Union Students Invited to Make Preview Days Memorable by Danica

UNION COLLEGE

ISSUE 91.10 | 01/18/2017

Volunteering outside the U.S. can allow students to experience a different culture, and make new friends. | PC: Lindsay Fandrich

BEING CALLED “MAMI” I

t’s funny what we expect “normal” to be. It reality though, what is normal? Everyone has a different normal that's perfectly … well, normal. Being a volunteer in Bolivia this year has shown me a new normal.

Some of the normalities I absolutely hate, like how the girls (almost) always have to wear skirts or how there are almost never any price tags and I'm therefore victim of “gringo” pricing. There are plenty of other normal things I don’t like, but am learning to live with include … tarantulas, rats, mammothsized insects and lice. Volunteer life isn't always fun. However, there are things that are normal I wish could be my normal when I come back home. For example, I never have to worry about missing an important call, text or email because for one, I’m only a few miles away, and two, there’s no reception or Internet at Familia Feliz, the orphanage I’m volunteering at. It’s normal to go on a walk and bring back mangos, oranges and bananas. It’s normal to visit a church and have

them cook up a meal just for you (after you do a whole church service). It’s normal to never stress over homework and to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. All of these normals are awesome and new; I want to take them back with me. But, I know most will have to stay here. My favorite normal of all time though is being called “Mami." I’m mom to eleven girls in this orphanage, and they really are like my daughters. We have morning and evening worship together, chores, discipline, special dinners, birthday celebrations and “family” traditions like sleeping in the living room on Friday nights. Not every moment is filled with joy; sometimes the girls are mad at me or vice versa, sometimes the sass level is just too real and sometimes they randomly start crying when remembering their hard pasts. But every night at bedtime I give each one a hug and a kiss and ask how their day was. We talk for a bit and finish with an “I love you my beautiful daughter” and a “Me too, Mami.” No matter how long the day was or how low on energy or patience I am, my heart is always filled after those tender moments with my precious girls.

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[ W H AT ' S I N S I DE] P R E V I E W DAYS | page 05 |

KOMBUCHA CRAZE | page 06 |

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | page 10 |

NEWS

"MAMI" ED IT O R I AL S TAF F

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Not only my girls living in the house call me Mami, but others too. Jahel, 13 years old, pulls my head down to his height and whispers in my ear, “I love you, you are my Mami.” Kevin, Manfred and Eliseo call me “Mother-in-law” after I taught them that word in English class because they like girls in my house. Seven-year-old Maribel runs up to me with her missing two front teeth and yells “Mami Lindsay!” and then gives me a giant hug. When the going gets tough and all I want is to go home because I’m tired of cold showers, sputtering words in Spanish, falling into random two-feet deep holes in the ground, or just simply missing everything that was “normal” back home, I take a step back and remember my

favorite normal of all time–being called Mami.

Lindsay Fandrich is an international volunteer serving in Bolivia.

AZRIEL PECKHAM, TYLER MORRISON RELEASE NEW MUSIC B ack in September, Union Alumni Tyler Morrison and Azriel Peckham each released their own albums on iTunes, Spotify and Dropbox. While both can be found on stage singing for vespers, church and chapels, neither of them graduated with musical performance degrees. Both Union ‘15 alumni, Morrison graduated with a bachelor's in religious education and Peckham with a bachelors in nursing. They laughed at the fact that their passions differ from what they went to school for, but also reassured they love the jobs they have now. Morrison can be seen around campus almost daily because he works for Enrollment as coordinator/ recruiter. “I love it. It’s a really great job. It’s not like a life career, but I get to do a lot of

the things that will apply to my life,” he told me with his trademark smile, “and it’s fun!” Meanwhile, Peckham can be found across the street at Paper Kite, a little, eclectic shop—that sells kid’s clothing, cute greeting cards, and more— sandwiched between The Mill and Goldenrod. While she enjoys her job there, she told me, “I’m mostly working on my music," adding that, “the benefit in working for local people is that they understand." Morrison agreed, but insisted that Peckham has embraced the musician life more thoroughly. “She’s really living the artist life. And I haven’t dived into it as much. It doesn’t pay so you have to do all sorts of little things that allow you to do it,” he told me, grinning. The flexibility of both their jobs allowed them to work on their albums without

