Editorial 2
EDITORIAL-PABS
Syrinx Staff Editor-in-Chief Abigail Brown editor@thesyrinx.com Managing Editor Rachel Kaneversky manager@thesyrinx.com News Co-Editors Loren Friesen Shelbi Hayzlett news@thesyrinx.com Opinions Editor Kyland Hall opinions@thesyrinx.com A&E Editor Hannah Hamm arts@thesyrinx.com Athletics Editor Pablo Villagrana athletics@thesyrinx.com Graphics Editors Hailey Cablao Madi McGinnis Social Media Editor Hannah Miller Chief Copy Editor Luke Fredette Copy Editor Nate Van Dyke Photo Editor Odalis Sanchez Staff Writers Marisol Godinez Azucena Manzo-Ruelas Faculty Adviser Adam Schrag
The Syrinx student newspaper is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press.
WHAT IS “THE SYRINX”?
“The Syrinx” (pronounced sear - inks) is a monthly student newspaper at Fresno Pacific University. The Syrinx name refers to the vocal organ of a bird. Our mission is to foster dialogue about issues, events and ideas within our immediate FPU community and the world at large. We strive to be the voice of the Sunbirds.
LETTERS POLICY
The Syrinx encourages readers to write Letters to the Editor. We welcome comments and critcism. Letters should be 400 words or fewer. The Syrinx reserves the right to edit letters and decide whether a letter is appropriate for publication. Anonymous letters will not be accepted. Send letters to letters@thesyrinx.com.
News
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The MCC sale piece-by-piece
The story behind the Mennonite quilts
PHOTO COURTSEY OF LORI ESAU PHOTO BY LOREN FRIESEN (Left) A child audience member of a recent MCC sale auction helps display a quilt. (Right) Donated quilts, made by women across the country, are hung in display before they are auctioned off, sometimes as up to as much as $5000. The quilts are not just an important product to be bought at the sale - the act of stiching them together is an important time for Mennonites to share stories with on another.
Marisol Godinez | Staff Writer
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4 News
Elimination of student activities coordinator leads to restructuring of responsibilities Student Life staff will collaborate on coordinating student events Hannah Hamm | A&E Editor
Shelbi Hayzlett | News Co-Editor
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s of this semester, the position of student activities coordinator has been removed. Its responsibilities, which included some of the large student activities on campus as well as intramural sports, have now been spread between the Student Life and Residence Life offices. In the absence of this position, Student Life and Residence Life will be collaborating together on the last few activities and events happening on campus this year. This will include the intramural season as well as other events held for the rest of the month and semester. “With the job being diminished, the work will spread out amongst student leaders as well as those part of Student Life,” Vice President of Student Life and Title IX Coordinator Dale Scully said, “this makes it a bit easier because the students are familiar on what the process is and more comfortable with stepping up to help.” For future years, the staff of Student Life will be asking residence directors to take on collateral assignments, where they will work more with student engagement outside of the residence halls. All three RDs and the assistant director of Residence Life will be taking on a variety of activities outside of their usual workload. The goal is to bring more overall energy toward student engagement. “The full time student activities coordinator position was eliminated as a part of restructuring within the Student Life division, as we redistribute responsibilities to some of the professional staff,” said the Director of Student Programs, Lynn Reinhold, in an emailed statement. “This gets the RDs out of the residence halls and gets them to meet with the students, as well as get to know them in different capacities,” Scully said. Outside of intramurals and student activities, Residence Life, Student Life and student leaders will be working with wellness initiatives on campus. These could include drug and alcohol abuse prevention as well as title IX training. “The culture of students is changing. It’s not the
The upcoming “Blockapalooza on the Green” event will be the third event coordinated in Student Life’s new model of planning events. It is the final event of the school year.
GRAPHIC BY MORGAN SCHEIDT AND COURTSEY OF STUDENT LIFE
same as it was when this position started around 14 years ago. We want to look at what students need and what they’re interested in,” Reinhold said. With responsibilities being handed over to various other positions on campus, they want to broaden their options for activities and events to get the students engaged. The student activities coordinator had been successful in the past but when one looks back on recent years, it is evident that student engagement on campus has gone down due to a combination of lacking of interest, too much schoolwork and the fact that a big fraction of the student body consists of commuters.
Reinhold, Scully and the Student Life and Residence Life departments want student activities at FPU to continue to further their involvement. “We look forward to optimizing the strengths and talents of team members who will be responsible for activities, intramurals, spiritual development and wellness programming,” Reinhold said.
