The Stylus- March 9, 2018

s u l y t S e h T

2017-18

A student publication of Park University since 1895

Volume 123

ISSUE

#3

Visit stylusonline.org for online news and student blogs FB: ParkUniversityStylus stylus@park.edu March 9, 2018

17th annual Spencer Cave lecture at 18th and Vine

The Park University Business and Investment Club poses with Warren Buffet in Omaha, Neb.

PHOTO COURTESY/ Zartasha Sani

Park students spend a day with Warren Buffet, learn tricks of the trade Zartasha Sani Reporter

The Business and Investment Club at Park University traveled to Omaha Feb. 22-23 for the trip of a lifetime. Club members attended a question and answer seminar with business mogul Warren Buffet. They learned about his company, Berkshire Hathaway, and toured the original Nebraska Furniture Mart and Borsheims Fine Jewelry Store.

The process of meeting Buffet and being invited to attend his seminar started in January 2014 when then-undergraduate student James Jarrard, also known as Zac, helped restart the club and became president. Jarrard and the club officers at the time created two major goals for the club: to attend the annual Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder’s meeting and to meet Warren Buffet. Since 2014, the club has been “Club of the Year” three times, met with the past three of Park University’s presidents, and had several guest speakers to enrich their experience. While the club was ex-

panding and progressing, Jarrard began a letter-writing campaign on behalf of the club to get Buffet’s attention.

“The first point was going to the shareholder meeting in April of ‘16 and May of ‘17; that helped us become familiar with his (Buffet) companies and were able to learn about him by watching him answer questions,” said Jarrard.

In fall 2016, Jarrard revisited the goal of meeting Buffet by attending the annual shareholder’s meeting and starting his research. In March 2017, the club sent their first letter to Buffet asking to be invited to a seminar in April. The first few letters in the campaign, requesting the club’s involvement in the seminar were all declined. Nevertheless, Jarrard and the club persisted.

With the help of President Greg Gunderson, Jarrard began a more organized campaign.

“I wanted to show him (Buffet) that we were a serious club, and we had experience meeting with professionals, and we had

See Buffet on page 7

PAGE 6 In This Issue: News..................7-10 Opinion....................2 Entertainment.....3-4 Campus Life........5-6 Features................12 Sports...................11

OPINION

Page 2 March 9, 2018

Colorism covers more than black and white In today’s society, it often seems like discussing racial issues and disparities is restricted. Discussions of race overall are often viewed as a disruption of social customs. There seems to be three types of individuals when dealing with race: those consciously unaware of racial adversities, those aware of racial adversities and Dayana Plaisime those who say “they Editor don’t see race” or “we are all one race, which is the human race.”

But discussing race is important because racism still poses a problematic issue. Skin color matters. According to Seyens. com humans are visual creatures. The pigmentation of one’s skin is visible to the naked eye. It’s one of the things we see when introduced to others. And we can draw conclusions and stereotype based on that pigmentation. It’s called colorism.

Whereas race is a human classification based on shared traits and distinctive physical characteristics, colorism is based just on the outward appearance of one’s skin color.

Skin color can serve as an obvious criterion to differentiate members of a group. However, prejudice often leads this observable distinction to affect how society sees an individual.

These prejudices can be seen in how groups are portrayed in movies and television, and how they are treated by the justice system.

Historically, light-skinned slaves were deemed more beautiful and often received better treatment and fewer punishments, working inside versus outside in the scorching sun or severe weather. Even today lighter skin also plays a role in the concept of beauty. Lighter skin is often deemed more favorable or preferable to darker skin. This issue does not only exist in America. Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Latin America all hold examples of this prejudice as well. In Latin America in Telenovelas we often see Latinas/Latinos of predominantly European features play more meaningful roles than those who are darker.

In America, colorism is the result of deeply embedded racism. African Americans were subjected to years of oppression; they were hated and mistreated by slave owners. The treatment

of lighter skinned slaves made them see themselves and the color of their skin as inferior.

STAFF LIST In the media, the portrayal of darker skin versus lighter skin is pretty upsetting. Lighter-skinned women are often porEDITORS IN CHIEF: trayed as educated, well-mannered and kind while the darkEMILIE HESTON skinned women are portrayed as ghetto. Let’s take the TV show CICELY NGUYEN “Martin,” for example. Gina Martin’s girlfriend,, who is lighter EDITORS: than Pam, is poised, beautiful and avoids conflicts to her best LOGAN FREEMAN ability, whereas Pam, who is equally beautiful, is portrayed as JON HOKENSON loud, “ghetto” and annoying. Dark-skinned black women are CONNOR JONES portrayed as angry, over-sexualized and loud. Black women MAX MOHR DAYANA PLAISIME are often cast as slaves or maids in the movies. The portrayal of ARRON RIFFLE darker skinned males in the media is also problematic, as black men are often portrayed as thugs, murderers, drug dealers, REPORTERS: deadbeat fathers, poor and the list goes on.

SKYLAR BRITT CARIN BUBLIZ The representation of darker skinned individuals in the ABBY JEANS media reinforces prejudgments and stereotypes that negatively CHRISTIAN MCFADDEN impact and hinders the growth in African American commuZARTASHA SANI nities. While the media is changing by trying to show positive KALIE STRAIN images of darker-skinned individuals with movies like “Black FACULTY ADVISER: Panther,” it still has a long ways to go. Hundreds of years after KRISTIN SHAW slavery, colorism still exists. I remember having classmates from school tell me once I was really beautiful for a black girl.

Sadly, I am not the first to receive these types of comments.

People who make these comments seem unaware that it is not a compliment in any shape or form.

Although colorism has not fully disappeared, there have been improvements on how those with darker skin are treated and portrayed in the media.

