95.11 by The Clocktower

The Clocktower January 20, 2021 Issue 11, Volume 95

IRR heads to Alaska for spring rescue training Upperclass students prepare for snowy semester

very spring semester, a group of IRR students goes on an expedition. Last year, the group had to come back early from Malawi due to COVID-19. Since the pandemic is still in full swing, modifications had to be made to this year’s expedition. Instead of going overseas like usual, they headed for the arctic temperatures of Alaska. This is IRR’s first cold weather expedition and opens opportunities for cold-specific rescue techniques to be taught. On Jan. 13, 20 students, two TA’s and Kalie and Andrew Saunders gathered for a final briefing. They reviewed their mental readiness for the trip; everyone was level green: great and ready to go! Pastor Rich stopped by to pray and wish the group well and Kim Canine (Vice President of Student Life) gave them Kind granola bars to represent the kindness of Union and IRR spreading to Alaska. After finishing the briefing and

IRR Leaving for Alaska @Kalie Saunders

going over the general itinerary for the day, all that was left was to pack all the gear into the suburbans. It takes a lot of gear to go on this trip since they have to be able to stay warm and safe and cook for themselves. Of the five black suburbans (FBI vibes anyone?), two of them were dedicated solely to gear. The other three were mainly to transport students, but the

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trunks were still packed! I asked a few of the students going on the expedition what they were most looking forward to on the expedition. Anna Hakes said, “I am excited for all the medical clinics and for all the amazing views from the different hikes we will get to go on. I’m also really hoping to see the aurora borealis.” Josh Reyes-Meiring, likewise, is eager. “Over this trip, I’m excited to put myself and my gear to the test! I’m also looking forward to getting to know my fellow IRR majors much better, and furthering my relationship with God as we represent his character to others.” Mattie Mundall enthusiastically said, “We’re going to have some incredible experiences and get to do things that not many people get to do, but what I’m most excited for is the Iditarod. Being the medical team for this famous and intense dogsled race is truly a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I can’t wait to be a part of it!” Several students and IRR graduates came to see the group off. Rick Young took a final group picture and waved goodbye to each suburban. Great adventures await them and we look forward to the stories they’ll have when they return.

Lincoln News TJ Pittenger

ENTERTAINMENT Editor Annika Cambigue Photographer Andrew Schwartz Sports Jacob Roney Pop Culture Sierra Lastine Comedy Sammy Ortiz

LIFESTYLE Editor Maria Kercher Outlook Lacey Stecker Politics Alex Nesmith Love Advice Kaitlynn Toay

©Kalie Saunders

Jade Covel is a senior religion major from Topeka, Kan.

The last five weeks At least the high low lights

ver break, way too much history happened for my liking. After this article, I plan on taking a step back from national politics to focus more on church issues and politics on campus. COVID-19 is still a global pandemic and is thriving in certain parts of the world, despite the different government efforts to suppress its spread. The United States still sits comfortably in the lead in virus cases and deaths. On the opposite end of the world, New Zealand was able to come out of lockdown and regain normalcy after their country was declared coronavirus-free, with a grand total of 62 cases currently contained in a country with a population of close to 5 million. President-elect Joe Biden is due to be sworn in soon, after the official counting of the ballots by Congress. This was interrupted after President Donald Trump incited his following to invade the Capitol, forcing all members of Congress to flee. On the fifth day of 2021, the Capitol was ransacked for the first time since 1812. Instead of the British, a domestic terrorist organization attacked the government–and the FBI refuses to name them as such. Georgia elected its first black senator, Raphael Warnock, defeating the incumbent

