Volume 3 • Issue 2 • Fall 2009

On Saturday September 26th, Century opened the doors to its new addition to the school; the Transportation Training Center in Afton off of I-94 and Afton Rd. Century’s new addition is about a 10,000 square foot building with space for 75 students along with a half-mile long training track.

In recent years we have had a 20% decrease of over-the-road truckers, and this trend is expected to last until 2016. Century’s Transportation Training Center is there to give all people interested in a career in driving truck a look at what could be a fruitful and fulfilling opportunity.

Becom-ing and

truck driver is not as simple as hopping in a truck. Drivers must have special licensure depending on their pay-load. Class A and CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) is required in almost every state. Other licenses include “doubles” and “triples” (operating a double or triple trailer that is wider than normal), HazMat (transporting hazardous material), Tank Vehicles

Endorsement, (carries liquefied loads), and Airbrake Endorse-ment, (a truck equipped with full airbrakes), just to name a few.

Drivers must also keep a daily log book, where miles and hours are logged for Department of

Transportation (DOT) require-ments., Logs must be neat and precise for DOT to look through if need be.

Over-the-road drivers also

They say it’s never too late to go back to school. Well, it turns out that for many, that simple fact rings true.

Thanks to that old adage, along with an assist from the down economy, Century College has seen a substantial uptick in student enrollment and we aren’t unique.

Nationwide, vast numbers of people of all ages from various backgrounds, even other countries, are invading community colleges for myriad reasons; be it financial, academic, or just for more op-portunity.

According to the Associated Press, enrollment for 2009 is up 13 percent at South Portland Community College in Maine, and the district of Eastern Iowa Community Colleges posted an 11 percent increase in enrollment this year. According to the State Worker, nearly 3 million residents are enrolled in community colleges throughout California – that’s about eight percent of the state’s entire population.

Here at Century College: Last year during the fall 2008 academic term, 9,276 students were enrolled here. As of the tenth day of this fall term, 10,469 students were

enrolled - a 13% increase over last year. That’s about 1,200 more students in the building compared to last fall.

Inside out

Overflow: record enrollment hits Century Forrester Pack — Staff Writer

Contact Us

Office: W2280Phone: 651-779-3268Email: thecenturytimes@me.com

News & Opinions 1-2

Green Page 3

Arts & Features 4-6

Sports 7

The Back Alley 8

Find us on Facebook

Eric Larsen -Page 3

Student Senate -Page 4

Common Book -Page 5

Halo 3: ODST -Page 6

Century opens the doors on its new Transportation Training Center

The TLC Program: Century’s not so secret weapon in the fight for retention

Jordanne Schmidt — Staff Writer

TRANSPORTATION P2 >

ENROLLMENT P3 >

Index

Car Thefts -Page 3

DO YOU LIKECREATING COMICS?

CHECK OUT THE BACK ALLEY!

Eagerly awaiting your quiz re-sults, you sit at your desk, certain you did well because you read the material, showed up for all the classes and did the assignments. The instructor hands back the quiz, and you immediately focus your attention on the letter grade assigned. Within a split second, the hopefulness you felt dissipates

into sheer disappointment as you stare in disbelief at your grade.

Suddenly you feel like Hester Prynne, except that your scarlet letter is on the top of the page, and it definitely is not an “A”.

“Sometimes we need extra help,” says student Sanja Broer, who is finishing her degree in AA and Marketing AAS this year. In addition to completing a double major, Broer is one of twenty-five

tutors who are part of the Tutors Linked to Courses (TLC) pro-gram at Century College.

“I like the TLC idea,” says Broer, “because the tutor is pres-ent with the students and can watch out for them.” After passing Introduction to Logic with high marks, the class instructor asked her to tutor in the class. As a tutor, Broer spends time with stu-dents in the classroom and after

class to reiterate the course mate-rial. “I try to make myself avail-able to them,” she says. “I feel like I give them another perspective or way to look at the content.”

The student familiarity with the course and instructor is not lost on Peer Tutoring Counselor Jackie Reichter, who interviews prospective students for tu-

Margaret Juen — Staff Writer

TLC PROGRAM P2 >

Photo: Hillary SchmalzSince the beginning of the semester, students have had to be creative to find a parking spot. Above, students and staff find parking on the grass.

News & Opinions Fall 2009 • THE CENTURY TIMES • PAGE 2

Anywhere you look, there is a story about the swine flu and how it could turn into an outbreak. How is our state government trying to protect the public from this flu?

Buddy Ferguson, a communi-cator for the Minnesota Depart-ment of Health, says the most important thing the state is doing to fight the swine flu is getting the word out.

Much of this knowledge is being distributed by media cam-

paigns. Radio announcements, TV commercials, bus posters, and maybe even a billboard or two are all being used to increase aware-ness of the dangers and preventa-tive measures relating to the swine flu in the coming months.

Word has spread about a vaccine becoming available. Ac-cording to Ferguson, the vaccine comes in small shipments and is being deployed in stages. The first people to receive vaccinations are the health care workers and people who work at the Department of Health. The rationale is that the

state needs as many workers as possible to stay healthy in case this flu becomes even more widespread than predicted.

The next groups eligible to receive the vaccine are the high-risk groups, such as pregnant women, children, and people with underlying health con-ditions that are especially susceptible to the flu. The groups slowly expand to less and less at-risk groups.

So when can generally healthy

people expect to be able to get vac-cinated? In all likeli-

hood the vaccine will become avail-

able to the general public by mid November. In the mean time, the Department of Health urges good health practices such as washing your hand often and covering your mouth when you cough.

The Department of Health also notes

that the seasonal flu vaccine is available now

and that everyone should receive one before flu season reaches its peak.

toring positions. “We really rely on instructors to make refer-rals” says Reichter. “It’s an easier relationship if the tutor knows (the instructor’s) style because they took the course with you.”