Movies such as “Black Panther” and poems such as “My Black Is Beautiful” encourage darkskinned individuals to love themselves and not be defined

by European beauty PHOTO COURTESY/Everyday Feminism

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 3

March 9, 2018

Lorde brings magic to stage, shows love to Kansas City Max Mohr Editor Six years ago, Ella Yelich-O’Connor, a teenager from New Zealand, was flipping through a National Geographic magazine when she turned to a page where a baseball player was signing baseballs for fans. His jersey, in bright blue font, said “Royals.”

This was the moment Ella needed, where the inspiration sprang from, that drove her to write her debut hit, “Royals.” While the song itself isn’t about the beloved Kansas City team, it’s still incredible knowing how we played a part in the creation of Lorde.

Colorful. Joyous. Psychotic. Lorde used these words to describe her newest album, “Melodrama,” and if you haven’t listened to it yet, go do that. You’ll understand that these words couldn’t be more fitting, and she proved it at her show. March 3, 2018, will forever be the day Lorde came to save us all. This was her third stop on her tour across the U.S., and her second time in Kansas City. Her first time here, the lesser-known but still trendy singer performed in front of her fans in the intimate Midland Theatre, but she’d outgrown the small venue and moved to the Sprint Center. Somehow though, her show in Kansas City’s arena reminded me of watching her perform at the midland almost four years ago. She owned the space and was just as cozy on that stage. She grabbed the audience by our hearts, played for them, and then gave them back, bigger

and better. She enthralled us, giving the same experience to the people in the front row and the people in the back row.

She gave you the closure you’ve been yearning for; she gave you a shoulder to cry on. She sang the songs you didn’t know you needed. She expressed your heart’s deepest wants.

She performed with a very minimal set. With just a few dancers and a glass box that would lift from the floor to the ceiling, she kept it incredibly simple. The dancers would flow around her, as she drifted from each side of the stage. She was graceful, efficient and moved with such carelessness, it was like she was floating, and the crowd was all in. Everyone was standing, PHOTOS/Max Mohr screaming, singing the lyrics we’ve had memorized since Kansas City was the third stop of Lorde’s North American leg of the “Melodrama” the album was released. There World Tour. She lit up the Sprint Center’s stage with her shy smile and vibrant were tears; tears of joy, tears colors, giving the audience a show they will remember for the rest of their lives. of sadness, and sometimes tears just because. Half the time I sat there in amazement, her words, giving us a glimpse inside her colorful mind.

Lorde has synesthesia; her senses overlap and she can see in disbelief, that this artist who in a sense saved me, was her music. Her notes give off colors, the instruments all have a now performing for me. It felt like my show, like I was right scheme.

Her show was an artistic expression, and while other artthere on that stage with her, dancing, vibing to the music. ists express themselves through their shows, Lorde was different.

She blended in old and new, singing songs from her You felt like you were her friend, and she was giving life advice. first album “Pure Heroine,” “Yellow Flicker Beat” from Also, she’s 21. She can barely legally buy a drink in the “The Hunger Games” and of course her collaboration United States and she’s selling out the world’s biggest venues. with Disclosure, “Magnets.” When she sang “Royals,” the When “Pure Heroine” was released in 2013, she sang about life crowd went wild, and she said that in a way, she has us as a teenager, about growing up and making adult-decisions, to thank for changing her life. She empowered us with about getting trashed at parties. She represented what it was like to be an angsty teen. She truly makes it feel like you’ve grown up together. Maybe it’s just our similar ages, but it’s as if we’re friends from our childhood. She sang about problems that may not seem big now, but to a fifteen-year-old, it’s huge.

“Melodrama” came along after heartbreak, after traveling between countries for years and being alone but finding yourself along the way. As you continue on your journey, you’re going to face heartbreak. You’re going to feel alone, but she dealt with that in the best possible way. She created beautiful music.

As an artist, she’s one to watch. She comes up with new sounds, things we’ve never heard. Her lyrics are something you’d find in your mind’s diary; something you aren’t necessarily proud of or want to share with people, but thoughts you’ve thought before. She’s a poet, an artist, a writer, a performer, a light, an inspiration. The night did spend off our faces, but we found those “Perfect Places.”

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 4

March 9, 2018

Local coffee companies offer more than meets the eye Abby Jeans Reporter Coffee is an essential part of many a college student’s life. It fuels the long nights of studying and early mornings of lecture. But is the usual coffee order just not doing it for you anymore? It’s time to put down the Starbucks, unplug the Keurig and revamp your coffee life.

One of the many great qualities about Park University is its close proximity to downtown Kansas City, with its abundance of coffee shops.

The coffee extravaganza begins in the River Market neighborhood. Opera House is a large coffee shop that makes for the perfect study space. From high-tops to booths to couches, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to get comfy while you sip on a delicious cup of handmade coffee. If you get hungry while you’re there, don’t worry! Just head over to the grill where you can find a number of healthy food options. Decide you need something a little sweet after your meal? There’s a bakery to curb your sweet tooth. And if you need a drink a little stronger than the coffee, just head over to the bar where you can order anything from a beer to a coffee cocktail. There’s something for everyone at Opera House. When you go, give

the iced raspberry beret with soy milk a try.

If you know it’s going to be a late night studying, make your way over to Thou Mayest. Located on 18th street, this coffee shop will have your back for late study sessions as it’s the only coffee shop in town that is open until 10 p.m. Enjoy a chai tea latte during your next visit, and, while you’re there, check out their cereal bar. Grab a bowl of Cheerios, and don’t forget to add espresso!

Next stop is the Messenger Coffee Company. This up-and-coming coffee shop is located in the Crossroads Art District. This spacious cafe has three floors, one being a rooftop deck. As the weather warms up you can enjoy a delicious cup of artisan-roasted coffee while taking in the beautiful views of Kansas City. You’re sure to fall in love with not only the atmosphere and delicious drinks, but with the respect Messenger has for their coffee and where it comes from.

