Issue 40

Lanthorn Grand Valley

GVL Archive / Nicole Lamson

STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT GRAND VALLEY

M o nday, Februar y 7, 2011

w w w. l a n t h o r n . c o m

LAKER VICTORY Women’s basketball team

GVL / Eric Coulter

Boogie on

DOWN

puts up big points to defeat Saginaw Valley, Lake State

See picture slideshow online

Inside this issue

SPORTS | B2

Laker LIfe | B6

GV alum competes for

North Pole wedding

GVL / Eric Coulter

Rent-A-Rowers battle blizzard GVSU rowers waded through waist-deep snow Wednesday to clear campus from 16 inches of snow. The rowers earn money to cover their fees by shovelling snow.

lanthorn.com

GVL / ongkick.com

B

By Samantha Butcher GVL Managing Editor

arts and entertainment

Best Coast and Wavves in concert Best Coast and Wavves will play Ladies Literary Club with No Joy Monday at 7 p.m. Tickets $20.

lushing brides-to-be often feel on top of the world as they plan their weddings, but Grand Valley State University alum April Chernoby isn’t content with a mere feeling. Chernoby, a self-described adventure junkie and world traveler, wants to get married on the top of the world,

Lakers beat Central Chippewas 18-14 in season-opening game

View: Slideshow of Men’s Hockey vs. U of M Lakers demolish the Wolverines’ Division II ACHA team in away game, keep No. 1 ranking

What’s Inside

A B

A2 News A3 Opinion B1 Sports B4 Laker Life B5 Marketplace

literally and figuratively, in a North Pole wedding.

Chernoby and her fiancé, Paul Kiewiet, are competing for a trip for two to the North Pole in the Quark Expeditions “Blog Your Way to the North Pole” contest.

The couple is currently in sixth place, with less than 100 votes separating them from a Top 5 spot.

To be considered for the trip, they must be ranked fifth or better by Feb. 14.

“We are the Bonnie and Clyde

of adventure,” Chernoby said.

“We live in the moment together.

Discovering each more and more everyday and enjoying a life of discovery and adventure together.

For example, we recently climbed the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower in Chicago) for charity and last weekend did polar plunge together in Lake Michigan.

The North Pole wedding would be the ultimate adventure, unique and

“We are the

Bonnie and Clyde of adventure. We live in the moment together.

”

-April Chernoby GVSU alum

See North Pole, A2

GV receives environmental certification from MTESP

GV first certified public university in Michigan Play: Video of Men’s lacrosse vs. Central

Courtesy photo / April Chernoby

Taking the plunge: Paul Kiewiet (left) and April Chernoby pose on a Chicago beach before the Polar Bear Plunge in Lake Michigan. “Yes it was freezing and yes we are crazy,” she said.

By Molly Waite GVL Assistant News Editor

At the end of 2010, Grand Valley State University became the first public university in Michigan to be certified by the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program (MTESP).

The program aims to promote and communicate best management practices, adopt pollution prevention practices, control potential sources of pollution, comply with environmental laws and regulations, and reduce waste, said GVSU grounds supervisor Ken Stanton.

“This is quite an accomplishment at the university level,” he said. “To do this project requires a large commitment of time and resources.

“We installed a new, more efficient fueling station, a space that is used for mixing and loading pesticides and a new equipment wash station that collects excess grass clippings from our mowing equipment,” he continued. “All of these developments will help us to magnify sustainable efforts already taking place at Grand Valley.”

According to a GVSU press release, the completion of the certification program was responsible for the development of a campus-wide emergency response plan. The program also helped to identify and improve storm water management practices, which have previ-

ously developed to help eliminate erosion of the ravines on the Allendale Campus.

“The certification really keeps with the university’s commitment to sustainability, so this is a natural fit for us,” Stanton said.

The MTESP certification typically takes three years, but GVSU was able to meet the requirements within a two-year period, said Tim Thimmesch, assistant vice president for Facilities Services.

“I was very pleased with the commitment on behalf of the Grounds Department and our Safety Management Department to complete this certification effort,” Thimmesch said. “Staff in these areas recognize the value of continuously improving our grounds keeping efforts to enhance and protect our campus environment.”

For more information about GVSU’s certification, contact Ken Stanton at stantonk@gvsu.edu. assistantnews@lanthorn.com

GVL / Eric Coulter

Allocations: GVSU Student Senate President Jared Martus speaks at President’s Ball.

Cultural Council funding cut proposed

By Lauren Ringger GVL Staff Writer

The process of determining the Student Senate budget is a difficult one, but the 2011-2012 budget has cultural groups at Grand Valley State University feeling excluded.

Every February, the Student Senate sits down to divide its funds for the upcoming year. Last week, Student Senate drew up its 2011-2012 base budget proposal, allocating $1 million among various student organizations.

Student Senate has proposed to allocate $776,000 to councils, a 3.05-percent increase from last year.

Councils saw funding increases across the board with the exception of the Cultural Council, which lost nearly 15 percent of its funding. The Cultural Council includes clubs such as the African Student Council, the Arab Culture Club, the International Club, the Latino Student Union and Russian Circle.

Alyssa Tierney, the Student Senate

See Budget, A2

Grants to boost small businesses growth

By Chelsea Stoskopf GVL Staff Writer

GVL Archive

Going green: The Honors College (pictured) is one of several LEED-certified buildings on campus, one of GV’s green initiatives.

Facebook entrepreneurs Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin did not expect their small idea to escalate into a global phenomenon with more than 400 million users on their website. However, what seemed like an overnight success was actually a fight to keep their idea alive.

The Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (MISBTDC) and Grand Valley State University’s Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC) have recently received grants to enhance efforts to help small business and entrepreneurship in West Michigan and across the state.

A small business involves few

See Business grant, A2

News

A2

GRAND VALLEY

Budget

continued from page A1

vice president of Finance, said Student Senate takes several factors into consideration when proposing a budget, like how much was allocated to the council last year, how much remains the council’s budget, how many requests the council forwarded to the Appropriations Committee and how many active organizations are within the council.

“The main reason Cultural is being cut is because they still have $31,000 of unused money left in their budget,” Tierney said. “Last year they were a really active council but this year they haven’t been nearly as active as before, and $31,000 is a lot remaining in the budget, which is why we are cutting it.”

However, cultural groups argue that the cut is undeserved.

“The Cultural Funding Board isn’t too pleased,” said Sandra Braden, president of the Arab Culture Club. “We use all of our resources really well, our

events are really popular and I feel like it has helped make GVSU more diverse, and I don’t know why people are trying to change that.”

In contrast to the Cultural Council decrease, the Honorary/Professional Council, which includes groups such as Kappa Kappa Psi, Rho Lambda, Order of Omega and the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, is proposed to receive a 150-percent increase.

Under the current budget proposal, the council to receive the largest amount of money is the Sports and Recreation Council, which consists of clubs such as Ballroom Dancing, Dance Team, Lacrosse, Pompon, Ice Hockey, Wrestling and Tennis Club. These organizations are proposed to receive $358,000 in funding, a 2.29-percent increase from last year.

Student Senate will vote to finalize the budget at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday in Room 2204 of Kirkhof Center. lringger@lanthorn.com

North Pole

continued from page A1

unforgettable.”

Kiewiet and Chernoby’s relationship has taken them on an unlikely adventure around the globe, but it began with a Craigslist transaction. Chernoby purchased a “Phantom of the Opera” ticket from Kiewiet over the website. Sparks flew.

“Prior to the show we decided to meet for dinner so I could get the ticket I had bought,” she said. “Following dinner we attended the musical together, sitting next to each other during the show. Afterward we’d both said we’d like to meet each other again. Thus the love story began.”

The trip takes place from June 22 to July 8, and the couple is eyeing a July 4 wedding date. If they win, they plan to dress as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and pass out elf hats to other passengers aboard their Russian icebreaker ship.

By day, Chernoby is an eighth-grade history teacher in Belding, Mich., but Chernoby is anything but a small-town girl. With a goal of travelling to all seven continents before she turns 30, the North Pole wed-

BUDGET BASICS

you should know....

Selections from the 2011- 2012 Student Senate Base Budget Proposal

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, February 7, 2011

ding would be another notch in Chernoby’s belt. It would also place her on both ends of the world within eight months - Chernoby spent time in December in Antarctica with the same travel company who is hosting the contest.

“This trip would be particularly unique for me because having just returned from Antarctica over Christmas I would be at the top and bottom of the world in one year,” she said.

“Combined, we’ve traveled to over 30 countries and six continents.”

Chernoby said the support from students, teachers and families from Belding has been incredible. If she wins, Chernoby plans to bring a piece of Belding with her to the top of the world.

