March 25, 2015

One Book Author starts discussion about what Americans are eating

LGBTQ students thrilled with outcome of first ever ‘Reflections’ Pride Prom

Page 5

Page 3

March 25, 2015 Vol. 61, Issue 3

Behind the scenes at Grade A Cafe with Chef Nate Page 6

Students take life-changing trip Whitman The group also toured Refugee Focus, which is a federally funded program that gets refugees set up with housing essentials, and works with them to find employment to start their life.

Students learned what it means to be a refugee.

“People don’t know the difference between refugees and immigrants, people need to know the difference.” Hutchison said.

Refugees are people who are forced to flee their home because of conflicts, wars, and attempted genocide.

Immigrants come to the United States for many different but entirely voluntary reasons.

According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, there are over 15 million refugees worldwide; 80 percent are women and children.

Refugees spend 14-17 years on average in refugee camps bordering the countries that they are fleeing, waiting for sponsors to pay for them to come to the United States.

The U.S. government releases a document every year with the number of refugees that are permitted to enter the country.

Only 1 percent of the people waiting for their sponsors ever see resettlement.

Once the lucky ones make it to the U.S., they go to a refugee resettlement program like the one in Phoenix.

Arizona has averaged about 2,000 refugees per year since 1999.

The MCCC group met with a group of very lucky refugees from Vietnam and had dinner with them.

These refugees are now successful business owners and have been resettled in the U.S. for 15-20 years.

Shelby Spencer Agora Staff

Photo courtesy of Dr. Joanna Sabo

Kayla Corn was with the International Studies Club in Phoenix, Arizona painting the faces of Iraqi refugees. One little girl decided it would be more fun to paint her.

Ashlee Messer knew after a dinner with Vietnam refugees that she was changed forever.

She was one of seven International Studies Club members who took a trip to a refugee resettlement program in Phoenix, Arizona.

“I cried when we had dinner with the Vietnamese, the man that bought us all dinner,” she said. ‘If it weren’t for the Vietnam War, I wouldn’t have my freedom, I have to pay it back to you,’ ” he said.

I lost it,” Messer said.

She has since applied for an internship working with refugees.

The rich culture and diverse people were a surprise to students on the trip.

“I learned so much because it wasn’t what I expected,” Messer said.

Other group members also said the trip changed them.

“There was a lot of emersion into different cultures; I would recommend that to anyone,” Jesiqua Hutchison said.

This is the first year that the International Studies Club has gone on this trip.

Club advisor Joanna Sabo, a political science professor, said she wasn’t very well versed on the topic of refugee resettlement before taking the trip.

Sabo was contacted by MCCC alumnus Sarai Richter about taking students to see the program.

Richter is the executive director of the Iraqi American Society, Refugee Center of Phoenix.

In Arizona the group stayed in a hostel where they met people from Hungary, Haiti, and Korea.

Sabo said that she has stayed in multiple hostels, but this was by far the coolest one.

See ‘Refugee,’ Page 2

Oldest professor decides, ‘It’s Time’ Evan Kutz Agora Staff

Next year may be the last for Ted Vassar, MCCC’s longest employed professor.

“It depends on how I feel; I’ve been here long enough really, so either next year or the following year,” he said with his signature casual grin.

“It’s my home away from home.”

The decision to retire doesn’t mean he feels overworked.

“I’ve got enough time off in the summer,” he chuckled.

“I like to keep busy—it’s this here,” he motioned at the paintings in his office, “Or it’s doing shows.”

At age 76, he emphasized that he’s capable of teaching for years to come if he wants to.

“I really enjoy it, but I always figured that I’d know when it’s time to leave,” he said. “It’s going to be tough, but it’s time.”

Vassar continues to be an awardwinning artist, and he usually has multiple projects going at once. You get the feeling that he doesn’t really consider his work to be work.

This is what he loves, and that explains why he’s been content doing it for over 46 years.

“I enter a lot of competitions still; I won gold last year in the Ohio Watercolor Society, silver the year before

“I really enojoy it, but I always figured that I’d know when it’s time to leave. It’s going to be tough, but it’s time.”

Ted Vassar Art Professor

Inside:

Photo by Evan Kutz

Art Professor Ted Vassar enjoys painting with water colors in his home office.

that. I always win something,” he said.

Vassar has been an active artist since college at the University of Toledo, working with various paint media, such as his wildlife oil paintings, and his many recent abstract watercolors.

He likes to shoot nature photography as well. He used to use his photos as references or inspirations for his paintings.

Many of his works have been nationally recognized, and Vassar has served as a judge on several panels throughout the years.

“I compete against some of the best artists in Ohio and Michigan, and all of the states around here. You have to be unique, you can’t give them the same thing,” he said.

Explaining his philosophy on how to approach a painting, he likened it

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to a game of chess — laying out the beginning moves and reacting to what happens.

He talked about the values of texture, contrast and shape, working not only from left to right but front to back, where your eyes move and how strongly it calls attention.

It’s simple to him, and he tries to make it simple to others through his teaching.

“That’s why I give workshops — they want to know what I do and how I do it.”

At first, Vassar studied biology, then pre-med, but laughed when he recalled thinking he couldn’t afford all of that, citing his humble upbringing.

He began teaching art after graduating. One thing some may not know is that he played on a volleyball team that

won a seven-state regional championship, and eventually coached the women’s volleyball team at MCCC when it still had a sports program.

Vassar arrived at MCCC iwn 1969, to fill the position of Richard Schneider, who left to work for Cleveland Sate.

Vassar was a big part of defining MCCC’s art program; he was joined a few years later by art professor Gary Wilson.

Vassar and Wilson have hosted renowned artists to hold workshops, lecture series and exhibitions.

“Everything you see on campus came from visiting artists,” he said, referring to the sculptures, paintings, and other various works that are displayed throughout the campus.

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See ‘Professor,’ Page 2

future considered MCCC Board looks at cost-cutting proposals Mariah Tevepaugh Agora Staff

Studying whether to close the Whitman Center this coming fall was one proposal made Monday by MCCC board member William Braunlich.

Braunlich made four proposals related to budget issues at the March 23 Board of Trustees meeting.

He suggested an investigation of the Whitman campus’s historical and projected data, comparing tuition generated with expenses, to identify the profit-loss ratio.

Braunlich also proposed retaining a millage campaign expert who has a proven track record of success. He said he thought it could take more than a year to prepare for the next election.

See ‘Board,’ Page 2

Art professor Gary Wilson in Barcellona on the 2013 Study Abroad trip to Spain and Portugal.

Europe will miss Gary Wilson Stevie Pipis Agora Staff

MCCC art professor Gary Wilson will not be going on the Study Abroad trip to Europe in May that he was supposed to co-lead.

According to Paul Hedeen, the Humanities Dean at MCCC, Wilson broke his ankle over spring break on a non-work related incident.

“We regret that a popular and experienced Study Abroad teacher will not be able to make the trip,” Hedeen said.

“I can’t imagine going without my colleague and co-leader, Gary Wilson. I am so sad. His spirit will be with us,” said Joanna Sabo, political science professor at MCCC and longtime Study Abroad leader.

Sabo and Wilson launched MCCC’s Study Abroad program with a trip to Europe in 2007, and have traveled together with students on four trips - to Western Europe, Southeast Asia, Central Europe and Spain.

Adjunct art professor Amy Pollman is filling in for Wilson on the 2015 trip to Western Europe, as well as taking over several of his classes.

“We have found an excellent substitute,” Hedeen said.

“She sounds amazing. I think the students will enjoy her, and she’ll bring a unique perspective to the trip,” Sabo said.

“We still expect a wonderful trip led by dynamic faculty,” Hedeen said.

According to Hedeen, Pollman is very qualified to take over for Wilson.

Hedeen also mentioned how lucky the college was that Pollman was available to take the position.

“It could have been difficult to find someone midsemester,” Hedeen said.

According to Hedeen, it took a total of three faculty members to cover Wilson’s classes. Along with Pollman, Ted Vasser and Tim Curry volunteered to help.

