November Rhynean 2011

Dr. Hall’s Boston Terrier, Virginia, dons her “Princess Leia” costume for Halloween.

Jackson Group Creates The MESH Pg 9

November 2011

Local Events Photo Essay Pg 12

www.lenoirrhynean.blogspot.com

Volume 106 - Issue 3

Celebrating 50 Years of Campus Ministry at L-R Pastor Weisner Continues Long-standing Tradition as Campus Chaplain

Photo Credit: Sarah Magness To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Lenoir-Rhyne’s pastorate, the Lutheran Student Movement presents Pastor Weisner with a thank-you card for his 17 years of dedication and service.

Home Sweet Hickory

From Battles to Books L-R Student to U.S. Soldier By: Olivia Pitman Copy Editor When the word “college” is mentioned to students, the words “deployment,” “basic training” and “drill weekends” 0 enter their minds.

For others, however, it’s at the top of the list. When a soldier makes the decision to enlist while at the same time completing his (or her) education, there are struggles, benefits and life lessons that civilians don’t encounter.

As a National Guard soldier, one is required to do a lot more than study for exams and pass a few classes.

To begin with, there’s an extensive recruitment process that ends with a symbolic swearing-in ceremony. After that, prospective soldiers are sent to Basic Combat Training followed by Advanced Individual Training for the job that is decided to be best for the individual soldier. After being gone for several months, a soldier is sent back to his home where he is assigned to a unit, usually close by his home.

Once home, there are several things that a soldier must do that most students don’t have to worry about.

Once a month the soldier will attend drill weekends that provide training.

In the summer, he will attend two weeks of intensive training, plus, throughout the year there are other training opportunities that will arise. The threat of a deployment is

What to Do in Town

AP Photo/Chris Oberholtz Members of the Missouri National Guard handle an American flag in Kansas City, Mo.

always looming, but there are excellent medical benefits, as well as a monthly paycheck.

Some call the National Guard the best of both worlds, and Sergeant First Class Scott Sculley seems to agree.

“You don’t have to put your life on hold,” said Sculley. “You can serve your country at the same time [you’re in school].”

One incentive is the financial aspect of receiving close to $10,000 a year for college tuition, but also, the opportunities for promotion as one’s rank increases is another way that a college student can justify enlisting.

With many positive aspects to joining the National Guard, one might wonder if it’s worth sacrificing weekends, summers, and maybe even years.

“I would encourage [students] to enlist as early as they can and gain as many benefits from the government that they can and get as much life experience they can to apply to their college life,” Sculley said.

While Sculley admits that a deployment is possible while in college, he doesn’t think it should be a deterrent for interested civilians.

Instead of seeing it as a setback, Sculley encourages one to look at a deployment as a way of learning and experiencing life.

Kenneth Vilagos, an alumnus of Lenoir-Rhyne University,

spent his last year at L-R concurrently enrolled as a student and soldier. His perspective of the National Guard life closely mirrors Sculley’s sentiments and encourages others to look into the opportunities offered.

“The positive benefits greatly outweigh the negative,” Vilagos said. “I am working with soldiers who are doing the same thing I am and that want to serve this country. I have a job and my finances for my education are taken care of. I also got to do some pretty incredible things. The only negative aspect about being in the army is the early mornings sometimes, but, you get used to them pretty quickly.”

For most full-time students, the most stressful thing to worry about is exam week. The majority of the time, students are planning parties, attending formals or studying away in hopes that they’ll make the best grade in their classes. But for other students, exam week is only one of many worries to be had.

To learn more about the National Guard life and how it might be relevant for current Lenoir-Rhyne students, SFC Sculley can be reached by e-mail at Scott.Sculley@US.Army.

Mail. While becoming a part of military life is a competitive fraternity, once someone makes the transition from civilian to soldier, they’re in for a lot more than just exams and formals.

Photo Credit: Tiffany Fields The Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse is just one of many local places students can grab a cup of joe, kick back and unwind the stresses of the day.

By: Tiffany Fields Staff Photographer College is a stressful time so it’s natural to want to go home on the weekends. If you catch yourself going home every weekend, though, you’re cutting yourself short on the college experience.

Hickory, nestled right between the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and the Piedmont region of North Carolina, is a small, unique city. Between the downtown shops and the many parks and recreational facilities, there’s something for everyone to do right in our own backyard.

The Hickory Museum of Art, located at 243 3rd Avenue NE, is a unique to place to explore, learnand create. Featuring exhibits and classes, it’s a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The best part is that it’s free.

If you’re looking for a relaxing place to sip coffee and study, try Barnes & Noble.

They’re open late and offer a friendly atmosphere, especially in the coffee shop.

The Carmike Cinemas, just past Target on Catawba Valley Boulevard, play the newest movies at a reasonable price.

See Things to do in Hickory, pg 8

Editorials

Editorials

2 2011-2012 Rhynean Staff

Editor’s Comments Assistant Editor Speaks out about Obama’s Faith

Editor - in - Chief Heather Sackett

Assistant Editor Jamie Frye

Managing Editor Kimberly Caporale

Layout & Design Editor Kate Coleman

Copy Editors Gustav Meyners Olivia Pitman

Staff Photographer Tiffany Fields

Staff Writers Danielle Bongiorno Kaitlyn Burton Randolph Carroll Nikki Dunlap Jessie Emery Tiffany Fields Jimmy Hilton Gustav Meyners Ryan Pegarsch Darren Roseboro Shayna Smith Spencer Voelkert Asia Wilson

Student Columns Faith Column Olivia Pitman

By: Jamie Frye Assistant Editor-­in-­Chief Hello, fellow L-R students!

Welcome to the November issue of The Rhynean. I know that nearly all of us have wondered about the state of our current Presidential administration more than once. The truth is, that’s human nature.

One issue, however, that I would like to talk to you about is the substantiation (or lack thereof) of evidence surrounding the claim that President Barack Obama is of Muslim belief.

The first piece is a Vlog by John Green, award-winning novelist and one of the two components of the Vlogbrothers-an intellectually humorous discourse on YouTube. The title of the Vlog is “Is Obama a Muslim? Examine the Evidence!”

Green makes the claim that there is not any evidence that Barack Obama is a practicing Muslim. This is because Obama does not abide by the five pillars by which every Islamic person must abide. The five pillars are the Shohada, which is the confession to the belief that there is none other than God and that Muhammad is His prophet, prayers five times per day, Zakat, which is giving segments of income as alms, Sawm, fasting from dawn until dusk during Ramadan, and Hajj, the obligatory journey to Mecca for enlightenment that Muslims make at least once in their respective lifetimes. He goes on to assert this by stating specifics—such as the fact that on April 8, 2010, during evening prayers, Obama was having dinner with Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, current president of the Russian Federation. According to public record, the Obamas also have not practiced Zakat—three to five years prior to Obama’s presidency, the Obamas only donated less

Freshman Issues Nikki Dunlap Going Green Kristen Lain Music World Daniel Bullins

Tech Talk Stephen Rankin Senior Issues Alyssa Carlson

Jateria Pittman

Advisers Staff Adviser Professor Susan Yingling Faculty Adviser Dr. Lisa M. Harris The Rhynean Lenoir-Rhyne University Campus Box 7215 Hickory, NC 28603 (828) 328 - 7176 Harrisl@lr.edu Rhynean@my.lr.edu

By: Alyssa Carlson Staff Writer Change is inevitable.

Unavoidable. No matter how hard you try to stop it, life will bring more changes than one might be ready to receive.

Each year, Lenoir-Rhyne has made various changes to improve life for students, faculty and staff. Since stepping onto campus in the fall of 2008, seniors have seen L-R change its entire identity.

We enrolled in Lenoir-Rhyne College, however, we will graduate Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Becoming a university the first semester here was one of the biggest

alterations seniors saw on campus. As L-R made one of its biggest steps toward becoming a prominent educational organization in this country, everything changed. Highway signs, logos on campus, main entry signs, new rugs in the buildings, merchandise, the L-R websites, athletic gear and more; everything went from LRC to LRU. That year, we also adopted a new slogan, Rise Up. The brand we knew as LRC made immense improvements.

When walking to class, you might notice a big, concrete figure in the middle of campus. No, that was not here either. Last year brought an addition of new statues across campus-the main one, Martin Luther, from a long time L-R supporter, Irwin Belk. Oh good old Martin Luther, we sure heard about him non-stop. Besides the big guy, Belk contributed bronze statues in front of each sports complex to represent our athletes on campus. Despite controversy, these statues changed the look and feel on campus. Like with larger universities, L-R increased the appeal and look of its campus.

Greeks also benefited from these changes over the past four years. Larger universities are known for having sorority and fraternity houses or even large parts of campus dedicated to living quarters.

However, L-R’s fraternities and sororities were not completely represented in

Greek Village. That all changed when Zeta Tau Alpha sorority found a home in a unit in Price Village that was solely for their sisters. During junior year, L-R bought a house for the Kappa Delta sorority. This year marked a big step for the Sigma Kappas and Theta Xis. The sorority moved into a house while the Xis, who already had a house, moved into a brand new one. This luxury is not always noticed at big universities because they have always been there. The Greeks of L-R went from being separated in dorms to coming together as one organization in houses and units of their very own.

Marketing is an important tool for any organization; it helps gain consumers and build relationships with those consumers, which yields success. This past semester, L-R began a marketing campaign bigger than anything ever accomplished on campus before; it marked a huge change for the L-R brand.

Rise Up, became the official catch phrase on campus and in the community.

The biggest thing was the airing of L-R first ever television commercial in surrounding area market places. This was huge for the university. So often we have seen commercials for Appalachian, UNC-Wilmington and UNC-Chapel Hill, but when I turned on the television that morning the commercial launched, I had to look twice when I saw my friends’ faces on the screen.

See Senior, on pg 8

Giving Thanks to God

Rhynean Blog

http://www.lenoirrhynean. blogspot.com/

Online Archives

By: Olivia Pitman Copy Editor

2011-2012 Rhynean Staff

One of the easiest ways I can waste five minutes – or maybe three hours – is to immerse myself in the Internet. I typically have my web browser minimized on my laptop at all times, and even when I’m engaged in serious studying I find myself taking a few breaks every now and then to check notifications on Facebook or new pins on Pinterest.

Mostly filled with trivial status

http://issuu.com/therhynean

By: Lauren Turnmyre and Whitney Ward Staff Writers For the month of November, we dined at Josh’s.

This restaurant is located on 206 Union Square NW Hickory, N.C. 28601. We went on Sunday afternoon at around 12:30 p.m.

On Monday through Saturday, lunch is served at 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m..

Dinner is then served at 5:00 p.m.. On Sundays, Josh’s is open from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for brunch. This restaurant is not open for dinner on Sunday evenings.

When we were walking toward the restaurant, we realized that it is located in an extremely friendly neighborhood.

