LRN October 2017 by Lenoir-Rhyne University

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HOMECOMING

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LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS

VOL. 110 — ISSUE 2

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Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication

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LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS

VOL. 110 — ISSUE 2

Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication

LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS

VOL. 112 — ISSUE 3

SEPTEMBER 2015

OCTOBER 2017

CLAWS VS TO RETIRE

PAWS

LENOIR-RHYNE FOOTBALL FACES OFF AGAINST NEWBERRY FOR HOMECOMING GAME By Harrison Elam | LRN Monthly Staff Writer

The Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears take the field for their 2017 season home opener against West Alabama on Aug. 31. PHOTO COURTESY OF PHOTO PHIL ROBINSON @SPORTSFOTOS.COM

Oct. 7 will be a special Saturday as the Lenoir-Rhyne football team takes on Newberry, not only because two tenacious teams will be facing off, but also because it’s the Bears’ Homecoming. The LR players can’t wait to get on the field and show the fans their true competitiveness in the great atmosphere that the homecoming game will provide. “I’m excited for the game--our program has come a long way since I first arrived here at LR in the winter of 2016,” Quarterback Jarrod Kellar said. “ I truly believe the team we have now is capable of some special things that I can’t wait to show to the crowd.” For some new LR players, the homecoming game will be something they have never experienced and only something they have dreamed of since playing football at an early age. “Ever since I decided to come to Lenoir-Rhyne to play football and continue my education, I have always been excited about game days in Moretz

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Stadium,” Fullback Jordan Mann said. “However, the homecoming game in particular, I was most pumped for because I knew it would have the most rocking atmosphere with more fans and alumni than usual, which will be a much cooler feeling.” The Bears will be facing Newberry College, which is a talented team. “Newberry is a great team--(it) won the league last year and was picked preseason to win it again,” LR Head Football Coach Mike Kellar said. “We need to prepare for them just like it’s any other game. No matter the opponent or what game it is, our job is to prepare and go play the same each and every day.” “We have a great atmosphere for homecoming, not just the game but the entire week.” Kellar said. "It’s a special week at LR. Hopefully we can go out and show all the alums and people who come back for homecoming just how much we have worked over the course of the year.”

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NEWS

LRN MONTHLY | OCTOBER 2017

LR CARES

DISCOVER THE STUDENT SUPPORT AND WELLNESS SERVICES LR HAS TO OFFER By Kyle Cerrito | LRN Monthly Staff Writer

Lenoir-Rhyne counseling director Jenny Smith could only think of one thing LR’s Cornerstone Student Support and Wellness Center will charge you for: $20 for an STD test. The Cornerstone House is located on Eighth Avenue behind Fritz-Conrad and beside the sorority houses. Don’t let the outside fool you--it may look like a standard two-story stone house, but inside, it houses LR’s own health and wellness center. They may not be able to pay for your prescriptions, flu shots or STD testing, but the nurse and counselors are free and available for all LR students – even those without health insurance, according to Smith. “I get sick a lot, so I can go there to get medicine if I have a cold, or counseling if I need that,” LR student Megan Blaylock said. “I know if I go there, they will help me.” This year, LR has been looking to expand this care to new heights, according to Smith. She explained that Cornerstone has found a new healthcare provider for acute care services like testing for cold or flu, giving physicals and caring for injuries. This new provider, Jennifer Waugh, gives everyone permission to call her Jennifer. She described in an email her own experience with student health services back in her own student days. She felt the pressures of being an adult and having to work, study and go to class. In her words, “it was not fun,” and when she did go to the health services at her college, she can only remember that her provider “wasn’t very friendly.” She does not want this experience for any student at LR. “If you have any health concerns at all, please come see me,” she said in an email. Additionally, Cornerstone has built an outdoor pantry to help students who need food or toiletries. The wooden box outside the house looks

The Cornerstone House, home of LR’s Student Support and Wellness Center. KYLE CERRITO | LRN MONTHLY

If a student ever needs food or toiletries they can look here, in Cornerstone’s outdoor pantry. KYLE CERRITO | LRN MONTHLY

like an oversized bird house, but inside, there are soaps, oatmeal packets and even Velveeta mac and cheese. Smith explains that this resource helps Cornerstone to be “a place of overall wellness.” Even students who can’t afford food can find a meal. From common colds, to difficult circumstances, to chronic stress, Cornerstone even offers help beyond physical care, LR student Leah Bobbett explained from her experience with their services. “Their main concern is the student,” she said. “I get super stressed when taking tests, like if

someone’s tapping a pencil on their desk, I just can’t focus, and they understand and offer help with that.” This part of Cornerstone is called Disability Services. Under the “What do we provide?” tab on their webpage, their mission is “to ensure that every student with a disability has an equal opportunity to benefit from University programs.” What does this mean? “If you need help, ask for it,” Bobbett said. If you are stressed by the atmosphere of testtaking, after talking to Disability Services, you can reserve a room in the bottom floor of the Carl A. Rudisill Library, Bobbett explained. Outside the white and grey rooms, the “no talking” signs ensure that even the sound of a door opening softly echoes off the walls, but inside, the only sounds you hear are the ones you make. Cornerstone offers counseling services where you can meet with Smith, Counselor Jennifer Drum or Counselor Michael Spivey. “We have a range of ages, so if the student needs to talk to someone like (a) sister, aunt, mom, dad, we can supply that,” Smith said. What do the students think? Smith asked the same question in an anonymous survey of the students who utilized the counseling services last year. “I was hesitant to reach out and ask for help…I am really glad I did,” one said. “Counseling has allowed me to discuss problems and accomplishments that I would feel weird bringing up in any other casual conversation. Thank you for that.” Cornerstone is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, including appointment times, go to lr.edu/student-life/ cornerstone or call (828) 328-7959

