Harris aimed to maintain the audience’s attention with a rope trick dedicated to his grandmother and Harry Houdini’s “Metamorphosis” illusion.

Audience participation was heavily integrated into the entire performance. Harris picked child and college student volunteers from the crowd to assist with various illusions and try to convince the audience that he wasn’t pulling any cheap tricks.

Junior Alexis Kaisharis, one of the many Lee students in attendance, said that she would definitely attend if Lee brought in another illusionist.

“It blew my mind,” Kaisharis said. “Our eyes and minds play tricks on us constantly.”

Harris said he uses his craft to reveal just how easily people can be deceived.

“You and I see things with our own eyes, and we assume that they are real,” Harris said. “The problem is that seeing is not always believing; things are not always what they seem.”

Throughout the one-and-a-half hour block, Harris highlighted the weaknesses in people’s senses. Harris demonstrated how illusions work, explained the art of misdirection, and showed how both play out in our walk of faith.

Harris also made it explicitly clear that he is an illusionist only, and that his tricks simply fool people’s senses.

“Everything that you are experiencing tonight … is just an illusion. Of course it’s not real; it was just a trick on your eyes, a trick on your mind and nothing more,” Harris said. “You cannot live your life by your senses, because your senses can always be failed.”

Updated projectors were installed in classrooms throughout the building. Through this project, IT Operations aimed to further improve the building’s learning environment by eliminating problems caused by the older machines.

Richard Jones, a professor of anthropology, said he observed the doubled brightness of the devices during his lectures.

“Previously, in several of the rooms in the Humanities Center, sunlight washed out whatever was being projected on the screen, even [when] the blinds in the rooms [were] closed,” Jones said.

With the updated equipment, professors aren’t required to darken the room in order to see what is projected onto the screen.

Jones also said he appreciates spending less class time struggling with the projector, thanks to new control panels.

“We don’t want technology to get in the way of expressing an idea or thought,” Director of IT Operations Chris Golden said. “Instead, we want it to be something to be leveraged to express an idea or thought.”

Lee obtained the projectors with a Title III grant, and Steven Van Falls, manager of Lab and Technology Advanced Classroom, worked on the renovations from the end of the fall 2011 semester until the beginning of the spring 2012 semester.

Some students have noticed the changes. One such student is Fernando Alejandro, a freshman history education major, who took classes in the Humanities Center before and after the installation of the new projectors.

“The lights being turned off made me sleepy,” Alejandro said. “Professors are no longer required to turn off the lights, which keeps my focus on the material that is being taught.”

The innovative projectors even send signals to IT Operations when bulbs need replacing.

“The actual operation and performance of the equipment is all in the background now, as it should be,” Jones said. “The content of the course [being taught] is now in the foreground.”

Discovering the answer might require discussion with an expert.

Fortunately, an expert is coming to Lee University on Monday, Jan. 30, in the Philosophy Club and Humanities Coalition joint event entitled, “What Is Philosophy?”

The presentation will consist of a lecture by Reginald McLelland, retired emeritus professor of philosophy at Covenant College, along with a conversation that considers various philosophical topics of interest.

McLelland received a doctorate in philosophy, and he once taught at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Missouri. He guest lectured several times at Lee for Mary McCampbell, assistant professor of humanities and the sponsor for the Humanities Coalition.

“Dr. McLelland has always been a mentor to me,” McCampbell said. McCampbell received her bachelor’s degree in English, but she minored in history and philosophy, when she met and studied under McLelland.

The Humanities Coalition finds philosophy an intriguing and frequent topic of discussion.

President of the Coalition Melissa Phillips said she considers philosophy to be a common element that the Humanities Coalition shares with the Philosophy Club.

“We are hoping for a good turnout,” Timothy Miller, assistant professor of philosophy and sponsor of the Philosophy Club, said. Miller received his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Oklahoma.

Both the Philosophy Club and the Humanities Coalition meet bi-monthly, and their meetings are designed as open discussions within the student body.

“We are trying to find students who are interested in facilitating intellectual conversations,” Phillips said.

The event will take place in Johnson Lecture Hall at 7 p.m. on Jan. 30.

Buchanan received a call from his father, John Buchanan, at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, saying that Stephen’s sister, Jessica, had been rescued from her three-month captivity in Somalia, and was on her way home.

“As bad as a feeling as it was to hear that she had been taken…it was even better that they had gone in and rescued her– that we would get to see her soon,” Buchanan said.

