Liberty Champion November 8 2016

THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE

OCTOBER 12

OCTOBER 12

IS QUICKLY APPROACHING.

New boutique opens in Cornerstone

IS QUICKLY APPROACHING.

B5 B1

Volleyball sweeps on Senior Night

VOLUME 34, ISSUE 9

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LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA

LIBERTYCHAMPION.COM | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016 | LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

Raising the bar

checkmate

Law students earn second highest Bar Exam pass rate in Va. Jack Panyard jepanyard@liberty.edu

tion of Colleges and Employers) by Symplicity, used by major universities across the nation. LUNETWORK hosts more than 214,000 student and alumni accounts, according to Glass.

“I can literally say that there’s not another school like

Liberty University School of Law earned the second-highest pass rate in Virginia for first-time test takers for the July 2016 bar exam with an 89.66 percent pass rate, only 2.1 percent behind the first place holder, the University of Virginia School of Law. According to Rena Lindevaldsen, Liberty Law professor, 52 first-time takers took the bar exam this past July in various states throughout the country. In Virginia, Liberty Law had 29 students taking the exam for the first time.

Liberty’s law school has been implementing new programs and classes for the past two years in an effort to raise bar exam pass rates and give the students a firm understanding of the practice as they go. According to Lindevaldsen, the level of preparation needed during the summer months can sometimes be as much as 60-80 hours per week.

“During the past few years, we have implemented several curricular changes, including a new thirdyear writing course, a revised bar studies course, and some Virginia specific courses,” said Lindevaldsen. “We have put together a curriculum that can prepare students to pass the bar exam. When they put forward the work that is necessary to complete the work, they can pass the exam.”

Another key component to the bar exam success is the summer mentorship program where faculty and alumni stay connected with the students to offer much-needed support during their studies.

“A couple of years ago, we brought in alumni to mentor the bar takers during the summer to offer prayer support and to answer questions about taking the bar exam. Last summer, we also asked faculty to stay in contact with the bar takers,” said Lindevaldsen. “I believe this helps them know that they are not alone as they are putting in the long hours. When they put in the work, they can have confidence that they can pass the bar.”

Dean of the School of Law Keith Faulkner said he agreed that the alumni program has helped the students excel, and the alumni are excited to be a part of it.

“The students were talking about the pride they had as early alums and the great success that they enjoyed. They want to pour back in and see the next generation of Liberty lawyers enjoy the same and even greater success,” Faulkner said. “I think our alumni program will become even more robust, and our students will really cherish the relationships they build with our alumni over the summer spent preparing for the bar.”

Professor Lindevaldsen also noted that the law school has entered into a partnership with BARBRI. This program offers an intensive orientation training for the students and provides great resources throughout their three years at the school to help prepare them for the bar exam and practice.

“The BARBRI materials permit the students to test themselves throughout law school to ensure they are learning the material well enough to pass the bar exam, rather than waiting for a crash course during the summer before the bar,” Lindevaldsen said.

The program is relatively new, but the results have been positive, according to Faulkner.

“We’re really out there as one of the early adopters of this program, and our student body has been very receptive to it,” Faulkner said. “There’s a lot of excitement about the potential for the success of this partnership, but at the end of the day,

See CAREER, A3

See LAW, A2

Caroline Sellers| Liberty Champion

COLLISION — Forward Zak Hayes checked an opponent at the military appreciation hockey game Saturday, Nov. 5 against Stony Brook University. Full coverage of Liberty’s Military Emphasis Week can be found on A7.

Harvesting hope

Local farm grows produce for low-income individuals Cassie Conley cconley20@liberty.edu

Lynchburg Grows, a seven-acre farm in Lynchburg, is committed to providing affordable produce to the community along with on-site vocational training for individuals with disabilities and low income.

“We want to afford purposeful employment to individuals with disabilities and also help people in our community gain access to fresh produce at a reasonable price,” Shelley Blades, executive director at Lynchburg Grows, said.

Lynchburg Grows partners with

Stand Up, a Virginia-supported employment service, where individuals are placed at various organizations and supported daily by a job coach.

“It is just a matter of reminding them and showing them a technique that works best for them,” Blades said. “It’s really just like any other job training would do.”

The Morris Campus Farm at Liberty University works alongside Lynchburg Grows through donations to the Veggie Van. The program was formed by volunteer drivers and helpers, See GROWS, A6

Photo Provided

FRESH & LOCAL — Lynchburg Grows built several greenhouses to grow their produce in.

Cultivating careers

Liberty’s network of employers expands to new heights Valerie Pors vpors@liberty.edu

This year’s goal for Liberty University’s expanding Career Center is to raise student awareness of the tools and opportunities it offers, due to a less-than-desirable rate of student participation.

Only 15-20 percent of stu-

dents use Liberty’s job and internship searching tool LUNETWORK, according to Richard Glass, director for the Career Center. Many students walk right past the center without noticing, Lana DeWulf, the office administrator said.

“Somehow we’ve become the supply closet of the uni-

versity,” DeWulf said. “Everyone’s coming in, ‘Can I borrow a pencil? Can I borrow a stapler?’ and we’re like, ‘Sure, but do you know what we’re actually doing? Do you know what services are available?’”

One of these services is LUNETWORK. It is part of the larger job-search system NACElink (National Associa-

INSIDE THE CHAMPION

News

Liberty Today App adds new live bus-tracking system to show where buses are on campus. A6

Opinion

A student’s opinion on why the National Football League’s ratings A4 are low.

Sports

Preview of women’s and men’s basketball season as first B3-B4 games near.

Feature

Overview of student’s initiative to raise awareness about sexual B5 assault.

News Opinion Sports Feature

A1 A4 B1 B5

news

A2 | November 8, 2016 | Liberty Champion

Bouncing into business Jump Lynchburg hosts the grand opening for its new local trampoline park Elizabeth Hornberger ejhornberger@liberty.edu

Jump Lynchburg has come to town, and 93.7 KHF hosted its grand opening Friday Nov. 4 at 3:00 p.m., less than a mile from Liberty University in the Candlers Mountain Shopping Center.

The brand-new trampoline park features more than 12,000 square feet of connected trampolines, angled trampoline walls, a dodge ball court and a foam pit.

Brent Fortenberry, general manager of Jump Lynchburg, said he is excited for the future of the business and that he hopes to positively impact the community in more ways than one.

“Our business operates in a day and age where technology has taken over,” FortenPhoto Provided berry said. “We hope to bring people togethBOUNCE — The new park has angled walls and a large area of connected trampolines. er and away from all the screens, enjoying time with family or making new friends while getting exercise.”

Fortenberry graduated from Liberty University in 2011 with a degree in sports management and a minor in youth ministry.

Now he has taken his passions into the workforce and community, where he hopes Jump Lynchburg will offer a fun, new way for people to come together.

“Once the new year arrives, we will be looking to reach the community by offering different times for homeschool groups, church groups, special needs programs, a ‘Jump Fit’ class and college nights,” Fortenberry said.

Ticket prices are based on the amount of time a person wants to jump, giving participants plenty of options. Thirty-minute jumps cost $8, one-hour jumps are $12, 90 minutes are $18 and two-hour jumps are Photo Provided $22. They offer group rates, as well as five different birthday party package rates and a DUNK — Jump Lynchburg has multiple basketball hoops and other attractions for visitors.

LAW continued from A1

Amber Tiller | Liberty Champion

EXCELLENCE — Liberty’s School of Law continues to add programs and methods of teaching to its already expanding cirriculum.

the hard work of the students and the demanding classroom experience offered by our professors are what actually gets our graduates prepared for the bar exam.”

“The university has been incredibly supportive of our efforts to increase Bar passage rates,” Lindevaldsen said. “Obviously, as the law school excels academically and on the bar exam, the university excels.”

To accommodate the new methods of teaching and programs, the law school decided to decrease enrollment and focus more on a select group of students to raise Bar scores.

“We … decreased our enrollment for the first time in order to increase our statistics for the incoming class, and that required the university to say that we’re going to make that decision even though it means less revenue for us,” Lindevaldsen said. “The university has been incredibly supportive

discount for groups of more than 15 and 25 people, providing plenty of options for all participants to consider.

They offer various different programs, including open jump, a stretch of over 10,000 feet of connected trampolines. The trampoline field is composed of more than 50 trampolines, angled wall trampolines, a pit of multicolored foam blocks, a jousting pit, three basketball goals and a dodgeball court.

They also feature Friday Night Jams and College Night which offers discount rates for college students in hopes to attract students from colleges across Lynchburg. In the future, the trampoline park even plans on offering group exercise programs, according to its website.

Weekend spots fill quickly, and Fortenberry recommended that guests secure jump passes and fill out the waiver before arriving.

In order to create a safe environment and reduce risk, Jump Lynchburg educates and trains its staff, conducts daily and weekly maintenance checks on all their equipment and requires strict adherence to rules, according to Fortenberry.

Every participant must sign the Jump Trampoline Park waiver. If the participant is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign for them, and all minors must be over 16 years old to be dropped off at the park without an adult.

More information is available at www. jumplynchburg.com.

HORNBERGER is a news reporter.

of us, which shows that they value the good education that’s being provided here and to do whatever it takes to help our students pass the Bar.” According to Faulkner, the current status in Bar scores puts Liberty in a good light for the public and helps the school from a recruiting standpoint. It brings Liberty into a new conversation, gives the school a lot of credibility and gives the students a good reputation with the public and potential employers.

“This was a big win for Liberty University and of course for the School of Law,” said Faulkner.

“This really helps the university be viewed through a lens of quality, and that’s what we’re about.”

FYI The average pass rate for Virginia law schools for the July 2016 Bar Exam was 78 percent.

The average pass rate for first-time takers of the Bar Exam in all of Virginia was five percentage points higher than the overall pass rate.

PANYARD is a news reporter.

CAMPUS CALENDAR 11/8 - Election Day

6 a.m. - 7 p.m. | Vines Center 11/12 - NEEDTOBREATHE ft. Mat Kearney, Parachute & Welshly Arms 7:30 p.m. | Vines Center 11/15 - SWRVN Tour: C.J. King ft. Clay Finnesand

8 p.m. | LaHaye Event Space 11/28 - Coffee and Donuts for Commuters

8:00 a.m. | Foyer - Airlock 1 11/28 - Christmas in Lights

7 p.m. | DeMoss Steps 12/3 - Christmas Coffeehouse: Unwrapped

11:30 p.m. | Vines Center 12/6 - Open Mic Night 7 p.m. | Argo Tea Café 12/9 - Comedian: John Crist 8 p.m. | LaHaye Event Space 12/10 - Movie Night: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

10 p.m. | LaHaye Event Space COLOR KEY:

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Karen Kingsbury

Louie Giglio w/ Passion Worship Band

Larry the Cable Guy

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Rosaria Butterfield

Johnnie Moore Ayesha Curry

Steve Forbes Ben Gutierrez Christmas Convo

CHAMPION CORRECTIONS The article “Taking a stance” in issue eight last week incorrectly stated Joseph McGowan represented Evan McMullin when in fact it was Andy Knudsen.

The article “Changing for the better” in issue eight last week incorrectly stated Milton Hershey School is a K-12 school when it is a pre-K-12 school.

The editorial staff apologizes for the innacuracies.

CAMPUS EVENTS

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news

Liberty Champion | November 8, 2016 | A3

Helping the hurt For-profit, Lynchburg-area business assists women affected by trafficking Kirkland Gee kgee10@liberty.edu

Jak was born in a small village in Southeast Asia and, like many others from her area, needed to begin providing for her family at a young age. At 13 years old, Jak began looking for work, but without any education or experience, she had to sell herself to make an income.