HICKORY’S OKTOBERFEST

FREE SHIRTS AND FAMILY FUN

By Laura Brendle | LR Monthly Staff Writer

By Laura Brendle | LRN Monthly Staff Writer

EXPERIENCE HICKORY’S TASTE OF THE WORLD, AND HELP GROW THE COMMUNITY

Hickory’s 32nd annual Oktoberfest takes place during the weekend of Oct. 13-15 in downtown Hickory. In spite of the onslaught of last year’s Hurricane Matthew, the Oktoberfest served 90,000 people over its three-day span. This year, the event is expected to be even larger, with more than 100 vendors selling everything from food and crafts to commercial goods like sandals, jewelry and bushels of apples. “I enjoy going to see the different vendors and trying typical carnival foods,” LR junior Seirah Suddreth, who has attended Oktoberfest for the past three years, said. “I tend to go for the candy apples and funnel cakes.” The mission of the Oktoberfest is to bring together the Hickory community with cultural influences from around the world. The food at Oktoberfest provides cultural diversity with more than 30 vendors serving up a variety of delicacies. One example of culture is the German influences with both Bavarian pastries and Bratwurst. Musical performances are also popular during Oktoberfest and have provided many LR students with a reason to attend. “I am looking forward to the music and the varieties of beer,” LR senior Preston Goforth said. “I went my freshman year and have been eager to attend again, as soon as I was legal, to try everything they had to offer.” Even though the festival does serve beer, Oktoberfest is designed for everyone, which is why there is a kidfest. Kidfest has carnival rides, train rides, face painting and theater and gymnastic performances.

In addition to creating a family environment, Oktoberfest also gives residents of Hickory a way to give back to the community by participating in Castle of Cans. The food that is collected during the festival will be distributed to the local churches and schools for families in need. Most businesses in the area also have a partnership within Hickory’s Downtown Development Association to provide a great Oktoberfest. However, having to close off parking areas to set-up for this three-day festival creates complications. Eliminating this parking makes it hard for some stores or services to profit from the Oktoberfest. Jennifer Huffman, Office Manager for Lindy’s Furniture of Hickory said she enjoys attending the Oktoberfest because of the crafts and food, but on the business side, it can be challenging for her store. “Oktoberfest is a great community outreach attempt until parking takes away from businesses on the backside of the buildings,” Huffman said. “I just hope everyone really experiences Hickory’s festival by exploring additional shops that are not on the main street.” LR students who want to enjoy Hickory’s Oktoberfest can find the festivities by walking about a mile southeast on the sidewalks alongside Eighth Street NE. For additional information about Hickory’s Oktoberfest or to learn how you can receive free transportation, check out the Oktoberfest website: hickoryoktoberfest.com or the official Facebook page: facebook.com/ HickorysOktoberfest.

HOMECOMING WEEK ACTIVITIES NOW INCLUDING A SHIRT SWAP

LR’s Student Body President and Chair of the Homecoming Committee, Stephen Bryant, shows off this year’s festivalinspired homecoming shirt. LAURA BRENDLE | LRN MONTHLY

The first week in October is jampacked with Homecoming 2017 events. From magicians, to a Unity Stroll and a dance, it’s full of activities for students leading up to the main event – the big game: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Newberry on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. in Moretz Stadium. And if that’s not enough to satisfy LR students, there will also be free shirts. This year, LR’s homecoming committee is presenting the event as a festival, or more specifically “Bearfest.” If this sounds familiar, it is because you’ve heard of Merlefest, a concert festival held every year in Wilkesboro. LR has taken the idea of Merlefest, and instead of one specific music event, is turning it into a celebration for both past and present students of LR. To represent this cohesion of alumni and current students, the committee created a new activity called a shirt swap. “LR students are encouraged to bring a current LR shirt with them to the game, and they will be able to trade with alumni who

have brought their own shirt,” Student Body President and Chair of the Homecoming Committee Stephen Bryant said. “(It will bring) generations of students together.” Students might not even have to bring their own shirt if they show up right before the game because free shirts will be given away. The Homecoming committee purchased 500 t-shirts, and the first 400 are up for grabs right after the parade that leads up to when the football game starts. LR senior Emily Kessler said she is excited to see the 2017 homecoming shirt. “I always look forward to the different shirts we have for events around campus,” she said. “The Inauguration shirts were my favorite so far-- hopefully the Homecoming shirts will be just as creative.” The homecoming shirts are musically inspired by the “Bearfest” theme. The shirt is tie-dyed pink and red with a bear paw print on the front, including “Let it be … with the Bears” as a working motto in a 60’s style font. The additional 100 shirts will be for sale during the game and will be available for students, alumni or parents who might have joined for family weekend, which also happens to be the same weekend as homecoming. LR senior Sabrina Powell described homecoming this year as “an event that will be able to speak to the student body,” including both commuting and on-campus students. To help design next year’s shirt, students can apply for the committee this coming spring. Until then, take a weekend, and spend it with family and friends at LR.

SPORTS

LRN MONTHLY | OCTOBER 2017

KEYS TO VICTORY

PLAYERS TO WATCH DURING LR’S HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME By Dahquan Pauling | LRN Monthly Staff Writer

With the return of alumni and the hopes of reeling in new recruits, homecoming is the event to show why Lenoir-Rhyne was, and still is, a great atmosphere to be part of. On Oct. 7th at 2 p.m. the LR football team will face off against the Newberry College Wolfpack in Moretz Stadium. This is LR’s second season under Coach Keller. Newberry is a tough opponent, and after last year’s game, Keller is ready to redeem himself and bring the Bishop Trophy back home to LR. Since 2013, we have split the series between Newberry 2-2. LR won in 2013 and 2014, and Newberry won in 2015 and 2016. Last season, Newberry won the South Atlantic Conference, finishing the season 10-1 overall and 7-0 in conference play. That put them second in the Super Region 2, where they lost the first round to Tuskegee College out of Alabama.

