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The Clocktower

Union IRR students head to Florida

Union team heads to fix the damage done by Hurricane Ian

On Sunday, October 2, at 4:30 a.m. a fleet of Union College vehicles consisting of vans, trucks and trailers rolled out to head to Fort Myers, Florida. The group comprised about 30 members, including students and graduates.

2Serve and Gideon Rescue Company, who are working with the Florida National Guard, reached out to the Union College IRR team and invited them to come down and help clean up by removing debris from houses, and assisting at a point of distribution with the Florida National Guard, where people can go and collect all resources at one spot; food, water and other necessities.

They have completed 17 sites as of October 5, where they operate chainsaws to clear trees, tarps to protect homes from water damage and move personal items from homes to prevent mold.

Joseph Lee, the IRR Deputy Public Information Officer, said the following

about the trip, “What they’re doing down there is great. The IRR students who went on disaster response to Fort Myers are helping out the community by gaining experience.”

The trip has been transformational for the students as well as the local community. “There are so many stories on the ground that speaks to the resilience of this community,” said Lauren Richert, Deputy Incident Commander, “There was a man who lived in one of the coastal areas that Ian hit the hardest, whose shed had collapsed on his truck, which left him unable to evacuate. He got in his boat and weathered

IRR Students in Fort Myers ©Jayson Henninger

the category 4 hurricane through 18-foot storm surges thinking he was going to die. When the surges receded, he landed on top of his house. We were able to talk to him, and work alongside him to clean out his house from damaged possessions and remove following trees and debris that were on his house, vehicles, and in his yard.” The work the Union students are doing has truly been beneficial to many.

Through generous donors, the IRR team has raised over $16,000 to help as many people as possible. While this may seem like a large sum of money, they still need more to cover the costs. You can donate online through Union College’s website.

Andrew Schwartz is a senior business administration major from Lincoln, Neb.

Mental health awareness week

Awareness, dogs, uGather and more

Mental health is an important topic among students and faculty here at Union College. Many activities and events take place throughout the school year, starting in the fall and into the spring semester. Among the many events that take place on campus is Mental Health Awareness Week. This takes place during the fall of each school year in October.

During mental health awareness week, students learned about the importance of self care and enjoyed the presence of cute, furry, four-legged friends on campus. On Monday, Oct. 3, multiple service dogs were brought to campus in the Atrium of the Don Love building for students to interact with.

Mental health awareness was the main topic of discussion during the recent uGather. Union faculty members Ingrid DeVries, Marcia Nordmeyer, Sarah Gilbert, Kerrie

DeMoine Adams

Schnell, Martha Hornung, Alaysha Harris and Debbie Forshee-Sweeney were invited on stage to discuss the topic of mental health. During the discussion, many topics were covered and plenty of questions asked.

When asked for advice to help a friend with mental health, Schnell said, “actively listen to the person and let them know that they are seen, let them know they are hurt and to validate what they are feeling.” She also further adds that it is important to “be the friend that helps them get the help they need.” while also encouraging students to seek proper care if needed.

Students were also given information regarding services for suicide prevention. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Line, is available 24 hours, seven days a week. If needed, the service can be contacted through phone or text by dialing 988.

Parents weekend 2022

A look into the past and future

On Friday, September 23, parents of Union College students arrived to enjoy a fun-filled weekend together with their families and the rest of the campus community. Some stayed in nearby hotels while others reserved guest rooms in the Ortner Center. All joined together on our campus for fun, food, and fellowship.

The party kicked off with the evening worship program, with a special feature that we hope to see more of in the coming months. Caleb Schaber, a communication sophomore, introduced four comedic drama sketches acted out by various students. The sets included everything from a doctor’s office to a movie theater and had the audience laughing several times throughout the program.

That was not everything that parents weekend had to offer. A fair was held in the Thunderdome on Sabbath evening that included all sorts of fun such as face painting, fake tattoos and colored hair. Parents, their students and even students whose parents were unable to attend were able to have fun together.

Parents weekend has changed significantly in recent years. Parents used to arrive and eat dinner with people on campus, attend a Warriors game on Sabbath night and then meet with instructors on Sunday morning.

However, Kate Kamarad, Scholarship and Special Events Director, has opted in recent years for a more laid-back experience, “so that parents can interact with faculty and staff without the formal sit down and asking questions,” she said.

