Wednesday 4/15/15

State News The

A double life In the classroom, they look just like any other student. But when they go home at the end of the day, student mothers face a different set of challenges. See pages 6-7

Fourth year law student Karen Francis-McWhite and daughter Zora watch a movie April 1 in their Lansing home. PHOTO: KENNEDY THATCH

OPINION

NEWS

SPORTS

EDITORIAL: Body Taxidermied polar Macgarrett Kings cams a great step bear’s ‘life’ on line Jr. takes plea deal Despite high costs, MSU police, ELPD getting body cameras is beneficial — PAGE 2 WE DN E S DAY, A P R IL 15, 2 015

@THESNEWS

Students and faculty members are working to raise money to restore it— PAGE 4 STAT ENEWS .COM

Kings’ charges were reduced to a civil infraction of littering in public — PAGE 11

Opinion

Greg Monahan Opinion editor opinion@statenews.com @thesnewsopinion

EDITORIAL: Body cams on police the only logical choice EDITORIAL BOARD

With tensions now running e spec ia l ly h igh recent ly between citizens and police EDITORaround the nation, both MSU IN-CHIEF and the cities of Lansing and Celeste Bott East Lansing have ordered OPINION body cameras for their police EDITOR forces.

Greg The price tag is high — MSU Monahan is paying $111,000 for 85 camSTAFF REP eras, including charges for Meagan Beck storage and other upgrades — and a start date is yet to be announced. But despite the cost and other uncertainties, this is the right decision by these departments, and one that, considering recent

turmoil between citizens and police, seems like a no-brainer.

With the unrest created by the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Missouri and Eric Garner’s death in New York City, among many other incidents, equipping police with body cameras is mutually beneficial for both people living in the area and the law enforcement patrolling it.

While East Lansing hasn’t experienced any cases of police brutality nearly to the extreme as those that have attracted national attention, there are certainly cases in which having a body camera on a police officer would solve disputes.

During the Cedar Village celebrations after MSU’s victories in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, police were accused of overreacting to what was

relatively harmless behavior after a Spartan victory. Body cameras on the force would likely answer the question of whether those arrested deserved such a black mark on their record.

What’s especially encouraging, beyond the police departments’ agreement to wear the cameras, is seeing an active response from local police to the brutality-related issues that have put all of America’s law enforcement under a microscope during the past year or so.

When protesters marched to the city of East Lansing’s police headquarters in November, they presented a list of demands to be met by the force. While none of these were met by the original deadline, it is a step in the right direction to see one of the demands — putting body cam-

Round Two: Clinton fights for White House

eras on all police officers — finally addressed.

Body cameras are something that, as long as they’re affordable, should help any police force in ensuring they are doing their job correctly.

There are simply too many disagreements and too many claims of police misconduct to continue to operate under the status quo.

Body cameras will force both police and citizens to think twice before doing something they shouldn’t, and more departments around the nation should follow in Lansing and East Lansing’s footsteps in equipping their officers with this expensive, but worthwhile, technology.

Minority representative Sergio Martinez-Beltran did not serve on this editorial because he was out of town at time of publication.

It might take effort to find, but modern music is better than ever

PATRICK BADE PBADE@STATENEWS.COM

MIKE HOLLOWAY

OPINION P O LL

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WEDNESDAY APRI L 1 5, 2 01 5

TO DAY ’ S Q U E S T I O N

Do you think spending $111,000 on 85 body cameras is money well spent by the MSU police department?

To vote, visit statenews.com

You’ve probably heard it from your parents — or anyone raised during the classic rock era — that music today is disposable, or that it doesn’t hold the “timeless” quality seen from generations’ past.

Though most of these claims are biased and subjective, they may hold some truth.

It is difficult to define the exact music of our generation. It’s tough to even make the argument that many songs today, besides the most popular, will be heard more than a few years after their release date.

However, that does not speak to the quality of today’s music.

As an avid fan of music — both new and old — it seems that there is a lack of appreciation for the way music has evolved.

The only reason there isn’t an established sound of the last decade, like there is from the ’80s, is that the talent pool among artists today is more diversified, and people have adopted a more eclectic taste.

With modern music, popular genres like rock, hip-hop, rap or electronic dance music

contain many subgenres within them, each of which ultimately adds more rhythms and sounds to the broad genre as a whole.

Dig beyond what is played on the radio and you’ll find that there is a colorful assortment of different styles with which we can characterize the music of the millennials. Our music truly is multi-dimensional.

The music industry has never been so dynamic, with genres evolving continuously and new subgenres constantly being created.

Much of this change can be attributed to effective utilization of the Internet, making it easier than ever to discover new bands, an improvement that probably cost a great deal of talent from ever making it big in the pre-Internet era.

To clarify, nothing should be taken away from the music of the past. It’s what laid the foundation from which musicians today found their influences and inspiration.

That said, it’s far too easy to turn on the radio today, listen to the mainstream songs that are put out, and conclude that everything sounds the same.

In order to dispute the quality of today’s music there should be a level of familiarity beyond just the songs that are well publicized.

There is more than meets the eye with modern music, and it may take more effort than flipping on the radio. But it shouldn’t be said that quality or variety are lacking.

