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Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Comm LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication
LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
VOL. 111 — ISSUE 4
NOVEMBER 2016
VOL. 110 — ISSUE 2
Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
VOL. 110 — ISSUE 2
SEPTEMBER 201
fEST TO RETIRE LR pResident TO RETIRE LR pResident TO RETIRE
Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
VOL. 110 — ISSUE 2
SEPTEMBER 2015
it’s president
t ru m p The presidential election and the next four years By Ghia Smith | LRN Monthly Editor In Chief
As the 2016 election came to an end, Donald Trump won the day. And the Republicans won control of the US House of Representatives, so this is a historical moment indeed. While the votes were rolling in after the first 25 states closed their polls, Donald Trump was leading, according to network pundits opining in the early morning hours following Election Day. At 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 8 Trump and Hillary were very close – Clinton had 68 electoral votes to Trump’s 66. By 10:45 p.m., roles had reversed. Trump had grabbed 168 to Clinton’s 131. As for the popular vote, the race was close with several states practically too close to call – North Carolina being one of them.
It took longer than most thought for N.C. to go Trump’s way, giving him 15 precious Electoral College votes – a fate many thought impossible on March 14 when Trump made his way to LR’s campus for a campaign stop. Obama won North Carolina in 2008, but the Republicans have won the last two presidential elections here. “America may have been ready for a female president,” said LR’s Visiting Journalism Professor Richard Gould. “But it certainly was not ready for Hillary Clinton.” It appears that, contrary to prior predictions, Clinton underperformed in many key states that would have easily been Democratic. Trump’s campaign was fueled by his promise
to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico. According to The Sun, Trump’s promise of mass deportations would take place for the first few days of his term. As for foreign trade, he sees China as a currency manipulator. Asian stocks have dropped as election results rolled in, according to CBS News. It is safe to say that tax cuts will also go into effect for middle class families as well as for businesses. This will definitely benefit his business, according to The Sun. The President of LR’s College Republicans Carter Wooly refused to comment when contacted for this article.
students react to our new president: donald trump It’s over and done. It’s a brand-new day. What do you think? By Elijah Moon Blackwell | LRN Monthly Campus Editor
By the Numbers:
At least we are getting a new wall, I guess. Daniel Roseman, LR senior, economics major
SEP
I just hope he can keep his mouth shut as much as possible, for his sake. Cassidy Mitchell, LR freshman, biology major
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ARCHIVES: HTTP://ISSUU.COM/THERHYNEAN
Oh dear God, why? He advocates for physical and racial violence. I’ve known toddlers with better temperaments. Jack Verner, LR senior, political science major
I’d rather be living under Castro; I’m going back to Cuba – see ya later. Dennis Diaz-Rodriguez, LR sophomore, chemistry major
• 17 students did not share their political views. • 12 students said they did not care about the election. • 9 Trump supporters did not want to be named. • 8 Clinton supporters did As a woman, I don’t feel safe not want to be named. living in a world where he is • 2 Gary Johnson supporters the model. He normalized declined comment. sexist and racist language • 0 Jill Stein supporters because in his eyes it’s just could be reached. locker room talk. Kati Waldrop, LR senior, English major
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OPINION
LRN MONTHLY | NOVEMBER 2016
BLACK LIVES MATTER, BUT DOES BSA? Involvement and misconceptions By Ghia Smith | LRN Monthly Editor In Chief
Recent attempts to bring the Black Lives Matter movement to LenoirRhyne’s campus sparked many questions, mostly revolving around the campus organization Black Student Alliance, otherwise known as BSA, and its involvement. The Black Lives Matter movement was implemented in order to bring awareness to the injustices that minorities face everyday. “It’s not a racial group saying only black lives matter,” said former LR BSA President Cameron Howard. Howard said, both Black Lives Matter and BSA stand for multicultural causes. One race does not take lead over another. However, I’m inclined to disagree. Though this is not a we against them situation, we cannot muddy the fact that this is, in all actuality, about us; us being the African-American community. It’s true that the organization BLM was established in hopes of creating unity, however, the organization did not come to life until police brutality against the African-American community became publicized and the topic of conversation among all media outlets. “It’s confusing that both organizations have the word black in the title,” said LR senior LaMiya Bennett. “Yet neither one is supposed to centralize their events around black issues?” The wording of the organization itself has caused tons of controversy, but I think that a lot of the time, people just fear the stigma that surrounds saying “this is about black people” or “this is for black people.” There seems to always be the negative connotation of if it’s problack, or pro-African American, that automatically insists that it is anti-
everything else. Emma Sellars, Director of Multicultural Affairs and Faculty advisor for the BSA organization, said, some people haven’t seen a black person in person before coming to college. The only thing they’ve seen is the violence and chaos on the TV. This is true, which gives even more reason to become more active in black issues, or any multicultural issues in general. If we must educate, it is important to note that people have different learning styles. Some people learn by listening to a person go over the histories and examples of peaceful protests, but others learn by seeing. In my opinion, not much is being shown. On larger campuses, and specifically larger historically black college or university campuses, the movement can be seen daily. However, on smaller private campuses the movement is barely discussed. Preston Bumgardner, president of the UNC Charlotte Black student Union, otherwise known as BSU, and Hickory native said, BSU was founded in 1969 after the civil rights movement. The organization was frowned upon, which in turn fueled its existence. “There was no voice for black students,” Bumgardner said. “This gave them a voice and we’re very passionate about what we do.” Sellars said, “It’s unfair to assume that BSA will take lead because they’re
