The Swinging Bridge: Oct. 30th, 2014

THE

SWINGING BRIDGE MESSIAH COLLEGE//THE PULSE

Vol. 95 // ED. 4 // October 30, 2014

“GOING IJM asks, “How many PRO”

slaves work for you?”

AT WORK:

Difficult Conversations Chapel Returns Meliah Michael STUDENT WRITER

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rubaker Auditorium became the highlight of the evening on Oct. 14, hosting Messiah’s Difficult Conversations Goes Professional chapel. Round tables replaced the standard rows of chairs, free coffee and extra credit lured in the hesitant and lively, and interactive skits took hold of its audience.

Andrea McIntosh STUDENT WRITER

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n Thursday, Oct. 16, the International Justice Mission (IJM) chapter members gathered in the Eisenhower Commons from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to ask students, “What is your slavery footprint?” At this event, members of the chapter invited their fellow students to take an online quiz to tell them how many slaves their lifestyle supports.

The Slavery Footprint quiz was developed by slaveryfootprint.org, and asks people questions such as where they live, what types of food they eat, what electronics and clothing they buy, and how often they travel. These answers are then calculated to determine how many slaves work to support the way one lives.

Along with this quiz, IJM members asked students to fill out a postcard petitioning Congress to focus on countries to aid in anti-slavery efforts and to make these issues a top priority in their agenda. These postcards are part of the IJM postcard challenge in which institutions fill out 100 postcards to be sent to their state senators in support of anti-slavery legislation.

“We want to raise awareness about

how the lifestyle choices we make affect slavery worldwide,” said Laurie Ruby, who is the IJM Chapter President. “I think that with the college’s focus on sustainability, bringing up an issue like this can add to that and impact the way we do things as college students.”

“Even our food can have a profound effect on slavery and injustice,” Ruby said as she pointed to the Grantham Community Garden farm stand occurring ten feet away. “Our goal is not to make it quantitative...it’s about dialogue.”

Ruby said that this is their fourth time asking the public to take this quiz and they still have people who participate and are shocked by their results.

Many students were able to stop at this table throughout the day to learn about these their impact on slavery.

“I think it’s important to be aware of the injustice that goes on around the world and how it is weaved into what

we do,” said Sarah Priga, a participant in the event. “A lot of people see it as a foreign problem but doing something like this makes it personal.” Priga was one of the many who took this quiz and learned that their lifestyle is maintained by anywhere between 20 and 57 slaves. As one student who took the quiz put it, “Even one is too many.”

The IJM chapter at Messiah is a group that seeks to raise awareness on hu-

“ EVEN ONE IS

TOO MANY.

Over the years, Messiah’s communication and public relations majors have worked with the Career and Professional Center to develop real-life scenarios involving the different, and very real, parts of the adult world. That awkward interview between yourself and a oncefuture-employer, that handshake that left everything but a good impression, that unprepared answer that killed an opportunity – scenarios like these were addressed in very pertinent discussions.

Paper and markers were set out to offer collaborative question and answer times following three student-led skits.

Throughout the discussion, roaming mics were offered as an aid in voicing opinions and questions from the audience. Critical thinking was applied here as well, all similarly based on what it’s like to work as a Christian professional in an anti-Christian world.

”

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A NOTE WORTHY Service Trips Go NEW GROUP Near and Far

Commentary: Bringing Back Vinyl

More than The Color

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NEWS

The Swinging Bridge October 30, 2014

COMPASSIONATE ARTICULATION:

LGBT conflicts and Messiah College Abigail McBride STUDENT WRITER

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essiah College is living in a culture grappling with drastic gender and sexuality conflicts. The current cultural climate cannot avoid these struggles to understand and resolve LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) concerns within the predominantly heterosexual tradition.

These concerns affect a significant community of a growing reality. In April of 2011, Gary J. Gates, a Williams Distinguished Professor at the Williams Institute, conducted a study analyzing six population-based surveys. The study suggested that nearly eight million adults self-identify as LGBT, roughly the population size of New Jersey.

As this community has grown, awareness of injustices against homosexual, bisexual, and transgender individu-

als has been raised as well. Recently, Pennsylvania in particular has been contemplating its judicial policies.

On Sept. 11, 2014, a same-sex couple was violently assaulted in Center City, Philadelphia. This attack drew attention to Pennsylvania’s crime codes regarding hate crimes. Pennsylvania considers a hate crime to be an act of discriminational violence such as organizational affiliation or ethnicity. The consequences of a hate crime protect victims by penalizing violence committed.

However, Claudia Vargas of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that violence directed toward specific sexual or gender communities, “cannot be prosecuted as hate crime[s] because no such protection...exists in Pennsylvania.”

Because of Pennsylvania’s lack of awareness for the LGBT community, they are currently not protected equally under the law. The September attack has raised legal questions within Harrisburg and the state at large regarding the justice of current policies. If significant communities are excluded from the government’s consideration, is Pennsylvania treating its citizens with equality and respect?

There are no easy answers to questions of cultural equality. For many, such as the Pennsylvania state government, the main problem may be awareness of unaddressed issues. Working to resolve this earlier in October, Pennsylvania’s House Judiciary Committee voted to broaden the state’s hate-crime laws to provide protection for lesibian, gay, bixexual, and transgender individuals. The bill is currently in review for a full House vote.

Likewise, Messiah College is situated in this cultural upheaval. How is it engaging the changing world?

Professor Jen Ransil teaches a 200-level HDFS class on human sexuality.

Within her class, she discusses many issues related to sexuality such as physical development, childbirth, STDs, ethics, gender identity, and homosexuality.

“It’s an unavoidable topic given the subject,” Ransil says, speaking of growing LGBT conversations. “I strive for

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compassionate articulation of all perspectives on sexual issues, avoiding sound bytes and recognizing the enormity of the pain for many individuals.”

In regards to Messiah in particular, and the college’s stance on homosexuality, she recognizes its tough position. “The country, social sciences, and culture are all moving on this issue,” Ransil adds. “I appreciate Messiah’s expectation of chastity for all students of any sexual orientation, but beyond that, the dialogue is important. We have awareness, we try, we dialogue more than we have. Are we there yet? Probably not.”

Professor Ransil advocates both for the college and the students. In her class, she works to encourage open conversation between the identity of the college and the identity of the students regarding sexual orientation. “Messiah College has the right to set expectations for their students regarding sexual behavior,” Ransil states. “So do the students. I’m not sure the college has to morph on this issue, as all students are called to celibacy. What’s needed is compassion first.”

The nation, Pennsylvania, Messiah, and Professor Ransil’s class are continuing the conversation on the LGBT community. The struggle for compassionate articulation is not over, as bullying, hate crimes, and pain haunt this growing conversation.

HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY CLASS HELPS SOLVE A FEATURED ON 200-YEAR-OLD MYSTERY ABC-27 NEWS Olivia LaBlanca STUDENT WRITER

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arly in October, Dr. David Pettegrew and his Historical Archaeology class set out to solve the mystery of the Trindle Springs Lutheran Church, a 250-year-old building which existed only through local legend.

“I don’t know that we’re going to come down on a handwritten letter by the original pastor,” joked Pettegrew on his ABC-27 News interview. “But I think we can answer a very simple question, which is: Is there a building here?”

Two weeks after ABC covered the excavation process, Pettegrew and his students set up an outdoor lab to clean and analyze the pieces of history they had uncovered. It was early on a Tuesday; chilly and with an overcast when they made the discovery. Outside the Oakes Museum, the students bent over plastic trays of water, scrubbing at innumerable earth-encased objects with toothbrushes in a delicate, painstaking process.

The Museum director, Ken Mark, was there to participate in the process. He had an investment in the archaeology dig as well.

penetrating radar to prep the site.

