It’s easy for us to come up short in remembering all that we have, and focus on all that we have not. When the constant pressure of not having adequate sleep, steady finances and energy becomes all we think about, we often neglect to recognize the blessing that being able to earn an education is, and that the opportunities that are on this campus
We focus on the all-nighters, cram sessions and anxiety, rather than the experiences we make with our friends. We forget that the days are fleeting, and whether we realize it or not, these days where we wonder around sleep deprived and stressed to the max are going to be the days we tell our grandchildren about someday.
At the beginning of the semester I interviewed our new university president, Dr. Larry Cockrum and in his advice to students, he said, “Things are never as bad, or as good as they seem ” Remember to keep that in mind in the next five weeks as the semester comes to a close. It’s not too late for surprising friendships and adventures. Sit with someone new in the Caf. Strike up a conversation with a professor, for reasons other than just stalling class time Attend an event on campus that you usually wouldn’t.
Most importantly realize that there’s still time make the most of the semester From all of us here at The Patriot, we encourage you to be all that you can be.
Sincerely,
Natasha Jones
Band ing to gether
An inside look at UC’s Band Day
BY CH R IS T I N RO T T EN BERGER
StaffWriter
Phot o by Jay S
“Marching band brings about memories that you would never get anywhere else Marching band becomes the family that you can’t live without ” This quote by an unknown author perfectly describes the atmosphere of a marching band. Marching band is something that bonds a group of people with many different backgrounds over one thing, a love for music Whether the members are 15 or 25, each person is there to give their all and entertain their crowds. That’s exactly why Band Day exists.
Each year, the University of the Cumberlands Marching Patriots host a fun-filled weekend open to any high school students who wish to experience what it’s like to be in a college band. Students come anywhere from the local Williamsburg Independent from Chicago, Illinois to join the Marching Patriots for rehearsals and a football game as well as a fun get-together at First Baptist Church.
This year the festivities began on Friday, November 6 Students from various high schools began rolling into the McGaw Music Building as early as 9 a.m. to unload luggage, take campus tours, learn audition tips, and prepare for All-State Auditions Around 2 p m , the recital hall was full of buzzing students excited to start learning their show music for the weekend. Each section split off and began working hard at learning melodies, rhythms, tempos, and dynamics so they could put on the best show possible
Band Day is also a great way to recruit students and show them firsthand what it’s like to participate in a college extra-curricular activity. UC sophomore and marching band member Kaya Lunsford, who participated in Band Day years ago as a student from Corbin High School, says, “I remember coming to Band Day when I was a senior in high school. Everyone made me feel so welcome! I had a blast and loved everything about it. Band Day was one of the events that drove me (to come) here Even as a sophomore in college, I still get excited about Band Day. Watching high schoolers enjoy playing music and hanging out with the UC band members makes my day.”
When 3:30 p m hit the clock, the recital hall was yet again filled with al-
most 80 different high school students as well as the entire UC Marching Band. Excitement packed the air as students of all ages couldn’t wait share this experience with others who loved band as much as they did. The next two hours were focused on blending the new sound of a 100-piece band to get amazing quality, as well as setting the drill on the field and teaching everyone a dance for the final number of the show, “Moves Like Jagger”.
The party didn’t stop after that, as members of all the bands made their way to First Baptist Church This was a time for everyone to make new friends and for high school students to get to know UC students and learn more about college life. The night consisted of music, card games, basketball and volleyball games, and ending with everyone gathering around to watch Disney/Pixar ’s “Inside Out.”
The next morning started bright and early. Rehearsal began at 8 a.m. to re-assure that everything that was learned the day before was locked in each performer ’s mind. Finally, it was time for the game versus the Georgetown Tigers. The band filled the stands, providing music to keep the crowd cheering and the Patriots pumped up At halftime, the UC band took the field to perform a number before inviting all of the Band Day participants to join them on the field. The show went smoothly and resulted in lots of excitement from the crowd
Overall, Band Day 2015 was a large success Everyone from the band directors to the band members worked hard to ensure a great time and wonderful performance for everyone
Zach Shannon, a UC alumni and band director at Williamsburg Independent, supervised Friday and Saturday’s events. Shannon says, “I thought this year ’s Band Day was one of the biggest and most successful so far! We had a combined 100+ on the marching field and it was fun for the high school students, college students, and spectators alike. This a great reruiting event for our university!”
To mo rrow Ta lks
A Q&A about QEP with Dr. Bob Dunston, Grace Van Ryckeghem and Jamie Bell.
BY A SH T ON R E C T OR AssistantEditor
The University of the Cumberlands is currently undergoing the process of reaccreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Through this progression a new quality enhancement plan will be entered into classrooms across UC’s campus named “Think for Tomorrow. Preparing for Tomorrow Today.” However, some students may ask what does this mean for us? In this interview, UC professor and QEP committee member Dr Bob Dunston and UC students Grace Van Ryckeghem and Jamie Bell explain what the new plan entails and what students should expect.
Q: What is SACS? What is the QEP?
Dunston: Pretty much every institution that is accredited is accredited by a regional accrediting agency, like SACSCOC, and every ten years an institution has to go through reaffirmation So this is not a sign that we did something bad. Ten years ago we were going through the same stuff, and part of our reaffirmation was the big report that we sent in the early part of September, which was our 502 page report; so we’ll probably get results on that before Thanksgiving.
