Lee Campus - A Game of Frogger

     I once heard someone tell me the words of Paul Conn. "There are two kinds of Lee students who cross the street. The quick and the dead." Crossing the street can be a challenging task, especially at night. Everyone has seen the drivers that FLY through campus, catching air as they go over the raised crosswalks. I don't know about anybody else, but getting flattened by a speeding car with load music is not on the agenda for my college career. Thankfully, there have been attempts to prevent the squashing of prospective students. Numerous signs have been placed along the streets of Lee University to let drivers know there are students that may be crossing. It's not difficult to notice someone in the road, but if there is a car racing at 50 mph towards me, I tend to get a little nervous and antsy. So maybe it's not just awareness of crossing pedestrians? Maybe speed could be a factor that plays into it as well. I found a passage in the book that relates speeding to pedestrian injuries. The book is called "Traffic Safety and Human Behavior" and has the notion that advertising and television affects the way people view speeding.  

     "Despite the fact that in interviews and surveys people stress the importance of safety in the choice of the cars they drive, marketing gurus - in general - believe otherwise. This is revealed in content analyses of advertisements and commercials for new cars that often depict unsafe driving, especially speeding." (p. 274) 


     Obviously, getting hit by a car would not benefit anyone in a positive way. Students need to watch out as much as drivers and never assume that they have been seen. As opposed to the game of frogger, getting up and trying again would not be the case here. So look both ways, listen, and look again. Don't get hit and don't hit anyone either. Not good.



     

The Humanities

     That building above? It's the Humanities Building. The awe-striking building stands tall and marvels those who look its way. Countless classrooms, musical practice rooms, (clean bathrooms), and offices are nestled comfortably within this building, along with an Einstein's Bagels, a study lounge, and a lecture hall. Students move all throughout this building almost every hour of the day. There are several students who have more than one class in the Humanities Building. But it's not enough just to say that, so I took a survey in the Humanities and asked thirty students this question:

     "How many classes to you have in the Humanities Building this semester?"

Now, not being a full-fledged scientist, I did not key in the factors of what year the students were in or their major. But here are the overall results:


One class - 9

Two classes - 13

Three classes - 5

Four classes - 3



     As you can see, there are several students who have more than one class in the humanities building. I did not meet anyone in the survey who exceeded four classes. However, I did only ask thirty people. So if you know or meet someone who has more than four, let me know!

    There are several academic buildings on campus. Yes, they are all very important to the functioning of Lee University and the instructing of students. Let the Humanities building and the survey represent all of the academic buildings on campus. Every one has a purpose and a reason it was built. Lessons will be learned. Friends will be made. Futures will be shaped. All in these buildings at Lee, which are quite aesthetic I might add, serve a great purpose and all represent the great academic powerhouse that is LEE UNIVERSITY!

Archways and Aesthetics

     Pictured above are Lee students enjoying the recently completed addition to campus. Completed a little over a week ago, a new archway and sidewalk were built. Also added was a brick wall to cover the dumpster, as well as some landscaping and sod. Everyone on campus heard the same thing. "Why do we need that?" "Is that what they spend money on?" "I don't understand?!" Personally, I like the addition to campus. And after the completion of the project, most who had their doubts actually liked it too. It completed the sidewalk that goes straight through campus in place of church street.
    Making the campus look nice and presentable can affect students more than they realize. Fact- Lee University's campus is the best looking campus that I have ever seen. The buildings, the landscaping, the lights, etc. It's all great. Not only does it make current students enjoy going here that much more, but also to help bringing in more students.
      Overall, although it wouldn't necessarily matter if I didn't, I approve of Lee's new additions to campus.

When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take it

     Every student at Lee is required to study abroad at some point to graduate, and there are several different locations to pick from. The trips can be based on the student's major or not really related at all. The students at Lee all look forward to traveling to a different country and environment to learn and sight-see. Trips are taken to Ecuador, Australia, England, and SEVERAL others either every year or every other year. Students get school credit for going on these trips and the hours they receive depend on the trip they go on.
     I have yet to decide where I will be studying abroad, but I do have I while before I have to decide where to go. However, I think that once I get an anchor down on the major I want (which may be a while) then it will be easier to may a choice.
     Studying abroad broadens the perspectives of students. It introduces them to a whole new culture. A new experience. A new world. This is one of Lee's greater aspects, and has huge impacts on the lives of students. Although I have not studied abroad yet and don't have personal experience yet, I know that traveling to a different country, learning, and working with others has to have a significant impact on Lee students.

