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November 2012 | North Central University | Minneapolis, MN

SOCIALLY HANDICAPPED
PG 5

RUCH FINDS A NEW HOME - PG 8 See Where God is Leading Nate Ruch

ADVOCATING FOR FMSC - PG 12 President Hirsh Raises Support

AN END TO A SEASON - PG 19 NCU Soccer Teams Finish Strong

EDITORIAL.
Editor-in-Chief/ Kayla Grell kayla.grell@mail.northcentral.edu Copy Editor/ Erica Fulghum erica.fulghum@mail.northcentral.edu Feature Editor/ Jessie Traudt jessica.traudt@mail.northcentral.edu News Editor/ Faith Peterson faith.harshbarger@mail.northcentral.edu World News Editor/ Rebekah Jacobson rebekah.jacobson@mail.northcentral.edu Sports Editor/ Joshua Gregory joshua.gregory@mail.northcentral.edu

Dear Readers,
What are you doing after graduation? That is the question I hear most in my life. I heard it once before when I was in high school, but this time I do not know what to answer. My first response was easy: Im starting this fall at North Central University in Minneapolis. But now that Im leaving this place, where will I go next? I want to hop on a plane, travel the Seven Wonders of the World, and explore Gods creation while challenging my worldview. There are countries I have still not seen, other cultures I have not experience, and I need to continue to learn about myself. I will travel the world regardless of my relationship status; being alone is not a crime. It is normal to not be engaged or married after graduation. Although my ring finger is naked, and I am facing the dilemma of finding a job, many graduates are in the same position as me. In a perfect world, my DO nOt pAnIC If YOu dream job would be waiting ARe unSuRe whICh for me right after I graduate. I am scared for those who pAth tO tAke. expect jobs to be handed to them instead of working hard to find them. It is important to remain positive throughout this journey to getting a first job as a college graduate. Be reassured that you will fail many times, you will never get what you want, and you wont be always right. One thing Ive learned while applying for jobs is that making connections and gaining experience is vital. Continue to soak up your professors wisdom. Get a mentor who can keep you sane and who will also encourage you in your relationship with Christ. Start volunteering in your specific field and explore different career options. Also, do not burn any bridges with friends or fellow classmates; those relationships may mean a lot to you now, but you may benefit further from them in the future. Do not fear the future. Do not panic if you are unsure which path to take. Continue to dream big and do not let anyone convince you that achieving it is impossible. In less than ten days Ill enter a new realm of life, and will carry with me the tools to be successful. I am scared about making the wrong decision, but I will rely on Gods truth to guide me to the places I need to be. I pray that I will remain devoted to Gods calling on my life, no matter how difficult the voyage may be.

ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN.

Art Director/ Loren Wright loren.wright@mail.northcentral.edu Assistant Art Director/ Andrew Fischer awfisch@me.com Photography and Videography Director/ Nathan Almquist nathan.almquist@mail.northcentral.edu Assistant Photography Director/ Sarah Mack sarah.mack@mail.northcentral.edu

DIGITAL MEDIA.
Online Editor/ Curtis Ward curtis.ward@mail.northcentral.edu Assistant Online Editor/ Camden McAfee camden.mcafee@mail.northcentral.edu Assistant Videography Director/ Amy Lambert amy.lambert@mail.northcentral.edu

ADVERTISING.
Business Manager/ Bailey Schott bailey.schott@mail.northcentral.edu

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WRITERS.
Sofia Almarza Paisley Bennett Amanda Breister Paul Brunner Mark Cronk Dan Erickson Mia Franklin Brian Jones Jordan Lofthus Blake Mayes Sydney Messmer Sam Olmstead Chrissie Parker Ben Pirie Jenny Scott Lexy Spangrud Emma Wood Joy Yerrick

Kayla Grell Editor-in-Chief kayla.grell@mail.northcentral.edu

Scan this to read the full-color digital edition on your mobile device
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In God we trust
By Curtis Ward

Finally, the elections are over. No more ads filling our ears with lies and slander. I will say that this years presidential election was not a great one for my political views. The candidates this year, for both the democratic and republican parties, were awful. I did not like what President Obama did in his first term and I did not agree with many of Romney big business policies. I voted for the third party Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson, this year. He is all for small businesses and has a small government mindset. Some of my peers said I threw away my vote. As I sat watching the results come in, and the news outlets declaring Obama the victor with only 37 percent of the states reporting, I wasnt surprised. There were many allegations against Obama in regards to voter fraud. However, no evidence was found to prove these allegations. I believe that the economic state this country is in will not change at all. I feel that we have seen the worst, but it will not stablized. In regard to the troops overseas, Obama is still set on his timetable of bringing them all home by 2014. As for the elections in Minnesota, both of the amendments to change the constitution were shut down. These issues dont affect me directly and what most people do not realize is that with the same-sex marriage amendment, the Vote No campaign won in a popular vote does not make same-sex marriage legal in the state of Minnesota. It is simply stating that there will not be a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage but that it will be easier now to legalize same-sex marriage. Because of this, I strongly believe that in the coming years Minnesota will officially and legally recognize same-sex marriage. Even though our fine state is headed in the wrong direction politically, I will not back down from my spiritual beliefs and morals which make me an outcast for having a view different from the state. I will not move away, but face these issues head-on and continue to love everyone just as Christ loved on the church. Regardless of how the elections have turned out, who is in office, or running the Senate or House, we must still back our commander in chief and our elected officials. We must, as a country, hold together in these times of depression. And most importantly, we must always trust in God.

