The Collegian, Nov. 8, 2024

The 2024 ELECTION EDITION

Collegian Trump wins again GCC students support former president

Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief

Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election and will return for his second term after defeating democratic nominee Kamala Harris in Tuesday’s election.

The former president had the support of 79.8 percent of Grove City College students according to the Collegian’s campus-wide poll distributed last month.

“Trump retained the coalition of voters that he put together for 2016 and 2020 and drew them out to the polls, and Trump expanded the coalition by adding more young male voters and more Hispanic voters. Those two factors gave him a very similar victory to the 2016 race,” said Professor of Political Science Dr. Michael Coulter ‘91 said.

Grove City College isn’t known for its parties, but on Tuesday night the Student Union was packed for the campus Election Night watch party. For most students –81.62 percent of poll respondents – this was their first time voting in a presidential election.

Sophomore Brae Sadler, who voted for Trump, was among the students waiting for results. “Trump is someone who does his best for America. And I just really (didn’t) want to vote for Kamala because her and Joe Biden almost put my family in poverty and censored people who believe the same things I do. I don’t believe the country would be good under her,” he said.

Sadler’s comments reflected the top concern of most students. According to the poll, 14.71 percent of respondents listed it as their chief concern.

Sophomore Leah Forry said her vote was tied to her partisan identity more than the candidate. “I voted for Trump because he’s a Republican. That’s pretty much

‘Fiddler’ in the Fine Arts Center

Emma Rossi

Editor-in-Chief

The Grove City College Theater Department will perform the beloved musical “Fiddler on the Roof” at 7 p.m. nightly from Wednesday, Nov. 6 through Saturday, Nov. 9 in Ketler Auditorium in Pew Fine Arts Center on campus.

The show is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. At this time the show is sold out, but unclaimed tickets will be released ten minutes before each show.

“Fiddler on the Roof” is a beloved staple with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon

Harnick and book by Jerry Stein.

The musical portraying Jewish life in Imperial Russia at the turn of the 20th century features hits like “Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man” and the famous bottle dance from “Wedding Celebration.”

Professor of English and Theater and Director Betsy J. Craig ’77 spoke of her decision to bring “Fiddler on the Roof” to the Grove City College stage.

“Fiddler is considered one of the greatest, maybe by some, the greatest musical of all time in the United States.

On the front lines of democracy

Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief

Grove City College students didn’t just go to the polls to vote on Election Day, they went to work.

Several students volunteered at local polling locations and the Mercer County Election Bureau during Tuesday’s general election. A number of these students were a part of Dr. Michael Coulter’s ’91 POLI SCI 101 class.

They helped election officials at precincts in and around Grove City, where anywhere from 50 to 200 voters passed through the polls during their shifts. They also assisted in the vote count at the elections office in Mercer.

Junior Caleb Paduani was

stationed at his polling location, Church of the Epiphany, for three hours, during which he saw about 200 people come through.

“The mood was pretty intense I have to say. People were determined to cast their vote and to be heard. I would never have thought so many people would come through a small-town polling site,” Paduani said.

“I did not hear any real conversations -- it was pretty respectful, and people were kind to each other pretty much. I think because Pennsylvania is a battleground state, residents are even more anxious to get their votes in,” he added.

Junior Isaiah Hogeterp was one of several Grove City students who volunteered at FRONT LINES 3

LUKE PAGLIA

Sophomore Chris Corbin plays Tevye in the fall musical “Fiddler of the Roof.” The musical shows

tonight and tomorrow at 7 p.m.

LUKE PAGLIA

Students follow balloting updates at the election watch party Tuesday in the Breen Student Union. In a campus-wide poll last month, 80 percent of students said they were voting for Trump, who won a historic re-election victory.

TIERNA D’ARCY

Junior Tierna D’Arcy and sophomore Max Winkler pose with “I voted” stickers on Tuesday.

From the Tower

At the intersection of the election

On Tuesday night, some of The Collegian staff and I went to the election party in the Breen Student Union.

It’s funny -- I swear I saw a tumbleweed skitter across HAL courtyard during Halloweekend, but Election Night was electric.

