Issue 52, March 26th, 2018 - Grand Valley Lanthorn

GRAND VALLEY

STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS 2018

Have You

VOTED?! VOTING IS MARCH 26 - APRIL 1 gvsu.edu/studentsenate/elections

A L L E N D A L E & G R A N D R A P I DS , M I C H I G A N ST U D E N T- R U N P U B L I C A T I O N S // P R I N T · O N L I N E · M O B I L E // L A N T H O R N . C O M Student Senate Election Guide inside

M O N D A Y, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 // VO L . 52 N O. 52

‘Enough is enough’ gvsu.edu/studentsenate/elections

DEMANDING ACTION: Student leaders from Forest Hills Northern High School walk during the ‘March for Our Lives’ in Grand Rapids on Saturday, March 24. The march corresponded with others held across the country, each demanding gun-control reform. The marches were organized in response to the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14. GVL | EMILY FRYE

Thousands march for gun reform in Grand Rapids BY EMILY DORAN EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

I

n conjunction with marches held nationwide, thousands of demonstrators gathered at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, March 24, to express support for victims of gun violence and demand more gun-control legislation. Grand Rapids’ “March for Our Lives,” which featured fiery speeches, a table where participants could register to vote and a visually powerful walk through the city’s most populated streets, was organized entirely by West Michigan high school students. “We hope … to have our voices heard and to have legislators act on sensible gun-control laws,” said Emily Dieffenbach, a sophomore at Forest Hills Northern High School in Grand Rapids who helped organize the event. “We’re going to demand action from our legislators until there’s change.” Prior to the march, the organizers held a rally at noon in Rosa Parks Circle that featured performances from the Grand Rapids Justice Choir and speeches from students and other individuals who demanded guncontrol reform at the congressional level.

Several speakers even threatened to vote “inactive” politicians out of office in November, prompting the crowd to erupt into chants of “Vote them out” at several points throughout the rally and subsequent march. As part of the event, the speakers and organizers offered concrete opportunities for participants to make a difference and continue their support of gun-control reform even after the conclusion of the march. “We’re encouraging people to participate through civic action by writing letters to their state legislators,” said Kathleen Fallon, a senior at Forest Hills Northern who was manning a table with letter-writing materials, sample wording and the addresses of state legislators and representatives. A sophomore student from Forest Hills Northern offered a raw and emotional plea for gun-control reform from the podium, describing the fear she and other students experienced going to school. “As high school students, it is so damn hard to process that kids our age and younger were killed,” she said. “How are we supposed to live our lives knowing that we could be gunned down at any minute? … We have normalized mass shootings. … We

have normalized active-shooter drills.” The sophomore vehemently condemned naysayers who doubted the effectiveness of teenagers participating in the “March for Our Lives” movement. “Politicians and pundits on TV are trying to discredit us by saying that nobody will ever listen to a bunch of teenagers,” she said. “That the Parkland students are too emotional to enact change. That this organic, student-led movement will never work because we are only teenagers. We’re too emotional, too stupid, too young, … too occupied with social media on our phones to do anything. “So what? We are emotional. We are angry. We are disgusted with our (representatives). They claim to care about our lives, but we all know they care more about money and their jobs.” Many demonstrators carried signs condemning assault rifles, the push to arm teachers in their classrooms and the National Rifle Association itself. Statements such as “Enough is enough,” “My thoughts and prayers include laws and change,” “Fear has no place in school” and “Protect lives, not guns” were plastered over cardboard signs and held high throughout the day. A science teacher from Rockford High

School offered his perspective on arming teachers, a potential solution to mass shootings in schools that has been proposed by some politicians, including President Donald Trump. “I’m a teacher, and my classroom is a sacred place,” he said. “It is a place to learn, to grow, to feel safe. It is not a place to bring a weapon. … (My classroom) is the antithesis of everything a gun represents.” Participants at the march also addressed the potential concerns of locals who own guns and might be wary of the changes being demanded. “National legislation affects all of us, obviously,” Fallon said. “And especially here in Grand Rapids, I know plenty of people who love to go hunting. That’s like a big thing, and I think the big push and pull here is with the people who love that recreational activity and those of us who see gun control less of taking that right away but helping kids within our communities stay safer.” Dieffenbach offered another way to localize the national movement to West Michigan. “Parkland is no different than the school I go to,” she said. SEE MARCH | A2

ADMINISTRATION

Search for new dean of students down to four BY SARAH HOLLIS SHOLLIS@LANTHORN.COM

As the end of the 2017-18 academic year approaches, the Grand Valley State University student senate continues to work on finishing projects and preparing for the transition to a new body. The general assembly on Thursday, March 22, had an agenda full of important information. The most notable announcement during the general assembly was that the search for the new vice provost for student affairs and dean of students is nearing completion. While the names of the final four candidates are still confidential, the dates and times of when they will be giving presentations at GVSU have been released. Each candidate will come to GVSU on their own day, give a presentation about themselves and why they should have the position, and meet the faculty and staff they could potentially be working with. The dates are Friday, March 30; Tuesday, April 3; Thursday, April 5; and Friday, April 6. All the presentations will be from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

“This position sits on the provost cabinet, which oversees all of academics,” said student senate president Jonathan Bowman. “So, it’s a really important position to be able to be connected with students, to know what students are going through, to have a good relationship with students, and so obviously we want whoever is in that position to be student-centered, student-focused and have student concerns in mind when making decisions.” More progress has also been made regarding the possibility of a fall break at GVSU. Nothing can be confirmed yet, but recommendations from the fall break task force were brought to the executive committee of the senate (ECS) on Friday, March 23. “Really, it’s still all up in the air, unfortunately,” Bowman said. “ECS discussions will happen (Friday), and then it’ll go, hopefully, to the University Academic Senate, to their general body. Then they’ll make a firm decision. I hope that we’ll have a good result after the next couple weeks.” SEE SENATE | A2

POLICY: GVSU student senate president Jonathan Bowman (center) and vice president Dan Ziegenfelder during the general assembly Thursday, March 15. On Thursday, March 22, senate discussed the search for a new vice provost. GVL | HANNAH HILL

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A2 | NEWS NEWS BRIEFS REPORTER WHO BROKE NASSAR STORY SPEAKING AT GV MONDAY, MARCH 26

Indiannapolis Star reporter Marisa Kwiatkowski will participate in a pair of Q&A sessions at Grand Valley State University on Monday, March 26. Kwiatkowski was among the lead reporters for the Star who broke the Larry Nassar-USA Gymnastics sexual abuse story. Kwiatkowski will lead in the first session in Allendale at 1 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre in the Haas Center for Performing Arts. The second session will take place at 6 p.m. in the DeVos Center’s Loosemore Auditorium, located on the Pew Campus. Students will have the opportunity to hear from Kwiatkowski, who conducts investigative stories related to topics such as child abuse, human trafficking and other social problems. The event is the first installment in the GVSU School of Communications’ Robert Mayberry Comm-Unity Series.

AUTHOR SPEAKING AT GV ON LEADERSHIP

Grand Valley State University will host author James Robilotta for a discussion titled “Leading Imperfectly: The Value of Being Imperfect for Leaders, Professionals, and Human Beings.” The lecture will take place on Tuesday, March 27, at 7 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center’s Room 2250 (Grand River Room). Robilotta authored a book, which shares the same title as the lecture. The lecture will discuss how effective leaders are open to feedback and criticism. The event is LIB 100-approved.