black.” Howard and Tasmin Mack, BSA’s current president, both said the black community puts a ton of pressure on this one oganization. The organization’s objective, first and foremost, is to focus on multicultural issues as a whole. However, all multicultural issues cannot be lumped together, as many issues are derived from varying histories and origins. Howard said, she would love to see BSA get more involved, but they don’t even have dedicated members. Most of their ideas and suggestions stem from the executive board. How can an organization flourish and become more involved, without a body? The students are the voice, yet no one shows up to speak at the meetings. “We have to talk about it,” said Sellars. “We have to facilitate conversation.” “By we,” said Howard. “I mean the black community, the students, the ones who are educated on the issue and willing to teach others.” The organization seems to be interested in hearing your opinions and sharing their own, however there is slight hesitation, and for good
reason. “It’s because this subject is more touchy,” said Howard. “This is about race and that makes people uncomfortable.” “We would like to have panel discussions educating everyone on what Black Lives Matter really means,” Mack said. “We just don’t want to step on any toes.” Howard said, if someone is passionate about it, then they should go for it. There is a stigma attached to the BSA name as a whole, so to jump onto that issue is risky. I too believe there is a stigma, but passion doesn’t come without judgment. In regards to the organization moving forward Sellars said, “We should keep doing what we’re doing, just a little better.” Do you have an opinion on BLM, or any other controversial issues? If so, send questions, comments and suggestions to ghia.smith@my.lr.edu. Let your voice be heard. BSA meets every Monday at 7:15 p.m. in the Fritz-Conrad Lobby. Kimberly Ndombasi and KJ Billingsley participating in the Silent Sit In held in LR’s Cromer Center on Sept. 28. brian tarpley | LRN Monthly
It’s different for me LR through the lens of one student’s autism
By Heather Osterer | LRN Monthly Contributor
It is normal for students to feel a host of emotions on the first day of a new semester – nervousness, anxiety, fearfulness or excitement. Even with these emotions in tow, the hallways are filled with chatter and laughter as students interact with one another and navigate their new class schedules. As students began to slowly disperse from the hallways of Rhyne building in time for their 2 p.m. M/W/F class, one student remained standing outside of her assigned classroom, with a faculty member beside her. The student was crying, obviously distraught, clutching a small fleece blanket close to her body. She was afraid to go into the classroom. The unfamiliarity of the new sights, sounds, smells and people were more than her brain and nervous system were able to physically process. I have autism, and the student clutching the blanket, crying in the hallway outside the classroom was me. This was the scene before my 2 p.m. M/W/F class every day for at least the first two weeks of the semester. When asked why I was afraid to enter this classroom, I didn’t have an answer. With time, comfort objects, like my blanket and
a few seating adjustments, the fear slowly began to diminish. Amber Bieker, a professor of mine who has personal experience working with autistic children, had later speculated that visual overstimulation may have been the underlying cause of the fear due to the overall classroom set-up and larger-than-normal class size, neither of which I was accustomed to. Her guess is as good as mine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines Autism Spectrum Disorder as, “A group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.” It is a neurological/developmental disorder, which occurs on a large spectrum, meaning the level of severity and skills varies greatly from person to person. I have high functioning autism. I excel academically, but like most people on the autism spectrum, other areas of functioning – such as developmental, emotional, communication, language and motor skills – are extremely varied in functioning level and inconsistent with one another. Sensory integration dysfunction is also a daily struggle, as the nervous system in a person with ASD often has difficulty processing, organizing, and filtering incoming information pertaining to sound, touch, smell, taste and sight. Sometimes, my brain and body cannot process my internal and external stimuli fast enough, or the signals get mixed up. Similar to a computer with too many windows opened at the same time, my entire nervous system “crashes,” and I have what is commonly known as an “autistic meltdown.” I work closely with my teachers, counselors, behavioral therapists and disability services to manage issues as they arise. We have certain phrases that we have come up with together as a group, to help ease transitions from one activity
to another. We have a proven plan in place to deescalate meltdowns when they occur. My fleece blanket is a sensory/comfort object. The feel of the soft material against my skin helps me remain at ease in various situations, while the object itself provides a sense of familiarity and security in a world that is unpredictable and does not cater to the neurologically-challenged. Most importantly, I have a very close, supportive group of friends and classmates who often help clarify missed or misinterpreted social cues. Sometimes they save a chair for me next to them – it makes the classroom less scary. But they do not treat me any differently once a meltdown is over and done with. They fully accept me – blanket and all. Being a special needs student in a college setting is truly a group effort, requiring time, patience, communication and mostly trial-and-error. At the end of last year, before summer vacation, I went to say goodbye to my professor and advisor, Joshua Yoder, whom I had worked closely with throughout the school year and had many ups and downs with. It was his first experience incorporating an autistic student into the LRU theatre program. He had to learn what a meltdown looked like, as well as what my specific skillsets and capabilities consisted of, while I had to learn to verbally communicate my needs more efficiently without ending up in a thwarting tantrum. In that one year, we had both learned how to combat behavioral challenges, and saw measurable growth in academic, language and communication skills that I never thought possible. I excitedly ran up to Professor Yoder before leaving for the summer, proclaiming, “This has been an adventure!” He smiled, and nodded in agreement. “Yes, Heather. It has been an adventure.”
NEWS
LRN MONTHLY | NOVEMBER 2016
Clowns on Campus
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Should I be worried?
