I helped bring peace to the Middle East

The crisis simulation will always be one of my favorite memories at Elon. I have always wanted to take part in a Model United Nations simulation and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to do so with International Relations. Representing Israel was something that any IR student should want. Israel plays such a prominent role in international politics today and because of the crisis simulation, I have a stronger understanding of the state and will be able to follow the news with much more interest and understanding than before.

Overall, my cabinet worked very well together. We were diplomatic about decisions and handled every crisis with a good sense of judgment (and sense of humor when necessary). We were very conscientious about addressing everything that popped up on the newsfeed. It was important to us to not ignore any problem that may have had any kind of affect on Israel. No matter what someone’s position in the cabinet, we all contributed. Some cabinet positions were more crucial than others, such as the ministers of defense and foreign affairs, but they did not have to do an overwhelming amount of work more than the other cabinet members.

I think that my role as Minister of Communications and as a general participant in the simulation was crucial. Going into the crisis, I knew that I could and that wanted to contribute a significant amount, but I was afraid that my cabinet position would not allow me to take on as much as I had hoped. But this was an unnecessary concern because I was able to write a number of press releases and help a lot with other crises that called for attention.

The first action order of the crisis was a press release that I wrote. It was level 3 priority (out of 5) and addressed Israel’s support of the efforts being made by the Kuwaiti national assembly toward democracy. It was important to announce our support in order to boost our own international identity as a democracy-supporting state. My favorite contribution was a press release announcing “Jewbilation,” a celebration of the Jewish culture that would serve as a fundraiser to combat the recent Israeli debt rumors created by the BBC.

On the second day of the crisis, the crisis staff wanted to kick Israel’s cabinet out of government because we were accomplishing too much. I used my cabinet minister’s party affiliation to our benefit and wrote a press release announcing that I spoke with my fellow members of the Likud Party in the Knesset and swayed their votes to keep us in the cabinet. The idea worked perfectly and the crisis staff could not reject our plan. I also helped with the decision to create a statue in honor of the newly formed peace between Israel and Palestine.

Even after reading and researching Israel for weeks, I still learned new things about its internal struggles, external dilemmas and position within the world of international relations.

As the first day progressed, I became more assertive and added my opinions and contributed more. I became more comfortable in my belief that I had something of value to contribute, so I decided to express it more often. I realized, especially after my first couple of ideas were successful, that nothing is too outlandish. If I wanted to make something happen, it could happen and result in success for our nation.

At the beginning of the crisis, we outlined our highest priorities for the simulation. Our number one goal was nuclear non-proliferation in Iran. From there, we learned about Gilad Shalit, a prized Israeli solider who was captured by the Palestinians in 2006, and how it is very important that we get him back. Recovering him became our number two priority along with improving our international reputation. Creating peace between Israel and Palestine peace was number three. From there, a number of internal problems were on our list. Throughout the simulation, we made sure to hit all those points and address the concerns raised by other countries. In doing so, I learned a lot more about the Middle East and how each country interacts with one another.

In this season of his life, it is time to move on

After 25 years at Elon, Chaplain McBride celebrates his retirement

The tears inside Whitley Auditorium matched the drizzling rain outside Sunday afternoon. The celebration of Chaplain Richard McBride's retirement brought an entirely different feeling to the auditorium usually marked with the divine sounds of the organ at its forefront. It was one of sorrow, celebration, reflection and commemoration.

McBride came to Elon in August 1984 as chaplain and coordinator of personal counseling. But 25 years later, he is surrendering the name "Chaplain McBride."

President Leo Lambert said it was a ceremony to fully release McBride from his duties.

"While another man or woman will take up your mantle of responsibility," Lambert said, "you and Wendy (McBride's wife) will certainly remain cherished friends, keepers of Elon's values and present in the life of the university."

As Lambert tells each new class of freshmen at New Student Convocation in the fall, they may leave Elon, but Elon never leaves them. The case is the same with McBride and his wife.

"To begin your new role, it seems to me that you need a new title," Lambert said. "And so, I confer upon you this afternoon, the title ‘chaplain emeritus.'"

In this role, McBride is "to love and to support your successor, to continue to love the university unfailingly, to continue to experience university life, to keep our institutional memory and to remain a strong link in the chain."

Susan Klopman, vice president of admissions and financial planning, calls McBride "one of the most relevant, historically significant leaders at Elon."

