St. Catharine College
March 2014
Volume 7 No. 3
Residence hall visitation hours modified, sign-in process clarified By Sadie A. Hill Patriot Pages Assistant Editor St. Catharine College students living on campus will now be able to have visitors in their rooms as early as 9 a.m. thanks to a discussion with SCC administrators over student concerns with some of the
existing rules and policies. The new visitation policy was approved by the SCC executive council during its Feb. 24 meeting. The new hours will go into effect in this month. The executive council met to discuss issues students brought to the Student Government
Association at an open meeting in December. As a result, SGA sent a formal letter expressing these concerns and suggested changes to some rules, particularly visitation hours, as published in the Patriot agenda book. The letter was presented to the Student Life office. As a result, the start of visitation
Roberts leaving SCC with a legacy of leadership, school involvement
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Student’s death leaves a hole in many hearts STAFF REPORT
By Sadie A. Hill Patriot Pages Assistant Editor Starrisha Lynn Roberts, is a familiar face at St. Catharine College. She has attended SCC for five strong years. She has earned an associate’s degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education last year and is now finishing STARRISHA a bachelor of arts ROBERTS degree in Business Management. Roberts has enjoyed being a resident at SCC for all five years. Sadly she will leave the college she has loved
hours were rolled back from 11 a.m. to 9 a.m. At the December meeting, students told SGA the late start for visitation prevented students from getting together for early morning study sessions or workout sessions prior to morning classes; those who broke the 11 a.m. visitation policy
Introducing Mr. & Ms. St. Catharine Craig Cox and Drew Ison, center, were crowned Mr. and Ms. St. Catharine College on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, during halftime of the Patriot’s game against Campbellsville. SGA President Starr Roberts was joined by SCC President William Huston in congratulating the pair after the midcourt ceremony. Photo by Jesse Osbourne.
Taylor Michelle Conway, 21, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 in Louisville. She was a student at St. Catharine College and an employee of Baptist Healthcare Louisville, the Kentucky Humane Society, and was an instructor at Wildcard Gymnastics. She was a 2011 graduate of Assumption High School in Louisville. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Polk Conway and Dr. Louis T. and Mary Brumleve Smith. Continued on page 7
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SCC’s wrestling program will ready to make Fall 2014 debut St. Catharine College will soon be opening up a brand new athletic program in the form of a wrestling team. In order to learn more about the SCC’s newest addition we were able to ask a few questions of Athletic Director Tom Bystrek. Patriot Pages: Can you talk a little bit about what the thought process of opening up a wrestling program at SCC was like? Tom Bystrek: Wrestling was our best option for expanding our athletic program. It requires less initial funding than other athletic programs while bringing in quite a few new athletes to campus. PP: What’s the timetable for the program to begin? TB: We plan to start our wrestling program in the fall of 2014. PP: What kind of interest do you think this will garner? TB: Interest in the new wrestling program will be great. Hundreds of high schools in the state have wrestling, but only a handful of colleges currently have wrestling teams. Obviously that means a lot of high school graduates are not being recruited so this
ISAAC ROBINSON
Sports Editor gives them another option to continue their wrestling careers. PP: What facilities will be used? TB: Right now we are looking at a room in the Hamilton Health Science Building to use for practice. We would like to have practice in the gym, but the schedule for that facility is packed during the winter months. PP: And lastly, what kind of timetable are you looking at for the wrestling team to be able to fully participate in competitions? TB: As mentioned earlier, we will compete during the next academic year (2014-2015). That should not be an issue in that we will have a coach in place and begin practice when the fall semester begins.
Check your campus e-mail for the latest ‘Freebie Thursday’ event!