Contents

RELIGIOUS GUIDE

INSIDE

Police presence in local bars hopes to deter underage drinking

Prestigious Michigan faculty award goes to MSU chemistry professor

Junior guard Denzel Valentine expected to have strong senior season

PAGE 4

PAGE 9

PAGE 12

Look for this directory in the paper every Wednesday and online at: www.statenews.com/religious Ascension Lutheran Church 2780 Haslett Rd., E. Lansing Between Hagadorn & Park Lake Rds. (517) 337-9703 Sunday Worship: 10am Sunday School: 9am Adult Bible Study: 9am ascensioneastlansing.org Edgewood United Church, UCC 469 N. Hagadorn East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-8693 Sunday: 10am LGBTQ Celebrating, Justice and Peace Congregation www.edgewood.org Faith Fellowship Baptist Church 1001 Dakin St. Lansing, MI 48912 517-853-9897 Sunday Morning Worship: 11am Sunday School: 10am Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study: 6:30pm Van service available to church Campus Bible Study: Thursday at 7:30pm in Chemistry Bldg. www.ffbc.us

Advertising senior Hannah Engwall, social science senior Janelle Gaines and marketing senior Kelly Munzenberger perform Sunday during a recital at East Lansing High School, on 509 Burcham Drive.

The recital was put on by MSU Dance Club, and the show marked its 10 year anniversary. Read more on page 9. PHOTO: ALICE KOLE

5

Games will be played during the next six days by MSU softball. Read more on page 12.

Tom Corwin, an Okemos resident, reflecting on his life in this week’s Humans of East Lansing. See page 8.

VOL . 105 | NO. 130

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W E D N E SDAY APRI L 15, 2015

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Celeste Bott MANAGING EDITOR Anya Rath

Little Flock Christian Fellowship A Non-DenominationalEvagelical Church MSU Alumni Chapel (Basement Hall) Sunday Worship Service: 10am-12 Noon.

Fellowship Lunch after the service

BREAKING NEWS EDITOR Simon Schuster TRENDS AND ISSUES EDITOR Olivia Dimmer SPORTS EDITOR Geoff Preston FEATURES EDITOR Casey Holland OPINION EDITOR Greg Monahan

Okemos Community Church 4734 Okemos Rd. Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 349-4220 www.okemoscommunitychurch.org Sunday Worship: 10am Sunday School: 10am-11:15am Adult Studies: 9am & 11am

Peoples Church 200 W. Grand River Ave. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-6264 www.peoples-evolution.org Sunday Worship: 10:30am Tuesday: Love Life: 7-9pm Wednesday: Dinner at 5:30pm, Journey at 6:30 Quan Am Buddhist Temple, MSU Meditation Center 1840 N. College Road Mason, MI 48854 (517) 853-1675 (517) 347-1655 www.quanamtemple.org 7-8:30pm Every Thursday Red Cedar Friends Meeting 1400 Turner St. Lansing, MI 48906 (517) 371-1047 redcedarfriends.org Sunday Worship: 9:00am, 10:30am River Terrace Church 1509 River Terrace Dr, East Lansing, MI (Across from Hubbard Hall) (517)-351-9059 riverterrace.org Sunday: 9 am & 11:15 am w/ Shuttle Service

St. John Catholic Church and Student Center 327 M.A.C. Ave., E. Lansing (517) 337-9778 Sunday: 8am, 10am, 12pm, 5pm, 7pm www.stjohnmsu.org Trinity Church 3355 Dunckel Rd. Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 272-3820 Saturday: 6pm Sunday: 9:15 am, 11am http://trinitywired.com College/Young Adult Service Sundays at 11am in the Student Auditorium Unity Spiritual Renaissance 230 S. Holmes St. Lansing, MI 48912 (517) 484-2360 or (517) 505-1261 Sunday: 10:30am Wednesday: 6:30pm meditation Office: Monday-Thursday 9:30-12:00 University Baptist Church 4608 South Hagadorn Rd East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-4144 www.ubcel.org 10 AM Worship service 11:15 Coffee Hour 11:30 Sunday School University Christian Church 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-5193 universitychristianwired.com Sunday: 11:15 am Sunday Bible Study: 10:15 am University United Methodist Church MSU Wesley 1120 S. Harrison Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-7030 universitychurchhome.org msuwesley.org Sunday: 10:30am 9:00am Garden Service in the summer TGIT: 8:00pm Thursdays Sept. - April WELS Lutheran Campus Ministry 704 Abbott Road East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 580-3744 www.msu.edu/~weisluth 6:00pm Saturday

Religious Organizations: Don’t be left out of the Religious Directory!

Call 517-432-3010 today to speak with an Account Executive

PHOTO EDITOR Erin Hampton COPY CHIEF Elena Cronick Copyright © 2015 State News Inc., East Lansing, Mich.

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Hillel Jewish Student Center 360 Charles St., E. Lansing (517) 332-1916 Friday Night Services: 6pm, Dinner: 7pm September - April Islamic Center of East Lansing 920 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-4309 www.Lansingislam.com info@Lansingislam.com 1st Friday Prayer: 12:15 pm 2nd Friday Prayer: 1:45 pm

EDITORIAL STAFF (517) 432-3070

Martin Luther Chapel 444 Abbot Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-0778 martinlutherchapel.org Sunday: 10:30am & 7:00pm Wednesday ON FIRE : 7:09 pm Mini-bus pick-up on campus (Fall/Spring)

One Community-Lutheran (ELCA)/ Episcopal (TEC) Campus Ministry 1020 South Harrison Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-2559 www.facebook.com/onecommunitymsu First Baptist Wednesdays: On campus Church of Okemos Student Worship 7:00pm 4684 Marsh Road (at MSU Alumni Chapel) Okemos, MI 48864 Sundays: 8:30, 10:45am (at (517) 349-2830 University Lutheran Church) www.fbcokemos.org Worship Celebration - Sundays Sundays: 8:00, 10:00am (at All Saints Episcopal Church) at 10:45am Greater Lansing Church of Christ 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 898-3600 Sunday Worship: 8:45am Sunday Bible Study: 10:15am Sunday Evening: Small Group Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00pm www.greaterlansingcoc.org

“I was in the Army Reserve in college. I spent my service in California in Monterey Bay, and California is my favorite state.”

