Friday, March 29, 2024

Monthly Archives: February 2014

SPORTS COLUMN: Held to a higher standard

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Comparing NBA players to NFL players

By James Howey

The NFL is obviously the most popular sport in America by far. The Super Bowl was the most watched television program ever and was a complete blowout and the gambling/ fantasy football aspects of the sport continue to grow every year. One way this has been shown the past 10 years is how much more venom and vitriol other athletes in leagues like the NBA and the MLB get even when the NFL has had more arrests than either of those leagues in recent years.

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was recently arrested for hitting his fiancé unconscious in a Las Vegas casino; and even with security video showing Rice dragging her out of an elevator, not too much has come out of it in the news. I’ve heard some people say, “Well, let’s not judge him in the court of public opinion.” Anyone with half a brain knows sports fans or we, the media, have absolutely no issue with judging someone in court of public opinion. Could you imagine if an NBA player like Carmelo Anthony or Dwight Howard had been seen dragging their fiancé out of an elevator? The media would be at DEFCON 1.

Look at how much Kobe Bryant’s rape case in 2003 has affected his image. Bryant is often looked at as selfish, a ball hog and is one of the most disliked athletes in sports. Meanwhile, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has had two similar situations involving young women who both accused Roethlisberger of rape, and one of which resulted in a six game suspension. Roethlisberger’s popularity has really not taken much of a hit and these situations are not brought up as the brunt of jokes, as opposed to Bryant’s case which is commonly a joke used on Family Guy or late night talk shows.

Alex Rodriguez is arguably the most disliked athlete in sports. Rodriguez is a liar and narcissistic, but he didn’t hit a woman, he isn’t a drug dealer or a murder. You walk into any sports bar in America and ask a guy about Rodriguez and you will be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t completely hate Rodriguez.

Now this begs the question: why do NFL players seem to get a pass in the public? One reason is how brilliantly the NFL is marketed — and I do mean brilliantly. The NFL has taken advantage of how popular fantasy football is with the Red Zone channel on DIRECTV that shows every scoring play live and whenever a team is in the red zone. The NFL recently launched a lingerie line. Why? The biggest problem facing the NFL is getting young kids to play despite the rampant safety issues with concussions. So you target young women, ages 18-30, who wear lingerie and who will eventually decide whether they want their sons to play football.

The way football is watched and the way football players look on the field is another reason. We watch football games from a much farther viewing point than baseball or basketball. We don’t see as much of them as we see with basketball or baseball players. We see mostly the team logo and uniform which is what we associate with football instead of individual players, which we mostly associate with basketball and baseball. We don’t see the tattoos that most athletes have and we aren’t close enough to hear them curse.

Think about how football players look on the field; they really look more like robots than people. We oftentimes just think of football players as cold-blooded killing machines and when one of them gets in trouble it’s looked as no big deal. Opposed to basketball and baseball players, where we see them close up as humans with all their flaws — on and off the field.

Contact James Howey, sports editor, at jhowey@jccc.edu.

SOFTBALL: Cavs look to continue tradition of success

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By James Howey

The softball team begins a season with only four returning players from last year. Even with the lack of experience, the bar is still set high.

“What we expect out of our program every year and definitely something we are expecting this year is to get to the national tournament,” Head coach Audree Brattin said. “We are a very young but very talented team, very capable of doing it.”

Coach Brattin looks for the ladies to have a team capable of winning with different ways throughout the season.

“We don’t really have many standout players,” coach Brattin said. “We do have a group that’s going to play together on the field as a team and to me that’s more important than all the talent in the world.”

One of the squad’s returning players is pitcher Zoe Price who led the team in ERA (earned run average) with 2.98 and had a record of 20-7.

“I expect us to do really well and beat some of the teams we had trouble with last year,” Price said. “Our defense is strong, our offense is strong and we all gel really well on the field as a team.”

Consistency is key for the girls to maintain success throughout the season.

“I get the kids and they’re working hard for two or three hours at practice and some days they’re just feeling lazy and not willing to put in as hard of work as they did the day before,” Coach Brattin said. “Finding the consistency of getting our top play every single day that we step on to the field is the key.”

The Cavaliers went 3-2 at last weekend’s Cowtown Classic in Fort Worth, Texas and will face Coffeyville Community College at home March 4. According to coach Brattin, the ladies can expect stiff competition from the teams they will face in the tough Kansas Jayhawk Community College conference.

“They’ll learn pretty quickly that we see the best out of every team that we face because we’re one of the best teams in the nation,” she said. “Everybody that we face wants to beat us.”

Contact James Howey, sports editor, at jhowey@jccc.edu.

BASEBALL: Cavs move forward with great expectations

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By James Howey

The baseball team has started the season with an 8-2 record and look to continue that success with the squad heading into conference play with big expectations for the season.

“We have the bar set high like we have each and every year,” Baseball coach Kent Shelley said. “We expect to compete for the conference championship and hopefully get ourselves in an opportunity to advance to the region six championship in Wichita.”

However, this year the Cavaliers face inexperience as 23 freshmen are on the team.

“We have a lot of freshmen but we have a good group of sophomores,” sophomore pitcher Austin Schnurbusch said. “That will pull us all together and keep us a family and win some ball games.”

“We’re excited with our potential,” Coach Shelley said. “It all revolves around gaining the experience and how quickly we can grow up.”

The Cavs offensive skills were on full display the first 10 games of the season. The squad scored over seven runs per game so far through the season.

“I think we swing it very well from top to bottom,” Coach Shelley said. “Just a little mix of everything we got very good team speed and all those areas are very solid, very balanced.”

Pitching is another strength of the team with Schnurbusch leading the way with a 1.93 ERA through two games pitched.

“We really like our front line pitching,” Coach Shelley said. “I think we got depth on our mound that maybe we haven’t had quite as much in years past.”

Both coach and player accept nothing but hard work and success from the Cavaliers throughout the season.

“Just busting it on the field at practice and just doing everything at hundred percent and just keeping everyone accountable for everything,” Schnurbusch said.

“Just continued hard work and getting better each and every day,” Coach Shelley said. “We expect all that to happen.”

Contact James Howey, sports editor, at jhowey@jccc.edu.

Sports Calendar

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Baseball

1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27 at Allen Community College

1 p.m. Saturday, March 1 v. Allen Community College

3 p.m. Tuesday, March 4 v. Rockhurst University Overland Park

1 p.m. Thursday, March 6 at Fort Scott Community College

1 p.m. Saturday, March 8 v. Fort Scott Community College

3 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 v. Rockhurst University

Softball

Noon and 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 4 v. Coffeyville Community College

1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, March 8 v. Labette Community College

1 and 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at Fort Scott Community College

Sports Briefs

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Men’s Basketball

Men’s basketball has rebounded strong late in the season. The squad is 3-1 in the last four games, including a dominating win over Hesston College 80-62 with Pat Jones scoring 33 points in the game which led the team to a win. Jones also scored 24 points in the team’s narrow road win at Kansas City Kansas Community College 63-61. The Cavs are 10-19 this season.

Women’s Basketball

The Lady Cavs earned a huge road victory over rival Highland Community College on Feb. 19. The ladies won in overtime 65-61, avenging their only loss of the season and handing Highland their second loss of the season. The Cavs’ Kelsey Barrett scored a team high 21 points in the victory. The win moved the Cavaliers into a tie in conference and region standings with Highland. The lady Cavs are 28-1 this season.

College to cut tennis and golf programs for 2014-2015

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By James Howey

Sports can sometimes seem untouchable, often serving as a getaway from the problems students may face in everyday life. The recent news about the cutting of the college’s golf and tennis programs for the 2014-15 academic year was another harsh reminder that sports, just like any other program at the college, can fall victim to budget cuts.

“Probably one of my low-lights of things I’ve had to do in this position is cutting the programs of two great hall of fame coaches,” said the college’s athletic director Carl Heinrich.

This year’s cuts will save around $200,000, according to Heinrich. It’s not the first time the college’s sports department has had to cut for money.

“We cut two hundred thousand last year not many people know about that,” Heinrich said. “We’ve cut close to half a million in the last two years.”

The recent decrease in enrollment at the college is the main cause for the cuts, he said.

“Last year we tried to survive without eliminating any programs and it came down this year when we had an enrollment that was down six percent in the fall and eight percent in the spring,” Heinrich said. “Our projected enrollment for this year was a two percent in increase for both semesters; so you’re looking at a difference of an eighteen percent budget in enrollment.”

The tennis and golf programs have seen great success under their respective head coaches. Glen Moser has been at the helm of the college’s tennis program for 35 years and under his coaching the program amassed 24 region team championships, 33 top ten, 11 top five team finishes at the national tournament and 30 all-American performers.

Lafayette Norwood has been the head golf coach at the college for 21 years and has led the program to much success and accolades such as 16 top 20 finishes in NJCAA, two top ten team finishes three KJCAA titles, three conference medalists, one professional tour player and three all Americans with fourth and sixth place finishes in the nation.

“We have been considered one of the top 10 junior college golf programs in the nation,” Norwood said. “We have had two players to win the national putting contest and one player winning the nation’s long drive contest.”

When reflecting on his time as golf coach at the college coach, Norwood looks back with pride of the success of the golf program and players.

“The young men that come through our program become successful individuals and those with the golfing skills went as far as possible,” coach Norwood said. “Johnson County on the National scene is known to compete with the best.”

Moser agrees the college’s golf program has helped to advance student athletes.

“I feel that we have given many student-athletes locally and from all over the world, the opportunity to develop their tennis skills as well as to mature in the classroom so that they could obtain good scholarships at the four year level,” Moser said. “It has been wonderful watching and assisting these young in reaching their goals and dreams.”

The cutting of the tennis program is not lost on the thoughts of some local high school coaches like Shawnee Mission East tennis head coach Sue Chipman.

“Our local high school athletes will be affected because the Johnson County Community College tennis program has usually included some of the area’s best players,” Chipman said. “Not having that option available will mean that some of those players may not continue playing at the college level.”

The cuts will not just affect the college, but also the community, Chipman explained.

“Continuing the tennis program at JCCC could very well have greater influence on our area’s health than we realize,” she said.

If the enrollment at the college continues to trim down students may see even more cuts to programs at the college.

“You know if enrollment doesn’t grow we’re going to have to probably look at some more cuts,” Heinrich said. “It’s a tough thing.”

Contact James Howey, sports editor, at jhowey@jccc.edu.

Letter to the Editor

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Dear Editor,

I am writing in reference to an article published in the February 13 volume, “Addressing the elephant in the college”.

First, the story subtitle implied tension between administration and adjunct faculty. I would never have characterized that there was “hostile interplay” precisely between these two groups. Let me share why.

•A survey was done in October, 2012 on our adjunct faculty; 628 to be precise.

•We had 350 respondents and we found that 91% of adjunct faculty indicated they were “Satisfied” or “Very Satisfied” teaching at JCCC.

