APRIL 2018
Baker overcomes debilitating Illness
to shine on mbb senior night PAGE 10
Monthly Calendar • April Athletic Home Games
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MTEN • 3:30 p.m.
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WTEN • 3 p.m. MLAX • 4 p.m. WLAX • 7 p.m.
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SB • 1 & 3 p.m.
MTEN • 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. BASE • 12 & 2 p.m. MLAX • 1 p.m. SB • TBA WTEN • 2 p.m.
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BASE • 1 p.m. SB • TBA MTEN • 2 p.m.
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SB • 2 & 4 p.m.
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SB • 2 & 4 p.m.
Dates subject to change due to weather
Arts @ Averett
Academic Dates
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“The Great American Trailer Park Musical” • 7 p.m., 2 p.m. (Sunday show only) Pritchett Auditorium Runs through April 8 AU Cougar Band Spring Concert • 7 p.m. Pritchett Auditorium Singers and Ringers Spring Concert • 2:30 p.m. Pritchett Auditorium
Easter Monday • No Class Day to Engage: On the Block Last Day to Apply for Graduation Last Day to “W” as WP/WF Reading Day Exams Begin
ESTABLISHED 1922
Table of
contents
04 Have a Dan Good Time with Love Danville Council 05 Steps to Prepare Seniors for Graduation & Workforce 06 Strength & Conditioning Interns Lift Up AU Athletics Basketball’s Woodmore Takes a Shot Coaching 07 Heading into the World Cup with Coach Annis 08 10 Baker Shines on Men’s Basketball’s Senior Night 14 Averett Graduate Changing the World 15 Hidden Musical Talents at Averett University 16 Averett Students Cooking Up Some Food 17 Students Practice the Discipline of Fasting 18 Pioneers in their Field 20 Students Tackle Triple Majoring Discount Program for Students, Faculty & Staff 22 24 Spotlighting National Bonner Leaders 26 International Students Find Home in U.S. After Averett 28 Averett Graduates Return as Employees Learn to love where you live with LDC
What to do when graduation is only a few weeks away
AU graduates assist student-athletes while working out
Woodmore steps off of court as a decorated player & into new role
Photo courtesy of Drew Wilson
Executive Staff Dr. Susan Huckstep advisor
Brianna Shelton publication editor
Ashley Bowman copy desk chief
Lanie Davis
multimedia & copy editor
Jenny Gregory & Lindsey Fulcher video coordinators
Nate Lake
Staff Writers
circulation manager
Ashley Bowman JaCorey Burley Taylor Cook Lauren Cowling Lindsey Fulcher Eddie Glenn Jr. Jenny Gregory Brent Hammer Ellen Koch Nate Lake Brianna Shelton Ashley Thornton Allison Turner Nalisha Valentin Rafael Walker
Women’s soccer assistant coach prepares for her next goal
Overcoming a debilitating illness to play in Grant Center once more
Introducing Heather Ferguson ‘13, local first grade teacher
Students share passions beyond the classroom
Utilizing campus kitchens for healthy, dietary-friendly meals Depriving the body of food leads to a new outlook on life
A closer look into participation in heavily gender-specific majors
Emily Shelton and Jasmin Tinnis stress the importance of balance An incentive to eat, shop, and play locally
Students do more than serve the Danville community Life after graduation in a new country
Cougars step out of student role and into faculty & staff positions
More Stories!
Follow @ChanticleerNews on social media to view campus stories on video.
Have a Dan Good Time with Love Danville Council by Ashley Thornton
Love Danville Council serves as a voice for students in the Danville community. Currently, all of the members are Averett students but they are hoping to expand to include Danville Community College students “The group meets with River District Association, Chamber of Commerce and City Council members about what college students need in the area,” Rachel Covington, assistant director of community engagement at Averett, said. Covington urges students if they have a problem or idea about ways to improve Danville that they come to the council and bring it up to the appropriate people. The group is also trying to reverse the perception of Danville being a “boring place with nothing to do.” LDC is trying to show students that there is a lot to do in Danville and share why they love Danville. LDC recently celebrated Love Danville week in the last week of January. The group put over
The Love Danville Council sells t-shirts and stickers to raise funds for their events. Their goal is to make college students love where they live by getting them out into the community.
100 post it notes out around campus to showcase many of Danville’s restaurants and attractions. They also took to social media using the hashtag #lovedanvilleva to express why they love Danville. This also served as a great way to spread awareness about their open application period. Applications are closed now but will reopen in the fall. Senior communication studies major Brianna Shelton, vice chair of Love Danville Council, joined the group because she is from Danville and loves it. Shelton chooses to see the positives of the city rather than focus on the negatives, but she also knows that there are some aspects that need to change. “I think people who have any strong opinions about Danville, good or bad, should join the council because it is an opportunity to let your voice be heard,” Shelton said. The council also held a Sunday Supper last year and invited members who were involved in the civil rights movement in Danville. They got to talk with these members and hear their inspirational stories. Shelton says that she still keeps in touch with one of the ladies who was sitting at her table. Other than promoting Danville to college students and letting their voices be heard, Love Danville Council is raising money to host event for college students. To help them reach their goal you can buy an “It’s a Dan Good Time” t-shirt for $12 and a Love Danville sticker for $2 at the Center for Community Engagement and During one of their many meetings, the Career ComCouncil demonstrated trust and team petitiveness. bonding by forming a pyramid.
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Steps to Prepare Seniors for Graduation & Career by Taylor Cook
The end of the school year brings many joys, but at the same time, it can be a blur with all of the things that seniors need to get done. Using these tips and tricks can make walking across the graduation stage a little easier.
Job Search
The Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC) is where students can take the first step toward finding jobs. Angie McAdams, director of career development, is a great resource for students. McAdams does a number of things including helping students with resumes, cover letters, mock interviews and more. She encourages students to create a LinkedIn account, an online resume, that can be seen by many employers. “LinkedIn is basically a resume on steroids that takes showing your skills and accomplishments one step further than a paper resume will,” McAdams said. McAdams also helps students with job searching and helps to narrow their interests. Providing mock interviews, McAdams helps students practice before a real job interview.
Graduation
Averett Central is the place to go with any questions involving graduation and student loans. Katie Johnston, assistant registrar, is in charge of making sure that seniors graduate. The one thing that Johnston stresses about all of the
Graduation for the class of 2018 will be held at 10 a.m. on May 5 in the Grant Center, located on Averett’s North Campus.
deadlines on the senior checklist is punctuality. “If you are late to graduation, there is a chance that you will not walk. So plan accordingly,” Johnston said. April 7 is the deadline for graduation applications and cap and gown orders without a late fee. Cap and gowns are handled through the bookstore. Graduation will be held on the morning of May 5 and all seniors are required to be there no later than 8:45 am. The doors lock at 9:45, and seniors walk at 10.
Student Loans
After graduation, most of us are not out of the grasp of student loans. Kara Hankins, senior student financial services counselor and Virginia certifying official, is the expert on how to budget student loans. Lenders should send graduates emails, but if they do not, Hankins recommends going to www.nslds.ed.gov. This website will help students with how to budget and will also allow you to advise lenders of any address changes.
Graduate School
If you are taking the daring challenge of adding more school to your plate, then Melissa Anderson, director of graduate and professional studies admissions, is the person to talk to. Anderson works at the Averett Riverview campus along with others who are willing to help you get information about Averett’s graduate program. “Here in GPS, we have a team of admissions counselors, just like the counselors for traditional admissions, who meet with our potential grad students and walk them through the application process,” Anderson said. Anderson and her team will look at transcripts and then determine the best program for the individual student’s goals. “Our application process is fast, free, and automated; everything is completed online!” Anderson said. College is something that is meant to be memorable, but without utilizing these resources, senior year could be a nightmare. Seniors, make sure to follow these guidelines for a stress-free last semester.