“We have good people here that want to help each other,” Hedeen said.

“I’m speechless with gratitude.”

The only classes that were canceled were on the first day back from spring break.

According to Hedeen, Wilson hopes to be back for the last few weeks of the semester, even if he is in a wheelchair.

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Campus News

The Agora

March 25, 2015

Agora staff Crime Report: Larceny, DOP, Board looks at saving options seeking editor Medical Emergencies The Agora, MCCC’s student newspaper, is taking applications for the position of editor for the 20152016 academic year.

Any student can apply, although preference will be given to students who have taken Journalism courses at MCCC or other colleges, or who have other journalism experience.

The editor of The Agora is responsible for supervising the newspaper staff, working closely with the adviser.

The Agora publishes 9-10 editions each academic year and maintains a website – www.mcccagora.com.

The editor of the Agora receives a scholarship.

Staff members of The Agora are students in a 3-credit course, Journalism Workshop, which meets from 2-3:20 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Applications are available at The Agora, Room 202 in the L Building; at the Humanities/Social Sciences Division office, Room 202 in the C Building; or at the office of Journalism professor Dan Shaw, The Agora’s adviser, Room 223 in the L Building.

Applications are due by April 10. They should be submitted to Shaw or to the Humanities/Social Sciences Division office.

Continued from Page 1

Jaclyn Young Agora Staff

Larceny On Feb 18, a woman’s purse was stolen from the benches outside the classrooms in the basement of the C building.

The woman reported that she sat down on the bench and left her purse when she went to class.

When she came back, her purse was gone.

In her purse she had her car keys, wallet with $350 in cash, debit card, a check, and various paper items.

Campus Security checked the trash cans in the C building, West Tech, and East Tech.

The purse was not found.

Destruction of Property On March 3 it was reported that a plastic stand holding up a monitor was broken, and the monitor was broken as a result.

A professor left the lab at 6 p.m. on March 2 and the monitor stand was intact.

When he returned the next morning the door was wedged open, and the stand was broken.

An assistant said that he had wedged open the door, so he could borrow a charger from the room, and that the stand didn’t seem broken when he was there.

Cameras are pointed at the monitor area.

When these cameras were checked, it was found that the room was empty at the time

the stand broke.

Upon further investigation, campus security found that brake fluid had leaked from a test kit, and that might have weakened the plastic stand.

Medical Emergencies On March 2, ambulances and fire rescue were called to the C building after a girl laid down on the floor due to not feeling well.

On March 4, fire rescue was called to campus again.

This time, a woman was suffering from an attack of COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – in the H building lobby.

Within five minutes of the fire rescue getting to the scene, the woman was on her way to Mercy Memorial Hospital.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Joanna Sabo

In Arizona the group had dinner with a group of former refugees from Vietnam who had been resettled for 15-20 years and are now successful business owners.

Refugee resettlement inspires students Continued from Page 1

The group also had dinner at the Somalian United Council with Somalian refugees, along with a picnic with the Iraqi American Peace Summit where they did face painting.

Hutchison said they tried all kinds of custom foods, and that things don’t always taste the way they look.

“I loved the goat,” Messer said.

The group didn’t have a lot of free time on the trip but they did manage to climb Echo Trail on Camelback Mountain, which they later found out was a level 5 trail.

“It was too funny,” Sabo said.

The group got a grant for $1000 dollars from The Foundation at MCCC for the trip and some expenses were covered by the International Studies Club. The remainder of the trip was student funded.

Sabo said she wished more students could have experienced the trip, but that out of state trips are expensive and The Foundation likes to support more innovative and new things.

There is a possibility that a similar trip will be planned in the future

to a refugee resettlement program in Grand Rapids, Michigan which would make the cost cheaper for students.

Regardless of cost this trip changed lives.

“Something I could see myself doing someday is helping these groups,” Sabo said.

Group members have been applying for jobs and scholarships in related fields because of the trips.

“They want to be something, they don’t just want a free ride, they want to do something,” Messer said.

Hutchison has applied for a job with AmeriCorps which is like the Peace Corps but within the U.S. “I wouldn’t have done that without this trip,” she said.

The group will be doing a brown bag discussion titled The Lost Boys and Other Refugees: MCCC Students Visit Refugee Refocus.

Sponsered by the the International Studies Club on April 16 from 12:30 - 1:30 in A173c.

There will also be a presentation for The Foundation at MCCC on April 13.

The Agora Co-Editors: Shelby Spencer Mariah Tevepaugh Adviser: Dan Shaw Staff Jake Adams Jeff Brown Stevie Pipis Julia Wells Makailyn Ellison Julia Grzywinski Mika Kotanova Evan Kutz Mitch Perkins Dakota Sherrick Jaclyn Young Josh Cappuccilli Editorial Policy The Agora is published by the students of Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe, MI, 48161. The editorial office is located in Room 202 of the Life Sciences Bldg., (734) 384-4186, agora@ monroeccc.edu.

Editorial policy: Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of The Agora staff. Signed columns represent the opinion of the writer. All letters to the editor must include a signature, address and phone number for verification purposes. The Agora reserves the right to edit for clarity, accuracy, length and libel.

The Agora is a student-managed newspaper that supports a free student press and is a member of the Michigan Community College Press Association, the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, the Michigan Press Association, College Media Advisers, Associated Collegiate Press and the Student Press Law Center.

Story suggestions are welcome. Let us know what you’d like to see in The Agora - it’s your newspaper. E-mail submissions: agora@monroeccc. edu .

Photo courtesy of Dr. Joanna Sabo

Students climbed Echo Trail on Camelback Mountain while in Arizona.

The last millage proposal in November was turned down by a 60 percent no vote.

The proposal was a 1 mill increase that would have raised $5 million a year for the college.

Braunlich also proposed retaining an expert to address possible reorganization and cost efficiencies at MCCC. Braunlich said he thought a firm is necessary to make the changes needed for larger cost reductions.

Lastly, he proposed examining the policies on waiver of facility rental fees in the Meyer Theater - more specifically, to eliminate the presidential discretion to waive rental fees.

Braunlich said he thought in the past it was appropriate to waive the fees for non-profit Monroe County organizations, but due to the financial restraints, it is necessary to change the policy.

He also proposed changing the policies for programming and ticket pricing for the Meyer Theater.

“Due to the failure of the millage, we’re going to have to raise tuition and impose other fees,” he said.

A tuition increase also was discussed.

“Tuition is very important,” Board member Bill Bacarella said. “But I don’t believe it’s enough.”

Vice President Suzanne Wetzel said that although MCCC revenues are running below budget, expenses also are being controlled. Among the savings are hiring in at lower wages and having unfilled positions.

“Tax revenue is coming in, so this is our good time,” she said.

No decisions were made on tuition and the other budget proposals.

There will be a special meeting of the Board of Trustees at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 7.

Other ancouncements were made involving alumnus of the year and an upcoming retirement.

Carrie Nartker, Associate professor of English, is being recognized as the Alumnus of the Year.

“She believes in this college, in what we do and what we’re doing,” Board member James DeVries said.

“She’s a very good candidate for Alumnus of the Year award.”

Bonnie Boggs, director of Respiratory Therapy, has announced her retirement after 25 years.

“She lives and breathes this college,” Dean of Health Science division Kimberly Lindquist said.

Boggs started the Respiratory Therapy program at MCCC and has helped at least 500 students from MCCC’s program receive a job.

MCCC plans for review of accreditation MCCC students will be asked to participate in an opinion survey as part of the Higher Learning Commission’s review of the college’s accreditation.

MCCC is scheduled for a comprehensive review by the commission in the fall of 2015. A team of HLC evaluators will be on campus to conduct their review October 19-20.

Grace Yackee, MCCC’s vice president of instruction, said MCCC will be measured against the following criteria: Mission; Integrity; Teaching and Learning; and Resources, Planning and Effectiveness.

Students will be asked to complete an opinion survey administered by the HLC as part of its evaluation.

The survey will be available for completion from April 6-16.

An email with details regarding the survey will be sent to students by the MCCC Office of Institutional Research, Evaluation and Assessment on April 6, 2015.

