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Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
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Lenoir-Rhyne University men's lacrosse team is determined to build on last year's successful season by making a bold run into the playoffs. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY JAKE PIERCE
MEN'S LACROSSE AIMS FOR
P L AY O F F S
WITH A STRONG START AND PLENTY OF DETERMINATION THE BEARS PLAN TO MAKE THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE By Richard Hall | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
The Lenoir-Rhyne men’s lacrosse team are the eighth ranked team in the nation and look to keep climbing the rankings throughout the year. Last year they ended the season with the SAC Player of the Year, SAC freshman of the Year, SAC coach of the year, seven players earning SAC recognition as well as having two players named All-Americans. Lenoir-Rhyne men’s lacrosse team
returns back to the field this spring after having a historic season last year making the playoffs and hosting its first ever playoff game. The Bears lacrosse team plays seven out of the top 20 Division 2 teams this season. “To get into the playoffs we have to have a tough schedule,” LR’s Head Lacrosse Coach Greg Paradine said. “If we are able to win a couple of those games and do
well in the South Atlantic Conference, then we should position ourselves pretty well at the end of the year.” “Offensively we have to replace Mike Hanlon, who won SAC player of the year,” Paradine said. “I think we have older and younger guys that can do that collectively.” Paradine, better known as Coach P, has a lot of faith in the team’s defensive players. “We are a
really veteran defensive group, so I think we should be really good defensively,” he said. The team captains are seniors Collin Lett and Ryan Crompton as well as junior Anthony Fraga, Coach P said. The team also looks for leadership from a lot of the seniors such as Ben Corrigan and Jacob
LR AND THE FLU
SEE PLAYOFFS, PAGE 8
HOW THE VIRUS HAS AFFECTED CAMPUS AND STUDENTS By Emily Kiziah | LRN Monthly Contributor
Fever. Body aches. Headaches. Sore throat. Nasal congestion. All common symptoms of influenza, or the flu, according to Jennifer Waugh, Nurse Practitioner for Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Cornerstone Student Support & Wellness Center. Waugh explained the Cornerstone House is a regular clinic with walk-in appointments available. Students can visit the free service provided by LR for any medical needs they might have or to receive counseling services. Waugh has already seen more than 30 cases of flu this year in students. When including students who went off campus for medical treatment, the number doubles. Because Waugh has only been with LR since she joined the Cornerstone team in October 2017, she couldn’t say how this year’s flu season is stacking up against previous years. However, as she browses the Center for Disease Control website, scrolling through charts and fact sheets, she confirms that the number of national cases for this year is up. “This year, compared to last, people are getting sick much faster — it’s not a progressiveness,” Waugh said. “It comes on all of a sudden, and the
recovery time is quicker.” Yer Vang, a student, described her experience with the virus. “I was sick, experiencing symptoms for more than a week,” Vang said. “I was tired all day and just felt awful.” The specific beginning and ending of flu seasons vary each year, and Waugh said cases are normally
Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Waugh unpackages a flu test swab in her office located in the Cornerstone Student Support & Wellness Center at Lenoir-Rhyne University. EMILY KIZIAH | LRN MONTHLY
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not seen until December. This year’s cases began to arise around late September, early October of last year, and experts expect this season to end this coming March or April. LR’s first case of the flu for the 2017-2018 season was seen on January 9 — the first day back for students from Christmas break. That same day Waugh posted informational flyers about the flu around campus. “We saw a lot of cases when students first arrived back on campus after [Christmas] break,” Waugh said. “It then slowed down a little, but it’s starting to rear back up.” Waugh said that it is not too late to receive a flu shot, but it does take about two weeks to be effective in protecting you against the virus. Waugh does not have the vaccine in her office but said there are many local facilities that do. Some of her recommendations are local drug stores or health departments. “Although the flu shot is only about 20 percent effective, if you do get the flu after receiving the vaccine, your case will not be as severe,” Waugh said. “We still recommend the vaccine as a first
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LRN MONTHLY | MARCH 2018
DONALD TRUMP:
NEWS
DOES LR APPROVE?
OPINION
LRN MONTHLY | MARCH 2018
REVIVAL OF THE 90S
GRUNGY DISTRESSED FASHION VIBES MAKE A COMEBACK ON CAMPUS.
