Southern combats delays to Mountain Cottages
istration, said the goal is to finish the project by Nov. 15.
Southern Adventist University’s new Mountain Cottages project has had some delays, leading the university to temporarily contract with an off-campus apartment complex to house students.
According to Dennis Ngrón, vice president for Student Development, Southern has been housing students at Reflection Pointe, an apartment complex off Old Lee Highway, while construction is being completed. Marty Hamilton, senior vice president for Financial Admin -
The Mountain Cottages have been constructed offsite and then placed by a crane onto their foundations, which Southern prepared.
According to Hamilton, all 26 cottages have been built, but only 14 are installed.
“We have a crane coming in on Sept. 12 and 13, and we’re going to keep them here to set all 12 of [the remaining cottages],” Hamilton said. “We’re working and hooking up all the utilities, and that’s ongoing now.”
According to Negrón, the university’s goal is for
students to move into the cottages the week before Thanksgiving break so they do not have to move during finals.
“We're going to help students move, so the onus is not just on the students,” Negrón said. “We'll make it as easy as possible for them to make the move without a lot of stress.”
Steven Miller, associate vice president for Financial Administration, stated in an email to the Accent that most of the contracts between Reflection Pointe and Southern end July 31, 2025.
“In the coming weeks,
SuCasa church opens its doors to all: A new chapter in community worship
Alissa Flores Reporter
The Collegedale Spanish-American SDA Church, or SuCasa, has finally opened its doors after years of construction. Services have already been held in the spacious new building perched atop the hill behind Southern Adventist University’s track and field.
Throughout 2020, only the groundwork was done. In 2021, the foundation was laid, and over the next three
years, the structure took shape and the moving process was initiated. According to Gamaliel Feliciano, the senior pastor of SuCasa, the congregation has held four services in the new sanctuary since its first service on Aug.10, 2024.
“[The church] has been praying for this for more than 15 years,” Feliciano said. “They are excited, as you can imagine. It’s something new. It is a dream that came true.”
Eliezer Graterol, professor in the School of Religion and a regular SuCasa attendee, shared his experience preaching at the church for the first time.
“The smell is brand new; everything’s new,” Graterol said. “And seeing the satisfied faces of the members, because it was a church effort, is so good.”
Feliciano and Pablo Betancurt, the associate pastor, said
See Church on page 2
administration will evaluate the length of the apartment contract to determine if we keep them for the entire 12 months or if we terminate the contract early, as allowed per the contract,” he wrote.
Negrón stated in an email to the Accent that Southern is moving students into Mountain Cottages this semester because the university is paying more to house students at Reflection Pointe than the rent Southern receives from students living there. Some students have raised concerns about living in Reflection Pointe and being moved into Southern Moun -
tain Cottages. Houston Beckworth, a junior majoring in archeology and biblical studies, said he has heard by “word of mouth” that the project will be completed by January but adds, “I’m not sure if they’ll actually finish building everything by January.”
Beckworth said his group was notified three weeks before school started that they would be living in Reflection Pointe, which caused some frustrations. His roommate doesn’t have a car, “and if we were on cam -
Collegedale university church welcomes two new pastors
Anaya Parker Reporter
This summer, two Southern Adventist University alumni joined the pastoral staff of the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists. Orlando Hernandez, Jr., the new pastor of Group Life & Connect, and Devon Howard, the new director of worship, said they are both excited about the possibilities for growth at the church.
Hernandez graduated from Southern in 1998, but he said, over the past 27 years, his hope has been to return to the Collegedale area. He and his wife, Sonia, along with their three children, Orlando III, Isaac and Isabel, moved here from Florida, where Hernandez served as senior pastor at Kress Memorial Church.
“It’s a lot of change, but it’s amazing,” said Hernandez. “I love it. People are awesome. They’re great. They’ve embraced us.”
Hernandez said he is enthusiastic about how he can help those in the community build genuine relationships with Jesus. He said that a relationship with God doesn’t require a past in the church, but it does need a personal experience.
He said his ultimate goal is to share the love of Jesus and attract people to Christ, whether that’s through Connect, post-collegiate ministry or however God leads.
