The Tabor View | May 2019

THE

TABOR VIEW MAY 2019

INSIDE: Lifestyle The Kids of Tabor “Lead, Kindly Light” Graduation

Table of Contents 3 4

Campus Events Bible Study Recap

5

Yearbook; John Ruder

6

Flint Hills Burning

7

Movie Review; Satire Sports Updates

8-9 10

Culture and Coffee

11

Kids of Tabor

12

Commencement

13

Lead, Kindly Light

14

Graduating

15

Lifestyle

Ring by Spring These couples are three of the several who got engaged during the school year.

Tiffany Culberson

Marina Stutzman

Allison Topham

Engaged 11/24/18 Wedding: 7/27/19

Met: 07/08/17 Engaged: 12/14/18 Wedding: 06/22/19

Met: 8/28/14 Engaged: 4/18/19

and Connor Wainscott

and Ben Roth

and Ben Herrman

Campus Events

3

photos submitted by Kara Schlotthauer

MSU Picnic to Spread Diversity: May 11

by Gallagher Martin

The Multicultural Student Union will host a cultural potluck from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 11 at Hillsboro Memorial Park.

The event is an effort to highlight the diversity at Tabor and within the Hillsboro community.

Members of MSU will each be making a dish that has significance to either their family or culture. MSU will be making an even number of dishes and desserts to satisfy the cravings of all who attend.

“I’m looking forward to bringing together cultures that we keep sealed away in the cupboard, waiting until Christmas or Thanksgiving to bring them out when we are with our own families,” MSU president Noeli Saenz said. “The smiles, the laughs, the stories are all a part of what I hope we will share together.”

The event will be open to the Hillsboro public as well as Tabor College students.

Spring Festival: May 2

by Toby Penner

Students, are you needing a break from the stress of the closing semester? Thanks to the sophomore class, there is an opportunity to sit back and relax! The sophomore class will host the Spring Festival on the Lohrenz lawn from 6-10 p.m. on Thursday, May 2.

According to Noeli Saenz, sophomore class president, those in attendance can enjoy “a hotdog eating contest, tons of games that you can play with friends, hamburgers and hotdogs, music and other activities.” Prizes such as Chick-Fil-A meal cards will be awarded to some in attendance, and faculty and staff are also encouraged to participate.

This will be a golden opportunity to get out of the dorm room or office, spend time with friends and enjoy the wonderful spring weather.

YouthCon: April 3-7 A group of students had the opportunity to represent Tabor at YouthCon, the national MB Youth Convention nine hours away in Glorieta, New Mexico. The theme for the week was “Together.”

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Bible Study Wrap-Up

by Kara Schlotthauer Eve to Eve In the fall semester, the women of Eve to Eve went through a study on “I Am” statements, defining their personal identities by taking a biblical perspective. The group, averaging about six to 10 women weekly, engaged in activities to tie in each statement.

In February, Eve to Eve continued a long-standing tradition of Heart Sisters, a week-long event similar to Secret Santa during which participants intentionally bless one another with encouragement and gifts. Seventy women participated in the event.

The ministry leaders took a different approach in the spring semester, choosing to use “The Real God” video series by Chip Ingram. Each week, they focused on an attribute of God and broke down common misconceptions of God’s identity.

“I think we wanted to find the best way to reach the most people and find what Tabor women are hoping to get out of the Bible study… so we decided on the video series,” said Olivia Brubacher, one of the four Eve to Eve leaders. “I actually think it was really good for everyone who came.”

Men’s Underground The men’s Bible study group guided their meeting times this year with a video series by Tim Tebow followed by the “Not a Fan” series by Kyle Idleman. With a group of roughly six to seven members weekly, Josh Kliewer, ministry co-leader, said that the leaders had a priority from the start of the year.

“We said that we want to have a good community of guys and just really focus on not just studying the Bible— although that’s obviously the main purpose— but also just building that strong community,” Kliewer said.

The community is one that Men’s Underground would like to grow in the near future, according to Kliewer.

“I would like to have a little bit more attendance,” Kliewer said. “We don’t know really what that looks like yet, but that would probably be one of our bigger goals.”

SP&D The Share, Prayer and Dare team shifted leadership between semesters as Alison Nikkel left to fulfill her student-teaching requirement, giving Austin Weaver the opportunity to lead the ministry. A major focus of the worship team has been to grow in numbers, succeeding as an average of 30-40 students congregate in the historic church each Wednesday night.

