Senior
“I don’t like it at all. It’s bringing an added level of danger to an environment that is typically safe.”
“
lawmakers are pressing to close businesses and put people out of work. The House also passed a bill by a vote of 65 to 57 that would allow concealed carry on Kansas campuses. While there are “statistics” on both sides of the concealed carry debate about how it makes campuses either safer or more dangerous, it is important to point out that the last school shooting in Kansas was a 1985 shooting at Goddard Middle School that resulted in one death. While it is true that it can happen anywhere at anytime, it doesn’t make much sense to fix a system that doesn’t appear to be broken. Allowing concealed carry on campus has no direct correlation to a university becoming safer. It will not prevent an event from happening, and if anything it makes the likelihood of a school shooting increase. Logically, more guns on campus means more chances for those guns to be used. So why did the House pass it? Because it’s the “conservative” thing to do. The views expressed in the Review’s View are those of the Washburn Review editorial board and are not necessarily the views of Washburn University.
While the Kansas concealed-carry bill for college and university campuses is up for consideration by the Senate, the Review decided to ask students what they think about the issue.
the
Nicole Stejskal WASHBURN REVIEW
There’s no place like home for Kansas lawmakers. According to an article by David Klepper in the Kansas City Star, Kansas lawmakers are sitting on a $467 million deficit and Gov. Mark Parkinson has cut more state spending than any governor in Kansas history— to the point where they cannot cut any more. While Parkinson and Senate GOP leaders have agreed that raising taxes is a good solution—specifically on tobacco, alcohol and soda—Klepper said that House GOP leaders say that raising taxes will hurt families and businesses. Their family friendly solution? Reducing funding for schools and other state programs, an area that has been tapped nearly dry as it is. Perhaps instead of raising taxes or cutting school funds, Kansas lawmakers should start taking a look at themselves. Kansas has traditionally been “conservative” on the national scale, continuously electing Republican senators, representatives and presidential nominees. However, it’s about time
that these so-called conservatives spent money more…conservatively. In Kansas, the main topics concerning lawmakers seem to be abortion, immorality and guns—all things that they have very little expertise or say on, with perhaps an exception on the immorality thing. Kansas legislators recently approved two bills dealing with immorality. One of the bills, which was written to protect victims of child pornography, was a great move by legislators and we applaud their efforts on that front. However, the second bill made us all go “WTF Kansas?” The bill proposed that sexually oriented businesses, such as strip clubs, would have to close from midnight to 6 a.m., that nudity would be outlawed completely and that dancers could be semi-nude, but would have to remain at least six feet away from patrons (in other words, no lap dances). While we all have different views on strip clubs and sexually oriented businesses, we can all agree that lawmakers have more important things to worry about than strip clubs. We also find it strange that, in a time when the number one concern in the nation is the economy,
”
Jeremy Clark Freshman
“I have friends that have guns, and I have friends that don’t have guns, so I’m kind of in the middle on that.”
Willy Williams Freshman “I think it’s dangerous and reckless.”
”
the concealed-carry bill? Lauren Wipf Junior
“I don’t feel like it is necessary. Campus is safe.”
Bailea Ochs Senior “Are you crazy?! I don’t want fellow students or faculty carrying weapons because I don’t want school shootings.” Jaime Ditch Senior
Kevin Goetz Senior
“I like it. It gives students an opportunity to protect themselves.”
“If a shooter were to come on campus and I had weapon, I would shoot that person. It helps save lives.”
Interviews and photos by Tesa DeForest and Ben Fitch
MARSHALL ARTS
Chris Marshall learned from Gilbert Arenas and Plaxico Burress’ mistakes and doesn’t think concealed carry is a good idea. But if you really want to see a pair of guns on campus, send requests to christopher.marshall@washburn.edu.
