Camp Hydaway Grand Opening
Football home opener against Monmouth
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Liberty University
libertychampion.com
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Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Today: Mostly Sunny 90/67 Tomorrow: Mostly Sunny 89/67
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libertychampion.com
Volume 31 • Issue 3
White Hart reopening
‘13 Lynchburg, Va.
Flames hammer Hawks
Tobi Walsh Twalsh12@liberty.edu
Abe Loper was a regular customer at the White Hart until it closed in March 2013. After prayer and consideration, he decided to purchase the business located on Main Street in downtown Lynchburg and will reopen it Sept. 13. Loper, who owns his own laser tag business, missed the White Hart. He said that despite the “closed” signs posted on the windows, people still wandered in trying to buy a coffee during the renovations. “It was a long shot,” Loper said. “I started praying that if it was supposed to work out, then it would. Being an owner of a coffee shop and (being) a regular are two different things.” Loper said that, after a little bit of research, purchasing the business was going to cost a lot less money than he had planned. With the help of loans from some of his friends, Loper said that he was able to buy it. “I had no plan going into it, and then it started coming together,” Loper said. According to Loper, once he saw the interior of the building, he realized that there was still a lot more work that needed to be done. That is when he decided to turn to the community for help.
See WHITE HART, A6
Loyalty and leadership Flames Club hosts first fall luncheon, celebrating the arrival of football season
Civil War revisited
Tiffany Samuels tksamuels@liberty.edu
Kristen Hines kahines@liberty.edu
Liberty University plans to welcome students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community to its 17th annual Civil War Seminar, “1863 — The Conflagration Continues,” as part of the celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. According to its Web page, the event will begin with a kickoff banquet at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 in DeMoss Hall. Saturday’s festivities will begin at 8:50 a.m. and run until 4:30 p.m., during which participants will hear from nationally acclaimed speakers, be presented with papers by scholars from across the nation, and have the opportunity to view artifacts and memorabilia that will be on display throughout the day. The event will conclude Sunday, Sept. 15, with a period church service at 9 a.m. at the Whorley Prayer Chapel, led by Dr. John H. Brinsfield, who served for many years as a chaplain at the Army Chaplaincy School in Fort Jackson, S.C., according to a Web page at liberty.edu. The Civil War Chaplain’s Museum, located next to Doc’s Diner, will also be open Saturday. This museum is the only one of its kind in the country, and was brought to life with the help of Kenny Rowlette,
See CIVIL WAR, A2
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
SPIRIT — Tyler Bunzey, Gabriel Mcgann and Zac Lamothe fan the Flames during the home opener against Monmouth.
The Flames Club hosted its fall luncheon as a kickoff for Flames football Friday, Sept. 6, at Williams Stadium. Keynote speakers were Head Coach Turner Gill, quarterback Josh Woodrum, cornerback Walt Aikens and defensive lineman Cory Freeman. As the commentary with the coach and players began, Gill extended his thanks and appreciation to all of the fans. “We are grateful for the support you have given us in the past, that you are giving us here today and also as you continue to support us in the future,” Gill said. “We are going to represent you well. Both on and off the football field, we are going to represent you, but more importantly, we are working for the Lord.” Every week, the coaches lead the team with a word of the week. This past week’s word was “loyalty.” “(Loyalty) is the most important thing that we need to have as we continue to move on each and every day, each and every game. We must trust. We must have righteousness. We must move forward all in the right ways.” Aikens added to Gill’s statement, saying that the one thing that they have fo-
Macklyn Mosley | Liberty Champion
FOOTBALL — Coach Gill and Flames football players speak at the kickoff luncheon. cused on this year as a team is leadership. “The leadership is a key ingredient, and along with that, you have to have loyalty,” Aikens said. Woodrum, Liberty’s current starting quarterback, said his teammates have pushed him to work on his leadership this year. “Coach Gill just kind of let the summer be up to us,” Woodrum said. “He let us take control of it and really put it in our hands. I think that’s one reason Coach Gill thinks we have some good
leadership on this team.” Freeman expressed how special the depth of the defensive line is and how many players are capable of performing well. “My hat goes off to Coach Gill and Coach Singletary to be able to train us and coach us in a way where we can have guys step up and fulfill those roles for our team,” Freeman said. Gill and the players also talked about the playing environment surrounding Liberty. As a long standing tradition before every game, the
INSIDE THE CHAMPION News
Sports
Feature
Stephen Baldwin visits and tours Zaki Gordon CinematA8 ic Arts Department
Men’s soccer defeats IUPUI 4-0 Friday, Sept. 6 B1
Student Taran Kerr overcomes car accident before attending Liberty B5
News Opinion Sports Feature
players come out of the tunnel following the fans’ chant of “L-U!” Aikens said that his anticipation for the game heightens in the tunnel. “The tunnel is like a cave to us. It’s like dogs in there ready to get out,” Aikens said. “We can’t see people. We just see red everywhere.” The Flames played their first game of the season at Kent State University on Thursday, Aug. 29. The Flames fell short, losing 1710.
See KICKOFF, A3
A1 A4 B1 B8
NEWS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
Liberty Champion/A2
Pre-Law Society Helms School kickoff James Ebrahim jebrahim2@liberty.edu
Sam Chappell | Liberty Champion
SCIENCE — Davy works on an experiment in the lab where he has spent much of his college career.
Student excels on MCAT John Davy scored a 40 out of 45, putting him in the 99.8 percentile in the country Joshua Janney jjanney@liberty.edu
Liberty University student John Davy scored among the highest in the country on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which is the entrance exam for medical school, May 23. Davy, a senior biochemistry major, received a score of 40 out of 45, which places him in the 99.8 percentile for nationwide test takers. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges website, the average MCAT score for 2012 was 25.2. “I thought I did pretty well, but I was not expecting a score that good by any margin at all,” Davy said. “It really was all grace. I mean, I studied hard, but in the end, it’s all in the Lord’s hands.” According to Davy, the journey to a medical career began in high school. “I had a desire to go into medicine
since I was pretty young,” Davy said. “I just thought it was a great opportunity to study science I loved, interact with people and build relationships. It was a unique mix of really cool stuff you could do.” Davy credits his Liberty professors with playing a significant role in his growth as a student. “I think that was probably the most important part of my education, the input the professors have,” Davy said. “The professors really make an effort to build relationships with the students.” Davy also said he feels that his department as a whole has left a positive impact on his education. “At Liberty, our science department isn’t very big so it’s kind of a close community,” Davy said. “It’s fun to be able to walk down the halls and say hi to every professor in the halls because you pretty much know everyone at this point in the senior year.”
With the MCAT test completed, Davy is now considering several options for attending medical school, including the University of Virginia, Case Western University and Vanderbilt. “All of the schools I have applied to are great schools with awesome opportunities for research and medicine and training,” Davy said. “But (choosing schools) is also a large function of money and tuition and what sort of scholarships you can get.” Regardless of what medical school he chooses, Davy said his goal is to pursue family practice or general medicine. “It’s a really fascinating career because you’re not just focused on cardiology or radiology or one specific thing,” Davy said. “You have a really broad spectrum of cases and ages. And I really love working with kids and really building lasting relationships with your patients.” JANNEY is a news reporter.
Photo Provided | Dale Gallon
SEMINAR — “Breechloaders and Greencoats,” courtesy or Gallon Historical Art.
CIVIL WAR continued from A1 the director of the National Civil War Chaplains Museum, former Liberty history professor Dr. Cline Hall and Chaplain Alan Farley of Reenactor’s Mission for Jesus Christ, Rowlette said. “What we decided to do this year (for the seminar) is highlight things that most people do not usually think about when it comes to the Civil War,” Rowlette said. “For example, Gettysburg is the battle that we have to talk about, but
since the battle was over the course of three days, we are not going to look at it like one big battle …We are going to take eyewitness accounts to give you glimpses in to the different moments of each day.” According to Rowlette, seminar speakers, such as Maj. John Plaster and Michael Leavy, will cover topics as diverse as sharpshooters of the war, the weapons used at Gettysburg, the chaplains’ involvement in the Battle of Gettysburg, and the impact of the railroads during the war. In addition to the presenta-
tions, there will be academic papers, exhibits, and venders, said Rowlette. “It’s also an opportunity to learn about various topics that you wouldn’t necessarily learn about in the classroom,”senior Lindsay Poling said. According to Discover Lynchburg, the seminar was organized with the hope that students and the surrounding community would realize the historical significance of the area. Lynchburg is home to 12 stops along the Civil War Trails. “Here in Lynchburg, we are so close to Richmond …
and 65-70 percent of the battles took place in Virginia,” Rowlette said. “We are six hours from Gettysburg and near Appomattox, where the surrender took place. You go here because this is where the Civil War was fought. We are saturated here in a way that you won’t be anywhere else.” Encyclopedia Virginia states that Lynchburg’s location during the war, which was near battles but safe from harm, made it a perfect place to set up hospitals and store supplies. The Ladies’ Relief Hospital stationed in Lynchburg grew to become “one of the largest women-run hospitals in the Confederacy.” However, the city did play host to a battle June 17, 1864, when Confederate Gen. Early gave the Confederate Army a victory and control over the Shenandoah Valley in the Battle of Lynchburg, according to Encyclopedia Virginia. Admission for the kickoff banquet Friday night is $25. Saturday’s lecture is $25 per person or $35 per family. Admission for Liberty students, both residential and online, is free. HINES is a news reporter.
Liberty University’s Pre-Law Society held its kickoff event Sept. 2 in the Helms School of Government. Dr. Corey Martin, assistant professor of government, encouraged pre-law students and discussed opportunities that will be given to them this semester. “We are trying to send folks to law school who have a Christian worldview so that they can go into (a) field of law that has been dominated by liberal ideology,” Martin said. “(They need to) go in and return law to the roots of the Western legal tradition, which is law based and founded upon biblical principles and a Christian worldview.” Liz Chadwick, president of the PreLaw Society, spoke to the students about opportunities they would have during the Passion Conference. Passion is a conference that attracts college students from around the world to focus on glorifying God, according to the Passion website, 268generation.com. Chadwick said the Pre-Law Society will be joining the International Justice Mission (IJM) in an abolition week in the spring where speakers will talk about and raise awareness for the issue of slavery. While learning about IJM and other topics, society members will have, “a place ... to fellowship with others who are planning to attend law school in the future,” according to the Pre-Law society’s website. The majority of the students are pre-law and are looking to go into what Martin said “is an honorable profession.” According to Martin, the Pre-Law society is a great opportunity for students to prepare for law school. It gives the students an edge by introducing them to topics of law that they will face in their first years of law school. The Pre-Law Society will be helping students prepare for the Law School Admission Test, which will be administered Oct. 5 and Dec. 7, Martin said. Another way that the Pre-Law Society prepares students for law school is through moot courts. Liberty will be hosting an intramural moot court in October, according to Martin. “The intramural team is a training session for the undergraduate students to prepare for the collegiate tournament,” Martin said. “If we can push you through the tournament and train you on the problem, you’ll be much more prepared to go compete in the collegiate tournament.” According to Martin, the collegiate tournament will be held in November. The Pre-Law Society will hear from Assistant Professor of Law Phillip D. Kline, Martin said. According to his Liberty biography page, Kline has experience as a district attorney and as the attorney general of Kansas. He has faced intense scrutiny by the media for his work against abortion, according to Liberty’s website. Later on in the semester, the PreLaw Society will be partnering with the Criminal Justice Club and the Strategic Intelligence Society for a day of paintball, Martin said. Martin said that the society will also be holding an LSAT-preparation class Oct. 24-26. EBRAHIM is a news reporter.
