FEBRUARY 2017
new Center offers
more than health care PAGE 5
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Classes resume.
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• Athletic Home Games COUGAR ACTIVITIES BOARD EVENTS Academic dates
Spring break
ESTABLISHED 1922
Table of
contents 04 Students Thankful for VTAG Health & Wellness Center Programs 05 06 Q & A 07 Averett Players Spring into Sports 08 10 From Athlete to Alumni Basketball Superstar 11 12 The Perfect Place to Live International Life on Campus 14 16 Spring Break Options 17 Teal Warriors 18 Teach it Forward Challenge Students express their gratitude for VTAG
Adams provides more than health care with new center Students’ questions answered about new health center
Cover photo by Jenny Gregory
Executive Staff Advisor Dr. Susan Huckstep
Layout & Design Editor Brianna Shelton
A glance into theatre spring schedule
A preview of the spring sports season at Averett How Brent Skipper plans to take AU with him on a new journey A Closer Look at Senior Charles Bryant’s explosive career
copy & Design Editor Ashley Bowman
Copy Editors Lanie Davis, Clarice Ellinger
Staff Writers Josh Boggs Andrew Cannon Taylor Cook Lauren Cowling Lanie Davis Clarice Ellinger Lindsey Fulcher Jenny Gregory Adrianna Hargrove Nate Lake Khalil Lloyd
3 • The Chanticleer
Where to live on campus and why
Why some international students choose to live on/off campus CCECC Starts Job Shadowing program
Annual Caring for Carrie Game surpasses donation goal Students making a difference in the community
Students Thankful for VTAG by Clarice Ellinger
Each year students from Averett University are asked to attend the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant day in Richmond. Students are asked to speak with their legislators about the grant and also thank them for their support. This year two students, Tyler Henley and Clarice Ellinger, traveled to Richmond to visit with local legislators, like Delegate Danny Marshall and Senator William Stanley Jr. After visiting with the legislators from the Danville area, the students also spoke with representatives from their hometowns, such as Senator Emmett Hanger from District 24 and Delegate Roslyn Tyler from the District 75. “I’m thankful to receive VTAG,” Henley said. “Being an aviation major means that I have to pay a lot more in tuition, so every little bit helps.” Averett University is one of the 30 non-profit colleges and universities state wide where students can receive VTAG. The VTAG program is a tuition assistance program that was created in order to give aid to Virginia residents who attend accredited non-profit universities and colleges. According to Virginia Private Colleges, nearly 23,000 Virginia residents will receive the grant that was worth up to $3,200 for undergraduates during the 2016-2017 year.
Delegate Danny Marshall, Tyler Henley, Clarice Ellinger, and Admissions Councilor Matthew Mann braved the wind and rain to visit Richmond.
Many students from the university are able to receive the grant from the state and are able to find good use for it. “VTAG is able to help me with my tuition, and it takes off a couple thousand,” Trevonne Thompson, a junior from Norfolk, said. Students are not required to pay back VTAG as long as they demonstrate a financial need and file a financial statement, according to the State Council for Higher Education for Virginia.
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Averett students from Va. receive the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant.
Richard J. Crouse, Clarice Ellinger, and Tyler Henley gather together to discuss the VTAG issue.
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= 20 students
New Health and Wellness Center Provides More than Just Health Care relationships with students so that they feel by Jenny Gregory
On Jan. 17, Averett opened the Health and Wellness Center that offers a health clinic as well as health and wellness programs. Jill Adams, Averett’s director of health and wellness and Title IX coordinator, oversees and plans these events. In the short time the center has been open, several events have been held that include Averett University Appreciation Day held at the YMCA, a self-defense class, a DJ party and a Ladies’ Night. “We’ll do a lot of awareness for sexual assaults,” Adams said. “All of our programs for the month of February (were) geared towards dating violence and what are healthy behaviors.” On Feb. 1, a large red heart made up of flags appeared the Student Center Lawn. Adams used this as a way to kick off the Red Flag Campaign for the month of February. She hoped that by using the large heart as a surprise, people would begin talking about the campaign. Adams hopes that the programs bring “awareness to the student body of the issues that some people may think are normal behaviors.” She wants students to know what The Red Flag Campaign their resources are and is an ongoing project of the VA Sexual & that there is a place they Domestic Violence can go on campus to talk Action Alliance. More about issues they may be information can be found by going to their website experiencing. Adams has been holding at theredflagcampaign.org meetings with resident assistants and building
comfortable coming into the center. “Every time I meet with students, I let them know I have an open door policy,” Adams said. She is excited about the programs that will be offered and expects more of a turn out to events as the center is open longer and more programs are held. Students will also have an input into what types of programs they want to see. “I will be working with the nursing program along with the athletic training program to try to actually get them to do some programming,” Adams said. She hopes that this will make students more comfortable about coming into the center. “I think right now with it being new, a lot of students still don’t really know what’s going on in here. So hopefully as the month goes on then the students will actually understand what’s going on, and then they can come by. I think that it’s a huge opportunity for the center to get information out to the Sophomore Eimear Reddin allowed an students.” instructor to demonstrate how to disarm an attack by hitting pressure points in the attacker’s hand.
