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Race and Justice in America Fourth Annual Summit on Social Consciousness addresses hot-button issues -p. 2
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BRIAN TAGALOG
KWIBUKA21
RISING COSTS
“The journey of healing is a long “Over the past 35 years, college journey. And it’s not the same for tuition at public universities has everyone.” nearly quadrupled…”
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FEATURED ATHLETE: JORDAN PRICE “I like the person I became by being on the Gymnics team.
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HOW NOT TO GO CRAZY
MICHAEL MOMOHARA
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“It was an immense blessing to “Now, I’m thankful for the hands both see and hear my composition that feed me Apple Jacks and Cook- come to life.” ie Crisps.
EXHALE “I’ve always been terrible at endings.”
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THE STUDENT MOVEMENT
News
Fourth Annual Summit on Social Consciousness Gielle Kuhn | Andrews University
Givan Hinds News Editor
hosted its fourth annual Summit on Social Consciousness, themed “A Conversation on Race and Justice in America.” The event was held from Wednesday, April 8 to Saturday, April 11 and was free of charge and open to the public. The summit was held in light of rising questions over race in America. In a post-Civil Rights era, the summit’s goal was to inform people about racial prejudices and injustices still alive in our nation. When asked about his goals for the summit, panel moderator and Chaplain Michael Polite responded, “I would hope students of Andrews University discover how much of our empathy is attacked.” He encouraged students to be “more empathetic of all human beings no matter what their conditioning has been” so that we may truly love our neighbors as ourselves. Wednesday, April 8 Panel Discussion 7 p.m., Seminary Chapel The panel was set up to bring different perspectives on what it means to be a male in America, specifically: a male of color, with the African American experience at the focal point of the discussion. Panelists came from varying racial backgrounds and included Alex Angellakis, Jonathan Leonardo, Karyle Barnes, Ray Valenzuela, Robert Bailey, Wandile Mthiyane, and Zack Babb. The panel aimed to tackle many race topics relating to law enforcement in the United States. While conversing about his perception on law enforcement, panelist Jonathan Leonardo explained that he was never taught how to
interact with law enforcement agents. He had to learn that people view others differently by color, and there is an inherent expectation that he would be treated as less than his white counterparts. He became used to the fact that he was routinely stopped, profiled, and targeted, and it wasn’t until later in life that he realized what he considered normal was anything but. If stopped by law enforcement, Leonardo takes precautions by turning down his music, turning on his indoor car lights, and keeping a steady 10-2 o’clock hold on the steering wheel. Although he may feel anxious, annoyed, and nervous by being stopped by law enforcement, he argues that perception plays an important role in race relations. He believes that the police officers’ attitudes ultimately make a difference on the outcome of the stop. Law enforcement is often affected by the media portrayal of individuals, which helps to continue the stereotype that people of color as “bad” and Caucasian individuals as “good.” Angellakis, a Canadian theology student at Andrews University, demonstrated concern over the fact that individuals are more likely to be profiled if they are not Caucasian in the United States than in Canada, “Police should move away from the view that if someone is black and wears a hat or a hoodie, then that person is more dangerous.” South African Architecture student Wandile expressed his worries about driving in America, posing the question, “What are my rights?” Panel moderator Chaplain Polite concluded the panel discussion by explaining that we all struggle to find value. “Social jus-
tice,” he says, “is to help others find value. It is an openness to differing definitions.” Thursday, April 9 Documentary Screening of “The New Jim Crow” 7 p.m., Seminary Chapel Michelle Alexander, associate professor of law at Ohio State University, civil rights advocate, and author of “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” delivered an extraordinary speech recorded at the University of Chicago in 2013. She discussed mass incarceration in the era of colorblindness, when governmental institutions “lock up and lock out” black men. She compared the current imprisonment of blacks to a caste system, with similar moral values as the Jim Crow era. Her poignant message drew many elements together as she built her argument from statistical analysis, historical, political, sociological, and psychological roots of mass incarceration and race issues in America. Her compelling arguments allowed for a deeper understanding of the African American plight. With the subpar educational and governmental structure America provides blacks, many black men don’t know their rights and become forced to live with tainted felony records. This prevents many black men from basic human necessities, such as housing and food stamps. They become permanently unemployable and are demoted to second-class citizens. Alexander called for an end to the “war on drugs” the government has fought for years. Although crime rates have fluctuated
PHOTO BY DAREN HESLOP
over the past 30 years, Alexander mentioned that incarceration rates have quintupled. The majority of incarcerated people are black individuals convicted for drug offenses, although studies have shown that people of color are not more likely to buy or sell drugs than their white counterparts. Targeting and searching individuals for drugs based on their skin color become what Alexander calls “legalized discrimination.” After the conversation, time was allotted from feedback from the audience. Mrs. Brigette Hinds commented on her job as a teacher in Benton Harbor. She affirmed the reality of Dr. Alexander’s work by saying that recently a young student expressed to her a desire to go to jail. Hinds explained that it would be a family reunion for the child, as his father and other family members are incarcerated. Others furthered this point by encouraging group organization and education as a means of empowering the black community. Friday, April 10 University Vespers: Race, Justice and Adventism 7 p.m., Pioneer Memorial Church For University Vespers, Dr. Steve Yeagley and Alex Angellakis conducted an honest conversation discussing issues of race and privilege. Yeagley explained that privilege is a set of advantages that are often unseen by the privileged. “Privilege comes in different ways,” Dr. Yeagley said. Privileged people tend to have greater access to power and resources. They define what is normal and right. Generally, they are considered smarter and are often unaware of their discriminatory treatment towards the marginalized. In contrast, marginalized groups are seen as inferior or defiant and are very aware of mistreatment. They are often questioned and their story is invalidated. Historically, Adventist pastors were against joining and participating in the civil rights movement. Consequently, regional conferences arose from white leaders being unwilling to integrate. Jesus took out this same system of injustice. He dismantled existing unjust structures and built new ones. To follow His example, Yeagley stressed that we must leave our comfort zones and get into someone else’s world that is different than us, like Jesus did with the woman at the well in Samaria. He stressed that we should listen and have conversations with different people and learn from them to reeducate ourselves. Ultimately, Yeagley expressed desire for Andrews Students to pick up the pace in this ongoing conversation, moving closer towards racial equality so that we may have an inclusive campus for everyone.
Saturday, April 11 Keynote address and Breakout Groups 4 p.m., Seminary Chapel Dr. Paul Buckley’s keynote address discussed a Christian’s response to race issues. A former associate dean of Student Life at Andrews University, he currently works as assistant vice president and director of the Butler Center at Colorado College. Buckley’s work includes fighting for the cause of diversity, inclusion, intercultural exchange, equity and empowerment in his community. His plenary session was followed by refreshments and then by more informal breakout sessions, which addressed questions raised by the summit . Presentations covered a variety of race-related topics, and presentations included Wengora Thompson’s “Health Outcomes Among Minorities,” Robert Bailey’s “Double Consciousness & Unconsciousness: The Right of the Paw,” Karyle Barnes’ “What Ferguson Taught Me About America,” Nicholas Miller’s “Emerging Legislation to Watch,” and Twyla Smith & Shannon Trecartin’s “Unpacking White Privilege and Microaggression.” Robert Bailey, one of the speakers of Saturday’s breakout sessions and a community development and social work graduate student, encourages those who are open to joining the race conversation to integrate themselves with others who are not like them. He believes it is of extreme value to ask questions and to genuinely be willing to listen and learn from such conversations. “For many people,” he explains, “The struggle is the same, but there are different variations of the same problem.” In understanding others’ hardships and appreciating other cultures, individuals may find that “there will be different views of the same answer.” He believes if that many people work actively towards what they’re passionate about, individual acts may spur a change of events, and it will become easier for groups to work together. Bailey continued, “If we’re completely separate, it becomes a divide and conquer thing.” Bailey has often noticed that servants get remembered; people whose image was not manufactured for society. He hopes to educate and inspire others with his God-given talents and to join with others who are passionate about their social causes, so together we can all create change.