Aftermath of Nashville bombing ©politico.com

Senator Kelly Loeffler by a little less than 40,000 votes. Warnock’s running partner, Jon Ossef, took the second senate seat from incumbent David Perdue by a little over 40,000 votes. This outcome drastically changes the political landscape, as Georgia has been a Republican anchor-hold since 2002. This historic moment is overshadowed by another event that involved the Georgia government. A suicide bomber in Tennessee destroyed the communications grid connecting Tennessee and 5 other states. The bomb destroyed a block of Nashville and left three people injured. While there is no confirmed motivation yet, it is believed that the bomber acted alone. Repairs are still in progress. As stated before, history was made over break. As much fun as national politics and the presidential election was, this semester I hope to focus more on state politics and issues that directly involve Union College. If there is anything political on campus, in Lincoln, or in the state that you feel may be a subject of interest, please feel free to contact me and give me a heads up. Welcome back to Union, and may we all have a boring 2021.

Alexander Nesmith is a junior communication major from Calhoun, Ga.

Senator-Elect Reverend Raphael Warnock ©politico.com

To mask or not to mask How network television shows are incorporating COVID-19 into storylines

hen the country shut down in March of last year, the production of television shows halted as well. As shows have begun airing again, viewers are seeing the presence of COVID-19 within the storylines. And they have mixed reactions. On NBC, the global pandemic has led to the creation of a new comedy where most scenes are in a Zoom-style format. “Connecting…” features characters video chatting with their friends from their own homes. Viewers see them in small boxes on the screen – a sight with which the world is familiar. The majority of shows are incorporating COVID-19 in some way. CBS’s crime show, “NCIS New Orleans,” began the season with a mystery surrounding faulty face masks. Popular medical dramas like “The Resident,” “New Amsterdam” and “Grey’s Anatomy” are focusing on lack of hospital space, constant deaths and the vaccine. However, the mask usage in some shows is rather disappointing. NBC’s long-running show “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” left viewers confused and frustrated with its inconsistencies. The detectives wear masks as they walk down the street, but then take them off to talk to victims or suspects in crowded buildings. As they enter the precinct, they are

NCIS New Orleans ©tvline

temperature-checked and apply hand sanitizer, but neglect all other precautions. Apparently, COVID-19 doesn’t spread within the 16th precinct. “The Good Doctor,” an increasinglypopular medical drama on ABC, took an interesting approach. Season four began with a two-part episode about the pandemic, but episode three started with a message from the lead actor, Freddie Highmore. “The following episode portrays our hope for the future,” Highmore said straight to the camera. “A future where no one will have to wear masks or take other steps to stay safe from COVID. Until then, please protect yourself and others.” After that message, the season continued on as if it were a prepandemic world. Some comedies, such as CBS’s “Bob Loves Abishola” and “The Unicorn” are ignoring COVID-19 completely. And it’s honestly a relief. After the stress of maintaining six feet, washing hands and carrying a mask everywhere, it’s refreshing to see a world where the pandemic doesn’t exist. Television is supposed to be a break from reality anyway, right?

Hannah Drewieck is a junior business administration and communication major from Stoughton, Wis.

Adventist chaplain and leaders call for peace

Church representatives speak out after Capitol riots

n Jan. 6, 2021, Barry Black, U.S. Senate chaplain and member of the Seventh-day Adventist church, offered the closing prayer at the United States Senate at the end of a momentous and tumultuous day: “Lord of our lives and sovereign of our beloved nation, we deplore the desecration of the United States Capitol building, the shedding of innocent blood, the loss of life, and the quagmire of dysfunction that threaten our democracy. These tragedies have reminded us that words matter and that the power of life and death is in the tongue. We have been warned that eternal vigilance continues to be freedom’s price. Lord, you have helped us remember that we need to see in each other a common humanity that reflects your image. You have strengthened our resolve to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies domestic as well as foreign. Use us to bring healing and unity to our hurting and divided nation and world. Thank you for what you have blessed our lawmakers to accomplish in spite of threats to liberty. Bless and keep us. Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to do your will and guide our feet on the path of peace. And God bless America. We pray in your sovereign name, Amen.” The North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists also made a formal statement regarding the day’s events. G. Alexander Bryant, president of the North