I’m only kidding. But yes, we went to the election party in search of some true American Grovers. I felt like I was filming a segment of Watters’ World while approaching innocent students and asking them about the election.

There was free pizza. Emphasis on “was,” because by the time we showed up it had been eaten. The crowd was ravenous as they watched ads about medications and the new episode of Chicago P.D., all with brief snippets of “news” sprinkled between.

Classic, “It’s still a tight race. You’ll be shocked to hear -- Kamala’s won Maryland!”

This was my first election night in a swing state. I am from a state blue to its core, the great state of Maryland.

The majority of my state’s population lives in Baltimore or the counties between it and the nation’s capital, so it’s always blue. No one ever cares about little old Maryland during election season -- and for that I say, “THANK GOD!”

I never appreciated the lack of political ads on TV or the absence of rallies. It’s so peaceful at home. There’s no one to convince.

But now that I’m here in Western Pa., I can understand the excitement around election night. Pennsylvania is the most popular girl at the party during the race. It’s exhilarating, waiting for the state to turn blue or red.

It’s been a true privilege to cover a presidential election for The Collegian. Grove City College is strange when compared to other college campuses, but the majority of the student body did back the winning horse. I don’t think that Grove City is more political than most college campuses, it’s just political in a different way.

Being here is like sitting at the intersection of the election, knowing that this student body (according to our poll) and the state itself are outliers in the nation.

Even talking to students at the election watch party, it stood out to me how confident they were in their choice to vote for Trump. They cast their votes for real reasons, not just because they felt like they should vote.

While it’s unlikely that every future election will end in the favor of the average Grover, it’s clear to me that what will continue is educated voting. Voting for a reason, not just to get a sticker.

Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief

Collegian Staff

Editor-in-Chief

Emma Rossi

Managing Editor

Grace Scheller

Section Editors

News Violet Whitmore

Community

Emily Fox

Perspectives

Grace Scheller

Entertainment

Emma Rossi

Sports

Mia Gallagher

Photo Chief Luke Paglia

Copy Chief

Kathryna Hoyman

Business Manager

John Remaniak

Copy Editors

Anastasia Brown

Olivia Emerick

Kendall Lambrecht

Bonnie Pittman

Hannah Williams

Sophie Spilak

Staff Writers

Dom Puglisi

Abigail Kengor

Brae Sadler

Matthew Purucker

Walter Smith V

Cat Runion

Madison Lynch

Christa Bashinski

Staff Photographers

Tava Derr

John Hake

Luke Morton Mara Brak

Staff Adviser

Nick Hildebrand

The Collegian is the student newspaper of Grove City College, located in Grove City, Pa. Opinions appearing on these pages, unless expressly stated otherwise, represent the views of individual writers. They are not the collective views of The Collegian, its staff or Grove City College.

Redefining expectations

Luke Paglia Photo Chief

Transitioning from a rather simplistic life at home into one that is filled with chaos and change is among the toughest experiences for millions of students each year.

I am no exception to this. I have faced and continue to face these challenges every day. The stigma that college places on attendees to fit in, find their people, meet their best friends and maybe their future spouse is an unrealistic expectation.

I think often people don’t realize that, and they are yearning for something that does not exist. They stretch themselves too thin trying to be the standard and find all these things. Some people do fit the mold, and they cruise through their four undergraduate years and have the best time of their life.

Those who are like me, however, understand what it’s like to struggle with the unrealistic expectations of finding the right people immediately and experiencing the easy path through college.

I am a sophomore here at Grove City College and I am lucky to say that, because that almost was not the case. I began attending the College after graduating from high school in Lancaster, Pa. Growing up, I played baseball and was involved in extracurricular school as well as a youth group with my church.

I had places where I felt be-

longing, I had an abundance of friends and I even had my two best friends, who are like my brothers. Everything felt right, until it didn’t.

When I left to come to the Grove City in August of 2023, I came thinking that I would slide right into the expectation that I would meet my people, my new best friends and maybe even my future wife. To tell you that this didn’t quite happen would be an egregious understatement. Throughout my freshman year, I tried to get involved in some organizations, but that didn’t really stick. I talked to plenty of people and found many acquaintances, but not really many friends. I even found the person who I decided to live with over the course of my time at the College, but he ended up transferring.