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Phone: (785) 670-2506 Fax: (785) 670-1131 www.washburnreview.org Print Editor-in-Chief Nicole Stejskal Online Editor-in-Chief Kevin Mitchell Managing Editor Ben Fitch News Editor Mikki Burcher Sports Editor Josh Rouse A&E Editor Regina Budden Photo Editor Matt Wilper Copy Editor Josh King Senior Writer Lauren Eckert Writers Michelle Boltz Robert Burkett Kate Fechter Bryce Grammer Richard Kelly Ashley Nadeau David Wiens Photographers Tesa DeForest Mike Goehring Mallory Shehi Videographers Brian Dulle Kate Hampson Jordan Shefte Graphic Designers K.J. Thies Cameron Wrightsman Advertising Manager Ashley Shepard Advertising Staff Anna Henry Lauren Journot Business Manager Chuck Stephens Adviser Regina Cassell The Washburn Review is published every Wednesday throughout the academic year, excluding holidays and some other dates. Copies are free for students, faculty and staff, and can be found at numerous locations around the campus of Washburn University. Subscriptions to the Washburn Review are available at the following rates: 13 issues for $20 or 26 issues for $35. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.washburnreview.org or call (785) 670-2506. The Washburn Review is a member newspaper of the Associated Press (AP), the Kansas Associated Press (KPA) and the Kansas Associated Collegiate Press (KACP). The Review was the 2009 winner of the All-State award, given to the best four-year public university newspaper in the state of Kansas. The Washburn Review accepts letters to the editor pertaining to articles appearing in the Washburn Review or on issues of importance to the Washburn or Topeka community. We do not accept mass letters to the editor. Please limit letters to less than 400 words. Letters must be submitted via Word document if possible, and there must be a phone number where the person can be reached for verification. Please e-mail letters to review@washburn.edu. The Review reserves the right to edit all submissions to the paper for length, libel, language and clarity. Because of volume on the opinion page, we are unable to print all letters and are unable to return submissions.
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wednesday, april 7, 2010
Art appreciation for all ages
Sportscast epic fail
ArtLab hires new personnel to supervise activities
Matt Wilper WASHBURN REVIEW
Ben Fitch WASHBURN REVIEW Aleita Graham brought her three children, Aiden, 3; Riley, 5 and Shyanna, 7 to the ArtLab in the Mulvane Art Museum to give the kids something to do. “It’s pretty cool,” she said. “The kids really enjoy it.” The ArtLab was installed in the basement of the Mulvane on Sept. 15, 2006. Since then, several interactive stations have been introduced including a contour wall, an instillation sculpture, a magnet mosaic and a cave wall that can be colored with chalk. Most of the time, the ArtLab is themed to mimic the exhibitions upstairs, either in technique or idea. Recently, Joseph Holton’s exhibit, “Color in Freedom: Journey Along the Underground Railroad,” was featured at the Mulvane. His work featured the use of lines and watercolor. The ArtLab set up a station where visitors could use watercolor resist techniques, or the coloring of paper with crayon so the watercolor doesn’t stick. Josh Davis, art lab supervisor, was recently hired in the ArtLab to give tours and generally organize the lab area. Davis graduated from the art department at Washburn with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2007. “I’m excited about being here,” he said, “It’s kind of go go go.” In fact, the ArtLab is booked next week for four to five days. Elementary
YouTube Pick of the Week:
Photo by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review
Creative inspiration: Children work with many creative media in the ArtLab in the basement of Garvey. The ArtLab is a themed “exhibit” that helps involve children’s activities with the art displays in the Mulvane. The ArtLab recently hired a new personnel member whose job will be to supervise the activities and tours of the lab. and junior-high schools frequent the ArtLab. “Spring break was busy,” said Davis, “We had about 152 kids one day. It’s exploring art. It’s a way for kids to not only hear about art but experience it.” Kandis Barker, curator of education at the Mulvane, said she wants to see the ArtLab continue to grow. “And it will continue to grow,” she said, “because it’s free and open to the public. We just want to keep people coming back.”
Barker said the ArtLab is in the process of being revamped— specifically some of the stations, which will be open May 7, during this First Fridays Artwalk. “All of the stations are designed so that people of all ages can learn art at the level they are comfortable with,” said Barker. Some of the new stations will include print making, a texture area and a miniature replica of the president’s house, complete with working electricity.
Barker said she encouraged Washhburn students to come see the exhibits at the Mulvane and try out the ArtLab. She said students and faculty should know that the ArtLab was not just for kids.
Ben Fitch is a senior mass media major. Reach him at benjamin.fitch@ washburn.edu.
“Boom Goes the Dynamite” is this week’s YouTube Pick of the Week. This video is of an epic fail in news broadcasting. The reporter Brian Collins seems at first scared, or maybe just confused. The best part of this video is during his broadcast when he said, “boom goes the dynamite.” He said this after a player shot and made a three-point basket. His poor commentary isn’t his only problem. He said that a player made a three-point basket, but it was only two POP points. The player was CULTURE in front of the threepoint ark. He was also doing commentary for both teams. In his line of mistakes, his next big one is as he is announcing the basketball All-Americans. He says baseball, then calls Kansas player Wayne Simien, Wayne Summer. I also think he wanted to say rounding out the list, but said rebounding out the list. Then again, he might have tried to add some basketball dialogue. Right at the beginning, he tried to talk about the softball team. However, he failed. The way he reported was awful. His opening line was “Let’s see if the women broke the six game losing streak.” Just a small tip, don’t put down the team you are reporting on. Try to spin the story in a nice way. This was the worst sports casting in the world. I believe this can be considered an epic fail. Til’ next week, stay classy, Washburn.