‘END GUN VIOLENCE’: Participants in Grand Rapids’ ‘March for Our Lives’ hold signs and chant in the city’s streets. GVL | EMILY FRYE

CALL TO ACTION: A sophomore from Forest Hills Northern High School in Grand Rapids demands firearm reform. GVL | EMILY FRYE

DEMOCRACY 101 EVENT TO EXPLORE THE EFFECTS OF COMMON GROUND INITIATIVE

The Democracy 101 series at Grand Valley State University will return on Wednesday, March 28 for a discussion on the relationship between the Hauenstein Center at GVSU and its Common Ground Initiative. The event will take place at noon in the Kirkhof Center’s Room 2266. At the event, speakers will discuss the need for discussions on the U.S.’ rapidly changing political landscape. The event is both LIB 100- and 201-approved. The Community Service Learning Center, a division of GVSU’s Office of Student Life, sponsors the Democracy 101 series.

INTERACTIVE ART: Students write their names over a painting of an AR-15 rifle at the march Saturday, March 24. GVL | EMILY FRYE

STUDENT-LED MOVEMENT: A local high school student who helped organize the march speaks in Rosa Parks Circle. GVL | EMILY FRYE

GV PROFESSOR TO LECTURE ON PIONEERS OF SPIRITUALITY, HEALTH

On Thursday, March 29, at 1 p.m. Western Michigan University professor Brian Wilson will speak at Grand Valley State University on two Michigan historical figures. The event, titled “Michigan Pioneers of Spirituality and Health: Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and John E. Fetzer,” will take place in the Mary Idema Pew Library’s Multipurpose Room. In his lecture, Wilson will speak on the lives of Kellogg and Fetzer, two famous Michiganders who were able to combine aspects of spirituality of health to create successful businesses. The event is both LIB 100- and 201-approved.

PIC PHOTO CONTEST RECEPTION THIS WEEK

Grand Valley State University’s Padnos International Center (PIC) will conclude its PIC-Pics Study Abroad Photo Competition with a reception for the winners on Tuesday, March 27, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The winning photos will become a part of PIC’s permanent gallery. VO L . 52

MARCHING FOR CHANGE: Thousands of protesters hold signs and chant together Saturday, March 24. Six area high school students put together Grand Rapids’ ‘March for Our Lives’ to support victims of gun violence and demand action from politicians. GVL | EMILY FRYE

NO. 52

Lan thorn EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief EMILY DORAN Associate Editor JENNA FRACASSI

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IAN BORTHWICK

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CORRECTION In today’s Student Senate Election Guide, we incorrectly wrote that candidates Rachel Jenkin and Rachel Ibarra were business majors. Jenkin is actually a psychology major with minors in criminal justice and philosophy, and Ibarra is a social work major. We apologize for the errors.

DEMANDING REFORM: Participants in Grand Rapids’ ‘March for Our Lives’ hold signs on Saturday, March 24. The event boasted thousands of participants. GVL | EMILY FRYE

MARCH

CONTINUED FROM A1

Despite the youth of the “March for Our Lives” organizers, the Grand Rapids demonstrators expressed their unequivocal belief in the teenagers’ ability to pressure legislators and finally achieve the gun-control reform they have been seeking for years. “I think that, especially this generation and this group of high school students, clearly they’ve got something that a lot of adults don’t have right now, which is anger, and they want to be heard, and they’re smart, and we need to listen,” said Cortney Kramer, a parent

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 emailing editorial@lanthorn.com. 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 GVSU community. For additional copies, at $1 each, please contact our business offices.

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SENATE

CONTINUED FROM A1

The ECS tabled the discussion to a future meeting as more options are discussed, according to Bowman. While the current senate body is continuing to work on its own projects, the senators are also preparing transition reports for the new body to continue where they will leave off. Elections for the new body will begin Monday, March

BLAME GAME: A marcher calls out the NRA by name at Grand Rapid’s march. GVL | EMILY FRYE

attending the march. This belief in the power of Generation Z was echoed throughout the event, including by the teenagers themselves. “Just because we’re younger doesn’t mean we’re not involved and we’re not aware of what’s going on around us,” Fallon said. “Like, we can read the news, too.” Following several speeches, the demonstrators, led by a police escort, marched through the streets of downtown Grand Rapids carrying their signs and chanting “Not one more” and “Congress, do your job.” Starting at Rosa Parks Circle, they marched down Ottawa Avenue and Fulton Street, ulti-

mately turning and looping back to their starting place to create a large square. The crowd stretched so far that marchers in front crossing the Blue Bridge could see their fellow demonstrators across the river on the Fulton Street Bridge, the two right lanes of which had been cleared for pedestrians. At one point, the marchers on both bridges even acknowledged how far they reached by cheering for each other as they crossed the Grand River at different points. Following the march, student demonstrators were invited to engage with an interactive art piece by writing their names over the painting of an AR-15 rifle in

order to cover it completely. Other speakers at the rally portions of the event included a naval veteran supporting gun-control reform, a woman who had been at Virginia Tech University at the time of the mass shooting there in 2007 and another woman who had suffered from two separate instances of gun violence. “So what’s changed?” asked the Virginia Tech survivor. “Why am I here today after all of these events that have happened? … I simply just don’t have the luxury of being a bystander any longer.”

26, at 8 a.m. and end Sunday, April 1, at 11:59 p.m. “You can vote for 10 candidates; you only get to vote once, and once you click ‘submit,’ you can’t go back,” Bowman said. “So, you could just vote for five the first time, click submit, and you can’t go back and add five more. So, just make sure you know all 10 the first time around.” Senate members believe it’s important for all students to vote in the student senate elections because these are the

people who will be representing their voices on campus. “The student senate elections are a super pivotal time of the school year for the student body,” said Morgan Mattler, chair of the public relations committee. “This is when students come together and vote for who is representing their interests, their complaints, their concerns, their worries, anything and everything about their student experience. “Keep an eye out for Facebook events. I know a lot of

candidates make those. This is really the time where you want to find the most qualified, the most poised and the most intelligent individuals that are going to represent the student body to the best of their ability.” GVSU students will be able to vote in the student senate elections at www.gvsu. edu/studentsenate/elections. GVSU’s student senate meets every Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in the Pere Marquette Room of the Kirkhof Center for its general assembly.

GO TO: www.lanthorn.com

FOR VIDEO COVERAGE

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

NEWS | A3

ARCHITECTURE

Grand Rapids city designer to speak at geography open house BY JAMES KILBORN JKILBORN@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University’s geography and sustainable planning department will be hosting an open house Tuesday, March 27, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event, taking place in the Kirkhof Center, Room

2204, will feature guest speaker Suzanne Schulz, the managing director of design and development for the city of Grand Rapids, and will focus on recent developments and changes occurring within the city. Christian Carroll, president of the GVSU Urban Planning Association (UPA),

believes Schulz will inspire students to think creatively about the urban landscapes in which they live. “Suzanne Schulz is a very busy professional that is one of the most passionate and forward-thinking planners that I have seen,” Carroll said via email. “She is an activist plan-

GR BY DESIGN: Students pose with their Sustainability Awards on Friday, March 23. The geography and sustainability department at GVSU will hold an open house on Tuesday, March 27. GVL | EMILY FRYE

ner that has recently become the president of the Michigan Association of Planning and fights for all individuals. Schulz has done recent work in the Heartside neighborhood of Grand Rapids that I’m sure will be beneficial for the community. “I know that her intuition and vision for the city is definitely something that other cities should look to as an example of extraordinary planning. I am excited to see what Schulz has to share with students and faculty at the open house.” Carroll argues that smart planning and policy decisions from Schulz’s department have played a role in the region’s resurgence over the past few years. “Grand Rapids and its surrounding area is becoming a relevant location to not only Michiganders, but also the Midwest and even America,” Carroll said. “The proper planning techniques have been associated with this development, which has allowed

for a more sustainable and equitable approach that many communities across America see in their 20-year plan but lack the resources and willpower to follow through with this approach. “In Grand Rapids, activism and collaboration with local stakeholders allows the area to move forward in a way that makes planning vital to the area.” Elena Lioubimtseva, professor and chair of the geography and sustainable planning department, said the relationship between the city of Grand Rapids and GVSU is unique in that many students find employment within the region after graduation. “The department is cultivating a strong relationship with the city, with the community and with the planning department,” Lioubimtseva said. “We are preparing young planners and that these young planners are working with Suzanne Schulz’s department, so that shows our relationship

between our program and what’s happening in the city.” Lioubimtseva is confident that Schulz’s presentation will align with the university’s push for sustainability, as both GVSU and Grand Rapids are investing in green infrastructure and energy-efficient buildings to reduce the impact on the environment. `Attending the open house will give insight into a department that is in the process of change, as a new degree emphasis in climate change resiliency will be offered for the fall semester. Academic advising along with opportunities to study abroad will be offered at the event. Carroll sees it as a great way for students to get a taste of the diverse options available for those pursuing a degree in geography and sustainable planning. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

