Grand Valley Lanthorn vol. 57 no. 8

GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

Renaissance Festival comes to campus

GV HOSTS POLITICAL DIALOGUE EVENT, CONTINUING DISCOURSE EVENT SERIES

Grand Valley State University is continuing its Talking Together civil discourse event series this week with an event on Oct. 13 designed to tackle the issue of political polarization in conversation.

According to GVNext, the event will feature a showing of the film “Purple” to educate attendees on effective communication with those of differing political ideologies.

The event is one of many in the larger Talking Together series created by the university to encourage dialogue despite individual differences and equip the campus community with the skills and knowledge to engage in such effectively.

Such events for the series will continue to occur throughout

BIDEN WARNS OF HEIGHTENED RISK OF NUCLEAR ‘ARMAGEDDON’ WITH RUSSIA OVER UKRAINE

At a fundraiser event in New York on Oct. 6, President Joe Biden issued a warning regarding heightened global tensions as Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted at the possible use of tactical nuclear weaponry while his forces struggle to gain ground in the invasion of Ukraine.

Biden emphasized his belief that the risk of such a future has not been higher since the Cuban Missile Crisis under President John Kennedy.

Critics of the remark, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have fired back against what they view as an instance of inflammatory, exaggerated rhetoric.

The White House has since acknowledged that the president’s statement was not based on any revelatory information from the U.S. intelligence community regarding Russia’s nuclear threat.

NEW POLLING IN MI STATEWIDE RACES SHOWS INCUMBENT DEMOCRATS MAINTAINING LEADS

With a month to go before the midterm elections on Nov. 8, new polling on races for statewide offices from The Detroit News and WDIV-TV shows Democrats holding comfortable leads over their Republican challengers.

The poll was conducted by the Lansingbased Glengariff Group which surveyed 600 likely Michigan voters between Sept. 26 and Sept. 29 on their choices for top state offices.

According to the polling data, the race for the governor’s mansion has incumbent Governor Gretchen Whitmer leading Muskegon businesswoman and conservative media commentator Tudor Dixon by 17 percentage points, 49.5% to Dixon’s 32.2%.

In the race for attorney general, the new polling shows incumbent Dana Nessel leading Kalamazoo-area attorney Matthew Deperno 42.5% to 30.4%.

In the race for secretary of state, incumbent Jocelyn Benson leads Republican challenger Kristina Karamo in the poll 46.6% to 29.2%.

The new polling spells urgency for GOP circles hoping to gain control of statewide offices in this key battleground state.

Midwest gas prices rise rapidly amid regional, global oil supply shocks

BY JOSEPH POULOS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Gas prices in West Michigan are on the rise again this month, due in part to multiple factors on the regional and national levels.

In the Midwest, the explosion of a British Petroleum (BP) refinery in Ohio on Sept. 20 has begun to constrict local oil supplies. The refinery, which has the capacity to produce 160,000 barrels per day, suffered a subsequent fire that left two employees dead and caused a full evacuation of the staff.

“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of these two individuals,” BP America said in a statement released the following day. “All other staff is accounted for and our employee assistance team is on-site in Toledo to support our employees impacted by this tragedy.”

This recent incident adds to the reversal of fortunes for local gas prices after they had started trending back into a lower direction.

According to GasBuddy.com, last month, Michigan’s average regular unleaded stood at $3.83 per gallon. As of Oct. 6, this average now stands

at $4.34 per gallon.

However, the factors causing gas prices to return to higher rates are complex, as international politics play a role.

The International Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), controls much of the world’s known oil supply and has large sway over global oil price control. During the first week of October, OPEC announced its decision to cut oil production significantly by 2 million barrels per day.

Polly Diven, a political science professor at Grand Valley State University and the director of its international relations program, emphasized OPEC’s massive

influence on the global oil market.

“OPEC is an intergovernmental organization consisting of the leadership of 14 of the largest petroleum exporters,” Diven said. “Together they produce about 40% of the world’s crude petroleum. In the past year, OPEC has affected fuel prices by constricting or expanding their supply of petroleum on the world market.”

As for the recent announcement to cut oil production, Diven is sure that gas prices will take an additional hike as a result.

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EDUCATION

GV students, leaders seek improvement as MI teacher shortage worsens

BY MICHAELA TRIEMSTRA NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

A teacher shortage has swept across Michigan in recent years.

December 2021 data from Michigan State University’s Education Policy Innovation Collaborative shows a steady increase in vacant education positions and a drop in new teachers entering the profession.

This shortage has only increased as teachers have left the profession or retired early, some citing COVID-19 protocols. Multiple factors have also

influenced the number of people wanting to go into teaching, including attempts to lower professional standards for teaching and narratives aimed at politicizing public education.

At Grand Valley State University, the campus is home to hundreds of students each year who aim to become educators.

GVSU’s Associate Dean of the College of Education and Community Innovation, Amy Schelling, stressed the importance of solving the growing shortage and separating public education from political narratives.

“Policymakers must understand that teaching is ethical and intellectual work,” Schelling said. “While someone may have an affinity for teaching, it is a skillful act that requires a complex set of knowledge, skills, practice-based approaches and dispositions that must be learned, extensively practiced and reflected upon continuously.”

down in early 2020 and reopened with fewer hours, making them inaccessible to some people.

Another aspect of the teacher shortage stems from schools thrusting often-underprepared educators into the classroom due to the need to fill positions.

“It is critical that all (pre-K through grade 12) children have access to well-prepared teachers who know how to create an equitable learning environment for all students,” Schelling said. “There is a need to elevate the profession which is something that teacher preparation programs work on continuously.”

