The Beacon - April Issue

BODNER THROUGH THE LENSE OF AI

by ChatGPT

LETTERS FROM OXFORD

by Alley MacDonald

THE BACON

SPRING BANQUET + CSA UPDATE

NO.8

EXAMS CANCELED

by Ohlhauser

APRIL 2024 ISSUE NO. 8

Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.

—Martin Luther King Jr.

Editor-in-chief: Mari Kadri

Assistant Editor: Malcolm Ohlhauser Beacon writing team: Alley MacDonald, Evan Carr, Abeni Knowles, Noah Miller, Suava Hoffman, Hayley Cook Special thanks to the CSA

April 2024 Schedule End of Undergraduate Semester SUN

31

7

MON

TUE

1

2

Easter Monday

Night of Life Worship Service

8

9

WED

3

THU

4

10

Dance Team Showcase

14

15

16

17

21

22

23

24

FRI

5

Crandall Memes

SAT

6

11

12

13

Last day of Undergrad Classes

Reading Day

Exam week begins

18

19

20

25

26

23

Therapy Dogs

Undergrad Marks due

28

29

30

1

3

2

4 Undergrad Spring Convocation

May 2024 Schedule End of Undergraduate Semester SUN

28

MON

29

TUE

30

WED

1

THU

2

FRI

3

SAT

4 Undergrad Spring Convocation

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Spring Semester Begins

12

13

14

15

16

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18

19

20

21

22

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Would you like your Society’s event included in the monthly schedule? Make sure to let us know by the last Thursday of each month!

PAGE ONE | THE BEACON

Exams Cancelled Dear Students, Due to an unknown amount of unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to: alien invasion, the Lutes Mountain eruption, and Dr. Reimers “Officially Old” party, we will have to cancel the classes for the 2024 Winter term. Each event has impacted a great amount of Crandall students, and we stand in solidarity remembering the levels of stress and borborygmus behaviour inflicted upon the Crandall student body. Please take a moment to remember exactly what to do in case of a buildup of these things.

We understand that this news comes to the students at a very poor time and that you were all looking forward to participating in exams. Some exceptions can be made such as an exam issued for unremarkable conduct from a student, if you are already passing the class before the exam period, or if there is a serious issue that would have otherwise impacted the exam experience. In any cases of these situations, please refer to the Crandall constitution to figure out how to book more exams, but please be aware that in any other cases exams will be cancelled for the regular student body.

Lastly, we would like to acknowledge that despite many changes to Crandall this semester – incidents such as “The Great Banana-ing” and the levelling of the soccer field to build a Canadian regulation CRA building – we are looking forward to the bright future of UdeM and its associated prospects. Together we can move forward to create a bright and airy future filled with many GEDs and hours spent frolicking in the countryside. Without these things, would Crandall even be able to call itself its own institution? Probably not, but maybe.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding as we deal with the devastating events that have transpired across UNB’s great history.

PAGE TWO | THE BEACON

Two Truths and A Lie (Answers on page eighteen)

Malcolm Ohlhauser I like to drink different kinds of vinegar as an experience.

I wish I was taller than I am.

I look forward to winter and enjoy the

Suava Hoffman Has climbed a waterfall Slept in a tree for a night Had a professional artist paint me

season.

Mari Kadri I have studied over ten languages Korean is my second language French was my favorite subject in grade school

Evan Carr I'm a lifeguard I met prince Charles (now King Charles) I went on a cruise to the Bahamas

Alley MacDonald I’ve visited every Bodleian library I saw an original Tolkien manuscript I broke the British Museum’s rules by touching an artifact

Abeni Knowles I met Shakira and her family while she was on a secret vacation. I had to keep it hush-hush at the time.

Growing up, I had a pet pig named Roger. Not sure what happened to him.

I taught myself Dubstep as a kid and can still dance some of it.