Key players in the game for Lenoir-Rhyne will be: team captain and free safety Kyle Dugger, weak safety Sherrod Williams, wide receiver TJ Smith and running backs Nelson Brown and Isiah Huff. At the beginning of this season, LR lost major contributors to the team as well, including linebacker Marcus Kincaid, defensive back Cliff Barrett II and running back Bradley Jones. Barrett suffered a broken right ankle against West Alabama, and Kincaid sustained a knee injury in week two against North Greenville--that placed both out for the season. Jones dislocated his collarbone against Mars Hill, and the earliest he’ll be able to return to action will be in week eight against Pembroke. The past season, LR’s defensive side wasn’t healthy, and with Dugger’s return, the defense filled in some missing pieces, despite the injuries

earlier this season. “The main key for the defense will be our focus and discipline.,” Williams said. “We looked good so far this season defensively-- we just have to keep up our level of intensity.” Offensively, we have returning players like wide receiver Jaquay Mitchell and tight-ends Sam Camargo and Mike Evans back and ready for action. “Most of our players last year were freshmen or sophomores who haven’t played on the college level,” Smith said. “We made a lot of improvements from last year to this year--we matured at the receiver position.” The Bears are ready to go and are locked in to bring home the Bishop Trophy. Come out and support your football team by cheering them on to victory.

LR FALL SPORTS SNAPSHOT By Harrison Elam | LRN Monthly Staff Writer

Lenoir-Rhyne is back in action this fall. The athletic teams have played competitively in the conference so far and are looking forward to the upcoming games this month. Football The football season has begun, and the Bears have already played three games this season, including a 22-10 victory over North Greenville. The men are excited about the path they are on and the upcoming games this month as they continue to strive for success during the season. “I am very excited for the October games--I think we have some good teams coming up, and I think this team is building a great program,” senior offensive linemen Ryan Henry said. “You can see the progress we’ve made since last year. We’re still very young and only getting better.” LR hosts Newberry on Oct. 7, which is also the homecoming game. Volleyball LR’s volleyball team has started its season with a 4-2 record, including a 3-0 win over Tusculum to begin conference play. The team believes this is the start of a strong year. “I have a very good feeling about this season--I think we have something special and have a lot of talent,” preseason All-SAC senior Brooke Redmond said. “We are strong in every position this year, which is a huge advantage. We have a strong offense all the way across the net and the same defensively on the back row.” The women are preparing to stay successful in SAC play as they take on Mars Hill at home on Oct. 3. Men’s Soccer It’s the beginning of the season, and men’s soccer is ranked in the Top 10 of the nation in NCAA Division two. The men have won all four of their

LRN MONTHLY

first games and continue to build off the early success. “The season has been going really well--it’s definitely the best start to the season that I’ve had since I’ve been here,” junior Emil Tansinda said. “The team looks really strong, and everyone is working together to achieve big things this year.” He’s cautiously optimistic because, even with the early success of the season, there is always room for improvement. “We have a really close-knit group, and I believe that helps us a lot because we’re willing to work hard for each other and help each other improve,” Tansinda said. The men’s soccer team takes on conference opponent Mars Hill at home on Oct. 11.

Lenoir-Rhyne women’s volleyball player, Brooke Redmond handles the incoming shot. PHOTO COURTESY OF PHOTO PHIL ROBINSON @SPORTSFOTOS.COM

Women’s Soccer The women’s soccer team has already kicked off with five games, winning three of those match-ups against USC Aiken, Mount Olive and Limestone. The women hope to improve their record from last year (135-2) and to defend the SAC Lenoir-Rhyne women’s Championship. soccer player, Dylan “We’re really pushing for a Bedell, kicks the ball back-to-back conference title down the field against and want to make it far into the her opponent. PHOTO COURTESY OF PHOTO NCAA tournament this year,” PHIL ROBINSON senior Dylan Bedell said. @SPORTSFOTOS.COM They’ll be taking on Mars Hill, for a conference match-up on Oct. 4

Lenoir-Rhyne men’s soccer player, Emil Tansinda kicks the ball down the field looking to score against his opponent. PHOTO COURTESY OF PHOTO PHIL ROBINSON @SPORTSFOTOS.COM

Lenoir-Rhyne football running back, Xzavion Huff, runs the ball against North Greenville. PHOTO COURTESY OF PHOTO PHIL ROBINSON @SPORTSFOTOS.COM

CORRECTION LR’S RA DUTY TIMES

Lenoir-Rhyne University’s RA duty times are every day from 7 p.m.-7 a.m. (Monday-Sunday). There is a duty phone that an RA has during that time period that a resident may call if there is an emergency or concern about safety or other issues. RA duty phone numbers are posted on a

bulletin board within each residence hall. During their assigned duty periods, which span from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. (weekdays) and 8 p.m.midnight (weekends), RAs are required to inspect their assigned residence hall. Inspections may occur at any time during these periods.

