How a few A M A Z I N G people made 2013 AW ESOM E
BY N ATA SH A JON E S AssistantEditor
From stu dents to p rofess ors
A look at UC alumni that have returned to campus to teach
They say there’s no place like home and the environment on the University of the Cumberlands campus is definitely considered by most students and alumni a home away from home. Over the years UC has been blessed to have some alumni come back as professors to grace our classrooms with their knowledge and pour into the next generation of upcoming UC graduates
Could these returning alumni be a reason why we have an enrollment number that keeps continuing to grow larger and larger? Maybe, Maybe not But it’s definitely refreshing as a student to have a professor who can relate and sympathize with you, not only on a professional level but as a former Cumberland student as well.
Most departments have at least one UC graduate who has returned to campus to teach current students at the university. Some of which include Dr Tom Frazier of the English department, Jeremiah Massengale and Ryan Reed of the communication arts department, Jane Carter and Ken Sims of the Business department, and Dr Oline Carmical from the history department.
Not all of these professors are teaching on campus full time For example, Reed is an adjunct professor that teaches Introduction to
Public Speaking and Introduction to Mass Media while currently residing in Knoxville, TN and also writing for major publications like Rolling Stone
Jordyne Gunthert, a 2008 graduate who double majored in communication and theatre will be joining the communication arts department next semester as an adjunct professor teaching 21st Century Communications This will be the first course she has taught and she will continue serving as UC’s admissions office social media coordinator
Having so many former students come back to teach affirms the family and friendly environment here on campus That sense of understanding opens a channel between students and faculty and even faculty to faculty.
Dr Frazier, chairman of the English department, said, “When I left and graduated in 1969, I said, ‘I’ll be back, and I had never heard of Arnold Schwarzenegger at the time ’ I liked it then and I like it now I better like it; I’ve been here about 38 years.”
After finishing his master ’s degree in English in about 10 months at Eastern Kentucky University, Dr. Boswell, who was president of the college at the time, hired Frazier to do public relations for the school Frazier did that for about seven years, while teaching
part time Once Dr Jim Taylor took over as president and a few of Frazier ’s colleagues had retired, Taylor asked him if he wanted to teach part time and Frazier accepted Frazier said, “I just knew I wanted to come back I liked it when I was here My great grandfather attended this place when it was Williamsburg Institute. It’s sort of like coming home ” Frazier stated he has had a great experience teaching here, he has been allowed to build courses around things he’s interested in such as Mark Twain, Stephen King, and Harry Potter. Frazier has been the chairman of the English department for the past six years and he plans to stay in that position until retirement.
Jane Carter, associate professor of business, said, “From time to time, I thought about what it might be like to teach at Cumberland. When I did allow myself to think in those terms, I know I hoped to be able to so for students the way my professors had done for me.” In addition to teaching economics and other courses in the business administration program, Carter is also a member of the American Marketing Association and Kentucky Council for Economic Education
In 1991 she was awarded the Award for
Excellence in Teaching and in 1994 was named Honored Professor by the Student Government Association
In regard to the campus benefitting from having alumni return as professors, Frazier said, “I think it does because, having people here who are acclimated to how it runs Those of us who have attended here have a sort of inside knowledge of what’s going on ”
When asked the same question, Carter said, “Possibly. If so, it's probably because of the respect that I have for the institution Of course I'm thinking about the people who made it a fine school and the people who are making it even better ”
As you can tell, both the students and the staff form a connection to our campus and the passion for learning that can be found here Frazier said, “It’s still the idea that we are serving the campus community and that’s what it’s all about It does my heart good, when I see students, who start out as freshmen not the sharpest tool in the shed, but they work hard and they really make it.”
It’s no wonder why so many students return to teach. They hope to share the same knowledge and inspiration to their students as their professors did with them
BY AU T U M N CO ON E Y
StaffWriter
Everyone has that one person that they just need to sit down and have a conversation with, to gain more knowledge about that person. You just want to know what they’ve done in their life and discover more about them Well, to me, this person is Jane Whitaker, assistant professor of psychology at the University of the Cumberlands.
Yes, she is UC campus minister Dean Whitaker ’s wife. Jane Whitaker is my professor for the course Psychology of Human Development, and since meeting her I have found
Q&A : Jane Whitaker
myself engaged by her teaching along with her personal stories but, more than that, her personality Whitaker has been an assistant professor of psychology since May 2007, but her other previous jobs at the University of the Cumberlands have included: adjunct instructor of religion, director of Mountain Outreach, director of community service program and careers and counseling assistant
Needless to say, Whitaker has had numerous professions at UC but she also has other professions outside of campus which include:
hospital chaplain (June 1996 – July 1997, Kosair Children’s Hospital), , and youth and music student minister (Summers 1986 –1988, First Baptist Church, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia). Whitaker is also a very proud mother of three children
After listening to the amazing stories had to share in class, I took a chance and sat down to have an enjoyable conversation with her In this interview we talk about her position here at the University of the Cumberlands, her previous jobs and their life changing experiences,
and the paths she’s taken that has placed her before us today
Cooney: In your opinion, what is the most enjoyable part about being an educator in the psychology department?
Whitaker: There are many, but if I were to pick one, it is the community we enjoy together as colleagues and friends I feel very blessed to work with people that I respect and enjoy both professionally and personally
There have been countless times that I’ve found myself struggling with a challenging concept or a student situation where I simply can get up and walk a few feet to a caring and insightful friend. In fact, it is not uncommon for us all too spontaneously meet in the hallway for a shared story and laugh and some mutual wisdom (perhaps), and then we’re back to work I love working in this department
Cooney: Teaching Psychology in Human Development and having three children of your own, do you ever find yourself using your studies on your children? I love hearing the stories that you share with my class. Through the personal stories I am able to understand the concepts that we learn in class, which I am truly grateful for.
Whitaker: Teaching Human Development is a delight and challenge I am immersed in the latest research in how I am messing up my children. Just kidding. It is hard not to think that way sometimes, but it is also fascinating to consider all the variables that influence their development. I do think a lot about what will enrich their natural genetic tendencies and maybe redirect a few I enjoy hearing from students who are now parents or teachers that the content of this course has shaped the way they think about and interact with children and adolescents What more could a professor ask for?
Cooney: You have numerous students walk into you classroom day after day, year after year. Many different faces and a wide variety of different personalities. What is the impact you wish to make on your students that walk through your classroom door every day?