PAGE THREE | THE BEACON

Rev. Dr. Dr. Keith Bodner: Through the Lense of AI

by ChatGPT Note from the Editor: With the rise of ChatGPT, we in the writers‘ room wondered what it would look like if we got ChatGPT to write an article! After some discussion (and with the permission of the one-and-only Keith Bodner), we decided to let ChatGPT write an article about everyone‘s favorite double-doctorate holding Biblical Studies prof!

We in no way encourage or condone the use of ChatGPT in any way contrary to university rules. Always follow guidelines set out by Crandall University and your professors!

"Picture this: a tweed jacket-clad professor strutting into the classroom with a grin that promises mischief. Students brace themselves for another session of 'Themes of the Bible,' not just for the enlightenment but for the side-splitting moments that inevitably follow. Meet Rev. Dr. Keith Bodner, Crandall University's resident maestro of biblical banter and comedic theology. With a knack for turning biblical discourse into a stand-up routine, Dr. Bodner's classes aren't just required—they're the hottest ticket on campus. Think 'Saturday Night Live' meets Sunday morning sermon, and you've got a glimpse of the hilarity that unfolds in Dr. Bodner's lectures.

Now, if you were to stumble upon Rev. Dr. Keith Bodner's Wikipedia page, nestled snugly between Béla Bodó and Mick Bodley in the births of 1967, you might wonder if his comedic timing was predestined. Whether predestination is true or not, legend has it that even his birth announcement had the delivery room in stitches. But it's not just his alphabetical happenstance that makes Dr. Bodner stand out—it's his unique blend of scholarly wisdom and comedic genius that sets him apart in the annals of theological history. From 'Béla to Bodner to Bodley,' his name might as well be synonymous with 'laughs till your theology textbook tears.'

AI generated depiction of Dr. Dr. Keith Bodner

Teaching the popular course "Themes of the Bible," Dr. Bodner has garnered a reputation for his unconventional teaching style and uproarious classroom antics. From his trademark tweed jacket to his quick-witted quips, Dr. Bodner keeps his students engaged and entertained from start to finish.

Known for his comedic outbursts, Dr. Bodner often infuses his lectures with unexpected humor.

Whether he's playfully admonishing students with a faux "NO YELLING" while projecting his voice, or teasingly comparing his class to his congregation on Sunday mornings, Dr. Bodner's humor is as sharp as it is endearing.

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"It looks like my congregation on Brunswick Street on Sunday mornings in here. Could you look any more clinically depressed??" he jests, earning laughs from his amused students.

But it's not just his jokes that make Dr. Bodner's classes so memorable; it's his infectious energy and passion for the subject matter. With a twinkle in his eye, he delves into roaring topics like "TYPE SCENES!" and "NAME CHANGE!" infusing even the most complex theological concepts with levity and humor.

Students eagerly anticipate Dr. Bodner's class greetings, knowing they'll be met with yet another clever quip. "How are you today, Professor Bodner?" they ask.

"Oh, you know," he replies with a mischievous grin, "no one is being healed in my shadow, but I'm not making sacrifices to Baal."

It's this combination of quick, witty humor and deep theological insight that has endeared Dr. Bodner to his students. His classes are not only educational but also immensely enjoyable, leaving students laughing and learning in equal measure.

As word of Dr. Bodner's comedic genius spreads, his classes have become the most quotable on campus. From his hilarious anecdotes to his unforgettable catchphrases, Dr. Bodner's lectures are guaranteed to leave students in stitches.

So if you're looking for a theology class that's as entertaining as it is enlightening, look no further than Dr. Keith Bodner's "Themes of the Bible." Just be prepared to laugh until it hurts – and maybe learn a thing or two along the way.”

ChatGPT has been around campus for three years, and has been accused of academic dishonesty on many occasions.

Breaking News

Biblical Studies professor, Dr. Isaac Soon will be stepping down in his position of Assistant Professor of Religious Studies (New Testament) at the end of this semester.

