The Patriot - September 24, 2014

! e im T le t it L o S , o D o T h c u M o S How to get everything done if there’s not more than one of you.

Issue 2 | September 24, 2014

Homecoming Week September 22-28th

@UCThePatriot /patriotnewspaper (606-539-4172 UCTHEPATRIOT - 7609 College Station Drive Williamsburg, Ky 40769 *thepatriot@ucumberlands.edu

Editor-in-Chief

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd Ice Cream Social - Front of Moss 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd Gameshow - Gatliff Chapel 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th SGA Free Movie Night Tri-County Cineplex Corbin, KY 9 p.m.

THURDSAY, SEPTEMBER 25th UC Worship - Gatliff Chapel 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th Mad Chad - Gatliff Chapel 9 p.m.

C O N T E N T S

Timothy Wyatt

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Oh the places you’ll go... And go...

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How I see it

September 24, 2014

Jillian Carpenter Staff Writers

Tylar Baker Autumn Cooney Ashton Rector Christin Rottenberger Myria h Snyder Faculty Advisor

Review: ‘Unstoppable’

Jeremiah Massengale Editorial Review Board

Lisa Bartram Marianne Worthington

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th Carnival - Band Field 10 a.m.

Fireworks - Band Field 9 p.m.

Movie: Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th Picnic - Dining Hall 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Natasha Jones Photo Editor

Editorial: Drinking away your GPA

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Managing Editor

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The Patriot is the biweekly student publication of the University of the Cumberlands. Our goal is to provide timely and original content by highlighting campus news and views.

Award-winning member of the Kentucky Press Association.

3 Features

Oh, the places you'll go...and go...and go...

How to get everything done when it feels impossible

BY JILLI A N CA R PENTER Photo Editor

Once upon a time, we all had enough time to get eight hours of sleep, complete everything on our plates, and have a good amount of free time in between. Nobody was sleep deprived and we all walked off with our great moods into the sunset.

Sounds great, right? While some people may actually have a schedule that permits free time, the rest of us, unfortunately, often find it difficult just to get the " Go here, do this, complete these, fill out this, pick up that" done on time without having a mental breakdown. Whether it's juggling athletics and studies, work and studies, or some combination of all of these, finding a way to get everything done and keeping it all on track is important. Following these simple tips can help tremendously when it comes to getting everything accomplished.

Scheduling is important. When you have several classes and work assignments and other responsibilities to complete, "finding the time at some point" stops being an option. Organizing your days so that you know exactly when you have the time to

complete a task relieves much of that uneasy feeling that comes with having so many tasks to complete. Fortunately, the schedules that your commitments already offer help this process. For example, your class schedule can help you schedule when you're going to do your homework.

You could choose any open time on the same day of the class so you can complete it while the material is fresh on your mind. You could also choose to commit time the night before the assignment is due, but that can often cause more problems.

Procrastination will be your downfall. You teachers and parents have no doubt told you time after time that procrastination is the worst option out there. As much as you might hate to say it, they're right, especially when it comes to having a tight schedule.

As it is, you may not have the five minutes to spare at all, why waste it by procrastinating on your several commitments? The good news is, procrastination tends to be less of a problem the busier you are. A normal week for me includes classes, dance

practice, teaching two dance classes, rehearsal as an actor for UC’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” rehearsal as a director for “The Choice,” and my work at The Patriot. I used to procrastinate on almost every task I was given. However, the more I put on my plate, the less I find myself thinking, "I could probably blow this task off for a little while longer," because I really can't risk losing the little free time that I have.

Always be thinking ahead. Your day will go much more smoothly if you consistently keep your schedule for the rest of your day or week in mind. It's so easy to get caught up in the task you have in front of you at the moment that you may forget your time constraints and be late to your next task. However, don't be so focused on the task coming up that you lose sight of the task at hand. It's important to balance the two, and to have a planner handy to reference at any time.

Finally, keep everything separate.

Having so many things on your plate often also means that these commit-

ments are very different, especially in the way you have to think about them.

This means two things. First, it means you have to put anything, good or bad, that's happened during another commitment, behind you during your current commitment. If you got a bad grade on a test, you can't let that affect the way you behave during practice for your sport or the way you act at work. It also means that you have to keep the different ways you approach each task separate. I can't talk to the actors I work with in “The Choice” the same way I would talk to nineyear-olds in my hip-hop class at the Dance Centre. I have to be able to keep the way I behave during each one of my commitments separate.

