Letters from abroad: Heather Cox’s trip to Nicaragua.
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March 8, 2013 Volume 84 Issue 20 echo.snu.edu
TheEcho
6612 NW 42nd St. Bethany, OK 73008 (405) 491-6382
Two students to serve as newspaper co-editors-in-chief
Macy Sliman, Staff Writer After submitting applications and being interviewed by the Publications Board, Kira Roberts and Ronna Fisher were selected as The Echo’s editors-in-chief for 2013-2014. In the fall semester, Roberts will be editor-in-chief, and then in the spring semester Fisher will take over. The idea started out with Roberts wanting to study abroad in Australia in the spring but also wanting to be newspaper editor. The best way for her to be able to do both was if she could run for the position with another well-equipped editor. Roberts is a junior mass communications major with a business minor. The past three years she has written for The Echo and played volleyball for the SNU Women’s Volleyball team. She is an accomplished photographer with a small business. “When I do (have free time), I
typically find myself adventuring with my boyfriend, reading books and writing, doing anything and everything I can outdoors, and cooking whenever I get the chance,” Roberts said, describing what she does in her free time. The second half of the year, Fisher will be serving as editor-inchief. She is currently the assistant editor for The Echo. She is a junior English education major. She has used her experience with writing for The Echo as a way to get involved with the community here at SNU. In her spare time, Fisher likes to read, being with her friends and trying new food. Fisher was also eager to comment on the big commitment she and Kira are taking on as a team. She was initially hesitant about applying. “To be honest, I had not thought
Current assistant editor Ronna Fisher will serve as editor-in-chief in spring 2014. Photo provided by Ronna Fisher.
about applying at all until Kira asked me to apply with her,” Fisher said. “It’s a big responsibility and a lot of work, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to handle that or if I was even qualified.” Fisher explained that she thought a lot about it, prayed, and talked with her parents and friends in making the decision. “The more I thought about it, though, the more I got excited about it, and Kira assured me I would be ready,” Fisher said. “I
have just really enjoyed being a part of a group of people who produce something important... Basically, being a part of The Echo has been a great opportunity, and I think it’s time to pay it forward (in a way).” “Having worked with both of them this year, I know Ronna and Kira will do a phenomenal job,” current editor-in-chief Brad Crofford said. “They have both the expertise and relational skills to work well together and take The Echo to new heights next year.”
Current layout editor Kira Roberts will serve as editor-in-chief in fall 2013. Photo provided by Kira Roberts.
3.8.13
NEWS
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Don’t forget: March 28 is the last day to drop classes.
OPINIONS TheEcho
March 8, 2013
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Campus Conversations Club: We need to talk
Brad Crofford, Editor-in-chief University policies can be controversial. From drinking to dancing to the end of semester move-out, there are plenty of topics for students to discuss. There are two main responses I have heard when students mention aspects of the lifestyle covenant or handbook that they disagree with. The first response is that perhaps there is something to a need for change. For example, it used to be taboo for Nazarenes to go to movie theaters, but it no longer is. Perhaps it is time to consider other areas as well, they suggest. The second response is that one need not discuss these issues. “They will never change, so why talk about them?” this view says. In addition, the student chose to come to SNU. They knew that there were rules re-
Patty Juliuson, Staff Writer
stricting things like drinking and dancing, so they just need to live with them. I find neither of these responses particularly helpful. The problem of the first response is that it does not provide sufficient weight to the university’s relationship with the Church of the Nazarene. From historical ties to financial support to positions on the university’s board of trustees, the links are many and strong. Suggestions then must be tempered both by the university’s Christian identity and its Nazarene ties. At the same time, this can stifle important dialogue. We can recognize that there are limitations on dancing, but this should not prevent us from dia-
loguing about it. We can acknowledge and abide by the university’s policies on alcohol and still discuss why this is the university policy. We should be free to discuss about the university’s policies on gambling, sexuality, drinking, profanity, and more. Attending this university should not be tantamount to a vow of silence about its policies, and blind obedience is not true faith but rather dogma. We must also recognize our religious diversity. According to the 2012 SNU Factbook, less than half (45 percent) of the university’s current students are Nazarene. This is down significantly from 65 percent in 2003. It is within this context of campus-wide student dialogue that I
have co-founded the Campus Conversations Club (CCC) with Grace Williams. CCC’s goals are to: •To facilitate dialogue amongst students about university policies contained in the Handbook. •To increase student awareness of policies contained in the Handbook. •To provide a mechanism for students to suggest changes to university policies. •To help students grow through the consideration of issues important to the community. As the Handbook states, “We hope all members of the SNU community will discuss and evaluate the University standards as part of the growth process that takes place at SNU.” Welcome to the conversation.