Schelling said there were 337 GVSU “program completers,” following a consistent trend of more than 300 students graduating each year. These numbers make GVSU one of the largest teacher-preparation institutions in the state.

VACANCIES: GV produces hundreds of education graduates each year amid a growing shortage. GVL | AIDA DENNIS

Changes to teaching certification tests may have also impacted the shortage. Testing centers were shut

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FUEL: Gas prices in the Allendale and Grand Rapids area have increased sharply in recent days, often with large variance in prices set by individual stations. GVL | SYDNEY LIM

JACOB KIRN

JAMES HERRICK

At the Lanthorn, we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible. If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com.

GV offers flu shot clinics ahead of harsh, post-COVID flu season

BY GRACE SMITH NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

As a result of COVID-19 being the focus of public health professionals during the last few cold and flu seasons, many experts are suggesting that a particularly severe flu variant may be approaching.

As Australian flu data is normally indicative of what is to come for the western hemisphere, the numbers could potentially serve as an omen of one of the worst flu seasons in five years. Such effects are suggested to be a result of decreased public health regulations such as mask mandates and increased social interaction as the effects of the pandemic begin to dwindle.

Data from previous years suggests that flu season in Michigan is at its worst around mid-November, with the greatest number of patients testing positive for the H3N2 variant of Influenza A in comparison to other times of the year.

College students are considered to be an especially vulnerable population in regards to spreading the virus, as close living quarters, shared facilities and a surplus of social activities can cause illness to spread quickly through campuses.

To mitigate such risks, Grand Valley State University’s Family Health Center has worked to make the flu vaccine easily accessible to students

and faculty for the 2022-23 flu season. The center has already hosted five vaccination clinics this year in a variety of locations at GVSU’s Allendale campus and both of its campuses in downtown Grand Rapids. The center is planning on hosting six more clinic dates between now and Oct. 28.

“What we’re doing is having the accessibility to the flu shot, because we know it can be hard to get off campus,” said Patient Services Manager Brianne Burke.

Burke said on the days of the clinic students are welcome to either sign up or walk in during the two-hour windows that they are open. The clinic will

also bill participants’ insurance so there are no out-of-pocket cost at the time of the service. Students will also be able to receive official documentation of obtaining their flu shot for the year.

Research from the CDC indicates that obtaining a flu shot every year is an important factor in minimizing the risks associated with the flu season. Current studies show that receiving the flu vaccine can reduce the contraction of the virus from 40% to 60%.

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EVENTS

GV Counseling Center hosts Mental Health Screening Day

BY KATHERINE RAUHUT NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

In recent years, mental health has become a prevalent discussion on college campuses. Various mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and substance abuse affect many college students and staff members.

Allendale and Pew campuses on Oct. 6.

In addition to in-person events, the counseling center hosted a live webinar on its Instagram story on the same day to provide students with tips regarding depression identification and management skills.

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According to MLive reporting, a nationwide study from the University of Michigan conducted last year found that 47% of the 32,754 college students involved exhibited symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. 66% of the students reported feeling isolated from others, while only 40% of those who had been screened for depression or anxiety participated in mental health counseling.

Facing such pervasive threats to mental health, Grand Valley State University’s University Counseling Center sought to bolster its wellness efforts by offering free, confidential mental health screenings at various locations on its

Associate Director of Clinical and Crisis Services at GVSU Eric Klingensmith was at the Kirkhof screening location on Thursday afternoon, speaking one-on-one with students and providing information regarding the university’s counseling services.

“This event is important because it helps raise awareness, gives students information about our services and helps students to recognize and identify the struggles they are facing,” Klingensmith said.

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RESOURCES: GVSU’s Campus Health Center has added flu shot clinics to its list of services provided to the campus community ahead of flu season. GVL | ARCHIVES

By Peyton Murney

EDITORIAL

It’s evident that the ongoing prominence of social media in our lives can have detrimental effects on one’s mental health due to lifestyle comparisons, body image problems or overconsumption of negative content. Regardless, our online involvement shapes our lives even if it’s out of our control.

or going to social events are susceptible to having their actions or image posted by any of the millions of people that have recording devices in their pockets.

editorial@lanthorn.com

Review: “Don’t Worry Darling” is a half-baked movie

Harry Styles’ performance. The film - and the talk surrounding it - brought young audiences to the movie theater in the age of streaming from home, with the movie grossing $54.7 million dollars worldwide.

The movie has all the makings of an intriguing thriller: a star-studded cast, incredible lighting, set design, costuming and overall a creative and attention-grabbing plot.

(Harry Styles) passionate and picturesque relationship in an equally “perfect” town. This structure is dismantled as Alice comes to question what her place is in the Victory Project. She frantically works to ask and find the answers to a looming, unknown evil. The audience shares her same confusion throughout the film, however, this feeling is never truly resolved in the end.

Most social media users are aware that government officials and influential media companies are actively monitoring our digital footprints for security and economic purposes. Studies done by the Pew Research Center have shown that social media users are concerned about their right to privacy and their personal information being shared.

This can lead to harmful instances in which a person is falsely accused of doing something or having an action or statement posted out of context that can result in destructive outcomes such as being ‘canceled’ by society.

Granted, there have been instances where this has been used for good. When someone is being accused of a crime or something they did not do, they have the opportunity to now record the situation as a defense rather than relying on an oral account with no concrete evidence.

BY ELIZABETH SCHANZ JUNIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

“Don’t Worry Darling” has been shrouded by drama leading up to its premiere, with abysmal reviews and buzz on the internet full of younger audiences bashing or raving about

However, it falls flat - stopping it from being a great film and instead settling for being a good watch.

“Don’t Worry Darling” is full of half-baked ideas, a rushed ending and the inability to fully delve into the concepts that it hopes to address.