Yackee said students are encouraged to participate in the survey and other HLC accreditation related opportunities leading up to and including interaction with the visiting team while they are on campus in October.

The Higher Learning Commission is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The commission accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region, which includes 19 states.

Students interested in learning more about the HLC can visit http://ncahlc.org, or contact Yackee, who is the HLC self-study coordinator, at 734-384-4221.

Professor spreads love of art Continued from Page 1

“Out of hosting them here, we were allowed one piece of their work to keep for the college.”

One such nationally recognized artist was Adam Grant, a Polish Auschwitz survivor and immigrant to Detroit, who eventually settled in Toledo and helped start Paint by Numbers at Craft Master.

Grant passed away in 1992. A piece of his work can be seen in the La-Z-Boy center and is perhaps the most prized, valued at over $20,000.

The program has been great for both MCCC and the artists it supports.

Vassar has hosted dozens of artists during his career here, lately bringing in local talent and MCCC alumni. The last artist who was here was Kirsty LaVoy, who had her ceramics on display in February and is opening her own gallery in downtown Monroe.

The next artist’s work Vassar hopes to showcase is MCCC graduate Dave Hile, who in 1984 opened his his own advertising agency in Ann Arbor and has become a nationally recognized illustrator.

As his professorial career comes to a close, Vassar plans on using more of his time to travel and visit family. Alongside that, it’s fishing, photography, and, of course, painting.

Photo by Evan Kutz

Vassar has won multiple awards for his water color paintings.

Vassar is proud of his cottage on Beaver Island, and loves the outdoors. Changing the scene and getting away is something he uses to get inspired. He enjoys fishing on the lake, taking photos of the wildlife and their surroundings, and working on the cottage when needed.

“It’s just being up there with my wife. And

usually the grandkids come up to fish. I’ve got 14 of those,” he said with his cheery disposition. “I’ve got the best of both worlds. We have a lot of fun.”

Following last month’s display, Vassar will have a workshop again this September, and is expecting to include mixed media.

Campus News

March 25, 2015

mcccagora.com • The Agora

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The first MCCC Gay/Straight Alliance Pride Prom was held March 21, providing a safe, sanctioned red carpet affair for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students and their allies.

Pride Prom reflects acceptance Josh Cappuccilli Agora Staff

The MCCC Gay/Straight Alliance premiered the LGBTQ friendly prom on Saturday, March 21 in the Health Education building.

The dance was a red carpet pride prom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer students and allies.

“This is wonderful, we’re making history here and it’s about time,” student Kim Ruttenberg said.

Members of the Gay/Straight Alliance were thrilled with the outcome of the dance.

“I think it’s been a great experience, it’s been great for the LGBTQ youth,” GSA co-chair Ian Leach said.

GSA advisor Penny Bodell was glowing.

“I think it’s going wonderful, the decorations came out beautiful, we have a few high school students here and it looks like they’re having fun,” she said.

Penny and her husband Brian enjoyed each other’s company on the dance floor.

“He’s the bouncer,” she laughed.

Doors opened at 6 p.m. and dinner was served at 6:30 p.m. Dancing started at 8 p.m. and finished at midnight.

The theme of the dance was “Reflections.” The night included a photo booth, dinner and dancing. Music was provided by “MC Sound Solutions.”

Peyton Irwin and Shelby Valmassei are all smiles.

LGBTQ people benefit from space that is sanctioned as safe, especially when so much of the world is fighting about whether or not a non-traditional lifestyle is acceptable.

The Gay/Straight Alliance is a faculty advised student club at MCCC whose mission is to provide a strong, supportive community on campus to increase awareness and acceptance, as well as to provide resources regarding LGBTQ issues and culture.

Meetings are held every Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in A-173D. Join the mailing list at mcccgsa@monroeccc.edu for more information about meetings and events.

Students share a dance at the Pride Prom in the Health Education Building.

Photos by Josh Cappuccilli

From left, Nick Ridner, Caitlin Davies, Rachel Imes, Katy Greer, and Emily Balog.

Gala at Gatsby’s reaches ticket sales goal Stevie Pipis Agora Staff

The Gala At Gatsby’s was a success, Student Government leaders said.

“It went well, the kids did well planning,” said Tom Ryder, the adviser for Student Government.

The planning was handled by Cole McNew, Shelby Angilley, and Jessica Ryder. Their work included venue visits and food sampling.

Tom Ryder was in charge of signing the contracts for the venue, DJ, and photo booth.

Student Government ended up selling 98 tickets, essentially reaching their 100-ticket goal.

Everyone who purchased a ticket showed up for the dance.

Photos courtesy of Tom Ryder

Above, Rachel Huff and Brooke Berthlett enjoy a laugh during the Gala at Gatsby’s; right, the room was filled with gala-goers at the Crystal Gardens.

A week before the dance, only eight tickets had been sold.

Six of those were to Student Government members.

“Our biggest challenge was advertising,” McNew said.

Tickets sales also were slow because the dance wasn’t confirmed until three weeks before the date.

“We’re not going to push ticket sales if the dance is canceled,” Angilley said.

With the total ticket sales ending up a success, McNew said he hopes to have a 50 percent increase next year, to 150 tickets.

The Gala was held at Crystal Gardens, which was responsible for the food, open bar, decorations, and clean up.

“It was a one-stop shop,” Tom Ryder said.

McNew, Angilley and Ryder all commented on the food being well received.

There were no problems with the open bar, they said.

Crystal Gardens was asked to make sure all students who purchased drinks confirmed their age.

“I didn’t anticipate any problems,” Ryder said.

McNew said the response to the dance was positive, and that people seemed to enjoy themselves.

“We had people who we had to convince to go telling us they had a fun time,” Jessica Ryder said.

“Even picky eaters, said they enjoyed the food,” Angilley said.

4 | mcccagora.com •

The Agora

Campus News

March 25, 2015

Internet ruled a public utility by FCC Jacob Adams Agora Staff

Net Neutrality is a term you’ve probably heard by now.

It refers to a free and open Internet, or an internet that is not artificially slowed down.

While huge strides have been made to bring resolution to the issue, the fact is there is still an issue.

The FCC ruled on Feb. 26 that broadband providers are public utilities, which was considered by many to be a win for the Net Neutrality movement.

“I think the FCC’s ruling was absolutely a good thing for the open internet,” said Phillip Zaborowski, an MCCC student.

The reclassification of broadband as a public utility — akin to water and electricity — will subject service providers to more Federal Communication Commission regulations.

While some view more government regulation as a bad thing, others view the ruling as protection against companies like Comcast from arbitrarily limiting data transmission speeds.

“I’d rather have the Internet regulated by the government. Look at water and electricity, those systems are fine,” Zaborowski said.

The actual text, over 300 pages, was released on March 12. Interested parties from all corners of the Internet have been pouring over the documents, attempting to find any caveats to the law’s initial meaning.

One of the issues being discussed regarding the new rules, called the future conduct standard, gives the FCC room to regulate network management practices or even business models.

Potentially, the FCC could push its way into board rooms, manipulating the market that many are hoping becomes filled

“The Internet is the most powerful and pervasive platform on the planet. It is simply too important to be left without rules and without a referee on the field.”

Tom Wheeler Federal Communications Commission chairman with more competitors.

Tom Wheeler, chairman of the FCC, commented on the opinion that this is just a way to give the FCC power over the Internet.

“This proposal has been described by one opponent as, ‘A secret plan to regulate the internet.’ Nonsense!” said Wheeler, just before voting on the new rules.

Companies are also not happy with the new rules. Verizon stated in open letters that they would sue the FCC if it went the public utility route.

Verizon sued the FCC in 2010 over previous rulings regarding broadband classification. Though they won the case, the victory ultimately led the way for these new rulings.

Had Verizon not fought the previous rulings, they would have stayed in place and the current rulings would not have been necessary.

Though Verizon claimed they would sue the FCC, they have not yet done so.

They are not planning to bring an individual lawsuit against the FCC, but will reportedly participate in lawsuits being brought forth by trade groups.