As the new director of worship, Howard expressed a desire to minister to people through his area of expertise. He graduated from Southern in 2003 as a music major with an emphasis in organ performance and a minor in biblical languages. He later earned his doctorate in music arts from Arizona State University.
“I was a theology major here at Southern for a while,” Howard said, “but I finally realized music was where my passion, especially for ministry, was.” Before coming to Southern, he worked at Southwestern Adventist University as chair of the music department and director of keyboard and theory studies, as well as the director of worship and arts at Kettering Adventist Church.
Howard enjoys the sport of floorball, a Scandinavian version of hockey he learned while at Southwestern. He mainly dedicates his time to music, as he is part of the minority of organists worldwide. He loves the university’s culture
Hayden Kobza Managing Editor
Workers building the new student housing, the Southern Mountain Cottages, plan to finish in November. Sep 3, 2024.
(Photo by Daniel Zhao)
SuCasa Church Entrance for new building.
(Photo by Hannah Johnson)
See Housing on page 2
Church continued from page 1
that despite many members traveling for the International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming, SuCasa had a full house on the first Saturday it was open, and the church has been full every Saturday since.
"That day we spent some time outside, praising the Lord and showing our gratitude to God," Feliciano said.
The pastors said the location of the new church played a key role in their decision on where to build back in 2020. Feliciano explained that the original Collegedale Hispanic church, located on Colcord Drive behind the university’s student center, was started in the 1980s by a group of Spanish-speaking Southern students and local families.
“During that time, that place was great, but there’s no way for other people to see the church unless you are going to the church,” Feliciano said. “Our location now is perfect, because we are facing the community, and behind us is the campus and we’re right next to McKee.”
Since the opening of SuCasa’s new sanctuary, the old church building has been allocated for use by High
Housing continued from page 1
pus, it would be a lot more convenient for him.” He continued, “Knowing that ahead of time would have been a lot nicer.”
Beckworth said he looks forward to the many windows the cottages offer. “But aside from that, the cottages don’t have too many upsides compared to normal Village Proper.”
He isn’t the only student who has voiced concerns. Roommates Branden Ermshire, a junior studying business administration; Tommy Aitchison, a junior studying computer science; and Matthew Polehna, a junior studying business finance, currently live in Reflection Pointe and have expressed their thoughts.
The three students said they were not notified that they would be moving into Reflection Pointe until about a week or two before school started. According to the group, a fourth roommate left because of the late notification, as he was not prepared to live that far away from Southern and did not want to move twice.
Another concern they
Point Chinese SDA’s services, providing more places of worship for the growing community.
Having more space has also impacted SuCasa’s attendance. Feliciano said at the old church, 210 people could attend Sabbath services.
Now, just in the bottom room of the sanctuary, 420 people can easily worship, not including the balcony that has yet to be finished.
The pastors said SuCasa now offers its members many other amenities, including a multipurpose gym, studio rooms, an outdoor movie area and a soccer field.
“We have our own area for the kids, six rooms. Four of them are to become a daycare later for the community," said Feliciano.
Betancurt believes one of the most important new add-ons is the commercial kitchen, which he expects will pass all the tests and permissions needed to be used commercially.
“We can do many things with the kitchen,” he said, “and we have a space for Dorcas [ministry] or community service. We want to be open more than just Wednesday
raised is that they have yet to be notified when they will move into Southern Mountain Cottages. “I don’t think [administration] knows either,” said Ermshire. The group feels like they have been left in the dark and wishes they had more communication from Southern on how long they will be at Reflection Pointe and when they will move into the Cottages.
The roommates said that the difference in size between Reflection Pointe and the Mountain Cottages “is going to be an adjustment” from the larger apartment they are living in now.
Overall, the group said that they are enjoying the experience of living at Reflection Pointe. However, they consider parking a problem at both locations. Reflection Pointe students are using Village parking stickers on their cars, and many parking spaces at Southern are not designated for Village students.
Responding to students’ concerns about downsizing from Reflection Pointe to Southern Mountain Cottages, Hamilton stated that students will be pleasantly surprised by the cottages, which include amenities.
