Mental Health | 7
Opinion | 8
Religion | 8
Lifestyle | 9
Steps to rediscover yourself under pressure
C.S. Lewis, dating and identity in Christ
The beautiful power of the divine crushing
A whole new world: My first Super Bowl
February 19, 2025 Collegedale, Tennessee
Southern Accent
Vol. 80 Issue 15
The student voice since 1926
Inside this semester’s intramural officiating; An influx of new refs Alissa Flores News Editor This semester, Southern’s intramural games have sparked more than just competition. Many students have voiced frustrations over inconsistent or biased officiating, claiming that referees make too many mistakes. Judeline Pineda, senior liberal arts education major and frequent intramural participant, shared some insight into some concerns she has felt regarding student officiates. “I feel like sometimes they don’t take the girls seriously," Pineda said. "I feel like that could be something, like ‘it's just girls, whatever’ in some sense. I don't think they're trying to do that [on purpose], but it's just how it is.” Pineda also said that while she understands that referees are supposed to be neutral, she has sometimes felt that referees have favored some teams over others. According to Jaden Hutchinson, a four-year referee for the intramurals program and a senior kinesiology major, an influx of inexperienced and new referees has contributed to the tensions. Additionally, he claimed that many students do not understand the challenges of making split-second decisions or the difficulty it takes to be a student referee among peers. “What a lot of the students don’t realize is that the refs are all students as well,” Hutchin-
See Referee on page 2
Attendees at DEEP Retreat, a diversity initiative between Southern Adventist and Oakwood Universities, pose for a group photo. (Photo by Andrew Boggess)
Building belonging in uncertain times Hayden Kobza Managing Editor Kathy Purnell, Southern Adventist University’s special advisor to the president on diversity and strategic planning, has been develop-
Kathy Purnell (Photo courtesy of Kathy Purnell)
ing and implementing ways to serve the institution's diverse population, she said in a recent interview with the Accent. Purnell, who has held the position since the summer of 2022, continues her work despite initial online backlash from some conservative Seventh-day Adventists when she was first hired. In addition to internal church polarization over diversity issues, Purnell—along with other diversity-related professionals—also faces a growing anti-diversity climate spreading across the country, exacerbated by President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders dismantling DEI programs and policies within the federal government. One project Purnell has been spearheading along with Adam Bellis, a graduate research assistant, is a “Perceptions of Belonging” survey
designed to assess what Southern is doing well when it comes to belonging and what needs to be improved, whether in the classroom, dorms or worship centers. Along with the survey, Purnell said she has launched a website called the Online Belonging Community to create a Christ-centered space where individuals feel valued, empowered and connected through respectful dialogue, shared experiences and a commitment to inclusivity. “We seek to build a stronger, more inclusive campus community that reflects the love, compassion and unity taught by Christ,” the website states. “Together, we are committed to cultivating a space where diversity is embraced, and every member can grow in faith, knowledge and purpose.” Another initiative mentioned by Purnell and Bellis
is DiversiTEA Conversations, which aims to bring diverse voices together around tea. The effort, led by Bellis, will extend to staff as well.
"There's power when you bring people together around tea and food." “We realized there are not a lot of places to talk like that [on campus],” Bellis said in an interview with the Accent. He wants people from all parts of Southern to unite and bridge the diversity divide, and Purnell, being from the United Kingdom, wants them to drink tea while conversing. “There’s power when you bring people together around tea and food,” Purnell said. “ … We really want to see what happens.” See Belonging on page 2
Annual BCU Night 2025 to celebrate 'Homecoming' Eva Resz Reporter Southern Adventist University’s Black Christian Union (BCU) is holding its annual cultural event on Saturday Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. This year’s theme, "Homecoming," celebrates culture, and BCU has planned a lineup of performances for students, faculty and community members. Sue Odieki, previous BCU president and sophomore nursing major, shared in an interview with the Accent that the shift has brought “fresh perspectives” to the BCU team. “The core mission remains the same: to create a night of excellence, unity and cultural appreciation,” Odieki said. “The excitement surrounding this year’s event is already building, with an expected turnout that may surpass previous years.” Odieki described the event as “A Homecoming to remember.” She emphasized that this year’s theme is personal. “More than just a title, Homecoming represents a return to roots, a celebration of culture and a reflection on what it truly means to belong,” Odieki said. According to Odieki, Naiya Brown, senior health science major, sets the foundation of BCU Night as writer and direc-
Kaeddie De Voyard participates in a fake civil protest during BCU Night 2024. Monday, February 24, 2024 (Photo by Andrew Boggess)
tor of this year’s production. Odieki encourages attendees to “expect the unexpected.” Chisara Ukegbu, junior mass communication media production major, shared that this year’s performance differs from previous years; it’s meant to be a celebration. “BCU Night will be a comeback. It’s not so much a history lesson this year. It’s more of a cultural celebration. That’s what sets this year apart,” Ukegbu said. “Because some people understand why we want to teach so much at BCU
Night, but we already do so much teaching. So, this year is the year to show the other half of the spectrum. There’s so much culture that we love, so much that we want to appreciate, and that’s what this year is doing.” Edward Backer, senior psychology major, who performed during BCU Night 2024, will be appearing as one of the event’s leading actors this year. Backer shared his enthusiasm for the opportunity. According to Backer, last year’s production followed a
young African American learning from historical figures like Muhammad Ali and Rosa Parks. “This year is going to be something different,” he said. “BCU homecoming night is gonna be fantastic. It’s gonna give people an opportunity to see all these different aspects of what it means to be black.” According to Backer, “Homecoming” derives from celebrations at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and carries deep significance. “Homecomings at HBCUs
are about students, faculty and alumni coming together to celebrate pride in their school and culture. It’s a safe space to show off who they are,” Backer said. “We want everyone to come and be a part of it and celebrate this awesome event with us.” According to Ukegbu, the audience can expect the return of dance performances after a year of absence. Ukegbu’s team has been practicing every week since January, repeatedly reviewing the same routines to ensure they’re ready for the event. “Dancing is back, and that’s one of the most looked-forward-to parts,” Ukegbu said. “Getting to actually contribute to telling the story of the night makes me…really excited to see the story pull together.” According to Odieki, “Homecoming” is more than just an event; it celebrates community, culture, and connection; it’s a night that reflects BCU’s mission of bringing people together. “BCU is a Black Christian Union, but it’s meant for everyone,” Backer said. “It’s not just a place for African American or black people to feel like they can belong on campus. It’s a place for them to come together, for us to come together, and to show off our pride in what makes us See BCU Night on page 2