Homecoming not over yet
Bonfire, comedian, parade, and dance still to come.

By Jessica Wortley
Ferris State Torch

On your mark, get set, SHOP!
Students prepare to race through Carter's
Supermarkets to compete for gift certificates.
Photo By: Dan Gellasch
Photo Editor

Ferris State's Homecoming week is already half over, but the entire Ferris community is excited about all the events yet to come.

Under the theme game shows and the slogan "Come on Down, You're the Next Contestant at Ferris Homecoming 2002," students have already competed in a lip sync contest, kickball tournament and Supermarket Sweep. Look for the results of these events in next week's Torch.

As for the rest of the week, the Homecoming committee has filled each night with even more exciting events including a bonfire, comedian and dance.

In addition to the evening activities, King and Queen voting is taking place today and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students in Allied Health, Optometry and Pharmacy vote in the Allied Health Building; Arts and Sciences, Education, and University College students vote in Arts and Sciences Commons; Business students vote in the Business building; and Technology students vote in the Elastomer Center.

The Pep Games will be played tonight at 6:30 p.m. on Top Taggart Field. Fifteen student teams will be competing against each other and the clock in a series of eight obstacles, all tailored around various game shows.

According to Pep Games chair Lisa Zelt, the committee has put a twist on things this year to make the games as entertaining as possible. She said that all students should come watch and support their favorite team.

Thursday night will be the Bonfire in Lot 28, off Perry Street. Students are encouraged to walk but limited parking is available. A DJ from WFSU will be starting around 8 p.m. with the official program beginning at 9 p.m.

At this time will be introductions of the student athletic teams, the King and Queen Candidates and the official lighting of the bonfire. Following the program the band "Five Year Echo" will perform.

Sigma Pi is putting the actual bonfire together, and the Music Industry Management Association is helping with the band.

"We've worked very hard to make this year's bonfire entertaining," Bonfire chair Emilie Matteson said. "It should be much more fun for students."

Jim Breuer will be in Williams Auditorium Friday night at 8 p.m. Breuer has been seen in the movie "Half Baked" and as Goatboy on "Saturday Night Live." The show is open to everyone, but viewer discretion is advised.

"Jim Breuer brings a whole new element to comedy," Concert chair Jaymie Lutomski said. "We're excited to bring a fresh new face to Ferris."

Tickets are still on sale and may be purchased at the Timme Center for Student Services and Williams Auditorium.

Students can buy one ticket for $5 with their student I.D. All other tickets are $20, are also available online at www.ferris.edu/arts. Alumni can purchase tickets for $15 by contacting Alumni Relations at 591-2345.

Saturday is filled with events, beginning with the Parade at noon in downtown Big Rapids. Line-up is at 11 a.m. at the Big Rapids Middle School, although competitive floats need to be there at 10 a.m. to be judged.

Those wishing to enter the parade may still do so until noon on Friday. Call 591-2606 to register.

According to Parade chair Walter Kacynski, 80 entries are expected this year, including nine competitive floats. "There are many more float entries from RSO's than last year," he said.

The top three competitive floats will be driven to Top Taggart and displayed near the student stands.

"I encourage everyone to come out to the city streets and participate, cheer and show your school spirit," said Kacynski.

Following the parade will be the football game against the Michigan Tech Huskies at 2 p.m.

The announcement and coronation of this year's King and Queen will take place during halftime. The parade winners and the winning team of overall competitive events will also be announced then.

From 8 p.m. to midnight is the Dance and Alumni Reception at the Holiday Inn. According to Dance chair Amy McElmurray, anything and everything is acceptable for dress.

She mentioned that some will come formal and some will come in "game show" attire.

Each room will be decorated in game show fashion: "Let's Make a Deal," "The Dating Game," "Name that Tune" and "Price is Right."

"For the first time the dance will be interactive," said McElmurray. "Each room will feature a different feel and a different chance to win prizes."

At 10 p.m. in the hotel lobby will be a ceremony announcing the new King and Queen, the individual competitive event winners and the homecoming committee.

A free shuttle will be transporting members of the FSU community to the Holiday Inn. Pick-up locations are the Rankin Circle, Lot 39 and Bond Circle. A Dial-A-Ride bus will complete the loop about every 20 minutes. There is also limited parking at the event.

McElmurray wants everyone to know that the dance is completely free.

"Free music, free food, free fun," McElmurray said. "You don't want to miss it."

United Way chair Eva Cook reminds students to support the United Way student campaign by donating money at each of the Homecoming Events. The student goal is to raise $3,000 this year, and all proceeds stay in Mecosta County.

Beverages will be sold at the pep games, hot chocolate at the bonfire and nametags at every event. Also at every event will be a sign-up sheet where students can register for a chance to be president of the university for a day.

Double stabbing at West Campus Apartments
Two females remain in critical condition.

