March Issue 2017

PULSE

M a r c h 1 7 , 2 0 1 7 • I s s u e 5 • Vo l u m e 4 • t h e s a u p u l s e . c o m

THE

facebook.com/thesaupulse twitter.com/thesaupulse

WE ARE NOT THE EXCEPTION. JOIN THE CONVERSATION. Pages 12-15

ILLUSTRATION BY Makana Geppert PHOTOS BY Kayla Williamson

PREVIEW

TABLE OF

CONTENTS THE FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE CONT. PAGE 4

ELLA SHARP SONS EXHIBIT SAU faculty and staff featured in diversity exhibit

BEING A PARENT AND A STUDENT PAGE 8

PAGES 6-7

INTENTIONAL INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION PAGES 10-11

HOW TO SUCCEED WITH A FINE ARTS DEGREE

A CAMPUS DIVIDED: STUDENTS AND FACULTY DISCUSS WHERE WE GO FROM HERE PAGES PHOTO BY Jerry Taliaferro

PAGE 9

ARTIST REVIEW: GUNGOR

12-13

DISCONNECTED: ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE PAGES 14-15

PHOTO BY Chris Bauman

PAGE 17

ERIC BEDA GUEST COLUMN

SAU HEARTS DRAMA PRESENTS DOUBT:A PARABLE

PAGE 16

PAGE 18

PHOTO BY Christian Yonkers

REFUGEES SHORT FILM

INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES PAGE 20

Film students interview refugees in Indianapolis PAGE 19

2

thesaupulse.com • March 17, 2017

DIFFERENTLY ABLED ATHLETES SAU student conquers the soccer field PAGE 21

COACH MARKEN NEW HEAD BASKETBALL COACH PAGE 22

The Pulse Staff 2016-2017 Editor-in-Chief Kayla Williamson

Kayla Williamson | Editor-in-Chief

Recently a student told me The Pulse is fueling the division at SAU, and any type of political articles should be avoided. Our goal as the school’s newspaper is not to force the staff ’s opinion (which varies from extremely conservative to extremely liberal), but to provide information that can fuel conversation among students, faculty and staff.

Constructive dialogue happens when both sides are informed. That’s what we’re here to do.

The Pulse is not here to shield readers from the realities of life. Even if we might see Spring Arbor as a bubble, that does not exclude us from the turmoil and controversy that brews around us and in the world.

The SAU Concept calls us to be “critical participants in the contemporary world.”

We cannot do that if we don’t know or understand the contemporary world, a world full of racism and refugees, human trafficking and corruption, failing industries and unemployment. Why would we not discuss these here, at a place with unmatched grace? If we can’t talk with one another and learn at a Christian campus, what are the chances we will in a highly heated and aggressive world?

Some are suggesting, for example, we write more positive articles on President Trump. I am not aware we have ever published a negative article on President Trump. If we ever publish a “positive” article about President Trump, then it is also our obligation to present the other side. And vice versa.

The Pulse is not here to bolster either side’s argument. If anything, we are attempting to help each side understand the other’s argument. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with it. But I hope it allows each of us to extend more grace to the other side.

I am sorry for any misunderstanding.

We publish what happens, and nothing else. We attempt to inform you where your tuition money is going (early October issue), what it’s like to be a Muslim on campus (April 2016 issue) and how to engage in “offensive” topics (December issue). We attempt to lean neither left nor right. The last political article we published spoke on the pros and cons of voting – for Republican or Democrat, third party or anarchy (late October issue).

We still have work to do.

We hear you and we validate your feelings. If you have something to say, please know we accept Letters to

Associate Editor Amber Cekander News Editor Elise Emmert Features Editor Dana Sebald-Van Doren

EDITORIAL

Editor’s Note

A&E Editor Carly Thompson Sports Editor Libby Buckland Lead Copy Editor/ Video Production Manager Brianna Buller Sales Manager Corina Cekander Finance Manager Huy Nguyen

PHOTO BY Andri Hill

the Editor, but we never receive any. We’re working on a potential staff editorial – maybe even two. We want your voices heard, and we want to be your biggest advocate for speaking your mind in an intelligent and faith-based environment.

I am sorry the current media outlets have frayed your trust in the fourth estate. In fact, I’m not even asking you to trust us.

Paul praises the Bereans in Acts for fact checking his sermons. I encourage you to do the same.

Marketing Coordinator Aaliyah Winters Photography Editor Kaci Bedgood Design Editor Andri Hill Designers Kaci Bedgood Libby Buckland Rebecca Conley Megan Himebook Camille Hunter Emily Spencer Staff Writers Heather Clark Sarah Dean Olivia Landis Luke Richardson Nathan Salsbury Emily Spencer Liz Pence Online Writers Makana Geppert Luke Richardson Video Production Team John Kroll Ryan Sisk Sales Team Kaelyn Hale Abby Middleton Kayla Olewinski

March 17, 2017 • thesaupulse.com

3

THE TRUMP 20 THE NEXT

News

ADMINISTRATION

DAYS OF A review of President Trump and his cabinet’s actions and statements from Feb. 21 to March 13 Kayla Williamson | Editor-in-Chief FEBRUARY 22 FEBRUARY 26

President Trump cancels Obama-era protections for transgender students

MARCH 1

Philip Bilden withdraws as secretary of the US Navy nominee

After lifting a rule that allowed transgender students Bilden withdrew due to conflicting business ties. to choose which bathroom they use and not replacing it, He is the third of President Trump's it is up to the states to make the decision. cabinet nominees to drop out.

This is the same Russian ambassador Mike Flynn, the ex-National Security Advisor, met with during the president’s campaign. Sessions says he led the meeting as a senator, not as a part of the campaign.

FEBRUARY 24

FEBRUARY 28

Journalists from several news organizations blocked from daily press briefing

President Trump addresses Congress as the president for the first time

After President Trump criticized "fake news" organizations in a speech, US Press Secretary Sean Spicer blocks The New York Times, CNN, LA Times and more from a scheduled briefing.

MARCH 6

MARCH 4

Republicans announce new healthcare plan

President Trump accuses Mr. Obama of ordering a wiretap on Trump Tower

• Eliminates the mandatory fine for anyone without insurance • Caps funding on Medicare starting in 2020 • Halts funding for Planned Parenthood

• Wants Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act • Welcomes immigrants who can finically support themselves • Wants to increase jobs by preventing companies from going overseas • Wants to give more school options to minority students (i.e. public, private, charter, etc.)