“I created a huge banner with the Belding Area Schools logo that students and staff have been signing after they vote,” she said. “There are over a hundred signatures on it so far. If I win I’ll bring the sign with me to the North Pole to be photographed and hung in the school.”

GVSU students have also been extremely supportive, Chernoby said, as she has

earned a reputation on campus as “the North Pole girl.”

“At first, most people are shocked when I ask if they will vote for me to get married on the North Pole,” she said. “The shock is usually followed by a huge smile and words of encouragement and congratulations.”

Chernoby and Kiewiet have launched a social media campaign in the hopes of making their dream a reality, implementing YouTube and Facebook to spread the word to friends, families and strangers.

If the couple does not win, they are eyeing some place warmer - but still unconventional - for their summer wedding.

“Winning this trip would be the wedding of a lifetime,” she said. “I believe we would be the third couple in history to get married on the North Pole.

It would also mean starting an exciting new life together, setting an expectation of continued adventure and discovery for the rest of our lives.”

To vote for the couple, visit www.northpolewedding.com.

Voting will continue through Feb. 14. managingeditor@lanthorn.com

2010-2011

2011-2012

% Change

Cultural

$88,000.00

$75,000.00

-14.77%

Honorary/Professional

$2,000.00

$5,000.00

150%

Interfaith

$6,000.00

$7,000.00

16%

Performing Arts

$20,000.00

$23,000.00

15%

Service and Advocacy

$32,000.00

$32,000.00

0%

Special Interest

$24,000.00

$30,000.00

25%

$350,000.00 $358,000.00

2.29%

Sports Greek Life Council

$25,000.00

$30,000.00

20%

Media Council

$56,000.00

$66,000.00

17.86%

Traditions

$35,000.00

$ 40,000.00

14.29%

Athletic Entry Fee

$10,000.00

$0.00

-100%

Business grants continued from page A1

employees, small market share and often relationship-based clients while an entrepreneur is someone who, hoping to create a successful business, can take an idea and form a business strategy around it.

Headquartered at GVSU, MISBTDC received a $1.6 million grant that will allow it to hire nine new finance and strategy specialists to work with the existing Manufacturing Assistant Team (MAT) and the Growth Group Team (G2), which offers no-cost counseling

Grand Valley Lanthorn Volume 45, Number 40 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

Courtesy photo / April Chernoby

Arctic adventure: Chernoby poses on Spigot’s Peak in Antarctica on Christmas morning on a Quark Expeditions trip. Chernoby hopes support from GVSU students will help send her to the North Pole for her wedding.

services to Michigan manufacturers, said Jennifer Deamud, MISBTDC associate state director.

“The new staff will help small manufacturers to diversify in new industries and to reduce their automotive reliance,” she said. “The specialists will double the work force of highlevel assistance throughout the state and will focus on small businesses in the growth phase, in strategic alignment with the state of Michigan’s initiatives.”

Arn Boezaart, MAREC director, said with small business and entrepreneurships forming the backbone of our workforce,

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 Multimedia Editor DAN KETCHUM Copy Editors SUSIE SKOWRONEK COREY FINKBEINER

many people look at this business sector for possible job opportunities because manufacturing has had such great job loss.

MAREC received a $100,000 grant to advance new business developments and help entrepreneurs improve MAREC’s physical facility – five small businesses – strengthen it’s marketing and promotion, provide start-up capital to help the small companies and hire paid personnel who have the ability to counsel the small business owners in subjects such as marketing and promotion, finance and business strategies, Boezaart said.

Kyle Denning, a 2008 GVSU graduate who majored in international business and finance, now works for a small business called Viability, LLC, which focuses on providing sustainable energy through renewable resources. Denning said unless a person has a real passion for the small business industry, he does not recommend going into it because

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

most fail.

“It is extraordinarily hard to make it work,” he said. “Remember that only one thing matters in BOEZAART any business, especially small: cash flow. Pay attention to it to the penny. So many people with great ideas, work ethic, etc. fail because they do not understand how to follow the true cash flows of the business.”

Denning said being an entrepreneur and running a small business is a huge and always present challenge.

“Don’t read the stories about Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Michael Dell and Mark Zuckerberg and get excited thinking it was easy,” Denning said. “These guys had great a great work ethic, intelligence and personality, but just as important was the timing and luck side of it. Success is always another week, month or year away for all of us, but remember that you have to survive today to get there.” cstoskopf@lanthorn.com

ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager KEVIN HAUSFELD Advertising Reps Kim VERELLEN DANIEL TOMOVSKI AMANDA VILLARREAL Advertising Designers MATT TYNDALL VALENTINA VALDES

Faculty Adviser

LAWRENCE BEERY

BUSINESS STAFF

Business Manager KIM SANDER Assistant Business Manager DAVID FINK Distribution ADAM RASHID JEFF DIMITRIEVSKI MICHAEL VASILOVSKI Receptionists Carian White ANGILEENA GIBSON

BRIEFS! 1

GV NEWS

Workshop to discuss energy use for new library The project team of the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons requests that members of the GVSU community participate in a two-day workshop to discuss reduction of energy use of the new building. The workshop, “Shaped By You,” will take place from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. today and tomorrow at the Seidman House.

The presentation will be given by representatives from Arup, an engineering, design, planning and project management firm that provides consulting services for all aspects of environmental building.

The project team hopes to reduce energy use in the new facility by 50 percent.

The workshop will focus on the way students approach their work, how they currently achieve their tasks and how these actions will change in the new library building.

For more information, please contact Andrea Marz at marzan@gvsu.edu or email the GVSU Sustainable Community Development Initiative sustainability@ gvsu.edu.

2

Second annual Mr. GV pageant Wednesday Almost a dozen male contestants will compete in the 2011 Mr. GV pageant with a $100 cash prize for the winner. The pageant will take place at 9 p.m. on Wednesday at in the Cook-DeWitt Center. Each contestant will take part in the opening number with introductions, on-stage questions in casual wear, a swimwear competition and questions in formal wear.

Support your choice by raising money for your favorite contestant before the show and during the intermission. The contestant that raises the most money will receive the people’s choice award.

The event will also include performances from Miss Grand Valley Krystal Wilson and Move to the Beat.

Admission costs $4, and all proceeds will to go help the Children’s Miracle Network and the Miss Grand Valley organization.

For more information, contact Amy Post at missgvsu@gmail.com or Krystal Wilson at wilskrys@ mail.gvsu.edu.

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

Corrections At the Lanthorn we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible.

If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling (616) 331-2464 or by e-mailing editorial@lanthorn.com

OPINION

editorial@lanthorn.com

A3

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, February 7, 2011

EDITORIAL CARTOON

EDITORIAL

The revolution will eventually be televised The events that have taken place over the past few weeks in Egypt will eventually be recorded, dramatized and turned into a full-length feature film, but the ending to this movie will be highly influenced by U.S. involvement.

When Hollywood isn’t busy making remakes of old movies or film adaptations of original novels or comic books, it generally looks to real-life history in search of inspiration for the next box office blockbuster. Think about what’s playing in theaters at this very moment: “The Fighter,” starring Mark Wahlberg, follows the life of former boxer “Irish” Micky Ward, who in real life, won the WBU Light Welterweight championship in 2000 as depicted in the film, and “The King’s Speech,” starring Colin Firth, followed King George VI in his quest to overcome a stammering problem with the help of unorthodox speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush).

And then there’s “Justin Bieber Never Say Never 3D.” Yeah ... that’s a thing.

Inevitably Hollywood will get its hands on collective accounts from the events in Egypt and repackage it into a feature-length film, but from what perspective will such a movie be told? It could document Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in his rise to power, gradual corruption and inevitable downfall, or it could follow a group of Egyptian citizens in their outrage and action as a result of Mubarak’s leadership. It could focus on the social media aspect in how Egyptians organized their protests through Facebook and Twitter before the government shut down Internet and text messaging services, or it could highlight the former conditions of Egypt and the Tunisian influence that dispelled the notion of fear among its people, culminating in the country’s own version of the “Million-man March.”

It could even follow journalists in their determination to get the story out of the country despite police and army seizure of cameras and recorders and numerous attacks by pro-Mubarak protesters (for reference, see Anderson Cooper).

When everything is done, the movie (let’s call it “Day of Departure”) will be released and, depending on casting, will make those involved very wealthy and very respected among the film industry, but whether or not it’ll be a riveting tale of a nation’s collective march for freedom, a dramatic account of said nation’s collapse or its misguided effort to trade one oppressive party for another will be up to the U.S. government in how involved it wants to become in Egypt in the coming weeks.

