Issue V

February 2007

Crisis in Darfur: Become Informed Now!

Since July of 2003, the world has seen a horrific episode of hatred and death. The Darfur region of Western Sudan has been the stage of a bloody conflict between the Janjaweed, a Sudanese government-backed militia, and two rebel groups in Darfur, the Sudanese Liberation Army/Movement (SLA/SLM) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). While a peace agreement was brokered in 2006 with one faction of the groups, (including a UN Security Council insisted that the Sudanese government end its funding of the Janjaweed) it has been largely ignored and the violence has escalated again, resulting in a bloody crisis not only between the Janjaweed and the two rebel groups, but also between the factions of the rebels. The African Union is attempting to keep the peace in this war-stricken area, but without a UN peacekeeping force in the area it is predicted by international experts that the situation will only get worse.

The Coalition for International Justice estimates 400,000 deaths in the region, and more than 2 million people have been displaced, forcing them to seek refuge in camps in Chad and elsewhere. The Sudanese government’s regular armed forces and the Janjaweed have targeted specific civilian populations and ethnic groups– the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa– who support the rebel groups’ attempts to force the Sudanese government to address underdevelopment and political marginalization of Darfur.

These refugees are completely dependent on international aid for survival. President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, however, has still not approved a deployment of 3,000 U.N. peacekeepers to support the African Union in Darfur.

What can you do to help this situation? Many student movements have been created surrounding this issue. One website of interest is www.savedarfur.org, which includes links to some of these student organizations. Facebook, of great popularity amongst students, is also helping. Several groups, such as Recognizing Crisis: Darfur help spread news, educate, and publicize events relevant to the situation.

Even Marian College is doing its part. Pax Christi and the Dorothy Day House organized a petition back in September to the UN and our state representatives. Marie Shebeck, president of Internation Club and part of the Dorothy Day House for Peace and Justice suggests that “students can help by talking about it, asking questions, and writing letters.”

Being informed and spreading the news on this atrocity is the first step in reaching any solution. It is crucial that everyone participate to show the great need for peace in this region. Too many have already been slaughtered. Too many have been raped. Too many have lost hope. The time to act is now. Do your part and become informed. While these events are occurring miles away from the comforts of our homes, it is happening to our fellow human beings. We cannot ignore it.

The New Athletic Center……Plus More!
The new athletic center is to open on schedule
By: Gary Yohe

For all of those who are hoping to have premier athletic centers like others in our conference, the process is underway and scheduled to be complete in the fall of 2007. As of now, it is possible that it may open earlier for those fall athletes that come in July and August for pre-season training. “This addition will not only benefit the athletes here, but all students and faculty who want to get a nice workout in,” said Joe Haklin. The new fitness room will primarily consist of aerobic bikes and treadmills for those wanting a cardiovascular workout. There will be a new training room with much more room and tables to tend to more athletes at the same time. Two new meeting rooms have been added; one of which can hold 25 people and the other which holds 75 people. Both meeting rooms can be used for PE classes and team meetings, and newer technology will be available to enhance the information and usage of classes and meetings. The only addition that is team-specific is the locker room for the football team. With a projected 60+ players for the football team, there is not a locker room currently on campus that could accompany a group this large. Currently, teams reserve times to use specific parts of the Adams Fitness Center, but these additions will allow everyone to use whatever they want at anytime.

The planning for future additions to the athletic department does not end there. Starting in May, the outdoor complex will begin its renovation period. Administrators are currently meeting with campus neighbors to discuss the plans and obtain necessary approval. Most of the construction will be finished on the south side of campus between Doyle Hall and 30 th Street. The all-purpose stadium will be located here and is scheduled to be built and finished by November. Phase 1 will consist of the artificial field turf surrounded by an 8-lane track. This field will be used by football, soccer, and track teams, as well as PE classes and intramural leagues. Then, phase 2 will finish the stadium up by adding support buildings, a press box, and stands for both home and away fans. As the main stadium is being constructed, other fields and courts will be impacted as well. The 4 tennis courts on the south side will be removed and 4 new ones will be added on the side near the soccer field. With the soccer teams playing on the turf field, the current soccer field will turn into the new softball field. Unlike previous years in the wetlands, the softball team will be able to have electricity on site for a scoreboard and practice machines as well as running water. “The changes will do wonders for this school as a whole,” explains Haklin. “The number of applications the school is receiving is higher than ever.” Come November 1, 2007, this campus will not only appear as a prime athletic complex but act as one with its user friendly facilities for athletes, students, faculty, and fans.