By Ethan Benfield | LRN Monthly Contributor
Donald Trump's approval rating is mixed nationally, but how is he faring in the eyes of Lenoir-Rhyne? According to CNN, the latest national poll finds our 45th President’s approval rating at 40 percent. According to Trump, this rating has risen recently because of his handling of the economy. CNN also found out recently that 70 percent of Americans believe the current state of the economy is “good or excellent.” This rating is the best of Trump’s presidency so far. Do LenoirRhyne students and faculty opinions line up with the national average? One student who is against Trump is Elijah Blackwell, who points out the political animosity that Trump creates for both major parties. “I do not think he's doing anything good or bad. Everything he does and comes up with is met with extreme opposition from both sides,” Blackwell said. “When he fails to get the opposing party or even his own behind him, it becomes Impossible to get things done. So far it has been a waste of a presidency.” Freshman Dawson Sigmon disagrees. Sigmon, who is proud to be from a hard-working, conservative background, points out the positives of Trump’s time in office so far, and says that with some help from the opposition, great things can
happen. “If only the Democratic Party would back him up, great things, more than have already happened, will take place,” Sigmon said. “If you look at the economy, the stock market, and the jobs that have been recently created, it is easy to see that while things are still far from perfect, we are on a good and clear path under his leadership.” For some students, it can be hard to take a side in what can be considered some of the most polarizing and confusing times in our history as a nation. Many students are completely neutral and can see both positive and negative qualities in our current commander in chief. One of these students is Brookelyn Redmond, who pointed out the president’s unconventional style of speech and public image. “I don't exactly know whether or not I approve or agree with him, I think some decisions are smart, while others are not so smart, and some are completely crazy,” Redmond said. “I find him very Impulsive and disrespectful at times, while other times I will find what he says very intelligent.” One man who has been around on campus long enough to not only have his own opinions, but see the opinions of others about several presidents, is 50 year old Jody Bolick. Bolick has worked at Lenoir-Rhyne as an electrician for more than 20 years. He sees Trump conducting business far
different than other presidents. “He is actually doing the things that he said he was going to do,” Bolick said. “And that's something I haven't personally seen from many politicians in my life.” While it is impossible to know how every single member of the LR community sees Trump, it is obvious that just like on the national stage, local opinions are extremely mixed.
LR students and faculty weigh in on our 45th President. ETHAN BENFIELD | LRN MONTHLY
TAKING SECURITY SERIOUSLY LR SECURITY LOOKING TO SPREAD THEIR SCOPE ON CAMPUS By Dylan Bedell | LRN Monthly Contributor
At Lenoir-Rhyne, students and faculty are under 24/7 surveillance. Thanks to the dozens of security cameras spread across campus along with the security staff employed, LR ensures that safety is a top priority. LR’s Head of Security Norris Yoder is a former Hickory police officer who leads his team in protecting and responding to students across campus. Yoder said LR’s campus is covered with security cameras that are monitored directly from their offices on a daily basis. Yoder explained that networking with emergency service units in Hickory helps to ensure LR is one of the most protected areas in the city. Now that mass shootings have become a weekly occurrence throughout America, Yoder is committed to reevaluating LR’s systems and extending its security. “We’ve used these incidents as learning tools to understand what works and what doesn’t work with security on campuses,” he said. “We also looked into case studies and assessments completed on previous mass shootings to perfect our procedures.” Yoder said LR’s security officers take these rising incidents seriously and are prepared to handle threats should they ever present themselves
on this campus. Students have expressed concern to LR’s administration about security around dorms and the lack of adequate lighting across campus. The university has responded by placing more lights in the quad and significant additions to the newer dorms on 8th Street and the Hickory House apartments. “All the residential buildings are protected by electronic access controls,” Yoder said. “We also have security cameras stationed at every residential building.” But even with those assurances, some current students still believe more security should be increased in some areas on campus. Natalie Kratts, an LR junior, lives on the edge of campus in one of LR’s dorms. “I would rather we have more cameras and security systems for housing farthest from the main campus like my house,” she said. “I’ve heard of some dangerous incidents happening around our town and the surrounding community and want to feel protected while at home.” With an officer on duty around the clock, security officers remain easily accessible to LR students. Yoder explained how he and his fellow officers keep themselves fresh by attending multiple security
trainings throughout the year. These trainings teach them how to respond to incidents on campus faster and handle these situations more efficiently. “I would love to have more officers on site,” Yoder said. “And we could always use more security cameras across campus.” LR administration has even discussed the potential of shifting to campus police sometime in the future, bringing armed officers with arresting power to LR. Current officers on LR’s campus are either former police officers like Yoder or have years of previous security experience in other capacities. But this potential shift to full time police on campus could be a big step in campus security for Lenoir-Rhyne. Staffing full time police officers on campus also brings to light the question of armed security on campus. As of now, LR security does not carry any weapons. “Obviously, it does limit how we could respond to a critical incident,” Yoder said. “However, we do have a close relationship with Hickory PD and we plan and train together with them and other emergency agencies to be able to execute efficiently if a threat arises.” Opinions vary across the board for both LR administrators and students on the potential for guns on
campus. LR senior Noah McRae believes Tasers would be more effective facing a threat. “We are an open campus,” McRae said. “Which allows for indecent exposures near dorms or homeless people sleeping on couches in buildings. These are incidents that students shouldn’t have to encounter on their campus.” Keeping LR an open campus allows for more interaction between students and the Hickory community, but this can also put students at risk. Arming security officers on campus could arguably increase the threat of violence toward the university, but for some students the theory that a threatening situation could be addressed immediately is worth the risk. “Because we have an open campus, regardless of the gun laws in our community, it’s still pretty easy for a dangerous person to come onto campus with a weapon,” Kratts said. “I would want someone on campus to be able to handle the situation appropriately and quickly.” LR administration continues their conversation about adding armed police officers to security staff. More lighting and security call boxes in parking lots across campus are being initiated by SGA as well.
