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Student loan campaign issue addressed
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Women’s soccer defeats GWU
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Contemporary Landscapes Show to open Sept. 20
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LIBERTY CHAMPION Today: T. Storms 74/57 Tomorrow: Sunny 67/51
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
libertychampion.com
Volume 30 • Issue 4
Liberty a top school
flight training exercise
Melanie Oelrich moelrich@liberty.edu
ing in a variety of aviation fields including airlines, corporate piloting and military piloting. “We have graduates serving in the airlines, missions, corporate and military, (including the) United States Air Force, United States Army, Marines and the U.S. Navy,” Young said. “Many of our students remain at Liberty University to instruct within the program after graduation to build experience and flying hours.” The SOA partners with missions organizations such as the International Association of Mission Aviation and Mission Safety International, according to Young. “We are also reaching out to international students as there is a great need for
Liberty University was recently named one of the best regional universities in the South. According to an article by the U.S. News and World Report, Liberty was ranked along with neighboring schools Lynchburg College, Randolph and Sweet Briar colleges. Liberty was ranked as 65th among Regional Universities in the South in the magazine entitled, “America’s Best Colleges 2013.” Lynchburg College ranked 41st because of the school’s low student-to-faculty ratio. Sweet Briar ranked 100th, and Randolph followed in 112th under the Best National Liberal Arts Colleges category. The magazine ranked over 1,400 accredited universities and colleges and included statistics on average tuition cost, admission rates, academic and student life and tips on the best ways to pay for school. Liberty provided the U.S. News and World Report’s website with the schools’ mission and unique qualities for the article. “Liberty University has produced graduates with the values, knowledge and skills required to impact the world. The secret to its success lies in a rocksolid commitment to Biblical truth and morality,” according to the website. “Liberty has built upon this foundation a world-class university that offers excellent academics, NCAA Division I athletics, an exciting social atmosphere and an environment that encourages spiritual growth.” According to the U.S. News and World Report, Liberty’s online graduate nursing program is ranked one of the top 10 programs for admissions selectivity, right under Drexel University, located in Philadelphia. The online nursing program ranked 25th in student involvement and accreditation and 63rd in student services and technology. To view the full listing from “America’s Best Colleges 2013,” visit usnews. com/education.
See AVIATION, A3
OELRICH is an asst. news editor.
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
PILOT — Aviation student Steve Barkof examines his aircraft during the pre-flight check at Freedom Aviation.
Aviation opportunities expand Jeremy Angione jangione@liberty.edu
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hile an eagle is born to soar, some Liberty students seek the same opportunity to take flight by training in the university’s School of Aeronautics (SOA). Relatively new, the program started as the Department of Aviation within the School of Arts and Sciences, becoming the School of Aeronautics in 2008, according to Dean of the SOA and President of Freedom Aviation Gen. David Young. The aviation program as a whole has seen considerable growth. “In 2002, we started with four students, and now have more than 600 enrolled in all of our programs,” Young said.
Students in the program meet at the Airport Campus, where they learn in a Liberty-owned academic and flight operations center. Freedom Aviation is a separate entity from the SOA, but is still owned by Liberty, according to Young. Freedom Aviation handles SOA’s flight operations, provides fueling for aircrafts, aircraft maintenance, hangar storage space and several employment opportunities for graduates. The two organizations are closely intertwined. Every week, aviation major Diego Elliott receives multiple hands-on piloting sessions high above Lynchburg. He receives real-world experience while performing various maneuvers and training exercises in the air. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to
fly commercial,” Elliott said. According to Young, the SOA’s mission is not only to train outstanding aviators, but to prepare exceptionally strong Christians as well. Students can choose to pilot in different concentrations, including commercial, military and missions aviation, according to SOA flight instructor Nate Johnson. With the type of resources the SOA provides, being mission-minded is an opportunity that the program uses to its advantage. “The SOA fully supports Liberty University’s mission by placing Christian aviators in the aviation industry. We believe that wherever God places our graduates, he has put them in the mission field,” Young said. According to Young, SOA graduates are currently serv-
Visitor Center to prepare for first major CFAW Nicole Steenburgh nksteenburgh@liberty.edu
Hard work, dozens of activities and fresh ideas are all coming together to ensure that Liberty University’s first College For A Weekend (CFAW) of the year, Sept. 20-22, is exciting and successful. According to Ericka Morris, Recruitment Events Coordinator, planning and preparation for CFAW never stops. “Whether one of these weekends has just occurred or is happening in the near future, CFAW preparation is a year-round activity,” Morris said. “We are already thinking ahead to November.” The weekend of Sept. 20 will showcase new activities along with the traditional events. Ac-
cording to Morris, this year will be introducing the first Academic CFAW, which will specifically target individual majors. A brand-new feature of CFAW will be the Academic Track: a list of classes that coincide with the major that a potential student is interested in. If a guest is unsure about which track is right for them, or even which major might be right for them, multiple tracks can be picked up so that guests can compare classes. According to Morris, as the CFAW guests browse through the various majors, they will have the chance to meet the chairs and faculty of the different departments. As important as academics are, the weekend’s sole focus will not be on classes and admission. CFAW guests will be encour-
aged to enjoy an array of activities including home games for the Flames football and hockey teams and a concert by Jars of Clay, featuring Shane and Shane. According to TJ Scott, one of Liberty’s campus guides, other activities will include horseback riding at the Equestrian Center, an art exhibit in the Studio and Digital Arts Department, the traditional late skate at LaHaye Ice Center, a Fusion worship session in Towns Auditorium and of course, Hall Connect—a chance for the CFAW guests to meet the leadership on the hall where they are staying and experience the spiritual atmosphere of dorm life at Liberty. Hosting students at Liberty so that they are able to experience
See CFAW, A2
Abby Kourkounakis | Liberty Champion
CFAW — Thomas Scott and Travis Shirkman prepare CFAW welcome packets in the Hancock Welcome Center.
INSIDE THE CHAMPION News
Sports
Feature
Xtreme Impact took several Liberty students around the world on missions trips. A8
The Liberty women’s tennis team won 21 matches in their first tournament. B1
Sheriff Brown’s “Finding Faith” incorporates LU students and alumni. B8
News Opinion Sports Feature
A1 A4 B1 B8
NEWS
A2/Liberty Champion
September 18, 2012
National News Tyler Eacho tpeacho@liberty.edu
U.S. Embassy in Libya Attacked, 4 Americans Killed Four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens, were killed when protesters angry about an online film considered offensive to Islam attacked the U.S. diplomatic compound in Libya Tuesday, Sept. 11. According to a CNN article, members of a radical Islamist group called Ansar alSharia protested near the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, where NATO jets established nofly zones last year to stop ground attacks from the then Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Witnesses told CNN that the group clashed with security forces in the city, blocking roads leading to the consulate. The attack ensued when suspected Islamic militants fired on the consulate in the eastern Libyan city with rocket propelled-grenades and set it ablaze, according to the News Limited Network. “I don’t want to talk about what happened in other countries, but as for Libya, the operation was meticulously executed,” Mohammed al-Megaryef said to the News Limited Network. “The attack itself and the manner in which the attack occurred… confirms that this was planned and programmed to achieve a purpose.” According to ABC News, following the tragedy, President Obama reflected at a campaign rally in Las Vegas on what he said has been a “tough day” for the country, mourning the loss of the four Americans killed in the attack, vowing justice for their killers and pledging that U.S. diplomacy would be unwavering “because the world needs us.” In a statement Tuesday night, Sept. 11, Mitt Romney accused the Obama administration of sympathizing with the Libyan protesters who attacked the consulate, according to the Washington Post. McDonald’s to Add Calorie Counts to Menus for Customer Awareness McDonald’s announced this week that they would begin posting calorie counts on their restaurant and drive-thru menus early next year. According to the Huffington Post, the move pre-empts a stipulation that is part of the federal health care bill that requires restaurant chains with more than 20 locations to post calories in their stores. The national law is new, but McDonald’s has already posted calorie counts in some cities like New York City and Philadelphia. Some foreign countries require the same, including Australia, South Korea and the U.K., according to the Huffington Post. The idea behind calorie posting is that it will educate consumers about how many calories they eat, in hopes that it will curb problems related to overeating, including obesity and diabetes, the Huffington Post said. But some people are wondering if the move will actually have an effect on the behavior of consumers. An article on policymic.com said that researchers have not found the dramatic reaction they had hoped for in New York City, where publicly listed calorie counts have been mandated since 2008.
Photo Provided
PRSSA — Executive board members of PRSSA Kristen Gorstuch and Victoria Petrocelli pose at the club’s table.
Students network with PRSSA Brett Raszinski braszinski2@liberty.edu
The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) jump-started the new school year with a kickoff party Thursday, Sept. 6. Guest speaker Carla Parks Wooley, head of public relations for B&W Nuclear Operations Group, spoke to the students about the importance of public relations and clarified misconceptions about the profession. Wooley explained just what a PR job is like. “The beauty of the job is that no two days are alike. As a PR person, you really get to know your organization—what makes it tick,” Wooley said. “Our true mission—the greatest value that we provide—is helping our organization or clients use communications to reach their goals and accomplish their business objectives. We do that
by helping people feel connected and get engaged,” Wooley said. PRSSA is just getting started with events, PRSSA President Kristen Gorsuch said. The organization is planning on running three main events this semester and will be available to all communications majors. One of the events is the Homecoming Alumni Panel that Gorsuch said will give students the opportunity to hear advice and updates from Liberty alumni. Gorsuch also said that PRSSA plans to host an Etiquette Banquet, which will be Nov. 8. According to Gorsuch, this banquet will provide students with an opportunity to “learn how to eat properly during a formal dinner, interview or event.” The last event is the Christmas Party Nov. 29. Gorsuch says the party gives students “a great opportunity to build connec-
EDITOR IN CHIEF
administration
Deborah Huff FACULTY ADVISOR
Ben Lesley
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Ashley McAlpin GRADUATE ASSISTANT
Shelanne Jennings GRADUATE ASSISTANT
Tyler Eacho ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Melanie Oelrich ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Andrew Woolfolk OPINION EDITOR
Kyle Harvey SPORTS EDITOR
Derrick Battle ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
RASZINSKI is a news reporter.
“College For A Weekend” is not a new idea. According to Joy Federico, the guest experience coordinator, CFAW at Liberty has been around for more than 20 years. These weekends attract large numbers. The number of current students at Liberty who experienced a CFAW makes up about 70 percent of the population, according to Morris. Kimberly Higgins, a sophomore at Liberty, is one of the many students who were welcomed to Liberty by a CFAW. She says that after her CFAW experience, she went on to visit other colleges, but her thoughts kept coming back to how comfortable she felt at Liberty and how much she really wanted to be a part of this school. “If I didn’t go to CFAW, I wouldn’t be at Liberty,” Higgins said. For more information, visit libertycfaw. com. Abby Kourkounakis | Liberty Champion
STEENBURGH is a news reporter.