©CNN

American Division said, “The events in Washington, D.C., during the past few days have been traumatic for most Americans, and shocking for those around the world. Many of our members are deeply concerned regarding the actions that took place at the United States Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021. The leadership of the North American Division affirms the rights of people to respectfully protest, but strongly condemns the reprehensible actions of rioters that show a clear disrespect for the safety of others, the institution of democracy, and the diplomatic and orderly process of the transition of government.” He went on to say that the church recognizes that it’s members “represent a full spectrum of viewpoints and positions on many issues” and expressed his wish that, moving forward God would, “[G]rant us all peace, strength, and wisdom as we serve as citizens in this country. As followers of Christ, let us unite in prayer for our communities; our leaders; and that God’s Spirit will prevail.”

Hannah Olin is a sophomore history education major from Princeton, Ill. ©ABCnews

Relationship resolutions

Set healthy dating goals in the New Year

hough many New Year’s resolutions are quickly tossed by the wayside, setting healthy and reasonable goals for yourself can help you grow personally and in your relationships. Below are some tips on how to identify areas that could use work within a relationship and help you grow in a sustainable way. Look at your relationships and evaluate areas that need work. Sitting down and reflecting on your relationships and your personal role within them can be helpful when trying to set a goal. Identifying areas that have caused conflict in the past can help narrow the field. Do you have a temper or pick unnecessary fights? Talk to your partner. Talking to your partner directly can help you figure out areas in your relationship that need work. Most likely, they know you well. Going into the conversation with an open mind and actively listening to what they have to say is key. Ask your partner to keep their criticism constructive, as the goal is for you to grow, not to feel bad about the person that you currently are. Set goals together. While I highly recommend having your own personal goals for the New Year, setting some goals as a couple can be a great way to move forward in your relationship. Maybe you both want to save money and eat out less. Or maybe you want to work on communication. Whatever it is, having a joint goal can help you and your partner bond while moving you towards a healthier and happier relationship. Give yourself grace. Goals are set to help us better ourselves. However, this means that they also come with the very real possibility of occasional failure. Don’t be so hard on yourself when you backslide. Instead, move forward with your goal and accept that what you are doing is difficult. Success is not linear.

It often involves ups and downs along the way. Allow yourself to accept your mistakes and move forward. Relationships take work on both sides. Setting goals for improvement, communicating openly about your goals and observing how you work together as a team can move the relationship forward with a healthy and optimistic attitude. Though goals are often set at the beginning of the New Year, it is never too late to set a goal together, and it can only help you improve the foundation of your relationship.

Kaitlynn Toay is a senior English major from Edgeley, N.D.

The importance of narrative

My 2020-2021 NBA Awards predictions

very year before the NBA season starts, the sports world is filled with basketball buzz and predictions ranging from who is going to be the next breakout star to which rookie is going to be a bust to who will win the coveted MVP award. While the NBA season is still young, I am going to give my predictions for the 2020-2021 NBA awards. Rookie of the Year: LaMelo Ball, Hornets In all NBA awards, narrative plays a huge role, and LaMelo is a prime example of the impact that narrative has. Not only has he been in the spotlight for the past 7 years, but he will also get a lot of playing time because he is on a bad team. These are prime conditions for a Rookie of the Year candidate. Sixth Man of the Year: Caris LeVert, Nets Caris LeVert has been a big part of the Nets for the last couple of seasons. He is a crafty scorer, and with him coming off the bench in a Manu Ginóbili style, he is a solid choice for

and KD has looked great so far. I think KD will come close to leading the league in scoring, while carrying the Nets to a top two seed in the East, and this narrative will be enough for KD to win the award.

Jacob Roney is a junior business administration major from Sturgeon, Miss.

