2
Amber Celestin on student retention
3
Editorial: Understanding the basis of mistrust
6
Bethel Worship Center is founded
Friday, October 25, 2019 | Volume 108, Issue 4 | North Newton, KS
9
Bethel coaching behind the scenes
11
A movie review: Joker gets the last laugh
Ahmed Fall, junior from Staten Island, N.Y., Sandy Dao, sophomore from Salina, Taj Munning, sophomore from Nassau, New Providence, Landon Barnes, sophomore from Ashland City, Tenn., Kendra Gooden, sophomore from Wichita, and Tori Mosakowski, sophomore from Lawrence, participate in Fall Fest activities. Photo by Madi Harkins
2 NEWS
Area news program “Where’s Shane” visits campus AKIA JONES Staff Writer
For nearly 50 years Bethel College has been hosting the annual Fall Fest. The event spans homecoming weekend and the festivities are hosted in the days leading up to Saturday’s festivities, including student performances and the annual footbal game. The event includes many diverse groups and clubs, each managing a booth that has information
about the organization and many different ways to you can join or contribute. This year before Fall Fest, Shane Konicki, founder of the news show “Where’s Shane?,” visited to take part in the Thresher Roll. “Where’s Shane?,” a show streamed through the local news channel, KWCH12, is hosted by Shane Konicki. In the show, Konicki is featured attending various events and festivals that are traditional to communities in the area.
Shane began his Bethel College visit at 6:35 a.m., learning about the Walk of Welcome, the Threshing Stone and the Ringing of the Bell with campus administration. He then visited the telescope and experienced the Father Abraham chant, before moving onto Thresher Gymnasium. Early Thursday morning everyone joined together in the Thresher Gym to take part in the activities. Although some students wanted to continue
sleeping before their classes, many were excited to have a chance to be on television. Kiree Dukes, a freshman from Bakersfield, Cali., was one of the student-athletes who participated in the cheer that morning. “I was really excited to take part in the roll, I told my mom to tune in so she could see me. I thought it was pretty cool that Bethel was finally getting public recognition,” he said. Bethel students were
featured live at 8:48 a.m. on October 10, where they performed the cheer a few times. Konicki then requested a second round of the entire performance so that his team could record it and feature it again at 4:00 p.m. that evening. AJ Dugan, sophomore from Walton, enjoyed taking part in this unique experience. “It was cool seeing behind the scenes of something like this. Plus, they gave us doughnuts,” said Dugan.
Amber Celestin is working to increase student retention NOAH LARSON Staff Writer
Retention is a concept many people have not heard of, or they may only know a very basic definition of the word. Retention in a college setting is defined as that school’s ability to retain students. Recently, it has become a popular term on Bethel’s campus. The Director of Student Success and Retention, Amber Celestin, knows a great deal on the subject and wants students to know that they have options before deciding to leave college or transfer to a different place. “Paying attention to retention is paying attention to the things that get in students’ way when they’re trying to be successful in their classes and to pursue their degrees and graduate. It means looking at factors that might be one more hurdle that students have to jump and how we can help mitigate those factors. How can we find another way and make their path forward as smooth as possible?” said Celestin. The difference in retention between athletes and students
who don’t participate in athletics has grown in the last few years. Celestin has found that most students, athletes or not, have some issues with finding and staying at a college they enjoy. “The issues that are those barriers to students are pretty common across the board. Athletes and students with jobs might be comparable because they have so much time spent in the week that is not spent on studies. You cannot have your studies if you have so many hours a week that you’re doing this other job. Some have jobs on top of their student-athlete roles,” said Celestin. One of the largest barriers is the time commitment that many students have to try and manage, whether that be jobs, sports and practice, clubs and/or academics. While Celestin is the director of student success and retention, there are a lot of ways the colleges, professors, and even other students can help keep people from leaving, whatever the reason. “I think, at least from a faculty perspective, it is just reaching out constantly. When students miss class, I have a
moment I can send a quick email and check-in: ‘Hey, I noticed you’re not here, and I did miss you in class, and we did some things I want to touch base on,’” said Celestin. Communication is probably Celestin’s go-to word when it comes to keeping students in the loop and helping them if they have a problem. “Constantly being in communication is a big one. And that is not just faculty. Students, staff, everyone. If we are constantly in communication with each other and what is going on, and how we can help each other, I think that is huge for retention,” said Celestin. Something that is also key is having a support system. People who you can talk to, help you with the stress of everyday life and push you to take a break and try new things. “Having a person you can be open with, someone who really clicked, or a coach or something. Talking to that person and being open with them, and communicating when you are struggling. It is the same on our part, faculty and staff, if we notice you are struggling, it
is sending an email to check in,” said Celestin. If students have an issue with wanting to stay at college, or even a job, they have school sponsore options available before deciding to actually leave. Amber
Celestin is a resource for those individuals and is the process of researching methods of retention for Bethel College for students of different educational pursuits, academic backgrounds, and interests.
