the notherner print edition - april 11, 2012

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@northernermedia thenortherner.com The Northerner NKU’s independent student-run newspaper Wednesday, April 11, 2012 Edition 49, Issue 12 Value: 75 cents Third presidential candidate visits campus Celebration of Student Research and Creativity events recap Canoe Battleship event to raise funds for local orgs. See NEWS, p.6 See p.8 See SPORTS, p. 14 to receive checkup The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges will be visiting Northern Kentucky University this April 22 and 23 to reevalu- ate the new Foundations of Knowledge general edu- cation program. The program, which was instituted at NKU last fall semester, was not reviewed as a substantive change by the commission, and therefore was not reviewed “properly,” according to the United States Depart- ment of Education. A substantive change, as defined by the commis- sion’s website, http://sacscoc.org, is a “significant modification or expansion in the nature and scope of an accredited institution,” or, rather, a change in the university’s education program that would possibly affect the quality of a student’s education. The Department of Education sees NKU’s new Foundations of Knowledge program as a substantive change in NKU’s general education requirements, and because the commission did not review the new program as such, the department has insisted that the commission do so. “When we originally submitted everything ... we were not required by SACS to submit for a substan- tive change,” NKU Vice Provost J. Patrick Moyna- han said. “It was unclear whether our Gen Ed pro- gram was considered new or just revised.” Some clarifications were made to NKU’s Founda- tions of Knowledge program since the submission to the commission last year, but no changes. “Some students were taking two language courses to fulfill a six-credit-hour humanities requirement, which only required three credit hours in the form of a language course,” said NKU director of general education Kent Johnson. “That was never the intention,” Johnson contin- ued, “and we had around 65 students who had mis- understood that, so we made the clarification that students need to take something other than lan- guage courses to fulfill that requirement very clear now... Out of a couple thousand or so graduating students... 65 doesn’t seem like such a large number, but we still wanted to make that point clear.” Last semester the Department of Education inves- tigated complaints submitted by two NKU profes- sors who asserted that the commission did not fol- low proper complaint procedure in reviewing their complaints against NKU’s new general education program. The complaints filed said that NKU’s new gen- eral education program wasn’t in compliance with the commission’s standards, and that the program would jeopardize NKU’s accreditation. NKU’s program was reaffirmed for accreditation in December 2009 under its former general educa- tion program, and the commission was informed of the intention to implement a new general education program in June 2010. According to the Department of Education, the commission did not follow proper procedure in the evaluation of the new general edu- cation program’s substantive change, nor did they properly handle the complaints from the professors. “After reviewing the complaint, the department finds SACSCOC out of compliance in four areas of the secretary’s criteria,” United States Department of Education Accreditation Division director Kay Gilcher said in a letter to Commission President Belle Wheelan. “The agency (SACSCOC) did not review the institution’s new general education pro- gram under a substantive change to ensure that the change in courses did not adversely affect the capac- ity of the institution to continue to meet the agency’s standards. As a result, the changes to the general education program caused NKU to be out of compli- ance with SACSCOC standards.” Wheelan has yet to offer comments on the situ- ation despite repeated communication efforts through email and phone calls. The complaints filed against the new program could have been centered around the concern of a lack of Humanities/Fine Arts classes, or, rather, the concern that a student may be credited with a Humanities/ Fine Art credit that was derived from a class that was not considered to be so in the old program. “If the public, state, and federal government are relying on SACS to ensure a general education taught by faculty with at least 18 graduate hours in those areas, SACS has willfully and disgracefully failed them,” NKU professors Terry Pence and Rob- ert Trundle said in a co-letter to SACS Commission Chair John Hilpert. “Classes are not either from the advertised areas or areas taught by qualified instruc- tors.” Johnson explains that he feels that the Founda- tions of Knowledge will offer a better general edu- cation experience for NKU students, and that the process should be more about developing what he calls “life skills” than just taking a class to fulfill a requirement. “NKU was never found to be out of accreditation,” Johnson said. “We made our new Gen Ed program to promote values that we felt every graduate need- ed, like critical thinking or effective communication, and we made it somewhat uniform to allow transfer students to have an easier time either coming in or going out to other Kentucky institutions.” “The word accreditation makes some people wor- ry, like SACS is just going to swoop in and shut us down or something, but that isn’t really what accred- itation is about,” Moynahan said. “The accreditation process is more about progress and improvement and pointing out where we can be better, so I always see it like that.” Johnson and Moynahan are both ready for the commission’s visit this month, and both said they do not expect to encounter any further “hiccups” in the process. Zachary Rogers Staff writer NKU’s gen ed program Agency set to visit university this month

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@northernermediathenortherner.comThe Northerner NKU’s independent student-run newspaperWednesday, April 11, 2012

Edition 49, Issue 12 Value: 75 cents

Third presidential candidate visits campus

Celebration of Student Research and Creativity events recap

Canoe Battleship event to raise funds for local orgs.

See NEWS, p.6 See p.8 See SPORTS, p. 14

to receive checkup

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges will be visiting Northern Kentucky University this April 22 and 23 to reevalu-ate the new Foundations of Knowledge general edu-cation program.

The program, which was instituted at NKU last fall semester, was not reviewed as a substantive change by the commission, and therefore was not reviewed “properly,” according to the United States Depart-ment of Education.

A substantive change, as defined by the commis-sion’s website, http://sacscoc.org, is a “significant modification or expansion in the nature and scope of an accredited institution,” or, rather, a change in the university’s education program that would possibly affect the quality of a student’s education.

The Department of Education sees NKU’s new Foundations of Knowledge program as a substantive change in NKU’s general education requirements, and because the commission did not review the new program as such, the department has insisted that the commission do so.

“When we originally submitted everything ... we were not required by SACS to submit for a substan-tive change,” NKU Vice Provost J. Patrick Moyna-han said. “It was unclear whether our Gen Ed pro-gram was considered new or just revised.”

Some clarifications were made to NKU’s Founda-tions of Knowledge program since the submission to the commission last year, but no changes.

“Some students were taking two language courses to fulfill a six-credit-hour humanities requirement, which only required three credit hours in the form of a language course,” said NKU director of general education Kent Johnson.

“That was never the intention,” Johnson contin-ued, “and we had around 65 students who had mis-understood that, so we made the clarification that

students need to take something other than lan-guage courses to fulfill that requirement very clear now... Out of a couple thousand or so graduating students... 65 doesn’t seem like such a large number, but we still wanted to make that point clear.”

Last semester the Department of Education inves-tigated complaints submitted by two NKU profes-sors who asserted that the commission did not fol-low proper complaint procedure in reviewing their complaints against NKU’s new general education program.

The complaints filed said that NKU’s new gen-eral education program wasn’t in compliance with the commission’s standards, and that the program would jeopardize NKU’s accreditation.

