25 YEARS OF LOVEWORKS

/ p. 4 - 5

FROM RICHES TO RAGS / p. 8

Monday, April 23, 2012

Volume 40 Issue 22

COUNTDOWN TO GRADUATION: 12 Days

Months it takes to prepare the Greek and other facilities for commencement

PLNU Voice shares anonymous opinions

by abby hamblin
news editor

$25,000 Amount of money spent on

bleacher rental and set-up

Gallons of paint used to paint the Greek

50

8,000+ 3 Commencement Ceremonies 40+ Pages in the commencement

Guests expected to attend program
COURTESY OF MEGAN PITTAM

Commencement 2012: An inside look

by kyle lundberg staff writer Year in and year out, commencement draws a flood of visitors to PLNUs campus. But what actually goes into preparing the campus for May 5? According to Mark Pitts, vice provost for academic administration, a lot. You could make the case that planning for commencement begins the week after the previous commencement, said Pitts, who has overseen two ceremonies at PLNU as well as ceremonies at Northwestern Nazarene University and Africa Nazarene University. Each year, the PLNU Commencement Coordinating Council meets for breakfast the week after commencement to talk about what went well and what we could do to improve the next commencement. The calendar of events is prepared in the fall, and work begins in January on the commencement program. The preparation brings together many different strands of campus life. PLNU President Bob Brower chooses who will speak. The Office of Church Relations helps choose graduates and parents to offer prayers. The bands and choirs begin rehearsing around spring break for their

performances during the ceremony. The Office of Strengths and Vocation helps usher guests to the Greek Amphitheatre. The Office of Records works with students to make sure they have met all graduation requirements. Public Safety works on directing traffic and preparing security, and Physical Plant works on landscaping and pre[cont. COMMENCEMENT p. 2]

Two PLNU alumni say they are dissatisfied with the availability of means through which students, alumni and other members of the PLNU community can voice their opinions about whats going on at PLNU, and theyve decided to do something about it. A new website, PLNU Voice (PLNUvoice.com), was established in order to provide a space for students, staff, faculty and alumni to anonymously pipe in on some of the hotbutton issues being discussed on campus, with the main trigger point being in response to The Point Weeklys Wellness for Whom opinion piece about the changes made in the Wellness Center. The creators, who respond to emails as PLNU Voice Administrator, wish to remain anonymous to make sure the integrity of PLNU Voice is not compromised by personal relationships, bias or, regretfully, backlash. While many students are comfortable writing an opinion piece for The Point Weekly or discussing concerns with members of staff/faculty, there are many more who wish to remain anonymous, dont think their opinions will be heard, enjoy more of an online forum, etc., a PLNU Voice administrator said via e-mail.We be[cont. PLNU VOICE p. 2]

PLNU standards reach new levels in social work, School of Education

by katie callahan staff writer Two large changes to academics have been made this year: the accreditation of the social work major by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and the pursuit by the School of Education for accreditation from the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Accreditation is a process by which accrediting bodies measure the quality of an institution and recognize it for its standards. The accreditation of the social work major was accomplished on Feb. 13. This will allow students to achieve advanced standing, meaning that they can apply and complete their masters programs in one year. Already, two advanced standing students have been accepted into San Diego State Universitys graduate program, and one is on the waiting list. Other students have been accepted into University of North Carolina, Columbia University, Duke University, Hunter College and other prominent schools. This standing also allows students to attempt to get the Pupil Personnel Certificate, which qualifies individuals to provide school services up to grade 12. Prior to this, masters programs would take two years to complete. This change is relevant to social work majors because social work education is predominantly done at the masters level. Dr. Patricia Leslie, associate professor of sociology and social work, and the director of the social work program, commented on the process that took her and the department 10 years to complete. This was partially because of shifts in employment, standards and file keeping (PLNU documents were once mixed with Loma Linda documents). Through a process of site visits, so four site visits, they come and evaluate you, Leslie said. They talk to students and they talk to the community and see if you meet the standards that are filling a particular need in the community and if your program is high quality. So its like taking a massive test. The standards for social work accreditation by the CSWE include missions/goals within the profession, education, institution and faculty (experience, credentials and social work application). The curriculum had to meet nine areas of assessment required by the profession through a series of benchmarks and assessments that proved students had learned the material, that they could use it in the community, etc. According to Leslie, another interesting aspect of this process was flexibility of the institution to train social work professionals to the standards of their future careers. Leslie said Christian institutions are some[cont. STANDARDS p. 3]

Accreditation 101
All programs in place at PLNU are accredited by WASC, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Some programs are accredited by outside accrediting agencies, including but not limited to: business, social work, School of Education, nursing, dietetics and athletic training. Accreditation can be used as a marketing strategy to sell freshmen on their potential major.
[cont. on p. 3]

2 | NEWS

the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012

COMMENCEMENT cont. from p. 1

paring the Greek. They paint the Greek and erect additional bleachers that are used to seat the large crowd. It makes for a busy spring, Pitts said, but its an honor to coordinate such an important community event. According to Mark Galbraith, director of Public Safety, although the increased volume of visitors to campus creates some difficulties related to For this years ceremony, people can expect a special section for students who have received academic honors (Latin honors, Phi Delta Lambda, Honors scholars and highest GPA), as well as a section honoring the five retiring PLNU faculty, said Pitts. This year, PLNU Provost Kerry Fulcher will speak at the graduate convocation, and Robert Smith, PLNU professor of Scripture and preaching, will give the opening address at the undergraduate convocations. My hope for graduating students is that they take their desire to experience vital Christianity and carry it into the work world, Smith said. So much of the wisdom of the world comes from people with no commitment to our sovereign God. This way of thinking can often cross the line between gaining knowledge and rejecting Christ. I pray that those students leaving this institution have obtained the ability to discern where that line is. There will be three commencement convocations: graduate students walk at 10 a.m.; Arts and Sciences, School of Education and School of Nursing walk at 1 p.m.; and Social Sciences and Professional Studies walk at 4 p.m. Pitts said he is expecting good weather and more than 8,000 guests across the three convocations.

PLNU VOICE cont. from p. 1

lieve that engaging students in a new way will prompt further discussion on many topics and events, whether they be fun and social or serious and practical. Kelsey Kolar, author of Wellness for Whom, said she is appreciative of The Point Weekly as an outlet for discussion, but wishes PLNU professors and administrators would also use it as an outlet for a more collective conversation. Kolar said she believes writers are not able to give their complete opinions, which makes the conversation that happens on campus very one-sided. As much as The Point Weekly is an outlet for opinions, its also a school-run outlet, Kolar said. Anything that goes through it can be used against the people who publish and run it and against the people mentioned in articles. Kolar said she loves the idea of the PLNU Voice website, but doesnt believe it should be anonymous. If youre saying things that you arent willing to be accountable for, you dont have any business saying them, Kolar said. Dr. Caye Smith, vice president for student development, gave a list of other outlets for discourse on campus. Though they are not all open to the entire community, these are avenues of discourse nonetheless: the classroom, Student Congress, the presidents campus conversations (open to staff and faculty), forum-type events that often follow a film or speaker, individual conversations with faculty or staff, joining a club or ministry and late-night residential hall conversations. Smith said her primary concern about the PLNU Voice site is the anonymity of its creators. PLNU values civil discourse on a wide range of topics and opinions, and a multiplicity of ways to engage the community in discourse exist, Smith said. The cloak of anonymity does not promote true discourse or personal responsibility. Anonymity simply allows an individual to express an opinion without accountability for either the opinion itself or the means in which it is communicated. Ian McKay, current ASB vice president and next years president, said he cant see the site making a particularly big impact on the current atmosphere of PLNU, but he will be interested to see where it goes. I dont know if wed make policies based on what we see solely there, but the answers do reflect this community, McKay said. If it grows even bigger and theres a better representation for the student body on there, it would be something to consider. McKay said he appreciated the intent of the site, but doubted the likelihood of its discussions having a large effect. People forget that were operating under the Nazarene church, McKay said. That is a balance that is constantly ebbing and flowing. I dont think theres anything wrong with finding out peoples opinions, but thats not necessarily going to set things into action.

PLNUVOICE.COM

My hope for graduating students is that they take their desire to experience vital Christianity and carry it into the work world. - Dr. Bob Smith
crowd control, it does not create any additional safety issues. In three years of directing security, he has not encountered any major security concerns, although he said paramedics are stationed on campus for potential emergencies.

Smith echoed this notion. The desirefor voice, as I understand it, is synonymous with the desire for personal influence, Smith said. Personal influence comes at a cost: that of personal responsibility and accountability. The cloak of anonymity effectively muffles the very influence that PLNU Voice purports to desire. The sites main content consists of poll questions (with viewable results) that address anything from Point Weekly articles to open-dorm policies. Ultimately, we would like all poll questions posted to be generated by members of the PLNU community, a PLNU Voice administrator said. Polls can be campus-related, fun and social, serious or anything you would like to know of your peers. The administrators have other plans for the site, including recourses for buying textbooks and a stronger social media presence. It currently runs T witter and Facebook pages and is available as an app for Android phones. According to the site creators, PLNU Voice has received more than 400 visitors since it was established four weeks ago, and the traffic is growing daily.

Editors Note: Just before press time, the creators of PLNU Voice received an e-mail from Ross Irwin, who is a legal counselor for PLNU. The e-mail requested that PLNU Voice cease and desist from misleading the public into believing that [their] website is authorized by the administration of the University. The creators said they are in no way associated with the university.

the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012

NEWS | 3

cont. STANDARDS from p. 1

times given an extra look, expected to be narrow-minded. [T]hey sometimes come and scrutinize us about how true we are to the profession of coming alongside and helping as opposed to dictating what someones supposed to be, [and we have] no problem there, Leslie said. With this accreditation PLNU can now be recognized for its higher standards in social work, said Leslie. So this really says to the community and the accrediting body that heres a small private Christian school founded in faith that meets the professional standards very well, she said. It is very possible to have Christians in social work who are fine professionals, and so thats an important message. After the recent reaccreditation with the Commission for Teacher Credentialing, the School of Education now plans to be accredited by the NCATE and is awaiting the results of the acrediting bodys first visit. The school is on Feb. 5-8. Results wont be revealed until October. This accreditation would allow students who move out of state to obtain credentials from other states to teach there. Standards of NCATE as listed on their website include knowledge, skills and dispositions; assessment system; field experience and clinical practice; diversity; faculty qualifications and load; and governance and finance. Kerry Fulcher, provost and chief academic officer, discussed the number of people involved in the accreditation process and how that costs the university. We know its a pretty significant cost, which is why we weigh that along the way because we know that at least on the front end of it, theres going to be a lot of work that people have to do that wouldnt normally be on their plate to do, Fulcher said. Accreditation would place PLNU as one of seven NCATE-accredited private universities in California. Dr. Gary Railsback, dean of the School of Education, and Dr. Conni Campbell, associate dean and department chair, set this process in motion. Professor Jim Johnson assisted in this and effectiveness, said Johnson. Our educational professionals will have the distinction of national certification, which will assist them greatly if they move to education positions outside of the state of California. According to Fulcher, accreditation benefits both the student and the university. Sometimes the accreditation process is done in order to gain an advantage for the students externally, so once they graduate, it says something, said Fulcher. We talked about how an employer or a graduate school might look at it from a universitys perspective, so thinking about it from an administrator and looking at it, sometimes an accreditation process can help ensure that youve got quality in that program.

