The Tabor View | February 2021

THE

TABOR VIEW FEBRUARY 2021

INSIDE: Black History of Tabor African American History Class Campus Housing Update Cabin Fever Days

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 4 5 6-7

Upcoming Spring Events Tabor’s Alumni Lead the Way Black History at Tabor Sports Updates

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Sports Updates Cont., CRC Traffic

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Tabor Shines at DECA

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Black History Month Profiles

12

African American History Class

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Student Housing Update

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Cabin Fever Days

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Student Senate Update

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STUDENT VIEW

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Upcoming Spring Events Volleyball

Men's Soccer

Tue, Feb. 23 Sat, Feb. 27 Sat, Feb. 27

vs. York College @ Ottawa University @ Oklahoma Wesleyan

Sat, March 6 Sat, March 6

@ Bethel College @Avila Universtiy

7 p.m.

2 p.m.

4 p.m.

Bartlesville, Okla.

3 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Sat, Feb. 27 Sat, Feb. 27 Thu, March 4 Sat, March 13 Sat, March 20 Sat, March 27

vs. McPherson College vs. McPherson College vs. Colorado Christian vs. University of St. Mary vs. Bethel College vs. Friends University

Sat, Feb. 27

@ Universtiy of St. Mary

2 p.m.

4 p.m.

7 p.m.

6 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

Kansas City, Mo.

Wed, March 10 Sat, March 20

vs. Ottawa University @ University of St. Mary

7 p.m.

3 p.m.

Women's Soccer

Wichita, Kan.

Football Sat, March 13 Sat, March 20

vs. Bethell College @ Ottawa Universtiy

1 p.m.

1 p.m.

Ottawa, Kan.

Sat, April 3 Sat, April 10

3:30 p.m.

Leavenworth, Kan.

vs. Kansas Wesleyan @ Sterling College

1 p.m.

TBA

Sterling, Kan.

Tue, March 2 Sun, March 7 Wed, March 10

vs. Ottawa Universtiy vs. Dakota Wesleyan @ Bethany College

Sat, March 13

@Oklahoma Wesleyan

Lindsborg, Kan.

5 p.m.

Bartlesville, Okla.

Sat, March 20 Wed, March 24

vs. Bethel College vs. McPherson College

"Sweetheart Come" -- Spring Theatre Production: In-person & Streaming Options Available Thursday, Feb. 25 - Saturday, Feb. 27 Sunday, Feb. 28

7:30 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

Tabor Symphonic Band Winter Conert Saturday, March 13

7 p.m.

Spring Choir Tour Home Concert Monday, March 22

6 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

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Tabor’s Alumni Lead the Way

by Tyrel Haynes

Tabor College graduates Donya Anderson and Christopher “Chris” Williams have been leaders for African American students on Tabor’s campus.

Anderson, who is from Ardmore, Okla., and Williams from Jackson, Miss., have grown up in two different cultural areas. Anderson grew up in a town that was diverse while Williams grew up in a town that was predominantly Black.

Looking back into her early years, Anderson said she realized that she had to try harder than others to get noticed. As a Black woman, she said she believes that she cannot show emotion because her colleagues are judging her. Working in a predominantly white environment, she believes that she must keep her emotions in check. Anderson said she loves the BLM movement that happened over the summer of 2020

Anderson and Williams said they see a lack of leadership spanning from students and professors on this campus. Tabor has been trying to become more diverse, but there is a struggle with attracting students here because Hillsboro doesn’t have a lot to offer. Also, they realize that African American students struggle to stay here because Black families are pushing the idea of going to college.

Anderson and Williams both grew up in a family that did not push college. They both like the idea of Tabor College creating a minority scholarship.

The goal of the minority scholarship would be to help minority students pay for school. In the hope of making Tabor College more diverse, a minority scholarship could be a start.

because of the bigger picture of equal rights for Blacks.

On the other hand, Williams grew up with a dad who was a police officer and was brought up not fearing cops. The struggle he faced growing up was not having the same opportunities as his counterparts. As he has grown older, Williams said he has been able to see the hidden racism that he overlooked.

Donya Anderson and Chris Williams, Tabor Alumni

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Black History of Tabor

by Shea Sutherland

Students, faculty and staff of varying backgrounds

recruiting Black students by serving as the Minority

have come and gone since the founding of Tabor

Service coordinator, calling for their representation

College in 1908.

on Student Senate, and assisting Tabor’s first Multicultural Student Union in 1977.