Update on the First Ever
Marian College Football Team
By: Gary Yohe

In just under 8 months, the first ever Marian College football team will take the field against William Penn for a game that will go down in the school’s history books. The coaching staff has put together a roster that currently lists over 50 players that will make up the inaugural roster. Head Coach, Ted Karras, and the rest of his staff have been extremely busy recruiting since he was named the first football coach in Marian’s history. Now that nearly a year has gone by since putting together a roster and coaching staff, the focus starts to shift elsewhere. The team is now on the same schedule as every other football program in the country. After a short break, the off-season training kicks in that runs nearly up to the summer. The coaching staff can now start preparing for its opponents for the 2007 season and their workouts for pre-season which will begin in August.

“This past season was a little weird,” said Freshman Caleb Vance. “We practice like every other team, but didn’t have any games at the end of the work week.” The recruits knew this coming in and looked at this as an opportunity to work harder in the weight room and familiarize themselves with the school itself. One aspect all the players are looking forward to is having brand-new gear. From practice gear to game pads, all gear will be brand new for every player. All the players on campus right now are really excited for the season to kick-off. “It’s an honor to be apart of an inaugural team. We’re already talking about records for all of the “firsts” this team will have,” adds Vance. The school has embraced the sport and players very well. It has been a very smooth transaction of adding such a large sport like football to such a small school. The facilities weren’t the most ideal for a football team, but everyone knows it has a bright future. All the new facilities will be put in place by the end of their first season. All of the players, coaches, and fans have begun their countdown to September 1, 2007 in Oskolossa, IA and September 8, 2007 for the first home game which will be played at Pike High School.

How is the Campus Ministry Still Running Effectively?
By: Mandy Fullington

Juniors Lindsey Day and Catherine Devereux are two students who have taken major roles in keeping the Campus/Community ministry departments alive in spite of the unfortunate absence of staff members. Catherine and Lindsey were asked about the challenges the department has faced, and described their role in the changes taking place. The following information is Lindsey and Catherine’s explanation of their newly acquired roles.

“Recently Tonja Couch, the former Community Minister, resigned. Because the two of us were her work study students prior to her leave, and because she was such a great mentor for us, we became very familiar with the work that she has done in the office. One of her hopes/goals was to get students to become leaders of many of the programs and activities that come through community Ministry, and we have now been able to fulfill that goal. Therefore, we both have taken the programs already in existence and managed them so they can still happen for the students, faculty and staff. Although we work together in almost everything, Catherine focuses primarily on STAR (Students Taking Active Roles) which is off-campus service every Friday afternoon, and Lindsey handles the Alternative Break trips that happened in December and will occur over Spring Break and the summer.

Over the holiday season, Don Markovitch, the Director of Campus Ministry, had a 5-bypass surgery. This unexpected news was overwhelming at first, but because the Campus Ministry has so many different departments, we all were able to work it out. Clare Bain, the Music Minister, now handles all Campus Ministry related issues until Don can fully return and Sr. Jean Marie Cleveland, the Director of Mission Effectiveness, oversees all things in Campus Ministry. We really came together and knew that we could make this work if we all work as a team.”

They stated that Marian hopes to hire a new Community Minister soon. Lindsey and Catherine both hope that this change will encourage more student leadership on campus, in all areas, not just Campus Ministry. Student involvement is what Marian is known for, yet we need to continue to have more leadership roles for students.

Catherine has a lot on her plate, but she finds time to prioritize. She states, “As an RA and San Damiano Scholar, time management is essential for me to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are a lot of aspects of my life as a Marian College student and also in my personal life that I need to balance and prioritize. I try to keep my personal relationships and my duty as a student my first priority, but that is often difficult to remember to do. With any ministry position, it is important to separate work-related things and personal things, and that is something I struggle with the most.”

When Lindsey was asked how she deals with the stress, she replied, “At the beginning of this change, it was very overwhelming to deal with every aspect of my life. As the Student Director of the Recycling program, also a San Damiano scholar and a full time student, things can be hard to balance. It has been the biggest challenge to give myself separate times during the day to do work-related things, homework, and personal things. It was the hardest at night with not much homework to do, and wanting to get caught up on work-related things. But, with the help of Catherine, we made sure that we worked only on work things during office hours, and made time at night for homework, personal time, and relaxation.”

