THE
SWINGING BRIDGE MESSIAH COLLEGE//THE PULSE
Vol. 95 // ED. 2 // September 25, 2014
The Ebola Virus QuEST T
General Education
“
Brianna Keener STUDENT WRITER
We do not anticipate this will spread in the U.S. if an infected person is hospitalized here.
he Ebola virus – currently in the worst epidemic of its kind in history – is sweeping the communities of West Africa, bringing severely devastating and often fatal results to its victims.
“
Ebola Virus has made appearances in these regions. The darker the red, the more infections.
The Ebola virus made its first appearance in 1976 in both Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Such incidences became nearly nonexistent shortly thereafter, until March of this year. Since the outbreak in Guinea this past spring, the virus has overtaken Central and West Africa, particularly in areas near tropical rainforests.
Change to Enrich Learning By Madeline Crocenzi STUDENT WRITER
M
QuEST stands for Qualities Essential for Student Transformation. The mission of QuEST as stated on Messiah’s website is, “to encourage the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes of intellect, character, and faith that Christians use in lives of service, leadership and reconciliation.”
Originally carried by fruit bats, the virus is transmitted to people now through the blood of infected wild animals, and transferred to humans through interaction. During an Ebola epidemic, those most at risk of contracting the disease are family members or anyone in contact with the infected persons, as well as health care workers. Early symptoms of the disease include sudden fever, extreme weakness, and aching muscles, followed by headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as kidney and liver malfunctions. Although there is not a vaccination as of yet, there is one currently in progress. The most efficient form of treatment, at this time, is complete isolation. Although Ebola is a serious and deadly virus invading West Africa, its presence in the United States is scarce. Americans Dr. Kent Brantly, a medical doctor for the Samaritan’s Purse organization, and his colleague Nancy Writebol both contracted Ebola while serving in Liberia. They were flown back on specialized private planes and were quarantined after their return to the United States. Given no contact with the outside world, both victims spent their days in specialized hospitals, and have
essiah College has upgraded its general education program with the new name QuEST, starting this school year.
Dr. Robin Lauermann, Assistant Dean of General Education and Common Learning, is in charge of the two-year project that is now taking life. She describes the old general education system as one that lacked a clear purpose statement. “QuEST works in line with the see anew campaign, it is a transformative experience. We’ve chosen to lead with the essence of what we do and why we do it,” Lauermann said. QuEST general education courses are broken up into four categories: abilities of the liberal arts, knowledge of the liberal arts, Christian faith, and social responsibility. However, students will have a say in what classes they choose.
now reached the road to recovery. These two individuals are the only Americans known to have this virus. Although Ebola is highly contagious, Dr. Tom Frieden, Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says that there is no reason for concern.
“Our system is built on choice,” Lauermann said. “With the exception of a couple courses, students have the ability to choose among an option of approved courses.”
“We do not anticipate this will spread in the U.S. if an infected person is hospitalized here,” he said in a public statement. American hospitals are provided with supplies that will prevent the spread of Ebola.
This new general education system aligns with national best practices. The Association of American Colleges and Universities lists four “essential learning outcomes” as part of the LEAP campaign. The only difference between is the interwoven faith component that is a vital part of QuEST.
Furthermore, there is no reason for alarm here at Messiah, as no students here have contracted the disease. Dr. Louann Zinsmeister, Nursing Professor // Continued on page 3
Image provided by Voice of America News
The Resto Put Waste in House its Place pg. 2
pg. 5
Fall Tv Premiere pg. 9
// Continued on page 4
A Winning Blueprint pg. 14
NEWS
September 25, 2014 The Swinging Bridge
News 2
THE RESTO HOUSE Carla DeJesus STUDENT WRITER
T
and make bio-diesel fuel for the Messiah gators. The Restoration House also now runs the student club known as “Earthkeepers”, which organizes Lisburn Road clean ups, nature walks, and other activities.
One house is for men and the other is for women, both with six residents. Chickens occupy the third, supplying eggs to Grantham Community Garden for their farm stands. All are located on Grantham Road across the train tracks from Old Main.
According to Dr. David Foster, the house advisor and head of the Sustainability Major at Messiah, Resto started as the Greenhouse in 1999 and later became the Restoration House. Now in its 15th year, it is the longest running special interest house at Messiah College.
hree houses, 12 students, 14 chickens, community dinners, silos, sunflowers and gators all add up to the Restoration House.
Thomas Carson, a three-year Resto resident, works with the Collaboratory, which uses one house for its sunflower project. Its goals are to sell oil to Lottie
Senior Andrea McIntosh says that Resto residents are committed to restoration of relationships between people, God, and the environment.
Their mission is summed up as, “living the way God intended – in harmony with one another and the earth.” It is played out through various activities where intentional community and simple living is emphasized. Students share supplies and costs, spend wholesome time together, spiritually engage each other, salvage items, practice a go green mentality. They host and invite all college residents to a free bi-weekly dinner on Sundays at 6:00 p.m. where they share a vignette on ecological issues. Their annual FallFest will take place on October 5.
O
n September 6th, President Obama announced that he would delay executive action to reform U.S. immigration policy until after the midterm elections. Democratic senators in southern states advised the administration to postpone this action, since it would run the risk of upending several party incumbents running for reelection. Obama explained that he wanted to make sure his executive action would be “sustainable”, and that he believed that the public still need education on “what the facts are on immigration, what we’ve done on unaccompanied children, and why it’s necessary.” Republican politicians claim the delay is a power play to keep from jeopardizing Democratic seats. Activist movements such as United We Dream
have described the postponement as a “slap in the face,” and the Hispanic caucus has scheduled to vote on filing a formal complaint against Obama. After all, the President did promise to enact his authority on this issue “without further delay”. Messiah College politics professor John Harles described Obama as “between a rock and a hard place”, and attempted to put the present controversy into a historical context. “In 1965 the US decided to recast the entire immigration policy,” Harles said. “The upshot of this is it outlined to main criteria for welcoming people. One was family reunification: if you had an immediate family member in the country, you could gain access. The other, which was less significant numerically, was if you had economic qualifications that people in the U.S. wanted. And that’s remained basically the case now.”
Please visit and like their Facebook page, WE LOVE THE RESTO HOUSE. make all kinds of compromises. It’s not a battle between good and evil all the time – there are a million shades of gray. So given a less-than-ideal situation, what’s the best thing to do? I actually think the best thing for him to do is to wait.”
Students interested in living at the Restoration Houses in the future can find an application on Messiah’s
protective Wilberforce Act, which promoted the Bush administration’s attempts at stopping sex trafficking by housing illegal immigrant children for short periods of time.
IMMIGRATION REFORM Olivia La Bianca STUDENT WRITER
Special Interest House page. Carson indicated that preference is given to those who will be juniors and seniors, but freshman can apply for sophomore year living. If you appreciate the earth and desire to live purposeful with others and nature, you belong at Resto.
