The Patriot-April 4 2019

Letter from the Managing Editor

Dear Patriots,

From the budding leaves interspersed among the tree branches, to the numerous holidays scattered throughout the weeks; the month of April is filled with celebration and life.

April is also the part of the semester that many people find stresses them out the most. With the looming threat of finals week just around the corner, and the numerous amount of projects, papers, tests, and presentations that are due in the coming weeks it can be easy to allow all that stress to roil beneath the surface until it overwhelms you.

Rest assured, you are not alone. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of American around 40 million people in the United States experience some form of an anxiety disorder over the course of the year. The symptomatology of these disorders, including their intensity and breadth, can vary, but each of them is incredibly real and incredibly terrifying for the individual who is experiencing them. I myself have dealt with anxiety for years now, my first anxiety attack happened in eighth grade during a supplementary math class, and every time another anxiety attack happens, it’s as if everything I thought I knew shatters beneath the weight of some new, or improved, problem.

What helps to ground me the most in those moments when the fear prickles beneath my skin is a small mantra I repeat in my head as I voraciously read whatever is in front of me: You are the one who controls your thoughts; your thoughts do not control you, so breathe. Just breathe.

I know of course that this won’t help everyone, as every mental health disorder is unique to the individual, so for those who feel as if they are unable to keep their fears, depression, anxiety, or stress from overwhelming them there are numerous resources on campus that are available. The counseling center, located in Browning Building behind the CSC, offers sessions free of charge to all students, faculty, and staff. Likewise, there are numerous, anonymous call centers, such as the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, available 24 hours a day.

Asking for help is never a weakness. It is a sign of just how strong you truly are.

Sincerely,

Leanne Gregory,Managing Editor

Editor-In-Chief

Mike Krzyston

Managing Editor

Leanne Gregory

Faculty Adviser

Jeremiah Massengale

Staff

Emilee Agee

Haley Bullock

Taylor Duke

Abigail Fletcher

Jessica McFerron

Alex Nunn

River Phillippe

Dan Williams

Maranda Young

Front cover by Mike Krzyston

Back cover by Nicole Nantz

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Suite life in Templeton

UC adds another housing option for women

BY HALEY BULLOCK AND MARANDA YOUNG Staff Writers

With the tuition drop of 57 percent coming for the fall semester of 2019, it is estimated that the student population will increase to take advantage of the affordable education cost. So, to prepare for the anticipated number of new students, the University of the Cumberlands will be offering the 33 rooms of the Templeton Wing at the Cumberland Inn as a housing option for the women of UC. Renovations at the Inn will commence once summer hits to accommodate the new occupants. The main perks of Templeton are a personal bathroom for a two-person room, a commuter parking pass, and the ability to keep the UC student meal plan.

This new dorm opportunity is a big change from what UC already has regarding student life and housing. The university has all of their educational and housing buildings on their campus, so having a dorm building off the physical campus is a big change. Andrew Underwood, the dean of student life, says “It is currently an already built living space and so there were a few ideas [to turn Templeton into a dorm]. When tuition was cut, we knew that we would have a rise in attendance here. It was always a place where we could put overflow housing.”

While this is a big change for UC, some students are concerned about how this will affect student life and interaction. Ashley Hulgan, a UC junior, says “A hotel room with a shared bathroom combined with the fact that it’s off campus is just going to make life harder for students. If anything, maybe they should turn those into apartment style dorm buildings.”

The fact that Templeton is only offered for upperclassmen women has an impact on men, as well. River Phillippe, a UC junior, said, “[I’m a] little mad, a little heated. I wish it could have been a male thing, but I’m fine with Asher being a male dorm and Hutton being a girl dorm.”

However, many students are excited about the transformation of the Cumberland Inn. Andrea Wheeler, a UC senior, says, “We definitely needed more dorms and more space because of the influx of students, so I think it’s a great idea. It’s allowing us to move away from our specific, tiny little spot on campus…It’s a good move for us to branch out.”

Students are also excited because of the environment of the hotel that could be shared with students. Grace Uebel, a UC senior, says, “I think that’s great because the Cumberland Inn is really pretty.”

Though the dorm option isn’t available for men, some are still glad to see this change. Maxwell Emerson, a UC junior, says, “The Cumberland Inn being transformed into a dorm is a good opportunity to experiment with off-campus housing, and I think the guys should have an opportunity to do that as well.”

