The Clarion, Vol. 80, Issue #29 - April 29, 2015 - Brevard College

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The

Clarion

Volume 80, Issue 29 Web Edition

www.brevard.edu/clarion

SERVING BREVARD COLLEGE SINCE 1935

See page 4 for Graduation weekend schedule and information April 29, 2015

BC breaks ground on new residence hall By Calum McAndrew Staff Writer

For the first time since 1999, Brevard College last week began work on a new residence hall, with the ceremonial groundbreaking kicking off proceedings. The traditional groundbreaking took place last Wednesday and was the first step in the construction process that is set to be complete by the fall of 2016. BC President David Joyce spoke at the event, hailing it a “big day for Brevard College,” a thought that was echoed by many others who spoke that day. Joyce announced that the new residence hall, which will be placed across the street from Beam Residence Hall, will cost approximately $6.3 million and will be able to house 84 students. “Brevard College is growing,” Joyce said when expressing his delight with the college’s progress. “[This is] the fastest growth in the college’s history, and we are working very hard to recruit and retain.” The large crowd who attended the ceremony were also given the chance to hear Brevard mayor and board of trustees member Jimmy Harris speak. He echoed the words of President Joyce, saying, “This is a place where growth is going to happen.” Harris also recalled the last time a building project had gotten underway, saying, “If you have to struggle to remember the last time you built some-

thing, you’ve lost ambition.” Concluding his part of the talk, Harris joked, “I’ll do anything for Brevard College. I never knew that would mean signing a $6.3 million contract for a building, but I’ll do anything.” Dean of Students Deb D’Anna also spoke at the ceremony, saying, “It’s important. The new facility helps the need for the students and enhances the aesthetics of our campus.” As the college begins to accept more and more students, the need for more residence halls increases. The groundbreaking ceremony marks a historic day for the college, a milestone that is sure to be remembered.

Photo by Calum McAndrew

Gold shovels were lined up for for the ground-breaking ceremony.

Photo by Calum McAndrew

Staff, faculty, student leaders, and guests break ground April 24 on a new residence hall, the first of a multi-phase project which will feature ample grass, a terrace and student gathering spaces. The 84-bed residence hall will be the first new housing project on the Brevard College campus since construction of South Village began in 1999.

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Campus News

I Heart BC Day ‘a huge success’

Last Wednesday, Brevard College hosted its first annual I Heart BC Day, a 24-hour online fundraising campaign established by the office of Philanthropic Development in 2013. During a day that included pies being smashed on faces, water balloons pelted at Volleyball coaches and students painted blue, BC accrued 235 gifts for a total of $42,930, making in the largest giving day in school history. The event’s mission was “to foster a positive mindset of appreciation, loyalty and pride towards Brevard College amongst students and parents, faculty and staff, and alumni and friends in order to increase involvement and provide a foundation for future support.” Aiming to accumulate as many participants as possible, instead of focusing on the total amount donated, the event’s organizers hoped to receive a total of 250 donations from the community, a lofty goal that was nearly surpassed. “It exceeded all of our expectations,” said Christie Cauble, Communications Specialist at BC and organizer of the event. “It was a huge success.” Although the total donations firmly doubled the

expectations, the student participation goal of 80 students fell short, only totaling 34 donations from the student body. Despite the underwhelming participation from the student body, SGA President Burton Hodges, a senior, attended class painted blue from head to toe and wearing an “I Love BC” cut-off t-shirt. “I think that people were more absorbed by the shock value of the body paint and hoping that I would put a shirt on more than they were interested in why I was painted blue,” Hodges said. “As we prepare to take the stage this weekend, I’d like to challenge my graduating class to consider contributing to campaign, particularly the 1853 donation opportunity and other giving opportunities that will demonstrate our appreciation.” The 1853 club offers students, particularly seniors, and opportunity to give back to the college in the form of an $18.53 donation, honoring the year BC was founded and provides students with an opportunity to pledge donations after the conclusion of I Heart BC day. Leading the charge amongst the BC community,

The Clarion

| April 29, 2015

Ray Henley, a Trustee and former Chairman of the Board of Visitors, challenged the Board of Visitors to raise 25 donations and received a pie to his face by his wife, Jennifer after the challenge was met. Second-year head Volleyball coach, Kelly Burdeau allowed her team to hurl water ballons at her after each member of the team pledged donations to the campaign. Modeled after “A Day at Guilford” an annual giving campaign at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. Many colleges and universities across the country have similar events as well and the organizers of I Heart BC day hope to make it a recurring campus tradition.

