May 2014

LEL K E L L O G G C O M M U N I T Y C OK L LE EG

OGG COMM U N I T Y C O L LMayE2014 GE

www.kellogg.edu/br uin

President Bona returns to KCC following investigation by Board Johnathan Hogan Staff Writer

Kellogg Community College President Dennis Bona has returned to his duties at KCC after having been put on leave pending an investigation into his interactions with college personnel by the KCC Board of Trustees.

The Board voted unanimously to allow Bona to return after meeting in closed session for two hours on April 16. Jonathan Byrd, Chairman of the KCC Board of Trustees, read the board’s official statement:

“Effective immediately, April 16, 2014, Kellogg Community College President Dennis J. Bona is returned from his non-disciplinary paid administrative leave.

“The investigation into concerns about Dr. Bona’s interactions with College personnel is complete and the Board of Trustees is satisfied that adequate evidence does not merit his continued leave.

“The Board of Trustees expresses its gratitude to the College administration, faculty, staff, students and community for their understanding during this time.”

After the board meeting Matt Davis, Treasurer of the Board of Trustees said he was “happy to report that there was not adequate evidence to relieve Dr. Bona of his duties". Davis said he was personally happy with the decision, but could not speak for the rest of the board.

Immediately after the meeting Byrd called Bona, who was not present, to inform him of the board’s decision.

According to Byrd, Bona was not told he couldn’t attend, but “his presence was not required.”

The investigation was brought on by a letter dated March 18 and signed by Joshua Lower, a former security guard for Unity Security and Safety, the company that provides security for KCC and employs the guards around campus. According to the letter, which the KCC Bruin obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, Lower claimed that last year he walked in on Bona with a female employee in his office. The details of what occurred in the office were redacted in the copy given to the Bruin.

In response to the letter, Byrd retained the legal services of Thrun Law Firm on March 25. On March 27 Byrd put Bona on leave, an action Byrd has the authority to take as board chairman when the board is in session. Rehmann Corporate Investigative Services was also hired to investigate the accusations against Bona.

Fresh website David Sunnock Staff Writer By now most students have noticed that KCC has a new redesigned website. The new website is sleek, simple, and with the portal log-in in plain sight, very easy to navigate. KCC’s new website not only has helpful features which are easy to find and easy to use but also has a new mobile version as well. This will let students view KCC’s website easily via their smartphone and/or tablet.

With lots of coding and moving content over, redesigning a new website is no easy task to take on. The

website makeover has been in production since November of 2012. “One of the main reasons for the redesign was to make a mobile friendly version of the website,” said Simon Thalmann, Digital Marketer/Writer at Kellogg Community College. Every year, more and more students use their smartphones and tablets to view KCC’s website to check email and events happening on campus. This is why a mobile friendly version was one of the main reasons for the redesign. A mobile version wasn’t the only reason for the redesign. The old website was outdated, hard to navigate, and even harder to maintain/update. The redesign of KCC’s website was a necessary and vital move into the future. With its simple and easy to navigate home page, its now easier than ever to find events on campus, get in contact with staff members, and to become part of KCC’s community.

On March 31 the board had a special meeting and after a closed session lasting 2 ½ hours the board unanimously ratified the actions taken by Byrd.

In an email sent to the Bruin signed by Eric Greene, Director of Public Information and Marketing, he said the woman named by Lower was misidentified. “[A]n investigation into the assertions made in the March 18, 2014 letter has refuted or failed to corroborate some of those assertions [made in the letter], which Dr. Bona denies.” Lower says in the letter that he reported the incident to his superior, Sgt. Blowers, who told him to let it go. According to Harold West, Chief of Police at KCC, both Blowers and her husband, who is also a security guard with Unity Security, are no longer assigned to work at KCC. West emphasized that Blowers and her husband were reassigned by Unity Security, not KCC. Dan Hankinson, Director of Operations at Unity Security, had no comment when called by the Bruin. Blowers could not be reached for comment.

Lower initially said that the incident occurred on May 12, 2013, but his work records show that he was not working at KCC at that time. He later corrected himself in an article in the Battle Creek Enquirer, saying it was a Sunday in March. West confirmed that Lower did indeed continued on page 3

Bruin awarded excellence Cara Clingan Staff Writer On April 5th, Central Michigan University hosted the Michigan Community College Press Association (MCCPA) Annual Conference, a conference to honor and award those starting off or working in the journalism field in the various colleges of Michigan. The Bruin was honored to win 2nd place, General Excellence.

Along with the award ceremony came various guest speakers to discuss varying topics. Erik Simon, aka “Captain Career, is a career service assistant. As a career coach, helps others “Create their own brand” that will help student stick out and be individual in the job hunting world.

Betsy Rau, member of both of Michigan and the CMU Journalism Hall of Fame, and Amelia Eramya, designer for the Detroit News, both discussed layouts of the articles and how much or too little is right for your paper. They discussed fonts and colors in contrast to the actual article itself.

The third speaker I went to see was Chad Livengood, reporter for The Preparing for the awards photo by Cara Clingan Detroit News. This discuscontinued on page 7

Burmese Youth Council...

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Book store shoe drive...

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Devries Gallery celebrates 40 years...

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Summer school or summer job...

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Studying for finals....

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May 2014

CAMPUS NEWS

A very proper dinner etiquette Bob Psalmonds Staff Writer The dictionary defines etiquette as “The forms and practices prescribed by social convention or by authority.” The Etiquette Dinner involved both a great lecture by Elizabeth Kerlikowske and a five course meal. It should be stated that from entering the door to leaving the meal an hour and fifteen minutes later, everything guests did was designed to teach us etiquette. Guests were expected to arrive properly attired and groomed. Most of us have been told the three points concerning manners first explained by our host. Good manners help to make a good first and lasting impression, helps to set a person apart from those around them, and demonstrates a level of professionalism.

Before being asked to take our seats, guests were instructed to spend thirty minutes making small talk. Everyone mingled as instructed as the finger foods on the table slowly disappeared. Toothpicks speared swedish meatballs and the canape’ platters contents were placed on plates using one of four types of crackers. Coffee and punch sat on a second table. Our etiquette instructor didn’t have to remind a single guest to continue switching up their conversation partners over the first half hour.

The tables had been set up so all three groups: business professionals, KCC Staff, and students were represented. Our speaker reviewed the basics of

proper etiquette and expounded on the handout sitting next to our plates. Kerlikowske had stressed that these kind of meals were not meant to fill you up and it would be wise to eat a light meal prior to coming. The salads were already on the table when we sat down. Tom Webster, an English professor, jokingly ask me a question after I’d just placed a fork of salad into my mouth. After everyone had a good laugh and I had spent a few minutes chewing, we discussed our various degree programs.

Chef Chez came out to give us instruction about the sherbert. The two or three spoons worth of frozen flavored ice is meant to cleanse the palate so the next course’s full flavor can be enjoyed.

In many meals, this will happen between every course. Chef gave us a lesson in culture as he demonstrated the proper way to twirl the pasta onto the fork by turning a small amount on the fork held against the inside of the spoon until it was wound tightly enough to avoid slurping the rest of the noodle or having to bite the dangling sections off. Few at our table seemed to master the task well. The wait persons were excellent and cleared used plates and utensils efficiently. This raises another point. Always show respect to these individuals and thank them with a smile - if your mouth is not full.

Our final treat of the night was chocolate mousse with whipped cream on top.

It was so good. By now, our host had graciously dismissed the room. We were told we could converse and enjoy our mousse

Professor Webster and students at his table

photo by Tiffany Thatcher

Anxiously awaiting the first course

photo by Tiffany Thatcher

as long as we wanted to. Of course, all had to be out of the dining room by 8 P.M., certificate attesting our new found skills in hand. Kerlikowske stressed three things again before leaving the podium: be prepared, be professional, and be

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As Emily Post stated, “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others.

If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.”