Right now, about 14% (40 million) of the population is foreign born. Of that 40 million, about 30% (11 million) are illegals. “That has been the issue most immediately, what to do with these illegals. This becomes an issue particularly in states bordering Mexico. Over the last two or three years, the number of illegal immigrants began to tail off. Instead what you’ve got are all these children coming from further south and central America.” Harles speculates that this is due to a miscommunication of what immigrants believe U.S. policy is: “The idea being that if kids came unaccompanied, they might have a better chance of getting a foothold and being able to stay in the U.S.” Harles attributes mistaken conception to a number of issues, including a fundamental misunderstanding of the DREAM Act as well as the child-
“A misunderstanding of this probably filtered down into Central America, so people sent their kids with the assumption that they wouldn’t be sent back.” “So, given all of that, and given this continual desire to tighten up the border, the Obama administration has tried to get some comprehensive immigration legislation through Congress. But because Congress is essentially dysfunctional right now, he hasn’t been able to do that.” Thus prompting the move to executive action. The decision to postpone this action is a difficult one to make. “I think that political life is such that you have to make all kinds of compromises. It’s not a battle between good and evil all the time – there are a million shades of gray. So given a less-than-ideal situation, what’s the best thing to do? I actually think the best thing for him to do is to wait.”
September 25, 2014 The Swinging Bridge
ISIS: PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS Casey Daggett STUDENT WRITER
O
struggle with just how to combat the rapidly growing state, (as of writing this article, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel had announced the US would help train Syrian rebels to counter ISIS aggression along with continued airstrikes), the world is uniformly horrified by the barbarism ISIS has been infamous for.
When the Iraqi army all but crumbled under ISIS pressure throughout the summer, roughly 100,000 Christians were forced to flee their villages. The majority of these had little to nothing save the clothes on their backs, their only choice to flee or be brutally killed by ISIS soldiers.
Prior to July of 2014, few had ever heard of the group and it was considered a fringe jihadist group, so radical even Al-Qaeda had denounced it. However, ISIS dominated international news headlines as it swept through Iraq and easily defeated a US-trained military, as well as overtaking parts of neighboring Syria.
With two American journalists and a British aid worker beheaded, along with an attempted public execution recently foiled by Australia and countless social media posts boasting of genocide and cruelty, ISIS has proven itself wholly and unflinching dedicated to eliminating anyone who resists their radical views.
David Curry, the CEO of Open Doors USA, a Christian persecution watchdog group, has linked the rise and subsequent flourishing of ISIS to the lack of concern for Christians within the Middle East.
ne of the most chilling stories of the summer was the sudden rise of ISIS, or as it’s officially known, The Islamic State.
Though both domestic and international leaders continue to
ISIS, which is Sunni, has dedicated itself to wiping out the pockets of Shias, Christians and other religious minorities within its territory.
In an interview with Christian Post, he states that “[there are] extremist groups within Islam, like ISIS. It’s not true of every person who is Islamic. But there are extremist groups like this who want to force people to convert to Islam at the point of a gun. Unless we understand that threat, not just to
off-campus in the New Cumberland Farmer’s Market. Throughout the summer, it has produced record amounts of zucchini, cucumbers, eggs, peppers and grape tomatoes, making 2014 the most productive year at the Grantham Community Garden.
COMMUNITY GARDEN Toby Mea STUDENT WRITER
S
tudents of Messiah College likely have witnessed the fruits of the Grantham Community Garden’s labor as displayed in the masterfully and beautifully kept quarter-acre garden located between Mountain View and Kline Hall. However, many are likely unaware of the presence of a second garden on the campus grounds. There are now two gardens growing on Messiah College’s campus. If one stares closely enough through the pine trees that line the railroad tracks in front of Old Main, one can easily distinguish the second garden from the rest of the plain, and domesticated greenery that defines the surrounding area of land along which Grantham Road runs. Funded by the senior gift committee of 2014, the second garden was conceived by the summer garden managers of 2013 as a means of expanding garden
operations. According to Andrea McIntosh, the Student Sustainability Coordinator here at Messiah College, the purpose of the second garden (a.k.a the garden expansion) is to “increase the Community Garden’s reach,” which will contribute to its mission of promoting real-life sustainable agriculture on campus. Following the success of the growing season of 2013, the summer garden managers of 2014 have successfully transformed roughly half of the oneacre plot of land into a lush garden. This is also the first season in which the Community Garden sold produce
Looking forward to the fall semester, the other half acre is scheduled to be plowed in preparation for the next growing season. Garden production manager Ian Morrison is planning to hold a demonstration session on plowing for those who are interested in helping in the process. Additionally, plans are moving ahead with the design and installation of an irrigation system accompany the next phase of the garden expansion. Cover crops will also be planted in the first garden with the help of the Ecology & Sustainability class in order to replenish the soil. In the meantime however, the fruits from this season are ready and available for purchase at the bi-weekly Grantham Community Garden farm stand. Future plans may also include some of the Community Garden produce being included in the meals prepared in the Lottie Nelson Dining Hall. A common assumption about the Grantham Community Garden is that despite the inclusion of the word “community” in its name, it is exclusive to students within the Sustainability major. Concerned about the apparent homogeneity, Community Garden outreach coordinator, Anna McKay is, “placing an emphasis on student involvement outside of the sustainability major.” Aside from the primary task of providing Messiah College students and faculty with
News 3
Christians in the region but to people worldwide, we’re not going to respond properly. I think it has risen because of a lack of attention and a lack of concern for Christians and other minority groups.” Christian organizations worldwide, including such as Open Doors USA, Christian Aid Mission and Samaritan’s Purse, are working to provide refugees with aid and support as well as give refugees a chance to share their stories with the world. David Curry is quick to state that, “the support of Christians in the West is greatly necessary. With food, with water, it’s one of those things — this is going to be a problem for a long time. We can’t lose our focus that these are brothers and sisters, and that they have been persecuted for their faith.” While the persecution of Christians may seem a thing of the past, reminiscent of ancient times or days long past, millions of believers around the world and certainly within the Middle East risk their lives every day by choosing to believe.
local, sustainably-grown produce, the Grantham Community Garden also engages in other activities that are oriented towards outreach and fostering social justice. These include organizing external educational activities, arranging volunteer opportunities, and coordinating tours with the Oaks Museum.. Alex Correia, the administrative coordinator for the Garden, stresses how the Community Garden will greatly benefit from a diversity of skills. “We are a multifaceted sustainable business, and we need people from every major, such as but not limited to engineering, biology, business, communications, graphic design et cetera,” she said. Those interested in getting involved with the Grantham Community Garden and other sustainable efforts on campus, may contact communitygarden@messiah. edu or sustainability@messiah.edu.
// The Ebola Virus continued. at Messiah College, explains that though it is a “national security issue,” the possibility of Ebola reaching this college is highly unlikely and there are a myriad of safety measures to take to ensure that the virus would not spread. If you are feeling ill, the Engle Center at Messiah College is committed to serving your needs and giving out the necessary supplies to restore your health. Located next to Larson Student Union, the Engle Center is open from 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday through Friday. This center provides both health and counseling services. To make an appointment, stop by in person, contact them by phone (717.691.6035), or email them at englecenter@messiah.edu.
September 25, 2014 The Swinging Bridge // Quest continued. The long-term goals of QuEST are to provide students with a new appreciation for general education courses. Lauermann often hears students say, “Gen eds are supposed to be easy! As well as, “I need to get my gen ed out of the way.” “One thing we hope happens is that the more students understand why its valuable to take a certain course, the more it will help them understand what is going on,” Lauermann said. She acknowledges that many of the skills employers seek are formed in general education classes. Whether it’s critical thinking or writing skills, QuEST works to make sure that students gain those basic foundational skills.