Rosato named next women’s lacrosse coach By Randall Stewart

Athletic Media Relation Director

Athletic Director Juan Mascaro has announced the promotion of Kristin Rosato to head coach of Brevard’s women’s lacrosse program. Rosato served as an assistant coach this season under Mascaro, who took over the program on an interim basis in January. Together, Mascaro and Rosato coached the Tornados to a 3-12 record in the program’s second season of existence. Brevard earned its first women’s lacrosse win in school history on March 21 and knocked off Lincoln Memorial in April for the team’s first-ever conference victory. “I’m excited for the opportunity to be the head women’s lacrosse coach,” said Rosato. “I would like to thank President David Joyce and Athletic Director Juan Mascaro for this opportunity. I would also like to thank Coach ‘Shug’ and Juan for both being such great mentors and challenging me to be a better coach and role model.” “Recruiting ‘Rizzo’ to be my assistant was the best decision I made as the women’s lacrosse coach,” Mascaro commented. “Her dedication and passion for the team is second to none, and her growth as a coach this season has been absolutely tremendous. I am confident that she will lead the program to new heights in the years to come.” In addition to the role she played in guiding the team to significant milestones, Rosato helped mentor Brevard’s first-ever all-conference honoree. Freshman Caitlyn Nemeth was named all-South Atlantic Conference honorable mention after finishing the season 11th in Division II with 47 goals this season. She also garnered Brevard’s first AstroTurf SAC Player of the Week nod, netting 14 goals and dishing out four assists over a two-game span in April. Rosato originally came to Brevard as a soccer coach following a stellar playing career at Montevallo. As an assistant in the women’s soccer program, Rosato and head coach Shigeyoshi Shinohara led the Tornados to their most wins since the program’s first season in the Division II ranks and highest-ever SAC win total. She will now focus solely on lacrosse, however, as she looks to continue building on a strong foundation laid during the program’s first two seasons. “The future is bright for this group of young ladies,” Rosato said, ”and I feel very fortunate to see how they grow both on and off the field.”

Courtesy of BC Athletic Media Relations

New WLAX coach Kristin Rosato

April 29, 2015

Campus News

| The Clarion

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Seniors: Please check your email for our Graduation Clarion survey Courtesy of Nacole Potts

Student body President Burton Hodges cuts the ribbon to open the Professional Clothes Closet.

Professional clothes closet now available in AEC By Gabby Smith Opinion Editor

Recently, the Office for Career Exploration & Development (OCED) opened up a closet that contains clothing that students can utilize for interviews for jobs, internships, etc. One of the major factors that influences the perception of others is the first impression that we give, and professional dress is usually a make or break factor in the initial process of job searching. This program gives BC students the opportunity to basically rent out suits and accessories such as neck ties for the purpose of attending interviews, career fairs, or other related work events. There are a number of rules or policies that accompany the professional clothes closet, which were put into place to optimize the amount of BC students that get to attend these types of events and present themselves in a professional fashion, and like always failure to comply with these rules and regulations can result in fines, and in extreme cases disciplinary action.

In order to be eligible to utilize this resource one must be a junior or senior at BC and either they must have had their resume reviewed for quality or they must have attended prep sessions with the OCED. Currently the policy for the clothes closet is that only one suit (accessories included) may be borrowed at any given time, and all clothing must be returned either on or before the agreed upon date, which is specified by AEC staff in order to confirm receipt and possible charges. Borrowed clothes must be returned in the same condition in which they were rented, this means no odor, stains, rips, or tears. All suits are distributed on a first come first serve basis, and cancellations must be arranged in at least two days prior to the expected date in order to leave a sufficient amount of time for other students who might be in need to request a suit. In order to make a request, you should email the OCED at jobs @brevard.edu to reserve a suit for your interview.

Coutesy of Nacole Potts

Professional Clothes Closet

Immunization and sexual health services available at local Public Health Department As the semester winds to a close and you prepare for summer, don’t forget to take care of your health. One option that is convenient for college students is your local public health department. Transylvania County Department of Public Health (TCDPH) offers a variety of screening and prevention services for all ages, but college students are typically most interested in immunizations and sexual/reproductive health services. All people who are sexually active should be tested for STDs every year. TCDPH offers confidential testing, diagnosis, and treatment for STDs and confidential testing and counseling for HIV/ AIDS at no cost. In addition, reproductive health exams for both men and women, counseling, birth control, and pregnancy tests are available for a sliding scale fee based on income. Planning a trip abroad this summer? You can get your necessary immunizations at TCDPH. A fee may apply, but immunizations are typically covered in full by most insurance plans, and they can file immunizations directly with the top five insurance carriers (Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and United Health Care) as well as Medicaid and Health Choice. TCDPH is located at 98 East Morgan Street in downtown Brevard. Some services require an appointment, but most are available Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. Need more information? Call TCDPH at (828) 884-3135 or visit http://health. transylvaniacounty.org.

Arts & Life

The five stages of grief Page 4

The Clarion

| April 29, 2015

Gavin Glover performs his junior recital in memory of those passed

By Jentry Womack Contributing Writer

Last Tuesday, Gavin Glover performed his junior recital in the Rehearsal Room of the Porter Center. Already, just from hearing the location, one could tell that this was going to be something unique. The lights were much more dim than they would be in the performance hall, and the sound resonated differently too. This concept recital was very intimate, that was certain. The chairs were very close to the performer and his instruments, and they were arranged like that of an arena. Glover had a projector screen behind him, connected to his laptop. In his introductory speech, Glover told us how he came up with his concept. He told us about how his grandparents had passed, how this concert was in memory of his grandfather, and how he wanted to commemorate his passing with this tribute, showcasing the five steps of grieving. The first step: understanding. Glover accompa-