Snail Mail? Just Remember, the Tortoise Beat the Hare

   

     With this day and age, the postal service is not as widely used as it once was. The article, Gloom of the Night, describes the decline in postal use and its importance to us. What was once one of the only forms of communication is now deemed as only semi-important. Mail is used heavily today to transport goods, but if you want to tell your mother "Happy Birthday" from Lee, more than likely it is done via phone call or text message instead of through the postal service. However, the post office at Lee holds high importance and may often be overlooked by students, as are most post offices overlooked.
       However, a passage in the article changed my perspective on postal service. I pasted it below-


    "It wouldn't be far-fetched to argue that the Postal Service has been the most important local institution in our country's history. The Founding Fathers considered it so important that they put it in the Constitution, mandating that Congress have the power to establish post offices. For decades, it was the largest public-sector employer in the U.S. At one point in the 19th century, three-quarters of all government employees were postal workers. In the country's early days, it carried mail by steamboat when no roads existed; it linked California to the rest of the country by delivering mail across the Isthmus of Panama--before the canal was built--using boats, pack animals and canoes.

To this day, the last mile can be an expensive piece of road. Want to send a letter to the Havasupai Indian Reservation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon? The Postal Service will take it there by mule. Need to mail a package to the Alaskan wilderness? The USPS can get it there by parachute. Have to mail something to someplace along Alabama's Magnolia River? The USPS has boats that travel from dock to dock. It has even sent mail via pneumatic tubes, missiles and hovercraft. And somehow, it costs just 44¢ to get a letter anywhere within the U.S."

     Like almost everything on campus, the postal services at Lee affect the students more than we realize. It takes much work to get mail from point A to point B. Plus, if we didn't have the post office, there would be no care packages. Then what would we do? The men, women, and students work hard everyday so that we can receive our postage. So next time you see a postal worker, give them a smile and a thank you. Like everyone, they would enjoy that. 

Mail, Chicken, Computers, and Good Times

    The Paul Conn Student Union, or PCSU, is the focal point for many students throughout the day. The building has several practical uses within it. You can accomplish anything from checking the mail, talking to residential life, or getting a sandwich from Subway by visiting this building on campus.

     Obviously, every building on campus plays some kind of important role. I doubt Lee would build a structure that had really no use. The PSCU is the main student center where students can go to eat, study, shop, or just hang out. A Chick-fil-a, campus bookstore, and Subway are within the building, and most always full of students. It is also equipped with a couple study rooms, labs, the post office, and probably a few more that I have yet to discover. 

     As for affecting the lives of students, it would be a ten on the scale of importance. Its hard to imagine Lee University without the PCSU. It has so many uses, and students probably wouldn't not what to do if the PSCU disappeared for whatever reason.
     I conducted a survey in the PCSU, asking the participants (about 25 of them) what their favorite part of the PCSU was, how many days a week they are in the PCSU, and how important the PCSU was  to them (on a scale of 1-5). The results will be added to the post tomorrow afternoon. Stay tuned!


The Results of the Survey
-6 people said they liked the lobby the most. (to socialize, study, eat, etc..)
-12 people liked Chick-fil-a the best (CHICKEN)
-5 people liked Jenkin's  (coffee drinkers)
-2 people out of 25 said that they like the computer lab  