News
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FPU’s 75th anniversary celebration to begin this fall Celebration includes special convocation, 7 weeks of prayer, and gala Loren Friesen | News Co-Editor Azucena Manzoruelas | Staff Writer
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PU will kick off its 75th anniversary with a special fall convocation during the 2020 academic year. This will be followed by seven weeks of prayer that will lead up to a gala. These celebrations will focus on Fresno Pacific’s history and its transformation, from what it was to what it has become. The convocation, named GATHER 2019, will be moe of an informal worship experience rather than the traditional academic event. Itis not just an in-house affair; business and educational leaders, as well as public servants, will be invited to the event as a way to celebrate the school’s 75 years of engagement with the Fresno community. Donald Griffith, vice president of advancement and part of the 75th anniversary executive committee, said the convocation will feel a bit different than what students are used to. According to him, there may be a local community gospel choir as part of the worship and President Jones may share his story for the first time in public. “It’s incredibly compelling; students will want to hear this,” Griffith said. GATHER 2019 is to be held Thursday, September 12 at 4 PM rather than the traditional Wednesday at 10 AM. Following the event, there will be a fun and informal barbecue on The Green for all attendees and students to enjoy. GATHER 2019 will mark the start of seven weeks of prayer. Seven distinguished alumni, introduced at GATHER 2019, will each request a specific prayer for their field. These requests will be disseminated across campus via FPU’s communication system, Squawkbox, and student email. The seven weeks will conclude in an on-campus gala. The signature event will include videos honoring each distinguished alumni, a meal and other presentations. “It’ll be an incredibly nice event in terms of the decoration, the feel, the ambience, the meal: everything will be top-notch,” Griffith said. People will need to purchase tickets to attend, but sponsors may purchase some that can given to FPU students. There will be other ways the various departments will honor the school’s 75th anniversary. The Pacific
The communication committee designed the 75th anniversary mark. The anniGRAPHIC COURTSEY OF JILLIAN COPPLER versary celebrations will be part of reflecting on FPU’s history and its transfomration since its foundation.
Journal will publish a variety of essays related to Fresno Pacific’s history. According to Kevin Enns-Rempel, the director of Hiebert Library, it is working on a historic photo book. Other offices, Enns-Rempel elaborated, are thinking about how to celebrate this milestone Student government, CHIRP and college hour are all likely avenues of celebration. Enns-Rempel thinks that this is a great opportunity for the community to realize the transformation that has taken place since their school was founded. “In terms of their denominational affiliation and cultural backgrounds, who we expected our students to be was very different thing 75 years ago compared to now. I think in various ways it has been a transformation… I hope we find ways to communicate it.” According to Jillian Coppler, the executive director of Enrollment Marketing who chairs the 75th anniversary communication committee, part of the
celebration is realizing the influential role students have had at FPU. “The thing that is interesting about this university is that in the 1960s, it took on as an experimental and communal way of functioning. It’s cool for students to recognize that students have always been shaping the institution… we all have a part in its history and future of the university,” Coppler said. Students can follow along with updates and announcements through FPU’s social media accounts and https://75.fpu.edu, which will be launched in May.
6 Opinions
Exploring ‘Ring by Spring’ through a theological lens Christian couples explain how their theology influenced their decison to get married
Loren Friesen | News Co-Editor Beula Camilo, Spanish major, senior During the relationship: I saw more of what, I believe, God intended as we dated. I have seen God work in us in the form of healing, learning to love in new ways, choosing to love in a Christ-like way every day, being gracious, forgiving and supportive every day. Deciding to get married: I knew our relationship was going towards that miniature representation of union of church and God. In the reading of scripture, God says that man was not meant to live alone, and if we choose to believe that and we feel from God that he has placed a person for us to marry, then I believe that we are to enter into that promise and to follow that when he has made it evident, which he has to us. Moving forward: Marriage is not just about staying in love, but it’s a covenant; it’s choosing to love that person every day in the best way that represents how Christ loves us. Sierra Dinkins, intercultural studies and Christian ministries majors, senior As we dated: We started going to Bible study, started seeking mentors - basically, we were seeking wisdom. We spent a lot of time in prayer, listening to podcasts and sermons. Deciding to get married: Our core values are the same, so we decided we wanted to marry each other because we realized that those important things are there, and we wanted to continue to grow and develop and spur one another towards Christ. We see that even better in a relationship than if we were on our own. Council from older married couples was really important as well. Plan after college: The commitment of marriage for us is a holy matrimony that won’t be broken. It’s about making the commitment to work through things so it won’t break.
PHOTOS BY LOREN FRIESEN
Zack Johnston, applied mathematics major, senior As you dated: For most of my life, I felt like I would need to do something to earn love … but Buela has shown me unconditional love despite my insecurities. I knew that God was working in our relationship because I saw what he was doing in my life with Buela by my side, and that’s helped me see the goodness in me, in her and in other people. Decision to get married: I guess God has shown me that no matter what we’re arguing about or we’re in a fight about, I care more about her than about being right, I knew after that if I can care more about her than about being right, then this will be able to last. How they met: CASA Residence Life retreat, during their junior year Moving forward: I know that God is driving it even though we’ve come Plans after college: Zack is going to USC for a graduate program in astro- from very different areas. Knowing that God’s behind it nautical engineering, and Beula is going to either helps me know longevity is there, because we’ll always CSULA or CSU Long Beach for a graduate program be seeking him rather than anything we have in the flesh. in Spanish.
Marshall Dinkins, mathematics major, senior As we dated: We consulted people that had a dating ideology based on their theology. Dating is an evaluation period to determine if the other person can be a life partner in ministry. I think we made conscious efforts to make sure you’re not putting each other first, but rather that you’re putting God first. Deciding to get married: A lot of people ask about our timing, like, why not wait until after college, or after starting a career or after you save up money? We felt that God was calling us to jump into a commitment and be a model for others, and that it might not be the wisest decision to wait because now that we’re married we can make those choices together. Moving forward: How they met: We will have particular challenges because of our choice. Under the stars at the FPU president’s scholars retreat We will also change as individuals, our hope is not that Plans after college: Marshal and Sierra plan to leave for a training program we won’t stay exactly the same as when we started dating, but that we embrace each other as we grow and change. for missions in North Africa in January.
