The Murray State News

www.TheNews.org

@TheMurrayStateNews

@MurrayStateNews

@TheMurrayStateNews

@MurrayStateNews

April 16, 2020 | Vol. 94, No. 26

Students to receive funds from CARES Act Daniella Tebib News Editor dtebib@murraystate.edu After many college students were left out of those who would receive a $1,200 stimulus check, President Donald Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act into law allocating over $6 million to Murray State to give to students through emergency grants and to help the University recover from the changes made because of COVID-19.

A $2 trillion stimulus bill was passed last month which included $1,200 stimulus checks for those who make less than the limit. However, many Americans did not make the cut for the requirements to receive a check including immigrants without Social Security numbers, some disabled adults and most college students.

Howe ver, some students in need may receive help from their institutions through the CARES Act. In the act, $14 billion was allocated for higher

education. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced on Thursday, April 9, over $6 billion of the $14 billion will go to institutions to give to students impacted by the pandemic through emergency financial aid grants. The grants are meant to help students with course materials, technology, food, housing, health care and child care. “ What ’s best for students is at the center of every decision we make,” DeVos said. “That’s why we prioritized getting funding out the door quickly to college students who need it most. We don’t want unmet financial needs due to the coronavirus to derail their learning.”

According to a press release from the Department of Education, in order for institutions to access the funds available to them, institutions must sign a certificate affirming they will distribute the funds in accordance with applicable law.

The amount of money each university or college will receive is determined by a formula detailed in the CARES Act. It is based on the number of full-time students who are eligible for the Pell Grant, the total population of the school

and the number of students who were not enrolled full-time online before the COVID-19 outbreak.

Based on this algorithm, Murray State will receive $6,270,769. Of the more than $6 million the University will receive, a minimum of $3,135,385 must be awarded to the emergency financial aid grants for students. According to the Murray State website there were 9,569 students enrolled in fall 2019. If the University administration distributed the funds equally, each student would receive $327. It is important to note that the University has not released how the funds will be disbursed.

President Bob Jackson said 50% of the federal stimulus funds will be used for need-based grants for students, which is the minimum of $3,135,385 that is required to be used for emergency grants for students.

“Murray S tate Universit y is ver y grateful for the stimulus funds from the federal government in order to assist our students with additional financial aid and to help offset millions of dollars of new expenses and lost revenue

due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Jackson said.

Jackson also said the University has set aside additional need-based scholarships for students. The University’s Racers Give Campaign raised over $217,000 for need-based scholarships. The Murray State Promise tuition program will also help some students in need.

The Murray State Promise program provides scholarship assistance to help pay for tuition and other mandatory fees if the student’s combined federal, state, institutional and private aid total is less than the cost of tuition. However, online fees, course fees, tuition above 15 hours and other costs including housing, meals and books are not covered.

First-time freshmen and new transfers may be eligible for the program. Other qualifications include residency in Kentucky, admission to Murray State, eligibility for the Pell Grant and KEES scholarship, completion of the Murray State General Scholarship application, completion of FAFSA and enrollment and completion of at least 12 hours each fall and spring semester.

,

see CARES page 2

Bryce Anglin/TheNews

Student reflects on return from study abroad program Grant Dillard Staff Writer gdillard@murraystate.edu Several branches of the Murray State community have been affected severely by the COVID-19 pandemic, including study abroad student Camryn Clift.

Clift was studying abroad in Spain this semester, but was forced to leave two months early because of the coronavirus. Clift returned to the United States on March 12, just 24 hours before a 15-day quarantine was issued in the city she was staying in.

“In the weeks leading up to my departure, the news coverage in Spain had slowly shifted to basically only talking about the coronavirus,” Clift said. “My host parents began to talk about it more and more at our meals together, and were increasingly worried about the progression of the disease. My host mom had already begun to stock up on grocery supplies.

It’s important to note that these supplies included water, because water is a limited resource in Spain, and so she had to make sure they had plenty in case they weren’t allowed to leave the apartment for a while.”

The night before leaving Spain, Clift went to a grocery store to purchase snacks for her family. The store was a madhouse, she said, and packed with people and empty shelves everywhere.

