WINTER 2011

COLOPHONC² is printed using a four color process on 80 lb. Discovery

Dull (text) and 100 lb. Discovery Dull (cover). Header text is

Seconda Demi and Seconda Demi Italic. Body text is Optima.

THANK YOUC² would like to thank Express Press for the superior quality

and service they provide in support of our publication.

COVER ARTTiffany Smith

Image Title: Drawn Color

Program: Graphic Design

Artist Statement: This piece was inspired by my vision of combining design and creativity within my physical self.

STAFFBrad Stulc - Managing Editor / Editor in Chief

Interior Design

Ronald Farber - Business Manager

Visual Effects & Motion Graphics

Chris Bruns - Layout Editor

Graphic Design

Chelsea Hammerbeck - Layout Assistant

Graphic Design

Eric Winkelmann - Layout Assistant

Graphic Design

Toni Gnasdoskey - Program Editor

Advertising

Robb Main - Contributor

Media Arts & Animation

Melissa Mackey - Contributor

Photography

Christopher Richardson - Contributor

Visual

ADVISORSChristopher Title - Content/Editorial Advisor

Communication Arts Instructor

Jennifer Thompson - Business Advisor

Advertising Instructor

Tim Armato - Design Advisor

Graphic Design Instructor

Anj Kozel - Publication Advisor

Director of Communications

Deb Weiss - Editorial Advisor

Communication Arts Instructor

Jeremy Frandrup - Editorial Advisor

Communication Arts Instructor

Alex CongerPhotography

LIVINGOUR MISSION:THE JOURNEY TO ACCREDITATION BY

THE HIGHER LEARNING

COMMISSION

The Art Institutes International Minnesota has been nationally accredited

by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)

since the school’s inception in 1997. ACICS has traditionally accredited

professional, technical, and occupational education programs across the

country. In 2009, an ACICS evaluation team visited our campus and gave us

a successful evaluation leading to renewal of our status through 2015. We

are very proud of the results of the 2009 visit.

Simultaneously, we have been pursuing affiliation with The Higher Learning

Commission (HLC).

The journey to accreditation by HLC began in 2007 when we submitted

a Preliminary Information Form (PIF). In 2009, we submitted a request for

initial candidacy along with a comprehensive institutional self-study titled:

Enhancing Quality: A Passion for Excellence The HLC board approved our

candidacy status in early 2010.

Now we are moving towards initial accredited status. We are currently

conducting another self-study and in the process of producing a new report

titled: Creating Tomorrow. The self-study report will prepare us for a campus

visit by members of an HLC evaluative team in early November of 2011.

The self-study is an exciting process, one of discovery, reflection and quality

improvement through assessment and action. The mission for The Higher

Learning Commission states that they are, “Serving the common good by

assuring and advancing the quality of higher learning.”

The mission of HLC and this process of accreditation fit well with the Mis-

sion and Purpose of our college: “The Art Institutes International Minnesota

is an institution of higher education offering creative and applied arts pro-

grams in a caring, inspiring environment where students can maximize their

creativity, enhance professional development, and acquire the necessary skills

and knowledge to pursue a career in their field of study”

We live our mission every day by delivering quality instruction through

committed and qualified faculty and staff in the fields of Design, Media Arts,

Culinary Arts and General Education. We are very proud of our inspiring en-

vironment, as exemplified by our new photography and digital film facilities,

just to name a few examples.

Our mission is then supported by our purpose statement: “The Art Institutes

International Minnesota fosters a culture built around learning, innovation,

and creativity. We act with integrity and embrace an enthusiasm for excel-

lence. We are committed to creating a community of caring, supportive and

involved professionals, including everyone connected with the college.” Our

purpose centers on developing a culture that supports learning and innova-

tion, and the diversity of ideas, and values, of our school community.

