Classwork , homework, quizzes, tests, finals, projects, work, and depression. For most, this combination is foreign to them, but, for some, it is an all-too-real reality that presents itself as a struggle each day.

I was diagnosed with depression just this semester, but I struggled with the effects of sadness all throughout my life. When I was younger, my sadness was much more manageable. I was able to sit with my emotions for a while and then be able to continue with my day.

However, after my mom passed away just before I graduated high school, my mind could not handle depression along with grief. My small instances of sadness that had been manageable soon turned into a constant gloom of self hate and loathing of the world. I thought that coming to college would be the ultimate cure to depression. I saw how people could transform themselves after moving to university. That glimmer of hope did not last long. As my depression grew, I subjected myself to unhealthy coping methods that furthered my spiral into deep sadness.

Depression as well as the normal stressors of college forced me to believe that secluding myself from all of my friends was the best option. I stopped talking to those closest to me. I thought, “They cannot know what I am going through. No one could be as sad as I am now.” This was perhaps the most destructive thing I could have said to myself. I firmly believed that I was alone in this world– that no one could ever begin to fathom the pain I was going through. Also, I thought I was not worthy of someone having sympathy for me. My depression told me everyday that I was not worthy of time, effort, or love.

My shining light was counseling. I was encouraged by new friends as well as a growing extended family support system, to better my mental health. I began going to CCAS last year. I enjoyed the idea of going to someone who was forced, in a way, to listen to my problems. However, I felt shame for going. I did not feel shame for attempting to receive help, but I felt shame for not being strong enough to admit my problem sooner.

The theme of shame is a common one among those struggling with mental illness. I was also faced with shame from the stigma that is constantly attached to mental health. I feel that the number one question I am asked is “are you on medication?” The truth of the matter is that no one is required to answer that question. For the sake of this article, I will. I am on antidepressants. I just recently started them, so my judgement on them is quite new. Last year, counseling alone worked for the most part. However, in light of self-care, I realized before this semester that my depression was too heavy to cope with on my own. I decided to start antidepressants because I was tired of feeling sad all the time. I was tired of falling behind in classes because the stress that everyone else was dealing with was another load added to my shoulders.

The truth is that many college students struggle with mental illness. 40 percent of college students tend to struggle with anxiety, the leading mental illness of our age group, with depression at 35 percent. About a quarter of college students with mental illnesses seek some form of medication as a form of treatment. However, many universities lack adequate counseling services and mental health resources on campus. This is where I got lucky; I was given a school like Eastern that tries its best to reach those who need help and get that for them.

I urge anyone struggling with depression or any other mental illness to know that you are not alone. I have depression, but I am normal, I am sane. My depression is a part of who I am. The beast that is the chemical mishaps in our brains will not get the best of us. You are worthy of a platform to share your story; a story that is uniquely intertwined with the happy memories of our lives that we have and need to appreciate.

Source: American Psychological Association

      Each year, Eastern and its alumni office host a spectacular homecoming event filled with fundraisers, club advertisements, and, of course, reunions.

       Last year, I only knew of homecoming weekend as a day of club tables and a night filled with dancing. This was definitely one facet of homecoming. There are numerous club tables showing the progress of Eastern’s student activities. And, yes there is a homecoming dance, but  something was still missing. Sure I knew that there were many alums of Eastern at homecoming, but I, being a freshman, did not know a single one of them.

      I guess my real homecoming experience did not happen until this year rolled around. On Oct. 14, I found myself ecstatic to reunite with an Eastern alum who had a huge effect on my life and journey with majoring in English — Jill Murphy. Last year, I met the then senior, Murphy, as she was one of my Odyssey Online editors. In a short amount of time, I became impressed with her ability to write so beautifully, in a style that I am currently trying to master. She was not only a fantastic writer, but she also had mastered being a caring individual who took me and my roommate under her wing as “baby English majors.” I was sad to see her graduate and leave in May, having known her only a year. However, she and I did our best at staying in contact via social media and text messages. But, as homecoming came around the corner, I made it my job to dedicate the day to Murphy. As she arrived on campus, she could only think of one word to describe all that she was feeling.