Whatever your opinion is on the new FCC rulings, the bottom line is that something has to be done. At least this is how Wheeler feels about it, saying a mouthful

during the vote on March 26.

“The Internet is the most powerful and pervasive platform on the planet. It is simply too important to be left without rules and without a referee on the field.

Think about it. The Internet has replaced the functions of the telephone and the post office. The Internet has redefined commerce, and as the outpouring from four million Americans has demonstrated, the Internet is the ultimate vehicle for free expression. The Internet is simply too important to allow broadband providers to be the ones making the rules.”

He went on to further defend the decision.

“This is no more a plan to regulate the Internet than the First Amendment is a plan to regulate free speech. They both stand for the same concepts: openness, expression, and an absence of gate keepers telling people what they can do, where they can go, and what they can think.”

Students prepare for graduation

By Mika Kotanova Agora staff

It’s that time of year again for students to stand in line in the dining hall to pick up their caps and gowns for graduation.

Gradfest was sponsored by Student Government Tuesday, March 24. It was an opportunity for MCCC students to celebrate their pending graduation.

Student Government members passed out pop and popcorn to graduates as they were walking in.

Along with refreshments, students listened to guitar player Kevin Daniels perform.

Students had the opportunity to meet with four-year universities, such as Siena Heights and Eastern Michigan University.

For MCCC student Brendan

Finley, his experience at MCCC has been quite magical.

Finley plans on attending University of Toledo or Eastern Michigan University and also plans on coming back for MCCC Alumni events.

“MCCC gives you a good experience, so you are not hopping into something big, it’s a good transition,” he said.

Rehearsal for the 48th Annual Commencement Ceremony is Friday, May 1, in the Welch Health Education Building at 12:30 p.m.

The doors will be opened at 5:30 p.m. that night for the Commencement Ceremony, and graduates should arrive at 6 p.m.

The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. No admittance will be granted without a ticket.

Above, right, students signed a “Congratulations 2015 MCCC Graduates” poster; below right, 4-yearuniversities set up tables for MCCC students to get information; right, singer Kevin Daniels performed at the Gradfest event.

Photos by Mika Kotanova

Briefs

Career and Opportunity Expo planned March 27 MCCC will be hosting the 5th annual Career and Opportunity Expo on Friday, March 27 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the H Building.

The expo is created to highlight career opportunities as well as help students, colleges, employers, veterans, and community members come together.

Professional dress is required, and resumes are encouraged.

For a list of participating organizations and sponsors visit www.monroeccc.edu/careerexpo.

For more information contact Barry Kinsey, director of workforce development and chair of the expo, at bkinsey@monroeccc.edu or (734) 384-4124.

Women’s Wellness Fair scheduled March 26 Photo courtesy of MASS

MCCC’s Math and Science Society (MASS) students participated in the Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics of Michigan at the Big House on the University of Michigan campus. They were able to raise $1,300, although the actual plunge was called off due to extremely cold weather.

Women’s self defense seminar scheduled April 9 MCCC professor Mark Bergmooser, a fifth degree black belt, will be holding a women’s selfdefense seminar.

The seminar will be in the H building on Thursday, April 9, from 7-9 p.m.

The two-hour session will cover basic self-defense strategies such as kicks, punches, and strikes to help protect against attackers.

Those is attendance will learn to recognize threatening situations, how to respond, and how to mentally and emotionally find the confidence and strength needed to make it through an attack.

The cost of the seminar is $29.

Race Relations panel at MCCC MCCC will host a panel discussion on race relations from noon-1p.m. in the Dining Room of the A Building on April 6.

“An Honest Community Conversation about Race Relations” is part of the Culture and Current Affairs Speaker Series sponsored by the college.

The panel will discuss issues such as Ferguson, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Virginia. It will be hosted by MCCC President Dr. Kojo Quartey.

A women’s wellness fair will be held in the Admissions foyer of the A building Thursday March 26 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The fair will focus on healthy nutrition for women, including fitness of the mind, body, and spirit.

This event is sponsored by the Diversity Committee and One Book, One Community.

Family Fun Night set for April 17 in H Building Family Fun Night will be hosted by Student Government on April 17 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The event will be held in the Health Education Building. Admission is $1 per person. Additional donations are welcome.

This event drew more than 700 children and adults last year. It is open to all members of the community and provides an inexpensive family night out.

There will be various carnival-type games, prizes, refreshments, face painting, family photos, magicians, giant inflatables and more.

The Foundation at Monroe Community College and Siena Heights University are contributing sponsors.

For more information, contact Tom Ryder, campus/community events and student activities coordinator, at (734) 384-4201 or tryder@monroeccc. edu.

The River Raisin Ragtime Revue will perform March 27 at MCCC.

River Raisin Ragtime Revue to play March 27 The River Raisin Ragtime Revue is a Tecumseh-based musical group that specializes in the history and performance of early jazz and ragtime music.

The 13-member group will perform at MCCC’s Meyer Theater Friday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m.

The group regularly performs at venues such as The Henry Ford Museum, the Detroit Institute of Art, and Ann Arbor’s Michigan Theater, and also produces an annual Ragtime Extravaganza!

Tickets are $17 and can be purchased online at www.monroeccc.edu/theater, at the Cashier’s Office in the A building, or by phone on the ticket hotline at (734) 384-4272.

Contact Tom Ryder at (734) 384-4201 for information on group rates, room, and catering.

Feature

March 25, 2015

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|5

2015 One Book project focuses on food

Julia Grzywinski Agora staff

The One Book, One Community project kicks off Wednesday March 25 with a “Taste of Monroe” event.

Cheryl Johnston, English professor and cochair of the event, said the organization is excited for everything to kick off.

The 2015 One Book project focuses on “The American Way of Eating,” by Tracie McMillan. The kickoff is in the La-Z-Boy Center atrium from 6-8 p.m.

Community members will be able to get “A Taste of Monroe,” with a sampling of local food and beverages, at the kickoff. Also provided are interactive stations and booths about bee keeping, gardening, and canning and preserving.

The keynote speaker for the kickoff will be artist and urban farmer Kate Daughdrill, who will talk about gardening in the heart of Detroit.

“Buying a house in Detroit for $600 and starting to build a garden around it with my neighbors made me realize that art and food are both great ways to bring people together,” Daughdrill said.

“I’ll talk about some of my projects, and hopefully some folks can be inspired to create their own projects to improve the health of their communities.”

One project Daughdrill has worked on is called the Edible Hut. It’s a community gathering space in Detroit’s Osborn neighborhood with a living, edible roof – a garden of herbs and spices.

“It creates a stage for bringing neighbors together to organize creative activities, including

Tracie McMillan’s reporting on food issues has been called “a voice the world needs,” by the New York Times.

Tracie McMillan

exploration of growing and preparing healthy food,” she said. “It’s a hub for all kinds of activities, from concerts to learning how to use herbs from the hut’s roof in making a pizza.”

Daughdrill’s art ranges from sculpture to installations to print making, architecture and writing.

“I really use a lot of media,” she said.

Her art is closely tied to her garden and her community work.

“I explore the intersection of art, gardening and community, and how art and food can be a really essential part of helping communities come together.”

The second annual used book sale will also take place during the kickoff event.

Although the events for One Book are just beginning, students all over campus have already begun reading and discussing the book of choice this year.

“It is finally a topic that I think can bring about a good discussion among the community; I’m excited to read it,” said MCCC student

Kevin Stewart.

The full title of the book is “The American Way of Eating: Undercover at Walmart, Applebee’s, Farm Fields and the Dinner Table.”

The book is is designed to bring to the table a discussion about where our foods really come from, the working conditions of the people in the food industry, and the preparation and serving of food McMillan will be on campus to talk about her book and food issues on Wednesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. in the La-Z-Boy center.

McMillan was born and raised in rural Michigan and now is based in Brooklyn. The American Way of Eating was called a “moving first-person narrative” by the Wall Street Journal.