• Outlines increased military spending by cutting "discretionary" programs, like foreign aid

MARCH 2

President Trump tweeted after several news sources published that Mr. Obama ordered a wiretap on him during the campaign.

Both a representative from Mr. Obama and the former director of national intelligence denied it.

Chief of Justice Department, Sessions, withdraws from investigations of Russia's ties to the campaign

MARCH 2

MARCH 4

Vice President Mike Pence used a private email server as governor of Indiana

The US halts acceleration of H-1B visas Companies can request speedy approval of highly skilled foreigners (such as computer scientists and engineers) through H-1B visas. Now with the new immigration policy, the process has been put on hold.

Emails released by a public records request show Pence used a private email last year to discuss homeland security and more. The email was hacked later that year.

MARCH 6

MARCH 13

President Trump issues travel ban 2.0

The Congressional Budget Office reported the new healthcare bill would save money but millions would lose insurance

• Allows Iraqi immigrants into the US • Validates those who already have visas or green cards • Exempts those with visas valid since Jan. 27 • Does not mention banning Syrian refugees

The group who gives financial reports on all possible bills said the new bill would save $340 billion in ten years, but 24 million Americans would lose insurance, causing prices to go up.

MARCH 7

MARCH 8

Senate sends President Trump a letter asking for actions to protect the Jewish community

President Trump nominates former Utah governor Jon Huntsman as US ambassador to Russia

Since there have been bomb threats against Jewish communities in seven states and hate crimes in more, the senate is asking for more to be done against them.

4

Jeff Sessions did not disclose two conversations with the Russian ambassador from last year

Huntsman has to be approved by the Senate, but he has experience as ambassador to Singapore and China.

thesaupulse.com • March 17, 2017

Check out the April issue for a review of the next 29 days.

We’re Looking for STEM Educators!

Great job/experience opportunity for College Juniors and Seniors with a strong STEM background Allskate Fun Center, Jackson’s #1 Family Entertainment Center, is now hiring exciting and dynamic educators to join our ground breaking STEM education program. Our educators build, refine, and present STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) lesson plans to students ranging from kindergarten to high school. Lessons are conducted in groups of 50 to 125 and utilize state-of-the-art projectors, screens, and sound systems.

Ideal candidates will possess all of the following: • An outstanding, outgoing and animated personality • A passion for education and STEM topics • An engaging and entertaining stage presence • A creative mind and a strong ability to improvise • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Proficiency in Microsoft Office with a special emphasis on Power Point • A keen talent to relate STEM concepts to everyday life • A clean criminal background check • Availability at least 2 days per week Monday – Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and reliable transportation

Want to see who we’re looking for?

Watch this short video: https://www.allskate.net/category/s-t-e-m/

Please feel free to share this with anyone with these qualities!

Resumes may be emailed to: mark@allskate.net March 17, 2017 • thesaupulse.com

5

News

Ella Sharp Museum debuts “Sons” Exhibit SAU students and faculty feature in display about African American male identity Amber Cekander | Associate Editor

C

alls were being made as early as September of 2016. Staff at the Ella Sharp Museum in Jackson, Mich. had come across Jerry Taliaferro’s photography website and his “Sons” exhibit, which debuted in New York in February 2016. Rachel Veramay, the exhibition coordinator at Ella Sharp, knew the exhibit would be worth pursuing and bringing to the Jackson community.

“This is [Jerry’s] third exhibition and each place it changes,” Veramay said. “He travels to each individual location and photographs the people in the community.” None of Taliaferro’s exhibits feature the same group of men.

Eri k Lyman, the communications coordinator for Ella Sharp, reflected on how the museum had made strides in the past few years to be a more engaged part of the community. He said to bring Taliaferro’s exhibit to the Jackson community was to “put our money where our mouth is and be a part of the community we are around and a part of.”

To find participants willing to sit for the photographs and video interviews that make up the exhibit, members of the Ella Sharp Museum reached out to diversity programs at Jackson College and Spring Arbor University (SAU) and a local paper, the Jackson Blazer.

As word spread throughout those communities, Ella Sharp eventually gathered 38 members for the exhibition from Jackson and the surrounding

6

areas. Four of those 38 participants are members of the SAU community.

Seniors Peyton Pope and Tevin Larmond, sophomore James Garner and Director of the Office of Intercultural Relations Eric Beda, all feature in the exhibit.

“It is definitely an intimate look into these men’s live.”

Rachel Vermay Exhibition Coordinator

Pope heard about the opportunity to participate through Beda and volunteered because he “liked what the project stood for.”

“What it means to me is redefining who African American males are,” Pope said. “You hear about African American males being incarcerated, having a lack of education, being in gangs. With me, it was about recreating an identity for African American males on a more positive scale.”

After spending September finding and finalizing the participants, Taliaferro

thesaupulse.com • March 17, 2017

spent a week at the museum in October photographing the sitters and filming video interviews.

Pope enjoyed the process with Taliaferro, calling him “cool and funny.”

Pope posed for two different portraits, sat for a short video interview and chose a quote to be placed next to his second photo in the exhibit.

“Sons” is set up in three separate parts, Veramay said. The first part of the exhibit, called “Perceptions,” is filled with simple, black-and-white portraits of African American men of various ages, backgrounds and careers. The participants’ names are the only thing written next to their photograph. “[Jerry] asks the viewers to make assumptions,” Veramay said. ““Who is this person?” You try to figure that out as you look at his portrait.”

“Realities and Reconciliations” is the second part of the exhibit, and the portraits there help the viewer understand the individual. The photographs are in full color and the sitters were encouraged to bring costumes, props and other people into their photograph to display their personality and character.

Veramay calls it a reveal. The assumptions and ideas made when viewing the black and white portraits can either be confirmed or shattered by the color portraits in the second half of the exhibit.

“Knowing some of the men who are in the exhibit,” Lyman said, “you can definitely see how they thought of

chairs around it. A large mirror stands in the center of the table, separating it into two sides. On one side, blank paper is strewn about with simple graphite pencils. On the other, an array of colored pencils, pens and markers cover the tabletop.

The two-part activity, an addition made to the exhibit by Veramay, is meant to reflect the gallery setup. First, kids are encouraged to draw a self-portrait using only the graphite pencils. When

Pope echoed that hope as well, saying, “I would hope this would open the eyes of people. That it would break cultural barriers and would remove the issue of race as a whole.”

