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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. 112 — ISSUE 4
NOVEMBER 2017
VOL. 110 — ISSUE 2
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Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
VOL. 110 — ISSUE 2
SEPTEMBER 20
fES TO RETIRE LR pResident TO RETIRE pResident WHAT'SLRSO TO RETIRE ABOUT LOWES FOODS?
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Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
VOL. 110 — ISSUE 2
SEPTEMBER 2015
THEY BUILT THE ALEX AND LEE SCIENCE BUILDING. NOW DISCOVER OTHER THINGS YOU PROBABLY DON’T KNOW ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA’S HOMETOWN GROCER. By Kyle Cerrito | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
LR senior John Amodeo enjoys a coffee from Lowes Foods while walking to his car. KYLE CERRITO | LRN MONTHLY
Lenoir-Rhyne’s new $17.5 million addition to the Minges Science Building, Alex and Lee George Hall, probably would not exist without Lowes Foods. Specifically, it would not exist without the George family behind the North Carolina-based grocery chain, according to an article from the Catawba Economic Development Corporation. Although the George family is reluctant to reveal exactly how much they’ve donated to LR over the years, you can rest assured that it’s a lot. They’ve made it clear that their generosity is only one way they continue to give back to the communities around them. It’s not hard to see what the family business is all about—one of their flagship Lowes Foods stores is about a mile north of LR’s Hickory campus. Prices at the Viewmont Lowes Foods might not always beat out Food Lion or ALDI, but those other places can’t even touch the kind of experience you’ll get at this unique local landmark. And you don’t even have to spend money to enjoy the Viewmont Lowes Foods. They have everything from wine and craft beer, to freshly roasted coffee beans and all manner of local produce, to cornhole tournaments and live music. “We try to do a band every Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. We like singer-songwriter, but we mostly get Western Carolina country and
bluegrass,” Lowes beer expert and bartender Scott Whiteside said. “Then once a month we host a free cornhole tournament.” In addition to live music and cornhole, Lowes offers a unique shopping experience – especially for shoppers who are of the legal drinking age. “Where else can you shop with a glass of beer or wine in your hand? Nowhere,” Lowes Foods Store Manager Tom Thomas said about his
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store. “As a store we really try to be a little edgy.” To prove his point, Thomas holds up a Lowes-brand shirt that reads: “I like big buns, and I cannot rye.” If you enjoy craft beers, Lowes keeps around 785 craft varieties in their bar-inspired Beer Den area, according to Whiteside. “Some supermarkets would kill to have this much linear footage of local, craft brews,” Thomas said. “I’ve been other places, and it’s sad. They
have one aisle and no refrigeration.” If 785 varieties sounds like an intimidating amount of options, feel free to take 10 steps over to the Beer Den, sit at one of the 20 bar stools and talk to Whiteside. He can serve you a flight, a free taste or his opinions of the 10 varying, on-tap options. “We have lot of people come in and say, ‘Give me something like
SEE LOWES, PAGE 4
Lowes Foods bartender Scott Whiteside (left) shares the differences between the various beers available on tap at Lowes Foods. KYLE CERRITO | LRN MONTHLY
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Other students also have ideas for how to improve safety. Some suggest that LR should have cameras outside the dormitories and more emergency buttons on campus. These buttons are already in place inside the stadium parking lot and outside the new apartments on 4th Street. Other suggestions tackle misbehavior of fellow students.
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“People propping the doors open is not safe,” senior Leah Bobbett said. “Especially in the LLC where you only need to get through one door and you are in the entire building.”
LRN MONTHLY | NOVEMBER 2017
HOW SAFE IS LR?
With issues or ideas like this, students should go to SGA, which is in steady contact with the administration, or contact Fisher directly. LR’s campus is still a safe place, and both the administration and campus security are working constantly to improve campus security. Students who want to learn more about how safe LR is can read the Campus Safety and Security Analysis from the U.S. Department of Education or LR’s annual Security and Fire Safety Report. If you don’t feel safe walking home across campus at night, you can call HOW SECURITY AND STUDENTS CAN MAKE CAMPUS SAFER security for an escorted ride. The security works 24 hours every day and can be reached in their office in Cromer Center and by telephone at (828) 328 7146. By Florian Lemmel | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
It was a few minutes after midnight on Sept. 5 when an LR student was walking home from the library. She was a sophomore. She made it as far as the LLC when a man dressed in a hoodie approached her and asked if he could use her phone. She offered to dial a number for him, but when no one picked up on the other end of the line the man turned away from her. “All of a sudden he turned back to me and had his hand out and a gun was in his sleeve - I could see the circle from the cylinder of the gun,” she said. “He pointed it at me and goes: ‘How much money do you have?’” The student, who asked not to be named in this story, “panicked at first,” and her “heart was jumping out of (her) chest,” but then she said that she didn’t have any cash on her. The man then ordered her to come with him, but she refused. When she promised not to call anyone, the man stumbled back into the dark. “As soon as he kept going I bolted inside the LLC,” she said. “Someone was trying to get out of the LLC, and I said: ‘Stop. Don’t go out- there is someone with a gun.’” Even before this incident some LR students have felt uneasy when walking around campus at night. An informal poll revealed that eight out of 10 students say that they are afraid to walk home in the dark. Still, the statistics show that LR’s campus is in general very safe. “For the past three years we haven’t had a robbery,” head of campus security Norris Yoder said. “It can happen, but it is very rare.” A crime that occurs far more often is car breakins, although it is hard to give an actual number because many students don’t report break-ins when nothing is stolen. Security can’t do a lot against these car break-ins, which Yoder calls “crimes of opportunity,” but he consistently urges students to make sure that their cars are locked. “The folks that do the car break-ins in this area are lazy,” Yoder said. “What they usually do is they go around the parking lot and try door handles, and when one opens they get right into the car.” According to Yoder, students should keep an eye on people who walk lines in the parking lots and report them. Reporting crimes and suspicious behavior on time is crucial to increase security on campus. Yoder strongly advises students to call security because “if you see something that doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t.”
