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April 26, 2010, Volume 204 >> Number 145 >> 40 cents >> iowastatedaily.com >> An independent newspaper serving Iowa State since 1890 MONDAY

By Cory WeaverDaily Correspondent

As the graduation date for ISU seniors quickly approaches, one of the common themes running through seniors’ minds are how they can stay in touch with Iowa State and their classmates follow-ing graduation.

For the past five years, the ISU Alumni Association has been working to find a way to allow students to keep their ISU e-mail addresses after graduation.

When Iowa State switched over to CyMail earlier this year, the Alumni Association saw its opportunity to make the vision into a reality.

With this new program, a few simple steps allows a student or alumnus to keep their ISU Gmail account for life.

“We are super excited to be able to offer this opportunity to stu-dents,” said Alumni Association President Jeff Johnson. “There are so many reasons why this is the right thing to do.”

Before this new program, the Alumni Association relied on e-

By Brandon BlueDaily Correspondent

An ideal applicant for the Veishea 2011 Executive Board needn’t be a super-powered multitasker, or even someone who has worked on Veishea before.

“We’re open to pretty much anyone that has the drive, the passion, for Veishea and Iowa State,” said Mike Weber, Veishea 2011 general co-chairman and senior in family finance, hous-ing and policy. “Veishea experi-ence is by no means required.”

Twenty-eight positions are currently open. Applications were due on April 23, and inter-views and selections will take place in coming weeks.

As of April 20, 10 current Executive Board members had reapplied for next year.

People reapply, said BJ Brugman, Veishea 2011 gen-eral co-chairman and junior in agricultural business, because they “want to have the same experience and continue to improve Veishea.”

“Right at the end is when you get close to everybody, and you make friends with those people,” Brugman said. “Any time you’re staying up 24 hours straight with anybody, you’ll probably get a little close to them.”

For the responsibilities and benefits that Executive Board members enjoy, the applica-tion process is easy, Weber said.

“We’ll be having a 20-min-ute interview with each appli-cant and reviewing a proposal that they’ll bring for their ideas and thoughts on the position or positions that they’re apply-ing for or what they’re interest-ed in,” Weber said.

The final group will be se-lected near the beginning of finals week once both Brug-man and Weber have a chance to go over the applicants with Veishea advisors Gail Ferlazzo and George Micalone. Veishea 2010 was only two weekends ago. Last year, the executive board applications weren’t due until Sept. 11. Why the change?

“We’re trying to expedite the whole process. It’s tough to come back in the fall,” Brug-man said.

The general chairmen also want everything set up to make committee applications as smooth as possible.

“We’re behind, as far as committee members, because every other student organiza-tion is recruiting for their com-mittee members in the fall, and in order to be competitive with that and to get the best candi-dates we can, we need to be ready to go,” Brugman said.

Student Organization

Veishea interviews for executive board

Alumni Association

Keep connected after graduation

Police Investigation

Woman found dead near railroad tracks

see E-MAIL on PAGE 6

By Tyler KingkadeDaily Staff Writer

Degrees in Debt — At the last meeting of the Government of the Student Body last Wednesday, President Luke Roling started his State of the Student Body Address to the full senate by announcing Iowa State as a national leader in student debt.

“It’s kind of a paradox,” Roling said, “considering Iowa State has one of the low-est tuitions compared with its peers.”

Yet in 2007, the Project on Student Debt ranked Iowa as the U.S. state with the high-est average student debt — with an aver-age student debt load of $26,208. Iowa has since dropped to second in the ranking, but Iowa students’ debt has continued to climb to an average of $28,174, with ISU students averaging $31,616. The only area with a higher average debt is the District of Co-lumbia. The national average for graduates of four-year private nonprofit universities is $27,650.

Roberta Johnson, director of financial aid, said part of the reason ISU debt load is so large is the under-utilization of Parent PLUS loans and other federal options.

