Nearly four years ago, when I was starting as a freshman at Berry, I wrote my first opinion piece for the Campus Carrier. It was about the importance of studying and appreciating the humanities, something I was just becoming passionate about. When I wrote that op-ed, I couldn’t truly grasp how much there still was for me to learn in college, but I knew that I had an unshakable desire to learn about the myriad ways people live and create art.  Continue reading Never forget the intrinsic value that beauty holds

The First Amendment is often treated like a permanent fixture of American life, something immovable, untouchable, guaranteed. It isn’t. It survives because people insist on it.  Continue reading We must continue to fight for freedom of speech

Success is rarely something achieved alone. Behind the person who accomplishes something grand, there is usually a person who guides them, offering encouragement and constructive criticism along the way. Mentorship is where a more experienced or knowledgeable person provides advice, support and knowledge to someone going through similar motions in life that they once did. Mentorship is essential because it assists in personal growth, expands opportunity, strengthens communities and prepares individuals for the lives ahead of them. Continue reading Our View: Mentorship is the key to growth and success

Kevin Kleine has been part of my story for nearly 30 years, as my adviser, professor, Cabin Log adviser, Carrier adviser and friend. He also happened to be married to the amazing Jenny and trusted me enough to babysit his kids, which says a lot. At Berry, Kevin gave me a choice between two paths, Cabin Log or Carrier editor. Then he did what great … Continue reading Letters to Kevin Kleine

I don’t know if it’s just because I’m a communication major and I’ve spent a lot of my time in higher education delving into the different corners of the humanities, but I’ve encountered a lot of very strong, very cultured opinions when it comes to literature, film, music and art. These opinions are extremely well thought-out and could probably be defended in a well-structured critical analysis essay. Continue reading Sometimes it’s better to be fun than pretentious

Berry College is a dynamic ecosystem of ideas, learning laboratories and innovation. Each day, dozens of stories unfold in our classrooms, residence halls, offices, labs, athletic fields and student centers. Many of these stories would go untold without strong college media outlets, like our student-run newspaper, magazines, podcasts and digital multi-media platform. Since it provides a vital public service, student media is much more than a co-curricular activity. It informs, connects and empowers the Berry community it serves.  Continue reading Student media needs your fresh voice, creative work

When I made the decision to come to Berry four fateful years ago, I told everyone that it was because I liked the opportunities it offered. At that point, I was mainly referring to LifeWorks, but throughout my time here, I’ve realized that the word applies to far more than that. Continue reading There are so many opportunities Berry has to offer

This academic year, Berry lowered minimum office hour requirement for professors from ten hours to six. While this decision may lighten professors’ already heavy workloads, its effect on students should also be acknowledged. Office hours are extremely beneficial for students. They allow for one-on-one clarification, deeper discussions on class topics and personalized feedback on assignments. Continue reading Our View: Decreasing office hours is bad for students

Despite being part of a tight campus community, even one as cohesive as Berry, it’s surprisingly common for students to struggle with isolation. When things get difficult, many of us retreat inward, telling ourselves we’ll handle it on our own. Part of that comes from the pressure to seem independent; it might also come from the assumption that no one else is struggling in the same way or from a concern about burdening others with our struggles. Continue reading Community is important during stressful times

With the growth of digital media, physical newspapers have been struggling to adapt, especially with decreasing budgets. This is due to the quick publishing turnaround, the wider audience reach and the overall lower cost of online news. Although the growth of digital media is inevitable and beneficial, the decline of print media is harmful because it reduces permanence, depth and engagement.  Continue reading Our View: Losing print media is a loss for journalism