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Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Comm LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication
LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
VOL. 111 — ISSUE 2
SEPTEMBER 2016
VOL. 110 — ISSUE 2
Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
VOL. 110 — ISSUE 2
SEPTEMBER 201
fEST TO RETIRE LR pResident TO RETIRE LR pResident TO RETIRE
They’re here! Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
VOL. 110 — ISSUE 2
SEPTEMBER 2015
Pokémon, and the players who “Gotta catch ‘em all!” swarming LR By Elijah Moon Blackwell | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
photo illustration | LRN Monthly
The summer’s hottest trend has hit Lenoir-Rhyne University in a big way – the Pokémon are here. You can’t cross the LR’s Hickory campus without running into a dozen or so people walking along staring at their cellphones. They’re not Netflix and chilling on the move – they’re playing Pokémon Go. The mobile app, developed by Niantic, uses your phone’s camera and GPS to combine your real life surroundings and the Pokémon universe in a way we could only imagine back in 1997 when the original Pokémon cartoon debuted and captured the imaginations of America’s children. Now those children are all grown up and they’re scouring this campus to capture cartoon monsters that appear on their phone screens beside LR’s real life landmarks. It’s called augmented reality – the overlapping of a fantasy videogame with your actual environment. Rather than pushing an arrow to move a character on a screen, today real people can walk around the park, the mall or any other public place to catch Pokémon.
“It gets people on their feet in a fun way,” LR psychology major Anthony Pyatt said. Traditional video games involve sitting with a controller in your hand. The only way to play Go is to get out of your chair and get out there. “It gets me outside,” Pyatt said, “In doing so I lost 15 pounds.” Losing weight is one of Go’s perks. Discovery is another. Niantic places Poké Stops (a place to refill on Poké Balls after a session of catching) near places of cultural importance such as libraries, statues and historical markers. Since Lenoir-Rhyne is home to many monuments there are at least 15 Poké Stops on campus. Walk across LR, hit a Poké Stop, stock up on Poké Balls and keep on catching. “This is where being lazy costs,” Pyatt explained. “If you don’t want to walk or drive to a Poké Stop then you will have to use real money to get Poké Balls.” But the game makes you move for more than just collecting Poké Balls – if you want to hatch those Pokémon you’ve been catching you’ll need to walk anywhere from two to ten kilometers, depending on the variety of creature you’ve
SEE THEY’RE HERE, PAGE 8
search continues for lr’s new president By Alivia Russell | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
More than a year ago LenoirRhyne University’s President, Dr. Wayne Powell, announced that he planned to retire following the end of the 2015-2016 school year.
SEP
The university formed a search committee that spent the school year searching for the perfect replacement to take over. They haven’t found one. As the end of
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the school year approached Powell agreed to postpone his retirement until the committee was able to fund a suitable successor. The search for a new president
SEE search, PAGE 2
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chiVes
chiVes
continues – with new Presidential Search Committee Chair Jearld Leonhardt and some new
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NEWS
LRN MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2016
GETTING TO KNOW
the nurse By Abbi Wood | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
Nurse Practitioner Eugenia Glass is beginning her second year as Lenoir-Rhyne University’s full time first line of defense for students who need medical care. The health center is open for students and staff Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Based on last year’s numbers Glass expects to treat more than 700 LR students for a wide range of medical maladies this year. On a busy day Glass saw a student for a swollen eye. “She gave me a prescription for eye drops,
and told me some things I could do to make the swelling go down faster,” said sophomore, Mallory Joyner. “I felt comfortable being taken care of by her.” Glass’s most common cases include colds, urinary tract infections, stomach bugs, allergies and skin problems. “I have heard that students don’t want to come here because they felt embarrassed because they think most students are here for STD’s,” Glass said. “Really, the majority of students are in here to see counselors.” “She was really helpful and took her time
with me to explain everything and answer my questions,” said sophomore, Paige Delay after a visit with Glass. The busiest time of the year is cold and flu season. The runner up: allergy season. Glass sees as few as 15 students per week and as many as 60 students per week. “Some days I can’t sit down because I am so busy and some days nobody comes in,” Glass said. Glass takes her time with each student ensuring that they have the best possible care.
