TLC for the TD

The Tiger’s Den is about to get a much needed upgrade.  New nets for the ping pong tables are ordered along with a new pool table.  And, our sad, ugly, abused…sorry, many adjectives come to mind, current pool table will be resurfaced.  A lot of new stuff, right?  How is this all possible?  Central’s very own Student Government Association is footing the bill! 

For the past two years, getting new equipment has been in constant discussion, and finally a decision has been made.  With Skittles, a game played on the pool table whose rules are still elusive to this writer, wreaking havoc with the current table, the hope is to have one just for that particular game and another for the much safer and sedate pool game.  As far as new ping pong table nets goes, well, it was kind of news to me when I heard, so apparently the ping-pongers have been getting a little rough, too.  So, as a little PSA:  try to be more careful everyone!  Remember that the TD is a relaxing place available to all students, not just the rowdy hooligans, you know who you are.  And, we want to keep it a fun place with usable equipment.  No one likes playing with broken down things; it’s just annoying.  Now, with that said, go have fun!  Enjoy your new “toys”!  Don’t break a pool stick!  Or a ping pong paddle!  Or anything else!  Exclamation points are fun, and apparently, I like bossing you guys around.  The end.

By: Stephanie Harper

Kevin the Platypus Learns About Persuasion

All things psychology have always been fascinating to me. Today’s topic is pretty basic. For science-y inclined people, the creative artistic minds, and those planning on taking over the world someday, persuasion may be something we should study up on.


A few things I’ve learned in my neophyte plight to understanding minds.
Cognitive dissonance (oooh, new big words) is the psychological discomfort you feel when battle royal is going down in your mind between conflicting thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes. We’ve all been in these kinds of situations before.

But don’t take my word for it. Just ask Kevin. He’s a platypus with a problem. He has a hard time making decisions, much like you and I do at times. Except that you and I are definitely not amphibious mammals. As far as I know.

One day, Kevin was letting his friend - a little girl whose name escapes me at the moment - use him as a playground. They were having a grand old time, when a random thought army crawled into his mind, causing him to implore what would happen if he decided to eat the little girl. He then proceeded through the six methods of maintaining consistency.

1. Denial: “This little girl probably won’t mind if I eat her. We are friends, after all.”

2. Bolstering: “Sooner or later, someone else will probably come along and eat her anyway.”

3. Differentiation: “It’s not like I’m eating an endangered species. There are plenty of little girls out there in the wild, running around free, like squirrels.”

4. Transcendence: “No one is perfect. We all give in to temptation at one point or another.”

5. Modifying one or both attitudes: “I should be more considerate. This little girl probably wasn’t planning on being eaten today.”

6. Communicating: “I’ll just have to convince everyone I’m not a psycho killer platypus when they find out.”

Despite the internal battle, Kevin finally determined that eating the little girl would not really be in anyone’s best interest, and he and the little girl remained friends for a long time.


Good choice, Kevin.


BY: Ariana Matty

Source used:
Gass, Robert H, and John S Seiter. Persuation: Social Influence and Compliance Gaining. 4 ed. Pearson, 2011. Print.

Basketball Theme Nights

This year at Central Christian College (CCC), specific basketball games will have different themes assigned to them. Student Activities Council (SAC) and the CCC cheerleaders are working together to make these nights possible. The first basketball games of the season will be on Tuesday the 29^th and it’s also the first theme night. The women’s game is at five and the men’s game is at seven. The whole evening is called “Fright Night” but the theme for the basketball games will be “Go, Fight, Win”. The crowd is supposed to wear their Halloween costume to the game. Throughout the evening, judges will be on the lookout for the best costume. At halftime of the men’s game, the winner will be announced and they will be given a prize that will be announced at a later date. The rest of the semester only has two other theme nights. The first will be on November 1^st and the theme is “Rock the Stands”. For this game, the first 100+ people will receive a pair of CCC sunglasses. The last theme night of the fall semester will be on December 7^th and the theme is “Silent Night”. The crowd is supposed to go this game and be absolutely silent until Central scores the tenth point. Then everyone is supposed to cheer like they’re madmen. Make sure to make it to all the games and show your support.
By: Laura Smith

CCC to Host Ultimate Frisbee Tournament

 

Central Christian College will be playing host to several members of the McPherson community in the first ever Ultimate Challenge. The Ultimate Challenge tournament is based off one the more popular sports in McPherson, Ultimate Frisbee. The tournament begins Saturday November 2^nd at 9am and will continue throughout most of the day. The tournament will be played at Central Christian College's athletic fields. The teams may have both male and female competitors and teams must have a minimum of 7 players and a maximum of 11 players. Players must be at least 16 years or older to compete. Players under the age of 18 must fill out a consent form which may be found on the website below.

