92.19 Final Issue!

UNION COLLEGE

ISSUE 92.19 | 04/25/2018

c l ock tower THE

WHAT'S INSIDE UC BOYZ page 04

CAFÉ 23:5 page 08

HERE WE COME! page 11

LEGACY page 12

PEACE

page 13

Time, the great equalizer | PC: Esther Pervis

WELCOME TO THE NEXT STEP S

aying goodbye is one of the hardest things to do in life. It’s such a conflicting experience to stand at the end of a journey.

It’s an emotional experience mixed with both joy and sorrow. What makes saying goodbye so difficult other than it’s just a part of being human?

The human spirit longs for adventure but writhes at the thought of the adventure ever coming to a close.

The reality is that all good adventures must some day reach an end. However, the old adage rings true that all endings are a new beginning. So here's to new beginnings.

The beginning of a new summer, a new semester, and a

new step in life. That's what is so beautiful about endingsit means a new beginning is on the horizon.

This past year at Union has been unforgettable. Each day has come packed with wonderful people and new experiences. While I’ve had my fair share of late nights, I wouldn’t trade those stressed, packed evenings for anything because in the midst of them I shared wonderful moments with my family here at Union College.

The Clocktower has become a part of me. I’ve seen the pages each week graced by the content of writers and photographers with beautiful talent.

[ continued on page 2 ]

02

F E AT U R E

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

NEXT STEPS I’ve spent dozens of evenings in The Clocktower office with my editorial staff preparing each issue and seen the tireless effort they’ve put into making each issue perfect. To say that I’m proud of what my team has accomplished this year would be an understatement.

My only hope as we make preparations to step into the next school year is that you, the reader, have found stories and messages within these pages that have brightened your day, given you something new to think about or just made you smile.

We’ve strived to make this one of the best volumes of The Clocktower this campus has had. We’re just a small section of a long history of journalists, but these issues will always be significant to us.

From all of us at The Clocktower, we hope you have a summer filled with

[ continued from page 1 ]

adventure, loved ones and memories. To those returning, we look forward to seeing you in the fall. To those not returning, know that you’ll be missed and that we hope for the best in whatever you do.

To those graduating, we're excited for you as you embark on an even bigger journey. It’s been a sensational year family.

I’m proud to close the cover on Volume 92 and am eager to see my predecessor open the cover on Volume 93 in the fall.

You won’t want to miss it!

Blessings, Gabriel Flechas

Gabriel Flechas is a junior studying business & engineering.

AIMING TO INSPIRE "Y

ou don’t inspire your teammates by showing them how amazing you are. You inspire your teammates by showing them how amazing they are.”

Working layout for Clocktower this year, I had the chance to be inspired and encouraged by my editor Gabriel Flechas.

When I first applied, I thought I knew exactly what I was doing.

Now when I look back I can see how much I didn't know, but Gabe let me do what I needed to in order to figure it out.

This coming year I want to inspire you.

Whether you’re trying to decide what movie to go see, catch up on the latest craziness that is news these days or figure out what Unionites think about important topics, The Clocktower is an incredible outlet for you to read what’s going on and to have your own voice be heard.

Those people that will make up my team next year will be the reason The Clocktower succeeds. I want to take all of the wonderful things The Clocktower has now and build on them.

Realizing that by the end of my term as editor-in-chief I will probably look back on applying for editor and think about how much I didn’t know.

Without the team and without the readers, The Clocktower doesn’t exist and I look forward to leading a team that brings the best to Union.

Inspiring new and exciting changes while continuing with all of the great things The Clocktower has been known for over the last 92 volumes.

There will be mistakes and I hope you will bear with me as I strive to give my team the inspiration to create an amazing paper.

Maegan Luckiesh is a senior studying graphic design.

F E AT U R E

03

OUTTA TIME D

ear Union College Family,

views and opinions to the Union College Board of Trustees.

It’s time ... it’s time to say goodbye.

From senator, to Vice President, to President, it's been an amazing experience and privilege and I thank Union College for the opportunity to serve. For the past year, it's been a privilege and an honor to serve our campus as Student Body President.

Getting involved at Union College was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Coming in freshman year, my goal was to keep my head down, get my school work done and get done with college with as little of distractions as possible.

Fortunately, God had different plans.

Being president has opened my eyes even further to how amazing and special Union College is, and how truly blessed we all are to be able to be a part of this amazing organization.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working and interacting with so many different people, in so many different capacities, here at Union College. Over the past year the position of President has given me the opportunity to listen to the concerns of fellow students, work on special projects with faculty and staff, and meet with our sister schools in efforts to strengthen our intercollegiate relations.

This has included meeting with fellow Adventist university presidents in efforts to try to eliminate racism, sexism and other prejudicial views on Adventist campuses and within the church. I have also had the wonderful opportunity to serve on committees voicing student concerns and representing student

Fortunately, I haven't had to make the ASB journey alone. This year, I had the privilege of serving with some of the smartest, funniest, down to earth and outstanding people this college has to offer. This year’s ASB team was truly family to me, and I will always keep them close to my heart.

that the 2018-19 ASB team will do an outstanding job of keeping the legacy of representing the student body and working to ensure that every student has a place on this campus.

