CLTWR 89.2

ISSUE 89.2

UNION COLLEGE

SEPTEMBER 17,2014 1

MEET THE NEW PRESIDENT “Union College: great Adventist college . . . or the greatest Adventist college?” (continued on page 8)

INSIDE THE #CLTWR PAGE 3 PAGE 4

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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RELIGION

ABNER CAMPOS

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Don’t box me in Religion: a response to the spiritual

There is a progressing number of people who claim to be spiritual and not religious because, in some way, religion boxes and contains while spirituality delivers, liberates, and explores. I want to agree with this perspective, but I can’t.

What does it mean to be spiritual? It means not physical, exploring the soul, the spirit. Why do people disclaim religion? Well, why would anyone want to claim religion? Hypocrisy, wars, politics, and church are a few reasons why many avoid being part of a religion.

It seems like spirituality is a safe escape from religion while still holding onto the theology that religions proclaim. Spiritual people may dislike the idea that God is watered down to a system—I get that.

Elias Cerna, a freshman pre-nursing major, expressed while giving me a haircut, “I don’t consider myself religious. I think what matters is a relationship with God. You know?” I’m picking up what you’re putting down, Elias.

What if we saw religion as the flesh and bones of spirituality? CS Lewis wrote, “You do not have a soul. You are a soul.

You have a body.” What if we viewed religion as the body of spirituality? Most

people are comfortable with the idea of a spiritual, supernatural relationship with God, but cringe at the idea of religion.

Natural things such as gravity, sunshine, and winter demand to be experienced.

We fight gravity by flying planes, we wear sunglasses and short shorts and roll down our windows to give sunshine a run for her money, and we wear warm clothes and heat our homes to battle winter’s bitter cold. Spirituality also demands to be experienced, so we study God and fellowship with family and friends—and at some point in history, studying God and fellowship was labeled religion.

Religion isn’t bad, it’s just a response.

So my question is this: Why are you at Union? How does your faith, Seventh-day Adventist or not, weave into the mission of this institution? Adventism is very obvious here; however, Adventism is not everything. You might be an Atheist, Buddhist, borderline heretic, or confused wanderer. My hope is that you, whatever your beliefs might be, will explore God and religion and spirituality. I hope Union is the perfect place for you to discover and wander and believe.

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WORLD

RUDY RODRIGUEZ On Aug. 10, a recent high school graduate named Michael Brown was shot dead by a St. Louis county police officer in Ferguson, Mo. At this point, that is the only fact we know to be true.

In the days after the shooting, we’re having trouble distinguishing between fact and fiction. What we do know is that the death of Michael Brown has sparked media attention, national outcry, and riot and looting surges.

Before trying to understand the violence over what should have been a peaceful protest, we have to acknowledge both sides of the issue.

I sat with the Director of International Rescue and Relief, Rick Young, who has 32 years of police experience and was a police lieutenant in Glendale, Calif., a county of Los Angeles.

When asked about his view about the situation in Ferguson, Young simply stated, “We don’t know all the facts on the case.”

The media has caused such a firestorm that people are jumping the gun by speculating what happened without knowing the whole story.

Ferguson burning Analyzing media interpretation of the Missouri riots I asked Young what he would have done if he was in charge of case. He stated that he would work to gather all the facts by reviewing evidence from the crime scene and talking to the family so the media can release the truth of the case.

When asked why Union College students should care, he answered “We should care because it should alarm us how corrupt our world is becoming.

We need to be looking into the officials we are voting for to clean up the police force. We should look at what happened and try to figure out a way to prevent it from happening.” (continued on page 9)

ONLINE TEASER

A culture, not a cult A brief cheat-sheet to the Adventist world

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ELENA CORNWELL

Haystacks, Special K loaf, veggie meat, vespers, Sabbath, Rook, academy, summer camp—these words and phrases are found precious in the sight of Seventh-day Adventists. If you’ve arrived at Union sans experience with this culture, you may feel out of place or confused with the new lingo and lifestyle. But fear not, this short guide will help you catch on quickly. Soon you’ll be flipping Grillers (veggie patties) like a professional. After all, the Adventist culture, as the center of this college, is impossible to ignore. (continued on www.the-clocktower.com)

One small step for Sam DEREK BAKER

One giant leap for professional football

They say history is being made every day, and Defensive End Michael Sam has been on a roll making history twice this year.

“I want to thank the entire Rams organization and the city of St. Louis for giving me this tremendous opportunity and allowing me to show I can play at this level,” Sam tweeted, before being signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. (continued on www.the-clocktower.com)

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READ MORE AT WWW.THE-CLOCKTOWER.COM

“We are a producer-only market,” she said. “The people you see here are the people who make and grow the food.”

“No matter what becomes of the conversation between commenters, the outcome is the same: nobody wins”

“Traveling on a student budget”

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“Productive apps, productive students”

“Force-Fed vegetarian food?”

“There is a part of Union College that most kids don’t know about”

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SLADE LANE

FEATURED ARTICLE - ON CAMPUS

Meet the New President

“Union College: great Adventist college . . . or the greatest Adventist college?”

My question hung in the air for a split second, waiting for President Vinita Sauder’s reply.

She only took a moment to respond.

“Greatest.”

President Sauder carved out an hour of her day to talk to me about her tenure at Southern Adventist University, subsequent appointment as Union College’s 29th president, her impressions of Lincoln and her new students and her plans to propel Union forward.

“I didn’t think I was going to get the job,” Sauder confided, “even when Union flew me out and they were deciding between me and the other candidate.” Despite her uncertainty, Sauder felt God leading her and her family.

“I was happy where I was at but felt like it might be a time for a change. So I put in my resume and let God do the rest.”

