1 ISSUE 89.8 UNION COLLEGE NOVEMBER 12, 2014 AT THE PEAK OF THE PROBLEM The invisible side of education, page 3 Art and religion, page 6 Meet Linda Becker, page 8 INSIDE THIS ISSUE What to do about young adults leaving the Adventist church STORY ON PAGE 4 2 “One of my favorite memories with my family was going to Disneyland when I was nine. I got to meet all my favorite characters and spend time with my family at the same time. Now that I’m older I want to go back again so I make more memories.” “One time my boyfriend took me to a Saltdogs game and we were sitting in the grass. He got down on one knee and told me that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, and I said yes. That was my best date ever.” Yuliya Shirokova senior psychology major Brittney Needles senior business major Humans of Union College is compiled by Chelsea Aguilera. HUMANS OF UNION COLLEGE 3 SPECIAL INTEREST EMY WOOD The invisible side of education students), and your graduate school of choice probably wouldn’t care that you simultaneously managed three clubs and two internships while acing every test. So how can these external parties be sure your courses were hard enough and your grade means more than a letter of the alphabet? The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the regional accrediting body for the north central states, monitors Union’s actions and improvements to ensure that the college offers enough services, advertises honestly and provides high quality instruction. With the HLC’s seal of approval—otherwise called accredita - tion—external universities and organiza- tions know they can trust Union’s claims. Cool. But why should students care? Because it’s not a stagnant process—adjust - ments and improvements in educational services are continuously being made for you. What do transferable credits, education- al accountability, graduate school oppor- tunities, bright employment prospects and federal financial assistance all have in common? They all require accreditation. Students rarely think about the inner workings of their institution and how claims about a “quality education” are actually substantiated, yet this pivotal process is the primary characteristic that distinguishes college graduates from peo - ple who just know a lot of stuff. If Union were not accredited, you could not get government financial aid or obtain national or state licensure (I’m talking to you, nursing, PA, education, and EMT Why you should care about accreditation at Union College continued on page 9 With the Higher Learning Commission’s seal of appr other external universities and organizations know they can trt Union’s claims. 4 KYLE BERG sation on why young adults are leaving or staying in the church, what we have to offer the church; and what we want from the church. Main objectives of the think tank groups were to come up with six answers for each question and priori- tize them. Along with the delegates rep - resenting other schools, Union College students were encouraged to participate as well. During one session, Bruzon and her group discussed what young people need from the church. She summarized their conclusions, saying, “We need to return to Biblical principles; less programming and more time to develop relationships; and provide an atmosphere that moti - vates others to seek Jesus.” Michael Paradise, young adult pastor at College View Church, attended some of the think tank sessions and felt that Union students’ participation made a profound impact. He sat at a table of non-Adventist students who kept com - ing back to one particular point: “It is up to the young adults to get involved— plug themselves in.” Last year Carl Dupper, then-ASB Presi - dent, presented Union’s senators with a question that has troubled most of the North American Division (NAD) for quite some time: Why are the young people leaving the church? Our senators all agreed this was a troubling question and wanted to do something about it. When the Young Adult Retention and Involvement Committee was formed in February 2014, Natalie Bruzon, Makenzy Jean and Kali Arevalo were its lone volunteers. Together they began planning a summit which would invite two student representatives from most Adventist institutions of higher learning in North America. This summit would eventually become known as the North American Division Youth Retention and Involvement Summit. From October 23 to 25, student representatives and NAD affiliates gath- ered on Union College’s campus to join the conversation about youth in (and out of) the Adventist church. The event consisted of several presen - tations and “think tank” discussion groups. The think tanks inspired conver- At the peak of the problem What to do about young adults leaving the Adventist church FEATURED ARTICLE: WELLNESS 5 Exploring how students can “plug them- selves in,” Paradise offered a few concrete suggestions: work with kids for Sabbath School and church events, enjoy fellow - ship at potlucks, help out with technical areas during Sabbath services and take advantage of graphic design opportu - nities. He also mentioned vespers and Bible study opportunities off campus at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Apart from the think tank discussion groups, NAD representatives Allen Martin, Ben Lundquist, Ron Pickell and Debra Brill spoke with students about the young adult crisis in the church. One of the most insightful opportunities to pick the brains of these NAD repre - sentatives occurred at a post-vespers pan - el. Speakers encouraged the young adults in the audience to break down the “us” versus “them” mentality through con - versation centered on Jesus. The divide between the “elderly” and the “youth” could be bridged if each group shared their stories with each other; maybe it’s time for young adults to set this trend in motion. In terms of