As I see it: Strangers in passing
Stranger, if you passing meet me and desire to speak to me, why should you not speak to me? And why should I not speak to you? -Walt Whitman I like people. Not the same way I like French fries, you understand, but in that “brotherhood of man” kind of way. I have found that most people, when given a chance, have an interesting story or some important event from their life that they like to tell, and, for the most part, I enjoy listening. I spent some time standing in line last week, and it’s remarkable to watch and listen as people begin to bond. Generally, the conversation starts out with geographic details; everyone needs to know where you live. Next is what you do for a job, and then usually some interesting anecdote about work or perhaps
a story regarding your hobby or often, people have their faces bura club or organization of which ied in a smart phone and there’s you’re a member. Stand in line no interaction at all. I’ve noticed this trend when walking across campus. Many students have ears focused on their music and eyes fixed to their phone. When someone is blindly headed straight for me, I’ll admit I don’t veer off until the very last minute. I am naughty, I know, but I’m waiting to see if they will look up… I miss the intention behind what I call the “neighbor wave,” that moment when you make eye contact and smile, with a head nod or slight gesture of the hand thrown in for good measure. The silent long enough and you’ve identified message is, “Hey there, I see you. a common cousin and are making Have a nice day.” We mastered this little phenomenon when we lived dinner plans for next Tuesday. It’s getting harder and harder to in Texas- you even do it toward have this kind of interchange. So oncoming traffic. A slight lift of
“Stranger, if you passing meet me and desire to speak to me, why should you not speak to me?”
your fingers on the steering wheel, the chin comes up a little, smile, and you’ve satisfied an important social obligation. The only ones who don’t participate are outsiders, and now they know who you are… Hey, you- you with the phone? What are you missing when you don’t look up? There’s a lady who is ready to give you a smile, and if we do that often enough, we just might become friends. You NEVER know who will nod and wave their way into your life, nor can you measure the impact they may have. Look up, look around, invest, engage. I promise I’ll wave back. I hope you meet more and more people to like, and I hope I am one of them. See you in class.
3.8.13
OPINIONS
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Letters from abroad: QERC and Matthew 6:31-34 Heather Cox, Guest Writer
Hiking down from the top of a mountain after watching the sunrise break through the clouds, climbing waterfalls, walking through the jungle with spiders the size of my face, holding and kissing a caiman, traveling to the Caribbean for a weekend, walking on the pristine beaches and swimming in the Pacific ocean, traveling to Nicaragua, staying with two wonderful host families, waking up to the sounds of God’s most amazing creations, and building friendships that will last a lifetime… These are only a few of the hundreds of memories I have made during my semester abroad. These are also the same memories that I did not ever imagine myself making when I was trying to decide if I should spend four months away from my friends and loved ones. I have moved completely out of my comfort zone. At the time of this writing, my semester at the Quetzal Education Research Center (QERC) in San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica is about half over. Aside from having the opportunity of a lifetime to spend this semester learning about different cultures and field biology, I have also learned about myself. Although there have been some trying points during these last few weeks,
Photos provided by Heather Cox.