The next part is the quality enhancement plan and that’s what we’ve been working on for about two years probably and trying to get together what we want to do to enhance student learning.
Q: As a student, what is your take on the plan as a whole?
Van Ryckeghem: I think it also really builds on the last QEP, the focus that was there and moving on to metacognitive thinking and making sure that we’re prepared to handle the things that are coming up in our world because so much more our jobs are not just one thing. We’re required to do multiple different things and to be able to handle all that and be prepared for that is really important.
Q: How is it different from the last plan? What kind of changes will we see?
Bell: Metacognitive thinking is your process of thinking, so they’re breaking down how you’re going to think about a problem in order to be able to speed up your cognition abilities as well as being able to relate that problem to other things That will enable you to have better job performance It’ll also help you keep up with the rate of information because we get so much information everyday. Helping us speed up this processing is going to make us phenomenal as far as being ahead of other universities and make us competitive in the job market because we’ll be able to adapt faster to so much information.
Q: How will this plan affect students?
Dunston: This is not a plan that changes the curriculum at all. We are going to be focusing on integrated studies courses… and in all of those integrated studies courses we found a signature assignment, kind of a big assignment somewhere in the course, and we’re going to be focusing on that and kind of assessing that with the [quality enhancement plan]. We’re not really adding any assignments that aren’t already there We’re not forcing students to take additional classes that they didn’t want to take in the first place, but we really hope this will just strengthen students’ thinking skills. One thing I think of with this is, it’s not that our students can’t think, because they think well: they think well academically, athletically too with competition, they think well in the arts. Their thinking is really good but as Grace has mentioned and I think Jamie mentioned it as well, with the way the world is changing so quickly we know that we’re going to be having new challenges that we can’t even think about now.
Q: So could you describe these metacognitive skills a little more in depth?
Bell: So, the metacognitive skills that the QEP is working on is analyzing, is basically making connections between the information you get in the assignment and the outside world. So say you have to write a paper about baking a cake, you have to write that paper but what the metacognitive aspect of that is going to be analyzing how you go about planning for this paper, how you do your outline and once you do your outline, you’re going to edit that outline and so all of those processes are metacognitive The goal is to take that outside information and be able to integrate it into that document and then be able to reflect on that and be like “Oh, I remember when I had to bake that cake and [write] that paper ”
Dunston: The four components we’re doing, one of them as Jamie mentioned is “analyzing.” “Discovering” is one because we need to find the best resources that we can use, and “researching” a topic whatever that might be, and then with “engaging” we need to engage with the topic. We often need to - especially in a career but even in a family as well - be able to talk about the problem or the challenge and how we’re going to approach that and kind of get folks on our team to do that… analyze and evaluate that too. These processes all come in together. It’s not like you do one, then do the next one, then the next They’re always intertwined and the next time another problem comes up you go back… it’s just in life too; think, you graduate from college and start a career, then you get married and have a family, and then there are grandkids, and you get to retire All those things are new experiences and new challenges that are coming up. We don’t think about them being academic, but we’re using the thinking skills we’ve developed.
Q: Why should students care about the plan?
Van Ryckeghem: They’ve spent over two years already putting this plan together; there’s at least a lot of thought going into how we can make the students better. You’re going to need these skills, obviously. We’ve talked about how it’s incredibly competitive out there to get a job and having those metacognitive skills to be able to understand what you’re doing and how you’re doing it and make those connections and then use those out in the real world and understand that you’re doing them… I think would be really important for them to do This isn’t something they’re just throwing at us without thinking They’ve thought about it and they know this is where our university needs to be headed and they really think that this is going to help us. We have so many wonderful, qualified faculty members here and people leading this university that have so much experience with this kind of thing I think that we can put a little bit of trust in them and know that they really want what is best for us going forward.
Q: Think for Tomorrow. Preparing for Tomorrow Today. Is that correct?
Dunston: Yes, that is correct
Q: Okay, if you guys could kind of give a few words of what that means to you all?
Van
Ryckeghem: I think really it just means we’re not just going to sit and kind of walk into our future without preparing or knowing what’s going on.
The Thinking for Tomorrow for me is that I’m taking the time to prepare myself and to learn and to educate myself on everything I can find out about and the skills that are going to be useful for me in the future so that by the time I’m in that next phase of life, I’m already prepared for those skills because I took the time to think about it
Bell: I think preparing me for tomorrow is making sure I’m competitive in the job market and that I know how to put a resume together, and once I know what I’m doing in the resume I submit that and I can talk to you and have a face to face conversation, and you understand what I’m saying because those are the skills that you can kind of hone in on here… I think the QEP is really going to help people understand more about how to essentially think for tomorrow.
Dunston: I think for me it’s recognizing that the world is changing incredibly rapidly and there are lots of challenges here, even for an old person like me, that still need to be faced and that I need to be thinking about and just being prepared for that and realizing “Okay, I’m going to have to develop some strategies for how I’m going to face those challenges in the future ”
I n the Shadowland:
A look
at
atheism on a Christian campus
BY T R EN T ON CA N A DA
AssistantEditor
The University of the Cumberlands attracts a large variety of students, students who come from all areas of the world for many different reasons Yet, once each student arrives on campus, they are met with the same reality. UC is a Christian campus, which is, in most respects, why a large percentage of the student applicants chose the university In a crowd of Christians, there is still a minority, a minority that often isn’t considered given the religious nature of UC’s campus. Amidst the throngs of prayer warriors and spirit seekers, atheism exists Though it isn’t a branch of life that is thought of often on a Christian campus, atheism is present, and those who profess a nonbelief in faith face unique challenges and circumstances at UC. Yet, many do not voice these challenges and choose to keep their identity hidden for a variety of reasons
One UC student explains, “It’s not something I broadcast.” Still, the reasons as to why beg to be examined.
