UC: ThE #1 plAcE to bE
Letter from the Managing Editor
Dear Patriots,
This week is full of fun opportunities and events leading up to homecoming, but when you think of the word homecoming, what does that mean to you? How do you define “home”? Home to me is where I feel like I belong, and where I have my strongest support system. That does not necessarily mean that where your hometown is really feels like home to you. UC is a place where over the last four years I’ve made strong friendships and had memorable experiences, not to mention learned so much. I think I can speak for many students when I say sometimes going home means coming back to campus. Often times, as we mature we learn how to take better care of ourselves, how to be more responsible, and how to be independent. This can result in a period of time where you feel like you are stuck in-between your hometown and campus. You go home, and things are not quite the same, but campus is a temporary place that is supposed to prepare you for where you will be in the future, so sometimes that does not always feel quite like home either.
This can be motivation to pursue what you love all the more. Find where you are most comfortable and in your element. This could mean that you make the decision to pursue a career where you have to make a foreign place your home and start from scratch in order for it to eventually develop into a feeling of belonging. Whether you consider home a feeling or just a place, we can use this week as a time where we can get together with our friends and enjoy where we are at right now. Get out of your dorm, take a break from studying, and go to a football game and be with people who feel like home.
Sincerely,
Emilee Agee, Managing Editor
Editor-In-Chief
Zane Ross
Managing Editor
Emilee Agee
Faculty Adviser
Jeremiah Massengale
Staff
Haley Bullock
Leanne Gregory
Tyler Kohn
Mike Krzyston
Rebecca Lewter
Jessica McFerron
Alex Nunn
Jenna Rose
Nichole Sharp
Tara Todd
Hunter West
Dan Williams
Kenzie Wright
Maranda Young
Email comments, concerns or tips to: thepatriot@ucumberlands.edu or call us at 606-539-4172 7000 College Station Drive Williamsburg, Kentucky 40769
The Patriot is the 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 Associated Collegiate Press and Kentucky Press Association.
Cover photo by Zane Ross
UC reflects on what homecoming means to them Pats and present
BY ZANE ROSS AND MARANDA YOUNG Editor and Staff Writer
Every year the University of Cumberlands extends an invitation to gather alumni, students, faculty and staff together for a weekend of football, fun and a chance to reminisce with friends. The definition of homecoming is “an instance of coming home” and it is certainly that, but that isn’t the first thing to spring to the minds of most. If you ask anyone on campus what homecoming is or what it means to them then you’ll find that the answer lies on a broad spectrum.
“It’s a matter of nostalgia and an idea of progress,” says Robbie Floyd, a professor of Communications and UC alum. “For me, homecoming is being able to revisit a pivotal moment in your life, play with that sense of change and see how you’ve moved forward from that special period in your life.”
Although, for some the return is about re-experiencing some of the more influential years of their life there are others who return for the opportunity to revitalize relationships with old friends and mentors.
“I’ve always enjoyed connecting with people who I went to school with or professors,” said Jamey Temple, a UC alum and professor of English. “Even though we may be Facebook friends and say happy birthday once a year, a lot of people I went to school with I don’t get to see so it’s nice when they come back to Williamsburg and we’re able to reconnect. So, for me, that is what homecoming is about: the chance to reconnect.”
As alumni begin to return to campus there are students who feel a motivating drive to show off what UC has to offer. Year to year, UC goes through a myriad of changes and homecoming is a chance to highlight where current students are going and how they’ve had the opportunity to grow as individuals.
Justin Clark, a UC sophomore and Patriot defensive lineman, said, “Homecoming is important because of all the spirit at UC, being able to see all the alumni come back and being able to put on a good show for them.”
Though there are some who focus on the aspects of growth and innovation at UC there are other students who find homecoming is an opportunity to investigate the past and learn from those who came before.
UC senior Elizabeth Steward said, “It’s a time for everyone to get together and remember the history of the school, where we are and where we come from.”
Everyone has their own idea of what homecoming means, but above all the differences UC has become a place for students to call home.
A letter from the SGA
To the University of the Cumberlands students:
As the new year is now well underway, the Student Government Association has made many improvements, and we would like to thank you for your ideas and contribution! SGA would like to let the student body know what we have accomplished to better serve the student body. We started out the year with many new members and a larger cabinet to have broader and more accurate representation of the student body. SGA funded the furniture in front of the Wellness Center, the speakers installed outside the football stadium, and voted to have Frisbee golf baskets installed in Briar Creek Park. To contribute to the Golden Can drive, SGA has been and will continue to sell DVDs from its movie library. Our cabinet members and president have met with Dr. Coleman, Dr. Cockrum, and Pioneer, our food provider on campus, to improve on-campus living and services provided to students on campus.
We encourage all students to attend our next meeting on October 24 when Larry Rector, the director of financial aid, will be coming for feedback and to answer questions. We are excited to continue our work to improve the lives of students on campus with new input and ideas.