Keeping up with all the tasks you have to do in any given week can be very difficult. Often times it's easy to want to stay in your room and try to hide from your commitments. But, with enough scheduling, commitments, and good habits, your hectic life could be just a little bit easier.

An Editorial

BY MYRI A H SNYDER

4 Features

Staff Writer

non-drinker, that pulling myself out of bed and making it to class on time is not something that always happens. If these statistics are true, then how much more difficult is it to attend class regularly after consuming alcohol.

“University of the Cumberlands expects its students to refrain from the possession, or use of alcohol, whether legal or illegal…”

“A violation of these expectations may result in disciplinary action to include suspension or, in the case of a faculty or staff member, termination of employment.”

Ouch, dramatic much? Or is it? Why does this university have such a strong policy against alcohol? Especially regarding use off campus, is it really necessary to regulate that? Easy assumptions for why the University of the Cumberlands has this rule are because we are a Christian school or maybe just that the administration wants to avoid being a “party school.”

These and other factors that I haven’t mentioned are probably part of the reason UC has such a strict no alcohol policy. However, the school didn’t just come up with these rules of the top of their head.

Actually, research shows that alcohol affects the way we perform in school greatly. Any college student who wants to perform his or her best should rethink drinking, according to a collection of research recently summarized by Northwestern University.

There are three major areas that drinking effects academics, studies say.

• G.P.A. Lastly, the study says that the probability of getting a high G.P.A. drops with frequent heavy drinking. The research shows that there is a difference between the G.P.A. of a heavy drinker and a non-drinker. This is a nobrainer. If you are out partying all weekend, you aren’t in the library unleashing your inner nerd. If you aren’t studying, then you aren’t making good grades (unless you are one of those geniuses who can just do that…).

• Class attendance The study says that binge drinkers are likely to miss classes and fall behind in their work. Interestingly enough, it also says that the number of drinks someone has corresponds with the number of classes missed. This should come as a caution to any college student. I know personally, as a

College is consuming. Literally, it takes up four years of your life, an unmentionable sum of your money, way too much time, and, I believe, a portion of your sanity. Whether you think so or not, you are sacrificing to be here. Why jeopardize that sacrifice you keep remaking every time you register for classes by choosing alcohol? It really doesn’t make sense.

• Study time Again, the study says that the more you drink, the worse your study habits will be. Personally, I don’t think that a professional had to tell us that.

Have you ever seen someone who was clearly wasted try to study? Your answer is probably no, because studying would be useless while intoxicated.

Late night cram sessions don’t happen after a party; it’s just not a thing.

BY TIMOTHY W YATT Editor-in-Chief

By now—whether you follow sports or not— you’ve probably heard about the Ray Rice incident involving his then-fiancée, Janay Palmer, which happened back in February and has more recently become the biggest topic in sports, trumping even the NFL’s opening week. (A surveillance video surfaced last week from inside a casino elevator revealing the Baltimore Ravens running back striking Palmer across the face with a vicious punch that knocked her out, causing her to fall and hit her head against the railing.)

Within hours of the footage being leaked, Rice’s contract with the Baltimore Ravens was terminated and he was expelled from the league. (He’s even been removed from the EA Sports “Madden” game.)

Of course, the hefty punishment was more of a cautionary move on behalf of the NFL in an attempt to save face after such halfhearted management of the issue when it initially became public. And while I applaud the league for at least making an effort to demonstrate something close to retribution for what happened, I truly believe the wrong call was made here.

Yes—in case you didn’t catch that—I’m saying that Rice should have never been penalized so harshly by the NFL, if even at all. Just hear me out, though. In no way am I condoning what Rice did. It was an appalling act. Moreover, the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL were Rice’s employers, yet they somehow became judge, jury and executioner, standing alone as the only entity to deal out any sort of judgment. But where was, you know, the actual judge and jury? Rice’s case was originally handed

up to a grand jury in Atlantic City as a felony charge, but that’s about as far as it got. Even equipped with the damning surveillance footage, the prosecution essentially sat on their hands throughout the entire process, making no real attempt at actual doing what their job title indicates. He somehow walked away—at least in the eyes of those involved in the legal process—completely vindicated, with nothing more than a mere slap on the wrist. (Rice was enrolled in pretrial intervention, meaning he probably has to answer to some type of parole officer, and is attending counseling.)