“You have a little bit of privacy, and everything is
and Sabbath.” With the inside almost completed and the outdoor area well on its way to regular usage, the church is preparing for a bright future.
Feliciano said he’s most excited for how the new amenities will help them serve the community and Southern students.
Feliciano said 95% of the church's members are Hispanic, and a majority of the congregation is bilingual. It serves many families and students from the Hispanic community.
Graterol added, “We have a translation for English speakers. The quality of service, all the way from the service to the sermons, we practice for it. We are quite intentional in offering service to the Lord, that He’ll be happy, that will glorify His name.”
Although the church is functioning at its new location, Feliciano said that the members are still continuing to contribute resources to completely finish construction. So far, SuCasa members have raised $9 million to complete their church; $2 million was loan-based, and the remainder was donated. With only a few things left to finish such as the balcony and gym floors, the church is expected to receive its certificate of occupancy in November.
intentional in the design of the cottages, so there is efficiency,” Hamilton said. There are two separate sinks, and the toilet and shower are separated to give students different areas to get ready for the day without having to wait for others to finish.
Hamilton said, “We had one senior in the summer who was here [and] he’s like, ‘Oh my goodness, this is awesome. This at not at all what I was thinking.’”
Students were notified late in the summer about the move to Reflection Pointe because of delays to the cottages, according to Negrón.
“I’d like to have [had] it ready when school started, but [there were] just too many setbacks,” Hamilton said.
Before the university could even break ground on the project, it had to revise drawings and attend public hearings to get the project approved by the City of Collegedale, according to Hamilton. He said the city cooperated with the university on its Southern Mountain Cottages, but there were some obstacles. The city was under the impression that the cottages were under the zoning of a tiny house, which the city does not allow under this type of project, Hamilton explained.
Feliciano explained that SuCasa means “His House” in English and that members want the church to feel like a home.
He wants the church to provide a place for people to connect on a spiritual and cultural level. He said SuCasa is the first Hispanic-American Adventist church to be located on an Adventist university campus in the United States.
“SuCasa church will be your home away from home,” Graterol said.
“Families will be friendly. They’ll speak the language you grew up with; you’ll eat Latino food. I can guarantee you’ll feel at home.”
Josue Camarena, a regular student attendee and current intern for the church, said that the people who form the congregation are what matter most.
“Their community is very welcoming,” he said. “From the moment you walk through the entrance doors, deacons welcome you, and the [members] of SuCasa always greet you with a warm stretch of hands and a smile on their faces.”
Full Circle
continued from page 1
of music, and he admires the beautiful instruments stored on Southern’s campus.
When asked why the worship experience is important to him, Howard said, “I want this to feel like a place that people can be part of and can opt-in and get an authentic experience. The [Southern] community is full of great people and amazing potential resources, so it’s exciting.”
Howard hopes to engage students and the community more in the worship and music services. He is eager to find meaningful ways to worship through music, such as through a choir or reading poetry.
“Worship really, in many ways, begins when you hit the parking lot, and it doesn’t end until you leave,” said Howard.
Both Hernandez and Howard said they are dedicated to enhancing the worship experience at the Collegedale Church for people to feel connected with God and others. Although they come from different areas of church ministry, they share the same goal.
As Hernandez said, “The biggest goal is to be able to share Jesus with people.”
“We probably lost two to three months of valuable construction time,” he said. Weather has also been a problem.
“[The] rain has been just terrible,” Hamilton said. “… I mean, it’s been brutal on all my projects because it just makes a mud mess.”
He said some delays were caused by the site’s construction needs, such as breaking up rock for sewer lines and even hitting bad soil from projects decades ago.
“Building a subdivision with 26 homes in 15 months from start to finish has been a herculean task,” Hamilton stated in an email to the Accent. “Our efforts reflect our passion to find creative solutions for our students and giving them easy access to the overall campus experience.”
According to the administration, Southern is facing population pressures, which is why new housing is being built. Both Hamilton and Negrón said they want to ensure enough housing for everyone in the future.