As I walked around our Winter 2011 portfolio show talking to students and

faculty, and presenting the best of show awards, the diversity of learning

and the excellence in education was quite evident. I mentioned in my talk

that everyone is a success at the show. I couldn’t help but be inspired by the

breadth and depth of knowledge and creativity that was evidenced in the

graduates’ portfolios. I am thankful for the process of our self-study, it allows

us to pause, take a breath, and reflect on the feedback we get from our school

constituents: students, staff, faculty, and community stakeholders.

I look forward to engaging our college community and eliciting feedback

about how we are doing on our journey toward increasing academic excel-

lence. I hope to hear from you all soon, whether in my office, through

surveys, or in my quarterly town hall meetings.

President, The Art Institutes International Minnesota

JEFFREY S. ALLEN, Ph.D.

OUR MISSION:The Art Institutes International Minnesota is an institution of higher education offering creative and applied arts programs in a caring, inspiring environment where students can maximize their creativity, enhance professional development, and acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue a career in their field of study.

OUR PURPOSE:The Art Institutes International Minnesota fosters a culture built around learning, innovation, and creativity. We act with integrity and embrace an enthusiasm for excellence. We are committed to creating a community of caring, supportive and involved professionals, including everyone connected with the college.

OUR OBJECTIVES• Enhance student success through a commitment to academic quality• Engage alumni, working professionals, and employers in opportunities for

ongoing participation in support of student learning• Emphasize the value of life-long learning with critical thinking, problem-

solving, and civic responsibility• Encourage an environment of growth through assessment and strategic

planning

Dr. Jeffrey S. Allen, Ph.D. Photo By Natalia Derevyanny

FINAL PORTFOLIO

Krystal KellermannInterior Design Graduate

FINAL PORTFOLIO

Kay KianiInterior Design

Cooking is for Culinary Arts students, right? Well, I am a Visual Effects &

Motion Graphics student, and I love good food.

I would say the only requirement to make a delectable meal is that you also love

good food. I recently had my friends over on a Friday night. While it might not

have been up to Emeril Lagasse standards, I think I did pretty well for myself.

All it took was a trip to the grocery store, a little imagination, and a desire to eat

something delicious. Even if you don’t cook like a pro, there are some very simple

things you can do (5-15 min) that will take your cooking from zero to hero.

So after wining and dining my friends, the next day rolled around and I decided it

would be a good idea to compare notes, a home cook’s and a professional’s.

I sat down with Matthew Melius, a cook at Fire Lake restaurant and Culinary Arts

student at The Art Institutes International Minnesota. Melius gained early experi-

ence growing up with German influences. He also spent a good chunk of time

in the Philippines as a cook in the navy. He was actually in Diego Garcia when

the historic Christmas tsunami hit. His interesting background with European and

Filipino-infused cooking styles can teach us something.

First of all, he wants us to open our cupboards and use whatever we already

have to make something out of the ordinary. There’s no reason we need to

traipse over to the store and spend a lot of money. We probably already have

odds and ends lying around that could combine to make something new.

Second, he wants us to participate in a student-run seminar called, “Sim-

ple College Cooking.” These sessions, this quarter led by Culinary Arts

students and PACE leaders Melius and Casey Hagford, are meant to help

fellow students explore cooking options at home using basic ingredients

that we probably already have in our pantries. Each session lasts a half

hour and explores a different theme. This quarter’s focus was on “no heat”

cooking and covered desserts, snacks, and sandwiches.

No matter what the reason, whether you want to impress a date, to relieve your

usual cook for a night, or to escape what Matt calls, “...cold this and cold that,” feel

free to come down to Simple College Cooking. Just check the aim resources page for

the next session and be prepared for some mouth-watering knowledge.

As for my meal, I discovered a few ways to improve it; by adding more color to

the meal, such as reds, yellows, and greens, I could have made it more vibrant and

appetizing. The idea hadn’t even occurred to me, so I was happy for the input.

So the next time you reach into that nearly empty fridge or turn to that

dusty pantry and pull out another package of ramen noodles, give it some

flair with this simple recipe for Yakasoba (then you can tell people you

made something fancy, no reason to tell them it was easy too).