The movie follows Alice (Florence Pugh) and Jack Chambers’

The cast is set up for success with Pugh as the lead, with a stunning expression of emotion, distress and confusion that keeps the audience at the edge of their seat.

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Column: The meaning of money in today’s society

ey - here in America - began to evolve for better or worse.

BY MALIK HARVEY SENIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

As my father says, “Everything is about money.” This is not just a perception held by him, but by most Americans today - and understandably so. Money has radicalized every aspect of our daily lives. While the use of currency (or some means of exchange) has been around for centuries, it wasn’t until the mid-19th century that our perception of mon -

Prior to 1850, America (as well as Europe) measured the stability of their nation based on “moral statistics.” These statistics appraised prostitution, incarceration, literacy, crime, education, insanity, pauperism and life expectancy, which all relate to human beings’ internal and external health.

The fight to end slavery is where today’s view of money begins. Hinton Helper released “The Impending Crisis of the South,” in 1857, which enumerated the economic value of resources extracted from the earth in the North and South. He concluded from an 1850 census that the North produced $351, 709,703 worth of goods while the South produced $306,927,067.

Subsequent books released (such as “Cotton Is King” by James

Henry Hammond) affronted the idea that a nation’s value should derive from the morality of its citizens. As a result, the production of goods and services became the key indicators of a nation’s economic value.

In 1861, with an impending Civil War looming, the U.S. issued its first version of paper money to help finance the war. The Federal Reserve Act was passed by Congress in 1913, enacting our Federal Reserve System. A year later, Federal Reserve Notes were issued to the public - which is the currency we still use today.

This piece of paper - weighing one gram - set in motion a turbulent view of how we perceive not only others, but ourselves.

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One would like to assume that involvement on social media is up to the individual themselves. However, this assumption is becoming less of a reality as those walking to classes, taking public transportation

OPINION POLICY

The goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn’s opinion page is to act as a forum for public discussion, comment and criticism in the Grand Valley State University community. Student and columnist opinions published here do not necessarily reflect those of the paper as an entity.

The Lanthorn strives to be a safe vehicle for community discussion. With this in mind, the Lanthorn will not publish or entertain any forms of hate speech, but neither will it discriminate against any other views, opinions or beliefs. The content, information and views expressed are not approved by-nor do they necessarily represent those of-the university or its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty

While it may seem like it does no harm at first, one never knows who the videos may reach. For example, on TikTok, a seemingly insignificant

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or staff.

Letter to the editor should include the author’s full name, relevant title and a headshot, along with a valid email address and phone number for confirming the identity of the author. Letters should be approximately 500650 words in length, and they are not edited by the Lanthorn staff except to fix technical errors or to clarify. Reader submissions on the opinion page appear as space permits.

To make a submission, email editorial@lanthorn. com or drop your submission off in person at:

0051 KIRKHOF CENTER GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ALLENDALE, MI 49401 616-826-8276

registration,

BY CAMRYN SNIDER NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Nov. 8 is Election Day in the United States. This year, voters will head to the polls to cast their ballots in the 2022 midterm elections.

At Grand Valley State University leaders and voting advocates are gearing up to register and get student voters to the polls amidst the typically low turnout observed in a midterm election cycle.

Previously, GVSU President Philomena Mantella has committed to increasing student engagement by signing the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge’s Presidents’ Commitment in 2020 along with 500 other college and university presidents. This pledge commits the university to strive for 100% voting registration among students.

According to the 2020 National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement Campus Report released by Tufts University, GVSU is making noticeable progress to do so, with 91% of GVSU students registered to vote in 2020 and 72% voting.

However, midterm elections like this year’s have a reputation for turning out fewer youth voters than in presidential elections.

ELECTIONS INFORMATION

In the 2018 midterms, 73% of GVSU students were registered to vote, yet 35% voted.

GVSU’s Associate Director of Student Life for Civic Engagement and Assessment Melissa Baker-Boosamra said the difference in student voter turnout between presidential and midterm elections is a major concern to her.

“At the midterm elections, we are electing representatives at the level of the state, at the level of the county and even city commission and school board,” Baker-Boosamra said.

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BY JACOB WELCH NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University’s Office of Student Life hosted its third Democracy 101 event on Oct. 5, this time focusing on midterm ballot proposals.

GVSU’s Office of Student Life: Civic Engagement coordinated with the Campus Vote Project, a non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to support student engagement in the democratic process.

“We work with about thirty campuses in the state to support student voting on campus, and of course, it is non-partisan to ensure that students have no barriers to voting,” Campus Vote Project’s Michigan Coordinator Landon Myers said. “This event was about the proposal process in general, to get proposals on the ballot in Michigan, and the three ballot proposals this November – just to provide information to students so that they know when they vote in November what’s going to be on the ballot.”

One of the event’s main purposes was to describe the three statewide proposals that will be on the back of voters’ ballots on Nov. 8. These proposals cover highly contested topics including term limits for lawmakers, voter rights and access to abortion services.

Associate Director of Student Life for Civic Engagement and Assessment Melissa Baker-Boosamra aims to have the university’s Democracy 101 events serve

as vital opportunities for student voters.

“I would like Democracy 101 to be remembered as a student-led effort to provide space for students by students to talk about issues that matter,” Baker-Boosamra said. “I would encourage students to take a look.”

Through the event on Oct. 5, specifically, organizers sought to bring clarity to students surrounding the language and implications of this year’s ballot proposals.

Proposal One, as described by Myers, primarily concerns legislative term limits, instituting a change from separate term limits of six and eight years in the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate, respectively, to one term limit of 12 years in either or both chambers.