“It’s definitely a thought provoking exhibition and I think it’s a great chance to think outside the box,” Veramay said. “It challenges you to think about perspective and what that means.”

News

themselves and how it is accurate. Even some of the ones I don’t know, it is like I know them a lot more.”

“It is definitely an intimate look into these men’s lives,” Veramay added.

Next to Pope’s second photo is his favorite quote by Frederick Douglass: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” Pope wanted his second photo to convey a sense of growth, of progress.

After walking through the portraits, a

PHOTO PROVIDED BY Ella Sharp Website

small area of the gallery is sectioned off with a couple of benches for viewers to watch the filmed interviews with the portrait sitters. The interviews range from one to five minutes and feature Taliaferro asking the sitters about how they see themselves as members of the Jackson community and as African American males.

A unique piece to the “Sons” exhibit at the Ella Sharp Museum is a kid’s station in the middle of the gallery. A white table is set up, with four to five

they switch around to the other side of the table, the children can use any of the colorful tools to draw another self-portrait. Veramay said she hopes, by mimicking the portraits on the wall, kids dig a little deeper and reveal their personalities on the paper, not just physical attributes.

“It’s our hope [the exhibit] becomes interactive,” Veramay said. “Even though they’re just photos, it will be something that will spark some conversation in the community and among families.”

“Sons: Seeing the Modern African American Male” opened on Feb. 10 and will close on May 27.

The exhibit is open by donation to all visitors and more information and the museum’s hours can be found on their website: www.ellasharpmuseum.org.

March 17, 2017 • thesaupulse.com

7

Features

Having Kids in College Sarah Dean | Staff Writer

F

or some college students at Spring Arbor University (SAU), 2 a.m. is the hour of latenight runs to Steak n’ Shake, 7:45 a.m. for cram sessions for exams or the rarer choice of that good old underrated REM. Yet for Elizabeth Carlson, James Garner and other parents on campus, 2 a.m. is the hour of diapers and crying children and getting home late from work only to drift off for a few hours of sleep before class.

These students understand the struggle of time management stems beyond staying up to play one more game of Mario Kart. It is a whole new level of adulthood, and it might be the first time students can empathize with professors. These are the brave, hidden, strong individuals who are parents in college.

Elizabeth Carlson is a senior studying sociology at SAU, but she is first and foremost a mom to her two-year-old daughter, Lucy. Carlson gave birth to Lucy during her junior year and took a semester off. Upon returning to SAU, she was unsure of how she would handle such a new change in her life.

“My relationship with my parents strengthened because of it,” Carlson said. “Time management is still difficult for me, but my parents have been an incredible support system.”

One drawback for Carlson has been the sacrifice of her social life. Between

8

taking care of her daughter, working and doing homework, she lacks time for extra relationships.

“Experiencing life a little differently than my peers has allowed other students to learn from me and my unique situation,” Carlson said.

Like Carlson, sophomore advertising and public relations major James Garner has continued to pursue his studies after having his son. For him, organization, structure and adaptability have always been his strengths, but he has seen them challenged even more since becoming a parent.

thesaupulse.com • March 17, 2017

“My son has helped me grow, mature and see myself and the world in a way I couldn’t have without having my son,” Garner said.

Garner finds himself better able to communicate with his son, and he credits that to his communication courses at SAU. The ways college has helped him to grow have in turn helped him to be a better father, Garner said.

Both Carlson and Garner speak of their motivation: the life they desire to build for their children.

After receiving her undergraduate degree, Carlson is considering moving into a doctorate program in social work. Garner’s dream is to work for Dove Soap and impact people’s perceptions through advertising.

Garner and Carlson can attest to the difficulty and achievability of having kids and going to college. Their best pieces of advice for others are to know it is possible and to have a support system.

For Garner, not only has his son been a personal encourager, he has also received a great deal of support from the SAU faculty and staff, specifically online student success advisor Julie Morse and student success advisor Kattie Donahue. These individuals have steadied his motivation and reminded him of his potential.

Carlson said her desire to quit has been tempting, but she accepts the challenge to continue and is grateful to her parents who truly act as her partners.

L.J. Richardson | Staff Writer

D

on’t quit your day job” is a cliché aspiring students have heard at least once in their life from someone critical of their dream to be an artist.

The Forbes business magazine listed fine arts, music and English on their selection of the “10 Most Useless Majors” at ranks 3, 6 and 10, respectively.

Financial advice journal “The Simple Dollar” had critical rankings as well on their own Useless Majors list, with communications, theatre and fine arts listed as 1, 3 and 8. And if this wasn’t indication enough, NBC News once used Useless Majors as a headline and their list including fine arts and drama at 1 and 2.

Associate Professor of Communications Jen Letherer observed only 36 percent of high school students picked a subject they were passionate about, leaving 64 percent of high school students with an apathetic interest in their major.

The source of the negative vibes directed at fine arts and similar majors stem from the alleged lack of jobs in their fields. Assistant Professor of English Dr. Brent Cline thinks this idea misses the point of a college education.

“Majors aren’t necessarily vocational training,” Cline said. “A student’s major is less important than the degree itself.

In bringing home a paycheck, a degree is a degree, it doesn’t matter what they studied. Students should follow their bliss.”

Junior drama major Simone Searcy has another reason altogether for her choice in major.

“ ”

Being a fine arts major teaches you skills to be a better parent, citizen and communicator.

Jen Letherer, Associate Professor of Communication

Features

The Truth about Fine Arts Majors Letherer believes the skills a student builds while studying a major have more importance to the student’s marketability than the subject they study.

“Being a fine arts major teaches you skills to be a better parent, citizen and communicator,” Letherer said.

“Take the internet, the largest source of information on the planet. Who writes it? Communicators. A common misconception is the value of a student’s major equals employability. What if the true value lies in the skills that make the student employable?”

“I really feel God laid it on my heart to study theatre and not only become an actress, but a good actress,” Searcy said. “Acting allows us to live another person’s life, not in a schizophrenic way but in a way that helps us throw aside preconceived judgements about others and lets us step into their skin.”

March 17, 2017 • thesaupulse.com

9

Features

Intercultural Communications

How SAU is cultivating intercultural competency Libby Buckland | Sports Editor

C

ommunication is crucial and culture is everywhere. Pairing the two creates an undeniable intercultural experience everyone is apt to face at some point in their lives.