The Chanticleer • 5
Your Questions Answered: The New Student Health and Wellness Center stop shop. You come in, and if you’re not feeling by Lanie Davis
On Jan. 17, Averett hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new Student Health and Wellness Center. The center, which is located in the Galesi Family Student Success Center, will offer medical services to students. Director of Health and Wellness and Title IX Coordinator Jill Adams answered questions that students may have about the center and how they can receive health care.
What are the services provided to students?
On the end where the clinic is, we actually partnered with Danville Regional Medical Center, and we will have services over there 20 hours a week. From 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Monday through Friday, a student can come in if they’re sick or if they need a shot. You know, really anything you can go to MedExpress for, you would be able to come here for.
How do students pay for this? Just like if you go to MedExpress, you show them your insurance, and you have a copay. It’s going to be the same here.
Who will be working in the health center?
The medical assistant will be here 20 hours a week. She’ll be able to help you with anything. If you come in and you feel like you’re sick, she can take your temperature. If you need medical assistance at that time, and our PA, our physician’s assistant, is not here, then we have an agreement with three other clinics in the area that would get you in the same day service.
well and if the PA’s not here, we’ll get you a doctor’s appointment to where you’re not going over to any other doctor’s office and sitting for hours to be seen. You know, the other day, we had a student come in that wasn’t feeling well, I got an appointment for him. It wasn’t until 3 o’clock that afternoon, but he was able to go to his room and relax and be comfortable before instead of going down and sitting in a doctor’s office.
What are the other clinics Averett has an agreement with?
Residency Clinic, Family Healthcare Mt. Herman and Family Healthcare Brosville. Some have night and weekend hours. Basically . . . they would need to identify themselves as an Averett student to get the care the same day service.
What else do you need to know? Even though the clinic is only open from 8 a.m. through 12 p.m., the center is open until 5 p.m., so Adams can make you appointments even when Averett’s clinic is closed. Also, Adams is working closely with Dr. Anderson, the director of student success, to send alerts out to professors letting them know that a student is sick and visited the clinic. Adams would like students to utilize the center and hear their thoughts on the services, programs and awareness events offered.
What can students do if they need to be seen but the center is closed? What I’ve been doing down here since we have
opened, and I want students to come so I’m not turning them away, I will make the appointment for them. If they do not have transportation, I will find them transportation. Really what we’re looking at the clinic end of it, is that it’s a one
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Services at the Center will be adminstered by Danville Regional Medical Center nurses who will provide physicals, routine lab, as well as adminster sick visits for students. There are two examination rooms, a lobby, and the health & wellness offices.
They’ll make you laugh & they’ll make you cry -Averett theatre commands the stage by Andrew Cannon
The intricacies of the theatrical world are many and what goes on behind the scenes is truly a building block for everything you see on stage. This is no different with the theater department at Averett. Already having performed their first mainstage production of the spring season, “The Pillowman,” the rehearsal process for the next show is already in full swing. The Averett Players started off their spring debut on a darker tone with “The Pillowman,” a black comedy, written by Martin McDonagh. Some of the audience members were shocked by the grim tale of a writer in a totalitarian state and the gruesome murders in which he was unintentionally involved. “We wanted to do a dark comedy,” Professor Jackie Finney professor of theatre, co-chair of the Department of Theatre at Averett and director of the show, said. “Something that was more recent. We decided to do ‘The Pillowman’ because it was serious, both in language and situations.” However, this year isn’t all grim and gruesome, as the upcoming show is a comedy. “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” will run April 6-8. The play revolves around the lives of three siblings and their relationships with each other and those around them. “It’s a more straightforward comic contemporary,” Finney said. “The actors get to stretch by playing 50 year olds. The characters are funny and quirky.” In addition to the mainstage productions the Averett Players Tori Ritchie, senior theatre major, goes over her script for “Blackbird.” “It’s surreal that I’m graduating, but I think my senior seminar is the perfect way to wrap up my four years here at Averett.”