SGA Updates 2019 Senate meeting schedule (subject to change): October 27 November 10 November 24 December 8 Please note the tentative Senate meeting schedule for the remainder of the semester. Typically, the Senate meets every other week on Sunday evenings, but due to fall break, the next meeting will be on the 27th. As always, these meetings are open to the student body. SGA Number: (316)-804-8234
OPINION 3
Understanding the background and basis of mistrust today
JESSICA LAROCQUE Sports Editor
As I sit at the Caf, I glance around the table. Nearly everyone has their keys sitting on the table. Some noticeable accessories on these key chains include pepper spray, rape whistles or defensive kitty key chains (a cat looking key chain with pointed ears intended for on-the-spot self-defense). One question I often ask myself when noticing these accessories is, “when do people stop trusting others, even to the extent of having these items on their person?” It turns out, people stop trusting others at a very young age. A study by Melissa Koenig, Fabrice Clement, and Paul Harris was done on children between ages three and four. The children were presented with an object and an informant would tell them what it was. Sometimes, the object would be identified correctly and other times, the object was identified falsely. The result? Four-year-olds did not trust the person that told them
false information the first time and trusted those that told them true information. This was less distinct with three-year-olds. Just this basic analysis suggests mistrust begins in children between ages three and four. However, this is still a long way off from carrying pepper spray everywhere. What exactly happens between youth and adulthood? There are several reasons for a decline in trust in younger individuals. From early to late adolescence (ages 12-18), children start using their own experiences to judge a person’s trustworthiness. During this time frame, children are more likely to interweave between more diverse groups of people and build relationships with others. These experiences greatly influence how children will interact with others as they grow into adulthood. If a child has a negative experience with the police, they are less likely to trust them in their later stages of life. This might be different for a person who has had little to no interaction with law enforcement. This personal experience shapes the perception of life differently, affecting their levels of trust. These personal experiences are also why minorities and oppressed individuals find it more difficult to trust others. Rima Wilkes and Cary Wu wrote, “since trust is an interpersonal construct and a social relationship, power is one of its important precursors.” If trust in a relationship is broken, more
powerful people are able to control the negative repercussions. The powerful in society control their personal trustworthiness, leaving those with less influence at their mercy. This lack of power may also stem from the inability to defend oneself from an assailant. Along with experiencing oppression or discrimination, individuals suffer from the scars of past relationships. In our late adolescence to adulthood, we are desperately rying to form intimate bonds with other people. Most want to be socially included rather than excluded. However, as we know, these relationships fall apart and our trust is broken. This causes people to feel more reluctant in trusting others in relationships and even in intimate partners. Many on Bethel’s campus experience a combination of these factors. Students are reluctant to trust others by the time they reach their college years. The weapons of defense found scattered around tables in the Caf may be a result of a personal experience. Maybe it is the repeated experience of abused power or failed relationships that causes them to need this extra reassurance. Whatever the case, know mistrust isn’t uncommon and students and faculty need to be aware of how they interact with a person’s trust.
HOW OLD IS TOO OLD FOR TRICK OR TREATING AND WHY? David Wulff-Cochrane
SENIOR
“I believe when you hit the age of about 18 years old, then you need to stop trick or treating. I mean, you’re officially an adult and… nah I’m lying, you can’t ever be too old to go trick or treating.”
Reis Jennings
FIRST-YEAR “Around 20 or 30 you are just trying to get free candy, so a senior in highschool is the oldest.”
Josie Calzonetti
SOPHOMORE
“I think 11 or 12 because I see trick or treating as more of an activity for younger kids”
Callie Ross
SENIOR ”Senior year of high school, because you either are/almost 18, which means you are a legal adult.”
Jessica LaRocque is junior at Bethel College and an aspiring English major and History minor.
The Collegian is a student-run newspaper published bi-weekly while classes are in session. The Collegian is funded by advertising revenue and student fees. The Collegian is delivered free to Bethel faculty, staff, resident and commuter students. Off-campus subscriptions are available at the rate of $18.00 per school year. Subscriptions may be sent to:
The Collegian, Bethel College, North Newton, KS, 67117
WORD ON THE STREET
BETHANY POWLS
ELIZABETH RATZLAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
CHRISTINE CROUSE-DICK FACULTY ADVISER EMILY KONDZIOLA
NEWS/FEATURES EDITOR
ZACHARY SHIMA
BUSINESS MANAGER GABE JOHNSON
SPORTS EDITOR
CAPRI STEVENSON-BISOM
CHRISTINE CROUSE-DICK DESIGN/LAYOUT EDITOR ADVISER
SYDNEY JOHNSON
AUSTIN PROUTY NEWS EDITOR DESIGN EDITOR
JADIN KALTENBACH OPINION RILEYEDITOR SCHMIEDER
COPY EDITOR
NATHAN GARBER
FEATURES BAILEYEDITOR STRAUSZ
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
JESSICA LAROCQUE SPORTS ZACHEDITOR SHIMA
BUSINESS MANAGER
STAFF
MADISON HARKINS
CALEB ALLEN ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR PHOTO EDITOR
CHARLOTTE EHRMANN
JADIN KALTENBACH
COPY EDITOR
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
MIKINZIE HARKINS
WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
OSCAR GONZALES PHOTO EDITOR
4 OPINION
THRESHPECTIVES : staff writers share their perspectives Are flu shots as necessary as people make them out to be?
Objections to the flu shot vary among communities Growing up, every In many communities, particularly time I went to the those affiliated with more conservative doctor, I was told religious sects or denomination, flu shots I needed to get a are viewed as an obstruction of natural flu shot so the flu law. For example, in many Anabaptist wouldn’t affect me. communities, like that of the Amish, flu The doctors were shots and other medical procedures are always so persistent viewed as a lack of faith in the healing on informing powers of their diety. my family on the Although this is similar to the nonAKIA JONES upsides of a flu shot vaccination trend, not getting the flu Staff Writer and how they should shot is a little less severe. Since the flu act immediately to strand changes each year, it can seem sustain effective results. tiring to have to get a shot at the same Regardless of what was said, my each year. While this can seem like dad never believed a word the doctors an annoyance, flu shots arguably can said, which he always either harm or benefit had a tendency to do. various communities He believed that the in varying different “Throughout the workings of God were years, many people in ways. the only medicine I So when it comes society have shared needed in my life and to the matter of the same mindset proceeded to not allow whether a flu shot me to receive the flu is needed or not, it’s as my father; they shot. Throughout the believe the flu shot is really a controversial years, many people in topic that has no clear unnecessary on the society have shared the answer. On one hand, same mindset as my basis of their religion.” we should respect father; they believe the religious exemptions, flu shot is unnecessary but on the other not on the basis of their wanting a flu shot just religion. because you don’t is not necessarily a A friend of mine, who lives in valid excuse. If those healthy enough to Texas, grew up in a very religious home. get a flu shot do not, then herd immunity Like my father, his family believed the cannot take effect. flu shot did nothing to help, but rather There are people out there that harmed the recipient. I called my friend’s believe it can help save a life, while family back home to get their perspective others believe its a waste of time and on the matter. money. Although I have never received His mother told me: “The flu shot a flu shot, I’m not completely out of the is just a waste of time, plain and simple. idea either and if the time comes I might They give you a bit of the flu so that you just get one. can become more immune, but it doesn’t do anything but makeyou sick.” Akia Jones is a first-year at Bethel His father also had a comment: “I College and is an aspiring Communication feel as though we could spend money on Arts major. better things than a flu shot, they make medicine for a reason. Why do you need a shot?”