While I have heard some heart-wrenching stories from some adjuncts, our data show that only 9% of adjuncts were less than satisfied with their positions at JCCC. This should not diminish the fact that “some” adjuncts have not had very positive experiences. As adjunct professors, we continue to try to build a more collaborative workplace

Second, as an adjunct advocate, I have always tried to build relationships across campus with individuals in administrative roles, but not at the expense of building relationships with my fellow faculty (adjuncts and FT alike). I think relationship building was overshadowed by the author’s misperception that interactions among part-time faculty and administration is hostile.

Finally, I want to share that there are many, many supportive faculty and staff here at JCCC. Yes, I am an adjunct advocate and there are issues to consider but people have looked out for me, and my children, which is a debt I can never repay.

Irene Schmidt, M.A., Adjunct Professor of Spanish, Faculty Senate Secretary

COLUMN: Mid-semester musing

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Make the most of the last weeks

By Stephen Cook

Here we are, almost in March; the weeks have simply flown by. It’s amazing for me to think that we only have four issues left this semester. These four issues will also be my last as editor-in-chief.

As we approach the halfway mark of the semester, take some time to think back on this academic school year. Are you heading in the direction you want to be? Are you staying on track with your goals? What about those New Year’s resolutions?

My time at the college has gone by in a flash — it’s hard to believe that I’ve been editor-in-chief for almost a year. It’s been great, and I plan on making the remaining weeks something to remember. And you should as well.

This school has many ways you can get involved, especially in areas that tie to your area of study. There are thousands of other students you haven’t met. Your professors are also willing to help, talk and give advice about professional career fields.

Don’t just sit by and use the age-old excuse that you are attending a community college and there’s nothing to do.

Life is all about what you make it. If you want to get involved and have a great time, that is your choice. If you don’t, then that’s up to you as well.

Contact Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, at scook35@jccc.edu.

COLUMN: Man’s moral responsibility

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Action, not outrage will protect animals from abuse

By David Hurtado

If you spent a day with me, I feel like I could convince you humans are the same now as they were 2000 years ago.

On Feb. 19 a Kansas man fed an 8-month-old puppy bleach and metal shavings, causing it to suffer severe chemical burns. A few days later on Feb. 23, a cat was shot full of BB pellets in Northern Virginia—mostly in his head. Unfortunately, the individuals responsible for these acts will more than likely not receive the retribution they deserve.

According to the Humane Society, animal cruelty charges in Kansas are prosecuted as a misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $1000 and up to six months in prison. More often than not, prosecutors don’t seem to regard animal abuse as an important enough crime to bother with. And when they do, even if it’s prosecuted and a conviction gained, the punishment amounts to little more than a slap on the wrist.

If these people are willing to maliciously harm defenseless animals, you can be certain they would have no problem doing the same or worse to humans. This is how these sociopaths start out. First it’s dog and cats, then they move on to larger game like people. Imagine what kind of atrocities someone like this might hold in store for a small child who can’t even begin to defend themselves.

It’s sick behavior. A human, at the very least, is able to reason and come to the conclusion that they are being abused because the person is sadistic. Animals are, essentially, not capable of that level of understanding. Dogs will trust humans with absolutely no reason to do so. They can’t conceive of ever being harmed for no justifiable reason. To have that trust blatantly ruined by some barbaric neanderthal, which often leaves a dog permanently broken, is beyond cruel.

Laws punishing and preventing animal abuse and neglect need to be much stronger than they currently are. As they are, the consequences are tantamount to threatening a hardened gang of Bloods and Crips thugs with harsh consequences administered by the hand of Barney the Dinosaur. Changes must be made.

Similar to sex offenders, animal abusers should be required to register in a national database so they can never own another animal. Additionally, animal abuse needs to become a felony level crime with considerable more time spent behind bars, a much higher fine and required psychiatric evaluation for the persons involved. Humans are only capable of behaving in a civilized manner when they know their actions will hold consequences.

It’s easy to turn a blind eye when taking action isn’t convenient. They’re smaller than us, they don’t speak our language and they defecate all over the place; essentially, they aren’t human. These excuses do not suffice. As sentient beings, we have a moral responsibility to protect those who cannot stand up for themselves, whether they are human or not.

You don’t have to love animals to know the difference between right and wrong.

Contact David Hurtado, features editor, at dhurtado@jccc.edu.

Meet the ECAV DJ: Maureen Chung

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Major/Area of study: Graphic design

Position: Disc jockey

Show: “The Motion”, weekdays at 6 p.m.

Can you describe your ECAV show? 

My show focuses around positive alternative, so you get the indie side of worship music you don’t normally hear on your local humdrum radio. I’m going to start recording interviews with people talking about what God’s been doing in their life, and worship jam sessions with instruments in the sound booth.

What has been your favorite part about working with ECAV Radio? 

It’s definitely all about the people, and loving what you do. I love putting together segments of music that people have probably never heard before, and might even find themselves enjoying.

Who is your favorite musician? 

Right now, it’s Jon Foreman. But due to this weather I’ve been listening to a lot of Tame Impala too.

What is your dream job? Why? 

A Google doodler. Those people are pretty cool. They get paid to make the homepage doodles. How cool is that?

If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be? 

I feel like Dave Grohl would be pretty awesome to jam with.

What is one fact most people don’t know about you? 

I like poetry? I guess? I don’t think there are very many things about me that people don’t know already; I like being open.

Visit ECAVradio.com

InFocus: Audio Artistry — Darrik Getz

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Students showcase their musical projects

By Jessica Skaggs

Student Darrik Getz is a local recording artist who claims to be “different” than other artists in the Kansas City area.

“My music is very heavily influenced by 80s and 90s R&B and pop,” he said. “It’s very different than most local artists. There’s not really anybody out there right now in Kansas City that’s doing their own production, writing and recording and everything the way that I am right now. I feel like a lot of people are singer-songwriter, guitar that kind of thing, so that kind of makes it hard to find a venue to play in and things like that.”

Music has been a part of Getz’s life ever since the earliest years of his childhood.

“I’ve always loved music, even when I was little I used to dance around and sing in my bedroom and goofy little kids stuff,” Getz said. “But I didn’t start actually working on music and writing music until my sophomore year of high school. My friend and I would write music in his basement, and he had his own personal home studio and we would sit down there for hours and hours and just write cheesy, stupid horrible songs.”

Getz however believes that’s the best place to begin.

“That’s where you have to start,” he said. “You just have to get in there and do it.”

After graduating from high school, Getz came to the college to take classes in the recording arts program. It was here where he learned to do his own production and recording, a freedom he enjoys.

“It’s nice, because you don’t have anyone else to rely on,” Getz said. “You don’t even have to worry about people stealing your music, you don’t have to worry about anything.”

Getz mainly plays the piano, and claims to draw his inspiration from artists such as Jamie Jackson.

“I love, I really like music that makes me want to dance,” Getz said. “And so I mean she [Jackson] definitely has that going […] I think that just her as an artist and as a person is very inspirational. She’s got a very, very good work ethic and she’s not afraid to push the boundaries and to try something new, and she’s not afraid to offend people.”

For Getz, music is his way to balance the stress in his life and clear his conscience.

“When I sit down to write a song I’m not thinking, ’oh man this song is going to make me millions,’” he said. “I’m creating the type of music that I want to listen to, and I don’t really ever stop to think about what other people want to do. It’s all just kind of personal and whatever I am going through. So if someone ends up liking it and it ends up going somewhere then that’s great but to me it’s kind of a selfish thing.”

Although he does not currently perform anywhere, he hopes to start performing with the completion of his first album, expected to be released by the end of July. Getz is looking forward to creating his fan-base and getting his name out to those who will appreciate his music and style.

“The struggle right now is really finding venues that are going to take to my music and people who are going to want to listen to it,” he said. “ It’s very upbeat and very dancy, but there isn’t in Kansas City a huge market for it, so I’m going to have to build a fan base and build it myself, because there’s just not anything out there pre-existing out there with it.”

However, once Getz starts performing, fame and fortune is not the end goal.

“I’m not very preoccupied with fame,” he said. “My main concern is just being able to do what I love and do it as a living. If I find fame or fortune or whatever from that, then that’s great. But just as long as I can support myself and be happy doing what I love, that’s all I really care about.”

Article by Jessica Skaggs, managing editor, jskaggs4@jccc.edu.

InFocus: Audio Artistry — Lowkeezy

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Students showcase their musical projects

By Jessica Skaggs

Phil ‘Lowkeezy’ Jones, student, is a DJ for ECAV Radio, as well as a local underground hip-hop artist who has performed in several places throughout the United States, including Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.

“Music in general has always been in me and it’s just something that I’ve always done,” he said. “When you’re going through something you don’t really have to hold it inside, you can just write it down and make art out of it.”

Lowkeezy has gained popularity not only in the United States, but throughout the world as he has sold CDs in Italy, Germany and Japan. Although he has had quite a bit of success, he said he had his first experience of fame was while performing in Salt Lake City.

“I had a song that was called “Ball Out, Ball Out” and I performed it and before, everybody was just kind of sitting down and then all of sudden before we knew it, 30 people were on stage with us,” Jones said. “Security started having to put people off the stage and girls were trying to grab my microphone and it just got crazy. I almost fell off stage because there were so many people.”

With the success Lowkeezy has already reached, he is satisfied with where his music career is at for now.

“To a certain extent I feel like I already have kind of made it big,” he said. “So I am content right now, and I really don’t know if I want a record deal just because when you’re independent you have so much more say-so and you keep all the money when you get shows. You don’t really have to worry about anybody else and no middle man. It would have to be a nice amount of money for me to go mainstream because I like being underground.”

Although hip-hop is Lowkeezy’s main genre, he also identifies and gets his inspiration from other music genres, including soft 80s rock.

“I grew up on Michael Jackson,” he said. “He was just so artistic and such a weird person, but when he came on stage that was like the only time he was comfortable, and it was like he found himself by getting lost in his music.”

The underground culture is Lowkeezy’s main audience, as he feels there is more value given to local artists.

“[The underground culture] is cool,” he said.”It’s like they respect you more because they see you out riding and hustling trying to get your music heard, so a lot of people respect that. There’s a variety of people that just listen to underground music because they feel it’s not watered down and mainstreamed.”

Lowkeezy’s next peformance is April 17 at the Granada. His music can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and YouTube.

Article by Jessica Skaggs, managing editor, jskaggs4@jccc.edu.

InFocus: Audio Artistry — Vela

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Students showcase their musical projects

By Jessica Skaggs

Local musicians Jonas Birkel (guitar and vocals) and Sean Cedillo (drums) perform in their band called, Vela, which the two started in 2010 while in high school. Prior to being in their own band, they played together in their high school jazz band.

“I really liked how Sean played because it was different than the other drummers, very fluid and melodic,” Birkel, student, said. “Sophomore year I was looking for a new project and he had nothing to do so we started jamming and we came across liking a lot of different styles — Latin, Rock and such. So we started trying to get a band together, brought in people and started making songs and making those songs a really nice piece of crafted work.”