The university started planning for its future growth in 2021 when Southern President Ken Shaw tasked Negrón with developing projections of what housing would look like if Southern continued to grow the way it
had during Shaw’s first year. When he first made the housing plans based on the initial projected growth models, the growth was minimal. However, he said, “In year two, [2022], when we had the third largest freshman class in the history of the school, we hit a number that was basically like year four of the five-year plan I had. We pretty much had to throw out the plan last year.”
Last year’s freshman class was the largest in Southern’s history, and this year looks like the second-largest freshman class, which has pushed juniors and seniors out of Talge and Thatcher.
According to Negrón, at the beginning of the 20232024 school year, Southern was able to handle the housing needs despite increased pressure. However, if the university had not added housing for the 2024-2025 school year, there might not have been enough beds for the incoming freshman and returning sophomore classes.
Freshmen and sophomores will always live in Talge and Thatcher, according to Negrón. However, juniors and seniors will need to move elsewhere, which is why the university is building new Southern Mountain Cottages and Village Proper apartments.
Letter from the Editor: My goal is to earn the trust of our audience
Matthew Orquia Editor-in-Chief
This summer, as I contemplated my newly appointed role as editor-in-chief of the Southern Accent, I used up countless pages in my notebook to write down ideas and goals for the next volume of the paper.
I’m not afraid to say that I have high expectations for the Accent this year. Some of my goals include providing local and national election cover-
Southern Accent
The Accent encourages readers to write articles and voice their opinions. However, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Accent, Southern Adventist University or the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
For any questions, comments and article submission information, email the editor at morquia@southern.edu
For all advertising inquiries, email studentadmgr@southern.edu.
age, enhancing our design and building on the standards established by previous Accent teams. The reason I am confident we can achieve these high expectations is because I know that this year’s team is capable of meeting and exceeding these goals.
Having grown to trust many returning staff members, I am also excited to be joined by several new faces who have brought their talents to the newspaper. I look forward to working alongside them and
Editor-in-Chief
Matthew Orquia
Managing Editor Hayden Kobza
News Editor Alexis Dewey
Collegedale News Editor Emma Rodriguez
appreciate their commitment to devoting their time to the student paper.
The work we will do all year is dedicated to our audience.
The Accent remains committed to serving as “the student voice,” and so it is our duty to represent and serve Southern’s student body to the best of our abilities. That means covering stories that matter to them and providing a platform where students can share their perspectives.
Alongside Southern stu-
Photo
Editor Preston Waters
Opinion Editor Allison Grundy
Lifestyle Editor Emily White
Religion Editor Lucas Bueno
Sports Editor Jacob Nevis
dents, the Accent also serves the community of Collegedale. Therefore, we continue to partner with the University of Vermont’s Center for Community News (CCN), an organization created to decrease local news deserts by supporting student journalists. We will once again be providing expanded coverage of Collegedale news with an extra two-page insert in several of our issues.
Heading into a pivotal election year, the Accent also has the difficult responsibility
Web Manager
Meg Ermer
Social Media Manager
Chloe Smith
Reporters
Anaya Parker
Alissa Flores
Marian Polanco
Eva Resz
Layout Designers
Jorge Pontarelli
Nyah Jackson
of covering both local and national elections. We will work to provide stories that are fair, balanced and informative, as well as tailored to Southern students and the Collegedale community.
A newspaper is nothing without the trust of its audience, so my ultimate goal is to do everything in my power to lead a team that builds upon and earns the trust of our readers. I hope to look back at the end of the school year and cross that goal off my list.
Copy Editors
Lesieli Savelio
Ana K. Zelidon
Eliana Morales
Photographers
Ron Cabacungan
Elias Zabala
Daniel Zhao
Circulation Manager
Norelie Cabrera
Staff Sponsor
Alva James-Johnson
Welcome Party
Ethan Benedict plays human foosball in the gymnasium.
Saturday August 31, 2024. (Photo by Angel Guerrero).
Big franks were given out to any students who showed up in spite of the rain.
Saturday August 31, 2024. (Photo by Angel Guerrero).
Tanner Griggs, Emily Dekle, and friends pose for a photo. Saturday August 31, 2024. (Photo by Angel Guerrero).
