FROM THE EDITORS
For 25 years, Shield Media has captured the moments that shaped our campus, offered a voice for student perspectives, and trained students in media and communication. Each issue reflects the spirit of its time crafted by students who were willing to ask hard questions, celebrate their communities, and share their voices with honesty and courage.
This anniversary honors the people behind Shield Media editors who pulled late nights to meet deadlines, writers who chased stories that mattered, designers who brought pages to life, photographers who froze important moments in time, and advisers who guided and believed in their students
As we celebrate 25 years, we also look ahead The tools may evolve, the mediums may shift, and the world will keep changing but the purpose of Shield Media remains steady: to reflect the heartbeat of the student community and to give students a place to tell their stories.
Here’s to a quarter century of curiosity, courage and creativity and to the next 25 years of voices ready to shape what comes next
MISSION STATEMENT
Shield Media is the independent student media of Rochester Christian University As such, we are committed to engaging in thoughtful dialogue over issues relevant to our culture. Shield Media relates to our audience by providing them with bold stories that are intended to entertain, inform and stimulate.
Shield Media participates in Rochester Christian University’s faithbased mission, and believes that, as ethically minded journalists, we have a responsibility to engage each story with openmindedness, compassion and nuance
Along with Rochester Christian University’s Department of Communication and Media, Shield Media prepares young professionals for work in mediarelated fields by teaching and honing their skills in writing, reporting, graphic design, broadcasting, videography and photography.
YEARANNIVERSARY
Shield Media is a student and not a university publication. Views expressed are diverse, and of course, do not correspond to all views of Rochester Christian University’s board, administration, faculty, staff, students or other constituency
Isabela Placencia
Hannah Traczynski
SHIELD
STUDENTS EXPLORE
AFRICAN STUDENTS SHARE HOW THEIR BACKGROUNDS SHAPE THEIR EXPERIENCES IN MICHIGAN AI ADOPTION IN COLLEGE CLASSROOMS SPARKS DEBATE OVER LEARNING & FUTURE OF EDUCATION
CROSSING CONTINENTS & CULTURES, WATKINS FINDS HIS PLACE AT RCU
STUDIO ART PROGRAM BUILDS SKILLS & CONFIDENCE
ISABELA PLACENCIA Content Team Editor
HANNAH TRACZYNSKI Content Team Editor
Isabelle Goike Eli Hullinger
Hannah Mitkus
Ruvarashe Mutambara
Dr Carol Cooper
Lora Hutson
Darren McCullough
EDITORS ADVISERS STAFF
JAMES SAXINGER Podcast Team Lead
ALLISON SCOTT
Social Media & Promotions Lead
OLIVIA DUFFY Visual Team Lead
Joshua Nauert
Ayden Novak
Uros Pavlovic
Logan Pruden
Madison Smith
Shield Media: By students — for students
2000
Front page of the first Shield on Oct 5, 2000
Published the first April Fools’ Day issue then named The Shieldy See more on page 6.
2004
In 2000, former Dean of Students Candace Cain asked Lora Hutson to start a student publication for Rochester College. Previously, the institution produced sporadic publications by students and for students, but the effort was difficult to maintain on a permanent basis.
Hutson, an experienced editor and writer, served as editor-in-chief of her college’s newspaper and had worked as the newspaper adviser of “The Talon” at Oklahoma Christian University.
Hutson recruited students at RC to serve on the newspaper staff and conducted a campus-wide contest to name the publication “The Shield” was chosen as the publication’s name.
From the 1 issue: st
2008
A small team of seven students created the first Shield newspaper under Hutson’s leadership, and the group published six issues in its first year
Shield Media has provided a voice for students ever since, while also training students how to interview, report and communicate
Shield has added a website, videos, social media and podcasts to be viable in the 21 century. Students are mentored in photography, videography and podcasting by Dr Carol Cooper, professor of communication and media studies who has experience in broadcast journalism, and Darren McCullough, RCU director of development who has expertise in audio broadcasting. st
Young people's reading habits were changing and Shield adapted as well, transforming to a color magazine.