The radar reads the normal compounds of the earth and sends information up through the antenna.

“Natural history museums are, by their very nature, static,” Mark said. “They don’t change much. Archaeology is one way we find new material and keep things fresh.” Part of the museum’s mission is also to be a resource to the Messiah college community. Working with professors and students on a project like this helps us accomplish that mission, Mark commented.

“We are able to see if the normal pattern of stratigraphy is broken by a wall or the remnants of an old building. If we see that there is indeed evidence for a structure under the ground, there may be reason to excavate,” Pettegrew explained.

Meanwhile, the students continued to gently brush dirt away from their finds.

“We’re trying to distinguish what’s an actual artifact and what’s a rock,” said history education majors Ed and Greg.

“Once we wash these, we can analyze them and see how they fit into the context of the site we were working at.”

The excavation team used ground

“We unearthed something fascinating while over there,” Pettegrew also added, bending over a tray of artifacts in labeled plastic bags. He picked up a bent, blackened nail. “Now, by itself, there’s nothing very exciting about a nail, but in this case the nail offers direct evidence for what we were seeking with this excavation—a building.”

Because the dig took place on the outer rim of a cemetery, Pettegrew was worried they might stumble upon some unmarked graves. What they found instead was the key to the mys-

tery – a hard-packed clay surface.

“It was very hard and difficult to get through,” Pettegrew said. “When we came down on this surface, we suspected that it was the floor of a building. If you didn’t have money to lay a floor in wood or stone, a packed clay surface would do. When we found the pot sitting on this surface, we were certain.”

A piece of pottery, reddish-brown and relatively intact, had been sitting directly on the clay floor. It seemed as though someone over 200 years ago had put it down and never picked it back up.

“Once we date it, we will be able to know how old the floor underneath it was,” added Pettegrew.

The nail, the floor, and the pot are all vital clues to the mystery of the 250-year-old church in Cumberland County. It does not say for sure that the legend of the old church is true, but it does give locals a reason to hope.

October 30, 2014

The Swinging Bridge

MAKING (RADIO) WAVES: A Spotlight on Pulse FM Karla DeJesus STUDENT WRITER

“My dream of being a Radio Announcer/DJ is coming true, and I haven’t even finished my first semester of college yet,” said Cormier.

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VMM 90.7 Pulse FM is Messiah’s digital radio station, where live announcers vibe behind the microphone. Pulse FM, an entity of The Pulse, broadcasts 24-hour programming, but every day from 1 p.m. to 12 midnight, student DJ’s host talk shows and pick the music for the campus and surrounding community.

According to the station manager, Jackson Skinner, WVMM has 27 shows produced by 35 DJs. Their mission is to play uplifting music, free of cursing and sexual overtones. Any student is eligible to DJ. The sole requirement is to participate in just a simple training session.

Emily Cormier and Mikaela Mummert, MCT (Media, Culture and Technology) communications majors, are first-year students who host MC Country on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Both see radio in their future and decided to host together.

Following MC Country is sophomore Shekie Olagunju, a Nigerian international student majoring in public relations with a Chinese minor, and Malaysian student Angeline Leong, a first-year english major. They host Music Travels, which features music from countries other than the U.S. The song selections are usually in a foreign language. Olagunju and Leong then explain the lyrics and educate listeners on culture.

For example, being on the air helps Mummert overcome talking too fast.

“It’s great experience and will definitely help anyone who wants a future career in radio by just learning the basics,” she said. Leong gains confidence through co-hosting and says the radio is a good forum to help her public speaking skills. For Angeline, “it’s sort of like reaching out to try connecting to people through radio waves, and I love it.”

Join the team by emailing Skinner at JS1706@messiah.edu. or listen to a show and favorite DJ by going to http://pulse. messiah.edu/pulsefm/dj-schedule/.

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// IJM Asks, “How Many Slaves work for you?” Continued

man trafficking and slavery. It also supports the International Justice Mission, a U.S. based non-profit established to rescue and assist human trafficking victims worldwide. IJM, as a nonprofit, focuses on rescuing victims, bringing criminals to justice, restoring survivors, and strengthening justice systems. As a chapter, IJM organizes alternate chapels and host events such as their annual “Stand for Freedom,” in which students stand in shifts for 27 hours to show solidarity with the 27 million who are enslaved around the world. This semester, they also hope to begin volunteering at a truck stop nearby where trafficking occurs.

The chapter meets bi-weekly on Thursdays at 7pm in the Agape Center. To learn more about becoming a chapter member, email Laurie Ruby at lr1236@messiah.edu

“There is not a lot of exposure of international music to campus,” says Olagunju. “I decided to be the middle man and connect Messiah College to cultures and great music they may not have otherwise known.”

Aside from educating, being a DJ can help students on a more personal level, such as with research, planning and social network skills. The opportunity also bolsters self-confidence and aids in overcoming personal hurdles.

A “NOTE”-WORTHY NEW GROUp begins on campus Tara Kleinmanns STUDENT WRITER

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Discover if you qualify for a tuition discount at messiah.edu/graddiscounts.

With a program and faculty reflecting Messiah College’s reputation for academic excellence, Messiah’s M.M. in conducting enhances your abilities as an effective music educator and conductor.

• Three specialized conducting tracks: wind, orchestral, choral • Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in conducting • Emphasis on summer and online coursework, designed to fit the schedules of busy professionals • Coursework designed to be instantly applicable to your everyday work setting • Small class sizes that ensure personal attention

Watch a short video about our program.

Now enrolling for 2015 classes messiah.edu/conducting

717.796.5061

Online | Flexible | Affordable

see anew

ou may hear a few more songs being sung on campus this year.

A new a cappella group on campus has emerged. While the group has yet to decide upon an official name, it is quickly becoming a popular pastime for students with a passion for singing purely for enjoyment.

Two freshmen--John Morrone and Ellie Rhoads--established the group initially. They found themselves in the same first-year seminar, and when they discovered the fact that they shared the same enthusiasm for a cappella, they decided to pursue the passion and start a group. “We weren’t worried about the turnout because we knew of so many students interested in singing with a group like this,” they said.

The group attracted much interest from students on campus and currently averages about 15 to 20 students at each rehearsal. These rehearsals take place every Monday and Wednesday from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in the High Center.

The group also features a fairly tranquil atmosphere, in which members learn different harmonies and rhythms to enliven modern songs. As it is not yet an officially school recognized

club, it provides students with more leniency than something like concert choir, and provides a place for them to sing strictly for personal satisfaction.

“I think the group is going great so far!” said Kelsey Bechtel, a freshman and member of the group. “The student leaders are very passionate about what they do. It seems like the rest of the group is following along well.” As a member of the group, Bechtel also referred to the time spent singing as a refresher. “After a long, stressful day of classes, singing just lets everything out. It’s so relaxed, but at the same time we work hard to make everything sound great,” she added.

As far as performances are concerned, the ac appella group plans on future Coffeehouse debuts as well as treating students in various residence halls to Christmas caroling this year.

Membership is still open to all students, however, there is a particular need for male voices. If this is of particular interest, John or Ellie can be contacted at jm1713@messiah.edu or er1261@messiah.edu. Messiah College students can most certainly look forward to some exciting new music from this a cappella group this year!

October 30, 2014

The Swinging Bridge

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Dr. Phillip Deloria presents lecture on Andrea True STUDENT WRITER

American Indians

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merican Indians are omnipresent in popular American culture according to Dr. Phillip J. Deloria, who spoke at this year’s American Democracy lecture sponsored by the Messiah College Center for Public Humanities and the Department of History on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Deloria is the Carroll Smith Rosenberg Professor of History, LSA Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education at the University of Michigan, and the author of several books on American Indian history and culture including Playing Indian (1999) and Indians in Unexpected Places (2004). He received his Ph. D. in American studies from Yale University.