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By Ashley MacIntyre | LRN Monthly Contributor
Stylistically, today is a spitting image of the 90s. Polaroid pictures are a necessity, Spice Girls are making a comeback, denim on denim is everything and Gucci is cool. The return of 90s fashion is reflected in the television shows aired, the music being downloaded on Apple Music and the color schemes one gravitates to as well. Although fashion of the 90s cannot be easily summarized, concepts of minimalism, eclectic and an all over the place approach have formed the vision emerged from then and now. Whether it is immediately apparent or not, the outfit inspiration from the 90s has taken over even on campus. “I’ve found that the most significant aspects of 90s fashion and todays’ fashion is the authenticity and comfort behind each style,” LR senior Emily Kessler said. “I can wear platform sneakers with a wide-leg jumpsuit and a cheetah print fur coat to the grocery store and it’s completely normal.” Nowadays, walking into Urban Outfitters brings about major nostalgia because it looks exactly like
your mom’s old wardrobe. Just think, those high wasted, vintage light wash Levi’s that were once found at a local vintage store for $21 can now be found at the nearest Urban Outfitters for a minimum $70. From flare jeans to tracksuits, designer fanny packs to miniature backpacks and spaghetti strap crop tops to white Clout sunglasses were all over the streets in the 90s and have made their way back to the streets today. “I had never really noticed how much the 90s fashion has come back,” senior Ines Fluek said. “Until I realized the rubber choker necklace I wear out on occasion is the same exact choker necklace I wore when I was five years old and thought I was cool.” Fashion house designers Dior, Versace and Louis Vuitton continue to set the stage as well for the trending of the 90s revival. Whether it’s runway or street wear, top designers have created the high end fashion into blasé yet intentionally basic. “The 90s fashion is definitely a combination of practicality yet still comfort and chic,” senior Christine Faircloth said. “I had gotten a pair of black Gucci slippers lined with faux fur and my friends wouldn’t stop making fun of me for wearing them in public. But clearly the Gucci slippers are trending now and I was just ahead of the game.” Dressing down and embracing the practicality of an outfit is the expression of fashion nowadays. So next time you have to suffice with wearing your old ripped jeans with an oversized sweatshirt and Vans because you’re way too tired to try for the day, give yourself a pat on the back because you
still managed to be trendy. This vintage grunge taste has been rediscovered and redefined as the 21st century.
Ines Fluek, senior at Lenior-Rhyne University, dressed head-to-toe in vintage 90s vibes at school Friday. ASHLEY MACINTYRE | LRN MONTHLY
THE WORLD’S LEAST FUNNY COUNTRY? GERMANS BATTLE THEIR HUMORLESS REPUTATION
By Cindy Trehkopf | LRN Monthly Staff Writer We Germans are deadly serious and don’t seem to have any sense of humor. We don’t show emotions, we don’t laugh, we are so busy with being efficient that there is no time to have fun. At least that’s what everyone thinks. We do have a sense of humor – it’s just that it’s a little bit different from what you’re probably used to. People even say that you won’t get German humor unless you speak German. Most of our jokes can’t be properly translated to English. German humor is sarcastic, based on stereotypes and sometimes inappropriate. The best way to explain the difference between German and American humor is with the help of a movie. Yes, Germany makes comedies– what a surprise. You might think it’s a waste of time and our energy would be better spent on producing cars. German comedies often deal with taboo topics or the stereotypes of clichéd roles. Some examples for that would be jokes about women (especially about women and their parking skills), blondes (who are supposed to be very stupid), stereotypes about other nations (Polish people are supposed to steal everything they come across) or even Adolf Hitler. German humor can be described as dark. So here’s another example: "Welcome to Germany“ (Willkommen bei den Hartmanns) This movie deals with the refugee crisis in
Germany and was released in 2016. The mother of a well-off Munich family decides to offer boarding to a refugee much to the chagrin of her prejudiced husband, Richard. His opinion about foreigners is revealed when he and his wife go to a refugee camp to get some information about accommodating a refugee. In this scene Richard asks how the whole process works and if they could just pick a refugee whereupon the manager of the camp harshly exclaims that he’s not at an animal shelter where he could just pick his favorite refugee. The family then invites the Nigerian refugee Diallo to their home to see if he would be a good fit for their family. During this “interview” Richard asks among other things why Diallo came to Germany. Diallo replies that he loves German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, which leaves Angelika and Richard speechless. Diallo then corrects himself and says that he loves everything about Germany. The interrogation goes on: “I have some more questions. We have to make sure everything is alright because you know there are always black sheep among the blacks (in this context it doesn’t make sense because there can’t be a black sheep because they’re all black – did I already mentioned that German humor is inappropriate?). After the Hartmanns decide to welcome Diallo to their home the movie shows the challenges of their daily life and how the two different worlds collide. In one scene for example Diallo is building a birdhouse (every proper German garden has one, even if it’s pretty stupid to cut down trees to build a birdhouse out of the wood). When Richard asks him what he’s doing, Diallo shows him the top of the birdhouse. Its roof has domes and spires like a mosque and he says it’s for “Muslim birds.” Seeing the shock on Richard’s face, Diallo tells him that it was just a joke and shows him the actual roof of the house. The movie continuously deals with the biggest fear of Germans: that their country is being
Islamized. Though it’s a serious topic, which is dividing Germany, the film’s able to make Germans laugh at themselves (by showing them their own ridiculous prejudices). Welcome to Germany is a really good example if you want to know what Germans laugh about. Give the subtitled version a try if you don’t speak the language, but I’m not sure if that ruins the jokes. To sum up: Germans like to make fun of serious topics in inappropriate ways. Poking fun at something doesn’t mean we don’t care about it, it’s just the easiest way for us to deal with controversial topics. We like to hide our worries and fears behind jokes. We also use a lot of irony and sarcasm to play things down. And puns – we love puns! But if you want to know how to open up a stiff German: there is always one thing that will make all of us a bit funnier - it’s called beer! I promise, after a crate of beer Germans won’t stop laughing! That’s what our ancestors already knew: alcohol unites nations even if their humor is as far apart as the countries themselves. Of Note: The refugee crisis The term refers to the unprecedented influx of refugees and migrants the EU experienced in the last few years and the challenges it brings up. In 2015 and 2016 more than 1 million people arrived in the European Union, most of them fleeing from war and terror in countries like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. The massive influx is challenging Germany’s economy and dividing the country into two different political and social camps. In 2017 about 200,000 more refugees arrived in Germany, raising the question if Germany is able to handle it – financially but also socially with a conservative right-wing party gaining more influence.
