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2005 Pulitzer Prize winner ‘Gilead’ holds up just as strong today

ALEXANDER HURLA

staff writer

Marilynne Robinson’s novel “Gilead” found its way into my shopping bag recently as I walked through a used book sale. I had never heard of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner before, yet something caught my eye from the beginning. Plus, having the main character being born in Kansas helped a lot, too.

The main character is John Ames, an elderly pastor who knows he is dying. He has a wife who is significantly his junior and a young son. Because he is aware his end is near, he begins writing a letter to tell his son about himself and the family history so the boy can live a full life grounded in his roots.

This letter is the story presented in “Gilead.” As readers, we have the first glimpse at the letter as Ames intends for his son to read it when he is older. With that, this style is unique as the story does not flow linearly but rather bounces around as Ames’ thoughts meander around different topics, winding back to a storyline.

The story takes place in the mid-20th century in the town of Gilead, Iowa. Pastor Ames’ father and grandfather were both ministers, with his grandfather being acquaintances with John Brown and Jim Lane during Bleeding Kansas. His grandfather preached that the men in his congregation should join the Union in the Civil War.

This iron-and-brimstone preaching impacts Ames’ father and he becomes a pacifist himself, which causes strife between the two men. These two different worldviews influence Ames in his ministry as he is conflicted as to which one is truer to Scripture. Even at his age, he is still working out the theology of both sides, which he expresses in the letter.

Ames married as a young man, but after losing his wife and young daughter, he lived most of his life as a bachelor. During this time, Ames’ best friend and fellow pastor he affectionately calls by his last name of Boughton, names his own son after Ames so that his lineage might continue in a way. The author does not introduce John Ames “Jack” Boughton to the reader until later in the novel, but Ames hints at a dubious character leading up to the introduction.

It is Jack who causes the most anxiety for Ames as he knows what his namesake did years before, which forced him to flee Gilead in shame. So, when Jack comes back and starts hanging around Ames’ family, the pastor worries. Will the younger man swoop in and steal his family once he dies? What are his true intentions?

Above all, this strife comes down to questioning whether men can change if damnation is set in stone and asking who decides what is true repentance. These questions swirl around Ames’ mind as he learns of more revelations about Jack. This all leads to an ending that made me feel great sympathy for both men.

“Gilead” is a reflective story that — almost paradoxically — is forward-looking at its core. As readers, we are looking back on a man in the 1950s who, in turn, is looking back on a life that began in the previous century and on those of his father and grandfather before that. Yet, all of this reflection is geared toward his son so he can know where he came from and who he is to keep him rooted in his family history for the rest of his life going forward.

Its reflective nature leaves time for the reader to join Paster Ames in looking at what matters most. It’s not an action-packed book, nor is it a book with great suspense or surprises. Instead, it’s a book that knows exactly what it is: a story that highlights the beauty that can be found in the mundane of most people’s lives.

It’s the average, everyday life that “Gilead” champions. For Ames, despite his anxiety and struggles in his old age, he is looking back on a well-lived life, hoping what he has done can provide for those he loves after he is gone. Yet, as a Christian, he knows it was only ever temporary.

That is the most important takeaway from “Gilead,” I think: this life is transient. That’s not something to be scared or terrified about. Instead, it’s something to be used to live and love deeply, boldly and passionately.

As Pastor Ames shows in the story, there is so much to love in this world. Therefore, as he did even in the small town of Gilead, it is better to live a full life and experience all that is possible now so, hopefully, you go into the next life with little regret of things left undone. For myself, especially, that proved to be a valuable reminder.

Illustration by Marshall Sunner | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP

Wildcat 91.9 Classroom Series back from pandemic hiatus with more concerts, artists than ever before

EDEN BROCKMAN

staff writer

Classroom Series — Wildcat 91.9’s live, over-theair concert series — will begin again later this month, adapting from the pandemic with more ways to view and listen to the performing bands.

Brahm Berry, senior in vocal performance and cohost of the afternoon show, said the Classroom Series are sets of in-house concerts that Wildcat 91.9 puts on throughout the year.

“We have our live studio, Studio E, and we invite bands to come in and play live, and we stream that live over the air,” Berry said.

The Classroom Series production started up again after pausing in March 2020 because of the pandemic.

Jackson Berland, junior in theatre and film studies, is the promotions director and morning show co-host of Wildcat 91.9. Berland said the Classroom Series intends to show the Kansas State community-artists in their own community.

“Most of the Classroom Series are bands that people do not know the names of, but they have incredible music,” Berland said. “I want to be able to share with [K-State] these incredible bands that are right in your backyard that are doing incredible stuff.”

Berland said he has put a lot of work into improving the Classroom Series by creating more opportunities to promote the visiting artists.

