The Northern Light Commencement Edition

facebook.com/northernlightuaa

twitter.com/tnl_updates

N

thenorthernlight.org

youtube.com/tnlnews

NEWS

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

A Year in Review: NEWS fu ll e h t at See s e i r o rg st light.o r t he r n t he no

03

UAA launches ‘Amazing Stories’ branding campaign (Originally published Feb. 21, 2013)

By Keldon Irwin news@thenorthernlight.org The week of February 20 was launch week for UAA’s three-year effort to officially brand itself as an integral facet to the Anchorage community.

A brand communicates an identity as an institution, while also capturing what it hopes to become, Kristin DeSmith, assistant vice chancellor of university relations, said.

“A good brand is the promise of an experience. We wanted to do something that was

research based,” Karen King, Nerland Agency president and CEO, said. “The resulting brand has been researched and tested to be something that is not only credible about UAA, but also fulfills people’s desires about the university.”

Current efforts to rebrand UAA are a byproduct of about 18 months of planning with Nerland, an independent, employee-owned advertising company. According to DeSmith, the rebrand budget for 2013 is about $500,000, over half of which being spent on statewide media.

PHOTO BY KELDON IRWIN

The Wendy Williamson Auditorium sports the university’s new tagline, “UAA: Amazing stories being written every day.”

FedEx donates Boeing 727 to UAA program

By Evan Erickson Volunteer

(Originally published March 12, 2013)

PHOTO BY TIM BROWN

A 100,000-pound Boeing 727 landed on Merrill Field where it will be used by UAA’s aviation program.

When landing, pilots are taught to aim for the numbers. The numbers denote the beginning of the runway and they are used as a reference point on final descent. A pilot aims for the numbers, flattens the plane out and then lands somewhere farther down the runway.

When a 100,000-pound jet lands on the 4,000foot runway at Merrill Field the goal is to actually land on the numbers. Instead of aiming for

the numbers, the pilot aims for the Northway Mall.

Feb. 26 a Boeing 727-227 aircraft, donated

by FedEx to the University of Alaska Anchorage, made its final landing on runway 25 at Merrill Field for an enthusiastic crowd of spectators. People gathered in the Carr’s parking lot and thronged the fences around the airfield.

“Both passes were planned so we could plan our descent so that we touch down right on the numbers. If you get a picture out there, the marks were right on the numbers. We were really pleased with it,” Captain Timothy Powell said.

Green Fee Board seeks New engineering proposals from students building approved

By J. Almendarez editor@thenorthernlight.org

(Originally published Feb. 12, 2013) After a semester of collecting cash, the Green Fee Board was soliciting student proposals for sustainability projects on campus.

The board had a starting budget of $34,182, funded by a $3 per student charge that began last semester.

Oliver Petraitis, Green Fee Board chairman, said that while the most common example for

sustainability is the solar panels University of Alaska Fairbanks students funded with their green fee, the options are immense.

“We have pretty broad allowances in what we’ll accept for proposals,” he said. But while the projects can have a ripple effect on community sustainability, proposals must directly affect the university first.

“It’s all about the school and the student body,” he said.

The Green Fee is the result of the fall 2011 UAA general election, when students voted 167-122-29 for the fee, after receiving a 12-1 assembly approval from USUAA.

Health care changes to be decided on

By J. Almendarez editor@thenorthernlight.org

(Originally published Feb. 21, 2013) Health care options are not just a national hot button issue. At this university, possible changes affecting employee health care are on the docket.The Joint Health Care Committee proposed nine separate motions for change in October, and it took action Feb. 1 to officially endorse some of them to the university.

Among the changes are the reorganiza-

(Originally published Oct. 2, 2012)

By Keldon Irwin news@thenorthernlight.org The Board of Regents had a meeting Sept. 27 in Juneau where they approved $40 million in campus renovations across the University of Alaska system. According to the Board of Regents website, $123 million were approved at this campus. These renovations include a new engineering building and two new parking garages.

The engineering building will be about 150 yards south of the Stu-

dent Union cafeteria. One parking garage will be attached to the new engineering building, while the other will be freestanding.

No timeline was discussed for when these buildings will be added to the campus.

The Board of Regents also approved $12,132,000 to upgrade the existing six building apartment complexes and surrounding grounds by replacing finishes, fixtures and equipment. The money also goes toward updating buildings to local, state and federal codes and laws.

tion of health care plan options, hiring vendors to compare health care costs regionally for employees, alterations to the cost of dependents on plans and telemedicine options.

Ron Kamahele, director of UAA human resource services, said any motions involving policy changes could take effect by the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Other motions involving vendor hiring might take longer to implement because a company must be contracted to best meet the needs of the university.

Michelle Rizk, interim chief human resources officer, has until Feb. 27 to approve or deny the changes.

Student government invites new officials

By Keldon Irwin

news@thenorthernlight.org At the April 26 USUAA student government meeting, president Alejandra Buitrago swore in president elect Andrew Lessig. Lessig then swore in vice president elect Drew Lemish.

Lessig and Lemish swore in two new senators, chemistry major John Paoletti and Jackie Odena.

Bree Villar, UAA student and health education coordinator with the American Lung Association joined fellow student Valeria Delgado and Gabriel Garcia, assistant professor of public health, to speak to USUAA about the current smoking standards on campus and potential future amendments.

According to Villar, students must smoke 20 feet from the doors at University of Alaska buildings and 50 feet from doors at medical buildings in the state of Alaska.

The Smoke-Free Task Force and a group of students have gathered 514 student signatures petitioning for a smoke free campus.

According to the group advocating a smoke-free campus, 1,159 campuses in the nation are now smoke-free and 783 are tobacco-free. They said three states have passed laws banning smoking on college campuses.

The group plans to propose a letter and the signed petition to USUAA in the fall for a smoke-free resolution.

Delgado said only 20 percent of UAA students smoke.

Vice president Andrew McConnell said 20 percent of students still means that 3,600 students will be impacted. He also said students living in dorms will be greatly impacted if they wish to smoke and it is -20 degrees outside.

“Ask people out there smoking to sign the petition,” McConnell said.

He also said a lot of work and questioning still need to be done. McConnell said

he would like to see UAA be a smoke-free campus, but only if it properly reflects the wants of the students.

Villar said the group is currently studying other smoke-free and or tobacco-free college campuses to create a model for what a smoke-free UAA may look like.

She said the short-term plan is to make UAA a smoke-free campus, then to broaden that to make it a tobacco-free campus.

“It takes time to implement this. And we know that, Villar said.

Senator Johnnie Templeton said he is concerned about potential liability issues.

He proposed a hypothetical scenario of a student who was upset because the campus made them switch to alternative forms of nicotine intake.

Villar said the university isn’t making anyone do anything.

Templeton said he supports a tobacco-free campus, but not a smoke-free campus.

Senator Max Bullock, chair of Student Academic Affairs, said the last of seven student ice cream surveys has been finished and the results will soon be put to use to better student life on campus.

President Alejandra Buitrago said she will be working with the school of engineering and she will be a resident assistant next semester. She also said she will be seeing everyone next year, as she is not yet graduating.

Vice President Andrew McConnell handed out certificates to all USUAA members and gave them all personal words of appreciation for their service to UAA and the student body.

Resolution 13-08, written by future USUAA president Andrew Lessig, called for a constitutional convention.

After extensive debate on whether the convention should be held, USUAA voted to hold the convention.

Lessig said the convention is necessary to add a Native Council Representative to USUAA. “We can have a modern USUAA for modern students,” McConnell said.

FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

04

A Year in Review: FEATURES fu ll e h t at See s e i r o st ernlight.org rth t he no

Seawolf builds first library in Tonga Islands

By Nita Mauigoa features2@thenorthernlight.org

(Originally published Feb. 12, 2013) When UAA student Kato Ha’unga got news of the 2009 tsunami that ripped through her homeland, Tonga, she wanted to find ways to help.

Ha’unga decided it was time to start the first public library in Tonga and her dream has come true with the help of dozens of organizations — from offices on campus to Senator Lisa Murkowski, to the U.S. Navy.

Ha’unga was able to collect 50,000 books from several local and national donors during her 4-year mission.

Bristol Industries and Totem Ocean Trailer Express donated their services to get the books to San Diego.

From there, Senator Lisa Murkowski made arrangements with the Navy to ship the books to Ha’apai, Tonga.

Ha’unga has already secured a building in Ha’apai and is actively

working with the Tongan government to establish the library.

“her dream has come true with the help of dozens of organizations.”

Seawolves

make Alaska’s ‘Top Forty Under 40’ list (Originally published Feb. 21, 2013)

By Nita Mauigoa features2@thenorthernlight.org Successful, young Seawolves — it doesn’t seem to get better than that.

Eight UAA alumni were honored with Alaska Journal of Commerce “Top Forty Under 40” awards this year. UAA’s Kyle Hampton, assistant professor and director of the Center for Economic Education, made the list along with the captain of the Anchorage Fire Department and presidents and directors of various companies.

The program recognizes the state’s top professionals younger than 40 years old. Recipients are also honored for their positive contributions to the community.

Each award recipient has qualities of success and determination. The one quality that stands out, however, is their selflessness.

They all said they were proud to carry that Seawolf pride.

‘Doing it for Duir’ (Originally published April 17, 2013)

By Nita Mauigoa features2@thenorthernlight.org After the death of UAA student Mabil “Mo” Duir, UAA students came together and hosted a benefit concert at the Student Union cafeteria to raise money for Duir’s family. Funds collected were to cover funeral arrangements and travel costs for his mother in Ethiopia. An online fundraising campaign, “Do it for Duir” was launched to collect funds for the family as well. A total

of $6,500 was collected within the first week of Duir’s death.

“I prefer to say, ‘Doing it for Duir’ (opposed to ‘Do it for Duir’), because these actions are not just going to happen once. It’s going to be a constant thing,” criminal justice major Yuko Lofthouse said. “Our goal is to love and care for people because that’s how Mo was.”

Lofthouse was the main organizer of the event, where several people from the campus and community, including AK Pride, volunteered their time.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN JAQUISH

Dating after college

By Vicente Capala multimedia@thenorthernlight.org So you’ve decided you want to cut ties with everyone in Anchorage when you move out of state for post-graduate adventures. Or maybe you just haven’t had luck in the last four years or so and can’t figure out what to do next with your love life. For those who are afraid of becoming a cat lady (or cat lord), never fear: The end of college does not mean the end of being able to meet new people.

Fresh college graduates seeking relationships are hit with a harsh reality in the real world. Dating options are no longer supported by the college social life. Face it, the game will be harder, but it’s not impossible to play.

In college, you were guaranteed an environment which practically dropped new friends and a booming social life into the palm of your hand.

You could meet people around your age with similar interests, all without ever having to leave campus.

When you take your steps away from college, your ties to these events and opportunities might go away, but be sure to keep your actual ties with the friends you’ve made in the last 4-plus years — regardless of whether you think any of them could be “the one.”

