ERITASA STUDENT PUBLICATION OF COLORADO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY NOVEMBER 2014 • Volume 1, Issue 2

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DEAR READERS:

There has been some confusion of whether or not we had an October issue. If you have been searching every tabletop and doormat for the October issue of Veritas, then fear not. It does not exist.

For a number of reasons, we were unable to print an issue in October. Instead, we will be releasing an issue every two weeks in November.

The focus of this issue was controversy. Our staff wanted to talk about some issues that are taboo and difficult to talk about. We cover illness, politics, introversion, happiness, and (dare I say it), things that our fellow students would like to change at our school, from trivial things such as the quality of food in our cafeteria to our firearms policy. It’s not all heavy, though; there are some fun features and ideas in this issue, too. I’m excited to note that we have some really brilliant pieces in this issue from readers just like you.

That being said, you are cordially invited to email me with complaints, comments, opinions, suggestions, praise, photos, and ALL THE THINGS., anytime at news.ccu@gmail.com. Once again, it’s pronounced VEHR-i’-TAAHS. Not vurrr-EE-tus. Tell all of your friends.

Read on, Danya Granado, editor-in-chief

Veritas is a publication written and produced by the students of Colorado Christian University. We find it our responsibility to be seekers of the truth and represent our university and our God with dignity and integrity by offering a unique Christian worldview in our articles.

Veritas welcomes content from our readers. Questions, comments, contributions, concerns, complaints, commentary, and letters to the editor should be directed to the editor-in-chief at news.ccu@gmail.com. Those interested in contributing a column, coverage ideas, or photos should also email the editor. Any letters to Veritas must include a name and signature for publishing. Names will be withheld at the request of the sender and at the discretion of the editorial staff.

Veritas supports a free student press, and seeks to be a forum for free student expression. Editorials are the opinion of the author and at least the majority of the Veritas editorial board. While we strive to report truthful, balanced, and accurate stories, the views and opinions expressed in Veritas are not necessarily representative of Colorado Christian University, its policy, its administration, or its staff.

Editorial Policy

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDanya Granado

ASSISTANT EDITORMaddie Lewis

ADVISORKrista Kafer

STAFF WRITERS

Amalee Bowen

Jackie Reister

Emily Campbell

Emily Adams

Mackenzie Wood

Stephanie Tatham

Megan Hallett

Anthony Kelly

Leslie White

Abi Gordon

VISUAL STAFF

Kyle Scott

Megan Hallett

Anthony Kelly

Amalee Bowen

Megan Maruyama

Leslie White

EDITORSLacresha Ffrench

CONTRIBUTORS

Erin Amsberry

Brandon Hershey

Ali Gordon

Nick Bergh

Shannon Kowalski

If you have: liked us on Facebook, followed us on Twitter, shared our digital issue online,picked up a hard copy on campus,or given us feedback,

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

We really appreciate you.

STAFF

Cover art this month was submitted by staff writer Emily Adams

JOIN THE TEAM

Mondays 6:00-7:15 p.m.

Patrick Henry Hall 105sometimes we have snacks.

We asked our fellow CCU undergrad students to finish the sentence “If I ruled CCU…” Here are the answers we received.

From the editor

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MAN-ON-THE STREET

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t a New Year’s Eve party it is likely you will find me outside, looking up at the bright stars and soaking in the cold silence as the loud sounds

of music and laughter and noisemakers thrum inside the house. In a crowd of friends I will often just stand and smile and politely listen, knowing my quieter voice will be overwhelmed even if I speak. And even after a fun day spent with good friends I find myself drained of energy. I am an introvert, but only recently have I begun to understand that a quiet personality is not a burden or a weakness or something to be ashamed of. It can also be a gift. The quality of a quiet personality is also a beautiful thing. The Extrovert Ideal A shift has occurred in American culture, away from a “culture of character” to a “culture of personality.” Susan Cain in her profound book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking describes this shift as the rise of “the Extrovert Ideal.”

This is a culture of celebrities, of business and of noise. We are expected to live at a fast pace, to exhibit a high level of energy, and to always be confident, outgoing and socially involved. As a result, we have come to value the outgoing, high-energy, talkative personality of the extrovert over the quieter, more contemplative personality of the introvert. Our culture lends itself to a negative stereotype of introverts, an image of social awkwardness, or unsociability, or blandness. The culture yells at us to “come out of your shell!” Interact more! Be louder! But this approach to introversion ignores the very strengths of a quiet person.

