by Shane Hylton
Columnist
This time it is in Wisconsin and it was another nut job that did it. Details are still emerging and motives are still unclear, however the shooter (who I will not name, because I will not give someone like this any time in my column) does seem to have ties to a racial supremacy group. This has now, and will rehash a lot of gun control arguments that have been circulating recently. The basic argument is how do you prevent something like this and not punish the people that are law abiding citizens? I have yet to find an amicable solution to that question. I feel that making laws that punish 95% of the populace is ridiculous. This tragedy really is a hard one because the shooter went to a church and shot it up. Who carries a gun to a church for self-defense? Having asked that question, the best response is to remember to be vigilant even when you are praying. Research shows that these are the times when we are most likely to be attacked, and therefore should be the time when we are most on our guard.
Locally, summer is starting to wind down and harvest has begun. Road construction however, has not slowed and is going to get a bit worse. Those people living south of Grand Forks, hopefully you noticed the signs that went up on Columbia going south and Highway 81 south. It seems that all three ways into town from the south will have road construction going on at the same time. This will be a bit frustrating, so please adjust your travel times accordingly and be patient.
UND ‘Welcome Weekend’ takes a new approach starting Aug. 18
This story is from UND and I have to say that this would have been a very cool event if it was done when I was a freshman. I would have loved a pep rally and a help find your class day. The folks at UND are on their game this year:
This fall, at the University of North Dakota, “Welcome Weekend” still will be packed with activities, entertainment and information, but will include exciting new events and take a slightly different approach. Saturday, Aug. 18, the University will focus on greeting families, getting students unpacked and settled in. Residence Halls will open on Saturday instead of Friday, giving students and their families an extra day to travel and prepare for their big move to UND. Students can check-in at their assigned residence hall right away at 8 a.m. At every residence hall, there will be a “Stop, Drop and Go” site. This means students and their families can park temporarily next to their assigned hall and student volunteers will be there to help unload luggage. Kristi Okerlund, family and student programming coordinator, said, if students need help or have questions, to look for people wearing “I heart UND” T-shirts. Sunday, Aug. 19, is all about fun.
UND will play host to the first-ever Welcome Weekend pep rally, a picnic, hypnotist and street dance. The pep rally will take place at 6:30 p.m., in the Memorial Stadium, just east of Columbia Road, beginning with a group class photo. The rally focuses on school spirit, and will include appearances from the UND Pride of the North Marching Band, student-athletes, dance and cheer teams, coaches and more. And all students will receive a rally towel with UND’s school song on it.
Activities planned for Monday, Aug. 20, will center on the upcoming academic year. At 2 p.m., there will be a Convocation at the Chester Fritz Auditorium for all first-year students. This is a formal ceremony, filled with pomp and regalia, emphasizing the University’s attention to academic excellence. This event will mark the start of their academic career. “The Convocation will have more of an academic feel to it, indicating that the new semester is about to begin, whereas the events over the weekend leading up to the convocation are more for the students to have fun and get acclimated to the institution,” said Lisa Burger, interim executive director of Enrollment Services. Students who attend the convocation will receive a padded diploma folder with the UND seal to use once they graduate. Inside the folder will be the class photo taken from the previous day. To attend UND events and dining centers, students must bring their U Card. If a student does not have his or her U Card, the U Card Office will be open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. The U Card Office is located in the Memorial Union.
All students are encouraged to attend these events to receive essential information, meet their classmates and get familiarized with UND’s campus. For more information please contact: Kristi Okerlund at 701-777-6468, or at Kristi.okerlund@und.edu
Story courtesy of UND Media Relations
UND trio named to America Sky All-Academic team
The University of North Dakota men’s golf team had three representatives on the America Sky All-Academic team released on Thursday by league officials. In all, there were 47 collegiate golfers from the conference who achieved a grade point average of 3.2 or higher during the 2011-12 academic year.UND senior Tyler Monda was recognized for the third time in his career, while sophomore Sean Halverson made the team for the second consecutive season as well. Freshman Samuel Matthew earned his first distinction. The team will open its 2012-13 season at the Fairway Club Invitational in Nebraska City, Neb., on Sept. 9-10.
Around Town
The city of East Grand Forks is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Events run from Tuesday, August 7th through Sunday, August 12th. Some of the fun activities include a parade, fireworks, live music, wagon train, games, contests and an all-school reunion. For more information, go to www.egf.mn.