Issue 32

B3

What’s Grand Valley Reading?

B6

Rockin’ and Rowin’ GV Rowing team spends break in Florida STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT GRAND VALLEY

Grand Valley Lanthorn W W W. L A N T H O R N . C O M

M onday, Januar y 10, 2011

MAREC launches wind energy research on Lake Michigan

SPORTS Wenglinski named NCAA Division II Player of the Year

By Anya Zentmeyer GVL News Editor

B1

As part of the everexpanding sustainability initiative, Grand Valley State University’s Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC) is leading a $3.7 million federallyfunded grant project exploring renewable wind energy on Lake Michigan.

Arn Boezaart, director of

MAREC, said the project is a culmination of efforts by various partners, including the University of Michigan and Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute. The project, he said, is aimed at learning more about Lake Michigan’s wind conditions with “an eye toward possible development of offshore wind energy generation technology” in the future.

“Wind is an important commercial renewable energy resource for Michigan in

the future along with other technologies such as solar, geothermal, biomass, etc,” said Norman Christopher, director of GVSU’s Sustainability Initiative. “MAREC continues to demonstrate its leadership in building collaborations and partnerships in West Michigan to help develop this technology and address issues and concerns relating to broader commercialization.”

Boezaart said the team hopes

See MAREC, A2

Courtesy photo / gvsu.edu

Renewable research: MAREC will launch a research buoy in Lake Michigan to assess the possibility of harvesting wind energy.

News:

New equipment for EMS training helps students learn to save lives

Seidman college predicts health care trends for 2011 A4 BUSINESS HANDLED Men’s basketball team triumphs over LSSU

Health care costs, employment expected to increase Courtesy photo / Google Images

DREAM deferred: A supporter pickets on behalf of the DREAM Act. The bill failed to pass last month after nine years of controversy.

Republicans block law to educate illegal immigrants

By Anya Zentmeyer GVL News Editor

B1 ONLINE YOUR words Letters to the editor

Although an overwhelming Senate vote favored bypassing the filibuster that tabled the DREAM Act, the initiative still fell five votes short. The act did not become law last December after it met with heavy Republican opposition.

First introduced in 2001 by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act would have provided a

path to U.S. citizenship for some foreign-born high school graduates who immigrated illegally as children.

Senators voted 55-41 with the majority voting along party lines. Five Democrats voted against the DREAM Act while the remaining opposition came from the Republican Party members who argue that the DREAM Act essentially gives amnesty to illegal immigrants in the U.S. “They’re preying to peoples’ worst fears,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

See Immigrants, A2

GVL Assistant News Editor

News Opinion Sports Laker Life Marketplace

A B

A4 A3 B1 B4 B5

GVL Staff Writer Grand Valley State University hosted the annual health care forum on Thursday at the Loosemore Auditorium, which detailed the trends in West Michigan health care for 2011.

Seidman College of Business professor Hari Singh and Paul Isely, department chair and associate professor, discussed three different trends forecasted for the coming years: knowledge foundations, risk variables such as drinking, smoking and obesity, and benchmarking Grand Rapids against Cleveland, Ohio and Portland, Ore. in terms of medical patents.

One of the larger topics during the forum was the economics of health care. Isely said the health care industry in Michigan is growing by 12 percent while manufacturing jobs are decreasing.

Courtesy photo / gvsu.edu

Growth industry: Hari Singh, Professor of economics, speaks during a panel discussion. Thursday’s forum focused on the future of health care .

“Not all health care jobs are growing, but many are, so that is important for us,” he said. “It is important to see how people will be earning money in the near future.”

Singh said 18 percent of the national gross domestic product is spent on health care.

Three factors that drive the cost of care include technology because health care is becoming more sophisticated, the aging population with the number of persons over 45 needing more health care and lifestyle choices. “(Lifestyle choices) is what the risk variable is all about – how many people are smoking, binge drinking, becoming

obese, etc.,” Singh said. “The public policy has to be to try to change the lifestyle choices.

Ultimately it becomes an issue of personal responsibility and trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle.”

The Thursday health forum also featured a panel discussion on health care predictions for 2011. Panelists included CEO of Spectrum Health Richard Breon, President of West Michigan Area Health Underwriters Dominic Siciliano and Susan Sevensma, director of medical education at Metro Health Hospital.

WZZM anchor Valerie Lego served as moderator.

See Health care, A2

Students to recycle electronic waste on Day of Service

By Molly Waite

INDEX

By Chelsea Stoskopf

Millions of pounds of electronic waste are waiting to be torn apart by students from Grand Valley State University.

Comprenew, a local nonprofit company that recycles electronics like computers and cell phones, will host GVSU student volunteers on Jan. 15 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Students will help Comprenew to fulfill its mission to recycle e-waste and educate the local community about the importance of recycling

electronics.

“By partnering up with the different organizations and schools in the community, we can keep our costs relatively low while educating people on e-waste,” said Kyle Shoemaker, Comprenew general manager.

“There’s over a million pounds of electronic waste that is sitting in our warehouse, waiting to be processed. When Grand Valley students walk through the doors of our warehouse, we see it kind of hit home about how much e-waste just the West Michigan community generates.”

The disposal of electronics is

See Recycle, A2

Courtesy photo / Tijana Matovic

Sustainable service: GVSU students break down computers at Comprenew during an Alternative Breaks service day. Comprenew will host 45 volunteers Saturday.

A2

NEWS

Monday, January 10, 2011

MAREC

continued from page A1

to place a large research buoy in Lake Michigan in late spring or early summer of this year. The buoy would gather wind data using state of the art LIDAR infrared technology.

LIDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is an optical remote sensing technology that measures properties of scattered light to find range of a distant target.

Although the process is similar to radar technology, LIDAR

does not use radio waves. It determines the range of an object by measuring time delay between transmission of a pulse and direction of the reflected signal.

Boezaart said the research project is important to learning more about potential wind energy on the Great Lakes and contributing to other research efforts in weather and biological conditions.

He added a side partnership with researchers from Michigan State University will study the presence of bird and bat activity

Immigrants

“I suspect that the underlying

continued from page A1

“The DREAM Act couldn’t be further from amnesty. It’s hard work. It gives so many the incentive to contribute to our nation and its economy.”

The DREAM Act would have allowed illegal immigrants with a high-school diploma or a GED to apply for a sixyear conditional citizenship if they are under 30 and came to the U.S. before turning 16. In addition, it would have required those requesting temporary citizenship either to be enrolled in a four-year college or university and obtain a degree in good academic standing or to complete two years in the

on the lakes.

The project has a projected duration of three years.

“As our country seeks to end its heavy dependency on foreign sources of oil and as we begin to address the issue of reducing our green house gas emissions, it is critical that we develop a range of energy alternatives,” Boezaart said. “Offshore wind energy will be explored and developed in the coming years on both our ocean coasts as well as on the Great Lakes.” news@lanthorn.com

issues in the DREAM Act - college and military service - will surface again when Congress decides to debate immigration in its entirety....

-Matt McLogan

”

VP for University Relations U.S. military and finish a term with an honorable discharge.

Matt McLogan, vice president for University Relations at Grand Valley State University, said although the act failed to pass into law, the primary issues behind the act will likely surface again.

“I suspect that the underlying issues in the Dream Act – college and military service – will surface again when Congress decides to debate immigration in its entirety, perhaps in the next year or so,” he said.

Key supporters of the bill are standing behind the DREAM Act and saying the bill will be

Grand Valley Lanthorn

“It’s a very complicated

Health care continued from page A1

Michael Hampton, vice president of Raymond James and Associates, also sat on a panel and shared information about the investments in regards to the health care industry.

“One of the areas that I feel is most attractive is the technology businesses that can service the health care industry in (ways) of providing interconnectivity software, better record keeping for patients, having more access for patients medical records, etc.,” he sai sd. “I think it is going to make health care more efficient. Having appropriate access to information without vi aolating patient confidentiality can provide tremendous amounts of savings because of efficiencies.”

The health care bill currently going through the House was also brought up at the discussion. The panelists and GVSU professors agreed the uncertainty of content within the bill makes it difficult to predict the future of Michigan’s health care sector.

“It’s a very complicated system, and we’ve changed things in ways we have never changed it before,” Isely said. “We don’t have a historical basis to say, ‘This is what’s going to happen.’ So that uncertainty is a bad thing.”

(health care) system, and we’ve changed things in ways we have never changed it before.