NEWS

extra strain, a bonus they both seemed grateful for. When asked about their music and its importance, both were quick and clear to respond. Their passion for music, while not officially their careers, is thoroughly eviden. A mix of originals and covers of popular Christian songs, both albums seek to help the listener feel closer to God. “My album is called ‘Clean Heart’,” Peckham answered with a smile, “in my relationship with Jesus, I’m always asking for a clean heart. Not for a new start, but to build up the relationship.” Morrison joined in, adding, “‘Surrender’ has this consistent theme that states when we give control of our lives back to God, we find the most joy, the most fulfillment, the most peace and positive feelings. Everything flourishes when we give up our self control.”

We want to do joint worships, but then working as individuals we can do our own thing.”

it was something they both wanted to do, they didn’t expect it to happen as easily as it did.

Both cited other Christian artists as inspiration, particularly some that have visited Union. Bebo Norman, Sara Groves and Andrew Peterson joined together to give a concert several years ago at College View Church, a format that both admired.

Morrison further elaborated how a joint tour would be fantastic, where both could work and sing together but also have separate sets to explore their own music. Getting their music out to the world, that would and always has been the dream.

“God has said when you obey him and serve him, he won’t let you down. It’s all about surrender, it’s been ringing in my head constantly,” Morrison said with a knowing grin.

“We’ve always done music together,” explained Morrison. “We both share the same passion for worship and music. Our styles are different, but when it comes to worship, we’re in the same boat. As it has happened, we’ve both been able to do our own thing, but we still have a joint YouTube account.

“When I came to college I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I always wanted to do music but I didn’t know how. As I got closer and closer to the end of school, I realized I really wanted to do music,” Peckham explained.

Checkout tylermorrisonmusic.com to see all of his upcoming events. | PC: Tyler Morrison

Azriel’s GoFundMe page raised over $1,690 towards her first EP. | Aziel Peckham

They both are excited about the future, not knowing where this new journey will lead them, but seemingly sure that it will be where God wants. While both are content with where they are now, they commented how they are grateful their jobs allowed them the flexibility to work on their music.

She majored in nursing partially because of the pressures to finish and shared how difficult it can be for people to accept the idea of music as career, citing that it isn’t as stable or successful.

“The benefit of working for local people is that they understand," Peckham said.

“People who love you want you to succeed; they want you to be able to live, and be comfortable,” she said, “It hurts when people say, well what about something practical. And I know it comes from a place of love, when people are trying to give you direction, but you have to pray about it a lot.”

“It was a long time coming,” she said, “but I’m glad to be here.”

Both she and Morrison repeatedly emphasized about the faith this new adventure took, mentioning that while

Despite the obstacles, both are excited to see where they’ll be heading next. Peckham summed it up best.

Graci Escobar is a junior studying English.

NEWS

BRONCOS HEAD COACH GARY KUBIAK SET TO RETIRE, FANS STAY OPTIMISTIC OF TEAM’S FUTURE W

ith 2016 ending and a new year just beginning, we’re saying our fair share of goodbyes to both the good and the bad: President Obama leaves office, your best friend is going vegan and, for all the Broncos fanatics out there, head coach Gary Kubiak retires. For the rest of us who don’t really follow football, nonetheless the Broncos, allow me to catch you up on the latest Broncos Nation news.

head coach in 2015 and 2016. He took a mini hiatus and coached offense for the Houston Texans from 20062013. Regardless, with the Broncos he participated in seven Super Bowls and won four of them with Super Bowl 50 during his first year as head coach. Impressive indeed. To capture a glimpse of what Bronco Nation felt after he gave his parting words, I interviewed some of you who claim the Broncos as their own.

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health was always a concern. Finally, on Jan. 1, 2017 after an emotional endof-season win over the Raiders he said in a press conference, “It’s time for me to step away.” Mr. Kubiak is a hardcore Broncos fan. The man practically bleeds blue and orange. According to denverbroncos. com, Mr. Kubiak played for the Broncos as a backup quarterback from 1983-1991, and served as an offensive coordinator from 1995-2005 and as

According to 9news.com what General Manager John Elway, and ultimately the Bronco franchise, is looking for in a head coach is what Mr. Kubiak brought to the table: overall quality leadership, teaching ability and a balanced approach to the game. While the search continues, Bronco Nation is optimistic and has faith in their team and in their General Manager John Elway to continue the Bronco legacy.