For years, Jak was stuck in that lifestyle without a way out. With an elderly mother and two young daughters to provide for, Jak worried she and her daughters may be forced into the same position as well.

But thanks to a company in Lynchburg, Virginia, Jak is now able to produce and sell her own earrings to make a living.

Freegrance is a for-profit business that seeks to empower women affected by the sextrafficking industry by providing them with jobs, purchasing their goods, and investing in their businesses so they can provide for their families.

Barbára Hubbard, co-founder of Freegrance, said in villages like Jak’s, it is often the responsibility of the female to provide for her family, and with no education and no connections, a woman will often sell herself to make an income.

“It’s hard for us (in America) to understand because we don’t have the same values, but that’s usually what happens,” Barbára Hubbard said. “We are investing in these women’s lives, helping them start a business, and helping them to come up with a product that we can market here in the U.S.” Barbára Hubbard’s husband, Patrick Hubbard, said Freegrance is effectively these

women’s customer. The women they are working with own 100 percent of their own business in Thailand, selling products at market there. Freegrance buys their products outright and re-sells them in the U.S. Along with Jak, they also work with a group of women who make lemongrass soap.

Barbára Hubbard said that those are the only people they are currently working with, but they have plans to expand as they grow their business and have opportunity. A pair of Jak’s earrings cost $10, and the handmade soap starts at $5.

“They’re selling in Thailand as well, but what is really life-changing is when we come in and buy 2,000 bars of soap or 3,000 earrings and invest a large sum of capital into their business,” Patrick Hubbard said.

While Freegrance is focused on helping women in Southeast Asia, Barbára Hubbard said they are also partnering with organizations here in the U.S. Each month, Freegrance allocates its marketing budget to partner with a local ministry.

For November, they are working with Girls On the Run, an organization that seeks to empower girls ages 8-13. Whenever customers use the coupon code “GOTR20” on the Freegrance website, 20 percent of those profits will go to Girls On the Run. “We’re tapping into their network,” Barbára Hubbard said. “For us it’s to advertise, but it’s much more meaningful than to just pay for thousands of flyers or an ad on TV or the radio. It’s giving back.”

Barbára Hubbard said that while Freegrance is a business, it is also a form of ministry.

“There is a purpose for the business,” Barbára Hubbard said. “It’s not just a for-profit

Christianne Gormley | Liberty Champion

NETWORK — Liberty’s Career Center helps students build their resumes and connect with future employers.

CAREER continued from A1 it out there that has this same system — that has that many (student accounts), and that’s why employers love it,” Glass said.

LUNETWORK has grown from hosting 1,700 employers four years ago to more than 9,000 employers today, according to Glass. On average, 3050 employers try to set up accounts per day.

The employers post as many as 1,500 new jobs per day, which the Career Center staff investigate to

confirm their validity, according to Glass. Staff also proactively reach out to new employers to engage them in the network, describing the high qualifications of Liberty students, Glass said.

“When they see that type of value happen, then all of a sudden they want to get more involved with Liberty,” Glass said.

While LUNETWORK employer posts specifically target Liberty talent, NACElink posts display all job postings from all its schools across the nation — more than 2 million jobs total.

LUNETWORK was revamped in the summer of 2015 to become more user-friendly, Glass said.

Added features include a mobile app that students can use to search for jobs and internships as well as RSVP to campus career fairs and workshops.

As of 2015, any Liberty student registered for classes automatically has a precreated LUNETWORK account with basic information filled in, Glass said. He urges students to fill out the information as soon as possible because without an uploaded resume on a public

Photo Provided

TEAM — Barbára Hubbard and her husband, Patrick Hubbard, play a large role in the ministry. thing we do in our lives that sets us apart and says that we’re different.”

Other than Barbára Hubbard and her husband Patrick Hubbard, all Freegrance's workers are volunteers. They have a group of volunteers in Thailand now, and they have a Liberty University student helping them market and advertise in Lynchburg.

“Freegrance products is a great way for students to support women in Southeast Asia who desire to care for their families without having to sell their bodies in prostitution,” Freegrance Marketing Director Carlo Trombley said. “Several ways they can help are by volunteering, buying the products, or even just liking and sharing our social media posts.”

Trombley can be reached by email at ceabarca@liberty.edu for more information about Freegrance and opportunities to volunteer with them.

“I think (the millennial generation) has Photo Provided a desire to make an impact and to help peoOPPORTUNITY — A worker taught women ple,” Barbára Hubbard said. “That’s not so much the case with my generation, so I think how to make Freegrance soap. that gives (millennials) a great opportunity to business because we want to make money. … be a part of something and make an impact There should be an aspect of ministry in all right where you are.”

To shop and learn more, visit www.freethat we do whether we are operating a bank, in a construction site, or running a busi- grance.com. ness like Freegrance. As the body of Christ, there should be a ministry aspect to every- GEE is a copy editor. profile, students are not eligible for recruitment from employers who are paying for keyword searches of qualified students.

The Career Center also helps students with professional development through resume critiques, mock interviews and FOCUS 2 career tests.

“You show us the (job) position, and we help you understand how to tailor your resume so that it is an answer of how you are qualified for that job, and that will help you stand out amongst all the competitors across the nation,” Glass said. “If you just send in a regular re-

LinkedIn profile and on how to get job offers from job fairs, Glass said.

The fairs host international companies including Kohls, Chick-fil-a and Geico, DeWulf said.

“It’s really been cool to see it develop and see the bigger companies really notice Liberty and say, ‘Wow, those are great students,” DeWulf said. “They can compete with UVA. They can compete with the students at Penn State. They can keep up with them.”

The office celebrates each time a student gets a job or internship.

“I have a gong in front that we love to ring,” It's been really cool to see Glass said. it develop and see the bigger “ E v e r y body hears companies really notice it all across Liberty and say, 'Wow, those the office are great students.' … and new students or — LANA DEWULF s t u d e n t s that are in sume based on some format the office at an appointment that you saw online, you will at that time hear it and say, not get seen. I guarantee ‘What’s that?’ — someone you will not get seen.” just got a job.”

The center also hosts The center also offers the 10-12 career fairs and 20- Washington Fellowship at 30 informational sessions Capitol Hill, an internship throughout the year, includ- program available for fall, ing workshops on building a spring or summer semes-

“

ters that allows students to intern in Washington, D.C. while still taking full-time credits online.

Anna Tierney, a senior professional communications student, lived on the Washington Fellowship dorm during her internship.

“One of my other friends … was literally sitting there doing his government homework in the Library of Congress, and I was like, ‘That is ridiculously awesome,” Tierney said.

Additionally, last year the center added a Disney College Program in both Florida and California, where students can take Disney classes including management, hospitality and customer service, DeWulf said.

The Career Center is offering a virtual career fair Dec. 1, where students can connect with potential employers online during a designated time period.

More information on Liberty’s Career Center and its corresponding events can be found at www.liberty.edu/career.

PORS is a news reporter.

OPINION

A4

November 8, 2016

what to expect at the polls

THE POLLS WILL OPEN ON NOVEMBER 8 FROM

TH

6 A.M. - 7 P.M.

SAID

ACCORDING TO THE VIRGINIA REGISTRAR, IF YOU ARE IN LINE BY 7 P.M., YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO VOTE.

ON-CAMPUS STUDENTS REGISTERED WITH * THEIR ON-CAMPUS ADDRESS ARE TO VOTE AT THE VINES CENTER.

ANNEX STUDENTS

REGISTERED WITH THEIR ANNEX ADDRESS MUST VOTE AT SHEFFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

Year of the no fun league The 2016 NFL season continues to be a letdown for fans Cierra Carter cmcarter18@liberty.edu

It’s like the NFL is trying to sabotage itself.

Every week, I hope that when I check the primetime schedule, I’ll find an exciting matchup. But so far, every week I’ve been highly disappointed.

Since my Oakland Raiders have found themselves in first place in the AFC West, I’ve been able to live with it.

I will admit that it can be difficult to gauge how successful a team will be just by looking at their roster on paper. Those in charge of scheduling could make a big gamble, leading to a few not-so-entertaining games, but that’s not really what we’re witnessing.

According to CBS sports, ratings are down 12 percent.

Commissioner Roger Goodell has attributed the decline to competition with the presidential debates and the fact that Thursday night games are viewed on NFL Network and aren’t as accessible.

Others have argued the ongoing national anthem protests that some players are engaging in have created a disconnect.

It could be fair to argue that there’s a bit of oversaturation with NFL games being played Sunday, Monday, Thursday and even Saturday as we go deeper into the season, but as a fan, I see it differently.

While I will admit that I tuned into every presidential debate, regardless of what teams were playing, I would also like to note that

AT

WH S ’ T A

Sarah Rodriguez srodriguez70@liberty.edu

I don’t have an immediate tie to the military nor do I have a soldier in my life that I worry about coming home safely, but that does not undermine the importance of Veterans Day for me or anyone else.

Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is celebrated in honor of all servicemen and women who have served in the United States’ armed forces. Originally Armistice Day and switched to Veterans Day in 1954, the holiday became official in 1938 and has been celebrated ever since.

Though I don’t have a personal connection to the military, Veterans Day is such a good reminder to continue to honor those who have served and are currently serving and a reminder to continue to pray for our soldiers.

Countless times in the Bible we are called to pray for others and not just ourselves.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (ESV).

The difficult and sacrificial work of the U.S. military is something we must honor more than just one or two days a year.

We must honor them with our prayers for their protection each day.

I am thankful for all that Liberty University does to honor the military’s role in our country. From a military appreciation hockey game, a military night of remembrance, a military Convocation, and a military appreciation day football game, Liberty works to honor its students who are veterans and teach those who are not involved to value them by supporting our military.

A lack of personal connection to the military doesn’t make the sacrifice of servicemen and women any less significant.

My ability to live in a free country, where I am able to pray whenever, is made possible by men and women who served and are still serving overseas and domestically. I have never lived in an America where that right wasn’t second nature, and for that, I am more than grateful.

Jaguars.com

PRIMETIME — The NFL has experienced a decline in viewership during the 2016-2017 season. it’s 2016, and we have the ability to watch both at the same time.

The future is here.

Switching games to NFL Network has nothing to do with the fact that those games have been terrible. Dolphins v. Bengals?

Jaguars v. Titans?

This season, Twitter introduced the ability to stream games via the app, so the opportunity is there. The problem is that no one wants it.

The prime-time scheduling of games has been especially abysmal — that’s really the only way to look at it.

For instance, this week’s Thursday Night Football matchup will be the Cleveland Browns taking on the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium Nov. 10.

Now, I’m all for a premiere division rivalry matchup, but

Baltimore and Cleveland hardly count, as the Browns haven’t produced a competitive team in nearly 10 years. And I don’t know anyone who really likes to watch the Browns play, including the Browns fans I know. As the countdown crew would say, “c’mon man.”

There’s been a big push to expand America’s game internationally, with three NFL games being played in London and a game being played in Mexico City in week 11. But considering the fact that the primary audience of NFL fans are losing interest, I can’t help but think that the NFL has lost sight of its priorities.

Poor planning isn’t the only thing contributing to the lackluster season, but what else could possibly be the issue?

“Because the league isn’t fun anymore,” Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman said, while meeting before press. “Every other league, you see the players have a good time. It’s a game.

This isn’t politics. This isn’t justice. This is entertainment, and they’re no longer allowing the players to entertain.”

He isn’t wrong. As a fan, I’ve witnessed the Ochocinco’s of the league be fined more for celebrating than others have been for actually violating conduct rules and/or laws. So, not only am I being forced to watch the Browns in primetime, I’m assured that nothing interesting will be allowed to take place.

“No Fun League” it is.

CARTER is the opinion editor.

RODRIGUEZ is the editor-in-chief.

