The Clarion | Issue 04 | Fall 2019

Fighting for f ilm pg. 15

Community takes action against gun violence | From College Republicans to Turning Point USA | Top taco | Paying it Forward | Double(s) trouble

Clarion IS. O4

In this issue

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08

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EDITOR'S LETTER

05 Letter from the Editor NEWS

07 Balancing your plate 08 From College Republicans to Turning Point USA 10 After prayer and protest, student pro-life club rejected by student senate 13 Community takes action against gun violence

LIFESTYLE

14 Fighting for f ilm 18 Top taco 22 Top flush SPORTS

24 Double(s) trouble 26 Around the horn with Bethel Athletics OPINION

29 My f irst solo flight 30 Covenant in name only

COVER PHOTO BY EMMA GOTTSCHALK

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Quick Hits Bethel Briefs

What comes next

MOLLY KORZENOWSKI

MACIE GAVIC A Bethel volleyball player talks about what it feels like to lose and keep going.

pg. 06

pg. 21

Around the horn with Bethel Athletics JOSH TOWNER

Recapping scores, news and notes since our last issue. pg. 27 CLARION | 3

THE CLARION STAFF

15 14

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JOSH TOWNER

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JASMINE JOHNSON

3

ZACH WALKER

11

13

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Editor-in-Chief

10

Lifestyle Editor

EMMA HARVILLE

5

MOLLY KORZENOWSKI

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EMMA EIDSVOOG

7

KATIE VIESSELMAN

6

8

WHITNEY MCQUADE

Copy Editor

11

TAYLOR FONDIE

12

THANH NGUYEN

Design Editor

7

News Editor

Senior Photographer

10

Social Media Manager

9

Lifestyle Reporter

News Reporter

EMMA GOTTSCHALK

Section Photographer

Managing Editor

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9

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5

TOAN VO

Section Designer 3

8

4

WILL JACOTT

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Section Designer 15

ABBY PAUTZ

Sports Reporter

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JHENNA BECKER

Section Photographer

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Photo by CJ Washington

not pictured:

freelancers:

JOSHUA TUREK

JOSH ELLER

SIERRA BEILBY

VADA STODDARD

Columnist Columnist

PEYTON GALLAGHER

Business Manager AMY NELSON

Accounts Manager

Designer Designer

MADELINE HARMS

Designer

MAKENNA COOK

Lifestyle Writer MICAH LOPEZ

SCOTT WINTER

Adviser

Lifestyle Photographer

EDITOR'S LETTER

HAVE A RESPONSE TO AN ARTICLE IN THIS ISSUE? E-mail the Editor-in-Chief Josh Towner at josh-towner@bethel.edu with questions, thoughts or concerns or drop by BC458 to have a conversation in person with a Clarion staff member.

WANT TO WRITE FOR THE CLARION? Email our Managing Editor Jasmine Johnson at jasmine-johnson@bethel. edu and she'll get you connected.

Josh Towner

See all stories online at bethelclarion.com, or follow us on social media: THE BETHEL UNIVERSITY CLARION THEBUCLARION THEBUCLARION BETHELCLARION.COM

Correction:

Vincent Peters brief The October 22 issue stated Former Director of Off-Campus Programs Vincent Peters retired from his position this fall.

Further reporting has shown that it was a forced resignation. The Clarion strives to provide accurate, up-to-date information for its readers.

Editor-in-Chief josh-towner@bethel.edu

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n the first issue of The Clarion this year, I said the CLC bathrooms are the gold standard for bathrooms at Bethel. While I’m not wrong, a pair of inspired and motivated freelancers went several steps further than me and pulled together a comprehensive ranking of all the bathrooms at Bethel. They considered all the factors, from cleanliness to accessibility, and even mentioned which bathrooms will have you burning through your data plan because of spotty Eduroam service.

This issue is a step forward for The Clarion, and not just in terms of bathroom rankings. We sent Lifestyle Reporter Emma Harville around the Twin Cities to try every taco place within 10 miles of Bethel. News Editor Molly Korzenowski attended a St. Paul community gathering about gun violence. Section Photographer Jhenna Becker shot so many outdoor sports games that she got sick.

We’re also introducing new types of content. The Clarion is beginning to investigate the political climate at Bethel with a story about Turning

Point USA, the new face of College Republicans. The sports section is touting a pair of new standing features about interesting statistics and potentially confusing sports terminology. The news section has a Q and A with Sodexo’s new nutritionist.

As you flip through this issue of The Clarion, I hope you learn something you didn’t know before, whether it’s how clubs are approved by the student senate or media production professor Nick Swedlund’s involvement in the Twin Cities Film Festival.

Lastly, we want every issue of The Clarion to be better than the last.

That’s why we’re trying new coverage areas and making new types of stories. If you think The Clarion is awesome, that’s great, we’d love to hear from you. If you think The Clarion is terrible, that’s even better. Tell us what you don’t like. We’re constantly working to be better, but we need your help to do that. Shoot us an email at clarion@bethel.edu, or stop by the newsroom at BC458. We’d love to hear from you.

CLARION | 5

Bethel Briefs MOLLY KORZENOWSKI

Gas leak causes road closure

Unraveled

A gas line was struck Oct. 29 by Facilities Management contract workers while replacing a leaking fire hydrant in the parking lot between the Clausen Center and Heritage Hall. The Lake Johanna Fire Department responded to the gas leak. Xcel Energy came to Bethel to turn off the gas while the line was being repaired.

Bethel students can now learn how to knit, or better perfect their skills, by joining the new campus group: Unraveled. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the group knits in the BC 400s with instructors and snacks. Yarn and needles are provided. Contact Contact Elizabeth Jonker at elj98752@bethel. edu or Miranda Sullivan at mrs79286@bethel.edu with questions.

The road next to the leak was closed off during this time, causing students to use the East gate to access the other half of campus.

By 5 p.m., the road was reopened to cars and the workers continued to dig into the ground to replace the hydrant. Tim Hammer, Director of Marketing, said the fire department left once the situation was under control.

Josh newsletter

Kenneth Steinbach’s latest body of work will be shown in the Johnson Gallery. There will be an artist talk Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. in the Eastlund Room. Steinbach's ongoing series of large-scale installations reinterprets the idea of the Mappa Mundi, a map of the known world. It’s a European cartographic system from the Middle Ages that attempts to diagram the entire cosmos, including geographical, mythological and spiritual realms into one cohesive map. A reception will be held in the Johnson Gallery after the artist talk.

If you attend Bethel and your name is Josh, you can now be a part of the Josh Convention. A group of Bethel students have created a monthly newsletter for students named Josh. The newsletter includes statistics of the number of Joshes in each major and dorm, opinion polls and a question of the month. If your name is Josh and you aren’t on the Josh Convention email list, reach out to joshconvention@gmail. com or just any other Josh you know. They’re probably on it.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY VADA STODDARD AND JOSH ELLER

Real time and full scale

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Balancing your plate EMMA EIDSVOOG

Sodexo welcomes new district dietician Lexi Cournoyer to teach students how to make mindful food decisions.