Accreditation 101
Accreditation of programs provides students with an equal shot in internships or experiences in competition with other local universities. Every year an accreditation is being dealt with as a part of an accreditation cycle by Kerry Fulcher and the specified department.

NCATE accreditation is not easily obtained; it represents a high standard of program quality and effectiveness. - Jim Johnson
process as well and said this accreditation represents a significant achievement for the School of Education. NCATE accreditation is not easily obtained; it represents a high standard of program quality

PROCESS
- Initial filing fee by the university to the accrediting body - Visitation team payment paid by the university to the accrediting body - Preparation for visitation team - Personnel costs for preparation and accreditation data in department and across PLNU campus paid by the university - A mock visit to assess strengths and weaknesses prior to visit

COSTS
- $5,000-$10,000 initial filing fee - $1,500-$10,000 annual fee to the accrediting body (depends on program)

Firearm Safety and Training Club seeks charter

by tory ordoa
staff writer

Though it is late in the school year, a club with a focus on firearm safety and experience is in the works on campus. Firearm Safety and Training Club, or FAST, is a club that aims to create a safe environment to learn about and discuss guns. Twenty members are currently signed on. Me and my family are really into outdoors and recreational stuff, so we go target shooting, said Amber Foley, a freshman biology major and prospective president of FAST. [How to handle a firearm] is just something that I think is important to know and that everybody should have some knowledge [of], in case theyre ever in a situation that needs that knowledge. Foley went on to say that she hopes the club will bring out discussions and activity on the subject of firearms, a subject she said has fallen under the table. The emphasis of the club will not be on firing weapons, but instead on learning how to use them safely and responsibly, Foley said. She also said nothing is set in stone just yet. Were planning on talking about our

experiences with firearms and how we make sure safety is our top priority," said Foley. "Well probably show some videos about different types of firearms and how their shooting experience is all a little different and also how to grip a firearm without being a danger to yourself or those around you. Foley said the group wants to discuss laws and legislation and also welcome those who have opposing views to bring their perspectives to the group. I really want this to be looked at as welcoming and really a safe learning experience, Foley said. I dont want this to be something that should be threatening. The FAST leadership, which includes Jacob Payton, James Schrim and Sam Brown, has already completed most of the seven documents, totaling 19 pages, necessary to become a chartered club on campus. These documents primarily are concerned with identifying accountable leadership for the club and ensuring the club conforms to PLNU values. However, they are having trouble finding a staff adviser to supervise them, Foley said. According to Mitchell Price, the ASB director of student relations, new clubs cannot be chartered within the first eight weeks or the final quarter of the school year, mean-

ing that FAST will wait until next semester to open for meetings if it is approved. Once the paperwork is filled out, I bring the application before the ASB board of directors at our weekly board meeting and we vote on the charter, Price said via e-mail. The chartering process is a way to make sure the club/society is legitimate and will not disappear within a semester or two. Clubs and societies are given a yearly budget, a budget taken directly from ASB. The group has not yet begun meeting, so few know that FAST is in the works. Some students said they had mixed feelings about such a club. I guess its somewhat useful information, said freshman Kelly James. It seems weird that that could be on campus. I dont think that that would be allowed. Junior Jacob Cruz said he thinks the club could potentially be successful, but was aware that this club could backfire. I mean, theres dangers with kids bringing firearms to campus, so safetys always a concern, said Cruz, a communications major.

French major becomes official for 2012-2013

With the romance languages major requiring a student to learn two languages (French and Spanish), the LJML department felt this inhibited students who wanted to major in just French from doing so, according to Kerry Fulcher, provost and chief academic officer. French was made into a new major and the romance languages major will slowly disappear, he said. The department went and looked at our comparator schools and what they do, and the romance languages one is not a common one, said Fulcher. Dr. Alain Lescart, a professor of French, said he is excited about the new major, as many students found mastering two languages too difficult. Fifty percent of the students in this major drop because of this difficulty, Lescart said. When they drop, they only have the option to do a major in Spanish. Many students asked me to have more options and asked for a French major (we have 12 students minoring in French now). Students minoring in French will also be able to continue with the major now. By fall 2012, incoming freshmen will be able to major in French, while returning students can align themselves with next years catalog adjustments to switch into the major.

the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012

25GEARING YEARS OF LOVEWORKS UP FOR ANOTHER YEAR

LOVE THAT WORKS
DESIGN BY JOHN CASTILLO LAYOUT EDITOR COPY BY CALLIE RADKE STAFF WRITER
For some students, this time of year holds not only the stress of finals week and eagerness for summer, but also the anticipation of leaving the country as they prepare for a LoveWorks trip. With their fellow team members, these students have been participating in training for the past several months in preparation. For a few trips, the departure date is only a few weeks away, while others still have a few months to wait. It is also a time of reflection for those who are looking back to a year ago and remembering their own LoveWorks experiences. LoveWorks provides opportunities to go on short-term mission trips to countries around the world. This year, teams will be going to Armenia, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Jamaica, New Zealand, Nicaragua, South Africa, Rwanda and Ukraine. There will also be a team of students interning in China for eight weeks, five weeks longer than the average LoveWorks trip.

the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012

|5

JESSICA CULLEN
SOPHOMORE, NURSING
GHANA 2011
Last year, I went to Ghana with LoveWorks. I had been on multiple mission trips before and considered myself somewhat of an experienced missionary. But Ghana was unlike anything I had ever experienced before; it challenged me on every level. Through the challenges, I was forced to rely on God like never before. Above all, Ghana taught me why I exist to glorify the Lord in whatever way he sees fit, whether its through serving abroad or listening attentively to his voice right where I am.

SOPHOMORE, NURSING

MEGAN RILEY

JAMAICA MEDICAL TRIP 2012

LoveWorks training has taught me many things about going on a short-term mission, but just in these recent weeks I feel like it has taught me one thing in particular that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I have learned the value of humility, and to best serve anyone in any capacity we as servants must first humble ourselves to be able to hear what the Lord is calling us to do. When we start serving for self-fulfillment, it is easy to become prideful and ignorant of our surroundings. Realizing this true call to walk humbly has given me a whole new excitement for going to Jamaica this summer.

JUNIOR, MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 2011
At this time last year, I was preparing myself mentally and spiritually to go to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Going into this, I knew it was going to be a complete turnaround from what I was used to here. It was going to be rural, poor and difficult to adjust to. I felt like I was going to be a completely different person when I got there, but I wasnt. This year Im not traveling to a rural country. Instead I am going to Japan, not for ministry, but for vacation. Japan is a developed core country, and the only thing I have to get used to is not being able to read the alphabet.

KATIE ROSE

DANIELLE JAECKELS
SOPHOMORE, NURSING

NEW ZEALAND 2012

In less than three weeks, I will be in New Zealand. I have never been on a mission trip before, and I feel so blessed to have this opportunity. The weekly training is really getting me prepared and excited for what I am about to take part in. More than anything, it has helped my group of acquaintances become a team of friends working together to prepare for the trip. I have my anxieties and uncertainties about the trip and how exactly everything will go, but I am excited to see Gods plan unfold and to see the work that will take place there.

JUNIOR, CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

EL SALVADOR 2011
El Salvador was radical in the littlest ways possible. It wasnt until I got home that I started to realize all God had been doing and continues to do.I dont know much Spanish at all, so language barriers became a reality to me. Even though this was difficult at times, with Christs love those barriers were broken and lifelong friendships were made. In El Salvador,I was reminded that Gods power extends much further and deeper than what I can do or even want to do. It was humbling being reminded that I am joining in what God is already doing and not doing it by myself. In short,going to El Salvador was an experience that changed several lives, and I will never forget it.

ERIN DEPUY

ANDREW SCHALIN JUNIOR, ENGINEERING PHYSICS

RWANDA 2012
The LoveWorks training has been incredibly thorough and helpful. Brian Becker teaches us how to overcome the pitfalls of short-term mission trips and helps us learn how to effectively be Christs hands and feet. I have been blessed with an absolutely phenomenal team, and we are all counting down the days until we get to go to Rwanda together. Melissa Tucker is very knowledgeable, and I know she and Skitch (Erik Matson) will be terrific leaders. All of the team members are great people, and we cannot wait to see how God uses this wonderful opportunity.

ANALISE EASTMAN
JUNIOR, NURSING

SENIOR, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

ANDREW ROSSOL

RWANDA 2011

UKRAINE 2012

The first word that comes to mind when I think of my trip to Rwanda is willingness. I learned so much about having a willing heart toward whatever we were being asked to do on our trip. There were many times when my team and I were not told what we were going to be doing the next day. It became important for us to be flexible toward whatever the next day might hold. A second word that comes to mind is presence. Because of the language barrier, there were times when the only thing I could do was sit and be in the presence of a local Rwandan. We became comfortable with silence, and it was powerful to learn how to be with somebody and not feel the need to fill the silence with words. An amazing bond was formed during those times. I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity I had to experience three weeks in Rwanda and for all the Lord taught me through the trip.

Im thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in the LoveWorks program after graduation. Our team training has been a great opportunity to learn and grow with a group of students I wouldnt have otherwise known. For those of you who are on the fence: pray about it. This is an opportunity I wouldnt want anyone to miss. Leaving on May 7 (two days after my graduation) has given some comfort in my path immediately following graduation. Once we return at the very end of May, Ill have the chance to focus on the post-graduation lifestyle, which includes finding work, a place to live, etc.

6 | FEATURES

the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ THE RULES*** 65. Find some typos? Its probably because the Point Weekly staff had an Orange Juice/Techno Nonsense party. #BringYourOwnHendricksBoy 66. Cookies are excellent tools for convincing professors to extend term paper deadlines. 67. And so is coffee. 68. The only appropriate person to photobomb during graduation is Bob Brower. 69. Alas, we only have photos of soul-patch Mark Carter. ***These are not actual rules. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

A final prayer: Mark Carter

by mark carter
chaplain contributor

Departing members of Spiritual Development share parting words

LEAVING PLNU:

It is with a mixture of sadness and excitement that I have decided to leave my role as university chaplain at Point Loma Nazarene University; sadness at the close of a chapter of my ministry with and among you, the amazing student body of PLNU, and excitement for a new chapter of discipleship ministry and soul care among the local churches of Redding, Calif. I am privileged to have shared life with the PLNU community and am continually overwhelmed by Gods grace and love displayed in lives of students and their stories of transformation and healing. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served in such a rich capacity and will continue to pray that the radical hope of the resurrection of Jesus be made manifest in and throughout all your endeavors. You have trusted me with your journeys and lives, inviting me to walk alongside, to keep watch and pray through difficult times and to celebrate successes and joys for which I am honored. I am convinced that the essence of any ministry is a life together, rooted in Christ and em-

powered by his Holy Spirit for love and service. My four years at PLNU, though brief, have been an expression of that type of community and have challenged me, as well as encouraged me, toward a deeper expression of being Christian. With this sentiment in mind, I want to thank the PLNU community for the last four years; they truly have been a gift.