Dr. Soon, who started teaching at Crandall in Fall of 2021, has accepted a position at the University of British Columbia as Assistant Professor of Early Christianity.

With the departure of Dr. Soon, Crandall will only have one full-time Biblical Studies / Religious Studies professor remaining.

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The Tables Turned

by William Wordsworth Up! up! my Friend, and quit your books; Or surely you'll grow double: Up! up! my Friend, and clear your looks; Why all this toil and trouble?

The sun above the mountain's head, A freshening lustre mellow Through all the long green fields has spread, His first sweet evening yellow.

Books! 'tis a dull and endless strife: Come, hear the woodland linnet, How sweet his music! on my life, There's more of wisdom in it.

And hark! how blithe the throstle sings!

He, too, is no mean preacher: Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature be your teacher.

She has a world of ready wealth, Our minds and hearts to bless— Spontaneous wisdom breathed by health, Truth breathed by cheerfulness.

One impulse from a vernal wood May teach you more of man, Of moral evil and of good, Than all the sages can.

Sweet is the lore which Nature brings; Our meddling intellect Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things:— We murder to dissect.

Enough of Science and of Art; Close up those barren leaves; Come forth, and bring with you a heart That watches and receives.

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Nature’s World of Ready Wealth Reflecting on “The Tables Turned” as a Student

by Suava Hoffman It’s springtime in New Brunswick. Birds sing outside your window, the rays of morning light peek through your blinds. Outside, the air smells of growing grass and April rain. All is calm, all is beautiful, all is calling come, join in the reawakening of life.

And you? You are in your room, awake with empty cans of energy drinks scattered on the floor, a hundred tabs open on your computer, and a stack of books teetering on the edge of your desk.

Another all-nighter for another paper, another study session booked in just a couple hours, another day driven purely by caffeine and stress. Wordsworth was right—keep up this lifestyle and “surely you’ll grow double.”

The stark contrast between nature and academia, so beautifully shown in Wordsworth’s “The Tables Turned” and in the Crandall student’s everyday life, introduces an important question: have we become disconnected from nature? And how can we reconnect?

Thankfully, Wordsworth offers us some wisdom: “Up! Up! My Friend, and quit your books,” he calls to us in the first line. He instructs his reader to “clear your looks,” put away their studying, and go outside. Listen to the birds, he says. Hear their songs; revel in its sweetness. Across time, his words echo to us: Students, step outside. Breathe the fresh air. Listen to the robins, the chickadees, and the mourning doves. Pause your studying for a minute and tune into a different frequency: “Let Nature be your Teacher.”

While we might not realistically be able to embrace all of Wordsworth’s ideas in this poem (quitting studying before exam season isn’t the best idea), we can use some of his teachings to reconnect with nature. Taking a walk, leaving behind books and technology for a few minutes everyday, and just enjoying the sights and sound of nature can help us all stay happy, motivated, and connected this spring. This month, while we are all focusing on writing papers and preparing for tests, its is important to remember that nature “has a world of ready wealth, our minds and hearts to bless.” So, when you can, be sure to “close up those barren leaves” of your books, and “come forth, and bring with you a heart that watches and receives.”

Suava Hoffman is a second year Sociology and Psychology student who reads enough poetry to be an English student.

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Spring Banquet ‘24

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Photo credits: Matt Cook

PAGE NINE | THE BEACON

Photo credits: Matt Cook

CSA Update With the majority of the CSA Executive graduating this year, the CSA Elections we a particularly noteworthy event which brought about a very different looking CSA. See below for your CSA representatives for the 2024-2025 school year!

Congratulations to the new and returning members of the CSA! There still remains three vacant positions, which will be filled in September of 2024. These include a Business Senator, a Science Senator, and an International Liaison. If you’re interested in running for any of these positions, please contact a CSA representative and out for information about how to run for these positions in early September!