Again, it was an amazing year, and I thank everyone who has been a part of this journey with me. Thank you to my girlfriend Alex Deapen, best friend Mark Eldridge and mentors Dean B and Ron Dodds for all the support over the past year.

May God truly be with our campus, guide the students of today and help grow the students of tomorrow. Union College: remember to always laugh, pray and to continue to push-da-pen and sling-a-da ink along.

Thank you to the 2017-18 ASB team for the laughs and the memories, as well as all your hard work.

As hard as it is to leave an amazing organization like ASB, it’s comforting knowing that it is in good hands. I’m ecstatic for the coming year’s ASB team, and to see what’s next. I know

PC: Kendrick Froemming

Anthony Gann is a senior studying business administration.

THAT'S A WRAP FOR SENATE I

t's been a great year for the student senate.

Your senators passed 15 bills that will positively impact the school. I will briefly list some of those bills. They passed a bill that will make sure that there are at least two evenings per week dedicated for soccer in the gymnasium.

After multiple discussions during our senate meetings, there are gym open hours for the student body. That means you can go play any sport you want in the gymnasium at certain times outside of intramurals. Soon, you will

be able to do the same thing at the 49ers field. There will also be a new kitchen in Prescott. There will be more water fountains around campus at specific locations and a better recycling system.

I am extremely happy that this senate was able to achieve so much in just one school year. I have also worked to change the job of Executive VP on ASB so it works more with the other executive VPs at the other Adventist universities.

I was able to work with them in order to make our senates more helpful to the student body in the quest of making our campuses better.

It has been a privilege and an honor to serve the student body as executive VP this school year. I am happy that I was able to reward all of you with all the things that the student senate did this year.

For the remaining couple of weeks of the school year, my job will be to make sure that Roxanna Vasques, the incoming executive VP, is fully equipped for the task ahead during the 2018-2019 school year. Good luck on your finals!

Jean-Christian Touré is a senior studying computing.

04

F E AT U R E

WHAT'S NEXT? H

ello Union College!

I am extremely honored to serve as your Associated Student Body President for the year 2018-2019.

The team and I are super excited about this upcoming year and are planning on making sure that it becomes a memorable year for each of you.

My goal is to maintain that family vibe and to build on the strength we share here in Lincoln, Nebraska.

I believe that if we can get back to a point where greater than 90% of the student body attends on campus activities (that is not only ASB events, but also our sporting events, musical experiences, and anything else we may have taking place on campus) we can accomplish that goal.

As a student recruiter at Union College, I noticed that the main reason people choose to come here is because of the people.

Now, you may be asking yourself, how can that be possible? That's where you matter. Through participation and the willingness to put yourself out there, you can shine the light that drew you here so much brighter.

Sharing your feedback during and after attending these events will also help us get a better understanding of where we're strong as well as where we're lacking.

They have the option to begin their collegiate experience anywhere else in the world, but instead they see something much more tangible in our community: the special connection we have with one another.

I want you to feel the freedom to come to me directly. That way, you can help me understand what it is that you're looking for in an on-campus experience and how we can work together to help this environment thrive.

To accomplish all of this, it can’t just be ASB and me. We need you.

We need you to participate and for you to be part of the conversation.

This will create more fun, more joy and ultimately a stronger family. So Union, let’s work together to make this next year a memorable one. I can’t wait to see what we'll accomplish together next.

Angenita Pierre-Louis is a junior studying social work.

TO: OUR BELOVED FANS FROM: THE UC BOYZ I

remember the night as if it were yesterday. I was sitting in the library trying to find a good reason to get up and leave my homework alone.

It didn’t take much but the actual thought of not doing my homework that got me to stand up and go for a stroll. As I walked through the library, I noticed the looks on the faces of the students that I passed.

They looked depressed, sad and miserable. However, this wasn't the first time that I noticed these looks.

For three years I have walked these halls, and I felt the stress that school can bring. Then it came to me. I need to give these people something to smile about!

That night the idea of starting Union College’s very own boy band came into existence. To do this though I needed to find some boys that would fit the build. After some very long and competitive tryouts, the first UC Boyz squad was formed. It included your very own J-Fiah Reeves, David Choi, Owen Urmacher and myself.

The spring banquet at the Rococo was our debut, and even though we didn’t receive hardly any love from the judges, we received a tidal wave of it from the ones who mattered the mostyou. We have to admit the outpouring of fan mail caught us by surprise.

However, one constant message kept resounding from our fans throughout the letters: “WE WANT MORE!” We scrambled in attempts to give the people what they wanted one more

PC: Jean-Christian Touré

time. Then the opportunity came.

Lip Sync Battle. To do this right we needed to gather a few more people.

Particularly, some guys that looked like and acted like boys. After one audition with no competition but each other, Zach Krall and Jose Miguel Marin were introduced to the squad. We practiced countless hours with the help of Union College’s two best choreographers, Ivy Arreguin and Daisy Alvarez.

[ continued on page 16 ]

NEWS

05

POST GRAD JOB PROSPECTS PROMISING T he Midwest has a problem that just 5 years ago would have seemed ludicrous: too many jobs.

While the nationwide unemployment rate is hovering around 4.1%, an already low number that hasn’t been since since the late 90s, states such as Iowa are in a situation where it's the businesses, not workers, who are clamoring for good labor. Closer to home, the city of Lincoln is even lower.