are also involved in senior seminar productions and a “Night of Scenes,” which serves as the final project for the directing class. On April 28, Tori Ritchie, a theatre major from Richmond, is putting on a production of the play “Blackbird” for her senior project. The play tells the story of a woman confronting a man who had, in the past, sexually abused her. “I saw it on Broadway and fell in love and think it sends a great message about rape awareness,” Ritchie said. “Part of my senior project is working with Danville Safe Haven, and having a representative come out and be a part of the show.” Ritchie will not only be directing the show but will also perform in it alongside fellow Averett Player Ethan Jones. “I’m very excited,” Jones, a freshman theatre education major and Danville resident, said. “I feel like in my first year of performing I’ve been able to get to do two completely different spectrums.” Allyson Dodson, a senior theatre major from Locust Grove, will also be performing a collection of songs in a musical cabaret. Her performance is scheduled for May 2. “It’s like a thank you note to my family and friends,” Dodson said. As for the “Night of Scenes,” various 10-minute scenes will be put on and directed by the students in the directing class with actors both from Averett and the community. “A Night of Scenes” will be performed April 26. “If there are people who don’t have time for mainstage, these are for anybody who wants to act or be involved,” said Finney. “We’d love for people to get involved.” For information concerning the auditions, contact Finney or any of the Averett Players. Tickets are free to all Averett students.
The Chanticleer • 7
Spring into Sports by Lindsey Fulcher
With the spring sports season underway, the Averett Cougars have a lot to look forward to. Spring into sports with this Cougar Preview.
BASEBALL
Opening season kicked off with a double header against Washington and Lee University on Feb. 11 at Owen-Fulton Field. The team won the first game 11-5 and lost the second 3-6. They played again the following day and lost to Lynchburg College 2-8. There are quite a few changes for the Cougars this season. They lost 10 seniors to graduation last season, and brought in 18 new players, 16 of which are freshman. “We lost two arms at the break and our short stop to surgery. We’re young, but we’ve got some guys we can work with,” head coach Ed Fulton said. Pitching coach Jordan Quinn joined Fulton’s staff in September to help boost pitching performance. “Biggest thing for us right now is what’s on the mound,” Fulton, who has been coaching Averett’s Baseball team for 22 years, said. The team was picked to finish 9 out of 11 teams in the preseason poll. The team’s upcoming game will be on Feb. 24 at 2:30 p.m. in Rocky Mount, N.C. against N.C. Wesleyan College.
SOFTBALL
Averett’s softball season opened Feb. 11 with a 7-4 tournament upset win over the No. 4 team in the nation, Emory. The Cougars also recorded an opening day win over Rhodes, 6-5. The team fell to Emory 0-7 on the second day of the tournament but beat Rhodes a second time, 10-9. The team has a new coaching staff this year after adding Head Coach Ashley Pyron and Assistant Coach Natalie Ruechel over summer. They have several key players for this upcoming season. “We return Jessica Long, our senior short stop and senior Sam Hall. Freshman Kaitlyn Aherron will be a dominate pitcher and offensively has a strong at bat,” Pyron said. Softball was picked to finish fifth out of eight teams in the preseason poll. Their upcoming series will be on Feb. 25 in Cary, N.C. The first game will be against Olivet College at 11:30 a.m. and the second will be against Wilson College at 2:00 p.m.
MEN’S TENNIS
Men’s tennis had their first match on Feb. 22 at 3:30 p.m. at Washington and Lee University in Lexington. The team was placed third out of six teams in the preseason poll. Key players for this season will be Nicolas Quevedo who played in the number two spot last year and won USA South All-Conference Honorable Mention Team. Playing in the number one spot this season will be freshman Caius Blomqvist. Men’s tennis will have their next match at home on Feb. 26 at 1:00 p.m against Guilford College.
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CHEERLEADING
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Women’s tennis has their first match on Feb. 24 at 2:30 p.m. at Sweet Briar College. The team was picked to finish fourth out of eight teams in the preseason poll. Key players for this season include number one seed Heidi Sarkkinen and number two seed Hannah Mattson. The duo had a 12-2 record in doubles. Sarkkinen finished with a 16-0 record last season in singles play and received several awards such as USA South Rookie of the Year as well as USA South All Conference First Team. Mattson finished 12-6 in singles play and was named UA South All Conference Second Team as well as USA South AllSportsmanship Team. The team’s next match will be at home on Feb. 26 at 1:00 against Guilford College.
GOLF
The golf team has their first tournament on March 6 in Pine Mountain, Georgia, at Berry College. They were picked ninth out of 11 teams in the preseason poll. “I am most looking forward to going to Camp Lejeune, the Marine Base. We are playing some Marines and that tournament is always fun,” senior Mark Wallstedt said. This year will be the 46th Annual Marine Federal Credit Union Intercollegiate Tournament. The top five Averett golfers will travel to this tournament on March 28.