AT’S H T !

D ...AN E WROTE SH ALL

opinion

Liberty Champion | November 8, 2016 | A5

Evangelical great honored A student reflects on Billy Graham’s legacy as he celebrates 98 years of life

Les Schofer | Liberty university news service

IMPACT — Billy Graham spoke during Commencement May 3, 1997.

Sarah Rodriguez srodriguez70@liberty.edu

There are some people in the faith community that I look up to primarily for their unwavering obedience to the Lord’s calling on their lives and their ability to speak truth when people need to hear it most.

For me, one of those people is Billy Graham. As a person who

grew up in the church her entire life, I was familiar with the name Billy Graham, but it was not until I interned this summer for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), the organization Graham founded in 1950, that I began to learn what a truly great man he is.

On Nov. 7, Graham turned 98 years old, and for almost an entire century, Graham has selflessly served the Lord through his public

ministry and his private life. For more than 70 years, Graham used his platform to publicly share the gospel with millions.

All around BGEA are pictures of Graham at numerous crusades, his signature gatherings in which thousands upon thousands of people would come hear him speak in cities around the world for multiple days in a row. According to billygraham.org, Graham has shared the love of Jesus with nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories.

I had the chance to hear story after story from employees of BGEA who have interacted with Graham and had their lives impacted by a man focused on serving the Lord despite opposition.

Graham came from humble beginnings in Charlotte, North Carolina, placing his faith in Jesus Christ as a young teenager and then attending Florida Bible Institute and Wheaton College.

One of my favorite stories I heard while at BGEA was about the relationship between Graham and his wife, Ruth.

According to billygraham.org, Graham met Ruth at Wheaton College, and the two went on a date.

After the date, Ruth prayed “Lord, if You’d let me serve You with that man, I’d consider it the greatest privilege of my life.” The two dated for a while but Ruth had her mind set on being a missionary to Tibet — Graham felt called to evangelism.

The story goes that Ruth tried to sway Graham to go to Tibet as well, but Graham spoke up and

asked “Do you believe that God has brought us together?” Ruth believed that was true, so Graham said “In that case, God will lead me, and you will do the following.”

Graham was married in 1943 and then was thrust into the mainstream media after his 1949 Los Angeles Crusade. The crusade, which was planned for three weeks, lasted more than eight weeks, as Graham and his team felt the Lord calling them to stay in the city longer.

I also had the privilege of reading Graham’s autobiography “Just as I Am” this summer, and my mind was blown when I read of all the stories of Graham’s most memorable crusades. For months at a time, Graham would leave his family and travel all around the world preaching in whatever venue could hold the thousands of people who would turn out to hear him speak.

Graham preached in countries Americans never imagined visiting, including the Soviet Union and North Korea. Graham was friends with numerous presidents and visited the White House more times than I could count in the book. He has met with every president of the U.S. since Harry Truman.

International leaders who did not even follow Jesus respected Graham and gave him platforms to preach the good news. Graham was so respected around the world, yet he remained humble by the divine calling he had to be an evangelist.

Aside from the sheer passion and boldness with which Graham preached, I most admire Graham’s dedication to his family, despite

traveling for a career, and his ability to live his life above reproach.

Graham cherished his time at home in the mountains of North Carolina with his wife and children and also invited his children to travel with him when they were older.

Graham made sure BGEA stewarded its money in such a way that the organization’s finances were handled without the chance of allegations being made that Graham financially exploited donors.

Also, Graham chose to never put himself in a position where he would be alone with a woman other than his wife. So many prominent Christians have faced accusations of sexual immortality that I admire Graham’s bold stance which has prevented his name from being associated with scandal.

Approaching year 100, Graham has left a legacy that has forever changed the hearts of many around the world. More and more I hear people who share stories of how their parents or grandparents were saved at Graham crusades and, consequently, they are believers now because of Graham’s preaching.

Though he may not be preaching publicly anymore, Graham’s legacy will continue to live on through the lives he has impacted and the organization he founded.

Happy Belated Birthday Billy Graham. May God bless you with many more.

RODRIGUEZ is the editor-in-chief.

Technological test drive The age of innovation continues as self-driving cars begin to enter the market Austin Eagen aeagen@liberty.edu

Over the past two decades, we have seen technology move forward in leaps and bounds. What was once considered sciencefiction has become a modern reality. From everyday conveniences to scientific marvels, the technical capabilities of the modern age are extensive and everexpanding.

One of the latest innovations to appear on the horizon is the self-driving car, a fully-functioning automobile that performs all of its functions autonomously. About two years ago, Google announced its intentions to begin producing these vehicles. Now companies like Uber are beginning to integrate these cars into their everyday operations.

Imagine the implications of such an invention. A personal vehicle that takes you to and from your destination in the most efficient way possible, with no risk of human error or awkward interactions — a private vehicle for your personal journey.

Technology is meant to

make life easier. It naturally moves society closer and closer toward dependence on itself. Because of this, it makes perfect sense that an autonomous car is the next step in society’s technical progression.

While the idea may seem appealing, the intricacies and implications of this new trend should give the public pause. There are a few concerns that should be addressed before introducing automated cars into the mainstream.

Using unmanned vehicles diminishes the likelihood of human error, but it also eliminates the ability to respond to potential hazards.

A computer cannot account for spontaneity or plain incompetence. There are times where creativity and instinct are required to drive safely, and computers simply can’t accomplish that.

Additionally, the risk of breaking down is greater in automated cars than in normal automobiles. Driverless cars not only rely on basic mechanical functions, but they also have to rely on their technical functions working properly.

What is more, if a tech-

Google Images

ADVANCE — Driverless cars have been introduced into the mainstream through popular car services like Uber. nical error did occur, there would be no quick fixes.

Most likely, an average mechanic would not have the knowledge or experience to fix any errors that occurred within the computer systems of the vehicles.

Besides concerns about the effectiveness and integrity of the technology itself, there are other concerns that accompany the mass introduction of these vehicles into everyday life.

Today, nearly everything

we own is connected. Almost any appliance or tool you can think of that runs on electric power can be accessed and controlled remotely. Even modern refrigerators can be accessed through the internet. Everything we own has become computerized to broaden our personal technology cloud.

While convenient, the mass computerization of everyday items puts people at risk. The technology be-

hind innovations such as the driverless car is not secure and could be easily accessed remotely. A hacker could cause mass mayhem by taking control of just a few driverless vehicles.

However remote the chances of a mass hacking campaign are, the risks still exist and need to be taken into careful consideration.

Either way, it is undeniable that society is becoming more and more dependent on automated and

remote systems. A proper evaluation and analysis of the current technical climate should be performed before we dive farther into our role of technological dependence.

EAGEN is an opinion writer.

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Sierra Franklin graphic designer

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news

A6 | November 8, 2016 | Liberty Champion

An app of all trades

Updated app helps students stay on top of bus route and campus activity Kylie Kehrman kkehrman@liberty.edu

Upon the request of Liberty University students and faculty, a live bus map has been added to the Liberty Today mobile app, allowing users to track the location and ETA of buses.

IT Development (IT DEV) added the “live bus map” module when they updated Liberty Today in October. The new module uses GPS technology to keep up with all the active bus routes on and off Liberty’s campus.

The live bus map was designed to make the commute to, from and across campus easier for students, faculty and guests.

Nathan McGlothlin, IT program manager for customer care, said the update has helped users reduce the amount of time they spend waiting for a bus. He said that before the update, users would lose a lot of time waiting for buses because they had no way of knowing

FYI While logged into the Liberty Today app, students can access Blackboard, look at their DCP, check sports games and view a campus map.

Students are also able to watch live stream coverage from Convocation and Campus Community services, as well as view event photos.

when the bus would arrive.

“It was one of the first things I recognized as a need while working here,” McGlothlin said.

He said that the app has multiple functions: it provides a real-time view of any bus on the map, gives further information on the bus’ current location and ETA to each bus stop, shows all the bus stops, and provides an ETA for the next bus arriving at each stop.

Furthermore, he said that students can also customize the map to show only the route they need. He said this is helpful because there are 13 active bus routes on the map.

Victor Napolillo, mobile team product manager within IT DEV, said the live bus map was a challenging module to develop.

He said that Liberty is growing at such a fast pace, it is difficult to keep up with the constant change.

“The simple fact of the matter is Google cannot keep up with us,” Napolillo said.

IT wanted the live bus map to be accurate, so they created a map that reflected the campus in its current state.

Additionally, they had to update the map regularly to keep up with the constant changes on campus.

“If you simply use a Google maps overlay, you’re going to have buses driving through dorms that aren’t even there anymore,” Napolillo said.

McGlothlin said that it took IT about two and half months to create the Live Bus Map. Since releasing the “live bus map,” IT continues to find new ways to make life on campus easier for everyone.

McGlothlin said Liberty Today updates about once a month. Based on what students request, the IT staff strives to integrate new modules that fit the needs of the users.

“The students are giving us all of the ideas,” McGlothlin said. “When we create something like MyLU or the Liberty Today app, the sole purpose is make the student’s experience better.”

Napolillo said helping students is what drives him and the IT department to continue developing and updating Liberty Today and to provide the users with tools that can help relieve stress and save time.

“I like to think that, as you are walking around campus, you’ve got the most useful stuff,” Napolillo said. “Before you waste your time walking all the way to a bus stop, to a laundry room, anywhere, you can look down and go ‘Hey, the mobile team is looking out for me.’”

Rocky Sriskupakporn | Liberty Champion

MOBILE — The new Liberty Today app allows students to follow sports games.

Taylor Coleman| Liberty Champion

REAL TIME — Students can track the bus schedule, as well as each bus’ location and ETA. According to Napolillo, IT plans on releasing a module to track Math Emporium hours and a dining module that includes a menu, gluten-free options, calorie count and more.

He also said that there are plans to improve the Blackboard module, which he said should be released in about three to six months.

Napolillo said that if the students want it,

then IT will create it for them.

“The good Lord willing, and the creek don’t rise, we should have that for you by year’s end,” Napolillo said.

KEHRMAN is a news reporter.

Photo Provided

GROWTH — Lynchburg Grows uses both its new and historic greenhouses to grow a variety of produce.

GROWS continued from A1 who work to bring fresh fruit and produce to food deserts in Lynchburg. Farm manager Chris Marvel said he would like to get involved with a similar outreach program.

“We want to build community with the university but also with the surrounding community,” Marvel said. “I think we both have a desire and passion to grow really good food, feed the community with it and make it available to be affordable as well.”

The Veggie Van allows Lynchburg Grows to go mobile. The van brings produce to the “food deserts,” such as downtown, in the city of Lynchburg.

“Everything we grow is organic,” Blades said. “Everything that we sell, especially in our Veggie Vans that go into the food deserts, is at a price that people in those communities can afford.”

Along with the Veggie Van, Lynchburg Grows uses veggie boxes during the winter and summer months. The summer box

averages 90 memberships while winter membership estimates are around 40 boxes.

Blades began working with Lynchburg Grows in December 2015 and said she learns something new every day.

“I mean it’s great, but it’s all circular,” Blades said. “It’s not just me helping people. I learn something new every day. People help me all the time, and people help Lynchburg Grows.”

The community of Lynchburg supports the organization through donations, volunteering and veggie boxes.

“We’re giving to the community, but the community also gives back to us,” Blades said. “It’s really wonderful, and I really love being a part of something that the community loves.”

Blades said she is encouraged by the different abilities that each worker represents. Since December, she has watched the workers become experts in their assigned jobs and accept more responsibility.

“I just think that calling some-

one an expert who probably hasn’t been called that before has to be empowering,” Blades said.

Marvel said he is thankful to be involved with something that is giving back to the community and has Liberty’s name on it as well.

