UNION COLLEGE
ISSUE 91.17 | 04/12/2017
Great leaders are everywhere, leaders building leaders just provides a helpful shortcut. | PC: Zach Morrison
BUSINESS LEADERS INSPIRE STUDENTS T
he Business and Computer Science Division at Union College is always looking to improve the experience of their students, whether through free food at Student Appreciation Days or connecting students with business professionals by way of the Mentorship Program. One movement that has become a highlight of any BCS student’s year is the Leaders Building Leaders Conference, or LBL. Taking the place of the annual field day all BCS students were required to attend, LBL has occured the last three years every April during Alumni Weekend. Aaron Purkeypile, accounting professor and coordinator of this year’s event, tirelessly worked to attract amazing speakers and organize a fantastic learning experience. The conference consisted of three hour-long sessions and a keynote speaker over lunch in Woods Auditorium on Frid., April 7.
This year’s line-up was heavy on the business side of things, with speakers from hospital CEOs, a lieutenant colonel of the U.S. Army, and the owner of Union College’s favorite local bakery, Goldenrod Pastries. The keynote speaker, Cary Decamp, was a graduate of Union College, as were many of the other guests. He spoke on his professional journey and how success is achieved, and defined.
In a partnership with the social work division, LBL also welcomed Ruth Few, licensed clinical social worker currently at Bryan Health. As many social work students listened, some speakers described potential career opportunities and what professional leadership might look like in those positions. As the title of the conference suggests, each speaker touched on what students could do to lead in their chosen fields. Lieutenant Colonel Ted Hanger described his apathy
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[ W H AT ' S I N S I DE] SPRING CONCERT | page 04 |
R A C H E L' S T E A R S | page 09 |
BASEBALL COMEBACK | page 11 |
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BUILDING LEADERS ED IT O R I AL S TAF F
Edi t o r-in - Ch ie f E mi l y, 'Em y,' Woo d A ssist a n t Edit o r Jam es C l ag ue Soc ia l M e d ia Edi tor M ay l i na G r aham La yo u t Edit o r s H annah G reg g D an i c a Ey l enst ei n Ph o t o gr a p h e r s Z ach Mor r i son S haron C ur r an Jo rrd an Bi ssel l NEW S
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during college, barely squeaking through at the bottom of his graduating class, and his determination to change and allow discipline to spill into every aspect of his life. Angela Garbacz spoke on her time working in cold, unfriendly kitchens and realized she wanted to create an environment that empowered her employees and made them excited to come to work, leading to the development of her company, Goldenrod Pastries. Although strongly recommended for all BCS students, LBL is open to the entire campus.
Visiting alumni have been in strong attendance every year but the BCS division welcomes all departments, faculty and staff to enjoy their event. With the involvement of the social work program, LBL was able to include a few more participants who might not have been interested otherwise. In the future, they are looking towards more cross-division highlights to give Union students the best possible experience. Katie Morrison is a senior studying business administration.
BERNIE THE BAKER RETIRES F or over 16 years, Bernie Rieke has come to work each morning at 5:30 a.m. As head baker of Union Market, he prepares the fresh pastries and goods we eat. This August, however, Rieke will say goodbye to those early mornings when he retires. A California native, Rieke attended Pacific Union College where he worked for five years in the school cafeteria. He graduated in 1975 with a B.S. in social studies. Upon graduating, he went on to continue his work in the food services industry with Adventist Health Systems in California. Rieke and his wife, Carolyn, later moved to Kansas City, Kan. where Rieke ran the bakery for Shawnee Mission Medical Center. In the spring of 2001, Rieke and his family moved to Lincoln, where he began his current position as the head baker of our own quaint little campus bakery, “Wheatberries,� in the Union Market. As the head baker, Rieke is responsible for accepting deliveries, as well as directing and instructing the student
Part of perfecting pastries is a personal touch. | PC: Zach Morrison
bakers and the morning stock crews, all while keeping an orderly, welcoming environment. He faithfully comes into work each morning to prepare a variety of fresh baked breads and rolls from scratch, as
NEWS
well as numerous cookies, cakes, pies, granola and other baked goods every Sunday-Friday. Knowing the early mornings and the preparation that goes into this job on a daily basis can provide a different perspective, helping students to take a bit more time to appreciate each buttery croissant, flakey apple turnover or chocolate chip cookie they place on their trays. Rieke recounted some enjoyable moments from his years at Union. His involvement with the cafeteria remodel from a few years back, as well as meeting and getting the opportunity to work with the children of a number of his former student workers from Kansas as some highlights. Overall, Rieke emphasized his time with his student workers, saying, “I
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truly enjoy working with my students— they’re a lot of fun.”
in California, where his parents still reside.
