CELLS conference refined emerging leadership talent
Down on the dollar...is it a recession?
California left in the dark after more black outs
Russian space station falls from grace...and soon to Fiji shorelines
CCF convo brought stories, smiles and a message
Vice Presidential debate continues to bring benefits to Centre, Danville
Inhabitants of Americas: earlier than thought?
Vann Vaupel
Cento Writer
On March 20, Dr. Tom Dillehay, an archeologist from the University of Kentucky, came to Centre to speak about his research at Monte Verde.
Monte Verde is an archeological site in Chile that is changing the conventional paradigms of archeology in the Americas. Monte Verde is a rare find among archeological sites. Most sites have very few remnants of the culture that inhabited them. Sites usually only contain things such as stone tools and bones.
Items such as wood usually decompose over time.
Monte Verde was covered over by a peat bog that provided excellent preservation. The list of artifacts recovered include wood, hide coverings and even blocks of meat. All these things are very amazing and make Monte Verde an important site, but something even more important about this site was discovered.
Radio carbon dating has dated the site to 12,500 years ago. This date has caused quite an uproar in the archeology. For more than 60 years the oldest accepted date was from the Clovis site and dated 11,200 years ago. The accepted theory was that the first Americans crossed the Bering Strait land bridge a little before the Clovis date. Monte Verde's date is even more amazing considering that it is about 10,000 miles away from the Bering Strait land bridge. This suggests that people were in the Americas much earlier than the 12,500 date, or that they took a different route than previously thought. Since the Clovis date stood for so long it became firmly entrenched in the minds of most archeologists.
Most sites before Monte Verde that pre-dated Clovis were never fully accepted by the field. Archeologists have also been scared to try and defend a site that pre-dated Clovis that didn't have extremely good evidence. If the date was not accepted by the archeological community their name would be on the line, and their professional credibility could be hurt.
The excellent preservation at Monte Verde makes the date irrefutable. It also lends some credibility to other sites that have been dated pre-Clovis because the possibility exists now.
The main excavation at Monte Verde was carried out between 1977 to 1985. The 12,500 date has just recently started to be accepted, as it has stood up to all challenges.
Monte Verde could shake up the archeological community even more. There is another layer that could be even older than 12,500 years ago. Much older than anything ever thought possible, the preliminary dates are around 33,000 years ago.
There isn't much evidence to support this date yet, and it is not widely accepted.
If this date proves to be true, it wouldn't just be American archeology that would have to rethink everything. If the Bering Strait land bridge was the route of entry into the Americas and it was crossed more than 33,000 years ago, it places people in parts of Europe that weren't thought to be there yet.
If the 33,000 date holds up then it is most likely that there was a different point of entry into the Americas. Possibly an oversea route. It could even be possible that a sea going expedition from Africa were the first Americans.
Something important that can be learned from Monte Verde is that we should be more open minded. Too often fighting in the academic world delays research and new discoveries. If the professionals of field would put aside their egos and be more open and accepting of new ideas then advancements could happen at a much greater rate. Back to top...
CELLS conference refined emerging leadership talent
Ashley Lowe
Cento Writer
A successful campus organization is usually comprised of both leaders and followers, but a recent conference showed school administrators that a room full of leaders could generate some very powerful ideas.
On Sunday, March 18, 30 students gathered in Young Hall for the second annual CELLS Conference (Campus Emerging Leaders for Learning and Service).
Participants were nominated by freshman advisors, residence life staff and student organization presidents. Nominees then submitted applications that provided evidence of their desire for increased leadership and service at Centre and beyond.
The day’s activities included hearing from Rhonda Reeves, owner and editor for Ace Weekly Magazine. A 1987 graduate of Centre, Reeves’ remarks were entitled, "I may go down in flames, but I’ll never suffer the slow death of mediocrity."
Students then were offered an array of workshops presented by Centre professors and staff on topics like marketing campus programming, teamwork, conflict and compromise strategies and leading effective meetings.
Lecturers included Trina McFarland ’97 and Jennifer Olchowy ‘99, both Centre graduates who are now employed in the admissions office. Dr. David Anderson ‘97, Associate Professor of Economics and Jessica Coleman ‘97, Associate Director of Giving also led workshops throughout the afternoon. Also, just as students learned to take an active role at the events they help to plan, event planners David Eberhardt and Renie Porter taught sessions on making campus events extraordinary.
The conference concluded with a simulation in campus planning where participants were placed on teams to plan week- and month-long series of events. They were faced with mock departments like Physical Plant, Catering and Entertainment Agencies. They worked within a given budget and considered aspects of planning like publicity and contracts when booking entertainers.