Once the opportune party calls and the study sessions disappear, it’s time to grab life by the horns and direct it in a way that best suits you.

If you move out to another city, search out social events. Plant yourself in the culture of this new city. You may find yourself at a local theater, becoming a regular at a coffee shop or taking walks at a park every Sunday.

Whatever it is, it will work its magic for you.

You just have to be patient and take action. Never be stagnant.

Also consider joining an interest group. Interest groups are casual local clubs for specific hobbies and activities. Start with making a few friends at the new job you have, saying hello to the other regulars at the coffee shop or smiling at the other person you see at the park every Sunday. Once these new connections have been made, it won’t be long until you find yourself being invited to social gatherings. And once you find yourself in these social gatherings, flirtation will just be a moment away.

Don’t dumb yourself down to seem more appealing in your new environment. Instead, commit yourself to keep meeting new people. Go to local events. Visit the bar and have a drink or two. You might meet someone worth spending a lifetime with or reignite an old flame.

“Once the opportune party calls and the study sessions disappear, it’s time to grab life by the horns and direct it in a way that best suits you.”

05 FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

Commencement speaker shares experience, advice

PHOTO BY JASMINE WOODLAND

By J. Almendarez

have to work hard at.

editor@thenorthernlight.org

Do you consider yourself a traditional student?

I’m a four-year student and I didn’t take any time off after high school or anything. I’m glad I didn’t. It’s kept me motivated to keep going and get graduated.

Every year, Student Life and Leadership selects a commencement speaker from the graduating class. Representing the class of 2013 is justice major Kelsey Waldorf, whose speech focuses on continuing the quest for success and personal accomplishments well after graduation.

TNL: How did you decide to apply to be the 2013 Commencement Speaker?

Waldorf: I got an email after the deadline had passed for the application to be commencement speaker, and they (Student Life and Leadership Office) said that they were extending the deadline. And it’s been kind of a crazy semester — ya know, everyone’s last semester is always crazy. So someone just sent me an email and said, “Hey, I think you’d be a really good candidate for this. Have you given it any thought?” And so I gave it some thought, and I decided: Ya know what? That’d be really cool. And I feel like I have enough... that I could send to other graduating students my age. So I spontaneously decided to apply.

What issues will you be focusing on during your speech?

The issues that I want to touch on really have to do with...a challenge and not giving up. Because I think that it’s easy to assume that maybe you can just coast after you graduate. And I want to remind everyone in my class that our graduation and success isn’t really a ticket to success — there’s a lot after our graduation that we’ll

Why did you decide to come to UAA? I decided to come to UAA because I’m a UAA scholar (sic, recte UA Scholar), so the scholarship opportunities were real good ... and then the honors college was real appealing to me — and of course, the debate team.

We have one of the best debate teams in the country.

What advice would you give to new UAA graduates?

I think that it’s really important to keep in mind that even if you apply to a million jobs and you are not hired, or you feel like you never are going to be able to succeed or achieve more in life ... I feel like it’s really important to just keep going and to keep trying and to set that goal for yourself ... even if a lot of things get in our way. Even if you don’t get hired at your dream job the first time, try again. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes or flounder a little bit, because ultimately I think everything can work out if you try hard and you really apply yourself.

What advice would you give to new or current student at UAA? Definitely to get involved with what the UAA community has to offer ... I am graduating with an excellent education from UAA, and I chalk a lot of that up to my willingness to seek out opportunity. There are huge amounts of opportunities at UAA because it’s a slight-

At a glance Name: Kelsey Waldorf Age: 21 Major: Justice Minor: Political Science, Communications Started at UAA: Fall 2009 High School: Consumer Home School Program Hometown: Homer, Alaska Future education: Law school Possible future careers: Field agent for the FBI, legal field, or federal law enforcement ly more intimate school I suppose. So undergraduate research is a real possibility to many students who are interested in it at UAA, and that’s just not something you can find with Lower 48 schools ... Those opportunities just open up and offer more opportunities and more opportunities and eventually that’s going to turn into the rest of your life.

Thank you, UAA!

By Nita Mauigoa staff@thenorthernlight.org Three spring 2013 graduates prove that it really does “take a village” when it comes to success.

Together they are part of the framework for a young and flourishing local Polynesian Community Center, are graduating together, and all happen to be “aiga” — the Samoan word for “family.”

Miriama Aumavae, Daniel Pulu and Rozanne Misa, armed with their crisp diplomas, all say they are proud Seawolves who have attained success through UAA. “According to the 2010 U.S. census, it states that college attainment for Pacific Islanders in Alaska is only 6 percent,” Aumavae, a graduate with a bachelor’s of arts in applied sciences and social work, said.

Rather than “blaming the system” and “accepting statistics,” these students have opted to take advantage of the opportunities UAA presents to take the higher road.

“I remember being the only person that looks like me in the classroom. Students would look at me like, ‘He probably doesn’t know the answer. He probably didn’t do his reading,’” Pulu, who just attained a graduate certificate in advanced human service systems, said. Pulu also earned a bachelor’s of arts in sociology.

Pulu said the Human Resources Department has been tremendously helpful and that Laura Kelley, department chair and coordinator for the Human Services graduation program, helped smooth any bumps along the road.

“We recognized his intelligence and ability to think outside the box right away,” Kelley said. “Daniel is Samoan and one of the many things he brought was diversity.

He has brought in another way of looking at things, which really resonated with his fellow students. We are extremely proud of him.”

Pulu said he plans on returning this fall

to UAA to pursue another degree.

Misa, graduate with an associate’s in applied science and human services, is married with five children. She recalled her childhood, when her parents worked endlessly to support their family of 13 children.

“Our parents didn’t have any education.

Our mom dropped out in sixth grade and raised a family. So when we moved to the U.S. she realized she cannot play that role, so she had to work really hard to raise all of us in one house,” Misa said.

Misa’s memories are similar to circumstances young Pacific Islander children are going through today in the Anchorage School District. Their parents lack the time to spend with them on schoolwork. According to the ASD’s latest statistics, Pacific Islanders are part of the largest ethnic group in the system, and though there are many stellar students, their overall grade point averages are among the lowest.

“Rozanne was a hard working student.

She knows what she wants as she envisions and crafts her future into her own hands and that is a strong quality to have,” Travis Erickson, Human Services practicum instructor, said.

Aumavae has had her ands full as the president of the PCC along with various community projects.

Patrick Cunningham, an associate professor for the School of Social work said Aumavae was “fabulous in her practicum at the Anchorage Community Land Trust serving the Mountain View community.”

“Aumavae single handedly conducted a child care feasibility study bringing together residents, service providers, churches and businesses with the goal of providing affordable child care in Mountain View,” Cunningham said. “This has resulted in her successfully identifying two prospective child care providers. To accomplish this in two semesters is awesome!”

As Aumavae reflected upon her accomplishments at UAA and the goals she has in store for the community, she simply stated, “It’s all about the future and our children.”

Sisters Miriama Aumavae and Rozanne Misa say graduation is only the beginning to their life goals.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KARA MILLIGAN

Daniel Pulu plans on returning to UAA to seek a third degree this fall.

06 FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

Appetizer Edition!

Filling grad party appetizers that are sure to please

Bacon-wrapped dates The ‘barb-e-cup’

By Vicente Capala multimedia@thenorthernlight.org

Ingredients • 1 pack almond cheese • 1 pack turkey bacon • 1 pack pitted dates

Tools • 1 box toothpicks

Earlier this month, I ventured to a photographer friend’s engagement party. It was as fancy as could be. Hors d’oeuvres were served by the minute. And for those that have always wondered how to spell that word, you can now use that as an icebreaker at another social event.

A dish that captured the heart of my stomach was the plate of bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with bleu cheese. One serving of this item was not enough — and by one serving I mean three helpings.

So I began to experiment with the simple recipe and modified it to fit the needs of the health-conscious.

First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Open up a bag of dates and throw them onto a dish. To make things easier, buy a pack of pre-pitted dates. With a knife, cut each date in half to reveal its hollow center. This can become a really sticky task due because of the natural sugars in the dates.

Next, cut up your cheese into square cubes that can fit into the hollow of the pits.

I used almond cheese because of its taste, as well as the shape it retains after baking. It doesn’t become a mess after melting.

Then cut the turkey bacon in half.

After prepping the ingredients, place one cheese cube into your date. Wrap the date in a halved turkey bacon strip. Then stick the concoction with a toothpick and a cube of cheese as a topper. You may be able to make 50 of these yummy snacks in one sitting.

Once all of the wrapping is done, place the dates onto an oven rack for about 20 minutes. You’ll know the dates are done when the turkey has tightened up and the cheese toppers have browned slightly. When done, just pop one of these sweet and salty fantasies into your mouth without having to feel guilty.

PHOTO BY VICENTE CAPALA

By Heather Hamilton arts@thenorthernlight.org The end of the semester is here, and with it comes commencement and the ever-important graduation party. If the graduate decides to throw a shindig, remember that food is the most important part of the function.

For those who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on catering, a party with nibblers is a good way to go — and filling ones are even better.

One such nibbler is the BBQ cup, or barb-e-cup.

Depending on the other appetizers and personal diet preferences, the barb-e-cup can be made with various types of meat and meat substitutes. For families trying to eat less red meat, ground turkey works well.

Spray your pan with cooking spray first if it isn’t non-stick. Place a pound of defrosted ground turkey ito the pan and begin cooking on medium heat.

Use a spatula to break up and evenly cook the ground turkey. This should take about five to seven minutes. Drain the excess fat from the pan, and place it on a cool burner so that the meat doesn’t burn.

Pour a cup of barbecue sauce into the ground turkey, stir and let it sit off to the side. Any barbecue sauce will work, so choose a personal favorite.

This variation uses honey barbecue sauce.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

While that’s getting up to temperature, open a can of pre-made biscuit mix, make sure it contains at least 10 biscuit portions. Take a muffin pan and lightly spray it with cooking spray if it isn’t non-stick. Then, place a portion of the dough in the bottom. Use your fingers to stretch the dough up the sides of each muffin cup, so that it forms a

Ingredients • 1 lb ground turkey • 1 can of pre-made biscuit dough • 1 cup barbecue sauce • 1 muffin tin

very thin crust-like layer. Thin is perfectly fine, so long as there are no holes in the bottom. Using a teaspoon, dollop enough of the barbecue turkey to completely fill each biscuit cup. Then, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top of each one.

Place in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes. When the timer goes off, remove from the oven and immediately use a butter knife to circle each muffin cup and pry them from the pan. Plate them and immediately serve while they are piping hot. Two muffin cups are an adequate serving size per individual.

PHOTO BY HEATHER HAMILTON

How can I stay Moving on and active when I’m staying behind supposed to be sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day?

By Evan Dodd Contributor

By Kate Lindsley Contributor Media has been buzzing in the past year about America’s “sitting disease.” These articles cite studies that claim our society stays seated for far too long, and this is to blame for America’s national health decline and increasing obesity rates.