The family received a call from President Barack Obama immediately following the State of the Union address saying that a special forces group had rescued Jessica.

One of the reasons for the rescue was Jessica’s “deteriorating health,” an article from the Washington Post said.

Jessica Buchanan and her Danish co-worker were kidnapped by Somali pirates on Oct. 25, 2011, according to a report by ABC News.

Buchanan and his family are currently traveling to Europe to see Jessica. Buchanan said he is delighted that this time in his family’s life is over and is thankful for all the support he has received from the Lee community.

“The way that Lee has treated me throughout this has been inspiring,” Buchanan said. “Thanks to everyone for all the prayers and support.”

Harris will be performing on January 29, Wickham on February 26 and Gungor on April 22.

In addition to these artists, a night of worship has also been scheduled for March 25.

Lee’s Director of Facilities Management Josh York is in charge of booking the performances for Lee’s chapel and U-Church services. Thanks to York’s work, Lee is becoming a hot venue for chart-topping artists.

“A lot of artists are becoming more and more aware of Lee because of the concerts we have on a regular basis,” York said. “We’re starting to make a name for ourselves at Lee as a place where artists actually want to come to.”

Beyond establishing Lee as a desirable locale, York also works to keep things interesting.

“I’ve tried specifically the past two years to create a diverse program. I don’t want to have Family Force 5 and then Barlow Girl and Superchick all three in one semester,” York said. “There’s no real change up there; this semester, I think it’s going to appeal to musicians … to some that are probably a little bit more into the arts.”

Phil Wickham is a contemporary Christian singer/songwriter and has recently released a new album, “Response.” ChristianityToday.com described Wickham as “a master at putting equal priority on praise and performance,” with the ability “to strike just the right balance between reverence and resourcefulness.”

Junior Caitlin Stine, fan of Wickham, said that she is thrilled about his upcoming appearance.

“I love his lyrics; he puts a lot of thought into all that he does,” Stine said. “I really hope people grasp a different understanding of what praising or worshipping God can be … It just has to come from your heart. That’s what most of his music is; it’s things he thinks and he portrays them in a way that’s easy to understand.”

Gungor, a worship band well-known for their chart-topping single “Beautiful Things,” also released a new album. “Ghosts Upon the Earth,” a few months ago. A blog post on the band’s website describes the new album as an attempt at staying true to themselves and their creativity.

“[Ghosts Upon the Earth] is indeed music from our hearts, and our hope is that by staying honest with our craft it may help open the hearts of other people as well,” the post read.

Harris III, a Christian illusionist, falls into a category all his own among the artists scheduled. Over the course of his career, Harris has performed in venues and major churches the world over.

Brad Lomenick, the Director for the Catalyst conference, commended Harris’s performance at the 2007 conference.

“Each year at Catalyst, our team does everything in our power to raise the bar and blow people away with creativity. [Harris] took the time to help us creatively illustrate the theme of our conference and then performed an illusion that left us speechless. Our entire staff along with the entire audience of 11,000 people were in awe of his performance,” Lomenick said.

These artists, however, don’t make it to campus by themselves. York expends a great amount of time and energy networking, taking polls and booking artists to bring the excitement to the Conn Center stage.

A variety of factors come in to play in the decision-making process, York said. He spends time checking the charts to see what’s popular, listening around for artist reputations, and spending time in prayer.

The weight of the decision, however, lies heaviest with one particular group.

“Most of [the decision] really just comes from students, whether that’s through an actual written poll or talking to them,” York said. “Family Force 5 was not my idea; I had a student that came to me, and he said, ‘You should really book these guys’… So I started asking around.”

“We feel like this gives our students an advantage,” Pamela Browning, chair of the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education, said. “We have to ensure that our students have an advantage to get a job.”

In the past year, the implementation of a new evaluation tool, the Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model, raised the bar for teachers all across the state.

In view of the increased pressure upon teachers to perform at a level of excellence as well as a growing trend of full-year internships, Browning and Debbie Murray, dean of the Helen DeVos College of Education, are both are eager to improve upon what they already consider a good program, though they said that they are pleased with the success of former students who have already completed the current program.

“We have always received excellent feedback because when they go into student teaching, they have … experience,” Browning said.

During the methods class, students learn how to teach effectively before they dive in to their semesters of student teaching.