Currently, Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman has promised changes to the country’s governmental structure after meeting with “key opposition groups,” according to CNN. Several key members of Mubarak’s regime have already resigned from their respective posts, but Mubarak has yet to vacate his position despite the protesters’ collective proclaimation that it would not leave Tahrir Square until he does so. He instead opted to announce his intention to not seek another term during the September elections. Among these “key opposition groups” are representatives from the Muslim Brotherhood and six young people who claim to represent a Jan. 25 movement that sparked the protests.

In the streets, there have been constant clashes between pro- and antiMubarak protesters, some of which have turned deadly. Many of the antiMubarak protesters, according to CNN, have never heard of the Jan. 25 group that claims to lead the revolution. There have also been more somber scenes where groups of Christians have gathered, surrounded by Muslims who formed a human wall to protect them from the Egyptian army, to honor those that lost their lives during the protest.

If Mubarak remains in power until September, then things could continue to deteriorate in the country. If he leaves immediately, then another oppressive leader could seize power and put the country in the same state it was in before, if not worse.

If the country is to survive and emerge from this crisis better than it was before, then it will need some form of U.S. involvement. The U.S. must take steps to ensure that the upcoming transition is one that represents the will of the Egyptian people as a whole and not the will of any single faction wishing to seize power. If nothing is done soon, then the world could lose one if its most historical countries.

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 Do the benefits of social media outweigh the risks?

Yes: 86% This week’s question: Should the Cultural Council’s budget be cut?

No: 14% 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.

GVL / Jacob Bowen

YOUR INSIGHTS

Should the U.S. have a role in the Egyptian conflict?

“Yes. I feel as though the U.S. should be willing to help out other countries that are in need of assistance.”

“I don’t think so. At most give advice though the media, but no major involvement because we have enough of our own issues to deal with already.”

“I think the United States should help out as much as they can without interfering too much. I don’t know much about the issue, though.”

“Yes, the United States should have a role in the Egyptian conflict. If a country has the military strength to control ‘chaos’ and ‘keep the peace,’ then they should be involved.

It’s mostly like a ‘help the society’ mission.”

“Yes. The United States seems to always have the habit of sticking its nose in other people’s business.

As desperate as the Egyptian people are getting, in my opinion it’s a cry for help.”

Kelci Semrow Junior Special education Port Huron, Mich.

Kellen Young Post baccalaureate Undeclared Escanaba, Mich.

Shannon Young Junior Radiation therapy Escanaba, Mich.

Adrianna Gibson Sophomore Biology Detroit, Mich.

Asia Clayton Sophomore Information Systems Detroit, Mich.

GVL STUDENT OPINION

Valentine’s Day criticism is for zombies Chris Slattery GVL Columnist

Valentine’s Day is just one week away, and I figured I would take this opportunity to talk about it, despite the fact that anyone could tell you that I am the least romantic person ever. Maybe even less so than zombies, but that’s a topic for another column.

But here comes my obligatory disclaimer: I don’t hate affection. This isn’t some rant about how all relationships are terrible or that couples need to stop shoving their love in other peoples’ faces or that some boyfriends need to stop being so cool because it makes me look substandard in comparison.

Moving on…

My point is that our generation has grown up in a world where love is saturated in literally

everything we see, hear, consume, what have you: The only shows more customary on television than ones about geographically-specific police forces are the numerous programs centered on romance.

The only subject tackled in popular songs more than dancing (whipping hair back and forth, nodding heads like ‘yeah,’ etc.) is love - either gaining it or losing it (and subsequently keying naughty words into cars).

So how are nonromantics such as myself supposed to survive in a society where everything is bound by the laws of Cupid? Shouldn’t there be something else people care about? Why can’t people write songs about something meaningful besides love, like playing Jenga?

It’s likely that it is already too late to make any real changes in the world. People love “love” and the idea of being in love. The Beatles

say it’s all you need money to haphazardly while we’re all living in blow on unnecessary our yellow submarine. presents). They’re bought (Evidently LSD only had for what we’ve been told an effect on writing one they represent. We give of those two songs…) metaphors on Valentine’s This notion, while Day, regardless of how entirely vast and indefinwell your fourth-grade able, ultimately boils teacher taught you poetic down to the necessity for techniques. human connectedness.

What do disappointed And while Valentine’s liars say? “It’s the Day may seem like a thought that counts,” and huge marketing ploy behind all the artificialby the greeting card ity of paper hearts and conglomerates, much ensemble movies starring like Halloween with the every rom-com actor, costume industry and there is at least some Columbus Day with the sentiment behind most Native American-slaugh- Valentine’s Day exter industry (which we changes. can all agree is in really Therefore, despite bad taste these days), I all of the criticism us believe that all of this so- unromantic people have called superficiality of the about the holiday, none holiday is actually done of it should matter if you out of an attempt to find have the brains to put a this connection. little thought in it.

The chocolates and Strange… I guess I‘m the flowers and the still stuck on the zombie cards tossed around on thing…

Valentine’s Day are not cslattery@lanthorn.com bought simply for the see LANTHORN.COM sake of buying them to view “What makes a bigot” (we’re college students,

By Kevin VanAntwerpen and we don’t have the

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, While I enjoyed your article which highlighted the February 3, 1959 deaths of three Rock ‘n’ Roll legends. Your omission of certain facts relating to your thesis is objectionable. You write that “In 1959, claiming Feb. 3 “The Day the Music Died” likely captured the sadness in the hearts of music lovers, but it stopped there.” This statement is historically inaccurate and demonstrates a lack of knowledge about the event and music history in general.

I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone in 1959 who referred to the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson as “The Day the Music Died”. That title was not given to the event until 1971 when Don McLean paid tribute to these legendary rock pioneers

with his hit single “American Pie”. This incidentally is a fact noted in the first paragraph of the Wikipedia entry regarding the plane crash.

I understand that you wanted to say that music didn’t really die in February of 1959 and I am sure that even Don McLean was aware of that in 1971 when he released his musical tribute to these 3 rockers. The fact is the title was part of a tribute to these men and is important for that reason. There are numerous expressions that we use to describe the famous, John Wayne was the Duke, Roy Rogers was the King of the Cowboys, Elvis was the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Michael Jackson was the King of Pop. None of these people were royalty, but who cares.

The point really is this, using this tragedy to point out that

musicians still make money even after death is somehow offensive.

The fact is any death takes from us something that means something to our humanity – Michael Jackson was a great dancer who people enjoyed, Randy Rhodes was a great rock guitarist, Stevie Ray Vaughn was a great blues guitarist, and Duane Allman was a great rock guitarist – The reason that February 3, 1959 is called “The Day the Music Died” is because humanity lost a part of itself and we want to commemorate that — so please don’t cheapen it.

-Andy SanfordSenior - Philosophy

Want us to publish your thoughts? Email us at editorial@lanthorn.com

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, February 7, 2011

A4

News

see LANTHORN.COM

GRAND VALLEY

to view the video >>EGYPTIAN PROTESTS

Anya Zentmeyer, News Editor News@lanthorn.com

Courtesy photo / totallycoolpix.com

Living and learning communities unite disciplines under one roof Themed communities on campus unite students with common interests, goals, majors

By Anya Zentmeyer GVL News Editor Grand Valley State University introduced its first living and learning community in 1990 with the Honors College, a modest group that shared a floor in Robinson Living Center. Twenty years later, on the cusp of a new decade, GVSU has introduced three new program themes to the living and learning communities in a joint effort by the Division of Student Services, Housing and Residence Life, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Colleen Lindsay-Bailey, assistant director of Housing and Residence Life, said each theme aims to bring students with a common academic interests together to help enrich their academic experiences.

Women In Science Engineering (WISE) and Pre-Law Residential Living (PERL) are among the newer

residential learning themes, which Director of Housing and Residence Life Andy Beachnau said tend to be faculty or program driven by student demand.

WISE supports women interested in the science and engineering field while the PERL community brings together students of any major interested in attending law school or pursuing a career in law.

Mark Richards, faculty advisor of PERL, said he regularly holds office hours at PERL to give students the opportunity to get advice on courses and preparation for law school. Events relevant to the living centers’ themes are held often as well. Richards, Senior Academic Advisor Caroline Cascini from the CLAS Advising Center and Office of Fellowships’ Director Amanda Cuevas held an advising event about globalization and graduate schools attended by about 40 students.

Sharing space with PERL on Murray’s first floor, the International House opened its doors in August of 2010 as

GVSU’s most recent living and learning community with political science professor Polly Diven as the adviser of the globally based community. Five of its members are international students.