By Abby Bearman
News Editor

Seemingly peacful drive
The West Campus Apartments at Ferris was the site of a recent
stabbing crime involving two females, one of whom is a Ferris student.
Photo By: Dan Gellasch
Photo Editor

Ferris State University Department of Public Safety officers responded to an emergency call at 5 a.m. on Monday Oct. 7. At the West Campus apartment, they found two females who had apparently been stabbed.

According to a news release provided by DPS, the alleged attacker has been identified as Ryan Armond Freeman, a 24-year old African American male. He has previous addresses listed in Grand Rapids and North Carolina, and is believed to be driving a green 1996 4-door Chevrolet Lumina with a Michigan license plate.

Also, the news release stated that the suspect is described as being 6'4" tall, 225 pounds, and was reported to have been wearing a white tee shirt and blue sweatpants. The suspect is believed to have left the Big Rapids area and statewide alerts have been issued for his arrest.

According to the release, two warrants have been authorized by the Mecosta County Prosecutor's office for Freeman's arrest for assault with the intent to murder.

In FSU's release, the two victims were identified as being acquaintances of Freeman's and are listed as being in critical but stable condition at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.

One of the females is a student at Ferris State University who lives in the apartment; the other female was visiting her.

According to the release, the attack was supposedly the result of a domestic argument and is currently under investigation by Ferris DPS.

The Grand Rapids Police Department and Kent County Sheriff's Department are assisting in the investigation.

Additional aid is being provided by the North Carolina Central University Department of Public Safety, as Freeman is currently enrolled there.

For more information concerning the case, contact Ferris DPS at 591-5000.

Upcoming chance to get a job
Ferris Job Fair on for 33rd year.

By Abby Bearman
News Editor

Fall means that the Ferris Job Fair is not too far behind. For the past 33 years, Ferris State's Career Services department has sought to provide students with the greatest opportunities for finding a job or internship possible.

This year's fair will be the second to be held at Wink Arena, in the Ewigleben Sports Complex, and approximately 1,200 students are expected to attend.

Over 120 businesses will be represented, ranging from Allstate Insurance Company, American Honda Motor Company and Covenant Health Care to Port Huron Hospital, Consumers Energy and the City of Muskegon. A complete listing of businesses and positions available can be attained from the career services website at www.ferris.edu/careerservices under 'job fairs.'

According to Barbara Renne, coordinator for the job fair, the event has grown every year, attracting more businesses and opportunities for students.

Last year was a 'down' year for the fair; "It really took a nosedive last year, but it's on the rise again," Renne said.

She attributed this to the events of Sept. 11.

"The three weeks following Sept. 11, the economy was really unpredictable and people were very limited in their ability to travel," Renne Said.

The fair was previously held at the Holiday Inn, but was relocated to Wink Arena for the winter semester of last year. The move was necessary due to the growth the event has experienced over the years.

Additionally, on account of the increase in space, the event was able to be cut down to only a single day, as opposed to its previous two-day structure.

Renne expects this semester's fair to be even more successful than in the past.

She had this advice for students planning on attending.

"You can't ever redo a first impression, so come dressed appropriately," Renne said.

"Even if you are not currently looking for a job, students should come to get information about internships and summer jobs, talk to people in their chosen field of study and ask questions of those who are working in their major," Renne continued.

The job fair will be in Wink Arena from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and shuttle buses will run every 5 to 10 minutes from the Rankin Center, Arts and Sciences Commons, IRC, the Automotive Center and the Pharmacy building.

The shuttle service will start at 12:45 p.m. and signs will be posted at the designated stops. Students need to bring their Bulldog ID card and are encouraged to bring several copies of their resume.

The search for a dean
The process of selecting a dean is challenging.

By Adam Wiese
Ferris State Torch

The process of selecting and hiring a new Dean at Ferris State University is a long and tenuous endeavor on the part of many people.

This process is being implemented right now as the Academic Affairs office is searching for a new dean to replace Dr. Sue Hammersmith, former Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The process of hiring a dean begins with the creation of a search committee composed of an employee from the Office of Academic Affairs, a dean from another Ferris college, and various representatives of faculty and staff in the college requesting a new dean.

"The search committee will then design an advertisement to be published in the 'Chronicle for Higher Education,' a popular, well-known newspaper circulated throughout many university administration offices," Mindy Britton, executive secretary for the vice president of Academic Affairs, said.

"Upon approval of the Offices of Affirmative Action and Human Resources, the ad is then submitted to the Chronicle and we begin to accept applications for the dean's position.

"Another common method of recruiting candidates is having the faculty of the college that needs a dean call up people they think would fit well as the dean of their particular college," Britton said.

On the average, Britton stated that the Academic Affairs office receives about 30 to 40 applications for a dean's position, but "this varies depending on what specific college needs a dean."

