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‘X-Men: First Class’ brings series back to former glory

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Student profile: TJ Warren 2

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The University of Northern Iowa’s student-produced newspaper since 1892

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Hosch breaks MVC record in the 800-meter dash, earns All-American honors ing and a nice addition to that day’s accomplishments … It’s a great way to end my senior year.”

Hosch finished her collegiate career in the national semifinals of the 800m dash at the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships held at Drake Stadium.

By BRAD EILERS Editorial Staff

University of Northern Iowa senior track and field star Holli Hosch concluded her collegiate career with the Panthers in spectacular fashion after she broke the Missouri Valley Conference record in the outdoor 800-meter dash in the NCAA West Regional on May 27 in Eugene, Ore. With her record-breaking performance, Hosch qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines on June 8.

“I knew it was going to be difficult, having competed in the 800m last year, but it was really my goal for this year,” said Hosch. “I knew it would be a very difficult thing to do.”

Hosch ran a lifetimebest 2:05.16 for the sixthfastest time among qualifiers, breaking the all-time MVC record of 2:05.39 set

by Drake University’s Gina DeWitt in 1996. Hosch now

Courtesy Photo/NI NEWS SERVICE

UNI senior track and field star Holli Hosch broke the MVC record in the outdoor 800-meter dash by running a lifetime-best 2:05.16.

Hosch was also named a second team All-American and member of the Academic All-District Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country Team.

owns the six fastest outdoor 800m performances in UNI history.

“I didn’t find out about (breaking the MVC record) until that night at about 11 o’clock,” said Hosch. “When we realized it, that was excit-

“

It has been a genuine pleasure watching Holli race over the past two years.

She exemplifies everything we want our student-athletes to be.

Dan Steele UNI head track and field coach

Hosch clocked the thirdfastest outdoor 800m time in UNI history at 2:06.25, but she finished in 16th place and did not advance to the

final round. However, her 16th-place finish was good enough to earn her second team All-American honors – the first of her career – and it also marks an improvement over her 20th-place finish in 2010.

She concludes her UNI career as the MVC’s all-time record holder in the outdoor 800m, as well as holding the UNI school records in the indoor 600m, indoor 800m and outdoor 800m.

Aside from being great on the track, Hosch was also named a member of the Capital One Academic All-District Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America on June 2. Hosch earned second-team academic all-district honors in District VII. She holds a 3.37 GPA and is majoring in elementary education. Hosch has also been named to the MVC ScholarAthlete Team each season from 2009-11.

“

I didn’t find out about (breaking the MVC record) until that night at about 11 o’clock. When we realized it, that was exciting and a nice addition to that day’s accomplishments … It’s a great way to end my senior year.

Holli Hosch

UNI senior track and field athlete

“It has been a genuine pleasure watching Holli race over the past two years,” said UNI head track and field coach Dan Steele. “She exemplifies everything we want our student-athletes to be. While we know we can’t replace her, we will point to her career as the standard we want future Panthers to measure themselves against.”

UNI hosts Solar Splash World Championships

By ALLIE KOOLBECK Editorial Staff

For the first time ever, the University of Northern Iowa hosted the Solar Splash World Championship of Intercollegiate Solar Boat Racing. Twenty-one teams from four countries gathered at George Wyth State Park June 8-12 to participate in the event “Everyone among visiting team members as well as Solar Splash officials were very happy to have the competition in Iowa,” said Reg Pecen, team adviser to the UNI Solar Panthers and professor of industrial technology. “They were very impressed with the wellorganized preparations.”

The UNI Solar Panthers competed in the event, losing

third place by less than one point out of a 1,000-point scale and therefore placing fourth overall. In addition, the Solar Panthers placed third in Solar Endurance and received an award for Best Visual Display.

“This is a championship event that requires engineering team work, sportsmanship and workmanship,” Pecen said. “I strongly believe that UNI Solar Panthers have done an excellent job on these qualifications.”

Pecen was pleased that UNI hosted the competition.

“We are also honored to host and help international and U.S. teams here in our department and let them use our manufacturing and electrical labs for their See SOLAR SPLASH, page 3

Courtesy Photo/Reg Pecan

UNI student Hannah Loan competes in the Solar Splash World Championships for the Solar Panthers.

The University of Northern Iowa’s student-produced newspaper since 1892

Features

Friday, June 17, 2011

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Student Profile: TJ Warren

“There are so many opportunities here for people to take advantage of.”

By KARI BRAUMANN Editorial Staff

TJ Warren wore some interesting shoes to spring commencement.

An eight-year student at the University of Northern Iowa, Warren received his bachelor’s degree from UNI in 2008 and a master’s degree in postsecondary education: student affairs last month.

When Warren entered the UNI-Dome, he could tell his attire – a pair of fuzzy black feet – was causing a stir. Students who have served as UNI mascot TC wear the fuzzy feet at graduation.