Josh’s had a few smaller shops surrounding it. We went on the weekend of Oktoberfest, so we got to see the booths set up outside while we were dining.

When dining, you have the choice to eat outside or dine inside. When we first walked into the restaurant, we noticed that it had a modern and classy look to it. The waitress seated us at a table that had a fantastic

updates that are easily forgettable, I occasionally find a quote or picture online that I fall in love with. Recently, a simple question posted by someone I barely know provoked an intense moment of reflection and thought.

“What if the only thing you had tomorrow were the things you thanked God for today?”

I found this to be such a powerful question. How many times have I reflected on what I am truly thankful for, and admitted my gratitude to God? How many things do I repeatedly take for granted, never giving credit to Him who created it all?

Growing up in the south, our culture was taught to say, “thank you” just like we were taught to say, “yes ma’am” and “no, sir.” After being given a gift by a relative, receiving a compliment from a friend or having a door held open by a complete stranger, we always make time say thanks. So why don’t we do this for God? I’m not suggesting that after touching everything you should stop and say a thankful prayer to God, because let’s

face it--if someone hands you a stapler, it would be slightly awkward to stop what you’re doing and say, “Lord, thank you for this contraption that will bind together my papers.”

What I am saying is this: remember to thank God for the gifts he has provided.

What you might consider a curse might be another person’s blessing, and while God has a plan for everything, His plan might not be visible to you at a time when trials are present. Even when times are dark, thank Him anyway.

Thank him for the good days, the bad days and everything in between.

Because what if all you had tomorrow was what you thanked him for today, and you didn’t find anything worthy of your gratitude?

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Just as God finds us worthy of His kingdom even though we don’t deserve it, God deserves our thanks even though we might not understand the events that happen in our lives.

view of the Oktoberfest booths.

The waitress gave us our menus, and while we were looking through the menu, the waitress automatically gave everyone at the table water. You have the choice to either have the water or to order another drink. The restaurant has Pepsi products, as well as sweet tea and other beverage options.

Since we came for brunch on Sunday, the menu directed us to choose an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert. All of this for $13, without a drink.

For appetizers, the menu went from sausage and gravy biscuits to a Caesar salad.

The entrées ranged from the omelet of the day to chicken penne. The desserts ranged from crème brulee to wild blueberry cheesecake.

Whitney decided to order the sausage and gravy biscuits for her appetizer, the Union Square sampler for her entrée and the wild blueberry cheesecake for her dessert. The Union Square sampler included eggs made to order, slices of bacon and three silver dollar pancakes.

Lauren ordered the Caesar salad for her appetizer, the chicken penne for her entrée and the wild blueberry cheesecake for her dessert. About five minutes after the waitress took our order, she brought us our appetizers.

The biscuits were fluffy and soft, and the gravy was creamy and warm. This was a home-style

Photo Credit: Kim Caporale When the weather cooperates, Josh’s in downtown Hickory offers patrons the choice of dining inside or out. Reviewers Turnmyre and Ward said that Josh’s food was “absolutely amazing.”

appetizer. The Caesar salad was also delicious. It had the typical ingredients that are included in a Caesar salad: romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, and croutons.

After we finished our appetizers, it took approximately five to ten minutes for our entrées to arrive. The eggs had a good taste to them. They didn’t

Moneyball: Future Oscar?

By: Tiffany Fields Staff Photographer Brad Pitt teams up with Jonah Hill for a touching, and surprisingly funny movie about

baseball. Pitt plays the General Manager of the Oakland “A’s”, a baseball team on a budget.

He is faced with the difficulty of replacing three star players, without the money to do so.

Economist Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) uses his love of statistics to give Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) just what he needs to beat the odds. Instead of buying the expensive, high rated players, Brand develops a formula to give those overlooked guys a chance by focusing on who can get on base rather than the big sluggers.

Beane runs into problems with old-school baseball supporters unwilling to accept change. Can statistics turn the “A’s” into a winning team, despite their losing budget? Or will 100 years of tradition triumph?

Moneyball has been placed in the same league as three-

time Oscar-winning, The Social Network, and could possibly be in the running for one itself. The true story is brought to life with a colorful script and good acting.

Actually, it’s the first time Jonah Hill plays a character other than Jonah Hill, and he proves he is an actor as much as he is a comedian.

The story of the underdog is always touching, and this film is no exception. The whole time you’ll be rooting for Pitt and the “A’s.”. There are some extraneous scenes, though, mostly of Beane working out and men spitting into cups.

The movie is very much sports-centered, but the concept of baseball is handled well in the script. Even those non-athletic audience members can enjoy the ride. Moneyball is definitely worth the ticket price, and maybe even a bucket of popcorn.

Nutrition Column Athletes Need Protein

By: Laurann Singleton Staff Writer Q: I’m a student athlete. How much protein do I really need?

A: Thanks to a lot of popular consumer marketing, many people feel they need an overwhelming amount of

protein to heal and build strong muscles after a strength-training workout. Many brands advertise the recommended amount to be one gram of protein per pound of body weight. However, that amount is extremely high and very taxing to the body. Too much protein can cause serious longterm effects to the kidneys and excess calories from protein will be stored as fat on the body rather than muscle.

The recommended amount is actually one gram

have an overabundance of salt or pepper. They were served just right. The bacon was crispy, but not greasy. The pancakes were fluffy and golden brown. With the pancakes, a cup of syrup was provided.

The chicken penne was also delicious.

The chicken penne included the chicken,

penne pasta, sliced and cooked tomatoes, and asparagus. The asparagus added an interesting twist to the dish. Overall, all of these components of the chicken penne added to the flavor.

After we finished our entrees, the waitress brought us our desserts. The wild blueberry cheesecake was the best part of the meal. We weren’t huge blueberry fans and were worried that the blueberry taste would be overwhelming. There were enough to taste, but it was not overpowering.

The waitress then brought us the checks. Lauren’s check was $16.15 since she decided to order a Pepsi instead of drinking the water. Whitney’s check was $13.91. For all the food we received, we both thought this was a good price to pay.

Our overall critique for this restaurant was extremely good. The food was absolutely amazing, as was the service. The waitress had a great personality and was extremely helpful to us in deciding what we wanted to order. We also thought that we definitely got our money’s worth with the food. The only complaint we could think of regarding Josh’s was the fact that it is closed on Mondays through Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Josh’s is a place where college students can definitely go for a casual dining experience.

Music World

Reel World

LRC to LRU: How Campus Has Changed Over Four Years

Restaurant Reviewers Lauren Turnmyre & Whitney Ward

Contributing Writers

didn’t magically disappear. But kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side, I felt that I heard God’s spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth.”

This quote is derived from politifact.com, a division of the St. Petersburg Times and a 2009 Pulitzer Prize winner. In the research that they conducted, they unfolded many evidences to Obama’s Muslim faith not being a part of his life in the last twenty years.

Moseley directly opposes this statement, taking as implied that Obama was indeed raised indoctrinated in the Muslim belief.

Whether or not this is the case is debatable, as Obama’s background is largely Muslim, but Obama is the only individual who truly is aware.

My personal religious beliefs are Christian, and I agree that America has been a nation traditionally founded on Christian principles, but I do not think Obama’s faith should define his presidency—in his three years of office, he hasn’t tried converting the United States to Islam, and when confronted about it, he responds with affirmation that he is a Christian.

If Obama did attempt to resurface the American identity forcing Islam upon the citizens of America, then we would have more than substantive reason to revolt him for it because it is a direct violation of our personal Constitutional freedoms— he hasn’t done this, though, so it isn’t an issue. I must also make clear that this isn’t a partisan argument—individuals don’t have to agree with Obama’s leadership of America to see the significance of the case being made, here. The question that people fail to address in debates is this: Why is it such a deep-seeded issue, when we have an economy that is crumbling at our feet?

What of Islam has Barack Obama imposed upon America that makes it such an issue?

If he were truly Muslim at the root of it all, would he not abide by the five pillars of Islam, as Green lays proof that he does not? While no one can be sure, it is safe to say that, Christian or not, Obama has not shaped our country with any type of Islamic character, and it stands to reason that, with as much time as has passed since his induction, it isn’t likely that he ever will.

Restaurant Review: Josh’s in Downtown Hickory

Senior Column

Reel World Tiffany Fields

Nutrition Lauren Singleton

than one percent of their annual income to charity—to observe Zakat, the requisite is somewhere around 2.5 percent. Green’s video presents numerous other examples in order to illustrate the fact that Obama does not practice Islam (and it is a very interesting video!). Green also employs facts—not opinions or personal rhetoric— to prove his points in that Obama is, indeed, not a Muslim.

Another commentary on the issue, titled “Is Barack Obama (still) A Muslim?,” is authored by Jonathan Moseley, who is currently the Executive Director of American Border Control, and campaign assistant to Christine O’Donnell’s Senatorial bid against Joe Biden in Delaware in 2008. Alternatively, Moseley believes that Obama is a Muslim. One of Moseley’s first examples of “proof ” for his case includes “[on] February 27, 2007, Barack Hussein Obama described the Muslim call to prayer as ‘one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset,’ in an interview with Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times.’” To say that this is not permissible is almost like saying that if one person does not like a song that you like, they’re abnormal. He also shows that Obama acknowledges his Muslim past, but converted to Christianity 20 years ago. In refute to this Moseley says that “Islamic teaching encourages strategic deception, when necessary, to advance Islam throughout the world.” If this were precisely the case, then why, when challenged, does Obama discount Muslim beliefs and claim Christianity as his religion of practice? Moseley also fails to acknowledge Obama’s Christian evidences— “[Obama] became a Christian when he was in his 20s while working as a community organizer in Chicago. Obama said the churches there impressed him with their commitment to social justice and the hope they gave to the poor . . . ‘It was because of these newfound understandings that I was finally able to walk down the aisle of Trinity United Church of Christ on 95th Street in the Southside of Chicago one day and affirm my Christian faith,’ Obama said in a 2006 speech. ‘It came about as a choice, and not an epiphany. I didn’t fall out in church. The questions I had

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of protein per kilogram of body weight. To calculate your weight in kilograms, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2. For instance, a person who weighs 150 pounds is 68 kilograms (150 divided by 2.2). Therefore, a 150 pound person will require no more than 68 grams of protein to adequately build and maintain muscle mass.

Far less than the 150 grams advertised.

Laurann Singleton Dietetic Intern Solmaz Institute for Obesity

Green Mild Chili Peppers

Artwork: Damien Hirst Red Hot Chili Peppers release their first album in five years, I’m With You.

By: Daniel Bullins Staff Writer In late August, the Red Hot Chili Peppers released their first album in five years, entitled I’m With You. It is the first Peppers’ album to not feature guitarist John Frusciante since 1995’s One Hot Minute. His absence shows.

