Valparaiso University - Beacon / Record Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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THE FESTIVAL Valparaisois premier event, the Third Annual Popcorn Festival. This years was bigger and better than ever. For three days in the middle of September, the streets of Valparaiso overflowed with an estimated 90 . thousand people. Food and beverage flowed freely from sidewalk venders, with the ever-present bag of popcorn in everyone's hand. The Popcorn Panic and Popcorn Pedai bike races were held early Saturday and the parade began at mid-morning. The parade was lead by Grand Marshall Chris Schenkel, ABC sportscaster and native Hoosier. During the parade skydivers landed on the crowd, the queen floated down Lincolnway and the Drake marched to the delight of little children. The climax of the parade, however, came when Orville made his appearance. The crowd cheered as the festiVais namesake passed. The football game was a less festive occasion, as the Crusaders lost to Albion College 0-15. The weekend was rounded-out with further entertainment downtown, while the campus recuperated at various parties and a corn-roast at the Phi Sigma Epsilon house. Even as the last kernel was swept away and the floats were dismantled, Valpo turned its thoughts towards next years festival.m Clockwise President Schnabel chats with Orville and Queen Dawn Chavez. Grand MarshaliChris Schenkei iead the parade. So ciose yet so far away A young parade goer finds a curb-side seat Keeping the festive spirit.

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10 GERMAN PROF. AT VU: VON CRIEGERN They came expecting skyscrapers, cowboys, and a ttplasticf wasteful society. They found a situation that was ttnearly idyllic. Professor Axel Von Criegern and his family came to Valparaiso from Tubingen, Germany tnear Reutlingent, in August. Von Criegern taught at Reutlingen University, including courses in VU's study center there. He was invited to teach at VU because of his connection with VU's study center. Von Criegern currently teaches three courses: art history, aesthetic judgement in art and advanced graphic design. He enjoys this schedule because it allows him to work in both the theoretical and practical aspects of art. In his experience with American students at Reutlingen, von Criegern noticed differences between German and American students which are reinforced here. He finds American students more positive and not so cynical as German students. He commented that German students tend to be negative and critical; whereas, Americans are positive and open. The goodwill between students and faculty in America impressed him. He noticed that students respect the professors and are willing to listen to them as sources of information. Although German students are more critical and negative, their attitudes are changing, he added. Other differences von Criegern noticed are in the educational system itself. He found the American system of education more organized. HI think your studies are much more organized here. We are always thought to be so organized but it's not true Everything here is more organized, he commented. The use of tests and frequent papers is another difference, noted von Criegern. He commented that, ill find the need to be tested strange. In Germany, the studies are freer; the students only have final exams in their courses. Von Criegern felt that this difference could be explained by the cost of education. Universities in Germany are free to the student; the state pays for the education. Because parents or students pay for the education in the United States, they want to know what they are learning, which they measure by tests and papers. Von Criegern has training and experience in a wide variety of fields. He began his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart, specializing in illustration. Although von Criegren enjoyed the actual creative work in art, he had promised his parents that he would not be a tree lance artist. As an alternative, he decided to become a teacher, Von Criegern continued his education at the University of Stuttgart, where he studied political science and art history. After his time at the University of Stuttgart, von Criegern qualified to teach, but he was not ready to teach full time. Thus, he taught part time while he continued to take courses and work on graduate degrees, Von Criegern described this as a livery exciting time. I was my own sponsor. It was a good feeling to be so free. He also felt his students benefitted from his graduate studies, as he could share what he learned with them. Along with his studies and teaching, von Criegern wanted to keep practicing art. He worked with a newspaper for a year as a cartoonist and had his own comic strip for that year. He also illustrated several books and has continued to do so since then. Von Criegern is a prolific writer, too. He served as a newspaper art critic, has written 80 or 70 magazine articles and currently publishes an art education magazine, HKunstpadaogik, with three other men. In addition, von Criegern has written seven books. His most recent book is an art instruction book for laymen. He wanted to bring theory and practice together in terms laymen could understand. HI wanted to help people to learn to draw for the theater, in a report, for their own enjoyment, or in a boring meeting. A unique feature of this book is the type. Von Criegern and the publisher decided to have the entire book handwritten, not typeset. HThe idea is that all set script puts a technological difference between the reader and writer so we thought this would lower the barrier. Although the von Criegerns have been enjoying life in the United States, the decision to come was difficult. Von Criegern commented that itThere were a lot of barriers we had to push away. They had just bought a medieval house and were renovating it. His wife, Gudrun, who is an active antique collector, was doing much of the renovating and enjoying it. Another barrier was getting permission to leave Germany. Von Criegern mentioned that, nl had to ask the government whether I could go and the school year in Germany goes until July, so I did not have a lot of time to prepare for coming here? The van Criegerns have had little trouble adjusting to life in the United States. Gudrun, and their children, Annette, 14, and Marc, 12, have each found their place in Valparaiso. Gudrun takes classes in English and weaving and is collecting antiques; Annette plays the cymbals and marches in the V.H.S. band; and Marc plays on Immanuel Lutheran school's soccer team. Both Annette and Marc are taking Latin and, in addition, Annette is taking Greek. The land and the climate are quite familiar and the people quite triendly, according to von Criegern, nEveryone knows that it is one of the best sides of the American character - being helpful and friendly. It is one thing to know and another thing to experience it. We have had no problems being intergrated into this town. mi