The Cheerleading team added freshman Ella Astrom this semester. Astrom is from Finland and is believed to be the first international student to join the cheerleading team in Averett history. Astrom has only ever participated in competition cheerleading and will be a great addition for the competition season. “It’s a lot different from what I am used to. I like that we go to games so you can see other sports too and get to cheer for them,” Astrom said. The team is currently making weekend trips to work with the Carolina Elite Cheer Center in Gibsonville, North Carolina, on a competition routine for this upcoming year.
EQUESTRIAN
The team is made up of two separate riding associations. The two associations are Intercollegiate Hunt Seat Association (IHSA) and Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA.) The IHSA team had their first meet of Spring Season at Emory and Henry on Feb. 4 and they placed in the top three out of 14 teams. Averett IDA placed first overall for the two day event Feb. 11 – Feb. 12. The IDA team also earned Region I. team championship at home that same weekend. The IDA Nationals will be on April 29 and IHSA Regionals will be at Averett University’s Equestrian campus on March 18.
The Chanticleer • 9
Brent Skipper: Athlete to Alumni by Nate Lake
The Averett football staff is saying goodbye to a player and coach this semester. Assistant Coach Brent Skipper has been coaching Averett football since the fall of 2014 as a graduate assistant. Before he was a GA, he played cornerback at Averett from 2010- 2013. Skipper played in 31 games for the Cougars scoring one touchdown and tallying 82 tackles. Skipper didn’t originally want to be a GA. He had some inspiration from former coach, Jay Kirkland, who was the defensive back coach at the time. “I wasn’t really planning on it (becoming a GA). I had known in the back on my mind I wanted to be and he (Kirkland) gave me a call over summer after I graduated and asked what I thought about being a GA.” Skipper said. Skipper has been working with Averett’s football team as their strength and conditioning coach and also as an assistant defensive back coach. Even though he is coaching some of the teammates he played with, he has not found the adjustment too difficult. “The biggest thing that really paid off is that there respect for them and their respect for me,” Skipper said “When it came time to coach
Coach Skipper pushes each athlete to do his best during weight training so come game time, the Cougars are in fighting shape.
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The previous experience Skipper gained while playing football at Averett for undergrad has strengthened his love for the game as well as a love for coaching.
they knew that everything I did and everything I said was from the bottom of my heart.” Skipper has been coaching since the fall of 2014, and he has never loved the game more. When he leaves at the end of the spring semester, he plans on coaching elsewhere. “When I first got here I was a big time meathead. I just loved the weight room, and I still do,” Skipper said. “But the love for coaching football just grew, grew, and grew and at this moment I would really like to go forth with football and maybe have the opportunity with strength and conditioning on the side.” Skipper has some words of wisdom for upcoming graduates. “Internships … the biggest thing is start job hunting and feelers out there of where you want to be because next semester you’re in the real world. There is no more school. For me it was a breath of fresh air, ‘Oh, no more school’ and then the next day, ‘Oh, it’s time to get a job.’” Skipper also has some advice for students just beginning their college careers. “Enjoy your time as a student. While you’re in it you can get stressed out, and in the grand scheme of things it’s the best time of your life.” Skipper will always be a part of the Averett family. He is leaving the staff with his master’s in business management and a new set of knowledge he has learned over the years.
The Double-Double Machine by Khalil Lloyd
First in rebounds (10.5) and fourth in points (17.0), Charles Bryant, a senior majoring in computer information systems, led the men’s basketball team into the conference tournament. Bryant has experienced many things during his career here at Averett, winning a regular season championship, being the favorite to repeat as champions, struggling to make the conference tournament and losing in the first round. Now, as the only senior, he has to lead a young, inexperienced team to the conference tournament. There are currently 14 players on the roster, half of which are freshmen. “It’s tough at times,” Bryant said. “I’m the only really experienced player to, kind of like show (seven) freshman how to play.” The minutes he plays have dramatically increased since he was a freshman. He started late in the season and averaged about 20 minutes per game, whereas now it averages around 31-32 minutes per game. Bryant has embraced his leadership role on the team. “He isn’t very outspoken. He leads by example,” David Garganus, assistant coach of the men’s basketball team, said. “Guys respect him thoroughly. Whenever he talks, all the guys listen.” The coaches value him very highly on the team
Teammates David Meador and T.J. McAllister watch as Charles Bryant breaks the Cougar rebounding record with a win against William Peace on Feb. 15.
not only as a player, but as a person as well. He plays hard in practice and in games which makes him special. “He has God given talent,” Gurganus said. “Everyone doesn’t have that (as a player). As a person, he always makes the right decision, very respectful. He deserves all the accolades that he gets.” Being a student athlete alone is a tough task. Taking on the responsibilities that Bryant has to endure is a tougher task. However, it can make it easier when you see the team that you play on as family. That is how Bryant feels. It has brought him closer to his teammates, and he will do almost anything for them. After graduation, Bryant plans to become a business analyst.
