the FALL, 1976 A ••• b a s s a d o r big sandy + + ACABROAD the Aillba~~ador COVER - The summer of 1976 saw Ambassador students expanding their education in foreign lands. Our cover is big sandy composed of representative shots taken by AC explorers Mike Greider, Tom Hanson, Charlie Melear and Scott VOLUME III, Number 1 Fall, 1976 Moss from the British Isles, Scan Copyright © Ambassador College 1976. All rights reserved. dinavia, Europe and the Middle East. AC/Abroad PAGE 2 CONTRIBUTIONS The Al77bassador is a publication of the stu dents of Ambassador Vive La Difference! College, Big Sandy. Contributions of poetry, PAGE 6 articles and photo graphs are encouraged from all students. How ever, once material is submitted it becomes the property of the magazine and is subject Reflections on Values to revision. PAGE 9 Advisers - John Robinson, Klaus Rothe All in the Family Editor - Jim Valekis PAGE 12 Editorial Staff - Randy Brels ford, Kent Doucet, Mike Greider, Keith Slough. Photography - Tom Han son, John Wright. The Big Change in Student Government PAGE 16 ALSO: SENIORS OF '77, Page 19 FORSTUP STUDENTS CALL IT FANTASTIC By Randy Brelsford enabled students studying foreign us as intructors to feel a part of th.e The Department of Foreign languages to travel abroad and culture they have been exposed to. Languages and Literatures calls it gain experience in the land of the "For the past two summers FORSTUP; participating Ambas language which they were study Spanish students have been able sador students call it "fantastic,'; ing. That year the program was li to study at the Instituto de Estudios "mind expanding" and "the most mited in the number of students it Iberoamericanos in Saltillo, Mex profitable thing a college could be sent abroad but the foundation ico, through FORSTUP scholar involved in." Ambassador College, was laid for a profitable program of ships. The students live with Mexi Big Sandy's Foreign Study Abroad international sharing. can families, attend classes and Program (FORSTUP) and other experience living in another soci Forstup Summer Program opportunities for international ety. The aim of the Spanish pro travel are helping students to be This year Ambassadors were gram is not to be American with come truly educated by allowing spread from the British Isles other Americans abroad, but actu them to share in the culture of other through Europe, the Middle East ally trying to be a part of the cul nations. and Central America. Dr. E. Dale ture." The year 1969 marked the first Randolph, chairman of the De Dee Bishop, senior, studied at year of participation of Ambas partment of Foreign Langauges Saltillo this summer. "We went to sador College students with the and Literatures, stated that the classes, lived with a Mexican fam archeological excavation in goal of FORSTUP is to enable stu ily, talked to friends and lived as we Jerusalem. Four years later a dents to "see another culture and Foreign Study Abroad scholarship be temporarily part of another cul program was established which ture. The students act as our am bassadors in other parts of the world. When they return they help Mexico City, Mexico Kodachrome SLIOE + PROCESSED BY KODAK usually do - only mostly in They were interested in life in the took Hebrew. We had thought that Spanish. We spent two hours a United States but were satisfied we would open an office in Israel; day with a Mexican tutor, and that with life in their own countries. we needed people with language helped a lot." I found that the German people experience and time in the country. Dee and junior Cathy Folker, were more in contact with what We did not start a large-scale op also on the trip, then explored was going on in other countries eration there, however, and the re some of Mexico on their own after than we are in America. They sult is two programs in operation classes were completed in Saltillo. would have to be; it is not like now. One is the dig, for students "One of the most important things I America where the whole conti with interest in theology, geog learned was that there is not all that nent is basically one nation. There, raphy, geology or those who want much difference in the attitudes of if something happens in another to travel and have the experience the poor and the rich. The poor are country, it could effect them per of being in a foreign country. basically satisfied with their lives sonally; that other country may be "Secondly, we have a program as are the rich," Dee said. only half-hour's drive away by car. for those who want to take Hebrew On the other side of the Atlantic, There are small cultural differ and are interested in the language three German students, John Dob ences which everyone notices per se. They go to strengthen their ritch, Tom Hanson and I, were when living abroad. "I don't think I language skills with actual experi working and studying at the Bonn could live in Germany," said Tom ence, plus learn the customs of the office, headquarters of the