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and friend of Rwanda Joe Ritchie, who read the ambassador’s remarks and added some of his own. It is wrenching to recall the horrible events of the spring of 1994, but it would be even worse to forget them. The participants of the event modeled God’s grace, which manifests itself in times of trial, and reminds us of the work still to be done. Words printed on the program stated
orative candles in a line around Habimana as he read. Lifase Bilima sang “It Is Well With My Soul,” accompanied by Robert Valeris on the piano, and at the end of the song she transitioned to “When
We All Get to Heaven,” encouraging the audience to join her. The centerpiece of the afternoon was the testimony of genocide survivor Consolee Nishimwe, who was a girl of 14 at the time of the genocide. She remembered hearing the killers shouting, “Any Tutsi cockroaches hiding in there? Show yourselves!” Nishimwe’s father and younger brothers were killed in the genocide. Although she was raped and tortured, she survived along with her mother and a younger sister. Her story is also told in her book, Tested to the Limit: A Genocide Survivor’s Story of Pain, Resilience, and Hope (Balboa Press, 2012). Nishimwe repeatedly emphasized the power of prayer in helping her to bear her ordeal, and stated that “ For some it will last their whole life long.” It was very moving to hear her talk with emotion, yet not break down, discussing things that were painful to recount. She stated that telling her story is her way of honoring those who were lost in the genocide. When she finished, the entire audience rose in silent respect. The Rwandan State Minister and Ambassador to the United Nations, His Excellency Eugene Richard Gasana, was scheduled to speak at the meeting, but travel complications prevented his attendance. He was represented by distinguished Chicago businessman
game and going to the campus center without having to fear for my life.” Christian Campos, a senior architecture major and moderator for the game, said, “We definitely had some conflict during the game. There were a couple occasions where rules were misunderstood, and in some cases as with any game with a large amount of people, there were people trying to bend the rules to gain an unfair advantage. To us, we wanted to keep the game fun but at the same time it was important that we respected the University and all its functions. We’d like to be able to play more in the future, and so keeping in mind what kind of effect the game would have on the campus was important. Whenever there was a conflict, we did our best to address it between all the moderators and come up with the solution that is in the best interest for the continuation for the game, and promptly let the players know.” Moderators kept a good handle on re-enforcing and reminding players of rules and clarifying different elements via the game event page on Facebook (www.facebook. com/events/1600899750149972/).
Hazen addressed concerns resulting from the first game, namely the enforcement of rules and having a shut off time for registering for the game. He posted on Facebook saying “This year rules will be heavily enforced and in hopes to maintain a more realistic game with incentive to follow the rules we will be banning players at the slightest offence against the set rules.” Also, he closed the registration option on the site on first day of play so no new players would register. There were two separate groups created, one for the humans known as “The Elite Resistance” and one for the zombies known as “The Horde.” Members of each group had a Facebook chat going and would send messages back and forth letting each other know where the other team was, creating plans, and asking for backup when they needed it. There were also stories shared on the group pages and the event about how humans had been tagged including Kaitlin Litvak, the MVP zombie with 12 tags, hiding in the back seat of a car and tagging an unsuspecting human. Campos said, “The game has been so much fun. People really get into it and that’s really what
makes it fun. At any point you might get a notification from the other players that they see a potential target and to coordinate how to catch them, or if you’re on the humans side you might get a message saying that one of your fellow teammates needs help makes the campus so much more interesting. Being a human walking around is absolutely terrifying, because at any given moment you could be spotted and have to run for your precious life, which is a thrill.” The moderators hope to make the game a semester tradition. Campos said that they needed to refine the rules and to clarify things but they also “wanted to add more content to the game to make it more fleshed out.” There will be an open meeting at a time and date that has yet to be announced [at the time of writing this article]. For more information about HvZ, visit humansvszombies.org or hvzsource.com.
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News
Kwibuka [Remember] 21
PHOTO BY SCOTT MONCRIEFF
Scott Moncrieff | On Saturday af-
ternoon, April 11, Newbold Auditorium was filled with people ready to remember the 21st anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi people of Rwanda. The program,
emceed by Tabitha Mpamira, had the special focus this year of refuting persons who have denied or minimized the genocide of 1994. Among the many parts of the program was a poem by Thom-
as Habimana, which portrayed the perspective of a Tutsi hiding out in a hole under a rock during the genocide, hearing dogs fighting over dead and rotting bodies. Rwandan children held commem-
We can not turn the clock back nor can we undo the harm caused, But we have the power to determine the future and to ensure that what happened never happens again . . .
Zombie Status: Achieved Jenna Neil | Hushed whispers fill
the air and feet shuffle as several zombies walk through the gazebo area of the campus center, following the promise of a human. The second game of Humans vs Zombies (HvZ) finished on Friday, April 10 at noon after beginning on Sunday, April 5 with 12 humans and 47 zombies. HvZ is a large game of tag with a twist. Everyone begins as humans, except for one person, who is chosen to be the original zombie. The zombie has 48 hours to tag someone and turn them into a zombie before they starve and are out of the game. Once someone is tagged, they become a zombie and must give the tagger a code to enter on the website designed for HvZ. There are several safe zones including dorm rooms, the gazebo, cafe, and classes. Humans are also able to throw balled up socks or marshmallows to stun zombies for 5 minutes. Rules for the game include continually wearing bandanas, keeping safe-zones free from the games, and stunning zombies. For the purposes of playing at Andrews, any form of launcher or blaster was banned completely. It was explicitly stat-
ed that the game won’t take place in any part of Pioneer Memorial Church, as PMC would be classified as a “safe zone.” Safe zones included classrooms (while class is in session), the Gazebo, the Terrace Cafe, and inside dorm rooms. Play was suspended during chapel on Thursday and it was clearly stated that doors needed to stay clear and using PMC in any way as a safe zone will result in the immediate banning of the player. Theodore Hazen, a Sophomore Architecture major started this year’s game after a student personally requested that he start a new game between April 5 and 10. He then went to the HvZ website (hvzsource.com) and requested to start a new game. When it was approved, he choose several moderators or “mods.” Hazen commented “I started with Stephen DeWitt because of his involvement in the game last year and his clear obedience of the rules. The rest were roughly asked at the same time, Amir, Ralph, Calvin, and later on Krissy. My primary need from them as mods was that they know the rules front and back and that they ban anyone cheating, bending or even suspected of breaking
the rules of the game or of Andrews.” During the week, it was noted that several posters had been hung around campus without the “Approved by Student Life until [date]” stamp on it. “It was suggested that we pinup posters without permission,” said Hazen. “The worst that would happen is someone would take them down. Now that seems reasonable except that someone ended up gluing one to the wall. I’m sure this caused frustration for Student Life, I know I would be [frustrated] if I worked there. In the end, Krissy walked over and talked with them and we were asked to take them down. I plan on sticking to social media next semester instead of posters.” Hazen gave credit to running the game to Stephen DeWitt, Amir Benjelloun, Christian Campos, Ralph Diya, Krissy Savage, and Calvin Parinussa. Jordan Burgess, a music major, said, “I really liked the game. If I was to play again however, I would probably commit to being a zombie because it seems more fun chasing others than just hiding the whole time. It was a really stressful week and I’d rather be able to enjoy the
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THE STUDENT MOVEMENT
News
Garissa University College Attack Shenika McDonald | On April 2,
2015 gunmen from the Somalibased militant group and Al-Qaeda offshoot, Al-Shabaab stormed the Garissa University College in Garissa, Kenya. The gunmen took over 700 students hostage, killing around 148 people, and injuring 79 more people. Of those held hostage, Muslims were freed while those who identified as Christians were killed. Garissa University is located 90 miles from the Somali border. According to BBC News, the attack began at 5:30 am local time when two unarmed guards were killed at the entrance. The masked gunmen tossed grenades and sprayed bullets at students, killing them indiscriminately. Lat-
er it was reported that they freed some Muslims and instead targeted Christian students during a siege that lasted 15 hours. Twenty students were rescued by soldiers, including Collins Wetangula, who described the presence of at least five masked, armed men as well as Christians being “shot on the spot” (Associated Press). Other survivors indicated that the shooters had summoned the students to get out of their bedrooms in the dormitory and position themselves face down on the ground, and then executed the students. According to Al Jazeera, the Kenya Defense Forces and other security agencies were deployed. They surrounded and sealed off the university to flush out the