“SP&D has been growing and growing, especially this year,” Weaver said. “God is definitely moving.”

Attendees were quick at the start of the spring semester to help shape the weekly worship nights.

“This semester, the first night I asked for speakers - then we had too many speakers,” Weaver said. “In one week, we filled up for the whole semester.”

The excitement for the ministry continues to build, and will likely overflow into the coming year.

photos by Kara Schlotthauer

5

Tabor History In Timeless Pages

by Benaiah Rundus

History shapes the events of the present and is often repeated if forgotten. For over 100 years, the history of Tabor College has been recorded in yearbooks. Their bound, yellowing pages with black-and-white photos display every year’s stories.

According to Lily Arthur, who oversees the yearbook’s creation process, they cover all of the school’s history from the beginning.

“The very first yearbook at Tabor happened in 1916,” Arthur said, “and it was for eight years because the college started in 1908.”

A yearbook was published each of the following years, carefully arranged to highlight the events of the year.

Each book is a unique historical artifact and is helpful to those seeking glimpses into the past.

“I had someone this year ask me about the 1956 book,” Arthur said, “and he was looking for something for his grandfather.”

Arthur said the hard-copy books are stored in the archives by Peggy Goertzen, director of the Center for

Mennonite Brethren Studies. These physical books contain information found nowhere else.

For instance, Tabor College had a baseball program from 1954-1962, but the program was terminated because of the Vietnam War and did not resume until 1977, Arthur said.

“We found it in the books,” Arthur said. “We didn’t even realize we had a team in ’54.”

Without the books, such interesting historical events would be lost.

The budget cuts may affect the way Tabor’s history is preserved, though. Refinancing clubs may include sacrificing physical versions of the yearbook.

Discussion to adopt digital copies in lieu of hard copies is still in progress. The choice may be handed to students, and hard copies might remain the preferred version.

“Yearbooks aren’t necessarily something that you look at right away,” Arthur said. “But it’s something you’re going to look at in the future, and your kids are going to look at, and your grandkids…that’s where they’re going to look, because where else would they go?”

Tennis Coach John Ruder Retires after 18-19 season

by Toby Penner

For the Bluejay tennis team, the recent end to their season was more than just their last match—it was the end of a special era for Tabor tennis. Head Coach John Ruder officially retired following the 2018-19 season after serving the program for seven successful years.

Similar to his 27-year, multi-sport high school coaching career, Ruder’s list of accomplishments at Tabor is outstanding.

It includes coaching two individuals to the NAIA All-American teams, leading the women’s team to Tabor’s first ever KCAC regular season championship, and being named the 2017-18 KCAC tennis coach of the year.

However, just because Ruder is retiring does not mean he intends to slow down. He has several goals he will be working toward, one of which will be starting Mobile Tennis Camps where he will share his expertise at local tennis courts. Ruder will also be promoting his book “Winning Tennis with the Tactical Point Control System” and spend-

ing more time with his wife, Sandra, their two children and two grandchildren.

Ruder’s focus in coaching goes beyond the tennis court.

“I have always seen coaching as a form of parenting,” Ruder said. “I look forward to seeing where God leads the athletes I have been privileged to coach.”

He extends his thanks to the Tabor administration and fellow coaches and attributes some of the tennis program’s success to them. Ruder’s excellence in coaching and his Christlike leadership off the court will be greatly missed.

6

Pasture Burning in the Flint Hills

by Sammy Jo Peterson, contributor

As a large cloud of smoke filled the air surrounding Tabor College a couple of weeks ago, several people found themselves confused as to where it was coming from.

Tabor is located on the outskirts of the Flint Hills, where annual pasture burning takes place during this time of year to preserve the prairie.

“I had no idea what (the smoke) was coming from,” said Deziray Turner, a sophomore originally from San Antonio, Texas. “I thought it was weird how much smoke there was in the air.”

Typically between late-March and mid-April, hundreds of farmers and ranchers in the Flint Hills burn off their cattle pastures and hay fields to keep them lush and nutritional.

“I have been burning pastures for 45 years,” said Randy Peterson, Chase County rancher. “Some benefits of burning pastures include weed and brush control, improving livestock weight gains, and keeping the native grasses thriving.”