      “Surreal–that’s the word that automatically comes to mind; I can’t think of a more suitable term. Attending EU for four years, graduating in May, and not coming back to campus until homecoming, reminded me of professors, classes, friends, meals, and Wawa-runs that shaped part of my life. I wouldn’t necessarily say visiting my alma mater felt like being at home, but there was a familiar, comforting vibe upon returning,” Murphy said.

      Eastern has a unique way of making community between seniors and freshmen– now sophomores and alumni. This community was what I was missing last year. I found community in showing Murphy all that has changed in the five short months she had been gone. I found community over Easy Risers at the Jammin’ Java as Murphy and I laughed at our nerdy English jokes and reflected on her life outside of college. However, Murphy and I did make time to reflect on what she missed most about Eastern.

      “[I miss] the people–particularly seeing my friends every day and getting to live with my crazy roommates, but also saying ‘hi’ to Tony and Bill in the Dining Commons. This might also sound weird, and definitely nerdy, but I also miss the college atmosphere — staying up late then going to class exhausted, writing papers, and ordering Insomnia,” Murphy said.

       Unlike my freshman self, I now see the power of homecoming weekend. I currently see myself thinking about my current senior friends — although I hope to see them plenty of other times, I cannot help but think about my excitement to show them their legacy in the years of homecoming that are yet to come.

      Homecoming is a time to continue the community-building Eastern thrives on. Community is celebrated at homecoming, but starts during your first four years here on campus.

       Murphy reflected, “as an undergraduate, I wish I would’ve focused my attention more on building and maintaining relationships within the campus, rather than concentrating on my studies and external relationships.  Once senior year hit, I realized that I only had a limited amount of time with these people, so I tried spending every possible minute with them that time allowed, and I don’t regret that.”

      Over the past few weeks at Eastern, many students around campus have noticed a change in the Public Safety Department’s security staff. Eastern’s new Head of Security, Michael Bicking, retired recently from West Chester University. However, after hearing about the security position here at Eastern, he knew he wanted to take it and strengthen the department.

      “I’d like to build on the success the department has had…and make us more of a presence on campus,” Bicking said.

      Even in a short time, Bicking has made his presence known by attending Resident Assistant meetings to become more familiar with the leadership of Eastern. Bicking appreciates the student leaders of Eastern who enforce the rules of the campus. He admits that it is a hard job to enforce rules, and often commends student leaders wherever he goes.

      Though Bicking is new to Eastern, he has had an impressive career in law enforcement and public safety

      When Bicking was younger, his dad was the local Chief of Police. After college, Bicking  followed in his father’s footsteps and went on to work in the municipal police force for eight years, serving as an officer, detective, and sergeant. After almost a decade in local law enforcement, Bicking transferred to West Chester University in Pennsylvania to be a campus detective. However, after just three years, Bicking was promoted to West Chester University’s Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety. After working there for 28 years, Bicking was planning to retire in Sept. 2017, until he heard about the open Head of Security position at Eastern.

      “Something about this university spoke to me, so I put off retirement to come here,” Bicking said.

       As he is new to Eastern, Bicking is taking his time to assess to Public Safety Department’s various responsibilities. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, van transportation services, closing and opening buildings, and overseeing the safety of all the students. After assessing the various responsibilities of his department, Bicking plans to create a comprehensive plan to improve the department’s services to Eastern. This includes re-examining the budget.

       To ensure safety and make the Public Safety Department more of a presence on campus, Bicking wants each student to know him and his team. Bicking tries to get out of the office whenever he can in order to walk around campus and meet as many students and faculty members as possible. Bicking even wants to be invited to different student- led club and organization meetings. In addition to this, Bicking is planning on starting “Breakfast with the Chief,” an initiative to allow for open conversation between students and the Public Safety Department. There, he wants to hear student concerns and help resolve them. He would like for no topic to be left off the table.