What does the general education change mean for students moving forward? Currently QuEST does not make any curriculum changes. Although, it is very important to search for classes that have been QuEST approved. Lauermann stresses not to take a class without getting it approved beforehand. Advisors, the registrar’s office, and Dr. Lauermann herself are available to answer any student questions. In addition the QuEST website provides a link of approved courses. Dr. Lauermann and the team behind QuEST hope that this general education change defines exactly what it means to have a Messiah College education.
FERGUSON’S ISSUES OF
&
RACE
M
After a brief altercation between Johnson and the officer he then proceeded to grab at Brown, pulling him against his will towards the police cruiser which was when the first shot was fired. Brown along with Johnson tried to escape but the officer pursued them until Brown turned around with hands in the air and was shot several times which apparently caused his death. However, another side claims Brown
News 4
Rotaract Club
I
Danielle Burkett STUDENT WRITER
f you enjoy helping others, locally, internationally, and globally than Rotaract Club is where you should be. Rotaract Club is a global organization with over 30,000 clubs worldwide for young adults aged 18-30 so your club membership doesn’t end when you graduate. After you turn 30, you become eligible to join your local Rotary Club. Rotary Club has been in operation since 1905 and has always been an international club dedicated to serving others. Rotary was intended to be a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships and that mindset continues to today. Messiah’s Rotaract club meets biweekly to plan out service opportunities, activities and projects, and socialize with other members. According to Rukishani Pereara, President of Messiah’s Rotaract Club, Rotaract isn’t just about service. Members are able to increase their international understanding,
professional development, and they can learn about club services. “I want to go international, put our faith into doing international projects,” Pereara said about the club’s future plans. For instance, she’s hoping that the club will be able to help out with a cancer project for kids. But the club is also dedicated to helping out the Mechanicsburg area by working with the Mechanicsburg Rotary club. Each month will bring a new project for the club to focus on. During the month of September, there was the 50th Annual Ox Roast in which the proceeds went toward programs and organizations supported by the Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg. Coming up next in November is Bowling for Books, which helps raise funds for local libraries. To learn more about Rotaract Club at Messiah College, check out one of their bi-weekly meetings on Wednesdays from 7-8pm in Boyer 130. Or, contact Rukishani Pereara at gp1169@messiah.edu
RECONCILIATION
Myriam Pedercini STUDENT WRITER
ichael Brown was a young African American male on the verge of entering college when he was fatally shot on the streets of Ferguson Missouri this past August. This case sparked controversy in the U.S. and gained global awareness after protests began in Ferguson against local law enforcement. There are different sides to this case; one being Brown and Dorian Johnson— Brown’s friend – were stopped by an unnamed Caucasian male officer inside his police car who allegedly demanded they get off the street. Johnson claimed that when they tried to explain where they were going he [the officer] seemed to continue to drive by but abruptly stopped in front of the pair.
had been approached in a threatening manner or was assaulted by the police officer which caused him to to shoot Brown as an act of self-defense. The incident stirred up protests and riots which have spread across the U.S. especially in universities around the nation. Discussions over racial tensions, profiling and reconciliation have even reached Messiah College. President of the Black Student Union (BSU), Djola McGowan, acknowledges the need for students to engage in these conversations despite how uncomfortable it may seem. McGowan explains that “...some students don’t identify with a culture or race, [and believe] there is no need to talk about it or they’re tired of talking about race. They think if they don’t talk about race it’ll go away”. She explained that clubs on c ampus such as BSU and the Multicultural Council are here to educate students on racial topics and to provide a safe place to build an opinion and become culturally competent
IN THE U.S.
by engaging in discussion. The BSU specifically plans to hold a discussion on October 23rd to speak about the Brown case as well as other current events which revolve around racial tension, the portrayal of unrepresented victims in today’s media and racial reconciliation. Professor Paul Rego of Messiah’s Department of Politics and International Relations agrees that students and communities across the nation should engage in conversations like the Brown case and to, “not shy away from the controversy of race”. Rego warns against demonizing the other point of view but to have open and honest conversation. He goes on to explain that Americans should “not separate this [Brown] issue with the racial baggage that this country has”. The Brown case is currently being decided on by the grand jury and has been pushed back to January 7th, according to CNN.
October
23
The BSU plans to hold a discussion to speak about the Brown case as well as other current events which revolve around racial tension.
OPINIONS
The Swinging Bridge September 25, 2014
Opinions5
Illustrations provided by Frances Miller
By Kristen Schuyler STUDENT WRITER
T
hree weeks ago, The Office of Sustainability at Messiah College, in partnership with Dining Service, Campus Events and Ground, launched “Put Waste in its Place,” a composting program that takes biodegradable waste and converts it into a compost to provide nutrients for the gardens on Messiah’s grounds. These gardens grow a lot of the vegetables we see throughout campus, whether they have been baked to serve at Lottie for lunch, or are being sold at the farm stands the department organizes twice a week. Craig Dalen is the director of the Office of Sustainability, and has worked hard with three other students to implement this new program. Students have designed the new garbage bins to separate biodegradable items, recyclable items, and other trash. Biodegradable items include our food, napkins, and even the new to-go boxes at The Falcon and The Union. All of this can be placed into the section of the garbage labeled “Organic.” “The ultimate goal is to run food retail outlets on campus that operate with zero landfill waste,” Dalen explains. “Nearly everything dining services sells is either organic/biodegradable or recyclable.” You can find these newly designed garbage bins in places like The Union for now, but soon, Dalen and his team are going to be adding these bins throughout the entire campus. In a short time, we will see them in every residence hall and academic building here. This environmentally friendly program has members of the Messiah College Community taking pride in their home. Nycol Lyons, a first year student here, stated that she was unaware of the details regarding where Messiah stands in protecting the earth. “After learning about it when I came here, it improved the way I viewed my school and really made me love Messiah that
The Organic Solution “NEARLY EVERYTHING dining services sells is either organic/ biodegradable or recyclable.”
much more,” she explains. “It was reassuring knowing they were doing something great for our environment.” The program seems to be very favorable here on campus, and students are desiring a deeper knowledge of the benefits of the conversion from waste into compost for our garden, as well as a knowledge of the way we had been harming the environment prior to implementing this program. “I think it’s important that we understand what this is about and how it benefits the environment we live in,” explains Samantha Cundill, a sophomore here at Messiah. The Office of Sustainability has been working to advertise their changes to the Messiah community by speaking with the First Year Seminar classes about the new ideas being implemented. First year students are being introduced now so that as time goes on, they can observe the impact going green will have on Messiah as a whole. “Everyone is always saying, ‘oh yeah, Messiah is a “green” school,’ and
that’s always been the attitude of the community,” Cundill further explains. “But now they are inviting the students to join them, and that’s really cool too.” In launching this program, Dalen articulates his enthusiasm for bringing the community together through this project. “People tend to see this as a liberal or conservative issue, and we’re saying, no, this is just good, Christian ethics. It comes out of the concept of shalom, which is a flowing wholeness of a right relationship with God, a right relationship with your neighbor, and a right relationship with the land. When all three of those relationships are restored, that’s when you get this flourishing wholeness.” The Office of Sustainability is growing at a rapid rate, simply because they are inviting the entire college community to join them in their pledge to make Messiah a healthier, more natural home to live in. You, as a member of the community, are invited to join them as well, to restore the shalom.