DA I LY N U M B E R

Weekly Bibly Studies & Students’ Meetings. littleflock.msu@gmail.com littleflock@hotmail.com www.littleflock.org

3

News

Restoration of stuffed polar bear focus of fundraising effort The taxidermied polar bear stands Tuesday in the Natural Resources building. The bear has been a part of the building since 1966 and needs $6,000 of repairs and restoration.

to alumni and faculty, and everyone knows the bear. Every single graduating senior takes a picture with it — it’s He’s big, he’s white and he resides just kind of like another Sparty.”

But the polar bear isn’t just a fun, inside the main doors of the Natural quirky feature of the building. It repResources Building.

At more than 9 feet tall and 300 resents a greater message about prepounds, he’s the Spartan polar bear, serving our natural resources and protecting endangered populations while and he needs your help.

The bear found its way to campus in they continue to exist, McCullough said. “(The bear) represents kind of the the 1950s after it was hunted and killed by an Oak Park, Michigan, resident near whole idea of being a natural resource professional, and that’s protecting our Point Barrow, Alaska.

The mounted specimen was then resources and ensuring future generations have the opportunity to see these donated to the MSU Museum.

It was moved from the museum to the animals live and thrive in the wild,” Natural Resources Building in 1966, he said.

Although a taxidermist has been where it has remained to this day. selected for the job by The polar bear and a team of professionits status as a fixture als in the fisheries and of building is an wildlife department, important subject the name of the studio for many members will remain confidenof the department, tial until the fundraisincluding fisheries ing goal has been met, and wildlife graduMcCullough said. ate student Darrin Due to the age of McCullough. the specimen and the “Some people were Dollars, the cost of a wear and tear it has thinking about just polar bear T-shirt sustained throughout getting rid of it, like its years at MSU, the ‘Is that the image we selection of a taxiderwant to put out? Having a dead bear in the building?’ And mist is an important affair to many, but McCullough assures the bear will the answer for us was ‘yes,’” he said.

Scott Winterstein, current chairman be worked on by “the best (taxidermist) of the Department of Fisheries and in the region.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, $4,880 has Wildlife, promised to restore the bear when he campaigned for the position been raised for the cause, which is 81 and has spearheaded the fundraising percent of the final goal of $6,000.

“In addition to restoration costs, part movement., McCollough said.

“It was sort of an idea that got of the money we raise will also be used bounced around and we all came to install an informational display next together as a family to see it through,” to the bear with conservation information,” Blundell said.

McCullough said.

A website has been set up for direct That family includes Becca Blundell, fisheries and wildlife senior and for- donations until April 26 and T-shirts mer president of the MSU Fisheries and featuring the polar bear are being sold near his location in the Natural ResourcWildlife Club.

“It’s kind of our mascot in fisheries es Building by the Fisheries and Wildand wildlife,” she said. “We’ve talked life Club this week for $10.

BY JESSICA SATTLER

JSATTLER@STATENEWS.COM

PHOTO: KELSEY FELDPAUSCH

10

East Lansing police has an officer assigned to catching underaged bar-goers

BY RAY WILBUR RWILBUR@STATENEWS.COM

Some student bar-goers on campus have noticed an increase in police presence in bars downtown recently, but The East Lansing Police Department maintains it’s nothing out of the ordinary.

“Basically, two cops walked in at Rick’s and spoke to the manager for a couple minutes. And on their way out, they asked two girls for their IDs, and ended up charging them,” finance sophomore Matt Luberto said about his experience 4

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last weekend.

ELPD is equipped with an officer whose sole duty is to enforce alcohol laws in establishments with liquor licenses in East Lansing, and it is that officer’s job to hold bars accountable if they are allowing minors in, East Lansing police Lt. Steve Gonzalez said.

Usually, the liquor enforcement officer will monitor bars on Fridays and Saturdays during the evening, but also ramps up presence during events like MSU football game days and St. Patrick’s Day. There are 10 college bars in downtown East Lansing where students tend to congregate, according to an Anderson Economic Group executive summary report of land use from 2006.

That is a large concentration of bars in a relatively small area, Gonzalez said.

“In a campus setting and one where we have so many places people can get alcohol, we have to make sure we are doing our job to keep those places accountable,” Gonzalez said.

Although Gonzalez said that ELPD doesn’t increase their alcohol enforcement efforts just because it’s the end of the year, a manager at Dublin Square Irish Pub said he had heard

WEDNESDAY APRI L 1 5, 2 01 5

of more bars being monitored by ELPD recently from employees at those bars, but declined to comment on the names of those bars.

An employee from Rick’s American Cafe said that he hasn’t noticed an increase in police presence. Rather, it’s been the same throughout the year.

“I was right next to a girl who got charged by ELPD at Harper’s last week, and I was at Rick’s this weekend when two officers came in and asked for a couple of people’s IDs,” environmental engineering sophomore Josh Gall said.

Gonzalez said that ELPD officers reserve the right to enter bars at any time, and can ask for a person to present their ID if they look younger than 21.

He stressed that students need to be aware of the consequences that can occur as a result of using a fake ID. Being caught with a fake ID in East Lansing can result in a 90-day misdemeanor charge under the city’s Disorderly Conduct Code and fine of no more than $2,000.

Establishments that are found in violation of liquor laws receive consequences from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and not ELPD, Gonzalez said.

Olivia Dimmer and Simon Schuster Trends and issues editor Breaking news editor campus@statenews.com @thesnews

Graduating? We’ve got what you need to be ready for that diploma

Check out our interactive MSU Graduation 2015 page on statenews. com for a list of all the things you need to do before you graduate!

