Is common sense a common virtue?

Former LCC president on present day issues

Photos by Jeff Schechter 

Campus Man: Dr. Herder, a man of many hats.                   Friends and colleagues: Dr. Herder and Professor Stewart talk shop.

Jeff Schechter
A&E Editor

Dr. Dale Herder has been a figure at Lansing Community College for over 40 years. He helped to build the campus that we have all come to know and love. The distinguished professor helped to establish many programs that are still active here at the college, and he has touched many lives and worn many hats.

Dr. Herder has been a high-school dropout, a naval officer, a husband, a mentor, and now he is an author.

With the publication of “Common Sense Rediscovered.” Dr. Herder travels onto ground that too few have traveled. He is making an argument that will urge others to think. Simply that…think. The book is an analysis of the attacks on 9/11 and the implications and impact it has had on America. It is also about the lack of urgency in the hearts of many Americans, it is a history lesson and a platform for a moral and important statement.

After working on a manuscript for close to 20 years, the content and message was not flowing the way Dr. Herder had hoped. Then the tragedy of September 11, 2003 occurred. This acted as a catalyst for Dr. Herder. He instantly felt an urge to do... something.

His first instinct was to put his uniform back on, but his age and retirement had him look to a different kind of service. A moral service. An intellectual service. Dr. Herder decided to use his experience as a world traveler, and administrator to write. And write he did.

In this day and age it is rare to read a book with such a moral and idealistic perspective. The arguments are concise, and offered both in historical as well as a context that is pertinent to present day, and gives a foundation for a difference to be made in the future.

"The book is not intended to be either liberal, or conservative," says the good doctor. "I am simply trying to present the facts, as I see them. Hopefully set aside my, and urge others to set aside their predisposition. And I want to prompt readers to think."
When asked why he wrote this book, Dr. Herder says it was a moral choice. He has traveled the world, seen many places, experienced many people and enjoyed many cultures. All this has always brought him in full circle to the steadfast appreciation of being born and raised an American citizen.

"Without experiencing others things in life, outside the U.S society has become too theoretical," Dr. Herder starts. "I am not a member of any political party, nor am I affiliated with any specific religion. I am now retired, and free to speak my mind as I feel, and expound on the things that I see. I feel that is my duty"

“Common Sense Rediscovered” is very well written, and at 117 pages a short read as well. The structure makes the arguments easy to digest, and open for interpretation into a reader's own beliefs, and it will spark afterthought for days. Dr. Herder does a fine job balancing the Arabic perspective on moderm issues, and gives heavy reference to the position the U.S plays in global perception. A remarkably interesting book, regardless of your political beliefs, this book applies to everyone.

“Common Sense Rediscovered” is available at Gibson's, as a well as Schuler Books, and can also be found in the LCC library.

LCC arts program welcomes 7-year-old comic-book star

She’s got the whole world in her little hands.

On her way: Her experiences in college level courses have been exciting for young Layne Toth.. Here she works on a new illustration.

In the works: Early rendering of Layne’s “Meow-Wow.”

Jeff Schechter
A&E Editor

Layne Toth is having an incredible year in her young career.

After signing a comic book deal and making her rounds on the comic book convention and expos in the U.S and Canada, this talented 7-year-old is starting classes at LCC.

That’s right, 7 years old. This makes Layne Toth the youngest student to ever attend the college. Being enrolled in advanced art classes for the fall semester is going to be a big change for such a little girl.

Sitting in on Layne’s advanced art classes, one is immediately struck by a rather surreal experience. The art program has set up a smaller table just for her in the center of the room, and, amidst all this activity and lectures, there sits this young girl drawing in a notebook.

This could be any child, simply doodling away in daydream, but not Layne, she has a deadline to meet.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of all is the fact this child doesn’t seem to be affected by any of it. She tells how she can’t wait to have the comic go to presses, so that she can spend her time playing with her friends and riding her bike.

She likes the comics of her colleague Chris Yambar of “Mr. Beat” fame (www.yambar.com). She also enjoys “Wonder Woman” and lots of other super hero comics.

Layne’s comic, “Meow-Wow,” will be published by Airwave Comics, and distributed by Diamond Comic Distributors. With such an extraordinary little girl backed by such industry power houses, what could be next?

“ I just try to make sure she is having fun.,” said Layne’s dad, ‘Tornado” Toth is a former boxer and now a full time dad. “These are very exciting times for Layne,” he said. “There is even talk about a possible animated series for her first project ‘Faith Warrior Princess’. We will continue as long as Layne wants to.”