Only around 5,000 work eligible individuals in Lincoln are unemployed, and the number continues to decline.

Essentially, anyone who's looking for work will not have to look long.

If we expand the view to include the dozen or more states that comprise the Midwest, the situation becomes even better (or worse, depending on your point of view). According to the WSJ, if every single individual searching for work was placed in an open position, almost 200,000 positions would still remain unfilled.

We're currently in an employee’s market vs an employer’s, meaning that, generally speaking, it's the employees that get to choose where they want to work, instead of the employers deciding who gets to work at their firm.

For employees, this is fantastic.

If an individual is working at say, an RV manufacturing facility in Elkhart, Indiana (another prime example of a midwestern city with “for hire” signs dotting the landscape), and three more down the street are each offering $100 dollar bonuses solely for staying more than a couple weeks, that individual is going to have little motivation to stay in one place.

On the other hand, this is a worrying trend for businesses and employers.

Many companies are having to come up with creative ways to keep their workers, such as offering huge signing

It’s almost time to put those degrees to work | PC: IMC

bonuses, free healthcare and even creating Google-esque rest and break rooms. Some industries are even hiring individuals from local prison populations with lighter sentences to fill open positions.

Since business is booming in many industries ranging from healthcare to manufacturing, any unfilled positions means lost production or service.

In effect, a tight labor market can potentially lead to lost economic growth, as unfilled positions not only means less output by the company, but continued stretches of unfilled positions can lead to companies becoming hesitant to expand.

Fortunately for students looking for or soon to be looking for a job, the labor market at present is easier to break into than just a few years ago.

Since tight labor markets generally equate to higher wages and salaries, coupled with college graduates having a higher likelihood to be hired than non-graduates, finding a job with a good starting wage will only get easier as time goes on. This, coupled with the fact that internships are required for

many of Union’s degrees, puts UC’s students on much better footing than many others entering the workforce.

As the year comes to an end, whether someone is entering into the labor market for the first time or just looking for a summer job, finding work might be just a little bit less stressful for Union students this time around. https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/ LNS14000000 h t t p : / / j o u r n a l s t a r. c o m / b u s i n e s s / l o c a l / nebraska-lincoln-area-unemployment-rates-fall/ article_10f104a6-4a34-5f13-8c33-72b6889e559b.html h t t p s : / / w w w. w s j . c o m / a r t i c l e s / i o w a s employment-problem-too-many-jobs-not-enoughpeople-1522580400 https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-future-ofamer ic as-e conomy-lo oks-a-lot-li ke-el k har tindiana-1522942393 https://www.npr.org/2017/08/31/547646709/u-semployers-struggle-to-match-workers-with-openjobs

Jesse Shoghi is a junior studying computing.

06

NEWS

NEW UC MEDICAL PROGRAMS! E

xciting additions are coming to Union’s campus!

Beginning August 2018, students who are interested can begin working on the prerequisites to Union’s new assistant occupational therapy (OTA) program.

According to the website, prerequisite courses for this upand-coming program are very similar to many other medicallybased programs already on Union’s campus. These courses include all the basic general education classes: religion, mathematics, writing, as well as Medical Terminology, Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II and Developmental Psychology.

After the college receives approval from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, students may begin their studies within OTA program.

The courses they can look forward to taking include Human Occupations, Neuroanatomy & Human Movement, Abnormal Psychology, Therapeutic Adaptations, Pediatric Theory and just a few more.

“

Students who start the program next school year will be able to enter the field by 2020.

“

Many of the courses will also include OTA fieldwork experiences lead by several fieldwork educations.

As a growing program, Union is still looking for experienced professionals

Occupational Therapy could be for you! | PC: IMC

to fill the roles of fieldwork educations.

Application details for available positions can also be found on Union’s website. The total time to earn this degree is two years.

So, interested students who start the program next school year will be able to enter the field by 2020. Cami Hollins, OTA program director and assistant professor, states, “Occupational therapy assistants [can] work in all kinds of settings, including acute and rehabilitation hospitals, behavioral health clinics, community-based clinics and agencies, home health, outpatient clinics, private practice, skilled nursing facilities [and] school systems.”

As a student studying in the field of nursing, I'm excited to see the medically-based programs at Union growing and expanding. With so many job opportunities around the world for medical professionals, I believe this will be a wonderful way to reach new potential students who will then, postgraduation, be able to reach the world in even more expanded ways than Union could facilitate before.

Even former students are excited to see this growth occurring on Union’s campus. Former ASB president and

theology alumni (2017) now serving as the assistant dean at Wisconsin Academy, David Kabanje, states, “It is great to see growth happening at Union, especially since so many people are needed in the medical field. What a great way to bring in new students!” David’s wife, Kiana (Myers) Kabanje, 2017 IRR graduate, agrees that this program will provide great opportunities for Union.

Additionally, as the Honors Representative for the state of Nebraska, I'm excited to share the news of Union’s expansion at the next state caucus. From this perspective, it's another great way to get Union’s name out there.

More importantly, however, this is another great way to share the love of Christ. OTAs will be able to reach a whole new population of people that Union has not had the opportunity of facilitating a connection between, until now! https://www.ucollege.edu/ota https://www.ucollege.edu/faculty-openings

Kayla Miller is a junior studying nursing.