On this small campus of 1,200 students there is an immense amount of co-cultures scattered through Spring Arbor University’s (SAU) dominant culture. A co-culture is defined as a culture within another culture. At SAU the dominant culture is white Christian Americans. Co-cultures would include other races or ethnicities, the LGBTQ+ community or people who practice religions other than Christianity.

Learning to effectively communicate interculturally will help students understand and love one another despite their differences.

In order to promote intercultural communications, SAU offers a course to help students develop the skills required for effective communication across cultures. Intercultural Communication (COM368) is offered out of the department of communications and media and taught by Mary Darling, associate professor of communications.

The nature of this class calls for a

1 20

high level of maturity and requires some type of communications background (prior COM courses). According to the course description, this class is designed to “discuss theory, skills and attitudes foundational to effective interpersonal

“ ”

A co-culture is defined as a cultre within another culture.

communications to persons of another culture. It focuses on critical analysis and building empathy combined with

o m• •J uMl ya r 3c 1h , 1270, 1 26 0 1 7 t ht ehseas ua pu up lus les.ec.oc m

coping skills.”

This course also puts a large focus on co-cultures within the dominant culture since students come into contact with them daily.

“We spend a lot of time talking about co-cultures because that’s where people live,” Darling said. “Not everybody is going to travel to different countries, but everyone in this day and age will have to deal with people and learn to communicate well with people of other cultures and co-cultures.”

In addition to COM368, SAU also strives to encourage students to experience different ethnicities and international cultures through the Cross Cultural Studies program (CCS).

In order to graduate, all students must fulfill a three week or semester long study abroad experience in order to better understand a culture other than our own.

Keeping in mind both close-to-home co-cultures as well as international cultural differences, here are some tips to get you one step closer to effective intercultural communication:

Manage your attitudes A positive attitude can go a long way, especially in the eyes of change and adversity. Diane Kurtz, director of CCS, described it as avoiding quickly making value judgments based on what used to rather than being open to the fact that it right or wrong, just different.

1

Be flexible “We need to be flexible in how we communicate with people,” Darling said.

“If we have this, ‘one style fits all, this is how I am in every situation,’ that is not how Jesus was. Jesus dealt differently with different people. We have to develop intercultural competencies. We have to develop communication skills”.

2

Intercultural competency comes with time and a great deal of practice. The courses offered at SAU are intended to help prepare students to effectively

Features

5 tips for effective intercultural communication Have an open mind Being open to other points of view and ways of life is essential. After living in Guatemala for a semester, Heidi Meeuwenberg, a senior global studies major, said, “Studying abroad was a huge learning opportunity that allowed me to live within another culture and actually experience how they live. This gave me perspective to see differing subcultures within America and opened my mind to opposing viewpoints.”

3

Make an effort

4

People appreciate effort, and learning to ask good questions and being aware of your surroundings will help develop cultural competency and understanding.

communicate interculturally and form that competency. Through experiences such as CCS trips, students are given the opportunity to take what they have

Reduce Expectations (avoid the ‘ugly American’ stereotype) The ‘ugly American’ stereotype can be defined as having an either intrinsic (inner) or openly ethnocentric (acting as if one’s culture is superior to another) viewpoint and letting that shape your expectations when entering another culture.

For example, do not assume people will speak English everywhere, even if it is a high tourist destination.

5

learned out of the classroom and into the real world.

March 17, 2017 • thesaupulse.com

11

Features

Bridging the Divide: Kayla Williamson | Editor-in-Chief Amber Cekander | Associate Editor Dana Sebald-Van Doren | Features Editor Aaliyah Winters | Marketing Coordinator

E

xhausted and emotionally spent students met with distant yet passionate administrators in a room tense with expectation.

One student came with the Student Handbook highlighted, underlined and plastered in sticky notes. Others came because their class required it. The room was a mix of students, faculty and administration of varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

The first public dialogue prompted by a racist Snapchat posted by a Spring Arbor University (SAU) student was about to begin. More than 120 students, faculty, alumni and staff gathered on Feb. 28 to discuss what the administration could do to improve interracial relations. Some left satisfied.

Others said it did not help at all.

THE RESPONSE Elisèe Ouoba, assistant professor in biblical studies, said, “I appreciated the fact that people were willing to show up and then be open about what happened.” But nontraditional student Simone Searcy said the event felt “patronizing.”

She said the people who showed up to the panel were the ones who were already invested in the issue. Because

12

of this, the students who had attended both panels on Feb. 24 and the public apology and Feb. 20 heard much of the same material and discussion about the incident.

“It’s not the incident that’s hurting,” Searcy said, “because people make stupid mistakes. It was the university’s response.”

Ouoba said it is key to remember that no one – students, faculty and staff and administration – has a single, definitive answer to the situation.

“Give them [the administration] time to learn,” Ouoba said. “It is painful, yes.

But it will take the time it will take.”

For Searcy, the timing of the university’s response was everything.

She wanted university President Brent Ellis to call what had become to be known as “the incident” as a specifically “racist incident.”

“The fact that they didn’t call it a racial thing until a week later, in an email, spoke volumes,” Searcy said. “If we call it a racist issue, then we are identifying that a group of people got hurt.”

WHAT IS RACISM? Sasha Wilson, lead intercultural advisor for the Office of Intercultural Relations, was discussing politics

thesaupulse.com • March 17, 2017

with a friend last spring. The friend assumed Wilson to be a supporter of then-President Barack Obama. Wilson asked her if it was because she was black. When the friend didn’t respond, Wilson left the room in anger, only to return to find her friend had brought two more people into the room, causing Wilson to think she was afraid of the “stereotypical angry black woman.”

Wilson said to her friend, “I don’t think you understand that you are racist.” The friend replied she had black friends. Wilson said separating friends by the color of their skin can be a red flag for racism.

Senior Morgan Yapa said it is important to both recognize and accept someone’s color. She said how she hates when people say they “don’t see color,” because, to her, they are saying, “I don’t see you.”

“My ethnic background is a part of me,” Yapa said. “It always will be.”

In discussions of racism, intention often come up. Do the consequences for a racist Snapchat change when there was no conscious, malicious intent behind the post? Sophomore Kristina Grace thinks so.

“Racism still exists,” she said. “But are some racist instances truly not

Features racism? Yes. It’s ignorance. It’s because people aren’t aware.”

