The Captain's Log Vol. 47 Issue 23

The Captain’s Log THE VOICE OF CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Classroom cultural connections

@CNUCAPTAINSLOG

W W W.T H E C A P T A I N S LO G . O R G

VOLUME 47, ISSUE 23

APRIL 13, 2016

Lessons in the classroom can foster diversity throughout campus. But despite the variety of offerings, not all students feel fully engaged in the push for diversity. by kelly nicholas and Samantha camilletti kelly.nicholas.14@cnu.edu samantha.camilletti.14@cnu.edu

The other six subjects considered by ACTA are literature, composition, economics, mathematics, science and American history and government.

CNU revised its liberal learning curriculum in 2014. CNU was the only public school in the country to get an “A”.

Adamitis is also a member of the University Council for Diversity and Inclusion, a body of students, faculty and staff that provides guidance to the university on matters of diversity.

She said the council is valuable because “You absolutely have to have buy in across boundaries: curriculum, community and from all walks of life across campus.”

illustration by Melanie Occhiuzzo and chris whitehurst/the captain’s log

CNU prides itsel f on a n enriching liberal learning curriculum, but some students feel they are not receiving a full cultural experience through the classes. Some feel it’s because a lack of depth in course offerings. Some just don’t engage in the classes.

CNU’s liberal learning I n 2 014 , t he scho ol wa s awarded a perfect “A” by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni in its “What Will They Learn” ratings.

According to CNU’s website, a perfect score indicates that an institution requires all seven subjects deemed essential to a quality education, including foreign language. Additionally, CNU’s website lists knowledge of human cultures as a primary function of liberal learning.

Dr. Jana Adamitis, president of the Faculty Senate said an emphasis on inclusion and diversity, which includes lessons learned in the classroom, is essential to a student’s academic experience. Exposure to diversity prepares students for the wider world inhabited by different people, she said.

Curriculum continued on page 3

PAGE 2 Weekly pic Last Friday, Oliver Ross proposed to Shayna Maust on the Great Lawn. Congratulations to the newly engaged couple! Courtesy of Lauren Reinaman.

Online this week

Happened

Happening

Check out these stories on our social media and website.

April 7 China on the World Stage Last Thursday in McMurran 101, the Reiff Center and the Center for American Studies co-hosted a panel session titled “China on the World Stage: Understanding China’s Military Rise and Human Rights Record.” This panel featured world-class China scholars, Dr. Larry Wortzel and Yawei Liu.

April 14 Sigma Tau Delta Poetry Slam 6:15 p.m. in the DSU Washington room, the international English honor society will host a poetry slam for students to showcase their original poetry or prose work.

April 7 Drag Ball “Queens in Space” Spectrum held its 11th annual Drag Ball event last Thursday in the DSU Ballroom. Performances featured professional drag ball queens from the Virginia area, as well as amateur CNU students.

See more in Snapshot section on pages 8 and 9.

Women’s Lacrosse Check out Caitlin King’s recap of the women’s lacrosse team’s 16-7 victory over Capital Athletic Conference opponent Marymount and Meaghan Galvin’s second straight eight-point game.

April 7 Night of Homelessness From 7 to 9 p.m. in the Trible Plaza, Social Work Association held its yearly event, Night of Homelessness, in order to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those without homes or shelter.

All proceeds were donated to Faces of Joy, Inc. April 11-12 4th Annual Stand For Freedom Event Hosted by International Justice Mission at CNU, members and volunteers stood for 24 hours in the Trible Plaza to raise awareness of global injustices such as modern day slavery, sex trafficking and forced labor. Their goal this year was to support 20 rescue operations.

On Campus Jobs Coming online later this week, read about how students balance their on campus jobs with their academic pursuits.

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Follow our updates, watch us behind the scenes in the newsroom, and keep up with commentary on campus life.

The Captain’s Log Staff 2015-2016 Josh Reyes Editor-in-chief Melanie Occhiuzzo Assistant Opinions Editor Jack Jacobs News Editor Madeline Monroe Assistant News Editor Ben Leistensnider Sports Editor Bethany Pyle Lifestyle Editor Victoria Lurie A&E Editor Katherine Gittman Assistant A&E Editor Kelsey Berg Digital Content Editor

Faris Sleem Co-Digital Content Editor Chris Whitehurst Creative Director Macy Friend Photography Editor Sarah Martin Copy Editor Collin Brennan CNUTV Editor Jacob Hudson CNUTV Assistant Editor Kelsey Schnoebelen Marketing Director Brandon Hubbard Business Manager Terry Lee Faculty Advisor

April 15, 17 Dinner and a Movie: Sisters 9 p.m. this Friday and Saturday in the Gaines Theatre, CAB invites students to attend the showing of the comedy “Sisters” featuring Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. Both nights, pizza, candy, soda, water and popcorn will be provided.

April 16 A Taste of French Beyond France From 4:30 to 6:30 in Freeman 101, the French Club will host a meal of francophone dishes, desserts and appetizers from countries including Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal and France. Everyone is welcome.

April 21 Night Market From 6:30-10 p.m. in the DSU Breezeway, WCNU Radio and the Green Team Farmers Market will host the first ever Night Market.

This market will feature all-student vendors, artists and performers who will be selling and performing their creative work.

THE CAPTAIN’S LOG is the official student newspaper of Christopher Newport University. It is a public forum, which is published Wednesdays throughout the academic year.

THE EDITOR welcomes letters from readers. Editors reserve the right to edit letters for length and AP style, as well as to refuse publication. An email with a “.doc” attachment is preferable. Reach us through: - Email: clog@cnu.edu - Drop off: The Captain’s Log newsroom, DSU Suite 393 Join the staff The Captain’s Log is always open to students who are interested in writing, photography and editing. Editors assign stories every Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Jefferson Room of the DSU. want to advertise? Circulation inquiries, advertising rates and policies are available upon request via email at clog@cnu.edu or telephone at (757) 594-7196. For more information, visit our website at thecaptainslog.org.

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Classroom cultural connections curriculum continued From page 1

Students in the class decided to look at diversity at CNU for their class research project. They focused on racial diversity because their study was limited to a semester.

The study surveyed 208 students and asked qualitative questions that were designed to better understand how students felt about diversity and inclusion. The students conducting the survey also looked at the differences in responses between white and non-white students. Their findings and the recommendations they made based off of the findings were presented to CNU’s new Council for Diversity and Inclusion.

Stephenson was a member of the class that developed the study on diversity and inclusion at CNU. He has since presented the findings at several campus events.

However, a study conducted by students in a macro social work class found that more students agreed than disagreed with the statement that CNU does not demonstrate a strong institutional commitment to diversity. A majority of students in that survey also disagreed with the statement, “I have been exposed to racial and ethnic diversity at CNU.” Adamitis said she was enlightened by these and other findings in the survey, adding that the survey indicated that the university could improve its diversity and inclusion efforts.

Engaging with diversity in the classroom Dr. Rocio Gordon, an assistant professor of Spanish, said students in her beginning and intermediate courses have mixed approaches to the class. “I have a lot of students that are interested in learning about new cultures and who value diversity,” she said. “But I also have students that just want to pass the class.”

Gordon’s assessment reflects the sentiments of several students going through the liberal learning curriculum.

