December 2012 Students Look Foward To Meet the New Facility at College New Art Coordinator By Denise Reeve This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Felicia Desimini, the new Mat-Su College Art Department Coordinator. An elegant, petite woman, she perched gracefully in her office chair for the interview; while we chatted, she shared her love of art, art education, and teaching, particularly Photo courtesy Felicia Desimini in her new position. plethora of artists available here. Felicia Desimini is not only new to MSC, posts the reasons she is happy to be here but she is also a recent transplant to in Alaska daily on Facebook. the Valley. While interviewing for her Originally a self-taught, successful position this summer, she fell in love commercial painter, Felicia paints at a with the Mat-Su Valley, and is amazed rate of 3-4 originals each year. by the local art community and » See Art Coordinator Page 2 Mat-Su College paramedic students. The new paramedic and nursing facility will open January 14th.

By Timothy Steenhout to lectures and lab skills practice, College What is all that construction in we have the privilege of receiving Snodgrass? Who are these people clinical experience at Anchorage Fire walking around in full black “ninja” Department, Alaska Native Medical Hires New suits and boots? We here at the Center, Providence and Regional Mat-Su College Paramedic Student hospitals. Association are happy to answer these This last Halloween, the Paramedic Math Prof. questions and more. Student Association hosted a By Stephen Warta We are Paramedic students. We are Halloween moulage event. Moulage all highly motivated individuals and is victim makeup such as bleeding, Dr. Heather Allen is one of the certified EMT-I or higher with varied stab wounds, burns, lacerations, and three new, full-time faculty members levels of experience, from many bruising that is used in Hollywood on campus. She is the head of the years in local and out of state EMS, and EMS practical exams to give the Mathematics Department and teaches Anchorage Fire Department, mountain situations a much more realistic feel. Statistics and Mathematics, including guiding and Ski Patrol, to just a couple Moulage is useful for Halloween Trigonometry and Calculus. years out of high school. costumes, zombie flash mobs, movies Born on the East Coast, Dr. Allen East Coast, to the Middle East, to Alaska. and for having some good fun. grew up a military brat, traveling from The program is headed by Kathy Dr. Allen attended college at Texas place to place. These travels gave her Griffin and we are taught advanced The next event the Paramedic A&M University where she received interesting insight to life, enabled her critical thinking skills and medical Student Association has planned a Bachelor’s in Mathematics and to acclimatize extremely well, and field procedures to assist us with field is a blood drive on December 5th. Computer Science, a Master’s in Math, assessments and treatment. In addition » See Paramedic Page 5 provided her with a sense of adventure. She has lived in areas ranging from the » See Dr. Allen Page 2 02 COLLEGE NEWS University. Dr. Allen does not intend to what may seem to some as an “often Dr. Allen leave Mat-Su College until she retires. Art Coordinator off-putting experience,” and her desire Dr. Allen tries to create an environment is to show students how the skills Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 gained through education can open the in her classes where there is respect for Her foray into teaching first began as and a Doctorate in Education. This world of art for them; her mantra is, ”art the students and a safe environment to a guest artist sought out as a traveling education was spaced out over many is for everyone”. ask questions and learn. Her teaching painting presenter. years, and she has no plans of ever going Felicia’s goal here at MSC is to grow philosophy summed up is to “Learn by Her passion for the arts naturally led back to school for more education. the Art Department; she would like to doing.” her to seek a formal education in the Dr. Allen first attended college in see an Associate of Fine Arts degree One great challenge that she believes arts. She believes the formal training her twenties, with the intention of program offered solely here in the she faces is competing with social simply enhances any artist’s ability to becoming a nurse. In her first year, Valley. media networks which greatly impact see, appreciate, and create better art. she was taking classes like Chemistry While new to MSC, Desimini has learning, and which sometimes teach Felicia was delighted to find, after and Anatomy and Physiology. While quickly developed rapport with a large students in incorrect ways. Dr. Allen investigating the Machetanz family, that in these classes, she observed students cohort of students on campus; even said that one of the greatest anxieties she prefers the same style of painting for who were having problems learning. some of the toughest have decided she she has as a professor is dealing with which Fred Machetanz is famous: under She began to help these students with is a great fit. She has championed the students that desperately need help but painting on panel, with thin glazes over their studies, and this is where she first Team Art Club and is working with the do not ask. “I try to be approachable, the top; a renaissance style technique “got the teaching bug.” Dance Club to connect with students. and I always say ‘it takes a village’ not widely used today. After some thought, Dr. Allen decided While soft-spoken, her enthusiasm on to accomplish anything – especially Desimini started her education in that she wanted to teach math. This campus cannot be overlooked. Mat-Su education.” 