Are you Career Ready? Core Cambridge What’s New on Netflix ASCUI Corner INSIDE THE Check out our infographic Keep up to date on Check our latest Review: ASCUI speaks up regarding the challenging what’s happening with “Freaks and Geeks” about distracted our Eagles in England pg. 7 driver awareness change from backpack to pg. 5 pg. 2 NEWS briefcase pg. 4 THE CONCORDIA INVESTIGATE.INFORM.IGNITE.INVOLVE. Volume 10, Issue 12 Concordia University Irvine Friday, April 1, 2016 Treading Legacy of Leaders: water: Interview with our Presidents 2016 Women’s Water Polo SARAH JOHNSON STAFF WRITER 2008: Barack Obama was elected President of the United States, Chi- na hosted the Summer Olympics in Bejing and Concordia Women’s Water Polo played their first confer- ence game in school history. For the past eight years, the Women’s Water Polo Team has swam thousands of yards and practiced for hundreds of hours in order to compete with the top schools in the nation. Water polo is known as one of the most difficult sports to partic- ipate in. Players must constantly tread water while wrestling with “Losing game after game isn’t President Kurt Krueger, Rev. Dr. Jack Preus and Rev. Dr. D. Ray Halm talk in front of Grimm Hall after the conclusion of the interview enjoyable, KENDRA SITTON on him on his inaugural day. His box- As they talked, the room was still as dent made decisions that were nec- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF es of books had been mailed ahead warm air swirled in from the porch essary, but not well received. For but it’s teach- and one of the secretaries had hidden despite the swarm of people filling instance, Halm sold acres of land On Wed., Mar. 16, Concordia alarm clocks in each box set to go off the room. to housing developers, in order to ing us how hosted a historic interview with uni- at different times. “On my first day, I “(At first) I didn’t realize how the pay off debt, to the chagrin of many versity President Kurt Krueger (2010 of course had occupied myself with words I say every day to different campus detractors who wanted to to present), and former presidents dignified, ‘presidential things’, then people have such an impact,” said maintain ownership of the land. “Our to build each Rev. Dr. Jack Preus (1998 to 2009) throughout the afternoon alarms Krueger. “They remember what I say credibility skyrocketed,” said Halm, and Rev. Dr. D. Ray Halm (1980 to would go off, deep down inside these and it’s coming from the president “we were able to approach the church other up and 1998). In an intensive two-hour in- boxes. After the third or fourth time now. To me, it might just be an off- and other campuses with a different terview in Krueger’s home, the three (of alarms going off), I realized, ‘Oh, hand remark. But to them, it’s ‘Kurt level of respect than what we had pri- presidents, illuminated Concordia’s I’ve been set up’,” said Preus. When said this, so this is how he wants us or.” play for one history as well as offered leadership Krueger, then a provost, came to wel- to proceed.’ That I didn’t understand.” Krueger also made a decision that insight to the current generation of come him, Krueger said, “You (Preus) After a few years, Krueger became fundamentally changed Concordia’s adults studying at Concordia Univer- actually had the temerity to accuse much more introspective and mea- culture. “This wasn’t necessarily a another.” sity Irvine. me of planting those.” Preus laughed sured with his words. To describe this hard decision but the repercussions opponents and swimming from Before delving into heavier mat- and said, “It had to be the provost. phenomenon, Halm said, “There is from my making the decision were one end of the course to the other, ters, Halm and Preus shared pranks Who else would dare?” never a moment in which you are not difficult to live with. I pretty much competing to score the most points pulled on them by Concordia faculty By the time Krueger took office, the president.” decided on my own to not allow al- to win the match. Considering the when they became president. When this informal, fun culture had ebbed Halm gained similar insight when cohol in any of the residence halls,” strenuous and required physical ac- Halm moved into the dormitory on to the point that his first day in office a discussion with the board under- said Krueger. However, when several tivity, there is a generalized respect his first day in office, he crawled into was rather “benign.” This change in scored “the impact that your words student services leaders and other ad- given to this women’s water polo bed a little ways only to find it was culture should be expected consider- have everywhere on the campus - ministration came to him about