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Along with the Department of Communication and Media Studies, Shield Media prepares young professionals for work in media-related fields by teaching and honing their skills in writing, reporting, graphic design, broadcasting, videography and photography
Shield Media serves to train students with the skills and expertise needed for media and communication fields and to serve as a voice for RCU students
Nick Grifhorst 2019 Marketing Specialist Miedema Asset
“Being a part of Shield forced me out of my shell. Uncomfortable stuff for a socially awkward teenager, but a necessary lesson to learn for someone who now spends most of his work life communicating on the fly during marketing proposals and pitches.”
Andrea WalkerLeidy • 2005 Founder & President
Walker Publicity
“Being an editor for Shield absolutely defined my career path I started my career in journalism and then shifted to public relations using the tools I learned at Shield.”
Lindsey Baslock DeChellis • 2016
Philip Powell 2014
2008
Skye Donaldson 2018 Intelligence Analyst U S Army
“The hard and soft skills I learned from Shield and in my degree have paid dividends for me As an intelligence analyst, it is imperative I am able to communicate with concision and clarity by both oral brief and written word ”
Shield introduced its website with a launch party. Pictured are adviser Lora Hutson, former editor Andrea Walker, adviser and former editor Liz Fulton, editor Emilie Vinson, RC president Rubel Shelly and Rochester Hills mayor Bryan Barnett We also debuted our “We have issues” slogan.
Natalie Redmond Mikeska • 2016
Shield joined YouTube and started delivering stories via video
2014
Shield started producing podcasts, mostly about the university’s sports teams In 2021, Shield built a dedicated podcast space in AG basement
2018
2023
Shield Media and the Department of Communication & Media Studies moved to Gallaher West where the Media Lab, photo studio and audio studio are in place
Let’s have some fun!
An entertaining tradition for Shield is to celebrate April Fools’ Day In 2005, former editor and current adviser Darren McCullough came up with an idea to produce a satire edition, and he kept it a secret except for the adviser and one other editor On April 1, 2005, “The Shieldy” appeared around campus and created quite a stir
In 2015, adviser Kayce McClure and several editors revised the tradition and rebranded it “The Shallot,” a play on the national satirical publication, “The Onion.”
In 2023, “The Shallot” predicted Rochester University would be sued by New York’s University of Rochester. Oh my! We didn’t intend to accurately predict the future
In 2025, “The Shallot” transitioned to appearing only online with more focus on videos, podcasts and social media,
One highlight of our visual satire was in 2019 when Shield spoofed “The Bachelorette” in a series of videos, social media posts and articles.
HEADLINES THROUGH THE YEARS
Three students Taylor Isenberg [pictured above] Jenna Pomaville and Kaitlin Thompson — competed for the affections of bachelor Daniel Higgins in Shield’s 2019 spoof.
NEW ROOTS, RICH HERITAGE
RUVARASHE
MUTAMBARA Staff
Life at Rochester Christian University has been a mix of culture shocks, new routines and small surprises for African students navigating their new home.
From unfamiliar cafeteria food to winter weather that bites, these students are discovering how to bring their heritage into a new environment sometimes gracefully, and sometimes with a bit of laughter along the way
As an African student from Zimbabwe who’s only been at RCU since August, I was eager to hear from other Africans who’ve been here longer to glean their insights, compare notes and get a sense of what life is really like through the eyes of my peers
NAMES CARRY MEANING
In many African cultures, names aren’t random. They’re declarations: small prophecies spoken at birth A name might carry a family’s hope, a prayer or a reminder of who you are meant to become. You don’t just have a name; you grow into it
For example, my name is Ruvarashe, Shona for “God’s Flower.” My name reminds me of how God remains intentional with me Flowers are to be treated with care if they are to last, and I am His flower.
So when I met with the four African students featured in this story, I didn’t
start by asking what they studied or what they thought of Rochester winters though they had plenty to say. I asked what their names meant. Because before you know someone’s story, you have to know what they’ve been called into being
African students share how their backgrounds shape their experiences in Michigan
“My mother named me Deodatta, which means ‘a gift from God,’ because she had a high-risk pregnancy,” said Deodatta Kanjoma, a sophomore neuroscience major from Malawi. “I am a quiet person, but I love to help out where I can,” she said, embodying the generosity that her name speaks over her.