photos by Curtis ward

In the days nearing Election Day with media commercials filling with political ads, I wrote this poem in my pent up rage from the annoyances those ads are. Elections. Lies, deceit, and smiles. The fat cats selling us on our chosen savior. Broken promises and names litter the front lawns of the neighbors up and down the block. They will fix everything, Turn us all into millionaires. Their mudslinging is traveling through the air waves, infecting my ears like a disease. They can dumb down to my level and put on their Wranglers and work boots as they loosen their ties. They tell me about their hard times in life, How they relate with me. The cameras flash as they kiss a baby and pose with their fake smiles. Friends feuding and torn apart down the middle of the red and blue line. You are either with us or against us, There is no middle ground. They set such high goals for the country, Just to eventually crush our spirits and liberties. Its that time of the year again. Elections.
November 2012 3

Christian Bubble we Inhabit

By Brian Jones
photo by Brian Jones

Peoples worldviews shape the way they interpret the world around them. It affects their morals and decisions on a day to day basis. For many North Central students, this worldview has been sheltered and confined by what is often referred to as the Christian bubble. In other words, these students have been raised in a Christian home and have always been surrounded by other believers. This is not to say that it is wrong to be brought up in a Christian home, but it is important to understand that not everyone shares the same values and experiences. One way this sheltered view of life is seen is in how we react to areas around us. If you spend four or five years at North Central and never bother to take a walk and see the city, then that is a sure sign that you are in this bubble. Another sign is that
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even if you do decide to take a trip to Dinkytown or Uptown, you are uncomfortable because it becomes apparent that you are no longer surrounded by Christians. The problem with this is that in the real world you wont always be around people who believe what you do. It sometimes seems like we can be so caught up in building our own spiritual lives that we forget to show love to those around us. As Christians, we are called to be a light to the world, but that is hard to do when we are scared to walk into it. Even within our own community, there are people from different religious backgrounds. Are we showing Christs love to those who differ from us or do we see them as less spiritual? These are questions we should ask ourselves on a regular basis to make sure we are effectively being that light to the world.

photos by nate Almquist

the iphone Generation

SMART PHONES ARE MAKING US SOCIALLY HANDICAPPED.
By Sofia Almarza

Everyone has pet peeves. Rappers who thank God at award ceremonies and wobbly tables annoy me. It bothers me when the toilet paper roll is on the wrong way, when someones hood is inside out, when people drive under the speed limit, walk slow in front of me when Im rushing to be on time, fart in the elevator, leave the cap off the toothpaste, throw recyclable items in the trash, and clip their nails in public. My number one pet peeve is when peoples phones seem to be glued onto their hands. One morning I was headed back to my room after class. I like to say hello and good morning to people I pass in the hall, but everyone I encountered was looking down at his or her phone. I approached two girls in the stairwell I knew, but their eyes did not leave the screen of the phone in their palms. How annoying! Phones are meant to enhance communication, not thwart everyday human interaction. I went to a birthday dinner at the beginning

of the semester expecting to have a great time the combination of people was surely going to result in a hysterically fun evening. As soon as everyone sat down the phones came out. Instead of talking to each other, laughing, and having a good time, people decided there was someone not present at the table that was more interesting to talk to. The guy next to me was on Facebook. I sat at the table shocked. People are obsessed with their phones it is not even funny. What happened to simply having a good conversation? When people feel uncomfortable in a group, they take out their phones and become socially handicapped. What are we communicating to the world? As Christians, what are we saying to the lost? Maybe I am old fashioned in my thinking, but I have made it my goal to keep my phone out of sight when I am with others. I want everyone to feel valued and respected whether we are having a conversation or just walking together. Join me as I swim against the tide of our iPhone generation. Do not be someones pet peeve.
November 2012

Illustration by Camden McAfee

NEWS.

Dust Bowl Looks to Possibly Upgrade

photo by kayla Grell

By Emma Wood

NEW FIELD? Discussion under way for possible turf field in Elliot park.

For students who may be more likely to support the Rams in soccer if their home field was close by, that day might come soon. North Central is considering partnering with Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc., and Minneapolis Park and Recreation to create a full-size soccer field in the area of Elliot Park many students refer to as the dust bowl. The task of building a 110-by-70 yard soccer field would cost approximately $1.1 million. North Central has not yet determined how much to contribute. At this point all parties involved with the project are researching possible money from donors, foundations, and grants, said Jonathan High, director of athletics.
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The Rams are currently traveling to Coon Rapids to play their home soccer games. A closer home field could mean an increase in attendance and support for the Rams at their games. It would improve our performance because of the encouragement from our peers, said Valerie Massman, senior urban development major and member of the womens soccer team. The development of a soccer field in Elliot Park could also give students a new opportunity to connect with the community outside of North Central. This field would enable the student body to integrate with the neighborhood, said Massman. We could practice [soccer] with people from the neighborhood and get to know them.

High also expressed support for the project. If NCU can be a key contributor to making the community better, we can be seen as givers and not takers, said High. If the final decision is to go ahead with the project, work will begin towards building the soccer field as one community. If the decision is to delay the project, North Central and community partners will continue to meet and come to a more conclusive decision at a later date. If they decide to dismiss the project altogether, they will instead build a small turf field in Elliot Park for recreational purposes. All those involved in the deliberation process are hoping to come to a definite decision by the end of December.

