WED 11.18.15
VOLUME 100
ISSUE 11
Andrews Salutes You Celebrating Our Veterans -p.3
PHOTO BY SAMUEL JAMES FRY
BSCF FORUM “This abusive incident in Spring Valley High is not too far from something that can happen here at Andrews University ...”
P. 2
FROM PORN TO PROBLEM
FRESHMEN CARDINAL PERSPECTIVES
HIGHER CALLING
P. 5
P. 7
P. 9
“I found new goals to reach. The “It’s no wonder that the Adventist “I was the only Seventh-day Adven- only pinnacle that was higher church is no exception to the cur- tist on my team in high school, so than Pararescue, in man’s army, rent porn epidemic.” it was difficult explaining my reli- was entering into God’s army.” gion.”
AUTW PRESENTS “Once again, the Theatre Wing has proven itself as an example of how creativity can thrive.”
P. 10
SOLIDARITÉ “Solidarity must be more than a hashtag, more than a one-time prayer, and more than a ‘Je suis Paris’ .”
2
THE STUDENT MOVEMENT
News
Veterans Day Tribute
Shenika K. McDonald News Editor
PHOTOS BY THATO LEHOKO
Shenika McDonald | To honor the persons who served in the United States Armed Forces, Andrews University held a Veterans Day tribute on Nov. 10 in the Howard Performing Arts Center at 11:30 a.m., a day before the public holiday on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The tribute, which set out to honor both student and community veterans, commenced with the posting of the colors by the American Legion Post #51 from Buchanan, Mich. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem, led by Andrews alumna Marguerite Samuel. Freshman finance major Rainbow Cunningham said, “It was beautiful to see the program unfold in such a reverent way. There was such a respectful tone to all the program’s participants.” After a moment of silence, An-
drews president Niels-Erik Andreasen opened the program with prayer, followed by the welcome by Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy, James North, Jr. The program featured a special music selection, an Andrews Academy student essay reading and guest speaker Emily Foster, who was interviewed by the Director of Campus and Community Relations, Rebecca May. A slideshow prepared by junior nursing major Kayla Dozier featured several veterans and honored military service personnel. Following the slideshow, veterans were gifted with the inspirational book, “My Enemy, My Brother.” Senior architecture major Danielle Samuel said, “I love that Andrews shows appreciation for those who fought on our behalf and that we as Christians can recognize the work being done outside of our Christian
world.” United States Marine Corps 19861994 corporal and WAUS Marketing Director Teddy Weithers ended with closing prayer, followed by the retiring of the colors by the American Legion Post #51. Senior Financial Advisor and Veterans Affairs Coordinator Fares Magesa said, “The program itself is not a big thank you, but the thought is what counts.” This Veterans Day tribute, a relatively new tradition at Andrews, is expected to be of high importance to veterans and students alike. Cunningham said, “I truly enjoyed the program and was surprised to see how many veterans attend Andrews; I was not previously aware. I look forward to next year’s tribute as another way to honor those who have put their lives on the line for us all.”
BSCF Forum: Spring Valley High Assault Regine Senior | The Black Student Christian Forum (BSCF) held a forum in the recreation center amphitheater on Thursday, Nov. 12, to discuss the Spring Valley High School assault that took place in Columbia, South Carolina on Monday, Oct.26. A video clip of the assault shows Richland County Sheriff’s Department Senior Deputy Ben Fields flipping over and dragging a black female across her classroom. BSCF President and junior theology major Jannel Monroe began the forum by speaking about its purpose: “We wanted to create an open space to dialogue about how we feel about the event, how it impacts Andrews students, and what we can do while we are here.” The forum then continued by showing a video clip of the assault, as well as different social media reac-
tions to the video. Master’s of Divinity student and BSCF vice president Corey Johnson opened the floor for students to express their reactions to the video. Many students expressed feelings of shock and frustrations with the event that occurred. Both the officer’s methods and the young girl’s actions were discussed in regards to how this situation could have been avoided. After speaking about different feelings toward the Spring Valley High assault, the topic of being a black student in a diverse school was brought to the discussion in relation to the recent events that took place at the University of Missouri in which multiple students decided to protest against racist incidents they experienced on campus. These protests included one student going on a hunger strike and the football team refusing
to play until Timothy Wolfe, the now former president of the University of Missouri, resigned. Junior sociology major Esther Battle offered statistics about how black students are treated differently in schools. “Research has shown that 10-year-old black boys are often perceived as older in age. This is an important finding to consider, because when people think that someone is older than they are, they are often held more responsible for their behavior. This can explain how they are treated in regards to disciplinary actions,” Battle said. This presentation of research was considered to be one of the most informative segments of the forum. The forum closed by speaking about how students of Andrews University can go forward to spread
awareness about these issues and also to inspire other young black children in the communities both in and surrounding Berrien Springs. Many students had positive feelings toward the forum. Junior psychology major Bethany Morrison said, “It was a beautiful experience, and it was nice to hear everyone’s opinions on the incident.” Some students also spoke about the importance of this event. “This forum was very necessary; I wish more people came out. However, I am glad to see an organization at Andrews discuss these important issues,” Saige Leslie, a sophomore engineering major, said. Senior political science major Shenika Mcdonald said, “I find it very important to have these discussions on such a diverse campus. This abusive incident in Spring Valley High is
not too far from something that can happen here at Andrews University without cultural competence from teachers. It is important that people of all backgrounds on this campus have these discussions and come to these events.” After the forum, Johnson, who organized the event, spoke about how he believed the forum went. “I am encouraged by the support of those who were able to come out. Our country is at an important place when it comes to race right now, and I think it is important to see young black people come together to discuss fighting structural and institutional racism in schools.” BSCF will be holding another forum in the near future to speak about the goals that the organization holds for this school year.
rean American Student Association (KASA) held a Sadie Hawkins Bowling Night at Strikes and Spares bowling alley in Mishawaka, Indiana. Junior psychology major Bethany Morrison stated, “There were so many date-style events going on. I wonder what Andrews is trying to tell us?” Eigen*, the math and physics community, hosted pizza and presentations in the Haughey Hall Auditorium. Junior political science major Pierrena Charles said, “All these club events offering food is so great for all the people with dangerously low cafeteria accounts.” The AU Theatre Wing hosted The Belle of Amherst: The Untold Story of Emily Dickinson, a one-woman play starring Kaitlin Litvak, in the Bur-
man Auditorium. Nagilah Grace, the Jewish club, hosted Jewish dancing, music and food in the Leadership Lab in the Campus Center. CIDC also hosted an event, Jeopardy, in Buller Hall. The Andrews Ministerial Association (AMA) hosted The Aviation Club also participated in the night of activities, hosting a photo scavenger hunt at the Andrews Airpark.The game sent its participants scrambling all over Berrien Springs, racing to be the first to finish. The winning team members would be given free flight time or, in the case of non-aviation students, a free flight in the cockpit of an Andrews’ plane. This night of fun lead us right into the semester’s end, providing students with some fun before they’re stuck in their books.