LRN CONTRIBUTORS:
STAFF WRITERS: Richard Hall Cindy Trehkopf
FACULTY ADVISORS:
M O N T H L Y
Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Dr. Lisa Harris Prof. Richard Gould
Dylan Bedell Ethan Benfield Harrison Elam Graham Hildebran Emily Kiziah Ashley MacIntyre Nadine Obermeier Kelsy Pitts Dana Popp Brooke Redmond
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PHOTOJOURNALISM
LRN MONTHLY | MARCH 2018
WHAT’S GOING ON OUT THERE?
PHOTOJOURNALISM
LRN MONTHLY | MARCH 2018
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LR PHOTOJOURNALISTS’ IMAGES CHRONICLE THE SPRING 2018 SEMESTER
Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Photojournalism students will be spending the spring semester telling visual stories about LR and beyond. The class’ first six assignments required the students to take black and white photos while they concentrated on
composition methods such as the Rule of Thirds, Leading Lines, Framing and Decisive Moment. Photojournalism is listed as COM 212, and it’s being offered next semester in Fall 2018
Paige Alguire and her rescue dog Rosey resting after running around their grandmother's farm. They are enjoying the sunshine after a week of rain. January 2018. Photo by KELSY PITTS
Sophia Chung painting in LR's art building. Photo by DANA POPP
After a long day of school work, Graleigh Hildebran pauses for a moment to clear her mind as she crosses East Burke High School's bridge. Photo by GRAHAM HILDEBRAN
Janiah Denise Hall cheering for Lenoir-Rhyne men's basketball. Photo by NADINE OBERMEIER
Jan Juretschke works off some stress by practicing his kicks on LR's practice field after classes. Photo by CINDY TREHKOPF
Paula Cortezano, Ines Fluek, Christine Faircloth and Emily Kessler monkeying around during the Lenoir Rhyne’s Women’s Lacrosse team's photo day. Photo by ASHLEY MACINTYRE
Emily Kessler finalizes her pottery piece with deep concentration in Lenoir-Rhyne University's ceramics class. Photo by EMILY KIZIAH
Billy Bales warmes up at the before LR's 89-82 victory against Newberry on Jan. 31. Photo by DANA POPP
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PROFILES
LRN MONTHLY | MARCH 2018
FLU from page 1 line of defense against the flu.” In prevention techniques against fighting the flu, Waugh cannot stress enough the importance of quality hand washing. Waugh recommends a minimum 20-second-long wash. She demonstrated the proper way to wash hands by interlocking her fingers and rubbing back and forth while also cleaning under her fingernails. Treatment options against the virus — such as
Tamiflu — are available. However, local pharmacies are seeing a shortage of the drug. CVS Pharmacy in Viewmont has been out of stock for the medicine during some of the 2017-2018 flu season. “We had to special order this medication due to the demand,” pharmacist Shaneqa Cambell said. Waugh said that Tamiflu cannot treat the flu but only reduces symptoms by about one day. Flu testing can be done at LR but will only show positive or negative for Types A and B, A being the most common on campus. Out of all the cases on campus, only one Type B has been seen this year
so far. The test takes 15 minutes to run before results are issued. The test is done with a nasal swab that looks similar to a Q-Tip. Seek immediate medical attention when you have a fever that exceeds 102 degrees and does not respond to medication like Tylenol or Ibuprofen or when you experience dehydration or shortness of breath while at rest. Waugh also added one final tip for students who have been sick: Do not return to classes until you are fever free for 24 hours without medication.