They got their start performing in a club called Intentions, playing every week for about a year. However, since the club was bought out, they’ve become a two-man show and have been able to perform throughout the Kansas City area and elsewhere across the Midwest.

“We’ve just stripped it down to a two-piece,” he said. “There isn’t anyone else in the band because we like that raw sound. There’s just something about that, that we’re attracted to, it’s just right there on the table […] and we don’t have any help from computers or technology.”

For Birkel, he hopes Vela is never on iTunes, as they strive to make their albums complete pieces of work.

“We don’t ever want to be on iTunes because I don’t think it’s worth it,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with it, but I want people to buy our music in a body of work, not just individual songs.”

The inspiration for their art comes from various places, whether it be different music styles, the riff of a guitar to everyday experiences.

“I just like writing, and I think that has a lot to do with it […] being connected to art and sound and the stories behind it,” Birkel said. “Past relationships are another inspiration, although I’m not going to pull a Taylor Swift or anything anytime soon, but I mean just relationships and experiences can and do inspire.”

The main focus behind Vela is to remain unique, avoid the mainstream tendencies of local budding artists and to remain true to their style.

“If we get 15 people to a show and they like our music and they’re enthusiastic then that’s cool,” he said. “I’d rather have that than 30 people who are indifferent. I’d rather have people involved in our music than just playing to the masses.”

Vela’s next performance is on March 6 at Barleycorn’s in Wichita.

Listen to Vela: reverbnation.com/vela1 

Article by Jessica Skaggs, managing editor, jskaggs4@jccc.edu.

InFocus: Audio Artistry — The Monarchs

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Students showcase their musical projects

By Jessica Skaggs

The Monarchs is a local band that got their start about two and a half years ago performing one show a week at various locations around town. Now, with two albums released and a third one on the way, they perform every six weeks at places including Jackpot and Bottleneck.

“One of the shows that we had at the Bottleneck, it was May 4, 2013 and it was a Saturday night and it was a last minute show and we didn’t think that many people would show up,” bassist and student Nathaniel Greene said. “But like 200 people came out and we like to do a couple covers, like three covers a show, and during one of the covers at the show, we performed ‘By the Way’ by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the whole crowd was singing along.”

It was that show Greene considered to be one of the best performances so far.

“I mean I wish it was one of our songs,” he said, “but I’ll take anything I can get.”

In addition to Greene, Matt Wargin (drums) and Garrett Murdock (guitar) make up The Monarchs.

Although listed as a rock band, Greene likes to think of themselves as something more.

“My inspiration comes from, well I like to read Asian philosophy, and when I’m reading that’s where most of my writing comes from,” he said. “Musically though, [I’m inspired] all the time. I mean I’m inspired by things all around me. Just like someone tapping the counter can even inspire me, like the beat or something. And reviewers have said that if Led Zepplin, Radiohead and Madonna had a baby, that would be us.”

Their plans for the future are optimistic, as they have already gained the attention of 550 likes on Facebook, and bring out a crowd of about 100 to each show through word of mouth and handing out free copies of their CDs.

“We want to change the world with our music,” Greene said. “I think that music, well, Mozart has the quote that music has a higher power than anything written or said. Just playing one note brings a person memories, it takes them somewhere. And if one note can do that, then imagine what a song can do. “

The one thing Greene wants people to know about The Monarchs is that they have deep influences.

“There’s more to it than meets the eye,” he said. “I think it’s important to know that we have been doing this for three years and that we’re all three songwriters.”

The Monarchs second album, “Shadows of Our Time” was released last week, while their first album can be found on iTunes.

Article by Jessica Skaggs, managing editor, jskaggs4@jccc.edu.

Runway Ready

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Students prepare for annual fashion show at the college

By Christina Lieffring

When the models sashay down the runway at the JCCC Fashion Show, it will be the culmination of the Fashion Merchandising and Design (FMD) faculty and students’ efforts for over six months. All FMD students must participate in at least one fashion show before completing the program, though some do more.

“Last year I was asked to participate and I had one month to prepare,” said design student Jamye Thompson, who is participating again in this year’s show. “This year I had a lot more time and had learned a lot more skills.”

The students must develop a concept and from that concept create and build a line of at least three ensembles. Both department chair Joan McCrillis- Lafferty and associate professor Joy Rhodes emphasized that while the faculty check-in and provide guidance, the concepts and work are all the students’.

In line with the “Timeless” theme, 15 outfits from the 20s, 40s and 60s will be modeled from the Fashion Collection, five from each decade. The Fashion Collection is an on-campus collection of over 3,000 pieces of vintage clothing.

The collection is “a huge asset and resource” for the design students, according to adjunct associate professor, Susan Peter.

“It’s one thing to see pictures and read books, but you can’t see how something is made from a book,” she said.

The Collection has pieces from the 1880s to 1990s, including designer pieces.

Also featured will be a line of children’s clothing that will be donated to the charity, “Dresses for Africa”. Two of the models are McCrillis-Lafferty’s granddaughters.

The student designers chose the theme “Timeless” for the overall show, according to McCrillis-Lafferty, “because fashion is timeless.”

“We’re always going back and drawing inspiration and revising,” McCrillis-Lafferty said.

“Timeless” is also intentionally broad because the student’s lines are “all totally different.”

Developing a line from an original concept is a new challenge for these designers. It is unlike their day-to-day classwork.

“You don’t have a pattern that you’re following,” said design student Liz Ronning. “You have to make your own design.”

This leads to unforeseen problems and application of the skills they learn in their classes in new contexts.

“I have learned so many things,” said design student Maria Mata. “Everything I learned, I’m doing it now. It can also be fun to have no idea what you’re doing.”

Design student Joe Walker was inspired by Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune”,

“I was surprised by how much I was inspired by a song,” he said.

Ronning’s design concept is “The Muppets,” which the students all agreed they were looking forward to seeing.

Another challenge for the students is working with models, who are volunteers usually recruited from the student body.

“They’re not like a set pattern or a mannequin. Their dimensions are different,” said Walker.

Mata sees her models “as a canvas.”

Thompson was a model in high school until she “wanted to learn more about what goes on behind the camera.”

She loves working with models, partly because some of them are her friends. It is “very satisfying” when, after altering a piece over and over, she gets the clothing to fit just right.

The college started its fashion design program in 2000. Before then, the fashion show featured clothing from retail stores as part of the fashion merchandising program. McCrillis-Lafferty and Rhodes feel the experience is invaluable for those wanting to go into the industry.

“It’s a huge lesson in time management. You have a hard deadline. Everything has to be ready to go on the runway,” said McCrillis-Lafferty.

While some students were confident, Ronning said she could have used seven months. Some first year FMD students anticipate the time crunch after watching their peers.

“I have students that are starting right now for next year, thinking of next year,” said Rhodes. “Because, you know, it’s a lot of work.”

In spite of the time and stress, McCrillis-Lafferty believes the experience gives FMD students an advantage in continuing their education or in the workplace.

“It gives them a portfolio piece and videotape of their clothes on a runway they can show to prospective employers,” she said. “Because they are literally putting their work on the runway, they take more pride in the work than they would in the classroom. The quality increases. They raise the bar of excellence.”

The college’s fashion show, “Timeless,” is this Friday, Feb. 28 at noon and 7 p.m. in the Polsky Theatre. Tickets for JCCC students, faculty and staff are $5, advanced general admission are $8 and door tickets are $10. Contact the box office at 913-469-4445.

After the show on Feb. 28, visit CampusLedger.com for photos from the event. 

Contact Christina Lieffring, staff reporter, at clieffri@jccc.edu.

Professor Profiles

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By Mike Abell

Every instructor creates a unique learning environment that correlates with their personality, with each instructor having taken a different road to get where they are today. It isn’t uncommon for students at the college to form friendships with their instructors by the end of the semester. Sheryl Hadley, William Stockton and Daniel Murtaugh are some of the instructors that are known to create an endearing experience in the classroom here at the college.

Sheryl Hadley, economics professor, has been a full time employee at the college for 10 years. As a child, Hadley grew up on military bases all around the country and attended nine different schools during her K-12 education. Hadley’s number one hobby is traveling; she will be traveling Europe in May.

Last semester, Hadley even took a five credit hour class herself. Hadley hopes that all of her students will succeed in her class with a new outlook on economics.

“There could be nothing going on and I still love coming in here everyday and I still love seeing student’s faces,” Hadley said. “I still try to understand the problems and issues that they have.”

William Stockton teaches history of Western Civilizations I and II, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Middle Ages and religions of the East. Stockton loves to travel and said he continually returns to Turkey, living abroad at one point. He originally was majoring in philosophy but ended up becoming a historian. After working at the college, Stockton’s view on teaching has changed.

“I think my whole vision of teaching was sort of professor-centered when I started and then over the years it just kind of disappeared, or at least I hope,” Stockton said. “I really enjoy the students I have as people, as well as students. That has been a big change for me.”

Dan Murtaugh is an energetic instructor who loves to engage his students through a good lecture. He teaches Western Civilizations I and II. Murtaugh is someone who loves to read, adding that reading has helped him overcome many obstacles in his life. He ended up majoring in literature after studying law for a little over five years. Murtaugh said students enjoy having him because of how excitable he is.

“The full idea of lecturing has kind of been given a black eye because I think if you know how to do it well then you can really involve the students, and I tend to live what I teach in some ways because I love it so much and I can create images out my description of them,” Murtaugh said.

Contact Mike Abell, photo editor, at mabell@jccc.edu.

A shift in sales

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A look at the place of malls and shopping in society

By Stephen Cook

In an age where digital technology is prevalent, the world of retail is also constantly changing. Shopping culture first saw enclosed malls become popular decades ago, then free-standing department stores and open, “lifestyle centers” such as The Legends and Town Center Plaza have begun to sprout up.

Now, with Macy’s having announced the closure of their 216,000 square foot Metcalf South Mall location, the fate of that mall is a left a question amongst the community — will it fall to the same fate as others in the area have? Or will it be revitalized into a new, re-purposed complex?

Donna Duffey, professor and department chair, entrepreneurship, worked at Macy’s stores in the area for 16 years before coming to the college. She worked in various capacities, ranging from assistant buyer to store manager.

Duffey said one area of notable change in the world of retail is related to the tenant mix within shopping center environments. Open, outdoor, lifestyle centers in the metro area have also been drawing business away from local malls. To a degree, Duffey believes this is because of a change in what people are are now looking for.

In some ways, Duffey said lifestyle centers are more convenient; you can park right outside the store you are going to, granted you will have to have your coat on. The “streetscape” or environment of the complex is another element, and food and entertainment venues are also incorporated into the experience. However, lifestyle centers are also impacted by online shopping.