“The first Black students at Tabor came from the North Carolina Mennonite Brethren District Conference in 1944 and 1945,” said Peggy Goertzen,

“Donald and his wife, Helen, were dearly loved and influential,” said Goertzen.

director and archivist of the Center of Mennonite Brethren Studies. “Some of their names include

Govan’s impact laid a path for future students and

Wyoming Horton, Lily Mae Jackson and Leroy

staff to have influence as well, for example, a student

Hartso.”

named Jim Elam.

In honor of Black History Month, there are several individuals of color that have had great influence

Goertzen said Elam was originally recruited to play football and found the Lord his freshman year.

throughout Tabor’s history.

Elam later returned to Tabor, where he put his Morris Hatton is one particular individual--a past

calling from God into action. He served as the

music major and singer under the direction of Paul

assistant dean of students, men’s resident director,

Wohlgemuth, Hatton graduated in 1972.

assistant football coach and MSU adviser.

Goertzen said Hatton was later appointed to the Tabor College Board of Directors, serving from 2003

“Jim encompassed a strong testimony that allowed him to relate well to others,” said Goertzen.

to 2007.

Jim Elam, Morris Hatton and Donald Govan have Five years after Hatton’s graduation, Donald Govan made history as the first Black faculty member in 1977. Govan played a large role in

left a mark on Tabor’s history, along with so many others, shaping today’s students, faculty and staff.

SPORTS UPDATES Women’s Basketball Update

by Destiny Cooper Varsity women’s basketball dropped a 50-45 loss to Kansas Wesleyan Feb. 10.

Highlight player Sammy Jo Peterson “came off the bench with a lot of energy and passion,” said assistant coach Kate Brickell. Peterson’s efforts helped her team stay in the fight against KWU. One way the team plans to build off this loss is continuing to play with a sense of urgency, knowing that every game is important, Brickell said.

The players continue to excel at playing the explosive defense they bring to the court, she added.

The JV women sealed a 60-47 win over Kansas Wesleyan. Their post players-Sara Yutzy, Allie Ostermann and Jordyn Lowrie--were the spark and strength of the team against KWU, said Brickell. Also, they will continue to dominate sharing the ball, running the floor, and finding the open player.

Men’s Basketball Update

by Tyrel Haynes With one last game remaining in the season, the Tabor College men’s basketball team went three out of five in the month of February with big wins against Kansas Wesleyan, Southwestern and Friends. Currently the team is in sixth place with two games behind McPherson for fifth place.

The team has made a big improvement from last season, going from 6-21 to 11-9. Consistent play is coming from Nashom Carter, Bobby Shanks and Andre Nelson. With the COVID-19 season coming to an end, the men are looking to finish the season strong and to make some noise in the KCAC tournament starting Feb. 24.

Softball Update

by Jessica Klein The 2021 softball season is just around the corner for the Lady Bluejays.

After adhering to a strict practice schedule in the first semester, players are looking forward to the upcoming game schedule.

The team’s first official tournament, the SCS NAIA Invitational, will take place from Feb. 19-21 in Allen, Texas. Tabor will face off against the University of Houston-Victoria, Bellevue University, Ottawa University, Central Methodist University and Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

On Feb. 26, the team will travel to Tahlequah, Okla., to attend the Cherokee Nation Festival.

Baseball Update

by Emma Willison The Tabor College baseball team traveled to Shreveport, La., to face a pair of two top 10 teams for the season opening series, earning a split with both teams. The team went 2-2 for the weekend earning a win from both Louisiana State University-Shreveport and Freed-Hardeman.

Tabor led Game 1 against LSUS with a 9-7 lead until the Pilots earned three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to take the 10-9 season-opening win. Day 2 started with another heartbreaking one-run game with a 2-1 loss from Freed-Hardeman.

The Bluejays quickly rebounded versus LSUS with a 11-5 victory. The team closed out the weekend playing Freed-Hardeman with a dominating win, 7-1.

Indoor Track Update

by Avery Unruh As most NAIA teams struggle through another downfall of the COVID-19 pandemic, both the Tabor men’s and women’s indoor track teams are lucky to have any sort of season.

Two competitors have stood out from the crowd the entire season, those being Toby Penner on the men’s team and Kaileigh Dill on the women’s team.

“Toby Penner has had an excellent indoor season,” said coach David Kroeker. Penner is currently ranked second in conference in the 600-meter dash and ranked third in the 800-meter dash.

Dill is ranked first in both the weight throw and shot put, hoping to finish out the season on top, Kroeker said.

Other competitors such as Jacob Skinner in the 60-meter hurdles and Chris Ruffino in pole vault also hope to help their team finish higher as both are ranked first in their events as well.