“The others students are studying international topics: international relations, international business, modern languages, political science,” she said.

Faculty from the aforementioned departments also hold regular office hours in the International House and offer tutoring services to residents, information sessions on study abroad, grad school and law school and internships.

“Grouping students along a common theme or curriculum increase student persistence and retention,” Beachnau said.

He added students who participate in residential learning communities tend to report a higher institutional satisfaction and a higher graduation rate.

“I can’t think of any disadvantages to a free program that helps students connect to the university and connect to other students with the same interests,” Lindsay-Bailey said. news@lanthorn.com

Courtesy photo / Heather Coar

Residence life: Students in the International House in Murray Living Center study. Living and learning centers like International House unite students in a supportive atmosphere.

Writing Center welcomes new assistant director

By Chelsea Lane GVL Staff Writer Although he can quote “The Princess Bride” from start to finish and plays a mean hand of poker, what Patrick Johnson really wants to do is teach Grand Valley State University students how to become better writers.

Starting this July, Johnson will take over as the new assistant director of the Frederick Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors.

At his new job, Johnson will be responsible for training the center’s more than 55 tutors and administrating the tutors’ schedules. He will also help professors implement the Writing Center’s services in their classes.

Johnson received his undergraduate degrees in advertising and English and his master’s degree in rhetoric and composition, all from Washington State University. While studying at Washington State, Johnson began working at the university writing center, his “sanctuary,” and he continued working at the center after the university hired him as an English professor. After about two years, Johnson became a writing

center administrator.

“I feel as though I’ve done what I can do (at Washington State), and Grand Valley is a very exciting school and has a great writing center,” Johnson said. “So when the job listing and the opportunity came about, I thought that it would be foolish of me not to apply for it. It was right up my alley and for a school that I respected, and so I was really flattered that they seemed to want me as much as I wanted to work for them.”

Johnson, who finishes his Washington State position in May, will begin working at the GVSU Writing Center on July 1.

“Pat’s a great fit for this position because he has so much experience as a writing teacher and in writing centers,” said Writing Center Director Ellen Schendel. “…Pat’s experiences in writing center administration are broad. He’s trained and supervised tutors, developed writing center programming, participated in assessment of the center’s services, and coordinated online tutoring. He’ll bring new ideas to our busy center as well as years of experience in working with students, tutors, and faculty to ensure our services meet the needs of writers across the university.”

While Johnson said he initially looks for-

“I feel as though

I’ve done what I can do (at Washington State), and Grand JOHNSON Valley is a very exciting school and has a great writing center.

”

ward to simply learning the hows and whys of GVSU’s system before introducing any changes, he said eventually he would like to explore the possibility of further developing the Writing Center’s online tutoring program.

In addition to preparing for his new position, Johnson, who grew up in Maryland and Connecticut, is also prepping for the harsh Midwestern winters.

“In Washington, we do pretty well for snow,

but people who live in, like, Iowa tell me I haven’t seen anything yet,” he said. “So I’ll be getting used to the weather in some ways.”

In his spare time, Johnson enjoys writing, reading, video games and blogging about movies. His favorite films include “Fight Club,” “A Clockwork Orange” and “The Princess Bride.”

Johnson is also an accomplished poker player and won a trip to play at a World Poker event in Aruba a few years ago. He also runs an online comic strip with a longtime friend at Washington State, though he joked that his artistic abilities are not as up to snuff as his poker skills.

“I used to be an artist and do a lot of drawing, but that kind of went by the wayside after I saw how much better other people are than I am,” Johnson said.

Although he may not be the next Picasso, his future Writing Center co-workers are confident Johnson will make his mark on GVSU. “We’d like to continue developing innovative programming, and hiring Pat will ensure we can do that,” Schendel said. clane@lanthorn.com

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, February 7, 2011

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Sports Greg Monahan, Sports Editor sports@lanthorn.com

SPORTS SHORTS

GVL Archive / Nicole Lamson

GRAND VALLEY

HOCKEY VICTORY LAKERS TOPPLE WOLVERINES

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Gutsy overtime victory Men’s basketball team rebounds from 13-point deficit to defeat Lake State 68-63

GVL Archive

FOOTBALL SIGNING 24 signed for ‘11 recruiting class Grand Valley State University head football coach Matt Mitchell announced the signing of 24 studentathletes on Thursday.

GVSU’s 2011 class will be comprised of 24 players from Michigan (18), Indiana (4), Illinois (1) and Canada (1). Wideout Dan Hummel, the brother of Purdue basketball standout Robbie Hummel, had 26 catches for 481 yards and nine touchdowns in his senior year. Plainfield South High School (Plainfield, Ill.) running back Dondre Adams ran for 1,026 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 63 carries despite battling injuries in his final season. Quarterbacks Josh Harris (Detroit Country Day) and Jeff O’Brien (Stockbridge, Mich.) also join the team.

GVSU will open its 2011 season on Sept. 1 against Western Oregon University.

PRESIDENT HAAS

NAMED to NCAA D-II PRESIDENTs COUNCIL Grand Valley State University President Thomas J. Haas was named to the NCAA Division II Presidents Council on Feb. 4. Haas will represent the Great Lakes Intercollegiate HAAS Athletic Conference and the GVSU Lakers during his four-year term on the council, which will last until 2015.

The Presidents Council is the topgoverning committee in Division II, organized entirely of presidents or chancellors from Division II institutions with the task of legislative oversight and policy making for Division II athletics.

The current chair is Drew Bogner, of Molloy College in New York.

GLIAC STANDINGS Men’s Basketball:

1. Findlay (12-1, 19-1) 2. Wayne State (12-2, 16-4) 3. Ferris State (12-2, 16-5) 4. Hillsdale (11-3, 17-3) 5. GVSU (11-3, 16-5) 6. Lake Superior State (7-7, 13-8) 7. Michigan Tech (6-8, 11-10) 8. Saginaw Valley (6-8, 10-10) 9. Ashland (5-8, 11-9) 10. Northwood (5-8, 8-14) 11. Tiffin (4-10, 6-15) 12. Northern Mich. (2-12, 7-14) 13. Ohio Dominican (2-12, 5-15) 14. Lake Erie (1-12, 5-15)

Women’s Basketball:

1. Michigan Tech (13-1, 18-2) 2. Lake Superior State (11-3, 14-6) 3. GVSU (10-4, 17-4) 4. Findlay (9-4, 14-6) 5. Ashland (8-5. 13-7) 6. Hillsdale (7-7, 13-7) 7. Tiffin (7-7, 13-8) 8. Northwood (6-7, 10-9) 9. Ferris State (6-8, 10-10) 10. Wayne State (6-8, 6-14) 11. Northern Mich. (4-10, 9-12) 12. Saginaw Valley (4-10, 6-14) 13. Ohio Dominican (3-11, 5-15) 14. Lake Erie (2-11, 3-16)

GVL Archive / Eric Coulter

Second-half rebound: Sophomore guard Tony Peters anticipates a pass from sophomore guard Breland Hogan, in a past game. The Lakers recovered from near defeat Thursday to beat Lake State.

By Brady Fredricksen GVL Staff Writer Down 13 points late in the second half, the struggling Grand Valley State University men’s basketball team was staring defeat square in the face.

Playing without the assistance of senior K’Len Morris and juniors Alvin Storrs and Nick Waddell, the Lakers (16-5, 11-3 GLIAC) trailed on the road against a Lake Superior State University team (13-8, 7-7 GLIAC) looking to send GVSU back to Allendale with a third-straight conference loss after falling to Saginaw Valley State University on Thursday.

Much to the disappointment of the Lake State team and fans, GVSU senior Justin Ringler and junior James Thomas had other plans as they combined to score 23 of the team’s 29 second-half points to lead GVSU to a gutsy come-from-behind win in overtime with a final score of 68-63.

“This is one (game) that we really, really needed bad, and our guys really picked up the defensive intensity,” said GVSU head coach Ric Wesley, whose team recorded 10 consecutive defensive stops in the second half. “We’re not really worried about (losing) streaks – we’re just trying to figure out our team.”

The win kept GVSU within a game of first-place Ferris State but also served as a confidence builder for an injured team struggling to find chemistry on the fly.

After leading by nine midway through the first, the visiting Lakers went cold from the field and the home

Lakers took advantage, going on a 23-4 scoring run to end the first half. During the run, Lake State found consistent open looks from 3-point range, shown by its seven makes.

GVSU’s struggles against the 3-point shot were a big reason for the Lakers’ recent two-game slide, but as the second half came, so did GVSU’s perimeter defense.