How does such an egregious error even take place? Is it the system? Perhaps. Is it the fact that Rice is essentially a celebrity? Possibly. But it’s even more probable to predict that it is more of a product of the perception that many people have about the subject. Domestic violence can be a complicated subject to circumnavigate due to its delicate nature. We all have at least a basic understanding of what it is, but for others, well, maybe they know more about it than they would care to. It’s not much of a stretch to say that domestic violence has become so commonplace that it’s oftentimes thought of as “normal,” despite how destructive it is and how unhealthy it is for all parties involved. While that may be a sweeping generalization, I can’t help but believe it to be true. I’ve personally seen the way these types of issues are treated, and most of the time it gets the same type of treatment: “let’s just sweep it under the rug.” In fact, an article recently published by Michael Powell in The New York Times states that “prosecutors, defense lawyers and

domestic abuse experts the width and breath of New Jersey” admittedly agree that “this is how domestic abuse is treated.”

I think many people assume that most relationships involve some sort of domestic abuse—and maybe to some extent they do—so when something of this nature happens there isn’t much time devoted to worrying about it. That is, unless it’s an incident that becomes as public and volatile as this Ray Rice story has. No one wants to side with the unpopular opinion, regardless of their private, personal beliefs.

But what this lack of perspective may boil down to more than anything is pure selfishness. There’s a tendency in our society to look the other way when witnessing another individual suffering. As long as it doesn’t concern us or the safe little bubble we live our lives in, then no helping hand is extended.

That’s something we all need to work on.

My definitive point here is that this should have never had the chance to mushroom cloud into the giant media circus that it’s become. Every single person responsible for serving some kind of justice in this case dropped the ball in a major way. Ultimately, the real loser in this whole situation is Rice.

Not for the obvious reasons though. Sure, he may have managed to elude any type of criminal and legal charges, but he wasn’t reprimanded by the system that exists solely for the very reason of doing so. If he had been, it’s very likely he would still have a job, but more importantly, he would have learned to never lay a finger on a woman, in any manner other than a loving one, ever again.

5 Sports

How I see it: The NFL shouldn’t have had the chance to punish Ray Rice

UC Worship: Truth revealed

The good shepherd

BY TYLAR BA KER Staff Writer

BY ASHTON R ECTOR

6 Faith & Ministry

Staff Writer

I sometimes find myself viewing Jesus in such a lofty position that I forget He takes care of us like His sheep. John 10:118 tells us how Jesus is the good shepherd. He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him. No one can take them from Him. Sheep have been known to have mediocre sight. They can see in color and have a large coverage of peripheral vision but have weak focus. Even though they can see most everything around them they still cannot get the right perspective.

Therefore, dangerous situations can be hard to determine based on their sight alone. On the other hand, their hearing is superb. They are inclined to open their ears to new sounds to follow. As humans we don’t know where to go or what to do on our own, but we follow the Shepherd’s voice. In John 10:27-30 Jesus tells us He knows his sheep and they follow Him. He also says they shall never perish; neither shall any man pluck them out of His hand. As a born again believer, we are protected

by Him. Also, in John 10:9, Jesus says “I am the door: by me if any man shall enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture.” Jesus didn’t say only “good” or people with a clean slate, but He says any man shall enter in. I had a friend once say to me, “All God has to work with are broken people.”

No one can live perfectly, yet knowing this God still sent His only son to die for our sins so that we may live. It is so amazing that Jesus endured pain, suffering, temptation, and fear on earth just so we might have the chance to live.

Lord you are so intricate. It seems as if I discover a new side of you everyday! I can never thank you enough for sending your son to die for our sins.

Lord, you are the Good Shepherd and you always stay true to your word. Thank you for continually revealing yourself to me in a new way every single day.

In Christ’s name, Amen.

On Thursday nights, there seems to be quite the buzz going around campus. You have athletics going all week long, activities around campus and so forth. But what most people miss in the hustle and hurry that entangles with college life is a diamond found in the rough--UC Worship.

What is it you may ask? UC Worship is exactly what it says it is, worship. It is a time of reflection for some people but also a time of renewal for others. The campus worship service has been a staple at the University of the Cumberlands for a long number of years, and today it seems to still have an impact on students all around campus.

