The Varsity News

Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: Alice Arutoff Members from Campus Crusade for Christ pose with the Rock after a cold night of painting and camaraderie.

Media Credit: Alice Arutoff

Painting the Rock has been a tradition at UDM for many years. There are about 50 clubs and organizations on campus and all are encouraged to paint the Rock throughout the year to promote themselves, their accomplishments and their events.

But competition can be fierce, as shown on Oct. 21 when the Campus Crusade for Christ planned to leave its mark.

Two Crusade members were to snag The Rock at 5 p.m., and the rest were to join them for Bible study at 7 p.m. and then paint the landmark at 8 p.m. According to rules, the Rock can only be painted between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. After 8 a.m., it is available for claim.

Things didn't go as planned for the organization.

Bible study was held in the first floor of Shiple Hall, but a fraternity grabbed control of the Rock after two girls who were lounging by it departed. The fraternity's victory was short lived, however, because the Rock was painted the next day by another organization.

Campus Crusade rescheduled its effort for the following Wednesday, Oct. 28, giving members more time to think of what to actually put on the Rock. (The group meets for Bible study every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the first floor lounge of Shiple Hall.)

Tim Schumack and Ashley Kuruvilla claimed the Rock around 1:30 p.m. Oct. 28, and other members, including group adviser Maria Dinverno, began to gather with anticipation.

"I remember pledging [for a sorority] and I had to paint the Rock in a blizzard and I was running around the Rock trying to stay warm," Dinverno recalled. "It was the best time and also the worst time."

Campus Crusade members "warmed" things up with a song of worship while a member played guitar. The Bible study that night reflected the theme of the Rock painting: unity, teamwork, growing together and helping one another.

Paint fumes began to fill the air around 8:30 p.m. as members began covering the Rock in brown. Some stated it looked like chocolate, some said it went well with the fall season.

"This rock represents Jesus!" proclaimed Trevor Tomlinson.

Over cider and doughnuts, members discussed what message to put on the Rock. They wanted to get a message across and promote their organization at the same time. While waiting for the brown paint to dry, members played card games, enjoyed singing and dancing, put up Christmas lights and a tent, and laid on sleeping bags.

Three hours later, though the brown paint was not quite dry, members began to paint the group's logo in yellow.

"It looks great, keep going," said Deborah Schumack, encouraging Tomlinson.

Members considered several messages, including "We walk by faith, not by sight" and "Jesus is in love with you." But by 4 a.m. the Rock was complete with a different message.

"Trust in God for he is your everlasting rock" was painted on the north side of the rock in yellow and almond.

The Rock was covered with yellow and light blue handprints on one side with red hearts in the palms. A yellow smiley face was placed on the top, and "Ride or Die" in red to finish things off.

"It is uber-cool that Campus Crusade is stepping out and painting the Rock - not just the Greek organizations," said Tim Schumack, who was wearing a green wig and red shirt. He ran around the Rock to keep warm and stated that if anyone asked what he was doing, he'd say, "I'm pledging, pledging for Jesus!"

Less than twelve hours later at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 29, several sorority members stood guard at the Rock ready to paint over Campus Crusade's much-contemplated masterpiece.

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