According to McMillan’s website, the book argues for thinking of fresh, healthy food as a public and social good—a stance that inspired The New York Times to call her “a voice the food world needs.”

She has written about food and class for a variety of publications, including The New York Times, the Washington Post, National Geographic, Harper’s Magazine, Mother Jones, Saveur, and Slate.

The One Book team is encouraging discussion around the community, from libraries to schools and the college.

Library branches from Temperance, Monroe, Ida, and Summerfield will be showing films, hosting discussions, and holding events to get the rest of the community involved.

Events surrounding One Book One Community will run until early May. A full schedule is listed below.

One Book, One Community schedule of events Wednesday, March 25

Thursday, April 2

Sat April 18

Event: Children’s Program: Where Does Our Food Come From?

4:30 p.m.

Location: L.S Navarre Branch Library 1135 E. Second Street, Monroe Time: 4:30 p.m Event: One Book One Community Kick-Off Location: La-Z-Boy Center Atrium MCCC Time: 6-8 p.m.

Event: River Raisin Institute Spring Film Series: Food Matters Location: Summerfield-Petersburg Branch Library 60 E. Center Street, Petersburg.

Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

Event: Book Discussion: The American Way of Eating Location: Bedford Branch Library 8575 Jackman Road, Temperance Time: 10:30 a.m

Event: Foodways of Early Michigan Location: Navarre-Anderson Trading Post, 3815 N. Custer Road, Monroe Time: 12-4 p.m.

Tues April 7

Mon April 20

Thursday, March 26

Event: Women’s Health and Wellness Fair Location: Student Services/Administration Building MCCC Time: 11:30-1 p.m.

Event: Film Series: A Place at the Table Location: Room 4 Whitman Center 7777 Lewis Avenue, TemperanceTime: 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 28 Event: Maple Sugar Day Location: Navarre-Anderson Trading Post 3815 N. Custer Road, Monroe Time: 12-4 p.m.

Sunday March 29 Event: Film Series: The Hundred Foot Journey Location: Bedford Branch Library 8575 Jackman Road, Temperance Time: 2 p.m.

Monday March 30 Event: Celebrity Waiter Night Location: Harbor Inn and Ale 13993 LaPlaisance Road, Monroe Time: 6-9p.m.

Event: Film Series: Ratatouille Location: Dorsch Memorial Library 18 E. First Street, Monroe Time: 6 p.m.

Wednesday April 1 Event: Film Series: Pieces of April Location: Ellis Library and Reference Center 3700 S. Custer Road, Monroe Time 6:30 p.m.

Event: Film Series: King Corn Location: Dining Room Student Services/Administration Building, MCCC Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Event: River Raisin Institute Spring Film Series: Hungry for Change Location: Ida Branch Library, 30161 Lewis Avenue, Ida Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

Tues April 21

Thurs April 9 Event: Brown Bag Discussion: The American Way of Eating Location: La-Z-Boy Center Atrium, MCCC Time: 12:30 p.m.

Event: Book Discussion: The American Way of Eating Location: Ida Branch Library, 30161 Lewis Avenue, Ida Time: 6:30 p.m.

Event: Panel Discussion: Think Global, Eat Local Location: La-Z-Boy Center Atrium, MCCC Time: 7 p.m.

Sunday April 12 Event: Film Series: Chocolat Location: Ellis Library and Reference Center 3700 S. Custer Road, Monroe Time: 2 p.m.

Event: Book Discussion: The American Way of Eating Location: Rasey Memorial Branch Library, 4349 Oak Drive, Luna Pier Time: 6:30 p.m.

Wed April 22 Event: River Raisin Institute Spring Film Series: Hungry for Change Location: Summerfield-Petersburg Branch Library 60 E. Center Street, Petersburg Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

Mon April 27 Event: Book Discussion: The American Way of Eating Location: Carleton Branch Library 1444 Kent Street, Carleton Time: 7 p.m.

Mon May 4

Wednesday April 15 Event: OBOC main event: Speech by The American Way of Eating author Tracie McMillan.

Location: Meyer Theater, MCCC Time: 7 p.m.

Thursday April 16 Event: Beekeeping with Henry Lievens Location: Monroe County Historical Museum, 126 S. Monroe Street, Monroe Time: 7 p.m.

Event: River Raisin Institute Spring Film Series: Ingredients Location: Ida Branch Library 30161 Lewis Avenue, Ida Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

Wed May 6 Event: River Raisin Institute Spring Film Series: Ingredients Location: Summerfield-Petersburg Branch Library 60 E. Center Street, Petersburg Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

Fri April 17 Event: Tour of Michigan Buffet Location: Dining Room /Administration Building, MCCC Time: 5 p.m. *This event is sold out

Culinary students’ talent showcased to community Dakota Sherrick Agora Staff

Photos by Dakota Sherrick

Michella Robins prepares desserts.

MCCC’s Culinary Program held its second buffet of the semester Friday, March 20.

Chef Kevin Thomas recommendss getting to these banquets ahead of time to ensure a good seat.

The theme of the last banquet was “Tasting Across America.”

“It’s regional foods from around the country, so we’ll have areas such as the East and West coasts’ cuisines,” Chef Thomas said.

“We’ll also do something in the Midwest area, the Second year students prepare the meal for the banquet.

Southwest area, and even in the southern parts of the country. You know, kind of Georgia, South Carolina, even New Orleans, that kind of stuff.”

The students were put in groups and each group was assigned an area of the country to prepare food from.

First year students prepared the pastries and desserts, and second year students handled the meal itself.

Tickets to the banquets are $20.

“It’s (the banquets) more to show off the students’ skills, but it does help to offset the cost,” Thomas said.

“It’s a very expensive program. Our program is expensive because the cost of food and beverage never go down. They always go up, so we’re continuousGreen beans were on the menu for “Tasting Across ly trying to find ways to offset our cost. It certainly America.”

doesn’t pay for the buffet, it just helps,” he said.

Chef Thomas explained that the majority of the customers are members of the community.

“We do get a lot of the administrators here on campus. We don’t get a lot of students because I think the buffet experience takes about an hour and a half.”

He said that because most students are in class, they can’t afford to spend time at the buffet.

“So it’s all mostly community people, some of the administration and a few of the faculty members here on campus. Staff too.”

The next buffet is scheduled for Thursday, April 2, at 11:30 a.m. Tickets will be $20. The theme will be “A Taste of History.”

The last buffet of the semester is part of the ongoing One Book, One Community series of events. The theme of that buffet will be “Tour of Michigan.” This banquet has already sold out.

“We are actually doing foods from the state of Michigan, because the woman who wrote the book that the One Book One Community is based around, she’s from Michigan, she’s from Kalamazoo,” Thomas explained.

“She’s big on sustainability and that kind of stuff, so we’re going to do all local products as much as we possibly can, and all the stuff throughout the state of Michigan.”

6 | mcccagora.com •

Feature

The Agora

March 25, 2015

Grade A Chef Nate Lockhart a familiar face in MCCC’s cafeteria

E

very day hundreds of hungry students enter MCCC’s Grade A Café.

But do they know the man behind the scenes — the chef who creates the menus and prepares the food?

His name is Chef Nate Lockhart, and he has been at MCCC for three years.

He is the kitchen manager for Kosch Foods and has recently added responsiblity for the catering business.

Since he was 18 years old, he has been employed in a restaurant managerial position.

Chef Nate obtained an Associate’s Degree from Pennsylvania Institution of Culinary Arts.

“I saw this infomercial for a culinary school and I thought, ya know what, I’ll give it a shot. I gave em’ a call and a week later I was driving out there to fill out financial aid paperwork.”

Upon graduating, Chef Nate dabbled as a manager at several different places and along the way developed his own management style.

“I’m always up front with things,” he said. “I would say I’m laid back and open, there’s a time and place and a job has to be done.”

Chef Nate said that he respects his workers, which in turn, is why he gets respect back.

Several of his current employees said they enjoy their job mainly because of his management style.

“He’s here 4 a.m. - 6 p.m., every day, so he’s extremely motivated, reliable, and dependable,” said employee Nikki Roach.