Champion corrections
1. LIBERTY ROBOTICS CLUB IS NOW TRAINING MEMBERS TO PROGRAM.
2. THE LIBERTY BOOKSTORE HELD A RED OUT EVENT SEPT. 5.
VISIT THE CHAMPION’S WEBSITE AT LIBERTYCHAMPION.COM. CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK.
3. WASHINGTON, D.C. IS BIDDING TO HOST THE 2024 OLYMPICS.
• In the opinion article about the Miami Dolphins, Hyde should have been Keuchenberg. • The photo of women’s soccer was taken by Steven Abbott. • Last week’s issue stated that Liberty Head Softball Coach Dot Richardson recorded the first American hit, run and home run. Richardson actually recorded the first run and home run in the sport of softball in Olympic history. • The “Counsel Files Suit” article should say that 14-17 year olds in N.J. are not permitted to consent to gay conversion therapy.
NEWS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
Liberty Champion/A3
New school gets accreditation
The Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine is now accepting applications for its first class Ryan Fowle rfowle@liberty.edu
The Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine has been under meticulous development for the past three years and, most recently, received provisional accreditation from its programmatic accreditor and recognition from Liberty’s regional accreditor. The school has obtained, according to Dr. Ronnie Martin, its founding dean, “the highest accreditation that’s possible ... at this stage of development.� According to Martin, accreditation will be stringent and “a very continuous, ongoing ramping up process.� Martin said that the late Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr. had conceived the idea for the college in the early seventies, and that development began in 2010. “Dr. Falwell had a dream about the success of the university and that it might grow to rival some of the top institutions in the country, “ Martin said. According to Martin, the structure being constructed across the highway from main campus will be used mainly for the purposes of the new osteopathic medical college but will be shared with other programs offered by the university, including the Masters of Public Health program. After receiving provisional
KICKOFF continued from A1 Aikens said that if he could change one thing about the season so far, it
Leah Stauffer | Liberty Champion
CONSTRUCTION — Dr. Ronnie Martin stands in front of the college that is nearing completion.
“
Dr. Falwell had a dream about the success of the university and that it might grow to rival some of the top institutions in the country. — DR. RONNIE MARTIN
accreditation, LUCOM began accepting applications for the inaugural class, scheduled to open in August 2014, according to Martin.
would be winning that first game of the season. “The only thing I would change is the final score of the last game,� Aikens said. “As far as the team and the
Even though they have not accepted students yet, Dr. Martin said the college is currently screening potential student applications and will begin inter-
people around our team, I wouldn’t change anything. I’ve grown to love all of these guys, and I know what they are capable of.� According to the lun-
viewing applicants while the college continues to develop. According to Martin, part of the mission of LUCOM is to educate osteopathic physicians in a
cheon speakers, despite it being an away game, about 1,000 Liberty fans showed up to the game at Kent State in a sea of red. “Our fans are the loud-
Christian environment, instilling the Christian values of integrity, professionalism and a servant’s heart. “It is our hope that many Liberty students will choose to become involved with us in medical school‌they help establish the culture of service that we think is so important,â€? Martin said. Currently, the school is approved for 150 students for the first year of classes, and Martin said he hopes that about 20-35 of those students will be Liberty graduates, according to Martin. He said one thing prospective students will have to expect, is the intensified workload that comes with being in a medical school. “We go year round,â€? Martin said. “Each of our years is more than 60 credits, so at the end of the first two years every student has approximately 140 credits. We do not have a trimester that is less than 25 credits, which is a little more than most undergraduate students take in a year.â€? Dr. Martin expressed he is pleased with the support he and the school have received from everyone involved, and he is excited to play a role in helping Dr. Falwell’s vision for Liberty become a reality and to meet community and regional healthcare needs in a meaningful capacity. FOWLE is a news reporter.
est, they’re the proudest, and they wear the most red,� Aikens said. The Flames won their home opener 45-15 against Monmouth University.
The next home game is Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. against Morgan State University. SAMUELS is a news reporter.
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OPINION
A4
September 10, 2013
Syrian conflict without resolution
The world waits and watches as the Syrian civil war prompts potential international military intervention David Van Dyk dvandyk@liberty.edu
SYRIA When a nation comes to the realization IRAN that the world is watching it, something happens that tests the mettle and morale of that land. A phrase that can be used IRAQ in this instance is “trial by fire.” As Syria hangs in the balance, that trial will test the resolve of the United States of America. President Barack Obama came out of EGYPT SAUDI ARABIA the White House and stepped into the Rose Garden to make a statement — a statement for a waiting and watching world. All eyes focused on one man with one choice: to make a stand against that which is wrong, or turn a blind eye to injustice. Abigail Bock | Liberty Champion For a while now, much of the Middle RED LINE — Syria’s use of chemical weapons served as a catalyst for global tension. East has turned to America with a mocking voice, considering us hypocrites. In “In this particular case, the president military action against Syria. British Prime their eyes, we are a Christian nation, yet made a statement a few months ago refer- Minister David Cameron warned that we practice that which is not Christian. We ring to a red line that put us in a position future use of chemical weapons in Syria put our foot down, but the moment it gets as a nation to appear weak if you don’t could result in significant destruction. stepped on, we quickly take a step back. do something, but if you do, you have to Watching this unfold, I could not help According to Dean Shawn Akers of the ask yourself what the consequences are,” but wonder if Obama was wise in seekHelms School of Government, we have Akers said. ing authorization from Congress. Accome to a point where our word no longer When Obama spoke of a red line cording to Akers, Obama’s consideration holds weight. against chemical weapons use, he drew in taking this to Congress involves several “A lot of the world is questioning our a line in the sand. He threw down the key components. veracity,” Akers said. “They want to gauntlet and dared any foe to cross it. First, there are political ramifications, know whether we mean what we say and Now that Bashar al-Assad has crossed it where many in the Obama administrawhether we say what we mean.” with the use of sarin nerve gas, a deadly tion were vocal against Bush concerning When children become comfortable chemical that kills in minutes, the world Iraq and Afghanistan. Changing their with parents’ lack of discipline, they learn waits and watches. minds in support of one’s view can be a their boundaries, or lack thereof. When We saw an interesting decision in Britain difficult process. we say something, we must act on it. where the House of Commons denied Second, there is the legal aspect. The
War Powers Act gives the president 89 days to take military action to defend our interests as a nation. Third, there is the strategic question, and according to Akers, it constitutes a larger scope. “If Congress comes out in support of him, then you have a united front,” Akers said. “If Congress comes out against him, he would have to act unilaterally against Congress’ wishes and it again makes the United States look bifurcated and weak in the international community.” Though other countries continue to speak out against the violence, their lack of action makes the message loud and clear: As long as words are exchanged and bullets are not, no harm is done. But harm has been done. According to Gregory Korte, reporter for USA Today, Sen. Chris Murphy said that he gagged every time he saw photos of those disfigured by the horrible sarin nerve gas used on civilians. And so, as the world looks around watching and waiting to see who takes a stand, it is my hope that America raises its hand and says enough is enough. It is my desire that as other countries crouch in their seats, America stands in front of the class and implores fellow nations to stand for mutual moral and ethical values.
VAN DYK is an opinion writer.
Muslim march scheduled for Sept. 11 Tyler Beaston tbeaston@liberty.edu
Nearly 1 million people are expected to march down Washington, D.C.’s National Mall tomorrow, not to remember those who died in the Sept. 11 attacks, but to dispel the fear of Muslims, according to huffingtonpost. com. According to The Washington Times, the American Muslim Political Action Committee (AMPAC) is hosting the event, which AMPAC hopes will cause the U.S. government to tell the truth about the attacks. From reading AMPAC’s website, I have determined its goal is not to be antagonistic. It instead wants for people to believe that the government has propagated a mindset of fear to justify the passing of the Patriot Act after the 2001 attacks. The organizers also indict Hollywood for its negative portrayal of Muslims. Though I do not be-
lieve AMPAC means harm, it is, however, misguided and uninformed. “‘Al-Qaeda’ is a joke,” its site says. Well, no. That is extremely wrong. Dr. Seth Jones, associate director of the International Security and Defense Policy Center at RAND Corporation, wrote concerning the statistics of Al Qaeda in 2012. “Al Qaeda in Iraq, for instance, has conducted more than 200 attacks and killed more than a thousand Iraqis since the Bin Laden raid, a jump from the previous year,” Jones said. International terrorists are no joke, as the U.S. discovered 12 years ago. “If the United States of America is to remain a constitutional democratic republic, the American people need to stop being afraid,” AMPAC’s website said. “They must stop being afraid of each other. And they must stop being afraid of the truth.” The logic behind this
by Greg Leasure Liberty University can be a confusing place for single people. With couples forming left and right, the pressure to date can sometimes be intense. The phrase “ring by spring” is a prevalent mindset for dating. While dating can be a great way to get to know people, have fun and find a future spouse in college, the clock is not ticking as fast LEASURE as you might think.
quote is questionable. First, I find it dubious to say that fear will cause America’s political and governmental system to change. Then there is mention of “the truth.” What is this truth? That is the question that I was left asking. AMPAC’s definition is painfully nebulous. My interpretation of their “truth” is the idea that people do not, or should not, fear one another. Perhaps it means more simply that Muslims should not be feared. I agree, as long as they mean the Muslims that are not inclined to the violence demonstrated by the ones that attacked on 9/11. I have one last problem with the website statement. The author, Rabbi Alam, displays an insidious lack of faith in the government. His talk of revealing the truth leads me to believe that he doubts Al Qaeda was behind the attacks at all. If he leans toward the 9/11 conspiracy theo-
Contrary to popular belief, single people exist outside of Liberty and college in general. Although that might be hard to realize while inside the Liberty bubble, the realization is necessary nonetheless. I know many people who have met at Liberty, started dating and are now engaged or married. I believe these people are genuinely trying to follow God’s will for their lives. In fact, I can think of a few couples who are fantastic, godly role models for their friends at Liberty. In addition to those friends, I met multiple members of student leadership during my three years living on campus who were excellent examples of godly relationships for the younger students living at the dorm, not to mention the positive influence resident
ries, then I revoke any credibility and sympathy I originally bestowed. I have listened to the audio records of the conversations between the airplanes that crashed and the air control towers. Conspiracies hold little water in my mind. The march does not bother me personally — AMPAC has a right to demonstrate. I can understand, however, why people would be upset. Seeing that the rally is named for Muslims, it might seem like a slap in the face. All parties are not thinking clearly about the situation. The rally participants could pick a different date in order to acknowledge the sensitivities of those whom the strikes affected. At the same time, rally opponents should not be so easily offended. Sept. 11 should be a time to remember. It was a brutal assault. Whether you buy the conspiracy theories or prefer the rad-
Google Images
TRAGEDY — As the nation mourns, activist groups rally.
ical terrorist assertion, we must all agree that it was a tragic moment in our nation’s history. Thousands of innocent Americans died. Thousands more have lost their lives fighting terrorism in
directors have on students as well. Having said that, freshmen rushing into relationships is an all too common occurrence at Liberty. Even more frequently, many upperclassmen feel pressured to find that special someone before their college years are done. Yes, college is one of the easiest places to meet people your own age, but the idea of graduating college without a ring or a relationship should not induce fear. In the past, I have heard students try to blame the pressure to date on Liberty and the administration’s positive view of marriage. Although a few dating or marriage jokes in Convocation are always inevitable, I think that the pressure from other students far surpasses any other influences that may exist.
the Middle East, souring public opinion against foreign intervention. And a resolution to the conflict remains distant. BEASTON is an opinion writer.