In his lecture, entitled “American Indians in the American Cultural Imagination,” Deloria presented a historical background of America’s relationship and infatuation with American Indians in order to help answer the question of why Indians are so prolific in our society.

According to Deloria, a contradiction

came into existence very early on in American history. To the colonists of 16th and 17th century America, the native Indians represented the wild and free thing against which civilization might define itself. At the same time, the colonists desired this wildness to make their own selves whole.

Conflict between colonists and the Indian people led to beliefs in Indian savagery. However, as Americans struggled to imagine a new nation, they found themselves identifying with the Indians.

“More than any other group in American history, Indians have been tightly linked with the particular lines that define our nation,” Deloria said. “Indianness has been an evocative way to think about nation, freedom, and land.”

White Americans imagined Indians as both distant savages to be conquered and as close American selves to be experienced. “This contradiction was built into the heart of American identity and it has never gone away,” Deloria said.

Deloria described two master ideologies that underpin this contradiction within the cultural imagination. The first is manifest destiny--the idea that American settlers were supposed to take the vast land before them. The second is that Indian people were destined to vanish. Through these ideologies, American Indian culture could be appropriated in a variety of ways.

Indian segregation allowed for the formation of states. The genre of Wild Western movies evolved from Indian plays, while Indians were depicted in poetry, prose, and television.

The American view of the Indian changed throughout history. The Indian lost his noble savagery when he “succumbed to the worst features of modernity,” Deloria said. “He was so American and so modern that he was likely to be represented with a new image, that of the degraded drunk,” he added. “The noble Indian, the one to be emulated was the Indian who had not succumbed to society and civilization, who remained wild and untamed, authentic and real.”

Despite the influence of American In-

dian cultural on America’s own cultural identity, Indians still have to negotiate their historical weight in today’s society.

“Deloria’s insights into the way both cultures have contributed to each other made me curious about other cultures that Americans have appropriated throughout history,” said Sarah Adams, a junior music business major who attended the lecture. “It’s a shame to value certain aspects of different cultures but forget about the people at the heart of it.”

Patty Yeager, a junior English education major, felt similarly. “It never occurred to me how much we’ve misrepresented American Indian culture, and also how we’ve used these stereotypes to shape our national identity,” Yeager said. “As a kid, chasing my brothers around and playing ‘Cowboys and Indians’ seemed perfectly innocent. Now it just seems impertinent.”

As Deloria concluded, “When you peer deeply into American culture, you’ll find Indians everywhere.”

MESSIAH HOSTS FIRST-EVER////

SAFETY DAY// Sam Boden STUDENT WRITER

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tudents mingled and had the opportunity to interact with campus safety officers at Messiah’s first-ever Safety Day on the afternoon of Oct. 15.

As the rain poured outside, the mood inside the Union was bright, as students engaged safety officers in discussion, entered door prize raffles, and ate the plentiful offerings of free food.

The purpose of the event was largely centered around informing students: both about safety, and about the people who help make it possible on campus. “(We want) to help the students see that we aren’t just safety officers—we’re real people,” said Cindy Burger, Director of Campus Safety. Burger has been with the Safety Department for 20 years, starting as the department’s first female safety officer. The department now has 21 people, and has added a number of new positions, including a Crime Prevention Officer, Dennis Stum.

“We want the students to know that we’re here for more than just enforcement. We want them to meet us, and not just see us in an adversarial role,” said Stum. As Crime Prevention Of-

ficer, the planning and execution of Safety Day both fall under Stum’s job description.

Department of Safety officers, student traffic officers, and student EMTs were among those present at the event.

Apart from the free Mountain Dew, popcorn, and hot dogs that were handed out, a vast array of safety information was available to students. Presentations included Project ID, Samaritan’s Pledge, Campus Fire Safety, and Pennsylvania bicycle laws. Tables full of informational flyers were offered to promote safety and wise decision-making, both on and off campus.

Door prizes were another big draw for students to come to Safety Day. One of the major prizes up for grabs was a pair of tickets to see Dierks Bentley in concert.

The department’s attempts to change the stigmas associated with safety officers’ roles seemed to be successful,

Photo by Will Colfelt especially in regard to the students.

“All of the safety officers seem a lot more friendly than I thought!” said Austin Blair, a first year computer science major who attended the event.

The warm atmosphere and friendly demeanor of the safety officers was evident to many who attended.

“Safety Day is so important because you get to see the faces of safety in action,”

added Kiley Bradbury, a senior studio art major. She, like many who attended the event, left with a number of informative flyers — and a newfound connection with Messiah’s safety officers.

OPINIONS

The Swinging Bridge October 30, 2014

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Photos provided by Priority 1 Ministry

SERVICE TRIPS GO NEAR AND FAR Kristen Schuyler STUDENT WRITER

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hrough the Agape Center, students have many opportunities to serve the community--not only locally, but throughout other parts of the United States as well.

During breaks throughout the year, the Agape Center offers various service trip opportunities for Messiah students to travel to other places outside of central Pennsylvania and serve.

Over this past fall break, one group went to The Bronx, New York for their service project. The team partnered with the organization Priority One to help at Manhattan Bible School. During their time there, they were able to spend quality time with the students at the school, ranging from ages 5-13, worshipping and playing games with them.

Another way they were able to serve was helping out at World Vision, packing donated items and sending them to churches in need. In addition to this, the team was able to work with the organization Manna of Life and make sandwiches and hand them out to people within the city.

Later, they traveled to The Living Room,

// “Going Pro” At Work: Difficult Conversations Chapel Returns, Continued

The skits demonstrated the “what-notto-do’s”, and their reverse, of three different situations. In the first skit, a tightly dressed, unprepared girl showed what not to do when applying for a job.

After the time of discussion, she came back in the second scenario with a much more comfortable appearance and better-prepared with questions to ask and a deeper understanding of the position she was going for and how to seek it out.

The second skit put an intern in the middle of some workplace gossip, as she attempted unsuccessfully to contribute to the “juicy talk” and created

a local homeless shelter in the community, and were able to talk and pray with the people and families staying there.

Courtney Walton, junior at Messiah, led her team diligently day by day with optimism. “We went there with an open mind and little expectations of what God might do,” she explains. “We had the mindset that our group would serve no matter what it costs or what they need.”

The main goal of the journey was solely to serve the community, and the team accomplished just that. Interacting with people of all ages within the city, they were able to effectively minister and serve in loving flexibility.

“When it comes to urban environments and urban settings, sometimes it’s easy to look at it and say, ‘Okay, this is what needs to be done to make this more efficient,’” Walton says. “But until you step inside of that atmosphere and walk that path with them, you realize it’s not an easy fix. We end up wanting to carry that burden, and that’s a beautiful thing to want to do, but at the same time we realize that we can’t do this while expecting there to suddenly be a huge change.

“It starts with loving the person right in front of you and making a change

an even worse atmosphere. The reverse scenario showed her much more observant and aware of her position and ethics during a pause in the action, which ultimately led to less unrest in the already unsteady gossip talk.

To conclude the night, an employee was put in an uncomfortable position of being singled out based on her faith, which led to a volcanic response from the employee that did not represent her Christian beliefs. In the contrasting scenario skit that followed, she became a much more respectful, upstanding businesswoman in conveying her faith to the uptight employer, earning respect in spite of differing opinions.

through that. It will take time.”

When asked about her experience on the trip, sophomore Jacinta Davis explains how it impacted her life. “For me, I had to really step out of my comfort zone. It broadened my horizons and it definitely impacted my life… Seeing the less fortunate really helped me appreciate what I have and bring me closer to God.”