Presented By WGVU Public Media and D&W Fresh Market

VOTING: GV officials have long encouraged students to vote and remained informed ahead of elections. GVL | MACAYLA CRAMER

EVENTS: Campus Vote Project’s Michigan Coordinator Landon Myers spoke about the state’s ballot proposals. GVL | AIDA DENNIS

GV aims to increase student voter

turnout ahead of upcoming midterm elections

Democracy 101 event to educate voters on midterm proposals

GV area law enforcement lay out security plans ahead of Halloween

BY EMMA ARMIJO NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Valley State University community is taking action to promote safety ahead of expected late-night Halloween festivities, following an influx of crime around the Allendale and Grand Rapids campuses.

As reported in previous weeks, crime near the GVSU Allendale, Pew and Health campuses has prompted an increased response from local law enforcement in the area, in addition to routine changes for increased Halloween activity.

Instances such as the shots fired at the off-campus housing complex Canvas Townhomes and reports of assaults on the Blue Bridge in downtown Grand Rapids have caused concern for many students and community members.

The police departments of Ottawa County, Grand Rapids and GVSU have aimed to prioritize the safety of the community and have indicated they are working together to reach solutions.

Grand Valley Police Department (GVPD) Captain Jeff Stoll said a recent focus for GVPD at both campuses has been increasing community engagement with officers, as well as working to add additional staff at both locations around midnight hours, when the most criminal activity has been noted.

“Officers on duty have been encouraged to interact with the public via proper-

ty checks of campus housing units, traffic stops and personal contacts out in the field,” Stoll said. “Having a strong presence helps to show the community we are actively trying to keep the community safe and also causes criminals to reconsider their actions knowing our officers are active.”

GVPD is working closely with local agency partners to identify solutions. Stoll said that the Youth Alcohol Enforcement grants are very influential in their efforts to curb criminal activity in the Allendale area.

“We have been working with our bordering law enforcement agency partners to try and identify solutions together,” Stoll said. “For example, the Blue Bridge is now closed by the city after midnight and this reduces the amount of people in that area.”

Ottawa County Sherriff’s Office has created a new contract through Allendale Township as a response to the recent criminal events, specifically that of the shootings.

Sergeant Mike Vandenbosch of the Ottawa County Sherriff’s Office said the contract will put more officers out in the community and increase the police presence. Vandenbosch said he does not believe the events of the Canvas Townhomes shootings will deter anyone from going about their daily activities approaching Halloween.

“There are increased patrols allowed through this contract that we have, just to create more police presence in and

ALLIANCE

around the (Allendale) campus and the offsite housing, more or less for the issues that we have seen so far this school year,” Vandenbosch said. “I would say, on average, there’s probably another three to five additional deputies on patrol, depending on what’s going on around the school.”

Ottawa County police will continue to adjust staff hours and patrols for Halloween, as they have for the past several years, Vandenbosch said.

“We do move a lot of our patrols and our

staff to a later shift for the trick-or-treating, so we definitely have increased staff on the road during that time,” Vandenbosch said. “That increased presence is there to reduce that call volume.”

A representative of the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) says there are many different events that would draw large groups to Grand Rapids in October.

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GV ushers in new, expanded partnership with Trinity Health

BY ZOË MURPHY NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Officials at Grand Valley State University are celebrating a new partnership between the university and local health provider Trinity Health Medical Group that will involve various health services for the campus community.

GVSU has had a partnership with the Trinity Health before, but recently the university decided to expand that partnership and name Trinity Medical Group as the new service provider for its Campus Health Center where students go for health concerns.

“Every time Trinity Health opens a new site, we hold an open house,” said Campus Health Center Manager Leslie Dontie.

On Sept. 27, an open house event was held to celebrate the new partnership between Trinity Health and GVSU.

The open house allowed university leaders to strike an optimistic tone to begin the emerging partnership, and to set the stage for collaboration between staff and students. Many Trinity Health and GVSU leaders were in attendance.

“We invite the community to come

in and see the new facility, the staff of Grand Valley, President Philomena, senior leadership from Trinity Health, Kristen Woods,” Dontje said.

This collaboration between GVSU and Trinity Health, Dontie said, is a novel occurrence for Trinity Health.

“This is something that’s brand new to Trinity Health as far as partnering with the university,” Dontje said.

The university previously partnered with Metro Health but decided Trinity Health was the new direction that was needed for the students and staff at GVSU.

The leaders of both organizations have been meeting for months to make sure everything goes smoothly as the partnership progresses.

“I’ve been meeting with Kate Harmon and Edward Jones and really trying to collaborate to learn the wants and the needs of the campus for the students, staff and faculty and trying to learn what types of visits and health care we’ll be providing,” Dontie said.

Dontje said the partnership is centered around putting the campus community at the forefront of health considerations.

“We’re going to be exploring and

learning more about the community and that aspect, so we can better serve everyone,” Dontje said.

When it comes to the Campus Health Center, Dontie said, health officials involved with its operation will be “functioning as a primary care office, even though we’re tailoring our services towards the campus, so we’ll still be able to offer a wide variety of any type of medicine.”

Under Trinity Health, officials have sought to show students that the Campus Health Center as just like normal doctors’ offices.

“Anything you would go to your primary care for - whether it be a physical, sore throat (or) sutures - we’ll be able to offer primary care and even collaborate with the sports medicine team if need be,” Dontje said.

The Campus Health Center is located next to the Campus View Apartments, at the southwest corner of GVSU’s Allendale campus.