CFAW — Welcome Center staff gets ready for CFAW students.
Champion corrections In an article about the observatory coming to campus in the spring semester, published in the Sept. 11 issue, there were a couple of additions to the article that were never made. In regards to the rezoning meeting with the board of supervisors in Lynchburg on Oct. 2, educational uses in Campbell County require special use permits
1971 UNIVERSITY BLVD, LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24502
content
“Since PRSSA offers several professional development activities, we are seeking to attract students who want to prepare for life after college.” Innovations, the student-run firm of PRSSA, gives students great handson experience. Firm director for Innovations Olivia Witherite described Innovations as “the nationallyaffiliated, student-run firm under PRSSA.” “It provides professional public relations work, enhancing both Liberty University and the greater Lynchburg community,” Witherite said. “The firm is split up into various accounts, including Special Olympics Virginia and His Vision, which is a local campaign that works to provide eye care to underprivileged children.”
CFAW continued from A1
LIBERTY CHAMPION Tabitha Cassidy
tions with other PRSSA members and celebrate the end of the semester together.” PRSSA’s mission is to bring in valuable handson professional experience and create connections between students and the world. “Liberty PRSSA is one of over 300 chapters affiliated with the Public Relations Society of America, ‘the world’s largest and foremost organization of public relations professionals.’ Our chapter organizes professional development events and we are also a student-run firm. Our student-run firm, Innovations, has several clients within Liberty and in the community,” Gorsuch said. “PRSSA does not only target public relations students. We are seeking diversity in majors so that our organization is well balanced,” Gorsuch said.
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designer
Tess Curtis
GRAPHIC DESIGN
FEATURE EDITOR COPY EDITOR
photography
Ruth Bibby
PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES & INFO
which require supervisor approval. Lee Beaumont, vice president of Auxiliary Services, would also like to stress that the new observatory center will be open to all Liberty students. The Champion strives to publish the most accurate information. If there are any errors, please
The Champion encourages community members to submit letters to the editor on any subject. Letters should not exceed 400 words and must be typed and signed. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. Letters and columns that appear are the opinion of the author solely, not the Champion editorial board or Liberty University. All material submitted becomes property of the Champion. The Champion reserves the right to accept, reject or edit any letter received—according to the Champion stylebook, taste and the Liberty University mission statement.
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NEWS
September 18, 2012
Liberty Champion/A3
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
Jeremy Angione | Liberty Champion
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
FLIGHT LESSON — (Top left) Aviation student Steve Barkof inspects the propeller. (Top right) Barkof prepares for his lesson with certified flight instructor Hagan Lee.
AVIATION continued from A1 aviation training opportunities around the world,” Young said. According to Johnson, missionary pilots often speak to students who hope to enter the mission field and learn to pilot in rougher areas as a type of “back country flying.” “My concentration is missions,” aviation major Elijah Burton said. “The curriculum is great. It challenges and pushes
us to reach a higher standard. The professors have designed it so that when we graduate, there will not be any surprises in the real world.” Not only does the SOA train pilots, but they also train students as different types of aircraft personnel. “We have expanded from training pilots to training aircraft mechanics, unmanned aerial systems operators and flight at-
tendants. We now offer an online degree completion plan for already FAA certified pilots,” Young said. To foster a hands-on learning atmosphere, Young stated that the SOA will have “state-of-the-art simulators” added to include a jet simulator. According to Young, SOA programs not only ensure that students have a working knowledge of aircraft operation, but
also an opportunity to enter into the aviation industry after graduation by partnering with companies such as ExpressJet and Dynamic Aviation. “We will continue to add courses and curriculums to meet the demands in the aviation industry,” Young said. ANGIONE is a news reporter.
Want to volunteer, or do you need Christian service hours that you can get simply by staying at home? Help us defend economic freedom in Lynchburg today! •Web: www.afphq.org/virginia • Twitter http://twitter.com/AFPVA • Facebook: www.facebook.com/AFPVA
OPINION
SEPTEMBER 18, 2012
Party conventions fell flat for voters Whitney Rutherford
wrutherford2@liberty.edu
After two weeks of fierce party pride and calls to action, the last of the confetti from the 2012 presidential nominating conventions was swept into the trash. Like the wilted confetti, the parties’ bid to captivate the nation quickly faded. In light of the massive cost of staging the presidential conventions and the dwindling audiences, the two weeks of speeches and cheering appear wasteful. Parties begin convention planning over a year in advance. Long before delegates arrive, bills for transportation, catering, the arena, advertising and yes, confetti, accumulate. These bills are largely paid with tax dollars from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. According to the Federal Election Committee, Democrats and Republicans split $36.5 million from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to convene their parties this year. In addition, Congress generously allocated another $50 million to each party for security measures. Thus, the aggregate cost to taxpayers was over $136 million for the 2012 presidential conventions. Both parties may laud tax cuts, but no complaints were heard over the millions of taxpayer dollars spent on the 2012 conventions. Even after donations from corporations, contributions from unions and the allotted funds from Congress and the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, parties left debt behind. Bloomberg announced that the Democrats closed their convention $5 million over their budget. Speeches about fiscal responsibility smack of blatant contradiction when a party cannot even control spending for a threeday event.
DonkeyHotey | Creative Commons
PARTY TIME — Between the massive spending sprees and low ratings, conventions seem to do a lot of harm and not much good. Despite the gigantic convention budgets, audiences have dwindled. The Nielsen Co., the premiere audience ratings organization, reported that 8 million fewer people watched Mitt Romney accept the Republican presidential nomination than watched John McCain accept the honor in 2008. The Democratic National Convention dropped to only 3 million in viewership, according to the Nielsen Co. American taxes light the stage and hire the cameramen, but Americans are not intrigued enough to watch. With compounding budget problems and bored viewers, convention ratings have also fallen. TLC’s new reality show “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” received higher ratings than the second night of
the Republican National Convention, according to the Nielson Co. The same evening that Condoleezza Rice and Paul Ryan addressed the nation, cable audiences were more focused on a pageant child’s lifestyle. While the “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” ratings may reveal an American intellect problem more than a problem with our political conventions, parties only make the situation worse when Clint Eastwood interviews a chair or when President Obama’s address is lost in speeches from Eva Longoria and Scarlett Johansson. The viewers who did tune in were not incredibly swayed by either party’s platform. Gallup data shows pre-convention voter preferences were 47 percent Obama
and 46 percent Romney. However, postconvention data placed Obama at 50 percent and Romney 44 percent. Gallup data revealed that even after their inspirational addresses, Obama received a historically low post-convention jump, while Romney gained no ground at all. For all of the commanding speeches, teary-eyed crowds and predictions for America’s future, the presidential conventions did not captivate the nation. We are left with a close presidential race and more debt, wondering why the parties convened at all. RUTHERFORD is an opinion writer.
Communication is key to Romney’s campaign Jacob Tellers
Jtellers@liberty.edu
With just under two months left until the presidential election, candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are battling for every vote, each trying to find the critical message that will sway the independent voter his way. The reality is that political campaigns are not always about who has the best plan, but who has the best message. The party that is able to effectively communicate its goals to the American people is the party that is going to win. “While much rhetoric in the public domain is rightly characterized as ‘cheap talk,’ a party’s messages (and those of the opposing party) do have tremendous potential to affect public opinion,” Tim Groeling and Matthew Baum of the online journal Political Behavior said. This ability to deliver a specific and controlled message was key to Obama’s victory in 2008. Whether you supported them or not, Obama and his campaign strategist realized that fact and accomplished their mission well. “In their tactical view, all that was wrong with the United States could be summarized in one word: ‘Bush,’” Ryan Lizza of the New Yorker said. “The clear alternative, then, was not so much a Democrat or a liberal as it was anyone who could credibly define himself as ‘not Bush.’” Another part of Obama’s core message
From the
Desk Tabitha Cassidy tcassidy@liberty.edu
Lives lost and U.S. embassies bombarded by extreme Islamic groups have plagued recent American history and, if at all possible, made the eleventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks that much more gruesome. The death of U.S. ambassador Chris Stevens and three embassy em-
Joeff Davis | Creative Commons
ROMNEY — Creating a unique identity for himself will be critical for Romney. was healthcare. “I am absolutely determined that by the end of the first term of the next president, we should have universal health care in this country,” Obama said, as quoted by a USA Today article in 2007. Case in point. Obama was able to easily win his election because he clearly defined himself and his goals. The results reversed two year later with the Republicans controlling the main essence of the election. In 2010, they
ployees has only recently led to the arrest of roughly 50 people, Libya’s President Mohamed Magariaf told CBS News. Over 800 miles away, the U.S. embassy in Egypt was also infiltrated. In place of a proud American flag stood a black Islamic banner. Rumors from news services such as the Los Angeles Times have attributed these outrageous attacks as being a product of an independent film mocking the Islamic prophet Muhammad. According to the Wall Street Journal, Libya’s new national congress has cast the blame upon al-Qaeda-linked militants who were already planning attacks in the country.
won back the House of Representatives through a clear message of limited government and fiscal responsibility. “The 2010 election cycle will be most remembered for the birth and rapid rise of the lowtax, limited-government tea party movement, which has energized frustrated conservatives nationwide heading into the Nov. 2 midterms, mostly to the Republican Party’s benefit,” Linda Feldmann of the Christian Science Monitor said. However, in the last two years, Repub-
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As the blame is passed from person to person and the underlining cause of the attacks is investigated, Americans are rightly o u t raged at the CASSIDY death of their own and the threat, yet again, to their security. So the question becomes, who is to blame for this lost feeling of safety? Is it the troublesome filmmaker “Sam Bacile,” who has yet to be given a face or true identity? Or is it the extremist group that slaughtered
the American ambassador through their own actions? While I place the blame on the extremist Islamic group for launching the grenades and setting the fire that caused Stevens to die of asphyxiation, one cannot help but think that Bacile may have caused this seemingly unbalanced reaction. On one account, Bacile is protected under the First Amendment. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press…” But freedom of speech is limited. You cannot
licans have had a harder time defining themselves. A recent article from Time Magazine describes Republicans as “the party of no.” “They’ve defined themselves politically by their opposition to Obama,” Time Magazine political analysts Michael Grunwald and Walter Alarkon said in a September article. For better or worse, Republicans have been defined as the party of “anti” — anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, anti-science, anti-healthcare. While it is good for them to oppose policies, such opposition is viewed as harmful. It is not enough simply to be “the party of no.” There is nothing wrong with explaining why Democrats have not done a good job running America, but Romney’s message needs to have more substance than that. It is not as though Romney does not have a plan. His campaign website, Romney.com, provides an 87-page plan detailing his strategy to revive the economy. But just having a plan is not good enough, because unless Romney is able to effectively communicate his plan to the American people, he will never get the chance to enact it. If Romney and Ryan are going to beat Obama in November, their campaign needs to have a positive, clear and specific message that it can push forward. He needs to define this election. TELLERS is an opinion writer.
yell “fire” in a crowded theater, you cannot be obscene in public, you cannot provoke illegal activity, and you cannot divulge government secrets that could be a threat to national security. Regardless of the stickiness of the First Amendment, what Bacile did was stupid. This stupidity does not excuse the barbarianism of those extremists in Libya and Egypt, but it does make you question whether the government, and what we are doing as everyday American citizens, is smart. Gone are the days when our actions are viewed only by those in close proximity to us. Our words, actions and
images are now placed across the globe for all to see, including those who brew hatred in their hearts. Instead of forging our own hatred for these individuals and lashing back in violence, we should think intelligently. When you come faceto-face with a giant, do you fight it with sheer force, or do you find a smarter, less violent way to bring it down? As a young man, David brought Goliath down with only a strategicallyflung stone, not with the violent force of a thousand men. CASSIDY is the editor in chief.