Mr. Kubiak’s reason for retiring none can claim as his fault. NFL’s website reports that in the winter of 2013, during an official NFL game, Mr. Kubiak collapsed on the ground to what was later diagnosed as a stroke. Even though he continued to coach, and eventually won Super Bowl 50, his

I know the Broncos will come back next season even stronger.

The key this offseason will be keeping Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips. Even though coach Kubiak leaving will be rough, the Broncos will be fine next year as long as they don't pick up a terrible coach.”

Gary Kubiak retires after facing multiple hospitalizations and bringing the Broncos a long awaited Super Bowl win. | PC: sportingnews.com

Tyler Dean, a junior business major, said, “Gary Kubiak will be missed. He brought something to last year's Broncos team that the previous coach (John Fox) simply couldn't fire. He took an already talented, cohesive playoff team and got them over the final hurdle. However, he's not irreplaceable.” Dean added, “The Broncos have all the talent they need to be great again next year. They don't need a great coach, they just need one who keeps the team together (like Kubiak did last year) and can manage the offense.

Junior business administration major Chloe Blackburn chimed in. “Although we're bummed he's leaving, it's a completely understandable decision, due to his health,” she said. “The team will be just fine under the care of General Manager John Elway in finding a new head coach. I'm really excited about the few potential coaches we may get to have next season. I know the Broncos will come back next season even stronger.” And finally, Zak Luk, a senior biomedical science major concluded, “As long as the Broncs have John Elway I think we're gonna be just fine. He's given us rings before so I'm not too worried.”

Sean Hendrix is a senior studying biomedical science.

NEWS

UNION STUDENTS INVITED TO MAKE PREVIEW DAYS MEMORABLE R

emember the jitters of pure excitement stepping on a college campus for the first time during Preview Days, and that moment when you made the decision to become a Unionite? You have a chance to be a part of the experience as a Union representative for Preview Days visitors, January 26-29. Preview Days is held five times per school year, and the weekend provides an opportunity for visitors to attend classes, meet with staff and faculty and immerse themselves in the Union College atmosphere. In fact, the program as we know it began in 2010 and has given visitors the chance to be a Union student for a couple days.

Union with visiting students and make a positive impact on their Preview Days experience. Other students can apply to be a campus ambassador and not only reap the benefits of free food and Union gear, but also the thrill of helping students experience Union.

“In fact, one in three people who visit Union decides to stay,” says Daniel.

According to Boyd, “If you’re struggling with ‘Where do I go to college,’ getting your boots on the ground—getting a feel of what it’s like on campus—will help enormously clear up that picture.”

Daniel says, “Union students don’t know how incredible their impact is. They're our best recruiters. They're our best voice of what it’s like to be at Union.”

Rachel Boyd, Union College visit coordinator, is passionate about the Preview Days program. “I think Preview Days gives the most realistic look at what Union has to offer potential students. It really gets them connected with the three things we value here at Union: spiritual life, social life, and our academics.” When Armando Jimenez, freshman health and human performance major, first came for a visit he liked what he saw. “When I first got here for Preview Days what made a really good impression on me is the way the deans and Rachel [Boyd] spoke with me. They treated me like an adult, whereas other schools I visited treated me like a child. ... I love it and I honestly don’t regret it. I was initially coming to Preview Days by myself but I ended up bringing, like, ten other people with me. And most of them are at Union now. I love bringing people here, especially when it’s a great fit for them.” Jimenez now works in enrollment and as a campus ambassador, where he's able to share his excitement about

When current students were asked what about their Preview Days experience convinced them to come to Union, time and time again the answer was, “The people.”

One awesome way to take part in the experience as a current Unionite is to volunteer to host students by emailing Boyd. Union’s unique program allows visiting students to room with current students, which provides them an opportunity to experience dorm living and meet some more friendly faces during their stay. When students take the time out of their schedule to welcome visitors, it makes a lasting impression. Boyd concludes, “Everyone thinks their people are great, wherever they are, but we really do have great students, staff, and faculty and getting [potential students] on campus and interacting helps them see it’s not just a show or a mask that we’re putting on. This is who we genuinely are.”