Student plays spikeball at the Welcome Party.
Saturday August 31, 2024. (Photo by Angel Guerrero).
Khup Mung hands out big franks.
Saturday August 31, 2024. (Photo by Angel Guerrero).
MENTAL HEALTH
Homesickness: Finding A Home Away From Home
Editor’s Note: The following articles are written by counseling professionals from Counseling Services in partnership with the Southern Accent.
Starting college is an exciting time for many. For some, there’s a newfound independence; for others, it’s an opportunity to finally binge through a whole season of Suits without your little brother asking to use your phone. Whatever excitement college brings you, there’s one downside that affects most of us at least once throughout our experience: homesickness. It sneaks up, and before you know it, a dorm room becomes a lonely cell, and sunny days become a reminder of home. So, to help you navigate this shared experience and make your college journey more enjoyable, I have provided in this article several effective ways to handle being homesick.
First, it is important to understand homesickness. Put plainly, according to a WebMD article, it is the “feeling of emotional distress when you’re away from home and in a new and unfamiliar environment.” Often triggered when your routine, local culture and overall environment are different, the distress can be overwhelming or even crippling. However, realizing that homesickness is a normal reaction to such a significant change can be the first step to managing it. Adjusting to a new environment takes time, especially if it is different from what you are
used to back home. While it is usually short-lived, the emotions may develop into depression and grief and may affect your physical health in the form of headaches or lack of appetite, according to WebMD. Additionally, according to research from Loyola University Chicago, homesickness “has been linked to certain social factors, such as social anxiety and social support.” Being able to manage your homesickness as it arises is necessary to prevent any lasting consequences.
One of the easiest ways to overcome homesickness is by staying in communication with family and friends. With today’s technology, students can be more connected with their families than ever before through video calling, texting, social media and so much more. And keeping connected to those back home isn’t limited to communication, but rather, it also includes decorating your dorm room with items that remind you of home and new memories. A way to do that is by “combining pictures and reminders of home with things related to special interests and passions,” according to an Anthem EAP article. As you engage in those interests and hobbies in your new environment, you’ll be able to add new pictures and souvenirs next to those made at home.
Another way to manage homesickness is by getting into a routine. Whether it is an old or new program, keeping yourself on a regular schedule will create a sense of normalcy, so try setting regular wakeup and study times. What
constitutes your routine is up to you; it could be setting a time for hobbies, joining clubs or campus events or even finding a part-time job. This will keep you busy with different activities as you create and build a new network in the campus environment.
Lastly, it is important to maintain your mental health as much as your emotional well-being. If adapting to college life becomes a struggle, seek out Southern Adventist University’s Counseling Services and set up
an appointment as soon as possible. If you aren’t comfortable with that, reach out to a friend. Sharing your challenges is vitally important so they do not interfere with other aspects of your life. Additionally, you may find many others processing similar feelings. It helps you not to feel singled out when you express your feelings and encourage you to listen as other students share their experiences. Numerous schools provide counseling services tailor-made for any student to
assist them in getting used to college life.
Overcoming homesickness is a gradual process that requires patience and much effort. Staying connected with your loved ones, creating a new routine, making your room feel like home and talking about your feelings will make your transition easier and allow you to begin enjoying college life. And remember, God cares about your challenges and is always willing to listen. So, before anything else, go to Him.
SPORTS
America’s Favorite Sport Is Back: NFL Returns
Jacob Nevis Sports Editor
After seven long months of waiting, America’s favorite sport is back with the NFL regular season already underway. This season will showcase a couple of changes to the NFL, along with a team trying to do something that has never been done before in NFL history.
The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off their second consecutive Super Bowl win, will look to become the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a row. Led by star quarterback Patrick
Mahomes and one of the best coaches in the league, Andy Reid, the team will try to make history this season. While the Chiefs will look to three-peat, other teams in the NFL hope to finally put the dynasty to rest. Fresh off their loss in the AFC championship, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens will look to finally make it back to the Super Bowl; however, the defending champion Chiefs knocked them off this week in the NFL regular season opener. Along with the Ravens, other AFC teams will look to finally make it over the Chiefs, as well. In the
AFC East, the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen look poised to make another playoff run, while Tyreek HiIl and the Miami Dolphins will try to win their first division title since 2008. The New York Jets will finally look to put the past behind them when future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers makes his return on Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Houston Texans, a team that surprised fans last season, will look to repeat what they achieved last season and make another push to the playoffs.