Ger Hanson jokingly. "I'll never be able land ... There is no other way to man Work. "We worked half a day to go 45 days without a Dr. Pepper do it but to go there." in the office, then the rest of the day again." This year the AICF sponsored we explored the city, studied or 12 students to the Jerusalem dig, Israel and AICF talked with friends and worked on six from Ambassador, Pasadena, special projects for the German Three hours away from Ger and six from the Big Sandy cam department at school," said Tom many by jet places you in pus. According to a student who Hanson, speaking of his experi Jerusalem. By air-travel standards participated, the foundation paid ences. that is not very far, but by cultural for round-trip youth airfare, two Through work-related oppor differences it is a world away. For meals a day, hotel bills, tuition for a tLlnities we were able to travel to the first time the Ambassador In summer course in the historical Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Bel ternational Cultural Foundation geography of Palestine and tours gium and East Germany. (AICF) sponsored the annual joint within the country. On some trips we stayed with Ambassador College and Hebrew Jnay Buffington, senior, said, Church members. They were al University excavation project at "The most interesting thing is the ways glad to have guests from the the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. people, that and being in the land States and went all out as hosts. "The dig began in 1969," said where all the Bible cities are." Jnay Mark Kaplan, instructor in Hebrew. said a typical day consisted of "In the beginning all the students working from 6 in the moming until 1 in the afternoon at the dig site. Trundheim, Norway II?, Kodachrome . ,s;" . 'iii SLIDE + PROCeSSED IY KODAK Kodachrome FORSTUP OI A POSITIV I e £[lli[ffi@£[ID + STUDENTS CALL IT FANTASTIC After a shower and lunch the Scott Toliver, a Big Sandy group explored Jerusalem, took sophomore, served as a counselgr side trips, toured or studied for for the- camp. "When' we arrived classes in the evening. The group there was nothing there at all, just a EHTW1CKEl T VON KODAK traveled extensively in Israel. Ac pasture and a loch. We built a tem tivities included climbing Mt. Sinai, porary city to house 300 kids. As relaxing en route to Oslo, Norway visiting Masada, Galilee and Beth counselors we worked 24 hours a lehem and camping in the Sinai day, seven days a week. We lived traveled oy train from the Artic Cir Desert. with the kids all the time. The har cle in Norway to Greece along the "The people in the Middle East dest thing was answering ques Mediterranean. In Greece two ofthe think entirely differently than we tions. The kids would ask every group had the opportunity to board do," Jnay explained. "Your mind thing from, 'What are we having for an American aircraft carrier based in goes from a mustard seed to a supper?' to, 'Help me untie this the Mediterranean. mountain. You can't believe how knot.' Sometimes the toughest Nancy Watkins said she rather much you learn." thing is trying to answer the simp enjoyed the experience. "I was lest questions." treated like a queen. There were SEP, Scotland Toliver commented on the dif 5,000 men on the ship and I was Not all travel opportunities are ferences in mBntality between na the only girl." offered through the Department of tions. "I learned that America has Future Programs Foreign Languages and Litera its story, but other countries have tures. Many students plan their their's too. I don't think either side The Ambassador faculty got into own trips or go with a college has a comer on credibility. They the act of international travel this related activity. This summer 30 perceive things differently than we summer also. Dr. Dale Randolph students from both campuses at do." spent two weeks in Guatemala tended the Summer Educational Three students decided to exp Program in Scotland at their own lore Europe by themselves at their expense as staffers and coun own expense this summer. They selors. d scotland' on Loch Lom • odachrome If ~ SLIOE. City, Guatemala, and San Jose, dolph. "It is meant to be a small Costa Rica, this summer renewing program for people who want to contacts and exploring the possi use language as a tool to get blity of instituting an internship ahead." program in Central America. Cultural Exchange "A year and a half ago I re quested funds to make the exp Cultural exchange between loratory trip," explained Dr. Ran Ambassador and other nations is ~ dolph. "My expedition was suc expanding. Plans are on the draw- ~ cessful far beyond my expecta ing boards now for a joint Hebrew C) t; tions. I believe that I can say with and Agricultural department ex- ~ no reservations that the internship change program with Americans ~ program would be feasible and and Israelis. Work is now under IIII)I welcome in Guatemala. way to open communications be t; "The proposed internship pro tween our Agricultural