Lindsey and Catherine were asked when Don was coming back and they said, “Don Markovitch has been starting to come into the office for only an hour a day. He is slowing weaning himself back into working, but gets tired quickly and doesn’t want to push himself too hard. Therefore, he probably will only be working a couple hours a day for a few months before he is full-time again. It is important that he knows things in this department are getting taken care of and it’s nice to know that he has faith and trust that all the duties are getting completed. It is most important for Don to be healthy, no matter how long that takes him to do. To be an effective minister, personal health is most important.”

What do you expect to come out of all your hard work? “We both were very excited to become a part of an experience like this. Even though it will be quite a challenge, it will challenge us in ways that most students won’t get to experience until after graduation. We both feel that this will look great on a resume and we both are obtaining great experience professionally. Our communication skills are advancing as well as our organization and teamwork. Between the two of us, on a personal level, our friendship has grown and flourished tremendously and we have realized how important it is to have an outlet of someone you can trust that is also someone who you work closely with. We only can expect great things to happen out of this experience; including more student leadership on campus, great experience individually, and a diverse experience and good challenge for others in the department to work with,” said Lindsey and Catherine.

Alternative Breaks: Honduras December Trip
By: Mandy Fullington

Marian College is trying to form a sisterhood with Sociedad Amigos de los Ninos, which is an organization founded thirty-eight years ago and directed by Sister Maria Rosa Leggol. This humanitarian organization provides support, through social and developmental programs, to the most vulnerable sectors of the Honduran population. They are based in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, and currently implementing development programs in a variety of ways.

Twelve Marian College students went on the trip to Honduras from December 15 th to December 22 nd. They stayed at a Tilapia farm about ten miles from Nuevo Paraiso (“New Paradise”) where they spend most of their time. Nuevo Paraiso is a village for orphaned or abandon children. Its mission is to transform the lives of these children through education, practical training, healthcare, nutrition, and shelter; allowing them to journey towards independence. The group ate there, had their laundry washed there, and was able to spend time with the children of Nuevo Paraiso. The group also brought twelve suitcases filled with donations for the “New Paradise” children. One of the days, the group set up Bingo to play with the kids, and when they won, they were able to pick out a prize. They also gave the children Christmas presents, because they do not have parents who can do that for them.

Three out of the seven days spent in Honduras, the group went on Medical Brigades in the mountains to help villages that are unable to receive healthcare. Many jobs were fulfilled by Marian College attendees, such as pharmacy, interpreting, triage, runners, dental, and many more. Accompanying Marian was the University of Southern California (USC), which consisted of forty people. Their group brought all the medical supplies needed for the Medical Brigades. USC also came with doctors, pharmacists, a nurse, and two medical students, who actually saw the patients and wrote out the prescriptions that the pharmacy filled.

One of the team leaders, Kelly McKinley, described the experience by commenting, “I experienced that people can put aside their differences and work together to help others, no matter the condition or the situation they are put in (hot, sunny, language barriers, etc.).  I also experienced great thankfulness from the people of the country, welcoming us with open minds, spirits, and hearts.  I think if it were not for the gratefulness of the people, this trip would not have been so heartwarming.  I would recommend this trip to any student interested in social issue, health care, education, Spanish education etc.  It is an amazing trip and everyone should be able to experience and see the world in a different way.  I would also recommend this trip because it is a trip of service and this is one of the core values of Marian College.  This trip, along with others, can show how Marian is making a difference in the world.”

Valentine’s Day Shopping Guide:
Finding the perfect gift in Indianapolis
By Dalila Huerta

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Don’t know what to buy for your sweetheart? No problem! We’ve compiled a guide of all of Indy’s top stores to help you. Just look for the description that best fits your significant other, then head out to stores to buy just what he/she desires most! You’ll be sure to find something wonderful in one of Indy’s best stores and boutiques.

For the Fashionista

Fashion Mall : This is the ultimate center of trendy shops for your fashion-conscious girlfriend. Shop Saks Fifth Avenue, Bebe, Emporium, and Cache’s - just to name of few. You can’t go wrong with items from these high-end stores, and the convenience of one location is a definite plus.