1998 and received her BFA in 2001, College staff, faculty, and students are choice was not an easy one as she did her Master’s degree in August of 2004, excited to welcome her and we look not consider herself to be naturally and finally her PhD (of Art History, art forward to learning with her for many good at math, but she stayed with it, criticism, and art research) in 2011. wanting to be able to teach and help years to come. During the years between earning her other students in a subject that is often master’s and her PhD, Felicia helped her viewed as difficult. children with their college experience, Dr. Allen has taught for over fourteen as she wanted them to get though years at many different colleges before college debt free. Studies recently have coming to Mat-Su College, including: shown students often have substantial Texas A&M University, Paris Junior debt post-college. College, East field College, Qatar Desimini feels that teaching art is an Community College, and Dillingham opportunity to welcome students to MSC Veterans By Mat-Su Veterans Services Mat-Su College has a very high population of students who are veterans or dependents of veterans. This makes Veteran’s Day extra special on our campus. To that end, MSC Veteran’s Services is put on a campus-wide week-long series of events to honor our veterans. As part of our Veteran’s Day celebration, we asked each office/ department to participate by decorating their area or erecting a display to honor our MSC Veterans in some way. As part of the campus’s Veteran’s Day celebration, we once again coordinated a Flag Folding Ceremony by the main entrance (flag pole). Colony High School JROTC performed the ceremony and Mr. Gene Horner from The Colony High School Junior ROTC participates in a flag folding ceremony at Mat-Su College the Mat-Su Concert Band played Taps. while Director Colberg looks on. Photo courtesy Rebecca Oprish. COLLEGE NEWS 03 (stars, gas clouds, etc). After serving nineteen years in In Defense However, when both methods are College Hires Alaska as a Wildlife Biologist, attempted, two distinct calculations Masteller decided he wanted to do result. In order to account for this more to preserve the wildlife in of the discrepancy, the idea of “Dark Matter” RE Energy Alaska. The method he chose to was born. While its existence has preserve Alaskan wildlife was to been inferred via objects we can see, provide education about preserving Humanities Dark Matter (that which is proposed Faculty the environment. Masteller felt that there was a huge opportunity for By Jake Magoon to account for 63% of the mass of our By Stephen Warta universe) has not itself been observed. Alaskans to use renewable resources I am known to those who know me Mark Masteller is a new full-time Similarly, contrary to previously held and for people to train and educate best as an ardent lover of logic and faculty member in the Technical belief, the rate of expansion of the people regarding the market. mathematics. The degree of beauty and Education department here at Mat- universe is not slowing down, but As he continued studying towards his certainty that can be found in a rigorous Su College, where he is developing a accelerating, which is attributed to (via Master’s degree, Masteller worked as mathematical proof is something which Renewable Energy program. inference) Dark Energy. an assistant and later spent one year Masteller grew up in Littleton in the can rarely be found anywhere else in life. teaching at Alaska Pacific University In addition to these terms, as-of-yet suburbs of Denver. After graduating However, it is precisely my before coming on board at Mat-Su unexplained workings of the universe from high school, Masteller attended unquestionable love of math and logic that College. are hypothesized to be caused by Dark Colorado State University, where he I feel places me into the ideal position to Before teaching, Masteller worked Fluid and Dark Flow, and theories graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science speak as to the incredible value inherent at the Alaska Center for Appropriate ranging from Quantum Gravity to and a Master’s in Wildlife Biology. He in the humanities, a field which all too Technology and the Cascadia String Theory and gravity being a then moved up to Alaska, and worked often finds itself under threat during times Green Building Council, where he weak force because it is spread out as a Wildlife Biologist and Technician. of budgetary constraints. worked on energy efficiency and over multiple universes that we will His work as a Biologist took him all Faced with questions regarding conservation, trained newcomers, and never be able to detect are all seriously over Alaska. This extensive traveling usefulness and comparisons to technical developed curriculum. regarded theories, and have every right helped him experience life in rural fields, the benefits we derive from a Masteller’s teaching style invol- to be regarded as such. Alaska and better understand our strong emphasis on the humanities in ves the encouragement of working I mention them only to make a point: energy situation. Prior to his teaching our academic ecosystem are not always in groups, hands on experience to creative, intuitive leaps are often career at Mat-Su College, Masteller immediately apparent in light of how facilitate the understanding of key essential in order to break out of served on Community Councils and hard-logic and the scientific method concepts, and by providing the deadlocks imposed by the limitations seven years on the Borough Planning often take backstage in the heart of these opportunity for