Quiet Strength

Introverts bring with them the strength of listening, of empathizing with others and of encouraging others to explore their own ideas. One of my good friends, Yemi Sisay, is so soft-spoken I often find myself leaning closer in order to hear her. In a large group she tends to hang back and stay quiet. But she flourishes in one-on-one conversations. Like many introverts, she brings great depth to her friendships. This is one strength of a quiet personality. We tend to move

beyond the surface in friendships and conversations to really discuss issues and to really get to know people on a deep level. Many of my favorite memories are good conversations I’ve had with people over coffee, or standing in the rain, or late at night.

Introverts are also drawn to the inner world, to imagination, to thoughts and ideas. We give more thought to what we do. We think carefully before we speak. “Introverts think more deeply,” says Eric Tuttle, reflecting on the strengths of being a quiet person. “We look at a situation carefully.” This is why we find a higher number of quiet people in the arts. Introverts are more likely to become painters, writers, philosophers, theologians and so on, because we are drawn to the richness of the inner life. We love to take the time to explore ideas, to examine both the details and the big picture, to turn theories

over in our mind before we come to conclusions. Often, introverts will have a clearer image of the strengths and weaknesses of an idea or a plan.

Being Heard in a Loud World But how do we utilize these quiet strengths? How do we present our ideas to the world? This is often the challenge that quiet people face. How do we share our thoughts and plans and lives with a world that is so full of noise and action? Eric Tuttle, a transfer student to CCU, brings insight into this question by suggesting three main ways introverts can get their ideas out there. One way is to learn how to present yourself in a more extroverted fashion.

“Teach yourself to have those external qualities and to learn those charismatic skills. Push outside

your comfort zone.” Tuttle speaks to how he changed his mindset about small talk to see it as astep to build the initial relationship between people and that will later allow the development of deeper relationships. The second way introverts can impact the world with their ideas is through writing. “Books are powerful,”Tuttle says.

Third, and perhaps most powerful, is for introverts to partner with extroverts. Eric gave the example of Fearless, a Bible study that David Tanner and Dan Boyer started together. The partnership between David’s ideas for the group and Dan’s ability to promote the group to grow really allowed it to flourish.

>> Continued on page 8

ELECTION CONNECTION

BY ERIN AMSBERRY

These 2014 Midterm elections are significant for many reasons, and Colorado in particular will play a big role in the makeup and actions of the federal government for the next two or more years.

The impact of Colorado as a swing state particularly in the U.S. Senate race cannot be overplayed. The biggest conversation of this election was whether Republicans will walk away with majorities in both chambers of Congress. Only six seats were needed for Republicans to claim a majority which would make President Obama, for all intents and purposes, a sitting duck for the remainder of his time in office. Other competitive Senate races outside of Colorado include Louisiana, Iowa, Alaska, Arkansas and others. On November 4th, Republicans took back the Senate.

Not only will the federal government be impacted by this election, but also Colorado state policy. The biggest race for the state of Colorado is for the office of governor. Incumbent Governor John Hickenlooper was reelected, having been challenged by Republican Bob Beauprez. Major issues in this race included energy policy, economic growth, and gun policy, among others.

In addition to the races for elected officials, Colorado also had several important constitutional amendments and propositions on the ballot. These will play a significant role in several key policy battles.

The US Senate race was easily the most talked about race in Colorado and one of the leading races in the nation because of the tenacity and prospect of Congressman Cory Gardner challenging incumbent Mark Udall. Cory Gardner, current Congressman from Colorado’s 4th district, gave up a relatively safe seat to go up against Udall to become a Senator.

Cory Gardner has been praised for his strong conservative values and beliefs in limiting government power and spurring economic development through free markets and fewer regulations. It’s also noteworthy that the Denver Post endorsed Gardner as its choice in the Colorado Senate race.

Senator Mark Udall has supported countless failed policies over his past term in the Senate and has refused to stand up for Coloradans. Udall cast the deciding vote for ObamaCare which has caused 335,000 Coloradans to loose their health insurance. Additionally, he voted against the Keystone Pipeline which would have spurred economic growth, created jobs and been a steeping stone to American energy independence. Udall has been slammed for his constant emotional appeals to women that claim that Republicans are waging a “war on women.” Udall refuses to talk about the real issues women and all Coloradans care about like job creation, gas prices, healthcare costs ect. and instead stands behind straw-man arguments such as the claim that Cory Gardner wants to ban birth control.

Colorado deserves a Senator that will fight for them, respect them enough to talk about the real issues, and will represent their interests in Washington. DC needs a shakeup; DC needs Cory Gardner.