PARKING

LRN MONTHLY | OCTOBER 2017

PROBLEM? LR ADMINISTRATION, STUDENTS AND FACULTY WEIGH IN ON CAMPUS PARKING By Katelyn Mendenhall | LRN Monthly Editor in Chief

“I don’t start until 9:25 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and it is so hard to find parking at that time,” Lenoir-Rhyne University business management major Sara Pullman said. “I definitely think that’s one of our biggest issues: finding convenient parking.” Pullman, and several other students on campus, have voiced concerns about parking on campus, and with continued growth in enrollment, as well as construction and additions to new buildings (including Minges Science and Mauney Music), questions about parking have become a hot topic. “I think the way they’re setting up for construction or the places where the construction people are choosing to leave things makes it difficult to find a space and maneuver the parking lot, and I think for people who struggle already to maneuver the parking lot, the spaces are very narrow already, so that’s a difficult thing,” Music Education major Katie Winkler said. “It’s an accident waiting to happen.” Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance Peter Kendall said he is aware of this concern. “I would absolutely acknowledge the fact that particularly with the science building construction project, we have had a pretty large number of contractors using parking spaces on campus, so I would acknowledge that has created a problem in that part of the campus,” Kendall said. “We believe the science building project will be completed by the end of October.” “So that should take care of that,” LR President Dr. Fred Whitt said. Winkler’s other concern about parking lot spaces being narrow may also be addressed in the future. “There’ve been discussions on updating existing parking lots, basically repaving,” Director of Security Norris Yoder said. Kendall says “it is something (LR administration is) sensitive to,” but there currently aren’t specific plans for additional parking lots. He explained that LR Security periodically judges whether parking lots are consistently close to or at maximum capacity. “It hasn’t been our impression that we’re at capacity very often,” Kendall said. “I think there are times where we are at capacity, but we haven’t observed it to be a major problem, even with the growing enrollment.” The most recent lots that have been added on campus are the Hickory House lot in 2016, which has 37 spots designated for students and two handicap parking spaces, the Physician’s Assistant building lot in 2016 with 115 spots for students and staff and a lot for the Apartments on 4th in 2017, which has 84 spots designated for students and two handicap parking spaces. “In Hickory House, parking is so bad that sometimes people can’t get out,” International Business and Marketing Major Loren Sterling said. “There are so many cars there that you can barely get your car by.” According to Director of Residence Life Jonathan Rink, the Hickory House currently has 54 residents. If everyone living there has a car, that leaves at least 15 students looking for a spot somewhere else, or “inventing their own spots” as Sterling described. Something else that adds to Sterling’s frustration is the fact that there are no longer car decals specified for certain dorms on campus. Two years ago, the Student Government Association requested that student decals all be combined into one “B” decal. “They thought it would be simple and less confusing if we just had one decal for all students and one for all faculty and staff,” Yoder said. That means any student can park in the Hickory

House lot (and in any other on-campus housing lots) as long as they have a “B” decal, so even more residents of the Hickory House could potentially be left without a spot if other students park in their lot. That leaves them searching for public street parking, spots in other housing lots or using the stadium parking lot. When you add the stadium lot into the mix, distance becomes a concern for students, but not necessarily during the daytime. “For me, it’s not the issue of walking,” Sterling said. “ I think that Hickory House is reasonably walkable compared to other universities, but the problem is when it’s at night, and there’s no lighting on the streets, and the library is pretty far away from most dorms.” Several students have expressed concerns about walking around campus at night in low-lighting, so campus security has offered to walk with students or give them a ride to or from their dorms. “It’s still frustrating to live so far away and not be able to park your car near your housing, especially when people that don’t live there park there,” Sterling said. “I could go on a rant.” Students aren’t the only ones who have been affected by parking on campus. “This semester, particularly, it seems difficult to find a parking spot in any of the lots,” Assistant Professor of Communication Dr. Jeffrey Delbert said. “One of the things I see happening more and more is faculty parking in open spaces and students parking in faculty spaces.” Delbert said that when he was an undergrad he had to park two miles away from campus in “the ‘X’ parking lot” and wait for a bus to pick him up, “so it’s nice that a lot of our parking is close,” but he and several others on campus have said it’s still difficult to consistently know where they can find a parking spot, even in the stadium lot (that has 525 parking spots). “I think parking is always an issue of students on

Sign in the commuter lot on 7th Ave. NE that allows University Christian High School students to park in that lot. KATELYN MENDENHALL | LRN MONTHLY

PARKING

every college campus,” Whitt said. “It’s always been a perceived issue, but we’ll certainly look into it.” Yoder says “there’s usually parking available—it just might not be where (you) want to park.”

PARKING

FAQ’s

Parking at LR may be the most confusing thing many students encounter during their time at this university. Fear not: LR Security and administration have taken the time to answer some of the most frequently heard parking questions around campus. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

pro tips

As the old saying goes, “You’re either part of the problem, or you’re part of the solution.” Here are some ways you can join in to help improve LR’s parking situation: 1. 2.

YES, University Christian students CAN park in the Seventh Avenue NE Commuter lot. According to Director of Security Norris Yoder, “University Christian High School students have been given permission to use the commuter lot—part of that is because a good number of students are taking courses at LR at the same time (as going to UCHS).” NO, LR students can NOT park in the quad. The parking spots in the quad in front of the Rhyne building and the library have been reserved for LR administration, faculty, visitors and maintenance. The only spots available to students in the quad lot are the five handicap-accessible spots, and they’re only for students with a valid handicap placard. YES, you DO need a decal to park in the stadium lot. The stadium lot is for any decal or visitors. Don’t pretend to be a visitor. You CAN get a parking ticket for not having your vehicle registered. YES, there is only ONE decal for all students. In the past, there have been decals designated for specific dorms or for commuters, but two years ago, these were consolidated into one “B” decal for all students. Each decal has an expiration date printed on it, so you need to make sure yours is up-to-date each school year. NO, LR can NOT just build a parking garage. The parking situation is a lot more complicated than simply adding another lot or a parking garage, as students have suggested doing. Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance Peter Kendall said there are special codes the school has to follow. There has to be a balance between black paved lots and green grass and trees, and no, you’re not the judge of that balance. Money is also an issue to consider. According Kendall, it costs about $2,000 to add one spot in a parking lot, so if you want a lot with 100 spots, that would be $20,000, and building a parking garage would be even more expensive than a paved lot.

