This semester, Southern’s intramural games have sparked more than just competition. Many students have voiced frustrations over inconsistent or biased officiating, claiming that referees make too many mistakes.
Judeline Pineda, senior liberal arts education major and frequent intramural participant, shared some insight into some concerns she has felt regarding student officiates.
“I feel like sometimes they don’t take the girls seriously," Pineda said. "I feel like that could be something, like ‘it's just girls, whatever’ in some sense. I don't think they're trying to do that [on purpose], but it's just how it is.”
Pineda also said that while she understands that referees are supposed to be neutral, she has sometimes felt that referees have favored some teams over others.
According to Jaden Hutchinson, a four-year referee for the intramurals program and a senior kinesiology major, an influx of inexperienced and new referees has contributed to the tensions. Additionally, he claimed that many students do not understand the challenges of making split-second decisions or the difficulty it takes to be a student referee among peers.
“What a lot of the students don’t realize is that the refs are all students as well,” Hutchin-
Eva Resz Reporter
Southern Adventist Univer-
sity’s Black Christian Union (BCU) is holding its annual cultural event on Saturday Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. This year’s theme, "Homecoming," celebrates culture, and BCU has planned a lineup of performances for students, faculty and community members.
Sue Odieki, previous BCU president and sophomore nursing major, shared in an interview with the Accent that the shift has brought “fresh perspectives” to the BCU team.
“The core mission remains the same: to create a night of excellence, unity and cultural appreciation,” Odieki said.
“The excitement surrounding this year’s event is already building, with an expected turnout that may surpass previous years.”
Odieki described the event as “A Homecoming to remember.” She emphasized that this year’s theme is personal.
“More than just a title, Homecoming represents a return to roots, a celebration of culture and a reflection on what it truly means to belong,” Odieki said. According to Odieki, Naiya Brown, senior health science major, sets the foundation of BCU Night as writer and direc-
Building belonging in uncertain times
Hayden Kobza Managing Editor
Kathy Purnell, Southern Adventist University’s special advisor to the president on diversity and strategic planning, has been develop-
ing and implementing ways to serve the institution's diverse population, she said in a recent interview with the Accent.
Purnell, who has held the position since the summer of 2022, continues her work despite initial online backlash from some conservative Seventh-day Adventists when she was first hired.
In addition to internal church polarization over diversity issues, Purnell—along with other diversity-related professionals—also faces a growing anti-diversity climate spreading across the country, exacerbated by President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders dismantling DEI programs and policies within the federal government.
One project Purnell has been spearheading along with Adam Bellis, a graduate research assistant, is a “Perceptions of Belonging” survey
designed to assess what Southern is doing well when it comes to belonging and what needs to be improved, whether in the classroom, dorms or worship centers.
Along with the survey, Purnell said she has launched a website called the Online Belonging Community to create a Christ-centered space where individuals feel valued, empowered and connected through respectful dialogue, shared experiences and a commitment to inclusivity.
“We seek to build a stronger, more inclusive campus community that reflects the love, compassion and unity taught by Christ,” the website states. “Together, we are committed to cultivating a space where diversity is embraced, and every member can grow in faith, knowledge and purpose.”
Another initiative mentioned by Purnell and Bellis
tor of this year’s production. Odieki encourages attendees to “expect the unexpected.”
Chisara Ukegbu, junior mass communication media production major, shared that this year’s performance differs from previous years; it’s meant to be a celebration.
“BCU Night will be a comeback. It’s not so much a history lesson this year. It’s more of a cultural celebration. That’s what sets this year apart,” Ukegbu said. “Because some people understand why we want to teach so much at BCU
Night, but we already do so much teaching. So, this year is the year to show the other half of the spectrum. There’s so much culture that we love, so much that we want to appreciate, and that’s what this year is doing.”
Edward Backer, senior psychology major, who performed during BCU Night 2024, will be appearing as one of the event’s leading actors this year. Backer shared his enthusiasm for the opportunity. According to Backer, last year’s production followed a
young African American learning from historical figures like Muhammad Ali and Rosa Parks.
“This year is going to be something different,” he said. “BCU homecoming night is gonna be fantastic. It’s gonna give people an opportunity to see all these different aspects of what it means to be black.”
According to Backer, “Homecoming” derives from celebrations at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and carries deep significance.
“Homecomings at HBCUs
is DiversiTEA Conversations, which aims to bring diverse voices together around tea. The effort, led by Bellis, will extend to staff as well.
"There's power when you bring people together around tea and food."
“We realized there are not a lot of places to talk like that [on campus],” Bellis said in an interview with the Accent. He wants people from all parts of Southern to unite and bridge the diversity divide, and Purnell, being from the United Kingdom, wants them to drink tea while conversing.
“There’s power when you bring people together around tea and food,” Purnell said. “ … We really want to see what happens.”
are about students, faculty and alumni coming together to celebrate pride in their school and culture. It’s a safe space to show off who they are,” Backer said. “We want everyone to come and be a part of it and celebrate this awesome event with us.”
According to Ukegbu, the audience can expect the return of dance performances after a year of absence. Ukegbu’s team has been practicing every week since January, repeatedly reviewing the same routines to ensure they’re ready for the event.
“Dancing is back, and that’s one of the most looked-forward-to parts,” Ukegbu said. “Getting to actually contribute to telling the story of the night makes me…really excited to see the story pull together.”