That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

A few months ago on a flight to Washington DC, I had the opportunity to sit next to a young, college-aged woman who was flying to the nation’s capitol to begin an internship at the Federal Reserve. As we talked on the flight, the conversation naturally turned towards the nature of politics and our own individual affiliations. I was adamant that although I aligned most often with the Republican party, I was a registered independent and considered myself first and foremost a conservative and a follower of Christ. She on the other hand declared that she was a registered Democrat. However, as we talked and discussed different areas of policy and human nature, we both discovered that we shared some areas of thought and that defining our political nature by a single word was not very accurate. We slowly began discussing that her ideas were more closely aligned with libertarianism and conservatism than she realized. Although in the end she still gripped the Democrat label with a firm fist, she did realize that her beliefs were more closely aligned to conservatism than progressivism. I was thankful to have that conversation on my flight because it opened my eyes to the realization that many of us do not clearly understand our own beliefs; Instead of voting on principle, we choose to vote based on party lines.

Over a century ago, President Abraham Lincoln in preparation for his address at the bloodstained fields of Gettysburg, penned the phrase: “That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Those words ring just as true today as ever before as we enter into the final days of this election season. At the birth of this great nation approximately 4,500 men gave their lives for freedom, 140,4414 men gave their lives to preserve the Union during the Civil War, and still later 344,000 sacrificed their lives to protect that freedom from outside forces during the two world wars. Today we have the rare honor, duty, and opportunity as free men and women of the United States of America to cast a vote, a vote that determines the fate and destiny of this nation. As Lincoln stood on that great battlefield and from the depths of his soul rang out, “That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.” So too can we – as students, faculty, community members, church members, and citizens - have a voice that will ring out across the nation. When we choose to ignore the ballot box, we choose to turn our backs on the thousands who have died so that we would have the opportunity to cast a single vote. Though Lincoln’s words will live on, it is our duty as citizens of this nation to ensure that his vision of a “new birth of freedom” takes place and that we see dawn in America once again. May we take the freedom to vote and vote based on the convictions of our hearts and minds.

In any election season, let us approach the ballot box with a mindset of that which is good, pure, and lovely; May we dwell on those things instead of determining our vote based on party lines. President Reagan said that there is no such thing as a requirement to vote based on party, but that we can only vote up and down; that our options are to cast a ballot that will move this country forward or push the country towards the ash heap of history.

Which will you choose?

issuu.com/ccucougars // VERITAS //

Human beings are complex and no one ever truly fits one hundred percent in any of the categories we try to put them in. Not all introverts are alike, and neither are all extroverts alike. These personality types are just categories, and they can never

fully encapsulate the entirety of a person.

THE VOICE OF THE

QUIETGoing beyond the stereotype of “quiet,” to see the strengths of introvertsBY AMALEE BOWEN, contributor

ESSAY

>>ARE YOU AN INTROVERT? Take the quiz on page 11 to find out!

DON’T JUST VOTE,VOTE WISELY

BY BRANDON HERSHEY

EDITORIALS

SPOTLIGHT: ELECTION

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and take about 50 pills. When I eat anything, I have to take enzymes, because my pancreas cannot secrete the enzymes necessary to digest my food. I also eat more than most people because my body does not digest all of the food I eat, and it burns a significant amount of calories in order to provide energy for me to breathe and do things in life. Moreover, I frequently get lung infections that require intravenous antibiotics to fight them. When this is required, I usually have to be admitted to the hospital to start the antibiotics and do intense, frequent lung treatments. As soon as I am feeling better, I can continue the antibiotics at home thru a PICC line, which is like a long-lasting IV. It can be difficult to do all my medicine, lung treatments, and have time for academics and time with friends without become exhausted.

One major part that CF affects is the exposure to germs. Because of my CF, I can’t be around sick people because I can get very sick whereas a normal person would just get a cold that lasts a few days. I don’t live on campus because of the increased risk of sickness. Moreover, it can be difficult to do what is necessary to stay healthy when I am on campus, because I always get asked questions or get weird looks. When I spend the night at a friend’s dorm, I have to bring my lung treatment with me, so it can be awkward to do that around people. However, many of my friends don’t mind me doing it at the dorm.