Department ~II) gram is for people who want an and a kibbutz in Israel. In this man edge on other people with majors ner agricultural methods and na in their field. Our plan is to offer tional culture could be exchanged Spanish or other foreign lan between Ambassador College and guages as support to other majors. Israel. For example, a business Cultural exchange and interna administration major might have a tional sharing are keynotes of the Spanish support minor. He could present and future programs of the stay one summer in Guatemala on Department of Foreign Languages the internship program and work in and Literatures at Ambassador a local company using his support College, Big Sandy. Scott Toliver language. Such experience would summed up the goals of the de give him an advantage in obtaining partment: a job upon graduation. ''I'm glad to be back in Texas, ''The program would be tested in but I'm glad the whole world is not Central America, and if it proves Texas. Once you've traveled and profitable, it will be expanded to come back you notice a local other countries. "This program is mindedness in the area. Travel not for everyone," stated Dr. Ran- broadens. That's why I'm glad Ambassador offers us stJch oppor tunities. It helps you realize that KOdachrome there are many opinions in the world, each relative to the society SlIOE from which they come." odachrome + SLIDE PROCESSED BY KODA.K Zermatt, Switzerland I International students discuss life in the U.s.A. By Keith Slough New York and became a little un- news on television and in the Fifteen percent of the students easy when the cab driver took a newspapers are primarily con of Ambassador College are from bottle of spirits from his hip pocket cerned with American news. countries other than the United and began to drink while taking him "Americans are also more prone States. How do these international to his destination. But he found to organization. That's a problem stUdents view America? What dif- most people very friendly. Two bus in some European countries such ferences have they noticed in cul- drivers in New York allowed him to as England. I was surprised to see ture, in social life and in people? ride their bus free of charge be- how well everyone is organized. In I asked specific questions con- cause he did not have any coins, New York for example, with the cerning the cultural differences . only bills. subway system everything is au- they had noticed and what had im- Here is the way the international tomatic. pressed them most since their arri- students view America and its cul- "The American people are also val on campus this fall. Many have ture with that of their own. very friendly. They seem to have noticed a sharp contrast between What differences have you the ability to take the shyness out American culture and their own. noticed in the American people of people." To get their first impressions, I themselves? Elleke Wilms, Netherlands: interviewed a select number of in- Helmut Schmerold, Austria: "Americans are more easy going. ternational students, all freshmen. "The main difference in the Ameri Among them were Helmut can and German people is that Schmerold of Austria, Elleke Americans are freer. We can learn Wilms of the Netherlands, Paul from them how to relax. There is Ursem of the Netherlands, Lutz more party life. The dances are dif Greimeister of Austria, Julie Druce ferent too. We have more of the of Australia, Sandra Bennett of standard dances in Europe, such Australia, Alexander Rickert of as the waltz. West Germany, Vicki Klaus of Au- "Americans are also more in stralia and Niramol Vatheevisai of terested in American affairs. The Thailand. Vicki Klaus from Sydney, Au HELMUT SCHMEROLD, a 26 year stralia, and Julie Druce from old freshman here, is from Kamarah, Australia, came to Obemdorf, Austria. gether on the same plane. In the stopover in Hawaii, Julie, for the first time saw "some real live Neg roes!" Attacked by a Bee . Sandra Bennett from Yeppoon, Australia, had only been in the States two or three weeks before she was attacked by a bee. It was the first time she had been stung · t since she was 4 or 5. En route to Big Sandy, Helmut Schmerold took a cab through 6 They live more. The families are their house to enhance its appear me to see a man wearing white more loosely knit together than in ance. shoes. They dress more conserva Holland, however. And they say "But the American Army is much tively in Europe. what they think. Morality seems to more disciplined. In Holland they Niramol Vatheevisai, Thailand: be lower here and there seems to are no longer required to salute "In Thailand when a student pas be more of a drug problem here their officers as they walk past ses by an instructor they stop walk than in Europe." them. They can only wave if they ing as he passes them, to show Paul Ursem, Netherlands: want. There is very little discipline respect. Here it seems strange to "American people are not as in in the Dutch army. However