Shoot away those pesky germs with the flu shot Flu season is a flu shot is babies six months and under. coming up, and But those who do not get the shot that means for simply because they don’t need to are the many avoiding problem. If everybody were to get the their sick friends shot then that flu strand that year would like they have the die out. Amazing! Imagine a world where plague. If you’re you didn’t get sick because everybody anything like me, actually believed in science. Too hard to then you will not imagine? We need to start taking care of want to be sick as each other as a community and actually CHARLOTTE that means mounds get our flu shots. EHRMANN of homework to Now, you’re next excuse for not Copy Editor catch up on all while getting a shot may be that you have no running a fever. As idea where to get one. I am here to the someone who is constantly busy, I know rescue for this one. The Newton Walmart that getting a flu shot is the best way to offers flu shots everyday during pharmacy prevent myself from hours. They are free with getting sick. most insurance plans as There are many well. Both Walgreens and misconceptions about do flu shots as “As someone who Dillons the flu shot and why well, but it may depend is constantly busy, I on each location whether you don’t really need it, but everybody who can know that getting a or not they will do one should get one. flu shot is the best on site. The first common Don’t want to leave way to prevent myself the school? misconception is that You’re in luck! from getting sick.” The school is hosting a getting the flu shot can give you the flu. While clinic October 30 from the shot contains dead 10 a.m.-noon in the strains of the flu virus Health Center. This is prevalent that year, the located on the bottom shot itself cannot give you the flu. You floor of the Will Academic Center. These may have a reaction, which can be as small shots will be free with most insurances, but as a sore arm or as large as a low grade for those without (hopefully everybody fever. Considering the flu itself typically has insurance, since the school requires it gives someone way worse symptoms, just if living on campus) sliding scale fees will get the dang shot. be available. The second misconception is that Once again, I urge everybody to get unless you are working in health care or vaccinated against this year’s flu. If you are a school, then you’re fine, you don’t need a healthy individual who just doesn’t want the shot. This is false because of something to get one, remember you are putting called herd immunity. Herd immunity is yourself and others at risk of infection. the concept that everybody who is healthy For the sake of everybodys’ health, please, enough to receive a vaccination or shot will please get a flu shot this season. to protectt those who cannot. Some people do have severe reactions to the flu shot, Charlotte Ehrmann is a sophomore where they are allergic to an ingredient in at Bethel College and is a double major in the shot. This is totally understandable! Psychology and History and Political Sciene. The other group of people who cannot get
FEATURES 5
Bethel College students participate in WCSC interships
Current students in the WCSC program visit important buildings and historic monuments during their term in Washington D.C. Photo courtesy of Sarah Balzer
BETHANY POWLS Editor-in-Chief
The Washington Community Scholars’ Center (WCSC) is a program out of Washington D.C. that welcomes students from colleges around the country to live in a community house and take urban studies classes for a semester long internship. The program, run through the Eastern Mennonite University (EMU), has recently renewed their exchange program with Bethel College in 2018. The first student to benefit from the newly implemented program was Jen Andres, senior from Newton, who spent the summer of 2019 in D.C. “I was the first Bethel student to participate in WCSC in a long time. Now we have two more students there this semester and more going next fall,” said Andres. The program was founded in 1976 under a different name: the Washington Study-Service Year (WSSY). The name was changed in 2002 to WCSC.
Sarah Balzer, senior from Inman, is one of two Bethel students that are currently involved in WCSC internships. She and Akiyaa Hagen-Despusoir, senior from McPherson, are currently living in Washington D.C. “Along with Akiyaa HagenDepusoir, I’m spending my fall semester in D.C. through the Washington Community Scholars’ Center. The program runs spring, fall and summer terms, and includes classes that examine race, space, community and leadership,” said Balzer. Since its creation, the WCSC has worked to reflect EMU’s values in response to peacemaking efforts, community development and crosscultural immersion within urban areas of Washington D.C. Many majors at Bethel require internships as graduation requirements. “Students from all majors are placed in internships where they can get experience an area of interest. I was fortunate enough to be placed at Congregation Action Network (CAN), an organization that
coordinates sanctuary churches. I’m completing my senior social work placement, and my time spent with CAN has been so valuable. Our main work is doing community organizing,” said Balzer. Students who participate often receive the opportunity to influence large scale decision making processes. Many act as advocates for issues in social justice and receive the opportunity to participate in protests. For others, realizing these goals can involve presenting or advocating to various councils and public interest groups. “A few highlights from my time here include advocating at the D.C. Council and cooperation between the D.C. Jail and ICE (we got emergency legislation passed), protesting the proposed migrant detention centers in the area (plans for one of the three have already been canceled), and supporting families who have check-ins with ICE. Just this morning, one woman successfully got an extension on her stay in the U.S. I feel that the work I am doing is important,” said Balzer. Several students form other schools participate with WCSC to
fulfill internship, cross-cultural or other class requirements. Balzer said, “My main goal in coming to D.C. was to complete my senior social work placement, but I’ve been able to do so much more. The classes we have here are interactive, and we constantly hear from speakers who are active in the D.C. community. I’ve been able to create strong friendships with the other people in the house, most of whom I wouldn’t have met otherwise.” Students who participate live communally and spend a huge portion of time with their house mates. “All of the students who participate in the program live in a group house. Most will have roommates. Everyone has a group job, we cook meals together, go to class together, and eat together, and explore the city. We pack a lunch every morning and then are at our internships all day. In the evening we all eat together. On the weekends and in the evenings we are free to do other fun activities in the city,” said Andres. When students aren’t participating in the classroom setting, there are many tourist options for them to enjoy. Several of these relate to local attractions, monuments, and museums.