For the most part my academics are not affected. However, if I get a lung infection, which is extremely common with CF, then school quickly becomes a great challenge. With most lung infections, I have to use IV antibiotics and increased lung treatments for several weeks to fight it. When I have a lung infection, I get extremely tired, a terrible cough, chest pain, and feel miserable all over. Having a lung infection usually results in a hospital stay for treatment. Sometimes I can do my IV antibiotics at home after a few days in the hospital. When I am in the hospital, it’s very hard to stay caught up on my homework and have any sort of social life. Moreover, people with CF are not allowed to be around other people with CF because they can spread CF infections to each other, so it is very hard to connect with anyone who truly understands what life is like to have CF. But my friends and family are an excellent support system, and I am blessed to have them.

he other day I woke up and I couldn’t see.”

For CCU senior Kevin Burns, this is true on too

many days. On top of balancing a busy schedule that comes along with being in college, Burns also has to deal with a paralyzing disorder that can take away his ability to walk, his vision, and much of his normal life.

“In July of last year, I got hit in the back of my head. I’ve done martial arts since I was five, this was my sport, it’s what I do. I hadn’t been in about six months and I came back and got into just another sparring match but it was the only day that I haven’t had on headgear. I made a rookie mistake, turned the wrong way, and this guy just pummeled me hard in the back of my head. I fell and hit my head on the ground — I was knocked out for I think five to six seconds. It wasn’t really severe and I was like ‘no big deal,’ but for the next two months I got these really intense headaches, and I thought it was just post-concussion symptoms.”

The Diagnosis

On an ordinary October day in 2013, a few months after the sparring match incident, Burns was at his girlfriend’s house and began to feel really tired around 1:00 pm. He decided to take a nap for a few hours, woke up and felt fine, but then tried to stand up and completely collapsed. He tried for 45 minutes to get up and walk but nothing was helping. A visit to the chiropractor seemed to fix the problem for a while, but then he collapsed again. After seeing many different neurologists and psychologists, some of whom dismissed his case as being psychosomatic or simply caused by stress, Burns was diagnosed with a rare form of conversion disorder, also known as neurological movement disorder. Conversion disorder is fortunately reversible through rehabilitation because it is not a disease. However, it is also one of the least researched brain disorders. Doctors have concluded that Kevin’s symptoms are caused by his body’s overproduction of the fight-or-flight hormone, making

A New Way of Experiencing God

After traveling down a long road of major life change in the past year, Burns has also come to understand God and experience His presence in a deeper way. “Ironically, the way that I used to experience God was when I exercised, and now it’s when I rest and when I sit and just be calm... It’s amazing how it will show you what your priorities are supposed to be and the way that it reorients you back to Christ. I literally don’t have strength and the only strength I do have is leaning on the one who is ultimately strong. What’s amazing is the sense of peace I’ve never experienced before, it’s something that you can only understand when Christ is in you and with you.”Burns is still on his way back to physical normalcy, but with his incredible faith and determination, the support of Amy, and the peace and love of his Savior, there is nothing that will stop him from displaying God’s strength to those around him.

the brain pathways for normal motor functions to become incredibly weak while pathways for paralysis and loss of vision become stronger.

His Biggest Encourager

Despite all of this, Burns is using this constant battle to regain his health as a way to strengthen His faith in God and as a way to encourage others with his joy.

Burns says that one of the biggest sources of encouragement in his life is his girlfriend, Amy Johnson. “It’s interesting, I feel like it changes the way people look at her because before, she was just ‘Kevin’s girlfriend,’ but now people have this really profound respect for what she does because they see her lifting me up and putting me down and pushing my wheelchair. She always has the best attitude, she’s never once complained about having to take care of me, not once ...We fall more in love with each other every single day because most people don’t go through this until they’re in their 80s, but we are going through it now and I really don’t think that there’s anything we couldn’t get through. I don’t know how I would get through this without her.”

On Asking “Why?“

Burns admits that there are inevitable bad days with a diagnosis like this. As humans, we are very prone to ask the question “Why?” in the face of suffering, but he says that, “If we stop asking why and start focusing on ‘This is what God has given us and we’re gonna go with it,’ it makes it so much easier. If you ask yourself why over and over and over, you are going to go insane because you won’t ever get an answer.” Even after experiencing his health go downhill in an instant, Burns remains inspiringly optimistic and is using his story to share the love and joy of Christ with others.

“My motto since I was a child was ‘keep on the sunny side.’ I can’t change the situation, but I can decide how I react to it... If I could walk right now would I change that? Yeah. But would I change what’s happened? No. I’ve gotten to witness to people about Christ in a way that I’ve never been able to before and share the joy of Christ with people.”

“ ...We fall more in love with each other

every single day. Most people don’t

go through this until they’re in their 80s...