Daniel Klein, junior @Andrew Schwartz

the Sixth Man award. Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens, Celtics Brad Stevens has been a top-tier coach for multiple years but has yet to win a COTY trophy. Coach Stevens is respected throughout the league, and the Celtics are in a position to win a lot of games – an important attribute of this award. Most Improved Player: Michael Porter Jr., Nuggets The red-shirt sophomore had a breakout bubble experience and showed that he has potential to be an All-NBA talent. His scoring abilities are amazing and he is starting to understand the game a lot more. If healthy, he could take a step forward and have a real shot at getting the MIP award. Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis, Lakers Davis has been a devastating defender for what feels like ages, even though he is just now entering his prime at age 27. His mix of height, length, athleticism, footwork and IQ are unique, but what I think separates him from other star defenders such as Giannis is not his elite shot blocking or quality perimeter defense (although he does have both), but his ability to shut down the other team’s best player when it matters most. Most Valuable Player Award: Kevin Durant, Nets Kevin Durant is one of the top 20 players of all time and arguably the best scorer in NBA history, and yet he only has one regular season MVP title. I think this changes this year. Brooklyn is poised to be a title contender

EDITORIAL

Becoming a musician

All Daniel Hickman wants to do is make people happy through his music

nion has a variety of creative and talented students who make podcasts, music, drawings and photography. Whether these creative endeavors are being pursued as a career, side hustle or hobby, these projects deserve some attention. One such talented individual on campus is Daniel Hickman, a freshman graphic design major who produces music on the side. So far, he has released three albums on Spotify, as well as an album of covers and numerous singles. Hickman’s introduction to music started at a common place: the piano bench. But after two years of lessons, he decided it wasn’t right for him. He didn’t stay away from music for long, however. At summer camp, his friends introduced him to the ukulele, which he immediately loved. Hickman’s music began to take off as he progressed with the ukulele and began to learn other instruments. His sound is heavily influenced by the music his parents grew up listening to and shared with him. He described his music as eclectic, drawing inspiration from “70s music like Paul Simon, and Jim Croce.” But he also listens to and is influenced by current artists who are similarly inspired by the 1970s

such as Ben Howard and the Bleachers. Eventually, Hickman took up songwriting for himself. Lyrics were difficult at first, so he kept them simple. Over time, he has become more mindful and intentional with his lyrics. He carries around a notebook, jotting down phrases or words that interest him as they come to mind. When describing his songwriting process, he said he usually works late at night. After playing with the lyrics, he begins figuring out the chord progression. Then he fiddles with more ideas in his music software. Some of his favorite songs he has produced are “Lost Again” and “Evergreen.” “Looking back, I can’t even believe I wrote them,” Hickman said. Being a Musician hasn’t come without its share of difficulties. One of his songs, “Wake Up Dreamer,’’ deals with the harsh reality that people aren’t always supportive or even considerate of others’ aspirations. His advice to people going into creative fields and experiencing a lack of support is to “never stop doing what you love.” But he is also practical, saying, “You need something sustainable.” Despite some bumps in the road, music has always remained Hickman’s passion. “It makes people happy and I want more of that in the world,” Hickman said. If you want to know more about Daniel Hickman’s music, you can find it on Spotify or follow him on Instagram: @dan._the_ .mannnnn.

Sierra Lastine is a sophomore from Lincoln, Neb.

Spring semester: the return

Was your break restful or stressful?

aaaand we are back! It has been long enough. I think it is time to return to our normal lives. Yes, we had a break from the stress of classes which was good, but now it is over. I find it so interesting when I talk to different people about how their break went and what they did. The people who have told me about their break usually say that it was restful. I think that is what all of us needed. We just needed some rest and a break from the pressures of our school lives. I have heard stories about people who have traveled to be with loved ones, stories about staying at home and relaxing. Stories about catching up with family and friends, and stories about taking a break from people. Stories about holiday celebrations and stories about holiday struggles. These stories that I have heard all share this simple thing in common: We were able to rest from stress and be in a different environment for awhile. In a way we all needed a break from the normality of classes. To change it up and be doing something different was something we all needed. I went home to be with my parents. I was able to work with my dad which provided us some time to catch up. I was able to spend quality time with my grandparents. I was able to escape and be alone when I needed to. It was restful. I know that this wasn’t what we were all able to experience during break. For whatever reason, things just do not work out as we plan. When we hope for rest, we may face high amounts of anxiety. It is just how the world works. Plus, we have the added pressures of things like COVID-19, the election and the problem of not knowing what will happen next. Right now we are facing some weird weather stuff with this blizzard that is happening. My biggest hope is that this blizzard is not a sign of the times and is not