Charles Bryant shoots a midrange jumper over a defender during a regular season game.
The Chanticleer • 11
What Residence Hall is The Best Fit for You? by Taylor Cook
At Averett, there are many different options to choose from when it comes to housing. There are suites, halls and apartments. Each space has its own pros and cons, but there is something for everybody.
Fugate
Fugate is a co-ed suite style dorm that has five rooms, with a maximum of ten people per suite. This building features carpeted floors and central air. Residents share one bathroom and have a suite lobby, so students get to know your suitemates very quickly. Because of the suite style living, it’s very social. “Have fun, be you, and meet as many people as you can,” sophomore TJ McAllister said about living in Fugate. There are some things should be considered before deciding to live in Fugate. The bathrooms only have two showers and two stalls, so waiting for a shower could happen from time to time. Another thing to consider is that it can be hard to find time to be alone.
“Fugate is more of a community atmosphere, so there is not a lot of privacy,” sophomore Taylor Hodges said. “There are some times where the family type atmosphere is too much to handle.”
Davenport
Davenport features hall style living with two female floors and one male floor. The laundry room is easy to find, the mailroom is accessible without leaving the building, and some classrooms are in the same building. The hall shares one bathroom and has a common area with a TV at the end of the hall. “I feel like I’m in the center of everything,” freshman Damonte Bray said. “There are always people out in the halls to talk to and hang out with.” A downside of living in this residence hall is the number of stairs. For men, there is an easy walk with one flight of stairs to the hall. For women, it can be as many as four flights of stairs. “Be prepared to walk,” junior Sam Winston said. As for the whole building, the heat cannot be regulated so the rooms are often some of the hottest on campus.
Danville
Danville Hall, an all-male dorm, is split into two floors, and it has single and double rooms. Parking is available on Mountain View Avenue, and it is very close to the entrance of the hall. Many residents love the single rooms and being able to have their own living space. There are a few downfalls to this hall. Students living on the first floor near the door hear everyone coming in and leaving. “When people walk through the hall, it’s sometimes really loud,” sophomore Austin Mundy said. There is a variety of room sizes on this hall. Some of the single rooms used to be doubles so they are quite large while some students have much less room.
Main Chelsea Lavinder shows off her room in Main Hall.
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Main Hall is the oldest residence hall on campus, and it is an all-female hall. It features a view of West Main Street. The rooms are all singles, so there is plenty of privacy. It’s also at
the front part of the campus, so there are not a lot of people walking though. “I love how quiet it is,” freshman Chelsea Lavender said. Like every residence hall, Main does have its flaws. Since the hall is old, it echoes a lot. Footsteps are amplified, and voices are easily heard at a normal volume. Students have also complained about how the rooms on the front of the building are not allowed to have window air conditioners and the loudness of the radiators that heat the rooms. “The radiator makes noises that wake me up sometimes,” Lavender said.
Bishop
Bishop is an all men’s hall, and many athletes live on this hall. These rooms are large, and they come with sinks. “The sinks really come in handy for brushing your teeth or washing your hands,” Sophomore
Tyler Easter said. Bishop Hall has a nice lobby, which many students use for homework. This building also has classrooms, so students may not have to walk far. The one complaint students have is the number of stairs that you have to take to the building. Some students also complain about the noise on the hall.
Commons Apartments
Once you meet the requirements to move into the apartments, students say it is one of the best places to live on campus. From the privacy of your own room to having all of the appliances, including a dishwasher, it’s the perfect place to prepare for living on your own. “At my last school, I had to hand wash everything, so a dishwasher is a life saver,” senior Michael Bracket said. Students get to share an apartment with three roommates, and it allows for the most privacy. There are four rooms and two bathrooms. “Make sure you clean up after yourself, and things will run smoothly,” Bracket said. Problems start to arise when you have issues with your roommates. There can be problems when people don’t clean up their dishes or the shared bathroom, or when they are loud. “Make sure you really know who you are choosing to live with,” Jordyn Minton said. With this in mind, choose wisely. Housing applications for the 2017-2018 school year are due on April 10.