OPINION
September 18, 2012
Liberty Champion/A5
Voting: a right, research: a choice Andrew Woolfolk
alwoolfolk@liberty.edu
During election season, it is compelling to look back at the headline-grabbing, standout candidates of previous elections. You know, the names like John Anderson, Ross Perot, George Wallace and Ralph Nader. All household names, right? W r o n g. Over time, these men’s names faded almost entirely into obscurity. WOOLFOLK To most, their names do not pique the faintest of memories. They all ran as third-party candidates facing an uphill battle. All ultimately lost their election, most by a wide majority. For registered Democrats and Republicans, the thirdparty candidate is often avoided and ignored, but voters registered as independent sometimes have more motivation to consider them. Some voters look down on third-party candidates, accusing them of stealing votes from either the Democratic or Republican candidate, as if the third-party candidate is doing something wrong by earning the votes of the people. Some thirdparty candidates have indeed run shoddy campaigns, but the same could also be said for our two powerhouse parties. Third-party candidates have some credible history as well. Theodore Roosevelt, who was rated in the top five presidents of all time by both CSPAN and
the Wall-Street Journal, actually formed his own party in 1912, four years after his term as president ended. Running against the Democratic and Republican candidates, Roosevelt managed to finish second and showed the country — for however brief a time — that third-party candidates matter and should be respected. This upcoming election could hinge on how much attention independent voters pay to these unlikely candidates. Independents are as critical a factor now as they have ever been. Recent polls run by both Gallup and IndependentVoting.org found that nearly 40 percent of registered voters are independent, which is the highest total recorded in history. This growing group of voters will soon be faced with a challenging dilemma. Should the independent candidate deserve their vote, will they enter his name at the polls and join the small minority? Their alternative is to accept the fact of almost certain defeat and settle for the better of the two high-profile candidates. Right now, Obama holds a nine-percent advantage over Romney amongst independent voters. Obama has a lot to lose if independent voters pay more attention to third-party candidates, yet both Democrats and Republicans seem about equally worried about third-party candidates stealing their votes. Unfortunately, it seems most Americans only care about the feelings of the Democratic and Republican nominee, harboring a two-party system that our
forefathers warned against. John Adams, our second president, told this to his fellow countrymen in his book “The Works of John Adams,” which is a collection of letters he wrote. “There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other,” Adams said. “This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.” It does not get much more direct than that. George Washington also served as a harbinger for the impending dangers of a twoparty dominated system. In his
“Voting is a privilege, and we must realize that, like with all privileges, it must not be taken advantage of or used carelessly.” — Woolfolk 1796 farewell speech, he alerted his fellow citizens as to what would happen if that situation came to fruition. “It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one party against another, foments occasionally riot and
insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption,” Washington said. Does that sound like a deadon prediction to anyone else? This is not to say that a vote for a Republican or Democrat is a vote towards the destruction of our Republic, but it is a warning against passionately aligning ourselves to one side or the other. Our job as voters is to give every party a fair shot, something that may not be happening anymore. Ron Paul, who unsuccessfully ran for the Republican presidential nomination, made the case for the existence of that very predicament occurring in politics during a recent taping of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. “If I would have tried in the last several years to do exactly what I have done in a thirdparty, I probably wouldn’t have made your show. There is something about that — and if you ever come to a conclusion, heaven forbid — that the two parties aren’t all that different, then what is left?” And while some may dismiss Paul’s claims as the venting of a frustrated and defeated candidate, these statements are analogous to the problems predicted by Washington. If the two parties spend all their time attacking each other instead of creating ideas for progress, we all suffer. Over the years, I have heard people offer their opinion on the matter of voting for third-party
candidates. The most popular slight against it is that it is “a wasted vote.” I would argue that that is not really the case. A wasted vote is a vote not cast. No matter the chances, a candidate has to win or lose. A vote made with good conscience and a belief in that candidate’s worldview is a legitimate attempt made by a voter to better this great nation. The Constitution is clear in stating that it is our “right to vote,” and what makes that right so sensational is that it gives the power to the people. Voting is a privilege, and we must realize that, like with all privileges, it must not be taken advantage of or used carelessly. It is up to us as voters to research the candidates, not let the actions of others sway our views, and make the best decision possible. All too often, people do not vote, consequently playing the role of the unruly student in the back of the classroom, complaining about the current state of affairs and offering halfhearted solutions to the problem while ignoring their best opportunity for input and involvement. This election year, consider your choices, even the third-party candidates. Ruminate over who stands by your convictions and pick who truly deserves your vote. Make your voice be heard. May the best candidate win, and let their name be remembered.
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WOOLFOLK is the opinion editor.
Monsters, vegetarians and saps Tess Curtis tcurtis@liberty.edu
I am a creature of the night, a true hunter. A man walks home after dark — alone. Now is the perfect time to strike, to feel his hot blood fresh on my tongue. My throat convulses involuntarily, and the ever-present thirst grows unbearable. I pass my tongue over my lips, struggling to push back an overwhelming urge to lash out. I draw a shaking hand across my mouth — slowly, almost absently — as I gaze down at the pale skin, the mangled throat. Every fiber of my being thirsts for blood, and sometimes the temptation is too much. I am only human. But do not worry. I am usually a good bloodsucker… What happened to that age-old portrait of a deadly, irredeemable monster that drank the blood of its innocent victims? It has been replaced with what seems like a watered-down, pathetic version of the ancient legend. Authors like Stephanie Meyer and Richelle Mead continuously cater to popular culture’s seemingly insatiable obsession with the idea of “friendly vampires.” We are all well familiar with the teen vampire love story. What is it that draws readers again and again to the forbidden love between human and monster? Well, I suppose it could be an overwhelming fascination with the concept of everlasting love. In Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight Saga — which will soon reach millions of viewers once again as the final movie of the tril-
Larkyn T. | Creative commons
TWILIGHT — The hit book series has changed the majority’s view of vampires. ogy, Breaking Dawn: Part 2, hits theatres Nov. 16 — a very weak, very human girl falls in love with a century-old vampire. But humans and vampires do not live happily ever after — they cannot. The human will eventually die, and either the love or the vampire will die with her. Yet, what if both of them lived forever? When human transforms into vampire, love can live forever — never ceasing, never dying. It is the picture of the perfect relationship between two beings. But it is still a little unrealistic. Or readers could be drawn by the idea
that every monster is redeemable, despite how evil he may seem. L.J. Smith does not make the mistake of separating supernatural from horror in her best-selling book series entitled Vampire Diaries. Originally published in 1991, years before Meyer’s work ever saw a bookshelf, the series juxtaposes two very different takes on vampires: the vegetarian, pathetically romantic Stefan Salvatore and his ruthless, deadly-powerful brother, Damon. The female protagonist of the story, Elena Gilbert, immediately falls for the
broody, mysterious and initially unattainable Stefan. But she also struggles with feelings for Damon. Who would not? He is hot and dangerously attractive — not to mention his hypnotic powers of compulsion that can bend anyone to his will. But even more compelling is this lingering sense that there is some shred of humanity left within him. What if her love could bring this humanity out, could save him? Despite a very distasteful habit for graphic images, the American version of the television show Being Human does a fair job of depicting the portrait of an irredeemable monster trying to be good. The show, which premiered on Syfy in January 2011, focuses on the lives of three roommates who are not all they appear to be. The main protagonist, Aidan Waite, constantly struggles with his vampiric nature, but sometimes he falls back into temptation. He realizes that he is a monster, but he still desperately wants to be good — to be a little more human. Both reasons are possible, I guess. They are both symptoms of the fallen world. Love seems fleeting on earth, so we constantly yearn for that true, everlasting love that is not of this world. Because humanity has fallen, we also see countless examples of broken people who seem irredeemable. Here is the true lesson taught by these “friendly vampire” stories: No one is beyond redemption. CURTIS is the copy editor.
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NEWS
A6/Liberty Champion
Student
20 VOTE
12
September 18, 2012
Loans
With 65.6 percent of four-year undergraduate students leaving college with some form of debt, both presidential candidates, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, have addressed financial aid debt in their recent campaigns. Excerpts from their ideas on how to battle student debt are below.
Student debt plays an important role in 2012 election
Addressing educational cost
Tabitha Cassidy tcassidy@liberty.edu Research contributed by Tyler Eacho and Ashley McAlpin
President Barack Obama and presidential candidate Mitt Romney are both focusing on education during their campaign trail, according to their campaign websites. Both men have addressed the issue of outstanding student debt. According to a press release from the White House, two-thirds of students seeking a bachelor’s degree are borrowing money to attend college, accumulating an average debt of more than $26,000 in federal and private student loans. “Countless students I meet across the country feel like the first time they really understood how much student loan debt they were in was when the first bill arrived,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. “We must unravel the mystery of higher education pricing by giving students and families the information they need to make smart choices.” Data released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York show that student loan debt reached $904 billion in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of $30 billion from the Student previous quardebt ter. tops $1 Recent numbers provided trillion. by finaid.org show that student debt has reached over $1.03 trillion, surpassing consumer debt. This credit card debt, according to a report released by the Federal Reserve System in January 2012, was only $798.3 billion. “Student loan debt continues to grow even as consumers reduce mortgage debt and credit card balances,” Donghoon Lee, senior economist at the New York Fed, said to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. “It remains the only form of consumer debt to substantially increase since the peak of household debt in late 2008.” To help battle the climbing student debt, both Obama and Romney have supported lower interest rates on student loans. “Since 2007, former students have been able to enroll in an ‘Income Based Repayment’ (IBM) plan to cap their student loan payments at 15 percent of their current discretionary income if they make their payments on time. Legislation signed by President Obama in 2009 lowered this cap to 10 percent for borrowers beginning in 2014,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said. At a campaign event with Sen. Marco Rubio outside of Philadelphia in April, Romney backed Obama’s decision to extend the lower
FYI
See DEBT, A7
YouTube screenshot
“...anyone who makes his monthly payments for 20 years after leaving college is eligible to have his remaining balance forgiven.”