NKU’s program was reaffirmed for accreditation in December 2009 under its former general educa-tion program, and the commission was informed of the intention to implement a new general education program in June 2010. According to the Department of Education, the commission did not follow proper procedure in the evaluation of the new general edu-cation program’s substantive change, nor did they properly handle the complaints from the professors.

“After reviewing the complaint, the department finds SACSCOC out of compliance in four areas of the secretary’s criteria,” United States Department of Education Accreditation Division director Kay Gilcher said in a letter to Commission President Belle Wheelan. “The agency (SACSCOC) did not review the institution’s new general education pro-gram under a substantive change to ensure that the change in courses did not adversely affect the capac-ity of the institution to continue to meet the agency’s standards. As a result, the changes to the general education program caused NKU to be out of compli-ance with SACSCOC standards.”

Wheelan has yet to offer comments on the situ-ation despite repeated communication efforts through email and phone calls.

The complaints filed against the new program could have been centered around the concern of a lack of Humanities/Fine Arts classes, or, rather, the concern that a student may be credited with a Humanities/ Fine Art credit that was derived from a class that was not considered to be so in the old program.

“If the public, state, and federal government are relying on SACS to ensure a general education taught by faculty with at least 18 graduate hours in those areas, SACS has willfully and disgracefully failed them,” NKU professors Terry Pence and Rob-ert Trundle said in a co-letter to SACS Commission Chair John Hilpert. “Classes are not either from the advertised areas or areas taught by qualified instruc-tors.”

Johnson explains that he feels that the Founda-tions of Knowledge will offer a better general edu-cation experience for NKU students, and that the process should be more about developing what he calls “life skills” than just taking a class to fulfill a requirement.

“NKU was never found to be out of accreditation,” Johnson said. “We made our new Gen Ed program to promote values that we felt every graduate need-ed, like critical thinking or effective communication, and we made it somewhat uniform to allow transfer students to have an easier time either coming in or going out to other Kentucky institutions.”

“The word accreditation makes some people wor-ry, like SACS is just going to swoop in and shut us down or something, but that isn’t really what accred-itation is about,” Moynahan said. “The accreditation process is more about progress and improvement and pointing out where we can be better, so I always see it like that.”

Johnson and Moynahan are both ready for the commission’s visit this month, and both said they do not expect to encounter any further “hiccups” in the process.

Zachary RogersStaff writer

NKU’s gen ed program

Agency set to visit university this month

Just

for l

augh

sOpEd April 11, 20122

As I walked into the Stu-dent Union this morning I noticed that Scientologists were admin-istering “free stress tests” to gullible stu-dents pass-ing by. I was shocked. NKU

has played host to plenty of crackpots in the past, but Christian fundamen-talism is, at least, a silly idea with roots here in Kentucky. For the uninitiated, Scientology is a pernicious cult cre-ated by a science fiction writer named L. Ron Hubbard. Legend goes that, in the 1950’s, Hubbard entered into a bet with another writer to see which of them could codify their fictions into a living, breathing religion. This alone should be enough to give one pause when dealing with these people.

While it may seem unfair to label

Scientology a cult considering the fact that virtually every major religion be-gan in much the same way, I simply don’t care. The last thing this campus, let alone the world, needs is another body of un-falsifiable gibberish to be revered. The Church of Scientology is infamous for using litigation to silence and terrify its critics while cloaking it-self in the language of tolerance. The freedom of groups like this to operate is the price of a free society, but the marketplace of ideas demands that nonsense be checked by the products of clear thinking.

As for the actual tenets of Scien-tology, the core is bad science fiction (as you might expect) wrapped in the kind of self-help rhetoric you can get cheaper at a Tony Robbins seminar. In essence, Scientology proposes that humans are amnesiac alien souls, possessed by a nebulous body of bad memories called engrams – which, conveniently, can only be purged by buying increasingly expensive “audit-ing” sessions from the Church. These sessions, a bizarre twist on religious confession, typically involve readings with the “E-meter,” a machine that

projects an inconsequential amount of electric current through the sub-ject, and a kind of faux-psychotherapy. Stupid, right? But as history shows, no idea is too stupid to be believed if sanctified by tradition. After decades of dispute with the IRS, the Church of Scientology managed to get tax-exempt status in 1993, paving the way for popular recognition of Scientolo-gy/Dianetics as a religion. The stage is now set for the group to extend its hold on the feebleminded, replacing belief in Bronze Age myths with a dangerous pseudo-scientific rhetoric designed to confound the most credulous sector of society.

Unlike some other cults which sought a high degree of control over their members, most notably Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple, Scien-tology/Dianetics functions more like a financial scam or pyramid scheme with religious overtones; although, the Church has been implicated in numerous attacks on what they term “suppressive persons,” a definition en-compassing basically anyone critical of the Church. Operation “Snow White,” perpetrated by the Church, is held to

be the second-largest infiltration of the federal government to date apart from that of the KGB – the purpose of which was to destroy federal records of the Church and its founder. The act most revealing of the insidious and corrupt nature of this “religion,” however, was the attempt to frame journalist Pau-lette Cooper, author of a book critical of Scientology, by implicating her in a concocted plan to bomb the Church.

So what is the proper response to this odious organization? Ridicule. Intelligent ridicule punctures the pre-tensions of know-nothings who make it their mission in life to lead others astray. While sober debate has its time and place, charlatans like these dis-ciples of Hubbard are undeserving of serious consideration and will simply convert any real argument into a per-ception of legitimacy for their cause. This can’t be allowed, and debate isn’t necessary. Proponents of un-falsifiable dogmas exist by definition outside the bounds of scientific debate, and can be safely ignored without consequence. The proper response to ideas espoused by a dangerous cult is not jousting at windmills, but exclusion and scorn.

Aaron SprinklesViewpoints editor

Scientology on Campus: Stress Test a Lie

ViewsEdition 49, Issue 12 3

Alison Huxeljunior,

integrated studies

“Today I am walking without shoes and Friday

doing Rely For Life, it puts awareness out

there.”

Ashley Claysophomore, social work

“I did Polar Bear Plunge a long time ago and

thought it was a good cause even though I came out freezing. I

would’ve done TOMS if I knew of it.”

Kendall Rosssophomore,

graphic design

“I’d go as far as to make a point. Next semester I

plan to sit in a cardboard box to raise money for

the homeless.”

rnpCompiled by

Tara Derington & Caitlin Centner

How far would you go for a cause?

norse poll responses

AJ Millersenior,

comm studies

“Next year I plan on shaving my head for St.

Baldrick’s.”