I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. I had scarcely become accustomed to being away from my Texas home as a student at SNU when the possibility of going to QERC was presented to me. I must confess that traveling and studying internationally has proved to be an even more masterful stretch. However, I have gained much-needed perspective about life and a new understanding of Matthew 6:31-34: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” I obtained this fresh point of view while staying with my first host family in Costa Rica and more so while living with my second host family in the campo of Nicaragua. I have heard this verse many times before, but now I under-
stand it after living with families that have to rely on God for everything. Unlike many people in the United States, these two families struggle with having the most basic of necessities: clean water and food for the family. Even more amazing is how beautifully content these families are and the tremendous faith they have in the Lord to provide for them. In spite of how little they have (compared to many American families), they were generous
with me - a stranger in their humble homes, and made sure that I was welcomed, honored, and wellfed! My eyes have been opened to how very much I have and I want to do even more with the calling that God has placed upon my life. Thus far, my trip has had many ups and downs, but overall I am so grateful for this opportunity! It is an amazing and rewarding experience that will continue to mold and shape me into the young lady that Christ has created me to be.
STORMSPORTS TheEcho
March 8, 2013
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Women’s golf: SNU takes fifth at Diffee
snuathletics.com Jordan Leibold finished Tuesday where she left off Monday as she finished in a tie for fourth place at the Diffee Ford-Lincoln Invitational. The sophomore shot an 84 on the par-70, 5,821-yard course at the KickingBird Golf Club. She posted a team-low 162 as she tied with Rogers State’s Raquel Trevi-
no. Marion Broedys shot a 179 to tie for 24th while Laura Quevado shot a 183 to finish in 28th. Jamie West finished in 32nd at 193. The Storm shot a 717 to finish in fifth as Rogers State claimed the team title at 664. Harding was nine strokes back in second at 673 and Lindenwood took third at 688. East Central finished in fourth at
690. Oklahoma Christian’s three individuals took first, second and third as Morgan Dockery posted the top socre at 156. Catherine Odgers took second at 158. The Crimson Storm will now play at the MSU Invitational, March 18-19, in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Jordan Leibold. Photo fron snuathletics.com
Baseball The 6 p.m. scheduled game on March 5 been moved to April 27 as now part of a doubleheader with OC. Also, Southern Nazarene’s Great American Conference doubleheader Saturday at Northwestern Oklahoma State has been moved to Bethany as Alva is still experiencing playing surface difficulties due to the major weather that hit that part of the state.
SNU Keep up with results and scores at snuathletics. com Athletics
3.8.13
SPORTS
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Jackson talks men’s golf, having fun and leaving his mark Kendra Nixon, Content Editor
As the spring semester begins, the SNU men’s golf team has been required to adapt to some changes. Despite the adjustments, they continue to press on without looking back. They recently had their first tournament of the semester and hope to keep improving.
Senior Blake Jackson shot a 648 taking 13th overall and took 13th as a team. Jackson is currently closing out his last collegiate season, but he does not plan to go out quietly. “Since this is my last season to get a chance to play for SNU, I really want to try and leave my mark
on the program that has given me so much opportunity,” Jackson said. “I would really like to validate all of the hard work and time that I have put in and that others have invested in me, like my coaches Steve Hulsey and Derrick Taylor, with a win.” The team’s next tournament is
Sam Russell. Photo fron snuathletics.com
Athletes of the week
Aminata Fall
Grayson Haws
Position: Center Class: Sophomore Hometown: Dakar, Senegal
Class: Freshman Hometown: Bethany, Okla. High School: Bethany
Photos from snuathletics.com
March 11th and 12th in Danville, Arkansas. “Our team has some potential to do some pretty good things this spring as well. There is some fresh talent in the freshmen and the upperclassmen that have been here are still solid from the last few years,” Jackson said. “I’m really excited for this team in the upcoming years.” Out of the four upcoming tournaments, three are in Arkansas and only one is in Oklahoma. After all of the traveling the team is required to do, a tournament in Oklahoma City will be a nice break. “It is always fun to play in OKC and have people come out and support us, which is something that we don’t get too much opportunity to do in golf,” Jackson said. “Seeing our friends and professors come to the course to cheer us on makes it all the more fun and has really meant a lot to me the last four years.” As a senior, Jackson plans to stay focused finish strong. However, he’s not forgetting to have a good time his last semester on the course. “This is a semester for me to enjoy. As my career comes to a close I want to make sure that I enjoy the experiences that I have left in college golf,” Jackson said. “I still stay devoted and committed to the process of practice and preparation for tournaments, but you have to have some fun while you do it. Having fun isn’t too hard when you have as great of a team around you like we have. I love these guys.” As Jackson finishes of his career and the rest of the team begins their tournaments for the spring semester, interested individuals can follow their progress on http://www.snuathletics.com. The team will play a local tournament in Oklahoma City at Gaillardia Country Club on Tuesday, April 2nd and Wednesday, April 3rd.