GROWING UP WITH 10 SIBLINGS ON THE HOMESTEAD LR JUNIOR EXPLORES COLLEGE AWAY FROM HER MASSIVE CLOSE-KNIT FAMILY By Dylan Bedell | LRN Monthly Contributor
The Van Eerden clan let loose in Williamsburg last Christmas. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Enter a room with the Van Eerden clan and the first thing you notice is volume. Chaos, laughter and constant overlapping chatter envelope the family wherever they go. They require two eight seater SUVs to cart the entire family around; clearly, this family of 13 is unlike any other. Not just in number, but in lifestyle. Lenoir-Rhyne junior Hannah Van Eerden is the seventh child of 11 kids in her family. She has three older brothers, Jimmy, Josh and Paul, three older sisters, Bekah, Lizzy and Leah and four little brothers, Johnny, Joey, Peter and Eddie. Van Eerden grew up on a 55-acre piece of land in Stokesdale with her 10 siblings along with 11 cousins on the same property, fondly referred to as “the homestead.” Alongside her 10 siblings, Van Eerden was homeschooled by her mother, Rachel Van Eerden, who managed her 11 kids’ educations along with being a mom on a daily basis. “Growing up in that environment was the best experience of my life,” Van Eerden said. “Nothing is going to be able to top those moments and those memories with my favorite people.” Van Eerden described how the kids were always outside, building multiple tree houses with various
logs and tarps complete with doors and ladders. Each one was named and founded by the Cool Cousins Club. The CCC consisted of all the cousins still living at the homestead who would go on adventures or play full field games of football, soccer and basketball each day. “I got to live with my best friends,” Van Eerden said. “I had no desire to ever have more friendships, because all the friends I needed were at my home. They were my family.” Van Eerden’s family even had their own reality television show, “Courage Colorado,” that aired on TLC in 2004. While the Van Eerden’s lifestyle was different, they weren’t some cult living back in the woods doing voodoo. The family was constantly entertaining and welcoming new people into their home. “My dad had an open door policy, where anyone was welcome in our house,” Van Eerden said. “We always had a wide diversity of people in our home, all cultures, colors, shapes and sizes.” Funnily enough, each new connection Van Eerden made, her new friend always seemed to have a sibling that latched onto one of her own siblings. Even when she was hanging out with her friends, her family was there too. Taking that first step out of childhood is monumental for nearly
every college student and even more so for Van Eerden. Every time Van Eerden spoke about her family her face would light up and her eyes would twinkle, laughing over some silly adventure or story of her childhood. Many of her stories included her best friend and cousin, Abby Schmidt. “Hannah is one of the most steadfast and passionate loving people I know,” Schmidt said. “I knew she was ready to take on new people and the challenge of college.” With the open door policy established by her father, Jimmy Van Eerden, Hannah was able to make new friends immediately upon arriving on campus. She established an extended family with her soccer teammates. “LR has helped Hannah develop a broader worldview,” Schmidt said. “She notices the differences in people now.” Van Eerden brought her new family into her own by taking home teammates from overseas. Over smaller breaks, LR junior Aqsa Mushtaq, of Bradford, England, would journey to the homestead with Van Eerden. Mushtaq described the Van Eerden’s home as a place of never-ending excitement and fun. “They made me feel like a part of their family,” Mushtaq said. “I always feel so loved whenever I’m around them.” Van Eerden cites the routine schedule as the biggest challenge in college. In a house full of chaos and children, there wasn’t much routine, despite her mother’s continuous attempts, so living under a regimented schedule of class time and soccer practice has been the hardest aspect to take on. “Because I had no strict schedule growing up, there’s no pattern to how I live even now,” Van Eerden said. “So when something just pops up I can handle it better than maybe other people.”
THE VAN EERDEN
SHOW
The Van Eerdens flew to Colorado for a 10-day exploration of the frozen terrain. At that time, there were only 10 kids – all under the age of 13. The family’s adventures were all paid for and filmed by Orlando-based production company I.D.E.A.S. to create a brand reality show designed to promote tourism in Colorado. The show was called “Courage Colorado” and each episode guided the family through scenic adventures through some of the state’s best attractions. New destinations in Colorado were combined with activities to highlight the beauty of each place the Van Eerdens found themselves in. From rock climbing in Telluride, to horseback riding on a cattle farm in Steamboat Springs or skiing down the slopes of multiple snow dusted mountains in Colorado, every day brought new adventures and challenges for the family – all of which were captured on camera. In most instances, this was an amazing tool to document the picture perfect moments that otherwise may have been missed. But per usual reality television, it also captured more dramatic situations. In one episode, while en route to skiing, six-year-old Hannah was left behind at a gas station during the middle of a snowstorm. Her parents didn’t discover she was missing until a few miles down the road when the 15 person passenger van was pulled over by a policeman asking about a missing six year old girl. “Dad had to yell back in the van, ‘Guys, is Hannah here?’” Van Eerden said laughing. “They all looked around and were like ‘Dad, she’s not here.’ Meanwhile, I was stuck at a gas station by myself in the middle of a blizzard.” Apart from those few scary moments, the show captured how the family of 12 adventured and grew together in a place that was not their own.