The Chanticleer • 5
Strength & Conditioning InternsTheLift up AU Athletics physical effects, the mental effects, and the by Brent Hammer
When you first think of college athletics, you think of the bright lights of game day. But it’s the work that happens behind the scenes that makes those game days happen. Averett graduates Prenis Best and Michael Reives are strength and conditioning interns at Averett and have their hands on every sport here, which makes Averett student-athletes stronger, faster and more agile, enhancing their game day performance. “It feels good helping the current players and passing down my experiences and what I know to them,” Best said. Best said that during his sophomore year, the strength coach at the time told him that there is more to the job than meets the eye. “He really opened my eyes to new job possibilities, and I thank him for that,” he said. Since this field is so competitive and small, there are some things you have to do to get your foot in the door, and Averett is Best’s foot in the door Reives is a self-described gym rat, loves working out. He plans on being a head strength coach eventually and is using this time to get the most experience he can get. “I love seeing the effects it has on people.
emotional effects it has on people,” he said. Working under all sports, Best and Reives have the chance to work with many student athletes. “Having them as strength and conditioning coaches are great. During the season last year, they were always in the weight room trying to get us better. Now that they have a chance to help others get right is a great experience for them to do,” Charles Davis, a sophomore sports medicine major who plays safety for the football team, said. The strength and conditioning department works hard for all of Averett’s sports and builds relationships with the athletes.
Samuel Roome gives Charles Davis a few tips on how to improve his posture on power clean.
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Basketball’s Woodmore takes a shot at coaching by Eddie Glenn Jr.
Assistant men’s basketball coach DJ Woodmore is well traveled and well decorated as a basketball player and has stepped away from the playing success to coach collegiate athletes. Woodmore was a NBAC all district first team in 2014, NBAC all district second team, Old Dominion Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2012 and 2014, and an Old Dominion Athletic Conference all first team three years in a row. After graduation, he played in an overseas league where he tallied a total of 853 points in three seasons. “It was a great experience to say the least. Traveling to different countries to every weekend for games and diving into culture, trying the food, meeting new people, and experiencing new things is something that I’ve really enjoyed,” Woodmore said. “On the basketball game of things, nothing really changes. A couple different rules, but for the most part, basketball is the same around the world. Overall I enjoyed it.” Woodmore joined Head Coach David Doino’s coaching staff in fall 2017. “I always had a pretty good relationship with Coach Doino from my time back in college. We both graduated from Virginia Wesleyan and played under the same head coach there. He reached out to me seeing if I was interested and I immediately jumped at the opportunity. I saw it as a way to come back home and be closer to family and friends again, stay around the game
of basketball, and be a part of a program that has already had a winning success with a great coach in such a short time.” Averett student-athletes feel they are reaping the benefits of Woodmore’s playing experience. “Having Coach Woodmore in my corner teaching me the ins and outs of the game really improves my game,” sophomore Jamal Forde said. “He’s made me smarter as a player and I feel like he’s made us more confident in our shot ability.” Woodmore is hoping that the team’s continued hard work will help them achieve next season’s goals. “I hope that we are able to build on the success from late in the year and carry that over to next season. Although we’re losing three seniors that played huge roles for us in many different ways, we hope that our returners can pick up where those guys left off. It won’t be easy but we’re going to need it if we want to make another run at an NCAA tournament berth.”
DJ woodmore
Woodmore looks to turn his success as a player into big things coaching for Averett. He hopes to use his many years of experience to bring new ideas to Averett’s men’s basketball.
The Chanticleer • 7
Heading into the World Cup with Coach Annis by Lauren Cowling
Tahnai Annis is not only an assistant women’s soccer coach at Averett, she is also a player and captain on the Philippine Women’s National Soccer Team. She joined the University during spring 2016 and after two years she will be finishing her master’s degree and jetting off to play teams from all around the world. Annis is from Zanesville, Ohio, and played Division I at the University of Florida from 2008-2011. While at UF, she earned such accolades as All-American and was a member of the Southeastern Conference’s All-Second Team. Annis continued her professional career in Iceland’s Premier Division from 2012-2014 with the team Thor/KA. For many athletes, their dream is to eventually play professional or even represent their countries. Often this remains just a dream, but for Tahnai Annis, this dream is a reality. “Once I started playing soccer and grew to love it I wanted to play professionally and someday be able to be part of a national team. The experience has been a whirlwind, it has all been happening so fast, but it has been great to be back on the field. It has been kind of crazy going back and forth from California where our camps have been each month.” With such an amazing break, one wonders how this opportunity arises and why now? “A couple years back I attended an ID camp [where countries identify players they want for the team] for the Philippine National Team, but at the time I was unable to get my Filipino passport. This past Thanksgiving [2017], I saw that there was another camp and I wanted to give
Philippine Women’s National Team after playing UC Irvine Women’s soccer which ended 0-0.
it another try. I wanted to play again, and this was the perfect opportunity.” Balancing duties as a national player and assistant coaching isn’t an easy job, especially when you are finishing your master’s degree. “It has been a lot, but this is what I have done for awhile it feels like. Managing several responsibilities at once is not easy for me, but it is familiar and I like to always be busy and have a lot on my plate. I just make sure I am training and getting everything finished for work that I need to. It is all about time management.” When you are a previous and current player it can be an advantage when it comes to coaching and listening to your players. It can also help with being a player and understanding coaches and their style of coaching. “I think it helps me handle situations with a better understanding because I have been on both sides, and am technically on both sides at all times. I am a player, but also a coach. Then, I am a coach, but a player as well. It allows me to relate to the players and coaches at the same time.” AU Women’s Soccer Head Coach Tahnai Annis and fellow teammates played exhibition games during March of 2018 in Japan.
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Sarah Chapman has nothing but praise for Annis. “Tahnai has such a great eye for the game as a player and as a coach. This unique ability gives Tahnai many tools to teach our players about the game and building them to be high performing soccer players,” Chapman said. As an assistant coach for women’s soccer, Annis has a lot of influence and knowledge to impart to the players. “It’s really inspiring to have an amazing role model a part of our team. She encourages me to push myself and do better every day. She makes you realize that dreams do come true and if she makes the World Cup it would be really cool to watch her,” Kirsten Clancy, sophomore women’s soccer player, said. Annis will be playing exhibition games during March 2018 in Japan to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers tournament in April in Jordan. After she plans to go overseas to play and/or coach for the summer/fall season. “She has been a great addition to the team and will be missed. Tahnai being a national team player has changed the focus, discipline, and attitude of the team. The girls see how hard Tahnai works on her own, and I believe it has transferred to the players’ own motivation to be better athletes and soccer players. Tahnai is a great player, but she is also a great coach,” Chapman said. Tahnai jumping into the action during a friendly game against LA Galaxy. At right: The players of the Philippine Women’s National Team work hard and recover harder.
