Letter from the Editor
Dear readers,
The fall season comes with many changes. The changing of the colors, weather and even our own clothes reminds us that nothing is constant. We live in a world that is continuously evolving around us. Yet, even with all this change, it is often beneficial to remind ourselves of where we came from and who we once were.
Homecoming celebrations at the many universities and colleges across the nation provide a means through which to do this, and that is true here at the University of the Cumberlands as well. As a university, we welcome back the alumni who have traveled beyond our campus and look to them as a reminder of where we have come from. All the while, we celebrate those who are presently a part of our university community as a hope of possible changes to come.
Still, there’s absolutely no denying that change is tough. As humans, we’re naturally resistant to it. We oppose it because to alter our environment reflects an alteration in ourselves. Breaking free of the status quo and creating a shift in how we think and operate in life and on our campus is challenging. Yet, if we look at the changes that have accumulated over the years here at UC, we see positive reception and often a welcomed embrace of the ideas and people that have made those transformations possible.
The alumni that are being welcomed back to campus can attest to the fact that UC has made efforts to create positive changes both on campus and in our community for students and community members alike. Certainly, in my time at UC I have seen change first hand. I have witnessed UC reaching out to students, calling on them to speak up about what they would like to see changed, what they believe would better enable them to be successful.
Personally, I have witnessed UC’s president, Dr. Larry Cockrum, and Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Emily Coleman, spearheading these efforts, but there have also been many other administrators involved. To all individuals involved, I say thank you for creating an environment in which students have an opportunity to grow, to succeed. Thank you for allowing an atmosphere in which students have a voice to speak about concerns and what they wish to see in the future of UC.
So, yes, change is tough. But change can help you change, and that can be a good thing. As we reflect on our times here at UC this homecoming weekend, let’s keep in mind that this is not how things have always been, nor is this how things will always be. Just as summer has faded in fall, so too will UC enter a new season in its progression into the future.
Yours,
Trenton
Randall Canada
Editor-In-Chief
Trenton Canada
Assistant Editor
Ashton Rector
Faculty Advisor
Jeremiah Massengale
Staff
Hope Austin
Hunter Cleary
Eric Ford Edwards
Leanne Gregory
DJ Hite
Alyssa Parrott
Zane Ross
Editorial Review Board
Lisa Bartram
Marianne Worthington
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.
By Tren TOn CA n ADA
e ditor-in-Chief
The Pursuit of the Golden Can UC to participate in annual food drive competition against Union College
Beginning October 15, 2016, the University of the Cumberlands will participate in the annual “Pursuit of the Golden Can” food drive, which will run through November 15. The food drive is an annual competition between Union College and UC, with Union claiming victory for the past six years.
The “Pursuit of the Golden Can” is an annual food drive sponsored by Kentucky Harvest, a nonprofit organization that supplies perishable and non-perishable food items to Kentucky residents in need. In the past, UC has competed against Union College and Eastern Kentucky University’s Corbin campus in an effort to raise the most canned food for donation. As of now, however, only Union and UC are participating this year.
Vice President of Student Services Dr. Emily Coleman, stated, “In the past, there have been multiple food drives on campus, and this year we decided to make it more university wide and consolidate a group effort toward one, big food drive.”
The winner of the competition is determined based on a percentage system. The percentage of pounds of food gathered will be compared to the entire residential student population, and the institution with the highest percentage overall will be declared the winner.
“We have a much larger residential student population [than Union], and we’re committed to winning this year,” Coleman offered. “We’re involving the residence halls, we’re involving faculty and staff and we’re doing competitions between the departments.”
UC students will have a chance to contribute to the drive beginning October 15 by placing canned food items in designated bins in their residential halls. In addition, the Office of Student Services will serve as a drop-off point for commuter students who would also like to donate. For students who are unable to provide canned food items but still want to donate, residential halls and Student Services will also be accepting monetary donations that will then be used to purchase more food items.
This year, The Pursuit of the Golden Can is brought to campus through a partnership among Student Services, UC’s Student Government Association and UC’s residence halls.
