The Clocktower, Volume 88 Issue 1

The

Clocktower

Issue 88.1

Union College

AUGUST 25, 2013

WHAT SHOULD i do with my life?

(AND OTHER QUESTIONS UNION’S NEW PROGRAM MAY HELP ANSWER) Only you and God can know what your true calling is.

So what APHELANDRA happens if you MESSER don’t?

Paradoxically, we’re expected to find our callings during college and to start out knowing what they are—all while believing that the decisions we make at age 18 rigidly define the rest of our lives. Union has recognized these problems and is now offering a solution: the “Experience Your Calling” program.

In January 2013, Union was awarded a $50,000 grant for the creation of a program that would help students explore their passions and discover their purpose.

Experience Your Calling will organize events focused on calling, The Quest for calling. Where will your journey take you? Image by Devi Halim. provide relevant resources (such as reading lists and personality invento- who can share their own “calling stories.” can share their own stories with others, creries), and suggest steps students can take Listening to such stories, experts say, is one ating a new cycle of the calling journey. each year of college. A major goal of the of the most powerful tools people have for Last semester, one of the program’s program is to connect students with people identifying their callings. From there, they continued on page 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE ► A UC GRAD ON THE JOB

EARNING YOUR CAFETERIA CRED

THE ULTIMATE COLLEGE SURVIVAL GUIDE

A WORD FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

EDITORIAL, page 2

ON CAMPUS, PAGE 4

SPECIAL INTEREST, page 5

ASB UPDATE, page 8

EDITORIAL

PAGE 2

ESKIMO EDITOR When I was seven, I wanted to be an Eskimo.

I carved a snow cave out of the plow piles in our driveway and called it my igloo. I spent hours EMILY in my igloo, plotting my SYVERTSON life as an arctic explorer.

I would spear fish and hunt bears with my pet wolf (a.k.a. black lab). I would discover uncharted Alaskan territories and the science museum would feature an IMAX movie about me (move over, Lewis and Clark). And I would successfully trap the ever-elusive Yeti (my brother).

Fourteen years later, I decided that I wanted to be the Clocktower editor. I spent hours over the summer planning this year’s publication. I drank coffee and stared at my computer screen in confusion. I read

books on grammar and style and wished I could watch an IMAX instead. And I successfully trapped all of my staff into working for me (mwahaha).

“

When I was seven, I wanted to be an Eskimo.

Fourteen years later, I decided that I wanted to be the Clocktower editor.”

Speaking of my staff, I’m ecstatic over the Clocktower team this year; I couldn’t have asked for a greater group.

I encourage you to support your talented friends—whether they are writers, photographers, or designers—and pick up the Clocktower! And please don’t forget to let us know what you think.

FLEXING MUSCLES, FLITTING EYELASHES HOW ONE GRADUATE IS ADJUSTING TO LIFE IN THE WORKFORCE Contrary to popular perception, professional organizing rarely includes providing stayat-home moms with cute containers for paper ADDI clips.

HUDGINS When I began working at InnerLift Organizing, I thought I’d spend most days in the air-conditioned office, fulfilling my role of “Social Media Manager.” However, some days I join the team on jobs where a client is moving or preparing for an estate sale. We sort and organize every single item in the home, labeling “Donate,” “Pack,” “Storage.” Then we move every item to wherever the moving trucks have easiest access.

Sort, label, move. For every. Single.

Item.

My first day on-site, I cried a little inside over my mutilated manicure.

But somewhere in the middle of hauling furniture in a manner that would put Crossfitters to shame and climbing a base-

ment ladder to be greeted by sprinkles of mouse crap scattering in my hair, I have realized how inspiring it can be to work alongside—and become friends with— people who are nothing like you.

Did I mention that I work with all women?

I grew up with all women, in an allfemale household. But my home was basically a Bath and Body Works showroom; these women I work with are nothing like me.

I remember being instructed at a very young age that when I wanted something, I should bat my eyes, giggle, and “act dumb.”

I won’t say that I’ve wholeheartedly embraced this technique, but I also won’t say I’ve never used it.

On only my third day, Suzanne (who rings in at 4’10”) told me the story of the time she tackled—“spider-monkeyed,” in her words—a 6-foot stranger who wanted to fight her boyfriend. (I immediately wondered if I, at 5’5”, had even half that much bravery.)