evangelism Insight from the founder of think eternity

By Kristin Mindeman

MATT BROWN SHARES THE VISION AND MISSION OF THE ORGANIzATION

Think Eternity, a nonprofit, proclaims the gospel through live events and social media while equipping other groups to do likewise. The nonprofit evangelical ministry isnt the only one to come from North Central University in this decade, but it is one rapidly gaining momentum with Christian audiences. Think Eternity was founded in 2002 by former alumni Matt and Michelle Brown. According to Matt Brown, evangelism is not simply a major at North Central University; it is a lifestyle for every disciple of Christ. Evangelism is sharing the gospel about Jesus, not just, Jesus loves you, he said. It is walking people through the gospel. Think Eternity has the opportunity to communicate the gospel via social media to an audience of over 100,000 followers to further advance the mission and vision of Think Eternity. Matt Brown and his wife attended North Central University. Matt majored in pastoral studies while Michelle majored in missions. The evangelism major was not offered at the time. Together Matt and Michelle began the ministry entitled Think Eternity. We came up with the name about eight years ago and established it as a non-profit about four years ago. It took about two years to process it, said Brown. Matt Brown has a passion for evangelism. Mission and vision is to reach as many people as possible with the love and grace of Christ. Called to do that through live events and online ministry. Since (Michelle and I) were younger, we felt called to the proclamation of the gospel through live events, said Brown. Recently, Think Eternity put on the Ignite Conference at North Heights Lutheran Church in Arden Hills, MN. During this conference, Brown taught Evangelism training used by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. It can be difficult at times to share ones faith with an unbeliever. This is why Think Eternity focuses on proclaiming the gospel and equipping others to do the same. When asked what motivates him daily to proclaim the gospel Brown replied that it comes back to what God has done in my own life and my own family. He said many members of his family were godly influences and that motivated him to start the ministry. Brown offered advice for students who question their callings. I would say God speaks to all of us differently, said Brown. Some people He gives clear guidance to, to other people it is not as clear and that is normal and that is okay. He further explained that it is not necessary for one to worry about ones call. God never gives us the full picture at once. What God is really after in our lives is dependency. He uses unanswered prayers for us to be dependent on Him because that is where are ultimate joy is found, said Brown. As an evangelist, Brown has had opportunities to minister alongside other evangelists and read many books about evangelism. He shared what he learned most. The main thing about most of those guys Rheinard Bonnke, Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, Sean Smith, Sujo John, Bill Bright, and a lot of othershas been their longevity. If he came face to face with Billy Graham and could ask him one question, he replied I would really like to know what were some of the key moments in their ministry with fundraising that helped them launch on a larger scale from when they first began.

I wOuLD SAY GOD SpeAkS tO ALL Of uS DIffeRntLY. SOMe peOpLe he GIveS CLeAR GuIDAnCe, tO OtheR peOpLe It IS nOt AS CLeAR AnD thAt IS nORMAL AnD thAt IS OkAY. - MAtt BROwn
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LONG-TIME STAFF MEMBER EMBRACES NEW DIRECTION

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By Paisley Bennett

On Nov. 26, 2012, a decision was made by the congregation of Emmanuel Christian Center to vote Nate Ruch as their new senior pastor. Ruch is known as North Centrals vice president of university relations. His position oversaw admissions and recruitment, marketing and communications, financial aid, and also had a part in the process of choosing chapel speakers. Ruch also attended various summer camps each year to speak on behalf of North Central. However, his job description will come to a change. In January of this year, Ruch was approached by Pastor Dwight Denyes, the current senior pastor of Emmanuel Christian Center, about an opportunity to step in to his new position as the new senior pastor. Denyes explained that he was stepping down from his position and felt that God wanted Ruch to take his place. After consideration and prayer, Ruch and his
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family agreed that God was calling him to be in this position, and the deacon board at Emmanuel submitted Ruch as their candidate. Ruch will be the senior pastor beginning March 2013. Emmanuel Christian Center is no new territory for Ruch. Before coming to North Central, he was a youth pastor at Emmanuel and met his wife there. The Ruch family currently resides near the church

and is already active in the community. This decision was a God call, said Ruch. Ruchs position responsibilities will be spread out between his fellow vice presidents: Paul Freitag, vice president of advancement; Cheryl Book, vice president of business and finance; and Mike Nosser, vice president of student development in 2013. There will be no immediate replacement in the future for Ruchs position, said Dr. Gordon Anderson, president of North Central. North Central will remain a big part of I ReALLY feeL GRAtefuL fOR the OppORtunItY tO Ruchs life. I really feel grateful SeRve At nORth CentRAL. IM tRAnSItIOnInG tO for the opportunity to A DIffeRent ROLe, But thAt DOeSnt MeAn I AM serve at North Central, to be around dreamers, LeAvInG the nCu fAMILY. to be around people that have a future, said - nAte RuCh, vICe pReSIDent Of unIveRSItY Ruch. Im transitioning ReLAtIOnS to a different role, but that doesnt mean I am leaving the NCU family.

Little Brothers Open Arms

Open Arms of Minnesota is devoted to a different type of people in need-those who have serious or terminal illnesses. Open Arms is a nonprofit organization that delivers specifically tailored meals to those who have a difficult time grocery shopping or preparing meals for themselves. Volunteers serve by cooking, baking, or delivering meals that meet the nutritional needs of these clients. According to Susan Pagani, communications director, Open Arms delivers about 460,000 meals a year. Volunteers love giving back to the community this way, said Pagani. No one else in the Twin Cities does the kind of work we do. After completing an orientation, volunteers can help out in a 2-3 hour shift on every day of the week except Sunday. Open Arms is located on 2500 Bloomington Ave. Minneapolis.
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Out of the 3,279,833 people that live in the Twin Cities area, about 917,500 regularly volunteer, according to Volunteering in America. Many organizations that need volunteers are just a few minutes away from North Central, including Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, Simpson Housing Services, and Open Arms of Minnesota. Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, LBFE, is an organization that pairs its volunteers with elderly citizens who suffer from loneliness and isolation. Debra Strege, program and volunteer manager, said that many elderly people dont have anyone to visit them. Volunteers can help by partaking in various opportunities such as visiting the older adults, driving them to specific activities, and bringing elderly residents meals for the holidays. According to Strege, Christmas is a time when many volunteers are needed. On Christmas Day, various positions need to be filled, including food preparation, driving the elderly, and eating meals with the elderly. Strege added that the experience is also rewarding for the volunteer. Building a relationship with someone from a different generation is one of the biggest things that the volunteers get out of the experience, said Strege. LBFE is located on 1845 E. Lake Street in Minneapolis.

