January 30, 2002
 Photo by Mike Termini, Assistant Photo Editor
Julie Doyle instructs employees of local business TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) this past weekend. Some Ferris students were part of the traning since they are employed at local establishments.
Free TIPS for local establishments
By Jessica Wortley
Ferris State Torch
In an attempt to make Ferris and the Big Rapids community a safer place for students, an alcohol awareness program was offered this past Sunday to local liquor establishments.
Thirty employees from local businesses, such as Star Shooters, Rudy’s, Schuberg’s and Szots, participated. They ranged from owners, managers, servers and even included a few Ferris students.
Training for Intervention Procedures, or TIPS, is a course designed to educate and train those who serve and sell alcohol in the appropriate ways to do so. According to the TIPS manual, the goals of the program are: to help create and sustain a relaxed, friendly and comfortable atmosphere; to exercise a degree of control within the environment of social drinking; influence aspects of drinking to behavior and to encourage responsibility among drinkers to help forestall troublesome situations.
During the four-hour long course, participants were instructed on how to meet and uphold these goals. They first learned how alcohol affects people in different ways and how to watch for behavioral cues indicating intoxication. Participants were also instructed on the liquor laws in Michigan, the proper way to check ID’s and how to document incidents.
Instruction was done through videos, workbooks and role-playing activities. This allowed the employees a chance to experience real-life situations and learn how to properly handle and record them.
At the conclusion of the course, participants took a 40-question exam. If they passed, the business will receive a certificate stating that their employees are TIPS certified.
Julie Doyle, a hospitality professor in the College of Business, taught the course. She is a certified instructor and has been teaching the course for the past six years as a way to give back to the community.
“I am very supportive and believe in this course,” Doyle said. She recommends this course for the wide range of benefits it has to offer, including lower insurance rates, fewer liquor violations, and meeting state requirements.
If an establishment has been TIPS certified, it will also be more active in promoting responsible use of alcohol and creating better community relations.
In terms of community relations in Big Rapids, Ferris’ Campus Community Task Force works directly with the Chamber of Commerce to establish positive feelings between the city residents and the students.
The two groups work together to provide the training free of charge to the employees. They offer sessions about two or three times a year, and the certification is good for three years.
According to Dan Burcham, vice president of student affairs, there have been nothing but good program evaluations.
“We like to make it clear that the university is a good neighbor,” Burcham commented. “We also want to let individuals know that the university is interested in its students.”
Burcham also mentioned that the TIPS program is part of the university’s comprehensive alcohol education program, or social norming campaign. It’s overall goal is to make the university a safer place.
“We hope the students make good decisions, and also we are supportive of those people who are helping others to make good decisions,” Burcham said.
TIPS is part of a nationwide program called Health Communications, Inc. located in Washington, D.C. Since 1982, it has certified almost 1,000,000 servers and trainers in all 50 states and 22 foreign countries.
For further information on the TIPS program, visit the website at gettips.com, or call 1-800-GETTIPS.
Tuition debate between state and college officials
By Laura Chene
News Editor
Controversy over tuition rates began when Central Michigan University’s president announced plans to increase its rates by 28 percent for next year, which Ferris’ president assures will not occur at this campus.
“The CMU [decision] I think is the result of two things,” President William Sederburg commented. First, the increase is a way for the university to catch up on past tuition rates that have been significantly lower. “So, at some point they did need to increase their tuition . . . that’s for them to say.
“In my sense it helps Ferris rather significantly,” Sederburg said. For example, Ferris has the opportunity to pick up students if a more elitist admission policy, for example, were implemented at Central.
He noted secondly that CMU announced many ways in which it plans to spend the extra money, including hiring fifty faculty members and applying the money towards research.
As reported by Erik Lords in a December issue of the Detroit Free Press, CMU does not know specifically how the extra $18 million per year would be spent, but the school did mention some areas in which the money would be applied. Such areas include parking and technology.
As stated in a memorandum from his office, Lieutenant Governor Dick Posthumous, Posthumous introduced three proposals prior to last Christmas in response to CMU’s drastic increase. He sent a letter to Governor John Engler’s office on Dec. 17, 2001 which included his plans. The proposals, taken directly from the memo, are as follows:
1) “a repeal of the state’s tuition tax credit with those funds deposited in a line item for distribution only to those institutions that keep their tuition rate increases at inflation or less;”
Sederburg responded to the first proposal, “I think that really should be explored more fully.” Sederburg liked the underlying idea but said he would probably encourage distribution of the tuition tax credit’s excess funds in the form of student financial aid.
Posthumous’ Deputy Press Secretary Matt Resch said, “Well, that would be kind of a bonus on top of the money [the universities] typically receive ..[students] would get extra money to go to school. Universities would decide how to use the distributed funds.”
2) “a provision that when a university raises its tuition rates beyond the rate of inflation, its own state funds are reduced by the amount in excess of the inflation rate, and;”
3) “if the legislation fails to enact proposals one and two, as a last ditch effort, the legislature should place on the ballot a constitutional amendment to cap higher education tuition rates at inflation or five percent, whichever is less.”
“The other two proposals I think are very problematic, and I’ve fought [them in the past,]” Sederburg said. He added that it is more appropriate for the local government to set the tuition rates. The local government is better equipped to make rate decisions since it is more familiar with the university’s circumstances, as well as with the people.
“The [last] proposal is not a new proposal. It’s been raised for the past twenty years on and off,” Sederburg said. “The constitutional limits over time really hurt.”
“The state wouldn’t intervene,” Resch said. He said that those schools that keep tuition rates down would be rewarded.
According to Resch, Posthumous is the father of four kids. Two of his children are college graduates, one is a current attendee, and the other is one year away from entering college. “So he knows what college tuition bills will do to a college budget,” Resch said. “He wants to make sure we do everything we can do. I think that, and would hope, everyone agrees that keeping tuition rates affordable is [important].”
Sederburg, as stated publicly in several other publications, reiterated his strong plans to keep the tuition rates to an increase between three and five percent. “There are significant financial pressures on the university, but . . . this is not the year to go to the students.” Instead, plans are to make reductions in administrative budgets.
Expansion of county facility raises concerns
By Amy McElmurray
Assistant News Editor
By the end of February, the Mecosta County Jail expansion project should be complete. For community members this may mean more space for convicted criminals and less worries.
The unit currently has an occupancy limit of 67 inmates. Within a few weeks, the facility will hold close to 100. This, however, does not necessarily mean Ferris students should worry.
“It’s not all college students,” Mecosta County Sheriff John Sonntag said. “There are a lot more county people being held.”
The expansion is a result of needing more space in the facility. “The population of our county is rising, so more people are involved with the criminal element,” Sonntag said.
The building is expected to last until the year 2020. It is anticipated that a new building will be needed at that time. There is no room left for further expansion on the current property, so land outside of the city will probably be used.
Instead of a new building at this time, the expansion was a more practical option. The county is using delinquent tax money to fund the expansion, so no taxpayer money is being used.