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CELEBRATIONS: GVSU Philomena Mantella and Trinity Health Medical Group President Dr. Kristen Woods cut a ceremonial ribbon at an open house celebrating their organizations’ new partnership. GVL | SYDNEY LIM

SAFETY: Local law enforcement urge the community to exercise caution at night following multiple criminal incidents in Grand Rapids and near GV’s Pew Campus. GVL | MEGHAN TRIPP

A 9 | LAKER LIFE

LAKER LIFE BRIEFS

SUPPORT GVSU GEOLOGY CLUB

On Tuesday, Oct. 11, the Geology Club will be hosting a rock sale in the Kirkhof Center lobby.

The sale will start at 11 a.m. and last until 3 p.m. This is the first of their biweekly sales of selling various items.

There will be stones and jewelry for sale, but the club welcomes everyone to come look at their fossils and different rock specimens. Those with questions about the club can reach out to murphyri@mail.gvsu.edu or desantij@mail.gvsu.edu with general questions or inquiries about how to become a member of the club.

EXPERIENCE “TASTES OF ASIA”

The Asian Student Union (ASU) is hosting “Taste of Asia” this Friday Oct. 14 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Niemeyer Multipurpose Room.

There will be a variety of Asian food, deserts and drinks for attendees to try.

There is also a spicy ramen challenge, where competitors will be provided with a bowl of spicy ramen and a hard-boiled egg. Whoever finishes the food and doesn’t drink any milk within three minutes of finishing will win and be crowned “spice lord.” The winner will also receive prizes. The entrance to the challenge is an additional $7. Those interested must RSVP for the competition so they can provide enough ramen. Besides food there will be raffles, games and music.

Entrance to the event is $12 in advance and $14 with no RSVP. ASU is asking those interested to pay their Treasurer, Andrew Tran, in advance via Snapchat, Venmo or CashApp.

Students can RSVP online. The event is open to everyone, not just ASU members.

LEARN WITH COMMUNICATIONS STUDY CLUB

On Thursday, Oct. 13 the Communication Study Club is holding a talk with Dr. Valerie Peterson titled “Sex and Communication.”

The talk will be about everything related to love, romance and relationships. The talk will begin at 6 p.m. in the Niemeyer Honors College room 219. wwPeterson is a professor at GVSU and has a book titled “Sex, Ethics and Communication: A Humanistic Approach to Conversation on Intimacy,” which she will be referencing in the discussion.

PARTICIPATE IN MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY

This Saturday is Make A Difference Day at GVSU where the Office of Student Life will be holding a day of service GVSU students can participate in.

The day will start at the Grand River Room at 8:30 a.m. After brief introductions, there will be a keynote speaker from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Following this students will be transported to the service site.

Students are requested to email servicelc@gvsu.edu if they wish to participate.

BY MELIA WILLIAMS LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

Club hosts annual

Grand Valley State University’s Farm Club and the Office of Sustainability recently hosted their annual Harvest Party at the Sustainable Agriculture Project.

The Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) is a project that started off with students that wanted space to have a community garden. After fourteen years, the project is now up to 4-to-5 acres of various gardens, fields, hoop houses and a community partner called New City neighbors.

“It’s a student-driven place, I think the special thing about the SAP is that you can come and study your own major here, so you don’t have to be a biology, NRM or biology major,” said Yumiko Jakobcic, the Director of Sustainability.

The Harvest Party took place on Oct. 7 and celebrated the recent gatherings of ripe crops from the field. Other organizations that took part in the Harvest Party were the GVSU Beekeepers, the Student Environmental Coalition, the Soil and Water Conservation Study and the Farm Club.

“So things are winding down at the farm, we’re not gonna be able to harvest much longer, so we just try to kind of come and have a community together,” Jakobcic said.

The Harvest Party was a big event with a turnout of 50 to 60 people in support of the Farm Club. Farm Club interns, other students and friends were playing yard games, going on the self-guided tours and eating the food provided.

“The Harvest Party has been a long-standing tradition with the farm,” said farm manager and educator Michael Hinkle who oversees the farm. “The counting contest, the chili contest, all of this is organized by members.”

The Harvest Party is also a way SAP introduces students to all they do. The organization has various in -

ternships and volunteer opportunities for interested students.

“We hire interns on a semester-by-semester basis or farm crew members who usually work the whole growing season,” Hinkle said. “Right now we got a couple of composting interns, a couple of food security interns and some interns working on the wetland buffer projects.”

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BY MADDIE ZIMMERMAN LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University’s Book Club held its first book sale this year at the Kirkhof lobby.

All of the proceeds from the sale will be used as funding for future club events.

“Our old president gave us a bunch of books last summer and he told us we could do a book sale,” said current Book Club President Bruna Ngassa. “We have been meaning to do it for the longest time but COVID ultimately pushed the sale back.”

Although the group tries to hold a book sale every year where they sell popular books at a reduced price, it’s not

their only fundraising opportunity.

“We have an event called Potter and Pancakes that we plan on using the money raised from these sales,” Ngassa said. “This event takes place in the second semester and we eat pancakes and watch Harry Potter movies.”

While reading is a large factor in the group, they focus on other things as well. They also have annual parties with food, drinks, games to play and book-related discussions.

“We also do holiday parties,” Ngassa said. “There will be really good food at our annual Halloween party at the end of October. We also have a white elephant in December.”

As for what inspired the book club to start, Alex Olmstead, the club’s secretary, gave the rundown.

“This club has been around for a long time,” Olmstead said. “It started to create a safe and fun place for fellow book club members to meet.