Because there are so many adjoining pastures in the Flint Hills, ranchers will work together in order to burn effectively and efficiently.

“It can be just one person burning or a few people,” Peterson said. “Sometimes, many ranchers will work together so that several thousand acres can be burnt all at once without bringing harm to buildings.”

Most ranchers like to burn each pasture once a year, but sometimes the weather conditions do not allow for that to happen.

“Every year is different and every pasture is different,” said Bruce Brock, who is Peterson’s right-hand man. “We didn’t burn very many pastures last year because of the dry conditions.”

When the ground is too dry, the county will usually put a burn-ban in action because the fires would be too difficult to contain.

On the flip side, burning pastures is also ineffective if there is too much moisture because the grass will not burn properly and spray rigs will get stuck in the mud.

“The main item we use for containment are spray rigs,” Peterson said. “Most are mounted on pickups and ATVs. People have all different kinds and sizes of spray rigs.”

Peterson, who is currently in the middle of burning his pastures this year, said that sometimes the fires get out of hand and the fire department gets called, but usually his equipment is enough to overpower the fires.

Burning pastures sounds like an easy task—throw a match and then spray water on it when you want it to stop, but it takes a lot more planning behind the scenes.

“You have to think about wind speeds and directions,” Brock said. “You also have to plan out how to keep smoke off the highway and where buildings are.”

Ranchers and farmers will typically set headfires and backfires that serve as a wall so their fire doesn’t go farther than it is supposed to.

“Backfires are more controlled fires that are used to ‘guard’ buildings and burn against the wind,” Peterson said. “Headfires travel with the wind and can get out of control more quickly, which is why we usually burn using backfires.”

When burning pastures or hay fields, it is good to take safety precautions before lighting a fire.

“When I burn I always make sure to wear leather gloves,” Brock said. “I also wear jeans, boots and a cotton shirt. You don’t want to be wearing polyester when you burn because if it catches on fire, it will melt to your skin.”

Hay fields are not as common to burn in this area because there aren’t as many wild grasses in them. When they are burnt, they usually burn a lot faster than pastures do.

“It all depends on the size of the pasture, the wind speeds and how tall the grass is,” Brock said. “If the grass is taller and thicker, it will take longer to burn off. Hay fields burn faster because the grass isn’t near as tall and there aren’t any ditches or rocks to maneuver around.”

Not only is burning good for the soil, grasses and livestock, but it is a beautiful sight to see, an aspect Turner readily recognized despite being initially confused about its purpose.

“The first time I saw burning a couple weeks ago, I was taken back by the sight of it,” Turner said. “The fires seem to have had this glaring, bright (light) that just looked amazing with the sunset in the background.” photo from https://visitemporia.com/burning-desire-watch-flint-hillstransform-fire/

7

Shazam Movie Review (Spoilers)

by Scott Duerksen

With the upcoming finale of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I figured I’d hold off on superhero movies for the past few months. In my opinion, I had already seen enough big budget, romanticized comedies that just so happened to double as a superhero film. That being said, I decided to break my promise and go see Shazam last week, given the fact that it takes place in a completely different universe than the Marvel series.

It’s an understatement to say that DC has dropped the ball in regards to its own cinematic universe. Year after year, a new DC superhero is introduced to audiences and never fails to let them down in some way. Shazam, however, seemingly broke the recent trend of copying Marvel’s dynamics and prevailed to be somewhat of a breath of fresh air. Instead of giving the character a deep, motivating back-story, our hero is depicted as a simple teenager bouncing around from different

foster homes. When given his powers by an aging wizard, he is sworn to protect the world from six different gods. While Shazam does, in fact, have the power to protect the world, another wizard had already contracted the powers of the gods and has made it his mission to find Shazam before he grows too powerful. Throughout the duration of the film, Shazam and his eventual sidekicks work to rid the world of the gods and find themselves along the way.

As mentioned earlier, this movie was a breath of fresh air. I didn’t expect much; however, I left the theater feeling rather surprised at the overall product of the film.

Instead of making it a typical revenge story, as most superhero movies are, DC made a quirky story that embodied strength in family and overcoming insurmountable odds. I’d recommend Shazam to anyone interested. photo from imdb.com

Opinion pieces are marked with ** for readers’ convenience

**Energy Assembly**

by Benaiah Rundus The raucous crowd pours through the two sets of double doors. The glowing blue-lit stage is full of equally joyous, smiling people.

