The University of the Cumberlands Student Newspaper
Spring Issue 5 April 8, 2021
April 8, 2021
Letter from the Editor Editor-In-Chief Haley Bullock Managing Editor Jenna Rose Social Media Coordinator Abigail Fletcher
Dear Patriots, On my spring break trip this year, I was reminded of a life lesson that I had forgotten. It comes from none other than “Forrest Gump” and the famous quote of “My mama always said, ‘Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’” After visiting Gatlinburg’s Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, a restaurant chain inspired by the “Forrest Gump” film, it reminded me that life will hardly ever look like what you expect it to. The idea of “You never know what you’re gonna get” is something that has been resonating with me lately, and I can also imagine with other people too. I hate to bring up the pandemic because everything is related to or references the pandemic nowadays, but it’s something that people had no idea was coming until it was already here and hitting us hard. What life looks like has changed for all of us compared to a year ago. However, this quote isn’t just something that can be related to life after the pandemic. Maybe your friend group has changed and it was unexpected. Maybe you got the job offer of a lifetime that you didn’t even expect a call back from. Maybe you have managed to overcome a great obstacle in your life you thought would bog you down forever. The point is that small things can change in your life that could completely alter how your life turns out. You never know what small choice you make will cause a rippling effect that will make the difference on a big aspect of your life. The moral of the story is to realize that you truly never know what kind of life you’re gonna have until you have it. Things may have started out awful and took away your hope of having a good life, but that doesn’t mean that things will always stay that way. Life has a funny way of working things out. This is definitely cheesy, so I’m apologizing in advance, but the sun will come out tomorrow. Tomorrow may seem far away, but it is coming. It can be hard to accept that life will throw in some plot-twists or roadblocks, but it’s important to keep your heads up, Patriots. Do the good things,
Faculty Adviser Jeremiah Massengale Staff Makayla Durham Nathan Evans Cassidy Howard Kristin Mitchell Alyssa Morningstar Alex Nunn Maranda Young
Front cover by Makayla Durham Back cover by Jenna Rose Email comments, concerns or tips to: thepatriot@ucumberlands.edu or call us at 606-539-4172 7000 College Station Drive Williamsburg, Kentucky 40769
The Patriot is the student publication of the University of the Cumberlands. Our goal is to provide timely and original content by highlighting campus news and views. Award-winning member of the Associated Collegiate Press and Kentucky Press Association.
Haley Bullock
Haley Bullock, Editor-in-Chief
Page 3 News
Back to “Normal”
President Cockrum announces changes for fall 2021
BY JENNA ROSE
Photo by Jenna Rose
Managing Editor
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unexpected changes to what society considers “normal.” The most impactful change for students at University of the Cumberlands has been a hybrid class schedule in which students have been attending partially in-person and partially online classes. This hybrid model was implemented in the beginning of the 2020-2021 academic year as a means to keep the campus healthy and COVID-19 case numbers at a manageable level. Recently, case numbers for the US have been lowering as COVID-19 has been around for a little over a year and vaccinations are finally available. After the success that UC has had with following CDC safety regulations and taking precautions around campus, a decision has been made regarding the 2021 fall semester. President Larry Cockrum sent out an email at the end of March with an announcement stating, “After a year marked by challenges and change, I am pleased to announce that Cumberlands is planning to return to an entirely in-person campus experience for the 2021 fall semester.” This announcement will lead the campus one more step in the direction of reaching “normalcy.” While vaccinations are playing a role in the decision to resume fully in-person courses in the coming fall semester, UC students, faculty and staff will not be required by the university to receive a COVID-19 immunization. “We wouldn’t require (vaccinations), we would recommend them,” Dr. Cockrum said. He also noted that the university now has a partership with Baptist Health that allows students, faculty and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Similar to how UC has provided students with masks, sanitation stations, and financial help among the pandemic, the partnership with Baptist Health is another stride toward a healthy and close community. Dr. Cockrum’s email also states, “Campus operations will return to ‘normal’ as much as possible based on federal, state, and local health guidance.” It is hard to predict what safety guidelines will consist of in August, therefore, it is possible and likely that campus will still require masks in the fall. More
information will be released as it is decided. Whether masks are still mandated or not, however, Dr. Cockrum believes that the ability to have fully in-person classes again is beneficial to students. “I think there is more that you can learn on a college campus than just strict in class instruction or class instruction that you do online,” Dr. Cockrum said, “…I think that college is a time that you grow up, you grow a little more, and I think that you do that through a lot of social interaction.” Many students on campus have voiced the opinion that online learning is not ideal over the past year but were willing to do it until it was safe to return fully in-person. Will Daugherty, a UC junior, said, “Learning as a whole will be so much better. I’m someone who learns so much more when I’m in the classroom and around others.” The freshman students on UC’s campus haven’t had the opportunity to experience fully in-person college courses yet. Some upperclassmen have been eager for them to experience it. “I think the fully in-person format will help students have a better connection with their professors and classmates,” Kayla Marquis, a UC sophomore, said. The news that University of the Cumberlands will be returning to fully in-person courses in the fall of 2021 is an official decision. With that, the administration does acknowledge that this a time for preparedness and knowledge that something could change. “If we get to the point that we feel uncomfortable, that it’s not safe, we won’t do it, we’ll move a different direction. Right now, our plan is to go forward and try to get back to something normal if we can,” Dr. Cockrum said. Positive announcements such as this most recent one released to students is proof that a normal lifestyle is getting closer. Dr. Cockrum said with encouragement, “I know that life throws a lot of things at you and how you deal with them determines your quality of life and we hope that our students always look for the quality in life, and not the negative side of life.