According to Odieki, “Homecoming” is more than just an event; it celebrates community, culture, and connection; it’s a night that reflects BCU’s mission of bringing people together.
“BCU is a Black Christian Union, but it’s meant for everyone,” Backer said. “It’s not just a place for African American or black people to feel like they can belong on campus. It’s a place for them to come together, for us to come together, and to show off our pride in what makes us
Kathy Purnell (Photo courtesy of Kathy Purnell)
Attendees at DEEP Retreat, a diversity initiative between Southern Adventist and Oakwood Universities, pose for a group photo.
(Photo by Andrew Boggess)
Kaeddie De Voyard participates in a fake civil protest during BCU Night 2024. Monday, February 24, 2024 (Photo by Andrew Boggess)
Belonging
continued from page 1
Racial Tensions
Purnell was hired at Southern in the summer of 2022, after the university’s attempt over the span of a few years to address its racist history, according to a previous Accent article. There had been a few incidents from 2016 and 2018 when racist slurs and comments posted on social media platforms, including Yik Yak and Snapchat, during Black Christian Union (BCU) Night prompted the university to seek solutions for racial reconciliation.
While the vice president position never materialized, the university created a Senior Advisor of Diversity position.
In 2018, a week after a racist Snapchat story was taken at a 2018 BCU Night, the university released a video statement titled, “Recognizing Our Past, Shaping Our Future.”
Former university President David Smith and other administrators—including Bob Young, senior vice president for Academic Administration, and Denis Negrón, vice president for Student Development—were featured in the video alongside other university representatives and Student Association (SA) members.
The video, currently available on the university’s YouTube channel, promised students that the university would begin creating a fulltime diversity position.
“I pledge that we will improve the representation of our diverse student body at
Referee
continued from page 1
son said. “I’d say, probably 75% of the refs we have right now are all new. They’re just starting to learn. So, of course, that’s going to affect the game and how it’s being reffed because they’re not 100% confident in themselves.”
In an interview with the Accent, Pineda acknowledged this lack of experience, saying that in this last basketball season the new referees would sometimes make calls while raising the wrong hand and confuse the other referee on the court.
“So you could see that in the refs too,” Pineda said. “They kind of clash with the calls. They're normally on the same page, which is kind of frustrating, because we want them to be on the same page.”
Hutchinson explained that in previous semesters, the majority of the referees had been on staff for four years. Now, with a largely new roster this semester, players have voiced more complaints.
“You just have to give them time, and [basketball is] their first sport doing it, which sucks for them, because basketball is the hardest one,” Hutchinson said.
According to Troy Walker, the university’s intramural director, not many students volunteer to be referees due to the fact
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the administrative level starting immediately with a Vice President of Diversity position,” President Smith said in the video. “And I would like to ask for prayers and support [from] all of our students and employees in pursuing these goals.”
Those statements from the university were made seven years ago. While the vice president position never materialized, the university created a Senior Advisor of Diversity position under the direction of President Smith. The responsibilities were split between two individuals by the fall of 2019, according to an Accent article.
Social Work professor Stephanie Guster became Senior Advisor to the President on Diversity, and Theology professor Alan Parker became Advisor to the President on Sexual Integrity, which included LGBTQ issues. Both individuals stepped down from their positions at the end of the 2022 winter semester, and the university renamed the position of Senior Advisor to the Senior Advisor to the President of Diversity and Strategic Planning, according to a previous Accent article.
When Purnell stepped into the position, Fulcrum7, a conservative Seventh-day Adventist news outlet published an article bashing Purnell and Southern for hiring her.
“I don’t believe that the ‘diversity’ agenda will do anything to improve Southern Adventist University or help the supposedly ‘marginalized’ student groups,” an anonymous writer named News Hound wrote at the time. Purnell disagrees. She believes diversity initiatives have benefited the university, and she continues to prioritize inclusion.
that disciplining peers can be difficult and uncomfortable.
“Sometimes I have to take what I can get and train them as best I can,” Walker said. When questioned about the issues and the manner in which students present their problems during games, Walker stated that the most common concerns are missed calls, a normal part of officiating. He
Building Bridges
These days, Purnell said she is passionate about her job because of the experiences her family went through while living in the United Kingdom.
“I grew up in the UK in the late 1960s, a time when there was a lot of racial tension … [and] my parents were immigrants from the Caribbean,” she explained.
She said many immigrants of the Windrush era, a period involving the movement of people from Commonwealth countries to the UK between 1948 and 1973, faced a significant amount of discrimination.
“I heard a lot of stories, and it inspired me,” she said.
Some of it she experienced personally: “As a child, a teacher used a derogatory racial slur, and I said, ‘When I grow up, I will never be like you,’” she recalled.
Recently, Southern and Oakwood University students, administrators and employees spent a weekend together in Atlanta, Georgia, during a joint Diversity Educational Exchange Program (DEEP) Retreat.
"As the weekend ended, there was a collective sense of fulfillment."
Bellis said DEEP started in 1996 when then-Oakwood President Delbert Baker and Southern’s President Gordon Bietz wanted to bridge the racial divide.
Students from Oakwood and Southern would switch schools for a semester.
However, according to Bellis, it eventually lost steam and has evolved into a oncea-year weekend retreat where the schools meet, talk and do community service.
“The overarching goal is inspiring and galvanizing par-
mindset that, like, what they’re doing is right.”
He added that if a student player seems unsure of the rules but insists in an argumentative manner that they know best, he advises referees to wait until the game is over to discuss the call when the player is more receptive.