ONLINE

Visit statenews.com/section/graduate to read more.

National Student Employment Week April 12-18, 2015

MSU recognizes the contributions of all Student Employees 2015 MSU Student Employee of the Year

Rebecca Barann Student Clerical Assistant James Madison College

MSU Outstanding Student Employees Meriem Abella, Culinary Services Marcia Baczkowski, Social Work Hannah Bailey, Culinary Services Rebecca Baron, Culinary Services Jaclyn Beach, Breslin Student Events Center Josh Behr, Culinary Services Kendra Bennett, Culinary Services Michelle Bennett, Sparty’s – Retail Food Services Taylor Berry, Culinary Services Anna Boruszewski, Forestry Matt Brewster, East Residential Dining Bailey Broderick, Sparty’s – Retail Food Services Matt Buckley, The Gallery Brian Carlson, Culinary Services Jenna Carter, Animal Science Allyson Cartier, The Gallery Sungmin Choi, Kellogg Center Alexis Clark, Brody Neighborhood – Culinary Services Ben Davenport, Recreational Sports and Fitness Services Kyler Desgranges, IPF Recycling Jennifer Edwards, Spartan Hospitality Group Emily Everett, Spartan Spirit Shop Xinyi Jessica Fang, IPF Recycling Kaitlin Fischer, Culinary Services Amanda Fleming, The Gallery Rachel Geary, Sparty’s Mitchell Goheen, ASMSU – Student Services and Affairs Kathryn Good, College of Engineering Dean’s Office Catherine Hencsie, Culinary Services

Hilary Howard, Health Team Pharmacies Randall Jensen, Culinary Services Ridwan Jimoh, East Residential Dining Nicholas Johnson, Teacher Education Nicole Johnson, REHS Facilities Salim Khan, The Gallery Marci Kovsky, The Gallery Monique Lewis, RHS Culinary Services – Retail Lauren Little, Broad College – Residential Business Program Chloe Loftis, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education Makayla Mainhood, Culinary Services – Eat at State Food Truck Brittany Maynard, Culinary Services Jake Mell, The Gallery Keyara Metoyer-Newkirk, East Residential Dining Lazarius Miller, Brody - REHS Katharine Murray, Office of Faculty & Organizational Development Mahayla Murray, Concessions Jen Nguyen, East Residential Dining Angela Niezgoda, College of Arts & Letters - Dean Katelyn O’Brien, The Gallery Nick Prainito, Culinary Services Jessica Prieskorn, MSU Career Services Justin Roe, College of Engineering Center for Spartan Engineering Rebecca Ross, MSUE/CYI 4-H Youth Development Daniel Sager, Student-Athlete Support Services Ben Saint-Onge, Culinary Services Quinton Sawyer, The Gallery Tara Schulz, Residence Education & Housing Services Joseph Sears, MSU Police- Parking

Tyler Shubitowski, Plant Research Lab Ryan Singer, East Residential Dining Evan Smith, Sparty’s Nick Somoski, Honors College Katlyn Sosin, MSU Extension Trevor Strzyzkowski, East Residential Dining Allison Stuby, Environmental Science and Policy Program Brittani Stuttsman, Concessions Patrick Sullivan, The State Room Sha Tao, Plant Biology – PRL Ryan Taylor, Concessions Rebecca Tencza, IPF Sustainability Khoi Tran, Concessions Ana Trivax, Planning and Projects LaShawn Turner, East Residential Dining Joseph Uebler, Horticulture Hannah Vanderhorst, Residence Education & Housing Services Haven Vilminot, Sparty’s – Retail Culinary Services Tori Vives, Retail Business Office – Culinary Services Sunny Wang, East Residential Dining Katlyn Welch, Physiology – IHP Lab Alex Wilgenbusch, Culinary Services John Worth, University Advancement Jessica Young, Libraries – Math Library Yunwei Zhang, Spartan Hospitality Group Melinda Zielinski, Center for Integrative Studies Social Science Natalie Zielinski, Residence Education & Housing Services Kelli Zorn, Brody REHS

WE DNE S DAY AP RI L 1 5, 2 01 5

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Spotlight For some students, juggling studying and motherhood is the norm

Graduate student Jamie Griggs and daughter Brooklynn, 4, dance to a favorite CD Friday in their Lansing home. PHOTO: KENNEDY THATCH

Pouting inside the Law College Building, Zora Francis-McWhite tossed a blanket over her head, grabbed her tablet and began watching videos.

Students inside the classroom looked around as they heard a muffled version of “Let it Go” begin to play in the back of the room.

Tax law isn’t the most engaging subject for a 5-year-old, but this isn’t Zora’s first time in class.

“There are very few classes I’ve had that she has not attended,” said her mother, four-year law student Karen Francis-McWhite.

Francis-McWhite had her fair share of struggles with Zora. She had a painful experience in the hospital because of Zora’s premature birth. She also had to manage relationship struggles with Zora’s father, whom she had broken up with and was trying to find a mid-

dle ground to co-parent on.

Although it was a difficult decision to move Zora away from her father and grandparents, Francis-McWhite knew she needed to redefine home and continue to build a better life for her daughter.

“I think the catalyst for taking this risk was actually her — wanting to sure up my skill set in such a way to create a solid foundation for her,” Francis-McWhite said. “I call her my biggest inspiration — the best gift I’ve ever received.”

Mothers at MSU have taken different paths to parenthood. Some had children or established families before enrolling, while others became pregnant as students, an unplanned twist in their lives. Many have had to utilize the network offered by the student organization Student Parents on a Mission, or SPOM, in order to get by.