they just say hi and continue walking." terested in other countries, and are required to wear a hair net in Sandra Bennett, Australia: "The they have little knowledge of them. shooting practices. And I believe day after I arrived in the States, I Also, the educational level is lower there is no longer any official time slipped and fell in the post office. here. College here is like high to get up in the morning. There is That's when I found out the Ameri school in Holland. Examinations, very little discipline. The American can people were so nice. Everyone for example, are much easier here. army is much more disciplined." was interested in helping me. They "In Holland they take better care Lutz Greimeister, Austria: also seem to be more open and of their houses overall. They are "There is more self-discipline in say what's on their mind." more concerned with their houses the U.S. People are more orderly. What is it like knowing that than their automobiles. Here it For instance, in waiting for a bus, you're going to be away from seems to be the other way around. Europeans would all try to be first home for possibly the next four The Dutch enjoy planting flowers, in line to get on the bus. Americans years? shrubbery and bushes around WOUldn't do that." Vicki Klaus, Australia: We all Alexander Rickert, West Ger miss home. But you know why you many: "Americans look at too came and you're committed to much television. American people staying when you come. But are also more unrealistic probably there's no place like home. And as a result of their prosperity. They when you have problems you can seem to be very easygoing always talk to someone because whereas the Germans are satis they have problems too. It's after fied when they can work hard. you arrive that it really hits you. "American men like to dress You lack something. Your parents more colorfully. It looks unusual to aren't around and it's a new ex- Elleke Wilms (left), 18, is from Voorthulzen, Holland. Niramol Vatheevisal, 24, from Bangkok is employed by Princess Sukhumabhinan of Thailand. 7 average, they're more sincere, very kind and very nice." What are the differences in re ligious awareness? Helmut Schmerold, Austria: perience. They're more concerned with their "The American people seem to be Sandra Bennett, Australia: I appearance and have well-kept more religious, with churches didn't worry much about it. I was hair." everywhere. Morally, the pomog just excited about going to college Helmut Schmerold, Austria: raphy is much worse in Europe. in America. That excitement re "American girls participate more in Even the small towns there have placed any anxiety I may have had games and athletic activities. And pomography stands on the streets. over leaving home. Really, I've girls are different in other ways. For "The Catholic religion is the been so busy, I haven't had much example, in swimming I've noticed most predominant religion in time to think of home. Of course-I some girls riding the guys' shoul Europe. Europeans are told it is miss my family, but I'm not ders. That isn't done in Austria." dangerous to read the Bible, that homesick. Lutz Greimeister, Austria: you can't understand it and it will Julie Druce, Australia: I knew if I "Social life is on a higher level in cause you to have questions." came I'd have to leave home even America. But I feel dating and Alexander Rickert, West Ger tually. but it doesn't really bother courtship are about the same." many: "In Europe they don't like me being away from home. E/leke Wilms, Netherlands: the Bible. In America there is more What about your future "They ask you your age here. They religious awareness. American plans? don't do that at home. Another dif- money even carries the words, 'In Niramol Vatheevisai, Thailand: ference is that when a guy asks a God we Trust.' I've heard that Bi I'm going back home to Thailand. I girl for a date in Holland, it's be bles can be found in every room in came to Ambassador College be cause she's his girl. He doesn't ask most hotels here. Not so in cause my boss suggested I come, just anybody. But here they date Europe." and I like it very much. (Niramol's many different people." Getting to know the international employer is the Princess of Thai Alexander Rickert, West Ger students is almost like traveling ab land.) many: "Altogether, I like it here! I road itself. Since the introduction Sandra Bennett, Australia: If I don't know how it is elsewhere in of non-Americans in 1974, the Big have the money I'd like to travel. I the States, but the American girls Sandy campus has not been the might go back to Canada since I I've met here are more agreeable same. It may be compared to a was there for the Feast and really and easierto get along with. On the microcosm of the entire world. liked it. I don't plan to go home right Freshmen Vicki Klaus, 19, from Sydney, Australia, and Julie Druce, 18, from away and certainly would like to Kamarah, Australia are international traveling partners. stay here for four years. I like it here. The students are a lot more than I ever imagined them to be. I just wish I had more time to talk and get to know more people. Vicki Klaus, Australia: I have no specific plans yet but I would like to tour the United States. And being here in America, we're also closer to Europe should I decide to go there. Lutz Greimeister, Austria: I like it here too. Of course I miss my folks but I've found some people that I can really communicate with. Have you noticed any differ- • ences in dating and courtship in America and with American youth in particular? ~~ Paul Ursem, Netherlands: "Most girls in America dress better. 