7 Opinions
GRAPHIC BY HAILEY CABLAO
It’s not a crisis of faith, it’s just the next step Kyland Hall | Opinions Editor
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hen what we know by faith is challenged by what we learn in college, the discomfort can be immense. Even though we are learning to esteem both the academic experience and the spiritual, it can often feel like we are compromising the latter. Knowledge of the scientific, sociological and historical truths of our world will at some point contend with whatever certainty we have taken for granted as Christians. This tension is mostly the result of coming into our faith without understanding the role that humans play in mediating what we know about God. We might have accepted that God uses people to communicate, but that doesn’t mean we’ve done so while considering the ways that humans and human systems are inherently imperfect. The Bible is an important example of where this tension is made manifest. Using human reasoning to understand the world can feel like a betrayal of scripture if we think of the Bible as a text that is supposed to tell us all we need to know about life on Earth. On one hand, we want the easy access to miraculous insight and revelation that we have been taught to seek and trust. But we are also developing a sense of appreciation for the fact that
the Bible is as much a piece of literature as it is a document of faith, one that has gone through all kinds of human processes to become what it is now. Tension might be inevitable; we might think that to question our traditional views of scripture is to question everything about how we relate to God. It can feel like this question will lead to another and t he n anot he r, t o t h e p o i nt that they seem i n e x h au s t i b l e . And maybe some of us have learned that to question is to doubt, but this contradicts the whole purpose of faith. The mental, spiritual and emotional distress or exhaustion this can cause is incredibly overwhelming. And I would say that to be overwhelmed is merely to experience yourself as a finite, vulnerable human being. To ask questions, have doubts and recognize the complexity of things that
once felt straightforward is to experience a type of humanity that is not only limited but irrevocably honest. Sometimes we call this a ‘crisis of faith’ or an ‘existential crisis’, but I’m not so sure. I’m more of the opinion that this is a part of encountering the world as a human who must recognize the power of their influence. To struggle, question and feel the loss of certainty can feel like the end of one’s faith. My encouragement is to embrace this ambiguity as more of a reason to trust. Trust that as you learn more about the world around you, faith will come to mean a willingness to grow and challenge what you are sure of. God is not just acting independently of humankind. Instead, God is deeply integrated into the particularities of human limit, ability, imagination and choice-making. This does not at all contradict
“Faith is a rich experience because it persists with our uncertainties not because it demands their absence.
Christianity’s greatest hope, that is, the incarnation. In fact, it makes its significance more accessible. The figure of Christ joins the human restrictions of body, time and gravity. He is an affirmation of human existence, not a reason to completely distrust it. Faith is a rich experience because it persists with our uncertainties not because it demands their absence. The university is a space where we learn what we have discovered about the world so far. Much of what we learn about this world, with its constant changes and novel disclosures, should inspire us.. If what you have known is being challenged, celebrate the fact that you don’t know it all. If you did, we would all be banging on your door for answers. Developing your faith means trusting that your faculties of reason will not displace God, but will only be a way to contemplate God with information you didn’t have before. Enjoy your learning as an expansion of self, because no new territory of knowledge will threaten a God who is revealed through the humanity that drives you to discover in the first place.
Kyland Hall is a senior communication major and the opinions editor for The Syrinx.
Opinions
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Domestic violence in the church What to do if you are a victim of domestic violence
PHOTO BY MARJAREE MASON CENTER
Editor’s Note: This is the last article in a series that exposes the ways scripture is misused to justify domestic violence. Rouby Mavyan is on staff with Marjaree Mason Center, which provides emergency housing and resources for victims of domestic violence. Rouby Mardirossian-Mavyan | Guest Writer
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nderst anding D omest ic Violence:ThereIsHelp,ThereisHope Domestic violence affects approximately 12 million individuals annually across the United States, irrespective of age, economic status, race, religion, education, gender, sexual orientation or any other sort of identity. While some may think of domestic violence as only physical abuse, it is actually a much broader topic. Domestic violence is the exploitation of power by one, typically an adult, member of an intimate relationship over the other. This type of control creates fear through violence and other forms of abuse. Such forms may include physical, psychological, financial, sexual, verbal and spiritual violence. Abusive partners make it very difficult for the affected to leave the relationship. Many of those affected love their partner and, for this reason, believe them when they promise to change. Other obstacles may include a fear of injury or death to oneself (or loved ones), or isolation from family, friends and other resources. Those affected may also struggle with low self-esteem, selfblame, or strong religious and cultural values that make one feel that separation is not an option. These obsta-
cles explain why, on average, it takes a survivor six to eight attempts to leave a relationship before they are successful. For those in this situation, there are several ways to protect yourself. First: recognize the signs of an unhealthy relationship. Verbal criticism, harassment, being isolated from family and friends and denial of wrongdoing after abuse should all be considered red flags. It is important to be alert for signs that your partner may be enraged or violent. When you sense the tension building, figure out believable excuses to leave. If you are unable to do so, ensure you are primed for a safe escape if necessary. If at any point you feel you are in an emergency, call 911. Other safety precautions include evading small, enclosed spaces like closets or restrooms that do not have exits. Refrain from going to the kitchen, which
can place you at risk of being victimized with a weapon (in this case, sharp kitchen utensils). If the partner has moved out, change the locks on your doors and get them for your windows. Plan an escape route and teach it to your children. Think about to whom or w here you would go to if leaving becomes n e c e s s a r y. Identify three people or places you can trust in the event you must escape. Pack a bag with important items you would need, put it in a safe place or give it to a trusted friend or relative. Include cash, car keys, court documents, social security card, birth certificate, medical records and medicines). Establish a code word with your children, family and friends to let them know when you are not safe and they should call the police. If the partner contacts you, save their voicemails and emails. Change the passwords on
“Domestic violence is the exploitation of power by one, typically an adult, member of an intimate relationship over the other.”