MARCH 2014
Men’s basketball success this season stands in contrast to Lady Patriot’s struggles By Isaac Robinson Sports Editor With Spring right around the bend, this is the time in the sports world where winter sports are coming to their conclusion and spring sports are just beginning; so naturally this is a busy time for college athletics everywhere. Here’s sa quick review of how SCC has fared throughout this cold winter: WOMEN’S BASKETBALL. Rough doesn’t begin to describe how the season has gone for the women’s basketball team at SCC. Sitting at 4-19 for the season with only one win in conference play (1-15 in conference), including an embarrassing 101 to 51 loss against Campbellsville University on Senior Day, this has been a forgettable season to say the least. With only two games left to be played in the season (and a winning record well out of reach), the Lady Patriots should be
looking to play for pride more than anything else. MEN’S BASKETBALL. This season for the men’s basketball team has gone in a much better direction than for the women’s team. Having just secured an exciting triple overtime victory against
Campbellsville University on Senior Day, the men now sit at 17-9 with a 10-6 conference record, while having won their last four games. With only two games left on their schedule the men will be looking to continue their hot streak and go into the MidSouth Conference Tournament with confidence. BASEBALL. Baseball season is now under way with the team recently playing their home opener against Indiana University Southeast. They were able to split a double header against IUSE putting their record at 2-6 for the young season.
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Nominations now sought for SCC Student of the Month STAFF REPORT You are invited to nominate a student for St. Catharine College’s “Student of the Month.” We are currently requesting nominations for the months of November 2013, January and February 2014. If you would like to nominate a student after considering the criteria, please send an email to Pilar Espinosa at pilar.espinosa @sccky.edu with the student’s
name and a brief narrative of describing why you believe your candidate should be considered for SCC “Student of the Month.” Send your nominations today. All nominations for the honor for the months of November, January, and February. Thanks in advance for taking the time to nominate a student you deem worthy of this recognition!
Advertise your business, product or service in the next issue of The Patriot Pages.
Patriot Pages Staff & Credits Editor-in-Chief: Will Phillips Assistant Editor: Sadie A. Hill Sports Editor: Isaac Robinson Entertainment Editor: Dalton Rogers Patriot Pages contributor: Amber Ellis. Advisers to the Patriot Pages include Dean of Students Ticha Chikuni, administrative adviser, and Jim Brooks, newspaper consultant. Photo credits: Jesse Osbourne and Sadie Hill. Comments and letters to the editor may be sent to: patriotpages@yahoo.com.
Dr. Mansim Okafor, associate professor of Anatomy and Physiology at SCC, stands with a cover shot of his novel.
Dr. Okafor discusses his novel, ‘Elma: This Will Heal the World’ By Amber Ellis Patriot Pages contributor On Thursday, Nov. 7, SCC’s Dr. Mansim Okafor spoke on campus to a very attentive audience about his recently published book, “Elma: This Will Heal The World.” His book is written from the point of view of Edita Mesanovic, rather than how we know him as Mansim Okafor. The book is based on true accounts of the saddening realities occurring in other countries, such as sexual abuse and life in
an imprisoned environment. This moving narrative will completely grasp your heart strings as you read it. Even after producing such a deep, well-written novel, Dr. Okafor humbly claims to be nothing more than simply a “story teller.” However, those who have read it will disagree with him and say he has every right to call himself a writer! The book was sold on campus for a discounted rate for students and faculty. It can be also purchased online via amazon.com.
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MARCH 2014
Patriot Gala Casino Night
Above, employees of The Casino Guy prepare for a night of fun gaming during Gala Casino Night. SCC students enjoyed themselves at the event that featured more room and more gaming tables than in the past.
Junior Ms. & Mr. St. Catharine College selected for 2014 Kelli Volenski and Mark Browning won Junior Ms. & Mr. St. Catharine College on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, during half time of the Patriot’s game against Campbellsville. This is the first year for the junior awards, which are aimed at first-year SCC students. Photo by Jesse Osbourne.