NEW DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT NAMED By Ghia Smith | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
LR’s new Director of Alumni Engagement, Cheryl Abee, gets settled into a new hectic work week in her new office. GHIA SMITH | LRN Monthly
Lenoir-Rhyne seems to be shaking things up in Alumni Engagement with the arrival of the new director Cheryl Abee. Alumni Engagement not only benefits previously graduated students, but unique programs like Bears for Life benefit all LenoirRhyne students. Abee will be working to maximize the benefits of the Bears for Life program, which is designed to keep all students connected, regardless of location. “If you are moving to Colorado, you can still connect to people in that area who have attended Lenoir-Rhyne,” said LR Director of Advancement Design and Electronic Media Heath Cushman. This can really benefit seniors looking to branch out after graduation in terms of networking or just finding a good spot in town to eat. Also, the newest feature on the Bears for Life site is the resume poster. This gives you the ability to post your resume on the site. Additionally, someone can search for you via resume search criteria. This is ideal for employers looking for LR alumni with a specific level of experience. Abee’s goal is to expand her experience here at Lenoir-Rhyne. Abee was born and raised in Hickory and graduated from LenoirRhyne in 1989. While studying here, she was very involved on campus. Abee was on the basketball team, as well as the softball team. Initially she was a sports journalism major,
however she is now in the field of communication. She is also a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. For the past 20 or so years, Abee worked for the Catawba County United way, and in recent years she served as the volunteer center director. Alumni engagement reached out to her on various social media platforms, which, in turn, caused her to be more informed on issues going on on campus. The Bears for Life program is what brought Abee back home to Bear Nation as the director of alumni engagement. She plans to network with a variety of students and alumni to get a better feel for the people she’s going to be serving. There are around 7,000 alumni between the Hickory and Charlotte area alone, according to Abee, so she’s more than happy to sit and talk about new ideas and new strategies that students think will be beneficial to the overall growth of alumni involvement on campus and off campus. As far as methodology, she wants to “keep the ball rolling” with the amount of involvement, while also thinking outside of the box to accumulate more interest. Her goal is to not only promote Bears for Life to alumni and students, but to ultimately be on the frontline for seniors who may be looking for mentor-mentee relationships and other connections.
search from page 1
sports editor: DeChane Grinton
staff writers:
Elijah Moon Blackwell Alivia Russell Ghia smith
faculty advisors: Dr. Lisa Harris
Prof. Richard Gould
contributing writers:
Megan Abee Lydia Black Bethany Everly Katelyn Mendenhall Dahquan Pauling Sabrina Powell Brian Tarpley Abbi Wood
committee members, including LR Student LaMiya Bennett and LR Athletic Director Kim Pate. “The committee has members with backgrounds in business, law, academic higher education, athletics, and the clergy. It is diverse in its makeup as well,” Leonhardt said. “Most are alumni but not all.” The committee meets once or twice a month but occasionally more if they are making some solid progress throughout the month, Bennett explained. While the various members of the committee have their own criteria for LR’s next university president Bennett has some specifics in mind.
“I’m looking for someone who is as much a visionary as President Powell or even more,” she said. “Finding someone to fill President Powell’s shoes will be difficult, but the committee wants someone with exceptional qualities and a love for the students, community and the university.” Leonhardt said he hopes to nominate someone for this position by the Spring 2017 semester. Pate declined comment citing the confidential nature of the search.
Dr. Wayne Powell
PROFILE
LRN MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2016
DRIVEN, DETERMINED
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AND DEAF
LR student thrives despite her obstacles By Katelyn Mendenhall | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
“It was difficult to get to know Kayli, not because of Kayli, but because of me,” Denise Lehman said about her mentee, Kayli Zecca. Zecca, 22, graduated this May with a bachelor’s degree in health and exercise science, and she’s profoundly deaf – without hearing aids she can only hear 10 percent of what most people normally hear. She has sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. While she’s wrestled through typical college struggles, she’s also had to cope with her deafness in a way few people could understand. Zecca can’t hear music. She can’t talk on the phone. She can’t rely on an alarm clock to wake her up. But she can work. She can study. And she can communicate. “I’ve limited her in my own mind,” Lehman said. “But those limitations aren’t there.” In her junior year of college, Zecca worked four jobs. She was a waitress at Mellow Mushroom, an American Sign Language tutor at LR, a family tutor for parents with a deaf child and a babysitter. And her work ethic has only grown. Zecca just got a full time job at BAYADA Home Health Care as a home health and assisted living aide and will start as soon as she graduates. “She’s fearless when it comes to putting herself into society,” Zecca’s friend Madison Yount said. “She perseveres, and she doesn’t give up.” And she’s had to endure quite a bit. The summer after her junior year in high school, Zecca applied for a job at
With her hearing aids, Kayli Zecca can hear about 90 percent of what most people can hear. kATELYN MENDENHALL | LRN Monthly
the YMCA. When the manager found out she was deaf, she refused to give Zecca an interview. It was offensive. Zecca wanted a settlement in court—she pushed for all of the money she would have earned that summer had she gotten the job. The case lasted for two years, and an equal employment opportunity organization got involved. Zecca ended up winning the settlement, but money wasn’t her
motivation. “I just wanted this to be clear, that (being refused an interview) was terrible,” Zecca said. “It really taught me to stand up for myself and not be afraid of others.” Being deaf hasn’t been all gray skies though. Zecca says there are incredible blessings that come along with it. Her hearing aids have been one of those. When she’s wearing them,
Zecca can hear 90 percent of what most people can hear—it’s just not always as clear. Even though she qualifies for cochlear implant surgery, Zecca has chosen to stick with her hearing aids; she’s happy with the way she is. Every five years she gets a new pair, and it’s a “whole new world.” The technology continues to improve and with each new pair of hearing aids Zecca can hear more and more, which means she gets better at talking (she says things the way she hears them). In fact, “she speaks really well,” Gabby Johnson, one of Zecca’s interpreters at church and LR, said. Even though this is the case, many people are still afraid to approach her. Logan Waddell, a cued speech transliterator at LR, says there’s a lot of reluctance and uncertainty when it comes to hearing people approaching the deaf community. “There are communication barriers at times, and they don’t know the best way to approach that, so they just don’t,” Waddell said. But not communicating is the worst thing you can do. That just leaves people like Zecca feeling even more isolated. Despite all of this hardship, Zecca is confident and comfortable with who she is. “Yes, she’s deaf, but that’s just a character trait of hers; it’s not how she defines herself,” Yount said. “I would never classify Kayli as deaf.”