CAMPUS NEWS

In need of a good map Tiffany Thatcher Co-Editor Groups of girls giggle nervously while the boys joke and shove each other as they await a presentation on preparing for college. What makes this meeting standout from the others taking place in high schools across the state is that these students are all Burmese. The meeting, which took place in March, was the first for the newly formed Burmese Youth Council.

The Youth Council’s mission, according to their Facebook page, is to “create a safe place where youth can find social, mental/emotional, and academic support.” KCC alumna Tha Par, who is working on her masters at U of M, and Albert Hum, who is pursuing his bachelors at GVSU, formed the council. They saw a need for the development of youth in their community.

“Some of my American friends know what career field they want to follow or what studies they want to pursue and they know how to get there without any distraction because their parents can guide and mentor them,” explains Esther Sang, a nursing student at KCC. “As for me, I have to struggle and find out on my own because I don’t have anyone to guide me

Members of The Youth Council

and tell what direction to go.” Burmese immigrants come to the U.S in search of a better life for their children. Parents work any job they can find to support their families and put off their own education so their children can succeed. Burmese parents want their children to go to college but they don’t know how to get them there. They lack the experience to assist their children with college applications or FAFSA forms and the mountains of red tape associated with loans and scholarships. This is where the Youth Council steps in. They help students navigate the systems. As was stated at the presentation, “The Burmese students need a good map, it’s easy to get lost in the systems.”

photo courtesy of the Burma Center

The college night presentation was filled with useful information about what classes to take during middle school and high school, and the importance of extracurricular activities on a college application. They also went over applying for financial aid and who to contact for scholarship opportunities. The night was not only attended by students and parents, but also by school administrators and staff from high schools across the Battle Creek area who wish to see Burmese students succeed.

The Burmese Youth Council is the first step in the right direction for many students who have become lost in the maze of college preparation.

Congratulations Graduates!

May 2014

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President Bona continued from page 1

work on two Sundays in March 2013, but that his key card did not register on any of the doors near the administration office.

According to an article in the Battle Creek Enquirer, Lower was encouraged to put his observations in writing by Rod Price, a physics professor at KCC and the president of the Kellogg Faculty Association, the faculty union for KCC professors.

According to two sources within the KFA who wished to remain anonymous, on Friday March 28, the day after Bona was put on leave, Price presented KFA members with a petition that called for a senior administrative official of the college outside of the Vice Presidents be considered for the role of Interim President should the Board of Trustees rule that Bona not return to the college. Both sources confirmed that the petition was not an official KFA project or endorsed by the union, but was merely presented at the meeting, and that KCC employees outside the union had signed the document. According to Greene, the college never received the petition from Price or the faculty. The KCC Bruin has confirmed the name of the senior administrative official who the petition asked be considered for Interim President, but has chosen not to publish it. Both the senior administrative official and Price declined to comment for this story.

On Friday, April 25, the KFA had a vote of no confidence against Bona after a meeting in which the President discussed his leave with the faculty and staff.

President Dennis Bona declined to be interviewed by the KCC Bruin.

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May 2014

campus news

Current collection relocated Kelly Frost Librarian During Spring break, while some of us were enjoying picnic type weather and the picnics to go with it, those left behind in the library did a lot of heavy lifting.

The library recently did a lot of shifting, loading, and refilling of shelves.

With the recent closure of KCC’s paralegal program, the library gained a large amount of shelving space on the third level. This area used to be packed with rarely used reference books and older law books. Now the first part of the library’s current collection has been moved up to the third level.

According to Librarian Kassie Dunham, “we really needed to spread out the collection more so that it was easier to find things and easier to grow the collection. The spacing makes the books shelves look neater and allows patrons to find and use our materials. It’s just a more inviting and happier space now with all the colorful books.” The removal of the floor shelving will also make room for more study tables, perfect for small groups or spreading out your homework.

We’ve also relocated our audiobooks. Previously they were housed with the Young Adult and English as a Second Language books on the third level.

These collections needed more room to grow, so the audiobooks are now inter-

filed with the rest of the current collection. This means if you are looking for a Spanish dictionary in the 468s you will also find a Playaway case for a Spanish language course. Bring the case to the Check Out desk, and we’ll give you a small MP3 player with the entire course downloaded on it—plug in headphones and start learning Spanish!

In order to find a book or Playaway, check the online library catalog which lists both the call number and the location. Remember that walking into the library, when you are on the main level, you are on level three. If you have any questions, please stop by the Information Desk. We are always more than happy to help you navigate the library.

We use the Dewey decimal system to organize most of our collection which means the majority of our books are grouped by numbers along their spine.

These numbers are related to the subject of the book. This system works out quite well, because once you know you like a particular subject of books, say true crime books, you can easily find the 364s and peer into all the ghastliest crimes. If, true crime isn’t your thing, don’t worry.

There are lots of other subjects!

The Dewey system has ten main categories. Each of these categories has further divisions. With each division the topic becomes more specific. The more numbers, the more specific the subject.

For example, materials on Diseases are listed under 616 with materials covering Diabetes being listed under 616.462 and materials covering Heart Disease are

• 000--099

Generalities (Computers, Libraries &

Information) • 100--199

Level 3

Level 2

Philosophy and Psychology

• 200--299

Religion

• 300--367

Social Science

• 369--399

Social Science continued

• 400--499

Language

• 500--599

Natural Science and Mathematics

• 600--699

Technology (Applied Sciences)

• 700--799

Arts

• 800--899

Literature

• 641's All Cookbooks • 900--999

Geography and History

• All oversize books • All books published over 10 years ago

Level 1

• Popular Fiction & Magazines

Here is a list of the numbers divided by location, so that you can have a feel as to where we’ve placed our books:

listed under 616.12.

As you can see there are books on our lower level. All of our oversize books are down there (think art books) and books over 10 years old are housed in our movable shelving. These are also arranged by Dewey numbers so if you know a helpful Dewey number check out the same number on the first level. All of our cookbooks (the 641s) reside in the moveable shelving—there were just too many to keep them with the current collection. And the same goes for the history books— 900s—they are also all on Level 1.

Confused? Worried you won’t be able to find the book you want? Our catalog lists the location and the Dewey call number. And be reassured, a helpful librarian is always located at the Information Desk. We are more than happy to help you navigate our collections and find the perfect book for any of your research or reading needs. Want to check a book out, perhaps to enjoy outside on a nice sunny day? Bring your KCC ID and it’s yours (for 3 weeks).

campus news

May 2014

SADHA brightens Safe Place room

Cassandra Lindsay Staff Writer The last time I talked to Bridget Korpela, she and the rest of the dental hygiene program were working on raising money for two different projects: “Mission of Mercy” and a room conversion at SAFE Place Shelter. I recently talked to her again to get an update and see how things were going.

The room they worked on at the shelter was a success. The United Educational Credit Union donated 500 dollars to Student American Dental Hygienists Association (SADHA) to help the cause, and with that money they were able to finish the floors, put beds together, and provide bedding. Korpela says that it took about 10 hours to complete everything, but they had a lot of fun doing it.

SADHA also presented the shelter with a plaque to say that they would adopt the room and refurbish it periodically. Along with fixing up the room and making it a more comfortable place to stay, they also donated 14 toiletry bags which con-

tained multiple items.

The other project the dental program was working on was raising money for “Mission of Mercy” and that was also a success. They had a fundraiser which raised enough money to pay for the students to stay in dorm rooms at Ferris State University. Student Life will be covering other expenses such as the van and gasoline to get them there.

Everyone is signed up for various volunteer jobs. Hygiene students will be able to do some dental-related work such as sterilization, patient education, and support for the registered dental hygienists. Korpela says that they are all very excited to help so many people, and see this type of community service first hand.

In honor of Earth Day, the KCC Bookstore asked students to drop off their old shoes in the store throughout the month of April. Urging everyone to “clean out your closets for Earth Month,” the bookstore plans on donating the less worn out shoes to the homeless and sending the worse pairs to Nike’s “Reuse-a-Shoe” recycling campaign. Through Reuse-aShoe, footwear is broken up into pieces and resourcefully turned into other athletic accoutrements, such as astro turf and tracks.