Attendance spiked quite heavily this year, with COVID and the accompanying travel/

©Twitter

Robert Tengker is sophomore nursing major from Redlands, Calif.

social difficulties now partially behind us. Eighty-six families registered this year with last year having only 40, with approximately 50 more attendees.

Kamarad looks forward to future parents weekends and the fun they will be able to offer. She welcomes new ideas from everyone, however, that is not to say she has not had a few of her own. A petting zoo, laser tag and even a Ferris wheel could all be possibilities. She emphasized that the weekend is not just for parents, but for everyone who is a part of our campus community.

What is the best sport on campus?

You decide!

Sports has been a herald of leisure since the early days of the Olympics, and it’s no different here at Union College.

Last weekend, I interviewed a couple of students, some of whom are active players in the various sports teams and activities we have here on campus.

Union College is known for its soccer, volleyball, basketball and gymnastics. One can’t simply pinpoint which is the better, but one can say which they enjoy the most.

“Basketball. It’s a top sport here, and it’s fun,” said Nyanbay Puok, a player on the

ON THE RADAR

Charles Metz is a sophomore theology major from Lincon, Neb.

WED. 10/12/22

International Dental Health Seminar | KC 230, 6.30 p.m. THURS. 10/13/22 uBelong | Woods, 10.35 a.m. Off the Grid | OTA Building, 12:45 p.m. FRI. 10/14/22

Fall Break!

No Family Worship Soccer Tournament | 49ers, All day SAT. 10/15/22

The Well Young Adult Sabbath School CVC Worship Service Soccer Tournament | 49ers, 6.45 p.m. SUN. 10/16/22

Soccer Tournament | 49ers, 10 a.m.-3p.m. MON. 10/17/22

Warrior Volleyball vs. Doane University | Thunderdome, 6 p.m.

Parents weekend ©Christopher Jacobo

volleyball team and Athlete of the Week.

While a staunch soccer fan, Corban Acker agreed, “Basketball is better than soccer because soccer here currently has no structure.”

“Compared to other sports, basketball is better because the team puts so much effort and time into it,” said Warrior basketball player Kiki Irakunda. “Drilling, practice, and I would say to some extent, they are more committed than other sports teams.”

However, just when it seemed that basketball was slowly taking the crown for the best sport on campus, Tracy Anyim came to balance the scales!

“I love soccer. It thrills me, both on the pitch and off the pitch. No other sports at this school gets me so pumped!” Tracy exclaimed.

Soccer is an exciting, energetic game in Union College, and in the past weeks, the school has created an offshoot- the new Women’s Soccer Club. There’s a lot of work and hype going on for the future of soccer here at Union.

Volleyball is another exciting sport to see! Personally, I love watching volleyball and enjoyed covering a story on them last week. Volleyball player Emma Trumble, also known as the “Target,” loves playing the sport. “Basketball is fun, but volleyball is my favorite,” she said, “I love it because it challenges me with each new game and makes me bring my best to the table.”

Dureti Olana, an avid sports observer and Warrior fan, has never missed a campus game. In her opinion, basketball is better because it is more competitive. However, the sport she would really like to try out for would be gymnastics. “When that ship begins to sail, I’ll let you know,” she laughted, “But for now, let’s enjoy the games.”

The conclusion of the best sport on campus is subjective to each individual’s preferences and enjoyment of the sport. You probably don’t want to know my favorite, and I won’t ask you yours. There is no wrong or right answer! But as we continue through the season and enjoy all the sports Union has to offer, you can come to your own conclusion. Go to a few games, shoot a few hoops, or watch the amazing feats of the gymnastics team and decide for yourself: which is the best sport at Union College?

Fortune Ogulere is a freshman English major from Mbaise, Nigeria.

Warriors Volleyball

©Joseph Lee

Netflix’s “Dahmer” — helping or hurting?

the perspective of Dahmer’s victims. Clearly, this show intended to educate its audience on just how evil Dahmer was and to raise awareness to prevent anything like this from happening again. However, I feel like some of it lacked respect for the victims. It overly dramatized some events that weren’t even confirmed to have occurred in real life. However, I must give credit to Evan Peters’ portrayal of Dahmer. He portrayed him in such a way that, at times, I wasn’t sure if I was watching a depiction of the events or the actual events.

