Issue 4_The SpringHillian_Fall2022

Volume 126, Issue 4 Thursday, November 17, 2022 Ad Majorem

Dei Gloriam

Dr. Lee Looks Back on His Time at Spring Hill

Natalie Williamson Reporter

With his presidency at Spring Hill College drawing to a close in December 2022, Dr. Joe Lee reminisced about his three years on The Hill.

In 2018, Lee made the decision to move to Mobile, Alabama to become president of Spring Hill College. “One of my first memories was August 9, 2018. I was living in Portier Place, and I asked myself why I was here, and move-in day happened, and I realized that’s why I am here,” Lee said.

He also said that another memory he holds close is watching Spring Hill College head volleyball coach Peggy Martin get her record victories in volleyball.

“There are just so many memories, it is really hard to just pick out one or two,” Lee said.

Dr. Lee remembered St.

Joseph’s Chapel as where he was commissioned as president for Spring Hill College.

He also discussed how the chapel is where he has greeted parents, current Badgers and future Badgers throughout the years.

“St. Joseph’s Chapel is really a special place. This place has not only been my spiritual home, but also a place for many special functions,” Lee said.

Lee said Historic Stan Galle Field is his favorite place on campus. “I love baseball and I think it is just an incredible tradition here.”

Lee also said that he was on the field for former head baseball coach Frank Sim’s 1,000th victory. “The first person I watched play for the Boston Red Sox, back in 1954, was Milt Bolling, who was a graduate of Spring Hill College.” Lee mentioned that he would come to as many Spring Hill College baseball games as he could, and that

it was much better than being in his office.

Lee expressed that he does not want to explicitly define his legacy on the Hill himself, but rather let the community define it.

“I think we have brought some stability here. I think I have put together an excellent cabinet, and it is the best I have ever worked with.”

He is envious of new president Dr. Mary Van Brunt because she is going to inherit a great team, according to Lee.

With only a few weeks left here on campus, Lee wanted to give Van Brunt a message: “You have a great team here, so use them. The challenges are real, but it is certainly the best college I have been associated with.”

For more information on Dr. Lee and his accomplishments here at Spring Hill, visit www.shc. edu.

The Italy Center Puts Emphasis on Social Justice

are happy to have me help in whatever way I can,” he explained.

Each semester, the Spring Hill College Italy Center takes Spring Hill students on a social justice immersion trip in order to further integrate Jesuit ideals into the classroom.

Ronnie Bergeron, a junior studying at the Italy Center, volunteers at a clothing shop and a kitchen each week as a part of his Human Rights and Global Change class. “I am reminded of the beauty of people wanting to help others. Even without a solid comprehension of the language, the volunteers

This semester, the students went to Puglia, a region in southern Italy, where they visited organizations promoting and working for environmental protection.

They not only visited the organizations, but got hands-on experience.

The students visted an anti-mafia vineyard. There, they helped harvest the plants, while also learning about the impact of the mafia in Italy.

Junior Kylee Culbertson said, “It was incredible learning about how, democratically, the

people began to win back their lands from the mafia. It was also fun helping harvest as well as running around the vineyard with my friends and drinking the freshest grape juice of my life.”

Dr. Simone Bregni, the new director of the Italy center as of July 2022, has had connection to the SHC Italy Center for years through his previous employment as the Italian Studies Program coordinator at St. Louis University.

Dr. Bregni emphasizes the importance of social justice as a Jesuit institution because it corresponds to the main Jesuit principle “Men and Women for Others.”

“The purpose of the social justice immersion trips is to observe and experience others putting their lives to the service of other human beings, in different areas, professions, and with different abilities and roles. It is a deeply educational experience that is meant to assist students to find their own calling in life, whether in education, in the social sciences, in the health sciences, in politics or in finance/the business world,” said Dr. Bregni.

With the new leadership of Dr. Bregni, the SHC Italy Center plans to expand the program including partnering with more institutions as

well as offering more courses to meet students’ needs.

To learn more about the Spring Hill College Italy Center, go to https://italycenterbologna.com/.

Zoe O’Donnell Reporter

Dr. Joe Lee standing on Stan Galle Field, his favorite place on campus.

Picture by: Natalie Williamson

Juniors Chance Beard and Alex Theriot at the anti-mafia vineyard.

Picture by: Kylee Culbertson

Preparing Resident Students for Winter Break Move-Out

Aubrey Gaudet Reporter

Residence Life staff and students are preparing to move out over the winter break before the beginning of the spring semester. From the end of final exams for the fall semester up until the beginning of the spring semester, students are expected to leave campus for the holiday break. Before leaving campus, SHC Residence Life expects students to complete a checklist to ensure the conditions of their on-campus dorms are up to Residence Life standards. Director of Residence Life and Community Standards Nathan McQuinn said that students can expect information from Residence Life regarding winter break move-out after

Thanksgiving.