At first glance, atheism tends to be a touchy subject on a Christian campus Students and professors alike are, for the most part, stern in their beliefs and are ready to discuss what faith means to them. In some cases, that devotion to belief can be construed as an attack on those who do not feel the same way, as was illustrated in a 2013 article titled “Lifting the Curtain,” published by Northwest Christian University’s online publication, the Beacon Bolt. In this article, student body president for NCU, Eric Fromm, comes out as an atheist and details his views on attending a Christian university. Fromm discusses that some students who found out he was an atheist were outright unkind, calling attention to the irony that those who treated him poorly – be it through verbal attacks or offthe-shoulder glances – were often the same ones who claimed persecution in society and high school because of their religious beliefs.
In relation to this, social media platforms, especially ones that offer anonymity like Yik Yak, are filled with discussions and arguments about religion. Mention the word “atheism” on Yik Yak or Facebook, and the comments will come Yet, the forum for these discussions isn’t restricted to private settings
and social media. In fact, some UC classes on religion have broken out into heated arguments on the topic
“I remember two students in my Old Testament class getting really angry at each other over atheism,” said one 21-year-old UC student. “One of them had a close friend who was an atheist and the other was criticizing her for that friendship. I guess she thought the friend’s atheism could be transferred somehow.”
This introduces another unique aspect of atheism at UC. Once the reality that someone is an atheist is found out, how does that person retain existing or establishing new personal relationships? Though it is certainly not in every situation, prayers in class and in small group settings as well as discussions of faith and Biblical revelations are seen as common for a normal day at UC, especially in the religion classes that are required as a part of the general education curriculum. This practice helps to establish a connection between those students who do participate, yet the same experience can be alienating for students who do not believe in God.
“I’m trying to pour into my friendships right now, but if it [atheism] ever gets brought up, then yes, it’s isolating There’s a shift in that friendship,” offers one UC senior.
Another UC student expresses her thoughts by saying, “I do feel isolated in some ways, but I realize that I am at a Christian university, and people are encouraged to talk about and practice their religion openly.”
Along those same lines, a sense of community is established through the convocation requirements Faith development is one of the four required categories for convocation attendance, and most of the events offered in this section hinge on worship services and ministry. In these events, the music begins and most students rise to their feet, hands thrust into the air, offering praise The emotion of the moment takes over, and worshipers tend to ignore the student atheists who sit in the crowd, observing all of this, witnessing the bonds between the students who share a common faith
“It’s certainly unique,” suggests one UC student. “I have a different perspective on it When you hear people talking about everything after the convo, you’ll hear them talking about how we had a great speaker or it was a great service even if it wasn’t, but because it was based around faith, people feel obligated to give it more credit than was deserved There’s definitely an element of campus culture and a social culture in that moment ”
Still, for those who do identify as Christian, all of these things – the prayers, the discussions, the daily mentions of God, the convocations – they seem normal for UC, for any Christian campus The thought then arises: Why would an atheist come to a Christian college? For this, there are many answers.
One such answer can be found by looking again at the 2013 article written by Fromm In the piece, he specifically addressed his decision to attend NCU, knowing that it was a Christian campus. He stated, “Truth be told, I came to NCU not because of its religious affiliations, but because it had a solid communications program ”
Therein lies a telling aspect of student choice. While many students chose UC because of its religious nature, there are those who chose it because of the programs offered Others came because of certain scholarships given One UC student agrees, “I chose UC because I got everything covered for going here. I couldn’t pass that up.”
On top of these, there are a host of other reasons to choose UC, including location, friends who may be attending and sports offered
Most of the students who attend UC are comfortable with its Christian affiliation. As was established, the knowledge that UC is a Christian campus is no doubt why many chose to attend, and this bond through a common belief aids in enabling a sense of community throughout the student body and faculty Yet, that same community has the potential to overshadow those students who do not share in the belief of God. This certainly isn’t to say that Christianity and Christian campuses are exclusive nor should they be seen as threatening, yet it is to say that universities, whether religiously affiliated or not, are diverse with all aspects of life. At UC, atheism does exist, and while many student atheists may not openly discuss it, they are there and they will remain
Upda ting your co llege experience
Top apps to enhance your time as a student
BY LY DI A JA Y StaffWriter
As we all know college can be tough and can be even tougher if you don’t have the needed necessities to assist you as a students to help us get through college life. One of the convenient sources that we have today to assist us are apps designed to specifically benefit us as we go through college Throughout this piece you will see a list of apps that are the most beneficial to have during your time as a college student.