I really don’t think that there’s anything

we couldn’t get through.”

am just like everyone else in life; I love spending time with Jesus,

music, all types of movies, hanging out with friends, spending time in the mountains, figure skating, and horseback riding. However, I am

different in the way that I have what is commonly called an “invisible illness.”

I have cystic fibrosis (CF) and rheumatoid arthritis, both of which cause daily life challenges. CF is a life-threatening, genetic disease with no cure, and it damages my respiratory and digestive systems over time, resulting in serious complications. Often because of my CF, I will have difficulty and pain with breathing, which affects my daily activities. Rheumatoid arthritis causes swelling and severe pain in my joints, affecting my daily activities. Because of my arthritis, I frequently have trouble walking around campus, especially in cold or wet weather. I use a rolling backpack to carry all my books, because it takes the weight off my joints. CF causes lung infections, which can cause a severe cough, difficulty breathing, and sharp chest pain. When I cough, a lot of people have thought it was a smoker’s cough even though I definitely do not smoke!

Sometimes people will move away from me or look at me funny if I have a coughing spell, but it is not contagious in any way. Most of my close friends at CCU are aware of my conditions as they are hard to hide, but the majority of students at CCU are completely unaware of my struggles.

I have found CCU to be very accessible for me when I am struggling with walking or do not feel strong enough to walk, because of my respiratory issues. I love CCU because the buildings are all close enough for the walk between classes to manageable without much pain and difficulty. When my arthritis is flared up, it’s very hard to climb stairs, so Beckman can be a difficult building to maneuver. As biology minor, many of my classes are in Beckman, so it is a bit of a challenge when I going to class there. When I am hanging out with my friends in their dorms, I often have to climb several flights of stairs. This can make it difficult for me if I am having an arthritis flare up. However, for the most part CCU is very accessible and manageable.

What are the hidden, personal, social, and academic impacts of a physical impairment? What most people don’t know is that I spend a lot of my time caring for my body to keep it healthy. Each day, I do 2-4 lung treatments

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>>Do you have a story or personal experience to contribute? Email news.ccu@gmail.com

For when I am weak, then He is strongHow one CCU student is overcoming bodily weakness.

BY MADDIE LEWIS, assistant editor

FEATURES STUDENT VOICES

BY ABI GORDON, staff writer

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wisdom, competence, determination, humility and character. Qualities such as these are what make people good leaders. Mr. Dorn’s hope, and mine as well, is that “people who have a quieter personality but feel drawn to leadership would not hesitate.”

Beautiful Souls

Part of the human experience is categorizing the world. It helps us to make sense of our surroundings and to better interact with it. But we must be especially careful when we try to categorize people. Human beings are complex and no one ever truly fits one hundred percent in any of the categories we try to put them in. Not all introverts are alike, and neither are all extroverts alike. These personality types are just categories, and they can never fully encapsulate the entirety of a person.

Furthermore, we need both categories of personality in the world. We value extroverts for a reason: they have many strengths and great qualities as well. In fact, many introverts really enjoy being around extroverts because they are welcoming and outgoing and know what to say when we don’t.

In the end, we should value all people, regardless of their personality type and despite how our culture portrays them. There is strength in quietness. Get to know a quiet person. Learn what they are passionate about. Discover their stories. They want to engage with you. And if you are quiet, don’t let the category of “introversion” be the only thing that defines you.

Quiet souls aren’t silent. Let’s look beyond the surface to see the beautiful depths.

The Quiet Leader

But introverts can also be leaders in their own right. We often mistake charisma or an outgoing personality for leadership. But some leaders that command the most respect and admiration, even at here at CCU, are leaders who are also quieter people. An excellent example would be Mr. Dorn, the CCU Wind Ensemble conductor. Many students who have been under his teaching and leadership commend him as a leader. He also describes himself as an introvert. “I do live in the world of ideas, concepts, virtues, and the inner life,” he says. “I spend a lot of time in prayer, reading, thinking, walking in the woods.” But Dorn’s introverted personality in no way disqualifies him from leadership. In fact, some aspects of that quiet personality may actually lend him strengths in his leadership. “I’m very thoughtful in the way I lead,” he says. “I bring a certain level of preparation to all my work, so that I’m not often caught unawares.” Furthermore, having a personality that is more reflective and introspective, he says, has brought a sort of centeredness over time to his work.