It is more than plausible to infer prolonged periods of inactivity can lead to increased weight and decreased energy.

Many people solve this problem by buying a gym membership, and committing to make it most days of the week.

Hitting the gym for six to seven hours a week is certainly commendable. It fits within the government’s recommendations for exercise and helps burn calories.

However, if you can’t afford or make time for a gym membership, keeping an active lifestyle has been touted by recent studies to be more effective at staving off the grim reaper.

Here are some tips ranging from the mild to the most ambitious: • Park a halfmile away from your office. Walking this extra mile can burn nearly 100 calories for most people.

• Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator.

Make this a habit wherever you are so it becomes an everyday occurrence.

• Keep your lunch in your car. You’ll have to walk to get it at lunch and benefit from the stroll. If you go out for lunch, pick an eatery within walking distance and bring a friend.

• Ask if your company has an onsite gym or a offsite gym membership discount.

Many corporate offices have deals that may not be well advertised.

• When you need to take a break from work, instead of checking the news (or

Facebook), walk up and down a few flights of stairs. The increased heart rate and blood flow can get rid of the “2:30 feeling” without any energy drinks.

• Start an inter-office sports league.

Choosing a low-impact sport is most likely to get everyone involved, like badminton, and having coworkers to support you in your active choices can help sustain motivation.

• Walk or bike to work.

• Build a standing desk and install a backwards-facing treadmill. Constantly walk at a slow pace while you work. Try not to distract any coworkers with your buff calves.

Even after all of these tips, you still may say to yourself that there is simply no time during the workday to add in exercise. If this is the case, try implementing a small change here and there. The easiest tip to incorporate is to take the stairs whenever and wherever you can. If in the first few times you feel embarrassingly out of breath, don’t worry about other people seeing you. Everyone has been there, and they’ll commend your wise choice.

“...take the stairs whenever and wherever you can.”

We made it. Somehow, through all the exams, windstorms and false springs, we made it. It wasn’t easy, and I’ll be the first to admit that I probably have some major damage from a lack of sleep, but we made it.

I seem to have a bit of academic amnesia when it comes to the end of each semester, where I mysteriously forget about the mountain of stress that stands between me and summer. Even though I’ve done the unprepared-forfinals dance a few times now, I still get surprised by the sheer amount of work it takes to be a college student. Given that I’m typing this while huddled in the remains of a blankets fort surrounded by discarded homework and study guides, it’s not hard to see that the stress is a bit overwhelming.

But for some of us, the end of the semester is more than just a two-week period of stressful finals. Some of us are expected to participate in something called “real life” where you’re forced to pay all of your bills on time and none of the jobs come with an attached syllabus. Those people have the great misfortune of being unceremoniously thrust into the real world, with expectations to start careers and act like adults.

Suckers.

I’ll be staying right here where I have running water, a non-leaky roof and my roommate’s Netflix account.

Believe me, I’m sure the real world is great and all, but I’m going to take a rain check for the next couple years or so.

All of you graduates will have the chance to change the world in your given professions. As doctors, bankers and policy makers, you will make the choices that will affect our communities for years to come. Honestly, the scene at commencement will look like it was ripped straight out of Dr. Suess’ “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” complete with people who seem to be speaking a made-up language about the future.

And for those of you who majored in English, theater or anything else that isn’t engineering or science, don’t worry. You’re more than welcome to come back and try again. Believe me, I’m staying in here where it’s safe for as long as humanly possible. Otherwise I might actually have to find out what an economist does. In this case, ignorance

is bliss.

There may come a day when I have to venture out into the real world, learn to tie more than one knot with the cheap neckties I buy at Target and fool some poor employer into hiring me — but today is not that day.

If the graduating class of 2013 can be thought of as Lewis and Clark, then I’m Clark’s lazy friend who let someone else map the west before I finally decided to head out. It’s a trade-off.

Clark’s friend certainly didn’t make it into any history books, but he also didn’t get cholera and die on his way out of the door.

So for those of you moving on from college, moving to a new place of maturity and adulthood, I have only one thing to say: Good luck. Seriously, I’m counting on all of you to go out and start your careers so you can make it look easy for me. My future plan for success is dependent on one of you becoming incredibly wealthy so you can hire me as soon as I graduate.

And for those of us who will be sticking around, haunting the halls of UAA for another couple of years, well, at least we have another couple years before we have to pretend to be adults.

Believe me, we’re getting the better deal here.

So whether this week is the end of your college career, a wake-up call to change your major, or even the first time you’ve shown up to class all semester, finish strong with finals and show me that life is easier than I’m expecting.

I’m counting on you guys. Go out and show the world that it isn’t that hard to be a functioning adult. Don’t worry, we’re right behind you.

Probably.

07 FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

The perks of a good lei

By Nita Mauigoa features2@thenorthernlight.org UAA graduation time is painted with green and gold spirit and the purple Hawaiian orchid lei.

With a sizable population of Pacific Islanders in Alaska, the lei tradition has tapped into mainstream tradition. People of varied backgrounds give the lei as a gift for any occasion, most notably during graduations.

However, there are few “rules” of etiquette when it comes to the lei.

The plural form of lei is simply lei in the Hawaiian language. The traditional way to wear a closed lei is gently draped around the shoulders with half of it hanging in the front and half of it hanging in the back. When presenting a lei to someone, it is tradition to give them a kiss on both sides of the face. Denying a lei or giving it away in

front of the person who gave it to you can be considered rude.

“Leis are like luaus, they bring people together. A lei is a gift from the soul,” Kaneyo Hirata, board member of the Polynesian Association of Alaska and a major in Cross-Cultural Studies, said. “I think that’s what draws other people who are not Polynesian to the lei language. It is a language of love.”

Here are some basic lei crafting instructions for beginners.

LEIS AND PHOTOS BY NITA MAUIGOA

UAA Candy Lei Materials: • Plastic wrap or cellophane (green or gold) • 1 bag green wrapped Lindt chocolates • 1 bag gold wrapped Lindt chocolates • White gift ribbon, cut into 6-inch strips Directions: 1. Roll out about 2.5 feet of plastic wrap or cellophane on a flat surface and cut in half.

2. Line roughly 15 candies at the edge of plastic wrap or cellophane 3. Slowly roll candies up in wrap or cellophane like a burrito 4. Cut strips of ribbon, 6-inches each 5. Tie ribbons in between candies and close up lei the (people get creative and substitute candy with anything)

Money Lei Materials: • 1 bouquet of carnations or 2 stems of orchids • 12 crisp dollar bills of any denomination • Dental floss • 1 needle • Green or gold ribbons, cut into 6-inch strips • Mini rubber bands Directions: 1. Fold bills accordion-style with folds running vertically 2. Tie 1 ribbon and 1 rubber band in the middle of each bill, forming a fan 3. De-stem flowers 4. Tie floss on needle and thread through middle of de-stemmed flowers 5. Use ribbons to tie bills onto the floss, alternating between flowers

907.786.6860 www.uaa.alaska.edu/gss

Lower-Level Campus Bookstore FREE 30-min parking outside the green-awning entrance.

Mon - Fri 8:30am – 5:00pm

A&E

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

09

A&E Opinion

Now that you’re done, don’t stop learning

By Heather Hamilton arts@thenorthernlight.org Don’t stop.

When seniors walk across the commencement stage and enter what professors and administrators call the “real world,” the things they had to do to graduate will fall to the wayside. Most won’t read 100 pages a night to keep up in their English classes. Most writers won’t write stories with difficult prompts. Most artists won’t challenge themselves with art techniques that don’t initially interest them. Most performers may not learn excruciatingly tedious pieces just for the sake of learning something new.

We seniors will be free, and we’ll let all the challenges we’ve had to endure for our education drop off us like they’re burdens rather than learning tools.

That’s a mistake. Because if we let ourselves go, we’ll forget.

I took biology my senior year of high school, and the only thing I can remember is the stench of formaldehyde and baby pig innards. And how long a pig’s long intestine is. And how freshmen scream when your teacher allows you to parade pig innards through the classroom

next door for giggles.

But I digress. The point is that I don’t remember anything of relevance from that class six years later because I don’t use it every day.

I also took two years of French in high school, and then our program was cut. When I came to UAA, they refused to waive my language requirement. I failed to test out because I hadn’t studied it in two years and couldn’t remember anything. When I eventually took the class though, it all came bak after the first week.

It was bliss! I coasted for the entire first semester because it covered everything I learned in high school, and the knowledge was still locked away in my head.

I love the French language, but it’s been another few years since I’ve studied it. Now if someone spoke French to me, I’d just stare at them and blink like an idiot. I let it happen again. But I’m confident that, because I love it so much, because I care, I could get it back just as easily as

I did the first time.

A very wise man once told me that no new knowledge is wasted. So, my fellow peers, those things that it took to sharpen your mind and help earn you that degree?

Don’t stop doing them. Creativity never dies, but skill does rot away when it goes unused.

Learn a piece by Mozart, even if you hate his compositions. Pull three writing prompts out of a hat and work them into a short story on a day off. Do you hate using watercolors? Practice it anyway. You never know when you’ll need these skills for that career you’ve been fighting all these years to be qualified for.

Maybe a thing that was a past chore will turn into a joy, now that you’re doing it on your own terms instead of under the whip of a professor.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bone up on my French.

Félicitations, classe de 2013!

“Creativity never dies, but skill does rot away when it goes unused.”

Movie Preview

5 movies to look forward to this summer

By George Hyde Volunteer There are tons of things that come to mind when Alaskans think of summer: sunlight, hiking, fishing — and of course, gigantic summer blockbusters.

Almost everyone has been stoked for the big movies of the summer, and while it’ll be hard to top last year’s “The Avengers,” it’s worth remaining hopeful.

Here are five films to definitely keep an eye on as the summer begins.

“Man of Steel”

A reboot of the “Superman” mythos, this film comes from Zack Snyder, who is known for directing such films as “300,” “Watchmen” and “Sucker Punch.”

Whether or not Snyder is the right director for the job very much depends on who you ask.

Some say he’d make a great new superhero film, while some would rather see him keep to his niche of highly stylized action.

However the film will turn out, it will be a very unique take on the story of Kal-El and his journey to and on the planet Earth.

Those interested to see Snyder’s unique angle on the “Superman” legend should definitely take a look.

“This is the End”

The latest film from the crew behind “Superbad,” “Pineapple Express” and “The Watch,” “This is the End” follows fictionalized versions of Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, James Franco and others as they try to survive the apocalypse and its aftermath.

Those who enjoyed the crew’s previous efforts will probably find a lot of things to like out of these actors as they try desperately to cling to life.

Expect a lot of crude jokes and surprise cameos.

“After Earth” Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, “After Earth” follows two men (played by Will Smith and his son Jaden Smith) as they crash land on Earth a millenium after it was last abandoned by humanity.

Viewers who were scarred by Shyamalan’s “The Last Airbender” catastrophe may want to consider giving “After Earth” a chance.