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something that will be a preview of the rest of the semester; cold and wet. Hopefully you stay safe while Lincoln is freezing over. This semester, we may be filled with similar emotions. We may face things that bring us to our lowest. But there is hope. Summer is coming up in just a few months.

TJ Pittenger is a junior theology major from Gilson, Ill.

New year, new you? Completing your resolution with minimal effort

elcome to 2021! Congrats on your survival. If you subscribe to the societal norm, you’ve already begun completing the resolutions you wrote out on December 31. At this point, you’ve had a realization: this is bogus! Why do people try to make a ton of changes all at once? You’re not a quitter, but you need to make your resolutions easier. Well, you’re in luck, my friend! I have for you a list of ways to make your resolutions just a little easier. Lose Weight: Losing weight is super hard! You still want to eat all the things. Whoever said nothing tastes as good as skinny feels has clearly never eaten anything! What’s the easy out to losing weight? Simply

stand with one foot off the scale. No one said you have to use two feet! You’ll lose half your previous weight in a snap! Save Money: Any shopping addicts out there? Saving money is a challenge. Here’s the key; you can’t spend what you don’t have. Spend it all right now! Seriously. Get yourself a mound of debt. You won’t have to worry about spending money when all your money goes straight into repaying your debts. Just be careful not to get mixed up with any loan sharks! Read More: Is it a challenge to sit down and read a book? Turn on closed captions on YouTube/Netflix/Hulu/etc. Keep up with your shows while holding the moral high ground with your friends. No one can prove whether you read them or not. They always say it’s the thought that counts, right? Pick up a New Hobby: Ladies and gentlemen, could you have picked an easier resolution to achieve? Merely go to your local craft store and pick up an item you don’t recognize. Nowhere in that resolution did it say you couldn’t put that new hobby down and walk away. Get More Sleep: Guys, a three-year-old could figure this one out. Just don’t turn your alarm on. You may be late to everything, but who cares? You have to sleep! Even if your grades suffer, it’s worth it for those few extra Zs. Express Yourself: What a fantastic resolution to have! And such an easy one to achieve. All you need to do is lose that mental filter. If it pops in your head, it must come out of your mouth. You’ll be expressing yourself so well, people will practically beg you to stop talking! Why make things harder than they have to be? You have a million things to do and only so much time to do them. Work smarter, not harder! Save yourself a world of trouble by taking my advice.

Lacey Stecker is a sophomore communication major from Noblesville, Ind.

FACULTY & STAFF

A New Year’s resolution you cannot afford to break

The friendships you need in 2021

number of research studies reveal that most individuals make at least one New Year’s resolution. Research conducted by Strava using 800 million userlogged activities in 2019 calculated that the day the majority of individuals give up is Jan. 19. I usually make it to about Jan. 3. I want to suggest a 2021 resolution we can all make and one we should not break. How about a resolution to be more intentional about our friendships? Current research, including neurological studies, clearly indicates that friendships increase our academic, social and physical well-being. In a Wall Street Journal interview published in February 2019, science journalist Lydia Denworth found that friendship “is about setting up your life so you have people you can rely on.” Denworth went on to say that the most important finding from her in-depth research is that individuals need to make friendships a priority in their lives and not just something to add to their “to-do” list. Friendships require both intentionality and prioritization. When working toward friendships, “what matters more than the number of friends we have is the quality of the connections we make,” according to clinical psychologist, Dr. Miriam Kirmayer. Tom Rath, author of “Vital Friends,” spent years poring over the literature around friendships, analyzing information from 8 million interviews in the Gallup worldwide database and conducting several experiments. His team concluded that there are individuals we “can’t afford to live without.” Rath did not discover a single prototype, ideal or perfect friend. Using an assessment to measure and describe the unique roles friends

