Need To Talk?
The Clarion April 19. 1993 Page 9
Chaplain Ernie Mills Is Always A Friend
by Makisha Gary
Clarion Staff Writer
If you are lost, and have nowhere to
turn to, or seeking help from someone
very understanding, or even have a
problem on your hands and no one to
talk to, you can always find a friend
with Brevard College Chaplain Ernie
Mills.
Born in Hendersonville, North
Carolina, Ernie Mills arrived at Brevard
College this past June, when he was
hired as the Chaplain for the school. He
wanted to leave the parish ministry for a
while and try something different, so he
came to Brevard and began to teach the
survey course of the Old and New
Testaments.
When asked why he became a
teacher. Mills responded, “I like
teaching subjects that have to do with
the person, their spiritual growth, and
things pertaining to a person’s sense of
meaning of life and their direction in
life, and religion allows me to teach
that.”
Ernie has international students in
his class as well as regular students who
say they would not take religion if it
was not required. He feels that if a
person is not ready or willing to learn
then it is useless. He quotes the phrase,
“You can lead a horse to the water but
you can’t make him drink.” There has to
be a want.
On the other hand, he feels that
maybe it doesn’t mean anything to them
now, but later on it will. It is important
to learn the teachings of Christ. “To me
that’s universal, everyone can learn from
that. No matter if you’re Christian or
not, you could learn that the way to live
is to love yourself, love your neighbor,
and love your enemies. That is what
Jesus teaches,” he said.
The purpose in teaching the course
to international students is not to be
evangelical. It is not meant to convert
them. “The idea behind it is to help
introduce them to Western culture, and
that is what Western culture is based on:
how the Bible perceives the world,
reality, and life and the meaning of life,”
Ernie said.
Ernie is the most understanding
person you can ever come across.
Students have problems talking and
relating to adults, because they feel that
they do not understand or care. He
identifies truly with our feelings, and he
is not just another member of the
faculty. He wants you to know that he
is also a friend, someone to talk to or
console in. He has a lot of compassion
for students, and is always making time
for them.
Ernie believes that responsibility is
a major lesson that students should not
only learn while in college, but for the
rest of their lives. “We have this idea
that education begins and ends at
college. Once you get your degree, your
through learning and growing, and it is
all just one small step along the way.
This just kind of supports and
encourages you in your journey toward
growing and learning, and to me that’s a
major responsibility,” he said.
Ernie holds a Wednesday Worship
Service, and all are encouraged to attend.
Ernie Mills soothes souls with music, compassion, understanding and friendship.
(Clarion photo by Henry Stepp)
Survivor To Tell Her Story
Incest: Prevalent In Our Society
by Joanna Wilson
Clarion Asst. Editor
Incest is a subject no one wants to
talk about. But with more and more
survivors disclosing their stories, it is a
topic which can no longer be ignored.
Though definitions vary, according
to a report in Lear’s February, 1992,
magazine, incest is “any sexual abuse of
a child by a relative or other person in a
position of trust and authority over the
child.” The abuse could be voyeurism
and exhibitionism, masturbation, rape
and sodomy, bestiality, and even
ritualized torture in cults.
The horrendous effects of these
violations can haunt the victims
throughout their whole life. Many suffer
from post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). Symptoms of PTSD include
amnesia, nightmares, flashbacks and
disassociation (the feeling of leaving
one’s body).
In some cases survivors have been
diagnosed with multiple personality
disorders (MPD). Research suggests that
children who were victims of severe
abuse may have developed one or more
personalities or “alters” to cope with the
trauma.
There are many other conditions
that may be linked to childhood sexual
abuse. Eating disorders, depression,
panic attacks and various sexual
problems are often prevalent in
survivors. They may also become
victims of rape or domestic assault.
Often, without realizing it, some adult
victims of incest may “recreate” the
abuse for their own children by
becoming involved with an incestuous
partner.
Incest is devastating. But, there is
hope for those survivors who seek help.
Experts tell us to listen to our children
and become aware of the signs of abuse.
We can stop childhood victimization if
we just face the truth.
On April 21, Judith Godsey, a
survivor, will share her story. She will
be speaking in room MG 118, from 8-
9:30 p.m. This program is open to both
men and women.
Spring Formal Cancelled
by Makisha Gary
Clarion Staff Writer
Brevard College’s Spring Formal
was canceled due to lack of student
interest.
The Spring Formal dance was
canceled because not enough tickets
were sold. It was scheduled for April 17,
1993. It was to be held at the Grove
Park Inn in Asheville, N.C., from 9
p.m. to 1 p.m. A total of 50 tickets
were needed to be bought in order fw the
Spring Formal to be held. Instead, there
were only 18 sold. Since this was such
a low number, it was decided in the
SGA meeting on Wednesday, April 8, to
cancel the Spring Formal.