“Personally, I believe in what we’re doing,” Marvel said. “I believe it’s an act of service and an act of love and we are able show that to the community through donating to Lynchburg Grows’ Veggie Van.” Along with employment opportunities through partnerships, Lynchburg Grows welcomes the community through volunteer opportunities, internships and community service.

“Everyone is welcome here,” Blades said. “Everyone has a place.”

ORGANIC — A Lynchburg Grows greenhouse hosted crops of squash.

CONLEY is a news reporter.

FARM LIFE — Princess the goat has become a common attraction among visitors and staff of the Lynchburg Grows farm.

Photo Provided

Photo Provided

news

Liberty Champion | November 8, 2016 | A7

Leah Seavers| Liberty University News Service

REMEMBRANCE — Students re-enacted the famous photo of the raising of the flag in Iwo Jima during the 2015 military appreciation football game.

Leah Seavers | Liberty University News Service

HONOR — United States Marine Tim Lee shared his testimony and spoke on the importance of voting to students during Convocation Friday, Nov.4.

Gone, but not forgotten Liberty honors military service members by hosting campus events Nov. 5-12 Hayden Robertson hbrobertson@liberty.edu

Military Emphasis Week at Liberty University kicked off Nov. 5 and will last through Saturday Nov. 12 as military students, veterans and their families are honored and celebrated with multiple events throughout the week.

Liberty hosts Military Emphasis Week annually, and events range from the Valley View Mike Donahue Memorial 5-Miler to the Veterans Day at the Jerry Falwell Library, where students can meet members of Liberty’s Student Veterans Association and receive free gifts from the library.

Liberty student and Army 11B Infantryman Noah Wetzel said the week is another sign of how much Liberty students, staff and faculty stand with its service members.

“It really means a lot, and I don’t know how to explain it exactly,” Wetzel said. “I didn’t join for the recognition or attention, but knowing that I am supported by thousands of my classmates and teachers is truly humbling.”

The day before Military Emphasis Week officially kicked off, former United States Marine Tim Lee was welcomed to the

Convocation stage Nov. 4 with roars from students and a standing ovation from many.

During his speech, he reminded students why he chose to fight for his country.

“I tell people all the time that I didn’t go 10,000 miles away from home to give two legs for my country and come back here and be politically correct while America is being destroyed,” Lee said. “If I fought for America in Vietnam, I will fight for America in America.”

“

IF I FOUGHT FOR AMERICA IN VIETNAM, I WILL FIGHT FOR AMERICA IN AMERICA. — TIM LEE

The Valley View Mike Donahue Memorial 5-Miler then opened up Military Emphasis Week Saturday, Nov. 5. According to Liberty’s website, the run pays special tribute to Major Mike Donahue, who was killed in action during a tour in Afghanistan in September 2014. The run took place at Camp Hydaway on a trail that Donahue ran on frequently.

The military night of remembrance continued the appreciation week, taking place Monday, Nov. 7 at the Worley Chapel on main campus. There, military students and veterans heard a message on the importance of upholding freedom and were prayed over in a one-hour service.

Later on the same night as the race, the Liberty men’s hockey team held its military appreciation game Friday and Saturday nights against Stoney Brook. The Flames wore their custom made blue digital jerseys in honor of all military officials.

According to Club Sports employee Kaleb Van de Perre, former Vietnam veteran Jim Purdy dropped the game puck on the ice to begin the game. Many students said they were glad to see Liberty’s hockey team honor veterans at their game.

“I think that (service members) were extremely respected,” student Drake Durr said. “I thought it was awesome to see men and women in uniform having a great time on the ice and off the ice. Seeing the respect that Liberty had for all veterans by using them in the game made them feel respected and honored.”

Later in the week, military students, veterans and their families will be honored during Convocation Friday, Nov. 11. The Sounds of Liberty, the university’s flagship

traveling music group, will perform, and Larry the Cable Guy will later take the stage.

Events later in the week also include a Veteran Appreciation Reception at the Hancock Welcome Center Nov. 9 and a military care package workshop, where people can pack care package boxes for service members away from home. The military appreciation day football game caps off the week at Liberty’s last home football game against Charleston Southern University Saturday, Nov. 12.

Wetzel said how difficult to stay connected to friends and loved ones while he is overseas.

He said it greatly comforts him and makes it easier when he is overseas to know that students, faculty and staff at Liberty are here for support and assistance in multiple ways.

“Being away from (my wife) makes it hard for me to take care of her and be there for handling everything,” Wetzel said. “Our friends have been very supportive of us and have helped her with many different things while I am away.”

For more information on which events are happening during Military Emphasis Week and what times they happen, visit the Military Emphasis week webpage on Liberty’s official website.

ROBERTSON is a news reporter.

Fundraising for fountains The TEN Campaign rolls out plan to raise money for clean water in Liberia Kirkland Gee kgee10@liberty.edu

After going into the final weeks of drilling the last well in Grand Kru, Liberia in September, the TEN Campaign and The Last Well are beginning to fundraise and plan for expansion in their vision and mission to provide Liberia with clean water and the gospel border to border before the year 2020.

Issac Apon, a member of the TEN Campaign’s lead team, said they do the majority of their fundraising in the spring, but this year they wanted to begin spreading the word a little earlier.

“I figured if we wanted to make a big difference, there’s only so much we can do with just one week of emphasis,” Apon said.

“I had the idea to create a T-shirt store and make these cool-looking shirts that have to do with the TEN campaign but also just have a ‘do good’ theme to them.”

Apon said all of their spring fundraising events, including their annual gala and “10 week” will still happen, but the T-shirts will be their focus for this fall semester.

Quincy Thompson, another member of TEN’s lead team, said they did a T-shirt campaign last spring as well, but they wanted to start in the fall this year.

“Last year the shirts sold for $20 each,” Thompson said. “Ten dollars can provide one person with clean water for their entire lifetime, so the idea is that people can provide two Liberians with clean water for the price of one shirt.”

Tickets for their annual gala are $20 as well for the same reason, according to Thompson.

The TEN Campaign partners closely with The Last Well, an organization that aims to be out of business by the year 2020 because they will have completed their mission.

“The sole focus of TEN and The Last Well is to reach Liberia border to border with clean water and the gospel,” Apon said. “With each well that’s drilled, a local pastor is planted, and they teach them how to maintain the well because it would be pointless if they drilled the well and left.”

Apon said the pastors teach the locals how to fix the well before they leave so that if anything goes wrong, those in the village will not be without water.

“It gives them more hope because it allows them to feel like they’re a part of something bigger too,” Apon said. “The main thing is sharing the gospel, but another is giving something to do with their hands, so they can make a living.”

Thompson said there are a number of counties in Liberia, not unlike the states in the U.S. When the TEN Campaign started, Thompson said they chose Grand Kru as their starting place because it was forecasted as the hardest county to reach. He said they are currently in talks with the Last Well to pinpoint where they want to focus next.

“The great thing is we’ve reached probably the hardest county to reach in Liberia, and so now this year we’ll work with The Last Well to see, ‘What’s the second-hardest-to-reach county?” Thompson said.

He said the Last Well is currently doing research and projections to decide which county they want to reach next.

More information about the TEN Campaign can be found on the organization’s Facebook page, “The TEN Campaign,” and donations can be made at fundraise. thelastwell.org.

Photo Provided By The Last Well

REFRESHED — Children in Liberia received clean water after fundraising the 10 Campaign and the Last Well. The organizations are growing their efforts to grow access to clean water.

Photo Provided By The Last Well

GEE is a copy editor.

RELIEF — The Last Well said they plan to be out of business once they reach their goal to provide clean water and the gospel to Liberia by the year 2020.

news

A8 | November 8, 2016 | Liberty Champion

it’s passion. it’s trust.

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␣ P O LY VORE

No Interest if paid in full by January 2018* On Purchases of $1,000 or more with your Fink Jewelers credit card made between November 1st and December 31st 2016. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional purchase is not paid in full by January 2018. Minimum Monthly Payments required. *Off er applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged on the promo purchase if you pay the promo purchase amount in full by January 2018. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promo purchase from the purchase date. Depending on purchase amount, promotion length and payment allocation, the required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off purchase by end of promotional period. Regular account terms apply to non-promotional purchases and, after promotion ends, to promotional balance. For new accounts: Purchase APR is 29.99%; Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreement for their applicable terms. Subject to credit approval.

SPORTS

November 8, 2016

This week in Flames history

I would not have wanted to end the season any other way with any other team.

- Senior Outside Hitter Karyl Bacon

2010

Bump, set, spike

B1 The Liberty Flames volleyball team defeated UNC-Asheville 3-2 on Senior Night. The Flames moved to first place in the Big South with the win.

Split the series

Hockey takes one against Seawolves Will Collier wcollier@liberty.edu Lindsey Ball lcball1@liberty.edu

Game 1: Liberty 3, Stony Brook 2

Michela Diddle | Liberty Champion

DEDICATION — Senior defensive specialist Michelle Melendez layed out to keep the point alive in her last home game.

Going out with a bang Flames get sweep on Senior Night for Melendez Logan Smith lcsmith1@liberty.edu

The Liberty University women’s volleyball team (16-11, 11-4) defeated Presbyterian College (4-23, 2-10) 3-0 during Senior Night at the Vines Center Friday, Nov. 4.

Although the Lady Flames won sets one and two by double digits, they barely escaped the third set with a win. According to freshman outside hitter Leah Clayton, the turning point for the Lady Flames in the third set was after Liberty Head Coach Shane Pinder called a timeout after trailing 7-3.

“When we took that timeout, we collected ourselves,” Clayton said. “We had to focus on the statement we wanted to make at the end of this year.”

After the timeout, it only took Liberty nine plays to take the lead. Led by junior outside hitter Gabrielle Vess, who finished with 13 kills, the Lady Flames were victorious in set three, winning 25-19.

“Early in the game, we took away things that (Presbyterian) liked to do,” Pinder said. “They like to hit line and seam, and if they’re in trouble, they like to tip the ball. We had to get disciplined in taking those away.”

According to Liberty senior defensive specialist Michelle Melendez, the key to defeating the Blue Hose was executing the little aspects of the game.

Football Liberty

Presby

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0

WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE GAME

“We had to make sure we executed our game plan, make sure our blockers were doing the right thing and that our defense stood still,” Melendez said.

Friday night’s game was more than just a typical conference game — it was Senior Night.

Before the match, Melendez, who is the Lady Flame’s lone senior, was recognized for her contribution to Liberty’s volleyball program. According to her coaches and teammates, she has been an astonishing leader.

“She doesn’t have to do much to make people want to follow her,” sophomore outside hitter Sydney Morris said. “She’s just a natural leader.”

Morris said that Melendez demonstrated great leadership throughout the season by being the first player in the gym before practice.

“She actually gets us in the gym serving before practice even starts,” Morris said.

According to Morris, Melendez invests in her teammates’ lives, keeping them accountable on and off the court.

“When I was sick, she came and checked on me and gave me ginger ale and Gatorade,” Morris said. “We call her our abuela, which means grandma in Spanish, because she is literally like our grandma.”

Although her journey as a Lady Flame is coming to a close, Melendez said her experience at Liberty has been everything she imagined.

M. Soccer Presby

2

Before the 2015 season, Melendez transferred to Liberty from Palm Beach State College, where she played volleyball for two seasons. During her junior season at Liberty, she collected nearly 200 digs and served nine aces, according to libertyflames.com.

“I dreamed of playing at a Division I school,” Melendez said. “It all came together and worked out perfectly.”

Melendez said when she realized she would be the only senior this season, the idea brought pressure, but a healthy pressure that ignited her passion to step up and lead.