Bruins may remember a similar collection effort held in November called “Hoodies for the Homeless,” where over two hundred hoodies were donated. Due

U2R library@KCC

Library Hours Monday 7:45 am - 9:00 pm SADHA members during renovations

Tuesday

photo provided by SADHA

7:45 am - 9:00 pm

Wednesday

7:45 am - 9:00 pm

Thursday

7:45 am - 9:00 pm

Friday

7:45 am - 5:00 pm The finished room

Reduce, reshoe, recycle T.J. Taylor Staff Writer

5

to the success of that event, the store’s employees decided to hold the shoe collection, and this effort is turning out just as successfully, if not better. When asked how many pairs of shoes had been donated, manager Catherine James and assistant manager Charles Bard couldn’t pinpoint a number, but said they’ve been receiving a few pairs a day. They are excited at the collection coming around and claim to have had a great response, and from the looks of the pile stacking up near the front window, it’s not hard to agree with them.

The sneaker and hoodie collections have not gone unnoticed by those outside the school. Their eco-friendly efforts have reached local news stations, which only builds the amount of donations even more. With the positive feedback and growing popularity of the drives, the bookstore staff looks forward to holding both events again in the future.

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https://twitter.com/Kellogg_CC

Saturday

photo provided by SADHA

11:00 am - 3:00 pm

A new spin on traditional teaching Amber Arizmendi Staff Writer “As a student I always struggled with a traditional class room environment. I prefer to have a classroom that relates to my student demographics and cultural education (how they like learn). My goal is high expectation…if it isn’t good it isn’t done.”

Chuck Newman is an old school new age thinker. As a career counselor and teacher of Sociology at KCC, he gets to know what students need and want out of their school environment. He proscribes to the notion that students want more than just text books and exams in their 21st century college life. They want to learn together as a group and discover new ideas and concepts in a static environment. “We need to strongly consider our role in preparing students for the challenges of work and life in the 21st Century. Discussion should include educators, employers, parents and public.”

Using this ideal as a base and combining it with class room and Google+ discus-

Chuck Newman

photo by Amber Arizmendi

sions, videos from YouTube.com and asking students to state their opinions and asking critical questions, Chuck lets the students learn and teach one another.

Newman lets the students drive the discussion’s in class and online, saying “We have outstanding and committed professors and adjuncts at KCC. We all approach our class rooms with equal vigor.” As an ending word Chuck wished to talk directly to students, “We all learn differently. I would invite students to understand how they learn and do their best to try to find an environment to maximize their class room experience..."talk with other students, instructors, department chairs, advisors and counselors.”

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6

May 2014

campus news

MICC celebration Kerry Korpela Staff Writer On April 12th, 2014, students, faculty, and administrators gathered at the 18th annual Outstanding Student Service Awards Celebration, hosted by the Michigan Campus Compact (MICC), in East Lansing to celebrate and honor the hard work of students who participated in service-learning last semester.

Two individuals, XiaXiange Smith and Miranda O’Neill, were awarded the Commitment to Service Award, which is given to just two students on each college campus. The students are chosen on the basis of their commitment to servicelearning through the breadth or depth of the project. Only 36 students received the award this year.

Smith undertook a project to assist the Share Center of Battle Creek in serving its impoverished customers to build a more secure life. Smith amassed a wealth of information for the Share Center workers to reference in order to assist customers in obtaining legal identification paperwork, connecting to other resources, and receiving fixed income. This helped

in overcoming the technology barrier many don’t know how navigate when trying to find work, medical insurance, and a stable living situation. Ms. Smith emphasized, in her time developing this project and at the Share Center, the importance of being mindful and remaining selfless.

It’s an intensely humbling realization that sometimes people fall through the cracks, and that there should always be someone there to break the fall and provide a leg-up. Devoting the time, energy, and resources to this project brought to light how selfless we, as a community, need to be in order to help those less fortunate.

O’Neill completed her service at the organization Pathways to Independence, which provides classes and services to mentally handicapped adults in order for them to learn important and meaningful life skills; tasks such as cooking, housekeeping, work experience, personal hygiene, and public manners. O’Neill worked with these students at the Goodwill, folding clothes, arranging sale items, and cleaning. She also organized donation drives to bring in personal hygiene items for those students in need. The bond she forged with the students in this program was truly special to her, and she gained an appreciation for the teachers who do this work full-time and for the joy and sense of accomplishment the stu-

Miranda O'Neil and Xia Xiange Smith at the awards

photo provided by Service-Learning

Pathways to Independence members

photo provided by Service-Learning

dents gained from learning new skills.

The Heart and Soul Award was given to LaRine Brennan, Joshua Brock, Alexis Huntley, Samantha Kirkbride, Patricia

Leslie, Nancy Ulrich, and Austin Victor.

Students given this award are recognized for their time, effort, and moral commitment to service-learning.

BRUIN BOOKSTORE books...apparel...school supplies...and we’ve got snacks!

Military awareness month Know your Bruin: Ed D'Felio Guest Writer May has been designated Military Awareness month on campus. In honor of those who are serving or have served, KCC will be putting on several events throughout the month.

KCC Student Veteran Project members are selling T-shirts in the weeks before Memorial Day to raise money for the KCC Student Veteran Project Scholarship Fund. Four “I fought for you” designs are available in the colors of the major U.S. military branches -including the Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy -- in addition to a “Lest We Forget” design featuring a poppy flower, the symbol of wartime remembrance.

Each “I fought for you” shirt costs $12 and the “Lest We Forget” shirt costs $25.

The shirts can be ordered by contacting Student Veteran Project member Ed D’Felio at k0328285@kellogg.edu.

On May 15, 2014, military recruiters from the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force will be on campus between 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. to answer any

questions about careers in the uniformed armed services. In addition, there will be samples of Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) KCC available to try. The MRE 8

Baseball vs Muskegon Community College (H) 2:00 PM is a self-contained, indi-

vidual field ration in lightweight packaging bought by the United States military for its service members for use in combat or other field conditions where organized food facilities are not available.

On May 22, 2014, KCC will be honoring military members who gave their life serving and defending the U.S. with a Memorial Day Celebration. The event will start off and end with a variety of music videos being played on the television screens in the Student Center (11:00 – 12:00 and 1:00 – 2:00). At 12:00, the formal celebration will begin in the Student Center and conclude with a wreath laying service at the flag. The celebration will consist of songs, poems and speeches reflecting the nature and origin of the holiday. Most of the presenters are faculty members and students from KCC. All faculty, students and community members are encouraged and invited to attend.

TJ Hoard Staff Writer Shiela Ritsema has been with Calhoun County’s intermediate school district for about seventeen years, but for the last five she has been affiliated with KCC as a part of KCC’s Adult Trainee Program.

Shiela has six students this year who are aged from 19-26 and made their way into the program per their own request after finishing their classes with their local high schools. The students learn a vocational skill set here at KCC in order to prepare them for future success in the classroom as well as in life. They help out around campus with various jobs like

Members of the ATP Program

delivering the Bruin newspapers to the stands. These jobs give them the type of hands-on learning that is vital to their success. A word often associated with these students is “special”, and that is exactly what they are. Ben is a student in the ATP who cannot speak, but with the help of a handheld tablet and a pair of the fastest thumbs you’ll ever see, he will be quick to introduce himself and tell you what he likes and does not like around campus. Another student, Robert, helps out in the kitchen with food preparation and plans to make his way into some type of food prep job after completion of the ATP. A few students here at KCC have taken on a role as job coaches for the ATP and Andy, another ATP member, says, “Getting to know the job coaches is fun, and they help us learn what we will need in order to be independent”.

photo by TJ Hoard

New website kellogg.edu Visit today

CULTURE

May 2014

7

Words come to life Bruin awarded....