Matt Wilper is a junior sociology major. Reach her at matt.wilper@ washburn.edu.
‘Titans’ clash with taste Boondock Saints 2—cult classic
David Wiens WASHBURN REVIEW
With all the special effects of the original 1933 “King Kong” and laughably rigid dialogue, I didn’t think there was any way the 1981 version of “Clash of the Titans” would wind up looking like the more interesting film when compared to the 2010 remake. I was wrong. The recent release of this newer “Clash of the Titans” has me questioning its very creation; it was not as if there was a big demand for an updated version of the movie and, judging from how little of the original plot survived, the filmmakers were not great fans of the storyline. That is not to say the visual effects were not mildly interesting, but the presence of less-laughable monsters does not a movie make. In 1981 this story stood, unsteadily, on the romance between Perseus and Andromeda, the frivolousness of the gods and a dense thicket of intermingling Greek myths. The 2010 version contained none of these. Still, it would be unfair to criticize “Clash of the Titans” solely on how close it follows its predecessor, so I will have to try and criticize it as a standalone, tough as that may seem. Now let
Josh Rouse WASHBURN REVIEW
Photo courtesy of clash-of-the-titans.warnerbros.com
me see . . . The theme was beat on thick and flat with no room for movement, practically all the characters were grossly underdeveloped, the dialogue was lazy and predictable, and the oncenumerous collection of bickering gods was replaced by an overused Zeus/ Hades argument with a lot of cartoonish scheming by Hades. Oh, and in the end when Zeus gives Perseus his final “gift,” I only managed to suppress my laughter out of courtesy to the other people in the theater. Half of the background characters seemed like ripoffs from the “Lord of the Rings” franchise, and the other half were forgotten the moment they left the screen. “Clash of the Titans,” from a critical standpoint, at least, is an utter failure. It seems a sad fact that this movie broke the Easter weekend box office record, until you realize that the record it broke was held by “Scary Movie 4.” I will not say that it is impossible to enjoy “Clash of the Titans,” but that is only because there is an overabundance of moviegoers with very low standards.
David Wiens is a sophomore English major. Reach him at david.wiens@ washburn.edu.
them in their efforts. Julie Benz takes over the vacancy left by Willem Dafoe as Special Agent Eunice Bloom, an FBI investigator whose main job is to make Boston’s In 1999, “The Boondock Saints” finest—Detectives Greenly, Duffy and was released in Germany, Greece, Dolly—look like idiots. The three cops Denmark and Finland. January 21, make a return from the first movie, and 2000, it hit the United States in a limited this time are trying to keep the twins out release. Ten years after the release, of custody so they can continue to clean and after a cult following demanded up the streets. While the film does a sequel, “The Boondock provide a gratuitous amount Saints II: All Saints Day” MOVIE of violence, plenty of premiered in the United REVIEW funny quotes and a lot of States. backstory to the first film, The release hit only 67 theaters nationwide. However, after a it is somewhat lacking compared to the March 9, 2010 release on single disc first movie. “Saints” fanboys will either DVD and Blu-Ray, allowing those love the movie for the simple fact it’s who couldn’t see the film in theaters or more of the same thing or completely on bootleg Web sites to get their first hate it—there is no middle ground. The second movie feels more like a parody glimpse. The sequel takes place eight years after fraternal twins Conner and Murphy MacManus (played by Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus) and their father massacred mob boss Yakaveta. The trio are living in exile on a sheep farm in Ireland when they get word that someone has framed them for the murder of a Catholic priest back in Boston. The twins, who set out in the first movie to only kill those who they believe are evil, decide to settle the score with those involved and head back to the States. While on a boat back to the U.S., they meet up with a Mexican fighter named Romeo (played by Clifton Collins Jr.), who finds out who the infamous twins really are and wants to help
of the first at times, although it does a great job of amping the audience up for a threequel. Overall, there are days that I like this movie and days that I don’t. Considering I saw the sequel before I saw the first film, I actually fell in love with the series because of the first movie. However, on further review, the second film lacks a lot of intensity that the first one had. If you’re in the mood for something a little funnier, “All Saints Day,” is a great movie to watch. But if you’re looking for the rawness that the first movie had, you’d be better off watching “The Departed” on HBO.