While a number of the tracks feel both lyrically and musically like the Red Hot Chili Peppers of old, something is missing. Whether that is Frusciante’s charisma or his ability to interweave a beautiful guitar riff throughout leader singer Anthony Kiedis’ nonsensical lyrics, I’m not sure.

Either way, this album feels empty without him. Maybe that explains why this was the longest break between Peppers’ albums in history.

In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, drummer Chad Smith said, “This is a new band. Same name, but it’s a new band.”

Front-man Kiedis echoed those thoughts, stating “There is no question - this is a beginning.”

Sadly, this beginning feels much more like an ending to one of the best American rock bands over the last quarter century.

Since Frusciante’s departure from the group in 2009, the Peppers seem lost.

I’m With You relies far more on the rhythmic beatings of bassist Flea than any prior album. New guitarist Josh Klinghoffer does his best, but he cannot stand up to Frusciante’s legacy. The lyrics seem less applicable to life than normal (which is quite the accomplishment). Even the music video to the album’s first single, “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” lacks the creativity the band has demonstrated in the past.

Sure, the album has its high points. “Brendan’s Death Song,” a moving, reportedly spontaneous track in tribute to a recently deceased friend of the band feels more like the Peppers of old than anything else present on the album, and “Dance Dance Dance” is a nice closing track with a hard hitting bass line and a smooth, simple guitar riff.

But for its few transcendent moments, the album is mostly old hat, and smelly old hat at that. Change, as bands from Radiohead to Metallica have demonstrated, is not always a bad thing, but the Peppers, no matter what they say, have not changed. At best, the Peppers have managed to de-evolve. Don’t believe me? Just play I’m With You and 2002’s By the Way back to back.

As much as I have tried, Peppers, I have to admit that, this time, I’m not with you.

Scared of the GRE? GMAT? LSAT?

The Fear Stops Here!

Classes meet in Hickory from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday evenings. Cost is $390 for 4 sessions, including books. Call 336.908.5910 for more information and to register for the next session.

News

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News

Campus Lighting Update

Theta Xi Homeless

L-R Plans to Brighten up University

Fraternity Works for Cause By: Jessie Emery Staff Writer

Photo Credit: Tiffany Fields Work has begun on the new lighting in Price Village. “Hopefully, everything will be completed by Christmas,” said Director of Security, Norris Yoder.

By: Gustav Meyners Copy Editor For the past few years, complaints about lighting have been rampant across the L-R campus. However, there is now something being done about it.

As of mid-October, the project to update the lighting in Price Village and a few streets across campus has begun.

According to Norris Yoder, Director of Security, the work order has already been put in.

“We’re right up to the start of it,” Yoder said, who has been working hard the past few months to get this project rolling.

Besides Price Village, more lighting will go up on 6th Street, 8th Street and Stasavich

Plaza. This will include new light fixtures, as well as fitting every other column around the track with lights, which were designed for such when they were built.

To put new lighting up, L-R first had to go through the City of Hickory, who in turn had to go through Duke Power.

In the past few years much effort has gone into the preparations for the work on this project, but now these plans are being put into action.

With most of the project funded by the Canon Grant, it’s not a question of if it starts, but how long it takes to finish. In fact, the existing plans have been around for about a year or so now.

“Hopefully, everything will be completed by Christmas,”

Yoder said. “There’s been a lot of planning for this and we are finally starting.”

While many think the planning stage was drawn out, there were multiple people who had to look at the project.

Architects were brought in to examine where the lights would be placed and then engineers were brought in to determine how the lights could be placed with the existing resources.

Price Village has already seen the process starting with digging and laying new underground wiring. The lighting project is underway, and if everything goes according to plan, will be done with the close of the semester.

Imagine spending an entire weekend willingly sleeping in a cardboard box and eating only what is given to you by a few thoughtful souls, removing all electronics and other comforts from the equation. Just you, the box, and the cold concrete of Shaw Plaza. Not too appealing, is it? Well despite the unpleasant conditions, the brothers of Theta Xi are bravely enduring an entire weekend of this in order to promote campus and community awareness toward homelessness.

“It really brings the situation of homelessness to life.

You can talk night and day about statistics but until you’ve lived it you don’t really understand.

Homeless for a Weekend really personalized the experience for me,” said Micah Krey, a Theta Xi brother that will be involved with Homeless for a Weekend again this year. “It’s a really great experience but my least favorite part would have to be explaining to everyone why I can’t do things like go and eat with them and that I have to stay there.”

During the event, each meal eaten by Krey and the other brothers must be donated, along with any extra supplies such as blankets or other items to help pass the time.

The fraternity is

expecting about five to ten brothers to participate during the entire weekend, and also anticipates that many additional brothers will spend time outside.

“All new brothers are highly encouraged to participate, since not only does this event spread awareness, it also creates a wonderful opportunity for the brothers to bond,” said David Jackson, Theta Xi president.

Only Theta Xi members and alumni are allowed to participate which adds a level of unification for the brothers.

Andrew Golden, a senior and Theta Xi brother remembers his first experience with Homeless for a Weekend in the Fall of 2009 as his “best memory” of the event because of the level of closeness he felt by “going through something like this” with his new brothers.

Homeless for a Weekend will be held November 11-13 on Shaw Plaza. Donations of blankets and other goodies, as well as pre-cooked food items that will not go bad quickly are greatly appreciated. Other foods such as chips, cookies, fruits and soups are recommended.

Feel free to contact a member of the fraternity with any questions; or, if anyone is interested in helping the cause of homelessness, contact the local homeless shelter or soup kitchen.

Federal Reserve Seven L-R Students Compete

Lenoir-Rhyne Campus in Asheville New Center for Graduate Studies By: Stephen Rankin Staff Writer Starting next fall, individuals looking for a graduate degree in western North Carolina will have a new option: LenoirRhyne’s new Asheville Center for Graduate Studies.

In November 2007, a Commission was formed to determine the future of LenoirRhyne College. It included over 50 focus groups that were asked two questions: What are the core qualities of L-R, and where should L-R go in the future? The core qualities as determined by the commission are commitment to liberal arts, personal relationships and small class sizes, relationship with the Church and relationship with the community.

The Commission determined that in order to maintain what made L-R special, these qualities must not be compromised as the school grows. They also determined that the college should become a university and that area with the best opportunity for growth was graduate studies.

In 2010, President Powell formed the L-R Task Force for the Future. This group was designed specifically to look into ways to expand the university. One of their ideas for growth involved the creation of off-site centers for graduate studies, of which the Asheville Center for Graduate Studies will be the first.

Photo courtesy of Lenoir-Rhyne Marketing Department Lenoir-Rhyne University expands by making plans for an off-site center for graduate studies in Asheville, N.C. “I really feel encouraged and proud to be a part of L-R right now....,” said Dr. Amy Wood, Dean of Graduate Studies and Lifelong Learning about L-R’s expansion plans.

Dr. Paul Knott was chosen as the founding director of the Asheville center in June of 2011. The project has been moving at a lightningpace since then, establishing a mission statement, locating temporary offices, working on a website, developing the academic programs, building partnerships and relationships in the area, beginning the

A Reminder to Many

Photo Credit: Tiffany Fields Members of the Fed Challenge team work to promote interest in the U.S. macro economy, the Federal Reserve System and the implementation of monetary policy.

By: Jateria Pittman Staff Writer

Photo Credit: Randolph Carroll Sophomore Hanna Kiebel speaks with Associate Director of Enrollment Management Courtney Thompson about potential financial aid opportunities.

see if it is possible to help ease the current strict criteria. That is not the only push the L-R financial aid office is making. Each year L-R “encourages students to file [the] FAFSA.” “We try to be proactive in completing financial aid packets,” said Jenkins.

This becomes more difficult when students do not turn in their FAFSA, which can result in missed opportunities to receive financial aid. So students ought to make more of an effort to in their FAFSA. The left over endowment scholarships and FAFSA are

not the only untapped source of scholarships.

In-state students of N.C. can go to the College Foundation of N.C. website and apply for scholarships there.

Students also can visit websites such as Fastweb.com and find scholarships with a variety of qualifications.

In Lohr Hall, the financial aid office, there is a three inch ring notebook with a list of places where students can apply for scholarships. Needless to say, despite the combined efforts of the state, federal government and L-R, at $27.5 million there is still financial aid left to be had.

Black Student Alliance

Aspires to Increase Members and Activities By: Darren Roseboro Staff Writer Many students aim to find involvement around campus other than academics to keep them motivated. Some choose an academic organizations and clubs, others choose Greek organizations and still more find employment opportunities.

Black Student Alliance (BSA) allows students to become involved in community service, mentoring programs and campus events. BSA is also in the process of planning group events, such as a movie night at the Carolina

Theatre in downtown Hickory so that BSA members can spend time getting to know one another.

“The organization is more about integrating and interacting, as well as getting to know our culture,” said member Clifton Garmon.

There are many more activities and projects that the group plans to implement this school year. Besides the mentor program, some events that are being planned are a fashion show, Habitat for Humanity, a Thanksgiving dinner, fundraisers and many more. As the group gains new ideas, so does it gain

members and participation.

“As more and more freshmen come in, [BSA] has more of a purpose and has gotten bigger,” said Shayna Smith, member. Smith went on to say that she believes that when an organization can begin with a small membership, grow its numbers, and increase its active on-campus involvement it’s a good thing.

“I feel that the BSA organization can give all students an opportunity to learn about their history on and off campus, as well as make a positive future for other students,” said Smith.

See BSA, on pg 8

“We are in a mode, financially, where we can grow and expand. Many schools […] are in very different financial situations right now, and unfortunately they’re having to close down programs. I really feel encouraged and proud to be a part of L-R right now because we are in growth and expansion mode,” said Dr. Amy Wood, Dean of Graduate Studies and

Keystone Event to Bring National Attention By: Jamie Frye Assistant Editor

$17.5 Million Spent, Yet Still More to Give More than 92% of LenoirRhyne students receive some form of financial aid. L-R is responsible for $17.5 million of that aid, and yet approximately $200,000 is left untouched.

Whether it is by scholarship, grant, work study or loan, students here at L-R can easily qualify for some sort of financial assistance. In fact, among private schools, L-R receives more money from the state for nursing majors than Duke or Wake Forest at a staggering $202,500. L-R is third among private schools receiving funds for education majors. Despite all the financial aid opportunities, many students allow them to pass.

“There is roughly $200,000 in funds that students don’t qualify for,” said Nick Jenkins, Associate Director of Enrollment Management.

These available funds are endowment scholarships.

Endowment scholarships come from certain families and individuals who determine how students qualify and the students are awarded aid based upon the endowment’s interest.

Lately, however, there has been a lack of students to qualify for this aid. L-R is currently making a push to contact these families to

marketing campaign, and finding a permanent facility--all in the last few months.

They still have much to do before next fall, such as establishing advisory boards, hiring (more) staff and faculty, satisfying accreditation requirements, and budgeting their operations, but the center is already taking applications from prospective graduate students.