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Q: What is your favorite part of being a dietitian?

“Being able to educate students on nutritional aspects

to incorporate nutrition on everyday lives. Any educational presentation or tabling is what I like doing the best. In October, I brought in different local apples from farms in the Twin Cities. This promotion supported local businesses and had students trying different types of apples. In November, I will be making healthy baking alternatives to holiday treats. This is to promote getting in the kitchen with friends and family and cooking with each other while making healthy alternatives.

The habits that you develop now are going to carry for the rest of your life.”

Q: What are some changes in the Dining Center?

“Greater education for staff as far as what food allergies are and how we need to prepare a safe meal for students.

Expanding our gluten-free procedures at each station.

They now have a gluten-free fryer for french fries so students

A gluten-free pizza made in the dining center contains gluten-free dough, marinara sauce and vegan cheese. | PHOTO BY KATIE VIESSELMAN

can order those. They also expanded the Grainery station by adding a gluten-free toaster and a cooler of dairy-free and gluten-free options.

It’s good for students to know that we aren’t specifically a peanut-free or gluten-free facility. More so, for them to be educated and making sure they are asking the questions that they need to so that they're getting the safe meals they need.”

Q: What is a gluten-free diet?

“People follow a gluten-free diet because they’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease.

This happens because gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, attacks the small intestine. It causes damage to the villi and leads to malabsorption and malnutrition. Following a gluten-free diet stops that damage from happening. Someone asking

cooks for a gluten-free option could mean that they have celiac disease or someone could have a gluten intolerance where they might need to limit gluten intake per meal or per week.”

Q: How can students utilize your expertise?

“They can ask questions about navigating the dining hall, eating healthy as a college student and knowing healthier, mindful options on campus.

It's important to help students find that balance. Pizza has its place, but fruits and veggies have their place too. If they have any dietary accommodations, I can be a good resource to help them as well. If they are looking to see different mindful options in dining halls, they can suggest ideas to me and I will work with the chefs to see what we can do to develop healthier options.”

Lexi Cournoyer, the Sodexo district dietician, holds a can of Amp energy drink, instructing students on why they should choose healthier beverage options. The materials are from the Mindful by Sodexo campaign, which promotes healthier eating. | PHOTO BY EMMA GOTTSCHALK

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exi Cournoyer, the Sodexo district dietitian, likes ice cream, but not just ice cream. She likes salmon and potatoes in all forms: mashed, fries, baby reds, sweet. She likes raspberries and brussel sprouts as well.

Cournoyer started as Sodexo’s district dietitian in May. Before the fall semester began, she helped plant potatoes, zucchini, bell peppers and tomatoes in the Monson Dining Center vegetable garden.

Cournoyer attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout where she received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and played club hockey. She came to Bethel with the desire to educate students to develop a good relationship with food, helping them live a happy and healthy life.

“We are supposed to lead society. If we react to what’s happening, we’re late,” Jaco Booyens said during an event in the Underground Oct. 16. |

PHOTO BY JHENNA BECKER

From College Republicans to Turning Point USA EMMA EIDSVOOG

Republican club gains new name under two leaders who want to focus on political ideas rather than political parties.

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“It’s important to give students facts so they can decide for themselves,” Miller said.

Within the last month, communication studies professor Andrew Gess agreed to be the club’s adviser. On the other side, College Democrats is no longer a club due to low attendance.

“They sadly didn’t have enough participants to be an active club,” BSG Director of Clubs and Organizations Kaylee Schmidt said.

Although the nonprofit provides promotional materials, finances conference trips and facilitates on-campus events, the club doesn’t receive money from the organization, Chouinard said. Turning Point representative and Bethel alum Jeff Flicker supports students by setting up tables in the Brushaber Commons and organizing events such as “Sex Trafficking and the Wall” with Jaco Booyens, an advocate for the fight against sex trafficking.

“Even if we can’t change their minds, at least we’re informing them,” Chouinard said.

Jaco Booyens encourages students to fight to end sex trafficking

Turning Point USA hosted their first campus event in the Underground Oct. 16. Standing Turning Point USA’s between Turning Point USA mission banners, Jaco Booyens talked Formerly known as College to Bethel students about the Republicans, Turning Point USA reality of sex trafficking in the got its name from a nonprofit U.S. organization that seeks to edNearly 60 people filled ucate college students on the Underground on a political issues. Miller Wednesday night. The “It’s and Chouinard said crowd consisted of they want to inform important to Bethel students, students about give students facts Child Protection why Turning Point so they can decide League members believes what they and students from for themselves.” do. While Turning other universities.

- Faith Miller Point is more con“The most valuservative, Chouinard able resource on the said they focus on politplanet is people,” Booyens ical ideas rather than political said and believes humanity’s parties, providing graphs and sole purpose is to help one statistics to prevent misinforanother. mation from spreading As a filmmaker and activist,

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urning Point USA met for the first time in HC 256, deep in the heart of the nursing department where students walk past medical dummies and hospital beds.

Club leaders John Chouinard and Faith Miller set up ice cream buckets on a table complete with sprinkles, chocolate syrup and M&Ms to welcome new members Oct. 2. Freshman biokinetics major Elle Krellwitz walked in and took a seat.

The first meeting of the year started small, but Chouinard and Miller dove deep into topics such as sex trafficking, voting, marijuana use, the wall, LGBTQ and methods of respectful conversation.

Chouinard and Miller want these tough topics to be discussed more on campus.

Miller said students struggle with being passive aggressive because “they don’t want to offend anyone, so they don’t say where they stand.”

Chouinard mentioned opportunities to pass out flyers, invite friends and intern on President Trump’s reelection campaign.

“I want to help in any way I can,” Krellwitz said as she filled out a voter registration sheet.

She said she wants to discuss issues such as abortion, gender and the border wall.

The Turning Point club hosted an event called Coffee and Capitalism Nov. 6. The event included bagels, coffee and a discussion on capitalism. Three freshmen sat around the circle of tables in HC 256, asking questions about what news sources they should trust. The promotional poster for the event read, “Come talk about how socialism sucks and the importance of capitalism with TPUSA.” | PHOTO BY KATIE VIESSELMAN

Booyens travels throughout the country, speaking at schools, universities and offices to bring awareness of several issues.

At Bethel, he focused on the sex trafficking of children and a Christian’s role in ending it.

Booyens founded Share Together, a “nonprofit organization with a heart to serve, help and reach everyone in need.”

Booyens journey as an advocate began when his own sister was trafficked. He remembers walking down streets with his brother looking for her. After six years, she was found and Booyens began advocating for those still being trafficked.

“The girl that came back wasn’t the girl that left,” Booyens said.

His mission includes producing a film about a sex trafficking survivor, giving talks all over the country to raise awareness and training over 100 FBI

agents how to look for signs of trafficking.

“I don’t discriminate,” Booyens said. “I will save every child.”