The reigning NFC champions, the San Francisco 49ers, will hope
to finally win their first Super Bowl title since 1995. The 49ers have made the last four of five NFC championship games and have appeared in two Super Bowls but lost both to the Chiefs. The Dallas Cowboys will try to put their playoff woes to sleep and make it back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1996. Other NFC teams that will hope to give the 49ers some trouble are the Detroit Lions, who lost in the NFC championship game last season, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This NFL season will also showcase a couple of new rules,
as well. The NFL this year introduced the new “dynamic kickoff,” changing the former kickoff rules to try and increase the number of kickoff returns. Super Bowl LIX will be played in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, and will feature a halftime performance from rapper and songwriter Kendrick Lamar.
Editor’s Note: This is finally going to be the Miami Dolphins season. Go Fins.
Intramural Schedule:
Wednesday 6:00 pm
- Bat News v. Hits and Giggles (Ladies)
- Happy Hitters v. Glitter Gloves (Ladies)
- Calebs n EM v. Bubble Boy Warriors (Men’s B)
7:00 pm
- Batties v. bat to the bone (Ladies)
- Los Papis MMG v. Big Ballers Club (Men’s B)
- Ellen G White Sox v. Stags (Men’s A)
8:00 pm
- Bat Attitude v. Bat-itude (Ladies)
- Home Run Homies v, Pitch Perfect (Ladies)
- bats and balls v. geeks (Men’s B)
Thursday 6:00 pm
- The Benchwarmers v. Love Muffins (Men’s B)
- Lone pairs v. This is our Colts (Men’s B)
- Zeke’s Freaks v. Talge! (Men’s B)
Edward Backer Contributor
Decorating your dorm room with items that remind you of home can be a good way to combat homesickness.
(Photo sourced from Unsplash)
OPINION
Navigating Class Policies: Attendance Shouldn’t Be Part Of The Grade
Allison Grundy Opinion Editor
A multitude of professors at Southern Adventist University implement attendance policies that require students to attend classes. Some of these policies cause students to lose points for missing class periods. In many cases, syllabi warn that five unexplained absences can lead to a failing grade.
Craig Johnson, professor in the School of Health and Kinesiology, requires students to show him a note from the University Health Center (UHC) or another medical institution in order to be excused from physical activity classes.
In an interview with the Accent, he said, “I’m trying to teach activities for students to stay healthy. But I also want to teach responsibility.”
He argues that his policies are fair to all students. By requiring a medical note, he does not have to distinguish between who may be lying or telling the truth.
The UHC wrote in an email to the Accent that “the UHC does not influence how professors or student employers manage absences.” Therefore, each professor chooses how they manage their classes and grading.
However, while it may be irresponsible for students to miss class without good reasons, it is ultimately their decision. Strict attendance policies seem to discourage the self-determination students can build for themselves while in college.
Students may have a reasonable explanation for missing class and should be able to communicate that to professors without
providing proof of sickness or injury. If students feel the need to attend class even when they are not well or are facing personal difficulties, it may lead to students not being fully productive, spreading illness or causing disruptions during class.
My thought is that a student might not feel well enough to come to class for reasons such as a contagious cold or menstrual cramps. While these conditions can be debilitating, they typically don’t require medical attention. It seems like it would be a waste of
time to make the trip to the UHC, both for the center’s staff and the students. However, the UHC wrote that students have the option to get an absence-excuse note for illnesses or injuries that do not require medical treatment, such as a cold.
For most general classes and lectures on campus, missing participation in discussions as well as valuable instruction and lecture time should be enough to make students think twice before missing class for unnecessary reasons. Additionally, students
who go to class benefit from creating good habits and learning something new. Students who just want to skip class without valid reasons will face the natural consequences of their decisions. Classes are more valuable when the focus is on what students learn and achieve rather than their attendance.