A Rush of Service

   What you are seeing above is a video of my freshman gateway class charging towards the professor, Dr. Coats, during a service project. Our assigned project for the cloudy Saturday morning was to clean up the Fort Hill cemetery in Cleveland, Tennessee. I was thinking the same thing you probably are right now. "A cemetery?"  I was skeptical at first, but it was actually a great experience and I gained more respect for the deceased, as well as perspective on how fragile life really can be. This was brought on by seeing infants' tombstones and entire families lost at one time. It hit home for me and made me appreciate and value the time I have been given.
     At Lee University, a number of service hours are required for graduation. There are a number of ways to obtain these hours,and it is never a difficult task to find someone in need of a willing and able college student. Some classes also offer embedded service hours, such as the freshman gateway course. In addition, students can go to the Leonard center on campus and have service opportunities presented to them,
     An article, Vocational Exploration through Service: The Effect of Service-Learning on Student Understanding of God's Calling, explains the importance of Christians serving others. Jennifer S. Feenstra, the author of the article. quotes Buechner from 1992 and says:
         "To better understand their vocation, students need to understand themselves and for that with what the world needs."
    She then goes on to say that concept and knowledge of the world and personal identities are expanded by doing service projects. I agree with both statements whole-heartily, and I believe that personal growth can be achieved by serving and putting the needs of others first. 
     The goal of this requirement is to allow students to work for their community and grow personally as they give up their time and energies to help out those who need it. Service hours are a great way to get involved in not only the community but involved in people's lives individually. Deeply focusing on the lives of others can benefit others as well as the server. Students at Lee can grow tremendously by serving others. And you won't graduate if you don't serve. So go forth and make disciples by serving your brother and neighbor.

  Also, you may be wondering why "Fajitas!!" was yelled during the charge in the video. Just for the sake of not leaving it unsaid, the gateway class went to our professor's house afterwards to eat lunch, which happened to be fajitas. Now you know.

The Battle of Gettysburg? No, Dorm Wars!

                                     


      News is sweeping across Lee University's campus about the upcoming "Dorm Wars." It seems to be a way of life for a numerous amount of students here on campus, and all have been training rigorosly for this competition.
      Since the beginning of creation, man has competed against his neighbor to prove himself better than his counterpart. The bible says to compete to receive a prize (1 Corinthians 9:24). So therefor, it is biblical that we partake in Dorm Wars, right? Sure.
      Dorm wars is an event created by the Residential Life that provides students the opportunity to obtain the title of dorm wars winners and help out local charities and organizations at the same time. This event brings students together, as well as the faculty and staff, for an energizing night of competition and exhilaration. Events such as shopping cart races and eating contest fall under some of the many challenges the competitors will face. For a glimpse at what Dorm Wars is, check out this You Tube video--->Dorm Wars.
     Each participant feels strongly about pulling his/her own weight in the team. Jay McNelly, a member of the Medlin dorm wars team, had only positive feedback as I interviewed him today. Jay has trained extensively for the event taking place on October twenty-ninth, and said that he has enjoyed every minute of it. Competing in the shopping cart portion of the competition  Jay has faced several possible dangers while practicing for the race. After all, getting into a shopping cart and having someone push you (very quickly) can never be completely safe.
     "We have practiced hard, and I believe Medlin can win Dorm Wars", states Jay after I asked what his thoughts were on the outcome of the competition. He also says that Dorm Wars has effected him positievly in many ways. Not only is it beneficial in terms of physical health, but also by connecting all dorm wars participants and bringing them closer together.
        Dorm Wars is causing somewhat of an uproar on campus and has many students pumped and ready to be the best dorm. It is one of the most anticipated events held on campus and is a feirce battle to see who is the best. It may not be as grusome as the Battle of Gettysburg, but students are prepared to give it all they have and push to the limit to claim the title of "Dorm Wars Champions".

Mama Said There'd Be Days Like These

     For most, the laundry was always pretty much done for them until college. Clean clothes seemed to magically appear, nice, clean, and folded with love. Although there are the few who managed their own laundry, the majority did not have to handled laundry. The idea of cleaning clothes is new to some Lee students, and introduces several questions. We have all seen laundry be done. Separate the colors, run some water, add some soap, wash, and dry. But what colors are sorted? What temperature should the water be? How much soap? What kind of soap? Where does the soap even go? If I leave something in my pocket, will it catch on fire in the dryer? Are my clothes going to shrink? Will my underwear ever fit the same?!
     Just another wonderful introduction to the college student. The best advice to be given is to take notes.   Ask the one of the family who does the laundry, be it your father or mother (or both), and actually pay attention to what he/she shows you. And repetition is the key. Granted, doing laundry is not a task that requires a heavy amount of brain power. But like everything else, it takes time to get a routine and figure out the ropes.
     Having clean clothes is important. It should be a habit that is a adopted early on in any college student's life. I have made a chart (that may or may not be slightly exaggerated) that illustrates the importance of clean clothes. Enjoy.