English instructor Carl Ger-riets, who has been using TLC tutors in his classes for about two years, often suggests students to see the in class tutor because the tutor knows the key to successfully completing the course. He says that the tutor is “a person who had success in the class who has the ability to tell you what you maybe aren’t getting from the teacher.”

Lucy Nguyen, who also is a tutor linked to an Introduction to Logic course, notices her experi-ence in the course is also helping her reach out to the students she tutors. “I just try to help them un-derstand because I personally liked the subject,” reflects Nguyen, who says she tries to get the students she tutors to look at logic like a puzzle, and that helps them get excited to do the work.

Nguyen, who is majoring in Environmental Sciences, says that she is considering going in to education because her experience in the classroom is so positive and rewarding. ” I enjoy science, but I am having a lot of fun with the whole aspect of tutoring, teaching and counseling.”

Although some tutors are find-ing the program is a way to test the waters in the teaching field, the program’s main purpose is to

act as a learning tool for the stu-dents. The TLC Program started in the summer of 2007, and is loosely based off a similar program being used at the University of Missouri in Kansas. Student tutors are required to attend a minimum of fifty-percent of the classes they tutor, as well as complete 10 hours of manda-tory training throughout the semester. Outside of class, the tutor provides ses-sions to students who want help studying and understanding the material.

With fifty-one course sections utiliz-ing twenty-five TLC tutors this semester, the college is closely monitoring the effectiveness of the program. Re-ichter and other peer tutor staff started collecting data in 2008 to gauge the impact of the program on retention and attrition. Tutor supported devel-opmental courses, such as English 80 and Reading 80, seen the most impact in student grades and class

withdrawals. The greatest improvement was

documented among those students that utilize the TLC tutor versus those who do not within the same tutor supported courses. Students who use the TLC tutor are 18.3 percent more likely to have a C or

above and 10.5 percent less like to withdraw than those who do not use the in class tutor in the same tutor supported sections. Notably,

college level courses like English 1021 and Math 1061 have seen similar, albeit less drastic results in tutor supported classes.

“If we could get all the students to utilize the tutor in those courses,” says Reichter, “that would have a huge impact.”

TLC tutors and faculty are experiencing the benefits of the program as well. “It’s very rewarding when you see that you can make a difference,” says Broen.

Gerriets echoes that senti-ment, saying “To me, it’s all win.” He says that having a tutor in class is well worth the money the college puts into it, and although he has to spend a little time training the tutor, in the end he gains because the tutor is able to help the students when he is not avail-able or able to meet with them. “The time I spend working with the tutor,” states Gerriets, “to me that’s fun.”

With all of these benefits, you may be wondering why your classes do not have a tutor. Reichter explains that not all instructors are willing or able to accommodate tutors.

“It’s really up to the faculty members at Century to decide if they want a tutor linked to their course.” Reichter reminds

students that if they want a tutor linked to their class they should talk to their instructor.

Despite the rewards of using a

TLC tutor, some students may be skeptical about approaching a tu-tor for help. “Often, I think there is a stigma attached to tutoring,” says Reichter, noting that some students feel they don’t need to use a tutor unless they are getting a lower grade in the class. But Reichter assures students that the program is beneficial to everyone. “Many of the students who come to see tutors are B students and they just want that extra edge to get the A.”

Broer understands the resis-tance of students to use tutors. “I was a student like that myself.” She adds, “I used an accounting tutor the other day because it’s okay not to understand. It’s okay to ask for help.”

Dawn Graham, who tutors English and majors in Education, agrees that students shouldn’t be intimidated. “We are students just like everyone else,” says Graham. “Please don’t be afraid to ask for help…we know what you are go-ing through.”

Nguyen advises students to take advantage of the program. “I just think it’s great to see the school is offering opportunities like this to students,” she says. “I’m really excited about the program…I want to be there and I want to help.”

have several restrictions on how frequently they can work. They are allowed 14 hours maximum to drive per day with a required 10 hours off afterward. They can also work only 70 hours in a six-day period as long as there is a 48-hour break afterwards.

The most important part in this schooling though is driving the truck. Air pressure is very im-portant and required for the truck to move. Every truck is different and some trucks can have up to twenty- speed engines with two sticks needing to be shifted simul-taneously, while others will only have nine speeds with a switch to flip between gears 1-5 and 6-9.

“Trucking schools are very

important so future truck drivers can learn how to do everything properly,” Larry Kendall, a long time manager of Transwood Carri-ers says, “We can always use more truckers, everyone is always look-ing for good, quality truck drivers. We want them to be safe on the road and follow all DOT rules and regulations. Anyone can get the proper licenses and get in a truck and drive for thirty hours, but you need to abide by the rules and be a safe, professional driver. That’s what these

schools help do.” Kendall is in charge of payroll,

overseeing loading and unloading of trucks, mechani-cal prob-lems and

multiple drivers with Transwood Carriers.

Benjamin Beimert, a trucker driver himself, states, “These schools are useful so you’re not going in blind. You know the rules and you have an idea of what you’re getting into but experi-ence is the key. Doing the schooling and getting right into a job is the best way to dive into this business.” Benjamin has switched between

over the road jobs that have taken him all over the United States to smaller jobs that keep him busy during the weekdays and home on the weekends.

Beginning salary for a trucker is around $45,000 a year with plenty of job opportunities.

Each class at Century is about 30 days long and there are scholar-ships available. For more informa-tion visit Century’s website or call 651-779-3341 or tour the new school at 14386 Hudson Rd. South.

TRANSPORTATION >

TLC PROGRAM >

H1N1 vaccine on the way - but when?Zachary Munson — Staff Writer

Photo: Hillary SchmalzPeer Tutoring Counselor Jackie Reichter

A Greener Century

We all know global warm-ing is an issue, but what do we do about it?

Our climate is getting warmer, the ice sheets are shifting and wildlife – seals, penguins, whales and polar bears – is becoming endan-gered.