The Chanticleer • 9
Baker Overcomes Debilitating Illness to Shine on Men’s Basketball Senior Night by Lindsey Fulcher
Brandon Baker faded to the right corner, caught the ball behind the arc and smoothly flicked his wrist. Swish. The Averett University men’s basketball senior hadn’t played a second all season, but he wasn’t letting a debilitating illness stop him from making a few memories on senior night, Feb. 13. Just 14 seconds into the game in which Baker made an unexpected start, the 6-foot-2 guard gave everyone — including himself — a night to remember. “It felt amazing. I love shooting the basketball and that’s what they asked me to do,” Baker said. “Coach drew it up for me to sit in the corner — the best spot in the world to shoot a basketball, and I knew as soon as it left my fingertips it was going through the net.” Fellow senior and long-time best friend James Contreras Jr. passed Baker the ball before his big shot and said it was remarkable and emotional. The two were teammates before, having played together at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach. “Right when it released from my hand and I know he’s catching it, I didn’t have a doubt that it wasn’t going to go in,” Contreras said. “Seeing him go from laying in a hospital bed, to coming back and making the first shot of the game on senior night, that’s something someone could write a book about.” Baker finished with a pair of three-pointers after hitting another to start the second half and totaled six points in five minutes on Senior Night. For the moment, it made those days in the hospital seem long ago. In reality, they weren’t. Baker entered senior year slightly discouraged, knowing that he would potentially never have the opportunity to play collegiately after battling severe Ulcerative Colitis. He had been through two surgeries, several hospital visits and lost close to 30 pounds in a month while being in the hospital. “My body had just shut down and stopped working. I didn’t have any energy and it was a hassle to even walk,” Baker recalled. “They gave me medicine that they give to cancer patients. I had to go to the hospital and sit with IVs stuck in me for six hours every day for two to three weeks. Nothing worked.” After realizing that non-surgical treatments
weren’t working, Baker knew he had to choose his health over playing basketball. And he knew he had the support of his teammates, coaches and his Averett family the whole way. “I always knew I had their support,” he said. “We had some conversations that were tough. But there are going to be tough situations you have to get through in life, and this was just one of them.” His coaches and teammates visited him several times a week while he was in the hospital recovering both over winter break and over summer. “We are a family so we wanted to support him and make sure he knew we were there for him,” David Doino, Averett men’s basketball head coach, said. “He needed people around him to keep his mind off things and keep him smiling. That’s what families do for each other.” Baker said his visits from student-assistant coach Michael Brackett, fellow senior Darin Ketner, as well as Contreras made it easier for him to adjust to his new life. “I had James and Mike in there watching the NBA Finals with me. I’d been watching by myself, but it was the final game and they wanted
Seniors Darin Ketner, James Contreras, and Brandon Baker show off their championship rings.
The Chanticleer • 11
Baker and Contreras played basketball together while in high school in Virginia Beach, Va.
to surprise me and show up,” he said. Even when his teammates and coaches weren’t there, they were communicating with him and letting him know they were thinking about or praying for him. “I knew I needed to be positive in the situation I was in. It helped having James and Darin talking to me and helping me through every step of the way,” Baker said. “When I had to walk, they would encourage me, so I could get better and build up energy.” Ketner watched Baker get stronger and rely on God throughout the entire experience. “Brandon is honestly one of the toughest guys I’ve ever met in my life,” Ketner said. “He never complained about it once. He just kept fighting and kept going.” With everyone’s support, it made Baker feel like nothing was wrong. “It was like I wasn’t even in the hospital,” he said. “We were joking around and I knew everything was going to be alright no matter what happened.” Ketner says it was great to see one of his best friends finally getting his energy back. “He had energy to laugh with us again and have some fun. It was great to see him like that.” Not only did Baker have the support of his immediate family, his coaches and his teammates, but also others at Averett including President Dr. Tiffany Franks, Director of Athletics Meg Stevens, and Sports Information Director Drew Wilson, each reached out to him with their well wishes. When Baker heard that Stevens was calling his doctors to make sure he was getting the best of
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the best, it was an eye-opener and reaffirmed the motto: “One Team, One Family.” “It really is family oriented and you have support from everybody,” he said. “I had something to come back for, even though I knew I wasn’t going to be able to play. I had that family atmosphere to come back to that wasn’t blood.” When Baker was finally able to come home, that love and support from his Averett family was present more than ever. “We didn’t want to make it seem like he was going through that stuff, so we kept it the same as it had been,” Contreras said. “We were pulling pranks on each other and doing all this crazy stuff. We didn’t want him to think about it.” Baker, Ketner, and Contreras all recalled the day he came home from the hospital. “Me and Darin duck-taped a maze through his entire room that he had to get through just to get to his bed,” Contreras said. “It was funny, and it was the first time in a while that he had smiled. We wanted him to know we had his back and we are going to go through it with him.” Baker says there were streamers, balloons and toilet paper everywhere. As well as a sign that said “Welcome Back Bro!” “It was a reminder that I’m not alone and I have people that will support me through anything,” Baker said. “That atmosphere of having teammates and coaches that love you and support you definitely got me through every situation.” Baker remained on the men’s basketball roster and sat with the team at every game while attending every practice he was able. “My coaches knew that even if I wasn’t able to play again, I was still a leader on the team,” said Baker. “It wasn’t physically realistic for me to come back to play.” Meanwhile, his teammates used Baker’s story as motivation. “This year I played every single game for him,” said Contreras, who said his high school teammate was one of the main reasons he committed to Averett. Doino said Baker never stopped working hard, no matter his situation. As the season progressed, the chance of Baker returning became more of a possibility. He dressed for several games leading up to Averett’s final home game. Once Baker
felt that he could safely be in the game, Doino decided he would start him on his Senior Night. “I owed it to him in my opinion,” Doino said. “He’s done so much for me and this program that I owed it to him to start him with his best buddies.” Baker was completely taken off guard, only being told at walk-through, two hours before tipoff. “I was starting and the first shot was going to be mine to take,” said Baker, who had never started during his first three seasons. “When coach announced that, everybody was going crazy.” “Our guys instantly all started clapping and screaming and at that moment, I knew we were ready to go,” Doino said. Baker said it was exciting to hear his name called, be able to run through all of his teammates cheering for him and see the crowd. “It was cool to break through the wall of those guys, kind of like getting through everything and seeing the end of the road.” Contreras said it was special to see Baker back on the court again. “He’s always talking to us from the bench and supporting us,” he said. “But knowing that he could actually step foot on the court and play — after what he’s been through — was awesome. It felt just like high school again.” The three said their Senior Night was the first time they have all been on the court together. “That bond between the three of them is extremely special,” Doino said. “James and Brandon went to high school together, that was a lot of the reason why I drew up the first play for James passing the ball to Brandon. I wanted them to have that kind of connection on that and
I’m glad it worked out that well.” Ketner says he knew Baker had overcome the illness and that it was awesome to see him go into the game and hit those two 3-pointers. Teammates and coaches were ecstatic for Baker. “It was really emotional, when he hit the second three,” Doino noted. “I actually had to sit down a minute and talk to my assistants. With the battles he went through and seeing what he’s overcome, to see him in that moment step up, make the shot and his teammates have the joy that they had for him, was really overwhelming for me at the moment but I was so happy for him.” Doino says Baker has been nothing but loyal to the team and program while putting his teammates before himself. “He’s such a positive role model for our younger guys in how he handled himself on and off the floor. Just the things that he has battled through in his time here, to see the mental toughness that he has, for our guys, that’s what you want them to be around. “To see how far he’s come and the things that he’s battled through, he’s taught me lessons in mental toughness and made me a better coach through this, so I thank him. Baker says after making it through such a grueling time, his faith has grown because of the amount of prayer said for him, by him and with him. For Averett, Baker is someone who not only made a difference in a 80-76 win over William Peace University on Senior Night after nearly two years off the court, but also someone that made a difference in people’s hearts. “I love him and would do anything for him,” Doino said. “It made us a better program just by having him around.”