individual students of the structure of our understanding. Commission. In addition, he recently disciplines. to present material to the class. He The value inherent in the humanities ran for Borough mayor. Nonetheless, it is in fact the freedom to » See Masteller Page 5 lies not necessarily in its ability to make creative, intuitive leaps, provided solve problems posed to it in the by courses in the humanities that make context of our current paradigm, them so essentially to our community and but to analyze, critique, and civilization as a whole. understand the frameworks of our Physics stands as perhaps the archetypal priorities, organization, values, and productive hard-science: logic and understanding themselves, in order mathematics working in conjunction with to ensure that we are asking the right observable, experimental data. Today, questions and headed in the right theoretical physics is currently grappling direction. with problems whose answers may very These are not entirely relativistic well lie out of this universe. questions with no answers, and According to the current understanding indeed, it is the humanities that of the way in which the universe should provides us with the opportunity to work, the mass of galaxies, galaxy make creative leaps (and to produce clusters, and the universe itself can be students, workers, leaders, and citizens calculated based upon general relativistic capable of intuitive problem solving) methods, and via accounting for the visible luminous mass of the universe » See Humanities Page 5 04 College News Second, this idea that we are an awful lot like Congress (and their but unlike a game, with no upside (see: simultaneously entitled to have our lobbyist allies) to me, and the bad opposing single-payer healthcare). What’s Wrong opinions taken seriously and are being news, is that we are the pawns. Empiricism works. oppressed if we are asked to put forth In a game, we cheer for our side, and Should enough of us break free from With Us: effort into educating ourselves about hate the enemy, and all we need to be the shackles of tribalism, there is still our opinions beyond simply ignoring told is where our starting positions lie, the matter of how we make decisions Part II: all contradictory information and, like regardless of how crazy or ungrounded and come to our points of view. We must a manure-seeking missile, heading in reality those starting positions might either responsibly rescue ourselves in directly to the source which provides us be. exchange for the right to blissful delusion, The People with the most comforting ideological But in real life, when we attempt to or at least make an honest attempt at talking-points in exchange for the least role-play as an informed citizen and coming to our conclusions (and not just By Jake Magoon amount of thinking. cling to the ideological “back-story,” saying we do) based upon evidence, This is the second article of a two part Both of these commonplace when we fail to take personal pride conclusions that change along with series in which I attempt to diagnose orientations toward our society appear in accuracy and instead take pride in changing evidence, and not search out some of the root causes of the present- quite irresponsible when we consider defending our status as member of for “evidence” to support the emotionally day dysfunction of our society. that lives are saved or destroyed as Team A rather than those monsters and circumstantially convenient faith- In the first part, I laid out a system for a result of policy decisions that are over on Team B, facts have long since based conclusions we have determined understanding some of the dysfunction enacted based upon their ranking in the gone out the window, and we may very from the start. Empiricism works. inherent in our particular version of a popular will. well find ourselves arguing for policies I cannot say for sure what it will take free press, and the consequences (like Don’t get me wrong, a combination which are entirely to our detriment, » See The People Page 5 self-censorship) we face as a result of of willful ignorance and the type of having a press whose very existence emotional investment we see amongst depends upon a cozy relationship with fans of spectator sports and day-time those who provide revenue (advertising television soap operas is a reasonable dollars) in this age where spectacle response to have when one feels triumphs over literacy. powerless and is inundated with Part two of this series turns its gaze propaganda on a constant basis; we to all of us; for it is we as individuals simply are as we are, and I am certainly that comprise our society, and we who not trying to throw any ethical guilt determine the nature of our culture, your way, dear reader. regardless of its etiology or how the However, if we’d like a little more society into which we were born first say in the direction of our future’s Managing Editor shaped us. trajectory, it would help if we would Irrespective of the psychological and put on our big boy/girl pants, swallow Jake Magoon behavioral patterns and norms to which our pride, throw out our pre-conceived we adhere, should we become capable notions, and get serious. Empiricism Media Advisor of perceiving how the manner in which works. we behave impacts society as a whole, Games are fun, but we shouldn’t base Dr. Pete Praetorius it is up to us to intervene if we would the model for our orientation towards like society to change. reality upon the structure of a game Layout and Design The two greatest impediments to our (other than, perhaps, the importance of achieving a society wherein we and our having fun as opposed to winning). In Hattie Schmidtkunz institutions are capable of dealing not a game, especially a game with teams, only with the challenges we face, but what matters isn’t the truth, it isn’t the also improving our lot in life (imagine well-being of your opponent, and it Printer that: not worried about how to mitigate isn’t even your own well-being: what damage, but discussions of what to matters is winning. Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman improve next), can be best summarized From chess to Uno, sometimes the as, first, our juvenile insistence upon “smartest” move is to sacrifice a bit of relating to all that is around us like a what you have if you know it will hurt game (fun has its place, but some things the other side even more. That sounds are real and have consequences). College News 05 We offer CPR classes and are willing The People Humanities Paramedic to schedule one for those who need Continued from page 4 Continued from page 3 Continued from page 1 CPR certification for their job or just to bring back our competent, “can- when we are in a situation where our The Blood-Mobile will be in front want to be able to help in the event of do spirit.” Nonetheless, I suspect that very framework of understanding is the of the main building; stay posted for a cardiac arrest. if we would be less concerned about greatest roadblock to progress. further updates and times. There is also a ribbon cutting our team winning, more concerned Much as how atomic theory was at If you are a prospective paramedic ceremony for the new Snodgrass about the lives of real people, and, in first ridiculed and rejected, we must student or even just curious about what Paramedic-Nursing expansion on that context, be less attached to our on occasion first present a hypothesis we do, feel free to stop one of us in January 14th at 3PM. Be sure to come ideas being “right,” less likely to throw based upon intuitive creativity, before the hallway or come by the paramedic to the event if you want a look around an emotional temper tantrum when we can know where to begin the search. classroom. the new facility. confronted with opposing evidence, It is not the case that we no longer and more willing to take pride in our need the humanities, but on the clear analysis and thoughtful problem contrary, today it would seem we need solving, it could very likely go a long the humanities now more than ever. way. Empiricism works. dilemma is that students are spending Masteller more time in college than they would Continued from page 3 if they had more help planning their encourages classroom discussion and college career. ongoing research on key topics in class. Masteller mentioned that throughout Masteller said one concern he has his career, students have taught him while teaching is that he presents a variety of thing, but one important information too fast, unintentionally thing in particular that students have leaving students behind. confirmed is that “there are a lot of Concerning problems faces the different ways to look at any issue.” education system; Masteller voiced Masteller feels that the different concern regarding the career options points of view provided by students available to students. Masteller felt have created a unique environment that students are being overwhelmed by in the classroom, one which helps options and an inability to decide which him learn more about the culture and career path to choose. The result of this perspectives of others.

The Students learn from simulations of emergency situations. Mat-Su Monitor would like to thank the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman for all of their support. Opening ceremony for new nursing andJanuary paramedic 14th facility Call (907) 352-2250 to learn about 3:00 P.M. home delivery. Snodgrass Hall 06 College News These pop culture references are accompanied by popcorn, this may often lost on their intended audience soon change! Dragon simply due to a generational gap; my So far, the cinema club has offered nephew is the one who turned me on Wizards, The Minion mini movies, Dragon Cinema Cinema: to Miazaki. Hocus Pocus, The Thin Red Line While discussing these missing (sponsored by the Veterans Club) Meets Mondays, references with my college friends and many more. Post-movie Bridging Pop over dinner one evening, it occurred discussion continues on campus Tuesdays, and to us that we should find a way to about these pop culture references share our pop culture paradigms with often for days. Wednesdays Culture Gap one another. In that instant, Dragon If you or your club has a movie you By Denise Reeve Cinema was hatched! would like to see, please let head at 7:10 P.M. Have you ever attempted to discuss a Each week of this semester, Dragon Dragon, Michael DiBattista, know Contact Micheal pop culture reference with a friend like Cinema picks a movie selected by by calling extension 9759, or stop “Make my day,” a line uttered by Clint one or more students wishing to share by the student government dragon DiBattista in JKB 129 for Eastwood in “Dirty Harry,” only to his or her favorite with others. The lair (JKB 129) during the week. more information find they have not seen the movie? Or movie plays starting at 7:10 pm on Should attendance pick up we may perhaps you attempted discussing the Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. The be able to do matinee showings! Miazaki cartoon “Spirited Away” with attendance so far has been sporadic, Hope to see you there. someone who grew up in the 1980’s? but as the movies are occasionally College News 07 to certain criteria. Each new project brings new challenges Heavy Metal with art concepts as well as learning to use the newest material. The casting project Field Trip required the