Holding relationships with farmers from El Salvador, Guatemala and Ethiopia, Messenger proudly shares on its website, “We never force a coffee to be something that it’s not meant to be – our farmers work hard to create great coffees – we are just the messengers.”

Next time you’re at the Messenger keep it

simple and try their vanilla almond milk latte.

If you’re looking for a coffee shop that is unique and different, Monarch is your new goto in the Ambassador Building in the Valentine neighborhood. The quaint shop includes a drawing room in the basement for events and parties.

Monarch hosts a number of events including book clubs and pop-up workshops. While you’re at the Monarch try their Wild Child with a splash of their delicious oat milk.

If you’re wanting to keep your coffee outings closer to campus then Headrush Roasters is the place to be. Located in the Village at Briarcliff, Headrush serves a number of delicious gourmet coffees. Their new-

ly-renovated patio and fire pit makes for a cozy spot, and, while you’re staying out of the city, you can still enjoy its beautiful skyline views.

Enjoy their signature caramel rush or mix it up and try the blueberry match bubble tea latte.

PHOTO/Abby Jeans

Spring break staycation ideas for college students Abby Jeans Alamo Drafthouse and Level Reporter Up Events are hosting a board Midterms are over and the first half of Spring semester is done. The long awaited spring break is finally here! With an entire week off of class there is so much to do in Kansas City.

This compete Spring break guide is sure to keep you busy.

1. Go for a bike ride. Grab your bike and enjoy a ride through English Landing Park. If you don’t have a bike or you want a new view you can rent bikes downtown for $3 per half hour. There are 41 bike share stations, so grab a bike in the River Market and ride all the way to the Country Club Plaza. The bikes can be returned to any of the stations. This is a fun way to stay active this break.

2. Board Game Night. The

game night Monday, March 12, at the Alamo Drafthouse. Hang out with friends and make new ones while playing board games and enjoying happy hour specials from 3-7 p.m. Specials include $3 wells and $4 beers. Feel free to bring your own games!

3. Day Trip. Grab some friends and take a day trip up to Weston Missouri. Weston is known for its beautiful countryside and wineries. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, bundle up and head over to Snow Creek and do some skiing or snowboarding.

4. Try a new restaurant. Be bold this spring break and try something new. Check out some locally-owned restaurants and,

who knows, maybe it’ll become your new favorite place!

5. Attend a concert. One of Christian music’s largest annual tours, Winter Jam, is coming to the Sprint Center on March 16. Admission is $15. You can also catch Miranda Lambert at the Sprint Center on March 17.

6. St. Patrick’s Day. The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 17, in Westport. Grab your green and be there! Following the parade will be food, drinks and live entertainment. Continue the celebration that night at Howl at the Moon in the Power and Light district.

7. Go to a Sporting Game.

Soccer season is back, and Sporting KC will be battling the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 17. You

can purchase a special St. Patrick’s Day pack that includes a match ticket, tailgate, food and three green Bud Lights for $42.

8. Paint a picture. Grab a canvas and some paints from Hobby Lobby to create a masterpiece or get a group of friends and paint the night away at Pinot’s Palette in Briarcliff.

9. Read a book. Skip Netflix and find a new book. Spend a day relaxing, and get lost in a book.

10. Top Golf. Spend this break enjoying the good company of friends and family. Get a group together and enjoy hitting some golf balls, eating good food and surrounding yourself with the people you care about. After a few rounds at Top Golf, enjoy some rolled ice cream at Freezing Moo.

Have a fun, safe and productive Spring Break!

CAMPUS LIFE

Park club heading to NYC Skylar Britt Reporter

After months of preparation and hard work, the Model United Nations Club is about to embark on their trip to New York City. Leaving on March 25, and returning March 29, the group of about 14 students will represent the African country of Mozambique.

Don Wise, an instructor of public administration, has been the faculty advisor of MUN for nine years. Every fall he leads the club to the National Conference in Chicago and every spring they go to either New York or San Francisco, with the cities rotating each year.

“It’s a five-day conference,” said Wise.

“Students are the delegates who represent an assigned country. This country is assigned by the number of delegates.”

Every day the students will meet from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. with breaks throughout. However, they are given a half-day to explore New York and Times Square, which is where their hotel is.

Before they put the work in during the conference, they must do a lot to ensure they are representing their given country accurately.

“Students do research on topics and committees before the trip to know what issues the country is facing,” said Wise.

“The committees and topics addressed within them are the same that are addressed by the United Nations on a current basis. Then they write a position paper to represent the country.”

The students don’t solely learn about different countries and cultures. The trip also helps them to refine their skills in delivering presentations and public speaking to a large audience. The student delegates, who are mostly international students, are also able to improve their writing skills as well as learning more about diplomacy and teamwork. To further their knowledge on their assigned country, they are able to have a pretty unique experience with those who know

a lot about it.

“We visit the Embassy for Mozambique and will meet for one hour with the staff and diplomats to learn firsthand the work they do and find out how they approach the challenges being discussed,” said Wise.

To finish the conference, a closing ceremony is held at the UN General Assembly room where the student delegates sit at desks assigned for each of the countries. There they vote on resolutions for the problems the countries are currently facing. With no country coming out as the winner, per say, they all have to work together in order to fulfill the goals they have set out to achieve.

“No single country is able to control everything when working collectively to further the benefits that help them all,” said Wise. “They have to find a common position and partner with other countries with similar challenges and desires. They have to work together. Cooperation is key to getting more of a voice when facing issues such as poverty, hunger, pollution, agricultural and economic development.”

While the UN addresses these topics all year, the MUN Club also works tirelessly all year long. When the semester first starts they begin about ten weeks’ worth of preparation. The 14 students fundraise year-round and volunteer at Sporting Kansas City games as well as other events such as Worlds of Fun’s Halloween Haunt. Upon their return from the New York trip, they will begin working on next semester’s Chicago trip. The trips are not just a fun travel experience but also provide many learning opportunities.

