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(12/08/11 12:42am)
On Nov. 17 Mercer’s Office of Housing and Residence Life sponsored a visit from Invisible Children, an organization aiming to end the practice of enslaving children to be soldiers in the Lord’s Resistance Army in Africa.
Two representatives from Invisible Children came to share about the cause. The first, Joshua Wolny, is an American volunteer. The second is a woman from Uganda named Agnes, whose life was directly affected by the problem of child slavery for military purposes. They showed a documentary entitled “The Rescue,” and afterwards the two invited attendees to ask them questions about the film and their lives.
The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is a rebel militant group which kidnaps children from their homes in the middle of the night and forces them to become child soldiers. The LRA was formed in 1987 and until 2007 it engaged in violent rebellion against the Ugandan government. Though it is no longer actively in rebellion against the government, the LRA continues its practice of kidnapping children and forcing them to commit murder and other acts of terrorism. The leader of the LRA is a man named Joseph Kony. He claims to be a spirit medium who receives direct commands from the Holy Spirit. The group’s philosophy combines local religious tradition with the Christian religion. The Lord’s Resistance Army has committed numerous war crimes, including several massacres. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Kony and several other Lord’s Resistance Army commanders in 2005. They are wanted for crimes against humanity and war crimes, including rape, murder, sexual slavery, and enlisting children as combatants. Kony has yet to be apprehended, because the LRA hides deep in the jungle. Attempts at peace talks with Kony have been unsuccessful.
Agnes, the Ugandan representative, provided firsthand knowledge about the LRA. When she was a child, her parents would send her and her siblings to sleep in the jungle so that they would not be kidnapped. She spoke about being terrified of the dark and the wild animals she heard in the jungle. Though neither Agnes nor her siblings were kidnapped, at least one child in every other home in her village was kidnapped and forced to become a child soldier.
Luckily Agnes learned about Invisible Children, who awarded her with a scholarship to attend Gulu University in Uganda. There she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. After touring the United States telling her story for a few more months, Agnes hopes to return to Uganda to pursue an accounting degree. With the money she earns she hopes to send her siblings to college and to provide for those who live in her village.
The future of the Invisible Children movement looks bright. There has been bi-partisan support for this movement in the United States government. In October President Obama sent a team of one hundred Special Forces troops to Africa to help armies there remove the leaders of the LRA. This team will continue working toward the destruction of the LRA and to allow the child soldiers to return to their homes. Through the support of donations Invisible Children will continue to provide support and raise awareness of the conflict, with the goal of having all child soldiers returned to their homes by next year.
(11/02/11 9:58pm)
For 13 nights in October, Haunted Montrose struck fear into the hearts of its visitors. Located in Montrose, just off Interstate 16 between Macon and Dublin, Haunted Montrose’s Old Slaughter House sits in a remote cornfield. Immediately upon leaving their cars visitors could hear screams of terror coming from the victims of the house’s inhabitants, the demented Slaughter family. The terror only escalated from there. Perfect for adrenaline junkies and definitely not for the faint of heart, Haunted Montrose provided those who were brave enough to visit with spooky fun to rival that of Netherworld in Atlanta.
Filled with ghouls, monsters, crazed clowns, an evil mad scientist, the murderous, psychopathic Slaughter clan and countless other horrors, Haunted Montrose had something to terrify each and every visitor. Located both indoors and outside the Slaughter House, the haunt provided its visitors with a variety of creepy environments, including a trek through a haunted cornfield and a crawl through a vintage hearse. This was Haunted Montrose’s fourth year in existence, and this was its biggest and most terrifying Halloween season yet! Haunted Montrose launched a new attraction this year in addition to The Old Slaughter House. Havoc! required visitors to wear 3-D glasses in order to fully experience its terror.
Although Haunted Montrose is a “no-touch” haunt, its official policy states “touch nothing, and no thing will touch you,” it is still plenty scary. Haunted Montrose has been voted Middle Georgia’s Number One Haunted Attraction. 17-year-old Makaila Bowen, who has worked as an actor, makeup artist and set designer at Haunted Montrose since its second year, spoke about its most prestigious award. “Haunted Montrose has won several awards, but the most exciting was being ranked as one of America’s Best Haunts in 2011 by americasbesthaunts.com,” said Bowen.
The Old Slaughter House and Havoc! were both open to visitors for the final time this year on Halloween night. Though its 2011 season is over, Mercer students should keep Haunted Montrose in mind for Halloween in 2012. Next year’s haunt surely promises an even bigger and more terrifying attraction. Those who are brave enough to face the murderous Slaughter clan and all of the other horrors that Haunted Montrose has to offer will not be disappointed.