1.) Easy Bib: If you are like me, I struggle on my papers when it comes accomplishing the correct citation format for different styles. If you happen to struggle in this area too, rest assured this app is for you Easy Bib is an easy way to help insure that you have the correct citation format of any style that you may need for a certain paper and or Bibliography. The citation styles this app provides are MLA, APA, and Chicago formats All that is needed on your part is to type in the name of the book or article etc. where you got your information and choose the type of citation format you want. Then it will provide the correct citation you have chosen
2.) Studious: As you know, taking a load of challenging classes each semester can be hectic due to all that each class demands For me that can be too much Although what helps me stay afloat each semester is staying organized. If you want to make the college life a little easier, get organized by using this app. Studious is an app created to help you stay organized and updated with all of your classes, by reminding you when assignments are due or when you have a test. All that you need to do is enter all of your information on your courses from the time, day of the class, the professor, location, and assignments that
are due This will help to ensure that you will be reminded what is due ahead of time before it is too late!
3 ) Chegg: Let’s be honest for a sec Going to school and trying to come up with money on the daily can be a struggle. To keep a little money in your pocket, go to Chegg. There you’ll be able to get all the materials needed for school and still have some money left over to do as you please Chegg is a way to rent or buy textbooks on your courses, and other classroom materials at a more reasonable price. Not only does Chegg offer books for your college courses, they also provide help with homework
4.) Genius Scan: This app is just a convenient way of getting your papers in much more quickly than having to hustle to the computer lab before class Want to avoid hassle? Get Genius Scan. It’s a scan that you can use when you are on the go. It allows you to scan documents and email those documents that you scan as JPEG or PDF, as well as multiple pages needed
5.) Venmo: This app is a way for us college students to get money from loved ones ASAP because the struggle is real I’d advise any college kid to invest in this technology-based wallet online. This app is another way to pay and request money from friends or family. You can add your bank or debit card from most banks If you are trying collect money from family or friends who also have Venmo. You can also send money to your bank for free. This is basically another way to give or receive money quickly from a family or friend without have to physically go to the bank
6 ) Circle of 6: To help but your mind at ease, invest yourself in Circle of 6 Circle of 6 was created to provide a quicker access to six people on your contact list whether it be family or friend that you trust to send a text specific to them when you feel you are unsafe and uncomfortable This is a way for people to help others in ways to provide safety on campus, a night out on the town, etc. even though no one may be physically with you. This app has proven to be a reliable success around the world as a way for everyday people to have peace of mind as they go throughout the day.
7 ) Mint: As we know based on experience, being a college student and all that entails sometimes means we are limited on funds. This app can help us use the money we have wisely, so that we can afford both ramen noodles and toothpaste Mint’s purpose is to provide tips for you to have a balance on managing your money and budget effectively. It can also help you routinely pay your bills on time without having to worry about late fees.
8.) Freedom: Naturally at this day and age social media has become a huge factor in most of our lives, so much that we tend to forget about what’s going on in the present Needless to say, Freedom provides a way to help you focus while in class or engaging in something that requires your full attention by allowing and helping you avoid and block websites or anything Internet-related that would be a distraction to you at a time you need to be completely focused This blocks anything Internet-based and is only set for a period of time of your choosing. Once the time you have chosen is expired, you have access to those sites, or anything Internet-based
9 ) Dragon Dictation: If you are like me, trying to text and walk at the same time usually ends with me tripping over my own two feet. To avoid this embarrassment yourself, try Dragon Dictation. It is a way to do less typing and texting and more speaking, except speaking into your phone Dragon Dictation allows you to use your voice to direct a text message, email, tweet, Facebook status, etc. All you do is speak and the text will appear.
10.) Quizlet: Forgot you have a test and you are studying the night before? Need a fast and easy way to learn the material? Get Quizlet. It makes studying easier and effective This app allows you to create your set to study material that works best for you. Ensuring a better chance at succeeding.
11 ) RealCalc Scientific Calculator: Do you struggle in math? Does having a calculator near come in handy? If you are like me you can’t go wrong with this app. RealCalc Scientific Calculator is designed to operate as a hand held calculator It also provides scientific functions such as plus history, memories, unit conversions and constants. You can choose from a number of display styles and formats too. This version of a calculator is more convenient to use since it is on your phone versus having to remember to bring a handheld calculator to class
12 ) Lose It: Let’s be real guys; being in college can cause your weight to go up and down Want to have a handle on your weight? Try Lose It This app helps to reach your goal of becoming healthier and in shape as well as staying in shape, by keeping track of how to go about becoming healthy in a safe way that is manageable, as well as taking note of your progress
26 things yo u never realized
yo u sho uld be thankful for
BY T R EN T ON CA N A DA A N D L I Z GU I L L ER MO AssistantEditor & StaffWriter
1 Mobile ordering that allows me to do all of my choosing and paying without the hassle of other humans.
2. The snooze button for allowing me to postpone my responsibilities for another five minutes
3. 2-ply toilet paper for that extra layer of support. When the rest of my life is going to crap, at least I know I can rely on the 2-ply
4. My headphones that signal people not to try talking to me, even when I don’t have music playing
5. The potato for proving that diversity is wonderfully delicious
6. Elastic sweatpants for allowing me to eat all that I want to without feeling the need to unbutton my pants.
8. The 12 o’clock alarm that tells me once a week it’s about four minutes past noon on a Wednesday
9 Makeup remover wipes that keep me from looking like a raccoon when I wake up.
10 When you’re driving and have that moment of clarity after a sneeze and you realize you didn’t swerve and cause a massive pileup.