“Is there a growth in online? Absolutely yes,” she said. “It is a result of significant technology changes and improvements that have been able to transition some of those people that were not interested in just shopping off of a drawing or a photograph [in a catalog], because so much of the technology can make things come alive for them today.”

If retailers also have significant online presences, then they can try and keep their market share by having different formats to reach customers, Duffey said.

“I don’t think brick and mortar retailers are going away,” Duffey said. “I think the opportunities are [in] retailers having multiple formats of communicating with their customer, reaching their customer.”

Ian Cook, student, shops both in person and online, although he usually likes going to a store to see an item in person. Also, shopping in a store allows you to discover other products.

“I think there’s just kind of something still in the search of going into a place and seeing something that you weren’t expecting or you might not have run across if you were just shopping online for that exact one thing,” Cook said.

Although variations may exist, Duffey said practices such as shopping are “very traditional in our society” and will continue to be carried out by the public.

“I know as a child, [to go shopping] was a dress-up occasion, it was an event,” Duffey said. “As a child you were told to be on proper behavior, proper manners and there were certainly lessons that were taught from a parenting perspective in looking at products and thinking about that product’s value to your needs and your ability to purchase something.”

Duffey thinks, as a society, we will continue to use different formats of purchasing that work for our lifestyle, with methods varying based on time availability or the type of product that is being searched for.

Makenzie Mullin, student, said she does most of her shopping in-person, but also uses sites online.

“I do a lot of online shopping, but it’s one place, Forever21.com,” Mullin said. “That’s just because it’s easy and quick […]; but I’d rather go shopping for some, so I can try it on because everyone has a different body type.”

Duffey believes a lot of the retailers who have online presences have done a particulary good job of working to reduce barriers commonly seen by customers when shopping online. Improvements in shipping time, ease of returns, ability to preview the product and communicating with a salesperson online, are some of the ways online shopping seeks to match the experience of face-to-face interaction. Creating customer loyalty across both online and brick and mortar platforms is a topic businesses have to address.

Ultimately, Duffey said the success and survival of a retailer is based upon whether or not they can adapt to the changing demands.

“If you’re that brick and mortar, but you don’t have an online presence, you’re essentially becoming a service provider for your competitors,” she said.

Contact Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, at scook35@jccc.edu. 

Features Calendar

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JCCC FASHION SHOW 

Noon and 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 in the Polsky Theater

Have a love for fashion? The fashion merchandising and design program are hosting their annual runway fashion show featuring creations of students and models depicting trends from past decades.

Cost: $5 for students, $8 for the public and $10 at the door.

DANÚ 

8 p.m. Saturday, March 8 in Yardley Hall

Why You Need to Be There: One of the leading traditional Irish ensembles, Danú, will be performing at the college just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. The band has performed around the globe for decades and won numerous awards.

Cost: $30, $40, $80

TURTLE ISLAND QUARTET 

7 p.m. Sunday, March 9 in the Polsky Theater

Why you need to be there: Inspired by the works of John Coltrane and Jimi Hendrix, Turtle Island Quartet blends jazz and classical chamber music together within their menagerie of songs.

Cost: $25, $27, $30

ACADEMIC MUSIC CONCERT 

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 12 in the Polsky Theater

Why you need to be there: Conducted by professor of music Terri Teal, the students and faculty of the music and theater department will be performing a concert featuring love songs. Highlights will include Beatles love songs in celebration of their first appearance in the United States.

Cost: Free

Compiled by David Hurtado, features editor, dhurtado@

Tweet your troubles away

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@JCCCProbs: acknowledging the college’s oddities since 2012

By Valerie Velikaya

What began as a joke between two female sophomores has escalated into a popular venue for students to vent their frustrations about the college while providing the resources to create a better learning environment on campus.

The Twitter account @JCCCProbs was established in September 2012, gradually attracting the attention of students and faculty. The “parody” account, owned by two anonymous students, currently has 1,812 followers that bring to light some of the more perplexing aspects of the college.

The idea originated from friends who would re-tweet their universities’ problem accounts, expressed one of the account holders.

“I wondered why [the college] didn’t have one. I would see people do the weirdest things and I knew I couldn’t be the only one with stories to tell,” the creator said.

Such stories range from roaming the campus on stilts or being ever-so-cavalier about parking your vehicle (literally) against another. Behavior such as these will qualify you for a tweet – and a re-tweet.

“[The account] is a place for students to tell crazy things they have heard and send in pictures of people who suck at parking, leave their hair in the bathroom, juggling blades, etc.,” the creator said.

However, the Twitter account isn’t exclusively used for laughs. Software utilized by the college and other institutions alike pick up on keywords like #JCCC. This helps determine any potential threats lurking around campus.

“Our strategy is if we can get information before anything ever happens, that’s the best defense to anything,” said Dennis Day, vice president of Student Success and Engagement.

For example, “There was a slick spot on the sidewalks during the snow,” said Julie Haas, associate vice president, marketing communications. “We can respond, ‘thanks for letting us know,’ and give facilities a heads up that there’s a spot that needs a little extra treatment.”

Thanks to Twitter, the college has also successfully dealt with stalking cases, threats being made toward the college and other suspicious activities.

“I’d like to think that if there is an actual emergency on campus my account will come in handy,” said the account holder. “Many people do not have the text alerts and do not follow @JCCCTweet. @JCCCProbs would be able to spread the word fast.”

Aside from these sporadic occurrences, the account is strictly all in good fun.

Besides convincing the college to put a Chipotle in the café, the creator hopes that the account will “continue to grow and stay funny.”

“The students here are hilarious and the Fountain Crew usually puts on quite a show,” said the account holder.

Student Cheyenne McGinnis thinks the Twitter account is entertaining.

“I think it’s funny. You get up there and see how people react to stuff. I think it’s kind of intriguing to see what everybody says,” she said.

The account continues to climb in popularity, informing individuals of the strange, the comical and the downright bizarre facets of the campus.

“I had no idea it would be so successful,” said the account holder, “and I have to thank the students and staff who follow and continue to tweet to me.”

You can visit the @JCCCProbs page at twitter.com/JCCCProbs.

Contact Valerie Velikaya, news editor, at vvelikay@jccc.edu.

Police Briefs

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Restroom vandalism 

Campus police were dispatched to the first floor of the LIB men’s restroom on Feb. 13 in response to property vandalism. Upon arriving to the scene, police observed the message “Beware, Be, Beware the Blood Madness” and a crown drawn in reddish-pink paint on the inside right-hand wall of the handicap stall. The damage was photographed and housekeeping was made aware of the matter.

Viewing of pornography in the library 

Police received information on Feb. 20 about an individual viewing pornography on a library computer. Upon arriving to the Billington Library Building and speaking with a witness, police encountered the subject who at the time was playing a videogame. When asked if he was a college student, the individual replied that he wasn’t, and after the police had instructed him to shut down the game, a pornographic video was seen playing in the background. The officer then asked the subject to leave the library for questioning in the lobby. It was then the officer had asked the subject for identification to which he stated he didn’t have, adding that he was a local high school student. Campus police attempted to contact the juvenile’s father but to no avail. After being advised that it was a violation to view lewd content on a college computer, the subject was released and instructed to exit the campus.

Compiled by Valerie Velikaya, news editor, vvelikay@jccc.edu. 

Illustrations by Alyssa Jolitz.

News Briefs

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College’s Facebook application shuts down 

A Facebook app that enabled students to communicate with each other was disabled on Wednesday, Feb. 12. According to Mindy Kinnaman, manager of student life and leadership development, it was a cost-cutting issue that was a result of the recent $3.7 million chopped from the budget.

“We felt that the funds being spent could be better allocated to directly serve a larger group of students than the application currently reaches,” Kinnaman said in a post.

In order to communicate with others across campus, students are encouraged to visit the college’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JCCC411.

End in sight for ANGEL 

It is has been determined the Angel Learning Management System will be discontinued for community members on Sunday, June 1. Students taking summer courses will be able to access Desire2Learn, which will sequentially replace the Angel production server.

Any questions about D2L can be answered through contacting the Educational Technology Center in LIB 375 during business hours. To schedule an appointment, call 913-469-3842.

Apply for a full-ride scholarship to study abroad 

Meet with Barbara Williams at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28 in COM 319 for instructions on receiving a full-ride scholarship to China. Students must have their student ID as well as check-in and check-out with the student engagement ambassadors in COM 311.

Compiled by Valerie Velikaya, news editor, vvelikay@jccc.edu.

Educational Affairs removes Reading Readiness requirement

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An updated look at the reading co-requisite

By Jessica Skaggs

Last semester, the college decided to go forward with the previous administration’s reading initiative known as the “Reading Readiness requirement” effective for the current semester. In doing so, there was campus-wide reaction, as normal procedures for course changes was not followed. Such course changes are expected and required to go through the faculty-driven group Educational Affairs.

“What happened [as a result] was last semester in Ed Affairs, the decision was made to invite individual programs and departments to decide for themselves whether they wanted the requirement on their courses,” Dennis Arjo, Educational Affairs member and professor/Chair of Philosophy and Religion, said. “That happened and in January the results of that process were sort of collected and that’s when number one the implementation problem for the spring enrollment became very, very clear, and the results of the faculty and departments and programs deciding for themselves ended up with a very uneven distribution of the requirement.”

In the weeks to follow that meeting, questions and concerns regarding the challenges students would face in the upcoming enrollment periods, as well as the decisions of faculty groups continued. On Feb. 12,  Educational Affairs met again, where discussion of  the reading initiative occurred. It became obvious that classes which were expected to have a lot of reading had the requirement, while other classes that were also expected to have a lot of reading did not.

“That just kind of made things even more questionable,” Arjo said. “And so we discussed whether or not we should proceed with a policy that was causing a problem with enrollment, inconveniencing large amount of students and seemed to be very inconsistent. That’s when we started talking about maybe at this point we should raise the white flag and realize this is not working.”

However, raising the white flag would not be the perfect solution, as there were some specified courses that particular departments requested the requirement to be included.

“We had to be careful about how to proceed because we had colleagues who had done exactly what Ed Affairs had told them to do, and we had to keep focused on  this is what students need but we also had to balance that with well we’ve had faculty who said, ‘this is what I need for my classes for my own students,'” Beth Edmonds, Educational Affairs member and math professor, said.

The decision made at the past meeting was done after all the options were looked at, according to Edmonds.

The options included the complete dismantling of the initiative, including the courses in which faculty had requested the requirement to be included, the dismantling of the requirement for all courses except those who had requested the requirement, or to leave the requirement as it was. However, the vice president of Educational Affairs Andy Anderson had additional recommendations which would be pursued in concurrence with whatever motion Educational Affairs made.

“Behind each of these options was Andy Anderson’s view of then we’re going to form this committee to really study what was going on, and what  was best for the whole group of students and faculty as well. So that was really where it was like do this, with this committee etc.,” Edmonds said. “So then once those three options were laid out and we had some conversation, that was about two hours and finally someone said okay we have to do something. [So we voted to] remove the Reading Readiness requirement except for the 12 courses that faculty specifically said that they wanted it for, with the understanding that there will be more study to come.”