If students can demonstrate their understanding and skills through other means, such as assignments or projects, attendance is less important. Communication remains
essential between students and professors. Professors are often more understanding than students give them credit for. So, if there are any students struggling with attendance, please discuss the matter with your professor and use other resources around campus to find the help needed to make it to class.
Editor’s Note: The Opinion Section encourages multiple perspectives, so please feel free to send a response or other opinions for future articles.
Navigating Your Fears In The Shadow Of Faith
Lucas Bueno Religion Editor
A new school year has begun here at Southern Adventist University. For many of you, this is your first year of college or your first year at Southern. For others, you are continuing your collegiate journey as a sophomore or a junior. For some, it is your last year — or even your last semester.
Though we have different majors, class standings, schedules and jobs, I would
wager that there is certainly one thing we all have in common: fear.
Fear of the future. Fear of the known and unknown. With each semester comes new classes and assignments that might fill you with trepidation and stress, making you wonder how you will manage to successfully meet every deadline. Fear concerning paying for the expenses of each semester.
Fear concerning one’s major.
As graduation grows near, many of us will worry about
what comes next. Perhaps you already know what career path to take, but the search for jobs and a place to call home may fill you with anxiety and uncertainty. As a senior set to graduate in December, I have certainly been battling this fear.
However, we all have different reactions to the fears that we face. Some may choose to take the easy route, in an attempt to avoid the difficult way. Others may choose to ignore the fear and just stay put where they are. But none of these
“solutions” truly solve the situation at hand; they merely cause us to avoid or ignore it.
How can we truly face and overcome our fears this semester?
In the Bible, we find a powerful answer.
Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
True, the future is uncertain, with many unknowns. And although you don’t know which
way to turn, God is at your side. If you walk in faith, He will lead you into the wonderful plan He has for your life.
But even while walking with God, you’ll face moments of uncertainty. Both disappointments and victories will appear. However, the good news is that God knows the future and will be there to guide you on your journey. So, surrender your future and walk in His glorious plan. He will give you the strength to face your fears.
Lisa Kuhlman teaches her students in the business department. Wednesday September, 13, 2023. (Photo by: Preston Waters).
Ivan Carreon, starting his Level 3 semester in the Nursing Program, bravely faces new challenges and embraces growth.
Let’s Get Vulnerable: Thoughts On Reaching Out To Others
Emily White Lifestyle Editor
Some people have a word or phrase that they live by for the year. I thought that was a pretentious idea until last semester, when I inadvertently found myself applying a phrase from my counselor: “Don’t try so hard.” I decided to continue with the semesterly phrase, and my motto for this fall is: “Be vulnerable” (alternate translations include “Put yourself out there,” “Make a move” or “Stop living in fear”). For me, this doesn’t necessarily mean having the courage to share my most intimate thoughts (though it might for you!); rather, it is a call to myself to get over my fear of interacting with other people.
For a shy person like me, even smiling at new people on the promenade is a leap outside of my comfort zone. What if they don’t smile back? What if they glare at me instead? What if they clobber me just because I smiled at them?
Aren’t these silly and irrational thoughts to be running through my head? There is a very low chance that someone will punch me on the promenade because I am extending a simple smile; reasonably, the worst that will happen is that someone might respond to my smile with a look of confusion or maybe a frown — truly unimportant in the grand scheme of things.
But what about interactions where the negative consequences are more significant than a stranger frowning at me? What
about asking a classmate to study with me after class one day?