Whitaker: I sincerely hope that students who take my courses will find themselves excited about all there is to learn about life, more insightful into their own thoughts and behaviors and more compassionate towards others who are different in some way from them. To me, the heart of psychology is about insight, wisdom and compassion towards others
Cooney: Speaking of making differences, you have mentioned in class a time or two that you were once a hospital chaplain. What was it like? As a student I can see it being a very rewarding job but also very challenging as well.
Whitaker: It was certainly a challenging job and I did my clinical training at the same time after graduating from Southern Seminary But I also loved working as a hospital chaplain in Louisville with some truly exceptional people. I would say it was one of the more important experiences in shaping who I am There is really nothing that compares to sitting with people in their most difficult moments, those ultimate moments of life and death You experience life more fully through these experiences and learn to lean on God in a completely different way I spent a good part of that time working with children with cancer I learned that children can be extraordinarily brave, can deal with pain and can be very strong I also learned that living in the moment is really the only way to live. Life can be very hard, but God is there in the midst
Cooney: Among everything else you have done, you have also mentioned volunteer experiences. What volunteer positions have you gotten involved with over the years?
Whitaker: Regional director of Women at the Cross would be one of them It’s an intensive therapeutic and growth-oriented ministry based out of Denver, CO Two conferences are held in Louisville each year I attended in January 2010, and have staffed and helped direct 12 weekends since that time I direct ongoing weekly support group locally I am a board member of Dayspring Health Clinic since December of 2009 I have been a volunteer at the Main Street Baptist Church since July 2007; I teach Sunday school, direct youth ensemble, provide pastoral counseling support to individuals, and assist with youth ministry And most recently, I volunteered for the University of the Cumberlands concert band and the University of the Cumberlands theatre program, by either rehearsing and performing with the band in concert or performing in “Shining Our Light” about the history of the college.
Cooney: You’re able to participate and help throughout the band? What experience do you have in an instrumental background?
Whitaker: Well, I was a woodwind specialist for the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia from June of 1988 to June of 1992 I was an instrumental music teacher. I taught instrumental music to children ages 10-18 in five schools across the city and in all-city after school program I had a significant number of students and ensembles compete in and win local and provincial competitions But, I was also a freelance clarinet player and saxophonist in May of 1987 to June of 1992. I was in hired performances with Symphony Nova Scotia, the Canadian
Opera Company, CBC Canada, Neptune Theatre and various small ensembles I am a volunteer member of the Chebucto Orchestra
Cooney: You were born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada. What is one thing you miss the most about Canada?
Whitaker: What do I miss about Canada? Well, lobster of course.
BY K R IS T I N A SM I T H
Design Editor
Growing up in the mountains of Manchester, Ky , UC senior Chad Lawson will tell you, in a very matter of fact manner, that his family was poor.
“We really had nothing,” Lawson says with strict emphasis on that last word Nothing.
But what Lawson does have is vibrant stories about his four mission trips to Poland, a mission trip to Uganda, and one other mission trip to Macedonia
At age 16 Lawson began attending a small church tucked within the hollers of Manchester It was then that he made the decision to give his life over to Christ and travel the world telling others about his choice. Within just a few months he was signed up to travel to Warsaw, Poland with a group led by a local doctor.
“I was excited but still at the same time pretty nervous Nobody in my family had even been on a plane before, let alone out of the country,” says Lawson.
Still yet, he found his self on a plane doing exactly that. After a total of two days of flying and more than ten hours of layovers Lawson’s feet touched Polish ground
His first time in Poland was spent helping lead workshops for children to learn the meaning of community and working together These children came from a home for single mothers in Poland and few had ever had any father figure in their lives In addition, since the children were poor and some of their families had lived under communist regimes they had never worked as part of a team before, according to Lawson
“One of my favorite moments from that
Missio ns Overseas
trip was with a little boy named Peter He was really quiet but anywhere we went he wanted to hold my hand or sit in my lap. He had never had a male role model to look up to so I guess that’s what he saw in me and some of the other male leaders,” says Lawson.
The need of children like Peter is what sent Lawson back to Poland three more times and one of those times he traveled to the foreign land completely alone, and, on his last trip, extremely ill
“I was going to meet a group of people that I had worked with before in Poland, but I would be on my own getting there When I got to the airport I thought I’d just sleep there during my layover and then I realized I was
just way too sick I hardly spoke any Polish so I knew I just needed to find an Englishspeaking hotel and cab to get me there. Luckily, I did,” Lawson recounts
Nevertheless, he’s also been to Uganda and Macedonia where Lawson claims the environments are nearly polar opposites to those of Poland, and even each of other
“Uganda is sad to see. Everyone there is so poor When it would rain people would go out into what they considered to be a street and collect the rain water to drink; the water was filthy because as it went down the street it took everything with it along the way,” says Lawson.
When Lawson had the opportunity to
travel to Macedonia with Dr. Fred Cummings, a UC missions and ministries professor, he visited a Muslim populated area to share his ministry. Although it was never a dangerous situation, Lawson admits he had to be careful with his actions
“If we prayed we stood in a circle and looked at each other like we were just talking,” Lawson recalls
But Cummings knew Lawson would be a perfect fit for the trip
“Chad is very personable and outgoing; he never meets a stranger,” says Cummings.
Cummings went on to explain Lawson always arose to the challenges he faced while on the trip. Not only did Lawson perform an impromptu interpretive dance for a worship service, but he also went a step further and called upon his church to help in raising money for the mission work being done in Macedonia
Nevertheless, the risks he faced are worth the mission to Lawson. He also emphasizes how blessed he has been to travel so much when his family has so little
“A plane ticket to Uganda alone is over $2,000 and I have to fundraise the money entirely by myself,” Lawson says If funds weren’t an issue, however, Lawson knows he would find himself back in Uganda one day helping out the people who, quite literally, have nothing.
“I always find myself complaining about this being wrong, or not having that It’s humbling though to see that I may not have much, but I have a lot more than the people of Uganda might have in their entire lives,” says Lawson.
Phot o by Ch l o e G u
BY N ATA SH A JON E S AssistantEditor & JA N N ICA BR A DY StaffWriter
“It's not so much what I can achieve but what God can achieve through me, I’m just here, I'm just a vessel, whatever He wants to do He can do through me. It's all up to Him,” said Hannah Gray, a member of Baptist Campus Ministries and the student who was put in charge of the prayer calendar for UC’s campus
Gray is a sophomore at UC, majoring in elementary education with an emphasis in special education, with a minor in church music She is a part of the Appalachia Ministries branch of Baptist Campus Ministries; AM’s focus is on the needs of children. “They have four or five teams that go out 3 different nights a week. They’ll do usually two and a half to three hour session and it's basically like a night bible school We’ll organize games and then have a Bible story and do crafts and music,” said Gray.