CAMPUS LIFE

Early approval period approaches for student organization funding BY DEVIN DELY DDELY@LANTHORN.COM

With such a large number of students, it’s no surprise that Grand Valley State University offers as many extracurricular opportunities as it does. According to the Office of Student Life, there are more than 400 student organizations on campus. But with so many opportunities for involvement, the money it takes to fund the organizations has to come from somewhere. The early approval period for funding requests will begin Monday, March 26, and run through Monday, April 9, and organizations should be aware of these time frames to ensure their organization receives funding. According to Carly Aller, GVSU student senate’s

vice president of finance, the April 9 deadline is for organizations that want funding for travel or on-campus events between July 1 and October 1. “(This deadline) is for organizations or people that want to travel over the summer or put on programs at the very beginning of the academic year,” Aller said. “They need to have a catering quote for sure. I think that a lot of organizations know that this is the standard that we’ve kept everyone to this year. “As far as travel, we like to see expenses for transportation, lodging and registration. Those are the only three things we’ll fund, and we pay for 50 percent of that.” All of this funding comes from the Student Life Fund, a pool of money allocated annually by student senate specifically for the purposes of travel

and on-campus events. “It’s an entirely studentled process,” Aller said. “Basically, I’m in charge of allocating that money to student organizations on campus, and it is specifically for student organizations. A lot of it pays for club sports, or traditions like Presidents’ Ball, or student media—there’s a lot of different parts. “When I say ‘setting the budget,’ I mean separating those out for the next fiscal year. Individual organizations would request funds through OrgSync. It’s easier for some organizations to get a lump sum, and others would have money spread throughout by category.” Student senate’s funding process involves two funding boards, one for appropriations and one for cultural organizations whose events typically

boast a higher attendance than many others, requiring them to receive a larger portion of the money received from the GVSU Board of Trustees. Once senate allocates the money, it can then be distributed to organizations that need it. The 2018-19 year is not without some changes, as Laker Traditions will no longer handle funding for Battle of the Valleys. Student senate will take on the responsibility of paying for half of the $4,000 usually needed for the event. “That’s why I put in the time I do to set the budget for next year—to make sure it’s the most accurate it can be,” Aller said. “We don’t want rollover at the end of the year, so I’d say we’re in a good spot. There is a decrease in campus programming this

year, but that’s why the budget changes every year—to reflect what the campus community needs at that time.” Not all of the power lies with the senate, however. Students who would like to have a say in organizational funding have a chance to become a student representative on a

funding board. Those interested can apply in August and are encouraged to attend a board meeting or two beforehand. Funding board meetings take place in the Kirkhof Center, Room 2201, on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. Aller can be reached for more details via email at allerc@mail.gvu.edu.

ROWING: Campus Life Night on Sept. 5, 2017. Student organizations have until Monday, April 9, for funding requests. GVL | EMILY FRYE

HEALTH

Panel held on issues relating to opioid crisis BY DREW SCHERTZER DSCHERTZER@LANTHORN.COM

When people hear the word “opioid” heroin is often the first thing that comes to mind. However, what people forget is that opioids can be prescription drugs like oxycodone. These drugs change the way the brain handles pain. To discuss the issues surrounding opioids, a panel of specialists from doctors to police officers gathered together on Thursday, March 22, at the DeVos Center’s Loosemore Auditorium to explain how heroine users start their path. “80 percent of heroin users started with a prescription opioid,” said Scott Haga, physician assistant for SHMG Center for Integrative Medicine. “Whatever it is we see those patients for, we often see it start to spiral from there.” The panelists detailed

the effects of heroin, and why patients so often make the deadly switch from painkillers to hard opioids. “The addiction starts in the mid-brain in the hippocampus,” said Barbara Homrich, co-owner of ClearWater Counseling & Wellness. “The brain learns to attach the memory of the euphoric high with a relief from a flooded pathway. ... Every time the user takes the elicit drug they get a massive dose of dopamine. Overtime, the brain reduces the amount of dopamine it would normally create.” Dopamine is the chemical your brain releases when you feel enjoyment. As an example, a person can feel like a 10/10 when they are feeling at their happiest. However, taking heroin would put the brain’s levels at a 20/10. Subsequently, the user feels their life is never as good as

it is when using the drug. “We live in a pill-popping nation; someone goes to a physician they don’t want to hear they should lose weight, change their posture or do exercise,” said Jane Toot, Grand Valley State Universi-

ty professor of physical therapy. “Those all take time and aren’t a quick fix and a rush like painkillers are.” LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

HAVE YOU

VOTED?!

gvsu.edu/studentsenate/elections

POLLS OPEN: MAR

APR

26 - 01

EPIDEMIC: Scott Haga (right) speaks during the Opioid Public Health Crisis Panel on Thursday, March 22. GVL | SARA CARTE

STUDENT SENATE

SEE ANSWERS | A10

A4 | OPINION EDITORIAL

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON

By Sean Pollock

National marches prove youth have been underestimated

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n response to February’s horrific mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, activists across the U.S. held marches Saturday, March 24, to stand in solidarity with victims of gun violence and demand gun-control reform. Remarkably, Grand Rapid’s student-run version of the national “March for Our Lives” attracted thousands of participants. In fact, organizers estimated that more than 4,000 individuals showed up to take part in the rallies and march through the streets of the city. This type of turnout served as a blunt contradiction to the image of teenage uselessness painted by politicians and others who have outspokenly doubted the power of today’s youth to participate so actively and effectively in the political sphere. The six high school students leading the march on Saturday—yes, six high school students—were holding local and national legislators’ feet to the fire with their enormous, well-organized demonstration. A common sentiment expressed at the march was that “this time feels different.” And at the march, it really did. This time, demonstrators assured each other, we are at the cusp of significant changes. What makes this time different? The general consensus is that the unique perspective and involvement of Generation Z, the fuel behind the “March for Our Lives” movement, are enough to pressure politicians to produce new legislation. For several reasons, this seems accurate. The teenagers leading this movement seem passionate enough to follow through on their demands. They are young enough to remain

idealistic and hopeful despite their disenchantment with the current political system. They are young enough to be angrier than anyone else. Combine these elements with the fact that this generation was raised in the era of first-world mass shootings, and you have a recipe for a throng of fed-up, invigorated adolescents who won’t take no for an answer. The timing of the horrendous Parkland shooting and subsequent marches could prove to be vital for these young activists as well. All of these events have occurred during an election year, so if Saturday’s marchers can keep the flames burning for a few more months, surely the polls will be inundated with fed-up voters who will force certain local and national leaders out of office. A lot of high school students participating in the “March for Our Lives” movement will also be old enough to vote in November, and they have been reinvigorating their parents, teachers and friends to join them. It would be surprising if low voter turnout, especially among young people, continued to be issue this fall. By the end of the march on Saturday, participants had made their message loud and clear: “Enough is enough.” The youth of Generation Z believe they are the ones who will finally accomplish what others have been pushing for years, including the enactment of stricter gun-control laws they believe will cure the country’s massshooting epidemic. As long as they can keep their momentum going through November and beyond, there seems no reason why they shouldn’t be able to bring about the change they are demanding.