nied this piece a quote, as he did with the other pieces in his program. From the poem, “Grandpa, I Miss You”, written by Amanda Dyer: “I know it hurt you/ It hurt me too,/ But now that you're gone/ All I know is I miss you...” Glover then played his first piece, Opening,​from “Glassworks” by Phillip Glass, which has been adapted for marimba and tape delay. “Glassworks” is one of the few pieces that I’ve had the pleasure of hearing Glover play multiple times, but there was definitely a palpable difference with this performance. As his recital went on, Glover explored the last few stages of grief: mourning, accompanied by The Offering by Michael Burritt; grief, paired with Suite for Timpani by David Mancini; confusion, coupled with Dream, by John Cage (adapted for marimba and vibraphone with tape delay); and lastly, acceptance, exemplified by December for Marimba composed by Daniel Berg. Just before his fifth and final section, Glover gave a short speech, thanking the audience for

joining him on this evening, as most performers do at the end of a recital. He then told us that during his performance of his final piece, December for Marimba, he would also be utilizing the projector screen and his laptop to show us some of the last footage ever taken of his grandfather. The video was a sweet and serene one: a calm afternoon of playing cards, some laughter, and some jokes. It truly expressed what it means to accept when one has left our lives. During this final stage, you can look back on those happy memories with fondness. I knew Gavin Glover’s recital would be unique, and I was, admittedly, skeptical as to how the mechanics of it all would play out, but there was a seamless tranquility in this recital that kept it moving forward and scratching to the final stage. I shook Glover’s hand at the end of the recital and told him how much I enjoyed watching his journey. I encourage everyone to join him on his next journey, which will hopefully be a senior recital.

Graduation Weekend Schedule and Information NOTE: Four (4) rain tickets for Saturday’s Commencement will be given to graduates as they enter the Porter Center Concert Hall at 3:30 p.m. for Baccalaureate and Commencement Rehearsal. If you do not attend the Baccalaureate & Hooding Ceremony, you may obtain these tickets from Jean Martin on Saturday morning at the Class Photo. If Commencement is moved to the Porter Center due to weather, family and/or friends will need these tickets for early admission. Ticket holders only will be admitted until 9:40 am. After that time, any remaining seats will be available on a first-come basis. For those unable to be seated in the Concert Hall there will be an alternate location at which the ceremony will be televised.

FRIDAY, May 1 - BACCALAUREATE & HOODING CEREMONY – Porter Center ARRIVE IN GOWN (NO HATS). CANDIDATES, BRING YOUR HOODS! 3:30 p.m. – Candidates for Graduation meet in the Frances Pavilion of the Porter Center for Rain Tickets and Rehearsal. 4:15 p.m. – Line Up Faculty line up in full regalia (NO HATS) – Hallway near Scott Commons Board of Trustees line up in full regalia (NO HATS) – Scott Commons Candidates for Graduation line up in alphabetical order (GOWN, NO HATS, CARRY HOODS) - Main Hallway between Concert Hall and Black Box Theatre 4:30 p.m. – BACCALAUREATE SERVICE in Concert Hall Porter Center (Family & Friends invited…no tickets needed)

SATURDAY, May 2 - COMMENCEMENT - Betty Neal Academic Quadrangle 8:30 a.m. – Class Photo, front steps of Jones Library. (Rain site: Stairway of Porter Center) Photo will be taken promptly at 8:45 am; will not wait on late comers. COME IN CAP, GOWN, AND HOOD. 9:00 a.m. – Flag Bearers & Candidates for Graduation line up in front of Dunham in alphabetical order (Rain site: Hallway between Concert Hall and Black Box Theatre, Porter Center) 9:30 a.m. – Faculty, Board of Trustees and Platform Party line up in front of Coltrane (Quad Side). Faculty Marshals will assist Faculty; Susan Cothern will assist Board of Trustee Members, and Faculty Marshal will assist Platform Party. (Rain site: Faculty, Hallway near Scott Commons, Porter Center; Board of Trustees, Scott Commons) 9:30 a.m. – Music Begins 9:45 a.m. – Procession Begins. 10:00 a.m. – COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES – Betty Neal Academic Quadrangle (Rain Site; Porter Center) GRADUATION RECEPTION. Immediately following the commencement ceremony, a reception for all graduates and guests will be held on the lawn of the quadrangle in front of Moore Science Building.

Arts & Life

Jule Hermann

April 29, 2015

| The Clarion

By Sam Blakley Editor in Chief

Saying good-bye is a learned skill, yet despite our experiences we never really get good at saying good-byes; it is only with extensive practice that they get easier. In a few weeks, we will all say good-bye: good-bye to classes, good-bye to our friends, and good-bye to our professors. However, there are always some good-byes that are easier than others. As another school year comes to a close, some of us say good-byes that last much longer than a summer. This semester I have quite a few goodbyes to say and one in particular, a premature good-bye, has been weighing on me since I learned I had to give it. Jule Hermann arrived at BC from Germany a year and a half ago. Since then, her name has been butchered by professors, her mind has been blown by the Ingle’s chip selection, and her personality has won the heart of a community.