At left, Dallas Smith, center, tempts Lady Luck with a roll of the dice at the craps table. Photos by Sadie A. Hill
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Residence hall visitation hours modified, sign-in process clarified Continued from Page 1
were subject to penalties and fines. The executive council decided against a suggestion of moving visitation to 8 a.m. out of respect to students who wish to avoid being disturbed in the morning. “Saint Catharine’s leaders want students to know they value what students have to say,” Dean of Students Ticha Chikuna told the Patriot Pages. Privileges such as the extension of visitation hours are earned, Chikuna said. If the new hours result in positive outcomes, the college administrators are more likely
to approve additional student suggestions. It is important for students and administrators to understand school policies, Chris Owens, the director of resident life and student activities said. “In preparation for a release date, I am first ensuring my staff is trained in order to be comfortable [with the new policy],” Owens said. “We want to be prepared for any questions brought to us, in effect allowing for students to feel comfortable coming to us with any questions.” Resident Assistants are among the staff being trained on the
updates and will help students with any questions, Owens said. Posters will be placed throughout the residence halls informing people on the decision. Copies will be distributed via campus e-mail. VISITOR CHECK-IN. To address student concern that the visitor check-in policy is unclear or complicated, Owens explained that one of the main reasons for checking visitors in is for safety in the event of an emergency. The school needs to have a record of visitors who are visiting the residence halls in the event of an emergency and there’s a need to evacuate them, Owen said. The
school is accountable for students and their visitors, and knowing the identity of visitors benefits campus safety and security. Every residence hall has a capacity limit set by the fire code, and that limit must be observed. Checking visitors in is a very simple process, Owen said. Visitors are required to have a state, government or SCC photo ID and take it to the residence life office during normal office hours. Outside office hours, students can call the office cell number, (859) 481-1145 at any time.
Roberts leaving St. Catharine with a legacy of leadership, school involvement Continued from Page 1
at the end of this semesters. She plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood at East Tennessee State University after a year of work. During her tenure here at SCC, Roberts has been involved with the Student Government Association since her freshman year. She is current serving her second term as SGA president. Roberts has been actively involved in campus activities and speaking on behalf of SCC students. Outside SGA, Roberts has been a student ambassador, a peer minister, a member of the Dominican Young Adult (DYA) group, a resident assistant, and a math tutor. Roberts said her involvement in so many groups offered her plenty of opportunities for developing leadership skills. Even though she said she enjoyed every class and believed every teacher was fully equipped to teach at our college due to a shared belief in the success of students, she also revealed she
felt now-retired Mary Hogan Jones, Director of Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, who went “above and beyond” for her. At a time when Roberts felt like all hope was lost, Jones showed her a path that would be greatly educationally beneficial. When Roberts encountered obstacles at an observation location, she turned to Jones, who relocated her assignments and assisted her with transportation. “I feel I would have never found that kind of support if I was at any other school,” Roberts said. Roberts said one of her favorite SCC memories was going with DYA on a mission trip to the United Nations in New York. The trip highlighted the plight and conditions of many women around the world. The trip touched her heart, offering images that were difficult to image the conditions under which many women are subjected. Another of Roberts’ favorite SCC
memories is also a very personal one — the loss of her godmother at the beginning of her freshman year. Roberts recalled it was the second week of her freshman year and she was in the middle of club rush. “I talked awhile with Mary Sue Barnett who was the Campus Minister at the time. She shared a lot of great information with me, and I was super excited to start the year off with working with her.” That day Roberts expected a visit from her mother and godmother who were bringing the rest of her things for her residence hall room. Roberts’ calls to her godmother were not being answers. “By the time I got to my room, I received a call from my sister in California who broke the news that my God mom passed away from a massive heart attack,” Roberts recalled. “That crushed my heart in so many ways. I remember running back up to where Mary Sue was sitting and
laying my head on the table trying to get myself together to explain what was going on. When I was able to let out the news she came around the table and hugged me tightly telling me everything would be okay.” Admissions counselor Jessie Weis and woman’s basketball JV Coach Terreka Walker joined Barnett, wrapping their arms around her. “That day I felt so much love and support in just a matter of what seemed to be a few seconds,” she said. “I left school for a few weeks and once I returned I gained a strong relationship with Mary Sue. She was always there to listen and advise me on many different situations I came across.” Roberts has overcome so many obstacles and became a successful leader and magnificent role-model driven towards furthering her education. Starrisha Roberts strives to do just that as a very successful and helpful student body president.