Getting the
Bears ON THE AIR LR’s student radio station 99.3 WLRZ The Lair poised for another electric year By Dahquan Pauling | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
Ask 10 people why they came to college and you’ll hear 10 versions of “to get a good job.” At LR the place to pick up those job skills extends beyond the classroom and into the real world. In the case of 99.3 WLRZ that means sliding up to the sound board, grabbing the mic and going out live on the air with The Lair – LenoirRhyne’s very own radio station. It’s true that lots of colleges have online “broadcasts,” but LR is among the select few to have its own radio tower blasting student-generated content and selected tunes out to the campus and our surrounding neighborhoods. The Lair was founded in the 1980s, but these days there are students who haven’t discovered that they have their own campus radio station. And WLRZ’s staff is working to fill that gap. “I want us to integrate into the community in general both with students and LR.” Advisor of the campus radio station, Dr. Jeffrey Delbert said. “We welcome all students to come and who want to help and have a space where they can express themselves.” LR alum Maggie Brown fell in love with radio during her time at LR and decided to turn that passion into a career. Maggie got involved as much as
possible as WLRZ’s student manager and having a part-time job with Lenoir-based KICKS 103.3. “Your resume will look good with any type of experience whether it’s a job, college level, or volunteer,” Brown said. “Learn as much as possible.” She’s spouting more than hope and theory. Brown is well on her way to becoming a veteran of the airwaves. These days she’s doing a morning show on a Wisconsin station and keeping an eye on the major markets for her big break. The Lair’s leadership team wants even more students to have the chance to have their own radio shows and learn the skills that can land them a job in the industry, or just have the chance to express themselves on the air. And if you’re more of a behind-the-scenes sort there are opportunities for you at The Lair too. Last year WLRZ hosted several station promotional events on campus. The radio station teamed up with Omega Psi Phi to host a threeon-three basketball tournament and a volleyball tournament with music and food provided. Students who turned out for the events got to meet some of The Lair’s disk jockeys and listen to some
SEE on the AIR, PAGE 6
ABOVE: Cliff Barrett II, of WLRZ The Lair, gets his music playlist right in preparation for a radio broadcast. LEFT: WLRZ The Lair’s Student Manager Elijah Blackwell goes live over the airwaves to his loyal audience. DAHQUAN PAULING | LRN Monthly
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NEWS
LRN MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2016
caught on campus LR students Tylan James and Naomi Segers show off their moves at Lenoir Rhyne University Organizational Fair in Shaw Plaza on Wednesday. lydia black | LRN Monthly
Clinton Reep with Hickory Plumbing and Heating repairs one of the new water fountains on campus. elijah moon blackwell | LRN Monthly
“It’s kind of like being a bartender, except with coffee,” LR graduate Taylor Amoss said about working in Joe’s Coffee. katelyn mendenhall | LRN Monthly
Graduate students Sarah Benzing (right) and Kiera Peak (left) debate whether they should take a nap or go to the gym. katelyn mendenhall | LRN Monthly
The Hydroboost boost New water fountains keep students hydrated and eliminate plastic waste By Ghia Smith | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
With all the new renovations to the Lenoir-Rhyne campus, the smallest changes might go unnoticed. However, it is pretty hard to miss the newest edition to each hallway. When there’s a student in need of a refreshing drink of water, the water fountains have always had our backs. Now LR’s water fountains are better than ever. Though the only difference is that there’s now the option of vertical water flow. That’s right, the new Halsey Taylor brand Hydroboost water fountains are equipped with water-bottle-filling function. Also, there’s an LED display that shows just how many water bottles are being saved by using this new fountain. Anyone who knows Lenoir-Rhyne knows that we are big on sports. With this being said, we need to keep all of our athletes hydrated. Most keep a water bottle close by at all times. The Hydroboosts make the bottle refill process easy and efficient. LR quarterback Kaleb Scott says, “it’s cool that we are taking a step in that direction.” Former LR swim team member Samantha Garrett loves the new ecologically improved fountains and she’s not alone. “It’s very convenient!” said LR volleyball player, Ashley Wells. “I don’t know why we’re just now
getting them.” Who do we have to thank for our shiny new Hydroboosts? SGA. At the end of each fiscal school year, LR’s Student Government Association uses leftover funds to benefit the student body. Last year they had an ample amount of funds left over – approximately $12,500, according to LR’s Dean of Students, Katie Fisher. This was enough money to successfully install four bottle filling stations – one in McCrorie, Cromer, Rhyne and Minges. SGA had planned on installing one in the Carl A. Rudisill Library, however, the cost to remove brick, due to poor placement of the previous fountain, would have surpassed the actual cost to install the new fountains. The total cost to install all four Hydroboosts was $12,080. To some they may be “just” water fountains, but the LR student body is excited about its new quartet of 21st-century hydration stations. “They say it’s the small things that count,” said Fisher. Ultimately, the goal is to have at least one in every building.