YouTube screenshot
“Reverse...nationalization of the student loan market...welcome private sector participation in providing information, financing and the education itself...”
— OBAMA
— ROMNEY
Obama’s vision for affordable learning
Romney’s vision for affordable learning
…Under the terms of this program, anyone who makes his monthly payments for 20 years after leaving college is eligible to have his remaining balance forgiven. At least, this applies to anyone with Federal Direct loans, Stafford loans, and Perkins loans. Those who take out their loans from private lenders such as Sallie Mae are still responsible for repaying their loans in total. Individuals who spend 10 years in public service positions become eligible to have their loans forgiven at that point rather than having to wait 20 years. This means their debt is forgiven in half the time and their debt reduced significantly sooner. It is also a part of the plan that monthly payments be capped at a level of 10 percent of the money that is left over when all taxes are paid and basic necessities taken care of. This cap has been at 15 percent, which takes a lot more money out of the pockets of citizens and out of the economy. There are also programs in place that allow teachers to work for just five years in elementary or high schools that have been designated as low income schools by the Department Of Education. This applies to FFEL loans and to Direct loans. Military personnel are also able to achieve forgiveness for their student loans if they have a degree. This program works for members of all five branches of service, including the Coast Guard and Reserves. A final option is to apply for income-based repayment terms. While it is probably best to sign up for this early in the life of the loan, older loans may still qualify for this lower payment plan. Of course, the clock starts all over when one signs up for this option. That means that someone who has worked in public service for eight years and signs up for income-based repayment must work another 10 years in public service instead of the two he would have had left. …While nobody will see his loan just disappear overnight, payments have been lowered and the time shortened that one must pay before the remaining balance is forgiven...
...America’s traditional community and four-year colleges are the heart of our nation’s higher education system. However, a flood of federal dollars is driving up tuition and burdening too many young Americans with substantial debt and too few opportunities. Meanwhile, other models of advanced skills training are becoming even more important to success in the American economy, and new educational institutions will be required to fill those roles. ...Consolidate duplicative and overly complex programs within the Department of Education. Focus the department on giving students and families with financial need the appropriate information about completion and persistence, loan repayment rates, future earnings and other indicators to intelligently weigh the risks and benefits of the many options available to them, rather than limiting choices through punitive regulations. ...Reverse President Obama’s nationalization of the student loan market and welcome private sector participation in providing information, financing and the education itself. ...Encourage market entry by innovative new education models, emphasize skill attainment instead of time spent in the classroom and support research and development. Repeal consuming and unnecessary regulations that primarily serve to drive costs higher, and replace them with common-sense reforms that ensure appropriate student outcomes… Higher education is becoming at once more important and more unaffordable than ever, stretching family finances and producing new graduates who have too much debt and not enough of the skills they need to succeed in the modern economy. Finally, in focusing on reform, we must not lose sight of those policies that are working. The long-term federal investment in basic research within institutions of higher learning has been a crucial engine for innovation in our economy, and one that could not be replicated through other sources of funding.
Excerpts taken from Obamastudentloanforgiveness.com.
Excerpts taken from Romney’s A Chance for Every Child.
Registration prioritized on campus Melanie Oelrich moelrich@liberty.edu
Voter registration is in progress all over Liberty University campus as students busily fill out their forms in preparation of Nov. 6. Liberty faculty will be dedicating the last 10 minutes of class time today and tomorrow to allow students to register or reregister to vote if they need to. Even students who are registered elsewhere are being urged to register in the Lynchburg area so that local lawmakers will pay close attention to issues
that impact college students. Dean of Students Keith Anderson emphasized the importance of the Liberty community during this election season. “It is our collective endeavor as members of the administration, faculty and staff to prepare every student to be great citizens,” Anderson said. “It is in this vein that we are being the salt and light of the earth as commanded by our Savior.” During convocation on Sept. 14, roughly 2,500 registration forms were collected, according to the Liberty News Service. Many of
those registered to vote for the first time. Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. explained that “as Christians, there is a responsibility to be a good citizen, and Liberty is committed to helping students do that.” Professor Bruce Kirk hopes that students will take the election process seriously. “As a student, if you don’t put in your two cents worth, how can you expect change?” Kirk said. OELRICH is an asst. news editor.
NEWS
September 18, 2012
Liberty Champion/A7
Student loan debt nears $1 trillion
DEBT continued from A6
interest rates on student loans for a period of time. N.H. $31,048 “Particularly with the number of college graduates that can’t find work or that can only Vt. $28,391 $22,101 ,983 $29 find work well beneath their skill level, I fully $29,058 N/A support the effort to extend the low interest $22,768 rate on student loans,” Romney said at the Mass. $25,54 campaign stop. $24,627 $26,271 $23,967 These interest rates, $25,675 R.I. $26,340 $24,178 $23,171 according to U.S. News, were cut to 3.4 percent five Conn. $25,360 $28,599 $29,598 Data from years ago to help borrowers $27,713 $20,571 N.J. $23,792 $21,227 make payments more easily. the U.S. Del. $21,500 The interest rates were $16,622 78 $23,885 ,6 DepartMd. $21,750 3 expected to return to the $2 D.C. $24,191 7 normal 6.8 percent after July ment of $23,32 $15,509 $22,017 $19,357 $22,280 1, 2012, but a “last-minute $18,113 Education $22,601 Congressional decision” $20,959 shows that mandated that the rates stay $19,957 at the current 3.4 percent, Liberty $23,623 $18,454 $20,708 $21,408 US News wrote. University $16,399 “Congress listened to $18,888 students students and their families $24,821 received and delivered a bill that stops student loan interest about $20,919 rates from doubling,” $24, $445 548 Rich Williams, a higher million in education advocate from $15,550 the Public Interest Research $22,717 financial Group, said. “Students aid already face unprecedented money student loan debt and adding an additional $1,000 in 2011, Elliot mosher | Liberty Champion more would not only crunch FEDERAL LOAN DEBT — This map shows the average amount of debt for a student in each individual state. making individual borrowers, but it the top would have further weighed down the recovering recipient economy. We applaud in Congress for coming Virginia. together to pass this muchSept. 11 - Oct. 10 Oct. 6 Oct. 15 needed legislation.” Despite the interest rates Voter Registration Table (Green VR forms distributed at SGA Voter on all federal loans decreasing over this time Hall, Tilley, tailgate and Commuter tailgate registration deadline period, interest rates on all new subsidized DeMoss Hall, Reber-Thomas) Stafford loans made from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014 will no longer receive the six-month grace period previously awarded to students after they graduate or fall below half-time enrollment, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 stated. “Interest will accrue during the grace Sept. 22 period and will be capitalized if unpaid by the borrower.” Oct. 10 Voter Registration forms Both Obama and Romney have laid out their distributed at SGA Dean of Students Voter respective plans addressing these issues. See tailgate and Registration form collection excerpts from their plan on A6. $2
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4 18 1, $2
REGISTRATION EVENTS
Commuter tailgate
deadline
CASSIDY is the editor in chief.
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NEWS
A8/Liberty Champion
September 18, 2012
Speakers seek to inspire students Kendra Alleyne kralleyne@liberty.edu
Bestselling author and speaker Angela Thomas incorporated humor and colorful stories in her address to the student body at convocation Wednesday, Sept. 12 with her message entitled “One Life to Live.” Thomas spoke from Hebrews 12, focusing on spiritual hindrances and healing, often referring to her own experiences as a single mom raising four children. She recalled her memories of when she was invited to be a parent chaperone for her daughter’s high school trip to Paris. Their trip was hindered by hurricanescale winds that led to a series of unfortunate events, but she was encouraged by the thought that her group overcame the weather to climb the Eiffel tower. “Most of these kids will only be seeing the Eiffel tower one time,” Thomas said. “The Lord said to me, ‘You’ll only get one time too.’” Thomas encouraged students to live their lives serving God. “You only get one chance to live for the glory of God,” she said. “Some of you know my story. You know that I was a single mom to Grayson and his sisters and brother for seven-anda-half years. We’ve walked a broken journey too,” Thomas said. After convocation, Thomas spoke of how she got her start in inspirational speaking.
Liberty University
CONVOCATION — Angela Thomas (left) and Eric Mason (right) addressed Liberty students to “be bold” and “thrive” in their faith. “Honestly, I did not pursue speaking. It Liberty students who wish to pursue a kind of just happened because, I assume, career in speaking or become leaders in the Lord was taking me there,” Thomas their church. said. “I had been teaching a women’s “While you’re here at Liberty, get all Bible study and someone gave my name the training you can. I did not know that to someone to do a retreat. Then I did that was in my future, so I did not get another retreat, a Bible study group, and some of the training that I think would finally, the Lord just did it His way, in His give you a really strong foundation and time.” a sense of confidence initially, so I had Thomas offered encouragement to nervous knees. I just didn’t have the confi-
dence or the training. Of course the Lord overcame that, but I would just say get everything you can.” Thomas’ recent works include her book, “52 Things a Kid Needs from a Mom,” and her Lifeway Bible study for women entitled “Brave.” Meanwhile, on Friday, Sept. 7, pastor of Epiphany Fellowship Eric Mason spoke to students at convocation in a message entitled “From the Inside Out.” Mason coupled jokes with practical application as he connected with students and explained his “three stages of life.” “You’re either going into a trial, getting out of a trial or in a trial,” Mason said. Throughout the hour, Mason drove home a clear theme. Student’s lives should reflect Christ’s power. “(God) wants you to be passionate for the right person at the right place at the right time,” Mason said. “The world can’t be changed unless there are changed people in it.” In addition to his position at Epiphany Fellowship, Mason serves in the ministry “Thriving,” which reaches out to ethnic minorities who wish to be trained in the ministry. For more information on upcoming convocation speakers, visit liberty.edu. ALLEYNE is a news reporter.
Jill Springer | Liberty Champion
XTREME IMPACT — High school students partner with Liberty University to lead missions trips in places like South Africa and Italy.