“As I was walking up to the stage, I could hear people go, ‘Look at his feet. That’s TC!’” Warren remembered.

He said that comments like that and “constantly hearing those whispers” were what he will remember most about commencement.

Playing TC during the 2010-2011 school year was the culmination of a busy career at UNI for TJ Warren. He took advantage of several opportunities as a student, including Student Admissions Ambassadors, being a resident assistant, helping with summer orientation, Tae Kwon Do and Varsity Men’s Glee Club.

Since 2008, Warren has also served as the graduate residence life coordinator of Shull Hall, a position he balanced with his graduate studies.

“Coming in as a firstyear coordinator was a little overwhelming” because of

all the things he had to learn both in his job and as a graduate student, Warren said.

“But as I got into second (and) third year, I knew the system. I was able to dive in a little bit more and make it a unique building that was unique to me and the students.”

As a GRLC, Warren worked with student employees – desk assistants and resident assistants.

From that experience, he emphasizes three qualities in particular that make up a strong leader: commitment, respect and having fun.

“Follow through on your responsibilities,” Warren advised. “Respect – we all come from different backgrounds, different walks of life, and it’s important to value where we each come

Courtesy Photo/TJ Warren

TC - “The Cat” became the name for UNI’s panther mascot in the mid 1980s and has been the name ever since.

from. And ... just to enjoy each day, because we don’t know how long we have here, so I think we have to make the most of it.”

Warren’s sense of fun drove his friends to suggest he try out to be TC. When they suggested it one day See WARREN, page 4

Executive Editor anderjao@uni.edu 563.580.3983

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energetic Nazi doctor, now known as Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon, whom we all know through the six degrees of Kevin Bacon).

Despite the vast differences in their views of mutants and humans, they flourish working together.

Now, you might be reading this and thinking, “That sure is a lot of plot summary!” However, as a prequel, the movie spends most of its 132 minutes creating a story and multiple characters. Some new characters to the series are introduced,

The Northern Iowan is published semiweekly on Tuesday and Friday during the academic year; weekly on Friday during the summer session, except for holidays and examination periods, by the University of Northern Iowa, L011 Maucker Union, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0166 under the auspices of the Board of Student Publications.

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See X-MEN, page 3

Et cetera

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NICK ROOS

degree in genetic mutations in London with his “sister” Raven (Jennifer Lawrence, “Winter’s Bone”). Elsewhere, Erik (Michael Fassbender, “Inglourious Basterds”) is a vengeful weapon hunting the doctor who tortured him and killed his mother. Their paths cross after CIA agent Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne, “Bridesmaids”) accidentally discovers mutants and enlists Charles’ help in fighting the Cold War. Charles’ calm manner balances the hot-headed Erik, and the two become immediate friends and allies fighting against the ever-

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Courtesy Photo/Abaca Press/MCT CAMPUS

Actor James McAvoy stars in “X-Men: First Class” as Charles Xavier.

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Summer: perfect for bigbudget, blockbuster, actionpacked films that thrive on midnight showings and the supernatural. So far this summer has given us “Thor” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” Like “Pirates,” “X-Men: First Class” has familiar characters, but like “Thor,” it is the beginning of an epic tale.

The beginning of the film begins with a familiar scene: a young boy being torn away from his parents in a Nazi concentration

camp, who gets so upset he bends the metal gates with his mind. As X-Men fans know, this young boy will grow up to become the villainous Magneto, but before this, he is Erik Lehnsherr, a young boy tortured into his abilities by a soulless Nazi doctor. An ocean away in New York, a young British telekinetic is surprised in the kitchen by a young girl whose natural state is blue and scaly. Charles Xavier and the girl, known only as Raven, become fast friends.

Eighteen years later, Charles (James McAvoy, “Wanted”) is earning his

Northern Iowan Staff

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Circulation

‘X-Men: First Class’ brings the series back to glory

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Opinion

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From the editorial staff

A fundamental misunderstanding

By now, you may have heard about what happened when student leaders from Iowa’s public universities testified at a state legislative hearing in Des Moines.

William Petroski’s blog on the Des Moines Register website stated that Iowa Sen. Shawn Hamerlinck, R-Dixon, “patiently listened to the student leaders” as they talked about the impact budget cuts have had on regent universities and students’ lives.

“I do not like it when students actually come here and lobby me for funds,” Hamerlinck said after the students had spoken. “That’s just my opinion. I want to

SOLAR SPLASH continued from page 1

needs,” Pecen said. “For example, we were happy to help Istanbul Technical University team members, who earned less than one more point than us, to be able to use our equipment.”

Cedarville University of Ohio placed first, the University of New Orleans placed second and Istanbul Technical University from Turkey placed third.