Phot o su bm itt e d by Te da r r iu s Te a se y
11. Tim McGraw because without him, Taylor Swift would have had nothing to think about
12. Siri for only acknowledging me as the “Queen of Sass,” my rightful title
13 The new emoji update that fits my need to roll my eyes and send tacos to people.
7 Baseball caps because some days I just don’t feel like fighting with the raging jungle that is my hair.
14 The skip button on Pandora for allowing me the insatiable pleasure of bypassing that hideous noise that is Meghan Trainor ’s voice.
17. My carpet that never complains even when I walk all over it. (Take notes, friends).
15 Obama because I always enjoy having someone else to blame for my own shortcomings.
16. The selfie stick for not only allowing me to take amazing pictures but for providing a weapon to use on those pesky photo bombers.
18 Slip-on shoes because bending down to tie those strings was really becoming a hassle
19 Leggings for allowing me to fulfill society’s need for clothing and my need for comfort.
20. Adele’s new song that makes me remember that one guy I saw at a mall once. We had something special.
21. Netflix for allowing me to feel like a weekend of binge watching several seasons is an accomplishment I really need those wins.
22. All of the blood moons we’ve had this year because I enjoy having all of the conspiracy theorists on their toes, blowing up my news feed.
23. Body pillows for reminding me that I don’t need a significant other to cuddle with as long as I have a sack full of cotton
24 The road by the university being opened once again for providing an express highway to McDonald’s. My late nights are forever grateful.
25. Scarves because they make even the frumpiest of sweaters seem somewhat classy And finally… 26. Slipper socks for keeping my feet warm and giving me a better grip on the floor than I have on my life.
BY A M A N DA K EL L E Y GuestWriter
LIfe Go als A Q&A with Wesley Graham
At age 16 most teenagers are thinking about junior prom and their approaching senior year; however, at 16, Wesley Graham was sorting through his college acceptance letters at home in Greensburg, Kentucky, trying to decide where to attend college in the fall
Now Wesley is a 19-year-old senior business major and political science minor at UC with his sights on life after graduation In this interview, he discusses his work and current role in theatre, his homeschooling background, and his future entrepreneurial plans.
AK: I heard a rumor that you started at Cumberlands when you were only 16-years-old. Is that rumor true?
WG: I did.
AK: How did that opportunity come up and why’d you take it?
WG: Well, I was homeschooled and had the opportunity to graduate two years early, so I took it I wanted to get ahead I don’t know, I guess it seemed like fun and it has been so far.
AK: Was it intimidating starting college at 16?
WG: It wasn’t really intimidating; there were challenges, socially and otherwise, I would say, but I guess the short answer is no
AK: What were some of those challenges you encountered?
WG: Challenges I faced in college included mostly the fact that I came in early -- at 16. This made it hard to have close friends and be comfortable being involved on campus I had to find where I fit, which if I’m being honest is still an ongoing process, even three years later.
AK: When it came time to choose a school, why did you choose Cumberlands?
WG: Cumberlands had a really good way of sending me a lot of information I felt the most informed about University of the Cumberlands compared to other universities. A lot of other universities felt kind of foreign and distant, but UC
really did a good job about making you feel that you knew what you were about to get into before you got there.
AK: Did you already have the idea that you wanted to study business and political science?
WG: I figured all of this out in the middle of my sophomore year, so it took some time. I knew that I would in some way, shape, or form be involved in political science. Dr. Leskiw and Dr. Hicks are both great at their jobs and make it continuously rewarding to learn about everything from basic issues of comparing social injustice to abstract political philosophy. My interest business administration came as a surprise when I took Macroeconomics as an elective and just wanted to keep learning more
AK: Why did you choose business and political science as your fields?
WG: Business gives you a broad range of opportunities outside of college and I’m not really into narrowing my scope. I like keeping my options open. And I love political science I love the old adage: you pick your major to find a job and your minor because you love it. That’s how I chose poly sci.
AK: Do you have any future plans on where you want to work or live after graduation?
WG: I’m looking into law school, but that’s only a maybe Other than that, I want to start my own business, maybe in my hometown.
AK: What kind of business would you open?
WG: Entrepreneurship is something that excites me a lot. I'm open to all kinds of exploration and am working on a lot of different ideas I could work in my home town, or I could work anywhere. I'm open to going where life takes me.
AK: Have you always been interested in theatre or is it something you started in college?
WG: It’s definitely something I started in college I had never really been involved in theatre before then But several friends of mine were in theatre and asked if I would be interested in auditioning and it kind of just went from there.
AK: Did you have a talent for acting and singing or just an enjoyment?
WG: Definitely an enjoyment, I don’t know much about the talent.
AK: Well, you keep getting cast in these roles, so you must have some kind of talent. What’s the best role you’ve had in your three years in theatre?
WG: I would say the one I have now, at least in my opinion, it’s been my favorite role. It’s Richard Hannay in “The 39 Steps.” He’s a 39-year-old British bachelor who has been swept up in this grand spy story He’s kind of in over his head, but it’s a lot of fun.
AK: Why is your role in “The 39 Steps” your favorite?
WG: Richard Hannay and I share a lot of quirky characteristics that make me feel like I get to play a much funnier version of myself While onlookers would expect Hannay’s life to be daring and bold, he finds himself time and time again in situations that are just downright awkward -- no glamour, nothing sophisticated, just laughable
AK: What’s the most challenging part of theatre?
WG: Most challenging part of theatre would be that there are a lot of hours to put in. There’s definitely a lot of work behind it. There’s a lot of literal behind the scenes work that most people to think about, like building the set, becoming the character, not just reading the lines It’s just the ins and outs of getting the play be what it is.