Rachel Boyd works to make sure that visiting students get realistic impressions and memorable experiences. | PC: Zach Morrison

Becky Daniel, former visit coordinator and current director of strategic marketing, shared, “We don’t want every student to come to Union College, we want the right person to come to Union College. People who are fearless and adventurous, who want to try new things and like being involved—people who like dressing up for dodgeball tournament: fun, quirky, adventurous, fearless people.”

What else can current students do to get involved? If you have a friend that would love Union, encourage them to come for a visit! Check out www. ucollege.edu/visit to find open dates and for all the details on how they can get two nights and three days of free food and lodging as well as up to $250 in travel reimbursement just for choosing to check out the school.

Danica Eylenstein is a junior studying communication.

LIFESTYLE

KOMBUCHA DRINK INCREASES IN POPULARITY AMONG CAMPUS STUDENTS I

f you’re like me then you’ve probably never heard of kombucha, and no it’s not a type of food. However, kombucha is a growing trend in the world of healthy living.

Kombucha is a sweetened black or green tea that’s fermented by adding a special type of bacteria called SCOBY, which stands for symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. Kombucha “soda” can be made by bottling said fermented tea with fruit or juice and letting it sit for a few days until fizzy.

simple process for making your own kombucha. While about $3/bottle in store, it’s much cheaper to make at home. If you need a SCOBY, senior communication major Emily Wood would love to share hers. Some may cringe at the thought of drinking something produced by a slimy, rubbery, algae-looking bacteria, but many people continue drinking it for the health benefits. A few claims say the tea is able to cure diabetes, improve the immune system, cleanse and detox the body and also give an energy boost.

issues like getting sick,” explains Mena. Pastor Rich Carlson, vice president of spiritual life comments, “In my opinion, if the chances of getting sick or hurting yourself are greater than the actual health benefits in the kombucha tea, then you shouldn’t drink it.” The issue of alcohol produced by the fermenting process is another potential drawback. While the alcohol content is less than 0.5%, some companies still place a warning on its kombucha bottles for people attempting to avoid alcohol altogether, something of particular importance to Seventhday Adventists. However, a large number of students on-campus consume (and sometimes even brew their own) kombucha.

Some sources claim the drink dates back to around 400 CE from a physician in Japan named Kombu who created the drink to treat many illnesses. The “One of my friends ingredients for making introduced it to me a kombucha are water, your while back and I've been preferred tea, sugar and the drinking it ever since,” says SCOBY. First pour hot water freshman Internatuonal and sugar into a large jar, Rescue and Relief major then steep the tea for about Madison Kamarad. “As far one to two hours. After that as the whole issue about the Kombucha is made from a SCOBY–symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. is done remove the tea bag | PC: culturedfoodlife.com alcohol content, I spoke with and add the SCOBY after the a mentor from my academy mixture has cooled down. Cover the jar Many claim this ancient drink is a and I don’t think it’s big enough to tightly with a paper towel and rubber rich source of probiotics, amino acids, harm anyone. But if it’s a concern band. Store the jar in a dry, and warm vitamin B and enzymes. with some people then they probably place away from direct sunlight and let “I usually drink kombucha at shouldn’t drink it; there are other it ferment for about 7-16 days. farmers’ markets over in Colorado. healthy substitutes out there.” Though the drink is technically a tea it tastes nothing like it. In fact, many commercial producers add different juices after the brewing process is over to make it taste better. Flavors include raspberry, grape, strawberry and the most popular flavor is ginger. A simple Google search for “how to make kombucha” yields thousands of others who can help clarify this

The locals make it and the drink comes in exotic flavors which is always interesting. Plus, the health benefits are great,” says sophomore theology and religious education major Nathan Mena. But with any given fermented drink, there’s room for error. “It’s easy to contaminate the kombucha when it’s fermenting, and that can cause a lot of

Even though it might be an acquired taste, give it a try; kombucha might become your new favorite drink.

Caroline Guchu is a sophomore studying communication.

LIFESTYLE

BORED OF BOARD GAMES? Z

achary Morrison, a senior business administration major, has an addiction.