By Ghia Smith | LRN Monthly Editor In Chief
They’re creepy and they’re back. Clowns are making quite an impact most recently with their spontaneous phantom presence. This, however, is not the first time America has gone into a frenzy over clowns. It can be dated back to the 1980’s and many say that the random sightings are in response to Stephen King’s novel, ‘It’. Most recently, the movie has been remade and some people theorize that the remake has sparked tons of creepy clown activity. The phenomenon is not so two dimensional. There are two types of clowns that have been sighted. The first type is the stalker clown. This clown is harmless, and just creates eerie vibes for bystanders. This is the type of clown that can be spotted hovering near an old bridge right after the golden hour. There’s a slight silhouette, but the creepy facial features of the clown mask can still send chills up your spine. The second type of clown is the attacker clown. This is where things get grey because, even though no fatalities have been reported in regards to these types of clown, it is important to be aware and be cautious. Here, on LR’s campus, there has been a clown sighting. This has a few students apprehensive. “I won’t walk by myself at night,” said sophomore Kiara Palmer. Many students wonder if this is just
another issue that’s slipped under securities radar, and that they’ve deemed unimportant or unnecessary to report. “I wish we knew more about it,” said sophomore Sarah Morton. “I wish they would have sent out a Rave Alert.” Law enforcement and other security figures have warned people from taking part in this prank, and have also encouraged people to call and report any sightings just to be safe. “I would say don’t,” Norris Yoder, head of LRU security, said. “Simply because of all of the controversy.” “It would create a situation where the police might be called,” Yoder said. “And just not a good idea at this point.” Yoder chuckled a bit in disbelief that people are actually actively taking part in this creepy prank. “We’re in college,” said sophomore Kiara Palmer. “So people are going to play jokes.” Should we be worried? According to Yik Yak, a popular social networking site in which students and anyone else in the surrounding community can post anonymously, the clown has been keeping up conversation with the student body. Though the creepy factors just keep adding up, Palmer said that she believes it’s all a joke and somebody’s just doing this to scare everyone. Many students wonder if they should be concerned about any more
possible sightings and if there have been any other sightings kept under wraps besides the incident that occurred midway through October right outside of the Fritz-Conrad residence hall. “Around here? No,” Yoder said. “Not besides that one isolated incident.” The origin of the clown has always been ambiguous. There is just something about a symbol of innocent joy turning over to a darker side that just shakes up the public. Some people even link clowns and all of their sinister undertones to the infamous John Wayne Gacy. Gacy was a serial killer who occasionally dressed up in clown attire in his spare time, though none of his killings actually took place when he was in this costume. According to Bob Garfield, radio host for WNYC, this facet of Gacy’s persona has been overemphasized and slightly romanticized. America romanticizes over the creepy quite often, so this comes as no surprise. Safety seems to be of a main concern when chatting about this phenomenon on campus. “I guess I feel safe,” said freshman Haley Hamilton. “Until I see one.” “I can understand that and all I can say is be vigilant and call someone immediately,” said Yoder. “Don’t wait. Call directly to the police. Call 911 or call us.”
LET IT GROW
Lenoir-Rhyne students raise awareness for various types of cancer
NON-SMOKING CAMPUS
By David Bradham Jr. | LRN Monthly Contributor
Having an itchy, irritating, hot mound of hair on your face for an entire month seems anything but fun. Yet many people across the United States are choosing to ditch the razor in favor of letting it all grow out. The Matthew Hill Foundation, better known as No Shave November, is a web-based, non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness against various types of cancer. Hill passed away in 2007 from colon cancer. His eight children launched, founded and continue to run the No Shave November awareness campaign in their father’s name to honor him. In 2009 No Shave November became an internet
Beard Enthusiast Garrett Baker shows off his Beard in preparation for No Shave November. david bradham, jr. | LRN Monthly
sensation and has led many to refuse to shave for the entire month in favor of growing that epic beard they’ve always wanted. “It’s another excuse to be lazy,” said long time No-Shave participant and LR junior Garrett Baker. “Shaving is really irritating.” The Matthew Hill Foundation says, “the goal of No-Shave November is to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free,” according to its website. “Donate the money you typically spend on shaving and grooming to educate (yourself) about cancer prevention, save lives and aid those fighting the battle.” LR freshman Chase Fowler is joining Baker in spreading the word around campus aiming to educate people about what No-Shave November is truly about. With No-Shave’s focus being on all types of cancer, Fowler and Baker have noticed a lack in awareness for less visual cancers that are just as severe. They note that, while pink ribbons abound, there are lots of other cancers out there that are plenty deadly, but aren’t getting much press. For the last few years breast cancer’s been getting a lot of attention, but colon and prostate cancer is rarely discussed. “I had a family member who passed away from prostate cancer,” Fowler said. “This type of cancer can be considered a death sentence and that really needs to be addressed.” For many the numbers are shocking. Approximately 12.9 percent of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their lifetime,” according to the National
SEE GROW, PAGE 7
On Nov. 2 LR’s faculty voted 55 to 47 to support a policy proposal to make all of LR’s campuses tobaccofree. From here the proposal goes on to the university administration and Board of Directors to consider. Meanwhile Morgan Musumeci smokes while he still can. ELIJAH MOON BLACKWELL | LRN Monthly
EDITOR IN CHIEF:
outreach editor:
sports editor:
staff photographer:
campus editor:
faculty advisors:
Ghia Smith Ghia.Smith@my.lr.edu DeChane Grinton DeChane.Grinton@my.lr.edu Elijah Moon Blackwell Elijah.Blackwell@my.lr.edu
Alivia Russell Alivia.Russell@my.lr.edu
Brian Tarpley Brian.Tarpley@my.lr.edu Dr. Lisa Harris Prof. Richard Gould
contributors: David Bradham Jr. Courtney Brown Richard Hall Emily Kessler Emily Kiziah Heather Osterer Brooklynn Ouderkirk Sabrina Powell Brooke Redmond
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SPORTS
LRN MONTHLY | NOVEMBER 2016
LR tennis going global Many nations compose Bears’ racquet squad By Brooke Redmond | LRN Monthly Contributor
New men’s and women’s head tennis coach Tom Rees has inherited tennis teams made up of men and women from all over the world. Our men’s team here at Lenoir-Rhyne University is made up of players from eight different countries, while the women’s squad hails from six different countries. Sophomore Alex Crespo Sanchez of Valencia, Spain is excited about the new roster and eager to get this season started. “We have five freshmen and three transfer (students) coming in,” he said. “There is only one American among nine players.” These men and women may be from all over the world, but their goals remain the same: to get a quality education and compete at a high level on the court. Sanchez has set his sights high. “The goal is to make the South Atlantic
Conference top six and go to the conference tournament and do our best there,” he said. Being an international himself, Rees knows what it’s like to be a student in a foreign country. Having grown up in Worcestershire, England, Rees played collegiately at UNC-Asheville and Tusculum. He is excited about the talent and work ethic shown by the teams so far. With student athletes from so many different places, it can be a challenge to build a close-knit team atmosphere. For inspiration, Rees leans on the advice of legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden. “According to Wooden’s ‘Pyramid of Success,’ the early foundations of building a united team lie in the development of friendship, loyalty, enthusiasm, cooperation and hard work,” Rees said. “These are our primary focus points early in the fall. We do some team bonding activities,
designate team captains, assign team duties to each player and work them pretty sternly to give them a rounded perspective of what it will take for them to be a successful and united team.” Over a 12-year period Wooden won 10 NCAA basketball championships, which included a sevenyear run. His philosophy may be over 50 years old, but he knew how to build a winning team and Rees takes Wooden’s lessons to heart as he works to build a team from his diverse international group. “As their confidence in executing our tactical systems grows, their match play and external results will steadily improve with an eye on peaking in SAC play,” Rees said. “For all home SAC matches in the Spring we will have themed game days with giveaways to entice supporters out to our matches.” LR’s spring home season kicks off on Feb. 4.