Coleman said of SGA’s involvement, “They are the student representation on our planning committee, so they give us the student perspective. They help us see what would be good ways to challenge students in this and will also help with gathering and transporting some of the food.”
According to Coleman, SGA also proposed one of the primary incentives for participating in the food drive, which is a percentage bonus that will contribute
to the “Duel of the Dorms” competition for the residence hall that gathers the most food.
“It’s to help tie in something that we’re already doing and to encourage the competitive drive,” Coleman said.
Seth Gilliam, SGA’s chief of staff, stated, “We’re are going to try really hard to get this out on social media. It’s all looking really good. There’s a lot of effort being put in.” In addition to the social media posts that will be circulating, Gilliam also notes that students will be receiving emails detailing the food drive and how to participate.
Gilliam added to this by stating, “We want to represent the student body through this as best we can.”
According to Gilliam, department incentives may include a possible breakfast or lunch with Dr. Larry Cockrum, UC’s president. Gilliam also mentioned a pizza party incentive along with other ideas, yet Coleman has not confirmed these at this time.
Jessica Pope, student president for SGA, said, “As for us, we just want to help in any way we can to make more of an impact on the community… Helping our community is our main goal.”
The food UC collects during this month-long competition will be donated to First Baptist Church’s food bank, located in Williamsburg.
Norma Dunston, office administrator for First Baptist Church, notes that the Thanksgiving and Christmas food pantries serve an average of 120 families per month.
“Thanks to the University of the Cumberlands and their generous students, we can ease the situation a little,” Dunston stated. “We at First Baptist are very grateful for your remembering us as you gather groceries for this food drive.”
Dunston also added that students who wish to do more than just donate will be able to volunteer their time at the food pantry October 19 and 24, November 16 and 28, and December 21.
“We see God’s movement at UC and in our community from the kind and generous students and staff,” Dunston added.
“We have a lot of blessings on this campus,” Coleman concluded. “A lot of us just don’t know what it means to be hungry or for a child to look at you and say that they’re hungry and you not have a way to provide for them. That happens not just in our community but everywhere. During the holidays, it’s particularly tough for a lot of families, so this is a way for us to add to the stockpile at [First Baptist’s] food pantry. It’s just a way to help.”
Brad Paynter poses with food items that could be used in the “Pursuit of the Golden Can” food drive.
Photo by DJ Hite
Reunited
and it sounds so good
Celebrating Spotlight’s ten-year anniversary
By Alyss A PA rrOTT staff Writer
The UC Campus Activities Board is celebrating the ten-year anniversary of the Spotlight singing competition with a reunion show on Friday, October 7 at 9 p.m. in the Gatliff Chapel. Spotlight is a semester-long singing competition where UC students audition for a spot and, if they make it through, compete bi-weekly for a $1,000 prize. The anniversary celebration will include performances from past Spotlight contestants and winners. Director of Student Activities Lisa Bartram said, “It has brought a sense of community. It’s something that can bring the whole campus together. Everyone can relate to it because you are either competing or know someone who is, and everyone has an opinion on who should win.”
According to Bartram, returning contestants include crowd favorites Lesley Tipton, Trey Bryant, Elizabeth Steward, Brandy Martin, Kristen Swords, Maya Nelson, Jake McPheron, Dalton Hutton, Sara Jo Hampton, Megan Hinkle, Jordan Infield and Jonathan Carmack.
The first winner of Spotlight, now director of UC’s physician’s assistant program, Lesley Tipton said, “I think it will be a great opportunity to get together and have some fun. Many of us have graduated and have chosen different paths in life but this is something we all have in common—we love music.”