Each group then presented their programs at the conclusion of the conference. Many remarked that they experienced the normal frustrations of budget constraints and scheduling around other campus events.
Event organizer Renie Porter remarked on the success of the conference, "We hope to see these 30 students take the skills they learned at CELLS and put them into practice in the many meaningful leadership opportunities available to them here at Centre. Their emerging leadership will only serve to enhance their Centre experience and benefit others in the campus community during their time
here."Back to top...
Down on the dollar...is it a recession?
Stacy Hoehle
Cento News Editor
On Wednesday, stocks continued to fall after more companies declared lower than expected quarterly financial results, all due to the slowing economy. To prevent the United States from slipping into a recession, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates last week for the third time this year.
Despite the declines in the stock market and reports of layoffs, Americans still see better times ahead soon.
In March, consumer confidence rose for the first time in six months from an index of 109.2 in February to 117. "The recent weakness in the stock market has done little to dampen either consumers' assessment of present economic conditions or future expectations," said Lynn Franco, Director of the Conference Board's consumer research center.
According to analysts, the strong consumer confidence rating may lessen the chance for another rate cut before the Federal Reserve’s next meeting in mid-May.
Economic troubles haven’t been a brand new concern for the United States. Early in the winter, consumer confidence plummeted right before Christmas. Richard Cutin, Director of the Survey of Consumers at the University of Michigan, said, "The last time consumer confidence declined a comparable extent was prior to the recessions in 1980 and 1990."
There is some debate as to whether what the U.S. economy is currently experiencing is, in actuality, a mild recession. Those who do not see the status quo in such a severe condition say that faith can help ameliorate the situation.
The faith is that the market will rebound if people continue to invest and keep their stocks, instead of bailing because they think their stock will only bottom out.
Long term tax relief and unemployment are also thought to be a factor adding to tension in the economy.
The Bush presidency has promised tax cuts, but whether they will be long term, short term or occur at all contribute to a sense of limbo people feel with their money.
Unemployment rates rose through the holiday, continuing into the Spring.
Europe has also been experiencing similar economic woes. Despite the troubles, the Federal Reserve Board and many economists still remain upbeat.
With the turmoil of a new president, the waning of a period of economic prosperity and the uncertainty in investing, many see the slowdown as inevitable. However, it is also considered to be reversible if people don’t panic and forego overly restricting expenditures.Back to top...
California left in the dark after more black outs
Ashley Vinsel
Cento Writer
The citizens of California are getting back to the good old days that their grandparents reminisced about. But the loss of lights and hair dryers isn’t part of some reality TV show, and it certainly isn’t cheap.
The energy policies so criticized in the Sunshine state have made people think a little harder about using some of that solar power,because the energy crisis is hitting everyone hard.
The news clips of generators and grumbles have been shown, but why in the heck is it happening and what’s going to come next?
The problem started back in 1996 when California lawmakers pushed for deregulation of the power utilities, which would allow the three main power companies to create their own price market for electricity.
But along with these new power changes come the increase in technology in areas such as the Silicon Valley. Electricity use grew and grew, but the demand for new power plants was met with refusals from citizens to build them anywhere near them.
The costs for the companies to obtain the power from the providers were surging, but those costs met some skeptics’ warnings as the utilities had to fulfill their role, yet could not raise rates until 2002.
The utilities had their role as middle man pushed into costs of up to $14 billion, which is the difference between the price the two largest utilities paid for the power and what they can charge for it.
They are nearly bankrupt , and due to their inability to meet the demands of electricity in California, blackouts have been occuring since January and don’t look like they’ll stop.
The taxpayers may have to bear the brunt of these energy costs with larger utility bills.
Wednesday the Public Utilities Commission voted to allow the utilities to charge up to 46 percent more for the citizens’ power, which was met with anger from the public.
So what is going to happen? Certainly, higher utility bills, continued blackouts and utility reform in California. As ten other states have also decided to deregulate their utilities, expect this battle over power to be far from over.Back to top...
Russian space station falls from grace...and soon to Fiji shorelines
Brian Maurer
Cento Writer
A group of Centre College students will not be the only thing hitting the South Pacific Islands soon. Pieces of the fallen Soviet space station "Mir" may also grace certain areas with its presence. Scientists speculate that the craft which had enjoyed a tenure in the earth's orbit of 15 years, may start washing up on Fiji's island shores within a matter of days.
The 143 ton space relic made its reentry into the Earth's atmosphere on March 23, giving Fiji spectators a dazzling array of fireworks in its last minutes of glory. The fall of this time-tested Soviet space program icon has led many to speculate on what Russians will concentrate on next in the space race that has lost its luster since 1969.