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‘Rush’ is no clichè sports flick; ‘Countryman’ is a film seeking a genre You’re Next Directed by: Adam Wingard Starring: Sharni Vinson, Joe Swanberg and A.J. Bowen
“You’re Next” gives us the answer to that age-old question: What would “Home Alone” look like as a goredrenched horror film? Most of the elements are there: A group of dim-witted criminals (check) breaks into a house (check) and are met with various booby traps (check). (I don’t remember anyone getting stabbed to death with a blender in “Home Alone,” though.) Once you get past that odd similarity, you’re faced with a very frustrating film. The premise is intriguing enough, the effects are fine, and the musical score is great; but these are some of the most obnoxious and poorly written characters I’ve seen in a while. Our heroes -- an upper-class family gathered together to celebrate their parents’ anniversary -- react to the invasion of their home in the most unrealistic ways imaginable, doing things like leaving doors unlocked, intentionally running into crossbow fire, and napping. Only one character, Erin (Vinson), reacts well to the crisis, as she was raised by survivalist parents who undoubtedly knew that one day she would be called on to put these lessons to work in a mediocre slasher
DALTON ROGERS
Entertainment Editor
film. The majority of the movie consists of her preparing “Home Alone” traps, while the rest of the family sits around, marveling at her ingenuity. There are moments that work (the opening scene, for instance) and Vinson’s performance is decent, but the movie’s reliance on formula and complete lack of interesting characters seals its fate. Grade: C
Blue Jasmine Directed by: Woody Allen Starring: Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin and Sally Hawkins
After nearly fifty years in the business, Woody Allen continues to churn out quality material, and his newest offering, “Blue Jasmine,” is no exception. Cate Blanchett gives one of the best performances of the year as Jasmine, a recently widowed woman whose husband (Baldwin) gained his wealth through crooked investment schemes. She moves in with her working-class sister Ginger (Hawkins) and, with her help, seeks to rebuild her
life. Allen and Blanchett succeed in creating a character in Jasmine that is simultaneously frustratingly narcissistic and surprisingly sympathetic. The dialogue is typical Allen fare, combining the humorous (a conversation with a doctor about the healing power of recreational nitrous oxide use, for instance) and the introspective. But the movie’s greatest asset is its acting: backing up Blanchett’s tour de force performance in the title role is an unusual ensemble, including Hawkins, Baldwin, Boardwalk Empire star Bobby Canavale and even controversial standup comic Andrew Dice Clay (the latter giving a surprisingly restrained performance). It’s certainly not the feel-good movie of the year, and probably not on the same level as Allen’s tremendous “Midnight in Paris,” but it works as a deeply engrossing character study and one of the best acting showcases you’ll see all year. Grade: B+
Rush Directed by: Ron Howard Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Bruhl and Olivia Wilde
The rivalry between Formula One racers James Hunt and Niki Lauda is
brought to life in Ron Howard’s “Rush,” a fantastic film that benefits from great acting, a gripping story and some of the best racing scenes ever filmed. It follows Hunt (Hemsworth), a cocky daredevil, and Lauda (Bruhl), an Austrian upstart whose coldness and insistence on perfection sets him apart from his fellow racers. Going in not knowing the story behind the movie’s lead characters, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleased to find that the movie refuses to sink into the depths of cliche that so often kill sports dramas. The relationship between Hunt and Lauda is presented with realism: there is no clear-cut “villain,” simply two men driven to succeed by whatever means possible. Both Hemsworth and Bruhl give great performances; Hemsworth seems to embody the spirit of the charismatic Hunt, and Bruhl’s icy intensity gives the movie much of its dramatic power. While the movie comes to somewhat of a standstill toward the end, and perhaps devotes too much time to Hunt’s doomed relationship with fashion model Suzy Miller (Wilde), it’s still a resounding success, giving these sports icons the movie they deserve. Grade: A-