Jordym Minton, Taylor Hodges, and Tyler Easter have each made their residential spaces a reflection of themselves.
The Chanticleer • 13
International Students Find Advantages to Both On and Off-Campus Living by Lauren Cowling
Averett University is well known for its international students that attend the university. These students get to learn about American culture, while in turn, introducing Americans to their own cultures. International students add to the diversity of campus life, but when it comes to living arrangements many opt to move off campus. Daniel Surley, a freshman from Newcastle upon Tyne, England, is in his second semester at Averett University and has already decided to move off campus. His reasoning is similar to most other students who have already moved off. “To get more freedom as well as save money.” “I pay less rent compared to the dorms,” Rustam Aliev, a junior from Russia said. “Our Wi-Fi is faster. It’s quiet and you don’t have to share a bathroom.” International students who are under 23 years of age must live on campus for one year or two semesters. However if they turn 23 before October 1 (of the fall semester) or February 1 (of the spring semester), they qualify to live off campus. Married students or parents are exempt from the previous rules, as are students who have served 180 consecutive days in the military. Other international students who have taken advantage of the rule have found that living off campus was cheaper and “homey” for them. A lot of them much prefer the peace, quiet and luxury of their own rooms. “I think life is more realistic when you live off campus,” Susanna Palokangas, a junior from Finland said. “You need to pay the rent and utilities. When you buy food it’s easier to keep track and see how much everything costs.” Although living off campus is proving to be very popular, there are still favorable qualities of
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living on campus. Eimear Reddin, a sophomore from Ireland, found that she felt very safe on campus. “Plus side to living on campus is the 24 hour security,” Reddin said. “It made me and my parents feel very safe that they (security) were always around and you could call them to walk you to places at night. Campus is also really lit up.” Surley felt that he “may be more likely to skip classes” when he moves off campus due to the slightly further distance. Transportation may also be a challenge to living off campus. Unlike the majority of students at Averett who own cars, international students have to make the decision as to whether it’s personally worth it for them to invest in one or whether they should rely on others. “When I lived on campus I would rely on my teammates,” Reddin said. “Since moving off though I rely on two of my roommates as they have cars.” Johanna Ohrnberg, a senior from Sweden also felt this way, having spent almost four years without needing a car. She personally didn’t feel it was worth it. “It’s so expensive to buy a car,” Ohrnberg said. When it comes to meal plans there is preference for off campus students. There are some who like cafeteria food, while others prefer to cook for themselves. “I would rather decide on a daily basis what I would like to eat than go to caf,” Reddin said. “It’s less expensive than having a meal plan and driving to caf every day.” Some feel that the dinning hall doesn’t meet their needs and would rather do things by themselves. “(I don’t have a) meal plan because I like
Kaitlyn Barbour and Eimear Reddin pose with their coach’s dog.
cooking. It’s easier to make healthy food by yourself,” Palokangas said. There are students who still have or plan to have meal plans when they are off campus. Some students reduce the meal plan to one meal a day as Surley plans to do, while Ohrnberg had a meal plan when she was off campus. DeAndre Howard, director of housing and residence life, believes that students are more successful living on campus. “Students will be more successful, as they can walk around campus and interact with others and get tutoring which they can’t as readily (if
they live off campus),” Howard said. It is rare that students who have already moved off will come back to campus. Howard has been at Averett for just a short time but has found a couple asked to move back. “They didn’t like the experience,” Howard said. “No longer friends with friends—some (roommates) liked to throw parties and they weren’t comfortable. A lot don’t want to pay to move back on.” Ohrnberg is one of the few who moved back on campus for her senior year. “It’s easier and closer to everything,” she said. “It was hard finding a place to live off campus.” Despite many internationals moving off, none of them seemed to have bad memories of living on campus. Many of them felt it helped them build friendships when they first arrived. It also helped them adapt to American culture, such as dealing with roommates. Rooming with another person isn’t as common in many other countries. “I don’t particularly think it’s helpful to move off as they stay with friends,” Howard said. “You can experience different cultures living on campus. Different groups of people. You’re not really getting an international experience (off campus). (If there’s) language barriers, it will help them (when) interacting with Americans on campus.” “It makes it easier to get to know people,” Palokangas said about living on campus. “You have them around all the time and the distance is shorter so you can leave later for classes. I think everyone should experience living on campus at least for a while. It’s a good experience.”
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International Students attend averett.
For a closer look and more information, check out the back cover.