HOW DO I
PUT WASTE IN ITS PLACE? RE CYC L I N G
Paper/cardboard, plastics 1-7, glass, aluminum ORG A N I C S
Food, to-go containers, hot containers/cups, napkins L A N D FI L L
Wrappers, packaging
September 25, 2014 The Swinging Bridge
Opinions 6
WHY
23 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
MESSIAH? Reasons why international students choose Messiah as their “home away from home”
By My Nguyen STUDENT WRITER
F
or the 2014-2015 academic year, the number of incoming international students has reached its highest total in the history of Messiah College. With 49 incoming international, missionary and transcultural students who represent 23 different countries in the world, the number of international students this year is nearly twice than that of two years ago (28 students). As the number of international students is increasing year by year, a question is raised. Why do international students choose to attend Messiah? Answers for this question are various, but here are the top three common reasons that randomly interviewed international students say about their decision to attend Messiah College. Good amount of financial aid award “Money comes first” for most international students. Because of the high and yearly-increasing tuition and fees, it seems impossible for international students to pay for an education in a developed country like America without financial aid.
merit scholarships (based on SAT and TOEFL scores, GPA, talent and achievements) and need-based aid (based on family’s financial situation). Loza Sahilu, a sophomore from Ethiopia, shared that the financial aid award is important because the currency exchange is very high that
◊ “Money comes first” ◊ For Christians, a place to grow a deeper relationship with God. ◊ For non-Christians: a place to either live in a friendly and safe community or learn about God. ◊ Liberal Arts School — Small Size
The financial aid award that Messiah often offers international students includes academic and
it makes it tough for her parents to cover all of the expenses. “But since Messiah gave 60% of the tuition fees as the financial aid, I am able to pursue an education,” said Sahilu. For Christians: a place to grow a deeper relationship with God. For non-Christians: a place to either live in a friendly and safe community or learn about God. International students who are Christians find themselves belong at Messiah as they grow in faith and relationship with God. Jodie Howard, a junior from Papua New Guinea, said that she wanted to go to a school where she could grow in her faith as well as academics. “And
GRANTHAM, PA
Messiah did provide that for me. I hope that it will continue to shape and mold my faith. Messiah does really well with faith-based learning outside of the classroom as well,” said Howard. However, there are a few international students who are non-religious or come from a different faith tradition. Those students choose Messiah either due to the friendly, welcoming atmosphere surrounded the campus, or to the hope of seeking the Divine existence. Houyi Zeng, a first-year student from China, shared that she was not a Christian, but her mother was and she believed that only God could change Zeng. “I was unwilling to choose a Christian school at first because I felt tired of Christian schools. After
“I ALSO LOVE THE CHAPELS,” Photo by Pulse The number of international students attending Messiah College has continued to grow. some thinking, I thought my mom was right. I wanted to believe the same thing as she does,” said Zeng. Liberal Arts School – Small Size
Student recieving a hand-drawn henna tattoo.
Photo by Will Colfelt
“I think this is a perfect size for me,” said Ahyeong Park, a fist-year student from South Korea. Park shared that the small size of Messiah College played an important role in influencing her to choose the school. “I love interacting in class. I love how classes are small and discussion-based. I also love the chapels,” Park added. The small size of Messiah College brings about many advantages
such as deeper relationships with professors and friends, more carefully evaluated assignments and the feeling that every student counts! Regardless of the reasons for international students to choose Messiah, having a large number of “differently looking and thinking” students is a benefit. Kevin Villegas, Director of International Students’ Program, said, “I think having students from all over the world enriches our community and brings very valuable perspectives that help us achieve Messiah’s mission.”
September 25, 2014 The Swinging Bridge
First Year Guide For On-Campus By Shekie Olagunju STUDENT WRITER
H
ere to save the day and rescue firstyear students from boredom is the first-year Guide to on-campus fun! “But I don’t have a car to go to events’ you say, but fear not! You can have a lot of fun on-campus without needing to leave, yes I said it- you can have a lot of fun in Messiah College without leaving campus! For you to have fun on campus, you have to find your fun because the definition of “fun” varies from one to another. Some find it absolutely interesting to sit for hours playing chess but others
would rather play monopoly and count paper cash. No matter how different your fun is, I assure you that there are other people who think the same way as you. You just have to find them! Finding people and activities to do for enjoyment requires you to take the initiative by reading posters and mass emails about events, joining clubs and participating in group activities and reaching out to others to find out about activities you can be involved with. The Student Activities Board always has tons of exciting events lined up. You do not have to attend every single one but try to go to some. Do not worry about not knowing anyone there; these events make it super easy to meet others that you may not have ordinarily have met (i.e. other students from different dorms and classes from you and even
Come check out our web page at
pulse.messiah.edu - Live Twitter feed - Event updates - Online Swinging Bridge - Pulse FM - Volunteer oppurtunities
Opinions 7
FUN ! upperclassmen). “When I go for events, I meet a lot of other students and it’s always fun for me”-Carly Laird. Not in the mood for going for events? You can have fun in your dorm. As easy as it is to watch movies and play video games by yourself, try to meet others by planning movie nights where you and others on your floor or dorm relax and watch fun movies and play games together. This is exciting because there are not many things as satisfying as scoring multiple goals in FIFA against your friends. “I always like to hang out in Rafiki house with other internationals and play games to have fun”- Angeline Leong. Games and movies are exciting but you may get tired of being with large crowds and want some “me” time. If you feel like this, do not fret, you too can also have fun on-campus with some time for self-reflection you have been wanting. You can take a break and relax by the breeches. Take a mat, some music and a good book to have a calming
experience by the water. The calming effect of flowing water is one of a kind. Not feeling like sitting? You can take walks around campus or bike around as Messiah College is a beautiful campus especially at this time of the year so you can take the time to enjoy the beauty and appreciate God’s creations. “I like to take breaks and chill by the breeches and play guitar”- Tyler Hughes. The options and available activities for having fun on campus is endless but the most important thing to know is that to participate in these activities and truly enjoy campus, you have to take the first step. Do not feel shy and limit yourself to only having fun with people you know. When having fun, you might not necessarily remember the activity but you remember the people you participated in the event with. There are a lot of awesome people in Messiah College when you get to know them that you can have fun with. As you choose your fun, remember to be safe, legal and obey the community covenant. Don’t be shy, meet people, chill out and have fun!