The college will continue to identify students who need additional assistance in reading through Compass assessing, of which Anderson’s committee will continue to look into further and seeks to improve. For those students whose compass score is below 80 in reading, they will be asked to see a counselor with what is known as a “SC” or see counselor hold. From there, counselors will encourage and advise students to get take additional reading courses, as well as fill out a new form known as the “Johnson County Community College Reading Plan.” Students will sign the form, acknowledging their test scores indicate that extra reading courses are recommended for their success.

“It’s a counseling tool that we will use when working with students whose Compass scores reflect that they need additional reading skill development,” Gloria Rosso, counselor said. “This will help the student make informed choices regarding the options presented to him or her. The student’s decision regarding his or her choices will also be reflected on the form.

The form will also include contacts to available resources for students who need additional assistance. Counselors will be able to discuss each resource with the students and help them decide which would be the best option for them to pursue.

“This will give us a chance to really review some data to see how students do who chose not to take the reading class as opposed to those students who go ahead and do take the reading class, so we can gather some data that will help us in evaluating the decisions,” Anderson said. “So in terms of the Reading Readiness issue, its morphed, changed into another issue that’s really going to be based on advising students to make good choices and so that is where that has come to rest and I think Ed Affairs and the faculty feel pretty good with where it ended up.”

Going forward Anderson believes a better solution can be met.

“In some ways the Reading Readiness as it unfolded, really grew out of an effort to try and direct as best we could the students who needed the additional help as was indicated by scores, but we basically developed a policy to try and help three or 400 students probably a semester, but it became perhaps an obstacle to the 15,000,” Anderson said. “What we really need is to take a more global approach and come up with the best strategy for giving students good advice on what they should be taking and developing a set of prerequisites if we need them, and wherever we need. However we approach it, we need a way that facilitates the whole population of students to enroll in their programs and to be advised as effectively as possible and then whatever strategies we take around reading, around developmental reading, developmental writing, developmental math, should not be obstacles to everyone. It poses interesting challenges but I think we can get there.”

Contact Jessica Skaggs, managing editor, at jskaggs4@jccc.edu.

Enrollment at college declines five percent

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By Stephen Cook

The college’s enrollment has seen a 5 percent decline this semester compared to the spring 2013 semester, according to numbers provided by MargE Shelley, assistant dean, Enrollment Management.

Shelley said the 20th day official numbers are key when comparing enrollment for a semester. Those numbers should then be compared to the semester a year prior, in order for proper analysis. These numbers are finalized once the 20th day of classes has taken place; this semester, that day was Feb. 12.

The data for the 20th day of classes (spring 2013 and spring 2014) can be seen below:

 

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Compiled by Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, at scook35@jccc.edu.

Willie Mays Aikens visits college

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Former Royals player gives inspiring speech to students

By James Howey

Willy Mays(1) - Copy
Photo by Mike Abell.

Former Kansas City Royals Major League Baseball player Willie Mays Aikens gave an inspiring speech to the college Tuesday. The speech given by Aikens was about the many struggles he went through in his life. Aikens is 18 years sober after being a cocaine addict and alcoholic for much of his life.

“With the kind of life that I’ve lived so far and being able to overcome trials and tribulations of my life, a college campus is a perfect place to try to give people hope and inspire them,” Aikens said. “Our destiny in life depends on the choices we make and I just want the young people here to know to get their education and watch yourself.”

One of the main messages that Aikens wants people to take away from his speech Tuesday is about the spiritual life.

“I’ve experienced the spiritual life for about 18 years and most people in this world don’t take time out to experience a spiritual life,” Aikens said. “I truly believe with a spiritual life it can help us make the right choice in our life.”

Sports played a major role in Aiken’s life, in high school Aikens played baseball, football and basketball.

“Sports gave me confidence and made me think I was a worthwhile person,” Aikens said.

His high school baseball coach Willie McNeil was a father figure to Aikens as he grew up with no father, an alcoholic step dad, and a street mom.

“I had a chance to see the devastating effects of drugs and alcohol with my parents and this guy took me under his wings,” Aikens said. “He told me I had something special as a ball player and because of him I truly believe I went on to have success and become a major league baseball player.”

Aikens closed the speech with statement about his book “Willie Mays Aikens: Safe at home”.

“My book is about a lot of good, a lot of bad, and a lot of ugly.”

Be sure to pick up issue 11 of the Campus Ledger on Feb. 27 for more about Willie Mays Aikens’ visit.

 Contact James Howey, sports editor, at jhowey@jccc.edu.

Virginia Krebs, college’s first employee, dies

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By Stephen Cook

Image courtesy of Amos Family Funeral Home
Image courtesy of Amos Family Funeral Home

Virginia Krebs, the college’s first employee and first trustee emeritus, died Feb. 8 at the age of 94.

Krebs served on the college’s Board of Trustees from 1985 to 2008, having been elected for six consecutive terms. She was later named the college’s first trustee emeritus, after resigning from the board in October 2008.

“Mrs. Krebs dedicated her life to the education of children and adults throughout Johnson County,” Joe Sopcich, college president, said in an email sent out earlier today. “She truly was a leader in making JCCC one of the best community colleges in the United States. Our community is forever indebted to her and her family for all they’ve done to improve the quality of life in this county.”

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at noon, Saturday, March 8 in the college’s Polsky Theatre. Memorial contributions may be made to the JCCC Foundation.

Obituary

“Virginia Krebs, distinguished public servant, Johnson County Community College’s first employee and first trustee emeritus, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on February 8, 2014.

“Mrs. Krebs dedicated her life to the education of children and adults throughout Johnson County,” said Joe Sopcich, JCCC president. “She truly was a leader in making JCCC one of the best community colleges in the United States. Our community is forever indebted to her and her family for all they’ve done to improve the quality of life in this county.”

Krebs was a member of the JCCC board of trustees from 1985 to 2008. She was elected to the board for six consecutive terms, the last in April 2005. When she resigned from the board in October 2008, she was named the college’s first trustee emeritus. As a college trustee, she served as clerk, treasurer, vice chairman and chairman.

Born Virginia Olive Witmer on August 2, 1919 in Denver Colorado, Virginia graduated from the University of Denver in 1940 and married Albert Krebs in 1942.  They moved to Johnson County Kansas, and had four sons: Fred (1946), Jim (1949), Jeff (1961), and Bill (1963). Virginia, a wonderful mother and spouse, was active supporter of the many and varied interests of her family.

Krebs spent a lifetime contributing to the community and to Johnson County Community College. She began on a small scale, as she helped establish the Crestview-Merriam PTA and served as its first president. Later, she served as the president of the Hocker Grove Junior High PTA, president of the Shawnee Mission North High School PTA Council and president of the Shawnee Mission Area PTA Council. Her articulate and forceful support of public education in Johnson County earned her statewide recognition, and she was named program chairman for the Kansas State PTA.

In this position, she was able to help lead the movement for a number of key bond issues that began to establish the county’s public school infrastructure. This leadership role also gave her a broad perspective on the key issue of school consolidation, which loomed large in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and she was appointed to state task forces responsible for revision of the state school code and the consolidation of area school districts. From this, the Shawnee Mission Unified School District was formed.

In 1963, following her PTA involvement, Krebs was appointed by the board of county commissioners to a task force charged with studying the feasibility of building a community college in Johnson County. She worked for three years on this task force, which organized the creation of the community college taxing district and put the issue to the voters. This proposal was approved two-to-one by Johnson County voters in 1967.

When the first board of trustees’ election was held that year for the new Johnson County Community College, a total of 137 candidates ran for the six board positions. Krebs was urged by many in the community to run, but chose instead to become the college’s first employee, the assistant to the first board of trustees. She kept the official board records, was instrumental in helping the original board establish the philosophy and mission of the college, and helped the board hire the first college president. She and her late husband, Al, also helped the college find and occupy its first buildings in Merriam.

In 1969, Krebs was hired as the first director of community services at JCCC and figured prominently in the development of what became one of the largest and most successful continuing education programs in the Midwest.  She helped identify needs and mobilize cooperation to create special women’s programs, special programs for senior county residents, a county-wide group to support the arts, a world affairs discussion program and family-oriented events, both educational and entertaining and was instrumental in establishing the college’s many cooperative agreements with community organizations that enable it to serve a range of educational and cultural needs. She continued to develop the college’s community services until she retired in 1984.

As a college trustee, Krebs received the American Association of Community College’s regional trustee award in 1993 and the Regional Leadership Award from the National Council on Community Services and Continuing Education, Region VII, in 1996. She was also recognized by the American Association of Women in Community Colleges, which conferred on her its prestigious Woman of the Year Award. In 2004, she was named to the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Krebs did not confine her community service to the college. She was widely recognized and respected in Johnson County, where she served as a volunteer for and on the boards of many different community organizations.

In 1988, she helped win public support for the purchase of the old Merriam School to use as a community center. The school was completely renovated and is now a heavily used public building. As a member of the Merriam Community Center Foundation, she sought to raise private funds to enhance the center’s ability to serve the community.  In 1988, she was named the Merriam Citizen of the Year for her work on behalf of education and community services in that city she lived. She was also active in the Merriam Christian Science Church.

Krebs was also active in the establishment of the first Shepherd’s Center in Johnson County and served on the executive committee of the county’s Eldernet Coalition, a 150-member group formed to study the needs of the county’s elderly. She served on the Task Force on Programs and Services for an Aging Student Population and on the board of the Johnson County Area Vocational Technical School. In 1993, she was selected as one of eight Women of Distinction by the Santa Fe Council of Girl Scouts. In 2002 the Visitors Center on the first floor of the Carlsen Center was renamed the Virginia Krebs Community Room in honor of her. Representative Dennis Moore (D-KS) provided Virginia a wonderful Congressional Record tribute in November 2008.

Virginia is preceded in death by her siblings Robert and Mary of Denver Colorado, husband Albert, and her eldest son Fred, a history professor at JCCC for more than 40 years, predeceased her in December 2012. She is survived by her sons Jim and his wife Debbie, Jeff, and Bill and his wife Cindy. Virginia has four grandchildren, Kandi, Fred’s Daughter; Allison, Jim’s Daughter; and Kaitlyn and Emily, Bill’s daughters. Virginia leaves one great-grandchild, Aaryn, Kandi’s daughter. There are many nieces and nephews living coast to coast and friends from the community, JCCC, Christian Science, The Atriums, and Brighton Gardens.”

http://www.amosfamily.com/2014/02/virginia-krebs/

Compiled by Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, scook35@jccc.edu.