“We called a timeout with around 10 minutes left and knew we had to step up the intensity,” said Thomas, who grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds in the win. “But we just wanted to pick it up, and after that we got the ten stops in a row.”

With 12:34 remaining in the game, GVSU found themselves in a 13-point hole, down 44-31. It was at that point when Ringler and Thomas - who led a 18-5 GVSU run late in the second half - took over the scoring and rebounding load.

“We just got to the point where we knew we had to go on a run or lose the game,” said Ringler, who scored 12 points to go along with his eight rebounds and five steals. “It came down to (defensive) stops, which helped us on offense to work the ball and get better shots.”

Following the run, GVSU suddenly had the confident Lake State team backpedaling after they tied the game at 49 with 2:20 left.

A Justin Williams’ jumper gave Lake State a two-point lead on the next possession, and a Breland Hogan turnover led to a Derek Billings’ lay-up to extend the deficit to four. But it was the all-around

“We just got to

the point where we knew we had to go on a run or lose the game.

”

-Justin Ringler Senior forward

play of Thomas that gave GVSU a chance at the end.

“James was tremendous today, especially late in the game when we needed him; he wanted the ball and he hit shots,” Wesley said.

Thomas’ late play proved important as he scored the last five GVSU points, including a pair of freethrows to tie the game at 54 with 12 seconds left.

“I knew we were down two, and we needed a bucket,” said Thomas, who paced GVSU with 18 points. “When I saw the lane open up, I put my body out there and I knew it was going to be a foul and I knocked the free throws down.”

GVSU will be on the road again next week as they travel to Ohio to face Ashland University on Thursday and Lake Erie College on Saturday. bfredericksen@lanthorn.com

16-14 victory marks historic day for Lakers out there and a lot of teams that like to settle the ball down to start with aren’t ready for a team to come at you every our team showed,” said Tim Murray, single time they get the ball.”

The team’s hard work helps one first-year GVSU head coach.

By Zach Sepanik understand the physicality of the sport, The Trine University lacrosse team GVL Staff Writer is in the NCAA Division III while the a significant part of the game. Lacrosse is played on a field with limited padThat old saying is true: there is a GVSU lacrosse squad still remains a ding and a metal shaft ranging from 40 club team. Howevfirst time for everything. to 72 inches long, depending on It was just a scrimmage, but Satur- er, Murray and his one’s position. day’s matchup against Trine Univer- players will be the Senior goalie Alex Billsity was a historic day for the Grand first to tell you that ings believes this game Valley State University men’s la- the work they put in against an NCAA varcrosse team. The face-off marked the is equal to any othsity team really helped er varsity team at first time GVSU competed against an the team, even though GVSU. NCAA varsity team in its history. it was the first game “If we are not Down by four goals with just more of the season. He busting it in every than seven minutes to go, the Lakers also commented on stormed back to capture a dramatic 16- single drill in practice the typical physical then we are going to 14 victory. play. run afterwards,” “Overall, the thing I’m most “The most said senior happy with was just the common sport m i d f i e l d will to compete that in which a er Max Bielcollarbone by.

“When or arm is we practice, it broken is gets us in a roulacrosse, tine of playing if that tells fast, so we go you anything,” Billings said.

“Against Trine, we came out GVL / Nicole Lamson hot and we First time: Sophomore Andrew Van Wylen goes for the ball during a scrimmage held Saturday in the Turf Building. were a little

Comeback victory over Trine University is team’s first-ever win against an NCAA varsity opponent

flat in the middle and we finished really strong. I don’t think we were intimidated at all by Trine.”

Though the match against Trine was just an exhibition, it helped coaches and players measure where the team currently sits.

“There are certain teams that we will play throughout the course of the season that we can just overwhelm physically,” Murray said. “But the types of teams we have been playing, from a physicality standpoint, require another level of play. Our win was quite a statement and it’s a testament to our kids.”

Murray added that the competition the team faced in the fall helped raise the bar and also helped the team increase their stamina.

“If you don’t play a high caliber opponent in the fall it really forces a lot of negative habits that you think you get away with against the lesser teams,” he said. “But we play up against the Michigan’s of the world, where every mistake you make, they capitalize on; so it really forces you into a better brand of lacrosse.”

The team plans to continues practicing like they are in game mode and hopes to build off their performance against Trine, their first NCAA varsity opponent. The Lakers lacrosse team next plays against Butler University on Feb. 26 in the Laker Turf Building. zsepanik@lanthorn.com

Sports

B2

GRAND VALLEY

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, February 7, 2011

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

One long trip, two big weekend wins for Lakers “When you go

Lakers in midst of four-game win streak after wins over Lake Superior, Saginaw Valley

on the road at this point in the season you’re looking to get a win in every game.

By Derek Wolff

”

Assistant Sports Editor

Neither two conference opponents nor a 370-mile road trip could slow the Grand Valley State University women’s basketball team, which beat Saginaw Valley State University and Lake Superior State University this weekend to extend the team’s winning streak to four games.

The Lakers (17-4, 10-4 GLIAC) won two close games on the road, beating Saginaw Valley (6-14, 4-10 GLIAC) 6661 on Thursday before a 76-71 win over Lake Superior (146, 11-3 GLIAC) on Saturday afternoon. The win against Lake Superior was made all the sweeter considering GVSU suffered a 79-72 overtime loss on Jan. 8 in the first meeting between the teams.

“We knew we kind of let one slip away last time we played them so we came out and knew we had to get the job done and get this one back,” said sophomore guard Briauna Taylor.

Taylor had 21 points, six rebounds and was 7-of-8 from the free-throw line in the win. Sophomore center Alex Stelfox added 16 points and

-Janel Burgess GVSU head coach

GVL Archive / Eric Coulter

Sophomore sensation: Sophomore center Alex Stelfox charges through the defense towards the basket in a past game. Stelfox has scored more than 15 points in 13 games this season. She was one of several high scorer in weekend games marked by a high number of baskets from the foul line.

four rebounds, marking the 13th time this season she has scored more than 15 points in a game.

Despite the challenge of playing Lake Superior on the road in one of the most important conference matchups left on the schedule, Stelfox said the team was undeterred by the significance of the game.

“We just knew that we have four losses so far and we’ve learned our lesson from each and every one of them,” she said. “We’ve had a few tough losses and we’ve needed to bounce back. We can’t afford to lose any games right now and that was our mindset on this road trip.”

GVSU shot an even 50

percent from the floor but gained an edge in the game by converting on 24-of-31 from the charity stripe, good for 77.4 percent.

“We’ve been getting to the foul line by being really aggressive off of the dribble and making extra passes down low,” said GVSU head coach Janel Burgess. “I think if you

look at the last four games we’ve been successful in going to the free-throw line over 20 times in each of those games.”

With every game down the stretch growing in importance as the GLIAC tournament draws closer, the team will look to replicate the 2-0 start on its current four-game road trip, which will continue

with visits to conference foes Ashland University and Lake Erie College on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

“When you go on the road at this point in the season you’re looking to get a win in every game,” Burgess said. “I like our team on the road and I really like our focus on the road.

We don’t have any distractions when we’re traveling.”

The Lakers defeated Saginaw Valley State 66-61 on Thursday night to kick off the road trip. Taylor cited playing defensive basketball and continuing to get key stops late in the game in order to wrap up the second half of the trip against Ashland and Lake Erie.

“We have to come out with the same intensity that we had in the first two games,” she said. “We know that we can go out and repeat what we did in these two games and get the job done.” dwolff@lanthorn.com

MEN’S HOCKEY

Lakers sweep Michigan club hockey Team holds on to No. 1 position, skates toward National Championships

By Greg Monahan GVL Sports Editor

After being named the No. 1 team in the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s Central Region on Friday afternoon, the Grand Valley State University men’s ice hockey team needed a weekend sweep against the University of Michigan’s club team to stay in the region’s top spot.

On Friday, the team almost lost it, and on Saturday, the Lakers showed why they’re No. 1.

The Wolverines gave GVSU all it could handle in the first game, twice forcing the Lakers to come back from one-goal deficits to force overtime. But just 36 seconds into the extra frame, senior Brad Keough scored the game-winner to seal the Lakers’ comeback win.

Saturday, the Lakers used a five-goal second period to turn a once-close game into a blowout, skating away with a 9-1 victory and a weekend sweep.

“We didn’t play our best on Friday,” said senior forward CJ Pobur, who had a goal in Saturday’s 9-1 win. “We kind of played down to a team we should have beaten and got lucky to squeak out an overtime win. But (Saturday) we

GVL Archive / Nicole Lamson

The mighty Lakers: The Laker team celebrates a goal in a past game.

knew that it’s time to get back to business, so we just came out and ran them out of the rink.”