LR’s Student Government Association installed four new Hydroboost water fountains this summer. ghia smith | LRN Monthly
OPINION
LRN MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2016
5
Be smart with your heart Living & loving at LR
By Bailey Leonard | LRN Monthly Editor
The first few days of college can be overwhelming – so many things to learn, buildings to find and of course, boys and girls to check out. Dating is a part of the college experience. At a small college like LR it’s common to see couples that look like they’ve been together for years.
But being surrounded by couples that seem happy doesn’t mean you HAVE to date. There really is nothing wrong with you if you don’t find someone to pair up with in the first two weeks of classes. I’m here to tell you that it’s actually better to not date anyone the first few months of college. Let yourself explore and get situated before you jump into anything. And before you even think about committing yourself to another person, make sure you take care of yourself first. It may sound cliché, but you can’t fully love anyone if you don’t love the person in the mirror. Let’s say you don’t take my advice. Let’s say you jump the gun and get really romantic right away, know that it’s okay to not text 24/7. Seriously. In fact, it’s better for both parties if you don’t – everyone needs their space and no one likes that couple that can’t be without each other for 10
minutes. I’m also not saying that you can’t ever spend time with them, but you want them to be a part of your life – not your entire world. Make sure you hang on to your own identity. You’re not half a couple. You’re still you. Don’t let your person hold you back. If you want to study abroad, or take an internship across the state then go for it! Do what is best for you. And you may not date at all throughout college, and that is perfectly fine. Or you may break up after a while and you may break a heart or two, or get your heart broken – you will be okay. Learn from every experience you go through and you will grow from it. College can be hard at times, but I promise you it will also be some of the best memories of your life.
Back to Virtual Reality Top 5 videogames released this summer
By Elijah Moon Blackwell | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
Summer is over but the best parts (the video games) are here to stay. Already looking for a way to avoid doing homework? Look no further, here’s the Top 5 fantastic video games released before the fall semester. Warning: These games will hook you and you won’t be able to stop playing – they’re that good. 1. Overwatch – PC, PS4, Xbox One This multiplayer-only shooter will test your teamwork ability, or lack thereof. Grab a friend or trust the random online players (if you dare) to dominate various objectives. Choose from a whopping 22 heroes (Yeah, it is a lot, and the developers over at Blizzard Entertainment are planning to add even more!) to battle across 12 locations. Recommended for those looking for intense competition. It’s an extreme game – better find serenity now before defeat rage costs you a controller, because you will lose a lot, or is it just me?
2. Lego Star Wars: the Force Awakens – PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, DS, iOS Lego + Star Wars + video games = AWESOME! (It’s literally the best combination possible.) Re-enact your favorite scenes from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” with characters from Rey to Kylo Ren while never worrying about the agony of stepping on a Lego. Like the previous Lego games, Traveler’s Tales and TT Fusion created a lighthearted version of the film. It’s obviously targeted towards younger audiences, but come on, watching Pope trying to make toast in an X-Wing while fighting the Empire is funny. This is single screen cooperative play at its best (on consoles and PC). Grab two controllers and a friend to make the experience that much more satisfying. Recommended for Lego and Star Wars fans alike. 3. Hearts of Iron IV – PC Remember World War II? You know, when France whooped the German Reich while Canada brought the pain to The Empire of Japan … wait is that not how it went? Experience an alternate take on WW2 by controlling the nation of your choice starting in 1936. For those after a more historical experience, an option can be turned on to make the AI act like their real world counter parts. This is a grand strategy, meaning you have to manage all parts of your sovereignty. From industry to diplomatic relations, the fate of your nation relies on your problem solving. This is the most accessible and user friendly of the series thus far, so start here. Go, take part in the 2nd Great War as Communist USA and change the course of history!