PROFILES
LRN MONTHLY | MARCH 2018
HUNGRY from page 6 but, when he is playing music and doing call-ins, he is into it,” Professor Delbert said. “I believe Anthony has introduced a lot of good ideas and contributions towards the station. He knows what other people want to hear. By working well with people, he knows how to make them shine by asking great questions.” Only a sophomore, Brown has built quite the resume at LR. “I work with the radio station here at LR doing a show called the Night Shift,” Brown said. “I also am the host of a show that gets recorded every Sunday night and put on the YouTube channel, LR Bears, that recaps all the sporting events that happened throughout that week. I also am the color commentator for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, which is
LR’S NEW COACH MAY BE YOUNG, BUT HE’S MAKING AN IMPACT ONE PLAYER AT A TIME By Ashley MacIntyre | LRN Monthly Contributor
His days begin before the dawn and sometimes it takes him a whole lot of coffee to make it through, but when it comes to planning and coordinating just the right workouts for LR’s athletes, good enough just won’t do. Last summer Lenoir-Rhyne hired a new assistant strength and conditioning coach. Ryan Mullins, 23, of Wise, Va., graduated from Emory & Henry College in 2017. That was the year that Mullins met LR’s exercise science program coordinator Alex Koch when he was getting his USA Weightlifting certification. Koch told Mullins that LR was looking to hire a new assistant strength and conditioning coach at LR. It turned out that Mullins was a good fit for the program. “It was a welcoming environment, and felt a lot like family,” Mullins said. “I knew then that I wanted to be a Bear.” Today Mullins works with women’s and men’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, baseball and football. On top of managing each of these teams on a daily basis, Mullins plans out team specified workouts for every team, and even some individualized workouts for injured players. “Each workout is different dependent upon what the sport, position and what the coach would like,” Mullins said. Creating customized plans for five sports takes
SEE HUNGRY, PAGE 7
Ryan Mullins, LR’s strength and conditioning coach, going through a warm-up stretch with the baseball team on Wednesday. ASHLEY MACINTYRE | LRN MONTHLY
all of our workouts he tells us to always, ‘Bring the juice.’” Even though he’s been here less than a year, Mullins has already begun to leave a foremost impact on the athletes he’s worked with so far. “All of his workouts are so organized,” Cassie Lafler, freshman on the women’s lacrosse team, said. “We go into every day knowing exactly what to expect, which is awesome.” Senior LR lacrosse player Ines Fluek agrees. “Ryan is the most energized, upbeat and positive strength and conditioning coach I have ever worked with,” she said. “Not only are his workouts extremely beneficial, but he makes each and every one actually enjoyable.” Mullins’ philosophy doesn’t only apply to being a student athlete, but also to life after sports. “In my role, hopefully I can instill qualities that will translate to after their sports career is over,” Mullins explained. “It's not only about making them stronger and faster, but helping them become excellent young men and women for society that coincide with my philosophy of having great effort in everything you do, a positive attitude and having attention to detail.” Mullins plans to continue his career at LenoirRhyne while working to someday become a head strength and conditioning coach at the collegiate level.
LR’S CAMERON CLARK FOLLOWS FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS IN COACHING By Harrison Elam | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
Football coaches can have positive effects in their players’ lives in different ways. Especially when one of those players is his own child. Cameron Clark is in his second year as the Offensive Line Graduate Assistant for the Bears’ football program. While in college, Clark had ideas on what he wanted to do in life, and a
By Harrison Elam | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
But it wasn’t until he met the professors in the communication department and took a video and radio productions class taught by Professors William Richter and Jeff Delbert that he really got excited about his major. “I got excited when I finally got into the class,” Brown said. “It’s given me the opportunity to do everything I wanted to do, even on the smaller level.” It didn’t take long for the professors to notice Brown’s enthusiasm and potential toward broadcasting. “You can’t see him in the radio booth dancing,
time – a lot of it. “My day typically starts at 4:30 a.m.,” Mullins explained. “And it ends after my last workout of the day, which is usually at 7 p.m. Coffee has become my savior and I’m pretty sure all of my athletes are aware of that, too.” The athletes appreciate his efforts. “I’ve been lucky to have the chance to work with Ryan as both an athlete and as an intern,” senior LR lacrosse player Damon Cummings said. “He seriously loves coffee though. He calls it his juice since he drinks it so often, and now during
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
SOPHOMORE LR FOOTBALL PLAYER CHASES BROADCASTING CAREER the morning, and I would just sit around and watch SportsCenter for about three hours and continue to watch the reruns, because I found their job interesting.” Brown continued to watch SportsCenter on ESPN as he grew up and realized the job was for him. “As I got older, I watched Stuart Scott, John Anderson and a lot of the other cast on SportsCenter and just loved what they were doing,” Brown said. “It just seemed what they were doing was so much fun, and they get paid to be themselves.” Stepping on campus at LR as a freshman, Brown declared his major as multimedia communications.
Lenoir-Rhyne’s Anthony Brown records a segment about sports with classmate, Kaynmon Maddox. HARRISON ELAM | LRN MONTHLY
STRENGTH, CONDITIONING AND COFFEE
HUNGRY FOR BROADCASTING Most Lenoir-Rhyne students have an idea of what they want to study and what they want to do after college. But one student knew his career path at an earlier age. Anthony Brown, a sophomore outside linebacker on LR’s football team, is pursuing a degree in multimedia communications. Brown grew up in Jacksonville, Fla. and developed an interest in sports and broadcasting at an early age. “I spent a lot of time playing sport video games and going to youth league practices,” Brown said. “When my younger sister was born, both of my parents worked night shifts, so I stayed up late to watch over her. Sometimes it would be around 2 a.m. in
called over the live stream.” Brown’s classmates enjoy working with him in the station. “He is a funny dude to work with,” classmate Kaynmon Maddox said. “He is always trying to help those around him.” Brown hopes his passion can become a reality, not only for the success of his own life but for LR as well. “I want to use all of the opportunities that I’ve had here, whether it is in broadcasting or the radio station and build a portfolio,” Brown said. “Then I can open up my next step in whatever direction that is for me. I also want to leave my mark here at LR where the communication department grows. I hope more students can see the fun that I am having with these opportunities and decide that they want to join this major.”