LOVE Spirit Team OF THE GAME History
Lenoir-Rhyne Alumni create
FOR THE
The football graduate assistant life By Richard Hall | LRN Monthly Contributor
Being a head coach is a demanding job, no doubt, but being a graduate assistant coach is its own challenge. GAs, while far less visible to fans and boosters, shoulder their own heavy workload when it comes to helping get the team ready for game day. “Days are very long,” said defensive line GA A.J. Hopke. “Thirteen-hour days are a normal thing.” He does it for a simple reason. “I love doing it, because football is my passion,” Hopke said. “A coach in the past helped me out and I want to help other players the same way.” The GAs’ commitment doesn’t go unnoticed. “The graduate assistants are usually the first ones to arrive and the last ones to leave and they are really under-appreciated,” said senior LR wide receiver, Victor Brannan. For ambitious GAs long hours, nights and weekends are just part of paying their dues as they do whatever it takes to become full-time coaches. They spend their mornings setting up coaches meetings and analyzing film from the previous practice. Mornings also consist of planning for the opponent for the upcoming Saturday and the week after, which includes watching game film and watching every single play. Which players are our opponents trying to get into the game? Who do they like to give the ball in certain specific situations? What plays are they likely to run in certain situations? Exhaustive preparations like this take time. It’s not a 40-hour week. It’s not a 9-5 gig. “The graduate assistants are usually there at 6 a.m. when we are doing lifts, while the coaches have not arrived yet,” said LR senior defensive tackle Myles Braswell. After lunch it’s time for the GAs to set up scout team books. These scout team books list plays that LRs upcoming opponents like to run, their patterns, tendencies and trick plays. GAs set up the players’ meeting as well, from making sure the film is working so the coach can evaluate each player’s rep to making sure the coaches know who will be in the meeting and will not because certain players will be in class.
When it comes to practice, it’s the GAs job to set it up and make sure the equipment is on the field for the upcoming practice and that the balls are pumped up. They’re also responsible for practice scripts. The scripts list what will be going on for each position group during each of the session’s 20 five-minute periods, because practice goes a lot more smoothly when everyone’s on the same page. GAs work with their own respective position groups. They’re also out there helping the coaches and letting more players get more reps. Then it’s on to the scout teams to work with the guys that are not ready to play at the collegiate level yet. It’s important to make sure the starters are getting good looks. After practice it’s the GA’s job to break down the practice film, which is shot by students, and then disseminate it to the entire team and coaching staff. “Graduate assistants are a great thing to have – they bridge the gap between players and coaches,” Braswell said. It’s the love of the game and sharp focus on their goal of landing a job as a full-time coaching gig that keeps LR’s GAs going tirelessly behind the scenes. “I would rather do this any day than go out and get a real job,” said offensive graduate assistant and video coordinator Jesse Byrd.
Offensive graduate assistant and video coordinator Jesse Byrd spends hours daily working on film of LR’s games, practices and footage of the Bears’ opponents. RICHARD HALL | LRN Monthly
LR’s first competitive hip-hop dance team going for gold By Sabrina Powell | LRN Monthly Contributor
A decade after the first dance team was formed at Lenoir-Rhyne University two alumnae are taking the program to a whole different level. Christy Creson and assistant coach and alumni Chelsey Adams have decided to build a competitive hip-hop dance team to compete at National Dance Alliance nationals in 2017. Their first step was to recruit the most experienced dancers among LR’s students. Both coaches were part of the LR dance team when they were students here and they feel qualified to create a team that can compete at the national level. Creson was part of the first dance team at LR in 2006. She was part of the dance team for two years before she graduated with a degree in communication. Now she’s head coach of the team and she’s also North Carolina’s sales representative for Varsity, which is an international cheer and dance organization. Creson, along with being the head coach, also coached her assistant coach, Adams, for the past two years. Adams, 23, graduated from LR in the spring of 2016 with a nursing degree. She is now a registered nurse at Carolinas Health Care System-Blue Ridge in Morganton. Before coming to LR Adams had been Captain of the East Carolina University club dance team for three years. She then transferred to LR her junior year and became captain of the LR dance team for two years and also was apart of the LR cheerleading squad. “After seeing what LR has to offer I knew from the beginning that we could make this program better,” Adams said. “By finding girls who have the work ethic and dedication to this team I feel we can take this team all the way.” After her graduation, Adams began looking for girls to build this competitive dance team. Lena Ernst,22, is a graduate student at LR pursuing occupational therapy. She is also the Captain of the 2016-2017 dance team. Ernst, just like Adams, was part of the ECU club dance team. Adams
Freshman Kaitlyn Cordle (front) and sophomore Laura Robbins (back) working long hours at practice for their new hiphop routine. SABRINA POWELL | LRN Monthly
recruited Ernst when it was decided they would compete. Ernst has had dance experience her whole life and when the opportunity was brought to her attention by her past ECU teammate she knew this was something she wanted to be a part of. “It feels very exciting and also nerve wracking because I’ve never competed at NDA nationals before, Captain Lena Ernst said. “Just being able to have the opportunity to represent our university there in itself is just a great accomplishment.” The dance team currently has eight members and will still be looking to add more guys and girls through the end of December 2016. “The great thing about hip hop is that you can be from any dance background and as a team we can use each person’s skills to add different effects to the routine to make our show one the judges will remember,” Creson said. For more information, contact head coach Christy Creson, Christina. Creson@lr.edu, or assistant coach Chelsey Adams, Chelseyadams93@ yahoo.com.