Booyens finished his talk by insisting he would stay all night in the hallway or outside, answering any questions the audience had or being there if they just needed to talk.

Miller was excited about Booyens’ visit because she says sex trafficking isn’t as controversial as other topics the club addresses.

“It’s a good way to lean in and get involvement because people were like, ‘Oh, that’s an interesting topic,’” Miller said.

“As a college student and a woman, that’s a good thing to talk about.”

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After prayer and protest, student pro-life club rejected by student senate ZACH WALKER

The newly formed Bethel chapter of pro-life group Students for Life of America prayed at Planned Parenthood and recruited in Brushaber Commons before being rejected by Student Senate Oct. 28 over lack of clarity in the written resolution.

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oelle Parfrey and John McCauley held hands while a tattooed arm gave them the middle finger through the window of a black Jeep. The car horn bounced off the buildings that flanked Vandalia Street

both juniors at Bethel, are the ed in pro-life, anti-abortion bePresident and Vice President liefs. On October 19, four group respectively of Students for Life members prayed outside a at Bethel, a new chapter branch of Planned Parentof Students for Life of hood, a nationwide America, a national clinic that provides “The organization rootreproductive resolution healthcare, articulated a different 3 percent of message than what they which are said in the meeting. The abortions issue was the discrepancy according between what they were to Planned saying and what we had Parenthood’s on paper.” latest annual report.

- Sean Doherty The gathering was the first of several planned club events. But on October 28, Bethel Student Senate decided it would be the last.

“We’re not shaming women,” Parfrey said. “We’re loving them into knowing that they have options.”

Parfrey and McCauley sat with club members Emily Stang, a junior, and freshman Carissa Falkenberg on the sidewalk across an asphalt driveway from Planned Parenthood. A community protestor, Mary Hollenkamp, advised them not to stand on the driveway or security would call the police, insight she had gained from standing on the same Students for Life at Bethel President Joelle Parfrey prays in a circle with Vice President John McCauley and group corner for two hours every members Emily Stang and Carissa Falkenberg in front of a Planned Parenthood clinic on Vandalia Avenue in St. Paul Monday, Friday and Saturday.

Oct. 19. The group posted an invitation to all of its Instagram followers earlier that week. “I think praying on location is She gave the students for us and for others,” McCauley said. | PHOTO BY ZACH WALKER pamphlets of abortion infor10 | NOVEMBER 2019

in St. Paul, a brick warehouse adorned with a mural of a hand-cutting barbed wire on one side, Planned Parenthood on the other. Over the noise, the students kept praying.

Parfrey and McCauley,

that abortion is wrong and it should be illegal.”

“We pray for our society, but we recognize that this is not a safe place,” McCauley said.

“This needs to be shut down.

By your power, save the lives of these children.”

“We pray that [patients] do not see this as hate,” Stang said.

Across the driveway, seven people from Catholic churches across the Twin Cities said the Rosary.

Mike and Patrick from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia Heights were serving two hours of a 12hour shift shared by members of their church’s council of the Knights of Columbus.

Ciel and Mike Schommer from St. Peters Church in Mendota Heights, who come once every month to protest, held signs that read “Defend Life” and “Stop Abortion Now.” “[We’re here] because of the evil of abortion,” Ciel Shommer said. “If enough people make it out, maybe they’ll do something about it.”

After Ciel Schommer shared her reasoning for protesting, a man wearing a black sweatshirt walked out of the building

GRAPHIC BY VADA STODDARD

and down the sidewalk in front of the prayer groups. As he passed each group, the back of his sweatshirt faced them.

“Planned Parenthood is here for Good,” it read.

without meeting face-to-face with Parfrey and McCauley, a result of scheduling conflicts.

The resolution that was presented at the meeting was written with only the club application as perspective into the intentions of Students for Nine days after praying at Life at Bethel.

Planned Parenthood, Parfrey “This club hopes to use their and McCauley sat in silence in status to organize, equip, and BC468 at Bethel University afmobilize Bethel students on ter hearing the Student Senate campus and beyond, in order decision on whether or not to to create a greater impact on make Students for Life at this community and the Bethel a club. Study way it thinks about Body Vice President pregnancy and “This ought Lucas Bentrud abortion,” the to be a discussion read the anonyabout free speech and resolution reads. mous votes.

“Overall, the what we can and will 13 for. 9 aim is to have censor rather against. 1 aban organized than a discussion of the community of staining. ethics of abortion.”

The club like-minded and needed a twopassionate peo- Nina LeBrun thirds majority ple that are more vote to pass. So effective together.”

Parfrey and McCauley The resolution also went back to their dorms and mentions the desire of Stuhad to settle for the title of dents for Life of Bethel to “dealmost-president. velop a strong partnership with Executive Director of Student a local crisis pregnancy center Senate Sean Doherty cited that for whom they can fundraise the main reason for rejection and volunteer.” was the lack of clarity in the The fact that the Bethel written resolution and discrepchapter of Students for Life ancies between the resolution would be connected to the and the statements shared by national organization was not Parfrey and McCauley during included in the resolution, nor the senate meeting. was its ultimate goal of abolDoherty said that Parfrey ishing abortion. Doherty said and McCauley emphasized that senators began searching their ultimate goal of abolthe internet during the meeting ishing abortion. When asked for information on the national if they would be willing to organization. work with student groups that The Students for Life of held an opposite view, they America mission statement mentioned perhaps holding a reads “Students for Life of forum but focused on the point America exists to recruit, train, that there is “no crossover beand mobilize the pro-life gentween pro-life and pro-choice,” eration to aboliosh abortion.” as Doherty remembers.

The website homepage lists “The resolution articulatfour categories of participants ed a different message than that Students for Life of Amerwhat they said in the meeting,” ica supports: medical school, Doherty said. “The issue was college, high school and middle the discrepancy between what school. they were saying and what we had on paper.”

Freshman senator Duncan Chemistry Professor Dr. Harro and senior senator Nina James Christenson, faculty LeBrun wrote the resolution adviser of Students for Life at CLARION | 11

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mation by anti-abortion activist Dr. John Willke and handheld models of fetuses.

Hollenkamp paced the sidewalk and stopped any car that turned into the lot to give the passenger the same pamphlet and fetus model, items that she called “gifts.” She mentioned just having her first save. A woman who turned her car around with her daughter in the passenger seat. And she reccomended a documentary about an abortion doctor called “Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial Killer.”

“I’m convicted to be here,” Hollenkamp said. “I’m called to be here.”

While Hollenkamp stepped onto the driveway to talk to passengers sitting in idling cars, the four Bethel students formed a circle, held hands and began to pray. But they kept their eyes open. Parfrey said they should be aware of their surroundings.

Accompanied by the hum of diesel engines and the dull bumps of car radios, they took turns talking to God. “Thank you for the opportunity to represent Bethel and students who are living out faith,” Parfrey said. “We know

Bethel, knew he was pro-life when his daughter was born.

Today, he still looks at 19-month-old Callie and can’t imagine what it would be like to lose her.