Jessie Schneider Staff Writer Kellogg Community College’s student art and literary magazine, Mosaic, will leap off the pages on May 7 in the Classroom Building on campus. At 8:30 a.m., Room C 301 will be filled with the aroma of coffee and donuts, along with the voice of authors reading their work. This semester’s magazine contains writings from over 15 authors and a collection of artworks chosen by the Art League.

One winner was selected for each of the writing categories and one artwork for the Mosaic cover. Kelly Wayne Hawkins design was the piece to fit the bill for

the cover this semester. He created a stark tree up on a snowy hill. Professor Kerlikowske, the Mosaic advisor, stated that “Normally we wouldn’t choose something so wintry for spring, but this spring has been so unusual, the art seemed appropriate.”

The three sections that all submitted writing are broken up into poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Heaven Barlow blew away the competition with her poetry, landing her in the winning spot, and Tiffany Brown is the snarkey winner in the nonfiction section. Finally for the fiction category, Jessie Schneider’s short story snuck its way to the top.

So come listen to these exceptional writings or pick one to read yourself.

Anyone is welcome to walk in and read an already written piece from the Spring 2014 Mosaic.

continued from page 1

Editors Lacy Janousek and Tiffany Thatcher with advisor Elizabeth Kerlikowske celebrate their General photo by Cara Clingan Excellence.

sion was about using social websites to enhance your reporting. He demonstrated how to use websites such as Facebook and Twitter to report news instantly to your followers and tie it to your article on the internet. There was also Ken Stevens, who reported on digital reporting, and Brian Manzullo who reported on sporting events.

After a quick dinner, the award ceremony began. In total, The Bruin came home with nine different awards.

Bob Psalmonds: 2nd Place In-depth Reporting

TJ Taylor: Honorable Mention, Critical Review Linda Helton: 2nd Place, Inside Page Design; Honorable Mention for Informational Graphic Brandon Smith: 3rd Place for Informational Graphic The Bruin Newspaper layout staff: 2nd Place, Overall Newspaper Design Bruin Newspaper: 2nd place General Excellence Dakota Roberts: Honorable Mention, Turkey award (Best Mess-up).

Forty years of creative passion Bob Psalmonds Staff Writer The Battle Creek Art Center recently hosted an exhibit that contained only a fraction of the art created by Eleanor DeVries over the last forty years. A stroll through the artwork revealed several of the DeVries passions in life. First is her family.

She had some serious discussions with her husband over that first expensive A-1 camera she wanted since she had two kids in college and two more still at home. One of those daughters showed her continuing support by purchasing an extremely large cake for the reception along with helping to hang the one hundred ninety pieces in the display. There would have been two hundred twenty plus but they couldn’t find enough wall space to hang them all.

DeVries looked a little disappointed that they had to haul some of the pieces back home again and deny those coming to the exhibit the pleasure of seeing them.

Secondly, DeVries has a deep love for education. KCC is one of the several colleges and locations this talented artist has been involved with over the years. She graduated from Valparaiso University in 1957 and taught for years. Here at KCC, the part-time student learned about photography and painting from such teachers as Martin Hubbard and Craig Bishop.

While on the KCC campus, she also received a First Place Award in KCC’s Perhaps Magazine and an Award for Excellence - Acrylic /Oil Painting in 1981-82.

Two paintings the school purchased currently hang on the walls. She praised Ryan

Flathau and Peter Williams as excellent teachers that she has had many chances to work or converse with over the last several years. It is common for her to attend many of the Davidson Building art exhibit openings just to enjoy other artists’ work.

From KCC, DeVries went to Western Michigan University to complete an undergraduate art major in 1984. The Masters in Art and Masters in Fine Arts followed as she continued her education.

Quite an achievement for the woman, a non-traditional student over fifty years old. Even now, years later, she still likes to learn new creative or exciting things. At her MFA graduation, she’d encouraged her children to continue their education for the rest of their lives. There is a quote from of ‘Forty Years Of Creating Art: The Work Of Eleanor DeVries’ which chronicles her years of work and contains most of the images hanging on the Art Center walls reads: “Carrying heavy portfolios or book bags from the parking lot near the business building was at times difficult for an “older” student, but all that I learned that has brought me so much pleasure over the years made it very worthwhile.”

Church is another of her life-long loves. Her faith did not come up in our conversation but there were booklets and flyers in a glass case that showed the woman’s artwork on the covers. The aforementioned booklet made references to a set of liturgical banners made from excess filament fibers for her church to fulfill the required optional projects of the course she was currently taking. That case is one of the first things visitors see coming into the display area with both old and new items for the viewers’ enjoyment.

Her words and art are a clear statement that nature is a very important part

of her passion’s pallet. Every medium used has scenes of trees, plants, flowers, rivers, and rocky scenes. Even the hand-made paper abstracts attempt to display the cosmos. DeVries is not shy to admit nature is one of the driving forces in her creative process. Some of the photographs and paintings make viewers feel like they’re outside enjoying the natural location and not in the art gallery enjoying her beautiful creations. In recent years, abstract art has began to become a common theme, but even that is done in softer colors and tones.

Art of at least four major mediums sat on the walls in organized groupings. Eve Reid introduced DeVries to hand-made paper at the B.C. Art Center, a satellite location for WMU. DeVries was already an accomplished seamstress from years of clothing her children. There are dozens of photographs, some bleached and hand painted with oil paints and a cotton ball.

Oil on canvases and water colors in pastels that battle with the much bolder colors of the pieces next to them. It is easy to see her progression and growth as an artist using the various mediums. Some of that was the result of a host of highly skilled instructors. She is a true artist with a developed eye, sure hand, and the ability to see the essence of even the plain, simple things in life.

Quotes she grew to love and used in the book from others were revealing. So were the things seen as she reviewed forty years of work to put together this exhibit. They showed much about what she saw and valued over the years: a clear love of texture, patterns, nature, and color used arbitrarily.

The pieces had metaphorical titles with psychological and theological meanings letting the viewers draw their own conclusions. DeVries noted that there were cycles,

Some of the artwork by Eleanor DeVries photo by Bob Psalmonds

seasons, and the passing of time showing within her work. Finally, she found that there was an unusual sense of humor that could be seen in some of her pieces.

The exhibit itself has already been taken down since the show ran from April 6-26, but the booklet mentioned above will probably still be available. DeVries has graciously put together note cards with images from the show for an Art Center fund raiser. She has an impressive artist resume with thirty two one-person and group exhibits plus artwork has been accepted into over one hundred forty five various competitions over the years. There is little doubt that this creative genius will continue to grow in both knowledge and skill, adding to that count for some time to come.

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opinion

May 2014

The hardest decision KCC Theatre

Spring Seher Dey Staff Writer

As the end of the spring semester rolls around, everyone anticipates the start of summer, and many college students find themselves having to make the tough decision of what to do with their time.

Should we take summer classes or find a summer job? How about both or neither?

It may be one of the hardest decisions we make every year whether we should spend our summers working or continue taking classes. For many students, working over the summer is a great opportunity to gain some experience and save up some money. The experience you could potentially gain from a summer job, especially an internship, could reap great benefits for you and your future. It will also look great on your resume. Deciding to work over the summer also gives the mind a little break from the stress of school and studying.

However, taking a break may not be the best thing for everyone as it could also interrupt our learning. Over the fourmonth summer break many students tend to forget what they have learned during the previous fall and spring semesters. Often this leads to playing catch up and having to re-learn some materi-

h c i MM ash photo by Seher Dey

Which would you choose?

als necessary for our classes. If this isn’t a major issue or concern, a summer job may be a great idea.

On the other hand many college students want to continue taking classes during the course of the summer, and this has its pros and cons. If you are hoping to graduate early and saving money for the following school year is not a priority, this could be a great option. Taking classes over the summer could also be a benefit by allowing a lighter class load over the following semesters.

Of course taking summer classes also has its cons. The major one being that you will not save up any money and will be in school all year round with no break.

