DAVON JOHNSON staff writer @ FIU NEWS Interracial Dating Love Is Colorless For South Florida Couples April 1, 2013 -- Sarah Owens makes her way out of the FIU gym wearing a pair of mini shorts, some running shoes and a sweaty tank top, which is pasted to her Caucasian skin. She strides over to a young Dominican man, Johnny Zanders, who is sitting on a nearby bench waiting for her, and plants a kiss on his lips. He looks up at her standing over him and smiles as she then rubs him on his shiny bald head. “He’s my Oreo.” Owens, 22, and Zanders, 24, are just one of many interracial couples in South Florida who aren’t ashamed of letting the world know that they are in love. Owens is not foreign to being around interracial couples. She has a few in her family. “My family is white, but I’m dating someone with a Dominican background and my brother goes out with a Haitian woman,” Owens said. “My parents are very nice and receptive about us dating outside of our own ethnicity, but my grandma is the one who is racist and doesn’t approve of it.” “People should be with whomever they want to be with,” Zanders said. The young couple met each other on campus at FIU last year, where Zanders approached Owens head-on, but she wasn’t interested in him because he was a stranger and came off as too friendly. But one year later, he approached her again, and this time she finally decided to give him a chance. “I’ve dated other girls before, but never from my own race or ethnicity. She’s dated a white guy before, but from what she told me, it didn’t work out too well,” Zanders said. “I’m her first black boyfriend. And as they say: ‘Once you go black, you don’t go back.’” While Zanders thinks of himself as being racially black, Owens calls him her Oreo because she sees him as being black only on the outside but white on the inside. “He’s from California, and he loves country and rock music,” Owens said. Owens, on the other hand, is big on urban rap music, which Zanders isn’t very fond of. “I don’t like the whole rap culture with all the cursing and the vulgar lyrics. Sarah knows that.” However, they made it clear that their apparent differences in style and culture won’t stop them from being together; And merging two different ethnicities into one won’t affect how they see their children either–if they decide to have some in the future. “I can see myself being with her for the rest of my life. We didn’t initially get together because we were thinking about how our kids were going to come out,” Zanders said. “We got together because we were interested in each other. But I think mixed kids are cool, though.” At one point in time in the U.S., it was illegal to be in an interracial relationship, especially between whites and blacks. Punishment for getting into an interracial marriage could be as severe as imprisonment. And although the 1967 landmark civil rights case of Loving v. Virginia declared anti-miscegenation rules to be unconstitutional, some onlookers in the 21st century still seem to find it inappropriate. “Once, we were holding hands at the mall and this black girl looked at me like she wanted to fight me because I was with a black guy,” Owens said. “I don’t get stared at that often,” Zanders said. “But when other people do look at me strange, I don’t know why. At least I’m with a woman. It’s not like I’m homosexual and dating another man.” While some interracial couples like Zanders and Owens are only in the early stages of dating, other interracial couples have even dared to get married. Omar Tolbert, 24, who has a Jamaican background, and Jessica Senorin, 24, with a Filipino background, met each other at work in the Campus Life department at FIU's Biscayne Bay Campus. He was the Fiscal Assistant and she was the Vice-President for Student Organizational Council. They got to know each other through the student Christian clubs of InterVarsity and Impact. Having known each other for years, a spark suddenly ignited in them, and they made a decision to get married. “This was my first and only relationship as long as we both shall live,” Mr. Tolbert said. “My cultural traditions had nothing to do with picking my wife. That is all attributed to my spiritual background and identity as a Christian. I wanted to make sure I married another Christian as it would be most beneficial for both of us in our relationship with God through Christ.” In Christianity, race, culture and ethnicity are not the determining factors as regards to who you should marry. The only requirement is to be “equally-yoked,” or joined with others who are like-minded in the faith, as they will have an influence over you. “When it comes to choosing a partner that I will be sharing the rest of my life with, I want her to have the best influence possible as it is beneficial and edifying to us,” Mr. Tolbert said. Mr. Tolbert’s family was in full support of his interracial marriage, but Mrs. Tolbert’s parents were not in support of their daughter marrying a black man. They wanted her to marry a man with a more Asian background, like herself. “My parents were not happy about it,” Mrs. Tolbert said. “They did not support it. They weren’t even present the day of the wedding.” Mrs. Tolbert’s grandmother had to take the honor of giving her away to her husband during the wedding ceremony. While Mr. and Mrs. Tolbert willfully chose to have an interracial relationship, others like Jacob Younger, will never have such an option. “No matter who I choose to date, all of my relationships will be interracial,” said Younger, 22, who is mixed. “I don’t think my parents will have an issue with me dating someone of another race. I mean, how could they? My mother is white and my father is black.” Younger is from Titusville, Fla., and his previous girlfriends have mostly been black because that was the main race in his city. He’s dated a white girl once, but his new girlfriend, Amanda Vieira, 22, is from Trinidad. And Younger knows that her parents won’t mind her dating someone who is half-black. “Her parents are cool,” Younger said. “Besides, in Trinidad, there are a lot of black people.” He didn’t date her because of her culture, race or her traditions, he said. “I dated her because of her characteristics. I like her because she’s not wild, she doesn’t go partying, and she’s not all out there like the other girls.” Though supporters of multiculturalism believe that it’s important to preserve the different cultures and ways of life, it seems like this new generation is more concerned about finding love than finding a cultural connection. While the older generation may still have some prejudice and racism in them from slavery days, the newer generation is breaking barriers, mixing cultures and creating new ones. “I don’t think its taboo to see interracial couples nowadays,” Younger said. “It’s more common now.”