Crandall Dance Team All are welcome to the CSA Student Lounge on Monday, April 8th at 7:30pm to see a special showcase put on by the Crandall Dance Team!

Come out and show your support for their last performance of the year!

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Letters from Oxford: April 3, 2024

by Alley MacDonald Dear Crandall, It is so hard to believe, but our adventures in Oxford have almost drawn to a close! We’ve just started the last official week of the programme. We’re all feeling a bit sad at the thought of leaving England, but at the same time we’re excited to come back to Canada with all of our amazing memories and new experiences!

Last week was a big push to finish our final papers and exams, which were accompanied by lots of coffee runs to Oxford cafes and hours spent in the beautiful libraries. There’s nothing quite like sitting at an old wooden desk under a massive chandelier, writing about Shakespeare’s plays just a few miles from where they were penned!

Now that all our academic work is complete, we’ve started our drama practicum. Each year, the Oxford students put on a performance of one of Shakespeare’s plays for the residents of Charlbury.

A little glimpse of the view from a desk inside the Radcliffe Camera!

We’re very excited to be tackling As You Like It this year—with mistaken identities, wrestling matches, and spontaneous breaking into song, it will definitely be entertaining!

It was also a very special experience to celebrate Easter in England. I had the opportunity to attend the Easter Sunday service at Oxford’s University Church, which dates back to the 1200s. It’s incredibly surreal to think about the generations of Christians who have met there! (And I will admit, the Easter chocolate here is decidedly better than Canadian alternatives ) The RadCam as viewed from the top of the University Church’s spire!

😉

As we head into our last few days here, my plan is to savour every moment—what an unforgettable adventure it’s been!

Sincerely, Alley

Alley is a third-year history major currently on a mission to find the best chai latte in Oxford.

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Would You Let Jesus Wash Your Feet?

John 13:1-17 tells the story of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet. Verses 6-8 say: He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

As I start thinking and planning for my future after Crandall, it is very easy to focus on what I think is a good idea - for me to do the planning and preparing without intentionally seeking God’s wisdom along the way.

Afterall, I have a general understanding of what God wants me to do, so spending time to figure out how to get to that point can’t be a bad thing.

I’m not the type of person who needs to have all the details ironed out, but having a rough outline is what I have been trying to have. This is the part where you might start to wonder how John 13:1-17 is connected to me planning out my future.

The thing is, Peter also had a plan. He didn’t have all the details ironed out, but he had a rough outline of how things were going to go. Then Jesus threw the curveball of wanting to wash his feet and Peter had an instinctual response: No, you shall never wash my feet.

Is this my instinctual response when I have a curveball thrown at me? Am I like Peter, trying to protect my version of the plan for my future? Or am I willing to embrace what I do not understand yet?

As we look towards the future, whether that is a summer job, entering into the job market, or carrying on with what has become the daily norm. I would challenge you on if you would allow Jesus to wash your feet. Will you say yes to the curveballs that are thrown at you, rather than shutting them down because they don’t fit within your plan for the future?

This article was submitted to the Beacon by a current Crandall student who wishes to remain anonymous.

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Matt Brouwer: New Music Crandall's Worship Arts Director, Matt Brouwer, is set to release a brand new EP titled, 'Best Days Ahead." The music will be released on April 5th across all streaming platforms.

The album was co-produced by Matt and Crandall alumni Jeff Somers and Ron Scott. Of the 5 song project Matt says, "The idea for these songs came about a few years ago while my family and I were still living in Texas.

Someone I had gone to Bible College with started a Facebook group celebrating our 20 year reunion.

This was during COVID and so over 600 people were eager to connect and began to share old photos and memories and eventually deeper life experiences. It was really cool to catch up with old friends and former classmates in this way, but it was also sobering as it became clear that for so many, life may not have turned out exactly as we would have hoped or planned.