Arts
ENTERTAINMENT
TheEcho
March 8, 2013
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Jake’s movie review: Warm Bodies
Jake O’Bannon, Staff Writer In case you haven’t already noticed, I’m kind of weird about movies. I check IMDb ratings, I give IMDb ratings, I compare IMDb ratings with Rotten Tomatoes ratings, and I judge movies based of their trailer. I refuse to see any movie that has: 1) a poster with Nic Cage making eye contact with me, 2) a trailer that says “In a world where…” or 3)…wait--as I was writing I just read that Harrison Ford has signed on for “Anchorman 2.” That just blew my mind. Anyway, I’m sorry, back to my list--or, before last Saturday, 3) a movie that involves zombies. I’m sorry to all the Waking Dead fans out there, but zombie stories just don’t do it for me. That being said, there is nothing like being pleasantly surprised by a movie (okay, “nothing” might be a stretch; I’ve failed to consider the combination of peanut butter, ice cream, and Lucky Charms, right Zach Bond? That’s better than being pleasantly surprised by a movie. But I might be rambling). This past week I went to see “Warm Bodies,” breaking my third rule of movie going. But hey, some rules are meant to be broke. I think it was Abe Lincoln who said that. “Bodies” tells that story of a huge zombie outbreak (which I totally called!) and how the people in a big city that seems to resemble Chicago are able to fight the outbreak and avoid being bit/killed by the zombies. But there is quite a twist, and this twist gave me the push to actually enjoy a zombie movie. The main zombie, who is also the narrator, goes out with a group of zombies to look for food. The only way they can survive is to eat
humans, so they must make a trip to the city. In this particular attack, the narrator zombie (later named R) makes a decision to save one of the human girls (Julie), rather than eat her. He then brings her back and places her in his protection. As he is protecting her, changes start happening within him. R is beginning to talk better, move quicker, and feel emotions that are human. With Julie, R no longer feels lonely or isolated. He begins to feel companionship, which is the first thing he has felt since becoming a zombie. I know what you’re thinking, because I am thinking it too. You’re thinking, Jake, you’re talking about a zombie right now. Well, get ready, it’s about to get worse. I’m going to get a message out of this movie, and even make it spiritual. Over time R and the other zombies start becoming more and more human, to the point where R is sleeping and even bleeding his own blood. Rhetorical question 1: Why did this happen? Rhetorical question 2: What made the zombies become human again? The answer is easy: love. Yes, when the zombies were loved by others they became human again. Sure, the original humans were scared to accept them at first, but once they did, they were able to live together in a community of acceptance. And when that happened, the walls dividing the city between the humans and the zombies came down. Do you ever feel like a zombie? What I mean is, do you ever feel so judged or unaccepted by people that it is almost dehumanizing?
