Mental Health | 5
Opinion | 6
Binge-watching and well-being
Encouraging a spirit of healthy discussion
February 9, 2022 Collegedale, Tennessee
Religion | 6
Lifestyle | 7
Inspirational biblical quotes: Valentine's Day date ideas "A word fitly spoken" for isolation and quarantine
Southern Accent
Vol. 77 Issue 14
The student voice since 1926
Students and professors affected by recent Tonga volcano eruption
On January 14, an underwater volcano erupted in Tonga, and the eruption, along with a tsunami that it triggered, caused much devastation to Tonga and the Tongans. Volcano eruptions, including underwater ones, are rare
events, according to Steven Kuhlman, a professor in Southern’s Physics and Engineering Department. Underwater volcanic eruptions are especially rare, according to Kuhlman. He said searching the internet, a person would find about 50 to 70 volcanic eruptions a year, the last underwater eruption occurring in 2010. That compares to 1,500 volcanoes throughout the world
that scientists consider active, Kuhlman said. On Southern’s campus, there are several professors and students who have connections to Tonga. One student is senior nursing major Soko Paongo, whose parents are Tongan. “... I was devastated right when I heard the news because you never know what’s going to happen,” Paongo said. “And, at the same time, it was very hard
Celeste Brooks Staff Writer
to reach out to family and hear from them just because all the power is out; and, at times like that, you just want to know if your family is safe. “You would think that after such catastrophic events that took place and a tsunami going over the whole entire island that the islands would sink,” Paonga continued. “But, as of
Originally planned for January 22, LAC Night has been rescheduled to Saturday, February 12. Southern administration had canceled or postponed Saturday night events during the last two weeks of January due to a spike in COVID-19 cases on campus. Although the Latin American Club (LAC) was prepared to perform, Mile Pinero, LAC Night director, said the postponement was a “blessing in disguise.” “Coming back into the second semester, we had about four of our main dancers going into quarantine, and I went into quarantine the day of,” Pinero said. “I would've been quarantined through LAC Night.” The postponement was a shocking and difficult change of plans for both planners and participants, according to Pinero. When LAC Night was postponed, there was not a clear date for when it would be rescheduled. Pinero said the postponement was especially disheartening for those who had invested a lot of time into the preparation. “We had so much already set in motion to start the night,” Pinero said. “We had a backdrop that we rented and other stuff that we rented [and] needed to ship back, and then we’d have to spend more money.” Rescheduling LAC Night affected more than students and club members on campus. “We had a lot of family mem-
See TONGA on page 2
See LAC NIGHT on page 3
People from the Ma’ufanga Seventh-day Adventist Church and the surrounding community attend an evangelistic meeting. 2002. (Photo courtesy of: Douglas Na'a)
Lucas Bueno Reporter Sarah Klingbeil Managing Editor
LAC Night rescheduled
Upcoming Aaron Shust concert Classes begin for adult degree sponsored by Howe Farms completion program students Charlene Arnold Staff Writer Southern Adventist Univeristy’s Adult Degree Completion (ADC) program officially launched this semester when classes began January 10. “[Southern] has anticipated the ADC program starting for quite a few years and has worked really hard to get the program up and running,” said ADC Director Cynthia Wright. As mentioned in a previous Accent article, the ADC program provides various educational options such as night courses, hybrid and online learning. Junior Bachelor of Integrated Studies major Heidi Martin is one of the first students registered for the program. “I love how the ADC program is set up because it makes it convenient for those working full-time, plus managing a home and family, to fulfill each class requirement,” Martin said. To qualify for admission, applicants must be at least 25 years old and have at least 24 hours of previous college credits, a minimum GPA of 2.0 for those completed courses, U.S. citizenship and a complete high school transcript. According to Wright, classes are mostly online. However, students have access to the McKee Library on campus. “These students are consid-
ered Adult Degree Completion students at Southern,” Wright said when asked of campus access and privileges. “Graduation will be the same as the traditional student’s graduation guidelines and [will be held] in the Iles Gym on campus.” “The [ADC] program is currently offering three degree programs,” Wright said. “BS in Business management, BIS (Bachelor of Integrative Studies) and BS in communication.” Additional programs will be added in the future. According to Tyson Hall, dean of graduate and professional studies, administrators will add a BS in general psychology to the program in the Fall 2022 semester. Currently, there are 12 students enrolled in the ADC program, according to Wright. “We would like to enroll a total of 10 students or more into the program each semester,” she said. Wright said she is in the process of hiring adjunct instructors for the new psychology degree. Administrators of the program plan to conduct a credit for prior learning (CPL) workshop in late February. This will include strategies for students to convert prior knowledge and learning towards academic credit, according to Wright. See CLASSES on page 2
Aaron Shust performs. (Photo courtesy of: Advancement)
Madison Wilcox Reporter Contemporary Christian artist Aaron Shust will be performing a concert free to the public at the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists on February 17. Vice President for Advancement Ellen Hostetler said the concert is at no charge to the university as a result of a donation by Don Howe, Southern alumnus and founding owner of the local wedding venue, Howe Farms. Though the concert was given to Southern for the benefit of its students, Hostetler said alumni, donors and community members are all welcome to attend the event.
According to the biography on Shust’s agency’s website, Shust is known for songs like “My Savior and My God,” “Ever Be” and “My Hope is in You.” In 2007, Shust was named New Artist and Songwriter of the Year at the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. Shust has also traveled internationally to lead worship with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, according to his website. Though originally from Pennsylvania, Shust now lives with his family in Nashville, Tennessee. Several Southern students expressed excitement for the concert in response to an instagram poll posted by the Southern Accent. Junior history pre-law major Nailah Baker said she is famil-
iar with Shust’s music since she grew up listening to the radio program K-Love. Baker’s favorite songs by Shust include “My Hope is in You” and “Nothing More.” “I’m looking forward to the concert because music is my favorite form of worship,” Baker said. “And, worshipping in different environments reaches more people than traditional settings sometimes can.” Another student, freshman marketing major Colette Williams, said she has attended a concert by Shust before and is excited to hear him again. “His songs are encouraging and a great reminder of God’s promises and love,” Williams said.