“It helps kids better understand how the world works and how countries work together to try and solve resolutions,” said Wise. “Kids learn how to cooperate and work together. It helps with many aspects of school as well as building confidence.”

Andrew Breckenridge, a junior computer science major, has been in the club

See Club on page 8

Page 5 March 9, 2018

ICM concert impresses

PHOTO/Day Plaisime On Friday, March 2, the Park University International Center for Music (ICM) Orchestra performed in the Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel at 7:30 p.m. with about 30-50 guests in attendance. The first performance was “Symphony No.65 in A Major” by Joseph Haydn. The performance was directed by Music Director Steven McDonald and featured special guest artist Simon Karakulidi. The orchestra’s next concert is Sunday, March 11 at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at icm.park.edu.

Alumni Hall needs help Max Mohr Editor

Windows without screens, wasp nests and poor lighting are among the things that have led to Park University’s executive staff members agreeing to tour Alumni Hall to assess the need for possible renovations.

While the building’s skeleton is deemed strong, the inside of Alumni Hall is in need of attention. Safety concerns are at the top of the list, according to Assistant Professor of Art and Program Coordinator of Fine Art Andrea Lee, Ph.D. Executive staff will tour the building sometime this spring, along with receiving feedback from both faculty and students.

It was built in the 1950s and has always been home for the fine art program.

“Fourth floor Alumni Hall was intended to be the main art classrooms,” said Lee. However, Alumni Hall hasn’t been

renovated since its construction. According to adata.org, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990, so an elevator wouldn’t just be a welcome addition, it would be a necessity.

Currently, students with disabilities don’t have access to the fourth-floor studio space. While the art classes usually held there can be moved to more accessible classrooms elsewhere on campus, making Park ADA compliant, many of the art supplies and equipment can’t be as easily relocated.

“We’ve grown a lot and added more programs. The art program has really grown out of the space,” she said. Programs like interior and graphic design didn’t exist when the space was designed.

While no changes are confirmed, the executive staff will announce their plans and thoughts once they tour the building later this month.

CAMPUS LIFE

Page 6 March 9, 2018

Poetry event at Park celebrates Year of Diversity Christian McFadden ing their most personal inner thoughts Reporter and wonderful experiences. Most of

the works were delivered in Spanish, so some of the audience cringed through the awkwardness when the room found itself laughing without comprehending the jokes and stories told by the bilingual poets.

One of the poets, Jose Faus, has been reading professionally for eleven years and acting for two. He spoke of how our societies have subliminal targeting towards ethnicities, in turn transforming “our fellow brokers, bankers, politicians, lawyers, orthodontists, officers” and other professionals into people that help young men fall into destructive The Latino Writers Collective hosted at the McCoy attitudes. His low and steady voice cracked at Meetin’ House. the right moment, loaded

Poetry or spoken word readings can be very different but for those at the McCoy Meetin’ House on Feb. 28 for the Latino Writers Collective event, it was simply amazing.

Park Professor of Modern Languages Sylvia Byer opened by describing the poets as those who embrace diversity, shar-

with emotion as if he was living through his words all over again.

“When you look at the targets, there’s always these gangsters right? There’s a bashing where the target is going to kill you or your family right?

Mostly male, but there always like young and aggressive, they will destroy you right?

Look at the world we live in right now. The things we suffer in the hands of . . .are the industrialist corporates, we are PHOTOS/Christian McFadden dying by them putting us out.

You don’t see a target for those Audience members heard poetry and prose in guys. Their behind everyone both Spanish and English. promoting the violence,” Faus “Events like this are important, edusaid. cate you, make you think, and understand Faus said he believes the government that there’s more to life than what we see,” is run by people who don’t want us to said Park student Jennifer Herndon. make it out alive or be successful. Fellow peers agreed with this notion.

Jazz, war, black history outlined at Spencer Cave lecture Carin Bublitz Reporter February 26, 2018, marked the 17th annual Spencer Cave lecture. This year it was held at the Gem Theater in the 18th and Vine district of Kansas City, Mo. Michael Dinwiddie, associate professor at the NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study presented “From ‘Bandana Land’ to ‘No Man’s Land’: James Reese Europe’s Musical Journey.” The name of the presentation came from a popular play released in 1908 called “Bandana Land” and the area between two enemy military trench systems in WWI which neither side wished to cross out fear of being attacked which is called no man’s land. The lecture was well suited for Kansas City. According to European History senior Alexander Ishmael, “Kansas City has always been a central hub of jazz.”

Dinwiddie began his lecture with the song “Castle House Rag” composed by James Reese Europe. When the song began the audience became engaged by tapping their feet and nodding their heads to the beat’s rhythm, but it also entranced Dinwiddie who enthusiastically bobbed his head along with the music.

Following the music, Dinwiddie launched into Europe’s family history. His father was a slave and his mother was a free African American school teacher who taught children to read music. After his father died, Europe quit school and followed his brother to New York to play the violin before switching to the mandolin and then the piano.

Dinwiddie then said when WWI broke out Europe was asked to be the regiment band leader for the 15th New York. They were commonly referred to as the Harlem Hellfighters by the French Army because the Americans handed them over to the French to fight. They were the first African Americans to see combat.

“I have a special weakness for the Harlem Hellfighters, so the parts where he started talking about Europe and the 15th New York and going over and being a Harlem Hellfighter. It was actually the Germans who called them the hellfighters first and then the French picked it up because they fought so fiercely, so I have a special weakness for that” said Debra Sheffer, professor of history at Park University.

The lecture finished with a great live jazz performance by the Washington High School Jazz Band directed by

Christopher Green. They played a few of James Reese Europe’s songs followed by some of their own numbers.

After the lecture everyone in attendance was invited over to the Blue Room, a jazz club, to enjoy local jazz musicians performing.