your accounts frequently, and do not use the obvious i.e. (birthdates or favorite numbers) for them. Change your phone number; do not utilize social media. Turn off the locator on your mobile devices. It is important for survivors to know that the abuse they suffer is not, by any means, their fault. They are not alone. There are local and national agencies that can provide resources to domestic violence survivors. For 40 years, the Marjaree Mason Center has supported and empowered adults and their children affected by domestic violence in Fresno County, through safe housing, legal assistance, counseling and education. There is a 24/7 crisis hotline available through dialing (559) 233-4357 (HELP). For those outside Fresno County, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can provide you with resource assistance through t h e nu m b e r 1 - 8 0 0 7 9 9 - 7 2 3 .
Rouby Mardirossian-Mavyan is a staff member for the Marjaree Mason Center and adjunct professor for social work at FPU.
Opinions 9
God revealed in natural science, math, and the church
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Kelsey Lowrey | Guest Writer
hroughout my college experience I have heard multiple students voice concerns about the way their study of the natural sciences, mathematics included, is being related to their faith in Christianity. I must say that at times it has been difficult for me to grasp exactly how being a math major advances the Kingdom of God. In recent conversations with a few professors, I have begun to explore the difficult task of reconciling faith and the natural sciences. In the context of evolution, creation and stem cells, people typically view science and religion as being in a state of perpetual conflict. But must they always be this way? Must they be distinctly separate entities? My curiosity grew as I learned of the multiple conflicts between the church and scientific thinkers throughout history. I was appalled by the countless stories of martyrs who were killed for studying particular subjects or holding certain scientific beliefs. A classic example of a mathematician martyr is Hypatia of Alexandria, a female philosopher and mathematician, who was killed in 415 B.C. On her way home from lecturing at the University of Alexandria, she was attacked by a mob of Christian monks who dragged her from her chariot, stripped her naked, beat her to death and burned her in the street. She was a pagan who taught concepts that contradicted the teachings of the Church. Her most egregious ‘offense’ was promoting a non-Christian philosophy in Neoplatonism. Despite her influence and notable work as a mathematician and philosopher, she was used as a scapegoat in a religious political conflict due to her nonconformist beliefs. In similar fashion, Galileo and Copernicus faced
GRAPHIC BY HAILEY CABLAO
persecution for endorsing the theory that the Earth revolved around the Sun. These were considered heretical ideas because they contradicted the Church’s acceptance of Aristotelian geocentrism, that the Earth and humans were the physical and spiritual centers of the universe. Galileo was tried by the Catholic Inquisition after his book was published, and Copernicus delayed his publication until he was near death out of fear of the Church’s wrath. At this point in history, the Church had integrated science and religion so tightly that scientific criticisms became religious ones. While these examples portray the sense of conflict, I think they arose not because of a direct opposition between religion and science but rather due to conflict between certain individuals within these communities. The examples above seem to fit in with the stereotypical state of conflict, but fighting may not be the only way to relate science and religion. In his book Religion and Science, Ian Barbour presents four possible models of analyzing science-faith interactions: conflict, independence, dialogue, and integration. If we want to focus on mending the seemingly-broken relationship between religion and natural sciences, his dialogue model is the best approach. This model recognizes that conflict is a possibility but openly seeks to converse and discuss alternate perspectives so that the two points of view remain in a conversation. The alternate perspec-
tive I hold is that God does not only speak in one way; that there are supplementary modes of revelation in addition to those found in the Bible. As we examine nature we can observe a form of God’s revelation that is distinct from the Bible’s account. Perhaps the issue is not whether either science or religion is “right”, but realizing that neither alone present purely objective approaches to the world. Both are subject to imperfect human interpretation, so conflicts naturally arise when determining if either is “correct.” The conflict isn’t an antagonistic one, but is really a matter of personal reaction to varying perceptions. Being human lends itself to a biological and spiritual question. Thus dialogue between the natural sciences and our spiritual perspectives grants us the ability to become more earnest, thoughtful and loving people. As a Christian studying the art of mathematics, it gives me a sense of peace to know that God has provided me a glimpse of the language He used to write the universe. It was Albert Einstein himself who said that “science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind” and also that “God is a mystery. But a comprehensible mystery. I have nothing but awe when I observe the laws of nature.”
Kelsey Lowrey is a junior mathematics major with a software engineering minor and is the SGA president-elect.