-Paul Isely

”

Associate professor of economics Despite the predicted growth within the health sector, Isely said students should be aware of the changes and pay close attention to how the provision of health care is going to be done.

“It’s important to keep your eye on it and ISELY determine how it’s going to affect your industry,” he said. “Even if you don’t think it affects what you are planning on going (into), increases in health care changes the costs of the business that you are in.” cstoskopf@lanthorn.com

passed eventually under the larger, more comprehensive umbrella of immigration reform.

Until then, GVSU and college campuses around the nation remain unaffected by the failed legislation.

“Because the law wasn’t enacted, there isn’t really any change to the potentially affected students other than understandable disappointment,” said Dwight Hamilton, assistant vice president for Affirmative Action. “Without the law change, GVSU’s policies remain the same.” news@lanthorn.com

Courtesy photo / Tijana Matovic

Break it down: Volunteers help disassemble electronic components for recycling at Comprenew Environmental in Grand Rapids. Last year, Comprenew kept more than two million pounds of e-waste out of the environment.

Recycle

continued from page A1

not only an environmental issue, but also an issue of identity protection.

“Most people don’t know what sort of information is on their computer,” Shoemaker said. “They think that if they just unplug their computer, take out the motherboard and smash it that it no longer works. But if that hard drive is not secured and wiped, you can lose a lot of your information to the wrong hands. This business is not about taking as much e-waste as possible, getting it out the door and making money. It’s about making

Grand Valley Lanthorn Volume 45, Number 31 The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published twice-weekly by Grand Valley State University students 62 times a year. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the Grand Valley Community.

For additional copies, please contact our business offices.

POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to Grand Valley Lanthorn, 0051 Kirkhof, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, 49401

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor in Chief EMANUEL JOHNSON Managing Editor SAMANTHA BUTCHER News Editor ANYA ZENTMEYER Assistant News Editor MOLLY WAITE Sports Editor GREG MONAHAN Assistant Sports Editor DEREK WOLFF

A & E Editor ELIJAH BRUMBACK Laker Life Editor SUSIE SKOWRONEK Photography Editor ERIC COULTER Copy Editors SUSIE SKOWRONEK COREY FINKBEINER

Layout Editor ALANA HOLLAND Layout Staff KELLY GRANBACKA KENDALL GILBERT VALERIE WALDBAUER KAYLA KOENIGSKNECHT Multimedia Editor KARA DONALDSON Web Team JON ROOST CATHRINE RAFTERY JOSH KOVACH

sure you process it in the right way.”

Comprenew accepts waste from individuals as well as large companies in the area. Most of the waste is broken down and recycled, but some electronics and parts of electronics are refurbished and sold at a discounted price.

The students who volunteer at Comprenew help prevent identity theft and similar issues by removing the hard drives from computers.

After the hard drives are removed, they are wiped of data and then completely disassembled.

The GVSU Community Service Learning Center has worked with Comprenew on various service projects.

“It is a popular place to volunteer because the work is very hands on,” said Valerie Jones, assistant director of Student Life. “At the end of their experience, students can physically see what they have accomplished and contributed to the organization. It is also popular because the elimination of the e-waste aligns with GVSU’s commitment to sustainability, so our students are able to be part of this sustainable

BUSINESS STAFF

ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager KEVIN HAUSFELD Advertising Reps CHRIS ROWELL DANIEL TOMOVSKI

AMANDA VILLARREAL Advertising Designers MATT TYNDALL VALENTINA VALDES

Business Manager KIM SANDER Assistant Business Manager BRANDON MERCADO Distribution ADAM RASHID JEFF DIMITRIEVSKI MICHAEL VASILOVSKI Receptionists CARIAN WHITE Faculty Adviser LAWRENCE BEERY

practice.”

Senior Tijana Matovic is one of the many GVSU students who has volunteered at Comprenew.

“What they are doing is pretty awesome,” Matovic said. “We tore apart some computers and we worked there for about three hours.

It was an amazing, positive experience. I’ve volunteered for other environmental organizations before, but this was by far the best.”

Comprenew relies on the GVSU students that help disassemble electronics, Shoemaker said. Volunteers help support Comprenew’s mission to keep e-waste out of landfills and out of the wrong hands.

“We lead with electronics recycling, but we achieve that mission of keeping this stuff out of the landfill and recycling it in an environmentally friendly manner by partnering up with people like Grand Valley,” Shoemaker said.

“This biggest support we’ve received from Grand Valley has come to us through word of mouth. Some of these students come in and only have ten to 40 hours, and they think, ‘Well, what can I really do to help out?’

But that steady trickle of students coming in to volunteer their time is a huge help to us.” assistantnews@ lanthorn.com

The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published under the authorization of the GVSU Newspaper Advisory Board.

Corrections

In the story titled “Kappa Sigma smashes stress” in the Dec. 13 issue of the Lanthorn, there were errors. Kappa Sigma is a fraternity, but it is not affiliated with the university, and the car that Kappa Sigma smashed was white, not red. Also, the photos used were from past car smashes, not Kappa Sigma’s.

OPINION

editorial@lanthorn.com

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, January 10, 2011

A3

EDITORIAL CARTOON

EDITORIAL

Snowball effect Though President Barack Obama called the shooting of several people during an Arizona ‘Congress on Your Corner’ event an ‘unspeakable tragedy,’ it is almost to be expected in a political atmosphere where ‘crosshair maps’ and ‘second amendment remedies’ exist.

D

octors said Sunday that U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., is able to communicate with simple commands, which comes as encouraging news after the congresswoman suffered a bullet to the head when a gunman opened fire at a “Congress on Your Corner” event outside a supermarket in Tucson, Ariz. Jared Loughner, 22, shot and killed six people, including a 9-year-old girl and a federal judge, and injured 14 others, including Giffords.

Information continued to pour out on Sunday regarding the shooting, but at press time there had been no word as to the motive behind it. But when citizens are openly encouraged to assassinate out-of-control politicians, what’d you expect?

During a radio interview in January of 2010, former Nevada GOP Senate nominee and Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle alluded to voters taking out her opponent, Harry Reid, using what she referred to as “Second Amendment Remedies.”

“I hope that’s not where we’re going,” she said. “But you know if this Congress keeps going the way it is, people are really looking toward those Second Amendment remedies and saying, ‘My goodness what can we do to turn this country around?’ I’ll tell you – the first thing we need to do is take Harry Reid out.”

Does anything else need to be said? Or do we all have the understanding that Angle told her supporters to assassinate Reid to solve the country’s problems?

Two months later, Sarah Palin revealed a controversial map that put crosshairs over target areas of the country to represent a list of Democratic representatives she wanted defeated in the mid-term elections in November.

Giffords was the fourth name on the list.

Though this does not make Palin nor Angle directly responsible for the shooting, bare in mind how influential and damaging language such as “Second Amendment Remedies” and imagery such as crosshairs over targeted politicians can be on a fragile mind. Authorities said Loughner has remained mum since the shooting, but a CNN report Sunday revealed that Loughner had several anti-government posts on both his YouTube and Facebook accounts. “(Loughner) said, ‘I cannot trust the current government because of the ratifications. The government is implying mind control and brainwash on the people by controlling grammar,’” said Nick Valencia, a CNN reporter. “He also went on to write about currency, saying he’s not willing to contribute to anything backed by gold and silver. He spoke a little bit also on his Facebook page about his adoration of ‘Mein Kampf’ and ‘The Communist Manifesto.’”

Because disturbed characters like Loughner exist, politicians and public figures need to be more cautious about the tactics they use in dealing with the public. Take an unsettled personality like Loughner’s, put him in the middle of a dwindling economy, throw in some suggestive language use and sprinkle on some disturbing imagery, and the result, unfortunately, is more “unspeakable tragedies” like Saturday’s.

The student-run newspaper of Grand Valley State University

Editorial Page Board

Emanuel Johnson Kim Sander Samantha Butcher Anya Zentmeyer

Editor in Chief Business Manager Managing Editor News Editor

Valley Vote Should there be a cap placed on the food budget for student organizations’ events?

Yes: 63% This week’s question: Should Grand Valley renew its Pcard contract with J.P. Morgan?

No: 37% Vote online at Lanthorn.com

GVL OPINION POLICY The ultimate goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn opinion page is to stimulate discussion and action on topics of interest to the Grand Valley Community.

Student opinions do not reflect those of the Grand Valley Lanthorn.

The Grand Valley Lanthorn welcomes reader viewpoints and offers three vehicles of expression for reader opinions: letters to the editor, guest columns and phone responses.