“The sheer number of things to do here is amazing. On weekends, you can usually find us hitting up street fairs, the (free!) Smithsonian museums and the Brixton, a club on U Street. My time here with the WCSC program has been amazing so far, and I still have another half of the semester to go,” said Balzer. This opportunity is available to students of any major or career plan. “As an Elementary Education major, I interned at St. Anthony Catholic School. I had an amazing time. It even affected me to the extent that I will be doing my student teaching there next fall,” said Andres. Working through WCSC can fulfill this requirement for many majors. Balzer said, “If you need an internship for your major, would like to meet students from other colleges, or just want a change of pace from North Newton, I would definitely recommend a semester with WCSC.” In reflection to her time spent in D.C. so far, Balzer said, “If I had to sum up my experience in Washington, D.C. in just a few words, I would choose ‘Compelling classes, an amazing internship, and a few more tourist attractions than we have in North Newton.’”
off any service with this coupon and student ID Expires 12/14/17
THE BETHEL COLLEGE COLLEGIAN
6 FEATURES
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019
FEATURES 7
Bethel Worship Center: A house becoming a home JADIN KALTENBACH Opinions Editor
Bethel College is an institution founded on Mennonite traditions and beliefs. Because of this, a fair percentage of the student population identifies as Mennonite and has an accessible house of worship just next door, at the Bethel College Mennonite Church. However, there are those who may have a religious affiliation, but have nowhere to carry out their worship or do not have accessibility to make the trip off campus to attend worship services. The Bethel Worship Center (BWC) is a student led, nondenominational, Christian worship service that takes place every Sunday on campus. The
inspiration for starting the BWC came from a simple conversation between sophomore from Ashland City, Tenn., Landon Barnes and football coach A.B. Stokes this past spring. Barnes commented about not having found a place to worship here in Newton or the surrounding area, and the two joked about starting a church on campus. This joke laid heavy on Stokes heart and he began to pray about the possibility. He then discussed it with senior from Pollocksville, N.C., Bruce Rosario, and proposed the idea which set the plan into motion. After a summer filled with meetings with Pastor Peter Goerzen and a final push of encouragement and support from President Gering in early fall, the Bethel Worship Center had its first service on October 6 at 11 a.m. in
Kriebel Auditorium. The BWC is not your average church or worship service organization. It is completely student led and is composed of six teams: audio, creative, media, service, video and worship. Every individual team functions with the others in order to encourage teamwork and unity, as well as the ability to grow closer in relationship with God. “This let’s students know God can use you no matter where you are,” said Stokes. “I’ve heard it said a bunch of times, ‘well I can’t be apart of that because I’m not perfect.’ Well, God doesn’t want you to be perfect, he wants you exactly the way you are and by [students] seeing their peers praise and worship and be apart of this, I think it can be a way of encouragement.”
A Bethel worship service typically follows the same basic outline of a Christian service, with a welcome, prayer, worship, scripture, message and a benediction. “The way we set up BWC gives the student’s confidence in their faith whether they are apart of a team or an attendee of the service. A lot of time, it’s easy to go sit in a venue, but when you are the one who is involved in delivering the message, however that may be, it empowers the student to think ‘I have my own faith’,” said Stokes. “You can’t rely on someone else’s faith. I think this kind of thing encourages relationship building with your Savior. It empowers the
(Left) Campus community participates in a worship service led by the recently revived Gospel Choir. (Above) Students pose for post-worship photo shoot. Photos courtsey of Jadin Kaltenbach
Students and community members attending the Bethel Worship Center service surround a makeshift cross bearing handwritten messages pertaining to sermons led by Coach Stokes. Photo courtesy of Jadin Kaltenbach
students to grow in their faith and grow in their walk.” The services also include a different theme each week and activities that get attendees involved. “BWC is here for the unification of students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community. It is going to give Bethel a new and different life in Spirit and Truth,” said Rosario. “It’s creating an atmosphere of abodeness and positivity on campus.” With attendance numbers on the incline each week and positive feedback from different attendees, it seems like the worship services are here to stay. “The atmosphere is welcoming and I keep coming back because I feel at peace when I am there,”
said Anna Ranzinger, first-year from Brighton, Colo. “I know that when I go I can put all of my focus on God and the service without feeling judged. I also love the singing.” For Sydney Brown, first-year from Fort Worth, Texas, the services gave her the opportunity to continue her faith life hundreds of miles away from home. “I go to BWC services because back home I went to church every Sunday and when I moved here everything changed and became a lot harder. I didn’t want to lose my relationship with the Lord,” said Brown. “The energy of the service is so fulfilling,” said first-year Natalie John. “Everybody is full of energy and love and it’s amazing to see. I wasn’t that interested in going to church for a long time but I really like the energy and what is said during services at BWC.”
