Dec. 3, 2015

THE MARLIN CHRONICLE THURSDAY 12.3.15 || MARLINCHRONICLE.VWC.EDU ||

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE

Marlins abroad continue their stay despite Paris attacks

BY JASMINE DRIGGS jtdriggs@vwc.edu

& SAMANTHA SMALL stsmall@vwc.edu

Virginia Wesleyan students currently studying overseas refuse to let the recent Paris terrorist attacks affect their experiences abroad.

Virginia Wesleyan currently has 13 students studying abroad at different locations including Jordan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Panama, Italy, France, the Czech Republic and Belgium.

Ryan Breen, a senior theatre major, is currently studying at the University of Roehampton in London, England. He was in a room with his friends in Amsterdam when the attacks occurred.

“It was really scary because we were actually in France that day,” Breen said. The group of students traveled through France to get to Amsterdam the day the attacks occurred.

Breen and his friends visited Paris for two days about a week before the attacks.

“I was the first one to hear about the attacks. Everyone immediately ran for their phones and searched on local news sources,” Breen said.

Breen spoke of his friend he met while studying abroad, Louise, who was born in Paris but moved to the U.S. when she was very young. He said Louise still has family in Paris, including her sister. Louise received word a couple of days after the attacks that a close family friend of Louise’s father died during the attacks.

Stephanie Williams, a senior communication major who is studying abroad in Italy, wrote in her blog about her changed perspectives after the terrorist attacks.

“As a study abroad student in Europe, my perspective on the events is shifted.

I’m much more alert and aware of my surroundings in Rome, but during the evening of the event, I was enjoying a nice night out in Barcelona.”

That night, Williams went out to eat and to a movie with her boyfriend and his friends before heading back to her apartment.

“The night was perfect. And then the messages flooded in,” Williams said.

Williams wrote that as she turned her cellphone on and connected to Wifi, she was immediately informed of what happened. She saw alerts from CNN flash across her screen as well as text messages from her family and friends who were trying to check on her safety.

“I sent replies to everyone wanting to know I was OK,” Williams said.

Breen said the attacks reminded him of

Flickr| Courtesy The Eiffel Tower is illuminated with blue, white and red lights to pay tribute to the victims of the terrorist attcks. the ever-present hate and danger in the world.

“It seems that no matter where you go, your safety is not guaranteed. It pains me to realize that people cannot get along, put aside their differences, and just live,” Breen said.

Virginia Wesleyan faculty assured students that the college did everything it could to ensure students’ safety abroad.

“Virginia Wesleyan’s Study Away Program (SAP) is working with our study abroad providers and institutions to ensure

See page 9 for solidarité

students’ safety. We have daily communication with them. Our partners in Europe have offered students the option of immediately returning to the United States, if they so choose,” Sara Sewell, executive director of The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery, said.

According to Sewell, none of the students who are currently abroad expressed interest in returning home early.

“Our SAP Director, Ms. Lena Johnson, has been in touch with all of our students, and they all have assured us of their safety.

We will continue to monitor the international situation and events on the ground to ensure students’ safety,” Sewell said.

“Other than the few times we actually connected to Wifi and checked for updates, it was almost like the whole thing didn’t happen. We didn’t immediately see additional security and I didn’t see any added checks at the Barcelona airport. When I got back to Rome, however, I had an immediate passport check before I could enter the airport,” Williams said.

SEE PARIS Pg. 9

Social worker steals thousands from cherished staff member

BY SAMANTHA SMALL stsmall@vwc.edu

Read the Great Debate on the new, controversial Starbucks cups, see Page 6 Read more about Michael Dickens on page 4

During the last months of his life, Virginia Wesleyan’s widely-adored cafeteria worker, Michael Dickens, was known as Client #2 who lost just over $24,000 in a felony credit card theft case. Dickens died unexpectedly during the night Nov. 12.

WAVY News 10 first reported this story Nov. 30.

According to the audit report, Dickens’ social worker Janel Jones, admitted to the Office of the City Auditor Forensic Audit Manager she cashed one of Dickens’ checks and utilized the funds for personal use.

The City of Virginia Beach Human Services hired 37-year-old Jones to assist Dickens in his home. Dickens lived as independently as possible but was part of the Supportive Living Program (SLP) and required some assistance. According to the City of Virginia Beach Executive Response, social workers for the SLP are typically responsible for assisting with clients’ personal finances including monitoring their checking and savings accounts.

In May, Jones resigned after she was

confronted with the claims. She was arrested in October for felony credit card theft.

The family found out about the theft when bills were failing to be paid.

“The bill wasn’t only not paid for the dentist, it wasn’t paid for rent and he was staying there because they were kind to let him stay there,” family member Raymond Morris told WAVY News 10.

Dickens’ brother, Carroll Dickens, and his family called 10 On Your Side when they ran into trouble getting answers from Human Services. Carroll is the executor of his brother’s will, but is having difficulty getting the money he is owed.

“I got all these bills. I got my brother’s bills. I got the funeral home that has to be paid. I got the headstone that has to be paid for. I got medical bills,” Dickens told WAVY News 10.

In the executive response by the city, Human Services Director Dannette Smith said she understands the importance of the case and the seriousness of the loss, but confirms Human Services is following a mandated process that may seem slow to family members.

2 Thursday December 3, 2015 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

NEWS

Racial tension across college campuses

BY TAYLOR ROCHE-DUTCH tdrochedutch@vwc.edu

Right before the night of Halloween, students on Yale University’s campus received a series of emails that sparked protests which lasted for weeks. An initial message, sent from the university’s Intercultural Affairs Committee (IAC), said Halloween is a time when the normal thoughtfulness and sensitivity of most Yale students can sometimes be forgotten and some poor decisions can be made including wearing feathered headdresses, turbans, wearing ‘war paint’ or modifying skin tone or wearing blackface or redface.”

The message urged students to take the time to consider their costumes and the impact they may have and followed with a list of what students should consider before they chose their costume. This upset several students, who felt that they should have a right to choose and wear what they want, and that the school was looking condescendingly at them, assuming that they would wear offensive costumes.

Associate Master of Yale’s Silliman College, Erika Christakis, took it upon herself to act as the voice of this group of students and wrote an email response urging students to regain their autocratic right to wear what they want to wear.

“Reflect more transparently, as a community, on the consequences of an institutional (which is to say: bureaucratic and administrative) exercise of implied control over college students” and “if you don’t like a costume someone is wearing, look away, or tell them you are offended,” Christakis’ email said.

This email was met with almost immediate protest. Students and many staff and faculty members wrote an open letter to Christakis in DOWN Magazine, a publication that aims to amplify the voices of students of color at Yale. The letter pointed fault at Christakis for equating a suggestion of the IAC, a committee created to challenge bias and promote cultural awareness, respect and appreciation on campus, with an institutional exercise of implied control over college students.

“You fail to distinguish the difference between cosplaying fictional characters and misrepresenting actual groups of people.

In your email, you ask students to “look away” if costumes are offensive, as if the

degradation of our cultures and people, and the violence that grows out of it is something that we can ignore,” the letter said.

This group and many others were angry enough to start protests in the halls and streets of Yale, holding signs, chanting and posting flyers on walls and bulletin boards.

“There’s conflicting ideas of who should be in control: the student culture or the institution. How do you create meaningful solutions, where all people can have their hands in the cookie jar, where they can all see equality? There’s such a discrepancy between a riot and someone standing up for their rights, why does there have to be such a negative connotation to a riot?” senior VWC student Mindy Bertram said.

“Ultimately, African Americans used peaceful protesting during many movements that aided in better conditions, so in my opinion, students should use protests to get their point across if administration ignores their voices,” President of Virginia Wesleyan’s Black Student Union Amber Morris said.

Morris said she believes all human beings should be able to exercise their second amendment.

“They have the right to express their concerns on any forms of mistreatment; they have the right to directly address any individuals who treat them any less than the human beings they are; and most importantly, they have the right to stand up against all oppressors just like their ancestors did in the preceding years,” Morris said.