Data from ope.ed.gov/campussafety “There is no harm or foul when it turns out to be nothing,” he said. Apart from the students, LR itself can do something to improve safety on campus. One of the most frequent complaints is that parts of LR’s campus are too dark and lack lights. “Especially the way to (Isenhour Hall) is not very well lit,” sophomore Sophia Chung said. Lights on campus have been a concern for a couple of years now. In 2010 the university partnered up with a Charlotte engineering company to conduct a survey of the campus lighting. They identified six areas in total and ranked them in high, medium and low priority. To improve the situation in these areas LR received a $300,000 grant from the Cannon Foundation, a North Carolina-based foundation that gives grants for healthcare, education and community projects. The installation of the lights then took place over the course of 2011 with smaller projects following in later years. Currently the administration and campus security is discussing how to further improve lighting. “(The lighting) is still not where it needs to be, but it’s very costly,” Yoder said. “Maybe the city of Hickory will help us out with some street lighting, too.” Another issue that is debated right now is that of adding officers to campus security. As LR’s “footprint” is growing and thecampus stretches over a wider area, campus security would like to have more man-power to ensure safety. “I would love to have more staff,” he said. “We could do a lot more if we had more staffing.” The meetings were scheduled after the robbery attempt, which Dean of Students Katie Fisher said was a reminder that more can be done for campus security. “(In the meetings) we try to
identify the types of things that are going on that become more prevalent for us,” Fisher said. “The final piece is trying to brainstorm to make a list of priorities, and then putting dollar signs to it so we can figure out what we can afford.” In that process Fisher said they also must evaluate which expenses makes more sense. Are more lights and cameras a better investment than an additional security officer? To improve another part of campus safety there are discussions about whether LR should plan a class or convocation around self-defense to make sure that students know how to act in different situations. The victim of the robbery also recommends that students to think about their personal safety. “I definitely feel like we should emphasize safety a bit more,” she said. “It should be stressed that everyone has something like pepper spray on them.” Other students also have ideas for how to improve safety. Some suggest that LR should have cameras outside the dormitories and more emergency buttons on campus. These buttons are already in place inside the stadium parking lot and outside the new apartments on 4th Street. Other suggestions tackle misbehavior of fellow students. “People propping the doors open is not safe,” senior Leah Bobbett said. “Especially in the LLC where you only need to get through one door and you are in the entire building.” With issues or ideas like this, students should go to SGA, which is in steady contact with the administration, or contact Fisher directly. LR’s campus is still a safe place, and both the administration and campus security are working constantly to improve campus security. Students who want to learn more about how safe LR is can read the Campus Safety and Security Analysis from the U.S. Department of Education or LR’s annual Security and Fire Safety Report. If you don’t feel safe walking home across campus at night, you can call security for an escorted ride. The security works 24 hours every day and can be reached in their office in Cromer Center and by telephone at (828) 328 7146.
ABOVE: To prevent car break-ins students should always make sure that their car is locked and no valuable items lay in plain sight. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SASKIA STERZL
RIGHT: Outside the new apartments on 4th Street emergency pillars enable students to call for help quickly. FLORIAN LEMMEL | LRN MONTHLY
LR’s Campus security is on duty every day for 24 hours, they can be reached at 828-328-7146. FLORIAN LEMMEL | LRN MONTHLY
NEWS
LRN MONTHLY | NOVEMBER 2017
GROW THAT MO
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MOVEMBER By Dahquan Pauling | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
It is arguably the most controversial part of men’s facial hair – the line of beard between the lips and nose, commonly known as a moustache. It goes in and out of style, but it guarantees to raise a smile. November is the month in which you might see more people than usual rocking the Steve Harvey style. It is “Movember.” Movember is a portmanteau of the words moustache and November and was founded in 2003 by Travis Garone and Luke Slattery in Melbourne, Australia. Their idea was to bring back the moustache to raise money
Snapchat enables the author to celebrate Movember even without growing a beard. FLORIAN LEMMEL | LRN MONTHLY
and awareness for men’s health issues. “I do think it is important (to raise awareness for men’s health) because it is overshadowed by a lot of women’s issues,” Junior nursing student Juan Zavala said. “Women suffer a lot from breast cancer, but men also can have breast cancer and have a lot of health issues not many people know about.” The Movember Foundation wants to talk about the issues not many people know about. They focus on prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men’s mental health. Not most people’s favorite topics, but one look at the statistics shows how important they are. It really is life-or-death. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. According to the American Cancer Society, one out of seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. This year alone more than 26 thousand men died from prostate cancer – that’s more than half the population of Hickory. Besides physical health issues, Movember emphasizes the importance of mental health as well. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, every fourth American adult is likely to have a mental health problem in a given year, which is the underlying cause of 90 percent of suicides. Three out of four suicides in the U.S. are men. The Movember
Foundation wants to change that and aims to reduce the rate of male suicide by 25 percent in 2013 – simply by growing a moustache. “(Wearing) a moustache is a very insecure thing because not everyone can wear a moustache,” Zavala said, who tried to grow a Mo two years ago. “It also does give you confidence when you wear it because you just don’t care what other people say.” Being confident and overcoming the insecurity that comes with talking about health issues is the key behind Movember. To join the movement and raise money for men’s health, you don’t need to be male. Girls also can get creative to make people donate for their efforts. Since 2003 the foundation counted 5,232,625 Mo bros and Mo sistas who have raised $710 million. Last year, Movember raised $16.3 million in the U.S. alone. From their small start with 30 bros in Australia in 2003, Movember expanded to 21 countries around the world, including Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom. They have funded 1,200 different programs that support cancer research and organizations who help men going through illnesses. If you want to help fight men’s health problems, you just have to stop shaving and let the hair over your lips grow. Still, it takes some courage to do that whether you are
clean shaved or not. “It took two months to grow my beard; I’m not going to shave it,” Santiago Ambroggio said, stroking his full beard. If you have the courage to rock the moustache, the Movember website helps you to find your personal style and how to go through the process of growing it. “Look after your Mo, and your Mo will look after you,” is Rule Five of the “Moustachery” on the Movember website. To find out more about Movember and the programs they support visit us.movember.com.