Intention is also a key factor when considering how to respond to and combat racism.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? “Work needs to be done on all sides,” Ouoba said. To those people who come from a minority background, he said, “We need to understand not everyone is intentionally trying to hurt you. It doesn’t excuse it, but it changes it.”

Ouoba also offered advice on how intention can help those in a majority to work against racism. Being intentional and learning about other people’s stories and experiences can help foster conversations and break down barriers.

Grace agreed with that sentiment and said people need to be willing and able to put themselves in uncomfortable situations.

“Ask the hard questions,” Grace said, “and be okay with receiving hard questions back.”

Junior Boaz Gillette believes racism grows when conversations surrounding it are shunned. Fear of being called racist can oftentimes shut down important conversations before they begin.

For Searcy, however, naming is one of the most important things we can do in situations like this.

“We need to call sin, sin,” Searcy

said. “And we aren’t doing that.” Searcy said at the beginning, she wasn’t too concerned with the Snapchat. But that changed when she saw others hurting from the post.

Everyone struggles with something, Searcy said. In some way, shape or form everybody has something working against them. Searcy uses this perspective to humanize everyone she comes across and to identify with them in that way.

“I think we would be a better campus if we did see each other as brothers and sisters and if we banded together that way and fought the outside world that way,” Searcy said.

Wilson said apologies and forgiveness are essential in a Christian response. Forgiveness, however, is tricky because it will look different for every person. Once the offender has taken time to realize the necessity for an honest apology and the offended taken the necessary time to come to a state of forgiveness, then the relationship between the two can move forward.

“A Christian’s response should always be to protect the sanctity and holiness of humanity,” Gillette said.

“To those who behave in a racist manner, correction and confrontation needs to happen.”

Ouoba believes healing from situations like this can be found in our

Christian identity.

“We should go back to thinking of ourselves as Christians first,” Ouoba said. “We are a community.

Even a Christian community is a broken community.”

“

A Christian’s response should always be to protect the sanctity and holiness of humanity. To those who behave in a racist manner, correction and confrontation needs to happen.

Boaz Gillette junior

”

March 17, 2017 • thesaupulse.com

13

Features After listening to three organized dialogues, dozens of one-on-ones and group meetings, this is administration’s response to racism on campus Kayla Williamson | Editor-in-Chief

T

he president cried.

After multiple attempts at expressing his passion for the minority students on campus, after the last chapel address, even his wife was disappointed in his speech.

“My wife was frustrated at me,” President Brent Ellis said. “She said, ‘You didn’t express your emotional outrage. You didn’t express the depths of which you carry this. People need to see you heart.’”

When he first saw the racially insensitive image while on the way to eat with donors in Atlanta, Ellis called Director of Athletics Ryan Cottingham and other administrators whom he thought would have the best ability to act and address what had taken place.

He told Cottingham to make a “bold and compelling statement” and to “condemn it” at the Mr. SAU event.

Yet these words do not match what many students interpret as vague emails, repetitive panels and unsatisfying chapel announcements.

14

There is a divide between what the students think they see and what the administration think they show.

“In retrospect, the letter I sent out [two weeks ago] should have just said, ‘You know, we’re going to condemn this,

This won’t be wasted.

Kim Hayworth, Vice President for Student Success & Calling

[and] if that causes people to see what’s taken place, who cares?’” Ellis said.

One of the things that surprised Vice President for Student Success and Calling Kim Hayworth was that despite addressing the issue within hours of hearing about it, the message did not connect.

“Even though I felt the language on that Monday strongly condemned

thesaupulse.com • March 17, 2017

the act, I would have inserted the word ‘racially insensitive picture’ [in the address] because students have said, ‘Call it what it is,’” Hayworth said.

Between the dialogue on Feb. 28, one-on-ones with students and group meetings, Hayworth and Director of the Office of Intercultural Relations Eric Beda have collected pages of transcribed notes and stacks of notecards with students’ thoughts.

“This won’t be wasted,” Hayworth said.

Take Aways When Beda first came to SAU in 2012, no one had heard of the Office of Intercultural Relations (OIR). Now the office works with the Diversity Task Force, along with student services, human resources and more. Right now, the task force is in the middle of research on what other universities do.

“Research means folks have their ear to the ground and are trying to figure out who’s doing it well and how can we replicate

January 2016

Diversity Task Force announced

Feb. 17 2017

Riggleman addresses at Mr. SAU

Feb. 20 2017

Hayworth addresses in chapel

Feb. 24 2017

Two dialogues by School of Education and students of color

Feb. 28 2017

Public dialogue on how SAU handles racism

March 1 2017

President Ellis addresses in chapel

leadership,” Hayworth said.

Their main focus is to create continuous dialogue and address training for student leaders from now to end of the academic year. Another goal is to create “critical pathways” so students know where to go if they experience a racist incident or have a complaint.

Both Hayworth and Beda plan to meet with students multiple times throughout the semester over food or

On the table...

Previous Initiatives: • Diversity Task Force created January 2016 • Spring 2016 series on Faith Based Cultural Competency for faculty/staff • Office of Intercultural Relations hosts 30+ events a year • Fall 2016 OIR hosts student race panel • Feb. 2 - SAU hosts state-wide panel on law enforcement and race relations • Changes in HR practices to expand applicant pool • Student Leadership Training workshop on diversity • Link Scholars Program/Summer Scholars Weekend

coffee to continue the conversation.

Intercultural advisors from every dorm will consult with them on how to best structure these conversations.

“This incident, what it’s done is created an opportunity for people to share what they maybe normally wouldn’t share,” Beda said.

The key is continuous conversation.

Every student leader meets the week before school starts in the fall to have diversity training. Hayworth plans to continue this training and might have another training later in the semester.

The Student Handbook is also revised every summer. But for next year, there will be specific sections addressing racism in more understandable language.

“We need to understand and recognize that it’s not just an isolated incident,” Ellis said. “Some of those comments – microaggressions or a comment that is intentional but goes unaddressed – are more common than I think I was aware of.”

Goals for the future include providing platforms for communication and educating students that race and diversity are okay to talk about. This includes events like the dialogue on Feb. 28, where Caucasian students were able to ask questions they feel are too insensitive to ask.

“I think some people don’t feel equipped to have the conversation. It’s certainly an uncomfortable conversation, but again that’s how you improve. You stretch. You grow,” Beda said.

Features

some of that knowledge,” Beda said.

Creating OIR (then Multicultural Office) was the first proposal Hayworth brought to the cabinet in 2006. It was not a new topic for her. She wrote her dissertation on the experience of black males at private, predominately white, Christian institutions.