Gabriel Castro, senior construction management major
said students should remember that no referee is perfect.
Hutchinson said based on his experience as a referee during intramural games, students will often raise concerns mid-game about a foul call, which he often tries to explain on the spot. However, he explained that not all interactions are constructive.
“If a person sits there and starts yelling at you or starts arguing or complaining all the time throughout the game, I’m not gonna sit there and explain it to them,” Hutchinson said, “because they have it in their
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ticipants into forging faithbased, genuine intercultural bonds and devising strategies that nurture cultural humility and a pervasive sense of belonging,” Purnell stated in a previous Accent article.
This year, DEEP was hosted in Atlanta, Georgia, where participants from the two schools shared the theme, “Together in Mission.” The retreat featured presidential recognition and leadership insights, spirit-led worship, a community service project, a discussion on mission and action, a creative reflection night, prayer circles, a call to action and planning for the future.
"It reminds me [that] no matter what's thrown at [you], it doesn't define you. You've got to brush it off ... walk while you cry, but know who you are."
According to Purnell, while the group met, the first executive orders had come from the Trump administration, ending DEI programs at the federal level, and it made the group feel uneasy.
“That really put a cloud over people's heads,” Purnell said. For her, it wasn’t by chance that the group was brought together during that time.
“As the weekend ended, there was a collective sense of fulfillment,” Purnell stated in an email to the Accent.
“The DEEP 2025 retreat provided an opportunity for learning and reflection and led to tangible action, with attendees committing to serve their communities in new ways.”
Other initiatives by Purnell and Bellis, along with Kevin Brown, chair of the Mathematics Department, and
ing is really like,” Walker said. “It’s just not easy to referee. I explain to them that the refs are only human, and they’re doing the best they can. They’re refs that have limited experience. I don’t know of any ref that I have out there that wants to do a bad job or doesn’t care.”
Walker said to be hired and trained as a referee, students either take a two-credit officiating class taught by himself or they attend referee training sessions when he can fit them into the schedule. In addition, Hutchinson shared that many student athletes have backgrounds in weight lifting or personal training but not in sports officiating. Hence, when they come to work as referees, it can be a struggle for them to pick it up.
Professor Robert Ordóñez, associate professor in the School of Computing, include a launching a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Planning Project to study Hispanic STEM student populations, identify challenges and train faculty to implement evidence-based strategies for improving retention.
“The bit I'm excited about is to design micro-learning content to help educators and students,” Purnell said.
Bellis said there would be a lab using virtual reality goggles for the content, and Purnell added that they had just purchased 20 goggles.
Purnell emphasized the importance of resilience and faith in the work of diversity.
“It’s a lot of quiet working in silence but under Godly direction,” she said, reinforcing her belief that challenges don’t define a person—but perseverance does.
“It reminds me [that] no matter what’s thrown at [you], it doesn’t define you,” Purnell said. “You’ve got to brush it off … walk while you cry, but know who you are.”
BCU Night
continued from page 1
who we are. But we also want to bring that pride to everyone else on campus and invite them to be a part of it. And so that’s what homecoming is.”
“To me, it’s about going back to your roots,” Ukegbu said. “Coming home means the warmth of family, love, food and fun. It’s a remembrance of where you came from.”
others as if the referees aren’t as into the games as much as the players.
“I feel like they're not really into it, like they don't care sometimes,” Pineda said. “Like, for us, we might take games so seriously. I really care about it. But again, we can't really say anything to them, because then they're gonna come after us for bad sportsmanship or something.”
Hutchinson emphasized that being unbiased is the number one rule referees need to follow.
“I don’t think I’ve seen an instance of bias,” Hutchinson said. “I think people have it in their head that we’re being biased just because we know the person we’re reffing, but that’s not what we’re trained for.”
and multisport athlete on campus, says that he has never experienced his team being treated differently by refs.
“But I won’t say that’s not a possibility,” Castro said. “I will say that whatever side of the aisle you’re on, players often think they are right about calls when they don’t have the vision the refs have.”
Walker explained the process he uses when unhappy students come to him with complaints of bias or flawed calls.
“I try to help student participants to understand what reff-
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Throughout the training process, Walker highlights the importance of impartiality and even gives officials pamphlets and guidelines to review during their employment to stay up-todate on sports’ rules.
“I address bias with every ref and educate them on the fact that a referee cannot be biased, no matter who’s playing,” Walker said. “If it’s your girlfriend, your best friend or your roommate, it doesn’t matter. You gotta ref everybody the same.”
Pineda shared that while she understands all the referees are just students with no professional experience that sometimes it appears to her, and
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Looking ahead, Walker hopes to implement a survey system where students can give positive and constructive feedback on referees’ performances. While he is open to students’ concerns, he encourages students to be mindful of a referee’s perspective.
“They’re not going to get every call perfectly, but the refs don’t decide the outcome of a game,” Walker said. “The refs are just enforcing rules that a player is either following or not following. All they’re doing is enforcing those rules as best they can.”
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Teams compete in the finals of this semester's basketball intramurals. Saturday, February 15, 2025. (Photo by Elias Zabala)
2025-2026 SA Election Candidate Platforms
John Hargy, President
Over the past four years, I have dedicated myself to serving this campus because I believe in the power of a faith-driven community and the transformative impact we can have when we unite. I am excited to take this commitment to the next level by running to be your next SA President.
