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

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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

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12 MICHAEL STANLEY BAND The life of a band on the road is never an easy one. Yet this is the life that Stanley loves. i'lf it ever stops being fun, wetll stop. The Micael Stanley Band kicked off Homecoming weekend by playing to an enthusiastic crowd at Hilltop Gymnasium Thursday night. The group played for two hours without a break and was called back for two encores. The concert featured some outstanding numbers highligted by great talent and professionalism on the part of the band members. The band opened with ttln The Heartland, a single off their new album nNorth Coast About half of the song the group played were from that aibum. Stanley mixed some earlier material with his latest efforts, giving a fairly representative sampling of his music By the fourth song, ttHeaven and Hell, the crowd was responding well to the band and screaming for more. The music the band played also varied in tempo. Let's Get the Show on the Road, a slower love ballad was extremely well done. The song began with an outstanding organ solo by Bob Pelander, followed by Rick Bell on the saxophone. When Michael Stanley sat on the front of the stage to add the vocals, girls crowded the stage When the band swung into the last song of the set, ttHe Can't Love You, the audience went wild, with everyone standing and waving, clapping and singing. The crowd stayed on its feet through the following two encores which totalled another four songs. The closing song, tiStrike It Up, brought the show to a perfect conclusion. The crowd was treated to solos from bassist Michael Gismondi and sax player Rick Bell, as Michael Stanley milked the crowd for cheers and made them sing along. After such a tremendous finish, the crowd just did not want to let the band off the stage. Of course, each member of the band had a chance to show his talent. Tommy Dobeck played a stunning drum solo during HPainesviiie - a new song Stanley occasionally traded the vocais with keyboard players Kevin Raleigh and Bob Pelander, which added another dimension to the bands sound. One of the most visible band members on the stage was lead guitar player Gary Markasky. He and Stanley were in constant motion on the stage, adding to the energy of the music. Several times Markasky jumped from the upper riser onto the stage, a move which brought cheers everytime. Stanley himself attracted a lot of attention with sensuous hip movements reminiscent of Elvis. The sound and lighting, done by Jam Sound and Specialite, a professional outfit, added to the excellence of the show. All in all, it was a tremendously enjoyable event, and a sensational beginning to Homecoming '81. There were only two minor flaws. There was a slight problem with the sound pick-up on Michael Stanley's guitar at one point in the concert. The band might have performed He sent Love You, perhaps its best known song, earlier in the set, as it was the number which sparked the biggest response from the audience- thus the crowd might have been more fired up for some of the group's lesser known music. As a side note, it was also unfortunate that no more than 1,000 or so people made it to the concert, because those that did certainly enjoyed themselves. However, these tttlaws were so minor so as not to detract from the show, which was a fantastic time. mi