At Century College, polar explorer Eric Larsen gave a presentation on his adven-tures and his concerns for the planet on Sept. 3. Larsen will be traveling to the South Pole and North Pole and will be climbing Mt. Everest to make a documentary all in one year starting November 2009, what he calls his “Save the Poles Expedition”. He will also be collecting scientific data about carbon emissions. One of Larsen’s goals is find-ing a way to promote clean energy solutions, he said.

As a kid, Larsen grew up playing on a soccer team, but he fell in love with two things, camping and winter. He loved snow more than three inches deep and 10-20 degrees below zero.

Larsen says he doesn’t get to see his family much. He is also a dog musher (racer) as well as an educator. He gives lectures to K-12 grade audi-ences and at universities. He lives in Grand Marais, Minn.

“One of my friends wrote a quote on my ski for me and I would have to say it’s my favorite one. He wrote: ‘It begins with one step,’ ” says Larsen, who has 15 years of

expedition experience. In 2006 he made history

by being the first to get to the North Pole during a sum-mer expedition. He canoed over 600 miles of shifting ice and open leads of the Arctic Ocean while being the third person to ski both poles.

If it takes one man to help

change the world, Larsen encourages all of us to think about helping out our planet.

After his presentation, Eric Larsen took some time out to answer Century student questions about his work and climate change.

Photo: www.ericlarsenexplore.com

Polar explorer Eric Larsen braves the cold.

Honda drivers beware: Car thefts plague Twin Cities’ colleges

Three Honda vehicles were stolen from Century’s parking lots on August 27, September 2 and 9. According to Mark Holper, Public Safety Director at Century College, Honda models are regularly target-ed because they have several interchangeable parts with other Honda vehicles.

The thieves, who Holp-er believes are not Century students, most likely steal the cars and bring them to chop shops where the valuable parts are removed and sold.

Holper said that he believes a group of thieves target a certain location for a small period of time, and then move on to another location where their

crimes will be unexpected. After the thefts at Century,

Hondas were reported stolen from other lots in the Twin Cities area, including Norman-

dale Community College.

Although it seems like car theft is less likely to oc-cur at our cam-pus at this time, students still need to be cautious and observant. Always lock your doors and be sure your windows are rolled up completely.

Also, as Holper said, keep your eyes open, and report any suspi-

cious behavior in the parking lot immediately to campus security. With the help of the students and faculty, hopefully future thefts can be avoided.

Photo by Hillary Schmalz

Phill Menge — Staff Writer

It begins with one step: Eric Larsen Visits Century

Fall 2009 • THE CENTURY TIMES • PAGE 3

Elizabeth Scharffbillig — Staff Writer

Have you noticed?

According to the White Bear Press, Century College President Larry Litecky stated that dur-ing traditional school hours, the school building is at capacity.

Lunch lines seem longer. At peak hours, it can be nearly im-possible to find adequate seating on couches and benches inside the building. Class sizes have bubbled.

Even with more parking spaces, the average Centurion might find that he or she still has to park so far from the building that they may as well be in West-ern Wisconsin.

Because of the increase in students, we may be seeing a few changes. Century is exploring pos-sibilities of holding off-site courses to maintain operations while their $52 million budget continues to shrink.

It’s not all dark news how-ever, Century is also benefiting from more students. Declines in

important state funding have been somewhat stymied by the explo-sive growth.

Litecky gave three of his main assumptions on what has contrib-uted to the student growth: fewer job opportunities, more under-employed and unemployed adults returning to school, and personal financial situations.

It’s well known that Century College offers one of the lowest tuition rates for a community college in all of Minnesota. When that’s combined with people in need who also want to learn, well, you’ve got a perfect combination.

Enrollment >

Century Students’ Q & A with Eric Larsen

What’s happening in the poles and Antarctica?

“We all know about global warming. The sun isn’t reflecting off the snow anymore, it’s just melting it. Pools of water are just forming. Our skis don’t slide across anymore. They kind of sink in, and when you’re carrying lug-gage of two hundred to three hundred pounds of equipment, it takes away time to get where you need to go. For the “Saving the Poles Expedition,” I’m hoping to make a documentary of the changes in the poles and what we find on Mt. Everest.”

Are you going to have the same team you had in Antarctica?

“No, I try to get new ones every expedition. When you’re stuck with the same people for months, you kind of get tired of being with them after awhile.”

How does your family feel about this expedition?

“When you’re on an expedition long periods of time, it’s easier not to com-municate with them because then it just gets harder to stay away.” When did you first realize you wanted to do this?

“My expedition in Antarctica, we were coming out of our tents and we saw a wave of colorful lights across the sky, the Northern Lights. That’s when I was hooked.”

How do you guys keep your nutrition?

“We bring power bars, eat oatmeal and other foods we can carry. The thing you don’t realize is when you’re traveling, you want to worry more about the heat than the cold because of all the layers of clothes, jackets and boots. All the movement and heat you produce in your suit causes you to lose so much weight, and don’t really realize it.”

What about medical situations?

“We have a first aid kit with all you can think of.”

What about wild animals?

“We have encountered a polar bear close to our tents, but you don’t have to worry much about them – though you are required to bring a gun.”

Did you know that Century College has a new “green” website? CHECK IT OUT! HTTp://CEnTUry.grEEn.prOjECT.mnsCU.EdU

student senate

Growth is a new trend on cam-pus for both the student body and the buildings they frequent. This year the school has experienced an increase in student enrollment, a new parking lot and a redesigned logo among many other addi-tions. However, with this growing attitude that has been adopted the tuition and fees are still affordable partly because of students.

Every student can express their issues and concerns through the Century College Student Sen-ate (CCSS). The CCSS consists of students who act as the voice of the student body. “The main purpose of CCSS is to give the students at Century College the opportunity to voice their opinion on issues that affect them on a daily, weekly, monthly, and semester basis,” said.” said Rick Neslon, Student Senate Advisor. The majority of the students are considered senators in student government, and are all organized with different job titles and du-ties..