The Chanticleer • 13
Averett Graduate Changing the World One Child at a Time by Jenny Gregory
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not,” the Once-ler said in Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. First grade teacher at Park Avenue Elementary and Averett alumna Heather Ferguson lives by those words. Ferguson teaches every day with a blazing passion. Her classroom is full of stations and hands-on activities to help her students to dream big and fulfill their potential. “I am a product of both Danville Public Schools and Pittsylvania County Schools. My foundation and love of learning came from the teachers I had while attending Schoolfield Elementary,” Ferguson said. Her time at Averett helped to shape Ferguson into the loving person she is today as she cares for not only the education of her students but also for their hope in the world. “Of all my memories while at Averett, I would say the one that has changed me the most is when Dr. Horne (former education faculty member) took me aside and told me that it is okay to ask for help. Everyone needs help and as a teacher, collaboration is key,” Ferguson said. Ferguson was born and raised in Danville and graduated from Averett in 2013. “I choose to teach in Danville Public Schools
because I believe in our school system. I believe in our teachers, in our students and in our community,” Ferguson said. Ferguson loves spending time with her family and friends when she is not hard at work inspiring tomorrow’s leaders. It was Ferguson’s father, a 40 year veteran of the National Guard who worked as a mechanic and completed three deployments, who shaped her into the kind person she is today. “I have always known that I wanted to be like my father and change the world. I have always loved helping people and learning new things. As I grew older, I realized that becoming a teacher would be the best way for me to do that,” Ferguson said. Ferguson continues to be molded by her students every day. She learns from her students as they work together to build their dreams. “Being a teacher in Danville Public Schools has taught me so much,” Ferguson said. “With the help of my students, I have learned that love can change a person in ways that are hard to describe. The love my students give me helps me to stay humble. I just hope the love I give them helps each one of them realize their full potential and that there is always someone in their corner.” She hopes to provide the same mark on her students’ lives as her teachers did on her. “I want my students to leave school every day feeling loved and knowing that they matter. If this is the only impact I leave on my students, I have done my job. If they know those two things, the love of learning will be with them forever,” Ferguson said. Ferguson hopes to continue to spread her passion for learning through love by continuing her own education. “On a personal level, I hope to go back to school and obtain a master’s degree in both reading and curriculum and instruction. I feel that we can and should never stop learning,” Ferguson said. Heather Ferguson, who is a first grade teacher at Park Avenue, illustrates hands-on learning by teaching addition using blocks.
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Averett students cooking up some food by Nate Lake
Averett’s dining hall, Café Bon Appetit, does their best every day from breakfast at 7:30 a.m., to lunch at 11:00 a.m., to dinner at 5:00 p.m. Unfortunately, students may not always agree with the choices the staff makes. Students who live in traditional dorms like Fugate, Davenport or Danville may be out of luck when finding other sources of food. Students that live off campus or in the apartments have the choice whether to eat at the café or not. However, students don’t always want to cook their own meals. This could be because the students may not know how or perhaps they are too lazy. For some students, though cooking has always been a part of their lives. “My dad and my uncles inspired me to learn how to cook,” Tyler Easter, junior football player, said. “They used to have their own restaurant, and it was there I learned everything I know about cooking.” The café may not always have student favorites, but many students’ favorite day would have to be fried chicken Wednesday, where the chefs serve fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, greens and potatoes. Easter, however, has a completely different favorite dish to prepare. “I have two favorite dishes. I like to cook fish
and I can make some pretty good gumbo,” Easter said. While students like Easter cook their own meals, either for fun or just for the love and enjoyment of cooking, Lynsey Corriher enjoys cooking based for her dietary needs. Corriher has been a vegetarian for 21 months now and finds it somewhat difficult to eat at the café due to their choices. “It is more beneficial to eat at the café for lunch, but for dinner, I mainly eat at my house, because I am already home,” Corriher said. “I enjoy cooking veggie nuggets, mac and cheese, spaghetti squash and making salad.” While both Easter and Corriher share a love of cooking, Easter has something that he believes that everyone should keep in mind if they believe they want to try to take up cooking. “Cooking isn’t just reading off a box or a piece of paper. You have to add in things that you think or know that will make the food taste good to you,” Easter said. Students may not enjoy the café or they may love it. However, everyone should try to cook something for themselves and see how they might enjoy it. They may find a new hidden talent, love, or experience that they may not have ever known.
While the café is always an option for a quick bite to eat on campus, many students prefer to cook in their apartments.
The Chanticleer • 15
hidden Musical Talents at Averett University by Rafael Walker
Averett is known for having a large number of student athletes, but the university is also home to students who are talented musicians. There are students who sing, rap, and play multiple instruments. Joshua Eubanks, junior football player majoring in business management with a minor in physical education, is a man of many talents. Eubanks can not only sing, but he also plays piano and drums. He started playing the drums at just three years old and started playing piano at 15. Eubanks has been able to sing for as long he can remember. “My dad was a Christian artist - I’ve been around music all my life,” Eubanks said. Music is something he can’t live without. Using it as a form of self-expression, Eubanks also mentions that he finds music as a stress reliever. His father inspired him to be an artist growing up. “Whenever I’m feeling like I need to get something out, I just sing,” Eubanks said. Another musically inclined student is Hunter Hinson, a sophomore, a member of the football team and a criminal justice major, plays guitar and sings. Hinson isn’t as serious about music as Eubanks, considering he just started learning how to play the guitar this past summer, however, he really loves to have fun with it, practicing in between athletic events and Joshua Eubanks sings the national anthem s c h o o l work. before a football game.
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“I usually play during the night time or even between my classes whenever I have free time,” Hinson said. Hinson also mentioned an attempt at writing a song recently, but because of athletics, he hasn’t had time to finish it just yet. “Music takes time and I don’t really have that time because of Hunter Hinson plays the guitar in his dorm in between his classes. football,” Hinson said. Freshman Jemel Tyree, on the other hand, is very serious about music. He is an up-andcoming rapper with aspirations of making it big. He has a studio set-up in his dorm on campus, where he can create beats and record songs. Currently, Tyree has his music available for listening on the popular streaming website, Soundcloud. On Soundcloud, he has received thousands of views on a couple of his songs. “I just posted the song and next thing I know it went viral,” Tyree said. Tyree gathers inspiration from other rappers, including Young Thug. He mentions that Thug’s unique flow and word play are one of a kind. He is always working hard in the dorm trying to create new music to drop. Tyree started rapping his freshman year in high school and hasn’t stopped since. “People comment all the time about how they like my music,” Tyree said. Beyond attending classes full-time, these men are able to successfully navigate the college lifestyle without giving up on their passion of music. While they may not be well-known on campus yet, Eubanks, Hinson, and Tyree definitely have a bright future ahead of them.
Students Practice the Discipline of Fasting by JaCorey Burley
Fasting is to abstain from all, or some kinds of food or drink, most often as religious observance. While it is fairly common to see someone you know changing up their diet, you may not know the reason behind it. Fasting does not have to be from just food either. You may see others fasting from a variety of things. The most popular reason people choose to fast from something usually involves their religion. Often with these types of fasts, the sacrifice of food to reconstruct their faith is the main goal. Demonte Bray, sophomore accounting major and student-athlete, cuts a variety of things out of his life to rebuild faith and maintain a stable relationship in his religion. “I fast when I feel as if I’m straying away from my core religious beliefs and need to renew myself.”
The most common time for Bray to fast starts on the first of January of each year and typically lasts 21 days or until he feels that he has completed his goal towards living a more spiritually based life. Kendra Hoes, assistant sports information director, also participates in fasting. Hoes’ fasting method consists of following the “Daniel Fast.” This particular process involves increasing spiritual awareness by depriving the body of specific foods. Hoes explains how her involvement with her church introduced the idea and that she followed along to build a better relationship with God. “I’m fasting to get a fresh start.” Fasting is not a healthy way to lose weight but, as these students have found, it can be a way to center yourself and remind yourself of the things that are really important.