SPORTS
LRN MONTHLY | NOVEMBER 2016
5
Tense situations in sports: Do They Create Diamonds or Bust Pipes? Members of LR Athletics explain what it’s like during the major moments of an athletic event By DeChane Grinton | LR Monthly Sports Editor
During an interview with Men’s Fitness Magazine, former NBA Champion, Shane Battier said, “if you trust that you’ve put in the time and the dedication, hold nothing back in the big moment.” Pressure situations happen in sports constantly, but depending on the mindsets of the individual players, the effects of moments like these can formulate different outcomes. “Elements of excitement and anxiousness usually consume you when it comes to those pressure games and moments,” Recruiting Coordinator and Secondary Football Coach David Cole said. “The majority of the time the big time players of the team make big time plays when it’s time, however there are some instances where the moment is too big for some and they crack under the pressure.” Cole also explains the joy of seeing players relish when the lights are on the brightest. “I love seeing the players who thrive and desire these moments and want the ball in their hands at a time in the game when it matters the most,” he
said. Sophomore Lacrosse Player Chris Hawkins said, naturally during big pressure moments, an element of fear is inevitably going to come into your mind. “There is always a fear of not being successful in those moments and letting your team down, but as a team, we support one another so that we can rise above that fear,” Hawkins said. “I also know that our coaching staff during practice prepares us for those big moments, so that helps ease my mind during those situations.” Cole also said that preparing for those moments in the days leading up to the game really gives players and teams an advantage as it relates to being successful in those scenarios. “We try to go over situations in practice, plays to get a quick bucket for example, that may happen in the game,” he said. “We do this so that when and if we have those moments come up during the game we don’t have so much that level of uncertainty because we have already prepared for
it.” Although there are some that feel that preparation is vital in big moments, Senior LR basketball player, JacQues Chambers said, the ability to perform in those moments comes from within. “You can go over plays and situations in practice as many times as possible, but when it’s time to perform in those big time moments during the game that ability to make the play during those moments is either in you or it isn’t,” Chambers said. He said, how a player performs during vital points in the game really defines a player when it’s all said and done. “Anybody can do well when everything is going your way and there is no pressure when you’re out there playing,” Chambers said. “Although in my opinion, how a player performs during the fourth quarter when the game is on the line is the true definition of the kind of player they are labeled as when it’s all said and done.”
A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER FROM WALK-ON TO
LEGACY
Pair shares LR Marching Band connection By Sabrina Powell | LRN Monthly Contributor
In 2016 Lenoir-Rhyne University made the decision, after a 25-year absence, to revive the LR marching band. Our marching band has reached out to a wide variety of students whose passion is in playing music or in movement performance – such as being in the color guard or majorettes. This new band is known as “The Spirit of LR.” The name exemplifies the connection between the band’s past and future traditions. It signifies that the marching band intends to live up to its reputation and continue it forward. That connection is embodied by Linda Gemmer and her daughter Joy. Linda was in LR’s band 25 years ago and today Joy’s continuing her mother’s legacy as she serves as LR’s Color Guard Captain – two generations of LR Band devotion. Linda Gemmer graduated from LR in May 1980 with a degree in elementary education. As a freshman in 1976 she just wanted to be at a school who excelled not only in education but also in the school spirit. She’s never been in a marching band and really didn’t have much musical experience before she showed up on our campus. But she didn’t let that stop her. She was determined to find a place where she fit in and learn to play an instrument. “At first I was a dead stick,” Linda Gemmer said. “That meant that I pretended to play an instrument because someone was going to be absent during the show.” At the time the band room was filled with many friendly faces and a bunch of people who were able to have fun together, she said. In May 1995 a new Gemmer arrived – Joy. Linda’s daughter, Joy, 21, of Naples, Fla., is a religion major. Joy’s an LR senior and she plays a vital role in The Spirit of LR’s color guard. Before coming to LR, Joy was in her high school marching band. When it came down to choosing a college her heart was torn between Newberry College and LR because one had a marching band at the time and the other did not. Newberry did, but LR didn’t. It was a tough choice, but Joy followed her heart and committed to being an LR Bear.
When it was announced that LR would be getting a marching band her heart was overwhelmed with joy and excitement for the new opportunity. “Immediately I needed to find out if there was going to be a color guard,” Joy said. “When I found out the answer I knew I wanted to be captain.” With all that excitement Joy told her mother that she too would be part of the LR marching band, which would create a band legacy for their family. “I felt that this would be another thing I would have in common with my mom,” Joy said. “Not only was I a dual generation LR student, but now I would also be a dual generation member of the marching band.” LR’s Director of Athletic Bands, Neil Underwood, is proud of the traditions that continue to thrive in the LR marching band. “Joy and her mother are examples of two generations as mother and daughter who have and are participating in the LR marching band,” Underwood said. “Building on the traditions set by the bands of the past, I hope that the Spirit of LR will make all our alumni proud for many years to come.”