For Clift, there was a sense of urgency once the number of cases in Spain reached a certain point. She checked in on the news as the situation in Europe became more serious, and had been in constant contact with Murray State’s Education Abroad staff. Clift said the Education Abroad Office would have supported her decision to return home if she had wanted to, even before exchange students in Europe were required to return to the United States.

“I had gone through a tough roller coaster of trying to decide for myself if I wanted to

Photo courtesy of Camryn Clift Camryn Clift, junior from Princeton, Kentucky, adjusts to online courses and her new life at home after returning from her study abroad trip in Alicante, Spain.

come home over the course of several weeks, based upon news coverage and the response of other American universities to the situation in Europe,” Clift said. “The turning point for me was when cases in Spain doubled overnight between Sunday and Monday

of the week that I came home. It was at that point that I confirmed with the Education Abroad staff that I wanted to come home.

,

see STUDY ABROAD page 2

2

News

Career Services continue to support students Daniella Tebib News Editor dtebib@murraystate.edu As summer nears, many students have planned to intern for companies or enter the workforce upon graduation.

Despite not being on campus, Career Services is still fully operational and available to help students. Services being offered include resume review, job search assistance, cover letter development, career counseling, mock interviews and offer evaluation. The only services not being offered are headshots and the career closet.

Matthew Purdy, director of Career Services, said they will provide services through Zoom or regular phone calls depending on what option is easier for the client. Virtual walk-in appointments will also be offered via Zoom on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. One student worker and two graduate assistants are still working to help students and alumni.

Purdy said he anticipates the internship landscape will be different for students based on recent surveys from the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

“Their latest poll of employers shows that 65 percent of employers are anticipating some sort of change to their programs—moving to virtual internships, delaying start dates,” Purdy said.

When considering internships, Purdy said he encourages applicants to be as flexible as possible when it comes to applications and looking at offers.

“Career Services is here to help students through this process and connect them with employers and organizations who are hiring,” Purdy said.

Sunshine Coombs, sophomore from Dover, Tennessee, is a Financial Institution intern at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. If the pandemic continues through the summer, Coombs’ internship will be heavily affected.

“There is a chance that if quarantine continues that I will be issued a laptop and be teleworking for the entire summer,” Coombs said. “I am concerned about my ability to be able to adjust to an online format for a job that I have never done, but I have confidence that my trainer will understand the challenges and devote extra time to ensuring I have the best experience. I am incredibly nervous, but not because of the coronavirus. I just want to impress the people I am working with

CARES From Page 1 In comparison to the funding Murray State will receive, Kentucky State University will receive $1,372,077 with a minimum of $686,039 required for students.

Morehead State University will receive $6,016,440 with a minimum of $3,008,220 required for students. Northern Kentucky University will receive $7,998,963 with a minimum of $3,999,482 required for students. Eastern Kentucky University will receive $10,542,767 with a minimum of $5,271,384 allocated for students. Western Kentucky University will receive $10,636,493 with a minimum of $5,318,247 set aside for students. University of Louisville will receive $12,478,790, with a minimum of $6,239,395 allocated to go to students. The University of

Career Services Still Offered: Resume Review Job Search Assistance Cover Letter Development Career Counseling Mock Interveiws Offer Evaluation Make an appointment online through Murray State’s Handshake. Bryce Anglin/TheNews because the FDIC is where I want to work after graduation.”

As for graduating students entering the workforce, Purdy said he believes they will have to address newfound challenges as well, but he thinks they may also have an advantage.

“I think these students will find challenges, but in many ways they’ll be better adapted for the ‘new’ recent reality than other, more tenured employees,” Purdy said. “I’ve heard of countless challenges with organizations working to go virtual, holding Zoom meetings and taking care of things digitally. Students are already used to a lot of these operations and communicating, and getting things done, via the web.”

W hile students are worried about securing internships and job opportunities, many are also worried about the state of the economy.

Purdy said he is still encouraging students to stay positive.

“It’s easy to be scared of the workforce and economy right now,” Purdy said. “Unemployment is skyrocketing, the market is fluctuating every day and all these situations are unprecedented. As I speak with students, I try to remind them that we’ll get through this and they need to try to stay as positive as possible when it comes to their job search.”