PHOTO/Carin Bublitz Washington High School Jazz Band directed by Christopher Green.

NEWS

Page 7 March 9, 2018

Buffet Continued from page 1 known about his businesses,” said Jarrard.

The club visited Buffet’s businesses and took pictures to show Buffet how much meeting him meant to them.

Jarrard also attached pictures from the shareholder meetings that the club had attended, as well as pictures from events with the University’s presidents. After sending a few more letters, Jarrad caught the attention of one of Buffet’s secretaries, who commended the club for their efforts. After Jarrard sent a final letter in December 2017 with a picture attached of club members eating See’s Candies (a candy store owned by Buffet), he received a package at his house within a week. Buffet had sent Jarrard and the club a book about the history of Berkshire Hathaway and a hand-written note. The note said that

Buffet would love to meet the club, but “had too much on his plate,” so he sent the book on his behalf.

Jarrard consulted StepUp coordinator Florenda Jarrard and a few others to consider his next steps. Zac, Flo, and the club ultimately decided to send Buffet a copy of Park University’s 140th history book in return and wrote thank you notes. Presentation is everything, so Jarrard decided to buy an Amazon box (since Buffet owns stock in Amazon) to ship everything in. In this final letter, Jarrard thanked Buffet and wanted to let him know how much he inspired the club and how the club members were getting involved in the local community. Jarrard talked about the diversity of the club and how it included not only business students but also political science and education majors just to name a few.

A few days later, Jarrard received an email from Buffet’s office; Buffet was so impressed with Jarrard and the club that he wanted to add them to his upcoming Q&A seminar in Omaha. On December 20, Jarrard received a phone call and an official invitation to the event.

“Four times a year, Warren Buffet will invite 10 universities, 20 students per university and two faculty members, and he will do a two-and-a-half-hour question and answer session, and each university will prepare questions ahead of them that they get to ask him. After that, Mr. Buffet has lunch with all of the universities and he gets a group picture with all of them” said Jarrard.

Park University was the 11th university added to this event. The Park Business and Investment Club attended the seminar with universities like Stanford, the University of Texas and UCLA just to name a few. Most of the attendees were MBA or graduate students, and one university had even traveled from China after a four-year campaign trying to get Buffet’s attention.

The group that went from Park included athletes, business students, StepUp members, undergraduates, graduates and many different majors. There PHOTO/ Zartasha Sani were women, ethnic diversity, full-time Zac Jarrard and Warren Buffet sit down and talk at the seminar students, distance learning and foreign exchange students as well. in Omaha, Neb.

“This is the culmination of something that has a bigger backstory for how we were able to do team building and become closer as a group and learn from each other as a group because of our diverse backgrounds,” said club secretary Timothy Griffin.

This experience was unique to students at Park and the other universities because it put them directly in Buffet’s environment, and they could hear firsthand stories from people who had worked with him for years. Buffet also provided his own expertise and passed down some important life lessons through the seminar.

“He (Buffet) is so humble considering he is one of the wealthiest people in the world,” said club treasurer Thomas Murphy.

During the seminar, Buffet was asked a series of questions ranging from business strategy to his personal views, and even political opinions. Buffet would answer most questions by providing anecdotes from his own experiences to make a point. What was surprising was Buffet’s focus on humanity and social responsibility. Buffet could have shifted the focus on how to be a successful investor, how to become rich, or how to get noticed and “make it” in the real world, but he chose to address the mental health and well-being of the generation being raised today. He stressed the point that if you have a happy, healthy personal life, that will reflect in your business ventures. Having a supportive and trustworthy partner, spouse or family makes a huge difference.

When it came to business advice, Buffet explained that the political disposition of the world and economic speculation should not deter future investors. He added that he had lived under 15 presidents and regardless of American politics, U.S. business is going to do “terrific” over time. He stressed that macroeconomics is not the most important factor in making a business decision.

Buffet warned students that they should not buy businesses to change them, but instead, buy businesses that are already intact and set up with management who is passionate about what they do. Building quality relationships are key to success in every aspect of business.

What started out as a small club with a big goal turned into a once in a lifetime experience. When Jarrard set out to restart the club, he had no idea it would take him this far. Teamwork, perseverance, and determination ultimately led to the club’s biggest goals being realized and Jarrard’s personal goals for the club being accomplished.

He hopes the club continues to aspire to bigger goals and would love to see the club start a campaign to meet Bill Gates in the future.

NEWS

Page 8 March 9, 2018

Students sound the alarm

Questions about Park’s safety raised after national events Skylar Britt Reporter Given the United States has experienced 12 school shootings this year; it may be a natural response to question safety procedures at Park University.

A majority of public schools conduct safety drills such as tornado, lockdowns, and fire drills periodically to educate the students on what to do in case of these emergencies. Some students have found it surprising to see the lack of safety drills performed at Park.

“Fire drills are all I’ve been a part of,” said Lana Jones, campus safety officer. “We had some volunteer training on emergency response that included practices to mimic real life events as far as saving people and seeing if they need immediate attention or if they can wait.”

“We are trained on what to do if people are stuck under heavy objects and how to tie a tourniquet and sling,” said Jones. “It was very intense on how to save lives and recognizing the signs.”

However, active shooter drills and training do not seem to be included.

“Since I’ve been here, we haven’t had any drills for active shooters,” said Jones. “Fire drills are the only drills we have.”

The Stylus did learn that a voluntary shooter training is online. Not a single campus safety officer is armed.

Park University resident Audra Gustin, a junior business management major, has experienced the few and far between fire drills those who live in the dorms encounter.

While many would assume these fire drills would be held at the beginning of the semester, or at least in the early weeks, the Copley dorms which Gustin resides in did not have it until the month of December on a very cold night.