Did you know? Fasting isn’t just common in Christianity. • Mormons fast on the first day of each month. • Ramadan is a mandatory fasting period in the Muslim faith. • Fasting is commonly practiced on New Moon days and during festivals in Hinduism. • The Jewish calendar has seven fast days, including Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av.
The Chanticleer • 17
Looking into Participation in Heavily Gender-Specific Majors by Ashley Bowman and Jenny Gregory
Davis is proud that in the undergraduate and graduate education programs, there are a total of 43 males enrolled. “Students need role models and father figures due to so many different family configurations,” Davis said. Another major that typically has a female majority is equestrian studies. Currently at Averett there are only two men in the equestrian department, compared to the 30 women currently enrolled. Brandon Lummus, a junior from Lexington, N.C., noticed the difference in the departmental makeup, but noted that even as one of only two men, he doesn’t feel uncomfortable at all. “Since my freshman year here at Averett, there have only been two to three men in the Equestrian Department. Once second semester began, there were only two of us - myself and Josh Boggs,” Lummus said. “I personally feel like a brother to all of the ladies of the Equine Department. We are a giant family, and nobody is treated differently.” Growing up, Lummus’ mother never wanted him around horses. He notes that because of his mom’s apprehension, he wanted to be around them even more so. “I started volunteering at the barn my freshman
When applying for colleges, students may choose their future university based on athletics, proximity to home, or even a particular program they’re interested in. However, students often feel tension when trying to select a major. They want to find a great job after graduation. They want to please their parents or other influential family members, or they feel the need to meet expectations set by society. Studies have shown that even things such as gender, race, or ethnicity can influence someone’s selection of a major. At Averett, while no one is prohibited or steered away from particular major, there are some areas that are dominated more by male students while enrollment in other majors is predominately female. Senior education major Cameron Stone is currently student teaching at Chatham Middle School. During his first education classes, Stone felt out of place and intimidated by being the only male in his classes. “I’ve had kids in high schools ask, ‘Why are you going to be a teacher when you’re a guy?’ two or three times,” Stone said. Out of all the student teachers this semester, both elementary and secondary, Stone is the only male. He has always held a passion for history and hopes to instill this in his students. “I feel like the main reasons kids don’t like history is because they have had bad teachers, so I want to be a good teacher and make people like history,” Stone said. Education Department Chair Dr. Sue Davis has been on both sides of the educational spectrum as a teacher and as a former superintendent of Danville Public Schools. From her experience, Davis has noticed a majority of female educators in the elementary and middle schools contrasted by an equal ratio of men and women Andruw Cain (center), one of two male nursing majors at Averett, and his fellow peers educators in high schools. during their first day of clinicals at Danville’s SOVAH Health.
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Rosa Morales
year of high school,” Lummus said. “This volunteering experience made me fall in love with horses even more and that was when I decided to go to school to become a veterinarian.” Nursing is often a female dominated profession. It is no surprise that enrollment in Averett’s School of Nursing and pre-nursing programs reflect that as well. Dr. Pamela Giles, associate professor and dean of AU’s nursing program, believes that it is important to have a mixture of men and women in any field. “Men and women have a different perspective when observing or being part of the same situation,” Giles said. “That depth and breadth of perspective is what helps nurses become better and better at what they do.” There are currently two male nursing majors and seven male pre-nursing majors as opposed to the 26 female nursing majors and 31 female pre-nursing majors. Giles does also point out that there could be improvement in how we encourage men to enroll in nursing programs. “To date we haven’t done anything special to encourage men to enroll in nursing, however, many campuses have a chapter of Advancing
Men in Nursing - which I think would be a great idea,” Giles said. “Professor Leslie Waller began teaching with us last fall, and he has been a great addition to our faculty.” There are also majors that are typically maledominated. Examples of majors at Averett that tend to have a majority of male students enrolled are aviation and computer science. Rosa Morales, junior two-sport studentathlete (soccer and lacrosse) and triple major (communication studies, computer information systems, and computer science) with a minor in sociology, is one of three women currently enrolled in one of the three computer science centered programs at the University. Morales is surrounded by a majority of male classmates on a daily basis. “After being enrolled in several information systems, math, and programming courses, which all happen to be male dominated, it became evident that I had to prove myself to them that I was capable of being in the same field,” Morales said. She has aspirations of changing the face of computer science and information systems to encourage more diversity in the field of study. “When you think of computer science or engineering fields, you think of these geeky kids with square glasses and social awkwardness,” Morales said. “I think that the more women are exposed to these fields, the more we will be able to minimize this stereotype.” While she is excelling in the program, Morales does worry about her future job prospects. “I am going to have a leg up on my male competitors because I am a woman and I’m bringing a different perspective to the table. However, I think that being a woman in the field could limit me,” Morales said. “I think that some employers and even coworkers will expect me to not be as deserving of the position. I think it is going to be extremely competitive and that men are going to want me to prove that I am capable of hanging with them.” These students continue to push boundaries every day as they pioneer the path for others in these fields and erase stereotypes. They are living proof that no matter who you are, your dreams are within reach, and your worth is not determined by what your gender identity might be.
The Chanticleer • 19
Students Tackle Triple Majors by Nalisha Valentin
Here at Averett, students come with big dreams and the right mindset in order to be able to earn a degree all while experiencing the many joys that are provided by attending the university. Earning a degree of any kind is something that does not come easily. It must be earned through hard work and dedication. A single degree in any major requires many credit hours, which is why it is most common to only see most students earn a single degree with the occasional minor. Other responsibilities such as clubs, sports, careers, and other activities, make earning a degree difficult, so most stick to the one degree. It is not too uncommon, however, to see students taking a double major in order to earn two degrees at once. It is extremely rare, however, to find students striving towards earning three degrees by triple majoring. One student currently aiming to earn three degrees is senior Emily Shelton. Shelton earned her associate’s degree at Danville Community
Emily Shelton 20 • Follow us.
College before transferring to Averett in fall 2016 to earn her bachelor’s degree. Shelton is currently majoring in clinical and counseling psychology, biological psychology, and sociology. Shelton originally only planned to earn a bachelor’s in clinical psychology, but after meeting with her advisor, she found it possible to major in sociology as well without falling behind. Her most recent degree addition, biological psychology, was added after she found interest in the major after taking a physiological psychology course. “I chose concentrations with psychology and sociology as my majors because they are both essential in further understanding of behaviorboth myself and others’- and the social world in which we live,” Shelton said. “I knew that no matter what path I chose post-bachelor’s degree, these majors would benefit me on the journey.” Shelton doesn’t belong to any sports or clubs, but she does serve as a peer tutor at Averett as well as at DCC. “My focus has been, and continues to be, on academics,” Shelton said. “In regard to scheduling, I let my classes be the foundation and build all my extracurricular activities around them.” Having to navigate one major often proves difficult for some students, but Shelton has found a way to hold a 4.0 GPA while balancing her three majors. “My schedule is rather hectic, I admit,” Shelton said, “A great deal of my time is spent on-campus at Averett or DCC or commuting back and forth between them, but I chose to be a triple major, just as I chose to accept other responsibilities that require time, energy, and focus, so I try to stay positive.” Shelton also gives the advice to other students multi-majoring - remember why you chose your majors and to remember to breathe. “It can be overwhelming at times, so it is important to remember that you love or are otherwise passionate about your major programs - remember to enjoy them,” Shelton said. “It is equally important to just breathe. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, take a break, a deep breath, and some time for yourself.”