Andrews Hosts Club Night Khayla McDonald | On Saturday, Nov. 14, Andrews University’s hosted Club Night. The Office of Student Activities and Involvement, wanting to promote club participation, encouraged student organizations to plan events. They advertised the various activities around campus and offered modest grants to help clubs fund events that might have been beyond their budget. They also encouraged students to take to social media during and after the events: the club with the most social media posts at the end of the night would be awarded an $150 prize. The evening’s atmosphere was festive. The club events ranged from special interest to social opportunities. A fan favorite was speed dating, co-hosted by the African Student Association (ASA) and the Black
Student Christian Forum (BSCF). Although in the beginning there were twice as many women as there were men in attendance, everyone had a great time further into the program as more men showed up. Sophomore social work major Ashley Porterfield stated, “I really enjoyed it. The atmosphere was nice, the people were great, and the finger foods were a nice touch. Everyone should have come — or at least stopped by — because they would have had a great time.” Sophomore business pre-med student Noreena Ogidan said, “Speed dating was so much fun! I really enjoyed the vibe and getting to know people better.” Another event enjoyed by many was Proponents Of Women’s Equal Rights’ (POWER) Mean Girls movie
screening in Buller’s Newbold Auditorium. POWER President and sophomore sociology major Esther Battle stated, “I think everyone who came had a really good time; you can never go wrong with Mean Girls. After the showing there was a discussion about how and why girls relate to each other the way that they do, and the club event really helped to set the atmosphere of talking about certain sensitive topics such as that one.” There were many other events scattered across campus. The Andrews Filipino International Association (AFIA)’s “Roll With Us” lumpia rolling party was held in Randall Lounge in Buller Hall. Andrews’ Music Association hosted “After,” an open mic event for people to share their talents with others. The Ko-
WED 11.18.15
VOLUME 100
ISSUE 11
drawing in the community for our events. We have several financial and media sponsors in the community, including Schalk & Associates, Ameriprise Financial, Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center, Howard & Howard Attorneys, and WNIT Public Television.” By being a presence in the community through sponsorships, the HPAC fulfilled another qualification. “This support from businesses in the community helped prove us to be involved with the community and relevant to the people we serve,” Griessel said.
Furthermore, the management and implementation of the series was assessed – considering factors like how artists are booked and how events are marketed. Currently the University financially supports the HPAC; additional revenue is produced from the HPAC annual fundraising campaign, ticket sales for concerts, and lobby and concert hall rentals for special events. The HPAC was completed in 2003, and is named after John and Dede Howard, then residents of St. Joseph, Mich., who donated money for the purpose of seeing a performing arts
center on the Andrews campus. Through public performances by guest artists, performances of faculty and students from the Department of Music and daily broadcasts by WAUS 90.7FM, the on-campus classical music radio station, the HPAC stands as a representation of the cultural excellence present in the Michiana area. “The grant helps us to provide diverse, cultural programming at Andrews, all while keeping ticket prices affordable,” Griessel said. Visit howard.andrews.edu for more information on upcoming events and to purchase event tickets.
3
News
HPAC Awarded Grant Danni Francis | The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) recently awarded The Howard Performing Arts Center (HPAC) a grant of $6,900. According to its website, The MCACA strives to strengthen arts and culture throughout Michigan by supporting arts education, encouraging new, creative and innovative works of art, and broadening cultural understanding. “I applied for the project support grant offered by the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs back in May of 2015,” Erica Griessel, manager of the HPAC, said. “This grant is
specifically for artist fees, advertising and promotional expenses and supplies for the project.” Griessel has served as manager of the HPAC since November 2011, although as a student at Andrews she worked at the Howard. She considers it a great privilege to bring high profile artists and great music to Andrews University and Berrien Springs. The HPAC was one of over 500 hopeful applicants for the MCACA’s grant; according to Griessel, the money will go towards aiding the HPAC in a variety of ways.
The HPAC’s project for the grant money is the “Howard Center Presents…” series, specifically for the following concerts: The Euclid Quartet (which took place on Oct. 18), Aureole Trio (scheduled for this Sunday, Nov. 22, at 4 p.m.), and Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Sunday, Feb. 7, in 2016. In order to receive the grant, the “Howard Center Presents…” series had to reflect the use of high caliber artists with quality performances for the audiences. Griessel described further qualifications for obtaining the grant. “We also had to have a history of
A Night of Mourning: Recapping Global Tragedies
GRAPHIC BY NICHOLE REID
Within 24 hours, an unusually high rate of catastrophes occurred around the world. The above graphic and adjoining text provide a very general summary of the events that claimed lives and changed perspectives forever.
Where: Beirut, Lebanon When: Thursday, November 12, 2015 Summary: Twelve twin suicide bombings struck a Beirut suburb outside a Shiite mosque and inside a nearby bakery. An apparent third attacker was found dead, with his legs blown off while he still wore an intact explosives belt. Death toll: 43 Wounded: 239 Perpetrators: Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)
Where: Paris, France When: Friday, November 13, 2015 Summary: Coordinated terrorist attacks: mass shootings, suicide bombings and hostage-taking at various locations around the city. Death toll: 129 Wounded: 433 Perpetrators: Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)
Where: Baghdad, Iraq When: Friday, November 13, 2015 Summary: Suicide bomber blew himself up at the funeral of a progovernment Shiite Muslim fighter. Death toll: at least 18 Wounded: 41 Perpetrators: Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)
Where: Lishui, China When: Friday, November 13, 2015 Summary: A gush of mud and rocks unleashed by heavy rains has buried nearly 20 homes at a village in eastern China. Death toll: at least 21 Wounded: 1 Missing: 16
4
THE STUDENT MOVEMENT
Ideas
Pornography: The New Drug? A Not-So-Harmless Addiction Daniel J. Fults
Nathan Kim | Back in the old times
Ideas Editor
where there were no computers, smartphones, or internet in general, information was a hard thing to come by. Resources were limited and there was no efficient way to organize information into what you were looking for and what was unnecessary. Now with the Internet, it is not only easier than ever to find information about almost anything in the world, but it is also easier to come across something that was not readily available in the past: pornography. Pornography has become one of the biggest industries in the Information Age, being valued at 10-12 billion dollars in just the United States alone. What was seen before as a taboo has become more and more acceptable in society, but the question that needs to be raised is how does pornography affect our brains? Are there more serious implications to what is seen as a mostly harmless
addiction? One of the biggest issues of pornography is that it is so easy to become addicted to it. This is due to something called the Coolidge effect. Basically, the Coolidge effect states that sexual interest is renewed when exposed to new, receptive sexual partners. Novelty is an easy thing to come by with the Internet. A new video, picture, and story are just a click away, and this is the reason why humans are so easily addicted to pornography. Pornography reacts just like a drug when it is being consumed; whenever we watch pornography, dopamine is released in the brain, just like any other drug. It is not necessarily the action that we are addicted to, but the dopamine itself. The difference between pornography and other drugs is that it is easily accessible—you can find it online for free, whereas with other drugs it take effort to look for it.
This means that we can get our fix at anytime without having to worry about depleting any type of supply, making it so that breaking the addiction is so hard. So what is wrong with being addicted to pornography? Some may argue that pornography is better than taking drugs because it has less adverse effects upon the body and brain. However, this type of thinking is what makes watching pornography so dangerous. The negative effects of pornography include: lack of sex drive, depression, decrease in motivation, fatigue, disillusionment with real partners, and lack of self-control. These are things that could affect you in the workplace, at school, or in your relationships. Being addicted to pornography could mean that you are throwing away these areas of your life without even knowing it, which makes being aware of the effects of pornography in the brain
even more imperative. Have you ever wondered why it seems like so many younger people lack motivation? This problem could be explained by the effects of pornography on the brain. More and more people are getting into pornography than ever before and it is not as easy as it seems to get out. An addiction to pornography is just like any addiction—it is a struggle and a battle to try to get out of it. Those who are addicted to pornography are not usually treated like addicts, but they have the symptoms of addiction. It seems that they cannot live without watching pornography and that it is their escape. When you have this type of dependence upon any substance, it is extremely harmful to yourself and could affect your relationships with others as well. When it comes down to it, pornography should be classified as a drug and treated as such. Yes, not
all people who watch pornography are addicts, but the addictive nature of pornography means that it is better to not start in the first place. The scary thing is that kids are becoming addicted to pornography at younger ages than ever before, stunting their mental and emotional growth as they grow older. A lot of this is attributed to curiosity and brushed off as natural instinct for children to be interested, but we should no longer ignore pornography and treat it as something that is off-limits and should not be touched in the first place. It is easier to become addicted to something than to break that addiction, and pornography is no exception.