Xtreme Impact: Summer missions in review Missions organization takes teams of high school and college students on overseas missions trips Joy Huertas jjhuertaslandero@liberty.edu
Last summer, Xtreme Impact took 10 teams of high schooland college-age students on an overseas missions trip that impacted hundreds of people from all around the world. Xtreme Impact, an established missions organization, has been seeking to spread the gospel through missions trips around the world for years. This past summer, Xtreme Impact had a total of 272 participants, 201 of which were high school or transfer students from across the western hemisphere. Among them were 54 current Liberty University students who served as small group leaders and 17 adults who served as team leaders. “Xtreme Impact trips are designed to give young people a chance to see what God is doing in the world and how they can play a part in that work. We
are thrilled each year to see our teams come back with a better perspective on ministry and missions,” Adam Bowers, Xtreme Impact Supervisor, said. Students have the opportunity to build relationships with their fellow team members and to share the gospel wherever they are. In fact, teams complete training in-country to acclimate themselves to specific cultures in order to assist resident missionaries. “In addition to working through missionaries and translators, teams share the gospel and serve through drama ministry, street evangelism, construction projects, humanitarian aid, children’s ministry, youth ministry, sports ministry, teaching English and camp ministry,” Bowers said. Many traveled to Englishspeaking countries, while others went to countries where individuals seek to learn English, such
as Thailand. “It was awesome, especially serving as a group leader in Thailand. I would highly recommend it,” senior Jonathan Lowery said. “Our teams partner with local missionary contacts and translators to assist their ministry in country. These individuals speak the local language and help to bridge this gap,” Bowers said. Teams traveled to Guatemala in March, Italy in June and the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Italy, Uganda, South Africa, Thailand and India in July. Psychology major Diana Nelson called the trips “a life-changing experience.” She was able to go to Costa Rica as a small group leader in charge of all kinds of evangelism outreach. “This is an incredible and unique experience for college students who not only want to go on missions, but also that want to
work with youth.” According to Bowers, the trips have also made an impact in the high school students who were part of the teams. “About 60 percent of the high school and transfer students (who) went into the trips are attending Liberty University during fall 2012, and many more will follow in future years,” Bowers said. Xtreme Impact believes that it is vital to show teenagers the spiritual and physical need in the world prior to their college education. “The Great Commission has no age limit,” is the group’s motto. “No one is disqualified from the responsibility to lovingly share Jesus Christ with others,” Bowers said. “This life-changing experience not only changes their perspective of the world, but also allows students to be aware of the need, regardless of their future career.”
In addition, many students who participate in a missions trip prior to attending Liberty University build solid friendships that last throughout their college education. “We’ve seen many friendships, and even marriages, rise out of the mission teams. Years later, alumni still share the impact that God had on their life through this mission experience,” Bowers said. Xtreme Impact will continue to step out of its comfort zone to let others experience the love of God. Remembering, as Bowers quoted, “that if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” Romans 10:9. HUERTAS is a news reporter.
SPORTS
SEPTEMBER 18, 2012
Men’s Soccer
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Men’s D3 Hockey
Volleyball
Men’s D2 Hockey
Liberty 3 Howard 2
Women’s 2nd Men’s 3rd
Liberty 2 Radford 1
Liberty 3 Christopher Newport 4
Liberty 2 Virginia 3
Liberty 2 Atlanta Jr. 6
Coming soon: LU vs. LU
getting defensive
Derrick Battle dbattle2@liberty.edu
Jake Mitchell | Liberty Champion
CONTROL — Midfielder Hannah Meyers (28) looks to cross the ball in an attempt to score. Liberty won 1-0.
Lady Flames blank George Washington U.
Karen Blocker sets new record with 16th career shutout win Jay Sir ysir@liberty.edu Forward Jamie Bouffard scored the only goal of the game in Liberty University’s 1-0 win over visiting George Washington University Friday, Sept. 14 at the East Campus fields. The lone goal came when Bouffard received a perfectly-timed cross from junior Megan Warner and put the ball in the right corner of the net on a diving header. “It was pretty exciting,” Bouffard said. “Megan can cross like none other, and all I had to do was basically stand near the net. It was a great team effort of a goal.” Bouffard also mentioned that the defenders sometimes get overshadowed by the offense in soccer. “The defenders just played a stellar game, and Lauren Stell and Casey (Norris) just
“The defenders just played a stellar game, and Lauren Stell and Casey Norris just owned it back there.” owned it back there,” Bouffard said. “So I think that they should definitely get some credit for that.” The game was also a milestone for the women’s soccer team as goalkeeper Karen Blocker set the record for career shutouts with 16 games. The previous record of 15 shutouts was held by Natalie Mayer (2001-2004). Something Special The Lady Flames went into Friday night with a record of 4-3, having scored eight goals in seven games. The Colonials entered with a 3-3 record, having scored eight goals in six games.
— BOUFFARD
“They play a very similar style, and they have a similarly talented program with strengths that are similar to ours,” head coach Jessica Hain said. “I figured it would be a really close game, probably a one-goal game.” Hain’s expectations were on the mark as both teams had seven fouls and seven saves during the course of the game. The Lady Flames took 13 shots during the course of the game, which was only three more than the 10 shots the Colonials took. “We knew that we were very evenly matched,” Bouffard said. “We knew that the only way we were going to win
was with details, and whoever could execute on those details was going to be the winner.” The Lady Flames made extra effort to pressure George Washington, and their aggressiveness paid off. The ball stayed primarily on the Colonials side of the field, and Liberty won 11 corner kicks compared to George Washington’s two. “At half time, we talked about how it was really going to take something special,” Hain said. “Megan’s cross was a good cross and Jamie Bouffard had a diving header to put the ball in the back of the net, which in my opinion was something very special.” The Lady Flames next game will be played at home against Presbyterian College, Thursday, Sept 20. at 7 p.m. SIR is a sports reporter.
An LU made a big splash in NCAA athletics this week. No, it was not the Liberty Flames. The Longwood University Lancers of Farmville, Va., have been inducted into the Big South Conference in 13 sports. Longwood has competed as a full member in NCAA Division I athletics as an independent for the last five years. All sports combined, the university has compiled a 564552-27 record — a 50 percent winning percentage. After much anticipation, Big South Commissioner Kyle B. Kallander announced the Lancers addition to the conference last January. “Longwood University will be an outstanding member of the Big South Conference,” Kallander said. “Longwood features strong leadership, an outstanding academic reputation, a commitment to Division I athletic success, and values student-athlete wellbeing. These are all characteristics that are shared by Big South members and make Longwood a wonderful fit. We are excited to welcome the Longwood Lancers to the Big South family.” Initially, the Lancers will compete in: men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’ tennis, men’s and women’s golf, softball, baseball and women’s lacrosse. Longwood’s field hockey team will continue to compete in the NorPac Conference, which is also where Liberty’s field hockey team competes. Longwood does not have a Division I football team. According to Big South public relations representative Mark Simpson, several factors contributed to Longwood’s admittance to the conference, including geography, academics, and competitiveness in sports such as men’s golf, women’s golf, softball and women’s lacrosse. Other undisclosed factors were also involved with the Lancers joining the conference. Since 2007, Longwood has made
See LONGWOOD, B3
Lady Flames bring the heat at tourney Hannah Kearney hlkearney@liberty.edu
The Lady Flames tennis team is off to a positive start with 21 triumphs in the Liberty Fall Classic tournament Sept. 14-15 under first-year head coach Jeff Maren. At the start of the event on Friday afternoon, the Lady Flames came through with nine solid victories. Eight doubles matches were held the first day, with Liberty winning five of them. In singles play, they came away with four wins out of six matches. The tournament finished Saturday, Sept. 15, with a total of 12 wins for the Lady Flames. Nicola Wellman, Annisha Domenech and Valerie Thong had semifinal wins for the team, but they were defeated in their tournament final matches. “Reaching five finals in our first tournament of the year is definitely a step in the right direction,” Maren said in an interview for libertyflames.com. Juniors Cameron Richard and Jessie Boda, who reached the finals in their
doubles match against Appalachian State, won the first victory of the year. Saturday’s championship was won by Junior Rebekah Jenkins over Longwood’s Sarah Moomau. “This is an opportunity for us to experiment with doubles, different pairings and partnerships. It gives me the opportunity to see who works well together, and gives us an opportunity to play against some of the conference and area teams,” Maren said. Held at the Hershey-Esbenshade Tennis Courts at Liberty, nine schools competed in this two-day tournament: Liberty University, Virginia Tech, Appalachian State, James Madison, Longwood, Radford, Norfolk State, Christopher Newport and West Virginia State. Tennis is mainly a spring sport, but the women’s tennis team will be competing in events all autumn in preparation for the upcoming season. “The fall puts us in a position to be Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion more prepared for the spring,” Maren TENACIOUS — The Lady Flames earned 21 victories in the annual Fall Classic. said.
See TENNIS, B3
B2/Liberty Champion
Lady Flames falter vs. Tech, UVA Courtney Tyree
cntyree@liberty.edu
The Lady Flames volleyball team traveled to Charlottesville, Va, Sept. 15 in hopes of claiming a victory in the Marriott Cavalier Classic. Liberty took the court at 1 p.m. to face the Virginia Tech Hokies. They fell short in a tough-fought first set (2520), but pulled off a win in the second set with a kill from freshman Caroline Douglas (25-21). The Hokies pulled ahead and won the third match (2516), but the Lady Flames were not ready to give up. They stuck with the Hokies in the fourth match with a tie at 21all. Tech ended the set on a kill from Samantha Gostling to win the match. “I was happy with the way we played against Virginia Tech overall,” head coach Shane Pinder said. “We just had some moments where we didn’t convert some plays and had some chances to push it to a fifth set. We just fell short.” Tech’s hitting average of .309 bested Liberty’s average of .234. Senior Loren Thomas and freshman Caroline Douglas both posted 14 kills. Junior Jade Craycraft had 41 assists in addition to seven kills on the match. Sophomore Gabrielle Shipe had a teamhigh 13 digs with junior Becca Haraf adding 11. LU vs. UVA The Lady Flames were ready to redeem themselves as they faced the University of Virginia Cavaliers at 7 p.m. They started the match on fire with a 13-5 lead in the first set. The Lady Flames pushed through the match with help from Douglas and her setwinning kill, gaining a 25-18 victory. The second set was close, but the Lady Flames held their own and took the win (25-23), giving them a 2-0 lead over the Cavaliers. UVA started the third match with a 4-point lead, but Liberty caught up, taking the lead (18-17). Virginia ended the third set scoring the last eight of nine points, ending the game (2519). It was anyone’s match at the beginning of the fourth set with the score tied at 14-all. The set closed with a Cavalier win (25-23), forcing a fifth and final set. UVA started the fifth set with a strong lead, which helped them to a 15-8 victory. “We had a chance to end it in the third, had a couple opportunities in the fourth, and didn’t put them away,” Pinder said. The Cavaliers posted 70 kills in the match, while the Lady Flames posted 47. Liberty had 13 blocks compared to UVA is seven. Sophomore Ansley Gebben finished with 15 kills, while Douglas followed with 14. Shipe had a total of 22 digs on the night while Craycraft posted 33 assists. According to libertyflames. com, Thomas’ four blocks gave her a total of 403 blocks in her career. She is the third player in program history to have 400 or more career blocks. The Lady Flames will travel to Washington, D.C. Sept. 18 to take on the Georgetown Hoyas of the Big East at 7 p.m. TYREE is a sports reporter.