Register your car. Every student, regardless of whether he or she lives on campus or is a commuter, must register their vehicle with the Department of Security Services. The fee to register is $40. This isn’t just a rigid requirement—it’s mainly helpful for campus security and data collection. If everyone registers their vehicles, that can help give campus security and administration a better understanding of what parking needs we have. Park where you’re supposed to. Parking lots around campus have signs that designate which decals can park in each area. If you bend the rules and park

where you’re not supposed to, you may well be displacing others who will probably go on to displace still more people, and it just keeps continuing—that’s when parking tickets get involved. Just keep everything simple, and park where you’re supposed to park. Let security know about your problems. They want to hear from you—they really do! If there’s a specific time and place that parking seems particularly challenging, don’t be afraid to go to campus security and share this concern. Security does complete their own assessments of parking on campus, but it’s always helpful to know about times/places with particularly challenging traffic flows. LR’s security team is here to help you, so help them help you by sharing this info.

PARKING

LRN MONTHLY | OCTOBER 2017

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS IT MAY FEEL LIKE THERE’S A SHORTAGE OF PARKING AT LR--BUT WHAT DOES THE DATA SAY? By Katelyn Mendenhall | LRN Monthly Editor in Chief

“It’s frustrating,” Lenoir-Rhyne University senior Psychology major Elina Morris said. “I think parking is the most frustrating: going to classes and having to drive around for a long time to even find a spot.” Morris isn’t the only student who’s bothered about parking—multiple students, and even faculty, have voiced their concerns. But what do the numbers say? Is parking really a problem on campus? According to LR’s Director of Residence Life Jonathan Rink, there are 856 undergraduate students and 21 graduate students living on campus. That leaves 843 undergraduate commuters and 448 graduate commuters, for a total of 1,291 student commuters looking for a parking space on campus. When you add that to the number

of faculty, staff and other members of the community who frequent LR’s campus, the total number of “commuters” becomes approximately 1,859 (see Commuter Populations at LR’s Hickory Campus table). LR has 1,909 parking spots (including 1,642 parking spaces LR owns and 267 public parking spaces along the Hickory City roads that run through campus), meaning that only 50 spots around campus would be left if every commuter (including students, faculty, staff, employees, graduate assistants and Senior Bear members) decided to come to campus at the same time. The 1,859 only accounts for those who commute to LR’s campus, but keep in mind that students living on campus also have cars. But because, according to Director of Security

Norris Yoder, only 589 total students have registered their cars, there’s not a way to know for sure how many students on campus actually have a vehicle. If everyone living on campus did have a car, that would leave a total of 2,758 people (including faculty/staff, employees, undergrads, grads, GAs and Senior Bear members) looking for a spot, leaving a deficit of 849 spots. It’s clear that not every student has a car, but according to many students, including senior Business Management major Sara Pullman, “a majority do.” “I would say that where I sit, I hear some people express concerns about there not being enough parking or enough parking near where they want to park,” Senior Vice President

of Administration and Finance Peter Kendall said. “Everybody’s never going to be satisfied with parking completely, but it is an issue that we pay attention to, and we do our best to provide adequate parking for everyone in the LR community.” The number 2,758 would only be a problem if every single student (undergraduate and graduate), faculty member, staff member and employee had a car and came to campus all at the same time, but as LR President Dr. Whitt notes, “that doesn’t happen.” Whitt says parking is similar to the way the dining hall works. It’s a rotating system where “people come and go,” and rarely is everyone together at the same time, except potentially for special events.

CHECK THE STATS 6

66 115

PARKING CATEGORIES AT LR’S HICKORY CAMPUS 161

777

267

TOTAL PARKING SPACES: 1,909  15-Minute & 24 Hour Reserved Parking = 6  Resident Directors = 6  Security, Maintenance, Unloading & Housekeeping = 14  Aramark/Bookstore = 16  Visitor = 27  Handicap = 66  Students & Faculty Only = 115  Faculty/Staff = 161  Public Street Parking (no decal needed) = 267  Student = 454  Any Decals = 777 Source: Director of Security, Norris Yoder

454 Decoding the Decals

DECODING THE DECALS

Decal

Who Decal Represents

Aramark Employees

Students

Graduate Assistants

Faculty & Staff

Senior Bear Members

Veterans

Source: Norris Yoder, Director of Security Source: Director of Security, Norris Yoder 2017‐2018 Populations at LR’s Hickory Campus Population Undergraduate Students Graduate Students Graduate Assistants Faculty/Staff Aramark & Bookstore Employees Senior Bears

Number 1,699 469 51 ≈380 ≈ 85 74

Total

≈2,758

POPULATIONS AT LR’S HICKORY CAMPUS FOR 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR Undergraduate Students Graduate Students Graduate Assistants Faculty/Staff Aramark & Bookstore Employees Senior Bears Total

Commuters

Total Population

843 448 29 ~380 ~85 74 ~1,859

1,699 469 51 ~380 ~85 74 ~2,758

Commuter Sources: Director of Human Resources Rick Nichols, Director of Conferences & Events Janet Matthews, Director of Residence Life Jonathan Rink, Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance Peter Kendall. Total Population Sources: Research and Assessment Associate Alyssa Reinhardt, Director of Human Resources Rick Nichols, Director of Conferences & Events Janet Matthews *Not official numbers released by LR Institutional Research.