“A college campus is a great place to voice these opinions and peacefully protest because it is just as much as a community as the outside world. Colleges are supposed to be your home and if you do not feel as if you’re treated right in your home, you should speak up,” Morris said.

After a long series of protests, Yale President Peter Salovey issued a statement to the campus.

“It is clear that we need to make significant changes so that all members of our community truly feel welcome and can participate equally in the activities of the university, and to reaffirm and reinforce our commitment to a campus where hatred and discrimination have no place,” Salovey said.

According to the Washington Post, Salovey also pledged to double resources for existing centers serving students of color and said he and other top administrators will undergo training on recognizing and combating racism and other forms of discrimination in the academy. Staff members called this a victory and an exciting and promising moment for Yale, but some students called the action a woefully inadequate attempt to throw a little bit more money at the issue.

These recent protests seem to happen exclusively on large campuses such as Yale, the University of Missouri, where protests caused President Tim Wolfe to resign and Dartmouth, where, on Nov. 17, 150 Black Lives Matter supporters marched into the Baker-Berry Library and began a protest

around dozens of studying students.

“Students who refused to listen to or join their outbursts were shouted down. Men and women alike were pushed and shoved by the group. ‘If we can’t have it, shut it down!’ they cried,” The Dartmouth Review reported.

Protests seem to erupt more and more frequently lately, but smaller campuses have not been participating as of yet.

“There have been times when VWC has been close to riots that I’ve seen, on social media, I totally thought that there could be protests. There are a lot of things that students on campus have a right to be upset about,” Bertram said.

“I do not think there is a racial divide here on campus. I do believe that we can have more diverse programs where many different cultures are better represented.

I am thrilled to see so many emerge, and since our mission statement is to embrace diversity, we plan to showcase these organizations,” Morris said.

According to Morris, the Black Student Union plans to organize several panels next semester that address these complicated racial issues. The Union’s goal is to not only create a sense of awareness and understanding on campus, but also to access the creative minds of students on campus who may help come up with solutions to solve the enduring issues.

Current events roundup

BY SARAH ANTOZZI scantozzi@vwc.edu

No tropical storms or hurricanes came ashore in U.S. this year

The 2015 hurricane season officially ended Nov. 30. As predicted by the National Hurricane Center, hurricane activity was below-average in 2015, with only two major hurricanes.

At least one dies as protests over Haiti’s election turn violent

Demonstrators protested in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, during the last week of November, because they suspected the results of the first round of the presidential election to be fraudulent.

International leaders meet to work on climate change measures

The international conference on climate change began in Paris on Nov. 30, in spite of the terrorist attacks there on Nov. 13. The conference will end Dec. 11.

Source: the Virginian-Pilot

G S P

Interested in Studying Abroad in Fall 2016?

lobal

APPLY ONLINE NOW

cholars rogram

at

The Lighthouse (http://www.vwc.edu/academics/the-lighthouse/ study-away/global-scholars.php)

Applications are due no later than Monday, February 8, 2016 at 5:00pm

Thursday, December 3, 2015

The Marlin Chronicle | marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

3

Outlet mall coming to Northampton The new development to be built on the site of the Lake Wright Golf Course causes mixed feelings among Marlins

BY ASHLEY KLINE aakline@vwc.edu

Ground-breaking on the outlet mall to be built on Northampton Boulevard will occur in April 2016. This development received backing from the city of Norfolk since its conception. The idea for the outlet mall spent years in the planning stages and is finally coming to fruition.

Simon Property Group Inc., the largest owner of malls in the country, is playing a large role in the construction. According to the Virginian-Pilot, Simon is planning to invest $75 million. The outlet mall will be built on the Lake Wright Golf Course, which is located in close proximity to campus. The outlet mall is expected to bring 90 new stores to the area and approximately $135 million in sales per year.

The Virginian-Pilot also reported the outlets will take up approximately 350,000 square feet of leasable space. Furthermore, with the construction of the outlet mall, the city of Norfolk is expected to bring in approximately $3.3 million more per year following the opening. This outlet mall is estimated to generate an additional $7.2 million per year for the state.

The opening of these outlets will provide more options for Virginia Wesleyan students by bringing more shopping options closer to campus and making it easier and more convenient for students to retrieve items they want and need.

Many students expressed excitement toward the increase in shopping options and said they think it will be a positive development for the area.

“I think it will be good for students in the area to have a place to go. The malls I’ve had to go to have been farther away,” freshman Joelle Norfleet said.

“It will be interesting to see the different stores they have and it will be cool for more shopping because I really like shopping,” freshman Hannah Weber said.

While some are excited about the increase in shopping opportunities, others believe Hampton Roads already has a sufficient number of malls already.

“I’m not much of a mall person. I guess it would be nice for different things and different people, more things closer. But at the same time it’s like, don’t we have enough malls?” freshman Diana Dillon said.

With approximately 90 new stores coming to the area with the addition of the outlet mall, there will be a greater number of job opportunities for students.

However, one concern that some students say they have is the traffic the outlet mall will bring with it.

“When I first heard about it, I was really excited like ‘oh yes a new mall’ cause Pembroke is kind of far. But the traffic here is already pretty bad,” freshman Catalina Jones said.

“There are like really good pros and everything and there are really bad cons. But with the commuter perspective, I would have to say that I kind of oppose the outlet mall, mostly because I hate traffic. Like I hate it so much,” freshman Nel Hart said.

According to the Virginian-Pilot, planners are attempting to figure out how to best prevent higher levels of traffic. One

Google |Courtesy An image from Google Maps showing the future location of the outlet mall. option being considered is the extension of Wesleyan Drive.

However, a study conducted by the firm URS produced results stating that implementing a road design using Lake Wright Boulevard as opposed to Wesleyan Drive would be most beneficial to commuter travel time and average speed on Northampton Boulevard.

Furthermore, a different study that was carried out by Norfolk Academy, located on the southwest corner of Wesleyan Drive, generated results stating the safest option is to use Lake Wright Boulevard

rather than extend Wesleyan Drive. These two different studies supported the concept of using Lake Right Boulevard as opposed to Wesleyan Drive.

While the outlet mall brings with it some exciting new developments, such as more shopping closer to campus and more job opportunities for students, it also sparks some concern. This concern primarily surrounds traffic. However, no one will truly know the impact of the outlet mall on students and the community until after it opens.

You always tee off in style at Topgolf New entertainment facility to open in Virginia Beach near campus will offer plenty to do besides just golf

BY TROY AUBUT taaubut@vwc.edu

Topgolf |Courtesy A selection of photos provided from the Topgolf press release and website, showcasing the Naperville location, set a high bar for the new site to live up to.

A Topgolf entertainment complex will be opening this winter just 10 minutes away from campus. Located on 5444 Greenwich Road, the range will offer fun job opportunities and a new experience to anyone interested.

But what exactly is Topgolf?

Topgolf is pretty much golf with a twist. Instead of spending a whole day driving around a range hitting golf balls around, you spend time with friends and family in a personal bay hitting golf balls at targets. Think of darts, except you’re using golf balls and a field with several targets from 20 yards to 240 yards out. It’s a combination of a bowling atmosphere and a driving range complete with games and challenges.

The idea came from two brothers in North London, England. Since a typical range is unable to tell you how close or how far away your golf ball is from the flag, the brothers found a method of doing so. With the help of technology, all the golf balls at the complex have microchips that allow the targets to read the distance and accuracy of your shot. Because of this, Topgolf has helped professional golf players to practice their hits and im-

prove on their game while helping amateurs learn to hit better or just have a great time.

There are 7 unique games to play alone or with others that challenge you to secure the highest score, have the best accuracy, hit the farthest, etc.

The different types of games utilize each target’s distance and can either make a game go by quickly and easily or be long and challenging. The best part about Topgolf is that it’s for any skill level and it can be played during any time of the year.

There is a mandatory, one-time fee of $5 to have a lifetime membership to play. The membership also provides you with a playing card and free golf club rentals, or you can opt to bring your own clubs if you want. You will also be able to play at almost every Topgolf complex around the U.S. and in the U.K. with the membership.

The card is necessary as it tracks your score history from all of the games that you’ve played.