While 2008 graduates of the University of Iowa had an average total debt of $22,856, according to the Project on Student Debt, the average federal debt of those graduates was $22,615. Iowa State’s 2008 graduates only had $18,845 in federal debt to $31,616 in average total debt.

Iowa private student loans grew 5,000 percent from 1995 to 2005 while U.S. pri-vate student loans grew 1,100 percent, according to the college board and Iowa College Student Aid Commission. Over the same time period, government grants and federal loans barely doubled in growth. At Iowa State, the number of students who obtained private loans increased 114,680

percent, while PLUS loans only saw an in-crease of 29 percent, according to the Board of Regents’ report “Access and Affordability.”

The Iowa College Student Aid Commis-sion reports federal PLUS loans grew 394 percent nationally but only 175 percent in Iowa from 1995-06. PLUS loans in neigh-boring states Missouri and Illinois grew 901 percent and 744 percent.

Johnson believes private loans are here to stay, due to the gap between the maximum given by federal loans, and the amount required to cover books, living ex-penses and room and board.

In-state tuition at Iowa State increased 99.7 percent from the 2000-01 school year to the 2010-11 year. If tuition had remained constant over that period, with inflation at the rate of the consumer price index, Iowa residents would be looking at tuition near $3,800 instead of $6,102, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor.

And even though these reports and studies constantly refer to four-year insti-

tutions, the Regents’ report states that the average time to obtain a degree from regent universities is four-and-a-half years. With five-year programs like landscape architec-ture and architecture, the average debt load is significantly higher: $42,937.

State Funding — “[State] appropria-tions for Iowa State in 2001 were $270 mil-lion,” said State Sen. Herman Quirmbach of Story County. “It fell down to $227 million in 2005.”

After the 2004 elections, funding began to increase again.

“Starting with fiscal year 2006, we start-ed to raise university appropriations, and we hit a high point of $276 million in 2009,” Quirmbach said. “Of course, then the reces-sion came along.”

Quirmbach said that in many ways Io-wa’s economy was better off, but that Iowa was “not immune.”

Student Government

ISU student debt high, despite low tuition costs

By Kim NorvellDaily Staff Writer

Jon Lacina’s best friends, Drew Kaput and John Manly, de-scribe him as a “rare breed” who touched their lives in a unique way.

Manly, who recently moved to California, will always remem-ber Jon as his best friend, despite living thousands of miles apart.

“With Jon, I’ve never been able to relate to someone as much as I did him,” Manly said. “Me and Jon had a lot of odd things in common ... he will always be my best friend.”

Manly and Jon met in day care, their family farms were adja-cent to one another and they spent countless hours together cre-ating art and playing video games. In high school, Manly, Kaput and another friend were a close foursome with Jon.

“He was my hero growing up,” Manly said.With a rare taste in music, a bond for their love of art and video

games and Jon’s taste for great food — sauerkraut cookies includ-ed — Manly said the four of them were incredibly close.

“Our best nights together were when we played video games and drank a few beers,” Manly said.

Kaput said they all worked at the movie theater together, and would spend those summer nights they weren’t working glued in front of a new video game, where no matter how many hours they could have played, Jon would pick up the controller without once

Memories

Friends, family reflect

By Jessica OpoeinDaily Staff Writer

Jon Lacina’s family described him as an exceptionally talented artist and musician who was reluctant to showcase his own talents — only doing so for the

enjoyment of others. His father said he had come into his own, but was still discovering himself — both as an artist and a young man.