Sources: Research and Assessment Associate Alyssa Reinhardt, Director of Human Resources Rick Nichols, Director of Conferences & Events Janet Matthews Sign designating the McCrorie lot for staff and faculty only. KATELYN MENDENHALL | LRN MONTHLY

Construction equipment covering five spots in the stadium lot. KATELYN MENDENHALL | LRN MONTHLY

OPINION

LRN MONTHLY | OCTOBER 2017

OUT OF STOCK WHAT HAPPENED TO THE T-SHIRT WITH DR. WHITT’S FACE?

By Kyle Cerritol | LRN Monthly Staff Writer

According to an email sent on Sept. 5, as part of Dr. Whitt’s inauguration celebration, the LenoirRhyne Athletic department designed this t-shirt to be given out at the Sept. 9 football game. However, when the first 500 students showed up, many students were surprised that the free t-shirts no longer included one key feature: Whitt’s face. Whitt explained the reasoning for this in an

email: “Marketing approves all t-shirts and logos and felt the original draft may have not been in the best interest of LR. Please know I am surprised and flattered students would have liked a t-shirt with my face on it, but the Inauguration Celebration should be about LR, not just about me as President. We are a team at LR, and I did not want to give the impression of selfpromotion.” Here’s to the shirt design that could have been: “We were hanging out at the tailgate,” LR student Kimberly Pitts said. “As we walked into the game, we saw it didn’t have the face, and we were all sad.” “I would have rocked that shirt – more likely than not as a cut-off,” LR student Lex Zickafoose said. “That one’s way better,” LR student Cody Mocilan said. “I mean: the one we got is kind of plain; that’s got a face on it.” “Dope shirt,” LR student John Pope said.

CHEERS TO OCTOBER HICKORY OKTOBERFEST IS UPON US, BUT WHAT’S THE REAL FESTIVAL ALL ABOUT?

By Florian Lemmel | LRN Monthly Staff Writer When you think about Germany, you probably think about the Oktoberfest. It is so famous that Americans celebrate it all over the United States. Hickory puts on the Lederhosen on the weekend of Oct. 13, but guess what: You missed the real deal. You thought the Oktoberfest is actually in the month of October? I have to admit that the name would suggest that, but the original Oktoberfest opened its beer tents on Sept. 16. If you read this story on Oct. 1 and immediately hop on a plane, you can enjoy the last two days of this annual beer-lover’s gathering. The Oktoberfest is the oldest festival in the world. It dates back to 1810, when the Bavarian prince Ludwig married Princess Theresa on Oct. 12. Since then, the Oktoberfest is celebrated each year (with some war and disease interruptions) in the last weeks of September (because of the warmer weather) on the Theresienwiese in Munich - you can guess where this name comes from. “It honestly is the most traditional thing I have ever been to,” German exchange student Jan Juretschke, who has seen Oktoberfest first hand, said. “It’s very specific for Bavaria.” When you are in Bavaria, a state in southern Germany, be prepared to not hear the word ‘Oktoberfest’ at all. Normally, locals, and everyone who pretends to be one, refer to the fest as Wiesn, which is related to the German word for meadow. Every year, around six million people from all over the world come to the Wiesn. Because a lot of visitors come from Italy, there are even Italian police forces to support the German police security forces. All the drinking and eating starts with Munich’s Mayor broaching the first cask of beer shouting: “O’ zapft is!,” which loosely means “it is tapped.” No that is not German, it is Bavarian a language on its own and a big mystery to fellow Germans. After this ceremony all innkeepers are allowed to serve beer. Close to seven million liters of beer will run down thirsty throats and please their owner’s liver in the following two weeks. It is not any beer, though. Only the beer from the traditional Munich breweries is allowed, and these breweries make a special beer just for the Oktoberfest, which of course has with around six percent higher alcohol levels than normal beer, like Budweiser with 4.3 percent alcohol. Don’t expect to see any Miller, Bud light, Coors or whatever you call “beer” over here. “You have to start early--you won’t get a seat

in the afternoon,” Juretschke said. “When I went (to the Oktoberfest), we went at 10 a.m. first, got something to eat and, of course, you get your first beer along with your meal for breakfast.” There are 14 big party tents at the Wiesn, most of them owned by the breweries. When sitting down in one of them, the educated guest orders “A Mass Helles,” which is a liter of delicious Oktoberfest beer served in a glass mug. Yes, one liter. Ordering half a Mass is still considered acceptable whereas ordering a quarter Mass will probably get you deported. You have a Mass and a pretzel-then lay your arms around your neighbor, and sway to the music. In Bavaria, they refer to this limited form of dancing as “schunkeln,” and it is an activity that also can be done standing on a bench. The trick is to keep in motion while drinking your beer. “The nicest thing is when you sit at a table and talk to everyone at the table,” Italian exchange student Michele La Monica said. “You switch seats and talk to everyone--it is super informal.” The author eating a traditional Bavarian dish with a normal sized beer in A traditional game you play Munich beer garden. PHOTO COURTESY OF FLORIAN LEMMEL with the people around you is the Masskrugstemma. Just grab a mug filled with beer and stretch out the arm you are holding it with. Whoever can hold it the longest wins the game and is allowed to drink the beer. But there are lots of other amusements apart from drinking and eating. There are lots of rides and even a flea-circus, in which actual fleas perform circus tricks, that keep you busy over the day. So, for everyone who wants to go to the Oktoberfest in Munich, or any of the others around the world: “Oans, zwoa – G’suffa!” (“One, two – boozed!”).