Letters must include the author’s name and be accompanied by current picture identification if dropped off in person.

Letters will be checked by an employee of the Grand Valley Lanthorn.

Letters appear as space permits each

issue. The limit for letter length is one page, single spaced.

The editor reserves the right to edit and condense letters and columns for length restrictions and clarity.

All letters must be typed.

The Grand Valley Lanthorn will not be held responsible for errors that appear in print as a result of transcribing handwritten letters or e-mail typographic errors.

The name of the author may be withheld for compelling reasons.

The content, information and views expressed are not approved by nor necessarily represent those of the university, its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty and staff.

Courtesy cartoon / King Features

YOUR INSIGHTS

What was the highlight of your break?

“Sleeping in was really good. I didn’t really do much, but it was a good break.”

“I was going down this hill, and I guess I lost my keys. Four hours later, when I went to get my car, I didn’t have them...”

“My highlight of the holiday break was sleeping.”

“Spending time with my family on Christmas Day and seeing everybody get together and open their gifts.”

“Getting to read all of the great books I’ve wanted to read but was always too busy with textbooks.”

Nate Hawkins Sophomore Electrical Engineering Freemont, Mich.

David Ryntis Junior Political Science Okemos, Mich.

Rachel Townsend Junior Plant Biology Fowlerville, Mich.

Steven Leezer Freshman Sociology Cassopolis, Mich.

Devon Brockhaus Senior Clinical Lab Science Lansing, Mich.

GVL STUDENT OPINION

Returning from break doesn’t have to be a drag Chris Slattery GVL Columnist

Dear Grand Valley State University Freshmen, It’s me again, Chris Slattery. You may remember me from the beginning of last semester, spouting sage advice to all of you college n00bs in the hopes that you wouldn’t make the same mistakes that I made/make.

Now, like a yearly physical, I am here to check up on you and make sure that everything is okay. Also like a physical, I am obligated to touch you in your “bathing suit areas.”

Trust me, I’m not crazy about this either.

So, sit down on this uncomfortable chair covered in wax paper and let us begin.

Firstly, I trust everything went swimmingly last semester, that you did well in all of your classes and that you managed to avoid the first half of the Freshman Fifteen (currently the Freshman Seven-and-aHalf). If not, that means you were not as obedient as I would have liked, but this is not panic time yet. You still have another whole semester to get your GVSU life back on track.

Unfortunately, this means getting back to the grind, and not the kind of “grind” you did with a member of the opposite sex at a New Year’s party. This grind pertains more to school and is going to be more of a challenge this time around — everyone in your dorm knows who you are now, so the whole “reinvention of self” philosophy is now void, you have likely

already gotten a grasp on ineffectual studying habits, and classes are just going to get more difficult from here.

However, there is a bright side! You now have an arsenal of new toys attained from the holidays to impress your suite-mates. Is that a Kinect for the Xbox 360? Awesome, bro!

From many previous years of experience before college, you know the feeling that comes with returning after winter break – the inevitable yank of the rug under your collective, metaphorical feet that says, “Just kidding! You still have another half a year of this crap!”

College defeats that horrible trickery. You may not graduate to a higher class standing (or “level-up” for the WoW crowd), but there is an entire schedule’s worth of new classes to explore, new and

attractive people to sit next to and zero finals to stress over for another four months.

The new semester is like a fresh start, only without being entirely “fresh.”

How does that make you feel? As your unofficial transitional doctor, it is my duty to make sure that none of you enter this new semester with any apprehension about the upcoming months.

Does that make you feel better?

If not, take two servings of Ramen before every meal. I can fill out a prescription for you.

But just so you know, I do not have the authority to write hospital notes for your professor. You will just have to be more creative with your excuses this semester.

Love, Chris Slattery

What do you want to do?

Kevin VanAntwerpen mom read that last

paragraph, she’d probably drive straight to my house and make GVL Columnist me do the dishes just to prove she’s in control (and I’d listen, because Hey you. The one when I was born, she who can’t decide on had a chip implanted in your major. Yeah, you. my brain that explodes I’ve got two things to if I disobey). say to you.

But what I am First, you look nice saying is this: there today. Is that a new are millions of things haircut? in this world that can Second, I know sway the decision you’re all “conflicted” about your future – because your parents money, practicality, keep telling you to the opinions of your drop that useless friends, how many nice Creative Writing degree looking girls (or guys) and trade it in for will be in your required something exciting and classes. sexy like Dentistry or But in truth, none Accounting. But really of these should matter – are you going to listen (except – let’s be to that? honest – that last one).

Now, I’m not one The only thing that to incite domestic should really matter is disobedience. If my what makes you happy.

When you complete your major, will you be able to go to work every day feeling like a rock star?

Life is full of people who want you to do things. There are Republicans who want you to sell your soul to the Army. There are Democrats who want you to give your soul to charity. There’s the devil who just wants to pour your soul over his Cheerios and eat it.

The only one who has the right to eat your soul with a bowl of cereal is you, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Ask yourself what makes you happiest and go after it. Don’t wait to pursue your dreams until you graduate. If music is your thing, become a music major – and start a band while

you’re at it. If you have a passion for teaching underprivileged kids, get in touch with a charity organization and find a way to get started right away. You’ll always be happier doing what you love (even if it means struggling to make money) than you would if you had a high-class desk job but spent every day wishing you were somewhere else. The only person who needs to be happy with your life is you.

Everyone else is probably going to spend their life on the couch with a bag of barbecue potato chips watching American Idol reruns, anyway.

And, could you do me a favor and not tell my mom I wrote this? I’d be in so much trouble. Thanks.

NEWS

Anya Zentmeyer, News Editor news@lanthorn.com

BRIEFS! 1

GV NEWS

2011 Student Freedom Ride A select group of students from across the country will be invited to be a part of history. American Experience is sponsoring the 2011 Student Freedom Ride, and students from Grand Valley State University are urged to sign up. The Freedom Ride will retrace the steps of the civil rights journey and will include original freedom riders who experienced the civil rights movement.

The ride will take place March 6-16 and depart from Washington D.C. People will travel by bus to Jackson, Miss.

All transportation, food and hotel expenses will be covered by American Experience.

The application deadline for the ride is Jan. 17 and details can be found online at www.pbs.org/ wgbh/americanexperience/ freedomriders/.

2

National Society of Black Engineers general meeting One of the largest student-governed organizations in the country, the National Society of Black Engineers, will hold a general meeting today from 9 to 10 p.m. in Room 0072 of the Kirkhof Center. Students from all majors are welcome to attend the meeting.

The NSBE was founded in 1975 and now includes more than 450 chapters.

3

Study Abroad First Step Meeting Students at Grand Valley State University thinking about studying abroad can attend a First Step Meeting on Wednesday. The meeting is an informational session where students can learn their options, define their goals, plan academically and learn about funding. The meeting will be from 5:15 to 6 p.m. in Room 130 of Lake Ontario Hall.

4 PRSSA Kickoff Dinner The Public Relations Student Society of America will hold a kickoff dinner for students in the Perry Dining Room of the Alumni House. The dinner is on Friday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Public relations professionals will attend the dinner and give speeches about their experience in the field.

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, January 10, 2011

A4

Education Management Solutions brings new technology to university’s Simulation Center Software allows students to develop skills in low-risk setting

By Eric Higgins GVL Intern As students at Grand Valley State University take part in the Physician Assistant Studies program, they will now have the added benefit of new technology when class begins.

The new simulation software comes from Education Management Solutions and will be implemented in GVSU’s Simulation Center downtown.

The simulation center in the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Science has assessment labs, hospital simulations and other areas to help students familiarize themselves with a hospital environment.

EMS specializes in medical education. Medical schools across the country use the software it creates, which focuses on simulation, skill evaluation and audio-video technology.

Anurag Singh, president

and CEO of EMS, said the simulation technology can be interpreted in different ways.

“Simulation could be using standardized stations, which are more like actors portraying political problems, or it could be using full body mannequins that have the capability of responding to certain interactions with the patients,” he said. “These mannequins can be controlled remotely by people who might be sitting behind a curtain and managing certain responses as students are working on those mannequins in an ER setting.”

Singh said the software EMS provides is important to universities like GVSU because of its ability to teach.

“I think it is very, very critical for the universities to be in a position to educate and train the learning population, which is primarily the students, and to be able to re-mediate and reinforce certain critical elements,” he said.

Dushy Edrisinghe, director of marketing at EMS, said the simulation software will help because of what it automates.

