Three people were injured after a car flipped over a curb into McDonald's parking lot, damaging five vehichles.

Tyler Kanouse, 19, of Sand Lake, Mich., allegedly lost control of his vehicle and rolled into four parked cars. Eye witness accounts said Kanouse’s car began to accelerate shortly before he hit the curb.

“It looked like he was going 90 mph!” said Rebekah Shane, pre-mortuary science major and witness to accident. “We saw the tires smoking from the speed, then the car began to fish tail.”

Most witnesses agreed that Kanouse had been speeding down State Street’s 35 mile per hour zone.

Shane, along with friend Andrew Torwbridge, an applied mathematics major, were walking across the formerly China Fair restaurant parking lot when the accident occurred. Both said the light was green when Kanouse’s vehicle sped up. They also saw Kanouse’s car flip three times before it finally stopped in front of Anne Mason, 45, of Big Rapids.

According to witnesses, no one was badly injured and most emerged from their vehicles without assistance.

Kanouse was taken to Mecosta County Medical Center, along with Mason. Both had minor injuries. One of the men refused treatment at the scene. The accident is currently under further investigation.

Part one of a two part series describing off campus activities for students.

With spring break over and the end of the semester nearly two months away, many students may wonder how to ail the restlessness of the coming spring. Unknown to many students, Big Rapids has a variety of places and events that keep students entertained while keeping their wallets full.

The Sawmill Saloon offers students ages 21 and up the opportunity to listen to live music and play their own music. Wednesday night open mic nights have become a fast favorite for student Erin Theut, a preoptometry major.

“It’s a great place to come after a long day,” said Theut. “It’s laid back and a fun place to dance.”

Open mic nights also give students Blake Aslin, automotive engineering major, and Nick Blohm, television production major, the opportunity to share their musical talents.

“The crowd gets into it,” said Aslin, who has been playing at the Sawmill for two months. “The people are down to earth and it’s something to do every Wednesday night.”

Scotty Hicks, Sawmill bartender, drummer for local band Poor Boys Relief, and history education major, believes the open mic nights allow students to mingle with the community.

“It’s a great atmosphere for both college students and local people,” said Hicks. “You don’t get that a lot anywhere.”

In addition to open mic nights, the Sawmill offers hotdog nights and has opened the back patio which has a horseshoe pit.

Pepper’s Café, located at 121 N. Michigan Avenue, also features an open mic night on Thursdays and Fridays. Although the open mic night is a recent attachment, student Chris Jane, music industry management major (MIM) thinks it will become a great place for students to hang out and strongly encourages all students to perform.

Students Scott Neuenschwander and Marshall Oliver, both MIM majors, think Pepper’s is great place to enjoy time with friends.

“It’s a nice place and has free entertainment.” Said Neuenschwander.

Oliver thinks that many students miss out on what the Big Rapids has to offer by going home every weekend.

“There a lot of things that are free and fun to do,” said Oliver. “If students stay in town they’ll see that.”

Kelly Krantz, assistant manager, says that Pepper’s is also considering opening their establishment to poetry readings and art displays, however plans are not concrete.

The MIM students also produce FSU Unplugged every Wednesday night at Biggby from 7p.m to 9 p.m. Students are encouraged to support and participate with open mic style night.

Star Shooters, home of the hot wing eating contest, is a favorite for many students. Located at 120 S. Michigan Ave., it features a variety of events and specials throughout the week to keep the college mind occupied.

Monday nights Star Shooters has karaoke while on Tuesday nights the bar hosts an open mic night with no cover fee. Eighties night, sports, black light, and catholic schoolgirls are many of the theme party nights that Shooters offer students. They also host local bands like Poor Boys Relief, who recently played a CD release party on March 21.

Rob Kartanys, event coordinator, says Star Shooters will be having another theme party before the semester ends, however he did not confirm a theme. Thursday nights through the weekend from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. are the DJ's mix music.

DJ Johnny J and DJ Q have been previous acts. The Friday after class special, or FAC, starts every Friday from noon to 3 p.m. Students 21 and up pay a $2 cover charge on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday after 9 p.m. while students 18-20 pay a $5 cover charge.

Coming next issue: The Gate, Schubergs, public parks, artworks and more.

Ferris printing program has nurtured a national champion in printing as part of an international competition.

Amela Mujkic, a senior at Ferris, earned the title of national champion in printing technology last spring and will now represent the nation at the WorldSkills competition.

The contest was one area of a career and technical abilities contest called SkillsUSA. SkillsUSA encompasses 85 skills competitions which include welding, drafting, TV production, HVACR, automotive services, dental assisting and criminal justice.