Once they believe they have received enough applications, the search committee will turn over these applications to the Affirmative Action office to be reviewed for authenticity of information.

The search committee will then perform phone interviews with all of the applicants, decreasing the number of applicants to just three to five candidates.

Upon the completion of phone interviews, the handful of candidates left are invited to come to Ferris' campus to meet with the faculty and staff of the college, requesting a new dean and meet other various Ferris faculty, staff and students.

"After further elimination of candidates, the search committee votes on one or two specific candidates, then sends Ferris faculty to the college that the candidate currently works for and observes the candidate's work ethic at his or her current job," Britton said.

Following completion of this process, the search committee meets once again and formally suggests the ideal candidate to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Finally, the current Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Barbara Chapman, makes the final decision as to who receives the job as new dean.

"The hiring process uses a very strict procedure as outlined by the Ferris State University guidelines," Britton said. "The overall time for this process to take place can easily be six months, if not longer."

Rally to end violence
Take Back the Night committee is looking forward to another successful march in Big Rapids.

By Amy McElmurray
Assistant News Editor

Protesting against violence that people endure on a daily basis is why Take Back the Night exists. It is a nonviolent march and rally that will take place next Wednesday, Oct. 16, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

"The idea of Take Back the Night started when a rape happened on a campus at a university," spokesperson Brandie Shelton said.

Take Back the Night is a national event, and in its 14th year in Big Rapids.

Supporters will meet in the parking lot to Williams Auditorium, and then proceed to the Campus Quad for cider and donuts. Rallying will begin around 6 p.m. as the group prepares to march north on State Street, through Big Rapids and down Michigan Avenue to the Big Rapids Middle School.

The Take Back the Night committee is planning to honor those who have lost their lives in the last year during a candlelit memorial service in Cardinal Hall at the middle school.

The evening will also feature musical entertainment by Harmony Az One, Jerilyn Scheid and Dawn Paris.

Awards will be given to a law enforcement officer, a human service professional and a volunteer for outstanding support and advocacy to survivors of domestic and sexual assault.

At the middle school, participants will be able to purchase T-shirts that were designed by a local art student, as well as contribute to the Jane Doe Sexual Assault Survivors Quilt and the Clothesline Project.

The quilt consists of squares made by community members to represent who they are. The Canadian Lakes Quilters Guild puts the squares together into a quilt at the end of each year. The first quilt was made in 1999, and hung in the Sexual Assault office at Women's Information Services, Inc. (WISE).

Shelton said that typically 100-150 people participate in the annual event.

"Marchers hold signs sending a message to the community," Shelton said. "They will also wear arm bands to represent who they are. Red means a survivor and purple means a supporter."

According to Shelton, when Take Back the Night first began, the term 'night' referred to acts of violence occurring mostly during the night. Although this isn't the case as often now, it is still significant.

"People were recognizing that a lot of women were being held captive in their homes due to domestic violence," Shelton said. "This is why the term 'take back' is used. The march and rally aim towards taking back control and ending what never should have begun."

A press release stated that 55 percent of marriages and relationships have some form of violence in them, that one in three females will be the victim of sexual assault in their lifetime and that one in three males will be the victim of sexual assault by age 16.

The Take Back the Night committee is a collaborative group from TV 9 & 10, FSU Counseling Center, FSU National Organization for Women, radio station WYBR, Mid-Michigan Community Action Agency, FSU Educational Counseling Center and WISE.

Any questions regarding the Take Back the Night march and rally can be directed to Shelton at 796-6692.

Speaker presents goals of eliminating hate
Judy Shepard speaks about tolerance of other people.

By Adam Weise
Ferris State Torch

Judy Shepard
Judy Shepard spoke to Ferris State about hate crimes.
Photo By: Dan Gellasch
Photo Editor

Last week's Speaker Series guest was Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, a young man who was violently murdered in October of 1998 solely because he was gay.

Shepard was determined to not let this unnecessary killing happen to other minorites, so she set out on a mission to change people's opinions of the gay and lesbian community.

"When I started my quest, I wanted to change people's opinions in Fort Collins, my original hometown in Wyoming," Shepard said. "The overall racial status around Wyoming is that pretty much all of the population is white. It was hard to teach those people about diversity when there wasn't any to begin with."

The first point that Shepard presented in her speech was that hate is a learned thought process.

"When people are born, they don't know hate," Shepard said. "People only know the concept of hating other people by learning it from those who they grow up with through life.

"If hate can be learned, it can also be unlearned," Shepard said. "Hate can be unlearned when you simply stop intentionally looking for differences to criticize, and, instead, learn to respect those differences."

Shepard also pointed out that we, as Americans, should be educated voters.

"You need to be an educated and responsible voter," Shepard said. "You have to find an issue that you are concerned about and become involved with supporting your view of it. Voting on legislation in your community shows that you care about your community, and your community may then begin caring for you."