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Looking back: Change isn’t easy, and it sure can be weird Continued from Page 8
or me. This will be my last issue as Editor-in-Chief. I leave it in the capable hands of Assistant Editor Sadie Hill. She will continue to bring you the news that you want and need. The Patriot Pages feels like a child of mine at this point, but it is now time to give it back to the campus. The campus newspaper serves a very important purpose here at St. Catharine, and I hope that the tradition continues under the new leaderContinued from Page 6
Charlie Countryman Directed by: Fredrik Bond Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Evan Rachel Wood and Mads Mikkelsen
That’s right; Shia LaBeouf managed to find time in his busy schedule of attacking paparazzi and showing up to red carpet events with a paper bag on his head to make a new film. “Charlie Countryman” is about a young man (LaBeouf) who decides to go to Bucharest after the death of his mother (why Bucharest, you may be wondering? Well, why not?). On the plane ride over, he has a brief chat with a Romanian man, after which the man slumps over into LaBeouf’s lap and dies. Soon, he meets the man’s daughter, Gabi (Wood), and naturally, love blooms. But there’s just one problem: she is married (of course) to a ruthless gangster named Nigel (Mikkelsen).
ship. I will miss this. A part of my soul will always be here on this campus, and with this paper. But change is weird. And time just keeps rolling on. I would like to conclude with one of my favorite quotes from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s seminal work, The Great Gatsby. It’s one that has always resonated with me. More so now than ever. “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” Charlie spends most of the movie asking Gabi brilliant questions (like “You’re married, huh? What’s up with that?”), getting beaten up by Nigel’s henchmen, and partying with Ron Weasley. It all adds up to a pretty meaningless two hours; the movie can never really decide on a genre, weaving wildly between action, romance and psychedelic drama. And the principle relationship never really works; it seems less like a two-way courtship and more like one man’s creepy obsession. Mikkelsen is fine as the brooding bad guy, but none of the other characters have much substance to them. If we know next to nothing about these characters, why should we be expected to care about their plight? Grade: D+
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Small changes a first step to improve students’ quality of life Continued from Page 8
be directed towards repeat offenders. St. Catharine is now reviewing and reconstructing the rules in the SCC agenda book. They were last revised in 2006. 5. Along with a hopeful change for the “warning” system, I believe there needs to be a change in visitation hours. We have voiced the fact that classes begin at 8 a.m. (and breakfast even sooner) and that 11 a.m. is six hours after some of us get up! On the other hand, if someone is loud and disruptive in the “quiet hours” (which should remain until later in the morning), a warning should be given followed by a penalty, such as restrictions on the individual’s visiting hours. 6. A recreational center wouldn’t be cheap, but is something I think deserves serious consideration. There are many students who crave basketball, volleyball, and other sports, yet they are not involved in the official college teams. A rec center would be a great way to keep students physically active and involved in on-campus
activities. Classes on crafts and other activities could also be part of a center as well!. 7. Change the master set on the thermostats! It was terrible during the summer, but even worse during these cold months. The residence hall rooms remain at a steady 61 degrees, and this might help students avoid waking up with aching throats and runny noses. A survey might be appropriate to determine the average temperature range that would give the greatest number of students a comfortable living environment. SCC is a beautiful, wonderful, inspiration place! If you identify a flaw, each likely has one or more solutions. The college has a board of highly ambitious people working to improve the college each year! They work to improve the issues, keep all of the positives up and running, avoid threats to the college, and make the opportunities more available. If you notice problems, type them and send them. Your voice can easily be heard and will be heard if you type out your problems.
