WAU Columbia Journal - September 2020 - Student Publication

WASHINGTON ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY

Columbia

Journal

Black Lives Matter

SEPTEMBER 2020

Remembering our Heroes, and Picking Up Their Mantles Jenevieve Lettsome

It was the end of my freshman year when a large group of my friends packed into a theater filled with enough people to be illegal. May 2019 was the month we watched Earth's mightiest avengers fight Thanos in the film of the decade. Sure, we all cried when the Black Widow and Tony Stark died, but nothing will be as important as the moment I got to share with a little boy who sat to my left. He'd been talking the whole time (I didn't care, he was 6), but as our beloved King T'Chala led Wakanda out of their sparking circle, he turned to his father and whisper shouted, pointing at the screen: "Look Daddy, look Daddy! That's the Black Panther! That's the superhero that looks like us right?!"

I'll never forget the tears I shed in that moment, realizing what a hero like Chadwick Boseman meant to me, meant to us. He represented change long awaited and the reaffirmation that black is beautiful, bold, and brilliant.

“It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history,” he said. Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill.”

-Chadwick Boseman

"Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble."

-Rep. John Lewis

Much like Marvel fans (such as myself) mourn the loss of such an upstanding actor, earlier this year, the world of basketball lost a jewel in its crown. Kobe Bryant's passing was only another to add to the list of tragedies that 2020 turned out to hold, but his legacy outshines this fact. Since his high school record, No. 8/24 took to basketball like a to fish water, and was regarded throughout his life as a man of faith. Off the court, his desires to be "more than a basketball player" were realized as he actively worked in non-profit settings, giving back to the communities he could, and ensuring that his family was included. Despite his struggles, Kobe Bryant has been regarded as one of the greatest of all time; with 5 NBA championships, the title of All-Star 18 times, and winning MVP of 2008, he was a vision of Black Excellence.

To those reading, I say this, do not stop yelling "KOBE" as you attempt a paper layup into a wastebasket, take it a step further and preserve the Mamba's legacy in your own life, be more than just what your career and situation define you as. Be a beacon of kindness, goodwill, and a humble human, serving others when the occasion rises.

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COVID CONTINUUM As the United State's COVID-19 pandemic continues, here are some tips about returning to a new world at our university.

VOL. 41 NO.1

The iconic phrase from the beloved children's 1991 film "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" perfectly encapsulates this semester's sentiments.

-With Dean Timothy Nelson and Jenevieve Lettsome

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WASHING TON

20/20 VISION Join our RVP Justino Jorge as he takes us on a journey, seeing the world through spiritual eyes.

~With Anna Karla CarreĂąo

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SO NEAR & YET SO FAR

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~With Justino Jorge

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Travel and tourism in DC are especially popular, but as busy schedules and social distancing are a normality in our lives, the Journal presents a view of the Capital, right from our pages. ~With Jenevieve Lettsome

CALENDAR Keeping up with the times is hard enough as it feels like both 100 years or only 3 seconds have passed us by since everything began.

From the Editor My fellow students, esteemed faculty, and magnificent staff, Welcome to Washington Adventist University, and for those returning, welcome back! Though it may seem like today is March 182nd, let this new year be a fresh start of some sort, whether you decide to take up morning yoga, cooking, or attempting to not begin the procrastination from the first month.

I feel remiss if I, both a student and your humble editor did not speak on the events that unfolded earlier this calendar year. Though they are no longer with us, I grieve the loss of both the students and faculty who are no longer with our community due to transitions, however, may we all who remain, remember their best wishes to us as students, to move forward, invested in a future that will see us walking through the gateway of service, ready to spread love and peace through our actions and the knowledge we have learned from teachers both past and present.

Now, may you go forth this year, enriched in God's blessings and all that Allah* has for you. Remember that we are all one family, a community united in spirit.

Yours, Jenna Editorial Note: Allah, for those unsure, is another name for God.