Regarding time-management, Shelton has a fool-proof method. “I make full use of both a traditional bookstyle planner and the calendar app in my phone,” Shelton said. “With a busy schedule, it can be difficult to keep track of appointments and deadlines, so they have both proved vital in keeping my life somewhat structured. Beyond that, I try to dedicate certain days of the week to completing assignments and studying for certain classes, but I sometimes use a triage method with schoolwork, where I organize assignments by their due dates and work on them based on urgency.” However, she is no stranger to the stresses that come with being a full-time student. “The stress of being a triple major in addition to other aspects and responsibilities of life is very real,” Shelton said. “For me, I try to take time for myself when I need it. I read a book for pleasure, rather than requirement. I spend time with my friends and family. I play with my dogs. Someone once told me that the key to reducing stress is spending time doing things you love, so that tends to be my approach.” While most people who hear of Shelton triplemajoring have positive reactions, there have been some less than enthusiastic responses. “Generally, I think I have received an equal degree of support and criticism from other people in regard to my choice to triple major,” Shelton said. “Some people have reacted with excitement and words of encouragement, and others have reacted with doubt and words of admonishment. The important thing is to stand firm in your decision.” Another student at Averett striving for a triple major is Jasmin Tinnis, a freshman on her second semester here at Averett. Tinnis is triple majoring in aviation flight operations, aviation business, and criminal justice/sociology along with a minor in psychology. “I want options,” Tinnis said. “I’m very passionate about each of my major concentrations but I don’t want to have to be stuck with the same job for the rest of my life.” Along with her busy class schedule, Tinnis is the president of the Black Student Union Hill Committee (event planning), treasurer for BSU, a member of criminal justice club, a National
Jasmin Tinnis
Bonner Leader, and volunteers at Forest Hills Elementary. Tinnis has a few pieces of advice for students wanting to pick up a second or third major. “Use your time wisely and study,” Tinnis said. “Balance out your schedule with heavy time management. It’s impossible to do so without it.” Tinnis’ own personal way of dealing with the stress that comes with the busy life of a triple major is by listening to music. It helps keep her calm and at ease when stressful events occur. Being a college student is quite difficult to begin with as a student struggles to find the correct balance between school and other responsibilities such as sports or clubs. Adding a major makes finding this balance much more difficult, and adding two is enough to terrify anyone at just the thought of it. It is not, however, impossible to strive for multiple degrees. Both Tinnis and Shelton say that time management and a true passion for what you’re studying are key to successfully achieving your goals no matter how many majors you’re striving for.
The Chanticleer • 21
Discount Program for Students, Faculty & Staff by Brianna Shelton
The Cougar Nation discount program was created to expand student, faculty and staff awareness of businesses in the Danville area as well as motivate them to eat, shop, and play locally. “The Cougar Nation Discount Program gives Averett students the incentive to be a part of the Danville community and to increase awareness of local businesses,” Katherine Bishop, student concierge coordinator and discount program advocate, said. Among the many enticing discounts, Bishop’s favorite is at Hot Asana yoga studio. “The studio offers $8 classes, compared to the regular rate of $12. That is an incredible discount.” Bishop said. “Plus, you don’t want to miss out on this studio. The instructors are amazing and will keep you coming back for more.” Another great discount is at local restaurant, Me’s burgers and brews, which is co-owned and operated by alumna and former staff member, Emily Tomlinson, alongside her mother. They offer a 10 percent discount, excluding alcohol, to students, faculty, and staff. “[This discount] allowed us to show our support for the university in a small but tangible way,” Tomlinson said. “As a small, 100 percent locally-owned family business, it’s important to us to participate in the community.”
Rett stands outside of Hot Asana Yoga Studio to place the Cougar Nation discount sticker on their window.
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Me’s burgers & brews, located at 215 Main St., offers a 10% discount to students, faculty, and staff.
Me’s uses local ingredients to create their delicious gourmet burgers, all of which are named after the two avid readers’ favorite authors. The menu changes seasonally but is guaranteed to feature something to satisfy everyone’s tastes. The owners hope that their participation in the program will draw more Averett students, faculty, and staff into the restaurant. “We love being a part of the Danville community and especially, the River District. As local businesswomen, it’s exciting to be a part of the downtown revitalization,” Tomlinson said. “We encourage everyone from Averett to come downtown and see all of the exciting things that are going on.” There are also other options for discounts, including retailers, such as The Brick Running and Tri store on Main Street and Karen’s Hallmark Shop in the mall, in addition to experiences, like the Danville Science Center and Live Safe Defensive Training. To receive the discount, one must show an Averett ID. Participating businesses have a special Averett sticker on their window or door.
Cougar Nation Discount Program Supporting our community is a high priority for Averett University, and we want to do everything we can to encourage our students, faculty, staff, and alumni to eat, shop, and play locally. To that end, the Cougar Nation Discount Program is designed to (1) increase awareness of local businesses and (2) reward students, faculty, staff, and alumni for supporting local businesses.
Restaurants Frank’s Italian Restaurant
1959 Memorial Dr. • Students receive a 10% discount; may not be combined with other discounts or specials and does not include alcohol.
Me’s burgers & brews
215 Main St. • Students, Faculty and Staff receive a 10% discount; excludes alcohol.
Pino’s Pizza
618 Westover Dr. • Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni receive a 15% discount.
Santana’s
102 Tower Dr. • Student, Faculty and Staff receive a 10% discount; excludes alcohol.
The Schoolfield Restaurant 1009 W Main St. • Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni receive a 10% discount; excludes alcohol.
Stateline Diner
1340 W Main St. • Students, Faculty and Staff receive a 10% discount; not available on daily specials.
Sweet Frog
165 Hold Garrison Pkwy #590a • Students, Faculty and Staff receive a 10% discount.
Shopping The Brick
410 Main St. • Students, Faculty and Staff receive a 10% discount.
Chestnut Lane
Karen’s Hallmark Shop
325 Piedmont Dr. Suite 5k • Students receive a 10% discount; exclusions may apply. See store clerk for details.
Rippe’s
559 Main St. • Students receive 11% off Patagonia, Jack Rogers, Barbour, Southern Couture and Southern Girl Prep through May 30, 2018.
River District Artisans
411 Main St. • Students, Faculty and Staff receive a 10% discount on in-stock quilts; does not apply to special orders.
Other Ballad Brewing, LLC
600 Craghead St. • Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni receive a 10% discount on all glassware and apparel.
Danville Science Center
677 Craghead St • Students receive free admission to the monthly Science After Dark events, held every first Friday of the month from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Hot Asana Yoga Studio
541 Bridge St. • Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni receive an $8 rate for regularly priced classes.
KG Graphics, LLC
311 Court St. • Students, Faculty and Staff receive a 10% discount on your first order, T-shirts, or print item.
Live Safe Defensive Training Inc. 444 Wilson St. • Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni receive 25% off of monthly dues or individual course fees.
531 Main St. • Students receive a 10% discount.
MUST SHOW YOUR AVERETT ID TO RECEIVE DISCOUNT.