"One of Matt's favorite sayings when he heard people complain about the government was 'You can't [complain] if you can vote,'" Shepard said. "That was true because when you become involved with your community through voting, you can persuade your community to do things the way you want."

In summing up her opinions, Shepard restated her goals and hoped that all who attended her presentation would be affected in some manner.

As for Shepard implementing her beliefs herself, she has helped to push a new hate crime bill into law and has toured around the United States presenting her opinions to many people.

"The way by which you go about preventing hate is all about education and showing people a different point of view," Shepard told the audience.

Mental health a big deal for college students
Counseling Center offers free depression screenings for campus.

By Amy McElmurray
Assistant News Editor

If you are feeling sad, hopeless, irritable, reckless, weepy or frantic for more than two weeks, you may need to seek help to overcome a serious condition known as depression.

"It's the number one reason that brings students into our center," university counselor Tom Liszewski said. "I'm not sure why that is, but it's not unusual that it is the number one presenting problem. Being away from home in a new environment creates some stress that exacerbates the symptoms."

In conjunction with National Depression Screening Day (NDSD), the FSU Counseling Center is offering free depression and manic depression screenings from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10 in the Rankin Center Atrium (near Westview Dining).

Those who choose to participate will be given an anonymous questionnaire to complete that identifies characteristics of depression and manic depression.

A short educational presentation will be offered, as well as the chance to talk with a professional about symptoms they are dealing with every day. Referrals to the counseling center will be offered to those wanting to seek help.

Online screening is also an option this year. Visit www.mentalhealthscreening.or/screening/login.asp and type in the keyword "bulldog".

"The idea of the online screening is that students can do it in a more private, confidential manner," Liszewski said.

According to NDSD data, over 80 percent of those who test positive are not receiving professional help at the time of the screening, and nearly 65 percent follow through with counseling once the symptoms are recognized.

"I feel very hopeful that there is a very good recovery rate from students who seek professional services," Liszewski said. There is no charge for services at the counseling center for full or part-time students.

For more information, or a private session, call 591-5968.

Local restaurant robbed
A young woman is the primary suspect for a crime at Papa John's.

By Abby Bearman
News Editor

A 20-year old Osceola woman was arrested on a charge of armed robbery Wednesday, Oct. 2.

The Ferris State University Department of Public Safety assisted the Big Rapids DPS in the apprehension of the suspect.

According to a Big Rapids DPS press release, the robbery took place at Papa John's Pizza on Maple Street in Big Rapids at approximately 12:20 a.m.

Witnesses reported that a female entered the business and demanded to be given money from the register.

She allegedly carried with her a bag that was believed to contain a weapon. The suspect received an undisclosed amount of cash from the employees.

The suspect then proceeded to leave the restaurant and get into a vehicle where two other individuals were waiting.

They fled southbound from the scene.

A Ferris police officer spotted the vehicle a short time later near Chestnut and Ives Streets and a pursuit followed before the suspects abandoned their vehicle.

Soon after, student campus foot patrol officers spotted the suspect attempting to enter Masselink Hall and reported their observations via radio.

A large amount of cash reported to have been taken from Papa John's was recovered from the suspect.

The alleged suspect, Sara Springer, was being held at the Mecosta County Jail as of Oct. 2. There she was waiting on an issuance of a warrant from the Mecosta County prosecutor as well as arraignment in the 77th District Court.

Big Rapids Director of Public Safety Kevin Courtney said that police officers believe they know who the other two individuals involved are.

Courtney said, in a Big Rapids DPS press release "We are working on very solid information and hope to have additional arrests in the immediate future."

Courtney continued by acknowledging the assistance provided by the Michigan State Police stationed in Reed City, the tracking dog and handler from the Michigan State Police at Mt. Pleasant, the Mecosta County Sheriff's Department and especially the FSU student foot patrol and campus police force.

Sarah Boynton is playing Agatha in FSU's production of "Guys and Dolls."

By Mary Gurnee
Ferris State Torch

Theater smile
Sarah Boynton has always been a shy person, except when she is in
the theater realm.
Photo By: Dan Gellasch
Photo Editor

Sarah Boynton, a senior in music industry management from Big Rapids, has opened a world of opportunity by choosing to be a part of the theater production at Ferris State University.

In this year's musical, "Guys and Dolls," Boynton has three roles. She first plays a supporting role as "Agatha," a prim and proper woman in the Mission Band.

Later, Boynton plays a character who is the exact opposite of Agatha: a Cuban dancer who is a sexy seductress.

Boynton's third character is on the other end of a different spectrum: a craps shooter. This is a male role and requires Boynton to be a macho man.

"In auditions I wanted the part of 'Adelaide' because it seemed like a fun part," Boynton said.

Nicole Foco was chosen for the part of "Adelaide." However, Boynton loves the parts she was given.

