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The Clocktower April 28, 2021 Issue 22, Volume 95

You made it!

Inspirational speeches for Union College’s senior class

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ongratulations, seniors! This year has been difficult. The events of 2020 and 2021 were probably not what you had envisioned for your last year at college, but you pushed through. For this final article, I wanted to say great job and leave some advice for moving forward in life. I decided that I would compile a list of some of the best graduation speeches that have affected my life and I hope will positively affect yours as well.

As valedictorian of his 2019 high school class at The King’s Academy, Kyle Martin delivered a brutally honest speech about receiving this title. He talked about feeling great for 15 seconds as he received the award and then feeling nothing, feeling empty.

Shocked and upset, he realized that this achievement was not worth what he gave up for it. Martin reminded his classmates of the importance of relationships. He talked about pursuing goals that have meaning. His speech is titled “Have No Regrets in the 16th Second.”

Admiral William H. McRaven delivered a graduation speech at the University of Texas

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in 2014. A very honest and concise speaker, Admiral McRaven told about his experience training as a Navy SEAL. Through short stories of personal experiences like room and uniform inspection, the gruelling physical regiment and mental challenges, he taught lessons about the elements you need for success in life. He encouraged everyone in the audience to make their bed every morning, stating, “The little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you will never

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Editorial

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Editor–in–Chief Juliet Bromme Assistant Editor Hannah Drewieck Distributor Marvin Velasquez Media Manager Francisco Campos Photography Editor Joseph Lee Layout Editor Chrisheline Kalawo Assistant Layout Editor Justin Anderson

NEWS Editor Olivia Jacobs Photographer Nathan Sweet Adventist News Hannah Olin Union News Jade Covel 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 Photographer Robert Umali Outlook Lacey Stecker Politics Alex Nesmith Love Advice Kaitlynn Toay

do the big things right.”

In 2018, Chadwick Boseman delivered a commencement speech at Howard University. He encouraged students to use their education to improve the world around them. He also told a story of his first job as an actor. Upon receiving the script, he realized that his character was bordering on stereotypical. He was playing “a young man with a violent streak pulled into the allure of gang involvement.” Boseman stated that the “role seemed to be wrapped up in assumptions about us as black folk,” so he asked some questions to the producers. These questions cost him the job. He says that he doesn’t regret it. He encouraged students to stand up for what matters to them. “Howard’s legacy is not wrapped up in the money that you will make but the challenges that you choose to confront,” Boseman said.

There’s something about graduation speeches delivered by college dropouts that I just love. One of my favorite authors, Kurt Vonnegut, was a very popular graduation speaker in the 1970s. He dropped out of graduate school when his dissertation was rejected. Twenty years later, though, the school accepted his book “Slaughter-house Five” as his dissertation and finally gave him his masters.

Over Christmas break I discovered the book “If This Isn’t Nice What Is?” that contains all of his speeches. It was a very enjoyable read and had me laughing out loud several times. He has some excellent advice for life.

I hope that you found some wisdom in these speeches that is useful to you. Good luck to you on finals and as you move forward in life!

Sierra Lastine is a sophomore English literature major from Grand Junction, Colo.

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Derek Chauvin found guilty

©ABC

Sentencings and statements follow

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fter a long waiting period, Derek Chauvin has been found guilty for the murder of George Floyd.

The official sentencing will take place on June 16, but as it stands now, he will be tried as the guilty party for the George Floyd murder. The former police officer has been charged with second degree murder, third degree murder and second degree manslaughter.

In the initial proceedings of the court case, the Minneapolis Police Department attempted to create and maintain an inaccurate account of the murder in order to sway the case in their favor. This may have become the official history if it hadn’t been for the video evidence taken by Darnella Frazier. This video was given to the chief of police and the general public the night of the murder and greatly influenced the court proceedings.

President Biden also spoke on the case, praising the guilty verdict. He stated, “It was a murder in full light of day, and it ripped the blinders off for the whole world to see.”

If we look back on the events following the murder, in a matter of hours a movement had been sparked in response to the event.

Following the video and the spread of news by word-of-mouth, the city was mobilized, calling for an end to police brutality against African Americans. The events that followed grew from a spark to a flame as the Black Lives Matter movement erupted with activity.

Chauvin is being held in prison until the

sentencing happens. The charges against Chauvin collectively amount to 75 years in prison. However, the most serious charge, second-degree murder, carries a maximum of 40 years behind bars, which is what the judge will be focusing on.

The state has already requested for a harsher sentence than the one listed before.

Chauvin was not the only officer on the scene and not the only guilty party. The three other officers who aided and abetted the murder, Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, have been charged with aiding and abetting second degree murder and second degree manslaughter. They have pleaded not guilty and their trial will be held this summer.