According to Sonntag, the maximum sentence for an inmate being held in this unit is two years, although most are only given one-year sentences. If an individual commits a crime in Mecosta County, he will be held in the county. Thus, any Ferris student convicted of a crime in the county will be kept at the county jail.
Sonntag stated that most college students held at the jail are there for drunk driving and minor-in-possession citations. He stated that they are usually short-term arrangements, and any person 17 years or older can be held in the facility.
The Sheriff’s Department of Mecosta County runs the jail. The department employs around 50 individuals in all sorts of duties. Sheriff Sonntag has been with the department for 21 years. He is an FSU alum, with a degree in education. He is in his second four-year term as sheriff.
The sheriff’s department is responsible for road patrol, marine patrol (the lakes, rivers, etc.), the DARE program, a school liaison officer for the county, the victims advocate program, an emergency management director, community corrections office, animal control and the jail.
The DARE program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is in every school in the county. The program is run by a DARE officer with special training, and is directed at sixth graders in the county.
“We’re delaying the use of drugs,” Sonntag said. “Studies have shown that a delay of about two years has resulted from the DARE program.”
Event made just for women
By Laura Chene
News Editor
The Mecosta County General Hospital Auxiliary encourages women of all ages to attend its 2002 Woman’s Health Day on Sat., March 2.
The event, “Woman in My Mirror” is to be held from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Rankin Center. According to a press release, the following presenters will provide health information: Barry Stowers, MSW, CSW; Dr. Richard Hall, MD, OB/GYN; Charlette Thompson, Mecosta County MSU extension educator and county home economist; and Nicki Snyman, Supervisor of MCGH’s out-patient rehabilitation center.
“It’s an event that we have every year,” MCGH Marketing Specialist Bonnie Standlick said. “It’s just to get women together to learn about different topics.”
Such topics include expected changes as women age, exercising and eating healthy and ways to ease stress. “We’re trying to attract women of all ages,” Standlick said. “The topics cater to all ages.” As stated in the press release, other features include limited day care and taste tests.
Standlick said the day is an opportunity to have an educational, yet fun, experience.
For more information or to obtain a sign-up form, call 592-4200. Those interested must register before Feb. 18.
The following are event sponsors: MCGH’s Auxiliary, American Association of University of Women for Ferris State University, Mecosta Health Services, and Mecosta County General Hospital.
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 Photofrom University Photo Services
Dr. Rachel Schumann performs the National Anthem before every Ferris home game. Her new album, “Hit Me With a Hot Note,” is now available.
Amazement in her voice
By Karen Langolf
Ferris State Torch
There is a professor among the faculty that has become the star performer for the Ferris State University Hockey Team. Actually, she has been the star performer for them for almost 21 years.
Dr. Rachel Schumann will finish her 21st season with the FSU hockey team this December, one of the longest running singing careers on this campus. Schumann has been lending her vocal talent for the National Anthem for the hockey teams since 1981.
Schumann’s first degree came from the University of Miami, Ohio. Upon receiving her degree in Theater, she moved to California and began work for the Disney Company in character wardrobe.
A little later on in her life, Schumann graduated from a private college called Southern California College of Optometry. It is here that she received her second degree, this time in Optometric Technology.
From there it was only a very short time before Schumann came to Ferris State University to teach, and she did for 17 years in the optometry department.
While Schumann was instructing at Ferris she started taking classes at Michigan State University for her Masters and later her Doctorate in College and University Administration. So far, her number of degrees total four from three different colleges and universities.
Schumann was not done, however, as a little later on her in her career on Optometry she started taking classes also at Ferris and then graduated with a Masters in Occupational Education.
This amazing professor, while for 17 years teaching at Ferris State, accumulated three additional degrees to further her career along on its tracks.
Although she taught and studied to further her present career, she could not be stopped when it came to pursuing her true love, singing.
Since Schumann had been singing with the hockey team for so long she became recognized by the citizens of Big Rapids, who asked if she had produced a CD. At the time, Schumann started to consider it and later came to produce two CDs of her own.
With the help of her band, consisting of drummer Mark Guthrie, bass player Leo Hazen, pastor Robert Garreles playing clarinet and saxophone, concert pianist Richard Ridenour and James McLeod, Schumann has both of her CDs on sale right now.
Schumann’s first CD entitled “Home for the Holidays,” is in part a collection of traditional Christmas favorites such as Silent Night, O Holy Night and the Christmas Song. The entire CD is put into the genre of sacred and secular.
However, for this CD, Schumann was thrilled to have the opportunity to also perform a new piece entitled “In Bethlehem on a Cold, Cold Night,” written by Pastor Garreles, who also plays the clarinet and saxophone for her.
It is a beautiful piece of music described as more technical by Schumann. Garreles is the Pastor for local Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Schumann’s second CD is entitled “Hit Me With A Hot Note,” which is a collection of classical favorites from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Songs on the CD are songs once recorded by artists such as George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Harold Arlen.
The title of the CD comes from one of the pieces also performed on the CD called “Hit Me With A Hot Note and Watch Me Bounce,” previously recorded by Duke Ellington in 1945.
What is Schumann doing right now? Lately she has been working part-time for the University as the Professor for the Ferris State University Seminar 190, teaching five classes.
Outside of teaching, Schumann has enjoyed performing for the local ArtWorks in Big Rapids. She was also the president of the Mecosta County Council for the Arts.
Schumann is also the principal vocalist for the West Central Concert Band along with the concert pianist Ridenour. Ridenour had also arranged her two CDs for their release.
Schumann continues to pursue her passion for music while instructing the Honors Students on the proper behavior for Fine Arts concerts. Schumann is a wonderful contribution to Ferris State and their Fine Arts Program.
M.I.M.A. announces concert series
Nick Schmidt
Ferris State Torch
As many of you may or may not know, there is a Music Industry Management Program here at Ferris. It is a major held within the College of Business and its total intention is to branch the aspect of music, and the music industry together, into one major.
Within this program is an organization called M.I.M.A. (Music Industry Management Association), and every semester they learn about how to set up shows and get a chance to be able to work within the industry itself. This organization learns about the industry by way of music concerts.
Every semester, M.I.M.A. sponsors and puts on about four events that are music related. They hold four small-scale concerts usually incorporating up-and-coming groups, plus getting attention for the bands among college students. These concerts are always at 11 a.m. and are usually held in the Rankin Art Gallery (above Lundberg bookstore).
Last semester’s concert series was very successful, bringing such acts as the Clayton Miller Blues Band, Becky Hemingway, The Day and a few others. With each band having its own unique sound, there was definitely a wide variety of noticeable talent among last semester’s lineup.
With last semester in mind, M.I.M.A. plans for this semester to be just as good, if not even better. With three bands already contracted to play, one more spot is still up in the air as far as the final show goes. There are going to be four bands for the series and having heard all of them but one; it’s safe to say that there are definitely a diverse group of bands for the student body to check out.
Starting off the series is going to be the band “Urban Funk Ordinance.”
This band definitely has a unique sound, and they have a great deal of chances to experiment with synthesizers and unique sounds.