A quiet personality does not disqualify someone from leadership. They may face challenges because they are more introverted, but personality is not the one element that determines who is a good leader and who is not. “Personality only carries you so far,” Mr. Dorn says. There are other things that lend themselves to good leadership, and are perhaps even more vital than personality type. These include aspects of a person like

>> continued from page 3

The voice of the quiet

Veritas sends warm, fuzzy congratulatory feelings to September’s photohunt winners, Jeanna and Josiah. We hope you two enjoy

your $25 Red Robin gift card!

AND YOU TOO COULD BE SO LUCKY. Jump to page 13 for details on how to enter the

hunt this month.

CONTEST WINNERS Jeanna Bolkcom and Josiah Bussing successfully completed our photo challenge To see the clues from last month, check out issuu.com/ccucougars

he lead character Sam, played by rising Australian star Alex Russell, fronts as the voice of the made up charity: “Get Wells

Soon.” In the film, the audience is presented with a satirical drama, challenging their understanding of what it means to be a “Christian.” For only filming for 20 days, Riot Films and

director Will Bakke present an entertaining and thought-provoking piece, allowing their audience to create their own understanding of the message with an ending open to interpretation. After getting the opportunity to speak to director Will Bakke, he explained that the main goal of Riot Films was to put the story first saying, “We’re not really a message movie.”

Having the Christian message as more of a backdrop to the film, Bakke created his first feature length piece that anyone could see and enjoy, allowing for a more nonthreatening evangelizing tool. As Bakke explains in the interview, the script itself became a gospel tool with the Believe Me cast. Having actors such as Nick Offerman, an open atheist known for his role as Ron Swanson in the TV show “Parks and Recreation”, and LeCrae, a prominent Christian rapper, Bakke was proud to say that it was the script and the story that drew the cast in. The script certainly drew me in as well.

For those who are familiar with the documentaries One Nation Under God and Beware of Christians, Will Bakke also starred in these pieces, and I got to talk to him specifically about his piece Beware of Christians. In this documentary, four friends from different colleges set out to determine what their faith means to them by addressing several different topics of interest while traveling across Europe. In talking with Bakke, he said that making this documentary was life changing, especially for him as he struggled with the topic of entertainment and what he should expose himself to as a Christian. I found the documentary fascinating to think about, and challenging for me as I reflected on the things that maybe stereotype me into the Christian that is just “busy on Sundays.”

To hear the entire interview with director Will Bakke, go to my blog at thejackie-oshow.com

The verdict: 4 out of 5, and I am looking forward to what Riot Films will have to offer in the future.

BY JACKIE RIESTER, staff writer film critic, www.thejackie-oshow.com

The theme of this year’s edition is CLOCKWORK. This has a 2-fold meaning:

Clockwork represents the ways art has changed with time; not just historically, but personally--art is a way we perceive the world around us, and our perceptions are

always changing. 

Clockwork is also metaphorical for the way art takes so much work to create something as simple as a story, poem, or piece of work, but means something

profound. It’s the same for the gears in a clock. There are several little gears that work hard to create something as simple as moving hands on a clock, but it creates

something as profound as Time.. . .

Gene wasn’t that good at sports. He had tried nearly all of them, even dipping into some lacrosse and squash. But after time and time again, the notion that he was helpless with anything involving a ball was only more and more cemented. It wasn’t like he didn’t like playing around; he could play catch with his dad or kick a soccer ball around, but anything more structured than that only led to devastation.

It had been that way all his life: he was picked last in gym class, he sat with girls during recess; all the typical clichés. But as he grew older, he started to discover a whole new realm to life. Art. Words and poetry, painting and drawing, music and singing, even just reading books. These were the things he liked, the things he was good at.

As he got even older (maybe even into college!) he decided that he wanted to be involved in the arts. Maybe major in english, maybe minor in music, or maybe just keep it all as a hobby. But it was something he didn’t want to give up. He started painting, writing, waxing poetic; anything he could enjoy doing and make into something he could be proud of. Plus he could be involved in Frisbee, so the athletic part of his life wasn’t lost either.

Eventually, Gene reached a point where he was ready to share. He had written a story that he was extraordinarily proud of, but he didn’t know where to start. He had always had to express himself by himself. Sharing any of his work seemed overwhelming. Even a little scary.

He had some artistic friends, as well, but they never seemed to have that problem. Or if they did, they never talked about. The frustration started bubbling up within Gene despite the fear, so one day the question just burst out of him when he was talking to some of those friends. How did they handle it? Where could they share all their work? And they had a place for him to start.

They told Gene he could submit to Paragon, a collection of student’s writings and stories and poems and drawings and paintings and songs and anything else they’d like to submit. It was a great way to both start getting published and to join with other like-minded students. Who knows where it could lead?