What is the solution? Step back and put things into perspective. Dating in college can be a positive thing, but desperately looking for someone to match up with just is not worth the stress. Paul even talks in the Bible about the advantages of being single in 1 Corinthians 7: 8-9. “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say it is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion (NIV).” So cheer up, single Liberty students. There is more to life than a Facebook relationship status, and single does not have to mean solitary.
OPINION
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
Liberty Champion/A5
Murder and millions of dollars
Former football star Aaron Hernandez pleaded not-guilty to charges, but may still lose thousands in bonuses Zachary Pinkston zpinkston@liberty.edu
Today’s athletes are reallife heroes to their many fans. But what happens when one of those stars is charged with first-degree murder? Or what about this: What happens when a team promises money to a player who is later arrested for first-degree murder? This is the case for former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez. Hernandez was arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of Odin Lloyd June 26. When the New England Patriots became aware of the charges against Hernandez, they immediately cut him from their team. Hernandez had signed a 5-year, $40 million contract with the team in 2012 to play through the 2018 season, but because of his murder charges, the NFL has stated that he has been suspended indefinitely. Also, Hernandez was supposed to receive an $82,000 bonus from the team for completing their spring offseason training, and that is where the most current issue lies. According to Fox Sports, the money was supposed to be paid to Hernandez Aug. 1, but he did not receive it. Here is the problem: The team is allowed to recover earnings from players who have been arrested, but the Patriots cut Hernandez from the team just after he was arrested June 26. According to the NFL, the Player’s Association is making a claim that since he no longer plays for the team, the Patriots cannot get that money back because Hernandez earned it during the offseason. Hernandez had completed the requirements stated in his contract, and thus should be awarded the bonus. The
problem for the Patriots is that they would be paying a player who will most likely never again be a part of the New England team. Sounds like a huge waste of money. According to the Associated Press, team owner Robert Kraft does not believe that Hernandez should be allowed his bonus. “You can look at our history,” Kraft said. “We honor all our contracts, and we expect the people who sign them to honor their part of the contract.” Although Hernandez has been in jail since his arrest in June, he did fulfill his contract. His $82,000 bonus was for the Patriots’ offseason training, and he completed what was asked of him. I believe that Hernandez ought to have the money promised him by the New England team. Yes, it is true that he can no longer play for the team, but Hernandez should not be cheated out of what is owed to him. “I would have to say that the language of his contract should dictate that he receives his bonus as far as money is concerned,” Alex Stauch, a member of the leadership in Liberty University’s Criminal Justice Club, said. The Hernandez case is ongoing, and the NFL Player’s Association is fighting for Hernandez’s right to the bonus. The fact that Hernandez cannot play should not be a reason for the Patriots to withhold the money. Hernandez is standing trial for firstdegree murder, but it should not prevent him from getting what he was promised.
Google Images
PINKSTON is an opinion writer.
HERNANDEZ — The NFL is withholding thousands of dollars in offseason workout bonuses.
What we can do to help the Middle East Christians are called to be politically active by praying for international peace and administrative wisdom Gabriella Fuller gfuller2@liberty.edu
Turn on any news channel or pick up any newspaper, and headlines are sure to outline the grim political landscape of our country and our world. Tension continues to rise as leading bureaucratic figures scramble to find the best solution to the crisis in Syria. Pressure in the Middle East has left the region fragmented. Radical Muslim faith is surging. Fellow brothers and sisters in Christ face harrowing persecution. Millions have been displaced from their homes as religious and political powers war for sovereignty and fame.
And then we throw the financial and political issues of the United States into the mix. Our nation faces an inconceivable debt that, according to the Washington Post, has reached more than $16 trillion and is well on the way to breaking the debt ceiling. Our leaders are torn between Syrian involvement or inaction, and reports of war stream in daily. It is nothing short of overwhelming. As a result, I am finding it increasingly difficult to be a joy-filled Christian in a world saturated with conflict and pain. Sitting in Lynchburg, Va., the list of helpful actions we can take to improve the innumer-
able global afflictions seems trivial and inconsequential. If there is one truth I have recently discovered while praying through my grief for the tragedies occurring worldwide, however, it is that Christians have a prominent role to play in current affairs. The greatest lie we can believe is that our actions are not enough, that we cannot be effective where we are. We may not be on the front lines, but that does not mean that we belong on the sidelines. Though I would generally be the first to shy away from political discussions, I am learning that being attentive to the needs of people around the world does not require a degree in geopoli-
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tics or economics. The situations are complex, and the answers are not easy, but Christians bear a responsibility to intentionally seek truth and weigh the measures of the world against a biblical worldview. Whether you support American intercession in the Middle East or not, we are to be interceding in prayer. As the upcoming generation of leaders, each one of us is in the ideal position to influence change. So whether we voice our opinions to large crowds or to our roommates, let us be knowledgeable about what is happening around the world. Read the headlines, follow the news, and take every opportunity to gra-
LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES & INFO
ciously and effectively direct conversations toward truth. We ought to make use of the incredible community of people we are so blessed to have here at Liberty University. Take the opportunity to learn from those who are like-minded as well as those with dissimilar stances. And when the pain of the world inevitably begins to overburden and distress, remember that our hope is in Christ alone. We need to pray through Ephesians 6, put on our armor, and faithfully live out our callings as ambassadors to the world. FULLER is the opinion editor.
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NEWS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
Liberty Champion/A6
New student club promotes ‘green’
Students for Stewardship encourages on-campus recycling and endeavors to create a cleaner environment Emily Webster ewebster@liberty.edu
“Reduce, reuse and recycle,” Dr. Karen Prior said. The Liberty University campus club Students for Stewardship is beginning a new emphasis on going green with the hopes of educating students on the biblical mandate behind recycling. An updated version of the Liberty club Care for Creation, Students for Stewardship wants Liberty students to become better stewards of creation, according to Robert Morris, president of Students for Stewardship. Morris said that the club will be focusing on three fundamental areas: advocacy on campus, sustainability with utilities and recycling. “It’s a slow process because, unfortunately, with things like the environment on a campus like Liberty, where these conservative ideals are so prominent, you find that if you stick up a poster that just says please recycle, their mind-set, their framework, is kind of like … tunnel vision, and (they) say, ‘Not interested,’” Morris said. “But if you’re able to talk with people, you’re able to broaden their horizons a little bit.” According to Morris, who grew up in South Africa, he is very aware of and concerned for the environment. Growing up in South Africa meant limited water usage, gasoline and electricity. Once he came to the United States, Morris said he noticed an abundance of waste and inef-
ficient use of resources. “Growing up in a society like South Africa where those things are very limited, (the people) were very, very focused on trying to make (resources) last as long as (they) could,” Morris said. “We recycled everything — glass, cardboard, plastic, pens, pencils. Anything that had value up to the point of us not needing it anymore was given on to something else that could create value from it.” Morris said he wants Liberty to be setting the standard for good stewardship through recycling, and he believes the university is taking more of an interest in this through the hiring of Morgan Muszall, recycling coordinator for Students for Stewardship. “With the recycling position Morgan has, it’s great to have her as a connection between our organization on campus and her as a facilitator that can have the right connections for the program,” Morris said. “(I)t’s showing that (Liberty is) engaging in the issues of today, which, as a leading Christian university, Liberty has the opportunity to lead in this again. This is not something we should be playing catch up on. This is something we should be setting the standard for. And we’re not at that point yet, but it is something we can set the standard for in the future.” Muszall, who graduated from Liberty in 2012 with a public relations degree, said she has already started working on getting the attention of students in order
to encourage them to recycle. According to Muszall, a pilot plan is underway. “It’s mostly in dorms on the hill and dorms 25 through 28,” Muszall said. “They’re going to have bins in … the stairwells. We’re going to measure them and see how much halls recycle each week. They’re hoping to have an incentive like a pizza party.” Attaining positive responses from students is one of the most difficult challenges, according to Muszall. She said that she hopes Students for Stewardship is able to create awareness in students. “I hope people are educated on how this affects them,” Muszall said. “I mean, they don’t have to be tree huggers or hippies, but you can still be cautious of the earth and of what God’s given us … (I)n Genesis, God told Adam … to rule over the earth, and that’s part of being healthy. Recycling is not just something that makes money for the university, but it’s also a benefit to (students) and their health.” Prior, English professor and club adviser for Students for Stewardship, also tied stewardship back to the Bible. “The concept of biblical stewardship is not just about obedience, but it’s also about being blessed through obedience,” Prior said. “So, not only are we to take care of God’s creation, but doing so reaps rewards, too.” Prior said that one of the goals of the club is to change the way people think about throwing things away when they
morguefile.com
REUSE — Give trash a second chance. could be recycled. “Recycling saves the university money, (and) it teaches responsibility,” Prior said. “It teaches students, faculty and staff to be less wasteful, and these are civic and biblical principles that I think really deserve more emphasis … (I)t’s being a good steward of the materials and the earth, but also a good steward of Liberty’s resources, which means it’s being a good steward of tuition dollars and students’ loans and so forth.” WEBSTER is a copy editor.
Barclay book published Professor’s devotional released Sophia Hahn shahn3@liberty.edu
Research contributed by Mary Norris mhnorris@liberty.edu
Dr. Timothy Barclay, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Liberty University and a counselor at Wyndhurst Counseling, recently published his first devotional that he said is unlike any other. The devotional, which is entitled “High Capacity Living: A Practical Devotion to Living a Resilient Life,” came out Aug. 16. This book maps out how four simple traits — hope, commitment, accountability and passion (H-CAP) — can help people become more resilient and successful, according to Barclay. “This has a huge biblical implication because God is the definition of hope. God is the definition of commitment. God is the definition of accountability, and God is obviously the definition of passion, love and motivation for doing things,” Barclay said. According to Barclay, the book has several different applications. It can be used as a devotional, Sunday school curriculum or a Bible study. “It breaks everything down and gives the point, ‘here’s how to apply this verse,’” Barclay said. “Then you take an action point each day to create a more resilient spirit.” There are five sections. On the first four days, the devotional goes through the four traits and gives a scripture passage, a meditation and an action point that the reader must engage in that day. On the fifth day, there is a recap of all the traits, along with four new action points. Then the cycle begins again. According to Barclay, he believes that God helped him through the
whole process. “I amazed myself at what God had done through me to let me see these connections and yet be so powerful to have such a profound effect on people,” Barclay said. “I want to get the information out there to improve the quality of peoples’ lives.” According to Barclay, Liberty and Stetson University are conducting a study to see how the HCAP model can help with academic retention. “The premise is how do we engage students to help them attain their academic goals,” Barclay said. Barclay said he plans to write more books with the H-CAP model in the future. He hopes to expand the model and write a series applying it to business, leadership, and the military, as well as academia. According to Barclay, “High Capacity Living: A Practical Devotion to Living a Resilient Life” is available through all e-book distributors and will soon be seen on the Barnes & Noble campus bookstore shelves. Dr. Ed Hindson, dean of the Institute of Biblical Studies, shared his thoughts on Barclay’s new devotional in an interview on the book jacket. “Dr. Barclay’s highly innovative H-CAP approach to building spiritual growth, strength and resilience is biblical, practical and professionally competent,” Hindson said. “His emphasis on hope, commitment, accountability and passion speaks to the deepest needs of our lives.” For more information on the H-CAP model, visit highcapacityliving.com. HAHN is the news editor. NORRIS is a news reporter.
Tobi Walsh | Liberty Champion
REOPENING — Loper missed the White Hart and decided to purchase the closed business.