And don’t feel like this is a rigid recipe, just open the fridge and use what is

there. Most importantly, enjoy your meal, don’t just shovel it down.

Visual Effects & Motion Graphics

Christopher Richardson

YAKASOBAYACK YACK

Photo By Melissa Mackey

Ingredients• Enough left over beef or chicken equal to the size of one steak or one chicken breast (can be dark meat too, as long as there is enough)• 3 packs of ramen noodles(brand doesn’t really matter, put aside flavoring packet)• Celery stalk (chopped)• Carrot (chopped)• 1 cup of shredded lettuce• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar• Dash of soy sauce• 3 tablespoons of oil

Directions1. Make ramen noodles as directed, drain but don’t rinse 2. Heat a big, heavy skillet to the max, bring oil to temperature and then add meat, once heated, add brown sugar and soy sauce (to taste)3. Add celery and carrot and heat through, then add lettuce4. Keep stirring, add ramen5. Season with soy to taste and bon appetite!

Photos By Melissa Mackey

2010 STUDENT POETRY CONTEST WINNER

Chelsie St. PeterIntior Desiogn

DIGITAL DRAWING

Tiffany SmithGraphic Design

This piece was inspired by my vision of combining design and creativity within my physical self.

A CHEF’S ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY

My father always told me, “If you are not part of the solution, then you

are part of the problem.” This expression of responsibility has served me

well throughout life and definitely my culinary career. As a chef begin-

ning a career, I acknowledge not only the responsibility of my role as a

chef in the community, but also the privilege.

A chef has a rare gift, a skill, one that not only satisfies the wants of the

community but one that can fulfill one of the great needs of the com-

munity. That is to provide food, one of the necessities of life. Chefs train

so they not only understand food, but they master it.

In a time in history when nearly anything we desire can come in a box,

chefs set out to have others rediscover the joy of food. They also unfortu-

nately live at a time when so many go without.

A chef’s role in the community must not only be to share enjoyment of the

food arts, but they must take this gift and provide for those who don’t have.

The old adage is true: give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man

to fish and he will eat for a lifetime. Chefs can do both; how remarkable!

Nearly 14.6% of households in the United States are currently food insecure

and struggle with hunger, according to the Economic Research Service of the

United States Department of Agriculture. Responsible chefs can lessen hunger

by participating in food distribution programs and education programs that

reach out to the community and enable people to prepare delicious and nutri-

tious meals in ways that accommodate financially strapped families.

With the encouragement of Chef Seth Bixby-Daugherty, my first Culinary

Arts instructor at The Art Institutes International Minnesota, I have been given

great opportunities to help fulfill my role as a chef in the community. I have

the great fortune of being a part of Cooking Matters.

Cooking Matters is a function of a national organization called Share Our

Strength, whose main goal is to end childhood hunger. Run in conjunction

with the University of Minnesota, Cooking Matters offers classes that teach

young mothers, and others, the skills necessary to cook well-balanced, nutri-

tional meals in an economical fashion. With the help of volunteer culinary and

nutrition experts, Cooking Matters participants learn how to select nutritious

and low-cost ingredients and prepare them in ways that provide the best

nourishment possible. I have been able to teach several classes through the

Cooking Matters program, open to both children and adults. During each class,

participants learn valuable nutrition guidelines that can be used in their

everyday lives; they also get to prepare healthy menu items and then take food

home with them, so they can share the lesson with their families.

This is just one of the many roles a chef can play in the community. Feeding this

nation is a large job, but it is one that can be accomplished. The more chefs who ful-

fill their role in the community, the closer we get as a nation to a future without hunger.

Mary C. Matthews Culinary Arts

“Civilization as it is known today could not have evolved, nor can it survive,

without adequate food supply.” - Norman Borlaug

Mary C. Matthews & Participants Photo By Ashley Raasch

Mitchell GearhartInterior Designer

WHO ARE THEY?