Campus Life & Student Well-being
More should be done to increase accessibility on campus – I will advocate for more automatic doors and the creation of a student-led advisory board for accessibility. I will also advocate for later closing times for Hulsey on Friday and additional gym equipment. Other initiatives include a student-led task force to improve campus dining, more student discounts from local businesses, and an expanded mental health program. A student marketplace will help students buy/sell books, furniture, and services, and outdoor seating and study spaces will be expanded.
Academic, Research & Career Growth
I will expand career resources and create new student-focused initiatives that help students secure internships, jobs, and graduate school opportunities. These include free professional headshots, a career clothing closet, and a stronger alumni network. I will also increase promotion of funded summer opportunities to expand student access to external internships and push for more institutional recognition of their achievements, raising Southern’s academic profile.
Spiritual Life & Worship Credits Southern is more than just a college, it’s a community rooted in faith. I will work to deepen spiritual engagement and create more spiritual growth opportunities that meet you where you are. I will also put together a student-led task force to create a more flexible credit system that will allow for credit rollovers, local church partnerships, and incentives for deeper engagement, making spiritual life more accessible and meaningful.
Student Association Reform Student Association (SA) serves as a unifying force for all student organizations on campus. I will increase collaboration with clubs by meeting with club presidents to identify how SA can best support them, include clubs in SA’s major events, and use the SA platform to promote club activities. Transparency will be prioritized by implementing public budgets, student referendums on major expenses, and progress trackers. A reformed Senate will be elected by students, ensuring true representation and accountability. Stronger ties between SA and university leadership will make sure that student concerns are heard in administration.
For the full details, visit https://www.johnhargypresident.com/.
• Make the cafeteria prices cheaper by eliminating the food weighing charging method.
• Advocate for a more student-friendly parking policy.
• Propose shuttle services for Village residents to eliminate long walks in the cold.
• Complete transparency with the SA budget, to which you contribute 153 dollars every year.
• Improve Ellen G. White stairs.
Start a student-based foundation to help people in need. Add more vending machines in dorms and in buildings.
• Add more activities so students find belonging and community.
• Improve resources and transportation to grocery stores and malls for international students and students without cars.
• Introduce suggestion boxes for student feedback, and open a poll for people to express their voices freely yet anonymously.
President
Hello everyone! My name is Alejandro Robles, and I am both honored and excited for the opportunity to run as Student Association President. Southern Adventist University is an incredible institution, built on a strong community and rich traditions. I believe we have everything we need to thrive, but there is always room for improvement. My goal is not just to bring change for the sake of change, but to enhance what already makes our campus great. Whether it’s addressing student concerns, improving daily campus life, or creating new opportunities, I am committed to making a meaningful impact. If something needs to be improved, I will work to make it happen—but more than anything, I want to ensure that every student feels supported and heard.
Blessed Bites
Every Friday, I want to bring a small treat to students as a meaningful way to recognize your hard work throughout the week. Consistently putting in effort, staying engaged, and pushing through challenges deserve to be acknowledged, and this is just one way to show SA’s appreciation. It’s more than just a treat; it is a reminder that your dedication does not go unnoticed and that every bit of effort you put in contributes to your growth and success.
423 Night
This event is a great way to support local businesses and bring the community together. I would love to see it happen twice a year once in the first semester and once in the second so vendors have more chances to showcase their products, and students can participate more frequently.
Vending Machines
We all know how frustrating it is when the vending machines are empty or broken. I want to work with the cafeteria team to make sure the machines in Talge and Thatcher stay stocked and in good shape, so you always have access to quick snacks and drinks all week long.
Sleep Pods
Let’s be real—college is exhausting. I want to explore the idea of sleep pods on campus where students can recharge between classes. With demanding schedules and long days, having a designated space to rest could make a meaningful difference in student well-being. I will work to find a practical and effective way to bring this initiative to life.
Whatever the need may be, I am committed to finding solutions. Together, we can and will make it happen. God Bless. Vote for Robles.
My platform is mainly focused on residence life, which includes knowing what students need for their campus life to be enhanced, and makiang every Southern student feel important. Of course, I won’t do this myself, I will use teamwork such as working with staff and students to make Southern a better experience for everyone. None of this will be for me, but for the community.
Spiritual Life
Research on making convocation and vespers more engaging for students.
• Have students give more vespers. Have students do some convocations that can lead students closer to God. Research on ways to offer more credit opportunitie
Residence Life
There are inequities within both dorms, and I will be working and researching with the deans, staff, and with student government on helping the residents both in Thatcher and Talge to have a better lifestyle.
• A hair shop for Thatcher would be good for the girls. I’ve contacted Dean Hall about this and she said there’s a possibility this can happen. Girls who are skilled in hair can do things like layering, braids, etc.
I would like to also research on bringing ice machines for Thatcher. Since girls must take a walk to Talge to get ice, this will benefit them so much.
• Research ways into bringing cameras or security in the laundry rooms, since theft has increased a lot in the laundry rooms.
Events and Collaboration
Research on encouraging students to be more involved in Southern events, and for them to collaborate on events. I will work closely with the social VP to excel in these events.
• Squid Games night.
• I would like to research on getting many ways of promoting and encouraging students to participate in events. One of them will be interacting with students around campus playing a small game and getting them to be encouraged to participate in events.
• Student of the week (raffle) have a student explain their story and major on the Instagram page so more students can get to know people. Talk with the international students on how to make better events for them.