“It’s not smart that we don’t have these drills regularly, but rather wait until the end of the semester,” said Gustin. “I feel we should have them about every eight weeks to be the safest. The lack of safety drills could possibly lead to the loss of lives.”

Last year, the tornado sirens went off due to a warning in early spring. Not having any training on where to seek safety in this type of situation, many students assumed to go to the basement, having been told that for many years. However, after the students located there and the sirens stopped, it was communicated to them that this was not the place they should have gone.

“If the tornado sirens went off right now, I would honestly not know where to go,” said Gustin. “I would assume the basement in Copley but from previous experience, I know that is not where we’re supposed to go. Supposedly, there is a specific stairwell we are supposed to go into, but we were never informed of this. We should have these tornado drills at least once a semester with an email or something communicating to us where to go.”

With these safety measures being as serious as they are, it is important to ensure that colleges and universities are being proactive to prevent any kind of safety concern.

“Safety should be a top priority, even with just a few drills every so often,” said Gustin. “With the recent school and mass shootings, we should definitely evaluate our safety measures. If there was an active shooter in the dorms, where do we go? What do we do? Do we just stay in our dorms and pray they don’t break down our door?

There shouldn’t be this uncertainty.”

An emergency exit in Copley-Thaw Hall.

PHOTO/Arron Riffle

Club Continued from page 6 for two years. This is his second semester as the vice president, and he has prior experience going into this trip.

“We meet some really interesting people and get to spend time learning about current events,” said Breckenridge. “It’s nice to be up to speed with what’s going on in the world and it is fascinating learning about another country and its culture. Going to New York for a few days is a plus too!”

Fellow MUN member, Stephanie Deitelhoff, a sophomore elementary education major, is rather new to the club but fell in love with it early on. Already the

club’s secretary, she offers some insight to those considering joining MUN. “MUN is a great club to join because it puts our world into perspective,” said Deitelhoff. “Our members are from all over the world, and each week we come together to learn about the country we’re representing. We learn to work together as a team and build each other up,” she said. “We’re a family. At the end of the day, diplomacy and peaceful problem solving will save the day. Those were the grounds that the UN was formed on and that’s what we strive for in MUN.”

NEWS

Page 9 March 9, 2018

Guns in the classroom: From professors’ viewpoints Skylar Britt Reporter

keep people safe.

“I don’t think the proposal that we arm teachers is actually a serious proposal,” said Lester. “I think we need to zoom outside any school or even schools in particular.

As America faces the reality of innocent lives lost in another school shooting, many There are many more guns in the United States than in other comparable nations. We are searching for solutions to the violence. One proposal of arming teachers with fire- need to make it more difficult for anyone to acquire a gun period. It also seems to me arms has been discussed, including by President Donald Trump. However, for some that any solution is really complicated and has to appear on a broad social scale which professors at Park University, it brings reason to believe it would cause more bad than is why I think this idea has been proposed.” good.

Okerstom suggested a detailed proposal.

Dennis Okerstrom, Ph.D., an English professor of 31 years at Park University, said “Schools can be made safer with a single ingress and egress door with sturdy locks this is “the dumbest idea” he’s heard in a long time. and bulletproof windows,” said Okerstrom. “There needs to be more background “It won’t work,” said Okerstrom. “If you stop and think about all the factors that go checks, and more emphasis on mental illness without painting them all as being viointo it such as training, money and securing the gun, it simply will not work. How can lent and the absolute proliferation of guns meant for one thing: to kill. Make the magteachers be expected to take down those who are armed with large weapons?” azines only five shots. Having more than this should be a ten-year sentence. Only have Even with the years of training and certifications he has earned through the Coast two magazines. No one needs more than this (ten shots). Let people have their AR’s Guard and law enforcement, the idea but restrict the magazines. This would go of arming teachers made him very a long way to reduce the casualties.” uneasy.

The survivors of the most recent school “There needs to be more background checks, and more emphasis on “I still would not want a gun on shooting, at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman my hip,” he said.

Douglas High School, have shown they mental illness without painting them all as being violent and the “People who are specially trained, want to turn this terrible event into a stepabsolute proliferation of guns meant for one thing: to kill. Make the miss,” said Okerstrom. “Do you realping stone to make a change. By speaking ly think packed hallways and classto leaders of the National Rifle Associamagazines only five shots. Let people have their AR’s but restrict the rooms are safer with teachers who are tion and preparing for a march on Washmagazines. This would go a long way to reduce the casualties.” not too comfortable with guns? They ington to happen in the following weeks, Dennis Okerstrom, Ph.D., professor of English may miss and shoot an innocent stuthey are striving to make a change on the dent or mistake someone reaching legislative level. for their cellphone as reaching for “The Florida students have changed a gun in the heat of an argument. the momentum and changed the beliefs Adrenaline can severely cloud your of people on the NRA,” said Okerstrom. judgment.”

“They have changed the conversation. People won’t apply common sense to the 2nd He fears that this will not only affect the students’ safety, but also their learning Amendment. What about life, liberty experience, which is typically the main reason students go to school in the first place. and the pursuit of happiness? People are “The dynamic changes when students know their teacher is packing,” said Oker- starting to be embarrassed by the NRA. I strom. “It’s insane to expect a teacher to face down a person loaded with a large gun. can’t even tell you how proud I am of the It is beyond stupid.” kids for not letting this go and for taking Some Park University students have expressed knowing their teacher is carrying action. The future is in good hands when a gun would put them on edge even if they were only carrying as an attempt to keep we have students like that. Something them safe. During a class discussion, a few classmates said it may be hard to focus on will change.” their learning with weapons in the class. Okerstrom also conveyed his concern on how Rather than hoping and praying easy it could be for someone who has bad intentions to sneak behind the teacher or something like this won’t happen again, professor to obtain the gun. the students are doing everything they “It’s a terrible idea,” said Park University English professor Glenn Lester. While he can to ensure that it will not. does not have any weapons training experience, the idea of carrying also made him “I think the marches are really inspirtrepidatious. ing,” said Lester. “I hope they enforce “I would resist any kind of requirement that I carry a firearm because I think it’s changes at the legislative level. It’s clear dangerous and the decisions made at a university should always be what’s going to help these students have really done their students learn and be successful,” said Lester, “I think this would counteract it. It would homework and understand this legislamake students feel unsafe.” tion. I’d love to see them holding politi- PHOTO COURTESY/Park University Both professors did not just criticize this idea of making teachers trained in educat- cians feet to the fire.”