4. Doom – PC, PS4, Xbox One Heavy metal, big guns and gore! Ambitious scientists on Mars “accidentally” opened the gates of Hell letting Demons run loose. Embrace your inner Orkin Man and wipe out those nastys using an arsenal designed to destroy everything. A simple first person shooter with dozens of hours full of adrenaline fueled content. Features snapmap, a program to make your own levels and competitive multiplayer. Grab a chainsaw, turn up the volume and don’t let anything stop your rampage. Probably the best looking graphics all summer. Seeing chunks of flesh flying through the air has never looked so gruesomely realistic. 5. House of the Dying Sun – PC I had to include a Virtual Reality game. If you don’t own the amazing HTC Vive or an Oculus Rift, you can still play on a traditional monitor with a controller. This game is absolutely enthralling, in virtual reality that is. Virtual reality is where this game shines. Sit in a space fighter cockpit and explore the galaxy following a deep story line. The soundtrack enhances the mood while dogfights keep you on the edge of your seat. Prefer slow and methodical? Pause the game to plan your attack. More of a “trust my trigger finger” type? Fly in and destroy your opposition with brute force. Be the Red Baron of space! I swear it’s so real I feel the heat off the sun sometimes…. Help me out – what did I miss? Is there a specific title or videogame topic you’d like to see in the next issue? Send your suggestions to elijah. blackwell@my.lr.edu!
September’s Top 3 Convocations of course) on Sept. 30 from 10-10:30 a.m. The convocation’s called PB&J^3rd, but don’t expect to sit around perfecting your sandwich skills – this one’s about connecting with LR’s counselors. During Peanut Butter & Jelly & Jenny & Jennifer LR’s counselors will spend an open hour being at our disposal to discuss any issues in our lives and to offer some really great help. It may not seem like the funnest convocation ever, but everyone should be aware that there is a special time set up specifically to help every one of us.
By Alivia Russell | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
Ok, LR’s new website’s having some growing pains, and the Convocations page is out of commission (or maybe they’ve fixed it by now) – but don’t worry, I’ve got this! Lend me your ears and I’ll give you the lowdown on my picks for the Top 3 convocations of September. 3. PB&J^3rd Check out the Cromer Cave (in the basement,
2. What can the Office of International Studies do for you? Hickory’s great, sure – but have you seen London? Paris? How about Cairo or Cape Town? Here’s your chance! Come out to Belk Centrum on Sept. 9 from 10-10:30 a.m. and find out how to have the experience of a lifetime! If you’re the kind of person who says college is the time to see and do everything, it’s time to get started. It’s also a
chance to hear from some of the LR students who have “been there and done that” as a part of our international study abroad programs. 1. RAINN Day: Stories of Thriving My top choice may just be the most important convocation of the year: RAINN Day. LR’s hosting a panel of guest speakers in honor of RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) Day. They’ll be here to share their stories and answer questions from the audience in the P.E. Auditorium on Sept. 15 from 6-8 p.m. Survivors will be here sharing their stories bringing awareness to some of life’s most traumatic secrets. This convocation will be one that will pull at your heartstrings but is definitely a topic we as a society should more aware of. You know about LR’s required convos; why not make the most of them; why not go change your life – for the better! For more information on upcoming convocations go to student.lr.edu/convocation-program2.
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NEWS
LRN MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2016
excuse the mess Bears eager for new dining room as construction continues By DeChane M. Grinton | LRN Monthly Sports Editor
Lenoir-Rhyne University’s cafeteria, known to most simply as “The Caf,” has been under construction all summer, and it’s not done yet. The plan was to have it done by Aug. 8, but contractor delays have postponed its completion. “We found out a few days prior to the deadline. Two of our contractors were unable to make the deadline,” said LR’s Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance Peter J. Kendall. “The first contractor that notified us about not being able to meet their deadline was the one in charge of fabricating all of our cabinetry for our new stations (main course, grille, salad and bakery).” “The second contractor who was unable to meet the deadline was the one in charge of installing our new countertops that will be in the cafeteria,” he added. According to a release issued by LR Administration, until the renovations are complete the cafeteria will use a “buffet” style of serving the students. The Bears’ Lair is still fully operational during the Cromer Center cafeteria renovations. Students are allowed to use their meal equivalences on any of the stations there including The Grille, Subway and Joe’s Coffee.