and multiply”? However, He also had some pretty strong things to say about non-marital sex, even if it does not reference pornography specifically. Jesus equates lust and adultery, which logically carries over to mean that viewing pornography is also adultery, and therefore sinful. God’s original design was for all sexual relations to be only between husband and wife. Pornography and masturbation are deviations from that standard, and are distortions of God’s plan. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul recommends marriage over burning with passion, showing us that these desires are not new to our era. Porn expands sexuality outside the realm of marriage, contrary to what God intended. This, in turn, distorts one’s perception of both sexuality and of marriage. If we view God as a person who wants to repress our sexuality, who prohibits “fun and enjoyable” activities such as masturbation or extramarital sex, we are less likely to consider this God to be loving. Understanding that God’s laws are in place for our gain is of utmost importance. In addition to distorting one’s view of God’s design, an addiction to pornography damages one’s
relationship with God. If we understand God’s laws to be for our long-term benefit rather than His, following His laws is the ideal way to live, and deviations are less than ideal. The largest issue the Christian addict must deal with is that of guilt. Pornography addictions are private matters, and may never publicly surface. The addict can live either in denial of their guilt, trying to interpret Scripture differently, or with a hidden habitual sin that makes them less and less comfortable with God. The problem is that guilt drives out love. Guilt in-
vites closed-ness and distancing, while love is about openness. Pornography drives a wedge between the addict and God because the addict is faced with a choice between satisfying a desire (pleasurable), and following God and not satisfying it (difficult and at least not pleasurable). The problem is that every failure to follow God drives the wedge deeper because of the guilt it incurs. Guilt (sin) is what separates us from God, and habitual sin more so.
Porn: Distorting God? Vyhmeister | Addictions don’t happen overnight – they take years to form. Many addictions are a private matter, often not known about even by those closest to the addict. This is especially true of addictions to pornography. Pornography is typically understood to be a form of media “consumed” exclusively by males. The truth is that while most pornography usage is by men, women are not “immune.” Around puberty, new desires and an enhanced awareness of our attractions surface. Because most of our generation has grown up with some access to the internet, innocent curiosity about these new desires often leads to first contact with pornography in some form. Reactions will vary from disgust to elation, and for many, the curiosity stops there. For those whose interest is piqued but not satiated, this is just the beginning. For various reasons, sex is awkward to talk about with one’s parents, so the entire experience of pornography and/or masturbation remains entirely private. In addition, within Christian communities, the guilt associated with “sexual sin” also remains private and usually unresolved. The motivating desire that Erik
causes an addiction to pornography is that of sexual satisfaction. It is a biological desire, not a cultural or psychological one. Given the fact that sex feels good, it is understandable why it might be a driving force. However, the mind of the pubescent teen usually follows the following (or similar) logic: (1) I can’t or don’t have sex, so I’ll masturbate, because it feels good. (2) Pornography enhances my experience.
In some situations, this causes a downward spiral in which the addict’s reaction to pornography decays with time, requiring higher levels of stimulation to achieve the same effect, similar to drug addicts. This does happen, but is not always the case. What is always the case is that addictions to pornography typically grow out of a natural (biological) desire for sex that is not kept in check. However, it being a natural desire doesn’t necessarily make it one that should be indulged. It is important to remember that we are born sinful into a sinful world, and as such, some desires we have are going to be sinful. God clearly intended for people to have sex – I mean, how else did He expect them to “be fruitful
God clearly intended for people to have sex – I mean, how else did He expect them to “be fruitful and multiply”?
WED 11.18.15
Ideas
Porn, You, and the World Jaime Vargas | At times, people
justify their consumption of pornography with the following reasoning: “It’s my life, and as long as I’m not hurting anyone else, I can do what I want with it.” If what they spend their time looking at doesn’t have an impact on anybody else, why should others be concerned? Even if there are negative consequences, at the very least, they’re not bringing others down with them, so what’s the issue? Live and let live, right? Aside from the very troubling reality that many people engage in the consumption of pornography despite being fully convinced of the very real and very damaging consequences, there is another reality that stands in strong opposition to the assumption that the consumption of pornography only affects the consumer: pornography addiction, pornography consumption, and the pornography industry all have roles to play in perpetuating sex trafficking. Though the link between pornography and sex trafficking may not be explicit, the various consequences of pornography consumption eventually become factors that give the sex-trafficking industry a reason to exist. First, consider the nature of pornographic addiction. Much like drug addictions, addictions to pornography escalate while the pleasure received from viewing pornography dwindle. Over time, regular users require pornography more often, in larger doses, and of a more hardcore quality in order to
satisfy their addiction. Because of their inability to be satisfied with pornographic material that they first started viewing, many pornography users find themselves viewing material that once would have disgusted them, shocked them, or that they would have been deemed morally wrong. Now, consider the fact that the porn industry produces material that is filled with physical violence and verbal aggression. Among other false portrayals of sexuality put forward by pornography, women are often portrayed as submissive while men are portrayed as dominating and demanding in their sexual acts. Many users begin to normalize such behavior in their minds, shaping their expectations of real sex with the violent behavior they see in pornographic material. Thus, pornography users become more likely to be aggressive and dominating in their sexual interactions with others, assuming that such behavior is just as pleasing in real life as is portrayed in pornography. It’s not hard to see how such people can come to engage in sexual behaviors that disregard the individuality and freedom of people with whom they are sexually active. In light of the nature of pornography addiction and the effects of pornography consumption on sexual behavior, it’s not difficult to imagine pornography users becoming so desensitized to the material they find that they begin to contemplate acting out the very scenes they’ve watched in order
to satisfy their addictive desires. Furthermore, if the pornography they’ve grown accustomed to involves violent and violating acts, it is possible that they themselves will seek out opportunities to specifically act out their aggressive and exploitative sexual desires. Brothels and other prostitution services, which are known to play a role in keeping the sex-trafficking industry alive, are places where hardcore pornography addicts can fulfill many of their violent and violating sexual acts with little resistance. No, not every individual that consumes pornography will seek out commercial sex or become someone that is sexually abusive. What pornography does do, however, is slowly but surely condition users into becoming the kind of sexual consumers that will directly and indirectly support the sex-trafficking industry through their use of commercial sex services, such as prostitution, to satisfy their sexual desires. To say that the above conclusion is merely a risk of pornography and not its inevitable conclusion would be misleading. Accounts that describe graphic, documented cases of sex-trafficked victims being used to produce material for pornographic consumption exist, though I’ve withheld providing links to research for the sake of not putting forth material that would be offensive or a stumbling block to others. In light of the above, it is not possible to consume pornography
in a way that guarantees the safety of others, since pornography consumption is not an isolated activity. The pornography industry at times benefits from sexually-trafficked individuals. The consumption of pornography itself has far-reaching effects on the individual that reinforce and perpetuate the existence of sex-trafficking. At times, the victims being violated may be the same people on the other side of the screen. We need to get rid of the assumption that the consumption of pornography occurs only at the expense of the user. It’s not only his or her own life that a user destroys when pornography is consumed, it’s the life of people across the globe as well. “Porn Addiction Escalates” - http:// fightthenewdrug.org/porn-addiction-escalates/ “Porn Leads to Violence” - http:// www.fightthenewdrug.org/pornleads-to-violence/ “Porn Affects Your Behavior” - http:// fightthenewdrug.org/porn-affectsyour-behavior/ https://love146.org/slavery/ Love146 is a non-profit organization that seeks to counteract child sextrafficking. Their website contains a clear and concise explanation of the connection between child prostitution and child sex-trafficking. Implications stated in their explanation can easily be applied to sex-trafficking involving people of any age.