“The overall goal is always to win the conference championship,” said Kroeker. “I’m thinking a top-three finish on the men’s side and a first or second finish for the women.”

Kroeker said if the teams can accomplish these goals at the conference championship then it would be a successful season.

Tennis Update

by Shea Sutherland After strongly ending the fall 2020 season, Tabor’s tennis athletes are set to compete during their upcoming spring schedule.

Expected to finish fifth by the KCAC head coaches, the men’s team opened the season in Hastings, Neb., at the beginning of February. This resulted in a loss to the Broncos by one point, 3 to 4. The women’s team, projected to finish fourth in the coaches poll, began their season hosting Emporia State University on Feb. 20, a week after the men’s home match agasint ESU. The matches for both weeks took place at the new indoor tennis facility located on Tabor College’s campus.

As of now, the men are scheduled to compete at home four additional times, while the women are scheduled for five throughout the remaining season. The KCAC tournament will take place at the end of April.

Swimming Update

by Emma Willison The KCAC Swimming and Diving Championships were held Feb. 4-6 in Fremont, Neb. Throughout the three-day meet, Tabor’s men’s and women’s swimmers saw massive drops in their times.

Freshman Emma Heide had the highest individual finish for Tabor, taking ninth place in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:13.06, the second fastest time in school history. Other contributors include freshman Millie Sechrist, sophomore Natalie Ford and senior Madison Sheppard, all with more than three-second drops in multiple events. Collectively, the Tabor women dropped 95 seconds. The Lady Jays finished conference at eighth place with 122 points.

On the men’s side, junior Jonathan Austin provided Tabor with the highest individual place of the week. Austin finished seventh in the 200-yard butterfly, crushing his own school record by over seven seconds, turning in a time of 2:05.51. Freshman Blake Wiebe also dropped times in the 50 and 100 freestyle by nearly 11 seconds. The men finished seventh ahead of Lincoln College.

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SPORTS UPDATES CONT.

Golf Update

by Avery Unruh The Tabor men’s golf team recently finished their first tournament of their spring season in Houston, Texas. The team finished 11 shots behind the 10th ranked team in the NAIA. “In team golf that’s not all that much,” said Coach Michael Jamieson. “To show that kind of resilience really shows what the young team could be capable of down the road.” They hope to overtake a couple of teams in the conference by the end of the season.

“We will be traveling to the Hesston and Sand Creek golf courses a lot in order to stay ready,” said Jamieson.

The women’s team has not begun their season yet. In two weeks they will travel to Branson, Ark., to prepare as the men did before conference play begins.

According to Jamieson, the women’s team is still young and looking to use tournaments like these to gain experience for the future.

Cheer Update

by Layci Froese With dedication from the team and new coaching staff, Tabor’s cheer squad hopes to expand in the coming seasons.

“We have had one (recruit) signing that happened last week, another next week, and several recruits that are coming to our open gym on Saturday, Feb. 13,” said Alysson Foos, a junior at Tabor College.

For this year’s basketball season, the squad of five will be cheering on the east side of the gym and social distancing as much as possible. In addition to these changes, the squad has modified their coaching staff with Krista Matlock as head coach and Rylee Yoder as assistant coach. The diminishing but committed squad has big plans for future expansion goals.

“Right now we are really just looking to increase our squad size,” said Foos. “Ideally we would like to compete in the future but just increase our numbers right now.”

CRC Traffic

by Emma Willison It is no secret that COVID-19 has caused many scheduling conflicts for fall sports. So a majority of students returned to campus for Interterm to continue practice for fall sports, in hopes of finishing the season off this spring.

Teams wanting to return back to the weight room and practice in the Campus Recreation Center led to some scheduling conflicts and a crowded facility. Men’s and Women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, track, softball, baseball, volleyball and football teams are trying to complete in-season workouts.

“It becomes a very day-to-day process of contacting coaches and finding out who needs

to practice inside on any given day,” said Andy Davis, CRC coordinator.

In the midst of COVID-19 trials, the facility has been kept clean and safe for athletes. Students are required to wear a mask to enter the building and around large groups of people. After working out, athletes are expected to sanitize their areas.

The recent freezing cold temperatures in Kansas have made the CRC a popular area. Several teams have had to deal with late-night practices because the CRC is so packed, with a few teams taking turns for these evening practices. Coaches have been able to reserve time slots each week to ensure their team has time to practice each day.