President Carl Rogne
Vice President Nicole Ceausu
Photo by Zane Ross
Photo by Alex Nunn
Photo by Alex Nunn
Converging at the crossing
BCM attends annual Converge conference at Camp Crossings
BY MARANDA YOUNG Staff Writer
September 21-23, the University of the Cumberland’s Baptist Campus Ministries group traveled to Camp Crossings at Cedarmore for the annual Converge conference. The group attended three sessions led by Algernon Tennyson, founder and president of Awaken International Ministries, listened to Cedarville College’s Christian band, Heart Song, and strengthened their faith and community through a variety of games and activities.
Miah Carey, a UC sophomore and BCM student leader, said, “I learned to look at myself a lot more and I had to think about what I can do next to help myself rather than focusing on other people and what I can do to help them.”
One of the next steps that Tennyson taught to grow stronger as a Christian leader is to be open and honest with your peers, to talk about the things that people try to conceal or hide from others.
UC senior and BCM student leader, Stephen Petrie, said, “We can’t truly be transformed into who God has made us to be and desired us to be until we get transparent with each other about where we’re at, and about where we’re at with Jesus.”
As one final step of many Tennyson taught that weekend is to learn community. This helped some students become more outgoing.
“At first, honestly, I was not wanting to go, but I’m glad I did because I not only grew closer to some of my classmates but also with some of the upper-class men who are starting to mentor us,” said Raeanne Barton, a UC
freshman.
The students that attended the trip learned some of the relationship expectations God has laid out in the Bible, such as having patience and understanding for others.
Chad Everhart, UC campus minister said, “The worship sessions were a great time of fellowshipping with the Lord and fellowshipping with one another.”
Another majority favorite of the weekend were the extra activities. There were a variety of sports such as basketball, soccer, nine square, rope climbing, and a movie was shown. Through the activities, students worked as a team and became closer to one another.
Students also attended Bible study. Students who led the Bible study groups selected students who have just started their involvement in Christian leadership on campus. During the Bible study groups, leaders asked discussion questions and gave their own input.
“It’s a great time, when you are away, where you can focus on the Lord and really be in nature and focus on his presence,” said Everhart.
A lesson that Everhart wanted the students who attended the trip, and all students who are entering college, to learn is that “life is better together.” If you are someone wondering how to accept Jesus into your life, then you can contact Chad Everhart at chad.everhart@ucumberlands.edu.
Photo by Chad Everhart
Racism & The Gospel
BCM hosts discussion about how the Bible addresses racism
BY JENNA ROSE Staff Writer
On Thursday, Oct. 11 in Gatliff Chapel, Baptist Campus Ministries at University of the Cumberlands held “Gospel & Racism,” a panel discussion about racism. Devon Goings, Tino Soto, and Dr. Geogy Thomas were on the panel and addressed students’ questions regarding racism and what the Bible says about it.
Goings said, “The student body wanted it and it is a hot topic too.” Campus Ministries did not choose the topic. The students did. “It was highly requested at the end of last year,” said Goings.
Chad Everhart, the campus minister, mentioned that the most asked question of the night was about interracial marriages. Thomas, a physician and elder of Cornerstone Community Church, answered this question by talking about the idea that people are becoming “biblically illiterate.” He continued to explain that the Bible does not forbid interracial marriage but instead mentions that God wants Christians to marry fellow Christians.
Thomas said, “It is not the color of skin that brings them together, it is the Lord that brings them together.”
According to the panel, God does not want someone of faith to stray because of a relationship.
Soto, director of operations at Immanuel Baptist Church, mentioned a passage in Numbers during the discussion in which Moses was criticized
for marrying a Cushite woman. In the passage, the Lord defends their marriage.
Soto said, “It has nothing to do with race and everything to do with faith.”
The men also addressed the idea that “God’s bride is the church” and it is interracial. Rose Bowen, a freshman at UC, is African-American and Caucasian. She attended the discussion hoping to get answers on how Jesus handled racism.
“What stood out to me was the topic of interracial dating and marriage because I am a product of it and I am in an interracial relationship,” said Bowen.
The panel proved to be beneficial for her.
Bowen said, “Asking questions and having different people answer them gives a better perspective on the topic.”
Along with interracial marriages the panelists answered questions regarding their own experiences with racism and how it has affected them, how Jesus handled racism and why the image of Christ is often presented as Caucasian. Throughout the academic year there will be more panel discussions held on this topic with more questions to be answered.
Photo by Maranda Young
Left to Right: Chad Everhart, Tino Soto, Devon Goings and Geogy Thomas discuss their experiences with racism in Gatliff Chapel.
