Alpha Kappa Alpha
Delta Sigma Theta
Alpha Phi Alpha
Kappa Delta
Alpha Sigma Alpha
Phi Delta Theta
Alpha Chi Omega
Sigma Nu
Sigma Sigma Sigma
SIgma Phi Epsilon
VIETNAM IN LYNCHBURG O
ne of the benefits of being in Westover is the opportunity to participate in exciting activities outside of the classroom as well as in. This year, some Westover students had the opportunity to play paintball. The excursion was sponsored by Dr. Lipani and Dr. Santos in relation to classes they taught that focused on the 1960s. It was a war simulation game meant to mimic the conditions of the Vietnam War. The experience was enlightening and succeeded in relating some of the conditions of the war, even if it was a little too much fun. The students were divided into two teams: The Viet Cong and the American Forces. Tim Willis eagerly volunteered to lead the Viet Cong team. He was joined by Dr. Lipani, Travis Blount-Elliott, and Lindsey Cooke. The American Team featured Dr. Santos, Elizabeth Ptak, and Lydia Nilsen in their ranks. Each team participated in four simulations meant to demonstrate the harsh conditions of the war. Students had to climb through thick underbrush, protect forts, and mount surprise attacks. Another layer was added to the realism
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Carolyn Nelson
because they were forced to adhere to the rules of war. Lydia Nilsen said, “During the ambush scenario, the American team wasn’t allowed to shoot unless shot at first, even if we saw them with guns. I was killed before I got to shoot at all. It was a good simulation. I now understand why it was so hard to win over there.” This same sentiment was affirmed by the opposition. Travis Blount-Elliott declared, “It was definitely better to be VC; it allowed me to fight the way I wanted to fight more than being an American would have. We totally dominated.” The students gained a powerful insight into the war, but this lesson was only carried so far, as Tim Willis noted: “As a war simulation, paintball is about as useful as chess. Sure, you get to see some of the strategy involved, but the biggest part of war is the psychological aspect, and no simulation can or should reproduce that.” One other fact hampered the social lesson which Lindsey Cooke pointed out: “It was a lot of fun to shoot at my professors and classmates!”
As a war simulation, paintball is about as useful as chess. Sure, you get to see some of the strategy involved, but the biggest part of war is the psychological aspect, and no simulation can or should reproduce that.
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-Tim Willis
GREEK LIFE O
Evan Heon
ne might think of Westover Fellows as being leaders on campus through SGA, SJB, PASS, CL, and other acronymic organizations, but Greek Life is another popular choice. With a member in every chapter on Greek Row, including two Chapter Presidents, Westover has quite a presence in fraternity and sorority life. This correlation makes sense since Westover and Greek life share many of the same values, which translates into great success for Greek Westovers. At last year’s Greek Awards, the only nominations for Male Outstanding Service Award were Westovers Timothy Wolff and Vince Milone. Not surprisingly, Westover stresses service as well, while Greek life also stresses academics. There is a minimum GPA requirement, and the Greek GPA has been kept well above the Campus’s GPA over the last several years. In fact, last year’s Sommerville Scholar and Westover Fellow Leslie Harris was one of the founding members of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. Westover Fellows are also encouraged to develop relationships with professors. According to Anthony Weinkopff, Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity’s President and a Senior Westover Fellow, “Greek Life at Lynchburg College has given me the chance to establish lifelong connections with not only brothers and friends, but faculty as well. This bond has provided me the opportunity to become a leader and a diligent student. These Greek Life experiences have made me the man I am.” It is no secret that Westover Fellows are involved all over campus, but let it be known that Westovers are leaving their mark on Greek Life too.
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