“Being a leader on this team hasn’t been too hard because the girls are so great,” Melendez said. “We have a great, positive vibe on the team.”

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in developmental psychology, Melendez hopes to find a graduate assistant position so she can pursue a master’s degree.

“I’ve met really great friends — even friends that aren’t athletes,” Melendez said. “It’s sad that this is my senior year, but I’m definitely excited for what’s to come.”

The Lady Flames will play their last Big South Conference game Saturday, Nov. 12 against Charleston Southern before competing in the conference tournament.

Liberty University’s Division I mens hockey team rallied back to win in a shootout 3-2 Nov. 4 against the Stony Brook Seawolves at the LaHaye Ice Center.

The win moved the Flames to 5-1 in the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League and 9-4-0 overall. The Seawolves dropped to 6-5-1 and 4-2 in ESCHL play.

“That’s a good team over there,” Liberty Head Coach Kirk Handy said. “I thought both teams battled hard tonight. We knew it was going to be a close game.”

The first period saw both teams held scoreless by solid defense, but it took just 50 seconds into the second period for Seawolves’ senior forward J.T. Hall to find an opening in the Liberty defense and net a goal through the five hole of Liberty sophomore goalie Blake Scott to put Stony Brook up 1-0.

The Seawolves carried that 1-0 lead into the third period.

“We’re just thinking, ‘Don’t panic,’” Liberty freshman forward Andy Clarke said. “We’ve been in this position before at Rhode Island a few weeks ago down heading into the third, so we knew that if we just stuck together, played our system, and didn’t get frustrated that we could come out on top.”

Clarke kept his composure to collect his second goal of the season when he smacked a shot from the blue line that got pass Stony Brook freshman goalie Brandon Rathwell to tie the game at one each.

See SPLIT, B2

Caroline Sellers | Liberty Champion

SMITH is a sports reporter.

GOAL — Matt Cruickshank scored in Game 2.

Volleyball

W. Soccer (OT)

Field Hockey

Liberty

High Point

Liberty

Presby

Liberty

UCONN

Liberty

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1

2

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3

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W. Basketball vs. Duke Nov. 11 @ 6 p.m.

M. Basketball vs. Cairn

Nov. 11 @ 8:30 p.m.

Football vs. CSU Nov. 12 @ 3:30 p.m.

W. Basketball vs. JMU Nov. 15 @ 5 p.m.

M. Basketball vs. VCU Nov. 15 @ 8 p.m.

Follow @LUChampSports for Flames athletics coverage

sports

B2 | November 8, 2016 | Liberty Champion

Flames ousted

Blue Hose end Flames season Julie Deutsch jdeutsch@liberty.edu

Caroline Sellers | Liberty Champion

DRIBBLE — Agueda Moroni leads the Lady Flames in goals.

Call her Agui Freshman already a leader on team Timothy Cockes tlcockes@liberty.edu

Liberty University freshman field hockey player Agueda Moroni is having an incredible year for the Lady Flames. This matches the remarkable journey that brought her to Liberty in the first place.

Moroni was named both Big East Offensive Player of the Week and Big East Freshman of the Week for the second consecutive week on Oct. 31, according to libertyflames. com. She is the first Big East freshman this season to win Offensive Player of the Week.

Moroni scored three goals in the first 17 minutes of the Lady Flames’ Oct. 28 game against Temple, helping them to a 7-0 victory. Her performance set a program record for the fastest time for a player to record a hat trick in a game.

Moroni has scored eight goals in her last eight matches for the Lady Flames. That gives Moroni 10 goals thus far on the season.

Moroni’s season is even more improbable when you consider that she has only been in the United States since January.

Moroni, an Argentina native, discovered Liberty’s field hockey program through an Instagram post she saw while looking at field hockey equipment.

“I saw that there was this school in America that played field hockey,” Moroni said.

“I emailed the coach, and she responded within a day.”

A few months after that initial contact with Liberty Head Coach Jodi Murphy in September 2015, Moroni made the transition to living in the United States in January 2016 in order to play field hockey at Liberty.

Moroni said the relationships with her

teammates helped create a smooth transition to life at Liberty.

“It wasn’t really a difficult transition,” Moroni said. “I loved the team atmosphere.

They made it easy for me to adjust.”

Moroni said the amount of time spent going to class and practicing has been the biggest change for her, but has led to close friendships because of the amount of time spent with the team.

“When I played in Argentina, we took school online and practiced only twice a week,” Moroni said. “Here we practice a lot more, and we are able to build more relationships as a team.”

Moroni said that although she is proud of the way that she has played so far, she still has room for improvement.

“I need to keep working on my individual defense and conditioning,” Moroni said.

Moroni said that she loves the atmosphere at Liberty.

“I feel like everyone here trusts God so much and has so much faith in him,” Moroni said. “People don’t think negatively because they put their hope in God.” Moroni and the Lady Flames defeated the Providence Friars 1-0 Friday, Nov. 4 in the semifinal round of the Big East Field Hockey Championship to advance to the championship game.

The No. 2 seed Lady Flames lost 3-2 to the No. 1 seed UCONN Huskies in the Big East Championship game Sunday, Nov. 6. The Lady Flames reached the conference championship game in the team’s first season as a member of the Big East conference.

COCKES is a sports reporter.

Caroline Sellers | Liberty Champion

SLIDE — Sophomore defenseman Basil Reynolds looked up to pass.

SPLIT continued from B1 But the celebration was shortlived for the Flames as Stony Brook skated to the other end just 47 seconds later and regained the lead when Stony Brook junior defenseman Frank Sherding crossed the puck to Hall in position to score his second goal of the game with 11:49 left in regulation.

“That’s something you don’t want to do,” Handy said. “But that’s the game of hockey. The college game is an emotional game. It’s one we don’t want to give up, but we had to

move on from there.”

The Flames moved on 53 seconds later after leading scorer and senior forward Grant Garvin tipped in the puck off a shot from Liberty senior defenseman Zane Schartz to knot the game at 2-2.

With only 2:52 left in the third, Stony Brook looked to net a lategame dagger, but referees waved the goal off on a goalie interference call on the play.

Regulation ended with the score tied 2-2.

Each team was kept in check in the five-minute overtime forcing the

The Liberty Flames men’s soccer team (79-2) lost in the Big South quarterfinals 2-1 against the Presbyterian College Blue Hose (7-10-2) Nov. 6 at Osborne Stadium.

Liberty expected this to be a tough game because of the strong Blue Hose defense.

“We knew they were going to be very defensive and try to get everyone behind the ball and rely on their long throw, which they ended up scoring the winning goal,” Coach Jeff Alder said.

Liberty defeated Presbyterian 2-0 in the regular season, but sophomore centerback Nico Bellarde remembered they were not an easy team.

“We thought to ourselves to not underestimate this team because they are dangerous,” Bellarde said. “They know how to defend well and they are known for their work ethic, so they just came out on top this time.”

Liberty took two shots in the first 45 minutes, and Presbyterian goalkeeper Connor Behrend saved one. The Blue Hose took five shots in the first half, and Liberty freshman goalkeeper James Knoebel saved two.

“We felt if we could get an early goal to get on top of the game we could try and draw them out and get the second goal,” Alder said.

Liberty received two corner kicks in the first half and Presbyterian received one. Liberty was held scoreless in the first half.

“I think we did just enough to stay in the game in the first half, and then we didn’t put away some chances we could’ve up top, which led to them pressuring us more toward the end and the game getting more hectic,” Bellarde said.

The first goal was scored by Liberty junior substitute Jovanni Chavez with assistance from sophomore forward Tresor Mbuyu and junior midfielder Pepe Segarra. It was crossed from the left side to the far right and

then tipped into the goal at the 48th minute.

The goal initiated a surge in the Flames play into the second half.

Presbyterian tied the game at the 65th minute after forward Sergio Pinto shot from 35 yards out. He was assisted by midfielder Cade Crow.

“We had a couple chances we should’ve finished when it was 1-0, and we didn’t, and unfortunately that let them hang around and they took two good chances,” Alder said.

The Blue Hose took the lead at the 79th minute when defender Bruce Olivier scored with assistance from forward Mason Lewis.

The ball was thrown into the box and deflected off Olivier.

“We got on top and didn’t put the game away, and they ended up hitting a miracle free kick,” Alder said. “It came down to the throw in, and our keeper ended up getting bumped and fell in the goal, and they ended up scoring, and it was disappointing.”

Liberty took six shots in the second half and Behrend saved two. The other four shots were stopped by Presbyterian’s defense.

The Blue Hose took three shots, two were successful and the other was stopped by Liberty’s defense.

Regardless of what the Flames did on offense, the Blue Hose defense was hard to overcome.

“We play well with the ball on the ground (and) we pass well with each other in the midfield,” Bellarde said. “They were more of a team that liked to kick the ball forward and find their striker, and they defended with pretty much their entire team, so it was a little difficult to penetrate their defense.”

Despite the loss, Alder said he has seen the team grow as a whole this season.

“Overall, I’m proud of the guys,” Alder said. “It’s a great group of men. They love each other. They look to serve God and others through soccer.”

DEUTSCH is a sports reporter.

Amber Tiller | Liberty Champion

KICK — Sophomore midfielder Kevin Mendoza dribbled past a Blue Hose defender.

game into the first shootout since the rink reopened from the renovations in Oct. 2015, according to the News & Advance.

“On the bench I looked right at coach and told him, ‘I want first,’” sophomore forward Owen Harris said.

Harris took the first shot for Liberty in the shootout and backhanded the puck through the five hole of Rathwell.

“To be put in that position to help my team succeed was unbelievable, and to come through was an amazing feeling,” Harris said.

Scott on the other end stiffed each of the Seawolves shots and after the last, the Flames rushed the ice to celebrate their victory with him.

“I’m just proud of our guys for sticking with it,” Handy said.

“Down one-nothing going into the third, with a young team, it’s something you love to see. That battle mentality — it was a (really) encouraging win for us tonight.”

Game 2: Stony Brook 5, Liberty 4 The men’s Division I hockey team (8-4) fell short to the Stony Brook Seawolves (6-6) Saturday, Nov. 5 at the LaHaye Ice Center by a final score of 4-5 on military appreciation night.

After Friday night’s shootout victory against the Seawolves, the Flames were off to a slow start that set the tone for their Saturday rematch. In the first two periods, they made a total of 17 shots, while Stony

Brook made 27.

“A slow start really hurt us tonight,” Handy said. “We didn’t come ready to play in the first period, and that was a big negative for us tonight. We are a young team, and we will learn from this game to be better moving forward.”

Sophomore goalkeeper Blake Scott started the first period with strong defensive blocks. Only a minute into the game, Stony Brook’s forwards pressured Liberty’s defense after a faceoff in the top right circle. Six minutes later, Seawolves forward Matthew Crocket shot from the top left, but Scott shifted just in time to prevent a Stony Brook goal.

“I knew I had to own the top of the crease, establish my position and make myself as big as I could,” Scott said. “We got the puck up to our wingers as quickly as we could.

Our first pass out of the zone is what made the difference in the game.”

Fourteen minutes into the first period, Stony Brook forward Joe Bochichio tipped the puck past Scott from the right side of the goal with assistance from defender Frank Sherding and forward Brendan Calello.

“Stony Brook is a tough opponent,” sophomore forward Marshal King said. “We were coming off a win last night, so we got over-excited. Overall, we had a great game, but we weren’t in it those first few minutes, and we didn’t protect Blake Scott like we should have.”

With two minutes left in the first period, King sent the puck up the right side of the rink to Reynolds

who shot into the left corner of the goal, pushing the skill level and energy of Stony Brook goalkeeper Tyler Huberty. However, Crocket returned the favor with a Stony Brook goal that made the score 2-1 at the end of the first period.