Senior Derick Stephenson said he had to take plenty of courses involving diversity, and he felt that was a good experience. He called the classes beneficial, particularly in highlighting systems of oppression that various minorities face, allowing him to find connections and make comparisons between different oppressions. This helped highlight similarities between different cultures for him.

“Learning about diversity is really important,” Stephenson said. “It’s important to build cultural competency, and this applies to all majors.”

While CNU earned a top rating for its liberal learning curriculum, some students and faculty shared shortcomings of the courses and offerings. illustration by melanie occhiuzzo/The captain’s Log

For Stephenson, he didn’t start out with this point of view. He said that he took a cultural anthropology class his freshman year, and he didn’t really care about the class while he was in it. But looking back now, he can find value in that class and make connections between cultural lessons there and in his social work major.

He said that classes like cultural anthropology—courses that students take early in their college career to fulfill the liberal learning curriculum—may lose their value for students because the class is required. However, he didn’t characterize students’ disinterest as an excuse for not taking a class seriously.

“It’s up to the individual to get the meaning from the class and embrace the opportunity to learn,” he said. “At a minimum, realize the university gives you the chance to get something out of it.”

Seniors Emily Hinz and Monique Carmack feel like the lower-level courses at CNU offer basic cultural knowledge, but the curriculum does not offer in depth cultural classes until junior and senior year.

“I feel like if you want to get an education at CNU [that includes racial diversity] you could, but it’s totally avoidable,” Hinz said.

Carmack, who is black, notes that the type of history that tends to be taught in general education survey classes about black Americans is often repetitive, and does not provide depth.

“There is slavery and the civil rights movement, and that’s it. What else are we told about black history?” she said.

Diversifying topics Hinz and Carmack are both currently enrolled in English 423, a course that is required for English majors who do not take Shakespeare in the fall. The topic this semester is black, female author Toni Morrison. Next year the Major Authors topic will be Alfred Hitchcock.

As an English major, Carmack recognizes the need to teach white, male authors like Shakespeare because they are widely recognized in the literary canon, but she questions why studying black authors seems to hold less merit.

“If you studied Shakespeare, that’s a good degree, but studying Toni Morrison, people don’t care,” she said.

Carmack thinks that classes would be more diverse if studying black figures was more incorporated into American history.

“Black people are separated from American history, but aren’t we a part of American history?” she said.

Director of the African American studies minor Dr. Patricia Hopkins said that all of her classes are taught from an African American perspective, whether the class is specifically geared towards African American studies or not.

Hopkins stresses that the reason she does this is because black Americans are a part of America, they should not be thought of as a separate culture. She said that until college, American students are taught from a selective perspective that silences diversity.

“It’s uber important that we learn the full history of America, what America looks like when you add all the colors to it, not just white men.”

Overall, Hopkins emphasizes that including diversity in the curriculum promotes inclusion on campus.

“This is not a black and white campus. Blue and silver are our colors. Under those colors we’re all the same,” she said.

Josh Reyes and Jack Jacobs also contributed to this article.

NEWS

Page 4

Petition seeks to address housing complaints The housing petition has 481 signatures and has also attracted the attention of RHA. wil l likely go to University Housing, which administers the lottery, and the Office of A petition seeking to address Residence Li fe. Thaler said perceived problems with the the proposal will be completed housing lottery has picked up and sent within the next couple traction in the CNU commu- weeks. nity.

The petition web page feaIn the aftermath of the hous- t u r e s a c om ment s s e c t ion, ing lottery in mid-March, sev- where 42 signers took the opporeral hundred students incensed tunity to voice frustration with by their experience with the the lottery. Complaints about housing lottery threw their the lottery mentioned on the support behind a petition circu- petition’s web page consisted of lated on Facebook and YikYak a litany familiar to most upperhoping to start a serious dia- classmen. logue with administrators in “The inability for students regards to the three-year resi- to live off campus has contindency requirement at CNU. The ued to create issues year after petition, created by sophomore year for students trying to find Tyler Melone, has somewhere to live,” 481 signatures as senior Brad ley of April 12.

Smith said “I felt like “A nu mb er of someone had to s t ud e nt s s u f fe r step in and profrom di f ferent vide leadership,” c ond it ion s t h at Melone said. He r e qu i r e a qu iet said the converand peaceful home sation around the setting which the housing lottery residence halls do o f t e n d e volv e s not provide due into fighting that to the thinness of i sn’t c on st r uc the walls,” senior tive. Melone has Rachel Voltz said. priority housing “ To force stub e c au se he i s dents to stay on visually impaired campus is ridicubut wanted to be l o u s ,” s e n i o r — senior Bradley part of the soluAnnie Cecil said.

Smith tion to what he Individuals who u nderst a nds to identi f y as pa rbe an issue for ents of students many students. also signed in supAs students port of the petition. spread the petition on social Melone said the support of parmedia, senior Arlyn Thaler, ents is key because he believes d i re c tor of Re sidenc e H a l l their opinions are more valued Association, noticed the peti- by administration. tion and contacted Melone to A nu mb er of i nd ividu a l s deter m i ne how R H A c ou ld made references to a four-year raise awareness of Melone and housing requirement in the other students’ complaints. comment section, which is not “He’s very much expressing university policy and accordthe views of a lot of people,” ing to Dean of Students Kevin Thaler said. “Meeting with him Hughes, is not scheduled to be has been something that will introduced on campus. help [RHA] understand it.”

Though the petition has a Thaler has worked with RHA target of 1000 signers and has since she was a sophomore, and just under half that number, said this is the first time RHA Melone said there’s more than has seen a petition calling for a enough support for the petition housing change in her memory. to be taken seriously already.

Melone and Thaler have met While he’s open to any kind of t o d i s c u s s Melone’s go a l s. action to address purported Thaler has written an advocacy issues with housing on campus, piece that will suggest ways to be it a reduction to a two-year improve the lottery experience. requirement or just a dialogue The proposal won’t suggest a with administration on the change to the three-year hous- topic, Melone said a relaxed ing policy. Advocacy pieces are housing requirement would proposals created by RHA to benefit students as they prepare raise awareness of some issue for independent living after colin the student housing experi- lege. ence. The advocacy proposal “Once you’re a junior, you’re By jack Jacobs

john.jacobs.13@cnu.edu

“The inability for students to live off campus has continued to create issues year after year for students trying to find somewhere to live.”

Some upperclassmen will live in above-capacity rooms during the 2016-2017 academic year. This option is opt-in only and affected students receive a discount on room and board. jack jacobs/the captain’s log not sitting in the study rooms, doi n g homework t o g e t he r, playing patty cake and Cards A g a i n s t Hu m a n it y. You’r e becoming an adult. You need to have your own life. You need a 12-month lease and a kitchen so you can grow into the person you need to become. Rather than focus on being in a club on school grounds,” Melone said.

W hile considered by some students to be a difficult process with numerous issues, Hughes said that little of the frustration seen on social media made it to his office and that the nature of a lottery makes the process prone to some frustration by participants. He also suggested that rising juniors may not have the perspective to recognize that housing becomes more difficult as students enter upperclassmen housing.

“With a lottery system, we try to make it as fair as possible across the system for all of the students involved, recognizing that at the end of the day some of those folks are going to have something that isn’t quite what they desired,” Hughes said.

Accordi ng to Di rec tor of Public Relations Lori Jacobs, 2,20 9 students secured time tickets to participate in this

year’s housing lottery. These students, along with 301 students who ret ai ned spaces, selected housing spaces. While some upperclassmen will be living in above-capacity rooms, Jacobs said that such a living situation is opt-in. Students in above-capacity rooms receive a discount on room and board.