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVEAndrew Despotes[[email protected]]

COPY DESK CHIEF Elizabeth Parsons[[email protected]]

VIEWPOINTS EDITORAaron Sprinkles [[email protected]]

The NorthernerFounders Hall Rm 314Highland Heights, KY 41099Editor in Chief: (859) 572-6128Newsroom: (859) 572- 6677 or 5620Advertising: (859) 572-5232Fax: (859) 572-5772E-mail: [email protected] site: www.thenortherner.com

contactinformation

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFKarli Wood[[email protected]]

ADVISERJacque Day[[email protected]]

northernerstaffSTAFF WRITERSCaitlin Centner[[email protected]]

Tara Derington[[email protected]]

Kevin Erpenbeck[[email protected]]

Zachary Rogers[[email protected]]

NEWS EDITORClaire Higgins[[email protected]]

ASSIGNMENT EDITORRoxanna Blevins[[email protected]]

PRESENTATION EDITOREmily Lindeau[[email protected]]

WEB EDITORBrittany Granville[[email protected]]

furtherdetails Entire content is copyright of The Northerner and may not be reprinted without prior con-sent. Views expressed do not represent those of the administration, faculty or student body.The Northerner is considered a designated public forum. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censor-ship or advance approval. The Northerner staff respects the right to a free and open dialogue as allowed under the First Amendment.

SPORTS FEATURES EDITORStephen Wilder[[email protected]]

SPORTS NEWS EDITORJohn Minor[[email protected]] BUSINESS MANAGER

Allison Buchanan[[email protected]]

Recently, the Right to Life display was vandalized twice on campus. NKU is no stranger to displays and free speech being interfered with. In 2011, there was a push for speech zones on campus where visitors would have designated spots to go to give announcements, presentations and deliver their messages.

On April 12, 2006, NKU made news when professor Sally Jacobsen led her students to the plaza to rip up the Right to Life display. Then, a disturbance was repeated on April 21, 2010, when crosses in the Right to Life “Cemetery of the Innocents” were again pulled up.

We’re wondering: Where does this culture of intolerance come from? The way the of-fenders seem to operate is: If we don’t like your message, we’ll just mess with your shit. No need to have a dialogue with you to ex-press our beliefs or feelings on it. Let’s just destroy. In that aspect, they fit perfectly with NKU’s sports symbol, the Viking, pillaging and plundering.

However, this doesn’t mesh well with the current culture of acceptance and under-standing that is growing across the country. While others fight for the right to marry and there are still constant efforts for equality in areas like race and religion, destroying a dis-

play that represents a set of beliefs is taking a step in the wrong direction.

On a more grounded level, these actions violate first amendment rights to free speech and expression without interference.

While abortion is traditionally seen as a hot-button issue, it doesn’t give an ex-cuse to the behavior that has recently taken place. At the risk of sounding like a mother, knee-jerk reactions such as vandalism and confrontation in the form of yelling and/or violence generally don’t yield desired out-comes; rather, can get your ass thrown in jail or fined.

In the event of the professor who led her students to the plaza, it made national news, and the professor resigned. Overall, NKU tries to follow acts of vandalism with serious procedure, but it is the campus culture that needs to change.

Often, students and academics have strong feelings about right and wrong, theory and sets of beliefs. An education is supposed to equip them with the tools to handle differ-ences in a constructive manner rather than purely destructive.

You may not agree with someone’s opin-ions or beliefs, but you should not try to quell them. In this case, we challenge the campus community to consider this sentiment often credited to Voltaire: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Staff editorial

Right to free speechRecent vandalism revisits issue of expression

News April 11, 20124

Because the trading floor has no ceiling.

TheRedRu

ngs.com

Student becomes president for a day

Sophomore psychology major Julie Shafer had the oppor-tunity to be “President for a Day” and Northern Kentucky University President James Votruba was a student for the same day. NKU’s Presidential Ambassadors host a clothing and non-perishable food drive to support the Brighton Cen-ter that also includes a raffle to switch places with Votruba and be “President for a Day.” Shafer went to meetings with Votruba, and he went to class with her to take a quiz and remember what it’s like to be a student.

State gives grant to improve college readiness

Northern Kentucky University received a $40,000 grant from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education to expand the university’s early assessment program in Eng-lish. The grant is part of Senate Bill 1, which works to revise Kentucky’s common core content standards and related assessments. The main goal of NKU’s early assessment program is to increase writing instruction to meet state mandates for improving the college readiness and eventual college success.

Steely offering e-books for Nook, Kindle, iPad

Steely Library now offers downloadable e-books (EBSCO-host eBooks and ebrary only) that can be checked out and transferred to various computers, mobile devices, and read-

ers. E-books are accessible through the library’s catalog. Students who want to download need to install the free reader software Adobe Digital Editions. Steely Library’s website offers a guide to download the app to iPads. Stu-dents can search for “How to download e-books to iPad” on the library website to find the guide.

Law and informatics breakfast series continues

The Northern Kentucky University Chase Law & Informat-ics Institute is presenting “Ethics in Informatics: Changing Ethics Rules and New SEC Guidance Redefine the Compe-tency of the Lawyer” featuring Dean Dennis R. Honabach and professor Jon M. Garon, director of the Law & Infor-matics Institute. The program will be held in Cincinnati at 7:30 a.m. on May 4 at Wood, Herron & Evans LLP in Cin-cinnati. For more information and registration, visit www.lawandinformatics.org/breakfastseries or contact Lindsey Jaeger at [email protected].

Norse baseball player makes it to the big leagues

Northern Kentucky University alum and Norse baseball player was recently drafted to the Chicago White Sox base-ball team and will be included on the major league roster. Nathan Jones, a pitcher who also attended Pendleton Coun-ty High School, was selected in the fifth round of the 2007 draft. He played for five years in the minors, but began this season April 6 as a member of the 25-man roster.

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NewsEdition 49, Issue 12 5

April 312:29 a.m. A male was arrested during a traffic stop near Sunset Dr.

for operating a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana. He was also found to be “trafficking” marijuana.

8:01 p.m. A female left her ring at a fingerprinting station at the po-lice station and was later contacted.

9:18 p.m. An NKU employee found a bank card in the Kenton Ga-rage; the owner was contacted.

April 41:10 a.m. Unknown subjects tore down a ProLife display on the Pla-

za. Investigation is ongoing.10:25 a.m. A citation was issued to a subject who possessed a forged

NKU parking decal.4:43 p.m. An NKU parking decal was removed from an unsecured

vehicle in Lot F.

6:01 p.m. A female reported from the Steely Library that her ex-boyfriend refused to turn over personal property that belonged to her.

9:53 p.m. NKU police assisted Campbell Coun-ty police department near Meijer in Cold Spring where a robbery occurred.

April 58:33 a.m. Several textbooks were taken from

an office in the Fine Arts Building.

April 62:12 a.m. It was reported that there were four

individuals that had torn down the Northern Right to Life display that was previously mentioned. In-vestigation is ongoing.

8:11 a.m. An employee found drug paraphernalia in Norse Commons and contacted university police.

University Police Beats

Senate pushes new legislationFive new resolutions introduced to round out Robinson’s presidency

After all members attended the final student fo-rum with the final candidate for Northern Kentucky University’s president, SGA met for their weekly meeting April 9. A final push for resolutions is com-ing in; the most recent meeting included five new resolutions.