I want to thank the PLNU community for the last four years; they truly have been a gift.
As a final expression of my gratitude, receive this prayer that a dear friend and mentor once prayed over me: May the road always rise up to greet you, may the wind ever be at your back; may the sun shine warmly upon your face, and the rains fall gently upon your fields; and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Mark Carter, PLNUs chaplain for the last four years, will be leaving the Spiritual Development staff next year. He will participate in ministry and work to complete his doctoral degree at his home in Redding, Calif.

marcus emerson

Goodbye PLNU: Becky Modesto

director of community ministries contributor

by becky modesto

As Ive considered how to say goodbye to PLNU, a certain verse keeps coming to mind. Its the verse I felt God gave me through George Williamson while I was trying to discern Gods will about accepting this new job opportunity: All people are like grass, Isaiah 40 proclaims, but the word of our God stands forever. This might sound a little depressing, but I take great hope in these words. My time at PLNU has been incredibly rich. Its enabled me to flourish in ways I didnt dream possible. Ive journeyed with some incredible people. Ive learned from and have been shaped by my students. Ive been challenged and sharpened by the faculty and staff I have served alongside. Ive been empowered and supported by the administration. Ive been loved and encouraged by my colleagues in Spiritual Development. I cant express how grateful I am to all of you. Yet, as I consider the words of God in Isaiah 40, my greatest hope is that God has been glorified and that his word has been lived out well through

my time here with you. Im sad to say goodbye in many ways. I will miss my students so much. Their passion to serve God has inspired me. Im amazed at how diverse and creative Gods call is upon the lives of those who love him. Almost every student ministry originated from a student answering Gods call to

Students, I will miss you all the most. It has been such an incredible privilege to serve with you.
love a certain group of people or to serve in a certain way. Hundreds of leaders over my 10 years of service have dedicated countless hours to ministry on top of their demanding lives as students. Students, I will miss you all the most. It has been such an incredible privilege to serve with you. Thank you for teaching me, loving me and being Christ to me in such tangible ways. Its also been so rewarding to play a part in

creating the new program Community Classroom. Im grateful to all the faculty and staff who have played critical roles in shaping and forming this exciting program. What an incredible journey! How rich it has been to brainstorm with brilliant minds and wrestle together about how to serve our students and the community through this new program. Also, its been so wonderful to learn with the first immersion student cohort. You all have been incredible! Thanks for your partnership in this endeavor. I look forward to seeing how this program continues to grow. Im excited that my new job with the Price Charitable Foundation will allow me to still participate in many ways. I want to close by referring again to Gods word: All people are like grass. The grass withers and in its place new grass grows as the breath of God blows over it. But Gods word lasts forever. Well come and go and things will continue to change, but thankfully God is faithful. Goodbye, PLNU. I am grateful for you all.

Becky Modesto, PLNUs director of community ministries for the last 10 years, will be leaving the Spiritual Development staff next year. She will be participating in ministry in the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego.

marcus emerson

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the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012

FEATURES | 7

Leaving PLNU: Students reflect on retiring faculty //Vic Heasley //Dale Shellhamer
senior in chemistry contributor

by luke vickers

senior in chemistry & philosophy contributor

by parker horn

As a chemistry professor and undergraduate research director for almost 50 years, Dr. Vic Heasley has been instrumental in building an intellectually rigorous science department at PLNU. He has authored or co-authored 80 publications in peer-reviewed journals, as well as a laboratory textbook, and has received 44 research grants for a total of $1,040,427 since 1964. He still reviews for the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, the Journal of Organic Chemistry and the National Science Foundation, and has been active in major areas of campus and departmental leadership as well. Dr. Heasley recently reflected on his first teaching experience in the summer of 1963. Just out of his Ph.D. program, he was sitting in the front of the class when the dean of students walked into the room. The dean looked around and wondered aloud when the professor would show up. Reflecting on that moment almost 50 years later, Dr. Heasley joked, That wouldnt happen now. Though it has been many years since he was mistaken for a student, Dr. Heasley has retained a young perspective and remained connected with his students. He has often emphasized the necessity of remembering what it is like to be a student. To him, his students are more than just a livelihood: The students were my major source of enjoyment and fulfillment at PLNU. Each student meant a new and different relationship. These relationships and friendships kept me going for so many years. It has been said, No man is a failure who has friends. In this regard, whether in the classroom or the lab, Dr. Heasley is one of the most successful men I have ever known.

marcus emerson

Dr. Ken Martin, chair of the PLNU chemistry department, says: On a personal note, I would say that Vic has been the dynamo that has propelled the PLNU chemistry department forward for the last four decades. . . Vics pursuit of excellence in both teaching and research has inspired and motivated generations of students and colleagues alike. Chemistry students inspired by Vic have gone on to succeed in ways they never dreamed possible. Vic has a way of influencing students that projects far into their futures. Vic has always been a reckless intellectual, interested in realms of knowledge ranging far beyond chemistry and never satisfied with shallow answers. He is an excellent example of a quality Christian liberal arts education.

The impact of Dr. Shellhamers retirement extends across more than just the chemistry department; in many ways, the extent of his contributions to PLNU are incalculable. Over the course of Dr. Shellhamers 39-year career, he has received 19 research grants totaling more than $800,000. He has written 66 publications for major research journals, two textbook chapters and has acquired one patent. He was a member of the prestigious Executive Committee of the Fluorine Division of the American Chemical Society for three years. In addition to all of this, Dr. Shellhamer has directed PLNUs acclaimed undergraduate summer research program since it began in 1974. The true extent of Dr. Shellhamers contribution to the university cannot be explained by grant dollars and prestigious publications. His legacy is something that is felt by anyone who has studied science at PLNU. Dr. Shellhamer inspires students and colleagues alike with his tireless enthusiasm and selfless dedication. Dr. Shellhamer exudes such a dynamic presence on those he interacts with that he has become a living legend to his students. If you ask one of his students to describe him, you will be regaled with tale after tale: He used to fly his plane to work, or, He burned down the Santa Monica post office in grad school, or maybe something a little more cryptic like, You have to ask him about the Russians and the toxic artificial blood. Dr. Shellhamers time at PLNU has shaped departments and lives. His career is an almost ineffable mix of tireless effort, self-sacrifice and legend. His career at PLNU is something that can be told only by the stories he inspires and be shown only by the lives he has changed.

marcus emerson

Dr. Ken Martin, chair of the PLNU chemistry department, says: On a personal note, Dale has been an indispensible member of the chemistry department for the past 39 years. He has been a major player in building the undergraduate research program that has put PLNUs chemistry department on the map in the scientific world. In addition, he is the very model of an ideal faculty colleague. He has willingly taken on every assigned task and selflessly takes the initiative to do whatever else he sees that needs doing. In short he fills in all the gaps, and we wont really know all that he does until hes gone next year. We will all miss him and are very glad that he will continue directing student research in his emeritus status.

//Sue Atkins
sophomore in broadcast journalism sports editor

//David Barrows
senior in sociology contributor

by jacob roth

by victoria king

Ive had the pleasure of learning at PLNU under Dr. Sue Atkins for two years now, but thanks to New Zealand, thats all the time Ill get with her for now. As a broadcast journalism major, I never thought Id get involved in the school newspaper let alone as an editor. But last spring I discovered in Dr. Atkins Intro. to Journalism class that a pen and a notepad brought me just as much joy as a camera and a microphone. Dr. Atkins taught me the basics of sound journalism. And judging from the scores I received on the first couple of stories I turned in, I needed all the help I could get. Since then, Ive learned to get SAD when making ethical decisions, and, if youre not careful, Q&As can become lazy journalism (but I still included one in this issue anyway. Mwa-ha-ha-ha). In the past two years, Ive developed a love for writing that I thought impossible for someone whose only failed tests in grade school were in penmanship. This fall, I, along with a handful of other slightly insane broadcast journalism majors, enrolled in an intensive course producing endless numbers of news packages (OK, really like five or six but I couldve sworn it was like 1,000) to hone the necessary skills for our desired field. Dr. Atkins, as well as Dr. Greer, critiqued our work and gave us not-always-so-welcome feedback. She even (gasp!) wouldnt let me cover sports every time. Its like she was trying to keep us from limiting ourselves or something. But when I look back on the improvements my classmates and I made in just a few short months, I have no doubt that well find jobs upon leaving PLNU, even if its a job in middle-of-nowhere Missouri I mean Missour-UH.

marcus emerson

Thanks to Dr. Atkins, Ive expanded my horizons beyond sports and into all sorts of media. Wherever I end up, Ill owe a large part of it to PLNUs favorite Missourian-turned-Kiwi. The Point Weekly says: Dr. Sue Atkins joined the Literature, Journalism and Modern Languages department in 2002. Ever since, there is only one person from whom we would accept a random bag of carrots during a staff meeting. Come Christmas, we will dearly miss her colorful sweaters, but we will miss her colorful personality and priceless perspective much sooner. Dr. Atkins, well take good care of the new couches. Blessings, The Point Weekly

My first course with Dr. Barrows, Introduction to Sociology, was a window into the world of critically analyzing and studying the structures and norms that exist in our society. I loved the class for that and the yummy homemade scones and snacks he would bring in for us. Even in a large general education class, he learned everyones name quickly. I soon learned he had genuine interest in his students. During his time at PLNU, Barrows viewed students as adults, capable of being challenged by class topics relevant to people, society and current issues affecting our world. He always created time for students to share personal experiences, and was willing to learn something from them in return. In times of intense discussion, Barrows retained a poker face that wouldnt give anyone the slightest idea about what he thought, leaving us to come about our own conclusions. Yet, even with his serious nature, Id often hear his chuckle in the midst of vibrant conversations in class. Barrows classes inspired me to discover a part in society in which I could be passionately involved. During after-class conversations about what I wanted to do later in life, Barrows would always reply with something like, You want to do something that makes your heart go pitter-patter. In other words, you want to do something you love. A true encourager and academic model, Barrows has been an inspiration to me and numerous others. The sociology department will be losing a gem, but it has been extremely honored to have Barrows on staff. His classes and words have always had a lasting impression on me. They kept me contemplating after I stepped out of the classroom, and still do today.

courtesy of david barrows

Dr. Kevin Modesto, chair of the department of sociology and social work, says: David Barrows joined the faculty as associate professor of sociology in 1998. David is a renaissance man, coming to PLNU with a broad range of skills and experience. He is an outstanding cook and baker, he worked professionally as a carpenter and a corporate manager for Nabisco [and] taught at CSUs, UCs and community colleges. . . David was a loved teacher, an outstanding chair and a respected committee member. His deep wisdom and peaceful presence left strong marks on the department and his colleagues.