“It’s a pretty easy process for Christmas break,” McQuinn said. ”All people need to do is follow the instructions and leave. They don’t check out with their resident assistant and they can bring their keys with them.”

McQuinn stated that students are responsible for taking out their trash, unplugging and cleaning refrigerators and locking their room before leaving.

“My goal is to transition from winter to spring as easily as possible and in re-

turn, all I ask from students is that they make sure they leave their space as clean as possible,” McQuinn said.

According to McQuinn, before students leave campus, they can expect Residence Life to check their rooms to verify compliance.

SHC junior and RA for Viragh Hall, Aliciah Rashid, said, “Each RA is most likely going to have a closing-out meeting with their residents to let them know the process of what they need to be doing over the next couple days and just about ending the semester with that great energy.”

According to McQuinn, the Office of Residence Life and Community Standards will be completely shut down during the break and they will be short-staffed. Therefore, students will need to take everything they need with them over the break especially medications and books.

For more information, contact your RA or the Office of Residence Life and Community Standards at reslife@shc.edu.

2022 Midterm Election Candidates Set New Records

Isabelle O’Neal Reporter

The 2022 midterm election saw more women, LGBTQ+, Hispanic and Black candidates running for public offices than ever before.

According to axios.org, an American news outlet, 83 Hispanic and 33 LGBTQ+ members ran for House of Representative, 25 women ran for governor and 11 candidates for Senate were people of color.

Massachusetts made history by electing the nation’s first openly-lesbian governor, Maura Healey.

“Having a member of the community in office means so much for the community as whole. It gives us a sense of safety and a voice,” said SHC LGBTQ+ student, Han-

nan Linss.

“I believe that this election will influence future elections because it has proved that America is changing,” said SHC student Dimya Evans. “The increased representation of all groups including race, sexuality, gender orientation, etc. has created more opportunities for many people that may not have considered themselves to be the archetype politician,” said Evans.

According to the National Archives at archives.gov, it was not until just over 80 years since Congress was established when the first Black person was elected for a position and 185 years until a LGBTQ+ member held a position.

Evans stated that people of color and minorities are represented in the sports

OTHER RACES

change.

“As soon as they [Democrats] are elected, their agenda towards the commuinity shifts.” Linss explained how she felt this could create distrust and animosity between the representatives and the community that supports them.

According to Evans, this year’s election was just the beginning of the turning point for the younger generation’s goals for the country.

REPUBLICAN DEMOCRAT

Diversity of midterm election candidates by party affiliation. Information provided by the New York Times.

and music industries, but there is an underrepresentation when it comes to government. She said that this situation can “subconsciously create a notion within ourselves that athletes or rappers are all we

could ever be.”

As posted on Democrats. org website, “Democrats are committed to ending anti-LGBTQ violence, bullying, and discrimination.”

However, Linss was skeptical of the party’s claim to

“We as a nation have made great progress, but there is still progress to be made,” said Evans.

For more information on the 2022 midterm elections, go to https://www.ap.org/ about/our-role-in-elections/

@shcstudentmedia newswire.shc.edu shcstudentmedia@gmail.com

The SpringHillian Editor: Victoria Ellis

Art Director: Peri Carr

Web Editor: Codi Clemmons

Advertising Manager: Madeleine Braham

livestream.com/ springhillcollege SHC Student Media

Spring Hill Now Producer: Carson Reeves

Spring Hill Now Director: Kira Babiarz

Reporters: Val Dixon, Fae Fox, Aubrey Gaudet, Natalie Marrs, Sharon Nilsen, Zoe O’Donnell, Isabelle O’Neal, Beau Reed, Natalie Williamson

Advisors:

Stuart Babington Gary Wolverton

Resident Advisor, Salsa Falch, works in the Residence Life office.

Picture By: Aubrey Gaudet

WHITE MEN

OPINION

Why You Should Decorate Early for the Christmas Season

other countries, since they do not have Thanksgiving. Specifically, when do they decide when it is appropriate to start decorating for Christmas?

Natalia Michas, an international student from Poland, says that it is typical in Poland for people to decorate the week of Christmas.

Zoe O’Donnell Columnist

Every year, Americans can’t agree on when it is appropriate to start decorating for Christmas. Some believe decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving is perfectly fine, while others find it appalling.