According to President Dustin Robinson, the April 9 meeting included the majority of new resolutions that will round out his presidency. In the next three weeks, the student senate will vote on the remaining resolutions to “keep that agenda clear,” he said.

Five different resolutions made it to the table for a first reading. In first readings, the senators are able to make amendments and suggestions to the resolu-tions, but the official voting does not happen until after a second reading.

The upcoming resolutions are focused on an ex-tension of library hours, adding a membership option to the Student Union game room, disclos-ing course evaluations to students, constructing a handicap accessible pathway to the Honors House, and an increase in funding to the Student Retention

Award.SGA also asked for extended library hours, which

were implemented during exam week in fall 2011. This resolution, presented by Sen. Brad Rogers, asks the university to extend closing time by two hours to “allow students more opportunity to complete their assignments and excel by utilizing the benefits of the library.”

The resolution, introduced by Sen. David Trump, that addressed disclosing course evaluations to stu-dents was tabled until the next meeting because Trump did “not like this resolution” in its current state. The updated resolution will be read again at the senate’s next meeting.

Sen. Jeanne Spaulding presented the final resolu-tion, which requests more funding for the Student Retention Award. The award provides financial aid to students who are in dire circumstances and are unable to pay their tuition. Currently, the award is funded with $50,000 to distribute to students.

Spaulding, who also was a recipient of the award, said the award requires certain qualifications and in most cases, students can receive up to $1,200 in fi-nancial aid.

To honor the recently retired Norse women’s bas-

ketball coach Nancy Winstel, SGA also unanimously passed an honorary resolution honoring her time at NKU.

In their upcoming meetings, SGA will focus on voting on all resolutions and finishing up the year with a banquet and appointing all newly elected members into the senate.

Claire HigginsNews editor

The final candidate in the running to step into Northern Kentucky Uni-versity’s president position, taking over for James Votruba, visited the campus to meet with students, faculty and staff April 9 and 10.

Geoffrey Mearns, current provost and senior vice president for aca-demic affairs at Cleveland State Uni-versity, met with students in an open forum April 9 as a chance for NKU’s student body to talk openly with the finalist and ask him questions.

In comparison to the remaining can-didates, Mearns has the least amount of higher education administrative experience; previously he was a prac-ticing lawyer and was appointed Dean of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State in 2005. In 2010, he made the transition into the provost position.

Mearns told the group of around 30 students in the Otto M. Budig The-ater on NKU’s campus that he would focus heavily on retention rates, the Division I transition and how he could better integrate residential and com-muter student relationships if chosen as the next president.

Mearns enforced the importance of keeping academics in front of athletics with a move to Division I. He said it is important that professors understand

how athletics should compliment ed-ucation and that the administration also act as teachers.

“The way you balance that tension is by hiring; it’s important that the qual-ity of people that are in your athletic program, that are administering that athletic program and coaching in that program, recognize that while they are coaches, they are also teachers,” he said.

Increasing minority student reten-tion rates was also of high impor-tance to Mearns. As Cleveland State’s law school dean, Mearns was able to increase academic standards as the BAR passing rate increased, and ulti-mately the law school saw an increase in retention from minority students. Because of that increase, he was also able to increase the number of faculty in the law school.

“One of the ways in which the uni-versity may tackle that problem is to increase admission standards, but that needs to be done while retaining the commitment to access and oppor-tunity and diversity,” he said.

Mearns kept some of his answers brief, but answered students’ ques-tions with honesty.

When asked why he deserved to be NKU’s next president, Mearns said, “I don’t know whether I deserve to be your next president; that’s a decision you’re going to participate in making and that ultimately will be made by

the Board of Regents.”“I know they’ve got two other indi-

viduals that already came to campus, but they may be much better qualified than I am, so I can’t tell you whether I deserve it or not,” he said.

The students who attended Mearns’ forum were also unsure of his abil-ity to take over as president. Senior Spanish education major Maddie Mann said she doesn’t think Mearns would provide “what we are looking for in student relationships.”

“When it comes to emphasis on aca-demics, he was good and professional … but he didn’t capture our attention,” she said.

Mann, who also attended Jonathan Gibralter’s presidential candidate fo-rum, said Mearns didn’t “address our questions,” while Gibralter was relat-able to students and answered their questions.

In the upcoming weeks, the Board of Regents will make their decision with the collected input from stu-dents, faculty, staff and the communi-ty on which candidate will be the next president.

The remaining finalists are Gibral-ter, current president at Frostburg State University in Maryland, and David Eisler, also president at Ferris State University in Michigan.

News April 11, 20126

Communication Department Chair Rachel Lyon has decided to step down from the administrative chair position. Effective August 2012, Lyon will take on the position of artist in residence for the 2012-2013 academic year.

According to Dean of the College of Informatics Kevin Kirby, the college has not had an artist in resi-dence before, although the College of Arts and Sci-ences has had many. “Creative activity is a key part of what we do in informatics,” he said.

It is still undecided how Lyon’s artist residency will work, but Kirby will work with the provost and the communication department to shape the posi-tion specific to Lyon’s artistic capabilities and goals over the “next month or so.”

According to Trans Artist, a website that connects

artists with residency programs internationally, artist in residence programs and other residency opportunities “allow artists to stay and work else-where ‘for art’s sake.’ They offer conditions that are conducive to creativity and they provide for working facilities, ready to be used by individual artists.”

After multiple emails requesting a phone call to discuss more details about the position, Lyon did not respond.

With Lyon’s resignation, the search for a new communication department chair is also on the way. Kirby said he will be seeking interim chair nominations from other department faculty. Any faculty member within the department can be ap-pointed as interim chair.

Zach Hart, currently a public relations professor, was the interim chair for one year while the depart-ment searched for a chair, which ended up being Lyon.

An interim chair is always appointed, according to Hart, and has the same responsibilities as a perma-nent chair. Most interim chairs serve for one year, but they serve on a semester to semester basis. The NKU Department Chairs Handbook states that in-terim chairs cannot serve for more than 24 months.

In an April 11 faculty meeting, Kirby will discuss the transition and search process with the commu-nication department faculty.

Lyon was named department chair in fall 2011. According to her biography on NKU’s website, Lyon has created over 65 documentaries including, “Mr. Dreyfuss Goes to Washington” for the History Channel, “Shadow Over Tibet” and Emmy Award winning “Men Who Molest” for PBS’s Frontline. Ly-on’s films have also appeared on ABC, NBC, CNN, National Geographic, BBC and the Discovery Net-works.

Claire HigginsNews editor

Claire HigginsNews editor

Comm. chair steps down, will take on new position

Final presidential candidate visits campus

The final candidate for NKU’s president, Geoffrey Mearns, visits with students at an on-campus forum during April 9. Which of the three finalists will become president is now up to the Board of Regents.