8 | FEATURES

the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012

From riches to rags

My embedded Ocean Beach experience
by hana eades
staff writer

I usually introduce myself

to people as Hana Eades from McArthur, Calif. Im the proud daughter of a seventh-generation lumberjack. Im kind of a big deal. That being said, it shocked my family to see how I was dressed to report in Ocean Beach (OB). With the help of my eco-friendly roommate and my own skill of working with hair, I transformed my proud lumberjackloving, tree-killing and non-recycling self into a complete and total hippie. With dread-like hair, layers of floralprinted skirts, a baggy shirt, numerous necklaces, bracelets and anklets, and bare feet, I walked the beach and mingled with the locals under the pier. OB consists of more than brown sugar-like sand, a gorgeous fishing pier and decent surf. The region serves as a venue for self-expression and community. The wall located beneath the pier serves as a venue for local craftsmen, musicians and speakers of many beliefs. Numerous people line this area to skateboard, smoke, talk and live. While walking on the boardwalk next to the wall, a unique rhythm of bongo drums, guitar music and the sound of smoke rings beautifully collided with the hum of crashing waves and hiss of detracted water against the sand. A constant cycle. I stood on the wall, stared out at the giant, raging, salty puddle, and took it all inat least until my thoughts were interrupted. I dont think Ive ever met you before, came a casual but intimidating voice from behind my right shoulder. Thats because I never introduced myself, I said, keeping my focus on the ocean. The names Joe. Joe. Hi. Im Hana. My neatly manicured hands met his dirt-covered fingers for a handshake. OB is Joes kingdom. He knows, by name, all the usual musicians who play on the sidewalks for a living. Joe wore a bulky hemp necklace with a seashell tied onto the end, which appeared to have been made by a local craftsman whose stall was set up 20 feet away. With his shirt untouched by cleanliness and holes in his jeans, Joe spends his time strolling the sidewalk and mingling with the musicians in his kingdom. When our conversation ended, I stood back on the wall to listen to the drum circles hypnotic rhythm mesh with the sound of waves. There was no structure to the beats. No organization. No sheets of music. No conductor. No distractions from self-expression. It was dizzying and mesmerizing.

By the wall, a young man

who sings and plays guitar sits next to stacks of pamphlets that claim to be the truth of the Gospels. Another guy through a small and oddly shaped glass structure hidden in the palm of his handoffers earths natural but temporary escape from mental pains of life. Other people find release in the barswith loud music and flashing lightsthat serve the nectar of the earth to wash away sorrow and encour-

age raging happiness of life, if only for one night. Larry doesnt get caught up in the business of this lifestyle. He does not wear a watch; he counts time by the moon. He has no agenda to keep. No office meetings. No monthly bills. No gym membership to discontinue. However, he does worry about his weight and health. He might not have the influence of Fitness Magazine or Mens Health, but he does know that eating only bread isnt great for his physique. Sitting at a spot called Alligator Rock, Larry threw unwanted breadcrumbs near his feet to feed the pigeons. Mind if I join you? I asked him, guitar in hand. He nodded and didnt say anything cory saul for nearly an hour. He just played the Ocean Beach, the San Diego neighborhood just east of Point Loma, is known for its eclectic and bohemian environsame three chords on his out-of-tune ment. Sophomore Hana Eades immersed herself in the culture for two days, playing guitar and meeting the locals. acoustic guitarover. And over. And over, while mumbling a melody I down and smile at us. last thing I need is some rich woman couldnt understand. When other locals walked by, they giving me food out of pity. How long have you played gui- would exchange greetings with Larry Larry declined the free food, but the tar? similar to those seen in an office space. woman wouldnt leave until I took it. Many moons. Hey Larry, hows it goin? More silence. Oh, you know, hangin in there. I suppose Ive been wrong People strolling by looked briefly Well, take it easy. See ya later. about the American dream all along. at me, cracked grins, glanced past LarLarry is originally a Detroit boy, You dont need to go from rags to ry and kept walking. as he calls himself. riches in order to have all that you Larry finally spoke again, this time Many moons ago, said Larry, I could ever want. more than two words. worked a white collar job for General Larry lives right next door to Thats the first time in many Motors. multi-million dollar homes. People moons that guy has smiled to me. Im He straightened his imaginary tie who ride custom bicycles pedal past Bragg in northern California. I apolopretty sure he was smiling at you though. and looked at himself through an in- him. He watches those who wear gized for not being able to help him Do you see him often? I asked. visible mirror. Through the years, his matching sweat suits and therapeutic financially, but he assured me that it Larry nodded and set aside his pay had decreased, times had become running shoes jog past him. People walk was fine. guitar to give me a chance to show my more difficult, jobs had changed and to the beach and cover themselves in Conversation is worth far more in musical abilities. he had eventually landed in San Diego. tanning oils or lotions and praise the San currency than money. Do you sing? he asked after I of- After working for several different em- Diego sunshine. fered a couple songs. ployers locally, he was welcomed with Larrys bike is missing chunks of You know those moments I nodded and kept on picking. open arms by the bench that faces Al- paint and the chain is in desperate need of awkward eye contact? I had several of Well, Larry adjusted his position ligator Rock. of WD-40. The laces are fraying on them while undercover in OB, but one on his rock to face me, lets hear it. They took that bench out, said his sneakers, and holes are growing in in particular stands out from the rest. Nervously, I sang one of the cheesy Larry, so I just sat on this rock. They the soles. His clothing is far from the A young guy slowly walked by as romantic songs I wrote years ago. It is got a new bench now, he pointed latest fashion and his skin is worn like I was randomly hula hooping with a about falling in love under a palm tree, across the sidewalk, but I decided I leather. stranger and stared at me, trying to only to wake up and have the whole ex- liked my rock. This is my rock. Yet he still gets by, only with fewer figure out where he had seen my face perience be a dream. possessions than others. OB has been before. I locked eyes with him and we Sorry Im not very good at playIt takes humility as well as a home for him to feel welcome and stared at each other untilding! ing like this, I confessed. Ive never self-confidence to sit on the ground comfortable. He finds joy in the piDont I know you from somejust sat and played for people next to next to a sidewalk and play the guitar geons, and appreciates conversation. where? I asked, mid-hula. a sidewalk. Yeah, from McArthur! he for a living. One kind lady with clean Oh, thats OK. Youre still a rook- clothes and unscuffed shoes walked up laughed as he hugged me. OB, with its sandy shores ie. With a slight grin, he reached back to compliment my hair and offer me and free-spirited atmosphere, welWe had a glorious moment of feelfor his guitar. food. Crackers with peanut butter. I comes adventurous travelers. Jeremy ing the comfort of seeing a familiar struggled to accept it. and his girlfriend hitchhiked from Bos- face. We spoke for a few brief minI dont need that, I thought to myton to San Diego in about a month. I utesI had to explain my project and People continued to pass self. I attend PLNU and I have a panmet him sitting on the rim of a fire pit. why I was dressed the way I wasand us as if we werent there. Occasionally, a kind but foreign face would look try full of food in my apartment. The He was peacefully writing in a black- we departed, saying we needed to hang out sometime. No phone numbers exand-white speckled Mead notebook. Are you a writer? I asked as I ap- changed, no e-mail addresses given. Perhaps we will run into each other proached the stranger. again in OB. Who isnt? he responded. Thats the thing. We rely on techHe wore a collared shirt with a nice sweater over it, clean khaki pants and nology for constant communication so that we are always aware of who is datwell-worn shoes. Im keeping a journal of my ad- ing whom, what the weather is going ventures, said Jeremy, so that my to be like tomorrow and what the latest friend back home can live vicariously fashions are. I have discovered that we are so through me. Jeremy briefly shared the tale of his caught up in the routines of our daily adventure of traveling to California, schedules that we wear business as a owning almost nothing but the clothes badge of pride, rather than being genuinely attentive to one aspect of our on his back. I live the life that comes to me and lives at a time. My most valuable possession is time. I enjoy it, he said. If money cant buy happiness, He thinks that truck drivers are extremely kind and have interesting stories. then what can? He said they are very wise and experienced. courtesy of hana eades The only thing I could help him Junior Hana Eades spent two days mingling with locals and playing the guitar with was providing directions to Fort in Ocean Beach, experiencing the regions unique community.

Conversation is worth far more in currency than money. -Jeremy

the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012

4/24 Apicentre Senior exhibit reception @ Keller Gallery, 5 p.m.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 9

4/24 Senior graphic design portfolio review @ Crill Performance Hall, 5:30 p.m. 4/27 PLNU Chamber Orchestra concert @ Crill Performance Hall, 7:30 p.m. 4/27 Meg & Bryan @ Sunset Temple, 7 p.m. 4/25 Wavves @ Porters Pub UCSD, 7:30 p.m. 4/28 Mission Federal Art Walk @ India St. in Little Italy, 11 a.m 5/4 PLNU Spring Music Festival @ Crill Performance Hall, 7:30 p.m.

ART BRIEF:
by evan campbell
staff writer

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGN SHOW PREVIEW

T omorrow, April 24th, marks the day of the Senior graphic design portfolio review, which will display creative typography, illustration, logos, web design, branding and more. Exhibiting their work from the past four years, participating students will have their portfolios reviewed by graphic design professionals. Sponsored by the Offices of Strengths & Vocation, the event will host guest speaker Noreen Morioka, a partner of AdamsMorioka, a design and communications firm in Beverly Hills and New York. The portfolio review is going to be a great event where designers from across Southern California will come to review and critique our portfolio books, said Daniel Heffernan. I look forward to hearing fresh feedback from people who are shaping the design community. Alongside the professionals, PLNU students are invited to see the work of friends and classmates. We all worked extremely hard on all of our projects, and it will be nice to show our friends, said Kristina Micotti via e-mail. We have been designing our portfolios since last semester, and I cannot wait to be done and have a social life again and be away from a computer! The event will be held at in the foyer of Crill Performance Hall at 5:30 p.m.

courtesy of victoria baughman

FIRST LOOK: DESIGNER PREVIEW

Providing a peek at her senior design portfolio, Victoria Baughman shared one of her designs with The Point Weekly. Point Weekly: What was the title of the project? Victoria Baughman: Boylan Bottling Company. PW: What type of design project? VB: Packaging and branding. PW: When did you begin this project? VB: January 2011 PW: What inspired the design? VB : It was inspired by the classic design of Boylan root beer but with a vintage/modern twist. PW: How long did the project take to finish? VB: One year and three months PW: Are there any professional designers you are especially excited to meet at the review? VB: I am excited for each and every one of the professional designers to be at our review. It is going to be quite an honor to have that many brilliant minds in one room at once.