There were a surprising amount of posts about walking away from faith in God altogether. One thing that seemed to stand out was how we all felt about a weekly worship night we started called Monday Night Worship, (very similar to Grounded here at Crandall). Something profound happened in all of us during those gatherings that was deeply felt even if it was difficult to explain. Back then I started writing worship songs when I was a part of those weekly worship services and now, 20 years later, I started to think about what I would write about now. How had the years changed how we might express things?

I kept feeling this sense of optimism even for those sad stories I had read and even experienced myself, a sense that God works in ways we don't understand and nothing is wasted. Fast forward a few years and my family and I made a major move back to Canada, and quite unexpectedly, I found myself working at Crandall University as Worship Arts Director. Being back in a college setting made me feel so much common ground with the transformational experience I had as a student to now working with and observing a whole new generation of students hungry to know God more and eager to express their hearts in praise to the Lord. Twenty plus years ago it changed my life and so many of my fellow students.

These new songs are an invitation to remember the up and down mess our lives can be, to see the good, the bad, the ugly as all part of the story our lives are telling. The good news and the hope that our 'best days are ahead' is that no matter how broken or triumphant each chapter may be, all of our lives are telling the bigger story of God's love for us, and no matter where you find yourself at any given moment, the story's not over and nothing is wasted. Our fears and doubts find safe harbor to exist alongside our faith and courage, and everyone is welcome."

Make sure to check out Matt’s new music dropping on Friday, April 5!

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Further up and Further In

by Evan Carr C. S. Lewis cleverly points out that “The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.” [1] The time is ticking, the Earth is spinning, and we are moving forward whether we want to or not. The end of this semester will bring change. For some of us it simply means a pause in our studies for the summer, while for others it marks the end of an academic career and the beginning of something new.

As we move forward in our lives, I want to point out some biblical foundations that will help us along the way.

Firstly, keep your eyes fixed on God and the realties to come.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 warns us to not “let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator.

Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.’” Sometimes as young people we feel like we could live forever. However, life is short – Isaiah states that people are like grass – here today and gone tomorrow – but the Word of the Lord is eternal. Jesus talks about storing our treasures in Heaven where moth and thief cannot destroy them. Don’t let the busyness of your life distract you from God and the life to come. Paul reminds us that “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” (Colossians 3:1). In The Last Battle, Aslan tells the Pevensies children to go “Further up and Further in” as they experience the New Narnia. It is a call to keep our eyes fixed on the future that awaits us, which ultimately will be union with God. [2] This life is but a drop in the bucket. We need to “do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your [our] God” (Micah 6:8).

Secondly, know God is always with you and promises His peace.

Jesus tells his disciples before ascending into heaven that “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20). He is El-Roi, the God who sees you. God promises to never leave nor forsake us (Joshua 1:9; Hebrews 13:5). God is also Yahweh-Shalom. Paul writes, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16). Philippians 4:6-7 and Isaiah 26:3 both promise peace to followers of God. He is there working our lives into his will as Romans 8:28 declares. Jesus tells his disciples in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Finally, know that your mistakes cannot keep you from the Love of God. Lamentations 3:23 declares “Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” For Christians, our sins have been nailed to the cross, and they have been removed as far as the east is from the west (Colossians 2:14; Psalm 103:12). You are the righteousness of Christ.

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God no longer sees the tarnished sinful wreck, but the newly made, born again, redeemed, Spiritfilled, bought-by-the-blood Child of God. You are a royal priesthood, a holy nation set apart for God (1 Peter 2:9).

When we see Jesus, don’t we long for Him to say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”? Let it be a daily motivation to serve God whether we become doctors, lawyers, teachers, pastors, businesspeople, sociologists, psychologists, historians, etc.

[1] https://www.deseret.com/2012/6/27/20914450/top-100-cs-lewis-quotes/ [2] https://southrun.org/sermons/further-up-and-further-in

Evan Carr is a third year Science student who enjoys the Chronicles of Narnia.