gunmen, with the Interior Ministry and Kenya National Disaster Operation Centre reporting that three out of the four dormitories had been evacuated. Michael Bwana, another student who fled, said that “most of the people still inside there are girls,” in reference to the remaining student dormitory where the gunmen were believed to be hiding. The siege ended after nearly 15 hours, with four gunmen killed just after dusk. The gunmen used AK-47s and were strapped with explosives. According to Reuters, when they were shot by Kenyan forces, four of the terrorists were shot by the Recce Squad Commandos of the Kenyan GSU. The fifth terrorist was able to deto-
nate his suicide vest causing injuries to some of the commandos. Of the 148 dead, 142 were students, 3 were soldiers and 3 were police officers. Authorities said all students have since been accounted for (BBC News). Following the attack, nightly curfews were imposed until April 16th in Garissa and three nearby counties (Wajir, Mandera, and Tana River) near the North Eastern Province’s border with Somalia. Defense Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo announced that the government would cover the funeral expenses, and that the families of the victims would be distributed 100,000 Ksh. Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi also indicated that the university had been closed indefinitely, and that the students who had survived the shooting did not wish to return (BBC News). The Kenyan government froze the banks accounts of 86 individuals and entities it alleged were associated with Al-Shabaab. Kenyan members of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) called for an immediate withdrawal of Kenyan troops from Somalia. Kenyan Minister of Trade Moses Wetangula also recommended that the Kenyan government cut its military budget in half, and relocate the slashed funds toward strengthening internal security (BBC News). The United Nations Security
Council strongly condemned the attack in Garissa, stressing the need to bring to justice perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of what they termed as “reprehensible acts of terrorism,” urging all states to cooperate with Kenyan authorities in the aftermath of the attack. The United States, through its embassy in Nairobi, issued a statement strongly condemning the attack and extending condolences to all who were affected. President Barack Obama, scheduled to visit Kenya in July, expressed horror and sadness at the reports that students were killed in the attack, adding that “the Kenyan people should know they have an unwavering friend and ally in the United States of America” (Al Jazeera). Abdullahi Halakhe, a researcher with the Kenyan Amnesty International, suggested that the attack was not so much a reflection of AlShabaab’s strength, but instead of the Kenyan government’s incompetence. He also noted that the militant group was probably at its weakest point since 2006. First year Masters of Divinity student Jonathan Abrahams has many friends in Kenya, since he served as a missionary there a few years ago. “When I first heard about the attack I was in shock and disbelief,” he said. “I immediately contacted one of my close friends that attended one of the universi-
ties nearby. Fortunately she was ok, but she mentioned that her university closed when the shooting was taking place. Many people that she knew were affected by the shootings.” Abrahams mentioned, “I think that the initial step that can be done is to help raise awareness of what happened. Afterwards we could direct people to organizations that they can donate to help with those affected by the tragedy. As a student body we can also take time to pray for the victims of the attacks, perhaps even dedicating time during chapel or in classes for this endeavor.” He also added, “We must also recognize that many of our fellow students may have friends or relatives that have been affected by this tragedy. We must remember to be sensitive and open to their feelings, and take the time to listen and care for those who may be hurting around us.” A Kenyan social media campaign on Twitter encouraged the use of the hashtag #147notjustanumber to humanize the victims, along with photos and names of those who had died in the attack. In an effort to make sure each student was honored, a public Google document was also created. Let us keep the survivors and families of victims in our prayers as those who mourn.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TIMEDOTCOM.FILES.WORDPRESS.COM
EVENTS CALENDAR Graduation Weekend April 30–May 3, 2015
Honors Thesis Symposium 2015
PHOTO BY GIVAN HINDS
Givan Hinds | On Friday, April 10,
2015, from 1:30-5:30 p.m. in Buller Hall, 29 Honors Thesis presenters gathered for their final presentations in pursuit of their title as J.N. Andrews Scholars. While mostly Seniors present their work at this symposium, any Honors student who has completed and proposed their research before the Honors Council may take early steps in completing this requirement. This year, Honors researchers presented on topics ranging from
equine treatment (Taylor Huffman), to musical recital preparation (Kristen Abraham), to potential anti-cancer agents (Rosanne Thornhill), representing the broad range of disciplines and arts that Honors students study throughout their college experience. As a follow-up to this year’s poster session, candidates are required to offer a 30-minute presentation in which their research advisor introduces them and there were, they describe their research
to an interdisciplinary audience, and then host a Question and Answer period from peers and faculty members. They are then graded according to a Sciences or Humanities rubric by their Honors peers, teachers, and interested audience members. In between the arduous process of presenting, a break was held at 3:00pm where all enjoyed refreshments and mingling. A slideshow displayed the accomplishments of graduating seniors in particular, detailing their acceptances to various graduate and medical schools and their plans for the future. The Student Movement team congratulates Editor-in-Chief, Melodie Roschman, who presented her research on the “deconstruction of selfhood” in Virginia Woolf’s The Waves. Roschman commented: Thesis symposium quote: “It was surreal. I’ve been looking forward to this for four years, and I spent a year working on my thesis. I was surprised that I wasn’t that nervous - it was almost like I went into autopilot because I knew the material so well. Mostly, I was just grateful - grateful that it was over, and grateful for all my friends and family who came to support me.”
THURSDAY, APRIL 30 7:30 p.m.
Rehearsal, Pioneer Memorial Church (for graduating students)
FRIDAY, MAY 1 11 a.m.
Ethics Oath Ceremony—School of Business Administration Garber Auditorium, Chan Shun Hall
5 p.m.
Teacher Dedication, Andrews Academy Chapel
8 p.m.
Consecration Service, Pioneer Memorial Church (for family, visitors & graduating students)
SATURDAY, MAY 2 9 a.m. 11:45 a.m.
Graduate Baccalaureate Church Service, Pioneer Memorial Church (for family, visitors & graduating students) Undergraduate Baccalaureate Church Service, Pioneer Memorial Church (for family, visitors & graduating students)
Dedication and Pinning Services (for family, visitors & graduating students) 4 p.m.
Department of Nursing Pinning, Pioneer Memorial Church
4 p.m.
Seminary Dedication Service, Seminary Chapel
5 p.m.
Department of Religion & Biblical Languages Senior Dedication Newbold Auditorium, Buller Hall
5:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m.
Department of Social Work Recognition Service, University Towers Auditorium Department of Public Health, Nutrition & Wellness Dedication Service and Reception Howard Performing Arts Center Lobby Open House for Architecture Graduates Architecture Resource Center
8:30 p.m.
Sabbath Vespers, Pioneer Memorial Church (for family, visitors & graduating students)
9:15 p.m.
President’s Reception, Great Lakes Room, Campus Center—Immediately following vespers (for parents & graduating students)
SUNDAY, MAY 4 8:30–10:30 a.m. Commencement—School of Health Professions and Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Pioneer Memorial Church (for family & visitors—reserved seating only) 11 a.m.–1 p.m. 2–4 p.m.
Commencement—College of Arts & Sciences, Pioneer Memorial Church (for family & visitors—reserved seating only) Commencement—Department of Aviation, School of Architecture, Art & Design, School of Business Administration, School of Distance Education and School of Education, Pioneer Memorial Church (for family & visitors—reserved seating only)
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5
Ideas
Historical Profile: Martha Byington Alexi Decker | Martha Bying-
Erik Vyhmeister Ideas Editor
ton was born in 1834, the oldest daughter of John Byington, the first Seventh-day Adventist General Conference president, and his wife Catherine. She grew up in Buck’s Bridge, New York, where her home was a reported stop on the Underground Railroad. The year after her family’s conversion to Seventh-day Adventism, Martha started teaching the first Adventist school in the home of a local family—the very beginnings of a worldwide education system. She was nineteen at the time. Her first class had 17 students in it, two of whom later became missionaries. Martha began working at the
Review and Herald in Battle Creek, Michigan, where she met the foreman of the publishing house, George Amadon: the man who would become her husband. Martha and George were married in 1860, and she continued leading an active ministry life, both in the selling of health almanacs and in her private prayer group. This group became the first Dorcas and Benevolent Association (now called Community Services) in 1874. She, as president, and her prayer group made clothing, sold food, and provided care for orphans and widows. It wasn’t always smooth sailing for Martha and George, however. In 1870 they and all but 12 mem-
bers of the Battle Creek Michigan church were disfellowshipped due to concerns about the overt “selfish interest [and] love of the world” exhibited by the members. Ellen White wrote a letter in defense of them and other disfellowshipped church leaders such as Uriah Smith. They were finally re-admitted almost a year later, after considerable lifestyle reform. Martha and George had their first daughter, Grace, in 1872. They would later have another daughter named Katherine and adopt a son, Claude. Martha continued writing articles for the Review and Herald, and advocated a healthy lifestyle. Hers certainly paid off—she lived to be 103 years old, dying of old age
in 1937. Her legacy lives on in over 7,800 Adventist schools worldwide, and her heart beats in the chests of over
93,000 teachers who continue her mission.