the team and their new coaching staff short-sheeted. “They wanted to find ing that at the time Halm first arrived with the students, with the secretarial many problems created by alcohol on for their efforts. out how I would react - whether I there were only three buildings and staff, with the recruitment officers, campus, he made the decision unilat- Dreason Barry took over as head would lose my temper or whether I 147 students - the university now has with the fundraisers, with the par- erally. coach of the Eagles this season af- would take it in good humor,” said over 4,000 students annually. Despite ents, with the pastors and congrega- Preus added, quoting the adage ter serving as an assistant coach last Halm. “I never said a word. In the vastly different experiences at Christ tions. You say something and if it is that “adversity makes you stronger,” morning, people were watching and I College and Concordia, the three the least bit startling, it will be known not just in a personal sense but as year. This promotion makes Barry knew they were watching, but I nev- men had similar lessons they learned throughout the district within a an institution that survived the tri- the fourth head coach in the brief er said anything.” A few weeks after while in office. Most importantly was week.” Summarizing the importance als of its founding and more recent history of the program. Impressive- he moved on campus, the secretar- the impact of their words. Even now, of knowing when and where to speak, challenges, “Concordia is stronger ly, Barry played for the USA Men’s ies finally marched into his office to the value their words have as men in Preus concluded, “A superior officer because we went through those diffi- National Team from 2002-2009 and demand if their prank had worked. leadership was demonstrated by the never makes suggestions. They’re al- culties,” said Preus. professionally in Italy and Australia He admitted that it did, glad to have way numerous members of Concor- ways direct orders. And they’re heard for three years. passed the first test from Concordia’s dia’s administration intently listened as direct orders, whether they’re a staff. from the kitchen and dining room of suggestion or not.” Preus had a similar prank pulled Krueger’s house during the interview. During their tenure, each presi- continues on page 4 continues on page 3 How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! Romans 10:15b 2 Highlights April 1, 2016 ASCUI Corner: distracted driver awareness ARIANA SADEGHIPOUR ASCUI SECRETARY April is Distracted Driver Awareness Month and ASCUI wants to raise awareness on the Concordia campus. Campus safety and Dean of Students Dr. Gilbert Fugitt, are working alongside various faculty, staff and students to decrease dis- tracted driving on campus. Distracted driving is not un- common - proof of its existence on Concordia’s campus can even be found in social media post- ings. Distracted driving can be defined as “any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.” This includes “texting, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, using a GPS system, and adjusting a stereo.” When asked, a group of 20 student drivers all admitted to driving while being distracted. How can the Concordia com- munity decrease the amount of distracted drivers? The Irvine Police Department has the fol- lowing suggestions: “Place your phone on silent, put it in your glove box, or in the trunk to avoid use while driving, pull over and park if you need to make a phone call or text, tell the driver you are uncomfort- able with their cell phone use if you are the passenger, and if you are talking to someone who is on their phone while driving, tell them to call you back when they have parked in a safe loca- tion.” There are key steps that can be taken to minimize the number of distracted driving incidents on campus. Make an effort to keep yourself, your pas- sengers and other drivers on the road safe. THE CONCORDIA INVESTIGATE.INFORM.IGNITE.INVOLVE. Kendra Sitton, Editor-in-Chief Faculty Advisor Writers Emma Deehan, Amanda Druckrey, Layout Editor Courtney Hentz, Caroline Janik-Wong Sarah Johnson, Yvette Mendoza, Tiffany Thompson, Campus Editor Faculty Advisory Board Zachary Moghaddam, Jason Ryan, Don’t forget to “like” us Brian Gaul Kristen Saulman, Kaitlyn Miller Karina Diez, Local/Global Editor Laura Courvoisier Kelsey Van Horn on The Concordia Courier Celina Stratton, Sports Editor Dr. Daniel van Voorhis Facebook page. You’ll Alexander Carr, Arts & Reviews Editor find links to PDFs of old issues and updates Letters to the Editor must be typed and The opinions expressed in include the author’s full name The Concordia Courier are those on our current work.