92.12

UNION COLLEGE

ISSUE 92.12 | 02/07/2018

clock tower

THE

WHAT'S INSIDE ART AND RACE page 04 CODY COWIN page 05 EVEREST page 06 BIKE SHARE page 08

Prince Mohammad bin Salman has been moving to ensure his ascension to the Saudi throne | PC: indianexpress.com

PRINCELY PROBLEMS F

GLOBAL CITIZEN

or years, there’s been a discussion about Saudi Arabia’s role in world oil trade.

Almost 20% of the world’s oil comes from Saudi oil fields, making the country the largest exporter in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the world.

making political moves to solidify his claim to the throne.

He’s arrested and frozen the assets of many members of his family, including cousins and uncles in positions of power, and has begun to take power for himself.

Its dominance in the oil industry has made it the leader of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia is also the leader of the Sunni Islamic world because the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina are located within its borders.

This has all been in the name of removing corruption but many see it as a grab for power. This, along with Mohammed’s challenges to old social norms such as barring women from driving, has made him popular with the common population.

While it seems that Crown Prince Mohammed has the common citizens on his side, the royal family and others in power are getting nervous.

Saudi Arabia is a very conservative country with an absolute monarchy that determines policy without outside input. For the most part, its government has been stable, but one crown prince is currently upsetting the traditional way things have been run. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is younger than most of his relatives in power but has been

Prince Mohammed’s removal of so many government officials and his open support of liberal ideology may generate much unrest within the country, and that instability worries investors and business partners that Saudi Arabia needs for its oil-based economy. [ continued on page 2 ]

OPINION

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief Gabriel Flechas Assistant Editor James Clague Copy Editor Jonathan Deemer Social Media Editor Chloe Blackburn Layout Editors Maegan Luckiesh Katie Buxton Photographers Esther Pervis (lead) Kayla Potts Sally Becker

NEWS

News Editor Danica Eylenstein Campus News Kayla Miller Local News Caroline Guchu World News Jesse Shoghi

HUMANS

Humans Editor Ria Carriger Memento Artem Cameron Cizek Collegiate Culture Amanda McCarter People & Travel Melissa Ratter HOUC Mike Ayala Freelance Bry Galloway

OPINION

Opinion Editor Maxwell Bromme Sports Opinion Tyler Dean Religious Opinion Kasondra Reel Global Opinion Wesley Rodriguez-Diep

SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook /ClocktowerASB Snapchat @asbunioncollege Read Online clocktower.ucollege.edu Read the Print issuu.com/clocktowerASB

PROBLEMS

[ continued from page 1 ] Progress is necessary and the idea of lifting the driving ban and moving away from a very conservative history is exciting to witness, but usually a shift as sudden as this one can have serious repercussions.

With our economy tied to the oil trade, any hiccup from the world’s largest oil producer can be felt within our economy.

HOUC HU M A NS OF U N ION COL L EGE

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Most government officials will find it harder to trust and support him.

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The movement towards a more progressive Saudi Arabia is great, but the global implications it could cause need to be taken into account. Because the United States is the primary defender of Saudi Arabia, any sort of destabilization could lead to warfare and suddenly pull our country into another conflict.

Crown Prince Mohammed is correct to move Saudi Arabia forward, but he needs to do it in a way that allows for a smooth transition. Seizing power by arresting family members seems to cause more problems than benefits and creates more enemies for Mohammed to contend with. It’ll be easier for Prince Mohammed to push for a new kind of Saudi Arabian future if he has familial support in the government, instead of doing it all himself. The fact that he’s younger than most government officials will make it harder to trust and support him in the future. The Prince should be a little more conscientious of the decisions he’s making and the possible repercussions that could come because of them. http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/about_ us/169.htm

Wesley Rodriguez-Diep is a sophomore studying international relations.

"M

HOUC is compiled by Mike Ayala.

y mantra for the last few years has been “In Transit”. This term was originally used as the name of one of the bands I was previously playing in. What the term means is that I’m one who is in transit or in transition. Ultimately, my goal is to make it into heaven and so every day I am working towards being the refined version of myself or, even better, who God intended me to be.

Even though today I may not be the person I want to be, I know I’m on my way. So, to me “In Transit” means that I’m on my way to becoming the best version of myself. I believe that since high school God has transformed me.