“I don’t think abortion is right, but there needs to be love and forgiveness,” Christenson said. “You always have to react in love.”

Parfrey and McCauley are currently working with LeBrun and Harro to rewrite the resolution to make Students for Life at Bethel an official club. If Ciel and Mike Schommer of St. Peters Church in Mendota Heights hold anti-abortion signs in front of a Planned Parenthood clinic on Vandalia Avenure in St. Paul Oct. 19. The couple stood next to two other prayer groups from Catholic churches across the Twin Cities. | PHOTO BY ZACH WALKER

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it passes, the group will receive official Bethel Student Government club status and be able to apply for BSG funds in fall of 2020.

If it doesn’t pass, there will be no club designation. No funding. However, the group can still meet to show movies and talk about pro-life beliefs.

They can hang posters in the stairwells if Student Life approves them. And, as long as they stay off the driveway, they can pray in front of Planned Parenthood.

“I think the revisions we are making have the potential to change the outcome of how we vote on this club status, LeBrun said. “This ought to be a discussion about free speech and what we can and will censor rather than a discussion of the ethics of abortion.”

The earliest the revote can occur is Nov. 18, but the official date is not set. Parfrey and McCauley refused to comment on the revote.

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter III spoke to community members gathered at Central Baptist Church Nov. 7. | PHOTO BY MOLLY KORZENOWSKI

MOLLY KORZENOWSKI

A recent spike in firearm homicides leads to a discussion about possible solutions.

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firefighter, a retired nurse, a youth sports coach, a county attorney, a member of the mayor’s leadership team and a serviceman all have one thing in common: they feel in danger in their own neighborhoods.

“We need a new tool box to keep the community safe,” Mayor Melvin Carter III said.

“That’s right,” audience members said in unison.

The number of firearm homicides in St. Paul has risen from 11 in 2018 to 25 this year. To address the issue, Carter spoke to the community at a public safety meeting at Central Baptist Church Nov. 7.

By 6:30 p.m., the entire church foyer was packed. A little blonde girl kneeled on the floor with her mother, getting ready for the mayor to speak.

An old woman leaned on her cain, turning away from the round table she was sitting at, one of many crammed into the church.

“I love this city not because we’re perfect, but because we know we’re not a perfect city,” Carter said.

Non-fiction author Rev. Sharon Risher visited Bethel to discuss the same issue Carter brought to the table. Last month, there was a screening of “Emanuel,” a film document-

community to take action.

Within the bounds of these circles, one man said a bullet hit his passenger door while he was in the car. Another man witnessed the deaths of his friends by gun violence. One woman no longer felt safe in her own home. She feared she would come home to find somebody in her living room.

A man wearing a fleece jacket and glasses took a seat in the circle. In the last seven minutes of discussion, he decided to speak. He had lived in St. Paul his whole life and had attended many meetings just like this. He grasped the hand of the woman sitting beside him. This was the first time he had heard anyone say that loving on each other could be the solution to the gun violence issue.

“In the midst of prayer, we need action,” Risher said. “Love is a verb.”

The gun violence discussion will continue on Nov. 12 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Rice Recreation Center and Nov. 16 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Arlington Hills Community Center.

Additional reporting by Emma Eidsvoog

A concerned mother watched intently as St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter III addressed the community about gun violence Nov. 7. | PHOTO BY MOLLY KORZENOWSKI

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Community takes action against gun violence

ing the shooting of nine Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church attendees.

Risher’s mother, two cousins and a childhood friend were among the victims.

“I’ve been at Bethel for five years and Rev. Risher’s presence here today is a high point,” reconciliation studies professor and event host Claudia May said. “She’s one of the most courageous women I know, and I just met her.”

Risher travels the country as a spokesperson for groups like Everytown Survivor Network and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. She advocates for stricter gun laws and helps people who go through trauma.

“I want people to understand that black people were killed, but it could have been anybody,” Risher said.

Carter split the crowd at Central Baptist Church into groups, each with a discussion leader from varying backgrounds. The groups sat in circles designated as safe places to take turns and share ideas about how to address the problem together. From these sessions, Carter plans to put the best solutions into action, setting aside funds to allow the

Nick Swedlund in the Bethel Podcast studio

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Fighting for f ilm MAKENNA COOK

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ick Swedlund hustled into Can Can Wonderpark in St. Louis Park at 9 a.m. with his bag slung over his shoulder and his phone in his left hand.

Rain drizzled from a gray sky over the home base of the 2019 Twin Cities Film Festival. The lights outside mixed with fog to create a haze.

The cinema was filled with old-fashioned arcade games, dinosaur themed mini golf holes and statues of characters from old television shows. Marble floors, white couches and stools adorned the VIP lounge.

As education director of the entire film festival, Swedlund, a professor of media production at Bethel University, had been preparing for the festival for months.

Each week in his Bethel classroom, he prepares for digital filmmaking classes. This year, he’s preparing to leave.

Bethel administration announced cuts to the independent filmmaking and media production majors Sept. 12, 2018 and decided to only renew Swedlund’s teaching contract until the end of the Spring 2020 semester.

Although the media production major was reinstated, Swedlund thought the festival would be an opportunity for both him and his students to explore other opportunities in the world of film.

At the festival, he led workshops and informational panels with hundreds of film professionals and taught a three-day workshop for 20 Twin Cities college students, three of

whom were from Bethel.

Freshman media production major Kale Cox was among these three Bethel students.

As Student Body President of his high school in Almena, Kansas, Cox asked his advisers for permission to graduate a semester early so he could major in media production before the program was to be cut.

This would’ve placed him as a Bethel freshman in Spring 2019, qualifying him to be a media production major after the cuts.

“What Nick does differently than my other professors is he teaches what you need to know and then lets you learn in a hands-on group environment,” Cox said.

Thankfully for Cox, Swedlund and other professors appealed to the Bethel administration about the media production cuts. The independent filmmaking major was not as lucky.

Later that morning, Swedlund and his film festival students made their way into the Wonderpark. Bethel sophomore Benjamin Martin sat down in the far left corner with his high school friend Paul Gennrich, who he had been shooting films with for five years.

Martin heard about the festival his first day of Media Production I with Swedlund and knew it would be a great opportunity for him and Gennrich.

A handful of colleges attended the festival to talk about their programs. Swedlund invited Bethel to have a free table at the event, since he CLARION | 15

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Professor Swedlund sits in the Bethel podcast studio. | PHOTO BY EMMA

Media production professor Nick Swedlund believes in the future of film even though he may not be a part of it at Bethel.

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Swedlund demonstrates how to use the sound board in the television studio located in the Hagstrom Center of Bethel University. | PHOTO BY

Nick Swedlund leans against the wall in front of the Bethel University television studio. | PHOTO BY EMMA

Swedlund gives an overview of events and programs to guests at the Twin Cities Film Festival in St. Louis Park Oct. 31. | PHOTO BY MICAH LOPEZ

EMMA GOTTSCHALK

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was leading it, but Bethel declined the offer without giving Swedlund a reason. “[Film] is how the world is taking in stories,” Metropolitan State Screenwriting Coordinator Jeremy Bandow said. “So, to have programs [that] teach visual [storytelling] is important.”