Color guard captain Joy Gemmer practicing her riffle routine at band practice. SABRINA POWELL | LRN Monthly
SWIM CAPTAIN
Lenoir-Rhyne University senior Michael Reavis is making a difference By Brooklynn Ouderkirk | LRN Monthly Contributor
Michael Reavis swimming the hardest stroke butterfly, also known as the dolphin kick. BROOKLYNN OUDERKIRK | LRN Monthly
Michael Reavis had no prior knowledge of competitive swimming before he came to college – now he’s an LR Swim Team captain for the 2016-2017 season. “I was shocked to hear that Michael was swimming in the collegiate level at first,” said Reavis’ old teammate Cliff Henderson. “but I was even more shocked to hear that he was voted captain.” Reavis was an all-star baseball player for 10 years and was chosen as All-State, All-Region, and Most Valuable Player/Pitcher. Colleges like the University of Mississippi, Boston University, University of Maryland Baltimore, and University of Maine came calling to offer Reavis a scholarship to play for their teams. Reavis made his choice and verbally committed to play baseball at the University of Mississippi. And then tragedy struck. “I felt a shooting pain in my arm,” Reavis said. “and suddenly it went numb.” After that pitch he continued through the inning, but he continued to throw bad pitches to the opponents. His coached pulled him out of the game. Less than 10 minutes later the team’s trainers had sent him to the hospital because they were worried he had completely torn his rotator cuff. “I knew that baseball game could have been my last game I ever played,” Reavis said. The doctors took several x-rays to figure out Reavis’s problem. They diagnosed him with multiple miniscule tears throughout his rotator cuff and shoulder. Reavis was out of baseball for a year after the injury, rehabbing his arm constantly hoping to get back on the field one day. When he did his arm was never the same, and neither
was his pitching. Reavis told University of Mississippi about what had happened. Three days later the school called Reavis to let him know that they were no longer interested – they’d recruited a new pitcher from his rival high school. The scholarship offer was off the table. “I was devastated, my heart dropped and I could not stop shaking,” Reavis said. “That was the point where I had to make my decision.” He started looking at other schools. His uncle had graduated from LenoirRhyne University. Reavis wanted to follow in his footsteps. LR swimmer Brianna Wright approached Reavis before school started and asked if he ever swam competitively. Reavis, answered no but said he was interested in where that journey could take him. Soon he’d completed LR’s walk-on paperwork and was eligible to swim collegiately. Reavis was only a walk-on and did not have any scholarship money until he proved himself in the pool. Once he started learning the basic routines and the rhythm of the water he became a remarkable swimmer. He continued to prove himself to Coach Paul Schiffel and finally received scholarship money. Reavis was voted captain his junior and senior year of college for his leadership in and out of the pool. “I am proud to have Michael as a captain for the team,” Schiffel said. “His leadership and dedication for swimming is remarkable,” Reavis plans to continue dominating records and go to the national in the 2016-2017 season. “I am not sure what I am going to do when I graduate,” he said. “but this just opens up the door for a new journey.”
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LRN MONTHLY | NOVEMBER 2016
PHOTOJOURNALISM
MORE OF The best from LR’s
shutterbug shooters By LRN Monthly Staff
LR’s first crop of aspiring photojournalists have captured images of joy, triumph, character and struggle as they’ve spent the semester chronicling their lives and that of their university. The photos presented here showcase a selection of the best and most captivating images produced by the students of COM 212 during the month of October. Come back next month for more samples of stellar student work.
DeChane Grinton gets heated while discussing drama in the rap scene while on the mic for LR’s student radio station WLRZ, “The Lair.” elijah moon blackwell | LRN Monthly
Grace Burney performs the Kalamata, the most popular dance in Greece, for her mother at the Greek Fest in Knoxville. Tenn. Lydia Black | LRN Monthly
Lampworker Jason Probstein blows custom-made glass ornaments and displays his work in top art galleries including the Smithsonian and Disney World. katelyn mendenhall | LRN Monthly
Charles Clark talks on LR’s campus radio station WLRZ, “The Lair” about Fellowship Christian Athletes. cliff barrett | LRN Monthly
LR senior defensive end Impa Kasanganay, of Charlotte, takes a knee between the bricks. brian tarpley | LRN Monthly
Garret Potemry of Statesville’s JV team helps shut out East Lincoln at Hounds Stadium. annette bowen | LRN Monthly
NEWS
LRN MONTHLY | NOVEMBER 2016
GROW from page 3 Cancer Institute. They also note that prostate cancer diagnoses have been on the decline since 1992. “The number of (prostate cancer) deaths is 20.7 per 100,000 men per year.” Baker wants to get the word out. “Most cancer awareness campaigns that people see are extremely visual,” he said. “We see breast cancer
ribbons and we see pink all over the place. We don’t really see much for this type of cancer awareness.” Many No-Shave November participants are unaware of the cause they’re representing. Fowler and Baker want to spread the message that No-Shave November is about more than just growing beards for fun. Although Fowler and Baker have both been long time participants of
No-Shave November, this year is the first they have set a monetary goal. “In the past I’ve always done it just to raise awareness,” Fowler said. “This year my goal is to raise at least $2,000.” They also noted that their main goal is to simply raise awareness by engaging people in conversation. “I remember that many of my friends just started growing out their beards,” Fowler said. “I didn’t think
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anything of it until I asked them why.” Fowler and Baker plan to fight cancer one conversation at a time. “We need more research, funding, and awareness,” Fowler said. “Just ask me why I’m growing a beard.” To learn more about the Matthew Hill Foundation and to start a campaign of your own, visit no-shave.org and ditch the razors.