Aldwyn Montaque, senior graphic design major, has worked with Rieke as a student baker for the past two years. He shared a bit about his time saying, “Work[ing] with Bernie has been a great experience. He has been a great boss and a great friend.”
He’s also looking forward to upcoming camping trips and family vacations, spending more time with his daughters and grandchildren and taking an opportunity to sleep in on occasion.
Others would readily agree with Montaque’s opinion, as Bernie’s helpfulness and dedication to his job shines through him as he works in the bakery, laughing and conversing with passing co-workers and his student workers. When asked about his postretirement plans, Rieke, who will be remaining in the Lincoln area, mentioned foremost the importance of spending more time with family
EDITOR’S NOTE: To any other faculty/staff retiring/leaving, we’re sorry we haven’t featured you! Please let us know if you have news—cltwer@ gmail.com.
Danica Eylenstein is a junior studying communication.
SENATE STARTS SENATOR SEARCH, ADDS NEW REPRESENTATION A
s the semester is wrapping up, incoming Executive Vice President JeanChristian Toure is already making new plans for ASB Senate.
Toure wants to begin building a strong team now. Below are the requirements and application process for aspiring senators: Here’s the proposed list of senators:
Traditionally, Student Senate has been made up of senators representing students on each floor of the dorms and a couple representing village students. But Toure intends to add senators to specifically represent different sections of campus, while maintaining ample representation from the dorms.
1 Sports and Intramurals Senator
“I would like more departments to be represented because I believe Senate will work more efficiently that way," says Toure.
1 Culver Hall Women Senator
Toure plans to start recruitment this week. A table will be set up in the Ortner Center. Come talk with him, learn about ASB Senate and suggest bill ideas for next year. Students can sign up at the beginning of fall semester, but
1 Religion Senator 1 Academics Senator 1 Campus Safety Senator 5 Prescott Hall Senators 1 Culver Hall Men Senator 5 Rees Hall Senators 4 Village Senators
Application: - Get at least 10 signatures from the students that they will represent (For example, a senator running for village students senator needs to get 10 signatures from 10 village students). - One signature from a faculty member Interview: -Interview of five to ten minutes with the executive vice president. (Just to make sure the candidate is really willing to make changes and improve the school. Also, the candidate gets to know more about the senate).
Requirements: - Be in good citizenship standing - Maintain at least a 2.5 GPA
Autumn Mott is a sophomore studying communication.
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NEWS
FINE ARTS CONCERT APRIL 21 A
pril 21 will forever be recognized as National Chocolate Covered Cashew Day. And, the day before Earth Day. However, as important as satisfying our sweet tooth (or saving the planet) is, April 21, 2017 is the day Union College will host the annual Fine Arts Vespers Spring Concert. This concert will be held in the College View Church sanctuary at 7:30 p.m.
The Unionaires, Union College Singers, Union College Chamber Orchestra and organist Brent Shaw will be the main musical highlights. If for some reason you haven’t had the joy of taking an art class from Mr. Mac and feel no obligation to go, do it for me. Go for your fellow Unionites who are in choir and orchestra and have slaved for months learning/ memorizing the music. “Concert’s are not easy stuff” said Dr. Little.
independent entrances by the sopranos, tenors and the sweet harmonies of the altos and bases. These may seem chaotic at times but will blend together masterfully. Hopefully the music complements and does justice to what Mr. Mac has done for years. The man paints masterpieces in one sitting for goodness sake. Hope to see you there! In the words of Reed (who is in both choir and orchestra), “Come to support the music program as well as honor Mr. Mac. The spring concert will be great.”
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Dr. Little also explained how along with the songs about creation Mr. Mac’s son and daughter will be putting a slideshow of his paintings to match the lyrics of the oratorio on the two huge screens in the church sanctuary. These creation pictures will be featured as a tribute to Mr. Mac’s creative artistry and his service as a professor. Junior math education major Andrew Reed explained, “The first portion is a sacred portion on Friday in honor of Mr. Mac. Sunday afternoon is the second portion which will be more fun and relaxed.”