“

Everyone among visiting team members as well as Solar Splash officials were very happy to have the competition in Iowa. They were very impressed with the well-organized preparations.

Reg Pecan

Solar Panthers team advisor

During the annual fiveday championship, teams can earn points in seven categories, including technical inspections and reports, engineering design, visual displays, workmanship and sprint, endurance and slalom, a combination of speed and maneuverability competitions in water.

According to Pecen, Solar Splash is a means to promote clean transpor-

wish you guys the best. I want you to go home and graduate. But this political fear, leave the circus to us, ok?”

He acknowledged the students’ thorough preparation for the hearing and thanked them for coming, “but actually spending your time worrying about what we’re doing up here, I don’t want you to do that. Go back home. Thanks guys,” he added.

After the hearing, Hamerlinck released a written statement that further revealed his feelings on the matter. He believed the students were being “used as political pawns” by the

tation technologies in the U.S. It also serves to build young people’s interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. He explained that the latter is important as the baby boomer generation begins to retire from the workforce. Pecen believes the process of participating in the competition – creating the boats and seeing them through to full functionality via teamwork skills – helps generate students’ curiosity about STEMrelated careers.

UNI’s Solar Panthers have been participating in solar boat racing since 1999. In the past two years, they placed third at the championship. Nine students from the group competed this year.

“I am proud of my Solar Panthers for their excellent team work and passion on the project,” Pecen said.

The students who were members of the Solar Panthers this year were all either electrical engineering technology majors, manufacturing technology majors or graphics technologies majors. However, Pecen noted that the team “is open to any interested but dedicated and hardworking students at UNI with any background and major.”

Board of Regents and the Senate Democrats.

“It saddens me to see bright young Iowa students being misled about our state’s financial situation.

Their view of Iowa’s budget is inaccurate and it is my hope that our Regents institutions are educating them on the facts rather than political propaganda.

“Senate Democrats seem to be more concerned about gamesmanship and distorting the facts to college students,” the statement read.

Senator Hamerlinck’s words represent a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation.

Hamerlinck, undoubtedly

frustrated with the protracted state budget negotiations, apparently saw the young people testifying before him as lobbyists. They weren’t.

They were constituents and taxpayers. They were elected student body leaders representing tens of thousands of fellow students who are also constituents and taxpayers.

Furthermore, Hamerlinck is deeply mistaken in his suggestion that these students had been “misled” about the budget. To paraphrase Board of Regents president David Miles, no one is living this like we are.

No one knows our own (and our parents’) financial situa-

tion like we do. No one feels the impact of increased class sizes, overstretched faculty and program cuts like we do.

It is disappointing that the senator from Dixon felt the need to discourage students from participating in the democratic process and making their voices heard.

He owes the student leaders who were involved and the student populations they represent an apology.

The aforementioned students owe it to themselves to remind legislators like Hamerlinck – in any political party – who they work for, and hold them accountable when necessary with the power of their votes.

X-MEN continued from page 2

including a telepath/diamond lady called Emma Frost (January Jones, “Mad Men”) and a genius with hand-feet named Hank McCoy (Nicholas Hoult, “Skins” U.K.). However, the established characters are also introduced. The movie recognizes that it needs other mutants, but it also knows to focus on the ones that the audience will remember when they go home and re-watch the original trilogy. The new mutants remain vital to the plot, yet secondary in development.

The plot, although creatively mixing history with fiction with the use of the Cuban Missile Crisis, is not the focus throughout the film, instead emphasizing the morality (are mutants better?) and allowing the talented cast to explore and develop their characters, shaping them into the heroes and villains from the first films. Most notably, McAvoy and Fassbender, as the young Professor X and Magneto, respectively, add freshness, nuance and feeling into two characters who are already so well-acted. They are two immensely talented actors who do not shirk away from the task of living up to the work of two legendary actors.

Also notable is Jennifer Lawrence, who gained an Oscar nomination for her

Courtesy Photo/Jay Clendenin/MCT CAMPUS

Actress Jennifer Lawrence plays Raven in the new movie “X-Men: First Class.”

role in “Winter’s Bone.”

She plays the naïve and self-conscious Raven, better known as Mystique.

Not yet the sexy and confident woman and mutant of the trilogy, she gives an air of possibility to a role that will eventually end in tragedy.

While this film does have an epic ending battle scene, dastardly villains (Kevin Bacon really is talented) and superheroes, that is not what makes it so good. Instead, it’s the acting and the story working together to create a beginning to a well-loved story, and not royally screwing

it up… not that this franchise has done that before (I mean you, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”).

With fresh direction from Matthew Vaughn (“KickAss”), the X-Men are back to their roots and the franchise is back to its glory.

This movie is truly “firstclass” and sets a (really) high bar for the rest of the summer’s superhero flicks. So here’s hoping Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have more than their looks going for them in the next superhero film up to bat, “Green Lantern.”

