Student death still under multiple investigations

Posted on February 17, 2014 by almanian

By Benjamin King, News Editor

The investigation into the death of Sean Murawske (’17) is ongoing, with both the Alma Police Department and Alma College continuing the examination.

The autopsy was performed Jan. 16 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, the Alma Police Department reported, confirming that Murawske did not suffer any traumatic injuries before his death.

“At this point we are still waiting on the toxicology report,” said Lieutenant Matt Schooley of the Alma Police Department.

A definitive cause of death will not be determined until toxicology results are complete, which could take several weeks. Meanwhile, the college began its own probe.

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Conflict in Syria more complex than media coverage suggests

Posted on February 17, 2014 by almanian

By Nicole Eccles, Staff Writer

Over the last three years, news about the “situation in Syria” has been generally confusing. Phrases like “Arab Spring” get thrown around without description, and terrible statistics are plastered all over activist blogs and daily newspapers.

The situation in Syria deals with several issues and shows the current struggle for democracy taking place in many parts of the Middle East and Africa. Syria also highlights what happens when governments turn on their own people.

The current statistics coming out of the violence in Syria are greatly concerning. The United Nations estimates that 100,000 people have died in the conflict and that 6.5 million of Syria’s 22 million population will be affected and in need of humanitarian assistance. The conflict has also caused thousands of refugees to flee to neighboring countries.

For a bit of background on Syria, Hafez al-Assad declared himself president of Syria in 1971 and would act as a strict dictator until his death in 2000. His son, Bashar al-Assad, took over as president, and some believed he could bring change to Syria. Unfortunately, they were wrong, and al-Assad proved another harsh leader.

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Plan for Student Congress reconstruction voted down in last week’s assembly

Posted on February 17, 2014 by almanian

By Hannah King, Staff Writer

In hopes to reconstruct Student Congress, 10 students and several faculty members spent the past two months rewriting the governing body’s constitution.

In last Monday’s meeting, the revisions made to the constitution were repealed.

Every organization on campus has a representative in Student Congress. Organizations make up 80 percent of the group.

The current Student Congress structure is a democratic one, with a president and an executive committee. When an issue needs to be addressed by Congress, one member of the organization involved presents this problem to the president, who will take this issue to administration.

“It is hard to make student changes on campus, so we set up a system that would make it easier for administration to listen to and construct our ideas into change on campus,” said Zacc Bell (’17), member of Student Congress and the Educational Policy Committee.

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Shuttle service expands to weekly Walmart runs

Posted on February 17, 2014 by almanian

By Samantha Coykendall, Staff Writer

Don’t have a car on campus, but need to go to Walmart and all of your friends with cars are busy? You’re in luck!

The college has developed a shuttle system for students and staff members to provide transportation to the city’s Walmart.

The college is also working to develop transportation services for students to locations further than Walmart.

Student transportation from the college to several airports and train stations, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing, had great success. As a result, the conversation turned to providing a more local service for a future increase in enrollment of international and out-of-state students.

“In the past I have utilized the school’s airport shuttle during Christmas break,” said Isabelle Limodin (’16), a native of New Hampshire.

“Getting back to campus this last break was a little hectic due to all the snow and flight cancellations. The shuttle did not let me down! They rescheduled to come pick us up at the airport on Monday, which was very helpful because I had no other option for getting back to campus.”

This positive success is what drove the college to expand currently existing services.

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Gallery spotlights birds, natural earthy tones

Posted on February 17, 2014 by almanian

By Jon Clark, Staff Writer

Every month, the Flora Kirsch Beck Gallery has a different display to offer.  The current exhibit is called “Migrate” and features work displaying birds or nests in various habitats.

The artist, Brenda Sipe, lives in Grand Rapids and has had her work featured at reputable events such as ArtPrize and the Muskegon Statewide Art Show.

Earning her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Grand Valley State University, Sipe also holds a master’s in fine arts from Michigan State University.

Some of her paintings show birds in flight, while empty nests are the subjects of others.  Her work depicts the creatures throughout the seasons and includes paintings, drawings, and sculptures.

One of Sipe’s most noticeable pieces is a nest constructed from metal, filled with painted birds that are made of ceramic.

“Her paintings and drawings depict winter and summer and use fantastic brushstrokes, gestural mark-making, and warm, tranquil, earth tones found in nature,” said Josh Gove (’14), an art student and assistant at the gallery.

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