BASKETBALL FINALS
Heaven Robles, Vice President
This term, I am committed to building community, connection, and resilience. It's time to create a strong support system FOR US, ensuring we stay rooted together. One key focus is establishing a more straightforward communication system. The vision is to call this method the “Southern Sphere,” where we establish a network for faster
and outreach. Also emphasizing collaboration
accomplishments, ideas, and voices!
• Let's champion the future entrepreneurs and leaders among our campus by creating a dedicated team to uplift nail techs,barbers, crocheters, researchers, and all others. Together, we can amplify their business names and visions, supporting business dreams crafted by students, for students.
• For our commuter students who don’t have the luxury of resting in a dorm, we’re exploring the introduction of napping pods. This will provide a much-needed space to recharge between classes, ensuring everyone has the energy to thrive.
• We aim to foster a vibrant community by hosting more engaging events. With the dynamic collaboration between senators and clubs during our SMILE
initiatives, we’ll sprinkle small surprises throughout the weeks on the promenade, making every moment memorable.
• Southern Sphere will serve as an empowering platform that keeps everyone informed about scholarship opportunities for all students, highlights innovative projects driven by students, celebrates birthdays for both students and faculty, and shares vital Senate updates. We can take a brief 3-5 minutes before convocation to showcase these initiatives, along with sharing them on the Southern monitors, so everyone stays connected and inspired. Together, let's create a supportive environment where every voice is heard and every vision can flourish!
I am passionate about the mission of service. My strength lies in building strong connections and creating a sense of family in every community. It would be an incredible honor to serve this campus and support one another through your SA Executive Vice President. This campus is a family, and there are countless ways for you to get involved. Join me this year, and I promise to provide a team Southern Adventist University can trust!
Jeneava Bautista, Vice President
Developing a campus that genuinely serves you, the students, is my goal as your Executive Vice President candidate. Together, we can shape an environment that meets your needs, fosters inclusivity, and supports a better future here at Southern for all students
1. Parking Solutions: I'll push for more parking spots and the development of student-accessible parking lots. To lessen the everyday stress of locating places and make traveling easier for all students, this includes advocating for more areas to park.
2. Improving Living Spaces in Residence Halls: Our residence halls should feel like home. I will work and advocate to add amenities like ice machines in Thatcher Hall and ensure that dorm necessities are readily available.
3. Better Lighting for Outdoor Court: For those of us who enjoy playing outside, I plan to advocate to improve lighting and visibility on outdoor courts. This will not only enhance the safety of these spaces at night but also encourage more student engagement and physical activity.
4. Accessibility for All: It's time to ensure that everyone can really access our campus. I will work on improving access to buildings for all students, ensuring that entrances are handicap-friendly and that everyone can navigate campus with ease.
5. More Study and Hangout Spaces: Students require additional spaces where they can meet, study, and unwind. Providing more places for students to come together and study on campus—whether in common areas, libraries, or outdoor seating areas—will be one of my priorities.
My goal is simple: to make sure that every aspect of our campus satisfies the needs of the students who live here. By working together, we can implement meaningful changes, such as improved accessibility and updated infrastructure, while promoting a sustainable and student-centered environment.
Esmeralda Paulino, Social Vice President
With God at the center, I want every event at Southern Adventist University to feel like an endless summer camp, a place where fun, friendships, and personal growth happen naturally. College isn’t just about classes; over the next few years, you’ll meet people who could end up being your lifelong friends, mentors, or even future coworkers. My mission is to create an environment where those connections happen easily, through events and experiences that are inclusive, fun, and unforgettable.
Ideas for the next school year
1. Tropical Luau – August: For the welcome party, we will have a Hawaiian-themed party. Picture tiki torches, a volleyball tourney, tropical mocktails, and a chill vibe to get everyone involved for the semester ahead.
Ideas besides events
2. Fall Festival – October: A rodeo-themed festival with pumpkin decorating, hayrides, and a mechanical bull. Clubs will be setting up fun booths with fall games and activities, so it’s the perfect opportunity to meet people and show your school spirit.
1. Thanksgiving Dinner/Party – November: For those who can’t make it home for Thanksgiving, we’re planning a special dinner at The Grid to ensure no one feels left out during the holiday season. This event will offer a warm, welcoming environment, showcasing that Southern is more than just a school—it's a home for all of us. It's a chance for students to connect, enjoy a meal together, and feel supported by the community.
3. Christmas Party – December: Celebrate the holidays with a Christmas party at the annual tree lighting. Think hot cocoa, a photo booth for memories, and volunteer opportunities to give back. The perfect vibe for a cozy, festive night.
4. Under the Sea Banquet –March: This event will take place at the Aquarium. Dive into an ocean-themed banquet with soft lighting, sea creature props, and delicious food. A night to remember!
2. Mid-Winter Showcase – January: With a large number of freshmen joining us in January, I want to create an event that helps new and transfer students feel welcomed and find their place. The Mid-Winter Showcase will introduce them to everything Southern has to offer, clubs, activities, worship, Southern Scholars, and student job opportunities. Partnering with First Year Experience will allow us to give these students a solid introduction to our vibrant campus life and help them build connections right from the start.
Residents from Talge Hall celebrate the Super Bowl together. Sunday, February 9, 2025. (Photo by Shengzhe Zhao)
Because Southern is not Southern without you.