HUMANS

07

WHAT? I’M GRADUATING? I “ I really hope that I really enjoyed the ASB activities, specifically ice skating at Mahoney Park, rollerblading at Skate Zone (which has now sadly been reduced to rubble), and all the various venues for the banquets such as the Aquarium, the Cornhusker hotel, the Rococo Theater and the Air and Space Museum. I think these activities helped me make new friends and got me out of my room for those Saturday nights.

Despite the longer graduation path, I’m so glad I took chances like the Summer Travel Program and a full academic year with ACA. Through those experiences, I found my love of Spanish and teaching.

Now, weeks before graduating, I’m excited for the future. I don't have a job yet, but I did get a Teaching Assistantship at the University of Wyoming. Frankly, I didn’t have plans to continue into graduate studies after school. My plan was to graduate, get a job and pay off my loans.

I will graduate with two degrees: language arts education and second language studies: emphasis in Spanish.

Through those years, I literally found myself.

I’ve seen so many changes happen at Union within that time! The most impressive changes, however, have been within my own self. It's amazing how different the freshmanme and the super-senior-me are.

Oh what I would give to have a time machine so that I could go and give freshman-me advice!

you allow your future plans to be flexible.

“

’ve been at Union since Fall 2012.

Guys, that was almost six years ago. Took me long enough, right? But, for real, when I came here in 2012, my major, language arts education, was a five year program, and then I just had to add an extra year on that to go learn Spanish in Spain.

Without Dr. Robison, I never would have considered getting my Master's so soon, and I definitely wouldn't have looked at the brochure the University of Wyoming sent. I also got support from the other professors in the Humanities Division. Dr. Cochran helped me find my love for Rhetoric.

Dr. Fitts always brightens my day with compliments on my teaching.

Professor Blake (recently retired), aided me in growing my relationship with God. Dr. Robison helped spark my love of travel through the Summer Study Tours to Central America, as well as gave me a job that would help me gain teaching experience.

One of the things I love most about my Union experience is the relationship with the faculty members.

The faculty members at Union care about your well-being and they are willing to help in so many ways. My advice for students would be to find a faculty or staff member that you click with; you will not regret it.

If I could do my years at Union over again, I wish I would have put less pressure on myself to make friends.

In my freshman and sophomore years, I was so shy and quiet, always wondering what people would think of me. It was really hard to keep friendships because I always worried.

Flexibility is a part of the plan!

PC: Melissa Ratter

If I would have just relaxed a bit, trusted that people are generally good, and gave myself some grace, I probably wouldn’t have struggled so much to make friends. I wish I would have left my room more often and been more social. It was so easy to stay in my comfort zone, watch a movie, and order some pizza but the times I remember the most fondly are the times I went out with friends.

Then one day, my boss, Dr. Robison, tells me to look into a Master's in English at the University of Wyoming.

I responded with a confused look who would want to go to Wyoming?

And yet, here I am, packing up my dorm room and planning a move to that exact state for the next two years as I gain teaching experience and a Masters. I know it sounds cliche, but God’s plan truly was better than mine.

To all those graduating this May, I hope you can also look back on your Union years happily. I hope you had those faculty members who changed you. I hope you enjoyed those ASB activities. I hope you have no regrets.

And I really hope that you allow your future plans to be flexible. Trust that God will give you the best opportunity and just go with the flow!

Melissa Ratter is a senior studying language arts education.

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HUMANS

ALEX DEAPEN OPENS CAFÉ 23:5 or Alexandria Deapen, a junior business administration major, owning a coffee shop has been a growing dream since middle school. Now, several years later, that dream has become a reality.

Deapen’s coffee shop is currently undergoing the interior finishout and is expected to open in her hometown of Weatherford, Texas by the end of this May. The coffee shop will be called Café 23:5, after Psalms 23:5 which states “my cup overflows with His blessings.”

“It’s a very modern style [shop],” Deapen says. “And the menu will have speciality coffees along with a few pastries, crepes and croissant sandwiches.”

Deapen’s vision for Café 23:5 is a shop that will bring the community together.

“I just love coffee shop atmospheres,” Deapen says. “I love that you can go there to have some personal time like read a book or that

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When you're starting a business, you'll eat sleep and breathe your business.

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F

you can go to hang out with friends or even on a date.”

As expected with starting a business, there have been many difficulties and challenges involved.

Deapen noted that this was especially true since she has to set up her business while studying in Nebraska. “[The process] consists of a lot of phone calls and emails. If you see me on my phone, I’m most likely doing something for the coffee shop,” she says.

One of the biggest challenges, Deapen noted, was getting the location for her shop. “I had to go up against a few other shops for the spot,” she says. “So for that we all

had to put together a business plan and present it to them so that they could choose their favorite and they luckily chose me!”

The other challenge Deapen has run into has been having to learn as she continues setting up her business. “I’m still in college obviously,” she says. “So I’m not an expert on opening up a coffee shop, but I’m learning as I go.”

When asked what advice she would give to other students, Deapen answered, “The advice I would give someone who wants to start their own business is to make sure it’s something you absolutely love. Because when you’re starting your business you'll eat, sleep, and breathe your business. So make sure it’s something you have a passion for. And lastly don’t give up, it’s very challenging but if it’s meant to be, God will open those right doors for you too.”