PHOTO FROM WWW.PHOTO.EGWWRITINGS.ORG
The Rising Cost of Education Avery Audet | A college degree
is becoming an increasingly more valuable tool to add to our resumes. If you want a decent job you need to have a college degree. More and more businesses are requiring them for future employees. According to CBSNews.com, “some 27 percent of employers have raised their educational requirements in the past five years…” However, as many have noticed, the cost of college tuition has been drastically increasing as well, making it much harder for prospective employees to meet those requirements. An article on NYTimes.com reads, “Over the past 35 years, college tuition at public universities has nearly quadrupled…” That is a huge leap! But why is that so? Why is tuition increasing so rapidly for our generation? I was able to sit down with Mr. Fares Magesa of Student Financial Services and ask him a couple questions regarding the price
of education. Mr. Magesa said, regarding the cost of tuition, that there are many different factors affecting tuition costs, one of them being the demand for a degree in today’s market. More businesses want more skilled people with degrees, so people are going back to college. This high demand brings costs up. In our parents’ time, going to college wasn’t as common. Many people would graduate high school and enter the workforce. But now, to get a decent job, you are required by many companies to have at least a Bachelor’s degree. There are people who’ve never gone to college and still get great jobs, but that is much harder to do now than it was 30 years ago. My next question was regarding whether or not the price would go down in the near future. No one knows the answer for sure, but Mr. Magesa made a very sensible prediction: “I think the tuition bubble will be much like the mortgage
bubble we had a few years ago, where prices were drastically increasing until the point where people said it was too much and no one would take out loans anymore. The price would reach a cap where demand would cease, because people weren’t willing to pay, and so prices would eventually fall by themselves and stabilize. I think community colleges might start offering a 4-year program more and more often, because when prices get to a certain point people are going to realize, ‘Why go to a 4-year school or private school when I can get the same degree for much less at a community college?’” Many people assume that private universities are worse when it comes to rising costs. Schools like Andrews are not for profit, however, and depend largely on their donors to help maintain the school. Magesa explains, “Forprofit schools are competing in a market to enroll the most students.
Private schools have to compete in this market to draw in as many students as they can, while trying to stay affordable, but in doing so we often lose money. In the Adventist community, looking at Andrews relative to other Adventist schools, people see that we charge more than other Adventist schools for tuition and they say, ‘Well, why are you so expensive? $30,000 is a lot of money.’ But if you look at all schools across the board, you’ll see that there are many private universities, like the Ivy League schools, who charge upwards of $60,000 a year, and there are many state universities who are raising their cost of tuition up to this number as well. When you look at all colleges across the board, you’ll see that Andrews’s $30,000 a year doesn’t seem so bad. We try to keep our tuition percentage increase around 2%, which is much lower than many state universities.” Mr. Magesa concluded by say-
ing, “Our donors really help with the tuition. I don’t know if you remember, [but] in early spring they have a Thank-A-Donor Day, and the focus is that without the support we receive from our donors, our tuition would be so much higher. Another point was that public schools have actually experienced a very large influx in tuition increases, but if you look at non-profit, private schools you won’t see that same high percentage of increase. It’s something that we take very seriously to maintain and keep Andrews affordable.”
Opinions on Adventist Education Emily Cancel | Adventist educa-
tion has been through some ups and downs lately, and we’ve come to wonder why. Recently, a sample of the student body responded to a survey we conducted concerning their experience with the Adventist Education system. It was limited to students or graduates of Andrews University, and featured questions concerning how long one had spent in the Adventist, public, or home school system. Also included were open questions inquiring as to the reasons behind their answer to the questions. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of those who took the survey had gone to an Adventist school for five years or more, several for more than ten. When asked what they valued most about Adventist school, chapel and the pro-
motion of prayer were frequently mentioned, but they almost universally said that it was the community that they valued most. Small classes and schools form close knit groups, and built strong friendships that lasted a long time. Having a small ratio of students to teachers in Adventist schools was also mentioned as being a strength, since it allows teachers to personalize their teaching styles for specific classes and individuals. Many who had gone to an Adventist school, both those who had gone for most of their life, and those who had attended other schools, felt that the curriculum was too narrow. One example given was that in promoting creation, evolution is skipped over entirely, other than to say it is wrong. The
fear that this discourages students from thinking and making decisions for themselves because they are kept in ignorance of other systems of belief is a very real one, as that system does not encourage students to follow the church because of an educated decision, but rather from default. Perhaps the most loaded question of the survey inquired whether or not one would consider sending their child to an Adventist school, and why. Those who answered, “yes” said that they would do so to ensure their child grew up supported by friends and faculty with a similar belief in God, who would encourage the construction of a firm foundation in God. However, those who valued education in school above faith in school said they would not send their children
to an Adventist school because the curriculum is outdated, and did not promote creativity, or free thought and decision. The largest group, those who said they were undecided as to their preference, tended to be concerned about the price tag, which is frequently out of the price range of church members, especially those with more than one child. Also,few Adventist schools are conveniently located for parents with young children. For instance, there will always be a public school within a reasonable distance, but if a family wants to send their child(ren) to an Adventist school, they may have to move closer to the school, which isn’t always an option. Another concern is that a small school system puts a lot of power in a very few hands, who may not
be the best for the task. Most parents wish to prevent the hypocrisy and frictions that taints some aspects of Adventist politics from affecting their child’s education. On the whole, the biggest draw in for attending an Adventist school was community. It is faith-based and students and classes tend to build friendships that last a very long time. This also allows teachers to spend more time one on one with individual students, and offer more personalized help where needed. Unfortunately, this same tight knit grouping does not promote a free flow of ideas, and might feel stifling. For the expensive price tag that it comes with, Adventist Education is expected to come with some very exceptional education, and many are leery of that being the case.
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THE STUDENT MOVEMENT
Pulse
AU Gymnics Homeshow Tim McLean | On April 11, 2015, the
Tim McGuire Pulse Editor
Andrews University Gymnics team performed their homeshow, which celebrated 50 years of the program’s existence. With this being my third year watching, I have noticed the team’s experiences and routines maturing with each year, incorporating the right amount of new elements while repeating some of the traditional ones. This maturation is very good, as the team never ceases to impress me. All throughout the show, Gymnics controlled the audience. Right off the bat, Emma Magbanua came out and told the audience to quiet down while silently commanding them to do clapping variations (to which the audience fully committed), and ended up being the Blue Danube Waltz. However, the team controlled the audience both between and during the routines. During both of the silk routines and the straps routine, I felt the audience’s collective heart any time one of the gymnics members dropped from a high elevation only to stop themselves at the last second. All of the routines were excellent, but those that got the audience most engaged and cheering the loudest is what are mentioned here in this article. Lyra was performed by the mind-bogglingly flexible Jessica Buchholz. This routine just goes to show how far the human body can be pushed and stretched,
and it was incredible to watch. Paired silks were masterfully contortioned by Xiara Mercado and Kenny Nogueira. The teamwork that went on with this routine was off the charts, as both parties worked very well off of each other. Solo silk, skillfully gyrated by Emma Magbanua was also excellent, as the mindset between being on silks by yourself and with another person is completely different. How Emma kept herself elevated was a very interesting contrast, and equally as excellent. The final act described here was a fiery poi by Ashley Colomb and is what really got the audience going. From the moment the wicks on the poi balls were lit, you could feel the audience lean on the edge of their seats with anticipation. Every possible speed in every conceivable position was used, and the audience ate up every second of it. The theatricality of the performance was as important as the skill of the routines. The musical selection was excellent, as the beat of the song always matched the routine and was always spot-on. The costumes were all-black with slight accents of brighter, more dramatic colors. The make-up was excellent, as many of the male gymnics members had on war paint. The female members also had war paint, but many of them also bedazzled their faces, further adding the effect. On more than
one occasion, the colorful lighting got “oooooohs” and “aaaahhhhs” from the audience, and was always on-point. The acting performances between routines were also very eccentric (in a humorous way) and also added to the homeshow environment. Last but not least, the team’s commitment to God is what really shone through. Every action was performed with the highest amount of effort possible, and the audience could really see what the real motivation for the team was, as was capped off by the final segment of the show. All in all, the AU Gymnics did a very good job. Whatever mistakes or miscues that may have happened were more than made up for in the amount of energy and fun that was put out by the team. Most of all, this event brought as much glory to God as a team can bring. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and as far as I can tell the audience did as well. I cannot wait for next year so I can experience it all over again.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BRIAN TAGALOG
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Pulse
Jordan Price
Jonathan Constantine What was homeshow like for you? What emotions did you have?