This is not Ellis’s first handle on racism either. Ellis grew up in Indianapolis and attended a diverse high school. He observed racism in a suburb of Indianapolis with his African American friends. He experienced racism by association by wait staff at restaurants.

“My commitment and my desire for creating environments that really help address racism dates back to how I was raised,” Ellis said.

Last January, he announced a new initiative to assist SAU in pursing faith-based cultural competency, which led to the creation of the Diversity Task Force.

The Diversity Task Force, composed of administrators and department chairs, started researching and composing a diversity plan to be finished June 1.

Chaired by Hayworth, the task force works with the professor-led Diversity Committee and OIR. “We have got to find a way to weave this more into the fabric of our community through our curriculum and maybe through other community gatherings, such as chapel and more training for faculty and staff and student

This semester

Next year

• Kim Hayworth will meet with intercultural advisors • Frequent lunch/coffee dates with students who want to continue the conversation • Ongoing diversity training for Peer Advisors and Resident Assistants • Race Panel Discussion hosted

by OIR March 23 at 6 p.m. in Whiteman-Gibbs

• Changes to the Student Handbook* • Review curriculum to ensure it reflects diversity • Integrate diversity focus in all core classes • More faculty participation in OIR • Specific complaint process for students who experience racism on campus* • Chapel series*

*Will happen in the future

• Cultural Competency representation in 2017-2020 Strategic Plan by Diversity Task Force*

March 17, 2017 • thesaupulse.com

15

Editorial A&E

Guest Column:

The Challenging Diversity Talk Eric Beda | Director of Office of Intercultural Relations

PHOTO PROVIDED BY Eric Beda

A

ccording to Sheen Levine’s research, “Ethnic diversity deflates price bubbles,” diversity improves the way people think. By disturbing the equilibrium of conformity, racial diversity prompts individuals to scrutinize facts, think more deeply and develop their own views.

Research shows diversity actually benefits everyone, but how we achieve perfect diversity can prove somewhat challenging.

For some time, predominantly White institutions (PWIs) have worked to create opportunities where students of color could gather to discuss cultural issues and identify mentors of color.

At Spring Arbor University (SAU), the opportunity is codified under the umbrella of the Office of Intercultural Relations (OIR), which includes student group like Young Men of Merit (YMM), LOVE, Gospel Choir, Primas, International Student Union, and other ethnic-themed student organizations.

It has been assumed that culturally oriented programs and student organizations on PWIs have positively impacted minority retention and graduation rates; however, these groups can raise greater racial tensions and

16

suffocate social integration, according to scholars at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Harvard University (Harvard).

The UCLA and Harvard scholars have concluded that intergroup interaction reduces cultural tensions and increases friendship across racial lines.

Hence, they encouraged universities to do all within their sphere of influence to increase the level of contact between different ethnicities. This includes randomly grouping students for class assignments and random roommate assignments.

Contrarily, not everyone believes ethnic-themed organizations increase racial tensions and prejudice. Studies showed ethnic-themed student organizations were vital to college campuses, and social integration materializes from a willingness among students to explore their differences.

Particularly, Dr. Jarvis Sulcer, director of education at the Level Playing Field Institute, feels strongly that ethnicthemed groups offered on PWIs are absolutely necessary to confront the sense of isolation many minority students feel. As a graduate of Cornell University, Dr.

‘‘

thesaupulse.com • March 17, 2017

Sulcer understands the impact of multicultural student groups.

“At Cornell,” he said. “I was the only one in many of my classes. Being able to identify with a group of students who look like me, talk like me and can relate to what I am feeling is very supportive.”

Similarly, Lorenzo Montgomery, an SAU alumnus, stated his time with YMM had drastically shaped his experience on campus.

“YMM is a great retention tool for young black males on campus and was a safe place to have conversations about issues we as black males face,” Montgomery said.

Conformity impairs the progress of diversity. By disturbing the equilibrium of conformity, racial and ethnic diversity prompts individuals to scrutinize facts, think more deeply and develop their own opinions.

“The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it’s conformity,” Rollo May, an American psychologist, said.

There is no perfect solution to diversity, but by boldly discussing barriers that hinder diversity we can begin to move forward as a community.

The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it’s conformity.

Rollo May, American psychologist

A&E

Artist Review:

: BODY Liz Pence | Staff Writer

G

rammy-nominated husband and wife acoustic duo Gungor - eponymously named for Michael and Lisa Gungor - created a trilogy of albums, the latest of these being “One Wild Life: Body,” which was preceded by “One Wild Life: Soul” and “One Wild Life: Spirit.” According to the band’s website, the trilogy “is an exploration of the idea that language like “soul, spirit and body” are simply different ways of seeing the same single reality—this one wild life. “One Wild Life” is a remembrance of how holy and sacred this life we’ve been given is. It’s the effort to open the human heart wider.”

While the album displays Gungor’s usual Sufjan-Stevensmeets-Bon-Iver-meets-Arcade-Fire sound, there are two tracks that showcase how versatile the pair’s songwriting can be. “Walking With Our Eyes Closed” is an upbeat, pop-sounding anthem and “Free” is groovy with R&B vibes. Though the songs are catchy, they are not without meaning. “Walking With Our Eyes Closed” speaks to how people can walk through life aimlessly, while “Free” explores liberation through salvation.

For Spring Arbor University (SAU) senior Liam May, one of the most potent songs is “Lovely Broken.”

“The friend who introduced me to Gungor and I sing the duet to each other whenever the world seems dark and when it’s hard to remember there’s hope,” May said.

May is a huge fan of Gungor, stating “One Wild Life: Soul” that he fell in love with their music instantly.

“Lyrically, the horizons of God’s kingdom are expanded and brightened by their insightful and emotional spiritual imaginations,” May said. “Musically, my heart is drawn to accept the outsider, to heed the call to love and to appreciate beauty.”

Gungor’s music also calls May to reconsider how he lives out his faith in real life.

“Their voice has called me to consider the ways of St. Francis of Assisi and the desert fathers rather than the Crusaders and Inquisitors that seem to have become, spiritually, the icons of modern Christianity,” May said.

Gungor will be performing in the White Auditorium at SAU on Thursday, March 30th at 8:00 PM. May has already purchased his VIP tickets.