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

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©Unsplash

“Stop Asian Hate” has arrived in Lincoln You can get involved

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top Asian Hate” has been a movement that has travelled quickly thanks to social media.

It started out of a need to speak out against violence against members of the Asian American community. It can be traced back around the start of COVID-19. When the virus was thought to be an “Asian virus,” members of the Asian American Community were in fear around this time for what their neighbors would do and feared discrimination because of the view that COVID-19 was their personal faults.

Recently in Lincoln, “Stop Asian Hate” has made its presence known. There was a march that went through the Asian supermarket area and ended at the Capitol building. This was a very specific, very intentional trek that was made. The march went through the area with a high AsianAmerican population in order to show support for those in need. They ended at the Capitol in order to show that there are many people in support of the movement–those wanting change within the community.

Some of our own Union students were able to get involved with the movement itself.

I was able to speak to our own Gabriel Zita

who was at this march. He had heard about the event through a friend who attends UNL. He mentioned that while there were less people than at Black Lives Matter marches, there were still a large number of people showing their support. And of course, more joined along the way.

We had spoken about what movements are able to do when there are actual people involved. We talked about everything from Slacktivism on social media and actual activism in the real world. What he saw that day on the march was real activism.

You too, have the opportunity to get involved with the movement. If you feel so inclined, then reach out to people you know, ask if there is an opportunity and bring your friends. #StopAsianHate.

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

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The night before finals

A Union College version

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n case anyone needed extra reminding, finals are around the corner. And with motivation being at an all time low, I decided to write a poem that upon reflection, honestly doesn’t even really relate to finals and most likely will not help with motivation at all. Hopefully, though, the following poem can be of service in distracting you from the nightmare that awaits us in less than a week!

‘Twas the night before finals, when all through the school Not a creature was stirring, not even a squirrel; The Bibles were open to James 1 verse 5, In hopes the Lord would by His promise abide The students were sleeping (yeah, right) in their beds, While visions of failing plagued the dreams in their heads I had put away all of my studying material ‘Cause it was way past my bedtime and my brain felt like cereal When out in the parking lot there arose such a clatter, So I jumped off the top bunk to see what was the matter And what to my tir’d, blurry eyes did appear,

Sammy’s Vine Throwback of the Week:

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But a shimmering ghost dressed in Warrior gear “I’m the ghost of things given that aren’t what’s needed” He proudly proclaimed, with my staring unheeded “They asked for a kitchen, and so I went ahead And built them a sparkling new lobby instead!

The Wi-Fi, security, food quality too?

I worked really hard; this new logo? It’ll woo!”

Now as a good Adventist, I’ve known ghosts aren’t real But after hearing its words, I mean, it was no longer clear!

Those WERE some of the things I had noticed this year...

Then my heart started trembling, knees weak, arms were heavy For the ghost came at me, faster than a fast Chevy And the next thing I knew, I was there on my bed Left being uncertain if it’d just been in my head So I now sit and write What I’ve experienced tonight “‘Twas the night before finals, when all

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through the school, Not a creature was stirring, not even a squirrel…”

With this being the last issue before the end of the school year, I want to wish you all the best, whether you’re taking a final exam or having to grade one!

I hope that throughout this year, I have made you laugh at least once, smile twice or roll your eyes three times; either way, I got paid, so...

And now, I will leave you with the words of a very wise and renowned composer, lyricist, and mother of culture, Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar: “Ladies and gentlemen, it was lovely to have you this year. See you next year...or not…”

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

Adventist slang: heathen edition

We know who the evil are

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elcome to the end of the school year, and with it, the final edition of Adventist slang! Through the course of this year, we have learned a plethora of Adventist terms used only within the Adventist church. As I was taught growing up, I have saved the best for last. So, sit back, relax and enjoy Adventist slang: heathen edition.

The Antichrist One of the scariest things in prophecy is the rise of the Antichrist. In our culture, we like to blame the Catholics for everything, so they must be involved. The mark of the beast? Catholics will be the first to get it.

Sunday laws? Catholics will be promoting and enforcing them.

Sunday Heathens Since it’s not the true day of worship,

Sunday is our day to go shopping. So why the long lines at Walmart on Sunday mornings?

As I’ve said before, what can be blamed on Catholics, will be blamed on Catholics.

They’re not even serious about keeping their fake holy day sacred. Instead of attending mass, they plague us on our special day.

The Crusades We don’t lay any claim to those violent campaigns. Did the crusades happen before the Protestant Reformation? Yes. So, it was the Catholics’ fault for leading people so far astray. Should we teach the world about God and lead it to Christianity? That’s our mission plan too, but warfare is not the way to go.

The Pope Remember how I said we blame the Catholics for the mark of the beast? Although rarely said out loud, for fear of resurrecting our ‘Catholic bashers’ label, it’s generally agreed upon in Adventist culture that the Pope is the terrible beast who will ultimately bring about the end of the world.