Josh Rouse is a junior mass media major. Reach him at joshua.rouse@ washburn.edu.
Arts & Entertainment • Wednesday, April 7, 2010
A6
WU egg hunt draws local attention Rainbow-powered car Kate Hampson WASHBURN REVIEW
Kids lined the sidewalks surrounding the grass with baskets in hand and in a ready position. Each of them wanted the best opportunity to get the most eggs and in return, the most candy. On Saturday, the Campus Activity Board hosted the Holiday Egg Hunt on the Memorial Union Lawn at Washburn. The event was open to everyone in the community at no cost. Josh Maples, the executive director of CAB, said the event is a Washburn tradition. “This event has been going on for a long time at Washburn. Much longer than I have been here, and one of our volunteers even mentioned that she attended the event when she was a kid. She just graduated from Washburn. It is a great tradition here,” said Maples. The event was a hit and an even bigger success. There were 125 kids registered for the event, but Maples said there were probably more kids there that didn’t officially register. Each year, the event has been getting bigger. “Since I have been here, there has been an increase in the number of kids every year. It is a great event and we get excited for it every year,” said Maples. Many events kept the kids and parents entertained throughout the morning. There were four different egg hunts for different age groups. Also, there was an activity center that included sidewalk bowling, sidewalk chalk, coloring pages, hula hoops and
Easter bags that could be colored and then used to collect eggs. One of the main attractions was the blow up pirate ship slide. With a lot of kids, come a lot of eggs needed to be found. Throughout the week CAB filled 1,000 eggs and the night before the event they bought another 1,000, making a total of 2,000 eggs filled and then found. For all of the eggs to be filled with the proper amount of candy, 150 pounds of candy was needed. “We filled 2,000 eggs with 150 pounds of candy. At the event all of the eggs were found, open and eaten. It was
a lot of candy. We collected the used eggs to use in the future,” said Maples. An egg hunt wouldn’t be complete without the Easter Bunny to take pictures with. The Easter Bunny also helped hide the eggs for the hunts and mingled with the kids. “We always look forward to this event because it is fun for us, the kids and the parents,” said Maples.
Kate Hampson is a senior mass media major. Reach her at katelyn. hampson@washburn.edu.
Photo by Mike Goehring, Washburn Review
Free for all: Children gather eggs on the lawn by Washburn Memorial Union Saturday afternoon. The Holiday Egg hunt is an annual event at Washburn hosted by CAB.
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Fagbug returns to campus for one more year Bryce Grammer WASHBURN REVIEW
Probably by those who were unhappy about her ability to draw strength from something meant to tear her down. Each time the word was tampered with. Davis re-sprayed it. Eventually she decided a A rainbow-colored Volkswagen more permanent look for the “Fagbug,” Beetle isn’t something you see every was needed. The resulting makeover day. Even less common is one with the produced the car’s current look. word “Fagbug” written on the side of Her mission statement is “To it. raise awareness about hate crimes and Hate is a powerful emotion and acts homophobia in our society, to give a of hate can have a huge impact on those voice for those who are silent, to inspire it’s directed at. Perhaps the person who others to take a stand against bullies and spray-painted the word to be an example of how “fag” on the side of Erin to overcome obstacles in HUMAN Davis’s car hoped the act bringing a creative project INTEREST of vandalism would make to life.” These issues have an impact on her. If so, an effect on everyone mission accomplished. Davis decided regardless of their sexual orientation. to make something positive out of this Who on earth hasn’t had to deal with negative act. a bully at least once in their lives or April 17, 2007, Davis entered her been faced with the need to overcome vandalized vehicle in Troy, N.Y., and adversity. embarked on a year-long road trip with The showing of “Fagbug” followed the graffiti still intact. Davis decided to by an open Q & A session with Davis keep it there, determined to rise above is free to the public. It will take place it. She also brought a video camera Thursday, April 8 at 5 p.m. in Henderson to document her ambitious trek across Learning Resource Center room 112. the nation. That footage resulted in The event is sponsored by Washburn’s the release of the movie “Fagbug,” in student organization, OPEN (Open2009. Davis is traveling to Washburn Minded, Positive, Equality, Nonthis week where she will hold a free Discriminative). showing of her documentary followed by a question and answer session. Throughout her journey Davis was met with opposition. She had windows broken out more than once. Hateful notes were left under her windshield Bryce Grammer is a senior mass wiper and there were several attempts media major. Reach him at bryce. at scraping the word off of her car. grammer@washburn.edu.
review sports washburn university
Wild world
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Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Sisters start for softball
of sports McNabb’s departure a good thing? Photo by Mallory Shehi, Washburn Review
Photo illustration by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review
Angels in the outfield: Tonganoxie High products Lindsey and Lauren Himpel, sophomore and freshman respectively, use their sisterly bond to produce big time in the outfield for the Lady Blues.