carving of a semi-solid sand brick. This material was not quite hard By Denise Reeve enough to carve like a rock, but rather This week, Mat-Su College art seemed to often remove more material than students were treated to a heavy metal needed and other times not enough. experience. Professor John Barton took Detailed designs in such a medium his 3-D Design students to the Arctic seemed difficult; my first attempt was a Fire Bronze Foundry. spider web bowl. Needless to say, I did Pat Garley, owner of the foundry, not feel I mastered this material much, or Assistant Professor and well-known local sculptural at all. After seeing some of the designs from other students in the class and not of Human Services – Tenure Track artist, hosted the art students. With a preparation time of one week, students wishing to squander such a fabulous art were given hard, preformed sand bricks opportunity, I took a second brick home to to carve into any selected shape. The try to come up with a better design. bricks were then used to learn the All week long I worked to improve my Mathematics ancient art of sand casting metal; in this technique. My second attempt is the Dance case, bronze. This sounds pretty simple, parrot on a branch design I found on the Humanities & Art History right? After reading this article, please web, wishing to master the material rather Digital Photography decide for yourself. than worry about my drawing skills. One Fine Arts – Painting & Drawing Professor Barton has spent a good pleased artist and one brick for the project! Veterinary Assisting deal of time this semester attempting As a jewelry artist, metal is one of my to impart the concept of “master the favorite mediums with which to work. It material,” in other words, learning how takes time and skill to master this material to work with each new material. as one needs to be aware of the status of the The 3-Design course offers quick, metal; has it been overworked to the point limited exposure to different materials; of now being brittle enough to break? Or students are expected to design an is it softer and too flexible to hold its form object with the material while adhering under pressure? In the case of casting, is the mold I created Type in “Employment” on the MSC going to stand up to the casting process? home page under the search option. Will the metal and casting gods smile on my endeavor today? I am no expert by Select the link for “UAKJobs.com” any means, simply an engaged artist still learning to master the material and the UAKJobs.com is the university system process. The ancient art of bronze casting electronic recruitment process that is a thrilling opportunity for me, and as it allows applicants to search for turned out, most of the other students in the employment opportunities based on 3-D Design class, as well. location, job type or job posting # Friday, I, along with other students, arrived early with brick in hand and overly excited (I could hardly wait) about the bronze pour. I was pretty sure my brick Please contact would hold up to the process. MSC Human Resources Once gathered, we all carpooled over at (907) 745-9725 to the foundry. Inside we gathered and learned our bricks needed to be placed in a sand-filled container; they were shifted until perfectly level (the idea is to have gravity keep the metal in place while Pat Garley hosted art students molten, so this is important). at his foundry. Photo courtesy Kim Hayes. Bronze must be approximately 2100 » See Metal Pour Page 8 08 COLLEGE NEWS Each piece has the edges ground for Metal Pour safety, then custom fi nish work is done by hand, after which the piece is fi t for Continued from page 7 sand blasting. The pieces each have degrees to pour properly, so we an artist determine to what extent this eagerly watched the process, while or that should be changed, and fi nally, intermittently exploring the wonder of whether or not the piece should have Ring In The a professional foundry (I totally have patina. tool envy)! My art friend, Kim Hayes, and I The crucible is kept in an enclosed, both decide we will take our roughly gas-heated container; metals to be fi nished pieces with us to continue Holidays melted must be warmed before adding working on them back at the Mat-Su to the molten mixture. Adding cold College metal lab. With Free Smartphones. metal to hot metal can, and very The heavy metal art fi eld trip was Stop by your neighborhood MTA for the best often, causes an explosion of metal; an amazing experience, and having smartphones on the best network. once again, mastery of the material is the opportunity to learn from a required. professional metal sculpture artist was The crucible is kept very hot and a fabulous bonus. is very heavy, so the pouring of the This, along with learning the concepts bronze requires multiple people, of “mastering the material,” and clad in proper safety equipment. A 3-D Design from Mat-Su College’s customized crane holds and assists Professor John Barton, means that with maneuvering the crucible to pour we truly owe a thank you to MSC properly into the sand molds. and Arctic Fire Bronze Foundry’s Pat Once poured, the white and red hot Garley. Thank you! metal pools in the carved molds. We If you would like to learn more about then wait anxiously to see if the metal the arts of metalsmithing, casting for and casting gods have blessed us. jewelry, or bronze casting, please see As is turns out, both of my castings the MSC Art Department; classes are viable and the real fi nishing work are offered every semester. Mat-Su then begins. After cooling the castings, College also has a metal smith club Pat used a power saw to remove called the Metl Hedz. extraneous metal from the edges.