September 25, 2014 The Swinging Bridge
Opinions 8
The iPhone 6 and the Apple Watch: Here We Go Again By Devin M. Dietrich STUDENT WRITER
“
iPhone 6 isn’t simply bigger – it’s better in every way. Larger, yet dramatically thinner. More powerful, but remarkably power efficient…. creating a new generation of iPhone that’s better by any measure.” On Apple’s website, the iPhone 6 sounds so good, you’d be remiss to continue using your prehistoric iPhone 5s or anything previous. But then again, isn’t it a given that a new phone should be entirely better than the one before it? The frequency at which Apple releases new incarnations its most popular product raises a pertinent question: does
Photo by Carly Groff Senior Bo Williams holding an Apple iPhone 6. each new generation of iPhone pack enough upgrades to justify spending another few hundred dollars replacing an older model, or are people merely falling for a good marketing strategy? Some don’t think it’s worth the cost. Sam Stiffler, a junior engineering student, says, “I honestly think that with the way that technology moves nowadays, it’s honestly coming out too fast for there to be significant improvements.” According to the website Trusted Reviews, Apple is claiming that the iPhone 6 has a 20% better processor and 50% better graphics capabilities, though
the larger resolution will diminish the graphics difference slightly. Some would say the difference between each generation would be more appreciable if Apple didn’t release intermediate versions of their phones every year (e.g. iPhone 5, then 5s, then 6, all within 3 years). Others would say that Apple releasing more iPhones actually has its advantages. Sophomore digital media major Isaac “Pockets” Serafini says, “I like that they come out with new ones because the older models get cheaper.” Serafini raises a point many don’t consider: perhaps it’s not all about the new iPhone’s high price, but the older iPhones’ lower prices. The result of this business model allows more consumers to afford iPhones that were otherwise too expensive a the time of their release. When asked about backwards compatibility problems, like the charging port switch from the iPhone 4S to the iPhone 5, Serafini said, “You have to jump through a hoop and adapt, but in the long run it’s cheaper for us.” In addition to announcing the iPhone 6, Apple also played a familiar tune in announcing the Apple Watch, another variation on the touch-screen assistant that skyrocketed their company.
Photo by Carly Groff The new Apple iPhone 6 will see internal adjustments and an increase on the size compared to the current models.
“
I love the aesthetics of the new iPhone; its rounded edges, larger screen, and thin frame only enhances the imporvements that Apple installed. The internal processer is slightly faster, and others improvements are noticeable. It is however, not something that
“
everyone needs to drop what they are doing and go buy the newer model.
Bo Williams,
Senior, studio art major
Since the advent of the iPhone, Apple has played on the popularity of their iOS software, using it in the iPod touch, iPad, iPad mini, and now the future Apple Watch. Syncing with your iPhone, the watch will serve as a more visible interface that displays incoming messages, notifications and reminders. In addition, Apple is boasting that the watch will also act as a health and fitness companion, as its location on your wrist allows it to monitor your heart rate. On the surface, the Apple Watch concept presents a fantastic tool for students and professionals who would like their media updates more readily available. Notifications such as emails, Twitter, Facebook will be seen more instantly, and such technology could prove integral to those who value quick social media on a personal or professional level.
But does the Apple Watch work as a product? The price point of the lowest tier Apple Watch is being estimated at $349. Senior psychology major Allison Campbell raised the point that at that price, a person could buy a nice traditional watch – one that looks nicer and makes a better fashion accessory. She also brought up the fact that many students don’t wear watches, since they have their cell phones. Moving beyond simple business raises even bigger questions about what devices like the Apple Watch represent. With each variation on the same touch-screen theme, do we as a society lose touch with what’s important? Sophomore social work major Keshia Harney thinks we may. While living in the village of Toniatoba in Senegal, West Africa, Keshia experienced “tropical time”: a culture of less-strict punctuality and deadlines. Keshia recalls a visiting missionary to the village becoming frustrated with the villagers being late to meetings and events because they treated time with less seriousness. In response to this, a villager named Cidia Tiala remarked,“You have all the watches and the clocks, but we have the time.” This statement taps into a deeper perspective. Perhaps the more we concern ourselves with technology that keeps us aware of life events and updates, the less we will care about those events themselves. The more we depend on technology to keep our lives in order, the less attention we devote to living those lives and experiencing the world. In any case, Apple is about to make a lot of money, and it’s only a matter of time until we see the effects these two new products bring.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
September 25, 2014 The Swinging Bridge
Arts & Entertainment 9
IE R E S
FFAALLLL TT V PR E M
What to Look for This Fall By Katie Mihelarakis STUDENT WRITER
T
his year’s fall season of television features an intriguing array of new shows from crime and legal thrillers to the most heartfelt of romantic comedies. The majority of these shows are premiering within the next week, and a few of them are online right now to watch at any time.
How to Get Away with Murder How to Get Away with Murder focuses on a college class unlike any we have here at Messiah. From Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, the series follows a group of law students enrolled in a criminal justice class taught by a very interesting Professor Annalise Keating. Keating (Viola Davis), a successful and powerful defense attorney, employs her students in assisting her on cases in order to determine which of them has the skill and ambition to become a truly great lawyer. Things get dicey though, when the group becomes entangled in a dangerous murder plot. With a promising plot line and plenty of secrets, suspense and ethical dilemmas, this a series that you shouldn’t miss. How to Get Away with Murder premieres on Thursday, September 25 at 10 p.m. on ABC.
Photo provided by Film Affinity Selfie While we’re on the subject of comedies, let’s talk about Selfie. The new show from ABC is roughly based on My Fair Lady and Pygmalion. It stars Doctor Who’s Karen Gillan as Eliza Dooley, a social media-obsessed narcissist with some serious problems with manners and basic human behavior. After she is humiliated by an unfortunate viral video, Eliza seeks out the help of Henry Higgins (John Cho), a marketing expert, to perform damage control. The series follows their humorous adventures together as Henry teaches Eliza how to get her face out of her phone and notice and care about the people and the world around her. Selfie premieres Tuesday, September 30 at 8 p.m. on ABC, the first episode is online at www.abc.com/selfie.
Photo provided by Imp Awards
Photo provided by NBC Photo provided by Film Affinity Gotham Before Batman, the Joker and Catwoman, there was Gotham. The premise for FOX’s highly anticipated crime drama and prequel to the Batman saga follows a young Detective James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) before he becomes Police Commissioner. The series covers the multiple cases and investigations Gordon faces with his partner Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) as well as his relationship with the young Bruce Wayne. Due to the fact that the show focuses more on mystery solving and crime fighting rather than the Batman from the D.C. universe. It is sure to be an interesting series for seasoned Batman fans and newcomers alike. Gotham premiered Monday, September 22 at 8 p.m. on FOX.
A to Z Perhaps the most sentimental of the new pilots this fall is the new series A to Z. This new romantic comedy series follows the relationship of couple Andrew (Ben Feldman), a hopeless romantic who works at an Internet dating site, and Zelda (Cristin Milioti), a practical lawyer, who are seemingly meant to be together. As the title suggests, the show chronicles their entire relationship from “A to Z”. Highly recommended for fans of How I Met Your Mother and rom-coms. A to Z premieres Thursday, October 2 at 9:30 p.m. on NBC. You can watch the very first episode online right now at www.nbc.com/a-to-z.
Photo provided by Alpha Coders Mulaney FOX’s newest sitcom is about a comedian living in an apartment in New York City with his whacky friends and neighbors. The main character even does a short stand-up routine at the beginning of every episode. That’s right, Seinfeld premieres on – what’s that you say? This isn’t Seinfeld? No, it’s a new show called Mulaney starring John Mulaney, a writer for Saturday Night Live, in a very similar storyline to the popular 90’s sitcom. The show also costars Nasim Pedrad (SNL) and Martin Short (Father of the Bride). Mulaney premieres Sunday, October 5 at 9:30 p.m. on FOX.