The joy-driven crowd longs for 11 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday because there is nothing they would rather do than listen to a long lecture.

To begin, the crowd repetitively chants choruses at a volume so great it reaches intelligibility.

The sound is like a mix of birdsong; it may or may not include barn owls. Many members discover new, unwritten notes.

Luckily, the energy of the room only really needs to be onstage, so the crowd can just relax. Perhaps the discordance will evolve into a masterpiece.

The crowd is so hyped that a few students are tasked with stripping course credit from those that are too excited. They have little effect, though, because no one really cares about the course credit anyway - they just want to be there.

After voicing the chorus, the audience is energized and more than prepared to settle in for a non-rambling, professionally-presented, non-dogmatic speech. They are never disappointed by anyone.

An orator who logically and eloquently speaks with clarity as crystalline as a cow pond always graces the stage.

The topic does not matter to the crowd. Instead, they seek after mysteries so deep, they still remain mysteries after a 40-minute lecture.

The most impressive aspect is that the whole audience is always interested in the topics that the rotating speakers bring. From the tiniest mumblings of ancient texts to the smallest of modern quibbles, the crowd’s attention is never diverted to a friend or a phone screen, and certainly never to their eyelids.

The energy of Mondays and Wednesdays is not in 11 a.m. naps. It is in the assembling, chanting and lecturing.

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SPORTS UPDATES Golf

by Micah Richert

The men’s golf team competed in the Bethel Invitational along with 18 other teams on April 7. The rounds were held at Hesston Golf Club, and the tournament closed at Sand Creek Station April 9.

Tabor finished the Bethel Tournament with a score of 344, placing 16th among their competitors.

The team faced some harsh conditions with a weather delay Saturday and started Sunday with some heavy fog. Despite the weather, the men had a high performance, all finishing one of the days shooting an 89 or better.

Adam Lindstrom held the lowest score for the men, scoring 85 on Saturday and 86 on Sunday. Just behind Lindstrom for the Bluejays came Logan Mathews with a score of 85 on the first day and 87 on the second, followed by Noah Birkeness with an 88 and 84 respectively for the two days.

Mathews along with Daniel Rempel compete in their final rounds at Buffalo Dunes April 29-30. The lone female golfer, Erin Morrison, played her last rounds at Buffalo Dunes April 22-23.

Track

by Joseph Baker

The Tabor track team performed in the KT Woodman Classic April 12 at Wichita State University and featured great performances from the Bluejays.

Sophomore Trajen Smith and junior Wyatt Dickinson had extraordinary performances in the javelin competition. Dickinson recorded a throw of 178 feet 9 inches and placed eighth in the competition, while Smith placed third with a highlight reel throw of 195 feet 7 inches.

Other notable performances came from hurdlers Jacob Skinner, Toby Penner and Owen Wegner in the 110m high hurdles. Penner set a personal record, while placing second with a time of 15.19; Skinner placed with a personal record of 15.47 seconds, and Wegner would place fifth in the competition with a 16.51 time.

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Tennis

by Joseph Baker

The Tabor men’s and women’s tennis teams traveled to Wichita on April 16 to take on Friends University in a KCAC matchup. The women lost to the Falcons by a score of 7-2. The Lady Jays record moved to a 5-6 overall record, with a 3-5 record in KCAC play. The men’s tennis team fell short to the Falcons by a score of 6-3. The Jays overall record is now 0-12, with a record of 0-9 in conference play.

Softball

by Joseph Baker

The Tabor College Bluejay softball team welcomed the Moundbuilders of Southwestern College into Hillsboro April 17 for a pivotal conference matchup. The Jays entered the matchup with an overall record of 10-16 and a KCAC record of 7-9.

Madison Byrd took the ball in game one for the Jays and pitched like her usual self, stifling the Builder hitters over seven innings, striking out 10 hitters, all while only scattering four hits. Byrd was credited with the win and a complete game shutout, with the Jays winning game one by a score of 4-0. Game two would again present a lowscoring affair.

Marlee Baxter started the second game on the mound for the Jays, striking out seven hitters over six innings of work. The work for Byrd on the mound continued in game two, as Byrd came in to pitch in the seventh inning and recorded a save to clinch a nailbiting 3-2 victory.