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Lenoir-Rhyne’s Offensive Line Graduate Assistant Coach, Cameron Clark, teaches his player, Ian Brinson, the proper way to punch with extension during pass protection. HARRISON ELAM | LRN MONTHLY
football coach was not one of them. He attended Enloe High School, where he got to play under his dad, who was the head football coach. “It was a little weird at first,” Clark said. “He always made it feel as if he wasn’t coaching his son, he was coaching a player. But at the end of the day, when we both went home for dinner, we were father and son, not coach and player.” Clark then decided to spend his collegiate career at Ferrum College in Virginia, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in media and communications. He played on the football team from 2013 to 2016. During his last year at Ferrum, Clark still had that passion for football, but decided he wanted to do something different from his dad and focus on something related to his degree. However, he was unsure of the job opportunities that were available. “I always envisioned myself doing something with communications, whether it was radio, sports broadcasting or analyzing football games,” Clark said. “In February of my senior year, I kind of realized that the job I was looking for was really hard to find, with not a good enough resume.”
Clark spent a lot of time pondering his future. Then the sport he loved, and grew up around, came back to mind. It was time to make a possibility a reality. “Realizing that I didn’t have the ability to play the game anymore at the next level, I just knew I had to be around it,” Clark said. “If coaching was that way in, then no problem, it was in my blood, and I knew that I had the potential to be a great coach from growing up with my dad who was a coach my whole life, and still is.” Clark then started to contact several schools who still had Graduate Assistant job openings. After several declines, Lenoir-Rhyne called him in for an interview. The next week, Clark got the job. Players under Clark feel as if he has done an excellent job having the perfect balance of a coach. “On the field, Coach Clark shows us what it takes to be about your business,” freshman offensive lineman Ian Brinson said. “But off the field, we can joke around, and have a good time as well. Which allows us to enjoy having him as a coach.” Clark has helped many of the offensive players understand the
offense. “Coming into this offense as a young minded freshman, I was nervous and confused,” freshman tight end Jackson Smith said. “But Coach Clark was able to break it down for me and help me understand it a lot better. Which then improved my playing ability, from not being hesitant.” Clark has not only affected his players while at LR, but his fellow coaching staff as well. “Cam is a selfless guy, who has a team first mind set,” graduate assistant outside linebackers Coach Turner said. “Also, being from different areas and having a different upbringing is pretty cool. I learn a lot about things that I already knew just from a different perspective.” Clark continues to enjoy his experience as a graduate assistant coach for LR. He hopes to one day take the same footsteps as his father did with coaching. “I would like to one day be a head football coach, just like my dad,” Clark said. “I know I have the potential to be one, with everything that I’ll learn in my coaching career and path, and the advice that I’ll continue to gain from my dad.”
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SPORTS
LRN MONTHLY | MARCH 2018
PLAYOFFS from page 1 O’Connor. “We have a tough schedule, but I am looking forward to the challenge,” Fraga said. “I’m looking forward to seeing to how far we can get and I believe we can get back into the playoffs.” The Bears started their season off with a win over Young Harris 18-7 and then with a big win over Limestone, the No. 1 team in the nation, 17-13. Men’s Lax Schedule: Mar 2 vs. Florida Tech Mar 7 @ Belmont Abbey Mar 10 @ Wingate Mar 17 @ Tusculum Mar 21 vs. Queens MAr 24 vs. Newberry Mar 31 vs. Tampa Apr 7 vs. Lincoln Memorial Apr 11 @ Catawba Apr 14 @ Mars Hill Apr 21 vs. Coker
Lenoir-Rhyne University men's lacrosse team has started off its season ranked No. 8 in Division 2, and the Bears are hungry for success jumping out to a 2-0 start on the season. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY JAKE PIERCE
PYSCHED FOR SEALEY FORMER LR WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STAR TAKES OVER AS HEAD COACH By Dylan Bedell | LRN Monthly Contributor
Four-year letterman and award winning athlete Cam Sealey has returned to Lenoir-Rhyne to lead the charge as the new head women’s basketball coach. Sealey played for the Bears beginning in 2008 until graduating in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. As an athlete, she earned all-conference honors three times along with an all-region selection her senior year. Sealey was a part of a tremendous team during this period of LR basketball history. She helped lead her team to two South Atlantic Conference regular season titles as well as a NCAA Division II playoff appearance. Sealey remains, to this day, one of the best players in program history and is at the top of nearly all the record books. While her reputation as a stellar athlete precedes her, Sealey returns to LR with a tireless energy and vision to catapult the women’s basketball program back to the top, this time as a coach. “I just want to get better every day,” Sealey said. “Ultimately, we want to win championships as a coaching staff, but at the same time I want people to leave here and
say they maxxed out their potential athletically and academically.” LR Head Athletic Trainer Michael Flicker has known Sealey since she first set foot on LR’s campus as a freshman. Flicker was the athletic trainer assisting the women’s basketball team during Sealey’s first two seasons as a Bear. “Cam was the glue that held a lot of things together,” Flicker said. “But for her, it was all about being committed to team goals over personal goals as a player. It’s the same thing she’s doing now as a coach, changing the culture of the program: team before self.” Changing the culture, according to both Sealey and Flicker, all stems from accountability and team structure. From the first day, Sealey gathered her coaches and her team as one to set the standard for the program and an unwavering commitment to get it done. Sealey painted a strong picture of what the LR women’s basketball program should and would look like as well as what the individuals would look like. This laser focus and unending preparation comes directly from her time spent on the court as an athlete, according to Flicker.