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Tabor Shines at DECA

by Jessica Klein Tabor College hosted the Collegiate DECA

The national competition is scheduled to take

Competition on Jan. 29, a competition designed to

place virtually on April 17-21 because of COVID-19

give students real-life experience in the world of

concerns. Eight of the 19 students earned first

business.

place in their category and secured a spot in the

Under the direction of Prof. Melinda Rangel, Tabor’s team of 19 business students competed for awards in a number of categories including

competition, but all members are eligible to compete at nationals in some capacity.

“DECA sets our students apart, giving them

accounting, advertising, marketing, entrepreneurship

real-world experience that they may not have gotten

and business research.

otherwise,” Rangle said. “Looking forward, I’m just

“I went into the competition knowing that we

excited to see what DECA can bring to Tabor in terms

were going to do great,” Rangel said. “I was really

of recruiting, but also in the futures of our business

proud of the students for their performance and

students.”

professionalism.”

Tabor’s DECA Team with sponsor Melinda Rangel

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Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, congresswoman and spokesperson for rights of women and minorities

Jesse Louis Burns-Jackson, presidential candidate in 1984 and advocate for the black community

Alice H. Parker, inventor of the central heating system

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Black History Month Profiles

by Destiny Cooper

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was born on Nov. 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her father, Charles St. Hill, was a factory worker from Guyana and her mother, Ruby Seale St. Hill, a seamstress from Barbados. Later in Chisholm’s life she became the first African American woman elected to Congress, representing New York’s 12th congressional district in 1968. Then, she co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus in 1971. In 1977, Chisholm became the first Black woman and second woman ever to serve on the House Rules Committee. Her motto was “Unbossed and Unbought,” which embodies her outspokenness during her seven terms in Congress advocating for women and minorities.

Jesse Louis Burns-Jackson, was born on Oct. 8,

1941, in Greensville, S.C. His mother, Helen Burns, was 16 at the time, and his father, Noah Louis Robinson, was a professional boxer. His mother later married his stepfather, Charles Jackson, in 1957. Later in Jackson’s adulthood he started his own venture, People United to Save Humanity. In 1984, Jackson

ran for Democratic presidency twice. The first time he won 18 percent of votes cast and the second time he won 20 percent of the votes cast. Even though Jackson knew he wasn’t going to win the presidency, he gave hope to the black community and showed them anything is possible if you truly want it.

Alice H. Parker, was born in 1895 in Morristown,

N.J., to George W. and Philura Parker. Parker was the youngest of four siblings. In Parker’s young adulthood, she would become a famous inventor for her patented system of central heating using natural gas. Parker’s invention was patented in 1919, one year before her tragic death. Her design allowed cool air to be drawn into the furnace, then sent through a heat exchanger that allowed warm air to be delivered through ducts to individual rooms in the household. Although Alice Parker wasn’t the first to create a heating system, she was a Black woman and an inventor in the ’20s, which is a major accomplishment. Also, Parker’s design was a blueprint to the heating systems we have today.

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African American History Class

by Destiny Cooper Assistant Professor of History Garrett Looney is teaching the African American History class at Tabor this spring. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in history from Oklahoma State University. He has a master’s in Biblical Studies—New Testament and a bachelor’s in geography.

Many aspects of history inspired Looney to become a history professor, with the main reason being his ever-increasing curiosity for history and missionary work. Back when Looney attended Denver Seminary in pursuit of his master’s, he found himself asking

in missionary work. Yet again he found himself questioning how his missionary experience really impacted his ideas and beliefs. It was these questions that led him to study African American history.

Looney stated that one of his favorite Black historical figures is Martin Luther King Jr. because Dr. King represented a peaceful and nonviolent America. What Looney respects the most about him is how Dr. King carried himself in the face of discrimination, persecution, and racial differences.

Looney plans to have an extra credit project for

his professor many questions

all his students to partake in Black History Month. The

that were mind-boggling

project is to make a poster of

to him. He asked questions

any Black historical figure or

such as “Why are white

event and explain the who,

Christians mainly Republican,

what, when, where and why it

while Black Christians are

is important. A link for more

Democratic?” It was as if

information must be included

Looney was trying to find the

within the poster. For any

meaning and understanding

further questions about the

behind why certain people

project, contact Prof. Looney at

were what they were.

garrettlooney@tabor.edu.

Looney also took part

Garrett Looney, Assistant Professor of History

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Student Housing Update

by Avery Unruh

In the summer of 2019, Tabor formed a Housing

Plans are being reviewed for the project.

Task Force to begin brainstorming the refurbishing

“We are currently gearing back up and will present

and replacing of current student housing. With the

a revised plan to the board of directors on Feb. 19,” said

movement of this task force, the Tabor Board of

Allen.