“EMS software helps to manage a university’s simulation program more efficiently by automating the operational workflow of a simulation lab or center,” she said. “It is the only software that automates paging announcements, which helps to move students, patient actors and evaluators through a number of simulated sessions on schedule.”

Other benefits of the new software include improved scheduling in regards to participants, rooms and equipment and improved inventory management.

Edrisinghe said simulation software allows students to perfect what they are doing.

“Simulation software allows learners to practice procedures they may encounter in a real health care setting

Courtesy photo / gvsu.edu

High tech learning: Students practice on a medical mannequin at GVSU. Physician Assistant Studies students will now benefit from simulation software that affords for skill-development in low-risk settings.

several times until they perfect it in a safe environment,” she said. “It makes learners more

confident and can lower risk to patients.” news@lanthorn.com

Ethics vs. Economics GV reconsiders purchasing card provider due to indirect genocide link

By Susie Skowrone GVL Laker Life Editor Grand Valley State University is reconsidering renewing its contract with banking conglomerate J.P. Morgan Chase after reviewing research conducted by a group of honors students.

J.P. Morgan currently provides the purchasing cards (Pcards) for GVSU and at least six other colleges in Michigan.

J.P. Morgan is one of the largest shareholders for PetroChina, a company that violates human rights through its support of the Sudanese government, said honors student Becca Nixon, who has worked on the research project over the past year.

According to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, J.P. Morgan held about $1.2 billion worth of shares in PetroChina as of January 2010.

“PetroChina has supported the Sudanese government with funds as well as equipment for the genocide that is going on there,” Nixon said. “Money is power, and they are giving them money.”

While J.P. Morgan has a link to PetroChina and human rights abuses, GVSU’s money probably does not directly finance these operations, said Brian Copeland, assistant vice president for Business and Finance.

J.P. Morgan passes money to PetroChina through mutual funds offered to both individual investors and participants in 401(k) and 403(b) plans, Copeland said. PetroChina is just one company in a collection that comprises a mutual fund.

Investors who select a mutual fund containing the PetroChina company will have ownership in PetroChina.

“As you can imagine, investors have different objectives,” Copeland added. “Some like aggressive investments, hoping for a larger than average return, and don’t mind the risk that goes along with it. Others are more conservative and prefer safety over higher returns.”

Money from the P-card program likely does not enter the mutual fund system, Copeland said. Rather, J.P. Morgan sends the funds paid by GVSU to vendors that supplied goods and services acquired through the use of the P-card. These vendors are located primarily in West Michigan.

When Copeland contacted J.P. Morgan for more information, officials at local branches of the corporation had not heard about the conglomerate’s link to the Sudanese genocide. Copeland took his investigation one step further and phoned the heads of J.P. Morgan in New York City. He was given a copy of a human rights policy document published on the J.P. Mor-

gan website.

“JPMorgan Chase complies with applicable international and local legal requirements in the countries in which we operate,” the policy states. “Where local law conflicts with the principles contained in this Human Rights Statement, JPMorgan Chase complies with local requirements while, at the same time, seeking ways to uphold the principles set forth in this Human Rights Statement.”

Even though GVSU may not fund the genocide, Nixon said the university should still end its contract with J.P. Morgan and divest, or pull funds, from the company.

In the first attempt at divestment, the investor asks the company to withdraw from its unjust practices.

“I don’t think we will get J.P. Morgan to take PetroChina out of the offerings in the mutual funds because many investors are selecting mutual funds that include PetroChina,” Copeland said.

If the company does not withdraw, the investors pull their money out of the company.

Currently, Copeland is debating how to proceed in a way that will best benefit the university.

“I am confident that, through the use of the J.P. Morgan PCard, our funds are not ending up in any investment with PetroChina,” he said.

If Copeland decides to change the university’s P-card provider, he will submit a request for proposal and put the P-card contract up for bid.

Companies such as PNC, U.S. Bank and Bank of America will likely offer plans and prices, but switching providers causes him concern.

“A lot of corporations have skeletons in the closet,” Copeland said. “And switching Pcard providers is a costly process.”

Honors student Sarah Bierlein plans to help make Copeland’s decision about P-card providers a little easier. She will take the reins on the students’ divestment project for the winter 2011 semester and investigate GVSU contracts and investments as part of her honors senior project.

If Bierlein discovers the proposed P-card providers have no ill investments, she said she wants to convince Copeland to sign a new contract.

“Hopefully this will be the

main drive to get Grand Valley to realize that we can’t promote things like social injustice,” Bierlein said.

She said she plans to find GVSU written policies about funding socially unjust practices. She plans to hold the university accountable and force it to divest from J.P. Morgan.

If she cannot uncover a policy, Bierlein said she will submit one to explain why GVSU should not invest in such companies, which she hopes the university will enact.

While the contract with J.P. Morgan Chase still waits unsigned, Copeland said he is grateful for the honors students’ time and effort in examining the purchasing card situation.

“I am glad that (they) raised the issue so that we could research the program and make sure that we were not inadvertently investing in PetroChina,” he said. lakerlife@lanthorn.com

SPORTS

Greg Monahan, Sports Editor sports@lanthorn.com

BRIEFS! 1

GV SPORTS

Lakers football ranked tenth in final poll

For the 10th straight year, the Grand Valley State University football team earned a spot in the top 10 of the American Football Coaches Association Division II final poll.

GVSU finished the season 11-2 after a 38-6 loss to Augustana College on Nov. 27, but won the conference championship for the sixth straight year.

The team’s offseason was highlighted by Cameron Bradfield’s two All-American awards.

The senior offensive lineman was honored by both the AFCA and Daktronics, Inc. as a first-team All-American in each poll.

The season also marked the tenth consecutive year the Lakers made an playoff appearance.

2

Laker Track begins season at Laker Early Bird

The Grand Valley State University men’s and women’s track teams kicked off its indoor season Friday during the Laker Early Bird meet in the Laker Turf Building.

The unscored event saw GVSU compete against athletes from several nearby schools, including Calumet College in Indiana, Aquinas College and the University of Detroit Mercy.

Though the competition was primarily a tune-up for the upcoming season, multiple Lakers set school records in the school’s first event of the year and already qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 11-12 in Albuquerque, N.M. In one throw of 49-feet-2.5inches for the women, Sam Lockhart earned her first place in the shot put, set a new GVSU school record and earned eligibility for the NCAA Championships.

The men had similar success in the shot put as junior Matt Armstrong’s throw of 59-feet-2.75inches also set a school record and qualified him for the NCAA Championships.

GVSU will compete in its first scored event this weekend in the Laker Turf Building at the Bob Eubanks Open, which begins Thursday.

GLIAC STANDINGS

MEN’S BASKETBALL 1. Hillsdale (7-0, 13-0) 2. GVSU (7-0, 12-2) 3. Wayne State (6-0, 10-2) 4. Findlay (5-1, 12-1) 5. Michigan Tech (5-1, 10-3) 6. Ferris State (6-2, 10-5) 7. Northwood (3-3, 5-9) 8. Lake Superior (2-4, 8-5) 9. Ashland (1-5, 6-6) 10. Northern Mich. (1-5, 6-7)

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 1. Michigan Tech (6-0, 11-1) 2. Lake Superior (6-0, 9-3) 3. Findlay (5-1, 9-3) 4. GVSU (5-2, 11-2) 5. Hillsdale (4-3, 9-3) 6. Tiffin (4-3, 9-4) 7. Ashland (3-3, 8-5) 8. Wayne State (3-3, 3-9) 9. Saginaw Valley (2-4, 4-8) 10. Ferris State (2-6, 6-8) MEN’S HOCKEY ACHA DII Central Region 1. Lindenwood (14-4-0) 2. GVSU (10-9-0) 3. Michigan State (8-5-1) 4. Depaul (17-6-0) 5. Michigan (10-5-2) 6. Saint Louis (16-3-2)

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, January 10, 2011

B

Wenglinksi named National Player of the Year

By Jon Adamy GVL Staff Writer After taking home consecutive National Championships, senior GVSU women’s soccer defender Jenna Wenglinski has been named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Women’s NCAA Division II National Player of the Year.

The GVSU women’s soccer team produced the Division II National Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and a second time in program history after Irie Dennis won the award for the Lakers in 2009. The Lakers set a record with four athletes named to the NCAA DII All-America team this year as Wenglinski was joined by teammates Erin Mruz, Ashley Botts and Chelsea Parise.