“Now, if [artists] travel to Manhattan, Kansas, you will get a live show [on the air], a live interview, a live performance [at a venue] and a video or content of your choosing, which is a lot of promotional material,” Berland said.

There are a lot of ways to listen to and watch the Classroom Series. The series is broadcasted live between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Wildcat 91.9’s morning show.

Connor Balthazor, senior in political science and Wildcat Watch president, said Wildcat Watch partners with Wildcat 91.9 during the events.

“We go there and collect footage of the event while it is happening, and then after the event, we collect audio from 91.9 and we compile that into a video that we give back to 91.9 and the performers,” Balthazor said.

Wildcat Watch posts the Classroom Series videos to its separate YouTube channel and Wildcat 91.9 posts to its website and YouTube channel.

Max Lansdowne, junior in communication studies, is the music director and morning show co-host of Wildcat 91.9. He said he is looking forward to the reemergence of the Classroom Series.

“Classroom Series will create community, and I am excited about that,” Lansdowne said. “I think Classroom Series will become more of a big deal. It can be something that a lot of people care a lot about.”

Balthazor said he agrees with Lansdowne.

“I love the variety of acts that they have,” Balthazor said. “Every single time that I have been on a Classroom Series shoot — which has probably been at least a dozen times — it has been a different band of a different genre it seems. ... I like that every time I go, I can expect something different and new.”

The next Classroom Series is Oct. 15, featuring the band, Same Sounds. Following is a live show from Same Sounds at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Public Hall.

“What I love about Same Sounds is they structure their music in a way that the chorus, bridge and sequence give a lot of different energy to dance to,” Berland said. “It is incredible house music.”

Updates on upcoming Classroom Series dates will be on the Wildcat 91.9 Twitter.

Coffee Hour gives cultural immersion of other countries from home

ELENIA HENRY

staff writer

Five times a semester, Kansas State students and faculty can sip up more than just coffee during the International Student and Scholar Services’ Coffee Hour. This program allows international students to present their country and culture to others.

Lauren Benavidez, K-State graduate student in agricultural economics, presented her home country of Nicaragua on Sept. 24. Benavidez gave insight into everything from geographical facts to beloved holidays. Viewers could interact with the content through polls and trivia quizzes during the presentation.

Benavidez, born in Estelí, Nicaragua, highlighted national traditions like performances of El Güegüense and the celebration of La Purísima. El Güegüense is a fusion of theater, song and dance that pays homage to colonial-era folklore. The feast of La Purísima, or the Virgin Mary, is celebrated on Dec. 8 and honors the country’s Catholic influences with treats and dance.

Benavidez also spoke on traditional foods like the quesillo — white cheese wrapped in a tortilla and topped with pickled onion — and gallo pinto — a combination of red beans, white rice and diced onions.

She said preparing a presentation for Coffee Hour gave her the opportunity to revisit her favorite things about home.

“[My favorite part was] the opportunity to share my country from the perspective of being abroad,” Benavidez said. “At first, I was nervous, but then I relaxed during the presentation and really enjoyed it.

Coffee Hour participation is not strictly limited to the Wildcat community. Nadeeshani Ratnayaka, graduate assistant of International Student and Scholar Services and head of the program, said participants tune in from all over the world.

“Coffee Hour is open for anyone who’s interested,” Ratnayaka said. “We’ve been hosting sessions virtually since March 2020, so we’ve actually had people joining from different countries as well — especially the friends and family of our student presenters.”

Past meetings have featured many different parts of the globe as K-State’s international students represent over 100 countries. Ratnayaka said the program gives viewers the chance to explore other countries without the financial burden and public health restrictions acting as barriers.

Archive Photo by Blake Reid | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP Students listen to Yasameen Akbasri, then-sophomore life sciences and pre-dentistry, during International Coffee Hour in Manhattan on Sept. 22, 2017.

“I believe the Coffee Hour program sort of lays the foundation for people to be excited and interested in learning about another country, and its culture and traditions because they are all very different from one another. … Personally, I have been very inspired,” Ratnayaka said. The Coffee Hour program will continue virtually and meet from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on select Fridays throughout the fall and spring semesters. Prospective participants can learn more about Coffee Hour and tune in to the next gathering on Nov. 5 for a presentation on Ghana.

Religion Directory

Worship Service at 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. or livestream our services online. Adult and Children Bible Hour Classes Offered at 10:00 a.m. 785.776.0424 www.gracebchurch.org 2901 Dickens Ave. (2 blks. E. of Seth Child)

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Dylan Connell | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP ROTC Army does flag detail three days a week, both raising and lowering the flag in front of Gen. Richard B. Myers Hall.

Dylan Connell | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP Gabriela Olivier, Gunnar Ehlers, Matt Ebenstein displaying and escorting the American flag at Gen. Richard B. Myers Hall on Sept. 20, 2021.