BE A PART OF THE TORCH 2008 ELECTION POLL Visit: www.valpo.edu/organization/copc/torchsurvey FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 Valparaiso University's 2007 & 2008 Indiana Student Newspaper College Weekly of the Year ONE WOMAN'S CALLING Denominations VU prides itself on being an Pastor position I don't mind talking that concerns about a female pastor independent Lutheran school that at VU have been overstated. weigh in on role of is accepting of every faith. The contested, Grega about the issues, but "I Googled 'Valpo to hire female university does not try to hide its women's ordination pastor,'" Grega said. "A few blogs women in religion close relationship with St. Teresa's welcomed warmly said, 'Valpo's going to hell!' but it Catholic Church has been a reality was the same few people, so you Lilia DelBosque Oakey and often holds Zach King since the 1970's. wonder what's real and how much Torch Staff Writer celebrations for Torch Assistant News Editor is hyperbolized." many interna­ That fight has been Grega's hiring has drawn flak The arrival of Pastor Darlene tional religions Despite fears that the appoint­ from some critics because she is the Grega sends out a strong message such as the Rama­ ment of the first female pastor to fought. chapel's first female pastor. Also, to the entire Valparaiso University dan celebration the Chapel of the Resurrection she was ordained by the Evangeli­ community. It tells Lutherans from held Tuesday. , would invite a tidal wave of oppo­ Darlene Grega cal Lutheran Church in America, the Evangelical Lutheran Church Grega For some in­ sition, Darlene Grega's presence Campus Associate Pastor not the Lutheran Church - Mis­ of America (ELCA) that they will ternational stu­ on campus made a relatively small souri Synod, as are the Chapel's two now be represented by the chapel's dents, this is their first encounter splash. "I haven't felt any outward ani­ other pastors. Unlike the ELCA, the pastoral staff and introduces Lu­ with female religious leaders. During her first four weeks as mosity," Grega said. "If there is LCMS explicitly forbids the ordina­ therans from the Lutheran Church- Mahdi Alabbad, a Muslim gradu­ Campus Associate Pastor, Grega some, (those who bear it) don't tion of women. Missouri Synod (LCMS) to a female ate student from Saudi Arabia, said her reception was "encourag­ share it with me." "The strategic plan of the cha­ pastor. explains that, in the Muslim faith, ing and supportive." She credits "As an institution under the pel's ministry identified, in 2002, But this bold move radiates past men and women do not worship Valparaiso University's "culture of cross, we're all one," Grega added. the need to expand the professional the Lutheran religion and opens in the same room. The men pray moral discourse" and its status as "We come to our own conclusions staff that serves the spiritual needs discussion up to all religions that an independent Lutheran institu­ and decide what is right for us." are represented at the University. See Denominations, page A5 tion for her warm welcome. With a laugh, Grega pointed out See Grega, page A5 Joel Sheesley: Art touches life, history Artist speaks on time and in an use of emotion in I oilers a iiiucici \ suburban life Rachael Battista Torch Staff Writer Working against Having lived in the suburbs of us or simulated e Chicago for 30 years, artist Joel Sheesley is no stranger to a mun­ dane lifestyle. Still, Sheesley is ch to negotiate i able to find the beauty in the daily schedule of suburbia and transform g the outside wc it into art. In a new exhibition, titled "Do­ uman drama. mestic Vision: Twenty-Five Years of the Art of Joel Sheesley" and hosted by the Brauer Museum of Art, Shee­ sley depicts everyday scenes with an ity exp innovative edge. In his latest works, Sheesley uses glimpses of previous ods7 work, placing them strategically into his painting in order to create an "interior journey." Illustrating ourrM scenes in the sky through puddles on the ground and creating subtle itin signs in his artwork, Sheesley cap­ tures the attention of his admirers rid t and leaves them thinking. "In the suburbs, it's always the perfect lawn, the perfect house, the perfect teeth. I was given this goal to achieve," Sheesley said. "I wanted to show suburban life as a moral tale. I was always in the awareness that living this way costs some­ thing. It costs us our family and our environment. Through addressing these things you learn about your own identity." Rebecca Barnes/ The Torch In a brief talk Wednesday night Artist Joel Sheesley speaks Wednesday night at the Brauer Museum of Art in front of his exhibition, "Domestic Vision: Twenty-Five Years of the Art of