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February 28, 2012 | North Central University | Minneapolis, MN

The New Men in Town

Tu i t io n prices ch an ce a s No rt h Cen t ral sw it ch es t o blo ck p r i cin g s t art in g in t h e fall. {pg 5}

N a th a n H i rs h and Cade Ta n k er s l ey take o n t heir new p o s i t i o n as p re sident elect {pg 4}

Taking an insid e look for future p resid ential canid ates. { p g 7} A N or th C e n ta l stu de n t is in te r vie we d a bou t h is re c e n t re le a se of h is n e w m ovie , R EA L { pg 10}

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A Fresh Cup of Water Daily

By KAYLA GRELL Never again will I go with out meat for a whole month. I am embarrassed to say that I did not make it two weeks before I caved and had some chicken. It was difficult to discipline myself to change my eating habits. One thing I would do differently next time I decide to make a lifestyle change, would be to do more research on the topic. I will confess, I only worked out once the whole month. If only Jillian Michaels was screaming in my ear every day telling me to run harder and to eat more green. If you decide to make goals for yourself, make realistic ones. Especially if you make a lofty goal like I did about being able to run five miles with out stopping. One thing I found out about myself through out this journey of becoming a vegetarian is that I drink way too much coffee everyday to wake myself up. A friend of mine mentioned to me that drinking a glass of water every morning helps to replenish the water I missed out on during the night. I took that advice and started drinking water as soon as I woke up, and it actually worked! Now, my obsession with Starbucks still lingers in my life, but I have held back on the amount of drinks bought in a weeks time. With the help of my roommates influence, I have grown founder of tea, especially loose-leaf tea. Probably the craziest thing I did this past month was cut my hair short and dye my hair dark brown. Mid-life crisis? No, I like the fact I can change my appearance when ever I want. If only I could be more motivated to take care of my body from the inside out. While I was trying to figure out how to accomplish these goals, God reminded me of how important it is to spend alone time with him. I am constantly busy with my school life and social life that I forget to refill my spiritual cup daily.

North CentralUniversity | Minneapolis, MN

Editor-in-Chief Kayla Grell News Editor Rebekah Jacobson Lifestyle Editor Jessie Traudt Opinion Editor Jake von Arx Sports Editor Joshua Gregory World News Editor Erica Wenig Production Manager Loren Wright Online Editor Curtis Ward Online Assistant Editor MaryBeth Oaks Director of Design Melissa Igartua Director of Photography Dale Houghton Business Manager Jessica Ward Advisor Todd Wold Writers Amy Lambert Amanda Breister Sarah Mack Dan Erickson Brian Jones Jordan Lofthus Kelsey Marrin Jenny Scott Bayley Anderson Bailey Schott Tyler McIver David Risdall Camden McAfee Nate Almquist Betsey Norman
North Centrals Student Newspaper Since 1960 910 Elliot Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404 E-mail: kayla.grell@mail.northcentral.edu Advisor phone: (612)-343-4727 A member of the Associated Collegiate Press and Association of Christian Collegiate Media

By JAKE VON ARX

To Be or Not To Be

e have heard the phrase a million times: ring by spring. Although it may not feel like it, the Spring Equinox is less than a month away, and with it comes proposals aplenty. With the stressed emphasis on marriage here, there is only one thing keeping us from such a horror. While it seems like a big step, the first date is actually nothing. I know I will receive a lot of flak for saying this, but let me spit some hot fire of truth at you. Recreational dating doesnt make you a player, nor a slut, tramp, or floosy.

Asking a girl out on a date is simply that. A first date could be the start of something great, leading to a life of happiness, children, and debt, or it could be what it is. While the prospect of a long relationship is enough to drive a man insane, the truth is is that going into a first date thinking of the future is just plain silly. There is too much stock put into one thing. The common misconception most people have is that a first date means dating. Asking a girl on a walk is not a proposal. Although it may be only the two of you, getting to know a person of the opposite gender for the sake of getting to know them is not an irresponsible thing. Ive never really liked how datings been handled here, but at the same time it comes down to your own personal philosophy. Whether you prefer to throw yourself out there, and let it be known that you find that particular person attractive, or beat around the bush, and wait for someone else to tell her everything youve wanted to say is up to you.

By JESSIE TRAUDT

Money Column

Find us on the web at

ncunortherner.com

hen I hear people throwing pity parties about not having money, I admit, Im usually pretty skeptical. Its my nature to question, so when I hear someone make a claim like this, my brain usually starts ticking. If you were inside my brain at that moment, my thoughts would probably sound something like this: I wonder how many times they made fast food runs this week? I think she could live with four pairs of jeans instead of fourteen. Was that new iPhone really worth it? Tell me, did

you actually think your life would end if you didnt see that movie the day after it came out? These statements are all in good fun, so please dont be offended, but I do believe that so many of us drop a little bit of money here and there without much thought to how quickly it adds up. The average person spends $11 a day and $4015 per year on unnecessary expenditures. By trimming your budget even slightly, the amount of money you could save for more substantial purposes is exponential. I have a quick list of some money saving tips for you to consider. Cut out pop and coffee purchases, shop clearance racks, rent from Redbox or visit the Riverview theater for cheap movies, keep your tires inflated to save on gas, get creative with homemade decorations, use coupons and online promotional codes, and refrain from late night fast food runsget creative with cooking in your apartment or dorm room! Live frugally.