What if you want to do both? You

could potentially work and take classes over the summer. This would allow you to make some money as well as get ahead with some of your classes. Although classes are limited over the summer semesters and it may be slightly difficult to get both your schedules to coincide, Kellogg does offer morning and evening classes.

When it comes to choosing between working over the summer or taking summer classes, there isn’t a right or wrong thing to do. Do what is best for you and your situation.

If you plan on getting a summer job you can find some great tips at: http://www.investopedia.com/financialedge/0211/6-tips-for-finding-a-summerjob.aspx

May 9, 7:30 pm Davidson Visual & Performing Arts Center Auditorium

FREE Admission

Gifts to buy for graduation pictures of the memories that you share with this person and make a collage out of it.

Caitlyn Whitman Staff Writer Graduation day is right around the corner. Have you thought of what you’re going to buy your graduate yet? Graduating from college is on a whole different level than graduating from high school.

It’s obvious they both deserve different types of gifts Remember that graduating from college is a big stepping stone in someone’s life and you want to make sure that you’re buying the best gift possible.

These 13 gifts will be a sure way to win your overachievers heart;

01

Diploma frame from your graduate's school

You might think that this wouldn’t be something that a graduate would want but actually this is one of the best gifts that a graduate will receive. They will want to show off their hard work and feel appreciated for it. Normally if you go to the college where the person graduated from, the bookstore will have a diploma frame with the school’s logo on it.

02

Picture Frame with Memories

You’re going to have to get a little crafty with this one but it will be sure to win over their heart. Obviously because this gift comes from the heart. Go to your local craft store and pick up a picture frame or scrapbook. Print off all the

03

A College Memorabilia

Gather the graduate’s favorite belongings, whether it be sweatshirts, shoes, candy or even sunglasses. Buy a variety of goodies and put it all together in a box. Also put a bunch of items from the college’s bookstore into the box to always have the memories of that college.

It will be a great surprise full of items that they love.

04

New Items for the Graduates New Home

After graduating you have to expect that the graduate is going to live on their own. Give them a gift that not many people would think of but that would look good in their home. Something like a vacuum, tool kit, or even pots and pans will go great in a new home.

05

Your Favorite Cookbook

Eating on campus can get boring, so give them your favorite cookbook to get them thinking about new foods to eat that you enjoy. It would also be a great idea to mark your favorite recipes.

06

Something to use in their new city

If the graduate is moving to a new city, say somewhere like New York, maybe subway tokens would be a great idea.

This will save them all that extra cash.

Even gift cards are great. A chance for them to go out and have dinner without spending their own money.

07

A day of pampering

After all the hard work that the graduate has done, a great gift would be to give them a day of relaxation. Get them gift cards to go get their nails done, hair done, massage and maybe even a gift card to go shopping.

08

Business card holder

As the graduate continues their future, they will eventually need business cards so buy a business card holder. This will make the them more excited for their future.

09

Suitcase or Briefcase

Traveling is always a fun experience, and obviously after graduating they are going to want to travel. Their future job is going to have those attending meetings and other business events and this will look very professional.

10

A new camera

This is a new chapter in a graduate’s life so capture the memories with a new camera!

11

Plane ticket

After buying the graduate their luggage their going to need a place to travel

to. Send them on a nice relaxing vacation that will get their mind off of school for a while.

12

Home furnishings

Their new home is going to need some furniture so it doesn’t look so empty. Upgrade the graduate with some new furniture. You might also put a basket together with little things that the graduate will need for their home; toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, ketchup, mustard, silverware, cleaning supplies, etc.

13

MONEY!!!

Last but not least, money! Who doesn’t like money? The more money the better their life.

Anything you decided to buy or make the graduate, they’re most likely to love. Even just showing them your appreciation for them graduating will put a smile on their face. This is a big stepping stone in the graduates life and they deserve the best from everyone, and make sure you include a card congratulating them.

opinion

May 2014

This is not Sunday Dr. school Noah’s Ark Destiny Adam Kinne Staff Writer A surprising number of Christian-oriented movies have sprung out of Hollywood these past few months. Son of God, God is Not Dead, Noah are out now, and Heaven is Real is another film due to come out soon. What has brought about this surge of religious films is kind of surprising since Christian-themed movies have been quiet since Mel Gipson’s Passion of the Christ. Just as The Passion was very expressive in a way people could not visualize the passion story, Noah stirs the water in the same way.

The story of The Flood is the nursery room classic and is usually presented with cute pictures of a big wooden boat, cute animals, rainbows and happiness.

This is not the world that director Darren Aronofsky gives us. Aronofsky paints a realistic interpretation of a story that grapples with gigantic issues and does so brilliantly, but at a cost. Noah is an incredibly violent, dramatic, and intense rendition of the story that it can be almost over whelming at times which initially can push viewers away. That does not make it a bad movie, though; in fact the films willingness to depict the horrors the story alludes to and not apologize for it makes it all the better.

For example, in the film tons of people follow all the animals to the ark to see why so many creatures are going the same direction. They find the ark and Noah tells them what is going to happen. Like anyone would do, the leader of these people makes a plan to take the ark by force so they can survive. When the rains finally come, everyone makes a mad dash for the ark. These are normal people. They are not armed or trained, but none the less are clobbered with tree trunks by the watchers, who help Noah build the ark and are his body guards.

Wave upon wave of people just trying to survive are crushed with no mercy.

The film takes its time to show all the bodies flying through the air or piling up, all while hearing the cries of people being massacred. This was the scene that my sister, who is sixteen, said she wanted to walk out of. I don’t blame her because I almost did as well and I’m twenty one!

The scene was so unsettling because the violence was not glorified in any way. It was straight up just watching people die for no apparent reason.

Of course there is a technical reason based on the story, but for that scene it just seems pointless. If people were dying in Noah it was not because there was a cool action scene, but because the death in this story is easily overlooked due to its nursery room story perception.

It is up to the viewer to decide how they

Dear Dr. D, My boyfriend is transferring to U of M and I’m stuck here for another year. Do you think long distance relationships can work?

Signed, Long distance Love Dear Long Distancee, No doubt about it: long distance relationships are difficult. However, if someone strays because of the distance, they would eventually stray from the relationship for something else, so better to find it out now. If it’s really love, you two will survive and be stronger for the time apart.

Good Luck!

D. D.

Russel Crowe is not your typical Noah

photo by Adam Kinne

feel about the scene.

While the film is brutal and the violence can be a turn off, it must be appreciated how much respect the film gives the violence. Death in Noah is not glorious; it is fast, brutal and un-heroic. There are no grand effects, blood splatters, or slow motion action scenes. In action movies where violence is made cool, it is easy to get desensitized to it. In Noah it is clear that death and violence are unfortunate and terrible and even watching hoards of people get clobbered, you still cringe a bit at each death because it is not a joke.

All the violence aside the film is still great. It is a great drama with super star performances by Russell Crowe and Emma Watson. The CGI effects are amazing and mix seamlessly with the live action. The emotions of a family trying to survive and reconcile what is happening are portrayed believably, and it’s almost as if you are there trying to figure it out with them.

Biblically the story of Noah is hard to grasp and reconcile since a good God seemingly would not kill tons of people for any reason, while Noah does not look to answer the question or even apologize for those questions being asked. What it does do is give adults a visual representation of what the flood story was probably like, then gives us a chance to really think for ourselves on how we feel about it. Some things are meant to be challenging and not sugarcoated and that is what makes Noah just as much a personal experience as a movie. I highly recommend it to anyone, believer or unbeliever, but bring your thinking cap.

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the Bridge

Come see us! Ohm Information Technology Center, Upper Level, Room 207

Dear Dr. D, My mom says I should take summer classes so I can finish my Associates faster. I planned on getting a great tan and enjoying my time off so I can give next year my best effort. What do you think I should do?

Signed, Beach Bunny Dear Beach Bunny, I say take the time off if you can afford to do so. A compromise would be to take one class, but we only have a limited number of years in which to be footloose, so as an older person, I say enjoy it while you can!