No new housing construction is planned for the near future, Hughes said. Hughes said Shenandoah River Hall, an upcoming residence hall, remains postponed. The

176 -b ed residenc e h a l l wa s designed in 2013 and construction was scheduled to begin in the summer of 2015, according to a capital projects summary included in the June 19 2015 Board of Visitor meeting documents. Construction is delayed a s t he u n iver sit y ex plor e s expanding the number of beds i n t he new residenc e h a l l, Jacobs said.

The petition can be found at ipetitions.com/petition/offcampus-housing-reform. n

3,528

2,709

The total number of beds available for students on campus that are available as of spring 2016.

The number of beds that are available for upperclassmen students.

290

176

The number of beds that Greek Village will add to campus. Phase I will be completed in July 2016 and will add 100 beds to campus.

The tentative number of beds Shenandoah River Hall will have. The final number hasn’t been determined.

Sources: CNU OCPR, Board of Visitors meeting documents June 19,2015

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CNU professors, students teach English workshop The workshop improves language skills of resettled Bhutanese refugees.

By samantha camilletti samantha.camilletti.14@cnu.edu

Bhutanese refugees lear n the basics of English through a new program operated by CNU professors and students.

The pilot program started in October 2015, and was a result of research performed last year by lecturer of anthropology Christopher Loy and lecturer of social work Diane Griffith.

T he rese a rch fo cu se d on learning about the needs of the refugees, Griffith said. Loy and Griffith identified 237 members of the Bhutanese community for a needs assessment. Multiple needs of the Bhutanese refugees were identified, but one of the strongest needs was the improvement of English skills.

“They weren’t going to thrive any further, get any more jobs or blend into the community until they had better language skills and could learn more E n g l i s h ,” M i c h e l l e G r a u , i n st r uc tor of S p a n i sh a nd teacher of modern languages, said.

T he Bhutanese expressed concern about preparation for the citizenship test when they contacted Grau in June. After meeti ng wit h t he refugees, the CNU professors decided to launch an English workshop program to improve the refugees’ language skills.

MAT student Nikki Hendron, one of 12 CNU student volunteers, reviews concepts with refugees during a workshop. In addition to English, the program improves other life skills. photos courtesy of abbey yoder The pilot program began in the fall. Classes are held every Wednesday night and Friday afternoon and are taught by MAT students and volunteers interested in refugee aid and ESL. The classes are modeled after Commonwealth Catholic Ch a rities’ fou r-we ek cra sh course in English offered to all refugees during resettlement for two to three hours a day.

Volunteer Jan Clarke is one of several individuals unaffiliated with CNU that also assists with the weekly workshop program.

CN U ’s pr og r a m not on ly offers instruction in English like Commonwealth Catholic Charities’ program, but offers ever y t h i n g f r om c omput er classes to life skills classes.

The student teachers teach the Bhutanese refugees basic English concepts, including sound-letter correspondence, how to introduce themselves, how to communicate age and

money units, and how to recognize food in the grocery store.

“Because they’re only getting it twice a week, it doesn’t move very fast,” Grau said. But she has noticed that there have been positive improvements since last fall. The students themselves don’t know Nepali, the language of the Bhutanese, and frequently have to rely on one of the women to translate

between the groups. Currently, the classes are taught at an apartment complex in Regency Apartments on Jefferson.

The program itself is spearheaded by junior Abbey Yoder, a Bonner Scholar. Yoder manages 12 CNU student volunteers.

Her tasks include creating the volunteer schedule, and assessing the program’s progress.

Yoder expressed a desire to learn more about diversity.

“I’m a social work major so I’ve always had an appreciation for diversity and working with different cultures,” she said.

She believed that working with refugees seemed like a good option for her. “It’s not going to be practical for me to travel the rest of my life, just country hopping. This is just kind of a way to experience all of the cultures but in my backyard,” Yoder said.

The Bhutanese refugees, who originate from Nepa l, were forced out of Bhutan because of their heritage in an effort to homogenize the country by the government.

Between 2008 and 2014, the United States settled over 70,000 refugees from Bhutan. Griffith said that Newport News typically resettles about 300 people per year.

T houg h t he prog ra m has grown since its inception, Grau said the program has trouble finding enough dedicated volunteers.

Recruitment is ongoing for the program. Contact Abigail Yoder at abigail.yoder.13@cnu. edu, Michelle Grau at michg r au @ cnu .e du or v i sit t he Center for Community Engagement for more information. n

OPINIONS

“The Captain’s Log is free to write anything it pleases, and CNU fully respects the Freedom of the press.”

Page 6

CNU President Paul Trible

The image obsession at Christopher Newport The focus on the aesthetic of CNU’s campus leaves the university with more of a facade than function.

CNU’s chase after the perfect image attracts prospective students at the expense and frustration of current students.

The madeline monroe argument assistant news editor can be made that CNU continues to try to outrun its days as CNC and as a fledgling university. For one, the visual nature of campus cements that marathon of change—we now have the extravagant purchase of Christopher Newport Hall, and a few other elegant buildings, such as McMurran, Forbes, and Luter, and a few residence halls, like Warwick and Rappahannock, that were not here seven years ago.

The running doesn’t stop there— with the impending addition of Greek “mansions” and an alumni house (where the youthfulness of CNU, in my opinion, does not justify the latter’s pricetag or its addition before let’s say, a library expansion),

CNU is intent on overhauling its image at breakneck speed to attract new students.

The creation and promise of stately buildings with posh residence halls is one way to attract vulnerable freshmen that are likely victims of the chase for image themselves but it doesn’t do much for the long run.

Attracting students is a reasonable goal but may come at expense of retaining students. I fear that CNU’s obsession with image casts a shadow over what matters. Perhaps this overshadowing is what influences some students to consider finishing college elsewhere because of a lack of substance.

CNU’s obsession with image first manifests itself in the university’s prioritization of aesthetics over practicality.

Notable examples include the $42 million Christopher Newport Hall, which seems to eclipse the services it holds both in stature and in pricetag, and the Trible Library. Regarding the latter, I must emphasize that the library is one and a half floors—not two. The “second floor” is more of a hollowed circle rather than a full floor.

Instead of students having additional space for computers and reading tables, every tour group has the more pressing opportunity to look up in awe at the dome ceiling. And as a “second floor”

dweller with a prime window seat in the Media Center, I can tell you that they do this every, single time—as did I when I toured the university.

As a new university, CNU’s rise to prominence rests in how it sells its identity, which contributes to this obsession with image. The issue I have with CNU’s current identity is that it is so heavily intertwined with its Disneyesque image of grandeur and awe that it is hard at times to separate image from reality— from what is being “sold” to what we are actually experiencing. The gap between expectation that is derived from image and reality is not unique to our university (and really exists in all points of life). The problem lies, however, in the power and degree of what CNU is selling.

When I visited on a sunny Admitted Students Day last spring, the red carpet was rolled out for everyone. We visited one of the York River halls and fell in love with the lobby’s homely feel and the spaciousness of the rooms. We caught a glimpse of what our life would be like here on the pristine “Great Lawn” as we enjoyed our feast, surrounded by massive academic buildings that seemed to promise our intellectual growth and then some.