I could not catch a break, and I was quite unhappy. It got to the point where I contemplated not even coming back and transferring to a college in Lancaster where I was comfortable. Since I am writing this here today, that clearly did not happen.

The expectation is that you find your people right away. That is ideal, easy, even comfortable, but it’s unrealistic. This didn’t happen for me, and I am sure that it did not happen for many of you either.

Grove City College has many groups, whether that’s sports teams, Greek life, ministries or some other type of club. If you’re not part of one of those groups, it can feel

impossible to meet people and make friends, because that’s what I thought.

I won’t lie to you and tell you that it’s easy to go about your time here and just fit in right away and find people. It is hard, but it’s not impossible, so don’t give up. I almost did not come back to the College for my sophomore year because of these challenges, but I did. And life is not perfect -- I still don’t have a large group of friends like I do at home -- but I put myself out there and I have made some friends. Building relationships takes time and you cannot always expect to have these amazing relationships in your freshman year, but it does get better.

That’s what everyone told me, that it gets better, and while I had a hard time believing them in the moment, I can attest to what they said now, and I can say for myself that it is true.

So, understand that the expectation college places on students to make a million friends, find a group to be a part of and have the best time of their lives is an unrealistic one. These things can happen, but it takes time and patience. Don’t ever feel the need to fit the mold of the standard college student and meet the expectations, because everyone is different.

I am an example of that. I could not be further away from the expectation, but I can say with confidence that I cannot wait to see what my future at Grove City College holds.

This week’s Green Eyeshade Award goes to Community Editor Emily Fox for pivoting her section at the last minute.

The Green Eyeshade Award

Interested in writing for The Collegian? The Collegian provides excellent opportunities for students who are interested in journalism careers, in writing and in exploring campus events and issues. The Collegian also offers opportunities for students to have their photography published and get experience doing design work. All sections welcome new writers.

Email Editor-in-Chief Emma Rossi at rossiel21@gcc.edu.

EMILY FOX

The Collegian, Nov. 8, 2024

Local expert lays out attack on fracking

Matthew Purucker Staff Writer

Fracking is a familiar term to anyone who has paid even the slightest attention to political advertisements over the past few months. However, if asked to explain what it means, many would find themselves at a loss for words.

In late October, the Citizens’ Environmental Association of the Slippery Rock Area (CEASRA) hosted retired Pittsburgh area pediatrician Dr. Edward Ketyer, who gave a presentation at the Keystone Events Center in Grove City on how fracking harms health. Currently, Ketyer is the president of Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania (PSR PA), which aims to promote awareness of environ-

mental concerns across the commonwealth.

During the presentation, Ketyer outlined the process by which fracking extracts oil and natural gas from underground rocks. In fracking, a mixture of water and various chemicals is pumped deep into the earth, creating cracks in the rock that stimulate the flow of oil and natural gas to then be collected.

The contamination of chemicals into the earth and byproducts that leech into waterways pose significant health concerns for individuals who live within a couple of miles of a fracking plant and increase with greater proximity to the facility. Ketyer also stated that at-risk groups like children, the elderly and people with chronic conditions would be more affected by numerous fracking byproducts like ra-

dium 226, which has a halflife of 1,600 years.

“(Fracking) causes people to get sick. We know that for certain.” Ketyer said in his presentation. “We also know for certain that the closer you live to fracking … the higher (the) risks to your health. We’re not exactly sure why people are getting sick or what’s causing specific illnesses,” he continued.

Along with the risks fracking poses to health, Ketyer also described the significant radioactive waste fracking produces. The environmental hazard of fracking waste is the impetus for CEASRA’s multidecade-long legal battle to revoke Tri-County’s permit to reopen a radioactive fracking waste landfill located within three miles of the College.

Jennifer Michael, president of CEASRA, is the

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the only reason,” she said. “I don’t even know, it feels like it’s in another world like I don’t really have to deal with it. It’s nice being in my own little bubble of college,” she said.

Forry isn’t alone in feeling of distance from the election and its candidates. The Collegian poll indicated 34.56 percent of poll respondents were not very or not at all enthusiastic about their choices. The poll found 8.3 percent of students were abstaining or undecided on who they would vote for.