“One of our main goals is to put pucks on net, and it just didn’t happen enough tonight,” Handy said.

“We just didn’t execute the game plan tonight.”

Throughout the second period, the Flames attempted to placate Stony Brook’s offense, but the period ended with a two-point advantage for the visiting team.

“We just need to have more awareness,” Scott said. “We need to clear the pucks out of the zone and keep going.”

Four minutes into the third period, Liberty took advantage of a power play and brought energy back into the offense. Reynolds sent the puck to Schartz, who shot straight into the goal.

“In the third period, we tried to get back to the simple plays,” King said. “It was desperation really.

We were desperate and behind and that’s how you need to play. We needed that in the beginning to win a game like this. Third period, we got our way back, just not enough.”

The Flames will take on the University of Delaware Blue Hens Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. in the LaHaye Ice Center.

COLLIER and BALL are sports reporters.

sports

Liberty Champion | November 8, 2016 | B3

Fresh start for Lady Flames Coach Carey Green looks forward to seven new faces for 2016-17 season Luke Dillard mdillard1@liberty.edu

The Liberty University Lady Flames basketball team is ready to take the court for its 2016-17 regular season in Head Coach Carey Green’s 18th year at the helm of the program with arguably the youngest roster he has ever coached.

Coming off last season’s heartbreaking double-overtime loss to the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in the Big South Conference Championship game, the Lady Flames lost five of the winningest players in program history in Ashley Rininger, Catherine Kearney, Katelyn Adams, Jaymee Fisher-Davis and Sadalia Ellis to graduation, and they will field a brand new starting five this coming season.

The Lady Flames have added seven new faces to the roster, and Green expects all of them to compete for playing time early in the season.

Joining the Lady Flames at forward are Keyen Green, Kaila Ballard, Kierra JohnsonGraham, Ola Makurat and Lela Sellers.

At the guard position, the Lady Flames added Iva Ilic and Nene Johnson — a junior transfer from Eastern Florida State College.

Makurat joins the Lady Flames from PoKaitlyn Becker Johnson| Liberty University News Service land, while Ilic joins the team from Croatia.

EXPERIENCE — Head Coach Carey Green is entering his 18th season with 403 victories.

Both have experience playing for their counwith the losses of Rininger, Kearney and Ad- Vega echoed her coach when talking about tries’ FIBA international teams. the style of play fans can expect of the Lady As with any group of new players, before ams, all of whom were 6-foot-4 or taller.

“We’ve had to go back to square one on Flames this season. they start to grow on the basketball court, “We’re a lot faster this year,” Vega said.

Green said they must first deal with every- teaching the fundamentals with this young group (to) make sure we’re building this in “A lot of our points will come from transithing that comes with moving to college.

“It’s going to be a big adjustment for a proper way,” Green said. “It’s developing tion. I think on the defensive end we’re a them to Division I,” Green said. “It’s a lot character, and that’s the number one thing lot faster as well. We have to rebound a lot. of freedom that puts a lot of responsibil- on our agenda — to develop the character of That’s something that’s always on Coach ity on these young ladies. A lot of (new- these young ladies in the fundamentals of Green’s mind.”

Along with Vega, the Lady Flames return comers) will be in the game the first game personal and team concepts.”

“I think the overwhelming identity may sophomore guard Tatyana Crowder and the of the season. I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of changes. Success is usually not in a be our team speed,” Green said. “We lack lone senior on the team, forward Audrey straight line. Usually there’s a lot of detours.” height, so we need to be able to get up and Rettstatt, as captains.

After suffering a season-ending injury alAfter developing an identity built around down the floor. If we don’t do that very well, most halfway through last season, Rettstatt physical post-play the last four years, the then we’re not playing up to our strength.”

Junior guard and team captain Sheana said she is now healthy and ready to go for the young team is still trying to find its identity

SODEXO SPOTLIGHT

DILLARD is the sports editor.

Follow us for weekly menus, calendar of events and up-to-date news! @LibertyDining

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upcoming season.

“I’m very excited,” Rettstatt said. “It’s been a long time. I was at the top of my game last year, so taking the injury was kind of hard. I’ve worked really hard to get back.

(I’m) excited to leave it all on the court since it’s my senior year.”

Before her injury last season, Rettstatt played in seven games, averaging 3.9 points per game while shooting 38.5 percent from three-point range.

“I’m sure it’s been pretty tough for her, because you’ve gone from a starting position to going down with an injury and to rehab,” Green said. “That’s enough right there. She’s come a long way really quick. I think she understands the sense of urgency.

Being a senior and being a leader, we’ve chosen her to be a captain. She’s done an exceptional job.”

Rettstatt’s first game as the leader of the Lady Flames will come against one of the most successful women’s basketball programs in the country when they welcome the Duke Blue Devils to Lynchburg.

“The opportunity to play a quality, ranked program will certainly be an opportunity to assess how far we’re at with the development of these young ladies,” Green said. “It helps us evaluate the things we need to work on.”

Vega said she and her teammates look forward to the opportunity of playing a Power-5 conference opponent.

“I think it’s going to be a great opportunity,” Vega said. “They’re ACC, so it’s a great team to start off with, (and) it will set us up for the season. Being the underdog gives us a lot of confidence to come out and reach our potential.”

The Lady Flames tip off against the Blue Devils Friday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Vines Center.

Steak pita with romaine lettuce from Garbanzo.

of that I am an active photographer, cinematographer, artist, and graphic design artist as well as a skateboarder on an amateur level sponsorship for Vans Shoes.

throughout the Montview Student Union and primarily at Woodfire and Garbanzo.

Reber-Thomas Dining Hall • 1971 University Blvd. • (434) 582-2262 • www.LibertyDining.com

B4 | November 8, 2016 | Liberty Champion

sports

It’s about that time Flames look to improve in McKay’s second year

56,609,280 minutes.

943,488 hours.

39,312 days.

5,616 weeks.

108 years.

1 championship.

The Chicago Cubs are the 2016 MLB World Series Champions after their dramatic Game 7 victory over the DILLARD Cleveland Indians.

And what a Game 7 it was. Momentum swung back and forth between teams as the Indians rallied back to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth before the Cubs scored two in the 10th to win.

That game was the epitome of what a Game 7 in sports should be. Two great teams, a fantastic finish in an epic atmosphere and lots of new babies born in Chicago nine months from now.

Let’s also not discount the Cleveland Indians here.

A lot of people only pay attention to the Cubs and their World Series drought but fail to realize the Indians haven’t won the World Series since 1948.

Imagine waiting 108 years for your favorite professional team to win a championship. I cannot imagine the agony die-hard fans of any professional team could feel if their favorite team did not win a title in their lifetime.

I admire the real Cubs fans who stuck it out when the Cubs were terrible — the fans who bought season tickets to Wrigley even when they knew the Cubs performance that season was not going to be worth the price of admission.

At least they had the 1985 Bears and Michael Jordan in the 90s to win some titles for the city.

I had the opportunity to go to a game at Wrigley Field this past summer with my dad for Father’s Day. From the moment we got into Chicago, it was obvious that city loves the Cubs.

To demonstrate the agony that comes with not winning a championship in forever, there is a Tumblr page called “sincethecubswon.” That should be a clear enough sign of how desperate Cubs fans became to win the series.

There were only 16 Major League teams when the Cubs won in 1908. The unofficial anthem of baseball, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” had just been released.

Republican William Howard Taft was running against Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryant in the presidential election. Don’t worry, that’s all the politics this column will contain for the rest of the academic year.

There were no African-Americans playing baseball in 1908. That didn’t change until Jackie Robinson joined the Dodgers in 1947.

The 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote was not ratified at the time.

According to Business Insider, the average life expectancy of a man living in 1908 was 49.5 years. Today it is 76.6 years.

According to Bleacher Report, an accountant in 1908 earned about $2,000 a year, a dentist $2,500, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000, and a mechanical engineer earned around $5,000.

Compare that to today, where first baseman Albert Pujols made $154,321 per game he played in the 2012 season with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Sweet tea was not around in 1908, and doctors believed they could use heroin and morphine to help treat their patients.

You couldn’t order a glass of sweet tea, but you could get all the morphine and heroin that you wanted over the counter at your local drug store.

As you can see, a lot has changed in the century since the Cubs last won the World Series.

But one thing is for sure: J. Cole went platinum with no features.

Fly the W.

nior point guard John Dawson said. “We had to depend on each other with just being in another country … and that really improved chemistry.”

Along with building chemistry, the team took to the courts for three exhibition matches, the first of which did not go too well, according to Dawson.

“On the court though … in the first game (against the University of Ottawa) they came out and punched us in the mouth,” Dawson said. “It was kind of like a shock to us. We have to be that team that hits the other first. We have to be the team that throws that first punch. That’s what I took away from Costa Rica.”

The trip not only served as a learning experience and chemistry builder for the Flames, but it also allowed McKay to watch his group perform competitively as a unit. He was pleased to see the improvements of his returning players, but was equally excited to watch the newcomers perform. Dawson also echoed his coach’s praise toward the freshmen and made sure to acknowledge one in particular.

“Xzavier Barmore can ball,” Dawson said. “He’s nice.

He can get some things done. He can handle the ball. (He has) great court vision. He can shoot the ball, and he’s really shifty. He’s one guy who really surprised me.”

Along with Barmore, Dawson said how impressed he was with another freshman guard, the Puerto Rico native Georgie Leah Seavers | Liberty Champion Pacheo-Ortiz.

“Georgie is very smart, very poised, very consistent with MCKAY — Flames skipper was named BSC Coach of the his motion, his play, his everything,” Dawson said. “That’s year last year. what we need — consistency.”

Barmore, Pacheo-Ortiz and three-star small forward out Nate Haywood of Arizona Brock Gardner are among the seven athletes who nahaywood@liberty.edu will make their Liberty debut Nov. 11 against Division III Exactly one week before the season tipped off, the Lib- opponent Cairn University Highlanders in the Vines Cenerty Flames men’s basketball team concluded its practice ter. McKay voiced that he does not completely enjoy openon a Thursday afternoon. Dawning red, white and navy pin- ers. However, what lies after Cairn just might be the Flames nies drenched in sweat, the team and its coaching staff gath- toughest obstacle all season.

The Flames second and third games are a home contest ered at center court inside their practice facility. Coaches against in-state foe VCU and a trip to Big Ten powerhouse and captains alike provided their own thoughts on the past Indiana, but Dawson explained that he and his team will be couple of hours of preparation. Finally, with arms raised, ready for both the Rams and the Hoosiers. junior shooting guard Ryan Kemrite led his team in one last “We expect to win,” Dawson said. “We go in to every collective chant.

“Brotherhood on three,” Kemrite exclaimed with his fist game thinking we are going to win. Yeah, we’re Liberty from Lynchburg, Virginia, but we put on our shoes the same way in the air. they do, so don’t count us And on the count of three, the voices of more than 30 rang WE EXPECT TO WIN. WE GO out.”

With less than a week unthroughout the facility as on til IN EVERY GAME THINKING the Flames take the court, one accord. They all shouted, McKay and Dawson claim “Brotherhood.” there is one key area this WE ARE GOING TO WIN. “(Brotherhood)’s the essence team needs to show improveof the school that we represent,” — JOHN DAWSON ment in before the season Head Coach Ritchie McKay tips off. said. “There’s such a unity, a “I’m always going to be aware of our defensive identity, spirit of excellence on this campus. We just want to be a and I want them to capture that,” McKay said. part of that.”

Homesley went as far to say that the defense is what very Despite being a team comprised of seven newcomers (on well could take this team to the next level, even match up well a 15-man roster), brotherhood is a concept upon which this team stands, and it all started more than 1,900 miles against the big guns of VCU and Indiana.