I did enter one of those alluring academic buildings that day. In McMurran, I found myself searching for the room where the English department was hosting an information session. When I arrived, I was underwhelmed— pam-

phlets were on the desks of the lecture hall, and a professor or two wandered about with a few other interested students.

Despite my experience, CNU had made all of these great promises to me and I felt compelled to enroll. I felt comfortable with its size as a university and enjoyed the thought of small class sizes—and how could I pass up such a beautiful campus? It is hard to mess up something like English, right?

The bottom line is that CNU fronts a highly captivating image. So when students are met with fickle housing marred by an awkward three-year on-campus requirement, limited course selections and harrowing course closings, and—for some—what they deem to be questionable or underwhelming academics or resources, one could understand why the frustration of some students is so strong.

Though these frustrations are by no means unique to CNU, I believe that the degree of these frustrations is heightened by the university’s intense emphasis on this “perfect” image. If you struggle to figure out where the university is trying to be perfect, take a look at landscaping. Now, look around you— all around you.

When CNU settles down and has more of an idea of what it wants to be, I expect (and hope) that a lot of these issues will be less prominent. Until then, the university will continue to grapple with its growing pains that are only intensified by its suffocating reliance on image. n

W e d n e s d a y, a p r i l 1 3 , 2 0 1 6 | o p i n i o n s | J o s h R e y e s | P a g e 7

Hanging up my cleats Testing the After holding the same position for the past two and a half years, taking on a new job brings anxiety but excitement for the future.

cultural waters

Attending cultural events on campus encourages more diversity.

Future editor-in-chief Ben Leistensnider—pictured as a freshman—poses with Sally Grace Holtgrieve, his editor-in-chief during the 2013-2014 school year. file photo by marie albiges/ the captain’s log ben leistensnider Future Editor-In-chief

Sixty issues. Over the past two and a half years, I have been in charge of the sports section for 60 issues of The Captain’s Log. As the rising editor in chief, my time as sports editor will come to a close—and what a wild ride it’s been.

Although I was one of the editors on my high school paper, The Windy Hill, I had no intention of joining the newspaper coming to CNU. It was only at the request of one of my friends who didn’t want to go alone to the first budget meeting that I gave it a shot. Little did I know that when then-sports editor Collin Brennan pitched me a preview article of the women’s soccer team that the trajectory of the rest of my collegiate experience was being set.

Collin eventually named me his assistant, and once he was offered an internship before winter break of 2013 for the spring semester, it became apparent that I would be the first freshman editor for the paper. No pressure.

My reign as editor had its official start a day or two before Christmas when theneditor-in-chief Sally Grace Holtgrieve offered me the position of sports editor. At the time, I made the decision out of a feeling of duty and obligation to the success of the paper; I honestly had no idea who else would step up, and I didn’t want to let Sally Grace and the rest of my family down.

Now when I say family, I don’t mean my biological family, as much as I love my parents and my sister, Courtney. I’m talking about my newsroom family. Even though I had known them for less than a year, the editorial staff quickly became my closest friends. Marie, Jordan, Laura, Hannah and Stephanie, all of them made my freshman year experience one that I don’t regret.

Even when I made a bed of newspaper and slept in the newsroom in the DSU on a Monday night because I was stressed about being so far behind with my section, I didn’t mind because I knew that I would see all of them on layout day.

As a freshman surrounded by senior editors, I knew that I would have to say goodbye to my family in May once they graduated.

And I was devastated at first coming back the next year. But then I got a brand new family of editors: Josh, Heather, Jack, Kelsey, Victoria, Macy and once again Collin.

At this point, I feel like I should apologize for listing and focusing so much on other people in a piece that’s supposed to be about me and acceptance of the EIC position. But I would be nowhere without all of them. My journey up until this point has only been possible with the support of my newsroom fam.

And I hope that I in turn will be able to provide that same level of support and inspiration to others.

Unlike many people in the organization, I am not necessarily planning on pursuing a career in journalism once I graduate; at times, this fact has made me question my involvement with the paper.

It is a stressful job. There are times when the sheer amount of work forces me to push off my school work until a later time—even if that is at 2 a.m. I know I’m not the only one who feels that way, so I hope that anyone going through the same can feel loved and supported.

If this was an awards show, I feel like the music would have started playing, so I’ll try to wrap this up as succinctly as possible.

I would like to thank the Academy, my friends, family and (because at this point I feel like the current staff would be shocked if I didn’t mentioned them) the sisters of Gamma Phi Beta for always encouraging me to be the best I can be. And most of all my EIC role model and best friend Sally Grace.

Because if not for Sally Grace, I don’t know if I would still be here writing this opinion piece all in my feels. And I realize as the future EIC all of those responsibilities—professional and personal—lie with me now.

So as I enter my senior year, I’m feeling much like I did freshman year as I was about to step up as sports editor— afraid of not being able to live up expectations and continue The Captain’s Log upward trajectory.

Afraid, yet excited for what’s to come. n

0 3

A university-wide push for diversity and inclusion has been one of the dominant initiatives on campus this semester. With the implementation of CNU’s new Council for Diversity and Inclusion and multiple programs a week that foster discussion on or celebration of different cultures, opportunities to engage the subject are abundant.

We should attend these Josh reyes events. Knowledge about editor-in-chief different cultures is essential to fostering understanding and improving the campus diversity climate. This was the point reiterated by junior Ekrem Cetinkaya at an event entitled Islam and Islamaphobia hosted by the Rumi International Club and the Arabic Club on April 1.

The event brought three men from a local mosque to speak on the differences between true Islam and extremist interpretations in an effort to help students better understand the faith. The speakers all discredited terrorism and the blasphemous practice of committing violence with the support of scripture.

Dr. Islam Badir, an imam from the Newport News mosque, said there are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world who are negatively perceived by some because of the extreme actions covered in the media.

Cetinkaya said that the people he interacts with at CNU are not intolerant of Muslims, but they’re largely unfamiliar with the culture. He said that the Peninsula has a thriving Muslim community that most students don’t see because CNU itself does not have a large Muslim presence. As a result, he hopes to host more events to introduce students to the faith and preemptively limit notions of Islamaphobia if Islamic terror groups were to strike again.

“When I hear about a terrorist attack, I always ask, ‘please don’t be a Muslim,’” said Cetinkaya. This is a perspective most of us are unfamiliar with, but after seeing perspectives of Muslims fluctuate over the years, Cetinkaya can’t help but be concerned with how people think of him.

“You’re more careful of your actions and words and how you’re presented,” he said. “You change your routine; you make sure you pray in a familiar place.”

This is why it is important to attend this type of event. Had I not attended, I wouldn’t realize some of the struggles that weigh on Muslims. I wouldn’t have heard how terrorism conflicts with scripture and how Muslims condemn these actions.

Because we may not get to interact with people of different backgrounds and discuss their different perspectives, we should take opportunities to learn. It’s essential to supplement everyday experiences with these campus programs. As Cetinkaya put it after the event, “The best way to dispel [misinformation about cultures] is to educate.” n

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Spectrum hosted its 11th annual Drag Ball, which raised money for Access AIDS and the LGBTQ Community Center. This event also brought students together to embrace diversity.

By victoria lurie And brandon hubbard victoria.lurie.13@cnu.edu brandon.hubbard.12@cnu.edu

The drag tastic emcee of the night, Naomi Black, said it best herself: “I love that people can come together here to celebrate your differences. I don’t want y’all to leave that in this room; I want you to carry it with you wherever you go.”