Boynton didn't always love the theater. In high school, she was undecided. Her group of friends did not include theater people.

When Boynton decided to go to college, she chose FSU because it is in her hometown. Just like high school, Boynton was undecided at first. Now after being in the music industry management program, Boynton is enjoying the music field and is also enjoying her minor in Spanish.

"Now I just love music industry management," Boynton said.

At college, Boynton's friends consisted of people who participated in theater. They showed her that theater could be great fun, as well as a good learning experience.

"Theater would be great for business students," Boynton said. "It teaches a person how to improvise and be confident."

According to Boynton, if people can allow themselves to step out of their box and into a character, then they will be great for the theater.

"I am a shy person, so theater is my refuge," she said.

Boynton likes to play a character who isn't similar to her.

"It's an escape from my everyday life," Boynton said. "It's a chance to be somebody else without worrying about being stupid."

Boynton's first role was in Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest." She has had a total of five roles on stage and two roles off stage in sound, but her favorite role was Hunyack in "Chicago," a seductive Hungarian woman who killed her husband with an axe.

"It was a fun character because I had to learn actual Hungarian lines," she said.

Boynton encourages freshmen to try out for the theater. Not only does it allow a person to get involved and meet many people, it is a good creative outlet.

Boynton also encourages upperclassmen. "It looks great on a resume," she said. "It gets a person comfortable around people and prepares them for their careers and interviews."

After graduation from FSU, Boynton plans to take some time off and travel to see the world, particularly England. She hopes to study history at Oxford.

After seeing the world, she plans to start her career with a music recording company in promotions to pay for the traveling.

Boynton has looked into possibly starting a movie career; however, she wouldn't actively pursue it.

"I don't want to be one of those people who are stuck in New York for ten years being a waitress," she said. "You have to have a lot of passion to do it."

Being a part of the theater at FSU, Boynton has gained many skills, as well as many friends.

Boynton's story is an example of how theater can open many doors of opportunity for a person.

Look in next week's issue for a feature on Kurt Zettel.

It will shed light on some of the people behind the scenes who make "Guys and Dolls" come alive.

Miller Hall rock
Clearly Blind shows FSU how to rock, poser punk-style.

By James Lear
Ferris State Torch

Clearly Blind
Clearly Blind guitarist Joey Domboss jams along
with bassist Toper Banks
Photo By: Dan Gellasch
Photo Editor

Clearly Blind hails from Grand Rapids and has been playing together for a little over six months, but it has already been established as an authority in new age punk.

The band has been playing regularly at Skelletones in Grand Rapids and has a growing following.

New age punk also goes by pop punk, emo punk, poser punk and is mostly characterized by catchy and energetic music, upbeat and catchy lyrics and off-the-wall stage presence.

The most well-known of the new age punk bands is Blink 182, but Clearly Blind is forging its own path in this new age of music.

On Oct. 3, Clearly Blind made its Ferris debut, playing an intimate show in the lobby of Miller Hall. The trio played a full 13-song set and had a turn out of over 50 people.

The band blended a pop punk sound and energetic stage presence with a religious message that was felt in the songs, but was not oppressive.

"Yeah, when we play shows it's not all religious, and it's not all secular. It's usually a good mix," drummer Brent French said. "We try to relate to everyone."

The band was formed when French and guitar player and vocalist Joey Dornboss began writing songs in Dornboss' parents' basement. Bass player Topher Burks joined the band soon after and completed the trio.

"Actually, they (Dornboss and French) came up to me in Wendy's and asked if I wanted to play in a band with them," Burks said when asked how he came into the band. "Yeah, they didn't even know me. They just came up to me and asked if I wanted to play with them. How weird was that?"

The band sets itself apart from most new age punk bands with down-to-earth lyrics and real-life meaning.

"Start Again" is a perfect example of the band's connection with a heartfelt message based on real events.

"A lot of people have to deal with depression, and the song is about my friend Mindy, who sunk deep into depression, began to cut herself, wasn't listening to anyone, had a kid and just sunk deep into depression," Dornboss announced while doing the introduction to "Start Again".

"But she's doing better now, and she wants everyone to know that it's never too late to start again," he added. Then the band played the song.

The band's current release, "Pozer Polka," captures its energy and emotion perfectly. The seven-track album is an independent release from Clearly Blind and has made its way to fellow Christian rock group MXPX.

Clearly Blind will be opening for indie-Christian punk kings, The Huntingtons, on Oct. 18 at Skelletones in Grand Rapids.

This is only the first stepping-stone in a promising path that lies ahead for the band. Also, Clearly Blind has planned a mini-tour with the Cheap Skates for early summer 2003.

Clearly Blind can be contacted at clearly_blind@hotmail.com or by visiting the group's website at www.geocities.com/clearlyblind.

Je suis a fashion guru
Junior Regina Charles is ready to premiere her designs to Ferris.