Opinions
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Why FPU shouldn’t regulate internet usage blocking religiously controversal sites is a form of sheltering “Domestic violence is the
Hannah Hamm | A&E Editor
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quatias quam res vid quist rempore ptaquunt officii s c i at i i s t i u m e at u r s e v e l i g e n i h i l lique volor porr um videliberro omnimust vid quam estio. Editaquae. One ditate la volorese que omnimus ut laudandictet vent vel ident. Nem nonsere rnatus serumentet facerum nonsecus eatibus, tet quatiam delit aute maximpe lestio. Sit, quatur? Dit et aliatur re venis doluptam volut faceatem sum adis de volorep tatur? Sedi saperspit eumquiandae dolorrum ex et qui que que solessint pro ipitia eumque pe conserem evel iunt. Ur, quamet apisqui od es es ut volorem a dolupta tendendi test volorectis doluptatque nient alis etusapiet, quas mod qui beaqui diora num sitatquis exero bla nonsequianis ut eumquiduci volum quis ut prae por mint quunte aut ullabo. Mi, saperep erroremo ium earum soloritios solupta cusam experiaerum velia sim nis res alic tenihilla debit, aborumquatet ducilig nihicium con con explitatur? Ur autem qui totatur ab iditin et laboribus suntiasimus natus, earum corest moluptae volori corestio omni alis quis voluptam volessin plit, quos eum escitio nseque mi, solor adis aut enisque est, omnimo corrum alias eseque cus moluptae plaborectur? Ihillanis etur milit audi vollo tem es dit ernam non corroruptiae nihicip sundis inis dit, voloribus, ipsanduci iscia delestr uptaque cuscia digenihici quid magnatus dolore venim quatius porporestiis corerum quo modiam debis maximin ullesen daecatur sum nonseque veles dellendaepra peditatiat facienita quat litam faccuptaecum facearum et fugitas num fugia dit, officitiosam quaspid evelicati simil-
exploitation of power by one, typically an adult, member of an intimate relationship over the other.”
leste quis et iunt, consequi ut quam reicitatem verisin pliaspe roviduntiunt labo. Nam, quuntib usamustiam, ipicipiet, quostempor sam, se esciam errovitem lignis velenimin explias aspe lique voloreic tem. Os in etur? Cusci dendi torest omnimagnis quam que dolupta tatemporem fuga. Um repratem quis utem facepeditium quam, te delest andam nos reri in cum il il ipsa venet, ut vel inimi, cumende lentiam reste es molum eris nit, omnimag nienihit, omniet res a voluptas venimin perspit voluptatium ut omnis int eumquis et fugiant aut volorum int velenec aborum aut dolestoribus que dolo vere dignihicia volupis il maximilibus. Verspel esere voluptatus, inust molumet ma nem fugit, undist, qui ident et voloresequas niae quibus, tem sum aut quibus, cum aborepuda dolore quassen iscium qui conserum demperrum atis dionessedi con praerfe rferspe si del ilibus quis et offic tem fuga. Et reiure nobis a sitasseque eum am qui te doloreius es nonsecuptae ipient. Itaquae riatum nonsend unturio. Nem quati cuptionet odi desedignimus pore labo. Nequatur, arum quaeperest eariaes totaturere consequ iatemolo que estius aut qui occab ipsus vero molupta aut quia il int. Accae quuntes senimin plique con earchitatia non pratque odit receptatus et lis et re nosam vellibusti sa consenda aute ium faccusant aute enimus et volore volor magnim soluptam, entem sapidusdae quis ut essit dunt aliquo mi, occusae nobis vellanto tecum incte con con pe omnienisquam earuptas et quiam landicit hitestrum quaspient dem aut aut quas et aut untus, nobis a quodiorro quis desto te magnatiis solut maximil iquibus anditis es nobisit destiis architatur, cus voluptatum ventore iciate magnam, eum, volore voloria sperios volendunt facillesti apidelibusda nobi-
tiatur re aut omnis ut quae volorro ilique sim reritint, imus ut dollatq uideni dolor molecti quiassed que sinist rerferumenim facernat. Am est quunt ut fugitec uptatiunt quia porio. Abor accus, et ut quatetur? Porerep reiciende conem. Ut asped que cuptur? Uptatem lante sum qui ut ped es maximolor autem dus, odipsam qui nobisqu iatem. Cimin re derit veliquia eum simus aliquosape plibuste comnim aut occaecea conest, as ipistoribus reium a quam, optate molupta sit, coritatem ut fuga. Magnia idellaut a quam quo dolestrunt endaepudit aut rempore sum ellest et ma diorporro volupti umquam accum qui occulla estruptis endus sincta cus explit quaecab oreius. Er unt a lit i ae p oreres s a con etur? Am hitatia volupta cone eles sequae postiatem con pernam quias ut rem quunt venda vellaccusam ra necae re velendis rem sum que sectatur, sam harchit ut hiciunt iatur? Beria etument prae. Enient, aut latibusam hit atiunt quam, ius ducidem facipsa eperitatate voluptat. Hicteca tiaeptatum idionsequi cus, comnisquas mint, voluptatis alitaquiasin porio eum resenti arum, nonsequ iatquia acient aut laccusa escita dolupta temolor erovid ut fuga. Tam dit quatqua mendenis ditist, qui quos reniam ut volorepe omnim ra conse voluptaerae. Nam verendionsed estisto molorro blaudant laccatio incium se ni de quiatem idus, simin ni tet ad qui aribus maximolum, ea nate pos ma voluptinte quid quaerio essit lis serum id etur? Estrum hil ium nonsed que rectus del et, ut vidusda simus ipsam vendictur, si abo. Nequi
Hannah Hamm is a first year biblical studies and communication major and A&E editor for The Syrinx.
A&E
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Students compete in Easter themed art exhibit
Participants take up the cross in their life through creative art Marisol Godinez | Staff Writer
O
ver the past few weeks, students were given the opportunity to showcase how they were “taking up the cross” through art they created. This event was put on by the Art Department in partnership with the Office of Spiritual Formation (OSF). The artwork for this event has already been submitted, and winners are to be announced in the next few weeks. This is the first year that the Art Department and OSF have made this invitational art exhibit available to the whole community. There were three different approaches students were able to take to meet the prompt’s requirements. Chris Janzen, the head of the Art Department, said “it [the art] could be literally from the verses, abstract art that is more like these verses and creates a certain emotion or tension, or it could be art that expresses a personal story.” He states that this competition was a call for Christians to act out what Jesus asks to do.“It is more than studying and understanding theoretically what Jesus wants us to do, and gives us the ability to actually and literally stand up and do something,” Janzen said. The limitations were miniscule so long as a piece met three important requirements. They needed to be two-dimensional and no more than four feet in either height or width. They could be either a drawing, painting, collage, photography, mixed-media or a digital print artwork, but they needed to be dry and fitted with a hanging wire for exhibition.