In the wake of the delayed renovations, LR’s dining services will provide special menu items such as Di’lishi Yogurt who has been contracted to distribute 500 free 8-ounce servings of yogurt each day until renovations are complete, according to the release. Kendall explained that, although this process has been stressful, LR needed these timely reservations. “The cafeteria hasn’t been renovated since it was constructed in the 1970s, and so we felt like it needed to be improved,” he said. Kendall said ideas for the cafeteria improvements and new stations came from the experts. “Most of our ideas came from the architects provided by Aramark,” he said. “They brought in some ideas that have worked with other universities and school systems, and we felt like they would be great changes to enhance the dining experience for students here at Lenoir-Rhyne.” The exact date when the renovations will be completed is still unknown. Aramark staff refused to comment when contacted for this story. Construction continues on Lenoir-Rhyne University’s remodeled and updated student cafeteria. dechane m. grinton | LRN Monthly
chick-fil-a
to the rescue Why Wednesdays might be your new favorite By Sabrina Powell | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
When the owners of the Chick-fil-A times I see a familiar face every few in the Valley Hills Mall saw a problem, weeks.” they took action that they didn’t have Ray recalled the day he asked an to take. LR student who he used to see every The problem was that they were Wednesday why he wasn’t coming as seeing college students who didn’t much. The young man told him that have money for food. Tim and his wife being at college makes it hard to even Tammy Ray came up with a plan and afford food. if you’ve been at LR for any length of LR’s cafeteria charges $8 per person time you already know what that plan per visit for those who don’t have a was: Chick-fil-A Wednesdays! meal plan. And if you’re new to Lenoir-Rhyne “It’s hard for me to imagine paying and you notice that the students here $8 for caff food when I can get Chickseem to have a spring in their step on fil-A for less than $5,” LR student Wednesdays. and commuter Matthew Sheets said. Here’s how it works: go to the Chick“I save my money the best I can so fil-A in the mall on Wednesday after when I get an opportunity to save 10:30 a.m., show your student ID and money I take it.” you can choose either a world-famous Ray’s wife Tammy can relate to this chicken sandwich or eight nuggets, problem because the Rays have two At Lenoir-Rhyne Chick-fil-A day is just about the happiest day of the week. a drink and a side of waffle fries for sons. The oldest just finished his first $4.11. Splurge for a lemonade and it’s sabrina powell | LRN Monthly year of college and the second one is $4.47. You’ll save yourself more than about to start. $2 – not bad for a broke college student struggling to make ends meet. “We don’t make anything by doing the college deal,” she said. “We do it “I have been running the Chick-fil-A day deal for a while now,” said Chickbecause we see how much our local college students need the extra break in fil-A franchisee Tim Ray. “There are times when I see familiar faces and other their cost and it actually helps them come back throughout the week.”
on the air from page 3 of WLRZ’s musical offerings while learning about some of the specific roles within the radio station – all while having a good time. “I’m always advertising and what we’re doing to the station to keep it alive is promotion,” said this year’s WLRZ student manager Elijah Blackwell. “We go out and play for Greek villages, we go out for all the Fraternities and Sororities and play music for them.” Deejays aren’t the only thing the radio station has to offer. If you’re not comfortable with public speaking you can be behind the scenes and manage the times for the shows. You can bring forth new music to get
played on the air to keep viewers interested. “As time goes on and as our numbers grow we will have people in different positions,” Delbert said. “We want to have a place we students or the community can write in and say, ‘we need this song’ so it can be a little more responsive.” One of WLRZ’s DJs, Cliff Barrett, promotes the station by keeping his finger on the pulse and asking LR’s students about their favorite songs and what types of music they listen to. Raymond Beam is the music operator whose job consists of keeping WLRZ’s music updated with the current hits and most popular songs in multiple music genres. “I started off filming video and shooting short films,” Beam said. “But I always had a knack for music
and I wanted to be around it, so I made the switch to radio.” There is no discrimination when it comes to being a part of the WLRZ crew. Communication majors and minor are encouraged to get involved, but those students from every other major can join up as well. “To become a part of the radio station you need to talk to Dr. Delbert,” Barrett said. “The station is student-run so Elijah Blackwell is the one that can put you in touch with him.” The radio station’s goal is to bring in continually draw motivated, dedicated, passionate students who will keep the radio up and running. Students learn to operate the soundboard and run Audacity software in Delbert’s audio production class so that they can
function independently in the studio. “A lot of stuff that happens in that class may get on the radio,” Blackwell said. The radio station needs new voices that want to be heard and boast their opinion about what’s going on in the world to spark a debate to get the community of Hickory involved with the community of LR. “If you really want to be a part of the radio station and if you love music or even talking and giving the people ideas or making someone’s day, come on out,” Beam said. For more information on how to get involved with LR’s student radio station, email The Lair’s station manager at Elijah.blackwell@ my.lr.edu or the station’s faculty advisor at Jeffrey.delbert@lr.edu.