I met Jule in Ralph Hamlett’s American Government class. At the time, she was quietly hiding behind her ever-present headphones and MacBook—she was extremely shy and reserved. It took me three weeks to get her to talk to me, and half the semester for me to learn that she was on the tennis team. “My parents always knew I was going to go away,” Hermann says. “I was that kid that would leave in the morning to work in our garden and come back five hours later with tales of tree tops.” She started playing tennis at nine. When many of us were starting fourth grade, Jule had started leaving her childhood home in Berlin to begin a tennis academy in Bucharest. “I was always on the [tennis] courts,” says Hermann. She decided early on that she wanted to be a professional tennis player, a dream her parents would be happy to see come and go, because “not everyone can be a pro-athlete.” See Hermann on page 10

‘Ex Machina’:

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Photo Courtesy of Jule Hermann

Jule Hermann visiting Washington, DC

best film of the year

By Michael Heiskell Staff Writer

“Ex Machina” is a smart, mind-bending sci fi that extends far beyond the genre. Fantastic performances from everyone involved and really inventive directing, “Ex Machina” is the best film of the year so far. “Ex Machina” is about Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson) plays a programmer who happens to win this grand competition. As the winner, he is sent for a week to stay in the mansion of atechnological companies CEO’s mansion. The CEO (Oscar Isaac), has different plans for Caleb. He asks him to help him test the human capabilities and give the Turing test to a robotic program named AVA (Alicia Vikander). Things, however, are never as they seem when the human element is thrown in. I’m a huge sci fi nerd. It’s my favorite genre to read and is often my favorite genre to watch in film. That being said there hasn’t been a huge number of widely successful sci fi films in the last few years. This isn’t a pure sci fi, by definition, but it is an absolute success. It has more of a feel of a psychological thriller with sci fi elements. This is fine, because it sort of blends the genres together

to make something kind of magical. Don’t get me wrong though, this is a dark, gritty ride until the startling finale. The acting in this film is superb, but only in its simplicity. There aren’t any big, Oscar bait roles in this film. The conversations and situations are supposed to give a sense of realism to this semi futuristic world. Domhnall Gleeson makes for an excellent lead and a really surprisingly good performance from an actor I really hadn’t heard that much from. The same can be said for Alicia Vikander who I had never even heard of before this film, but I know her name now. Oscar Isaac turns in the usual great performance that he is known for and this only adds to his already stel-

lar career. Much should be said of writer/director Alex Garland, who has written some fantastic films over the years including “28 Days Later”, “Dredd”, “Sunshine” and “Never Let Me Go”. This is his first turn as director as well and he completely knocked it out of the park. The lighting and tone of this film conveys a sense of mood and tenseness that made my skin crawl. I’m already on board for whatever film he does next, he’s had nothing but success so far. Overall, “Ex Machina” is exactly what I want out of a film. Tense, original and with a blend of sci fi and thriller. I would give this film a very rare 5 out of 5 stars and strongly suggest you go see it.

Senior Spotlights

B ree McMahon

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Successful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them. They stay focused on their past successes rather than their past failures, and on the next action steps they need to take them closer to the fulfillment of their goals rather than all the other distractions that life presents to them. —Jack Canfield With the journey that Bree McMahon had, this quote seemed perfect for her. When Bree first applied to Brevard and meet with Coach Shug for the first time, she knew she saw a future here at Brevard. A tragedy struck and she imagined that her soccer career would be over. However, when you have a program like Brevard’s women’s soccer, we don't give up easily and we still welcomed her with opened arms. Of course like any other

My ideas generally start with a bad day or a negative experience, and from there in my writing I then aim to acknowledge the silver lining in the negative, appreciating the natural balance of life.” Every student has a reason for coming to Brevard; sometimes students know the reason, but other times they find out along the way. Stone’s explanation of this was, ”My experiences and course opportunities at BC has helped me hone my writing skills in numerous ways; before I came to college I really was not all that great with grammar and English. I was, however, lucky enough to already have developed a love for writing and self-expression through written word. When I got to BC, I had my first English class with Dr. Tina Holland, and from then on everything about English just fell into place. “Not only did my freshmen English classes with her help me hone my writing abilities, they also helped instill in me further intrinsic value gained when I write.” Through talking with Stone, one thing was clear. The professors here at Brevard had left an impact. When asked about this, Stone replied, ”Dr. Bringle and Dr. Holland have both been major influences not only in my undergraduate education, but also in my own personal growth. They have taught me about self-responsibility and self-advocacy. Through teaching by

example, they have taught me to believe in myself and embrace my values, yet be open to different values, ideas, and approaches to life and living." BC means something different to every person who travels through its halls. For Stone, Brevard College is his second home. “When I think of BC, I think of a haven for self-growth, communion, and the cultivation of values. There is certainly a feeling of comfort when I think of BC.” Stone is in the final stages of completing his senior project, a thesis on the effects of social media on self-esteem. He is currently finishing up the final chapter, and from there all that is left is to proofread. His senior project will be the cherry on top of a list of accomplishments here at Brevard, including certificates of achievement for English, Psychology, and Philosophy. Completing an undergraduate thesis is somewhat of a big deal, if stressful at the very least. Stone was also recommended for a position in the AEC and has been an English and writing tutor for three years. After graduating, Stone plans to transfer to a different store location for his current job in retail. He also plans to attend real estate pre-licensure classes starting in September. What Stone says he will miss most about Brevard is, The clean air, the tranquility and silence, the sounds of wildlife in the night, and the sense of community and hospitality that I feel is dominant here.

Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Lizzie Graham

Jackson Stone

Casey Whitmire Staff Writer

Jackson Stone is a face not everyone is familiar with at Brevard. Growing up here in Brevard, Stone is a commuter student. I asked Stone how he stands out compared to his classmates, and his answer was motivational. “Well…let’s be honest. I’m not your average guy…. But I aim to be confident and maintain awareness of both my strengths and weaknesses. I think that my strong degree of self-awareness helps me stand out amongst some of my peers who are also in the ongoing process of both self-discovery and self-invention.” Graduating with a degree in psychology, Stone says he regrets not majoring in Integrated Studies. While at Brevard, Stone has been interested in both English and philosophy. When asked when he first began writing, Stone said, ”My love for writing started very young. I would say around 9 years old is when I started keeping a journal I would write in often, sometimes for hours throughout the day. I would say that my writing has helped me discover myself as an individual, and at this point in my life, that is a comforting basic title to hold. I mostly just write in terms of my own life or experience; my writing is very self-reflective or nature-themed.

| April 29, 2015

upcoming college freshman, she was scared of the reactions people would have, but soon see realized that people saw her as a regular Brevard college athlete. Bree ended up playing five years of college soccer for Coach Shug. With her disability she caught great recognition for the hard work and the dedication she gave to continue her dream of playing college soccer, no matter what her circumstances were. Bree was asked to make an appearance in Boston after the marathon bombing, and she was featured on ESPN. At the athletic banquet this year, she received the perseverance award. As for plans and goals for the future, Bree is striving to be a college soccer coach. Right now she is a head coach at a high school here in Brevard and she hopes that from here on out, she will only continue to improve and work her way to the top.

By Lizzie Graham

Bree McMahon

The Clarion

Senior Spotlights

Rachel Anthony

April 29, 2015

| The Clarion

By Hannah Cook Staff Writer

Rachel Anthony remembers the day she learned of Brevard College. “I first found out about Brevard College at Camp Kanuga in Hendersonville. My Appalachian Trail Guide was a WLEE student at Brevard College, and he told me about BC. I couldn't believe there was a college right down the road from camp! He told me, ‘yeah, it feels just like camp, but with grades!’ And he was right. Then I came and checked out the music and art departments and fell in love.” Her love has only grown for the college over the past four years, as she has thrived as both a singer and a photographer. She speaks of her major brightly and explains with much enthusiasm why she chose them and what they mean to her. “I love people, and I love making people happy—especially by giving them beautiful and meaningful photographs. The joy I see on a mother’s face when I show her a photograph I

took of her child makes me feel like I’m doing something truly worthwhile. It fuels my soul. The same is true with singing—I hope that I can sing and reach the audience in a way that is uplifting or brings them some sense of peace or joy.” Anthony has certainly exceeded her goals, known both on campus and locally for her beautiful, strong singing voice, as well as for her photographs. Anthony reports that BC has helped her to become the high caliber artist and performer that she is today. She especially gives much thanks to her professors, saying, “My music and art professors have encouraged me to pursue my love for singing and photography this entire time. They have spent hours working on my schedule and their schedule to make my dream of studying both music and art a reality. I could not have done this anywhere else—in fact, other schools laughed at me when I told them I wanted to equally pursue voice and photography in college.” Luckily, Brevard College did not laugh at An-

Photo by Ryan RisCassi

Rachel Anthony

thony and she has been able to pursue both of her passions equally. Through her bubbly personality, warm-heartedness and determination, Anthony has established herself as an active member of this campus who exemplifies the qualities that Brevard College works to instill in all of its students. Anthony will never forget her time here at BC. As she looks back, she recalls a particularly memorable trip with the chamber choir group which she has been a part of. “They’re my people, my team,” she says of the group. “One winter,

Heather Morris

By Hannah Cook Staff Writer

“Throughout all four years I have grown immeasurably. I have grown as a leader, person, student, athlete, friend and most importantly spiritually. I have learned how to communicate, network, and work with others effectively. The last four years have been extraordinary!” Heather Morris states while reflecting on her experience at Brevard College. Morris is a senior graduating Saturday with a major in Business and Organizational Leadership (BORG) and a minor in Math, which is no small feat. “I’m excited to see where my BORG major takes me!” she says as she gets ready to depart from BC. Morris first fell in love with Brevard College when she was in high school, as she participated in chamber chorus competitions in the Porter Center. She remembers loving the campus. However, the final hook for her was when she was contacted by Coach Stubbs with an offer to play softball for

BC. She came for multiple tours and found that Brevard was the place for her. In her classes and on the softball and lacrosse field, Morris has proven to have unlimited potential. At the athletic awards banquet earlier this month, Morris was acknowledged for her achievements at the college by receiving both the Anne Etters Excellence Award and an award recognizing her dedication and leadership with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club. Morris felt that a large part of her success is due to being able to thrive on this campus. “Brevard College has given me opportunities that I would have never been offered at a bigger school. I have been given more opportunities to lead on this campus—more than I can count. I loved the wonderful teachers who have helped me every step of the way. Not only have the teachers helped me but they have gotten to know me on a personal level because at BC you really are more than a number.” As Morris reaches graduation day, she offers some advice to current students, such as: “Take

Page 7

See Anthony on page 8

Photo Courtesy of Heather Morris

Heather Morris

every opportunity given to you because you never know where that experience will take you.” And “Take one day at a time and don’t get stressed out!!” She also references Jeremiah 29:11, which she states has always helped her through hard times. It reads, “Don't be scared about change because everything can change in an instant.” Upon graduating, Morris will be applying for officer training school for the Air Force. She plans to go to graduate school after service. For the summer, Morris will be living and working in Asheville.