AK: What’s it like becoming a different person for the stage? Do the characters reflect parts of you or do you become a whole new person?
WG: It’s always a mixture of embodying the character and remembering to be yourself with it too. Sometimes characters reflect parts of your personality, but other times you and the character have very little in common. Those times can be challenging, but it gives you the opportunity to physically see things from someone else’s perspective.
AK: Considering you can become a different person and have all these experiences and dreams for the future, what do you think is the most impor-
tant concept to understand about yourself and life in general?
WG: The most important thing about life would be learning how to accept yourself for what you are and learning how to love yourself; and learning how to accept others for what they are and loving others
Pho t o by For d E dw a r ds Wesley Grahamposes on setofthe upcoming UCTheatreproduction, “The 39Steps. ”
What to do when fal l m ak es you S AD Tips on dealing with Seasonal Anxiety Disorder
BY SY DN E Y F R EEM A N GuestWriter
The leaves are finally turning, and the mountains look like gold and red works of art against the clear blue afternoon skies. The apples are bigger and sweeter than ever, and the air is finally just crisp enough to wear your favorite scarf and cozy sweater It's the time of pumpkin pies, warm hot cocoa, and spiced ciders. So, why are you down? Maybe for the same reason I am.
Seasonal Anxiety Disorder (referred to by most doctors as Seasonal Affective Disorder) affects approximately half a million Americans according to Mental Health America. Do you feel down in the dumps or particularly anxious for seemingly no reason at all during the fall and winter seasons? You could be suffering from the effects of SAD Now, take a deep breath and let these words sink in: You're not crazy, you're not alone, and you don't have to be stuck in this rut.
So, how do you combat SAD? It’s not impossible After doing some research when I discovered that the fall and winter seasons were negatively impacting my mood, I personally began making just a few minor adjustments to my lifestyle during those times to help prevent the disorder from keeping me down. Here are a few of the things you can do to lift your spirits in the cooler seasons.
1.) Go outside.
"But it's cold!" Yeah, well, according to WebMD, scientists have linked SAD with lower serotonin levels in your brain due to a lack of sunlight The cold might discourage you from spending time in the outdoors, but there are certain vitamins only the sun can give you. So, bundle up in your warmest coat, lace up your boots and go for a walk in the sunlight
2.) Exercise.
You've heard this a thousand times Do you feel like exercise isn't your thing? Make it your thing There are just too many benefits to your health and overall mental well being you're missing out on when you avoid working out. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise combats depression by releasing feelgood chemicals, blocking the chemicals that can increase the symptoms, and by raising your body temperature, which is thought to have calming affects. It's by far the best way to boost your serotonin levels, which is the chemical in your brain responsible for your willpower Exercising will also give you a sense of accomplishment, which directly correlates with your mood. Set apart some time for it. It doesn’t have to be every day. Find 15-30 minutes, three days a week and get your heartrate up It’ll help
3 ) Be with your friends
Everybody needs their “me time.” I get that. However, there is a difference between taking some time for yourself and isolating yourself. You might feel like being alone, but that’s a side effect of depression, and I hate to break it to you but people were created to be with people. Science supports it. Religion supports it. It is detrimental to one’s mental health to spend too much time alone Everyday Health states that rebuilding old friendships, expanding your social networks, or even joining a support group can help your mental well being. You won’t always feel like it, so don’t be hard on yourself if you can’t find the motivation This step is the hardest, by far, for me; however, it works. I never feel better than when I am surrounded by people who care for me.
Pro Tip: Combine all three things I just listed at once by taking a hike with some friends! You’ll get that sunshine benefit, raised serotonin levels from walking, and the enjoyment of the company of some people who care about you.
4 ) Talk to your doctor
This may be the last on the list, but it is by far the most important. Yes, all the steps I listed have helped me in the past, but I am no doctor. I cannot give you a surefire cure to combat SAD If you try these things but you still feel the deteriorating effects of anxiety and depression, it is time to talk to your doctor. It’s not scary, and he or she isn’t going to send you off to the loony bin My doctor prescribed me a low-dose antidepressant and made a few suggestions about my diet to ensure I take in some vitamins my body was lacking. I know the foods we take in have a huge impact on our mental health and can adversely affect our hormones, but I’m not a nutritionist either Like I said, talk to your doctor
Depression and anxiety are not an overnight fix They can weigh down on you so heavily that it robs you of relationships, laughs, good memories, and even your future. Don’t waste another moment if you feel those effects on your life! It’s a battle, but it’s a battle you aren’t fighting alone and are fully capable of winning. Also, enjoy some pie. Pie makes everyone happy.
U nsolicited Adv ice fro m a Senio r
BY L I Z GU I L L ER MO
StaffWriter
University of the Cumberlands is a place that evokes a lot of emotions for me, I have been here so long that I can not walk past any building without a memory stirring within me. I see different people each year but things do not really change and in getting ready to graduate and leave behind this campus at the end of the semester, I truly know that there are things I learned during my time here. Here are five things that I think everyone should know:
1 ) There is a ton to do in Williamsburg Often I hear people complaining about how there isn’t anything to do in this town except Walmart and Huddle House and I get that; really I do However, I could not be more grateful for the time that I spent with friends exploring and talking. My best memories involve swinging in the park or taking long drives down the back roads in town. I promise you that while a small town without much activity may seem sleepy, the nights and days can be filled with the best times of your life if you find the right people.