editorial@lanthorn.com

3/26/18

We’re harming more than just the president

BY SHAE SLAUGHTER SENIOR ENGLISH MAJOR EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

Our current presidential administration has seen its fair share of scandals. There have been plenty of news cycles concerned with firings, hirings and much more. However, in the last few months we’ve also seen an uptake in discussion about claims related to Donald Trump’s infidelity. While I am a proponent of honesty I do believe that in this case some matters are better left private. The cases of Trump’s sexual missteppings seem to be ever growing. There are

Editor-in-Chief Associate editor News editor Sports editor Laker Life editor A&E editor

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harming far more than just his political career. Oftentimes, I fear that we forget that Trump has a family. A real family that can be hurt by all of this news, true or not. He has a wife who must continue to perform a certain set of first lady duties as rumors run rampant about her supposedly unfaithful husband. He also has children, the youngest of which is only 12, and they are constantly seeing headlines about their dad’s marriage problems. Yes, it is very possible that Trump has had an affair, but that doesn’t mean that his marriage needs to become some sort of cash cow. The most recent woman to have alleged an affair with Trump, Karen McDougal, claims that she wants to apologize to Melania, and quite honestly I call BS. If McDougal was really motivated by regret and empathy she would have come clean and apologized to Melania’s face instead of going straight to news stations. The same goes for Stormy Daniels, the woman who first claimed

to have an affair with Trump. Of course, the truth needs to come out about these things, but there is a big difference between just being honest and choosing to feed into the media storm. If these affairs happened it is of course reprehensible, but it’s not like they’re exactly groundbreaking character information about President Trump. The American people are well aware of his moral makeup, and at this point these affairs seem to be more for profit than for anything else. It is shameful to extort the Trump family’s pain in matters such as these. Yes, they’re now one of the most famous families in the world, but that doesn’t mean that they signed up to be humiliated. In cases such as these, if the women are speaking the truth, the blame is purely on President Trump and the mistress involved. We shouldn’t be glorifying these women. They took part in the ruining of a marriage, and they’ve profited off the pain. Shame on them.

Why you shouldn’t watch a concert through a phone screen

GV L E DITO R IAL BOA RD EMILY DORAN JENNA FRACASSI ARPAN LOBO ROBBIE TRIANO TY KONELL ANNE MARIE SMIT

numerous women who have stated that they were sexually harassed or assaulted by Trump, and now there are two women openly admitting that they engaged in a consensual affair with him. At first, it seemed like these story topics might run in the same vein of news, but in reality they’re very different. The claims of harassment or assault against our current president are extremely important. If they are true it means that the president has engaged in criminal activity, and he certainly shouldn’t get away with it. Citizens and voters of the U.S. undoubtedly have a right to know this information. Still, when it comes to the stories of Trump’s supposed affairs, my feelings are a little different. Yes, being unfaithful while your married is a huge sign that your morals are questionable, but it isn’t (unfortunately) a crime. By no means am I justifying the action itself, but by filling news stations with questions of Trump’s marriage we are

BY AMY MCNEEL SOPHOMORE COM. & WRITING MAJOR EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

On Thursday, March 22, I attended a concert at Van Andel Arena. While I enjoyed the music and atmosphere, I couldn’t help but notice the blanket of smartphones I was submerged in. Everyone around me was taking pictures or videos, watching the concert through their phone screens. While this is nothing new, and people have been using their phones at concerts

for years, I couldn’t help but be a little disappointed. What is the point of seeing live music if you aren’t going to truly experience it? Today, we have an obsession with social media that has been growing and melding for a long time. We are always on our phones, and while that’s not always a bad thing, cell phones should have their time and place. As phones and technology have evolved, the boundaries of when to use versus when not to use has blurred; now, it seems like everyone lives through their screen, not taking enough time to truly live in the moment. Concerts are supposed to be a time for artists and listeners to connect, and a time for listeners to show their appreciation and respect for the artist and his or her music. However, when smartphones are the only thing that fans and artists can see, there has become a disconnect, and the fans isolate

themselves from the music. According to Roy Trakin in a 2017 article for GRAMMY, “Like everything else in our virtual universe, holding up an iPhone or Android at a concert is a way of putting an artificial distance between the observer and the observed, an intermediation that seemingly goes against the very spirit of the longed-for spontaneity of the rock and roll, EDM, pop, or hip-hop experience.” To me, this separation becomes disrespectful to the artist. When you have your eyes locked on the phone you’re holding, you’re no longer listening to the performer. Furthermore, when you go to a concert and spend the whole time looking through a screen, you’re untimely cheating yourself. If you’re busy recording or taking pictures, you won’t be able to engage and enjoy the concert in the same way that you would if you just watched. To me, life is all about

moments that move you, and concerts are one of those moments. If you take the time to actually engage and experience it, live music can be emotional, powerful, and the experience can stay with you forever. I have vivid memories of every concert that I have gone to. I remember the excitement I felt at my first concert, with Taylor Swift opening up for Rascal Flatts. I remember the sunset and stillness when Train performed “Hey, Soul Sister,” and I will absolutely never forget the sound of Tom Petty’s voice as he told stories and sang my favorite songs in the world. When you pay attention at a concert, it almost feels as if the artist is singing to you, for you, and everything else disappears. Today, in a smartphone world, I encourage you to treat concerts as an escape. The live performance will always be better than the video.

VALLEY VOTE

THIS ISSUE’S QUESTION

QUOTE

If you were president of GVSU, what would you work on first?

Did you attend the ‘March for Our Lives’ in Grand Rapids on Saturday?

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DID YOU ATTEND THE ‘MARCH FOR OUR LIVES’ ON SATURDAY?

ETHAN SCHAFER

DARWIN HARRIS

“I unfortunately couldn’t, but I would’ve liked to.”

“No.”

YEAR: Sophomore MAJOR: Political science HOMETOWN: Mt. Pleasant, MI

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“No.”

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YEAR: Sophomore MAJOR: Elementary education, English HOMETOWN: Northville, Michigan

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

NEWS | A5

DISCOURSE

Guest professor lectures on changing American landscape BY ITA TSAI ITSAI@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University was host to the lecture “The Changing American Social Order: ‘From Social Democracy to Neoliberalism’” given by Rubén Martinez, professor of sociology and director of the Julian Samora Research Institute at Michigan State University. The event took place on Friday, March 23, on the Allendale Campus. Around 50 students and faculty members attended the meeting in the Kirkhof Center to hear about the historical change that has taken place

throughout the last 40 years, transitioning from an era of social democracy to a predominantly neoliberal U.S. Martinez started off the lecture by introducing the attendees to the basics of social democracy and neoliberalism. His main argument evolved around the ideas of radical individualism, the anti-tax movement, and the plutocracy, which he explained to be “a collection of wealthy individuals who run the country and make policies for their own benefit, using propaganda to drag you along and make you support their beliefs.” Martinez urged students

to understand the key role that citizens play in contemporary politics. “It’s important to understand how critical it is to be an informed citizen to participate in a democratic society, so that you can fully be part of it,” he said. “You’ve got to wake up and realize that the order we’re living in is different now, and it’s moving, in my opinion, towards a negative future.” As of now, the political climate has three predominant sentiments that were evoked with the neoliberal revolution: racism, anti-government, and libertarian views of freedom. This revolution arose with the

SPECTRUM: Michigan State University professor Ruben Martinez speaks during an event on Friday, March 23. The event focused on the idealogical shift in modern American politics. GVL | HANNAH ZAJAC

use of propaganda and political discourse. This has subsequently brought about a feeling of nativism, or the fear by native U.S. citizens who believe that all the immigrants are reshaping the cultures and values and taking over jobs. They claim that they want their country back, and this sentiment leads to anti-immigration. “Social democracy emphasizes individual freedom, but not an extreme version of it,” Martinez said. “It has values of equality, social justice and solidarity. It recognizes that we define ourselves in relation to social community, because we are social beings. Communities don’t follow solitary confinement; we weren’t made to be isolated from others.” Martinez also explained that the neoliberal revolution advocates for limited government involvement in the economy, except when it aids capitalism and the ruling class. Based off “free market fundamentalism” one should take care of things independently and not depend on the government, thus promoting radical individualism. “It’s basically saying, ‘I have my bread, get your own. If you don’t have something to eat it’s your fault,’” he said. Neoliberalism also pushes for limited government involvement through privatization, because they claim it’s more efficient.