The CCSS is broken down into four groups: the Executive Board, the Senators at Large, Sen-ators and Club Representatives. The executive senate members consist of eight positions and are organized very similar to the fed-eral government. The two primary positions are the the President, who is the head of the CCSS, and the Vice President, who assists the president. The other six positions have very specific titles: the Direc-tor of Events, Director of Com-munications, Treasurer, Secretary, Director of Information Technol-ogy, and Director of Legislation.

Two additional branches of the CCSS are Senators and Senators at Large. Both job duties are to act as assistants to the executive board, helping with assignments that may

be overwhelming for just one person to accomplish. The only

difference between the two posi-tions is the application process. Senators are elected through a campus wide vote

while Senators at Large are elected by attending three CCSS meet-ings and being voted in by the existing members.

The rest of the CCSS consists of the Club Representatives. Each club on campus is required to have one of their members attend CCSS meetings.

The CCSS meetings are where the magic happens. The word senate may make the mind instinctively think of the word politics, and in the meetings is when the true politics of the student government are expressed. Issues affecting students such as tuition or high priced merchandise are discussed at the meetings and resolutions are debated.

With all the bodies and intensely debated issues, the meetings can become very intense

when looking from the outside in. However, from the inside out there is a very organized fashion as to how the meetings must flow. The meetings follow what is called Robert’s Rules of Order.

These rules have a strict outline of how a meeting should

flow, how to ask questions or speak for a motion, etc. For example, CCSS meetings begins by approving the minutes of the previous meeting.

Then the meeting moves onto reports of members have worked on since the last CCSS meet-

ing. It

starts with the executive board then the club representatives. From there, the rest of the meet-ing is made up of motions to table issues (issues to be reviewed at a later date), to be in favor of a conclusion or to vote against a new policy.

Students’ opinions do not

end at the meetings. Taking the decisions made at the meetings, the Executive Board brings the ap-propriate issues to either Century’s administration or a particular committee.

Campus committees are structured with a board made of both students and faculty. They take the suggestions presented by the CCSS, explaining what the students want, and do their own discussions and voting. They then go forward in making changes or creating alternative resolutions for the issue at hand.

With the CCSS as mediators between the students and adminis-tration, they are able to discuss the concerns expressed at the meetings with the Deans of the college.

Likewise, administration can bring new policies or

changes to existing poli-cies to the CCSS that “students should be

consulted on,”

Nel-son stated. “Consulted does not mean to meet and inform but to meet and open a dialogue and discussion on the issues that affect students.”

Some examples, given by Nelson, of issues that have been brought forward by students are the revenue bond referendum for the parking lot, the Theater and Drama programs continuing on campus and intercollegiate athlet-ics return to campus.

There are also concerns that students currently have and have been brought before the sen-ate. One big example for recent policies is whether or not Century College should become smoke free. This is a policy that affects all students on campus and there are going to be many different opin-ions. Another new issue that was brought to the CCSS from the ad-ministration was the background check fee. It was approved by the CCSS to have a fee assessed when necessary to a program. CCSS has also repeatedly discussed putting a limit on how much printing a student can do on campus.

The CCSS is an extremely important body on campus. They make sure the opinions of the students on campus are not forgotten. Barb. Barbara Licht, Student Senate President stated, “The bigger the voice is going to carry more weight than just the little voices.” This government needs a variety of different students to become a part of the organization. The differ-ent positions don’t require a resume but they do require that students are able to take a

leadership role on campus and understand the responsibility

that comes along with the job. There are a number of ways

to get involved with the student government. The CCSS meet-ings are held in room 1490W at 2:30 every other Wednesday and are open meetings, welcoming all students on campus to attend. For more information the CCSS can also be contacted via phone

President

Delegates responsibilities and assignments to the CCSS. Also researches some of the issues students have, finds conclusions when possible, and brings results back

to the CCSS.

Vice President

Works on the 3-year strategic plan (big issues affecting students that take more time to be resolved) and researches policy issues to edit this strategic plan. Up-

dates the CCSS bylaws and assists president.

Director of communications

Tracks attendance, updates Student Senate election packets, and helps maintain Student Senate D2L website.

Treasurer

Serves as chair on the Student Life committee and oversees the CCSS budget among many other things.

Director of Events

Serves on the Planning and Activities Committee (PAC) and coordinates many of the events that occur on campus such as the Fright Walk.

Director of Information Technology Serves on the Technology Committee, is involved in creating the yearly IT budget, monitors policy, status, implementation, and resolutions that involve Desire-

2Learn (D2L).

Director of Legislation Gathers students’ opinions, concerns, and desired legislation/policy that may affect them. Stays informed on all legislative and local policy changes that may oc-

cur affecting the student body.Secretary Takes notes of the CCSS meetings (minutes) and receives all club reports, making both available on the “s” drive. Creates any letters or memos on the Senate’s

behalf to any high-ranking official and keeps copies of documentations.

Photos: Annette ShererFrom top left: Student Senate Advisor Rick Nelson, Director of Events Evelyn Mouacheupao with Director of Legis-lation Mike Neault, Senate President Barb Licht.

Executive Roles and Duties of the Student Senate

The voice of Century’s Students:What Student Senate is and how is worksAnnette Sherer — Co Editor in Chief

Fall 2009 • THE CENTURY TIMES • PAGE 4

Arts & Features

Unless a student is very active in their college community, they may not be aware of many events they can attend on campus.. Here at Century, the administration sets aside a day to have events and pre-sentations for the student to know that, even though an exact plan isn’t in place for their future, the school is here to help. That day is called Student Success Day.

This year, Student Success Day was held on September 29. One reason for Student Success Day is to come in and talk to your teach-ers and try to figure out how you can get the most out of the school and achieve the greatest “success” they can. It may take someone 6 years to figure out what they want to do when they grow up, and Student Success Day reassures

students that there is guidance to help them make those baby steps.

Students can get a schedule of Student Success Day, either online or around campus, in advance of the day’s events. It includes a list-ing of all the events by hour and has a schedule to write down plans for the day.