How many hours a week does Gymnics take up?
It is 8 hours a week, 2 hours a day, Monday through Thursday from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Almost ethereal. It was amazing to see how our family came together despite what difficulties were thrown our way. At the end of the third show I couldn’t have been more proud to call this group of people my team and my family.
Do you find it hard to balance Gymnics and school?
It’s easy to put your focus in the thing you really like to do rather than schoolwork, but over time I learned better time management.
Favorite thing about being a gymnast?
What are some of the challenges that you face being a gymnast? PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CHRISTIAN MIRANDA
Year: Sophomore Major: Business Management Sport: Gymnics Interviewed by: Jordan Jackson
you could see it in our face paint, costumes and hairstyles.
When did you start doing gymnastics? Why?
The first routine that I was in was called Chex Mix: it’s a big group routine that showcases different types of things that gymnasts can do. The next routine that I was in was my small group, which is pair stunting. Then the last two routines were with the entire group, which was the halftime show and the tribute to God routine.
My sophomore year in high school. I joined because I am not a very sports-coordinated type of person, but gymnastics spoke to me in a different way. I like flying and being tossed in the air and the family aspect of being on a team.
For the Gymnics show, what was your routine?
What made you decide to join Gymnics?
What are some of your favorite things to do in practice?
At first I was nervous to try out freshman year, but sophomore year some people encouraged me to go to tryouts and by the grace of God, I made the team.
I really like practicing group routines. I feel like it has brought us closer and stronger together as a team. I also like pair stunting with my small group.
This past weekend was the Gymnics show, what was the theme?
What are your daily routines while in practice?
The theme was WITH ALL, saying we are going to give it our all with all that we do and everything we have. It was also a tribal theme;
At the beginning of every practice our fitness coach warms us up with a 30-minute workout, with a lot of stretching.
Well there are different types of challenges -- for example, hitting moves and mastering before the next show. How do you overcome them?
If I can’t get the move then I consult with my other base partners and coaches and see if I can work them another way. Do you have any advice for those who are thinking about joining the Gymnics in the future?
DO IT! It’s a really friendly environment. Also pray about it and talk about it with your family and friends to see if it’s the right thing for you.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CHRISTIAN MIRANDA
Year: Freshman Major: Political Science Sport: Gymnics Interviewed by: Bethany Morrison When did you first realize that you wanted to try gymnastics?
I started gymnastics here in the Andrews program when I was five. I always knew that this was my passion. It was something that was more a joy than a chore to do, unlike most things we’re made to do when we’re younger. What’s your position called?
A base or a primary
Probably the fact that there are always improvements to be made and there are always new things to learn. It’s really hard to just plateau, when doing this sport. You have to really try to stop learning.
position and stunts?
As needed. Some moves either I’ve done before or they just click and stick every time. It varies from move to move. For tumbling I practice as much as I can--I always have something I can be working on. What’s your favorite thing about being in Gymnics?
Just being on gymnics, I guess. I love doing gymnastics and the camaraderie that comes with being on a team. Is your gymnics team like family?
Definitely. Looking back on this school year, is there anything you would have done differently on the Gymnics team?
I don’t think so. I like the person I became by being on the Gymnics team. It kind of brought a new person; I was really pulled out of my comfort zone making the team.
How did you establish that this was the right position for you?
I was on the team prior to coming to college here when I was nine. At that time I was small enough to be a top, so the transition to being a base initially was a bit of a struggle. Along with being a base I am also a tumbler.
Do you have any gymnast you look up to?
I’d probably say the guys captain Adam DeWitt or the Assistant coach Renee Paddock. They’ve both kind of just taken me under their wing, but they also have pushed me every way to becoming a better gymnast.
How much do you practice your
Featured Athlete: Junior Orelus Year: Senior Major: Business Administration Interviewed by: Justin Walker
ple did not like my team. Proving everyone wrong that year and winning it was amazing.
How many intramural titles have you won while at Andrews?
Which one of your titles did you enjoy the most and why?
I have won 2 flag football titles, 1 indoor soccer, 1 volleyball, 1 basketball, and I’m on the verge of winning another.
The championship I enjoyed winning the most was our first flag football title because I was able to win it with my closest friends and we just having the most fun and we were undefeated.
Which sport have you had the most success in?
I’ve had the most success in football because I have more titles in that and we went a season undefeated. Of all your titles, which one means the most to you and why?
PHOTO PROVIDED BY JUNIOR ORELUS VIA INSTAGRAM
The title that means the most to me is the basketball one...because that year I was on a team that no one thought could win because of the egos on the team and most peo-
Throughout your career have there been any regrets or seasons in which you felt like your team could’ve done more?
Yes, my junior year my basketball team made it to the semifinals and we won but I broke my foot at the end of that year so I could not play in the championship game and my team lost. We played well in the championship game but it wasn’t enough and I always looked back and thought if I could have played
than maybe we could have won. What has been the secret to the great run of success you’ve enjoyed?
Honestly, playing with my friends and having fun with the different sports I’ve played in. And last but not least, which one of your championship T-shirts do you like the most?
I like my senior T-shirt the most, which was last year’s.
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THE STUDENT MOVEMENT
Humans
Graduating with an A+ in Friendship Cassie Chlevin Major: B.S. Pre-Professional Psychology Interviewed by Kari Logan Dakota Hall Humans Editor
How did you meet your main group of friends?
I was out and about socially a bit more freshman and sophomore year. Junior and senior years I buckled down a bit more. A good number of the friends I have now I met then, but with the common comings and goings and transferring in and transferring out, some of the people I used to know have since left and have been replaced by new people. I’ve got a lot of friends in the English department and the Psychology department as well because the two buildings are adjoined. I’m friends with a lot of people that I have the good blessing to see on a regular basis and I’m acquaintances with many more who filter throughout the buildings. I guess you could say that my friend-group is an amalgamation from many groups and many types and they’re all wonderful. You seem very literary, how did that come about?
I’m a book worm, [but] I don’t get the chance to read as much as I’d like to. I spent a good chunk of my childhood reading books and I’ve spent a lot of time around people who love books and use words in very expressive ways. That rubs off on me and I’ve been told that I rub off on other people and it’s a sort of positive reinforcing loop that happens between reading, exposure, and people.
ple that like to be imaginative and fantastical.
What is one place you will miss?
I will miss my department because of all the people in it. I have been blessed with such fantastic professors, staff, and faculty members in the behavioral sciences. They have
made my social and academic experiences so full and satisfying because not only are they great to go to for academic things but we can go off on the craziest tangent conversations and just talk and share and be relatable people. Anything specific about the campus that you have grown
to love?
I’m going to miss the great swathes of woods. I’m lucky enough to live in the suburbs so I won’t be returning to a concrete jungle, but the amount of nature that I’ve had available to me here is something I’ve always loved to be a part of and I’m going to miss it severely.
Can you tell me about one of your favorite memories with your friends?
I really love to dress up in costumes, renaissance fairs, and anything that requires me to portray a character. I have a very book savvy and adventuresome fantastic friend who decided for her birthday one year she wanted to do a tea party with the theme of the Mad Hatter party in Alice in Wonderland. So she organized a tea party under one of the trees here on campus. Some of our very good friends were all involved and we all dressed up as different characters. I was a very loose translation of the March Hare. I love having opportunities to do that with peoPHOTO BY JOELLE ARNER
Can the Old People Hear Us? Charlie Lee Major: English Interviewed by: Chris Wheeler If you had to describe your overall experience here at Andrews, what would you say?
I would just say that I happen to exist here. Somehow I ended up
here in Berrien Springs, just existing. What is a memory from your freshman year that has stuck with you?