Martinez criticized privatization is his lecture, too. “For example we have privatized the army; they leave the country and commit horrendous murders,” he said. “Privatized jails, they try to keep inmates for longer than they should. Privatization takes the citizens’ funds to fund mediocre organizations that don’t help the community as a whole. You can often see cases of corruption, because there are no mechanisms to monitor them.” The lecturer also mentioned how neoliberalism is searching for flexible labor, where firms have complete control over terminating employment. “The anti-tenure movement results in more part-time teachers than long-term professors,” Martinez said. “This affects the educational system because the professors won’t be doing lectures like the one I’m doing today as they are considered to be flexible labor. “Neoliberalism peddles for the deregulation of the economy. It limits the support for public good and leaves individuals to fend for themselves. It promotes class wars between the middle and working classes, and it intensifies racial dynamics. These sentiments motivate society to keep us divided.” Martinez explained that neoliberalism has been fairly successful in modern day politics. However, it has eliminated the “safety net,” which

was the threshold that limited government cut before people reached a point where they weren’t able to survive. The revenue stream to government has been diminished to limit spending on social programs, including education. Martinez also explained to students what attitudes they should have in order to promote societal democracy. “Keep alive the idea of human progress,” he said. “You should understand the historical moment in which you live. Work to alleviate and improve the human condition. ... Educate others on the neoliberal movement, its tactics, and the hidden agenda behind the divisive social issues. “Promote that government is good. Government is not the problem, the governmental regimes are the problem. ... Remember the future of the nation is bound up with the informed citizens. It is up to you to stay informed and secure the future of this country. Democracy doesn’t belong to one group, it is a political idea that belongs to us all.” GVSU students who attended the lecture were able to leave with a new perspective on social politics. “I found the lecture Interesting,” said freshman Madison Zeleny. “I learned a lot about how people don’t know anything. I’m more aware of what’s going on now.”

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Author speaks on menstrual equity at GV BY ANNIE GIFFELS AGIFFELS@LANTHORN.COM

For anyone who menstruates, periods can be tiresome and costly. But for those who are homeless, impoverished or incarcerated, having a period can severely impede one’s ability to participate fully in society. On Friday, March 23, Grand Valley State University welcomed author Jennifer WeissWolf at the Holton-Hooker Learning and Living Center. Her topic of conversation was menstrual equity, and to a large crowd of students and staff, Weiss-Wolf talked about her experience leading this new movement and the lessons she

learned while writing her book “Periods Gone Public: Taking a Stand for Menstrual Equity.” The event was part of the Community Service Learning Center’s Democracy 101 series. Weiss-Wolf talked in depth about how she found this particular issue and what got her inspired to make change. It all began with an ad on Facebook from her community food drive. “A flyer came onto my feed; it was for a collection drive of tampons and pads for our community food drive,” she said. “I saw this flyer, and it completely stopped me in my tracks.” After months of research, Weiss-Wolf truly began her

journey for menstrual equity with an essay that was published by The New York Times in 2017. “This became the catalyst for framing a discussion about this topic,” Weiss-Wolf said. She was offered the opportunity to write a book that tackled the issue later that year. Soon after, with the help of Weiss-Wolf and those involved in her movement, three bills were introduced into legislation. These bills called for free feminine hygiene products in public schools, homeless shelters and correctional facilities. It was not long before the movement, dubbed “menstrual equity,” really took off, and Weiss-Wolf was at the very center of it. Much of the conversation also centers on feminine hygiene products and the supposed injustice that relates to them. In the U.S., tampons and pads are taxed. To Weiss-Wolf, and the many other people who have joined her movement, this is unacceptable. Given that so much of the U.S. population menstruates, the movement emphasizes that these products are a medical necessity and that taxes should not apply to them. Weiss-Wolf spent months researching this topic, too, finding multiple examples of items that happen to be exempt from taxes. She could not believe that feminine hygiene products still had not

received this same privilege. “I found that in Texas, cowboy boots are exempt from taxes,” Weiss-Wolf said. “So are Pop-Tarts.” At the very end of the discussion, those who brought factory-sealed feminine hygiene products were put into a raffle to win Weiss-Wolf’s novel for free. They also had the opportunity to have her sign it. The last half hour of the LIB 100- and 200-approved

event was left open for questions and comments. When the floor was opened, attendees did not hesitate to dig even deeper into this topic. “How does this movement include the transgender community?” one attendee asked. “This movement is very young and relatively small, but from the get-go there have been voices of the trans community to represent those who identify as transgender,”

Weiss-Wolf responded. Another attendee asked Weiss-Wolf how she addresses those who are against the movement. To this, Weiss-Wolf encouraged those who oppose it to look at the bigger picture. “For people who think that this movement doesn’t matter to them, or that it isn’t necessary, it is,” she said. “We are all the beneficiaries of an equitable society.”

TAKING A STAND: Author of ‘Periods Gone Public: Taking a Stand for Menstrual Equality’ Jennifer Weiss-Wolf speaks to students during a Democracy 101 event on Friday March 23. GVL | EMILY FRYE

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MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

PERFORMANCE

ARTS AT A GLANCE

GV to hold studentdirected show ‘No Exit’

OPEN AUDITIONS FOR SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL 2018 Plans for the 2018 season of the Grand Valley State University Shakespeare Festival are already underway. This year’s performances will be “King Lear” and “Bard to Go.” There are openings for males and females and casting opportunities for all students, regardless of major or minor, and backstage duties are also available. Open auditions will be held on Monday, April 9, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Tuesday, April 10, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Room 1721 in the Haas Center for Performing Arts. To attend an audition, please sign up at the Louis Armstrong Theatre box office, call 616-331-2300 or email Jack Lane at lanejack@gvsu.edu.

BY ANNE MARIE SMIT ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

Each year, Grand Valley State University offers an opportunity for students in directing classes to apply to direct a show of their choosing. This year, senior Bruno Streck Rodrigues was chosen as the director for the one-act play “No Exit,” with performances running from Thursday, April 5, through Sunday, April 8, in the Haas Center for Performing Arts. “No Exit,” published in 1944, is a play by Jean-Paul Sartre about three souls who are locked in the same room with each other in hell. The play depicts the interactions of the three characters as they get to know each other, and eventually plan an escape. When directing students apply to direct a show at GVSU, they get to choose which play they want to direct, and “No Exit” was Streck Rodrigues’ choice. Streck Rodrigues thinks the play is progressive for its time, and he appreciates what the show discusses. “I just really like the discussion of the show,” Streck

GRCC TO PRESENT THE PLAY ‘DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE’ From Thursday, March 29, to Saturday, March 31, Grand Rapids Community College will be presenting the play “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” by Sarah Ruhl. Ruhl, who is a MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize finalist, set the comedy in a quiet cafe, where a constantly-ringing cell phone forces a woman to confront her assumptions about mortality, redemption and technology. GRCC theater faculty member Tom Kaechele will be directing the play, which will begin at 8 p.m. at GRCC Spectrum Theater. Tickets are $5 for GRCC students, $8 for students in the Grand Rapids area as well as GRCC faculty and staff, and $12 for the public. In addition to these performances, there will be a dress rehearsal on Wednesday, March 28, at 8 p.m., where tickets will be sold at the door.