Page 4 News
Supporting the Students University of the Cumberlands gives undergrad students nearly $6M in aid
BY ALEX NUNN
Photo courtesy of Giorgio Trovato
Staff Writer
COVID-19 has led to lives changing every day and predicting the future in these trying times can be challenging. University of the Cumberlands understands this and has sought to give students the support they need. UC recently received almost $6 million in emergency coronavirus relief funding and, in a press release, President Larry Cockrum said the university opted to transfer every dollar to undergraduate students, many of whom have struggled with educational and living expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Cockrum said, “Our mission at University of the Cumberlands is built around putting our students first. Every decision we make is made with that in mind. During this time of prolonged national emergency, supporting our students is crucial. We care for our students, we want them here, and we want them to be able to focus on their education and extracurricular opportunities.” The federal government, through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, allocated a total of $5,852,797 through to Cumberlands to provide financial aid grants to students, student support activities, and to cover a variety of institutional costs. Full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students received direct payments of $1,500, with Pell-eligible students receiving an additional $475. Part-time degree-seeking undergraduate students received $500, with Pelleligible students receiving an additional $275. This financial distribution is part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II), which was funded through the CRRSAA. Though some time has passed since UC gave these checks, many students have plans for the future that can be supported by the funds. Kaylee Gilbert, a junior at UC, said, “I think it was great that the school gave it to us. I think it showed that the school really does understand how hard this pandemic is and that college isn’t cheap,” Gilbert also commented, “I want to get the adulting part of my life started, and I think that this has helped boost the process.”
Many students impacted by the support from the school share similar sentiments toward the act of kindness. Keithen Harris, a senior at UC planning to graduate soon, said, “I plan to save it to use for after I graduate to put towards moving and my apartment.” Harris believes it was a very generous gesture, “This is a time that a majority of people are struggling, and I feel like it just helps students alleviate some stress since they have some extra cash in their pockets now.” Many students have struggled during this pandemic and these payments can mean a huge difference in these times, for college students especially. UC’s administration has done much to support students, and since these changes began, they have made an effort to be understanding of how they have affected the students and their everyday lives. Macy Daulton, a junior at UC, is another with plans to put back their money. Daulton said, “I’ll use my money to get me through until I can get a job in the summer. I think it’s good that the school sent out money to students, with the understanding that this is a thing that doesn’t normally happen.” No one could have predicted the coronavirus would have existed only a short while ago. Throughout much of the pandemic, students have been trying to find their footing, yet many students did not qualify for the previous stimulus payments that were issued by the federal government. UC recognized this problem, and rather than keeping the money to support the school itself, the school decided to support the students.
Page 5 Photos
The Campus Hot Spot Students enjoy the new addition to campus Areas include a volleyball court, picnic tables, tennis courts, golf course, swings, hammocking station and a field for activities.