Every day he wastes hours in class obsessing about this secret passion. His money and time are swallowed up by this craving. In his room with the door closed, Morrison furtively scours the Internet, feeding the gnawing desire inside him. His bedroom door opens suddenly and one of his housemates enters. Slam, Morrison closes his laptop guiltily. His housemate asks him exasperatedly, “Zach, are you looking at board games again?!” Many classics come to mind when one says the phrase "board games!" Monopoly, Scrabble, Trouble and Sorry! are a few.

the most sushi rolls or making a full set of sashimi. Dip your favorite nigiri in wasabi to triple its value! And once you've eaten it all, finish your meal with all the pudding you've got! But be careful which sushi you allow your friends to take; it might be just what they need to beat you!” (https://boardgamegeek. com/boardgame/133473/sushi-go) Sushi Go! incorporates salivainducing subject material, adorable design and variety to your gaming experience. Plus, who can deny the rush of calling out, “Sushi…...GO!” Exploding Kittens: Many projects claim Kickstarter as their birthplace, but Exploding Kittens boasts being the number one most-backed Kickstarter game and campaign.

But the world of games is vast and unexplored! So many fun new games exist to try out. They can provide opportunities to bond with friends with the same gaming tastes as you, or chances for acquaintances to learn something new together.

Sushi Go! provides a game requiring advanced planning and quick thinking in a charming, wasabi-dipped package. | PC: thegameasile.com

Pandemic: This game, featuring life threatening diseases as the villain, puts players in a race against time. You don’t even have to be a biomed major to win at Pandemic! “Several virulent diseases have broken out simultaneously all over the world! The players are disease-fighting specialists whose mission is to treat disease hotspots while researching cures for each of four plagues before they get out of hand [...] the diseases are spreading quickly and time is running out. If one or more diseases spreads beyond recovery or if too much time elapses, the players all lose. If they cure the four diseases, they all win!” (https://boardgamegeek.com/ boardgame/30549/pandemic) Here are just a select few of the games being played on campus. Ask around, put yourself out there, and start a game night!

These are a few games popular in gaming circles on Union’s campus: Sushi Go! “In the super-fast sushi card game Sushi Go!, you’re eating at a sushi restaurant and trying to grab the best combination of sushi dishes as they whiz by. Score points for collecting

Pandemic requires careful resource management to keep the world healthy and avoid a global pandemic. | PC: youtube.com

Exploding kittens is the most-backed project on Kickstarter, with 219,000 backers. | PC: explodingkittens.com

“It’s a highly-strategic, kittypowered version of Russian Roulette. Players draw cards until someone draws an Exploding Kitten, at which point they explode, they’re dead, and they’re out of the game—unless that player has a Defuse card, which can defuse the kitten using things like laser pointers, belly rubs, and catnip sandwiches. All of the other cards in the deck are used to move, mitigate, or avoid the Exploding Kittens.” (http:// www.explodingkittens.com/)

Or, join the Tabletop Club on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 6:30-9:30 p.m. in DB 302. The club meets on alternating Sundays and Wednesdays and although you have to be in the club to eat pizza, the gaming festivities are open to all!

Katie Morrison is a senior studying business administration.

OPINION

A FAREWELL TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

EMOTION IS THE DEATH OF REASON R

egardless of political I’m grateful I disagreed with him affiliation, we should about the way best to provide health always be thankful for insurance for those who can’t fund it our presidents. themselves. I’m grateful I disagreed We all know it’s not an with him about the way best to save easy job; I don’t know of lives through the regulation of firearms. any other job that makes young men I’m grateful I disagreed with him about old like the presidency does. Obviously the way best to promote peace in the it has its benefits, like being the leader Middle East and around the world. of the free world, but this doesn’t come You see, though we disagreed, we without a price. merely disagreed about the way to make things better, the way to save Our presidents are people too. lives, the way to promote peace—not As someone who wants to have a whether or not those were worthwhile family one day, I can’t image the toll endeavors. taken on a family unit throughout the course of a presidency, not to mention the endless critiques and the weight of an entire people on one pair of shoulders. You’re never off the clock, and the decisions you make literally affect millions of people.

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But even past the overwhelming stress and responsibility he bore, I'm grateful for President Obama as a person. Though I'm a Republican, I’m grateful for the work he did. I’m grateful for his work in appointing judges and supporting an agenda to increase personal freedom through marriage equality.