I was at Steak ‘n Shake once, and there were these elderly people. I was talking about something stu-
pid. My friend said, “I think the old people can hear us,” and I said really loudly, “CAN THE OLD PEOPLE HEAR US?” The elderly people got mad at me. What hobbies have you enjoyed doing during your time here?
I like reading books, and I like
playing video games. More than that, I like talking about books, and talking about video games. If I had a hobby, it would be talking about things that nobody else cares about. I have to dump information on others or else I’ll go crazy. I guess you could say my hobby is not going crazy. Where did you spend most of your time growing up?
I had a typical childhood in Seymour, Indiana: I rode mongoose bikes, mowed lawns for $5 a pop, played Yu-Gi-Oh, was obsessed with Mega Man. The other kids in the neighborhood and I would have Super Soaker fights. I would watch cartoons in the morning while eating Apple Jacks; it validated me. Or Cookie Crisps. Things are more complicated now. What are your immediate plans for after graduation?
I’m not sure yet. I might go teach English in Korea. I’m pretty sure that I’ll apply to grad school. Maybe I’ll just end up working at McDonald’s, that’s a great life plan. How about long term plans? Where would you like to see yourself in ten years? PHOTO BY JOELLE ARNER
I hope I’m not dead. I hope I don’t get drafted. I’d prefer to not be
homeless. Have a job. Continue not going crazy. As you move on in life, what will you be grateful for regarding your time here?
I feel indebted to the people I’ve met here. You grow, right? But I feel more indebted to people here than elsewhere. I’ve learned to be thankful for the hands that feed me; I used to think that no hands fed me. Now, I’m thankful for the hands that feed me Apple Jacks and Cookie Crisps.
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Robert Benjamin by Scott Moncrieff Faculty Advisor
Director, International Student Services & Programs How many international students (those with student visas) do we have at Andrews this year?
On campus we have about 615, from 96 countries. The three largest representations are from South Korea, with 125 to 150 students, about 80 from Canada, and Brazil with about 60 students. What attracts international students to Andrews?
Many students consider us the flagship institution for our church. Plus we’re the only SDA theological seminary in the United States. By the way, we’ve grown recently in our Saudi Arabian students, from two to close to fifteen, and when I asked these [Muslim] students why they came to Andrews they cited the diet and the values. In addition to a possible language barrier, what other challenges do International students face here?
There’s a cultural adjustment. When I first came to the Seminary, and the professor would open the floor for discussion, I usually said nothing, because I had always been taught to listen to the professor, and if I had any questions to ask them after class, so as not to deprive other students of the professor’s class time. I had to learn to break out of that box. A student might not like it when the R.A.’s walk into his room with their shoes on, because that would not be done in his country. Or a student might not like it when a teacher writes on
their paper in red ink, because red ink in her culture means death. As Americans, we need to be sensitive to the various cultures that are present on our campus. Does your office do any training or workshops to help Americans be good hosts?
I’ve put together a proposal on this to the provost—that’s something I’d really like to do, bring in hosts and administrative assistants and provide an orientation for working with foreign students. I’ve had invitations to do this kind of thing for the Physical Therapy and the School of Education, but I’d like to do more of this for the entire campus. Of course we have orientation for the international students, teaching them about American culture, but at present it’s more of a one-way street, and it needs to go both directions. Your office does a lot to helping international students with visas. What are some of the other services you provide to help them have a good experience?
I could put them into two categories: pre-arrival—helping them with their I-20’s so they can get their F-1 visas—and post arrival, which I think is most important. When they arrive it’s a new environment, they’re not sure where to go, where to buy basic stuff. If they’re going to work here, they have to get a Social Security number, so we provide transportation during the first week over to the Social Security office in Benton Harbor; we take them to the Secretary of State if they want to apply for
their driver’s license. And we’ve started a new program called God’s Closet. For that we’ve asked the community to donate gently used clothing, pots and pans and so on, so when a student arrives during the winter we can provide them a coat or other necessities. We also take them shopping in the first two weeks, to the mall in South Bend or to Walmart in Benton Harbor, wherever they need to. We’ve also started offering Thanksgiving Dinners and Christmas Dinners for the ones who cannot return home for the breaks, so they can enjoy a nice meal and fellowship. We try to make their transition and their stay here at the university a pleasant one. How do you maintain patience when dealing with slow government agencies, both those of the U.S. and from the students’ home countries?
The rules and regulations, they are what they are. But we can speed up our internal processes. For instance, giving students a complete checklist of information needed at the beginning, to avoid unnecessary back and forth email correspondence that wastes time. Also, when we receive emails that express anxiety or worry, we try to be careful with the tone of our replies. We try to put the other person at ease and let them know that things will work out, as opposed to adding on to their frustration. What do you like about your job?
Oh, there’s so many aspects. Both Silmara [Associate Director Silmara Ferreira] and I focus on being
PHOTO BY SCOTT MONCRIEFF
empathetic. For the undergraduate students, we sort of see ourselves as their second parents. For instance, we had a student whose mother called us and said “this is my first child, he’s going thousands of miles away, and will he have bedding and all the basic things so he can be comfortable?” And Silmara jumped on the phone and said, “Don’t worry about a thing, we’ll take care of him.” And it’s not just lip service. We have some bedding supplies from Neighbor to Neighbor, so when this student came we provided him with new bedding, towels, the things he needed--like we
would want them to treat my children if they went away. I also just like interacting with international students, to learn from each other and be accepting of one another. It’s a beautiful thing. Like experiencing heaven in a small way, with all the different people and different languages that we have present. Also, I have a background as a pastor, and I have an opportunity to pray with students. I make it a point to ask each one what their needs are and pray with them as they come in.
Yes, about 20 years ago, I came here to the Seminary from Malaysia. What is your language background?
I can speak four languages—Malay, English, and two Indian languages, Tamil and Telugu—but I would like to learn a couple more, Spanish and French. With the way things are going with our rising number of Chinese students, it would also be good to know Mandarin!
Were you also an international student at one time?
Edith Garcia Major: Architecture Interviewed by: Rebecca Myshrall What made you decide to come to AU?
Andrews wasn’t really my first choice. I had applied to many different schools. I was drawn to two or three different schools because of their programs, but I decided to put it in God’s hands. I interviewed for a local scholarship, and they offered me a very generous amount of money if I attended Andrews. So, I took that as a sign that this is where God wanted me to be. Who was your favorite professor?
That’s a really difficult question, but I really love all of my professors for different reasons. My department is an amazing program, and the professors really care about us.
They are also very knowledgeable, and they are generally very Godfearing people who set great examples. I can’t name just one that’s my favorite.
graduation?
I’m completing my Masters at Andrews; I have one more year. Afterwards, I plan on getting an internship and starting my career in architecture.
What was your favorite class?
I really enjoyed all of my studio classes. What did you enjoy most about AU?
I honestly enjoyed the people here. People can make or break experiences. The professors and people in my class are great. I’ve stayed friends with people I met my freshmen year, and I believe that I will keep many of my friends forever. I also went on a study tour to Europe, and that was one of my favorite experiences. What are your plans for after
How has AU helped prepare you for your future career?
The School of Architecture and Design has given me a way to critically evaluate and at least look into all sorts of ideas instead of just clinging onto one. They critically told us to think about how we’re designing and why we’re designing. I’ve been taught to critically analyze what other people’s ideas are.
very unique. Get involved and go to events. Go to art shows, plays, music performances, forums and potlucks. That’s where you meet people and find people who are interested in the same things as you. Also, be optimistic; people come and have experiences that bring them down. If one person does something to you or makes you feel negative against religion, don’t think that everyone is like that.
What advice would you give underclassmen?
Be open to making lots of friends. There’s a variety of people here, and you can find lots of people. It’s
PHOTO BY JOELLE ARNER
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THE STUDENT MOVEMENT
Arts & Entertainment
Senior Spotlight: Michael Momohara Interviewed by: WayAnne Watson How did you get interested in music? Why did you decide to come to Andrews and do music?
Shanelle Kim Arts & Entertainment Editor
From an early age, I was exposed to a lot of music. Although neither of my parents are musicians, both of them loved listening to music and wanted me to gain exposure. My mother enrolled me in piano lessons at around age six and from there, I grew to love music, especially classical. It wasn’t until I reached high school, however, that I developed a love for composing, conducting, and improvising while studying with Dr. Leo Sanker. As an Andrews University alumnus, he encouraged me to consider the university’s music program. Later that year, I visited AU’s music department and I found that each of the professors were very dedicated to developing my talents and passionate about helping me grow as a musician— more than at other institutions that I had visited. Through this experience, I decided that AU was the place where I could expand my horizons and flourish as a musician. What is your honors thesis about?