The day started off with free breakfast. There was a main presentation at noon and five pm, after which the school served free pizza and beverages.

This year’s keynote presenta-tion was entitled, “I’m Going Mental: Mental Illness with a Dose of Humor” by Michelle Garb. For a school presentation, it was filled with entertainment; Garb really knew how to relate to college students.

Century’s theater was filled to capacity 20 minutes before the

presentation started. To begin, Garb gave the audience her life story; she always felt like “two separate people mashed into one.” She was depressed for most of her life and wrote sad and morose poetry, which made her think she was “emo.”

This followed her through high school and into college. Garb went to the University of Iowa and felt “happy, happy, happy” for most of it. After graduation, she had two marriages end in divorce.

After she was married a third time, Garb went back to therapy where she was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 Disorder. Even after diagnosis and being prescribed medication, it took her three-to-four months to find the right dosage. Once she felt better she did what some people on anti-depressants do: she stopped taking

them. Garb said she now has the

right drugs and explained her rou-tine and why it’s best to find the right prescription and dosage.

Not all undergraduate students have an exact 25-year life plan, which is why many attend com-munity college; to figure out that plan. Garb made it clear that many people feel out of bounds and lost when the “adult stage” kicks in. Her life was hectic as an undergrad, and she was just as clueless as most college students, a fact that most students don’t talk about.

Garb’s presentation went beyond a simple informational ses-sion, which may have caused the audience to zone out after a short period of time. She also didn’t treat the audience like young children.. She spoke like an adult

to adults, letting us know that “different” is a good thing.

Most students at Century begin the day not knowing much about the purpose of Student Success Day, but they leave with enough information to help guide them and assist them in getting the most out of their college experience.

There is something there for everyone; job opportunities, counselors, teachers, free food, and information about extracur-ricular activities and transferring to a different school to continue with your education are examples of just a few topics covered.

All in all, it’s a day to learn more and gain more experiences and information about succeeding in your future.

Student Success Day:Yet another way Century helps students succeed

Century College’s Common Book, exploring a Hmong family’s legacy, was launched with an event September 15 in the Lincoln Hall on the East Campus.

As students sauntered in to the event, they were greeted with smiling faces from cheerful serv-ers offering them bright Hmong deserts called sticky coconut rice balls and sweet tapioca with fruit called Tri-color.

After students received their deserts, they sat down at brightly colored round tables and were embraced with calming mu-sic. The chatter of the day was upbeat, while students waited in anticipation for Kao Kalia Yang, the author of The Latehomecomer to greet them with her inspiring words.

Anticipation grew in the Great Hall as students waited for the lecture to start. First, the Chair of the Communications Commit-tee, Amanda Olson spoke. She invited all of the students, in the spirit of The Latehomecomer, to share their personal stories about

who we are as a student body at Century College. Art supplies were provided so that each student could forever record their story in a Century College Common Book about how they came to be there. She went on to explain that this Century College Common Book would be on display in the library in the near future for all students to see.

She then introduced Century College’s President, Larry Litecky as the next speaker. He spoke about how Yang’s book told not only of her journey out of Laos to Thailand and then the United

States, but the book also voiced “our own individual evolution as humans.”

He went on to compare The Latehomecomer to Homer’s The Odyssey. He stated it was “very parallel to The Latehomecomer in terms of core ideas.” In talking about Odysseus and his journey, he said, “Much of what we do is the quest for our own future…Finding our way through the maze of being lost is part of why people come to this institution.” The

Latehomecomer fits his words perfectly. Yang’s book is the story of her and her families’ journey through hard times and her struggle to find herself as a Hmong person living in an American culture.

The student body was quiet as she gracefully made her way to the podium. As she spoke, the air was lifted, and a peace filled the room. She dared the student body to challenge themselves to be great, saying, “…the heart is the home of cre-ativity.” She went on to invite the student body to use their

words in a powerful way. Yang said, “…words are meaningless if they can not touch inside.” Her book is a testament to this idea. One of the common themes is the struggle her family faces and how they help each other out and use their words to touch each other’s hearts.

In her lecture, Yang also gave insight into who she is as an indi-vidual. She said, “I’m not a very disciplined person.” One of the themes of her book is, “persistence

is the mother of courage,” which is exemplified by Yang and her families’ persis-tence through-out.

The jour-ney from Laos to Thailand and then their new life in the United States gives you a glimpse in to their determina-tion to start over and have a better life in America. Toward the end of her presenta-tion, Yang said, “…all I can give you is the best of who I am.”

Kimberly Tesch — Staff Writer

Kao Kalia Yang makes an impact:Century kicks off this year’s common book

Katelin R. Hogard - Staff Writer

Photo Courtesy: Google Images

Fall 2009 • THE CENTURY TIMES • PAGE 5

Photo: Hillary Schmalz Author Kao Kalia Yang speaks to a full audience in the Lincoln Mall.

Photo: Hillary Schmalz Communications Committee Chair, Amanda Olson.

Photo: Hillary SchmalzStudents and staff gather to listen to Kao Kalia Yang.

Arts & Features Fall 2009 • THE CENTURY TIMES • PAGE 6

Just imagine you’re in an orbital drop pod. Crashing to-wards earth you can only see out of a small window of flames that engulf the pod as you pierce the atmosphere. Next thing you know, you wake up in the same smashed pod six hours later trying to figure out where the rest of your squad is. This might make you feel vul-nerable with no sense of direction. This is a new element not explored before in a Halo game. As I played my way through Halo’s newest addition, Halo 3: ODST, I felt like I was alone and defenseless because the game is not played as Master chief, a Spartan with armor that can absorb shots, but as a Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (the ODST of the title) that cannot nearly take as much heat from the enemies.

Apart from not playing as Master Chief, many might ask what is new about Halo 3: ODST, and why should they buy it?