2 | FEBRUARY 28, 2012 | EDITORIAL

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The Vow
By SARAH MACK Based on a true story and directed by Emmy-award winning Michael Sucsy, The Vow starring Rachel McAdams from The Notebook and Channing Tatum from Dear John is just what you would expect; a sappy love story. Now, dont get me wrong, when I first watched the trailers I was pretty excited to go see it. The idea of a husband who tries to win back his wife after she suffers memory loss due to a severe car accident is quite romantic and endearing. And since the movie is based on the real life events of a couple from New Mexico, Kim and Krickitt Carpenter, I was intrigued to see how Hollywood portrayed the love story. The whole movie is based around the vows that the two exchanged at their wedding; No matter what challenges carry us apart well always find a way back to each other. But while I was watching, I kept thinking of how Paige (McAdams) and Leos (Tatum) idea of love is all based on emotions and circumstances, and valuing their constant back and forth feelings and fate over promises and commitment. The film places such a high emphasis on these vows but the characters fail to actually keep them. Leo, who was once so adamant about never giving up, ends up doing just that. The once so driven and passionate Leo fails to achieve his desired outcome and decides to let things fall where they may, ultimately giving up the love of his life. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once stated, It is not your love that sustains the marriage butthe marriage that sustains your love. Paige and Leo made vows that were meant to last for forever, no matter what hardships come their way, a vow is a promise, and a promise is not meant to be broken. One of the movies most memorable moments is when Leo is facing Paige and asks, So how do you look at the girl you love and tell yourself its time to walk away? My response to that is you dont. No one said it was going to be easy, but you never give up on your vow. Overall The Vow was a pretty good movie filled with love, loss, hope and commitment. It was a beautiful unique, love story that you dont hear to often, one that is a twist off your everyday chick flick. I would most definitely watch this movie again and vow to you that you will enjoy this film.

OPINION | FEBRUARY 28, 2012 | 3

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Student Body Elections
By BRIAN JONES

SIFE Financial Bowl

By JENNIFER SCOTT

lection Time has come again. North Central has elected Nathan Hirsh, senior English Major, as the new Student Body President and Cade Tankersley, senior psychology major, as Vice President. Hirsh will take over for current president, Benino Regino, senior intercultural studies major, for the 2012-2013 school year. With the slogan Be the Flame, their successful campaign is centered on strengthening the community atmosphere of North Central. The idea is that students often spend so much time thinking about their future that they miss opportunities to get out and do what they feel lead to do in the present. Along with this idea, Hirsh and Tankersley also talked about wanting to connect the school to the neighboring community as well as improving communication between students and the various student organizations that we have here at North Central. This way, Hirsh and Tankersley can spread the fire of North Central to the areas around us.

We want to help people reach out to the area, including non-profit organizations and local churches, said Hirsh. Hirsh and Tankersley ran against Bethany Bostron and Austin Muchow. Bostron and Muchows slogan was From Vision to Legacy and their campaign had an emphasis on making specific improvements around campus. Bostron and Muchow also wanted to improve the math and science departments at North Central, improve facilities for the athletics department, and discussed setting up a nursing program with Hennepin County Medical Center. Now that Hirsh and Tankersley have officially been elected, they are working with current president Regino in order to be more prepared. One thing they are looking forward to is putting together a website where students as well as local churches and non-profit organizations can have open communication about opportunities to serve. We are excited to serve the campus and serve the students. Its going to be a great year, said Hirsh.

oe-Jay-Does took the championship of Project SOSs Financial Football competition. Out of the 100 students in attendance and through four rounds of play, winners sophomore biblical language major David Smiley, sophomore and Worship Arts major Eddie Almeida, and junior communications major Josh Gregory were each awarded with a $500 scholarship to use next semester. The SIFE-sponsored event took place February 5 in Clay Commons during the halftime show of the Super Bowl. Sophomore business administration major and one of the project leaders Phillip Furnish explained how extremely happy he was with the turnout of the event. From the participation of the teams throughout the competition, to the number of people in attendance for the Super Bowl, this was a great event, said Furnish. Financial Football is a competition put on by project SOS, a student coordinated program run out of North Centrals Accounting Office, for the purposes of promoting financial responsibility and knowledge. The game itself is a footballthemed video game that uses financial trivia to advance the ball. Probably the thing that I learned the most is the importance of actually knowing what you owe on your student loans. Knowing this can change how you live your life and how you plan for your life after NCU, said Furnish. Next year Furnish hopes to see the event continue to grow in attendance and for people to gain knowledge about the reality of their finances.