“He’s the best boss I’ve ever had and that says a lot.”

Chef Nate said that he learned what managerial styles he liked and didn’t like during to his various work experiences.

When he worked for Granite City Food and Brewery in Maumee, Ohio, he was working 8090 house per week.

“At least once a week I slept in a bar-booth because it was safer for me to do that than to drive an

Photos and story by Mariah Tevepaugh hour home to sleep for an hour, then drive back,” he said.

Chef Nate said he enjoyed his time working for Granite City until his priorities had changed.

“The actual environment at the end was so toxic to me; I was an A-hole at work and an A-hole at home.”

“I truly realized I was a workaholic, and when I reached that point in my life when my family became more important to me than my passion and my job,” he said.

So, Chef Nate ventured out to find a job that was fit for a family.

When he first heard about a place hiring for chef manager offering five days a week, with convenient hours, he couldn’t believe it.

“I thought it was probably some ma and pop place,” he said. “So I called and talked to Jerry, my boss now, and he told me about it, and I laughed at him on the phone.”

Chef Nate said that working at MCCC has made it possible for him to be a father and a husband.

Above, Chef Nate Lockhart serves MCCC graphic designer Doug Richter; left, he words the grill; and above, he finishes off a sandwich.

When Chef Nate was younger, he said his dream was just like any young and aspiring cook; he wanted to own a restaurant.

He now has no desire to own his own restaurant but is considering the possibility of a small catering business.

“I’m one of those few people that has known what they’ve wanted to do and God has blessed me to be able to do that,” he said.

“If what you do ain’t fun, then don’t do it — if you don’t have a passion for what you’re doing, you’re in the wrong business.

You gotta be a little crazy, too.”

Chef Nate said that he knew he wanted to cook since he was a child.

“The first thing I ever cooked, I was just barely old enough to reach the stove,” he said. “I got a pot out, put it on the stove, nothing in it, and turned it on, let it get nice and hot, carried it into our living room and set it on our carpet.”

Chef Nate said that he likes the idea of creating something from nothing and testing it out on others.

“I love to create things and I love the interaction I get with people — in this field you meet all kinds of people,” he said.

Chef Nate said one of his favorite dishes to make is soup, especially cheeseburger soup.

“Somebody asked me for the recipe the other day and I said a,

“I’m one of those people that has known what they’ve wanted to do and God has blessed me to do that.”

Chef Nathan Lockhart Grade A Cafe Manager

‘a thousand bucks,’ ” he said.

Chef Nate said hardly ever uses recipes.

“Almost 99 percent of the times I’ve used a recipe, it’s been an epic failure,” he said.

He even said he’s lost jobs due to the fact he doesn’t have a specific cooking style.

In one job interview he was asked what his cooking style was.

“If Larry the Cable Guy and Chef Gordon Ramsey had a kid, I would be it,” he said.

However, Chef Nate said he’s never been inspired to be anyone else.

“I am whoever I am, good or bad,” he said. “I’ve never wanted to aspire to be another person.”

MCCC students said that it’s not just Chef Nate’s work ethic, but his personality that enables him to succeed and have such an impact.

Student Heaven Wuest said it’s due to his kind and caring personality.

“When I was in middle college, I had a lot of home issues

at the time. I was moving from friends to friends and money wasn’t really there. Nate always fed me though; he never let me go hungry,” she said.

“Nate has a big heart and I know he would do this for anyone.”

Chef Nate said that every year he likes to take a couple middle college students under his wing.

One of those students was Nicholas Ridner.

“This kid, instead of spending money on himself, he’d buy somebody else something to eat,” he said.

“So he didn’t pay for coffee or food his first year here, I knew he needed the help and I would tell people, Hey, this is my son,” he said.

Ridner said that he saw Chef Nate as a father figure after all he had done.

“I view him as a father figure in my life, so the appropriate action was to give him a card - he helped me a lot last year when I was in need,” Ridner said.

“He is a caring guy who would help you with anything, he likes to sit down and have lunch sometimes and cares about what is going on in the student’s lives,” he said.

Not only is he passionate about helping students and cooking, but about his family and singing as well.

“I have four kids, so luckily I married a superhero,” he said.

Chef Nate said he couldn’t have succeeded without the support of his family.

He also said that his other passion besides his family and cooking is singing, whether for his church or for fun.

On Thursdays, he said he likes to go to Trapperz for karaoke.

Sometimes he mixes work with pleasure.

“Last May I won the Monroe big recital contest for Big Brothers, Big Sisters; I helped them raise some money. I catered and competed,” he said.

Ori unlocks mystical Blind Forest experience Jeff Brown Agora staff

Ori and the Blind Forest is a sidescrolling action platformer that is as fun to play as is it beautiful to experience.

Ori and the Blind Forest is developed

by Moon studios in collaboration with Microsoft just in time to herald the coming of spring.

Moon Studios uses simple, yet powerful storytelling with an exquisite musical score composed by Gareth Coker to make the game’s world and characters come alive.

This game is a stunning piece of art.

In Ori and the Blind Forest you play as Ori, the daughter of the Spirit Tree, who was lost one day during a storm and after an emotional prologue she ends up on her own.

Ori sets out and battles with monsters and the environment in order to restore the natural order of the forest, which has been tainted since she was lost.

To save the forest, Ori must gather three stolen, life-sustaining elements and return them to their homes.

This involves going through three dangerous dungeons that are brilliantly designed and challenging.

At the end of each dungeon, there is

an adrenaline fueling escape sequence that will leave your palms sweaty and utilize all of your skill and abilities to complete.

The beautiful watercolor world comes alive as you explore and fight your way through it.

Don’t be fooled by the watercolor art style of this game. It may look like a game where the art is just there to enhance a short and pleasant platformer with emotional pull, but I can assure you it isn’t.

Instead Ori and the Blind Forest is an intricate and precise platformer that some might not be able to complete without patience, skill and precision.

You’ll die so much in Ori and the Blind Forest that the game records how many times you die.

My death count was almost 600 during my eight-hour adventure.

Many of the obstacles Ori goes through are brutally unforgiving, if you are a beat too late or an inch too far, Ori will die and you have to go back to the last save point.

This can be frustrating but it never feels like it’s the game’s fault that you failed and after getting past a section that you’ve been stuck on for a while you get a profound sense of relief and satisfaction.

The game relies on the player to save

the game and save often, but you can only save if you have enough energy, so if you die and haven’t saved in a while you’ll have to go back and do everything that you completed over again, though I noticed that after completing a section once, it was much easier to do the second, third, and fourth time.

Throughout Ori’s adventure, she learns new skills that will help her combat monsters and successfully traverse the world and get to new areas.

My favorite ability is the Bash, which allows you to lock on to enemies or projectiles and launch yourself to a faraway ledge or to another enemy while launching the projectile or enemy you locked onto the other direction.

Chaining together bashes to get across extra-long and deadly pits is one of the most satisfying things you can do in this game.

Ori and the Blind Forest is an actionfilled adventure with emotion and character. The game is challenging and rewarding and I recommend it to anyone who wants to fall in love with a Metroidvania style platformer.

Ori and the Blind Forest was reviewed on Xbox One. It is also available on PC.

April video game release dates April 2 - Project CARS (PC) April 7 - Bastion (PS4) April 7 - Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin Edition (Xbox One, 360, PS4, PS3, PC) April 7 - Etrian Mystery Dungeon (3DS) April 7 - Project CARS (Xbox One, PS4) April 7 - Stealth Inc. 2 (PC, PS4, PS3, Vita) April 9 - Stardrive 2 (PC, Mac, Linux) April 10 - Dead Synchronicity (PC) April 10 - Stealth Inc. 2 (Xbox One) April 10 - Xenoblade Chronicles 3D (New 3DS) April 14 - Grand Theft Auto V (PC) April 14 - Mortal Kombat X (Xbox One, 360, PS4, PS3, PC) April 14 - Titan Souls (PS4, Vita) April 16 - Telepath Tactics (PC, Mac, Linux) April 21 - Shovel Knight (PS4, PS3, Vita) April 24 - Dungeons II (PC) April 24 - Kholat (PC) April 24 - Omega Quintet (PS4) April 28 - State of Decay: Year One Survival Edition (Xbox One) April 28 - Tropico 5 (PS4) - April 28 April 30 - Chroma Squad (PC, Mac, Linux)

A&E

March 25, 2015

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|7

Sequel to prize-winning novel announced Evan Kutz Agora staff

This summer will mark a literary event of our time when Harper Lee, author of the Pulitzer prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird, will see her second novel published, Go Set a Watchman.