What to Do with a Pornography Addiction Emily Cancel | Of all the subjects
that are traditionally taboo in the Adventist church, there is one that is so taboo that it’s not even discussed in Adventist school curriculums. Alcohol and narcotics are discussed in hopes of educating children against their use, but little attention or discussion is given to the use of pornography. The psychological and relational drawbacks of such a habit—or eventual addiction—are not explained. With such nebulous information given about why pornography is considered bad or how to avoid or overcome an addiction, it’s no wonder that the Adventist church is no exception to the current pornography epidemic. A pornography addiction is certainly a very personal and private thing, perhaps more personal than a narcotics or alcohol addiction. Such a private weakness is hard enough to talk about without so many people presuming that the
addicted individual is absolutely depraved, or a pervert of some sort. In so degrading an individual about his or her struggle, an atmosphere of judgment is created that is entirely unfriendly to such cir-
was a branch of the twelve-step programs? A pornography addiction is considered another lifestyle disease and is treated by the same method. A list of meetings nearby can be found online.
“It’s no wonder that the Adventist church is no exception to the current porn epidemic.” cumstances as many individuals find themselves in. However, there are groups and methods set up to help. We’ve all heard of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, but did you know that Sex Addicts anonymous
Here are some suggestions from the University of Texas, Dallas, website: Change routines and environments that lead to pornography usage. Avoid high risk situations.
Spend less time alone. Review the status of your friendships and relationships. Are they meaningful and satisfying? If not, what would make them more fulfilling? Learn new ways of coping with strong feelings like anxiety, loneliness, anger, depression and boredom. Identify activities that can help you relax, enjoy yourself and feel refreshed. And the Andrews University Counseling & Testing Center (Bell Hall suite 123), provides, according to the AU website, “comprehensive short-term counseling services free of charge to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at the university as well as to their spouses. The counseling center is staffed by licensed psychologists, counselors and graduate interns.”
VOLUME 100
ISSUE 11
5
6
THE STUDENT MOVEMENT
Pulse
Andrews Takes to the Ice Ashley Neu | For many students,
Ali Reiner Pulse Editor
athletics play a big part of their schooling. Some even choose a college based on the university’s athletics program. Andrews University has its fair share of sports teams, but there is one that not many know about: the hockey team. Known as Cardinals Hockey, this team shows their school spirit by competing in the Senior Hockey League held at Ice Box Skating Arena in South Bend, Indiana. Although not as established as the basketball and soccer teams on campus, the hockey team brings its own unique traits to the ice. The team started out competing on a small league level, playing at How-
ard Park Ice Rink in St. Joseph, Mich. Four years ago, they were able to move up and start competing at the senior level. The senior level league consists of roughly 20 teams from the area who get together for a couple hours once or twice a week for a little friendly competition. During this time, the players bring all they have to the ice in order to leave as the winners. So what does Andrews team look like? Cardinals Hockey is made up of anyone associated with Andrews University. Though mostly students, it’s not unusual to see university professors and alumni out on the ice as well. “I played for the team last year.
Hockey is a sport I began to follow only a few years ago. It is incredibly fun to watch and play,” sophomore pre-dentistry major Rayford Alva said. “I encourage anyone at Andrews that has any experience playing ice hockey to strongly consider playing on the team this year.” Every February, the student body gets a chance to see the team in action. In an event put on by Student Life and the Alumni Association, the students on the team get a chance to take on previous alumni in the annual alumni hockey game. With cookies, hot drinks and team spirit, this event is a favorite for a lot of students. After the
game, all the fans in the stands are invited to take to the ice for some free skating, courtesy of the Alumni Association. “I really enjoyed the free skate after the game. I went with a group of friends, and we stayed until it closed. It was really fun because a lot of people were there, and I got to see some people that I hadn’t seen in a while,” Xia Rehmat, senior education major, said. As news of the hockey team makes its way around campus, the team hopes it’s only a matter of time before they grow. “There’s a lot to be learned by being on a school team,” said Justin Neu, 2013 MBA alumnus of
Andrews University and current hockey team member. “Playing sports is more than winning or losing, it’s about being a part of a team that works together to attain a goal. Teamwork is mandatory— not one person can play all the positions. You need your teammates to stay with you and be by your side play by play.” Whether you’re looking to shoot a puck or cheer from the stands, the Andrews Cardinals hockey team is one way to enrich your Andrews experience—on or off the ice.
PHOTOS BY THATO LEHOKO
Women’s Cardinals Basketball The men’s and women’s Cardinals basketball teams have started this year’s season and are surprising both fans and themselves. On Saturday night, November 14, both teams played their second home games. With a win for the Lady Cardinals, they are now 50% at home, which is better than last year’s home record. Here is what two of the players from the men’s and women’s teams have to say about the season so far. Name: Kia Williams Year: Freshmen Major: Speech Pathology Position: Point Guard Interviewed by: Torian Hill
Before you started the season, how was your expectation of the team’s performance different from how you guys are playing? I honestly was not quite sure what to expect coming in as a freshman; however, Coach and my teammates who had been playing the previous years assured us “newbies” that this is probably one of the best looking teams we had. So there we were, for sure, high hopes for the season. It took some adjusting our first two games as we took hard losses, but we are starting to figure out our playing style, as we got a win yesterday!
Do you see any improvement in the level of fitness due to practice? Our practices definitely help our conditioning, which is why it’s all about how hard we push ourselves in practice. Coach always reminds us that the harder the practice, the easier the game. So this is something we just really have to incorporate into our practices. How long have you been playing basketball? About 10 years. Has it been easy to adjust to the style of your teammates?
Adjusting is never super easy for me, especially when you’re playing with a group of people you have never played with before. It takes a bit of time to learn the different playing styles of everyone and build chemistry, but I’m definitely beginning to see it grow. How do you feel about Saturday night’s win? I think we were playing a little slow in the beginning and making some careless mistakes, but we started to pick it up in the second half. This team was nowhere near as tough as the other teams we had played, and there was no excuse as to why we
couldn’t beat this team. Since the game was still pretty close toward the end, defense was our main focus. My mind was stuck in trying to play good defense and not committing stupid fouls, especially since I was in foul trouble. I had to ignore the feeling of being tired and just kept thinking, “One defense stop!” Fortunately, we were able to play solid defense until the end of the game, and knocking down key shots pretty much sealed the deal.
WED 11.18.15
VOLUME 100
ISSUE 11
7
Pulse
No Shave November Ali Reiner | Another year, an-
other beard. No Shave November is back and adorning millions of men’s faces around the world. Once again, men of all ages with the ability to grow facial hair are participating in the cause. Movember (Moustache November), as it’s also called, is not only an excuse to give faces an extra layer of warmth as the winter months are quickly approaching; it is also more than a witty title of a challenge to participate in during the month of November. Since 2004, this campaign has been spreading the word about men’s health issues, such as depression in men, prostate cancer and other male cancers. In America, prostate cancer is the second leading cancer killer of men, right behind lung cancer. 300,000 men die each year due to prostate cancer. And depression affects more than six million men in the U.S. each year. The men of Andrews University are no exception when it comes to being involved in this month-long challenge to create awareness. Simen Trolsrud, senior theology student at Andrews and fourth year participant of the challenge, said in a recent interview, “I am participating in No Shave November because it gives me a reason to grow a beard without people
mocking my poor ability of growing facial hair.” According to Trolsrud, this is a beneficial cause because of its good intentions and goals of spreading awareness of men’s health issues. This campaign reaches out to countries far and wide. It was originally started in Australia and New Zealand and has now blown up in every continent, with the exception of Antarctica. Trolsrud, who comes from the country of Norway, said, “In Norway, we call it Movember because you are supposed to (grow) a moustache in November. Most of my friends do it.” However, it may be hard for some people to recognize that No Shave November has more than just face value to it—no pun intended. Jhalan Taylor, freshman nonparticipant, stated, “I think it’s kind of stupid…You dedicate a whole month of not shaving just to see the difference…(but)...If you are doing it for a good cause then that’s okay, but don’t do it just because it’s a challenge.” The depth and true meaning of this fun and creative challenge to spread awareness may be overlooked and forgotten about, especially due to its current explosion
in social media. “#NoShaveNovember” and “#LetItGrow” are just a couple examples of hashtags that are used to emphasize posts on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. However, hashtags relating to the purpose of the cause, such as “#MensHealthAwareness,” are not as likely to be found. According to Trolsrud, the actual cause could be made clearer, because people don’t understand the opportunity they have to spread word about this important campaign. To learn more about the cause and have a better grasp of its true meaning, visit http://www.no-shave.org/ or http://www.us.movember.com.