The Chanticleer • 15
Fun Trips and Job Shadowing Make Great Spring Break Options by Josh Boggs
One big thing college students look forward to besides summer vacation, is spring break. There are many different options that students decide to do such as: travel back home, stay on campus, or get a group of friends together for a road trip. Junior Nikki Loving opted for a trip down south for spring break in 2016. She and some friends drove to Orlando, FL, where they went to an Orlando City soccer game. “We also went to Clearwater Beach along with other beaches and the Orlando Eye,” Loving said. Some popular destinations for students over break are Daytona Beach, FL, Myrtle Beach, SC, Outer Banks, NC, and South Padre Island, TX. International options include Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. If students have to stay on campus for spring break for sports or if they are not able to go home, the CCECC is offering help. They are starting a small pilot launch of job shadowing in three fields: health care, criminal justice, and business. Director of Career Development Angie McAdams of the CCECC is helping with this project. If anyone is looking for an internship, the job shadowing database can be pulled up to see what
While in Orlando for Spring Break, Damion Bishoff, Nikki Loving, Shelby Dryden, Kevin Watford, Brian Matokovich, Brandi Parker, Chaze Ellis, Trevonne Thompson visited Madame Tussauds Wax Museum taking several pictures with wax celebrity figures, such as Tom Hanks.
would be the best opportunity for the students. “This can help as a database of people ready for a job shadow,” McAdams said. For additional questions about this, McAdams can be reached at (434) 791-5629 or by email at amcadams@averett.edu. She can also be found in her office on the first floor of the CCECC or the Student Success Center room 115 Monday through Friday 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Left: Angie McAdams, director of career development, works diligently with employers in the area for a spring break job shadowing program for AU students. Above, from left: Nikki Loving, Brandi Parker, Damion Bishoff, Shelby Dryden, and Trevonne Thompson enjoy a breakfast by the beach at a Waffle House.
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Annual ‘Caring for Carrie’ Game Fights Maryville and Cancer by Lindsey Fulcher
Averett University and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has raised not only money but awareness once again for ovarian cancer during the third annual “Caring for Carrie” basketball game. The game was on Feb. 18 at Averett University’s North Campus. SAAC reached their goal by raising more than $1,000 for the Jimmy V Foundation and the men’s basketball team defeated Maryville 87-80. This win over Maryville put men’s basketball into the quarter finals, making it an overall successful weekend for the Cougars. The “Caring for Carrie” game is held in honor of Carrie Hendrick, Averett’s current director of athletic training. Hendrick is a twotime survivor of ovarian cancer. “I cannot thank my Averett family enough for their support throughout my journeys with cancer,” Hendrick said. “I have been blessed with the opportunity to use my circumstances to both educate and raise awareness when it comes to all cancers, not just ovarian cancer. This event not only speaks volume to the athletes involved, but also to the university. Each year for the past three years we have raised money for the Jimmy V Foundation. This foundation is dear to my heart, as I was personally a recipient of the services offered by the Jimmy V Foundation during my fight.” Averett SAAC helps run the event each year. “We started doing the game because of Carrie. She was the head (athletic) trainer at that time, so we were all pretty close to her. For her to do all that she does and not let cancer stop her was a pretty amazing thing,” senior SAAC president
Samm Chandler said. SAAC has sold teal bracelets, ribbons and T-shirts in the past. A teal ribbon brings awareness to ovarian cancer and wearing teal helps show support. This year they sold teal AU hats for $15 and teal “Caring for Carrie” T-shirts for $10. All donations and profits from the game were sent to the Jimmy V Foundation. SAAC will still take orders for both the hats and the shirts if anyone would like one. “My story is no different from anyone else who was diagnosed with cancer and prevailed,” Hendrick said. “I wanted to use my platform to educate the students, and help them understand how important organizations such as the Jimmy V foundation really are.” The Jimmy V organization relies on its donors and volunteers in order to make a difference. Hendrick said it is important to continue to have events like this all over the country in order to keep the research, education and assistance going. “I hope that by seeing me Caring for Carrie T-shirts and hats were and realizing sold at the Maryville game this year. Proceeds went to the Jimmy V Foundation. that cancer does not discriminate nor does it have a face, it will encourage others to get screened and learn more about how they can help,” Hendrick said.
The Chanticleer • 17
Students Make A Difference by Tutoring in the Community by Adrianna Hargrove
Helping and giving back to the community is one of Averett University’s top priorities. Teach It Forward was designed specifically with those priorities in mind for Averett students to volunteer and help the Danville community. “Because Week to Engage and other events are held during the fall semester and SOL’s are in March, April, and May, it was a good idea to begin the program in the spring,” Rachel Covington, who started the program last spring, said. Covington is the assistant director of community engagement at the Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness on campus. “We brainstormed how we can get students to tutor,” Covington said. “We figured out what meets the need for consistent tutors in the community because one on one time between a child and an Averett student is very special and builds a relationship.”