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Union College choir director Dr. Ricky Little summarized the purpose of the concert best by saying, “The oratorio depicts the acts of creation found in Genesis. When I heard Jim [McClelland] was retiring I thought it would be a great way to honor him after his many years of service at the school.”
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Be sure to join live or watch it online chestra. | PC: Integ the or rate dM ting c at ucollege.edu/uclive. As always, this e ark dir eti o r ng concert is free and open to the public. ash i Co y i m The focus of the concert will be rt M m un u K ic on “The Creation,” the oratorio : composed by Jospeh Hadyn.
When asked why she thought people should attend the spring concert, Piettra De Almeida, a freshman general studies major, replied, “I think it would be nice to show support for someone who has put in the effort and time for 40 something years.” And if my persuasion still isn’t enough, just come listen to the art that is classical music. Come enjoy bold,
Sean Hendrix is a senior studying biomedical science.
NEWS
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SPRINGTIME AT THE ROCOCO WITH ASB BANQUET APRIL 16 A
s we approach the final weeks of the semester, the stress of final papers, tests and projects reach their climax. An evening to take a break and have fun before preparing for the final stretch can be a welcoming event for all. ASB hopes to provide this with their annual spring banquet. Hosted at the Rococo Theatre in downtown Lincoln, doors will open at 6 p.m. on Sun. April 16. Tickets are still available, so sign up soon! ASB is taking a different approach than previous banquets to provide a unique experience. “We’re going to keep it pretty simple,” said Hannah Ashburn, senior studio art major and ASB social vice president. “ The theme itself is just ‘Springtime at the Rococo.’ So think vintage theatre and classy florals.” In 2015, the Rococo Theatre had been voted in the top three for the category of “Best Place to Have a Party” in the Lincoln’s Choice Awards. The beautiful interior and warm atmosphere of the theatre promises an exciting night that you will not want to miss. The vegetarian dinner will be catered by the Rococo Theatre as well. For the entertainment, photo opportunities and small activities will be available in between dining and socializing, but the main event will be a talent show. For this part, students can perform and enter for a chance at prizes. Auditions are April 12 and 13 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. You can still signup! To audition, students can fill out a form on the ASB’s Squirrel HUB page. “I think it’ll be fun to see your friends up front,” Ashburn commented.
Tickets available in student services. | PC: Chloe Blackburn
This event allows for students to have a more active role during the banquet and become more involved. When asked why students should come to this semester's banquet, Ashburn said, “I think they should come because it’s the last event of the year, [there’s] free food and the venue is awesome. I think it’s going to be a good time.” Jojo Dunlap, senior nursing major and assistant to Hannah on the ASB, commented on the process for planning a banquet saying,“ There’s a lot of work to be done, but there’s also a lot of research. So you have to figure out what place is gonna be the best venue for “x” amount of people, figure out what kind of caterers to get for the place and who you can actually get for the place.”
"There’s a lot of phone calls that have to be made, meetings, brainstorming,” she clarified. “People think that we just think we call a place, book it, and that’s it, but there’s a lot of planning.” Dunlap also mentioned this was not the first time Union has held their banquet at the Rococo Theatre. “It’s a great venue and I’m just excited to get to go back there for my last banquet at Union College,” she commented. Ashburn shared the same excitement as Dunlap saying, “I hope that everyone comes out. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. We can wrap up the school year together. It’s been fun planning the events.”
Amanda McCarter is a sophomore studying biomedical science.
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NEWS
EXPEDICION NICARAGUA 2017 CONCLUDES O n Feb. 1, I wrote about how 21 junior and senior standing students and five staff were in full swing of their semester overseas with the international rescue and relief program. Now two months later as I write this the team has completed their journey and are back in the U.S. These past 90 days were filled with adventure. From journeying down a river, hosting medical clinics in rural jungle villages, surviving the jungle and ocean, recovering on the beach, and finishing strong with expeditions, a dull moment seemed rare.
with blacked-out-masks. In returned we helped them review technical rope skills. Everything from knot tying and anchors; to harnesses and mechanical advantages.
who endured the grueling 12 hour hike, but I did enjoy a lemonade and the beautiful view of the volcano from the farmhouse.”
Over all fire week has been a unique and exciting experience. Many students have expressed a new appreciation for the work that firefighters do. We are grateful for all the work that the bomberos do here and for taking the time to share their knowledge and experience with us."