St. Catharine student’s passing leaves a hole in many hearts Continued from Page 1
She is survived by her parents, Jean Smith Conway and Gary R. Conway (Deidre); one sister, Andrea Conway; her grandmother, Mildred Conway; two aunts, Mary Lou Able and Barbara Hurst; two uncles, Stephen Smith and Louis
T. Smith Jr.; and many cousins. Her Mass of Christian Burial was 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, at St. Pius X Church in Louisville. Memorial gifts may be made in her name to Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates.
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Looking back: Change isn’t easy, and it sure can be weird Change is weird. It’s easy to think that you have all the time in the world to do something, and then be surprised when suddenly you realize that it’s all slipped away from you. That’s how I’m feeling currently. My time here at The Patriot Pages has been nothing if not a blessing. In addition to bringing news to the people of this school, I've met a lot of incredible individuals who have been kind enough to share their stories with me. To say that I've learned a lot would be the worst understatement I've ever made in this paper. I’ve recently accepted a full-time position with the Henry County Local in Eminence as a reporter, and I know that it never would have happened without the experience and training I have received as the Editor-in-Chief of The Patriot Pages. I owe my success to many people, but most of all I want to thank my staff. Sports Editor Isaac Robinson and Entertainment Editor Dalton Rogers both stepped in two years ago when I was floundering, looking for someone to help flesh out this little campus newspaper. They really did save the day by swooping in and lending their knowledge and expertise. I’d also like to thank former Assistant Editor Sylvia Horlander. The Patriot Pages never would’ve gotten off the ground without her go-getter attitude and stellar work ethic. She helped us stabilize at the beginning, when we couldn’t find writers or pho-
WILL PHILLIPS Patriot Pages Editor-in-Chief
tographers or warm bodies to fill the seats at our meetings. Most of all, though, I want to extend my endless appreciation to Patriot Pages’ consultant Jim Brooks. Jim has stayed with us through all of the difficult times here on campus. From our longest edition two years ago, to the edition when we had only two writers, he helped and contributed far more than he is recognized for or required to do. Without his help, I feel certain fell that not only would The Patriot Pages have sunk like a rock at the beginning, but I also would not have experienced the personal success that I have in recent months. There are numerous others to which I owe my success, including St. Catharine’s Director of Media, Jesse Osborne, who helped me obtain my first professional journalism job. Also, Dr. Becky Meadows for lending her journalism expertise to our meetings in the last year. Some of those deserved to be acknowledged are no longer with the school, but that does not diminish their value to the paper
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Small changes can make a big difference in on-campus students’ quality of life As soon as I set foot on St. Catharine’s campus, I was amazed. As soon as I had my tour, I was at home. Now more than halfway through my first year, I have thought countless times about how I arrived just in time: better parking situation, the new library opening, Aquinas being fairly new to campus. Still, with such a rapidly growing campus and so many students, it is going to be a continuous battle to improve the college. I’m sure we all see problems around campus. Often, they are small, but impact the student body enough for us to notice them. Presenting a solution would work out more effectively than a complaint in most situations. If we have issues, we can contact our Dean of Students, Ticha Chikuna with a typed documentation of a complaint (with or without a solution) to notify administrators. I have brainstormed a few solutions to problems I have spotted around campus. Please feel free to contribute your own in a letter to the editor of the Patriot Pages! 1. Light the path from Lourdes to the residence halls. This could be as easy as turning on the light outside of the daycare facility, or even placing small lights along the path. I have
SADIE A. HILL Patriot Pages Assistant Editor
heard many complaints that the path is unfriendly and even scary! 2. Place recycle bins in more places around campus. In every location where there is a trash can, why not have an option for recyclables in a separate bin? Whenever I encourage recycling rather than trashing a plastic bottle the response I often hear is, “If there was one here, I would.” 3. Make student evaluation forms readily available to students. If we have an issue or simply want to brag on a tremendous teacher or faculty member, we should be able to do so with documentation that can be found in an easily accessible location. 4. Fines in residence halls for rule infractions should be assessed only after appropriate warning is given. Rather than creating an appearance of chasing money, the fines should Continued on Page 7