Coulter said students were more enthusiastic about past elections.

“I remember students being much more involved in the 2004 and 2012 elections as campaign volunteers compared to the past few presidential elections,” Coulter said. About 40 of his students in POLS 101 did volunteer to help poll workers, which he says is unique

FRONT LINES

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the Mercer County Election Bureau. He spent his shift as the “gopher-guy,” distributing ballots envelopes and counting absentee ballots.

“There was both a good amount of rigidity in the system to make it firm and trustworthy, but also enough flexibility to allow for smooth transitions and methods of performance. All in all, it felt natural. It was friendly, hectic and fun all at the same time. Everyone had a job to do, and we all did our best to perform it,” Hogeterp

to Grove City College.

Junior Lauren Iverson said she voted for Trump based on his policies and views on abortion.

“I just think that he aligns more with my views as a Christian. His policies are more (of) what I want to see in America rather than Harris’s. I just think that he’s more affirmative in what he’s going to do and actually taking action on what he says he’s going to do, rather than the empty promises and false information that Harris… supports in her campaign,” she said.

“I think that right to life is so important,” Iverson said. “If there was a more liberalleaning politician that (was pro-life) and had (less) extremist views, I would have been totally fine voting for them. I’m definitely not constrained to a party.”

Abortion and reproductive rights came in second in the list of student concerns in the poll, with 13.56 percent saying it was their top issue.

said. Hogeterp was confident in the accuracy and thoroughness of the process.

“I noticed also that they had three ways of verifying the validity of the absentee ballot even before they got to the counting. First by cross referencing the envelope names and district numbers, then by counting the number of ballots with the number on the sheet. The third way was handled by a separate person once all the primary counting was done. Only then were the ballots counted via machine,” Hogeterp said.

mother of three young children and is troubled by how the landfill would potentially affect her children and the community. Listening to Ketyer’s presentation gave further credibility to her concerns.

“I live very close to the landfill. … We are very blessed to have a very nice Memorial Park, which is only less than four miles from the landfill. Also, the Hillview Elementary School (is less than four miles from the landfill),” Michael said.

With the landfill in operation, Michael worries that young children would not be able to play outside without endangering their health.

Michael was not the only attendee with a similar view. Jane Cleary, another CEASRA member, wanted to further emphasize how the landfill would affect Grove

City College students.

“We have (eastern moving) winds that are going to blow this fracking waste right into Grove City. (Tri-County is) going to put the garbage down at night and cover it with this fracking waste in the day. So, (the) question is where are all those garbage trucks going to sit until they can unload the stuff at dusk? Well, those trailers are going to be coming off the interstate, and it’s going to be congestion,” Cleary explained.

While there were only a couple dozen spectators at the events center, they could leave with a key message from Ketyer in mind.

“So fracking, at the end of the day, is a health crisis. That’s why fracking is controversial,” Ketyer expressed.

Chad Braley’s economics

Christa Bashinski Staff Writer

This past Monday, the School of Business welcomed Chad Braley to give a lecture on the economics of national security.

Freshman Brayden Rush said his vote for Trump was based on policy, specifically American involvement in the Middle East. Nearly 10 percent of GCC students said foreign policy was their chief concern.

“I liked how the country looked under Trump more than I liked it under Biden, and I think Biden and Harris are going to have very similar presidencies and despite Trump’s character, I remember what the policies were like, and I much preferred those over Biden’s,” Rush said.

“I would say the Abraham Accords in the Middle East, I love those, I love seeing progress in the Middle East, because right now, it’s not looking good,” Rush said.

According to the poll, 91.54 percent of Grove City students were registered to vote and most planned to vote via absentee ballot, with just 22.61 percent expecting to vote in person on election day.

Freshman Dean Furer had a similar experience during his shift at the Election Bureau. His shift opened his eyes to the intensity of the election process and the time-consuming nature of counting the votes.

Freshman Joshua Youngquist worked at the polling location in the Midwestern Intermediate Unit. During his shift, he saw about 200 people come in to vote.