Purdy said following the pandemic, students are going to be in a great position to take advantage of the opportunities that will open up “While not to the scale of what we’re seeing now, past graduating classes have had similar challenges, particularly during the aftermath of 9/11 and the great recession,” Purdy said. “Flexibility and positivity are two qualities that will help not only in this situation, but throughout one’s career as well.”

Kentucky will receive $17,811,058 with a minimum of $8,905,529 set aside for students. For the entire list of colleges and universities receiving allocations.

According to a letter from DeVos to college and university presidents, each institution may develop their own system for the distribution of the funds to students and choose which students should receive the grants. While the only requirement is funds must be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations because of COVID-19, DeVos made some suggestions for colleges and universities to follow.

“With that said, I would like to encourage the leadership of each institution to prioritize your students with the greatest need, but at the same time consider establishing a maximum funding threshold for each student to ensure that these funds are distributed as widely as possible,” DeVos. “As a point of reference, you might

consider using the maximum Federal Pell Grant (for the 2019-2020 academic year, $6,195) as that threshold. In addition, if you determine that your institution’s students do not have significant financial need at this time, I would ask that you consider giving your allocation to those institutions within your state or region that might have significant need.”

The funding not included in the minimum amount that must be awarded to students is for universities to cover the costs associated with the changes they were forced to make because of COVID-19. However, the Department of Education has not explicitly informed institutions of how exactly they are allowed to use the rest of the funding.

Jackson said the University is working on guidelines for the emergency grants and will provide more details soon. Stay tuned with The News as we follow the story.

April 16, 2020

STUDY ABROAD From Page 1

Clift said the rapidity of change from one day to the next was so great that it was hard for her to comprehend that she was actually leaving Spain. Clift was already packing her things on Wednesday night for her flight, which was around the time President Donald Trump announced the European travel ban. Upon hearing the news, Clift’s friends and family were immediately texting her, worried about her ability to come home.

“The ban didn’t go into effect until Friday at midnight, and American citizens were still allowed to return to the U.S.,” Clift said. “But that announcement, made literally while I was packing to leave, added a certain gravity to the situation that wasn’t there before. With the travel ban, and hearing that a quarantine order was put into place in Alicante the day after I left, it really did feel like I got out just in time.”

Clift expresses her utmost gratitude to the Education Abroad staff for all they have done to help her academically. With their help, Clift withdrew from the University of Alicante in Spain and enrolled in 12 credit hours with Murray State. Currently, Clift is taking the classes she needs and is still on track to graduate on time.

“The fact that Murray moved to completely online coursework actually worked really well for me since I had to self-isolate the first two weeks that I was back in the United States, and I’m living at home with my parents during this time,” Clift said. “I would have had to commute if classes were still being held in person.”

Clift said the financial side of things have been exactly the same for her in quarantine as it was when she was in Spain. Murray State’s administration has been able to help her in this trying situation, even booking her flight back from Spain.

Despite being unable to earn credit for the work Clift did at the University of Alicante, the Education Abroad staff were able to collaborate with faculty in Clift’s major to build a suitable schedule for the rest of the spring semester. Clift was also able to join two full-semester classes with special help from the professors teaching those classes.

“I’ve been doing make-up work at the discretion of the professors for the material I missed in those classes,” Clift said. “However, since I’m taking a Spanish independent study course now, I guess you could say that the first half of that course consisted of my time in Spain. My fourth class is a second half-semester course, so I actually came back just in time to only have one week’s worth of makeup work.”

As for the self-quarantine process, Clift said it’s fairly pleasant. For her, it was nice to be with her support system once again after such a stressful period of her life.

During the two weeks after returning to the United States, Clift followed all of the guidelines given by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clift never exhibited any symptoms and her temperature remained normal. Murray State even had a nurse practitioner with Primary Care call her every other day to check in on her during her self-quarantine period.

As for the future, Clift does not plan to study abroad again.

“My program in Spain was my third study abroad experience, so it wouldn’t make much sense, financially or academically, to study abroad again,” Clift said. “I planned for two years to ensure my courses would line up so that I could study abroad for an entire semester in Spain. Now that I’ve returned and I’m taking classes with Murray State to take the place of the credits I would have earned at the University of Alicante, there would be no feasible place in my remaining course schedule to study abroad again.”

Opinion

April 16, 2020

3

Superheroes may be cause for concern The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board.