Sports Calendar

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Women’s Basketball 

2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 v. Hesston College

5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Highland Community College

2 p.m. Saturday, Feb., 22 v. Fort Scott Community College

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26 v. Brown Mackie College

Men’s Basketball 

4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 v. Hesston College

7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Highland Community College

4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 v. Fort Scott Community College

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26 v. Brown Mackie College

Men’s Basketball

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By James Howey

The Cavaliers have had a rough season so far. The team went 1-3 the last four games with the lone victory coming on the road against Fort Scott Community College 61-53, which was a conference win that improved the squad to 2-1 in conference this season. One big bright spot for the Cavs in the last four games is the play of sophomore Preston Oaks. Oaks averaged 21.2 points in the four game stretch which led the team. Oaks has averaged 19 points though the season which is second on the team. The Cavaliers are 7-18 and will play at home at 4 p.m. against Hesston College.

Compiled by James Howey, sports editor, jhowey@jccc.edu.

Lady Cavs look to continue success

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By James Howey

The college’s women’s basketball team has had an impressive season on the court. The ladies started the season 21-0, winning all those games by an average margin of 38 points and were ranked number one in the nation for a period of time. Sophomore Sameia Kendall contributes their success to a very simple approach.

The team’s key to success is “just taking it one day at a time and getting better every day,” according to Kendall.

Her play has been a vital part of the lady Cavs’ success. Kendall is averaging 12.4 points a game and has 51 steals on the season, both lead the team. The Cavs did lose a thrilling game at home against Highland Community College 71-68. The loss knocked Cavaliers from their number one rank. Despite the minor setback Kendall and the Cavaliers still have all their goals in front of them if they stick to their principles.

“We just need to follow our concept, take it one day at a time and hopefully the outcome will turn out to be the best,” Kendall said.

The squad is currently 24-1, ranked number five in the nation, and will play Hesston College at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at home. The Cavs will also look to avenge their only defeat of the season when they play at the second-ranked Highland Scotties at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

Contact James Howey, sports editor at jhowey@jccc.edu.

Why America still loves the Olympics

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By James Howey

Last Thursday night NBC kicked off its winter Olympic coverage in Sochi, Russia with the best Thursday night prime time rating since the opening of the NFL regular season. Despite the lack of knowledge of many of the athletes and events, every four years the winter Olympics seems to captivate the American public.

Many aspects of the Olympics hit home with audiences in the United States. Americans love the underdog and the Olympics is always filled with many stories of the young woman or man who has worked through adversity to be on that gigantic, international stage to represent the United States. We love to lavish over young, up-and-coming star athletes, and no event is a better example of this than women’s figure skating.

I’ve always said that when the Winter Olympics come around the three most popular American athletes are Peyton Manning, LeBron James, and whoever is the best women’s figure skater. 18-year-old skater Gracie Gold lived up to the hype surrounding her when she helped the U.S. skating team earn a bronze medal. Gold scored the second highest individual score behind fifteen year old Russian star Julia Lipnitskaia. American Ashley Wagner also helped the figure skating team with her solid performance. Wagner and Gold are slated to have their own individual events and are both looking to bring home medals to the U.S.

The Olympics also bring an opportunity for American auditions to have a united patriotic rooting interest in the games. For most of the sports year fans usually have their own specific team to root for, but with the Olympics, fans have a chance to root for their country.

The Olympics can bring about historic moments in sports lore. Just about every American knows about the 1980 Olympic Hockey match between the U.S. and Russia. Also known as “The Miracle on Ice”, it is one of the most monumental and enduring American sports moments ever to come from Olympic hockey, even though hockey is not a very popular sport in America.

So with all the controversy that surrounds this year’s hockey games in Sochi, including the recent human rights issues, people should not be shocked that plenty of people will tune in to watch the great sporting spectacle that is the Olympics.

Contact James Howey, sports editor, at jhowey@jccc.edu.

The Pros and Cons of Valentine’s Day

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Heartache by the dollar

By David Hurtado

Roses are wilting, violets are dead, false conceptions of love fill our heads.

Yep, it’s that special time of year when rose growers and chocolate manufactures are encouraging you to demonstrate the extent of your affection in dead vegetation and fat-saturated sugar products. So, in the spirit of the holiday, happy shallow interpretation of romance day.

You probably wouldn’t know it, from some of the things I said above, but I don’t hate Valentine’s Day. Even though I’m about as successful with women as Chandler Bing or that one time in the third grade most of the class didn’t make me a valentine, I don’t see Cupid as one of Satan’s little minions.

Valentine’s Day is great for the economy because it’s convinced people if they don’t spend the week’s paycheck on their significant other, then their relationship is as hollow and empty as the void between stars. Sure, it’s nice you can buy your weight in cheap candy the next day, but it doesn’t stop the 14th of February from being an overrated holiday.

There are 364 other perfectly good days to smell the love in the air. Where exactly in the “handbook for relationships” does it state this one, insignificant day must be treated like the Second Coming of Christ? I understand women love romance, but this made-up holiday isn’t the only day to express your love. Showing your affection should be done on a daily basis, even it’s just small gestures like a flower or a short love note.

W h e n Roger Hodgson penned the song “Give a Little Bit,” he wasn’t talking about money or expensive jewelry. But that’s what Valentine’s Day is all about now, isn’t it? We expect things. And if our better halves don’t come through, the letdown doesn’t feel just like any letdown; it feels like Thor smashing Mjölnir right into the heartstrings. There’s nothing wrong with exchanging overpriced gifts, but it’s not a true measure of how much you love one another.

Relationships are already complex enough as it is without making them into little games of Russian Roulette. Maybe that’s why Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular days for couples to call it quits. If it’s not your first year celebrating this pseudo holiday together, you’re pressured to surpass last year’s festivities. And depending on how much of a bang your relationship started off with, it might just be easier to break up with both wallet and sanity intact.

At this point in my tirade, I bet you’re expecting the whole “sucks to be single” argument right about now. I might be single, but I’m not going to hold a pity party for one. And neither should you.

The world would have us believe being single on Valentine’s Day is something to be ashamed of. It isn’t. Being single only sucks when you perpetuate the delusion of defining yourself by your relationships. I know because I’ve been there. Don’t give in to the voices calling you ugly and worthless; you are more beautiful than you think.

If you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day, go right ahead. Just remember it’s a day like any other.

Contact David Hurtado, features editor, at dhurtado@jccc.edu.

The Pros and Cons of Valentine’s Day

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Fall in love with Valentine’s Day

By Jessica Skaggs

Conversation hearts. Chocolates. 50 different shades of red. Over-sized teddy bears and pajama grams. While these are all the general ideas that come to mind every Feb. 14. the day really is much more. Although there are some who say Valentine’s Day is a waste of time and money, I beg to differ.

Sure, the over-the-top stuffed animals are weird. The chocolates and candies that destroy even the most sincere month or so resolutions are a bit much. But to me, Valentine’s day just isn’t about all those material things.

Yes, I know. The history of this day rests in the legacy of St. Valentine. And that’s great. But it’s not what makes this day so lovely. At least, I don’t commemorate the day because of him.

Rather it’s a day that has been transformed and dedicated to the celebration of acts of love. Gestures that go beyond the day to day interactions in meaningful relationships. And while acts of love ideally should be shown every day, Valentine’s day provides an opportunity to make it something even sweeter than normal.

If you’re in a relationship, then take advantage of the opportunity Valentine’s day offers. Do something significant for the other in your life. Although the media and commercials will convince you the only way to make the special someone in your life feel significant is to break the bank, that simply is not the case. Sure expensive stuff is nice. But it’s just material. What makes whatever it is you get your certain someone special, is the thought put behind it. And certainly not the price tag.

And may I suggest that if the price tag is all your romantic partner is interested in, that you rid yourself of the nightmare waiting to happen and find someone who can appreciate the sentiment of thought behind gifts as opposed to the monetary value.

The day will be what you make it to be. So if you’re not in a romantic relationship, take a break from your pity party of one watching hours on end of the Walking Dead or Gossip Girl and take some advice from Serena Van der Woodson. Get a manicure and eat macaroons with your best friend. If that’s not your thing, do something as simple and special for a family member or close friend as buying them coffee. Not only will it make them feel good, but you as well.

Contact Jessica Skaggs, Managing editor, at jskaggs4@jccc.edu.

The not so sad stage of singleness

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By Stephen Cook

With Valentine’s day nearly here, it is that time of year where lines are clearly drawn in the sand: single or taken.

Now, I’ll get it out of the way: I’m single, but I don’t consider that a curse. This isn’t an anti-relationship column, it’s actually quite the opposite.

Relationships aren’t only formed by taking someone to dinner, meeting someone at the club or connecting with someone through an online service.

Hopefully, they’re formed well before you ever ask that someone out.

As contrary to modern thought as it may seem, it is incredibly important you get to know a person very well before you begin dating. Take a moment to think about it — if you get to know someone as a friend, you get to learn about them in a very honest way. They aren’t trying to impress you and you shouldn’t be trying to impress them. You are both mutually friends — companions, not romantic partners.

You may spend time with them in a group or alone. You will see them at their best and at their worst. You will see how they interact with others. You will see how they talk about others. You will see what is most important to them and what they really believe. If it is a sincere, true friendship, this will all be natural interaction.

Most people consider this being in the “friend-zone”, and that sounds about right. But, it is talked about as if it is a bad thing. That thought couldn’t be further from the truth. After all, you’re supposed to marry your best friend, right?

I would happily take a solid friendship over a one-night stand anytime.

Throughout high school I didn’t date because I knew I wasn’t going to get married anytime soon. I had friends who were girls, but I didn’t “date”. And those friendships didn’t turn into a romantic relationship — and that is perfectly fine.

Why do people date in the first place? It should be a way of finding your soulmate; the person who you will spend the rest of your life with. It shouldn’t be about cheap thrills and shallow pleasure.

Dating and courting should be full of shared respect and care for one another; it is about love and serving your significant other.

And if you’re single, don’t worry — life isn’t all about being in a relationship. You are worth just as much as an individual if you’re not “with someone”. In fact, you can use your time flying solo to your advantage. For starters, not to sound like a downer, but you don’t have to worry about the time and money investment in a boyfriend/girlfriend. As a young person, you can use this time to work ahead and prepare for the approaching years.

Often, people hop from one person to the next, not pausing for a second to think about their motives or future plans.

Wait for the right person to come along; in the meantime just be yourself and treat others with respect. In the end you’ll have saved yourself — and others — plenty of heartache.

Contact Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, scook35@jcc.edu.

Opinion: Substance abuse is nothing to celebrate

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Celebrity deaths expose the severity of society’s problems

Whitney Houston. Chris Kelly. Lisa Robin Kelly. Cory Monteith. Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Every single one of these celebrities died of substance abuse. Be it alcohol or drugs, the fatality of these substances is overlooked nearly every single day of the year, except of course when an icon is their victim.

With the recent death of Hoffman, there are several key issues that resurface, including the incredible attention paid to the celebrities who are nearly built up to fail, the ignorance of how severe substance abuse is as well as the public’s lack of priority to change those perceptions for the now and future generations.