Jon came from a creative

Jon’s love of art through the years allowed him to make many works that inspired others and offered insight into what he enjoyed. Some of Jon’s art: “Elk Arms,” right; “Pinecone Bear,” middle; “Geometric Octopus,” right. Courtesy images: Tom Lacina

Students talk about inspiration Jon’s talent brought into their lives

The Lacina family: Jon, upper left; Joe, upper right; Alesia, lower left; and Tom, lower right. Courtesy photo: Tom Lacina

Silent talents made Jon unique, loved

By Rashah McChesneyDaily Staff Writer

Ames police are investi-gating the death of a woman found near the Union Pacific Railroad Tracks around 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

Police believe she was hit by a train early in the morn-ing; however, there are several trains that pass through the area and it is unknown which one may have struck her, ac-cording to a news release. The incident happened near the corner of 13th Street and On-tario Street, near the Veenker Memorial Golf Course. Union Pacific Railroad officials are re-viewing video and schedules to help in the investigation.

The woman was separated from her friends in Campus-town, according to the news release, and it is still unknown

how she ended up at the rail-road tracks.

The woman’s identity is be-ing withheld, pending the noti-fication of her family.

The Des Moines Register identified the woman as an ISU student in an article pub-lished on their website Sunday afternoon, but later pulled the claim. Annette Hacker, director of the ISU News Service, said she could not comment on the situation until the Ames Police Department had identified the woman’s next of kin.

Usage of federal or private student loans

Information from the Project on Student Debt. Graphic: Tyler Kingkade/Iowa State Daily

see DEBT on PAGE 6

see FRIENDS on PAGE 4 see FAMILY on PAGE 4

Follow the story:As more details are released, check our website for updatesiowastatedaily.com

online

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Drake Relays

By Tyler PalsDaily Staff Writer

You’ve spent the past four or fi ve years sitting in classes, cram-

ming for fi nals and meeting people that will infl uence the rest of your life. When you step across the stage next Saturday, you will be stepping away from your time here and into the real world. Feeling surreal yet?

After all your hard work you deserve to live it up. But before you leave, take some time to refl ect on your time here and the top fi ve experiences you probably had. If you didn’t get a chance to take on one of these activities, remember you can always come back. Iowa State will always welcome you back to any event, because even when you leave, you will always be a part of this university.

Iowa State University has been around since 1858. Traditions are bound to develop over the course of 152 years. When it comes time to graduate, you may ask yourself, what things must I do before I graduate to be a part of Iowa State? The Alumni Association has cre-ated a list just for you:

Campaniling

Kiss a loved one at midnight under the Campanile. This will commemorate your relationship as well as your time at Iowa State. The history of the Campanile is about love as well. Edgar Stanton wanted to build a monument in memory of his late fi rst wife, Mar-garet MacDonald Stanton. She had been closely related to Iowa State for 25 years and was the fi rst dean of women. Stanton, who spent 50 years on campus as a student and faculty member, de-cided to purchase 10 bells along with a bell tower. Later Edgar’s second wife would install 26 more bells.

Veishea (Veterinary Medi-cine, Engineering, Industrial Science, Home Economics and Agriculture)

Participate in the largest student-run celebration. Veishea started in 1922 to help reduce the amount of stu-dent holidays and now is a week-long celebration. Events that happen are: Taste of Veishea, “Stars over Veishea,” the parade, International Food Fair and the ever-popular cherry pies. Con-certs take place as a part of Veishea. Past bands/singers that performed have been Goo Goo Dolls, Billy Joel, Di-ana Ross and distinguished guests like Presidents Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan.

Homecoming

Participate somehow in the events that take place during Homecoming. This tradition started back in 1912. Events like fi reworks, mass Campani-ling, along with the greek traditions of “Yell like Hell” and lawn displays. Other things like Food on Campus and tour-naments of various kinds also happen during Homecoming. Not to mention the football game.

The Zodiac

This is a tradition that really has an unknown origin. But for roughly 70 years students and faculty have walked around the Zodiac sign located in the north entrance of the Memorial Union. It is said that if one walks over the sign that they will fl unk their next exam.

However, there is a chance to remove the bad luck by simply tossing a coin in the Fountain of the Four Seasons, just north of the Memorial Union.

Festival of Lights

Experience the magic that happens during the Festival of Lights. First cel-ebrated in 1914, this event has come to symbolize holiday music, campus car-riage rides, visits to the Farm House and candles on campus.