Ben Call, pictured top, elizabeth steward, pictured far left, Dalton Hutton, pictured bottom, and Brandy Martin, pictured far right, will be returning for the spotlight reunion. Photos by eric Ford e dwards
Brandy Martin was the winner of Spotlight in 2014 and has since become an admissions counselor in undergraduate admissions at UC. “Spotlight definitely helped me meet new people and make life-long friends that I still talk to daily. It was a great way to get out of my comfort zone and I am thankful for the fun I had and the money I won,” Martin said, while laughing. She continued, “I never get to sing anymore so I’m excited to use my voice. Fingers crossed it still works. But I’m most excited to see everyone and hear them sing again. It should be a really fun time and I think we’re all happy that Lisa and her crew are putting this on.” Spotlight was originally called Cumberland Idol when it debuted and Bartram said they were playing off the popularity of the TV show “American Idol.”
The success of the program was surprising according to Bartram. She said, “It took off in a way that none of us could have expected. We have been blessed each year with amazing talent and our students really respond to that and want to come and support their friends.”
UC student Emily Perkins said, “I enjoy watching Spotlight, when I get to attend, and I think a reunion sounds awesome because I love music and getting to enjoy it with everyone else on campus.”
Bartram said “I would love to see the program continue. As long as there is student interest in the Spotlight program, the program will continue to grow.”
Photo by l eslie sizemore
Trey Bryant
s ara Jo Hampton
Zachary Bell
Photo by eric Ford e dwards
Photo by eric Ford e dwards
Invites answered:
A look into the new Student Government Association
By AsHTOn r e CTOr Assistant e ditor
The office is quiet. New flooring covers the ground, with a shine that has yet to be removed by rolling office chairs or scuffs from shoe soles. Outside the office door, a shoebox is sitting on a small end table and is decorated in construction paper reading “Student Suggestions!” The walls are polished with a fresh coat of paint, and a sign on the wall reads in medieval script, Student Government Association. However, the room is not quiet because of a lack of participants; it’s just 10 a.m. on a Thursday morning in the mid-level of the Boswell Campus Center at the University of the Cumberlands.
The potential impact of SGA far exceeds the size of their office. Whether it’s a club in need of extra funds for a project, or a student who wants to suggest an addition to campus facilities, students can attend meetings and lobby the senate members of student government in order to receive funds to aid their ventures. SGA vice president Courtney Pethers, says their mission as an association is to improve student life.
“A lot of people have problems with the campus and they don’t know what to do, so they can always come to SGA,” says Pethers. Members of the undergraduate student body have recently flocked to join the association, but this has not always been the case. Pethers recalled the organization last year being generally composed of members from the swim team.
Pethers added, “We definitely need more student involvement. I think if we had that we could do a lot more.”
“Even though a lot of the people on the swim team are in SGA, that’s not all that’s in SGA now,” says Sarah Smith, now SGA member. Smith
mentioned she had heard about the same perceptions before joining the organization.
Since this impression lingered over students, the association had to combat this perception by being more intentional in their efforts to see increased student involvement. Smith explained the group specifically invited at least one member from every club on campus at the beginning of the school year in order to reach their goal of more diversity.
As a result of the association’s invitation efforts, a variety of students attended the first meeting and became sworn-in members.
Senior cheerleader and new member of SGA, Anna Hoekstra, said, “It’s nice to get involved with all the other sports teams on campus and people who aren’t athletes just to see what their views of what needs to happen on campus are.”
Student government also holds a budget of $42,000, some of which is dedicated to food events during finals week and movie nights, but there are still funds that can be allocated elsewhere.
Blair Walden, chairman of campus improvement committee and new cabinet member, explained the ideas that SGA would like to focus their funds this year. The group would like to dedicate attention to areas of improvement that will yield long-term benefits, in addition to the request for funds by students.
For example, Walden suggested the groups would be looking to add items such as a full coffee bar in the dining hall, ice machines for the dorms, and more lawn furniture outside campus buildings.
s GA members speak with students about campus suggestions.
Photo by DJ Hite
“I asked my members to go and talk to people, friends, faculty, whoever, and get some good ideas,” stated Walden.
Members of the association are free to lobby the members of SGA and request funds for a specific cause. They simply must fill out a form and then the members vote to pass or deny the request.