After Gray was finished with AM summer team in August, Dean Whitaker, UC’s campus minister asked Gray if she would write up a prayer calendar for the upcoming semester “I didn’t really know what to do; He
I n His Refl ectio n
told me to just pray about it and it’ll be okay,” Gray said as she began to chuckle about it Since the start of the semester, at the beginning of each month an email is sent out to the student body, faculty and staff with a prayer request for each day of the month Both Gray’s and Dean Whitaker ’s emails were given to students who wanted to send in their own personal requests
Once requests come in, Gray draws the calendar up and sends it to Whitaker to proofread and add to if he felt it was necessary The University of the Cumberlands’ Twitter account has also been assisting Gray and Whitaker in making the prayer calendar as effective as can be by often tweeting the prayer of the day. For example, on Tuesday, Nov. 19th @UCumberlands tweeted, "Prayer of the day: Life up our golf teams Pray they would be safe in their travels and practices."
“We realized the campus needs prayer God will honor anyone's prayer but the more specific and intentional the prayer the more specific and explosive the answer will be We just noticed we have so many different things
going on campus. Why not have one day where you pray over that or that Once you pray over these things, we'll see this big massive change over campus,” said Gray.
Gray says so far the response from campus has been entirely positive and the administration’s added promotion has been a big help; every month more and more requests are coming in In addition to the prayer calendar, BCM has started “Friday prayer” again this semester. Every Friday at 4 p.m. in the Gatliff Chapel students meet for a group prayer session, which is open to everyone. Gray is the one who typically heads up it up, but many other BCM students or students who have been coming to worship services join in.
Magan Atwood, associate campus minister and director of Appalachian ministries, has gotten the opportunity to work closely with Gay since meeting her at a Bible study last fall Atwood said, “She was very sweet and welcoming I could tell she had a big heart as she was so friendly to all the other girls there.
It was very clear that Hannah had a strong relationship with Christ and had spent a lot of
time studying the Word and lived her life in a way that reflected that ”
In addition to her work with BCM, Gray enjoys playing music. She has performed for the Kingdom Productions open mic night a few times, is an assistant pianist at her church and is a tutor at the Academic Resource Center on campus Gray says her love for children and her love for Christ help tie in all the busy but fulfilling aspects of her day to day schedule. ‘When God’s in the middle of something, it just works out,” said Gray
“She ministers on campus everyday as she seeks to make others feel welcome and special She has a very nurturing spirit and cares for others deeply,” said Atwood.
Gray has made a very humble and graceful impression on those she has worked with and those around her Gray intends to present an image that she lives her life every day as a daughter of Christ Gray said, “Whatever I do, I don't want it to be about me, it should glorify Him, no matter what it is.”
Photo by Chloe Gu
BY A BBE Y CH ER R Y StaffWriter
For the first time since 1988, the UC football program would finish the regular season with perfection Heading into post season, the Patriots stand 10-0, holding onto the number one spot in the nation. The Patriots’ eyes are locked in on Rome, Georgia where they aim to be in less than a month for the NAIA National Championship.
But what happens after this? Hopefully, the football program can declare themselves as national champions, making it a moment that the boys will always remember Unfortunately, in just a short year there will be another team to take ownership of the title as champions
A national championship is certainly nothing to frown on and is something that will surely be celebrated by players, coaches, families, friends, and alumni of UC However, there is an understanding that there is so much more to life than this and that is the driving force behind UC football player Cory Crabtree.
The past year for Crabtree has been quite a journey, but it’s been a journey led by God It was less than a year ago that Crabtree was battling the depression from not being able to play football
Crabtree stated, “I went to UK in 2012
A Fo otball Bro therho od
and walked on the football team but had to leave for academic reasons. I still wanted to play and was continuing to train but I slipped into a state of depression I put so much talent and energy into football and then when I left it, I had nothing to go back to ”
Feeling empty and stripped of his identity in football, he didn’t know where to go. In these moments of having nothing to turn to and not knowing where to go, Crabtree turned to God. “I came to a realization that I couldn’t go through life by myself and I had to turn it over to God Up until that point I was absolutely miserable. I simply said, ‘God if you’re real, if you truly love me the way your Word says, then if you take this depression from me I promise I will live for you,’” said Crabtree His life hasn’t been the same since In just his first semester here at UC, he has made his mark and lived a life reflective of his promise to God He is actively involved in Baptist Campus Ministries where he holds a position in leadership. However, it’s his investment into the football team that is making an eternal difference
“I’m involved in helping lead a Bible Study with the men on the football team. It’s really just a time of fellowship where we are building a brotherhood centered on God,” Crabtree stated.
This brotherhood has been meeting weekly over the past month and is going strong. Weekly, there has been continual growth in terms of numbers and even greater growth in men rising up and strengthening their relationships with God.
Teammate Tanner Williams stated, “This time has made me sharper Knowing that I see the guys every day, knowing that they are going to hold me accountable for the things I share with the group helps me to really focus on my personal relationship with God.”
Crabtree’s heart isn’t rooted in numbers, but rather in seeing people encounter the living God. “I can’t change anybody. All I can do is tell them about Jesus and how He can change them,” he said “I just want to see this campus realize who Jesus really is and not this distorted image that so many people have. This Bible study is an opportunity for people
to come to this realization and really experience who Jesus really is.”
In just the short amount of time that this Bible study has been meeting, Crabtree has seen men growing in their relationship with God and taking those relationships to the next level Through the Bible study and this brotherhood that has formed, countless men have come to the same realization as Crabtree, in seeing their lives as empty without God
The Bible study is only the beginning though as he has plans to jumpstart Fellowship of Christian Athletes once again on campus He stated, “It’s a Christian school, over 60 percent of enrollment are athletes, and we don’t have an FCA? This is my passion and I’m going to get this up and going.” In a ministry that combines Crabtree’s two passions of athletics and sharing Jesus, it can be expected for FCA to be just as impactful on athletes across campus, as the Bible study has been with the football players
“God is really just allowing me to be the hands and feet of Jesus by simply being there for others and sharing His name,” he said “I’m praying that by the time I graduate, this place looks completely different than what it does now and all for the glory of God ”
Phot
BY BR A N DY NOR M A N StaffWriter & T I MO T H Y W YAT T AssistantEditor
UC is flooded with different students who made their way to campus to find who they are, get an education and sometimes without even knowing it, make an impact on those around them.