Deapen says the most surprising part of her journey is how God has opened the right doors for her and closed the wrong ones. “You just have to trust Him,” she says. “I’ve seen this now more than ever. He opened all the right doors for me to start my coffee shop at this moment.”

As the school year approaches its end, many students approach new beginnings using the skills they have learned. For Alexandria Deapen, the end of the semester brings her not only a step closer to her degree, but also towards her goal of opening coffee shops where all people can come together.

Deapen joins a long line of Union entrepreneurs in the market with Cafe 23:5 | PC: Kayla Potts

Amanda McCarter is a junior studying biomedical science.

HUMANS

09

DESIGNING A NEW COMMUNITY MEMENTO ARTEM U

nion has an amazing and diverse set of clubs for students to get involved in. However, the newly announced changes to how clubs will work starting next year presents new opportunities.

Now, students have new and accessible ways to be able to create and operate clubs. Students can create these clubs on an independent basis without the need of being specifically associated with a division. All that's required is the approval of the club

by Student Life. One student who is spearheading and using this new opportunity is Chandler Ashton who is founding the Design Club.

This club would be a brand new and unique concept as there are no art-specific Union clubs. “I am inspired [to create the club] by the continuous passion and dedication that my fellow design students have for creating,” says Ashton.

“They are constantly making and creating new and innovative ways to make things look good. After talking with many of them, it seemed right to have an official group that shares that passion and is able to collectively strive towards goals. Once the idea was conceived, it seemed to be an obvious choice.”

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[The club] is sure to spark a new and much needed subculture of design.

Chandler working on his Design Portfolio | PC: Kayla Potts

Ashton, also, has goals of the club having activities that involve art and creating among its members. “There are a number of activities that I want the design club to do. Some of the activities may seem close to some of the fine art classes, but I hope to put a fun spin on each of them,” explains Ashton. “I want to incorporate some contests with fun prizes.”

The Design Club, additionally, is a group that would allow students to further their careers in creative or design fields.“I also want to bring professionals in to meet with club members so they can talk about design as a career and give real advice,” states Ashton.

The Design Club will not only provide a space for those interested in art and design, but also bring a new and enriching dynamic to the Union College community.

“I think the Design Club will bring a level of appreciation for art that has been lacking on campus since I have been here,” states Ashton. "I

know that there are students who appreciate art that aren’t fine arts majors and I hope they see the club as a place for more than just graphic design students.”

Ashton is currently working on the paperwork to send through the appropriate leadership to make the club happen for the upcoming school year. “There are a lot of plans in the works and I look forward to leading the club into a year of quality design,” he says.

The club is an exciting development that is sure to spark a new and much needed subculture of design and art enthusiasts on Union’s campus.

The hope from this development is not only to foster these individual interests, but also to enrich Union’s greater community with more art that would both inspire and grow our college’s culture as a whole.

Cameron Cizek is a junior studying computing.

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10

HUMANS

LEARNING TO ACCEPT CHANGE

HOUC HUMANS OF UNION COLLEGE

G

raduation day of high school, my response to the inevitable question of my future was almost scripted: Bachelors in nursing, then three years of law school.

A Tennessee native, my choice of college was by not in the Midwest.

I had a goal, I had a plan, I had confidence. God must laugh when we make plans.

Law school’s the dream, but with only a bachelor’s requirement and no further prereqs, nursing met the

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I'm a planner, and it's the most frustrating experience in my walk with God when He changes my plans.

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bar and provided a substantial Plan B in the unlikely event of glitches in my master plan. I threw in an emphasis on health attorney when people questioned the correlation.

Coming from a family of nurses, my intentions were endorsed. Yet, somewhere in the midst of labs and numerous appointments with my advisors, I remembered to ask for God’s opinion.

During my freshman year at Union, I have found that attending college encompasses so much more than leaving home and taking classes

Friends help along the way | PC: IMC

towards a degree that will probably change. I have not only grown both spiritually and academically, but through my interactions as a roommate, student and worker I have gained an independence far beyond simply moving across the country.

I’ve met amazing faculty who see past my indecision and embrace my potential. I’ve made memories on the gymnastics team that will last a lifetime. I’ve realized I will not always be able to go to bed by 10 pm.

Yes, there’s a blur of struggling through stressful projects, crying over a test or two and making desperate calls to mom. But there’s also getting lost downtown with my best friends, too many Target runs and the best cinnamon rolls on a Friday night.

Union has taught me to accept changes, chase my dreams and embrace Plan Bs. I’ve decided to take the business route to law and take a year off for ACA. I’m a planner, and it’s the most frustrating experience in my walk with God when He changes my plans. But I’ve found that God seldom submits His plans for my consideration. It’s my responsibility to trust, and His to enact.

Natalie Hamilton is a sophomore studying business administration.

A

HOUC is compiled by Mike Ayala.

PC: Steve Nazario

fter going through a lot of interviews and having companies trying to recruit me, I realized that my future is something that I can take charge of.

I'm not looking for something that is comfortable but instead something that challenges me and provides growth through maximization of my skills. However, my initial plan was to attend graduate school and receive an MBA or a master’s degree in economics, but now I want to work for some time first. I decided this because I really wanted to apply what my amazing professors such as Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, Purkeypile and Kent Staley have taught me during my time here at Union College.