When thinking about this debacle, I wonder how traditions are different in

“It is Christmas time when we start decorating the tree, which is usually four days before the actual dinner for Christmas,” said Michas.

She also commented how unusual it is for her seeing Christmas time start at the beginning of November or even before. “For us, November first is a day to remember all the dead people,” said Michas.

On the other hand, when I went to London, England for Thanksgiving break a few years back, everywhere

was already decorated for Christmas from the streets, to pubs, to stores. There was even a huge Christmas market in Hyde Park called Winter Wonderland which was open from mid-November through the beginning of January.

Personally, when I am at home, I like to start decorating a few days before

Thanksgiving and continue through the day after Thanksgiving in order to get all of the good Black Friday deals. However, while at school, I find myself decorating earlier in November because I want to make my space festive and enjoy it for a longer period of time. It is such a jolly feeling coming back to school after

Thanksgiving to a fully-decorated apartment. Therefore, I decorate before Thanksgiving to maximize the time it is up and can be admired until we are off for winter break the second week of December.

From all that I have found, it seems as though it really does not matter when you start to decorate for Christmas. Some people, like those in Poland, wait until a few days before to bring in the Christmas spirit. Others, like myself, enjoy decorating in November, before Thanksgiving. This way, it maximizes the amount of time spent with the decor to feel the Christmas spirit for longer. At the end of the day, people are decorating to celebrate the season and that is what really matters.

Why You Shouldn’t Decorate Early for the Christmas Season

everywhere and Christmas music fills the airwaves of the radio.

That isn’t to say that I don’t like Christmas. I love Christmas and it’s my favorite time of the year. However, I do think we shouldn’t be jumping from Halloween straight into Christmas.

It’s that time of year again, folks. That weird time of the year between Halloween and Christmas where you’re not sure whether or not to start blasting Christmas music mid-November or just go about your daily routine until after Thanksgiving.

Personally, I can’t stand when as soon as the clock hits midnight on Halloween night, the Christmas decorations start to pop up

EDITORIAL POLICY:

Thanksgiving has been a holiday in the United States since 1789 when George Washington issued a proclamation for “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer.” It wasn’t until 1870 when Thanksgiving and Christmas were listed as official holidays in the country. While the holiday may not be as big as Christmas, Thanksgiving is still a popular holiday for gathering with family and friends that you can’t be with any other time of the year.

One student, Madalyn Duncan, said, “Over the years, I’ve learned that we always don’t get to spend each holiday with certain

family members. My family splits during the holidays. We go to my mom’s family for Thanksgiving then Christmas we have with my dad‘s family.”

Duncan has already started decorating her dorm room for Christmas, but she still thinks that one comes

The SpringHillian is published four times each semester from August until December. The views expressed herein do not represent the views of Spring Hill College and are not the views of the faculty, administration, staff or students. They are the views of the individual columnists.

before the other.

“Sometimes Thanksgivings are our Christmases and some Christmases are our Thanksgivings. But I do think it’s important to celebrate both,” Duncan said.

On the other hand, junior SGA representative Colin Beddingfield said that

SUBMISSIONS:

Thanksgiving is “basically a pre-meal to make sure the Christmas food is going to be okay.” He also mentioned how his family uses it as a time to prepare for Christmas and get ready for the “biggest holiday of the year.”

Both holidays are during my favorite parts of the year where the weather is cold, the school semester is about over and the smell of good food is usually in the air. As much as I love Christmas, I always look forward to that big Thanksgiving feast at my family’s dining room table.

The SpringHillian publishes guest submissions at the discretion of the student-editor and section editors. Submissions should be less than 300 words, and editors reserve the right to edit the submissions for length and content. Original writings should be mailed or delivered to: Student-editor, The SpringHillian, Communication Arts, Spring Hill College, 4000 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 36608. Submissions may also be sent as emailed attachments to: shcmedia@email.shc.edu.

Beau Reed

Columnist

Junior Becca Howard decorating her apartment for Christmas.

Picture By: Zoe O’Donnell

Early Christmas present-packing. Picture by: Beau Reed

Around The Hill

Chemistry students participate in pumpkin experiments on campus.

Picture by: Zoe O’Donell

SGA Representative, Hammy Hamilton, speaks to students at the Blackout The Hill event.

Picture by: Beau Reed

Intramural flag football participants look to make the next play.

Picture by: Natalie Williamson

Sophomore Harrison Weisinger before he was crowned Lion King.

Picture by: Zoe O’ Donnell

The Sigma Kappa sorority at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event.