ABOVE: One of the big beer tents owned by the Munich brewery Löwenbräu at the Oktoberfest attracts people. PHOTO BY JAN JURETSCHKE LEFT: Jan Juretschke and his friends wearing traditional Bavarian clothing. Lederhosen for boys and dirndl for girls. PHOTO BY JAN JURETSCHKE

NEWS

LRN MONTHLY | OCTOBER 2017

HOMEGROWN IN HILDEBRAN

LOCAL LR SOPHOMORE OPENS HER OWN ONLINE BOUTIQUE IN ATTEMPT TO MAKE FASHION AFFORDABLE By Ashley Hinson | LRN Monthly Contributor

Local sisters, Amanda and Emily Kiziah, just opened their very own online boutique right here in Hickory. Both are local to Hildebran, a town in Burke County that’s part of the Hickory-LenoirMorganton metropolitan area. Emily Kiziah is a sophomore Multimedia Communication major at LenoirRhyne University. This semester, she is also taking a business class that she’s hoping will help in her personal business ventures. Her attendance at LR also gives the sisters plenty of potential customers to take advantage of their sales and free giveaways. “We were motivated to start an online store because we wanted to make it more affordable than your typical boutique,” Kiziah said. “We also thought it would be a fun, new adventure and we would get to work together.” The online boutique has been open since July 20, 2017, and Kiziah says they have already earned back their initial investment into the company, Brooke and Faith Boutique, plus more. She “would call that success!” Brooke and Faith is a combination

of the sisters’ middle names since they “wanted the boutique to have more meaning and be more unique,” Kiziah said. In efforts to make the boutique affordable “we keep all our prices under 25 dollars,” Amanda said. Their general buyers are women, ranging from high school ages to 40-50 years old. They sell female clothing items including dresses, scarves and chic jewelry. “While women are our typical buyers, we welcome everyone

to our site. We would never turn anyone away,” Emily said. “We might even add clothing for men in order to have a more diverse brand than just a female clothing line in the future.” While this is the sisters’ first business together, they have not neglected the art of “spreading the word.” You can find them on Facebook and Instagram. They have already done online giveaways to gain regular buyers. “You can enter by following us on Instagram or

Emily Kiziah organizing clothes for online boutique at her home to be shipped out for delivery. ASHLEY HINSON | LRN MONTHLY

Facebook and by tagging friends in the comments section. Adding extra tags means extra entries, giving you extra chances to win,” Amanda said. An LR student has already been the winner of these giveaways. “The boutique requested to follow me on Instagram, so that’s how I found out about it.” While she wishes to remain anonymous, the winner said she “would definitely recommend it to other students--they do a lot of giveaways and drawings to give you discounts on your purchases.” The duo will continue to make a name for itself at this year’s Oktoberfest. “We are hoping to increase awareness of our brand through being a vendor,” Emily said. “We will be at Oktoberfest in our local town, Hildebran, with merchandise, as well as any questions people may have.” You can visit the boutique’s website at squareup.com/store/ brookeandfaithboutique and find their social media pages by searching brookeandfaithboutique to learn about giveaways and coupon codes for seasonal sales.

STRANGE STUDY SPOTS EXPLORE NEW PLACES TO STUDY AROUND LR By Kelyn Thornton | LRN Monthly Contributor RIGHT: LR freshman, Nashon Smith relaxes upside-down in his beanbag chair while reading “The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead. BELOW: LR freshman Montana Mcelroy relaxes through stairwell bars as she checks her schedule for the upcoming weeks at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

RIGHT: LR junior Caitlin Waters sits on top of a table with her feet in a chair while working on homework. PHOTOS BY KELYN THORNTON | LRN MONTHLY

Have you ever been strolling along the walkways on campus and thought, “This flower bed would make a wonderful spot to rest my head as I read the next chapter of my religious studies book?” Or maybe the thought was more simple, and you considered sitting on your desk and putting your feet in the chair rather than sitting the proper way. Life doesn’t always have to be full of serious events. There are times when someone needs to be silly or get into weird positions. Sometimes you might need to try a different routine a day or two out of the week or explore new and unique sites around campus. It can be a challenge to find study spots. Most people want to be quiet and secluded. If you decide to take an afternoon or evening and wander across campus, you might stumble upon a patch of grass to sprawl in and lay with the squirrels. You could also entangle yourself comfortably into the stairwells or sit upside down in a bean bag chair. Try looking at your books and study papers in an unusual way, and you might remember the material a bit more. “I have only just arrived at LenoirRhyne and have yet to find many study locations,” LR freshman Brianna

Bumgarner said. “However, when I want to go to a nice, quiet place I often find myself lying in a sunny, warm spot.” Several students have chatted about finding comfy and odd places to sit, study and just laugh about the day. It can lead into a wonderful impromptu moment of trying to figure out how and where to sit or lay down. “I like to study or read with my roommate, Nashon Smith, while turned upside down in our bean bag chairs,” LR freshman Jack Williams said. “We do it only for the fun of it more than the intellectual properties it may bring.” Students will often climb on top of The Charge with backpacks or sit with their legs dangling around it’s snarling jaw. They may also be sprawling and lounging atop the brick passageways throughout campus just reading a book or cramming for their next class. Go out, explore and find an insane position or wild spot you think would be interesting to study or read in. Studying to some might be a dreadful thing, but if you mess with the idea of how you study, it might just give you a new outlook on schoolwork.