The official Movember style guide shows what options you have to wear the moustache. GRAPHIC BY MOVEMBER.COM
COMING TO YOU L I V E RADIO FEST TAKE-OVER AT SHAW PLAZA By Laura Brendle | LR Monthly Staff Writer
Food, games and free shirts: three things that are always welcome on a college campus. Luckily, LR’s radio station, 99.3 WLRZ “The Lair” and the students of the audio and studio production class will be hosting their first Radio Fest this month, and they’re offering all of the above. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 10 at Shaw Plaza. The fall festival-inspired event is designed to raise awareness for the radio station and to create a platform for LR students to have fun and fellowship with their classmates. LR students Kaynmon Maddox and Anthony Brown are hosting a Radio Fest flag football game. A table designated for flag football sign-ups will be featured at the event. “The actual game will be played at 6:30 p.m. on the football field,” Maddox said. “Make sure to register at our table if you want to play though.” There will be a $5 charge for each team that wants to be registered for the game. Money collected will contribute to future projects and events for the radio station. Radio Fest will also feature traditional carnival LR students, Ian McAlister and Dakota Sweat choosing games. “We’ll have ring toss and some cornhole songs to play at 99.3 WLRZ’s Radio Fest. tournaments for students,” Brown said. “Come join LAURA BRENDLE | LRN MONTHLY us during a class break, and you could win candy
or even a WLRZ koozie.” If you don’t have the time to play games, there’s an even simpler option for how you can contribute to the radio station. The first 50 people who show up on Shaw Plaza will receive a free shirt that was specifically designed for the Radio Fest. Both food and drinks will be provided as you work your way around the carnival games. Music will play a major part in the festival – that’s why students from LR’s Audio & Film Production class have created playlists for the event. Ian McAlister is one of the students responsible for picking the music. “I’ve started making eclectic music mixes on Spotify to ensure we’ll have something for everyone,” he said. If you are not going to be on campus for the event, don’t fret. Students can still help support their local radio station by listening to 99.3 any day of the week. There are also radio shows like the female driven show – “XOXO Radio” – that gives students the chance to call in and talk to fellow LR students about what is happening in the media or around campus. If you’re passing by Shaw Plaza on Nov. 10, come enjoy all this event has to offer, and maybe even grab some friends for the flag football game.
BACK-UP FAMILY
HOW ON-CAMPUS STUDENTS CAN JOIN IN ON A THANKSGIVING MEAL By Laura Brendle | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
Not every student has the privilege to return home and enjoy a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal this year. Some LR students will be far from their loved ones over break. That’s why the Hickory community has come together and stepped up their Thanksgiving plans to include students as their own family. The Caf provides a meal before the break to recognize the holiday, but because so few students will be staying on campus over the holiday, there is not a meal served on Thanksgiving Day. “We have a very small population of students that stay on campus,” Dean of Students, Katie
Fisher said. “Usually about 40-50 students at the most.” These 50-or-so students who do not leave LR on break are represented by International students, students who live far away in North Carolina, or in bordering states, and students who choose to stay on campus for other reasons. LR and the surrounding community recognized the Thanksgiving meal problem and they have found a solution. Area churches invite the students to join them for a Thanksgiving Dinner. “My church, Providence Baptist in Hickory, has an annual Thanksgiving meal that is open to
everyone,” senior graphic design major Michaela Stallings said. “I usually help serve drinks, and it allows me the chance to meet people throughout the community, which is really cool.” Local students will also invite students to their own houses for the break, but if students are still trying to find a meal for Thanksgiving, there is the possibility of being hosted by a family in the community. “If someone doesn’t have a place to go and wants to have the Thanksgiving experience, we try
SEE BACK-UP, PAGE 4
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LRN MONTHLY | NOVEMBER 2017
LOWES from page 1 Bud Lite that tastes better than Bud Lite,’” he said. “That’s why they made (my job). I help people to buy with confidence because not many people will just try a random beer that they’ve never seen before. If craft beer doesn’t appeal to you, follow LR student Samuel Wright’s example. “Most of the time I go find a good beer they’re selling on the cheap, or I’m just going to get coffee,” he said. “I really like how they roast their coffee.” Lowes roasts their coffee beans fresh every day, filling the entire store with the aromas of various light, classic and dark roasts. You can watch them do everything from roasting, to grounding, to packaging all their coffee products, whether a bag of grounds or a cup of joe. They’re all available from the Boxcar Coffee & Chocolate Co., which is equipped with free Wi-Fi. “You won’t be alone—you wouldn’t believe the amount of people we have that eat here for
BACK-UP from page 3 to find them a host,” Fisher said. “A host will allow the student to attend a meal with [the host’s] family.” LR Sophomore, Dakota Sweat heard about the host program LR provides and was fascinated by the outreach. “People open their houses to strangers just so they can feel at home during the holidays,” Sweat said. “I find that very gracious and
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lunch,” Thomas said. Sure enough, at lunchtime about 20 people came and sat in the boxcar and by the Beer Den to eat food. Approximately three quarters of them appeared to be young professionals – leather messenger bags, thickrimmed glasses and no wrinkles or gray hairs. All enjoying the relative silence, only broken by R.E.M. played throughout the store and by the occasional announcement from the employees. If you decide simply to shop for groceries at Lowes, they have a system set up to announce when various foods are prepared. When the bakery makes something fresh, you’ll hear a shout of “hot fresh (pies, bread, etc.)” echo throughout the store until every employee – even the 16-yearold stocking shelves – has announced the food. When the grill area has finished preparing the smoked barbeque, grilled ribs and fried chicken for lunch, they ring a bell and yell, “Lunch is ready; come and get it.” There is no similar announcement for the freshly sliced fruits and vegetables, the hand-made chocolates and cakes
commendable.” LR’s mission to build a sense of community for students can be found in the dedication of finding homes and hosts for the students on campus during break. Also found in LR’s mission statement is the development of the whole person. “Having a host share their house and their traditions is a great culture teaching moment,” Sweat said. “Every family does something unique
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or the latest batch of sushi and sandwiches. But they are all available and made fresh every day. If you want to save some money on groceries, to find the best deals in the store, simply look for the red tags denoting Lowes’s “Barnburner” sales. At most stores when an item is “buy one get one free,” you still must buy one full price item. At Lowes, they simply cut the price in half, so if you only need one of an item, you can buy one at half price. Other labels you can look out for are purple labels denoting organic, orange marking gluten free and blue for local products. Lowes also offers two rewards systems: the first is a membership system that earns you money off gas, and the second is called Kitchen Kaboodles where each purchase earns you points toward free kitchen ware. If you don’t like free gas money or kitchenware investments, but you do want to save a few bucks, Lowes also offers an additional 10-percent discount to Lenoir-Rhyne students..
during holidays, and LR students would have the opportunity to learn about them.” If there is a student who is looking for a host this Thanksgiving, “we just need to know who they are in order to help make the match,” Fisher said. In addition, if anyone is interested in hosting a student or looking for a host this Thanksgiving they can contact Dean Katie at Katie.Fisher@ lr.edu, or visit her office located
upstairs in the Cromer Center.