Jason Engen is in his second year at Ai Minnesota in the Web Design & Interactive Media program. Originally from Iowa, Jason now calls Minnesota his home as he grew up in Blaine, Minnesota. After working as a graphic designer for over 10 years, Jason has returned to school to add new media arts skills to his repetoire. Jason is also an avid pho-tographer and has been dabbling in video production.

Jason Engen

Maggie Hafenbreidel is originally from South Dakota, and is in her last year of the Media Arts and Animation program. Since coming to Ai Minnesota, Maggie has enjoyed every minute of being in the Animation program, as well as her time spent in PACE and working in the Equipment Cage. Post graduation she plans on moving to California with hopes of attending film school to major in Cinematography and Editing. Also, it is known that she is a die-hard Harry Potter fan, and enjoys reading quite a bit in her free time.

Maggie HafenbreidelJennifer Mannhardt is a senior Graphic Design student origi-nally from Davenport, Iowa. She is currently a design intern at Clarke University in Iowa, and one day aspires to work in the Marketing industry. Jennifer’s two loves are all things print, and a good coffee shop. While at Ai Minnesota, she has been the Co-Vice President for both National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) and Ai’s Graphic Design group (AiGD).

Jennifer Mannhardt

Hannah Lloyd has come to Ai Minnesota from a small southern Illinois town, known as O’Fallon, which is ap-proximately twenty minutes outside of St. Louis, Missouri. In her first year of the Graphic Design Bachelors program, she became interested in the profession after being the Design Editor for her high school yearbook. In the future, she hopes to focus more on the print side of things and start her own shop, focusing on wedding invitations and event planning. However, she would not mind working on the corporate side, creating layout designs.

Hannah Lloyd

Jorah Hintzman is in her second year of the Photography program at Ai Minnesota. Being part of an army family, she’s had the pleasure of living in several states. Within the realm of photography, she gravitates towards nature photography and architecture. She also has the distinct honor of having her work showcased in both the 16 x 16 x 16 Exhibition and the Ai Min-nesota Annual Juried Student Exhibition in 2010. In addition, she received the President’s Choice Purchase award for a piece taken in Loring Park labeled as “Untitled.”

Jorah Hintzman

Ben Lodge is in the Media Arts and Animation program, and is from Scandia, Minnesota. Within his discipline, Ben tends to devote the majority of his time to 3D work. Both modeling and texturing have been a hobby of his for years, and he is enjoys putting in long hours on a project to ensure the end result looks good. Also, he has a growing interest in physical anatomy, which he is able to express through drawing and sculpting. Lodge says, “In terms of Media Arts and Animation, sculpture is a great way to explore shape and form. Working with clay first makes digital work much easier later in a project.”

Ben Lodge

Tyler “Ty” Titus from Owatonna, Minnesota is in his second quarter of the Digital Film and Video production program. Ty lives for movies, and is eager to be a part of the film production process post graduation. One of Tyler’s accomplishments includes intern-ing at a local printing company called J-C Press, where he had the opportunity to learn more about the industry as well as develop his creative art skills. Ty also describes the biggest lesson he’s learned in life as, “you win some, you lose some, but in the end you come out with a new experience.”

Tyler Titus

THE PACE LEADERS

ART WORK

Jennifer Mannhardt

Ben Lodge

Jorah Hintzman Hannah Lloyd

Jason Engen

Tyler Titus

Maggie Hafenbreidel

IT’S ALL RELATIVE2010: A YEAR IN SCIENCE

A SCIENCE UPDATE WITH JEFF BURKET

With each passing year, the inexorable march of technology produces a

new wave of discoveries and disappointments, and 2010 has been no

exception. We still don’t have flying cars, clean energy, or a cure for cancer.

Nevertheless, science has made some amazing leaps forward over the past year.

In this issue, I will briefly outline some of these achievements.

Perhaps the single most significant accomplishment has been in the area

of biochemistry: the creation of the first synthetic organism. Entrepreneur

J. Craig Venter, one of the scientists responsible for the completion of the

human genome project, chemically fabricated the genome of the bacteria

Mycoplasma mycoides in the laboratory. Venter’s team then inserted a

gene designed to change the color of the organism, and successfully

transplanted the entire genome into the cell of a related bacterium that

had been stripped of its own DNA. The result was a unique new species,

tentatively referred to as Mycoplasma laboratorium.