PHOTO FROM The official GUNGOR Facebook page

March 17, 2017 • thesaupulse.com

17

A&E

Doubt: A Parable Emily Spencer | Staff Writer

T

he room is dark. Soon the lights go up to reveal an empty stage, save for one lone man, beloved Father Flynn, giving a sermon.

This April the Spring Arbor University (SAU) Drama department is putting on “Doubt: A Parable,” originally written by John Patrick Shanley.

Paul McKinley, adjunct professor of communication, is the director for the production. This is his first year working with SAU Heart’s Drama after having graduated from SAU as a drama major in 2013. As director, McKinley helps organize things backstage in addition to his work directing the actors onstage. He works with lights, sound, the costumer, props, and staging.

According to McKinley, “Doubt” is a suspenseful drama. The play is set in the 1960s, where Father Flynn is the priest of a Catholic school in New York.

when we have doubt?

The subtitle of the play was particularly emphasized by McKinley.

The fact that it is a parable, he said, means it is not just a story, but a story used to discuss greater issues.

“Part of the reason I’m really passionate about this play is it brings up a lot of questions” There are things that we can McKinley said. discuss which I hope to do “Doubt” is with our audience. supposed to be Paul McKinley, theater that Theater Director engages not only with the a u d i e n c e ’s emotions and need for storytelling, but also with the mind, according to McKinley. The play should give audience members the play as Father Flynn has been something to think about and something accused of sexual misconduct with a to discuss. student and no one can be certain as to One hope McKinley has for the whether or not he is actually guilty. One play is the drama will be able to start a sister, McKinley said, is certain he has dialogue with the audience. He hopes to done what he was accused of, while the engage with the audience in a substantial other is certain he hasn’t. way.

McKinley said the play brings up “There are things we can discuss, a lot of questions, particularly those which I hope to do with our audience,” having to do with doubt, certainty and McKinley said. faith. It explores how those three things are connected and intertwining. The play begs the question: What do we do

‘‘ ’’

Reserve tickets at dramatickets@arbor.edu

18

In the play, Flynn’s actions come into question by one of the sisters.

Mystery surrounds

thesaupulse.com • March 17, 2017

SAU students film documentary on refugees Nathan Salsbury | Staff Writer

I

magine living in a country where you are constantly persecuted by your government. You would probably want to be free from the oppression. So you travel to a country that will allow you to have freedom and make choices for yourself - but not all of the country’s citizens believe you should be allowed to live in their country.

Refugees like these, from Mexico to Syria and beyond, are the focus of a new documentary from Christian Yonkers and his fiancé Spring Arbor University video/film major Emma Parker, senior video/film major at Spring Arbor University. The two traveled to Indianapolis, Ind. to interview refugees and create a documentary that Yonkers said he hopes will start a conversation in our country.

Throughout the United States, people have different views on refugees.

Some believe refugees should be welcomed into the country in order to help the refugees escape from the dangerous situations they may be living in. Others think letting refugees into the country could be dangerous in the event that the refugees are terrorists.

Yonkers said the experience of filming the documentary, meeting refugees and hearing their stories, was very eye-opening.

“We heard some heartbreaking stories,” Yonkers said. “But it was refreshing and encouraging.”

The purpose of the documentary is to challenge the viewers suppositions.

Yonkers said many people don’t know what the real issue is which can cause them to form beliefs about refugees that aren’t true.

Acording to Yonkers, refugees are seeking safety in America for various reasons and are met with the struggles of coming into a new culture and a new language. They also may have been forced to leave their families and friends. Even if they are escaping oppression or danger from their home countries, it doesn’t mean all refugees want to be here.

Regardless of one’s political views, Yonkers and Parker assure the documentary will not focus on a specific side of politics. Some of the men and women Yonkers and Parker interviewed do mention the recent election and what PHOTO BY Christian Yonkers

A&E

The Other Side of the Story the government is doing in regards to refugees, but the film is intended to share the refugees’ stories.

“ ”

We heard some heartbreaking stories, but it was refreshing and encouraging.

Christian Yonkers Director

“I encourage the entire student body,” Parker said, “regardless of their political opinions about refugees and immigrants, to pray for these people.”

Students who wish to view the documentary will be able to see a shortened version on May 10 at “Will Shoot For Credit.” A longer version of the documentary will also be available online when it is completed.

Noe (left) is married to a U.S. citizen and has two children. He is unable to receive documentation, and is in danger of deportation March 17, 2017 • thesaupulse.com

19

Sports

New Country, Same Sport International athletes’ transitions to the USA Libby Buckland | Sports Editor

S

pring Arbor University (SAU) prides itself in fostering an athletic program welcoming to athletes from around the world. Currently, there are ten full-time international athletes, and one student manager participating in mens soccer, baseball, track and field, softball and womens tennis.

As changes from one culture to another can seem inevitable, there are also some big differences athletes face within their sport as well. After playing for many years and getting used to playing one way, it can be even more difficult to acclimate to something new.

Many of the athletes take this challenge head on and expressed the reason they came to America was to PHOTO BY Chris Bauman

compete at a collegiate level. It is also an opportunity to expand one’s worldview and learn a lot about a culture different than the one in which you were born.

Lewis Jones, a junior center striker on the mens soccer team originally from Liverpool, is no stranger to international play. Jones has played for teams in England, Wales, Netherlands, Spain, Martinique and British Virgin Islands.

Jones has always dreamed of playing in the U.S. and discussed some of the positive experiences and differences he has noticed since moving to America.

more focused on your ability rather than person.”

The transition for juniors Fransisco Ondina and Emilio Perez were similar.

As the only Puerto Rican members of the SAU baseball team, acclimating to the language was challenging at first.

Plays had different names than what they were used to.

Playing at the college level also has many advantages for international students at SAU. Morris Kamara, junior on the mens soccer team, shared his views.

“I was given an opportunity in America I never dreamed of,” Kamara said. “I was I was given an opportunity in really blessed. I America that I never dreamed of. had one of the I was really blessed. best coaches a young player Morris Kamara could have. junior He was just as hungry as I was and he focused on more than just winning and scoring goals.”

“

According to Jones, his transition to the U.S. was rewarding.

“The vocabulary at first was really different and took me a while to get used to,” Jones said. “I feel as though in America, especially in college soccer, you are a lot more valued as a person and player, whereas in England it is

20

thesaupulse.com • March 17, 2017

”

SAU athletics is proud and excited about the international presence these students bring to the program and our school. Not only is their talent a great asset to the sports, they also bring diversity to our campus.