Last February, Harper Collins announced that it would be publishing the long lost manuscript of the second novel.

The story sees an adult Scout Finch living in New York, who visits her father, Atticus Finch in the very same Macomb she grew up in.

She must deal with his attitudes toward society and the place she grew up in.

Ms. Lee, now 88, wrote Go Set a Watchmen several years before writing To Kill a Mockingbird, which was published in 1960.

The parent novel was set aside after her editor suggested she write a different story from the perspective of a young Scout, with overlapping themes and characters that would connect to Go Set a Watchman.

The success of To Kill a Mockingbird was overwhelming to Ms. Lee, and the planned sequel was never released.

MCCC’s English professor Bill McCloskey discussed how an author’s first work is their best. Since “Go Set a Watchman” was written first, he wonders if it’ll be even better.

“In the end, even if the book isn’t good it’ll never take away from ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’,” he said.

Before it was found by her friend and lawyer Tonja Carter, Ms. Lee had believed the manuscript was either destroyed or lost.

Scholars had previously knew that there was an earlier work dealing with the characters in To Kill a

Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, soon to release sequel.

Mockingbird, but didn’t expect a finished and complete story taking place 20 years after the events of her only novel.

Carter initiated the path to publication.

“Ms. Carter has been with the Lee sisters for many, many years, and she is a first-rate lawyer,” Greg Norris, a probate judge and president of the Alabama’s Monroe County Commission said.

Mr. Norris is concerned that the complex debate over the new book could scorn Monroeville’s legacy.

“I just don’t know why people would be so negative,” he said. “We are a poor rural county and this new book puts us on the map again.”

The pages were well received amongst the first to read them, convincing an initially reluctant Ms. Lee to agree with the publishing.

It was Carter who initiated the deal, and HarperCollins is taking pride in publishing the work.

Readers are eager to see what happens to these characters; anticipation would be an understatement amongst literary scholars.

Some friends and family have questioned the mental clarity of Harper Lee, who lives in an assisted living facility, leading several people who know her to issue complaints of elder abuse to the State of Alabama.

After an investigation and conversations with Ms. Lee, the case was dismissed.

However, there remains disagreement amongst Ms. Lee’s family and friends about her lucidity and awareness, leaving many to wonder if she suffers from a stage of dementia. At 88, it’s certainly a possibility.

Ms. Lee’s sister, Alice Lee, who acted as caregiver and lawyer for Harper, passed away two months before the announcement was made.

Alice had felt Harper was not mentally healthy, making suspicious the advancement of the publishing house to move forward with the novel.

The controversy is a personal one. Friends, family and legal representatives of Ms. Lee are taking sides.

“Almost immediately after her sister died, they began pushing for publishing. You almost wonder if her sister was a control freak. The whole ordeal makes me feel uncomfortable,” McCloskey said.

“I don’t know if you can believe anything right now. Maybe we’ll never know.”

Ms. Lee’s longtime friend and historian Wayne Flint said he visited with Ms. Lee since the announcement and found her to be in good spirits.

“This narrative of senility, exploitation of this helpless little old lady is just hogwash. It’s just complete bunk,” he said in an interview with The Associated Press.

MCCC Professor of English Terry Telfer spoke of his mother and her battle with dementia before she passed away.

“There are different stages of dementia. It’s an incredibly frustrating disease,” he said. “It’s not something that goes in a straight line, it can be different day after day. In the case of Harper Lee, you may never know exactly who you’re dealing with at that time. It’s a tough one.”

Ms. Lee’s friend, Philip Sanchez, who was a pallbearer at Alice Lee’s funeral, visits Ms. Lee often and says she is capable of consenting to publish Go Set a Watchman.

“It’s a call only God or a doctor can make,” he said. “I am more concerned that Nelle is content than the discussion of her cognizance.” MCCC’s Writing Center director Tim Dillon has been following the development of the controversy.

“Harper Lee allegedly said she’s excited about the book being published, although some would say she is in her dotage. So we don’t know if we can even believe her or not,” he said.

Dillon leans toward the idea that Ms. Lee is indeed being manipulated.

“It just doesn’t all add up to me. There’s something fishy about it,” he said. “It’ll be a shame if she’s being manipulated, and a greater shame if the book doesn’t live up to the hype.”

Outside of itself it, regardless of the actual content, the novel will generate a story of its own.

“It’ll remain controversial one way or the other,” Dillon said. “Will I read it? Absolutely. I have to.”

The novel will no doubt raise a literary firestorm, and it’s easy to imagine it will be a subject of discussion and debate throughout its life.

Go Set a Watchmen is set for release this July, and can be viewed in the Amazon.com store for preorder.

Better get watching ‘Better call Saul’

Evan Kutz Agora staff

When Breaking Bad’s infamous attorney at (extra) law actor Bob Odenkirk couldn’t film an episode due to a prior scheduling commitment (some might remember him as Marshall’s boss on How I Met Your Mother), the writers were inspired to create the character Mike Ehrmantraut, played by Jonathan Banks, to move the show along.

Mike is introduced as Saul Goodman’s “fixer” and quickly became a fan favorite.

Now Vince Gilligan’s prequel series to his hit success is about these two characters, and that’s something to be excited about.

Many will argue that Breaking Bad changed the landscape of network television.

Although serialized shows have called cable television home, it was when Netflix acquired Breaking Bad for streaming and gave birth to binge watching, the primary way the internet-connected world is now accustomed to watch their shows.

Better Call Saul is about two bit lawyer Jimmy McGill, know to Breaking Bad fans as Saul Goodman (it is presumed we’ll see that transition happen over the course

of the first season).

It’s not just the name that’s different—this isn’t the same character we thought we knew.

Taking place in Albuquerque N.M., Jimmy still has to make a name for himself (literally), and we are promised the backstory on how his character evolves leading up to the events of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.

We were given a taste of the interconnectedness with Mike Ehrmantraut, and early on in the show we get some screen time with Tuco Salamanca, making for tasteful subtle callbacks to the parent show.

There are rumors of Jesse Pinkman or Hank Schrader appearing later on in the series, as well as other cameos, but we’ll have to wait and see.

It would be a shame to not take advantage of the fascinating characters Vince Gilligan and his writers came up with, but if Better Call Saul is any indication, he is still capable of creating new ones that feel as real yet larger than life as those before.

Currently season one is airing on AMC. After the finale, Netflix will begin streaming all ten episodes,

with many more viewers expected to binge through them over the course of the first few weeks.

Better Call Saul set cable rating records when it premiered in February, and has a steady following larger than that of Breaking Bad’s first season.

The series has received critical praise on the first three episodes given to reviewers.

The show has been described as artistic and daring, and in many ways so was Breaking Bad, but this show seems to take more liberties and breaks formula quite often.

Despite it’s initial hook, the show has slowed down in the mid-late episodes, making view-

ers anxious to see if it was all worth it in time for the quickly approaching finale.

The show has momentum, but lacks the fire and rage that was weaved under every story in Walter White’s journey.

Whether or not audiences will want to call on Sall Goodman for a second trial is yet to be seen.

Regardless, as AMC’s other mad legacy series comes to an end this Fall, we can expect Netflix and the cable network not to abandon their new poster child.

As Bryan Cranston wrote to Odenkirk, “Go slay the critical few and take your rightful place among the stars. You have arrived.”

Gottfried roasts Monroe, roasts himself Mitch Perkins Agora staff

Photo by Mark Spenosa

Comedian Gilbert Gottfried performed in the Meyer Theater on March 7.