How to Survive School During a Pandemic Anna Karla Carreño

Welcome (virtually) to Washington Adventist University! Whether you’re a confused freshman having to stay at home for your first semester, or a weary senior just trying to survive until your virtual graduation, none of us expected our college experience to turn out like this. College is already an intimidating place, but add a worldwide pandemic and you’ve got yourself the perfect storm for disaster. I know that nothing can replace the in-person rollercoaster that is college, but here are some tips & tricks to help students, both new & old, make the best of it.

outdoors for a little while. Write in a journal for ten minutes, listen to some music, paint the sunsetanything that lets you be outside.

Check your email & D2L at least twice a day.

Your professors & advisors will be communicating via email or D2L. Zoom links, assignments, quizzes- all of that will be online. If you find yourself constantly forgetting to check your email and missing out, set an alarm in the morning and one in the evening to remind you.

Monitor your mental health.

In these times of uncertainty all over the world, it’s important to take care of you.

Use apps like Headspace and TalkCampus to keep track of your mental state. Start a journal, have a spontaneous spa day, go for a socially distanced jog- whatever keeps your mind clear and your spirits up.

Go outside.

This seems obvious, but since everything is online, we’re not forced to go outside as we go from class to class.

Use that time in between classes to go outside, take a deep breath and exist in the

Don’t isolate yourself.

It’s easy to feel alone when you can’t see your friends, but that doesn’t mean you are. Organize Zoom parties where you all play online games like Jackbox, or watch movies together using the Chrome extension Scener. It’s important now more than ever to stay connected.

To the students, faculty, and staff that make up our WAU family, our hearts and prayers are with you as we continue living life in such times as these.

MUUNITNOC DIVOC • 3 EGAP

AK'S DECLASSIFIED CORONAVIRUS GUIDE:

NOTGNIHSAW .4 EGAP

SPOT NO. 1 The United States Capitol Designed to be at the center of the DC diamond, this symbol of our Nation's government forged by the people for the people is a true historical and architectural treasure. It was built at the beginning of the United State's story as a country in the Neoclassical design.

During the War of 1812, it and the Library of Congress were nearly casualties of the great DC fire set by British troops.

Thankfully, a large storm came upon the District and the fire was reduced to smoke, though the building's insides were throughly charred.

The building has seen many events, protests, funerals, and decades pass it by and it continues to stand as a reminder of our past, our here and nows, and our futures.

Jenevieve Lettsome

As a child, one of my favorite animated movies of all time was "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" (1991). It was a hand-me-down from my cousins who felt they no longer needed it, and it became a small treasure to me as I would stick in into the VHS player almost every week for a year, wait as it began to play, and then sing the songs that the little rabbit children sang as they ate their supper and went to bed. When the movie approached the crux of the main character's dilemma, Peter Rabbit sings a song with these words. He's stuck in Mr. McGregor's garden (a death trap for little bunnies for sure) and missing home. Much like Peter Rabbit, I miss home. Yes, many of us would be quick to agree that in light of the past couple years and all the challenges and pain we have experienced at WAU, we still miss our home.

We miss the walks we took down the hallways (or sprints if you were late), heading towards an English class with Professor Brown, Professor Grant, or Professor Vaughn. We miss the sound and sight of Mr. Mike smiling widely as he greeted students entering the dining hall and the cacophony of voices who laughed and dined at tables, many trying to fit at least 12 people to one. We miss the times we could just gather together in one of the many study places, be it the library, health building, or music center and commiserate over Biochemstry, an essay that seemed impossible, or Theory III (which is impossible).

So now, as I sit in my bedroom, hunched over a laptop like many of you, I can't help but think about Peter Rabbit's song. Seeing everyone in a Zoom classroom is great, but while I may be in class, I don't feel like I'm in class, and it is the worst.

So as we continue to experience this "near yet far" school year, do not loose hope, continue to pray, seek higher thoughts, or whatever you feel called to do, and stay above it all, because one day, we will get home.

RAF OS TEY DNA RAEN OS . 5 EGAP

SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR

This summer, I got to speak with Dean Nelson to get to know him better after finding myself in a state of confusion as I anicitpated this school year. He shared memories with me and his thoughts, and now, he wishes to share them with you. (his answers are italicized).

What was a raw and defining moment for you when you can say you felt like how I am feeling right now?

August 30, 2014- My father passed. This was taken a few minutes after calling the hospice nurse to come and confirm it.