Ezra Anderson is a senior at the University of the Cumberlands from St Louis, Missouri. He stands at an average height, with muscular limbs and a snow white smile Perhaps his smile is his greatest quality and that’s what lures people to him or maybe it’s his helpful and friendly personality
“I’ve never seen Ezra not happy Even when he is having a bad day, he brushes it off and makes sure everyone else is happy around him I think that’s very admirable,” said UC senior, Bailey Mays.
Anderson is involved with many different things at UC He has been a part of UC track and field, Baptist Campus Ministries, volunteer work for Patriot Preview Days through the Student Ambassador Program, the International Organization and The Kingdom Productions. Through these programs, he is able to help others and be a leader on campus which he does a wonderful job at TKP is where his focus lies, as he co-founded the organization and is now a volunteer and performer for the group
TKP is an outreach group who focus primarily on freestyle rapping and self-expression According to Anderson, the overall mission of the group is to engage culture by expressing it, with Jesus Christ as the motivation
A Kingd om-s ized I mpact
clusive nature about him He gets involved and brings others with him. Unity is an important quality to have,” said Mays “If I could describe him in a few words they would be: high energy, hardworking and kind soul.”
Although everyone sees the confident and charismatic side of Anderson, there is something he would like others to know.
“One thing people don’t know about me is that I make a lot of mistakes and at times I can be self-conscious and very nervous,” Anderson said “I’ve changed my perspective on things, I was so focused on me and now it’s ‘how I can help others?’ I now see that you can use theatre or music or any of your passions to help people Everything I’m doing now actually has a purpose.”
‘’We strive to create a place for the Christian and non-Christian no matter what you believe to express your mind in safe and positive, creative environment. All while expressing the good news of Jesus at the same time ” said Anderson
son is someone who helps the group thrive
TKP encourages anyone to come out and participate in the outreach events The events include Open Mic Nights, Confabulation and Rapsody. All of these events promote students to share their raps, spoken words and music According to the performance and event coordinator for TKP, Hayley Davis, the group couldn’t exist without volunteers and Ander-
“Ezra is someone who likes to see change for the better. He's devoted, charismatic, and has good intentions He loves diversity and rap and Jesus, to sum it all up,” said Davis “He’s one of a kind. He seeks to live his life for God and isn't afraid to go talk to someone new or get the crowd going He has a quick energy about him that often can draw others to his side, if he's not already there ”
“Ezra's takes incredible energy with him everywhere. On Patriot Preview Days he lights up the crowd! Ezra also has a very in-
After graduating, Anderson plans on going to grad school, or working with an inner city ministry while taking online classes He also plans to work on music as well as “being excellent” at whatever is thrown his way As expected, he plans on helping other by becoming a counselor to mentor fatherless kids. He intends on being a role model to younger kids that he can point into the right direction
As the conversation ends Anderson adds one last thing about TKP
“If you have a talent, what’s the use of having it if you never share it with anyone? A friend of mine named Andrew Wendell in high school said, ‘The best feeling in the world is sharing what you love and believe with the people around you ’ So, it’s time for us to do the same TKP is open to anybody ”
To Ser ve Would B e an Awfully B ig Adventure
BY R YA N P OY N T ER StaffWriter
He stands in my doorway at about sixfoot-four with both arms rested on the walls to his left and right, waiting for me to answer his knock. I do, and then he takes about three steps inside -- just enough with his long stride for him to find a place to sit -- and immediately begins talking. His words are clear and his smile is friendly I haven’t said much at all yet, and already he’s looking for ways to help or encourage me. “How are you?” he asks with a sincerity that most can’t even fake We talk for about 15 minutes before I can even manage to ask Ben Clayton, a man involved in so many things here at University of the Cumberlands, my first question Ben loves to chat, but, even more than that, he loves being involved and helping people It’s a passion of his, and he stays busy doing it Since arriving on campus in 2006, Ben has been a student, an RA, a swimmer, and he’s been involved in BCM
He’s been a residence hall director, a teacher and, most recently, the faculty-appointed advisor for UC’s Patriot Adventure Club, a primarily student-driven organization that works to provide students the chance to get involved in outdoor or other extreme recreational activities. If you’re thinking of things like caving, rafting, laser tag or skydiving, you have the right idea
Thanks to the PAC, which Ben has been in charge of for about two years now, his pas-
sion for people has blended with his passion for the outdoors in a new way
"I love [the PAC] because it gives students a chance to get out and do something in an organized way that they don't usually get to There are events on campus, you know, but none of them really focus on the outdoors. I like to organize and encourage that." Ben’s enthusiasm for the PAC is especially evident to anyone who participates.
“Ben’s great for [leading the PAC] because he loves to get outside and experience nature His love for the outdoors makes us love it,” said Jake Riportella, a student in UC’s physician’s sssistant program and also a mem-
ber of the PAC. “He’s got a lot of energy.”
A lot of that energy comes from his experiences growing up in Princeton, Ky Before coming to UC, Ben lived on a farm with his parents and four sisters He credits his experience on the farm and both his parents and siblings as a source of physical, emotional and spiritual strength.
In the years since, Williamsburg has become home to him. It’s here that he’s found a job and a place he loves. He lives on campus now with his wife, Brittany Clayton, and works as a full-time residence hall director His marriage and his job have both helped to teach him even more how to serve others
“In my dorm, there are so many guys, and it’s my job to help them anyway that I can,” said Ben “They’re all different and that makes it hard, but I’m learning.”
Ben also loves Williamsburg for its scenery and because it allows him to participate and lead things like the PAC.
"Williamsburg is a great place to do something like [the PAC] because out here we're just surrounded by nature," he said. “It’s awesome to just be so involved in and to appreciate God’s creation ”
After our interview concludes and Ben gets up to leave, he looks at me sincerely and thanks me “You’re a blessing,” he tells me The way he says it, I believe it. It’s this same attitude -- the kind that says everything is a gift -- that Ben takes with him everywhere Whether in the dorm, the classroom or in the middle of nowhere with the PAC, he’s sharing that same kind of positivity and encouragement with anyone he meets. To a guy like that, everything’s an adventure.
Pho t o by T i mot hy Wy att
BY J I L L I A N CA R PEN T ER
StaffPhotographer
Dancing to the top
The sound of cheering football fans arises from the bleachers, as the unbearable heat continues to grow The UC dance team walks on to the football field during halftime for the first time with the UC Marching Patriots Since the 2012-2013 season, the dance team has been under the instruction of new coach Lindsay Baker, who has brought many changes to the team with her Previously, not many people - including many of the people who are currently on the team – even knew that UC had a dance team However, last year the team began to get noticed, and even though the feedback the team received wasn't always positive, it was a start Since then, the team has done nothing but improve.