WHITE HART continued from A1 “We knew that it was going to take at least $15,000 of renovations,” Loper said. “I had put most of my money into buying the place. I didn’t even think about what it was going to take to clean it up.” Thanks to the help of Indiegogo.com, a crowd funding website, Loper said that he was able to raise $11,101 in 30 days. Even though they fell short of the goal, Loper said he was still amazed by how fast they raised the money. “We started the campaign at the end of July, and by the end of August, we had the money,” Loper said. “I’m amazed by all the people in the community who wanted to help.” Loper said that more than 100 different volunteers showed up to help paint and clean up after a call for help went up on Facebook. Liberty University student Julio Ortiz, 26, was one of those people. “Back in July, I moved across the street from the White Hart because I loved it,” Ortiz said. “I thought it was going to be open.
I had no idea it closed, and I was upset that it wasn’t there anymore. When I heard that it was re-opening, I went down to help paint and move furniture.” Ortiz said that he is excited to see the changes that Loper has made to the place. “It’s still going to be the same White Hart,” Ortiz said. “It will just (be) with better hours, a full menu and more local bands. I think Abe really has the community in mind and really listened to what the people around Lynchburg wanted.” Junior Ian Pringle frequented the White Hart when it was open. “I was going there at least once a week,” Pringle said. “It was a lot quieter than the Muse, so I got homework done without any distractions. It was also a great place to go to just hang out with friends.” Sophomore Libby Faddis never got the chance to go to the White Hart while it was open. “Everyone always said how they loved the atmosphere and how different it was from other cafes in Lynchburg,” Faddis said. “It made me want to go check it out, but
then I found out it closed.” Now that it is reopening, Faddis said she cannot wait to check it out. “It is so much different than places like Starbucks or Dunkin’,” Faddis said. Loper said the changes make it more inviting. “I didn’t want it to lose that rustic feel, but I wanted it to be a place where grandma and that typical hipster kid can come together without either of them feeling out of place,” Loper said. “I want it to be a community watering hole.” Besides some new paint, the White Hart will now feature a full menu including breakfast, lunch and dinner, Loper said. “We’ll have a late-night menu for the college students and then things like shepherd’s pie and burgers,” Loper said. “We also want to get food from local venders as much as we can.” Loper promised that crowd favorites will be back. “And don’t worry: We’re still taking Flames Cash,” Loper said. WALSH is a news reporter.
NEWS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
Liberty Champion/A7
Seminar advises
Event informs students Shelby Sayer ssayer@liberty.edu
The Student Advocate Office (SAO) held its first Scholarship Search 101 (SS101) in the Hancock Welcome Center Tuesday, Sept. 3, giving Liberty students advice and encouragement on how to find scholarships. Joshua Haley, assistant director, and Timi Plyter, a student advocate at the SAO, both spoke to the students at the event. Plyter was pleased with the increase in attendance. “We had 42 students show up for our first event, which is far more than we’ve ever had for a first meeting of the year,” Plyter said. “Our previous high for the first event of the semester had been 24 (students).” According to Plyter, that is a 75 percent increase from previous meetings, and with a show of hands, only a small number of students in attendance were freshmen. Returning students enjoy finding ways to make college more affordable. SS101 provided students with a detailed outline of institutional scholarships, grants, loans and workstudy opportunities. “I have about six or seven students each week come into my office looking for help,” Plyter said. According to SS101, many students do not realize the number of outside scholarships that are available. In fact, SAO has 12 binders, all the size of encyclopedias, filled with outside scholarships that are currently available. “There are scholarships for (anything from) creating a prom dress out of duct tape to a simple 250-word essay,” Plyter said. Haley also reflected on other helpful tips such as proposal letters and effective online searching. “I came into the Advocate Office last week in need of help,” sophomore Caitlyn McCready said. “I needed financial aid, but I had no idea what my options were. They told me about the Scholarship Search 101, and I feel like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I never knew there were so many options out there, and I can’t wait to start exploring.” Another sophomore, Cameron Williams, said he also finds SS101 and SAO very helpful. “I’m a pre-med biology major, and I will be in school twice as long as most students,” Williams said. Williams said he went to SS101 because he is in need of loans and scholarships more than students in other majors. “Although I’ve received financial aid this year, it is not enough to cover my expenses, even for books,” Williams said. “I came tonight to find more resources, anything to help.” SAO will hold four more SS101 sessions this semester, which can also be found on SAO’s homepage. According to its website, all SAO sessions will be held in the Hancock Welcome Center, except the Nov. 12 session, which will be held in Towns Alumni Lecture Hall. The November session will include a scholarship giveaway if more than 100 students are in attendance. For more information, visit Liberty.edu/sao or visit SAO in DeMoss Hall 2247. SAYER is a news reporter.
Lauren Adriance | Liberty Champion
RELOCATION — An LUO staff member talks with a student from his department’s new workplace at the former Sears.
LUO changes office location Liberty employees have moved from Green Hall to new office in River Ridge Mall Mary Helen Norris mhnorris@liberty.edu
While students were away for the summer, staff at Liberty University Online (LUO) were making the move into the former Sears building at River Ridge Mall. What used to be the store’s towels and bedding department is now a reception area. Electronics changed to admissions, and the hardware section now serves as an area for employees to give assistance to existing students. The former juniors department is a work in progress but will become a recreational area for employees. Here and there, touches of Sears remain. The new location definitely differs from Green Hall where LUO was previously located, according to Tamela Crickenberger, executive director of enrollment for LUO. Part of the program was located above Human Resources and the Liberty University Police Department offices, while other portions of LUO offices were in a different location. Splitting up the department hurt morale and the sense of unity in the department. “We’re in one space, and the team camaraderie is much better,”
Crickenberger said. Of course, there are other benefits beyond being under one roof, according to Crickenberger, who said that parking is much better at the mall. The convenience of Planet Fitness and the food court is another new element the staff is enjoying. Crickenberger said Sears closed as the new year began, and for about six months, the building sat empty. Then, in early June, Liberty began gutting and rebuilding the space, creating offices, cubicles and break rooms. Even as renovations were being made around them, people started moving into the new facility in late June. For the next few weeks, piece by piece, the department settled into its new facility. “It was a good transition,” Crickenberger said. The move was not completely smooth, according to Crickenberger. For example, a power outage knocked out power at the mall, and the online program had to scramble to find a new home for a few hours. However, the department was eventually able to make Green Hall its new home. The support from Liberty during the move and even now has been fantastic. Crickenberger noted that technical support as well as facilities have been quick to
NORRIS is a news reporter.
Center4ME celebrates football Dylan Friberg dwfriberg@liberty.edu
Students and faculty gathered at the Center for Multicultural Enrichment (Center4ME) Friday, Sept. 6 to take part in Center4ME’s weekly Fun Friday event. Last week’s focus for Fun Friday was football. Students and faculty ate snacks and took part in trivia and photo booth activities. According to Center4ME Director Melanie Pearl, Center4ME strives to engage students and faculty with fun events that bring people together and promote culture. “The main thing that we do for the community is celebrate
cultural diversity while promoting unity,” Pearl said. “That is our mantra. That is our mission. Our slogan and T-shirts this year read ‘unique in function, united in service.’” Fun Friday takes place at the same time every week from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in Green Hall 1878. Pearl said that Center4ME staff prides itself on being intentional about engaging students. “We said, ‘What is something that we can do that the campus can start looking forward to and expect,” Pearl said. “What is something we can do that will bring students and staff together in the same room?”
CELEBRATING THE
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answer their calls and resolve problems. While the building itself is a work in progress, LUO is up and running, serving its 92,000 students. Combined with the 16,000 residential students on campus, Liberty is now at more than 100,000 students. “I think that it is a great move,” B.J. Williams, 2009 graduate and Lynchburg resident, said. “With the growth of LUO over the years, to be able to have a space like the old Sears building to house it is a definite benefit and will allow it to continue to grow over the coming years.” Right now, LUO is not the only Liberty department in the building, according to Crickenberger. As their facilities are being prepared, faculty from the Zaki Gordon Cinematic Arts Department and the Osteopathic School of Medicine are being temporarily housed at River Ridge Mall. “It’s great to see the online department expand,” James Bojaciuk, who has taken several online classes, said. “(The move of LUO was) definitely a team effort — an LU team effort,” Crickenberger said. The move will allow room for LUO to continue to grow, according to Crickenberger.
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This week’s Fun Friday was coordinated by Stella Nelson, an alumna of Liberty University who is a full-time staff member at Center4ME. “We plan the themes during the summer for the whole year,” Nelson said. “Then we actually make the specific teams the week before and plan the food, decorations and everything that goes into the day.” According to Pearl, next week’s Fun Friday on Sept. 13 will be themed after a county fair. Pearl said that the Monday before the event each week, she and her administrative staff brainstorm on what will make the best experience. “We will just start to brain-
storm and say, ‘What’s going to make this good? what will make it interesting? what will make it authentic?’” Pearl said. “And that is something we are very intentional about with our Fun Fridays that deal with culture, to make it authentic. Not to make fun, but to have a real experience.” According to Pearl, the Center4ME staff knows which event themes to bring back based on feedback from Facebook. For more information on Fun Fridays and Center4ME, visit liberty.edu/center4me, or check out their Facebook page. FRIBERG is a news reporter.
AWAKEN TO THE CALL In David Platt’s new book Follow Me, readers learn whether they are truly saved according to biblical standards and discover what it really means to be a Christian. This eye-opening book is a must read for everyone who calls themselves a Christian. FollowMeBook.org
Available through bookstores and online retailers. TYNDALE and Tyndale’s quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
NEWS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
Liberty Champion/A8
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
ACTOR — Baldwin (right) met with Dean Norman Mintle of Communication & Creative Arts before touring the Zaki Gordon Cinematic Arts Department.
Stephen Baldwin tours Cinematic Arts The actor, director, producer and author returned to Liberty Thursday after speaking in Convocation in 2009 Greg Leasure gleasure@liberty.edu
Stephen Baldwin believes there is a story to be told in Alaska, and he intends to do just that with his new realityformat television show, “Alaska: Heart and Soul.” Baldwin, an experienced actor who appeared on NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice” as well as at Liberty University Convocation in 2009, returned to Lynchburg Thursday, Sept. 5 for a tour of the Zaki Gordon Cinematic Arts Department. Baldwin and the show’s production team also stopped by the offices of Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. and Communication
& Creative Arts Dean Norman Mintle throughout the day. Brandon Pickett, a Liberty alumnus and executive producer of the show, shared the vision that the team has for “Alaska: Heart and Soul.” “The … series is based around real life people living in Alaska, and there’s a faith base to it,” Pickett said. “So it’s faith-based in that they’re doing humanitarian work and God’s work in Alaska.” According to him, each of the six shows they are planning to shoot will include Baldwin interacting with a different Alaska native, giving viewers a glimpse of what living in Alaska is really like. “Every episode has Stephen learning
something, changing along the way, but he does it through adventure and humor,” Pickett said. The show’s producer and director, Herb Kossover, said that many networks are currently looking for the next breakthrough reality television show. One of those networks, Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), plans to acquire or produce at least 30 new television shows in the next three years, Kossover said. Whether or not TBS is the show’s final destination, Baldwin said that he is fully committed to making a show that TBS or any other network would be interested in picking up. “When you create a half-hour reality formatted program that has the right
heart and soul, I want to go big or go home,” Baldwin said. “I want to make six episodes.” According to Pickett, the recent popularity of the History Channel’s series “The Bible” and A&E’s “Duck Dynasty” has led to an increase in secular networks’ interest in faith-based shows. “Without question, the Christian faith will be solidly represented,” Baldwin said. “The volume of that, we can determine in postproduction how loud or soft we make that.” A sneak peak of the show can be seen under the title “Alaska: Heart and Soul” on vimeo.com. LEASURE is the editor in chief.