Clean Clothes = Liked by Others = Confidence =  Academic Success = Graduation and Degree =

                                                     = Happy Ever After   


    So, clean clothes are a must. Obviously, they have a greater impact on students than originally realized. Do the world a favor. Learn how to do laundry effectively, and don't burn down or flood the dorm while doing so.

Ditches and Ringing Bells

      Ah, the infamous, yet similarly famous, bell tower at Lee University. It is said that if two people walk under the tower as the bell rings, the two are destined to be together. It has to be the will of GOD! Sure. We can go with that. Personally, I believe it is ridiculous in a way. Yes, the story of the first couple who walked under the bell tower when it rang was probably precious, but after that, the thought of it makes students go out of their way to go around the structure. It is interesting to sit and watch students as they approach the monument. The obvious path is a straight shot under the bell tower. However, almost everyone makes a point to walk around.

     Anyway, the "ring by spring" slogan ties into the myth of the bell tower. The notion that students need to become engaged by the spring semester seems outlandish. Especially for those enrolled in their first semester. As a freshman myself, I can hardly keep two of the same socks paired together, so the thought of committing to something of that importance seems impossible to me. Now, for those who make the decision to get engaged early, more power to them. Personally, I feel as if one semester is not long enough to truly get to know someone enough for a commitment to marriage. Strong, lasting bonds are created by spending a great amount of time together. So, in essence, although I am not completely discrediting the idea of love at first sight, I will say that it takes more than just sight to love a person. As my youth pastor once said, "You don't fall in love, you fall in ditches." I believe this is credibly information to live by and shouldn't be taken lightly 

     The ringing of a scheduled bell does not decide the spouse of an individual. Devoting one's time and energy towards getting to know someone does. I do not claim to be a match maker or a relationship counselor by any means whatsoever. I am actually pretty clueless in the subject, as are most guys my age. Anyway, this idea may actually put more on students' shoulders. And I think it is safe to say there is enough on all of our shoulders already. So take things one day at a time and take some time to get settled. Go forth and mingle, but watch out for ditches and ringing bells.   

     

One Step Closer to Health

 

    There are so many opinions about stairs. Some students loathe the idea of treading up and down stairs. Others do not seem to mind. As for me, I am part of the group that doesn't mind too much. This quote from an interesting article, "The Old Advice: Work Out. The New Advice: Walk the Dog and Take the Stairs," says that adding simply "exercise" to a daily routine adds up to a good amount of a work out. Increasing the use of stairs can greatly affect the health of students. Think about it. How many sets of stairs have you tried to avoid today? By simply using the stairs, extra calories can be burned and fewer pounds may be gained. "But what does it matter? They're just stairs!" I know that is what the thought is. But maintaining a healthy lifestyle is as important as maintaining academics in some cases. By taking little steps throughout the day, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, getting an eight count chicken nugget box instead of a twelve count, and deciding upon water instead of a soft drink all add up and keep away calories. Everyone has heard the line that says, "Back in my day, I walked up a hill for two miles in the snow while I was barefoot." Well, although the general reaction is to let it slip in one ear and out the other, there is a moral behind the story. The lesson to be learned is to not take what you have for granted. Don't be lazy! No, carrying a small, heavy refrigerator up four flights of stairs is noone's idea of a good time, but if your hands are empty and you did decide to go for the larger side of fries at lunch, then take the stairs! Although you won't become an Olympic athlete, doing so will keep you healthier than you might think.

      A healthy student is a happy student. This affects people on campus more than they realize. Being willing and able to do a little extra exercise will be handy if the journey from Bowdle/O'Bannon to the Religion building is ever necessary for you. It is not an easy task, but it is doable with being a sweaty mess when you get to class. So, the moral of this post is that if you take the stairs, happiness will come upon you in some way. I promise.  