Photo provided by FX Networks American Horror Story: Freak Show For all who don’t know, American Horror Story is an ensemble drama that features the same group of actors yet creates a new setting, story and set of characters for each season. The first season concerned a house full of ghosts in California and last season’s award winning set of episodes was about a coven of witches in New Orleans. Following in the show’s tradition of horrific storytelling, this season will be set at a circus freak show in Florida during the 1950’s. Although the fine details of the plot are unclear from the brief trailer, you can be sure this season of American Horror Story will be filled with suspense, jaw-dropping horror and worst of all, clowns. The series will star regulars such as Jessica Lange, Evavn Peters and Sarah Paulson, and will guest star White Collar’s Matt Bomer. American Horror Story: Freak Show premieres Wednesday, October 8 at 10 p.m. on FX.
September 25, 2014 The Swinging Bridge
Arts & Entertainment 10
HERE’D THE
GO? B-Sides Now Every 2 Weeks
Photos by Will Colfelt French Horn Rebellion perform as they kick off SAB’s new B-Sides schedule on Sept. 17, 2014.
B
Photos by Will Colfelt Great Good Fine Ok perform as they kick off SAB’s new B-Sides schedule on Sept. 3, 2014.
By Devin M. Dietrich STUDENT WRITER
eginning this semester, the B-Sides concerts will be taking place every other week, deviating from the weekly schedule that has been in place for years.
relax
mixed
wonder
QUALITY
change
excited
discontentment
quantity
w e lco m e
justified
cutting the concert number in half, SAB is able to afford better entertainment for the students. In addition, hosting B-Sides every two weeks makes each concert more of an occasion, encouraging better turnouts to the events.
Student Activities Board Executive, Cory Hulsizer provided reasoning for the recent change.
For many students, the concerts are events they only attend a few times per semester, so replacing frequency with quality is a plus for them.
“In the past, B-sides has been every week, but we’ve noticed that sometimes attendance wasn’t as strong as we thought it could be.” he said. “We noticed that some of the best attended B-Sides that we had the last couple years have been ones that we were able to spend a little bit more money on.”
“As someone who’s really busy, I appreciate that it’s every two weeks because when it was every week, I felt like it was so often I didn’t make time to go,” junior sustainability major Jessalyn Megerle said.
Hulsizer also clarified that SAB will be testing this new model throughout the fall semester and will evaluate its success to determine whether or not the new schedule will continue for the future.
For others, however, having those weekly concerts is a break from the college trudge. When asked what a weekly schedule means to him, junior film major, Brandon Gordon expressed that the concerts are a nice break to split up the academics during the week.
The logic behind the switch is that by
James Horn, sophomore theology major said that, “B-Sides is something I try to go to every week to relax, get away from class. It’s like a stress reliever.” Hulsizer gave his perspective on the future of B-Sides as a Messiah event, saying, “I think B-Sides is kind of shifting more towards the general goal of SAB: an educational mission. Trying to bring in bands that represent different trends in music, bring in different varieties of bands, whether that’s genre, or in terms of diversity I think with the new model we’ll be able to highlight that a little bit more.” As Hulsizer phrased it, “When you have less acts, the act you bring has more of a statement they’re able to make.” Whether or not the shift is a positive change will be seen as the semester progresses. In any case, Messiah students will continue to have the opportunity to see free B-Sides concerts every other Wednesday at the Larsen Student Union.
Go-to Tracks on 90.7 pulsefm
Black Taxi
“Pulseless”
Holy Ghost Tent Revival
“Right State of Mind”
Spoon
“Rent I Pay”
The Kooks
“Around Town”
Goat
“Talk to God”
September 25, 2014 The Swinging Bridge
Arts & Entertainment 11
MESSIAH ALUM
shares excerpts, insights, at Common Reading Chapel By Megan Hess STUDENT WRITER
O
n Monday, September 15, first year students attended a special chapel focused on this year’s Common Reading, Silver Like Dust. The event’s main speaker was the book’s author, Messiah alumna Kimi Cunningham Grant. While at Messiah, Grant majored in English. After graduating in 2002, she went on to get her master’s degree at Bucknell University in 2008. Afterward, she taught English at Penn State University before moving on to Juniata College, where she currently teaches. She met her husband during her Messiah years, and they have two children. Silver Like Dust is the story of the time that Grant’s maternal grandmother, Obaachan, spent in the Japanese internment camp Heart Mountain during World War II. In the first draft of Silver Like Dust, it was told in first person like a typical memoir, with Grant herself absent from the story. After a beloved professor read this draft, it took its final form with Grant and the entire interview process very much present in the book. “Writing someone’s story, especially the story of a loved one, is a task fraught with complexity,” she said during a reading of the prologue of Silver Like Dust, which discusses her grandmother’s initial desire to have the story fictionalized. Prior to Grant’s talk, the evening was opened with a few words from Robin Lauermann, the Assistant Dean for General Education and Common Learning. Then English and film studies professor, Dr. Crystal Downing introduced Grant and the book. “Silver Like Dust is a testimony to Grant’s past in more ways than one,” Downing said. It is also a testimony to her incredible descriptive abilities.” Grant opened her talk with a humorous anecdote about her husband falsifying chapel credits. “Should you ever come across one of those machines, do not swipe 24 times. The machine is smarter than it looks,” she said. Grant began the Common Reading centered portion of the evening by reading a section from the prologue.
old photographs and magazine articles. There was time left at the end of the night for students and faculty to ask Grant questions about the book. She received a variety of inquiries, including if she learned anything that surprised her during the process of gathering information for the book, and if she saw her grandfather differently after learning more in-depth about him and the aspects of his personality and their marriage that Obaachan had always kept hidden. “I learned he was a difficult person to be married to,” she said. Afterward, students were able to go to the second floor of Larsen Student Union to have their books signed by Grant and enjoy refreshments. Silver Like Dust was published in 2012. Grant’s most recent project is her first novel, a mystery dealing partly with the Marcellus Shale debate.
Discover if you qualify for a tuition discount at
messiah.edu/graddiscounts
or
Earn your
in
1. SEPTEMBER 26,27 THE DOUBLE
2 . O C TO B E R 3 , 4 If you want to advance your career and education; learn from successful, experienced professionals; and deepen your understanding of leadership from a Christian faith perspective—then consider one of Messiah’s graduate programs in business and leadership. • All programs are fully online to help you balance life and work while you pursue your studies.
• Be mentored by Christian professors who are experts and leaders in their fields.
• Program emphasis is placed on integrity, ethics and the integration of Christian faith.
• Also offering two graduate certificate options: certificate in management or certificate in leadership
Experience the academic distinction of a nationally ranked, Christian college.
“To me, the prologue does capture the essence of what I was attempting in the book and what it meant for me to write it but also its challenges,” she said. She also read other parts from the book, as well as utilizing visual aids, such as
Photo provided by Amazon Kimi Cunningham Grant’s book Silver Like Dust, this year’s Common Reading text for all first-year students.
see anew
Now enrolling for 2015 classes messiah.edu/leadership 717.796.5061
Online | Flexible | Affordable
S TA N D C L E A R O F T H E C LO S I N G D O O R S
3 . O C TO B E R 1 7 , 1 8 BELLE
4 . O C TO B E R 2 4 , 2 5 LIFE ITSELF
September 25, 2014 The Swinging Bridge
Arts & Entertainment 12
THE
DOUBLE “A person can get really sick of just floating by.”