The Chanticleer • 23
Bonner Leaders Program is More Than Community Service by Nalisha Valentin
because otherwise it’ll burn you out quick.” One of Averett University’s greatest The National Bonner Leaders is something characteristics is its constant efforts to support you must be fully dedicated to in order to truly and give back to Danville and its community. make a difference. Averett’s National Bonner Leaders program “It’s a commitment,” Jones said, “It’s either in makes this its main goal for Averett students: or out. You can’t have commitment issues.” to help and give back to the community by National Bonner Leaders is a program that volunteering and serving. lasts throughout all four years of a student’s National Bonner Leaders, however, is more stay at Averett, where a student chooses a nonthan just community service. April Love- profit organization to work with during their Loveless, a volunteer as an AmeriCorps VISTA membership in the group. For example, Jones working a one year service term with the group, works with God’s Storehouse, Danville’s food says it is also about being able to be good citizens pantry that helps those in need. by paying attention to the community and National Bonner Leaders provides students current social issues. with many other “Bonner goes beyond opportunities. Rodney just serving,” LoveBuckland, also a Loveless said. “It’s freshman and aviation looking at why and how major, works with the to be a more civically Danville Life Saving engaged citizen.” Crew as an EMT in Averett’s National training through the Bonner Leaders is a National Bonner program where students Leaders. His work not only engage in with the Danville Life volunteering but also in Saving Crew includes weekly meetings where responding to 911 the group discusses calls. He is about to social justice issues and start training to be examining why they do become an actual what they do. EMT, generously paid Students participating for by the Danville Life in National Bonner Saving Crew, thanks Leaders must be wellto the work he’s done performing students not through the program. only willing to engage in “I gain experience community service, but in both EMT and also much more. They community service much be passionate and through National committed to service. Bonner Leaders,” “[It is] somebody Buckland said. that has good time Buckland joined after management and wants April Love-Loveless, a graduate of Lynchburg College and cur- wanting to continue to make a difference,” rent AmeriCorps VISTA for the National Bonner Leader pro- his involvement in Alex Jones, a freshman gram, was a member of her college’s Bonner program. community service aviation major and National Bonner Leaders after being an Eagle Scout in high school. member said. “When I say ‘wants to make a National Bonner Leaders also provides difference,’ I mean have some passion for it, students with great experiences throughout their
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Averett’s National Bonner Leaders are a close group of students who strive to better their community by continuing a culture of service on and around the University’s campus. Each of the Bonner Leaders is stationed with a community partner for their duration in the program.
work. Opportunities that are nearly impossible to have otherwise are provided through the program. Jones enjoys traveling with the program the most. “It brings a lot of opportunities to go places and do stuff I wouldn’t be able to do otherwise,” he said. Students also gain invaluable experiences. The National Bonner Leaders tend to be a close knit family of close friends all eager to help their community through their service. “We all ended up here a week early and this allowed us to bond. We’re close and we get along very well,” Buckland said. Other members of National Bonner Leaders continue to engage in other various forms of community service. Jordan Jones is volunteering her time to Danville Public Schools, to O. Trent Bonner Middle School specifically, by engaging
students in the importance of black history month through Martin Luther King Jr. Averett’s National Bonner Leaders is more than just a community service program. Its members are a close family. The program provides students with ways of not only becoming better citizens and volunteers, but also giving them different opportunities to learn and gain new experiences while helping move the community forward through their service.
The Chanticleer • 25
Internationals Find Home in America After Averett by Lauren Cowling
Averett University is well known for the many international students they bring in. These students are from all over the world and they get to learn more about American culture while continuing their education at a higher level. Some of the international students who come to Averett wish to remain in America for graduate study or to start their careers. Their time in America allows them to understand and grow to love the country which results in a more permanent stay. Some internationals arrive here with their hearts set on staying in America. Others discover their love for the country during their four years of study. “I have always wanted to live and work here. It’s more fun. My aunt has been here since 1984, so she has definitely been a strong influence. When I graduated high school in Finland I had no idea where I was going to school, just a vague thought or dream of USA,” Suvi Piipponen, Averett alumna from Finland, said. “I decided I wanted to work here [USA] after doing my internship between my junior and senior year. I really like the fitness industry and the opportunities over here so I wanted to stay here and keep learning,” Silje Storstrand, Averett alumna from Norway, said. “Coming to the U.S from the Bahamas was a dream come true for most Bahamian children in the 70’s and 80’s. I remember staring while my parents drove us around in Miami, The buildings were huge and the bridges/overpass was simply amazing to me. This gave me the desire to live in the U.S,” Kenneth Bain, Averett alumnus from the Bahamas, said. Bain discovered very quickly that he wanted to remain the US. “I decided I wanted to work in the US when I came to Averett College. I knew from day one my opportunity for success will be higher in the US than the Bahamas.” These Averett Alumni have been out in the real world for some time. They all hold jobs or have aspirations of what they wish to do in the future. Piipponen, who began her career in the states at Averett, is the student activities coordinator at
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Sewanee: University of the South in Tennessee. Storstrand is furthering her education and pursuing her lifelong goal of operating her own fitness training facility. Bain is a successful businessman. “I own a company called Mobile Cinema Park. We screen 3D multi-sensory prevention and intervention programs to middle and high school students. I also just started a construction company (Beautiful Investments) which can be licensed in 13 states and an elevator company (JKM Elevators) in the Bahamas,” Bain said. Coming to study or have a career in America is a wonderful experience for students all over the world. However, it requires much more than just a plane ticket. Pippoponen, Storstrand and Bain are in different stages in the process.
Suvi Piipponen and her dog enjoying the sun on the steps outside Main Hall. Piipponen now works as the student activities coordinator at a university in Tennessee.
“I’ve had two student visas so far. I was lucky enough to get a job at Averett before graduating, as the Events Coordinator. In order for me to work full time, Averett had to sponsor me a work visa (H1B). When I changed jobs, the new employer had to sponsor another H1B for me to be able to work. Last October I applied for a Green card through the Green card lottery, so fingers crossed,” Pippoponen said. “After graduating with my MBA I wanted to take some time off from school and do another year of OPT. However, unfortunately, I got to experience what happens when you don’t make sure everything is 100% correct on your application, and I had to choose between going back home or back to school sooner than I had planned,” Storstrand said. “I currently have a Permanent Residence Card “Green Card”. I was able to apply for my residency card after getting married to my wife (Tamika Thompson now Bain) who I met at Averett College. We have been married 22 years,” Bain said. Coming to American offers many opportunities for international students that they might not have in their home countries. “I don’t think working in the U.S. is the reason why I want to stay here. It’s more because of the lifestyle and opportunities to experience and explore. It feels like every state is its own country! There’s just so much to see and do here,” Piipponen said. With all positives outcomes that come from moving to a new country, there are still some downsides. “Being away from my parents is definitely a con. They are older now (75 & 70) but my older sister is still living in Freeport but I make a point to go back home often to help out and make sure they are ok,” Bain said. “It can be very hard to work so far away from family and friends. But it does get a little easier with time. I am very fortunate to get to go home several times a year, and my family comes to visit me when they can,” Storstrand said. Internationals not only come to America to learn about the culture, they also bring part of their own culture to America. Everyone they come in contact with has the opportunity to learn a little bit more about the world and different
work ethics. “A lot of Americans have never left the U.S., and some have never even left their home state. I believe you learn a lot and become more openminded from travelling and interacting with people from different cultures. So, for that reason I think my beliefs may differ from a lot of Americans. I think work ethic is a very individual quality. I think you’ll find hardworking and lazy people everywhere,” Storstrand said. “In terms of work, I feel like I’ve maintained the ‘Finnish way’ of doing things; we tend to be very prompt, hard working, straight to the point and get-it-done kind of people with very little small-talk. I still find myself working on a very fast pace and always trying to be efficient at work and at home,” Piipponen said. Although staying in America and having a career are the current plans of these Averett Alumni, staying in America forever isn’t necessarily a part of the picture. “I want to work/live here in the US and the Bahamas. I want to get my business running at a certain point where I can take 2-3 months away and go home and work from there. This would be a dream come true for me,” Bain said. “I plan to stay here for at least a few more years, but I don’t think I’ll be here forever. Right now, I have over two more years left in school, and after that I plan on working a year on OPT,” Storstrand said. “I do wish to be able to stay in the States and become citizen one day. With Finland I can have dual-citizenship, so even if I would become citizen here, I can always go home,” Piipponen said. Many internationals have come to Averett University and enjoyed their time learning both in and out of the classroom. With plenty of opportunities ahead of them to start their careers, Storstrand has a tip for current international students. “If you are an international student that really wants to stay and work in the U.S. after finishing your degree, double and triple check your application to make sure everything is correct. Never just assume something you heard about the application process is correct,” Storstrand said.