Wenglinski, a senior, was a key player in the team’s season-long home shutout streak. The Lakers allowed just five goals on the season and none during the national tournament. GVSU also set an NCAA record by holding opponents scoreless in 21 games this season and finished with an overall record of 21-1-2.

When GVSU head coach Dave DiIanni told Wenglinski and her teammates of the awards before winter break, the announcement came as a surprise to her. She said she had no idea she was going to be receiving the honor.

Both Wenglinski and DiIanni recognized the accomplishments of the team as a whole played a significant role in her receiving the award.

“When you’re successful as a team, obviously individuals are going to benefit from that,” DiIanni said. “She’s someone we relied on for the last couple years, and I think other people recognize that, too.”

Wenglinski said the coaching staff was one of the main reasons she decided to play for GVSU, and she recognized DiIanni for his role in her success.

Wenglinski also gave credit to her team for the award and said her teammates always had the mentality to allow as few shots on goal as possible.

“It’s definitely a team award,” she said. “It’s a great group of girls we have here, and they’re going to be very successful next year.”

Parise, GVSU’s sophomore goalkeeper, said Wenglinski has grown throughout her career and has proven that she is a great defender. Parise also had praise for Wenglinski’s leadership abilities on the team.

“People know that she cares,” she said. “She wants the best out of the team. She’s emotionally invested and that’s a really good quality to have.”

From a performance standpoint, coach DiIanni said Wenglinski is an intelligent player that is able to read the game well. He said her demeanor on the field is one of her biggest strengths.

“She’s very calm, very composed and kind of a calming influence, and you see that in her play,” he said. “She makes other people on our team better.”

DiIanni also gave credit of his team’s success to the athletes and the rest of his coaching staff.

“It really says a lot to what kind of student-athletes were bringing in,” he said. “The players making a commitment to the culture and to one another and to your goals, that’s what you want for your program.”

Wenglinski will receive the NSCAA National Player of the Year award alongside her All-American teammates Saturday in Baltimore, Md. jadamy@lanthorn.com

GVL Archive

Star power: Senior defender Jenna Wenglinski (pictured) will accept the NCAA Division II Player of the Year award in Baltimore, Md., this weekend.

“She’s someone we

relied on for the last couple of years, and I think other people recognize that, too.

”

-Dave DiIanni Head women’s soccer coach

GVL Archive / Andrew Mills

High honors: Senior defender Jenna Wenglinski (left) makes a push upfield during a past game. Wenglinski was named the NCAA DII Player of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. She is the second player to receive the award in program history and was also one of four Laker players on the NCAA DII All-American team.

Lakers vs. Lakers GV players beat LSSU, score several career-bests Saturday

By Brady Frederickson GVL Staff Writer In a battle between the GLIAC’s two sets of Lakers, the Grand Valley State University men’s basketball team took down opposing Lake Superior State University 76-38 Saturday.

The hometown Lakers (12-2, 7-0 GLIAC), playing just their second home game in a month, put on a defensive clinic against Lake Superior (8-5, 2-4 GLIAC) and held the team to 22-percent shooting from the field.

Pacing the defense was red-shirt freshman Asauhn Tatum. The team’s leading shot-blocker made himself a factor from the tip, blocking the first two Lake Superior shots of the game.

“My last game I didn‘t do so well with blocks and defense, so I told myself today that I’d go out and follow my system of D-B-R,” Tatum said. “The D is for defending my position, B for blocking the shot, and R for rebounding the blocked shot.”

Tatum’s effort on the defensive end proved contagious, and it spread throughout the team as the GVSU Lakers forced turnovers and an airball on the next three Lake Superior possessions, further frustrating the visiting Lakers.

“I always feel better if we’re doing a good job defensively rather than one of those games where we’re just scoring a lot of points,” said GVSU head coach Ric Wesley. “I feel like when you play good defense, you’re more in control of the game and eventually your offense will get going, too.”

To combat the tenacious GVSU defense, Lake Superior implemented a 2-3 zone early in the half, but junior guard Wes Trammell and sophomore guard Breland Hogan helped GVSU break the defense and

GVL / Nicole Lamson

Hometown victory: Senior K’Len Morris prepares to shoot.

run away with the game with great shooting.

Returning to the starting line-up, Hogan hit a career-high four 3-pointers to go along with three rebounds while Trammell, the top 3-point shooter on the team, knocked in four longballs en-route to a team-high 16 points.

“Our bench is basically our best shooters,” said Trammell, the starting point guard at the beginning of the conference season. “Our top priority is keeping up the intensity on defense, but we‘re also out there to keep scoring.”

Multiple GVSU Lakers notched career-highs in the game. In addition to Hogan’s career-best four threes, junior forward Nick Carreri grabbed 10 re-

bounds, and Tatum blocked a career-best seven shots.

Senior Justin Ringler, who finished with a modest 11 points and five rebounds in the game, moved into a tie with Ron Polus for 17th place on the all-time scoring list at GVSU at 1,300 points.

“It’s an honor, and it’s an individual stat and I don’t take too much out of it,” said Ringler, who averages a team-high 14.2 points per game. “I’ve been put in great positions throughout my career here, and I’m just grateful.”

The victory was the latest in a successful road trip during break. GVSU went 6-1 with a 4-1 record on the road while notching wins at Northwood University, 71-63, to wrap up the semester, and winning a pair of games in the Upper Peninsula. GVSU defeated Northern Michigan University 61-52 and Michigan Technological University 70-62.

“We know we‘ve got a conference winning streak going, but we have got to maintain that and not get a big head,” Tatum said. “We just have to go 110 percent and get energy from everybody.”

The Lakers took a short break for Christmas and returned to action in Phoenix against New Mexico Highlands Universiy. Despite a 23 point-10 rebound double-double from Ringler, the Lakers fell to Highlands 73-69.

The following night, the Lakers returned to action against Southwestern College, an NAIA school in Arizona. GVSU cruised to a 76-38 victory paced by sophomore Tony Peters’ career-high 14 points and took that momentum into a 82-60 conference win against Saginaw Valley State University on Jan. 6.

“Once you get into conference season you always have to pick it up a notch, and nothing prepares you like going on the road,” Ringler said.

The Lakers will next see action Wednesday at 6 p.m. when they welcome Northwood to Allendale for the second of two meetings between the schools. bfredericksen@lanthorn.com

B2

Monday, January 10, 2011

SPORTS

Grand Valley Lanthorn

Lake Superior State survives No. 11 GVSU in overtime thriller

By Derek Wolff GVL Assistant Sports Editor Visiting GLIAC North Division rival Lake Superior State University managed to edge the hometown Lakers 79-72 Saturday despite the Grand Valley State University women’s basketball team forcing overtime after a spirited final two minutes of regulation play.

Following three consecutive timeouts, junior guard Jasmine Padin capped a late 8-2 run for GVSU in the final 1:40 with a game-tying 3-point shot with 12 seconds left on the clock that tied the score at 65-65. Lake Superior guard Emily Joseph’s jumper hit the rim as time expired, forcing the overtime period.

After sophomore center Alex Stelfox’s jumper for tied the score at 72-72 with 1:17 left in overtime, a 3-pointer from Lake Superior guard Nicole Marshall gave the visiting Lakers a 75-72 lead they did not relinquish.

GVSU suffered its first home loss of the season, falling to 11-2 overall and 5-2 in GLIAC play. Lake Superior improved to 9-3 overall while tying Michigan Technological University atop the North Division standings with a 6-0 mark in conference play.

“Lake (Superior) State is a great team— they’re a seasoned team,” said GVSU head coach Janel Burgess. “We’ve got two good

losses, these are two good teams that we’ve lost to, and we’re a very good team as well.”

It was a tough loss for the Lakers, who lead Lake Superior in most categories. GVSU shot 43.3 percent from the field, while Lake Superior shot 27-65 for the game at a 41.5 percent clip.

GVSU lead in points off turnovers, points in the paint, points off second chance plays, fast break scoring and bench scoring, where they beat Lake Superior 20-5.

“Our bench has been very solid the entire season, and that’s where our depth has been helpful for us,” Burgess said. “We need to take advantage in the sense that we have the team that has the more energy at the end to finish those possessions.”

Stelfox lead the way for GVSU with a team-high 21 points, a career-best five assists, five rebounds and three blocks. Sophomore forward Brittany Taylor lead the bench scoring with 10 points and pulled down a key offensive rebound with 18 seconds left in regulation that set up the Padin 3-pointer.

The game saw 11 lead changes and was tied five times as both teams traded clutch shooting performances late.