Broad Ripple Fashionista, 809 Broad Ripple Ave: Looking for a more unique, one-of-a-kind look? Stop in at the Broad Ripple Fashionista boutique. The owner, Amber Davis, also keeps a nice stock of her own designs, so if originality is important to your girl, this is the place to find something that will definitely make her stand out in a crowd.

For Your Stylish Boyfriend

Sienna A’more , 8661 River Crossing Blvd: Owned by former Colts player Jeff Burris, this store offers hip clothing for men. You won’t find an overwhelming amount of options here; rather, Burris offers simple yet stylish choices for a night on the town, going to a club, or just a casual day out. Plus, their jean selection is one of the finest in town.

For the Gourmet-Lover & Cook

Butler’s Pantry , 213 S. Main St: Find all the kitchen gadgets the gourmet cook will ever need, plus a few extra. What’s really cool about this store are the scattered recipes you’ll find throughout the store, just in case you need a little inspiration. Even if you’re not looking for a gift, you can find everything you need for a romantic dinner at home.

Kahn’s Fine Wines , 5369 N. Keystone Ave: Does your boyfriend/girlfriend love wine? Come to Kahn’s Fine Wines for the most expensive and delectable wines, or pick up less expensive wine (as low as $6!) if you’re on a budget.

For the High-Tech Guru

Apple Store , Fashion Mall: come here to find what every high-tech guru craves…Apple! From iPods to iMacs, the Apple Store carries all your favorite and must-have Apple products, in one convenient location.

Sony Style , Fashion Mall: Two great electronic stores in one mall? It’s true. Sony Style, also at the Fashion Mall, offers all the newest electronics and gadgets from the brand we all trust, Sony. Here you can try out several PlayStation games and other cool gadgets…and don’t forget to pick him up the new PS3 (or a new plasma TV).

For the Bookworm

Big Hat Books, 922 E. Westfield Blvd: Locally owned by Liz Barden, a previous book reviewer. You’ll never find a more appealing selection of titles worth your time…all individually chosen by Barden. No more guessing or unpleasant surprises! You’ll love every single book in this store.

For the Spa-Addict

Absolu Spa & Skincare, 5252 E. 82 nd St: Instead of buying generic gift baskets from Bath and Body Works, pick up something unique for your girlfriend. Here, you’ll not only find unique gifts, but also gifts that are good for her: BareMinerals makeup, Zoya nail polish (no formaldehyde in it!), etc. She’ll not only look beautiful, but actually be healthier, too!

La Beaute Spa du Jour, 3940 W. 96 th St : What’s more romantic than a gift from the city of love, Paris? While a trip to France may not be possible on such short-term notice, a trip to this store is. La Beaute carries the largest selection of French-imported products. Get her a gift from here and you will both be surrounded by l’amour this Valentine’s day.

For the Jewelry Queen

Tiffany & Co., Fashion Mall: What more would the jewelry lover ask for, than a gorgeous piece from Tiffany’s? Tiffany & Co. joins the other luxury stores at the Fashion Mall this year. Find everything she needs here, and she’ll be sure to love you forever.

Silver in the City, 434 Mass Ave: Looking for something less expensive? This store carries a wide selection of silver jewelry: necklaces, bracelets, rings, you name it! Perfect for both simple and intricate tastes.

A Different Kind of Journey
By Brittany Hendrix

Marian College’s Franciscan heritage to many students extends only to the four values that they see around campus, hear about from professors, or in their freshman introduction course. Little do they know that the four Franciscan values mean so much more.

Over winter break I had the opportunity to delve deeper into the four values that our college is founded on. Along with three other Marian students and sixteen students from Franciscan universities across the country, I traveled to Assisi, Italy, the home of St. Francis and St. Clare. While I was there, I learned all about St. Francis and St. Clare and visited a variety of places that were instrumental in their lives.

I could take a whole day explaining all that I learned from a historical perspective, and while that was important, it was not what made the trip special to me. The trip was considered a pilgrimage or a spiritual journey to a special place; so, much of the trip was focused on prayer in the holy places we visited. At most sites we participated in prayer services, but it was other times spent in prayer or with new friends in which most of my spiritual growth occurred. On the trip I met some amazing people that both challenged me and propelled me in a new direction. One day we journeyed La Verna, a place where St. Francis took refuge, often by himself, and also the same place where Francis received the wounds of Christ.