IRR director Rick Young added that this has been the largest group ever taken to Nicaragua!
-Jacob Callahan
Here’s a glimpse at some photos and various posts shared on the Facebook group created for friends and family. If curious about more of the adventure, pull aside one of these brave students.
- Kiana Meyers
They were a self-motivated group who experienced another culture through studying, playing, living and traveling as a team in a variety of learning experiences thrown at them. This semester is designed to be the capstone of the IRR program by turning the many college classroom hours into not only experiencing life but also understanding life through a different lens. The goal is to help each student find God’s path for them and help them realize that the only limiting factors in accomplishing that path is in their hands.
“IRR students are pushed “FIRE!! This week I had and challenged throughout the opportunity to lead IRR, between our Colorado one of the student shifts at program, the the Managua fire station. In between surviving and rescues, the group managed to find time for play. summer | PC: Expedicion Nicaragua 2017 Facebook group Nicaragua expedition and Throughout the week my all the courses in-between; fellow students and I worked three 24-hour shifts every other day. “This week was our week of students understand their limits and While on shift we participated in expeditionary leadership. The group capabilities and are motivated to be the cleaning the ambulances and fire was split into two teams and given hands and feet of Jesus–reaching out to engines, stood in formation for the a lump sum of money based on how those in need,” he concluded. shift change ceremony, exchanged many people were on the team. The knowledge and training and assisted in two teams then planned and budgeted fire and EMS calls. a week long trip with at least 3 days "In the fire service a large emphasis being focused on education." is placed on continuous training and learning. The firefighters, or Bomberos in Spanish, were excited to teach us some of the firefighting basics. They ran us through several drills. "These included rolling and unrolling hoses, running an obstacle course, advancing on a fire with a hose line, and a search and rescue drill
“Day 7 was a challenging day for the majority of the group.
"They set out at 4:30 that morning to climb the infamous Volcano Concepcion that looms over the entire island at a whopping 5,280 feet. Students had to climb on hands and knees in some spots because the incline was so great. I was not among the brave students
Emily Wood is a senior studying communication.
LIFESTYLE
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SENIOR FOCUS: JUDY JEAN I
f you’ve spent time in the Krueger Center or anywhere in the Student Center then you’ve probably seen, or better yet heard, a loud and infectious laugh. The source for that boisterous joy comes from Judy Jean, a senior biomedical science major. While happy to call Union home now, this Missouri native was originally hesitant on coming to Nebraska. Being the youngest of five siblings had its advantages when it came to choosing colleges. "I didn’t want to come here because all the kids from my church did and I wanted to be different,” explains Jean, “but one of my older brothers [Makenzy Jean ‘15] was coming here. Then everything just worked itself out.” Jean enjoyed her freshman and sophomore year, but felt something was missing. Feeling a heavy need, something inside Jean told her to stop being in school altogether but she didn’t know what else to do. The thought of studying abroad wasn’t enough either, but after a long time of praying and thinking, she found her answer in God. In the beginning of what would have been her junior year, Jean had the opportunity to serve in Thailand for a year to teach elementary school English. “It was a big decision to make, but I’m glad I was able to get the opportunity to do something bigger than myself,” comments Jean. “If anyone has the opportunity to become a student missionary or simply travel the world they should.” With the children having a large impact on her life, Jean now sees herself teaching middle schoolers as a career, maybe after she's done with medical school.
Judy Jean is only one of the fabulous seniors we have no campus. Finish strong graduates! | PC: Jorrdan Bissell
Jean felt refreshed after taking that year off. She took advantage of the time, focusing on herself and serving others. The next year she came back to Union with a clear mind and a better sense of purpose. “There are so many things I want to do with my career in the future and in life in general. Right now figuring out what to do for a career, my hobbies and just organizing my thoughts are such important things to do,” she explains.
me and I take every opportunity to spend as much time as I can,” she said. Jean is passionate about the things she loves—whether science, traveling, teaching or family and friends. Take some time out of your busy schedule in getting to know her. Her great personality will make you smile if not laugh.
When asked about any funny memories she had, Jean has a tough time coming up with any. “Funny stories about myself usually revolve around me doing something ridiculous,” she said, “I have so many it’s hard to choose which one.” With a deep appreciation for her friends and family, Jean is always finding different ways to support the people closest to her. “I have a lot of family members and we're all close, family is important to
Caroline Guchu is a sophomore studying communication.