Picture by: Fae Fox

Around The Hill

Teammates discussing game strategy at the intramural flag football playoffs.

Picture by: Natalie Williamson

Senior Landon Cocom competing for Phi Mu’s lion king crown.

Picture by: Zoe O’ Donnell

Donmeka Martin, alumni basketball player from the class of ‘98, speaks at the Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony.

Picture by: Fae Fox

Volleyball player, Taylor Fontenelle, dives for a ball during the SIAC championship tournament.

Picture by: Beau Reed

Seniors Tessa Nicosia, Carly Buuck and Catie Lockhart organize temporary tattoos at the Walk to end Alheimer’s event.

Picture by: Zoe O’Donnell

LIFESTYLE

Participants Walk in Hope to End Alzheimer’s

Fae Fox Reporter

Over 250 Mobilians came to Spring Hill College for Mobile Bay’s annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s on November 13.

Together with the 60 teams who participated in the walk this year, a total of $43,124 was raised.

This was the second year that the walk was held on Spring Hill College’s campus. Participants from all over Mobile, including SHC students, came to the event.

“This is my third year participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” said senior Lorna Salbador.

“I walk to support my aunt Evelyn who passed away from Alzheimer’s and raise money and support everyone else.”

She explained what she hoped the walk will accomplish. “Most importanly, hopefully, find a cure one day,” Salbador said.

Local resident Cailyn Thompson has hit the pavement for six years now.

“My mawmaw who was my best friend and whom I saw three times a week was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when I was in middle school and she passed away last year. I walk for her and any granddaughter out there that doesn’t want to lose her grandmother,” Thompson said.

Chairman of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Committee Katie Felis said, “I wanted this event to honor everyone who has been affected and be a joyous occasion because it can be kind of lonely in this situation.”

Felis said the committee has been working for about a year to get sponsors and reach out to the Mobile community.

“We hosted fundraisers at local restaurants and attended multiple Mobile Art Walks to get the word out and spread awareness about the disease. Most

of the money raised goes toward funding research and the other percent goes to support groups and helping people with Alzheimer’s,” Felis said.

Members of the Sigma Kappa sorority on Spring Hill College’s campus helped

raise money and hosted the event.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the sorority’s primary philanthropy event. To raise money, the chapter hosted several events throughout the semester, from a haunted house

to individual campaign initiatives.

This event has been hosted for eight years and continues to fight against this disease. For more information, visit alz.org.

Creativity Pays Off for Spring Hill Senior

Sharon Nelson Reporter

Senior Lucy Mercer participated in downtown Mobile’s LoDa Art Walk to sell designs she learned how to make during her art instruction at Spring Hill College.

The pin-up girl art of the 1950s inspired several of Mercer’s designs. “I recently did a print called ‘Batty for You,’ which I am really proud of. It’s a really cute pin-up girlie bat. Another one is ‘Hot Ghouls in Your Area.’ It’s one of my favorite prints, and it also seems to be everybody else’s favorite. I’ve sold probably over 30 of them so far,” Mercer said.

Mercer sold t-shirts, pins, stickers and tote bags in addition to her prints. Ten percent of all Medusa designs created by Mercer go to the Lifelines Counseling Services in Mobile.

She also accepted drawing commissions. “I do lots of

tattoo commissions,” Mercer said.

Art enthusiasts purchased Mercer’s merchandise that was displayed on a table lit up with a neon sign at the entrance of Serda’s Coffee Company.

She explained that she enjoys setting up at different venues in Midtown Mobile.

“I do a ton of markets.

I am always over at the Florida Street Vintage art market. It’s one of my favorites,” Mercer said.

Visual arts instructors at Spring Hill taught Mercer how to design for profit. After taking one art class, she knew she wanted to take more.

“Going into my freshman year, I took 2D Design and

loved it. After that, I started taking a ton of art courses like Drawing, Drawing II, and then Printmaking, which is really where I got my business started,” Mercer said.

An art professor in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts helped guide Lucy Mercer’s success. Professor Wanda Sullivan taught all of Mercer’s art classes.

Sullivan has helped students recognize how to value their work. “When they ask me how to price their works, I tell them to factor in the materials, the time it takes to make the works, and more importantly, the experience and time it has taken to learn how to make the works,” Sullivan said.

Mercer is not the only student at SHC whose creativity has paid off. Senior Peri Carr is another student that sells handmade art at LoDa Art Walk, as well as the markets at

Florida Street Vinatge.

To see Mercer’s art portfolio, visit https:// www.instagram.com/ lucyandthehearts/.