Photo of the week: Musoffee

(from left) Haplin Hills, Kenny Ortega and Ryan Shoemaker, who collectively make up The Coldsons, performed at last Thursdays Musoffee. The night featured music from PLNU students Cassie Purdy and Jon Runion, and alumni duo Meg & Bryan.

courtesy of brittany naylor

courtesy of john castillo

10 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012

A&E Alum Spotlight: Will Shine

by alexa mangrum a&e editor For PLNU alumnus Will Shine (10), a music ministries major, music has always provided the perfect medium to translate to others how vocation and faith may interact. A San Diego County native, Shine grew up with two parents who fostered a love of music into him at an early age. However, it was Shines education at PLNU that truly offered him the opportunity to transform his approach to music into an outlet for ministry as well. Before embarking on a brief musical tour in Scotland, Shine stopped in San Diego from his present location of Kaneohe, Hawaii, last March. Now the creative arts and worship director at Windward Nazarene Church and Academy, Shine discussed with The Point Weekly his background and beliefs about how music can communicate Christ. Point Weekly: At what age did music enter your childhood? Will Shine: I started playing as a kid. My dad was a professional guitar player for most of his life, and music was always all around me. I was an only child and my parents solution to that was when I was eight they bought me a drum set, and I was recruited by my dad as a local touring member for his classic rock and roll cover band, and Ive been playing ever since. PW: You graduated with a degree in music ministry, a pretty unique major. What influenced your decision to pursue this degree, and to choose PLNU for college? WS: My senior year of high school, I got really into drums and was a year away from pursuing a music school, but I didnt read a note of music. So a buddy of mine was going [to PLNU] and he was like, Youve gotta apply. I went into my admissions interview [at PLNU] thinking I was passionate about history. My dad was [also] a teacher, and I was like, This is a good gig. The admissions counselor saw I was plugged into my church [during high school] and that I had been developing a youth program there, and said, You know we have a music ministry degree, and that was the rest of the story. I was like, Sign me up! Why not take advantage of the opportunities? I declared a major that I had no background in really, other than that I jammed with people. Oh I like doing that! That sounds good. That was the rest of the story. I didnt read a note of music when I came to college. PW: What does a music ministries major involve? WS: Within the music department we work through what church music is and how to be an effective church musician in a church setting. From big Episcopal churches to rock-style churches, we looked at a wide smattering of style choices and asked, What are our roles as artists? As musicians, as people who claim to be touched with this capacity? The program is very insightful because there are so many ideas about what it means to be a music minister and get paid, or to do it and to not get paid and theres every kind of gray in the midst of that. PW: What is your present position and how did your college experience integrate with your chosen vocation? WS: I graduated and got two job offers from churches, one in Huntington Beach, Calif. that was a comfy part-time that let me live in San Diego, as I was in a band at the time. But in the seventh month of my employment there I got a strange call from some of the friends I had made in Hawaii at a junior and senior high school camp, saying that their music director had to go because his wife was in the military and was being re-stationed. I had toured the camp while at PLNU with the summer ministry teams, and knew the camp director, PLNU alumnus Will Campbell. I was like, I have a nice job; thats really flattering, but why would I leave it? [But,] I ended up there. It just felt right. Hawaii I discovered I am called to be a good musician, but I am called to be just a loving person. So, thats what the philosophy behind what I do is. Do I need an electric guitar to do that? No! But is it awesome if that [guitar] can be a vehicle through which I meet people where they are? Yeah! But, if my neighbor calls me up and needs me to go scrub their toilet [instead], I better go scrub their toiletand if they want me to sing them a song, coincidentally Im good at doing that, or so Ive been told.

PW: How has your role there expanded your approach to music and ministry? WS: Hawaii is on a very different end of the spectrum in terms of how church is done and what the process involved is. I dont know what a correct vision of the church courtesy of will shine is but from what I understand, the PLNU alumnus Will Shine (10), who church is an opportunity for people graduated with a degree in music who know and love Jesus to go ministry, is a singer/song writer. out and serve their community. In

SEA LION SUMMER SOUNDTRACK PICKS

by leah willis staff writer

The Vaselines
It happens every year. A summertime soundtrack is created, not by your own selection, but rather by the songs that choose to grace your presence on those memorable summer days and nights. Here are a few top picks from PLNU faculty and students. Until next year, readers of The Point Weekly! David Adey, PLNU art professor Son of a Gunor any song on The Way of the Vaselines. Great summer album that brings me back to the drive down the Garden State Parkway with my best friend Rod heading to the Jersey Shore. Hot and humid, no air conditioning and no surf report. If it was flat? We ate a meatball parm from Vinnies and headed home.

Bon Iver
Ian McKay, junior RE: Stacks on the album For Emma, Forever Ago. I heard it randomly one morning and was hooked. Its super mellow and a great song for those warm summer nights when you dont give a care in the world and you are living in the moment.

Of Monsters and Men

Diane Engstrom, senior Little Talks is my summer anthem. Something about this song puts me in a good mood. It is the perfect song for driving with the windows down, letting the summer air and smell fill your car.

Held Friday at the Bristol Hotel downtown, the fashion show included a night of student fashion and artwork with live music from alumni duo Meg & Bryan.

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Janelle Hiroshige, a junior, worked the runway at Fridays fashion show. Hiroshige is wearing an outfit from the collection of fellow junior Lauryn Randall.

Junior Kelsey Bergstrom (as pictured center in black) debuted her new collection, Transparency.

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the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

| 11

Blue Like Jazz adaptation aims to change Christian filmmaking

by alexa mangrum a&e editor Curse words, condoms and hard questioning of the church arent usually common in Christian film. That is, until Blue Like Jazz, the film adaptation of the best-seller by author Donald Miller came along. T aking its title from Millers semiautobiographical book, Blue Like Jazz opened April 13. Much like Millers book that explores his relationship with Christianity, the film is an unflinching blend of religion and reality. Rated PG-13, a bold move in the world of Christian filmmaking, the film does not stray from portraying contemporary culture. Set primarily at the liberal Reed College in Portland, Ore., the fictionalized version of Millers memoir cording to director Steve Taylor. When the two worlds of Dons past and his present as a college student fuse, the film moves to create a contemporary space for real talk on faith. While the film, much like the book, has become a conversation piece in itself for its avant-garde approach to tackling these issues, the adaptation was built by a core group of believers. Directed by former rocker, current filmmaker and longtime Christian Steve T aylor, the film was adapted from a screenplay Miller and friend Ben Pearson wrote together. Though the film adaptation quickly drew interest, in fall of 2010 the project encountered budget problems. Miller, who has quickly gained popularity not only for his books but also for his blog, took to the Internet to call the project off, though the cast and crew had already been assembled. T wo Blue Like Jazz, fans wouldnt stand for the announcement, and quickly uploaded the premise of the project to crowd funding website Kickstarter. Roughly a month later, 4,000-plus backers had raised more than $345,992, doubling the original goal and setting the record for the most money raised on the site at that time. Now almost a decade since 2003 when the original Blue Like Jazz debuted, the film has opened and is running in theaters across the country. Chatting with The Point Weekly from their tour to the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival in early March, Miller, Taylor and Allman gave their take on portraying and producing Blue Like Jazz.

centers on Don, played by Marshall Allman, the son of divorced parents. Raised by his evangelical mother (played by Jenny Littleton) in a small conservative town in T exas, Dons atheist dad (played by Eric Lange) worries his son will become brainwashed. He advises him to step into the real world by going to Reed, the most Godless campus in America, ac-

Actor Marshall Allman portrays Don Miller in the film adaptation of Blue Like Jazz.

courtesy of blue like jazz

courtesy of blue like jazz Actors Marshall Allman and Claire Holt in the official poster for the adaptation.

Art & Faith in Conversation: Blue Like Jazz

marshall allman
roles and why the role of Don? As an actor I just want to tell stories that spark conversation, that are controversial, that are exciting. I love good conversations. All the different things that people want to generally avoid, I gravitate toward talking about in my real life. How did you relate to the character personally? To me, this is a quintessential American story. Even though I didnt necessarily grow up very religious, I had friends who went off to college, where they encountered the most conflict about who they thought they were. Attending college, whether it was liberal college or not, and having a faith were in opposition. They went to college with this beautiful set of beliefs that sort of evaporated, and unfortunately they never really visited them again. How did you prepare for the character? Most of the work I do is in my imagination just putting myself in the other persons shoes and going, Heres who I am in the circumstances in my life. How many steps or decisions would I have made that would have put me in that circumstance? and then I work with believability. Obviously, Im not Don. Im not trying to be Don, but I am Don at a younger age and I did want to bring in Dons voice as much as I could. How did having a large set of backers impact the way you approached the film? The whole movie was driven by passion. Coming on set, we had all these backers on Kickstarter.com who put a face to our audience, so that was really something special. It was like, Wow, this isnt our movie anymore, because all of the sudden we had 4,500 cooks in the kitchen. Not that they were lording over us, but there was a sense that we had a responsibility to do justice to these people who had put their hard-earned money behind our movie. Everybody on set knew that something special was going on, that BLJ wasnt your average independent film. Everybody on set was so fervent to make the movie, and all of it was driven by the whole idea that we were making something important by people who wanted us to make it.

donald miller
Because the movie doesnt really fit in either genre of wholly secular or Christian, how do you approach criticisms from either camp? I dont understand why someone can go see a thousand movies and then when you call it Christian, they act all different. People want it [BLJ] to be different, [but] its really interesting that someone would go to a movie and view it differently than every other movie they see. [The movie] is not a sermon if you try to figure what the message is no, its not a sermon. Its a story. We engage and understand story because of facts that exist in our reality. I wanted to tell a story that I think millions of people experience and live through and dont talk about. We want to give people a character to live through so they feel like theyre not alone. So [that] two people in the same theater can have the experience like, Ive had that happen, too! In terms of a Heres what we want to do [message], the movie doesnt have it. At PLNU theres probably a lot of drinking, theres probably a lot of people hooking up on campus and there are probably a lot of people pretending theyre not doing that. Theyre playing make believe. Thats a personality disorder thats dualistic. Thats someone whos not integrated; their bad side is not in touch with their good side. Im hoping that people see [the film] and go I dont want to hide that. I wanted to make a film that says, Were not playing make believe: This is who we are. People say that [the culture of Reed] doesnt exist, but it does exist. Its all over America! So I think that weve depicted something real, and most people go, Thats a little off. You look at Jewish or African American culture or so many other cultures and they love laughing at themselves. Christians do not. And its a shame-based thing.Well if people laugh at me, Im not going to have any friends. Im going to go to hell. So we hide our sin. We dont laugh at ourselves and its really unhealthy.

How did you become involved in the adaptation of Blue Like Jazz? I got an e-mail from [director] Steve Taylor that said, Youre on the list of actors were considering for the part. I read it [the screenplay] and thought, Why hasnt this story been told? I wrote [Tayllor] back and said, Im a 1,000 percent in! Thank you for the offer. And he e-mailed me back and said, That wasnt an offer but I promise I wont offer the part to anyone else before we meet. So we sat down and met and I got the part. From True Blood to Prison Break, many of your roles have been intense and very eclectic. How do you choose

courtesy of blue like jazz

actor

author
courtesy of religious news

steve taylor
part of the plan to be part of an institutionalized Christian genre, and I think were at the same place in filmmaking now. The idea of Christian movie has become calcified; now it means a movie thats safe for the whole family and ties everything up at the end. Its very much a movie for the choir. Youre not making a movie for a wider audience.