What about randomly inviting acquaintances on a spontaneous Sabbath evening hike? What about telling a friend that I am romantically interested in him and would like to go deeper in our relationship? In these instances I am putting more of myself on the line, exposing my heart and soul to varying degrees of potential rejection. The more I reveal my true self, the more internal barriers I run up against, and I am sure this is the same for most of you. So, to protect ourselves from rejection and the pain that ensues, we often refrain from reaching out to other people. Is this, however, the most fruitful way to live our lives? If we are constantly living inside a safe little bubble, how are we ever going to see the beauty that lies outside of it? By locking ourselves in a social jail cell, how will we ever feel the warm sunlight on our skin, see the butterflies, smell the September flowers and hear the birds in joyful song? Is the risk of sunburn really going to keep us from venturing outside and having fun? Similarly, why do we let our fear of rejection control us? True, rejection is not ideal, but what if the risk is a very small price to pay for the good things that can happen instead? What if my classmate agrees to join me for a study session, and then another, and we end up becoming friends? What if the people I invite on a spontaneous hike enthusiastically agree to come along and we end up exploring new places and
making great memories? What if my friend also wants a deeper relationship with me? I will never know if I don’t speak up, and neither will you. In the end, our vulnerability can make life all the
more beautiful when putting ourselves on the line turns out to be worth it.
Editor’s note: Maybe your idea of being vulnerable is to write for
the Lifestyle column! I am happy to have contributors! Email me at wausten@southern.edu if interested.
“What if the people I invite on a spontaneous hike enthusiastically agree to come along and we end up exploring new places and making new memories?” (Photo by Emily White)
CHATTER
12:00
•
•
• 7:30
- Office of Ministry and Missions
7:50 pm Sunset
8:30 pm Star Watch @ Hickman Science Center Parking Lot
8:30 pm Vespers - Office of Ministry and Missions @ Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists
Weekly Birthdays
11:00 am Convocation: Leadership Illusions, Kenneth Hartle (Recognizing the deficit of leadership in today’s world, Chattanooga Rotary Club member Kenneth Hartley shares three keys to avoiding common leadership illusions) @ Iles P.E. Center
8:00 am DEEP Sabbath: Oakwood University at Southern 11:45 am Merge Worship @ Collegedale Academy Elementary Gym
11:45 am Renewal @ Collegedale
Church of Seventh-day Adventists
7:30 pm Evensong @ Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists
Dear Kevin
• 8:30 -11:00 pm Open Gym Night @ Iles P.E. Center
Payday: Salary ViewSouthern 3:30 pm Undergraduate Curriculum Committee @ Wright Hall Robert Merchant Room
6:00 pm Futsal Intramural @ Iles P.E. Center Latin American Heritage Month Begins: September 15, 2024 - October 15, 2024
8:30 am Pop with the Prez on the Promenade (Banana Bread/Drinks)
6:00 pm Tornado Siren Test
6:00 pm Futsal Intramural @ Iles P.E. Center
Dear Kevin, I love my housemates, but they have a habit of bringing over visitors unannounced (especially those of the opposite sex) at night when I’m in my pajamas getting things ready for the next day. I feel so exposed!! How can I politely ask them to notify me of visitors far enough in advance for me to put some real clothes on?
Dear Scantily-clad Samantha, I’m so sorry you’re having to go through that. I know the feeling, and it is not fun. Sometimes my pondmates bring unexpected visitors and it throws me off.
Maybe start by sending a polite little text in your house group chat, just saying, “hey, can you guys shoot a text in the group chat
you have a question for Kevin?
the QR code or click on the
letting everyone know when you’re bringing guests (and if they’re of the opposite sex) to the house in the evening. I just appreciate having a little bit of notice and not being surprised when I walk out of my room and there are other people.” You can even copy and paste that message if you want to, Samantha. If the text doesn’t work, maybe you can try to have a housemate meeting and bring it up there. For some people, it can be easier to talk about this kind of stuff in person and not over text. Whatever you choose to do, I wish you the best! May no more unannounced visitors grace your house with their presence.
MASTER’S DEGREE IN BUSINESS
Southern’s Master of Business Administration degree helps you acquire the skills you need to be successful in today’s workforce—based on the biblical principles of honesty, integrity, and high ethical standards.
It’s convenient
All classes are online. Full- and part-time tracks are available, and the MBA can be completed in as little as one year. With careful planning, you can complete a bachelor’s degree AND a master’s degree in five years!
It’s affordable
Southern’s competitively priced program is a valuable investment in your future
Prep for CPA Review.
Students with an MBA Accounting emphasis may take the Wiley CPAexcel review courses for six of their 12 elective hours.