ROOTS OF CREATION TO PERFORM IN GRAND RAPIDS The Reggae band Roots of Creation will be stopping in The Stache in Grand Rapids on their tour, featuring their reggae-influenced cover album “Grateful Dub,” which was released worldwide on Friday, March 9. The show is scheduled for Tuesday, April 17, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 and available for purchase at www. etix.com.

AUDITIONS OPEN FOR CHORAL ENSEMBLE FOR FALL SEMESTER Ellen Pool, Grand Valley State University music professor and conductor, is holding auditions for the choral ensemble for the fall semester. The Music, Theatre and Dance Department at GVSU offers five different choral ensembles for students to choose from, with the more advanced ensembles requiring an audition. For those interested, contact Pool at 616-331-2572 or poole@gvsu.edu. She will be holding auditions from now until Sunday, April 15.

SARTRE: GVSU students can apply for a chance to direct a show of their choice at the university. Bruno Streck Rodrigues will be directing Sartre’s play ‘No Exit’ in April. COURTESY | BRUNO STRECK RODRIGUES

Rodrigues said. “It’s basically illustrating the existentialist movement, which I really liked. Also the play was written in (1944), and yet the show already had a lesbian character. In the original, the guy is Brazilian, and I’m Brazilian, so there’s that, and one of the girls is French and the other one is implied (to be) Spanish, so I just really like the diversity of the show.” GVSU’s adaptation is based on a translation by an American, so the ethnicities of the characters are dif-

ferent than they are in the original. Streck Rodrigues explained why he thinks the translator made that choice. “The male lead of the show became French, the Spanish character stayed Spanish, and the other girl became American,” Streck Rodrigues said. “It’s a translator choice. The guy that translated the show from French to English probably decided to do the switch because, in my view, when Sartre wrote it, Sartre was French. “So, what I think he did

when he translated was, because Estelle was the same nationality as Sartre, he changed Estelle’s nationality to American to match the translator and match the country where the show (was) going to be produced. Estelle is a really superficial, petty character, so I think it’s the critic of the society of the show for her to be the same nationality as the people watching.” LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

EXHIBIT

GV continues ongoing art exchange with SeoulTech University

CHORAL CONCERT TO BE HELD APRIL 16

On Monday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m., the University Arts Chorale and the Cantate Chamber Ensemble will be performing in the Cook-DeWitt Center under the direction of Ellen Pool, Grand Valley State University music professor. The University Arts Chorale is a group of 35 auditioned students who performs choral pieces from a variety of periods. The Cantate Chamber Ensemble is a small group that performs a cappella choral music, with a goal is to perform a variety of both sacred and secular music through vocal jazz.

BY ARIE NIENHUIS ANIENHUIS@LANTHORN.COM

Since 2008, Grand Valley State University has been conducting an annual art exchange with Seoul Na-

WHERE

FRESH & FAST MEET ®

tional University of Science and Technology (SeoulTech) in Seoul, South Korea. This year, GVSU will host another collection of student art from the university, in turn with art from GVSU being displayed in SeoulTech. This year’s collection features a total of 40 photographs of SeoulTech student artwork from the realms of

been overseeing the collaboration since its beginning. He sees the exchange as a great way for both GVSU and its students to maintain a connection with Korea. “When I came here in 2004, I found that we had no formal connection with Korea,” Lee said. “SeoulTech has one of the best general arts and design programs in Korea, so it is good for my students, as they can (have their art displayed in Korea).” Lee also sees the exchange as a way for students to see that students overseas are doing the same type of work they are doing. “They are same-level students, these bachelor-level students,” Lee said. “They have the same ceramics classes, we have the same ceramics classes. It’s the same age, same level, same class, same medium.” LOG ON TO:

SOUTH KOREA: GVSU and SeoulTech students work on an exhibit, which is available from now until June 22. GVL | SARA CARTE

www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

CONVERSATION

McAnally discusses blending facets of art, creating a cultured community BY NICK MORAN NMORAN@LANTHORN.COM

WE DELIVER!

ceramics, industrial design and fine art, among others. The photos highlight the range of student talent fostered in Korea, allowing students to appreciate and understand the similarities and differences of art from another country. Hoon Lee, associate professor and ceramics program coordinator at GVSU, has

St. Louis-based artist, curator, critic and editor James McAnally explores the many facets of what he considers to be art. On Monday, March 26, McAnally will be participating in an informal presentation of his work and leading a discussion at Grand Valley State University’s Calder Arts Center starting at 1:40 p.m., as well as leading another discussion at the Avenue for the Arts’ Learning Lab in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, March 27. McAnally’s visit is organized by the Department of Visual and Media Arts’

VISIT JIMMYJOHNS.COM TO FIND A LOCATION NEAR YOU ST. LOUIS: James McAnally.

COURTESY | PAUL WITTENBRAKER

(VMA) Visiting Artist Committee and co-sponsored by the Writing and Digital Studies Departments, as well as CulturedGR and Dwelling Place, said Paul Wittenbraker, GVSU visual studies professor. A member of the committee, Wittenbraker said that in picking the guest, a key aspect of McAnally’s professional career that stood out was his connection between artist and community. “We think of the students who are studying visual and media arts, but we also think of the community,” Wittenbraker said. “We want conversations to be happening amongst our students and our community. … (Through his work), James is exemplifying that in an exciting way.” McAnally describes the presentation of his work as the “inseparable” aspects of art, writing, editing and curating. Being able to think deeply and critically about art is key for growth, McAnally said, which is why attending these informal presentations add to a grasp of modern culture. “Contemporary artists are

by definition responding to the questions of the present, and many artists–myself included– view their work as a means to address the complex issues of what it means to be alive today,” McAnally said. “Talking with artists in that regard should be enlivening and enriching for whatever field you come from.” The focus of the first discussion following the artist talk is where writing and criticism overlap in developing culture. For Danny VanZandt, the student moderator for the discussion, while being interested in both art and writing through his work as an art history major, his excitement rests in the fact that McAnally has been able to blend facets of art that are usually discussed in vacuums. “A big thing about James is that he breaks down that art practice, writing, criticism and curating aren’t as different (as they seem),” VanZandt said. “They’ve always been placed as separate disciplines, but he’s really figured out that they all work in the same way.” LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

SPORTS | A7

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

QUICK HITS GV MEN’S TENNIS TOPS LAKE SUPERIOR 8-1 The Grand Valley State men’s tennis team won its GLIAC matchup against Lake Superior State by a score of 8-1 on Saturday, March 24.

SOFTBALL

Pair of shutouts leads GVSU softball to 2 more wins over Northwood BY KELLEN VOSS KVOSS@LANTHORN.COM

With the win, GVSU improves to 10-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while LSSU drops to 5-5 on the season and 0-2 against conference foes.

T

GVSU swept LSSU to start things off in doubles competition. Sebastien Lescoulie and Alex van de Steenoven defeated Diego Penz and Leuan Lister 8-1 from No. 1 doubles, while D.J. Colantone and Jack Geissler won 8-6 against Jake Prime and Luis Valderrama from the No. 2 pairing. The duo of Drew Coleman and Nicholas Urban tallied another point for GVSU as they won 8-2 over Seth Pinnoo and Joe Gilman from No. 3 doubles. The Lakers continued their dominance as they won five out of six singles matches. No. 69-ranked Lescoulie dominated from the No. 1 position and won 6-1, 6-2, while Geissler added another point for GVSU from No. 2 singles by a score of 6-2, 6-0. Playing from the No. 3 slot, van de Steenoven won 6-0, 6-1, as Urban won from the No. 4 singles by a score of 6-3, 6-4. LSSU claimed its only point of the contest, as Colantone fell in three sets. Colantone won the first set 6-2, but dropped the next two sets 6-3, 7-6 from No. 5 singles. Eric Zwemer added another point for GVSU after he claimed a 6-3, 6-1 victory from the No. 6 singles slot. GVSU will be home again next week when they host Northwood on Friday, March 30, before heading up to Big Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday, March 31, for a noon matchup.