(11/02/11 9:35pm)
On Oct. 26 hordes of costumed children and their parents made their way up the hill to Greek Row for Mercer’s annual Harvest Fest. They found a fall festival full of games and candy awaiting them.
Mercer Greek and student organizations volunteered their time to sponsor the games and booths, and provided the kids with an evening of fun. Mercer University Pan-Hellenic Council, the governing body for Mercer’s four sororities, organized Harvest Fest.
Harvest Fest has been a yearly occurrence at Mercer for quite some time.
Cindy Drury, assistant director of campus life said, “Harvest Fest has been around for at least 10 or 15 years. The event provides a fun fall festival and safe trick-or-treating environment for the children who attend.”
The majority of attendees are the children or other relatives of Mercer’s employees, but some children from the community attended as well.
“In the future we would love to see even more kids from the surrounding community take part in Harvest Fest,” said Drury.
The kids weren’t the only ones who had a great time at Harvest Fest. The Mercer students who volunteered their time enjoyed themselves too. Some even dressed up in creative costumes.
Games and activities in Harvest Fest’s past have included a Jell-O toss, pin the tail on the donkey, bobbing for apples, pick-up ducks, a fishing game, a cookie decorating station and a bean bag toss.
No matter what games they were helping with, the Mercer Greeks and other student organization members ensured that all of the children who attended Harvest Fest had a lot of fun.
Junior Caitlin Donnelly and Senior Jessica Savage both helped with the ring toss. “We both really enjoyed working at Harvest Fest,” they said.
“We’re glad that we could help to provide a safe trick-or-treating environment for the kids.”
Many of the students who helped with Harvest Fest enjoy devoting their time to work with children, including the members of Mercer Educators in Action, a student organization made up of the Tift College of Education’s education majors.
Mercer Educators in Action gave away delicious, freshly-baked cupcakes to the children at Harvest Fest. Some of its members volunteered to bake the cupcakes and some volunteered their time at Harvest Fest, giving the cupcakes away to the attendees who eagerly awaited them.
Autumn Vineyard is a freshman Holistic Child major and member of Mercer Educators in Action who volunteered at Harvest Fest. “I enjoy volunteering with children, so Harvest Fest was a fun way for me to both support [Mercer Educators in Action] and provide the kids with an enjoyable evening. I also liked seeing the creative ideas that different organizations came up with for their activities,” said Vineyard.
(10/19/11 11:48pm)
On Oct. 11 Phi Mu held its annual Phi-esta philanthropy event. Despite the rainy weather, Phi-esta proved to be successful.
For two weeks leading up to the event Phi Mu members sold tickets for $3 each, which entitled each ticket holder to a heaping plate of nachos. Greeting guests with a friendly “olé!”, Phi Mu members lined up under a tent outside the Phi Mu house.
As each person walked through the line, the Phi Mu members topped the nachos with his or her choice of traditional Mexican toppings. Guests enjoyed their nachos at tables set up inside and outside the Phi Mu house while festive Mexican music played in the background.
This was the third consecutive year that Phi Mu has hosted Phi-esta. Phi Mu donates the money that Phi-Esta raises to its national philanthropy, The Children’s Miracle Network.
The Children’s Miracle Network provides funds to local children’s hospitals and each hospital decides where its needs are greatest and how the money will be best used.
Hospitals often use the funds to purchase equipment and to pay for children’s care, to support The Children’s Miracle Network’s mission of improving and saving the lives of as many children as possible.
According to Phi Mu President Candice McClung, Phi Mu designates its funds to go to support the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at the Medical Center of Central Georgia. The funds that Phi Mu raises typically go to cover the normal operating costs of the hospital. Last year, only in its second year of existence, Phi-esta raised over $1,700 for The Children’s Miracle Network.
Freshman Katie Houston, a member of Phi Mu, said, “Even though it rained, I felt like Phi-esta went really well. It was a lot of fun. When we told people that we were supporting The Children’s Miracle Network they were very willing to purchase tickets and donate money.”
Sophomore Stephanie Leigh and Junior Ann Marie McAllaster, both members of Alpha Gamma Delta, enjoyed attending Phi-esta. “It felt good to help The Children’s Miracle Network,” Leigh said, “and I also liked being able to support Phi Mu.”
McAllaster agreed, saying “I enjoyed having the opportunity to support Phi Mu’s philanthropy, and it was fun to be able to spend time with members of another sorority.”