Josh Rouse WASHBURN REVIEW To many, it may appear as though the Philadelphia Eagles have officially lost their minds. The Eagles traded perennial Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins on Easter Sunday in exchange for two draft picks—a second round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft (37th overall) and a conditional third or fourth round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Just six years removed from being a Super Bowl contender, McNabb had a quarterback rating of 92.9 last season, throwing for 3,553 yards and 22 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions. Kevin Kolb, the Eagles’ backup quarterback, has two career starts under his belt, throwing a grand total of 130 passes during his threeyear career for four touchdowns and seven interceptions. Kolb has a career quarterback rating of 68.9. McNabb led the Eagles to the NFC Championship two years ago. So why ship your franchise player to Washington? McNabb has long been plagued with the reputation of not being able to win “the big one.” Even though McNabb put up good numbers year in and out with less than stellar SPORTS receivers, and COLUMN finally had the tools in place to make a serious run at the Super Bowl this year, he’s 33 years old. That may not sound like much compared to the NFL’s only grandfather, Brett Favre (40 years old), but McNabb has battled injuries throughout his career. While the Eagles may not be excited about Kolb starting this year (or third string quarterback Michael Vick, for that matter), they still have an opportunity in the draft to make a serious investment in the future. The latest draft boards show that Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has risen to a possible first round pick, as NFL.com analyst Charles Davis has the New Orleans Saints potentially picking him up with the 32nd pick. If Tebow is good enough for the Saints to consider drafting, especially with Drew Brees in the picture, then it is not at all a stretch to envision the Eagles drafting him eight picks earlier. Even if he doesn’t pan out as a great pro quarterback, which many believe he won’t, he has the athleticism to help them out in other areas like receiver or tight end. As for the Redskins, congratulations. You managed to bring in an experienced quarterback without giving up the No. 4 pick in the draft. With head coach Mike Shanahan taking over the reigns in Washington, it should make for some exciting football. Just don’t expect Elway 2.0. Josh Rouse is a junior mass media major. Reach him at joshua.rouse@ washburn.edu.
Ben Fitch WASHBURN REVIEW
“Some days we have little fights in the outfield,” said Lindsey. When Lindsey was in need of a helmet and had to be on deck in a hurry, Lindsey and Lauren Himpel, the for example, she ripped off her sister’s outfield duo, seem to be two identical helmet, inadvertently snagging her rocks outside the diamond—both being nose. Lauren said she laughed about it. nursing majors “It’sdifferent and 14 months “ things,” she said. apart in age. The “If one of is doing sisters have been bad, we might I like the outfield playing softball make a smart because you can do together since comment. It’s they were old because we know things that nobody enough to walk, each other’s true knows you’re doing. potential. And or at least since tee ball. she knows she Their dad can be brutally coached the team, honest.” - Lauren Himpel which was an in T h e Freshman outfielder, for Lauren. She Tonganoxie High hotdog enthusiast was four years School graduates old at the time and both first ” were not old enough to and second allplay tee ball. But area team picks she did anyway. in the Kaw League, Kansas City Star “It’s been a natural progression of and Lawrence Journal World. Lauren, things,” said Lindsey. now a freshman, was a perfect 32-forLindsey started as a middle infielder 32 in stolen base attempts as a junior in and moved to the outfield when she was high school. Lindsey, sophomore, also 14. Now they play right and center, and played volleyball for four years and most days the sisters get along. was a three-year letter-winner.
“They’ve taken on big roles,” said coach Lisa Carey, “They play like upper-classmen. They are really students of the game.” Carey used to have them bat one and two, but now Lindsey bats in the two hole and Lauren bats in the five hole. “Lauren is a great contact hitter and she can get the bunt down,” said Carey, “and Lindsey has power too.” But the outfield is where the game is played for the Himpel sisters. “Obviously it’s where the coach needs us,” said Lindsey, “but the chemistry is more in the outfield since we’ve played together for years. We have a better understanding of each other’s abilities.” “I like the outfield because you can do things that nobody knows you’re doing,” said Lauren. She once ate a hotdog in the outfield during a summer ball club when she was 16. “And nobody knew,” she said.
Ben Fitch is a senior mass media major. Reach him at benjamin.fitch@ washburn.edu.