It’s not easy. But as they decide to re-enter academic life, juggling the roles of mother and

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WEDNESDAY APRI L 1 5, 2 01 5

BY KATIE WINKLER KWINKLER@STATENEWS.COM

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student, MSU’s student mothers are united by a single motivation.

They’re not just here for themselves.

PRECIOUS MOMENTS When asked what her daughter Brooklynn means to her, tears filled the eyes of graduate student Jamie Griggs.

Griggs said the passion and love she feels for her daughter is the reason she puts herself through this difficult journey, and she doesn’t want Brooklynn to ever miss out on anything because of her decision to be a single mother.

“There are all of these cliches that when you have a child people say — but she absolutely is my everything,” Griggs said. “She is the reason I do everything that I do. She is the reason I work so much and so hard and the reason I am in school.”

Griggs resumed her life in her hometown of Lansing by her family’s side after completing her undergraduate degree at Central Michigan

University in 2007.

When Griggs found out she was pregnant, she had no expectations of becoming a parent.

“You can say she was unplanned,” she said.

“I was kind of in the height of my career, I was moving forward, living the single life and having fun.”

Originally, her daughter was the reason she thought she should not go back to school.

“I know how important it is to parent your children, especially at this age and young years, so I didn’t want to hinder her growth process because of my choosing to go back to school,” Griggs said.

But Griggs decided to return to school close to home when Brooklynn turned 4 years old, cramming to apply for graduate school a week before the deadline.

As a case manager for Big Brothers, Big Sisters, she works about 50 hours a week, which gives her the weekends free to partake in MSU’S weekend social work program. Griggs said she doesn’t even know how she does it all.

Anya Rath Managing editor arath@statenews.com @thesnews

Fourth year law student Karen Francis-McWhite and her daughter Zora watch a movie April 1 in their Lansing home. PHOTO: KENNEDY THATCH

Former SPOM co-chairwoman and 2012 graduate Arielle Johnson delivers words of inspiration Saturday during the Student Parents on a Mission banquet at the University Club of Michigan State University, 3435 Forest Road in Lansing. PHOTO: ALICE KOLE

Luckily, she said her parents are her biggest Student Life and the Office of Financial Aid, student parents have specific supporters, babysitting Brookscholarships and grants that lyn the four weekends a semeshelp them afford the extra ter that she has class. Griggs’ “They’re not expenses. parents pick Brooklynn up from spending nights The reason these programs school and fill in where Griggs at the bars. ... exist is to give these students cannot.

“They had parents come They’re home with the tools they need to succeed, Family Resource Center coorin to read (at Brooklynn’s their children. dinator Lori Strom said. school) and I was feeling kind They want to “ T he y ’r e not s p e nd i n g of stretched that month and I be responsible nights at the bars, (or) burnreally couldn’t get in there,” she ing couches in the streets — said. “I looked at the calendar on behalf of they’re home with their chiland my dad had signed up to their children.” dren,” Strom said. “They want be a reader in her class. Those Lori Strom. to be responsible on behalf of types of things mean a lot to Family Resource me because though I can’t do Center coordinator their children.”

Members of SPOM are welit all, they are a great replacecomed to meetings where food ment for me.” and speakers are provided and receive free tickets to Wharton Center kid events and speHOLDING IT ALL TOGETHER Between SPOM, the Human Resources Center, cial events at cider mills and aquatic centers.

Strom said one of the main focuses of the every week in East Lansing.

“I want to make sure everyone is successful group is to show how important time with their children is. She said she has seen how in the end,” Jackson said.

Holcomb said she appreciates his efforts. many members of the group have grown “It’s a breath of fresh air to have someone through their experiences.

“Some will admit they weren’t as serious here watching her and them spending time,” of a student, but once they had their child, she said. they realize that they have to raise this child,” Strom said. “(They want to) provide PUSHING THROUGH for them and want to be a good role model Twenty-one years ago, Christine Carter’s par— that, sometimes, is their motivation to be ents kicked her out of their home after learning that she had become pregnant at 17 years old. successful.”

They said she would never become anything Social work senior Melissa Limon-Flegler said SPOM has helped her grow as a mother and was nothing but a disappointment — but Carter was determined to prove them wrong, and a student.

“It’s a really delicate balance to manage enrolling in MSU and living in an apartment both your school work and your family life,” in Spartan Village Apartments.

Despite feeling alone because of her single Limon-Flegler said. “I didn’t realize that organizations like this exists. Had I had known, I mother status, she didn’t want to become a stathink I would have been successful 10 years tistic. So Carter planned to channel her determination and get good grades, graduate and ago.”

On Limon-Flegler’s drives home from class become a compassionate mother.

She knew it would be difficult, but not and her internship at the Family Resource Center on campus, she attempts to leave impossible.

While Carter was on campus 21 years ago, stubehind her studious side and channel her dent parent LaRonda Brown started the orgainner mother.

Soon after Limon-Flegler steps through the nization Single Parents on a Mission.

Now the organization is front door, it’s back in the car called Student Parents on a to drive her 6, 8 and 10-yearMission, which has evolved olds to softball, soccer, Girl “It’s a really Scouts and youth group. delicate balance to since its start to create a vast group and network.

“It’s a really delicate balance manage both your support This past Saturday, Carter to manage both your school accepted the LaRonda Brown work and your family life,” school work and Award at the SPOM banquet.

Limon-Flegler said. your family life.”