“They used to kick her out of the gym at night, because she was there shooting well past 11 p.m.,” Flicker said. “She was excellent in everything she did, on and off the court.” That same intensity and commitment Sealey used to perfect her game is now channeled into her intentions for her team. Sealey upholds the foundations of the LR athletic program and its alumni too. Now an alumni herself, Sealey is a bridge from LR’s athletics to the surrounding community that has admired and supported her since she first caught their attention as a player and now, their trust as a coach. Not only has Sealey earned the support of the athletics program and the alumni, but she also holds the respect and admiration of her players. “The atmosphere is completely different, in the best way, since Coach Cam took over,” LR Junior Women’s Basketball player Kendall Toineeta said. “She has set expectations and non-negotiables that we are expected to meet and bring every single day, no excuses.” Unlike some coaches who thrive on intimidation and breaking their players down, Sealey remains
consistently positive with her players, motivating with “I believe in you” and “we can do this.” But that doesn’t mean she’s a pushover; Toineeta said, “She means business and expects nothing short of the best from us.” Sealey fell in love with the community at LR when she first arrived and now that she has found her way back, she knows it was meant to be.
Lenoir-Rhyne Head Women’s Basketball Coach Cam Sealey works the court to motivate her players on game day. ASHLEY MACINTYRE | LRN MONTHLY
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS GERMAN PAUL LENZ PURSUES TENNIS DREAM IN THE UNITED STATES By Brooke Redmond | LRN Monthly Contributor
Not everyone gets to live their dreams – and even fewer get to do it before they reach adulthood. But Paul Lenz isn’t satisfied with dull, and he won’t accept boring. He’s taking the opportunity to do exactly what he’s always wanted to do. Growing up in Dusseldorf, Germany (population: 612,178 – according to Wikipedia) Lenz always enjoyed sports. As a young child his
Paul Lenz serving at practice getting ready for the spring season, at Hickory High School. BROOKE REDMOND | LRN MONTHLY
main focus was on soccer and how to pursue it as a career. “I always wanted to become a professional soccer player,” Lenz said. “Soccer is the national sport in Germany.” When he was 12 years old a severe knee injury brought his blossoming soccer career to an end. As a teen, Paul begin to grow into what is now a 6’4” frame. Tall and lanky, with an injured knee, didn’t suit the game of soccer very well. This changed Lenz’s entire outlook and forced him to reevaluate his future. He’d always dreamed of following his athletic talent to the USA. Soccer was out, but his competitive drive remained. He needed a new sport. Paul always had a dream of being a student athlete and coming to the United States to follow this dream. “I started tennis late – at the age of 13,” Lenz said. “I got really good in a short amount of time.” He liked tennis a lot, especially because it is mostly an individual sport and you don’t have to depend on others. Lenz has always been very outgoing and loves to bring a lot of aggressive energy every
time he steps on the tennis court. “I show a lot of emotion and try to stay positive in every situation,” said Lenz. Lenz knew that by the time he graduated from Suitbertus High School, that he wanted to go to college. “I heard from a few friends who went to the United States and really enjoyed playing college tennis,” Lenz said. “I decided quickly to do the same thing.” In Germany, they do not give you the opportunity to play college sports. After talking to around 30 college coaches, he decided to come to Lenoir-Rhyne University. He knew it was a good fit for him. “I loved the campus at LR,” Lenz said. “Hickory was a good size city for me compared to the other colleges that I was looking at.” He also wanted to go into business and LR had the major he wanted to pursue, International Business. Lenz is now entering into his second thrilling season here at LR and is enjoying the journey. The tennis team is off to a strong start in 2018, with its only loss to the NAIA’s number one ranked team, Georgia-
Gwinnett. Lenz is 3-1 on the season, with his only loss coming to Patrik Hartmeir of top ranked GeorgiaGwinnett. “Paul has come a long way in his short time at LR, and we have seen him mature greatly on and off the court,” Lenoir-Rhyne University Head Men’s Tennis Coach Tom Ree’s said. “He is the consummate team player and brings great energy to both practice and matches.” All of LR’s tennis players (except for one) are international students. “I think he is someone who works extremely hard, very driven and determined to get success,” said teammate William Hewitt. By Lenz being able to pursue his dream as a student athlete, it has allowed him to see a completely different side of the world, play a sport he is passionate about and on the way to a college degree. “Paul is very energetic and brings positive energy to the team,” said teammate Camden Tucker. Paul Lenz is pursuing his degree in international business and hopes to follow tennis wherever it leads him.