Photo by Emily Lindeau

Former lawyer talks with students, faculty and staff about potential goals

News April 11, 20127

Northern Kentucky University commuters who use Johns Hill Road may face a challenge when go-ing to campus for the next month or so.

The section of Kenton Drive is going to be raised about three feet and reconstructed between the Parking Lot S entrance and Johns Hill Road so that it meets evenly, said Mary Paula Schuh, the director of Campus and Space Planning.

The section of Kenton Drive is expected be closed for four to six weeks, and a detour route along the Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field has been set up to accommodate the ongoing construction of the section of road.

“In order to change the elevation and maintain traffic, they constructed a detour through Lot G so they could change the elevation of the road,” Schuh said.

Construction is also set to begin on I-275 West-bound and I-471 Northbound as part of “Revive the Drive-NKY,” a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet program that will repair and replace old interstate pavement.

“On I-471 Northbound all the pavement is being replaced,” Schuh said, “and they are also going to

work on I-275 Westbound in Campbell County.”The repaving of I-275 from the Ohio River to Ken-

tucky 9 is expected to be completed by September 1, and traffic during repaving may be limited to two lanes on I-275 Westbound from the Combs Hehl Bridge to Kentucky 9.

The construction on I-471 Northbound involves repaving entrance and exit ramps as well as the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge deck. Traffic is restrict-ed down to two lanes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., which

is expected to cause delays.The construction and delays have caused some

students to see the roadwork as a nuisance.“All this construction is in the way,” said junior

accounting major Dominic DiGirolamo. “I can’t imagine how the repairs are worth the traffic.”

Andrew Brown, a freshman theatre major, had similar thoughts.

“Hopefully it will make the roads better,” Brown said, “but sometimes it really backs up traffic.”

Not all students are discontent with the construc-tion.

“I’m okay with it if the construction helps,” said junior psychology major Kathleen Bell. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

Attentive driving is being stressed by the Ken-tucky Transportation Cabinet to commuters during the road repairs.

With the construction, people need to be more alert of their driving, Schuh said.

“Avoid texting and talking on the cell phone, obey speed limits and try to avoid accidents and injuries to construction workers,” Schuh said. “It can be dangerous out there working on a road project if drivers aren’t paying attention.”

Updates of the construction process will be post-ed on the NKU website.

Ryan CahillContributing writer

Construction backs up campus driversSurrounding roadways under renovation, detours and alternate routes available

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Northern Kentucky University featured the work of 492 students in the annual Celebration of Student Research and Creativity. The Celebration, which took place April 2-6, included posters and interactive dis-plays, oral presentations and musical performances all across campus.

The posters and interactive displays, which were showcased April 3 in the Student Union, presented research in a range of disciplines, including computer science, chemistry, English and psychological science.

Performances by a dance troupe, a musical theatre tour group, jazz combos and various choirs were just some of the talents displayed in a tent set up between Steely Library and Founders Hall April 2 and 3.

“We have a lot of hidden gems around here,” said anthropology professor and Celebration co-chair Judy Voelker.

This year a subset of events called Celebrate NKU All Around the Campus provided opportunities to see engineering and nursing demonstrations. The Muse-um of Anthropology, Haile Digital Planetarium, Grif-fin Hall and the Fine Arts Center also hosted special

events as part of Celebrate NKU All Around the Cam-pus.

April 4-6 featured presentations from specific de-partments, including English, Mathematics and Sta-tistics, and History and Geography.

“This is a chance to get a glimpse of all the things that are happening here,” said teacher education pro-fessor and Celebration co-chair Stephen Walker.

The week-long celebration concluded with the opening of an exhibition in the Third Floor Gallery of the Fine Arts Center that featured art created by graduating seniors.

Roxanna BlevinsAssignment editor

Posters, presentations and performances color a week of student ingenuity

celebrated in stylecreativework

April 2-6 Northern Kentucky University showcased student efforts in the fields of music, history, engineering and more. Students sang, played instruments and presented research through posters, and speeches. In the President and Provost’s Welcome in the Student Union Ballroom, Votruba congratulated students for their hard work and ability to translate their talent into new endeavors.

Photos by Roxanna Blevins & Karli Wood

celebrated in style

Arts & Life April 11, 201210

Northern Kentucky University boasts 627 international students en-rolled for the spring 2012 semester, and more than 300 NKU students go on a study abroad program each year to experience other cultures.

Francois LeRoy, executive direc-tor of the NKU International Educa-tion Center, said, “Here at NKU, the numbers of students who go on study abroad programs have been increas-ing a little bit each year. Also, the in-ternational student population is go-ing to grow some more.”

Students from the U.S. and interna-tional students have different reasons for wanting to study in another coun-try.

Shingo Fujimura, a senior account-ing major from Japan, transferred to NKU two years ago. Even though he was a mechanical engineering major in Japan, he decided to transition to accounting.

“I was looking for the way to develop

my career based on my experiences,” Fujimura said. “I want to make my own specialized career, because the job market is always changing.”

He said getting a job is easier in Japan if you can speak English well. Furthermore, there are many Ameri-can companies in Japan.

Also, Fujimura said, a lot of Japa-nese build their careers in Japan, even if the job field is better with compa-nies that operate between America and Japan. He thought if he improved his English skills and received an ac-counting degree in the U.S., it would be useful for finding a job in the U.S.

Mazen Al-Harbi, a sophomore ac-counting major from Saudi Arabia, has the same motivation for coming to the U.S.

“I want to study in the U.S. for my job in the future. I think America has good education programs for financ-ing, mechanics and accounting,” he said. “Also, English skill is very impor-tant for getting a job in Saudi Arabia.”

There are many global companies like General Motors and Samsung in

Saudi Arabia. Al-Harbi said English is commonly spoken in the workplace, and that these companies prefer the candidates who have good English skills and international experience.

NKU’s American students who ex-perience study abroad can have simi-lar motivations based on their curios-ity about another culture.

Sara Haas, a senior political science major, went to Europe over spring break to study abroad as part of her human rights class. Haas toured Ger-many, France and the Netherlands. She also visited the European Union, the Court of Human Rights and the site of a concentration camp to learn more about human rights.

Haas said that academic interest was her reason for wanting to study abroad. This was not her first study abroad experience.

“I’m interested in the Middle East,” she said. “So I went to Egypt on win-ter break 2010. It also related with my Egyptian history class. It was awe-some.”

LeRoy said the purpose of the study

abroad program is to train and pre-pare students for the future because we live in a global environment.

NKU’s study abroad programs are credit-based, whether the student goes on a long-term or short-term program. Any student can apply for a scholarship for any of the programs.

LeRoy emphasizes that study abroad should be part of every stu-dent’s education.

“They can learn a lot of the com-plexities of the world on our campus, but it’s not enough,” he said. “It also is an investment in the future. Even if it’s a short term, students can experi-ence for themselves.”