He sent me to a boarding academy away from all I knew. He took me out of my comfort zone when he called me to be a colporteur during summers.

After stripping me down of my old ways he sent me to summer camp.

For the last four years I have harvested a love for youth ministry.

That ministry is so important to me because I see a younger me in some of these kids. “In Transit” means so much to me because I want to make it to heaven, but I also want to see everyone around me there as well.

I believe that we’re all in transit and we’re all on our way to becoming the people God intended us to be.

Tito Baez is a junior studying social work.

NEWS

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VISITORS STEAL THE SHOW O

n January 25th, high school students from across the nation gathered at Union College to defeat the current students at their own game...actually, that’s not why they visited, but little did they know a handful of them would prove to excel at a Union event.

The days leading up to the success were quite eventful. The Preview Days students toured the campus, sat in on some classes, visited downtown Lincoln and the Haymarket and got a general feel for what college life is like.

There were various things the students appreciated while on campus. Students from Georgia-Cumberland Academy (GCA) provided insight on their experience. Evan Diaz stated, “The campus is very well organized,” and Calvin Scott appreciated the campus as well, saying, “The atmosphere is very welcoming, the balance between the campus and the city is nice, and all the activities for the preview day students are genuine.”

Other students from GCA appreciated the programming on campus, including the educational programming as mentioned by Sergio de la Cruz. “I really liked the way that the engineering program works with Walla Walla University and other universities to continue your engineering education.

Also, you save money at Union.”

Comments were made about the food service programming

by Kudzai

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The students were interactive and inclusive towards other visitors.

The young and the ‘old’ showdown at ASB Dodgeball | PC: Kayla Potts

Mhondiwa, “The cafe food was exquisite,” and athletic programming, “I like the sports” (Alex Nesmith).

What stood out to many students during their time leading up to the Saturday night event was the atmosphere on Union’s campus. Ngady Kabia, from GCA, commented, “The Christian environment was clearly shown very well.”

“Everyone was willing to help you get to where you needed to be,” stated GCA student, Noelle Lucas, and Alexis Castro, another GCA student, said, “Overall, Union has shown me incredible hospitality.”

Students appeared to have a wonderful time during their stay. It wasn’t until Saturday night at the ASB dodgeball tournament that their true abilities were revealed, though. A team of all Preview Days students won again and again throughout the tournament, and while they didn’t receive first place, they did show their potential to be future Union dodgeball champions. Freshman business administration major, Danyelle Nesmith, while watching the high schoolers play, even proclaimed, “We need them here at Union College!”

This display of teamwork and bringing strangers together during the dodgeball tournament is the whole focus of Preview Days, says student ambassador and sophomore computing major, Francisco Campos. “This last Preview Days was a success. The students were interactive and inclusive towards other visitors.

One thing that stood out to me was when a group of them gathered Saturday night in Prescott lobby [after the tournament]. They were all from different schools and they hung out as if they were all good friends. This is significant because normally kids keep to themselves or stay with other people from their school during Preview Days.

As an ambassador, this shows we were able to really help these kids. If they come to Union, they will already have made some connections.”

Union College, keep up the good work. Continue acting as examples of hospitality, camaraderie and most importantly, Christianity. It makes a difference for all who visit the campus and allows them to see the love of Jesus present on this campus.

Kayla Miller is a junior studying nursing.

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HUMANS

ART IN THE CONVERSATION OF RACE MEMENTO ARTEM

"B

ut then, you're not free, white and twenty one."

Those words ring through my head and feel like they’re bricks sitting on my chest.

How do I process this? What can I learn from this?

These words are from artist Howardena Pindell in her video piece Free, White and 21 (1980). In the video, she bluntly reveals the racial discrimination she experienced as a black woman coming of age.

Pindell grew up in Philadelphia during the heat of the Civil Rights Movement when the racial divide in America reached an all time high.

“It was hard to watch,” says business administration major Yeimy Rodriguez after watching the video.

“It made me angry because you know that other people were experiencing what she went through. She’s an intelligent woman and it’s crazy that she applied to 500 job positions only to receive 500 rejection letters.”

“I feel like it’s a bold video. It addresses a lot of problems. As a white person [racism is] something that’s easy for me not to think about.