The Jays completed the sweep of the Southwestern College Moundbuilders, by scores 4-0 and 3-2.

Baseball

by Gallagher Martin

A sweep would have been ideal, but the Tabor College baseball team will settle for two out of three.

Tabor hosted Friends for a three-game KCAC series on April 19-20. After splitting the first two games, Tabor dominated Friends University in Game 3 for the series win.

Game 1 was never in doubt. The BlueJays jumped out to a 4-0 lead and ended up with a 13-3 win.

The only close game of the series was Game 2. After four scoreless innings, Tabor took control with three in the bottom of the fifth.

But Friends responded in the top of the sixth with four runs that was the difference.

Tabor was able to recover from the bitter defeat with a 15-4 victory in the rubber match. With the wins, Tabor sits half a game back of McPherson College for second place in the conference. Tabor’s next KCAC bout comes on April 26 at St. Mary.

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Culture and Coffee

by Micah Richert

Rhubarb Market is more than a quiet place to read or study and drink coffee. Entertainment is becoming a part of the culture for Tim Unruh and his artisan roasted coffee beans.

The “homey” coffee shop, the community and Unruh’s homemade goods make for a perfect weekend if you can make it in while they’re open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday at 104 S. Main in Hillsboro.

“Our primary goal for Rhubarb Market is to have a place where community can gather,” owner Unruh said about why he began his coffee shop in downtown Hillsboro.

With Unruh’s busy schedule, he and his wife, Alissa, only have time to work at the Market one day out of the week, making it a hot commodity when it’s open.

If you’re lucky, you could stop in on the right Saturday to enjoy some soft jazz music and try a new concoction of artisan roasted coffee beans.

Every second Saturday of the month, about 40 to 60 people gather together at Rhubarb Market to hear the performances. Wichita native Mike Fetters and pastor Tom Harder of Hillsboro First Mennonite Church play light jazz with a keyboard and bass for those customers looking for a relaxing day.

“I believe entertainment brings in customers because it is out of the normal in Hillsboro,” Unruh said.

Rhubarb Market offers a variety of homemade baked goods to the customers as they connect with the classical music.

“We serve two or three different drip coffees every week, so people get to try coffee from different regions, espresso drinks of all kinds, nitro brew, cold brew, hot and cold teas, hot chocolate, different lemonades, limeade and Italian sodas in many flavors,” Unruh said, highlighting a fresh variety of choices, uncommon to your average coffee shop.

Even with all the drink choices available, customers like to go back to the basics.

“Right now our espresso drinks are really popular,” Unruh said. “The espresso is really smooth and strong, so it comes through nicely in the drinks, but lattes are probably the most popular.”

Along with music in the background and a multitude of drinks to choose from, Unruh sells a variety of pastries.

Unruh likes switching up the pastries, which he personally makes, by rotating cinnamon rolls, bagels, tarts and scones to offer an assortment of baked goods to their customers.

The jazz duo is the only group performing right now, and Unruh said other entertainment has not been scheduled yet.

“Were open to more kinds of music,” Unruh said. “I’ve been in contact with other people as well to bring in more

variety. We are looking to create an environment that attracts different styles of music. If a style sounds interesting, then you will want to come and listen. I think a variety is good.”

As their business grows, Unruh pictures the possibility of expanding into an unused back room. Once the back room is finished, a range of talent could be offered for people in the secluded room with seating. The wide variety of Unruh’s entertainment plans could range from music to comedian acts or even various speakers looking to captivate a caffeinated audience.

Before those possibilities can come to reality, Unruh said he has some work to do. Renovations such as replacing the ceiling, adding a bathroom, and redoing walls are on the top of his list.

Unruh’s no. 1 goal in his coffee shop is to bring something different into the community where they can gather and fellowship like nowhere else.

“Normally if you want to enjoy something like this you would have to drive out of town,” said Unruh. “It’s a treat for locals. We would like to keep the music style such that it can be enjoyed by a large range of age and preference.”

Instead of traveling for great, new entertainment, you can be sure to find it at Rhubarb Market in Hillsboro, Kansas.

Little Bluejays

11

by Terran Hoyt, contributor

As students of Tabor College, we are always seeking new knowledge, new inspiration and new truth.