And with a final jab at traditional Adventist views, Adventist slang must now come to a close. I hope you’ve had as much fun reading these articles as I’ve had writing them. To those graduating, congratulations!

To those returning in the fall, see you then.

This article follows the sarcasm of previous Adventistst slang articles and is in not meant to attack Catholicism.

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

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Give yourselves some credit Adventist News reporter congratulates students on end of semester

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nd that does it, folks! We have officially survived the 2020-2021 school year, even if it was just barely. And honestly, that in and of itself is an achievement. We should get a medal or a plaque or something! This has been a hard year.

However, despite its challenges, we have stuck with it. We have made it through. So, I just wanted to take a moment to stop and give you all some much-deserved credit. I mean, think about it. You are rock stars! Besides tackling the normal stresses of college (which is crazy on its own), you have navigated through the challenges and confusion of a global pandemic.

On top of that, you dealt with the turmoil of an election year, crazy weather, social unrest and so much more. So, stop and give yourself a pat on the back. Grab some hand sanitizer and give your friends a high five. You all deserve it!

Although it may have felt like it at times, know that your hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed. The late nights studying, the long days going to work and attending classes – you all crushed it. You did not give up even when you were overwhelmed. When the world felt like it was falling in around you and there was

nothing you could do about it you kept going.

You pushed through. And we see you. We see what you have accomplished. We see your strength and determination in the face of so much adversity and discouragement. You should be so proud of yourselves!

In addition to congratulating yourself, I want to challenge you to take a moment to reflect on this year. Instead of focusing on all the craziness and stress, try to think back on all the ways that you have personally grown throughout this school year. Ask yourself questions like - How has my character developed? Have I gained more patience, compassion, perseverance, etc.? How has my relationship with God grown? Has it been tested, weakened, strengthened, etc.?

Try to see this year as the one in which you pushed yourself and grew in ways you never imagined possible! So, congratulations guys!

You did it!

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

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Gone, but not forgotten These sports icons retired too early

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s in life, all good things must eventually come to an end. In the sports world, this is no different.

Athletes come and go, leaving their teams struggling to fill the void they left behind.

For many athletes, it is obvious that Father Time has finally caught up with them. In this week’s issue of The Clocktower, we are going to evaluate some of the athletes who hung up their iconic jerseys all too soon and left the sports world wondering why.

Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly: Kuechly was drafted 9th overall out of Boston College in the 2012 NFL draft. He played all eight seasons of his pro career for the Panthers, totaling over 1,000 tackles, 18 interceptions, 67 passes defensed and seven forced fumbles, and he was widely regarded as the best linebacker in the NFL over the span of his career. Kuechly decided to hang up the cleats due to his history of repeated concussions.

Former NBA star LaMarcus Aldridge: Aldridge had an amazing career, beginning at the University of Texas. He was drafted second overall by the Portland Trailblazers and would later be named to the NBA AllRookie Team. In his career, Aldridge was a seven-time NBA All Star. He also made multiple appearances for the All-NBA second and third teams. The former superstar decided to call it quits in April of 2021, due to an irregular heartbeat and health concerns.

Former Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck: Luck was drafted first overall by the Colts in the 2012 NFL draft. Luck immediately left his mark, setting tons of records while leading Indianapolis to an 11-5 record. His most impressive NFL accomplishments were leading the Colts in the second largest playoff comeback during the 2013-14 playoffs and leading them to an AFC title game the following season.

Luck earned four Pro Bowl appearances and led the NFL in passing touchdowns for the 2014 season. Luck struggled with injuries throughout his seven-year career,

©Pounding the Rock

and eventually the rehab and setbacks were enough to take his love for the game away and he would later retire before the season opener in 2019.

Former MLB and NFL star Bo Jackson: Bo Jackson is in the consideration for the greatest athlete of all time as he was a star in two major sports leagues. During his baseball career, Jackson appeared for three different clubs and showed his true potential by reaching 1989 and winning the MVP award.

Jackson had 141 home runs, 415 runs batted in, and 82 stolen bases over his tenure. In his football career, Jackson played running back and was a 1987 seventh- round pick of the Oakland Raiders. He would go on to earn a Pro Bowl nod, and rush for over 2,700 yards and 16 touchdowns. Jackson’s NFL career was unfortunately cut short due to a hip injury in 1991, and he focused on baseball until he retired in 1994.

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

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Maintaining a relationship during summer break School’s out for the summer

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ating someone you go to school with can have its perks! It is easy to spend quality time together while living on the same campus. However, once summer comes and school is no longer in session, keeping a relationship going can be difficult.

If both you and your partner are committed to the relationship, it is absolutely possible to make it work. Here are some tips to make the transition from seeing each other every day to living in different places easier.

Keep in contact throughout the day.