Logan Demond, a first year from Larned and a member of the video and media team on BWC, says his reason for being a part of the center is multifaceted. “I am apart of BWC to build my resume and improve my faith life,” said Demond. “Being apart of something like this allows me to work on different aspects of my future career in marketing and graphic design, while also improving my relationship with God. This is only going to get bigger and I want to be a part of leaving a mark on Bethel College.” If you would like to become a member of a BWC team, you can email A.B. Stokes or talk to any member of BWC. “BWC is much more than just a “church”; it is a building block you can use to advance in your faith life and
career path,” said Greg White, fifthyear senior from San Antonio, Texas, a member of both the creative and worship teams for BWC. “It teaches you that as long as you keep God centered, you can do anything.” To become apart of the BWC family, they hold services in the auditorium every Sunday at 11 a.m. For updates on themes and creative worship opportunities, follow them on instagram at bwc.threshers and/or twitter @threshersbwc. “Being a part of BWC means you are being welcomed into a family of believers,” said Rosario. “We will help strengthen and encourage you through the good and bad times here on campus. It can meaning and positivity for yourself. And it’s fun and it’s a free and an independent way of worship.”
THE BETHEL COLLEGE COLLEGIAN
6 FEATURES
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019
FEATURES 7
Bethel Worship Center: A house becoming a home JADIN KALTENBACH Opinions Editor
Bethel College is an institution founded on Mennonite traditions and beliefs. Because of this, a fair percentage of the student population identifies as Mennonite and has an accessible house of worship just next door, at the Bethel College Mennonite Church. However, there are those who may have a religious affiliation, but have nowhere to carry out their worship or do not have accessibility to make the trip off campus to attend worship services. The Bethel Worship Center (BWC) is a student led, nondenominational, Christian worship service that takes place every Sunday on campus. The
inspiration for starting the BWC came from a simple conversation between sophomore from Ashland City, Tenn., Landon Barnes and football coach A.B. Stokes this past spring. Barnes commented about not having found a place to worship here in Newton or the surrounding area, and the two joked about starting a church on campus. This joke laid heavy on Stokes heart and he began to pray about the possibility. He then discussed it with senior from Pollocksville, N.C., Bruce Rosario, and proposed the idea which set the plan into motion. After a summer filled with meetings with Pastor Peter Goerzen and a final push of encouragement and support from President Gering in early fall, the Bethel Worship Center had its first service on October 6 at 11 a.m. in
Kriebel Auditorium. The BWC is not your average church or worship service organization. It is completely student led and is composed of six teams: audio, creative, media, service, video and worship. Every individual team functions with the others in order to encourage teamwork and unity, as well as the ability to grow closer in relationship with God. “This let’s students know God can use you no matter where you are,” said Stokes. “I’ve heard it said a bunch of times, ‘well I can’t be apart of that because I’m not perfect.’ Well, God doesn’t want you to be perfect, he wants you exactly the way you are and by [students] seeing their peers praise and worship and be apart of this, I think it can be a way of encouragement.”
A Bethel worship service typically follows the same basic outline of a Christian service, with a welcome, prayer, worship, scripture, message and a benediction. “The way we set up BWC gives the student’s confidence in their faith whether they are apart of a team or an attendee of the service. A lot of time, it’s easy to go sit in a venue, but when you are the one who is involved in delivering the message, however that may be, it empowers the student to think ‘I have my own faith’,” said Stokes. “You can’t rely on someone else’s faith. I think this kind of thing encourages relationship building with your Savior. It empowers the
(Left) Campus community participates in a worship service led by the recently revived Gospel Choir. (Above) Students pose for post-worship photo shoot. Photos courtsey of Jadin Kaltenbach
Students and community members attending the Bethel Worship Center service surround a makeshift cross bearing handwritten messages pertaining to sermons led by Coach Stokes. Photo courtesy of Jadin Kaltenbach
students to grow in their faith and grow in their walk.” The services also include a different theme each week and activities that get attendees involved. “BWC is here for the unification of students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community. It is going to give Bethel a new and different life in Spirit and Truth,” said Rosario. “It’s creating an atmosphere of abodeness and positivity on campus.” With attendance numbers on the incline each week and positive feedback from different attendees, it seems like the worship services are here to stay. “The atmosphere is welcoming and I keep coming back because I feel at peace when I am there,”
said Anna Ranzinger, first-year from Brighton, Colo. “I know that when I go I can put all of my focus on God and the service without feeling judged. I also love the singing.” For Sydney Brown, first-year from Fort Worth, Texas, the services gave her the opportunity to continue her faith life hundreds of miles away from home. “I go to BWC services because back home I went to church every Sunday and when I moved here everything changed and became a lot harder. I didn’t want to lose my relationship with the Lord,” said Brown. “The energy of the service is so fulfilling,” said first-year Natalie John. “Everybody is full of energy and love and it’s amazing to see. I wasn’t that interested in going to church for a long time but I really like the energy and what is said during services at BWC.”
Logan Demond, a first year from Larned and a member of the video and media team on BWC, says his reason for being a part of the center is multifaceted. “I am apart of BWC to build my resume and improve my faith life,” said Demond. “Being apart of something like this allows me to work on different aspects of my future career in marketing and graphic design, while also improving my relationship with God. This is only going to get bigger and I want to be a part of leaving a mark on Bethel College.” If you would like to become a member of a BWC team, you can email A.B. Stokes or talk to any member of BWC. “BWC is much more than just a “church”; it is a building block you can use to advance in your faith life and
career path,” said Greg White, fifthyear senior from San Antonio, Texas, a member of both the creative and worship teams for BWC. “It teaches you that as long as you keep God centered, you can do anything.” To become apart of the BWC family, they hold services in the auditorium every Sunday at 11 a.m. For updates on themes and creative worship opportunities, follow them on instagram at bwc.threshers and/or twitter @threshersbwc. “Being a part of BWC means you are being welcomed into a family of believers,” said Rosario. “We will help strengthen and encourage you through the good and bad times here on campus. It can meaning and positivity for yourself. And it’s fun and it’s a free and an independent way of worship.”