Keough had four goals on the weekend, including Friday’s game-winner.

It was his second goal of the game, both of which came on the breakaway. Keough used the same move to beat Michigan goalie Sean Puranen on each occasion.

“The first goal I was going to fake a shot and then go backhand, but then he opened up so I slid it in between his legs,” Keough said after Friday’s game. “But on the gamewinner I was going five-hole the whole time.”

Friday’s game saw an unfamiliar face in net for the Lakers as sophomore goalie Cutter Hurst got the start and the win, his third in four starts.

Hurst is the third goalie on the Lakers’ depth chart, but with senior goaltenders Grant Lyon and Josh LaVigne graduating at the end of the year, Hurst is next in line. GVSU head coach Mike Forbes saw it as his time to get a shot against ACHA Division II talent.

“We’ve got three solid goaltenders and I wanted to get Cutter in the lineup,” he said.

“The other thing was to send a message for next year, to see if he was of capable playing against top competition, and I have every bit of confidence that he can do that.”

After a Michigan goal right off the faceoff to put the Wolverines up 2-1 midway through

the second period, Hurst shut Michigan out for the rest of regulation and through the brief overtime session.

“That was a really, really tough spot that we put him in,” Forbes said. “I think he did a fantastic job and I couldn’t be happier for him that he got the win.”

Josh LaVigne was in net for the Lakers’ win on Saturday and made 14 saves on 15 shots for his sixth win.

Saturday’s game was played at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, a historic brick building built in 1923 that has been home to dozens of NHL players and is widely considered one of the top college rinks in the nation.

“It’s definitely a cool atmosphere,” Pobur said. “We get the opportunity to play at a couple of Division I rinks. We play at Ferris State, (MSU’s) Munn Ice Arena, we play here, and it’s definitely a good time.

It’s cool to play in a big rink where there’s a lot of history, so it’s a little extra motivation.”

The Lakers will look to uphold their No. 1 ranking with two home games this weekend against the Miami University of Ohio. If the Lakers can hold on to the No. 1 spot over the last two weeks of their season, the team will get an automatic bid to nationals in San Jose, Calif.

Friday’s game against the Redhawks will begin at 8 p.m., followed by a 9 p.m. puck drop on Saturday. sports@lanthorn.com

Sports

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GRAND VALLEY

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, February 7, 2011

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Lakers dominate competition in weekend games Men and women destroy University of Indianapolis, women topple Bellarmine

By Jon Adamy GVL Staff Writer

If the Grand Valley State University women’s tennis team felt any pressure to live up to its highest-ever national ranking, they didn’t show it.

The No. 15 Lakers began the 2011 season by dominating Bellarmine University on the road Friday, coming away with an 8-1 win against the Knights. The team followed up on Saturday with the University of Indianapolis, winning six singles matches as well as three doubles to sweep the competition, bringing the team’s weekend win total to a convincing 15 wins in 16 matches against Indianapolis and Bellarmine.

GVL Archive / Andrew Mills

Doubles defeat: Senior Darylann Trout prepares to send the ball back during a past practice.

Trout and her partner, Chelsea Johnston, are ranked No. 2 in the Midwest and No. 12 nationally.

ROWING

Rent-a-rowers battle through the blizzard

GVL Archive / Eric Coulter

Snowpocalypse now: Junior Hanna Jones applies salt to the sidewalks.

Members of the rowing team shovel snow everyday starting at 5 am.

a-half hours, but the blizzard

By Kevin VanAntwerpen saw them working their entire GVL Staff Writer

As the snowpocalypse dumped it’s snow down on Allendale Wednesday, most Grand Valley State University students were celebrating the snow day by hiding beneath extra blankets. But at 5 a.m., seven members of the university’s rowing team were wideeyed with shovels in hand, fighting to clear the 16 inches of snow that smothered the Allendale Campus.

“The sidewalks – we couldn’t even see them,” said Robert DeWeerd, junior rower and leader of the shoveling team that morning. “We had to dig holes to find them.”

The rowers are part of the Rent-A-Rower program, which allows GVSU to hire members of the rowing club in order to help them pay their club dues.

“These are true student athletes with a strong work ethic,” said GVSU head rowing coach John Bancheri. “I’m not surprised that I’ve received calls saying they did an excellent job, given the situation.”

Mornings after snowfall, the Rent-A-Rowers are scheduled to shovel between 5 and 8 a.m., and usually manage to clear up their allotted segments of campus in about two-and-

scheduled three hours and only managing to clear the south side of the GVSU campus.

The rowers usually transport their equipment with motorized vehicles slightly larger than golf-carts, but “waist-high” drifts forced them to traverse a long distance on foot, wasting much of their time, DeWeerd said.

Ken Stanton, grounds supervisor at GVSU, said that snow removal after the storm was difficult because of the unusually high volume that had fallen the night before.

“I’ve been here 14 winters and I’ve never seen an 18-inch snowstorm,” Stanton said.

“We had a 15-inch snowstorm back in the December of 2000.

What makes it more difficult is the amount of snow and the time it takes to clean it up.”

The rowers were relieved by student employees at 8 a.m. Stanton said extra student workers were called in throughout the day, and it took until Wednesday evening to return the grounds to “functional” order. Grounds employees were still removing snow in some areas of the school on Friday. kvanantwerpen@lanthorn.com

The GVSU women traveled with the men’s team to Indianapolis to play three games in three days.

The men beat Indianapolis 6-3 on Saturday. Both teams competed on Sunday, but scores were not available at press time.

Seniors Chelsea Johnston and Darylann Trout are ranked No. 2 in the Midwest region and No. 12 nationally as a doubles team.

The pair took home two victories defeating Indianapolis 8-5 and following up with an 8-3 win over Bellarmine.

Johnston said the team knows that to keep its national ranking, it will need to play its best during each match and into the national tournament at the end of the season.

“It’s really exciting, but it also just means that we have to go out there and perform every single time we step on the court to ensure that we maintain that ranking,” Johnston said. “We’d like to host nationals in May – that’d be a lot

GVL Archive / Andrew Mills

Strong start: Junior Jeff Globerson hits a backhand during a past match. The Laker men defeated the University of Indianapolis in Indiana 6-3 Saturday in their first scored meet.

of fun. We did that one year so it would be great to do it again and make it as far as we can in the NCAA tournament.”

The tight-knit team is led by a small group of seniors that Johnston said work hard to be leaders for the younger players as the season progresses.

“We’re pretty much together on and off the court,” she said.

“It’s fun to see them starting out on the team, and all the seniors work together that we keep the rest of the team in line so we can win.”

Senior Jackie Shipman said that she and the rest of the seniors on the team are excited to have achieved their ranking going into their final season.

“I thought it was awesome; I was so glad to be a part of it because it’s our last year,” she said. “I think we set a good example of putting the team first and doing what’s best for the team before yourself, and all the girls kind of look out for one another.”

Shipman added that the team is looking forward to getting to test themselves against tough competition and beat them consistently.

“I have a lot of confidence in everyone,” said Shipman. “I think that’s how everyone feels when they walk out on the court; everyone pretty much knows how to do their job and normally does it pretty efficiently. There’s pressure, but there’s also a confidence there.”

The GVSU women will compete next in Illinois on Feb. 18 against Lewis University. The men are in action this weekend at the Grand Rapids City Tournament, which starts on Friday at 4 p.m. jadamy@lanthorn.com

Susie Skowronek, Laker Life Editor lakerlife@lanthorn.com

lakerlife Your life at Grand Valley

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, February 7, 2011

B4

Podcast to provide forum to share dreams

By Marcus J. Reynolds GVL Staff Writer Often, students give up precious hours of sleep to write papers and prepare for tests, but they may be able to literally study in their dreams.

Grand Valley State University art history professor Kirsten Strom said people can learn even while resting.

Strom teaches an art history class in Surrealism, and dreams are important to the Surrealists.

The philosophy of Surrealism is based on the belief of superior reality, of certain forms of previously neglected associations and in the omnipotence of the dream.

“They viewed dreams as contributing to our world as much as waking life,” she said.

“In my Surrealism class, students have the option of choosing a dream journal from a list of possible projects, and the dream journal has consistently been the most popular option.”

Strom has taught art history at GVSU since 1998. A few years ago, she learned GVSU had signed on to iTunes University, a network that allows faculty to post audio and video files for availability to specific classes or to the general public.

“This is the first year of the project being in podcast form,” Strom said. “It seemed like a promising forum, but I didn’t have a particular idea about how to use it until now. The basic idea is that it will become a forum for story telling through dream sharing.”