Joy Tuveson 2011-12 Senior Class President Poet

By LOREN WRIGHT ust as many graduating seniors begin to count down the days until they are handed their college diploma, senior English major Joy Tuveson is counting down for a different reason. Each year, North Central honors one student from the graduating senior class with the title of Senior Class Poet. This is a lifetime award in which the poet has the privilege to read their works at Baccalaureate in the spring. Their job does not end there, however. The Senior Class Poet speaks at a variety of other functions throughout the year. Tuveson was given this award early on this semester after a long application process. During the fall, applicants were expected to submit three poems and a cover letter to the English department. After the poetry was turned in, they were sent to a poet who has no affiliation with any of the students for judging. This years judge was one of North Centrals Alumni, Tiffany Brenneman. Brenneman has a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in creative writing and is currently an actively

publishing poet. When Tuveson was first was chosen, her initial response was not as eloquent as her writing would have suggested. I was surprised, pleased and I felt honored, said Tuveson. But my actual reaction was rather deadpan because I was stunned. I think I said something like Really? Thats awesome! as if I were a valley girl. Although she has not quite chosen which poem she will be reading this spring, Tuveson typically goes through several drafts between the first time she writes to when she feels like her poem is close to done. Even if your poem is personal, once its a poem, you have to think about the piece. Take all the emotion out of it and think of how the poem reads, not what the poem means to you, said Tuveson. Then edit like a madman. Students who are interested in becoming the Senior Class Poet for 2012-2013 should watch for application announcements in the fall.

4 | FEBRUARY 28, 2012 | NEWS

Winter Camping Trip

By BAYLEY ANDERSON Rec and Wellness Dept. and Adventure-Hungry students swap skyscrapers for winter wilderness othing screams pure Minnesotan more than camping on snow and hiking in the cold. Thats what venturesome Recreation and Wellness Director Jake Smith, his assistant Molly Magstadt and Word and Worship Services Director Michael White, along with nine North Central students, did on February 18-20, Presidents Day weekend. Five-and-a-half hours away is the Boundary Waters, a seemingly endless woodland nestled on the United StatesCanada border that beg to be explored. Itll feel like we were the first ones to ever see it, said Smith. Smith confirms there are three main reasons to go camping in the winter. One, its a challenge. Two, there are no bugs. And three, there are no people. The one unique thing about this group was that it was all

girls!...and Kevin Van Slyke who we are training to lead future trips. It was a little shocking for both Jake and me but the girls had great attitudes and I am very proud of all of them, said Magstadt. The goal of this trip is for the students to have a good time, learn more about camping and themselves, and feel more comfortable in the woods.

Its very relaxing to be in the woods...I dont prefer the city. God as Creator is a very important element to my faith, said Smith. The weather was incredibly gorgeous, says Magstadt, The trip could have been very different if it was windy and freezing, so we were blessed. Both White and Smith agree that winter camping is a lot of work and isnt for the faint of heart. However, with the right gear and a little knowledge it can be the most rewarding and enjoyable experience, said White . Their plan began with a 5 a.m. wake-up call to brace the northern drive on Saturday morning. When we got to the entry point, we hiked in which took about two to three hours and then set up camp, said Smith. The students and faculty members crossed the massive frozen Duncan Lakea quite unnerving feat considering the mild winter. The campers took part in fire-time talk, hiking, exploring, and personal devotion time. My favorite part of the trip was when we would gather around the fire at night trying to keep ourselves warm and share stories. It was wonderful to see how we could truly be entertained,said Magstadt.

College of Missions
n February 13, Charlie McElveen stepped in to his new position as the College of Missions chair at North Central. McElveen is not a new face to North Central. He was a professor in the urban studies department for six years and left in 2008. After McElveen left, he became the Director of Chaplains at the Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities. He returned to North Central because By REBEKAH JACOBSON

he felt like the position would be a good fit for him. There are people in this department that I continued to fellowship and associate with on a very routine basis, said McElveen. McElveen has been actively involved in missions for over 20 years. He was first called to missions in 1991. During his first day as an intern at Church of God in Cleveland, Tenn., the Lord prompted him to take on a significant faith promise during the missions offering. Ive always been called to people that are traditionally marginalizedoppressedor people who havent heard, said McElveen. McElveen has traveled all over the world doing shortterm trips. Most of his work has been in Latin America, but he has also conducted church planting and evangelism in India. McElveens job responsibilities as the new College of

Missions chair include a large administrative component, as well as a teaching schedule. Also, public relations and networking with other missionaries will play a major role in his weekly schedule. McElveen is excited for his new position. He looks forward to working with other professors and students in the College of Missions. Im really looking forward to seeing the dreams and passions of the people in this department come about and seeing students, as servant leaders, really get equipped to get out there and take the Gospel to everyone, said McElveen. McElveens passion for missions extends beyond the classroom and office setting. He describes this as an inner prompting that focuses on his interest in ministry. I feel that where God gives me interest is an area of passion for Him as well. He calls me through that interest to get involved in those types of things, said McElveen.