Simpson housing
Simpson Housing Services, SHS, an organization close to North Central that has many volunteer opportunities. SHS is dedicated to helping those experiencing homelessness. Everyone deserves a safe place to go, said Christina Giese, volunteer services coordinator. According to Giese, the most popular volunteer position for college students is the overnight stay. From 5:45p.m.-7a.m., students can come spend the night and provide a warm and welcoming environment to those experiencing homelessness, said Giese. Giese added that students love this position because it allows them to directly interact with the people, and these interactions help to break the stereotypes of the homeless. The overnight shelter is located on 2740 First Ave. S. and the administrative office is on 2100 Pillsbury Ave. S. Both are located in Minneapolis.

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THE HOLIDAY SEASON PROVIDES SEVERAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR TWIN CITIES RESIDENTS.
November 2012

Giving Back to the Community

By Lexy Spangrud 9

n Oct. 1, the homeless shelter at First Covenant Church opened its doors for the first time this season. First Covenant Church, located at 810 S. Seventh St., works in partnership with Harbor Light Center, which is run by the Salvation Army. The homeless shelter at First Covenant serves as an overflow for guests that the Salvation Army is unable to accommodate. The building has a maximum capacity of 50 guests and is typically completely full. Those who stay at the shelter must commit to staying for 28 days and having an 8 p.m. curfew as a way to stay accountable. Norm Blagman, coordinator of the shelter, said that while the center is a great way to reach the lost and the broken, it can also be a great learning experience in servanthood for Christians. As Christians, we all have a story of redemption. We can learn from the people that come to the shelter, said Blagman. Blagman added that there is an appropriate way for volunteers to approach guests. As children of God, we need to treat the guests as equals, said Blagman. We must come with a willing heart and come to serve and not judge. First Covenant need volunteers to help in the morning from 5a.m. to 7 a.m. Volunteers will help distribute a continental breakfast and pick up sleeping mats and chairs. There is also an evening shift that runs from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. with tasks such as monitoring restrooms and distributing linens and hygiene items. Volunteers do not have to commit to coming every day, but a regular schedule is preferred. The shelter will be in operation until April 30, 2013 and North Central students can use this opportunity to fulfill the requirements for a ministry service learning credit. Students who are interested in volunteering can contact First Covenant Church at 612-332-3125.

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A Safe place for those in need

LOCAL CHURCH OPENS ITS SEASONAL HOMELESS SHELTER.
By Blake Mayes

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the ups and Downs of Carlson hall

UPCOMING ELEVATOR UPGRADE WILL BE A COSTLY UNDERTAKING
By Ben Pirie

photo by nate Almquist

GOING UP Carlson hall frieght elevator, above, which is in need of repair, will be one of the upcoming renovation goals for north Central.

In January of this year, the city of Minneapolis did an inspection on the Carlson Hall utility elevator, known by many as the freight elevator. After the inspection, the city informed North Central that significant changes needed to be made to the elevator. Although the Carlson Hall freight elevator is 90 years old, it is working properly and is used on a daily basis, said Chris Woelfle, resident director of Carlson Hall. Woelfle added that despite this, the city of Minneapolis is requiring that the elevator be updated to contemporary building codes. The elevator has been part of Carlson Hall ever since the building was built in 1922. The renovation will require that all of the mechanical components of the elevator be updated, as well as improvements to the structural integrity of the elevator shaft. There will also need to be a complete overhaul of the mechanical room on the sixth floor. Currently there are five or six contractors bidding for the job, said Marv Langmade from facilities management.

Because a contractor is yet selected, it is still undetermined when the renovation will begin and how much it will cost. Based off of the bids coming in, it is speculated that it will cost North Central around half a million dollars. Hoping to avoid this costly expense, North Central originally wanted to decommission the utility elevator entirely and re-traffic all elevator use to Carlson Halls two passenger elevators. The city informed North Central that they had to maintain an elevator that could accommodate an ambulance stretcher. The ADA did an inspection and came to the conclusion, along with the city, that the two passenger elevators are not large enough and that the freight elevator has to be redone. Before news of the elevator came about, plans were in motion towards renovating some of the dorms in Carlson. Although nothing has been decided, the hope is that the renovation to the dorms will be done at the same time as the elevator renovation, said Langmade.
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Student Body president Rallies Community to Reach Out On Local and International Level
By Jenny Scott

WORLD NEWS.

The first MobilePack event for Feed My Starving Children, FMSC will be held on Feb. 7 and 8. This event will integrate North Central members and community members for packing meals for malnourished children around the world. Nathan Hirsh, student body president and senior English major, began the dreaming process for this event last semester as he was running for office. The process is simple, and one of the other reasons were excited about it is that well be able to engage the Elliot Park community. Well be inviting Elliot Park residents to come and pack alongside our students, giving us an opportunity to show them the love of God, said Hirsh. Feed My Starving Children is a nonprofit organization that raises money to pack food for children who are without food or means of receiving food. Each packed meal contains rice, soy, veggetables, and a vitamin and mineral vegetarian chicken flavoring and costs 22 cents to produce. Along with the ministry opportunity of packing the meals alongside community members, Feed My

Starving Children has agreed to send all of the meals through Convoy of Hope, a Christian organization that also strives for the same purpose. According to Feed My Starving Children guidelines, a minimum of 100,000 meals must be packed at the event in order for it to be held. Hirsh estimates that if the event has the maximum amount of meal packers for the maximum amount of time, 800,000 meals will be packed. The fundraising

MAKING A DIFFERENCE through fMSC, volunteers across the nation are able to make a difference in the lives of starving children across the globe.

required for that amount of meals is $180,000. We as a team do not have much experience with this kind of fundraising, but now with what weve learned well be able to repeat the process much more smoothly and effectively, and we believe that the $180,000 is actually really attainable, said Hirsh. He envisions this MobilePack event as setting a precedent at North Central and other Assemblies of God universities in the following years. This event is supposed to be the first of many like it that are focused on making an external impact in both our local and our global communities. We want what happens here at North Central to start leaking into the greater community, said Hirsh. Any student looking to get involved with this event is welcome to participate in both the meal packing and fundraising. He continued,There is no kind of fundraising students cant do. It lets students rely on their giftings and callings. I think it is a really interesting way of pushing students to look at the way they do things now and start to pursue new opportunities.