However, it’s nice to be aware of it even though it hasn’t happened to me,” states biomedical science major Alisha Mechalke.

“ Consider the

important work of artists.

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It’s a sobering video I would suggest everyone check out. However, Pindell is not alone in and is among a good company of artists who have also voiced their thoughts and experiences of racial discrimination, such as Glenn Ligon.

Ligon engages with found sources to explore cultural and social identity. However, he is best known for his text-based works, one of these being Untitled (How It Feels to be Colored Me)(1991).

Glenn Ligon Untitled (How It Feels to be Colored Me) (1991) | PC: moma.org

This piece takes a line from African-American writer Zora Neale Hurston’s essay “How it Feels to Be Colored Me” (1928) and repeats it. MoMA’s website describes the meaning of this piece, “By alternately highlighting and obscuring the black

Howardena Pindell Free, White and 21 (1980) | PC: moma.org

words and letters against white and black linen, he has underscored the [author’s] thoughts about being a black person in a white society.”

Ligon pushes the literary work beyond its confines into a illustrative visual piece of art.

The perspective of these and many other artists is extremely important to be considered and absorbed. I know each engaged me in different and unique ways. I was aware there was no possible way for me to empathize with Pindell. But in every action, in every story she shares in this video piece I feel an outpouring of sympathy extending to her.

In the case of Ligon, the visual interpretation of Zora Neale Hurston’s work resonates differently with me than Pindel’s video. It feels emotionally and logically infused.

A wave of confusion and discord is matched with an intentional thought process stating the case for the importance of social equality.

It’s important this month, Black History Month, to consider the important work of artists with varying backgrounds. We ought to think hard about the messages they convey and meditate on their meaning for us as a society.

Cameron Cizek is a junior studying computing.

HUMANS

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HIGHLIGHT ON CODY COWIN, UNION STUDENT TURNED ELEMENTARY TEACHER ody Cowin grew up in Topeka, Kansas.

While he was here at Union, he participated in various clubs such as International Club and the Union Warriors.

Most people knew his name on campus, and if they didn’t, they would know him by his height-6 feet and 7 inches. By 2017, Cody graduated with a degree in elementary education. He now works at Atlanta North School in Atlanta, Georgia.

over the phone after student teaching one day and flew to Atlanta two days later! There, I met with the school board and had the job by Friday. I am really loving it! Most education majors in my class also found jobs before graduating, so we are all really thankful for that.

He explained to me that he currently teaches in the fifth grade homeroom, but he also teaches fourth grade math, sixth grade reading and writing. During writing class, Cody enjoys brainstorming for ideas with his thirteen students. “My days are enjoyable,” Cody told me, “I teach almost everything: Bible, 4th and 5th math, spelling, typing, writing, science and reading. Days are busy but there are lots of fun times!”

When I asked Cody what his experience was like getting a job after graduation, he replied: Cody Cowin: I actually found a job before graduating. I interviewed

“ It was helpful for me to keep an open mind.

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Thank your teachers before you leave, and be flexible with the opportunities that present themselves.

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C

I would do much differently. I sent my applications out and wasn't too picky. I think it was helpful for me to keep an open mind when looking for jobs and to consider all opportunities given to me.

MR: What would you look for if you were in the position to hire new graduates from Union?

Straight from one classroom to the next …

PC: Cody Cowin

MR: When you were interviewing for your first job out of college, what experiences at this school did you talk about?

CC: I talked a lot about the extracurricular activities that I was a part of, like being an ambassador, participating in choir and band, and International and Music Club, so they would see I was cultured and well-balanced.

MR: If you had it to do all over again, what would you do differently?

CC: If I had to do the whole interview process again, I don't think

CC: If I were looking to hire new graduates, I would look for people who were involved in things they enjoyed, like music, or community service, or a school club. I'd look for someone with a personality and someone genuine.

MR: What’s your graduating seniors?

advice

for

CC: My advice for graduating seniors is to get those résumés perfect and send them out generously.

Thank your teachers before you leave, and be flexible with the opportunities that present themselves. Most of all though, relax and know that the best is yet to come!

Melissa Ratter is a senior studying language arts education.