STAFF WRITERS:

EDITOR IN CHIEF:

Katelyn Mendenhall katelyn.mendenhall@my.lr.edu

SPORTS WRITER:

Harrison Elam Harrison.Elam@my.lr.edu

Laura Brendle Laura.Brendle@my.lr.edu Kyle Cerrito Kyle.Cerrito@my.lr.edu Florian Lemmel Florian.Lemmel@my.lr.edu Dahquan Pauling Dahquan.Pauling@my.lr.edu

CONTRIBUTORS: Ashley Hinson Kelyn Thornton

FACULTY ADVISORS: Dr. Lisa Harris Prof. Richard Gould

NEWS

LRN MONTHLY | OCTOBER 2017

WHITT-NESSING

HISTORY By Katelyn Mendenhall | LRN Monthly Editor in Chief

Lenoir-Rhyne University officially inaugurated its 12th President on Sept. 8, 2017. Aside from seeing a new face in LR administration, students can anticipate seeing the fruits of Whitt’s goal to make students’ experiences at LR the “best years of their young lives.” To celebrate Whitt’s inauguration, LR hosted a weekend of events, including a cookout on Shaw Plaza for students to meet and chat with President Whitt and his family, an official investiture ceremony that members of the community were welcome to attend and a fireworks show after the football team’s victory against North Greenville. “I am beyond excited about this extraordinary opportunity at Lenoir-Rhyne,” Whitt said when he started at LR. “I am honored and humbled to be named the 12th President of LenoirRhyne University…The bedrock principles that are unique to Lenoir-Rhyne are values I enthusiastically embrace and support. I welcome this incredible opportunity to work with faculty, staff, students and the greater community to advance the strategic plan of LR and lead the University to an even higher level of excellence.”

Lenoir-Rhyne University President Dr. Fred Whitt has been officially inaugurated as LR's 12th President. KATELYN MENDENHALL | LRN MONTHLY

THE GREAT SHOWMEN DISCOVER LR’S MOST DEMANDING PRODUCTION: MARCHING BAND By Kyle Cerrito | LRN Monthly Staff Writer

The LR Marching Band performs the first part of their show “Red” during halftime on Sept. 9. PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. DANIEL KISER

The Lenoir-Rhyne University Marching Band operates like a football team. Each time they take the field, the audience sees the product of nearly countless hours of practice. Their latest show, entitled “Red,” requires anywhere from 100 to 120 people to perform. And they are even capable of receiving penalties. “I’ve never seen it, but if the band takes too long during halftime, then it’s a penalty,” LR student and Marching Band Majorette Sabrina Powell said. “We even have to stop mid-song so we don’t play when the ball’s moving.” According to NCAA rule 9.B.5, “persons subject to the rules, including bands, shall not create any noise that prohibits a team from hearing its signals.” Breaking this rule results in a 15-yard penalty. Powell explained that this can be especially frustrating when they begin “The Hey Song” (originally known as “Rock N’ Roll pt. 2”) only to be cut off immediately before the climax, and the crowd’s “Hey!” becomes a whimpering “Hey?” LR Marching Band Director Neil Underwood works to keep this from happening, but that’s not all he does.

“What I envision is a group that entertains and supports campus life,” he said. “It provides a learning opportunity much like athletics or any other team activity.” Underwood brings the experience to make this happen. He has almost run out of room on his office walls for the awards he has won over his 40-year career. On game day, he coaches up his team. Communicating via headset with sound technicians in the press box, he calls the plays to keep to the band sounding balanced. No wonder he won the award for most effective band in his previous job at North Lincoln High School. Of course, Underwood is not the only one who works hard. The band starts its season with a one-week band camp, where they practice from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. for six days. Then, throughout the semester, the band practices together for about five hours a week, and they are expected to spend additional time practicing with their section. “I almost have to schedule when I can breathe,” Powell said. LR student Hailey Baskin leads the brass section and plays the mellophone. She explained that she has had to work extra with her

fellow brass musicians because they program. It will house sheet music, form a prominent part of the show. music instruments and band “Red” tells a love story performed equipment that was previously by the band’s majorette Powell. scattered throughout seven “I start out the show with our rooms in the original section of drum major in the first piece,” she the building. This will open more said. “He’s in love with me, and I say, practice rooms. ‘No thank you.’ Then I move on to The addition should be finished the next band member.” by early October, according to LR Powell refused to say how it Director of Facilities Management would end, but she did mention Otis Pitts, and Kiser projects the new that they would perform the show practice rooms won’t open until the in its entirety during halftime at the spring. last two home games. Baskin and This may not help the band yet, the rest of the band will provide the but, to Underwood, the future looks music to this drama. Underwood bright. explained that combining the music and the motions of the show is the most difficult part, and everyone in the 80-member band must be perfectly in time. “For me, it’s just all about putting in the time, whether by yourself or with your section, so I’m very thankful for the practice facilities we have,” Baskin said. “But if everyone in the band is putting in the work, it gets super cramped.” Baskin explained that sometimes it can be hard to find a room in the Mauney Music Building. “Students complaining about not having any open practice rooms is a good thing,’” LR’s Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Daniel Kiser said. He smiled. “It means we’re building the program.” Majorette Sabrina Powell practices her baton work at President Whitt’s If you’ve been to the stadium inauguration. KATELYN MENDENHALL | parking lot this semester and LRN MONTHLY noticed the dumpster and construction vehicles blocking off eight parking spaces, you probably could guess that LR is building something onto the music building. Kiser explained that the 3,360 square foot addition to the music building will act as a LR Marching Band’s brass section holds down the “music warehouse” harmony. KATELYN MENDENHALL | LRN MONTHLY for LR’s growing music