Piles’ play lacking after strong fall Sam Sayler WASHBURN REVIEW
focused and mentally stronger,” said Piles. No matter how Piles performs for Riley Piles started his foray the rest of his college golf days, he into college golf on a high note last still has the respect of his friends and season. He finished in the top five teammates. “I’ve been out here for about a twice, including a fourth-place tie at the Ichabod Invitational. Now in his year now,” said freshman golfer Jeffery sophomore year, Piles has found himself Jarvis. “I’ve watched him, noticed him in a bit of a slump when it comes to progress over the years. We’ve probably putting the ball in the hole. Recently, known him for two years now, and I know that after in a tournament his freshman in Mission Viejo, “ year, after talking Calif., Piles tied to him, he kind for 32nd. I think I can start of struggled. He “Last season, improving by just wasn’t really I played pretty happy with what well,” said Piles. practicing a lot and he did, but it “I finished in the getting mentally seemed after top two in a couple this last fall, he tournaments, won focused and improved quite one. Other than a bit. All of his that, I was a little stronger. practice and hard inconsistent, but it - Riley Piles work has been was a successful Sophomore golfer paying off. season.” Piles does not ” that “Ihe’ll know keep deny the reversal doing that. He’s in the way he has one of the most played as of late. “Lately, I’ve been struggling with dedicated guys on the team. I hope one my swing a little bit, a little bit of of these times, in a couple years, he’ll be a leader when he’s a senior, and he’ll consistency,” said Piles. As is common with the Washburn lead us into more championships.” Coach Doug Hamilton has noticed golfers, Piles does mention that the team has not been able to practice outdoors a change in Piles and has been working with the young golfer to help overcome as much as they would like. “The weather hasn’t been the adversity and conquer the links. “Riley Piles has been experiencing greatest, so we haven’t been able to a bit of an up and down year, from times practice that much,” said Piles. With tournaments still remaining in the fall when he played extremely in the season, Piles thinks that he can well to time this spring where he’s really bring his game up to a higher pedigree. struggled,” said Hamilton. “You explain “I think I can start improving by that fairly easily. When he came out of just practicing a lot and getting mentally high school, Riley had kind of a unique
golf swing, and it was one that was very high tempo, very heavy-handed with his right hand, and really tried to control the ball with his right hand. We’ve tried to make adjustments to that swing, which slowed down his tempo, and we’re trying to lengthen his swing a little bit, and it’s been a big adjustment for Riley, and I applaud him for making the effort to make the change, because I think for him to become as good a player as he can become, he needed to make a swing change.” Hamilton also points out that such a problem is common among golfers and he has no worries for Piles’ future. “Tiger Woods’s swing change, when he did that a few years ago, it got a lot of publicity and notoriety, and he struggled for a brief time while he was going through that, and any golfer that does that is going to struggle and have some inconsistency, so Riley’s still working through that,” said Hamilton. “He’s still working towards completing the swing change, but he’s on track, and he’s doing well. “I’m proud of the effort that he’s given it. Even though he gets frustrated from time to time, he really tries to stay with the new swing, and I think that’s important, and I think the more he gets comfortable with it, the more he gets the opportunity to use that in tournaments, the more efficient he’ll be. I expect by this summer, hopefully even later this spring, it’ll be solidly engrained in him, and it’ll be a much more efficient golf swing for him. We expect good thing from Riley in the future, but we know we have a little bit of a rocky period now.” Sam Sayler is an undecided freshman. Reach him at samuel.sayler@ washburn.edu.
Le Nyugen thrives in America Richard Kelly WASHBURN REVIEW
As it played a large role early in her life, it wasn’t tough for Trang Le Nyugen to think she might stay interested in tennis. But, she never expected it would help bring her to America. Le Nyugen, the MIAA’s Most Valuable Player last season, is expecting a promising end to her senior year as she and her team hopes to win the MIAA Conference Championship, after finishing as runner-up last year. Prior to her play at Washburn and previously Barton County Community College, she lived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Her father and mother were both very involved in tennis and she began playing at age 12. And while she had played many national tournaments up to the point of graduating high school, she would not have the opportunities she has today had it not been for an e-mail sent to her family after her senior year in high school. “The coach in Barton actually sent an e-mail to me and sent it to my dad and asked me about a scholarship. We do not know how he got the information. It was just magically and we just see it as a gift. It’s just so surprising,” said Le Nyugen. After receiving the offer during the summer, she came to America by herself in January 2007. When she arrived at the airport, she saw SENIOR a new culture, FEATURE a new language and even new weather for the first time. When Le Nyugen arrived, she did not know English and had never seen snow, but she has found the people of Kansas to be a great help with everything she did not know. “It’s really hard when people don’t understand what you’re saying and you can’t talk, but that’s why I love the people in Kansas,” said Le Nyugen. “They’re helping me to speak; they teach me and are just willing to do whatever. That’s why I’ve decided to stay in Kansas.” After arriving, she spent her first two years at Barton County before transferring to Washburn. The previous tennis coach at Washburn, Jennifer Hastert, contacted her and offered her a full scholarship. And Dave Alden, who took over as coach the year Le Nyugen started, finds her as a great asset to the team as a whole. “She’s the type of player that the more matches she plays, the better she gets,” said Alden. “She’s gotten through that period now of uncertainty and is playing to the potential she has.” When Le Nyugen transferred, she was a junior and the other five players on the women’s team were freshmen. She has become a mentor for many of the players, but she also finds herself commonly connected to all of them, since they all started at Washburn at the same time last season.