Photos provided by Film 4 Production Jesse Eisenberg’s Simon James assesses the value of his own self through the presence of a powerful twin in The Double.
everyone he comes across, and completely overlooked by the woman he loves. Simon is sure that he is right for his neighbor and coworker, Hannah (Wasikouska), saying, “I can tell she’s a lonely person even if other people can’t because I know what it feels like to be lost and lonely and invisible.” However, Simon is continuously stuck his normal routine of being alone, unnoticeable and uncared for until his exact double, James Simon (Eisenberg again!), is hired at his work. While James is Simon’s physical twin, he is his exact opposite in personality and temperament. As Simon works to become more assertive and confident through James’ mentoring, James begins to take advantage of Simon in their professional and personal lives. James tries to change Simon’s very nature and when Simon protests saying, “I just don’t know if that’s me,” James responds with, “That’s why it’s so good.” By Sarah Bretz STUDENT WRITER
R
ichard Ayoade’s second film, The Double works to inspire the audience to think about what makes us who we are. The film is loosely adapted from Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s novella with the same title. This dark comedy stars Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikouska, Wallace Shawn, Noah Taylor and James Fox with cameos from Chris O’Dowd and Sally Hawkins. Simon James (Eisenberg) is virtually invisible. He is ignored at work, despised by his mother, unrecognized by
Ayoade’s decisions about camera angles and light make this film stunningly unique. While the symmetrical design of each frame resembles Wes Anderson’s work, the way in which these scenes are constructed have a stark difference in their focus. The use of light to pull attention to specific areas of the frame while cloaking others in shadow is consistent with the mood of this film. The dark and foggy shots help the viewer to understand how alone both of Eisenberg’s characters really are. The symmetry of each shot ties the concept of exact doubles throughout the entire work so that viewers constantly are reminded of the monotonous nature of Simon’s life.
Loneliness is an overarching theme in this film. Simon is constantly trying to achieve significance and forge some sort of connection to anyone in his life. Comparing himself to Pinocchio, Simon says, “And I can see the type of man I want to be versus the type of man I actually am and I know that I'm doing it but I'm incapable of what needs to be done.” Simon is incapable of feeling any worth. But, he wants to feel lonely with someone. He hopes to create that connection with Hannah, but when he mentions it to James, he uses those exact words to seduce her before Simon is able to form a relationship with her. As Simon becomes more and more like James, he realizes how little he wants to be James’ copy. Simon realizes the parts of him that make him an individual have the potential to be wonderful and life changing to those around him. Through his caring and selfless love for Hannah and his devotion for his job, he realizes that it pays off to be a good person rather than simply a powerful one. The Double will make you think about what makes us individuals. It will encourage you to challenge what Simon’s boss, the Colonel (Fox), believes about people – “There’s no such thing as special people. Only people.” And will help you realize what you may dislike about yourself is what makes you unique.
September 25, 2014 The Swinging Bridge
Student Original Comics
THE MIS-ADVENTURES OF A MAD SCIENTIST
MWAH-HA-HA-HA-HAAAA!
1
...Oh .
Messiah Mini-Pages 13
Beware, my foe! For I, Dr.Sirhann Pickles, have come
I ... guess I’ll just leave, then.
This isn’t the right address ....
Good thing no one’s home.
whoops.
MEOW ?
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
How Well Do You Know the Pulse
Complete the crossword below 1 2
3
Horizontal
4
4. The ratio station run by the Pulse. 6. The name of the student newspaper. 7. Name of the yearbook.
5
Vertical 1. Where is the Pulse located? 2. Who is the Student Body Leader of the Pulse? 3. The media organization at Messiah College. 5. Where is the Pulse Tv located? 8. What majors can work at the Pulse?
6
7
8
Created on TheTeachersCorner.net Crossword Maker
Horizontal 4. The radio station run by the Pulse. 6. The name of the student newspaper. 7. Name of the yearbook.
Answers from this issue : Can be found online.
Vertical 1. 2. 3. 5. 8.
Where is the Pulse located? Who is the Student Body Leader of the Pulse? The media organization at Messiah College. Where is the Pulse Tv located? What majors can work at the Pulse?
SPORTS
September 25, 2014 The Swinging Bridge
Sports 14
A Winning Blueprint A
By Daulton Leonard STUDENT WRITER
tinker with things,” Bulus expressed. “That is what attracted me to architecture. In that field, you just keep tinkering with a design until it is something you really like.” However, his passion pulled him in another direction.
sun-bathed afternoon marked the Messiah Falcons men’s lacrosse team’s first practice. The collective group of men brought a strong prevalence of electricity through their play. Together, they took the field with enthusiasm that was matched by their new leader.
In 2007, Bulus took his passion and love for the game and began a lacrosse program in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In May, Athletic Director Jack Cole announced the appointment of Atsen Bulus as the new Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach. Bulus comes to Messiah from Ohio Wesleyan College with a vast knowledge and an aura of optimism.
16 years old Photo by Carly Groff New men’s lacrosse head coach Atsen Bulus arrives at Messiah with a wealth of past experiences in and out of the sport.
Bulus moved from the US to Nigeria 12 years old
As Atsen continued school, he realized his love for lacrosse.
Bulus graduated from high school in Nigeria
“I saw a need for the game,” he recalled. “We founded the program off of our passion for lacrosse. We wanted to build a venue where lacrosse could be learned easily. I am proud to say that that organization is still around.”
His name comes from his father’s Nigerian language, Jarawa. Atsen is the word for ‘missionary’, which is the career that his parents hold. When Atsen was twelve, he and his family moved back to Nigeria from the United States. He graduated high school from a Nigerian boarding school at the age of sixteen and his family then returned to the United States, further settling into Chicago, Illinois.
While proud of his work in Michigan, Bulus did not finish with the new organization; he wanted to coach collegiate lacrosse. Bulus was given the tremendous opportunity to coach under Michigan University’s John Paul. Paul had a very large influence on Bulus. “He taught me to always pay attention to details,” he mentioned. “He showed me that you cannot build a winning team without doing all the little things right.”
There, Atsen made the decision to retake his junior and senior years of high school at Vernon Hills High School in Chicago. It was at Vernon Hills that Bulus discovered his love for lacrosse.
Vernon Hills High School
Bulus continued his education while playing lacrosse and studying Art and Architecture. Calvin College
After graduating boarding school, Bulus and his family returned to the US. Atsen continued schooling in Chicago.
These words were evident as Bulus meticulously laid out every aspect of practice for his team on the first day of practice.
“I had always played hockey, soccer, baseball, football, and basketball,” Bulus said. “What really attracted me to lacrosse is the fact that there is so much strategy. Plus, it is like playing all those sports in one.”
“It is all relevant, all the way down to putting your gloves on the ground straight,” Bulus explained.
Bulus went on to play lacrosse at Calvin College, where he was a part of four straight MCLA Division Championship teams. “What made those teams so great was the amount of hard work we put in ourselves,” he said. “The school would not sponsor our team, and we did not really have a coach. It was just a big group of guys working and playing for one another.”
Bulus then went on to Michigan University where he received his Master’s degree in Architecture.