Senior Spotlights

Althea Dunn

Page 8

By Gabby Smith Opinion Editor

Thea Dunn was my RA freshman year; I remember quite clearly that when I was moving in, the people who gave me my key told me that to find her, I just had to look for the “tall, pretty, girl who wasn’t wearing shoes.” I remember being so utterly astounded and impressed by her: she played soccer, she was an RA and student leader, she was majoring in what I wanted to major in, she was involved in everything, and she managed to stay on top of everything without breaking a sweat. Recently, Thea was awarded the English major of the year award and it seemed only right that we at the Clarion chronicle her time here before she leaves to venture out into the real world. Thea never visited Brevard College before she decided to come here. “My dad showed me a photo of us going down Sliding Rock when I was four while visiting the area,” she said. “From that moment, I knew I was supposed to be here.” Having already applied to other schools, Thea took a chance and went with her instinct and ended up at BC. When asked about her experience here at Brevard, Thea says, “I honestly don’t think that the past four years could’ve been any more amazing. Finding a place that matches my soul and meet-

ing people here that do the same has brought me closer to myself and to a feeling of peace that has enriched my life.” Thea talks eloquently and passionately about her time here at BC and it becomes clear that this place has touched her as much as she has touched it, which is probably how she came up with the idea for her senior project. English majors are required to do a final project in order to graduate, Thea, whose emphasis is communications, decided to create a collection of videos that explore different programs that the school offers for her project. “I wanted to give back to this institution that has given me so much,” she said. “I felt that if I could use my passion for video production in a way that could show off what amazing things this school and the people invested in it, then I could be proud of what I did.” Thea’s videos can be viewed on the school’s YouTube channel and are being used as a way to encourage other students to attend. Recently, Thea returned from Immersion, which is the pinnacle of every WLEE student’s academic career. Thea is a WLEE minor and combining those skills with the ones acquired through her major studies, she’s been able to land a job right out of college. This summer she’ll be working at Rockbrook, one of the premier summer camps in the area, teaching kids backpacking, canoeing, and rock climbing, and in the fall she’ll join Camp High Rocks’ LEAP program.

Rachael Barrow

By Gabby Smith Opinion Editor

Rachael Barrow is kind of a big deal on campus. She is for all intents and purposes the Hilary Clinton of BC. However, that being said Rachael was once a freshman and went through the same journey that we all are, so as she prepares for graduation, it makes sense that we would commemorate her time and achievements here, especially since there are so many of them. Rachael said that making the decision to come to BC was pretty easy for her. “Brevard had everything I was looking for in a college: small classes, liberal arts, and professors who actually care about you as a person,” she said. “I had dinner

with my admission counselor and she sold me on BC.” Since her arrival here, Rachael has dipped her fingers into many different pots and is the mastermind behind CAB, something that she takes a lot of pride in, “Working on CAB has really been my most pivotal experience,” she said. “Working so closely with Le and having the experience of managing 3-4 other individuals has really helped me gain experience.” A current RA, Rachael knows a lot about managing not only her time, but that of other people. Having witnessed one of her hall programs, I can attest to her great management skills and her ability to be personable; Rachael loves understanding how people work, which is probably why she's double majoring in

| April 29, 2015

The Clarion

Thea Dunn

Courtesy of Thea Dunn

When asked to summarize her experience here at BC and tell us what it meant to her, she said, “I don’t think that I could pick one moment because the past four years and everything that has happened in them is one experience that has honestly provided me with more than I can articulate.” Thea is the perfect embodiment of the old saying about how if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. In the past four years she’s managed to accomplish so much, from being on the soccer team to being editor in chief of The Clarion. Whenever she’s asked about how she managed to be so involved, she says, “Honestly it’s hard to be over-whelmed when you love what you do.” Thea’s coming to BC seems a lot like fate, and her time here has no doubt been fulfilling as she says that it provided her with many challenges throughout these past few years, and while you can’t really summarize any life experience such as this, Thea did say that looking back on everything she obviously made the right decision, “I followed my gut and it led me to where I now call home.”