“It was because of the supLimon-Flegler, who dropped out of Lansing CommuniMelissa Limon-Flegler, port network that I became social work senior and the person that I am today,” ty College to work 10 years student mother Carter said during her accepago, has been back to school tance speech. “Without the since 2010 after transferring support, I would not have had to MSU, from which she will the strength to keep going.” graduate this May. Because of the support provided by SPOM, While Limon-Flegler made the conscious decision to be a non-traditional student and Carter said she felt it was time to give back. Last juggle parenting and school at the same time, year, she created the Christine Carter endowCandice Holcomb didn’t arrive at MSU as a ment, which will provide financial support to student parents once it takes off next fall. parent.

Alumna Arielle Johnson is another example The history, philosophy and sociology of science junior found herself unexpectedly preg- of a success story as a student parent.

Johnson, who was pregnant as a sophomore nant as a sophomore.

When her daughter Kamryn was 18 months in college, successfully completed a hospitality old, she decided to move with her daughter business degree and has consulted for a numinto an apartment in Spartan Village Apart- ber of major events. But Johnson has refused ments in order to finish her degree. She works to let her work get in the way of her time with on campus in the dining halls and takes class- her child.

“Regardless of what problems come your way, es four days a week.

Because she does not have daycare, Kam- take the time to relax with your children,” ryn’s father, Tyjuan Jackson, spends half of Johnson said.

WE DNE S DAY AP RI L 1 5, 2 01 5

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Crossword

L.A. Times Daily Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

News

HUMANS OF EAST LANSING

BY ANDREW MERKLE, PHOTO: KELSEY FELDPAUSCH

ACROSS

1 Request an ID from 5 Classic milk flavoring 10 Degs. for choreographers 14 Yours, to Yves 15 One making a leaf pile 16 Wild speech 17 Key collection of records 19 Command to Fido 20 Trophy 21 Slyly suggest 23 Religious offense 24 Common “terrible twos” responses 26 Quiet time 27 Canadian crooner with four Grammys 32 Came out with 35 Protein-rich beans 36 Sushi fish 37 Scratching post users 38 Peeper 39 “Divergent” heroine __ Prior 40 Uplifting wear 41 Oil magnate Halliburton 43 Feared African fly 45 Telltale white line 48 Home to Sean O’Casey 49 Take to court 50 Buzzy body 53 Aspiring rock star’s submissions

57 Mineral used in water softening 59 Dr. Seuss’ “If __ the Circus” 60 Not even close to an agreement ... or, literally, what 17-, 27and 45-Across have in common 62 Like some beers 63 Visually teasing genre 64 Continuously 65 Creepy look 66 Smallville family 67 Zilch

DOWN

1 Tent sites 2 Centipede video game creator 3 Pitcher’s gripping aid 4 Ding-a-ling 5 “Close the window!”

6 Like a boor 7 Crispy fried chicken part 8 Cartoon collectibles 9 “No Spin Zone” newsman 10 Enterprise helmsman, to Kirk 11 “Hey hey hey!” toon 12 Gross subj.?

13 38-Across sore 18 Counting word in a rhyme

22 Well-worn pencils 25 Med. condition with repetitive behavior 27 Conservatory subj.

28 So far 29 Fair-hiring initials 30 Flowery rings 31 Ultimatum ender 32 Long-range nuke 33 Rani’s wrap 34 Deadlock 38 Aboveground trains 39 Golf gadget 41 Exude 42 Go wild 43 Ft. Worth campus 44 Queen of __: noted visitor of King Solomon 46 Copenhagen coins 47 State as fact 50 Cry to a prima donna 51 Dog-__: folded at the corner 52 Spare 53 Pickle herb 54 Albany-to-Buffalo canal 55 Water carrier 56 Spirited style 58 Major tennis event 61 MD and ME, e.g.

Get the solutions at statenews.com/puzzles Level: 1

2

3

4

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk SOLUTION TO TUESDAY’S PUZZLE

4/15/15

8

© 2015 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

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WEDNESDAY APRI L 1 5, 2 01 5

Tom Corwin Fact: Spent his college years in the Army Reserve Okemos resident

“I was a high school counselor in Fowlerville for 34 years. I’ve been retired for about 11 years now. … I volunteer (at the MSU Museum) two mornings a week. I also teach conversational English at the Friendship House. I’ve been at the museum and I’ve taught the class for nine years. You know, when you’re retired you still want to do things. I love information centers so I teach and volunteer here.”

Features

Casey Holland Features editor features@statenews.com @sn_features

MSU Dance Club celebrates 10 years of dancing and camaraderie with recital Dancers perform Sunday during a recital at East Lansing High School on 509 Burcham Drive. The recital was put on by the MSU Dance Club, and the show marked its 10 year anniversary.

BY ZOË SCHUBOT ZSCHUBOT@STATENEWS.COM

This past Sunday the MSU Dance Club took the stage at East Lansing High School for the recital of their 10th season.

For 10 years, the MSU Dance Club has been providing a place where dancers of all skill levels can come to share their love of dance, make lasting friendships and positively impact the community.

The club is unique from other dance groups on campus because they strive to include anyone who wishes to dance, whether they have been dancing for years or have never tried.

“We have all different varying experience levels — people who have never danced before, people who have danced their whole lives — so it’s good that we have a mix like that,” club president and marketing senior Kelly Munzenberger said. “We really like to focus on getting our dances to look good but also on having a lot of fun.”

The club has try-outs in the fall, but Munzenberger said it’s more about separating the dancers into various experience levels. The club has more than 100 members and has not cut anyone in the last two years, according to Munzenberger.

Munzenberger sa id she believes the club provides a place for passionate students to embrace something they love and also make lifelong friends.

“I hope that people can look back and have this be just some of their fondest memo-

PHOTO: ALICE KOLE

ONLINE To watch a video of the MSU Dance Club’s Sunday recital, visit statenews. com/ multimedia.

ries from college. Something outside of class work that they had to do that was fun and allowed them to make a lot of memories,” Munzenberger said.