In just a few short months, these women have taught me that I am not limited to flitting my eyelashes and giggling. My proudest moment of my “real-world” job so far may have been when Suzanne told me I was “toughening up real quickly.”

A few weeks ago I had to transport a carload of charity donations and organize them for a moving truck. I filled up the trunk and the whole backseat of my Ford Focus by myself.

And yes, when I arrived, I smiled sweetly and asked the lawn care crew if they wouldn’t mind helping me carry a few boxes inside.

Because, while I don’t have to be helpless, neither do I have to be pigheadedly self-sufficient.

I’ve found great freedom in balancing both options.

ADDI HUDGINS, a former copy editor for the Clocktower, graduated from Union in the spring of 2013 with degrees in English and communication.

RELIGION

PAGE 3

FINDING GOD IS NOT LIKE I have searched for spiritual fulfillment from every angle; quiet and boring, active and lively, green and sickly, old and sprightly. I attended vesSPENCER pers for camp people, WAY for old and young, with music and without, performance-based and participatory. I visited home churches serving pancakes, non-Adventist churches with bands, and an Adventist church with a light show.

I tried Sabbath activities riddled with explanations, Risk with a focus on evangelism instead of world domination, wading in lakes after the thermometer read above 94.67 F°, and every genre of movie you can twist into a spiritual theme. Who says Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid doesn’t inform the sincere viewer about how to reach western pagans?

I sampled anti-establishment, intentionally spontaneous, strictly scheduled debate and discussion. I participated in non-church, non-competitive dialogue to see who had sinned the most/earned more grace. I briefly experimented with independent study and prayer followed by lonely walks at Holmes Lake wondering where everyone went after church.

UPCOMING EVENTS

IN CAMPUS

MINISTRIES 8/27: Chapel with Dr. Wagner @ 10:30 8/30: UFC Vespers with Speaker Iki Taimi @ 7:30 8/31: V2 @ 7:30 9/3: Chapel—Academic Convocation 9/6: Vespers—Concert with Audrey Assad 9/7: Potluck on Prescott after church 9/7: V2 9/10: Chapel with Pastor Tom Barber from People’s City Mission 9/12: PROJECT IMPACT 9/12-9/14: Power Pac with Leonard Sweet

buying a car

I approached each spiritual adventure like buying a car. Read the ad on Craigslist, research the model with online reviews, and get friends’ advice. Then meet the seller expecting that the ad lied, the price is too high, and that there will be a steady flow of bull about how great the busted vehicle is.

I intend to buy a car but I expect others to try to rip me off.

So often in my spiritual journey I have been unable to reconcile my expectation with my intent. I intend to find spiritual fulfillment but I expect lies and high prices wherever I look.

I have been in hundreds of spiritual environments, watching others change, but not experiencing any spiritual fulfillment myself. Are the people around me experiencing fulfillment in a different location, hearing a different dialogue? Or has God defined their expectation and intent where I have done all my own defining?

This year, I am trying a different approach. Instead of reading the fliers about all the spiritual activities on campus, asking others what they think, and then attending as a skeptical critic, I am giving the process to God. I will spend time with God before every spiritual event listening and being prepared for the fulfillment He has in mind for me. Imagine going to every spiritual event this year with an entire student body that first spent quality time with Jesus asking Him what His intent for them is, what His expectation for their fulfillment is.

I hope you join me in listening for God’s definition of intent and expectation this year. If I got it all wrong today or you love this idea, I’ll never know unless you call me out in person or email me at spencer_way@yahoo.com. I look forward to a year of discussion and learning with you in the pages of the Clocktower and around campus.

NEW THINGS

“Behold, I will do a new thing…” Isaiah 43:19 I am so excited for this year. If excitement was measured by inchTYLER es, I would weigh at MORRISON least 500 pounds. The reason I am excited is because I am ignorant to the fact that school means studying, papers, tests, and Dr. Moses. I am excited because I believe that, this year, God is preparing to “do a new thing.”

Every year it seems like the same routine happens. We start with all these resolutions: work out, go to the library more, and have daily devotionals. But after a few months, weeks, or even days, these things tend to fall by the wayside as we become overcome by the busyness that college life brings. I’ve given myself

a challenge—make God the number one priority in my life for the whole year rather than just the first month—and I want to share this challenge with you.