By Chris Miller
Editor in Chief

Regina Charles
Junior Regina Charles owns her own clothing
company called JeSuis
Photo provided by Regina Charles

As most students at Ferris worry about the clothes they wear, junior Regina Charles walks through life looking at people's unique gifts, treasures and their clothes.

She then applies them to her gift.

Charles has a passion for designing clothing. Since 1996, she has been designing clothing under her company JeSuis, French for "I am."

This coming Oct. 27, Charles will reveal her designs for her first fashion show at FSU's Rankin Art Gallery. The event is from 7-9 p.m. and will feature 9-12 models.

"From this show, I want people to take away with them the idea that everyone has a gift. Your job is to choose how to use that gift in the world, making a significant impact," Charles, a Ferris student, said. "Every gift is unique."

According to Charles, JeSuis was named after the Bible passage Exodus 3:14 which states: "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."

"It was God that sent me to make clothes," she said. "This verse is a direct reflection of how I feel about God and about fashion. He is in everything that I create and do, and it is he who has sent me to you."

Charles taught herself how to design clothing, and she has not been through any formal training for this.

When she designs clothes, Charles keeps an eye on the people around her.

"I look at what makes people different, and with my clothing, I bring out their individuality and beauty," she said.

One of her passions is older movies such as old Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire movies. Charles likes those movies because of the classy and timeless clothes used in them.

"With most of my clothes, I have taken the older timeless clothes and transformed them with a modern twist," she said. "For this show, I have taken some 1920's styles, mixing them with modern clothes."

According to Charles, her forte is women's clothing, especially evening gowns, skirts, dressy tops and the use of denim.

"I mixed denim jeans and church clothing for an outfit that will be worn at the show," Charles said. "Even though I mostly create women's clothing, I am trying to learn more about designing clothes for guys."

Besides the old movies, Charles credits her childhood and home as an influence in her life. According to Charles, growing up in a large city like Chicago gave her the opportunity to study the various cultures around her.

Along with the diversity, her mom was another major influence.

"My parents have always supported me with designing clothing," she said.

The other person she credits is her husband, Aaron, who is a member of Five-MICS, a local hip-hop gospel group.

"Aaron is excited. He is the one who always has something going on like a concert. He is excited because this is the first thing that I get to actually bring to life," Charles said.

For the future, Charles' ultimate goal is use incorporate her own clothing line into the entertainment business. She would like to start her own Christian fashion magazine and create clothing for gospel artists.

"There are not too many religious-based fashion magazines," she said. "Besides that, I would also like to do large runway shows, and hopefully, everyone will be someday wearing my stuff."

Along with designing clothes, Charles enjoys reading, watching her old movies, stepping (a form of dance) and public speaking.

She is the public relations director for Alpha Omega, the Ferris co-ed Christian fraternity. She is also an ordained evangelist, a certified missionary and enjoys motivational speaking.

"I am also teaching etiquette classes for women at Ferris every Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Starr Building," she said. According to Charles, the etiquette classes help women with their self-esteem and self-worth.

"A lot of women have a lack of self-esteem. Therefore, I am teaching them posture and that they shouldn't hide their gifts," Charles said.

Along with the classes, Charles is working on starting a camp for women called "Treasures Camp."

"This camp would teach young women that they have individual treasures to offer. It would take place during the summer and last about two weeks," she said.

Charles is also the creator of Homecoming Queen candidate LuJuanna Tipton's dress, which Tipton will be wearing throughout the Homecoming festivities.

Though Charles is involved in so many things, she has given 100 percent effort into each individual cause.

She wanted to advise those interested in attending her upcoming show that JeSuis poses the questions that make people think about themselves and who they are.

"This is the biggest message that I want people who are interested in my clothing designs and company to get out of it," Charles said.

A good game from movie gone bad
"Terminator: Dawn of Fate" could have been much more than it was.

By Matt Cherry
Opinions Editor

Like many other gamers who love the "Terminator" movies, I was looking forward to playing the newest game in the series, "Terminator: Dawn of Fate."

In fact, I even bought it for my Xbox the week it came out. Unfortunately, it came out just a little too early.

I was really looking forward to being a part of the human resistance, and take it to Skynet while beating some Terminator butt.

I can still do that with this game, if I could only get past the flaws.

There are a lot of good parts to this game, which takes place before the first "Terminator" movie.

Such a part is the fact that you get to interact with John Connor (the main leader of the human resistance), and you even get to play as Kyle Reese (the hero of the first movie).

Of course, Connor looks like he's constipated, and Reese looks like someone stuck a balloon in his mouth and blew it up.

Another problem is that there aren't any Arnold Schwarzenegger type Terminators in the game. I'm sure they just couldn't get his rights, but it really makes the game lacking.

Unfortunately, there are so many things that went wrong with this game that could have easily been fixed with another month of programming.