Identification, Please

    Pictured above is a Lee University ID card, which is EXTREMELY important. Doing anything on campus becomes impossible without this small piece of plastic. You might as well forget getting into the dorm room or getting a chicken sandwich with a meal plan without the ID card. Also, without the ID card, you will not get credit for going to chapel. After the chapel service is over, your card is scanned by a friendly fellow Lee student on the way out. If you do not have the card in your possession, tough luck!
    Making sure you have it with you at all times is vital to surviving on campus, and it may be one of the most important aspects of a Lee student's daily routines. However, there will be instances in which it is misplaced! And mom is not here to find it for you! As you can see, certain measures have been taken in case such instances occur. The first question you will be asked if you tell someone about a misplaced ID card (or any item for that matter) is "Have you checked with campus safety?" Campus safety is a GREAT part of Lee, but we'll save that for a later post. So, if you happen to find or misplace a card, report to campus safety first. Chances are they have it for you.
     I know from personal experience that campus life is nearly impossible without the ID card. I tend to lose things. I have "misplaced" my idea card at least twice already in this semester. If an ID is lost, a new one can be purchased for five dollars at the Campus Safety building.
     Anyway, the ID card idea is a great way for students to keep everything in order by using one card for several different tasks, such as getting a meal and opening doors. Without them, fumbling through keys and swiping debit cards would be a must. (And we all know what parents think about swiping a debit card too much!) So keep that ID card close to you at all times.
     The IDs affect students more than they probably realize. A student cannot function throughout the day without an Identification card. Well, they could function, if by function they mean sleep outside because they can't get in the dorm, have chapel probation because they weren't "technically" there, and starve because they can't use a meal plan. So, it's pretty important.

 

Open Sesame!

     There is a small, simple "box" placed beside every entrance on every dorm. The box is a card reader and its purpose is to read the Lee University ID cards and open the dorm doors. If students forgets their ID card inside, and their roommate is not inside, the only way to get inside is to call campus security, according to Lee University. But let's be honest, Lee students. Normally, waiting for someone to walk through the doors and running to the door before it shuts is the less embarrassing alternative. 

     Getting into the dorm proves to be extremely important. Why? Because there is a bed in every dorm room. If you are a college student, then you know the importance of a bed. The Pop-tarts are also locked away in the dorm room, as well as the bathroom, which proves to be extra important in times of need. I rest my case. 

     Regardless of the reason, getting into the dorm is an important part of a Lee student's everyday life.  Without the card reader, the world would probably not be the same. They are incredibly handy, unless your hands are full. But in retrospect, any door is hard to open when an extra hand is not available. 

Thank You, Mr. Franklin

     Phew! Fall break has proved to me that it isn't as easy to take a picture each day of something on campus if you aren't actually there. Go figure! So, I plan on posting several pictures within a short time period, so bear with me! This post is about electricity. Enjoy!

              (I had a little fun with this one.)

   Electricity. We, as a society, have grown largely dependent on it. We use it every single day of our lives. Probably even every hour. Lights, computers, heating and air, and so on. Yada, yada, yada! Everyone has heard the spiel, "Use electricity wisely!", "Turn off the light!", and "BE GREEN!" However, even if our ears are tired of letting these words pass through them, these suggestions are all actually valid points to be made and prove to be extremely important. Turns out, there are people out there who are older and wiser. So, the fact of the matter- It is all around us in every aspect of our lives. We seem to need it as much as food or water. Do we take it for granted? Use too much? How much is left? Will we ever run out? These are questions posed by countless individuals who have sought to find answers.
    After sifting through several articles online about electricity, I found one in National Geographic that sparked my interest (no pun intended, although it should have been). On this page, found here, a challenge is made to learn more about the importance of conservation, as well as learning about electricity as a whole. I encourage anyone to read this article and look into increasing knowledge about electricity.

"Decisions we make now will profoundly affect the natural world and the quality and sustainability of our lives.

Be a part of the solution. Take part in the Challenge."

    And also, for the few who are wondering how electricity affects Lee University, you should have a donut thrown your way. Because without electricity, there would be no Dunkin Donuts on campus! There wouldn't be any sort of "fast food", unless "fast" is considered to be cooked slowly over an open flame. A flame that wouldn't have been started by a match. Last I checked, it takes electricity to run factories, like ones that produce matches. I digress. Electric energy is one of the MOST important aspects of campus life that is taken for granted every single day. Whether you are eating, reading a blog online, or watching Netflix when you should be writing a paper, you cannot avoid using electricity. So thank you, Benjamin Franklin, for your gift of electricity to the world.
   