And God started working. Within six hours of putting her home in Tennessee on the market, it sold. “God didn’t stop working.”

According to Sauder, the response she received from students and faculty was warmer than she could have ever expected. “The students at Union are amazing—everything from their hospitality to their leadership. The students make this place what it is.”

Sauder sees herself as an integral part in that leadership as Union moves forward.

“I am ready to get things moving. Union is already great. I’m just ready to work with everyone and give new momentum to what Union is already doing.”

Union College’s planning committee has been working closely with Sauder since her arrival. New projects are in the works, like improvements to Union’s workout facilities, the demolition of Jorgensen Hall and building plans for the space it will leave behind.

New projects aren’t the only reason to be excited for our new president. “Do you know the history of Union College presidents?” I inquired.

CONTINUED ARTICLES “Actually, I can show you.” Sauder led me into the conference room adjoining her office and reveals the showroom of past presidents. As the pictures filter from black and white to color, President Sauder chuckles when we reach the end of the line. “I’m a little different.”

Sauder is the first woman to be president of Union College, but she doesn’t think that’s where the focus should lie. “I’m not trying to make anything political. I work with a great team and I work hard too—that’s all that should matter.”

Since moving to Lincoln, Sauder has been working tirelessly but has also taken in some of the joys of the city.

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“I love Lincoln. The people and the city have so much to offer.” When she’s not working, Sauder loves exploring and trying new things. “I ate at Blue Orchid not long ago and loved it, and I’m looking for new things to try.”

Most of all, Sauder wants to connect with students. “I hope that students feel free to come see me in my office and give me input on things. This is their school, afterall.”

If you have a minute or two, say hello to our new president—and tell her what restaurant she should try next.

“Ferguson burning” (cont. from page 4) For my second interview, I hit up sophomore Dashon Maxwell because he has a special connection to the situation.

Growing up in St. Louis, he remembers playing around the very same area that has broken out in riots. “The media paints Ferguson as a city in a state of anarchy,” Maxwell stated. “All the people there are actually nice people. I hate how they are being painted as animals.”

When asked about what the police could have done differently, Maxwell brought up the training and the type of cops that being put on the force. “They had other means of putting him down other than just shooting the guy.” As a society, we tend to demonize the police because of the negative images the media portrays.

There are good police officers who put their lives on the line to protect the people and the city they took an oath to protect.

In answering the question of why Union College should care, Maxwell said, “What would Jesus do if he was there on the streets of Ferguson?” Going to a Christian college, the term WWJD becomes so overused, but in this case what would he do? As student body we should be able think about bettering the world not for ourselves but for the rest of humanity.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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SEPTEMBER MON 15

TUES 16

Intramural Flag Football Sign-ups

10:30am Constitution Day 11:30am-1:00pm ASC 7:00pm UC VB vs Manhattan Christian College (Home)

5:30pm Soccer Class Games

22 Campus Store Sale 3:30-5:00pm Academic Council 7:00pm UC VB vs York College (Away)

WED 17

23 Campus Store Sale 10:30am ASB Convocation

2:30-4:00pm LEAD Committee

24 Campus Store Sale

THU 18

FRI 19

Preview Days 10:30am-11:30am Faculty Senate 3:00-6:00pm Library Fair 7:00pm UC VB vs Concordia University JV (Away 25 Campus Store Sale 10:30-11:30am General Assembly

SAT 20

Preview Days 7:30pm Vespers: UFC Sunset:7:29pm

26 Campus Store Sale 7:30pm Vespers Sunset: 7:17pm

SUN 21

Preview Days 7:00pm V2 ASB World Cup Soccer Sunset: 7:27pm

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Preview Days

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7:00pm V2 ASB Surprise Event Sunset:7:15pm

FEEDBACK The Clocktower encourages reader feedback and strives to maintain accuracy. If you have comments, please email us directly at cltower@gmail.com.

The Clocktower is published weekly during the school year by the Associated Student Body of Union College, 3800 S. 48th St., Lincoln, NE 68506.

The opinions expressed are the opinions of the writers and are not to be construted as the opinion of the editors, Associated Student Body, Union College, or the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

For more content, please visit www.the-clocktower.com, or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ClocktowerASB

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HUMANS OF UNION COLLEGE

H UC CHARLIE BAUGHER

CHELSEA AGUILERA What are you most excited for this school year?

Junior General Studies Major

KERRI VOGLER

“My awesome art classes, because I really like art.”

Senior Psychology Major

“I’m excited to plan social events for ASB, and also for floor hockey intramurals.”

THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN FROM THE #CLTWR STAFF

THUMBS UP to Pearl Jam Concert - Slade Lane THUMBS UP to no one going with Slade -Jordan Leddy THUMBS UP to Football Season - Jacob Prosser THUMBS DOWN to the Freshman 15 - Rudy Rodriguez THUMBS DOWN to Celeb Nude Leaks - Emily Wood

Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editor

Steven Foster Aphee Messer

Copy Editor Copy Editor Layout Editor Online Content Editor Social Media Editor

Vernee Norman Taylor Roberts Zack Posthumus Brittany Houchins Misha Darcy

Culture Reporter Culture Reporter Humans of Union College Lincoln Reporter On Campus Reporter Opinion Reporter Religion Reporter Senate Reporter Special Interest Reporter Sports Reporter Technology Reporter Travel Reporter Wellness Reporter World Reporter Sponsor

Elena Cornwell Katie Morrison Chelsea Aguilera Joe Hoffman Slade Lane Jordan Leddy Abner Campos Naomi Prasad Emy Wood Derek Baker Jacob Prosser Megan Bolton Kyle Berg Rudy A.Rodriguez Michael Steingas