In the current program, education students take the methods class the semester before they student teach. The students meet with Lee professors twice a week and spend one weekday, Wednesday, at a local school, called a lab school, where they utilize what they learn from their Lee professors.

In the new program, beginning this fall, students will not spend one day a week at their lab school. They will spend two days,  Tuesday and Thursday, as opposed to only Wednesday. This semester is called the Clinical 1 semester, and the semester of student teaching is called Clinical 2.

“They will be almost immersed in teaching [during the Clinical 1] semester,” Murray said.

Students in the class will be divided into small lab groups and assigned to a specific lab school. Various Lee education professors are assigned to lab groups, and they actually go to the schools with their group to observe and touch base with students and teachers.

Browning said that students are closely supervised and supported during their Clinical 1 semester, so she thinks this will provide a safer and more comfortable environment during the learning process.

Makenzi Foster, an early childhood education major, anticipates the enhanced program with an optimistic attitude even though her methods class will be the first to put it into action in the fall.

“I am looking forward to it,” Foster said. “I think it will be great to be in the classroom to get more experience … and be better teachers in the end.”

Though the changes taking place in the fall do not affect the secondary education majors, Murray said that she hopes to eventually take this trend and apply it to secondary education as well.

The major intertwines a communication and education degree. Students wishing to graduate with a degree in communication education are required to complete 43 hours of communication courses, 27 hours of education courses as well as one full semester of student teaching. This new degree does not require an internship as opposed to a regular communication degree.

The new major will provide a teaching licensure for grades 7-12 in areas such as public speaking, film, journalism and newspaper writing. However, graduates can use this degree in the business world as well as in the classroom.

Rebekah Steigler, a junior education major, is considering switching to the communication education program, saying that the dual nature of the program greatly appeals to her.

“This major allows students to still learn techniques in communication in case they decide to enter the business world,” Steigler said.  ”I am thinking about switching to the major so that I can learn more public speaking skills.”

Megan Moe, associate professor of communications, will advise the students who participate in the new program.

Moe said that she believes employers tend to favor interviewees with degrees in education because it proves they had vigorous work ethic simply to get through their major.

Communication graduate Elle Greely is currently seeking a master’s program that incorporates communication and education elements.

“I really wish Lee had this major when I was there,” Greely said. “I’m very interested in teaching and think this major, at the graduate level, is just what I’m looking for.”

Communication teaching licensures are fairly new to Tennessee public schools, which in years past have simply asked English teachers to fill in for open communication classes.

“We don’t have any licensed Bradley County communication education teachers,” Moe said.

Moe encourages any students interested in pursuing the degree to try out a few education classes to get a feel for teaching before they decide to take it on as a major.

Chris Golden, director of information technology operations, said that he believes Fortigate is an important program because it helps students and faculty alike to stay strong in their walk with God.

“Obviously we’re a Christian college, and parents expect us to provide some kind of safe environment for people,” Golden said.

While the new program allows for Lee to block a number of different categories of cites, Golden said that Lee blocks very few things on its network.

“We only block adult content, pornography and malware,” Golden said. “We’re going to block sites that we know will infect your computer.”

Golden said that the reason Lee feels the need to block pornographic sites is because of their negative impact in our Christian walks.

“It’s there to help Christians be better Christians,” Golden said. “We’re just trying to help people in their walk.”

Likewise, the counseling center has experience dealing with student issues like pornography and notes the potential benefit of blocking such websites.

“Pornography is an issue that is sometimes likened to other addictions,” David Quagliana, licensed psychologist and assistant director at the counseling center, said. “Part of the process of recovery is removal of opportunities for temptation and access.”

While Golden wants to remove the temptation for students visiting pornographic sites on Lee’s network, he also feels that pornography should be the only thing that Lee blocks.

“Even though we are doing censorship to a limited extent by blocking porn, I think it’s justified at the institution that we’re at,” Golden said. “But as far as being able to see how people view certain things or other people’s opinions on things, I think that’s good to have in an educational environment.”

Golden went on to state that if students feel a site is blocked when it shouldn’t be, they can contact him, and he will pursue the issue further.

“Just because something’s blocked doesn’t mean it’s blocked for eternity,” Golden said. “You can send an email to the help desk if there’s a website that needs to be unblocked and … we will look at the website and determine whether or not it’s okay to unblock.”

One reason Golden wants to give this opportunity to students is because the current program blocks pornographic sites and all sites that may be connected to a pornographic site.