GOING YARD: GVSU softball player Kelcie LaTour makes contact during the team’s 9-0 mercy victory over Northwood University on Saturday, March 24, at GVSU. GVL | SHEILA BABBITT

he Grand Valley State softball team continued to look like a national championship contender Saturday, March 24, as the Lakers didn’t allow Northwood University to score a single run all day, winning the first game 9-0 and the second 5-0. Great pitching yet again carried the Lakers to both of their victories. Allison Lipovsky went the distance, allowing only two hits and two walks, and racking up 10 strikeouts in the first contest. Led by designated hitter Nikoma Holmen’s five RBIs off two hits (while she herself scored two runs), the GVSU offense was in full swing. A flurry of three runs came in for Lakers in the bottom of the fifth, as Jessica Ramos and Kaylie Rhynard both doubled, clinching the early victory for GVSU due to the fifthinning mercy rule. Coach Dana Callahan was impressed with how her team played as a whole, and when asked who she thought the MVP of the day was, she simply couldn’t name just one. “This really is a team sport, and no one can do it by themselves,” Callahan said. “We hit the ball well all day, and our pitching and defense was great. It was a solid day all around.” The second game was more of the same for the Lakers as Hannah Beatus

kept the strong pitching train rolling. She pitched a complete game shutout, earning seven strikeouts and allowing only five hits in seven solid innings of work. The middle of the order stayed hot in the second game for the Laker offense. Holmen, Taylor Rieger and Kelcie LaTour combined for six hits and five RBIs from the 3-4-5 spots in the batting lineup. Beatus could not be more complimentary of the defense behind her in her pitching performance, as two great catches in foul territory from left fielder Tanner Kiessel really kept the momentum going for GVSU. “I’d credit my solid pitching performance to the defensive plays throughout the game,” Beatus said. “The foul ball catches are often overlooked, but they really set the tone for the defense in a game. The defense really made it happen today.” GVSU was able to overcome the sub-40-degree temperatures, which didn’t really seem to impact them. Beatus credits this to their proper mindset. “We started saying, ‘Think hot thoughts, think hot thoughts’ in the dugout,” Beatus said. “It started out as a bit of a joke, but we really bought into it and had awesome energy throughout the game.” The Lakers really did look dominate in every facet of the game on Saturday. If they SEE SOFTBALL | A8

BASEBALL GV WOMEN’S TENNIS TOPS UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA The No. 18-ranked Grand Valley State women’s tennis team earned its 19th win this season on Saturday, March 24, after they defeated the Division I opponent University of Nebraska Omaha 5-2. The Lakers now hold a 19-3 overall record, while the Mavericks drop to 10-9 on the season. The Lakers got off to a fast start as they swept doubles play. Aimee Moccia and Alexa Sweeney defeated Savanna Crowell and Natalie Lorentz 6-4 from the No. 1 pairing. Playing from the No. 2 doubles position, the duo of Madison Ballard and Nicole Heiniger won 7-6 after they defeated Emily Behling and Rylee Tucker, while Abby Perkins and Livia Christman claimed a 6-3 victory over Marie Kapelevich and Janelle Wilson from No. 3 doubles. Going into singles, the Lakers held a 1-0 lead, and play didn’t slow down for them as they took four out of the six singles matches. Ballard played from the No. 1 singles position and tallied a point after she defeated Michelle Lo 6-2, while Sweeney fought hard but fell in three sets at No. 2 doubles by a score of 7-6, 2-6, 2-6. Moccia captured another point for the Lakers after she won 6-3, 7-5 from the No. 3 slot. Perkins fell in three sets from No. 4 singles as she claimed the first set 6-3 but was defeated in the next two sets 6-4, 7-5. Olivia Hanover earned a victory from the No. 5 singles position after she won 6-2, 6-1, while Christman won 6-2, 6-4 from the No. 6 spot. The Lakers will next head over to Cleveland, Ohio to face off against nonconference opponent Indiana (Pa.) on Saturday, April 7 and Willimington College Sunday, April 8.

AGAINST ALL ODDS: GVSU pitcher Sawyer Chambers prepares to throw a pitch off the mound during the Lakers’ victory over Lewis University March 29, 2017, at home. Playing in poor weather conditions, the Lakers split a doubleheader on the road against GLIAC rival Purdue Northwest Saturday, March 24. GVL | KEVIN SIELAFF

Battling the cold

GV baseball splits chilly doubleheader against Purdue Northwest BY BRADY MCATAMNEY ASSISTANTSPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

It is officially spring now. But if you were outside this past weekend, you would have never known. Nobody is feeling the sting of the cold wind in their faces more than the members of the Grand Valley State baseball team, which split a doubleheader against the Purdue Northwest Pride on Saturday, March 24. PNW took the first game 3-1 before the Lakers found their groove, taking the second matchup 6-0 on a dull, windy, 34-degree afternoon in Indiana. “It’s one of the coldest games so far between today and yester-

day. Those games are hard: cold, windy, just tough days to hit on,” said head coach Jamie Detillion. “It’s tough for us in these kinds of weather conditions because it doesn’t even resemble regular baseball. You’ve got to get through these elements, and you’ve got to be basically perfect, and sometimes guys can’t feel their hands, their fingertips or whatever, and it’s easy to make a mistake.” Unfortunately for GVSU, mistakes are exactly what cost them in game one as they committed three errors, helping the Pride score three unearned runs. Pitcher Blake Dahlstrom took the loss despite a solid stat line,

throwing six innings with only two hits and two walks while striking out four and allowing zero earned runs. The Lakers had trouble getting on base, too, as they only netted four hits while drawing three walks. “The wind is blowing straight in; it’s cold, it’s windy,” Detillion said. “We’ve got to do a better job of playing with what the game offers us. We try to create and do too much. The elements don’t provide an opportunity for it, so it’s important for us to stay with a quality approach and go with what the game gives you, and it’s not always hitting the long ball, unfortunately.”

Game two was different as GVSU played like the all-around better team. They committed zero errors and got eight hits to PNW’s one, all while getting a second complete game on the day from their starter Josh D. Smith. Five of the Lakers’ six runs came in the third inning with four straight hitters collecting hits with two outs following a pair of walks by Josh C. Smith and Nolan Anspaugh. Zach Berry, Jacob Gleason and Ryan Blake-Jones each drove in one run with singles before Austin LaDoux’s two-run triple capped off the big inning. SEE BASEBALL | A8

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

A8 | SPORTS

DODGEBALL SUPERSTARS The Grand Valley State men’s club dodgeball team is one of the most successful athletic programs on campus. In the program’s history, GVSU has captured a total of nine NCDA National Championships, five of which were consecutive. On Sunday, March 25, the Lakers faced off in a dodgeball tournament at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena before heading off to the national competition in a few weeks. The Lakers faced off against Michigan State, Saginaw Valley State, Central Michigan and alumni of the program. The Lakers finished the day with a 2-1-1 record in the exhibition tournament. In the first matchup, the Lakers dominated against MSU, collecting an easy 7-1 victory. However, the Lakers’ second contest didn’t go their way. CMU topped GVSU by a 5-2 final score. Against the Cardinals of SVSU, the Lakers rebounded after their loss to the Chippewas, collecting a 4-1 victory. In their last matchup of the day, GVSU faced off against past alumni of the dodgeball program. In a competition with pride on the line, the teams finished the contest with a 1-1 tie. EMILY FRYE GVL

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want to accomplish their dreams and earn an NCAA championship, they’ll have to keep this momentum going and communicate a little more on defense. “We need to continue to make quality in-game adjustments, and I’d love to see us communicate a little more defense,” Callahan

said. “But we really are gelling well, and nobody is doing too much for this team.” With the two wins, GVSU’s overall record improves to 175, and the Lakers remain undefeated in conference. The Lakers look comfy in the top spot of the GLIAC standings and will need to continue this near-perfect play to stay there. “We’re going to need to keep our energy up all season long,” Beatus said. “Our team motto is ‘shoot to kill,’ and we

UP H C T A C

really did that today. As long as we each continue to do our job, we’re going to be one dangerous team.” The Lakers look to improve their already-impressive record as they travel to Ohio for two games against Ashland and two games against Tiffin. They face Ashland on Tuesday, March 27, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. before facing Tiffin twice on Friday, March 30, at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

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“I think it’s all a learning process with conditions like that,” Detillion said. “Getting through it, at some point we learned from our frustration of not producing results, and sometimes you’ve got no other option that says to stick to an approach that hasn’t been working. When

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things aren’t working, you try to change things up. Fortunately, that third inning of the second game, we learned how to stick to a quality approach.” Not to be lost in the offensive demonstration is the performance given by Smith on the mound. The junior spun seven scoreless innings for a complete game shutout while surrendering only one hit and three walks.