Providence Church members serving the annual Thanksgiving Meal in 2016. LAURA BRENDLE | LRN MONTHLY
LENOIR RHYNE’S LITTLE SISTER HIGH SCHOOLERS ABOUND IN LR CLASSROOMS By Josh Walters | LR Monthly Contributor
WITH A CORNUCOPIA OF FOOD OPTIONS EACH YEAR, WHAT DO LR STUDENTS PREFER? By Dahquan Pauling | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
The year’s biggest feast is upon us, and some age-old rivalries are heating up. Which side are you on? What’s it going to be when you’re faced with Sweet Potato Pie vs. Pumpkin Pie? When it’s Turkey vs. Ham, which side will you fight for? We took to the LR streets to find out.
“Turkey. It tastes better with gravy.” “Pumpkin. Because sweet potato pie doesn’t sound appealing.” – Freshman, Kylie Hall
“Turkey, because it has more seasoning and better taste.” “Pumpkin, because it tastes a lot better and it’s not too sweet.” – Sophomore, Sam Camargo
“Ham. Better than a dry piece of turkey going down your throat.” “Pumpkin, mainly because your boy has never been fond of sweet potatoes.” – Freshman, Odyssey Brown
“Ham, because it goes great with stuffing and gravy.” “Sweet potato pie, because the taste has a sweet and appealing taste.” – Sophomore, Jay Wiley
“I like turkey and ham;I can’t choose between the two.” “I got to go with the sweet potato pie, especially when my momma put her foot in it.” – Senior, Paul Sloan
“I prefer turkey for Thanksgiving, but only if I get a turkey leg.” “Sweet potato pie is the ONLY way to go!” – Dean of Students, Katie Fisher
“I prefer ham for Thanksgiving!” “Has to be sweet potato pie – made by my mom!” – Multicultural Affairs, Emma Sellers
“Get you that deep fried turkey and throw some Texas Pete on it.” “Sweet potato pie, because it tastes good.” – Junior, Dominick Britt
“On Thanksgiving I prefer Turkey.” “Sweet potato pie!” – Junior, Calvin Edwards
“That honey roasted ham is what life is all about.” “Ain’t no desert in this world better than sweet potato pie.” – Senior, JacQues Chambers
You’ve probably noticed a few younger students here and there in a few of your classes. No, they aren’t child prodigies going to college at the age of 15, they are simply students of a neighboring institution known as University Christian High School. “They (UCHS students) are there to learn and experience college level courses at a younger age,” said UCHS Principal William Unverfehrt. “Taking LR classes is not too different from taking AP classes through the school. They will receive credit for the class along with the advantage of getting to learn in a college-type environment.” You’ve probably seen the school already – it’s located right across the street from LR’s main entrance to the Quad. Founded in 2009, UCHS is accredited by the National Lutheran School Association and is affiliated with the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. While LR sides with a different Lutheran denomination (the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to be precise), UCHS juniors and seniors can still take some of their courses here at LR. This year 141 students are enrolled at UCHS. While it is still a rather small school, it has grown rapidly over the past few years and has seen a 41 percent increase in enrollment from 2010 to 2016. Today approximately 70 UCHS students are enrolled in LR classes, according to privateschoolreview. com. As you might expect from a school with the word “University” in its
name, UCHS’ focus is squarely on higher education – a focus that pays off when you consider the fact that 92 percent of its students go on to attend four-year colleges or universities such as NC State, Duke and UNC Chapel Hill, according to the UCHS website. One of the main goals for graduating UCHS students is for them to be prepared and to know what they are to expect when they enroll in a college. Students can begin to enroll in LR classes in their junior and senior year at UCHS. While they can receive all of the credits that they need on the campus of UCHS, students are encouraged to take classes at LR. There are two main reasons for this. 1. LR offers a much larger variety of classes for the students to take. 2. As juniors and seniors, UCHS students can take classes that count as both high school and college credit. This allows many students to graduate from a college or university faster and, consequently, save money that they would have spent on tuition. So the next time you find yourself having lunch in The Caf beside someone who looks fairly young, or the next time you share a desk with a fresh faced teen – feel free to introduce yourself because chances are you’ve just met your first UCHS student. Take the time to say hello and chat for a minute, and I think you’ll find that we’re a pretty friendly lot – and a little kindness can go a long way.
OPINION
LRN MONTHLY | NOVEMBER 2017
COOLEST CLASSES
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THREE COURSES YOU’LL WANT TO TAKE THIS SPRING
By Katelyn Mendenhall | LRN Monthly Editor in Chief
Trying to find the balance between signing up for classes you need to take and taking classes you’ll love can be a heartbreaking brain buster, but it doesn’t always have to be an either-or decision. Here are three classes you’ve just got to take – no matter what your major is. 1. Introduction to Entrepreneurship (ENT 210) Want to be the next Mark Cuban? Spot realworld problems and fix them – then monetize your process – that’s how you create a business. That’s what you’ll be doing in Intro. to Entrepreneurship. “It’s different from all the other classes,” said entrepreneurship student Santiago Ambroggio. Entrepreneurship students also get to visit small businesses where they see areas they’re interested in and learn “all the steps you’re going to need to
take in order to create something that could be marketable,” said entrepreneurship student Edie Webb. ENT 210 has no prerequisites and it’s part of the new minor for non-business majors. It’s open to all students interested in developing their own business plans and ideas. “I would recommend (the class) to students who want to get into a business major and aren’t sure if entrepreneurship is for them,” Webb said. “It definitely helped me to realize that I wanted to major in entrepreneurship.” 2. Biomechanics (HES 303) Yes – you read that right. Biomechanics might be a required class for Exercise Science majors – but it’s also really popular. Learn about major muscles of the body and how the body moves from a mechanical perspective. Exercise science major Nicholas Guffey and other students agree that the class’ lab component is the best part. “The best lab we have is understanding the influence of air molecules on sport,” Biomechanics professor Dr. Keith Leiting said. “We throw curve balls to demonstrate the Magnus Effect and play ultimate Frisbee to demonstrate Bernoulli’s Principle.” Leiting uses Kahoot! for in-class quizzes, which makes learning and memorizing information more
fun and interactive, according to Guffey, who says Kahoot! quizzes feels much more like a playing a game or competing. If you want to take Biomechanics (and why wouldn’t you?) you’ll need to take care of the prereqs: Anatomy (BIO 281) and Physiology (BIO 282). 3. Photojournalism (COM 212) Get out there in the real world and take some photos to share with the rest of us – and get a class grade for it. Photojournalism is a hybrid class that meets just once a week. “It’s not a theory class,” communication professor Richard Gould said. “It’s not a class based on philosophy or history – it’s a class about going out and taking great photos.” Not only does Photojournalism let students tell visual stories that matter, it’s also helped at least one student get paid. “During this class I built up a portfolio and was asked to photograph for Hickory Daily Record and RunTimeRaces of Hickory,” student Lydia Black said. “My favorite part about Photojournalism was realizing that I was actually good at something and I could possibly pursue a career in this later on in life.” Photojournalism has no prerequisites and is open to all majors.