"Terminator: Dawn of Fate" is a very dualistic type of game. It's either really good, or really bad.

One of the major problems that I had with the game was the combat system. In this game, you can actually kill a T-800 through martial arts.

I mean, just the idea of taking on a cyborg with only your bare hands is rather ridiculous. How can you win against one that way?

I don't think so, regardless of what Jean-Claude Van Damme movies might say.

Other than that, this is a very basic point-and-shoot game.

You see an enemy, you lock onto that enemy, you withdraw your weapon and you shoot.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Not to mention that the terrible camera angles make moving and aiming incredibly hard to do.

On the good side, it's rather obvious that the game developers watched the movies, as the entire game has the feeling of the movie.

Everything is even downgraded in terms of graphics to make it feel more like the original 1984 film.

And the game looks like it should. Well, the backgrounds, do anyway.

The character animations are sloppy at best, and the camera angles make me want to hurl.

The game cinematics are very well done, and can really give the player the feeling of reliving Sarah Connor's dreams of the future.

Hands down, the best part of this game is its sound.

It has a beautiful score resonating from the movies, and the fact that it includes four-channel surround sound adds to its presence. A nice job of voice acting also helps.

Regrettably, these high points just can't make up for the overwhelming problems.

The fact is that the game looks like it still has a couple of months left worth of programming.

Basically, what I'm saying is that for true die-hard fans of the movies, this game will be almost good. However, for most of us, we'll just find it bad.

The atmosphere and the sound are terrific, but they can't make up for truly mediocre gameplay.

Out of ten stars, "Terminator: Dawn of Fate" rates in at a paltry 5.5.

If you want this game, do yourself a favor and buy "The Thing" or "Dead to Rights."

MIMA unleases concert series for Ferris
A scarcely known campus group has big plans for this school year.

By James Lear
Ferris State Torch

The Music Industry Management Association (MIMA) is one of the fastest growing student organizations on campus, and will be making its presence known this academic year with some new ideas and a fresh outlook on student entertainment.

Most MIMA members belong to the music industry management program in the College of Business.

Music Industry Management majors use MIMA as a creative outlet to get real hands-on experience for their major.

Recently, MIMA has booked Dishwalla and Nine Days for its Autumn Alive Festival on Nov. 7.

Dishwalla was formed in 1992 in Santa Barbara, Calif., by vocalist J.R. Richards, bassist Scot Alexander, guitarist Rodney Browning and drummer George Pederast.

Many can recall "Counting Blue Cars," the sleeper hit of 1996, from the band's first release, "Pet Your Friends." "Counting Blue Cars" went on to win Billboard's Rock Song of the Year in 1999.

The band's latest album, Opaline, is doing well on the charts and the single "Somewhere in the Middle" has maintained a strong presence on the airwaves across the country.

The latest single "Angels or Devils" is climbing the charts fast, and will guarantee Dishwalla a place in the selective pop-rock genre.

Accompanying Dishwalla will be Nine Days, a band formed in the mid-90s.

The members dedicated themselves to songwriting and setting themselves apart from the then-current grunge scene.

Nine Days' last single "Story of a Girl," from their first full-length album "The Madding Crowd" released in May of 2000, went gold in the United States and had another successful single "If I Am."

MIMA is planning heavy publicity for the Nov. 7 show, which will cost only $5 to Ferris students with I.D. Tickets will be available soon.

MIMA is also planning the first female showcase at Ferris State.

"Women are the most grossly underrepresented group at Ferris," MIMA president Matthew Turner said.

"Diversity is best," Turner added while discussing possible performers for the event tentatively scheduled for March.

Since March is Women's History Month, MIMA wishes to promote awareness and equality.

"We want anything or anyone who is a female performer, I don't care if it's rap, rock, country, we want them," Turner said.

MIMA wants this event to be as diverse as possible and hopefully start a new tradition at Ferris.

Besides booking shows on campus, MIMA is also involved in many other volunteer activities and has officers recently elected to FSU's Student Government.

For homecoming this season, MIMA is in the process of building its float with a rock star theme, and it will also be involved with the concert and annual bonfire Thursday night.

For those who are interested in joining MIMA or want to help volunteer at any events, the group meets in FLITE Room 133 every Thursday at 11 a.m.

MIMA is not a free student organization and does require dues for complete membership.

Religion classes held at Ferris?
Campuses see surge of interest in religion coureses.

By Mark I. Pinksy
The Orlando Sentinel

In the days following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Anne Chernick still vividly recalls, fellow students on the Rollins College campus in Winter Park, Fla., would approach her with questions -big questions.

"How could such evil occur in the world if there is a God?" they asked. "What is God's role in evil?"

As a religion major, the Fort Worth native was the natural person for classmates to come to with their concerns.