SPORTS
September 18, 2012
Grizzlies run over Liberty Jonathan Pearson jwpearson@liberty.edu
Liberty University’s rough start for the football program continued this past Saturday, Sept. 16 as the Flames took on the Grizzlies of Montana University at the smoky Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Mont. Smoke from nearby wildfires filled the stadium during the game, reducing visibility for players. The Flames made several mistakes that Grizzlies were quick to capitalize on, which cost them the game. The Grizzlies came up with a 34-14 win, leaving the Flames with 0-3 record. Admittedly, Washington-Grizzly stadium is a tough place to play – Montana has won nearly 90 percent of its home games since it opened in 1986. However this is the first since 2003 that the Flames have started the season with a three-game losing streak. The first 10 minutes of the game was a defensive standoff as both offenses tried to put something together. The game seemed slow until Montana’s senior running back Peter Nguyen tore down the left side of the field on a 90-yard punt return to bring the crowd to its feet. That play set the tone for the rest of the game. By the end of the first half, the Grizzlies had added another 17 points by a 32-yard run from fullback Dan Moore, a 6-yard push by freshmen quarterback Trent McKinney and a 42-yard field goal from the kicker, Chris Lider. After the half, Liberty came out on a mission and took advantage of a Montana turnover. Flames quarterback Josh Woodrum found the end zone for Liberty’s first score of the day, hooking up with wide receiver Pat Kelly for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Woodrum, playing in his first collegiate start, was filling in for the injured Brian Hudson. Later in the fourth Liberty stopped the Grizzlies offense and answered with a drive down to the 33-yard line. However, their
comeback attempt was put to rest by a failed attempt on a fourth-and-one play that was made worse by a false start, and ultimately resulted in a sack. Montana countered with its longest drive of the day (13 plays - 54 yards) that finished in the end zone to bring the score to 31-7 with 12:20 left to play. Woodrum dominated on the Flames next possession, completing five passes for 92 yards. He capped the drive by connecting with Ryan Ferguson for a 34 yard touchdown to put Liberty just 17 points away from the Grizzlies with a little more than 10 minutes on the clock. The Grizzlies ate up the remaining time with their next effort, leaving only four-and-a-half minutes for the Flames to work with. At the end of that 12-play drive, the Grizzlies put the ball through the uprights on a 46-yard field goal from Lider, bringing the score to where it would stay for the remainder of the game (34-14.) Woodrum made it into the record books as the 11th quarterback in Flames history to pass for 300 yards in a single outing. He accounted for 322 of the 342 total offensive yards Liberty posted on the day. The Flames looks to turn the season around this coming Saturday, Sept. 22 when they take on the Lehigh Hawks on their home turf at Williams Stadium at 7 p.m. PEARSON is a sports reporter.
Ruth Bibby| Liberty Champion
Flames score 12 goals in weekend series
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
AGGRESSIVE — In the first four games, the Flames have posted 31 goals. Bram Erickson (63) has scored twice this season. Courtney Sharp csharp2@liberty.edu The Liberty men’s DI hockey team took on the Atlanta Jr. Knights in the LaHaye Ice Center before a home crowd of 2,500 Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. The Flames won 8-4. Off to a slow start, the Flames fell to an Michigan early deficit within two native Rick minutes of gameplay. Turner has The Knights pushed scored nine out in front, tallying goals and the first goal of the two assists in game early in the first four games. period. Freshman Kyle Garcia responded for the Flames scoring a goal shortly after, making the score 1-1. Liberty continued to advance, with Rick Turner scoring two minutes later, giving the Flames a 2-1 lead.
FYI
A missed opportunity during a power play allowed the Knights to push another puck past Brown, knocking him down in the process and tying it 2-2. The Knights scored their third goal on a breakaway to take a 3-2 lead. Aggressive play turned violent when a fight erupted toward the end of the first period as both teams shed blood on the ice – causing a Knights player to be ejected from the game. “I’m not proud of the way the Flames handled themselves in the first period, but they did improve,” Handy said. After the fight, the Flames won the puck drop. Unfortunately, their luck ran out, as it was four-on-four hockey with no goals being scored during this time. Flames rallied to score in the last minute, ending the first period tied 3-3. Both teams had 11 shots on goal. The Flames were off to a great start in the second period as Rick Turner scored
within three minutes after the drop, giving the Flames a 4-3 lead. Freshman B.J. Pirus scored his first of two goals two minutes later, making the score 5-3. “Rick Turner and Baumgarten also did a good job tonight advancing the team,” Handy said. Power plays stacked up against the Knights, giving the Flames the opportunity to continue to pound shots at the goalie. The Knights were eager for a fight, always in the Flames faces after every controversial call. However, the Flames remained composed and allowed the Knights to hit the penalty box. The Flames went on to score another three goals, making the final score 8-4. Liberty will keep a similar lineup for Saturday’s game on Sept. 22, Handy said. SHARP is a sports reporter.
SPORTS
September 18, 2012
Liberty Champion/B3
Going on an all-terrain adventure Jonathan Pearson
jwpearson@liberty.edu
Liberty University prides itself on being the most exciting Christian university in the nation, and with the recent addition of the ATV and Motocross facilities, it is clear that they intend to live up to their motto. Mike Ellsworth is the Assistant Director of Student Activities and oversees the program. He is proud to offer this activity to the students. “The ATV program was put in place to give students the opportunity to do some of the things that they wouldn’t normally be able to do at home and to provide them with an exciting experience while they are here,” Ellsworth said. “It’s something that not a lot of other universities are able to offer their students. It’s something that we take pride in, and it allows students to have a blast on all that property and be able to use it to its full value.” There are three ATVs available to rent for an hour-and-a-half time slot, plus 10 to 12 miles of trails to ride. Any Liberty student can apply to rent an ATV, but they must fill out a few forms found on the Liberty University Student Activities
Jill Springer | Liberty Champion
RIDE — Liberty has added new ATV and Motorcross facilities this year. website or in their office at Green Hall. Each rider must complete a safety course as well. Once all of the registration is completed, the student will get a membership card, allowing them to sign up for a time slot. If the student has their own ATV and completes the paperwork along with the safety course, they can
ride the trails on their own quad without having to get a rental. The program’s popularity on campus has already grown from last year, and so has the amount of students applying to get registered. “This week, we had 21 kids riding, and we average about 20 to 25 students per week,” Ellsworth said. “It has definitely
Liberty looks for first win vs. Lehigh Olivia Witherite ogwitherite@liberty.edu
Looking for revenge and their first win of the 2012 season, the Liberty Flames football team returns home to face the Lehigh Mountain Hawks under the lights of Williams Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. The Flames will be itching for their first win under head coach Turner Gill. Last year, Liberty watched their game against Lehigh fly away. A missed field goal in the final minute of the game gave the Flames a 27-24 loss in their firstever trip to Bethlehem, Pa. While Liberty is still looking for its first win, Lehigh is looking to improve upon its perfect 3-0 record and to remain in first place in the Patriot League. Currently, the Mountain Hawks are perched at No. 13 in the Sports Network FCS College Football Poll. With a week of preparation before them, the Flames coaching staff must focus on various areas of their game before welcoming in one of the hottest football teams in the FCS. Quarterback After putting new quarterback Josh Woodrum on display Saturday, Sept. 15 at the University of Montana, the Flames must discuss who should start, resurrecting the question that dominated the off-season and still has not been entirely addressed in the first four weeks of the regular season.
Elliott Mosher | Liberty Champion
Junior Brian Hudson started the first two games at quarterback, throwing 20 completions for 263 total yards on the road at Wake Forest and twelve completions for 144 yards against Norfolk State in the home opener. Facing No. 12 Montana on Saturday, redshirt freshman Woodrum made his presence known in his first collegiate start. Despite being sacked five times, he threw for an impressive 322 yards with two touchdowns, completing 34 of his 44 passes. Hudson has gained experience backing up Mike Brown at the quarterback position last season, but what Woodrum lacks in experience he makes up for with big-play ability, as seen in Montana. Shut Down the Pass In Lehigh’s win over Princeton Saturday, Sept. 15, the team put up 276
passing yards under the leadership of senior quarterback Mike Colvin. “To be 3-0 going into Liberty is where we wanted to be, and it’s encouraging knowing that we left some plays on the field in all three of those games,” Colvin said to Fox News. The Flames held the Grizzlies to just 95 yards through the air last week, but will have to continue to shut down their opponents’ passing game to have a chance at their first win. Bring the Running Game In Montana, the Grizzlies shut down the Flames running game. In 18 combined attempts, Liberty running backs SirChauncey Holloway and Aldreakis Allen managed just 66 yards — something Gill clearly was not happy with. “I’m a little disappointed. I thought we would be able to run the ball
a little better,” Gill said to the Associated Press. The Flames must fight for every yard against a Lehigh team that held its opponent to just 206 total yards last week. The game will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 at Williams Stadium. Before the game, five former athletes will be inducted into the Liberty Athletics Hall of Fame: Jesse Castro (wrestling), Mark Chafin (men’s basketball), John Sanders (football), Sharon Snodgrass (women’s basketball) and Ryan Werner (track & field), according to liberyflames.com. Prepare to get to the game early, as the College for a Weekend crowd will be in attendance.
WITHERITE is a sports reporter.
picked up this semester, even more than last semester already. I think the word is getting around, and that’s why we have gotten more traffic. We had over 70 kids at our safety meeting.” The Motocross track is also available for students to ride on. However, there are no rental dirt bikes so, students must bring their own. The track is located beside the new Equestrian Center off Lone Jack Road. Paperwork also needs to be completed before anyone can ride the course. The program is a great way to meet new people and start new friendships with students who enjoy the outdoors. “It is a really great way to build friendships because you can meet someone at the course and ride at the same time,” Ellsworth said. “It is a lot of fun to be riding with someone that you have a friendship with. It’s a really good way to build relationships and get to know other people.” Liberty has continued to grow every semester, and as the student population increases, so does the amount and variety of activates offered for students. PEARSON is a sports reporter.