play in our lives, his team arrived at eight “vital friendship” roles. Here are the eight vital friendship roles, briefly defined: Builder: They motivate and push you forward. Champion: They stand up for you and beside you. Collaborator: They have similar interests you can relate with. Companion: You share an unbreakable bond of friendship, in good and bad times. Connector: They are bridge builders who help you extend your network. Energizer: They give you a boost and help keep you positive. Mind Opener: They help you expand your ideas and horizons. Navigator: They give you advice and keep you headed in the right direction. Perhaps this will be the best New Year’s resolution you have ever made and kept! Be intentional. Prioritize and work toward forming these eight vital friendships that will help you become your best. And think about what roles you can play to help others grow and move forward in their lives.

Tim Simon is the Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness.

New year, new Santa?

Part one of an interview series

or those who celebrate it, Christmas is a magical time. However, there are many things that I’ve always wondered about and after 20 years, I decided to do something about my questions. I reached out to Santa Claus on a whim, and surprisingly, after six business days, I heard back and got an exclusive interview with the legend himself—Santa deniers, checkmate. Me: Wow, Mr. Claus, it is truly an honor.

Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Mr. Claus: Ho, ho, ho! It’s nice to be able to change my routine a bit. And please, call me Santa. Me: Okay, so Santa, there has been recent controversy over whether or not you are real, which is kinda weird since I’m talking to you … but anyways, how do you respond to that? Santa: Ho, ho, ho! I mean, what’s next? The American Dream is a lie? Who are these people? Let me guess, they’re from the lower class levels? Me: What? What does that— Santa: Well, you know, there are priorities in my gift deliveries and well, sometimes we just don’t get around to everyone. I can see why they might not believe in me. Me: … Oh? Um, let’s move on. I don’t know how much you can disclose, but how exactly do you do it? How do you make so many gifts, and deliver them worldwide in one night? Santa: Ho, ho, ho! Well, I used to rely heavily on magic, but after the melting ice caps destroyed my workshop I had to come up with a new work model. With industrialization and globalization, it worked out perfectly. I have several factories in Asia where I have my elves working 24/7 under

Sammy’s Vine Throwback of the Week

human supervision — humans are the best at putting efficiency over anything else; it’s so inspiring — and as for how I deliver the presents, given the unemployment rate around the world, NDAs, and Uber, it’s never been more efficient! Me: Wait, so you don’t even deliver anymore? I mean, that’s who you are! Santa: Ho, ho, ho! Times change and you change with them. Look at what runs your world. Once you reach a certain level of influence, you’re not the one working; those under you are. It’s about what resources you control and well, I am Christmas. Simple economics. Me: You’ve lost yourself! Christmas is about giving and family! And why do you keep saying “ho, ho, ho”? Santa: A new elf is born everytime I say it, and our current production model goes through elves pretty quickly so … and no, I haven’t lost myself; I’ve just adapted to modernity. Me: … I think I’m done here, Mr. Claus. Mr. Claus: Funny, I was about to say the same thing. Well, merry Christmas. Ho. Ho. Ho. Sometimes what we believe exists really doesn’t, and what we don’t believe or don’t want to believe is what really exists. What a bummer, Santa. What a bummer.

Sammy Ortiz is a junior nursing major from Orlando, Fla.

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The Clocktower, established in 1927 and sponsored by the Student Association 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, Student Association, Union College, or the Seventh-day Adventist Church.