Originally this event was to symbolize Christmas, but now it is to celebrate the entire holiday season. A student wrote a song to go along with the event: “This tree we light may signal to all our community. This tree we light may signal to all our hopes for humanity.”

Those are the real traditions students should experience. But what about other things to do before one graduates?

“I would say go Campaniling; attend all of the Veishea activities; attend a show at CY Stephens, Hilton or at the Mainte-nance Shop; attend Festival of Lights,” said Laura Kellner, senior in family fi -nance, housing and policy .

Senior in speech communication Tricia Weiss said, “Take a picture with Cy, Campanile with a loved one. See if you can make it from Curtiss to Beardshear at the stroke of midnight, attend at least one lecture, and participate in Veishea.”

“Make the police blotter, gorge your-self at the pancake feed during Veishea, get published in the Just Sayin’ at least once, and take a class with Penny Rice,” said Curtis Thilges, senior in logistics and supply chain management.

14 Graduation

14 | GRADUATION | Iowa State Daily | Monday, April 26, 2010 Editors S. Bougie | sarah.bougie@iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.1231

Congratulations

Seniors

1

2

34

5

Check out how Iowa State athletes performed at the Drake Relays see SPORTS on PAGE 9 see PAGE 14

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playing and win.Jon was extremely talented

with his artwork, specializing in fantasy-incorporated drawings, character design, self-portraits and even food.

“Everything he touched that he used with his hands just turned to gold,” Kaput said.

This included the guitar, which Manly said was self-taught. Jon chose to pick up a guitar one weekend when his parents banned him from video games, and was musically tal-ented ever since.

“He tried to teach me a few things on guitar, but I never came close to that,” Kaput said. “He is just an inspiration.”

Parker Peterson, junior in graphic design and Jon’s best friend in college, also remem-bers his incredible talent for everything he was passionate about, describing Jon as a con-tinuous inspiration in his life.

“Jon is easily one of the most intelligent individuals I have ever met,” Peterson said.

Peterson and Jon were class-mates in graphic design and were extremely close because of their love for art and video games. Peterson described Jon as a rare graphic designer who could rely on his sketches to get him through assignments. He was an artist, not a graphic de-signer, Peterson said.

If Peterson cold put a posi-tive spin on losing his best friend, it would be that Jon will

always be an inspiration in his graphic design work.

“It’s something that really inspired me to how good I really want to be at graphic design,” Peterson said. “You know, this is my future and I’ve found myself asking ‘What would Jon do in this situation?’”

Peterson will always remem-ber Jon as a dependable friend, logical thinker and talented art-ist and musician.

Even those who don’t con-sider themselves as best friends with Jon will forever be impact-ed by his thoughtful, caring na-ture and love for art.

“He was a really creative guy and a lot of people looked up to him for that,” said Chelsea Evers, junior in graphic design and Jon’s classmate.

Evers said her relationship with Jon was mostly through their class, but she considers him a close friend because they spent six hours a week together in studio. He was quiet and in-troverted, but was always will-ing to help Evers with critique on assignments and issues with her computer.

“He had a good sense of hu-mor and a good outlook on life,” Evers said.

This weekend was Jon’s fu-neral, and Kaput said the church was packed with people Jon knew and loved. Even friends that Jon hadn’t spoken to since high school were there.

“He’s definitely had a big im-pact on all of our lives and will always be in our hearts and our minds,” Peterson said.

FRIENDSfrom PAGE 1

family. His parents met at Wich-ita State University, where his fa-ther, Tom, studied music and his mother, Alesia, studied graphic design. His older brother, Joe, graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2008.

Jon’s love of art stemmed from what Tom described as a “friendly time-out.” To keep their two young boys busy, Ale-sia would supply them with ma-terials to draw and make crafts.

“There wasn’t a time, really, when they didn’t draw,” Tom said.