Joby Nash makes a move towards the basket. Saturday, February 15, 2025. (Photo by Elias Zabala)
A team celebrates during their match. Saturday, February 15, 2025. (Photo by Elias Zabala)
MENTAL HEALTH
Finding your identity in college: Steps to rediscover yourself while under pressure
Abby Dizon Contributor
Editor’s Note: The following articles are written by counseling professionals from Counseling Services in partnership with the Southern Accent.
Going to college can lead to two outcomes: You can either understand yourself better and discover who you are as a person, or you can become overwhelmed with the pressures and demands around you, losing sight of your true self and aspirations. This can lead to questioning your identity and how your old self has changed.
If you successfully navigated through this journey of self-discovery, that is fantastic. However, if you are struggling to rediscover yourself, here are some steps to begin the process of finding yourself. Rediscovering yourself is important for making better decisions, nurturing stronger relationships and ultimately living a more fulfilled life.
Visualize your ideal self
The first step toward rediscovering or developing your ideal self is to put your thoughts on paper about what you want your ideal self to look like. Start with questions like: “What do I want in life?” “What are my regrets and moments of pride?” and “Where do I see myself in five to ten years?”
These questions may sound daunting if you have not given them much thought before.
However, they are important for clarifying your goals and aspirations. As action follows thought, you cannot act on something you have not contemplated. Without clearly defining your goals for the person you want to become, not only do you not have a clear visual of your personal goals, but you also risk creating goals that are actually based on people’s expectations of you rather than your own desires.
An article from Healthine
states, “Without a clear idea of the things that matter to you or the person you hope to become, you’ll continue living for other people instead of yourself.”
Take a break from your social circles
Whether in a social circle or a romantic relationship, it is common to get roped in and absorb the personality traits, values and beliefs of the people around you. This
process can sometimes lead to you slowly losing sight of who you were as a person and adopting traits and behaviors that may not align with who you truly are.
This is not a suggestion to sever your ties with loved ones to discover your true self without them, but instead, carve out times of solitude to reconnect with your true core identity. Whether through a nature hike, enrolling in a class, or tending to run errands alone, embracing
the unease of solitude allows you to think for yourself and explore your feelings and preferences without external influences, leading to a deeper, independent understanding of who you are.
Remember, you only have one life, so make it your own and don’t live for or through anyone else. As people and things come and go, there will be periods in life where you wonder what you live for.
SPORTS
Beyond the climb: Connecting with others
Grant Velbis Contributor
The radio blared as I cruised along Kentucky highways, my excitement building with each passing mile. In May of 2022, my friend Zach and I had planned a week-long rock-climbing trip to the famous Red River Gorge, located about an hour from Lexington. The Red, as it’s commonly called, is unmatched in the Southeast for its quantity and quality of sport climbing.
As I drove, my mind whirled with the routes I hoped to conquer, and my imagination raised my climbing prowess to laughable heights ( I had only joined the sport a year prior). I could see it all: the celebration at reaching the top of a near-impossible climb and Zach’s admiration of my strength and skill. With these daydreams dancing in my head, I found myself pulling into the parking lot of Miguel’s Pizza, a quirky little restaurant well-known amongst climbers for its cheap camping on the property behind.
Once I found Zach, we immediately jumped into discussing our plans for the following days. As we talked, we set up our meager campsite: a tarp on the ground next to a picnic table. Neither of us had brought a tent, and at that time I didn’t even own a sleeping bag. So, after a camp stove supper, I wrapped myself up in blankets and lay on our tarp beneath a canopy of stars, eagerly awaiting the dawn.
“Take!” I yelled to Zach, who promptly tightened the rope. There I dangled, sickeningly high off the ground, my arms and legs shaking from fear.
Zach and I had woken early, eaten bowls of hurried oatmeal and set off in search of rocks to climb. But my daydreams of grandeur were quickly shat-
tered. Climber though I was, my fear of heights and of falling had yet to be resolved. After a few more feeble attempts, I gave up for the morning, and we returned to Miguel’s for lunch. I hunched over our picnic table, nursing my wounded pride.
“Hey, Grant!” Zach broke into my thoughts. “I have somebody I want you to meet.” I looked up as he introduced me to an unkempt man with long hair, maybe in his mid-30s, who was wearing a T-shirt that hadn’t been washed for a long time.
“This is Dave. I met him last time I climbed here; he’s a cool guy.
He and his friends are going to hang out with us.”
“Sounds good!” I said, but inside I felt as if my climbing trip had just been hijacked. Dave and his ragtag group of four other friends joined us for the rest of the day, and, to my initial dismay, the rest of the week. But over time, in between wrestling with my climbing fears, I got to know some of them. Dave was a doctor taking time off from work to pursue climbing. Vance was happily married. Zane lived and worked at Miguel’s, and Mitchell was secretly the best climber of us all.
It didn’t take long for the group to vote Zach as our fearless leader. The six of them decided we should end our trip with a bang by ascending a multi-pitch rock tower. Standing at the base of the wall, I was terrified. If a normal route scared me, could I climb something even taller? And with strangers?
But my fears quickly vanished as, one by one like a line of ants, we climbed under Zach’s skillful guidance. I laughed harder than I had in a long time as we crammed onto narrow ledges only just wide enough to fit us all. As we teased and joked with each other, I realized I was
among friends — joined by our mutual love for the sport of rock climbing. I fit right in, having become as unkempt as they were during my week of living a climber’s life.