PAGE 4

FEATURES

WARREN

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Friday, June 17, 2011

About TC

continued from page 2

over lunch at Beck’s, he was doubtful that his supervisors in the Department of Residence would let him do it. One of his friends called Lyn Redington to ask, and to Warren’s surprise, “she was totally supportive” and gave him the thumbs-up.

“I’ve always wanted – as an eight-year student here at UNI – always wanted to be TC,” Warren said. “I figured it was my last chance, and I’ve always wanted to do it, (so) let’s try it, and I did get in.”

Suiting up as TC takes a little work and is usually done with assistance.

“I would say, on a normal basis, it’s about 15 minutes, but we’ve done it as fast as five,” Warren explained.

Once in the suit, the student is no longer himself: he is TC, the character and the cat.

“He’s mischievous. He’s always up to something,” Warren noted. “At the same time, he can be very sweet.

He’s a little bit flirtatious.

He likes to cause mayhem. ... (He’s) just really goofy and lighthearted. Which is perfect, because that’s kind of who I am every day too.”

In high school, Warren performed in plays and musicals and competed in

Full Name: TC - “The Cat” Previous Names: Pericles Perky Pepi Peppy Mr. and Mrs. Panther Pink Panther First Appearance: 1937 Height: 6’ 2” Chest: 24” Tail: 22” long Paw Size: 16.5” Siblings: TK - “The Kitten” improv at All-State speech competitions. At college, he has participated in an Interpreters Theatre production and the plays at the Varsity Men’s Glee Club Christmas Variety Shows.

Warren draws on his acting experience to take on the role of TC. “Those (things) were beneficial to me to be TC because he’s he’s full of improv and comedic moments,” Warren said. “(With) acting, a lot of it’s

ANNA SCHRECK/Northern Iowan

TC has helped bring Panther fans to their feet to cheer on the Purple and Gold since 1937.

exaggerated. TC is exaggerated. I mean, in order for a mascot to truly come to life and for people to really enjoy him, he has to be everywhere and just constantly moving.”

One perk to being TC, in Warren’s eyes, is randomly popping up around UNI and interacting with people.

“We have hundreds of events that we do each year throughout the community and on campus. So anytime that he’s going to those events, he’s either in the car waving at people or he’s walking across campus, giving high fives and stuff,” Warren explained.

Certain behind-thescenes aspects of TC’s existence – including the names

of students who currently serve as the mascot – are kept secret. This contributes to TC’s identity by building a consistent suspension of disbelief among both children and adults, according to Warren.

“When kids pull on his tail or something, parents will come up and say, ‘That hurts TC. Don’t do that!’”

Warren laughed. “It’s kind of true. It’s not very fun to get your tail pulled! So he then becomes this real cat.”

In just one year, Warren has had some particularly memorable experiences as TC. “Running the flag out during the Homecoming game in front of just thousands of people, and it’s loud, and it’s intense – it’s really meaningful to run that flag out there,” he said.

In May, Warren had a brush with celebrity at a Character Counts event.

“I got to meet Shawn Johnson as TC. So I got a picture taken with her, and I was interacting with (about) 8,500 kids in this one room, and it was a blast,” he recalled.

The last experience is one Warren has had multiple times, seeing “all the smiles you can get” walking across campus as TC. He said people will be glued to their cell phones and iPods “and then you see TC, and all of a sudden, you just see people light up.”

Students can audition to be TC in fall and spring, and

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auditions are held depending on the program’s needs.

Warren couldn’t reveal what exactly goes on at auditions, but he emphasized that “it’s a fun experience.”

“It’s nothing overwhelming at all,” he added.

If one is chosen to be TC, Warren said, “Get ready for the ride of a lifetime. ... And get ready to really make people smile and laugh. It’s a lot of fun.”

After an eventful year in TC’s fuzzy “shoes,” Warren is not itching to step out of them.

“Everybody just loves TC, and everybody around here knows him. So it’s kind of sad to step down from that role,” he noted.

Warren has spent his eight-year career at UNI working with organizations that promote school spirit and leadership. He likes to use his favorite superhero, Superman, as an example of a positive leader.

“He possesses all these unique talents and skills, yet he doesn’t use them to bring others down. He uses them to better the world,” Warren said.

“I also think it’s important to realize that we do have a superpower, and that’s our power of choice.

We have a choice to do what we want to do each and every day. If we make good choices, then we can make an impact on the world,” he concluded.

Now that he has graduated, Warren will be heading to Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa, to serve as the school’s Director of Student Activities. Though he is a self-described “Panther through and through,” he has a cheerful attitude about moving on from UNI. “This place is my home for eight years now, and it’s amazing that time has flown just like that,” Warren remarked, “but to be a Panther who’s graduated and done now, it’s a good feeling. It’s a happy feeling.”

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