It looks to evoke works as varied as “Titan A.E.” and even “The Pursuit of Happiness,” all with a shade or two of Pandora from “Avatar.”

And that’s not even mentioning the cerebral plot that is Shyamalan’s trademark style from films like “The Sixth Sense” and “Signs.”

“Pacific Rim”

“Pacific Rim” is Guillermo Del Toro’s self-proclaimed love letter to Japanese-style monster movies, telling the charmingly ridiculous story of giant robots fighting off giant monsters who have mysteriously risen from beneath the ocean.

The trailer tells of interdimensional portals and kung fu and other dumb cliches, but that just adds to the goofy charm that makes “Pacific Rim” so appealing.

It features several actors and actresses from both America and Japan, including Ellen McLain as a lovable artificial intelligence, a casting move that caused many a squee in the theaters showing the trailers.

“R.I.P.D.”

Robert Schwentke, who directed the underrated secret agent gem “RED,” brings us “R.I.P.D.,” standing for “Rest in Peace Department.” Starring Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds, the film depicts the department as a ghost and demon hunting agency, similar to a cross between “Ghostbusters” and “Men in Black.”

It’s up to two undead agents to unravel a conspiracy that could spell the end for the world for the living.

It’s nice to see a fresh, comedic take on the gothic horroraction genre.

Just imagining what “RED” would be like if the characters were demon slayers instead of agents is simultaneously hilarious and awesome.

Those who want a more humorous approach to this usually dark genre should get a kick out of this flick.

10 A&E

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

Fine arts, a useless degree or a hidden gateway?

By Heather Hamilton arts@thenorthernlight.org Years of learning, hours of waiting, minutes in line, seconds of congratulations, one placeholder document — and finally, weeks later, your degree.

Now, what exactly do you do with it?

Every graduate asks this same question at one point or another, usually after being prompted by a parent or relative who may or may not agree with the graduate’s life choices.

Students in fine arts programs likely hear this more than others. Fine arts degrees are largely considered useless according to several surveys, such as one printed in Newsweek in April 2012, listing it as the single most useless degree out there.

Others do not agree.

“Art is one of those fields that you do because you have this undying urge and need to express yourself,” Enzina Marrari, UAA adjunct art professor, said.

Mararri received her undergraduate degree in fine art from UAA, where she specialized in sculpture, and her graduate degree at New York University in 2007. A few years later, Marrari became an adjunct faculty professor in UAA’s women’s studies department, and as of fall 2012, she is also an adjunct professor in the art department, where she teaches 2-D design.

“If I didn’t have an advanced degree in arts, I wouldn’t be able to do that,” she said. “The climate for art faculty positions is pretty rough and pretty competitive across

the country.”

Like many undergraduate degrees, fine arts degrees can serve as gateway degrees into more specialized and in-demand fields.

Nipissing University in Ontario, Canada released a list of 200 potential careers for graduates with fine arts degrees.

That’s more career options than they list for English degrees, environmental science, education, history and

“You have to be persistent, but be flexible.”

- Enzina Marrari

Adjunct Art Professor liberal arts combined.

Careers listed vary from advertising art director to art librarian, and jewelry designer to combat photographer.

“Be open to taking a job that may not be in the arts until you find one that combines your skill set with you

academic training,” Marrari said. “You have to be persistent but be flexible.”

With the wide range of career options open to it, how could fine arts rank so low on the scale of viable degrees? Marrari believes it is because of a shift in cultural mindset.

“We’ve come from a time where the great masters of the arts, Leonardo and Michelangelo, were at the same level as doctors and scientists, where everyone was pretty equally valued,” she said. “When you look at our cultural shift and what we value as far as esteem and priority, art kind of falls lower on that spectrum ... I think there’s been a disconnect on a larger scale with the significance and importance of art in our culture.”

Marrari isn’t entirely sure why that happened, but she has a guess.

“I think as we started putting more emphasis on more programs like the sciences, that emphasis on the arts dropped. Our focus on the arts dropped because we were focusing on more of a technical academic investment,” she said.

For students who want to major in the arts, Mararri has some advice for after graduation.

“Continue practicing and continue working on your art, even if what you do professionally is different than that.”

For Nipissing University’s full list of potential art careers, visit http://tinyurl.com/cvwjlyr For Newsweek’s list of the most useless college degrees, go to http://tinyurl.com/c7w98zp

ALBUM PREVIEW

KRUA top albums for summer

By Oliver Petraitis KRUA Music Manager Junip - “Junip” José González has gone and done the world a significant solid — he put together a band. José’s solo work has long been renowned for its intricate, technical guitar parts and melodious textures. Now the slick-voiced songwriter has surrounded himself with a handful of equally talented musicians and formed a band called Junip. The result is an album that burn maps and leave listeners contentedly lost in the woods. A combination of groovy drumming, sweeping synths, and the classic José-influenced guitar licks and vocal melodies, this album is a must for the summer.

Daughter - “If You Leave” Alaska is stoically dark for so much of the year that forgetting the look of the 3 a.m. summer sun is all too easy. Here is the album for the rediscovery of that horizontal revelation. “If You Leave” is Daughter’s debut album, but one would be hardpressed to guess that this is the first product from this group of musicians. The album is a daring, developed, and wholly beautiful piece of music.

Vocally similar to The Xx with a driving acoustic fire, Daughter deserves to be a go-to when sitting on rooftops in the middle of a summer night. “If You Leave” will have listeners coming back and awaiting Daughter’s sophomore album.

Phoenix - “Bankrupt!”

The French synth-pop wizards have returned — this time, with even more magic. Pheonix’s new fifth full-length album, “Bankrupt!” is a direct extension of their previous 2009 record, “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.” “Bankrupt!” picks up where their last album left off, giving listeners more of their signature shining, theatrical, masterfully produced synth-pop. The growling,

crackly synth bass lines and punchy ‘80s-style drums are back with new instruments and new influences. “Chloroform” is a high-gravity, hiphop inspired track that will pull heads downward into a rhythmic nod through the slow, heavy beats and classic tick-tick-ticking hi-hats. Phoenix has worked their magic once again. Conjure this album up for yourself and your friends.

Tera Melos - “X’ed Out” To enjoy Tera Melos’ amphetamine-tweaking math rock gyrations is to embrace the inner weird. Endowed with incredible finger speed and ceaseless energy, the California-based 3-piece band released “Patagonian Rats” in 2010. Imaging a more impressive combination of the melodic and strange is a considerable challenge. Yet Tera Melos’ new album manages to stand resolutely on the fulcrum balancing the extremely beautiful and seriously strange. This is a perfect album for cruising on a bicycle or staving off boredom when summer doles out too much downtime. Showing this to your friends might make them raise their eyebrows, but they’ll come around. They’ve just yet to embrace the weird.

The Shouting Matches - “Grownass Man” Not many can say that they’ve heard Justin Vernon sing the blues — unless they’ve been listening to The Shouting Matches. Bon Iver front man Just Vernon has embarked on a side project that has already been featured in some of the biggest venues in the music biz, including Coachella 2013. Departed from Bon Iver’s hole-in-thesoul style of acoustic songwriting, The Shouting Matches is a rocked-out 3-piece blues band, complete with rattling guitars and old-school organs.

Naturally Vernon’s vocals are still featured prominently, just in a different environment. This is the album for calling fathers up to sit on the porch and listen to good tunes with your own grownass man.

Say goodbye with a good old-fashioned barbecue Graduating seniors weigh in on what their post-grad parties will look like and why.

By Nicole Luchaco arts2@thenorthernlight.org

ILLUSTRATION BY CASEY KLEEB

As the graduating class of 2013 gears up for graduation day and all of its celebratory grandeur, TNL went behind the scenes to find out what graduates are up to after the ceremony.

And according to most, bigger is not better.

“My party will be small, probably around 20 people, mostly close friends and family,” English major Shanna Allen said.

“We are going to kick back, enjoy each other and have a barbecue,” she said.

High school grad parties are all about celebrating that you made it.

Graduates made it through the required four years of suffering and are now free to run his or her own life.

For many, with the passing of high school comes the passing of birthday number 18 — and the achievement of adulthood, at least by legal standards.

High school grad parties are often loud, festive and full of congratulatory cards — usually from relatives, parents and teach-

ers, often containing well-wishes and money to fund one’s next big adventure.

But college is a different story.

Many students travel away from home to pursue higher education.

Because of this, a graduation celebration is quite important.

It is a nice commemoration of one’s journey for graduates and loved ones, even if it is small.

“I have family coming up to see me walk. This is a nice chance for all of us to get together,” Allen said. “Even if money was no object, I would do something small or just take my family on a vacation.”

The consensus among the graduating class is in favor of smaller grad parties, and for most it is not necessarily a financial decision.

English major Elizabeth Carmichael said graduating from a university is a moment of pride and relief, and the after party is a happy and comfortable reflection of that.

“I think that it’s important to have a celebration to remember this. It’s an important day,” Carmichael said.

“It’s also very important to my parents. They have supported me

through this whole thing. Honestly it’s more of a celebration for them than it even is for me. I’m relieved, and they are just so excited,” she said.

In fact, many students say the days of gigantic graduation celebrations are gone.

After their diploma is in hand they look forward to a relaxing celebration experience, including close friends and family, good food and a lot more sleep.

“When I graduate, I definitely want something small,” sophomore and pre-bachelor’s of fine arts student Rachel Coe said. “Just me, my close friends and family.

Somewhere with a good atmosphere like the Glacier BrewHouse, just enjoying that moment.”

So there you have it.

Embrace the ones you love this graduation season because breaking the bank is so 2011.

And make no mistake, the graduating class of 2013 will be celebrating their accomplishments.

But they will be leaving the blowout, bank-account breaking parties to the high schoolers.

The completion of your degree is a great accomplishment and one of which you, your family and friends should be proud. The UAA Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Relations join you in celebrating your achievement and we welcome you to the UAA alumni family.

STAY CONNECTED Learn more about your UAA Alumni Association

www.uaa.alaska.edu/alumni

UAA is an EEO/AA employer and educational institution.

13 A&E

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

5 games to ward off boredom

By Jacob Holley-Kline Staff Reporter Summer is a time to get lost in the wilderness. Take a hike up Flattop or a trip down to Seward. Somebody’s ideal summer could be made up of late nights with friends, lakeside bonfires, and Bob Dylan covers strummed until sunrise. But maybe you’re not that kind of person. Maybe you’re the kind of person who would rather save the world, unravel the darkest mysteries, and guide roving packs of Martians to freedom. If you’re that person, here are five worlds you can delve into this summer.

The Last of Us: June 14, 2013 Developer: Naughty Dog Publisher: Sony Platform: PlayStation 3 The post-apocalyptic genre has been rung dry both in movies and games. But Naughty Dog, creators of Jak and Daxter and the Uncharted series, plans to change that. “The Last of Us” is a survival horror/ action-adventure title that takes place 20 years after a mysterious fungus has killed and transformed millions of people. The game puts protagonists Joel and Ellie up against infected creatures and murderous survivors. Like Elizabeth in “BioShock: Infinite,” Ellie helps Joel through these encounters, she even knocks enemies out with bricks and bottles. The enemies will catch players at their weakest moments, and do whatever it takes to kill them. This

“Balance of Power” system promises to make encounters frantic and desperate.