For generations, children have looked up to superheroes of every kind. Marvel, DC Entertainment, Image Comics, they’ve all produced characters that we wanted to be someday.

Today we beg the question, were we misled in our idolization? Those characters in comics and movies, T.V. shows and video games, do they deserve to be as adored as they are?

To answer this question, we must first make the most simplest of things, a pros and cons list. We’ll put the positives first; kids were allowed to, even told to, look up to these superheroes for a reason, right?

Firstly, superheroes (or, roughly most of them) tend to have a pretty solid moral compass. They work for the good of the people they so dutifully protect. They are dedicated to keeping the peace, despite the harm they may come to.

Heroes also tend to take their (oftentimes) traumatic past and aid children in learning how to handle their own trauma. For example, in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, we learn Sam Wilson, the Falcon, works as a group leader for veteran therapy groups. In Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers, Captain America, is a group leader for a grief support group. Tom King, a writer for the DC Entertainment universe, built an entire comic book, “Heroes in Crisis,” around the idea of heroes learning to cope with their trauma in a way that wasn’t purely detrimental.

Another pro of heroes, especially as of late, is their lack of fear in showing emotion. Our heroes aren’t afraid to let the world see them cry, or mourn or feel scared.

For each smile they show the audience, there’s a tear they allow to fall as well. In an

age of toxic masculinity, that may arguably be one of the more important pros we get from superheroes.

Superheroes also teach children that it’s okay to need help. If you feel like you are struggling on your own, there is no shame in asking someone to help you. In just about every comic universe, there’s a team of heroes who know undoubtedly they are stronger together. The Justice League, the Avengers, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the Teen Titans, the Watchmen, the list is seemingly unending. Even Superman needed some help from Batman sometimes.

Now, we’ll move onto cons.

For starters, I’ll offer a rebuttal to my previous pro of how heroes deal with trauma. Time after time, alcoholism is presented as their solution. This is seen in Iron Man, Thor: Ragnarok, Batman and more. Even picture-perfect Steve Rogers tries to drink away his grief in Captain America: The First Avenger. After Avengers: Infinity War, Thor becomes an alcoholic, unable to deal with the loss of his home, his family and the Avengers’ loss. Much of the time, rather than writing a superhero to confront and deal with their mental illness, writers allow it to spiral out of control. Writers for the screen and for books give superheroes mental illness post-trauma, which has backwardly contributed to the negative stigma surrounding mental health.

Superheroes seem to lack any sympathy for the environment around them, despite their devotion to the people in that environment.

In their epic battles meant to save humanity, they often destroy entire cities, leaving people out of a job, homeless, starving, you name it.

One could argue that the superheroes killed just as many innocent civilians through their

Cadence Utterback/TheNews

ignorance of their surroundings as the villains they were fighting. This point seems to speak entirely for itself as the Marvel Cinematic Universe made an entire film revolving around this point. Captain America: Civil War’s whole plot is heroes taking sides after authorities decide regulation of hero action is necessary.

Popularized superheroes often glorify vigilantism (I’m looking at you, Spider-Man and Batman). It’s an example of how privileged we are in America to be able to glorify such a volatile idea. In other countries, vigilantism is a very real, very problematic occurrence.

Terror groups seizing control of countries, drug cartels policing neighborhoods, these are things that happen. We turn a blind eye to it, though, because watching our friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man shoot webs at the bad guy and make a mockery of the police force is invigorating and “inspiring.”

Even more crazy, most actual vigilantes in the United States are related to hate groups and terror groups, so why are we glorifying such a heinous idea by sitting idly by while children idolize these “superheroes”?

On a final note that may not relate much to idolization of heroes, many superheroes were born out of propaganda of the time.

During World War II and the Cold War, writers created villains that were German or Russian, breeding prejudice so that readers would be more likely to support war efforts.

Just something to think about.

In reality, the question of whether or not we should consider superheroes good role models is one that is and will continue to be up for debate. The argument will always be open. It just depends on what you think and where your beliefs lie. At the end of the day, superheroes will always be there.