There are two levels of bays in the complex that are paid for at an hourly rate. Each climate-controlled bay includes up to six players, with prices starting at $25 from opening to noon,

SEE TOPGOLF Pg. 10

First Lady promotes produce at ODU

BY WYNTER BOND wcbond@vwc.edu

First Lady Michelle Obama took to Old Dominion University on Nov. 20 along with several celebrities in order to promote a nationwide fruit and vegetables campaign called Team FNV. The company, Fruits and Vegetables (FNV), sparked a nationwide movement to endorse fruits and vegetables with the help of well-known celebrities, respectable foundations and companies, athletes and social media. It is geared toward teens and mothers in order to promote a healthy diet and lifestyle.

“When you turn on the T.V., you hardly ever see any cool ads for fruits and vegetables,” Obama said. “[Advertisements] can definitely influence choices [because the] songs and commercials are so catchy,” Obama continued.

The First Lady went on to suggest foods should be marketed the same way as other

products, calling the FNV campaign big, bold, colorful and fun.

Other celebrities in attendance were Shaggy of local radio station Z104, Dominique Da Diva of 103 JAMZ, actress/entrepreneur Jessica Alba, actress of “Being Mary Jane” Gabrielle Union, UK singer Estelle, singer Jordin Sparks and singer Ashanti. Also making a presence were Criminal Minds star AJ Cook, social media soccer stars Indi and Skye Cowie, fourtime Pro Bowler Charles Mann and YouTube personalities Nash and Hayes Grier.

During FNV Live, the celebrities and social media stars performed several stunts and challenges. Each activity incorporated facts about fruits and vegetables and showed off the skills of Indi and Skye Cowie.

There were also live musical performances from Estelle, Ashanti and Jordin Sparks.

“It’s time for fruits and vegetables to get some love,” Alba said while giving the introductory speech.

This nationwide effort started six months ago in Hampton Roads. Several advertisements supporting the initiative are posted in local supermarkets such as Farm Fresh.

In addition to supermarket advertisements, there have been radio announcements of Team FNV on stations such as Shaggy’s hosting station Z104.

The company not only makes use of celebrity endorsements, it supports local Hampton Roads businesses in order to increase awareness of the movement. This past summer, Team FNV began sponsoring the Norfolk Tides baseball team and ODU’s football program.

In addition to the celebrities who attended the event, many celebrities support and promote the company’s agenda from behind the scenes. Rising basketball phenomenon Stephen Curry is featured in many print and broadcast advertisements. Some celebrities even sponsor certain fruits and vegetables. Cam Newton from the Carolina Panthers sponsors oranges and Alba sponsors watermelons. Other personalities

working with Team FNV are singer/actor Nick Jonas, actress Julianne Hough, supermodel Cindy Crawford and athlete Apolo Ohno.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the largest health insurer in Virginia, Spartan Race, WWE and the Honest Company partner with Team FNV. The Honest Company, Alba’s own company, focuses on eco-friendly materials for infants, the home and body.

The First Lady stresses the importance of the power of fruits and vegetables. The overall objective is to motivate the younger demographic to be strong, healthy and live a positive life while eating right.

“I love that FNV is about making fruits and vegetables fun … anything that I can do to make people aware of their daily food choices in a fun way, I’m all for,” Sparks said.

For more information about the health initiative, follow Team FNV on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr or Snapchat.

4 Thursday December 3, 2015 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

The

MARLIN CHRONICLE

COMMUNITY The man who never saw a stranger

BY KATHERINE BISHOP

kabishop@vwc.edu Editor-in-Chief Courtney Herrick clherrick@vwc.edu News Editors Brian Le btle@vwc.edu Sarah Antozzi scantozzi@vwc.edu Community Editor Kaci Parker klparker@vwc.edu Opinion Editor Doug Hardman ddhardman@vwc.edu The Weekender Troy Aubut taaubut@vwc.edu Sports Editor Michael Willson mnwillson@vwc.edu Photo Editors Anthony Dellamura aadellamura@vwc.edu Kayla Skeete krskeete@vwc.edu Illustrations Editor Britani Daley badaley@vwc.edu Online Editor Maurice Reed mreed@vwc.edu Copy Editor

Samantha Small stsmall@vwc.edu

Advertising Representative Catherine Brown cebrown@vwc.edu Advisor

Dr. Lisa Lyon Payne lpayne@vwc.edu

Michael Dickens, beloved Virginia Wesleyan cafeteria worker, died Thursday, Nov. 12 during the night. When the news of Michael’s passing hit social media shared by his church, The Chosen, many were at a loss for words.

Michael was described by students and faculty as an extreme Cowboys fan with a forever smile. They said Michael was a friend to all.

Nick Doyle, a senior communication major at Virginia Wesleyan College reminisced on his experiences with Michael.

“Michael, or ‘Big Mike’, would always come up to me and call me his friend. Mike would always talk about his Cowboys. He was very nice and always a joy to be around,” Doyle said.

Many people in the VWC community also knew about Michael’s participation in the Special Olympics basketball games held at Virginia Wesleyan.

“I remember last year at the Special Olympics watching him play and how much fun he was having. He will be missed,” Doyle said.

Michael participated in Special Olympics basketball before he started working at Virginia Wesleyan five or six years ago. This intersection is how the Director of Community Service, Diane Hotaling first met Michael. Hotaling said her first memory that comes to mind when thinking of Michael is her cheerleading for him for Special Olympics basketball, and how he would go around excitedly telling people around them that she cheered for him and saw him play.

Hotaling attended Michael’s funeral service where she said the priest said something that the Wesleyan campus community could unanimously agree with.

“Every man in this parish was Michael’s brother, and every woman was his girlfriend,” Hotaling quoted the priest.

Hotaling had known Michael for years, and referred to him as a gentle giant and a gentle soul.

“We’re better people for having known him,” Hotaling said.

Seniors at Virginia Wesleyan, Brooke Totzeck and Toni Aris-Howell, got to know Michael in the cafeteria and through volunteering at events.

“Michael would always bring out the best in whoever he was around. Whether it was flirting with all of his ‘girlfriends’ in the dining hall, showing off his winning medals or just being a welcoming face, he could easily make anyone’s day better,” Totzeck said.

Aris-Howell knew Michael for around three and a half years, and her first memory of Michael was at the Special Olympics basketball game. He would ask her, and everyone else if they were going to watch his game so that he could show off his skills.

“Michael was one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Always smiling and happy at work or wherever I ran into him. Whether it was memories in the café or at a volunteering event, he was always there to make you smile or brighten your day,” Aris-Howell said.

One VWC community member who spent a lot of time with

him at the school was Miss Polly. Miss Polly worked with him in the cafeteria. She described Michael as many did: a very loving and caring person.

Miss Polly was a mother figure in Michael’s life.

“He would always call me Momma. He told me his Momma had died, and he didn’t have nobody, so I said I’ll be your Momma, and he was always calling me Momma. Yup, he would always call me Momma,” Miss Polly said.

Michael Dickens impacted almost every person in the Virginia Wesleyan community. Whether it was with his friends or ‘girlfriends,’ Michael struck up a conversation with everyone.

“For those that did meet Michael, he will never be forgotten,” ArisHowell said.

Diane Hotaling|Courtesy (Top) Annie Maln poses for a photo with Michael after the Special Olympics Basketball event. (Bottom) A group of Greek women join Michael after his basketball game.

New professors join Virginia Wesleyan’s campus

BY KACI PARKER klparker@vwc.edu

Two out of the eight new VWC professors were interviewed to help the students learn more about who was teaching them in the classroom.

William Pruitt, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

Q: “Where are you from?”

A: “Connecticut.”

Q: “What brought you to VWC?” A: “The good weather and being closer to family.”

Q: “How do you like working for a smaller college?”

A: “Student involvement is great as well as the emphasis on student research.”

The Marlin Chronicle is the official student newspaper of Virginia Wesleyan College. Staff meetings are held every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in Batten 217.