“Our defense carries,” Homesley said. “It travels. I think south of campus. that if we play the kind of defense we’re supposed to play, we During the summer, the team took an organized trip to can beat anybody.”

Costa Rica. The NCAA allows for one summer overseas trip Kemrite and his brotherhood will get their first opportuevery four years. McKay elected to take his team this summer, as it could potentially serve as a prime opportunity to build a nity to test that claim in their season opener against the Highlanders, Nov. 11 at 8:30 p.m. in the Vines Center. camaraderie that may not have otherwise existed.

“It made us a brotherhood,” sophomore small forward Caleb Homesley said. “It brought us all together. Not as teammates but as brothers.”

The forward out of North Carolina was not the only Flame who noticed the effects of the time in Costa Rica.

“That trip got us closer together on and off the court,” se- HAYWOOD is the graduate assistant.

Amber Tiller | Liberty Champion

DILLARD is the sports editor.

REVERSE — Freshman forward Brock Gardner attempted a reverse layup in the Flames scrimmage in the Vines Center.

feature

Liberty Champion | November 8, 2016 | B5

The voices of consent

Student-led movement focuses on sexual assault awareness and dialogue

Alexandra Ramey aramey3@liberty.edu

Sexual assault awareness is being raised not only at Liberty University but through Lynchburg and beyond through a nonprofit campaign called “Voices of Consent.”

Kelsey Clay, junior Liberty student and founder of “Voices of Consent,” is a survivor of sexual assault. She started this campaign two months ago to “bring awareness to sexual assault, transform society’s response to victims, define what consent is, and prevent future sexual assault criminal acts.”

The idea for “Voices of Consent” sparked in Clay’s mind after she went through the Sexual Assault Response Program (SARP) training, which responds to sexual assaults at Lynchburg General Hospital. Clay said she saw the numbers of people who have gone through sexual assault. Clay researched what organizations were available for assault survivors, and felt that there were not enough of them.

“Having gone through sexual assault before, I know how traumatizing it is, and this is an issue that is not talked about enough,” Clay said. “You don’t hear about it in church, at school, (or) on the news. Really, the only thing you’ll hear on the news is different people reporting sexual assault. …

It’s never anything about the help

“

you can get…or from a victim’s standpoint on how they feel (and) what they go through.”

One aspect of the “Voices of Consent” mission is to change the age of consent in Virginia. Currently, under certain clauses, the age of consent in Virginia is 13.

Clay said the campaign began as her alone as “the voice,” and the movement grew and expanded into “Voices of Consent” as more people joined the cause.

A private Facebook group of 52 members helps Clay and her team raise sexual assault awareness. A public group of 306 members also participates in activities.

The 52 members from the private group helped by putting on a bake sale to raise funds to help create awareness, as well as participating in a photo shoot that showed women with bruises and injuries created with makeup to represent injuries that sometimes come from sexual assaults.

“Voices of Consent” also plans to produce a five to seven minute film that will be informational and “appropriately graphic,” Clay said.

Junior Graycen Hurt leads the campaign’s marketing, and has seen the impact the group has had in a short amount of time.

“A lot of victims feel like they can’t speak up for themselves or that people won’t believe them,” Hurt said. “Just with our first photo shoot we’ve been able to reach a lot of people. I know that there’s

A LOT OF VICTIMS FEEL LIKE THEY CAN’T SPEAK UP FOR THEMSELVES OR THAT PEOPLE WON’T BELIEVE THEM. — GRAYCEN HURT

been people who have gotten in contact just from those pictures. … We’re hoping … to make this video that we can share on Facebook and hopefully show places on campus so we can have even more awareness (because) I feel like videos really give what we’re trying to say.”

The pictures are available on the “Voices of Consent” public Facebook page and the website, according to Hurt.

“These images alone — the whole point is, yes, they are hard to look at, yes, they bring up flashbacks and (are) triggering … for victims, but they also display to people that haven’t been through it. Kind of an inside look at how (the victims) feel (and) what they’re going through, and the video even more so is going to … make a lasting impression,” Clay said.

Along with the pictures, the video and bake sale, a team of people help with the marketing and social media aspects of “Voices of Consent” as well, Clay said.

Clay said that her perpetrators, as well as her friends and family and classmates, know she has started “Voices of Consent” and that has given some people the courage to come forward and tell their stories to parents or authorities.

Clay said someone very close to her told her she is not a “victim of her past,” but a “survivor of her future,” and that helped her get through the healing process. Sophomore Rowena Slusser, who is also a survivor of sexual assault, is a mentor for “Voices of Consent” and aims to help others through that same healing process.

“When I saw (Clay’s) post, it hit my heart because … I just felt like what she was doing was so needed instead of just saying ‘let’s be Christians who help people,’” Slusser said. “This gives people

Photo Provided

SURVIVOR — Members aim to show the reality of sexual assault. at Liberty a chance to actually get their hands dirty and work in a field that is lacking people to be the hands and feet of Jesus.”

People may not think of sexual assault as something that affects the male population, but that is not true. According to Clay, the “Voices of Consent” team is also trying to get that point across alongside their other work.

According to Clay, the “Voices of Consent” team wants to make the campaign a call to action while raising awareness and help people see the reality of sexual assault. Tyler Lucas, a junior and the leader of photography and modeling for “Voices of Con-

sent,” helps offer a picture of those realities.

“I think a big part of this for me is a lot of people aren’t talking about it,” Lucas said. “This stuff is real, and it hits more to home … (because) there are literally people around you that have gone through that stuff. This is reality.

This is right in front of your eyes.”

For more information, visit the Voices of Consent Facebook page or the website at http://www.voicesof consent.com.

RAMEY is a feature reporter.

A passion for fashion

Alumnus-run Lynchburg boutique offers unique, modest clothing options Emma Smith esmith83@liberty.edu

What started as a hobby for Katie Galley flourished into a creative outlet and deep passion.

As a child, Galley sketched clothing and designs for fun, never intending to make a living out of her obsession.

One day, she was sitting on the floor of her family’s living room, sketching, when her mother planted the idea of the fashion industry in her mind.

Throughout her education, she worked several retail jobs, gathering knowledge of the field and building a desire for a more creative outlet.

Galley pursued her passion by majoring in fashion merchandising with a minor in business at Liberty University where she began to develop an idea for ethically-produced clothing while pursuing her passion for fashion.

Galley, a Liberty graduate, created Woven Devotion — a boutique featuring

modest, unique clothing for girls of many styles and hopes to make both local and global impacts.

“I went to Liberty thinking I was hopefully going to have one little shop somewhere someday and be happy with that,” Galley said. “Since then, God has struck my heart to make this something that has a bigger impact and a bigger reach than that.”

Officially launched Oct. 15, Woven Devotion is a unique shopping experience for the Lynchburg area. The warm, inviting boutique,

located at 105 Cornerstone St. Suite 102, is also designed to be high-end and classy.

Galley wants Woven Devotion to be a shopping destination for girls in the area. By providing an inviting environment with friendly employees, Galley hopes girls will leave the shop feeling beautiful and confident.

“The girls that work here are trained (in customer service),” Galley said. “I like to think of us as personal shoppers. We can come alongside

Amber Tiller| Liberty Champion

OUTREACH — The shop sells scarves handmade in Thailand, and a portion of each scarf’s cost is donated to a Thai center assisting women.

you and help you determine your personal style.”

Not only does Woven Devotion provide a unique shopping experience for Lynchburg women, it also bears a compassionate vision for women around the world.

“While we were working on it, we were brainstorming how (Katie) could make an impact,” Josh Allen, Galley’s business partner, said.

“She didn’t want to go and buy clothes from wherever and be a retail clothing store.

She really wanted to make an impact. That was part of her heart — her idea for this business.”

Woven Devotion sells several products that contribute to nonprofit organizations, such as Simply

by Susie candles that offer a portion of its proceeds to Freedom 4/24.

“I think partnering with other organizations that are mission-based is a huge standout, and ... that (partnering) is a neat way to share the gospel through the shop and a way of helping the world internationally,” employee Victoria Conner said.

Woven Devotion also has a connection in Thailand, as it sells handmade infinity scarves from the Tamar Center of Pattaya, Thailand.

Part of the profits from each scarf is donated to the center

which exists to provide emotional healing and job training for women in Thailand’s red-light districts.

In addition to candles and scarves, much of the clothing in the store is handmade in Thailand and the Philippines under fair wages and working conditions. All of the denim is made in the U.S., and the store’s inventory is unique and ever-changing.

Galley is thankful for her time at Liberty and the doors it opened for her as a creative business owner. As part of her education, she interned at Sage, a boutique in Pennsylvania. Galley’s internship opened her eyes to fashion as an art form and both inspired and encouraged her in the planning process of Woven Devotion.

“My passion has always been for clothing and fashion ... (and) making sure that girls feel beautiful and confident in what they’re wearing,” Galley said. “I think that when girls feel confident with what they’re wearing and their outward appearance ... that can really bring a lot of self-worth to somebody.”

SMITH is a guest writer.

feature

B6 | November 8, 2016 | Liberty Champion

A cause worthy of honoring Freedom 4/24 to host third annual Freedom Gala Nov. 19 Siani Null snull@liberty.edu

In Gula, Uganda, a teenage girl named Whinny was sexually abused and exploited through human trafficking. Upon being rescued, Whinny went through a recovery program in her city called Christine’s House, which is funded by local Lynchburg organization Freedom 4/24.

President of Freedom 4/24 Tim Spaulding described Whinny as once being quiet and withdrawn, but now being transformed.

“She is just this strong, confident young woman who is very different from who I had last seen her as,” Spaulding said. “Christine’s House really does make an impact.”

On Nov. 19, Freedom 4/24 will hold its third annual Freedom Gala at the Lynchburg City Armory from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. The funds raised from the Gala will go toward its 12 domestic partners and their three international partners in Uganda, India and Thailand. “‘A night under the Ugandan sky’ is the theme,” Director of Communications and Marketing Johanna Calfee said. “We are striving to create an environment that looks and feels like Uganda.”

The night will be centered around Christine’s House, the Ugandan safe house.

Since its opening in 2014, Christine’s House has been a place of rehabilitation and transition back into society for women who were victims of trafficking and their children. Thirty women live in the home full-time for a period of eight months. They gain vocational training skills and receive counseling.

The third group is currently going through the program and will graduate in the coming months, making the number of women impacted more than 70.

“The goal was a place — in the words of staff at Christine’s House — where they can learn to breathe again,” Spaulding said. “A place of restoration and opportunity for girls to have some time away to really begin to heal the emotional, spiritual and psychological trauma that has happened to them.”

Calfee said the attendants of the Gala will be a mix of people who are long-time supporters and people that are brand new to the organization. For the second year in a row, the title sponsor of the event is Ford Mays Wealth Management. Freedom 4/24 has the goal of raising $100,000 from the Gala for the overall mission.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for everyone to get involved,” Calfee said. “We have a really big goal, and it can seem to a student that maybe they don’t have a role in that, but every dollar makes a difference. If you have $5, $10 or $24, you are part of making possible what we do for the freedom and justice of girls around the world.”

Calfee also made it clear that students are not limited to making a difference only through financial matters.

“For the Gala specifically, we will need a small army of volunteers the night of,” Calfee said. “Everything from setting up and tearing down to actually serving tables and setting up the Awareness Exhibit. There are plenty of places for students to plug in.”

Anyone interested in giving or volunteering at the Gala can visit www.Freedom424.org for more information.

Through involvement in the Gala, Liberty University students will be able to further the mission of Liberty alumnus Christine Gelatt. Gelatt founded Freedom 4/24 during her junior year of college with the purpose of bringing freedom and justice to survivors of human trafficking. Christine’s House is named after her.

