Mental Health | 5 Positivity and optimism and how they relate to mental health
April 20, 2022 Collegedale, Tennessee
Editoral | 6
Religion | 6
Letters from the incoming and outgoing editors
'Fare thee well': Saying goodbye with a sweet melody
Lifestyle | 7 Four ways to be eco-conscious as a student
Southern Accent
Vol. 77 Issue 22
The student voice since 1926
Nine employees to retire at the Southern student, end of the Winter 2022 semester Christian
Teal, set to graduate with four majors
Lesieli Savelio Staff Writer
appreciation for Harris’ contributions at Southern. “Dr. Harris [has been] a highly creative, caring faculty member to work with over the past five years,” said Williams-Smith, who has headed the department since 2017. “I appreciate being able to turn to her for a listening ear, a caring heart and great advice from time to time when I've needed it. And I'm going to miss that.” Janita Herod, office manager for the School of Religion, will also be retiring this semester. “For the last 23 years, Janita R. Herod has been a blessing to the Southern Adventist University campus, first as office manager in the School of Journalism and Communication for 17 years, and for the last six years as office manager in the School of Religion,” School of
Southern Adventist University student Christian Teal will graduate in May with a quadruple major in archaeology – Near Eastern studies, biblical studies, history and international studies – German. Teal did not start his college career with four majors. He said the process of becoming a quadruple major was gradual. “In my junior year of high school, I enrolled in a program that allowed me to take full-time college courses for both college and high school credit,” he said. “So, by the time I arrived at Southern, I already had an associate’s degree.” Teal said he started at Southern with three majors: archaeology, biblical studies and history. After spending a year in Austria, he decided to add the fourth major, international studies – German. Lisa Diller, chair and professor of the History and Political Science Department, said quadruple majors are rare. “Every three or four years, we have triple majors in our department, but I've never heard of a quadruple major,” Diller said. Diller said Teal loves discussion, especially on the topic of science fiction, and finds ways to incorporate his experiences with his different majors into all his studies.
See RETIREMENTS on page 2
See TEAL on page 2
Mathematics Professor Ron Johnson at his retirement party in the Presidential Banquet Room. He and his wife, Associate Dean of the School of Nursing Frances Johnson (seated), talk to Dean of the School of Nursing Holly Gadd (L) and School of Nursing Office Manager Conni Cash (R). Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Photo by: Xander Ordinola)
Lucas Bueno Reporter Madison Wilcox Reporter This semester, nine employees will retire from Southern Adventist University, according to Director for Human Resources Amy Steele. Steele said the number of retirees varies annually, depending largely on when employees reach retirement age. One of the retiring faculty members is Sylvia Mayer, who served as an associate professor at the School of Nursing for 21 years. In an email interview with the Accent, Mayer described her students as being the most enjoyable aspect of her job. “There is nothing quite as rewarding as seeing the metamorphosis of a young person as they become a professional and
competent nurse,” Mayer said. Mayer’s husband, Professor Harold Mayer, is also retiring in May. He started his job in the School of Health and Kinesiology in 2004 and stated in an email interview with the Accent that his time at Southern “... has given [him] good experience in the field of metabolic efficiency.” Harold Mayer said he will miss sharing this learning with his students. In retirement, he looks forward to “a ministry to travel and teach metabolic efficiency to those whom I come in contact with,” he said. Mathematics professor Ron Johnson will also retire this May, after 16 years of service at Southern. Johnson said he will miss working with the students and the other “terrific teachers” in the department. He also said he
would miss biking the 25 miles round trip to work every day, though he plans to continue enjoying the hobby in retirement. Chair of the Mathematics Department Kevin Brown expressed his appreciation for Johnson’s contributions to the department in a written statement to the Accent. “Dr. Ron Johnson has been an integral part of our Math Department — a valued friend and colleague,” Brown said. “He has contributed significantly to the department through his participation. He has always been very friendly to our students, and his cheerful disposition will be missed.” After 21 years at Southern’s School of Journalism and Communication, Professor Pamela Harris will also retire this semester. School of Journalism and Communication Dean Rachel Williams-Smith expressed her
Bautista confirms Recent Southern alum's research next year's Student published in an academic journal Association team; Memories editor position unfilled Sierra Ureta Staff Writer Junior management major and 2022-2023 Student Association (SA) President Kenneth Bautista confirmed next year’s SA team. The student body voted Bautista into his position in February during the SA election alongside sophomore medical laboratory science major Htet Myint, who will serve as executive vice president, and junior accounting major Erla Trevedan, who will be the social vice president. Junior accounting major Briana Collins will transition into the vice president of finance position from her current position as assistant to the vice president of finance. Junior finance major Zach Kirstein will take over Collins’ current role. Junior biology major Alexis Im was hired as the executive secretary, according to Bautista. Senior chemistry major Issac Abraham will take on the position of cultural liaison. The
parliamentarian will be junior music major Aron Mariano, and sophomore management major Vanisha Bonilla-Downs will be the communication director. Junior English major Alana Crosby was recently selected as next year’s Southern Accent editor-in-chief. Junior mass communication – photography major Xander Ordinola will fill the position of Strawberry Festival producer. The SA media board is still searching for a Memories editor. Bautista said his main goal for next year’s SA team is to provide support to the team members. “My main goal right now is to support my team in everything they do,” Bautista said. “Once they feel supported, we can really grow.” Bautista said he had previously joined clubs such as Asian Club and SMARRT, a business club that practices financial investing. He said the experiences he gained through those See SA TEAM on page 3
Trisney Wiedemann. (Photo courtesy of: Trisney Wiedemann)
Charlene Arnold Staff Writer Southern Adventist University December 2021 graduate, Trisney Bocala, now Trisney Wiedemann, conducted academic research as a Southern scholar that significantly surpassed her expectations. According to the Southern Scholars website, the program is an enhanced interdisciplinary educational involvement that provides an environment for
academically responsible peers through enriched experiences both in and out of the classroom. Wiedemann’s research, titled “Social media as a tool for evangelism among youth and young adults,” was recently published by the Great Commission Research Journal, a peer-reviewed publication focused on church-based ministry, according to information on its website. “This school assignment has carried me further than I ever expected,” said Wiedemann,
who married Randy Wiedemann shortly after graduating from Southern and is currently living in Battle Ground, Washington, and working as a public relations account coordinator for Matter Communications PR agency. Wiedemann was a School of Journalism and Communications student who majored in mass communication – advertising. As a Southern Scholar, she was tasked with researchSee RESEARCH on page 2