Dr. Fun Dear Dr. D., These are my last few weeks at KCC and I’m feeling a little afraid of change.

How can I make the transition from the familiar campus of KCC to a new school easier?

Signed, Terrified to move on

9

Dear Terrified, Change is difficult for even the bravest of us. Some people decide they just can’t make a change and live their lives in perfect contentment because they never allowed themselves to see what was on the other side of the horizon.

Other people try something new, fail, come back and have learned a great deal about life and themselves. And some people try change, thrive, and from then on never pass up an opportunity to take a chance.

A failure is only a failure if you do not learn from the experience.

Best of luck!

Dr. D. Dear Dr. D, The new Spectrum club is getting a lot of buzz on campus and I’m thinking about joining but I’m afraid of what my friends will think. Do you think I should attend a meeting or continue wondering in silence?

Signed, Confused by peer pressure Dear Pressured, Either live the life YOU want or live the life someone else wants. Your choice... or is it? Why do you think your peers are better or smarter or wiser or whatever than you are? Don’t give anyone that power over you. Do whatever you think will be fun for you, not for them!

Dr. Strong Dear Dr. D, I have seemed to lose my motivation this semester. I’m just over the homework and the stress. How can I get myself back on track for next fall at a new school?

Signed, Senioritis Dear Non-Motivated, When you figure that out, let me know! I’m out of gas this semester too, but when fall rolls around, I am confident my energy and zest will return with it. If not, Key West sounds like a great place to live. I think I would like being a bartender!

BruinayBeat M

1 KCC Softball vs Muskegon Community College (H) 3:00 PM

1-2 Gallery Exhibit: KCC Student Art

DeVries Gallery, Davidson Center • 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

2 Choral Series Event: "Oh, What a Night!"

Barista Blues Café, Battle Creek MI • 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm,

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

3 Cereal City Concert Band: Spring Concert

Marshall High School • 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Choral Series Event: BCCC @ The Tibbits

Tibbits Opera House, Coldwater MI • 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

7 Mosaic Reading • 8:30 am • C 301

8 KCC Baseball vs Muskegon Community College (H) 2:00 PM

9 KCC Baseball vs Sinclair Community College (H) 2:00 PM

9 Theatre Production: Spring Mich - Mash

Davidson Visual & Performing Arts Center Auditorium • 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

12 Spring 2014 Classes End 15 Commencement • 7:00 pm at the Kellogg Arena

19 Summer classes begin

10

May 2014

The older student The next step Tiffany Thatcher Co-Editor I’ve started and deleted this column a dozen times in the last few days. I just can’t seem to come up with the right combination of words to describe my feelings about leaving KCC. Three years ago when I started at KCC I was a completely different person. My husband had just died and I had decided to quit my job to be a full time student. I was equally excited and terrified to start this next chapter in my life.

I spent my first semester attempting to blend into the crowd. I sat in the back of all my classes. I never raised my hand or participated in class discussions.

I wanted nothing more than to be invisible. I felt too old, too out of touch to make friends with my classmates. I did not enjoy that semester. I merely endured it.

Then I took the class that would change the entire course of my future at KCC. It was Intro to Literature with Elizabeth Kerlikowske. In her class I rediscovered my passion for writing. I don’t know how or why but she saw something in me that I didn’t. Over the next two years she has become one of my closest friends and mentors. That friendship gave me the push I needed to come out of my shell. I became the editor for Mosaic and eventually The Bruin. I started speaking up in class, probably a little too much. I made some lifelong friends and finally found where I belonged.

Now it’s come time for me to take the next step and transfer to Western and once again I am equal parts excited and terrified. KCC has become a second home to me and I’m finding it very hard to let go. There is so much I will miss

opinion about this campus and the people I have met along the way. One thing I can say with complete sincerity is the professors at KCC are some of the best, not only in knowledge of their subjects but also as people. I will miss Tom Webster, whose overuse of the word “man” while teaching world lit always cracked me up. He also never fails to say “Hey boss” or just give me crap when he passes me in the hall. I hope to follow in his footsteps at Western and get my masters in creative writing and world literature. I will also miss Matt Samra whose love and excitement for the subjects he teaches is contagious. It’s the first time I’ve met an instructor whose adoration for film and literature surpasses my own. My only regret is that I waited till my last semester to take classes with him.

The rest are instructors and staff that have helped me along the way; Glenda Morling and Kate DeGraaf who instilled in me a commitment to serving the community. My experience with service learning changed my life and my course of study to a more globalized slant. Sue Stetler who made math fun, which is no easy feat for an English major. Madame Bertrand who listened patiently to my stumbling French. Eric Greene whose knowledge and encouragement helped me with my position at The Bruin, Erin Trudell whose cardio and yoga classes pushed me physically and whose positive attitude kept me going. Dr. DeBrueler whose African History class was honestly the most challenging and in turn fulfilling class I took at KCC. Last, but certainly not least, Bonnie Lyon who tutored me at the Grahl center my first semester, without her I would have never passed algebra. It’s been two and half years but she still remembers everything about me and always stops to talk about my future plans when we run into each other.

To all the instructors and staff at KCC I want to express my heartfelt gratitude. Your dedication to your profession and commitment to my success has made me a better student and in turn a better person and I will be forever grateful. As nervous as I may be I feel prepared to take the next step into my future.

The Nagging Mother

The last page Elizabeth Kerlikowske Advisor In the story of my time at KCC, this is the last page. The last column of my last semester here where I have spent twenty years of my life.

When I first considered this job, I didn’t know if I could stand the sameness.

I was used to being a Poet in the Schools, a program no longer funded by the State of Michigan. I’d get up in the morning during “poetry season” (March through May) and drive somewhere to teach poetry to kids from elementary through junior high. Each experience was different. Did I want to trade that to work at the same place with the same people day after day?

I was absolutely wrong about the sameness. My colleagues have made my life interesting, and we have had riotous times in the English department.

Each semester the students change, so there has always been newness in my life. There are students with whom I’ve grown very close, the current editors of this paper among them.

Students have taught me about the world and what it takes to survive in it.

I’ve played a role in helping several of them survive, which may or may not have included physically breaking up a fight because I could not stand to watch someone take a beating.

I’ve seen changes in administrations.

I’ve questioned authority, as a child of the sixties must. I’ve not always been satisfied with the answers, but I was always glad I asked the questions.

I didn’t just stay in my office and scuttle between there and my classes. I tried to involve myself in the life of the

All I want for Mother’s Day is my

two front feet… propped up!

Lynn Mason Staff Writer This year all I want for Mother’s Day is a day of quiet and peace. I wanna lay around all day and prop up my feet. I get to keep the remote and watch TV as I please; no Spongebob, no football, and no reality sleaze. I get to watch whatever I want!

If you’re going to serve me breakfast in bed then PLEASE go out and buy it. I get nauseated thinking of past Mother’s Day meals and my children’s smiling faces encouraging me to try it.

“Umm… yummy.” I say as I take the first bite. I smile; unable to swallow, as my throat becomes tight. My eyes tear up but as a mom, I’m always a trooper.

I gag down the slimy eggs and swear, “This is just super!”

This year I’d like flowers that at least come from a store because every

year my neighbor’s knock on my front door. They look past me as I stand on guard; obstructing their view of the leaky vase of tulips that were plucked from their yard. “I beg your pardon. What flowers?” is all I say to my neighbor’s. And another thing, if it’s Mother’s Day then why do I have to share it with others. My grandma and aunts are not MY mothers. I’m just sayin’.

This Mother’s Day, if you’re going to get me cologne, please let it be some that I don’t already own. For once I’d like to un-wrap the crumpled newspaper and find a new bottle whose contents haven’t darken and the rest turned into vapors.

I’d prefer something with a label on it and not a dust fur coat. Achoooo!

I am so tired of homemade cards made with yarn, glitter and lima beans, buttons, duct tape, popsicles sticks; just about anything. I’d like a card that’s not physically heavy. I’d like a card that’s

not smeared with grape jelly. I’d really like a Hallmark card, is that too much to ask? I ended up cooking the lima beans from all the cards from the past.