FARM CLUB: Grand Valleys Farm Club hosted their annual Harvest Party where students were able to compete in a chili cook off and hang out with their peers. COURTESY | GVSU FARM CLUB

Grand Valley’s Book Club hosted a fundraiser

the school year. GVL | BETHANN LONG

ARTS AT A GLANCE

“BLUE EYE’D HAG” PERFORMANCE AT GV

On Oct. 15 The Pigeon Shakespeare Company, a touring company based in West Michigan, will perform their world premiere production of “Blue Eye’d Hag” by Jim Lear Bear. The performance will take place in the Pere Marquette Room in Kirkhof Center on the Grand Valley State University Allendale campus as part of the Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival.

The play acts as a prequel to the “The Tempest,” however, executive director Katherine Mayberry said that audiences do not have to know Shakespeare’s works to understand and enjoy the performance.

The story in “Blue Eye’d Hag” begins with warring kingdoms that are set to be united by marriage of their prince and princess. As wedding events begin an unknown and mysterious woman and her baby arrive leading to additional chaos.

This performance is free and open to the public.

GRAND RAPIDS BALLET PERFORMANCE

Grand Rapids Ballet will present three ballets in their performance entitled “Elemental Movement” from Oct. 14-16 at Peter Martin Wege Theatre in downtown Grand Rapids.

The ballet pieces include “Elemental Brubeck” choreographed by modern dancer Lar Lubovitch, the world premiere of “Liar Lear King” will also be featured choreographed by Danielle Rowe in partnership with New York City-based Satellite Collective and a reprise of Katarzyna Skarpetowska’s “Off the Canvas” that was originally performed in the company’s 20212022 season.

Tickets are available online starting at $40 each and must be reserved in advance. Additionally, there is a free family matinee performance on Oct. 15. at 2:30 p.m. This performance aims to introduce ballet to young audiences.

GV MUSIC PROGRAM PERFORMANCES

This week the GVSU Music, Theatre and Dance Department is hosting performances for “Octubafest” Concert and the Jazz Ensemble Concert.

The two Octubafest concerts will take place on Oct. 12 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sherman Van Solkema Recital hall in Haas Performing Arts Center. This performance features tuba solos, euphonium solos and chamber music.

Additionally, the Jazz Ensemble concert is Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at the Linn Maxwell Keller Black Box Theatre in Haas Performing Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public.

SHOWCASE

GV Music Program hosts guest artist performance

BY OMARI SEABERRY ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

On Sept. 30 the Grand Valley State University Department of Music, Theatre and Dance hosted a Guest Artist recital featuring Nathan Salazar on the saxophone and John Solari on piano.

The guest artist performances are meant to showcase the expertise of musicians for students to learn from and apply to their lives. Additionally, the performances help connect students to the wider GVSU community that attends the event and experiences the music.

Associate professor of saxophone and Associate Department Chair, Dan Graser, helps coordinate guest artist programs. He typically contacts candidates who are looking for performance opportunities and can bring different perspectives to students.

“Nathan and John’s program was immensely diverse and showed a wide range of time periods within classical music, including a world premiere, as well as the wide range of repertoire that is possible on the saxophone,” Graser said.

Salazar earned an undergraduate degree at Arizona State University and went on to Michigan State University to earn a master’s degree in multiple woodwind performance. He is current-

RESIDENCY

ly teaching the saxophone and oboe at Albion College.

Salazar began playing the saxophone at a young age, starting in his sixthgrade band. He said that he landed on playing the saxophone solely because he thought it “seemed like the coolest instrument.” He said that he enjoys the versatility of the instrument and that it opened the door to other musical explorations as well.

“I could do a classical sax recital, I could play with a big band or a jazz combo,” Salazar said. “I also play a lot of different woodwind instruments like the clarinet and the bassoon.”

During his time at GVSU, Salazar was

able to connect with other musicians and experience the campus.

“It’s a beautiful campus and a very fun saxophone studio to play in,” Salazar said. “One of my former students is now a freshman here, so it’s fun to see him and his other colleagues perform.”

In addition to performing, Salazar has found his passion in teaching. He said that he embraces the student’s goals, whether it be performance, education or expanding on their interest in music.

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Dance guest artist brings humor and play

BY ALLISON BAIR ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University’s Dance Program recently hosted their second guest artist of the semester, offering dance students the chance to learn from an outside choreographer. This program aims to expose students to new ideas, step out of their comfort zone and learn from working professionals.

The most recent guest artist, Deborah Lohse, finished a week-long res-

idency that taught dancers unique creative methods. She focused on blending dancing and acting and shared her teaching philosophy, pushing students to find new aspects within themselves to guide their work as artists.

Lohse is a comedian, professional dancer, actor and ex-circus clown who resides in New York. During her time at GVSU, she taught ballet classes, a choreography class and set a piece for the dance program’s Fall Concert in December.

Lohse encouraged the students to come up with their own “alter-egos,” an active persona separate from the dancer’s everyday self to explore new stories, movements and to take on new challenges. This is a practice she uses in her own life with her own alter-ego named TruDee. She has dancers use this persona as a channel to act as a new character and achieve goals they otherwise would have felt much less comfortable doing.

their peers they had never seen before.”

Junior dance major Carly O’Donodue had the opportunity to take a class from Lohse and said that the experience expanded her skill set.

“It definitely got me out of my comfort zone,” O’Donohue said. “There was a lot of improv and acting skills we learned as well.”

Not only does Lohse work to tie in joy and fun into her choreography, but she uses it as a way of life.

For Lohse’s dance piece, she choreographed a story that started as an idea and developed it to fit the individual students. The performance tells the story of two dreamers amongst a group of clowns who lose their way. Through the chaos, the dreamers bring everyone else back to reality. Lohse said she hopes to show the audience that life shouldn’t be taken too seriously or else there will be widespread panic.