“Her attention to detail is amazing,” said instructor Jenny Alfredson. “Children are visual creatures by nature. It is the first way we learn. When children reach somewhere between the ages of 7and 14 the creativity drops off, for whatever reason. Having Layne here now is a privilege and benefit for her. This will be a very encouraging group.”

Although Layne cannot actually get credit for the course, she will be on the curriculum records. Auditing the course is fine for this 7-year- old. For her it is all exciting.

“At first I was so nervous,” spouts the smiling, blonde- haired youngster. “Walking around, I would say, ‘Dad, I am so nervous.’” Layne said with a laugh. “But now, its no big deal.”

Along with her comic book, LCC classes, and home schooling, one might wonder how all this is fit into a 7-year-old’s day. Her father accompanies her to class, and assists in any and all affairs with the comics. Plus he is just thrilled that his daughter is having a good time.

With the comic community using words like protege, and prodigy. This will probably be the first of many times you here about young Layne Toth.

Arts program director Mary Cusack said this of Layne: “As far as we know, she is the youngest student, and while she isn’t getting credit, it is quite an experience for her.”

Along with being a comic book entrepreneur, and a college student, Layne is one of the newest members of the LCC comic coalition. With the world at her artistic little fingers, and the publication of “Meow-Wow,” Layne Toth is poised to continue to surprise LCC’s student body.

Villains beware, here comes the coalition

LC4, live and in color

Creating Comics: LC4 member George Eberhardt, a Sequential Arts major, works on a new ilustration.

Photo by Adam Renault

Jeff Schechter
A&E editor

LC4, the call sign of LCC’s comic club isn’t all about super powers, and sexy costumes. It is about art, and a community of like minded artists who support and collaborate with one another to produce new, and invigorating illustrations. As well as new renders of classic comic illustrations.

LC4 began meeting in Nov. 2003, and presently has 15 regular members, as well as friends and acquaintances. The present project the group is concentrating on is a comic they were hired by LCC to do. It features the members of LC4 as the characters, and they are bringing the news of a new degree offered by the college’s Arts programs.

The Sequential Art Degree was first offered in the fall of 2003, and is a rare degree.

“ We’d like to see LCC put on the map for being a pioneer in offering a progressive art form degree,” says Eric Willmoth, the president of LC4.

The students and members of LC4 are pleased to have the Arts program taking such steps in forwarding the animation scene and illustration markets. The club is making significant strides in getting animation established, and focusing on places and professions offering employment as storytellers and artists.

Any new students interested in getting involved with LC4 and their weekly meeting can go to room 311 in the AOF building on Tuesdays from 5-6 p.m. There are also flyers going up around campus with contact information.

Readers need to be on the watch for a new comic by members of LC4 featured in “The Lookout.”

That’s me...on point

Jeff Schechter
A&E Editor

 The point is, in a discussion I had with Dr. Dale Herder I was more intellectually stimulated I have been in a long time. You see, I have recently transitoned from military life to being a college student. I fear that my life is now slipping into complacency. That brings me to my first of three points.

1. As a society we have been cushioned from the horrors of dire necessity. Life may have been difficult. Hardships and tragedy may have occurred. However, in the Middle East much of society lives in such squalor, it is a bothersome thing for me to remember. Americans have collectively been spoon fed, yet complain of how it tastes. Go to other regions of the world, and people starve. They starve for freedom, they starve for opportunity, and they literally starve from a shred of nutrition and compassion.

The point is a large number of poor Americans are over weight?

2. Too many times in American society we are afforded the opportunity to be over critical of the choices we have made as a nation, yet these naysayers do nothing about it. I respect the right to do such a thing, and believe whole heartedly that it is the responsibility of a people to be active in the democratic process. Why does much of society find better things to do, then vote? Yet the majority of those who fail to take action remain critical.

3. With the rise in the popularity of Anti- Bush, and Anti-War, and in many cases an Anti- American attitude, why does society still gorge itself on the benefits of living in this great nation. Collectively, America is living fat off the legacy of others, the sacrifice of others, the blood and sweat of others. Collectively, we say too much, and do too little.

On a college campus we have the privilege to speak freely and, hopefully intelligently on our beliefs and or opinions. Good, I am glad that we can do that. But, I am disturbed at how freely many of my peers, indirectly, and unknowingly spit on the memory of those who have done so much, and are no longer here to enjoy the spoils of their actions.

I am not passing judgment on any one group, any one school of though, political or religious affiliation. My point is simply that I am tired of fence sitters speaking their mind, when they have not gone down that road, or refuse to do anything about it.

So, in the words of Dr. Dale Herder I urge all of you to start putting legs under our ideas,' and collectively we will make it.

I urge you to think.
I urge you to remember.
I urge you to vote.
If you don’t, then you just missed the point.