Lifelong Learning at LenoirRhyne University.

Dr. Wood assures current students that the new centers will in no way take away from L-R’s current graduate programs.

“We won’t compromise our graduate programs here,” Wood said, “If anything, the center in Asheville will strengthen our graduate offerings in general, and therefore strengthen our graduate offerings on campus.”

She also added that the school is responsive to the desires of the student body and the community. Wood indicated that the university welcomes ideas for the graduate and continuing education programs, or any program for that matter.

“I would welcome them to come and see me and share those ideas,” Wood said.

Wood went on to say that she believes that it is important to know that one’s degree is only as valuable as the institution is on the day he or she graduates.

“For students who are here, to know that L-R is growing, expanding, reaching more people and more markets.… it’s going to open more doors for our current undergraduate population,” said Wood, “Your university, your future alma mater, is going to be more visible at the state and national level. I think that’s a reason for anyone to be excited.”

For more information on the Asheville Center for Graduate Studies, visit the center’s website at Asheville.lr.edu.

Students Cheating Democratic National Convention

Financial Aid Goes Unused By: Randolph Carroll Staff Writer

5

What do a DJ, Lowe’s Foods worker, L-R tennis player and a few studious Bears have in common? They are all part of the Fed Challenge Team.

The Fed Challenge is a team competition for undergraduate students inspired by the workings of the Federal Open Market Committee. It is intended to encourage students to learn more about U.S. Macro Economy, the Federal Reserve System and the implementation of monetary policy. It is also aimed at spurring interest in economics and finance as subjects for advanced study and as the basis for a career.

The Lenoir-Rhyne University Fed Challenge team will compete at the Charlotte branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond on Tuesday, November 1. This is the third time the university has entered a team into the competition which is open to colleges and universities in the Fifth District of the Federal Reserve System.

Teams of three to five students are required to prepare a 20-minute presentation and then have 15 minutes of questions from teams of judges that include economists from banks, financial institutions and the Federal Reserve itself.

Each member takes a different facet of the economy that they want to discuss and creates a PowerPoint presentation about it. They discuss a number of different issues including inflation, employment benefits, product pricing, consumer confidence and spending.

The L-R team members are Aroon Khatter, Matt Paynter, Taryn Dingler, Michael Kramer, Irene Austin, Aaron Scott and Amanda Crowe. Most of the members are seniors or rising seniors who major in areas like business, finance, economics.

“With this competition I am looking forward to the experience and presenting what

we know in front of Federal Reserve officials, said first-year member Aroon Khatter.

“We have more economics majors and more seniors on this year’s team [than last year’s team], said Paynter, who expects this competition to go well. Paynter went on to say, “I expect experience to benefit us.”

“The economy is so important to our country and its standing in the world. If you think about it, everything is tied to the well-being of our nation’s economy from the food on our tables to the ability to attend college,” Austin said.

All of the students on the team are excited for the competition and they love the support they are getting from L-R. In the past, L-R has placed second in the regional competition. With more support from the school and a little more practice they can do better than they ever have before.

The team is coached

by Dr. Mary Lesser, Professor of Economics and Chair of the Charles M. Snipes School of Business. Dr. Lesser is a great advisor for the team. She even has a nickname for the team, which is “Fed Heads.”

The team’s participation is supported by Professor William Mauney, Professor of Economics, Dean of the College of Professional and Mathematical Studies and Director of the Broyhill Institute.

In previous years as many as 14 N.C. and three S.C. have participated in the Charlotte competition.

With a variety of colleges and universities participating the competition will be fierce, but the hard work of a Bear is undeniable.

The Fed Challenge is also considering conducting a convocation where they will give their presentation prior to the competition.

L-R can support the Fed Challenge team by getting the word out about it and the competition.

AP Photo/Lisa Poole Douglas Winneg, president of Software Secure, demonstrates Friday, June 15, 2007 at the company in Cambridge, Mass., fingerprint recognition with Securexam Remote Proctor, hardware used to monitor distance learning test-takers at remote locations. The new technology would allow cameras to be placed inside students’ homes, solving a problem for the growing field of online education: how to make sure students aren’t cheating on their exams.

By: Jimmy Hilton Staff Writer It is considered a sin, a crime. It can get one expelled from college or university. It is an issue that everyone may have committed, but perhaps may not have even realized. So, just what is this “it”? Cheating.

Cheating can occur in the following ways: stealing answers from someone’s homework or test, using a source on a paper without giving credit to the author, using someone’s project or idea and presenting it as if it was yours, and so forth.

Not only is cheating a national problem, but it is a global issue as well. When a man from Japan asked for help with some math and English questions, little did people online realize that he was asking questions that were taken from an entrance exam to prestigious Kyoto University.

Another example of cheating involves seven current and former students who were arrested and accused of involvement in a scheme that conspired for one individual to take another’s SAT college entrance exam in exchange for payments of up to $2,500 each.

This example illustrates how cheating can happen anywhere in the world, including here at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Just how much of an issue is cheating here at Lenoir-Rhyne?

“We share the problem of cheating with all other issues here at L-R,” said Provost Larry Hall, “We are looking at ways to prevent cheating,” he said.

One big step that the university is taking to help prevent cheating is by having students sign a pledge for each of their classes. It is not a requirement for L-R student to sign the pledge, however students do have to sign an honor code when they enroll.

“I don’t require signing a honor pledge because students already [have to] sign the code and I trust them,” said. Dr. Jeff Wright, a professor at LenoirRhyne.

Section seven of the L-R Cub speaks of integrity and ways students can choose to show teachers they have not cheated. Students can do one of two things: either write the word pledge and sign in onto their work or write out their own pledge and sign it.

L-R is taking strides to help prevent students, not only from cheating, but also to understand what cheating is.

“Academic integrity task forces work together to come up with rules to help reduce cheating and help students understand what is and is not cheating,” said Dean Katie Fisher, Dean of Students.

Cheating is morally wrong. If students would not cheat, then they could learn how to work hard and be successful. J.H.

First Lady Michelle Obama’s February 1, 2011 announcement marked the acknowledgment of the beginning of a new political cycle for citizens of the United States government.

Charlotte, N.C. has been selected to be the site of the Democratic National Convention.

The Democratic National Convention is set to be held during the week of September 3, 2012, and will feature all of the candidates for the Democratic Presidential nomination for the November 6, 2012 Presidential election. The officially declared candidates include Mr. Barack Obama, current President of the United States, and pro-life candidate Randall Terry.

The conservativeminded Terry has made public his opposition to the homosexual lifestyle and subsequently has suffered a storm of controversy after Terry’s own son, Jamiel Terry, declared his homosexuality in Out Magazine back in 2004.

“I am still in a state of shock; I have been grieving for days. My son, Jamiel Terry, was paid $5,000 by Out magazine. . . to write a story about being Randall Terry’s homosexual son,” Terry told beliefnet.com.

Terry additionally reported that his son sold photos of their family back in 2004, but that the controversy still follows him and has negatively impacted his current political agenda to run for the Presidential slot on the Democratic ballot.

Terry also told beliefnet.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Chuck Burton Charlotte mayor Anthony Foxx, right, and Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers, left, react during a news conference to announce Charlotte as the site of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011.

com that much of the story was written by Out’s editor. “[They] put words in my son’s mouth to accomplish the magazine’s agenda,” Terry claimed.

Obama’s run also carries with it some controversy.

A portion of the American public is still waiting for what in Obama’s initial run in 2008 was touted as “change.”

Regardless of whether Barack Obama has brought the promised change to America, his decision to run for President in a second term brings an air of familiarity to the 2012 primaries, given his hints with regard to future plans yet unfulfilled.

In an e-mail to Politico supporting reporters, Obama says that the campaign he is attempting to build this time around takes time to grow.

“We’re doing this now because the politics we believe in does not

start with expensive TV ads or extravaganzas, but with you—with people organizing block-by-block, talking to neighbors, coworkers, and friends,” Obama said. “[It was] fantastic news for North Carolina regardless of your political party,” said North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue about the decision to hold the conference in Charlotte. “A national political convention is a keystone event that will boost North Carolina’s economy, while showcasing Charlotte and our state to the nation and the world,” Perdue said in an interview with NCU’s0 The Daily Tar Heel.

The convention of Labor Day 2012 is expected to generate a great amount of revenue for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region, is predicted to bring in approximately $150 million in economic benefits and will generate over 35,000 attendees.

Campus Rising New Facilities from Campaign By: Gustav Meyners Copy Editor As of August 26, the University Rising campaign went public across the L-R community.

A formal alumni event officially kicked off the campaign with a goal of updating parts of the university.

For many, this campaign is seen purely as a face-lift for L-R. Two of the biggest aspects of the campaign involve the building of a new chapel on campus and the expansion and renovation of Minges Science Building.

There is much more to the University Rising campaign than just the new buildings. The three

goals of the campaign include: providing the latest educational experience to students, allowing the development of new programs in the future and promoting economic development throughout the community.

“We want to provide the highest quality education for students,” said Scott Shrode, the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at L-R who has been a major player in developing the campaign. .

The campaign has been running for the past three years, just not in the public eye. In December 2007 a feasibility study was done to see if the campaign would be able to gain momentum

at this time. Once that was established, the campaign entered a quiet phase, where the aim was to raise 70 percent of the overall goal.

Through multiple endowments and gifts, 70 percent of the total funds needed were raised over the past three years.

Once this money was raised, the campaign moved into a public phase, which became known to the L-R community on August 26.

As far as progress, half of the funds needed for the science building have been raised, and about 80 percent of the chapel project funds have been raised.

See Campaign on pg 8

Community News

6

7

Part Time Pastor, Full Time Friend

Photo Credit: Beverly Aurand Lydia Aurand, Pastor Weisner and Karen Fletcher enjoy one of the Bear’s football games.

Photo Credit: Erin Sweet Pastor Weisner offers the blessing during the dedication of the new saxophone sculpture.

Pastor Andrew Weisner, a.k.a. “P-­Weezy” By: Heather Sackett Editor-­in-­chief aculty, staff and F students of LenoirRhyne all have a common friend

on campus, a bearded man in a clerical collar, Pastor Andrew Weisner, who most have come to call “P. Weez” or “P. Weezy.”

Pastor Weisner is formally known as Rev. Dr. Andrew Weisner.

Weisner is a 1979 graduate of L-R, who is originally from Rural Hall. While at L-R, Weisner s t u d i e d philosophy and was active in Lenoir-Rhyne Christian Fellowship, what is now known as InterVarsity, and was a member of Playmakers. During his junior year, Weisner interacted with the newly admitted deaf students and became enamored with deafness and sign language.

Weisner said he intended on furthering his education in that direction, but at the last minute God directed him to attend seminary instead.