8 SPORTS
Thresher basketball prepares for upcoming season
OCT. 29 7:00 p.m. AWAY at KANSAS WESLEYAN NOV. 2
7:00 p.m. AWAY at TABOR COLLEGE
Women’s basketball practices in Thresher Gym. Photo by Lindsey Pfannenstiel
development instead before they started practices. Coach Johnson made this decision as he didn’t want his players to become burned out once December hits before the break. This is the time during which many teams become tired.
Upcoming Events
VOLLEYBALL OCT. 26 3:00 p.m. HOME vs. AVILA UNIVERSITY
Junior Abby Schmidt from Newton is the centerpiece of the team, as she was the Defensive Player of the year in the KCAC last year, as well as, making the all-conference first team. Senior Kelsey Potter from El Dorado is another experienced player, who is coming off an injury. She will make an impact as a senior leader. The team is extremely young, as all of the players but two are underclassmen. Kendall Michalski, sophomore from Topeka, will take an increased role, coming into her sophomore year, as a sharpshooter. The rest of the returning sophomores will all pick up where they left off last season, getting more minutes and developing as players. The team did something a little bit different this year. Instead of jumping straight into practices in late September, they took a week to do skill work and
FOOTBALL
OCT. 26 1:00 p.m. AWAY vs. OTTAWA UNIVERSITY NOV. 2
5:00 p.m. AWAY at TEXAS COLLEGE ER COV DIS
WOMEN’S AND MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
OCT. 26 TBA WINFIELD MID-STATES CLASSIC NOV. 2 TBA AUGUSTA KCAC CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Threshers both open up their seasons on the road on October 26. The men take on Williams Woods University in Missouri. The women take on USAO in Oklahoma.
WOMEN’S AND MEN’S SOCCER OCT. 26 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. HOME vs. KANSAS WESLEYAN OCT. 30
5:00 and 7:30 p.m. HOME vs. TABOR COLLEGE
NOV. 2 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. AWAY at OTTAWA UNIVERSITY
FREE for Bethel College Students & Faculty Tues. - Fri. 9:30am - 4:30am, Sat. - Sun. 1:30pm - 4:30pm
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The Bethel Thresher Men’s and Women’s basketball teams are ready to hit the court once again. After a long, grueling pre-season, the teams are ready to get the season started. On the men’s side of the court, the team is looking to continue to build on the success of the previous season. The team finished 15-15 last year. Coach Jayson Artaz looks to continue to build in his second season as head coach. He has a good mix of players from last season, as well as talented newcomers. The men’s basketball team added three new key player, including Scott Garriga, first-year from Plano, Texas, Ike Umeh, first-year from Dallas, Texas, and Kylon Bryant, first-year from Fresno, Texas. Garriga is a post player from, who transferred
from Eastfield College. Umeh and Bryant are also first-years who will add to the Threshers with their dynamic athleticism. The Threshers have a good deal of returners and only graduated two players last year. The core group of seniors will be back in action, assisted by a group of high-achieving sophomores with increased roles. The Threshers don’t have any real goals for this season, except to continue to develop and grow every single day. If they continue to play with effort and intensity, they should become the best team they can be. On the women’s side, the Threshers are looking to build upon last year’s season, in which they made it to the conference tournament. After graduating four seniors, the Threshers are looking young on the court, but not lacking in experience.
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JOHN HANSBERRY Staff Writer
A look behind the scenes into coaching JOHN HANSBERRY Staff Writer
Being a coach is a tough job, whether you’re a coach at the youth level, college level or professional level. Coaches have a great deal put on them. They work long hours and have to deal with college athletes almost all day long. They do the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the game, not just coach the game itself. Men’s basketball coach Jayson Artaz said, “The stress and pressures that comes with this job can be tough, but working with other coaches that I feel like I can talk about the issues we are having as coaches or a team has been very
helpful. Their advice helps to give me different things to think about.” Coaching can be very stressful. There are a great number of duties coaches have to fulfill and there are things that are outside of their control. Being a coach is not a job for those who can’t handle that stress. Men’s soccer coach James Cottage said, “Coaching isn’t always easy but it’s the best job in the world in my opinion. Stress comes and goes but I’m extremely grateful for the job I have and the people within my program and the athletic department. Gratitude deletes stress.” Coaches need to prepare. They prepare on and off the field with their athletes, taking hours out of
their day to ensure excellence in their programs, without cutting corners. Coaches shape the culture of the team. Cheer head coach Joseph Gogus had this to say about preparation, “I try to push selfsufficiency on and off the mat. I attempt to make my program model what life is like after college with the ability to make mistakes and have grace and buy into something bigger than one’s self to achieve success.” Coaches dedicate themselves to a degree that many don’t understand. There are many hours dedicated to game preparation. When time is spent, there is always a tradeoff. Time spent working means less time for family
and friends. “This to me is the most difficult thing I have come across. I work anywhere from 10-15 hours a day depending on the practice schedule and travel for games. I am away from home more often than I would like, but I try and get my kids to practice at times to help and spend time with them. This job is filled with more travel and time away from home than I think most people realize,” Artaz said. This means coaches dedicate time, effort and energy for not only their players, but for the culture at Bethel. They are not strictly in the business of winning games, but more in the business of creating better young men and women.