“If [the website] is a hosting company, and they also host porn, it’ll get clumped in together,” Golden explained. “So it’s not necessarily that we’re blocking the specific site, but it’s related to another one.  It’s kind of like if you’re hanging out with a group of people who are known to do something, then you’re automatically assumed to be that same way.”

Overall, Golden said he is glad to have a program that allows Lee to block inappropriate cites.

“I made it a big priority to get [this program] over the summer,” Golden said. “Dr. Conn approved it over the summer out of a special fund, and we were able to get it in place.”

While the Fortigate program itself is new to Lee, the idea of having a program to block certain websites is not, said Golden.

“We had a URL filter a couple of years ago, but it caused issues in the network and slowed it down, so we haven’t had one for a long time, probably around three to four years,” Golden said.

Once Lee retired the former URL filter, individuals at Lee began noticing sites that were inappropriate for a Christian campus were accessible, and they alerted Golden of the situation.

“I got some emails from students and faculty both who pointed out the need for [a new URL filter], especially the counseling center with people who have had issues [with pornographic sites],” Golden said.

Golden said that with the new program, students will be better protected against temptations.

“We’re Christians, but we’re still human, and everybody has their own issues,” Golden said. “If you show me a perfect Christian, and you’re not pointing at Jesus, then I don’t really believe it.”

Chris Conine, vice president for business and finance, is the man responsible for getting these national brands from Sodexo approved by President Paul Conn.

Conine’s motivations for renovating the campus Chick-fil-A were simple and included the desire to “[select] national brands that meet the wishes, varying tastes and preferences of our students, … [improve] the flow of traffic in the PCSU, and [provide Lee] students with a larger social area.”

No one questioned the success of a full-service Chick-fil-A on Lee’s campus, as statistics showed that four out of 10 Lee dining purchases are made at Chick-fil-A.

Now that business at Dunkin’ Donuts, Einstein Bros Bagels and Subway is in full swing, the opening of the full-service Chick-fil-A completes the revamped campus dining options.

Conine explained that students’ input led to the recent changes in Lee dining.

“We formed focus groups to gather information of what is truly important to our students,” Conine said.

This input was used to create plans focused on bringing the national brands that Lee students preferred to Lee University. After reviewing the information gathered in focus group meetings, Conine met with the Sodexo leadership team to look at the different retail options.

The reconstruction of the full-service Chick-fil-A began right before Thanksgiving break, and now it not only serves the chicken sandwiches and fries that students are used to ordering, but also breakfast options, milkshakes and the spicy menu options.

The dining area next to the Chick-fil-A also has new tables and chairs that provide extra seating for a quick bite.

Hannah Anderson, freshman at Lee University, explains how she has recently discovered her love of Chick-fil-A.

“I am so used to eating Chick-fil-A here on campus that when I am home, I find myself craving it,” Anderson said. ” I go there more than any other fast food restaurant back home because it just tastes better than other fast food joints; it seems healthier too.”

According to the Chick-fil-A website, the restaurant uses peanut oil and only the freshest ingredients, and the lemonade is fresh-squeezed every day.

The new, full-service Chick-fil-A also operates during new hours. It will be open from 7:30 a.m.  to 10 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.

We hope you will look to the Lee Clarion for all your information needs about Lee University this year.

Follow us on twitter @leeclarion and like us on Facebook to get Lee Clarion news regularly.

- The Lee Clarion Staff

However, Banther, who was struck by a vehicle while crossing Parker Street at approximately 10:05 p.m., Monday, may not be able to walk or stand for long periods of time.

Banther was taken to Sky Ridge Medical Center by ambulance immediately following the incident where she received x-ray scan which revealed several contusions.

Banther was given a prescription for pain medication and released.

Banther, the third student struck by a vehicle while crossing Parker Street this semester, felt that more lights on Parker Street could help to prevent incidents.

“That intersection needs lighting. A light at every corner,” Banther said. “Something needs to be done before any other further accidents occur.”

What do you think needs to be done to protect students?  Vote now!

Police at the scene of the collision. Lee Clarion photo by Jessilyn Justice

A student was struck by a vehicle while crossing Parker Street earlier this evening.

The driver was traveling west on 11th when he made a south turn on Parker.

Campus safety said that the collision occurred shortly after 10 p.m.

Vice President of Student Development Mike Hayes said that the victim was conscious when she left the scene and was transported to Skyridge Medical Center by ambulance.