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One can imagine why they age so quickly.

It doesn’t matter if I’m his biggest fan, Obama is my president.

That’s not something a lot of countries can say.

I can honestly say that, whether I liked it or not, in everything he did, I saw good intentions. I suppose you could insert a quip here about the inferiority of intentions to outcomes, but I’d just like to appreciate the luxury I’m grateful for his leadership of having a well-meaning leader for the through dark moments these past eight time being. years, problems that can no more be This isn’t to say he was undeserving attributed to him than 9/11 can be to of the criticism he received, in the Bush. same way that future presidents will I'm grateful for his messages on be deserving of the opposition they national unity, personal responsibility, receive. But more important than and the importance of diversity of partisan agendas is the realization that thought, beliefs you might not be aware before we are Republicans, Democrats he held unless you turned off the radio or Independents, we are Americans. and listened to what he had to say. It doesn’t matter if I’m his biggest I’m also grateful for our fan, Obama is my president. He’s disagreements.

an American, and that bond is more important than an arbitrary and shifting political label. So, for all you’ve done, I want to say thank you. Thank you for bearing the responsibility of leading the greatest nation on earth, and regardless of the vitriol and negativity you received at times, I think we’re better off for having you. Now go enjoy retirement. ---------------------------------------In the last issue of first semester, I was pleased to see Dr. Trudy HolmesCaines’ response to an article I wrote a couple of months back. After all, the only way to come up with reasonable solutions is through open and honest dialogue. Dr. Holmes-Caines and I could go back and forth every week in The Clocktower, but that would do nothing but dig us deeper into our own trenches. For that reason, and to allow the student body a greater voice, Professor Chris Blake has agreed to host/moderate an open discussion titled “Racism: An Open Discussion” on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in the ShawneePorter Room of the Ortner Center. If you’ve taken issue with what I've written, this is your chance to let your voice be heard. This is an opportunity for us, as contributing members of our community, to come together and do our best to work out some difficult answers to some tough questions. The only thing you have to bring is an open mind and a desire for respectful, civil dialogue. This can be a learning experience for us all, myself included, but only if we let down our defenses long enough for our preconceived notions to be vulnerable. I hope to see many of you there. Jonathan Deemer is a sophomore studying biomedical science.

OPINION

PRESIDENT-ELECT WOES COLUMN LIKE I SEE 'EM T

his is why I sometimes get sick on purpose.

It's no secret I dislike long vacations, especially in college. Of course it's going to take me four years to get a degree. Every year I take enough time off to forget everything I've learned so I can pay another 30,000 to relearn it all next fall. Dumb. But even I know vacations have their place on the pyramid of usefulness.

As good as it is eventually, your immune system will weaken and fall, if from nothing else than pure exhaustion. It will happen. The only thing you can do is control when. About five days before vacation starts, find a sick person (with preferred contagious illness of your choosing). Take them out to eat, preferably Applebee’s. Two for twenty is a sweet deal. You share the appetizer, making sure to take food that the infected may have come into contact with.

When used well and constructively, vacations can become about relaxation and, more importantly, rejuvenation. We need time to recharge so we can keep going at our best.

Cough, vomit, or expel whatever at will. Just watch Netflix with a bucket at your side. Take your time to slowly and effortlessly get over said illness. Return to school renewed with immune system rested and intact with enough vigor to keep you pathogen free for the entire remaining semester. Before the naysayers come knocking, this isn't science. This is my old grandma’s hokum and superstition. But my grandma's hokum and superstition also cured me of warts by tying tiny threads around said warts, then slipping the threads off and burying them in a field. Never had another wart in my entire life.

Like sleep, that rest is just the fuel we need to keep trucking in the face of all adversity. The absence of action is what makes action possible.

Hokum? Not in my book. Think of how productive you’ll be with a top of the line immune system like that. You could really be all you can be. All you have to do is get sick, really sick, and then you’ll be back and at ‘em like I am.

Similarly, I believe in giving my immune system a much needed break.