Tuition Cost Shifts With New Block Pricing Plan

By REBEKAH JACOBSON Beginning in Fall 2012, North Central will implement a block pricing plan. The new payment structure will allow students to take between 12 and 18 credits for the same price. Tuition cost is estimated at $9,305 per semester for the next school year. Most other universities and colleges already offer a block payment plan. Faculty and staff agreed upon the shift in tuition pricing for many reasons. The block tuition structure will help NCU students reduce the cost of their degree, minimize debt upon graduation and enter the marketplace sooner, said Executive Director of Enrollment Troy Pearson. Students will have the potential to graduate in four or less years with a more flexible class schedule. In addition, tuition bills will be simplified and students will be able to plan ahead more effectively. For students who take less than 12 credits, it will cost $775 per credit. If a student takes greater than 18 credits, it will cost $620 per extra credit. Several students expressed their enthusiasm for the new block pricing system. I am someone who financially cannot do more than 12 credits, but due to the new system, I am able to take 18 credits and [it] will help me graduate on time, said junior campus missions major Jeff Winkelman. Not only will the new block tuition plan have the potential to speed up a students college career, but students will have more freedom in creating a class schedule that isnt constrained by individual credit cost. I think [the block tuition plan] helps cuts the time people are in school by not being limited by the price of the amount of credits you can take, said freshman undeclared major Leah Kacvinsky. Instead of offering a per credit payment plan, which ran students $559 per credit hour in the 2011-2012 school year, tuition bills will be simplified to a single lump sum if students take between 12 and 15 credits. In addition, student debt after graduation is projected to fall by thousands of dollars. Every student looks forward to less debt in the future, said junior intercultural studies major Kari Wheeler. The benefits from the block tuition decision will increase with each incoming class. On the other hand, some students are disappointed with the shift in payment structure. I feel that administration thought about the people taking more credits and didnt take into consideration the people that can barely pay for 12, said freshman pastoral studies major Austin Hall. There are a variety of circumstances as to why a student cannot afford to take more than 12 credits. The cost of 12 credits with the new block tuition plan compared to the old per credit plan is an increase of approximately $1,784. Despite the negative effects of the shift on some students, North Central is committed to a holistic approach that helps students navigate the financial realities of higher education (northcentral.edu). According to Pearson, staff will work with students to provide the best possible financial help for students. This will be done through supplying generous financial aid packages, monthly payment plans, and financial literacy training and counseling. Further questions can be directed to Financial Aid and Student Accounts.

NEWS | FEBRUARY 28, 2012 | 5

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Iraq vs. Syria
By ERICA WENIG magine a world of absolutes, where bad guys are bad and good guys, good. And one self-diagnosed good superpower believes it is their duty, nay, their moral responsibility - to save good guys from bad guys. The Iraq War is a prime example of how gray our world actually is. More than 4,400 American troops died during the eight-year conflict. Should we have invaded? Hypothetically, if we were a third-world country, ruled by a dictator who slaughtered the opposition (much like Saddam Hussein), we would want to be freed. But what if, after we had regained our freedom, the savior countrys military hunkered down on our soil - the majority of whom didnt speak our language, share our religion, or understand the nuances of our culture? Hussein had no weapons of mass destruction. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed orchestrated 9/11, not Saddam. Sure, the Sunni dictator may have sponsored terrorism, but who doesnt these days? Evil people are sponsoring heinous acts of terrorism against innocent civilians all over the Middle East. Some might even be our political allies. When is intervening in another countrys affairs justifiable? As Americans, we prefer to think our moral compass infallibly points north. We tried to build Iraq into a beacon of Arab democracy simply because it was in their best interests, right?!

If we invaded Iraq for the Iraqis best interests, why dont we invade Syria in the name of the Syrians best interests? It would be like poking a bear in the eye, Clint Watt, North Centrals political science professor, said - referring to Russias

support for the Syrian regime. Professor Watt was unaware of Iraq having any substantial backers at the time of the American invasion. Syrian President Bashar Al-Assads regime has killed more

than 5,000 people in the past year, according to reports by the United Nations and Human Rights Watch. Even more alarming is the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) report that 400 children have been killed and the same number imprisoned - where sexual abuse and torture are allegedly occurring. And who, in the international community, has intervened to quell the arbitrary slaughter and abuse? The Arab League sent a delegation to take stock of the situation, but the mission was suspended as violence increased in the country. And typical of the U.N., thumbs are left to be twiddled while Russia and China refuse to comply with the rest of the members in taking action against Al-Assad. Yet a bump or two in the road never stopped America from doing what America wanted, in the past. The state department is in the business of self-interest, not the business of some JudeoChristian sense of morality. The last thing the Obama administration wants is another war, and the last thing the American public wants is another set of double motives for starting one. Even when we do save good guys from bad guys, the only absolute is that of our motivations. Ultimately, America cares about America. In that respect, were no different from any country out there.

