Campus News

Showcasing Professor Paul Cloud: A Seeker of ‘Cordial Conversations on Deeply Held Beliefs’

By Keenan A. Mount kmount@lc.edu

Paul Cloud was never satisfied with the limited view provided by the clergy at his home town’s first Baptist church in Gillespie, Illinois. This underlying dissatisfaction, along with a general sense of comfort found in sacred symbols and places, led Paul to, later in life, take classes in theology, in order to better help develop their perspective on the grand topics present in theology. They took a special interest in Theravada Buddhism, the oldest existing Buddhist school. Cloud is now an Adjunct Professor in the Humanities that teaches the same class they once attended at Lewis and Clark and is going on their third year doing so.

Cloud is immersed in their job and job related studies, largely as an extension of their want for a broader perspective on theology. Cloud places a great deal of importance on perspective, in regards to theology and in general. They actively seek “cordial conversations on deeply held beliefs,” as they described. This pursuit for theological discourse is made easy, with their position as a teacher, and Cloud couldn’t imagine themself in any other setting but an academic one.

Cloud would cite Anthony Magnabosco as their “current primary influence and inspiration.” Magnabosco developed a method for amiable discussion on religion, known as Street Epistemology. The site dedicated to Street Epistemology describes it as “a set of tools that helps you have better conversations about difficult topics.” Cloud also points to Siddhartha Guatama, the Buddha, as a major point of inspiration and influence in their life and work.

Professor Cloud is often occupied by their work but Paul is just as often enjoying time with their child. They will frequently play tabletop roleplaying games or explore and enjoy the outdoors with one another.

Cloud would consider themself as much of an activist as a teacher. They take opportunities to advocate for and ally with marginalized groups. This is especially true for religious groups marginalized by other religious groups. As a part of this, Cloud will be taking the role of faculty advisor in the soon to be established SSA chapter at Lewis and Clark. SSA is an organization dedicated to advocating for the separation of church and state, a sentiment Paul Cloud holds dear.

Finally, Cloud would encourage any student with a perspective on theology to take their class so that they may expand on their own theological view.

Updates on Baldwin and Caldwell: Main Complex Renovation Project

By Keenan A. Mount kmount@lc.edu

Early into the fall semester, Lewis and Clark saw the closure of a significant portion of its main complex, multiple floors in Baldwin and Caldwell. The closure was due to the degradation of a 20-year-old HVAC system that only had its boiler replaced in recent history, which was in 2019.

The antiquated HVAC system led to the growth of mold, the primary cause of the area’s closure. The closure resulted in the displacement of 153 classrooms and 26 offices; 33 classes were forced to pivot to exclusively online schooling.

The HVAC system was understood as an issue in 2019 and as such the state allocated Lewis and Clark $37.5 million in funds.

This grant remained in limbo, up until recently, when a vote by L&C’s board to match the state’s funding by 25 percent took place and succeeded, making the total funding approximately $50 million.

The match was authorized in a 6-1 vote. Board Chair David Heyen, a supporter of the 25 percent match, clarified that “this does not mean we have to come up with $12.5 million tonight – it means we are open to providing that money.

Ken Trzaska, Lewis and Clark’s president, described the renovation project as “important and long overdue” and added that it “ensures the operational vitality of our campus.

Trzaska’s role in the project is that of a facilitator and correspondent with the state. When corresponding with the state, Ken has made a point to stress the “importance and critical nature” of this funding reaching Lewis and Clark. Trzaska enlisted local and state legislature, board members, ICCB, and members of our campus leadership team in securing this funding.

Now that the funds are on track to be released as a line item through Rebuild Illinois, the present step in the renovation project is the drafting and submission of a revised scope of work by L&C administrators and the LCCC Board of Trustees. This revision of the scope of work draft will be submitted to the Capital Development Board.

Most pressing in the renovation is the V in HVAC, ventilation. The scope of work will, however, address the entire HVAC system.

Ken Trzaska makes it clear that this renovation has more implications beyond “addressing serious health, safety and infrastructure concerns. ” Trzaska states that this project “can redefine our future” and this will be done in how this scope draft is done.

The objective seems to be bringing the facility up to date while attempting to retain its historical charm and design.

Video Game Event Review

By Jordan Jones

jordanjones@lc.edu

“It’s not about the video games,” James Pepper, president of the VGC (Video Game Club) said last Wednesday afternoon. “It’s about the friendships and community formed along the way.”

Video Game Event was hosted in the Hatheway gallery last Wednesday, October 13th. Students were welcome to free food, drinks and open-seated gaming on campus.

“Coming to college allows you to share that love of video games for others, and the VGC is a way to build community and share that passion with others on campus,” James said.

Every table was filled with sodas, pizza and plenty of smiles. Students flooded in and out all afternoon, playing many classic consoles and video games while forming new friendships.

“My favorite part is the food and games and making new friends,” Jaden Laplent, an attendee at the event said during an interview. “I have been playing games for years!”

The event captured the hearts of many. Gamers and non-gamers alike found something to do here— whether that be enjoying a slice of pizza or walking out with a new college buddy!

Another video game related event begins on November 4th at 4:30 p.m. Similarly, all students are welcome to join and watch a Mario Kart tournament in the Commons at the scheduled time. For more information on upcoming Lewis and Clark events, check out our website and scroll to the events calendar!

Pickleball Growing in Godfrey

By Stephen Kern

skern@lc.edu

The Village of Godfrey is adding more pickleball courts with the new Glazebrook Park expansion!

Over the summer, a local group of pickleball players got together with the director of the Godfrey Parks and Recreation Department, Todd Strubhart, along with the Athletics Department of Lewis and Clark Community College, for some pickleball action. Together they transformed two of the tennis courts on the Lewis and Clark campus into pickleball courts.

The Mayor of Godfrey, Michael McCormick, and his wife, Linda, showed up as well. “I’m so pleased to be able to bring this new activity to the community and especially to the residents of Godfrey,” said McCormick. Since then, the Village of Godfrey voted to add four new pickleball courts with the expansion of Glazebrook Park.

What is pickleball? Pickleball is a paddleball sport that combines aspects of table tennis, tennis, and badminton. The game is played using paddles made of wood or other composite materials and a polymer ball similar to a wiffle ball. It can be played with two to four people and is enjoyed by all ages and skill levels.

A pickleball court is the same size as a double badminton court. It has a net in the middle of the court, like tennis, only a little bit smaller. The height of the net is 36 inches tall on the sidelines and 34 inches tall in the middle. On each side of the net, the first seven feet is often called the “kitchen” and is a non-volley zone. The rules of pickleball are similar to tennis and table tennis with a few specific changes.

Keep an eye out for the completion of the Glazebrook Park expansion if you are interested in playing some pickleball.