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LIFESTYLE
AND ALL THAT “JAZZ” I
remember in the first grade, my teacher would tie important figures in art history into our art class lessons. One of such figures was Henri Matisse. I distinctly remember her holding up a poster of Matisse's “Icarus.” This piece was during the period in which Matisse did his notorious cut-outs. The movement, color and form of the piece moved me, even then. I felt drawn into the piece by the little red dot on the figure’s chest that seemed to represent a heart. I could feel it pounding. The explosions around the dark figure made me curious; was this in space among the stars? Later, I learned the story behind this piece and the rest of Matisse’s cut-outs. During the beginning of World War II, Matisse was diagnosed with stomach cancer. This led to him to have an intensive surgery that left him bound to his bed or a wheelchair. After this, he made the choice to transition from painting to a new and innovative art form—the cut-out. The Museum of Modern Art describes how “Matisse would cut painted sheets into forms of varying shapes and sizes—from the vegetal to the
abstract—which he then arranged into lively compositions, striking for their play with color and contrast, their exploitation of decorative strategies, and their economy of means.” In 1947 he published his special edition book entitled “Jazz.” This book contained many different cut-out collages with his thoughts. The subject matter of “Jazz” is inconsistent and ranges from the circus experience to mythology. However, it’s in this inconsistency we experience true wonder. Throughout the book, Matisse spills his ideas and dreams in the amazing display of color and contemplation. The figures and words dance in a harmonious rhythm as they transport you into Matisse’s world. It's in “Jazz” that we really empathize with Matisse and his creative expression. Also, within “Jazz” we can find the work referenced earlier— “Icarus.” This work is the mythological portrayal of Icarus falling from the heavens that can be found in different periods of art. So, I leave you with “Icarus.” Union College professor of history, Benjamin Tyner, says “ … the most wonderful thing to me is that [Matisse] spends his career desperately struggling to
Icarus | PC: tate.org.uk
express precise and clean unities/ cleavages of line and color with paint, then begins to lose his clear hand in old age. So he switches to these mixed media cutouts and finds, at last, the most perfect method to cut color and line into perfection.” Cameron Cizek is a sophomore guest writer studying computing.
PHOTO CATCH-UP
| PC: Integrated Marketing Communication & ASB
LIFESTYLE
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“RACHEL’S TEARS”: LIVING WITH INTENTION I
n July 2016, I picked up a book my mother had gifted me years prior for Christmas. I shelved the book with the intention of reading it later. Later turned to forgotten. But seeing it after camp, a spiritually revitalizing summer experience, I decided to read it. Two days later, book complete, my eyes were refocused on Jesus. I had a newfound desire for something I had always thought would just be a struggle. I continually longed for a personal relationship with God, but could never figure out how to attain it. My parents encouraged me to keep a prayer journal but I could never seem to write more than three consecutive entries before getting "too busy." My pastor spoke about how lifechanging the Bible is, but I always found my eyes drooping and head nodding when I tried to read during my early devotional time. How could this predicament be solved?
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Jesus should be enough motivation, but there was a disconnect between my heart and head. My heart wanted Jesus; my head just didn't understand how to make that happen. Then I read “Rachel's Tears.” Not only did my heart change, but my head screamed YES! Written by Darrell Scott and Beth Nimmo, the book begins by describing the tragic story of the young people involved in the Columbine shooting. The key to this book is the highlighted parent experience: the loss of a precious daughter, Rachel Joy. They describe their own pain in coming to the realization that she was truly gone.
Though Rachel’s parents are amazing to share their vulnerabilities, what makes the book so touching is the real relationship Rachel experienced with her best friend, Jesus. In the time after the tragic incident at Columbine, Scott and Nimmo began reading Rachel's writings, which included anything from loose pages, poems, and tributes in her journals where she kept her most intimate thoughts and prayers. Though both her parents knew Rachel had a strong relationship with God, they didn't realize the extent. Her fearful respect of her Savior, thoughtful longing and transparent vulnerability with Jesus is what helped her to "walk the talk." She wrote letters to Him and deeply longed for understanding. She relished the time she spent with Him. Rachel wasn't perfect. She was aware of her flaws and voiced them to her Savior. She lived an intentional life and knew that Earth was not her final stop. Her parents commented, "Rachel... used to talk about how [she] wanted to live as the apostle Paul did—on the edge with total dependence on God" (pg 135).