After graduating from L-R he continued on to seminary, where he studied at multiple institutions that included: Catholic University, the Washington Theological Union and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. He furthered his education to complete graduate course work towards a Ph.D. in church history at Catholic Theological Union, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, the University of Chicago and the University of Jena in Coburg, Germany.

Weisner returned to his alma mater in January of 1995 to succeed Dr. Don Just as campus chaplain. He said he was motivated to return and take the position partly because of his friend, Dr. Larry Yoder and his other role models, Bishop Michael McDaniel and Dr. Emmanuel Gitlin, former L-R professors and Lutheran pastors.

“To put it rather broadly, the duties for the pastor for LenoirRhyne is to preach, teach and administer sacraments,” Weisner said.

However, his efforts extend far past these duties. He is a teacher, preacher and counselor.

Pastor Weisner teaches classes, leads Bible studies and conducts weekly chapel services. Weisner lends a helping hand and listening ears to all organizations on campus, both religious and nonreligious. No person is excluded from his love and grace.

Pastor Weisner leads Chapel services every Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Mauney music building, which recently has had a healthy increase of attendance.

Weisner believes weekly chapel is one indicator of religious life on campus.

“[The new chapel] will be another symbol of the importance of the church relationship for Lenoir-Rhyne,” Weisner said. “It will be a venue for weekly chapel service and for the sacred music program. That will be one of the great gifts of the chapel, a place, a home for the sacred music program. It will be a welcome obvious place for students to gather for prayer. We hope to plan to have it sufficiently adorned and

“Wherever God is there is blessing and we invite his physical presence on Lenoir-Rhyne’s campus everyday Monday through Friday, all school year long,” said Weisner. “We’ve asked him with great regularity to come to LenoirRhyne everyday and he comes.

The truth is we ask God’s blessing and so God blesses the ministry, which Lenoir-Rhyne is a ministry of the church. God has blessed this ministry of the church with good leaders.”

Pa s t o r

“He has taught me to seek the joy of being alive...”

Photo Credit: Sarah Magness Sarah Magness and Pastor Weisner are all smiles for the camera.

Photo Credit: Tiphani Hodge While at the rehearsal dinner, Amy Smith and Pastor Weisner check to be certain finishing details are in place for the coming wedding of Amanda Hahn and Seth Cantrell.

Photo Credit: Franklin Murphy LRU graduate, Stuart Murphy, visits with Pastor Weisner following the May 2011 ceremony.

appointed with art and icons and candles for students to feel this is a prayerful place.”

In addition to Chapel every Wednesday, Pastor Weisner performs a daily Eucharist or communion from 3 – 3:30 p.m. in the Koinonia House or “K House.” Every Thursday, Pastor has a Bible study at 10:15 p.m. in the Cromer Center for any interested students. Pastor Weisner believes that the success

L-R has experienced recently and in the last few years is because of the daily celebration of the Eucharist and the regular prayer on campus by himself and students.

Nevertheless, he said he recognizes that this belief is arguable.

Weisner prays every morning by himself at home and in the evenings in the K House. Weisner prays for every single student every week. He has an enrollment book of about 1, 910 students, which he separates the names into

Photo Credit: Andrew Weisner Pastor Weisner enjoys Girl Scout cookies with Sarah Hunt, Jess White and Sarah Embry.

five different days. During the summer time, his weekly prayer list includes all faculty and some of the enrollment from the previous semester. Weisner said his favorite part of being chaplain is praying and telling stories of events that have happened and about people who have been at L-R. “It is the role, the duty, the responsibility of a priest to pray,” Weisner said. “How shall those prayers take shape? Well, why not pray for those who are given to me, those who come to this school, this ministry.”

He said he does not wish for people to be hurt or feel uncomfortable because of the expression of faith at LenoirRhyne, but if they want to participate they are welcome.

Graduate student, Sarah Magness has taken full advantage of welcoming faith into her life since meeting Pastor Weisner in August.

“To say that Pastor has saved my life would be thought by some to be an exaggeration,” Magness said. “Well, Pastor has saved my spiritual life, which then in turn has changed all other aspects of my life. He has taught me to seek the joy of being alive, to wake up every day and thank God for another chance to make a difference and impact Humanity. He has proven to me that it is possible for someone to live as Christ lived, loving every person wholeheartedly, regardless of who they are or what they do. I have never met a spiritual leader quite like him.”

Pastor Weisner has seen over 3,500 students graduate of which he knows all of them in some way.

“He never fails to tell each student how proud he is of them and what a blessing they are to L-R,” Magness said. “‘I am so glad you are here!’ he says as he hugs them. The best part is his love is completely sincere. As we walk away, he will tell me all about the students and how much they’ve grown in their time at L-R and how much they’ve accomplished. Another way he benefits L-R, is he has vast connections in the community and brags about L-R students, faculty and staff to everyone. He helps students build connections outside of Lenoir-Rhyne. I cannot imagine what life here would be like without him. He is such a gem and L-R is so, so blessed that he is here.”

Senior student, Kristen Lain recalled meeting Pastor Weisner one night her freshman year when she was pulling an allnighter to finish a paper in Cromer Center and Pastor Weisner stopped to talk to her and wished her good blessing in finishing her paper. Lain

then started attending Weisner’s Thursday night Bible study.

“If you talk to Pastor Weisner for five minutes you see how genuine he is,” said Lain.

“He has this presence where you

“If you talk to Pastor Weisner for five minutes you see how genuine he is...” want to talk to him for hours.

The way he presents himself in public and how genuine he comes across to all students in a five minute conversation makes you want to follow his footsteps. As a Christian, you are supposed to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and he is that physical person to me. I want people to think of me as they think of P. Weez. I want to reflect his genuine love.”

He makes it his mission to devote his time to familiarize himself and know every student and befriend them.

“There are gifts and talents that you have that no one else can duplicate in quite in the same way,” Weisner said. “For me to know who you are and how indeed God has blessed you, that

you be a blessing to all the rest of us. That’s a gift to me to know who you are.”

Outside of LenoirRhyne, Pastor Weisner lends a hand to the greater community by teaching students at a local middle school how to play trombone, helping his niece’s Girl Scout troop and performing weddings and funerals for L-R students and community members when Photo Credit: Andrew Weisner asked. He attends meetings of Weisner takes a moment to reflect before officiating the wedding service other student organizations, as Pastor of Amanda Hahn and Seth Cantrell. well as athletic events.

Pastor Weisner has been as fraternities were back then,” better than you do,” said Weisner. married to his wife, Claudia for 23 Weisner said. “Fraternity parties “So, I just ask God to do these years and has two dogs, Daisy and here back then would have between things and over the course of time Bakhita, which he said is Arabic 100 and 150 students at it.” he does.” for blessed or fortunate. Not only Pastor Weisner asks A former student was is he well known, but his pastoral God to do things to help the asked where Pastor Weisner puppies have come to be loved by faith flourish. His prayer efforts will go after L-R, for which he several students and accompany are shown for example through answered, “The grave.”

Pastor Weisner on his nightly walks Campus Crusade for Christ, where “Such is my hope, but throughout campus. last week I don’t know, we don’t know 170 people what God has in store for us,” A u g u s t attended. said Weisner. “It will be different m a r k e d kinds of shoes that come and 50 years the shoes that are needed for the of having time. It’ll be the right person, in a campus the right shoes, at the right time. chaplain I love Lenoir-Rhyne, there’s no at Lenoirplace I’d rather be. I am delighted Rhyne of which Pastor Weisner “C.S. Lewis says there’s and pleased to be here. I am has been the chaplain for the last 17 two ways to accomplish a task: thankful that I can be part of this years. either you can ask God and he will congregation and ministry.”

“My dream when I came do it or you can set your own hand here 17 years ago was for religious to the task. God will probably do it groups on campus to be as strong

“I want people to think of me like they think of P. Weez...”

Pastor Weisner enjoys himself on the “big slide” during Spring Fling Week activities.

Photo Credit: Andrew Rickel

News

8

Steve Jobs Dies at 56 Mac Loses Visionary Leader

FCA

Fellowship of Christian Athletes McCrorie Room 213 Mondays @ 8:28 p.m.

Come out for games, fellowship, and fun!

Info on upcoming speakers coming soon! *You don’t have to be an athlete*

Circle K Club Monthly Report

Congratulations to Lenoir-Rhyne’s Circle K members!

Photo Credit: Iconic AP Images & Footage A message honoring Steve Jobs is scrawled on a blacked-out window at an Apple Store, closed for the day, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Seattle. Jobs, the Apple founder and former CEO who invented and masterfully marketed ever-sleeker gadgets that transformed everyday technology, from the personal computer to the iPod and iPhone, died Wednesday. He was 56. (AP Photo/ Elaine Thompson)

Jumpstart Students

Photo Credit: Office of Marketing & Communications, Erin Sweet As part of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Jumpstart students compete in the Marshmallow Challenge, an Inquiry-Guided Learning activity. This experience is one of many collaborative projects that students use to solve problems.

Of all of the clubs in their N.C. & S.C. district, they performed the most service hours and raised the most money for the District Service Project.

BSA

Continued from pg 4 The committee of the BSA executive board include: seniors, Tyeesha Wesley and Dawon Millwood and juniors, Alex Paige, Alexis Paige, Clifton Garmon and Joshua Mackey.

Meetings are held in the movie theater in Fritz-Conrad. Dues are 10 dollars per semester. BSA is currently gathering ideas and funds to purchase organization t-shirts.

Black Student Alliance encourages new membership and fresh ideas. Starting with only a handful of members, BSA now has 20 or more members. The goal is for changes to continue in a positive direction, helping students understand their culture and what they can do to make an historical difference.

A Choral Trifecta By: Shayna Smith Staff Writer Students may be surprised to discover that there are three different choirs at Lenior-Rhyne.

Different is the key word…the choirs have three unique sounds, but they all serve the same purpose.

The first choir is the A Cappella choir; the choir has a mellow sound that lifts spirits.

This year marks the choir’s 75th anniversary celebration.

Directed by Rev. Paul Weber for the past 12 years, each year the A Cappella choir travels around the world.

The College Singers are mostly singers from the A Cappella Choir, but they are distinct in that their sound is more of a renaissance of the modern period, which supplies a little jazz sound. This

particular choir is well-suited for those who would like to experience what it feels like to sing solo.

Both choirs require that students audition to join their ensemble.

“The A Cappella choir is an amazing place to be,” said Junior Shea Daniels. “It’s a place to be challenged, have fun and really experience some incredible music.”

The third choir at Lenoir Rhyne University is the Gospel choir, better known as Nu Generation. Nu Generation began in 2008 under the leadership of alumni Whitney Suddreth and it had also been under the advisory of Emma Sellers. The choir has a soulful sound. When one listens to their music it provides mood music for the soul.