We sit in desk chairs with pencils ready to scribble down anything our minds will drink up. We stand attentively in practices and rehearsals ready to take mental note of a new play or a new song.

But perhaps we have overlooked the best teachers among us.

In Matthew 18:3 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

The living example of how to enter the gates of heaven walks—or maybe more often, runs—through our campus.

Tabor Residential Educators’ families live on Tabor college campus and share their special family moments and lives with Tabor College students in a more personal way than most families do.

One might wonder what lesson the 10 little people running around campus can teach the college students.

Assistant Residential Educator Amanda Lee lives on campus with her husband, Ryan, and their four children, Lexi, Miriam, Jonah and Grace.

“I hope that (Tabor students) will learn fun, that there is a lot of things to run and giggle about,” said Amanda as children laughed and screamed in the background. “I hope that the Tabor students will look at the innocence of children.”

While Amanda acknowledged that the world isn’t as simple as her children believe, she hopes that the innocence will filter into the Tabor students.

“There is still a wonderful aspect of keeping a little bit of innocence in the world from a child in your head, in your heart, and in your eyes to shape the way you view the world,” she said.

While we can learn so much from the little Bluejays, it is also clear that they are consistently being shaped by the college students around them.

Campus Pastor and Residential Educator Ryan Lee desires that the Tabor College students can be positive role models for his children that display kindness and good character.

“I see lots of students here doing that already,” said Ryan.

“It’s great. I love that part of it. I think to have those positive influences in their life is beneficial and cool.”

Amanda says she’s already seen a change in her daughter Miriam.

“Miriam is our more shy and reserved child,” she said. “At first, she did not like to be talked to. She’s grown a lot since then - that’s been a huge change. She’s still on the shy side, but she has come out of her shell in that way. I love that. It

has been so positive for her.”

Miriam, now 6 years old, also acknowledged that she has changed since she came to Tabor when she was a 2-year-old.

“I was bald when we moved here,” said Miriam.

The Lee family is thankful for what Tabor College has done for them as a family.

“It’s brought unique opportunities in the fact that even though our kids live in a small town, they get to experience a lot of diversity,” said Ryan, with 4-year-old Jonah on his lap.

“People from all over the country and all over the world are coming to this place. I really value that aspect of it. I think it’s really neat.”

Lexi and Miriam are also grateful for what Tabor offers.

“We get to eat at the cafeteria,” said Miriam with a smile.

Lexi added that her favorite part is the CRC. The family is also excited for ways in which the Tabor experience will shape their children in the future.

“I hope they look back with fondness and good memories,” said Ryan.

Amanda hopes her children can take lessons away from their time at Tabor.

“I hope they take away the ability to not be afraid of people different than them, to engage them in conversation, to reach out, to not shy away but to welcome that opportunity with joy and boldness,” she said.

While the future is a mystery to all, the Lee family knows this experience is one to remember.

“I do know that the four years that we have had in this situation with families has been very special and unique to my life and experience in this role that I will never forget,” said Amanda.

12

Tabor Set for 109th Commencement

by Gallagher Martin Although there is still much to be accomplished this semester, it is never too early to look forward to graduation.

Tabor College seniors will receive their hard-earned diplomas on Saturday, May 18 at Joel H. Wiens Stadium.

Commencement is a time of celebration, both for students and their families alike. As a first-generation college student, senior Nick Lee is excited for his parents to watch him receive his diploma.

“It will be momentumetal because I’m the first in my family to graduate,” Lee said. “I’m going to miss my teammates and a few employees, but mostly I’m excited to be done.”

While commencement is meant to be fun and highlight the successes of students, it does not accurately display all the hard work put in by students over the course of four years.

For senior Cameron Martinez, commencement serves as a realization just as much as a celebration for his hard work.

“I’m looking forward to finalizing college and completing a lifelong journey that reflects all my efforts,” Martinez said.

“I want to show my parents all their support and help was worth it.”

Stephen Wilson, who graduated from Tabor last year, is currently a graduate assistant on the tennis team. Wilson advises seniors to make the most of commencement.

“I would tell seniors to take it all in and enjoy the moment because it only happens once,” Wilson said. “My favorite part was spending time with my friends and family afterwards.”