At the 2011 Greek Awards, held last spring, Phi Mu received the Panhellenic Philanthropy Award for its commitment to serving others. It also received the Outstanding Philanthropic Event award for Phi-esta.
McClung said of 2010’s Phi-esta, “Phi Mu proved to itself and the rest of the Greek community that, despite the fact that we had only had Phi-esta once before, and there was a torrential downpour the day of the event (which was to be held outside), we would persevere and build Phi-esta to its fullest potential.”
Phi-esta 2011 followed suit, living up to its potential and raising money for the local hospital. For a mere $3, students walked away with full, satisfied stomach and the fulfillment of knowing that they helped Phi Mu provide support
(10/19/11 10:48pm)
When most Mercer students think of Downtown Macon they think of places for entertainment, such as The Rookery, or restaurant icons like Nu Way Wieners.
Many students would be surprised to find out that Downtown Macon also provides them with a place to purchase bread, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and even ice cream.
The Mulberry Street Market is a farmer’s market located in Mulberry Street Park between First and Second Street. It began in April, and it is a partnership between Macon Roots, Community Health Works and the City of Macon Main Street Initiative.
The Mulberry Street market is a producer-only market, which means that there is no “middleman”; consumers purchase goods directly from the local farmers who produce them.
A variety of farmers sell their products at the market.
Vinnie’s Bakery sells cookies and other baked goods, in addition to freshly-squeezed lemonade and peach sweet tea. Davis Farms, of Roberta, Ga., sells fresh produce and flowers. Southern Swiss Dairy, located in Waynesboro, Ga., sells their natural, hormone-free milk, which is bottled the same day that their cows are milked. They sell delicious chocolate milk and ice cream as well.
Many other farmers sell an array of other goods at the market, including local honey, freshly baked bread, and grass-fed, hormone-free meat.
Salamander Springs Permaculture Farm is one of the farms that travel to the Mulberry Street Market each week.
It is a 50 acre farm located in Milledgeville, Ga., that sells a variety of fresh produce and flowers.
Salamander Springs practices permaculture, which allows them to produce crops without depleting the Earth’s natural resources.
The farm also supports the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) program.
WWOOF links volunteers with organic farmers in order to educate people about more sustainable ways of living.
By choosing to purchase goods from farms like Salamander Springs, people can support local farmers, as well as the environment. Because local goods do not have to be shipped as far, less gasoline is used.
According to Mark Vanderhoek, founder of Macon Roots, the Mulberry Street Market allows consumers to “eat outside the box.”
“By supporting local farmers consumers help them to continue to be environmentally stable producers,” he said.
Additionally, Vanderhoek says that buying locally-grown, organic foods from the Mulberry Street Market gives consumers the opportunity to experience the “local flavor” of Middle Georgia while receiving all of the nutrients that they need.
The locally-grown produce may seem a bit more expensive than supermarket produce, but by externalizing their costs the farmers are able to keep their farms environmentally friendly.
The Mulberry Street Market is open every Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. It provides consumers with a locally grown, organic alternative to larger supermarkets.
For Mercer students who have access to a kitchen, the market could provide the vast majority of their weekly grocery needs, including meat, produce, bread and dairy products.
Students who do not have access to a kitchen would still find plenty at the market. The Mulberry Street Market is a great opportunity to purchase healthy, delicious food while supporting the local economy and being environmentally friendly.
(10/05/11 9:47pm)
Mercer held its annual Family Weekend on Sept. 23, 24 and 25. According to Carrie Ingoldsby, Director of Campus Life and Student Involvement, Family Weekend was a great success, with over 150 families registered to attend.
Additionally, many family members of upperclassmen came to support their students who were performing and participating in sports and other events. This year’s schedule was packed with numerous activities held on campus and around Macon, so families had plenty of options to choose from when deciding how to spend their time.
On Sept. 23, there were a variety of options for entertainment. The volleyball and women’s soccer teams both played Lipscomb, with the soccer team winning 3-0. Also, Mercer Theater presented I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change to a full house in the Backdoor Theater.
Rain didn’t keep students and their families from enjoying Cars 2. It was originally scheduled to be shown on Porter Patch but was moved inside to the Bear Rock Café. The Mercer bookstore remained open until 8 p.m., and the restaurants in Mercer Village gave family discounts.
Sept. 24 began with an event that was new to Family Weekend this year. Mercer administrators and faculty members ate breakfast with students and their families in the Bear Rock Café.
The breakfast was very well-attended, and it provided families with an opportunity to visit with faculty members on a one-on-one basis.