The Chanticleer • 27
Averett Graduates Return as EMployees by Allison Turner
Richard Breen, far bottom left, is pictured with a group of fellow actors that performed an evening of one-act plays while he was a student in 1981.
If you look at a list of Averett employees and where they attended college, it is common to see that quite a few of them earned degrees from Averett. Over the years, the university has become known for trying to hire their graduates whenever possible to help run various programs and improve the quality of education that students receive. Richard Breen, professor of theatre, was a student at Averett from 1977 to 1981, receiving a bachelor of arts in theatre. He applied and was accepted as a student without even visiting the campus. Regardless, he knew Averett was for him the first day he was there. “We were walking down the hallway and people said ‘hi’ and my dad was like, ‘Do you know these people?’” Breen said. “I said, ‘I don’t know anybody, dad. All I know is, I’m home.’” Along with theatre, Breen was also involved in various campus activities including intramural sports, peer counseling, and was a member of the track team for two years. Additionally, he was the person responsible for showing movies at events on campus. After graduating from Averett, Breen worked for a while before deciding to go back to school to receive his graduate degree. He got a phone call one day that a student had dropped out of a program at Western Illinois University and was offered the spot, but he was told that he would have to be at the school the next day. He took a leap of faith, quit his job, and moved out of his apartment in Atlanta, Ga, in order to go back to school. Breen received his master of fine arts in performance and continued to work with various theatres around the country, along with participating in several national tours. He was offered a six month contract with a theatre when he was notified by Jackie Finney, also a professor of theatre at Averett, that a position was open to teach theatre students. Breen applied and was offered the job, which he gladly took. Along with being a professor, Breen also currently serves as a faculty athletic mentor for the football team and is the faculty athletic representative for the NCAA. Much has changed about Averett since Breen was a student and when he first joined as a faculty member, but he has continued to enjoy all that
the university has to offer. “I like the smallness of it,” he said. “I like the hands-on experiences with the students. Overall, I’ve loved my job.” Kara Hankins, senior student financial services counselor and VA certifying official, has also seen changes over the years since she was a student starting in 2008. She attended Danville Community College before coming to Averett to study sociology and worked as a work study student in the financial aid office. She also was a member of the AU Gospel Ensemble. After graduation, Hankins worked in mental health support for six months before she was offered a position at Averett. “I knew that coming here to start a career in helping students finish out school, like I had help, would mean more to me in the long run than what I was doing previously,” Hankins said. Hankins has worked at Averett for five years now and helps with packaging transfer, IDEAL, and returning students. She also works to certify veteran benefits for students that were previously in the military. After working elsewhere, Hankins returned to Averett for several reasons including her
Richard Breen The Chanticleer • 29
Brian Turner
experience as a work study student. “I liked the fact that Averett was a community,” she recalled. “And I also liked that they hire most of their students if they can to actually work at the university.” Also a student at DCC before coming to Averett, Brian Turner, associate professor of business administration, completed three semesters at Averett before receiving his bachelor of science in business in 2000, concentrating his studies primarily in accounting. “Academically, I was pretty good,” Turner said. “I had a 4.0. I was really focused because I was 25 when I got here. I had worked for years in manufacturing and construction and I was motivated to stop doing that.” Turner had been a student at DCC before he decided to take time off from school and focus on work. He went back to DCC for a short time before he chose to transfer to Averett as a student. While at Averett, he was involved in intramural sports and
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worked as a tutor. Once he had graduated from Averett, Turner received his graduate degree from Old Dominion University in taxation and became a certified public accountant. He has now been a professor at Averett for 13 years and has seen positive changes in the school. “The environment the residents, and even the commuter students, are in now is very different,” Turner said. “It’s much more student friendly than it used to be.” Before Breen, Hankins, or Turner were students at Averett, Kathie Tune, director of human resources, came from New Jersey to study psychology and minor in education and special education at Averett. She was also involved in the psychology club, worked as a work study student, and was involved in the peer tutoring group and other tutoring programs in local Danville schools. After receiving her undergraduate degree, Tune was offered a position as an admission counselor at Averett only about two months later. “When I was hired by Averett, we were in one of the deepest recessions known,” Tune said. “So that job was a gem.” Tune traveled often for work, so when she married her husband, who she also met on Averett’s campus, and they decided to start a family, she started to look for a job that would reduce her travel schedule. Tune has had a number of different roles
since she started working for Averett including campus visit and event coordinator, director of traditional transfer students, and dean of admissions before accepting her current position. She also completed her graduate degree while working at Averett, receiving a master’s of science in counseling and education from Longwood University. Before Tune accepted the role of director of human resources, most of her current duties were completed through the business office since there was no human resource office. She now works with hiring managers to ensure Averett is appropriately hiring employees and they are
receiving all needed benefits, along with helping to plan events for new employee orientation and a number of other things. Over the years, Tune has been able to observe how Averett has changed. First as a student, then as an employee. She has noticed many positive changes in Averett, such as a growing campus and faculty. Tune openly advocates for private education and believes Averett has a bright future. “It’s great,” Tune said. “But we should not be the best kept secret. We want everyone to know what we’re doing.”
Kathie Tune (right) has worked at the University since 1979. In her nearly 40 years of service, she has worked in the business office, admissions, and now, human resources. She received her first job with Averett only two months after graduating.
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#Chantishowcase What advice would you give to underclassmen before graduation?
Averett University Student Selected for Prestigious National Fellowship Program Sophomore Jordan Jones is a member of Averett’s National Bonner Leader program. Through this program, Jones has already made a name for herself winning many accolades. Most recently, she has “Find an internship! I worked with an been named as a Newman Civic Fellow. Olympic Dressage Rider. Through this I This prestigious fellowship is a year-long made connections and learned valuable program where Jones will skills, and also found a possible job for after graduation.”
Megan Grimes ‘18
Equestrian Studies /Fairfax, Va. “My advice is to aim, strive and achieve your goals. Don’t give up. Keep on trying because if you don’t try, nothing will happen.”
have access to a variety of networking opportunities, including a conference with all of the fellows in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate.
Trevonne Thompson ‘18 Flight Operations/ Criminal Justice
/Montego Bay, Jamaica “My advice is to start looking early for jobs and to be open minded to other positions.”
Faith Campbell ‘18
Physical Education /Newport News, Va.
“Be open-minded and don’t hold back on applying for positions you are not qualified for. You might get the position, but if you don’t, you will get good advice from it.”
Madison Grandy ‘18 Equine Science /Greensboro, N.C.
Senior Checklist APRIL 7: APPLY FOR GRADUATION AND SUBMIT REQUIRED FEE. APRIL 7: SUBMIT CAP AND GOWN ORDERS TO AVOID LATE FEE. APRIL 21: ALL ACCOUNT BALANCES MUST BE PAID IN FULL. MAY 4: GRADUATION REHEARSAL MAY 5: GRADUATION DAY
compiled by Taylor Cook