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staff writer @ FIU NEWS FIU Bus Slams into SUVDriver Makes an Attempt to Come off the Turnpike, Too Slow For Oncoming BusOctober 16, 2012 -- FIU students aboard the 10:45 a.m. shuttle bus are shaken up in their seats as an oncoming SUV unexpectedly turns onto the main road and is struck by the bus. A student can be seen here struggling to get a clear photo of the car crash through the art-covered window. Police block the road and direct traffic around the accident. The backside of the black SUV is totaled and can be seen in the background. The accident occurred at the intersection of the Florida SR 985 and NW 107th Ave, in Fountainebleau, FL. at around 11:20 a.m. Police officers come onto the bus to take down everyone's information, such as: name, address, phone number, Panther ID, height, seat on the bus and etc., to file for the report. After waiting nearly an hour, FIU students are finally escorted by officers from one bus to another, to be taken to the Modesto A. Maidique Campus, located less than 10 minutes away off of SW 8th Ave. Some students were late for class and exams. No major injuries reported. DAVON JOHNSON
staff writer @ The Beacon News Club Explores Spirituality March 27, 2009 -- Months after moving into Bay Vista Housing, Michelle Araujo remains unsatisfied with the living conditions. “Washing machines have been out of order, dirty air conditioners have gotten people sick, kitchen faucets have produced dirty water, and doors really need to be repainted,” said Araujo, a freshman psychology major. Due to the lack of care for BVH, according to its residents, Residential Life and the Student Government Association will collaborate to provide a more accommodating view and lifestyle for students. Steps are being taken to satisfy the needs of the current residents, including the tasks of repainting and landscaping. Stobs Brothers Construction Co. will be in charge of remodeling the dorms. They have been chosen because they have done previous projects with the University, including the plumbing and waterproofing of the University Park Towers, and also because they are less expensive than Turner Construction Company. The upgrades are scheduled to begin at the end of the spring semester and will last 13 weeks, according to James Wassenaar, executive director of Student Affairs Operations and Auxiliary Services. The exterior surface of the dorms will be patched, repaired and painted. “The dorms haven’t been repainted since I’ve been here,” said Ryan Jagessar, senior business major who has been a resident of the dorms for four years. The dorms were last painted in 2004, according to Wassenaar. Expect a cream and terracotta to replace the pink and pale orange. “There is usually a five to six year cycle on the paint,” said Wassenaar. “We are trying to go with a color that would look well over time and throughout the weather changes." Aside from the faded paint on the outside of the building, some residents have been complaining about the wear and tear of the dorms and they would also like to see them redone. "I’ve only been here for a semester and a half and my toilet broke twice, the tile on the side of the bathroom’s shower has caved in, and rain water from the outside leaks into my living room through the front door,” said Christian Grannum, freshman economics major. The most recent improvement done to the dorms is the repaving of the second floor patio area and parking lot. There were also changes in the laundry room; however, they did not benefit the students who used it, according to Jagessar. “The laundry room used to have a wall full of washers and dryers and cost $0.75 to use, but now there are only nine washers and 12 dryers and the price went up to $1,” said Jagessar. “That’s not enough appliances for the 200 plus students we have here.” Though there are problems with the framework of the dorms, no plan exists for reconstruction at this time, according to Wassenaar. “We are in debt until 2016,” Wassenaar said. “Any changes will take three to four months of planning, and any thoughts of remodeling or tearing down won’t take place until four to six years.” However, indoor changes to furniture such as new refrigerators, appliances and cabinets will take place during the summer, according to Wassenaar. Once the painting is done, planters will come in to finish the landscaping. The types of plants to be gardened are yet to be determined. For Rich Morales who is a Bay Vista resident, though, problems run deeper than decoration. “I really don’t have any problems with the color or furnishing of the dorms,” said Morales, a senior sociology and anthropology major. “I just don’t like the too-expensive vending machines and the random inspections that are given because they invade our privacy.” Residential Life, which is responsible for the everyday operations of the residence halls, promoting the academic and personal success of students living in the the dorms through services, programs