Sisters Nilla and Rianna Kanjoma from Malawi also have names that stand out Nilla, a senior interdisciplinary studies major, said, “My name means ‘princess’ it was the name of a very highly respected person in my family line.” She said her name describes her quiet confidence that surfaces when it matters most. Rianna, a sophomore pre-nursing major, said her name isn’t traditionally African. “My mother watched ‘Rihanna’ on TV when she was pregnant with me. She liked her song so much that she named me Rianna ” The song was the classic “Umbrella.”
Nilla Kanjoma
Rianna Kanjoma
Shadrack Onyango, a sophomore information systems and cybersecurity major from Kenya, carries a name with its own story and a few extra names to match “I have like five names,” he laughed In many African cultures, having multiple names is common, with each often carrying a specific meaning or family history
Of all his names, he only knows the meaning of Shadrack, which is intertwined with the Bible story. “Basically, I’d say it has to do with faith, courage and bravery,” he said Like his biblical namesake, Shadrack is determined and courageous
Shadrack leans toward sweeter American food, preferring pastries and praising the wide variety of flavors chocolate, vanilla, lime, lemon you name it. “With sweet foods, these guys can make the most absolutely delicious things,” he said
COMMUNICATION STYLES
For Shadrack, the cultural adjustment went beyond flavor and convenience what stood out most was communication “In instances where circumstances negatively impact them, they’ll voice that,” he observed of Americans’ directness.
However, that openness hasn’t always been mutual. “Some of them make fun of your accent,” he said, noting how difficult it can be to connect socially when people don’t take the time to understand
Deodatta also recalls moments of subtle prejudice, but said she appreciates “how
CULTURE SHOCKS & ADJUSTMENTS
The African students at RCU share traits of courage and openness that have helped them navigate the surprises and adjustments of life in Rochester. The biggest adjustments for the students were cultural and sensory, as culture shock comes in many forms
Food quickly became a lens through which to compare home and campus life
AMERICAN FOOD
For Nilla, it started with the cafeteria food: “Back home, everything has stew or spice. Here everything is well, bland but crispy?” She dreams of cooking her own meals, wishing she could bring the rich, spiced flavors of Malawi into her dorm.
Deodatta shared a similar struggle with American food, wondering why “most food around here is fried.” Being lactose intolerant hasn’t helped “I’m allergic to cheese,” she said, but this allergy doesn’t stop her from the occasional deep-fried cheese sticks treat from the Atrium Café.
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One aspect Rianna found difficult was the social atmosphere on campus “People don’t generally want to interact except within their friend groups,” she said While she values the attention students receive from professors in a small school, she laughed at its flip side: “Everyone can be in everyone’s business ”
Rianna experienced a different kind of shock: the cold weather. Long drives between destinations didn’t help either
CLIMATE
I was equally as shocked by both the long distances and the weather. Michigan weather is unlike anything that I have experienced It is already snowing in the systems work efficiently, and the richness in opportunity”
Shadrack Onyango
Deodatta Kanjoma
fall: very telling of the cold days ahead I dread the winter times, and everyone always advises me to buy a coat. Perhaps I will report back after I've survived my first Michigan winter, but for now, keep me in your prayers.
TIME
“When I first moved here, I was surprised that people were actually on time for things,” Nilla said “People are actually on time here,” she said, comparing it to “African time,” where an 8 a.m. start could easily mean 11 a m
I have also noticed how Americans are quite punctual. On my very first day at RCU, I made sure to be at least 15 minutes early for class When I arrived, it was already half full with eager students. I was shocked to say the least.
Another surprising aspect about time around here is how it feels manufactured. I recently experienced the impact of daylight savings for the first time I still don’t understand how it works Though, as an international student who traveled approximately 50 hours to get to Rochester, an hour’s time change isn’t all that bad
home-bound interests: he enjoys Kenyan artists, such as Sauti Sol, as well as genres house and hip-hop “I listen to everything from Burna Boy to Kanye, depending on my mood,” he said. Sisters Nilla and Rianna enjoy Amapiano and Afrobeats, while Deodatta dives into all African genres, keeping an ear out for upcoming artists like Crispi.