LeRoy said that students who study abroad come face-to-face with their preconceptions and prejudices about other places and people.

“Even if they have only one experi-ence, if their conceptions and preju-dices are challenged just once they start to think, ‘I was wrong about this place, so I might be wrong about these other places,’” he said.

Bare feet draw attention to growing cause

Experiences abroad shape students’ futures

In spite of temperatures dipping to 50 degrees, some Northern Kentucky University students chose to go barefoot and raise awareness April 10 for One Day Without Shoes.

One Day Without Shoes is a day when people are challenged to put themselves in someone else’s shoes—or lack thereof—by going barefoot for one day. The event was organized by TOMS, a shoe company started by Blake Mycoskie in 2006 that matches every pair of shoes purchased with a new pair for a child in need.

“Their philosophy is ‘One for One’ so you’re basically buying two pairs of shoes,” NKU junior marketing ma-jor Susan Switzer said.

The event is to generate awareness for the people who live life without a single pair of shoes. Going with-out shoes is hazardous to the health of people all over the world. Some of the biggest hazards according to onedaywithoutshoes.com are podoconiosis, a disfigur-ing soil-based disease; hookworm; debris such as glass and syringes; and jiggers, which are burrowing-type fleas that cause a painful infection.

“Shoes are such a basic need, that are in such high de-mand that so many children don’t have them. They can

prevent all of those things,” sophomore Loren Papin said. “People go without shoes all the time; we can do it for just one day.”

Rebecca Potzner, a junior public relations student, tried to organize a TOMS club in fall 2011, but it didn’t last due to low participation.

Despite the fact that the organization never got off the ground, Potzner was able to get NKU students to participate in last year’s one day without shoes chal-lenge.

“[We] got so many weird looks last year,” Potzner said. “People want[ed] to know why you don’t have shoes on.”

Last year’s events were similar to what happened this year. A documentary was shown which followed TOMS representatives going to different countries and handing out shoes. A “sympathy walk” was held where a mixture of dirt, mulch and rocks was laid out for stu-dents to walk across to get a feel for what other people go through every day. Students showed they were par-ticipating by spending the day barefoot and/or having the TOMS logo painted on the top of their foot.

An after party was held in front of Griffin Hall, but only a few people showed, and the weather became a problem with the wind picking up and the sun not warming anything or anyone.

Switzer is trying to rebuild the TOMS campus club that helped bring the challenge to campus last year. She would like to keep things going all year round as well.

“Ideally I would like, in the fall, to do a barefoot 5k or 1k just to keep TOMS recognizable year round.”

If you missed out on the challenge but are still inter-ested in getting involved, there will be a TOMS meeting at 2 p.m. April 25 in Student Union room 108.

Students go one day without shoes to show support for kids in needRoxanna Blevins and Brandon BarbAssignment editor and contributing writer

Hana KimContributing writer

Students participated in TOMS’ One Day Without Shoes event April 10 by going barefoot or painting the TOMS logo on the tops of their feet.

Photo by Tara Derington

Arts & LifeEdition 49, Issue 12 11

On Thursday night as part of a nation-wide celebration of NAACP week, the Northern Kentucky University chapter of the NAACP hosted its third annual Image Awards in the Student Union Ballroom. The theme for this year’s ceremony was “Building on Our Future, Reflecting on Our Past.”

Deborah Strahorn, coordinator for NKU’s African American Student Affairs was the emcee for the event. She said the event was created as a way of honoring minority students and faculty “who have demonstrated excellence in the aspects of education, leadership and community.”

During the two-hour long event, the crowd was entertained and enlightened by students from the NAACP chapter. One moment in particular included a poem written by senior Terrence McCrady titled “Everything Happens for a Reason,” in which McCrady made a reference to the murder of Trayvon Martin. The crowd was

also treated with musical performances by students Danielle Lauderdale and Taylor Staples.

NKU student Christopher Walters, re-cipient of the Barack Obama Social Jus-tice Award, said during his acceptance speech that the NAACP has changed him, and he encouraged the audience to join the NAACP as a way of doing something for the community.

“I joined the NAACP because I wanted to become more empowered and more involved with my community,” Walters said. “I encourage all of you who have the heart and the willingness to do some for the community to join.”

A touching moment occurred when NKU senior and NAACP Student Presi-dent Yunina Barbour-Payne stepped to the stage and paid tribute to all of the award winners and guests in attendance.

“I am so humbled, so happy, so proud, so blessed to have everybody in this room,” Payne said, “not only for our members of the NAACP, but to the faculty, teachers and students who have supported us in

and out of the classroom and this univer-sity.”

Payne also honored members of the student affairs, including advisor Dannie Moore, assistant director Tracy Stokes and Strahorn. Payne grew emotional when she spoke about student affairs’ administra-tive assistant Gloria Golden. “This woman has been my rock throughout my time here,” Payne said as she fought back tears.

NAACP Vice President Nina Slaughter presented Payne with a thank-you card for all she has done with the organization and expressed her sadness for Payne’s pending graduation in May. “I don’t know what I’m going to do next semester, next year,” Slaughter told the audience.

The awards show concluded with Stra-horn imparting the message to the crowd that she hopes the audience will leave the Image Awards feeling informed and want-ing to do something for both NKU and the Northern Kentucky community.

“You can’t know where you’re going un-less you know where you’ve been,” Stra-horn said.

Awards spotlight minority excellence Third annual Image Awards honor outstanding faculty and students

Ty GreeneContributing writer 2012 AWARD

......

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WIN

NER

S Michael Jackson Humanitarian Award - Laura MohrHarry Belafonte Humanitarian Award - Mr. Daryl HarrisCall of Duty Award: Advocating for Change - NKU Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.Martin Luther King Social Jus-tice Award - Mr. Jerome BowlesBarack Obama Social Justice Award - Christopher WaltersRichard Pryor Award for Come-dic Relief - Erica WatsonDebbie Allen Award for Creative Expression - Taylor StaplesEpitome of NKU - Prince JibunorW.E.B. DuBois Eminent Leader Award - Dr. Willie ElliottW.E.B. DuBois Emerging Leader Award - Jeffonia WynnSankofa Award Recipient -Thaddeus Walls

Lurking through the halls and creeping in and out of classrooms across Northern Kentucky University is the mysterious killer who taunting-ly stalks and takes out one-by-one the workers of Fresh Air Productionz, a fictitious local media production com-pany with a dark and secret past.

This suspenseful plot is all part of a new horror movie that you may have recently seen being filmed and pro-duced on campus by a cast and crew made of primarily NKU students and alumni. “Slasher” is the hair-raising tale of the mysterious murders, lies, secrets and attempts at survival for the unlucky employees of the cursed company.

“It’s a great roller coaster ride that is something this campus has never really seen before,” said Jonathan Rowan, a senior political science ma-jor who directed, wrote and produced the film. “It is really all about the build up in this movie, and that’s what I feel is missing in a lot of horror movies to-day.”