"Music with Purpose"

     Lee University is known for its excellent music program, and students come from many places to further their education regarding music. The school of music has a wide range of areas to study, from vocal performances to instrumental and so forth.
     The music at Lee University affects students in an uncountable amount of ways. Whether you are in a chapel service, attending an orchestra concert, or a girl in Sharp-Davis that wants to throw her shoe out her window at the late-night Jazz players outside of Subway, music creeps into almost every corner of Lee University.
     This afternoon, I attended a concert performed by the Wind Ensemble in the Conn Center. It was astounding. Being a person of almost no musical talent whatsoever, I thoroughly enjoy watching others do what is seemingly impossible. The pieces played by the ensemble ranged from calming melodies to pulse-racing tunes such as "Conniption", composed by William Pitts. I was in awe by the pure talent that was portrayed at the concert this afternoon.
     I briefly recorded the ensemble as they performed. However, the video (posted below) does not do the ensemble justice by any means. The feeling that is experienced while viewing and listening to the compilation of sounds in unmatchable. I left the Conn Center feeling very relaxed (and cold, but I should have had a jacket). It was as if I had just taken a two hour nap.
    In any sense, I strongly encourage anyone to take any chance provided to go and watch one of the many music performances Lee offers. Students majoring in music are required to perform recitals, so there is always a constant flow of talent on stage.
     Music. One of God's finest gifts to mankind. It harbors many abilities, such as affecting peoples emotions and thoughts. Lee University focuses on the strengths of music and the lives of students are swayed and affected daily.

 

Sports: On Fire at Lee

 


    Several Lee students are heavily involved in one or more of the sports offered at Lee. Sports influence campus in many ways and brings students together. Soccer, volleyball, cross country, track, basketball, softball, baseball, tennis, and golf are the sports offered and played here at Lee. Because Lee University is the best school in Tennessee, I believe (only knowing a little about the sports stats) that Lee dominates in everything we do, including sports. This may be a biased, but it is a factual bias.
     Particularly, the soccer players of Lee University are known for their skill and level of competitiveness. This afternoon, I interviewed one of the players on the soccer team, asking him a couple questions regarding his experiences as a Lee soccer player. Tom Halsall, a freshman at Lee from Manchester, England, is one of the goalkeepers for the team. The coach's comments regarding Tom are as follows:

  "Tom is a solid force in the goal and has gained valuable experience through High School in England playing for his Academy Team at Manchester City. He has the size and tools to be a great college goalkeeper. We are delighted to have Tom." 
                   
     I asked Tom some questions about soccer, and he answered without hesitation. Tom has played soccer for several years, nine to be exact, and his favorite aspect of soccer is the pressure from playing. When I asked if he could give me some reasons why he chose Lee University, his response was that he liked the atmosphere, the people, and the campus. I then asked if he had ever sustained any serious injuries while playing. He then told me of only some of the injuries he had acquired, such as to the hamstring, the ankle, and the wrist. One of my final questions for Tom was how soccer affects other aspects of his college life. He quickly responded by saying soccer affected his campus life greatly in a positive way, both socially and academically.
     Now, I can't necessarily go around asking people I just met if I can take a picture of their face and put it on a blog. But, if you would like to see a picture of Tom or find out more about him, here is a link to the Men's Soccer Roster. Also, if you have an interest in seeing how the team is doing this year, here is a link for the statistics.
     Sports are a major aspect of almost every college campus. The addition of sports to a college student's activities adds many positive aspects to his/her life, as well as challenges, both physical, mental, and spiritual, that must be overcome to make the athlete a great competitor for the sport and for Christ.

Raging Inferno or Burnt Popcorn?

 