Sports fans, too, carry their passions across continents: Deodatta follows footballer Temwa Chawinga closely, and Rianna says she’d play netball if it were available here
FINAL THOUGHTS
DISCOVERY
Even small tasks navigating campus, learning slang, or calling home across time zones have layered their experience with moments of frustration and discovery. Still, through every adjustment, these students have found ways to make this new environment their own, carrying small pieces of home with them wherever they go
Music and sports are cultural lifelines for international students They connect these students to home no matter how far away they are. Shadrack has a wide range of
FAVORITES FROM HOME
Life in Rochester is a blend of the new and the familiar. “It’s different from what I expected, but I’m enjoying it,” Nilla said
Deodatta, Shadrack and Rianna share the same mix of challenges and discoveries, showing that home isn’t just a place it’s the heritage, habits and connections you carry with you.
Whether it’s food, music, slang or snow, their experiences remind us that adapting doesn’t mean leaving yourself behind it’s bringing your roots into your new life and letting them grow
When Cyrus Watkins came to the United States, he was following a dream A senior international studies major and student body president, Watki left Rome at age 17 to pursue college basketball and higher education
Watkins, a member of the men basketball team, is one of 42 international students representing 20 countries at RCU. Half Australian and half
Crossing continents & cultures, Watkins finds his place at RCU
Thai, Watkins spent his early childhood in Melbourne, Australia, before moving to Rome, Italy, at age 11. After graduating from the American Overseas School of Rome, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, for a prep year designed to help athletes find collegiate opportunities.
“It was during COVID, so offers were limited,” Watkins said “I didn’t have too many options, but I felt like the coaches here cared Coach [Quin] Rice seemed more invested, and the school felt different in a good way.”
Coming from Rome to the U S brought lifestyle and cultural differences “Rome is ancient with all this old infrastructure. You walk outside and see an 11th-century Catholic church It was history in real life Rome also isn’t super developed because they’re building around ancient ruins.”
When Watkins arrived in Rochester, he noticed how much more modern the area felt, with access to numerous stores and restaurants. In Rome, life was shaped by historic buildings, walkable streets and public transportation
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Here, daily living is more dispersed and heavily reliant on automobiles “In Rome, I could walk to get anywhere Here, you need a car because everything is spread out. Rochester has become home, but it can feel like a bubble because it’s harder to see the world outside campus without transportation ”
He also noted differences in consumer culture between
the places he has lived “America is very capitalistic It’s so easy to shop here My dad is really into books and tools, so he orders stuff to send to me in the U.S. and then I bring it back for him If you want something, you can get it ”
One challenge for international students can be feeling like outsiders “There are people within American culture who are ‘Americafirst,’ who believe that America is superior. It can be antagonistic like it pushes nonAmericans out in a bit of a way It makes it a bit unwelcoming of other cultures.”
However, Watkins said RCU’s environment has helped him find a sense of community and belonging. “There are a lot of really good people here, rooted in Christian values, who are naturally welcoming of others who aren’t in the general demographic That hospitality has helped me feel at home because it’s rooted in values that see beyond skin or color or nationality It’s in something higher a higher power I’ve really come to appreciate that about this school. Even if you aren’t Christian, you can appreciate good, openminded people ”
ELI HULLINGER Staff
CYRUS WATKINS
Students explore faith At RCU
RCU remains a faith-centered campus According to official institutional data, of the 1,262 students enrolled in 2025, most identify as Christian, with Protestants forming the largest group, followed by Catholics and a small Orthodox community
A diverse campus of faith beliefs & backgrounds
About 200 students consider themselves nonreligious, and a small but diverse group represents other world religions, including Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism
Chapel continues to be a space where the campus comes together two times a week This year, new leadership and intentional worship themes are bringing noticeable changes, some welcomed, some challenging.