Afew weeks ago, Netflix released “Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” a limited, true crime series about American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. I will not be detailing his horrific acts here. All I will say is that Dahmer was responsible for the brutal, sexually-charged murders of 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. The majority of his victims were members of the African-American community.

As one would expect, Netflix’s new series, starring Evan Peters, has not been without controversy, and rightfully so. Families of those hurt by Dahmer were horrified at the lack of respect for the victims and the sensationalized nature of the series.

Last week, I decided to watch the Jeffrey Dahmer series. I can confidently say that it was the most difficult show I’ve ever made myself watch because of how real it felt. It was dark. It was gut-wrenching. It was uncomfortable. It made me sick to my stomach. I think what made this show hit so much harder was how it told the story from

Even more alarming is the fact that people on the internet, mostly teens and young adults, are romanticizing Jeffrey Dahmer. This has usually consisted of them gawking at how attractive Evan Peters’ portrayal of Dahmer was or even going as far as sympathizing with Dahmer, which is so fundamentally wrong. Firstly, Evan Peters certainly did not play this role to show off his looks. Secondly, Jeffrey Dahmer was a depraved psychopath who took and destroyed countless innocent lives. To romanticize, sympathize with or glorify him makes a total mockery of the memories and suffering of his victims and the traumas inflicted upon their families. It is absolutely disgusting.

When you consume any kind of media that depicts a tragedy that has actually happened, it is important that you be as respectful as possible, as these events affected real people and continue to affect them to this day. Respect must be given so that healing may be possible.

Evan Majors is a sophomore English major from WinstonSalem, N.C.

Being respectful of real-life tragedies is important

Dahmer

©IMDB

Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse expected to resign

Sasse announced as finalist for University of Florida presidency

Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse is expected to retire from the U.S. Senate this year to accept a position as University of Florida president.

Sasse has represented Nebraska in the Senate since 2014, winning elections in 2014 and 2020. During both elections, Sasse won all 93 Nebraska counties and earned over 60% of the vote. His position in the Senate was his first involvement in politics. He previously served as president of Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska.

Sasse gained national attention as a conservative Republican who consistently opposed Donald Trump. He voted to acquit during Trump’s first impeachment trial in February 2020, but was one of the one of the seven Republicans senators who voted to convict Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial in February 2021. Following that action, the Nebraska GOP’s State Central Committee passed a resolution rebuking Sasse’s performance as a senator.

During his time in office, he served on the intelligence, judiciary, finance, and budget committees. Union has had a longstanding relationship with Sasse, with Union students interning at his Lincoln office for the past six semesters.

Sasse has been unanimously recommended by the University of Florida’s search committee and will be formally interviewed by the board of trustees on November 1. A vote by the board of trustees and board of governors still needs to take place to formalize the process.

Sasse states on his website that, “as an opponent of perpetual incumbency, he has no intention of spending his life in the Senate.” He was not expected to run for reelection in 2026, but his announcement was met with both surprise and criticism as he will not finish his term.

In a statement on Twitter, he said, “UF is the most important institution in the nation’s most economically dynamic state. Washington partisanship isn’t going to solve these workforce challenges — new institutions and entrepreneurial communities are going to have to spearhead this work ... I’m delighted to be in conversation with the leadership of this special community.”

Sasse’s temporary replacement will be appointed by Nebraska’s governor. The

Florida

©Reef Peckham

replacement will fill the seat until January 2025. Then, the results of a special election in 2024 will determine who holds the office for the final two years of the term.

The replacement will likely be chosen by current governor, Pete Ricketts, but under Nebraska law the governor has 45 days to fill a Senate vacancy. With Ricketts leaving office in January, there is a possibility of Ricketts’ successor appointing the replacement, which could be Ricketts himself. Other potential candidates for the position are former Nebraska governor Kay Orr and Republicans Mike Flood and Don Bacon who are currently representing the 1st and 2nd Congressional districts of Nebraska in the House of Representatives.

Aubrey Benton is a junior international relations major from Smithsburg, Md.

Staying healthy and in school

Tips on how to defeat flu season

As children, few things are more enjoyable than having a sick day off from school. Maybe I was just strange, but I remember fervently praying and asking God to let me throw up so that I could have a three-day weekend in middle school. Instead of slaving away on a phonics worksheet, the day could be filled with warm chicken noodle soup and movies.