Munzenberger also said that

one of her favorite parts of dance club is the amount of the community outreach they are able to engage in.

The club held a charity show in November to benefit Haven House, a shelter that pro-

v ides emergenc y housing and support services for oneand two-parent families with children.

The dancers asked family and friends to donate money to attend the show and raised

about $700 for the shelter.

MSU Dance Club will also be participating in Relay for Life on April 17.

Munzenberger has high hopes for the club that has been such a large part of her

college experience.

“Moving forward I just hope that it continues to grow and have a positive impact and be involved with even more things over the years to come,” Munzenberger said.

Lyman Briggs professor wins university award

BY PATRICK BADE PBADE@STATENEWS.COM

Ryan Sweeder, a professor of chemistry in Lyman Briggs College, has developed into a relatively unconventional educator, compared to many others at MSU. The practices that stem from his philosophy and transcend into the classroom led to him to be awarded as the Michigan Distinguished Professor of the Year.

Sweeder said that being recognized by the president of the council means a lot, and that winning this award puts the stamp of approval on what he is doing, as well as Lyman Briggs College as a whole.

“The main thing is that it’s nice to have this external recognition for something that you care so deeply about,” Sweeder said.

Sweeder takes a different approach to teaching than the usual standing in front of a lecture hall and talking for an hour or so.

SWEEDER “One of the key things that we do there is to try to make it a very active class,” Sweeder said. “It’s not just sit there and listen to me lecture — it’s relatively rare that I would be standing there lecturing for more than

five or 10 minutes at one time. But instead, the students are working on problems, discussing things with their peers, really trying to grapple with the information itself instead of just watching the professor do it.”

Sweeder’s proactive teaching style does not stop outside of the classroom either. He encourages his students to engage in activities outside of class, including volleyball, ultimate Frisbee and even overnight trips.

Sweeder said this high level of involvement helps him to build a stronger relationship with students and better understand them as individuals, which in turn helps him to be a better mentor and adviser for them.

In addition, it helps him write stronger, more WE DNE S DAY AP RI L 1 5, 2 01 5

personal letters of recommendation for students who request.

Sweeder said going on a trip with students helps both him and the students to see each other in a whole different light, rather than only seeing them one-on-one during scheduled office hours or appointments.

“It’s much more relaxed and more of two individuals interacting, and less of, ‘I’m your professor, and I have this power of a grade over you.’

It’s more, ‘Hey, let’s just talk about life,’ and they start to see you as an individual,” Sweeder said.

“Then that allows you to, again, be more of a mentor for them and help them see how they could get from the position that they’re in to whatever it is they want to do professionally.”

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Sports

MSU has high expectations for Valentine going into senior season

BY OMARI SANKOFA II OSANKOFA@STATENEWS.COM

After losing to Duke in the Final Four round of the NCAA Tournament, junior guard Denzel Valentine vowed that MSU would return next season.

Head coach Tom Izzo placed his faith in his captain during his endof-season press conference last week, saying he believes Valentine will help the Spartans live up to expectations next season.

“He, I think, will take this team to new heights next year,” Izzo said.

“What those new heights mean, it might not be as deep in the tournament, it might. But there will be an expectation from the players. And when there’s an expectation from the players it’s a lot better than if there’s an expectation from the coach or fans.”

Valentine made a leap during his junior season, upping his averages to 14.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists.

He often was MSU’s most consistent shooter, draining 41.6 percent of his 3-pointers on more than six attempts per game.

Despite his strong season, Izzo said the junior guard isn’t done improving.

“Denzel would be the first to tell you he’s still got to tighten up his game,” Izzo said. “The thing he and I argue or question each other on, it’s still got to happen.”

Izzo said Valentine’s senior season should be when he focuses on his legacy.

“To leave a legacy here that his dad can enjoy, he can enjoy, former players can enjoy, I can enjoy, Denzel is the ultimate,” Izzo said.

“He, I think, will take this team to new heights next year. What those new heights mean, it might not be as deep in the tournament, it might.”

Tom Izzo Men’s basketball head coach

Freshman guard Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr., whom Valentine and Izzo both said will be a leader next season, will be Valentine’s

right-hand man. Despite his inexperience, Nairn was often an emotional leader for the Spartans through the postseason run through the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.

“Tum was as emotional as any freshman I’ve seen in there after, ta l k i ng about Trav is, ta l k i ng about what he did for him,” Izzo said. “And I’m almost vowing that there’s going to be a lot of work that goes into try to get be back (to the Final Four). Yeah, that’s encouraging, to have a senior and freshman doing it.”

Izzo said this season will give next year’s team a benchmark for what can be accomplished. Few predicted a Final Four run out of this season, which was marked by injuries and inconsistency at the free -throw line.

Next year’s team will be deeper, and perhaps more talented. As Izzo said, there will be an expectation from the players to make it back to the Final Four.

“I think it makes you feel good,” Izzo said. “I bet you a lot of coaches out there will use our team as a, kind of a resting point of, ‘This is what you can accomplish when you do this, this and this.’ Because it’s been well-documented, (the media) documented it well, it’s been truth.”

Junior guard Denzel Valentine dribbles the ball down the court March 20, during the game against Georgia at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Spartans defeated the Bulldogs, 70-63. PHOTO: ALIKE KOLE

Javon Bess a source of hope for Izzo next season

BY OMARI SANKOFA II OSANKOFA@STATENEWS.COM

Before the season began, head coach Tom Izzo pegged freshman forward Javon Bess as a player he expected to make an immediate impact.