Simen Trolsrud, Berrien Springs, MI, interviewed 11/08/15, N/A Jhalan Taylor, Berrien Springs, MI, interviewed 11/08/15, 269-332-6492 http://www.prostatehealthguide. com/prostate-cancer/about-theprostate/ http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/ topics/depression/men-and-depression/depression-in-men.shtml
PHOTOS BY THATO LEHOKO
Men’s Cardinals Basketball Name: Joshua Paulos Year: Freshman Major: Computer Science and Math Studies Position: Point Guard, Small Forward Interviewed by: Torian Hill PHOTOS BY KIANA GURLEY
Before you started the season, how was your expectation of the team’s performance different from how you guys are playing now? My expectation of this season after starting practice was to give us a chance to mesh together a group of new, young players with those from last year. We have gotten off to a slow start, but still have shown improvement throughout each game and continue to create more chemistry and cohesiveness with each other.
Do you see an improvement in the level of fitness due to practice? I believe that from the strength and training Coach Jardine and Coach Corey have put us through, we have shown improvement in our explosiveness and speed. How long have you been playing basketball? Since eighth grade. Has it been easy to adjust to the style of your teammates? I really don’t have to adjust much, because we are a pretty unselfish group, and we share the ball well. How is your experience on this team versus the other teams on which you have played?
Great so far, unlike most teams I have been on in the past. We look out for everyone on the team. It is like a brotherhood. I went to a public school where we were not close with each other, and many times there were issues. I was the only Seventhday Adventist on my team in high school, so it was difficult explaining my religion. However, here at Andrews it is a much better environment, and as a team I feel that we gel well off the court. We just have to continue to work on the court because of all the new faces.
8
THE STUDENT MOVEMENT
Humans
Meet the Robinson Interviewed by: Andrei Wayne K. Defino
Andrei Wayne K. Defino Humans Editor
With the ongoing shenanigans that accompany a social media application like Yik-Yak, people are bound to be called out, sometimes good, sometimes bad. This past week, LJ Robinson has become a sort of meme in the annals of the Andrews University Yak herd and maybe it’s time for the rest Andrews to get to know the real Lawrence Robinson Jr. Recently, you’ve become a meme on Yik-Yak. How does that make you feel? It’s actually pretty cool. I personally don’t have a Yik-Yak so I didn’t know that it was happening until my friends screenshotted the yaks and showed it to me. I honestly thought it would be a one-time thing until more people started approaching me about it.
called out on Yik-Yak. People who probably don’t know me, I assume, just wonder who I am. That being said, tell us more about yourself, LJ. What are some of your hobbies and interests? I love reading. I feel like books are just movies in written form. I also love sports; I’m a big Bengals and Oklahoma City Thunders fan. As a Jamaican, I think Usain Bolt is one of the coolest athletes around. What do you study? I’m a sophomore and I just switched from Marketing to Elementary Education. Whoa. What made you make that switch? My goal is to be a principal but I have to be a teacher first. Being someone who enjoys studying history, I find that I really want that to be the subject I teach – share my passion, you know?
A Heavenly Heart How did you come to choosing elementary education as the major you want to continue pursuing? I worked at summer camp for two years and I found that I had a lot of fun working with children. Furthermore, when I was younger I would stay after hours with my mom, who worked at the school I attended. For 8 years, I would stay behind after all my friends would leave and start befriending the younger kids; they became like my younger siblings. Being around kids gave me and still gives me energy which made me realize that becoming a teacher is the next logical step; it’s also a good way to give back to the community. Where do you like to hang out? I’m usually at the Campus Center chilling or watching football in Meier Hall on Sundays.
What do you have to say to the people who may have started the #meettherobinson meme? I really think it may have been my friends and I want to say thank you. It really feels nice to know that your friends appreciate you enough to say nice things about you on social media, especially on one that may be as sketchy as Yik-Yak. It’s nice to know that social media can be used to spread kindness and appreciation for the people in your life.
children. I know you can’t become a doctor just by loving kids, but I think that’s a big part of it. If you don’t connect with your patients and love working with them then that’s not a good doctor. I really wasn’t sure at first, but as I took my science courses I started realizing that I do love learning about God’s creation, especially the human body. And I do enjoy the biology and chemistry courses. I mean they are challenging, but I enjoy them.
PHOTO BY HEAVEN SHIN
Heaven Shin interviewed by: Ev Milliner Where are you from? South Korea. I am a proud South Korean. Why did you choose to major in biology? Because it’s awesome. No, just kidding. I want to continue my education in medical school and become a doctor. What kind of doctor do you want to become? I want to become a pediatrician.
With the newfound attention, has it affected you in any way? Honestly, it hasn’t been that different. I mean my friends have come up to me more to tell me that I’ve been
PHOTO BY ANDREI WAYNE K. DEFINO
Why do you want to be a pediatrician? I love working with kids. I actually wanted be a teacher before, but I’m not sure when the transition happened. I taught English, pathfinders, Sabbath school, and through that I found that I liked teaching, but I wanted to do something different for my career. I really want to work with
What do you want to do in the future as a doctor? I feel like I have really specific goals, specifically, I want to work in North Korea as a medical missionary. I believe that North Korea will open its borders really soon but very few people know about God. They serve their dictator like a god and I really want to bring a great message while interacting with the community. Those sound like really big goals. I know it’s a lot, but I also want to teach at the same time. I don’t know how, but it’s my crazy dream. I mean, dream big. I don’t know if this is possible but I want to meet their medical needs and teach them English, music, math, and maybe just at the basic level. It’s going to be like a summer camp in the hospital. And I also want to have a church. I just want to serve to the max. I feel like what I’m doing right now is can, and when Jesus comes, Jesus comes. What inspires you to aspire all of that? What inspires me is the fact that I have this opportunity that many others don’t have and I want to be able to continue serving God.