Please see LE NGUYEN page A8
Sports • Wednesday, April 7, 2010
A8
Series tied 1-1 for ‘Runners Richard Kelly WASHBURN REVIEW
While the shot margins may have been great both nights of Topeka RoadRunners hockey this past weekend, one thing set the games apart: scoring goals. After 43 shots in Friday night’s affair, only one of which found the back of the net in a 4-1 loss, the Topeka RoadRunners came back and scored seven goals on 60 shots to earn a 7-2 victory Saturday night at Landon Arena in the opening playoff games in a bestof-five series between the RoadRunners and the Springfield Jr. Blues. Jared Rickord got it started for the Jr. Blues during Friday’s contest, when he scored during a scrum in front of the net to give Springfield a 1-0 lead through the first period. But during the second period, the game was knotted up at one when Edgars Lipsbergs knocked a rebound past Jr. Blues’ Andrew Martin. Springfield answered with a goal when Ross Anderson buried the puck on a 2-on-1 to give the Jr. Blues back the lead. They got another 2-on-1 NAHL that resulted in PLAYOFFS a 3-1 lead six minutes into the third period and one more goal at the 10:51 mark on a powerplay goal gave Springfield a 4-1 lead and a victory in Friday’s contest. Evan Karembelas got the loss with 11 saves on 15 shots. After the loss, Topeka head coach Scott Langer knew one of the big keys was how his team used its opportunities. “We didn’t have a bad effort. It seemed like we made a couple of mistakes and they buried their chances on it,” said Langer. “They just sat there in their defensive zone and allowed their goalie to stop shots. We had some big chances, but he (Martin) did a great job.” But Langer had some ideas as to how Friday’s match could affect his team. “If we’re meant to go the distance, it’s going to make us better,” said Langer. “It’s going to refocus us and we’re going to go out and do what we’re capable of.”
Photo by Mallory Shehi, Washburn Review
Baseball taking a raincheck Ben Fitch WASHBURN REVIEW
Photo courtesy of Chris Hamm
Fit to be tied: The Topeka RoadRunners head into this weekend’s playoff matchup with the Springfield Jr. Blues with a 1-1 tie in the best-of-five series. The ‘Runners will head to Springfield, with a possible fifth game April 12 in Topeka. Topeka came out and did what they were capable of Saturday. Topeka looked like the hot team from the start. After numerous shots in just the first few minutes, a Jeff Burke shot from the point just 2:38 into the contest gave the ‘Runners a 1-0 lead. Springfield though did counter just 25 seconds later to tie the game on a one-timer. It was Springfield’s first shot-on-goal, as the shots were 8-1. Just over four minutes later, Michael Hill fired a wrist shot on net that beat Martin to give the ‘Runners back the lead. Justin Kovacs pushed a rebound past Martin at the 12:20 mark to give Topeka a 4-1 lead. It stayed that way until first intermission. Topeka outshot Springfield 27-6 in the first frame. At 3:56 of the second period, the scoring continued as Lipsbergs made it past defenders and beat Martin to make it 5-1. Just 24 seconds later, Kevin Ryan’s shot from the point increased it to a 5-1 lead. Springfield used a
breakaway a minute later to make it 5-2, but on a 3-on-2 play, Bryce Johnson fired the puck to make it a 6-2 game into the second intermission. Shots after two periods were 40-13 in favor of the RoadRunners. While the shots were 20-5 in the third period, Martin stonewalled Topeka until the 19:20 mark on the third when Cole Schneider ripped a shot blocker side to make the final 7-2. Eric Rohrkemper stopped 16 of 18 shots for Topeka. Langer noticed a definite interest in his team’s play in Saturday’s contest. “Our guys were inspired. They were very interested tonight, starting this morning with the pre-game skate. It was not an option today. We were a focused group,” said Langer. “We talked about it last night that I don’t think our guys were as focused as they needed to be the last few days, until this morning.” Now the series shifts, as Topeka
will play two games in Springfield, Ill., this weekend, with a chance to wrap up the five-game series. If necessary, a fifth game will be played April 12 in Topeka. Forward Bryce Johnson talked about what the team can do to pick up the wins in the two games. “It would’ve been bad going down 2-0 in the series. It’s good tying it up at one,” said Johnson. “Now we’ll head to Springfield and hope we get two there and move on to the second round. But we got to take every game at a time and we can’t look back.” In the other South Division playoff match-up, the St. Louis Bandits, who were the No. 2 seed, trail the No. 3 seed Texas Tornado 2-0 with a chance for Texas to wrap up the series at home tomorrow night. Richard Kelly is a sophomore mass media major. Reach him at richard. kelly@washburn.edu.