The name really tells it all as far as the band’s style goes. Their mixture is a little bit of funk but with an urban twist, tied together with rap style lyrics and hard driving techno-rave, chorusy backbeats. This band will definitely be a band to check out just for a taste of something a little different as far as “the norm” goes.
Urban Funk Ordinance is playing Feb. 5, at 11 a.m., in the Rankin Art Gallery.
The second group that’s going to be coming to Ferris is the band “Vudu Hippies.” Vudu Hippies is a much more rock-oriented band with heavy guitar tracks and a powerful female vocalist taking the lead singer role.
Again, like Urban Funk Ordinance, Vudu Hippies is a five-person band. However, this time it’s a typical lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass guitar, drums and lead singer group with a little bit of organ and keyboard synthesizers filling in the background.
They are definitely more mainstream, but the thing that sets them apart is their lead singer, Renee. She has very strong vocals and is a little bit more bluesish in her delivery of them.
Vudu Hippies is playing March 5, at 11 a.m., in the Rankin Art Gallery.
The third act that is definitely going to be playing this semester is Henry Phillips. Henry Phillips is a solo act equipped with only his acoustic guitar, vocals, and humor. He is an acoustic guitar player who just jokes around and does material that is anything but serious, which makes him a good draw among college students. That show seems like it is going to be fun and rather entertaining.
Henry Phillips is playing May 5, at 11 a.m., in the Rankin Art Gallery.
So if you don’t have class on Tuesdays at 11 a.m., which none of you do, come check out M.I.M.A.’s concert series at the Rankin Art Gallery. All shows are free and are an hour long. You really have nothing to lose and everything to gain by going to these shows, and with the diversity of this semester’s lineup, you can get a good taste at the variety of up-and-coming music.
 Photo by James Bednarick, Photo Editor
Members of the Thimble Full of Theater prepared to fight each other in the quad last week. The group’s goal is to get more people talking about their act.
A cow terrorizes two guys in blue jumpsuits
By Karen Langolf
Ferris State Torch
All over campus are posters with what looks like three “I’s” at the top like an acronym. But if looked at closely it appears that the three “I’s” are actually two guys in blue jumpsuits and a cow between them.
Last semester on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. each week, these two guys in blue jumpsuits, a cow, and other various characters would wreck havoc on each other in what is known as Thimble Full of Theater.
Heading this organization are Beau Carnes, Robert Philips and Paul Chapman as president, vice president and secretary, respectively.
When asked how they came up with the idea for this organization Philips stated, “We were at Goodwill one day and saw two matching blue jumpsuits and we decided to buy them. Then we headed to the dollar store and found matching hats. From there we went to Meijers dressed like this. We got a pretty good reaction from the people there.”
So the idea was born to perform each week sometimes with no scripts to back them up. More often than usual, the group of performers would improvise the week’s performance with an occasional real script.
All together, there are six performers (who have asked to remain nameless for their characters’ sakes), a few more people who generate ideas, two people who film the show and then some special guests.
These special guests in the past have been a butterfly and also a ninja, the performers remaining anonymous.
Most of the shows revolve around the two guys in blue jumpsuits, Professor M and Professor N, fighting against The Cow: the two Professors being the good guys and the cow being the evil villain.
Unlike most television series with good guys vs. bad guys, the cow sometimes wins the battles. Then again, like most good guy vs. bad guy series, the cow is never captured, implying that there will be another battle, another episode, for the cow to fight in.
Unfortunately for those who liked the time slot of Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. last semester, this semester the time slot was moved to Thursdays at 11:15 a.m. to accommodate the performers.
It also seems that by doing performances at this time slot they will be able to reach a much larger audience, since it is prime lunch/meeting time for most students and they will be passing through the crowd.
It is the opinion of the performers that the audience finds the shows to be amusing and entertaining. Carnes said, “Usually the audience size is about 30 people.” “Every time we hope for more,” Chapman implied.
They seemed to get their wish, as according to Matt Eickhoff the number reached over 50 people. “There were people in FLITE watching through the windows.”
“Once I saw it I’m hooked to see another one. Curiosity has gotten to me,” stated Tammy Babcock, Honors Program assistant.
Even Maude Bigford, Honors Program coordinator, seemed extremely excited to see the performances this semester.
Want to know what to expect this semester? Thimble Full of Theater left of last semester with one of the Professors turning into a butterfly, a bad guy.
Their first performance this semester was on Jan. 24 in the campus quad. The other Professor recaptured his partner after a long and hard battle and declared that he would turn him back to the way he used to be no matter what it takes.
According to Carnes when asked about how the audience reacts to the performance, Carnes said, “It’s been described as a concert vibe afterwards. People are talking about it.”
The performers do have one request, however. “Please do not try to apprehend The Cow!”
If two guys in jumpsuits and an evil cow sounds amusing, their Website will be up and running at thimblefull.com soon. Check it out for more information and also to contact the officers with questions regarding joining the club. They are always looking for more members.
Don’t want to wait to check out their web site for contact information? President Carnes can be reached at 591- 6721 and Vice President Philips at
 Courtesy Photo
Gerry Lafemina and Mary Ann Samyn will present their poetry in the Rankin Center President’s room at 7:30p.m. on Feb. 5.
Literature in person reading series presents two poets
By Matt Cherry
Assistant A&E Editor
Gerry LaFemina with his interesting take on poetry, and Mary Ann Samyn with her award winning poems will come to Ferris on Feb. 5. They present at 7:30 p.m. in the Rankin Center’s President’s Room.
These two poets will also be the first poets from the Literature in Person reading series to present this term.
LaFemina was born in Brooklyn, NY. Throughout his teen years he began to embrace his more artistic side as he played in punk bands, began his work on poetry and even by writing a few art reviews.
After earning a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, LaFemina earned his English MA with a specialty of Contemporary American Literature. He also received an MFA in poetry at the same time.
As far as poetry goes, LaFemina became a published author at the age of 19. He has since published numerous other collections of stories. His published works include “23 Below,” “The City of Jazz and Punk,” “Titles” and “Shattered Hours: Poems 1988-94.”
He has also worked on a collection of short pieces in prose called “Zarathustra in Love.” And according to a press release from Mayapple Press, this work “maps a literary landscape where philosophy and ‘The Weekly World News’ intersect.”
Denise Duhamel, another poet, expressed her thoughts on “Zarathustra in Love” when she said, “Taking on everything from Persian prophets to Big Foot, Jim Neighbors to UFOs, and Berlitz tapes to the George Forman Grill, Gerry LaFemina elevates the notion of unpredictability and delight in the prose poem. ‘Zarathustra in Love’ is colossal, intense, and full of visceral magic.”
Currently, LaFemina is teaching at Kirtland Community College. He teaches subjects such as writing and literature as well as being running a creative writing portion of the Associate of Fine Arts degree at Kirtland.
As a practicing Buddhist, LaFemina brings an interesting perspective to the poetry world. This perspective is also appreciated, as was shown to LaFemina when he won the 2000 North American International Auo Show award for fiction.
For more information, and for the information found in this story, on LaFemina, go visit his website at Kirtland Community College at www.kirtland.cc.mi.us/cburn/gerrypage.htm.