Halo 3: ODST takes place before Halo 3. It gives you a new aspect of the war between humans and the covenant. The story picks up when the shock trooper squad, which in-cludes the main playable character dubbed only “Rookie,” is ordered to attack a covenant ship that is on its way to earth. Of course, something goes wrong and instead you make a crash landing on earth

only to wake up six hours later to retrace your squad’s steps.

As you make your way through a large city covered in dark-ness, groups of enemies will pop out and try to ambush you. Luck-ily, unlike any other Halo game, ODSTs are equipped with night vision goggles that make the city scene a bit brighter. Another thing that is unique about ODST is how the story unfolds; rather than just one straight path through the cam-paign, you will find equipment left over from your squad members, and upon finding these items it will give you a chapter of the story about how that piece got there.

For example, the first item in the game you find is a helmet smashed into a wall. Upon find-ing it, you flashback and play as a different member of the squad up to the point the helmet is placed into the wall.

ODSTs campaign is not a cakewalk. After playing the first few chapters you will be jumping into Warthogs and Ghosts to gun the enemy down - and nothing is more satisfying than hitting a grunt with full force of a vehicle. ODST offers more than just a solid campaign; it gives you a new mode called Fire Fight. This addi-tion to the game is challenging for

you alone or for

a group of your friends. You are locked into a level where hordes of enemies are rushing at you. The object of the mini game is to stay alive as long as you can. This proves difficult because as you kill a few Grunts and Elites, the Horde comes in tougher groups. Fire Fight offers a multiplayer aspect of the game, but if you’re the type of Halo player that is all about bashing another player’s MJOLNIR armor in an intense online multiplayer game, than ODST will be a bit of a disap-pointment. The online mode is a recycled version of Halo 3’s multiplayer on a separate disk. Although it provides all the newest maps the game offers, there is no new game play. Halo ODST offers a lot in its campaign but the levels do get repetitive. Similar city scenes get dull, and Fire Fight is only excit-ing when you actually have friends

over to help you take on the impos-sible.

If you’re the type of person that enjoys an epic battle for mankind that takes place from a different hero’s aspect with a few new twist and turns than Halo 3: ODST is your game. As for all you hard-core five-star

generals, you may find it disap-pointing with no new multiplayer and be left with nothing but a few maps.

April 16, 1955, the father of hip-hop, Clive Campbell, was to Keith and Nettie Campbell by way of Kingston, Jamaica.

In 1967, Campbell immigrat-ed with his family to the United States at the age of 12. By the time he reached the Bronx, New York, the beauty of the city had been scarred by a decision by Robert Moses to construct the Cross Bronx Expressway. Property values fell in wake of the project. Con-sequently, middle class German, Irish, Italian and Jewish neighborhoods disap-peared in no time. Businesses relo-cated away from the borough only to be replaced by impoverished black and Hispanic families.

Along with these poor peo-ple came addiction, crime and unemployment. Many land-lords resorted to arson in order to recoup money through insurance policies. A violent new street gang youth culture emerged there around 1968. With Bronx clubs overwhelmed with the haunting presence of street gangs, uptown DJs catered to an older disco crowd with different aspira-tions, and commercial radio also catered to a demographic distinct from kids in the Bronx. Hope had all but become the dissipated and drunken fable of the older genera-

tion.On the basketball court

Campbell’s height, frame and demeanor prompted the other kids to nickname him “Hercules.” Fighting to give the Bronx its own identity, he started a graffiti crew named the Ex-Vandals, changing his name to Kool Herc. Herc start-ed to host parties in the recreation room of his apartment building at 1520 Sedgwick in 1973.

At these parties Herc began the movement called breaking. As one record reached the

end of the break, he cued the other record

back to the beginning of the break, thereby extending a relatively

small part of a record into a “five-minute loop of furious art.”

Utilizing the two turntable set-up of the DJ’s of disco, Campbell’s style incor-porated the use of two copies of the same record to elongate

the break. Break Beat DJ-ing, using hard funk, rock, and records with Latin percussion, formed the basis of hip- hop music..

Campbell’s announcements and exhortations (“B-boys, B-girls, are you ready?” “This is the joint!” “To the beat, y’all!” “You don’t stop!”) to dancers helped lead to the syncopated, rhymed spoken accompaniment now known as

rapping. He assembled dancers to charm crowds to the break-beats he would assemble, which gave birth to their title B-BOYS and B-GIRLS and to their moves, Break Dancing.

Suddenly, after five years of gang tyranny in the Bronx, the streets were tranquil at night. Kool Herc’s underground house parties gave a safe haven to all that entered, music was revitalized and the Bronx once again had its voice. That very voice today we all call Hip-Hop, and that very sound was the revitalization of a city, the birth of a genre and the return of hope to a culture.

Hence hip-hop was born with purpose, with the intent to heal a people who had been found wanting.

Around 1987 the movement was strong and headed towards its goal when Ice-T (Tracy Mar-row) returned from the Army. He saw the ills associated with his com-munity and needed an outlet to let the world know what was hap-pening in the inner

city. He started what is called Gangster Rap. His controversial lyrics accompanied by the hard hitting sounds of hip-hop rocked the very fabric of American society by opening her eyes to her attention starved children. Again hip-hop showed us that its power to affect communities is still perti-nent.

Since then Gangster Rap has taken hip-hop into a whole new direc-tion, glorifying the troubles of the streets, promoting drugs and violence and being engulfed in the degradation of women. It took the trust of the black community and misused its love by poisoning it. One rapper was quoted saying,

“Yeah, I exploited my commu-nity, and I’d do it again if it gets me paid.”

Hope was dead yet again and rap had become a fashion

instead of a driving political force.

In recent years artists have fought to keep hip-hop connected to its roots. Rappers like Common winning the Rapper of the Year award symbolized the commu-

nities’ thirst for the poetic political message rap once represented.

This year at the 2009 Hip-Hop Awards, rappers

Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, Young Jeezy and Jim Jones will all be featured in a pack- age called “Hip Hop Cares,” which will highlight their on-

going service to the commu-

nity. A num-ber of hip-hop

celeb- rities have

formed organizations

to help enrich their community. So as you see,

my fellow Wood Ducks, the birth of Hip-Hop was

born through rhythm. Rap gave it a voice and a message and then in the wrong hands killed that mes-sage.