“We had self-confidence and the determination to succeed,” Padin said. “(Nicole Marshall and Emily Joseph) were hitting big shots

(for Lake Superior), and we were hitting big shots. Everybody stepped up to the plate and everyone was resilient. No one wanted to lose this game, which is why we went into overtime in the first place.”

The Lakers will look to adjust some first half mistakes going into Wednesday’s GLIAC matchup against Northwood (5-7 overall, 1-5 GLIAC).

“In the first half our big problem was communication and defending the ball screen,” Stelfox said. “Communicating, finishing our possessions on offense, looking at different opportunities that we have and not forcing shots will be key. We’re going to keep going stronger and we’ll learn from this loss.”

Padin stressed that the team cannot overlook Northwood on Wednesday and was determined to not repeat Saturday’s result.

“That’s how good the GLIAC is – you have to come and play any given day no matter if the team is 2-11 or 11-1,” she said. “We’ll come in prepared and focused, determined to get better and succeed.”

The Lakers went 3-1 over the holiday break, suffering their first loss of the year to Michigan Tech (11-1) in a 60-55 battle in Houghton.

Wednesday’s game will begin at 8 p.m. dwolff@lanthorn.com

GVL / Nicole Lamson

Laker loss: Senior Kristen Eible passes the ball during Saturday’s game against Lake Superior. GVSU lost 79-72.

GVL Archive / Andrew Mills

Astounding athletics: GVSU President Thomas J. Haas holds the Director’s Cup during a halftime presentation at a past fotball game. GVSU has won seven Directors’ Cups in as many years.

GV on pace to win eighth-straight Directors’ Cup Lakers lead second-place Shippensburg University by almost 150 points after successful fall sports season

By Zach Sepanik GVL Staff Writer With seven consecutive Directors’ Cup victories and two national championships in December, Grand Valley State University holds a commanding lead in the quest to capture its eighth-straight Directors’ Cup as the best varsity sports program in NCAA Division II. The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed in a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and USA Today.

Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in up to

14 sports, seven in men’s and seven in women’s.

The Lakers have 411 points after the successful fall sports slate, 147 points ahead of second-place Shippensburg University. Women’s crosscountry and women’s soccer led the way with their respective national championship victories, and women’s volleyball, men’s cross-country and football also finished in the top ten in Division II. The 147-point spread is the largest difference GVSU has held after the fall season since 2005. GVSU has already set a DII record with seven straight Directors’ Cups.

GVSU athletic director Tim Selgo has led the Lakers athletic program for the last 15 years and has been at the helm for the seven straight Directors’ Cups. He said a strong focus on GVSU’s student athletes helps the programs succeed.

“From an administration standpoint, it starts with making sure (the student-athletes) have the right coach for the program,” he said. “I want us to be the best we can be at all sports. We don’t talk about Directors’ Cups. Our goal is to try to stay focused to help our student athletes and teams reach their full potential.”

GVSU head cross-country coach Jerry Baltes, now in his 12th year at GVSU, said he is glad his teams are helping GVSU’s run at another Directors’ Cup. “We had our highest place finish for both sides as our women won a national championship and our men

“We don’t talk

about Directors’ Cups. Our goal is to try to stay focused to help our student athletes and teams reach their full potential.

”

-Tim Selgo GVSU Athletic Director finished third,” he said. “The results will speak for themselves and produce positive results.

That is what we focus on, and it is only because we have good people in our program over the years that work hard that we have been able to win a national championship.”

Red-shirt freshman Danielle Tepper, an alternate for the varsity cross-country team this fall, witnessed the camaraderie formed within the team as its members pushed one another daily.

“Throughout the fall we became more of a team,” she said. “For example, instead of finding comfort in running with certain groups of teammates, everyone pushed each other from the front to the back. We are as strong as ever as we head into track season, and we are ready to hit it with the same intensity as this past fall. We just have to keep our focus because of the long season.” sports@lanthorn.com

Grand Valley Lanthorn

SPORTS

Monday, January 10, 2011

B3

Laker hockey kicks off New Year with split against Oakland

By Greg Monahan GVL Sports Editor

Courtesy Photo / John Bancheri

Training trip: The GVSU Rowing Club opened its version of Bowl season with the first-ever “Gulf of Mexico Bowl” over break.

GVSU takes ‘Rock and Row’ to Florida

By Kevin VanAntwerpen GVL Staff Writer Any student stranded in Allendale over New Year’s would be jealous of Grand Valley State University’s varsity rowing training trip to Sarasota, Fla. last week.

The team left on Dec. 28 and returned Friday with marked improvement and darker skin tones, said GVSU head coach John Bancheri.

“Every day was a highlight for me,” Bancheri said. “I’ve been a coach for 32 years, and this was the best, most productive trip I’ve seen in my career. It was the pride. The attitude. There was a focus on wanting to be better.”

The trip, which Bancheri affectionately dubbed the “Rock and Row Tour,” included stops at multiple venues in Forida, including Sarasota, Miami and Naples, each of which hosted races.

“Usually we don’t go to multiple venues,” Bancheri said. “But we wanted to make this one as interesting and fun as possible.”

The week included numerous “bowls,” a group of several races named after the college football bowl season. Each of the different bowls included a homemade trophy for the winner.

Most notable among the races was “The Gulf of Mexico Bowl.” A rare western wind flattened the water and allowed the team to row their boats out to a sand dune, carry them over the top and reach the Gulf of Mexico. There, they had the first crew boat race in the Gulf, which gained the Lakers coverage on several rowing websites.

Another intriguing race was the “Minnie the Moocher Bowl,” named after a local dolphin known to appear beside boats and beg for food. During the race, Minnie appeared next to Bancheri’s boat and swam beside the racers.

Although the trip was enjoyable for the crew, it wasn’t easy. The team rowed a 3.5 hour race that spanned 25 miles, a near-marathon that rower Zak Armstrong said was the hardest part of the trip.

“It was difficult because when we finished, we knew we weren’t done,” Armstrong said. “A few hours later we had difficult speed races. It’s challenging, but that’s why we do it — to show each other what we’re capable of.”

Despite the productivity, the trip wasn’t all work. The rowers spent New Year’s Eve on Miami Beach at a concert called “Jam in the Sand,” featuring Natasha Bedingfield and Leona Lewis.

“We were doing fun things all week, but this was really the only time we could relax and recover,” Armstrong said. “The girls were really good looking, too. It’s Miami. What do you expect?”

Throughout the trip, GVSU alumni from the area came out to support the rowers. Among them was Diane Hatch, the first student ever admitted to GVSU. “It was pretty cool to have all this different support for Grand Valley,” Bancheri said. “It’s like having our own cheering squad.”

The trip put new life into the team, said rower Tucker Anderson. Winters in Allendale restrict the team to indoor rowing machines, which he called “bland and dry”.

“Practicing outside was like a breath of fresh air,” he said. “It’ll get us through the next eight weeks while we practice indoors.”

The rest of the rowing team will join the varsity rowers this spring break on the return trip to Sarasota. First-hand accounts of the trip are available on the rowing team’s website, www. grandvalleyrowing.com. sports@lanthorn.com

Facing a top Division I team after a month-long layoff, the Grand Valley State University men’s hockey team returned to the ice and split a home-andhome series against Oakland University this weekend.

GVSU, which plays in the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s Division II, showed no ill side effects on Friday from a month off the ice.

The Lakers jumped all over the Grizzlies in the first game as five different skaters found the back of the net in a 5-3 upset win on Oakland’s home ice in Rochester Hills.

The Lakers, however, did not have similar luck the following night back on home ice. The team dropped a 4-1 decision while spending the majority of the game in its own zone. Senior goaltender Josh LaVigne got the start in net both games for GVSU. But the Lakers were happy to split against Oakland, ranked No. 10 in the nation in the ACHA’s Division I. “It’s a good split for us.

They’re a good team,” said winger Eric Beaupre, who scored in both games over the weekend. “I felt like we were in the game all day and kind of let off in the third, and that’s what killed us. But I feel pretty good about the weekend overall, and it’s still a good, solid way to come out of the break.”

The weekend played out oddly as both teams struggled on home ice but excelled on the road. Oakland had a 6-1 home record in regulation until Friday’s loss, and GVSU had only lost one home game since September until dropping Saturday’s tilt against the Grizzlies.

Sophomore forward

GVL / Nicole Lamson

Saturday split: Sophomore forward Bobby Anderson skates after the puck in Saturday’s game against Oakland University. The Lakers split a pair of games against the Grizzlies over the weekend.