Advisor Kellie Medley and President Curtisha Stephens

stay busy as the group travels and sings during morning worship at local churches as well as outlying N.C. churches. The choir performs each year during black history month and they also sing at LenoirRhyne during the Christmas season.

“The Gospel Choir has both strengthened my faith and changed my entire outlook on life,” said Junior Clifton Garmon. “The choir lets me see the world through a whole new lens.”

Nu generation meets Thursdays at eight o’ clock in the Bear Cave. Interested students should come the first two Thursdays that the club meets during Spring term.

The three choirs may have different members and each with a different director, but each has the same motive--to lift spirits.

Things to do in Hickory Continued from pg 1 If you’re in the mood for a movie but you don’t want to swing the $10 ticket price, try Carolina Theater in downtown.

All movies are $2.50.

You may be in college, but you’re still a kid at heart. Tap into the yester-years with an evening of pizza and video games at Chuck-E-Cheese’s or Hickory Dickory Dock.

You can experience Hickory’s nightlife at the local Club Red. Hang out in the lounge or tear up the dance floor every weekend from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m.

Thursdays are college nights so you get in free with your L-R ID. Downtown Hickory is a beautiful place for lunch, shopping, or even an evening stroll. It’s vintage look and artsy focus makes it a great place to hang out.

Hickory is full of parks and hiking trails, and most are equipped with picnic areas. Take a group of friends out for fresh air

and enjoy a beautiful fall picnic.

Save on gas by taking the Greenway buses, which are free for students. They have a special route for L-R on Saturdays.

Hickory Community Theatre is the local performing arts center, located at 30, 3rd Street NW. They’ve got some great shows coming up, like White Christmas opening on November 25.

The Valley Hills Mall is a great place to do some of that holiday shopping, and even grab a bite to eat.

McGuire’s Pub is one of Hickory’s most unique restaurants and is definitely worth visiting.

Randolph’s Billiards offers a different setting for a nightclub – they play country music. It also features a full service restaurant and pool hall.

If you’re in the mood for good food and music, check out the Olde Hickory Tap Room.

Located in the middle of Union

Square, it’s one of Hickory’s hottest spots on weekends.

In the midst of college craziness, sometimes we need a place to slow down. Taste Full Beans coffeehouse provides just that. You can smell the fresh brewed espresso down the entire block. Not only do they exhibit art but you’ll feel like a true college student if you sit in on one of their poetry readings.

On November 18 at 7:00 p.m., join the Mayor and the rest of your neighbors in Union Square for a Holiday tree lighting ceremony.

The Service League of Hickory presents the Kitchens and More Tour on November 19. This event will feature delicious tastings from local chefs as well as live music. For more information, check out www. serviceleaguehickory.org The annual Jaycee’s Holiday Parade will take place on December 3, in downtown Hickory.

Features

9

Man on the Street

Golden Arches Fall

Jackson Group Interactive

New Times, New Traditions

A New King Reigns

Brings Podcast Technology to Hickory

By: Nicole Dunlap Staff Writer

presence of everyone is what can make a Holiday more special than the rest. Unique family traditions also hold value to families.

Hannah Johnson’s family has a tradition of going up to the mountains with her family to cut down a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.

“We’ve being doing this ever since I can remember,” said Johnson, who hopes to continue the tradition with her own family.

For many Americans, huge dinners and family get togethers are the first things that come to mind when Thanksgiving is mentioned. For others, though, new traditions have unraveled.

Thanksgiving is not just a day set aside for family and feasting, but also a day of celebration of new family traditions, a homecoming for some, and a day of community service.

Thanksgiving The 21 doesn’t have just to century American be about a deliciously families no longer cooked meal with spend the holiday in your family, it can front of a television also be a day set aside watching football to help those who are instead; families are less fortunate. getting off the couch Asia Wilson’s Photo Credit: Tiffany and drafting their FieldsI family gives back to own teams out in the Junior Hannah Johnson those in need every yard. holiday with her family.

“We divide up into “My father is a preacher teams and get really competitive,” and he used to be homeless,” said sophomore Jessie Lintz. said Wilson. “So he has a heart Her family for those in practices a need. We give new tradition back to the of an annual homeless. We family football give up our game. holidays to With help those in the daily lives need.” of Americans T h e getting busier Wilson family and busier, it’s rents out important to a hotel or make family local school get togethers and provides as great as families with possible. Busy and Photo Credit: Tiffany FieldsI food schedules Each Thanksgiving Sophomore Jessie clothing. aren’t the only Lintz’s family plays a game of football. “ W e factor keeping believe that if families apart; many families are God is a giving god we should spread all throughout the states start giving to others and not be and even overseas. so selfish,” said Wilson.

Gustav Meyners Not only can family anxiously waits for Thanksgiving traditions be fun, they can be not for the turkey feast, but for beneficial to others. Whatever the arrival of his father. His dad the tradition may be its only has been serving our country in requirement is to hold a meaning, Iraq since March. Thanksgiving whether it be giving back to will be slightly different this year a community, cutting down a for the Meyners, tree for Christmas, celebrating “We’ll have the whole the homecoming of a family family together for a change. member, or an annual family Usually someone is missing,” football game. All families have said Meyners different values and traditions, This is a common continuing them have become obstacle American families our generation’s job. face around the holidays. The

Campaign Continued from pg 5 The university hopes to have a final commitment for all funds for the chapel by the end of the fiscal year, completing their goal for the chapel by the summer.

At the present time, approximately $800,000 remains to be raised for the chapel.

Furthermore, once $15 million is raised for the science building, the new wing can begin construction, with an additional $10 million needed to renovate the existing building.

Currently, Minges is one of the oldest buildings on campus, having stood on campus for 53 years. For most students, the renovation of the science building is welcomed.

“It’s a nice classroom setup,” said Jakob Maidens, a senior biology major, who stressed the need for new labs and equipment.

“I just think they need to update, not add anything on.”

The current goals make the additional wing a necessity.

West of Charlotte, Hickory is one of the biggest healthcare providers

in western North Carolina.

Additionally, the country has a growing need throughout medical fields,and there is a greater need for science. One of the major effects of the new wing will allow for expansion and greater learning in these needed sciences.

Additionally, biology majors make up the largest major at L-R. The expansion will allow the growth of this program and other science programs that the university offers, as well as allow for future programs in the science fields to be housed and promoted at L-R. “This campaign is all about the students,” Shrode said.

“It’s about the quality of their education now, the quality of their diplomas and the community they’ll be a part of one day.”

Despite the economic woes of the past few years, the University Rising campaign has kept strong and proceeded according to plan. Within the next few years, L-R will see many new changes across its campus, and hopefully even more changes and updates in the future.

Senior Continued from pg 2 Rise Up also exploded on campus. In February, L-R’s marketing department launched a Rise Up Rally for students to see the commercial, win new “Rise Up” gear and get a glimpse of what this all meant. Lenoir Rhyne even made a name for itself on the Internet, with Rise Up promotional videos aired on the YouTube Educational channels and banner advertisements on major websites like the New York Times. All of a sudden, people in different states were learning about Hickory, N.C. With L-R hitting new heights in

the marketplace, it also hit new heights with technology. After the Rise Up mania, the marketing department launched the L-R App for current and prospective students and staff.

Seniors have witnessed big and small changes at L-R over the past four years. Take a look around campus today, the sights you see, the teachers you listen to, the people you socialize with and take it all in. Chances are, all will be different next year. Once you graduate, the place where you arrived will not be the same place that you leave behind.

By: Kate Coleman Layout and Design Editor The golden arches are no longer on top of the food chain.

As of March of this year, Ronald McDonald has passed its crown to the five-dollar foot long.

After several years of being on top, Subway surpassed McDonald’s with the largest number of restaurants open around the world. There are now currently 33,749 Subways, while McDonald’s has only 33,737 worldwide.

McDonald’s took this beating in stride and thoughtfully stated that they ‘are committed to being better, not bigger.’

“I am very happy about [Subway being on top] because it is a better alternative to McDonald’s,” sophomore Bethany Griggs said.

In Hickory there are currently 10 Subway restaurants, compared to four McDonald’s restaurants. It is not hard to see who the winner is.

There are a number of reasons why this sudden change in preference has come about.

Students at L-R haven’t let the change in number of Subways go unnoticed.

“I think it has a lot to do with their spokesperson Jared, who lost a ton of weight,” sophomore Heather Mount said. “I feel like people think it’s a better, healthier option compared to something like

McDonald’s.”

Subway’s “Eat Fresh” motto isn’t the only thing going for them.

“You have a wide variety to choose from as well,” junior Demetrius Green said.

Many restaurants are not as focused on the number of chains they have as they were in the past.

Spreading their franchise across the world is the new battle, in which McDonald’s still has Subway beat. McDonald’s is located in 117 countries compared to the 95 countries Subway is in.

In Subway’s Jared Fogle promotion, Fogle lost 245 pounds in one year by going on a Subway diet. That news alone has given the restaurant a good reputation with regard to health ratings.

Although they do not have the competitive edge of being as quick as McDonald’s, Subway always has fresh food ready.

McDonald’s keeps the calories up on many of their foods by deepfrying or deep grilling much of their foods.

Ronald McDonald is not giving up hope just yet. With a deep fryer in one hand and a spatula in the other, McDonalds’ is looking to greatly expand in other countries such as Asia and India.

Yet, for now, Jared is wearing the pants in the competition--that is, the much slimmer pants.

Photo Credit: Kate Coleman Subway leads the fast food industry with the most franchises world-wide.

Recently a female-hosted podcast, Chick Chat, made the front page of A podcast, iTunes as a New by textbook and Noteworthy definition, is a podcast, where file that is made it remained for available on over three weeks. the Internet for This was a feat downloading. that excited and The file can energized The then be listened MESH team to online or to continue transferred to a to produce portable device quality podcasts such as an MP3 that delivered player, tablet entertainment computer or and value to cell phone for Photo Credit: Mary Margaret Baker, Director JGI listeners. listening.

To create a successfully engineered show, JGI Producer Chris Frye runs the “I had hoped W h e n audio mixer and checks levels. [success] would Mary-Margaret Baker and Alan Jackson, both of media is seen today isn’t the way [come] this quickly, but it was The Jackson Group Interactive, media will be seen tomorrow. definitely kind of a leap of faith,” began thinking about the idea It’s an ever-changing medium said Baker. “Knowing that as long of producing their own podcast, that professionals must capitalize as we did everything we could they knew early on that a single on early to maximize profit. do, we knew it was going to have file wouldn’t get much attention. Understanding that podcasts success.”

And while Chick Chat has After brainstorming about ways were part of the direction that to reach a broad audience that media has begun to turn in, the made its mark in the digital world would benefit from a podcast, duo felt confident that a network by attracting a strong female fan the idea to form a network of of podcasts was the best way to base, The MESH promises its podcasts emerged and The MESH continue reaping the benefits of audience that there is something for everyone on the network. was born. modern technology.