LaFemina’s view on life can be pretty much summed up by a quote on his webpage which says, “The understimulated mind—the mind that chooses not to see the connections between the banal and the sublime; the uncurious mind—seems to me an ineffective of those electrical impulses jumping between the mass of nerve cells we call the brain.”
Joining LaFemina in presenting is his wife, Samyn.
As the author of two prize-winning collections of poetry, Samyn brings a much more down to earth feel to her audience than LaFemina does.
Her prize winning works include “Rooms by the Sea” which won the 1994 Kent State University Press/Wick Chapbook selection and also her “Captivity Narrative” that was awarded the 1999 Ohio State University Press/”The Journal.”
Samyn graduated with a degree in creative writing from Ohio State University and was awarded the Hoyns Fellowship to attend the University of Virginia.
As for her writing, Samyn’s latest collection is entitled “Inside the Yellow Dress.” As in a press release from New Issues Press, this collection “...is both the clothing of childhood, of girlhood in particular, and the garment of language we all put on.”
In praise of Samyn are many authors including fellow female writer Jean Valentine who said, “Marry Ann Samyn’s originality and intelligent energy, so evident in her first book, continue here to spark their mysterious questions and longings. I admire hugely this poetry’s humors and sorrows, the wild thoughtfulness, the risks.”
With the talent of LaFemina and Samyn leading the way, this semester’s Literature in Person Reading Series will be a good one.
The Literature in Person Reading Series is sponsored by the Department of Languages of Literature as well as by The Friends of Big Rapids Community Library, The Humanities Council of West Central Michigan, ArtWorks, Great Lake Book & Supply, The FSU Arts & Lectures Committee and with the generous donations of many individual persons.
If you have any further questions about this show or any other Literature in Person Reading Series guests, please contact Phillip Sterling at 591-5898 or by email at sterlingp@ferris.edu.
Looking for a good teacher?
By Nick Schmidt
Ferris State Torch
At the middle and end of every semester, college students all over the world are sent into a tangent about course sign-ups. They are left with unanswerable questions about the course, the teachers involved in it and what to expect from the whole scheme of the course itself.
This article is really helpful in that area. It tells a little bit about the teachers, what their interests are, and whether or not they sound like a teacher you would want to be taught by for the four months of material and information that’s going to be handed to you.
It seems like class schedules are hit or miss as far as good instructors go, but hopefully this will give you a little bit of insight about certain teachers, and in this weeks article, an English teacher is going to be talked about.
The English teacher in question is Mr. Brett Huddleston. As an English 150 teacher, most of you students need to get your English classes out of the way, or you entry-level candidates should definitely pay attention.
Huddleston has been here for four years teaching English 150 and English 250, however this year he is only teaching English 150.
Although he’s been here for only four years, he has been teaching elsewhere for 11. Getting his bachelor’s at Indiana University and his Master’s at a mixture of Central, Florida State and University of South Florida, he is en route to his Ph.D.
Huddleston’s bachelor’s degree is in Slavic Languages and Literature, but his professional interests now are in Literary Theory (i.e. Marxism, deconstruction, etc.).
Right now you are probably feeling a little overwhelmed with this information, maybe even a little intimidated. Rightfully so, but many of his students feel that he is an easy-going guy with a definitely noticeable easy-going manner.
Growing up in Lansing, his older brother influenced him as far as music goes and it is because of his older brother that he likes to listen to jazz the most. Within his personal favorites list are the likes of the older jazz performers such as Charlie Parker, Coltrane, and Miles Davis.
Being a jazz fan does not restrict him to just that, however. He is a huge Jimi Hendrix fan, and he also likes Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin and attending quite a few Grateful Dead shows in his younger years rounds the top of his musical listening interests.
Huddleston played football at Indiana University his freshman year and also plays tennis regularly. His other interests are racquetball, basketball… “about any sport related activity,” he says, “besides gymnastics and ballet,” he enjoys participating in them all.
Along with sports and music, he enjoys reading but has no particularly favorite authors, and also likes to watch football and hockey.
So the skinny on Huddleston is that he likes sports, music, is easy-going, likes the class material as he is truly interested in what he teaches. Along with liking the information he also likes to interact with the students in the classroom environment, which is evident in his classroom sessions.
It’s strongly urged to check out this teacher and what he is about as far as the course material goes. His office hours are Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
And with parting notes, he would like to add, that he’s definitely an easy-going guy but just because he portrays that manner doesn’t mean he’s going to not expect much. He’s fair and expects as much from the student’s work as what he puts into the class.
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 Photo by Mike Termini, Photo Editor
Defenseman Simon Mangos (#22) tries to skate past a Bemidji State player as another Bulldog advances towards the net.
Revitalized and ready for Northern?
By Chris Miller
Editor in Chief
During the course of this season, the Ferris State University hockey team has shown that it can play dominating defense and compete in games with a young goaltending crew.
After losing to Michigan State, Ferris (11-12-1 overall, 8-9-1 in the CCHA) came out this past weekend against Bemidji State (Minn.) University looking to get back on track.
“We came out of this weekend with a lot of positive things,” FSU head coach Bob Daniels said. “Overall, scoring a total of 12 goals in two games is not bad. We needed to get everyone on track and ready for more CCHA (Central Collegiate Hockey Association) play.”
On Friday, FSU dominated the Beavers in a rough 7-0 shutout. The next day, the Bulldogs fought hard in another hard-hitting game, falling short to BSU 7-5.
“I was a bit upset that refs were not making some calls. Some of our players were starting to get hurt,” Daniels said after Friday’s game.
Senior defenseman Chad McIver left the game early due to taking a skate in his right arm that resulted in 21 stitches.
“It’s not that bad actually. I will be ready to play again against Northern next weekend,” McIver said.
The Bulldogs managed to put together a solid three periods in the win over the Beavers.
“The game was closer than the score suggested,” Daniels said. “They did a really good job killing off our power-play opportunities. We also didn’t do such a great job in face-offs tonight.”
Freshman goalie Mike Brown started the game and he finished with a total of 22 saves on the night. Brown was later replaced midway through the third period for junior Matt Swanson, who saw his first ever playing time for Ferris.
“Brown did a great job with what he had to face,” Daniels said. “Everyone was really happy to see Swanson in the game, including the crowd. It was not really planned, and I let him know just moments before he entered the game that he was going in.”
Senior Rob Collins, juniors Troy Milam, Phil Lewandowski and Phil Meyer along with sophomores Brett Smith, Derrick McIver and freshman Derek Nesbitt all scored goals for the Bulldogs on Friday. Collins, with 35 points, is tied for second place in the CCHA in total points.
“Other members of this team are starting to score more which shows that more people are getting involved,” Daniels said. “We attacked their goal tonight.”
“We really came out firing tonight, and it gives us confidence for our upcoming CCHA games,” senior defenseman Jason Basile said. Along with scoring seven goals, Ferris tallied up a high of 13 assists.
Going into Saturday’s game, a question of over-confidence lurked in the minds of the Bulldogs.
“Coach talked to us after the first game about getting over-confident against Bemidji,” Basile said.