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photos by Cidney fritche

Mission Overseas
TWO STUDENTS ExPAND THEIR WORLDVIEWS AS THEY IMMERSE THEMSELVES INTO NEW CULTURES.
By Mia Franklin

Living abroad may be a college graduates dream, but for 2010 alumna Melissa Haugland, it is a reality. Haugland graduated from North Central with a degree in intercultural studies with an emphasis in world missions. Immediately after graduating, she worked as an after-school tutor and life skills teacher for at-risk kids, as well as a barista, in Bellingham, Wash. After two years of working in the U.S., Haugland felt that it was time to put her degree to use and seek out work overseas. In January 2012, she found out about an opportunity to take over an au pair position in a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden. A friend she had met at North Central had previously been working in this position and was planning

Melissa haugland

on leaving. Haugland jumped at the chance to live abroad. Haugland has also found that living abroad has revealed skills that she never knew she had until she was stretched out of her comfort zone. What better time to travel than when you are still young and still discovering a career path? said Haugland. What better place than another country full of adventure and opportunities to grow? Haugland recommends the overseas experience to current NCU students. I would highly suggest that everyone place themselves in a situation where they have to improvise work, said Haugland. It is humbling, fun, and ultimately provides an expanded worldview.

SWEDISh Au PAIR Melissa haugland, former nCu Alum, works as an au pair in Stockholm, Sweden.

hoRIzoNS ABRoAD nicole Chapin,who visited Ireland in Summer 2012, plans to move to korea after graduation.

Nicole Chapin, senior children and family ministries major, is to pursuing a career overseas after graduating in May 2013. Chapin plans on going to South Korea sometime next year. She has been feeling a pull towards Korea for the past year-and-a-half, and she has fallen in love with the culture, the language, and the people. Chapin currently has a pending job opportunity that would include teaching English to preschoolers at a church in Seoul. If all goes as planned, she will leave in January to start her internship which will possibly lead into a job. Chapin discovered this opportunity by attending a Korean church in the area and getting connected there. She believes that her experience at North Central has adequately prepared her for this opportunity. Her senior project of serving in Ireland has especially aided her in this area. This past May, Chapin and five other students traveled to Ireland for two weeks. While in Ireland, they ministered to children in schools and parks. This experience was probably the most meaningful and impactful thing that has prepared me to live abroad, says Chapin. God really spoke to me on that trip and I learned a lot during my time there.

nicole Chapin

photo by Dan nelson

November 2012

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FEATURE.

Scholarships Offset the Rising Cost of education

REGISTRARS OFFICE OFFERS TIPS AND RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS HUNTING FOR FREE MONEY.
By Amanda Breister

Spring semester is just around the corner complete with new classes and a new bill to pay. College comes at a price, but scholarships exist to offset the cost for those who choose to pursue them. Although many scholarships offered by North Central are awarded to only incoming freshman or transfer students, both the church match scholarships and the donor scholarships are available to returning students. Katie Detloff, a junior social work major received a scholarship from her church when she first came to North Central. As a result of receiving the Hosanna! Student Leadership Scholarship, Detloff was also eligible for a North Central church match scholarship. The 50 percent match rate increased the original $500 she received from her church to a total of $750. The scholarship was $750 dollars that I didnt have to pay that semester and less loans I have to worry about in the future, said Detloff. North Central also offers donor scholarships that students can apply for every February. These scholarships require an online application, and a committee decides the recipients. Being active in your major is very helpful in getting donor scholarships, said Alicia Wipf, financial aid counselor. Donor scholarships are only available for returning students, and according to Eric Austin, Assistant Director of financial aid, 70 students aeceived donor scholarships this year. The financial aid office not only promotes North Central scholarships, but also promote certain outside scholarships by posting them in the Rama Report. Apart from North Central, websites such
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as fastweb.com serve as places to look for scholarships. Fastweb is my favorite, and it has been around since I was in high school, said Claire Montenegro, Associate Director of Processing. Fastweb functions as a huge scholarship search database. Although this makes users aware of the multitude of scholarships that are available, some feel this comes with problems. One complaint about Fastweb is that you get bombarded with junk emails, said Wipf. When searching for scholarship advice, thousanddollarhour.com is a resource to be regarded. This site offers advice from a Northwestern College graduate who paid for all of her college education through scholarships. Even with so many resources, you often have to look for a long time with little results, said Austin. Because web-based scholarships can be so widespread, Montenegro suggests looking for local scholarships offered by private practices such as dentists, banks, organizations students parents are a part of, or unions. Wipf said that between 115 and 120 students received outside scholarships this past year. Antiquika Jones, a junior secondary education major received a little less than $10,000 in scholarships her first year at college, much of this coming from outside scholarships. Most scholarships require an essay, and Jones suggested having one or two sample essays that can be tweaked to match specific requirements of different scholarships. You have to have that essay that brings people to tears or causes them to get this big happy smile on their face. You are not like everyone else; you need to

photo bY Amanda Breister

EVERY BIT hELPS katie Detloff receives scholarships which help offset the cost of her college tuition.

separate yourself, said Jones. Jones encouraged people to not get discouraged when looking for scholarships. Even though you might not get 20 out of 25 scholarships you apply for, you still get something. Keep selling yourself, said Jones. Tools and advice are available in the search for scholarships. If students take time and apply themselves, they may just end up with some free money to help with the rising cost of education.