Last year, Mujkic was one of 12 FSU students to progress to the national level from the state competition held annually in the Swan building at FSU. Together the students traveled to the national competition to compete in their individual events, which usually encompasses a written examination as well as a performancebased scenario.

This year Mujkic competed at the WorldSkills qualifying competition. As a winner of the national event last spring Mujkic had to compete against two other national champions to determine which individual would represent the United States at the WorldSkills contest. Along with the title comes a scholarship and an eight week internship with one of the printing industry’s leaders, Heidelberg, in order to better prepare Mujkic for the international WorldSkills event.

In addition to the personal benefits of winning at the national level, the winner’s school also receives a free one year lease of a Heidelberg printing press with an option to buy at the end of the second year. Ferris’ printing program has now had the use of a press for three years and there are talks of buying the press for the program.

The use of press was originally won by another Ferris student, James O’Gorman when he won the national competition in 2007. However at the time there were not sufficient funds to allow O’Gorman to compete at the qualifying round. When O’Gorman won his title the United States chose not to compete at the WorldSkills in the printing event.

The next step in Mujkic’s competitive journey is at the biannual WorldSkills competition in Alberta, Canada at the end of the summer.

Mujkic said, “I am excited to have earned the opportunity to represent Ferris and Heidelberg at the international level.”

Another of the competitors from Ferris in the printing competition was Mike Fleming who has been competing in SkillsUSA events since his senior year in high school. Fleming won the national high school competition two years ago which allowed him to compete in the national qualifying competition this year against Mujkic.

Fleming received third place at the qualifying national competition with only 34.5 points separating him and Mujkic.

Fleming said, “Each year the competition gets harder but it is a great opportunity to get to meet people from all over the nation.”

According to both Mujkic and Fleming, one of the best parts of being involved in SkillsUSA is the networking that competitors are able to do with companies in their respective industries.

“After a few times competing the judges and industry leaders start to know you by name and that will be extremely helpful when seeking employment in the near future,” Said Fleming.

Mujkic and Fleming were both grateful to Pat Klarecki, printing and imaging technology management department chair, for his efforts in making these competitions a success. Mujkic said, “Klarecki invests a great deal of his time into coordinating the events and the competition probably wouldn’t happen without him.”

Klarecki will serve as Mujkic’s coach throughout the training and competition process at the WorldSkills contest. Klarecki said, “I am extremely excited and happy, there are really no other words to describe it. It is wonderful to see a Ferris student excel and have the opportunity to represent the United States.”

Klarecki is the printing technical expert for the team USA and along with advising he will also be partly responsible for judging the WorldSkills event. Klarecki is required to pass a certification test in order to be able to judge at the international level.

For more information about the SkillsUSA and WorldSkills competition visit their websites at skillsusa. org and worldskills.org.

Bring a Little, Taste a Little
On Wednesday, March 25 at 6 p.m. in FLITE 438 and 442 bring your favorite food and swap it for a little bit of food with an international flair and share with other attendees. For more information contact Shana Beisiegel at x2824.

“Silver Clouds”
Until Friday, March 27 in the Rankin Center Art Gallery there will be an exhibit which contains 77 helium balloons. The exhibit will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. For more information contact Carrie Weis at x2536.

Blood Drive
On Wednesday, March 25 from 12 to 5:50 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center the American Red Cross will be conducting a blood drive. Remember to bring photo identification if you wish to donate. For more information contact Alana Herron at 734-306-6152 or by email at herrona4@fsuimail.ferris.edu

Last day to “W” full semester
Thursday, March 26 is the last opportunity to withdraw from full semester spring 2009 classes.

International Forum by Dan Ding: Sojourn in China, An Insider’s View
On Thrusday, March 26 from 11 to 11:50 a.m. in Starr 136 Dan Ding will give a presentation on his recent experiences in China. For more information contact Maryanne Heidemann at x2523.

The Sixth Annual Honors Program Public Speaking Contest
On Thursday, March 26 from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Rankin Center Dome Room the sixth annual honors public speaking contest will be held. This event is free and open for all to attend. For more information contact Neil Patten at x3621.

Don’t Stress the Test (Test Anxiety)
On Tuesday, March 31 from 11 to 11:50 a.m. in Science 102 there will be a presentation on managing test anxiety as a part of the Academic Support Center Speaker Series. There is no admission charge and everyone is invited to attend. For more information contact Julie Urick at x3543.

Keith McHenry - “Food Not Bombs”
On Tuesday, March 31 from 7 to 9 p.m. in BUS 111 there will a presentation by antiwar and antipoverty food activist, which will provide listeners with “food for thought”. This event is free and open for all to attend. Attendees are encouraged to bring canned food for Project Starburst’s food bank. For more information contact Neil Patten at x3621.