8 A Department Head Discusses What Makes Ambassador College Unique By E. Dale A. Randolph Since my first day on this cam taught how to handle responsibility what is more aptly termed "party-. pus I have been telling anyone who than at most institutions,'where in ing." There evolved a reasonably would listen that this is an institu general only student leaders and peaceful solution to the inherent tion with an invigorating present those with part-time off-campus conflict between academics and and an exciting future. In these jobs learn to cope with situations in intercollegiate sports: The athletic short two years I have come to which they are the responsible scholarship, which brings in highly know many who do truly under party. The people with whom I qualified athletes who in turn bring stand that here we have something have discussed the college are prestige (and often subsequent special, a style and a flavor that are deeply impressed by the work handsome donations from alumni worth working diligently to pre program, and it is certainly one of and others who may sincerely be serve. This college inculcates on our strongest features. lieve that the nation should en the young person the realization In my opinion there are two fac courage its young people to be that life is not merely the proverbial tors that require further improve healthy in body) and excitement to treadmill, but is instead a stimulat ment. First, only students who what might otherwise be a dullish, ing experience that can be made have a definite financial need overly bookish atmosphere. The even more stimulating and more should be given financial remun desire - and the need - for party meaningful through academically eration, while those who want work ing has been channeled into or~ acquired knowledge, job-acquired experience but are not needy ganized social events. At the Uni skills, socially acquired should either be required to pay to versity of Virginia we had four camaraderie and a sound body to be on the program or should find "party weekends" during the go along with the sound mind. work off campus. In addition to academic year. They began on It would be easier for me if I sim being a valuable recruiting incen Friday moming (with young ladies ply wrote down random thoughts tive for those who cannot afford to - it was an all-male university at as they came to me, but the reader come here without it, the work pro- that time - sitting in on their dates' classes) and lasted through Sun " .. . We have something special, a style day night. At Ambassador we have the same idea in our "class ac and a flavor that's worth working diligently tivities" - note that I am confining to preserve." myself, here as elsewhere in this article, to strictly college activities; I would quickly lose interest in at gram also serves as a valuable ad do not include activities sponsored tempting to organize my confused junct to the student's academic specifically by the Church. thoughts. I shall cover various as work, since it enhances his emp In these traditional nonaca pects of Ambassador College life, loyability after graduation. Doubt demic areas, faculty members those aspects which have espe less with the publicizing of the pro in the academic area have in cially impressed me. And I should gram (outside of Worldwide general long since learned to ac say here that my remarks are li Church of God circles) there would cept (and themselves appreciate) mited to ACBS (Ambassador Col be a larger number - as well as a the presence in their classes of lege Big Sandy), as I have never greater variety - of students to "jocks" (who are probably only been to Pasadena. Also, the screen for admission. there for a season or two) and of reader should understand that this The second factor is the smooth the bleary-eyed Monday-morning is the view from my own window; I meshing of the academic program party stars. The athlete may even am not consciously reflecting the and the work program. In Ameri tually "flunk out," and the par views of any other person. can higher education the tradi tygoer brightens up on Tuesday. tional nonacademic areas have These are, traditionally, facts of The Work Program been (intramural and/or intercol college life. At AC many more students are legiate) sports and social life, or Now, at Ambassador, enter a 9