March 17, 2017 • thesaupulse.com

21

Marken takes on Riggleman’s mantle Sarah Dean | Staff Writer aseball: it’s the American game; the leadership, coaching and spiritual life.

Upon returning to SAU for an game that gave us the famous Jackie assistant coaching position, Marken Robinson and Babe Ruth; the game that was more than ready to give back to his gave us “The Sandlot;” the game many former university.

When it came time of us grew up playing in our backyards. for Riggleman to pass the torch, the And for Spring Arbor University (SAU), transition to Marken was a continuation the legendary game we love is heading of the legacy. into a new era.

After a memorable forty years of coaching, Sam Riggleman retired from his professional career in 2016. Having contemplated Be better today the decision for than you were some time, he was ready to settle into yesterday and be a new season of life better tomorrow and have more time than you were with his wife. Taking his place was former today. player and assistant Ryan Marken coach Ryan Marken, baseball coach 2010 SAU graduate.

Marken grew up playing the sport since the age of three, and in his opinion, he could not have asked for two better mentors to help him in the process than his dad His involvement in and Coach Riggleman. Marken speaks national level baseball, highly of the amount of time and effort his ability to recruit Riggleman personally invested in him and his excellent during his time at Spring Arbor. Upon personal skills were graduating from SAU, Marken intended all obvious factors to disciple young men on and off the to Riggleman in field, just as Riggleman did for him.

Shortly after graduating, he began choosing Marken as coaching for an elite travel organization. head coach. What was It was there he further learned from a even more important, was he team that valued character above all however, understood the core else. During this time, the mentoring relationship between Riggleman and of the SAU Marken flourished more. The two met baseball every Friday for two years to talk about

B

‘‘

22

thesaupulse.com • March 17, 2017

‘‘

Sports

A New Era of Baseball program to be mentorship and discipleship.

Marken knows his job is to create excellent baseball players over a fouryear period, but his number one goal is to assist the development of young men, men who will become strong husbands and fathers in the community.

In striving to accomplish this, he gathers together with 12 to 15 of his athletes once a week to spend time in bible study.

This off-the-field mentoring comes completely from Riggleman’s example, Marken said.

“In the three years I struggled with my faith walk,” Markin said, “he [Riggleman] never once thought about giving up on me. He poured into my life more than I could have ever hoped for.”

Fransisco Ondina, junior player on the baseball team, said much of the training and principles did not change between the new coaches, but Marken has put a heavier emphasis on academic excellence. This year’s motto for the baseball team is, “Be better today than you were yesterday and be better tomorrow than you were today,” and Marken intends to achieve nothing short of that.

Student does not let disability hold her back on the field

B

eing a collegiate athlete is what many athletes dream of from a young age. For children born with disabilities, however, this dream can seem impossible. Annika Hoekstra, a member of the Spring Arbor womens soccer team, does not let her disability stand in the way.

She was born with part of her arm missing past the elbow, but she has been involved in athletics since a young age, her two primary sports being softball and soccer.

Hoekstra said the biggest challenge she faces with sports and her daily life was “being comfortable and confident with being different.”

“At a young age I really struggled with this, but I have grown a lot in

Olivia Landis | Staff Writer

this area in recent years,” she said.

Her coaches have never treated her differently because of the disability.

“If anything,” Hoekstra said, “they just wait a little bit to see how I will be with certain drills and workouts.

It’s not an issue with soccer because that uses only feet, no hands at all.”

When Hoekstra played softball this was a bit more of a challenge, but she did not let it stand in her way.

She got a special attachment to put on her bat so she could still swing and hit the ball.

This worked well for her, and she was able to enjoy softball for a few years before putting her full focus and energy into her soccer career.

When Hoekstra plays soccer,

Sports

Overcoming Obstacles she wears a padded sleeve over her prosthetic to protect other players from running into it.

“When someone is running full speed at me and accidentally runs into my arm,” Hoekstra said, “it could be very painful for them.”

She has only been stopped a few times in her soccer games.

“The only time refs have stopped me is to make sure my sleeve meets all the regulations,” Hoekstra said.

“But once they see that it’s okay, I continue to play without any issues.”

From a young age to her college career, Hoekstra hasn’t let anything get in her way of playing the sport she loves and using her talents to glorify God through it.

PHOTO BY Chris Bauman

March 17, 2017 • thesaupulse.com

23

SPORTS

Athlete Barbara Haikal

MONTH

Dana Sebald-Van Doren | Features Editor

B

arbara Haikal is a senior finance major from Brazil who plays on the womens tennis team at Spring Arbor University (SAU). Here, she discusses her sport, differences between the United States and Brazil in terms of playing tennis and her role models.

The Pulse (TP): How long have you played tennis?

Barbara Haikal (BH): I have played tennis since I was 11 years old, so it has been ten consecutive years.

TP: How were you recruited for SAU’s tennis team?

BH: I was in Palm Desert, Calif. at a community college, and I graduated at the end of 2015, so that was when I started to send out emails to tennis coaches all around the U.S. My goal was to finish my two [remaining] years of eligibility in some other university. I contacted Bobby Pratt, the head coach, and I was offered a good academic and athletic scholarship to attend SAU. I also loved the university [and] its location, and I wanted to attend a private university.

TP: What is it like to be an international athlete at SAU? BH: It is really exciting being an international student at SAU. Many times students get excited when I say I am an international student from Brazil, and they ask me questions about Brazil, such as the differences in climate and language.

24

OF THE

TP: How is playing tennis in the U.S. different from playing tennis in Brazil? Are there differences in rules between American and Brazilian tennis?

BH: In fact, I have grown up playing tennis on clay courts, but here in the U.S there are a lot harder courts than clay, so I had to get used to playing tennis on hard courts. Other than that, nothing was different. The rules are the same in Brazil and the U.S for tennis.

TP: Did tennis help you transition from living in Brazil to living in the U.S.?

BH: Yes, for sure. I’ve always wanted to play tennis in an university in the U.S, because in Brazil we do not have the option of getting an athletic scholarship to study. So, tennis was the intermediary to bring me to the U.S., and tennis also helped me to remain firm in all my academic difficulties.

TP: Do you have anyone who inspires you in your athletic career?

BH: Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams are my favorite professional tennis players, and I love to watch them play when I can. I had the opportunity to watch Nadal in a tournament in California.

thesaupulse.com • March 17, 2017