$350 and assembled it in two minutes. Media Production II requires even more equipment, including television cameras worth $55,000 each.

But according to Swedlund, Bethel’s equipment is outdated.

“Media production is no longer an expen“Film is the sive program,” dominant cultureSwedlund said. creating medium in Swedlund “Ninety-five and his Media percent of this this day and age. It’s Production gear they’ve disheartening to see I students had for twenty a school with so much walked into years.” potential not step up and the BethSome of the be a leader in the media el University equipment is so landscape.” television stuold that it’s clas- Nick Swedlund dio on Oct. 29 at sified as unsafe.

9:25 a.m. with their The new light kits eyes half-shut. Swedlund have LED lights, but the asked two students to check $10,000 ceiling lights are made out two cameras worth about with non-LED lights. When $1,000 each and a tripod from turned on for long periods of the library. Swedlund uncased time, they heat up and become an Impact Light Kit worth a fire hazard. There are about

15 of these ceiling lights in the television room alone, and replacing them all could cost upwards of $150,000.

Swedlund thinks the cost of equipment is worth it.

“Our culture is a visual culture; that’s a fact,” Swedlund said. “Film is the dominant culture-creating medium in this day and age. It’s disheartening to see a school with so much potential not step up and be a leader in the media landscape.”

Recognizing that film is a $41 billion industry, other universities in the Twin Cities have already taken steps to prepare students for their careers. Majors like film production, animation, digital video, graphic communication, audio production and film studies are just a few of the options offered at other colleges in the area like Augsburg University and Metropolitan State University.

“My goal is to make Bethel

the preferred school of choice for media production.” Swedlund said. “As long as I’m at Bethel, I’m going to work on doing that.”

Swedlund admitted he doesn’t know the status of Bethel’s finances, but he believes that Bethel has enough donors to ensure its safety.

However, he’s not sure about his own.

Tensions are high as rumors of more cuts in April have begun to surface. No matter where he lands after spring 2020, Swedlund plans to continue working in the film industry.

“It’s important that we set an example for how we treat each other in times of stress, no matter the outcome,” Swedlund said.

Nick Swedlund explained a camera's aperture settings using a faucet analogy in Bethel's television studio. | PHOTO BY MICAH LOPEZ

CLARION | 17

Top taco EMMA HARVILLE

Acclaimed tacos within 10 miles of Bethel University, ranked.

2 Steak and Mexican sausage taco from El Taco Loco located in Columbia Heights.

1 5

Taste

El Taco Loco

4220 Central Ave. NE, Columbia Heights (7.5 miles) Price per taco: $1.89 Let’s start off by saying I’m the horrible breed of what you would call a picky eater. So, I’m kind of hard to please. But this taco, half Mexican sausage, half steak and delicately dipped in the mild green sauce was flat-out amazing.

Presentation was simple. Kind of just what you would expect. The tacos were served in one of those plastic baskets, so I might have added a point if they were a little more sophisticated.

Presentation But then again, you’re usually not going to a hole-in-the-wall taco place with the expectation of fine dining.

4

3 4

Ambience

Overall

4

Taste

3 4 3.6

El Taco Riendo 2412 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis (6.9 miles) Price per taco: $2.45

I got a steak taco and pork taco. The pork taco was not my favorite, but let me tell you—the steak taco was the only one I actually finished during these taco escapades. The tortilla was slightly crisped and the onions and cilantro were fresh. The lime juice pulled it all together.

If I wasn’t so sick of tacos, I would eat it right now.

Nothing special. Definitely kind of thrown into a paper basket. But still very appetizing.

Presentation

Ambience

Overall

I liked the vibrance, but the restaurant was almost too big. I have a hard time believing it’s ever full. But it’s nice that there’s always somewhere to sit.

I think I might have been the only customer who didn’t order in Spanish, so that’s promising in itself.

The only bummer was that this place, compared to the others, lacked a sense of character. There wasn’t a whole lot going on inside besides the Mexican flag. Being at a strip mall, the location wasn’t the best either, plus parking was a little tricky.

El Taco Loco means “the crazy taco,” and this, my friends, was a crazy taco.

18 | NOVEMBER 2019

ILLUSTRATIONS BY JOSH ELLER PHOTOS BY EMMA GOTTSCHALK

4 3

Taste Lifestyle reporter Emma Harville enjoys a steak taco at El Taco Riendo in Minneapolis Nov. 5. It was her third taco of the night, but that didn’t stop her from finishing it.

3 2.5

Presentation

Ambience

2.8 Overall

1237 Larpenteur Ave W, Roseville (5.8 miles) Price per taco: $4 I ordered the sweet pork tacos with pineapple and carmelized onions, as well as the classic steak taco. The tacos came with a boatload of cilantro that had me picking my teeth for 20 minutes straight, but I didn’t mind because the sweet pork taco was actually pretty great.

The presentation was probably one of the best, although my taco was almost hidden by an avalanche of cilantro.

The atmosphere was cool and all, but it was so small. We sat at one of three high-top tables that were smooshed together, and as people continued to run in and out, we realized that this is probably more of a grab-it-and-go kind of place.

If taco places were family members, La Tapatia would be the cooler older sister who wears eyeliner and listens to Paramore.

2301 37th Pl. NE, Columbia Heights (5.1 miles) Price per taco: $2.95

3

Taste

4

Presentation

3

Ambience

3.3 Overall

Our server told us to get the pork and steak tacos. I liked the steak tacos better than the pork, but I would definitely eat both of them again. The mild sauce was great. But the salsa for the chips was pure liquid, and I prefer my salsa a bit chunkier.

The horseradish added some nice magenta vibrance to the plate even though I didn’t eat it. Simple yet effective presentation.

So the outside was a little sketchy, and the typography on the sign wasn’t super enticing, but hey, looks aren’t everything. Once we walked in, we were greeted with the familiar bright orange walls of the other two spots as well as the cutest mini sombreros and Día de los Muertos decorations.

We dined under a giant portrait of Frida Kahlo and an array of random fruit paintings. Quite honestly the dining experience of my dreams.

CLARION | 19

LIFESTYLE

3

La Cocina de Cuco

La Tapatia

5 2.5 2 Taste

Nico’s Taco Bar on Como

2260 Como Ave, St Paul (8.1 miles) Price per taco: $3 to $4

The bartender said the carnitas and barbacoa tacos are Nico’s staples. I wasn’t completely sold. I thought the meat was a little too sweet, but that’s just me.

We ordered takeout, and the two tacos came in a cardboard box. One of them was Presentation completely squashed by a container of salsa.

3.5 2.7 Ambience

Overall

The restaurant was spacious, clean and dimly lit for a cozy feel. It definitely had a more modern twist—no orange walls here. I appreciated that there was music playing and I loved the Frida Kahlo mural.