Students Mobilize to Create Philanthropy Council Alaryss Bosco | On Friday, Nov. 6, the new Student Philanthropy Council held its club kickoff in the Randall Student Lounge in Buller Hall, featuring Vice President for University Advancement David Faehner as the speaker. The club kickoff was a coordinated effort of both students and the Office of Development. At 1 p.m., students trickled into the lounge, where they were greeted by officers and pizza. After some brief introductions and an icebreaker (an Andrews University trivia game), Faehner addressed the students. He explained how thrilled he was t and the importance of philanthropic work. Faehner then passed out papers to all the students listing a variety of stories from his career. Students had the option to choose one and listen to Faehner recount the
events and the lessons learned. An aspect of his responsibilities on campus consists of forming relationships with donors; students were interested in hearing about the nuances of this type of work and travel, repeatedly asking for more stories. After Faehner’s talk, officers spoke about the various opportunities available to club members through several committees: service, social, donor relations and fundraising, media and marketing. Each committee will be chaired by a club member, and each will have approximately five students. Chairpersons will then report on committee activities to the Executive Council of Officers. At the end of the event, students were provided with their club Tshirts, and photos were taken. The T-shirts featured a large, navy blue
fingerprint, the hashtag “#leaveyourmark,” and the official definition of philanthropy on the back, which read “the desire to promote the welfare of others.” The fingerprint design is reminiscent of the national symbol of philanthropy, which features two fingerprints crisscrossed to form a heart. When asked why she joined the club, freshman Ingrid Radulescu said, “It seemed like a good opportunity to give back to the school that has already given me so much.” When asked the purpose of the club, President Arleni Calderon, senior management major, said, “(To) raise student awareness on the importance of philanthropy and promote a culture of service on the Andrews University campus. The SPC will host various events that will
educate students on the importance of our donors. Members will be able to participate in fundraising, donor appreciation events, service projects, and other opportunities such as random acts of kindness.” Calderon emphasized the importance of our donors in the day-to-day running of the University, and how students are generally unaware of their roles. She would like to increase the profile of events already held on campus such as Tuition Freedom Day. Andrews University students are only charged 65 percent of the cost of attending Andrews, Tuition Freedom Day marks the point in the year where donations cover the rest. Calderon said that when signing students up to the club, she had a large card for anyone to sign to show their appreciation of the donors. She de-
scribes that even small gestures such as a signed card really make a difference in improving donor relations. When asked about the kickoff, Calderon said, “It was inspiring to see students coming together in the spirit of philanthropy. It was a successful first step in encouraging students to leave their mark on this campus.” Other club officers include Vice President Esther Battle, junior sociology major, Treasurer D’Nedgyen Bisserth, senior public relations major, Adeli Wickham, junior political science major, Secretary Alaryss Bosco, senior political science major, and Staff Advisor Alissa Williams from the Office of Development. Committees are set to be mobilized this semester.
WED 11.18.15
VOLUME 100
ISSUE 11
9
Humans
Kevin Messina, Soldier for Christ, Part II
PHOTO BY KEVIN MESSINA
In part I of the interview (printed in our November 11 issue), we heard about Kevin’s grueling training in the Air Force to become an elite PJ (paratrooper rescue medic). In the course of training he suffered a broken leg that never properly healed, and was given an honorable medical discharge, which is where we pick up the interview.
Year: Senior Major: Religion U. S. Air Force What was your mindset as you left the military? My dreams were crushed. I thought, “What can I do now? Anything I do will be ‘less than’.” We (PJ’s) were the Spartans of the military.
So, I decided I wanted to be rich. I read Rich Dad Poor Dad. I read all these multiple streams of income books. I became a landlord. I renovated a house. I started doing drugs, alcohol, being promiscuous. I started living a crazy life. My life was going haywire and crazy. I was getting closer and closer to death, in the back alleys of bars, one step from needing
an ambulance. Then my grandmother asked me, “Do you want to go to church?” I was like, “Okay.” Maybe for some girls or potluck. I went there, in Port Charlotte, Florida. The preacher started preaching Christ crucified, and that alone. His name is Brian Cassell (MDiv, Andrews, 2006). I started listening to him on a regular basis, and I learned about a big God who cared so much about me that he chose to die, just pull his own plug. “You, I love you, this is for you.” He’s the king, right? I said, “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Don’t get off your throne. Stay in heaven.” God stoops. That’s not what “a man” in our world does. A man tries to climb up. I was trying to climb up, to be the pinnacle. He came down, and I was like “what?” The gospel revealed to me a soothing balm to that metaphysical need. My heart was melted. I was on my knees, crying, I was praying, in church, and I thought to myself, “How can this be possible? That God would die for me?” Attending that church, I saw my future wife, Karey, in front of me. I knew her through family, but we hadn’t really conversed. We started going on “Sabbath walks.” Then eventually we started dating. She had two kids. I started doing Bible lessons. Eventually, I was baptized on a Sabbath by Pastor Cassell, in an ocean beach. I had a lot of sin and I needed a lot of cleansing. I jokingly told the pastor, “Hold me down in the water a little extra long. If bubbles come up, don’t worry, I’m used to that.” The next day, he married me to Karey, March 13, 2013. I think—I’m bad with dates, but I always try to turn my papers in on time. Another key player, before that, was my wife’s brother, Aaron. I went out to his ranch in Arkansas. We worked on the ranch, and all we did was read the Bible, listen to Ellen White, work and eat. Ellen White’s writings were so amazing. We would slow the reading down to catch the connotations of each word, to soak everything up. Twenty minutes for one page. And then we would go back to the Bible. Mrs. White would always lead us there. What really hit me was the Garden of Gethsemane, in The Desire of Ages. I cried. When I read about Jesus in the Garden, it just
blew me away. It connected to some of my Libertarian roots as far as nonviolence. When I joined the military, I wasn’t thinking of killing people. I wanted to go behind enemy lines to save people. Our motto was “These things I do that others may live.” With other special operations guys it would be, “How many kills do you have? How many knife kills do you have?” But the PJ’s were different. They would pride themselves on how many kills they didn’t have. Could they go on their mission and complete it without killing people? But I did realize there would be a certain point where I would have to kill people, and I didn’t like that. I always put it in the back of my mind. I didn’t want to face it. I learned about Jesus’ nonviolent ways. And he would negate the disciples when they would talk about “Should I bring a sword?” When I learned about Peter cutting that guy’s ear and Jesus rebuked him, oh my, it pinned me to the wall. It was so contradictory to the ways of this world. I thought, “Where is the justice in all of this?” Jesus is saying “Don’t kill.” But everyone kills him? Then I learned about how there is love and justice in the atonement, all that packaged together. It just blew my mind. Justice is there—fully. And love is there—fully. So Aaron helped me and he was really radical with me, which is what I needed. I was full throttle. My wife is still trying to slow me down. Through my conversion experience, I realized that there was another pinnacle that I could reach for. I had another goal. I’ve heard people say, “The tragedy in life is not not reaching your goals, but not having goals to reach.” I found new goals to reach. The only pinnacle that was higher than Pararescue, in man’s army, was entering into God’s army. I left man’s army to be a soldier working for God. I have taken it to the same speed, with the same mentality, the same tempo. I’m full throttle on fire for Jesus. And all of a sudden, I had a calling in my heart to be a pastor, mainly because I knew if I needed the gospel, then others did too. I have tunnel vision: I can only see the cross.