BlackMCIVER History Month By TYLER

his month is Black History Month, the one month a year when we all celebrate the many achievements of African Americans throughout U.S. history. Ever since 1976 our nation has celebrated the contributions of African Americans to our country. Black History Month was implemented by Former President Gerald Ford to begin recognizing and recording the amazing acts of African American men and women throughout the nation. One of the primary activities built around this event occurs in the classroom. Black History Month is a great opportunity to educate our youth about our nations history, and some of the amazing people that played roles in making our country what it is today. In high schools and middle schools all across our nation students are educated about the fact that regardless of background or skin color, anyone can make a lasting, positive impact with their life. Examples like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and W.E.B Du Bois will stand as marvelous examples for the youth of our nation. Another primary point of this occasion is to show how far we have come as a nation. Forty years ago our country was blinded by our own ignorance, and the idea of Black History Month would have been laughable. The existence of this month shows exactly how grand the achievements made by the African American community. Had it not been for the strong and courageous individuals that stood for what was right in that time, we might not be able to celebrate black history.

6 | FEBRUARY 28, 2012 | WORLD/NATION

Mitt Romneys Presidential Race

By KELSEY MARRIN alt-and-pepper haired Mitt Romney may have improved Massachusetts economy during his 20032007 term as governor - eliminating a $3 billion deficit without borrowing or raising taxes - but could he do the same nationwide? In 1999, Romney took over the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games. With sponsors backing out and the budget hitting a wall - Romney revamped the leadership, fixed the budget and restored confidence. Former Pennsylvania senator and Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum criticized the Romneys management of the competition at a tea party rally in Ohio.

He heroically bailed out the Salt Lake City Olympic Games by heroically going to Congress and asking them for tens of millions of dollars to bail out the Salt Lake games -- in an earmark, in an earmark for the Salt Lake Olympic games, Santorum said. Former House Speaker and Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has had harsh words for Romney, repeatedly calling him too moderate on the issues that matter most to conservatives. If you cant tell the truth as a candidate for president, how can the country possibly expect you to lead as president? Gingrich said about Romney - in regards to the attacks he has

launched against Gingrich, following a debate in Florida. According to The New York Times, and as of January, 2012, President Barack Obama has raised over $151 million for his re-election campaign. Romney has raised $63 million. Gingrich has only raised $18 million - leading him to criticize the large pool of money Romney has been able to draw from for attack ads against his rivals. Romney says that American stands for freedom, opportunity and hope. That may be true. He may have improved Massachusetts economy as governor and organized a successful Winter Olympic Games - but what wheres the meat on how he will actually act as president of the country?

Gay Marriage Ban in Minnesota

By JORDAN LOFTUS t might not seem like Iowa, New York and Massachusetts have much in common. Yet those three are a few of the states that allow same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, Minnesota for Marriage (MFM) seeks to amend the Minnesota Constitution and ban it altogether. They have raised over $1 million dollars for the campaign and acquired over 10,000 new supporters. Gay marriage is a controversial topic, especially at a religious college institution. Here are some views of gay marriage from NCU staff and students. Sarah Mack a senior majoring in mass communication sees MFM as a positive organization. I support Minnesota for Marriage and the effort and preservation they are putting forth regarding marriage between a man and a woman, she said. I believe marriage was created by God for one man and one woman. Professor Tim Harlow also sees MFM as a positive role model. I am glad to know that there is an organization out there that has the courage to stand up to the gay agenda and fight to keep marriage between one man and one woman, he said. Allowing gay marriage will have long and deep consequences that most people do not fully understand. Perhaps the most frightening is that people who do not

accept this redefinition of marriage will be punished by law, and that churches and religious organizations could lose their tax exemptions and be forced to abandon their core moral principles or face punishment. Kelsey Marrin, a senior majoring in mass communication, disagrees. Why should we say people couldnt marry? Marrin said. I feel that if someone loves someone of the same sex who are we to stop them from committing their lives to each other. For more information visit Minnesota for Marriage online at www.minnesotaformarriage.com or call 612-367-4588. There are many volunteer opportunities available upon request.