“Most people are hesitant to go on service trips for break,” Walton admits.

“They feel like they need relaxation and rest, but I just found that it’s so relaxing in a totally different way. You’re turning off your brain from academics, but your heart is coming alive by serving other people… doing what’s natural to us as humans – loving our neighbor.”

Sophomore Brooke Maneval has a similar outlook when reflecting on her time in The Bronx. “Some people we met were immigrants who moved to America for better jobs – the American promise – and here they were, homeless, looking for work at the gas station. They all have their own families and dreams, but the dads will just stand waiting, hoping for someone to come by who needs them, even just for that day. They have so much faith to leave all they have and come somewhere they know nothing about… Maybe God wants us to be like that with Him.” All three girls involved in this adventure agree that it was life-changing, completely altering their perspectives on how they viewed the world. They all strongly recommend that others grab hold of the opportunities the Agape Center offers because they won’t be regretted.

The Agape Center also offers other destinations for service trips, such as Tennessee, New Hampshire, Washington DC, Chicago, and more, where each location has a different agenda on what type of service is needed there.

Messiah students and faculty stress the importance of professionalism in the workplace. Nance McCown, the Co-Chair of the Department of Communication, noted three of the most important things to consider during every professional conversation.

The first was to understand that the professional brand is a crucial piece in developing a future. One will be taking this brand to every interview, job site and work place. The conscious decision should be made to be as professional, and reliable, as possible.

Knowing the audience was the second key. Having a brief understand-

“I strongly feel more people should go,” Maneval shares. “It’s a great opportunity to travel and serve, but the groups are usually mostly girls! Guys should definitely be encouraged to get involved too.”

Service is an integral part of the Messiah community and is a great way to show God’s love while getting to know so many other great people with similar interests. So if you’re looking for something exciting to do over a break, stop by the Agape Center for some great ideas.

ing of what they believe, what they stand for and understand that everyone will not have the same opinion are all important. According to McCown, treating them accordingly and with respect must be kept in mind.

Finally, she noted to be aware of the surroundings. Take a step back and breathe if the situation is condescending or demeaning in any way. As the old cliché goes, be sure and think before saying anything at all. Keep in mind the importance of a professional brand and integrity with God.

October 30, 2014

The Swinging Bridge

Breanna Whitelock OPINIONS EDITOR

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ocial media allows people to have information readily available to them without even searching for it, as it appears on their feeds without request.

Individuals and companies have created social media pages on sites such as Facebook and Instagram in order to self-promote or obtain information for various reasons. Many social networking sites have tried to create the site of all sites, providing everything the user seeks under one platform.

In a new attempt at social networking, co-founders Paul Budnitz and Todd Berger have created a site called Ello, seeking to create an exclusive “anti-Facebook social network,” according to thenextweb.com.

With so much variety among social media, the question arises as to what could possibly be so special about this new site? In recent interviews with Messiah students, the same answers were reoccurring in that they had never heard of Ello but use sites such as Facebook and Instagram in varying degrees.

“I’ll use (Facebook) to contact people if it’s necessary or if it’s someone I don’t necessarily know but for the most part I stick with communicating through phone calls and text,” said junior Brady Marburger. “So I don’t use it very often.”

As far as Facebook goes, the trend among Messiah students seems to be the same--they are not active on the site, but all have an account as a means of contact and occasional newsfeed scrolling.

“I mostly use Facebook and Instagram but I don’t post too much on Facebook,”

added sophomore Austin Burbank. “I would rather use it to see what other people are posting. I use Facebook a lot for messaging and talking with people.”

Students are still connecting on Facebook but not many people have heard of Ello. How can it really be that big of a deal then, and what makes Ello stand out from the sites people are currently on?

On their webpage, Ello is remarked as “simple, beautiful, & ad-free.” Ello is marketing itself as the social networking site that doesn’t sell you, saying on their webpage, “we believe a social network can be a tool for empowerment. Not a tool to deceive, coerce and manipulate — but a place to connect, create and celebrate life. You are not a product.” Ello’s big consumer catch is that they are ultimately “ad-free.”

Facebook is known for its ads and their partnership with advertisers. A Facebook user could be searching flight deals on one site and then after clicking back over to Facebook see the airline flight on the side of their page.

This seems to affect Facebook users in both negative and neutral ways.

“I’m not a fan of Facebook having ads related to what I have previously been searching on the internet because I can’t afford Chubbies, but I search them a lot,” said first-year Rich Speeney.

On the other hand, Burbank stated, “it’s not good how Facebook sells your info for ads but I get the ads because that’s kind of everything nowadays.” Burbank also added it bothers him, “how much time people spend

on social media rather than interacting with the people around them.”

People already have multiple social networking sites to manage with the limited amount of time they have in their day. Ello has to compete with the time people have already invested into their current social networks. The catch with Ello is that it’s exclusive and invite only. The site was launched back in August, and in September it was receiving 50,000 requests per hour to join. Berger said then, “right now we’re throwing the coolest party on the internet.”

The problem is that the party is VIP. The party also isn’t sending out invites currently, as it exceeded expectations and lead the developers to freeze invitations to maintain the stability of the site.

“The whole point of social networking is to connect with your friends, and if the point of Ello is like an exclusive club, then I wouldn’t be connecting with anyone I know,” Burbank added. “But people like to be a part of something they can’t be a part of so it’s sort of an interesting idea.”

Ello is trying to pull the best features of different networking sites together, but whether or not the sites it is pulling from are dwindling in user occurrence leaves the future of the site up to the users.

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October 30, 2014

The Swinging Bridge

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WHEN “STUFF” BECOMES A PROBLEM Tyler Goglio STUDENT WRITER

I

f you walk through the mailbox hallway in Eisenhower Commons at any point on a given weekday, it is not hard to recognize the consumerist tendencies of students on this campus.

“The Bubble”, in some regards, has not been shielded from many things, and consumerism is certainly no exception. Campus workers in the mailroom fill delivery boxes multiple times a day to keep up with the steady influx of products Messiah students are buying.

“What’s the problem?” some might ask. “We’re just trying to keep up, trying to stay current, and trying to stay on the cutting edge of technology and fashion.” I am certainly guilty of this as well. I spent a Friday morning waiting in line at an AT&T store an hour before it opened to “drink the koolaid” of Apple’s newest product. The problem is not necessarily the money we spend, but where our products come from and who they are made by.

Recently, efforts such as the End It Movement and Slavery Footprint have worked to shed light on one our world’s largest problems: slavery. Ignorance has plagued our generation for too long, assuming slavery was eradicated throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, leaving us in a world of freedom rather than oppression.

The truth, however, tells a different story. The issue of slavery is bigger than it has ever been with some conservative estimates weighing in at a staggering 27 million people currently enslaved in our world today.

Slavery Footprint digests the lifestyles we currently live based on what we own and generates a number of slaves that work for us based on our answers.

53. Fifty-three men, women and children work in slave or forced labor positions to allow me to live the comfortable life I live. The idea of justice pops into my head every time I think about this

number. Micah 6:8 alerts the believer to what the LORD requires: “...to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God”. The justice that we are to pursue is not some ethereal idea or abstract concept, but a place in which we are to return to, a place that God created for us. This justice is not just something we should do, but it is what we ought to do. 53 now, working toward zero in the not so distant future.

What justice can I enact for these slaves in far-off or not so far-off places? Can an institution like slavery be defeated by the actions of one person? Certainly not! However, the corporate effort of a generation of people not content with the ethically abysmal methods of production working towards justice can.

can help stimulate ethical businesses so slave-employing companies cannot stand. We have the information available to know where our stuff comes from.

We have the means to be the change and return to the justice that God calls us.

Playing the ignorance card is no longer an option. We are a generation of Christians who have seen the problem, and now we ought to be a part of the solution.