Over a post-climb pizza back at Miguel’s, Vance asked Zach and me something that had been on his mind. “You guys don’t drink, and you don’t smoke. You don’t even put pepperoni on your pizza! What’s up with that?” In a moment I won’t soon forget, Zach explained our faith to our new friends.
“I have to say,” Vance admitted later, “I think you guys are the coolest Christians I’ve ever met.”
Since then, I’ve tried to carry the spirit of my Red River Gorge trip into other climbing adventures. This past fall I was at Foster Falls (45 minutes west of Chattanooga) when I ran into some climbers visiting from Puerto Rico. “You’re a local,” they said. “You should come climbing with us!”
I did and, with their encouragement and support, climbed my hardest route to date.
Another time, over the summer, I happened to meet a Baptist guy at the climbing gym. We became fast friends and met up many times, even outside the gym, to connect over our faith.
Recently, I reflected with Zach about these various experiences. That motley bunch at the Red had reminded me that people are always more important than achievements and that Christianity is something to be lived, not just talked about. I love the way Zach put it: , “You can still do cool stuff without leaving your faith behind.”
So, I would encourage you: Whatever it is you like to do, be it rock climbing or something else, use it to connect with people. And bring your faith with you.
Intramural Schedule: Today
6 p.m.
- Hard pass vs Getting diggy wit it (Ladies A)
- bumpkins vs Block Busters (Ladies B)
- The Big Tipper vs Volleyball is nice 7 (Mens B)
- diggin divas vs RATNTHENET (Co-Ed A)
6:45 p.m.
- queenies vs Plague Bringers (Ladies A)
- All Set vs volleyball team (Ladies B)
- Fight Club vs Tape Warriors (Mens A)
- Dig Divas vs Predators (Co-Ed B)
7:30 p.m.
- Floor rats vs siblings or dating?! (Co-Ed B)
- Hit different vs all about that ace (Ladies B)
- DekuBopDumDem vs Shiesty Denny (Mens A)
- Net Profit vs Monkey jumpers (Mens B)
8:15 pm
- Volleybaes vs Gatas (Ladies A)
- ice spike vs Block Party (Ladies B)
- dazzling diggers vs Casey n them (Co-Ed A)
- Capyball vs Wee (Mens B)
9 p.m.
- gold diggers vs Volleyball (Ladies A)
- bouncy gorls vs Get Served (Ladies B)
- JAMESAHNYOCHIN vs Old School (Mens A)
- game is game vs Invisible Men (Mens B)
9:45 p.m.
- net ninjas vs Hits & Giggles (Ladies A)
- Hitmen vs Hidden Volley Ranch (Ladies B)
- Sauce vs Team Roddy (Mens B)
- Got geem vs dig dynasty (Co-Ed A)
Grant Velbis rock climbs. (Photo by Eliana Hounslow)
OPINION
It’s a process: C.S. Lewis, dating, self-worth and identity in Christ
Everest Kim Contributor
I turned 21 on February 14— Valentine’s Day. On a day that many people celebrate romantic relationships, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the purpose of dating.
Recently, I had an epiphany regarding one of those concepts I already knew but summarized in a clearer way: In dating, you are not committed to a person; rather, in marriage, you are committed to a person. While there is a level of exclusivity that comes with dating, you are more committed to a process than to a person. You are committed to the process of discovery, learning and research. You are committed to communicating your findings to your partner. You spend time getting to know this person and finding out whether the two of you are capable of growing together. Is the person you are dating supportive of your goals? Are you willing to support theirs? Are your life visions compatible? What about your core values?
The moment you no longer see them as a potential life partner, you have the responsibility to let them know. You have to be honest, timely— clear communication is crucial. Staying in a relationship just because you fear solitude or the unknown is a terrible disservice to yourself and your partner.
However, you should keep in mind that this process of dating isn’t callous or indif-
ferent. Memories are made, and feelings will inevitably get entangled. When a relationship you care about ends differently than expected, the pain of heartbreak will follow.
The nature of dating is often volatile, and there are so many things we cannot control—nor should we want to, since love is based on freedom. In his book The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis writes:
“There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung
and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place
outside of heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is hell.”
In light of this, it is imperative that you know your worth, your immovable identity and your purpose. We were never meant to derive our sense of value or identity from other humans— not from our significant other, not from our parents and not from our friends.
When our identity rests soundly in our Creator’s love for us, it gives us the freedom to embrace the vulnerability
inherent in the process of dating and in love itself.
I’s okay to be disappointed when things don’t go as planned or as wished for, to be frustrated when we don’t understand. In Christ, we have the freedom to mourn loss in this life while never losing ourselves in the process.
Editor’s Note: The Opinion Section encourages multiple perspectives, so please feel free to send a response or other opinions for future articles to allisongrundy@southern.edu.
RELIGION
The beautiful power of the divine crushing
Karl Camacho Contributor
Without a doubt, life is full of struggle, stress, pressure and suffering. Maybe we even feel like life itself is crushing us, and that God is nowhere to be found. To cope, some of us might dwell on it, talk to a counselor about it or try to resolve it by exercising more, doing hobbies, eliminating stressors or maintaining a good circle of friends.
However, what if instead of leaning away from the pressure, we leaned into it? What if God is present in the crushing of life, not the other way around?
Scripture describes something called “anointing.” When people were dedicated to serve God in a special capacity, a priest or a prophet would anoint them on the forehead with pure olive oil. This was understood as a monumental point in time, when a person became separated for special use by God, yet Scripture begs us to grasp something even deeper.