Spectrum, the campus LGBTQ organization, makes it their mission to promote awareness and acceptance for people who identify as LGBTQ. To aid in their efforts, they throw Drag Ball.

The 11th annual Drag Ball has been going on longer than most other annual events hosted at CNU. Every year the event raises awareness for Access AIDS, and every year Black emcees the event, bringing with her an entourage of the finest, fiercest professional drag kings and queens.

But, most importantly, every year Drag Ball joins people of all sexual orientations together under a roof of judgement-free, carefree release. It sets aside stereotypes, which is something junior and former Spect r u m president Brent F rost has noticed.

“People tend to be really open to events like this, with a lot of people coming back year after year,” he said. “I think CNU has very welcoming people; students who identify as conservative are mostly fiscally conservative, not anti-LGBT.” Part of the reason Spectrum throws Drag Ball is to capitalize on how welcoming people are.

“It’s a really inclusive event,” Spectrum member Chris Utterback said. And it truly is—a majority of the guests that night identified as heterosexual in a poll that Naomi took. Everyone was just there for the experience.

Utterback said. “Just being out there with a big radical event that allows students to dress up and perform…it’s really conducive to al lowing other students explore this kind of community, and it fosters education and tolerance,” a sentiment that was echoed by Black in her opening remarks.

“The main idea behind Drag Ball, and Spectrum in general, is to foster a safe environment, help educate people on LGBT issues and to foster an awareness of the needs of the community,” Spectrum president Sarah Kerndt said, which is exactly what the night accomplished.

For junior and amateur drag performer

Ruben Conner, Drag Ball “gives people the opportunity to be whoever they want to be in an environment that is so welcoming.

I love how Spectrum is able to put on this kind of event every year because it also brings so many people together.”

Spectrum itself is really about bringing people together. “When I transferred here this fall I did not know anyone here and struggled to find my niche,” Spectrum’s new president-elect Finn Carpenter said.

“Then I started attending Spectrum and became very active, and now they’re family. I know they will always be here for me.”

Spectrum’s aura of support is what attracted Barbour Ulrich. “It’s kind of difficult to express that I’m not a boy to the CNU community at large, so thankfully I found Spectrum; both Spectrum and my fraternity [Delta Upsilon] have been super accepting of that kind of thing.”

For Utterback, “just having a support group around me then had a big impact on me, and coming to CNU and finding that there is something as big and all-inclusive as Spectrum, it makes for a really diverse, supportive community.” n

Host Naomi Black opens with an ou lor Swift’s “Bad Blood” and Black Sa

Photos by Ben Leistensnider

Naomi Black addresses Spectrum’s sparkly party...and if people make

Amateur drag performer Ruben Conner accepts a tip from an audience member. “[Performing in drag] was going to be the most frightening thing I had ever done in my life, but I am so glad that I had the courage to perform,” Conner said.

Next year’s marketing chair for Spe performers of the night. “Clubs like

W e d n e s d a y, a p r i l 1 3 , 2 0 1 6 | sn a psh o t | m a c y f r i e n d | P a g e 9

ut of this world (pun intended) routine to an interesting mashup of Tayabbath’s “Iron Man.” Afterwards she opened the floor to Spectrum.

s V.P. and Events Chair, E Storm. “ I really just wanted to throw a big, gay friends, that’s cool too,” says Storm about her last Drag Ball.

Throughout the night, drag kings and queens thrived off crowd interaction. Lola Monroe, a professional drag queen, feeds off of the crowd’s energy as she brings her performance to students.

ectrum, freshman Riley Wynkoop, was one of the first amateur drag e Spectrum make [being LGBT on campus] easier,” Wynkoop said.

Alessandra McQueen crawls toward spectators after a few high-heeled high kicks. The “death drop” — a sudden fall to the floor— was also a popular dance move of the night for the queens.

SPORTS Fostering academic Bracing for the Storm support Page 10

A new program seeks to put coaches in the classroom.

by Ben Leistensnider benja m i n.l eist ensn i der.13 @ cn u.edu

In an effort to support the NCAA’s emphasis on studentathlete involvement both on and off the field, CNU hosted a Coaches in the Classroom program. The program coincided with Division III Week.

According to the NCAA, DIII Week came to be in an attempt to “sharpen the division’s identity and to enable schools and conferences to more effectively explain why they prefer to compete in Division III.” During the week, schools conducted outreach programs in three categories: academic achievement, athletic experience and community involvement.

Joyce A n ne Kouba rou lis, academic support coordinator for CNU Athletics, said in an interview that the program has been something she wanted to initiate for a while and there seemed no better time.

She wanted to bring it to CNU after using a similar program when she was a collegiate field hockey coach. “This is just one more way that our coaches show t hat t hey rea l ly c a re about their student-athletes’ academic performance as much as their athletic performance, by getting in the trenches with t hei r s t udent- at h let e s a nd remembering what it’s like to juggle classes and athletics.”

John Krikorian, the men’s basketball head coach, took part in the program this year and noted a strong relationship between the faculty and coaches. “It means so much to us when faculty come to the games and support studentathletes. This is long overdue to have coaches go into their environment and gain a better appreciation for what they do.”

A lthough K ri korian, who attended Dr. Laurie Hunter’s Motivation and Emotion class, was one of just nine coaches to take part in the inaugural C oaches i n t he Cl assroom, Koubaroulis hopes to see the program catch on in the future.

“Programs like these, encouraging faculty and coach interaction, illustrates that we are all in it together to provide the best Division III student-athlete experience.” n

CNU Storm came in sixth place at the NCA and NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Competition in Daytona Beach after recording a score of 8.955 out of 10—which is the highest score the team has ever recorded in the history of the program. courtesy of lauren sturman

CNU Storm came in sixth at Nationals and set a team-record high score.

by Ben Leistensnider benja m i n.l eist ensn i der.13 @ cn u.edu

They cheered on a football team that recorded its 100th career win. They traveled to Salem for the men’s basketball team’s first ever Final Four appearance.

Now they’ve made history of their own.

T he memb e r s o f CNU Storm traveled to Daytona Beach, Fla. to compete in the NCA and NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Competition where the team made it to the Finals and placed sixth in the nation. The five day event, which started on April 6, pitted collegiate

teams from across the country across a variety of divisions.

“It’s different than everyone imagines. It was an honor just to be able to compete there, let alone make it to Finals,” said CNU Stor m member ju nior Lauren Sturman.

The team first qualified for the competition earlier in the year when they earned a Silver Bid to the championship at the NDA College Camp.

After leaving Virginia at 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, the team got to Orlando with enough time to prepare for the first NDA a l lotted practice time later that same day.

Early starts didn’t keep the women on Storm from having

a brilliant routine in the preliminary round. The team set a program record with a score of 8.853, which was more than enough for the team to qualify for the Finals.

The preliminaries took place in a theater, but the teams dancing in the Finals got the privi lege of p er for mi ng on the bandshell, a giant outdoor amphitheater right next to the beach.

The last time the team got to dance on that stage was in the 2013 competition. Although just a freshman at the time, senior Katherine Hall used that as a motivational tool.

“I, as well as the girls who had danced in finals in 2013, wanted the rest of our team to experience the feeling of dancing there so badly.”

The team advanced under

the guidance of Taylor Macina, who danced with the team as an undergraduate and became the team’s coach this year.