NOVEMBER HAS THE RIVALRY GAMES THREE BIGGEST RIVALRY GAMES THAT WILL WRAP UP THE 2017 SEASON HEADING INTO PLAYOFFS
For college football fans, the last Saturday of November is what we are so eager for, and it is the beauty of college football because, as we all know, college football is all about the rivalries. Here are the three biggest rivalry games that this month has to offer; every one of them has huge playoff implications. Ohio State at Michigan, Nov. 25, 12p.m. To begin, one of the biggest rivalries in all of college football: Ohio State and Michigan, arguably the two best teams in the Big Ten Conference. So, if these two teams can finish their regular season play strongly, avoiding defeats, then without a doubt, this will be a must-watch game. In addition, the result of this win will be a good chance for sending either team to the playoffs. Ohio State has definitely performed the best in the past games of this rivalry throughout the past couple of years. “Michigan hasn’t been able to take control of this rivalry game and defeat Ohio State since 2011,” college football fan Grayson Willingham said. “Anyone can definitely see that Ohio State has better control in this game and I don’t see that changing this year, I have Ohio State over Michigan.” Washington State at Washington, Nov. 25, 12p.m. Secondly, a college football rivalry that most southeastern football fans are not usually as
By Harrison Elam | LRN Monthly Sports Writer
excited for: Washington and Washington State. However, this season these two teams have given the state of Washington something to be thrilled about. Washington and Washington State both play in the Pac-12 Conference. So far this season both teams have one loss. Many are hoping for each team to finish the season strong until Nov. 25, which will give us one fantastic rivalry game to be ready for. Washington made it far last season, landing one of the four playoff spots and earning the opportunity to play Alabama in the Peach Bowl (where Alabama came out ahead by a score of 247). “Overall, Washington just has more of an experienced team then Washington State. From making it to the playoffs last year, I just feel like the
Huskies will use experience and confidence to win the game,” college football fan Jordan Mann said. “However, it is college football, and anything can happen, so you know both teams are going to be ready to play;; that is what is going to make this a special rivalry game for this season.” Alabama at Auburn, Nov. 25, 7p.m. Lastly, the biggest college football rivalry in the south: the “Iron Bowl,” Alabama vs. Auburn. Despite the two teams’ records leading up to this game, it doesn’t make a difference in the importance and popularity of this event. However, this season both teams are doing very well with Alabama having no defeats and Auburn with one loss. If both these teams can win out the rest of this season, then the Iron Bowl will be one event many of us can’t wait to see. “My family and I always watch this game together each year,” college football fan Riley McGee said. “I feel as if this is Alabama’s year just from the overall power they have on the field this season.” Out of these three rivalries, I believe that the Iron Bowl is going to be the most exciting game overall. I would like to see Auburn upset Alabama. However, I believe that Alabama is going to win in all phases of the game just like they have been doing all season.
THANKSGIVING BINGES TOP FIVE TV SHOWS FOR STUDENTS TO WATCH DURING BREAK
By Laura Brendle | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
If you have watched more than three episodes or the entire series of a show in one sitting, you are by Webster’s definition a binge-watcher. Netflix provides a wide variety of television genres, from comedy and drama, to horror and science fiction. So, here are five shows that span a variety of genres and interests, so you’re bound to find at least one you’ll like. 1. “Family Guy” (2001 - present) – The halfhour comedy that can continuously distribute content after 16 seasons. Although “Family Guy” is a lengthy 16 seasons, “you can watch the episodes in any order,” LR student Ian McAlister said. “Another great thing about ‘Family Guy’ is that you can watch without really paying attention but still understand what is happening.” This approach to television could provide a binge-worthy efficiency to those who are working on last-minute assignments for school.
2. “That 70’s Show” (1998 – 2006) – As LR sophomore Savannah Lee scrolled through the seasons of “That 70’s Show” on her phone, every episode featured a red line under the picture, indicating her watch history. “I’ve seen every episode and each episode more than once,” Lee said. “The show follows young people trying to figure out their life, which is what every college student is going through right now, so I find it relatable.” 3. “Stranger Things” (2016 - present) – “Stranger Things” has become one of Netflix’s most notable original shows, and even though October has come and gone, there is always a good time for science fiction and horror. The show, set in the 1980s in a fictional Hawkins, Ind., follows three young boys as they search for their best friend who has suddenly disappeared. While searching, the boys stumble upon the U.S. Department of Energy’s secret experiments with the supernatural and paranormal, and they meet a young girl who happens to be one of the experiments. Working together, the kids try to find a way to save their best friend while also trying to save their newest pal from being taken back into experimentation. The first season of “Stranger Things” is only eight episodes, but when you’re hooked you won’t have to wait at all because Netflix premiered the second season just last month on October 27. 4. “Riverdale” (2017 - present) – Though it is one of the newest additions to Netflix, “Riverdale”
has already gained a wide audience due to the show’s suspense related to a suspicious death in the community and the 13 episodes that Archie, Jughead and the gang spend searching for the killer. “The show keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat,” LR elementary education major Courtney Williams said. “I highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking a little mystery in their watch list.” “Riverdale” incorporates both characters and concepts from the Archie Comics, which have been published since the winter of 1942. 5. “Gossip Girl” (2007 – 2012) – If you’re looking for a guilty pleasure, the scandalous lives of New York City’s elite group of teenagers could be the fix. Based on the best-selling novels by Cecily von Ziegesar, “Gossip Girl” allows viewers to watch the dramatic storytelling of often overprivileged young people known as Manhattan’s socialites. Follow Serena, Blair, Chuck, Nate and even lonely boy, Dan Humphrey, as they tackle high school in the first two seasons and then college in the last four as New York City’s ultimate insiders. Whether you enjoy suspenseful story arcs like “Stranger Things” or the distant sound of a procedural comedy show on television as you study, Netflix has options for you. This Thanksgiving break, try checking out one of these shows, or ask someone about their favorite television show to discover even more that may interest you.