When it’s not raining, the Ichabods get to play baseball, but lately it’s been raining a lot. The first four games were cancelled right off the bat for snow. “We’ve missed 12 games,” said coach Steve Anson. “It’s a disappointment to the seniors, and very discouraging for them. But as far as actual game-play, we got off to a good start. Hitting has been great, pitching has been good. It’s just about keeping the WASHBURN BASEBALL pressure on all the time.” Overall, the Ichabods are 12-10, and 11-9 in the conference. Washburn was scheduled to play Rockhurst today in Kansas City, but that game was pushed back until tomorrow because of anticipated storms. The history with Rockhurst has been rocky to say the least with one win and one loss attributed to one double header against the Hawks. The scheduled match up in February was cancelled… because of weather. Anson said he expects the team to pitch well and match the Jesuit offense. “It should be a similar type of game,” he said. Ben Fitch is a senior mass media major. Reach him at benjamin.fitch@ washburn.edu.
LE NGUYEN: Senior defending MVP
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“When we got here, they were all freshmen and I was a junior but the odd thing we had in common was that we were all new to Washburn and a totally new team. That’s why we all had the same level of not knowing much about Washburn,” said Le Nyugen. “So from there, we learned together, even though I am older. And I try to be a leader and have a lot of tennis experience, but we actually are all growing together.” She and her doubles partner, Alyssa Castillo have also gelled well at this point in the season, as they are now the No. 1 doubles team on the roster. They did not start as partners at the beginning of the season, but have won all three MIAA matches as partners by the scores of 8-6, 8-2 and 8-3. They will look to continue that streak when they play Northwest Missouri State at home either today or tomorrow, weather permitting, at 3 p.m. To Castillo, Le Nyugen’s presence brings out everyone’s best play. “She’s definitely a leader,” said Castillo. “If we get off task, she’ll get us back on track. She pushes me. I don’t know about everyone else, but she really pushes me to the next level.” Outside of tennis, Le Nyugen is also very involved at Washburn. She is a business major but also is the President of the International Club, a WSGA senate member, a member of the Washburn Leadership Institute, a Bod Squad member, a member of Mortar Board and is also a tour guide for the Future Alumni Network. But she likes the challenge of staying busy. “I don’t think it’s hard to balance. I think to keep myself busy is a good thing,” she said. “As an international student, it’s awfully hard to find the
Photo by Mallory Shehi, Washburn Review
Senior moment: Senior netter Trang Le Nyugen came to America to pursue a college education, and a tennis scholarship allowed her to do so. Besides tennis, she is also President of the International Club and a WSGA senator, among other things at WU. time for all these things, but if I have to do a lot of stuff like I’m doing right now, I just have to deal with it.” After she completes her business degree, Le Nyugen does plan on continuing to play tennis at least recreationally and plans to stay in America to pursue her master’s in business. Following that, she wants to return to Vietnam. She feels she has so much she could take back to her country. “I’m one of the luckiest girls; I got to come to America without any cost,” said Le Nguyen. “But thousands of students back in my country, they don’t have a chance to go so I have
to appreciate what I have. It was surprising, but my family is happy for me and I am happy for me so that’s why I always use every single minute to do everything here. “But my plan is, I want to go back (to Vietnam). I feel like everything here is so good and everything is so perfect here. My country is not. I think if I come here and learn so much, why don’t I bring the good things back?”
Richard Kelly is a sophomore mass media major. Reach him at richard. kelly@washburn.edu.
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