 We've all been in the situation. You're in bed. So close to being asleep. Your bed feels like the most comfortable object you have ever been on. Then the unthinkable happens. I would be willing to bet it is one off the worst sounds a person could hear. The fire alarm. And of course, it is around one o'clock in the morning and raining slightly.The fire alarm sounding can either be the cause of an actual scheduled fire drill, the pulling of a fire alarm (not funny at all, so just stop), or simply an overcooked bag of popcorn. So reluctantly, you roll out of bed, stumble to find your glasses, shoes, jacket, etc. Then, much to your surprise, the alarm stops before you get outside.
     Despite the aggravation, these drills are a major  part of fire safety in dorms. Extensive measures have to be taken in every building to ensure the safety of those inside. You may not notice, but several precautionary devices and signs are scattered in strategic parts of every single building on campus. It is important for everyone to know where such items are, such as a fire extinguisher, in case a fire should occur, says the article over fire safety. (found here.) Dorms are notorious for fire because of the extensive use of extension cords and plugging in too much at once. Add that to young adults who are on their own for the first time and you have a pretty potent mix of possible danger. So, do as you have been taught since elementary school. Calmly walk to the designated exit and do not panic. And don't grab anything. Leave the shoes if you don't have time. If there is smoke, stay low and do not inhale any. If you do, you may get bronchitis. Ain't nobody got time for that. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpqeqkNW4vo). Remain there and wait for someone to do a head count. Then, proceed back to bed.
    Although students may find the drills slightly annoying at times, I believe the feeling of annoyance would quickly turn into appreciation in the event of an actually fire. Students should treat any soundings of the fire alarm as seriously as possible because it may be a drill, someone having a barbecue, or a legitimate fire somewhere in the dorm. Fires indoors + people indoors = bad news. So take the advice, roll out of bed with a smile (ok, maybe not), and take part in making your way safely to the designated safe area that your dorm has assigned. You will be glad you did if there happens to be an actual fire.

The Chapel Didn't Fall Far from the Tree

     Every Tuesday and Thursday, the majority of Lee students gather together for chapel in either the Conn Center or the Dixon Center for worship. A speaker presents a message and the chapel band sings worship songs. For many, chapel is a time to give freely the stresses of college and focus solely on the Lord and worshiping Him. Chapel holds to be greatly important for several Lee Students. Lee University is a Christian school and the students are expected to attend chapel on a regular basis. Personally, chapel presents itself to be one of my favorite times of the week. The music is always great, the speakers always know what they are talking about, (which is a plus), and the Word of God constantly brings epiphany and knowledge to those who listen. The picture above, the stage before chapel in the Conn Center, is prepped and ready for the chapel band to come out and start worship.
    Many times, there is a service held on Sunday nights as well, called U-Church. When well-known speakers and Christian music artists are invited to come to Lee to speak/sing, they do so on Sunday at U-Church.
   On September 16, 2012, Leeland was scheduled to perform at the Conn Center on campus. A great amount of students were ecstatic to see Leeland perform live. In the below picture shown above, Leeland Mooring, the "main man" of Leeland, sings some of his most popular releases. Songs like "Count Me In" and "The Great Awakening" were among the few that were played that night. I really enjoyed seeing them play and they are popular for reason.
    Naturally, a Christian-based university will require those attending to take part in some form of chapel. Chapel proves to be an amazing opportunity for students to grow closer to the Lord and learn more about Him.

No Diving

 
 Yes, pool. The simple yet completely amusing pass-time shared by many on the floors of the dorm rooms of Lee University. This pool table,  which lives in the cluster on the first floor of Bowdle Hall, is used several, SEVERAL times each day.
     A little history lesson. "Billiards" is recorded to be first played in 15th century Europe.
Well I hope you enjoyed the lesson. Basically, people have enjoyed playing many forms of pool for a very long time.
    Alright, so anyone who has seen me "play" pool knows that I might as well have my eyes closed. Most of the time, I avoid embarrassment and do not play. But hey, every now and then I try again. The only way to get better is to keep trying, right? Apparently not in this case. Oh well.
    So why is this important to the daily running of Lee University? Well, I guess Lee could carry on without the pool tables. However, I do believe that fellowship among students can be made by playing games on the pool table. It brings people together. I have met several other guys from my dorm while I played (mostly watched) pool. This may be fairly gender specific, yes. I'm not saying that girls aren't good at it. I will be the first to admit that there is definitely more that one female at Lee that is better at pool than myself.
     I agree, probably not the most exciting blog post, but in my opinion, all the small parts of Lee University that are sometimes looked over play vital parts in building strong, lasting relationships with other students. Simple times spent together, even while just playing a game, tie together everyone's stories here at Lee.
 

Sodexo, Friend or Foe?