The Bulldogs didn’t show the over-confidence side of things, but instead allowed BSU to get back into the game after going ahead 3-1 in the first period. The other freshman goalie for Ferris, John DeCaro, started the game and didn’t play up to par.
“It was obvious that DeCaro wasn’t on his game. He was pushing the puck in front of the net for easy rebounds,” Daniels said. “Giving up the two goals that tied the game was the turning point.”
After DeCaro was yanked from the game, Brown was given the net-minding duties but gave up another three goals.
Juniors Nick Field and Chris Kunitz, freshman Mike Kinnie and sophomore Trevor Large scored goals in the 7-5 loss to the Beavers. Large was the only player to score multiple goals over the weekend. Kunitz leads the CCHA in goals with 22 total.
Along with scoring five goals on Saturday, Ferris added another 10 assists to a 41 point weekend against Bemidji.
The Beavers capitalized on power-play opportunities, scoring five times out of seven chances. At one point, FSU had to fight off a five-minute boarding penalty by senior Kristian Schroder. FSU was up for the task, but with only five seconds left on the penalty, the Beavers put one past Brown.
“Our goaltending was not good tonight. We did what we had to do on the penalty
killing part, but we needed stronger play from our goaltenders,” Daniels said. “It would have been a totally different game if they would have come up strong.”
“This loss was really tough to swallow,” Basile said after the game. “We will be ready though, for Northern next weekend.”
After the weekend’s action, FSU dropped to eighth place in the CCHA behind Notre Dame, Northern Michigan and Ohio State.
“We are still in the thick of things,” Daniels said. “If we get Collins and Kunitz back on track, we will push for the playoffs. We also need to keep up our even-strength play.”
 Photo by Mike Termini, Photo Editor
Center Rob Collins (#23) looks to make a pass in action against Bemidji State. Collins is tied for second place in overall points in CCHA play.
Hockey star ranks among elite in CCHA
By Shannon Vesper
Ferris State Torch
Traveling across the Canadian border, playing center and standing at five feet 10 inches, Ferris hockey player Robert Collins shoots for his dreams and for the love of hockey.
“I was never into cartoons, I was always inside watching sports. No matter what sport it was, I was playing it,” Rob Collins said.
Sliding onto the ice at the age of five, Collins, now 23, has always been encouraged by his parents, Mike and Sherry, to do what made him happy. Choosing to play hockey and even a center midfield player on a travel soccer team for 10 years, until the age of 16, Collins was continually an active kid.
“I was lucky. I lived where I could walk to my friend’s house to play games in the street,” Collins said.
Playing in his hometown of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, Collins wasn’t much of an academic student at St. David Catholic Secondary School in Waterloo, Ontario. Hockey and family were always most important.
“My mom is real family oriented. Whenever I went to play for a team, she’d always tell the coach that I couldn’t play in the Christmas tournaments, because on Dec. 26, we generally have a family reunion. That lasted until I was about 11 years old.”
Being the oldest child out of three, Collins leaves at home his two younger brothers, Dan, 22, who attends the University of Burlington, and Brian, 20.
“Dan is what I would say is the stubborn one. He likes to learn things the hard way. Brian is the lazy one, yet he has earned his second-degree black belt in karate. He was even named North American Champion,” Collins said.
Coming from a close family Collins is glad to say, “I’ve never been with a bad group of guys, and that has made us into a tight-knit family.”
Skating fast and hard-hitting games, Collins has received just about every hit he can take, including a broken jaw, collarbone and ankle. All of these injuries have surely paid off. Currently, Collins, who is one of the team’s alternate captains, is ranked at a tie for second place in points in the CCHA and sixth in the country.
Playing two years with the Elmira Sugar Kings, under the coaching of Jeff Snyder, Collins progressed as a strong player. In 48 games he had 112 points. His skills helped him to be recruited by the University of Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Bowling Green State and several other colleges.
Collins has learned to live on his own since choosing Ferris. Each year of being in school, Collins has only been home about two months out of the year.
“I have learned to hang out with the team, especially Jason Basile and Chad McIver. I have become good friends with the coach. We respect one another, and finally see eye to eye. He takes into consideration my opinions.”
Being with the team for practices Monday through Thursday, and games Friday and Saturday, Sundays are his only days off.
“During the summer, I have time to hang out with the guys. We play golf, and of course in the winter we play hockey.”
Besides playing all four years at Ferris, Collins will graduate with a degree in Business Administration this summer.
“Hockey has taught me good discipline, to commit myself and to work in groups.
When you have to wake up for 6 a.m. practice, you learn to have discipline for other things too.”
Planning to work with a franchise, or in the NHL, Collins knows that one day he’d like to have a family and still have hockey be his life.
“I don’t plan things; I take them as they come. I like to take things in and enjoy what I’m doing. I want to do things for the pleasure, not the paycheck. I’ll stop playing when I’m not having fun.”
 Photo from University Photo Services
Sensational sophomore guard Marcus Wallace (#4) has stepped into the scoring role for the Bulldogs, scoring a career-high 40 points against GVSU.
Wallace stepping up for wounded Dawgs
By Jason Nelson
Assistant Sports Editor
To the sports fans’ eyes, sometimes the best thing that can happen to a team is to triumph through adversity. Losing a key player to injury allows other players to step up in their place and improve until their star player returns.
This seems to be the case for the Ferris State Bulldogs as they have found as viable scoring option to compliment outstanding center Adam Anderson. The answer to the Bulldogs’ prayers this season has been super sophomore Marcus Wallace. Wallace, from Muskegon, Mich., has stepped up in his new role as the go-to guy.
“Someone had to step up and score, so I moved into that role,” Wallace said. Wallace can best be described as a Jerry Stackhouse-type player with a strength of making cuts toward the basket. “My strengths are creating my own shots and slashing to the basket, the team has really worked well lately to get me open looks,” Wallace added.
Wallace recently hung up 40 points for the Bulldogs against arch-rival Grand Valley State. However, the Bulldogs were unable to squeak out a conference win, something that is very important to Wallace.
“It was starting to bother me (not having a conference win). Then I talked to coach (Edgar Wilson) and the team, and now I realize that you can’t rebuild a team in a year, and it is going to take a little time before we can win,” Wallace said. “I am happy with the team’s effort. We never give up.”
Despite all of the hardships this season, Wallace credits head coach Edgar Wilson with keeping the team together. “Coach is very good at keeping us motivated. He is a coach on and off of the field. He really keeps us motivated to stay positive,” Wallace said.
Though Wallace seems to have most of his game complete, he is quick to point out that he still needs to work on a few things to finish where he wants to.
“I want to work on my defense, and a pull-up jumper,” Wallace, whose main goal is to get an education and a degree, would someday like to play some sort of professional basketball.
If Marcus Wallace continues at his current pace, the pro’s might not be that far away. As for goals individually to close out the season, Wallace would love to see the Bulldogs get a conference vicory. In fact, he has one date on his calendar circled for the game that he would like to win. That date is Monday, Feb. 11, when the Bulldogs travel to Grand Valley State for the rematch of this week’s loss.