Gage Johnson Danilla Tebib Cady Stribling Josh Embry Megan Reynolds Editor-in-Chief

News Editor Features Editor

Sports Editor Opinion Editor gjohnson17@murraystate.edu dtebib@murraystate.edu cstribling1@murraystate.edu jembry3@murraystate.edu mreynolds12@murraystate.edu

Editorial Board

Bryce Anglin Jenna Carnes Production Manager Chief Copy Editor

zanglin@murraystate.edu jcarnes2@murraystate.edu

Kalea Anderson Elizabeth Erwin

Chief Videographer Public Relations Manager kanderson29@murraystate.edu eerwin1@murraystate.edu

The News welcomes commentaries and letters to the editor. Submissions should be 600 words or less, and contributors should include phone numbers for verification. Please include hometown, classification and title or relationship to the University. The News reserves the right to edit for style, length and content. No anonymous contributions will be accepted. All contributions should be turned in by noon on Monday of each week via email to mreynolds12@murraystate.edu.

Allison Manning Jillian Rush Ad Sales Manager Photo Editor

amanning4@murraystate.edu jrush4@murraystate.edu

John O’Neill

Dr. Stephanie Anderson Online Manager Faculty Adviser

joneill4@murraystate.edu sanderson37@murraystate.edu

Contributions to The News are the opinion of the author and not that of The Murray State News. The News is a designated public forum. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. The paper offers a hands-on learning environment for students interested in journalism. The campus press should be free from censorship and advance approval of copy and its editors should develop their editorial and news policies.

Contact Us 2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Kentucky 42071-3301 TheNews.org

The News strives to be the University community’s source for information. Our goal is to present that information in a fair and unbiased manner and provide a free and open forum for expression and debate.

The News is prepared and edited by students and is an official publication of Murray State University. The first copy is free. Additional copies are available for 25 cents at 111 Wilson Hall.

Sports

4

April 16, 2020

Racers add depth for 2020-21

Gage Johnson Editor-in-Chief gjohnson17@murraystate.edu

Dionte Bostick

Jackson Sivills

Nicholas McMullen

After having its season cut short after an OVC Championship loss and the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a cancellation of all postseason basketball, Murray State men’s basketball is bolstering its roster with its incoming recruiting class.

While the Racers are losing players like Anthony Smith, Jaiveon Eaves and Darnell Cowart to graduation and Jason Holiday and Noah Kamba to transferring, Murray State will welcome guards Jackson Sivills and Dionte Bostick and forwards Nicholas McMullen and Ja’Queze Kirby in the 2020-21 season.

Ja’Queze Kirby

Hailing from Hazlehurst, Georgia, the 6’6” forward Kirby will put on the blue and gold for Murray State after a successful career at Jeff Davis High School.

Kirby was a stat-sheet stuffer in his senior season for the Yellow Jackets, averaging a double-double with 19.4 ppg and 11.6 rpg along with 4.8 bpg, 4.1 apg and 2.9 spg. The incoming freshman finished his high school career with over 2,000 points and 1,500 rebounds.

Kirby’s stellar numbers led to being named a four-time All-State selection by the Georgia Basketball Coaches Association, while winning consecutive 2A Player of the Year Awards and being named the 2A Mr. Basketball in Georgia by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

The incoming forward told goracers. com that he’s ready to join the family-esque comradery that Murray State has.

“The coaches showed me they really wanted me on their team and I felt like it was a place that I wanted to be at,” Kirby said. “When Murray State offered, Coach McMahon called me himself. I’m looking forward to being a part of that family.”

Ja’Queze Kirby

Photos courtesy of Racer Athletics

via the Paducah Sun, Region-1 Player transition from JUCO back to Division of the Year and All-State honors from I basketball. the Lexington Herald-Leader and AllBostick will join the Racers’ back- State First Team honors from the LouHill is no stranger to Division I bascourt after a memorable senior year at isville Courier Journal. ketball, having spent one year at the East Lake High School in Clearwater, University of Arkansas before transferJackson’s father, Scott Sivills, played ring to Salt Lake Community College.