Nilin wakes up in the grimiest slum of

Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs: Q2 2013 Developer: thechineseroom

Publisher: Frictional Games Platform: PC, Mac, Linux In the wake of a ruinous expedition to Mexico, a man named Mandus is stricken with fever. He falls into a coma and dreams of a dark machine. When he awakens, an unseen engine roars in the distance. Developed by thechineseroom, makers of the ethereal PC title, “Dear Esther,” comes the spiritual successor to “Amnesia: The Dark Descent,” “Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs.” “A Machine for Pigs” is a survival horror title where the player’s are perpetually unarmed, and their only option is to run and hide from danger. If the trailer is any indication, the pulse-pounding horror of “Amnesia: The Dark Descent” is in good form here.

Remember Me: June 4, 2013 Developer: Dontnod Entertainment Publisher: Capcom Platform: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 The year is 2084, and the setting is the police state of Paris. Each citizen’s every move is monitored, and everyone has a node in the back of their head with which they can share and transfer memories to other people. Players take control of an amnesiac “memory hunter” named Nilin.

Neo-Paris with no memory of how she got there. The player must find out why Nilin’s memory was erased and how to restore it. Using the innovative “memory remixing” technique, Nilin can invade her enemies’ memories and “remix” them to make those enemies friends — or something more sinister.

Deadpool: June 25, 2013 Developer: High Moon Studious

by High Moon Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed “Transformers: War for Cybertron,” little is known about the character’s first solo outing. What is evident is that the game is not at a lack of guns, swords and decapitations — something Deadpool fans have been seeking for a long time.

Pikmin 3: August 4, 2013 Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Platform: WiiU Back in 2001, a little strategy game called “Pikmin” rocked the critical world.

It was praised for its creativity and challenging yet accessible puzzle elements.

“Pikmin 2” was released in 2004, and now “Pikmin 3” is slated for release this August. In “Pikmin 3,” players control three different leaders of a roving pack of up to 100 Pikmin, alien creatures who sprout out of the ground. With the help of the player-controlled leaders, the Pikmin can build and destroy bridges and barriers, and attack enemies throughout the world. While the story is unclear, the gameplay nuances of other “Pikmin” installments are improved upon here.

Publisher: Activision Platform: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 The sarcastic and fourth wall-breaking comic book character Deadpool is finally lending his antihero charm and mental instability to a video game. Developed

Life as a college student isn’t always “super” cheap. Tuition, books and gas all add up faster than a speeding bullet.

Let People Mover save you some cash.

With your NEW WolfCard, students, staff and faculty ride People Mover buses for FREE with

9:00 am-6:00 pm !

MakoeurMoney

Sell y textbooks ack! during buyb peoplemover.org www.uaa.alaska.edu/bookstore

Check out the dates below!

Congratulations Graduates!

DRINK REVIEW

Mixology course needed for Graduate

By Heather Hamilton arts@thenorthernlight.org Graduation parties are places for family, friends, food and fun.

It’s also a place for beer and cocktails because most grads are over 21.

One cocktail to stay away from is The Graduate from http://idrink.com.

There are other variations of the recipe, but steer clear from this particular variation at all costs.

To make this cocktail, pour one shot of Disaronno or other

On campus this summer?

Summer Permits available at uaa.thepermitstore.com

ith w w e n ’s t a h w Find out ng Services!

Parki

the cavity-inducing sweetness, but the pineapple and Southern Comfort battle for flavor dominance in a way that confuses the tongue.

The aftertaste is mostly the smooth Southern Comfort, but with a tang of pineapple added in.

Pineapple and Southern Comfort don’t seem so bad mixed together, but the amaretto liqueur does something to make it less palatable.

Clearly, almonds, pineapples and So-Co don’t mix well.

If you’re having a party or

“The color looks like mulled apple cider, but the taste is as hideous as student debt.” amaretto liqueur, one shot of Southern Comfort and two shots of pineapple juice into a glass with ice and stir.

The color looks like mulled apple cider, but the taste is as hideous as student debt.

The tip of the sip is super sweet, with almost no other taste to it.

When it hits the middle of the tongue, the flavor and smoothness of the Disaronno takes center stage, almost making up for the rush of sugar at the tip.

The finish reverts back to

heading out to a bar to celebrate, stay far, far away from this drink.

Have a beer instead.

Drink: The Graduate Ingredients: Disaronno, Southern Comfort, pineapple juice ABV: ~31.5

(907) 786-1119 www.uaa.alaska.edu/parking Lower Level of the Bookstore

! y e n o M $ave f f o % 5 2 arel and

app gift items!

www.uaa.alaska.edu/bookstore

8:30 am-6:00 pm Check out the dates below!

15 A&E

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

A Year in Review: A&E

UAA visit leads to dialogue about family history and the prevalence of racism (Originally published Feb. 26, 2013)

By Heather Hamilton arts@thenorthernlight.org It’s hard to imagine that dreaded endof-semester projects and final exams could ever turn into something meaningful.

Yvette Johnson took a family history course at Arizona University in 2007 in hopes of learning more about where she came from.

She knew very little about her family history and wanted to be able to pass some of the information down to her two young sons.

One of the course assignments was to interview a relative over the age of 60,

and Johnson chose her maternal grandmother.

Through the interview, she learned about her grandfather, Booker Wright, and developed a desire to piece together the story of his life and the mystery of his untimely murder.

“It sounds a little kooky, but I always tell people that I feel like this project was much bigger than me, and I just didn’t have peace about it yet,” Johnson said.

“I wanted to find the footage. I wanted to learn what that dialogue was about, what that language was, but I also wanted to understand why it mattered so much …

I really felt an absence of peace when I let it fall by the wayside and focus on other things,” she said.

PHOTOT BY TIM BROWN

See Williamson the full Auditorium stories at closed for thenorther nlight.org

renovations

By Heather Hamilton arts@thenorthernlight.org

(Originally published Oct. 29, 2012) For the first time since its 1975 opening, the Wendy Williamson Auditorium is getting an interior facelift.

Some renovations have already been completed, but the next phase will close the building for two months. “(The Williamson) has never had new seats, from ‘75 until now,” said Shane Mitchell, the auditorium’s building manager. “For years, there were surplus seats that we could cannibalize parts from and stuff, but these seats aren’t even made anymore.”

Renovations completed over the summer include new lighting in the lobby and auditorium, as well as new carpeting throughout the lobby and auditorium stairs.

“One of the impetuses for the renovation is that we wanted to be more sustainable, so we replaced all of the lights in the lobby and the house lights with LEDs, fluorescents, things that burn less power,” said Mitchell. “The output is also greater. We get 30 percent more light and only burn 60 percent as much energy as we used to.”

Baby you were born this way (Originally published on Feb. 19, 2013)

By Nicole Luchaco arts2@thenorthernlight.org In the past few years a small group of UAA students has hosted an annual campaign called “Body Image,” a small movement aimed a debunking personal and cultural expectations about one’s body.

“I grew up in a family that never dieted or anything. My parents always reiterated the value of loving ourselves and not letting the expectations of others affect the way we view our bodies, et cetera,” Sofia Fouquet, marketing and business major, said. “Sometimes you need that positive reinforcement.”

Fouquet has been involved with the Body Image campaign for the past two years and feels strong-

ly about individuals recognizing social misconceptions about image and identity. From this desire for personal clarity and a broadening of physical acceptance, came Fouquets’ idea for the upcoming spinoff art show called “No Apologies.”

The show was a traditional gallery display of student-submitted portraits. All entries met two requirements: The self-portrait was recognizable and was accompanied by a one- to three-sentence explanation stating what the artist likes about his or herself.

“Because the nature of this show is about celebrating yourself and is not so much an art expose or competition, we are really looking for all talent levels,” Fouquet said.

PHOTOT BY J. ALMENDAREZ

James Williams discusses ‘Cracked Slam poetry Frog,’ a meaningful accident in art event sparks

By Jacob Holley-Kline Staff Reporter

(Originally published on Feb. 5, 2013) When James Williams was seven years old, his father gave him a pocketknife. With it, Williams carved a crude, inch-long canoe.

“He held it in his hand and said, ‘He’s going to be a carver someday,’” Williams said.

Williams, now 56, is a Tlingit master woodcarver and blacksmith. “(My dad) foresaw this in me,” he said.

His piece “Cracked Frog” was commissioned by the Alaska

Native Heritage Center last summer. Williams discussed the work Feb. 6 at the UAA Bookstore. Rachel Epstein, bookstore special events coordinator, believes the piece has particular importance. “It brings Tlingit tradition, culture, and art into a contemporary setting,” she said. But before he could finish the piece, a problem arose.

“It was starting to crack,” Williams said. “I was frustrated to the point of heartbreak.”One crack was so large, it threatened the work’s structural integrity. It was when he laid his head on the bowl’s rim that Williams remembered his mother. “(My) mom used to broadcast all over the world on CB radio,” he said. “Her radio handle was ‘Cracked Frog.’”

The carving is on permanent display at the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

PHOTOT COURTESY OF JAMES WILLIAMS

interest in spoken word

By Jacob Holley-Kline Staff Reporter

(Originally published on April 2, 2013) The lights are blinding. The stage is wide and large. When it comes to spoken word, it’s only you, a microphone, and a poem.

“There are no rules in (spoken word) … you just say what you need to say,” freshman history major Hayden Kotelman said.

Kotelman has been a spoken word poet for four years and was first introduced to spoken word poetry in high school.

“It’s such a raw and emotional (art),” he said.

Kotelman placed fourth at the Brave New Alaskan Voices Grand Slam Finals March 27 at the Anchorage Center for the Performing Arts.

Along with five other finishers at the finals, Kotelman will be representing Alaska at the international Brave New Voices poetry festival this summer.

Though spread thin, spoken word poetry’s presence on campus has been steadily increasing. Recently, adjunct professor Peter Porco’s Slam Poetry class held a slam.

A “slam” is a competition in which poets recite self-written works for scores ranging from zero to 10.

The performances took place March 18 in the Student Union south cafeteria.

Porco’s slam functioned as a final exam for his students. Everyone from the class read two poems they wrote and an open mic was held afterwards.

“It’s really something to see these kids who hadn’t been in front of an audience before,” Porco said.

SPORTS

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

16

What my Bill MacKay Athlete of the Year ballot would look like

By Thomas McIntyre Sports Editor

freshman on the team who would play right away and have instant impacts. Tatchell did just that: he played every game and was named the team’s Rookie of the Year and MVP.