A victory against GVSU would definately make Wallace happy. “I really want to beat those guys, I am pretty close with some of the guys on that team. Plus they are only 20 minutes from my home so beating them would really mean something,,” Wallace said.
Watch out Lakers! “The Wallace Express” will be rolling into Allendale soon, and if it has its way it will leave with a victory.
 Photo by Mike Termini, Assitant Photo Editor
Junior forward Jeff Guernsey (#54) charges towards the basket against Lake Superior State last Saturday.
Bulldogs still searching for first conference win
By Jason Nelson
Ferris State Torch
Fate is not on the Bulldogs’ side this season. Besides losing star center Adam Anderson to injury, the Bulldogs continue to be snake-bitten in conference play. The Bulldogs can’t seem to get that first conference win, despite some solid efforts over the weekend.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs took on Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) rival Lake Superior State in Big Rapids with a chance to get their first conference win of the year, but they came out and started slow as they trailed LSSU 31-25 at the half.
Ferris poured it on offensively as they scored 40 points to finish up the game.
Unfortunately, the Lakers also had a heyday from the field as they complemented the Bulldogs with 40 points of their own to take a 71-65 victory back to Sault Ste. Marie.
Marcus Wallace continued to shine for the Bulldogs scoring 28 points on nine of 23 shooting, including seven of 12 from three point range. For much of the game Wallace was forced to create his own shots and fight through screens, as he was often double teamed.
Also stepping up for the Bulldogs were the Epps brothers. Carlton Epps added 13 points for the struggling Ferris State team, while Corey Epps had 10 points. The loss dropped the Bulldogs to 3-15 overall and 0-10 in GLIAC play.
Before the loss to LSSU, the Bulldogs played host to a struggling Saginaw Valley State team. One would assume that the Bulldogs could possibly pick up the victory they need against an equally struggling opponent. Those aspirations were erased in the first 20 minutes of play as SVSU jumped out to a double-digit halftime lead, ahead by a score of 46-34. SVSU cruised in the second half as they held on to their 12 point advantage.
Each team scored 31 points in the second half, however the Bulldogs never really threatened the final outcome.
Marcus Wallace had another big game for Ferris State, scoring 22 points in 32 minutes of action.
Matt Miller had a very impressive game as well as he recorded 21 points on 8 of 17 shooting from the field. The loss kept the Bulldogs winless in the conference and dropped them to 3-14 overall on the season.
FSU will travel to the Upper Peninsula to take on Michigan Tech in Houghton on Jan. 31 and then move on to Marquette to take on Northern Michigan on Feb. 3, to see if they can pick up their first and/ or second conference victories.
 Photo by Mike Termini, Assitant Photo Editor
Ann Platz (#54) puts up a shot in the paint as teammates Jennifer Brogger (#42) and Michelle Welch (#10) crash the boards against LSSU.
Bulldogs fall to region’s top teams
By Adam Gasper
Ferris State Torch
The Ferris State women’s basketball team nearly squeezed out a sweep of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) rivals Saginaw Valley State University and Lake Superior State University this weekend.
On Thursday, the host Bulldogs came back from a one-point halftime deficit to beat the Cardinals 75-65, but their magic ran out with 41 seconds left in their home game against the Lakers on Saturday.
Lucy DeMartin hit two free throws late in the contest to give the Bulldogs (11-6, 7-3 GLIAC) only their second lead of the game at 63-62, but the lead wouldn’t hold as the Lakers hit a pair of free throws and the Bulldogs missed three field goals in the final seconds, falling 64-63.
The starting five, Stephanie Benear, Jennifer Brogger, Bridget Horwitz, Debbie Killips, and DeMartin carried the team all weekend long, scoring 131 of the team’s 138 total points. Horwitz led the team with 41 points while Killips chipped in with 39 points, including seven three-pointers.
Killips was also named the GLIAC North Division Player of the Week for her performance last week.
Horwitz also led the team in rebounds for both games, picking up a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds versus SVSU. Sarah Duesing came off the bench against the Cardinals to score six points. The team shot more than 40 percent from the field in each contest.
The victory against SVSU (8-9, 2-7 GLIAC) was the third time Ferris has come back from a halftime deficit this year. Killips, Horwitz, and DeMartin scored in double digits. DeMartin picked up eight assists, while Horwitz led all players with five blocks, and Killips had five takeaways.
Lake Superior State (14-2, 9-2 GLIAC), the top ranked team in the Great Lakes Regional poll, led by as many as eight points in the first half but couldn’t pull away and were lucky to escape with their 14th victory of the year. The Bulldogs are currently ranked eighth in the same poll.
The Bulldogs now trail LSSU by a game and a half in the battle for the GLIAC North Division Championship. They’ll get one more chance at the Lakers when they travel to Sault Ste. Marie for a showdown on Feb. 7.
The Lakers’ bench stepped up to score 21 points while the Bulldogs turned the ball over 22 times. Brogger, Horwitz, Killips and DeMartin all scored in double digits. Killips assisted on 10 field goals to give her a double-double while Horwitz again led the team in blocked shots as she picked up all three of the teams blocks.
The Bulldogs will continue their run at a GLIAC Championship and a trip to the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional this week when they travel to Michigan Tech on Thursday and Northern Michigan for a matinee game on Sunday.
G’day mates
By Mike Potter
Sports Editor
Why can’t the networks televise (or in this case, at least show the tape) of international sporting events at a reasonable hour?
In case no one realized, the Australian Open was played the past two weeks, ending very early Sunday morning, right under the noses of many Americans. I know that not as many people care about tennis in the U.S. as they do elsewhere, but with no quality air time, how can the popularity of the sport grow?
I was able to catch some of the action because I am always up at odd hours, as are most other students. The live feeds were shown anywhere from 9 p.m. to nearly 2 a.m. on one of the ESPN networks, meaning that infomercials were competing with the matches, and probably winning.
Adding to my resentment was the fact that I already knew who won the replayed matches due to updates on Sportscenter and by checking the scores on the websites because I am just that impatient.
Viewership isn’t aided by the fact that the most popular and famous athletes got ousted in rounds when they should be able to win while blindfolded, or if the top seeds don’t show at all.
The aging Pete Sampras, nearly as old as Andre Agassi who was out with an injured wrist, lost another match much earlier than he is used to, which has been happening too much lately. Sampras has caught the bug that Agassi had when he started to tumble down the rankings a few years back: the acting bug. Or, in other words, his marriage to actress Bridgette Wilson of Billy Madison fame.
If you don’t remember, right when Agassi married actress Brooke Shields in the early 1990s, his tennis game suffered greatly. The same thing has happened to Sampras over the past 18 months. This should serve as a warning to all tennis players not to marry actors while still playing!
Even an Aussie like number-one seeded Lleyton Hewitt, on his home turf, couldn’t advance past the first round. There is something rotten in the state of ...er, on the continent of Australia.
Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten, the men’s two seed, was another huge disappointment as he lost in the style of Hewitt and bowed out in the first round to some unknown competitor.
The women’s draw played out pretty much as expected, excluding the loss by Venus Williams and the lack of appearance by her sister Serena, along with Lindsay Davenport, who was another player out with an injury at the beginning of the season.