    We all know what most people think of Sodexo, and let's be honest. Most of the time the opinions are not very positive. Personally, I have little to no problem with the food of Sodexo at the Dining hall at Lee. Although I have heard a few choice words from the employees that are not so friendly, overall I am fine with the company. However, while looking for articles concerning Sodexo, I stumbled upon one of a student who seems to have a burning hate for the company. The article can be found here. The opinions giving by this student are extremely "out there" and seem to be over exaggerated. He made a point to talk about the changes in food quality that are made between the time parents are visiting the university and the days that are only for the students. In my opinion, the student from Drake University who wrote the article was harsh in his metaphors and opinions. No, Sodexo cannot be stamped as a five star restaurant, but that does not make it necessary to make claim that going to the local jail would be better.
      Although it may not be exactly satisfying or healthy to eat some of the foods at Sodexo everyday, it could always be worse. Everyone has heard the saying. "There is a starving child in Africa that would love to have that food." This statement may be passed off as a cliche one-liner, but it is the truth. God has blessed us in so many ways, and I feel as though sometimes it is necessary to be grateful for what we are given.
      As I promised in my last post, my topic was slightly more "appetizing." The article I have shared is merely the opinion of an aggravated student, and should not be taken to heart. If you are a student at Lee, and have experienced the one and only Sodexo, then you know that, like everything else, they have good days and bad days. Regardless, respect should be given to the workers and all who are affiliated with Sodexo., because whether you see them as your friend or your foe, you do not bite the hand that feeds you.
     The picture above is the logo on a smoothie from Jazzman's Cafe and Bakery, in case you were wondering.

   

The Throne of Lee University

    I know what you are thinking, and yes, those are pictures from a bathroom. Let's face it. Most of us use the bathroom more than once in a day. Actually, according to "The Toilet Paper Encyclopedia", a person spends an average of three years on the toilet in a lifetime!
     So, what is my point to this awkward subject, you ask? No, I am not a creepy guy who likes to take pictures of toilets. It is fairly simple actually. The bathrooms here at Lee University are all incredibly clean. Now don't get me wrong, I definitely would not expect anyone to eat off the floors or hang out in there longer than necessary. It's a bathroom. There are harmful bacteria, such as streptococcus, staphylococcus, and E. coli, that should all be readily avoided. But by the pictures above, you can tell they are shiny and sanitized. Let's be honest. Using the restroom is by no means a subject that people normally like to talk or think about. I mean, we all know it's gross. But that doesn't mean the bathroom has to be! Actually, this raises the expectation for cleanliness, in my opinion. I believe Lee University recognizes this and the level of hygiene is well over average. The commodes are always operating as they are suppose to, and every one that I have seen has been exceptionally clean. I believe the restrooms are a key part to life, be it college life or otherwise, and I am appreciative of those who keep them clean.
     Now, I chose one of the "least desirable" (yet very clean) objects at Lee to write about for my first topic. This was so it would be out of the way and I could focus on less revolting objects and topics. I promise the next post will be more appetizing.

Lee University: The Campus Where Christ is King

       Like most of my peers, I wanted to find something to do for our twenty-eight day blogging project that was interesting and unique. However, also like my fellow college students, thinking of something that could change lives that also didn't interrupt daily routine TOO much was not an easy task. I had thought of two options that I thought I would eventually pick from. Giving up dairy products or avoiding all eye contact. Let's be honest, no one wants to be miserable for a month by staring at the ground or avoiding cheese. So while walking through the campus of Lee University and pondering upon ideas, I passed the seal (pictured above) placed on one of the pillars of the Science and Math Complex. This gave me the idea to attempt come up with an idea that involved the entire university. As I continued to walk and think of topics, I wanted to incorporate as many aspects as possible. The students, faculty and staff, and the simple objects are all vital and pull together to make such a great campus. I thought of using pictures to explain the significants of the contents of Lee. In this blog, a picture (taken by my trusty iPhone) will be posted every day until early November. These pictures will consist of well-recognized people and things throughout campus that are important to everyday functioning and college life, as well as items and people that are just as important, yet not as recognized as perhaps, Dr. Paul Conn, the president of the university.
     My rules and guidelines for this project are simple. The objects or people included in this blog have to be affiliated with Lee University and have an effect on students in some way, either positively or negatively. I cannot use the same picture twice or use a picture on the posts that I haven't taken myself.
     Throughout this month, I hope to learn more about the campus I call home. Every student at Lee University interacts with several people and objects that make this small world of ours go around.