Some early indications point to a possible "Mir 2" project, but nothing has been officially announced. Most signs indicate that Russia will instead concern itself with aiding the widely anticipated U.S.-led International Space Station for which initial provisions have already been made.
In other Russian space news, it has been reported that California millionaire Dennis Tito will soon become the first "Space Tourist" as he has reportedly secured a spot on Russia's next launch for a sum not under $20 millions. While many at NASA are quite opposed to his venture, Tito insists, "I have a different view of the direction of our space program, and maybe when I get back I'll be able to have some influence, politically, to help change it." Russia's latest fundraising venture could be landing Soviet space officials in a bit of hot water, but as of yet, no international action has been taken.
In the meantime, there continues to be curious beachcombers who are looking for a bit of "Mir Gold." What they will do with these commemorative fragments of the soviet machine remain to be seen. However, some expect that at least some of the pieces will float their way onto eBay in the coming months.Back to top...
CCF convo brought stories, smiles and a message
Meredith Mays
Cento Writer
Young 101 was jam- packed Tuesday night for the first annual Centre Christian Fellowship Convocation. Speakers talked about their life journey and how God had impacted their lives.
One of the testimonies that was especially moving was from assistant football coach Rick Fox. Coach Fox’s testimony was memorable because almost everyone was able to identify with what he said. He played a song called "Daddy’s Hands," which described a father who worked hard to provide emotionally, monetarily and spiritually for his family.
Coach Fox then related the song to his own father and how much his father had meant to him. Audience members were moved when he told of his father’s battle with cancer and that his father never lost hope .
There were seven other speakers, including Dr. Asmus and Renie Porter, who talked about going where God calls; Beth Moses ‘02 who said that God can use someone even if there hasn’t been a huge life-changing event in their life; and Chad Yaden ‘04, who talked about being from the "buckle of the Bible Belt" and how that had affected his life.
There were other speakers like Kim Curry ‘04, who bravely talked about her childhood and how God took away the anger she felt at the world.
Scott Gutter ‘01, one of Centre’s finest basketball players, talked about prioritizing his life. Guttery looked to his leg injury and not being able to play basketball for a while as a chance to reevaluate what was important to him.
Laura Hellebusch ‘03 talked about her "wild past" and how God accepted her for who she was and continues to love her unconditionally. She made the audience laugh with her Bob Marley-"Jesus Guy" analogy and made us think when she said that God doesn’t expect us to be perfect.
The convo was definitely a great experience for all involved. It was nice to see different people from the Centre community talk about different events and ideas, but with one common theme. If you would like to talk to any of these speakers or would like to know more about what they were saying, you are invited to speak to them personally or to come to Centre Christian Fellowship (CCF). It meets every Wednesday night at 9:00 p.m. on the first floor of the Warehouse.
Besides getting to see these fine speakers every week, you can see what God is all about, sing some cool songs and find out about upcoming CCF events.Back to top...
Vice Presidential debate continues to bring benefits to Centre, Danville
Stacy Hoehle
Cento News Co-Editor
Though the excitement and business of last fall’s Vice Presidential debate have disappeared from the Centre campus and the town of Danville has reclaimed its laid back, quaint atmosphere, the effects of the debate linger.
Centre gained invaluable publicity from the event. National media coverage portrayed the school favorably, especially for putting on the most organized, well-run and hospitable debate in years remembered.
This February, Louisville’s Courier Journal described the favorable effects of the debate in an article. WLEX of Lexington also visited Centre, interviewing students for a news story about the legacy of the great debate.
This exposure to the nation granted Centre admissions a larger applicant pool with impressive statistics, such as higher ACT scores and a more diverse group of candidates. More states were represented and the coming year’s freshman class is expected to be the largest ever.
Danville also continues to reap benefits. Danville has earned a more prominent position on the map of Kentucky as the home to both Centre and the debate. More people know of the tiny town and can echo the nearly cliched praises for such an unknown area achieving a great feat in this year’s election.
People are still greeted by the brightly decorated fire hydrants, a legacy to the town’s effort to spruce up for the occasion. The Boyle County Airport has also been able to expand flights and landing hours. Previously, larger aircraft could not land because of the lack of lights. Also, night landings were not possible. Now, both have been better accommodated.
Tourism and sale of debate merchandise have persisted. Debate memorabilia is still available and sold from the Centre website, as well as from sites such as eBay.
People have visited the area more, including the Beaumont Inn in neighboring Harrodsburg where many stop for dinner.
The sign at the Norton Center may be long gone, as are all the media and traffic, however, the legacy of “the thrill in the ‘ville” persists in the minds and hearts of the people of Danville and students of Centre College. Back to top...