While at Calvin College, Bulus studied Art and Architecture. After graduating from Calvin, he went on to Michigan University, where he received his Master’s degree in Architecture. “I
really
love
to
Bulus is now architecting a new culture for Messiah’s team. For the past three seasons, the men’s lacrosse team has maintained a record just below .500. This statistic seemed to be of no concern for Coach Bulus. “These guys work hard,” he noted. “I expect a lot of myself, and I expect a lot of them. This is my favorite moment of my coaching career, this first practice. These men share my love of the game, and I am excited to really get rolling.” Bulus had only one thing to say about what he foresees this season. “Everyone has underestimated what we can do; we are going to be good and we are going to win.”
September 25, 2014 The Swinging Bridge
Sports 15
Sports and Service Taken Abroad By Sarah Beckman STUDENT WRITER
T
h i s past May, the Messiah men’s soccer team went to Medellin, Colombia for the second time in program history. For this trip, packed with competition, service, and ministry, the men partnered with AROMA sports ministry to better engage with the people of Colombia. During their time there, the Falcons competed against some very worthy opponents in Medellin. On their first day of competition, the men lost a tough game to Antioquia Selección 2-1. However, the following match ended in a 1-1 tie with Ferrarbula. In addition to their competitive matches, the team was also able to play many pick-up games with some other local groups, including team members from Christian Union Sports Club. This club is one of the groups that the team primarily worked with for the duration of their stay. Not only were the Falcons able to compete, but they were also able to take part in service-learning. The men worked at the city stadium helping to clear out the site field from rocks and debris for an upcoming turf field coming to the complex and began work for drainage ditches for the field ends. In addition to their stadium maintenance work, the Falcons ran soccer clinics for local teams in the city, which gave them the opportunity to work with the city’s local players. It also presented some members of the men’s team with a unique opportunity to share their testimonies with those players. “This was one of the highlights for me on the trip because it gave my players the chance to share their stories with the local teams and to learn more
about their teammates and where they come from,” head coach Brad McCarty said. When asked about the impact that the trip had on his team, Coach McCarty expressed how much the trip really meant to not only his team, but for himself. “Shared experiences are extremely valuable within our program to really enhance team chemistry,” he said. McCarty described the trip as a very rewarding experience that allowed his players to develop deeper and more meaningful friendships, especially with other team members outside of their specific friend groups and graduating classes. “I was truly grateful for the opportunity to go on a trip like this because it gave the guys a chance to bond and grow together in a way unique from any other experience,” he noted. “This trip really gave our Falcons a chance to minister to the people of Colombia while working and coming together as a team, both on and off the field.” Junior Nate Eagan reflected on the benefits of the experience as well. “It was cool to see how God can use us to bless people when we are just being obedient and step out a little bit
in faith ,” he mentioned. To Eagan, the service that he and his teammates brought to Medellin did not seem like much. “I felt like we did not really have much to offer the CDUC staff. They were the ones who I felt like I needed to learn from and was blessed by seeing their sacrifice and commitment to love the kids of Medellin,” Eagan added. Eagan was encouraged by the reaction from the locals. “They kept saying how much our trip blessed and encouraged them, which seemed a little unbelievable to me. But God was able to take our willingness to go down to Colombia and turn it into a blessing and encouragement to our brothers and sisters there.” Illustration provided by Vecteezy
Men’s Club Soccer
New found direction under new management By Mason McFee STUDENT WRITER
E
xtracurricular activities can be just what it sounds like – something extra. An extra thing to do on top of all the schoolwork already assigned. An extra commitment.
One of the many extracurricular activities offered at Messiah is men’s club soccer. As senior captains Justin Henry and Eric Hudspath reflect on their time at Messiah, each of them is satisfied with their decision to commit to a little something extra. In addition to their commitment to
schoolwork, Henry and Hudspath have been committed to men’s club soccer and the responsibilities that come along with being captain. Unlike some teams, men’s club soccer is solely student-run, and has been for its 7 year existence here at Messiah College. These two men have had to lead their team, and the program as a whole, to be the competitive
team
that
each
member
desires.
When asked about their feelings regarding the team and the program, the captains collectively agreed that the team is “headed in the right direction.” And a large part of that direction is accredited to Dr. Michael Zigarelli. // Continued on page 16
September 25, 2014 The Swinging Bridge In addition to his commitment as a husband, father of four, and professor of leadership and strategy here at Messiah, Dr. Zigarelli has now taken on the responsibility as coach. He is very committed to his family and his job, but does Dr. Zigarelli view club soccer as something extra? No--in fact, he embraces the responsibility as a privilege.
RELATIONSHIPS are an
INTEGRAL
“Throughout the fall season, I go to sleep thinking about this team and I wake up thinking about this team. That’s just the life of a leader and frankly, I love it,” Dr. Zigarelli stated. His passion and mentality to be a competitive team has reinforced that of his players and his dedication to the team has not gone unnoticed.
part of the
“Coach has guys emailing him asking what workouts they should be doing, and what they should be eating,” Henry and Hudspath both said. While competitiveness is an important aspect, Dr. Zigarelli noted that relationships are an integral part of the club soccer program. The program goes beyond just a group of guys wanting to competitively play soccer and hopefully win some games along the way. Part of advancing his team is the responsibility of building a sense of brotherhood.
“This is my theology of soccer, if you will: When played by Christians, the game is about something much bigger than ourselves and much bigger than victories,” he expressed. “If we are going to have the audacity to wear “Messiah” across our chests—to proclaim overtly that we are followers of Jesus—then
Photo provided by Messiah Men’s Club Soccer The Men’s Club Soccer team huddle as they prepare to face Millersville back in April. we need to represent Him well.” “The guys pray together before and after every practice and game. I am wondering whether they can get chapel credit for that,” he joked. Whether or not the club soccer team gets extra credit for praying together is yet to be seen, but one thing is for certain: this extra activity is legitimate. “Our goal this year at the very least is regionals, we definitely want to go to nationals,” Hudspath said. It will take extra work, but the players do not mind. With all of the extra tools Dr. Zigarelli has provided, it will be exciting to see if this team can go the extra miles on the road to nationals.
Sports Scores WED 9.17.14
Women’s Soccer vs Eastern University
Women’s Field Hockey at Haverford College
THU 9.18.14
Men’s Golf
SAT 9.20.14
Women’s Volleyball
at Gettysburg Invitational
vs Haverford College
Field Hockey vs The College of New Jersey
Women’s Soccer vs Misericordia University
Men’s Soccer
At Montclair State University
Men’s Tennis vs Gettysburg College
Women’s Tennis vs Gettysburg College
W8-0 W3-0 T 1st/10 L0-3
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 Bloom 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
L3-4 W1-0 W3-1 L4-5 W5-4
Social Media Alexandra Connradt
Swingingbridge.messiah.edu FB// MessiahPulse Twitter// MessiahPulse
Website Mark Ferris
THE
SWINGING BRIDGE
Dr. Zigarelli believes that the same principles Christians are called to exhibit on a daily basis need to translate in all aspects of one’s life, even club soccer.
club soccer program.
MESSIAH COLLEGE//THE PULSE
“A key aspect of this team is that the players mentor each other,” he noted. He went on to elaborate that this principle is becoming a cornerstone of how his team manages themselves, and furthermore, how they advance the program.
Sports 16