LONGWOOD continued from B1 changes inside and out of their university to prove that they belong in a Division I Conference. With the Lancers officially joining the Big South, the series between Liberty and Longwood has been renewed. The addition of Longwood has the greatest impact on the landscape of men’s basketball and baseball. Facing the prospect of 12 teams in one conference, the Big South has been split basketball and baseball into two divisions. The names of these two divisions are North and South. The North will comprise Liberty, Longwood, High Point, VMI, Radford and
TENNIS continued from B1 It gives us the opportunity to see what we do well and what we don’t do well. It gives the girls the chance to work on individual rankings, regional rankings, and national rankings and really grow and improve to get ready to compete for the spring.” They will compete in three events over the next three months, which begins with the Hokie Fall Invite in Blacksburg, Va. Sept. 28, the Atlantic Regionals Oct. 19. and the Houston Invite Nov. 2. Official team practices begin January.
Campbell, while the South will be composed of Coastal Carolina, Charleston Southern, G a r d n e r- We b b, Presbyterian, Winthrop and UNC Asheville. The changes to the format are effective immediately. The Lancers have had winning records against Big South competition since joining NCAA Division I play in men’s basketball, softball and women’s soccer. Over the past couple of years, the Big South has opened its doors to up-and-coming universities. This time, they made room for one more LU.
BATTLE is the asst. sports editor.
With Maren’s first season at the helm, the Lady Flames look forward to future endeavors to build from this past tournament.
FYI
Coach Maren is in his first season at Liberty after coming from North Texas.
KEARNEY is a sports reporter.
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SPORTS
September 18, 2012
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FEATURE
September 18, 2012
Liberty Champion/B5
Biology professor builds champions Tess Curtis tcurtis@liberty.edu
“Good morning, young champions,” professor Terry Spohn welcomes his students every morning. “Good morning, Champion Builder,” the students reply. Liberty University students Dana Emerick and Heather Campbell were resigned to a day of long-winded introductions and tedious syllabi when they took their seats in their respective biology and creation studies classes, but assistant professor of biology Terry Spohn was anything but boring. “I thought he was hilarious, and I got really excited for his class,” Campbell said. Each semester, Spohn opens his classes with a testimony that has the tendency to blow students away. “The first day, he just began to talk about himself,” Emerick said. “He focused on who he is as a child of God, and who we are. It was refreshing.” “He’s so nonchalant about (his experiences),” Campbell said. “I probably won’t accomplish half of those things in my lifetime. It’s crazy.” Before beginning his speaking career, Spohn was a veteran in the Vietnam War, he tells his students. “He was a sniper in the military,” Campbell said. “He said, ‘I’ve killed a lot of people, but don’t worry. I don’t do that anymore,’ which is…comforting.” “He’s a sniper with over 74 kills, so don’t be late to his class,” Emerick warned. Despite his impressive kill record, Spohn is most enthusiastic about his assignment as a network controller for the Defense Communications Agency, under the code name Tango Sierra. With 123 communication stations from Iceland to Ethiopia to manage during the Vietnam War, Spohn certainly had his work cut out for him. “I had this top secret clearance called Flash Override,” Spohn said, “which meant that I could preempt the President.” According to Spohn, the Flash Override clearance gave him the ability to bump anyone off the phone, even the President of the United States.
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
TEACHING — Professor Spohn’s colorful past makes him a student favorite. “I never did, but I could have,” Spohn added with a little grin. Jokes aside, Spohn really has a knack for inspiring students to learn. “He’s very energetic and caring about the topic that he’s speaking on, which really draws you in,” Emerick said. “(Biology 201) is a fun class,” Campbell said. “It’s an 8:50, but I get up and go to it because he’s cool.” “He’s been here forever,” Emerick said, and it is nearly true. Spohn first began his career at Liberty University when he accepted a position as assistant professor of biology in 1987, and he has taught at the university ever since. Science has always had a place in the professor’s heart. “I liked it ever since I was a kid,” Spohn said, a huge smile spreading across his face. He was always interested in how things worked and tried to get ahead in math and science courses when his dad’s position in the army had the family constantly moving around.
The secular schools Spohn attended taught only one view of how the human race came into being: evolutionism. “(Evolution) was just something that was taught in schools,” Spohn said with a shrug. “I was never really challenged on it.” It was not until Pastor Charlie Clough spoke in church on the book of Genesis, going through it verse by verse, that Spohn really started questioning his beliefs. “(Evolutionism) doesn’t explain the data,” Spohn said with a shake of his head. “Creationism fits it better.” The theory of evolution is waning, but it still has a place in the scientific community. “It’s a heart problem,” Spohn said. According to Spohn, the theory allows you to live life the way you want to, with no absolutes and every license to sin. “Many evolutionists are absolutely upset when you confront them,” Spohn said. “If it were just an ‘idea,’ why would they get so upset?” Spohn was actually invited to Expo
’93, a conference held at the Korean Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, where he spoke about the merits of creationism. He also spoke at the Russian National Academy in 1994 and had the opportunity to help start a Christian university in South Korea in 1995. “God has an interesting way of bringing things together,” Spohn said. Despite his many accomplishments, Spohn most enjoys spending time with the younger generations. “Young people keep me young,” Spohn said with a shrug and a grin. “He actually loves his subject, which makes (students) passionate to learn,” Emerick said. Spohn is deeply passionate about his role as a “Champion Builder.” He finds his purpose in “educat(ing) a righteous remnant to carry the torch when we’re not here.” After all, he said, “the only work that counts is kingdom work.” CURTIS is the copy editor.
Virginia 10-miler to hold 39th race Chase Smith csmith13@liberty.edu
Joel Ready | Liberty Champion
ONE-DAY DISCOUNT — Students enjoyed frozen yogurt and prizes at the Back to School Bash.
Yogurt Yeti attracts students
Flavor ran wild Sept. 8 as customers participated in the ‘Bash’ Josh Brandenstein jbrandenstein@liberty.edu
Secluded in the remote regions of Simon’s Run, the mysterious Yogurt Yeti called out to those who would venture to its Back to School Bash Sept. 8. According to staff, they had a good student turnout for the event. The frozen treat shop featured buy one get one 50 percent off for students and teachers, as well as prizes including T-shirts, Old Navy and Famous Footwear gift cards and Yogurt Yeti coupons. With “fro-yo” already attracting many Lynchburg-area
students, an event like the Back to School Bash served to bring in an even bigger party to the store. The event ran from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For each cup of yogurt purchased, customers were entered into a drawing for the various prizes. Yogurt Yeti boasts an assortment of flavors ranging from Peach, Mango and Root Beer Float to Snicker doodle, Chocolate Macadamia, Cheesecake and York Chocolate Mint. The Yeti also offers coffee, specialty muffins, gourmet pastries and yogurt-covered peanuts. BRANDENSTEIN is a feature reporter.
The Virginia 10-Miler will take place Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29 in Lynchburg, Va., giving central Virginia residents a chance to be healthy and get involved in the community. According to the event’s website, this year celebrates the Virginia 10-Miler’s 39th year of bringing in people of all ages to participate in a variety of races to promote community togetherness and physical exercise. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the race of their choice, including the 10-mile race, four-mile race and the Amazing Mile Children’s Run. According to the website, participants should arrive at Amazement Square in Downtown Lynchburg at 4:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, pick up their packets and enjoy the opening festivities. The main event races start at 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 29. “The Virginia 10-Miler has received incredible sponsors from the Lynchburg area to help coordinate the entire event,” Jeff Fedorko, Virginia 10-Miler race coordinator and Riverside Runners owner, said. “Liberty University is a major sponsor, providing over 100 volunteers who are currently working to help coordinate the event’s preproduction and the main event dates.” According to Fedorko, volunteers from Liberty will be involved in everything from race setup the day before to registration and traffic control at the event. “Liberty is encouraging its employees to be involved to
promote individual health and wellness and to participate in a community event in the Lynchburg area,” Fedorko said. Fedorko also talked about the event’s success in years past to get people involved to help coordinate and participate in the races. “When the Virginia 10-Miler first started, the only race participants could run in the was the 10-mile course,” Fedorko said. “Now, the event features a variety of course options with varying lengths for people of all ages and abilities. The event has experienced consistent growth in its 38 years of hosting races. Liberty is so excited about the Virginia 10-Miler that they are reimbursing its employees (who) choose to help organize the event and run or walk in one of the races.” This is not the first time this event has made waves in the community during its 39-year history. “A number of world records have been set at the races,” Fedorko said. “We have had several Olympians participate in previous years because of the organization’s efforts to promote community togetherness and human health.” According to the website, more than 3,000 people will be participating in this year’s races. Registration for the event starts at $15 for the children’s races and up to $60 for the 10mile race. More information about the Virginia 10-Miler, including online registration, can be found at virginiatenmiler.com.
SMITH is a feature reporter.
B6/Liberty Champion
FEATURE
September 18, 2012
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ON THE SET — McCaffrey will be playing Camille, a girl with an edgy gothic personality. She played the same character in her debut film, “Secrets in the Snow.”