As a nursing student, I can’t miss like, anything. I have to be Just be sure that when you’re When one person gets sick at Union ... we all get sick. punctual, professional and present Maybe that's not a bad thing? | Drawing by: Kevin Niederman intentionally getting sick, you for every class and scheduled event aren’t unintentionally getting we have. This means I can’t afford Their appetite is low, so be sure to others sick. being sick during the school year. fast before the meal so you can finish Unless they want to be sick, like Through sheer power of will, you their helping yourself. Also be sure you do. can boost your immune system to sit across the (incredibly small) into overdrive, fighting off the ever table from them so as to maximize present microscopic threats present reception of any airborne exposure. in our world. By the time vacation begins your The assault on your body is constant, day and night, and your defenses need to be just as ruthless for you to make it through unscathed, and that takes its own toll.

chosen sickness will be in full swing, and you now have a month to:

Let your immune system take that much needed vacation along with you.

Kevin Niederman is a junior studying nursing.

OPINION

WHY THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS WILL WIN THE SUPER BOWL f you know me, or have ever seen my shoes from the other end of campus, you’re probably aware I’m a Broncos fan. Since my team failed to make the playoffs this year, Ive struggled with who to root for, and with who I think will realistically win it all. The Packers are supposedly the hottest team with the hottest quarterback. The Patriots are always hard to bet against, particularly due to their coaching. The Cowboys look like a ground-based team built for the playoffs. The Chiefs front office has finally mustered a true contender. The Falcons have a nightmarishly potent offensive aerial attack. And you can never count the Seahawks out.

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The Steelers have improved on defense all year.

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Browns, the Steelers managed an overtime touchdown to win the game. So who stands in their way? First up is a meeting with the Chiefs in Arrowhead. The Steelers

Mike Tomlin has adapted and adjusted brilliantly during the eight-game run. Le’Veon Bell has been unstoppable since his return in week four. The Steelers have improved on defense all year. Antonio Brown looked like a man possessed in the Wild Card game against the Dolphins, and has been one of the best receivers in the game for four years now. Even while resting all three of their stars in Week 17 against the win-desperate

This leaves the Super Bowl. The Steelers narrowly lost to the NFC-leading Cowboys in Week 10, 35-30. They took the lead with a minute left on a fake-spike, and then gave the lead right back on a long Ezekiel Elliot run. If they had instead methodically drove the remaining 20 yards of the field, they may have won that game, and they could certainly win a rematch. The Falcons have a bottom-five pass defense, and couldn’t stop the Steelers’ offense. The Seahawks would present an interesting challenge for the Steelers, but without their free safety Earl Thomas, they would certainly have trouble stopping Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell out of the backfield.

None of these teams, however, will win it all. The Steelers possess every quality mentioned. They have won their last eight (one more than the “hot” Packers), and Big Ben would’ve had a legitimately perfect first half against the Dolphins if not for his best receiver tipping a pass that led to an interception.

on defense and stop Tom Brady. Without Gronk, Brady will need to rely on his receivers. If the Steelers cornerbacks can prevent big plays, their offense can certainly put up enough points to win the game.

And finally, the Packers. The Packers would certainly give the Steelers The Steelers are six time Super Bowl winners. Will they add number an incredible offensive seven to the title? | PC: steeers.com duel, but their second-worst pass defense would—like the Falcons—be unable to stop the managed to embarrass the Chiefs Steelers. earlier this year, but this game will In any case, I think the Steelers’ be more tightly contested. Still, the Steelers appear to know how to beat hardest game would be the AFC this Chiefs team, and their hard- Championship game. You heard it nosed run game will be tough for the here first, they will win it all this year. Chiefs to stop. Most likely the Black and Gold would then head to New England, for an extremely tough game. The Steelers would have to win this game

Tyler Dean is a junior studying business administration.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: EVIE LUMSDEN T

his letter serves not to dispute any topics discussed by the article but as a different perspective on the column title for this opinion column.