It is important to note that life was not created from scratch in this

experiment, as an existing living cell was used as a shell for the manufac-

tured DNA sequence. Nevertheless, the scientific, philosophical, and ethical

ramifications of this feat of genetic engineering are staggering. Proponents are

hopeful that organisms can be modified to excrete bio fuels, produce phar-

maceuticals, and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and oceans.

Opponents of the research argue that scientists are “playing God”

in an extraordinarily dangerous fashion, and that the accidental or intentional

release of a manufactured species into the environment could have unfore-

seen and potentially disastrous consequences on world ecosystems.

In other news, a twenty-five year study conducted by psychiatrist Nanette Gar-

trell of the University of California, San Francisco, concluded that children of

lesbian couples conceived by artificial insemination not only exhibit no

negative psychological side effects as a consequence of same-sex parenting, but

tend to score higher in both social and academic competence than their peers.

Exciting things are also happening in physics. The European Space Agency has

recently produced the most

complete map of the universe

to date, the Large Hadron

Collider continues to pry ever

deeper into the fundamental

nature

of matter, the Kepler Space

Telescope is poised to find

earthlike planets around dis-

tant stars, and the ITER reactor

under construction in Europe

could finally unlock the

secrets of controlled nuclear

fusion.

What does the future of scientific inquiry hold for us? It’s nearly impossible to

say as the truth is often far stranger than the imagination can predict. However,

science is often driven in part by science fiction. We have automatically

opening doors, space stations, and Star Trek style communicators (cell phones-

some even flip open) to name a few examples.

The Very Light Car may not fly, but the prototype seats four passengers,

passes standard safety tests, and gets 100 mpg with a conventional combustion

engine. Whether or not it can be mass produced at an affordable price remains

to be seen, but engineers are optimistic. Meanwhile, in China and Japan, there

are restaurants in which all service is conducted by a series of Star Wars-like

“droids.” Artificial intelligence and robotics have advanced to the point of

producing extremely lifelike androids, robots designed to resemble human be-

ings. One company is already selling a “companion” model, which is custom

programmed to behave, converse, and um, well, you know, according to

buyers’ specifications. It is likely that such androids will one day perform many

jobs that humans find menial, distasteful, or dangerous.

Perhaps even more ambitious are plans by Bigelow Aerospace, a privately owned

company, to produce a fleet of space taxis, hotels, and a moon base. The company

claims that it will manufacture a low cost spacecraft capable of carrying several

passengers into orbit by 2015. That’s right: ordinary people like you and me will

probably be able to visit outer space within our lifetimes. Very cool.

Natural Sciences and Mathematics Instructor

Jeff Burkett

Jeff Burket Photo By Melissa Mackey

Alex CongerPhotography

FINAL PORTFOLIO

Kay KianiInterior Design

For many students, health care is not a priority. We’re too busy manag-

ing schoolwork, schedules, work, and home life to be bothered. Too

often though, an injury or illness puts us in the hospital before we real-

ize how prohibitive the cost of health care can be.

Many of us have no insurance or inadequate coverage. In 2008, thirty percent of

young adults, “nearly 13 million,” were uninsured, according to JoAnne Allen in a

Reuters report. A 2008 National Health survey cited in Allen’s report claims, “Young

adults with no insurance were four times as likely as those with private insurance

and two times as likely as those with Medicaid to have unmet medical need.”

Moreover, according to officials at the U.S. Department of Health and Hu-

man Services, one in six young adults is affected by a chronic illness such

as cancer, diabetes, and asthma. It’s no stretch to suggest that nearly half of

uninsured students have trouble paying any medical bills they incur.

As students transition into the job market, they often have entry-level jobs,

part-time jobs, jobs in small businesses, or freelancing and other employment

that may be void of employer-sponsored health insurance.