“Everyone working at the polling location was seeking to ensure that the election be done fairly, ethically

Chad Braley graduated from Washington and Lee University, attaining a B.S. in Business Administration at the School of Commerce. As an entrepreneur, he founded Capital Edge Consulting and remains the chief executive officer of the company. Braley specializes in 12 different areas, including having expirience with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and Defense Contract Audit Agency. He has also developed a national reputation for his public speaking abilities, having taught classes through six different organizations, including the Federal Publication Seminars and the Public Contracting Institute. His resume also boasts of his membership with the Board of Directors at the Public Contracting Institute, the National Contract Management Association and the National Defense Industrial Association. Capital Edge Consulting is based in Virginia, working with contractors who are in business with the government as they navigate potential risk. They have risen to become the largest firm of their kind and serve a diverse group of companies ranging from startups to large agencies like the Navy, Army and Air Force.

According to their website, Capital Edge has also established itself in various industries “such as manufacturing, nuclear energy, professional services, biotech/

and accurately. To prevent hacking, the machine was not connected to the internet. When the polls opened in the morning, the startup procedure manually sets the ballot count of that machine to zero as a precaution to prevent tampering before vote,” Youngquist said.

pharmaceuticals, defense and software.”

They offer more than just services, as the company is also for hire to teach classes for government contracting. Covering a wide set of bases, Capital Edge has “successfully mitigated the risk of regulatory noncompliance and has helped more than 250 companies successfully complete government audits,” according to its website.

In 2015, under Braley’s leadership, Capital Edge achieved the ranking as one of the top 5,000 companies on Inc. 5000, which recognizes the fastest-growing companies in the country. Through his company, Braley has helped his clients claim over $50 million and has developed systems for their businesses, particularly in the areas of accounting and material management.

Braley was hosted by the Center for Rural Ministry this Tuesday in Sticht Lecture Hall. The Center for Rural Ministry focuses on connecting the church with Grove City and helping its students grow.

“Chad Braley brings a wealth of knowledge regarding the ways in which the economic landscape is impacted by both defense and welfare spending. His ability to connect with his audience is well-known, and his keynote lecture will be beneficial to students in a variety of majors,” Dean of the Winklevoss School of Business Professor Michelle McFeaters ’88, ’02, said. Grove City encourages students to attend all keynote lectures as speakers like Chad Braley offer their expertise and advice on topics that will prove beneficial for the rest of students’ careers.

“The procedure is intentionally redundant, so officials have a means of checking the ballot count against the number of voters who signed in at the poll, and to check the identities and signatures of the voters against the voter registration,” he continued.

Freshman Rebekah Jones was impressed by the dedication and kindness of her fellow poll workers. Jones was stationed at Grove City Alliance Church.

“My precinct had excellent voter turnout. If I remember correctly, around 800 people were registered to vote, and by the time I left at 5:30, there were over 600 votes submitted. I was there from 2:30-5:30 and around 200 people voted in that time. Turnout was actually so incredible that we ran out of ‘I Voted’ stickers,” Jones said.

LUKE PAGLIA

Students met in the Student Union to watch election updates this Tuesday.

Community

Grovers got grit Club rugby team fosters a community of athleticism

Kathryna Hoyman Copy Chief

Passion, physical exertion and brotherhood – all are defining characteristics of the Grove City College men’s rugby team.

Since the spring of 1994, the men’s rugby team has brought zeal to campus through its intensity. “Rugby inspires unity and grit,” sophomore loosehead prop Carter Manwaring expressed. “Rugby is fast-paced. Adrenaline is coursing through every vein.”

The sport is known for its grueling nature, but for the players of the College, rugby is more than bruises and bloody noses. “Rugby has been an outlet for aggression, a treasured break from schoolwork and a time to build friendships that I will maintain for the rest of my college experience,” Manwaring said.

As a club sport, rugby only requires an intermediate level of involvement, a quality that attracts many of its players. “I like that rugby is a club sport. It is less of a time commitment for students, but still allows our students to compete at a high level against other colleges and universities,” Dr. Charles Kriley ‘88, professor of chemistry and advisor of the team, explained. Freshman scrumhalf Truman Poole shared a similar sentiment, seeing the club aspect of the sport as being a great advantage to those who strive to take their academics seriously. “Rugby allows for a whole lot more flexibility and gives me particularly the time I need for homework,” Poole remarked.