He is the creator of many traditions and programs that remain at Elon today including Habitat for Humanity, Elon Volunteers!, the Turning 21 Dinner, the Life Stories class and Hometown Heroes.

He has dedicated a number of buildings on campus such as McMichael, Belk, Rhodes Stadium, the Academic Pavilions, Moseley and others. When he finally got to dedicate his own home, the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, his wife told him that he always prays for others, but now it was finally time to pray for himself.

Junior Shane Morris works with McBride in the Truitt Center and has benefitted from several of the programs he has set up, especially EV! and Habitat.

"Chaplain McBride brings a sense of calmness and serenity to the office," Morris said. "It's unique in a way that I don't know if anybody else can bring that in the way he does."

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."

In the Service of Celebration, which honored McBride on his retirement as university chaplain, the seasons of his life as chaplain were celebrated before he was officially released through the litany of transition and vows of release.

Spring

"The alert ones in the audience are already wondering: ‘That guy can hardly get out of his chair, what could he possibly say or remember what Richard McBride saw?'"

Ed Christman began his dedication by making everyone laugh, just as he said McBride taught him.

Something that no one will ever forget about McBride is that "he taught us how to laugh, he can laugh at himself," Christman said. "What he brought to the table was a freedom to be who he was: to laugh, to cry, to raise questions, to say to his colleagues and to me, we gotta have a coffee house."

When no one else had the imagination to create something out of nothing, McBride found a place to fit a much-needed social and reflective space, a coffee house.

Christman was a mentor to McBride during his time at Wake Forest and someone who named McBride in his role when he would ask every evening, "Well, chaplain, how was your day?"

"Whether his heart was hurting or whether his brain was over-filled, or whatever, you could always count on him to see things as they really were and speak the truth to you softly," Christman said. "That's a gift that not very many people have."

Summer

"During the summer of his life, Richard McBride defined the soul of Elon University," said President Emeritus Fred Young.

McBride was the right person to lead Elon in the right direction. His service learning projects and programs are crucial to the institutional flagship program, Elon Experiences.

"Richard is able to counsel without being confrontational or judgmental," Young said. "His intellectual orientation is evident and greatly appreciated in an academic community. His ecumenical approach encourages staff and students. We can and do depend on him in times of joy and tragedy, both personal and institutional."

His concise and profound words before, during and after public gatherings at Elon have the ability to reach and enrich lives.

"Richard, your legacy is already in the hearts and minds of those who have passed through Elon for the past 25 years," Young said.

"The spirit, atmosphere and programs that were created through your leadership will enrich the lives of tens of thousands of future Elon students, faculty and staff.

"In the summer of your life, you defined the soul of Elon University and you defined it exceedingly well."

Fall

"Only for Richard" would Carolyn Nelson, director of design, stand up on stage to speak.

Every fall, Nelson packs up her dog and camera, and heads to Cedarock Park. She spends an afternoon at the park seeking new inspiration for her art, but she always ends up by the same little creek with big boulders and pools of still waters.

It is there that she finds "layers upon layers to watch and absorb" that leave her with a sense of all the same things McBride leaves upon those he meets: inspiration, insight, reflection and enlightenment.

"I don't know if it's sacrilegious to call a prayer art or poetry, but they are," Nelson said. "His eloquent words and plain truths speak to the heart, soul and intellect in equal measure. Prayers are spoken to God, of course, but I always feel like they're spoken just for me."

During convocations, Nelson said she looks forward to McBride's prayers just as much as the speakers themselves. But she remembers the prayers longer.

"He does, in fact, lead us to still waters," she said. "And just when you think you have found a clear reflection, there is a ripple and he rearranges the colors in a whole new light, and so it is with Richard. Still water. Steady light, bright light. A blessing to this university and a blessing to each of us."

Winter

"In springtime, learn. In harvest, teach. In winter, enjoy. Richard is entering the winter season of his life," said Smith Jackson, vice president and dean of student life.

Winter is a time for McBride to finally reflect, restore and become very busy doing those things he most enjoys.

McBride is building a room behind his house that will be a kind of secret sanctuary, Jackson said.

"Surprise, Wendy. It's not a secret anymore," he said.

The room will be a place for McBride to read, write and pursue photography. Jackson said McBride and his wife would now have time to travel the world.

Jackson only requests that McBride jots down some notes so we can still listen in on his journey.

Winter is also a time for McBride to "prepare for yet another spring," this time to travel the world and visit his grandchildren.