Often, Alesia would join Jon and Joe in their playtime ac-tivities. She remembers the boys making “huge Lego cities after school every day.”

Their childhood love of Legos never faded. In keeping with the brothers’ tradition, Joe gave Legos to Jon for Christmas less than a month before Jon disappeared.

Born just less than three years before his younger broth-er, Joe said the two were always best friends. Growing up on the 320-acre crop farm, Jon and Joe climbed trees, made forts

and gave every tree a name. Joe recalled scaling “Home Base,” “King One” and “King Two.”

Jon’s talents spanned plat-forms, although his family agrees he didn’t like to show off.

After receiving a guitar from his uncle, Jon taught himself to play during his junior high years. The first song he learned was “Stairway to Heaven,” but beyond that and other rock

standards, he would improvise blues and jazz.

Tom once accompanied Jon on the bass for a variety show, which he believes was the mo-ment Jon realized he “could play pretty well.” Still, most of Jon’s performances were within the Lacina home. His family said he preferred not to be center stage, although he liked to play for oth-ers’ enjoyment.

When it came to video games, Jon was a force to be reckoned with. A “fearsome player,” Jon’s gaming prowess led him to victories nearly every time he played — whether he had put in hours of practice or he was just playing a game for the first time.

“He was like, too good,” Joe said, shaking his head and laughing as he recalled Jon’s ex-ceptional “Halo” skills.

Joe said Jon could be found playing intense, violent games like “Halo,” one day, and “Har-vest Moon,” a farm simulation game, the next. Alesia remem-bers him enjoying games that involved finding small objects.

“He liked small things,” Ale-sia said.

That appreciation of small things is evident in some of Jon’s artwork, particularly the piece “Pinecone Bear.” Jon especially enjoyed producing digital art-work, using a digital tablet. He had considered going to graduate school for video game design, or as Tom said, “super-sizing” his time at Iowa State to pick up an English minor.

He liked languages, Alesia said, and loved Japanese and Korean culture. When Tom and Alesia visited Jon in Ames, they often went out for sushi. Food, including sushi, was often on Jon’s Christmas lists, and he es-pecially liked hors d’oeuvres, his

mother recalled.Although he wasn’t a very

talkative person, Tom and Ale-sia both kept in touch with Jon regularly, through e-mail and phone correspondence.

“He chose his words care-fully, and was usually worth lis-tening to when he spoke,” Tom said.

When his family discovered he was missing, they didn’t think he had run away. In the time before Jon’s body was found, Tom said they were “in some re-spects, in grieving for 10 weeks.”

The Lacinas said they share a deep appreciation for the po-lice officers’ diligence, and say they have found tremendous support in the Grinnell and ISU communities.

“We embrace, intellectually, the notion that if Jon were here, he’d be hitting us over the head and saying, ‘Hey, live your lives,’” Tom said.

Emotionally, it’s much more difficult to accept.

“It’s something you never get over with,” Tom said.

Jon will be honored with an arts fund in his name, funded by the $10,000 reward his parents offered during the search. Joe, who currently works in Phila-delphia as an artist, will return to Grinnell for the summer to direct an artist residency pro-gram through the Grinnell Area Arts Council.

Jon’s family will continue to remember the son and brother who had an impeccable memo-ry for song lyrics and joke punch lines, whose singing talents were well-hidden and whose private nature helped him develop a few very deep, close friendships.

Moving forward, “we will live our lives and remember him for the value he brought to it, not for the absence,” Tom said.

4 | NEWS | Iowa State Daily | Monday, April 26, 2010 Editors S. Buhrman, A. Hutchins, J. Opoien, and K. Peterson | news@iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.2003

FAMILYfrom PAGE 1

Joe Lacina recalls memories of his brother and how they used to play with Lego blocks together. Their love of Legos wasn’t limited to only their childhood. This last Christmas, Joe gave Jon a gift of Legos to keep with their childhood tradition and fond memories. Photo: Karuna Ang/Iowa State Daily