EDUCATION: Haas Center for Performing Arts is on the GV Allendale campus and is home to the Music, Theatre and Dance Department. Dance students take movement classes in studio space. GVL | MEGHAN TRIPP

“We started the class with 12 students and by the end, there were 24,” Lohse said. “Everyone had their own fun side character and the students saw parts of

STAGE: The performance took place at the Sherman van Solkema Recital Hall in the Haas Center for Performing Arts on the GV Allendale campus. COURTESY | NATHAN J. SALAZAR

QUICK HITS

WOMEN’S GOLF WINS FIRST FALL TITLE ON THE ROAD

The Grand Valley State University women’s golf team finished in firstplace in the William Beal Fall Classic last week in a 17-team invitational.

After a trying start to the fall season, the Lakers are seemingly creating a promising momentum shift in their favor as the team followed up its second-place finish in the Laker Fall Invite their last time out.

GVSU’s depth chart continues to experience a significant lapse in availability as the team has only seen four of its five total players compete this season with junior Kay Zubkus still recovering from a surgical proceduremaking this title win that much harder to secure.

Olivia Stoll has been influential for GVSU as the sophomore won her first individual title with a score of 208 (-8). The remaining three sophomores dug themselves firmly into the top-20, as Paula Badino placed ninth (226, +10), Megan Miron tied for 15th (231, +15) and Julia Sanchez finished 19th-overall (233, +17).

The team will see its first glimpse at postseason nationals as they compete in the NCAA Nationals Preview Oct. 10-11.

GV MEN’S TENNIS COMPETES AGAINST OUT-OF-CONFERENCE MATCHUPS

The men’s team faced off against Cornerstone University on Oct. 7 in their first match of the season that finished 6-1 in favor of GVSU and added the first victory to the Lakers’ record.

Sebastian Arce, Sean Miller, Jack Dausman, Ignasi Garros, Ignacio Morera-Lucas and Patricio Sepulveda all participated in singles action as each Laker besides Arce (lost 1-2) won their individual matchups.

GVSU also participated in doubles action as Arce and senior Unai Gonzalez lost their matchup, 4-6 while Martov and Sepulveda and Dausman and Miller won their duo matches 6-4 each.

The following day, the team played Grace College where they won 5-2 with the same lineups from the day previous in both doubles and individual action.

Arce would ultimately lose his individual match in three games once again, as the remaining five individual Lakers won their matches to finish the weekend 2-0 individually.

However, Matov and Sepulveda would be the only doubles pair for the Lakers that won their matchup (6-3), as the remaining two would fall short of a win.

As the Lakers sit at 2-0 in the regular season, GVSU will take a hiatus for the remainder of the fall season until they return to GLIAC and out-of-conference action that won’t begin until the early spring season.

GV women’s volleyball secures two wins during three-game homestand

BY MADELEINE SMITH SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

In a tough GLIAC matchup this past weekend, Grand Valley State University women’s volleyball lost to the Ferris State Bulldogs in four sets that finished 25-15, 25-27, 1825 and 21-25.

The Sept. 8 match showed promising signs for the Lakers as they came out hot to start the first set. GVSU built a lead that they didn’t allow to dip below three points, preventing the Bulldogs from putting together a scoring run.

GVSU would ultimately take the first set by 10 points as freshman Jordyn Gates led the offensive attack with six kills and contributed two of the last three points to seal the set win.

However, a back-and-forth affair would take place after the set intermission that went down to the wire. After what seemed like a comfortable lead that was built by the Lakers once again (1712), the Bulldogs were able to strike back with a run of their own.

Mounting an 8-3 run in favor of Ferris State, the opposing team finally took their first lead of the match. The set went down to the wire as the scoreboard read 24-24 and the gymnasium fell quiet. Three points later, the Bulldogs would ultimately close

out the set, 25-27.

The Lakers have found themselves dropping sets after building what seems like a solid lead in a handful of matches so far, and head coach Jason Johnson commented on what he saw in set two.

“I don’t think we put enough pressure on Ferris to make them uncomfortable after that first set,” Johnson said. “That was evident as their hitting percentages went up.”

A close game such as this can be extremely nerve-wracking for those participating and watching from the

FOOTBALL

GV

BY BRIAN BLOOM SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University men’s football defeated American International College 45-3 in Massachusetts this past weekend to remain undefeated at the halfway point of the season (6-0).

This is the first time since the 2018 season that the Lakers have started their regular season undefeated through six games.

The first six minutes of the game saw both sides of the defense preventing either team from putting any points on the board. That was until the clock showed 6:34 left in the opening quarter and the Lakers’ offense cracked open the game.

Junior running back Tariq Reid was a staple in the win as he scored the first of his three rushing touchdowns on a 12-yard touchdown run. A successful extra point attempt by sophomore kicker Kollin Kralapp

sidelines, and Johnson commented on how quickly the atmosphere can change in this sport.

“Volleyball is one of the most unique and difficult sports to play due to the fact that you can get off to a great lead, end the set, and then you have to start over at zero to zero again,” Johnson said. “So any momentum you had or feeling you had about what was going on…it changes so quickly.”

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brought the score to 7-0.

Later in the quarter, senior running back Jack Provencher found a hole in the defense and took the ball 78 yards to the endzone to make the score 14-0 with 2:14 left in the first.

“(The offense) had a lot of explosive plays,” said head coach Matt Mitchell. “Up until the last play, we did not turn the ball over. Explosive plays and turnover-free football are very important to the game, and we did both of those today.”

American International was able to respond as their offense drove the ball into field goal range and scored a 46yard field goal, resulting in their only points of the game.

The Lakers’ scoring barrage continued in the second quarter as they added 21 points to their already 11-point lead.