Directors approved fundraising for new student

This presentation includes a timeline provided by

housing with hopes to start building projects in the near

Tom Shaw, vice president of advancement, that places

future.

the start of construction during the summer or fall of

Tabor was ready to start aggressively fundraising, although the COVID-19 pandemic struck, leaving behind every sight and sound of new housing.

2022.

“Our ability to fundraise has been greatly hampered by the pandemic,” said Michael James, vice

“We would have launched the funding efforts

president of business and finance, “especially since

sooner, but COVID disrupted that plan,” said Vice

many of our most capable donors are of an age that

President Rusty Allen.

puts them in the high-risk category.”

After becoming acquainted with our current circumstances, new plans have been put in place to shift the focus of fundraising back toward student housing.

“This is our top fundraising priority,” said President Jules Glanzer, referring to the future of student housing.

Tabor is working to overcome this obstacle, especially by calling upon the grace of God. “Please join us in prayer for God to move in the hearts of donors,” said Allen, with hopes to see movement toward growth on Tabor’s campus.

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Cabin Fever Days

by Layci Froese

The spring semester and COVID-19 fatigue are stressful. Both students and faculty need a break during this time to rest, recover, do homework and grade.

Tentative dates scheduled as Fever Days: Wednesday, March 3; Friday, April 2; and Tuesday, May 4.

Some activities will be provided during these days but are intended to slow everyone down.

COVID-19 has complicated the usual spring break and Tabor’s campus has been left wondering whether they can handle the long push through. Thankfully, “We will do our best to strike an appropriate Tabor has decided to incorporate several “Cabin balance between activities and rest,” said Ruiz Fever Days” into the semester for students and Esparza. “When I look at these days I don’t want faculty. to just fill it with activity. I want to create a time for people to rest. It’s OK to rest. It’s OK to pause.”

Minimizing COVID-19 exposure and fatigue and providing a time for students and faculty to recover Through this time, students and faculty are are factors that influenced the decision to supplement thankful for the amount of time they have to pause spring break with Cabin Fever days. and the ability to stay in-person.

“Last year we lost almost a whole semester,” said Emir Ruiz Esparza, Dean of Student Life. “One thing we wanted to do was gift time through the Cabin Fever days.”

“Everyone is trying to do their best under the circumstances,” said Ruiz Esparza. “We want to do everything we can to stay open and stay in community. Staying open and in-person is the most important thing we can do.”

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Late-Night Pancake Feed held by the Student Activities Board

Student Senate February Update

by Alyssa Matney

During Interterm, Student Senate completed a

their voices. Our goal this upcoming spring semester

budget review for the upcoming academic year.

is to contribute financially to campus projects to

Student Senate is responsible for delegating student

encourage a positive student experience on campus.

fee funds for the following accounts: Senate General, Special Requests, Contingency, Campus Building

Toward the end of the spring semester, Student

Project, SAB, Chapel, Java Jays, Intramurals, Class

Senate will hold elections for the following positions

Fund, Club Fund, CMC, The View, MSU and SOCA.

for the 2021-2022 academic year: Student Senate

The budget review consisted of evaluating the

President, Senior Class President and Vice President,

current budget, analyzing the need and usage of

Junior Class President and Vice President, and

funds and voting on the allocations of the budget.

Sophomore Class President and Vice President.

Throughout the spring semester, Student Senate

We are always open to concerns, funding

will have the following meetings: cares and concerns,

opportunities or ideas to improve the student

club, campus improvements and special requests.

experience on campus. If you are interested in

These meetings are open to all students to share

contributing, please email studentsenate@tabor.edu.

Letters to the Editor: The Tabor View invites readers to share their thoughts on issues with our campus community by submitting concise letters to the editor.

Anonymous letters and those that are libelous or in poor taste will not be printed. Email your letters to tobypenner@tabor.edu.

Would you like to join the Tabor View staff or see your pictures from around campus featured in the TaborView? Email tobypenner@tabor. edu.

Keep an eye out for our next survey to be featured in the Student View.

Advisor: Aleen Ratzlaff; Editor: Toby Penner; Graphic Designer: Jessica Klein; Writers: Alyssa Matney, Tyrel Haynes, Destiny Cooper, Layci Froese, Shea Sutherland, Avery Unruh, Jessica Klein, and Emma Willison. Cover Photo by Jessica Klein and other photos by Michael Klaassen.

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The Tabor View offers students and faculty a window into the happenings on campus. Our student writers uncover stories behind the scenes, keep people updated, and inform with accuracy and clarity. We strive to present precise, detailed information in our articles. Opinions expressed in the articles do not reflect the opinion of The Tabor View.