In the melting pot that Cumberland offers, opinions are not always the same when it comes to the events held on campus.

Granted that some other beliefs are contrary to the Christian view of things, but that still doesn’t mean that everyone is not welcome.

In overhearing of conversations students have regarding the topic, there are always mixed opinions.

After talking with FCA leader Cory Crabtree about UC Worship, however, it’s easy to see a different side of worship from someone who knows firsthand what it is like to not be involved in church.

Crabtree has become a catalyst for ministry in this past year but before then had struggles of his own when it came his involvement in ministry.

When asked about UC Worship, Crabtree said, “I love the environment that is offered at UC Worship. I am heavily involved at my church and the worship that is there so it is comforting and refreshing to know I

have Christian brothers and sisters to worship with while I am away at school.”

He continued, “The Lord is doing awesome things for His glory on our campus, and I pray UC Worship will continue to remain a vital part in that.”

While seeing his passion and dedication to worship and to ministry, I could also see the hurt in his eyes for the campus as a whole. In concluding the interview I asked him one final question, “Why do you think people don’t come to UC Worship?”

His response was, “People may not come for multiple reasons. For one, they may not come because they don’t feel welcome in a ‘churchy’ setting, or they may not come because they are too ‘caught up’ in other events or things going on in their own life.”

“I would love for it to get the point where my classmates made it a priority to come and get time with God,” Crabtree concluded.

The object of UC Worship is to connect people closer to one another, but also so that they can have a real encounter with God for themselves.

As a Christian myself, I attend worship not because I have to but because I need it.

It is such a cool environment and there are so many people that are awaiting your arrival. UC Worship is open to anyone and everyone no matter who you are or where you come from. It is every Thursday night at 8 p.m. in the Gatliff Chapel each week. I strongly urge you to at least check it out and give it a shot. After all, you never know what may happen!

BY ASHTON R ECTOR Staff Writer

Where is God? We could all give the generic Sunday School answer of “heaven” and be content with our response, but when hardships inevitably come our way do we have the same reaction? We can’t see God or touch Him, and if God really is with us all the time then why does he allow complications into our lives? In the new film “Unstoppable,” which is available on Netflix, actor Kirk Cameron says to answer these questions we must have a better understanding of who God is.

Throughout the documentary, Cameron greatly recounts the stories of creation and sheds a better light on the age-old demands our minds are sometimes unable to comprehend.

Cameron has partnered with Liberty University in Virginia to create illustrations of the beginning stories of the Old Testament complete from creation of man to the story of Abraham in order to give the viewer a better perspective of God and His handiwork.

The scenes are all very well directed; however, a fair warning must be given for the act of the first murder between Cain and Able because it is graphic. As these biblical events are reenacted Cameron gives commentary and teaches how our unanswerable wonderings and God’s creation are related.

The questions addressed in this film are what Cameron labels as “faith-wrecking,” because in our human minds there seems to be no answer. Attempting to understand why

tragedy or suffering comes when we know God can prevent them is as Cameron says, “Trying to pour the entire ocean into this coffee cup, it just won’t fit.” How do we then find a so-

lution? While the film progresses Cameron further explains in order to find the solution there must be a belief that everyone and everything has a purpose.

The motion picture also follows along as Cameron breaks the sad news that a young family friend has lost his battle to cancer. During the documentary, we observe Cameron as he journeys to console the young boy’s family and attend the funeral services. Although it may seem somewhat random to include this situation to the film it is actually quite vital. The viewer sees and hears details of the young boy and his family’s battles. Mindsets are then changed from merely inquisitive to a sympathetic application to their own life.

When we stop to view unfortunate circumstances of our own or others the idea that God is sovereign is as Kirk Cameron calls a “hard sell.” We feel as if God really doesn’t understand our pain, confusion, or doubt, but He does.

He took on human flesh and endured an unimaginably tragic death for our sin. “I’ve already seen my God use the most horrific and tragic events in history, for the greatest things in the world,” states Cameron in the film.

Therefore, we have hope in the midst of hard times. Cameron leaves the audience with encouraging proclamations such as, “I have hope that in every tragedy in my life and in yours, every future tragedy, and every future pain and struggle, and suffering and death, God can and will use those things for His greater glory and for our good. Because that’s what He’s been doing all along!”

7 Entertainment

God is proven ‘Unstoppable’