I feel like I've been given the right set of tools to be in a prime position to succeed in my goals. So, the advice I would give to anyone attending Union is to always have what you want to learn set in your mind. Time may just be passing by but at least you will learn something everyday if you learning intentionally.

Tione Nkhono is a senior studying business administration.

HUMANS

11

PREPARED OR NOT, HERE WE COME! S

tep into the supermarket with me. As we chat about our upcoming graduation, we find ourselves in the brightly colored cereal aisle met with hundreds of smiling anthropomorphic faces enticing us to go crazy for their cereals.

lost and gained both a president and student life president. We swapped an old building filled with memories (and asbestos), with a wonderfully new building filled with new memories and beautiful equipment. New faculty and classes populate our already lively campus. Some dear trees and dear friends left our campus.

Now reach out and choose just one for right now. But which one? All of them are delicious and we're prepared to eat all of them right now, but just one? And right now?

The point is, this new lunge of change—from the college world to the adult world—has been preceded by little steps of change that we have all survived. We will survive this next step too.

Graduating is a little like that aisle.

Each step down the aisle brings us to another choice: where will you live? What job will you have? Will you go back to school? In what sector will you work? For how long? These choices may grow more pressing, but remember: Union College has prepared us for this.

Throughout our semesters here at Union College the theme of change has stood constant and unchanging. We

If Union was a river of change, then the world would be a 40 year monsoon of change with frequent tidal waves.

Whether those waves are new leaders, improved foreign relations or the most recent act of utter violence, the storm never stops. But Union has prepared us for that too.

Within this wild political climate, we've found a place of activism here at Union College. Clubs that stand up for

social justice, celebrate our differences of culture while celebrating together and even provide spaces to heal from injustices are all here for us to participate in.

Union College has hosted many a social justice event, has a diverse set of students and faculty and has kept the world events on the tip of its tongue when holding chapel events, in religion and philosophy classes and elsewhere! (If you haven’t experienced these yet, talk to Marcia Nordmeyer, Dr. Ben Tyner and Dr. Holdsworth … but maybe bring Tyner some coffee.)

Through all of these experiences, we've learned a simple lesson— everyone is a person. Take, for instance, our future employer: a person looking for another person to be a part of a team. She's not looking for a robot who knows how to do one particular task and that’s all, she's looking for a wonderful human being who will better the company and make work enjoyable. And that’s you!

So what are we waiting for? It’s time to bring home the stripples! But wait, what is it that still holds us back?

Despite being equipped for change, and equipped to work in diverse settings with amazing new people, why are we still nervous?

Maybe we forget about the common string between all of our classes, the one thing that should be present in our head, even before PEMDAS: we have an almighty Father who looks and longs for the best for us and has all the connections that anyone could ever dream of. Most importantly, He wants to be connected to us. Forever.

Besides, isn’t He the reason we ended up here anyway? Well … that or IRR.

The future is looking bright | PC: IMC

Alexander Leonor is a senior studying international rescue and relief.

12

HUMANS

UNION – WHAT’S YOUR LEGACY? H

ow did you arrive at Union College?

I don’t mean how you physically got here, but rather who lead you to make the decision to be here, or opened doors that allowed you to be here?

Did you have parents who were Union Alumni, and maybe siblings too, so this was your logical next step?

Had you never heard of Union until a recruiter showed up at your academy or church and told you about it?

Well, what would you say if I told you I bet Dr. Everett Dick had something to do with it?

Before I came to Union, I attended and graduated from Campion Academy (go Cougars!) and before I went to Campion I was homeschooled.

To be admitted to Campion I either had to present transcripts, which I obviously wouldn’t have had, or take one of the many national standardized tests like the Iowa Tests of Educational Development, ITEDs for short.

“ As this school

year ends and graduation approaches, what's your legacy been?

“

My mother went to our local church school in Lubbock, Texas and asked if one of the teachers could proctor the exams to which one teacher replied, “Most certainly!”

Dr.Dick and son Arthur Dick C.1970s | PC: Union College Heritage Room

This school teacher is a Union Alumni whose family came to adventism via Dr. Everett Dick. He ministered to the patriarchs in her family, which lead to her and her siblings being educated at Union College, which eventually put her in a church school in a city in Texas almost no one outside of college football has ever heard of.

I did well on my ITEDs, entered Campion, completed my education there with a respectable GPA and had a job interview at the Union Library secured via a close friend from Campion. I interviewed, was hired and placed in the Heritage Room, where I got to learn a lot about Dr. Dick, and meet a lot of alumni who in almost all of their visits would tell me a story about how Dr. Dick did something for them that got them to, or kept them at Union.

Dr. Everett Dick has written 2 books on the history of Union College, the last one was published

in 1967 and I could only begin to imagine the thousands of Unionites who were influenced by him. Dr. Dick called and requested money from his many dear students when the need for a new administration building became a pressing issue.

It's possible that if you're a legacy student, your grandparents knew Dr. Dick and have their own stories about him. You might be here because of a scholarship funded by his family, or started by someone who was influenced or inspired by him.

Dr. Dick’s Legacy to Union College is one of service, and of providing for Union because it provided something for you. We don't write our legacies, those who remember us do. So, as this school year ends and graduation approaches, what has your legacy been?

Bry Galloway is a junior studying history.