Although a club sport, the College’s team takes the sport seriously, acknowledging it as an all-or-nothing game that demands committed partnership. “The game of rugby requires you to be extremely close to your teammates,” Manwaring commented. “Rugby forces trust and loyalty between players because the stakes are so high. Rugby players put their own bodies on the line,” he said.

Kriley sees this aspect of collegiality as a trait that the Grove City team displays es-

I think my girlfriend is hiding something from me. She’s been acting distant lately, and when I ask if something is wrong, she gets defensive. I think transparency is essential to having a healthy relationship, but I don’t know what else to do to get her to open up to me. What should I do?

- Man out of the loop

Some people are more private than others and keep their issues to themselves. She might be keeping something from you, but it might not be what you think it is. Perhaps there are family issues going on that she doesn’t feel comfortable talking about yet. It could

pecially well. “The reason for our success this season really comes down to their unity as a group,” Kriley voiced.

According to one of the captains, junior fly-back Benaiah West, this sense of community within the team is not limited to the playing field. “The comradery between players, despite initially not knowing one another, has grown substantially and we all act together as one team while on the field, in practice or at outside gatherings,” West shared.

Despite the necessity of teamwork within the sport, Grove City’s team strives to grow its players individually as students on the brink of various pursuits and vocations. Kriley especially pushes for this mentality, giving the players a chance to develop not just as rugby players but as people. One of the specific ways this is done is through encouraging leadership to come from the players themselves. “I have always had ‘student coaches’ run the practices and coach the team. This allows students to really have an impact on the team and grow as leaders on our team,” Kriley said.

The spirit of the team is evident in the players’ individual dedication to the sport, to each other and to God. In finding their strength in numbers and attaining competence through commitment, the College’s rugby team has become an established community of unlikely individuals.

The team attracts a variety of people, a factor appreciated by West, who has been invested in the team since his freshman year.

“I have met people from all sorts of backgrounds and locations that I never would have otherwise. The team has given me an outlet and brotherhood that I have felt since the day I started playing,” West said.

Kriley also sees this feature of the team as an asset. “The one thing I really appreciate about our team is the amount of different campus groups that play. We have rugby players that are independents, fraternity members and in housing groups,” Kriley noted.

“Rugby inspires unity and grit. Rugby is fast paced. Adrenaline is coursing through every vein.”

- Carter Manwaring

Even in their devotion to victory within the sport, the team retains a big-picture mentality. “The overarching aim of the GCC rugby team is to give students a chance to demonstrate their athleticism while growing in teamwork and glorifying the Lord,” West said.

“It’s a sport (of) brotherly love … and that goes for both

our own team and our connections with other teams,” Poole emphasized. “We’ve prayed with almost all of the teams that we’ve played with after the game on the field. It’s a good example of comradery between teams even after a loss or a win,” he said.

The rugby team has had many successful seasons, but their impact is primarily

What is she hiding...?

be as simple as her grades: maybe they’re not going the way she had hoped this semester. Midterms just happened and grades might look a lot different than they did in the beginning of the semester. I know that I’m not one to share my innermost concerns with people outside of my family, regardless of how close we are. I tend

to feel as if those are things I need to take care of on my own. If you guys have been together for a while, then I would think that you would know if this is out of character for her or not. If this is a new relationship and secrets are already being hidden, then that’s definitely something to think about. However, if you are pushing her to share everything in a oneweek-old relationship, then that’s a completely different story. Have you guys been pretty good at sharing things with each other? Or has she always been reserved about what she shares?

You mentioned that transparency is important to you. I agree that important things

shouldn’t be hidden. However, it isn’t necessary to share every thought that runs through your head. That might sound like it should go without saying, but you’d be surprised by how many people simply don’t censor what comes out of their mouth.

I would recommend talking to her best friends. There’s a good chance she has shared whatever is on her mind with them if not with you. They are more likely to point you in the right direction. It could be that she’s taking the time to process something before bringing it up to you, especially if it’s something heavy. If you keep pressing on the issue before she’s ready to talk about it, you risk creat-

marked in their care for people and community. Through great physical toil and perseverance, the team continues to display an example of a sport played not just for each game’s success, but also for the individual success of each player.