What is the backstory behind this photograph?

“Carrying your burdens” challenge. The “Giant” bag represents the burdens of my life, and how they can get in the way if you choose to carry them.

With Dean Timothy Nelson

In line with the idea of “carrying your burdens”, what would you like to say to the students to encourage them throughout the online school semester?

One: Carry EVERYTHING to God! We all tend to try and “make it” without the assistance of the One who made us! Matthew 11:28 says: “Come to Me, all who labor and carry a heavy burden, and I will give you rest.”

Two: Rest IS necessary! We are way to busy, and it has become an art form. Paul says in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the patterns and behaviors of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” In order to trying handle this new normal, you must be open to His new normal for you.

Third: Release what you “think” you know!

We tend to live based on our past experiences. The danger is, if you stick with what you know, it will be hard for God to get anything new to you. Usually, the experiences of our past lends itself to make is “carry” burdens that should have been released long ago.

Fourth: Take God at His word! My wife shared a post with me that I believe will help you: “God never commanded us to trust people. He commanded us to love people and trust Him. Know the difference; your joy and victory depend on it.”

God knows each of us, and He knows what works best for each one of us, individually.

Even for those who don’t believe in God, He believes in YOU!

Thank you, Dean Nelson for always looking out for your students, encouraging us to be the people that God loves- ourselves.

RAF OS TEY DNA RAEN OS . 6 EGAP

SO NEAR..... CONT.

Where do we go from here?

I remember as I woke up a few days before what was supposed to be move-in day for new students I received the news that we would be switching to virtual learning for the semester, and for some odd reason there was this tremendous sense of anxiousness that traveled throughout my psyche. There were concerns that I was faced with that I’m sure my peers had as well, which essentially was “How am I going adjust with all this besides what is happening in our world today?” Daily we hear the news of how COVID-19 will get worse before it gets better, then as we grab our technological devices we go to social media to see the struggle that minorities in this country are battling. With all these problems in our world it is only fitting that a person would question “Where do we go from Here?”

I invite you to open your bibles (virtually or physically) and turn to a well known passage and memory verse for many believers. In Jeremiah 29:11, the word of the weeping prophet comes to us and says “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

At first glance, many of us would likely rejoice that God has a plan that would ultimately help us out of the horrible situation that we find ourselves in, and this plan would liberate us from the sufferings of this world right now. But of course, this is not the case.

In this passage the Israelites found themselves in exile because of their disobedience against God. Jeremiah then has an encounter with a false prophet by the name Hananiah who’s name means (Yahweh is gracious); He falsely prophesied that God would deliver them out of exile in the next two years, but then Jeremiah came with this bombshell in the previous verse.

10 This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place."

But WHY?!

As we read that verse, that is the only thing that we can question. Why would The God-Head allow for their people to be enslaved for nearly a century before saving them? And the answer is found in verse 11. The truth is that the time we are going through is so difficult, strenuous, and troubling. It would seem that the only thing that we can do during this time is lose hope, but God brings it back for us. God’s word and promise through the prophet Jeremiah is a reminder that although things may be difficult and although we may not know where the tides are turning, God has a plan for each of us that will ultimately surpass the suffering that we may be going through temporarily. God is reminding each of us that although it seems as if the sky is falling down, have hope, because God already has taken care of tomorrow for us.

NOISIV 02/02 . 7 EGAP

20/20 VISION With RVP Justino Jorge

09.25 Last Day for Financial Clearance 09.28 WISE Day 1

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RADNELAC . 8 EGAP

SEPTEMBER

The Columbia Journal of Washington Adventist University is the official print media news source for the University’s on-campus student body.

Want to contact the Editor? Email her at cjournalwau@gmail.com or message her on the WAUMobile app at Jenevieve Lettsome.

~Contributors~ "Jenna" Jenevieve Lettsome......Editor Justino Jorge......Devotional Column Anna Karla Carreño..........Copy Editor Dr. Jarilyn Conner........Faculty Advisor Dr. Thomas Lutrell....Advisory Council

wauh onor scoll ege The Mission of the Student Association is to establish a culture of engagement and unity on the campus of Washington Adventist University.