Signed submissions are welcome, but subject to the discretion of the editor. Letters are not edited for content, but may be edited for length. The views and opinions expressed in this newspaper may not necessarily reflect the views of the entire staff of The Marlin Chronicle or Virginia Wesleyan College.

The Marlin Chronicle Virginia Wesleyan College 1584 Wesleyan Drive Norfolk, VA 23502 757.455.3311

Q: “Favorite movie of all time?”

A: “Clue.”

Q: “Favorite dessert?”

A: “Chocolate Molten Cake.”

Q: “Favorite color?”

A: “Orange.”

Q: “What is on your bucket list?”

A: “Visit Africa and try skydiving.”

Kayla Skeete |Marlin Chronicle

Q: “Where are you from?”

A: “Winnipeg, Manatoba Canada.”

Q: “What brought you to VWC?” A: “I saw opportunity for professional growth, and was drawn to the diversity of the position in the library.”

“As a former collegiate student newspaper editor, professional journalist and long-time advisor for the Society of Collegiate Journalists, I understand the role and value of student media at a liberal arts college. Virginia Wesleyan College proudly supports the editorial independence and press freedom of student-edited publications.

We believe that student editors have the authority to make all content decisions and consequently, assume full responsibility for decisions they make.”

--Scott D. Miller, Ph.D President

Sophie Rondeau, Technical Services Librarian

Q: “Favorite song?”

A: “Says by Nils Frahm.”

Q: “Favorite fast food?”

A: “Chipolte.”

Q: “Favorite dessert?”

A: “Really good chocolate chip cookies.”

Q: “Favorite food?”

A: “Thai and Indian.”

Q: “What is on your bucket list?”

A: “To go to India. It seems like a colorful culture, and the spiritual conditions are of interest to me.”

Anthony Dellamura |Marlin Chronicle

Thursday, December 3, 2015

The Marlin Chronicle | marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

5

CAMPUS countdown December 3rd

Monumental Moments: A Service of Lessons & Carols Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Monumental Chapel

VWC Center for Sacred Music presents: “A Service of Lessons & Carols.” For more information, contact Sandi Billy at 757.455.3376.

December 4th

T R A N S F O R M A

5K Santa Run

Time: 2:30 p.m.

Location: Virginia Wesleyan College VWC’s Women’s Lacrosse Team will host the 5K Santa Run. Prizes will be awarded for best costume, best ugly sweater and first place individual and/or team. Pre-registration required. For more information, contact Madison Carroll at mlcarroll@vwc.edu.

December 4th 2015 Holiday Tree Lighting Time: 4:30 p.m.

Location: Holiday Tree behind Godwin Hall

T I O N

Caroling will set the festive mood as many student groups, clubs and organizations show their holiday spirit.

T h u r s d a y

December 5th Midnight Breakfast Time: Midnight Location: Cafe

Students will enjoy a late night breakfast with friends as a way to unwind during crunch time.

December 9th Pet a Puppy with VBSPCA Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Location: CMAC

Students will be able to de-stress during finals week by petting a few puppies during the day.

CRIME BLOTTER

Photos From:

Batten’s Three Stooges

Anthony Dellamura, Kaci Parker and School Archives

Jason Seward, Willie Harrell and Brandon Elliott

Wesleyan continues to help the homeless

BY WYNTER BOND wcbond@vwc.edu

Courtesy|Thinkstock

November 8 3:35 a.m. |Liquor Law Violation Village IV No description.

November 8 9:58 a.m. |Liquor Law Violation Village IV No description.

November 8 12:15 p.m. |Liquor Law Violation Village III No description.

November 14 4:03 a.m. |Liquor Law Violation Village III No description.

November 19 8:29 p.m.|Vandalism D Lot Damaged Moped.

From Jan. 10 to Jan. 16, VWC will once again open its doors to the homeless in the surrounding area with the on-campus Winter Homeless Shelter, but those associated with the shelter are expecting a decrease in attendance.

Takeyra Collins, certified therapeutic recreation specialist and recreation and leisure studies professor, is a co-faculty manager with the homeless shelter along with Director of Community Service, Diane Hotaling.

This is Collins’ second year with the program while Hotaling has been with the shelter since its first year. This year, the shelter will be celebrating its 10th year of service with the community.

According to a report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the homelessness rate decreased in the Hampton Roads area the past five years. In 2010, the number of those without homes in Virginia totaled 9,080. The rate now comes in at 7,020. This number steadily decreased due to local efforts to permanently house the homeless, as well as the new focus on housing and assisting homeless war veterans.

With the decreasing numbers, the homeless shelter held at the school is sure to reflect this with dwindling residents during the week long community service aid.

“This will affect the way we direct the program,” Collins said. “We don’t want there to be more volunteers than guests.”

As the Activities Manager for the shelter, Junior Toné Boykins’ role is to help organize the multitude of games as well as to help lead other volunteers.

“I have mixed feelings about the decreas-

ing homeless rate in Virginia,” Boykins said. “A lot of the people from previous years won’t be there and we won’t get to interact as much. But, on the other hand, I’m glad that they aren’t homeless anymore. I don’t want anyone to be homeless.”

Collins, who graduated from VWC in 2008, witnessed many changes in the program since the 2005 inauguration of the shelter.

“It was similar, but it was definitely in the beginning stages… the biggest change would have to be the presence on campus,” Collins said.

Collins said she believes the on-campus Winter Homeless Shelter has increased the awareness of homelessness in the community.

Boykins has been volunteering with the program since her freshman year.

“I realized that [the program participants] don’t even dwell on their situation...[they are] down to earth, you wouldn’t know that they were homeless if you weren’t at a homeless shelter,” Boykins said.

The shelter hosts a variety of activities, including a karaoke night, bingo, Olympics night, spa night complete with pedicures and manicures and church. Marlin Ministries also volunteers with the program.

The homeless shelter is connected to a class during winter session, but students do not have to be taking the class to volunteer with the shelter.

“The class focuses on homelessness, not just the shelter,” Collins said.

Last year, Collins said most of the volunteers were students. There were about 200

to 300 hundred student volunteers, but there were only about 70 students in the class.

The class does not limit students to volunteer at the shelter to fulfill their volunteering requirement. Students can also opt to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity to assist with building houses for the homeless.

The shelter also partners with Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless and Habitat for Humanity. Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless (PVH) is a non-profit organization that houses those that are homeless from mid-November through May every year. PVH rotates to over 40 locations to host the shelters.

“With PVH, every week, they go to another site,” Collins said.

However, Virginia Wesleyan is the only college site that the organization hosts at.

Some members of the Wesleyan community say they question why the homeless shelter only operates for one week when homeless is such a pertinent and consistent controversial issue.

“People don’t need a place to stay for just one week. They always need a place to stay.

But that’s kind of hard to do here,” Boykins said.

“It is a lot of work for one week. If [classes] were in session, it would be more difficult,” Collins said.

Although attendance numbers are expected to decrease this year, those working the shelter say they are still just as invested in providing a warm, safe place of refuge for those who do attend.

6 Thursday December 3, 2015 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

OPINIONS

Britani Alyse| Marlin Chronicle

THe Great Mc Debate: Devil cups?

OMG YOU HEATHENS, YOU HATE CHRISTMAS DON’T YOU? THAT EVIL RED CUP IS CORRUPTING THE HOLIDAYS AND ATTACKING OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST! SHAME ON YOU AND SHAME ON STARBUCKS FOR CONDOING SUCH BLASPHEMY! I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO APPALLED IN MY LIFE AT THESE RED COFFEE CUPS, IT MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH. MY PERSONAL LIFE HAS BEEN COMPLETEY AFFECTED

BY THE CUPS-WHO-SHALL-NOT-BE-NAMED, AND ANYONE WHO BUYS STARBUCKS AND CARRIES A RED CUP IS A SPAWN OF THE DEVIL HIMSELF. THE MIGHTY LORD WILL SMITE THESE DEMONS DOWN AND MAKE THEM PAY FOR THEIR CRIMES AGAINST CHRISTMAS. THE LORD’S BIRTHDAY IS NOW TAKEN IN VAIN AND NOTHING IS SACRED OR SAFE ANYMORE! I WILL NOT PRAY FOR YOUR SOULS NOR WILL I EVER PURCHASE A COFFEE FROM STARBUCKS EVER AGAIN UNTIL THE SPRING SEASON WHEN THE PERFECT, ALL-WHITE CUPS RETURN.