Program changes
COMS becomes DMCA, creates opportunities Nathan Skaggs ncskaggs@liberty.edu
Photo Provided
RELIEF — Lawrence built homes in Haiti after the earthquake to help the locals.
Peace Corps nomination Lindsay Benton lbenton8@liberty.edu
This summer, the U.S. Peace Corps nominated a Liberty University senior for a global, two-year business management project. According to the Peace Corps website, a nomination is the step between the interview and invitation. After the applicant is nominated, if his recruiter decides that he is qualified and he passes all the other clearances, the applicant will receive a written invitation specifying the country he is assigned to and his job responsibilities he will have, according to the Peace Corps website. According to Adam Lawrence, a senior international business undergraduate student, he waits for his invitation to travel overseas with the U.S. Peace Corps. Once invited, he will depart on a two-year project scheduled for June 2014. “Most projects won’t develop until we are in the country,” Lawrence said. “It’s very independent. The Peace Corps volunteers are in charge
of working with native partners to develop a plan.” Lawrence applied for the program in May of 2013. He has international travel experience in 15 countries, including a four-month business study abroad program in Belgium. Lawrence also has mission experience teaching English in Russia and building three houses in Haiti a year after the earthquake. “They want someone that has international experience but has done more than travel,” Lawrence said. “They want someone that can integrate themselves into a different culture that is completely foreign to them.” According to Lawrence, volunteers are nominated after a process of background checks and medical clearances. The best candidates are chosen from a pool of several applicants. All Peace Corps volunteers receive funding by the federal government. The government covers flight expenses, as well as basic living needs. Lawrence said that volunteers receive two vacation days per month after working six months overseas.
According to Lawrence, his biggest worry about overseas travel is his ability to adapt back into U.S. culture after travelling for two years in a third-world country. “It’s my perspective of the world that has changed, and you don’t know how it will affect you,” Lawrence said. “Living in a third-world country, you’re most likely not going to have access to running water and electricity. It’s going to be very basic.” In the future, Lawrence hopes to use business development to aid people internationally. “That means creating a business that provides people with things that they need,” Lawrence said. “It provides people with jobs. It provides people with a sustainable income. There’s a lot of businesses that are growing really fast, and there’s a lot of basic needs that people don’t even have met.” For more information on the Peace Corps, visit peacecorps.gov. BENTON is a news reporter.
The department of Digital Media & Communication Arts (DMCA), formerly the Department of Communication Studies, is inviting students to hone and develop their skills by taking part in the department’s new endeavors. “We have the Liberty Flames Sports Network, LFSN, where our students can now interface with the work that’s going to happen for that new sports network,” Bruce Kirk, assistant professor and chairman of DMCA, said. Jordan Bolt, unit production manager for LFSN, said students can participate by helping in the production of “The Daily Show,” a sports program, and various events for club sports and NCAA athletics. “LFSN is the new spearheaded effort for the school to provide sports entertainment for viewers across America,” Bolt said. “We reach roughly 85 million homes as of right now.” According to Bolt, the station will be similar to ESPN3. Kirk, who has won five Television Emmy’s, said Liberty recently purchased a commercial television station that will go on air in the beginning of 2014. “We are going to actually have a full-power commercial TV station doing news, sports, weather 24/7... that gives (students) hands-on experience that they’ll never get virtually any place else in the country,” Kirk said. Kirk reiterated the need for hands-on experience within the department to ensure that students graduate with not only theory, but also real-world training before heading out in search of a job. “If we’re going to take your money, I think we have a responsibility to make you employable, graduate you with a degree where you have a skill set and then make you productive,” Kirk said, quoting
“
If we’re going to take your money, I think we have a responsibility to make you employable. — PROFESSOR KIRK
Provost Dr. Ron Godwin’s recent comments to the faculty. “Digital Media & Communication Arts now is starting to encompass a much more, what we call, experiential opportunity to learn,” Kirk said. Established experiential opportunities within the department include 90.9 The Light, Option LU, Around Liberty in 90 Seconds and Liberty Champion, to name a few. As for the name change, it came as a result of the current landscape of media, according to Kirk. “We just think it reflects who we are, where the program is headed and aligns with how students are searching (online),” Kirk said. One current student expressed her opinion on the name change. “I think that Liberty is wise to make the change and to be more specific so that each degree can be more up to date with where the media is going today,” Paige Whitaker, a junior DMCA major, said. For the future, Kirk said the department is looking at creating an ad agency where advertising and public relations students can gain experience. He also hopes to provide students with opportunities to create videos for the Liberty student body as well as outside organizations. According to Kirk, new curricula for the department is currently being discussed by professors. SKAGGS is a news reporter.
SPORTS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
Football
Liberty Monmouth 15 45
Field Hockey Calif. 1
Liberty 0
B1
W. Soccer
Triathlon Joseph Anderson 1st place — 59:31
Liberty
St. Joe’s
3
0
Golf Fourth of 15 in NIU Invitational
Target policy Derrick Battle dbattle2@liberty.edu
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
SHIVER — Liberty running back Desmond Rice stiff arms Monmouth cornerback Andrew Sutton in a 45-15 rout.
Steel curtain emerges
Defense anchors the Flames, forcing a trio of Hawks turnovers and a safety Tom Foote tfoote2@liberty.edu
An 85-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Woodrum to Darrin Peterson and a picksix by defensive back Kevin Fogg highlighted a 45-15 Liberty Flames (1-1, 0-0 Big South) victory over the Monmouth (N.J.)
Hawks (0-2) Saturday, Sept. 7. “I’m proud of our guys, they responded real well in this ballgame,” Liberty Flames Head Coach Turner Gill said. “Our defense was very physical, and I thought that they controlled the line of scrimmage and dominated their offensive line. The corners
played outstanding. I thought we improved last week to this week, and we’re just excited to have the victory. “ The Flames were forced to punt on their initial drive, but punter Grant Bowden pinned the Hawks inside the one-yard line. After two consecutive rushes for no gain, the Hawks tried one more run on third
down from the oneyard line, but running back Julian Hayes was tackled in the end zone for a safety to give the Flames a 2-0 lead with 8:05 remaining in the first quarter. “I think it set the tone on the defensive side,” Gill said. “We got some points on the board right away, and it was a field posi-
tion change too.” On the ensuing drive by the Flames, Woodrum found wide receiver Dante Shells for a 40-yard gain inside the three-yard line. Two plays later, junior running back Desmond Rice was able to find the end zone and give Liberty a 9-0 lead. See STEEL, B4
Wilson’s two goals propel Flames Jacob Tellers jtellers@liberty.edu
Aggressive play by the Flames combined with sloppy passing by Indiana University – Purdue University, Indianapolis (IUPUI) allowed Liberty (2-0-0) to take an early lead less than four minutes into the game — a lead they never relinquished — as Liberty’s men’s soccer team went on to win their home opener 4-0. The Flames played with a high level of energy, resulting in many goal-scoring opportunities. Liberty ended the first half up 3-0 after recording 12 shots to IUPUI’s three. Flames sophomore forward Sachem Wilson scored the opening goal by intercepting a pass between IUPUI (0-12) defenders at the top of the
WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE GAME
Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion
LOCKED ON — Victor Portillo lines up a shot in a 4-0 win. penalty box, and then finished with a shot to the top left corner of the goal. He ended the day with two goals and one assist.
W. Tennis Liberty’s Fall Classic Sept. 13 All day
Wilson’s second goal came after IUPUI goalkeeper Eduardo Cortes mishandled the ball outside the penalty box. Wilson got ahold of the loose
M. D1 Hockey vs. Hampton Sept. 13 @ 7 p.m.
ball and kicked it easily into an empty net. “Oftentimes, it would be a little stressful, knowing that it would be inexcusable to miss, but I was just playing for the Lord, and I knew he wouldn’t be disappointed,” Wilson said. Wilson’s assist to Jacob Sebold in the 83rd minute put Liberty up 4-0 with seven minutes to play, effectively closing out the game for the Flames. Flames Head Coach Jeff Alder explained afterward that he emphasized starting fast and that he was very pleased with how his team opened the game. In the second half, IUPUI outshot Liberty 7-4, but failed to score any goals. Flames goalkeeper Scott Sutarik recorded five saves on his way to a shutout,
M. D2 Hockey vs. Hampton Sept. 13 @ 9:30 p.m.
See PROPEL, B3
M. D1 Hockey vs. Hampton Sept. 14 @ 3 p.m.
Both teams line up over the ball while the quarterback yells out his cadence. The safety on the other side of the ball looks to make an impact. In a matter of moments, the ball is snapped, and the quarterback throws to his receiver. However, his receiver is hit by the safety as soon as he makes contact with the ball. At first glance, it looks like a solid defensive play, but an official throws his yellow flag and calls a personal foul penalty on the safety, ejecting him from the game. Who is to blame for this collision? Is it just the nature of the sport? Player safety has always been an issue surrounding sports. No matter what sport athletes play, they are susceptible to injury. This season, the NCAA has stepped up rules in player protection, mainly in football. Targeting and lunging into a defenseless player is now an automatic ejection and a suspension of the first half in the next game. According to foxsports.com, during the first week of the college football season, six ejections occurred in 75 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) games, including two that were overturned. While a few hits looked blatant, most were from defenders who could not stop their momentum or had already committed to the tackle. The NCAA is all about promoting textbook-form tackling. However, according to ACC coordinator of officials Doug Rhodes in a Sports Illustrated article, South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney’s hit on a Michigan running back last season would have resulted in a flag for targeting, plus an ejection and a suspension. “If anything, the opening week proved to me that this new enforcement misses the target,” former NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira said on his blog. “I would have left enforcement the way it was — a 15 yard personal foul. Period.” Collegiate players, as well as fans and officials, are aware of the new policy that is being expressed by the NCAA. Athletes feed off the energy ofthe crowd. If there was a purposeful hit meant to harm a player from an opposing team, fans would let the officials know about it. While this is a better and moreclear-cut policy than the National Football League’s concussion policy, officials need to have better judgment about whether athletes are trying to simply make plays, or whether athletes are purposely trying to injure others. Football is a violent sport, and players do get hurt on occasion. But are defenders supposed to wait until the receiver catches a pass or a running back receives a pitch to tackle him? I am all for promoting a clean game, but this policy needs to be enforced better than it is now. Not every hard hit is cause for an ejection. Let the boys play a little. BATTLE is the sports editor.
Football vs. Morgan St. Sept. 14 @
7 p.m.