Courtesy of Rachael Barrow

Rachael Barrow

criminal justice and psychology. For her final project, Rachael is compiling a portfolio that encompasses all four of her years here, which includes “abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, etc.” Having so much experience under her belt and a vast body of work to boost, it’s safe to say that Rachael’s got a lot of options in regards to what comes after undergrad,. When asked about her plans, she explains that she’s done a lot in the See Barrow on page 10

Senior Spotlights

Alison B rown

April 29, 2015

| The Clarion

By Jordan Laws Staff Writer

Alison Brown is a name that has been heard all over campus in the recent weeks based on her merit as a student who is completely involved in every aspect of her college education. Brown is a graduating senior this semester. She is a psychology major who spends most of her time in the English department as Editor in Chief for the Chiaroscuro, being a TA for Professor Hamlet for two years, in addition to being known for her involvement throughout the campus. “The stuff I’ve been doing I’ve been doing because someone else handed me the position,” she says. “The Chiaroscuro editor in chief position was given to me by Kara Fohner and Tiner just went along with it and thought it was a good idea. Hamlett was a little more of my choice. I knew that he picks a TA every year and I decided that I wanted to be that TA. I was chosen and I never stopped. It was great!” During her work at BC, Brown has developed strong relationships with certain students; however, not all people appreciate her character but those who don’t like her blunt, straightforward demeanor miss out on her incredible achievements and her easygoing nature. She arrived for the interview in Converse shoes and a Pink Floyd shirt that screamed “awesome town!” She sat down with confidence and it be-

came easy to talk to her about anything. We started off talking about who she is and what her plans for life consist of. She was more than happy to oblige me with an answer. Allison has no plans for grad school and just hopes that she’ll get a good job after graduation. “My plan is to move to Clyde, NC and get a job somewhere in the Mission Hospital system,” she said. “Hopefully that will eventually turn into a career. That would be fantastic. If I get stuck in a crappy job, I’ll probably go back and get my master’s, but if I don’t have to I don’t want to.” The topic of her spare time came up and she shied away for an instant. She doesn’t kayak, she doesn’t rock climb, and she’s not an “adventurous WLEE kid,” according to her own words. “In my spare time I hang out with my roommate and suite mate Olivia Willi and Mallory Ringenbach,” she said. “We just do normal stuff like watching movies. It’s not very exciting.” Every student has challenges that they have to overcome in college, and Brown is no exception. “I took some psychology classes with a professor who was extremely difficult to learn from,” she said. “They aren’t a professor that many students connect with mostly because of their teaching style. They have one of those styles that not many people go for mostly because it’s a ‘self-teaching’ kind of class. I had this professor for Psych 101: Learning and Cognition as well as Life Span

Taylor Piscitello

By Jordan Laws Staff Writer

Taylor Piscitello, who I’ve been calling Roxie all semester, has faced seemingly insurmountable odds in her journey to become a college educated citizen of America, but her trials have made her stronger and her perseverance proves that if you never give up, you will succeed. Piscitello is a graduating senior this semester and she has been spending a lot of time advocating for anyone with autism. She is an English major with an emphasis in creative writing and she is in the process of writing a book titled “Solving My Puzzle.” “I chose puzzle pieces because they are the

symbol on the autism awareness ribbon,” she said. “It’s still so much of a mystery. For decades people have been misdiagnosing it as schizophrenia and we are still in a stage where we know very little about it. The puzzle pieces are also bright because we have a hopeful future for people with autism. I thought solving my puzzle was appropriate because it’s how I came to terms and began to deal with my autism in my life. It’s personal and it seems appropriate.” She has overcome obstacles that few people can relate to. “I started having problems when I was around three years old,” Piscitello said, “and that’s when my mom noticed that I was severely behind in my development. She spent a lot of time,

Page 9

Photo by Jordan Laws

Alison Brown

Development. There’s not a whole lot you get out of lectures and it’s an instructional method that I don’t agree with.” Brown has done a lot here on BC’s campus and has involved herself in many different facets of college life. She’s been a TA, an editor in chief for Chiaroscuro, and suffered through impossible professors. As Alison walks across the stage at graduation to usher in a new stage of life, BC will have a massive void to fill; however, she has left the student body with some words of advice: “Students should definitely get involved with something on campus but try to avoid becoming involved in everything. I’ve seen so many seniors and some juniors get involved with everything and then drown in stress. Find something you are particularly passionate about and stick with that area instead of trying to be everywhere on campus at once. A lot of people who get in these leadership roles get sucked into other leadership roles because people see them and tell them that they’d do well in other leadership positions as well.”

Photo by jordan Laws

Taylor “Roxie” Piscitello

effort and money trying to help me with autism. She never gave up.” In her spare time, Piscitello writes, plays video games, and watches educational videos. “I write a lot in my spare time,” she said. “I’ve had a hobby See Piscitello on page 8

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Piscitello Continued from page 7

of writing with people in online communities since seventh or eighth grade and it’s kept me writing nearly every day for a decade now. I also like to play games with my friends online because most of my friends don’t live near me and it’s a way that I can feel close to them. When I’m not doing those things I’m watching videos that teach me something in some way.” Piscitello laughed, saying, “I don’t do a lot of interesting things in my spare time.” I decided to ask Roxie what her plans are after she graduates. Reality settled in and anyone could tell that this decision has lingered in her mind since she started attending Brevard College but never expected this day to come. “I still have to finish a few more credits and I’ll just go to a school that’s closer to my home to wrap up those