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VISIT US: Eagle River, Palmer-Wasilla Hwy, Palmer and Wasilla 694.3211 or 745.3211 Foundry owner Pat Garley, MSC Professor John Barton, mtasolutions.com and a student observe student’s creations at Arctic Fire Terms and conditions apply. Bronze Foundry. Photo courtesy Kim Hayes. College News 09 participate in a club activity; they care Colberg then conducted an improvised about issues facing students in college, Murkowski séance with a crystal ball to introduce Student or they want to make the MSC campus Senator Murkowski. He determined experience better. through the séance that the senator was Government Clubs on campus offer opportunities Visits Campus visiting the best campus in the University to meet students who have common of Alaska system. (greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu) interests. These clubs enrich the The senator spoke and entertained Alaska’s Senior U.S. Senator, Lisa Leadership experience available here at Mat-Su questions for about one hour. She then Murkowski, visited with about 80 College. Getting involved in a club boarded a bus to experience the local students, staff and guests at Matanuska- often makes the time here at MSC mass transit system with several area Opportunities Susitna College on Halloween. College more enjoyable simply because you officials. Senator Murkowski was given Director Talis Colberg and an “Honor By Denise Reeve meet and make friends! the special Matanuska-Susitna College Guard” of college librarians dressed Your student government leaders here Arctic Dragons pen to commemorate her Our campus offers more than 18 as Charlie Brown and his colleagues at Matanuska-Susitna College form a visit to the college. clubs this semester, to find out more escorted her to the podium. governing body known as the Mat-Su please check out the MSC SCG clubs Student Government Council (MSC page. There is also a calendar of SGC). This council is made up of an events offered by these clubs. executive team, a president (Denise A campus like Mat-Su has a Reeve), a vice-president (Michael diverse group of students with varied DiBattista), and a secretary (Andrea backgrounds, cultures, interests, and Bennett); these students maintain an even different age groups. When a office here on campus located in JKB disconnection of experiences occurs, 129. we find issues that need to be resolved, Additionally, the council is comprised and go about resolving them. of senators (Marie Fremlin and Stephan Student leaders discuss these issues Warta are just two of the many), and a and try to find ideas or solutions that representative for each campus club. are best for the group. The MSC These student leaders meet each Student Government Council provides week on Wednesdays in FSM 105 the forum for these discussions and (or occasionally FSM 205) to discuss seeks synergistic communication that issues pertinent to the student body, creates better solutions. find solutions to these issues, and In my case, I wanted to make my decide activities to be held on campus. Senator Murkowski visits MSC. Pictured with library staff and college experience more fun; I began Talis Colberg. Photo by Rebecca Oprish. Each of these students participates in by getting involved in clubs (Metl Hedz this council in addition to their regular and Team Art) and found a few issues scholarly endeavors here at Mat-Su where I felt a student perspective adds College. Ultimately, the real question value. I have supportive friends and that must be asked, is why these colleagues that I might not have met students, who are very busy already, had I not spent time in these groups. would give up their limited time to be The Mat-Su College SGC offers involved in the MSC SGC? opportunities to not only change your There are three major reasons: they college experience, but also to network and connect to students, faculty, and F.Y.I. staff. These connections and the time invested make Mat-Su College the Student community here better for all of us. Government In short, Mat-Su College Student meets every Government Council works for you, Wedneday at noon the student, and we make a difference Miracle Dancers and Drummers entertained MSC students, in FSM 105 here! Do you want to make a difference? We welcome you! faculty and staff November 8th in the cafeteria. Photo courtesy Rebecca Oprish. 