and activities, along with SGA, is sponsoring the budget for the upgrade of the dorms. It could also provide the funds necessary to get a new TV in the dorm’s community room. The cost of the upgrading is approximately half a million dollars, according to Wassenaar. The changes can't come fast enough for junior Amber Miller, a Bay Vista resident. “I would enjoy seeing a pingpong table, a pinball machine and a new foosball table in the community room,” said Miller, a hospitality management and tourism major. “There should also be Wi-Fi all over the dorms.” The Division of Student Affairs is responsible for making the campus more suitable and enjoyable for the resident students, according to Wassenaar. They have provided funds for the cafe, food court and the recreation of the swimming pool. “We will make sure that there will be a thorough furnishment of the dorms,” said Wassenaar. DAVON JOHNSON
contributing writer @ The Beacon Feature Story Custodial Combines Gospel, Hip-Hop, Faith in Debut Album February 13, 2009 -- Vacuuming, cleaning windows and taking out the garbage are a few of the things that many expect a university custodian to do around campus. However, one custodian has a quite exclusive personal life to help others find salvation through God. Avery Mitchell, 21, also known as Preach, is a university custodian and musician from Miami, who hopes to one day become a renowned Christian artist. Mitchell said that he is focused on setting a positive example for the new generation, and his ultimate goal is to inform and lecture the community about the word of God through his positive actions and music. “I grew up with the dream of being a human rights activist and plans to attend FIU to major in photography, but I didn’t have any support and money was getting tight,” said Mitchell. “So I started to work at FIU as a custodian in order to save up. I’ve been here for about a year and three months now.” According to Mitchell several sources, including God, have influenced his choice to become a musician, and delaying his dreams of becoming a photographer until he pursues his musical dreams. “I used to watch B.E.T and realized how the majority of the videos were degrading and corrupting the youth’s mind with sex, drugs, and violence,” said Mitchell. “So I made a promise to God that if I became a musician, I would be the light and salt of the earth and not be ashamed to speak his name and address who he is.” With lyrical influences such as Tupac Shakur, Run-DMC, and LL Cool J, Mitchell wants to use his talent to become a Christian hip-hop rapper, gearing his music towards people, generally the thugs and gangsters of the streets who he thinks may not be aware of the truth about God. “Tupac was very heart-felt, brought his audience together as a community, and rapped about reality,” said Mitchell. “LL is a cool cat with a successful recording career and Run-DMC was the pioneer of hip-hop. I just took what I knew and liked about their accomplishments and turned them around to something more positive that doesn’t deal with murder and idolizers.” Though Mitchell is influenced by artists not classified in the Christian genre, he also listens to the gospel. “I listen to Christian artists such as Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, and Donnie McClurkin, but I haven’t had any influences from any Christian rappers because I didn’t think that I would become a rapper.” Mitchell has not always been inspired by the word of God. “I didn’t grow up in church, but I was always around my Christian family,” said Mitchell. “They tried to get me to walk in the path of righteousness, but I was too young to understand and spent all my time in the streets doing the things contradicting to God.” Mitchell lived his life in and out of jail just as the typical thug did. “I was in the streets smoking, drinking, and stealing,” said Mitchell. “After I was released from jail for the fifth time when I was 18, my mom told me that God was watching over me, and that’s when I knew I needed a savior and decided to give my life to God.” Promising himself that he would start a new life and wouldn't go back to jail, Mitchell got into church and surrendered his life to the Lord. "Once I repented from my sins, got baptized in the name of Jesus in 2006 and became a real Christian, I started to preach about God to people in the streets of my local neighborhood, and soon after, my brother gave me the nickname of Preach the Minister, so I just took it and ran with it," said Mitchell. A long time friend of Mitchell has noticed the celestial change in his attitude. “[Mitchell] is a humble person with a lot to give,” said junior Andres Olivares, a criminal justice major. “I’ve known him since fifth grade and he has made an immense improvement in his lifestyle.” Having preached the word of God to people in his surrounding neighborhood, Mitchell wanted to try to draw attention from a larger audience. "I have been spreading the word of God for a couple of years," said