OPINION

13

PEACE FOR THE PALESTINIANS THE GLOBAL CITIZEN rotests in the Gaza Strip have been escalating in size and intensity in recent weeks. The protests first began on March 30th, Land Day, and were scheduled to continue through May 15th, which marks 70 years since 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their villages and towns by Zionist militias in 1948. This event was known as Nakba, or ‘catastrophe’ in Arabic. Now, over 70 percent of the Gaza Strip’s population of two million are Palestinian refugees and they're crying out for change. This timing is especially sensitive to Israel as the week that the protests started was also the beginning of Passover.

The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has been increasing their presence at the Security Fence to ensure that protesters don’t threaten the border or try to assault the fence. While tensions may be running high, the organizers

The effects of the protests can be felt around the world | PC: Kayla Potts

of the protests have clearly stated that their intention is a peaceful protest and nothing more. They're trying to call attention to the oppressiveness of Israel while they struggle with a collapsing economy, high unemployment and extreme overcrowding.

that another World War could originate in this area of both the political and religious tension.

Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse when the Israeli Defense Forces fired into a crowd of protesters after a few of the protesters hurled stones and rolled burning tires towards the fence. Fifteen protesters were killed and many more were wounded.

Sadly, these were not the only deaths to come of these protests. As of April 6, the IDF had killed over 29 Palestinians and wounded more than 1,600 others since the first protest on March 30.

The wounded not only include men, but women and children as well.

anyone wants is more bloodshed.

The United Nations human rights office urged Israel to exercise restraint.

"We are saying that Israel has obligations to ensure that excessive force is not employed," UN human rights spokeswoman Elizabeth Throssell said in Geneva. "And that if there is unjustified and unlawful recourse to firearms, resulting in death, that may amount to a wilful killing … and that's a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention." The UN wants to make sure that peace is the ultimate result and that peaceful protest won’t result in additional deaths, but only time will tell how Israel will respond.

These recent protests have only brought to the surface the tensions that have been in the hearts and minds of both sides involved for the last 70 years. This is an issue stemming from the conflicts between two of the three largest religions in the world so the ripple effect that originates in this region could have some serious repercussions throughout the globe.

Many people, including myself, believe

“ The last thing “

P

Hopefully, the protests can be what they were intended to be when they started: peaceful. The last thing anyone wants is more bloodshed. Israel should look into how to better the lives of the two million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip instead of having the Palestinians fenced in such a densely populated area with no hope of improvement.

As time passes, the more desperate for change people become. The future may hold uncertainties but the actions that we take now can help shape that.

History will always remember what happens and future generations will be able to see how we treated those who were around us. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-07/ palestinians-killed-in-israel-gaza-borderprotests/9628602 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/ gaza-protest-latest-updates-180406092506561. html https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/30/ world/middleeast/gaza-israel-protest-clashes. html https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/07/ world/middleeast/gaza-protests-israel.html

Wesley Rodriguez-Diep is a sophomore studying international relations.

14

OPINION

VIEWS FROM THE YOUNG AND WISE HARDLY WORTHY

T

his week, I asked my friends Charlotte (C), an energetic 5 year old, and Pastor Rich (P), who attended Union when Prescott was new, questions about important spiritual concepts.

Kasondra (K): What’s your favorite Bible story and why?

P: Joseph, ‘cause Joseph went from kind of an arrogant spoiled child (through a growing process) to maturity. Joseph was a little spoiled.

That caught up with him when he got sold into slavery, but something had happened in this process besides timing: affliction, challenges and difficulties in life. This would be quite a leap from being favored son of a great man to being a slave in a foreign country, but he said, “I’m gonna be true to God.” You know nothing sounds fair about this story, and yet, “Okay if it’s prison now, then I’m gonna be a good prisoner.” And that paid off for him.

When I look back at the whole picture the whole story, I think his life reflects our lives today. That’s why I

like it. I can relate to it. Especially with the timing that is never mine and challenges I never like, that’s the moment that God says, “This is your test to see that it’s easy to be nice when everyone’s nice to you, but how easy is it when someone isn’t.”

C: Esther, because it’s about a girl and I love girls so much.

K: What do you think she’d [Esther] be like?

C: On Veggietale’s she comes into being the new queen even when she didn’t want to be the new queen and she saves the people. It’s just like a superhero story.

K: What if someone told you the Bible wasn’t true?

C: No, everything in the Bible is true. Because Jesus says true things.

We just need to stay on the track of Jesus. Just stay believing, He’s the biggest, greatest King in the world.

K: What makes you want to go to heaven?

C: Well heaven is real and because I love Him and I pray to Him every night.

K: So do you think everybody will be in heaven?

C: Not everybody in the world, but everyone that loves him yes, forever.

I know some people love Satan but I’m not one of them.

P: I don’t. But I do think there will be a lot more there than we think will be. I set a standard that’s based on my opinion but God’s standard is mercy so if he can find any way to save a person, he will. The people who won’t be there are the people who have said “I don’t wanna be here.” I don’t think there is any limit on God’s forgiveness; the only limit is on my accepting it.

K: What is something you want the whole world to know?

C: That God is, um, that God is the saviour. Mhm and God is a King. And God is a true God. The one that you are supposed to believe in. Yeah and you can also worship Him in your bathing suit; we can worship him wherever we want.

