SPACE MATTERS CLASS ROSTER

1997-98 Fall Semester

The following contains a list and profile of each student in Vibs Petersen's 1997-98 FYS 27: Readings in Science Fiction class.

Josh Blunck

College & Major: College of Arts & Sciences - Biology/Pre-Med

Hometown: Des Moines, IA

Favorite Science Fiction Book: Ender's Game

Favorite Science Fiction Movie: Men In Black

Interests and Activities: motocross racing, rebuilding British antique cars

Favorite Quote or Expression: "It's my happenen baby and it freaks me out, Yeah!" - Austin Powers

Overall Thoughts on science fiction: Science Fiction is for expansion of the mind, bringing forth ideas and dreams that could one day be true.

Dan Branscombe ("Phallic Symbol Dan")

College & Major: College of Arts & Sciences - Mathematics and Computer Science

Hometown: Maple Grove, MN

Favorite Science Fiction Book: The Time Machine

Interests and Activities: reading, video games, movies, X-files, dance clubs, math, and mountain biking

Favorite Quote or Expression: "Life without love is no life at all."

Overall Thoughts on science fiction: To be honest I didn't have any real thoughts on science fiction before this class. I occasionally read a sci-fi book, but I never gave it much thought. But since I've been in this class I have developed an idea of what science fiction is. I feel science fiction is the area of fiction where you write about things that step outside of the generally accepted reality.

Tom Cronin

College & Major: School of Journalism and Mass Communication - News Editorial Journalism

Hometown: Oak Lawn, IL

Favorite Science Fiction Book: The City on the Edge of Forever (Star Trek episode - original script) - Harlan Ellison

Favorite Science Fiction Movie: Star Trek: First Contact

Interests and Activities: writing, reading, and computers

Favorite Quotes or Expressions: "You only have to die." and "Meat is done." - both By Dan Maloney (my HS biology teacher)

Overall Thoughts on science fiction: I feel that science fiction is such an important part of today's society because it is based on and deals with issues of reality, by telling a story that can't take place today. Throughout its history, science fiction has been thought of as being substandard and meaningless as compared to other films and works of fiction. I don't feel that this is true. Instead, I feel that the development of characters and places not of this world helps us to identify humanity in a unique manner. In the original Star Trek, as well as other works of science fiction, social issues concerning America were presented in the subtexts. In addition, by presenting a futuristic society, science fiction can give today's society technological ideas that scientists can develop to become science fact.

Chris Fennell

College & Major: College of Arts & Sciences - Chemistry

Hometown: Council Bluffs, IA

Favorite Science Fiction Book: Red Mars

Favorite Science Fiction Movie: Why Star Wars of course

Interests and Activities: I play the oboe, and I love to read.

Favorite Quote or Expression: "There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened." - Douglas Adams - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Mitch Gage

Information about Mitch is not available.

Anne Grimm

College & Major: College of Arts & Sciences - Musical Theater

Hometown: Harbor Springs, MI

Favorite Science Fiction Book: Farenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

Favorite Science Fiction Movie: Silent Running

Interests and Activities: ice sculpting, mountain climbing, and sky diving

Favorite Quote or Expression: "Then you do want the baby? You don't mind that I sometimes...change into a seal?" - Powers That Be

Megan Hasenwinkel

College & Major: College of Arts & Sciences - open major

Hometowns: Charles City, IA and Cedar Falls, IA

Favorite Science Fiction Book: Wheel of Time series (okay, it's fantasy)

Favorite Science Fiction Movie: Star Trek: First Contact

Interests and Activities: music and movies

Favorites Quotes or Expressions: "I have not failed 10,000 times. I have successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work." - Thomas Edison and "Success, in the end, was beyond his control, but the job of an ordinary mortal was to try." - Frye Gaillard

Overall thoughts on science fiction: I like it.

Nick Hoffman

College & Major: School of Journalism and Mass Communication - Advertising

Hometown: Wayzata, MN

Favorite Science Fiction Book: The Foundation Series - Isaac Asimov

Favorite Science Fiction Movie: Stargate

Interests and Activities: anything involving sports, Macintosh computers, fast cars, outdoor activities, and Lovin'

Favorite Quote or Expression: "If it is to be it is up to me."

Overall thoughts on science fiction: It's one of the best genres of media available. It is more than just a story line, its an experience (believe me, I know!).

Mary Huff

College & Major: College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences - Pharmacy

Hometown: Des Moines, IA

Interests and Activities: reading and cooking

Ben Kuhnz

College & Major: College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences - Pharmacy

Hometown: Rolling Meadows, IL

Favorite Science Fiction Book: Ender's Game

Favorite Science Fiction Movie: E.T the Extra-Terrestrial

Interests and Activities: golf, science fiction and fantasy movies and novels

Favorite Quote or Expression: "The cloning of humans is on the most of the lists to worry about from science, along with behavior control, genetic engineering, transplanted heads, computer poetry, and the unrestrained growth of plastic flowers."

Overall thoughts on science fiction: I find science fiction to be a place where I can escape reality and discover a world which the author has created for me. I like to pick out major themes and symbols within these books and movies as I go along. I think science fiction has a lot to offer to all kinds of people in the way of entertainment and learning.

Danelle LeJeune

Information about Danelle is not available.

Steve Martin

Information about Steve is not available.

Aaron Miller

Information about Aaron is not available.

Christopher Sedlacek

College & Major: College of Arts & Sciences - History and Political Science

Hometown: Syracuse, NE

Favorite Science Fiction Book: The Final Reflection - Diane Carey

Interests and Activities: reading, history, and politics

Favorite Quote or Expression: "Believe life is worth living, and that belief will help create the fun."

Overall thoughts on science fiction: It is the expression of ideas.

Rachel Seow

Information about Rachel is not available.

Tim Traynor

College & Major: College of Arts & Sciences - Chemistry and Physics

Hometown: Bismarck, ND

Favorite Science Fiction Book: Contact - Carl Sagan

Interests and Activities: Male Sciences

Jessica VanNess

College & Major: School of Journalism and Mass Communication - Advertising

Hometown: St. Paul, MN

Favorite Science Fiction Book: Egalia's Daughters

Favorite Science Fiction Movies: Aliens and Terminator 2

Interests and Activities: rollerblading, volleyball, travel, movies, member of AdPros, Student Activities Board-Homecoming and Relays committee

Favorite Quote or Expression: "Tomorrow is promised to no one-carpe diem"

Overall thoughts on science fiction: I am in general not a sci-fi fan but a few books and movies have caught my attention. I think it is true when people say that science fiction is a reflection of the present rather than the future. It seems to shine light on many issues we face in ways that give us new insight and ideas on these issues.

Tracy White

College & Major: College of Arts & Sciences - open major

Hometown: Apple Valley, MN

Favorite Science Fiction Movie: Star Wars

Interests and Activities: music, reading, gardening, and sports

Favorite Quote or Expression: "You can laugh all you want to, but I've got my philosophy." - Ben Folds Five

Overall thoughts on science fiction: I think that science fiction is pretty interesting. There are aspects of it that I find boring and dull, but overall it's very interesting.

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