Mitchell. "I wanted to begin recording tracks in 2006 when I made the choice to become a musician, but wasn’t able to begin recording until early 2008 because of money issues.” Though Mitchell began finding his voice and recording his music, he didn't think too much about signing up with a label right away. “I don’t want to look into an independent record label company as of yet because I’m thinking big,” said Mitchell. “I don’t want a label company to brand me and make me change my style, so I plan on making five albums first and then let [a label company] work with that.” In the meantime, Mitchell has been getting his music out another way. By self promoting, Mitchell has been able to get his name across by performing at places such as Miami’s Hip-Hop Grub Spot, located in Miami Gardens, Cameo Nightclub, in Miami Beach, The Broward County Fair, and FIU’s Diversity Day. “I don’t want to go mainstream right now because I’m not completely ready for all the attention right now.” said Mitchell. Mitchell’s song, “Gimme Mine,” which is about him asking the world and society to give him back his life, dignity, respect, power, money and sense of identity, can be requested on 89.1FM LiveSide Radio, an industry of Underground Hip Hop and R&B. “I’m not on any Christian stations right now because my music isn’t completely clean right now,” said Mitchell. “I do rap instead of gospel because I feel that the thugs will come to the rap music before anything else. The H.A.T.E. U Give, is just my seed album or burden release. It focuses the oppression, stress, and worries that I had while competing against good and evil.” After releasing his tension album, Mitchell plans to make his other albums a little more calm and collected. “My next albums will continue to grow in spirituality and become more and suitable for the Christian stations.” Mitchell's debut album, The H.A.T.E U Give, has 13 tracks and features hip-hop artist and record producer DJ NickTunez. Mitchell's actual single from the album, “Why Can’t We Come Together” features the original artist of the song “Why Can’t We Live Together,” by Timmy Thomas, an American R&B singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and record producer. “[Mitchell] is an extra-ordinary and out-going person,” said FIU’s Financial Aid Office assistance and Graduation Officer and close friend, Albertha Jones. “His music is very informative, deals with today’s society, and speaks positive to the young generation.” The focus of Mitchell's music is based on themes different than the average mainstream rapper. “The moral of my music is basically to demonstrate that everyone goes through hard times in their lives, but we can learn to take the negative tribulations and obstacles, and turn them into positive outcomes, if we only have faith in God.” Mitchell will be finishing his second out of five albums soon. It is called Preach the Minister on One Accordance. It is about all brothers and sisters coming together as one body and soul in Christ. The official release of the debut album is currently unannounced. “My music won’t die off because it has good principles, guidelines, and Jesus in the soul of it,” said Mitchell. For more information on concert and release dates, Mitchell can be reached on his profile at www.myspace.com/preachmusic1. DAVON JOHNSON
staff writer @ The Beacon News Bob Marley Fest Brings Students, Faculty Together February 6, 2009 -- Good vibes were formed as students connected through Jamaican music and food. West Indian Students Associations in conjunction with Student Programming Council, Club Africa, Student Organization Council, and yardmassive.com, hosted the Bob Marley Celebration tribute on Feb. 3 from 11a.m. to 3p.m. in the Wolfe University Center. “We are hosting this event to honor the life of Bob Marley and his accomplishments,” said graduate student Michelle Garel, a Master of Science in Higher Education major and President of WISA. “SPC helped co-host this event not only because it fell in with our Pan African Week, but also because we thought it would be a great way to honor the service, music, and life of a great man, Bob Marley,” said senior Georgia Bedeau, Tourism major and Marketing Director of SPC. There were over 100 students, falculty and staff in attendance. “This is a colorful, diverse experience and it’s nice to know about the Jamaican culture,” said junior Zane Bracy, Physical Theropy major. Black, gold, green, and red balloons and cloths were decorated around the tables to show homage to the Jamaican culture. “Marley was born and raised in Jamaica, but was very close to Africa,” said Garel. “That’s why we incorporated red into the colors [to pay homage his Rastafarian religion and beliefs]. The event was supposed to run until 4p.m. but was cut an hour short so that it wouldn’t conflict with SGA’s General Town Hall Meeting. “The music being played is dedicated to Bob Marley and other artists who were influenced by him,” said Garel. Carribbean Music Farm, South Florida’s