      “I want the campus to know that myself and my department [are]  here to provide service to the campus and keep them safe. I take the responsibility very seriously,” Bicking said.

      Outside of Eastern, Bicking spends his time fishing, hunting, and going on Disney trips with his family. Eastern welcomes you, Mr.Bicking!

      On Sept. 22, Eastern participated in a campus-wide event for social justice. In the morning, students gravitated toward the gym for a fantastic Windows on the World featuring Tony Campolo, a notable Eastern alumnus. During the afternoon, students interacted with their peers, who lead various social justice groups in their passionate trek for developing more awareness of the nameless.

      “These people are alive and need someone or something to get their voices heard,” sophomore and member of College Democrats of Eastern, Jimmy Conroy said.

      For every club, there is a movement that has been stirring for a long time — a movement toward social justice. Like Conroy, the meaning and importance of social justice closely ties to the systemic oppression of people who are often viewed as outcasts in society.

      For a group like Heart of Africa, senior and vice president, Iyenani Zabadi believes that social justice means educating people about the oppressed.

      “People think that Africans are solely to blame, but… this has been a problem since the slave trade and colonization” Zabadi said.

       Education on social justice has to be sought out in this society. Taking classes, sitting in on open discussions, and attending events like Social Justice Day can change the worldview of many individuals. Some students spoke highly of  the importance of education about the American prison system. In criminal justice classes, for instance, students look to their professors to provide them with eye-opening information about prisons in America. Students learn that America’s motto for criminals is intended to be prevention, intervention, and then suppression. However, because of the lack of funding for the prison system, many Americans are put in prison for small crimes. This problematic contradiction fuels Eastern University’s Prison Ministry group.

       However, even with education, many social justice issues get swept under the rug. Often people are aware of the issues happening, but do not do anything to stop them. Many people know that there are people in the city of Philadelphia who struggle with homelessness, but there are only three homeless shelters in the city.

      “Do you know the average age of a homeless person? [it’s] Nine,” sophomore Shelby Kemp pointed out while overseeing the Youth Against Complacency and Homelessness Today (YACHT) table.

      Students and faculty have the opportunity to be a part of amazing groups who do work to advocate for  people who are often overlooked.

      “Sometimes, we miss the mark– [we] become complacent– we know that these issues are going on. But we miss the mark of helping people,” senior Hannah Johnson said. Johnson is the co-president of Students Against Human Trafficking (SAHT). With co-leader, senior Marcy Andersen, the group works toward building awareness for a topic that is rarely addressed  on Eastern University’s campus, in the United States, and throughout the world. To combat the silenced crime of human trafficking, SAHT is working to attend a “Walk Her Home” event in which there will be a marathon followed by an expert panel. The event will take place Oct. 7.

      Each club on campus is trying to evoke action — action that seeks social justice. Further, students going into the social work field have made it their career mission to provide aid assistance, and even representation for all people.

      “I am exhausted with silence. I am ready to create systemic resources for people who have been oppressed,” junior and social work major Mj Smith said.

      After the social justice fair, students and faculty came together for a round table discussion about Eastern’s legacy of social justice. The day closed with a social justice- themed coffee house at Walton featuring poetry, music, and other student performances. The day left students wanting to take action for the people around them.

      “Social justice is the way of love,” sophomore Suzi Staherski said.

     A special thanks to BLAZE, Samantha Andersen, Kyra Gonzales, Kolette Hooper, and Refuge.

      Faith on the Field Sept. 6 served as a time of worship, football, and laughter. Located on the Olson field at Eastern, the Faith on the Field Show had players from the Philadelphia Eagles speak about their relationship with God on and off the field. Included in the event were quarterback Carson Wentz, tight-end Trey Burton, and offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski.