Major Changes to your neighborhood grocery store Why Lowes Foods stores are holding grand re-openings By Emily Kessler | LRN Monthly Contributor
Lowes Foods, a local Publix is currently putting North Carolina based the finishing touches on the grocery store has been building, which is projected around for 60 years to open for business in and counting, and its early 2017. connections to LR run deep. People are excited. If you’re an LR student “Personally, once Publix you have connections to opens, I would be much Lowes Foods that you might more inclined to shop there not even be aware of. for many reasons,” said LR Lowes Foods is a familyjunior Christine Faircloth. owned company, and that “My main reasons being family has been a friend to that there are better daily LR for decades. In fact, the deals and more bogo offers. new wing of LR’s science The second reason is their building is being named wider variety of organic the Alex and Lee George food – Lowes doesn’t have Hall in honor of the family’s the options that Publix generosity and support of does.” this university. Lowes Foods however, is The George family owns ready for what Publix has to Lowes Foods, and if you’ve offer, knowing that they will noticed the banners and be competition. balloons at their Hickory “Publix is obvious Lowes Foods are the only grocery stores in Hickory equipped with a bar serving a full array of locations you may have competition, we’re going to microbrews on tap. emily kessler | LRN Monthly noticed that this is a big, big have to keep up with them year for the grocery store and continue to stay loyal “We have seven registers and four self chain. to our customers no matter what,” Setzler, said. checkouts, on the grand re-opening day there Within the last year they have made major The main difference between Lowes Foods and were lines overflowing with customers, that was changes to their stores, especially in the Hickory just non stop all day,” Setzler said of the Viewmont Publix is their local aspect. Lowes is family owned area. and based right here, a connection you feel in their location. These major changes include: changing the newly remodeled stores. As for the new changes, the biggest is the new layout of the store’s exterior, gutting the whole “We want people to have a southern warm Beer Den located in the left front side, where store, knocking down a wall in the middle, welcoming feeling, along with the feeling of being the alcohol is kept. Here there is a bar with craft changing the whole layout, moving the meat and right at the local farm, getting produce and such,” beer on tap, comfy couches, and occasional wine frozen foods, adding a huge barn inside the store Setzler, said tastings. where seating is available inside and adding a Beer Lowes is the only grocery store in town where There are shelves filled with local pasta sauces Den. and barbeque sauces right from the Hickory area you can buy a beer, nestle it into the shopping The big question is why is Lowes Foods making buggy-mounted cup holder and proceed to sip and available for purchase as well. these sudden changes? In the future Lowes is looking to have other shop – as long as you’re at least 21 years old. “The reasoning behind the grand reopening changes coming to the stores, such as a pairing up “I went to the Beer Den right after the grand was that Lowes as a whole company wanted to with Vivo knife promotion. Shoppers will be able re-opening, it was so enjoyable,” Hickory Resident remodel,” Lowes Guest Services Leader Heather to purchase knives and receive stamps for their Joan McNamara said. “It’s the perfect place to Setzler said. “I’m not going to lie – there is a lot of purchase, these stamps are redeemed for points go after work for a quick drink with coworkers or competition and we have to keep our stores up to and will then be redeemable for free knives. friends.” date.” “In the Hickory area alone we’re a monopoly, I As for the competition, Publix, the well-known In Hickory alone there are five Lowes Foods mean there are five of us and only one of Publix, Florida-based grocery store, is coming to Hickory. stores. The Viewmont Lowes Foods, located about In fact Publix has built its first Catawba County so we definitely have a little advantage over them, one mile from campus, had its re-opening about but we are ready to bring on the competition,” store between 9th Avenue Northeast and 28th three weeks ago. The Mountain View Lowes Foods Avenue Northeast – right across the street from Setzler said. hosted its re-grand opening about a month ago. Lowes’ flagship Hickory store. The walls are up and
consumed by darkness Students voice their concerns over campus lightning By Elijah Blackwell | LRN Monthly Campus Editor
It’s pitch dark at the end of shift for some LR student workers. LR sophomore Kristina Staudt is one of those students. She works until closing at the campus library and when she leaves for the night she’s greeted by a barely-lit quad. She doesn’t feel safe. That’s why she drives to and from work – even though she lives on campus. “Our lighting is not good,” said LR senior Luke Lynch. He said LR’s poorly lit areas include the library, the parking lot across the road from Mauney-Shaffer and the intermural soccer field. “I’d be worried sick if my girlfriend had to walk from the library at night,” Jordan Makant said. He knows it would be easy for an attacker to hide behind the quad’s trees and, with the
help of the night, be invisible. But no one’s advocating cutting down the quad’s trees. There’s a simpler solution. “I just want more lighting,” Kati Waldrop said. Otis Pitts, director of LR’s Facilities Management, is sympathetic towards student concerns. His department works closely with LR security to make sure the current lights are working. “We want lights burning,” he said. Since maintenance is not on campus at night, security has been instructed to tie yellow ribbons around light poles to help identify which bulbs need fixing. New lights could help the problem, but they’re not free. “Putting some additional lights in
the quad in front of the library is a fairly cheap and easy job,” Pitts said. “Lights in the parking lot across the street will be a challenge. It would require breaking up asphalt, running wire then replacing the asphalt.” LR’s annual security report includes a tip for how students can report poorly lit areas. “Proper exterior lighting is an important part of Lenoir-Rhyne University’s commitment to campus security and safety. Parking lots, walkways and building exteriors are well lit and are checked regularly by the security officers…. If you become aware of one of these safety or security issues related to campus facilities – like a deficiency in lighting – please report your concern to the Security Services office on the
Hickory Campus during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 828-328-7145.” Any LR student who wants a security escort as they walk across this campus can get one by calling 828-328-7146 to request assistance.