SPORTS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
Liberty Champion/ B2
Fifth-year senior defies odds to lead Liberty
Kevin Fogg’s return for the Flames has made a huge impact on the field in the first two weeks of the season Alex Tichenor atichenor@liberty.edu
As little as six months ago, Flames defensive back and kick return specialist Kevin Fogg thought his college football career was over. He would never get to run another kick back for a touchdown as Williams Stadium erupted in raucous celebration. He would never get to intercept another pass or drive an opposing wide receiver into the turf as the ball deflected off his hands. He’d never wear a Liberty Flames jersey again. Fogg broke his foot four games into the 2012 season, according to the 2013 Liberty football guide, and was deemed out for the season. Because he was a senior, it did not appear he would be back for another season, especially having already played four games. “I wasn’t sure (about coming back),” Fogg said. “People were telling me the whole time that I was coming back, but … I wasn’t sure, with me playing four games in the season it made it hard to make a decision on everything.” Fogg was granted a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA in the offseason. According to Head Coach Turner Gill and quarterback Josh Woodrum, his return gives the Flames an experienced starting cornerback and return specialist, as well as an increasingly more vocal and spiritual leader. “He’s gonna make some big plays for us, whether
it’s pass breakups, whether it’s interceptions on the defensive side, and then also on the kick return and punt return,” Gill said. “He’s gonna have opportunities to make some big plays for us.” With his foot now at 100 percent, Fogg would like to be able to regain his 2011 form — when he was a first-team Football Conference Subdivision (FCS) All-American kick returner — but also understands he has bigger responsibilities than recreating that magical season of the past. “(Through the injury) I feel like I have become stronger as a person, stronger in my faith, stronger as an athlete and (stronger) in the way I think,” Fogg said. Fogg believes the time on the sideline has also helped him grow as a vocal leader for the team. “To sit out and watch this past season, it helped me to see that we didn’t have that many vocal leaders, and that was really a weakness for us,” Fogg said. “So over this summer and from the end of that season up until now, it’s just been a huge focus on the leaders leading and being vocal about things.” Recovering from injury was not too devastating of a task for Fogg, having previously overcome adversity in his life. He was raised by his single mother, Marsha, who worked tirelessly to support her three sons Kevin, Brandon and Michael. Despite a standout career at Apex High School in Raleigh, N.C., Fogg was lightly recruited
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
PICK-SIX — Fogg recorded his first career interception return for a touchdown versus Monmouth. out of high school before becoming a Flame. But Fogg has fit in at Liberty from the start, not only becoming one of the top football players in the Big South Conference, but growing in other parts of his life as well. “If I went anywhere else, I don’t think I would be as spiritual(ly) minded as I am
now.” Fogg said. “It’s definitely been a great journey ... being in an environment where you can be bold about (being a Christian), where you can express your love for God.” Even with the trials of the past year, Fogg has aspirations of playing in the National Football League, despite probable questions
about his size (he is listed at 5 feet 10 inches, 190 pounds) and the level of competition in the FCS. “I’ve always been the underdog in my life, living in a world where things weren’t given to me,” Fogg said. “So to work hard and get to (the NFL) would be a huge accomplishment. That’s the ultimate
goal. You never know how things will go. You never know where God will lead you, so when he calls you, listen. So wherever he calls me, I’m gonna listen and go.”
TICHENOR is a sports reporter.
Women’s V-ball tested at Kentucky Classic Emily Brown erbrown@liberty.edu
After a brief stay in Lynchburg for its home opener against Georgetown, the Liberty University Lady Flames volleyball team (1-6) visited Lexington, Ky., for the Kentucky Classic, Sept. 6-7, where it fell in three straight matches. The Lady Flames took on Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Friday, and played the host, the No. 21 Kentucky Wildcats, Saturday. “We knew that we were going to have to use a couple different lineups, with some players playing in new positions and true freshmen playing big minutes,” Head Coach Shane Pinder said. “We knew that it would be a challenge competing against three very good programs.” In the Lady Flames first match, VCU posted 25-19, 25-11 and 25-15 wins in each of the sets and hit .544 as a team. Liberty only hit .069. The Lady Flames pulled within three points of the Rams lead in the first set, before the Rams finished the game on a 5-2 run. Liberty floundered and recorded five more kills than errors in the game.
Despite Liberty’s effort at the beginning of set three, VCU pulled ahead and recorded 20 kills to secure the match. Seniors Lillie Happel and Jade Craycraft, who tallied six digs apiece in the match, led the Lady Flames. In the second set, Liberty faced defending Atlantic Sun conference champion ETSU. ETSU won all three games (25-16, 25-20, 25-21) and led the match in kills, recording 45 to Liberty’s 28. Craycraft, the Lady Flames setter, aided in 19 Liberty kills. In the first set, Liberty recorded the same number of kills as errors, hitting .000. After tying the Buccaneers twice in the second set, Liberty allowed ETSU to end the game on a 5-0 run. ETSU also controlled the third set, outhitting Liberty .433-.107. “During the VCU match on Friday, we just couldn’t keep up with their offense,” Pinder said. “We ran into a similar situation against (ETSU), where, offensively, we were not able to score enough on the attack consistently.” In Liberty’s final match of the Kentucky Classic, the Lady Flames took on the Kentucky Wildcats. The Wildcats outhit the Lady Flames .263-.174 in the match and
recorded 54 digs to Liberty’s 46. Craycraft led the Flames with 25 assists and nine digs in the match. Shipe contributed to the Lady Flames defense with 10 digs, and redshirt senior Kendle Rollins added four blocks. Liberty stuck with Kentucky in a tightly contested first set before succumbing 2522. Following the opening set, the Lady Flames came within two points of the Kentucky lead before the Wildcats went on a 9-3 run to seal the set, 25-17. In their final set, the Lady Flames went down to Kentucky, 25-20. According to libertyflames.com, Happel recorded the 1,000th kill of her career in the last set. She is only the 14th person in Liberty volleyball history to hit the lofty mark. “(I) knew it was in sight but did not want that individual goal to take from our team focus this weekend,” Happel said. “I thank God first for the opportunity to Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion play at this university and secondly my coaches and teammates who have made 1,000 CLUB — Lille Happel continues to this milestone possible.” add to her career mark in kills. Liberty will continue its road campaign at the Duke Invitational in Durham, BROWN is a copy editor. N.C., Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13-14.
SPORTS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
Liberty Champion/ B3
UNCW Invite ends in success Tory Abrahamsen
tabrahamson@liberty. edu
The Liberty University men’s tennis team wrapped up the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) Invitational Sept. 8, bringing home 18 victories. Dillon Segur lifted the Flames, with three of the team’s 14 singles match triumphs. Liberty was one of six schools competing in the tournament, which included multiple teams ranked in the top 75. “This is our first
time to this tournament, and it was a pretty strong field of players,” Head Coach Chris Johnson said. “We have been working very hard in practice, and our fight on the court reflected that.” The tournament was a bracket style competition, meaning single elimination games throughout. The invitational consisted of six different “flights,” — flight A and B doubles, and A, B, C and D singles. The players’ seeds determined their flight, with flight A having the
higher ranked players and flight D having the lower ranked players. Liberty entered four doubles teams, along with 10 singles competitors. Senior Shea Thomas plans to lead the Flames this upcoming season. “I’ve learned a lot from the previous two captains, and they helped me to become a strong leader and captain for this year,” Thomas said. “The guys know that whenever they have a question or need help with something, they can come to me, and I’ll be
there for them. I look forward to leading this group of awesome guys this year.” Shea started off the doubles competition with his partner Egon Samaai. On the singles side of the tournament, sophomore Sergio Mourelo, along with Guillem Secanell, Carson Greve and Stan Vaughn, competed in flight C. Flight B included juniors Segur and Jorge Azuero. According to Johnson, the Flames won three out of five doubles competitions and
were excited to play in the highly competitive invitational. “We are very focused on some big goals this year,” Johnson said. “We won’t accomplish those without learning how to beat some of the best players in the nation. Our entire fall schedule is designed for just this purpose.” The Flames will next head to Athens, Ga. to play in the Southern Intercollegiate Championships Sept. 13. Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
ABRAHAMSEN is a VOLLEY — Jorge Azuero will be a key sports reporter. contributor this season.
McCombe voices title aspirations
Haley Jones
hjones20@liberty.edu
The final buzzer sounds and several members of the hockey team take a victory lap around the ice in celebration of a close win. The crowd in the packed LaHaye Ice Center roars with excitement. Andrew McCombe, captain of the Liberty University’s men’s Division I (D1) hockey team, knows this scene well. As a senior, McCombe has led his team as an assistant captain for two years and is entering his second season as head captain. McCombe is looking forward to the season. “We want to win the national championship,” McCombe said. “Anything less than that would not
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honestly convey our ultimate goal.” The team suffered an early end to last season’s playoff run but hopes to bring a more leadershipcentered approach to this season. Before he was a Flame, McCombe grew up in the town of London, Ontario, where he learned how to play hockey at the age of four. “I went on to play junior league hockey for four years with the Strathroy (Ontario) Rockets before coming to Liberty to attend college and play on the Division 1 level,” McCombe said. According to him, he first heard about Liberty through the Liberty women’s hockey coach, who lived near him in Ontario
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at the time. “I knew that I wanted to come down to Liberty and play hockey at a Christian school,” McCombe said. It was also at Liberty that McCombe met his wife, Stacey Christiaans, who captained the women’s D1 team for two years. “Definitely my most favorite memory here at Liberty, besides knocking out Ohio in the playoffs, was meeting my beautiful wife Stacey,” McCombe said. McCombe believes his greatest strength is being both an offensive and defensive player. “Being the captain, the guys on the team really look to you,” McCombe said. “I wouldn’t say that I am a very vocal leader. I’m more of a believer in lead by example.”
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initely be moving back to Canada,” McCombe said. McCombe and the Flames begin their season at home against the Hampton Whalers Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
playing a key role in preventing the Jaguars from responding to Liberty’s early lead. In the first half, Sutarik tipped a high shot over the crossbar to prevent a goal. In the 61st minute, he successfully defended a one-on-one against IUPUI midfielder Gregory Efiom, blocking Efiom’s shot to the right of the goal. In addition to his five saves, Sutarik came off his line several times to punch out or grab crosses into the box. The Flames next game is Sept. 11 at Wofford, which will be first of three road games for Liberty. The Flames will return home to take on VMI Sept. 24.
JONES is a sports reporter.
TELLERS is a sports reporter.
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
THE LEAD MAN — McCombe captains the Flames. Upon receiving his degree in kinesiology in December, McCombe will spend the spring semester student-teaching in the Lynchburg area. “I would love to go play (professional) hockey in Europe if the opportunity presented itself, but if not, then my wife and I will def-
PROPEL continued from B1
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SPORTS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
1
Liberty Champion/ B4
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Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
FAN THE FLAMES — 1) Liberty quarterback Josh Woodrum scrambles against Monmouth. 2) Flames receiver Dante Shells attempts to break a tackle. 3) Liberty football players prepare to make their entrance onto the field before the home opener. 4) Head Coach Turner Gill (right), Walt Aikens (19) and Darrin Peterson (13) lead the Flames out of the tunnel. 5) Woodrum celebrates and high-fives fans after a Flames 45-15 victory over Monmouth.
STEEL continued from B1 The next kickoff nearly proved disaterous for Liberty as a failed onside kick led to great field position for Monmouth, which was able to capitalize on the first play of its drive with a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brandon Hill to Mike McLafferty. However, the Hawks botched the extra point attempt, and the score remained 9-6. “We didn’t quite get (the onside kick) a little bit further down, away from the front line,” Gill said.