Before Baker began coaching the dance team it was a small and relatively unnoticed team. They were occasionally seen performing during halftime at basketball games, but were otherwise inactive However, in the fall of 2012 things changed. The team was full of all new dancers, some with dance experience and
others only with an open mind, and a new coach; all of who were more than ready to make the UC dance team something everyone could be proud of. The team worked their hardest and performed during their first basketball game near the end of the fall semester
After that first adrenaline rush from performing in front of an audience, the whole team was hooked
They worked even harder, and even if the reviews they received after performing were not as good as they had hoped, it only pushed them to continue working. Dance practices became more frequent, the team willingly adding optional practices on the days they didn't have mandatory practice to work on technique and memory
Many team members even started getting together to practicing outside of the dance studio, increasing the usual three hours a week to ten hours or more On top of that, Baker has worked to get the team the performance time they need to get noticed Not only has the
team performed at half time with the band at football games for the first time, they have also performed sidelines in the bleachers for each of the games as well.
Taylor Stewart, sophomore at UC, joined the dance team last fall She has been a part of the team to witness the improvements in talent and team togetherness that can currently be seen "I decided to join the team because I love to dance. I loved the idea of having a team that shared the same exact love as I did," says Stewart
Stewart joined with the hopes of having people around her that were ready to work as hard as she did to make something of the team, and she was not disappointed.
The dance team has done nothing but get better for the past year, but that isn't to say that there hasn't been a few bumps along the way.
"My favorite memory is last year when the music didn't start and we just stood in the middle of the court waiting. Everyone was really confused and Coach Lindsay had to come tell
us to get off the court. It was pretty memorable," says Stewart
This season, the team returned to campus a week before classes started to hit the dance season running Three dance routines were learned in the span of a single day, and by the time the first football game came around the team was more than ready to wow the audience Since then, the team has worked on tightening the routines, improving even the smallest of aspects
They have worked on their abilities as dancers and grown, moving quickly from shaky single pirouettes to beautiful doubles with ease The reviews the team has received have been nothing but good, and the team has done nothing but work harder and get better
BY N ATA SH A JON E S AssistantEditor
There’s no greater buzz kill to a relaxing weekend than that difficult Monday morning afterward It’s the start of a new week, the first day of five (or maybe more) where you will be urgently and frantically woken up by the sound of your screeching alarm clock
According to MSN’s Healthy Living, research shows that Mondays are the most common day for heart attacks A recent CNN com article explains that a rise in blood pressure when returning back to work (or school) increases the risk for a heart attack
Nobody likes a Monday. But, we all got to get through them I’ve collected some suggestions to make those dreaded Monday mornings a tad bit easier.
Hayley Davis, a UC sophomore who helps run The Kingdom Productions, has a work study position on campus, leads a prayer group through the week, is a member of Chorale, and stays busy with rehearsals and concerts as a student studying music, gives a few tips to how she tackles her Mondays
"I like to dress up I just feel like if I look good, I'll feel good. That's just true for me. On
Mak ing Mo ndays eas ier
Sunday nights I also try to get a lot of sleep, so if I have to wake up really early (and I usually do) I can feel refreshed That's one of the big things for me. Monday is when all the homework assignments are assigned I try to make lists; so it makes me happy if I have a list of all the things I need to do for the week."
Whitley West, a UC sophomore who works two jobs, one in Corbin and the other on campus, is a commuter student and loves to photograph in her free time West says there are several must-haves she uses to help her survive that first day back to the hustle and bustle
“I like to drink coffee in the morning; that's a must. I take sporadic naps, like maybe an hour nap here or there if I can squeeze one in, and I usually can I always eat breakfast, if I don't do that then I'm just a big hot mess all day and I can’t get anything else done I try to stay motivated by knowing when I get home I get to watch “Breaking Bad” and just chill out. I also have so much going on through the course of the day that I have to make a little calendar for myself of my day's events or
make alarms if I have something due or something I have to work on It really helps me keep it together I'm really scattered brained "
Carleen Fletcher, a UC senior studying criminal justice, has a much different approach to her Mondays than most
"My advice is to just remember to make Monday your hard day From someone who used to be a biology major and having to take biology classes and C\chemistry classes, I always tried to schedule my labs on Mondays and Tuesdays to get them over with Just remember to put all of that on at the beginning and just try and work as hard as you can in the first day or so of the week just makes every day of the week so much easier. You have a weekend before and then you've got your hard day and then the rest is just a downhill slope for the remainder of the week. Reward yourself afterward, of course Poor Monday; it wasn't Monday's fault “
Jannica Brady, a senior communication arts major with a minor in public relations, who returns to her hometown every weekend to be a nanny to two young children, has her
own strategies for taking on Mondays.
"To prepare for Monday, I try to leave my house by midafternoon, so that way I get back to campus about later afternoon. I spend the five or six hours before I go to bed, making sure I have all my homework done and in order. Then I'll make lists to help me keep things in order for the week I even go as far as to write out when I’ll have lunch and dinner, if I don't have my list those things usually don't get done Generally, on Monday mornings I have to have lots of coffee to get my day started. I try to get most of my stuff done on Mondays so I can spend the rest of the week lying in bed, watching Netflix and taking it easy."
There you have it A few tips from a few busy bodies that I know. Remember: sleep, plan, and organize Reward yourself and have things to look forward to on those dreaded early Monday mornings.
BROUGH T T O YOU BY T H E PAT R IO T N E W SPA PER’S
• Apples to Apples (about $15.00$20 00) It's a diverse game that, frankly, needs to have a comeback It's a very good and hilarious game for a group of good friends
-Jillian Carpenter
• My opinion of the perfect gift is a blank notebook The proper use of a notebook is to write in it but when you begin to write in a blank notebook your imagination run wild But if you’re not someone who enjoys writing you can also draw amongst the blank pages. But if you do not have an artist side you can also use the pages to rip out and fold or crumble the pieces into something new. So a blank notebook is the perfect gift due to the options of imagination it presents to the person receiving the gift.
-Autumn Cooney
• A handmade scarf or a delectably decorated cookie can go a far way, even to reach the coldest of hearts! At least, it would warm me up.
-Hayley Davis
• Gift cards. Find out a few of someones favorite places to shop and buy them a gift card from there Almost every place has them, and the amount their avaliable in ranges from $25-100 Its a lot like giving them money, which is probably what they asked for, but knowing what they like shows you care
-Natasha Jones
• Comic Books ($3.99). Due to the popularity of all the superhero movies, this is definantly a viable option Just find out his or her favorite superhero and you’re destined to find at least one title of that character The title of the comic could be in a series, in which case you might want to find out where the story line began Comic books can be found at you’re local comic book store.