Florida. for Murray S tate from 1989-1993, The 6’3” guard averaged 24.1 ppg, 5.2 and after recruitment from multiple At Salt Lake Community College, rpg, 4.6 apg and 2.6 spg en route to the schools, Jackson told goracers.com he the 6’0” guard scored 13.9 ppg to go school’s first trip to the state tourna- knew Murray State was going to be his with 4.3 apg while leading his team ment semifinals. For his contributions second home. to a 29-4 record and a Scenic West in the 2019-20 season, he was named Athletic Conference championship “I wanted to make my own decision,” appearance. the F lorida Dair y Farmers Class 6A Player of the Year after earning Play- Jackson said. “Even before I was born, er of the Year honors from the Tampa it was a great program when my dad Hill had offers from Wichita State, Bay Times and All-State honors from played there. Others recruited me, but New Mexico and Washington State the Florida Association of Basketball I found that Murray State was the best while Texas A&M and Ole Miss were place for me. The recent success they’ve showing interest.

Coaches in his junior season. [had] has featured the best teams at The incoming freshman also played MSU and I feel like it ’s a place I can Head Coach Matt McMahon told for former NBA forward Mareese Spei- come in and thrive in the system. It goracers.com that he is excited to add ghts’ AAU organization and Speights was easy to fall in love with what we the talented guard to their roster. congratulated him on the signing, say- have at Murray State.” “ We are extremely excited to weling via Twitter that signing with the Nicholas McMullen come Justice Hill to the Murray State Racers was huge for his family. program today,” McMahon said. “JusM c M u l l e n w i l l m a k e h i s w ay t o tice is a talented guard who will bring Bostick told goracers.com that it was the playing style that ultimately made Murray State from his hometown of speed, play-making and scoring to our Greensboro, Nor th Carolina, af ter backcourt. We love that he comes from him want to join Murray State. wrapping up his career at Ben L. Smith a winning program at Salt Lake where he helped lead his team to the national “I liked the way they play, which is High School. tournament this past season.” fast paced and downhill,” Bostick said.

In his senior season with the Eagles, “The way they play is the way I like to play. The atmosphere at Murray State the 6’8” forward averaged 15.5 ppg and home games looks amazing and I can’t 9.9 rpg en route to All-Piedmont Triad wait to be a part of it. When I watched 3A Conference honors, 3A All-State games last season, what I tried to do First Team honors from the N.C. Baswas put myself in the situations that ketball Coaches Association, as well as All-Area Team of greater Greensboro the team had.” honors from the News & Record.

Jackson Sivills It took one visit to a home game at Sivills is a local commit, joining the the CFSB Center to let McMullen Racers after an impressive high school know that he wanted to play in the atcareer at McCracken Count y High mosphere Racer nation provides every game.

School.

Dionte Bostick

Justice Hill

“The Murray State coaches brought me in for my visit in the first week and I liked all of them and the players,” McMullen told goracers.com.

“The crowd support we got at my high school was really good and I know the support the team gets at Murray State These stats led the incoming fresh- is big time. I was drawn to that.” man to a plethora of accolades, like the Justice Hill Kentucky Lions Club naming him to the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star series, As a late addition to the Racers remaking him a Mr. Basketball finalist in Kentucky. He was also given Pur- c r u i t i n g c l a s s , H i l l w i l l m a k e t h e chase Area Player of the Year honor

In his time with the Mustangs, the 6’6” guard averaged 22 ppg on 45.5% shooting and 8 rpg. Sivills finished his high school career just shy of 2,000 career points at 1,998 to go along with 871 career rebounds.

Photo courtesy of Racer Athletics

Photo courtesy of Racer Athletics

April 16, 2020

Features

5

Murray State dances into virtual classes

Megan Reynolds Opinion Editor mreynolds12@murraystate.edu

Although people are spending their time social distancing indoors, they are still looking for ways to stay active during the COVID-19 pandemic Murray State Zumba instructors Chanel Schwenck and Trish Lofton are ready to help students and the community stay active by offering an opportunity for online Zumba.

They have moved their classes to a virtual format through the streaming service Twitch.

At 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and 3 p.m. on Saturdays, students are welcome to tune in and dance.

Schwenck and Lofton met and became best friends through Zumba classes at Murray State.

“Trish had been taking Zumba classes at MSU’s Wellness Center but came over to try classes at Carr Health the summer of 2014,” Schwenck said. “She walked into my class one day and the rest is history.”

They have been teaching “Zumba with Trish and Chanel” since 2015. Schwenck and Lofton find dancing to be a great stress reliever and a fun way to stay fit. Both started in Zumba as a way to have fun and ended up loving the new people they were meeting.