You never went hungry. And one more thing, enough with the pottery! These vases and bowls can’t even keep water in them for the flowers that you “stole” for me. Oh, that wasn’t a vase or a bowl? It was a butterfly with its mouth open? My bad.

This year on Mother’s day, I just want to be everything except a mother; I do that all year long with no breaks and the pay sucks but I do it with pride.

I do it from my heart and from my soul.

A mother's love, dedication and devotion to her children never waivers. It is long lasting and long suffering and that is indeed part of being a mother and for that i’m asking for a day of peace, quiet and whatever else I want. I deserve it. I’m your mother.

campus, and that has been one of the most satisfying aspects of life at KCC. Relationships with support staff are crucial for professors, and I’ve tried to nourish those.

When I first applied for my job here, I didn’t even get an interview. I had too much political content in my application letter, which talked about the importance of learning the “father tongue,” that is, the English and grammar of business. When told that, in my next letter, I replaced those phrases with “I like people!” and I got the job. Of course that didn’t change my politics one iota, but it did teach me to get into the system because a system can’t be changed from the outside.

My final thoughts are these: “No Child Left Behind” has left a generation behind, without the skills or wherewithal to navigate college. We seem to have created a generation of people waiting to be told what to do instead of sizing up a situation and doing something, anything.

Without original thinkers and people who test the boundaries, we are doomed to labor under the rules of the status quo, many of which exclude the very people we teach (or try to) each day.

I probably should have taught at Reed College in Oregon or someplace with other freethinkers, but I love the Midwest too much to move.

People have asked me what I will do with my time. I have several answers: I’m going to write, make art, garden, and cook. I’m going to bring my nonprofit Friends of Poetry up to the next level.

(We’re on Facebook!) I’m not referring to this as retirement, which sounds old and done. I think I’m now returning to my true path as an artist and activist, aspects of my life I’ve infused into my classes.

I have appreciated deeply the friendships I’ve made, the opportunities I’ve been given, and the students who have made it all worthwhile. I will wear one of my favorite t-shirts by one of my favorite students which says: Bruin Football/Undefeated since 1956. Yup.

Student Art Exhibit Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm

DeVries Gallery

Davidson Visual & Performing Arts Center

opinion

May 2014

8 steps towards studying for finals Make flash cards and have the group go through them and see how many everyone can get right.

Caitlyn Whitman Staff Writer Finals are right around the corner and everyone’s starting to get mini-heart attacks. At this time of the semester you’re probably spending more time in the library than you do at home, and that’s okay, that may be the best way to get finals done. Stocking up on energy drinks is also another popular trend going on at this time. Instead of feeding your body with all that junk, follow these 8 steps and finals will be a breeze.

Pick a smart location

Where you study can be very important. Being around a large crowd will distract you from studying and even writing your final papers. The quieter the better.

Go to your local library, coffee shops, or a quiet place that will let your brain concentrate. Don’t forget to bring along a pair of headphones because music can calm a person down and get their mind off of being so stressed out.

Study groups

Being with a group of people will help you learn more than you would learn if you were by yourself. Form a study group and pull out your reviews. If you get stuck on a question. That’s what the group is there for, to back you up.

Get lots of sleep!

It is proven that in order to concentrate and to do better in school a person needs at least 6-8 hours of sleep to get their brain woken up. Many students hold off their studying till right before they go to bed. Stop doing that! Do your homework before doing anything else in your day. It is more important to study and do well in school than it is to hang out with friends. Make time for studying and sleep.

Switch up your subjects

Studying one subject for hours on end can get very boring and will make your brain start hurting. Do one subject one hour at a time. Make a schedule on what days you want to study for certain subjects.

Snack smart

Even if you don’t like eating healthily, it would be wise to make smarter decisions when eating during finals. This would be the best time to eat fruits and vegetables. Another trick that might be a surprise is buying mints and eating them right before taking your finals, this will help you when remembering what you studied. This is because it keeps your brain more alert. Drink plenty of water and try eating more fish because it helps you concentrate more.

11

Day of Silence

Take breaks and pamper yourself

Don’t spend every hour of every day studying for finals. Take some time to yourself and watch some occasional TV. It would even be a good idea to go get a massage or even take a warm bath to relax yourself and get your mind off of studying for a while.

Make flash cards

Seriously, this is one of the smartest steps to take when studying. Writing down the information one more time onto the flashcards will help you start remembering what you learned. After writing all the information on the flashcards have someone quiz you until you get all the questions right.

Get organized

Last but not least make sure that you’re organized. Being on a schedule during finals might be helpful. Get rid of all the chaos in your life at this time and make sure you’re ready to go for anything that is coming your way.

Try not to stress so much, finals are not as hard as people think they are. The more you study the better you are going to do with finals.

This isn’t as stressful as you think.

Being prepared and eating well will help you get rid of all the chaos during testing.

Follow these steps and you will ace all of your finals! Good luck!

Cara Clingan Staff Writer The National Day of Silence, Friday, April 11, was a day of action in which students all across the world take on the silence of those who are effected by anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in our societies.

Originally founded in 1996, according DOS.com, over 8,000 middle schools, high schools, colleges, and even Universities helped take a stand this last year.

It’s believed that a majority of students that are harassed are done so due to their sexual orientation or gender expression. Day of Silence allows expression of the frustration and loneliness of those who can’t express themselves for fear of the retaliation. It shows them that they aren’t alone, that they do have friends and allies even when they believe they don’t.

There are many ways to express your support: some people wear duct tape over their mouths or wear a rainbow coalition ribbon, bright colors, or however you would like to express yourself. You don’t have to show anything, but please be aware of those who are silent today.

Be aware of who is being abused around you: don’t stay silent. Speak out against bullying of all kinds and show the world that we do see and hear what is going on.

Break the silence.

Morals

and less satisfied with our lives. Technology is forever changing and yet, electronic computers and gadget-gadgets that worked just fine yesterday are now considered old and obsolete today. The need for and to feel satisfaction with our Lynn Mason lives is becoming overwhelming and the Staff Writer use of temperance, less and less. American people pride themselves on applyToday, people tend to live their lives free ing common courtesy and respect in of mental moral responsibility; adhering the United States; always ask first, but, to society’s guidelines while blaming that if one does not comply then simply taksame society for the outcome of their ing what we want is okay. We are Ameriown irresponsible lawless thinking. The can. The “land of milk and honey” really moral virtues that a single person decides means that we think, even as individual to adhere to and abide by can directly afbrazen, Americans full fect others and themselves; including of haughtiness with the way they opinions to spare, live and accept that we are greater life as it is. In a and more deserving world so filled than anyone else with courageous and in America you attitudes of vircan have any and tue-free thinkeverything you ing; living and acwant; this is your ceptance, where right as an Ameriself–preservation can. Restraint and is more important Lynn Mason self- control need than self-control, not be an option the need for moral rather, a morality temperance bechoice imposed upon ourselves. Indeed, comes more and moral change is necessary, but in order more apparent in today’s society. The to do that we cannot continue to be selflack of temperance has caused people of absorbed and selfish American people. today’s society to live greedy, compulWe must learn to give expeditiously and sive, careless, and carefree lives; creating wholeheartedly, and without expectaan unbalanced and selfish world. tion. We must not take more than we America is well known for being the need; we must first start with being ac“Land of Milk and honey.” We are rich countable and responsible for our own and wasteful and yet, no one seems to person and actions in order to accept and mind unless someone takes from their appreciate each other as Americans and overstocked lives. Whether it is time or imperfect human beings. money, the want and need for more and more becomes greater as we become less

“ We are rich nd a and wastefuleems yet, no one s to mind...”