NEWS
LRN MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2016
COMING TOGETHER
7
WITH CRU
Nursing student finds her way through Christian connections By Bethany Everly | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
Hannah Bertke, 23, of Elkin, was a fifth-year nursing student at LenoirRhyne University who had been through some really tough times. She says she survived solely through her involvement with a campus ministry. Bertke lived on campus during her first year at LR, but she didn’t get involved with anything that year. She had a boyfriend she spent most of her time with and two labels summed up the whole of her identity: nursing student / girlfriend. Going into her sophomore year she still had yet to realize what she was missing out on, but she did know that she was not satisfied with her life. She didn’t have a lot of true friends, then she and her boyfriend broke up. Suddenly she found herself feeling profoundly alone in Lenoir-Rhyne’s Cru crew takes part in a pre-meeting icebreaker. BETHANY EVERLY | LRN MonthlY the world. Bertke is grateful for the lifelong friendships for her that has changed her perspective of Rock bottom came when she failed a nursing that she has made through Cru. She’s gone from nursing school. class – a costly mistake that meant she’d have a mostly solitary existence to having more friends “It is a community of people with an openness to spend another year at LR in order to get her than she could ever have imagined having. that feels like family,” Berke said, “I used to not feel degree. She’d lost the two things that had become The female student leader of Cru, Milly Treu is also like I was good enough for them, but now I feel like her identity. a nursing major and she has seen Hannah through a completely different person.” “My first two years of college were two really her entire transformation. She has now graduated from nursing school and dark years,” Bertke said. “I used to put my worth in “God allowed Cru to help Hannah know Him has accepted a position at Wake Forest Baptist school and other things, but when all of that falls more and grow deep in a relationship with Him,” Medical Center in the Med-Surge department. through what do you have then?” Treu said. “I know her life has been changed by Even this next step for her is far more than she Through it all one friend kept inviting Bertke to Cru because of the evidence in her actions and her ever expected. She had no desire before to leave come with her to a Campus Crusade for Christ wisdom.” Hickory, but now she sees the need to step out Bible study. Bertke’s recent transformation has even been of her comfort zone to try new things and to “She invited me to bible study every week for an inspiration to others who don’t yet know what experience the world. two months,” Bertke said. “She intentionally they want from college and even just to some of “I am excited to be starting my life as a nurse,” sought me out and never gave up.” her closest friends. Bertke said. “But I am also scared of the unknown.” Eventually Bertke caved and attended a Cru Bible “Hannah is a ray of sunshine,” Kaitlyn Frank She isn’t without fear of the future, but she has study just so her friend would stop asking, but said of her roommate. “And seeing her transform definitely come a long way from where she started something happened there that she didn’t expect. because of her involvement with Cru has been one as a freshman five years ago. Without Cru and the She fell in love with the people and she realized of the biggest inspirations for me.” people involved with the ministry Bertke would just how meaningful friendship in college can be. Bertke said that Cru came into her life right not be where she is today. Her life was completely She hadn’t realized what she was missing out on when she needed the people the most and now transformed by the community of people that until the end of her second year of college. she has an entirely different outlook on life. People showed her who Jesus was and by the people who “Getting involved with Cru is a great opportunity are inspired by her dedication and her willingness loved her at her worst. for just anyone seeking a deeper meaning to life,” to stick with something when it proved to be hard. The organization completely transformed her Kalyn Ravasio, a Cru staff member, said. “And I’m “She is now a living representation of God’s life. She was so unsatisfied and she didn’t know so thankful to have seen that play out in Hannah’s faithfulness,” Treu said. “I am so glad to have what could help her to feel happy again. Then after life because I have seen her involvement with Cru someone else who has gone through the nursing getting involved she found more joy than she could really transform her and develop her into a great department that I can look up to and share life have possibly expected. More joy than she knew leader.” with.” existed. Cru’s faculty advisor, Taryn Hutchinson has seen But even through it all Bertke gives all of the Now she begins her life not just as a nurse, so many students experience the same thing. credit to the community of people she met but as a completely transformed person with an “Getting involved with a ministry on campus through her involvement with Cru. It is no longer entirely different outlook on life. is great because it grows you as a person,” about her own success with nursing or with boys, Hutchinson said. “And it is a great opportunity to but instead her life is now dedicated to serving make life-long friends while learning to truly care God in whatever ways she is able. This is a reality for other people.”
FOOTBALL, SCHOOL AND MINISTRY How one student does it all
By Bethany Everly | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
Jaxon Bounds is a lot of things. He’s a 20-year old Texan from Abilene. He’s a Lenoir-Rhyne University football player and a college student. But unlike a lot of young men his age and in his position, Bounds doesn’t take any of the credit for his accomplishments. Bounds is a Christian and he’s the president of LR’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. And he’s quick to tell you that everything he does is Christ working through him. His identity lies in his ministry. “College football is a lot harder than most would expect and my first semester was probably the roughest season of my life,” Bounds said. “But FCA has been my backbone through it all.” He got involved with FCA as a freshman his first semester and he said that it just felt like family. He has been consistently involved ever since. “I realize how blessed I am to be capable and able to play college football,” Bounds said. “But my favorite part of college is having a community of believers like myself that are so solid in their faith.”
Sincere humility is at the core of Bounds’ leadership style. It’s obvious to everyone who crosses his path. “I have seen him grow as a leader and servant through FCA,” Johnson said. “There is nothing more amazing to see than a humble leader who genuinely cares about the needs of others.” Despite how far he has come, it was not always easy for Bounds. He said that the first semester of college were some of the hardest months of his life. He is really close to his family and he loves Texas, so moving to North Carolina was a complete leap of faith. He had no idea why he felt a draw to this place, but he was determined to make the most of it. He said he really began to get involved with FCA because of the guys that constantly sought him out. He quickly realized why he was at LR. “I realized I was here to serve the Lord and to love people,” Bounds said. “Your whole perspective changes when your sport is no longer about you, but instead about ministry and
worship.” This is why FCA has become his main focus. He even gets to serve alongside his best friend and roommate Charles Clark. “He is such a great example for me on and off the field as a Christian athlete,” Clark said. “Coming in during my freshman year he didn’t know who I was or where I came from, but he met me as the person I was and loved me intentionally.” Despite his own troubles his first semester of college, Bounds still managed to be there for everyone around him. “Jaxon reaches out to many different kinds of people and has a kind of way with everyone,” FCA student leader Karen Johnson said. “I see him serving his team by inviting them to Bible studies and church regularly.” Fellow FCA student leader Serina Nickel agrees. “I have never seen someone so invested in other people’s live –He really does it all,” she said. “He is always doing something and helping people out when they need him.”