EMOTION IS THE DEATH OF REASON Can you imagine how dangerous life would be if we had no sense receptors? We would probably injure ourselves and not realize it, numb to the pain. Food would not taste good–or bad. (I’d probably eat carrot sticks like they were french fries.) Feelings.We would not feel physical pain, but damage would still be done. Therefore, pain is good. Why, then, would we want to turn off our ‘emotional receptors’? I’m a female and definitely don’t write this on behalf of women. All women aren’t emotional, just as all men aren’t unemotional. I only want to challenge the stance that if “it” is emotional, it’s illogical. We focus on the weaknesses of emotion, but what about its strengths? Without emotion, communication would be cold and dead, bland and unconvincing. Animation and intensity bring life to any expression. Humour lightens the mood of difficult conversations. Emotions should be controlled, not contained. Emotion is the heart of reason. Emotion and reason are one. Emotion breeds empathy, the ability to feel and understand what others are feeling or thinking. Empathy doesn’t detract from reason but heightens it. Putting

ourselves in someone’s situation widens our viewpoint. It shows us we may actually be flawed in our thinking. Lack of empathy, however, blinds us to effective solutions. We firmly retain our beliefs, oblivious to whom they might affect, harm, or ruin. Yes, there’s a time to be blunt, but we ought to tell it like it's in love.

HOUC

Humans of Union College

Emotion is also helpful to our safety and decision making skills. Emotion’s urge can cause you to run from a scary-looking person (a clown?) or to leave a party that makes you feel uncomfortable. A little anxiety can also boost speed and concentration if you have a paper due tomorrow you haven’t started, OR... you could turn off your emotions, get an F, and act is if nothing happened.I speak from experience. Emotion is necessary, and turning it off for too long instead of dealing with it can result in a crash. Lastly, we need to remember why we’re here. One of the reasons there’s so much pain in the world is that no one cares or notices. And it grows. Some people go through it alone because we are stuck on what’s right and what’s wrong and not rescuing the wounded. Let us not reason ourselves away. Let us argue less and act more. That’s logic. *Conceal, don’t feel? Nah. Let it out. Let it go!

Evie Lumsden is a sophomore studying international relations.

HOUC is compiled by Autumn Mott.

“I

honestly dwidn’t know what to expect going into the program. I didn’t know how the classes were going to be structured. I didn’t know what they were going to have me do, how much practice vs. class time. So far it seems logical ... But the syllabus seems a little overwhelming when you first get there. Having a planner definitely helps. I’m already relying on it a ton. I actually schedule in “friend time!” I’m super excited about finally learning stuff that’s going to be for my career. Not just like history classes and all the writing classes ... Now, writing is incorporated into nursing, like learning how to research medical things. The required general classes definitely helped, like A&P, Microbiology, and Intro to Chemistry. There’s a reason why they’re required! But the other generals, I’m like *sigh.* Can you actually put that in? Like with asterisks? *sigh* Esther Pervis is a sophomore studying nursing.

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

#UNIONUNITED

akuna Matata.

This is what I base my challenge on. How can we, as a family, grow in a way that shows the world we serve an Here is a phrase that EXTRAORDINARY God? How much carries weight as we enter damage can we do for God’s Kingdom if a new year. I’ve always we rally ourselves together, arm in arm, in held to the belief that Jesus bonds of unconditional and radical love? was the first to coin that phrase, even before Walt Disney. I don’t ask these questions for the sake of taking space on a page but for thought. Welcome back my friends. To the fresh My vision for this semester is to see each and vibrant new faces on our campus, of you on fire for excellence. To see you I extend a hand of welcome and hope be passionate about your spirituality, Union will become more than buildings thoughtful of the world around you and and classrooms, a place you call home, a serious about having fun and engaging in place of growth in spiritual matters and in genuine relationships. character. To our returning students, I pray we finish the year strong and welcome our new friends. This semester, I urge each of you to live in an exceptional and extraordinary way. Jim Elliot, a missionary to the Auca people of Ecuador once said, “Forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know so EXTRAORDINARY a GOD.”

Again, I say to you my friends, be extraordinary, for you are made by an EXTRAORDINARY God. Grow in ways that surprise you, challenge yourself to a higher height each day, wake up with smile, laughter and the vigilance that claims, “today will be the best day ever.” In summary, don’t play small.

End quote. David Kabanje is ASB President and a senior theology major.

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The Clocktower, established in 1927 and sponsored by the Associated Student Body of Union College, is published weekly during the fall and spring semesters. The opinions expressed are the opinions of the writers and are not to be construed as the opinion of the editors, Associated Student Body, Union College, or the Seventh-day Adventist Church.