“Their guy made a good play, and unfortunately, we had a shot at it and didn’t get it, then they picked it up and made a play out of it.” Monmouth continued to seize the momentum after a spectacular one-handed interception by cornerback Tevrin Brandon. The Flames defense was able to stop the momentum and force a three-and-out to give Liberty possession once again. The Flames responded with a six-play, 50-yard drive, which was capped off by Peterson’s first touchdown of the game, a 28-yard strike from Woo-
drum. The Flames also converted the two-point conversion for a 17-6 lead. With 7:16 remaining in the first half, Fogg intercepted a pass from Hill and returned it for his first career pick-six to give the Flames a 24-6 lead. “We were in man,” Fogg said. “First we read the quarterback, then I saw it was a slant, and I was ready to hit the dude … I saw him bobbling it, and it kind of just fell into my hands and legs.” Liberty struck once again with the big play as Woodrum found Peterson in stride for an 85-yard touchdown to cap off a
three-play, 95-yard drive and gave Liberty a 31-6 first half lead. “I saw the safety working away from (Peterson), so I just threw the ball downfield … and put a nice little ball up there for him to catch, and he did the rest,” Woodrum said. The Flames defense shut down the Hawks offense, allowing only four first downs and 75 total yards in the first half. “That’s one thing that is our strong suit,” Fogg said. “Our defense is phenomenal. We have a lot of playmakers. We have a D-line and linebacking core that will get after you
and get pressure on the quarterback.” The third quarter brought more of the same from Liberty, with two more scoring drives, including a one-yard run by Clifton Richardson. The Flames final touchdown drive of the game saw the Flames implement some fun and trickery in their offensive play calling. A double reverse fleaflicker ended with Peterson throwing a 22-yard completion to tight-end Brandon Apon. Running Back D.J. Abnar found his way into the end zone two plays later to give the Flames a 45-6 lead.
Monmouth added nine points in the fourth quarter to cap off the scoring at 45-15. Woodrum finished the game with 237 yards and two touchdowns, finding Peterson for 124 of those yards and two touchdowns. Liberty’s defense had three interceptions, including two by Fogg and one by Aikens. The Flames will host the Morgan State Bears (0-2, 0-0 MEAC) Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. FOOTE is the asst. sports editor.
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FEATURE
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
Liberty Champion/ B5
Photo Provided
FRIENDSHIP — Taran Kerr (second from the right) said he realized God’s plan for his life was to be a neuropsychologist after his accident in the Bahamas .
From scars to spiritual life coach
A 2011 car accident caused one international student to realize God’s unfailing control and guidance in his life Greg Leasure gleasure@liberty.edu
Taran Kerr wandered into a convenience store, jarred by the car accident that sent his car rolling three times and left him with multiple broken fingers and a concussion just minutes beforehand. “Where are your gauze and your wraps?” he calmly asked the cashier, who was alarmed at the sight of Kerr’s injuries. After locating the supplies and wrapping his injured hand, he sat down in the store as the cashier called his mother. Kerr explained how the accident happened in a tone that conveys to listeners just how lucky he was to come away with only the minimal amount of injuries that he did. According to Kerr, he was on his way to school after dropping off his grandmother at work. While attempting to enter the highway, a car moving at 75 mph hit the back of his car, forcing it to roll multiple times. Kerr had to climb out of the passenger window because the car had come to rest on its side, with the driver’s side window facing the pavement. “I broke my index finger in like three or four different places,” Kerr said. “My middle finger, my doctor said that if my middle finger was out of 100 percent, I had like 35 percent of the bone left … My ring finger was just broken in one place, straight across, like it just came off the hinge. It was just a long and hard process after that — six months of recovery.” The accident affected Kerr, now a senior at Liberty University, so much that he said he could not stop speaking in Spanish, one of the two languages he speaks, for a few hours after the incident. Apart from the physical injuries, which would eventually heal, the incident had a more lasting effect on both his psyche and his future. “I would start to get upset when people talked about it, and I totally just wanted to avoid it,” Kerr said. “I didn’t want to have anything to do with it. I tried to totally relieve myself of that whole incident. But I just realized that God had it happen for a reason. He allowed me to live for a purpose and a reason, so why avoid it?” Kerr said that following the accident, he was afraid to drive for a while, but as time passed, he discovered a way that he could use his interest in a career in neuropsychology to help people suffering from similar injuries that he endured. “I have a love for biology and psychology at the same time,” Kerr said. “So, by doing neuropsychology, I have the best of both worlds in it. So, I’m like the neurologist without cutting people, and I’m like the psychologist without having the office setting. So, I’m still in the hospital, but I’m up and down. There are a few aspects of neuropsychology, but one of the greatest ones is rehabilitation, like what I went through.” Kerr, who goes by the name of Teekay, because most of his American friends place the emphasis on the wrong syllable of his first name (pronounced “Ta-RAN”), traveled a long way, both figuratively and geographically, to get to the place in life that he occupies now. He grew up in the city of Nassau in the Bahamas before attending Valor Christian College in Ohio and, later, the College of the Bahamas. According to Kerr, he considered many professions before his car accident in the
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I grew up around the religious factor, where if I did these things, I’m a Christian, but I didn’t have the relationship with God. It was really after my accident when God made it known that I could be dead right now, but he saved me. — TARAN KERR
Bahamas cleared up his career plans — which happened in the spring of 2011 during a semester at the College of the Bahamas. “I wanted to be an archaeologist, then an Egyptologist, then a nanotechnologist, and then a lawyer, then a Christian counselor, and God finally put a stamp on it and said, ‘It stops right here at neuropsychology.’” Now one of more than 900 international students at Liberty, Kerr has noticed a few differences between Bahamian and American culture. “The cold air burns,” Kerr said with a shudder. “This right now, how it’s constant heat, this is my island every day, and it only gets hotter. When you step into a place that’s cold, your body’s not used to it.” He also said that Bahamian food uses more spices, which gives it a better taste, and getting used to the increased hospitality of the American South was also an adjustment. However, Kerr said that despite these differences, most of his American friends are not aware that the Bahamas are more similar to the United States than they might think. “I’ve had people come up to me and ask me if we still live in thatch houses and ‘Do we have roads?’” Kerr said. “Or, ‘Do we have horses instead of cars?’ … A lot of people think that we’re like a third-world country.” Another incorrect assumption that
sometimes gets under Kerr’s skin is when people mistake his accent for a Jamaican accent, even though he is half Bahamian and half Colombian. “I went to a school that had probably 86 percent Jamaicans in it, so we had our little rivalry — a friendly rivalry, but a rivalry nonetheless,” Kerr said. “It gets me when people don’t call me by what I really am. It’s kind of different. There’s no real bad blood.” Kerr has experienced many things in his 22 years of life that most of his peers have not, for better or for worse. Kerr has endured an abusive stepfather, a barracuda attack that he suffered while swimming, as well as his car accident, but he has also enjoyed studying multiple different kinds of martial arts, swam at the CARIFTA Games, which serve as a preparation for Olympic swimming, and worked as the worship leader for his church’s youth group in the Bahamas. He said that despite the bad things that have happened to him, ending up in a hospital bed might have been the best thing for him. “I grew up around the religious factor, where if I did these things, I’m a Christian,” Kerr said. “But I didn’t have the relationship with God. It was really after my accident when God really made it known that I could be dead right now, but he saved me. That’s when I really took my Christianity super seriously.”
Now living at the Liberty Residential Annex off campus, Kerr uses his life experience and faith in God to help other students as a spiritual life coach. Liberty senior Colby Tallafuss served as the resident assistant (RA) for East Campus dorm 53 when Kerr was a prayer leader for the dorm in the spring of 2012. “He showed a natural maturity,” Tallafuss said of Kerr. “He took ownership of those around him and was really able to guide them into maturity.” As a dorm that has functioned as a second home to international students from Korea to Africa to Haiti during Tallafuss’ time as an RA, he said that Kerr was a positive spiritual influence on the dorm. Kerr said that he is still unsure where he will end up after he completes his undergraduate degree in May of 2015 and pursuing his master’s degree, but whether he lives in the Bahamas, America or some other country, he will always take with him a reminder of God’s guidance in his life. The scars on his hands from the accident that changed his life serve as a reminder of his belief that no matter what happens, God is in control. LEASURE is the editor in chief.
Photo Provided | Junie Doronila, International Student Center
WORLDWIDE WELCOME — Kerr is one of more than 900 international students at Liberty University.
FEATURE
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
Liberty Champion/ B6
SA ThinkFast Game Show attracted students
Hundreds of players filled the Tilley Student Center Friday night to compete in the fast-paced trivia event Emily Brown erbrown@liberty.edu
Students who entered the Tilley Student Center Friday night, Sept. 6, were greeted by loud music and colorful lights as a part of Student Activities’ (SA) second annual ThinkFast Game Show. Hundreds of players and spectators filled both the first floor and the recently added terrace level as at least 60 teams participated in the night of fast-paced trivia for a chance to win prizes, including a $200 prize for the top-place finisher. SA event coordinator Emily Forner said the event provided a good atmosphere and fun challenge for students. “The students really like this because it’s full of energy,” Forner said. “It’s a lot of things they know, (and) it challenges their thinking.” Students were able to express their creativity during the SA event, as they came up with their own team names. Some of the names included the Feminists, Truckers, Wahoo’s, DixieChix, Morticians and Ladybugs. Rather than a normal one-on-one game show format, teams entered their answers for two rounds of multiple-choice questions with a remote control. Questions covered topics from music to actors and actresses. The rounds also included a few harder subjects, including math and history. Thousands of points were available for correct answers, and students were awarded points on a sliding scale. The faster they answered the questions correctly, the more they scored. As each answer was revealed, point totals for the top teams were also shown, and students loudly cheered on teammates and competitors. According to Forner, students were able to get to know each other better through the game. (I)t’s really good for … building community and like interacting with each other and getting competitive,” Forner said. In addition to the regular multiple-choice questions, the game was made more interesting by questions with video and music clips and “ThinkFaster”
RACE continued from B8 picked up at Riverside Runners at 2480 Rivermont Avenue in Lynchburg from 12-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13. Crosswhite and FCA are also holding an Instagram contest on race day. In order to enter, those who wish to participate should follow cswvirginia or crosswhitefitness on Instagram. Participants should take a creative picture of their running shoes, and when posting it, label the picture with #crosswhitefitness. The winner of the contest will receive a $50 gift certificate to Riverside Runners, a shoe store that specializes in custom athletic footwear. According to Mill-
Abby Kourkounakis| Liberty Champion
FULL HOUSE — Students participated in “ThinkFaster” rounds, in which teams had to answer questions with higher point values. rounds, in which teams had to answer questions with higher point values in an abbreviated time frame. Two 5,000-point questions and several “ESP” rounds, in which students were required to predict how many teams would answer poll questions with specific answers, were included as well. Although students had already proved their knowledge with previous answers, a unique “Big Bid” question, in which participants could wager any or all of their earned points in a risk-versus-reward situation, was introduced. Teams that were positioned in top spots were pushed down in favor of those that strategized wisely. The night also included several interactive questions. During each of the two rounds, two students were selected by the host to answer an opinion question in only 20 seconds. Teams voted for their favorites. Additionally, four students were selected to show their talents in a dance-off and two in a sing-off. In the dance-off, teams voted on students’ “Gangnam Style” performances. In the sing-off, participants sang a song a capella for votes. Although the first
er, following the race at 10 a.m., Crosswhite Fitness will be hosting a grand opening for their new facilities, located near Sports Racket, just off Wiggington Road. There will be music, food, vendors, games and a giveaway, as well as special guests Bobby Bowden, former head football coach of the Florida State University Seminoles, and eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney. All proceeds of the race will go to Virginia FCA. The entry fee is $15 for students with an ID and $20 for adults before Sept. 11 and $25 after. For more information, visit crosswhitefitness. com.
STEENBURGH is a news reporter.
Abby Kourkounakis | Liberty Champion
RESPONSE —ThinkFast included questions about music, actors, history and even math. player had support from the crowd, it was John Reid, a seminary student, who wowed and charmed the crowd with his rendition of “The Phantom of the Opera.” “I was excited, and I knew I was gonna sing Phantom of the Opera, because when I was in my undergrad … we used to do karaoke a lot … and me and my friend would always do that as a duet,” Reid said. “It was familiar, (and) I love Broadway, so it
helps out. I just came up, (and) I just had fun.” Overall, the game was determined by more than points and talents. At the end of each of the two rounds, the player with the winning 20-second question, along with one player from each of the three top teams, participated in a lightning round. The four participants stepped up to podiums on the stage and used buzzers to answer. The final championship round included the two
winners of the lightning rounds, along with the talent-portion winners. In the most intense round of competition, players were required to answer questions worth 100 points apiece in order to reach 1,000 points for the win. However, if players buzzed in and answered any question wrong, they were booted from the stage. Junior Matt Johnson strung together several correct answers to take home the win.