BRUIN Staff Co-Editors Lacy Janousek Tiffany Thatcher

Managing Advisor TaNisha Parker

Editorial Advisor Elizabeth Kerlikowske

Graphics Advisor Kathryn Jarvie

Sports Editor Mary Emington

Layout Design Linda Helton Brandon Smith Doug Wheaton David Hopkins

Staff Writers Amber Arizmendi John Hogan Cara Clingan Seher Dey Lynn Mason

Adam Kinne Cassandra Lindsay Jessie Schneider David Sunnock Caitlyn Whitman Bob Psalmonds

Editorial Policy The KCC Bruin is a free student publication produced monthly by Kellogg Community College students during the fall and spring semesters.

The KCC Bruin welcomes letters to the editor from members of the College and the community. Letters must be signed and submitted with a current telephone number or email address. All letters become property of the Bruin and may be edited for clarity and length. By-lined opinion columns represent the opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Bruin staff or the College.

Letters may be submitted by mail to: KCC Bruin student newspaper, c/o Kellogg Community College, 450 North Ave., Battle Creek, Mich. 49017. Letters may also be submitted at all three KCC sites. At the Battle Creek site, letters may be dropped off in the English Department on the 4th floor of the C Building; the College Life Office in the Student Center; or the student newspaper office. At the Grahl and Fehsenfeld Centers, letters may be submitted at the information desks.

The Bruin office is located in room 302 of the Roll Building. The staff can be reached at (269) 965-3931, Ext. 2630 or e-mail the Bruin editor at bruin@kellogg.edu

12

SPORTS

May 2014

Experience is key White lines Mary Emington Staff Writer When the game is on the line and your team is down, the one thing that the team counts on and looks to are the seasoned players of the squad. They have been in the same situations before. They know how to pull together a team and how to get it done. The Kellogg Community Softball team has three such members: sophomores Samantha Freel (Sosa), Mackenzie Gibson, and Jacquelyn Harwood.

Samantha Freel is originally from Onaway and played for Onaway High School. This year will mark Freel’s seventh year playing organized softball. As a center-fielder, Freel has to cover a lot of ground which makes catching pop flies one of her favorite things about softball.

Her favorite memory from the season is throwing out a runner at home plate.

Freel states about the softball season so far, “I think the season is going good.

We just need to keep our heads in the game and play the game we are capable of playing.”

One of Freel’s biggest inspirations is her high school lifting teacher, Earl Flynn. She says, “He has taught me to push myself no matter what the circumstance is.” Freel will attend Olivet College next fall. She will be studying early childhood development to become an elementary teacher. She will also continue her athletic career and play softball for the Comets.

Joining Freel at Olivet College in the fall is fellow sophomore Jacquelyn Harwood. She plans to study business

management and continue her basketball career as a Comet. Harwood has also played seven years of organized softball.

She attended Sault Area High School and is from Sault Ste. Marie. Harwood plays left field for the Lady Bruins. Her favorite part of softball is diving for balls in the outfield. Her favorite play came at the Siena Heights tournament against Davenport where Harwood dove for a ball. It popped out of her glove, but she caught it with her non-glove hand saving the play while knocking the wind out of her.

Harwood advises her teammates for next year, “Have fun, play hard, and give it everything that you’ve got!” Harwood’s biggest inspirations are her parents Jerry Harwood and Heather Klever.

All three sophomores will move on to be college athletes at the next level.

Mackenzie Gibson will play hockey at St. Norbert’s College. It should be no surprise that her favorite professional athlete is none other than Joe Thornton, center for the San Hose Sharks of the NHL. She plans to continue her studies for prelaw while attending St. Norbert’s College.

Gibson’s favorite quote is, “Wake up every day stronger then yesterday; face your fears and wipe away your tears.”

She plays first base for the Lady Bruins.

Her favorite part about softball is being outside and playing the game she loves.

Gibson attended Rudyard High School and is from Kincheloe, Michigan and has played eight years of organized softball.

The Lady Bruins are 12-15 through 27 games. They hope to finish strong in their season. Come the rough times in their season the Lady Bruins plan to look to their sophomores for inspiration and leadership. With their experience and guidance the Lady Bruins hope to be district and conference contenders.

Mary Emington Staff Writer Don’t touch the white line. Take three dribbles before a free throw. Do not say, “He’s got this kick” before the kick. Every sport has them, but not every athlete believes them. Rituals, superstitions, and curses all develop in athletics. Whether you are in the game, or just watching the game, most people have some belief that something they do or don’t do will influence the outcome or the play of a game.

Curses are the worst sort of belief about a game. They can last for centuries; usually due to some bad decision or breaking of some sort of “code” of the game. One of the worst lasted for 86 years for the Boston Red Sox, a Major League Baseball team. The Red Sox owner traded one of the greatest pitchers and batters of all time in their arsenal, Babe Ruth, to the Yankees to invest in a Broadway play. The “curse of the Bambino” was broken in 2004 when the Red Sox finally won the World Series, 86 years after the trade. Curses are said to be almost impossible to break, and fans and athletes alike are prone to believe such tales.

Superstitions are very similar to curses in that they pertain to bad luck.

Athletes have been known to completely avoid streets to stadiums or arenas on game days if they lost a big contest on a day that they took the road before. Some athletes will not eat certain foods for the same reason. Although it may have just been that the food was unhealthy to begin with, some athletes will correlate that food with “bad luck.” Basketball players have been known to feel “off their game” if they do not make their first shot com-

ing into the gym on game day. Whether or not these superstitions have any real say in who wins or not, the athletes and fans pay attention to them.

Rituals, on the other hand, are actions that an athlete does before a game, an at bat, a shot, a serve, or the like. It is the counter part of a superstition. It is to prevent bad luck or to bring about good luck sometimes to even get the athlete into a rhythm. Some players will wear a certain necklace for every game thinking that when they wear the necklace they are “in the zone” and ready to compete.

Fans will even join in the fun, making the same meal for every game they watch, or pretend sneezing as a player shoots on the TV. For other athletes, they must listen to the same song before every game to get them “psyched” and ready to go.

Serena Williams performs the same ritual for every tennis serve. She bounces her ball off her racket to the ground in a back and forth motion. This may seem insignificant and dull but this puts Serena into a particular mind-set creating a setting to repeat a daunting serve on command.

Rituals, superstitions, and curses can create a somewhat stable ground for athletes in relatively unstable contests.

With the high pace of games and the intensity surrounding matches, it gives both a fan and an athlete some peace to think that there is something they can do to improve their odds or to avoid so as to not worsen their odds. Comfort gives the player peace. But these aspects of the game can be harmful as well. If the ritual is not performed, the superstition obtained, and/or the curse maintained, the athlete already has a sense of loss. So be careful when choosing a ritual or superstition. It may just ruin or save the game.

Don’t touch the white lines.

Choral Calendar 2014 May

Choral Series Event “Oh, What a Night!”

An Italian Musical Celebration and Feast Friday, May 2 at 3, 5, and 7 pm Barista Blues Cafe, 91 Michigan Ave W., Battle Creek Advance tickets $15 for adults, $12.50 for seniors and students, $10 for children 5 ages and older. At door price is $20 per person. All funds raised will support the 2014 KCC choir tour of Italy. Tickets available in the Arts and Communication Department offices: Call (269) 965-4126 ext. 1 Spring Cabaret 2013, Choral Series Event Branch County Community Chorus Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 pm Tibbits Opera House — Coldwater — Free-will donation Cereal City Concert Band Spring Concert Saturday, May 3 at 7 pm Marshall High School Auditorium 701 N Marshall Ave — Marshall Special Community Event: 33rd Annual Community Prayer Breakfast Featured Choir, Kellogg Community College Choirs Tuesday, May 6, at 7 am Kellogg Arena 36 W. Hamblin Ave — Battle Creek

June

Kellogg Community College Choral Union European concert tour June 26 through July 2 Rome and the Amalfi Coast of Italy

Samantha Freel, Mackenzie Gibson and Jacquelin Harwood

photo by Mary Emington

The Spring 2014 Season Sponsor is Randall Foods, INC (Randall Beans) with additional support provided by Mrs. Eleanor R. & Robert A. DeVries.