C.J. Pobur said each team’s mentality, not the venue, determined the outcome of the two games.

“The game Friday was our first game back, so we were fresh, ready to go and excited to get back on the ice,” he said.

“Then they came out, and they were ready. We gave them a reason to play after we won Friday. They came out hard (Saturday), and we tried to play the same game as before, but it was more about Friday being the first game of the weekend rather than the home-and-away factor.”

The weekend series against capped a brutal first half of the season that saw the Lakers play 11 of their 19 games against Division I opponents, 13 of which on the road. GVSU will finish the season playing nine of 12 games at home, all of which against Division II teams.

The Lakers are 5-1 on the season against Division II teams, compared to a 3-8 record against teams from Division I. “If you’re going to be a top contender in Division II you have to step out side DII and play the top teams in Division I,” said GVSU captain Ryan Welch. “Fortunately those DI teams do schedule us, and it’s really brought our team together. We’ve gone through some rough patches against those teams, and it’s going to help us in the end.”

GVSU will play a pair of home games this weekend at Georgetown Ice Arena.

The opener is against Marist College at 9 p.m. on Friday, and the team will wrap up the weekend at 4 p.m. Sunday with face-off against the University of Minnesota. sports@lanthorn.com

B4

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, January 10, 2011

LAKER LIFE

Susie Skowronek, Laker Life Editor lakerlife@lanthorn.com

To leave or not to leave?

Courtesy Photo / chisanodev.com

Aging gracefully: Dr. Larry Lawhorne will present at the Art and Science of Aging conference on Feb. 11.

GV presents sixth annual aging conference February gathering to calm worries of growing old

By Marcus J. Reynolds GVL Staff Writer The elderly are often shown sitting in rocking chairs and suffering from constant illness, but Grand Valley State University will host a conference in February to help dispel myths about growing old.

GVSU’s sixth annual KIMBOKO Art and Science of Aging Conference will bring together national experts with local professionals and faculty to address “Optimal Aging: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”

Priscilla Kimboko, GVSU professor of gerontology (aging), has helped DESARMO coordinate the conference since its inception.

She said the way humans age often relates to choices made, lifestyle, attitudes, fear and staying in the comfort zone.

“Even in old age people can learn new things,” said. “The conference is able to bring a positive perspective.”

The conference will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 11 in the Loosemore Auditorium.

It will open with “The Modern Fountain of Youth: an Ecology of Optimal Aging,” a presentation by keynote speaker Dr. Larry Lawhorne, director of geriatrics at the Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine.

A series of 12 sessions will cover topics such as eating healthy, successful aging and plant-based therapies within two categories of the aging experience: everyday aging and proactive aging.

The conference marketing flyer features portraits of cultural and cinematic icons Betty White and Sidney Poitier.

“These people – you can see throughout their careers – have aged well,” Kimboko said. “The conference is trying to combat the negative stereotypes about aging.”

Kimboko said she does not want the public to feel the conference is limited to university faculty and students only. The information presented will be accessible to a general audience.

“Sessions give the public information and tools on how to age positively,” she said.

GVSU students will present research on aging in poster format to allow attendees to engage in discussion of the research.

“Students should expect to identify possible opportunities for employment in the gerontology field and topics that affect this group,” said GVSU Health and Wellness coordinator Lindsey DesArmo, who oversees vendors and the Zumba activity session. “Not only are students going to be potentially employed in a field focused on gerontology, but even if it’s not their major, they will be working with and interacting with these individuals daily.”

Local organizations such as the Gerontology Network and the Alzheimer’s Association will be on site to provide resources.

Irene Fountain, administrative assistant to the dean of graduate studies, volunteers every year at the conference. She said although students might not be interested in gerontology as a career, the conference will still provide information applicable to their lives.

“As an undergraduate student, they can attend workshops that pertain to their family situation, such as parents and grandparents,” she said. “Everyone is going to face this aging issue.”

The day will close with an interactive panel discussion in which the panelists will discuss moments that led them to make major life changes.

“Knowing how to plan ahead and adapt to aging with a positive mindset is a major benefit,” Fountain said.

The conference is open to the public and people of all ages.

Registration can be completed online at www. gvsu.edu/gerontology. mreynolds@lanthorn.com

GV graduates to withstand Michigan’s job, population decline

By Rebecca Young

A

GVL Staff Writer

s graduation approaches, Grand Valley State University seniors are preparing to turn their tassels and enter the work force.

But after students step off the stage at commencement, they must decide whether they will seek employment in Michigan or venture to other states for job opportunities.

The 2010 U.S. Census reports that Michigan is the only state that has shown population loss over the last decade, which affects the state’s job market and economy.

Photography major Amanda Murphy, who will graduate this spring with a Bachelor of Arts, has decided to move to Indiana after graduation for work experience.

“The photography ring within Grand Rapids is very exclusive,” Murphy said. “It is difficult to break into the scene. Indianapolis is a great area, full of opportunities and entertainment. I hope to set up an apprenticeship or internship with a photography studio or gallery and eventually open my own studio and art gallery.”

However, while some students like Murphy choose to leave Michigan, GVSU students have typically remained in state after graduation.

According to the GVSU

Courtesy Photo / 2010.census.gov

Bucking the trend: According to 2010 Census Data, Michigan is the only state that has experienced a population decline in the past decade. Factors like the economy and job availability affect graduates’ decisions to stay or leave, but most stay.

Alumni Relations website, the majority of former students have opted to stay in Michigan after graduation. Of the 77,283 alumni surveyed, more than 58,000 reside within the state. The next largest concentration of alumni is in Illinois, followed by Florida, California and Texas.

Senior Nicole Cross, who is studying journalism and English, plans to stay in Allendale after graduation. She currently works in the Zumberge Library as a student assistant and a floor assistant. After graduation, she plans to earn Master’s degrees in Library Science and Business and Administration.

“After I graduate, I hope to work at the GVSU Zumberge Library as a full-time staff member,” Cross said.

For some students who stay, leaving the state may not be possible. Career Services Director Troy Farley said financial issues, such as college loans,

make seeking work outside of the state an expensive venture.

However, Farley said internships have made the search easier for some students struggling for jobs after graduation.

In the 2008-2009 Postgraduate Employment Report conducted by the Career Services office, 72.3 percent of students were employed after graduation, down from 75 percent in the 2007-2008 report.

Additionally, 56.5 percent of graduates were reported as directly employed in their field of study compared to 63.5 percent from the previous school year.

“In the last couple years, there’s been a major push for internships,” he said. “That becomes a gateway for jobs, so the employment track is happening earlier.”

Students who seek in-state internships earlier in their college careers are offered entry level positions when they gradu-

ate, Farley said.

GVSU graduates may also choose to work in Michigan to make a difference in the current social and economic conditions of the state, said Janean Couch, assistant director of Career Services “Students see opportunities where they can use their knowledge to influence local conditions,” Couch said. “We get to invest in their education, and then they give back to the community. There’s no greater benefit than having them contribute.”

Farley said many students who leave the state decide to return later in life.

“I see students leave for work, new experiences and reasons of diversity,” he said. “But after a couple years, many want to come back, and they enrich the state with their experiences.” ryoung@lanthorn.com

Alumnus finds success with sports website Varsity News Network covers West Michigan high school athletes

By Chelsea Lane GVL Staff Writer The chances of a high school athlete going pro are slim - about .16 percent on average, according to the NCAA - but now recent Grand Valley State University graduate Ryan Vaughn is giving some hometown heroes their chance to shine with his high school sports website, Varsity News Network.

Vaughn, who graduated from GVSU with a Master’s degree in communication in 2010, is a longtime sports fan who wanted to turn his passion into a reporting career. After he was unable to find a job at an existing publication, Vaughn launched West Michigan All Star, a website devoted to local high school sports.

Vaughn soon noticed high school football often stole the media spotlight, leaving little coverage for other sports and athletes.

“It kind of sucks that basically if you’re not a high school football player, you’re not going to get any coverage,” Vaughn said. “If you look at the way media is being run, high school sports coverage is continually regressing because they don’t have the resources they once did… We tried to come up with a solution to cover all those sports, and that’s where VNN came in.”

Vaughn developed a business plan for VNN as part of his graduate school project and then formed partnerships with local high schools. VNN currently features eight participating high schools, including East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, Mona Shores and Kentwood, as well as contributions from four publisher affiliates.