“I actually got second place overall in this last year, and I … lost by one (question) last year, and I really wanted the $200 prize,” Johnson said. For more information on upcoming SA events, visit liberty.edu/sa. BROWN is a copy editor.
INTERNSHIP continued from B8 According to Corder, the Washington Fellowship prepares students to become champions for Christ in secular workplaces and communities. “The Washington Fellowship brings students of all different majors together to fulfill the purpose that Dr. Jerry Falwell talked about — taking our Christian faith to the world, being the best at what we do and evangelizing through excellence in our craft,” Corder said. Corder is one of 16 students from Liberty who completed the Washington Fellowship this summer. After leaving work, students living in D.C. will not be hard-pressed to find something exciting to do. “On the weekends, I was able to see all of our nation’s greatest monuments, go to all of the free Smithsonian museums and expand my knowledge even outside of the office,” Corder said. Many students are also offered jobs from their internship once they complete the term. “When you graduate from the Washington Fellowship program, you become a fellow for life, and that opens up a lot of doors for networking that will last forever,” Corder said. “This was a once-in-
Photo Provided | Career Center
FELLOWS — The Washington Fellowship makes students’ dreams a reality. a-lifetime (opportunity) that I will never thing big,’ then actually obtain it, move forget.” on to success in D.C. and climb the ladDan Berkenkemper, the Washington der even further once they’re up there,” Fellowship’s placement coordinator, has Berkenkemper said. been working for the Career Center for For more information on the Washingtwo years and is passionate about his ton Fellowship, visit the Career Center position and seeing students excel in on the first floor of DeMoss Hall, or visit their craft through the program. their webpage at liberty.edu/careers. “One of the incredible things about my job is that I get to see students who SHERLOCK is a feature reporter. say, ‘It would be my dream to get to National Geographic or Fox News, some-
FEATURE
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
Liberty Champion/ B7
Bakery brings visitors to Timberlake Road Sara Warrender sewarrender2@liberty.edu
“Everything is God,” Celeste Brothers, co-owner of Uncle Joe’s Donuts & Things, said. “Every moment, he planned.” Her husband, Joe Brothers, agreed. His Liberty University hat, perched carefully on his head, bobbed as he added, “Everything.” At ages 64 and 62, Joe and Celeste Brothers moved from California to Virginia in August of 2012. The couple planned on moving to Lynchburg to enjoy semi-retirement close to family, much of whom worked and studied at Liberty. But Celeste Brothers said God had other plans when Fabulous Fudge on Timberlake Road closed. The building was then open for rent and Joe and Celeste Brothers were able fulfill their dreams of owning their own bakery. “Now we know that there was a whole purpose to God doing that,” Celeste Brothers said. “He brought us here (to Lynchburg), and we (completed the move) within three months.” According to Celeste Brothers, their business plan when they opened Uncle Joe’s Donuts & Things June 7, 2013, was anything but ordinary. The couple did not sit down and figure an intricate business plan for the future of their shop, because they knew the plan God had begun would be carried out smoothly. “Every day, it’s a leap of faith,” Celeste Brothers said. “We have just went into it and said, ‘God’s got our backs. We know we’re going to be able to do this.’”
Uncle Joe’s has two employees — Joe and Celeste Brothers. Before opening the shop, Joe Brothers was a baker for 40 years. For 10 of those years, he sailed the Great Lakes as a cook in the Merchant Marines, according to Celeste Brothers. He also held several management positions, including working as head baker in a well-known Fresno, Calif., bakery for 16 years. “Everything is done from scratch, fresh,” Celeste Brothers said. “His hand touches every single thing he makes.” According to Celeste Brothers, by 1 p.m. each day, the bakery typically sells out of all products. Celeste Brothers said that the joy she feels when customers are willing to wait in line for their products is immeasurable. “They say, ‘There aren’t a lot of places that I would wait in line, but this is worth it,’” Celeste Brothers said. According to Celeste Brothers, customers are often seen exchanging phone numbers or calling to each other to meet at the same time next week for “Saturday morning donut hour” while they wait. “It is beyond humbling,” Celeste Brothers said. “I still don’t believe this is happening.” If any donuts are left at the end of each business day, Joe and Celeste Brothers give the boxes of treats to Salvation Army, where they are cut and served at breakfast the next morning. “There are hungry people, even hungry animals that could use it,” Celeste Brothers said. “So that’s why we do it.” The shop features the
Steven Abbott | Liberty Champion
HOMEMADE — Uncle Joe’s makes nearly all their products from scratch. customer-favorite maple-bacon doughnut. They also have cake doughnuts, which, according to Celeste Brothers, most bakeries in the area have stopped making. Joe Brothers prepares long-john bars, unfilled or filled with cream, jelly doughnuts, doughnuts holes, raised yeast doughnuts, cinnamon twists, apple fritters, cookies, muffins, and other treats to satisfy a sweet tooth. Coffee, hot chocolate, juice and other beverages are also available. “The people here are very gracious to us and make us feel welcome,” Celeste Brothers said. According to Celeste Brothers, business has been booming since the bakery’s opening this summer. They have relied simply on wordof-mouth around the community of Lynchburg for most of their advertisement, and according to Celeste Brothers, customers entered the store within the first five minutes of their sign being lit. Although business continues to grow, Joe and Celeste Brothers
Steven Abbott | Liberty Champion
COZY — Uncle Joe’s opened its doors July 7, 2013. plan on keeping their bakery small. According to Celeste Brothers, they will always be a “small mom and pop shop where customers are treated like family and every sale gets a personal touch.” Uncle Joe’s is open MondayFriday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CROWDER
with special guest colton dixon
Friday, Sept.27
8 p.m. Vines Center TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION: Liberty Students: $10 adv.
General Public: $15 adv. GOLD CIRCLE SEATS: $20 ADV. (FLOOR SEATS) FOR TICKET INFORMATION CALL (434) 582-SEAT OR PURCHASE ONLINE AT LIBERTY. EDU/SA FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL STUDENTACTIVITIES@LIBERTY.EDU OR CALL (434) 592-3061
and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. It is located beside Tiny Town Miniature Golf on Timberlake Road.
WARRENDER is the feature editor.
FEATURE
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
B8
Courtney Russo| Liberty Champion
PADDLE — An adventure race challenged 10 teams of six students through running, carrying a log and kayaking across the lake at camp.
Camp Hydaway holds grand opening Student Activities provided the chance to participate in biking, a ropes course and other outdoor activites
Melissa Skinner mjskinner@liberty.edu
Students gritted their teeth as they ran, crawled and even carried logs to complete the adventure race at Camp Hydaway Saturday afternoon, Sept. 3. The grand opening of Camp Hydaway at 936 Camp Hydaway Road showcased the recreational opportunities offered to students, such as biking, a ropes course, canoeing, kayaking and a waterslide. Student Activities (SA) hosted the event and provided students with free funnel cakes, a variety of inflatable toys and music. “This facility will add to the student experience at Liberty, because it gives students more options for what they can do off campus, and it gives them the opportunity to be active outside and enjoy the beautiful weather,” Joshua Saunders, a junior exercise major, said. SA hosts events for students throughout the entire school
“
Our goal at (SA) is to give students a sense of community. Camp Hydaway helps us do that.
year, including the annual Block Party, concerts, open mic nights and other events to keep the student body united. “I came here today because I wanted a new experience, and I like how this is more outdoorsy than being on campus and gives a fresh adventure,” Natalie Scott, a freshman nursing major, said. Earlier in the day, students also had the opportunity to participate in the adventure race at the facility that included log races and kayaking. During the race, 10 teams of six ran to the intramural fields and back to Camp Hydaway facing various challenges along the way. Each team had three females and three males. Gift cards were awarded to first-third place finishers.
— ABIGAIL MCWATERS “Our goal at (SA) is to give students a sense of community. Camp Hydaway helps us do that, and it gives students the chance to do activities they could not do otherwise,” Abigail McWaters, an SA employee, said. According to McWaters, the Camp Hydaway property includes a beach, a student center, an ATV Track, bowhunting, and canoe and kayak rentals for students, faculty and staff. The facility is open during both the fall and spring semesters. Additionally, more than 50 miles of single and double track trails spanning approximately 5,000 acres run adjacent to the facility and the area part of the Liberty Mountain Trail System. Camping sites are also available Friday and Saturday nights.
Courtney Russo| Liberty Champion
GOLD — “The Sassy Six” took first place in the adventure race. There are four locations with four fire pits. If students want to use the campsites, they must fill out a request form a week in advance. “Camp Hydaway is a positive experience for students and is moving in a good direction in terms of what it offers students when they need a study break,” David Fonseca, a Camp Hyd-
away employee, said. According to Fonseca, Liberty purchased the property over the summer from Thomas Road Baptist Church in order to offer more outdoor activities to students.
SKINNER is a feature reporter.
Crosswhite, FCA team up for 5K Everyone is invited to run Sept. 14 Nicole Steenburgh nksteenburgh@liberty.edu
Photo Provided | Career Center
DOWN TIME — Students have plenty of opportunities for entertainment between classes in Washington.
Washington offers opportunity Dillon Sherlock djsherlock@liberty.edu
Many people dream of one day working in the nation’s capital city, but making the first step to get there can be difficult. Liberty University’s Washington Fellowship provides the opportunity each semester for students to get a foot in the door with some of the country’s most influential corporations and organizations. The Washington Fellowship is a program that places Liberty students from all majors into appli-
cable internships in Washington, D.C., and its surrounding areas. Included in the program is housing, located only a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol. Students wishing to be a part of the fellowship will first work with the Career Center on their professional resumé and interview skills, then proceed to apply for internships that can be applied toward course credit in most degrees. Sarah Corder, an advertising and public relations major, went through the program this summer and enjoyed her experience.
“One of the biggest things that I gained from the experience was learning that I am capable of taking the head knowledge that I gained in the classroom and putting it into practice,” Corder said. Currently a senior at Liberty, Corder worked for the Washington Speakers Bureau, an agency that books high-profile speakers, including politicians and professional athletes, for different occasions such as commencement addresses and panel discussions.
See INTERNSHIP, B6
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Crosswhite Fitness are teaming up to host a 5K on Liberty’s campus Sept. 14. Crosswhite Fitness is run by Ben Crosswhite, a graduate of Liberty University, and he is intent on spreading the gospel through the rigors of exercise. “I believe you should be fit on the outside and in, using your one body as a vessel to do God’s work,” Crosswhite said on his website, crosswhitefitness.com. The other half of this team is FCA, an organization that uses athletics to reach the world for Christ. “FCA focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ,” ac-
cording to virginiafca.org. According to Jocelyn Miller, administrative assistant of Virginia FCA, the race will begin at Williams Stadium at 8 a.m. The race will also end at the stadium and will be followed by an awards ceremony. “Everyone is welcome to come,” Miller said. “The family can come and cheer for everyone.” According to raceit.com, the website through which runners can register, awards will be given to the top three overall male and female competitors and the top three competitors in each age group. Those who wish to enter the race can register at raceit.com or on the morning of the race, starting at 7 a.m. For those who register early, race packets can be
See RACE, B6