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END ZONE FANATICS NEW STUDENT SECTION ANIMATES LR FOOTBALL GAMES By Katelyn Mendenhall | LRN Monthly Editor in Chief
At any college football game, you’d expect to see fans with their faces and bodies painted, screaming their hearts out and waving flags, signs and foam fingers, packed together so tightly the stadium might burst. But if you’ve been to a game at Lenoir-Rhyne in the past few years, you may have scratched your head looking for this rowdy, energized student section – until recently that is. “Make football games better—we need a student section,” was one of the most popular responses LR’s new Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Promotions Aaron Bessey got when he asked around campus to see what students wanted to see improved at LR. In the recent past, there have been pockets of students scattered throughout the stadium who have
felt awkward trying to stand and cheer at football games with tired parents sitting right behind them. Those days are over. LR now has an official student section right behind the end zone beside the Spirit of LR marching band. “I think the location turned out well because we’re right next to the band,” junior Autumn Stewart said. “We can scream and yell and start chanting—it adds a lot more excitement.” Bessey said the student section started out small with only approximately 30 students, but with an Instagram account, weekly emails and incentives for students who come out to support LR athletics (like free food, t-shirts and discounts), it has continued to grow. “It’s awesome to see the students
come out in force and support the team,” LR senior Carter Wooley said. “It really feels like we have a new energy at the games, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it grows in the years to come.”
Follow LRU_Bearnation on Instagram to stay updated about the latest deals and plans for the student section, or check your emails from LR’s athletic department.
LR's student section roars to life during the LR vs Wingate football game. JAKE PIERCE | LRN MONTHLY
BASKETBALL PREVIEW CHECKING IN LR’S BASKETBALL TEAMS By Harrison Elam | LRN Monthly Sports Writer
LR basketball begins this month. The men’s and women’s teams are working hard to dominate each of their opponents on their upcoming schedule. Here’s a quick look at how they did last year and what they believe will make this season even better.
Redshirt-junior Dalvon McDaniel spends time working on his shooting technique. HARRISON ELAM | LRN MONTHLY
Men’s Basketball Last season the men’s basketball team went 10-17 overall with a 9-13 record in SAC action, finishing ninth in the conference in standings, all under first year head coach, Everick Sullivan. This season, the men look to improve. “One of the main strengths this season is we have size. We have more depth going into this season, so we have people coming in that can give the same effort as the starters,” redshirtjunior forward Dalvon McDaniel said. “This year we still have great perimeter shooters, but now we also have an inside presence that allows us to be a threat on the inside. This, in turn, will open up our perimeter
shooting for easier, less contested shots.” The men are eager to show everyone what their team is truly capable of achieving for this upcoming season. “I am excited mostly for everyone to see our chemistry unfold and our hard work pay off, and knowing that a lot of teams will underestimate us, so that gives us the advantage, because they don’t know the new pieces this team has brought together,” McDaniel said. The Men’s Basketball team will begin their season against UNC Pembroke, which will be part of the SAC/ Peach Belt Conference challenge event. They’ll play on Nov. 10.
Women’s Basketball Last season, the women’s basketball team went 17-12 overall with a 13-9 record in SAC Action. This season, the women look to improve with the new Head Coach Cameron Sealey. The women believe Sealey is going to do wonderful things for this program. “Having a new coach that is really changing the culture of this program and what we stand for is really going to be a positive reflection on this season,” senior Justyce Swango said. The women also believe that there is a powerful connection between the team. “Going into my senior year we have a lot of talent
overall and a lot of positive chemistry between us on and off the court,” Swango said. The Women’s Basketball team will begin their season against Barton here at home, which will be part of the SAC/Conference Carolina’s Tip-Off Classic. They’ll play on Nov. 10.
Senior Justyce Swango spends time practicing her free-throw shots. HARRISON ELAM | LRN MONTHLY
ONCE A BEAR ALWAYS A BEAR LR ALUMNI CAMERON SEALEY RETURNS AS HEAD COACH By Dahquan Pauling | LR Monthly Writer
This season the Women’s Basketball team is under new management, but Head Coach Cameron Sealey is not entirely new to LR. Sealey played for the Bears back in 2008-12 and was part of the 2009 and 2010 regular season South Atlantic Conference championship teams. Coach Sealey’s path toward coaching was unclear until her advisor Joe Smith met with her and suggested that she should get into Sports Management. “I really didn’t know what kind of job I would get until I went to the Final Four with the coaching staff under Todd Starkey,” Sealey said. “I got a job offer while I was there in Denver Colorado, and a week after I graduated I was on my way to University of Pitt-Johnstown.” Sealey was the Assistant coach for Pitt-Johnstown and USC Aiken for two years. At Wofford College and Georgia State University she was Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. LR is the fifth school Sealey’s worked with, but it’s her first head coach position. Sealey worked under four good programs and picked up great coaching tips with some of the coaches she worked under. She is accustomed to having talented players and loves helping players reach their potential. When she was at Georgia State University, she recruited Sun Belt Conference Freshman player of the year Jada Lewis. “Over the summer, Sealey contacted us as a team and individually about having these standards and non-negotiables,” shooting guard Ashley Rodriguez said. “With her communicating early on and still communicating consistently, we bought in, and with the progress comes new beginnings (and with) new beginnings comes wins.” The players are all-in, excited to see the fruits of their hard-work and are ready to be put to the test. “I’m super excited about the new coach, and I think it’s good I have two years left and for the freshmen that have four years with her,” combo guard Madi Suddreth said. “We are already leaps and bounds ahead of where we were last year just off communication, work ethic and structure so I’m excited about that.”
Last season the LR’s Women basketball team had a winning record of 17-12, finishing sixth in conference play. The team lost five seniors this past season, and four out of the five, Brooke Robinson, Morgan Cooper, Alecia Bell and Chelsey Romero, were leading scorers.
SEE BEAR, PAGE 8
Coach Sealey encouraging her players to compete amongst each other. DAHQUAN PAULING | LRN MONTHLY
PROFILES
LRN MONTHLY | NOVEMBER 2017
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PROFESSIONAL HOPES
BEARS’ FORWARD HOPING TO MAKE HIS SENIOR YEAR MEMORABLE AND GO PROFESSIONAL AFTER CLAIMING SAC PLAYER OF THE YEAR AND LEADING GOAL SCORER HONORS LAST SEASON By Emil Tansinda | LRN Monthly Contributor
From the way he walks and talks, you can immediately gage a sense of swagger about the much-adored 24-year-old SAC men’s soccer player of the year for 2015/2016. Ismael Noumansana, the prolific forward, is embracing his senior year as an opportunity to conclude his college career in style. After scoring 17 goals in his junior year, Noumansana has a lot of momentum going into the 2017/2018 season, but he also has quite a bit of pressure going into his final college campaign.