Barrow

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last four years and wants to take a year off before gearing back up for graduate studies. “I want to take a gap year and do something fun,” she said. “I’m thinking maybe a paralegal for a defense attorney.” It’s obvious that she’s made a good impression on those around her: when the topic of grad school is mentioned, she casually jokes that Dean of Students Deb D’Anna thinks she should

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we went on a choir tour to Charleston and it was magical. We sang in these historic, beautiful old cathedrals and it sounded like some sort of angelic, out-of-this-world performance. We could not believe that we had made this sound together. We spent the rest of the time touring and singing at different schools, running around on the beach, and eating delicious tacos.” Anthony has made many other wonderful memories and has learned so much at Brevard College, not just in the classroom, but through personal experience. Anthony says that if she could go back in time and tell her freshman-self something, it would be this: “Try to spend less time worrying and more time enjoying.” She states that sometimes losing sleep is worth making awesome memories! This Saturday, after she walks, her education journey will not be over. Anthony plans to use what she learned here at BC as a base as she continues her education at UNCG to obtain her Master’s degree in Musical Performance and Opera.

| April 29, 2015

credits I need. After that I guess I’ll just pursue any position I can get where I’m writing, really. I don’t have a specific job in mind because this is a seller’s market in terms of jobs right now.” Piscitello definitely wants to add more to “Solving My Puzzle” in the long run. “Right now it’s about 50 pages and I want to add more to that because I know that people with autism have so much more to offer the world than they’ve been able to due to circumstances, prejudice, or ignorance in general. I want them to be able to show people what they have to offer. Who knows what they will be capable of it they’re given the right tools.” Her passions lie with autism advocacy. It’s her life; it’s her experience; and she knows that she can make a difference by showing people the beauties in autism. Piscitello triumphed over a nervous breakdown that carried into her freshman year, annoying neighbors in The Village who played music with heavy bass late on Tuesday nights, and a few professors who didn’t—and

still don’t—understand her disorder. But not only is she an advocate for autism, she is also a staff member on the Chiaroscuro. She labored tremendously with a section of the school’s website that displays digital copies of the Chiaroscuro just like The Clarion! “People with autism are essentially a round peg trying to fit into a square hole. We’re in a world that was not built for us or intended to accommodate us and accommodations are the only tool we get to fit our way in as best we can. It’s frustrating when people ask, ‘oh, why do you need these accommodations?’” Piscitello gets fired up about her past transgressions. As a lasting message for BC students, Piscitello gives some of the most profound advice any student could ask for: “Don’t be silent about anything that matters to you. If something is troubling you, do everything you can to do something about it and change it. Don’t ever let your circumstances keep you in a place that you don’t like because you have more power than you think you do.”

go into higher education and student development. Speaking on the terms of student development, it is apparent that she cares not only about the development of individual students but also about the college as a whole. When asked how she would summarize her experience here at BC, she touchingly states, “I can’t describe how amazing my experience has been at BC and how much I will miss this place; it is and forever will be my first home.” Rachael has won accolade upon accolade, but it’s really not the recognition that comes with the work that she finds rewarding, but the work itself:

“I believe that I have put so much of my time and energy into giving to BC, and when you give wholeheartedly with no expectation of something in return then you will have opportunities and doors open for you.” Rachael is a perfect example of what BC is all about: learning in order to serve.

Anthony Hermann Continued from page 5

The Clarion

Continued from page 4

But Jule wouldn’t stop playing tennis. “There had to be some reason why I couldn’t quit. I just didn’t know it yet,” Hermann says. “And, this is it. Without tennis there wouldn’t have even been the option of going to America.” Coming to America would be an opportunity she certainly did not take for granted, as Jule has made an abundance of friends, including not just myself but also her teammates and even some professors. Katie Daugherty, a teammate and close friend of Jule, describes Hermann as “one of my favorite human beings ever to exist and that is no exaggeration.” Actually, I couldn’t find a person who had anything but good things to say about Hermann. Hamlett, who would become her favorite professor, said: “[She] absolutely amazes me.” Just a few of the words people used to describe her in these interviews were: hard working, loving, patient, understanding, dedicated, strong, generous, intelligent, hilarious, thoughtful, and respectful. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

the theClarion Clarion

Senior Staff Editor in Chief . . . . Sam Blakley Managing Editor . . . Joshua Cole Copy Editor . . . . . . Kayla Leed Opinion . . . . . . . . Gabby Smith Arts & Life . . . . . . Alex Webster Sports . . . . . . . . Savannah Cox Campus News . . . . Burton Hodges Staff Photographer(s) Sarah Fonger Faculty Advisor . . . . John B. Padgett Hannah Cook Lizzie Graham Andrew Gunnin Michael Heiskell

Other Staff Jule Hermann Jordan Laws Calum McAndrew Casey Whitmire

The Clarion is a student-run college newspaper produced by student journalists enrolled at Brevard College. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of the staff of The Clarion. Other opinions expressed in this newspaper are those of respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty, staff or administration of Brevard College.

All correspondence should be mailed to: The Clarion, Brevard College, One Brevard College Drive, Brevard, NC 28712, or send E-mail to [email protected] www.brevard.edu/clarion  Letters Policy: The Clarion welcomes letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit letters for length or content. We do not publish anonymous letters or those whose authorship cannot be verified.