Runner-up: Kyle Fossman Fossman was the lead dog in a scary UAA backcourt. His deep stroke helped spread the floor and make the offense run. Behind the sharp-eyed shooting of the Alaska native, the Seawolves finished third in a stacked GNAC. Fossman averaged 14.8 points over the course of the season, but it’s the way he got his points that made him such a threat. He not only led the team in made threepointers, he also led them in three-point shooting percentage. His 45 percent clip from beyond the arc is a ridiculous feat.

The efficient play didn’t go unnoticed, as Fossman was a First Team All-GNAC selection. He picked up the team’s MVP award as well.

And no, my view on Fossman wasn’t swayed by the fact that he wears the same number as Jerry Stackhouse (42).

The Bill MacKay Athlete of the Year award is given to the UAA student-athlete who simply plays his or her sport at a different level. Excellent, great and dumb nasty are all descriptors the MacKay winner should represent. This year’s field of nominees includes competitors from the full array of Seawolf sports.

The final nine are: Micah Chelimo (men’s cross country and indoor/outdoor track & field), Susan Tanui (women’s cross country and indoor/outdoor track & field), Marine Dusser (women’s skiing), Lukas Ebner (men’s skiing), Alysa Horn (women’s basketball), Kyle Fossman (men’s basketball), Kimya Jafroudi (volleyball), Emily Peterson (gymnastics) and Blake Tatchell (hockey).

I have no say in who winds up with the trophy, but that won’t silence me. If the world were just and my opinion was taken into account, this is the ballot I would have turned in: Third place: Blake Tatchell Tatchell’s season statistics are amplified when you consider he was a true freshman. The left-handed forward was the first rookie in the last ten years to lead the Seawolves in scoring. His 25 points included a teamhigh 16 assists and nine goals.

Honestly, the MacKay award shouldn’t go to Tatchell.

Sometimes sportswriters like to throw a name on their ballot that doesn’t have a real shot, but deserves some recognition — that’s what I’m doing here.

Dave Shyiak said before the season that there were

Chelimo’s case for the MacKay award is comparable to Adrian Peterson’s case for the 2012 NFL MVP. You start talking yourself into other athletes deserving the trophy over him, and then you come back to his body of work and realize this isn’t a contest.

The senior distance runner from Kenya has won three straight NCAA Division II National titles. The champ collected his titles in both outdoor and indoor track & field, and cross country. It doesn’t matter the surface or environment, Chelimo is going to finish first.

There isn’t enough page space to break down all of Chelimo’s accomplishments. Aside from his individual records and trophies, he also played a vital role in leading the men’s cross country team to its highest finish ever at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships. The pack took home a third place podium spot.

For whatever it’s worth — which should be much more — Micah Chelimo is my 2013 Bill MacKay Athlete of the Year.

The actual winner of the award was announced April 26 at the athlete-of-the-year banquet at Lucy Cuddy Hall. Not surpisingly, Micah Chelimo received the hardware. I’d like to send out a big congratulations to him.

Winner: Micah Chelimo

PHOTOS COURTESY GOSEAWOLVES.COM

Kyle Fossman and Micah Chelimo were both good contenders for the 2013 Bill MacKay Athlete of the Year award.

First two hockey coach forums in the bag

By Thomas McIntyre Sports Editor The search to replace Dave Shyiak is in full effect. The first two candidates have officially wrapped up their public forums. Like athletic director Steve Cobb has stated before, the influence these events have on the upcoming decision is up in the air.

Regardless of influence, the forums give fans, alumni and boosters a look into the mindset of the four options that remain. Here’s some insight from the two potential coaches that were here Monday and Wednesday.

Mike Corbett Corbett has logged his last 10 years with the Air Force Academy Falcons. He spent nine seasons as an assistant before getting bumped up to associate head coach in 2012.

The Falcons were 17-13-7 in his first go-round in the new role.

His playing background is rich, too. Corbett was a three-year letterman at the University of Denver in the mid-‘90s. The defensemen also served as an assistant captain for several years.

Corbett isn’t under the impression he’d be inheriting a powerhouse if given the job.

He worked in an analogy about playing small ball with the team. Rather than cranking out home runs, he’d prefer to “hit singles” and “drive in runs.”

Naturally, the former defensemen is also locked into having a tight and active defense. The ‘Wolves gave up 3.69 goals a night last year, so that mentality could be useful.

The most refreshing part of the forum may have been Corbett’s realistic take on the current hockey program.

He knows there will be hard times. He understands recruiting is an uphill battle in Alaska, and that the school doesn’t offer state-of-the-art facilities. But most importantly, he knows he’s ready to do whatever it takes to prosper despite those disadvantages.

Damon Whitten Whitten is visiting Anchorage from Houghton, Mich., where he’s an assistant coach for the Michigan Tech Huskies. But the area is no mystery to Whitten, who served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at UAA from 2006-08.

Like Corbett, Whitten has an impressive background as a player. He spent four years under the legendary college hockey coach, Ron Mason, at Michigan State. He left Lansing having earned three Academic All-Big Ten Team selections as a Spartan.

Whitten understands the work that needs to be done to get the Seawolves back in contention. At his public forum Wednesday, he stressed the need for aggression both on and off the ice.

“We’re going to get involved with the best players out there,” said Whitten in regard to his recruiting approach.

Those players better have good cardio, because Whitten is looking to construct the Denver Nuggets of college hockey. He wants to control games by “playing with the puck” and attacking teams with an up-tempo brand of hockey. His ideal club is skilled, fast and furious.

Whitten made it clear that he plans on implementing his style from day one. Making that transition won’t be easy, though.

As Whitten said himself: “It’s a process.”

The final two coaching candidates will hold their forums this week with Gary Heenan’s at 7 p.m Wednesday in the Lucy Cuddy Dining Room.

Possible future coach Damon Witten speaks to the UAA athletic community about what he can bring to breathe new life into the hockey program.

PHOTO BY TIM BROWN

17 SPORTS

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

A Year in Review: SPORTS

Seawolves take Kendall crown with an epic tie

See the full stori es at thenorthernlight.org

By Thomas McIntyre sports@thenorthernlight.org

(Originally published Oct. 16, 2012) Happier times. Every hockey season starts with the Kendall Hockey Classic. The Seawolves won the tournament back in October and looked like a team on the rise. The rest of the season didn’t play out that way, but there’s no forgetting the Kendall final.

On this night, hockey was a game of runs. The Air Force Falcons scored two early goals, and

then the ‘Wolves went on a three goal streak to take the lead.

Somehow, the Falcons managed to score with 0.2 seconds left to force overtime.

A Seawolf goal to win outright would’ve put this game over the top. It didn’t happen, though, and they didn’t need it. The Seawolves captured the crown on points.

Seawolves top UAF Nanooks in basketball

By Mark Hoffman Volunteer

(Originally published Feb. 23, 2013) An introduction to coach Ryan McCarthy

By Keon McMillan Staff Reporter

(Originally published Nov. 20, 2013) The 2011-12 women’s basketball season ended with a well-documented train wreck.

Moving on from that offseason seemed like a heavy task, but through this article, we learned that program is now in good hands.

The piece shed some light on

McCarthy’s background, what his vision for the club was and is, and the brand of basketball he coaches his teams to play.

He followed up his preseason statements by leading the team to a 17-10 season, and allowed Seawolf fans to breathe easy again.

Shyiak gets canned

utes of Seawolf basketball in 2012-13.

It was like Mike Alvarado-Brandon Rios II. And for all of you who have checked out of boxing, that means it was a war.

Go relive this incredible installment of the rivalry by checking out the full-bodied game recap.

New sports complex build in full gear

By Keon McMillan Staff Reporter

By Keon McMillan

(Originally published Feb. 23, 2013)

Staff Reporter

(Originally published April 9, 2013) We’ve come full circle, from a promising Kendall Hockey Classic win in October to a team without a coach in April.

Even with all of the losses on his record starting to rack up, the public was still surprised to hear Shyiak had been shown the door.

The article pulled the cur-

Alaska’s version of the Duke-NC Tobacco Road rivalry hit Anchorage in February when the Seawolves and Nanooks collided at the Wells Fargo Center. The game lived up to the hype with UAA squeaking out a 71-69 win.

The second half of this affair may have been the most exciting 20 min-

tain back on the firing. Athletic Director Steve Cobb gave some insight on why Shyiak had to go, and how they plan on filling the position. For the first time in eight years the hockey team is without a signal caller, and it’s made for an interesting and important story.

The Northern Light reported in 2010 that the university needed a new sports complex. In 2011 it reported that the university had the finances to make the idea possible.

Now in 2013, the progress on the brand new $109 million arena is visible. The steel beams are up, construction workers are on scene all day and plenty of concrete is being laid.

People have been asking about this for years. Many wondered why the outdated arena that UAA had been using since it joined the NCAA in 1978 is still being used.

The answers have arrived. The $80 million project that originally designed to sit 3,600 people has grown to be a 6,000 seat, $100 million arena.

Best achievements in university sports

By Thomas McIntyre Sports Editor It’s been another quality year in the UAA sports world. To wrap up the 2012-13 season, here’s a list of the top five achievements from the athletes in green and gold. The picks are presented in no particular order.

PHOTO BY MACKENZIE MASON

Chelimo nabs anther championship Micah Chelimo is a first ballot Seawolf Hall of Famer. The distance runner from Kenya snagged his third NCAA title back in March with a win in the 5,000 meters at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships.

Chelimo crossed the finish line at 14 minutes, 12.82 seconds, edging the second place runner by about two-thirds of a second.

He was already the most decorated runner the school has seen, so the third crown just further cemented his placement in the record books.

The Seawolves basketball and volleyball team make to top five list of university accomplishments this year.

Men’s basketball team shows up big at the Shootout The Seawolf faithful have been conditioned to temper their expectations when it comes to the hometown team’s chances of winning the Great Alaska Shootout. While the ‘Wolves didn’t capture the trophy, they did make plenty of the noise.

After getting dropped in the opening round by a loaded Belmont Bruins team, the men’s basketball squad went on to net back-to-back wins in the tournament.

The first was a 66-65 stunner over the UC Riverside Highlanders, and the second was an 83-77 victory over the Loyola Marymount Lions in a dogfight. The result was a fourth place finish for the Seawolves.

PHOTO BY J. ALMENDAREZ

Volleyball team rakes in GNAC honors The volleyball team as a whole had a nice year.

They finished fourth in the GNAC and were one of the must-see athletic events on campus. But there were a few particular individuals that really shined for the Seawolves: senior setter Kimya Jafroudi, junior middle blocker Jodi Huddleston and freshman outside hitter Julia Mackey.

Jafroudi climbed to number six on UAA’s career assists list en route to earning a spot on the AllGNAC Team. Mackey — who was also the co-winner of the GNAC Freshman of the Year award —

joined her on the team.

Lastly, Huddleston took home the GNAC Newcomer of the Year award. Her play also got her an honorable mention for the All-GNAC Team.

Men finish third at Cross-Country Championships The men’s cross-country team came into the NCAA Division II Cross-Country Championships last November as the seventh ranked team in the nation. The unit well overplayed that ranking and claimed a spot on the podium.