The Creation of a Legacy

By Jordan Lofthus

ON-CAMPUS HONOR SOCIETIES LAMBDA PI ETA AND SIGMA TAU DELTA PROMOTE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.

photo by Sarah Mack

PoETS ShARE hEART-FELT WoRDS Lauren Davies, Junior, shares a poem at the undergrounds Open Mic night in the CYL Basement.

Student organizations like STD and LPE are rapidly evolving and paving the way for a legacy. The academic organizations on campus are popular because they provide opportunities to meet new students and interact with others within the same major. Lamba Pi Eta is the official honor society for communication arts majors at North Central. Added in Spring 2012, Lambda Pi Eta is working hard to develop the society and encourage scholastic achievement among communications students. To be eligible for Lamba Pi Eta students must have completed nine credits of communication courses and with that have a GPA of 3.0. Last semester, the society had its first induction ceremony and officially welcomed four students. It is anticipated that seven more students will be added at the end of November with another ceremony. We meet once a month to discuss the Open Mic, applications and inductions, and what we want this group to look like in the long run, said Amy Lambert, senior media communication major. Currently, Lamba Pi Eta is focusing on a monthly poetry night. As of right now, we are partnering up with Sigma Tau Delta, the International honor society for English, and together we host Undergrounds Open Mic once a month in the CYL Basement, said Lambert. She encourages everyone to come read or recite poetry in a casual setting while enjoying a cup of coffee. According to the official Sigma Tau Delta description, Sigma Tau Delta is the international English honors society that is dedicated to high standards

of academic excellence and the promotion of English, including the areas of language, literature, and writing, along with serving society by fostering literacy. The society meets weekly or biweekly for the purpose of editing peers work and planning for future events. Six members are currently involved, with potential members waiting to join. To become a part of Sigma Tau Delta students must complete at least nine credits of English from North Central and maintain a GPA of 3.0. I am blessed to be part of an organization that not only wants to develop excellence in the gifts and talents God gave students, but they want to use that excellence to better serve their community and the world, said Victoria Pyron, senior english major and Sigma Tau Delta president. Sigma Tau Delta also participates in multiple literary events located in the Twin Cities and is currently in the process of planning to go to a convention in Portland, Ore. during spring 2013. At the convention, there will be members from all over the world, and we will possibly have the chance to read some of our work, said Pyron. Sigma Tau Delta runs a literary journal for NCU that was once called The Beard, and is now referred to as Wineskin. Both organizations have been working to establish themselves while encouraging students in their respective majors to excel academically so as to become eligible and join the legacy for years to come.

photo by Liz korenak

READING ThE CLASSICS victoria pyron, Senior english Major, reads a segment from a book at the underground Mic night hosted by Lambda pi eta and Sigma tau Delta.

November 2012

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the Interest
THE THIRD MOST POPULAR SOCIAL NETWORK CREATES GRASSROOTS FOR BUSINESSES AND CONTROL FOR USERS.
By Joy Yerrick

in Pinterest
professional
Caleb Norman, a youth ministry alumnus and the photographer for EPIC Focus, began using Pinterest in May of 2012 when he was referred to the site by a friend. If Im looking for something creative, I look on Pinterest to see if something will spark an idea, said Norman. He admits to using the site for repins rather than pinning his own pictures. According to the study by Buzz Referrals, 80 percent of the pins on the website are repins. Its simple. Theres not a lot of text and its picture driven, said Norman. Its widely usedso I know that a lot of different things will come from corporate sites to people who have done some [photography] on their own. Pinterest gives people direct access to big and small businesses, organizations, musicians, blogs, articles, and more by using pictures to connect users to the websites where they originated. Since Pinterest is photo focused, products and ideas are shared faster to a wider audience and with more accessibility.

It has gained nearly 11 million users since its launch in 2010. It is the third most popular networking site for hits per week. Now, according to a study by Buzz Referrals, its leading Facebook and Twitter in referrals as well. Its practicality, simplicity, and visual appeal are reasons why Pinterest, the virtual pin board website, is rising to become one of the most popular online tools.

personal
Britta Jensen, English literature major, has been using Pinterest for the last six months after being persuaded by a friend to join the site. Jensen has created boards that have pins related to recipes, hairstyles, organizational tips, and home dcor ideas. Whats nice about it is that its practical. Theres more to do rather than just simply look at, Jensen said. Theres more control than compared to Tumblr. Jensen admits that most of the things she has pinned are Pin Now, Read/Do Laters. Pinterest allows users to invest, in a sense, in what they pin for future use. The use of Pinterest may end up changing the way people catalogue information. For example, a user can simply pin a handful of recipes into a food board in a matter of minutes, compared to handwriting them or even typing them into a book. There, they can access their board online anywhere, search for items more quickly, and even share their board with friends. There has never been a faster and easier way for people to share ideas and information.