She has named the podcast

“(iTunes

University) seemed like a promising forum, but I didn’t have a particular idea about how to use it until now.

”

-Kirsten Strom GVSU professor

“TinDip,” which stands for This Is Not A Dream Interpretation Podcast. The title refers to a Surrealist painting by Rene Magritte, “The Key of Dreams.” The painting features a pipe with the text, “This is not a pipe.”

“Beyond that, the specific inspiration for TinDip came from a French radio show from the 1930s produced by Robert Desnos, one of the Surrealist poets. The show was called “The Key of Dreams” and it consisted of dreams submitted by the general public.”

The podcast will not provide interpretations of dreams.

However, guests might be interviewed and engage in conversations about the history and science of dreaming.

To submit a dream, include a name or pseudonym, any additional information relevant to listeners (occupation, hometown, age, etc.) and a theme for the dream (animals, flight, school, travel, work, war, etc.).

E-mail dream submissions to tindip@gvsu.edu. mreynolads@lanthorn.com

GVL Photo Illustration / Andrew Mills

Sweet dreams: Sophomore Junior Campbell dreams of snow. Students can submit accounts of their dreams to participate in the TinDip podcast, which GVSU art history professor Kirsten Strom hopes will help create a dialogue about the history and science of dreaming.

Student business struggles for credibility T-shirt brand urges Random Acts of Kindness

By Susie Skowronek GVL Laker Life Editor

A

couple of students have invested time and money in a project to inspire random acts of kindness and promote one-for-one gift purchases.

However, earning the trust of public is one obstacle they could not factor into their budget.

Senior Kyle Fetner and junior Brock Hyder cofounded the Random Acts of Kindness or RAOK (pronounced ROKE) - Project. The project launched Jan. 1. “(It’s) kind of like a TOMS Shoes-meetsMeals on Wheels type of thing,” Hyder said.

As with TOMS Shoes, the RAOK Project operates on the one-for-one principle: when a customer purchases a t-shirt, the company will donate a t-shirt.

Shirts come in pink or blue and cost $20 bought locally or $25 purchased from the online store with free shipping. The project has sold about 25 shirts.

“The online store just launched. That’s kind of a new thing,” Fetner added. “We’re trying to get people geared there, but then again it’s hard to gear people for the website to give us their credit card number when they don’t really know who we are yet. … I think people are a little skeptical right now.”

Half the money from shirt sales goes toward the purchase of the matching shirt for charity. The rest of the money goes toward investment in the RAOK Project, Fetner said.

“For each shirt that is purchased, one will be given to a child in need,” the RAOK website reads.

GVL Archive

Do gooders: A student offers another a helping hand. Senior Kyle Fetner and junior Brock Hyder hope their project will inspire random acts of kindness.

“To be honest, (Helen

DeVos Children’s Hospital is) still kind of skeptical about who we really are.

”

-Kyle Fetner RAOK Project founder

Courtesy photo / Kyle Fetner

Kind shirts: RAOK Project t-shirts (above) come in blue and pink. For every shirt purchased, one goes to a child in need.

Fetner and Hyder said they want to give the t-shirts donated to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, but they cannot yet confirm that the hospital will indeed receive the t-shirts.

“This is a building point,” Fetner said. “We call Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. We tell them what we’re doing. We tell them who we are. To be honest, they’re still kind of skeptical about who we really are.”

Despite its many obstacles, many have shown their support for the RAOK Project. About 500 Facebook users have “liked” the project, including GVSU student Kristen Kloosterhouse.

“They help the underprivileged with their

donation of shirts, but more than that, I appreciate the reminder that those shirts give others,” she said. “They remind us to be kind to others and to think about the way our actions affect those around us. Even the smallest of actions can give hope and make someone’s day a little brighter, causing a chain reaction of kind moments.”

Fetner said the project welcomes suggestions from people who purchase the shirts – wherever they see a need.

“We’ve talked about literally walking around Grand Rapids and finding a family that’s in need and giving them five shirts for a whole family,” Fetner added. “Just because that’s what we’re about. We’re about affecting people that we don’t know directly but that we know are going to get an impact from it.”

The RAOK Project’s slogan is, “New reason to buy. New reason to wear. Make the change.”

Fetner said he wants people to remember to do the simple things for other people when they wear the project t-shirts – to perform random acts of kindness. Hyder offered a personal example.

“There was a gentleman who got on the bus, the 50, coming back to Allendale on crutches,” Hyder said. “So I let him sit down in my seat because it was a bus full of people.”

Still, at this time, the RAOK Project is categorized as a for-profit business. Traditionally, owners and shareholders receive a share of the profits from such corporations. However, Fetner said that until he can find a nonprofit partner, he will run the project like a nonprofit.

“We don’t take money from this,” he added.

“I’ve spent money, (Hyder) has spent money, and we’re not asking for repayment. Our repayment is making a difference.”

The cofounders hope to find a nonprofit partner in the near future.

Fetner and Hyder said they also hope to have a second series of t-shirts available soon, and the money from these sales will benefit a charitable organization – preferably one that benefits children.

“We hope, especially with younger children, to get our generation connected with the younger generation, to pass on the idea that passing on acts of kindness is what you should do,” Fetner said. “And then through that, we hope to bring up the morality of our generation, feeling that we’re actually making a difference.”

To learn more about the RAOK Project or to purchase t-shirts, visit www.raokproject.org. lakerlife@lanthorn.com

B5

MARKETPLACE

Monday, February 7, 2011

Announcements

Wanted

Housing

Boardwalk Subs, Standale.

Located across from the 50 bus stop near Lake Michigan and Wilson. Jersey-style subs, fundraising, catering. www.boardwalksubs.net

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

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

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

No spring break plans? Make planning easy at Lanthorn.com. Click the “Travel” tab and check on prices to the best spring break destinations with only a few clicks. www.lanthorn.com Peninsula Trading Travel Gear. Rent or purchase top brands of travel gear and luggage. 10% off all merchandise for students. www.peninsulatrading.com True North Campus Ministry helping students discover God’s call in college, career, and life. Bible study, discussion groups, service. Learn more at www.truenorthonline.org Want GVSU news now? The Lanthorn has it covered. Visit our website, Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter for the latest GVSU campus and sports news. www.lanthorn.com

Services Jimmy Johns delivers 7 days a week! 616-892-2000 University Bookstore. Shop online anytime with the University Bookstore. www.ubs.gvsu.edu

Employment The Lanthorn is looking for an Assistant Business Manager. Should be available up to 15 hours and on Fridays.

The interview process will continue until the position is filled. Freshman to Junior status is preferred. Must have Excel knowledge. Will be assisting with budgeting, payroll, accounts payable and account receivable.

Cover letter, resume, and references are needed. Stop in to the Lanthorn office to apply.

Get Published! Don’t just tell future employers what you can do. Show them! The GV Lanthorn is seeking news and feature writers. Various positions available, including internships (start now and apply credit to summer or fall semester). All positions are paid: per story, per week or per semester. Apply at GVL: 0051 Kirkhof Center.

Work on Mackinac Island.

Make lifelong friends. The Island House Hotel and Ryba’s Fudge Shops are looking for help in all areas this summer: Front Desk, Bell Staff, Wait Staff, Sales Clerks, Kitchen, Baristas. Housing, bonus, and discounted meals. (906) 847-7196. www.theislandhouse.com

Grand Valley Lanthorn

Livin’ Large. Copper Beech townhomes and apartments have up to 2000 ft of square space. Enjoy golden standards with a copper price.

Call 616-895-2900 or visit www.copperbeechtownhomes.com Lofts 45 offers 1 & 2 bedroom lofts with 1 to 12 month lease terms. We are formerly known as Heritage Towne Square. 6101 Lake Michigan Drive. 616-895-2500 New digs at Loft 45. 1&2 bedroom lofts. 10-12 month lease terms. Find yourself here! www.heritagetownesquare.com.

616-895-2500 48 West is now leasing for Fall 2011. Rates start as low a $395 per month and there are 1,2 and 4 bedroom units.

616-895-2400 www.48west.com

Strange but true

By Samantha Weaver • It was beloved American comedian, actor, producer and author Bill Cosby who offered the following advice to new parents: “Always end the name of your child with a vowel, so that when you yell, the name will carry.”

• Those who study such things say that it takes one second to vacuum 1 square foot of floor.

• You probably don’t realize it -- and you certainly don’t notice it -- but experts claim that the Atlantic Ocean is getting about 1 centimeter bigger every year, and the Pacific Ocean is shrinking by the same amount. It’s due to continental drift, they say.