This semester, sophomore Charlie Vahlberg has applied his talent in media to express the team’s spirit through videography and photography.

To get a taste of the rugby team’s enthusiasm, visit the Instagram that Vahlberg runs @grovecitycollegerugby, or attend their match against Robert Morris University at 2 p.m. tomorrow in Slippery Rock, Pa.

ing a barrier between the two of you. However, if it’s been an excessively long time, maybe there’s something (or someone) she has been hiding. If it’s the latter, there would be more signs other than getting defensive. I wouldn’t jump right to the worst possible conclusion. Next time you two talk, ask what’s been on her mind. Phrasing your question by asking if something is ‘wrong’ might be inadvertently shutting down further conversation. Auspiciously,

Dr. Love Love M.D.

LUKE MORTON

Sophomore loosehead prop Carter Manwaring plays in a match against UPJ. The team won the match and currently has a record of 7-0.

Lights, camera, alum

Emily Fox Community Editor

Grove City College has long encouraged recognition of the character of God through appreciation of His creation and reflection of His glory by living as creators.

Grove City College graduate Colleen Castle’s ’09 story serves as an example of what it can look like to leave the familiar behind to answer God’s call to create.

Castle majored in Communications and Marketing Management at the College and went on to live in New York City as she launched her career working in the advertising industry. After 12 years, she left her company to pursue film production. Since then, she has worked primarily as a freelancer while producing a few of her own short films, planning events and working with film festivals.

In 2023, Castle began doing freelance work for Heiress Productions, a company founded in 2006 that has

recently transitioned from producing solely live theater productions to venturing into film. She produced a short film with the company that year and now she helps facilitate the process of submitting their film to various festivals. The film was accepted into eight festivals and has even won several awards.

But the world of film isn’t always glamourous, and it comes with its own unique set of challenges. Castle described the setbacks she has faced as, “a Master Class education in project delays, false starts, lost financing, waiting on A-listers, mingling, industry disillusionment – all par for the course in this industry.”

One of the hurdles Castle has faced is the acquisition of funding. “The process, let me tell you, is frustratingly slow, tenuous and often feels insurmountable. But that is also part of the alchemy that fuels creativity, sharpens the pitch and the passion and keeps you on the hook with a ‘hope springs eternal’ sort of belief that the right connection or conversation is right around the corner and will

change everything,” Castle said.

Despite challenges, Castle has found her transition into film to be rewarding. Her story serves as an example of how God’s plan for us can look different than we initially expect, “I’m 15 years out from my graduation, and three years ago I willingly left the career at the company I had viewed as the pinnacle of the dream. I currently feel like I’m in the murky unknown mid pivot, facing the abyss head on and unsure if the risk is going to pan out or not. But I do know that the emotional, spiritual, creative and relational growth and new beginnings of this in-between time have been unmatched,” Castle said.

During her time at the College, Castle was involved in the Women’s Lacrosse team. She also studied abroad, was a part of the Tri-Zeta sorority and served in various other roles on campus, including being a campus tour guide for the admissions office, serving on two ICO trips and welcoming freshmen to campus as a part of OB.

Castle credits her time at Grove City for laying the

foundation she needed to be willing to take risks to pursue the path of the unknown.

“I’m learning new lessons in my 30s around taking risks, and I can see how the culture, size and ethos of GCC in my era perhaps laid some subconscious neural pathway groundwork to embrace curiosity and a capacity to join, try, discern, persevere – all of which are valuable for navigating the twists and turns of both career and life,” Castle said.

Castle encourages students not to fear when all doesn’t go according to plan.

“If I can offer some perspective and encouragement, it would be to normalize an expectation that your career path may not be linear, clear cut, traditional or at all times lucrative,” she advised.

“When I left GCC I thought my vocational calling was to go into advertising. I now have an expanded vision that my calling is to bring beauty and belonging into the world, which is broader in terms of industries or roles yet more specifically attuned to what makes me come alive,” Castle said.

Seventeen years of service

Violet Whitmore News Editor

After 17 years of helping heal sick students, it’s time for Amy Pagano to treat herself.