Overall, the Templeton transformation has its pros and its cons, but it is a big step for UC. Many people are excited for what it has to offer, and about the variety of housing, but people are also concerned about how it will impact UC’s sense of community. Regardless, the new housing option is needed, especially with the anticipated number of new freshman coming in.

Photos by Maranda Young

In bloom

UC celebrates second annual Arbor Day celebration

BY EMILEE AGEE Staff Writer

The University’s Tree Program Committee hosted their second annual Arbor Day celebration on campus on Friday, March 29 at 10 a.m., where campus and members in the community gathered to hear about the benefits of trees and watch a native Red Buckeye tree be planted on campus in honor of Mr. Raymond M. Sutton, Jr., a local businessman who was also a gardener and plant collector. Cumberlands staff planted a tree dedicated to Mr. Raymond M. Sutton, Jr. on the lawn of Cumberlands’ Correll Science Complex during the Arbor Day celebration.

Mr. Sutton’s family has lived in the Williamsburg area for four generations. He attended Cumberland College before completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Kentucky. Additionally, he is a member of the Magnolia Society International and the American Hydrangea Society, and has been an avid plant collector for the past 30 years. Mr. Sutton is married to Sandra Moore Sutton; they have a daughter Laura (Lexington), a son Raymond (Chip) Sutton, III (Louisville), and three grandchildren.

As a Tree Campus USA member through the National Arbor Day Foundation, University of the Cumberlands is working to improve the environment on campus by planting more trees. So far, Cumberlands has planted 20 native species of trees on campus, with a goal of planting 10 trees yearly.

Dr. Sarah Ash, biology professor at Cumberlands, said, “This is a way we can reflect an appreciation of our history, as many native tree species are economically and culturally significant in Appalachia.”

Ash added, “It is also a tool to increase appreciation for native species.”

Dr. Todd Yetter said, “Too many exotic species have been introduced into regions where they don’t belong, which always ends up being a detriment to other, native species,” Yetter said, “As a note, we are not cutting down any already-planted exotic trees; rather, when the exotics die, they will be replaced with native species.”

Because trees are something we see everyday, their ecological significance is often taken for granted. The National Arbor Day Foundation’s website sheds light on the benefits trees by providing information about how trees not only clean air and water, but slow climate change, ease poverty and hunger by providing fruit and can prevent loss of different species. Additionally, according to the National Wildlife Federation, they give beauty to their surroundings and absorb so much carbon dioxide that the country could save up to four billion dollars in energy costs if available spaces along U.S. streets had trees planted, according to the National Wildlife Federation.

Photo by Mike Krzyston

Mr. Raymond M. Sutton Jr., UC alumni and member of the Magnolia Society International, shovels soil into the newly planted red buckeye tree on the front lawn of the Correll Science Complex

Nothing but “love”

The Women’s Tennis team defeats the Eagles 9-0

BY JESSICA MCFERRON

Staff Writer

On March 26, 2019 the University of the Cumberlands women’s tennis team played a match against Midway University’s Eagles on the home court and The Patriots won 9-0. The Patriots were victorious against Cumberland University on March 29 with a score of 5-3 and on March 30 they defeated University of Pikeville 9-0. The #20 ranked tennis team is on a three-game win streak, having already defeated Midway University, Cumberland University, and University of Pikeville.

UC’s women’s tennis coach, Dr. Chin Tan, says, “We have the most talented team that I have ever had in 31 years of coaching. These ladies are talented by having the skill level to play well and we have everyone who can play in the lineup. They are willing to work and willing to do whatever it takes to get us a good season.”

Tan added, “I was happy to see how we executed so well given the stiff competition. These ladies respect Midway as an opponent that is fast improving, and they know that they have to play well to build a more confident game for future matches.”

Against Midway, UC’s women’s tennis team started out strong with Tessa Gray and Grace Steely playing number one doubles for the first time, defeating Annette Tran and Erin Byassee 8-2. Tomomi Nagao defeated Midway’s Carly

Poste 6-0 in both single matches, while Jaclyn Jewel defeated Midway’s Annette Tran 6-2, and then 6-0 in each single match. Sydney White and Mikaela Fros defeated Midway’s Lisette D’Onofrio and Winter Bruggeworth at 8-1 in the final doubles match of the game.