The staff at Forage Modern Workshop, a furniture and home dcor store in Minneapolis, have experienced the benefit of Pinterest themselves. Since opening online in April of this year and settling down shop in Minneapolis on Sept. 6, Forage has seen firsthand how the traffic from Pinterest has promoted sales. By using creative ideas to spur buyers, Forage offers discounts and giveaways for users who repin products that they affectionately call, Repin to Win! We liked the fact that it was more of a grassroots way for people to be introduced to our products, shared Rebekah Cook, business manager at Forage. Forage Modern Workshop utilizes the site in two ways: First, to get their products out to people that they do not have a direct connection with and also to find other products. It saves them time by following other designers and people who have similar taste in furniture and dcor design. Many of the
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foragemodwrkshp

forageModernworkshop

@forageModern_Mn

4023 east Lake Street, Minneapolis, Mn 55406

designers that now collaborate with them are a direct result of networking on Pinterest. The great thing is people can repin the products and open it up to other groups of people. said Cook. Pinterest gives users control over what trends they follow. Because users dont have to be directly networked to each others boards in order to share pins, it makes sharing pictures much quicker. For upcoming events, Forage Modern Workshop will be promoting their products on Pinterest. People who like modern, retro, and creative design are encouraged to visit any of their pages or to take a trip to their bricks and mortar store on Lake Street. Whether personal or professional, Pinterest is an online tool that is here to stay. Instead of recipe books being handed down through the years, it may be a small slip of paper with a Pinterest link.

Recycling Resurgence encourages Sustainable efforts

By Dan Erickson

COMMUNITY LIFE DEPARTMENT HEADS UP RECYCLING PROGRAM IN ATTEMPTS TO ExPAND IN THE COMING YEARS

A greater emphasis on the act of recycling is being implemented this semester in attempts to transform North Central into a more eco-friendly university. To create and sustain an opportunity for recycling in the university community, recycling bins have been placed in the residence halls and are emptied on a bi-weekly basis. Student Senate originally instituted the program and now Student Life has employed a small part-time staff of students who have a passion for recycling to carry it out. While Student Life has extra recycling bins on hand, they are not expanding into the rest of campus. If the rest of campus wants to participate [in recycling], they have to empty the recycling bins themselves, said Peter Hansen, Community Life Coordinator and the head of North Centrals recycling program. The reason for that is that there was never an easy way to get students keys for that after hours [for security reasons]. Currently, the recycling project keeps a close track of how much material is being recycled, recording both how full the bins are when emptied and the length of time it takes workers to empty the bins. This data is collected with the intent to support future expansion with statistical backing. Such an expansion would mean increasing the amount of recycling bins in the dorms, adding them to classrooms and offices, and increasing the frequency that the bins are emptied. Given such an expansion, Hansen is optimistic. I would estimate that we would recycle 50 percent more than we do now, said Hansen. There is currently no timeline for this expansion, but NCU is starting off on the right foot with plenty of passion for continued efforts. The initiative originally began operating on a volunteer basis, and the program eventually shifted to a paid position out of a need for worker consistency. The Housekeeping department has remained separate from the recycling project due to a lack of resources to maintain and manage a comprehensive campus-wide effort. Housekeeping does not oversee recycling

photo by Gyles uhlenhopp

[because] there is a significant cost for our department to run an effective and efficient recycling program, of which we just dont have funding available right now, said Lauren Milani,

GOD hAS CALLeD eACh One Of uS tO Be GOOD StewARDS Of ALL he hAS GIven uS. - SOfIA ALMARZA

the assistant director of Housekeeping. In order to keep the schools costs as low as possible Student Development is utilizing their staff to run the program for designated locations. For the students involved in the recycling project, it is more than simply a part-time job. In part, they see what they do as a calling. God has called each one of us to be good stewards of all he has given us, said Sofa Almarza, junior media communications major and recycling assistant. This includes being responsible with what we do with our trash. Because I have had a revelation about stewardship in my own life, I recycle with conviction. Im not big supporter of go green campaigns and all of that hype, but I know recycling is very important.
November 2012 17

Breaking Ground or Breaking Bank?

On March 1, Governor Dayton announced an agreement to build a new stadium for the Vikings on the current Metrodome site. Nine days later the Minnesota Legislature approved the funding for the proposed $975 million stadium. The Vikings have agreed to pay $477 million of the construction costs, which is the third largest NFL contribution to date for a sports facility. The rest of the cost will be covered by the state ($248 million) and the city ($150 million). The state and city will be using taxes and other means in order to provide the funds. World-renowned architecture firm HKS Inc. beat out four competitors and won the $34 million contract to design the new stadium. HKS also designed the famous Cowboys and Lucas Oil stadiums in Dallas and Indianapolis. This project is unique in the aspect that the Minneapolis Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) has set the goal to make it possible for 8 percent of architectural and engineering work to be performed by minority owned businesses and 11 percent for those that are women owned. Students at North Central are divided as to whether or not the stadium is a good idea. The main argument against construction is the cost, with a few citing idol worship. Matt Schmeichel, sophomore secondary English education major, said, Its not needed. Scott Peterson, junior psychology major, said, I think its a good idea. Ross Kongslien, sophomore youth ministires major, somewhat agreed with Schmeichel and said, I dont know if its wise financially to be

SPORTS.

A NEW VIKINGS STADIUM CREATES CONTROVERSY

By Sam olmstead

spending that kind of money on a new stadium, especially if we already have one, but it would be sweet! Mark Cronk, junior communication arts major, said, Upfront it will be a lot of money, but in the long run it could be economically beneficial for downtown. Former Economic Development Manager for Elliot Park Neighborhood Incorporated (EPNI), Robert Woods said, Its not just a world class stadium but an economic development project due to the large amount of money that will be coming through the community. Woods says that the community surrounding the Metrodome needs to be looking at the new stadium as a potential for economic gains. Recent turmoil over funding has come from Governor Daytons strong opposition toward the Vikings idea of utilizing Personal Seat Licensing (PSL) in order to charge those who wish to buy season tickets with an initial upfront cost in order to purchase a license for individual seats which would then allow them to purchase tickets. The Dallas Cowboys currently have PSL fees varying between $250 and $162,500 per seat. Sports columnist for the Star Tribune, Sid Hartman stated that Dayton is simply pulling a political move when he knew all along that PSLs were a part of the Vikings financial plan. Nevertheless, construction is planned to begin in the fall of 2013 allowing for the Vikings to utilize the new stadium for the 2016 season.