Rachel knew where she was going and was secure in her decision to follow Christ. In a journal entry she wrote, "I know that I have to reach beyond this world for true safety and security because I won't be getting what I need here. True security lies in heaven, where things can't be touched by evil and can't be destroyed" (pg 134). She walked, talked and lived her relationship with Jesus. Her personal connection with Him enabled her to share His love with anyone because she possessed it! Now, months after reading her precious love story with her Savior, I hope to start possessing this same passion and fire for my Savior. Her example of Jesus led me to seek Him out more fully and I hope it can lead you to the same.
Her relationship with God, the light she showed to everyone she came in contact with and her unconditional love for people facilitated a return of joy and peace felt in her presence. After her passing, her brother Craig shared, "A characteristic I remember about Rachel was that her love for people was less conditional than anyone I knew of her age or in the school. It didn't matter what you looked like or who your friends were. Another thing I liked and respected so much was that she made it clear for herself and other what her beliefs were" (pg 136).
“Two days later, book complete, my eyes were refocused on Jesus.” | PC: Zach Morrison
Kasondra Reel is a junior guest writer studying nursing.
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OPINION
A NEW HORIZON?
EMOTION IS THE DEATH OF REASON he GOP’s failure to pass a “repeal and replace” plan through Congress for Obamacare was nothing short of a spectacle.
Even after Speaker Ryan’s best efforts to whip votes and several reschedulings of the vote date, House Republicans were unable to produce the necessary tally to advance the bill to the Senate. Not terribly surprising, I must say. I was amazed the American Health Care Act (AHCA) advanced through the committee hurdles as quickly as it did considering the marginal amount of substantive legislation passed through the Capitol during my lifetime. But what was most intriguing to me wasn’t the content of the bill, nor was it the drama that unfolded leading to its removal from the legislative docket. It was the president’s reaction to the AHCA debacle that made me pause and execute a cerebral doubletake. In short, the AHCA failed to pass through the House because of a relatively small group of conservative lawmakers known as the Freedom Caucus. Moderate Republicans needed their conservative colleagues’ vote in spite of the majority they hold over their Democratic counterparts. The Freedom Caucus failed to sign off on the AHCA. The president, obviously irked, declared that he would “fight” the Freedom Caucus and work with Democrats instead to reform our failing healthcare system. Wait—back up. The leader of the free world, whose party also happens to control both Houses of Congress, declared legislative war
on the grassroots faction of his party and threatened to partner with the opposite side of the political spectrum to enact reform. As a Republican, this scares me. But, as an American, this excites me—and I know which one is fundamentally more important. Could it be that the president would actually work with the opposition party to pass legislation on which both groups can agree? Could it be that the American people might finally take in a breath of collegial fresh air before being forced back under the waves of alternating, single-party dominance?
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It’s almost like the well-being of the American people is being prioritized.
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Imagine with me, if you will, the prospect of a president taking into account the concerns and input of the opposition party at a time when he has the ability to jam through the Congress any legislation ideologically consistent with his party’s platform.
rather than the repletion of those who would cast re-election votes. Obviously, it remains to be seen whether or not the president will make good on his word. There’s certainly a possibility that these words were nothing more than spiteful vengeance, meant to intimidate the Freedom Caucus into cooperation. But it’s also possible that this shift in thinking represents a new horizon. Without a doubt, herein lies a tremendous chance for our elected officials, including the President. Now is the time for our representatives to demonstrate to us that for which we have been longing for decades—the work of an honest politician. It’s time for the welfare of the American people to take precedence over the ideologically strong but marginally representative special interests. If nothing else, maybe this can serve as a bright spot in a time when many are having difficulty finding reason for optimism. Regardless of your opinions of the current administration, we can all be unified by a common hope for a better, more cooperative future for our country.
Believe me, I understand the reasons why our country employs a party-ruled system. But you’ll excuse me for a minute if I become inordinately excited at the prospect of real, tangible political cooperation on an issue so monumental as Obamacare. It’s almost like the well-being of the American people is being prioritized
Jonathan Deemer is a sophomore studying biomedical science.
OPINION
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BASEBALL IS BACK!