Spring Hill College provides students with a variety of courses in visual, performing and media arts. For more information, contact Father Stephen Campbell at 251380-3861, or visit https:// www.shc.edu/academics/ department-of-visual-andperforming-arts/.

Mercer at LoDa Art Walk wearing her “Hot Ghouls in Your Area” t-shirt.

Picture By: Sharon Nelson

“Moon Bunny” relief print designed by Mercer in professor Sullivan’s printmaking class.

Members of the Spring Hill Community march in support for the Alzheimer’s Association on Sunday afternoon.

Picture By: Fae Fox

Men’s Basketball Defeats Rival University of Mobile

tions and rivalry.”

SHC senior cheerleader Codi Clemmons reflected on the importance of the win.

The Spring Hill College men’s basketball team defeated the University of Mobile Rams 72-59 in the season opener on November 12.

The Badgers tipped off at 7:30 p.m. in the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center. With the Rams leading the game at the end of the first half 31-30, the Badgers came back in the second half to outscore the Rams by 14 points, 42-28. The Badgers were 46 percent from the floor, 60 percent from the three-point line, and landed 100 percent of their free throw shots in the goal.

The game gave the Badgers a 1-0 record and handed the Rams their first season loss.

Red Shirt Freshman Beril Kabamba led the Badgers in scoring, recording 25 points,

seven rebounds and one block. Not only that, but Kabamba also hit a career-high three buckets from beyond the arc. Behind Kabamba, sophomore Tana Kopa scored 23 points, sophomore Steven Lyles racked up 12 points and redshirt junior Isaiah Veal added six points to the score.

For for the Rams, sophomore DaMariee Jones scored 17 points, five rebounds, three steals and one assist. Sophomore Trent Moye finished with 12 points and sophomore Ezra McKenna helped the Rams with nine points.

Head coach of Badger basketball Craig Kennedy

shared his pride in his team following their performance in the game. He said his team showed grit and character after being down in the first half.

“It is a great feeling anytime we win, but particularly against Mobile,” Kennedy said. “They push us to be better because of the emo-

“After three years of cheering for the Badgers, this was probably the most memorable game I’ve had an opportunity to cheer at,” she said. “There was so much support from the fans, the gym was so loud with fans encouraging the Badgers to victory.”

The Badgers have won three out of four games against the UM Rams. The Badgers’ next two games will be at home. They will take on Pensacola Christian Eagles on November 15 at 7 p.m. and Flagler College on November 19 at 4 p.m.

For more information on the Spring Hill College basketball teams, visit https:// shcbadgers.com/sports/ mens-basketball/.

Badger Volleyball Hosts SIAC Championship

is here.”

The Spring Hill College Badgers earned their fourth consecutive Championship title last weekend at the SIAC Women’s Volleyball Championship tournament here at Spring Hill College.

The Badgers welcomed the conference’s top teams to the Hill to compete for a spot in the NCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball Championship. The tournament took place in the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center.

Badger Nation showed up in support of the team and helped them compete for their fourth straight conference title.

Senior Kassandra Fairly was proud to have a homefield advantage going into the tournament.

“It’s exciting for me because we get to have it in our home gym,” Fairly said. “We get to have everybody from our school watching, my parents, my whole family

In the first round, the Badgers competed against Benedict, which resulted in a sweeping victory, 25-4.

The Badgers then faced Albany State. The Badgers emerged victorious with an ending score of 25-18.

The team then beat Edward Waters 25-13 in the final championship game on November 13.

Senior and SIAC Libero of the Year Mikayla Boyer reflected on what she thought motivated the team to achieve their placement on the final podium.

“When we watched them play yesterday and saw how well they hit and how well they defend,” said Boyer, “we knew that we were really gonna have to step up our game.”

Boyer continued, “I felt like today, we just kept getting better and better and better. Our goal wasn’t to win by 15 points, it was to just play as hard as we possibly can. For us, this is our last home game. It was

nice to be home”

The Badgers will head to the NCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball Championship in Tampa to battle against the No. 1 seed Tampa in the tournament’s

first round.

For more information on the Spring Hill College Volleyball team, visit https:// shcbadgers.com/sports/ womens-volleyball or their social channels @shc_vol-

leyball (Twitter), /SHCBADGERS (Facebook), @shcvolleyball (Instagram).

Beau Reed Reporter

Natalie Williamson Reporter

Members of the Men’s Basketball Team celebrate their victory over the Univerity of Mobile.

Picture By: Seth Laubinger/Ruby Media

Members of the volleyball team celebrate their fourth consecutive championship victory at the SIAC Women’s volleyball tournament.

Picture By: Beau Reed