most versatile live music band, played pure Reggae songs from Marley such as Stir It Up, No Woman No Cry, Is This Love, and I Shot the Sherriff. Its members are professional singers and musicians with multicultural and multinational Caribbean heritage and background. Its members are from Antigua, St Lucia, St. Thomas (USVI), Dominica, Turks & Caicos Islands, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad, according to their website, http://www.caribbeanmusicfarm.com. “I’m glad [WISA] put this event together,” said Jamaican freshman Rochelle Davis, Crinimal Justice major. “I feel so close to my roots.” The food, which was catered by Irie Isle, was curry chicken and rice and peas. Drinks provided were strawberry, orange, lemonlime, and cola soda, as well as Ginger Beer Reggae Style and Jamaican Kola Champagne. “This was a great way to promote our club and give the students more of our events on campus,” said Garel. “It’s a warm and positive event where everyone can get together and feel alright,” said Noel Browne, Band Leader and Lead Singer DAVON JOHNSON
contributing writer @ The Beacon News Show Lets Audience in on the Joke February 2, 2009 -- Laughter filled the air as three comedians joked about school, life, and reality. NBC’s Stand Up For Diversity Comedy Tour made its presence felt in the Mary Anne Wolfe Theater Thursday night. The show started at 8 p.m. but the theater was filling with students by 7 p.m. “The purpose of tonight’s show is to have a diversity of comedy from a group of comedians of different races, cultures, and genders,” said Rashida Jones, Communications junior, and Secretary of SPC. Stand Up For Diversity Comedy Tour was hosted by SPC and introduced Chinese comedian Shen Wang, featured Jamaician/Haitian Michelle Buteau, and headlined Haitian/American comic Wil Sylvince. There were an estimate 70 people in attendance, 17 of which were non-FIU students. “It was a smaller crowd than that of UP, but they made up for it with their energy,” said Wang. “I’m really glad I came. It’s nice to know that we have events like this on campus,” said Emily Kotyza, 19, a foreign exchange sophomore and Hospitality major. “My mom came too and she thought it was entertaining.” Topics ranged from racial stereotypes, fart jokes, typical college student actions dealing with masturbation, sex, pregnancy, STDs, high priced textbooks, living in the dorms, and taking out loans and shopping for credit cards. “I love the diversity of FIU. They’re so open-minded. I love FIU North, because I went here,” said Buteau. “This is my second time performing here.” “It was a very versatile audience and entertaining,” said J.C. Remadios, 25, junior Public Relations major. Other jokes were based on family issues with discipline and relationships with the significant other. “You can go all over the place with the jokes,” said Sylvince. The comedians made sure the audience felt like part of the show. They pointed out individuals in the crowd to joke on, answered questions in a rhetorical and humiliating manner and commented after the audience’s laughing. “The headliner was most entertaining, but the feature comic also kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time,” said Sidney Emmanuel, 21, a junior Computer Science major. Two audience members, Kemlie Alexandre and Malcolm Jones, were called onto the stage by Buteau for a trivia in which they had to name four songs each, by two popular artists Britney Spears and T.I. They both answered within the time frame and received either Buteau’s catchphrase t-shirt that said “from the waist down” or her standup comedy DVD. “It was very attention grabbing and there wasn’t one dull moment. I lost my voice laughing,” said Alexandre, 18, freshman Business major. Alexandre and Jones became part of the act when they went on stage. They also got a chance to produce laughter through interaction with Buteau. “I cried buckets of tears, and left with a sore throat from all the laughter,” said Jones, 18, a freshman majoring in Architecture at Broward College, South. After the event the three comics gave autographs, had conversations and took pictures with the fans. “We had a very good turnout. Everyone was happy. We’re definitely going to bring it back,” said Melissa Binns, Public Relations junior, and SPC Chair. DAVON JOHNSON