If you are interested in learning more about this movement to a slave free world, I encourage you to check out slaveryfootprint.org and madeinafreeworld.com.

We can become conscious consumers.

We can support local business and businesses that pay their employees and treat them as valued human beings. We can think before we mindlessly buy. We

Reversing the Formula:

Amazon’s First Brick-and-Mortar Store

Devin Dietrich STUDENT WRITER

T

he massive website retailer that has been putting brick-and-mortar stores out of business for a decade, is now building a brick-and-mortar store.

Amazon is opening a store in the heart of New York City, across from the Empire State building. The store will act as a warehouse for Amazon’s one-day delivery items in the city, but with a twist. Online orders can be picked up at the store, saving consumers the time that would otherwise be spent waiting on the mail system.

In addition, the store will sell Amazon’s electronic products like their eReaders, as well as their upcoming Fire smartphones and the Fire TV boxes. This is a fantastic marketing idea, as customers who come into the store to pick up their products will see physical devices sitting in front of them. It is similar to seeing advertisements for these devices when you go to Amazon online.

Despite the logic behind the store, it is an experiment. As a consequence, there is uncertainty whether or not this type of business model is actually needed. On the other hand, it can be argued that changing things up is

important for a company like Amazon.

The Wall Street Journal reported on the development and quoted Wells Fargo analyst Matt Nemer, who said the business move is “about marketing the Amazon brand.” Nemer went on to say that it is important for Amazon to embrace rising trends in the way people shop. “Same-day delivery, ordering online and picking up in store are ideas that are really catching on. Amazon needs to be at the center of that.”

However this may turn out to be a failing move for the mega-company, especially when considering its current situation. On Oct. 23, WSJ correspondent George Stahl reported that Amazon experienced significant losses in the third quarter; Amazon also projects slower growth in the fourth quarter than analysts initially expected. Stahl wrote that the “bottom-line losses reflect Amazon’s heavy investments in new businesses and services that some investors worry are stretching the Seattle company too thin. This year, it has released an array of new offerings including a hand-held grocery-ordering device, unlimited ebook rental and streaming services, and its first set-top box and smartphone.”

This troubling news has caused Amazon’s stock shares to drop significantly – 11% in after-hours trading on top of the 4% drop in the past year.

A few Messiah students think the idea is bold, but possibly a good maneuver.

Junior marketing major Eric Moore thinks the strategy is “an interesting move for Amazon, especially considering that they have arguably been the driving force behind the explosive shift toward online shopping that has taken place over the last decade.” Moore sees the viability in the experimental tactic, as its been proven successful in other contexts, such as Apple stores that show off their technology to customers.

Junior Communication major Liz Gallo appreciates the utility of the shift. “I think it's a huge convenience for people because you can go right into the store and pick up your online purchases. I'm excited for this extension for Amazon.”

Senior business major Jayson Richardson thinks that Amazon’s past success gives the company freedom to experiment with new models. “From what I've read it seems that they're basically doing a trial run. They've done so well with

the online sales, so why not branch out!”

The coming years will determine whether or not Amazon can successfully reverse the typical company formula.

Their ambitious business tactics may leave them overextended and unable to support their shopping empire. In the big picture, though, the brick-and-mortar store is one of their less radical ideas.

After all, mentioned

we

have the

not

even drones.

October 30, 2014

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Opinions 8

A KEURIG CONUNDRUM Photo by Carly Groff Illustration by April Nguyen

Tori Winters STUDENT WRITER

T

he Keurig and its efficient K-Cups have enticed the hearts of busy coffee lovers throughout the US and much of Europe. However, is this coffee pleasantry worth the harmful environmental implications?

Maybe you have noticed the everincreasing presence of Keurig coffee systems. They are everywhere, and so are their promising plastic K-Cups and coffee pods packed with the ingredients for a delightful warm beverage. Environmental Magazine reports a rising estimation of 17 million offices and households in the United States using the Keurig brewing system. This generates billions of empty coffee pods in our landfills each year.

In 2011 the amount of discarded coffee pods “could have encircled the globe more than six times,” according to the book Caffeinated by Murray Carpenter.

This number rose to ten times in 2013.

to recognize the environmental harm in the phenomenon. “Plastic K-cups have bothered me, it’s always seemed wasteful,” senior education major Becky Lawrence states. “So, I have made the shift from the plastic cups, to the bio-degradable cups, to the actual multiple use filter, which I think is cheaper in the long run.”

“I think it’s awful, and a huge waste of plastic,” added nursing major Betsy Seigendall. “That’s why I use the re-usable mesh filter.”

Research firm Euromonitor estimates sales of coffee pod machines rose to 11.6 million units in 2013. Compared to 2008, sales increased over 10 million units.

Green Mountain Coffee, owners of Keurig products, claim five percent of their coffee pods are made out of recyclable plastics. The five percent of recyclable pods are not guaranteed to be recycled due to size. Furthermore, the cups Amidst the up rise of environ- must be separated from their foil and mental awareness, plastic K-cups emptied of remaining coffee grounds and coffee pods are falling behind in order to be considered recyclable. in regards to sustainable efforts.

Nevertheless, recently Keurig released The plastic portion of the cup is a #7 a statement proclaiming, “plans to plastic, meaning it is a composite plas- make all pods recyclable by 2020.” tic. The inside of the cup contains a pa- Knowing the environmental impact of per filter, and the top of the cup is made this seemingly simple caffeinated inof aluminum foil. Currently, plastic K- dulgence becomes disheartening. I percups are not recyclable due to their type sonally am guilty of regularly using the of plastic, size, and multiple materials. plastic pods due to their convenience.

In reality, maybe our method of makTwo Messiah College students are quick ing coffee needs to be re-evaluated

K-C

to better suite the sustainable needs of the world. There are many options becoming readily available.

UP

The first possible option is biodegradable coffee pods. There are numerous brands that make this option achievable throughout local grocery stores.

Second, if you are still hooked on the single cup, there are re-usable filters offered from Keurig and multiple coffee companies. This takes away from the idea of quick convenience found in coffee pods. Nonetheless, it produces less waste and can save money in the long run.

Finally, there is always the coffee pot brewer. Not only could you have more than one cup, but you could also share!

So next time you brew a beloved cup of joe, remember the possible environmental implications of the comforting beverage.

Every small sustainable step matters in making a difference.

?

“Plastic K-cups and coffee pods are falling behind in regards to sustainable efforts.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

October 30, 2014 The Swinging Bridge

Arts & Entertainment 9

Bringing Back Vinyl Commentary:

A

bout three years ago, my intrigue with vinyl was captured when I was cleaning my late aunt’s basement. She had an old, broken down mammoth of a record player. It was too far gone to take home, but none the less it captured my attention.

For Christmas this past year, I got a record player--at Target, no less--and out for trash the very next day by serendipity, was a box of 100 vinyls. That December, I combed through original collections of the Beatles, Elton John and Billy Joel. It was pure magic. The pops, crackles and soft-warm sounds that come from vinyl were much more soothing than I ever thought. I became to know some of my favorite artists on a much more intimate level.

The revitalization of vinyls was started back in 2006 and has steadily increased in popularity. Even new artists like Jack White, Vampire Weekend and the National have been turning their modern albums into a retro vinyls.

Older artists too have been pressing more records for the demand. Anyone from Bob Dylan to Tyler the Creator are now selling records at your local Barnes and Noble or Best Buy. Dan Black, the Mechanicsburg manager of Record Smith, said since the opening of their store three years ago, sales have doubled each year with LPs. “Even with newer heavy rock and indie music there is so much more you can hear with vinyl,” Black said.