With fifteen current “Alan Jackson and [I] Just as soldiers in the field have been looking for a way are stronger in numbers, the more podcasts, listeners are sure to find to highlight the western North podcasts that The MESH could something that interests them.

Five podcasts on The Carolina area,” said Baker. “We produce would create a strong MESH are dedicated to the feel like it’s a very underrated area network guaranteeing maximum business world, including Free with a lot of talent in it that hasn’t downloads and visibility. been properly spotlighted.”

Currently in production, Range Chicken Thinking, hosted The Jackson Group The MESH has one weekly by Houston Harris and Ryan Interactive as a company is no podcast, fourteen monthly Carroll. Harris and Carroll are stranger to new technology. The podcasts and is projected to have creative professionals that live by business, founded by Jackson, a total of nineteen podcasts in the “out of the box” thinking to serves the Hickory area in simultaneous production by the which their success is attributed.

Other podcasts from video production, social media end of the year. management, display systems “We’re going to stick The MESH range in categories as well as virtual environments. with [19 shows] through spring,” from sports to education, and To create a network inspired by said Baker, “before we start community to entertainment.

The MESH has diversified itself the latest technology in media adding [more shows].” communication, podcasts, The MESH prides itself to the point that it can assemble seemed only natural to Baker and on being totally accessible, by practically any podcast and safely Jackson. having their podcasts available nestle it inside one of their anchor Baker and Jackson on their website, YouTube and shows.

See Mesh, on pg 10 realized months ago that the way iTunes.

By: Olivia Pitman

Features

10 2011-2012 Calendar of Events November

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Health Sciences Career Fair 10:00 a.m. -­‐ Moretz Gym School of Natural Sciences Career Exploration Night 5:00 p.m. -­‐ Bears’ Lair Moon For The Misbegotten 7:30 p.m. -­‐ P.E. Monroe Theology Colloquium 4:00 p.m. -­‐ Quiet Room-­‐ Library Visiting Writers’ Series Edward P. Jones 7:00 p.m. -­‐ Belk Centrum Graduate School Info Fair 11:00 a.m. -­‐ Cromer Ctr. Lobby Graduate School Info Fair 2:30 p.m. -­‐ Cromer Ctr. Lobby Insitute For Faith and Learning 7:00 p.m. -­‐ Belk Centrum Homeless For A Weekend 12:00 a.m. -­‐ Shaw Plaza Western Piedmont Symphony 8:00 p.m. -­‐ P.E. Monroe Auditorium L-­‐R Band Concert 7:30 p.m. -­‐ P.E. Monroe Rachel Brown 9:00 p.m. -­‐ Belk Centrum

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Natasha Trethewey Visits L-R Pulitzer Prize Winning Poet Makes Her Mark By: Danielle Bongiorno Staff Writer A cool October night set the stage for a poetic reading from Natasha Trethewey. Despite flickering lights and a few technical malfunctions the Pulitzer Prize winner did not skip a beat in her captivating presentation.

She demonstrated an impressive sense of composure and eloquence as she recited poems from memory and kept the audience interested with entertaining stories. Trethewey’s writings focused on family, loss, and recovery; relatable topics to almost any individual traveling through this process called life.

Mississippi etched a special place in Trethewey’s heart as she spent her early years living on the Gulf coast. She talks about loving her birthplace, but also hating it for reasons that she would like to see changed.

Trethewey talked about her biracial parents and their controversial marriage that led to her birth. In her poems, she refers to herself as illegitimate based on the laws of the state where she grew up.

Not only was it illegal for a biracial couple to marry in Mississippi, it was also illegal to leave the state and return as a married couple.

Issues of inequality encouraged Trethewey to challenge institutionalized ideas in her writings.

Through her poems, Trethewey delves into both her own personal history as well as the world’s abroad. As she read, “Graveyard Blues” it brought to life memories of burying her mother and the emotional impact this

Photo courtesy of Lenoir-Rhyne Marketing While visiting L-R, Mississippi author Natasha Trethewey shared her poetry, which chronicles her early years.

placed on her; a relatable piece of work to anyone who has buried a loved one.

“I admire her sensibility especially around a recurrent topic in her poems, the presence of her mother and how she preserves her memory in a positive way, regardless of her tragic death,” said Dr. Parrado-Ortiz, Spanish professor and Visiting Writers Series patron.

During her visit to LenoirRhyne, Trethewey was interviewed

by Dr. Devon Fisher. In the interview she made a profound statement about the need for dislike.

She claimed that if nothing is found wrong with a place then nothing will ever be done to make it better.

Trethewey has decided to use any form of dislike or dissatisfaction about where she is from as a means to create change and birth opportunities for improvement.

“I think that Tretheway makes a good point about disliking a place in order to make a change. In

general, we either turn completely away from what we hate, or we do something about it. And though Tretheway didn’t explicitly state it, I think her point is that in our dislike of a place, even if it’s our home, we have to find the capacity to embrace that discord to the point where we’re willing to act on it,” said senior Colin Corpe.

This concept is very important for society to grasp in order for a community to continually develop and improve.

Rather than moving on and brushing off any mistreatment she received, Trethewey uses her influence to make this world a better place. Many issues from the past, such as racial prejudices, still exist and flourish in different sectors of society today. Trethewey encourages us not to be complacent in our pursuit for change.

Many students and community members came out to hear Trethewey speak. The poet clearly had an impact on everyone in attendance.

“We read ‘Beyond Katrina’ in class and held open discussions of Trethewey’s poetry and what it meant to her. It was really good to put a face with a name in such meaningful and powerful poetry. I really enjoyed it,” said graduate student, Gaston Miller.

Natasha Trethewey’s down to earth persona and captivating poems created a very enjoyable night for all the attendees of the Visiting Writers Series. L-R is looking forward to the next writer, Edward P. Jones on Nov 3 at 7 p.m. in Belk Centrum.

National League of Nursing Nursing Faculty Attend National Summit

December

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Theology Colloquium 4:00 p.m. -­‐ Quiet Room Christmas at Lenoir-­‐ Rhyne 2:30 p.m. -­‐ St. Andrews Black and White Ball 9:00 p.m. -­‐ Cromer Ctr. Lobby The Nutcracker Presented by Ann Freedom Academy of Dance Photo Credit: Tiffany Fields 3:00 p.m. -­‐ P.E. Monroe Professors Kerry Thompson, Kathyrn Tinkelenberg, Kay Johnson, Judy Hilton, and Barbara Rauscher attended the Auditorium National League of Nursing Education Summit in Orlando, Florida from Sept. 21 - Sept. 24. The NLN Summit’s theme was Leading Academic Progress by Advancing the Health of the Nation. These nurse educators explored the future of Christmas at nursing and nursing education. Additionally, they worked to achieve goals set forth by the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Future of Nursing Report, with a primary goal being to achieve seamless academic progression. Other focus points were Lenoir-­‐Rhyne to formulate strategies that strengthen evidence base for innovation in teaching, simulation, technology and leadership 7:30 p.m. -­‐ St. Andrews in education. The professors examined ways to integrate dynamic principles defined by the NLN. The League’s mission is for educators to incorporate caring integrity, diversity and excellence into the advanced practice role of the nurse educator.

Reading Day Late Night Cram Breakfast 10:30 p.m. -­‐ Dining Hall Fall Commencement 7:00 p.m. -­‐ P.E. By: Kaitlyn Burton age or older, is married, has dependent children, plans to Monroe Staff Writer live with a parent or legal guardian within forty miles of Puddingstone campus, is independent of all parental financial support for Christmas Concert Lenoir-Rhyne is known for its beautiful campus, tax purposes, is a veteran with one or more years of active its small class sizes; but more than that--the opportunity that military service, or has a special circumstance explanation.

7:30 p.m. -­‐ P.E. Monroe students gain while living on campus. L-R’s administration

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January

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First Day of Spring Semester Welcome Back Various Campus Locations Dave and Ethan College Dating Coaches 9:00 p.m. -­‐ Belk Centrum Marthin Luther King Jr. Celebration 9:00 a.m. -­‐ P.E. Monroe Summer Experience & Internship Fair 11:00 a.m. -­‐ Cromer Ctr. Student N.C. Association of Educations 7:00 p.m. -­‐ Belk Centrum

Status of Residence Halls New Places to Live on Campus

wants students to experience campus living.

Compared to other colleges and universities, one finds that Lenoir-Rhyne isn’t the only school that requires students to live on campus until they are seniors. Brevard College has a policy that is similar to L-R’s, except that Brevard’s students are not allowed to live off campus at all.

Lenior-Rhyne does allow students to live off campus when certain requirements are met.

“Because of admission opportunities, students will be more involved and connected to campus to get the values of the university,” said Emma Sellers, Head of Residential Life.

While most colleges and universities only require freshman to remain on campus, East Carolina University students can live off campus regardless of their class rank.

The predominant trend, however, is for most universities to only require that its freshman to remain on campus.

“I wish I could have lived off campus before my senior year. I love it. It saves me money and I’m also a neat person…,” senior Brooke Christenbury said, who now lives off campus.

“There are ways…if students want to fill out an application to live off-campus, they can do that.” Sellers said.* For the six years that Emma Sellers has been at L-R this rule has always been enforced, and she doesn’t think it’s going to change. *According to Sellers, off campus living requires that a student is either a senior or is 22 years of

Sports MESH Continued from pg 9 Because of the diversity, The MESH is hoping to attract larger sponsorships that would enable heavier advertising and production of the network, which is currently being produced predominately one day out of each week due to The Jackson Group Interactive’s hectic schedule.

Gaining support from large sponsors might seem like an easy task considering the growing popularity of the young network, but podcasts aren’t a thing of the past and many professionals are new to understanding how powerful a network like The MESH can be.

Terms like “iTunes” and “podcast” are standard words in a young adults vocabulary, but new technology isn’t as common for older generations. Those generations, however, aren’t being left completely in the dark.

With the right information, every level of professional is capable of understanding the direction that today’s media is taking.

“We know that we have to educate people along the way,” said Baker. “We need not only young professionals on board, but the generation above us that is also becoming tech savvy.”

In an attempt to educate the community, both young and old, about the ways in which technology can aid their success, The MESH has designed a podcast specific to teaching listeners about the new technology that is being developed during their lifetime.

Lee Yount Jr., 31, of Newton, is one of the newest hosts that The MESH has recruited for their growing number of podcasts that are currently in production. Yount, a programmer analyst for the Catawba County government, co-hosts New Stuff, a podcast dedicated to innovative technology that will help listeners understand what technology they have available to take advantage of.

Yount is a member of a media and technology guild that meets monthly at The Jackson Group. Once inside the headquarters of The MESH, Yount was introduced to Jackson and Baker and formed a business relationship that resulted in Yount joining The MESH cast.