This has potential to be a great first date option. And you can impress that special someone by ordering the cow tongue taco.

6

2398 County Rd E, New Brighton (3.9 miles) Price per taco: $2.15

2

Taste

2.5

Presentation

3

Ambience

2.5 Overall

A vibrant mural of Frida Kahlo decorates the wall near the bar, putting a modern twist on the traditional art frequently featured in Mexican restaurants.

Brother’s Taqueria I got the carnitas, as per the server’s recommendation. They were okay, and I respect them for their effort. What really got me was the extra hot sauce—I chugged water all the way to the next stop. The server was gracious enough to give me a warning, so I blame myself.

Simple, which I can appreciate. No bells or whistles, but I wasn’t expecting them.

You know how department stores sneakily start playing Mariah Carey Christmas songs the day after Halloween? Well, apparently that isn’t enough for Brother’s Taqueria in New Brighton—the place is currently decked out like Santa’s workshop. Red and green tinsel hang from the ceiling and Santa suits cover the chairs. Sombreros and snowmen adorn the bright orange walls. What is it with the orange walls?

Was it cheesy? 100 percent. But it was also merry and bright, fitting for the most wonderful time of the year.

Carnitas taco from Brother Taqueria located in New Brighton.

PHOTOS BY EMMA GOTTSCHALK

20 | NOVEMBER 2019

MACIE GAVIC

A Bethel volleyball player talks about what it feels like to lose and keep going.

T

nothing matters, that we don't care about anything,” Hunt wrote. “It means everything can matter, if you look for what you were supposed to get from the experience.”

Three days later, I left class early to watch film of the Concordia College volleyball team for 15 minutes. Then, I sent in my Noodles & Company order that I would eat on the threehour bus ride the next day and dressed for practice.

The next morning at 10 a.m., my backpack overflowed with a laptop charger, knee-pads and my favorite pink pineapple towel. I loaded the bus for the ride to Moorhead. And it was full of laughter.

That’s the magic of playing with these girls.

After a loss, we can laugh about someone tripping over her shoelaces or shanking the twenty-fifth point serve. The next day, we learn to have our laces tied up all the tighter. And we focus on what comes next.

One-word answers to the one big question.

Tune in this week for Episode 8: Life is Theatre. Callie and Zach will talk about stage fright, middle-school performances and the upcoming production at Bethel. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

LIFESTYLE

he ball pounded the floor with a slap as the line judge pointed a red flag at the hardwood. Another kill for Augsburg brought the score to 11-14. The crowd fell silent as Augsburg No. 4 served the ball.

It soared left toward the corner, but a pass by Bethel’s Allie Fauth kept the rally alive. Thirty seconds of weaponized swings and digs ensued until Augsburg threw up a wall of hands for the block. The ball rolled down the quivering net and landed with a thud.

Another loss for the books.

We stood in a circle in the corner of the Robertson Center gym and thanked God through choked sobs for the opportunity to play. Players filed into a silent locker room that was disturbed only by splashes of shower water, rips of ankle-brace velcro and the unlacing of court shoes. Then, someone cracked a joke about a bruise on her hip. Three girls laughed.

“What are you doing tonight?” one of the girls asked.

“Wanna grab Pancheros?”

That’s all the time we got to be upset.

The next day, coach Gretchen Hunt sent the team an email titled “No Bad Days!” “‘No bad days’ doesn't mean

Tune In...

What comes next

THE BETHEL UNIVERSITY CLARION THEBUCLARION THEBUCLARION BETHELCLARION.COM

PHOTO BY JHENNA BECKER ILLUSTRATION BY VADA STODDARD

CLARION | 21

Top flush SALLY HAZEN AND HANNAH SMASON

A definitive ranking of the best and worst bathrooms at Bethel University.

As weathered Bethel defecators, our behinds have touched many a throne. We know which bathrooms are first-rate and which are flops.

No shade to Fac-Man, though. We know y’all are trying your best.

More accessible than Benson, it’s a great place to stop, drop and go.

However, your odds of running into someone you know is pretty high, especially if there’s an event or if it’s textbook season.

The Best

Hannah: If there is something going on near the egg or a lot of people are studying at Royal Grounds, this one can get pretty busy. But most of the time, I would say it's a good choice. However, if you are coming from class, you may have to hold it for a second and walk past plenty of other bathrooms to make the trek.

Benson Cleanliness Reliability Accessibility Privacy Sally: If you are looking to have a low-stress poop and you have no time constraints, Benson is the way to go. I have routinely gone out of my way to go to Benson specifically to empty my bowels.

I’ve even walking from freshman hill late at night just to enjoy a good ol’ Benson poop.

Hannah: This bathroom is big, always clean and almost always totally empty. Pooping in the stalls at the back is a dream. I’ve put on my winter coat and walked out in the snow to get there before. The Wi-Fi is big poopy though.

Near campus store Cleanliness Reliability Accessibility Privacy Sally: This is one of my favorite places to poop if I’m on the go.

22 | NOVEMBER 2019

Third floor RC Cleanliness Reliability Accessibility Privacy Sally: I’m gonna be honest; I don’t really like this bathroom. Yes, it made it into the top three, but that’s purely because it ranks high on most of our criteria. I will avoid this bathroom at all costs. Firstly, the gaps between the doors of the stalls are too big, which makes me feel like a caged animal being watched while dropping a doodie. However, most of my disdain for this bathroom is because the toilets flush way too fast. Listen, I know this sounds like a first world problem, but the automatic flushers are lightning quick and make pooping in these bathrooms a less-than-enjoyable experience.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY WILL JACOTT

1 Hannah: I know that this bathroom terrifies Sally. I have seen her flinch at the very mention of this one, but the flushing helps the moment be a real “defecate and dissenagrate” type of thing. Also, there are lots of stalls and it has an air-dryer. I do have to say I hate the way the door opens from the inside. It’s awkward and far too heavy.

The Worst

Cleanliness Reliability Accessibility Privacy Sally: This is for sure my least favorite bathroom in the buildings.

It’s dark and scary. The stalls are narrow, the toilets are short and the walkway from the stalls to the sinks is so small that I salute anyone who tries to walk through with a backpack. This received a low rating on cleanliness only because it’s so old that I don’t think it could ever be truly clean. This bathroom is void of hope and peace.

Hannah: I can tell you horror stories of this bathroom. The yellow lighting gives the illusion of urine everywhere. This isn’t helped by the fact that it clearly hasn't been updated in a while. The flushing is also extremely unreliable. Take it from someone who had to live through it; do not poop here.

lay a loaf, but it’s so widely used that, at any given time, you are likely to be joined by at least one other person. It’s great for a quick pee, but pooping equals commitment, and this bathroom just isn't ready for that.

Cleanliness Reliability Accessibility Privacy Sally: These bathrooms are decent but lose points because they’re really the only usable bathrooms on the first floor, which makes them generally high traffic and leads to points docked on cleanliness. In an extreme emergency, the biggest stall can be used, but if you have even a minute to spare, the walk to Benson is 100 percent worth the trek.