Photos by Makayla Durham
Page 6 Entertainment
After the ending scene in the Marvel movie "Avengers: Endgame," characters Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and James Buchanan Barnes (Sebastian Stan) now have their own spin-off show titled "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier." This new series is going to be focused on the global adventures of White Wolf and the Falcon while they try to uncover new secrets and villain's being introduced into the marvel universe. The show is produced by Marvel Studios and directed by Kari Skogland. This limited Disney+ series premiered on March 19,
The Dynamic Duo Review of the Marvel series “Falcon and the Winter Soldier”
Photos courtesy of Disney+
BY M AK AYLA DURHAM Staff Writer
After the ending scene in the Marvel movie “Avengers: Endgame,” characters Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and James Buchanan Barnes (Sebastian Stan) now have their own spin-off show titled “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” This new series is going to be focused on the global adventures of White Wolf and the Falcon while they try to uncover new secrets and villain’s being introduced into the marvel universe. The show is produced by Marvel Studios and directed by Kari Skogland. This limited Disney+ series premiered on March 19, 2021, and only contains six episodes. For me, personally, Bucky is my favorite character within the Marvel Universe, so when this series was announced, I was over the moon. The movies that contain Bucky within them always make him out to be a bad guy when in reality, he’s a victim, not a villain. Within the first episode, we see James Barnes in therapy, and he states that he no longer wants to go by the name Bucky because of his past. I really enjoyed getting to see this side of Barnes because that is definitely a side we have never seen before from released Marvel movies. Barnes wants to come to terms with his past and make rightful amends with any sufferers or surviving families of his past attacks. As for Sam, we know in previous marvel films that he was a friend of Captain America and became the Falcon in the Marvel movie “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” Within the first episode of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” we learn of his back story and what makes him such an inspiring hero. I don’t want to give too much detail because
I don’t want to spoil the series for anyone who hasn’t had a chance to watch it yet. But it is good to keep in mind that the “blip” from “Avengers: Infinity War” affected more characters than what we know. This entire show has a basis of who deserves power and who has power, and how that power is being used or abused. Marvel has set up this unique structure that allows us to have endless and constant “what if” scenarios to keep us on our toes. Many of the shots that we see have powerful meanings behind them and the story that is happening within the six episodes. Not tomention the hilarious dialogue between the two characters that have more of a love-hate relationship than a friendship. If you haven’t watched earlier Marvel films leading up to these newer series, I would recommend watching those before immersing yourself in “Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” The real selling point of the show, for me, and a big reason why I’m giving this series five stars is because of how close it feels to reality. This show doesn’t feel as if it is trying to force a plot to happen; it lets us know the true back story of these two characters and how they can grow individually and together. Also, the addition of new characters and evil forces help in making this series a completely different look than other Marvel movies and TV shows. I highly recommend this series to anyone interested in the back story of Marvel characters and understanding that they are also real people and have to deal with real issues and just so happen to fight crime at the same time.
Incoming Summer Blockbusters
Page 7 Entertainment Photo courtesy of Disney+
The top five most anticipated movies for the summer
Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures BY NATHA N EVA NS Staff Writer
Summer Break is almost here for all UC students, and after the year that was 2020, I think we are all kind of hoping for a more normal summer break than the one we all had last year. One thing that will help us get back to normal this summer is the movies coming out during the season. Since there was a worldwide pandemic, a lot of movies that were planned to come out last year are now coming out in 2021. Because of the abundance of movies we have coming soon, I decided to make a list of my top five most anticipated movies for Summer 2021. 5.) Fast & Furious 9 (June 25) Directed by Justin Lin and starring Vin Diesel, we have the ninth entry in the Fast and Furious series of films. People have come to love this franchise for its over-the-top action with insane nonlogical car stunts and its big emotional emphasis on family. Whether you are a long-time fan of this series of films, or this will be your first FF movie, it’s sure to be one wild ride (pun intended). 4.) Luca (June 18) From director Enrico Casarosa comes a new Pixar animated film “Luca.” The movie is set along the Italian Riviera and is about a boy that turns into a sea monster (a nice sea monster) whenever water touches his body. The movie has a beautiful aesthetic that fits right in with summertime. Also, it’s Pixar; I mean, come on, you can never go wrong with checking out a Pixar film. 3.) Venom: Let There Be Carnage (Sept. 24) When “Venom” came out in October of 2018, the critics had said that this movie was pretty bad; you could see this reflected in its critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, where it sits at 29 percent. Once the general audience
went out to see it, most people enjoyed it. Enough people enjoyed, in fact, for Sony to go ahead and green light a sequel. Directed by Andy Serkis, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” will star Tom Hardy reprising his as Eddie Brock/Venom, and Woody Harrelson playing Cletus Kasady/Carnage. If you’re a comic book fan and that doesn’t get you at least a little excited, I don’t know what will. 2.) A Quiet Place Part II (May 28) Directed by the man who starred and directed the 2018 original, John Krasinski is bringing us the sequel to “A Quiet Place.” After how beloved the first movie has become, it is no surprise that this is a highly anticipated sequel. Plus, the movie stars Emily Blunt reprising her role as Evelyn Abbott from the first movie, so I’m sure we will all be on the edge of our seats to see what happens to her throughout the movie. 1.) Black Widow (July 9) Director Cate Shortland is finally bringing us a movie about one of the two founding Avengers that have yet to get a solo moment in the spotlight, Black Widow! (Sorry, Hawkeye, your time will come). This movie was originally supposed to come out in May of 2020, and then there’s the fact that Scarlett Johansson first started to play this character in Jon Favreau’s “Iron Man 2“ that came out all the way back in 2010! So, to say that this movie is a long time coming would be quite an understatement.