Bethel tennis concludes fall season
DANEN KISTNER Staff Writer
Both the Bethel College Men’s and Women’s Tennis teams are finishing up their fall seasons respectively. The teams went to compete in three tournaments this fall: TigerJinx Invitational in Winfield/Ark City, the 2019 KCAC Individual Championships in Winfield and the ITA Regional Championships, also in Winfield. Both teams also traveled to Doane University in Nebraska and over to Baker University in Baldwin City. The Bethel College Threshers also played against NCAA Division II, Fort Hays State University at Bethel’s Ward Tennis Center. The Threshers had some good, individual outings this fall as Jordan Singh, a junior from Newton, for the men’s team, finished in third place at the fifth singles slot for the KCAC Individual Championships. All while Jennifer Harrison, senior from Fort Scott, finished in the top eight out of 32 at the ITA
Regional Championships on the women’s side. Former Head Coach Matthew Barlow, mentioned both Erica Ebenkamp, senior from Conway Springs, and Singh. “Erica Ebenkamp stood out going 2-0 in dual matches this fall at [the third] singles [slot]. Jordan Singh also went 2-0 during dual matches at [the fourth] singles [slot],” said Barlow. With both of his teams playing well individually this fall, Barlow is hoping they can continue to build, heading into the spring season. “I think that [our players] can take their effort and intensity learned in the fall, forward into the spring. We have been focusing on energy during practice and we look to continue to build on that during the winter and into the spring season,” Barlow said. The Threshers will open up their spring seasons on February 10th, competing in a scrimmage against Seward County Community College in Liberal. “Another focus has been consistency on the court and high
percentage decision-making. Once those attributes become habits for the players, we will be tough to beat,” said Barlow. They will start the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) play on March 18, in Wichita against Friends University. Their first home KCAC
match will be played on March 26, against Southwestern College. Students are encouraged to come out and support their Thresher Tennis teams this upcoming spring season, as they are looking to make a big impact in the KCAC this year.
SPORTS 9
the
Sideline AVERY HAWKINS
Staff Writer
CHANTZ SCURRY FOOTBALL
Where did your passion for footaball come from? “It started when I was little watching footvall and it just grew within me from there until now.”
How does it feel to be nominated as KCAC offensive player of the week? “It always feels good to be recognized but I couldn’t have gotten to where I am without my family, friends, coaches, and teammates.”
How long have you been playing football? “I started playing when I was in fourth grade and I’ve been playing ever since.”
10 ENTERTAINMENT
Joker gets the last laugh: A movie review (spoilers) JADIN KALTENBACH Opinion Editor
Todd Phillips’ 2019 rendition of “Joker” is a complex film that fuels conversation for predominant issues that we as a society face today. Phillips uses comic book iconography to depict realities of mental illness, while also touching subjects such as America’s prison systems, minimal funding for mental illness treatment, addiction, socioeconomics, classicism and violence. The Joker, who has also been dubbed the Clown Prince of Crime, is a character that has always been unstable. There has never been a question of the instability of his mindset, but there has rarely been any explanation in film. Since the
rivalry’s debut in the 1940 comic, Joker has always been Batman’s arch nemesis, and, since almost everyone will root for the hero over the villain, it has always been easy and “right” to hate the Joker and everything he stands for. However, this film doesn’t assume the Joker is bad. If anything it forces you to look at him as the protagonist; some would even go so far as to call him the “good guy.” The film opens up and we are introduced to Arthur Fleck, a clown for hire that works in a very broken Gotham City that is run by the rich and shows negligence to the poor and misfortunate. Fleck falls into the latter of the two categories, being mentally ill, financially unstable and outcasted. He yearns to be a comedian, but
his mental illnesses, paired with his pseudobulbar affect (PBA), uncontrollable laughter at things or situations that are not funny, destroys his chances of pursuing his dream. In Phillips’ rendition of the film, we learn Joker underwent severe childhood trauma. His first admittance into Arkham Asylum, which is filled with not only those who are mentally insane, but also those who have committed all sorts of horrendous crimes and the homeless, (sound familiar?!) was not due to any violence against others. He was also seeing a social worker and taking medication before all funding was cut for both (too real for you?). The only reason he even had a gun was because one of his
coworkers gave it to him as a way to protect himself before Fleck was fired. Prior to that, Fleck had never been outwardly violent towards anyone. According to this storyline, the first violent act he committed was a result of him getting beaten by three young, drunk Wayne Enterprise men on the subway because he started laughing uncontrollably (PBA) at their inappropriate advances at a young woman. Because classicism and socioeconomic status are driving points in this film, it is clear from the beginning it is the rich against the poor. After these murders, which one could argue were in self defense, Arthur Fleck died and the Joker was born. He began to live as he was “intended to” and in the
eyes of a fallen Gotham City, the Clown Prince was (almost) a hero. For most of Gotham, there is no remorse or sorrow for the death of the three men, if anything, it sparks a rebellion. “Joker” explores many societal issues America is facing on a day to day basis. Phillips’ intention was to force viewers to acknowledge what is happening in the world around them, whether they are directly affected or not. Whether you leave the theaters angry because the portrayal of the Joker’s character inspires sympathy or in despair because of the striking resemblance to the world we live in, you’ll leave the theater in a different state than you arrived: Aware.
Jessie Thomas is a sophomore from Halstead. Her aspiring major is English Education. She has a passion for art, with a love of digital media, and “Inktober” trends. This comic, featuring a student named Amos, was inspired by the upcoming spooky season and local wildlife that can be found on campus. If you would like to contribute a piece of artwork to a future issue of the Collegian, email us at collegian@bethelks.edu!