WORLD/NATION | FEBRUARY 28, 2012 | 7

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8 | FEBRUARY 28, 2012 | FEATURE

This Week *February 6-10

By BAILEY SCOTT and KELSEY MARRIN ame shows. Youve seen one. But this year the Executive Committee decided to put their own spin on the time-honored TV genre. With The Week chapel stating that this year was Game Show Edition the students could expect to see some of their favorites, NCU style. The Week is an annual event put on by the Executive Committee that celebrates NCU students and community by holding nightly activities. This year I believe we saw some of the largest amounts of students participate in The Week 12 we have been so honored by the students and all the support they have showed our team. We will continue being here for the student body until the very end, said student body president Benino Regino. The first item on the agenda, was The Week chapel. The giant Price Is Right esque wheel, custom made by senior Mathematics major Taylor Molenda, made its first appearance to the student body. During the 50 minutes, students and staff were able to compete in Minute To Win It games with the grand prize being an iPod Nano. The winner was sophomore Sports Management major Gary Ramos. There was Candy and The Week t-shirts thrown out into the audience during the game show. At the Ultimate Game Show Marathon, students were given the opportunity to compete for the grand prize of a Visa Gift Card and second place prize of free fall semester parking. Among the games played were renditions of Fear Factor, Family Feud, Jeopardy, and Wipe Out. During the event nonparticipants were still given the opportunity to win drawings, which included prizes such as Starbucks cards. For many, the highlight of The Week was the highly anticipated NCUs Got Talent. From dance to a Celtic quartet, the students at North Central showcased on Friday night why they are called clearly superior. However, music seemed to be the crowd favorite with all three top prizes going to musical groups. Band member Freshman Youth Ministry major Tyler Kreiner and his friends went 90s rock in the talent show this year. We just wanted to have fun and rock out like its 1996. We did it to have good time and hopefully get some laughs from the audience, said Kreiner. The audience was not the only ones laughing and enjoying the music, as the judges awarded Kreiner, junior biblical studies major Julian Flores, freshman recording arts major Luke Krist and sophomore music performance (drums) major Zach Happy Hawes first place for

their band, Kreeds rendition of the 90s classic Higher by Creed. Other events that took place during the week included a movie night showing Despicable Me, mens and womens basketball games complete with free walking tacos. The Week also included a presidential debate, which resulted in the victory of Nathan Hirsch. River Valley made a contribution to The Week by playing for Praise Gathering on Wednesday night. The Week t-shirts were for sale, designed this year via a Facebook competition. A very special thanks to Greg Leeper, Nicholas Pettigrew and sound team, Executive Committee and our Resident Directors for all their help, we couldnt have done it without you, said Regino. While North Central cannot penalize military students when they have to miss class, students still miss out on other things. When you get back from drill, you are often tired out, stressed, and have a lot to catch up on, said Williams. Military students have different responsibilities than most people, but according to Williams they dont need to be treated differently than anyone else. We are normal people who live normal lives, just with different experiences, said Williams.

Army Students
By AMANDA BREISTER

he North Central student body includes students who are currently enlisted in the military as well as those who have previously been enlisted in the military. These students have all joined the military for different reasons, and their unique life experiences are crucial pieces of our NCU community. Senior pastoral studies major Karl Pasche formerly served as an active duty soldier in Iraq. Serving in the United States Army as a Black Hawk helicopter crew chief, he experienced being a gunner, aerial observer, mechanic and flight attendant. Pasches unique experiences effect the way he interacts

with North Central students. I have done more than most people here. I have great friends, but it is hard to find people to challenge me, said Pasche. However, Pasche has formed special connections with comrades. Finding someone else who has been deployed close to where you were is like sharing an inside joke thats not funny, said Pasche. Freshman undeclared major Melissa Kidd represents students who are preparing to serve our country. Kidd joined the National Guard part time in order to follow her dream of becoming a police officer while at the same time being able to attend college. Although she completed the first 10 weeks of basic training, Kidd has yet to complete her Advanced Individual Training (AIT). It affects me because I have to miss fall semester next year to finish training, said Kidd. Sophomore undeclared major Brent Peters formerly served in Iraq as an Army Human Resources Specialist. He offered advice to those in the military or going into the military. Be a Christian first, soldier second, said Peters. Peters stressed the importance of getting involved in an off-base church because the Army does not offer a supportive atmosphere for Christians. It is in this environment that sophomore pastoral studies major Josiah Williams serves as an Army Reserves Chaplain Assistant. As a reservist, you feel like you live two lives, said Williams. Williams lives part of his life as a college student going to class, doing homework, and hanging out with friends from school. The other part of his life is spent with fellow soldiers, fulfilling various requirements including drill one weekend per month plus two weeks a year of annual training.