The book Blue Like Jazz has been described as a message, not a story, which is the reason why readers of the book might find many of the elements changed. What was the intention behind adapting the book into a more linear story? Whenever you adapt a book to film you have to change it. If you dont change it, youre going to have a really bad film. The name, the character [of Don], the location, the topics in the book that are discussed those [elements] an audience would say, This is all going to be familiar material. People who are familiar with my books dont tend to be people whod ever go see a Christian film. The genre is critically panned, so were hoping to exist in our own world for a little while. The movie is filled with a lot of comedy; how did you draw the line between comedy and satire toward Christian culture? A movie lives best in extremes. If you have a movie thats taking place in one of the most Godless campuses in America, then weve got to be in the cheesiest church, right? Theres only one negative portrayal of a Christian of in the film and its [Pastor Kenny]. Now [because] we have one negative [Christian] character a lot of people are like, Youre slamming the church. Youre not being objective. But hes not in there for comedic relief; hes in there because he characterizes what people disassociate from about Christianity. They think hes cheesy and hypocritical. . . . You have to have that character in there to show the viewer that, Yeah, I cant stand that guy, but then we overload him with all these Christian characters.

course the book has a younger appeal anyway. What are the challenges of using film to express topics of faith? I understand why those kinds of movies [Christian films] can seem off-putting or cheesy because its really, really hard to express on film. You have to do it by creating action and conflict and its just really tricky. When I see a movie that does it well I know how hard that was to pull off. People assume that [filmmakers] go in [and say,] Oh, were just going to churn out whatever we can, and call it good, but its tough. Dramatically, its the biggest challenge weve got.

director

courtesy of youtube

As a Christian, how has your vocation as a filmmaker intersected with the approach you wished to take with Blue Like Jazz? Because my Christian faith has been such an integral part of my life, it tends to come out no matter how Im working or what Im working on. It was never a

What would you define as the typical Christian movie audience, a demographic you intentionally tried to move away from? The Christian movie audience [goes] to the movies once or twice a year. We knew that was not our audience, so we tried to make a movie that was for people who go to the movies every weekend, and that tends to be a younger audience, and of

12 | SPORTS

the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012

4/23-24: W. Golf @ NAIA Qualifier, all day. 4/25: W. Tennis @ Azusa Pacific University, 1:15 p.m. 4/25: M. Tennis @ Azusa Pacific University, 4 p.m. 4/26-29: M. Tennis @ Ojai Valley Tournament, all day. 4/26-29: W. Tennis @ Ojai Valley Tournament, all day. 4/27: Baseball vs. Azusa Pacific University (DH), 12 p.m. 4/27-28: Track and Field GSAC Championships, all day. 4/28: Baseball vs. Azusa Pacific University (DH), 12 p.m.

Mens golf finishes fourth in regular season finale

by jacob roth sports editor The PLNU mens golf team wrapped up regular season play last week, finishing fourth at the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational hosted by CSUStanislaus on Monday and Tuesday. Ryan Ellerbrock led the NAIA No. 11-ranked Sea Lions with a three-round total of 218 (78-69-71). The senior overcame a poor first round, scoring under par in the second and third rounds to tie for 15th place individually. Juniors Brent Hamilton (75-7572222) and Oscar Casillas (76-7176223) followed closely behind. Hamilton tied for 26th place, and Casillas tied for 34th. Also competing for the Sea Lions were juniors Cole Reese (80-75-74229), who tied for 60th place, and Zane Keith (72-78-80230), who tied for 65th. The Sea Lions, who tallied a team score of 884 (301-290-293), were one of just two NAIA teams that competed in the tournament, beating a slew of NCAA Division II squads, many of which were but lit up the course on the third day with an incredible 6-under score of 66 in the final round to grab the win. Kyle Souza (71-71-71) of Chico State and James Hall (71-69-73) of Hawaii-Hilo tied for second with scores of 213. Next up for the Sea Lions is the GSAC/Cascade/Cal Pac NAIA Qualifier T ournament on May 7-8 at Blackhorse Golf Club in Seaside, Calif. The winner of the qualifier receives an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships in Salem, Ore., though the Sea Lions are on the short list for a possible at-large bid should they fail to win the qualifier. The Sea Lions are the defending champions of the NAIA Qualifier, coming back from fifth place after one round to win the tournament a year ago. Casillas also scored medalist honors a year ago, defeating Kevin Anderson of The Masters College on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff. The Sea Lions went on to finish 15th at the NAIA National Championships in 2011, and both Ellerbrock and Casillas were named third-team NAIA All-Americans.

plnu sports information

Senior Ryan Ellerbrock, pictured here at the PLNU/Smee Builders Invitational, tied for 15th place at the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational last week with a three-round score of 218 (78-69-71).

ranked in the NCAA DII T op 25. The Warriors of CSU-Stanislaus, ranked No. 4 in the latest DII rankings, shot a team score of 845 to win by an enormous margin of 23 strokes. The hosts won for the 25th time in the 39year history of the tournament and for the 14th time in the past 17 years.

NCAA DII No. 7-ranked Western Washington (468) finished in second place, 14 strokes ahead of No. 5-ranked Chico State University. Following the Sea Lions were No. 24-ranked CSU-Monterey Bay and CSU-East Bay, both of which shot 886 to tie for fifth place. Other ranked

teams included No. 15 Grand Canyon University (seventh, 887), University of Hawaii-Hilo (ninth, 890) and Sonoma State University (15th, 912). Trevor Blair of the host Warriors carded a 7-under-par score of 209 to win medalist honors by four strokes. Blair shot 70 and 73 for the first two rounds,

Q&A with All-American hurdlers Sean Lewis and Eddie Morrow

by jacob roth sports editor Its pretty rare for a track coach to have just one All-American on his or her roster. Last year, juniors Sean Lewis and Eddie Morrow finished fourth and fifth respectively in the mens 400-meter hurdles to give Coach Jerry Arvin not one, but two All-Americans in the same event. This spring Lewis and Morrow both qualified for the NAIA Championships again in the 400 hurdles, and they are currently preparing for the Golden State Athletic Conference Championships on April 27-28. The Point Weekly caught up with the duo to talk about their friendship and competition on and off the track. Point Weekly: How did you guys get to be such good friends? Sean Lewis: I hated Eddie! Eddie Morrow: Yeah, he did. SL: Well, I didnt hate him, but he came in as a recruit, and I thought, Oh, homeboys gonna come steal my thunder! (laughs) EM: I tried to get to know this guy at first, but he pissed me off quite often. He always corrected me, and I dont like being corrected (they both laugh). So at first, it was kind of an unspoken I dont know, I wouldnt call it a rivalry. We were just on two different ends. We werent friends basically. Spring semester [2011] we started to become better friends. SL: I think it was maybe doing the 4x4 [4x400-meter relay]. Well we did the same workouts, too. EM: It was through workouts that we started to bond, but Id say that we really became good friends over the summer. Over the summer, yeah? SL: Yeah. Well because we were here for nationals week after school ended, and everyone just kind of hangs out. We got to know each other better there. EM: And in the beginning of this yearnot this semester but this year we grew closer together. SL: Eddie would be kicking it in the guard shack, and Id come and hang out. Wed just talk for so long. PW: How do you guys push each other during training? EM: (laughs) Its not spoken during training. SL: Its just a little competitive. EM: Hell kick it; Ill kick it. Ill kick, and then he kicks it while were running. And theres no [one saying], Lets go hard on this. SL: Its all to see if you can keep up. EM: Its keeping up, because with 100 meters left, we both kick it at the same time. And so we might not have the mindset of, All right, lets push each other, guys, but we know we dont want to get outkicked. PW: So whats it like racing against each other? SL: Oh, thats when we started getting tight. Last year at [the Golden State Athletic Conference Championships] we were in the same 400 hurdles race and the same 400. EM: Last year at conference, I [started out] slow, and all of the sudden Im running and Sean. SL: And I come up, and Im like, Come on, Eddie, lets go! Just yellingduring the race (laughs). EM: Hes all like, Kick! Kick! And I was like, All right. And I kicked in both races. SL: We even did that at nationals, too. In the semifinal 400 hurdles race, we were coming in the last bit, and it was like, Come on, lets go! Come on! All out! All out! Lets get in! EM: Id never talked to anybody during a race, so that was pretty cool. We encourage each other while were racing. I love racing against Sean. Because not only is he good, but hes a friend. PW: What about the other person brings out the best in you? EM: Seans need for understanding and doing things correctly probably brings out the best in me. The thing that I disliked him most for probably brings out the best in me. Because Ill want to halfdo something, and he doesnt half-do stuff. He just does it and does it right. So Id say thats what brings out the best in me. And thats in all facets, not just in competition, but in life. I might want to give up on talking to someone, but hell just say, No, man, see how it goes. Youre going to grow from this. He brings out the best for me just to push myself and do things the right way. SL: Eddies good at making me understand why I think what I think or believe what I believe. He always tries to contradict whatever I say, so I always have to defend my argument or what it is that I have. He just has the words that I dont really have. Im pretty short-spoken on a lot of things. But he elaborates on it a lot more and gets me to remember and realize a lot of things that I normally dont see. PW: What other ways have you guys grown together off the track? EM: Weve probably grown more off the track than we have on it, Id say. SL: Absolutely. EM: This semester we get to spend more time on the track, but last semester we got to spend more time off the track just talking about, well, everything: who we are, why we rationalize what we rationalize, whats most important to us. You know what I mean? Id say dialogue is the way that weve grown the most. SL: Yeah, Ive shared with Eddie so many different things that Ive gone through over the years, and also how Im just processing things currently. Its just been good. Its funny because I didnt think hed be one of my best friends when I came here well, when he came here [Morrow transferred to PLNU in fall 2010]. I was like, Whos this guy? Hes just some hood rat from the slums of Bako, (they both laugh). PW: So as far as the rest of the season goes, what are your expectations and goals from this point forward? EM: Ive had this in my head since we finished nationals last year, that me and him were going to finish 1-2 [in the 400 hurdles at nationals]. Whatever way it goes, it goes, but thats my plan. I want to go 1-2 no matter what. And I want to both [run under 51 seconds]. SL: Exactly. I have the same sort of mindset. I have the same thing. Thats how I want to finish.

Athletes of the week

Ryan Ellerbrock Mens Golf
Ellerbrock carded a threeround score of 218 to tie for 15th place at the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational last week. The senior from Chula Vista, Calif., shot rounds of 78, 69 and 71 to lead the NAIA No. 11-ranked Sea Lions to a fourthplace team finish against a field of mainly NCAA Division II teams.

samantha mohr Womens tennis

Mohr lost just one game of one set all weekend in the NAIA No. 6-ranked Sea Lions 8-1 romp over The Masters College Saturday. The senior from Poway, Calif., swept her singles match (6-0, 6-0) and teamed with Kiersten Steinhauer to win in doubles (8-1) in PLNUs final home match of the season.

the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012

SPORTS| 13

Senior reflection series: Katie Pedlowe

by katie pedlowe contributor A number of YouTube videos have surfaced lately regarding stuff people say (well, kind of). Having played soccer my entire life, I was particularly entertained by a video a high school soccer team made called Stuff Soccer Girls Say. After showing it to a few friends who dont play soccer, I realized that most of the world probably wouldnt find it humorous. The jokes centered on wardrobe choices, conditioning, team dynamics and other issues that pertain to soccer girls. Ive watched it countless times now and find it funnier every time. One part in particular, however, caught my attention. One of the girls was on the phone and repeated the same line throughout the video: I cant. I have soccer. With regret, I realized how many times Ive said that line in my life.