. . .

You can submit to Paragon too! Even if you’re not like Gene. Submit your artwork, photography, musical lyrics, and prose for a chance to win cash prizes and be published in this year’s magazine. Submissions may relate to the theme

of time and art, but this is not a requirement. GET CREATIVE and have fun. The Paragon Staff looks forward to viewing your submissions.

Email your work to paragon.ccu@gmail.com by December 4th and it will be considered for publishing.

You could even win a cash prize!

Contact Windy Petrie or Shannon Kowalski for more information.

BY NICK BERGH, Paragon writerand SHANNON KOWALSKI, editor-in-chief of Paragon

“I do live in the world of ideas, concepts, virtues, and the inner life,” he says. “I spend a

lot of time in prayer, reading, thinking, walking in the woods.”-Mr. Dorn, CCU Wind Ensemble conductor

issuu.com/ccucougars // VERITAS //

MOVIE REVIEWWIll Bakke’s newest film, Believe Me, follows four seniors in college who create a fake charity in order to embezzle tuition money.

A WORD FROM PARAGON

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it is not planned to be because it is too close to the new road to function properly.

Another often forgotten thing on campus is the media classroom. This classroom, in Patrick Henry 105, has computers with Adobe Creative Suite and other software on them for class uses. However, they could really benefit from some updating since they have not had any in six or seven years.

Speaking of forgotten things on campus, let us not forget Veritas. Most students do not even realize that CCU has a newspaper. So, be sure to tell someone about Veritas and give them a copy of the issue!

BANNEDBanned items on campus are no secret. The more exciting ones include firearms, large knives, marijuana, alcohol, and cigarettes. Not having these volatile things on campus is a safety measure that helps to keep CCU a beautiful and secure place.

Other disallowed things on campus are grills, toaster ovens, candles, and outlet splitters. These items are banned for fire safety reasons. Imagine how a student would feel if they accidentally caught taco shells on fire in their toaster oven and burned down one of the residence halls.

Also prohibited, is any kind of tack or nail. This rule is in place to help keep campus property in good condition. While it is inconvenient when one goes shopping at the beginning of the semester and every stick-on-wall hanging strip within 10 miles is sold out, it does mean that we have nice smooth walls to look at.

Last, but not least, all pets (except fish)are banned. This is for property protection purposes, but also for roommate consideration and possible allergies. Those who cannot live without their guinea pigs or hamsters, should consider finding an off campus apartment. Do not try to sneak them in. Just do not.

here are an incredible number of items in the CCU lost and found, which is located in the Security Office. Just a

few include: sunglasses, water bottles, jackets, and keys. If any of these look familiar, head over to Security to check.

Things in the lost and found are not the only items lost on campus, however. Something that was lost and not found (except at Lakewood Park) was the volleyball court. Sadly, according to the Campus Master Plan, it does not look like it will be coming back. It is a good thing the park is within walking distance.

Another thing that is often lost is parking spaces. The continual disappearance of parking spaces for whoever dares to move their car can become problematic, but Shannon Dreyfuss, CCU Vice President and Campus Redevelopment Manager, told Veritas that there will soon be another 150 parking spaces added behind the Peaks apartments.

Students have also been talking about the loss of much of the grassy outdoor space around the Peaks apartments where the new parking lot is being constructed. It is unfortunate that these areas must be fenced off for construction, but safety is the number one concern. Hopefully, it will not be much longer before they are open again.

FORGOTTENTwo of the biggest forgotten items on campus are the other fountains that used to be in the lake. Mid-semester, last spring, they disappeared and have not been seen since. Mr. Dreyfuss, informed Veritas that they were broken during the construction of the NAB, but are currently being repaired.

Perhaps not completely forgotten, but definitely on its way to obscurity, is the back entrance to the Student Union. Students report that they are hoping it will be re-opened, but Mr. Dreyfuss said

LOST,FORGOTTEN,

AND BANNEDAll those little things you never really think about

BY EMILY ADAMS, staff writer

What do Hawaii, blue contact lens, and Spanish all have in common? These three things make up an interesting story about one of the most beloved professors at CCU.

When Professor Susan Pahlau finished her sophomore year of college she decided she needed a change so she decided to move to Hawaii for a year. She changed her name to Vanessa Villano and wore blue contacts, all while attempting to take Oceanography and Spanish classes at the University of Hawaii.

She soon learned that studying and tanning do not go so well together, contrary to popular belief. Pahlau moved back to Colorado, finished her degree and got married.