A preseason stress fracture in Bess’ right foot last October robbed him of that opportunity. Bess made his season debut December 17 against Eastern Michigan, but never really found his groove.

He aggravated his foot injury in early February and went on to miss the rest of the season.

Though his freshman season ended up being a wash, Izzo has high hopes for Bess next season, comparing his intelligence to that of a former Spartan great.

“Believe it or not, he has good athletic ability,” Izzo said. “I

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wouldn’t call him freakish because I am looking at a Branden Dawson or Jason Richardson. But he has freakish intelligence.

That’s what he has. He is a smaller version of (Draymond Green), and he has the ability to get fouled as he did.”

Bess showed flashes of his ability when he was healthy. He started three games in January and was a steady presence for MSU, showing his defensive ability and toughness.

“He is like a (Denzel) Valentine,” Izzo said. “I am not worried about whether he is in the gym. I am not worried about whether he is taking care of business in school. I am not worried about him socially. I think he has a great intelligence as a basketball player and I think he can defend people. He has a nose for the ball like a linebacker.”

He never found his offense, but Izzo has shown excitement toward his slashing ability, a skill that this year’s team would

WEDNESDAY APRI L 1 5, 2 01 5

have appreciated.

Bess will be a part of a talented group of underclassmen including sophomores Marvin Clark and Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr., and incoming five-star recruits Deyonta Davis and Caleb Swanigan.

The group will be relied upon to help MSU reach a second consecutive Final Four, a goal junior guard Denzel Valentine said is firmly on the radar.

Bess will be a key part of reaching that goal. Izzo wants to see more growth as a leader, but he believes Bess is in the right place for that to happen. "(Bess is) not a great shooter yet, but a very good passer,” Izzo said. “Great understanding. Javon Bess excites me and I haven’t really even seen him. He just excites me. I am trying to get him to be a little more talkative. He is tied at the hip with Tum Tum so I don’t think he can go wrong. I don’t know what he is going to do.”

Geoff Preston Sports editor sports@statenews.com @thesnews_sports

Macgarrett Kings Jr. receives civil infraction as part of plea deal

BY ZACH LIBBY ZLIBBY@STATENEWS.COM

More than a month has passed since the February 28 incident involving the arrest of MSU wide receiver Macgarrett Kings Jr. in the East Lansing area.

Now, after taking a plea at the end of March, Kings has pleaded guilty to littering in public, according to The Detroit Free Press.

Kings was initially accused of kicking a Parking and Code Enforcement vehicle and resisting arrest, but it appears the charges were reduced as a result of the plea deal.

It was the second time in the span of a year that Kings has had a run-in with law enforcement. He was placed into custody in April of last year after recording a blood-alcohol level of

0.234, which led to his suspension from the team by head coach Mark Dantonio.

The Detroit Free Press reports that Kings paid $360 to cover any fines and costs, and was ordered to attend 20 alcohol counseling sessions. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Thursday, before the plea deal was given to Kings.

The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native was seen at practice two days after he took the plea deal March 26.

He will now be in competition for the starting wide receiver position on the outside with the likes of Aaron Burbridge and AJ Troup.

As a junior last season, Kings tied for second on the team with 29 receptions for 404 yards receiving. He also finished seventh in the Big Ten with 122 punt returns yards on 20 attempts.

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Junior wide receiver Macgarrett Kings Jr. grabs Michigan defensive back Delonte Hollowell’s helmet Oct. 25, 2014, at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines, 35-11. STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO

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Sports

Softball still trying to find offensive consistency

BY TROY JEFFERSON TJEFFERSON@STATENEWS.COM

Another loss on Sunday left the softball team disappointed, but the veterans are making sure the underclassmen don’t get too down.

“We have a very young team. As a senior I have to make sure they understand it’s a journey,” outfielder Stephanie Sanders said. “They have to love the struggle.”

In total, MSU had four underclassmen take the field against the Buckeyes. Freshman pitcher Bridgette Rainey started for the Spartans and had three underclassmen play behind her in the field.

Ohio State (22-16 overall, 6-6 Big Ten) swept MSU (16-24 overall, 1-11 Big Ten afternoon) over the weekend, with their most lopsided victory coming Sunday in the form of a 15-5 win.

MSU, whose pitching staff is composed of all underclassmen, allowed eight earned runs on 16 hits.

The Buckeyes led 15-0 at one point and the game was called after five innings because of the “eight run” rule.

Losing pop ups in the sun and the inability to get out of two out jams proved fatal.

“There were a lot of effort plays we left (on the field) ... balls dropping without shirts getting dirty, couple of sun balls,” head coach Jacquie Joseph said. “I told them, ‘this is the Big Ten conference, you have to play better, we’ll work our way out of it.”

The Spartans have a lot of work to do, as they currently sit in the cellar of the Big Ten standings with three weeks left in the regular season.

MSU is currently on a seven-game losing streak and has been out-

Freshman pitcher Kristina Zalewski throws the ball Sunday, during the game against Ohio State at Secchia Softball Stadium on Kalamazoo Street. The Spartans lost to the Buckeyes, 15-5.

scored by 22 runs during the stretch.

“Softball is a game of failures in general, you just have to move on and get the next one,” senior first baseman McKinzie Freimuth said.

For a team that’s been up and down, Freimuth has been a model of consistency at the plate.

Batting in the second spot in the lineup, Freimuth leads the team with nine doubles and is one of only two players with a batting average above .300 as of Tuesday afternoon.

MSU will have to lick its wounds quickly because they will play five games over the next six days, including a three-game weekend series against Minnesota, which has a 33-7 record.

Minnesota’s sophomore pitcher Sara Groenewegen threw a no-hitter Sunday against Northwestern.

The Spartans take on Michigan Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

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