Sturman credited Macina’s experience as being particula rly helpfu l at Fina ls this year. “She was really able to help us know what it was like to be on the bandshell, what it was like to be a dancer. It really just helped us focus on being together.”

For the seniors, the performance on the bandshell was the final time they would dance for the team. Hall was extremely proud of how much the team has developed during her time at CNU. “I could not be happier to see the hard work pay off. This team has made huge strides in the four years that I’ve been here.” n

Senior Week 2016

Friday, May 6 Beachfront BBQ

11 a.m. — 4 p.m.  Pack your swimsuit and hat, it’s time for a day at the beach! Tickets to this event include transportation, entry into Paradise Ocean Club, and a special Beachfront BBQ!

Saturday, May 7 Busch Gardens

Tuesday, May 10 Casino and Speakeasy Night

9 p.m. — 12 a.m.  Reconvene in the DSU for a Casino night hosted by Big Top Entertainment for an evening of games, prizes and a cash bar.

Wednesday, May 11 Grad Dash

All Day  Spend the day with your classmates exploring Busch Gardens Williamsburg!

10:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.  Run the 2.016 mile course around campus and get blasted with blue at the colorblast station—make sure you wear white

Transportation NOT included*

Champagne Toast

Monday, May 9 Date Night in the City

4:30 p.m. — 11 p.m.  Grab your friends and enjoy a night of entertainment in City Center! Start with Happy Hour appetizer specials at Paragon Theater, and enjoy a showing of Captain America: Civil War. Transportation is included!

Tuesday, May 10 Derby Brunch

11 a.m. — 1 p.m.  Come decked out in your sundresses and bow ties and enjoy an afternoon of comedy as you enjoy brunch in the Ballroom!

6 p.m. — 8 p.m.  Seniors who purchased the Founding Father’s Package can join President and Rosemary Trible for a sunset toast at their home.

Transportation will be included.

Thursday, May 12 Graduation Rehearsal Friday, May 13 Latin Honors Saturday, May 14 Commencement 2016

cnu.edu/seniorweek

Last year’s class holds the record for the most senior donors, bringing in over 650 donors.

Make your gift today to help us break their record!

Senior Donors as of 4.8.2016

A+E

concerts Page 12

TheaterCNU’s “Macbeth” opened to a sold-out weekend audience, bringing a post-apocolyptic spin to Shakespeare’s well-known Scottish tragedy.

in theaters

on campus

April 15

April 10

April 15

University Sounds

“The Jungle Book” Rated PG

April 14 Poetry Slam

April 15-17

Percussion ensemble 8 p.m. M&T Hall

1 p.m. Gaines

CAB shows “Sisters ” Rated R

6:30p.m., DSU Washington

8 p.m. Ferguson Center

“Chicago”

Something Wicked

BY samantha Camilletti samantha.camilletti.14@cnu.edu

It is dif ficult to stand out with a Shakespearean play or a dystopian story in this day and age. TheaterCNU, however, masterfully meshes both in its latest production “Macbeth.” The program pulls the classic Scottish tale into an obscure setting sometime “soon,” noting the universality of the tragedy.

In this grim future, violence, rage and greed are at the forefront, but what lies below the surface of the play is the idea that these will become the future norms.

From the setting to the audience’s proximity to the stage, viewers are reminded of how close these chilling new norms could be, but are helpless to stop the tragedies on stage. In short, though removed from its original setting, the stage design and overt political message of TheaterCNU’s “Macbeth” would have made the Bard proud.

In this version, it seems that any natural or civil order is gone. The masterfully created two-story stage is crudely pieced together with planks and mounds of e a r t h. Somet hi ng bad h as h ap pened here, but something far worse is coming. The audience sees that from the opening, where the famous witches now double as scavengers and pick around a dead body for any valuables while delivering their lines.

M acb et h ( Nate R it sem a) , to o, i s updated to a military man whose quick descent into madness is both startling and engaging to watch. Everything from Ritsema’s delivery of a wide-eyed speech to Banquo’s ghost, to the haughty demeanor he wears before Macduf f arrives to his castle showed Ritsema’s mastery of the character.

Sara Carpenter (Lady Macbeth) also demonstrated the incredible, unstable power of naked ambition, and naked insanity. Sure in step she walked on stage, fronting with her remarkable charm to her guests while chastising her husband for being weak behind closed doors. Ritsema and Carpenter make a powerful duo on stage, even as their characters plummet into madness.

Few characters make it out unscathed in this production, but a notable one is Ross (Rylee Daniels), who was an unexpected treat to watch on stage, especially during her attempt to comfort a hysterical Lady MacDuff.

Due to the small production, oftentimes one person played multiple characters. These character switches showcased the diverse range and talent that these actors have, especially when they had to portray such different characters like MacDuff and the Third Witch (both played by Derek Martin).

Though the characters were marvelously f leshed out, and the comic relief evident—hey there Sey ton (Cait lin Caplinger) —the juxtaposition of modern

Above: Lady Macbeth ( Carpenter) delivers a stillborn child in her husband’s absence in the midst of chaos across the stage.

Left: Macbeth (Ritsema) threatens Seyton (Caplinger) after being informed that there’s an army coming. Right: The play closes as Macduff (Derek Martin) climbs down the battlements clutching the severed head of his enemy. macy friend/ the captain’s log and Shakespearean times was occasionally puzzling. To be sure, the actors skillfully handled the Shakespearean dialogue.

They understood that it becomes less about what they are saying and more about how they say it, and their far from monotonous delivery of the lines kept the audience from being too confused.

T he fut u re set ti ng was aided by gleaming weapons, cigarettes, guns and holograms, but that sometimes confused as much as it dazzled.

The resulting message of the play did not lose potency, but the storytelling elements felt forced. Instead of an organic storyline, where the cast relies on the

audience’s interest and imagination to breathe life into the story, the characters seemed to suffocate the audience with the fact that this was meant as a post-apocalyptic story.

However blea k t his stor y is, t he ending sees the proper man assume power and the corrupted lose everything. T he actors and crew joint ly assume responsibility for retelling this tragedy, and they do so with gusto that will delight audiences as much as the themes will disturb them. It is an interesting story that continues to haunt the viewer long after the production ends with questions on how and where things went wrong. n

“M a c b e t h” When?

April 15 at 8 p.m.

April 16 at 8 p.m.

April 17 at 2 p.m.

Where?

The Ferguson Center for the Arts image courtesy of common.wikimedia.org

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’Quest wishes for the future Saturday’s show marks the last time Ross and McCracken will take to the improv stage as CNU students. by v i c t o r i a L u r i e v ictor i a.lu r i e.13 @ cn u.edu

If you’ve gone to an improv show on campus this year, you have four people to thank for that. One of them, Mitchell Kohlhaas, graduated in December.

Another, Glenn Abernathy, will still be at CNU a little while longer. But the two remaining horsemen of the Improvacalypse—Art Ross and Charlie McCracken—will host their final improv show as CNU students this Saturday.

Abernathy, Kohlhaas and McCracken started A Troupe Called Quest their freshman year, with Ross joining shortly thereafter. Since then the comedy scene at CNU has flourished, largely because of their existence. “When I arrived there had been an improv group that died out from lack of participation,” recalls Ross. McCracken remembers when CNU Tonight was the extent of the campus comedy groups, and is currently proud of the fact that sketch comedy seems to be experiencing a wane in power since he and the others reintroduced improv. “I introduced competition, and now audiences are getting better product,” he said via email interview. “I know the fact that audiences are distributed between three comedy groups [CNU Tonight, The Improvocateurs, A Troupe Called Quest] makes me want to be better.