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ATTACK: With a .667 win percentage (12-6 record), the Lakers are still solid contenders for championship titles in both conference and national action. GVL | MACAYLA CRAMER

STREAK: GVSU is the No. 1 seed in the GLIAC rankings and hope to make a push in the postseason. GVL | MACAYLA CRAMER

football puts up offensive clinic to extend win streak to six-straight

GV women’s soccer shuts out Michigan Tech on the road

BY GABRIELA GARBEY SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University women’s soccer went on the road against Michigan Tech University (MTU), defeating the Huskies 2-0 to extend their winning streak to seven in a row and finish the season series 2-0 against the opponent.

Although the first half didn’t see a single goal from either team, the Lakers controlled the overall pace as the defensive line obstructed the Huskies from getting a single shot attempt off while GVSU sent five shot attempts that just couldn’t get past the opposing goalkeeper.

While senior forward Kennedy Bearden and junior midfielder Mackenzie Jones were the first of two Lakers to attempt a shot that would ultimately be deflected, the Huskies’ frustrations began to grow as a yellow card (warning) would be administered to the Huskies at the 31:12 marker that set up GVSU for another opportunity at the goal.

However, the Lakers were unable to monopolize on the opportunity as freshman midfielder Sophia Morgan couldn’t get her free kick attempt into the net.

Fifth-year forward Kennedy Metzger and graduate defender Riley O’Brien would also contribute in the attempt to get at least one goal for GVSU prior to the break, but their efforts would come up short as the halftime whistle sounded.

With the Lakers able to command the ball possession for the most part of the first half, the team knew what it was going to take in order to successfully put points on the board against an opponent they defeated two matches prior.

GVSU came out of the halftime break with aggression as they continued to pester MTU’s defensive line, ultimately resulting in the second yellow card against the Huskies at the 50:22 mark.

Just under seven minutes later, freshman midfielder Sophia Morgan sent a corner kick over a sea of MTU defenders as the ball came in contact with Jones who sent the ball into the goal and gave the Lakers a 1-0 lead (57:53).

It wasn’t until roughly 15 minutes later that the Huskies were finally able to get their first and only goal attempt record on the box score (72:27) that soared well over the hands of sophomore goalkeeper Kendall Robertson, highlighting

the monstrous performance put on display by the Lakers’ defensive line.

Head coach Katie Hultin commented on the efforts made by the team and how they used their experience from the previous matchup this season to prepare for the game.

“Based on the last game we played Tech, we knew we were going to have to move the ball quickly and be pa -

tient in the attack,” Hultin said. “I thought we played well and made the appropriate adjustments to create plenty of chances. I am proud of the team for finding a way to find the back of the net against a very disciplined Tech team.”

GOLF

GV men’s golf claims third first-place finish in Folds of Honor Qualifier

BY JASON MILLIS SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Valley State University men’s golf team continued to showcase its depth at the Folds of Honor Qualifier as the team earned its third firstplace finish of the fall season.

As the hosts and the ultimate winner of the qualifier, GVSU has secured a position in the Folds of Honor Invitational that will take place in the 2023 spring season.

The Lakers competed in the NCAA Division I format of the invite the week prior where they finished 11th overall and are eager to get another chance to compete at the highest collegiate level.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for us,” said head coach Gary Bissell. “We’ll get some national exposure against some great programs next year. Competing against the best schools in Division I is just an awesome opportunity to see how we stack up.”

GVSU faced off against a few familiar GLIAC opponents with a mixture of other Division II universities. No matter the case, the Lakers opened up a six-stroke advantage (-1) after the end of the first round.

Sophomores Charles DeLong and Drew Coble were tied with one another

for first-place (score of 68, -3), as sophomore Nick Krueger sat in third (-2) and senior Cooper Bell found himself in a four-way tie for sixth place (+1).

DeLong continued to lead the charge individually, as he has led the team in previous invites this season. The end of the second round saw the team finish with a 15-stroke advantage (-7) over second-place.

As DeLong remained on top with a nine-stroke advantage, Krueger moved up into second, Coble tied for fourth and Bell moved down two places to tie for 12th-place (+5).

Heading into the final round on day two, GVSU’s sole mission was to close out the large lead they built in the first 36 holes.

The end result was exactly that, as seven Lakers placed in the top-20 and the team secured its third team title of their first four invites with a total score of 848 (-4).

DeLong continues to be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to individual play, but the sophomore’s leadership and team-first mentality has allowed for a great deal of individual success as DeLong secured his second individual title this season and his eighth-ever of his collegiate career.

DeLong ended with a score of 206

(-7) as Krueger made sure to maintain a definitive second-place finish with a score of 209 (-4).

Coble finished in fifth while shooting a 215 (+2), freshmen Charlie Cooley and Andrew Gwilliams and Bell all tied for 16th-place (224 score, +11) and junior Alex Jordan finished in a  three-way tie for 20thplace with a score of 226 (+13).

Furthermore, the Lakers saw freshman Murphy Kehoe (+34) and Junior Tanner Moore (+35) finish in 50th and tie for 51st respectively.

With the respect of DeLong, Bissell said that the team’s early season success can be credited to its ability to go deep into the depth chart in order to pull out a win.

“It starts with Charles,” Bissell said. “We have his great play up front, and then it goes all the way down to our fifth, Andrew Gwilliams. We got pretty good rounds out of everybody. If you don’t get contributions from everyone, it’s really tough to win. It’s team golf, and we just did a good job as a team.”

EXCELLING: GVSU continues to make a serious case for a return in the national championship as the current defending champions with a current 9-1-3 overall record. GVL | BETHANN LONG

DOMINANCE: With a third invite win, GVSU’S confidence is riding high with the hope of a successful national run.

GVL | BETHANN LONG