Dennis Okerstrom, Ph.D., professor ing students act as armed guards. They also offered more conceivable ideas on ways to

of English

NEWS

Page 10 March 9, 2018

Park’s sexual harassment policy focused on improvement Kalie Strain Reporter The Trump administration, through Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, has decided to roll back Obama-era policies that give guidelines on how campuses across the country should handle sexual assault and harassment. Benjamin Zibers, Park’s director of student engagement, said that regardless of what the Trump administration decides Park’s commitment to making campus safe for everyone, “won’t be wavering.”

According to Park University’s annual crime disclosure, required by the Clery Act, there were four forcible sex offenses on campus in 2014, zero in 2015 and two in 2016. Statistics for 2017 are not available yet.

Amanda Bryant, Park’s coordinator for student advocacy, said that Park meets

legal requirements but “there are always always things to improve. He said, “We pieces to improve.” can always increase training and make it Bryant works closely with Park’s Cul- easier for students to find resources.” ture of Respect. Culture of Respect is a Zibers also said that the university nationwide organization “dedicated to should, “encourage students to read the strengthening policy to make sexual violence sure they’re not prevention and “We can always increase training violating it.” response on col- and make it easier for students to There are a lege campuses,” few things to find resources.” per their website. be aware of if Bryant said Benjamin Zibers, Director of student you or someone that an area where engagement you know has Park can improve been sexually is in reaching out harassed or asto online students. Park University stu- saulted on campus. Every employee of dents who take courses online are pro- the university is a mandatory reporter, tected under Title IX and can report to other than counseling center staff memthe university if they are being sexually bers Dustin Wall and Linda Waxse, Ziharassed or have been assaulted by an- bers, and Assistant Professor of Social other student or a professor.

Work Debra Olson-Morrison are also Zibers echoed Bryant in that there are non-mandatory reporters.

If a student chooses to report harassment or an assault there will be an investigation. They are not forced to participate in the investigation if they choose not to. The student will also be assigned an advocate that will be able to answer any questions about the investigation.

During the investigation, two investigators will gather as much evidence as they can. They will then turn in all of their notes and a timeline of how they believe the events happened. Then they’ll give their recommendation on what to do to the Title IX Coordinator who will make the final decision.

There are a lot of resources available for survivors of sexual assault. Know your rights by reading Park University’s Title IX policy. Additionally, the counseling center in Dearing Hall offers free therapy and can provide students with more resources.

Help exists for veterans struggling with PTSD

The disturbing trend pertains especially to Park University and its veteran students Dayana Plaisime Editor According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the suicide rate amongst veterans is 22 percent higher than nonveterans. This came from the VA’s comprehensive examination of suicide data – 55 million records from 1979 to 2014.

VA Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin called the findings “deeply concerning.”

These findings may be particularly relevant for students at Park University. The school operates at 35 military installations and serves many active-duty military members and veterans. So how can the issue of suicide among veterans be addressed?

Peggy Tice, a registered nurse and the director for Veterans Affairs of Eastern Kansas Healthcare System, said that VA services are offered to every service member prior to their discharge.

“The biggest hurdle we have at the VA is getting the

recently discharged veteran to trauma; reliving the traumatic come in for services,” she said. event; avoiding trauma-relat“The biggest hurdle we have...is In 2013, the Iraq & Afghanied stimuli; being bothered by stan Veterans of America Survey excessive negative thoughts or getting recently discharged veterconcluded that 30 percent of all feelings; constantly blames oneans to come in for services” veterans have thoughts of suiself or others.

Peggy Tice, Director for VA of eastcide. For many, these dangerous There are many resources thoughts stem from post-trauavailable for veterans who are at ern Kansas Healthcare System matic stress disorder. risk or who have had thoughts of The U.S. Department of Vetsuicide. erans Affairs estimated that 31 They may use the Veterans percent of Vietnam veterans, 10 Crisis Line: call 1-800-237-8255 percent of Gulf War veterans, 11 percent of veterans who and press 1 or text 838255. The is available 24 hours a fought in Afghanistan and 20 percent of Iraqi War suffer day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. from PTSD. Alternatively, call the United States Department of “PTSD is an anxiety disorder,” Tice said. “The diag- Veterans Affairs at 1(800)-827-1000. If it’s an emergency nostic criteria from DSM5: DSM-5 Criteria for PTSD the call: 1-(877)-927-8387. full copyrighted criteria are available from the American For students at Park University, the Warrior Center Psychiatric Association.” in Thompson Commons and the counseling center in Those criteria include exposure to death, violence or Deering Hall are available to help.

SPORTS

Page 11 March 9, 2018

Women’s softball winless through four games Kalie Strain Reporter

Park University’s softball team had a rough start to their 2018 season with two losses in their home opening double-header against the Dordt College Defenders..

The Pirates lost the non-conference match up 5-7 in game one and 1-2 in game two.

In the top of the first inning the Defenders earned four hits off of Park’s senior starting pitcher Shelby Bendure. Dordt College scored on a single hit to senior second basemen Annali Cleek. The Defenders picked up another run when Park’s junior catcher Madison Klein tried to catch the Defender’s Ashley Williams stealing second base.

In the bottom of the first the Pirates earned four hits off of Defender’s pitcher Tianna Top to tack on two runs.