My senior honors thesis (entitled “My Plea”) is an original musical composition for choir and cello solo. The choral text that I chose comes from a WWII JapaneseAmerican Internment poem by
Mary T. Matsuzawa. I stumbled upon her poem while I was researching online for stories of people who had suffered extreme tragedy, yet found comfort and hope as a result of their abounding faith in God. Matsuzawa’s poem seemed to fit this theme nicely and struck me as particularly interesting due to its connection with Japanese-American culture. I felt that being Japanese-American made it much easier to identify with Matsuzawa’s internment story and helped me in writing musical themes that reflected the traditional Japanese sound. What was it like to hear your piece performed on Saturday?
It was an immense blessing to both see and hear my composition come to life. The opportunity to work with so many talented musicians throughout the process was a great honor and I’m thankful for their willingness and dedication to making it all possible! What are your plans after graduation?
In addition to some good rest and relaxation, I will be writing some new orchestral music and recording it with members of the West European Symphony Orchestra in Lisbon, Portugal. Also, I plan to collaborate with some friends to create a short film. My friend Brian Tagalog would be director/cinematographer and I would compose the soundtrack. In the fall, I will
PHOTO BY GIVAN HINDS
be attending Loma Linda University School of Medicine. What kind of music do you listen to in your free time? What music has influenced your style as a composer?
When I’m not forced to listen to Gregorian Chant in music history class, I like to listen to a wide variety of music from classical to reggae to gospel. As far as influ-
ences for my classical writing, composers like Chopin, Debussy, Vaughan-Williams, Joe Hisaishi, James Horner, and John Williams, to name a few, have served as great sources of inspiration and musical ideas. What’s your next dream composition project?
This summer, I would love to write a fantasia: an improvised-like mu-
sical composition with no form. It would be based upon either a hymn-tune or an older melody that I would transform it into a work for symphony orchestra. So far, I’ve been asking different people for what melodies they like in particular and I may incorporate these into my work. If you have a melody that you especially love, let me know and I might be able to use it!
Throwback: Into Thin Air (1997) Janelle Aguilera | In the remain-
PHOTO PROVIDED BY WWW.GROWLERMAG.COM
der of 2015, there are going to be several well-known and much loved books transformed into movies. Among these books are many beautiful stories. Still Alice by Lisa Genova, Serena by Ron Rash, Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern, and Into the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick are just a few that are already in production! Now if you’re anything like me, you have to read the book before you see the movie, so the book review today is on Into Thin Air, referred to as a personal account of the Mt. Everest disaster. Journalist Jon Krakauer opens up about the first hand events that happened on his May 9th, 1996 trip up Everest. Though this breathtaking and painfully honest book was originally just for the purpose of being an article for Outside Magazine, journalist Krakauer wanted to do more. His explanation of the tragic and real events that happened through the journey will make a reader more aware of their mor-
tality as well as give them a new respect of how powerful nature can be, and how quickly a life can change or be lost. This book was given an Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and was on the National Bestseller list. For those readers who do not know about the 1996 Mt. Everest expedition, this book is not only informative, but pleasantly educational as well. When I first read it, I was stunned, awed, and more aware of a lot of things. However, if you do know the story, this book makes you appreciate the account from the first hand perspective of Krakauer. I did read a number of negative reviews of this account, but strangely enough, almost all of the negative reviews had to do more the character of the writer than the quality of the book. It would truly be difficult to dislike the quality of the writer. This also happened with his 1993 international bestseller, Into the Wild. Criticism of the book seemed more based off
people’s feelings than the subject being written about. Those interested in books on history, nonfiction, drama, documentary, or survivor stories would all enjoy reading this story and have as hard of a time putting it down as I did.
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even more than a cd--that’s my favorite part.
That’s so hard to say. What would you say?
this, but what do you think is the best album in the store?
This would be my most difficult question if I was in your seat, but do you have a favorite album?
I might say Rumors, Fleetwood Mac.
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Arts & Entertainment
Indie Shop Profile: 3 Pillars Music Demetri Kirchberg | In one of
our recent Whisk Reviews, we critiqued the Mason Jar Cafe. I was driving by it last week and had to stop next door, because nothing makes me slam on the brakes harder than coming across a new music store. Right in the middle of the Benton Harbor Arts District is one of the coolest shops I’ve been to in a long time, with great vibes and a very eclectic inventory. The first thing that caught my eyes when I walked in was the shining display of electrics in the back. There hung a beautiful silver Razorback next to a stunning black with white trim hollow body. There were dulcimers and fiddles, and turntables everywhere. Owner Tom Ives was gracious enough to sit and chat with me about his shop, 3 Pillars Music. How long has 3 Pillars been around?
March 7 of last year, so it’s only been a year. What was the inspiration for opening your own shop?
Well, I owned a cell phone store downtown St. Joe for 12 years. I closed that and was kinda thinking [about] what I wanted to do. My friend owns this building and we talked about doing a record/ book store here when it became
obvious that Ferris (the owner of a now closed local music store) was too sick to open his door any more. This was an art gallery at one time, but it was only used during arthop, four times a year, so we said ‘let’s do something permanent in here.’ It’s great that you did. What does your independent store offer that big names like Best Buy don’t?
[Companies] like Best Buy are really scaling back their music. When I walk in it seems they’re really just a cell phone/computer store with a few appliances. We’re never gonna compete with guitar center, [being] we’re some place that people don’t have to drive 40 miles to Kalamazoo, or south [to] Mishawaka to buy strings or straps. We’re just the local [shop] that’s here when people need us. As a guitar player, I would definitely come to you guys first. Where do most of your sales come from?
I’d say records are our biggest sales. More from vintage or new releases?
It’s half and half. I try to keep some new like Arcade Fire and newer groups, and then of course we
couple that with re releases of the Stones and the Beatles. And then a little jazz section to keep a nice blend up there. Those albums are not cheap. Then we always have a two dollar section cause some people just wanna throw something on the turntable. Have you experienced any of this “Vinyl Revolution” in here?
Yeah. Young people love albums, that’s what I do know. Our main clientele are probably 18 to 35. They’re enjoying the artwork on a cover, they’re opening it to see who plays guitar on this, all these things that you don’t get with an Mp3 and are too small to read on a cd. They really enjoy the experience of owning vinyl and putting it on. A lot of music was made to put on track one and play all the way through. The artist had something in mind by doing that. I’m not gonna go to Youtube, or pick songs around from Spotify. Getting into the flow of an album is really what it’s about. You’re obviously a vinyl lover. What do you think is so special about vinyl?
Well, it just sounds better. On vinyl, the file isn’t all compressed. The sound is more expanded when you listen to it through a stereo,
PHOTO BY DEMETRI KIRCHBERG
Wow. I mean, I’ve got a really big box of music that I like. I like Broadway, I like Rock, I like oldschool Country, so it’s almost like I have a favorite in each genre.
Yeah, that’s right up there. I might say Miles Davis, Kind of Blue. I’ve got it on the wall over there. It’s just like the perfect Jazz album. But like I say, my box is big.
Oh man. Maybe Led Zeppelin 3. It’s right up there. Everything to the copper details in the architecture to the collector’s box set I went home with makes this shop one of my favorite places in Michigan. For the love of music, go and check it out!