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OPINION

EVEREST

HARDLY WORTHY ount Everest is well known. You could name drop it anywhere and someone would understand what you were talking about. This monstrous mountain is a place of vast open beauty, but also a place of terror.

The mountain is part of the Himalayan mountain range and lies in the countries of China, Nepal and Tibet. It’s known for its extreme conditions, with temperatures on the mountain never going above freezing.

Avalanches, falls, acute mountain sickness, exposure and frostbite are dangers that exist during climbs.

The training is grueling and the expenses high. Your body has to be in better than its best physical shape, a.k.a Everest condition, so that it can keep you moving in an exhausting, excruciating environment.

Four thousand people have summited Everest since the first summit in 1953, which means they’ve made it to the top of the highest peak. Around 800 attempts are made annually, including multiple attempts by the same climbers.

Decades of dreaming, years of preparation, months of training and even climbing other mountains are included in preparation for the attempted summit.

The atmosphere on Everest is different. The body rapidly tries to adapt and acclimate.

The full climb can take up to two months, starting from the base and working up to the summit, camp by camp, staying at each one for different amounts of time.

A summiting attempt, as weather and judgment permits, begins around 12 am and reaches the summit by morning in order to leave enough daytime to “slope down”, or descend the mountain.

Problem solving, critical thinking, decision making, ambition and safety are needed to make it to the summit and back while staying alive.

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The lucky few make it to the top.

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Many people arrive at the basecamps ready to summit Everest.

But the climb is hard and the success rate is low. I feel like we can be so focused on the summit, that we lose focus on the climb, and descent (if applicable). The summit, is what most every one of those climbers are aiming for; planning for.

The lucky few, make it to the top; those who are presented with the right conditions, training and guides.

The view from over 20,000 ft | PC: tribune.com

This reminds me of a verse in Proverbs saying, “the heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps (Proverbs 16:9, ESV).”

PC: quora.com

We can make plans to our heart's content, but God is the one who makes those steps, we take toward those plans, permanent and solid.

Sometimes, he presents us with the right tools, the right guides, and the right weather so we reach our summit.

And other times, the plans we so perfectly lay and the steps that we make are two completely different things. God might say “I know your goal was to summit, but the journey within the climb is more important than actually reaching the summit.

Focus on that and let me set your steps so I can help you back down this mountain safely.”

God surpasses all time, yet his time is perfect and his ways are honest and true. May he guide your climb this week and help you summit or recognize the beauty in your journey.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ worldnews/asia/mounteverest/10774877/ Climbing-Mount-Everest-what-you-need-toknow.html http://www.alanarnette.com/everest/ everesttraining.php https://www.alpineascents.com/climbs/ mount-everest/training/ https://www.thedailybeast.com/mounteverest-by-the-numbers-deaths-cost-toclimb-and-more-mountain-records

Kasondra Reel is a senior studying nursing.

OPINION

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RED, WHITE AND GOLD YOU HEARD IT HERE LAST 2

,797 Medals, 1,119 of them Gold. Each figure more than the next two countries on the list, combined.

The United States has dominated at the Olympics since its formation at the start of the 20th Century.

Over the years, there have been many defining moments for the US at the games, and we’ve become accustomed to dominant athletes, from Carl Lewis, Mark Spitz and Michael Phelps to the 1992 Dream Team.

We’ve also seen heroics from unlikely candidates.The most notable of these was Bruce Jenner, a part-time insurance salesman who did all of his

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There has never been, nor will there ever be, another moment like the Miracle on Ice.

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work at night so that he could train all day. He set the World Record for the Decathlon and instantly become one of the most iconic Olympians ever.

In 1996, Kerri Strug sprained her ankle on her first attempt at the vault in team gymnastics. In order to clinch a victory against the Russians, she needed to stick the landing on her second attempt.

She did, basically on one foot, and after posing for the judges she collapsed and had to be carried off.

When she got to the hospital, it was revealed that she had a third degree lateral sprain and tendon damage.

It seems that when our country needs it most, we manufacture absolute brilliance in the most dramatic ways.

In 1936, with global tensions rising, the games were held in Germany.

Hitler himself attended and was very vocal about the games, hoping to show the world that his “master race” was truly dominant.

Instead, Jesse Owens (a Black American) absolutely dominated the games in the most important discipline at the time: track and field.