As I began to fall in love with Jesus in a way like never before, I realized how important it was to love people the way he loved them.
We athletes tend to let other parts of our lives slip through the cracks for the sake of our sports. We spend hours upon hours training, conditioning and honing our skills. Our weekends are filled with games and tournaments, and all our energy and focus is spent

during practice. Whatever we have left we put toward schoolwork so that we can maintain the GPA that allows us to keep playing our sport. Unfortunately, relationships seem to be put on the backburner. I cant speak for all athletes, but I can certainly speak for myself. My first three years of college I did little to invest in relationships outside of my soccer team. I was either too tired or had too much homework or had to work ahead for a road trip that weekend. My priorities were out of line. The Lord began to challenge me in this area last semester. I realized that I only had one year left of college, and I didnt want to waste it. As I began to fall in love with Jesus in a way like never before, I realized how important it was to love people the way he loved them. T en years from now when I look back on my years of college, the

relationships I made are going to be the only things worth remembering. I am incredibly grateful that Christ challenged me with how I use my time when I still had one year left of college. I realized that the more time I dedicate to him and to loving his people, the more rejuvenated I am and the more energy I have to focus toward all aspects of my life. For the first time in my life, school and even soccer took the backseat. And not once have I regretted my decision. Yes, the occasional bad grade or reprimand from a professor can sting, but when I step back and change my perspective from my own narrow one to Gods allencompassing one, I realize that in the grand scheme of things it simply doesnt matter. I am not my own. I am Christs to use as he wishes, and his greatest

courtest of kaitlin bartlett

command to us is to love him and to love others. My prayer is that others can learn this lesson earlier than I did.

Ben Foster to step down as mens golf head coach after 38 years
the programs first year in the NCAA and final year in existence. After 44 years as an NAIA coach After 38 years of leading the at PLNU in golf and basketball, it Sea Lions, Ben Foster is stepping seemed appropriate and important down as head coach of the PLNU to conclude my coaching career as mens golf team at the end of the an NAIA coach, said Foster. During his nearly four decades 2012 season. Foster will become the director of golf and will still oversee as head golf coach, Foster won 13 all managerial responsibilities for the conference, regional or district team. Zack Ponder, a former PLNU titles, and his teams qualified for golfer, will step up as head coach for the NAIA National Championships 21 times, finishing in the Top10 ten times. He has also had the opportunity to coach 24 AllAmericans and three individual national champions: Greg Brown (1978), Joe Prince (2006) and Sam Cyr (2008, 2009). Bens commitment to PLNU as a student-athlete, coach and educator has demonstrated his many avenues of service to others through the university, said President Bob Brower. Coach Foster has dedicated his life to PLNU and has been an influence on many students and colleagues. I plnu sports information Ben Foster has led the mens golf team appreciate Ben for his service and I wish him all the best as he begins to 21 NAIA Championship berths during his 38-year coaching tenure. this next phase of life. by greta wall staff writer Foster is a PLNU (then Pasadena College) alumnus and played on the mens basketball team from 1965-68. He is still the schools fifth all-time leading scorer and second all-time leading rebounder. During his basketball career he earned three All-District and two Honorable Mention AllAmerican selections and was named an All-West Coast pick. Following graduation, Foster was drafted into the NBA and ABA, but instead made the decision to return to his alma mater and work as the mens basketball assistant coach for six years and later as head coach for 17 years. During his years as basketball head coach, Foster achieved a school-best career record (310232). His teams made it to the NAIA District 3 playoffs 10 times and won three consecutive National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) championships (1985-87). Foster is a member of two Halls of Fame in three separate categories. In 1995 he was inducted into the PLNU Hall of Fame as a result of his many accomplishments as an athlete and coach. Seven years later he received the same honor for being a member of the 196768 basketball team. In 2009 he was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame as a golf coach. Foster has been involved in NAIA golf in different ways all across the board. He has served as president of the NAIA Golf Coaches Association, NAIA Region II rater and NAIA Region II Golf Sports chairman. He was also a member of the Golf Coaches Association of America International Selection Committee. Along with his coaching duties, Foster has worked for PLNU as an associate professor in the kinesiology department for 44 years. He served as an assistant and acting athletic director and has also been the intramural director for the last 21 years. The Foster family has a long history with PLNU. Fosters wife Sandy also graduated from Pasadena College, and she has worked as a professor in the family and consumer sciences department. Both of their sons, Jason and B.J., graduated from PLNU and are now NAIA basketball coaches. Ben and Sandys daughtersin-law Bonnie and Dawn are PLNU graduates as well. Coach Foster said he is sad to leave the golf program, but he is excited for Ponder to get the chance to coach the team in its final year. I will miss the camaraderie I have with other coaches, the competition and seeing players work hard, get better and improve, said Foster. I think that is something that we all really like to see in the world of sports. Zack [Ponder] is a great young man, and he will do fine. I will work closely with him for him to have a good experience, as well as the returning players as we finish out the program. Foster will stay at PLNU one more year as the director of golf and then will retire from the university. I am extremely appreciative for Bens service at PLNU, said Athletic Director Ethan Hamilton. He has been an iconic figure in our athletic, intramural and kinesiology programs.

Baseball in GSAC cellar after series loss to Biola

by annie miller staff writer Disappointing and inconsistent. Those were the first words that came to the minds of right-handed pitchers Tyler Garkow and Justin Lawrence when asked to describe the Sea Lions losing season. PLNU currently sits in last place in the Golden State Athletic Conference with a 9-19 GSAC record, 17-28 overall. In its four remaining conference games, PLNU will have to beat out three other teams in order to be included in the GSAC Postseason Tournament. Last weekend, the Sea Lions lost three out of four to Biola University (4-5, 6-10, 8-4, 4-8) in keeping with Lawrences theme of inconsistency. There have been times weve played great, said Lawrence, a junior transfer from San Diego Mesa College, but 28 times this year, weve found ways to lose. How exactly have the Sea Lions found ways to lose? For example, in the 45 games that the team has played, only five have been lost when there were no Sea Lion errors made. In those five games, they may have simply been outhit, outplayed or out-lucked. However, when making at least one error, the teams record is 7-11. When making two or more errors, the record is 6-12. So, when blunders have been committed, 23 games have been lost. Thats a little more than 82 percent of the seasons total failures. Of course, unless we go back and look at each games play by play, it cannot be accurately stated that those 64 errors directly contributed to losses, but they certainly hint at the possibility. For those times theyve played great, Lawrence has been right there. The 6-foot-1-inch 200-pounder is 5-3 on the year, surrendering 84 hits in 81.1 innings pitched and striking out 76 batters. The hurler is in the university record books after striking out 15 batters against Fresno Pacific University on March 29. The disappointed Garkow is floating in a similar boat next to Lawrence. He has had a great year with nothing to show for it. Its safe to say that the junior transfer from Mt. San Antonio College is the Sea Lions designated tough-luck pitcher. The hurler is 4-8 on the year, despite tossing four complete games, striking out 54 batters in 82 1/3 innings pitched and being named both the GSAC and NAIA Pitcher of the Week. Thats baseball, sadly. Sometimes even the hero will become the goat. Despite all the disappointment and inconsistency, there is one player who said hes optimistic. Catcher Ricky Gingras is responsible for many runs and lastminute heroics this season. The team leader in batting average (.364) knocked in 35 runs on 52 hits, including seven home runs. The junior also recorded a team low in strikeouts, with just four. Just like Lawrence and Garkow, Gingras doesnt quite get to reap what he has sown. So why does he say hes optimistic? There are a lot of young guys who are only going to get better, he said. Indeed, there are 14 freshmen on this years squad, making up exactly half the roster. Yes, the season was disappointing, and yes, it was inconsistent. But Gingras hit it right on the head. The team is young. With a couple years of experience, those things can change. The future is as optimistic and bright as ever. The Sea Lions will take on Azusa Pacific University in their last GSAC series ever, as the team will transition to NCAA DII next year. The first double-header of the series will take place on Friday, April 27, at Carroll B. Land Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for noon.

SEA LIONS SCOREBOARD

woMens Tennis Mens Tennis
4/17 W 6-3 @ Vanguard University 4/18 W 7-2 vs. Vanguard University 4/21 W 8-1 vs. The Masters College 4/17 L 3-6 @ Vanguard University 4/18 L 3-6 vs. Vanguard University 4/20 L 4-5 vs. UC San Diego

Baseball
4/19 L 4-5 vs. Biola University 4/20 L 6-10 vs. Biola University

Mens Golf
4/16-17 4th place Hanny Stanislaus Invitational

4/21 W 8-4, L 4-8 @ Biola University (DH)

14 | OPINION

the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012

the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012 alaina bird abby hamblin cory saul jacob roth alexa mangrum hallie steiner miguel covarrubias john castillo megan pittam janelle hiroshige kimberly schaid ethan linstrom editor-in-chief news editor features editor sports editor a&e editor copy editor opinion editor layout editor layout assistant layout assistant ads manager web editor
|

OPINION | 15

The opinions in this section may not reflect those of The Point Weekly or of Point Loma Nazarene University. Letters to the editor and columns are subject to editing for length, taste, grammar and clarity. Letters to the editor must include the authors name, major, class standing and phone number and be limited to 500 words. Please submit your opinions to mcovarrubias125@pointloma.edu.
www.pointweekly.com

p | 619.849.2444 ads | 619.849.2301

| plnupointweekly@gmail.com

The road to love

by sean lewis junior
contributor

Whether it is teaching that the Bible is a scrapbook or that water expresses emotions, professors and speakers at PLNU make an effort to help us question things, inviting us to know things for ourselves rather than regurgitate a worldview that isnt necessarily our own. In the spring semester of my second year at PLNU, I experienced grueling challenges to my faith. I remember my prior beliefscultivated by my small, private, fundamentalist Christian high school in Boring, Ore., (yes, Boring is the name of the town)constantly being called into question as I was challenged in discussions, both in the classroom and by a friend. But the real icing on the cake was when the ASB director of spiritual life came out. By the end of the semester, my beliefs had been sufficiently and effectively called into question. Unfortunately,

thats where it left me: faithless, Godless and broken. Challenges arose from all directions, but there was no hospitable environment in which I could wrestle with my beliefs. Being gay on PLNUs campus made this process exceptionally difficult. How am I to reconcile my faith when a key contributor to my belief system is the hush-hush topic on the campus? Its like PLNU seems to think everyone else is living in less sin than I am, making my sexuality a fault. When I was 8 years old, it wasnt a fault that I liked the shirtless men in the movies instead of busty women. When I was 12 years old, it wasnt my fault that while holding Hayleys hand, I secretly wanted to kiss Jake instead. When somethinga truthis discovered to be applicable to ones life beyond a superficial level, people grow as individuals. Those experiences allow the questions of our heartswrought out of who we areto be directly addressed. Without them, these central

questions of our lives remain ignored. And, as Christians, we are called to be without ignorance. PLNU is neglecting to foster a community where our experiences can be shared fully and without censorship. I fear we have preached so much that Jesus is the Way that we have disregarded that there are many roads. What is making that unbelieving student want to learn about our faith? Or making that struggling gay Christian say, I still want in on this thing you call Christianity"? Where can our experiences be heard without the questionable smirk on her face or the reprimanding glare in his eyes? Fostering the areas in which we already believe ignores the importance of investigating the areas in which we doubt. T oo often, PLNU leaves its students where it left me: broken and aimlessly wandering a road, hoping that in the end we find something that brings us back to the faith, back to the church, back to God. Until then, we walk.

the Reins

by portlan beckman senior

contributor

To our baby, Your mother and I wanted to let you know how much we love you We dont know you I dont know her Condition of your heart uncertain; beats have yet begun People say having a child instills unexplainable love Will you show us when you come? I watched the sun rise this morning I saw your smile, a beautiful forewarning The innocence of your soul was the warmth on my face Radiant rays penetrated inside with grace, deep and visceral A feeling beyond visual A description insufficient with any use of the literal I love you Even if you turn out to be a ginger As for my role in your life And your mothers, my wife We will share with you, our hearts Only death has the power to break us apart Even then, I contend, never to let go of your hand We cannot discern the decisions you will make Or the path, no doubt confusing and contradictory, you will take No intentions to control your life by remote You will always be our baby, but we will let you go You arent truly ours, there is something you should know You were created quite intentionally By divine design we cant comprehend mentally One day you will understand the under-riding undertow As the ebb and flow stretches your heart and waters your soul Sowing the seed, which allows you to grow There is a light you wont always see, but it always exists An abstract idea, truer than the purest wish Follow your heart, regardless of criticism Fail, Fail again; you will succeed at some point Give what you can, but make sure you receive the love you need We are all human, all our hearts bleed Dont listen to cliches, they will only get you enmeshed In a society that abides by the safety of paved roads and telephones Instead, make up your own You will not go wrong, you will never be alone

Alma mater: Hail PLNU!