Maybe more importantly: do you have any zombies in your life? By that I mean are there people in your life that you are scared to accept or unwilling to live with? I am nervous that we, as well-off people, or even dare I say we as Christians, have too many zombies around us because we look at too many people in a way that is dehumanizing. What’s the solution? Love ev-
Photo from teentz.com
eryone, no matter who they are or what they are doing. Love a homeless person that you may not even look at as human just as much as you love your best friend. I’m not saying it’s easy or that I do it well, I’m just saying it’s what we’re called to do and it’s what brings down walls in our world. And it was a zombie movie that told me that one.
3.8.13
A&E
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The Raspberry Pi computer Tim Rice, Guest Writer There is a revolution going on in the world of computing. It doesn’t have a touchscreen and it doesn’t come in a shiny case. In fact, it comes from the factory with no case at all. It is designed to make a new market, but not the one you may expect. It is embossed with a logo in the shape of a fruit, but not the one you are probably thinking of. The device at the center of this revolution is the Raspberry Pi. It is a full computer that, all in all, is smaller than a package of note cards. It doesn’t come with a case, but there are hundreds of designs for sale
made from everything from metal to wood, and hundreds more available on line to 3D print. Some people have even assembled cases out of Legos. Instead of having a specialized set of software, it uses open source operating systems, like Debian Linux. Instead of being the show, the Raspberry Pi sets the stage for the people using it to make the show themselves. Raspbian (a play on raspberry and Debian) come packed with at least ten programming environments. For reference, a new installation of Mac OSX comes with three and Windows
with a grand total of zero. The Pi was created in response to a shortage of computer science students in the UK that troubled Eben Upton, its lead designer. His freshman students could write web pages very well, but had no idea how the computers themselves work. Desktops are easy to tinker with, but are expensive. Laptops are hard to work with and are even more expensive. The Raspberry Pi, at $25-$35 apiece, gives room to fail. Some people have even taken advantage of its low price to build miniature supercomputers with dozens of Raspberry Pis working
together. Computers are a major part of our lives, yet most of us tend to use them for word processing and media consumption. Writing software is treated like the priesthood before the Protestant Reformation. Is there a piece of software that you want that doesn’t exist, yet? Do you dream of having your own robotic assistant to do your bidding? If so, the Raspberry Pi may be the perfect machine for you to make those dreams something more than just dreams.
Spring Break Photo Contest
Submit a photo from your spring break for a chance to win! The top entries may be published in The Echo. First place will receive a $15 gift card, second place a $10 gift card, and third place a $5 gift card. Entries must be submitted to echo@mail.snu.edu by 11:59 pm on Monday, March 25. A Raspberry Pi computer. Photo by Tim Rice.
Editor: Brad Crofford Adviser: Melany Kyzer Content Editor: Kendra Nixon Layout Editor: Kira Roberts Assistant Editor: Ronna Fisher
The ECHO is the weekly student newspaper of Southern Nazarene University and is a long-standing member of the Oklahoma Collegiate Press Association. Viewpoints expressed in the paper are not to be considered official standard-bearers of the university or its sponsoring denomination. Editorials on the op/ed pages that are generated by the ECHO staff--and therefore have no byline--express the opinions of the editorial staff but not necessarily of the administration, faculty or staff of Southern Nazarene University. Personal columns with bylines as well as opinions reprinted from subscription wire services or other publications by permission express the opinions of the writer and not necessarily of the editorial staff of the ECHO or the administration, faculty or staff of Southern Nazarene University. The ECHO publishes a public forum called “Letters to the Editor” and invites readers to express themselves here. The editorial staff requests that letters not exceed 250 words and reserves the right to edit them for clarity and brevity. All letters must be signed. Send them to The ECHO, SNU Box 2541, or through e-mail at echo@snu.edu. Letters will not be returned. Unless otherwise marked, letters received by The ECHO that deal with newspaper content or practice will be considered for publication. Information on advertising can be obtained by contacting the editor-in-chief at echo@mail.snu.edu.