In a rematch of last year’s Australian Open women’s championship, Martina Hingis and Jennifer Capriati battled for the crown, resulting in Capriati’s second straight title and one of the few expected later round matches, pitting the first seed against the third seed.
The men’s final, on the other hand, couldn’t even have been predicted by Miss Cleo. Thomas Johansson defeated Marat Safin in a tightly played four sets, with an exciting tie-breaker in the final that ended at about 1:15 a.m. EDT.
Both final rounds were very exciting, but really, how many people actually got to see them?
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Time’s a wasting
By Brian VansteenKiste
Opinions Editor
Some readers may not be too happy when they read and internalize this article, but at least the subject matter isn’t as “crappy” as the last two.
For a lot of people, it’s easy to live for the moment. There’s no set law as to how you live your life, and many people are completely happy living for today.
I’m not really one of them. I try not to focus too much on the past, but I definitely keep future plans, obligations and events at the forefront of my mind when going about my daily business. I think it’s crazy not to.
They say the only constant in life is change. If that’s true, I want to try to anticipate what’s going to happen and be prepared for whatever life’s going to throw at me. Every year I keep saying, “last year was the quickest year of my life,” and I don’t think I’ve ever lied to myself with this statement.
Time keeps speeding up and every day that passes makes the next come and go that much quicker. If you don’t believe me, ask anyone graduating in May, who doesn’t know where they’re working yet, how time flies.
Which brings me to the subject of this ramble: a lot of students take the time they have here for granted by assuming it’s never going to end. They may know a conclusion to their college education is lurking somewhere in the future, but they don’t think about it. The most detrimental symptom of this condition is student’s lack of planning.
For the younger students, this harmful lack of planning may manifest itself through a loss of scholarships. Everyone procrastinates to some extent, but when it’s to the tune of $1,000 or more, poor college students are misspending their time. The early bird gets the worm, and blah, blah, blah, but applications received early do get precedence. Believe it.
I’ve been there, so I can empathize how much it sucks to sit down this time of year and fill out lengthy applications for scholarships, but weigh the value of your time. If you spend (a generous) ten hours filling out five applications and get one scholarship for $1,000, you’ve made $100 per hour. Not too shabby for a town paying most students minimum wage.
For the medium scholastically aged student, poor foresight and apathy towards action can result in a less-than-desirable summer work position or a bottom-of-the-barrel internship. By applying and starting your search late, you start the race in a losing position. For internships, this can be especially devastating because you could be losing out on a valuable knowledge opportunity.
If you start asking for a summer position now, or even in the fall, you let employers know that you’ll be available. Even if a position doesn’t currently exist, they’ll keep you in the back of their mind and you’re better situated if a position becomes available.
The worst thing that bad time decisions can lead to is a poor start to your future. Getting a job after school shouldn’t be too difficult for most college graduates. Getting a good job and one that you’re happy in is an entirely different story.
If you have a family friend who’s an executive in your field or if you know someone who can put in a good word for you, cool. Most of us don’t have that luxury. For those who have to fight for jobs, the earlier you start, the more time you have to make a thorough reconnaissance and plan your attack.
Soon-to-be graduates have probably been here four or five years. That’s a substantial investment and no one should trivialize their efforts by stalling at the finish line. So what if you’ve gotten a job offer? You should have multiple offers to choose from, and you should dictate your future direction, not the solitary employer you applied to at the last minute.
Forget about the average salary past graduates earned after leaving Ferris. You’re worth whatever you think you are, and if you look long and hard enough, you should be able to convince someone else (who can afford it) you’re worth that much. By doing yourself the disservice of waiting until the last minute you’re telling the world, and most importantly yourself, you’re only worth what someone is offering/telling you you are.
Good luck!
Looking ahead
By Mike Domerese
Ferris State Torch
Well, here we are, roughly a full month into 2002. What a year to remember! It was one that most will likely never forget. New Years Eve is always a time to laugh, party, be stupid, have a few frothy ones and celebrate what was and what is to come.
Often people make these hilarious decisions and/or predictions known as New Yar’s “resolutions.” These ideas often seem to made on that crazy evening described above. Most of the time people just blurt out the first thing that comes to their mind or something they want to do. How many of you have made such things? Probably most of you. If you didn’t make any (this year), I’m sure you at least thought about them.
I find it amusing that under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or some other controlled substance, people all of sudden become overnight philosophers. People, for whatever reason, feel that all of sudden they have to make great and drastic (not always) changes in their life before that big shiny red ball in New York touches the Earth.
The amazing thing is that some people actually stick to their guns and follow through on their so-called resolutions. Most people usually hang on to their pipe dreams for a month or so, and after that, most let them fall by the wayside. Whether these overnight flash-in-the-pan philosophers lost their special touch or were no longer in a substance-induced state remains an ever-prolific question.
No one really knows where the great idea of making these so- called resolutions came from or when it all started. I myself do not believe in making such resolutions because I’m happy and content with myself and where I am at this juncture of my life.
I have decided to go out on a limb and not make resolutions, but merely predictions for the upcoming year. Now remember these are not the views, thoughts or whatever of the Torch, these are just my own predictions. Take them for what they are worth.
~ The Red Wings, much to the chagrin of my fearless editor -in-chief, will win Lord Stanley’s Cup.
~ Mike Illitch will finally get out of baseball and sell the fabled Detroit Tigers, who have become the laughingstock of Major League Baseball.
~ MLB will officially eliminate two teams, which will start a domino effect brought on by outrageous salaries.
~ The NBA will continue to lose fans due to outrageous ticket prices. ~ The BCS system will once again be modified for the third year in a row because they weren’t happy with the out-come …. again.
~ The Big Ten in college football will become the dominant conference. Was there ever any doubt?
~ Ferris will have a great season in football.
~ This school will somehow cram another 1000 students on campus.
~ The Ferris hockey team will advance to the CCHA finals at the Joe, as a sleeper team.
~ Led by Michigan standout Tom Brady, the Patriots will win the Super Bowl.
~ The Torch will continue to make students think and probably piss a few off.
~ The instructors will get a good contract at Ferris.
~ Osama Bin-Laden will stay in hiding and continue to evade the US.
~ Michael Jackson will finally go away after a failed attempt at a comeback.
~ The toilet paper filler man from Budweiser’s genius of the world commercial will finally get the recognition he deserves.
~ The Lions will post a winning record and finally be rid of Charlie Batch.
Now do with this list what you will, and don’t forget that these are only my thoughts/ideas.
This will be a great year regardless of whatever happens. I’m sure this won’t spark any controversy or complaints; I think I will survive. Enjoy your year, and remember to cram as much fun into a day as possible because life is too short!
College vs. the real world
By Heather Johnson
Ferris State Torch
The food here sucks. Nobody wants to get up for an 8 a.m. class, much less a Friday class. Professors give too much homework. Everybody hates their roommate and living in those dumpy dorms. Jobs on campus don’t pay enough to be able to buy the latest skintight Abercrombie crop top and go to the bar on Thursday and Friday. Professors just don’t understand that a killer hangover is a perfectly good excuse for missing an exam that is 40 percent of a grade.