One of the focuses the organization places on their Uganda location is the importance of changing the society as a whole.

“Christine’s House was built as a response to the need in the region and the community,” Spaulding said. “There is a lot of sexual exploitation of girls in Uganda. Fifty to sixty percent of girls have been sexually abused. A lot of that gets into the backdrop of the history of the country.”

Calfee explained that their goal is to not only work with the women who come into the program, but to alter the mindset of the entire area to change the societal norm.

“We work with the community they come from to start influencing how they treat women, how women are viewed, and give them the next steps to get education and continue their trade in order to provide for their families,” Calfee said.

She encourages everyone to get involved in some way.

“I have met these girls, and I know many of their stories, and I see that their lives are radically changed because of what we do,” Calfee said. “It not only gives them freedom in this lifetime, but they are given opportunity for freedom eternally as well.”

A splash of color

Liberty’s club paintball team remains undefeated Amelia Whittaker awhittaker1@liberty.edu

Liberty University’s paintball team won all three matches in the Mid-South Collegiate Conference Event No. 1, Oct. 22, keeping the team’s season record at undefeated.

The team faced Clemson, East Carolina and North Carolina State universities during the tournament, which was the first time the Flames have played at the class A level. Team member Ryan Esquirell was proud of the outcome.

“This weekend was our first class A event, which is the most difficult division in college paintball,” Esquirell said. “It really added to our morale and our momentum to keep working hard to keep up our record through the season.”

Esquirell said he fell in love with the sport after he first played paintball at a summer camp when he was nine. He has been a part of Liberty’s team for three years and hopes to continue to play even after graduating.

The paintball team is a competitive unit that plays tournament speedball, according to member Brian Natzke. Speedball is a team game played on a symmetrical field that is covered with artificial terrain, according to the Liberty paintball website. Natzke, current senior, has been on the team all of his four collegiate years and believes it is unlike any other sport offered at Liberty.

“It combines cardio, endurance, sprinting, diving, sliding and maintaining gun skills the entire time,” Natzke said.

The team practices every Sunday with drills to improve all aspects of the sport, and it runs through different game scenarios, according to Esquirell. It also meets for team workouts each Wednesday

Joel Coleman | Liberty University News Service

SPLAT — The Liberty University paintball team remained undefeated at the tournament Oct. 22. in addition to having individual workouts throughout the week.

“The team workouts consist mostly of conditioning and exercises focused on explosive movements which is an incredibly important part of paintball,” Esquirell said.

Liberty does not provide players with the equipment but does have sponsorships with some major brands that offer team discounts to the players, according to Esquirell.

“Liberty also provides a lot of funding which allows us to play an expensive sport like paintball at a very low cost,” Esquirell said.

The team participates in several competitions throughout the year, all lead-

ing up to the national championships that take place in Florida in April.

One of the things that Natzke enjoys most about being on the team is getting to share his time and testimony with other members — especially younger ones.

“I love that I have the ability to work with the younger players and help them improve both on the field as players, as well as helping to train them into God-fearing men,” Natzke said.

Esquirell is grateful to be a part of the team because of the many relationships he has formed.

“A lot of these guys on the team are my best friends, and the relationships I’ve built with these guys will last my

lifetime,” Esquirell said.

Being on the team has also shown Esquirell the opportunity there is to share Christ in the world of paintball.

According to Esquirell, the atmosphere of most tournaments is dark, so he loves being a part of a team that brings in light.

“Seeing how God works through our team has really blown me away in the way that God uses not only Liberty paintball, but all the athletics of Liberty to impact the lives of other athletes that do not know Christ,” Esquirell said.

WHITTAKER is a feature reporter.

battleship

Caroline Sellers | Liberty Champion

NULL is a feature reporter.

WITHOUT A PADDLE— The Liberty Recreation Center held a Battleship event Nov. 3 at the LaHaye Student Union. Each two-person team was equipped with a canoe, a bucket, a water gun and two shields that could be used against the other teams.

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Liberty Champion | November 8, 2016 | B7

Lending a helping hand Liberty Godparent Home provides housing and counseling for pregnant teens Erin Covey ercovey@liberty.edu

Sherita Brown started volunteering at the Liberty Godparent Home as a student at Liberty University 10 years ago when teen pregnancy impacted her life personally.

“I got involved with the Godparent Home because my best friend faced an unplanned pregnancy,” Brown said. “I wanted to be involved here to help other women just like her. It wasn’t until recently that she even knew she was the reason I started working here.”

As the director of the home, Brown works to provide around the clock support for young women facing unintended pregnancies, like her close friend once did. The home provides housing for up to six pregnant women under the age of 21 who are in need of physical, emotional and financial support.

The Liberty Godparent Home was founded in 1982 by Dr. Jerry Falwell Sr. to give young pregnant women an alternative option to abortion. The mission of the home is “to save one life while changing another,” according to Brown.

“Dr. Falwell always spoke about abortion, and someone asked, ‘What are you doing about it?’” Brown said. “So he started our ministry.”

Women who stay in the Godparent Home can pursue an adoption plan or a parenting plan. The home provides all the needs of pregnant young women — from maternity clothes and Lamaze classes to parenting classes and life skills training.

“Whether they choose a parenting plan or an adoption plan, we want our girls to be educated in both ways and know what they’re getting into,” Brown said. “Both plans are very difficult plans to make at a young age.”

Within the past three years, Brown said she has seen a trend of young women choosing to parent their own children. As social stigmas regarding teen pregnancy change, the girls are more likely to raise their chil-

dren instead of giving them up for adoption.

The younger girls around 15 and 16 years old are even more likely to choose a parenting plan, Brown said. She believes that some of these girls see their child as the only one who truly needs them and loves them.

“I think that the baby is someone who can love that girl unconditionally,” Brown said.

“If they haven’t seen unconditional love, the first time they see it is when they look into their baby’s eyes.”

J.J. Cole, a sociology professor at Liberty, has spent 32 years of her career involved in social work. Out of those, 16 years have been spent with the Godparent Home at various times.

Cole, who attended Liberty for her undergraduate degree, has been involved with the Godparent Home almost since its beginning.

As the director of Family Life Services, she saw infertile couples and pregnant young women meet each other’s needs. “(One girl) said, ‘Can you tell them thank you (for me)?’” Cole said, telling a story about a young woman who gave her child up for adoption. “I remember that hit me, and it just caught my heart. She was meeting their need, but also they were very much meeting her need.”

When more young women chose to raise their children, the Godparent Home realized that some girls needed support after they gave birth. When young women began losing their children to Child Protective Services, the home started the Mommy & Me program. The program, which houses one young woman and her infant child, has not been vacant since it started in July 2015, Brown said.

“Our goal is to help young ladies as they transition into motherhood,” Brown said.

“Now that we have that program, we can walk alongside them and be with them.”

The Godparent Home takes in young women from anywhere in the United States.

Brown said that Liberty students provide the greatest word-of-mouth advertisement for the home.

“I think my biggest goal is to make sure our ministry is known about,” Brown said.

“We are sometimes the best-kept secret.”

Cole said she believes that the Godparent Home is moving in the right direction. Although she no longer works there, she still volunteers her time to support the home and staff. Serving teenage girls and families trying to adopt is her passion, Cole said.

“I’d go back there in a heartbeat if my life was not so busy,” Cole said.

Brown said she is inspired particularly by the young women who come to the home with no family support at all and are able to raise their children despite their difficult situations.

“In that time of crisis, we were there to show her Christ’s love, Christ’s compassion, and that she can move forward,” Brown said.

“What makes me want to come to work every day are those girls who were able to make it despite not having the physical support of family.”

The walls of the Godparent Home are covered in framed maternity photographs of the girls who have stayed there. Brown pointed to a picture of a young woman who is raising her child as a single mother while pursuing a career in nursing.

“There was one girl who was able to make a parenting plan and obtain her CNA.” Brown said. “Now she’s working toward her RN with no family support at all. I know our girls have that drive in them. I want to see them push because I know they can.”

COVEY is a feature reporter.

Anna High | Liberty Champion

MINISTRY — The Liberty Godparent Home, founded in 1982, can house up to 6 women.

B8

FEATURE

November 8, 2016

to infinity and beyond

Michela Diddle | Liberty Champion

SUPERHERO — Runners came out Nov. 5 to support the second annual CASA Superhero 5k, presented by the Liberty University School of Law. The event, held at Percival’s Island in downtown Lynchburg, boasted 943 registered runners. The proceeds raised from the event went to benefit the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Central Virginia.

New home, new sound School of music opens state-of-the-art concert hall with unique acoustics Ryan Klinker rmklinker@liberty.edu

Just like its campus, Liberty University’s school of music continues to expand and build upon what already exists. The freshly completed concert hall in the new Center for Music and the Worship Arts signifies just that.

The hall, which hosted its inaugural event Oct. 25, offers the musicians and performers a room with a much higher quality than the acoustically-challenged lecture halls and classrooms which had housed them in the past.

Dr. Vernon Whaley, the dean of the school of music, had seen the need for a better performance area for more than 20 years, but the lack of space and finances barred the school from constructing one. Now, as the construction project has been completed,

Whaley realized just how well the concert hall has developed.

“I think it’s much better, bigger and nicer than anyone ever expected, and it’s also acoustically richer than anyone could have hoped,” Whaley said. “It will give our school of music an opportunity to grow and to perform our large and small groups.”

With a seating capacity of about 1,600 and state-of-the-art construction, the concert hall is expected to set Liberty’s school of music apart from the music programs of other universities.

According to Whaley, the concert hall features a unique design which allows the room to physically change its dimensions to suit the type of music being played.

“At the push of a button, the entire room can change acoustically and then allows us to have a wonderful space for producing wonderful music that’s both acoustic and electronic,” Whaley said. “There’s not really any other place like that in the country that’s

Joel Coleman| Liberty University News Service

GRAND — The concert hall offers a unique atmosphere and acoustics in its design.

made specifically for that purpose.”

Receiving requests from the Roanoke and Richmond symphony orchestras, Whaley said he is willing to offer it as a place to contribute to the arts in Lynchburg and the south central Virginia area. The very first event held in the concert hall was a performance by the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, as it played various pieces and concluded with a joint performance with the Liberty University Symphony Orchestra, members of seven different choir groups from Liberty, and a trio of faculty soloists.

The conductor of the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Christopher Swanson, was blown away by both the crowd and the facility itself, according to his interview with the Liberty University News Service.

“I think that this hall is going to change the landscape of the city in a lot of ways,” Swanson said. “You are going to have ensembles (and) soloists from all over the world who are going to want to get in on this hall.”

Sophomore Paul Kaufmann, a film scoring major, recognized these same qualities in the concert hall and the new music building as a whole. As a member of the audience for the inaugural event and a student in the new classrooms, Kaufmann said he has seen a lot of potential for himself and his

classmates’ futures.

“The thing I love most about the concert hall is probably its acoustics, but also its grand and impressive atmosphere,” Kauffmann said. “I also think it will open up many opportunities for students to enter the professional world of music, and even more so when the recording studio is finished.”

Even though the performance area is in the building designated for the school of music, Whaley made it clear that it is a space open for every member of Liberty’s community and the surrounding area to use and enjoy.

As it continues to be used, Whaley said he thinks the new concert hall will become a quality representation of Liberty’s music programs.

“It will have a contribution to the entire life of the university,” Whaley said. “It’s a beautiful facility, and it’s going to give us a wonderful showpiece that we can certainly show other universities and schools and people around the world of what’s going on here at Liberty University.”

KLINKER is a feature reporter.

Joel Coleman| Liberty University News Service

PERFORM — The acoustics of the concert hall change based on the genre of music being played.