LR students are concerned about campus lighting issues, which include non-functioning lights, lights whose timers are set to come on hours after darkness falls and dark areas of campus where there are no lights at all. elijah moon blackwell | LRN Monthly
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NEWS
LRN MONTHLY | NOVEMBER 2016
lr’s gay-straight alliance returns A SAFE PLACE FOR ALL TYPES OF STUDENTS By Courtney Brown | LRN Monthly Contributor
Lenoir-Rhyne Univerity’s Gay-Straight Alliance has been reconstituted and it’s back as an officially sanctioned student organization. courtney brown| LRN Monthly
The Gay-Straight Alliance (better known as the GSA) is not a newly heard phrase around campus. The students of Lenoir-Rhyne had an active GSA going; however it dissolved due to lack of leadership. This year, Senior English major Cassi Blacharski has decided to take matters into her own hands and start it up again. As of September 28, 2016, the GSA is now officially in the books once more. Last year during pride week, there were convocations about LGBTQ+ pride, and Blacharski talked to Dr. Brian Goldsmith, a professor at LR, about GSA on campus. She was then informed that GSA was not active on campus. In the Spring of 2016, Blacharski tried to get a GSA started up again, but due to her hectic schedule she wasn’t able to get involved and it never got off of the ground at that point. Part of the reason that the GSA died out in the first place was that there was little to no advertising for the club on campus. They have been trying to advertise for the GSA more this year. This year during Pride week, there were no convocations set up about LGBTQ+ pride or the GSA. There was, however, a movie shown during Pride week. This movie was not advertised and Blacharski only found out about it from Goldsmith. “Only a few people showed up to this event,”
Blacharski said. “and I realized that the community was lacking.” “The GSA provides a safe place for not only members of the LGBTQ+ Community, but for their straight allies as well,” Sophomore and member of the newly rekindled GSA Dakota Duncan said, “I would love to take on a leadership position within the group, and of course I would like to see it continue past my graduation.” Blacharski said that she isn’t sure when the GSA was actually active in the past, but said, “the bylaws that we received were from 2013.” When starting the GSA back up this year, Blacharski was not particularly worried about opposition from staff. “They have a law that they are accountable to,” Blacharski said. She also said that there were several staff members who were incredibly happy about the GSA starting up again. The most opposition that the GSA has received has been people ripping down the flyers and throwing them in the garbage. “If this continues then we will be reporting it to Dean Katie Fisher,” Blacharski said during the first meeting on Monday, October 10. As of right now, there is an appointed office in the GSA, with Blacharski as the president, and Cheyenne Beal, Junior and English Major,
as her vice president. Elections will be held next semester, since Blacharski is graduating after this semester. “I’d like to see Cheyenne move up once I leave,” Blacharski said when asked about who would take over the GSA once she graduated. The GSA has some things planned for this year, such as buttons and t-shirts that would be personalized based on who you are, in reference to sexual preference and gender, in order to give a sense of being an “individual part of a community.” Beal said. “As members of the LGBTQ+ Community, we’re like a box of crayons with flags of all different colors.” They would also like to do a 5k or a parade, and maybe a glow stick singles night, not only for the members of the LGBTQ+ Community, but also for their straight allies. The GSA provides a safe place for not only members of the LGBTQ+ Community, but for their straight allies as well. “We don’t want to be known as the ‘Gay Club’,” said Blacharski, “We want to be open to anyone who is accepting or needs a place to feel like home.” Meeting time and location to be announced. For more information please contact Cassi Blacharski at cassi.blacharski@my.lr.edu
Going for green LR student launches new Environmental club By Emily Kessler | LRN Monthly Contributor
When was the last time you recycled paper or cardboard? When was the last time you didn’t litter, or used reusable silverware? When was the last time you thought about the environment, or the impact you are making on this Earth? For LR sophomore Lauren Bradley, this is second nature. Bradley grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich., which she says is a very environmentally conscious city. In Grand Rapids, the streets are clean, the lakes are litter free, and there are recycling bins on every corner. “As I grew up, I did a lot of traveling. I saw that not every town, or city, I visited had the privilege of being able to live with such an environmentally supportive community. It would be miles before I saw another recycling bin in other cities,” Bradley said. “When I came to Hickory, I noticed the same trend – it was nothing like Grand Rapids.” As a hectic freshman year came to an end, Bradley learned to balance her time and college athletics in a better way and decided it was time
she did something about a cause she feels so strongly about. “I want to change the way LR looks at the environment, and try to make it a better place the same time,” Bradley said. A woman of her word, she is starting the first Environmental Club here at LR. “The reason I am starting an environmental club at LR is to increase awareness of the relationship between Earth and ourselves as human-beings,” Bradley said. “I want to educate the student body and even the community on the steps it takes to improve our environment, and to promote an appreciation for the Earth through actions and behavior.” For Bradley, it’s more than just talk. “Lauren is one of my good friends, and I know how important this is to her, she loves nature and animals and the world itself and I think it’s something LR needs,” LR junior, Christine Faircloth said. The club will be providing environmentally friendly alternatives
and promoting things such as recycling, using reusable silverware, water bottles and everyday utensils. It will be meeting two to three times a month to discuss activities and what changes need to be made to better LR. The first project she is looking to do is raise money to provide recycling bins all around campus. “We currently have bins that separate waste from plastic, but at the end of the day, all of the bags seem go to the same place… the trash.” Bradley said. “By implementing recycling bins, this will eliminate much of the recyclable objects being thrown in the trash to be reused” Environmental issues are all over the world, which makes clubs like these important. Bradley is looking for dedicated members that will be present for activities and meetings. Members should have a passion to make the environment at LR, and Hickory itself better and more eco friendly place. For more information on getting
involved with LR Environmental Club contact Lauren Bradley at Lauren. Bradley@my.lr.edu.
“Nature freak” Lauren Bradley hiking over fall break scoping out places to go for The Environmental Club’s activity list. emily kessler | LRN Monthly