ministry opportunities, the NAD representatives believe that each person’s ministry should be unique. One should not have to feel confined to the positions the church has clearly labeled, such as deacon, deaconess, elder or Sabbath School leader. While they are wonderful positions that need filling, our greatest desire should be where our passions lie—a viewpoint resonant with many young adults. FEATURED ARTICLE: WELLNESS continued on http://clocktower.ucollege.edu 6 RELIGION Art and religion: the great divide Ben Tyner, Shepard Fairey and your art ABNER CAMPOS demand for artists after about 1900, is to move away from religious art. And even to be blasphemous. . . . There is a desire to separate art from religion because of the feeling that religion had used art in the past to support oppression.” And on the side of the spectrum, religion has, in some way, distanced itself from art today. “In Protestantism, there is this attack on idolatry, iconoclasm,” Tyner stated plainly. Traditional, conservative, Protestant Christianity removed itself from art in churches because they saw it as idolatrous, so art was pushed away. Modern Christianity, for the most part, has not necessarily pushed art away, but it definitely has not immersed itself into art’s culture. My biggest worry is that modern art, in general, lacks meaning. If God isn’t in art, where is its meaning? Tyner said, “I wouldn’t put contemporary meaning - lessness all on modern art. I would say that modern art is a reflection of con - temporary meaninglessness.” For all the art doers, for all the art appreciators, for all the religious boys, for all the religious girls, this is for you. As I have begun to immerse myself into art, I have seen a terrible disconnect be - tween art and religion. I have seen the absence of art in religion or church, and also the absence of religion in art. Art, in ancient times and most times, is packed with religious connotations, background and meaning. When did that end? I sat down with Ben Tyner, assistant pro - fessor of history, and soaked in his ex - planation of why art was predominantly religious throughout history. It all boils down to the fact that art was produced as demanded by patrons, the majority of whom were Christian. Unfortunately, the church became oppressive, and that oppression resulted in rebellion. In the process of revolutions rising, religious art (along with the need and want for it) was lost. So why is God absent in popular art to - day? According to Tyner, “To be new, to be novel, and to be original, which is the continued on http://clocktower.ucollege.edu 7 Keaton Henson A musician with a performance complex The music industry and the autumn sea- son share some interesting similarities. Things constantly change, always cycling through different tones and tastes. Art - ists hold their own for a brilliant mo - ment and then fade away, leaving a bit of themselves behind. A musician named Keaton Henson has quietly slipped onto the music scene and is burning brilliant- ly in a completely unprecedented way. Keaton Henson, a bearded Londoner, did not set out to become a musician. Originally he worked as an illustrator, creating the artwork for various albums. Henson wrote a few songs, recorded them in his bedroom and shared them with a few friends and something amaz - ing began. The source of this sudden in - spiration was the classic muse: love. continued on http://clocktower.ucollege.edu KATIE MORRISON CULTURE & SPORTS Yaf’s unsung 11 Where are Union’s ping pong heroes hiding? Union College intramural volleyball is in full swing. As much as I enjoy a great spike, occasionally I find myself longing for more. One night I found myself wandering Cooper’s Corner, aimlessly looking for something to distract myself from homework when I was challenged by Yafet Woldegabriel to a game of ping pong. I obliged and proceeded to get the best of him in every one of the four games we played. continued on http://clocktower.ucollege.edu DEREK BAKER 8 SLADE LANE So Linda Becker came to Union College. But that’s only the first time. “I began work on my doctorate, and around that time I got a call to go up to Andrew’s University. So I went and spent five years there.” She then received an invitation from former president Da- vid Smith to come back to Union. “After that call I came back and have been here the last fourteen years.” Commonly associated with ASB, Lin - da Becker’s job entails much more than weekend events or making sure we get our worship credits. “My primary focus is student life outside the classroom.” Becker leads many different areas related to student life on campus, including se - curity, health and worships. Oftentimes she does not go home until 10 or 11 at night. How does she do it? When does she sleep? “I couldn’t run all these things alone. We have a wonderful team that handles these areas and reports to me.” And as far as sleep is concerned: “I get my rest, but I do different things to stay healthy. She’s at freshmen orientation when you arrive at Union College. She’s at the ASB events you attend on the weekends. Her emails greet you in the morning, surprise you in the afternoon, and bum you out during the winter (give us a snow day!). Maybe she’s taught you in class, called you into her office about those missing worship credits or just asked how your day is. She is Linda Becker. “I received the call to come to Union College and interview. I didn’t own a coat, so I stopped at my mom’s in Cali - fornia and borrowed one before going on to Nebraska.” Becker was living in Ha - waii at the time (hence her coatlessness). A single mother of two, Becker was look - ing to move. “My kids were nearing the high school age, and I was looking to get a new job on the mainland.” She had five job of - fers to choose from, but Becker eventu - ally settled on Union College to work as