     To start the night, the players sat next to the hosts of Faith on the Field, Doug Horton, Rob Maaddi, and Phil Moser. The six men were accompanied by reverend Kyle Horner and sports personality Howard Eskin. On the stage, the men prayed for the people who were affected by the recent hurricanes and wildfires. They also prayed for the people who may need to see God that night.

     Each of the players have their own way of staying close with God during football season. The players find time during warmups, in the locker room, and even after a hard practice to set aside some time to pray– even if that prayer is only a few seconds.

      “Jesus is available at any time,” Wentz said after admitting to praying during car rides.

      Apart from football, the players gather with their community through charitable organizations. Wentz works with his organization ‘Audience of 1,’ or, ‘AO1.’ in this organization, Wentz provides for third world countries by spreading the gospel. In addition, Burton spoke about his work with the International Justice Mission to help end modern-day slavery around the world. Burton spoke about the competition set up between the Eagles and the Redskins. A group from each team is matching donations to the organization up to $100,000. In doing this, the Eagles are working to end modern sex and labor slavery that is one of the most profitable works under the black market. The players thought of their careers in football as a secondary job because the first is working for God.

      “Work for the Lord first,” Wentz said.

      That was a big theme that night–good works. The players, along with the other men on stage, spoke out about how Christianity is much more than working, it is doing work with faith. Maaddi once believed that one is saved by the actions we do on this earth. However, he found that to be completely static and not for him.

      “We are saved by grace,” Maaddi said.

     Wentz took the theme Maddi was working with by saying, “we are not saved by actions, but our actions come out of our faith.”

      As for being a football player, the three men talked about using the gift God gave them and the privilege they have for playing a sport that they love. In this sport, the players become brothers working toward the common goal of winning football games, but they also work toward the goal of holiness. Burton talked about the brotherhood that was formed when he wanted to see if some teammates would like to be baptised. During a small group that is set up by the team, two men showed interest in being baptised. Burton assisted in baptising them and then asked if there were any others who showed interest. To his disbelief, three more players came to be baptised. In total, five players from the Eagles took part in being reborn in the water tubs in the Eagles’ arena. These water tubs are often used for healing after a game– used to soote the body. Burton liked to see the coincidence of that.

      The Faith on the Field event took place just four days before the Eagles’ first game of the season. The students related to the players’ feelings of being so busy. But, even with their season so close, they made time to come to Eastern to simply talk about their relationship with God. To them, Christianity is a priority even when it doesn’t seem like it.

       “[Christianity] is a discipline. It takes time,” Wisniewski said while referring to Romans 8:5.

      Each faithful player in the National Football League speaks out constantly about his religion and about his beliefs. Even with criticism, the players, especially the ones who attended Faith on the Field, are unapologetically Christian. They speak out about God whenever they can.

“If you love something enough, you’ll talk about it,” Wentz said.

In recent months, Eastern has been ranked in a few national lists of outstanding Christian colleges and universities based on aesthetics, academics, and various other qualities that make any institution of higher education attractive to prospective students.
The most recent list from College Choice named Eastern 34 out of 50 of the best Christian colleges or universities as of June of this year.
College Choice, an online tool for prospective students, is fueled by the inclusion of other religions the college has. There is also a judgement on student involvement in religion-related activities and groups, and a need for a college that is visually pleasing.
On the website, Eastern is accompanied by a painted picture of the back of Walton in the winter months. Even in this picture, the viewer can just see a glimpse of an institution that incorporates architecture from many years ago.
The website quoted President Duffett by stating,
“Our promise of integrating faith, reason, and justice is not just rhetoric; it’s something you will sense and feel.”
With the addition of this quote, the reader can see Eastern’s motto that is faith, reason, and justice, and understand the commitment that the institution has to spirituality.
With the implementation of marketing, advertising, and recruiting techniques, Eastern has a better chance to be featured on even more lists of top colleges across the globe.
Sources: Eastern.edu, Collegechoice.net