10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT depending upon the reader. The epic, him to go on yet another adventure), however, contains many elements that lots of fighting (and glorification of Video Game The are prevalent in modern television, battle prowess), a flood story similar movies, stories, and even real-life to the one in other religious texts— Importance situations. just to name a few of the basic Review: Gilgamesh is among the first pieces elements with which the modern of literature to depict man’s frantic reader/movie-viewer/video gamer of Literature struggle against inevitable death, as may be familiar. Resident Evil 6 well as one of the earliest examples of The same can be said for Homer’s By Keelan Mangus in Modern a man coping with the death of a loved Odyssey, where the concepts of Even as Resident Evil 6 opens, the one—after the death of Enkidu, one-eyed giants (Cyclopes— player is thrust straight into the thick Gilgamesh searches high and low Cyclops), malignant women with of it. Starting you out as the familiar Society for anything that will prevent his magic wands (Circe—witches), BSAA Agent Leon Kennedy, it quickly own death. He realizes, after much seductive songstresses (the Sirens), becomes clear that the world is going By Micheal DiBattista sojourning (and a thieving snake), that and vengeful gods (Poseidon— to hell in a hand basket, and things are The two subjects students complain his legacy as King and the great walls innumerable examples) originated, very, very wrong. about the most in high school and of his city already serve to immortalize just to name a few. It’s like Raccoon City all over again, college are mathematics and literature. him. The “moral” of this story is that with zombies on all sides, helicopter Many students ask, “Where will I The hunger for immortality and legacy literature, particularly ancient and crashes, and pure chaos. During this ever find this in the real world?” seen in Gilgamesh is a theme in almost classical, offers insight into many opening scene, the player is introduced Mathematics is applicable in a any good story—the Evil Queen in modern questions. For example: to the new controls and mechanics of the plethora of fields, including carpentry, Snow White, Achilles in the Iliad, Lord why do witches use magic wands? game, which are fairly consistent with engineering, banking, information Voldemort in Harry Potter, Captain Jack Why are one-eyed giants, who that of the series thus far, though with technology, and numerous others. Our Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean— could possibly be very humble and minor and useful changes; allowing the lives are so inundated with literature all fall victim to this hunger. Gilgamesh nice creatures, always turn out to be player to store herbs for instant use, however, that its importance in modern teaches us that though it is impossible angry, man-eating monsters? Why like tablets for healing instead of sifting society is easily overlooked. to live eternally our actions can have are people today so preoccupied through their inventory. To examine this phenomenon, let’s a lasting impact on the world, if we with strong, tall men that don’t shy Also there is a total change of the start with the beginning of literature choose to make a difference. away from violence? inventory system that completely in society. The oldest piece of popular The aim of this piece however is not Read Gilgamesh. Read the Odyssey removes most of the need for space literature in the world is one that many to stand on a soap-box—Gilgamesh and the Iliad. It is ironic how many management that was present before; college students read every year— also serves as a basic model for the “new” storylines were practically instead, the player is allowed to carry Gilgamesh. modern hero tale—Gilgamesh has written thousands of years ago by all of their guns at once, with slots for The story of the eponymous hero absentee parents (one of them a goddess ancients—these things have been ammo. Gilgamesh and his companion Enkidu represented as a cow), a strong hubris, around since ancient Sumer and After the intro scene cuts off at a are a relatively simple read and offer a misfit friend that leads him into an Greece. cliffhanger, you actually get to go to a source of varying entertainment, adventure (and later dies, which causes the menu. There are three campaigns to play through, in any order you’d like (the order of events are all simultaneous, so don’t fret about playing in the wrong order) from the get-go, and after beating those, an additional one, single player only, is unlocked. That’s right: the first three campaigns all have co-op. But don’t worry; if you’re playing alone, the AI is not a fraction of the stupidity that was Sheva in Resident Evil 5 (or Chris, if you preferred the newbie). No, instead your companion is not only invincible, but is actually helpful from time to time. Not only that, but they also have infinite ammo, so you no longer need to pull out your hair as they waste » See Video Game Page 11 ARTS & Entertainment 11 of finding out just what is behind the pursued by the completely and utterly Video Game massive outbreak. The gameplay is horrifying Ustanak the Tracker, who Continued from page 10 more akin to a faster-paced, “shootier” makes Nemesis look like a little girl in your ever-precious ammo on rocks, Resident Evil 4, only with the main comparison. or use your redgreen herbs on a enemy being a return to the traditional All in all, Resident Evil 6 offers a simple scratch. zombie. fantastic horror experience that fans As for actually playing with Chris Redfield’s campaign is by far of the genre, veterans of the series or friends, split-screen