by Scott Moncrieff Faculty Advisor
10
THE STUDENT MOVEMENT
Arts & Entertainment
The Belle of Amherst: A One-Student Show Demetri Kirchberg | A quiet audience of no more than 15 drew into the University Towers chapel last Friday afternoon for an intimate offering of The Belle of Amherst: The Untold Story of Emily Dickinson. Presented by the Andrews University Theatre Wing, this production was a far departure from what we’ve seen in past shows. The AU Theatre Wing has quickly established itself as one of the university’s most successful clubs, both by cultivating creative spaces for students, and by crafting productions that have been enjoyed by the community. This play by William Luce shows the club trying out a new form of drama: the one-woman show. It seems only right that the story of Emily Dickinson, who spent much of her life isolated in the second floor of her family home in Amherst, Massachusetts, be told using this solitary medium. The greatly prolific poet and notoriously lonely character of Dickinson was played by sophomore physical therapy major Kaitlin Litvak, who carried the burden of a nearly two hour long script, and of being the sole source of drama on an otherwise static stage. Litvak’s performance was rock solid. With every small nuance of expression and small interaction with her environment, the leading lady kept every eye soundly affixed on herself. Single-set, one-actor productions demand different elements in order to keep the audience engaged at the level they would be at a production of, say, Pygmalion,
Shanelle E. Kim Arts & Entertainment Editor
the highly exciting and glamourous Shaw play the AU Theatre Wing put on this spring. In The Belle of Amherst, the fourth wall is broken, meaning the character of Dickinson speaks to and interacts directly with audience members, a technique in writing that can quickly come across as campy and cheesy. Litvak pulls this off well, with an air of authenticity as she moves about the well-appointed set, complete with crumpled up drafts of poems strew about. Under the direction of Stephen Batchelor, Litvak’s portrayal of the beloved American poet was both respectful and inventive, a breath of fresh air over a long-since-deceased literary celebrity. While the play is accessible enough to entertain most anyone, readers and students of the poet will enjoy an added layer. Intertwined in Dickinson’s monologues is a wealth of quotes from her poetry. Without warning, classic lines, such as “The soul selects its own society,” and “Because I could not stop for Death-/ He kindly stopped for me,” were woven into the fabric of the narrative, bringing new context to the poems that daily fill classrooms. Litvak proudly spoke the words as if they were her own. The tone of the play was not what readers of Dickinson would expect. A woman whose catalog of work is often characterized by puritanical values and an innate darkness, a foundational connection to death, her character would surely be one
of great gravity. This production did not depict Dickinson in this light; rather, she came across as sarcastic, silly and a bit manic. From her fallacious recipe for cake to her referral of the new neighbor to look for a home in the cemetery, there was a lightness to her, at least through all of the first half. This is initially a bit childish and disappointing as a creative choice, but at the story progresses, it seems that Dickinson is not all-together well. Cues and changes from Litvak show a woman who is desperately lonely, even more manic after disappointment, and perhaps the invisible characters she speaks to are not just a common characteristic of one-man shows, but a clue of the potential madness of this cooped up woman. Once again the Theatre Wing has proven itself as an example of how creativity can thrive in the capable hands of students.
PHOTOS BY THATO LEHOKO
Faculty Spotlight: Carla Trynchuk Interviewed by: Nicole Hwang How old were you when you started to play violin? I started the piano at age four and violin at the age of six. Why did you decide to pursue music professionally? For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a professional musician in an academic setting. Who would you say was the biggest influence or inspiration on your life? Undoubtedly, my parents were the biggest influence in my life. My parents sacrificed greatly for my sister and me to have the best possible music lessons, my father driving as much as 10 hours round trip (if the weather was good) for my violin lessons. Also very influential in my life were two of my violin teachers: John Loban, who
inspired my reach for excellence in my teens, and the legendary Dorothy DeLay, who inspired me when I was a student at the Juilliard School. What was the most important thing you learned from your years as a student? Perseverance and hard work were a normal part of student life at Juilliard and are still important years later. Why did you decide to come to Andrews? Teaching opportunities in an academic setting are few and far between, so I was delighted that there was an opening at Andrews University. I have enjoyed the challenge of developing a strings program, and I feel very privileged to work with so many talented students.
What is your favorite pastime? I love going for walks in the nearby cornfield or along the lakefront in Chicago, or anywhere I travel, for that matter! How did you become an Adventist? I grew up in a pastor’s home and have chosen to remain in the Adventist faith. Do you plan to retire someday, and if so, what will you do afterwards? Retirement is still a long way off, but I like to think that I will have time to read lots of books, study languages and hopefully travel. Do you sometimes have performance anxiety? How do you deal with it? Performance anxiety is a fickle thing. I find the best way to deal
with it is to prepare my repertoire as solidly as possible. What kind of books do you read? Currently I am reading Nine Essential Things I Have Learned About Life by Harold Kushner, The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell, and Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. If you were not a violinist, what would your profession be? My life has been so immersed in music that it is hard to imagine a career in another field. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why? I am from the Northwest (British Columbia), and I do love it there. I haven’t heard that Andrews University will be moving there, so I
have decided to love it here! What is your favorite thing about teaching? My favorite class I teach is String Pedagogy. When I am not teaching that class, I consider myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to put all of those string pedagogy skills into practice on a daily basis. If you could travel to any place, where would you go? Though I have been to France a number of times, I would go back in a heartbeat. I love the charm and the language of France. What are you most grateful for? I am most grateful for my family, friends, colleagues, and students who bring meaning to my life.
WED 11.18.15
VOLUME 100
ISSUE 11
11
Arts & Entertainment
Whisk Review: La Pita La Pita 2019 Niles Ave, St Joseph, MI 49085 269-982-0982 Written By: Carlyle Tagalog Vibe: La Pita is a Mediterranean restaurant located in St. Joseph, Michigan. There is a friendly, Middle Eastern vibe that takes you and your company to a seemingly different place, making your dining experience a unique one. Student Friendly: The restaurant is somewhat student-friendly. There is a range of comfortable seating areas available for smaller parties, as well as for larger groups of eight or more. They also provide free Wi-Fi (just ask one of the staff for the password). Probably the biggest downside for many college customers as the food is on the pricey side. This makes the restaurant ideal for only occasional hangouts with a few friends or that exclusive date with someone special. Originality: La Pita is definitely an original place. As the only restaurant that serves Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine in the
area, La Pita provides ethnic alternative to other St. Joseph restaurants. The interior design and arrangement is simply yet decorated with Middle Eastern elements such as camel models, informative posters, one-of-a-kind lighting, Middle Eastern music and other fascinating ornaments. This creates an exotic ambience for each and every patron. Menu: The menu features mostly Lebanese foods, as well as other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes. There is a slightly different menu for lunch and dinner times. The menu options consist of a variety of salads, appetizers, soups, entrees, sandwiches, desserts and smoothies. There are meat options such as beef shawarma, shish kabob and chicken galaba. There are also vegetarian and vegan options, such as the falafel mix, mjadara, baba ghanouge and more. Additionally, the entrees come with your choice of soup or salad and rice or fries. Drinks such as Lebanese coffee and fresh raw juices are offered as well. For larger parties, La Pita offers chef’s combinations that serve a variety of platters for a cheaper deal.
R2-D2 & Me2
Price: As aforementioned, the price is a little costly: each meals costs around $12-15, based on one’s appetite. However, for the price paid, La Pita does serve a very good amount of delicious food. Service: The service is very friendly. The waiters serve you in a timely manner, and it does not take long to receive your food. Both the staff and the manager are friendly and hospitable. Atmosphere: La Pita provides a simple and friendly Middle Eastern atmosphere for its patrons. The delicious Middle Eastern food and the cordial environment make for an enjoyable experience. If you are looking for a restaurant that serves satisfying Middle Eastern and Mediterranean meals, La Pita is most definitely the place to go! PHOTO PROVIDED BY PUBLIC DOMAIN
Score: 4.5 of 5
Maria Wixwat | “Luke, I am your father.” This quote is one of the most recognizable movie quotes in cinematic history. I knew that it referenced the Star Wars series, but I had never seen it until Labor Day. One of my friends discovered this horrible gap in my life and determined immediately to fix it. So, at 8 pm on a Sunday evening, the marathon began with the first Star Wars movie released: Star Wars: A New Hope. The first two movies seemed really slow to me. Being forced to watch a movie is not necessarily conducive to an exciting first impression. However, after about thirty minutes of strange creatures and alien languages, I was enthralled. There were a couple of curious things that stood out to me after the first and second movies. First of all, these Stormtroopers have terrible aim. The more of them there seemed to be, the worse their aim was. I can’t be too harsh on them, though, because everyone in the movie—except maybe Leia— were pretty bad shots. Speaking of Leia, the only conclusion we were able to come to about her affectionate behavior to many members of the movie was that the directors were too
lazy to create a love interest for both Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. They decided instead to kill two birds with one stone, making Leia the awkward crush of Luke as well as the love interest of Han. Overall, the first two movies were rather good. They were interesting enough to make me excited to see the third one. The third film, Return of the Jedi, was my favorite of the three. The characters and creatures were creative and exciting. The ewoks were introduced here, and I instantly claimed them as my spirit animal. Their existence is basically enough to make the third movie my favorite with their Home Alone-style battle with the Storm Troopers. The gangster slug, Jabba the Hutt, was also a character I found quite amusing. Return of the Jedi really got to the pith of the matter. This is the movie where you can see character depth and growth. You get to see Darth Vader truly unveil himself, and not just in the shallow “I am your father” way. The struggle between light and dark manifests itself in Luke Skywalker in those last couple moments. There is even a good bit of symbol-
ism in his outfits. In the beginning of those last scenes where Luke battles the dark side, he is dressed in all black, but as he makes his final decision, he tosses off the black and underneath you see white. And with that epic finish, I was done with my Star Wars movie marathon. I was done for the day, at least. On Dec. 18, my marathon will continue with the new movie, The Force Awakens. The seventh episode of Star Wars includes several of the original cast, which is very good news. If Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo were excluded or played by different characters, would it still be Star Wars? Luckily, all is right in that area. I have high hopes for this movie; I want more of the character development that I saw in the sixth episode, more of the angst-filled battle between the dark side and the light side, and maybe more adorable ewok creatures! All we can do is wait, however, and watch the trailers and teasers over and over again in hopeful anticipation. And so, until then, “May the Force be with you.”