The identity of the victim will be released pending family notification.

Danielle Carter, who was struck by a vehicle while crossing Parker Street in August, arrived at the scene shortly after the collision.

“It’s really scary being on the other side,” Carter said.

Lee Clarion photo by Richard Yeakley

The victim is the third to be hit by traffic on campus this semester.

The catch phrase of a recent alumnus? “Action!”

Myles Matsuno, class of 2009, returned to Chattanooga late last month to shoot his short film, “Ella,” with the help of current students and other recent graduates.

Matsuno said that “Ella” follows composer Alexander Taylor who loses what he loved most in the world, his fiancé and their unborn child. In the film, he’s trying to say goodbye and re-tell their love story through the best way he knows how:  his music.

Senior Beecher Reuning was a production assistant on set at the Tivoli Theatre; this was the first film to be filmed there.

“The experience of getting to work on an actual film made by a talented film maker that works in the industry was awesome,” Reuning said.

The Tivoli Theatre, and Chattanooga in general, felt like the ideal place to film, Matsuno said.

“I came back to Chattanooga, Tenn., to film because I feel like that’s where I was supposed to shoot the film,” Matsuno said. “I felt like God was leading me and opening doors through the state of Tennessee, Lee and others to hold production out there. Looking back [on the] week and a half spent there, it was a perfect location for the story of ‘Ella’ to be told.”

Matsuno used his Lee connections to pull in some of the university’s best and brightest from the telecommunications discipline.

“Lee University helped me by providing some equipment for my crew, blasting out emails to the student body about the film, and providing some helpful PA’s,” Matsuno said. “Two that come to mind are Beecher Reuning and Amber Sersen; they were a tremendous help, and I’m very grateful for them. Also, Jeff Salyer, who was one of my producers, was also a great help with locations, equipment and coordinating certain events.”

Reuning and Sersen weren’t the only students working on the set. Senior Erin Ownbey was cast as the female lead, the fiancé of Taylor, played by another alumnus, Jermaine Purifory, class of 2010.

A Lee education provided Matsuno with his path in life, but he said that it is up to a student to make certain choices.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned with making films and where you go to school is that you make do with what you’re given,” Matsuno said. “It doesn’t matter if you have state of the art equipment if you don’t know how to use it and don’t have a natural talent for it. Of course, a much larger school that focuses on film will have a better success rate and students who are truly gifted, but that doesn’t mean a small school like Lee doesn’t have talented students. It’s about your passion, dedication and one’s own ability to portray a story in a unique way.”

“All the songs I began writing here at Lee were becoming micro examination-type prayers, and I just put them to music,” Etienne said.

Lee alumnus Kyle Philippi helped Etienne produce the album.

“Freedom Song is amazing,” Philippi said. “He really broke through some walls on this album; it’s so different than [music] you hear today. His musicianship is, of course, ridiculously beautiful, but his message is equal to that.”

Etienne took just under five months to complete the album, which also serves as his senior project.

“It wasn’t easy,” Etienne said. “At one point I was going to change my major, switch schools, go back home and work, but people really pushed me to share what God has given me, and I am very thankful for their encouragement.”

Etienne has been involved in Campus Choir and jazz band, and he played the keyboard for the chapel band.

During his years at Lee, Etienne began a spiritual journey that led him to create the contents of Freedom Song, originally titled The Honesty Project.

“Before I came to Lee, I had a problem with honesty,” Etinne said. “Normally, it was over things that I did not need to lie about.”

Etienne challenged himself to live truthfully, and The Honesty Project was born.

Terming the album Freedom Song was a decision that was made after Etienne found the definition of honesty:  freedom form deceit or fraud.

“After I challenged myself, it became more than just a project,” Etienne said. “[It was] a change in my life.”

The title song, “Freedom Song,” is dedicated to Etienne’s younger brother who dealt with honesty issues at the same time that Etienne did. Each song on the album is dedicated to those who inspired Etienne during his spiritual journey. Specific dedications are listed on the project’s webpage.

“The message is [about] honesty through worship, living, how we treat people and how we react with things that happen,” Etienne said.

The Freedom Song concert will be performed by individuals from Lee Singers, Campus Choir, Evangelistic Singers and the chapel band.  The concert will be open to the public and was created to appeal to all ages. Etienne plans to sell his album for $10 at the concert.

For more information, visit Etienne’s website http://www.jonathanernstlyetienne.com/.