Scan for Spotify Playlist

Spring Playlist Wildflower and Barley

Something Tells Me

Hozier ft. Allison Russell

BAILEN

Featherstone

Here Comes the Sun

The Paper Kites

The Beatles

Lavender Girl

Apple Tree Blues

Caamp

Caamp

Ophelia

Come In With the Rain

The Lumineers

PAGE FIFTEEN | THE BEACON

Taylor Swift

The Value of Your Degree - Priceless

by Dr. Jon Ohlhauser As a fresh recipient of an academic degree, I remember the acute sense of disgust seeing the look of indifference on the face of the loan officer as I attempted to apply for a small car loan.

Surely the value of the parchment I now held in my hand warranted extending me a line of credit in order to purchase a vehicle. Apparently, my mental monetization of the degree I had earned did not create a compelling case in the mind of the bank employee.

I have since grown in my appreciation for the value of my education beyond the simple monetization of the credential. I have learned to appreciate how much my life as a person has been enhanced through the formal learning process; how I have been able to better manage the endless barrage of life issues; how I have been able to grow and enhance the importance of relationships in my life; how I have been able to engage in meaningfully informed conversations about important social issues; how I have been able to think ethically about dilemmas in ways that leave me with sufficient confidence my decisions to these dilemmas are acceptable; and how I have been able to deal with the person of Christ.

For those of you preparing to receive your degree credential from Crandall University and for those of you who have more of your formal educational journey to complete, I do hope your academic achievements bring you measurable and satisfactory levels of monetary benefit but I encourage you to include all of the other beneficial elements of your degree to gain a holistic sense of its priceless value.

Dr. Ohlhauser is the Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs for Crandall university. He also happens to be the Coach of the Boxing Team.

Spring Convocation 2024 Friday, May 3rd at 1:30 PM • Master of Management Saturday, May 4th at 9:30 AM • Bachelor of Arts • Bachelor of Arts & Science • Bachelor of Business Administration • Bachelor of Organizational Management • Bachelor of Science • Certificate programs

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Saturday, May 4th at 2:00 PM • Bachelor of Education • Bachelor of Technical Education • Master of Education • Master of Organizational Management

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A Letter from the Editor

by Mari Kadri Some of you may know me, some of you may not. For those of you who don’t, let me quickly introduce myself. I’m Mari - a fourth-year English major set to graduate in just a few weeks. I also happen to be the editor of the Beacon. For those of you who do know me, hi :) As my time at Crandall comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on my almost four years at this institution. Let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride. I am not the same person I was when I started here not that long ago. I don’t know if I have any wisdom to impart, but I’ll share with you a few things I’ve learned along the way.

Making friends: When I started at Crandall, I was super shy. I found it very difficult to make friends. I didn’t really have any friends growing up, and that left me feeling ill-equipped to make friends. My first semester, I met a few people who would later become some of my closest friends. But it wasn’t linear. It took time to develop relationships and time to figure out how to. I remember in my second semester, I intentionally worked really hard to put myself out there and meet more people - which was very difficult for me being an introvert. But those few months of discomfort practicing making friends was invaluable. I now do consider making friends a skill, it’s something that doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but with practice and a genuine desire to connect and support others, you can find your people. If you relate to this, just remember that as much as you desire to have connection with others, others feel that way too. You’re not alone in wanting friends, and it’s important to put in effort and be intentional about it!

Keep your identity in Christ: This was a hard lesson for me to learn. I love academics, and coming to Crandall, I really enjoyed that I was able to do well with the support of my wonderful professors.

But I ended up placing so much of my identity in doing well at school. Last year, I went through a period of time where I was very depressed. It took everything in me to not let on how bad it had gotten, and I just completely stopped caring about my grades or doing well in school. I didn’t have it in me. At that time, I got the lowest grade I’ve ever gotten, and it was devastating because I had put all my self-worth into being the person who does well in class. Unfortunately, it wasn’t even that experience that taught me my lesson - I’m too suborn for that!