Submissions for the art competition (above) are disp;layed and ready to be judged.
Students were required to submit a brief 200-300 word explanation of how their art creatively relates to the scripture. Students who were not Christian were encouraged to submit artwork as well. Janzen states “This [the art submissions] could be a diversity of cultural backgrounds that informs how we read this verse; it could b e creativity relate d to one’s own religious background. Some people c om e f rom Christian traditions, some come from outside of that tradition and we want to be open to their way of thinking of this verse, in a way we have never thought about.” After the submissions were entered, faculty from the Art Department, as well as OSF, began to judge them based on two primary criteria: the creativity of the approach and the quality of its compo-
It is more than studying and understanding theoretically what Jesus wants us to do, and gives us the ability to actually and literally stand up and do something,” - Janzen
PHOTO BY HANNAH HAMM
sition and use of media. “We will have a rubric; everyone will look at the submissions, and they will be asking themselves how creative the response is and that’s really what this is about. It’s a celebration of diversity and viewpoints,” said Janzen. The invitation was extended to the broader community, not just the students in the Art Department itself. Janzen explained that the intent of the competition was to be open to students who are not art majors, because they also have the ability to showcase their art and interpretations in a meaningful way. The explanation is also considered just as important as the work itself. Janzen stated that “purely abstract artwork has to have an explanation, or else we don’t know how it is connected to the scripture.” Although the competition is now over, Janzen believes that it will continue for years to come. “The Art Department and OSF see this as an annual event. In fact, we would like to turn this into an artist invitational, where every other year we have an art exhibit that is by some well-established artist and we could invite them to come and speak at a college hour. It would be in the name of diversity and artistic awareness, and could academically showing us different ways of painting, drawing, sculpting, filmmaking and the list goes on. In the off years we can feature student artists.”
A&E 12
Local artist paints mural in respect to deceased L.A. rapper Rapper Nipsey Hussle has been mourned in the hip-hop community Loren Friesen | News Co-Editor
Nipsey Hussle mural, created by Fresno native and artist Frank Pardo, who wanted to show his respect for the rapper after his passing. The site has attracted members of the community to visit and leave gifts in mourning of the rapper. Pardo plans on adding to the mural. Pardo is pictured below.
W
hen the news broke that Nipsey Hussle, an L.A. Grammy-nominated rapper, had been killed, the hip-hop community stood together in its mourning. Hussle was not only a rapper but a serious investor in his community; he sought ways to bring about fundamental social and economic change to the area. 230 miles north of where he was shot, people are paying their respect for him. One such individual is Fresno native and artist Frank Pardo, who painted a wall-sized mural of Hussle. “I respect him, and I wanted to show my respect since he just passed away,” Pardo said.
Although Pardo didn’t listen to Hussle religiously, he is a fan of hip-hop and knew what Hussle’s death meant to the community, as well as the people he served in Los Angeles. According to several news outlets in the L.A area, Hussle’s service to the community (aside from his music) included investing in a fish market to increase accessibility of healthier food, being a spokesman to the police department to create dialogue with residents and helping convicted individuals reintegrate into society.
“I respect him, and I wanted to show my respect since he just passed away,” Pardo said.
PHOTOS BY LOREN FRIESEN
The mural is located next to High City Smoke Shop, near the 99 Highway on Shaw Avenue. Pardo’s friend owns the smoke shop and was the one who suggested to Pardo to paint the mural after Hussle was shot two weeks ago. The site has become a scene of respect: people from the community have left ornaments, glasses, icons and candles to demonstrate their sense of loss of the rapper. Some people have gathered here, both in an organized way and informally, to take a moment to honor Hussle. The idea for this piece was to commem-
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A&E
(Continued from page 12)
orate the rapper in the clouds, inspired by the recent nature of his death. He looks down to Earth with his eyes closed. “It almost looks like he’s praying,” Pardo said. Pardo plans on adding to this mural. He recently included one of Hussle’s song lyrics: “This the remedy, the separation, 2Pac of my generation”. In addition, he would like to add more clouds in the section of the mural filled with empty blue sky. Pardo got interested in painting murals in high school, getting his start in tagging. From there he honed his skill by painting things which interested him. Over time, portraits became his speciality. Pardo has painted other murals around Fresno, including a “Rick
and Morty” mural in Tower District and a “Grinch” mural near Fresno High School. According to him, this Nipsey Hussle mural is one of his best works. Pardo hopes that the art he produces brings some sense of joy or inspiration to its viewers. “As long as it makes them feel good, it makes me feel good. I guess that’s part of why I still do it. Maybe it inspires other people, like, they think ‘maybe I can do something like that too’,” Pardo said. Pardo runs a paint stylist business called “Above Par Designs”,which specializes in designing store logos, signs and customizable items.
Frank Pardo (above) works on creating the Nipsey Hussle portrait mural, which he believes is one of his best works yet.
People from the community have visited the mural and left ornaments, glasses, icons and candles to demonstrate their mourning for the rapper.