The Family Weekend welcome program was held in Willingham Auditorium. It included informative presentations about LEAP (Local Engagement Against Poverty) and Mercer on Mission.
The barbecue lunch on the quad is a popular part of Family Weekend, and this year was no exception.
“We were glad to have beautiful weather, which made the lunch a success,” said Ingoldsby.
Many families also took advantage of photo opportunities with Toby the Bear and the Mercer car. Several different tours were given throughout the day in order to show student’s families more of Mercer’s campus as well as the Macon community.
Families could choose a tour of the Administration building tower during the morning, trolley tours of downtown Macon during the afternoon and a lighted tour of historic homes around Mercer during the evening.
Sept. 24 afternoon was also filled with activities. These included a rock climbing wall, information sessions about various organizations such as Mercer on Mission, Campus Life and Study Abroad and a volleyball match against Belmont. Mercer Singers also had a concert that evening in honor of Famiy Weekend.
Ten restaurants, including all of the restaurants in Mercer Village and several restaurants downtown, offered discounts to families with their “VIF” (Very Important Family) discounts.
The evening ended with another sold-out performance of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, which is currently Mercer’s longest running show in history. The performance has had much success and was able to be performed to family members who were interested.
Sept. 25 ended Family Weekend with several family activities. Families were invited to attend a worship service at Centenary United Methodist Church.
The women’s soccer team played a match against Belmont and Mercer Theatre presented a third showing of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.
The Mercer Bookstore was open from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. for last-minute shopping before families returned home.
The annual event had a packed schedule of events. Not only did families get the opportunity to enjoy spending time with their student, but Family Weekend also allowed them to experience Mercer and its surrounding area first-hand.
(09/21/11 9:52pm)
On Sept. 15, Dr. R. Kirby Godsey, author of the best-selling books When We Talk About God Let’s Be Honest, The Courage Factor, and Centering Our Souls, spoke to students and faculty in Newton Chapel about his latest book, Is God a Christian?. Dr. Godsey served as Mercer’s 17th president for 27 years, from 1979 to 2006. He now serves as the university’s chancellor.
The speech was a part of both Mercer’s university-wide Lyceum program, and President Obama’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge. The goal of Mercer’s Lyceum initiative is to center campus events around a single theme, with in-depth learning and discussion across disciplines. The first theme on which the Lyceum will focus is “Rebuilding Democracy.” This theme will continue until spring 2013, and it will allow students to examine the problems facing American democracy today and explore solutions to these problems.
Through his Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge, President Obama “invites institutions of higher education to commit to a year of interfaith cooperation and community service programming on campus.” Through interfaith service, people of all backgrounds, both religious and non-religious, work together to tackle the challenges facing their communities. Mercer is one of about 250 college campuses across the nation to commit to the Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge.
Dr. Godsey’s speech focused on the world’s three most widely practiced religions; Judaism, Christianity and Islam. He addressed the problem of religious hostility as a stumbling block to achieving world peace. Dr. Godsey encouraged members of all three faiths not to merely tolerate one another, but to accept and appreciate the beliefs of the other religions. He warned against nationalism and isolationism because they serve as barriers to religious cooperation.
In light of recent religious violence around the world, Dr. Godsey said, “The stakes for religion, the stakes for civilization, and the stakes for achieving interfaith reconciliation have never been higher.” He spoke out against this violence and denounced the use of God as a reason for war. He also stated that developing new and more lethal weapons is not the way to solve problems, and that “more efficiency in killing will not lead to more effectiveness in living.”
Dr. Godsey identified fear and ignorance as the two problems that contribute most greatly to religious hostility. He said, “Fear is eroding the integrity of all our faiths.” He also stated that religious fundamentalism is a product of fear. He warned against fundamentalism because he said it makes it difficult to communicate among faiths. With regard to ignorance, Dr. Godsey said that it will “leave us morally, religiously, and economically bankrupt.” He also stated that religion uses ignorance to control and manipulate believers.
Dr. Godsey ended his speech with suggestions for how Muslims, Jews, and Christians can work together to foster a spirit of religious cooperation. He spoke against believers who judge and denounce other religions, saying that, “The truth of our religion does not depend upon the untruth of others.” He also said, “You and I are neither wise nor good enough to judge another’s religion.” Dr. Godsey stated that religious gatherings should become forums for religious discussion rather than preachments. He spoke of showing kindness to every person, regardless of his or her religious background because “those from whom we differ were also created in the image of God.” Dr. Godsey said that God is bigger than just one religion, that He “lifts us above our partisan religions,” and that our ultimate hope rests solely in God.