Celebrities have an enormous amount of pressure placed upon them. And the pressure sometimes lends itself to poor decision making. Those decisions have severe consequences, in which some are able to avoid for the short-term. Eventually however, the penalties of those choices catch up to them.

The endless hype that encompasses the day to day life of a celebrity can most likely only be described as overwhelming. The public humiliation of every flaw or mistake broadcasted and painted on every tweet and magazine cover of publications like US weekly only begs for these human beings to fall and fall hard so the world can see. People such as Lindsay Lohan, Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus are just some of the few stars who have brought in monumental profits for those documenting their every move and mistake.

What’s even more unfortunate is these stars become the poster children of the misfortunes of fame. With their unlimited access to substances that offer brief escapes from their nightmarish realities, they become trapped in their own addictions. And when they pass away, the sympathies that should have been shown as they were falling, suddenly become the biggest priority of their so-called fans.

In addition to the enormous attention paid to those who are built up to fall is the little attention paid to those who don’t have fame or fortune attached to their names. Yet these people suffer the same tragically painful spiral into addiction and abuse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “drug-related deaths have more than doubled since 1980”, and “one in four deaths is attributable to alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use.”

There is outcry when a celebrity dies too early. Demands for the capture of the drug-dealer who sold the fatal dose are heard throughout the world. But, aside from the friends and family members of your neighbor down the street who dies of substance abuse, there is silence.

Drug abuse clearly is a severe and growing problem. And the only way it will ever change is if the public owns up to its contribution to the problem and makes a decision to end it. Education on the facts of substance abuse and a renewed sense of individual responsibility to prevent children and teenagers from buying into the intoxicated lifestyles of their role-models could help in reducing the number of drug-related deaths.

Let Hoffman’s passing serve not only as a somber reminder to how ruthless the issue of substance abuse truly is, but also as a new and sincere dedication to see drug-related deaths as a rarity for the generation to come.

 

Meet the ECAV DJ: Sam Tady

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Major/Area of study: Videography and Film

Position: DJ

Show: “Sounds of Cinema”, weekdays at 5 p.m.

What is your job at ECAV radio? 

I put together a weekly talk and music show. On our show my brother and I review soundtracks from various different shows and films.

What is your favorite part about working with ECAV Radio? 

I love being able to do a job that I never get tired of and that gives me a chance to continue working in the SNC. The people are great, the job’s great, what more could you ask for?

Who is your favorite musician? 

Michael Bublé all the way my friend. That jazzy suave kind of sound he’s got keeps me “Feelin’ Good.”

What is your dream job? Why? 

One day I hope to have a full-fledged film production company along with my brother, Andrew Tady. Having a self-employed family business doing what I love most, filmmaking and producing films would be a dream come true to me.

If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be? 

I’d have to go with Grandfather Tady. I never got a chance to meet him, he passed away before I was born.

What is one fact most people don’t know about you? 

I own a pair of cufflinks with my name engraved on them I got as a gift for Christmas one year, and I wear them whenever I put on a tuxedo.

Visit ECAVradio.com 

Winter Whiteout

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Animating the inanimate

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Animation professor recounts industry experiences

By David Hurtado

Two neat rows of brightly lit screens line the carpeted floors of the classroom, under the watchful gaze of students busy on assignments. Movie posters for The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man and other Blockbusters can be found pinned along the walls of RC 311.

The Animation and Game Development Room is where Shawn Barnett, one of the adjunct professors in the animation department on campus, holds his Visual Effects and Compositing class every Tuesday and Thursday. Barnett, who has worked behind the scenes on many major motion pictures, began teaching at the college during the fall 2013 semester. Animation has always fascinated Barnett, but he never considered making a career out of it until he was working as a manager in a graphic design department.

“I was ready for change; something more creative compared to graphic design,” Barnett said. “Ever since movies like Jurassic Park and the big video game boom, with PlayStation and Xbox, it just became really interesting to me.”

Prior to teaching at the college, Barnett worked on virtual reality combat simulations for military applications after graduating from the Art Institute of San Diego with a Bachelor’s in Media Arts. From there, through networks, connections and being in California, he ran across a small studio that was starting up called Legend 3-D and went to work as a Compositing Supervisor. While he was there, Barnett worked on Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon, Smurfs, Green Hornet and other feature films.

Barnett said his work schedule usually consisted of days over 15 hours, seven days a week, “with no end in sight.” Beginning at seven in the morning, he would start laying everything out and getting shots scheduled for the day. Barnett would also review shots from the night before and then return notes to the visual effects compositors under his supervision.

“Michael Bay came down once or twice for that,” he said. “You don’t get to see too many famous people when you’re doing it because it’s more like after the fact. Then I’d go back, repeat the whole thing and I’d probably go home at one, two or three in the morning; sometimes not at all.”

By the time Barnett began working on The Amazing Spiderman, he decided it was time to take a break from what he was doing and reevaluate his priorities. He said his daughter was about two or three years old at the time and began to notice he wasn’t around as much.

“I was getting a little burnt out too, because it’s a lot of work; people need to know what they’re getting into when they do it,” he said. “All my family is here; I’m originally from here. So I just decided to move back this way and see what’s up.”

Jeff Wheaton, former student, took Barnett’s class last semester. Wheaton said he felt the course really helped him to understand the workflow for professional animation projects and how 3-D animation work can be applied to live action film effects.

“The projects in Professor Barnett’s class were focused on testing us on technical concepts,” Wheaton said. “They were really open-ended and allowed for a very high degree of creative freedom.”

Jeff Byers, associate professor and chair, Animation, said due to their busy schedules, he doesn’t get to see much of his colleague during the week. During department meetings, he said Barnett and himself will eat lunch together and discuss the industry.

“I would say he’s friendly, polite and easy going,” Byers said. “When you first meet him he seems serious about his profession, but then he opens up pretty quickly.”

Currently, in addition to his job at the college, Barnett works for Hearst Television and runs his own company called 2iiZ.

“For me to go back to another film studio at this point, it would have to be a really big offer,” he said. “I’m pretty happy where I’m at, at the moment. I teach here, obviously not to pay the bills, because I don’t really need it. I do it because I just like sharing the knowledge and experience I’ve had.”

Contact David Hurtado, features editor, at dhurtado@jccc.edu.

No flu for you!

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Comatose Cavs take to the halls

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Despite recent trend of thefts, police say nappers aren’t victims

By Jessica Skaggs

While walking down the hallways of the college there are walls cluttered with posters advertising events held on campus, artifacts and artwork showcased for the world to see and then there are the handful of people peppered throughout who are catching some zs.

In light of recent thefts, the campus police department doesn’t associate students sleeping in the college hallways with the increase in stolen items. However crime prevention officer Dan Robles said thefts on campus have been primarily crimes of “opportunity.”

“Laptops, cell phones, purses, wallets and other items of value are often left unattended or unsecure by students,” Robles said. “The thief typically looks for this type of opportunity to steal and can do so when items are left unattended even if it’s for just a minute or two. It just takes seconds to grab an item of value that is left lying on a table or in a hallway or classroom.”

Sleeping in the hallways might not have any correlation with the influx of thefts, but may have a correlation with the college’s perception to those visiting the campus for the first time.

“[When giving tours to prospective students] we just make light of the situation,” said Student Ambassador

Marcela deCarvalho. “We definitely do not encourage the future students to sleep during classes, but we say that if they are tired and have a long break between classes, they are more than welcomed to sleep in an appropriate place on campus.”

Student Paige Prouse considers the common occurrence of sleeping in the hallways to be odd.

“I try not to [sleep there] just ‘cause it’s weird,” she said. “I’ve never understood why people sleep in the hallways. There are far quieter places to sleep.”

She suggests students sleep where there is less of a chance of being disrupted.

“The library is quieter and there’s fewer people who are going to walk by and take photos of you for the JCCC confessions site on Twitter,” Prouse said. “Honestly what we need is a room for sleeping.”

Student Eric Girton, however, thinks sleeping in the hallways to be the standard of college students.

“I think it’s normal,” he said. “I mean I would assume that’s why they have the benches the way that they do. Students just usually lay right here, put their head on their backpack, grab a five – ten minutes before class. I mean I’ve been a student for a long time and every college I’ve ever gone to, students always lay in the hallway.”

Although it is up to the individual to sleep on campus or not, it’s important to keep in mind the college is a public place, and the risk of items being taken only increases if the thief knows his/her victim is unaware.

The best way to avoid items being stolen while on campus is to just not nap between classes.

”My opinion [on sleeping in the hallway] is don’t,” Prouse said. “It’s weird.”

Contact Jessica Skaggs, managing editor, at jskaggs4@jccc.edu.

Police Briefs

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Suspicious individual under the influence 

Shortly after 11 a.m. on Jan. 29, police responded to a man at the Carlsen Center was reported to have been acting strange, using profane language and asking where the adult detox was. The individual was found on a JO bus and then told officers he had been drinking earlier in the day, had numerous past arrests for drinking and was trying to find the Johnson County Adult Detox. Police, after detecting a strong odor, hearing his slurred speech and seeing his glazed-over eyes, transported him to the adult detox in Shawnee, KS.

Disorderly conduct and law enforcement battery 

Police were dispatched to the third floor of the Regnier Center around 11 a.m. on Feb. 6 to find an individual described as disruptive and possibly intoxicated. After making contact with the individual, the subject fled, screaming and refused to stop. While officers tried to restrain him, the subject pushed them away and attempted to again run away. When officers tried to place handcuffs on them, he broke free and struck an officer in the mouth with his right hand, causing an abrasion and minor bleeding.

After being placed in handcuffs, the subject continued to resist and exclaim profanities and abusive remarks as he was guided to the campus police department.

He was issued a “No Trespass” letter and continued to be uncooperative while in custody. The subject was transported to the Johnson County Adult Detention Center, having been placed under arrest for battery on a law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice.

Theft of wallet at basketball game 

A theft of a wallet was reported around 2:45 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the women’s basketball game. The victim, who was scoring the game, looked back to check on her coat and wallet and found that her wallet was missing. An area search for the wallet was unsuccessful.

Compiled by Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, scook35@jccc.edu.

News Briefs

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Valentine’s Dance cancelled 

The dance, originally scheduled for 8 to 11 p.m. in COM 155 and 156 this Friday, Feb. 14 has been cancelled. The event was going to take place in COM 155 and 156. Individuals who have already purchased tickets to the dance can return them to the Student Welcome Desk in SC 106 in exchange for an AMC Gold Pass (good for a free movie at a local AMC theatre).

Contact Keith Davenport with questions or concerns at (913) 469-3433 or kdavenp8@jccc.edu.

Board of Trustees to convene for February meeting 

The college’s Board of Trustees will gather for their regular monthly meeting at 5 p.m. on Feb. 20. The meeting will take place in the Hugh Speer Board Room, which is located in GEB 137. The packet will be published online (http:// www.jccc.edu/trustees/board-packets. html) in the days prior to the meeting. Be sure to follow @CampusLedger on Twitter for a live-tweet of the meeting.