Never underestimate the power of a small text. You will inevitably be reminded of your partner throughout the day, and reaching out to them is a sweet gesture to show them that they are on your mind. Keep in mind that your partner may be busy at the moment and may take some time to respond.

Set a “date night.”

Setting aside time each week to connect with each other virtually can certainly help maintain the relationship while you’re far apart. The options are limitless. You can talk and catch up, watch a movie together or even play some games together! The important part is that you are both in the moment and setting aside time to be together.

Send letters This may be a bit of an old-school method, but I personally love receiving snail mail!

Writing letters is a cute and romantic way to stay connected. Though we can talk to each other with the click of a button in our current world, writing your words down and sending them through the mail can show your partner you care and may offer some insight into details of their life.

Know when you will see each other next.

Whether it be when you come back to school in the fall or you plan a trip to see each other during the summer, having a plan can help lessen the distance. This puts you both on the same page and gives you something to look forward to together.

©Robert Umali

Whatever the summer brings, there are so many ways to maintain a strong connection with your partner once summer break comes. Like always, the most important component of making a relationship work is communication. If you can maintain communication during your long-distance phase, there is a great chance that the relationship will last until you are together again!

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

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New chaplain, David Kabanje, shares his spiritual vision for Union College An interview with Pastor K reveals his passion for ministry

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his week I had an opportunity to interview the new chaplain for next year, Pastor David Kabanje. He was very open and friendly and gave me an idea of who he is and what he plans to do as chaplain at Union College. His passion in ministry is watching people realize that the Bible is real.

“There is a moment where the Bible comes alive for a person who has read and understood it for years because they meet Jesus–the person–not the idea or concept.

Seeing that “aha” moment that Jesus is more than they thought, more than they expected.

They see why people are passionate about Jesus. I get fired up, it’s like falling back in love again. I remember what it was like to first fall in love with Jesus.”

His main goal is to build on the legacy of Pastor Rich. Pastor K believes that every Christian leader has a responsibility to build on the foundation built by those who have come before them. In this context, that means continuing to empower and inform students in their walk with Christ.

Specifically, there are three things that he would like to pursue in this effort to continue building campus ministries. First, he wants to tap into the variety of technology available today. One idea he has to incorporate technology is to start a podcast that focuses on Union Spirit in faculty, staff and students with the goal of facilitating relationship growth both with God and with each other.

Another thing Pastor K wants to strive for is an incorporation of the surrounding Adventist churches, working with them to figure out how Union can join them in serving the community, celebrating diversity and simply being a community.

He also wants to continue the tradition Pastor Rich started with Good Morning Union, but with a twist. He would like to

©Union

make a devotional book in which students, staff and faculty all contribute; that way, the devotionals can reach further than just the immediate Union community.

Overall, Pastor K wants to find what fits for Union. He doesn’t want to come and impose his ideas on Union. He wants to find what is needed and how campus ministries can best facilitate Union growing a relationship with God. He wants religious events to be programs that “when you walk away you say, I’m so glad I came. It’s about Jesus. Not us.”

From the conversation I had with Pastor K, I think he will be a good fit for Union, and I am looking forward to hearing about God’s continued work at Union College.

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

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EDITORIAL

Get your money needs met right across the street Local credit union is a great resource for Union College students

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ant to have a local bank? A bank that is more convenient and geared toward students? If you said yes, then the Lincoln SDA Credit Union is the place for you. If you are not from Lincoln or haven’t really paid attention to the other shops on 48th street, then you likely haven’t heard of this bank. Well, thanks to Dr. Seth Pierce’s PR Campaign class, that will likely change soon.

Currently, the PR class is revamping the credit union’s newsletter, social media and website. That way, they have an online presence and a better user interface experience. Check them out online on their website, Instagram or Facebook (if you still use it). In addition, the PR class has worked with the credit union over the semester to create a campaign for students that will occur at the end of this semester and continue through the beginning of the next.

Much of the campaign will take place in August, but for those who just want to know about the here and now, here is what is happening currently. On the credit union's Instagram, @lincoln_sda_cu, there will be $25 gift card giveaways every week. If you

are a lucky winner, you get to choose where the gift card is to – Amazon, Chipotle, The Mill, etc.

If you enjoy the chance to win money, then you are going to love what is coming next semester. And it won’t be just giveaways.

There will be contests and even bigger incentives. When August rolls around, be sure to check them out across the street. But for now, like their Instagram posts and stay tuned for the good things to come!

Francisco Campos is a senior computing and photo and video imaging major from Milwaukee, Wis.

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https://www.puzzles.ca/sudoku/ The Clocktower encourages reader feedback and strives to maintain accuracy. If you have comments, please email juliet.bromme@ucollege.edu or hannah.drewieck@ ucollege.edu. ucollege.edu 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.