"I've seen how quickly people tend to turn to religion in times of distress," she says. "I've taken the opportunity, through my education, to understand the notion of God, faith and evil from different angles of various religions, in hopes of gaining a deeper understanding of humanity."

But while Chernick had taken courses in Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and even mysticism, she had no courses in theology or Islam. She was at a loss to answer many of the questions growing out of the attacks.

"I pointed out how little I know," Chernick, 22, said. "That's why I'm studying it."

That's probably why a lot of other college students are studying religion these days as well -especially Islam.

College and university officials report a surge in course offerings and enrollment in existing classes in the two semesters since 9-11. This growth shows no sign of diminishing.

Amber Carlson, another Rollins student, agrees that the attacks have had a lasting impact on her campus.

"There is definitely more dialogue about religion since 9-11 between students and faculty," says the 20-year-old junior from Orlando. "You can't really get away from it."

Arizona State University now claims "the largest enrollment in courses in religion in any department of religious studies in the United States," says the department chairman, Joel Gereboff. "This term, 4,500 students are in classes."

Among the new courses is "Theology of Terror: Bin Laden and the Taliban." That course, which is cross-listed with political science and anthropology, drew around 130 students, compared to less than 100 for most religion classes. In the fall term it was offered again and drew 140, Gereboff says.

Courtney Kunsman of Pittsburgh was already taking a course on Islam at Rollins when the 9-11 attacks came. Yet it wasn't until weeks later, after she sat down with her academic adviser for a "deep talk" about the Sept. 11 events, that she decided to become a religion major.

"It's just important to me that I understand people," the 22-year-old senior said.

Other students are seeking a deeper understanding-and appreciation-of their own faiths.

In the wake of the attacks, Rollins senior Marcie Weinstein says she was stunned by the connection Osama bin Laden made between U.S. support for Israel and his hatred for America. Almost as a self-defense mechanism, she said, she looked for ways to deepen her Jewish identity.

One reaction was to sign up for professor Yudit Greenberg's course, "Jewish Life and Thought."

"I wanted to take more courses because it seemed like it was a place to turn to, where I could learn about Jewish culture and meet other Jewish kids," the 22-year-old senior, from Swampscott, Mass., said. "I can't let myself believe in a religion I know nothing about."

Many students are selecting courses dealing with different religions, and the way religious differences can lead to global conflict.

"Most of it is coming from 9-11," Philip Goff, director of the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, said.

Registration in religion courses at his university is up 20 percent from a year ago, and it shows no sign of dropping.

"It's a long time since I've seen students so engaged in a topic," Goff says. "They are interested in geo-politics and the issue of Muslims in the United States."

Professors at other universities agree.

"After 9-11, my students are more interested in the meaning of fundamentalism and, of course, I encourage their investigation," says Amanda Porterfield of the University of Wyoming. The president of the American Society of Church History and co-author of "Religion on Campus" has noticed something else.

"I perceive a softening of what, prior to 9-11, I might have called Christian fundamentalism, and increased emphasis on tolerance among conservative Christians," she says. "The change is subtle but profound" among her students.

At Stetson University in DeLand, Fla., more religion courses have been added for students who may be gravitating to the subject as a result of 9-11.

This fall, the religious studies department is offering a seminar on "Religion and Violence," taught by Donald Musser, professor of religious studies.

"We are using Mark Juergensmeyer's book `Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence,'" Musser said. "The author and several other scholars will visit our class."

But some professors and administrators caution that this trend began before September's attacks, and may not be solely the result of the terrorism.

Professor Christian Smith, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has seen an increase in enrollment, although he is not sure why.

"I know I have 50 students in my 'Religion and Society' class this semester, when I only had 35 last time, before 9-11," he says. "But who knows what that can be attributed to?"

A controversy erupted over the summer when incoming freshmen at UNC were required to read a critical study of Islam's holy book, the Quran. A conservative organization, the Virginia-based Family Policy Network sued the university in federal court to block the assignment, but lost.

The University of South Florida now has the highest number of undergraduate religion majors in its history, according to Dell deChant, director of undergraduate studies for the department.

But deChant says the interest is not a result of the terrorist attacks.

He suspects it's driven by the broader culture, in which "people are interested in looking at religion from an academic standpoint, as opposed to a faith-based perspective."

Darryl Hart, professor of church history and academic dean at Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido, Calif., is equally skeptical. He says he has not seen evidence of the trend, at least west of the Mississippi.

"My sense is that there is more interest in civic ideals and patriotism and tolerance than religion," he says. "I haven't seen a religious spin on it. I haven't seen it playing out on the campus."

Yet it is clearly playing out in the area of academic interest in Islam, and how elements of that faith may be linked to terrorism, according to professors and administrators who are convinced that 9-11 has had great impact on campuses.

"I definitely want to take an Islamic course, to have the knowledge of all cultures," Carlson of Rollins said.