-Solomon Whitaker
• Customizable Coasters (around $20.00). It’s always a good idea to give a personalized gift A great way to do this is to create custom coasters that are embellished with your personal photos. Whether the gift is for mom or dad, a grandparent, or a sibling, you can have photos that represent memories you share together printed onto the coasters They will love this gift that will remind them of great memories as well as serve as a great conversation piece While there are several places you can find them, one great place to order your custom coasters is Shutterfly com All you have to do is upload the photos that you want printed on the coasters and they do all the hard work
-Christin Miller
• A smashbook: This is a cool item you can purchase from JoAnn's Fabric store for around 8 bucks (K&Company Smash Folio), and you can put anything in themquotes, doodles, photos, type in stuff you like- anything. It's just fun to make it
your own-definitely a cool gift idea.
-Carleen Fletcher
• How about a decorative goodie basket filled with bubble bath assortments and other good smelling goodies?
-Whitley West
• A Red Rider BB Gun “Don’t shoot your eye out, kid ”
-Timothy Wyatt
• Who doesn’t like candy? Make a candy basket. Most everyone has some candy that they just can't resist, and taking the time to figure out what they like and putting it together in a cute basket with a note about why you think they're sweet is double the sweet Plus, this could only cost a few bucks - depending on how much candy you want to give.
- Cody Ellis
• Who says no to some freshly baked goods? Just think: one pan of peanut butter fudge can make about three different gifts. Try cookies, pumpkin rolls or buckeyes too (some of my grandma’s signature Christmas goodies)
-Kristina Smith
The mir ac le o f Chr istm as
BY TA N N ER Y A N K E Y StaffWriter
In my family, the task of decorating the Christmas tree has become primarily my responsibility. It seems that I have a love of Christmas trees that the rest of my family just doesn’t share I find great joy in hanging each ornament in the perfect spot. As they sparkle in the light, I’m always reminded of the story behind each ornament But there is one ornament that remains unseen that speaks of the greatest story of them all. Actually, it’s not really much of an ornament
It is a 6-inch nail Each year before any of the other decorations are hung, I carefully hang the nail against the trunk of the tree in a place where it is not conspicuous to casual onlookers Although it is not easily seen, I know that it is there. It is a subtle, somber, and powerful symbol. As I celebrate the birth of Jesus by decorating the Christmas tree, I am reminded of the price that was paid upon another tree, the cross of Calvary. It is a price that no man could ever pay.
A debt owed due to sin This may seem like a grim thing to reflect on during such a joyous season, but if not for the miracle of Calvary, the miracle of Christmas would lose its meaning If Jesus only came to be a good teacher, then why celebrate? What hope is there? We are still in the same pitiful state, held captive by our sin. But instead, when Jesus came as a baby, He also came with a mission of redemption He came to spend His very life to buy back what had been lost.
To break the chains of sin To restore what had been broken As we celebrate the birth of the Savior, we look ahead to His death and glorious resurrection. This is the miracle of Christmas This is why we have joy This is why we celebrate
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29 NKJV
BY A L E X W I L L I A MS StaffWriter
Transitioning to a fou r-day week
At the beginning of the fall semester at the University of the Cumberlands, many departments switched to a four-day week The psychology, religion, human resources and communication arts departments have mostly opted in this schedule to much success Instead of Friday classes taking place inside the classroom, these departments instead focused their attention toward iLearn, an online learning program.
Dr. Jeff Smoak, professor of music, is cochair of the university’s committee to explore the options of a possible four-day week. Alongside co-chair Dr. Gina Bowlin, chair of human services, he has been exploring this option for over three years “The process that we went through was initial polling of all the departments to see who thought they could and couldn’t We, as a committee, felt that the only way such a schedule could work would be to implement either hybrid courses or all online courses,” Smoak said
According to Smoak, UC academic dean Dr Larry Cockrum said that any department
WednesdayThursday Tuesday Monday
would have to present their adjusted schedules to get permission to attempt this type of schedule Of course, not all departments would be able to do this type of schedule. Departments such as biology and chemistry would have trouble implementing the four day week due to their lab-heavy schedules which require students to be in class
While the idea was years in the making, it has been in use since last year in several general education courses like English Composition 1 and 2 “They were very successful
Once the students were acclimated to know they had a Monday and Wednesday class and a Friday online assignment, then the classes got more and more successful,” Smoak reported.
The main reason Smoak was so adamant for this schedule change was because of the nature of the music department. Because of the amount of ensembles, practices and competitions many students and professors faced, some were left with little time and a heavy workload
Like the music department, the communication arts department faced a similar dilemma with groups like the debate team and theatre. Dr. Keith Semmel, the chair of the department, says, “The main reason that we decided to make a transition to the four day week is based on the fact that our department is unique in terms of extracurricular activities that are all a part of our academic program ”
Alongside the benefits of additional time out of class, some faculty members have noticed that the student writing has improved “Several faculty members have reported to me that they have seen what they perceive to be improvements in student writing in terms of organization of their thoughts and their structure,” Semmel said.
Natasha Jones, a sophomore journalism major, shares Semmel’s enthusiasm “I like it for the most part. It’s nice to have that day open when you can have time to get stuff together and perfect it I think it’s nice,” Jones said. She also says that the additional time out of the classroom helped improve her atten-
dance. “I’ve only missed one class this semester and a lot of that is that because I don’t have class on Friday,” Jones said proudly
However, not everyone has a positive outlook on the four-day week UC senior Abbey Cherry, also a journalism major, does not prefer the four day week. “I do not like the Friday assignments. Personally, I’m way more of a lecture person instead of lecturing yourself. In the classroom, I’m gaining more of an understanding of what’s going on rather than just teaching myself,” Cherry said
“At this point, I don’t know of any backlash from faculty or students,” Smoak stated.
In the spring semester of 2014 many departments will continue experimenting with the four-day week and to see if it will remain successful
Go, go o ut and m ake so me mem ories
BY T I F FA N Y S OKOL OW SK I Editor Emeritus
Christmastime is a season where we are able to take a snapshot of our lives to remember for years to come Everyone remembers “that Christmas when ” For me, and I'm sure a lot of my peers, we have memories from “that Christmas at Cumberland when ”
There was that Christmas at Cumberland when someone (who shall not be named) took Tupperware containers to Madrigals to take home the leftovers And that Christmas at Cumberland when we had a suite potluck to celebrate holiday break It seemed like all Christmases at Cumberland, we decorated our dorm rooms and bought cheap presents for each other from the dollar store I still treasure some of those gifts and get the ornaments out each year to hang on the tree.