FEATURE | FEBRUARY 28, 2012 | 9

Steven Krist Movie

By CAMDEN MCAFEE tudents movie now distributed nationally, follows as sermon series package A student-directed movie hit national distribution at the end of 2011, and is now being promoted across the country as a sermon series. The movie, titled REAL, was directed by senior media communications major Stephen Krist and released in December of 2011. According to Krist, REAL tells the story of four lives, each in a situation that they found themselves in or that God allowed for their lives. REAL is available online from most major retailers, available hard-copy at Family Christian and Lifeway bookstores, and is available for streaming on Netflix. Currently, Krist is working to promote REAL across the country, such as his February trip to Florida to promote the film. Recently, the movie was approved to package as a sermon series for pastors, according to Krist. That was the heart behind the film to begin with, said Krist, How it works best is as a sermon series. In his own church, Gateway Assembly in Imlay City, Michigan, Krist saw more than 200 people give their lives to Christ, and their church attendance grew from 400-500 over the course of the sermon series based off the movie. REAL is slightly less Christiany than a lot of Christian media out there, said Krist. North Central viewers who arent Fireproof fans and dont like Courageous might find it slightly

more palatable. Krist encourages students to consider the film for their church, With all sorts of connections to pastors and people becoming pastors, said Krist. He hopes that churches will use the film as an evangelistic tool to reach their communities. The film itself was done with only $2,000 dollars, and mostly involved people from Gateway Assmebly. Eight students from North Central were involved in the moviemaking process, including Krists older and younger brothers, North Central graduate David Krist and freshman recording arts major Luke Krist. Tyler Kreiner, freshman youth ministries major, acted in the first narrative in the movie. [Stephen] cast me for a part, which was really fun to be with a lot of really cool people during the film. We all have a story; we all have something that we can share as our testimony. No matter whether we think its so small, God can still use it, said Kreiner. The filming process took a year for Krist to pull the whole movie together. I started interviewing December of 2009, writing January of 2010, shot from May though August of 2010, edited from September to November, and then released to the church in November, said Krist. After the four short films were created for Gateway Assembly, Krist says that he felt God was calling him to do more with it. In January of 2011, Krist sent the movie off to six distributors, Pure Flix Entertainment picked it up in March. While REAL is produced and being promoted across the country, Stephen asks for prayer from anyone as he works on his next project to hopefully be released in 2013.

Tattoos and Piercings

By DANIEL ERICKSON piercings for women. Retainers of any type are not permitted at any time for piercings otherwise disallowed by this policy Body modification: Body modification is not permissible Students attending the forum felt that their freedom of expression was being limited by this rule, and that it was unfair to discriminate between the genders. They questioned the fact that women are allowed nose piercings but men arent. I would hope that the only reason we would make a rule restricting any activities that would differ from a secular college would be because we are Christ-centeredso it would have to be biblically backed, said Kayden Huber, a sophomore Youth Development major attending the forum. And the fact is, is that anything that can be tied into tattoos and piercings being wrong is in the Old Testament. That changed with the fulfillment of Jesus sacrificing himself on the cross. To be honest, 40 years ago, even your most liberal Christians would not get tattooswhich were linked to paganism, as also were piercingswhereas now were in a different culture, said Monson. This is largely the reason why the rule was created in the first place and also why it is coming under review now. Because of the ambiguous wording of the rule in regards to tattoos specifically, there has been much conversation about how the rule is interpreted by leadership, and what that means for the student body. Junior Church Planting major Matt Sims, and Discipleship Leader in Phillips Hall was unsure if he would agree with the rule that students couldnt have any tattoos or get any new tattoos. Rules are important, but they can be changedrespecting the people that God has put in authority over me comes first, said Sims. Sophomore Psychology major Kaitlyn Bergeron agreed with Sims comments. I think that [tattoos] can be a beautiful set of art if they are created in the right way. if it is not vulgar or dishonoring, than there is no reason why you should not be able to have one, said Bergeron.

hristians are encouraged to boldly share their faithbut does this extend to literally wearing the gospel on their sleeves? NCU has been renowned for its emphasis on community and spirituality, and the characteristics of these aspects of culture are slowly changing. Tattoos and piercings in particular are a trend that transcends nearly every demographic and have started up a discussion on campus on how they ought to be received. On February 9, 2012, NCSA senators Bethany Bostron, a junior Business Administration major, and Eric Monson, a sophomore Pastoral Studies major mediated a Tattoo and piercing forum to let students sound off on how they felt North Centrals official policy ought to be in regards to that area. According to the student handbook, NCUs appearance standard concerning tattoos and piercings states: Piercing: Facial piercings (such as eyebrow, cheeks, chin, lips, tongue, etc.) are not allowed at any time with the exception of nose

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{sports}
New Lacrosse Club
By DAVID RISDALL There is a new sport representing North Central University. Lacrosse has been added to the list of athletic teams this year. The inaugural season started this month providing student athletes with another opportunity to showcase their abilities. Lacrosse is a club sport, meaning it is run by students. Games will not start until the fall but scrimmages will be held this spring. The competition will be steep, competing against Bethel, Augsburg, Hamline, and other larger schools. Nearly twenty people have shown interest as practice started mid-February in the gymnasium. In the fall, North Central LAX will attempt to join the Upper Midwest Lacrosse League Division II. They will compete with St. Thomas, St. Johns, and North Dakota State who are all ranked in the top ten nationally. The Mens Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) is the governing body of non-NCAA lacrosse programs. North Central will attempt to join the MCLA next fall, because club sports are not recognized by the NCAA. The struggle for gym time with four other sports and intramurals leaves North Central lacrosse with late night practices and not a lot of opportunities to play the sport. As the sport continues to grow on campus and the weather improves, there will be more opportunities for the team to practice. The lacrosse team will be the newest representative of North Central athletics and will provide competition against some schools that other sports do not often get to compete against larger universities.