Give your presence, not presents

BY DOUGLAS HARDMAN ddhardman@vwc.edu

I absolutely detest the holiday season. I’m a scrooge. I’m a Grinch. I’m a krampus. Call me what you will, but the love is gone.

This time of the year, televisions and sound waves incessantly fill the air with not only Christmas music, but the agonizing sound of Christmas deals, specials and money saving tips. We even had to endure another dreaded Black Friday reminiscent of The Hunger Games.

The holiday season has become a capitalistic endeavor, with people caring more about buying the latest gadgets and gizmos rather than spending time with their loved ones. Sure, getting gifts is a nice thing, and it is better to give than receive. But why does the love we have for other people have to hold monetary value?

It seems we forgot love is the most powerful weapon we have ever had-- the power to love each other for who we are, to always be there for people when they need it most and to just be generous, compassionate and loving human beings. Hate is spread daily, and the lack of love seen everywhere is appalling.

I do not believe in the holiday seasons anymore. As a child, of course, I was blinded by this new founded holiday tradition where all that mattered was the presents under the tree. As we get older, and wiser, I think we should be learning that love is given by our presence, not in presents.

The only gift I want this year is love. I want to be with the people I love and hope they love me as wholeheartedly as I do them. I’m done wanting things that don’t matter. We don’t always get what we want, so we should focus on what we need. We need love above all (besides oxygen, you smarty-pants) the unnecessary nonsense that the corporate media has melded into our brains.

I am sick and tired of the shopping, the gifts and the expectancy of material items in place of genuine human love. I am sick and tired of the hate, the violence and the war that we face on a daily basis. I am sick and tired of corporations cashing in on the brainwashed idea that you can only show love to someone by the amount of money you spend on them. Enough is enough.

Put your wallets away and open up your hearts instead. Invite your friends over for a drink by the fire. Go to the homeless shelter and provide company to those who do not have company to share. Call your parents and tell them you love them, even if you haven’t heard from them in years. In the end, we have nothing anyways, so why not spend our lives spreading and giving love? That Xbox is not going to be there for you when you need a shoulder to cry on.

I may be asking for the impossible, but the simple act of being with friends and family and just saying, “I love you,” does way more good than anything else I can think of. We only have one life to live, and one heart to give. Give as much love as you can, and you’ll surely find happiness. For all the scrooges, Grinches, and krampus’ like me, join me in starting a new holiday tradition: love, wholeheartedly and unconditionally, for as long as we shall live. Happy holidays, everyone.

Are you kidding me right now? You want to talk about these damn cups still? THEY ARE LITERALLY JUST COFFEE CUPS! Starbucks has never put religious icons on their cups, just silly holiday designs like snowflakes or snowmen. How is this an attack on Christmas? Red and green are the colors of Christmas, are they not? The cup is solid red and the famous green logo is still there, so I don’t see the problem. And we all know that Jesus Christ was not actually born on December 25. And why should we waste our time arguing over a paper cup? There are way more important issues going on in the world that deserve more attention than this stupid thing. What about the travesties in Paris or Syria? The fact that Donald Trump is STILL getting news coverage even though he is a racist, misogynistic bigot and Bernie Sanders is not getting the attention he deserves is heartbreaking. Children in Africa still don’t have food or fresh water. It’s the holiday season, we need to be spreading love, not hate. So grab your damn pumpkin spice latte or whatnot, sit down, and shut up. There are worse things in life and no one should actually care about this. So, Satanists rejoice and happy holidays to all.

Happy Holidays from the staff of The Marlin Chronicle!

Bri

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Ma

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Six Apple updates (and counting)

BY CYNTHIA GRIFFIN

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clgriffin@vwc.edu

I am an Apple fanatic. I have an iPad, iPod and the iPhone 6. The only Apple products I don’t have are the Apple TV and a Mac (which I desperately want but can’t afford).

When the iPhone 6s was first released, I was excited to see all of the new features that it was going to have. The first thing that I noticed was that there was a new color option: Rose Gold. I liked that the pink option gave women a more feminine choice instead of the usual grey, black or gold.

One of the new features that stands out about the phone is the new Live Photo option. When you take a Live Photo, it is captured with sound and movement. You can then relive that moment by touching any part of the photo, or even see it move if you choose that photo as your lockscreen. It’s cool to see a picture moving on your lockscreen when you click on it.

One thing that I love about my iPhone 6 is the Touch ID which opens the phone with just your fingerprint. As someone that went

that a huge upgrade. The Touch ID is my lifeline.

It makes my life 10 times easier and I think that it’s great that the iPhone 6s still has this great feature. The Touch ID on the iPhone 6s still gives you the option to use your fingerprint to open your phone without using a pass code, only with the iPhone 6s, the Touch ID opens your phone even faster than it did before.

Another cool feature is the low power mode. Now, when your battery drops to 20 percent, you can put the phone on low power mode which makes your battery last a little bit longer.

You can also get this feature by downloading the iOS 9 update. I am always on my phone, so the less time I have to part ways with my phone, the better.

I unfortunately am not eligible for the iPhone 6s this year, being that last year I got the iPhone 6 as a Christmas present. So, for now I can only look at them when I pass by the Apple store. But, next year I will be ready for the iPhone 7 and all of the new and exciting things it offers.

7

SPORTS

Thursday December 3, 2015 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

Hooping for another strong season

After making it to the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament last season, the Men’s Basketball team expresses excitement about having a strong season

the

DUGOUT Why do athletes get away with more than Greeks do?

ALEXANDER MCCOMB is a junior majoring in political science

Kayla Skeete |Marlin Chronicle

Nick Doyle rushes the hoop in a game against Milwaukee School of Engineering. The Game ended in a victory 73-59 with Nick scoring 6 points.

BY JAMIE CRAWLEY jjcrawley@vwc.edu

With winter around the corner, college hoops is starting to heat up, especially for Virginia Wesleyan’s Men’s Basketball team.

Team members say they are anxious to get back on the grind after last year’s season that saw them a few plays short of winning it all. As they come into the 2015-16 campaign, many analysts peg them as being one of the best teams in the nation due in part to the plethora of players returning from last year’s Final Four team.

With the games finally counting toward regular season tallies, many players say they are glad the season has officially started.

“We’re excited about it.

We’re tired of beating up on each other in practice. We’re looking forward to beating up other teams,” senior forward Nick Doyle said.

“It feels great to get back on the court with my brothers… finally take our frustrations out on someone else and come together as a group. It’s a wonderful feeling,” freshman guard Keijon Honore said.

The Marlins opened their campaign against Wesley College and controlled the game throughout. They were able to

reach a 19 point lead early in the second half. The Wolverines would answer, however, and pulled out the win in the final seconds of the game.

This was a tough pill to swallow for the Marlins, but the players say they are not letting it affect them.

“I felt this takes the pressure off our shoulders. There’s been a lot of talk around us with us being ranked number two, but now I feel like we can just play basketball and focus on us and not worry about anything outside of us,” Honore said.

“It was a big wake up call.

It shows us that we have a lot of little things that we have to clean up… we also have to bring it every single day, no matter if we have the energy or not. We have a big target on our back and we’re going to get every team’s best shot every game. We just got to rise to the occasion,” Doyle said.

Junior forward/center Kaelin Poe echoed Doyle’s sentiments.

“It definitely opened our eyes to the truth that we can’t expect to walk into every gym and expect to win off straight talent.

We have to be the hungriest team every time we step onto the floor,” Poe said.

The Marlins’ loss to Wesley

may not have been the ideal start the team was looking for, but the players say they realize the benefit of growing and learning from the defeat.

The Marlins came back strong, winning the Marlin Tip-Off Tournament Nov. 20 and 21. The team edged out the championship game against Averett with junior guard Khory Moore leading the way, pacing the team with 25 points and securing the tournament MVP award. Nick Doyle and Kaelin Poe were also named to the AllTournament team.