According to Digital Trends website, they have reported that based on a 2012 sales figures, vinyl record album sales in the U.S has jumped 17.7 percent to almost 4.55 million units, while CD sales have steadily dropped.

So what prompted the winding of clocks back in time with music technology?

It starts with iTunes back in 2003.

Apple allowed their clients to pick and purchase only their favorite songs from albums. This picking and choosing of songs from artists was, at first, an appealing and cheap alternative to CDs. People find now that iTunes is no longer as cheap as they would like, so they head on over to Spotify and Pandora. CDs are too expensive for some, but buying vintage records is still a thrifty alternative.

“I buy old records from thrift stores or the local library book sale,” said senior, Lindsey Henry. “It’s a great deal and a treasure hunt at the same time!

It’s hard to buy them on the retail level, but you can find something really

neat for a quarter or less sometimes.”

Aside from economics, perhaps this selective music choice has distanced ourselves from music artists. Plenty of students have hundreds of artists on their computer, but only know a song or two from each artist. Vinyl does not allow the pleasure of skipping a song like in a CD. You have one record with two sides.

Finally, there is the sound. Unlike digital recording technology, the sound in records are captured by analog technology. Believe it or not, the limitations with capturing an accurate sound are actually more pleasing to the ear. Hence, when people say that they like the sound on vinyl more, they are talking about the warm attributes from the analog technology.

According to the “How Stuff Works” website, “Some audiophiles say that vinyl albums perform better in the lower frequencies, meaning

they provide a warm sound. They argue that compact discs aren’t as accurate at reproducing sounds at this range.”

“There’s a reason people still produce on LP,” Henry added. “Radiohead, Keane, Florence and the Machine, Sondre Lerche to name a few. I like least how people of my generation misunderstand records. The MP3 will never have a better sound quality than a record. It just won’t.

“The science behind the LP is amazing and yet, because it is outdated, it’s seemingly lesser.”

Since listening to vinyl, I have discovered so many new and old artists on a deeper level. It is nice to take a break from the digital age and put on a record.

Why Vinyl?

By Corinne Elliott FEATURES EDITOR

“Tunes is no longer as cheap as they would like... buying vintage records is still a thrifty alternative.”

“Vinyl does not allow the pleasure of skipping a song like in a CD.” “I became to know some of my favorite artists on a much more intimate level.” “...compact discs aren’t as accurate at reproducing sounds”

October 30, 2014

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Logotype provided by Wikipedia

Arts & Entertainment 10

: Takes A New

TWIST

on a

Classic SUPERHERO his part to make Gotham a better city.

The origin of a variety of Batman characters are explored throughout the show, such as Gordon, Catwoman, Penguin, Riddler, Poison Ivy, Alfred Pennyworth, and Bruce Wayne of course.

Photo provided by IMDB Gotham explores character origins of the Batman universe. clean up the corruption of Gotham,

By Danielle Burkett Bruce becomes Batman as a young STUDENT WRITER adult. With a little help from the Gotham Police Department, lmost everyone knows the specifically Police Commissioner Jim backstory to one of the most Gordon, Gotham gets on the path iconic superheroes of all time: Batman. to being restored as a decent city.

A

Just in case you don’t, here’s a quick summary: Batman is Bruce Wayne’s alter-ego who lives in a city called Gotham.

Bruce Wayne became Batman after watching his parents get murdered when he was a boy.

Deciding to take it upon himself to

The television show Gotham (FOX) puts a little bit of a different spin on this story.

Unlike most superhero-themed shows, Gotham doesn’t make the main character the “superhero.” In fact, Gotham is the story of how young rookie cop Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) does

Fans get glimpses into the backstories of these characters, but this show really dives into the backstories.

What made Oswald Cobblepot become Penguin? Why is Selena Kyle (Catwoman) living on the streets? How does Alfred adjust to his new role as father-figure to young Bruce Wayne?

It is particularly interesting to see a young Catwoman (Camren Bicondova) live off the city streets, swiping milk from someone’s shopping bag to feed to the alleyway cats, and clawing her way out of fights.

T

By Megan E. Bloom STUDENT WRITER

he Messiah College Honors Program is sponsoring a performancelecture entitled, What is Jazz? featuring jazz vocalist Ruth Naomi Floyd. Alternate chapel credit will be given for attendance at this event.

This event will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. in Parmer Hall in the High Center. It is free, but tickets are required for entry. Tickets are available at the college ticket office in Eisenhower.

Floyd is a jazz musician from Philadelphia who has been heavily involved in the music scene for over 20 years. Her website states that she has been using her musical gifts to express her Christian faith.

Besides performing, Floyd will incorporate a presentation into her event, answering the question, “What is jazz?” She will be informing the audience about the history of the jazz genre and where it is going today.

Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) is currently working for the crime boss, Maroni (David Zayas) and working on building his own crime empire.

The relationship between (David Mazouz) and Alfred Pertwee) is still very strained they both have a lot of learning

As time goes on and the stories within the show develop a bit more, it will be very interesting to see how the characters many know and love grow into their iconic roles.

“I’ve known Ruth Naomi Floyd for a number of years,” said Dr. Dean Curry, Director of the College Honors Program and Professor of Politics.

“Ruth performed at Messiah several years ago and the College Honors Program has been looking for an opportunity to bring her back and showcase her gifts to our community.”

The College Honors Program aims to promote cultural events with each of their annual fall and spring events.

Last year, the Honors Program sponsored an academic lecture and a social justice issues debate.

“The goal of this performancelecture, as well the College Honors

Program’s other major events, is to expose students and our broader community to outstanding cultural and academic figures,” Curry also added.

Attendees of Ruth Naomi Floyd’s Nov. 5 event wlll learn about the history of jazz music and gain appreciation for the genre.

“I hope that those folks who already know jazz will have a great evening of entertainment, and for those who aren’t as familiar with jazz that they leave with an appreciation of this great musical tradition,” said Curry.

Curry also hopes that Floyd will serve as a role model for students to show them that one can be a world class artist and still be a devout Christian believer.

Go-to Tracks on 90.7 pulsefm

Luluc

“Without a Face”

J Mascis

“Wide Awake”

Bruce (Sean since to do.

Seeing Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith), also known as the Riddler, working for the Gotham Police

JAZZ VOCALIST

Ruth Naomi Floyd TO VISIT MESSIAH

department as a forensic scientist is certainly an interesting take on his backstory. The little touches, like how Nygma talks rather cryptically or draws little question marks into the margins of his notebook, really help foreshadow who he will become.

SOJA

“Once Upon A Time”

Jason Mraz “Best Friend”

Magic!

“No Evil”

October 30, 2014

The Swinging Bridge

Arts & Entertainment 11

College Honors Program Participants Enjoy a

“Late Night at the Movies”

By Megan Hess STUDENT WRITER

S

ince the late 1990s’, the members of the Messiah College Honors Program have had the opportunity to enjoy a variety of different film genres through “Late Night at the Movies”.

This fall film series, sponsored by the College Honors Program, gets its name from the time when screenings take place. Evening screenings are the most practical because of all the classes located in Parmer Cinema during the day, according to College Honors Program director and politics professor Dean Curry.

The final film in the series will be Casablanca with Humphrey Bogart on November 11. This classic American cinematic love story contains some of the most oft-quoted lines in American movie history, including “I think this will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship” (dialogue spoken by Bogart), “Play it again, Sam” and “We’ll always have Paris”.

Both screenings will take place at 9:30 in Parmer Cinema.

last film in series: north by northwest november 11, 9:30PM parmer cinema 1 . O C T. 3 1 / N O V 1 PSYCHO

2. NOVEMBER 7,8 BOY HO O D

“The 9:30 p.m. start time for the films seems to be popular with students since attendance is quite high,” Curry said.