While chapel attendance is required, students experience it in different ways. Students shared their reflections on the highs, struggles and moments that shape their personal faith journeys at RCU
photos by Brian Craig
is represented well by allowing me access to different opportunities to learn more about God and faith, such as the chapel and the Offering, and my friend’s Bible study. As a Christian, I really don’t mind that it is a requirement.”
Ethan Dinanath, junior financial planning major, Baptist Aurora Jacobs, sophomore theatre major, raised Methodist
Even though I think the majority of the people who go here are Catholic, we aren’t really represented. As a Catholic, we don’t really sing, for the most part, it is just scripture, praying and communion. Plus, chapel feel like a chore, wh do
I feel that RCU handles the representation of the Christian faith very well. With the chapel being required, I feel that it makes students learn more and hear different stories. It also gives us something to d
Adrionna Lambert, freshman nursing major, Christian
I have mixed feelings about how RCU handles the representation of my and many others' faiths. While I agree with certain things, I would be lying if I said there weren't things I disagreed with, such as how some chapels are run, how certain classes handle the Christian faith, etc. I like the idea of Chapel, and while I think it should be required. I think there should be an itinerary posted for each chapel, so students can choose whether or not they want to go, depending on the content of that day's chapel. There have been really good chapels, and there have been some that seemed absolutely pointless "
I feel that Chapel should be required by the school since it is a Christian university. It helps me grow in my faith and focus on Jesus. I feel like I am learning from the [chapel] messages and RCU has amped up their chapel game!”
Liliana Tasich, junior elementary education major, Christian
Olivia Duffy, senior mass communication major, Catholic
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Macayla Lane, senior psychology major, agnostic
I am not the biggest fan of being expected to go to an event that is all about religion. As a senior, my time is valuable and I am a very bus work and t fee ed to par
Brooke Cicero, junior business management, Christian
I think RCU does a great job representing my faith by fostering an inclusive environment that welcomes a variety of perspectives and beliefs I actually kind of enjoy that chapel is required; it creates a fun and meaningful social environment. It also offers a chance to pause and reflect in the middle of a busy week.”
Shahd Ali Bakkar, junior biology major, Muslim
Alyssa Swanson, sophomore marketing major, Christian
options to people. I think they could do a better job making it more scripture-based."
Eli Hullinger, junior mass communication major, Northern Baptist Association
A.i In the classroom
HANNAH TRACZYNSKI Editor
Artificial intelligence continues to reshape college classrooms, leaving faculty and students grappling with how far the technology should be used in academics.
AI
adoption in college classrooms sparks debate over learning & future of education
As universities explore the benefits of AI, some professors see it as a necessary tool for future careers, while others worry it undermines the very purpose of higher education
According to a January 2025 APA Monitor report, AI is now used in both instruction and support services, with institutions increasingly turning to chatbots, automated tutoring and tools that assist with writing and accessibility
Education leaders argue that students need familiarity with the technology to thrive in a digital workforce At the same time, organizations like Schools That Lead caution that relying too heavily on AI can eclipse essential human skills, such as critical thinking and collaboration
At RCU, the ongoing conversation reflects those national concerns. Kendra Corman, chair of the Department of Management and Marketing, believes AI has become “an essential tool” in business and should be treated as such in college. “We have to make sure that our students graduate with the skills on how to use it and how to leverage it the right way,” she said. “Or we’re doing you a disservice because it is in the business world ” Corman said she encourages responsible use by requiring transparency in
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AI-generated work. Students are required to submit prompts, results and reflections when assignments involve AI “AI is a tool,” she said. “It should take your ideas and make them better.”
She also sees equity benefits International students whose first language is not English have seen improvement when AI helps them refine grammar and clarity “Now they're actually getting graded on their ideas rather than losing points because English is their second language,” she said.