The group also produced three All-Americans in the process. The aforementioned Chelimo, senior Alfred Kangogo, and sophomore Dylan Anthony were named to the All-America team.

Before this outing, the best UAA had finished at the championships was eighth.

Sasha King posts rare numbers The Seawolf women’s basketball team had its seventh winning season in a row. A quick run through of senior point guard Sasha King’s season averages reveals why the ‘Wolves didn’t fall apart after the hectic 2012 offseason.

King was one of only three Division II ball players to put up 15 points and five assists a night. She also averaged 2.9 steals and 2.6 threes, marks that were good enough to lead the GNAC. The most memorable King moment was her scorching of Northwest Nazarene. She sunk 9 of 10 from beyond the arc. The rainstorm broke or tied six school and conference records for three-point shooting.

These statistical feats helped King land on the Second All-GNAC Team and gave her half of the team MVP award, which she shared with senior forward Alysa Horn.

Honorable mention: Seawolves set GPA record Not all accomplishments take place on the court, track, or rink. Some occur under the bright fluorescent lights in the classroom. UAA student athletes ended the year of 2012 with a combined GPA of 3.2.

The average was the best in school history.

The fall term played a big role in the Seawolves’ pursuit of this stellar GPA. Nineteen — 19! — athletes closed out the semester with perfect 4.0 GPAs.

n o s n o i t a l Congracthuievement!

Your A 2 0 13 CL ASS OF

You can make a difference!

Tom Case, Chancellor

OPINION

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

EDITORIAL

Taking more than a fiveminute break

By TNL Staff Everyone already knows how important it is to take a five-minute break while studying and working.

These mini-breaks increase productivity and brain power.

But what about a semester long break? Or a year-long hiatus?

Even the thought of taking a break from college strikes fear in the heart of people.

Everyone has heard that waiting to go to college or taking a break from college will reduce one’s chances of completing a degree in higher education.

But there’s no recent research to suggest that.

While a 2010 report from Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the non-college attendees have an immediate 33.4 percent unemployment rate, there are no long-term statistics about how many of these people later attend universities and earn a degree in higher education.

So to say that at one point in a young person’s life they’ll be unemployed is a

feeble argument against taking a break from school, especially when unemployment rates for graduates is the highest it’s been in generations and is generally accompanied with a mountain of debt.

Online search results turned up plenty of good reasons people have taken a break from college.

These instances include money troubles, being unsure about one’s major, taking time to volunteer or intern fulltime in a career field and being in the midst of a distracting personal crisis.

That’s not to say that there aren’t real risks to taking a break from college.

But when it comes to a graduate possibly earning a degree in something they have no interest in or having to drop classes mid-semester, taking a break from college actually sounds like a good choice.

It certainly bets the alternatives of a lifetime of unfulfilling jobs and endless payments to loan collectors.

And don’t worry about feeling out of the education loop.

Remember, everyone has their own timeline for their life and nobody’s is exactly the same.

19

EDITORIAL

Prioritizing your future

By TNL Staff Sometimes it is hard to look into the future optimistically. There is always going to be something along the path has not gone the way you had planned.

There is always going to be some hope that burns inside you but slowly fades away as you realize that it may not be as attainable as hoped.

There is always going to be times where you are stuck in a rut with the feeling that there is no other way out.

When it feels like everything is rushing against us. When we do things to please other people rather than follow what we truly want to do for ourselves. When we want something so bad and yet we know that it is impossible, at least for right now.

Right now we just have to stand up, stand straight, stand tall, and keep moving forward.

Whether you are graduating this weekend or graduating next year, it is still the same.

The future, which once seemed so far away, is quickly approaching.

Our lives pass within the blink of an eye, and we need to learn to prioritize what we actually want out of it.

Pretty much all students are looking to get their diploma, but each of us has our own reasons.

But how many of us actually know

what that reason is? Is it for you now, you in the future, or for someone else entirely?

Do you really want a full-fledged career after graduation or is there something else in life that could make you happier?

Is your degree choice even what you want to pursue as a potential job or are you doing it because it is one of the only things you feel you are competent enough at to pass your classes?

Or could it be because your parents pushed you into it?

Maybe it’s a feeling of obligation to prove your self-worth?

Have you even really sat down and thought about it?

If not, start now before you get in too deep to come out again. Would you rather accomplish what you set out to do and potentially be miserable for the rest of your life, or change gears and do exactly what you want to do? Once the stress of finals is over, it is a good idea to objectively evaluate at the direction your life is headed. Don’t be afraid to disappoint someone else as long as you aren’t disappointing yourself.

In the words of Dr. Seuss, who inspired this edition of The Northern Light, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own.

And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go...”

WHAT’S GOING ON THIS WEEK? TUESDAY, APR 30

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1

THURSDAY, MAY 2

SUNDAY, MAY 5

8:00am: 'Loren Taft: A Retrospective' on show at library 3:00pm: Commencement

MONDAY, MAY 6

8:00am: 'Loren Taft: A Retrospective' on show at library 8:30am: Last day to return textbook rentals 9:00am: Textbook Buyback at the UAA Campus Bookstore 1:00pm: Study Abroad 101 information sessions

For more information on these events, visit

http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/calendar/mastercalendar.cfm

OCT

Late Nights in the SU: Free food and massages Spring Finals 6:30am: Extended Seawolf Shuttle service for finals week 8:00am: 'Loren Taft: A Retrospective' on show at library 9:00am: Textbook Buyback at the UAA Campus Bookstore; TIAACREF representative on campus 10:00am: Student Union Gallery presents 'Juried Student Show' 5:00pm: 'Principled Negotiations: Applying Cooperative Principles for a Sustainable Alaska' with Steve Konkel 7:00pm: UAA 2013 Campus Master Plan update at Tudor Area Community Council meeting

SATURDAY, MAY 4

Spring Finals 8:00am: 'Loren Taft: A Retrospective' on show at library 11:59pm: Early bird registration deadline for Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference

MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEP

Late Nights in the SU: Free food and massages Spring Finals 6:30am: Extended Seawolf Shuttle service for finals week 8:00am: 'Loren Taft: A Retrospective' on show at library 9:00am: Textbook Buyback at the UAA Campus Bookstore; FTC presents 'ePortfolio Webinar Series' 10:00am: Student Union Gallery presents 'Juried Student Show'; FTC Open Lab 5:00pm: Late Nights in the SU: Free food and massages; Jeff Pantages presents 'The Investment Wisdom of John Maynard Keynes’; Deadline: Summer admissions application 7:00pm: UAA 2013 Campus Master Plan update at University Area Community Council meeting

APRIL

--1am: Late Nights in the SU: Free food and massages Spring Finals 6:30am: Extended Seawolf Shuttle service for finals week 8:00am: 'Loren Taft: A Retrospective' on show at library 9:00am: Textbook Buyback at the UAA Campus Bookstore 10:00am: Student Union Gallery presents 'Juried Student Show' 11:00am: Mini One-Stop on campus 2:30pm: FTC Open Lab 5:00pm: Late Nights in the SU: Free food and massages; 'Refugee Voices'

FRIDAY, MAY 3

Spring Finals 6:30am: Extended Seawolf Shuttle service for finals week 8:00am: 'Loren Taft: A Retrospective' on show at library; UAA Ceramics Spring Sale 9:00am: Textbook Buyback at the UAA Campus Bookstore; TIAACREF representative on campus 2:00pm: John Tippets presents 'Heart of Courage: The Gillam Plane Crash and the Amazing True Story of Survival in the Frozen Wilderness of Alaska'; Dissertation defense by Rebecca Volino, Ph.D. candidate in clinical-community psychology 4:00pm: Thesis defense: 'The Cultural Commodification of Gender and Identity in Alaska Native Imagery by the Non-Native Tourism Industry' 5:00pm: FY13 year-end purchasing deadline for purchases requiring quotations 7:00pm: 'AQR' First Friday with songwriters Melanie Trost and Emily Barry

PEOPLE

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

20

A visual recap of the year

PHOTO BY TIM BROWN

2013) UAA Concert Board brings Macklemore & Ryan Louis to the Eagan Center for a sold out performance. The show will likely be considered the biggest hip-hop 2, (April event of the year.

(Oct. 23, 2012) Dancers do a technical rehearsal for their “Dance Ensemble

19 in the Fine Arts Building.

PHOTO BY VICEN TE CAPA LA

in Concert “ Oct.

PHOTO BY NITA MAUIGOA

(Nov. 13, 2012)

Junior Mary Sherbick from Twin Hills, models an Athabascan bitzahulan that was sewn by UAA faculty member Phyllis Fast.

PHOTO BY TIM BRO

WN

rupted by ion was temporarily dis colate.

The UAA Student Un cho ng uti trib dis e Easter Bunny costum an in n ma cal nia a harmless but ma ed. lower level was unfaz USUAA’s meeting in the

(April 2, 2013)

PHOTO BY TIM BRO

WN

the Conoco Philips to a chemical spill in bide, which was Firefighters respond Car m ciu ll was caused by Cal spi The . .30 Jan ng ildi .

Integrated Science Bu tentially hazardous gas water to produce a po accidently mixed with

(Feb. 5, 2013)

GRAP HIC BY CASE Y KLEE B

Hawaii, columnist rning home from a trip to Maui, 12his)disaAfteppor retu .d4,lame20 ec ered Alaska.

(D -cov snow to g intment about returnin nted Evan Dod

PEOPLE

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

A farewell to educators

21

ALL BRIEFS BY NEWS EDITOR KELDON IRWIN

Robin Crittenden Robin Crittenden is a former University of Alaska student and current UAA English professor who is retiring this year. She has spent the last 17 years teaching English courses at UAA. When she attended UA (which is now the University of Alaska Fairbanks) in the late 1960s, she said there were only two UA campuses.

At that time, UAA was just being founded and UAS had not yet been established.

Crittenden said before she began her career at UAA, she was a journalist for Anchorage Daily News about 30 years ago.

After attending UA, she received her bachelor’s in English at Washington State University and transferred to Alaska Pacific University to receive her master’s in adult education.

Crittenden said she is very happy with her time spent instructing at UAA. When asked why she is retiring, she said, “Because I can,” then laughed.

Crittenden has five grandchildren and said she is ready to enter the next phase of her life: grandmotherhood.

Robert Crosman

Robert Crosman is a retiring tenured English professor who has been with UAA since 1985.

His collegiate career began at Harvard and was continued in Germany. He returned to the United States and attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a bachelor of arts in English in 1962. Then he earned a Ph.D. in English at Columbia University in 1971.

He cites his book, “Reading Paradise Lost,” as the reason he was able to earn a job as a UAA professor. His publication received the Explicator Award in 1980.

Crosman teaches several courses. Most of them focus on Renaissance era writing because he teaches Shakespeare and modern to post-modern English courses every semester.

Crosman said he also teaches African-American literature and literature by women as often as he can.

Prior to becoming a professor at UAA, he was a short-term profes-

sor at Trinity College, Hartford, and Williams College.