It pushes me. I’m sure it pushes them too.”

But the comedy scene isn’t the only thing that’s grown these past four years.

A Troupe Called Quest itself has really blossomed. “We’ve expanded from being a group of three people doing short-form games, to a troupe of eight to ten members who can perform long form stories for a straight hour,” said McCracken.

For Ross, the changes have been more subtle. “Our skills [have been] growing and evolving, just gradually getting bigger and better. We’re able to take more risks in terms of games and

Ross (right) and Alice Boyars create a short-form scene during a show last autumn. file photo paige kowahl/the captain’s log McCracken (left) and Kohlhaas at an improv show in Gaines Theatre last year . photo courstesy of a troupe called quest format. We’re doing things that would have really scared us a year and a half ago, and we’re doing them well.”

Some of those “things,” those games and scenes, do so well in front of a crowd because of how the troupe works together. “I can’t emphasize how much work and struggle it is to be on stage in front of a hundred people, with no idea what we’re doing, and come up with a story that is good and funny….” says McCracken. That the troupe is always able to get onstage in front of a gradually expanding crowd “is a testament to how much we love each other as a group, and know the next person will be there for us to catch us when we fall.”

When Ross and McCracken are asked about their favorite troupe-based memories, both are quick to mention last October’s murder mystery long form

scene—Kohlhaas’ last show. It sticks out to them in part because the crowd enjoyed it so much, but mostly because three years ago — even a single year ago—the troupe could not have pulled it off. ‘Quest stood on that stage for an hour, four times as long as their typical long-form scenes, and with a single variable they spun a tale that kept the audience piqued the entire time. “It was the most invested I’ve ever felt an audience,” says McCracken.

For Ross, t hou g h, a n addition a l memory sticks out. He recalls a practice from his sophomore year where the troupe played a game in which the players did not understand what colors were, and so the troupe members had to make up the names for the colors. Abernathy was tasked with describing “blue.” Ross fondly recalls that “Glenn said that ‘the

noises make him feel like the sound that sheep make’ (baaa) and the english name for bathroom (loo). I just thought that was hilarious. I died laughing.”

While McCracken and Ross are looking forward to the next chapter in their lives, they won’t be quick to forget their time with A Troupe Called Quest.

“Improv’s been a massive part of my four years at school, something that I really love and really enjoy,” says Ross.

“I would love to come back.”

When asked if he’d return to watch the troupe go on without him, McCracken couldn’t be more ready. “Hell yeah!” he says. “I’ll be in the front row.” n

Catch the show April 16 at 1 p.m. in the Trible Plaza

‘Deaf Jam’ documentary showcases a different kind of diversity Diversity can encompass not only a person’s background, but also the different ways that we express language. by v i c t o r i a L u r i e v ictor i a.lu r i e.13 @ cn u.edu

Last Thursday, the On Screen/ In Person film series presented their last offering: “Deaf Jam,” a documentary about ASL slam poetry.

Yes, it’s possible for sign language to have poetry, and it’s just as mesmerizing to watch as normal poetry is to hear.

There’s a pretty remarkable difference, though: ASL slam poetry is like watching a dance set to verse. ASL poetry is just as much about body movement as it is about words. And because body placement matters so much to sign language communication in general, ASL poets have to rehearse exactly what motions and signs they are going to hit, because tilting one degree too far or

swinging too far to the left completely changes the meaning and rhyme scheme of their poems.

Filmmaker Judy Lieff had been teaching video production to deaf kids in Los Angeles, and when she attended her first poetry slam, she found herself wondering if there was poetry for the hearing impaired.

It turned out there was, and so Lieff set about making a documentary in Brooklyn so they could share it with the world. Lieff believes that ASL poetry really gets back to the roots of poetry— it’s oral in a way that a written poem is not. While there isn’t sound, there is motion and a story, neither of which are confined to a page.

“Deaf Jam” is focused primarily on a young ASL poet named Aneta, and

it follows her journey from being the only ASL poet to perform in a packed slam full of hearing people, to touring the country performing a poem she cowrote.

At Aneta’s first slam, there was a girl in the audience named Tahani who was entranced by the way Aneta told her poem in movement. Some weeks after the slam, Tahani approached Aneta about collaborating, and she agreed. The result was a gritty poem about war, and it drew equally on Tahani’s Pakistani Muslim heritage and Aneta’s Israeli Jewish roots.

And although the religious diversity of the women was showcased, what lingered long after the credits of “Deaf Jam” was how little those of us in the hearing world know about the lives of deaf people.

For example, you probably didn’t know that Alexander Graham Bell, the man who made the telephone, donated chunks of his fortune to prevent sign

language from being taught in schools.

You probably didn’t know that sign language as it is today evolved in underground circles because of how taboo it was to use in public. You probably didn’t know that a lot of deaf kids would actually not take the chance to be part of the hearing world if it were offered to them.

But you can learn all of this by catching “Deaf Jam” on PBS. It was marketed as a film you can’t take your eyes off, and it truly was.

“Deaf Jam” opened my eyes to how we don’t consider deaf people as diverse, and it showed me how disgustingly little attention I’ve been paying to the worlds that exist alongside my own. n

LIFESTYLE

Page 14

Auction to support Diversity as explained by ‘South Park’ and ‘Family Guy’ local homeless Downtown Ministries will be holding its annual auction to provide food and care at a local homeless shelter.

By eileen murphy eileen.murphy.12@cnu.edu

Although Matt Glowacki was born without legs, he didn’t want the talk to be solely about him. Glowacki took advantage of the time to discuss many minority groups. chris whitehurst/the Captain’s log

Matt Glowacki used familiar pop-culture references to educate students on diversity.

By chris whitehurst christopher.whitehurst.08@cnu.edu

“Only the people that don’t have columns in their life, are the people who make fun of those with columns” said Matt Glowacki, col lege diversit y speaker at his April 6 talk in the Gaines Theatre. Though born without legs (or inspired by that exact disability), Matt is the most-booked diversity speaker on college campuses for the past 10 years. His immediate positivity and love of life, coupled with quick humor m a ke s s er iou s d i scu s sion s seem easier.

H i s pr o g r a m , “ Diver sit y According to Family Guy and South Park,” motivates students to do more than acknowledge their peers’ differences.

It teaches them to engage in a continuous dialogue about varying perspectives, despite how difficult the topic of diversity can be. Drawing students in through the program’s inclusion of arguably two of TV’s most controversial animated sitcoms, Matt was able to both educate and challenge others.

“I want people to realize that Southpark and Family Guy are really good shows. Yes, they are offensive but they are designed to be. T hey teach people through the use of parody and satire. You cannot appreciate the humor but at least appreci-

ate the ideas they are trying to teach.”

The first clip of the night starred Peter Griffin of Family Guy undergoing a series of plastic surgeries to change his appearance. Once he began, nothing was ever good enough for him. Eventually, Peter is so caught up in his appearance that he crashes his car while staring at himself in the rearview mirror. The lesson w a s app a r ent , d e s pit e t he viewer having to filter through a series of lewd commentary.