Hannah: If you use these bathrooms late enough at night you can sometimes have an uninterrupted poop, but during the day, especially after Chapel, there will be lines. You will be ashamed of yourself if you try and poop here, and you will almost always be caught in the act. This makes it awkward for all involved, especially if you make eye contact with the person going in after you. Because, sometimes, sorry isn't enough.

Next to the DC Cleanliness Reliability Accessibility Privacy Sally: In an ideal world, this bathroom would be a great option to

Hannah: It’s a classic. Of course you want to use this bathroom. For a quick pee, it does the job. But only the bravest of souls (or the most barbaric) would poop here. Lots of people will come in and use it after you. Do you really want that kind of burden on your conscience?

1

Section Designer Will Jacott hypes up the bathroom by Benson Great Hall with a welldeserved double thumbs up. | PHOTO BY EMMA GOTTSCHALK

2

Will expresses the general disdain for the bathroom between Benson and the bio/chem departments with a harsh double thumbs down. | PHOTO BY EMMA GOTTSCHALK

CLARION | 23

LIFESTYLE

Between Benson and the bio/chem departments

Between bio/chem departments and the blackbox theatre

Junior Maggie and sophomore Grace Riermann play together on the Bethel University’s tennis team.| PHOTOS BY

JHENNA BECKER

Double(s) trouble ABBY PAUTZ

Sisters Maggie and Grace Riermann have been doubles partners since childhood, going from community tennis to ITA cup champions.

24 | NOVEMBER 2019

T

he first thing people notice about Grace and Maggie Riermann is their relationship. They don’t bicker or annoy each other in the slightest. They listen intently to one another because they care what the other is saying. They seem like best friends that just happen to be sisters. Oh, and doubles partners. Their parents love it.

Maggie and Grace have been playing tennis together since they were barely out of diapers. Born 19 months apart, the sisters have been through the ups and downs every sports team has experienced, but they’ve been lucky enough to be together.

Maggie is a junior English education major, and Grace is a sophomore engineering major. They grew up in Grant, Minn., where they attended Mahtomedi High School and played tennis together.

The sisters have played tennis together for what seems

like forever, starting with community tennis and continuing as doubles partners at Bethel.

Tennis wasn’t always what they thought they’d stick with, but they sure are glad they’re still on the court.

“I don’t know how we stumbled on tennis,” said Grace.

This year, Grace and Maggie headed to Rome, Ga. to compete in the ITA cup for the second consecutive year. The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is a tennis competition for all levels of men’s and women’s varsity tennis, including NCAA Divisions 1, 2, and 3, NAIA and Junior/Community College.

Last year, Grace and Maggie competed in the tournament and became All-Americans, earning the program’s first All-American title. This year, they defended their title at the tournament.

Not only are the sisters good tennis players, but they have an edge to them too. Between

their bond as sisters and their experience playing together for so long, they can read each other better than most doubles partners. One could call it a genetic advantage.

1 The Riermanns are a close-knit family, so when they chose Bethel, Grace and Maggie thought about being close to home and their parents. Grace was a PSEO student during Maggie’s freshman year, which led her to attend Bethel as well.

“I mean, I get to go to school with my sister!” said Grace.

The two sisters are proud to be on a tennis team like Bethel’s because no one thinks they’re better than their teammates. The team isn’t a bunch of drama infused girls, they have good values and inspiring

goals; Grace and Maggie fit right in.

Grace and Maggie have high standards for themselves in tennis, but even higher standards for their attitudes on the court. They never fail to be the better players when it comes to honesty.

College tennis competitions are played without a line judge, so players must call the ball in and out on their own. This leads to rampant cheating and lying on the court, just not from Grace and Maggie. They never lie about the ball being in or out. Faith is an important part of their tennis careers, and they want to show their faith through their actions on the court.

Faith and family brought the sisters to Bethel. Tennis was just an add on.

SPORTS

1

ILLUSTRATION BY TOAN VO

The sisters high five after every score they make. They play doubles together frequently. | PHOTOS BY JHENNA BECKER

CLARION | 25

Around the ho JOSH TOWNER

Recapping scores, news and notes since our last issue.

Football Playoff Scenarios Bethel and St. John’s are tied atop the MIAC standings at 8-1. In order to make the playoffs, Bethel will need to have the same record as St. John’s or have a better record. St. John’s plays Rose-Hulman (6-3), so it’s likely they will end at 9-1, meaning the best Bethel can do is tie their record of 9-1. Bethel’s final game will be on the road against St. Thomas (7-2).

26 | NOVEMBER 2019

orn with Bethel Athletics

Men’s soccer slump The men’s soccer team began their season 6-3 but closed with nine straight winless games, finishing with 6-11-2. This is the program’s longest winless streak since 2010, when they posted a record of 3-13-2.

That’s a wrap Women’s soccer and volleyball were bounced from the MIAC playoffs last week. The volleyball team dropped to St. Benedict’s in the quarter finals, while the soccer team lost to St. Thomas in the semi-finals.

Winter sports season begins Men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s hockey and track and field have all started practicing.

Next home games: men’s basketball vs. UW LaCrosse Nov. 12, women’s basketball vs. UW Eau Claire Nov. 12, men’s hockey vs.

Northland College Nov. 15, women’s hockey vs. St. Benedict’s Nov. 15.

SPORTS

Women’s golf rolls on Women’s golf continues their historic season by being ranked 11th in all of Division III golf. This is the highest ranking the team has ever achieved.

CLARION | 27

28 | NOVEMBER 2019

ILLUSTRATION BY MADELINE HARMS

My f irst solo flight JOSHUA TUREK

S

breathe. After checking all my gauges to make sure they were in the green, I pulled back the power and said a quick prayer.

“Lord, please keep me safe during this flight. I really don’t want to die” After repeating this simple prayer at least four times, I was ready for takeoff.

“Branson West traffic, Skyhawk Tango Sierra Whiskey taking off runway 21, Branson West.”

Immediately after my radio call, I threw the throttle open and streaked down the runway.

At 55 knots, I pulled back on the yoke and… I was off.

As the airport fell away below me, so did my anxiety.

Sure, I felt excited, but a sense of calm also started to envelop me. As I continued to fly, picturesque forests and lakes seemed to float below me.

The rippling of the sun on the waves below, the sound of the engine all around me, and the knowledge that I was doing something amazing made me feel more alive than I ever had before. My heart was racing again, but this time it was not from anxiety. It was from pure adrenaline.

Turning away from the lakes and rivers ahead, I started flying back towards the airport. As any experienced pilot will tell you, one of the most challenging aspects of any flight is the landing, and with a crosswind pushing me away from the center of the runway, I knew this wouldn’t be easy.

Lining up with the runway, I started to descend.

“Branson West traffic, Skyhawk Tango Sierra Whisky final

approach runway 21, Branson West.”

As the runway loomed larger before me, I checked my glide path. Four white lights flashed at me from the airport, indicating I was too high.