Junior outfielder Kaylin Brooks earned a single and stole second base on the first pitch to senior outfielder Courtney Seymour which moved her into scoring position.

Seymour grounded out while moving Brooks to third.

Brooks then scored on a double by junior infielder Katie Carr to deep left center field. Carr was then brought home by a single by Cleek.

In the second inning the Defenders earned two hits and one more run on an RBI groundout to the pitcher’s

mound. The Park Pirates earned no hits in the bottom of the second. In the top of the fourth inning the Dordt Defenders earned one run on three hits.

The bottom of the fifth inning looked as if it might be Park’s time to fight back, with four hits and two runs.

Their momentum was cut short by a Defenders’ double play at second and first to end the inning.

The top of the sixth inning saw Pirate’s junior pitcher Kendal Cox come in to relieve Bendure. The Defenders earned two more runs, ultimately winning 7-5.

Game two was a tighter game between the two competitors. In game two, freshman utility player and pitcher Lexie Duncan pitched all seven innings and only allowed two earned runs. Dordt College got on the board early after a first inning throwing error. The Defenders wouldn’t score again until the third inning thanks to a single to center field. The Pirates began their rally down 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh after a single to left field from Klein allowed sophomore outfielder Mallory Hughson to score. Park would fall short, however. Their 2-1 loss dropped them to 0-4 on their short season.

The team’s upcoming home games will be a double-header against Williams Baptist College starting at 2 p.m. on March 16. The Pirates will also be hosting a double-header on March 17 against Freed-Hardeman University starting at noon.

PHOTO/Kalie Strain Junior infielder Katie Carr fields a grounder against Dordt College on March 3.

Men’s volleyball suffers late season slip in coach’s poll

Beginning play as the top-ranked team in the country, the Pirates have since fallen to No. 7 Kalie Strain Reporter

Park University men's volleyball team, ranked fifth in the conference, wiped out the Graceland University Yellow Jackets in a three-set sweep Thursday, March 1, at the Breckon Sports Center. Park led Graceland 25-15 in the first set, 25-23 in the second and 25-22 in the third, ending the non-conference game with the second sweep in a row for the Pirates.

Junior setter Andrea Maggio and freshman outside hitter FePHOTO/Kalie Strain lipe Santos each had nine kills Junior setter Andrea Maggio attempts a kill against followed by Hiago Crins, fresh-

Graceland University on March 1.

man middle blocker, who had seven kills. The Yellow Jackets’ Brandon Kampshoff had 12 kills to himself.

The first set started with the Pirates capturing a 7-2 lead over the Yellow Jackets, but then the Yellow Jackets started to mount a comeback to bring the score within two of the Pirates and for a moment it looked like they had it. The Pirates, however, kept them at bay and pulled out a 25-15 win for the first set.

The second set had a lot of back and forth scoring for both teams.

The teams were tied during the set a total of nine times. In the middle of the set the Yellow Jackets had a lead of three, making the score 19-16, but after a kill by Maggio the Pirates

came back to win the set 25-23.

The third set was very similar to the second with both teams scoring back and forth, providing a very competitive atmosphere in the Breckon Sports Center. The Pirates and the Yellow Jackets tied the game 10 times in total during the third set, but the Pirates always ended up in the lead. After an attack error by the Yellow Jackets’ Georgi Georgiev, which was blocked by Park’s Mario Lucas, junior outside hitter, and Crins, the Pirates pulled away and won the third and final set 25-22.

The next men's volleyball game will be on March 14, at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas at 7 p.m.

FEATURES

Page 12 March 9, 2018

Life after Park: Everything happens for a reason Park University alumna Sydney Heard overcomes life’s hurdles after graduation Christian McFadden Reporter What is it like to leave Park University and jump into adult life?

For some this question is right around the corner while others have already experienced it. Many Park alumni have helped, motivated, inspired and come back to the very place that helped sprout their growth.

To some, that growth is job or career, but for one alumna it’s more than just income after college – it’s an art. That individual is Sydney Heard.

Heard graduated with a degree in criminal justice. She played for the Park basketball team all four years as a

shooting guard. So how did she end up in an artistic field like photography? Why didn’t Heard pursue a career in criminal justice? During her school years, something happened to change her original goals.

While in school, Heard suffered a concussion that put her basketball career in jeopardy. She said it forced her to “look at the cup half full.” Then, four months after graduation she had a motorcycle accident.

The need for knee surgery changed what she thought was her future path.

In her time of need and desperation, an inspiration was born anew. This inspiration, in Heard’s case, was portrait photography.

PHOTO COURTESY/Sydney Heard Heard’s photography follows artistic whims, such as in this self-portait.

PHOTO COURTESY/Park University Athletics Park alumna Sydney Heard playing basketball while attending Park.

When this happened, Heard decided to purchase a camera and begin freelance photography.

Over time, she developed her own genre and started a professional Instagram account at @Sydney.Heard.

Heard takes her art seriously, often editing it for hours upon hours at her place in Long Beach California. That’s right Long Beach.

After college, Heard got a job offer on an island to work at a zip line, dangling from 440 feet in the air.

After this jump in adventure, her sights grew much deeper into her photography freelancing. Soon, a big name noticed her. That was Cordell Broadus, a son of rap artist Snoop Dogg. She took photos for him and his crew.

“It comes full circle,” Heard said of the

surprising encounter. However, positive developments in one part of her life meant letting go of other passions.

“Life was unpredictable, and I just stopped playing basketball,” she said.

“I loved it and hated it. Playing for the basketball team was an incredible experience for me and I made plenty of friends naturally because I was on a team and surrounded by athletes,” Heard said.

Heard’s photography business continues to grow. She will be returning to Kansas City for a short trip on March 13-20 to take photos.

“It’s more than just smiling; its people doing something different that conveys stories with creative vibes,” she said of her photographic style.