This year’s commencement will be the 109th in the college’s history. The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the Symphonic Band concert, commencement exercises following at 10 a.m. photo by Vance Frick

13

Tabor Choir to Present Spring Concert Lead, Kindly Light

by Toby Penner Each spring as the semester comes to a close, one of the highlights of Tabor’s calendar is the spring concert given by Tabor’s Concert Choir. This performance will feature most of the choir’s repertoire from both fall and spring semesters and will be held May 12 at 4 p.m. in the Richert Auditorium.

Brad Vogel, professor of music and director of the concert choir, has carefully selected the songs and the order in which they will be sung to maximize the meaning of each piece.

The concert will start with an emphatic declaration to the audience in “Canticle of Praise.” The next two songs will focus on hope. Dolly Parton’s “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” and the title song “Lead, Kindly Light” give hope that there is something to look forward to on the Christian journey.

Vogel emphasizes this line in “Lead, Kindly Light”: “Keep Thou my feet: I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me.”

This theme of faith and hope will continue to the next part of the performance with “Cry No More” and “In the Rifted Rock I’m Resting.” According to Vogel, the message of these two pieces is “the strength of faith is not in us, but rather in the One in whom we have faith.” This idea comes from the text of “Cry No More,” which states “When we have not faith to seek Him, Christ Himself will draw us near.” Vogel points out that the first half of the performance “highlights the expressive singing of the choir.”

Tabor College Concert Choir

Lead,

Kindly Light

Dr. Bradley Vogel, conductor Dr. J. Bradley Baker, piano Sunday, May 12, 4:00 p.m.

Richert Auditorium

“It’s been my custom during my 22 years of planning concerts to always end the concert with songs that speak of our eternal home,” Vogel said.

This performance will not break the custom, ending with “I Got a Key,” a dynamic spiritual, and “The Eternal Gates,” a rhythmically active, early American hymn. These pieces focus on a Christian’s hope that God is waiting for us to “arrive at home” as stated in “The Eternal Gates.”

“Both of these songs show off the fullness of the tone of the choir,” said Vogel.

Vogel is quick to credit the members of the choir for how hard they have worked this school year to learn a hefty amount of material. The choir performed Handel’s “Messiah,” Gjeilo’s “Sunrise Mass”-- once at Carnegie Hall in New York City and once at Tabor -- and will perform nine pieces for the upcoming spring concert.

“The choir has learned an enormous amount of literature and has sung it with great professionalism,” Vogel said.

This performance will be met with great anticipation because of the choir’s past reputation of excellence. It is will also be met with sadness, since it is Vogel’s last performance as the director of the Tabor concert choir. Despite these mixed emotions, those in attendance will undoubtedly be encouraged by the message of hope flowing from “Lead, Kindly Light.”

14

Road to Full Freedom

by Kara Schlotthauer

College is a gradual transition into true independence for many of today’s emerging adults. Students are now caught in a four-year middle ground between full freedom and assisted guidance. The trouble that many college students encounter, however, is the fear that the content and extent of preparation may not necessarily be adequate for success outside the academic institution.

“I feel about 75 percent ready,” said Naima Mexsen, a senior graduating in May with degrees in Business Management and Accounting Finance. “It’s a good amount. I feel like no college can prepare you 100 percent.”

As graduation nears, the pursuit of true self-sufficiency is hindered by some obstacles familiar to college seniors.

One such obstacle involves the job hunt. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 1.9 million bachelor’s degrees are expected to be awarded in May 2019, which leaves many graduates competing to find careers with their new qualifications.

One aspect that puts students ahead in the job search is guided hands-on training. While not many majors have this opportunity, the field of education operates differently, requiring a semester of student teaching. This aspect as well as teacher-specific career fairs cater well to the job search, according to Claire Wilson, a Tabor senior graduating with an Education degree in May. “I went to two job fairs,” Wilson said. “At one, I was very intimidated…and then two hours later I got a phone call from one of the schools offering me a job.”

Wilson’s experience is common for future educators as job fairs are frequent, but graduates of other majors are sometimes not as likely to find such quick employment.

Shandon Classen, graduating with degrees in Psychology and Biblical and Religious Studies, doesn’t have a plan quite as set in stone as others besides marrying his Tabor sweetheart, Valerie Schroeder.

“I’m going to work hopefully as a caseworker, then try to do graduate school online,” Classen said.

