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              1 Loyola University New Orleans THE MAROON Established 1923 • "For a Greater Loyola" VOL 78 NO. 22 http://maroon.loyno.edu FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2000 Law students raise money for Ahner Family Fund By Philip Watson Staff writer Loyola Law School is reaching deep into its pockets, and pulling out some assistance for Christopher and Jennifer Ahner. Jennifer is a second-year law student at Loyola. Her husband, Christopher, is a New Orleans police officer, who was injured in an accident on Feb. 12 as he was making a speeding stop. For a time, it was feared that he might not live. He survived, although he lost the ability to walk for a few months. He will require surgery to his neck, but the doctors expect him to make a full recovery within two years. The law school instituted the Ahner Family Fund and launched a fund drive from March 20 to April 3. "We wanted to raise some money to buy the family a lawn mower and a freezer. She was without a freezer and having to turn food away," Kathleen Breaux said. Breaux is assistant to associate law dean of Student Affairs Stephanie Jumonville. Breaux said the law school responded well to the call for assistance. "They were absolutely great. People were coming in to volunteer to cut her grass. It was great, and I hope they (the Ahners] got a nice amount," she said. "I'm just glad he's alive," Jennifer Ahner said. "He is in a lot of pain, but he's here, and that's what matters." Ahner also said she was grateful to the law school, saying that they would do whatever it took to help her family. She plans to stay at Loyola and said that Christopher will decide about returning to the force when the time comes. Jennifer said he feels better and is in good spirits. Christian ideals alive on campus By Luke Kummer Contributing writer pep mm unit V & A small but enthusiastic group gathers in the Ignatius Chapel Thursday nights for fervent sermons and jubilant hymns. Students rock back and forth, thumping Bibles against their hips to the uplifting gospel beat. They harmonize with the Holy Spirit and share their love for God with one another. The Hour of Power service, led by the Rev. Lois DeJean, inter-faith campus minister, sends students riding a fast-paced glory train that does not fall short of its name. Before DeJean came to Loyola, five years ago, the Ignatian Chapel probably never heard singing and praising like this. "Rev. D," as she is affectionately known by students on campus, works so students from various Christian faiths have an opportunity to worship in a familiar setting. Weekly attendee Traci Jackson, computer science senior, said Rev. D's service is "a little bit of home." When DeJean was appointed. Loyola offered Protestant students little that addressed their religious needs. DeJean said it was a fight just to get permission to use the chapel for the weekly Hour of Power, a nondenominational service. "It was an uphill climb, baby," DeJean said, peering over her round glasses. DeJean has called for diversity of religious faiths on campus since she came. She said she labors with the conviction that her message will resound throughout Loyola like her growing congregation's voice resonates in the chapel. STAFF PHOTO BY PHILLIP PEARSON The Rev. Judy Shema of the United Methodist Center on Freret Street prepares communion. Worship services for her student congregation are held every Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Holmes voted into top position on SGA By Ylan Mui Staff writer Ryan Holmes, music education senior, will be president of the Student Government Association for the next school year. Nine hundred forty-seven students turned out for the runoff election between Holmes and Megan Pollman, SGA vice president and biology/premed junior. Pollman received 443 votes, winning every college except music. Holmes got 504 votes and won by a landslide in the College of Music. Holmes said that he plans to talk to Joe Bellows, SGA president and finance senior, and students before he draws up concrete plans for next school year. However, he said that in general he wants to increase student involvement in SGA by increasing coprogramming with organizations such as Loyola University Community Action Program. He also emphasized the importance of trust in SGA officials. "The students voted me in because they had trust in me," he said. "I will not abuse that trust and be the best president that I can be." Pollman said that she is disappointed that Holmes opposes her idea to add a house of representatives that includes members of every campus organization to congress. "I think that congress will remain a Greek majority, and that animosity toward student government will continue," she said. She said she has not decided whether she will remain active in SGA. Going Out For Business Heidi Wied, business representative and finance freshman, defeated David Soliman. economics and business sophomore, for the business president position by 12 votes. Wied said she will also try to increase student participation in SGA. But her goals don't end there. Wied said she wants to move into the upper echelons of SGA and said she is thinking of running for vice president next year. Soliman could not be reached for comment by press time. Booth Problems Fixed Last weeks' malfunctioning voting booths were replaced by paper ballots for this week's elections. Jason Steinle, executive secretary and English literature senior, said that the electronic voting booths were not used because there was not enough time to reprogram the machines. He said the City of New Orleans requires a list of candidates to be faxed one week before the election. "It probably would've been more of a hassle," Steinle said. He said that he did not think that the re-voting had much affect on the election results. Alexandra Wesley, Arts and Sciences representative-elect and drama and communications freshman, agreed. "I don't think it mattered that much because those concerned voters See ELECTIONS, Pg. 3 See CHRISTIANITY, Pg. 4 President Arts and Sciences Representatives Ryan Holmes Heather Hollier Fred Johnson Representatives at Large Joe Joseph Michael Karam Kathyrn Keaty Luke Perez Daryll Manning Jimmy Streett Anna Roth Toni Vinterella Anthony Salinas Lindsey Sullivan Business President Leigh Thorpe Heidi Wied Alexander Wesley Business Representative Mary Fiynn ! ______ Source: SGA STAFF GRAPHIC BY CRYSTAL BOLNER What's Inside Sound Bytes  Minra PUMPING ! Indie Explosion sm FOR JESUS | yj^^ackB°"in 9 off more The Age of the Internet spells dollars fo I DJesui|Sschoiasiic pumps it up independant film industry. Page 171 CbrC3od, p. 17 Visit us at http://maroon.loyno.edu