International Dinner to be held on March 28 

The college’s eighth annual International Dinner will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday March 28 in RC 101. The dinner, which has a theme of “A Taste of India” is a fundraiser benefitting international students through scholarships.

The four-course meal will feature live music and will be prepared by Marc McCann, executive chef at the college, and international students will host and serve the meal.

Tickets are available for $30 per person, $50 for two or $200 for a table of eight. For more information, contact Patricia Donaldson at pdonaldson@ jccc.edu or call (913) 469-3835.

Compiled by Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, scook35@jccc.edu. 

 

In the KNOW

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New campaign at the college seeks to raise sexual assault awareness 

By David Hurtado

The college’s Student Services and Success department launched a new initiative in January to raise awareness for sexual violence and promote the importance of staying safe in a relationship.

The KNOW initiative seeks to educate and inform students about saying ‘no’ to a potentially harmful situation and give them the proper vocabulary to communicate with their partners. The initiative, which will run throughout the year, will feature posters in restrooms and classrooms with tear-off cards detailing different resources available to students.

Paul Kyle, Dean of Student Services and Success and Title IX coordinator, said the initiative was launched in part by the SaVE Act and the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, which was reauthorized by Congress in 2013. The legislation calls for higher education institutions to provide information regarding bullying, rape and relationship violence as well as taking measures to prevent it.

“A couple of things led to that, “Kyle said. “Primarily, [it] was legislation that was clarified over two years ago in Title IX. That launched a series of improvements that schools should do as far as their policies, procedures, programming and education relating to sexual assault, domestic violence and relationship violence.”

According to Title IX, which is a portion of the Education Amendments of 1972, sexual harassment in education includes verbal, visual or physical sexual behavior which significantly interferes with a student’s access to educational opportunities.

Kyle said the college has been steadily implementing changes over the past two years, adding that March is the deadline for making sure all procedures and policies are in place. He said most of the implementations are already in place, making KNOW the final initiative cementing everything together.

Upcoming events sponsored by KNOW include ‘Think Before You Drink,’ ‘Safe Spring Break’ and ‘Clothesline Project & Denim Day.’ Posters can be found around campus detailing additional information and other events.

Pam Vassar, Associate Dean of Student Life and Deputy Title IX coordinator, said one of the most important things students can do to prevent sexual assault is taking action when they see something happening.

“We’re also doing an emphasis on bystander training,” Vassar said. “When you see something happening, you intervene; as opposed to watching it happen, not intervening and letting something worse occur.”

Dan Robles, crime prevention officer, Campus Police, said when a student files a sexual harassment claim, a report is immediately filed, followed by an investigation by an in-house detective. Depending on the circumstances of the report, counseling services, SAFEHOME or MOCSA can be made available to the student. Robles said all officers are trained to act as first responders for these types of instances and are required to have 40 hours of training a year for handling sexual assault.

“If we need the assistance of Overland Park [detectives], we can go ahead and call Overland Park,” Robles said. “We have an understanding and support from the Overland Park Police Department.”

Robles added sexual assault or harassment cases on campus are more infrequent than they are frequent. He said with the college being a two year university rather than a four year and that having a “nomadic population” who aren’t on campus all the time helps in that category. The most common crime on campus, according to Robles, is theft.

“The population might be a little bit different, than if you go to KU, K-State or MU; they have more of that college age grad,” he said. “We have a huge mix; you can be in a class with a 20-year-old and then there could be a 45-year-old right next to that student. We have a large age range and I think that has a lot to do with it.”

The most recent reports of sexual assault on campus included the “booty bandit” and a one-time incident two months ago near CLB. Robles said the CLB incident is still under investigation by a detective.

Contact David Hurtado, features editor, at dhurtado@ jccc.edu.

Addressing the elephant in the college: Many believe adjunct professors are receiving the short end of the stick

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By Valerie Velikaya

As the college continues to barrel its way through a financial slump, certain members of the faculty are determined to have their voices heard around campus.

Although adjunct professors make up a majority of the institution, many instructors appear in the form of a mirage. Office hours are sparse as many part-time instructors leave after class to travel 20 miles or so to teach at another college. Some are retirees, dedicating their free time to the sheer enjoyment of advancing the minds of their pupils, whereas others have full-time careers on the side and others are in search for full-time careers.

In spite of working aggressively to provide a better learning environment for students, adjunct professors are met with meager compensations.

Vincent Clark, professor/chair of history and political science and Faculty Senate president, said, “They’re paid depending on the amount of time they’ve spent here and the degree they have […] so if they have a PhD rather than an MA, they’re paid a little more.”

Once an instructor has taught 11 semesters, they’re considered to have reached “top scale.” This moderately increases the pay rate, usually with the exemption of any benefits.

Irene Schmidt, adjunct professor of foreign language and secretary of Faculty Senate, said, “I don’t even qualify for KPERS, the State of Kansas Retirement System. A part-time regular staff person is KPERS eligible.”

These limitations contribute in the growing tensions between the upper administration and part-time faculty members. On the other hand, the hostile interplay between the two groups also relay in many other issues.

“I think one of the things that’s happened is during the past semester, the administration and the [Board of Trustees] said they needed to cut over $3 million out of the salary and benefits line […] nobody really knew how that was going to happen. Many people were afraid that they might lose their jobs as a result of that,” Clark said. “I think there was a lot of unhappiness and anxiety over that.”

Based on evaluations made by other colleagues, Schmidt believes the full-time faculty members play a part in spreading the negative energy at the college.

“Some adjuncts would even argue that we’re in this situation precisely because of the full-time faculty […] sometimes they feel the most ostracized by their own full-time colleagues,” said Schmidt, who’s been teaching at the college for 15 years. She adds that, if anything, the administration treats adjuncts “in a more collegial, more professional, [and] more respectful way than full-time faculty.”

Adjunct professors, however, are not planning to surrender anytime soon. Organizations such as New Faculty Majority (NFM) are gaining momentum across the nation, specifically along the east coast. On its website, NFM states that its mission is “dedicated to improving the quality of higher education by advancing professional equity and securing academic freedom for all adjunct and contingent faculty.”

A lot of their goals have been making headway across the nation. Colorado has recently proposed a bill to increase salaries and provide benefits to their adjuncts.

“There has been a huge movement nationwide to bring more attention to that […] try to get across to students, and trying to get across to parents of college students – whoever is paying for the college,” said Schmidt.  “Where is that money coming from [and] where is that money going? What’s it paying for and do we go down that path of […] it affect[ing] your perceptions of quality?”

Schmidt said whenever Campus Equity Week, a national campaign, comes around within the next couple years or so, her senate and the college’s faculty members will “all rally together so that we can put [the college] on their national website,” which ranges from colleges to universities and two-year to four-year, public and private institutions.

The lack of training given to adjunct professors may consequent in them being just as oblivious to the college as new community members on campus, which could warp the students’ perception of the quality of their instructors. Schmidt wishes to bring this to light.

“Adjuncts might be just as qualified, just as experienced, […] the quality is there, but let’s also consider that some of our adjuncts,  […]  they are all over, and so if students want to try to have an office time with the instructor, that’s going to be hard,” said Schmidt.

Andy Anderson, interim vice president for academic affairs, served as the dean of English, enabling him to gain insight on both sides of the issue.

“It’s eye-opening in a sense,” said Anderson. “I mean you see things from a much different perspective.”

Anderson stated that, in terms of authority, most discussions oversimplify complex relationships. The challenge for both the faculty and administration is to “see the relationship in almost a conversational dimension.”

Despite possessing the power to create new goals and set the direction for the college, Anderson hasn’t forgotten the hardships pertaining to a part-time faculty role. Once an adjunct himself for nine years, Anderson instructed at two community colleges at once, making the trek from here to Longview. Based on personal experience, Anderson continues to sympathize with adjunct professors, attempting to work with the system in order to see if they can get paid for mandatory training or committee work.

“[The role of the adjunct is] probably the most difficult issue facing community colleges,” said Anderson. “The role and the rights and so on of the contingent faculty is just a huge issue, and it’s one, frankly, that I’d seen very little change in the 40 years that I’ve been in education.”

It’s simply a financial reality, expressed Anderson.

“To pay full-time salary and benefits, you would have to raise the budget of the college, and that would be an increase in taxes,” he said.

 Without benefits, adjuncts will continue to struggle if they’re not provided with healthcare in some way.

Some of the upper administration is trying to work with faculty members to ensure they’re provided with some compensation for their work. When the constitution was written on the Faculty Senate, there were requests made to get some sort of compensation. Nonetheless, most expected to get a flat fee for serving on the senate.

“Andy Anderson I credit with pulling through and making good on that […] to find money to help all five of our part-time senators […] be compensated for their time served on the senate,” said Schmidt. “We’re just happy. We’re thankful that he was able to recognize that’s an important task and an important role and should be met with some compensation.”

“At this college, there are a number of ways the administration actually solicits faculty opinion, […] there’s a Faculty Senate [which] debates all sorts of issues and says whatever it wants. [Sopcich] usually comes to that, […] he supports having a Faculty Senate,” said Clark. “The current president has gone out of his way to provide opportunities to hear from faculty members.”

In fact, there are a number of similar groups at the college that welcome their opinions, and there are numerous paths a faculty member can take in order to work with the system. Clark believes in shared governance, which would allow both faculty members and the administration to receive equal power.

“The administration should exist as a way to facilitate the teaching and learning at the college,” said Clark.

With budget cuts, turnovers and influxes in tuition and taxpayer costs, it’s difficult to see a change happen in the near future for the adjuncts at the institution. If benefits were to be instated for adjuncts, programs might get cut and the financial road would only get more tumultuous, Anderson said.

“It would be desirable, I would think, if one could have all full-time faculty – if you could have all the programs you wanted […] but it costs more than the money that’s available,” said Anderson. “I don’t see it changing anytime soon and that’s a reality.”

Contact Valerie Velikaya, staff reporter, at vvelikay@jccc.edu.

KNOW – initiative against sexual harassment

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By David Hurtado

Do you think sexual harassment is a problem on campus?

Gabe Metz

“It could be. I haven’t heard of any or seen anything.”

Steven Clark

“No, I don’t think so. I haven’t heard of any incidents from the JCCC Police Department. Not saying there’s not; a lot of people don’t record sexual harassment because they don’t want to make a big ordeal about it.”

Allison Schweiker

“It’s not just a problem on campus, it’s a problem everywhere. I haven’t personally experienced any issues with it on campus, but ever since the booty bandit, as people are calling him, I’m a little more paranoid. I don’t like how narrow some hallways are and staircases. It’s an issue.”

Yesenia Ramirez

“I don’t think it is. Well, not to me personally. I haven’t seen anything, so no.”

Akambi Laniyonou

“I’m a freshman student here, so I don’t really know much about that. I don’t think so.”

Contact David Hurtado, features editor, at dhurtado@jccc.edu.