Schwenck and Lofton both believe they work well together, and attribute this to their similar tastes in music and dance style.

“Part of the beauty of Zumba is that it encompasses music from countries all over the world,” Schwenck said. “We have fallen in love with merengue, cumbia, salsa, reggaeton, belly dancing and soca, just to name a few of the many rhythms of Zumba.”

Teaching at a university with students from all over the world, Schwenck and

Trish and Chanel live stream Zumba classes every Tuesday and Saturday.

Lofton use the music and dance routines to represent as many cultures as they can.

“Zumba allows us to do this,” Schwenck said. “We use a combination of the music Zumba provides as well as music we discover ourselves to create our routines.”

With so much music to choose from, sometimes the two instructors struggle choosing what to choreograph to. They just want to use it all.

“There are as many different song artists out there as there are types of music and we are fortunate that Zumba makes every effort to scour the globe to bring a beautiful variety of music from everywhere,” Schwenck said.

Before choreographing any dance moves, Schwenck and Lofton listen to their choice song many times over, figuring out what choreography will fit best.

Their aim is to work out each part of the body, so the process can be lengthy, especially when choreographing new routines weekly.

Zumba is a great way to stay fit, so for those looking for the means to stay active while under the quarantine, Schwenck and Lofton’s virtual classes may be the perfect opportunity. “ Working out with a buddy is always more fun, even a virtual buddy,” Schwenck said. “Accountability partners help us to reach our goals and

Photo courtesy of Trish Lofton

stay on track when we feel like we’re slipping.”

Schwenck and Lofton like to take one week at a time so they and the students don’t become overwhelmed. “ We tell our students, ‘Just think about what you can do this week to keep yourself healthy,’” Schwenck said. “Ultimately, exercise has to be fun and meaningful or people will not want to do it.”

The instructors have found that the best part of Zumba is its lack of discrimination. There is no certain body type necessary, and participants don’t even need a background in dance. “ We love that it ’s for e ver yone, ” Schwenck said.

1201 Payne Street Murray 270.761.4800 @future_grounds on Instagram

6

Features

April 16, 2020

Students adjust to online classes

Dionte Berry Contributing Writer dberry11@murraystate.edu

Students have had to adjust from the bustle of college life to the mundanity of online classes and social distancing.

Junior nursing major Ellie Burns found the transition to online classes to be difficult.

“I’m a hands-on learner and I prefer paper and pencil tests, so this change has been a challenge,” Burns said.

Nursing is a hands-on field, but Burns’ professors have been compensating for the lack of in-person classes.

“We have nursing labs and the labs themselves have been moved online,” Burns said. “My professor is allowing us to submit videos of us doing our physical assessments, and they provide a grade and feedback.”

Despite the struggles of moving online, Burns is happy the transition was made because it shows that the school cares about its students’ well-being.

“I’m glad President Jackson is looking out for our safety,” Burns said. “I agree with the decision even though I despise being online.”

A part of Burns’ struggle with online classes is the lack of nailing down a new routine.

“I have zero routines, and while on campus I had one, so this has been a significant struggle to get back into the habit of things in the comfort of my home,” Burns said.

Beyond her online classes, Burns has been keeping busy by reading and spending time outside.

The transition to online classes came easier for senior psychology major Alyssa Crum because she has taken online classes before.

Nursing major Ellie Burns has been staying busy with classes, reading and spending time outside.

“I have done a full semester of school online before, so I am used to the workload,” Crum said. “It has been different though since classes were stopped rather abruptly.”

Beyond classes, Crum has been working.

“I work at a girls’ group home and a boys’ group home for behaviorally challenged kids with the Stepstone Family and Youth Services,” Crum said.

Crum works full time at both homes and said quarantine has been quite the change for the kids in the home.

“My kids are going a little stir-crazy with being at home all the time,” Crum said. “Their one place to express themselves

freely is school, so we tr y to involve them in other activities without exposing them to COVID-19.”

Crum said her job is emotionally, mentally and physically taxing, but she doesn’t let that stop her from finding joy in working with kids.

“I enjoy working with them through their daily challenges and applying what all I have learned as a budding psychologist in real-life situations,” Crum said.