This is the first horror film indepen-dently created by students and alumni on campus, with filming and produc-tion taking place throughout the last year.

“Slasher” is sponsored by the Ebony J Show, an NKU-based radio show that can be heard on NorseRadio.com, and W.A.T.E.R, an NKU-based organization aiming to support and channel students in creative expres-sion. Ebony J will also be the emcee for the upcom-ing on-campus, extended preview event of the film. Along with Ebony J, the cast and crew will also be at the event.

One cast member in particular, recent NKU grad-uate Candace Allison, was very impressed by the film and was thrilled to be able to be a part of this experience.

“Just challenging your fears was frightening,” Al-lison said, “but I’d definitely do it again.”

Allison also went on to say that while the acting

for the film and the final assembled product itself were fantastic and fun experiences, the most re-warding thing for her out of this whole experience would be the process of getting involved on campus and using the abundance of resources that NKU provides for its students.

“Getting involved on campus and doing new things is a big part of the movie,” said Krystal El-lison, publicist for the film. Ellison, also a recent graduate of NKU, recommends others who may be interested in becoming involved on campus to do so in their own way. “There is so much not being uti-

lized around here. NKU has so many great resources to offer.”

The idea for getting involved and working on this project was a mixture of advice given to Rowan by a previous faculty adviser to make a film, com-bined with Rowan’s own per-sonal goal of making a movie. Rowan took both of these to heart and transformed them with his creative mind into the idea of making a horror film: “Slasher.”

Shortly after deciding to make the film, Rowan wrote the script and completed the casting process, targeting NKU students and alumni. Rowan accomplished both of these tasks in one week, mak-ing progressive steps toward accomplishing his goals.

Rowan said his excitement for the film and for the audi-ence’s response kept him mo-tivated. “I want to showcase the talent of NKU students,” Rowan said. “I want them to see that there is a lot of hungry talent on this campus.”

After shooting the film with help from the other NKU stu-dents and alumni, Rowan said it was due to getting involved on campus that he was able to fulfill his goal and also one of his dreams. “It is great to know that I can come to NKU and accomplish the dreams that I set out to make for my-self.” Rowan reiterated just

how much having an idea, getting inspired and get-ting involved on campus can help you bring your dreams to life.

Rowan, along with the rest of the “Slasher” cast and crew invite all NKU students to attend the free extended preview event, promising a frightening good time. The event will take place at 8 p.m. on April 13 in the Mathematics Education and Psy-chology Building room 200. There will be a ques-tion and answer session with the cast after the film along with live performances of original music pro-duced for the film by NKU students.

Arts & Life April 11, 201212

Kevin SchultzStaff writer

Student-made film debuts at Northern Kentucky University April 13. “Slasher” follows a fictitious media production company with a dark past whose employees are stalked and taken by a mysterious killer.

Flier designed by Greg Murray

Horror film showcases students’ talents‘Slasher’ movie at university reveals missed opportunities for campus involvement

Arts & LifeEdition 49, Issue 12 13

TEETERING TO A NEW RECORD

Photos by Roxanna Blevins & Karli Wood

Hundreds of people gathered onto the grassy knoll just in front of Griffin Hall on Monday, April 9 for Teeter-A-Thon hosted by NKU Dining Services. The afternoon was warm, the sun was out and an intense breeze kept everyone on their feet as the crowd con-sisting of NKU students, faculty, alumni and neigh-boring citizens attempted to create the Guinness Book of World Records’ title of “Most people teeter-tottering at one time.” To set the record, 100 tee-ter totters had to be moving at once; for the actual event there were 102 teeter totters, which means that around 204 people participated, according to Janelle Craft, marketing director for NKU Dining Services. The only qualification the participants had to achieve was to teeter for five minutes, although the goal was to go for seven minutes instead in order to ensure the record.

“I think this is great idea for the university,” said computer information technology major Kristin Bibbins. “It’s easy at an event like this to have a lot

of fun and really help out the cause.” Bibbins re-mained a bystander for the record-breaking attempt rather than a participant.

Participants and observers alike were able to join in on several other activities throughout the event, such as the NKU Dining “Battle of the Chefs,” where NKU’s chefs faced off against each other and against the clock for the honor to be named top NKU chef.

Several reputable companies from around the area were there to join in on the fun. The radio station Q102 supplied the music, while promotional charac-ters like the Chik-fil-A cow and Mellow Mushroom Pizza mushroom were there to enhance the exciting environment. The Cincinnati Ben-gal Cheerleaders also made an appearance.

Multiple prizes were awarded, including awards for the best-decorated teeter totter and the team that raised the most money. Prizes included more than $500 worth of gift cards to local restaurants, stores and entertainment venues. The event also included tables hosted by various campus and community “green” organizations and vendors. The tables, mu-sic, raffle, games and prizes all encouraged people to choose a “balanced” lifestyle.

“I just really love teeter totters,” said sophomore geology major Jessica Damron. “Plus we both are here for the Guinness World Record title.” Damron and fellow teetering partner, sophomore psychol-ogy major Brooke Yancey, teetered on their custom made Phi Sigma Pi teeter to display their school spirit and affiliation with the university.

The Guinness World Record title may have been the highlight of the event, but the attempt to raise funds to bring BigBelly Solar waste and recycling containers to the university was the underlying theme. BigBelly Solar will help NKU to decrease the university’s carbon footprint with the use of these solar-powered compacting receptacles.

Results on whether the record was broken or not are still being determined, as well as how much to-tal money was raised from the Teeter-A-Thon event. According to Craft, the witnesses that were present at the attempt said that the participants met the re-quirements to set the record. The next step is to send the photos, video and witness statements to Guin-ness and wait for their verification that the record was set.

Brett SchreinerContributing writer

NKU Dining Services hosts event to create record, set awareness

Sports April 11, 201214

The popular board game Battleship has been brought to life at Northern Kentucky University as the Campus Recreation Center prepares to host its newest tournament.

The NKU Canoe Battleship tournament, which is being sponsored by the Vertical Frontier Climbing Club, will take place in the recreation center’s pool on April 14. The event will be a last man standing competition, as teams of four members try to sink the opposing canoes in the pool. The method of sinking the opponents’ canoes will be in the form of dumping buckets of pool water into the hull of the canoes.

Vertical Frontier Climbing Club founder Britta-ny Lewin said the members of the club got the idea for the tournament from Wright State University.

“We went up there to compete in an Adventure

Summit event, and our president Erik Kloeker found out about it while it was going on,” Lewin said. “He wanted to bring it back down here after-wards.”

Club safety officer Robby Hansen and Kloeker said that while the tournament is based off the popular board game, the only true similarities they share are the use of boats and the object of sinking them.

“Other than that though, it is completely unorga-nized and crazy once you get started,” Hansen said.