Owens won four gold medals that year and embarrassed the Germans at their games.

But there has never been, nor will there ever be, another moment like the Miracle on Ice. It was 1980, the Cold War was at its height and the Soviets were at the peak of their Olympic power. As if tensions weren’t high enough, the Olympic Committee decided that the winter games would be held in New York and the summer games would be held in Russia.

Until 1988, professional athletes were not allowed to compete at the Olympic level. So, naturally, we turned to college players who had not yet turned pro.

The Soviets took a different approach, hiring “amateurs” who worked jobs that allowed them to practice whenever they needed to.

It was college players against fulltime athletes. In an exhibition game at Madison Square Garden, just days before the Olympics started, the Russian hockey team beat the US 10-3.

This solidified their dominance, as if they weren’t heavy enough favorites already, and it seemed their path to the Olympic gold was red-carpeted.

The 1980 Miracle on Ice | PC: timedot.com

But by the time the US team reached the medal round (semifinals), it was clear that the team was different. We were cohesive and committed, and everyone on the team believed they could win.

And with the support of enthusiastic US fans, it seemed we actually might have a chance.

Down 3-2 heading into the final period, we managed to score twice in the first ten minutes, and then staved off Russian attacks for the remaining ten. We then went on to beat Sweden 4-2 (after being down 2-1 heading into the final period) to win the gold medal.

This moment transcended sports.

In a time when space-races, nuclear arsenals and second-hand wars were being used as the measuring stick between the two countries, the Olympic gold we won at Lake Placid stands above the rest.

I would argue that it was not only the best Olympic moment ever, but the best sports moment ever.

It was the perfect storm of political backdrop, underdog team and hometown crowd. We will never see anything like it again.

Tyler Dean is a junior studying business administration.

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MISC. CORNER

BIKE SHARE OPEN HOUSE T

he first phase of the newest bike sharing system called BikeLNK is now underway for Lincoln and our upcoming warm weather. This is the first time Lincoln has seen a bike sharing system. After much consideration, the Heartland Bike Share company located in Omaha, decided to move to implement the project in Lincoln.

sophomore dental hygiene major Brittany Fast. “Finding a good parking spot takes a long time especially on the weekends, and the price of riding all day is cheaper than parking in the garages downtown.”

Payments on the bike rentals are user-friendly too. The first half hour of riding is free, then every half hour after that is $3. Riders can use debit or credit cards, as well as an app that was created by The Downtown Lincoln Association. After the payment has been made, a card will allow the rider to walk up to the station, select a bike and start riding. “I look forward to seeing what [BikeLNK] is doing differently,” comments director of guest services Marcia Nordmeyer, who also had a role in bringing a bike share system here on campus. “It might give me some ideas on how to run our program more efficiently.”

“The city of Lincoln has been looking to get a bike sharing system since 2014,” comments Executive Director of Heartland Bikeshare, Benjamin Turner. “There's been a program in Omaha since 2011 and after that was ready, we decided to move to Lincoln.”

Once BikeLNK is up and running, there’ll be 100 bikes available in 19 different locations scattered throughout downtown Lincoln, as well as UNL's City, East and Innovation Campuses. “I think that the new bikes downtown are a great idea,” comments

Overall, there’s lots of excitement going around from students and faculty alike. BikeLNK will have its

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official opening on April 6, and riders can begin using the system that day.

“Since coming to Lincoln, I noticed that this is a healthy city because I always see a lot of people walking or running,” comments junior nursing major Beto Jimenez. “This new biking system is another step in the right direction and hopefully more people will start riding."

Caroline Guchu is a junior studying communication.

DID YOU KNOW?

The earth rotates at over 1,000 miles per hour.

UPCOMING MAJOR EVENTs! February 8-9

Winter Break

March 5-9

Spring Break

February 14-18

Basketball Tournament

March 13

The Midterm

February 19-23

UTurn Awareness Week

March 24

World Pageant

February 24

ASB Banquet

March 22-25

Preview Days

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The Clocktower encourages reader feedback and strives to maintain accuracy.

If you have comments, please email us at cltower@gmail.com.

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The Clocktower, established in 1927 and sponsored by the Associated Student Body of Union College, is published weekly during the fall and spring semesters.

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