is available as the shootiest, playing like an extension newcomers, should not miss. The game well as online. With the appropriate of Resident Evil 5, with combat galore presents the gripping story and vivid Soldiers’ difficulty, the game can prove to still as you gun down countless Javo, the characters that Resident Evil has lead be a grim, horrifying challenge even successor to Las Plagas that has the us to expect, and doesn’t disappoint in Poem with a buddy at your side. undead shooting guns, driving vehicles, terms of gameplay. and exploding into horrible monsters. By Unknown Each of the initial three campaigns At the end of the day you’ll find For all the free people that still protest, appeals to a different aspect of With Jake, who is quickly revealed to yourself weeping bitter tears of terror as you’re welcome, Resident Evil fans. Leon’s campaign the be son of former arch-villain Albert the words form across your screen: “You picks up from before the intro even Wesker, we get a nice mix of both play are dead!” We protect you and you are protected by begins, thrusting you into the heart styles as he and Sherry strive for a cure the best. for the outbreak, all the while being Your voice is strong and loud, but who will fight for you? vegetables to order the pizza of their users was the availability of an outlet No one standing in your crowd. Restaurant dreams. In addition, Humdinger’s at every table located against the wall. also offers a gluten-free option for all From the seating area, the big open oven We are the fathers, brothers, and sons, of their creations. could be seen, as well as the chef who Wearing the boots and carrying the guns. Review: I visited the establishment one kept an eye on the wood fire heating the We are the ones that leave all we own, weekday evening to try their pizza oven and the pizzas cooking inside. To make sure your future is carved in out for myself. I had heard many The friendly restaurant manager came stone. Humdinger’s raving reviews and looked forward to out of the kitchen to make the rounds adding mine to the clamor. and ensure the customers were happy. We are the ones who fight and die. Gormet Pizza The parking lot was full when I He told us that Humdinger’s was one We might not be able to save the world, arrived and most of the seats had of the few restaurants around that relied well at least we try Company been taken by pizza loving patrons, solely on wood to cook their pizzas. We walked the paths to where we are at too. The small restaurant had a warm When our pizza arrived, we all And we want no other choice than that. By Hattie Schmidtkunz atmosphere, with wood and stone immediately remarked as to how good Humdinger’s Gourmet Pizza Company accents. it smelled and how tasty it looked. The So when you rally your group to is downtown Palmer’s newest place While I looked over the menu of thin crunchy crust turned out to be complain, to enjoy stone fired pizza. The new unique and delicious looking pizzas, just right, and the toppings were full Take a look in the back of your brain. of flavor. I was a fan especially of the business serves a variety of tasty one of my dining partners ordered the In order for that flag you love to fly, pepperoncini peppers. The feta and pizzas, salads, and appetizers. There is “Thai Chick” salad, complete with Wars must be fought and young men mozzarella cheeses were an excellent even a “Build Your Own Humdinger” sweet chili sauce, chicken, onions, must die. option where customers can pick from carrots, cheese, cucumbers and bean compliment to the rest of the toppings. a variety of sauces, cheeses, meats and sprouts. I was pleasantly surprised by the We came here to fight for the ones we Our server was friendly and polite, absence of excess grease on the pizza, hold dear, graciously taking a few moments to it wasn’t greasy at all! When I looked If that’s not respected, we would rather make a personal connection, even over the menu, I had noticed that there stay here. were a few desert options, but the pizza though the restaurant was busy. I So please stop yelling and put down your turned out to be plenty filling. ordered a 16 inch $22.50 pizza dubbed signs, “Gimme the Greek,” topped with feta I would certainly recommend a trip And pray for those behind enemy lines. cheese, mozzarella, Kalamata olives, to Humdinger’s for lunch or dinner; it’s pepperoncini peppers, onions and worth it! Humdinger’s is located at173 When the conflict is over and all is well, tomatoes. South Valley Way in Palmer. They are Be thankful that we chose to go through While we waited, we admired the open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 hell. interior design work and the lovely art A.M. to 11:00 P.M., and Sunday 12:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Humdinger’s is done by a local artist that decorated (Submitted by Chad Stone, president of closed on Mondays. the walls. A plus for college students, Mat-Su Veteran’s Club) business folks, or other computer

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