My theme for the year is to “Be Real with God.” We know that friendships, family and romantic relationships take time, variety, and love, but we sometimes expect to have a real relationship with God even though we are skipping daily devotions and relying on church or vespers as our only source of spiritual nourishment.

Things may have been good in the past, but I believe God is ready to “do a new [and even better] thing” through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit this year. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that Union College is ready for it, but it starts with you right now, and doesn’t end at Christmas or summer, but will continue until Jesus comes.  Keep it real.

ON CAMPUS

PAGE 4

New Meal Plans for the Hungry Hippo in All of Us In order to accommodate hungry students— and eliminate unexpected bills at the end of the school year due to a healthy appetite—Student

ANNA PONGO

Plan Economy Intermediate Deluxe $250 Plan

Total $375 $1600 $1800 $250

Base $500 $500 $500 $0

With these new plans, a student who chooses a more expensive plan and doesn’t eat nearly that much will receive the extra amount they paid in their refund. In other words, there is no penalty for choosing the larger plan.

In the past, some students have experienced the hardships of overcharging their meal plan for the cafeteria. According to Jonathan Rickard, Student Accounts Manager in SFS, “We think it will help [students] budget better. This way they won’t come to the end of the

Financial Services has created some extended meal plans. These plans offer various levels of hunger coverage: Declining Balance $875 $1100 $1300 $250

Discount 40% 40% 40% 20%

year and realize they should have been paying more each month.”

If students use up their balance for their meal plan, it will be necessary for them to contact SFS immediately to figure out a new meal plan for their needs. This might include making larger monthly payments, but raising your meal plan means eating. “That way we can adjust their budget,” Rickard explains. “Ideally this will help us keep students more informed of where they are at and how their choices impact them financially.”

TRICKS TO GET MORE TREATS How to get more bang for your buck in the Café

By Spencer Way

1. Heap on your oatmeal, since it is a flat rate for the bowl. Load it up with cinnamon, sugar, and raisins.

2. Milk in cartons and cereal is cheap.

Especially if you get your cereal in a bowl instead of a box. Better yet, get your cereal and milk at the grocery store.

3. Soup is always a good choice. You can fill the bowl to the brim and still only get charged one flat rate.

4. Check the prices of an entrée versus an entrée with sides. Sometimes the way you combine or separate can save you a lot of money.

5. Separate heavy things, like potatoes.

And separate veggie meats, as they tend to really rack up the price of your whole plate.

6. Don’t pay for a water bottle unless you are planning to take it to go. Water in the café is free.

Maximum Refund $250 $475 $675 $0

7. Drink less. If you drink water to save money at a restaurant, but buy a beverage every time you eat in the café, you’re making a mistake.

8. If you do want soda, fill a cup from the machine instead of buying the bottle.

It’s much cheaper, and you don’t need that much pop anyways.

9. Split a whole pizza with friends. Or if you don’t want to share, just buy yourself a whole pizza. The price per slice goes down when you buy more.

10. Separate your sandwich fixings. Bread is priced per slice, and each topping is set at a different rate.

11. Pick whole fruit from the fruit stand instead of sliced fruit at the fruit bar.

12. Simply get less food. Remember that $12 haystack you made that could have fed 12 people? Yeah, just get a smaller one and go back up for seconds if you’re still hungry.

continued from page 1, “What Should I Do With My Life?” baby steps was to send out a survey determining what kind of questions Unionites had about their futures. The survey, which was taken by 161 students, faculty, staff members, and administrators, revealed the top questions to be about passion, family, finances, and God’s plan for our lives. It also showed that no matter where people are in their lives or careers, they still ask questions about their callings. “Finding your calling is a lifelong journey that you’ll be revisiting from time to time,” said Michelle Velazquez Mesnard, chair of the Division of Humanities. “We want to guide students to begin that journey.”

Among Adventist colleges, Union is unique in offering a program focused on finding one’s calling. Expect to hear more about it at the first chapel service and Power Pac of the school year.

Those who want to learn more can contact Michelle Velazquez Mesnard or visit the Career Center, which has many calling-related resources already available.

SPECIAL INTEREST

PAGE 5

I WANNA GO BACK TO UNION Remember to:

ªª Give something in the cafeteria a second chance. ªª Grab some man hands before moving into the elevator-less girls’ dorm. ªª Check the air dates of all your TV shows.

