Have you ever seen a fashion show with clothes that are popular in India, or a quinceañera dress from South America? Have you ever tasted foods from countries around the world, or heard singing from an African choir? Covenant’s Multicultural Program (MCP) is hard at work preparing all these things and more for this year's week-long Culture Fest in March.
Read moreCultivating an Interdisciplinary Approach to Skills Development
Covenant has long sought to be a place that affirms the idea of an interdisciplinary education. As a liberal arts school, its core curriculum is structured to expose students to each of the major academic disciplines, including humanities, social and natural sciences and the arts. In support of this agenda, academic certificate programs move beyond the traditional collection of majors, offering unique combinations of classes on a focused topic.
Read moreWednesday Night Panels Hosted on Racism, Sexuality, and Mental Health
On February 24 almost every seat available in the chapel was filled with students, staff and faculty for the discussion titled “Conversation on Sexuality: Same-Sex Attraction & LGBTQ+ Questions.” The Conversations series on Wednesday nights has been expanded to include not only discussions about culture and race but also about sexuality and mental health, and they’re attracting quite a crowd.
Read moreA Breakdown of the Long Winter Break
After the shortened fall semester, it is no surprise that both students and administration were excited about the extended break. For some, the break provided a chance to get jobs and earn some extra money; for others it gave them a chance to take a January term class or hang out with their family. Nonetheless, to many, it was definitely worth the condensed semester.
Read moreCovenant Club Fighting for Justice
January was National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month, a month which has been dedicated to raising awareness about modern day slavery since 2010. While many people may not realize it, slavery is still a prominent issue both in the U.S. and abroad. During the month of January, the United States Department of State works to raise awareness about trafficking and slavery at embassies and consulates worldwide, as well as celebrate the important work of those fighting to end trafficking.
Read moreTwenty-Eight Executive Orders Signed by Biden in First Month of Presidency
Since the inauguration, Joseph R. Biden Jr. has been signing executive orders and meeting with Republicans and Democrats to pass his proposed legislation. In his first month of office, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed 30 executive orders, the record for the most signed in the first month in office. On February 3 NPR reported that Biden had signed 28 executive orders after being in office for approximately three weeks.
Variants Versus Vaccines: A COVID-19 Update
This time last year, in mid- to late February, newspapers were just beginning to print about a novel coronavirus that was spreading at a rate of barely one thousand cases globally per day, as astonishing as that was at the time. Today, we see 300,000 to 500,000 cases per day, adding to a cumulative case count that will likely be beyond 112 million by the time this article goes to press.
The Work of Amani ya Juu in Chattanooga
Just a few months ago, a small, beautiful compound in the center of Nairobi, Kenya, was buzzing with activity. The laughter and songs of women could be heard throughout the buildings and gardens as they worked. Customers floated in and out of the shop, the front which was full of the colorful handiwork of these women. Other customers rested in the peaceful garden while they waited for a soup or salad from the cafe.
Read moreFounders Hosts Music Video Competition
As this semester draws to a close, students are mourning the loss of some traditional Covenant College events. Unable to allow crowds of people to make their yearly circuit through its winding halls, Around Founders has been postponed. Carter Hall leaves piles of holiday decor in storage for another year, unable to bring festive cheer to campus through Carter Christmas. Students will also not be able to celebrate the last day of classes this semester with Mistletoe Mingle.
Read moreCOVID-19: Herd Immunity and Local Conditions
As a second installment to this column on pandemic highlights and COVID-19 science, I've chosen to focus on our local outbreak with a few notes about herd immunity.
Admissions Innovating to Keep Attracting Prospective Students to Campus
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the Covenant community, the Admissions Department has indefinitely adjusted their recruitment methods in order to better serve prospective students during these uncertain times, admissions leaders say.
Read moreCovenant Participates in Mayo Health Clinic Study
On August 17, Dean Voyles sent out an email inviting Covenant students, staff and faculty to participate in a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic. The study is measuring the prevalence of COVID-19 on college campuses by taking serology, or antibody, tests at the beginning and end of a six to eight week period of time. Here's an update.
Hall Life in a Pandemic
This year, as many students are battling disappointment from the inability to participate in the hall events and traditions we all enjoy due to COVID-19 regulations, one of the concerns that keeps popping up is this: what will hall cultures look like after the pandemic? And, more importantly, will they suffer?
Read moreCOVID-19: A Deep Dive into the Pandemic
It has been over nine months since the first reports of a novel respiratory illness were first released at the end of the first week in January. Quite a lot has happened in those nine months of living in a pandemic, much of which the media has attempted to cover in newspapers, magazines and live interviews. This column is an attempt to report to you, the Covenant community, on pandemic highlights, especially the technological development of treatments and vaccines, public health responses and related developments in the science of COVID-19.
Read moreFall Apple Picking Traditions Continue
As Covenant College has passed the halfway mark of this unusual fall semester, halls have become more and more creative in keeping their traditions alive in safe ways. Brethren, a hall in Founders, had an outdoor hall date that involved frog-catching and a bonfire. Maclellan/Rymer halls Rowan and Suburbs carried on their brother-sister hall event traditions by playing a campus-wide game of Capture the Flag.
Third Party Voting: Does it Matter?
The upcoming elections have been very discouraging for many Americans. In fact, the American Psychological Association found that “nearly 7 out of 10 Americans are very stressed about the upcoming presidential elections.” NPR reported on this study and discussed the reasons many people are feeling especially anxious about the elections, whether they were concerned about their candidate winning or were simply exhausted by the political climate.
Read moreTeaching During a Pandemic
The various safety protocols maintained on campus this year are unprecedented in the history of the college. Every department has faced challenges because of these protocols. This article highlights the unique experience of three departments in particular: theatre, foreign language and music.
Stress and COVID-19: Students Explain Their De-stressing Techniques
Covenant students have officially reached the halfway point for the fall semester. Some are excited, while others may be dreading the increase in course work as midterms continue, assignments increase, and finals loom ever closer. During an intense semester, it’s important to remain grounded, taking time to relax and de-stress while still remaining diligent and motivated to finish the semester strong.
Chattanooga Entertainment Venues Reopen
In Chattanooga over the past year, many concert venues have struggled to adapt to changes forced into place by COVID-19. There have only been a few events held since March, when the virus became more serious. In an exciting turnaround this month, several attempts at reopening in certain areas are being made with specific attention to distancing rules. For the first time since March of this year, the Tivoli and The Signal will be holding events locally.
Read moreGrad Assistant Aly Faulk Joins the Multicultural Program Team at Covenant
Around a table under the West Pavilion tent sit seven students chatting and laughing amiably. Above them a cloudy, Thursday afternoon sky promises rain, but here in the company of friends, it doesn’t matter. Gradually the small talk around the table dies away, and the students come to order as the eighth member of their party begins handing out a meeting agenda.
“Alright, guys,” Aly Faulk says. “Let’s get started.”