The cost per team is $70. Registration ends on October 31^st at midnight. Teams wishing to register after October 31^st may do so, but they will be charged $80 to enter. Teams are guaranteed 3 games and the winning team will be awarded a prize. All proceeds are going to the Central Christian College Sports Science and Health Department.
Teams may register and pay online at www.sportssignup.com/Central-Christian-College-Online-Registration.start. Teams may also bring cash or check to Central Christian College's business office in Science Hall,  1200 S. Main, or to Professor Kyle Moody in room 205 of the Ed Pyle Sports Complex.
 If you have any questions you can reach Kyle Moody at kyle.moody@centralchristian.edu, or by phone at (940) 867-0756. Go gather you friends and come have a great time!
Article by Mark Gayer

Beautification Nation

You may have noticed some of the new art work popping up around campus lately. This project has been spearheaded by Shane Dawson (not to be confused with the YouTube celebrity) and Naomi Ullum.

  Their most recent project can now be seen hanging in the cafeteria. They put up four individual pieces each being a part of the fit four themes. The pieces were designed to have the same color scheme as the cafeteria, and each piece has two pictures-one a Central Christian historic picture and one a recent picture-that represent one of the four themes.  Shane Dawson explained that the cloud of words on each piece was an idea he had for incorporating the Bloom’s taxonomy.

  There are several new projects being discussed for the next few years. One such project is possibly moving the wooden Toby statue indoors.  Be looking out for a lot of new artwork and updates popping up around campuses over the next few months and years.

By Caleb Voyles

Home Court Practice!

Midterm has come and gone and as we push towards Christmas break, many of the fall sports are coming to a close. Many of the spring sports that to the untrained eye may have appeared to be in a dormant state through the fall have actually been much more active than we might have first guessed.

            The tennis team is one group of athletes that has been prepping for the upcoming season since the last one ended. Some of the players did some practicing on their own, as suggested by their head Coach Jeremy Nelson. Now, in the fall, practices have begun in earnest. Because of the nice weather, the team has been able to have regular practices out on the courts. They also do general things to stay in shape on their own such as running, stretching to prevent injury and P90X. As the winter sets in the team will spend more of their time indoors, particularly in the weight room.

            This year the school is excited to have former player, Kristen Reith as part of the coaching staff for the 19 people that make up the two teams. Kristen will primarily help with the women's team which is the smaller of the two. To add to the excitement, Central has welcomed several new students to the tennis team making for an almost entirely new team. This will create a new dynamic that will be interesting to watch come spring.

By Andrea Ruiz

The Education Club makes some Waves

The Education Department has repurposed and launched a new ship in their fleet.  The Education Club has begun to sail forward to make a difference in the culture and landscape of education at CCC and in McPherson, KS.  They have spent the last couple of months checking the rigging and making sure the Club is ship shape and ready to weather any storm that could threaten the health and stability of their fine vessel.  They have found a true wind and begun the trek towards adventure.  The members have found their sea legs and are working towards the greater good and success of the voyage.  Matthew Fuksa said, “Something is stirring up here, and I feel like I am a part of it.”  Treg Fawl echoed his statement and compared his experience at previous large institution and said, “Here I do not feel like just another number.”

There was a sense of camaraderie amongst the shipmates, and an eagerness to increase their ranks.  The October 16^th meeting set their course for a discussion about new members, advertising, and a new and exciting program set to launch soon.  The helm was controlled by Captain Joe Hirsch, who navigated the discussion and kept them from running aground.  Admiral Melinda Reese reminded the group of important opportunities and provided an inspiring message.  These bright eyed swabbers will gain experience as they keep their eyes set on the horizon and will no doubt soon become a well-oiled group of sea dogs.

Any new members eager to sign on and take to the rigging and watch skyline for exciting new possibilities are encouraged to attend future meetings.  The Education Club is not strictly for Education majors, but for any interested in learn and self-betterment.  They are an ambitious group of seafarers looking for adventures that will leave hope and the Love of Jesus in their wake.  So, join in, set your course, batten your hatches, and be ready for an adventure of a lifetime.

By: Chris Gates