BRIANNA ªª Branch out of your room for study spots SCHENKELBERG (library, student center, The Mill). ªª Set aside time for devotions and exercise (whether simultaneous or not). ªª Keep the PDA PG-13. Or don’t keep it at all. ªª Check outdoor trashcans for the crazy squirrel. ªª Re-address your magazine subscriptions. ªª Recycle! Bins are in available in the Student Center, library, cafeteria, Engel Hall, the first floor of Jorgenson, and on all floors of the dorms and the Dick Building. Your excuse is invalid. ªª Bring your laptop to class. For notes obviously, not *cough* Facebook *cough*. ªª Change your weather website/app zip code to 68506. ªª Pack some #2 lead for Scantron art. ªª Be social. The first weeks are for making friends, not hermiting in your room. ªª Get your parking permit.

Forget about:

°° Your hometown radio stations. Re-program your presets to Lincoln’s finest. °° Walking alone in the dark. Add security’s number to your phone: 402-432-3964. °° Disturbing neighbors with music. Practice rooms are available in Engel Hall and headphones in the campus store. °° The Freshman 15, Sophomore 20, or worse. Get 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 vigorous minutes per week outside or at Larson Lifestyle Center (per Mayo Clinic’s recommendation). °° Swimming in Holmes Lake. It’s gross. °° Meaty meal service. Embrace the faux meatloaf. °° Setting an alarm for church. You can opt for the later 12 p.m. service. °° Not making your bed in mom’s absence. You don’t want the bed bugs to bite… °° Late-night hunger. Cooper’s Corner is open until midnight for snacking needs. °° Filling your water bottle with tap water. Filtered fountains with bottle fill stations are available around campus. °° Putting sleep on the backburner. You need 7.5-8 hours nightly (according to WebMD). °° High school drama. You’re in college now.

THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN

FROM THE CLOCKTOWER STAFF Anna:

to seeing friends again.

Brianna:

to livin’ la vida broka.

Spencer:

to rewriting the resume.

Steven:

to leaving Minnesota.

Taylor: to finding out Naked lied... they’re really not all natural.

Chelsea:

to new memories.

Cassie: to reuniting. And feeling so good.

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. Here we observe Union students in their natural habitat: the lawn in front of the Dick Building. The pack will have to migrate indoors once colder weather strikes, however. Photo by Marketing Communications.

Emily:

to leaving Minnesota.

Aphee:

to safe trips.

Tyler: to getting a government grant for school.

Amber:

to fall lattes.

CULTURE

PAGE 6

pRETTY LIGHTS Whoa. Just like that we’re all back in the saddle again. I hope your summer was as incredible for you as it was for me. This summer, I nevSTEVEN er stood still, and neither FOSTER did my trusty earphones.

They were constantly pulsing with those good vibes on the long summer nights I spent beside the lakes of Minnesota. But my heart would wander back to thoughts of my home state of Colorado, as it tends to do, and to the music I can’t ever get enough of: Pretty Lights.

My boy Derek Smith of Pretty Lights is from Denver, CO, and he produces the most unique and creative flows I’ve ever heard. This summer he released A Color Map of the Sun (2013). You could classify the style of music as electro-hip-hop-soul,

APP

OF THE WEEK

but that’s just jargon. I don’t know how to explain the beautiful collection of sounds this electronic producer creates, but it’s emotionally powerful—and worth a listen.

The album begins with “Color of my Soul,” a mixture of big-band style trumpets blaring as soft piano and drums pulse in the background. Then, one of Pretty Lights’ signature sounds—old-time vocals—pick up and bring the song to a soft drop, where Smith throws a down-tempo electro touch on the melody. Perfection. The tone for the rest of the album is truly set in the beginning.

Smith brings in Talib Kweli, a rapper from Brooklyn, New York, for my personal favorite jam on the record, “Around the Block.” Talib’s vocals transition the song from easy and melodic to the dissonance found in Dubstep. “Go Down Sunshine” is a deeply moody and moving piece that usu-

ally gets me into a creative mood. Pretty Lights even incorporates the use of a steel guitar into the song and blends it well.

The most impressive and attractive trait of the album is that Smith recorded all of his samples and vocals on 40-year-old equipment so that he could perfectly replicate that antiquated sound. You’ll hear hints of electronic, hip-hop, soul, jazz, blues, big-band and even more on this album.

A Color Map of the Sun evokes strong emotions on many different levels, and it is a pleasure to listen to again and again.