Hoekstra mentioned her plan of action in lobbying the senate would be to meet one of her team’s needs- raincoats. This is a difficulty Hoekstra described that her team faces when they cheer outside during rainy football games without a team jacket to repel the water.
“It’s very hard to cheer games in ponchos because you can’t move,” said Hoekstra.
With the new cabinet members, new challenges have followed along as well. Smith is the secretary of media for the group and spoke of an instance where communication between the members caused some confusion.
Smith noticed her phone buzz repeatedly throughout one of her classes, but when she was able to check the notifications from the group message she became concerned.
“They were like ‘free movie night is tomorrow and we didn’t tell anybody about it, and we need you to design things and post about it,’” said Smith.
The group became frantic and hurried in what is best described as a false alarm, because they discovered the date of the movie night was not until the following month.
Smith explained as the group moves forward that they will be working to improve lines of communication with and among members that oversee such events.
Cabinet meetings, with the cabinet members who are chosen through an application process over the summer, are also held by the group in which they all join in a round table fashion under the oversight of the vice president to begin their conducting of business.
Walden explained, “It’s actually opposite, the president behind the scenes, I’m sure, there’s a lot of work, but the vice president kind of takes over that leadership role.”
The cabinet meetings are not lax either; they continue to uphold the same standards placed in the larger setting meetings as they do within the meetings of the cabinet.
“We try to do it by the book, so we have motion to adjourn and we do it the way that a typical SGA meeting should be conducted,” said Walden.
A number of members have been added to the SGA population this past year, but they still search for more.
The association has branched far from their past comfort zone to look at the student body as a whole in many different scopes, rather than just one lens. Though the office may remain still and quiet for now, SGA leaders hope it will soon fill with the voice of student suggestions or concerns and be met with the opportunity to make a difference.
s GA members collect ballots for homecoming court nominations.
Photo by DJ Hite
By Z A ne rO ss staff Writer
This too shall pass
Helpful information on stress and how to manage it
It’s about that time again, when the papers start to pile high and textbook readings seem to blend together. It is that insurmountable level of stress that we feel that pushes us to do our best, but also pushes us to what feels like our limits. Most of us know that some stress can be a good thing, it keeps us on our toes, but too much stress is unhealthy. In the wake of approaching midterms, it might be beneficial to find out how you can cope with stress, as well as find the time to study and make good grades.
First, how do you know when you are undergoing serious negative stress? Connie Howard, a professor of health science at the University of the Cumberlands, said, “Stress affects our mind and our body. A few examples of immediate reactions to stress would be sweating, headache, upset stomach, racing heartbeat, a sense of nervousness. Prolonged periods of stress could lead to depression, chronic fatigue, disorganized thoughts, and feelings of being overwhelmed with no control over your life.”
It can be difficult to get past the negative stress that comes with class deadlines and upcoming exams, but it is more than possible to do so. Dr. Jane Whitaker, a professor of psychology at UC, said, “It’s important to set some priorities.” Whitaker added, “Find the things that you don’t really have control of, like worrying about what someone might think of you, and just release that thought and focus on what you can control. Also, I tend to make
lists of things that need done and break larger tasks into smaller ones. As the smaller tasks get marked off the list doesn’t seem nearly as long and I don’t feel like I’m under as much stress.”
Howard, also added, “Time management is the biggest factor here in that it is a must to give yourself plenty of time to prepare for your classes. Proper rest is needed, it is a proven fact that students who are not well rested do not do as well academically. With proper time management, then there is plenty of room for socialization. Making friends is a big part of our lives. Friends should add to our lives, not take away. Friends are one of our greatest gifts. I encourage you to avoid toxic relationships. Those are relationships which steal your peace and drain you mentally and physically.”
With that in mind there are also various things that you can do to help yourself alleviate that negative stress, like making time for your favorite activities. Some people might want to play video games, watch Netflix, read a favorite book, exercise and/or pray. There is no set way to reduce stress, but finding time for yourself and doing things that take your mind off of the work load can be helpful. So, for example, it might be beneficial to take a break from the books, just for a few hours and come out for some of the events offered this Homecoming weekend.