After coming home from the trip, I asked myself what am I going to give back to Marian College? While I still do not have a definitive answer, I do know St. Francis was an extraordinary saint. In some ways I think he should be the patron saint of college students. When he first gave his life to God, he was going against what his father wanted for him. He chose a direction for his life that his parents did not. How many of us can say that? I sure can. Also, St. Francis loved Christ so much that he received the wounds He received on the cross. That love is remarkable and strong. Hopefully I can bring that love back to my community here on the Marian campus.

Some days I still have to convince myself that I went on this amazing trip. Occasionally, I will come across something that reminds me of a conversation I had or something fun I learned about St. Francis, or a homily from a mass we attended and I will smile because I am then able to bring Assisi here to Marian College. The more I remember from my experience in Assisi, the more I can then bring to campus.

Marian College Men’s Basketball

“He dribbles down the court…he shoots…he scores...and the Knights win the game!”

This, as well as other overwhelming noises produced by cheering students and fans, fills the gymnasium as the Marian College Knights Men’s Basketball team wins their first match up against IU-Northwest. This game started out the 2006-2007 season with a bang! Yet, as the season progressed, the number of wins and loses seemed to be battling it out. However, the number of wins pulled ahead as the team finished up finals week and headed home for a few much needed days of rest during winter break.

As winter break came to a close, the team played Indiana Wesleyan, a top ten ranked college, and lost. Now, it seems as if the team will never get back on top. The Knights seem to start off every game strong and then slowly the opposing team manages to pull ahead, leaving the Knights losing by ten points or less, with the exception of a few games.

The coaches are proud of the Marian Knights, despite the challenging season. They know that it is a long season and that the men are getting tired and overcoming injuries, which is leading to the unfortunately disappointing second half of the season. Assistant Coach Mingus said that part of the reason the team has had such an unsuccessful season is because “we have a very young team, made up of a lot of freshman.” The team is made up of only four returning seniors, six freshman, three sophomores, and one junior. Derek James, the lone junior on the team, is the teams starting guard. Mingus said, “James is a tough player, he is smart, but he thinks about things too much, analyzing them before they happen. If he could not think quite so much and react from instinct, his decisions would be better and more accurate, but overall, he is a strong and solid player.”

Despite their challenges, the team managed to pull out a close win from Grace College during the homecoming game on February 10 th. This victory brought the crowd to it’s feet with excitement, including seniors Joey Newton and Stephanie Horan, who were crowning Homecoming King and Queen during halftime of the game.

The Marian College Men’s Basketball season is rapidly coming to a close. With only a few regular season games left, can they turn it around before the conference tournament? Lets all hope so!

Marian College Women’s Basketball

Black high top tennis shoes pound into the floor as the Marian College Lady Knights sprint down the court. One woman breaks free from the pack and makes a fast break down the court for a lay-up. She makes it and the crowd jumps to their feet once again, cheering wildly. The announcer’s voice comes through the speakers in a sudden burst of energy as he recites the name of the momentary hero. Not even a glimpse of pleasure flashes through her eyes because she is already guarding her opponent, certain that she will not get past her.

The Lady Knights are a determined and hard working team. Anyone that comes to watch a game, could tell you that because you can see it on there faces and in there eyes. Whether they are ahead by 20 points or down by 20 points, they are trying just as hard. This determination is one of the reasons why so many fans love to attend the Marian College Women’s basketball games.

The women’s season has been a long one. The number of games won versus the number of games lost however does not add up in favor of our Lady Knights. The team is made up of mostly underclassmen, consisting of only two seniors, which leads to an inexperienced team. The season opened with a game against Doane College, which was lost, but the third game that was played brought about new hopes for the Lady Knights and there fans as they beat Spalding College 68-57. As the season progressed, it seemed like for every win there was a lose that followed.

The last three games played, all against Conference teams, were unfortunately lost, as well, but not without a fight. The Knights barely lost the “tightly-contested” game to Bethel College on Wednesday, January 24 th and then again almost came out with a win before getting shut down by Spring Arbor the following Wednesday.

Head Coach Todd Bacon is pleased with his team. After the most recent game against Spring Arbor he said, “We played hard, but just had trouble knocking down shots.”

The Lady Knights season is coming to an end with only four conference games remaining. Whether the Lady Knights win or lose their fans will be there cheering them on toward a hopeful victory. Good Luck Lady Knights on the rest of your season!

The “New” Pacers