Ismael Noumansana, senior forward from Mali, controls the ball on the Moretz soccer field where the LR men’s soccer team play their home games. EMIL TANSINDA | LRN MONTHLY
Discussing last season, Noumansana was in good spirits, as he should be. “It was a great season last year--you could tell that the team was getting better, and I helped the team as much as I could and ended up being player of the year with 17 goals,” Noumansana said. “It was one of those seasons where everything you do works out for you, so I was quite lucky in that respect. This season, I have more pressure than last season because I want to do better and win trophies this year, and I’m sure we will because the team looks stronger with many offensive players that can score as well.” Noumanasana has grit and determination. “I always stay motivated; in practice, in the gym, on the track,” he said. “I always challenge myself every game and stay focused. I always tell myself to be clinical in front of the goal. After practice, I stay out sometimes, working on my finishing, and I also did a lot of that with my summer league team.” From the surname, you could guess that Noumansana is not of American descent. Born and raised in Bamako, Mali, he has not been accustomed to all the luxuries that many who have grown up in the first world are so familiar with. “Of course, the environment, the atmosphere there, is literally forcing you to succeed,” Noumansana said. “Today I’m playing on the grass with nice shoes and good equipment--you can only be successful with all of that. There is no other option.” Noumansana’s teammate and roommate,
STAY STYLISH LR STUDENT CREATES AND SELLS HOMEMADE JEWELRY By Ashley MacIntyre | LRN Monthly Contributor
Caroline Rowand, a sophomore at Lenoir-Rhyne University, knows how to accessorize in style with her simple fall statements of homemade jewelry. Rowand started making jewelry with her mom a couple of years ago, and turned it into a small business after they started selling pieces at their local boutique in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “My mom and I have always been interested in jewelry, and one day we saw these bracelets that seemed to be trending everywhere, so we started out with just those,” Rowand said. “Now we each make anything from bracelets, to necklaces, to chokers.” Trends in the fashion world change in the blink of an eye, so in order to stay on top of the game, one must always be looking for new inspiration. Rowand gets her inspiration simply by keeping an eye out for new jewelry pieces or designs. “We get our inspiration in all of
the jewelry that we see around,” she said. “We also get it just by walking into a bead store and seeing what we could do with different beads.” The process behind making each piece seems like it could take up some time, but according to Rowand, “it depends on the piece.” “They don’t take very long to make,” she said. “The longer necklaces take up more time than others, but it is still no more than 30 minutes.” LR senior Emily Kessler described the jewelry as cute and unique. “I personally love the stone bracelets and the choker necklaces,” Kessler said. “I think they’re super stylish and each very different.” Another senior, Christine Faircloth, thinks Rowand’s jewelry was versatile and chic. “Caroline’s jewelry works so well with dressing up an outfit,” Faircloth said. “My favorite piece she has made is a choker necklace with colorful flat beads and a baby tassel in the middle--it’s so simple, yet so cute.” Rowand sells any of the necklaces, chokers and bracelets she creates to anyone of interest, but the prices vary depending on the amount of materials and type of materials used in the process. “It is just something that I really enjoy and love,” Caroline said. “Especially when I see my pieces being worn by others.”
Caroline Rowand shows off some of her homemade jewelry collection. ASHLEY MACINTYRE | LRN MONTHLY
sophomore forward Daniel Dorantes, had a few words to share from his experience practicing and living with Noumansana. “Since playing and living with him, I have learned a whole lot, not only on the field, but also off the field,” Dorantes said. “He is wise, and although I tease him about his old age, it is great for me to learn from him, as he has so much experience behind him. He has been in my position before, and I try my best to listen to him when he advises me on what to do on the field.” Former Barnsley football club (United Kingdom) and LR midfielder, Josh Alderson shared his thoughts on Noumansana’s prospects after what he has seen during the past three years. “He is right up there in terms of ability--his work rate, and his desire to hold himself and others to the highest standards, is second to none,” Alderson said. “What I have seen in terms of his development over the last few seasons while playing with him and coaching him is his maturity levels and leadership skills coming to the fore. This is something that experienced players throughout my career have shown in abundance.” When it comes to Noumansana’s skillset, Alderson made it clear he possesses abilities that only high caliber players have. “He must continue to strive to get better every day, and if he does this he can succeed in playing on once he graduates from college,” Alderson said. “Technically and physically he can play to a
SEE HOPES, PAGE 8
LONG-SNAPPER TO WORSHIP LEADER FRESHMAN LONG-SNAPPER TYLER KEATON LEADS LR FOOTBALL TEAM IN WORSHIP By Harrison Elam | LRN Monthly Sports Writer
Each Friday, the Lenoir-Rhyne football team takes time out of their busy schedule, meetings and practices to have a service in the chapel. During previous seasons, this chapel service included a short sermon and prayer, usually from the football team’s pastor, Dale Watts. However, this season, one freshman football player has stepped up and taken more of a role than being the team’s starting long-snapper. Tyler Keaton has led worship at the beginning of each service, using his musical talents of singing and playing the guitar. The service is then followed by the sermon and prayer from Watts. Keaton is a long- snapper from Pfafftown, and he has started each game this season hiking the football for field goals. However, he still wishes he was had the opportunity to snap the ball in other scenarios as well. “I’d rather be snapping for punts as well, but you’ve got to take what you can get,” Keaton said. “But I’m still super blessed to be playing college football anyway, so it’s worth it to me.” How did a football player like Keaton develop the skill and passion to play guitar and sing Christian worship music? “Well, my dad’s a pastor, and I guess I’ve always had a thing for music, but I really didn’t start singing or anything on stage until the sixth grade when I started leading with my youth group’s praise band,” Keaton said. Keaton enjoys the opportunity to lead worship for the entire football team before game day. “I like how I have the freedom to use my gifts, and at the end of the
LR’s freshman long-snapper, Tyler Keaton, takes time to practice his guitar for worship. HARRISON ELAM | LRN MONTHLY
day, it is something that I really love to do,” he said. Keaton’s teammates enjoy the new spirit that he has brought to worship services. “While he is leading worship, and the whole team is singing along, it makes me feel good inside to know that he is up there doing his thing and using his skills to spread the love of Jesus,” teammate Riley McGee said. Some of Keaton’s other teammates were surprised to learn about his musical abilities and had no idea that he had it in him. “I honestly had no idea he could play guitar or even sing like he did,” teammate Grayson Willingham said. “He really surprised the team and coaches with his musical ability; personally, I was really impressed.” Each week Keaton sings a new song. “Honestly, I look forward to chapel each week, because I know we are going to be singing something new and different, and it always plays out great,” said teammate Jackson Bass.