One Christmas at Cumberland, I took part in the annual Advent Booklet Another Christmas at Cumberland, I remember tons of snow and Christmas movie marathons in the dorm lobby of Kleist
When I was still a youngster at Cumberland, I worked in the English department and convinced Dr Sharp to share her famous “Jolly Cakes” recipe with me
My cohort at The Patriot, Mr. Jeremiah Massengale, and I would write “versus” columns and one year we picked Rudolph vs Frosty. (I'd still like to know who won that battle )
On a less happy note, there was that Christmas at Cumberland when I lost my dad. And the Christmas where I said, “farewell” to
good ole UC and headed out into the working world.
This year, I'll look back and remember the first Christmas I was a mommy
Go make memories with your friends and family Give yourself something to look back on in the years to come You've heard it before and the truth still stands... college is one of the best times in your life, enjoy every minute of it
Tiffany Sokolowski is the Circulation Manager at The Winchester Sun Newspaper in Winchester, Ky., where she currently resides. She and her husband Eric are alumni of The University of the Cumberlands and just welcomed Sara Elizabeth into the world in August 2013.
BY H A Y L E Y DAV IS Online Editor
‘Twas the week before Finals, when all through the halls, not a student was studying, not even those on-call
The TV was playing in lobbies with friends, in hopes that some tension would soon come to end
The college was snuggled all tight in black sky, while freezing cold temperatures happily stood by. Professors at home, and RAs in desks, both settling their brains for a soon-to-be rest.
When right near the doors there arose such a clatter, A siren that sang for all residents to gather.
Away to the parking lots, they got in their lines, Shivering and mumbling and stepping in time
The sun on the steeples along fallen snow
Gave sunrise a smile to teachers on the go
Then, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a 500 word essay, right now and right here.
With the hefty clock ticking, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment I’d probably be sick.
More terror and sweat than a date could produce, I put pen to paper, as if I could choose
“Now Therefore! Now, Wherefore! Now, Ergo and So!
On, Hence that! And So that! However and Though!
To the end of this page! And now to the last!
Now write away! Write away! Write away fast!
The words – how they glimmered! The sounds how inviting!
The draft smelt of pencils and tears that were hiding Back to the blankets and cocoa I went, For a long winter ’s rest, after Finals week spent.
Sweet dreams to Psychology, Music, and Math –
Sweet dreams to all places and departments and paths. May your break bring you peace and your field bring you joy, As we seek to succeed and mostly, be employed
BY JA N N ICA BR A DY StaffWriter
Pumpkin Recipes
There are very few things in life I love more than my momma’s cooking and her famous Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread is no different Nothing says “welcome home” quite like walking into my house to this delicious smell. This recipe has become a family favorite (it’s demanded we bring this to any Brady family gathering) and a kick off to the holiday season. For the first time, I took to the kitchen to try and recreate this recipe I am pleased to announced that I did not burn the house down or the bread. Actually it turned out beautifully and according to my grandpa, “It didn’t taste half bad ”
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups canned pumpkin
• 1 1/2 cups canola oil
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. In another bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.
• Pour into two greased 8-in x 4-in loaf pans Bake at 350° for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks Yield: 2 loaves (16 slices each).
Wha t’s co o kin’?
What says fall better than the classic American Pumpkin Roll. If your house is anything like mine, than you constantly have a pumpkin roll in the refrigerator from October to January What could possibly be better than pumpkin cake and cream cheese icing? In my opinion that’s what dreams are made of I promise if you make this Pumpkin Roll they will all continue to come back to your table for more
Ingredients:
Cake:
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Filling:
• 1 pkg (8 oz ) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)
Directions:
For Cake:
• Preheat oven to 375° F Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper Grease and flour paper Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar
• Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick Beat in pumpkin Stir in flour mixture Spread evenly into prepared pan Sprinkle with nuts
• Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end Cool on wire rack
For Filling:
• Beat cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired Enjoy
Pumpkin Roll
Trapped o n Planet 17
BY S OL OM A N W H I TA K ER StaffWriter
Planet 17 in the Pegasus Galaxy is home to the Platura, a green human-like species that has built their own cities. The planet is a lot like Earth and in the section the Platura live in it is mountainous A representative from Earth has come to make peace with them, bringing some Marines with her as security. Unfortunately, the Platura could not reconcile the idea of security and took the security detail as a sign of attack
The contingent’s communication and access to their ship cut off and they fled to a cave Only they were unexpectedly trapped by a cave-in The Platura did not give up capturing them and started drilling into the mountain in which the cave was
“What’s that noise?” asked the representative, her formal work dress dirtied from the cavein Her name was Katey Adney, but everyone referred to her as Mrs Representative
“It sounds like a drill,” replied a 25-year-old man in a marine uniform, he being one of the security detail His patch on his arm indicated that he was a sergeant. His name was Adrian Colon.
“It is, they’re still trying to reach us Probably gonna try and execute us as criminals That is, if they even have a court process here,” stated Sergeant Major Ruben Ballard In his hand was a flashlight and he was checking on everyone “The rest of our contingent are trapped under the cavein ” Adney and Colon looked around, just now noticing that there were just three of them in the cave. Shock and sadness filled both of them.
“So, all we can do is just wait here for them to get us,” inquired Adney
“I’m afraid so Mrs. Representative. There are no more tunnels in this cave that could lead anywhere,” replied Major Ballard He stood the flashlight upright on the ground so it would light as big an area as possible Sergeant Colon gave a
whispered chuckle under his breath.
“You know what’s funny? Today is Thanksgiving back on Earth. I can see my family, all gathered together. Instead though, I’m here in this cave, waiting for these to find me and in all probability execute me. Some Thanksgiving,” Sergeant Colon said in regret. Adney just stared at the ground, but Major Ballard reached into his back pack and brought out the rations
“Why are you passing out rations now, when those aliens are getting ever closer,” Sergeant Colon yelled
“Stand down, Sergeant. This is not the time to succumb to fear I just figured that since it was Thanksgiving and we have nothing better to do, we could have our own Thanksgiving dinner,” Major Ballard replied He passed out three packs It was nothing special, just an energy bar for each person. Before they started eating, Major Ballard insisted on saying a prayer They started eating directly afterwards “You know, I’m thankful for all that I’ve experienced in my life. And if this is where it ends, I don’t regret it,” stated Major Ballard
Adney, starting to feel the spirit also joined in, “I’m thankful for these bars, it feels good to celebrate with someone, even considering the circumstances.” Sergeant Colon stared at the ground
“I’m thankful for my family, no matter how briefly the time was that I got to share with them,” he stated They quietly ate their energy bars and waited for the Platura to find them After a few more hours, the drill broke through. Immediately the Platura came in, and though they did fight back, were killed Not long afterwards, the Platura destroyed the shuttle and sent a message, claiming it to be an accident
Five DIY do rm room cr af ts
BY W H I T L E Y W E S T StaffPhotographer
Str
ing & c lo thesp in pho to c o llage.