contributing writer @ The Beacon Feature Story Annual Breakfast Honors Cuban Journalist, Poet January 21, 2009 -- Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day. Imagine attending a breakfast in which the food isn’t just catered towards getting the essential vitamins and energy, but to also acknowledge someone as a tribute. The Jose Marti Scholarship Breakfast is an annually held event, hosted by The Jose Marti Club in conjunction with the FIU Vice Provost every January on the FIU-Biscayne Bay Campus that will be in the WUC Theatre & Panther Square on Wednesday, January 28. The event is to take place from 8:30 am to10:30. First conceived of some nine years ago, (1999), it is the shared vision that the Jose Marti Breakfast celebration will be a vehicle through which Student Scholarships are funded; an Endowed Chair is sponsored; a Building Named in Jose Marti’s honor; and a Jose Marti Lecture Series established, according to The Jose Marti Club’s website http://apostol.fiu.edu/. Jose Marti was a famous Cuban modernist poet and writer of children books. He has written books in both Spanish and English. Marti was pro-education and significant in the Cuban independence movement. Being a political activist has fueled his writing, motivating him to produce speeches, political manifestos, and hundreds of articles and reviews for journals worldwide. “We will be serving food such as Spanish/American coffee, croquettes and especially pastries, among other [Cuban] foods,” said Gonzalez-Gil, a senior majoring in chemistry, and president of the club. The event will also have Ernesto Travieso, an influential Catholic priest of the Cuban culture, introducing Invocation. It will feature Guest Speaker Dr. Eduardo Lolo, a Professor of Spanish and Hispanic Literature of Kingsborough, New York, and writer of several books about Jose Marti, such as Mar de espuma, Martí y la Literatura Infantil (1995), and Acerca de José Martí (2003), and it will have Chef Pepin as Master of Ceremonies, a solid proof of the pride and flavor of Hispanics, according to http://www.channel2.org/lacocina/pepin.html. “This event is about giving back to the FIU community and encouraging knowledge,” said Anabel Gonzalez-Gil. The Jose Marti Club has been hosted in conjunction with Miami-Dade College for the past 8 years, by helping with funding and making the event possible, but this is the first year that it will be hosted with the Science Club. Support has been given from the help of students and the Vice Provost. Other funding has been provided through selling cookies and donations from the community. “We encourage everyone to come out to this event and learn more about Jose Marti and his contribution to the Hispanic culture,” said Karen Prieto, a sophomore majoring in biology, and treasurer of the club. DAVON JOHNSON
contributing writer @ The Beacon News Diversity Day Celebrates Culture, Addresses Stereotypes DAVON JOHNSON
contributing writer @ The Beacon Feature Story Club Explores Spirituality September 3, 2008 -- Aside from the varied clubs that the Biscayne Bay Campus hosts, there is a different kind of organization that helps people with their relationship with God. InterVarsity is a global organization that draws students and faculty alike to "develop a living student ministry that is growing in love for God, God's Word, God's people of every ethnicity and culture, and God's purposes in the world,” according to its website, www.intervarsity.org. It serves more than 35,000 members, on more than 560 college and university campuses nationwide with branches in Europe and Canada. “The organization is acceptable, down to earth, and hospitable,” said Omar Tolbert, a two-year member and an accounting sophomore. “The members treat you as a person and are genuine.” Incorporated in 1941, InterVarsity has a tradition of campus student witnesses, discipleship and world missions, according to their website. "It is not about religion," said Angelica Gacayan, vice president of Intervarsity and a junior majoring in nursing. "It's about having a relationship with God." Activities include campus outreach and evangelism, community service to the poor, Bible studies, daily prayer gatherings and community meals. The club has traveled to Tampa, Orlando and Georgia. "InterVarsity will clarify how God works in your life and help students find out more about their beliefs," said Mary Beth Doozan, an official staff member and sports management major. “[It] welcomes international students and assists them in transitioning to our culture." The organization also provides camps and conferences all year long for spiritual formation and training, as well as global mission trips and urban projects during the summer. Urban projects are run each summer and spring, and ranges from one to eight weeks. Each project gives service opportunities, worship, and scripture study, but are different in arrangement. "InterVarsity is inter-denominational, which makes it a great way to be exposed to the whole Christian experience," said alumnus Juan Pablo, a technical engineer major who was a member of InterVarsity at University Park and became president during his senior year. The majority of the members share a common commitment to teaching certain values and exploring issues such as justice, poverty, racism, racial reconciliation, violence, lifestyle, biblical community, and the ministry of the urban church, according to the club’s website. Membership is free and open to the public. The organization also provides leadership opportunities. "The club is for anyone with an open heart and a willingness to learn," Doozan said. For more information, contact Mary Beth Doozan at [email protected]. |