fact, the release of a simplistic song as the first single of her third album is a testament to her growth and confidence in her own abilities. Without the extravagance of overproduction, “Hello” highlights what makes Adele a leading lady in music: her lyrical ability and her vocal prowess. Drawing a focus on what made her iconic in the industry, Adele has fully come to embrace her specialty in being able to sing ballads that people love to listen to and that actually have substance. The writing of Adele’s 25 began
after the birth of her first child, who inspired her to start writing music again after the hiatus following the tremendous success of her second album and the resulting writer’s block. Now, at 27, Adele has stated in media that the time between her 21st and 25th year was the period she needed to start moving forward with her life. In recent interviews Adele has relayed that 25 is meant to be a “makeup album,” maybe not just with her lost loves but with herself, too. While heartbreak and loss are certainly to be the prevailing theme in her third
album, the undertones of forgiveness seem to be a palpable motif made evident by “Hello.” Contrasting the grieving youth of 19 and the scorned woman of 21, the Adele of 25 appears to be accepting of the heartbreak and pain that she’s endured and has finally reached a place of self-acceptance, forgiveness and resolve. Adele’s new album 25 will be released on Nov. 20 of this year. Get your wallets out and your tissues, too; this one is going to be an emotional roller coaster.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY SAMUEL JAMES FRY
Rumor Has It: Adele’s Back Andrei Wayne K. Defino | “Hello, it’s me.” With three simple words, Adele has returned to the spotlight and captivated the world. After two years of silence, Adele is back, ladies and gentlemen, and with a vengeance. (Can I just tell you how long I’ve been waiting for this day to arrive?) Presumably one of the best singers of our time, save for Beyoncé, Adele broke the internet and several records in just a few days with the release of her newest single. Signaling her return to the frontlines of music, Adele released a
29-second advertisement during the commercial break of the X-Factor that riled up fans around the world. With a plain black background, lyrics, a piano accompaniment and the smoky timbre unique to Adele, the ad, in all its mystery and simplicity, indicated one thing: Adele’s comeback would be a hit— and it was. “Hello” became the first single to have one million downloads in a week, and reached the top charts in the United States, the United Kingdom and 24 other countries. “Hello” welcomes back the pow-
erful vocals and the familiar tone of heartbreak that is undeniably Adele. Simply starting off with her voice accompanied by the piano, the song itself doesn’t appear to be revolutionary or avant-garde by any standard – in fact, it’s pretty average. Adele follows a simple formula that doesn’t stray too far from her past albums: use minimal instrumentation, start slow, build up, and add more intensity, then end soft. Is this then indicative of her lack of growth as an artist or the result of her writer’s blockinduced hiatus? Absolutely not. In
THE STUDENT MOVEMENT
The Last Word THE STUDENT MOVEMENT STAFF
Solidarité Samuel James Fry Editor-in-Chief
This weekend, Facebook suggested that I add a temporary profile picture to stand in solidarity with the citizens of France. Initially, I almost made the change. However, as I saw my social media feed filling up with the French tricolor filter, I could not shake the thought that it was a hollow gesture, empty of any real camaraderie. Somehow, it seemed like a cheap gimmick — as if true empathy could be channeled across the Atlantic Ocean over the Internet. What I was searching for, while I absentmindedly watched CNN’s continued coverage on my phone Saturday morning, was a uniquely Christian response, an eloquent tribute to the victims of the horrific attacks that would reassure me and Christians worldwide that the headlines of suffering and unspeakable violence are fleeting, and all I found was a filter and the hashtag “#pray-
forparis.” As self-professed followers of Christ, we are commanded to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31). The thing is, it is easy to love your neighbor when it means simply clicking an icon. Solidarity must be more than a hashtag, more than a one-time prayer, and more than a “Je suis Paris.” Christian solidarity is a brotherhood or sisterhood in the eternal truths of Jesus Christ —manifested through love, compassion, and mutual cognizance. The internet sadness displayed in the wake of Friday’s deadly attacks in Paris, no matter how kind the gesture, is just a superficial display that will quickly fade away. And when the temporary profile picture is gone, how many Christians will still stand in solidarity with Paris, and Beirut, and the rest
of the world where tragedy is so common that it scarce makes international headlines? Our solidarity must extend beyond the realm of passive online activism, and breach the physical world where tragedies like the attacks this weekend occurred. In the coming days the French flag will fade from Facebook, and news coverage will inevitably shift to other global events of importance. The threat of terrorism, however, will remain a present reality for millions of people around the world. Amidst the fear and uncertainty that accompanies that reality, our solidarity will be tested. While national leaders are focusing on military and geopolitical strategies for defeating ISIS, the Christian strategy relies foremost on continuous prayer — and realizing that victory has already been assured. Terrorist attacks like those in Paris
lead to emotionally charged reaction — and while passionate responses are normal it is important for us to realize that the Christian narrative ends in hope — which is why the attacks in Paris cannot break us. They must not. Our response must be one of compassion Evil — even the mind-numbing hatred of radical Islamic terrorists — was vanquished the moment that Christ died on the cross. For now we mourn, but there is a time when “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more crying, or pain.” (Rev. 21:4). There is a new history awaiting us — and soon we will stand arm-in-arm with our French counterparts, beyond the reach of terror. Until then, we must not fear — for in our resilience we win.
Samuel James Fry Editor-in-Chief Paris D. Rollins Assistant Editor Shenika K. McDonald News Editor Daniel J. Fults Ideas Editor Ali Reiner Pulse Editor Andrei Wayne K. Defino Humans Editor Shanelle E. Kim Arts & Entertainment Editor Thato M. Lehoko Photo Editor David A. Forner Copy Editor Nichole A. Reid Layout Editor L.J. Robinson Multimedia Manager Scott E. Moncrieff Faculty Advisor
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventhday Adventist church. Please address all correspondence to smeditor@andrews.edu. The Student Movement reserves the right to edit all letters for style, length or possible libel. Priority will be given to correspondence from students, staff and alumni of Andrews University. All letters sunject to publication.
Join the Movement facebook.com/ausmnews
@AUMoves
@aumoves
PHOTO BY JOELLE ARNER
Thank you for your readership. We’ll see you in January!
This issue was completed at 11:40 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2015.