But please, don’t take my word for it. Go out and download it, completely for free, at www.prettylightsmusic.com.

Vine is a new social media app that is quickly gaining popularity. Though the users are not called grapes, there are plenty of ripe videos to pick through. From comedians to inspired souls to celebrities, users’ creativity is challenged to film a six-second (or less) looping video clip. Vine has rejuvenated the life of stop-motion videos and provided a way for friends to creatively kill 30 minutes—or 3 hours.

Recommended by Brianna Schenkelberg

SWEATsUIT OR FRIEND MAGNET? “This will be the year…” Every year, I’d lie in bed the night before the first day of school, toes tingling in excitement, that phrase running through my mind. Perhaps you thought the same, completing the sentence with, “I’ll make the basketball team,” or “I’ll finally fit in.” For CASSIE me, it was the latter.

JOHNSON Not blessed with athletic prowess or anything close to the genetic sequence of Blake Lively, I placed my hope for social integration on one thing: The clothes set out on a chair—picked out weeks ahead of time—would be my saving grace. Don’t ask why I thought a pink Terry sweat-skirt combo would land me a spot at the popular table.

As my mom took my picture next to the school bus, I’d imagine my perfect new life, filled with friends drawn in by the force field of my pink hue. Needless to say, that never happened. My imaginary boyfriends never entered the realm of reality. I never

did make it all the way to the popular table. And making C-team basketball was the closest I came to athletic greatness. However, each year I made a few more close friends and stepped a bit closer towards learning the meaning of “confidence.”

This will be the year. But as you probably learned in middle school, that doesn’t mean your life will be upgraded to its shiny, fit-for-TV version. And although it’s my job to advocate fashion, I will say this: Whatever your pink terry friend magnet is this year, it won’t make the difference. Neither will your sports ability or your new hairdo. What will make your year is your spark, your experiences, and the people you surround yourself with.

This will be the year you make a YouTube video in the dorm that will never go viral. This is the year you’ll eat more Village Inn pie than you ever thought you wanted. Most importantly, this is the year you’ll make lasting friendships that will make your life more interesting, more real than any “perfect” life you could imagine.

EVERYTHING ELSE

PAGE 7 UPCOMING EVENTS Sun

Mon

25

26 Registration 2:00-6:00

Tue 27

Classes begin

Wed 28

Thu

Fri

29

First Chapel 10:30

UC VB vs.

Manhattan Christian (home) 7:00

Pizza Feed 5:30

Sat

30

31 Vespers with Iki Taimi 7:30

V2 7:30 ASB Handshake 9:00

Movie outside 1

2 Library closed

3 Labor Day No classes

4 Academic Convocation 10:30

5 Last day to add/drop classes

Campus Store closed

6

UC VB vs.

Central Christian College (home) 7:00

7

Last day to return books to Campus Store for refund

Potluck on Prescott after church V2 7:30

Vespers Concert Audrey Assad

UNION PARKING CHEAT SHEET

ASB BBQ & Softball Classic

Staff Editor-in-Chief Copy Editors

Emily Syvertson Taylor Roberts Joellyn Sheehy Layout Designer Aphelandra Messer On Campus Anna Pongo Chelsea Zumwalt Religion Spencer Way Culture Cassandra Johnson Steven Foster Sports Tyler Ellis Special Interest Brianna Schenkelberg Amber Alas

Feedback The Clocktower encourages reader feedback and strives to maintain accuracy.

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

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

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

ASB Update Experience the spirit

UNION UNITED

The dorms are alive with noise, the parking lots are full, and center campus is buzzing with students; school is here once again and with it comes excitement for new opportunities, experiences, and friendships.

I am excited about our new ASB team that has been working hard all summer to bring you a school year to remember.

This year, your ASB team is working under the theme “Union United,” and that is how we plan to go about things as a team.

We are all very excited to bring this year’s student body exciting events, fun memories, and opportunities to make a difference in your school.

Our first big event is going to be handshake! Be sure to prepare a superhero/villain costume so you can compete in our costume contest to win big cash prizes! We will also have some other super competitions that will reward those students demonstrating some awesome super powers!

Be sure to stay in tune with your ASB club to be a part of something great this year. And remember to give your input on what you want to see happening at YOUR school, because you are what makes this place great!

Carl Dupper ASB President