The cost to participate in the event is $20 per team. All of the proceeds will go to the Red River Climbing Coalition and local Parkinson’s founda-tions. Lewin helped spark the idea to send some of the proceeds to help fund Parkinson’s foundations around the area.

“I actually know a lot of people with Parkinson’s disease, including my dad,” Lewin said. “I wanted

to make sure there was some way we could help endorse the funding for those local foundations.”

The members of the Vertical Frontier Climb-ing Club not only hope for a large turnout for the event, but also to inform more students about the club and what they do. Lewin hopes that with a successful event, students will want to find out what else the club offers.

“We’re trying to ignite that excitement and pas-sion that we all share together in the club within other students,” Lewin said. “I don’t think too many people in the community are aware of the opportunities for adventure they have right at their fingertips.”

To find out more about the NKU Canoe Battle-ship tournament and the Vertical Frontier Climb-ing Club, visit their website at http://vfcc.weebly.com/index.html. Stephen Wilder contributed to this story.

Kevin ErpenbeckStaff writer

New event set to splash on campus

Vertical Frontier Climbing Club will sponsor boat-sinking competition at NKU Campus Recreation Center pool

Poster courtesy of Erik Kloeker, Illustration by Emily Lindeau

The Northern Kentucky University men’s golf team finished the season and will now get ready to compete in the conference championship, where the expectations are high.

“We will be disappointed with anything other than a victory,” junior Steve Rickels said. “We have proven we can beat all the teams. We just got to go out and get it done.”

The Norse are coming off a third place finish at the Indiana Regional, held at Purgatory Golf Course in Noblesville, Ind on April 8-9.

The Norse tied for third out of 25 teams at re-gional. NKU shot a two-day total of 610, the same as the University of Findlay. Tiffin University won the competition with a score of 607 and Northwood University (Mich.) came in second with a total of 608.

“We didn’t play as well as we wanted,” Rickels said. “But there were tough conditions and we hung in there to get a third place finish out of it.”

Junior Jones Brown led the way for the Norse by winning the event with rounds of 70 and 75 for a total of 145.

“Jones Brown had a fantastic tournament,” said head coach Daryl Landrum. “He hung in there all tournament and played two rounds of solid golf.”

Next, the Norse will travel to Paducah, Ky. to play in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Men’s Golf

Championship, held from April 15 to 17.This will be the first time the event will be played

at the Country Club of Paducah. According to Lan-drum, it is an old style country club and that is a key to the championship will be ball striking.

“I think it plays in our favor,” Landrum said. “But in golf you got to go out and prove it everyday.”

The tournament starts with a 54-hole stroke play event, with 18 holes on April 15 and 36 holes on April 16.

The top four teams after the three rounds will ad-vance to play in match play to determine the cham-pion. The semifinals and the finals of match play will take place on April 17.

“We fully expect to make the match play,” Lan-drum said. “Anything can happen to anybody in match play, since it is not based on scoring and is based on points. This is the first time it will be used in conference play. I’m looking forward to it, and I think it will be a great experience for everybody.”

After the GLVC Championships, the top 10 teams ranked in the Midwest Regional will advance to the NCAA Super Regional. In the last rankings that came out March 22, NKU was ranked No. 2 behind Indianapolis.

With having a spot in the NCAA Tournament locked up, the team is

looking to build up momentum in the conference tournament.

“We are looking to get a boost for Super Regional and also to drive us forward to the national champi-onship,” sophomore Corey Richmond said.

SportsEdition 49, Issue 12 15

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Men’s golf shoots for GLVC victory Team looks to gain momentum heading into NCAA Super Regional

John MinorSports news editor

NKU finished in third place at the Indiana Regional, held at Purgatory Golf Course in Nobles-ville, Ind. Tiffin University won the two-day event by shooting a total of 607 and Northwood University (Mich.) came in second place with a total of 608.

Photo courtesy of Ryan Thorpe

Junior Jones Brown finished in first place and won the medal at the Indiana Regional. He shot a two-day total of 145 with rounds of 70 and 75, leading the team to a third-place finish.

Photo courtesy of Ryan Thorpe

Sports April 11, 201216

Studio 89The Series Continues April 16

Broadcast live on

From: Griffin HallAt: NKUTime: 7 p.m. Visit www.WNKU.org To Reserve a Seat in The Audience

Featuring Blues / Rock Band

Pete Dressman and S.U.N.

Sports Business Club offers networkingOrganization to host softball game and cookout at intramural field

Northern Kentucky University’s Sports Business Club will be hosting a softball game and grill out for students, faculty and alumni Saturday, April 14, at the intramural field.

Drew Pifer, president of the Sports Business Club, said hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks will be provided at the cookout, and the event is a good way to get people out to have fun and meet new people.

According to Pifer, this is the first year for the event.

“We wanted to last year, but things didn’t work out,” Pifer said. “Hopefully we can keep it going year after year. Come out, bring your gloves and spikes and get ready for a good time.”

Pifer said as of right now, there are 10-15 people participating in the event, and he has been in con-tact with alumni to see if they will be able to come.

“Anything around 20 will be efficient to build a couple teams,” Pifer said.

Joe Cobbs, assistant professor in marketing eco-

nomics and sports business, said it is important for the students to get together outside of the classroom at events like this, because they get a better chance to know each other and establish relationships out-side of the purely academic setting.

“A lot of times, especially in the sports industry, your classmates might end up being somebody that you interview for a job, or that interviews you in the future, because the sports industry is so tight,” Cobbs said.

Since events like this are organized by the stu-dents, Cobbs said that he and professor Tom Gam-ble take a hands-off approach and let the students plan and promote the events by themselves.

“It’s their club,” Cobbs said. “We are here to help, but when they do these events, they set them up and they invite sports business majors and any NKU students to come and bring their friends and family members.”

Chris Ryan, NKU sports business graduate of the class of 2006 and director of business development at Kentucky Speedway, often comes to NKU and speaks to sports business classes.

Ryan said he thinks the most important thing is

to show students that there are opportunities in the sports business world.

“Me being from both sides (a former student and current professional), it’s good to stay involved and connected to the university, and it’s good to go back and learn fresh ideas with the new college genera-tion,” Ryan said. “From a student’s perspective, they can talk with and meet other folks that are in the sports community to get guidance moving forward.”

Cobbs said the sports business major is unique here at NKU.

“To have a sports focus major in a business school is not too common in this country,” Cobbs said. “It’s a good perk for our students.”

The Sports Business Club has another event com-ing up Tuesday, April 24, to attend a Reds game and go on a tour of the ballpark.

“Last time, we went on a tour and got to go into the press box and see the field from that view,” Pifer said. “We also went into the scoreboard room to see what it takes to run the scoreboard and all of the dif-ferent devices there are. We took a tour in the Hall of Fame and around the park to learn about sponsor-ship.”

Stephen WilderSports features editor