Joel Sheesley." at the Brauer, Sheesley opened with •a quotation from Ernest Heming­ a view requires. scribed the meaning behind each "In the words of a man quite op­ Sheesley said. "This is the project of way in order to show the impor­ "Sometimes you have to bring piece of art. Many times words posite of Hemingway, Jesus said, the householder which is also my tance of approaching art with an that experience to the grindstone such as "real grief," "humor" and 'That is why every scribe who has project." imperfect view. In the quotation, and sharpen it," Sheesley said. "satiation" were used to depict the been trained for the kingdom of Sheesley had always known Hemingway spoke of using a figu­ Leading the audience through attitude for the images. heaven is like the master of a house­ that art would be his project in life. rative "dull instrument," his art ben­ an interactive explanation of each At the end of his presentation, hold who brings both new and old efiting from the extra thought such painting, Sheesley emotionally de­ Sheesley quoted Matthew 13:52. things out of his treasure chest,'" See Sheesley, page A3 Index A&E B6 Features B3 Opinions A7 The Torch "We will strive increasingly to Announcements A2 Flicker A7 Sports A9 On Guard for 94 Years quicken the public's sense of civic duty." - The Athenian Oath Calendar B2 Going Green A3 Weather B7 Volume 102 :: Issue 4 The Torch | Friday, September 26, 2008 Campus News A2 Campus Announcements We've got Notice for Candidates for Degrees VU covered. Students who wish to receive their degrees at the end of the spring semester or summer session 2009 must apply for their degrees on a form provided for this purpose by the Registrar's Office no later than Wednesday, Oct. 1. Ap­ plications are available on the Registrars web site at http:// www.valpo.edu/registrar/degreeappl.php and in the Reg­ istrars Office. Applications submitted after Oct. 1 require approval of the appropriate academic dean. page STD Picnic Sigma Tau Delta and the English department are host­ ing the Fall Welcome Picnic on Sunday, Sept. 28. The open house-style picnic will be held between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on the Huegli Hall patio. Food will be provided. All members of the English department - majors, minors, fac­ ulty and their families - are invited. Presidential inaugural Bali The deadline for members of the campus community to make reservations for Oct. 17 s Inaugural Ball, part of the festivities surrounding the inauguration of Mark Heckler as Valparaiso University's 18th president has been extend­ ed to Oct. 3. The Inaugural Ball begins at 6:30 p.m. at Avalon Manor in Merrillville and will include dinner and dancing to the music of the Jeff Brown Orchestra. Tickets are $65 each for employees and $30 each for students. Reservations may be made by contacting the Office of Alumni Relations at 219- 464-6901. Seating is limited and reservations will be filled in the order in which they are received. Inauguration activities get under way Oct. 15 and will include the inaugural convocation Oct. 17. All events are open to all members of the campus community. corrections clarifications In the "Campus Announcements" section of the Friday, September 19 issue of The Torch, The Torch was pro­ vided with the incorrect date for the Sigma Tau Delta picnic. The picnic will occur Sept. 28, and a corrected announcement runs in this issue. In the staff editorial for the Friday, September 19 issue of The Torch, The Torch reported that four senators were absent from the first Senate meeting. In actuality, only three were absent. The Torch regrets this mistake. The Torch corrects its mistakes. If you see something you believe is a factual error, contact Editor in Chief Brad Anderson at [email protected]. Tim Stride / The Torch In the conclusion of a skit, two performers act as swordsmen fighting in the dark. These performers traveled with the Silk and Bamboo Performing Troupe and performed in the Athletics Recreation Center as part of the Confucius Institute's Great Lakes Music Festival. )hnted as a service of The Torch VUPD North and Campus Drive ospital for An officer and the Valparaiso Fire to a suspicious vehicle intact with Department responded to the Athletic report checked, and the red pi< :tion. Recreation Center in reference to an not be located. The true injured student. The student refused Scheele Hall several time treatment September 12 An officer and the Valparaiso Fire Department responded to Lankenau September 19 Hall in reference to an upset student. An officer and Valparaise The student was treated at the scene and responded to Alumni H transported to Porter Hospital for further two students being stuc treatment.