Despite these positives, Corman acknowledges the challenges. Students can take shortcuts more easily, and issues of academic honesty remain But she maintains that students who want to avoid learning have always found ways around work. She structures her courses to require personal interaction videos, in-person presentations and group discussions in ways AI can’t easily replace. “Those soft skills are so important. I challenge my students to think differently ”
Looking ahead five years, Corman expects AI to be embedded in every classroom but believes the most human elements of education will become even more valuable. “The more personal and personalized, the less AIcreated that’s going to be the bigger differentiato
Not all professors share her optimism
hnology s broader equences
. f t e. e or
ing, there’s no place for ning that writing and cognitive processes that “You think by writing. m short-circuits your
He has noticed an increase in AI-assisted assignments and enforces a strict policy: suspected AI-generated work receives a zero, though students can rewrite for credit. For him, that correction process is a key opportunity to help students learn why the choice matters
Walters sees academic work as personal development, not just output. “If all you do is type a prompt into something and get an answer, then there’s no point in pursuing education,” he said.
While he agrees policies can vary from professor to professor, Walters believes universities must carefully consider the implications before adopting AI widely. “We shouldn’t just be expecting people to use these tools because they exist,” he said “That’s a choice.”
His concerns also extend far outside the classroom Walters fears AI development is driven by powerful companies seeking to eliminate labor. If workplace roles diminish, he worries the value of a college degree and human creativity could be threatened Educators may one day see their own jobs on the line, he said.
Even for those open to using AI, ethical debates continue. The APA Monitor report notes concerns such as data privacy, algorithmic bias and misinformation in automated responses. Schools That Lead emphasizes that educators should balance AI adoption with opportunities that strengthen interpersonal learning and community connection.
Students themselves are caught in the middle of change. Corman said some feel discouraged when restricted from using tools they know exist. Others, like Walters, notice a decline in student-instructor interaction as young people rely more on digital answers than on asking questions.
There is no consensus yet on where AI belongs in higher education What is clear is that universities must balance innovation with intention.
AI may assist students in writing better sentences, translating communication in real time, or generating ideas more efficiently. But both professors agree that humanity, whether through creativity, problem-solving, or personal connection, must remain at the center of education
“I don’t think it’s going away,” Corman said “That’s why I’m passionate about using it in the classroom.”
Walters agrees the future is uncertain, but argues that ambiguity is exactly why decisions must be made thoughtfully. “Nothing is inevitable,” he said “We can think through these things We still get a say in what education looks like.”
As colleges navigate the rapidly evolving technology, one question continues to surface: What should learning look like in an age when answers are only a prompt away?
ISABELA PLACENCIA Editor
Studio art program builds skills & confidence through hands-on learning
Rochester Christian University’s art program ltiple studio art classes, primarily Professor Kris Schaedig, designed udents advance their art skills or art minor or concentration.
o this thinking that anyone can learn these skills, and it’s my job to bring that out to people,” Schaedig said, when discussing her teaching philosophy regarding art She brings this attitude to all her studio art classes: Fundamentals of Drawing and Composition, Painting I and 2, and Ceramics 1 and 2
Fundamentals of Drawing and Composition entails working with graphite and charcoal to create line art from real-life observation, Schaedig said In tandem with observational art, students learn how to achieve the correct proportion alongside perspective.
“We learn about value, lights and darks, and composition,” Schaedig said, Students also learn how to set things up on the page, she said
In Painting 1, Schaedig teaches her students how to use colors effectively, including how to mix colors and create brushstrokes. Schaedig also prefers her students to work from still-life set-ups as "photographs are just not the same ” In relation to color, Schaedig assists students in matching their subjects’ colors to achieve accurate stilllife portraits For fun, Schaedig also might throw in watercolor techniques
Painting 2 is an advanced art class geared toward students who have completed Painting 1. What separates the two is that students must select a theme to use as a guide for completing four paintings throughout the semester Students are challenged to develop and create a cohesive series of paintings to refine their technical skills.