Upgraded Art Department will include change of name, added majors and minors and much more Hannah Hamm | A&E Editor
D
on’t call it the Art Department anymore. Instead, call it by The Department of Art, Design and Creative Innovation. Exciting new changes are taking place at FPU’s department of the arts; however, there are still many more that need to be approved before being announced to the public. In reference to the change of name, Rebecca McMillan, Ph.D., one of the program directors, states that “this is so we can really show that our perception of art is more than just painting and drawing”. Previously, the department has only offered an art major with three different emphases to choose from. Now, however, there are three art majors: Graphic Design, Studio Art and Arts Administration (visual and performing). They are joined by six minors, four of which have been approved: General Art, Studio Art, Graphic Design and Arts Administration. When speaking about the newly offered Art Administration major and minor, McMillan explained that one area the degree would be helpful in is “if someone wanted to work in a theatre company in an administrative capacity”. “There are definitely— hopefully—further changes coming, and once those changes have officially been approved we can talk more ab out t hat,” explaine d McMi l lan. McMillan further said that the department is hoping for yet another new major and that when it gets approved “we can yell it from the rooftops”. The department hopes to get more approvals by the end of the semester, so that they can notify current and incoming students. “The art department is really growing; it’s very e x c i t i n g ,” s a i d M c M i l l a n , “ t h e r e w i l l b e a lot of ne w t hings coming .”
14 A&E
Say “Halo” to upcoming video game themed band concert
Concert will provide good music, food trucks and the raffling of a Nintendo Switch Azucena Manzoruelas | Staff Writer
T
he Fresno Pacific Music Program will be hosting a concert on the 24th of this month at 7:30 PM in Butler Church. Admission will be $5 for adults and free for all Fresno Pacific students. Local food trucks, including one from Quesadilla Gorilla, will be outside the church beginning at 5:30 PM. The music being performed will include themes from games such as Civilization, Kingdom Hearts, Halo, Final Fantasy VII, Super Mario Bros, Zelda and much more. The conductor, Erik Leung, is working in collaboration with graduate students Nichole Leyendekker and Dakota Botton to put this event on. The songs were decided by the students and conductor Leung himself. When speaking about who choose the music, Leung said that “this is especially apparent in a number of custom arrangements for our group by one of our students, Dakota Botton, who arranged The Legend of Zelda for brass and harp, and the Mii Channel theme for the saxophone quartet.” He continued to explain that their “percussion ensemble is also performing a rendition of the classic Super Mario Bros. game.” “We have been working on this music since the end of March, which has been a pretty quick turn around for the group,” said Leung, “Most of the music is very recognizable to our students and that has made it easier to put together in this short period of time.” He also went on to explain that he “really wanted to give our students the opportunity to perform music that spoke to them as videogame enthusiasts”.
Students in the upcoming band concert feel excited and nervous, and cannot wait for feedback. According to Leyendekker, one of the music conductors, “most of what we are doing is entertaining people through The band rehearses for upcoming concert under direction of *****. music, and it’s always the best feeling when you get good feedback from the ing, because those were a big part of my childhood”. audience”. She says her experiStudents are encouraged by Leung to “come ence with being a conductor d r e s s e d a s t h e i r f a v o r i t e c h a r a c and musician is something t e r a n d e n j o y t h e g r e a t m u s i c ”. that she enjoys and will never get tired of doing. J a s o n Datsko, a first year student here at FPU, thinks that “it will be cool to see the audience’s reactions to familiar games that they may have played in their childhood”. S t u d e n t s a r e ***** (left), David Dueck (center) and ***** (right) rehearse for excited because, collec- upcoming band concert. tively, they believe that this music is easier and more fun to play due to many being familiar with it, as a good deal grew up with such games as the ones on display. It appears, given all the hard work they have put in in such a short amount of time, that the students are willing to put in as much effort as is needed to help it work out. Botton has been working on her musical piece since winter break and “is conducting Legend of Zelda Medley: Hero Theme, Princess Zelda’s theme, Ocean theme, Ocarina of Time Medley and Breath ***** (left), David Dueck (center) and ***** (right) rehearse for of the Wild”. Likewise, Joe Steffen, trumpet player, upcoming band concert. says that he is “especially looking forward to the PHOTOS BY RACHEL KANEVERSKY Kingdom Hearts and Pokemon pieces we’re play-
He also went on to explain that he “really wanted to give our students the opportunity to perform music that spoke to them as videogame enthusiasts”.