3. NOVEMBER 14,15 W H AT I F

4. NOVEMBER 21,25

The “Late Night at the Movies” series has a different theme each year. Focuses of prior years included Alfred Hitchcock films, foreign films, and films by American playwrights. Last fall, the theme was “Female Screen Legends”. This bookends the current theme of “Male Screen Legends.”

A MOST WANTED MAN

5. DECEMBER 5,6 THE LUNCHBOX

6. DECEMBER 12,13 GARDIANS OF

THE GALAXY

So far, attendees have experienced a varied mix of male stars and genres, with Marlon Brando in Francis Ford Coppola’s classic gangster film The Godfather, and Jimmy Stewart in the political-themed dramatic comedy Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Upcoming movies include Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest on October 28. This thriller starring Cary Grant is the story of a New York advertising executive believed to be a government agent and therefore chased across the country by a network of foreign spies.

Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine in Casablanca.

Cary Grant as Roger Thornhill in North by Northwest.

Photo provided by IMDB

Photo provided by IMDB

October 30, 2014

The Swinging Bridge

LISTEN UP:

BEST

Arts & Entertainment 12

Podcasts

ON

iTUNES

THE BUGLE

By Katie Mihelarakis STUDENT WRITER Remember about a decade ago when podcasts were popular? Surprise, surprise: people actually still listen to them.

With thousands of various programs on iTunes, it is difficult to know exactly where to start for somebody delving into the realm of podcasts.

Listed below are several top choices worth giving a try on iTunes.

IF I WERE YOU Comedians and best friends, Amir Blumenfeld and Jake Hurwitz from the YouTube channel College Humor have had their own podcast for the last year and a half. Their show, If I Were You, is an advice podcast where listeners send them emails about their problems, hoping to receive their counsel.

People ask questions about romance, friendships and other sticky situations that they have gotten themselves into.

This program is filled with hilarious jokes, silly stories and some of the realest advice one could ask for. Hurwitz and Blumenfeld tease every single person whose question they answer before going into every possible solution to the problem. Listeners keep coming back for more with the comedians’ banter and the insane situations that people deal with, leaving one in a fit of laughs by the end of the program.

News has the tendency of being too serious, especially for those who would prefer to laugh instead.

That is where John Oliver and Andy Zaltzman come into the picture.

The Bugle discusses the big news going on in the world with a twist of sarcasm and a refreshing splash of satire, making massive issues easier to swallow.

Every episode is packed with smartly humorous comments on just about everything, giving hilarious, side splitting remarks on the most serious of topics. Alongside their mockery of the world and all its inhabitants, they are able to provide a worldly view on topics like Scottish independence and Ebola.

Photo provided by npr.org

BAD CHRISTIAN

Toby Morrell and Matt Carter from the alternative rock band Emery, and their pastor friend Joey Svendsen, have created a program called Bad Christian.

This began as a blog that they started a few years ago that focused on being a Christian and a normal human. With the same mission, they now interview different people in the Christian community, such as leaders of organizations, musicians, and pastors from across the United States. The trio and guests discuss topics through the lens of being a modern day Christian, such as drinking alcohol, swearing, and lying. They speak with passion and genuinely want to open up the minds of Christians across the nation to think in a broader, Photo provided by thebuglepodcast.com more relaxed fashion.

NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO National Public Radio (NPR) has dozens of content that they produce multiple times a week. They have programs that are focused on news (Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates), economics (Planet Money), music (All Songs Considered), cars (Car Talk), and culture (Pop Culture Happy Hour). All of these shows are crafted by top of the line broadcasters that are able to come up with fun and interesting content for their listeners. The hosts have a vast knowledge of their designated topic which allows them to convey the information with finesse. Because of the high quality of work produced, listeners are able to be fully engaged in the material presented.

Photo provided by badchristian.com

Photo provided by galleryhip.com

IF I WERE YOU

THE BUGLE

Twitter: @jakeandamir

Twitter: @hellobuglers

http://ifiwereyoushow.com

http://thebuglepodcast.com

C ON N E CT A N D LIS TEN: BAD CHRISTIAN Twitter: @xbadchristianx http://thebuglepodcast.com

NPR Find one to follow at http://www.npr.org/rss/ podcast/podcast_directory.php

OCtober 30, 2014

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Student Original Comics

Messiah Mini-Pages 13

by Nathaniel Hardman

SPORTS

October 30, 2014

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RETURNING TO

the Nest: SWIM AND TENNIS ALUM R E V I E W T H E I R T I M E AT M E S S I A H

By Daulton Leonard STUDENT WRITER

A

blustery October day marked the beginning of the men’s tennis team’s participation in the yearly alumni games. And while it was chilly outside, the weather had no effect on the swim team’s first appearance in the alumni games inside either.

This was the first time either team had competed in their respective alumni games during Homecoming Weekend.

The reunion of former Messiah classmates was truly a reminder as to why Messiah College leaves a lasting impression. Old friends laughed and reminisced about old games, players, coaches, and events.

“I will surely come back every year just to keep in contact with old teammates, said 2010 alum Luke Ruch, who played tennis during his time at Messiah.

“As you grow older you often wonder what happened to someone you used to spend a majority of your time with.”

Time was of no essence as the caravanning and playing appeared to never have a foreseeable end. “It was really cool to see what became of guys we played with,” current tennis player Michael Brookhart said. “These guys were all good guys. It is nice to see that they are faring well in life after college.”

Life after college seemed surprising to some of the alum.

“I feel like it was just yesterday that I was running up the stairs in Boyer to make it to class on time,” said 2012 graduate Trevor Smith. “Now, here I am two years later, as an alum! Where does the time go? Man, these were sure fun days.”

A fun day was had for all who were involved. Swim coach Nancy Luley was excited about the games as well.

“I was originally going to do regular events, but then I realized that some of the events would be cruel to make the alumni perform. I had to pick and choose, and shorten, certain events to ensure that none of the alumni would be overwhelmed,” Luley laughed.

It was overwhelming for some of the participants in the games.

“Overwhelmed? Yeah, a little. Probably due to the fact that I’ve been out of college for fourteen years!

I’m the old guy now,” said 2000 graduate Jeremiah Schoefield.

Messiah really is a place that transcends generations.

The impression Messiah left on the alumni was front and center during their return. The competitive edge was still there, but it was softened by the reunion of old friends and classmates.

“I was just surprised by how much changed in less than a year,” 2014 graduate Dave Wichert said with a smile.

Sports 14

“I was just surprised by how much changed in less than a year.

Some guys are married, some guys have beards now!

We are all just so different.”

-Dave Wichert ‘14 “Some guys are married, some guys have beards now! We are all just so different.”

One common thread will hold these Messiah graduates together for eternity; at one point in their lives they were all Falcons learning to fly on their own.

They made bonds throughout the four years they were learning to fly. The bonds were strong enough to pull them back to the nest to once again be a part of something they so deeply cherished.

Illustration by Abbey Wylie

Not Just a Game,

But a Tradition

By Sarah Beckman STUDENT WRITER

A

mong the mix of alumni games that flood Messiah College during Homecoming weekend, one game— one tradition—stands alone to pit current classes against each other to find out who will claim the coveted title of Powderpuff Football Champion.

This year, the misty fall day began with the senior Class of 2015 taking on the first-year Class of 2018. The first-years started off strong with two touchdowns in the first half alone, putting them on the board 12-0 going into the second half.

The seniors quickly fought back with their first touchdown of the game, bringing the score to 12-6. The firstyears only used that as motivation to score again. Shortly after, the firstyears moved fast with a breakaway touchdown, making it 18-6. Though down by 12, the seniors refused to go down without a fight, and came back

Photo by Will Colfelt Sophomores (in camo) and first-years (in pink) tangle at the line of scrimmage during the championship game.