Crosman says his proudest accomplishment at UAA is hiring the first African-American woman, Jervette Ward, on a tenure track.

Crosman said she will begin teaching in the English department this fall.

When asked how UAA has changed since 1985, Crosman replied, “It’s a much more hip and aware place than it was then.”

He continued to say he feels UAA is now a more welcoming place for Alaska Natives than when he started instructing.

When asked why he is retiring, he said he is 73 years old and teaching has gotten stale.

Instead of instructing, Crosman plans to spend the next few years as a student. He plans to take Spanish courses, among others.

He was originally planning on taking courses at UAA, but he has been considering moving back to Berkeley, Calif., to attend courses there.

red bradley

red bradley is an assistant term professor at UAA. He began his 11-year career as a Seawolf instructing art and journalism courses, with journalism as his primary focus in recent years.

Over the last decade, he has taught digital photography, intermediate and advanced graphics, typography, visual literacy, media in society, beginning and advanced web design, TV studio production, independent film production, digital video production, digital editing and digital imaging courses.

His semester-to-semester schedule varies greatly as a term professor, which means his contract is renewed each year.

This year, however, his contract will not be renewed. When asked why his contract will not be renewed, bradley had a lot to share.

He said he has never had one formal disciplinary action in his teaching career at UAA, yet the Dean’s Office cut his position.

He said the Dean’s Office told him they could not afford to keep him as a professor.

“Would I rather be in the classroom tormenting students? Yes,” bradley said, but he remains very optimistic about the future.

When asked how he will fare after being cut this semester, bradley said, “It’s not about me, it’s about you (UAA students).”

When further questioned about his beliefs about his position being cut, he summarized personal research that he conducted.

He said that UAF and UAA have too many administrators and not enough professors, which wastes money and hinders student progress.

When asked if he would like to make a public statement to the Dean’s Office, he said, “They know how I feel.” bradley aired commercials during the Governor’s Cup discussing what he perceives as the irresponsible spending of university funds.

He also sent the videos to the UAA Finance Committee, Chancellor Tom Case and Alaska senators and legislators.

While he does not think this is why his contract will not be renewed, he said it surely didn’t help the situation. bradley said the governor approved a 7 percent spending increase for the 2014 fiscal year, yet his position was cut.

Despite being cut from the UAA budget, bradley said he will land on his feet as he has other business endeavors he plans to pursue.

He sold his previous company, Nine Star Productions, many years ago and returned to school, aspiring to mentor students.

22 Comics

THENORTHERNLIGHT COMMENCEMENT 2013

weekly HOROSCOPE

The Northern Light is a proud member of the ASSOCIATED COLLEGIATE PRESS. The Northern Light is a weekly UAA publication funded by student fees and advertising sales. The editors and writers of The Northern Light are solely responsible for its contents. Circulation is 5,000.

The University of Alaska Anchorage provides equal education and employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, Vietnam-era or disabled-veteran status, physical or mental disability, changes in marital status, pregnancy, or parenthood.

The views expressed in the opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of UAA or The Northern Light.足足足

April 28, 2013

The coming week is likely to see a great many individuals coping with a kind of loneliness that is both rare and stubborn -a kind born of the sense that one is out of his or her element, surrounded by those who do not understand, yearning for something that is elusive and out of reach. None of this is to be feared, however, for all of it can pass quickly -- unless one makes the mistake of dwelling in such feelings, and allowing them to take a firm grip on the psyche or the soul. He or she who believes that such feelings will last a long time is almost sure to make that fear come true. Such a self-fulfilling prophecy is to be avoided at all costs!

Recovery from any emotional hardships this week can be swift, if not permanent, and the magic can return quickly to one's life if one is able to recognize it, welcome it and embrace it -- for indeed, it is all around. This is just the kind of week that highlights life's ups and downs, whites and blacks, yins and yangs.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 // Feb 19

(Jan. 20-Feb. 3) -- Your search for just the right thing for you this week is likely to lead you down a strange and unfamiliar path. Take precautions! (Feb. 4-Feb. 18) -Your interest in something rather unusual is likely to be shared by one who will soon be a good friend.

(Feb. 19-March 5) -- Travel plans may have to change somewhat due to an unexpected development far from home that affects you peripherally. (March 6-March 20) -Something you are usually able to do without too much effort may actually be much more difficult than expected.

Aries

Mar 21 // Apr 19

PISCES

Feb 20 // Mar 20

(March 21-April 4) -- You're going to have to spend the money asked if you want to equip yourself as you desire. But the best is the best, there's no denying it! (April 5-April 19) -- Now is the time for you to invest in something that will increase your knowledge and skill.

LETTERS AND CORRECTIONS POLICY Letters to the editor can be submitted to editor@ thenorthernlight.org. The maximum length is 250 words.

Opinion pieces can be submitted to editor@thenorthernlight. org. The maximum word length is 450 words.

Letters and opinion pieces are subject to editing for grammar, accuracy, length and clarity.

Requests for corrections can be sent to editor@thenorthernlight. org. Print publication is subject to accuracy and available space.

All corrections are posted online with the original story at www. thenorthernlight.org.

The Northern Light newsroom is located on the first floor of the Student Union, directly next to Subway.

THE NORTHERN LIGHT CONTACTS (April 20-May 5) -- You may develop an odd appetite for that which is not usually considered healthy. Still, you can avoid any serious harm. (May 6-May 20) -- You must be ready for what comes this week, whether or not you feel up for it. Don't be surprised!

Gemini

May 21 // June 20

Leo

Libra

Sept 23 // Oct 23

Nov 23 // Dec 21

June 21 // July 22

Virgo

Aug 23 // Sept 22

(Sept. 23-Oct. 7) -- You must be willing to laugh at yourself and what you are doing this week, for much of it will have others laughing as well. (Oct. 8-Oct. 22) -- You may be introduced to a way of doing things that is completely foreign to you, but from which you can learn a great deal.

(Oct. 23-Nov. 7) -- You can reveal much this week merely by the way you look -- and if you don't want to reveal anything, you must alter the way you look. (Nov. 8-Nov. 21) -You'll receive a call to action this week, and you'll want to be prepared with all your resources at the ready.

Sagittarius

Cancer

(July 23-Aug. 7) -- Imitation may be the most sincere form of flattery, but for you, it may actually set you back. You must be working toward something original. (Aug. 8-Aug. 22) -- You'll derive a great deal of good from a certain companion's contributions this week. Show your appreciation.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 7) -- You will be deeply affected this week by your happenstance interaction with one who understands you better than you understand yourself. (Sept. 8-Sept.

22) -- That which you accomplish this week may only be in the way of preparation; the real thing is yet to come.

Scorpio

Oct 24 // Nov 22

(Nov. 22-Dec. 7) -- You can impress those around you this week merely by doing what you do. Any conscious attempt may actually backfire on you. (Dec. 8-Dec. 21) -- Take care that your own judgments of someone else's difficult situation don't reflect poorly on you.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 6) -- You'll be exposed to something patently bizarre this week, and you mustn't let it get under your skin. (Jan. 7-Jan. 19) -- What others are doing may not be for you this week -- but you may not be able to resist participating in some way.

3211 Providence Drive Student Union 113 Anchorage, AK 99508 Phone: 907-786-1513 Fax: 907-786-1331 info@thenorthernlight.org

Apr 20 // May 20

(May 21-June 6) -- The simplest of concepts may be too much for you as the week opens, but you'll get up to speed quickly and take charge in a way that is unexpected.

(June 7-June 20) -- That which isn't entirely to your taste may actually be just what you need this week. Say yes!

(June 21-July 7) -- What is usually free time must be spent in an earnest attempt to catch up this week. You may not be able to reclaim the time later on. (July 8-July 22) -That which was lost is found this week. Put your best foot forward. A friend sees you in a new light.

July 21 // Aug 22

Taurus

Capricorn Dec 22 // Jan 19

EXECUTIVE EDITOR 786-1434 editor@thenorthernlight.org J. Almendarez MANAGING EDITOR content@thenorthernlight.org Ashley Snyder COPY EDITOR copy1@thenorthernlight.org Kierra Hammons

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Vacant ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR features2@thenorthernlight.org Nita Mauigoa ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR Nicole Luchaco ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Vacant

NEWS EDITOR news@thenorthernlight.org Keldon Irwin

GRAPHIC DESIGNER graphics2@thenorthernlight.org Vacant

FEATURES EDITOR Vacant

ADVERTISING MANAGER 786-4690 ads@thenorthernlight.org Chelsea Dennis

A&E EDITOR 786-1512 arts@thenorthernlight.org Heather Hamilton

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Vacant

SPORTS EDITOR 786-1512 sports@thenorthernlight.org Thomas McIntyre

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR multimedia@thenorthernlight.org Vicente Capala

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Tim Brown Corey Hester

STAFF REPORTERS staff@thenorthernlight.org Keon McMillan Jacob Holley-Kline

PHOTO EDITOR Vacant WEB EDITOR web@thenorthernlight.org Shawna Sweeney LAYOUT EDITOR layout@thenorthernlight.org Casey Kleeb

CONTRIBUTORS MoHagani Adamu Evan Dodd Mark Hoffman George Hyde Taylor Guillory Kate Lindsley Kirrily Schwarz MEDIA ADVISER Paola Banchero ADMINISTRATIVE ADVISER Annie Route

LETTER AND CORRECTION POLICY CORRECTIONS

KELSEY WALDORF

2013 Student Commencement Speaker B.A. Justice, Minors in Political Science and Communications Hometown: Homer, Alaska Whether she’s tackling a tough issue on the Seawolf Debate Team, representing UAA at a national conference or writing her senior thesis on privacy and domestic drone surveillance, Kelsey Waldorf wears her green and gold proudly.

Kelsey grew up in Homer, Alaska, where she was homeschooled for the majority of her K–12 education. Rather than accepting a scholarship to attend a university Outside, Kelsey chose to take advantage of her UA Scholarship and enrolled at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Kelsey is a member of the University Honors College and participates in the Forty-Ninth State Fellows program. She has worked as a student researcher on a project with the Alaska State Troopers and Anchorage Police Department, and is a mentor with the UAA TAPESTRY program, which trains and matches student mentors with students who have mental disabilities.

Her four years as a Seawolf have been packed full of tremendous opportunities that have outfitted her for what’s to come. After accepting her diploma, Kelsey plans to spend a year interning at a political office in the Lower 48 or teaching English in Vietnam before starting law school. Ultimately, she hopes to become a field agent for the FBI.

UAA is proud of the 2,200 graduating students of the Class of 2013.

These dedicated Seawolves wil receive their hard-earned diplomas at the Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 5, at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage.

Congratulations, graduates!

UAA is an EEO/AA employer and educational institution.

*FREE to all registered attendees—space limited!

For more information contact Felicia Desimini fdesimini@matsu.alaska.edu or 907.745.9755

facebook.com/Machetanz

UAA/MSC is an EEO/AA employer and educational institution.

@MachetanzArtFes