If you’ve ever heard anything about Professor Pahlau, then you’ve most likely heard about her husband Clay, who Pahlau affectionately refers to as her “hot husband”. Pahlau first met her now husband Clay at a church in Ft. Collins, CO. He was sitting up front with his arm resting around an empty chair. Pahlau saw this and thought to herself, “Some day I will be in that chair.”

When the service ended, he came over and introduced himself. Six years later they were married.

The following quiz is taken from Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking

by Susan Cain

“The more often you answered “true,” the more introverted you probably are. “If you found yourself

with a roughly equal number of “true” and “false” answers, then you may be an ambivert—yes, there

really is such a word.”

ARE YOU AN INTROVERT?

1. ____ I prefer one-on-one conversations to group activities.

2. ____ I often prefer to express myself in writing.

3. ____ I enjoy solitude.

4. ____ I seem to care less than my peers about wealth, fame, and status.

5. ____ I dislike small talk, but I enjoy talking in depth about topics that matter to me.

6. ____ People tell me that I’m a good listener.

7. ____ I’m not a big risk-taker.

8. ____ I enjoy work that allows me to “dive in” with few interruptions.

9. ____ I like to celebrate birthdays on a small scale, with only one or two close friends or family members.

10. ____People describe me as “soft-spoken” or “mellow.”

11. ____I prefer not to show or discus my work with others until it’s finished.

12. ____I dislike conflict.

13. ____I do my best work on my own.

14. ____I tend to think before I speak.

15. ____I feel drained after being out and about, even if I’ve enjoyed myself.

16. ____I often let calls go through to voice mail.

17. ____If I had to choose, I’d prefer a weekend with absolutely nothing to do to one with too many things scheduled.

18. ____I don’t enjoy multitasking.

19. ____I can concentrate easily.

20. ____In classroom situations, I prefer lectures to seminars.

QUIZ

Those who cannot live without their

guinea pigs or hamsters, should consider finding

an off-campus apartment.

Do not try to sneak them in. Just do

not.

PROFESSOR PROFILE:

SUSAN PAHLAU

BY EMILY CAMPBELL, staff writer

>>NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE PROFESSOR FOR A PROFILE

Send us an email at news.ccu@gmail.com

issuu.com/ccucougars // VERITAS //

FEATURES

FROM ALI GORDONgordonalij@gmail.com

Dozens of mass murders have devastated communities across the country from Sandy Hook to Seattle throughout the last 50 years, and each of the five school shootings here in Colorado between 1961 and 2013 occurred within a one-hour radius of CCU’s campus. Motivated by conversations with classmates concerned about our security, I am writing hoping to encourage more serious consideration of this issue.

CCU’s current policy prohibits students from “possessing or using firearms…on University owned or operated property.” However, as a school that regularly promotes conservative values for their perceived benefits in gaining personal liberty and safety, it surprises me that such a different standard exists when applied to campus policy. How can CCU passionately support such rights as displayed in our 2nd Amendment, yet reject the very implementation of those rights here on campus? If, as many conservative voices assert, the possession of guns allows citizens to protect themselves in broader society, why would CCU have a different standard for campus society? Either the value or the policy is faulty, but we are inconsistent in attempting to hold both.

I recognize the fear of untrained individuals with weapons, so I propose an alternative: Students who possess concealed carry permits and proper training should be allowed to keep their firearms on campus without penalty. Proper training includes proof of prior experience, such as competitive shooting or current enrollment in law enforcement or other training programs. I believe this is a safer, more effective policy to empower students with personal protection.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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Veritas will be featuring an ongoing contest in each issue. We’ll be offering prizes to anyone who can find where we took these pictures around campus. The following four pictures are some interesting things that can be seen at CCU, taken by Veritas photographer Leslie White. When you find one of these obscure items, take a picture of yourself with it. If you’re correct, you’ll get your picture in the next month’s issue of the paper.

Email submissions to news.ccu@gmail.com or tweet @ccustudentnews. Good luck!

WHERE IS THAT THING?

MOLLY AND MEGAN

The most important website you’ll visit

today:

koalastothemax.comClick on the circles to slowly reveal a picture

of a koala.

Every issue, Veritas provides you with information that you'll never have to

pay for. Learn now, thank us later.

The national

animal of Scotland

is the unicorn.

No, really.

Fine, go look it up,

then.

A quick Latin lesson:

The Latin phrase libra pondo was used in ancient Rome to indicate weight, which is why today the

abbreviation for “pound” is “lb.”

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