ENTERTAINMENT 11
Bethel’s Pep Band hypes the crowd during games
Bethel Pep Band members wait for instruction between plays. Photo courtesy of Kayla Newman NOAH LARSON Staff Writer
As of four years ago, Bethel College did not have a pep
band. This all changed when the current Athletic Band Director, Brad Shores, was hired at Bethel. He formed a pep band on campus that many students now participate in. Most high schools and a number of colleges and universities often have a pep band. From place to place, they can range in size and instruments invloved depending on student interests. “That’s a band that plays at the football games and at the basketball games. We’re an athletic support band. Some people are under scholarship, some people are volunteers,” said Shores. The particular scholarship that goes into being in pep band is a sort of hybrid of two scholarships. It is a music scholarship that is not connected
to the other music ones. “When I first got here four years ago, I was working for Athletics, so it was an athletic scholarship. At that time, you could have more than one athletic scholarship. You can’t do that anymore,” said Shores. Pep Band was referred to in the same manner as a registered sport. “You could have a tennis scholarship and a cross country scholarship. You could have a soccer scholarship and a pep band scholarship,” said Shores. The Pep Band plays at many different ball games on campus, so people can see them at one event if they didn’t see them at another. They will be playing at the football game on November 9th, which is the last game of this season. After that, they will
begin playing at home basketball games. Shores is not new when it comes to teaching band, whether it be pep band, steel drums or something else. It has been a large part of his life for many years. Kayla Newman, a sophomore from Sedgwick, is one of those students. “I was ‘voluntold’ to do it by Brad Shores. I knew him through band before coming to Bethel, so it was kind of just implied that I’d be in the band,” said Newman. One thing Shores gets a lot of is diversity of talents. Every year he has new students, many who have played before and others who have never picked up an instrument. Having diversity in the band is good. Some will have a harder time learning and can get that help from Shores or
from more experienced students. Anything can happen when a new academic year starts and Shores wants to start up his Pep Band again. “In general, I have been doing it since I learned how to play an instrument. I was the middle schooler in the high school Pep Band. I thought it was so cool that two of my favorite things (music and sports) were in the same place at the same time,” said Newman. Numbers have not affected the performance of the Pep Band, and Shores is determined to continue the tradition he began. “It’s been fascinating to see who shows up from year to year. We take anybody. My first year, we had five because they hadn’t had a Pep Band before,” said Shores.
Spooky season activities to do before October ends MADI HARKINS Entertainment Editor
Halloween is right around the corner and there are still so many different activities to do before October ends! Some may be tired of doing the same thing every year, so here are a few ideas for activities and attractions not too far away. Walter’s Pumpkin Patch is always a good option, with their 30 Acre Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patch, there’s plenty to choose from. Walter’s also includes a corn maze and games and always has new attractions each year. They also serve a variety of delicious country style food such as grilled corn, hamburgers, hotdogs and pumpkin chili. Walter’s Pumpkin Patch is a great place to spend the whole afternoon and is located in Burns, about 40 minutes away. They are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday they are open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Field of Screams is Kansas’ premier haunted attraction, so for those who are wanting to go out later and get scared, this is the place you are looking for. Located in Maize, about 35 minutes away, tickets cost $20 which allows you to walk through the Field of Screams and Clown Town area. Both of these will walk you through a series of planned scares with great costumes and effects. Field of Screams also includes two escape shacks called “Jeb’s Shack” and “The Seance Room.” These mini escape rooms cost extra and have a limit of 15 minutes. However, for the main event there is typically a long line, but concessions and pizza are available for purchase. Field of Screams is open from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and is open from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sundays. Be sure to prepare for mud and cold weather though because most of this attraction is outdoors.
Kansas Zombie Hunters is a zombie paintball shooting activity only about 15 minutes away in Newton. Daytime and nighttime shooting options are both available and there are a few exciting, new activities! Ticket prices vary depending upon if you go in a large group or not and which setting and how many rounds you choose. Weapons and transport are provided for you to save the world from a zombie apocalypse! Zombie hunts are from 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and 6:30 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays and end November 3. Theorosa’s Bridge in Valley Center is a daring option for those who are wanting to visit a real haunted site. Theorosa’s Bridge is about 20 minutes away and has several urban legends about the haunting of the bridge. One of them is that Theorosa was a young woman who had an illegitimate baby whom she decides to
drown in Jester Creek to hide her ideas. Maybe handing out candy shame. Later on she eventually or going to the Bethel Halloween drowns herself too because of the dance is enough excitement for guilt. This supposedly happened you, but it is always good to try in the late 19th century, and something new. Who knows, one nowadays, people who have been of these places could become a to the bridge claim to have seen new tradition for you and your mysterious balls of light and a friends or family! woman’s apparition along with the sounds of a baby’s cry and mournful voices. They also claim to feel random cold breezes and say not to stop in your car on the bridge or the whole vehicle will begin to shake sometimes leaving the windows with smeared handprints. It is also said that if you tell Theorosa you either have or are her baby, three times, her ghost will push you into the creek. Still not exciting enough? Maybe try bringing a ouija board along to summon her and see if anything happens. There are many other pumpkin patches, corn mazes, Theorosa’s Bridge covered in graffiti just haunted houses and so on, but over Jester Creek. Photo by Madi Harkins hopefully these gave you some
PHOTO FEATURE 12
THE BETHEL COLLEGE COLLEGIAN
Bethel College students celebrate annual Fall Fest Fall Fest, the annual autumn celebration held on Bethel’s campus, encourages student involvement. Photos by Lindsey Pfannenstiel
(Above Left) Emma Beachy, sophomore from Kalona, Iowa and Angus Siemens, senior from Newton, performing with the Jazz I Ensemble. (Above Middle) Carine Claassen, senior from Whitewater, and Albert Bratthammar, junior from Gothenburg, Sweden, walk around Fall Fest with their drinks from Mojo’s Coffee Bar. (Above Right) Anna Wiens, senior from North Newton, and Beth Balzer, sophomore from Inman, watch over the FemCore booth. (Below Left) Caleb Gaede, senior from Klamath Falls, Ore., Kendrick Weaver, senior from Hesston, and Adam Kroeker, junior from Augusta, take interest in one of the many booths. (Below Right) Bethany Regehr, first-year from Whitewater, and Dominic Adkisson, first-year from Williams, Ind., eagerly wait in line for their food.