Cora Gibson spent time with local children at Cedar Terrace during the Teach It Forward challenge. Students created teams and were dispersed around the Danville community to tutor and mentor children.
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Averett students sign up in groups of 10 people. The groups would then be assigned to Averett’s main partners such as Boys and Girls Club and numerous community centers throughout Danville and Pittsylvania County. Last year, there was a contest to see which team could put in the most hours during the semester, and the winners were awarded various prizes. Covington wanted more ways that students can go out into the surrounding communities and tutor children who needed help with assignments for school. “Students don’t focus on the kickoffs. They focus on volunteering and being with kids,” Covington said. Many people and programs were very interested in helping support Teach It Forward and getting it on its feet. “An AmeriCorps state member through the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research was really passionate about creating and setting up Teach It Forward,” Covington said. “The AmeriCorps state member worked 40 hours a week promoting and working on Teach It Forward. Each year we have a different member, and this year, Sierra Gunter will be the AmeriCorps leader.” The passion and commitment for Teach It Forward also trickled down to the students. Overall, 70 volunteers participated, most of them were Averett students. Many students enjoyed volunteering in the community by tutoring children at local schools and community centers. Brianna George is a junior from Elkton, MD, majoring in sociology/criminal justice and psychology. George participated in Teach It Forward in spring of 2016. “At the time I was deciding whether or not I wanted to teach,” George said. “I figured that would give me some good experience on working with kids I wasn’t used to working with every day.” George’s team went to Pleasant View Community and Youth Center in Danville. Her team helped children from all different backgrounds with homework and projects for school.
“The kids were great,” George said. “I worked with one little boy. We thought it was hard for him to learn because he had a learning disability and there probably weren’t a lot of services offered to him because he and a few other kids were behind on subjects like math.” George’s team won second place. Her team members were going to Pleasant View Community and Youth Center four times a week with two students going daily. The prize awarded were free tickets to the skating rink in Danville. Unfortunately, George will not be able to participate in Teach It Forward this year because of conflicts in her schedule. “If I had the time, I absolutely would love to do it again because it’s great seeing the kids open up and trust you a little more as the time goes on,” George said. “It’s a great feeling to actually help the kids feel more confident in school and for their SOL’s.” Kristen Viegelman, a junior athletic training and biomedical sciences major from Charlotte, NC, is another Averett student who tutored children at Pleasantview Community and Youth Center last spring. “I felt like I got a lot accomplished when I went to help the children,” Viegelman said. “I thought it was good that I had the opportunity to teach the kids many things.” Viegelman will be participating in Teach It Forward again this semester. Viegelman’s group will be going to Cardinal Village and the local Boys and Girls Club. She also hopes there will be a lot of improvement this year compared to last year. “I have a different team this year, so hopefully we will have more consistency and commitment,” Viegelman said. Many positive results have come out of
the Teach It Forward. Averett students have become role models to the up and coming generations. “Students’ grades at the community centers have improved. The children’s and Averett students’ confidence has increased, and the children are Lindsey Fulcher, a Teach It Forward more excited team captain, spent time with a local to learn than girl at the Three Angels Message Sevever before,” enth Day Adventist Church in town. The Teach It Forward challenge hapCovington said. pens once a year, and students use this “Because we as an opportunity to not only bond have college with their peers at Averett but with the students visiting local community as well. and helping out, many of the kids who didn’t know about college before, now hope to go to college in the future.” Covington recalls how one of the students was so proud of herself that when she passed her test she wanted to show everyone, including her tutor. Covington urges people to join Teach It Forward, even on the last week of the program. But even when the program ends, it’s never too late to help and tutor a child. “You can mentor a child all year long, not just during Teach It Forward” Covington said. “If you need a ride come see us. We will help you as much as possible.”
More photos from the Teach It Forward challenge can be found on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter using the hashtag, #teachitforwardDVA.
The Chanticleer • 19
DNA of AVERE T T States represented Arizona • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Illinois • Massachusetts • Maryland • MInnesota •
“OUr International diversity is one of the things that students tell me they love the most about averett because it just opens up a whole new world.” Dr. Tiffany Franks, president of Averett University
as of Fall 2016
North Carolina • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New York • Ohio • Pennsylvania • South Carolina • Tennessee • Texas • Virginia
countries represented
Q
45 International Students Argentina • Bahamas • Columbia • Dominican Republic • Ecuador • England • Finland • Ireland • Norway • Russia • Sweden • Uzbekistan • Puerto Rico