Look for Sudoku answers online at

LANTHORN.COM

• If you’re planning a trip to central Africa, you can pay a visit to both the shortest people in the world (the Pygmy tribes) as well as the tallest (the Tutsi, also known as the Watusi).

• If you’re a blood donor, you help to make up a significant minority. In the United States, less than 5 percent of the population donates blood every year.

• It was Nobel Prize-winning Russian author Boris Pasternak who wrote the novel (later adapted to film) “Doctor Zhivago.” It was originally published in 1957 in Italy, to great acclaim, but it wasn’t published in the Soviet Union until 1988.

• If you took all the Tootsie Rolls produced every year and placed them end to end, there would be enough candy to stretch to the moon and back.

Interestingly, the Tootsie Roll isn’t actually considered to be chocolate -- not according to the definition used by federal officials supervising the candy industry, anyway.

• The world’s highest tides are found in the Bay of Fundy, located in Nova Scotia, Canada. There, the difference between high and low tides can be as much as 50 feet. *** Thought for the Day: “I am free of all prejudices. I hate everyone equally.” -- W.C. Fields (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, February 7, 2011

B6

Laker Life Your life at Grand Valley

GV dedicates two months to Asian cultural celebration

By Marc Maycroft GVL Staff Writer

Eastern food, dance, literature, martial arts, politics and a host of other aspects of history and culture will give students a taste of Asian traditions throughout the months of February and March.

Grand Valley State University will take part in the celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage now through March 26.

“Everybody has a story to tell,” said Connie Dang, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale campus.

“From upbringing, background, ethnic group, family tradition, by sharing your identity, it makes it easier for others to understand who you are.”

Festivities kicked off Thursday with a celebration of Chinese New Year. The OMA and the Asian Student Union offered free traditional food and entertainment as they showed their appreciation for their heritage.

“It’s the only big holiday we

“The more I can

show you about my history and culture, the more we can connect.

-Connie Dang OMA Director

”

have,” said Dan Ayotte, a Korean GVSU student. “We don’t have big celebrations for Christmas or Halloween – all we have is New Year’s.”

While the Western culture offers many opportunities to take holidays, the Eastern calendar provides fewer opportunities to take breaks from the daily routine.

“Our culture is so fast-paced,” said George Weaver, a FilipinoAmerican GVSU student. “This is the only time where we slow down to celebrate.”

This will be the eighth annual celebration on the GVSU campus – the first took place in 2004.

Traditional celebration of Asian culture in the U.S. takes place in May, the time designated by a 1978 Congressional resolution to commemorate two historical events: the end to the construction of the TransContinental railroad by Chinese immigrants in May of 1869 and the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to the U.S. in May of 1843. However, due to the small number of students that are on campus for the spring and summer semesters, Dang said she decided to celebrate in February to both maximize student exposure to Asian culture and to coordinate with the celebration of the Chinese New Year.

“It’s a great way to connect and share history,” Dang said.

“It’s about promoting and understanding. The more I can show you about my history and

Upcoming Events Monday “A Walk To Remember” from 1-2 p.m.

Room 2263 of Kirkhof Center The Hmong American Student Association will share their families’ ancestry.

Tuesday

Philippines folk dance from 3-4 p.m.

Room 2215/2216 of Kirkhof Center The performance will feature Minnie Morey, artistic director of the Pacific Island Dancers of Grand Rapids.

Wednesday

GVL / Rachel Dwyer

Celebrating culture: Lan Huynh, Linda Truong, and Linda Teng, members of Delta Phi Lambda, pose for a picture at the Asian Pacific Heritage Celebration.

my culture, the more we can connect.”

This year, Dang said the one event she recommends most is the Ütaké event on Wednesday in the Cook-DeWitt Center, which will feature art, poetry, music and philosophy in one all-encompassing event..

“It will showcase students, alumnus, faculty and citizens,” Dang said. “...There are so many racial and ethnic groups within Asian culture,” Dang said. “I try

to include all of them in the celebration.” Ütaké is also a part of the GVSU 50th Anniversary celebration and will feature many guests from across the nation.

For a complete list of the events for the Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Celebration, view the accompanying schedule of events or visit the OMA website at www.gvsu. edu/oma. mmaycroft@lanthorn.com

Music and Poetry from 5-7 p.m.

Cook-DeWitt Center Ütaké, a trio of Rob Foster, Kurt Ellenberger and Ric Troll, will present songs from their CD,“The Name of the Wind.”

Traditional Japanese poetry will also be read.

Thursday

“Broken Promises of the Model Minority Narrative” from 4-5:30 p.m.

Room 2215/2216 of Kirkhof Center Amanda Kim, director of the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Studies at the Chicago School of

Professional Psychology, will present.

Feb. 14 “ExplorAsia” from 4-6 p.m.

Room 1240 of Kirkhof Center The program will highlight the diverse histories, languages and customs of the 50 countries represented

by Asian Pacific Islander Americans.

Feb. 16 “East of Main Street” from 3-4 p.m.

Room 2204 in Kirkhof Center The 2010 HBO documentary that features stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans will be shown and discussed.

Feb. 17 “Unveiling the Truth: The Muslim Women” from 3-5 p.m.

Grand River Room of Kirkhof Center The event will feature Tahera Ahmad, the first Muslim woman chaplain at Northwestern University.

4,500 dance night away at 25th President’s Ball

GVL / Eric Coulter

Bust a move: Students tear it up in the ballroom during the President’s Ball. The event, which was attended by about 4,500 guests, commemorated Grand Valley’s 50th anniversary with its theme, “A Golden Gala.”

By Samantha Arnold GVL Staff Writer

Women wore extravagant dresses and the men dressed with class. The lighting accented the flowers that decorated every second table. Laughter and music filled the air for the 2011 Golden Gala President’s Ball on Friday.

The 25th annual event was held in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and the DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids.

“It’s a great way to see the university in action and get to talk to the faculty,” said junior Ali Zimmer, chair of the President’s Ball. “And it’s just a good time to get out and dance.”

The evening began with cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. Candles lit the room for students, faculty, and administrators who circled the tables. The cocktail hour participants moved swiftly into the dining room for the dinner service.

“It’s an extraordinary experience with so many people everywhere,” said Matt Dondanville, member of the cycling club who worked the cocktail hour coat check.

Dinner began with speeches full of humor and bright personality and with awards to recognize outstanding individuals.

Tim Selgo accepted the Presidential Award, Dorothy Johnson accepted the Distinguished

Individual Award and Danielle DeMuth accepted the Student Award for Faculty Excellence.

The audience gave them frequent and standing ovations.

Between awards, student coed a capella group Euphoria and student dance group Momentum provided entertainment throughout the hour. They collaborated to featured songs and dances in celebration of Grand Valley State University’s past by reliving the decades, beginning with the 1960s.

“The dinner this year was really good,” said senior Kristie Hopkins. “It was good food and good entertainment.”

President Haas gave a speech to thank everyone for attending

“We are dancers

so we love this event. It’s a lot of fun and a nice excuse to look nice.

”

-Greg Kwiatkowski GVSU senior the Presidents’ Ball as well as Student Senate for sponsoring the event. Shortly after his speech, people enjoyed dessert and coffee.

At 8:30 p.m., the 500 dinner guests gathered their coats to join the additional 4,000 expected guests at the dance.

Once the doors opened, the music poured out and dancing began. Guests even danced while waiting to reach the dance floor.

“We are dancers so we love this event,” said senior Greg Kwiatkowski.

Kwiatkowski and his date, Katherine Key, danced their way into the ballroom. “It’s a lot of fun and a

GVL / Eric Coulter

Just dance: Members of the dance group Momentum perform for students at President’s Ball. Momentum performed with a capella group Euphoria.

nice excuse to look nice.”

Music echoed through the ballroom and brightly colored lights shimmered around a disco ball. The stage set for DJ Mark

Witz was front and center.

Women kicked off their shoes and the men loosened their ties. Music shook the floors and boomed through the room.

For junior Emily Visger, the President’s Ball was hard to compare to previous years.

“Freshman year was almost the best – everyone knew a lot of the music,” she said. “But it’s really hard to compare. But it’s a really good event for GVSU to do. It’s a great opportunity to hang out with other students.

Plus, it’s something fun for a Friday night.”

Students recommend attending the event for the future.

“It’s a great social event to meet other students and teachers,” said senior Jacie Fountain.

Zimmer said the President’s ball takes more than six months of planning. With this year being the Golden Gala, the event took a lot of hard work.

“Overall it was a success,” she said. “We’re celebrating 50 years of GVSU, and it was done well.” sarnold@lanthorn.com