You might have just answered
Throwback: To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) And Looking Forward: Go Set a Watchman (2015) Shanelle Kim | I was fifteen years
old when I first read To Kill a Mockingbird (1960). My teacher had as-
signed the first few chapters to our high school English class. I started it as soon as I got home, and I fin-
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ished it that same day. Even those who haven’t read To Kill a Mockingbird know it as a
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Very Important Book. It’s on several lists, many of which have titles that are some reiteration of “100 Books to Read Before You Die.” It’s on the list of the top 100 banned/ challenged books, alongside equally noble novels like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, and lighter, sillier fare like The Captain Underpants Series by Dav Pilkey. And of course, it is one of the major staples of American high school English classes. Lee’s novel, which is a comingof-age tale of young Scout as she watches how the trial of a black man accused of rape affects her community in Maycomb, Alabama, certainly is a Very Important Book, and yet it is written in such a way that it doesn’t always feel like it. Her writing is honest, straightforward, and accessible, and the stories she tells feel deeply personal. This—Lee’s gift for personal storytelling—is why I believe more than fifty years after To Kill a Mockingbird, people are getting excited about her upcoming novel, Go Set a Watchman (2015). Originally written before To Kill a Mockingbird, Go Set a Watchman is set
twenty years after the trial in Maycomb. Lee had sent in the manuscript to HarperCollins, only to be told that the publishers were more interested in the flashback scenes of Scout as a young girl. She went back and re-wrote everything from a child’s point of view, and To Kill a Mockingbird was born. Lee did not intend to publish any more work and has lived a generally private life. Which is why the sudden announcement that the manuscript for Go Set a Watchman, months after the death of Lee’s sister Alice—who had kept her sister out of the public eye—was met with much suspicion and speculation. Some believed Lee, in her old age, had been coerced into signing an agreement to release the novel. Still others have raised concerns that her newest—and presumably last—novel will be a disappointment compared to the wild success of the first. I admit that some of the scrutiny surrounding the circumstances of Go Set a Watchman’s publication sounds suspicious. I also know that books like To Kill a Mockingbird may only come once in a writer’s lifetime, that other works may
come as a letdown compared to the glory of the first Very Important Book. But I also know that I don’t love To Kill a Mockingbird simply for its high-minded ideals or refined literary style. I love it because of Scout, Boo, Atticus, and other characters, who proved, through living their everyday lives, that we can be better than the times we live in. I love it for the moments of humor as well as the moments of truth. And I love To Kill a Mockingbird because its message is—sadly—still all too relevant. The issue at the heart of To Kill a Mockingbird—a black man being criminalized and stereotyped because of the prejudices of his community—has not gone away. I don’t think I’ll be disappointed in Go Set a Watchman, because I believe in Harper Lee’s ability to write a story that raises concerns about a deep societal problem in a personal way, and also because I think novels like these give hope for a time when stories like the ones in To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman truly become ones of the past.
THE STUDENT MOVEMENT
The Last Word
Exhale
Melodie Roschman Editor-in-Chief
This past Friday, I presented my Honors Thesis at the Spring Thesis Symposium. It was the culmination of an entire year’s work on my project, of hundreds of hours of research, reading, and writing. I had been dreading and anticipating this day since I first learned about it as a freshman, but the actual presentation—the slideshow and lecturing and answering questions—passed by like a dream. I should have been nervous, but I had thinking about this moment for so long that it didn’t seem real at all. Sure, part of me was reading quotations and explaining deconstruction, but mostly I was just looking at all of the faces in the audience—at the dozens of family members and mentors and dear friends looking back at me. I was overwhelmed by a surge of love and appreciation, not just for them, but for all of the conversations and memories and adventures that they represented. As I read the Virginia Woolf quotation I had chosen to close the project, I locked eyes with my best friend, and I could tell that there were tears in both of our eyes: “Some people go to priests; others to poetry; I to my friends, I to my own heart, I to seek among phrases and fragments something unbroken.” When I sat down, a classmate whispered, “How do you feel?” All I could answer was “empty.” The end of a semester, the end of a school year, always feels like an exchange is required: we have been training and reading and living for months, and then the tables turn and it’s time to synthesize, perform, and provide an explana-
THE STUDENT MOVEMENT STAFF
tion of the significance of our experiences. Now, as I’m facing not just the end of a semester, but the end of the four richest, most vibrant, and most world-shifting years of my life, I’m struck by the absurdity of this task. How can I sum up anything? How can a few words on the back of a newspaper—or even thousands and thousands of them—encapsulate my memories? When I graduated from high school four years ago, they played
matic declaration of love, standing on the beach at sunset. Moments of college have been cinematic, but many memories I cherish wouldn’t make very good photographs: binge-watching Disney movies and cooking dinner, going on passionate tirades during class discussions, enjoying the sunshine on my face as I walk to class, or talking about relationships, postcolonialism, and Doctor Who late into the night. Then there are the
“When I sat down, a classmate whispered, ‘How do you feel?’ All I could answer was ‘empty.’” a slideshow of highlights of my class. As our grinning faces flickered by and a sentimental song played, I realized that instead of remembering all of the drama, pettiness, and angst of high school, I was seeing this false story made only of cheerful snapshots and posed group photos, a story that didn’t even reflect our lives. I’m worried that now, as I approach another graduation, I may be guilty of the same thing. If you asked me to show you my college experience, perhaps I’d show you a movie montage: me giving a speech, letting the wind blow in my hair in the front seat of my friend’s convertible, making a dra-
less perfect moments—awkward dates, disappointments, seeming decades of homework and exams, and a significant amount of crying. These have been just as relevant as the high points, but even together they don’t really capture the truth. The problem is that as we get closer to graduation I feel like someone shopping without a cart: I keep piling things into my arms, desperate to cram more and more in and hold on to everything. I’m so scared that I’m going to miss celebrating something, forget to say a goodbye, fail to commemorate a last concert or class or study session. Overwhelmed by the irreducible complexity of more than
1400 days of living, how can I keep it all? I’ve always been terrible at endings. I worry that to move forward means to forget, that I’m the happiest that I am ever going to be right now, and that the full life I live will be replaced by nothing but loneliness. The truth, however, is that moving on is growth, not exchange. The really precious element of the last four years, more than any favorite tree or building or class, has been the relationships I have formed, the people I have come to love. Those relationships are not bound by space. They don’t end with a final exam or a diploma or the sight of Michigan in the rearview mirror. When you love people, they change you: they make you richer and more complex and more filled with stories, and you carry their hearts with you wherever you go. Maybe you’re overjoyed to end the year, thrilled to leave the past behind you whether you’re returning next year or moving on to something new. But maybe you’re like me, and you’ve been collecting memories and clinging to the present, as if by breathing in every beautiful moment and then holding your breath you can prevent things from changing. We have to learn to exhale. We have to learn to make room for new things. Breathing is, after all, the balance of inhaling and exhaling, of taking in and letting go—and to breathe is to be alive.
Student Movement Staff Has Banquet, Demonstrate Practical Abilities May 17, 1917 Staff | On Sunday, May 6, the
Hindsight
members of The Student Movement staff demonstrated that they are versatile in their practical abilities as well as in their accomplishments. The writer of ads can as gracefully turn the crank of an icecream freezer and the keeper of the subscription list can make a salad which lacks nothing in either quality nor quantity. The editor had worked up so much skill in finding things to be improved, and vigor in expressing himself that he washed dishes fast enough to keep half a dozen damsels buzzing around
when the feast was over. Unique invitations had announced Forest View at eleven o’clock, but long before that time the news editor and several reporters had arrived with cans of milk and cream and a peck of potatoes, while the business manager delivered chairs and tables on the front veranda with clever dexterity. When the alumni appeared with the cakes, and sandwitches [sic] had been filled with the most delicious compound ever concocted, and the advisory editor had graciously advised everybody from one end
of the spacious bungalow to the other, dinner was announced. While the cooling breezes blew, they joyously advanced down the menu thru the pie and fudge, when the youngest member, the curly-haired nineteen-year-old, (or somebody else) suggested a game of ring-around-a-rosy on the lawn before attempting the last course. The scribes are athletic, and they are eloquent in speech and gifted in song as well. As both the father and grandfather of The Student Movement were present they responded to toasts, and the as-
sistant manager and the literary editor gave a prophecy of the staff as they met in Burma six years hence. Then there was hurrying to and fro, as twenty-three people cleared tables, swept floors, washed dishes and put things in order. Was it any wonder that afterwards there were found in the kitchen wood box two dish cloths, several tin cans, one dish towel and six holders under paper plates and newspapers galore?
Melodie Roschman Editor-in-Chief Givan Hinds News Editor Erik Vyhmeister Ideas Editor Tim McGuire Pulse Editor Dakota Hall Humans Editor Shanelle Kim Arts & Entertainment Editor Joelle Arner Photo Editor WayAnne Watson Copy Editor Bennett Shelley Copy Editor Amy Beisiegel Layout Editor Dori Moore Multimedia Manager Scott Moncrieff Faculty Advisor
Letters to the editor can be submitted to smeditor@andrews.edu All letters subject to publication. The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventhday Adventist church.
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