October 30, 2014

The Swinging Bridge

Sports 15

Not Just A Game, But A Tradition CONTINUED// to score another touchdown toward the end of the second half. However, their efforts were not enough to take the game away from the first-years, who, to much surprise, ultimately won 18-16.

The second game of the day matched the junior class of 2016 against the sophomore class of 2017. The winner of this contest would go on to face the firstyears in the championship. The sophomores were on a mission to score right from the start. And that is exactly what the girls did, scoring two touchdowns within the first five minutes of the game.

Though hopes were low for the juniors,

who found themselves down 14-0 in the first five minutes of the game, the class of 2016 would go on to score early in the second half of the game to put them just behind the sophomores. With the sophomores still in the lead, they knew that they needed more cushion.

The sophomores quickly responded again with yet another touchdown to make it 20-6 sophomores. Among their frustration, the juniors held strong and began to play more aggressively on defense. A defensive interception by junior Liz Gallo sparked the juniors’ momentum, who then went on to score a touchdown a few plays later to make the score 20-12. Despite their

valiant efforts, the junior class could not pull through with a win. This loss sent the sophomore class to the championship game against the first-years.

The sophomores carried their momentum from their win over the juniors into the championship game, where the girls scored their first touchdown off of an interception just minutes into the game. Trailing 6-0, the first-years wasted no time to put themselves on the board. After the first-years scored their first touchdown of the game, the sophomores responded right back with another touchdown, making it 12-6.

The score remained the same, until the

last few minutes of the game. While it seemed that the sophomores had the game in the bag, again to much surprise, the first-years pulled through with yet another touchdown. This tied the game at 12, forcing overtime play.

Overtime favored the class of 2017, as an early interception put the sophomores up 18-12. That would be the final.

While all of the teams came out strong and played their hearts out, the coveted title of 2014 Powderpuff Champions was awarded to the sophomore class of 2017.

More than

the Color

By Mason McFee STUDENT WRITER

E

very person there had one goal – get as much color on themselves as humanly possible.

Many people were gathered at the start of the Fitness Trail on Saturday morning of Homecoming Weekend.

The excitement could be felt in the atmosphere as friends and family eagerly awaited the send-off that would begin Messiah College’s 2014 inaugural Color Run. Little did the participants know that they were in for a treat.

Running is not everyone’s favorite physical activity, but there is something about the idea of being pelted with powdered color that motivates individuals to run. It sounds strange, but it is true, and this was evident with many of the runners slowing down their pace to get a good amount of color thrown at them. The runners’ white t-shirts quickly transformed into a canvas with various bright colors strewn. While the colors were bright, there was something even brighter than the colors—the volunteers.

The Homecoming Committee volunteers were stationed throughout the run with buckets of color primed to chuck at the passing runners, but the buckets were not what made the volunteers stand out—it was their actions. The volunteers did the little things like help make sure the runners were on the right path when paths diverged, and made sure each runner had a bottle of water as they crossed the finish line.

Above all, the volunteers encouraged.

Their simultaneous cheers, claps, and hoots gave many of the runners that

extra juice to keep going. While that may not seem like a big deal, it is quite important for those actually in the run itself. With their encouragement, the going was made easier for the colorful runners who were progressing along.

The encouragement provided by the Homecoming Committee during the Color Run, and throughout all of Homecoming Weekend, is a prime example of what Messiah College is all about.

No matter the context, Messiah is about building a sense of community, and that starts with positive interactions and building relationships. Whether it is upperclassmen being willing to talk to underclassmen, professors allowing students to be vulnerable in deep discussions, or an event as simple as a Color Run, Messiah College strives to maintain a sense of community.

Christ’s love could be felt throughout the run through the volunteers--something truly special to take away from what was already an enjoyable event.

Photos by Paul Ney

October 30, 2014

The Swinging Bridge

Sports 16

Uncommonly Rich a look at the wrestling team’s brotherhood

By Daulton Leonard STUDENT WRITER

M

essiah’s Wrestling team Head Coach Bryan Brunk is not satisfied with a team record of 21-2, being commonwealth champions, or having five NCAA championship qualifiers or four NCAA All-Americans. The former NWCA coach of the year is expecting even more success for his Falcons this upcoming season. His excitement expands beyond just the upperclassmen.

“This is by far the most special group of incoming freshmen I have ever recruited. Other than their work ethic, I would attribute their success to the lengths that the team has gone to in order to include them in our brotherhood,” Brunk stated.

This brotherly bond that Brunk speaks of is ubiquitous. “It was pretty cool to be so welcomed. It gave us [freshmen] a chance to know some people and also gave us someone to hang out with. We do everything together,” said freshman David Giovinacchi. This group of young men is stitched together by one common thread: the love of wrestling.

The Rich Young Ruler is a story about a rich man who asked Jesus what he had to do in order to gain eternal life. Jesus told the man to sell all his possessions and follow Jesus.

“It is a metaphor. It is my way of asking the team, ‘what are you willing to give up in order to become a National Champion? What will you sacrifice for this team?’ This is what makes us so uncommon,” Brunk said.

Uncommon they are. They are uncommonly rich in brotherhood. Their work ethic is uncommonly devoted.

What makes this team so impressive is that they all have uncommonly large amounts of heart. These are all important aspects for this team if they intend to achieve their goal of a National Title.

Senior Isaiah Shipman put it best: “This year should be exciting. We have a great team. We have an unbreakable bond. We have been working hard all offseason long, and we are ready to go. It is our time. It is our time to win the National Championship.”

WED 10.22.14

Women’s Soccer vs Hood College

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Field Hockey at Hood College

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Men’s Soccer vs Hood College

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Women’s Soccer

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at Lebanon Valley College

SAT 10.25.14

Women’s Soccer at Farmingdale State College

Field Hockey at Widener University

wrestling.

Photo by Carly Groff

Student Director Lauren Piccioni Assistant Student Director Cameron Gilmore Editor-In-Chief Joel Hoover Features Editor Corinne Elliott News Editor Miranda Ruiz Opinions Editor Breanna Whitelock A & E Editor Megan E. Bloom

Sports Scores TUE 10.21.14

We eat, sleep, breathe, and dream

Sports Editor Elizabeth Gallo Designers Abbey Wylie April Nguyen Cait Fenello Carly Groff Frances Miller Megan Dobinson Audio/ Visual Paul Ney Will Colfelt Business Ebenezer Degu Molly Scott

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Women’s Volleyball vs Muhlenberg College

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Women’s Volleyball at Gettysburg College

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Social Media Alexandra Coonradt

Swingingbridge.messiah.edu FB// MessiahPulse Twitter// MessiahPulse

Website Mark Ferris

THE

SWINGING BRIDGE

Contributions were made even after some of the wrestlers did not make the NCAAs. “You know your team is special when you have guys who were eliminated or did not make it, stick around to help you practice. They stayed just to make sure the guys who made it, won. They made us better,” said Loht who finished as the 141 pound National Champion. “The hardest part about accepting the victory was that we could not bring all of our team up on stage,” Loht said with a smile.

Coach Brunk helps to instill these values by starting the season out with devotion. “Each year I begin with the same devotion. I tell the team the story of The Rich Young Ruler,” Brunk explained with enthusiasm.

We all have a common goal.

MESSIAH COLLEGE//THE PULSE

“We all have a common goal. We eat, sleep, breathe, and dream wrestling.

Every player has a purpose; every individual has something to contribute,” senior Health and Physical Education major Kaleb Loht mentioned.

The most intriguing part about this team is that they are always smiling.

A positive aura is prevalent among every member of the team. They pick each other up when a teammate falls or fails. “I look for good kids, good students, who are coachable, and can help build a winning team,” Brunk noted.