Recently I’ve noticed that students at Ferris State University have no end to the amount of items available to complain about. I have to say this: We just don’t know how good we have it.
The typical college schedule consists of three to six classes per week. Add in a few hours per day for a part time job, a couple hours for studying, and there is still time left over for naps and beer-drinking.
Consider the alternative. Tomorrow, Mommy and Daddy call while you are sitting in your nice warm dorm room, trying to write a paper on your new computer (graduation present) with your stereo (summer job money) blaring the latest CD (generous check from Grandma).
Instead of sending you money next week, you are going to have to drop out of college, they say, because they can’t afford it any longer. Say goodbye to the car, which needs to be sold to pay off a debt. You are now on your own.
What are you going to do? First order of business would be to find a job, and a way to get to that job. Oh, but wait. You are not a college graduate, so the only options available are the lowest-paying retail and factory jobs. And since the $500.00 faux-wood-sided station wagon needs some work, two jobs are needed to keep up on the maintenance. And where are you going to live?
After finding a small apartment (if you squint, you can’t even see the brown stain on the carpet. Earplugs help keep out the sounds of your neighbor’s television) you finally feel as if you may be getting it back together.
Eventually, you may one day have the time and money to go out for a beer (remember those?) after work with your new colleagues. You are beginning to empathize with people who have an uncontrollable passion for using the word “ain’t.”
Unfortunately, you find out, your new boss is not as forgiving as your former professors regarding tardiness.
Spring break is rolling around, and this year instead of a trip, you get to work extra hours that week to make up for the local community college students who are driving their parents’ vans to Florida. Campbell’s Soup and Ramen Noodles often made a welcome alternative to walking to the dining halls, but as a regular diet are beginning to take a toll on your waistline. And, as much as you need them, new jeans from K-mart just aren’t in the budget this month.
I realize that this scenario is largely unrealistic, thanks mostly to new government aid programs that pretty much insure that any person with the desire to attend college can. However, it has only been within the last 10 years that this assistance has become available, and only after frustrated students lobbied the government for educational reform.
According to a study done in 1999 by the AFL-CIO, only one-fourth of workers in America have a college education. That means that of the entire population, we are going to be in the top 25 percent after graduation.
We are pretty much assured that it will not be necessary to work flipping burgers at McDonalds or on the assembly line in a factory. And if we do decide to work those jobs, we will not have to start on the lowest end of the pay scale.
The point that I am trying to make is that we are the lucky ones. We have food to eat, a little money in our pockets, lots of friends and a bright future. We have opportunities that too many people will never have, and still we are malcontent.
I am not idealistic enough to believe that this column will change anyone’s mind about classes on Fridays or the tuna casserole at the Rock. I just hope that it will at least serve to remind myself and hopefully others that it is really not that bad. So quit complaining.
Who cares if they are whispering their next move?
By Karen Langolf
Ferris State Torch
When it comes down to my father watching the Super Bowl in the basement with the big screen television or my little 13-inch television in my room, I will take the World Wrestling Federation any day over football.
Why would someone like me, a person who has an opinion about people being loud and obnoxious during a fine arts concert, want to watch something so barbaric, disgusting and absolutely fake as pro wrestling?
Here is the bottom line: I may be somewhat sophisticated, but I like to watch a good fight between people if the choreography is good enough. Fencing, dancing, a good stage fight and other movie scenes: no one cares to remark about how fake those can look, yet the WWF seems to get a lot of bad treatment these days.
True violence can make me sick to my stomach. That’s why I am not in criminal justice or any other field that deals with beaten and dead bodies. Yet the idea that people can compete physically and not get seriously hurt all the time does make me turn my head towards the television a few times a week.
Besides, it is not just the violence that turns people on to pro-wrestling. Where else on television can the audience, a crowd of over 30,000 people, shout “What?” to a character to make him mad?
Where else will the commentators get into fights just as easily as the actual characters? Have you ever seen referees get hit with chairs and women are put through tables for the sick pleasure of the audience?
We, the fans of WWF, are everywhere. No matter where I go I manage to find at least one person who is the absolute fan and then another person who despises the entire corporation for what it does. I ask them about why they hate it so much and the answer is usually the same.
“The acting is fake,” or, “Women are naked on that show.”
Of course there are scantily clad women and men wearing tight pants; that has been going on for generations now in this business.
But this corporation is not just about sex appeal. It’s also about men and women competing against one another for titles and the respect of those around them, whether it be the audience or their fellow performers.
An odd fact about the wrestling business is that the exact same move may have three different names, each one adopted by the different individuals who use them.
Here is one example: Matt & Jeff Hardy use a move called the Twist of Fate, which is just a little different variation of a neck-breaker. The person who used this move most before them was another performer-turned-coach called Michael Hayes who called it the JLT, or Just Like That.
There are a vast array of character personas in this show, some who are truly amazing and others who could scare the living daylights out of people. For instance, the Big Show stands seven feet tall and weighs 500 pounds. The Undertaker was once called the Lord of Darkness or the Phenom.
If either of these guys were chasing after me in a dark alley, I’d be a little nervous. Imagine how strong these guys could be! This is one extreme of the wrestling business.
The other extreme is Spike Dudlley who stands five feet nine inches tall and weighs maybe 150 pounds. Put Big Show and Spike into a singles match competition and most people would bet that the Big Show would win. That is something that can happen almost all the time in wrestling, but it makes the shows more interesting to see if little Spike can actually beat him.
The World Wrestling Federation is all about making the audience happy with their performances but also to make some serious money. It is a business just like Meijer and J.C. Penny are.
It is hard to imagine that, with a following like the WWF has, it would not be a good business. On their website, www.wwf.com, they have a store where merchandise can be ordered or auctions are held with items from the various characters.
This website also has character biographies, detailed descriptions of the last showings (which are never replayed twice), photos taken from various showings, calendar events, numerous contests, the scoops on the magazines they represent and even interactive chats and trivia.
Why should this type of show have such a following? Well, the shows are all scripted to follow some type of format. Whether they also script who is the winner of the events, I personally do not want to know because it would defeat the purpose of watching the matches if these scripts ever got released.
Each week the scripts change slightly, with different characters playing good guys and others being the bad guys, or the whiners, as some people consider them. The hero one month might be the biggest chump the wrestling business has ever seen three months later.
Basically, I think of wrestling as a macho soap opera because there is drama, action, romance, betrayal … all the good stuff a woman would find in the basic Dynasty or General Hospital, but with a more physical twist to it. Instead of conversations, the characters fight to determine who is the better person.
Believe it or not, there is a pretty good following for the WWF here at Ferris State. There used to be a RSO that would watch the matches every week, but I heard that they had stopped meeting last semester due to time changes. That doesn’t seem to stop the students who still watch the Monday night RAW is WAR, Saturday late night Smack Down or Sunday Night Heat.
If another person wanted to start this organization I would be more than happy to help publicize it and I would also be willing to join. Gather all ye who like the WWF, support your television viewing.
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