After a short roast of Monroe County to kick off the show, Gilbert Gottfried continued to drive the show directly into the ground.

Many of the people in attendance at Gottfried’s March 7 performance laughed at the expense of the lack of entertainment Monroe has to offer.

Jokes were cracked to get across his point that nothing could be worse than living in Monroe, yet sitting through his attempt to tell jokes seemed to take the cake.

This perennial comedian who has been in the business for over 40 years seems to have reached the end of his rope.

Each joke seemed to dig himself a deeper and deeper hole as he poked fun at each race and ethnicity.

Comedians have long made a living poking fun at race and ethnicity with edgy comments that are quick and witty.

Gottfried struggled to find the comedy in the stereotypes that many people are used to laughing at with regularity.

With each joke the aging comedian seemed to inch closer to the punchlines with little urgency.

Half way through the few jokes that could have made those in attendance laugh, I was telling the punchlines in my head and the jokes lost all sense of hilarity.

“This perennial comedian who has been in the business for over 40 years seems to have reached the end of his rope.”

Many jokes were almost too crude, even for the type of humor that he projects.

Many dirty jokes that may have gotten an initial laugh were driven into the ground till there was a sense of awkwardness throughout the crowd.

One large man sitting in the center of the crowd felt obliged to heckle Gottfried throughout the show

Indie-folk band ditches banjo for electro Mika Kotonova Agora staff

Grammy award winning indie-folk band Mumford & Sons have announced new album after being on hiatus since 2013.

Despite breakup rumors, Mumford & Sons has taken the time off to record the new album.

Their third album “Wilder Mind” is going to be missing something that Mumford is known for, a banjo.

That’s right, Mumford & Sons are going electric and getting rid of the banjo.

The twelve track album includes song titles “Tompkins Square Park“,“The Wolf” and “Only Love”.

Along with a new album, Mumford & Sons have announced a tour including Gentlemen of the Road Stopover shows.

Sadly, the closest Mumford concert is in Waverly, Iowa.

Road Trip anyone?

Mumford & Sons have released a single off the new album titled “Believe”.

“Believe” starts off with frontman Marcus

Mumford’s soulful vocals and then goes into complete electric guitar solo.

The new single is completely banjo free.

Mumford & Sons have completely changed their sound but there is nothing wrong with change.

“Believe” will be on top of music charts soon enough.

“Believe“ is already the band’s third highest charting hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Wilder Mind” is due to hit shelves May 4th through Glassnote Records.

with very little wit.

Sometimes the best part of a comedic act is watching the comedian combat a heckler with witty comebacks that leave the heckler ashamed and the crowd in uproarious laughter.

Unfortunately, Gottfried seems to have lost his touch over the years.

What could have been a turning point for his act, to put this man in his place, resulted in Gottfried on stage making a fool of himself spurting off noises like a buffoon.

What had been built up as a night to remember in the La-z-Boy Center will hopefully be soon forgotten.

8 | mcccagora.com •

The Agora

Campus News

March 25, 2015

Agora students took pictures of the New York skyline from the Staten Island Ferry just after sunset. The tall tower at the left is one of the new World Trade Center buildings. Inset, the staff lined up for a photo on the ferry.

Agora staff attends New York media conference Agora staff

Members of The Agora staff traveled to New York City over spring break to attend the Spring National College Media Convention.

The convention offered more than 200 sessions, workshops, special events and activities aimed at providing the 1,400 student journalists with chances to learn and network with professionals.

“I took a lot away from the conference.

I feel I have a better grasp of the journalism world today and learned more about internships and how to land a job,” said Agora reporter Evan Kutz.

Journalism students often found themselves in small groups talking to people who have their dream jobs.

Successful journalists can walk a block from their newsrooms to give an hourlong talk that can change a student’s life.

Josh Margolin, chief investigative reporter for ABC News, gave a workshop on “The Art of an Interview,” where he showed students how to take control of tough interviews and get responses.

“His talk was life-changing, and it was an incredible feeling to be able to pick the brain of a successful journalist who does what I want to do,” Agora co-editor Shelby Spencer said.

Margolin gave advice on how to get your questions answered and how to stay

calm and in control of tough interviews.

During the session, students did several mock interviews that Margolin critiqued.

“He brought up points and bad habits in interviews that I had never even thought of before,” Spencer said.

Students take away a whole new world of thought and learn beyond the limitations of a classroom, Spencer said.

Workshops at the conference ranged from plotting career paths to technical areas like manipulating software.

Loren Elia, head of marketing at Infogram, and Alex Salkever, head of Data Journalism and Marketing at Silk.co, discussed how to build data stories.

The two showed a room of student journalists how to use Infogr.am and Silk. co., sites that are free for journalists to use to create info graphics, interactive maps, and charts.

“This pretty much changed my life,” Agora reporter Stevie Pipis said.

One of the keynote speaker sessions was a panel of political cartoonists, Daryl Cagle, Steve Sack, Adam Zyglis and Taylor Jones.

The prize-winning editorial cartoonists discussed some of the challenges and rewarding experiences they’ve encountered during their careers, as well as the Charlie Hebdo shootings in Paris.

While they spoke, their work was pre-

sented to the audience on slide shows.

Some students laughed, while others gasped in shock at the way controversial topics were covered.

“I loved it. I never really considered political cartoons as powerful, but after hearing the speakers talk about what they do and seeing what kind of impact a cartoon could have, I’ve changed my mind,” Agora co-editor Mariah Tevepaugh said.

“One of the speakers mentioned that every college newspaper should have one, and now I really wish we had one too!”

Some of the workshops focused on how journalists can tackle tragedy with tact and professionalism.

Suicide is not a bad word, according to journalist Caley Cook.

Although suicide is a topic that many people would rather avoid writing about, Cook emphasized just how crucial it is for the topic to be talked about on college campuses.

Cook shared personal stories, experiences and tips that helped students learn how to confront the issue, a growing problem on American college campuses.

“This is the most important session I attended,” said Agora member Julia Grzywinski. “Suicide is a topic that no one really knows how to talk about, but she really brought a new light on how to approach the topic.”

Perhaps the best part of the conference, many students thought, was hearing Vikram Ganhi speak about creating videos that make a difference.

Ganhi is the filmmaker behind the award-winning film “Kumare,” and is a producer and correspondent for the HBO series “Vice.”

“After his keynote, I was inspired. Videos can change lives,” said Agora reporter Mika Kotanova.

Three national leaders on First Amendment rights – Andrea Frantz, Frank Lomonte and Gene Policinski – spoke at two workshops at the convention. The first was titled, “Tackling the Top 10 Challenges Facing Student Media in 2015.”

Attendees learned about the information walls built to keep the press out, the effect of free press ignorance around campus, and how to diffuse hurdles with professionalism.

Their second workshop was a First Amendment Trivia Challenge.

“These workshops were by far the most fun and educational. I can’t believe how unaware I was of my own rights,” Agora reporter Josh Cappuccilli said.

Early Saturday morning, in the first workshop of the day, Amy Perko hosted a session called, “Critical Issues Impacting College Sports.”

Perko, executive director of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics,

covered financial issues being faced by NCAA athletics. The revenue brought in by universities with top-tier football programs differs immensely from smaller schools and schools with no football program at all.

“She covered topics that as a fan of college athletics I was unaware of and the way she approached them opened my eyes to better understand how college athletics works,” Agora reporter Mitch Perkins said.

Kutz noted the variety of sessions that attendees could pick and choose from.

Students were encouraged to leave for another session if one didn’t turn out as expected, so they could make the most of their time at the conference.

“It was good for us on the paper. Seeing students from all across the country, who were also passionate and eager—it rubbed off on us, I think.

“I know it left an impact on me. I want to pursue a career in journalism more than ever now.”

Speakers gave inspirational advice from their own life experiences.

They shared their honest opinions about the changed ecosystem of news reporting, and how that affects the way news is being handled.

“There are now more ways than ever to bring news to the world, and it’s an exciting time to be part of that,” Kutz said.

(Compiled by Josh Cappuccilli)

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