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BEAR from page 6 “I wanted to be able to build a trust with players that were here,” Sealey said. “If I came in and brought someone that jeopardized my culture that was one way I could lose their trust.” The team only gained four players, and each one of them are freshmen—with no transfers the college level experience is low. “I feel it was a good change into the right direction for the coming years,” Rodriguez said. “Having new coaching staff, they definitely came in consistent and (with a) positive attitude, as well as holding us accountable.” The team feeds off each other and pushes everyone to step up to give maximum effort day in and day out. “I think the thing we’ve been working on is winning every single day as each day passes,” Coach Sealey said. “It’s not looking ahead to the future; it’s not setting expectations for December—it’s
setting expectations for each day as we go on.” Coach Sealey’s philosophy is to ask the players to give it their all while they’re on the court and to lock in and focus on being better than the previous day. The players are expected to put the team first, give one hundred percent, have high energy and effort and display good character on and off the court. These are the non-negotiables that Coach Sealey requires of each player. Nov. 10 is the home opener against Barton College, Coach Sealey’s first game as the Head Coach for the women’s basketball team. “I’m definitely going to be nervous, but it’s more so a first head coaching job, which anyone will be nervous for; most importantly, it’s going to be in front of a bunch of people I care about,” Sealey said. The Women’s team begins the season with three home games, two back-to-back on Nov. 10-11 and a third game the following Monday, Nov. 13.
HOPES from page 7 very high level.” Now, as a senior and team captain, it is important that Noumansana leads by example, which he has recognized and worked on since transitioning into his senior year. “I am now more mature, having been through ups and downs and playing more games,” he said. “I have learned more about myself and worked on my weaknesses--I’d like to say I have a level head and refuse to have a big ego. Humility is very important.” It is not often you see someone with Noumansana’s skill set who is also still down-to-earth. It is very easy to get ahead of yourself when things are going well as an athlete, and one thing noticeable about Noumansana is his composed, humble approach to life. “Obviously, this is my last year. I pray day and night to stay healthy and score more goals than last year, hopefully winning a championship
with LR,” he said. “We know how badly LR men’s soccer needs a trophy. Every time I walk by the trophy section in the lobby it kind of annoys me to see soccer still hasn’t won anything. As for my future aspirations, I want to get my degree and hopefully get a professional contract this coming spring.” For athletes, there is a mentality embedded into them from a young age: a winning mentality. Noumansana is no different. And his fervent desire to win a trophy is not only shown in his performances, but also in his rituals. From speaking to coach Alderson, it is clear that Noumansana has a special “something” about him that separates him from ordinary players. Not only does he have the technical ability, awareness, work ethic and physical strength to compete at a high level, but he also has a mature mentality and a professional temperament that can propel him into the professional game and grant him a career, which he has desired since childhood.
MAKING EVERY SQUARE INCH
COUNT LR IS GETTING THE MOST OUT OF ITS 100-ACRE HICKORY CAMPUS By Kyle Cerrito | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
community group added the twoperson glider chairs to Shaw Plaza. LR doesn’t have the room for much else, according to Fisher, but that is why the nature preserve presents a unique opportunity. “There’s so much potential back here,” McBurney said. “Going forward, the more people and organizations that we can get involved, the more crucial and important this trail and area can become.” Hartley explained that, once completed, the trail through the nature preserve opens opportunities for outdoor classrooms, gardens and even more trails. The preserve also will be wheelchair-accessible, so that no LR student will be unable to enjoy this part of campus. LR RD Charlie McBurney lets LR RD Kristen Hartley pass before he fires up the weed eater to cut a trail through LR’s nature Of course, before Shaw, Harley and preserve. KYLE CERRITO | LRN MONTHLY McBurney began working, no one The wind is just strong enough to rustle the leaves in Lenoir-Rhyne’s could enjoy the nature preserve. The beginning of the trail was marked by a nature preserve, an approximately 17-acre wooded area behind the Living moldy Cookout cup, and it abruptly ended after two blocks in a cascade of Learning Center and next to Price Village. The sun peeks through the trees kudzu. Then it began again about 400 yards away through the woods and and illuminates the woods with a golden light. Birds are chirping, and a over a creek. squirrel gathers nuts. Then the stuttering roar pierces the scene as LR Now, with some help from a string trimmer to cut down the vines, a Resident Director Cody Shaw’s leaf blower explodes to life. blower to clean the path and a contractor or two to build a bridge and lay He’s working alongside fellow RDs Kristen Hartley and Charlie McBurney gravel, the finished trail starts next to Price Village and runs the perimeter to revitalize a forgotten trail that begins in the Price Village parking lot and of LR’s property until it dead-ends into the practice field next to the baseball runs through the outer reaches of LR’s Hickory campus. This is part of a new diamond. effort at LR to create more outdoor areas for student use. “There are so many people who go either to the mountains or to “We have a lot targeted toward athletes, but not a lot for people who Charlotte, but this gives an opportunity for students who want to be don’t fit that description,” Shaw said. “We’re doing everything we can to outside but maybe can’t afford it,” Shaw said. “I know a lot of runners who make this area useful to students.” are super excited.” Or as LR Dean of Student Katie Fisher explains: “We haven’t gotten good So if you are a runner, an outdoor enthusiast or just a student looking for yet at creating an atmosphere where you can see people hanging out on nice place to walk, LR has a place for you. campus,” she said. “I just want people to feel like there is space for them at LR.” RD Kristen Hartley makes a pile of the old Space. That always seems to be the issue. Compared to LR’s academic wood that litters LR’s nature preserve. KYLE and athletic rivals in the South Atlantic Conference. LR is below average. CERRITO | LRN MONTHLY The average SAC school sits on almost 235 acres of land. LR has 100 acres, and only Carson-Newman, Coker and Newberry have smaller campuses, according to collegedata.com. If you were to take a tour of Wingate University’s 400-acre campus, you’d see several-acre open lawns with ponds nearby and students picnicking, tossing a frisbee or doing homework in the middle of campus. LR is different. “I forget that there are so many students living on campus,” Jimmy John’s Make your next nap delivery man Robbie Irlbeck, 20, said. “I deliver to campus at least five times time a date with a day, and I’m like, ‘Where is everyone?’” one of these ENO Fisher explained that the Student Government Association, Residence hammock stands. Area Council and other student representatives have tried to remedy this KYLE CERRITO | LRN disparity. SGA purchased ENO hammock stands (which are priced as almost MONTHLY $500 a piece on amazon.com) and placed them around campus. Another