Photo by DJ Hite
Stars Hollow Sweep: Luke’s Diner
Pop-Ups Fill the Nation
By AsHTOn r e CTOr Assistant e ditor
The scent of a freshly ground brew seeped from the door as people began to line the streets for a free cup of Joe. Outside, the air was slightly warm for a 6 a.m. October morning unlike the town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. People wound around the block to sip on a much-needed cup of coffee; just like their favorite mother-daughter duo, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, that first appeared on television 16 years ago on Oct. 5. The owner placed a new sign above the door and The Golden Roast Coffee House and Roaster was no longer open, but Luke’s Diner complete with a man in flannel and a backwards baseball cap that brought the TV show “Gilmore Girls” to life in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Fans of the show gathered at more than 200 locations that were transformed from coffee house to Luke’s Diner for a day across the country. The event was made possible by Netflix, and promoted the premiere of the Netflix Original “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” that will be available on Nov. 25.
“I’ve grown up watching ‘Gilmore Girls,’ it was one of my favorite series, and I thought going to this once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate the anniversary with my friends would be a memorable college experience,” said Mariah Hall, University of the Cumberlands student who visited The Golden Roast Coffee House and Roaster in Knoxville.
Around the first 200 people were rewarded with a free cup of coffee that was held in a cup with an original Lorelai Gilmore quotes, such as “This is a jumbo coffee morning. I need coffee in an I.V.” Each cup was also
complimented with an official Luke’s Diner coffee sleeve, complete with the noted yellow coffee cup logo.
UC alumna Kendra Peek Harris visited Coffee Times, one of the two locations in Lexington, Kentucky that were transformed to Luke’s for the day. “I had the day off and had planned to stay home. I really like Coffee Times, but I don’t get to come here often since I live in Danville. I weighed back and forth and decided why not. Hats and flannel are a normal part of my wardrobe,” Harris recounted.
Not only were fans dressed in flannel shirts galore, but also the employees at the coffee houses dressed in the same fashion. Fans could also sneak a photo or two in front of Luke’s well-recognized “No Cell Phones” sign to help bring a bit more of Stars Hollow to life, but what draws the fans to the fictional town in Connecticut?
“There are great characters, from Lorelai’s wit to Rory’s brains,” said Harris.
Hall explained, “I like how everybody knows everybody, and how it seems on the show that everyone in the community is there for you if you need it.”
While there may not have been a white gazebo centered in the town square or a Doose’s Market to purchase groceries nearby, for one day only, “Gilmore Girls” enthusiasts could start their day just like Lorelai and Rory, with coffee at Luke’s Diner.
Photo submitted by Ashton r ector
Finding the Fantastic A literary review of “Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them”
By l e A nne Gre GOry staff Writer
Have any of you more magically-inclined students who live here on campus ever wondered where a Phoenix lives? Or how many types of dragons exist in the modern era? If the answer is yes, then the 52 edition of Newt Scamander’s “Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them” is the book for you. The “textbook” was written by J.K. Rowling in 2001 as a companion piece to the main “Harry Potter” series, with the intention of helping to raise money for the United Kingdom charity Comic Relief; a charity dedicated to helping people who live in poverty all across the UK and Africa since 1985. In light of the upcoming movie adaptation, for the first time, I decided to look at what makes this book so magical.
The book opens with a foreword written by the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry himself Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore explains that the book has been used at Hogwarts since its publication and that the copy of the book held in the hands of the reader was once personally owned by Harry Potter himself, and contains some of his and his friends hand written notes. He also states that the purpose of this particular edition of the acclaimed wizarding textbook is far more noble then the education of young witches and wizards in training and proceeds to give an overview of what Comic Relief is and what it has done for the muggle, non-magical folk, community over the years.