2.) Teachers are people too. Now, when I say this, I’m not expecting you to have a moment like the one in elementary school when you first saw your principal in shorts and sandals shopping for potatoes in the Save-A-Lot, shoutout to you Mr Yates, but I mean that many of the professors became college professors for a reason and they really do get students. They may seem scary and like they will not understand, but you might be surprised how much they really understand about what’s going on. They’ve done this for
a little while now and I find that it is almost impossible to shock them. If you miss their class, they are rarely offended; they know how many absences we are allowed and sometimes they need a break too. If you just take the time to professionally and courteously e-mail your professor when you’re going to miss, it will do wonders for you. Also, just sit and talk to them during their office hours, they have more to teach than you may get in your class time
3.) You do not have to be the adultiest adult. When you come to college, you do have a lot more responsibility than you had in high school. You no longer have to raise your hand to use the bathroom and your mom doesn’t wake you up in the mornings. College is a time to grow up, but it’s also a time to find out who you really are. You are in the last years of life where you have this much wiggle room, so enjoy it. Be spontaneous and do things that are fun. There really isn’t another time in your life where you will be able to jump in a car with your four best friends and just drive to see a concert three hours away. Take this time and really appreciate it You will not regret it
4.) Sleep is a wonderful thing.
I am all about adventures and late nights but sometimes you have to listen to your body and your body wants sleep. It also wants vegetables; you may not believe me, but it does You are more responsible for when you eat and sleep While curly fries at three in the morning sounds like a great idea, sometimes you should have some broccoli for dinner You are at the part of your life where your metabolism will start slowing down so enjoy it while you
can, but I can promise you that if you keep up with some healthier traits you will feel better and you will do better in all of the things that you do
5.) College friends are lifelong friends. There is something about growing together in college that is different than all of the friendships leading up to it. I still have friends from elementary school and high school but the friendships that I have made in college are the friendships that I rely on for everything. I tell people that my best friend since second grade and I became friends “before we even formed opinions” and while it is a joke, it’s so very true. College is the time of your life where you really grow into who you are You are out from under your parents’ wings and you are pushed to form your own opinions more. The friends you make here are the ones who get to see more of who you truly are as you become who you truly are. Keep them close to your heart and enjoy all of those nights where you can sit up late and just talk. They will get you through everything.
There are no right or wrong answers to living your life. There are just ways to keep you happy and healthy College is not just about getting straight A’s and for some of us a foothold on the ladder to grad school. College is an experience that should be lived fully and exponentially It goes by faster than you realize and when you are ready to leave behind this campus, I truly wish that you walk away knowing that you did everything that you could to make it the best years of your young adult life.
Rise to the top
UC basketball plays their opening game of the season
BY D J H I T E StaffWriter
The University of the Cumberland men’s varsity basketball team has boosted their start to the season in the opener against Indiana University-Southeast. The final score to the game was 85-70, with the Patriots being victorious. This was not an easy battle for the Patriots as there were a couple lead changes in the first half But the Patriots fought through the talent of the Grenadiers and pulled out the 15 point win Xavier Owens led the Patriots on the night with 21 points and 8 rebounds.
“I feel as though it was a good game for our team to get us ready for the season; they are a good team and they tested us early on. We did what we had to do to pull out the win But I think this game really showed us that we still have so much more room for us to grow; and when we finally get it all together I feel as though we can be a special team We have to remain consistent and stay on the same page and things will work themselves out from there The fan support was good. I'm glad we could get a good amount of people to come out and to support us the way they did,. It always helps us getting that energy to feed off of,” said Xavier Owens, starting guard for the University of the Cumberlands
Owens added, “All of us in that locker room have very high expectations for each other and for the season We all push each other every day in order to move into the direction of being a championship team. That is our main focus, honestly. We got a taste of it in the national tournament last year and got to see what else was out there. We feel we could be a top-ranked team along with some of the teams that we beat who are ranked higher than us. This whole summer leading up to this year has been all about consistency and progression We put the work in; we just have to take what we want and claim it ”
The basketball team has started their season off with a great head start; the future is bright for the UC men’s basketball program.
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So ccer Trials at UC
Players try togetthe ballfrom eachother during the scrimmage.
Atthepratice field the UCmen’s JVsoccer teamgets ready toplay withnew recruits on Saturday, November 7, 2015
Felipe Rogeriogets excitedwiththe ball
Players warm up before thepractice.
Jean Francoisjuggles the ball before thepracticegets started.
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by Jay S
Living fo r yo ur
A feature on UC alumni ultimate goal
BY SH YA N N NOR R IS StaffWriter
Michael and Carrie Cabell, 2001 graduates from the University of the Cumberlands, stand out among the many prospering alumni here at UC Though they were not a couple in college, they both were separately led to missions and ministry in their own way. Carrie was a psychology major and religion and social work minor while Michael was a business major and religion minor from the Cumberlands. Since then they have both furthered their education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where they received Master ’s Degrees. Additionally, Michael went on to receive his doctorate at Southeastern Theological Seminary. Michael also currently serves on the Church Leadership Board at UC.