For many Americans it has been difficult to obtain comprehensive and afford-

able health care coverage. With the passing of the Patient Protection and Afford-

able Care Act (PPACA), and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act

(HCERA), about thirty-two million formerly uninsured Americans are slated to

gain coverage, according to Merrill Goozner writing for Kaiser Health News.

According to the authors of “A New Day for Health Care in America” at

HealthCare.gov, these laws contain reforms that will help citizens gain new

rights and benefits, including health care coverage for more children, ending

lifetime and most annual limits on care, and giving patients access to

recommended preventative services without cost-sharing. The PPACA aims

to provide comprehensive health insurance reforms that will hold insurance

companies more accountable, lower heath care costs, guarantee more health

care choices, and enhance the quality of heath care for all Americans.

Assuring that the information is available to consumers, the law provides

websites that compare health insurance coverage options and assist consumers

looking to choose the coverage that works best for them.

There is also a greater focus on preventative care, which can reduce health

costs dramatically by improving health and limiting the effects of potentially

serious illnesses. Access to preventative services such as diabetes and choles-

terol testing, cancer screenings, and vaccinations will be offered free.

The ability of many young adults to be covered under their parent’s coverage

benefits many students. According to the new guidelines, if you are under the age

of 26, you can still be insured (as a dependent) as a part of your parent’s coverage.

According to the Health Reform Resource Center, a recent proposal by the

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) allows students enrolled in

their college or university health plans the same protections under the PPACA.

The Act allows HHS to take steps to preserve market stability while ensur-

ing student health plans remain affordable until the new coverage options,

through state-based exchanges, are established in 2014. Proposed regulations

include: no lifetime limits on coverage, no arbitrary denial of coverage, and no

pre-existing condition exclusions for students under 19.

The new reforms will apply to all new health care plans and many existing ones

as they are renewed. Many of the benefits of the new laws have already taken

effect as of March 2010, while other reforms will be introduced through 2014.

As students, we should know what our options are and do some research into

the PPACA and how it directly affects us. After all, the consequences of injury

or illness for those without adequate coverage can be catastrophic.

Media Arts & Animation

HEA LTH CARE.. .

ARE YOU COVERED?by Robb Main

2010 STUDENT POETRY CONTEST WINNER

Brandon LepastiPhotography

This photo was made for my location class. We had to photo-graph something big (car, boat, train, etc.). I decided to go with a vintage scene of a couple stranded on the side of the road.

This photo was made for my Digital Dark-room class. The assignment was to come up with two tableau images. I decided to make up a scene of a woman who is a little rough around the edges and her cat.

Brandon LepastiPhotography

Shoot withered green and veins of brown, the blood burnt

dry inside the hollow sprout unfolding, tied down fountain

buried under self. Pressing leaf on root while straining for

someone to lift or pluck, tangled in a shadow of a thought

while doubt is bright inside this. Wishing well. The poison

is not the problem. Locusts all die down. I don’t know if

the sun exists, but if it does I bet it’s beautiful. Casts of

blue on orange in stripes that smear across the landscape

are the closest I can come, but I see fragments in my very

breath. Family, genus, name detached. Only friend is dis-

tance. Hollow in a parasite field, dancing in the whipping

wind, gushing life, bleeding myself back into reality. The

openness under a sheet of mirror and plastic indulgence,

bursting flames like watercolor, struggling and splitting like

skin over muscle, swimming in infinity, clearing away the

rubber dolls as strands of green reach out to me, push past

the sand through glass where time is gone and dimension

can’t have hold on me. Stretching leaves and veins of blue,

springing gold cascading, reaches with bulging sapphire

ribbons, straining for her beauty. I’ll fly when my eyes are

open and the silver veil is lifted.

Wishing Well

2010 STUDENT POETRY CONTEST WINNER

Melanie EifflerMedia Arts & Animation

FINAL PORTFOLIO

Kay KianiInterior Design

Ahley WilliamsIntior Design

FINAL PORTFOLIO

Krystal KellermannInterior Design Graduate

#2#1

#3 ?