When the audience becomes philosophers, the artists have pain in their souls.

Hip-Hop joined with Rap. Rhythm, Voice and Message is the proven formula for resurrecting Hip-Hop

Hip–Hop LIVES. TO THE BEAT, Y’ALL! YA DON’T STOP!

HALO 3: ODST- worth the wait?Robbin Sass- Staff Writer

The pros: Fire Fight is a great addition to the game. Campaign is a challenge with tons of great moments. No flood. There are three new maps for multiplayer. The cons: Nothing is new about multiplayer, mostly recycled from Halo 3. No duel wielding weapons. The damage indica-tor can be annoying because it puts an awful tint to the screen. The cut scenes can be good but the animation seems choppy; it looks as if the characters are rag dolling puppets from a string.

Hip Hop and ya’ don’t stop - the roots of rapAdam Hester- Staff Writer

Sports

When Century started their push toward NJCCA recognition, they had the tough task of finding coaches for the teams. So, with the season winding down, the coaches took some time to reflect on their experience.

Darren Drumsta was brought on board last sum-mer to coach the women’s squad and David Palmer was hired in May, 2009 to coach the men. Both come from different back-grounds but are experiencing the same success at Century.

One major difference is in who participates in their teams. All of Palmer’s players have prior experience in soccer. “That was somewhat of a pre-requisite for myself when I was out trying to find players for the team,” said Palmer.

Drumsta, on the other hand, has a bit more diverse group. “Some have played their entire lives while we have a few that are playing the sport for the first time. It has made for a great environment to coach in because the more experi-enced players are able to help teach the game as well,” he said.

Both Drumsta and Palmer played and coached at the collegiate level prior to coming to Century, however, both took different tracks to the college. Drumsta,

originally from Herman-town, MN, studied at West Virginia Wesleyan

College before receiving his master’s degree in exercise physiology from The College of St. Scholastica.

Palmer, who is originally from White Bear Lake, MN, was found a bit closer to home. A graphic designer by trade, his day job is in Centu-ry’s Marketing Department.

That is about where

the differences end. Both coaches find value in proper preparation, practicing eight-to-ten hours per week on off weeks and slightly less during game week.

Both also have found

their experience coaching at Century fulfilling. “The concept of having student-athletes on campus is rela-tively unexplored territory for Century, and something I hope the school embraces over time,” said Drumsta.

With both teams sporting winning records in their first year of competition, one would be hard pressed to say that the year hasn’t been a success. Both coaches noted

that the student athletes still have room to improve.

“In a new program, with a new coach and new players, its always going to take a while to become accustom to each other and the system of play and skill in each player,” said Palmer.

Drumsta echoed those remarks, saying, “With a new program, it’s about develop-ing some type of identity, and I think this team is working on that both off and on the field.”

That said, Palmer believes his team has come a long way. “In the be-ginning I think all the players were trying to become familiar with each other and each other’s level of play,

but now, each of my players and the team as a

whole has improved on both their own technical skills, but more importantly have learned to play and compete with one another as a team,” he said.

Century’s soccer coaches: Making the new soccer programs a success

Century College has a new way for

students to “get active.” Sponsored

by the Intramural Sports and Athletic

Departments, the Get Active program

offers points for being active and in-

centives for students to participate.

To gain points you can work out in

the Fitness Center, play in an intra-

mural sport, or simply play in the

gym when it’s open. Check in with a

lab assistant in room W2550 or on a

computer in the fitness center to track

your time getting active.

Different point levels are offered

depending on a student’s participa-

tion. Students who play an intra-

mural sport receive five points; each

player on a championship intramural

team receives 10 points. Students who

don’t participate in an intramural, but

want to join the program can receive

one point for every 30 minutes they

workout or play in the gym.

There are even prizes for being ac-

tive. Points earned for working out

or playing an intramural sport can be

used toward redemption of prizes.

These include:

Towel ................................. 30 pointsWater Bottle ....................... 50 pointsT-Shirt ............................... 80 pointsDuffle Bag..........................100 points

Chris Burkhardt — Sports EditorDamian Goebel — Co Editor in Chief

David Palmer begins his first season as the Men’s Soccer coach at Century College. Palmer heads the Soccer program after an extensive playing career at the division 1 level.

A White Bear Lake native, Palmer was a four year varsity letter winner in soccer for White Bear Lake High School. Palmer began his collegiate career at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (NCAA D1) and concluded his career at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (NCAA D1). Palmer served as an instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay soccer camps as a goalkeeping coach. He is a 2006 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a bachelor of arts degree in Communication Arts-Graphic Design. Palmer currently works as a Graphic Designer in the marketing department at Century College.

Darren Drumsta starts his first season as Women’s Soccer Coach at Century College. He brings 20 years of playing/coaching experience with him. A native of Hermantown, Minnesota, Drumsta played collegiate soccer at West Virginia Wesleyan College (NCAA II). During his time at West Virginia Wesleyan College, his teams won two WVIAC conference championships. Drumsta was a youth coach for Gitchi Gummi Soccer Club in Duluth, MN where he served as the club girls' coaching coordinator and is currently a youth coach for Maplebrook Soccer Association. From 2007 – 2009, he worked as an assistant men's coach for The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. The College of St. Scholastica won two conference championships during that time. Drumsta earned his bachelor's and master's degree in exercise physiology from The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. He is a board certified exercise physiologist through the American Society of Exercise Physiologists and has his coaching certification through the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Submitted PhotoCoach David Palmer

Submitted PhotoCoach Darren Drumsta

GET

ACTIVE

Century launches Get Active program

Chris Burkhardt — Sports Editor

MISSIONThe Century Times is dedicated to covering the activities, events,interests and people of Century College. It is a laboratory for journalism students designed to serve the total school community. All opinions are of the student staff members and do notnecessarily reflect the views of all Century College students, staff, faculty or administration.