Sydney White, a UC freshman, says, “Practicing is crucial not only for the physical part of the game, but also the mental. Being on the court with your teammates sets your mind in the right place before a match.”

Tan adds, “We prepare like we do for all teams by working on our techniques, tactics, and physical conditioning. In addition, we also work our mental aspect in our motto of BCG; Believe, Confidence, and Grit.”

Jaclyn Jewel, UC tennis captain, says, “I have for sure seen a tremendous growth in our team since the fall. We are more of a together team and love each other greatly, this helps because in our matches we trust one another and encourage each other through thick and thin.”

Next, the team travels to Portsmouth, Ohio on Saturday, April 6 to compete against Shawnee State University.

Jaclyn Jewell prepares to return the ball with a backhand.

Photo s courtesy of UC Sports Info rmation

Sydney White prepares to serve the ball.

Rising with the waters

It’s not acting if it’s love

BY MARANDA YOUNG Staff Writer

According to Borderzine, about 80 percent of college students change their major at least once. It is safe to say that, Tyler Kohn, a sophomore at University of the Cumberlands, is happy she switched from psychology major to theatre. As a high school student touring through UC, not only did Kohn feel as if theatre was her calling, but quite literally had her name written all over “Kohn Theatre.”

Kohn said, “When I began here, my major wasn’t theatre because I didn’t know if that would be a viable career option. The more I worked in the department, the more it was made apparent to me that if I pushed for it, I could do this. I love performing, but the thing I am most passionate about is directing. To direct for the University, you must pass principals of directing. So now this is my shot to show what I’m made of. This is not a grade, this is just something I’m doing to prepare for my career.”

Six years ago, Kohn began performing and directing musicals in high school. She was the president of the drama club, the student director and practically ran the whole high school theatre department. Kohn is directing the play, “Charlie Foster: a Play about Swimming in Theatre.” This coming of age story is told through ten teenagers who are dealing with grief after the death of an unpopular boy named Charlie Foster. The teens will learn more about who they are and who they want to be as people. There is so much behind the making of Kohn’s version of this play.

Kohn stated, “This show is not hyper-realistic. If you come and see the show, you won’t find a typical set. It’s a very heavy storytelling experience. Ten chairs. One stage. Some hurt kids working through grief. I chose this play because I’m particularly drawn to more abstract work. I like to explore concepts that aren’t easy. This piece isn’t abstract actually; the thing that drew me into ‘Charlie Foster’ is the experimental nature. There is no set place or set time. These are the things I like to play with, I love a good dream like setting.”

It was not all roses while Kohn prepared for this show. This is a time of the semester that students are preparing for finals, graduation, selecting classes and more stressful events. She needed ten actors and only five people auditioned. After receiving help faculty and friends, Kohn was able to pull some strings to get five more actors. Kohn stated, “I would have to thank my stage manager, Jeremy Morgan; he is a God send. He is instrumental in every part of the process. This is only his first time and he’s been amazing. i also want to thank Dr. Miller and Mr. Dawson, making sure I knew what I needed to do. As well as Kathy Cox, she is absolutely amazing.”

Kohn adds, “In theatre there are a large number of male heavy shows, but in this show, there are eight women and two men making it a female heavy show. Even though this show is an ensemble piece, the closest thing we have to a lead are women. Played by Liz Neff and Erika Satterfield, Juliet and Jodie direct the action and flow of energy. They bring in elements of improvisation and rules of water safety. A certain rule is unless you know what you are doing, saving someone else could mean you drown too. This is true for water safety, but this is also applicable to a bunch of kids who don’t know what they are doing. If they put all of their energy into saving each other that kid mean they drown too.”

“Charlie Foster: a Play about Swimming in Theatre” is open to all students and the public. The show days are April 4-7. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. during April 4-6 and at 2 p.m. April 7th.

“My advice for anyone who wants to really do this, you gotta put your whole heart into. If you want to be in theatre and you don’t absolutely love theatre, then maybe you should minor in. I have never loved anything quite like how I love theatre.”

Photo s by Maranda Young

Meme of the

week

Fresh-picked songs

The Patriot staff offering up some songs about nature to help turn over a new leaf in your music discovery journey.