After the Lakers finished their weekend series against the Pride with a 9-0 victory Sunday, March 25, their overall record now stands at 13-10 (2-2 GLIAC). GVSU will finally get a chance to play at home with four matchups against Tiffin from Thursday, March 29, through Saturday, March 31.

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MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

SPORTS | A9

SOCCER

GV soccer plays Western Michigan in scrimmage KICKING OFF SPRING: GVSU freshman defender Cecilia Steinwascher prepares to boot the ball downfield during the Lakers’ 1-1 scrimmage tie against the Broncos of Western Michigan University on Saturday, March 24. In order to prepare for next season, the Lakers have arranged a series of spring soccer games against Division I programs, including their next matchup against University of Iowa. GVL | ROBBIE TRIANO BY ROBBIE TRIANO SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

After the graduation of seven core seniors from the roster, the Grand Valley State women’s soccer team now faces the challenge of finding a new identity before next season. In order to speed up that process, the Lakers hosted a scrimmage against the Division I Western Michigan Broncos on Saturday, March 24, at the GVSU soccer field. These contests aren’t focused on the final score. Instead, they are primarily meant to give transfers and newcomers a chance to play together with the remaining members of last year’s team. At GVSU, newcomers who finally had a chance to wear Laker blue were freshman Chelsea Graves, Michigan State transfer Olivia Trombley, Vanderbilt University transfer Sydney O’Donnell, Xavier University transfer Catie Baron and Tokyo, Japan, native Riko Sagara. On a cold, windy Saturday afternoon with temperatures in the low 30s, both teams showed some apparent rust in their first spring contest. Neither team could get their offense in the swing of things against strong winds and defensively strong squads. By the

end of the contest, the Lakers walked away with a 1-1 tie against the Division I Broncos. The Lakers weren’t the only team playing that day, either, as GVSU held a tournament for many local Michigan high school women’s soccer teams. Turning heads on offense was newcomer Sagara, who recently transferred from Martin Methodist College. During here time there, Sagara was a two time AllAmerican and broke the school’s single-season assist record with 36 in one year. “She brings a wealth of experience in which our young team will lean on,” said GVSU head coach Jeff Hosler in a previous interview. “She has a tremendous soccer IQ. That, along with her talented skill set, will make everyone around her better. Riko is a true playmaker, but also knows how to put the ball in the back of the net.” Sagara will most likely be filling the spot of graduating senior Dani Johnson, who was awarded All-American Second Team this past fall. Not only that, but Sagara will be wearing Johnson’s old number: 16. On defense, Trombley stood out as the anchor of the team’s backline. Trombley will be filling the hole left by senior defender Shannon Quinn, a tall

task for head coach Hosler. “She is someone we have been aware of and followed as a very young player in Lansing and has been coached really well by Dan Jury and others in that community,” Hosler said. “Olivia takes a very focused and mature approach to the game and is a hard worker. She doesn’t just want to win, she needs to win, and that fire is evident in the way she plays and carries herself. “I think she will be a very good fit at the center back position, in a similar mold to what we’ve seen with Shannon Quinn the last three years.” Although the senior class will not be back for next year, Gabriella Mencotti was the lone graduating senior entered in the contest. In early February, Mencotti signed a professional contract with Throttur FC (Icelandic: Knattspyrnufélagið Þróttur and pronounced “pro-tour”) to play for the club’s women’s team. Mencotti, who will graduate in April, plans to join the club in May. During her GVSU career, Mencotti totaled 85 scores—including 30 this past fall—which is second all-time at GVSU. The Lakers will next scrimmage the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, on Saturday, March 31.

KICKING & SCREAMING: GVSU forward Hannah Klingerman dribbles the ball downfield during GVSU’s scrimmage against Western Michigan University on Saturday, March 24, at home. GVL | ROBBIE TRIANO

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

A10 | SPORTS LACROSSE

FACE-OFF: GVSU lacrosse player Meghan Datema prepares to fight for a face-off at midfield during the team’s victory over Tiffin University on April 1, 2016. It has been a strong start for this year’s lacrosse team, as the Lakers have recently won their last four contests by double-digit margins. Over that four-game winning streak, GVSU has outscored their opponents 86-29 heading into GLIAC play. GVL | KEVIN SIELAFF

GV lacrosse outscores GLIAC opponents 44-8 in series sweep BY D’ANGELO STARKS DSTARKS@LANTHORN.COM

In early-season GLIAC action, the Grand Valley State women’s lacrosse team had quite the journey. On Friday, March 23, the team traveled to Marquette to take on Northern Michigan University, and their weekend finale in St. Paul, Minnesota, was against Concordia St. Paul on Sunday, March 25. GVSU walked away from the weekend with two more victories, outscoring both opponents 44-8 to improve their record to 5-2 overall (3-0 GLIAC).

In their first game of the weekend against Northern Michigan, the Lakers came out rifling off shots offensively, starting the contest on a 10-0 run. After Northern responded with their first goal, GVSU went on another run, scoring six straight unanswered goals. By halftime, GVSU was up 16-1. The Lakers would get back on the board only seconds into the second half, but the Wildcats would retaliate with two straight goals of their own. GVSU ended the game on a 5-0 run of their own for a 22-3 blowout victory.

Even though the Lakers captured a decisive victory, GVSU head coach Alicia Groveston knows there are certain aspects that need improvement. “There are just other things that we need to be more mature and crisp on moving forward,” she said. Meghan Datema, Maria D’Angelo and Abbi O’Neal led the way offensively for the Lakers, who saw 11 different players score goals in this game. Datema scored five goals, while D’Angelo and O’Neal each scored three. Rounding out the major offensive production was Kelly Fitzgerald, who

finished with 5 points off one goal and four assists. The Lakers continued their scoring outburst against Concordia St. Paul. Once again, the Lakers opened the contest on a 5-0 run. After a handful of goals back and forth, GVSU ended the first half with four straight goals to take a 13-3 lead into the half. The second half was one of the same. The Lakers scored the first four goals of the second half before Concordia retaliated with one goal. After another burst of scoring from GVSU, the Lakers walked away from the road trip with a 22-5 victory.

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each other. For the first time, it wasn’t about individual performances,” Groveston said. “It was very much collectively about how can we win together. Overall, I think it was a great weekend in confidence in our play and in each other.” Big wins like this can help build confidence for the team moving forward, especially as the schedule gets tougher. The Lakers will finally play at home for the first time all season against Indianapolis on Thursday, March 29, and McKendree on Saturday, March 31, at the GVSU lacrosse/track and field stadium.

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The scoring for the Lakers was spread out across the board with 11 different players scoring goals in this game also. Meggan Loyd, Erika Neumen and Ashley Bailey were the leaders in this game. Loyd finished with five goals, Neumen scored three and Bailey scored three also. It takes a lot more than talent to outscore two conference opponents 44-8. Groveston believes her team’s success is a result of the players coming together. “I think they played as a unit, and I think they trusted themselves and relied on

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