Wherever we are in life, we have our moments of all-or-nothing childlike faith, as well as our back and forth moments when wrestle with God, trying to find that happy medium between our experiences and His plans for us. Now, take a step back and look at your plans for this summer, the next year, and the rest of your life. Do your plans lineup with where God is leading?

“And my favorite, favorite, favorite, favorite part about Jesus is when we all get to heaven. I haven’t been in heaven yet, but that’s gonna be the best part. That’s gonna be my favorite part when I get there.”

-Charlotte

Sassy McSass Pants | PC: Kasondra Reel

Kasondra Reel is a senior studying nursing.

OPINION

15

A CHANGING LANDSCAPE YOU HEARD IT HERE LAST A

s another year comes to a close, it’s tough for me not to feel a little sadness about the fact that a lot of my friends are graduating, especially because many of them are the people that I watch, play and talk sports with.

But at the same time, I’m somewhat optimistic about the state of sports at Union next year. In fact, I think next year might be the best one yet for sports.

First of all, the 2018 graduating class has been good at sports since they got to Union. I remember during my freshman year they gave the seniors a hard time in seemingly every class game.

Although they’ve been a tremendous class with a high level of ability, it's likely that their departure will lead to a more competitive (and perhaps less intimidating) set of intramurals, class games and ASB sporting events.

“ It's a lot more likely you'll regret not playing.

“

Additionally, I'm excited to see how the focus of sports shifts next year. It seems like the trend these past couple of years has been toward soccer, but a new Union soccer team has been formed and it’ll be interesting to see which intramural sport ends up surging next year as a result.

I am certainly very interested to see how the soccer team fares next year.

Keep your eye on Union's basketball teams next year | PC: IMC

It's pretty apparent that we have a lot of talented players here, and if they all come together and can find their chemistry, it could certainly be a very fun team to watch.

In addition, I would be willing to bet that the men’s basketball team makes quite a jump in the sophomore season of the Purkeypile era. They’ll (hopefully) have a large percentage of returning players in addition to some new talent, and given how well they played at the end of the season, I’d be willing to bet that any new-coach/ new-system growing pains are mostly behind them.

And while I can’t say I know as much about the talent coming in for ladies’ basketball or volleyball (aside from my sister, who I am excited to embarrass), I would bet that they’ve put a lot of growing pains behind them as well.

Lastly, I’m (naturally) the most excited about the golf team, and if I haven’t talked to you yet in an effort to convince you to play, I probably will

before September. (I mean it’s almostfree, any time you want golf, what’s the harm in trying out?)

All in all, I’m definitely excited for sports at Union next year. It’ll certainly be a very different year, but sometimes different is good.

I’ll finish with this: if you’ve ever wanted to play a sport, whether that be during intramurals or on a competitive team, I definitely think that you should.

It doesn’t matter if you’re athletic.

It doesn’t matter if you have any real experience. There's never any harm in trying, and in my opinion, it’s a lot more likely you’ll regret not playing, and it’s nearly impossible that you’ll regret trying.

Who knows, you might end up having the time of your life.

Tyler Dean is a junior studying business administration.

16

MISC. CORNER

THANK YOU I told the boyz over and over that after the lip sync battle their lives will never be the same. Before we took the stage one last time together, we heard the resounding chant “UC Boyz!” engulf Woods Auditorium. At that moment we knew we were at home, with our fans.

UC Boyz are not done! They're here forever, and they'll be back next year on campus. Sadly though, three of us will be moving on, so the torch is now being passed on to those who remain.

While reflecting on his run with the boyz, J-Fiah Reeves said, “It was a fun ride. But like all great rides, it must come to an end. And there is no crew I’d rather go out with than my UC BOYZ!”

Although, we didn’t place (again), the only place that truly matters to us is in your hearts. However, It took awhile for the two newest boyz to recover “After a sea of cell phone lights were displayed and an uproar of UC Boyz was heard throughout the auditorium, one could not fathom the idea of a loss,” said Zach Krall.

All this leads me back to you, our fans. We want to thank you for the love and support you have shown.

The smiles, the laughs, and the hugs make us know that walking away from my homework that one night in the library was probably the best choice that I have ever made here at Union College.

Almost in tears, Jose Miguel Marin could be heard gasping, “We didn’t win, we didn’t win?” Later that night with the boyz by his bedside, Jose finally fell asleep.

It's made me happy to see you happy. As for my fellow seniors moving on from here, we sincerely hope that if we don’t ever run into you again down here, we see you again on

Questions now arise, such as where do the UC Boyz go from here? Are they done? The answer is NO; the

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the other side. There I promise I won't need to lip sync ever again. May God bless Union College and the UC Boyz!

Darren Robinson Founder, UC Boyz

Darren Robinson is a senior studying theology.

Graduation robes still resemble academic regalia from when universities first began in the 12th century.

The robes were originally designed to keep the wearer warm, not to look fancy.

UPCOMING MAJOR EVENTs! April 26 - 27

"Dead Days"

May 5

All Spring Semester Grades Due

April 28

Night Under the Lights

May 28

Memorial Day

April 30 - May 2

Second Semester Finals

July 4

4th of July

May 4 - 6

Commencement Weekend

August 17

Registration Day for Returning Students

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

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

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.