Chris BurkhardtDamian GoebelAdam HesterKatelin R. HogardMargaret JuenPhill MengeZachary Munson

Forrester PackRobbin SassElizabeth ScharffbilligJordanne SchmidtAnnette Sherer Kimberly Tesch

EDITORS

CO EDITORS IN CHIEF Damian Goebel Annette Sherer

DESIGN LAYOUT EDITOR Alicia Litchy

LAYOUT EDITOR Ami Keene

SPORTS EDITOR Chris Burkhardt

FACULTY ADVISOR Richard Kuss

PHOTOGRAPHER Hillary Schmalz

THE CENTURY TIMESSTUDENT NEWSPAPER

W2280651-779-3268

thecenturytimes@me.com

STAFF WRITERS

Fall 2009 • THE CENTURY TIMES • PAGE 7

The Back Alley Fall 2009 • THE CENTURY TIMES • PAGE 8

DO YOU LIKE TO CREATE COMICS?

The Century Times is looking for a comic artist to feature on The Back Alley. Submitted comics should be related to school, current events or the general life of a student. Comics should not be drawn in “manga” style. Comics can be hand-drawn or created using a graphics program.All comics must be submitted via computer. (Scan hand-drawn submissions)Comics should be sent as a .pdf, .jpeg, .gif, or .png.Email submissions to: thecenturytimes@me.com. Please include your name and preferred email address in the body of the email.Submission does not guarantee placement in the newspaper.

WORD BANK

The Haunted Castle - A Halloween Logic PuzzleLast Halloween, six couples, including Rosita and her husband, dared each other into spending the night of October 31 in Doomengloom Castle, the tower of

which has been converted into a bed & breakfast. Daring each other was necessary, because each of the six rooms in the tower is haunted by the ghost of a per-son who died under unusual circumstances at Doomengloom Castle--a ghost who appears only once a year, at the stroke of midnight on Halloween. And the six couples weren’t disappointed: as the village clock struck 12:00, each was visited in their room by the promised ghost! Given the wisps of information below, can you be a Challenger Logic Problem Ghostbuster by determining each couple’s full name, the apparition who scared them on Halloween 1999, and the Castle room where they slept--or tried to? (There are three rooms on each side of the tower, one directly above the other; the rooms to the east of the central stairwell are num-bered 101, 201, and 301, and those to the west are numbered 102, 202, and 302.)

Dwayne and Mr. Gore had a warm drink in the Castle Dungeon Pub before going to their rooms on the same tower floor.1. The ghost of gamekeeper Jack Hunter, who died when the Castle hounds mistook him for a fox, appeared in the room directly above the one where Mr. & Mrs. 2. Kent saw their ghost.At precisely 12:00:15, Teresa and Mrs. Levin ran into each other in the stairwell as they fled their same-floor rooms in fright.3. The sorrowing ghost of lovelorn Lady Llewellyn, who fainted dead away when her intended eloped with her handmaid, visited a room on the floor above the 4. one where Ferdie and his wife stayed.Billy and Mr. Gore originated the idea of spending Halloween at Doomengloom Castle.5. The ghost of scullery cook Judythe Butterbuns, who fell into her own fire while cooking the Christmas goose, appeared on the floor below the one where Vicki 6. and her husband had their room.Mr. & Mrs. Hearst didn’t stay on the same floor as the couple who saw the shade of Jack Hunter.7. Mrs. Ingram and her husband, who isn’t Ferdie, enjoyed the early evening view of the village from their 2nd floor room.8. Corey and his wife had their room on the same floor as the couple who were visited by the ghost of the Earl of Doomengloom himself.9. Billy and his wife were even more frightened by another couple’s description of the visit by Judythe Butterbuns than they were by the ghost who visited their 10. room.Wanda and her husband had the room directly above the one occupied by the Hearsts.11. Dwayne and his wife weren’t the couple who saw Jack Hunter’s ghost.12. Mr. & Mrs. Gore didn’t have the late Lady Llewellyn as a midnight guest.13. Billy and his wife shared a floor with Priscilla and her husband.14. Wanda and Mrs. Kent spent the night sleeping in the Castle billiards room rather than returning to their rooms, which were on different floors.15. The Jetts had a room on the same side of the tower as the couple visited at 12:00 by the ghost of Sir MacDuff MacDuff, knight errant, who died after tripping 16. and crashing down the steep stone stairwell in full metal gear.Samantha and her husband weren’t the couple scared by the shade of young stableboy Brophy O’Mare, killed when the greased pig he was catching on May 17. Day ducked under a fence.Corey and Mr. Gore tried to tackle the apparitions who visited their rooms, but you can’t grab a ghost!18. Priscilla and Mrs. Hearst later claimed they were going to return to Doomengloom Castle to spend this Halloween in different rooms but kept forgetting to 19. make the reservations.Elvin and his wife weren’t the couple who saw the ghost of Sir MacDuff MacDuff--and his ghostly white steed.20. Billy, Dwayne, and Wanda’s husband spent the afternoon of Halloween at the village churchyard, “studying up on” their midnight guests.21. The ghost of Sir MacDuff MacDuff didn’t visit Mr. & Mrs. Hearst.22. Andrew and his wife didn’t stay in tower room 301.23. Cory and Priscilla’s husband watched Ghostbusters before staying at Doomengloom Castle, “to pick up a few pointers.”24.

by Randall L. Whipkey (www.crpuzzles.com)

AngelApparitionBansheeBeastBogieBrownieBugabooCherubDemonDevilElf

FairyFaunFiendGenieGhostGhoulGnomeGoblinGolemGorgonGremlin

HarpyHobgoblinImpIncubusLeprechaunMermaidMonsterOgrePhantomPixiePoltergeist

ShadeSirenSpecterSpiritSpookSpriteTrollVampireWerewolfWitchWraith

Zombie

The Others: Creature Search