By JOSHUA GREGORY It was only a few weeks ago when the North Central Mens and Womens Basketball teams earned silver and gold at the AGCU Classic, and from that time the impressive victories have continued to pile up. A 6-2 run by the men and a 6-3 run by the women gave them with a winning record of 12-11 and 11-14 respectively going into NCCAA Regionals this past weekend. Junior Sports Management major and starting point guard, Dylan McKneely, recognized the mens first round match up against Providence. We did some amazing things as a team. I think our bench players came in and played a big role, and showed what they were capable of, said McKneely. The final score for the Rams was 102-76 over Providence. With the win the Rams moved on to play Trinity College in the NCCAA Regional Championship game. It was a tough game throughout and a battle all the way to the end, said McKneely. The final score for the Rams was 83-78, Trinity won. Its kind of hard to win when four of your starters foul out, but credit has to given to the four substitutes that came in and still kept the game close, said McKneely. Sophomore business major, Ben Peters, gave credit to Trinity College. They came out with hot shooting and shot well as a team, and we just did not make the right adjustments, said Peters. The womens basketball team was also in action during the

Men and Women Basketball

regional weekend. In their first round matchup the Rams played the Eagles of Faith Baptist and won convincingly 76-40. That win propelled them into the NCCAA Regional Finals against none other than Trinity College. The Rams went into the game winning the finals for the past five years. Their expectations were high but ended the game with a loss to Trinity 64-67. Sophomore youth development major, Jorie Grenell thought the team played a good game. Losing the regional final game definitely motivated many of us for next year. We return everyone next year so if we all put in work on the offseason we will come back stronger, said Grenell.

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Baseball Season is Starting

By NATHAN ALMQUIST The Rams baseball season is in full swing again with a few new twists this year. The season opened up with a double-header in the Metrodome on Monday, February 27 against Bethel University, coached by by former Rams head Coach Tim Beasley, who had coached this years seniors for the last three seasons. Coach Beasley has been picked up by Bethel after first planning to coach for Northwestern but although the two teams are rivals. Were gunning for our former coach; we love him and we will love to beat him this Monday, said senior left-fielder Jay Beichley. Other than picking up a new coach, who has been working hard to get the team in shape, the Rams are looking at some exciting aspects for the upcoming season, including two or more double-headers in the Metrodome and the addition of Gary Ramos as an able pitcher and utility player. He gives us another solid pitching arm and he can play anywhere else too, said Jay. Junior communications major Devin Lehnhoff and senior sports management major Blake Balaam are starting pitchers. Junior pastoral major Isaac Gross is also on the roster, being gone for fall semester but has transfered back to NCU for spring. The Rams hope to repeat their success from the past two seasons and hope to improve on their performance in the NCAA World Series, losing both games in the double elimination tournament both years. There will be two double-headers coming up in the Metrodome before heading to Oklahoma for an away tour over spring break in March.

Running and Swimming Club

By AMY LAMBERT ndrea Arts, senior Urban Studies and Development major, started and currently leads the swimming club. The club meets Tuesday nights at 6:45 in the atrium. The group drives to the University of Minnesota aquatic center and swims laps. It is free to get in, and the club is back on campus by 8:30 My favorite part is the chlorine; I love pool smells and getting back in the water! I also enjoy meeting other North Central swimmers who share the same passion of swimming, but mainly the chlorine and wearing my new swim cap, said Arts. Ashley Spegal, senior business administration major, started and currently co-leads the running club with Michael Pitsiladis, sophomore psychology and social work major. The club meets at the front entrance of Miller on Tuesday nights at 5:45pm and then leaves around 6:00pm for the Metrodome. The club runs 30-40 minutes at the dome, so students are back on campus around 7:15. If people want to stay longer, they can. There are runners who are just beginning, and others who have been running for years. The purpose of the club is to get out and get active. It is free for North Central Students. I get bored on a treadmill, but when I run around the

Metrodome, two miles goes fairly quick. It is also fun to run with friends and become running buddies. I am excited about the club planning to run a 5k in April, said Spegal. To find out more information on either club, contact the Recreation and Wellness department.

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12 | FEBRUARY 28, 2012 | SPORTS