Unfortunately, long gone are the times when taking a day off of school was relaxing. With important responsibilities, higher standards and more emphasis being placed on academic achievement — not being present to work on your class

and work assignments is detrimental to your success. Luckily, there are some precautions that anyone can take to improve their immunity this flu season.

Get the Flu Shot

When listing out your favorite activities and events you look forward to, getting vaccinated is probably not going to make the cut. While there can be some discomfort from getting pricked, the benefits far outweigh the cost. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting the flu shot is the single best way of preventing influenza.

Most studies show that there is about a 50 to 60 percent efficacy rate, so it is still possible to get sick. Even though immunity cannot be guaranteed, the severity of illness and the risk of hospitalization are significantly lowered. Additionally, getting vaccinated doesn’t have to be a hassle. Most clinics, like Walgreens and CVS, offer quick, free appointments to get the annual shot free of charge. Personally speaking, I got my first flu shot last year and had a great experience. Coincidentally, I didn’t get sick once that winter. Of course, it’s important to check with your health provider to see if this would be the best option for you.

Don’t Be Gross

Apparently, the basic hygiene advice your parents gave you growing up is legitimate. The CDC states that precautions like washing hands, covering a sneeze or cough and staying away from sick people have all been proven to stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illness. Despite these tips being obvious, sometimes we end up cutting corners. Sharing your drink with friends, not thoroughly scrubbing your hands and leaving your phone unsanitized are all small actions that can have much bigger consequences.

Healthy Habits are Key

Resting adequately, staying physically active, managing stress and drinking water are all cited by the CDC as factors that could contribute to preventing sickness. With how hectic school life is, it can be easy to prioritize work over personal wellbeing. Hopefully, finding a manageable balance between the two could help you have a healthier and more productive flu season.

Nicole Hardt is a sophomore biomedical science major from Apopka, Fla.

Editor’s midterm photo dump

Flu season

©Reef Peckham

Early e-team meeting vibes

Spotted on the tennis court Mood

Students in their natural habitat

Dr. Pierce tries out the new telepathy pedagogy in advertising class

Rest in peace starry pumpkin

Union’s eastern fox squirrel population

What makes our squirrels special?

In the tree outside my dorm window, there is a squirrel drey. For the last five semesters, I’ve watched the little critters assemble their nest of leaves for the winter, race each other up and down the tree trunk and steal bread from the police station trash can. Sometimes I’m woken up by their chattering, but I don’t mind. It’s part of the Union College experience.

Union loves its unofficial rodent mascots. The Joshua C. Turner Arboretum is home to a large population of eastern fox squirrels who are living the good life on french fries, donuts, Colby Ridge popcorn and other junk food. Once I watched one run up a tree with a pudding cup. Not only do they dumpster-dive for their food, but they will come up to students eating outside looking for treats. These furry choosingbeggars won’t eat your broccoli, carrots and asparagus. They’re holding out for the good stuff. Don’t give in to those cute little faces; we all have to do our part to keep the squirrels hypertension-free.

Our squirrels are part of the campus year-round. In the fall, they can be found fattening up for the winter and building their nests, or dreys, out of leaves or in tree cavities. Occasionally, they’ll “bomb” the Ortner terrace with acorns from the oak trees nearby. During the winter, the squirrels hunker down with their babies, only venturing out to find a snack or two. In the spring, they emerge, slimmed and snatched from their winter fasting and ready for their hot squirrel summer.

Long-time Lincoln residents will tell you that Union’s squirrels used to be black. I visited the campus as a child, and can confirm that the squirrels were melanistic,

meaning they had a genetic mutation that gave them black fur. However, today’s squirrels are pale and basic. When I arrived at Union, I asked what happened to the black squirrels. Rumor has it that the reddish squirrels we have today moved into campus, started a turf war with the original black squirrels and then took over. While I have no proof of this, it still paints a very fun mental image. If you want to see black squirrels, I suggest you talk a walk over at Holmes Lake. There is a small population of melanistic squirrels there.

Annika Cambigue is a junior communication and english student from Dayton, Ohio.

Eastern fox squirrel

Union squirrel eats donut

©Pexels

©Annelise Jacobs