"Richard, you will always be a part of Elon," Jackson said. "Your role is just changing a bit. Wherever you are, with us will be your gentle and inquisitive spirit, your warmth and openness to others and your constant reminder that the real gorge of discovery exists not in seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes in the present."

One of the greatest lessons McBride has taught members of the Elon community is to "be greater than ourselves," Jackson said.

The standing ovation McBride received at the end of his Service of Celebration was not the kind where a few initiate the rise and others slowly trickle upward. This was the rare kind that seems initiated by an outside force, one where every member of the audience rises simultaneously with a tear in the corner of his eye and a smile on his face.

Klopman summed up McBride's 25 years at Elon in four words:
"Richard, you are Elon."

on 'Cloud 360' after meeting Anderson Cooper

Anderson Cooper is someone I hope to emulate in my own career as a journalist. His deep compassion and humility are exactly what every anchor and “news icon” needs to display. The two things that will stick with me most from his visit are his mother’s advice to “follow your bliss” and Cooper’s emphasis on bearing witness and sharing the stories of those whose voices go unheard. I cannot think of anything I want to do more than share the stories of others to make a difference in the world.

“I think you should become a real person before you become a fake one,” Cooper said. He mentioned that anchors and politicians today embody this fake person identity. “I believe in facts, not opinion.” There is too much shouting already and “the last thing we need is another overpaid, over blow-dried anchor to tell you what to think.” This is something that is so important to remember when journalists make it big. They cannot let themselves become celebrities, but need to remain humble and realize it’s an honor to report the news to those watching at home and online. Reporters also should keep their opinions to themselves and not present opinion as fact. It’s our duty to tell people what to think about, not what to think.

As a political science major, Cooper’s entire undergraduate focus was on the Soviet Union. “When the Berlin Wall fell, I was totally screwed,” he said. He joked and said he eventually realized it wasn’t “all about me” and that he was OK with the wall falling.

After a trip to Africa, Cooper fell in love with different countries and the vitality of the people. He tried to become a foreign correspondent but had difficulty getting into the business. Instead, he decided to become a war correspondent. “Since no one would give me a chance, I had to take a chance,” Cooper said. “And if no one would give me an opportunity, I would create one.” Cooper started going to wars and covering them. His first war coverage experience was when he created his own press pass and snuck into Burma.

Somalia is where Cooper found his calling. It was there that he discovered he could bear witness to struggles and tell of peoples’ lives. He spent time in a hut with a family with countless troubles. “I may have gone to Yale,” he said, “but I think I was really educated in Somalia.” His trips to the other far reaches of the planet taught him more than his Ivy League education did.

In war you expect to find darkness, but there is light as well, Cooper said. As a war correspondent, he runs toward what everyone else is running from. When he returns home, it is dull in comparison, which is why it is so important to face what scares us most. You can’t allow your own fears and your own security to alter the things you see and report. And when you become numb to the war and its terrors, it’s time to step back and let yourself become affected by it again. “If you can’t feel moved by what you’re seeing, you shouldn’t be doing it.”

Cooper returns to New Orleans at least once per month to keep the story alive. It’s a part of his belief to bear witness. During Katrina, governments failed in the way individuals didn’t.

Cooper said it was surreal walking into the Oval Office and seeing President Barack Obama sitting there waiting for Cooper to interview him. The room was sweltering, leading Cooper to the conclusion that there is no sweat in the political realm. Since Nixon, all the politicians must have had their sweat glands removed, or gotten Botox, Cooper mused.

At the presidential debates, the pressure is palpable, Cooper remembered. Every candidate is staring you down wanting to be called on – you can’t look him or her in the eyes, or then you’re obligated to call on them. John Edwards raises his eyebrows and leans, but Hillary Clinton just stares, he said, so he just decided to stare at their navels, “which was very uncomfortable.”

One thing that was hilarious to Cooper was observing politicians when they point. They can’t use the normal point, he said, so they have a “political point.” Cooper said he has become obsessed with it but has never seen an “actual human being” use the point. He charged the audience to go forth today and use the political point from now on.

Partisan bloggers are becoming ubiquitous and we now have access to more information than ever before. Independent journalism comes with great dangers because you have to know where information is coming from. It’s a great privilege to tell people’s stories and it’s a great privilege to be on television and in people’s homes, Cooper said. “The best thing to do is to walk in other people’s shoes as much as possible.”