Mega, Super Awkward Sea Lion :

Sharing your Loma fails
It rains during graduation, and you can take only six people inside...
...sorry, Grandma.

by Camron Cluff

Patience prevents haste and develops a capacity to love Love insists integrity, which encompasses honesty Love also yields patience; cyclical, like the circle of life Understanding this will carry you through joy and through strife For now, I am the child, but one day you will be mine, the aforementioned kid

Your mom goes to your graduation...

...but she wears a dress that isn't for her age group.

You show up to graduation...

...and realize everyone else is wearing clothes under their gowns.

16 | OPINION

the point weekly | monday, april 23, 2012

Farewell words from your editorial staff

There was a point last semester when I didnt think I would survive being a PLNU student, editor-in-chief of The Point Weekly and running cross-country. I wasnt getting much sleep, I was cranking out homework at the last minute, workouts were rough and any semblance of a social life was nonexistent. Lots of people asked me, Why are you doing this to yourself? Why are you spending 20-25 hours a week working on The Point Weekly when you have so much going on? I felt like I didnt have a very good answer. But now, looking back on this year as it comes to a close, I think I do. Why have I worked on the PW editorial staff? Ive worked for that final product, being able to physically hold something in my hands each week that I helped put together. Ive worked for the flush of excitement and pride I feel when I see someone browsing through The Point Weekly in Bobby Bs, the library or on Caf Lane. Ive worked because I want to make sure our school newspaper adequately informs, entertains, enlightens and challenges our campus community and holds those in leadership positions accountable. Ive worked because I love the group of people with whom Ive shared this responsibility, friends I probably wouldnt have gotten to know as well if it werent for the paper. Ive worked because I love journalism, and I love seeing the impact it can have on our Point Loma bubble. Ive worked for you, our faithful readers. And it was worth it. Your Editor-in-Chief, Lainie Bird

So this is the part where Im supposed to talk about all the great memories I had with my fellow Pointers (like embracing mutual obsessions with Beyonce) or dote on some of the more weighty stories (there were some doozies) or even express what it was like to give up so many hours a week, including Saturday and Sunday nights into the wee hours of the morning, ultimately leading to the demise of my (pretend) social life. But my year working for The Point Weekly wasnt really about any of those things. It was about you. And I hope you felt

that way. Amid all the tense investigations and controversial storytelling, you, the Point Weekly faithful, were the nucleus of it all. Each week we critiqued every word of the paper and brainstormed ways to improve and better serve PLNU readers. I was honored to join a tradition of excellent journalism, and I hope this year lived up to it. To me, The Point Weekly is a place for wrestling with contentious issues, reporting the trutheven if it isnt what is popularand telling the compelling stories of our very own students, staff and faculty. If at least one story from the black and white opened your eyes, dug at your emotions or provoked thoughtful conver-

sation, then thats all that matters. Abby Hamblin, News Editor

My time as A&E editor has been the textbook definition of interesting. Before interesting gets read as a never want to see a copy of The Point Weekly again kind of interesting, let me explain. . . . In less abstract adjectives, my time at The

Point Weekly brought opportunities that have challenged and changed me in ways that a year ago were wholly unforeseen. Throughout the year, A&E was formed on a key word: possibility. Art, like faith, always offers the capacity for conversation. Both challenge our awareness of who we are, where weve come from and where we wish to go. Both deepen our relationships, internally and externally. Foremost, working for the paper has given me a crash course in the vital role story plays in our daily lives. We are people of story; whether printed or said aloud, the story continues far beyond what any page can contain. Working for the paper has shown there are spheres of our story that probably will never make it to print or become immortalized in an InDesign layout. Yet A&E has centrally shown to me about 12 hours every Sunday with a group of people, you get to be pretty close. Im thankful for the opportunity to work with and befriend a group of students I might never have known otherwise. Yes, I gave up most of my free time on weekends. Yes, I spent hours camped out in the Point Weekly office every Sunday. But throughout the course of this semester, Ive had so much fun putting the sports page together each week for your enjoyment. If I could go back and make the choice again, I wouldnt change anything. Jacob Roth, Sports Editor

that the community formed around our collective words is vibrant, unique and creativea description that applies and extends to the PLNU community, and is in no way limited to the stories told in The Point Weekly. The Point Weekly has become a family to me that will live on in storieslots, lots, lots and lots of stories, that are probably suited to another page, so for now? Back to interesting. All things Point Weekly, from weekly Monday meetings to de-stressing Sprinkles style with the fellow editors, every contributor, staff member, reader (and of course our amazing adviser Dean Nelson) has helped to make my PW experience weirdly wonderful and entirely unforgettable (aka interesting, in the best way imaginable). Alexa Mangrum, A&E Editor

Sometimes I felt like an informant. For the last two semesters, I held a job in Student Development and an editorial position on The Point Weekly. Yes, I admit, I may have once or twice snuck away from my desk with pivotal information to make a quick call to a reporter. As a journalist on the third floor of Nicholson Commons, Id see or hear things and wonder, Do these people know what I do? Of course they did; I personally delivered their stack of newspapers every Monday. Nevertheless, while my fellow Point Weekly staff members were complaining about not being able to get interviews, I was sitting at my desk, talking to Jeff Bolster about Ke$ha. A pack of RDs once asked if Id pause my work so we could watch the latest SNL digital short. Instead of returning them, Caye Smith once gave me a pair of jeans that didnt fit her son. Every day I arrive at work, I am faced with a beautiful, humbling and assuring fact: Our school is run by wonderful people. The longer I am a member of that office, the more I realize how little we are hiding. Sorry, but there are no grand conspiracies, no decisions that are made without heavy consideration and no villain rubbing his hands together, saying, Good good. And to be honest, thats what The Point Weekly has been trying to tell you all along. Cory Saul, Features Editor

I dont know about the rest of the staff, but I was sort of thrown into the position of sports editor. The previous sports editor left this spring to study abroad, and at first I wasnt sure whether to take the staff opening Lainie offered me. Well, 14 weeks and 11 issues later, Im so grateful for the opportunity Ive had to serve on the Point Weekly editorial staff, even if it was just for a semester. Coming into this spring, the only editor I really knew was Lainie (were on the track team together). But when you spend

Add together the Awkward Sea Lion, a Camron Cluff comic, some pieces that are angsty, profound or funny, and you get the opinion page, which Ive had the privilege of putting together for the past year. The task has been stressful, fulfilling and, at times, ego-inflating. Like all the other sections, the opinion page is dedicated to presenting the truth whether flattering or insultinga key component of journalism and Christianity. As a Christian, the opinion page has given me the opportunity to have my beliefs challenged and restructured when necessary. It has taught me to be quick to hear, slow to

speak and slow to anger (James 1:19), which is a lesson I will take with me when I graduate. Now, I leave semi-sure of what lies ahead but comforted in the truth that I will never fully know what may come after my walk across the Greek. At times like these, I read the words of Madeleine LEngle, Do not seek to comprehend. All shall be well. Wait. Patience. Wait. You do not always have to do something. And it usually is. Miguel Covarrubias, Opinion Editor

I wake up on Mondays feeling like P. Diddy. Ive had very little sleep, I dont know what happened the night before and I need to grab a paper as soon as possible to see if Ive messed up. While usually my mistakes are only noticeable to the AP-savvy elite, I will never live down the time I let the headline a pychologists advice column go to print. Note the two major errors and the sound of face meeting palm. But my experience with the newspaper has not been all shame-- I did get to rub elbows with the Loma famous, take part in ethical debates and learn more about our campus than I ever thought I would. Plus I had the added perk of getting to hang out with Dean Nelson on a weekly basis. And Id like to take this opportunity, now that the year is over and my position of power is no longer at stake, to come out: I was the inspiration for most of the Awkward Sea Lions. This was not a choice; its just the way I am. I thank you all for providing me with your support and community. In all seriousness, this has been one of my favorite years. The Point Weekly staff has some of the most hardworking, silliest and downright most lovely people I have ever met. I dont know what my Sundays will be like without them (probably, sadly, lacking in Parent Trap references). I am so grateful for each person who came in week after week to make this publication. It was amazing to feel like such an integral part of this school, like the voice of the people. Being part of the newspaper has shown me what a great place Ive lived in for the past four years. I know it seems like we try to push the boundaries, but its only because we love this place so freaking much. We love asking the hard questions, we love the people and we love giving voices to as many as possible. Point Loma PLNU, for everything youve given me, thank you. Also, P. Diddy seems like a lovely gentleman and I apologize for my first paragraph. Hallie Steiner, Copy Editor ing relationships. Get involved. I did. So even though I dont get to walk down the Greek in cap and gown, and even though I wont get a 30-cent tassel to hang from my rear-view mirror, I can leave knowing that I left my mark. Im on the in! (Despite never finishing my degree at PLNU.) John Castillo, Layout Editor

Its been four years since I walked up Young Hill for the first time. Having finally made it to the top, I cant help but reflect on the countless breathtaking sunsets, relationships come and gone and wisdom imparted. Standing with five years of the college experience behind me, and nothing

but a single finals week and the Greek amphitheatre in front, there are a few individuals Id like to specially thank. Dr. Dean Nelson and Dr. Robert Thompson, it has been an absolute pleasure to learn from you. Lastly, I couldnt have done this without my brothers in Christ who were ever sharpening. PLNU, thank you for your time. Ethan Linstrom, Web Editor

Remember a year ago, when I was not planning on doing The Point Weekly again? Yet here I am, not a student, and still doing it? Filled with Hallies and Annies, Wellness Centers that are not so well, surfboards, baseballs and financial need brochures, which obviously didnt help me, this year has left its mark in the Loma history books. Once again, I was a part of history. I have left my mark. This is my final piece here at PLNU. Theres no way I can afford to come back. This is how Im leaving PLNU: reflecting on my hopes for the future. I want to teach graphic design. I want to inspire as Ive been inspired. For those who have time here, I encourage you to study abroad; its the most life-changing experience. Make the most out of the time you have at PLNU. Be yourself. Make last-