With so many layoffs and economic woes, it may seem like a frightening time to look for work. But here are 10 careers that have staying power in the face of the recession.

HEADHUNTER
One company’s layoff is another’s splash in the potential employee pool. Because of downsizing there are qualified people out there without jobs, and now is a great time to find them, pick them up and place them somewhere. Both sides win.

BARTENDER
While the restaurant business may be floundering, bars won’t exactly boom, but they will be the first place people stop after getting the boot. Hey, people drink more when times are tough.

SOFTWARE/NETWORKING DEVELOPMENT
As new companies grow, here and overseas, they will need people to develop software for them to use and networks for them to communicate with. Companies need quality communication systems and programs to help them run as or more efficiently than competing companies.

PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL FINANCE ADVISOR
After unprecedented amounts of financial scandals and poor fiscal management blunders surface, people and professionals alike will crack down on bookkeeping.

REPO MAN
Sadly, as more and more people fall on hard times, they will have to start giving up their possessions in order to make ends meet. The repossession industry will reap the benefits.

COLLECTION AGENTS
Companies are going belly-up left and right. The ones that don’t want to will try as hard as they can to keep their books clean, both legally and financially. Collection agencies will have no shortage of clients as more and more companies try to clean up.

MILITARY/GOVERNMENT JOBS
More and more service members overseas are extending their tours so they don’t have to face the bleak job market back home. The government will always need people to keep it functioning. Plus, government jobs are harder to get fired from and the benefits can be sweet, especially for those with families.

NURSING AND PHARMACEUTICALS
I’m sure you’ve heard it before: the baby boomers are getting old. In the coming years there will be a seemingly endless realm of potential patients to treat, and the nursing career and pharmaceutical industry will ride the wave high.

TRUCK DRIVER
It’s not for everyone, but it’s a time-tested and classic profession. People are always going to need stuff, and that stuff will need to get places. Most of the time you will get a certain amount of time off for a certain amount of miles completed, which can mean lots of down time for rest and personal projects, and the medical and retirement benefits are a plus as well.

FUNDRAISER
Asking for money is an idea that makes many people shudder, especially when everyone seems so tight. But with green jobs on a possible brink of booming and city planning expanding, companies and contractors are going to need people to raise funds. Besides, if you’re a good fundraiser you will have a good enough relationships with your donors that asking for money shouldn’t be a big issue.

The new Vice President of medical services/quality control of Detroit’s Co/Op Optical is no stranger to Ferris. Joshua Lange O.D. graduated from Ferris State’s Michigan College of Optometry in 2004 with distinction.

Dr. Lange began his academic career at Ferris by earning an associates degree in science and then went on to earn a bachelor of science in vision science before enrolling in the optometry college.

After graduating in May of 2004 Dr. Lange secured a position at Co/Op Optical as an Optometrist and has been progressing through the ranks at the company ever since. His titles have included director of optometry, vice president of medical services, and overseer of IT department.

Matt Groen, executive director of administrative services at Co/ Op Optical said, “Ferris has the right to be extremely proud of Dr. Lange and his accomplishments.”

Groen added, “Dr. Lange has a gift in being able to take very complex ideas and break them down to effectively communicate them to patients and coworkers.”

In his time at Ferris, Dr. Lange was a member and president of Phi Delta Chi Professional Fraternity as well as the FSU optometry club. In addition, Dr. Lange was on the dean’s list throughout his entire college enrollment. Dr. Lange said, “The skills that I learned while in leadership positions during college gave me abilities that I have since been able to apply in the real world.

During Lange’s time at Ferris the biggest changes to the campus included the construction of the quad as well as the opening of the newly constructed FLITE library. Dr. Lange said, “Ferris has gone through a number of changes but I was very pleased to learn of the plans for building the new optometry building.”

Dr. Lange’s new position at Co/Op Optical requires him to manage all aspects of optometric care, including facilitating professional training for doctors and staff in addition to continuing to see patients. Co/Op Optical has a number of contracts within the Detroit area which include Chrysler and the Detroit Public School System.

Dr. Lange said, “When I took the position at Co/Op Optical it took me some time to realize the opportunities for leadership within the company.” He wants to encourage students by saying, “youth isn’t a limiting factor in what you have the ability to achieve.” For many years Dr. Lange felt like he was not as qualified because there were older individuals with more experience.

“I just kept showing that I was dedicated to the company’s success and applied the hard work and determination I practiced while in optometry school at Ferris,” said Lange.

Dr. Lange is proud of his roots at Ferris and feels that the education he received prepared him well for success in the real world.