Michael and Carrie, along with three other Cumberlands students, founded 180 Degree Ministries during their senior year. With this mission group they traveled across America leading many youth revivals, retreats, and mission camps. Carrie said that after college they dove full force into this ministry. It was not what she had imagined for her life after college. Carrie said, “Little did I know that God would have me traveling America in a beat up Chevy van ministering to others ” This just goes to show that you can’t limit God. Where God wants you may not be where you envisioned but He has a purpose and will use you
just as He has used Michael and Carrie. Because of their willingness to show God’s love to His people, they have had the chance to travel the world including Mexico and Poland many times God also had other plans when He led them to creating this ministry.
In that same year, Carrie said, her and Michael realized their love for each other and that God wanted them to get married. Carrie exclaimed that they were hoping to make a difference; however they never knew exactly where they would sleep that night or how the money would be available to get to where God was calling them to next.
This organization and exploration of the world and outpouring of love for God’s people led them to Casa Hogar Emmanuel orphanage in Naco, Sonora, Mexico Carrie said, “Little did we know at the time, but that orphanage would change our lives forever ” Currently, Michael stated that they had visited this orphanage around 50 times. Since their first visit, they have together led over 1,000 people to the orphanage to participate in many mission projects and Vacation Bible School Michael currently serves on the board of directors for the orphanage. Overall, this orphanage is a huge part of their life and their family’s life Presently, God has blessed Carrie and Michael in different ways also. They have three beautiful children,
Jackson, Kennedy, and Madison. Their main desire as parents is to instill a love for the Gospel in them and a love for serving others. Michael is a full time pastor at Versailles Baptist Church located in Versailles, KY Carrie explains that a pastor ’s schedule is much different than any other, but they wouldn’t change their life for anything. Carrie said that Friday is Michael’s day off while Sundays are their busiest day Though most families enjoy a leisure day on Sundays, Carrie refers to this day as “Insane Sunday” right before they “hit the ground running” with homeschool for all three kids on “Mayhem Monday.”
On those busy Sundays, Michael is gone from early in the morning to most of the time fairly late at night. Carrie’s job as a full time mom, Sunday school teacher, and pastor ’s wife is to get herself and all three kids ready, prepare for her Sunday school lesson, make sure she knows her responsibilities for kid’s worship, get to church (on time), remember who she needs to talk to, who had surgery, who’s uncle passed away, who is getting married, who is having a baby/baby shower, in addition to remembering the 17 things people told her to tell Michael.
Carrie stated, “That is just Sunday morning. Don’t get me started on the rest of the day.” Though their days are crazy, long, and exhausting, they love
it. They love serving others. Michael stated that if you are interested in the mission field or ministry, get involved in a church early. Get involved in a youth ministry or BCM and Mountain Outreach right on campus Experience is needed. Michael said, "Give the established church a chance. There is a lot of emphasis on church planting, and rightly so, that is important. Many recent college graduates look first for church planting opportunities but also consider established churches. We need you too!"
Carrie said that God has called them to serve, humble themselves, and consider others greater than themselves to further the Gospel They want to serve God by first serving their family and then serving their church. Though Carrie said that being a pastor and pastor ’s wife is a very busy task; she said it is also very fulfilling. Michael added, "If you choose to get married, make sure your spouse is as serious about ministry as you are. I could not be in ministry if my wife (Carrie) wasn't so supportive " Carrie and Michael’s story is one that can inspire and give hope to us all. Being on the mission field, I, too know how rewarding it can be. Do not limit God. Though it may seem impossible, He will make the impossible possible Let God use you as He has used Carrie, Michael, and their family.
Fight the go o d fight
A devotional
BY LY DI A JA Y Staffwriter
There are times in our lives when we feel life has just beat us down and everything has just become overwhelming and stressful The more we try to regain our control over the situation the more of a mess everything becomes. In these trying moments in our lives we can become and feel a numerous amount of things that are not helpful or beneficial such as becoming angry, bitter, withdrawn, sad, depressed, anxious, unsettled, unmotivated, doubtful, quick to give up, and/or a lack of peace
We have all been there. Although many of us have gone through these not so happy seasons of our lives and we have reacted and experienced these feelings firsthand during these moments whether we admit it or not, none of these factors however, have helped our situations or us. Although we have unconsciously become accustomed to reacting in the same manner every time something troubling occurs, I think we can all agree it is time to do something different to help us deal with those troubling moments in our lives. What can we do? Well, first we have to quit letting life and circumstances just beat us down without fighting back spiritually. I think we all can say that trying to fight back naturally doesn’t do any good; there isn’t much power in that However, fighting back spiritually, there’s a greater help, we have back up You know, how it was back in high school when you had that one friend who no matter what had your back if something were to go down. Well, same thing spiritually God is our backup. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Although, most of us know God is our back up, we have to be willing to allow Him to take action and move on our behalf, as well as just saying, “Yeah, I know God’s got this but I can handle this”. Sometimes we have to do our part yes, but also at some point move out the way and let Him do what He does best. Psalm 46:1 (NIV) says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Now that we see with no questions asked that’s God’s got us; what must we do? The best thing we can do is decide not to react or do the things we would usually do during these rough patches in our lives. Instead of walking around as if you are already defeated, how about we decide to be tougher and stronger to go into battle alongside God?
How do we do that? How to de fight against the toughest times in our lives to and have the victory? How do we be just as strong as Jesus? It’s simple We but on our war clothes. Ephesians 6:11-18 (NIV) tells us, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
This is what we must do, people of God. No more laying down and taking licks; it’s time to fight back and rise up. Fight for your life, dreams, family, and your future