Yount is optimistic that, through a new way of utilizing media, western North Carolina will gain more notability from larger cities that already capitalize on the use of technology.

“I think that initiatives like The MESH highlight our area,” said Yount. “I think that folks that are in the Triad and big municipalities where there are [technology related] jobs, they’re looking for things like [The MESH]. They’re looking for innovative communities that use technology.”

Sharing in Yount’s sentiment, The MESH curators are eager to see where projects like The MESH take Hickory and the surrounding areas.

Once hailed the furniture capital of the world, Hickory and nearby communities have witnessed the wrath of a failing economy as factory after factory have been forced to close their doors. Leaving behind a blank canvass for a rebuilding, The Jackson Group Interactive hopes to give the area a new name for itself by offering a new platform for notoriety.

Residents of the Hickory area are just as eager as The MESH team to see where the success of the network goes.

“I think it’s important to give some hope back into our city,” Lindsay Weaver, a LenoirRhyne University junior and Hickory resident. “It’s sad to see so many empty warehouses where thriving businesses once operated.”

Weaver, like many residents of Western North Carolina, understands the how the absence of such a powerful industry can affect a geographic area but remains optimistic that new technology, such as The MESH, can invigorate the area and give it the push it needs to find a new place on the map.

“The MESH is the kind of [project] that gives me a reason to want to stay in this part of the state,” Weaver said. “It’s such a good feeling knowing that there’s something new going on in this part of the world.”

11

Lenoir-Rhyne Fans Support Bear Football Homecoming Game Draws Crowd, Brings Cheers

Photo Courtesy of Lenoir-Rhyne Marketing Department

Lenoir-Rhyne Bear fans show a rousing cheer of support for the home team at the 2011 Homecoming football game.

By: Jimmy Hilton Staff Writer The Lenoir Rhyne Bears football team is off to a good start this season with 3-2 record overall and 2-0 record at home. L-R has been able to pull out big wins at home against both CarsonNewman and Brevard, two very strong conference opponents for L-R. One reason to believe that L-R is doing so well is that there has been a strong fan base

at the games.

“I wish we played more home games this season,” said L-R Head Coach Mike Houston.

For L-R, it’s important that the team plays well at home because it shows the fans that L-R can compete and do well against tough conference opponents. For the fans, they want to see L-R compete and it makes them want to be at the home games more to cheer for them.

Looking at the attendance, it shows that fans are

coming out and supporting L-R this season. Over the last two home games for L-R, attendance has averaged 7,500 fans per game.

With fan support, L-R Bears have played much better at home than on the road.

The L-R defense has given up average around 310 yards on the road compare to giving up only average of 229 yards on home games. L-R has scored an average of around 27 points a game compared to scoring an average of 21 points

a game on the road. The L-R defense has given up an average to 17 points a game scoring at home compare to 23 points a game on the road.

L-R has played well at home this season and wants to try to get the fans involved to create an advantage for them. It helps the team getting the fans involved in the game.

“Makes a great atmosphere, putting together big plays for the fans....give us a huge advantage for our team,” said

International Flair

Inside the Locker Room

Soccer By: Tiffany Fields Staff Photographer Soccer, or football, is popular worldwide.

Whether it’s playing on the “pitch” with a club team in England or in the sand of Bermuda, the basics of the sport remain the same. It’s a good thing, too, since players travel all over to play soccer. In fact, many of our Lenoir-Rhyne Bears are from countries other than the U.S. Although soccer is much more popular in other countries, the sport has drawn numerous players to this small, private university. So how does someone 3,000 miles away end up in Hickory, N.C.? Most of L-R’s International players were recruited by agencies like Pass 4 Soccer and are here on scholarships. The biggest draw for a student to play in the U.S. rather than other countries is the ability to get an education and play soccer at the same time. Also, soccer is more professional in America and emphasis is placed on athleticism and training rather than just on playing the game.

Freshman Ashley Peyton-Bruhl, a goalkeeper for the Men’s team, is from Brackley, U.K. Ashley has been playing “football” since he was eight years old and is excited that it is allowing him to live in another country.

“People in the South are a lot nicer than back home,” said Peyton-Bruhl. He communicates with his family and friends in the U.K. every day on Skype, and is adjusting well to American culture. He aspires to hopefully pass physics, get a degree, and head back to the U.K. to study engineering.

Like Peyton-Bruhl, sophomore goalkeeper Stefan Dill is here to receive an education outside of his hometown. Dill is from Bermuda, a British overseas territory that is only 21 miles long.

“There are more things to do here and more places to travel,” said Dill, who has also adjusted well to the culture change.

Before L-R, Stefan spent his junior and senior years at a school in Georgia, which he feels helped him to be comfortable here. “The school made me feel at home,” he said, adding that he does talk to his mom every day. Stefan plans to go to law school after graduating but says, “If given the chance to play professionally, I wouldn’t pass it up.”

Even though the guys are from different countries, the fact that they are both from countries outside of the U.S. allows them to relate. Junior forward and midfielder, Dana Hillmann, is the only international player on the women’s team.

“I feel accepted but it’s hard sometimes when some of the girls say ‘Why did you just do that?’ when it’s something that’s normal for me where I’m from,” said Hillmann. She is from Berlin, Germany, a city of about 3.5 million people. She is “used to going at a fast pace, and everything here is more of a slow pace.”

Previously, Dana played for a school in South Carolina but decided to transfer because the team wasn’t very good. Soccer has always been a big part of her life, and she hopes it will stay that way, through playing for fun and possibly coaching. Her father was a soccer player and she thinks, “It must be in my genes or something.”

Our International players are excited to be here, but it has to be hard being so far from home. It was unanimous that the food is what they miss most about their hometowns. “I miss mum’s cooking, and a good curry,” said PeytonBruhl. Luckily many of them get to go home for the holidays, and will have a chance to eat their traditional dishes.

Coach Houston.

Whenever fans are involved in helping the team by cheering for them, it shows that the game is fun for both the fans and players.

“It’s been exciting this year to see the team feed off our support and cheering from us this season,” senior David Jackson said.

L-R fans are noticing that fan support is making a difference in the way their team plays.

Photo Credit: Tiffany Fields Stefan Dill makes a quick save while playing the Lincoln Memorial game during Homecoming weekend.

L-R Men’s and Women’s Soccer By: Tiffany Fields Staff Photographer

Photo Credit: Tiffany Fields During practice Dana Hillmann reacts quickly to keep the ball from going out-of-bounds during a scrimmage game.

A Lady Bear soccer player runs quickly in order to save the ball.

Photo Credit: Tiffany Fields

Fans see the action that happens on the field, but student athletes are the only ones who get to experience what happens inside the locker room. The men’s and women’s soccer teams shared their stories about life on, and off, the field.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on the field?

“There was a goal kick from the other side [of the field] and it took a big bounce off my head. I tripped and it still went in.” – Stefan Dill, Sophomore, Men’s Goalkeeper “I get embarrassed when I trip over the ball, even when no one’s around.” – Hallie Hilliard, Freshman, Women’s Forward “Once, when I was goalkeeper I went to save a ball and ran into the goalpost. “ – Jessica Schob, Senior, Women’s Center Defender Who tells the worst jokes?

“Why are cows so smart?

Because they’re outstanding in the field!” is a favorite from Caite Hensel, a freshman midfielder for the women’s team.

Do you have any pregame rituals?

“I’m pretty superstitious. I don’t talk about how we’re doing before or during the game. “ – Ashley Peyton-Bruhl, Freshman, Men’s Goalkeeper What’s your favorite Lenoir-Rhyne soccer memory?

“Last season we pulled a prank on coach where we gave him a broken chair and he didn’t know it until he sat in it and collapsed to the ground sprawled out on his back. This was before our pregame talk before the conference tournament championship game.” – Jessica Schob, Senior, Women’s Center Defender

News

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2011 Homecoming and Oktoberfest

Photo Credit: Office of Marketing & Communications, Maggie Greene

Photo Credit: Tiffany Fields

Photo Credit: Lauren Yoder

Photo Credit: Office of Marketing & Communications, Erin Sweet

Photo Credit: Tiffany Fields Photo Credit: Office of Marketing & Communications, Maggie Greene

Photo Credit: Tiffany Fields

Photo Credit: Office of Marketing & Communications, Erin Sweet

“Fling Wide the Red and Black” Gay-Straight Alliance Promotes Safe Haven Photo Credit: Tiffany Fields

Photo Credit: Office of Marketing & Communications, Erin Sweet

By: Tiffany Fields Staff Photographer There is an organization at Lenoir-Rhyne University that promotes this same idea – the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA).

GSA was formed for more than just support around the idea of sexuality, but for students in all walks of life dealing with different issues.

GSA has been a part of L-R for years, but has boomed in membership and recognition this year. With a record 40-student attendance at their first meeting, members of GSA are making a difference, but why the sudden change?

First year graduate student Sarah Magness has played a large role in the revival of GSA. Previously, Magness attended Brenau University Women’s College in Gainesville, GA, where GSA did not exist.

Magness tried to start up the organization there, but it never took off. Lenoir-Rhyne proved to be a different case.

The first time Magness ever walked into the Cromer Center, she spotted a GSA flag, and was amazed.

“Here I was at a religiously affiliated school and not only was there an official GSA, but a GSA that was publicly advertised at all times in the main building. That was huge,” said Magness.

What Magness didn’t realize, though, was how much the organization had fallen to the wayside. She teamed up with her friends Kendayl Waugh and Rebecca Lin in an attempt to resurrect the club.

“I knew I had to help try to get the group started again,” said Magness, “because it is really important for all students to feel accepted for who they are.”

Magness promotes GSA and its ability to create a safe-haven for people. Magness says that GSA is a place where hate is not tolerated and it is a place where students can learn about each other’s differences and similarities. More than just a club, Magness sees GSA as an educational experience.

Knowing how important it is to have a group of support when times are tough, Magness is familiar with what the absence of friendship

feels like and strives to eridact that feeling on campus at L-R. “I know what it feels like to be in the dark, to think that people hate you for who you are, to think that you are a disappointment to your family and friends,” said Magness.

Magness and the other members of GSA are working hard to help students feel accepted as well as raise awareness about different sexualities. Freshman member Heather Hooker is excited about the different activities that GSA has been hosting this semester. “[GSA has been hosting] lots of activities, such as bowling and Glee nights, but we have also been in talks of getting more involved in the ‘It Gets Better’ Campaign,” said Hooker.

The ‘It Gets Better’ campaign aims to raise awareness about the suicide rate within the LGBT youth community, which is significantly higher than other teens.

To learn more about GSA sponsored events and meetings, follow their Facebook page, LR Gay-Straight Alliance.

Photo Credit: Tiffany Fields GSA members visit with guest speaker Elke Kennedy on National Coming Out Day.

Photo Credit: Tiffany Fields On National Coming Out Day, GSA members attend the Sean’s Last Wish convocation.