VNN covers a variety of sports from basketball to volleyball to football. Since the site went live in

Courtesy photo / Ryan Vaughn

Self-made success: Ryan Vaughn (middle) interviews local football coach Peter Stuursma for his media organization, VNN.

August, VNN averages 1.5 million monthly page views.

Although for the moment VNN only focuses on West Michigan schools, Vaughn and his business partner, Matt Anderson, said they hope to expand VNN statewide and eventually reach a national scale in a few years. The pair has also considered creating a market for college scouts as the site grows.

VNN currently has four permanent employees and “spot employs” as needed, Vaughn said. Among VNN’s employees is GVSU senior and advertising and public relations major Heather Smith, who helps manage the site’s social media and public relations, including VNN’s Facebook page.

“Through Facebook I am trying to better understand what West

Michigan high school students are interested in seeing,” she said.

“I hope to see more area schools participating in VNN over the next year or so and give more students a chance to be recognized both for their writing and their athletics.”

So far, local athletes have responded positively to the extra attention, Vaughn said.

“If you’re out there playing on the court and then all of a sudden there’s a publication talking about you, then that’s pretty cool,” he said. “If you look at the statistics, 99.9 percent of these kids will never play again, so this is an important time in their lives.”

For more information on VNN, including partnership inquiries, contact ryan@ varsitynewsnetwork.com. clane@lanthorn.com

“If you look at

the statistics, 99.9 percent of these kids will never play again, so this is an important time in their lives.

”

-Ryan Vaughn VNN founder

MARKETPLACE

Grand Valley Lanthorn

Opportunities Announcements University Bookstore Holiday Sale, 20% off all GVSU imprinted items. December 6-17.

Roommates One roommate needed for January-April 2011 in Copper Beech. $420/month. Call (269) 744-1788 for more information.

Services Experienced Attorney 3 Miles from Campus. 616.895.7300. www.davidknoesterplc.com 616-895-7300 Legal help for college students. We represent students with MIP and all other criminal charges. Contact us 24/7 for a free consultation.

616-304-1414 or www.edudefense.com Legal help for college students. We represent students with MIP and all other criminal charges. Contact us 24/7 for a free consultation.

616-304-1414 or www.edudefense.com

University Bookstore. Shop online anytime with the University Bookstore. www.ubs.gvsu.edu

Wanted Bartenders wanted. Up to $250/Day. No Experience necessary. Training provided.

Age 18+ Okay. Call 1-800-965-6520. ext. 226.

Employment Online bookkeeper or account rep needed ASAP. Earn $200 per duty. Registration free. Contact: ffbryant11@gmail.com

Housing Grand Valley’s best kept deal. University Townhomes & Apartments guarantees the lowest price per person. Enjoy a quiet atmosphere with a variety of home styles to choose from less than 2 miles from campus. Call Tim today 616-477-5511

Need a subleaser for Winter in Country Place. Rent is 435 utilities but I am more than willing to negotiate. Please contact me asap. anderkam@mail.gvsu.edu New digs at Loft 45. 1&2 bedroom lofts. 10-12 month lease terms. Find yourself here! www.heritagetownesquare.com.

616-895-2500

Looking for a sub-leaser for winter 2011 semester.

Rent depends on the lease you want. Im willing to pay a portion of rent each month.

Now through the end of the semester. Campus View townhome. $365/month plus utilities. Close to two bus stops. 517-930-0265

Now through end of school year. Country Place Townhome only $1500, price negotiable. Call Jordan for more details.

Phone: 248-238-9107

Look for Stickelers answers online at

LANTHORN.COM

Monday, January 10, 2011

B5

B6

LAKER LIFE

Monday, Janurary 10, 2011

Grand Valley Lanthorn

What’s GV Reading?

By Susie Skowronek GVL Laker Life Editor When students finally pick up their new books and start reading at the beginning of the semester, they continue a thoughtful and sometimes rocky process begun by their professors.

This winter 2011 semester, some professors decided Thomas Pynchon’s “The Crying Lot of 49” would be worth the read, and the book will appear in the hands of both ENG 328: Contemporary American Literature and ENG 330: Studies in Fiction students. Pynchon’s work appeared on The College Board’s list of 101 suggested books for college-bound readers.

Refer to the information box for other GVSU books found on the College Board’s list.

In the fall, writing professor Chris Haven strugled over which books to put in the hands of his students during Authors in Depth, one of several guinea pig courses for a new writing curriculum. He settled on examining and comparing the careers of two writers – Canadian woman Margaret Atwood and American man John Updike.

Haven drew lists of books by each author – extensive lists because each has written prolifically – and narrowed the selections.

“I had read many of the books myself, and ended up including books that either had made an impact on me when I first read them or that interested me now,” he said. “I consulted friends and colleagues for recommendations, and I used user reviews on Amazon as a guide, too, to gauge both what academic readers and a general readership thought of the books.”

But when he looked at some of the early works of Updike and Atwood, he met disappointment. Several books were out of print, and though he wanted to include certain works of poetry, Haven said he could not guarantee their availability for students. He had to settle for his

“We want books

that address current issues, and the kinds of things that we are thinking about in our own professional lives.

-Chris Haven

”

GVSU associate professor second choices.

While much of the professors’ interaction with the bookstore concludes before the semester even begins, students deal with the bookstore for more than just the initial purchase of their texts. Students also come to report stolen goods throughout the semester.

University Bookstore associate manager Tony Glaab fills out a stolen book report when students come to express their claims.

“Unfortunately, books are one of those commodities that can be turned into money,” he said. “When a book is stolen, I ask if you can identify the book.”

Glaab said students should write their initials or a word on a certain page in each book.

Then, every time the book returns to the bookstore, employees can check the book for its distinguishing mark. (For more tips on buying books, refer to the information box.)

While some noted writers will make appearances on – and, for the unlucky victims of theft, disappearances from – the shelves this semester, their most famous works will make room for less popular titles. Instead of reading Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” some ENG 330: Studies in Fiction students will pick up copies of “Emma.”

Instead of reading “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the bookstore will carry “The House of Seven Gables” for a section of ENG 624: Genre

Studies.

“We want books that address current issues, and the kinds of things that we are thinking about in our own professional lives,” Haven said. “There are also certain lessons that we have that we know work well, so often we’ll choose a text based on whether or not it will accommodate our tried-and-true lesson plans.”

Other classics noticeably did not make the booklists. For example, English professors steered clear of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” and J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye.” Professors and booksellers also deal with juggling new editions of books. Publishers require authors or editors to supply new versions of texts, Haven said.

“This allows them to capitalize on the sale of a new textbook, even if little or nothing has substantively changed in that period of time,” he added.

This semester, the bookstore will carry many of William Shakespeare’s works because GVSU has a class dedicated to not only to theatre (ENG 340: Studies in Drama) but also two courses focused solely on the Bard himself (ENG 212: In-

troduction to Shakespeare and ENG 313: British Literature: Shakespeare).

The first two sections of ENG 313: Introduction to Shakespeare require students to pick up copies of “Henry IV (Part I),” “Othello” and “Merchant of Venice.” However, in all three cases, each professor lists a different editor on the required

editions. When examining classic writers such as Shakespeare, professors have many editions from which to choose.

Some professors prefer students use a certain edition of the book, while some do not mind if students use different copies.

Haven said most professors are sensitive to the cost of textbooks and will make reasonable

choices.

“I let the bookstore know if the course requires a specific edition, or if students can choose any edition,” Haven added. “Many times older editions of the same text are available, and might still work for the class.” lakerlife@lanthorn.com

The College Board, the organization that distributes AP and SAT exams, released a list of 101 suggested books for college-bound readers. A few titles on GVSU literature classes’ reading lists made the grade.

Before you sell you should know....

Many students can relate to the experience of lugging armfuls of books through the buyback lines at the bookstore only to meet rejection at the checkout counter. Here are a few tips, courtesy Tony Glaab, University Bookstore associate manager, on what books can be sold back in April.

No - international editions No - instructor editions No - workbooks No - pages with water damage No - loose or missing pages No - books with smears, smudges, stains Yes - highlight Yes - write in the book

Things Fall Apa Chinua Achebe

rt

Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte

Wuthering Heig

hts

Emily Bronte

Heart of Darkne

ss

Joseph Conrad

Invisible Man Ralph Ellison

Madame Bovary Gustave Flauber

The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald

All Quiet on the Western Front Erich Maria Remarque

Slaughterhouse-Five Kurt Vonnegut Courtesy photo / Google Images