Pulling back on the throttle, I started to descend even faster.

Looking at the lights again, I slowly saw one white light change to red, then the other.

Two white, two red, indicating a perfect glide path.

I was back on track.

As I reached the runway and pulled up, the aircraft began to glide about 5 feet above the ground, slowly losing speed.

Glancing at my friends watching from the airport terminal, I prayed, “Lord, please help me not to die... or embarrass myself.” Hoping to hear the squeak of the tires kissing the ground, and dreading the sound of a crash, it was all I could do to keep the airplane centered above the runway. The wind kept pushing me to the left, and it felt like I was running out of time. Floating, floating and finally… squeak squeak! Both wheels were on the runway, and I was safe.

I opened the window, and the moving propeller forced a rush of fresh air through the cockpit to greet me. It whipped my hair around me, making me look like Doc from Back to the Future. And like Doc, I felt like I had just accomplished the impossible. I may not have invented a DeLorean time machine, but I had just accomplished something I had only dreamed of doing before. My hard work had paid off, and I had proven

to myself that I could accomplish something spectacular.

A radiant smile broke out on my face as I realized that this was only the first flight of many, and I was excited to get back up in the air again soon.

This is an opinion piece and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Clarion, its staff or the institution. If you would like to submit a response or an opinion piece of your own, please contact Editor in Chief Josh Towner at joshtowner@bethel.edu.

OPINION

itting at the end of runway 21 at Branson West Airport, a Cessna 172 Skyhawk kicked up dust and exhaust while completing the final runup checklist before takeoff.

In the airplane sat a nervous student pilot: me. I had been training for this moment for more than a year, with over one hundred hours of class instruction and numerous flights with my instructor under my belt. I should have felt confident, but I didn’t. Instead, I kept thinking about how I was too young to die. However, I also wanted to prove to myself that with dedication and hard work, I could do something that I would otherwise never have thought possible. So, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. In this moment it was just me, the airplane and the open sky.

I opened my eyes. It was time to complete my pre-takeoff checklist. Doors and windows closed? Check. I was suddenly aware of the heat in the cockpit, and sweat began to bead on my forehead.

Seatbelt? Locked, although maybe a little tight. Flight controls? Free and correct.

Mixture? Rich. As I turned the dial to adjust the trim tabs for takeoff, the “click, click” of the gears falling into place mirrored my heart climbing higher in my chest.

Throttle? Set to 1700 RPM. My pulse began to increase, seeming to match the throttle speed. The Skyhawk lurched beneath me as the added power attempted to pull me forward. Pushing harder on the brakes, I felt like I could barely

CLARION | 29

Covenant in name only SIERRA BEILBY

P

aul Eddy, the professor of the Covenant Relationships course at Bethel, says the goal of a covenant is to “take people who are not family and make them family.” When I think about the Bethel Covenant, I wonder who my family really is. All the people who my eyes scan over in the DC, all the people who sit around tables in the BC, all the students tucked away in back corners of the library—do they know they are my family? I believe the Covenant often fails because its intention is to be relational, while the actual process of “signing the covenant” is purely bureaucratic. This only serves to tarnish the true interpretation of covenant, but also the purpose and validity of Bethel’s community expectations.

The first thing to address is if the covenant is even what it says it is. Consider this: the other day I was online shopping, as one does when they are bored and have no money. I was scrolling mindlessly through H&M, occasionally opening my bank account and weighing the cause and effect of transferring myself some funds for new winter clothes. Minutes ticked away as I fell down the rabbit hole of clearance pages and sales deals until eventually a box popped up, asking me to subscribe to an email list to get 10 percent off. I thought, “why not.” Except because this was a European online store, I ended up on the ever-dreaded terms and agreements page. At this point I was impatiently tapping my fingers on my laptop keys, annoyed at the very process, and so I scrolled straight to the

30 | NOVEMBER 2019

bottom and accepted. I lied, as many do, about fully reading the terms, and I have no remorse. I have no idea what could’ve been fine printed on that page; for all I know I just promised my first born child to the Russian secret police in exchange for 10 percent off a sweater. However, this is the very essence of a terms and agreements page. The minute you see it, you know you have the option to scroll past the words and move on without a second thought.

I didn’t read the Covenant before I signed it. That is the point; I didn’t have to. I knew I wanted to go to Bethel, so the Covenant was just another step toward getting to college. It was transactional, like submitting my college application and essay. I gave Bethel something, and in turn, I get something. Do we even know what a covenant is? When I sat down with Paul Eddy in his office, I couldn’t have put effective language to this idea. The regulations in the Student Handbook, and the “values, goals, and expectations” of the Bethel Covenant were twisting together in my mind like warped vines. Paul described covenant as proclamation of relationship, the promise and celebration of becoming “family.” Covenant is in Genesis 17 when God promises to make Abraham a great nation. Covenant is heavy in the air when two people recite their wedding vows to one another.

In these situations, both parties bring something to the table and make mutual promises.

There is a relational disconnect between making a covenant

with living, breathing humans, and the blue light of your computer screen. You don’t have the option to scroll past a human and opt into the relationship anyways. The Bethel Covenant does not bring any mutual promises to the table.

And who are we even making this covenant with? Our peers?

The Board of Trustees? God? So let’s say the Bethel Covenant is a covenant, but perhaps just not a very genuine expression of one. Attaching biblical language to this document is a misnomer. Yes, we are a Christ-centered community, striving for unified values and expectations, but there is a learned fear surrounding “breaking the Covenant.”

My own relationship with this document is a complex one.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Bethel should simply get rid of their Covenant, and I’m not writing this article just so I can drink boxed wine whenever I feel like it (although this would be nice).

Ultimately, I think that because people lack a basic understanding of the concept of covenant, the document’s intentions become warped. The community-centered language is clouded by the way that it calls out, rather than invites in.

The Covenant becomes confused with the Handbook when you hear stories of students dismissed from leadership positions after having a beer over a break. The fear of Bethel’s retribution against minor Covenant infractions inspires people toward dishonesty, and away from community. Is this what this biblical language is really

about?

There is a place for a Community Life statement at Bethel. I would even argue that a document about school values and expectations is essential.

But I’d also argue that whether or not students uphold a box that they checked at the bottom of a document does not “make them family.” This level of commitment is bureaucratic, and not biblical as the language would suggest. A true covenant would require real humans, sitting down with ears to hear and mutual promises to make. That is community; that is family.

This is an opinion piece and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Clarion, its staff or the institution. If you would like to submit a response or an opinion piece of your own, please contact Editor in Chief Josh Towner at joshtowner@bethel.edu.

ILLUSTRATION BY MADELINE HARMS

CLARION | 31

Fall sports are winding down for the season. Volleyball, tennis and soccer have officially finished their seasons, and golf won’t be back until the spring.

Football is also nearly done, with a game against St. Thomas to close the regular season and determine their playoff bid.

For more sports photos, stories and game coverage, head to bethelclarion.com/categories/sports.