YOU HEARD IT HERE LAST T
he dawn of baseball season is once again upon us. Opening day shenanigans and meaningless spring training games have come and gone, and now the season can really begin. However, when I say baseball is back, I don’t mean it in the sense of the new season starting. I mean it in a much more important sense. From the mid nineties until 2012, baseball viewership went on a steady decline. The game had become mundane, predictable and timeconsuming. It seemed as though baseball was going out of style. But things change quickly in sports, and when a new commissioner took office in 2015, things began to look up for baseball. This new commissioner laid out a few goals for baseball, and they’ve had a modest, yet pleasant, impact on the game. Some of these goals, such as quicker pace of play, better use of technology (specifically the replay system) and decreases in commercial breaks have all contributed to improved ratings and overall enjoyment of the game.
These however wouldn’t on their own be enough to make baseball what it once was. Regulations and atmosphere can only do so much. The players themselves had to make the game better. Whether it was by chance—or by some sort of change to the core of the physical ball (a conspiracy theory held mostly by victimized pitchers)—the league saw its highest spike in home runs since the steroid era. Home runs are fun to watch, and make attending games more worthwhile to the typical fan. Still, I would argue that on their own, they’re not enough to make a substantial impact on viewership and the sustainability of the sport. Baseball needed something much more dramatic, something that wasn’t predictable in the least. It needed something to astonish and inspire us. It needed a World Series that made the world want to watch. Baseball needed the Cubs. And after 108 seasons, it was about time. Game 7 of the World Series had the most viewers of any baseball game since 1991. Now, it’s hard to argue that this one game (or even series) is indicative of
Will America’s favorite pastime provide an interesting season? | chicago.suntimes.com
a possible resurgence of baseball. The circumstances leading up to the game were once in a lifetime, and the game itself was one of the greatest games ever. In a year filled with amazing storylines, it’s hard to put any above the Cubs. 108 years, a 3-1 series deficit and a seemingly unbreakable curse presents itself like something out of a cliche sports movie, not real life. And while we won’t likely see a game, series or story like theirs again, I think the Cubs may have done something to make the game better everywhere. They showed that anyone can win it all. Perhaps it's my fandom in a team that has yet to win it all (the Rockies) that has me feeling this way. But I strongly feel that in a few years, Colorado could be the next Cinderella story. I don’t believe I’m alone in this optimism. For the game of baseball, it’s this optimism that drives ticket sales and viewership, and in turn gives the game an opportunity to get better. So perhaps the Cubs saved baseball. Perhaps it was the home run surge, or the changing of the guard. Perhaps it was something else altogether. In the end though, it doesn’t really matter how it happened. Baseball is here to stay.
Tyler Dean is a junior studying business administration.
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s a college student I remember my dad saying, “If there’s one book you should read, it’s “Spirit of St. Louis,” by Charles Lindberg. The book details how Lindberg completed his epic solo flight from New York to Paris in 1927. I didn’t follow dad’s instructions until years later, but when I read the book, I remember being amazed that Lindberg had to consider the curvature of the earth and every few hours he manually factored calculations and changed his flight plan accordingly. No gauges or computers existed for doing the flight calculations—Lindberg made those changes. Not too long ago, there was a nineweek grade report calling out your name. For each student, it was an occasion for looking at your academic “flight
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Changes, you say?! As a psychology major in college, I remember being surprised that behavior change is rated by gurus to be … most difficult! In F. Scott Peck’s best-selling book, “The Road Less Traveled,” the opening line of chapter one reads … “Life is Difficult.” I would expand that concept to say, “College life is CHALLENGING!” College is a dynamic period of life that requires the stretching of every part of a student’s being.
If you’re one of those students seeking to make a change in your academic flight plan, know that your instructors are standing by to assist you. Contacting that professor is your first step in making improvements. Also know that the Teaching Learning Center (TLC) is your support and accessibility office. The TLC can offer support and assistance to ALL students in making positive changes in one’s academics. Jonathan Shields is an academic coach at the TLC.
Paul had some counsel for those of college age. While waiting in prison for Nero to decide his fate, Paul was thinking of his college-aged friend, Timothy: “Keep on being faithful to what you were taught and to what you believed … scripture is useful for teaching and helping people and correcting them, and showing them how to live. 2 Timothy 3:14,16 (Contemporary English Version)
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plan” and making some calculations and possible changes.
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http://www.puzzles.ca/sudoku_puzzles/sudoku_hard_275.html
The Clocktower, established in 1927 and sponsored by the Associated Student Body of Union College, is published weekly during the fall and spring semesters.
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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.