“I think winning this shows everyone is resilient and everybody has the same goal in mind of getting better every day…After losing to Wesley we learned we can’t accept complacency,” Poe said.

This year’s Marlins team returns a multitude of starters, but there is also a collection of new, talented young blood. The impact of these new additions was felt early on. Freshman guard Keijon Honore is transitioning to the college game quickly, netting 17 points off the bench and shooting over 50 percent from the field. He is also getting a large amount of playing time.

“I just want to do whatever the team needs me to do. My

coaches and my teammates have a lot of confidence in me and that helps on the court, but I just want to do whatever it takes to win, whether that’s cheering for my team or shooting the last minute shot. It doesn’t matter to me. I just want to win at the end of the day.”

Justin Watson, the junior transfer from Christopher Newport University, poured in a team-leading 20 points in the opening game. Freshman Daevon Brown’s impact was felt in the tournament championship game as he netted nine points and five rebounds in nine minutes of action. Sophomore forward Corey White Jr. stepped into a starting role, providing solid energy and a strong defensive presence down low as shown by his three-block performance against Averett.

Sophomores Kahlil Barnette and Kendric Washington are also bringing solid energy off the bench.

Currently standing at two wins and one loss, the Marlins look to continue to build off their tournament triumph and say they are prepared for the arduous campaign ahead of them.

Score Board Men’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball

11/15 Wesley College L 92-91

11/14 Salisbury L 61-57 11/17 Salem W 67-59 11/21 N.C. Wesleyan L 66-54

Marlin Tip-Off Tournament 11/20 Milwaukee Engr. W 73-59 11/21 Averett W 88-66

N.C. Wesleyan Tip-Off Tournament 11/22 Ferrum W 68-54

11/24 Salisbury L 71-60 11/28 Emory & Henry W 76-61 11/29 N.C. Wesleyan W 80-67

11/24 Mary Washington L 67-50 11/29 Roanoke L 74-69

Anthony Dellamura |Marlin Chronicle

FOR MORE SPORTS FOLLOW: @MarlinSports

Athletic and Greek organizations are similar in their social structuring. You have large groups of individuals with a shared identity. Those identities begin with one’s personal organization and then expand to encompass his role within campus life. A student is in Sigma Nu or maybe a baseball player, but they are also, within a larger context, a Greek or a student-athlete. You have both women’s and men’s organizations, which are distinct and autonomous, but intimately linked. However, what seems to be different is how these groups are approached for behavior correction. I do not think our institution is unique in this, though.

There seems to be a prevailing culture that believes these groups to be different enough to warrant different treatment.

If one member of a Greek organization does something foolish, then the entire organization can receive some type of sanction or punishment. This goes beyond punishments given to a house. It is fair to note there is not differential treatment in this case. However, as stated, a foolish act by a member of a Greek organization can result in the entire organization facing sanctions, where athletic teams are not threatened.

Punishment for an athletic team may follow the 50s-esque police approach of taking the kids home for a good scolding by their parents. A coach may make a player sit out of a game or make them run laps. I am not claiming that individuals do not receive their personal punishments from the institution for policy violations, only that any group lesson responsibilities are given to internal organizational leaders.

If a member of my organization goes off one weekend and does something stupid walking around campus while I’m home in Maryland, I should not come back to Virginia Wesleyan and be unable to have an event with my organization. Social probation is a common enough occurrence at VWC, and I am not attempting to speak about the right of students to social on campus or the right of the school to police its property.

A social infraction at VWC can result in more than social probation. A Greek organization that violates social rules can be barred from recruitment. Yet, if any single member of any athletic organization on campus violated a social rule and the team was barred from recruiting new athletes, there would be riots. And not without good reason. Barring an organization from taking a class of new teammates or brothers or sisters can be a stumbling block, if not a death sentence for organizations.

I am not claiming that the residence life office is mishandeling sports teams, or that the office of student activities is abusing Greek organizations, or that any leader at VWC is out to get us Greeks. What I would ask, though, is if athletic teams can be allowed to follow an internal parental scolding or grounding system for non-egregious violations, then so should the Greeks.

If there are to be claims that VWC values Greek life and athletics equally, it needs to follow that there is equal treatement.

There are valid benefits to the ways both groups are being approached, but there must be one established, universal method used to reprimand these groups that I believe really have more similarities than they differences.

8 The Marlin Chronicle | marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

AT A GLANCE Men’s Basketball

12/5 @Wash. and Lee 2:30 12/13 Chris. Newport 2:00 12/16 @Mary Wash. 7:00 12/30 Southern Virginia 5:00 1/2 Emory TBA 1/6 @Shenandoah 7:00 1/9 Roanoke 2:00 1/13 @East. Menn. 7:00 1/16 @Randolph 2:00 1/20 Bridgewater 7:00 1/23 Lynchburg 2:00 1/27 @Randolph-Macon 7:00 1/30 @Roanoke 2:00 2/3 Randolph 7:00 2/6 @Emory & Henry 2:00 2/10 Hampden-Sydney 7:00

Women’s Basketball

12/5 @Lynchburg 2:00 12/11 Methodist 5:30 12/13 Chris. Newport 4:00 12/30 Stevenson 7:30 1/3 Guilford 2:00 1/6 Randolph-Macon 7:00 1/9 @Hollins 2:00 1/13 Bridgewater 7:00 1/16 Roanoke 2:00 1/20 @Shenandoah 7:00 1/23 Randolph 4:30 1/27 East. Menn. 7:00 1/30 @Emory & Henry 4:30 2/3 @Methodist 5:30 2/6 Wash. and Lee 2:00 2/9 @Randolph-Macon @7:00

Thursday, December 3, 2015

No scholarships for Division III

Student-athletes at Virginia Wesleyan can only earn scholarships for academics, not athletics due to NCAA rules

BY MICHAEL WILLSON mnwillson@vwc.edu

One of the benefits of being a Division I student-athlete is the opportunity to receive athletic scholarships. Division III student-athletes, however, do not have that opportunity.

Division III schools, such as Virginia Wesleyan and the other schools in the ODAC, put more emphasis on academic success as opposed to athletic achievement.

The Division III Mission Statement on the NCAA’s website summarizes the goal to blend athletics into a student-athlete’s academic life.

“Division III institutions place the highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the successful completion of all students’ academic programs.

They seek to establish and maintain an environment in which a student-athlete’s athletics activities are conducted as an integral part of the student-athlete’s educational ex-

perience.”

Because of their strong emphasis on academics over athletics, Division III schools are not allowed to grant scholarships to student-athletes solely for athletics. “(Division III schools) shall not award financial aid to any student on the basis of athletics leadership, ability, participation or performance,” the Division III Mission Statement states.

Student-athletes at Virginia Wesleyan have mixed feelings about this rule.

“On one end, it makes sense that athletes who are not phenomenal in their field and will not be getting a career in the athletic field shouldn’t get financial benefits, but at the same time athletes put a large amount of work into their practice sport,” junior cross country and track and field member Dustin Ogburn said.

“In a DIII program, you can

still bring a lot of credit and prestige to your school, but you still wouldn’t be recognized from a financial standpoint,” Ogburn said.

Potential student-athletes need to be aware of this rule during their college searching process. This could determine which college they choose.

“Most (potential student athletes) know the division pretty well from research and from speaking with coaches during the recruiting process,” Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Joanne Renn said.

Student-athletes can certainly earn scholarships from the college, but they are based off of academic strength or financial needs, not athletics.

“All of our scholarships are awarded based on a student’s merit,” Director of Financial Aid Teresa Rhyne said. “Any student can request that we re-evaluate their financial aid due to a significant change in

the family. Some examples are death of a parent, loss of employment for a parent and large, unpaid medical bills,” Rhyne said.

There have been rumors on campus that coaches have worked with the Financial Aid Office to grant academic scholarships to student-athletes who do not deserve it. Renn denies these rumors.

“The coaching staff does not ‘work’ with the Financial Aid Office and has nothing to do with the packaging of any student,” Renn said.