The second clip, from South Park, was far more difficult to uncover the lesson due to its highly contentious approach.

T he c l ip s howe d R a ndy, a father on the show, competing on “Wheel of Fortune.” In his attempt to solve a puzzle with the clue “people who annoy you” and the letters “n_g g e r s” given, his dilemma is obvious. Randy shouts out a racially-loaded answer and is met with disappointed silence. The lesson, though less apparent, was that society has a skewed way of viewing certain terms.

This launched Matt’s program into a discussion about the history of racist words, and the

difficulty in trying to always be politically correct.

Acceptance of minorities has come a long way over the past 50 years. Whether it be the civil rights movement whose landmark year was 1964, or the gay rights movement which saw equal treatment under federal law in 2 015. Matt Glowacki praises the millennial generation for their open-mindedness.

Regarding the allowance of gay marriage, “A lot of good people for over 50 years have been trying to get that done, but it was the millennials who did it in two and a half years. You guys are the first generation that have been brought up celebrating diversity and engaging with people. You all are saying things like ‘Well why shouldn’t that person have opportunities and access to things I have access to?’”

A s pa r t of T he Capt ai n’s Log diversity series, religion, ethnicity, and sexual identity have been explored. But are there areas of diversity that we forget to talk about? According to Matt, “As long as we are talking about diversity and accepting people, you can take that model and put it into whatever oppressed minority group and use that model to teach people and broaden t hei r perspec tives.” n

Once a year, the sonorous calls of the auctioneer can be heard echoing from the Gaines Theatre at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship’s annual Downtown Ministries auction. The group is made up of students devoted to serving the homeless in downtown Newport News.

Sophomore Anna Ferguson is one of the students involved with DTM and is helping put the auction together. “Our main thing that we do, is that we get together on Tuesday mornings and we make breakfast sandwiches, we do a Bible study, and then we take those sandwiches down to the Gym, which is a facility in downtown Newport News” Ferguson said.

She explained that the Gym is open during the daytime hours so that the homeless population in Newport News have a place to go. There’s clothing available to them, as well as food.

“The biggest thing we want is to provide them with a listening ear so they know they’re cared about,” Ferguson said. “I think the core mission [of DTM] would be to provide these individuals in the homeless population with support, care and love, especially to show them the love of Christ. Ultimately, we are rooted as a Christian ministry.”

According to Ferguson, the number of people who show up to the Gym varies per week. Some weeks there will be 20 or 30 people while on other weeks only seven to 10 people show up.

“We think it depends on weather. But also when people are there, they’re in a time of not working, so it depends on the economy. It makes it hard for us to know how many sandwiches to bring.”

When asked what she, personally, hoped to accomplish through this weekly ministry, Ferguson said, “We hope to show people that it’s possible to make connections with the homeless population. We want to show people that even though these people are very different from us, through their economic status and their life experiences, we can still learn from them.”

The DTM auction, which will occur on April 14 at 9 p.m. in the Gaines Theatre, occurs annually after the InterVarsity Large Group event. “We have multiple items that we have been gathering from members of the community as donations,” Ferguson said. “All of these items will be auctioned off, and all of the money will go toward DTM.” The money collected in the auction will be used for the sandwiches made every week and other DTM activities, such as the fall sleeping bag drive. Ferguson said that the items range from anything like tangible items to performances which could be given at the event itself or later on in the semester.

Ferguson feels that the event goes well when the whole InterVarsity community gets involved and has fun. But something she’d like to see improved this year is getting students outside the InterVarsity community come in and get involved. “We welcome anyone,” she said. “It’s not just an InterVarsity event.”

Some memorable items that have been auctioned off in the past include baked goods, original paintings and even musical performances.

Looking forward to this year’s auction, Ferguson said, “I’m excited to raise the money in a fun and interactive way. I’m excited to see how much money we raise, because I really don’t know what to expect this year. But every little bit helps. And people are going to have fun with it, so I’m excited to see what surprises it brings.”

Ferguson would like to advertise that donations of any sort will be accepted up to the day itself, which is April 14. All of the money raised at the event will go directly towards supporting DTM. Any questions about the event or donations can be directed to Anna Ferguson at marianna.ferguson.14 @ cnu.edu or Maggie Comita at margaret.comita.12@cnu.edu. n

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Taking time to listen

Lauren McDonald has come to CNU every week for the past 3 1/2 years to offer students a listening ear and a quiet space. lydia johnson/the Captain’s log

Chaplain Lauren McDonald reflects on her time spent listening to and supporting CNU students.

By lydia johnson lydia.johnson.13@cnu.edu

Every Thursday afternoon Episcopal Chaplain Lauren McDonald sits in her camping chair in the Trible Plaza with a sign that asks the CNU community how she can pray for them. She has no religious agenda—she just wants to be there for anyone who needs to talk.

McDonald is the campus chaplain from St. Steven’s Episcopal Church in Newport News, Va. She also leads CNU’s Episcopal Campus Ministries (ECM) group, the former Canterbury Club, which meets for Bible study and fellowship on Thursday nights.

“I’m not trying to convert anybody. I’m not trying to tell anybody what they are or are not doing right. I’m just trying to be present for those who might have a need,” McDonald said.

Mc D on a ld t a ke s a d i f fe r ent approach than the street evangelists that have visited campus this year to scold students. Their most recent visit was Feb. 2, but McDonald said she does not sit in the Plaza to get people to attend ECM or St. Steven’s.

McDonald decided to start visiting the campus after she read about the idea online. She found a blog from a chaplain at the University of Wisconsin who sat on the steps of the school’s chapel with a prayer sign.

“When I saw that chaplain’s blog, I said, ‘I could do that.’” She’s been making weekly visits to campus for three and a half years, after she accepted the campus chaplain position in 2012.

McDonald said she interacts with about 25 to 30 passersby each Thursday, whether it’s a wave or a short greeting. Roughly 10 of those people sit and have conversations with her.

“I think it gives them someone to talk to, someone who’s going to listen, someone who’s not going to

judge,” McDonald said, her clerical collar popping out from under her blue CNU sweatshirt.

McDonald said people approach her for a l l ki nds of reasons, whether they want to talk about a crisis or just chat about life.

Some of her visitors are regulars —some are not.

McDonald and her regulars exchange hugs and catch up with one another. Her un-regulars may share their concerns with her, exchange a word of prayer, and then go on about their day. Some bring her treats. “One girl once brought me a muffin,” McDonald said.

Mc D o n a ld g r ew up i n t h e Episcopal Church and attended Sewanee College, an Episcopal university in Sewanee, Tenn. “I loved college…and I love people this age,” she said. Before enteri n g t he m i n i st r y, Mc D on a ld worked as a stage manager at Virginia Stage Company in Norfolk.

Then in 2000, she went with her church on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The pilgrimage was a turning point in McDonald’s faith that piqued her interest in the ministry.

She decided to attend SeaburyWestern Theological Seminary in Chicago in 2005. Three years l at e r, M c D o n a l d b e c a m e a n ordained priest.

McDonald said this semester is her final semester at CNU. She is moving to Williamsburg, Va. to become an Associate Rector for Outreach and Women’s Ministries at Bruton Parish Church.

McDonald sat in the shade of the DSU, gazing across the Great Lawn as she thought of the parting word she wanted to offer to students.“Everybody’s so busy,” she said after a long pause. “Don’t forget to t a ke each day as it comes.” n

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