Athletics
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Coaches stay for more than just a paycheck Pablo Villagrana | Athletics Editor n the last year, we have had major changes when it comes to Fresno Pacific coaches. We have gained a new swim coach, gained a tennis coach and are now in search of a new volleyball coach. The FPU coaches help for the culture of the campus, at games, with their students, and with their colleagues. With the changes that are happening in athletics and around the campus, we can’t help but ask why there is a huge turnover with the staff on campus. We could focus on why people leave but the important question to ask is why people choose to stay? What about this school draws the coaches in and what causes them to stay? What brings a coach at a DII private Christian college and what keeps them here at FPU? Many coaches have to first buy into a program whose goals don’t focus on winning but on the development of the student and for some that could be hard seeing as they would want to use this school as a stepping stone to a DI program. Many coaches do not see FPU as a stepping stone, they see FPU as a home. Coach CJ Haydock of the Men’s basketball team takes these goals in stride saying, “Coach Tim Beauregard, myself, coach Ramirez and [Coach] Ray Winter; you have four coaches that are alumni of this place who are willing to embrace some of the structural and competitive challenges for sake of buy in to a larger mission and belief in community and life change and relationships that happen here.” Coach Haydock and many other coaches here on this campus buy into this program and even have the program goals integrated into their team goals. We see these goals present on the court, on the field, on the track and in the pool as we cheer our teams on but what the spectators don’t see, is the interactions in the locker room. The student-athletes feel this presence in the locker room as well. A member of the FPU Women’s soccer team said, “A lot of coaches here do it for the school because they love the school, all the coaches that I’ve had in my experience here, have poured into me and into the school.” Being poured into as a student-athlete is in line with program goals that FPU has on their website: Build christian character, ensure academic excel-
I
Coach Ramirez coaching his students as the longest standing coach at FPU
lence, achieve competitive excellence, encourage community service and engagement, enhance brand and image and achieve operational excellence. These goals are all accomplished with the help of our coaches and the staff that is invested in this program. Still, some ask about FPU’s last swim coach, Josh who went to a DI program after leaving FPU. An FPU Swimmer had this to say, “Before he took the job that he is at now, I truly believe that he didn’t see this place as a stepping stone. The job opportunity that he got was a spur of the moment and he knew it would hurt some feelings but he had family there and it was what was best for his family.” While Josh may have moved on, we gained a new coach Katelyne Herrington; Herrington had swimmers interview her when they were looking for a new coach and many students liked that she was
PHOTO BY MATLYN MORRIS there for the long run. Students expressed that one person that interviewed for the job was wanting to move onto a bigger program during his interview and many of the students did not appreciate that. Coach Haydock says it best, “Maybe its a naivety on our behalf but we believe in a situation in which we can have it all, in which we can be apart of holistic development, in personal growth, in community building and we can win...I think the people that are here now are bought into that vision. There is a level of authenticity that must exist if you want coaches to build a long term, sustainable athletic program; there has to be that level of buy-in and I believe we have that here.” Like many teachers, we have coaches who are pouring into students and while we are searching for a new coach we can trust that the school will select a coach that is in line with the ideas and morals of our school.
16 Athletics
Acing the return of the team
Left: Ioanna Lathouri celebrating as she won a point to put her up a set. Center: The team performing a cheer before the match begins. Right: Sanne Brull focusing before she serves the ball.
Pablo Villagrana | Athletics Editor FPU tennis has taken flight this season as they roll into the PacWest Championship. The women’s team has gone undefeated at home having a 9-0 record while only losing two away matches this season. The atmosphere of the matches are lively as sophomore Ioanna Lathouri cheers from her court calling out to the others playing and cheering them on. With five of the seven players on the team being first-year student-athletes, we can expect a lot to come in the following seasons. Coach Priscilla Jensen says, “With our team being so young and having so much
to learn, I think we’ve come a long way and we will only go up from here.” Five first-years, one sophomore and one junior p osting a gre at record can show a lot of promise for the tennis program and after this season, it will be interesting to see how many people come to Fresno for the tennis program. The team not only d om i n at e d this season but in every single match, they took down their opponents easily winning nine matches without letting
the opponents win a single match. As they go into the championship, we can only expect more as they bring tennis back to FPU. With four matches cancelled for the Sunbirds, they have the least amount of losses this season among PacWest teams. Lathouri is 12-1 this season in her singles career and the team as a whole is 70-14. This is putting Fresno Pacific in first place as they enter the championship with a .867 and the next team is Academy of Art with a 12-4 record at .750.
“The women’s team has gone undefeated at home having a 9-0 record”
PHOTOS BY HANNAH MILLER FPU had no team for five years and with the return, they’ve had a winning season lead by an amazing coach with passionate players that add to our campus. The birds are doing great as they approach the end of the season but this is just the beginning for these players, this program and the school. The team has surpassed all the expectations people usually have for a first year program but the athletics department has done a great job at picking coaches who care about the mission that we have as a school. The Women’s Tennis team will be in Arizona for the PacWest Championship April 16 through the 20th.
Athletics
Life after sports: the end is only the begining
The skills don’t end at the field Pablo Villagrana | Athletics Editor PHOTO BY MATLYN MORRIS
With graduation in the horizon, many students are looking forward to the new things they are going to be able to experience with their degrees; while that experience is very fun for many, the experience can be bittersweet for others. Many student-athletes have been playing competitively their whole life and for many, that journey is ending. While not all the athletes are going to continue playing their sport at a competitive level, many will go on to coach, share their passion with kids on missions and few will continue with their sports career. While the future for athletes looks bleak, what they’ve gained over the years is immeasurable. Athletes have learned a work ethic, organizational skills and time management through there time as student-athletes. Some of the biggest examples we have of athletes continuing are on this campus, coaches like, Beauregard, Haydock, Ramirez and Winter are all coaches who played here at FPU
and this institution has prepped them for this life in the same way that the athletes are prepped for the real world through their experience as athletes. The ability to work as a team and be goal focused rather than individually focused is something that athletes can carry into their fields.
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So while one chapter will be closing, the journey has prepared many for the journey to come. Senior day has passed for many and they will be walking at graduation soon but the lives of the players they affected will remain and they will forever be a part of the culture created by generations of athletes here at FPU.
Senior night for the FPU Women’s Basketball team. They pose before their game before a win.
18 Athletics
ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
Text by Hannah Miller | Social Media Editor Photos by Matlyn Morris
Alyssa Emerson
Emma Mcbride Women’s Water Polo
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