In order to obtain academic scholarships, student-athletes need to balance athletics and academics, which can be difficult.

“It’s harder on studentathletes than people give them credit for due to the time commitment and physical energy commitment that people put into the sport,” Ogburn said.

Students named scholar-athletes

ODAC Rankings as of Dec. 1

Men’s Basketball #2

Khory Moore is No. 1 for 108 points and 18.0 points per game, No. 2 for a three-point score of 1742, No. 3 for a field goal score of 37-81, No. 1 for 16 steals Daevon Brown is ranked No. 5 for a field goal percentage of 60.0 Keijon Honore is ranked No. 2 with a freethrow percentage of 90.9 Tim Jones is ranked No. 1 with 27 assists Corey White Jr. is ranked 2 with 16 off rebounds Kaelin Poe is ranked No. 1 with 11 blocks

Women’s Basketball #11

Kelly Jones is ranked No. 3 with a three-point score of 15-43 Naeemah Morris is ranked No. 4 with 18 off rebounds and No. 1 with nine blocks Crystal Strother is ranked No. 2 with 20 turnovers

Anthony Dellamura |Marlin Chronicle

Here is a list of the top 74 student-athletes that were named scholar-athletes

BY MICHAEL WILLSON mnwillson@vwc.edu

Seventy-four student-athletes were honored at the State Farm/VWC Scholar Athlete Recognition ceremony at the Convocation Center on November 14. The student-athletes who were honored were students who made the Dean’s List for the Spring 2015 semester. In order to make the Dean’s List, students need to have a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

The student-athletes who received this honor are as follows:

Cross Country/Track & Field (Men) Keane Dye ’16 Spencer Hawver ’17 Wade Jernigan ’18 Matthew Kirkbride ’18 Trevor Maloney ’17 Hunter Melius ’15 Dustin Ogburn ’16 Trey White ’17 Field Hockey Samantha Jackson ’16 Alyssa Ochsenfeld ’17

Baseball Zach Bach ’17 Justin Erby ’17 Taylor Erby ’17 Casey King ’15 James Koonce ’18 Matthew Murray ’17 Kyle Piper ’16

Golf Cameron Kockler ’18

Basketball (Women) Cassie Conley ’16 Kelly Jones ’16 Nancy Kelly ’15 Kellen Phillips ’18 Kerri-Leanne Taylor ’15

Lacrosse (Men) Ruben Pena ’15

Cheerleading BreeAna Coleman ’18 Jeanice Reed ’16 Cross Country/Track & Field (Women) Rachel Lambert ’17 Tiffany Lennon ’16 Emma Phillips ’16 Emily Vial ’18 Mary Wade ’15

Lacrosse (Women) Catherine Amasia ’15 Jaquelyn Gabaldon ’17 Tianna Garland ’16 Kelly Jacobson ’15

Soccer (Women) Sherlanda Buskey ’15 Jasmine Dao ’16 Marta Deptula ’15 McKenzie Dowd ’18 Megan Gerhart ’17 Kristen Mack ’15 Cassidy Ramsey ’18 Madison Sanders ’18 Zoe Traficante ’18 Alexia Vassiliadis ’18 Brittany Wentzel ’17 Soccer (Men) Alexander Castelli ’16

William Cooke ’15 Blake Eshelman ’15 Jason Hoernke ’17 Robert Holschuh ’17 Joshua Kemp ’16 Connor Kirkham ’16 Brian Le ’16 Tanner Martin ’17 Joshua McNamara ’15 Andrew Mpasiakos ’17 Tyler Ostrovecky ’18 Philip Smith ’15 Austin VonVille ’16 Softball Taylor Galvin ’16 Allison Heitsman ’18 Amy Large ’18 Kayla Malkos ’16 Alana Peters ’18 Tennis (Women) Marissa Cifuentes ’17 Jaclyn Lee ’18 Hannah Parent ’17 Tennis (Men) Tyler Chang ’16 Griffin Graves ’15 Brendan Kelleher ’17 Andrew Tomajczyk ’16 Volleyball Amberlyn Daglian ’15 Rebecca Davis ’18

Thursday, December 3, 2015

The Marlin Chronicle | marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

9

“

When will it stop? When will the refusal to recognize that we are all in this together sink in? When is enough, enough?

RYAN BREEN

”

Britani Alyse| Marlin Chronicle

PARIS CONTINUED FROM FRONT The Lighthouse and the Center of the Study of Religious Freedom held a campus forum last Thursday to encourage conversation within our community.

About 100 people attended. Participants generally expressed eagerness to learn more about international events and to figure out ways to respond on campus.

“Many students additionally state that they believe that it is important not to punish Syrian refugees, who have already suffered as a result of the civil war in their home country,” Sewell said.

Another campus forum was held on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. in The Lighthouse.

Isis released a video on Monday Nov. 16, 2015 claiming the next target to be the United States’ capital city, Washington D.C. “There is a heavy police presence in Times Square, and U.S. Capitol Police sent security awareness reminders to congressional offices today [Monday],” ABC News reported.

According to News Channel 10, VA Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake and Suffolk are all on the ISIS Kill List.

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria published this report containing names, photos and home addresses of U.S. Armed Forces personnel, causing alarm in cities potentially at high risk. The Tidewater area is home to many military families making it a prime target for the terrorist group.

The Eagles of Death Metal, and American rock band, was performing at the Bataclan theatre on the evening of the attack where most of the deaths took place. There were at least 118 people found dead at the concert hall. Mary

Lou Dorio, mother of Julian Dorio, the drummer for Eagles of Death Metal, said that the members of the band managed to escape safely.

There were piles of bodies outside of Le Petit Cambodge, the very popular café in Paris where shootings took place during the attacks. CNN reported 14 people were killed at the restaurant.

Among the 14 killed was Nohemi Gonzalez, a 23-year-old junior at California State University. Gonzalez was studying design in France at the Strate College of Design in Paris. She was dining at the restaurant La Belle Équipe when she was killed. School officials say she was the first American confirmed dead in the attacks. The New York Times later reported that Gonzalez was the only American known to have died in the attacks. Another student was shot and wounded but was able to leave the restaurant.

Virginia Wesleyan students expressed many different opinions concerning the attacks. Breen said he was pained by the attacks as he realized killing due to terrorism and hatred will not cease anytime soon.

“When will it stop? When will the refusal to recognize that we are all in this together sink in? When is enough, enough?” Breen said.

Williams said that she is keeping three key things in her mind as she is studying in Rome.

“Don’t let worry consume you, some things are out of our control but we can control how we act accordingly, travel and learn as much as you can,” Williams said.

“

Ryan Breen | Marlin Chronicle Study away student Ryan Breen poses for a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower a week before the terrorist attacks.

Google | Courtesy A candlelight vigil for those lost during the terrorist attack.

The night was perfect. And then the messages flooded in.

STEPHANIE WILLIAMS

” Flower petals and candles for peace.

Google | Courtesy

THEWEEKENDER

PAGE 10

LIGHTS AT THE BEACH

Mike Hilton| Courtesy Colorful sea critters and holiday characters will be lighting up the Oceanfront.

The McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach will once again bring cheer and light up holiday spirits.

KERSTIN HOLMAN kaholman@vwc.edu

It’s that time of year again for the Virginia Beach Boardwalk to transform into a holiday adventure with a nautical twist.

McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach brings the spirit and magic of Christmas to Hampton Roads with decorative, colorful lights that illuminate the boardwalk. McDonald’s Holiday Lights feature lights shaped as dazzling fish, dolphins that jump through the air, dancing crustaceans and festive turtles.

These cheerful characters also share the boardwalk with Santa Claus, his elves and a 40-foot tall Christmas tree that towers over the beach.

McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach is the largest grand illumination display on the Atlantic seaboard. Old and new visitors can expect to see two of the favored and widely-known displays, the “12 Days of Christmas” display, in which a few of the fixtures stand 20 to 30 feet high, and “Fanta-Sea” lights which always

astonish those who look upon them.

Each year, over 25,000 families come to enjoy the beautiful displays. While driving down the boardwalk, visitors can listen to holiday music by tuning their car radios to a specific frequency.

McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach will be taking place on the boardwalk between 2nd and 34th Street, and will be open from Nov. 20 to Jan. 2. It opens nightly beginning at 5:30 p.m. The hours of operations are 5:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. All vehicles must enter at the main entrance at 2nd Street, and only cash will be accepted at the gate. Admission prices are $15 for cars, $25 for limos, $45 for motor coaches and $25 for mini buses.

On Monday nights from December 7 through December 28, McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach will be hosting “Military Mondays” presented by Liberty Tax Service. All military will receive a 50 percent discount. Tickets for “Military Monday” will be $7 per car.

DECEMBER 3, 2015

Topgolf

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 $35 from noon to 5 p.m. and $45 from 5 p.m to closing. So, if you decide to go with five other friends and split the cost, the whole price will come out to less than $10 a person no matter the time of day.

Because of the new location in Virginia Beach, Topgolf is offering a pre-opening Platinum Membership that comes with a plethora of benefits if the membership is paid for before Dec. 20, 2015. For $250 a month, the Platinum Membership provides the buyer with unlimited play at certain times during the week, a grand opening party and a 10 percent discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks, among many other benefits. You can also purchase gift cards which are perfect for the holiday season.

Even if your company isn’t interested in hitting golf balls, the atmospheres of the bays are meant to be used as social gatherings and hangout spots. There will also be pool tables, interactive games and other activities in the complex to keep

most entertained.

The foods and drinks on the menu are offered at reasonable prices, with most meals ranging from $7 to $15 at the most.

There is a wide selection of meals to choose from within various categories of appetizers, stacks, salads, flatbreads, burgers, sliders and desserts.

When the new complex opens, there will likely be more information on the website regarding tournaments, events and golf lessons, most of which are offered at other locations. If you are interested in a career opportunity, you can visit the website at topgolf.com/us/company/careers/ and apply for various open positions. You can also sign up for some recruitment events as well.

Topgolf will be a place to go to and enjoy with family and friends this holiday season when it finally opens up. It will definitely be a place to check out, and it will offer a one-of-a-kind experience for people of all ages and skill-levels.

Topgolf|Courtesy Pool tables are one of the many other activites that members can enjoy.

WATCH THIS MOVIE, YOU MUST Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be in theaters this holiday season to the excitement and desires of fans.

BY KIERSTEN NEWNAM krboyd@vwc.edu

The Star Wars franchise will release its seventh film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, in theaters on Dec. 18, 2015. This will be the first film installment since Episode III- Revenge of The Sith, which was released in 2005. Star Wars fans have been on edge since the film trailer for the movie was debuted on Oct. 19, especially since this Star Wars film will be the first one produced under the new franchise owner, Disney. Disney revealed the plan for the new film in 2012 when they purchased the Lucasfilm production company, adding the Star Wars franchise to their collection for four billion dollars.

VWC students and fans of the Star Wars series, earth and environmental science major Larry Morris, and senior computer science and math major Thomas Simmons, share mutual excitement for the

new film.

“I hope to see more diversity in the story plot,” Morris said.

The two friends said they are confident Disney will successfully capture the Star Wars film in accordance to the previous episodes. Morris and Simmons said the three most essential elements to be included in the film are Jedis, Siths, and fighting.

Morris and Simmons said they are unsure about the anticipated plot since little has been revealed about it. All that the public really knows is that the film takes place 30 years after the events from Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. The trailer also disclosed a possible location, what appears to be the planet identified as “Jakku,” for the upcoming film.

New characters Rey, Finn and villain Kylo Ren are going to be portrayed by Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Adam Driver. Other new cast members include

Simon Pegg and Max von Sydow whose roles have not yet been revealed.

Some of the most beloved characters will be revived by the same actors who played them years ago. Simmons and Morris said they are hoping to see the return of Boba Fett, Han Solo, C-3PO and Anakin, to name a few.

It has been confirmed that Han Solo, Luke and Leia will again be portrayed by Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher. The men behind the suits, Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker, have also returned to play everyone’s favorite droids, C-3PO and R2-D2. And what would Star Wars be without the famous Wookie? Chewbacca will be played by Peter Mayhew.

Amidst the new and old characters, there is a new droid who is receiving a lot of attention even before the film’s release.

BB-8 is modeled after R2-D2, sporting a similar head structure but with a round

body that maneuvers around like a spinning ball. BB-8 models are expected to fly off the shelves this holiday after the film’s premier.

With tickets selling out all over the country, Hampton Roads included, the film is anticipated to break box office records. Adding to the hype of the film, Disney and Google have teamed up to create a Star Wars app that allows users to choose “The Dark Side” or “The Light Side” on their Google accounts. Once the user selects a side, their Google apps and entire Gmail account will be tailored to reflect which side they chose. The app can be used with general Gmail accounts, but not for educational, government or workrelated email addresses. Fans can go to Google.com/starwars to choose their side.

Make your decision wisely, and may the force be with you.

IS THE IPHONE 6S WORTH IT? This review of the iPhone 6s and its many features should help you decide if you want to upgrade or gift one.

BY CYNTHIA GRIFFIN clgriffin@vwc.edu

Near the end of September, Apple released the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. More than 13 million phones were sold during the first weekend they were released. On the surface, the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus seem exactly the same as the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The noticeable difference this time around is that these phones are both slightly heavier than the older models.

These phones are also a little thicker than the old ones, but most old iPhone 6 cases will still fit.

One major change with the iPhone 6s is its speed. The Touch ID fingerprint sensor opens so fast that you no longer hit the home button to look at your notifications.

You can press the power button or use a non-Touch ID enabled fingerprint.

Per usual, there are a few new improvements to the camera. With the iPhone 6s, Apple unveiled their new Live Photo feature. With Live Photo, you can take a photo and turn it into an unforgettable

moving picture.When you take a Live Photo, it is captured with sound and movement. You can then relive that moment by touching any part of the photo or even see it move if you set that photo as your lockscreen.

Now, when you go to your photo album, you can search through your photo library quicker by hitting the new Select All button which allows you to look at multiple pictures at one time. You can now also hide photos from your photo stream.

The new iOS 9 update brings a lot of new features to the iPhone. The 3D touch trackpad text selection gives you the choice to turn your keyboard into a trackpad; this allows faster text selection.

You can press down anywhere on your keyboard to see the letter keys blur and your cursor come alive. You can slide your finger around to quickly move the cursor where you want it, or press down a little bit harder to quickly highlight text.

The 3D touch lets you apply different amounts of pressure to the touch pad to

register different input types on the new iPhone screens. Apple has labeled this new feature the “Pop and Peek.” Peek lets you jump into a preview of something with a single press. Pop, on the other hand, lets you jump into whatever you are previewing with an extra bit of pressure.

Another feature includes the new lowpower mode option. Low power mode gives you the chance to extend your full battery charge by three hours. With low power mode on, automatic downloads and app refreshing are disabled. The iPhone 6s screen also goes dark quicker to save battery life.

Apple pleased users with a new color addition for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

The original colors for the 6 and 6 Plus were Silver, Space Gray and Gold; now you can buy Rose Gold.

With the iPhone 6, there was an issue with the phone bending while it was in your pocket. The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are made with aircraft-grade aluminum so there is no chance of the phone bending if

you put it in your pocket.

The costs of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus were long-debated topics prior to their releases. The price for the iPhone 6s varies depending on how much storage space the phone has. When it comes to storage, you have the choice between 16GB, 64GB and 128GB. In the U.S., the iPhone 6s starts at $199 for the 16GB and goes up to $399 for the 128GB model with a two year contract with most mobile providers. Without a contract, the prices range from $649 to $849. The iPhone 6s Plus with a contract ranges in price $299 to $499. Without a contract, the iPhone 6s Plus can cost you $749 to $849.

With all of the hype centered on the new iPhone 6s, it seems like all of the new additions and features make it a pretty worthy buy. The new add-ons optimize the time it takes to get things done. In this world where time is of the essence, Apple continues to promise and follow through with iPhone updates enhancing users’ active, fast-paced lives.