In addition to work, Crum has been training her two-year-old pitbull dalmation mix, Echo, to become a therapy dog.

Photo courtesy of Ellie Burns

“I believe that he has the abilities to make a great therapy dog for geriatrics and children’s hospitals,” Crum said.

After COVID-19 passes, she plans to have Echo take the Canine Good Citizen test for him to be certified as a therapy dog.

When she isn’t at work or training her dog, she is enjoying home life and keeping herself busy.

“I have been reading, baking, cooking new recipes, making puzzles, watching documentaries on Netflix, being with my family and cleaning up and organizing,” Crum said.

Although Crum has transitioned well to online school and social distancing, she is eager to continue her normal life.

Alumnus discusses experiences with the Navy Music Program Cady Stribling Features Editor cstribling1@murraystate.edu Timothy Hutchens picked up a trombone at Murray Middle School and hasn’t put it down since. Now, he plays for the prestigious Navy Music Program.

Hutchens received his bachelor’s from Murray State in 2012 as a music education major, and after acquiring his master’s and doctoral degrees, he now plays trombone for the Navy Music Program.

“The Navy Music Program spans across the world with eleven bands: nine fleet bands, the premiere band in Washington D.C. and the Naval Academy Band,” Hutchens said.

Hutchens is a member of the Navy Band Southwest, a fleet band stationed in San Diego, California. In this fleet band there are approximately 35-40 members.

In a broad sense of their job requirements, the bands provide musical support for military engagements and provide music for public outreach. The military engagements can include anything from retirement ceremonies to change of command ceremonies to ship commissioning ceremonies.

The public outreach generally consists of school visits from middle schools to colleges, music festival attendance and performances for civilians called Fleet Weeks.

“These events are planned by the Navy as a means to bring the Navy to cities that

may not have a strong presence,” Hutchens said. “To an extent, you could call us Naval Ambassadors to the civilian world.”

Fleet Weeks bring the Navy to people who live inland and don’t get to see much of what they do. Hutchens said these events allow people to talk to sailors, see equipment they work with regularly and learn something about the Navy.

“The Blue Angels are in almost every Navy or Fleet Week we attend, as well as members of ships that are available,” Hutchens said. “It is truly a large, Navy-wide community outreach affair.”

NBSW travels around the southwest region of the country, as well as locally. They are also often sent to other countries as well to create connections.

Hutchens primarily plays jazz, tenor and bass trombone, though he said it’s not uncommon for trombone players to pick up a euphonium.

Aside from being world class musicians, the band manages itself, so members take on additional administrative tasks.

“My current job is to run NBSW’s supply office, meaning I maintain and am responsible for all of our equipment, to include instruments, sound gear, some of our computers, percussion equipment, etc.,” Hutchens said.

Hutchens said his education at Murray State, as well the University of Louisville and Arizona State where he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees, were

crucial to his success with the Navy Music Program.

“My entire collegiate career taught me not only what I needed to know to be successful, but also what I needed to learn,” Hutchens said.

He said the classes that we take in college that are interesting but don’t seem to be important for the real world have helped him with promotional exams and making song arrangements for NBSW. Hutchens credits his education for many tasks he has to complete daily.

“Not only do I utilize my playing skills daily, but I’m constantly arranging music, analyzing music for rehearsals, preparing sectionals for groups, memorizing music and even taking tests for promotion,” Hutchens said.

Hutchens commends Murray State professor Ray Conklin, who he studied under. “[Conklin] was a tough teacher,” Hutchens said. “While that may not have always made the relationship easy, every one of his students could tell you any number of stories where he would do anything and everything to be there for his students, with all the love and grace that required.”

Hutchens advises students to learn to live with difficulty, struggle and failure, especially if they are doubting themselves.

“I think we are all programmed nowadays to seek perfection and want it immediately,” Hutchens said. “When you’re passionate enough about something to make it your life, you’re going to have to

Photo courtesy of Musician 2nd Class Ryan Miller Hutchens plays trombone for Navy Music Program

struggle, you’re going to have to doubt and occasionally you are going to fail.”

Hutchens said a person’s experience, even the doubt and failures, is what shapes them.

“That is a necessary part of the learning and developing process that ultimately leads to success,” Hutchens said.