Liberty grad to star on big screen Katie McCaffrey has been cast in her second feature film, ‘Secrets in the Fall,’ which will begin filming this October Samantha Gum sgum@liberty.edu
After graduation each year, thousands of Liberty alumni go all over the world with aspirations of making a name for themselves. Katie (Thomas) McCaffrey is one of those alumni. Currently in pre-production for the second feature film in which she has acted, “Secrets in the Fall,” McCaffrey is well on her way to fulfilling her aspirations, and she is no stranger to acting and theater. “My mother studied theater at Liberty during the 80s, so I was raised in it from birth,” McCaffrey said. This home environment was what pushed Katie into the film industry. “I always knew that I wanted to be an actress, but as a kid I wanted to be in movies like ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Holiday Inn,’ doing big song and dance numbers,” McCaffrey said. Although McCaffrey has been working
in this field for a number of years, film has not always been her primary focus. “Over the years, I have done many different things such as voice-overs, radio work, drama in the church, musicals, straight plays. I tried puppetry for a short moment,” McCaffrey said. No matter what area McCaffrey works in, the stage is where she feels most at home. “I don’t think that I can ever go very long at all without being on stage in a live show in some capacity,” McCaffrey said. “Secrets in the Snow” was McCaffrey’s first feature film, and “Secrets in the Fall” is its sequel, both produced by Every New Day Pictures. McCaffrey landed a leading role in the film as Camille, a character with an edgy gothic personality. “This movie is like a modernized ‘family-friendly’ or Christian version of ‘The Breakfast Club,’” McCaffrey said. “Secrets in the Snow” chronicles a relationship between six students who are stranded at their high school during a
snowstorm. Director Bethany Goodwin said that “wills are tested, friendships are created and secrets are revealed as they realize they must rely on each other to make it through the night.” The second film, “Secrets in the Fall,” will be following some of the same characters, but will introduce new ones as well. For McCaffrey, the movie holds plenty of new opportunities. “This time around, I’m also more than just an actor, I’m helping to produce this film, which has been a learning experience and a lot of fun,” she said. The Liberty graduate also highlighted the importance of learning new things every day. “I try to learn more about acting every day,” McCaffrey said. “I’m always asking more experienced actors for advice, and I’m always looking for ways to hone my craft.” McCaffrey encouraged everyone, especially those who want a career similar to hers, to continue learning, even outside of
the classroom. “In my time as an actor, I have learned and worked in marketing, casting, set design, research and being a rehearsal assistant. The more experience and diversity that you have, the more valuable you are to a production or company,” McCaffrey said. Getting into the film industry was not easy for McCaffrey. “Acting is a very hard career to choose,” McCaffrey said. “This is not for the faint of heart. If I had a dollar for the number of times that I have been told that I didn’t have what it took or that I’d never make it, I would be very rich. This is the kind of career that you only choose when you literally cannot imagine doing anything else, but as long as you are willing to work hard to find opportunities and are always willing to learn, you’ll be okay.”
GUM is a feature reporter.
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FEATURE
September 18, 2012
Liberty Champion/B7
Race to honor memory of Liberty grad Melissa Skinner
mjskinner@liberty.edu
Rachael Horton was a Liberty graduate and an advocate for animals everywhere who worked as an assistant at the Gentle Animal Care Hospital in Forest, Va. In her time at the animal hospital, she felt a passion to help people who were without the means to pay for their animals’ health care, and she came up with the idea to put aside some of her own money to help those people and their pets. The fire that claimed the lives of Rachael, her husband, Aaron, and their cat, Oscar, happened April 8, 2011, and the animal hospital started the RHCCF later that year in order to make Rachael’s dream of financially helping people and pets a reality.
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he second annual Rachael’s Paws and Purrs 5K and 10K will take place at Riverfront Park Sept. 22 in honor of the Rachael Horton Compassionate Care Fund (RHCCF). The emcee for the event will be Velvet Hall from Roanoke radio station WFIR, and after the race, there will be a concert by Lynchburg band Creeksyde. The race is open to both runners and walkers, and if you have a well-behaved animal on a leash, they are always welcome. “The race will begin at 8 a.m., and we are still accepting registration forms. If somebody shows up 7 a.m. that Saturday, they can register the day of,� Pearl August, the facilitator of the race, said. The RHCCF was started in 2011 by the Gentle Care Animal Hospital in loving memory of Rachael Horton, who died in an apartment fire at the age of 26.
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“She took money from her own pocket FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS — Liberty graduate Rachael Horton was committed if she saw that somebody was in need,� to helping people find the money to care for their animals in need. August said. “She never turned anybody away. A week before she died, she talked to the veterinarian she worked for and asked him to take money from her check to help animals who were in need.� According to RHCCF’s website, prizes will be awarded According to the RHCCF, “The money collected and donated from doctors, to the first, second and third place finishers in the canine staff, clients and friends to support this division. fund will be saved for special cases and life-or-death situations where a little exThe first place finishers in the 5K and 10K will receive tra money can make all the difference.� The race is only in its second year, but a year’s supply of Frontline Plus flea and tick control RHCCF hopes to expand in the future medication. The second place finisher will receive a in order to help the most amount of 6-month supply, and the third place finisher will receive a people that they can. To learn more about the Rachael three-month supply. Horton Compassionate Care Fund and how you can make a difference, visit A one-night stay in the Craddock Terry Hotel will also be rhccf.org.
FYI
SKINNER is a feature reporter.
awarded to the person who brings in the most money through pledges to RHCCF.
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the meaning behind a “siesta�? Siestas are midday naps, common in many Latin American countries and other areas of Hispanic influence. Since the siesta is the traditional daytime sleep of Spain, and other Latin American countries, the word siesta has been taken from Spanish, from the Latin hora sexta – “the sixth hour� (a reference to the hour of day counting from dawn). Historically, the purpose of a siesta is physical necessity for people in warm climates to avoid the hottest part of the day. It provides a good rest, especially after the intake of a midday meal in warm temperatures. In some countries, siestas are taken for up to 2 hours. Benefits that have been associated with a siesta in modern times include the following: t Increased energy t Reduced stress and the risk for chronic illness such as heart disease t Improved productivity and alertness t Reduced risk of workplace accidents t Contribution to happiness and better Celebrating Spanish Cuisine well-being
FEATURE
SEPTEMBER 18, 2012
Lynchburg plays host to Christian movie Melanie Oelrich moelrich@liberty.edu
Hollywood producers and local actors converted Liberty University and Lynchburg hotspots into movie sets this summer while filming the new faith-based movie, “Finding Faith.” According to a Liberty News Service article, the purpose of “Finding Faith” is to educate families on the dangers of the Internet and to teach children how to not fall prey to online predators. The movie is based on the true story of a teenage girl who was abducted after sharing excessive information with a skilled online predator. The film records the events that take place before, during and after the abduction and features the challenges that the family will face. The Safe Surfin’ Foundation is led by Sheriff Mike Brown, who holds 42 years of law enforcement experience, in addition to the Bedford County Sheriff ’s Department and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). Under Brown’s guidance, the task force has maintained a 100 percent conviction rate per strict guidelines that have targeted active Internet predators. At an April press conference, Brown shared his goals for the film and the role that ICAC would play. “To the sexual predator, we are the wolves,” Brown said. “We have, in a number of ways, set the bar for other task forces. For that, I am very proud.” Thomas Road Baptist Church, Liberty Christian Academy and Liberty University contributed to the project and are highlighted in the film as a result. “We knew this was the avenue we wanted to go — utilizing Thomas Road and Liberty University for support — and they’ve been great,” Brown said. “We
Photo Provided
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION — Liberty and LCA provided filming locations for “Finding Faith.” couldn’t have asked for anything better.” The majority of the people involved in the production were affiliated with Liberty in some way, Jason Campbell, Liberty alumnus and executive producer of the film, said. Around 400 volunteers were distributed among 12 teams, and more than 200 people were involved in the cast and crew. Some of those teams included prayer and encouragement, food services, production and post-production, wardrobe, set design and construction. “We had so many people come out the first day of filming that I didn’t know what to do with
them all,” Campbell said. In addition to noted actor Erik Estrada, among those starring in the film is Stephanie Bettcher, a senior worship studies major. Bettcher plays the lead role of Faith Garrett, a 14-year-old teen who finds herself in an unpredictable situation. “My character, Faith, is the typical teenager,” Bettcher said. “She’s the head cheerleader, popular, loves the Lord, but she is also very into social media — so much so, that I start talking to this guy online who poses as a 16-year-old. It spirals downward from there.” Because she played a character
six years younger than herself, Bettcher had the opportunity to work with a variety of people ranging from all ages. “A lot of people (who) played my friends in the movie were actually 14, so it was different, but fun,” Bettcher said. Growing up, Bettcher participated in a variety of theater pieces — from middle school plays to high school productions. However, since coming to Liberty, she has been focusing on singing. “I do love acting. In fact, doing this movie rekindled some feelings of pursuing it in the future. If God puts an acting job in my lap, I’ll run with it,” Bettcher
said. Jessica Falwell, Pastor Jonathan Falwell’s daughter, plays Bettcher’s best friend, Ashley Burke. “Faith’s abduction really hit my character, Ashley, hard and affected the way she acted,” Falwell said. “Because Ashley spent all of her time with Faith, you can imagine how hurt and upset she was when she found out about the abduction.” Even before the filming for “Finding Faith” had begun, Bettcher and Falwell had formed a friendship through participating in the Virginia Christmas Spectacular productions at Thomas Road together. Those involved in the film are hoping that it will be a comfort to the public, especially to those who have been affected by online predators. “I really want this movie to be an encouragement to both Christians and non-believers and to let them know God is there with them through anything that happens, good and bad,” Falwell said. Bettcher added that in the movie, the Garrett family struggles to unite in such difficult circumstances and realizes the importance of God’s presence in their lives. “The Garrett family understood that they had to trust God,” Bettcher said. “I believe this movie will be a great resource to those wanting to know more about the dangers of sex trafficking and how to be safe against Internet predators. I’m hoping that it’ll open parents’ and teens’ eyes to be extra cautious.” The premiere is set for midJanuary at Thomas Road Baptist Church. OELRICH is an asst. news editor.
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SUNSETS AND SCENERY — Consisting of mostly of oil paintings, Christopher Burch’s contemporary landscapes will be displayed from Sept. 20 to Nov. 3 in DeMoss Hall.
Liberty art gallery spotlights local artist Victoria Wood vwood7@liberty.edu
Using scenes of majestic waters, glorious skies and the sheer beauty of the land, this year’s featured artist displays his talents on canvas in the form of landscape portraits, according to Liberty University’s Studio and Digital Arts Department’s announcement. The Contemporary Landscapes exhibit by Christopher Burch will be displayed at the Liberty University Art Gallery, room 4059 in the DeMoss Hall Learning Cen-
ter, from Sept. 20 to Nov. 3. Todd Smith, the director for the upcoming free exhibit, described what this exhibit means to the university. “It is always an honor to add to the list of Christian artists that display in our studio,” Smith said. “As Christians, we are to cultivate top-quality artists that set out to express the glory of God. Our creativity is to reflect His creativity.” With the opening of the art exhibition this month, Burch will have the opportunity to showcase his talent to his own community. The exhibit will feature a total of
24 oil paintings, varying in size and color, with depictions including landscapes as well as people and animals. Burch will soon join a group of noted artists who have had the opportunity to showcase their pieces in the university’s studio exhibit. Past fall exhibitors include Geane Ewing, Macel Falwell, David Heath, the Plein Air Painters and Diane Johnson. Liberty frequently displays the work of various artists, and this fall it is Burch’s turn to take the spotlight. “Our goal is to serve as a cultural hub
for the students and the community, offering them the opportunity to experience top-quality artwork,” Smith said. In the eyes of Burch, home is where the art is. Burch has spent his whole life in the Mid-Atlantic region of America. Born in Eden, N.C., he attended school at Radford University and currently lives in Lynchburg. To find more information on the exhibition, visit the Department of Studio and Digital Arts page on Liberty’s website. WOOD is a feature reporter.