Striking for success
Dance, dance revolution
UC’s bowling team start their season strong UC dance team makes a comeback with high-hopes
BY KAYLA SHANNON
Guest Writer
On Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Louisville Classic, UC women’s bowling had two very successful days on the lanes as they earned a sixth-place finish knocking down 6,537 pins, followed by a third-place finish on Sunday at the Thomas N. Burris Memorial Tournament knocking down 6,801 pins. The Pats are coming off a very successful 2017-2018 season where they won the Cardinal Classic, placed third or higher in almost every tournament they participated in, and were the Mid-South Conference champions. This year’s team consists of bowlers Sarah Doyle, Kerrigan Welch, Kayla Shannon, ReighAnn Oliphant, Sydney Puckett, Megan Kelly and coach Brandi Hensley. Finishing second in the first two tournaments of the season, Welch describes the third-place MSC finish on Sunday as “a huge boost going into the rest of the season.” These were the first two Mid-South Conference tournaments of the season and with only two more left the Pats still have a lot of room to improve and work even harder.
UC junior Sarah Doyle said, “We really came together as a team on Sunday after a rough day all day on the lanes on Saturday. We all came together and left everything else outside of the building and that is why I believe we did so well together. We fought for what we came there for.”
Individually, Doyle and Welch were the two stars this weekend as they both earned All-Tournament Team honors, which is the top five individual scores for each day. This was one of Doyle’s many and the first in Welch’s career.
Welch said, “I was so honored to be the first one to earn the number one individual finish in school history. I know I worked hard, and my team was there to support me through it all and I couldn’t be anymore thankful.”
The Pats have a few weekends off and then they head to Smyrna, Tennessee on October 27-28 where they will be competing in the Brandon Burns Memorial Tournament.
BY TORI COMBS Guest Writer
A new sports team can be spotted on the sidelines at University of the Cumberlands home football games this fall. Joining the cheerleading team on the sidelines this year is the dance team, coached by Corissa Dyer who is also the head cheerleading coach at UC.
Molli Mullberry, a dancer on the team, said, “I think I’m most excited to see how the program will grow considering we’re starting from scratch. Corissa is a great coach and a talented dancer herself, so she will make this program grow very well.”
This is not the first time a dance team has existed on the University of the Cumberlands campus. The first dance team halted their performances about three years ago. Under Dyer, the new program is expected to be more successful than previous iterations.
The dance team made their first appearance at the football team’s first home game against Cincinnati Christian University on September 1. Since then, they have performed two new hip hop routines at football games. When they are not dancing at games, they can be found performing sideline cheers with the cheerleaders.
The dance team will be performing at home basketball games this winter, and will also be competing in dance competitions during the winter and spring seasons. Dyer has an impressive resume as the head cheerleading coach at UC. Under her coaching, the cheer team won the Mid-South Conference Championships in spring 2018.
“In the future, I expect to see the dance team competing for the MidSouth Conference Title, and eventually competing at the national level,” said Dyer.
You can catch the dance team’s performance at the next home football game, or at home basketball games during the winter basketball season. The dance team competition schedule has not yet been released to the public.
Photo submitted
Photo by Zane Ross Reighann Oliphant practices bowling on Oct. 16, 2018.
Art for the soul
UC hosts new art exhibition
BY CHELSEA CANADY Guest Writer
An art exhibition was hosted by the art department in the Luecker building at the University of the Cumberlands from October 1-9 at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every year, the art department hosts a plethora of exhibitions. Starting off this year, they displayed art pieces of their collection. Most of their collection that was displayed showed a diversity of pieces from water coloring to pencil drawings. Anyone could attend and could sign their names in a guestbook, showing that they attended.
A student success coordinator, Marissa Fugate, attended the art exhibition. Her favorite art piece was by Abraham Walkowitz which was a drawing on a back of sheet music. Fugate was asked if she would bring a friend she said, “Definitely. Especially in our area where you don’t get as much opportunity in Williamsburg to go to places like the art exhibition.”
While the art exhibitions are open to anyone who wants to go, it’s mainly there for those who are part of the University of the Cumberlands and those who appreciate art.
When asked if she would attend the next art exhibition, Fugate said, “Yes. I’d go back anytime they have art pieces up.”
In some of the exhibitions, students can participate if their work is approved. While visiting the gallery, professor Russell Weedman, head of the art department and a full-time professor who hosted the art exhibition was asked if students participate and when students participate.
Weedman said, “We do several shows every year. We usually start with a show that’s made up of our collection. Sometimes we invite artists and they will do an exhibition of their artworks. In the spring semester, we usually start with a student exhibition.”
Those who couldn’t make it to the last art exhibition, there will be plenty of more opportunities to attend and even participate. If one wishes to participate and would like their own art piece up, they would have to be approved by the art department.
Weedman was asked if students who aren’t exactly with the art department can participate and he said, “We’ve had that happen plenty of times. We look for artworks that are stand outs.”
Your homecoming weekend isn’t complete without the right playlist. Check out our tunes on Spotify, including hits like “Cupid Shuffle,” “I Gotta Feeling,” “Don’t Stop Believin’” and more!
Photo by Alex Nunn