Through many more ups and downs in the following months I would continue to put my identity in things that were keeping me from living the life God has for me. Let me be clear - it’s not a bad thing to put effort in to your education, or to excel in any part of your life. The issue comes when it becomes where you find your value. It‘s much better - but definitely harder - to put your identity and self-worth in Christ because unlike the things of this earth which are temporary and ever-changing, He is consistent.

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Prioritize relationships: When I look back at my time at Crandall, I will remember the people who I met here - my classmates, coworkers, people I met in the halls, the staff, professors - it is the people who helped shaped me, who supported me, who laughed and cried with me, who had long spiritual talks with me, who helped me become the person who desires to follow God. University is about getting an education, but it’s about so much more than that, too. Especially at a Christian institution where we value transformation in the lives of those who attend. True transformation can only come through Christ, and in my experience, He uses His people to through relationships to help, support, and encourage. If you don’t prioritize relationships, you can miss out on that for yourself or being that for someone else.

Get involved: The Crandall community is so great. It might sound corny, but being involved in the community has been one of the highlights of my time here. There are so many ways that you can get involved and there’s something for everyone in terms of interesting and ability. And the great thing about Crandall is that if there isn’t - you can start it!

As my time at Crandall draws to an end, I am left surprisingly nostalgic. My time here has not been perfect by any stretch of the imagination. I‘ve had to deal with mental health issues, I‘ve been hurt by people I‘ve trusted, I‘ve been stressed about grades, and questioned if I‘m really cut out for university. I still don‘t feel like I belong a lot of the time. But if I let those bad experiences and those negative feelings be the only thing I‘m left with, that would be pretty sad. Because I‘ve also had so much joy.

I believe that God has put me here for a reason, at this time. God has used the people I‘ve met here to radically transform my life and help me to walk closer with Him, and my hope is that God has used me in the lives of those around me, too.

I am so thankful for my experiences at Crandall, despite the messiness - maybe even because of the messiness. Life can be really hard and really unexpected. But I‘ve been blessed with friends who walk beside me and encourage me, with kind professors who are always open to helping and having a conversation, and with a school environment which has facilitated my spiritual, personal, and professional growth.

Mari is a fourth-year English major who skipped class to finish writing this article.

Two Truths and a Lie Answers The Lies:

Malcolm: I wish I was taller than I am.

Suava: I slept in a tree for a night.

Mari: French was my favorite subject in grade school Evan: I went on a cruise to the Bahamas Alley: I’ve visited every Bodleian library Abeni: Growing up, I had a pet pig named Roger. Not sure what happened to him.

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SHALLNOT a place for exploration

A Thrift Store Puzzle

by Elisha Reimer

A Thrift store is a funny and smelly place Where Lots can be found from toys to vintage lace There Is so much to find and even more to see What Might be there is not really scot-free Some Items are fine while other are very not And Toys are known for being a quality of squat When Looking for items of high quality The Closer one looks appears to be the causality That Means that seeing it all has an impact But The science behind this is not exact One Must give the item a full trial run Whether At your home or with someone

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It’s Always a risk and a scare at first To Know that your purchase cannot be reversed Especially When a puzzle is what you have found Knowing That having all the pieces is simply dumfound With An image so beautiful it is hard to say no So Taking a risk is the way that you go Working For hours you are left with only one piece Amazingly It fits and you finally find peace.

SHALLNOT a place for friendship

Anam Cara

by Mari Kadri

I've searched the land Sea to sea To find a friend as good as thee

These are the moments I will remember These are the moments That made me who I am

But alas, no one can compare

So when years pass, and We have different lives My heart will still visit you From time to time

Going for walks in the winter Cause our summers had different plans Staying late at the cafe Just to hangout Supporting half-baked plans That turnout to be great

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And although our time together may draw nigh I pray our friendship to never bid goodbye

SHALLNOT a place for faith

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