As graduation approaches, many find themselves in Classen’s shoes, still seeking to claim a job to secure future financial stability.

A vast amount of wisdom can be gained in four years of mid-independence. Tabor College has its own system in providing its students with skills and resources to help navigate

life after graduation. One such method includes opening course content to the study of more than one perspective.

Mexsen, an international student from Mexico, said that she appreciated Tabor’s actions in broadening her horizons in classes amidst culture shock.

“I feel that in most of my classes, my professors try to add a global perspective,” Mexsen said. “I think Tabor’s done a mostly good job of trying to integrate its students into the real world.”

Professors have proven to be a large support in future endeavors for not only Mexsen, but also Wilson and Classen.

“My professors were definitely people that I felt like I could talk to,” Wilson said. “When I started looking into education, I started talking to Joanne Loewen, and she was really encouraging.”

Classen said, “I sought out Erica Haude and Jim Paulus, who’s my adviser, and they talked me through some of my options.”

Like Classen, initiative must sometimes be taken to prepare for independence. Each current senior shared ways that they found to be helpful in taking small strides toward self-sufficiency while in college.

“You have to figure out the balance between work, school and friends,” Wilson said.

Mexsen suggests combining all three categories into internships.

“Try to do as many internships as possible either back home or here in Kansas— even ones at Tabor— and try to connect through networking inside and outside of Tabor,” she said.

Classen’s firsthand experience led him to advise an earlier start in deciding a future path.

“Figure out sooner than your last semester what you want to do, and if it’s graduate school, start applying to those the first semester of your senior year,” he said.

As students break away from the safety of the college experience with their diplomas, principles learned on the road to independence can be tucked into a back pocket. Independence always arrives, so the college years are crucial for preparing emerging adults with tools and knowledge to make it on their own.

Ready or not, world, here they come.

15

How to Monitor Your Phone Usage

by Maddie Byrd

As college students, we all know how tempting it is to be on our phones. Whether we are sitting alone in the caf, walking around campus or even sitting in class, we feel the constant need to refresh our apps.

While this is all fun, spending too much time on your phone can have many negative effects.

To start off, studies have shown that always looking down at your phone can hurt your neck and overall posture.

“Cell phone-related neck strain is so common, doctors have even given it it’s own name—text neck,” writes Adria Valdes Greenhauff in her article “What Really Happens When You Stare at Your Phone All Day.” To avoid this type of overuse syndrome, try putting the phone down and getting involved in other activities more often.

Another issue that comes with spending too much time staring at your screen is eye strain.

Because of the blue light that cell phones give off, our eyes start to lose their sensitivity to light, which does more overall harm than good.

It’s easy to understand why we young adults struggle to put away our phones when we are so accustomed to always having them by our side.

With new updates and recognition to the problem, many phones have enabled screen-time monitors that help you quit your phone addiction.

If you or someone you know spends too much time on his or her phone, try setting a screen-time limit in the phone’s settings. Your body will thank you later. https://www.thelist.com/72539/really-happens-stare-phoneday/

Summer Activities

by Maddie Byrd

Summertime as a college student is much different than summer as a kid. Although we are happy to have the break from classes, having a fun and productive summer away from your best friends may be harder than it seems.

If you struggle to stay productive, active or even just want some summertime inspiration, here are some things you can do to have the best summer no matter where you live.

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Listen to some live music: Many towns have summer concerts that are open to the public. Grab a friend and a blanket and enjoy some music.

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Go to a museum: Depending on where you live, there is probably a museum close by that you can visit.

Spend a day walking around a museum and learn something new.

Read or listen to a book: Keep your mind sharp by reading or listening to a book you love.

Get a summer job/internship: This is a great time to gain workplace knowledge and experience. Devote some of your free time to building your resume and earning some extra money, too.

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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 marynkrobson@tabor.edu.

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Advisor: Aleen Ratzlaff; Editor: Maryn Robson; Graphic Designers: Chloe Willems and Zac Dieterich; Writers: Gallagher Martin, Maddie Byrd, Benaiah Rundus, Joseph Baker, Micah Richert, Kara Schlotthauer, David Wiens, Scott Duerksen, and Toby Penner; Cartoonist: Josh Johnson. Cover photo by Madie Hill and other photos by Michael Klaassen.

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.

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