Hang up your favorite photos by clipping them with clothespins onto pieces of string and hang them on your walls.
Si mp le Canvas Ar t
Mix and match a few canvases with your favorite colors, prints and your initials! For extra pizzazz, hang the canvases by bows that match
Jewelr y Keep er
Find a cute picture frame and take out what is inside. Cut out a piece of wire mesh as large as the inside of your frame and staple it on the inside Now you have a place to hang your jewelry.
Co rk Boar d
Cover your corkboard with fabric, leaving several extra inches to wrap around Start pushing in tacks in whatever distance apart you choose around the border of the board. Once all your tacks are in, flip your board over and staple the excess fabric down on the back side.
Cute R efr igerato r Mag nets
Get clothespins and decorate them however you like, with paint, glitter, fabric, and/or buttons Then, place an adhesive magnetic strip on the back for cute minifridge magnets
Five wor s t movi e se qu el s
BY N ATA SH A JON E S
AssistantEditor
You can’t beat a classic But, for some reason there’s always someone out there who’s willing to try We’ve seen plenty of sequels, but I’ve put together a list of the top five highly anticipated sequels that turned out to be duds “If a sequel is being made, it’s because the first one was successful and it’s hard to copy that success and find that magic a second time Also, a lot of sequels are produced with profit in mind instead of story in mind. If the movie’s profit-focused instead of story-focused, the story suffers,” explains Jeremiah Massengale, an assistant professor of communication arts at UC
Grease 2 (1982 )
Same setting, but with mostly a new cast, the characters had less depth and many of the songs were too cheesy. Despite using similar scenarios and aspects as the original, the sequel just couldn’t achieve the success its original did, leaving viewers a little less than hopelessly devoted
Mean G ir ls 2 (2011)
This sequel also used a few of the original cast members, but mainly new faces This film had many recycled elements from its original with a plot twist of rebellion found in the film’s underdog lead However no amount of ex-Disney stars could have saved this one
So n of the Mask (200 5)
Not every sequel wins an award for being the worst sequel ever, but this one did This family-friendly fantasy twist on “The Mask” received such bad reviews it won 26th Annual Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Remake or Sequel in 2006.
Retur n t o O z (198 5)
Had the title not been “Return to Oz” you probably would have no idea this movie was a sequel or in any way associated with “The Wizard of Oz ” The actor who played Dorothy was younger than Judy Garland in the beloved 1939 original And, obviously, there were no reoccurring cast members at all Plus, the film had a spooky vibe to it that was too frightening to young viewers
Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010)
Despite having all the original cast members with plenty of comedy, this sequel just wasn’t what its audience was anticipating. Despite familiar faces, the story lines in this film grew more and more bizarre The changes in the characters were just too drastic in such a short time frame; not to mention, the scenarios seemed like they were set up for an ongoing sitcom
BY EM I LY H EM PH I L L
StaffWriter
From bo o k to big screen
Everyone knows that Hollywood has been pretty short on original ideas of a while now Few headlining movies have been released lately that couldn’t be labeled sequels, remakes, or adaptations but let’s just focus on that last category Some book-to-movie transitions are wonderful, like the transition to college is for many people who have found a major that they love, but others are awkward, more like middle school. So, leaving classics such as “To Kill a Mockingbird” out of the equation, which modern adaptations are the best, and which are the worst?
1 The Lord of the Rings Trilogy – Yes, some details might have been changed, but sacrifices must be made when converting a 1,500 page epic into a silver-screen experience The quality of costumes/weapons, acting, CGI, and screenwriting makes this 10 –hour-long movie saga by far the best adaptation Did you know that nearly all of the dialogue, though maybe given to a different character or moved to a different scene, was taken straight from Tolkien’s novels?
1. Eragon – Okay, so the book may not have given them much to work with but still Usually just the mention of this movie brings a chorus of groans. Although Christopher Paolini’s book has lost much of the blockbuster readership that it originally garnered, the faults that can be found with it are nothing compared to the film adaptation. The movie not only didn’t follow the storyline of the book, but it made the thinly-veiled Tolkien and “Star Wars” settings and storylines even more obvious than they already were. Mostly a forgotten movie; it does well to stay that way.
2 The Prestige – This surprisingly little-known movie sports an all-star cast with the likes of Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Scarlet Johansen and Michael Caine. Based on a novel by Christopher Priest, it is well acted, directed, produced, and just an all-around great movie that you have to watch at least twice if you want the full picture
3 The Hunger Games – Maybe this is a cop out answer… Just like with the “Lord of the Rings,” some things had to be left out, and some things had to be changed. But on the whole, I think we can all agree that the concepts and characters portrayed in Suzanne Collin’s book came across just as well on the big screen
2. A Series of Unfortunate Events – These children’s books by Lemony Snicket (the pen name of Daniel Handler) are smart, tragic, and darkly humorous. What young reader didn’t gobble them up? But Jim Carrey’s movie adaptation is a truly unfortunate event, trying to cram the first three books into less than two hours, starting with book one, squashing books two and three into the middle, and ending with book one again To make matters worse, it doesn’t really end It leaves you wondering why the movie makers didn’t resolve it, since they weren’t going to get the chance to make a sequel
3. The Cat in the Hat –Not to be a hater when it comes to Jim Carey, but really Read-aloud books are scarred forever by this film version of Dr. Seuss’s beloved story Rather than producing a faithful adaptation of the story, the producers of this movie created a very different interpretation than anyone who remembers reading the book as a child was expecting, even going so far to include adult content that was certainly never intended by Dr Seuss These examples prove that book adaptations do have the potential to be great films, even if some of them fall far short of the potential a book might have If you’d like to become better at not judging a book by its movie, check out some of these books before going to see the upcoming movie versions: “Great Expectations,” “The Book Thief,” “Ender ’s Game,” “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” “Divergent,” and “The Fault in Our Stars.”