8
SPORTS
OPENING DAY LRN MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2016
LR redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrod Kellar threw for 158 yards and a touchdown against a Trojan defense that kept the pressure on all day during the Bears’ Sept. 3 home opener – a contest that LR ultimately lost to Virginia State by a score of 34-9. BRIAN TARPLEY | LRN Monthly
‘Flick’ lands new role Michael Flicker named LR’s Associate Athletic Director of Sports Performance By DeChane M. Grinton | LRN Monthly Sports Editor
It didn’t take LR’s new Athletic Director Kim Pate long to decide that Michael Flicker was the right man for a brand new job. Flicker, a familiar face around campus having served as LR’s athletic trainer for the past 15 years, is known to his student athletes as “Flick.” Now he’s known to the rest of this campus as LR’s Associate Athletic Director of Sports Performance. “I credit Michael Flicker for bringing a broad and bold vision to develop a comprehensive approach to sports performance,” Pate said. “He presented a concept that would not only include an emphasis on strength and conditioning but would also include nutrition, mental wellness and sports psychology, rest and recovery, and even an analytical component.” Although Flicker is excited about the new opportunity, he knows that his transition period will take some time. He plans to focus on nutritional concepts along with strength and conditioning. “Jenny Smith of Cornerstone House will assist us with the mental health portion of the program,” Flicker said. “We will also be bringing in people from campus to assist us with all of the variable components such as nutrition as well as strength and conditioning.” Flicker also said communication and willingness to care for student athletes is what makes his new program special. “The most vital thing about the relationship between the trainers and the students is to show
them that we care,” he said. “We have a very skilled staff here at LR, and also letting them know that we just want what is best for them provides them with a great level of trust in us as a team.” Pate said Flicker has had a major impact on the LR community for the past 15 years. “Michael Flicker is a special individual who brings tremendous passion for Lenoir-Rhyne and is extremely dedicated not only to athletics, but the University as a whole,” she said. “I recognized his talent and dedication within my first week on the job and I remain excited about the leadership he brings to our department.” Pate said Flicker will continue his development of LR’s student athletes, as well as maintaining the integrity of LR as a whole. “Michael Flicker truly embodies the four values of the institution (excellence, integrity, care, and curiosity),” she said. “He embodies a tireless work ethic and a relentless commitment and high level of care in support of student-athletes, his staff, coaches, his colleagues on campus as well as members of the community.” Sophomore Lacrosse player Collin Lett is confident that Flicker will do what is necessary to make the program successful. “He takes time to get to know everybody that comes in for treatment, and so the element of trust is strong between him and his clients,” Lett said. “I’m confident that he will put in the effort to make sure all the components of the program will work smoothly.”
THEY’RE HERE from page 1
You fight them against other players’ Pokémon, of course. To do that you’ll need to find yourself a Pokémon gym – luckily LR has three. Pokémon Go players can align themselves with their choice of three teams: Valor, Instinct and Mystic. Once you’ve chosen a side you can join up with other members of your crew and try to wrest control of the gym on behalf of your team. “Down with Valor,” said senior LR English major Kati Waldrop as she battled for control representing Mystic at the gym located in front of the football player statue beside the McCrorie Fitness Center. This was not a solo effort. LR graduate student in psychology Peyton Hoyle was there to lend a hand. Alas their efforts were to no avail. Valor was
acquired. Some dubious players have found workarounds to the game’s movement requirement. From taping the phone to a ceiling fan to leaving the app open constantly to track any possible movement, some players just don’t want to move. Niantic has been releasing updates to battle this. The app now detects how quickly you are moving so a car or other loopholes don’t count toward hatchings. Looks like we may be back to plain old fashioned walking. So you’ve caught and hatched your Pokémon, now what?
LR’s newly appointed Associate Director of Athletic Performance Michael Flicker discusses the recovery process with sophomore LR lacrosse player Colin Lett during the final week of August. dechane m. grinton | LRN Monthly
victorious. Plenty of LR students are playing the game, but this is an open campus and members of the Hickory community have spent the summer flocking here to play as well. Kenny Reyes, 21, was home from studying at Florida Atlantic University. “It’s a good thing to do with family,” he said as he was walking with his younger siblings and parents across campus. “A college campus is best because of all the Poké stops.” Whether you’re playing to help get active and drop a few pounds, a way to spend some time with family and friends or because you need to crush that smug opposing team, there’s room to play at LR – and it doesn’t look like Pokémon will be bailing on the Bears anytime soon.