photos by Ja

ron kissner

Getting ready for the Season

THE RAMS BASKETBALL TEAM SUITS UP AND PREPARES FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON.
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All Good things Must Come to an end

MENS AND WOMENS SOCCER SEASON WRAP UP FOR THE YEAR.
By Chrissie Parker

The Womens NCCAA Division II National Soccer Championship took place on November 7-10 in Kissimmee, Florida. This makes the fifth time in a row that the womens soccer team has made it to nationals. Ultimately, the team took fourth place at the end of the tournament. The team played Clearwater on Wednesday resulting in a loss 2-0. The athletes started off the tournament well. Alyssa Freitag, a senior American Sign Language major stated, The first game we had adrenaline, hustled, and we really competed with Clearwater. On Friday, the team played Maranatha Baptist Bible College with a win 2-0. The final game on Saturday was a 1-0 loss to Providence University College, resulting in fourth place. Freitag said, They scored off a penalty kick that should not have been a penalty kick. The penalty kick that was called was questionable. Head coach Allison Murphy said, We played fairly well in our first game against the eventual national champions and I think that though we suffered a major injury, during our second game we played well. During the second game, Christina Goodman, a senior psychology major was slide tackled by an opponent, resulting in her serious injury and unable to finish the game and play the next and final games against Providence. Overall the team worked together very well and it was though things were difficult for us down there the team responded well emotionally and spiritually. The team stayed true to our three goals (#1 Reflect Christ, #2 Be good sisters in Christ to one another, and #3 Work hard) even though we had several obstacles to overcome, said Murphy.

About the Guys...

Mens soccer looked to defend their NCCAA Regional Championship title last month on Oct. 23 and 24. The first of two games was a 2-0 win over Faith Baptist Bible College in the semi finals. The team then recorded a second place finish on the tails of a 0-5 loss to Providence College. A win in the finals would have allowed the men to travel to Florida for the NCCAA Division II National Soccer Championship. Instead, the mens soccer team finished their season on Oct. 27 with a 1-0 win over Crown College. The win propelled their record to 8-12-1 on the season.

By Josh Gregory

BEACh SoCCER? photo by Andrew Cameron photo by Andrew Cameron nCu womens soccer team relaxes by the Atlantic after placing fourth in nationals in kissimee, florida.

FoR GooDY the womens soccer team displays their support for injured teammate, Christina Goodman at their 2012 nationals in florida.

November 2012

19

XC Crosses the finish Line

A LOOK BACK AT THIS FALLS CROSS COUNTRY SEASON.
The mens and womens cross country teams have wrapped up their seasons this past weekend. Both teams traveled to Cedarville, Ohio to compete in the NCCAA National Championships. Looking back on the season, head coach Trey Meadows has nothing but positive things to say about each of his teams, from their work ethic, to their dedication, to their ability to glorify Christ in all they said and did. He could not be more proud for all the hard work and time every athlete put in. The season began with the Early Bird Meet on Aug. 31. The mens team finished 2nd and the women started off their season with an impressive performance finishing 1st. The teams went on to run in five more meets before they headed off to Ohio to compete in the NCCAA Championships. The men finished 17th, 7th, 6th, 8th, and 7th respectively in those meets. The women finished 16th, 4th, 1st, 3rd, and 5th respectively. In Ohio, North Central competed against 50 other NCCAA schools. The championships was hosted by Cedarville University at the Elvin King Cross Country Course. The mens team wrapped up its season with a 6th place finish at Nationals. The Rams were led by Sutton Rehwaldt, a sophomore biblical studies major, who finished 6th overall, less than 20 seconds off fifth place time, which would have earned him an All-American award. After the meet, Austin Muchow, a senior psychology major received special recognition at the National Awards Banquet for being a NCCAA National Scholar Athlete. The womens team ended its season just as they started it with a 1st place finish. The team grabbed their unprecedented eighth straight victory at the NCCAA Division II National Championship. Freshman social work major
By Paul Brunner

photo by Catherine Mead

RuN FoR ThE GoLD Austin Muchow, Senior, was recognized as being nCCAA national Scholar Athlete at the nCCAA Division II national Championship.

NCCAA READY? womens Cross Country team go for a practice run gearing up for the nCCAA Division II national Championships.

Annalise Schroeder, a freshman social work major, Kara Montanez, a senior urban studies major, and Jacie Jawaski, a freshman elementary education major each were named NCCAA All-Americans. The men overcame many challenges this season. Muchow recognized the main challenge as having a small team. You need five runners to start and finish a race in order for your team to score, and since we only had five runners on the team this meant that no one could be sick or injured for a race, said Muchow. Yet, the team was able to overcome this challenge due to everyone being committed and showing up ready to work hard every day. Meadows recognized the teams incredible accomplishment during the season by stating, To take sixth at nationals was as good an accomplishment as Ive ever had as a coach, even though weve won championships before. The women, aside from only having two returners, were able to finish off a remarkable year. Despite what people might see as a lack of experience, we succeeded due to the fact that we had a team with open minds and the willingness to work insanely hard, said captain Meghan Smith, a senior english major. Smith accredits the success of the team to many things, such as waking up before 5 a.m. to sneak in a long run before classes to running ourselves into complete exhaustion during Tuesday afternoon interval workouts. Meadows was quick to recognize the character and work ethic of this team. The character of this team was the reason there was any sort of success. There were never any excuses, said Meadows.

photo by Catherine Mead

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