academic dean. “I loved the atmosphere of Union. The school was friendly and inviting. It had to be that, because I don’t know why anyone would choose to live in this cold, god-forsaken place,” she joked. Meet Linda Becker O N CA M P U S “I didn’t own a coat…” 9 I exercise in the morning, and I do my devotions.” Linda Becker doesn’t work so hard for the pay. She does it for the students. “You couldn’t do this kind of job for the pay - check. It’s a lot of work. I love the kids. I love college students.” And it is this love that drives Becker. It is her ministry. “All the staff here work to make Union a safe place so that students can grow not only academically but spiritually as well.” That is why Becker works closely with Campus Ministries to provide students with a spiritually vibrant campus that also encourages personal responsibility. “We have a much different model than other universities and colleges,” Beck - er explained. “We don’t fine people for missing worships. The worst is that you have to come see me, which isn’t that scary.” Becker’s primary focus is to minister to students and show Christ to them. And she’s always open to hearing from us. “We have an open door policy. We want to hear from students to know what we could do better.” Feel free to stop by Linda Becker’s office and make a suggestion, or just say hi to one of the people who keeps this campus running smoothly. ON CAMPUS continued on http://clocktower.ucollege.edu “The invisible side of education” continued from page 3 Last year Union switched its accredita - tion pathway to an Academic Quality Improvement program (AQIP). “This change means that instead of just wait - ing seven-plus years for an accreditation team to evaluate what we’re doing and give us feedback, we’re actively evaluat - ing ourselves,” said Joellyn Sheehy, 2014 graduate and AQIP systems portfolio co - ordinator. In conjunction with this new path - way, last year the General Education Committee revised and approved new educational goals for Union gradu - ates. “Previously, we had statements on mission, vision and values, but those are not very specific,” said Malcolm Russell, vice president for academic administra - tion. “We now have a statement of edu - cational goals that identifies the desired areas of student proficiency.” 10 NOVEMBER SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 9 10 11 MAU Education Majors Pizza Feed 10:30 a.m. Chapel 5:00 p.m. UC Women vs Faith Baptist 7:00 p.m. UC Men vs Faith Bible College (Thunderdome) 12 Campus Store Sale 2:30–4:00 p.m. LEADCommittee 8:00 a.m. Pre-registration for spring semester begins 13 10:30–11:30 a.m. Academic Assembly 5:00 p.m. UC Women BB vs Grace University (Away) 7:00 p.m. UC Men BB vs Grace University (Away) 14 7:30 p.m. Vespers: UFC Sunset: 5:09pm 15 5:00 p.m. V2 Sunset: 5:08 p.m. ASB Roller Skating 16 17 3:30–5:00 p.m. Acadmemic Council 18 10:30 a.m. ASB Convocation 19 20 Second PA Quarterly Meeting 10:30–11:30 a.m. General Assembly 21 Second PA Quarterly Meeting Campus Store/ Mailroom open 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Sunset: 5:04pm 22 Sunset: 5:03pm THUMBS UP/THUMBS DOWN U P CO M I N G E V E N TS to actually having warm weather in October, but thumbs down to the fact that we don’t really get fall. —Jill Donald to things that aren’t labeled . . . surprise! —Taylor Woodruff to Cooper’s Corner being open until midnight. —Jimmy Gilley III to guys wearing short shorts. —Demion Dublin to free doughnuts. —Benjamin Holms J A R E D M E S S I N G E R TO BUILD A HOME BUILDING HOMES FOR ORPHANED CHILDREN IN UGANDA 11 The Clocktower encourages reader feedback and strives to maintain accuracy. If you have comments, email us at cltower@gmail.com. The Clocktower is published weekly during the school year by the Associated Student Body of Union College, 3800 S. 48th St., Lincoln, NE 68506. The opinions expressed are the opinions of the writers and are not to be construed as the opinion of the editors, Associated Student Body, Union College or the Seventh-day Adventist Church. For more content, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ ClocktowerASB or visit us at http://clocktower.ucollege.edu. Steven Foster Aphelandra Messer Vernée Norman Taylor Roberts Zack Posthumus Brittany Houchins Natalie Bruzon Megan Bolton Melisa Inkelaar Michael Steingas Elena Cornwell Katie Morrison Chelsea Aguilera Joe Hofmann Emy Wood Jordan Zy Abner Campos Naomi Prasad Nigel Sumerlin Derek Baker Jacob Prosser Kyle Berg Slade Lane Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Layout Editor Online Content Editor Social Media Editor Photographer Photographer Sponsor Culture Reporter Culture Reporter Humans of Union College Lincoln Reporter On Campus Reporter Opinion Reporter Religion Reporter Senate Reporter Special Interest Reporter Sports Reporter Technology Reporter Wellness Reporter World Reporter WE ARE #CLTWR Yeah, we’re going to need you to speak up. Like us, hate us or anywhere in between, we’d love to hear why. Have a story you’d like to pitch? We’d love to craft it. Did you just make a big breakfast? Tell us why your mother’s German waffle recipe is better than Paula Deen’s. Basically, write us. Voice your opinions by emailing cltower@gmail.com and add to the conversation by connecting with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ClocktowerASB and online at http://clocktower.ucollege.edu. WE C Frankly, my dear, you should read the Clocktower. Check us out at http://clocktower.ucollege.edu. In this week’s online issue, learn about the childfree movement, discover why your next stop should be The Pho Factory and see how the book “The Power of Habit” can influence your lifor the better. “The Power of Habit” by Elena Cornwell “The Pho Factory” by Joe Hofmann “Childless by choice” by Jordan Zy “Art and religion: the great divide” by Abner Campos