In Ceramics 1, Schaedig instructs students how to manipulate clay to their advantage through multiple clay sculpting techniques: pinching, coiling and slab work First, Schaedig teaches her students the basics, including reviewing tools and clay preparation techniques, such as wedging In the pottery world, wedging refers to the process of hand-kneading clay to remove air bubbles. Failure to do so will result in a clay sculpture’s combustion in the kiln
Students also work with glaze, which is essentially paint for clay. Schaedig encourages students to experiment with glaze colors by mixing them or testing
Two types of firing exist A clay sculpture must be bisque-fired before it is glazed Then, glaze firing gives the ceramic sculpture its final appearance. The turnout depends on the type of glaze used by the student
Similar to the painting class Ceramics 2 involves student building off what they learn in Ceramics 1 while using a theme as a guide. Since this is an advanced class, Schaedig expects her Ceramics 2 students to get comfortable with the pottery wheel, which is a clay-sculpting machine with a spinning platform to help form vessels
“I learn just as much from my students as they learn from me.”
Schaedig believes all students regardless of their major can benefit from learning art “You can learn something called transferable skills,” Schaedig said
Kris Schaedig
different way” In addition to a newly found perspective, she said making art can invoke persistence
Despite RCU’s small size, Schaedig said her art space and location give the studio art programs more advantages than isadvantages Schaedig teaches her studio art classes in the Gatehouse and Gallaher Center.
Both of these locations are on the west side of campus, surrounded by the woods and Lake Norcentra. Schaedig said the nature-oriented locations “fuel the creativity” She takes her drawing students outside to find materials, such as branches and leaves, to use as inspiration. Ceramic students might also look for rocks to add texture to their sculptures
Another advantage of a small art program is that it allows Schaedig to follow students’ creative growth, since she is the only studio art professor Plus, RCU’s small campus makes it easier to see familiar faces.
“I like the cohesiveness that everybody has here,” she said “I mean you walk across campus and you see like five people you know.” She said the cohesiveness translates well into the studio art program, in that her students learn from one another creatively through collaboration.
Most importantly, Schaedig said she wants her students to understand that art does not revolve around perfection; it’s OK when their art doesn’t turn out as planned. “If you look at any artist’s work who’s an important artist, you’re not seeing all the stuff they threw away. You see the best,” Schaedig said. She encourages students not to compare but to strive to do their best in their artistic endeavors
Pottery Wheel
warrior wire
Alspaugh competes for RCU men’s baseball Here is his story in his own words
I am originally from Lansing, Michigan, but chose to play baseball and study business administration at Trine University. After one year there, I realized it wasn’t a good fit for me I entered the transfer portal and was recruited to RCU, and I fell in love with the place on my first visit.
RCU’s baseball program is the best thing that has ever happened to me. My first year here, almost four years ago, we boasted the worst record in school history That was very difficult for me, coming from winning programs, but it was also a blessing to be a main part in the rebuilding process of what is now a successful program with so much upside
Watching a program be built from the ground up right in front of me, and being a main pillar in the foundation of the growth, is important and almost sacred to me. The satisfaction that I get from watching hard work finally pay off is one of the best gifts I could ask for
My mentors have been Head Baseball Coach Scott Kunert and the rest of the coaching staff Since I am not near my home, Kunert serves not only as a coach but as a father figure for me and so many others on the team
This community has changed my life, and I have actively watched it change the lives of many people around me I watched my roommate get baptized at this school I have made connections with people in the community that will last a lifetime, and I have found so much pleasure in engaging with the community. I have volunteered in Pontiac with Warriors Serve, volunteered with Blake’s Cider Mill, and experienced so many more opportunities, I never would have had at another university.
I have learned so much about myself here. I learned how to be humble and kind, but also how to truly be a man My whole life has evolved around this school and the program I came here as a somewhat lost teenager with a 2.6 GPA and will be leaving this spring as an engaged man, with a 3 9 GPA and a threeyear team captain.
If I was to give advice to any other student athlete at RCU, I would say to cherish what you have, because these are the best years of your life. I was told these same words at my high school graduation party, but I brushed them off.
I did not think these years could truly go by in the blink of an eye; however, I was wrong. I have made memories here that will stay with me forever One of my favorite stories from this school was my coach telling our team that he was having a baby. At that point, it didn’t feel like a random team, it felt more like a brotherhood that I was blessed enough to be a part of. My future plans are to continue my baseball aspirations to the next level and follow my dreams
Aiden Alspaugh