The process of making this oil is crucial to comprehend. First, the olives were thrown, seed and all, into a press to create a paste. That paste was then placed into a woven basket or fabric sacks and crushed with rocks to extract the oil. But, what is so important about it?
Well, to anoint someone with this oil was to fundamentally set them up to undergo the same process as the olive. That person was to be separated, squeezed, refined, purified, pressed and crushed into fine, high-quality oil that could be used by God for a special purpose. It was to call upon them a
special type of “divine crushing,” in order for holy oil to be pressed out of them.
David was anointed by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13), and later became one of Israel’s greatest kings and was even part of Jesus’ bloodline. But first, he was crushed. He didn’t become king until a long time after his anointing, and during that time, his life was in danger. He had to live in hiding, and he had to face magnanimous challenges. He was pressed. He was crushed. But that is the cost of anointing.
In 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Paul says, “And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
We all have been anointed. This means we all are in line to enter the olive press. Some of us might even be in it right now. But, as we go through it, or as we wait in line, we can be glad, for the crushing isn’t in vain.
God is producing a pure oil in our hearts. God is molding and pressing us, extracting the pure contents of our characters that are priceless for His purpose.
God has appointed each of us to contribute to His mission and kingdom. Each of us has a crucial part to play in the story of God saving humanity.
You have characteristics in you that are so precious and valuable to God. He wants to refine you so that not only will you become a better person through the process, but you will also be prepared for the special role that God has just for you.
Maybe you feel overwhelmed with what’s going on in your life, as if you’re being tried and
tested. Or maybe you’re simply burnt out and trying to figure out who you really are. Either way, ask God to open your
Staying in a relationship just because you are afraid of solitude or the unknown is a terrible disservice to you and your partner. (Photo sourced from Pexels).
God is producing a pure oil in our hearts. (Photo sourced from Unsplash)
eyes to His plan. God wants to use the big rocks in your life to squeeze out the pure oil that’s in you. The pressure can only
push out what is already in you. The power is in the divine crushing.
A whole new world: My first Super Bowl
Emily
White Lifestyle Editor
I used to be the furthest thing from a football fan. I knew nothing about the game, because I never watched it growing up (we were Jeopardy! fans instead). Frankly, I found football fans annoying, and after spending years in school with an otherwise lovely football-enthused classmate of mine, I even vowed I would never date someone with any interest whatsoever in football.
Then, mere hours before the 2025 Super Bowl, Amy Van Arsdell, the Accent sports editor, invited me to a friend’s Super Bowl party that was rumored to have free food. I was running low on sustenance in my apartment, and looking for some socialization. I decided to go along.
That evening, I found myself crammed into a small living room with about 30 other people. I had no idea which teams were playing, but upon asking whom to cheer for, I was told to go for the Eagles, since they were the underdogs, which I found delightfully romantic (in the literary sense!).
After the Eagles scored the first touchdown, I assumed that they would probably stay ahead, so I went outside to get some fresh air and call a friend. I returned 40 minutes later to find all of the pizza, the main reason I was there, gone. Lesson learned: always get food as soon as possible. Soon after my return, the halftime show began. I had never seen a Super Bowl halftime show before, and I was
unfamiliar with Kendrick Lamar. To be honest, I still don’t know what I think about the performance, but I did enjoy seeing the dancers lined up like the American flag. I had opinions about the advertisements, though. Many were for injectable weightloss solutions (I hate needles so I had to avert my gaze), AI companies (I have philosophical objections) and women in sports (go women!!).
My favorite ad was for Ram trucks with a guy I thought was Channing Tatum, but I was very wrong; after further research, it turns out it was Glen Powell, whom I eventually recognized
from Top Gun: Maverick. The ad, with its wacky representation of the story of Goldilocks, also proved to be popular with the rest of the party-goers. Eventually, my lack of football knowledge caught up with me as my curiosity about the game grew, so I humbled myself and started asking questions. Through Amy’s commentary, I came to understand things that are common knowledge to most football fans: what the quarterback does and why he’s so important, when a play ends, when the ball moves possession to the other team and why the quarterback will sometimes hit the ground
when there seems to be no imminent danger.
That night, I transformed into someone my younger self wouldn’t recognize (and would probably be horrified at). I knew my metamorphosis was complete when the Eagles scored that really cool touchdown in the third quarter — where their quarterback just pitched the football across the field and some other Eagles dude ran and caught it in the endzone — and I involuntarily cheered along with everyone else.
I’m sure my 13-year-old self would have died at the development of this reflex, but my
22-year-old self was totally vibing. And, of course, I was happy when the Eagles, whose existence I had just learned about three hours earlier, won. After experiencing my first Super Bowl, which was also my first football game EVER, I enthusiastically encourage you to go try new things. Open yourself up to different worlds, where the people are pretty nice and are happy to share their knowledge and fun with you. You might even find yourself open to developing new relationships in that realm, just as I have found myself more open to dating a football fan. (Any takers?) :)
SOCIAL
Created by Ana K. Zelidon
Open yourself up to different worlds — the people over there are pretty nice and are happy to share their knowledge and fun with you.
(Photo courtesy of Emily White)
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Photo Credit: Lindsey Hazen
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Photo Credit: Ileen Walker
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alf_trev_jr_ record shop. Photo Credit: Nathaniel Boyd
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