It then transitions over to an introduction by Scamander. In it he tells all about his journey in making the book, and gives a brief history of how the wizarding community classifies and rates the dangerousness of the magical creatures they oversee. It also includes tales of ordinary muggles who have been unfortunate enough to encounter the beasts of the wizarding world and the steps that have been taken to ensure that further encounters will no longer occur. This helps the reader to ease into the most expansive portion of the text;
a A to Z index of over 75 creatures that have been cataloged in the time since the 52 edition has been written.
The entries appear as small biographies that differ in length and description for every creature and include some well-known Harry Potter staples, such as the Basilisk, a fifty-foot serpent capable of killing anyone who stares into its yellow gaze, and the Centaur, an intelligent half-man half-horse creature who lives in the deepest regions of the forest. The book also expands upon some relatively new arrivals to the magical world. Take for instance, the Lethifold, a rare, cloak-like creature found in the tropics that swallows people whole in their sleep. Or the Jobberknoll, a blue speckled bird who upon its death plays back every sound it has ever heard backwards. The book then ends with an about the author section, almost as abruptly as this review seems to end.
All in all, I found the book to be a useful tool for any aspiring witch or wizard, and an entertaining read for anyone who isn’t of the magical variety. It expands upon the lore that fans know so well, and provides a great introduction into the wizarding world for new readers with the wide variety of creatures it portrays. Although, I must say I do have some complaints. At times I was frustrated by the brevity with which some of the monsters were described, and the distinct lack of any of the characters, including the author himself, from the text, but these complaints are minimal and didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story as a whole. What made me enjoy the story the most however, were the thoughts of how the book will be incorporated into the movie of the self-same title that is set to come out later this year. The notion of being able to see on the big screen some of the amazing creatures depicted in the book has me shuddering in anticipation.
UC student Zeke Bishaw poses with J.K. r owling’s book, “Fanastic Beasts & Where to Find Them.”
Photo by DJ Hite
Top 10 opponent brings challenge for UC’s homecoming game
By lA n Dry WOOD s Guest Writer
As many students recognize from the banners on campus, this is homecoming week for the University of the Cumberlands. With that comes many exciting events on campus, one of which is a home football game. This year UC takes on number seven-ranked Lindsey Wilson College in a game under the lights, the Patriots’ toughest challenge to date.
While LWC may bolster a higher ranking, UC football player Connor McJunkin doesn’t believe UC will be gunned by any stretch of the imagination. “We’re confident, we had a bye-week last week.,” said McJunkin, a junior offensive lineman from Niceville, Florida, “We feel good about it, we really do.” Entering the game UC holds a record of 2-3 on the season, with their last game ending in defeat against Union College. LWC, on the other hand, bolsters a 6-0 start on their season.
This shouldn’t scare the Patriot faithful, however, as McJunkin says the Patriots have some advantages on the higher-ranked team, particularly in the special teams game. That isn’t the only spot UC feels confident, though, citing strengths on both sides of the ball. “Last year we had success moving against them. We just can’t turn the ball over and we just can’t put our defense
in bad spots,” said McJunkin talking about UC’s offense. On top of that he praised UC’s defense stating, “I think our front seven is I think it’s one of the best in the Mid-South.”
While this is encouraging it is important to note that the Patriots will be without senior quarterback Adam Craig, due to injury. McJunkin, however, believes freshman Josiah Robbins can get the job done at the position. “He had a great game against Union and he knows our offense and we are going to rally behind him,” said McJunkin when talking about Robbins.
To this point in the season the teams have shared three common opponents: Cumberland University, Cincinnati Christian University, and most recently Union College. With LWC holding a 3-0 record in those games to UC’s 1-2. However, to this point on the season UC is undefeated in games against ranked opponents. Even more encouraging the Patriots have not been defeated in a home game this season, either. So come out and cheer for the Patriots this Saturday night, October 8 at 7 p.m.. at James H. Taylor Stadium. It is sure to excite and perhaps, you’ll witness an upset against a talented LWC team.
Photo courtesy of Flickr’s charamelody. Used with permission.