Pagano’s retirement marks the end of her long career at Grove City College as Director of Health Services at the College’s Zerbe Health and Wellness Center. She will be dearly missed by colleagues and students.

Her successor Jodi Caldwell is a registered nurse (RN) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She remembers Pagano fondly for the assistance she gave and her mark on the campus.

“Amy is loved and well re-

FIDDLER

continued from 1

It had been eons since we did it, and ... that’s kind of who we are, isn’t it? We want to do classic things,” Craig said.

The musical by Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Stein debuted on Broadway in 1964 and was a massive hit. It also inspired a classic film and many revivals.

The story follows the life of Tevye, a milkman in the village of Anatevka, who holds tightly to his Jewish heritage and tradition despite the pull from the surrounding Russian culture that threatens to take it away.

Craig explained that the values portrayed in the life of

spected in the GCC community and by her co-workers. I have some big shoes to fill and look forward to this new venture in my career. Amy went out of her way offering her availability to train me prior to her departure. The staff at Zerbe Health Center have many years of experience and tenure with GCC and (I) know they will be my biggest asset with Amy retiring,” Caldwell expressed.

“I, the nurses, and staff assistant at Zerbe offer the sincerest well wishes to Amy and hope she enjoys every moment that lies ahead

Tevye and his family are relevant for Grove City College audiences.

“We are by and large people of tradition. We believe in traditions. And traditions need to be kept in order to keep culture together,” Craig expressed.

“So, what happens when we’re asked to change those traditions to see things differently? I think that’s a relevant topic. And that’s what it’s about. It’s about the fear of letting go of traditions that are important,” she said.

for her with her family and friends,” Caldwell added.

Zolane Gordon, staff assistant at Zerbe, is also thankful for the time she spent with Pagano.

“The opportunity to work with Mrs. Pagano has been something I’ll always treasure. As a leader and now a dear and trusted friend, she has demonstrated genuine care, respect, compassion, fairness and understanding, both to our students and our staff. She will be sorely missed,” Gordon said.

Daisy Danielson, an RN who has worked full time at the Center for 20 years, has lost a coworker and a friend after 17 years of serving students together.

“Director Pagano has been an extremely valuable resource for those of us who work in the Health Center and the entire campus. She is a truly compassionate person who cares about the students and coworkers’ health and wellbeing. I will be forever grateful to have had her as my supervisor and friend,” Danielson said.

“Amy left a lasting impression as the best boss I ever had,” RN Nancy Locktosh, another staff member at Zerbe, said. “Amy made a significant impact on me! It’s wonderful to have a boss who not only excelled at the role but also took time to mentor and guide others,” Locktosh emphasized.

“Fiddler

on the Roof” is showing tonight and tomorrow in PFAC.

WHAT’S FRESH AT THE GROVE

On Lincoln Lawn...

AO Gamma Glow Nov. 8

8 p.m.

Enjoy some ‘good old fashion Grove City fun’ and let off steam with a night music and dancing. Bring your friends and join the AOs and Gamma Chi at the AO Gamma Glow tonight at 8.

Come out to cheer on the Women’s Club Field Hockey Game this Saturday at seven. Support your fellow Wolverines as they attempt to take the win.

In Ketler Auditorium... Fiddler on the Roof

Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at 9 a.m.

Let the cast of this semester’s musical transport you to Anatevka to follow the story of Tevye and his daughters as they navigate the role of tradition.

Seven questions with…

Dr. Patricia Annear

Nursing Program Director

Why did you decide to teach at Grove City?

In my previous position, I was fortunate to work with Grove City College staff and students and truly enjoyed working with them. I also realized that my values in academia matched with Grove City College values -- Faithfulness, Excellence, Community, Stewardship and Independence. It truly is a perfect match, and I feel very blessed to teach here.

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

My favorite Thanksgiving dish is sweet potato casserole, and I think I have a very good recipe. However, I must confess that every year my husband and children beg me not to make it. Apparently, they do not share the same fondness for it.

If you had the opportunity to speak in chapel, what topic would you choose?

Very simply, kindness and respect for all.

If you could design a float for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, what would your concept be?

I know the logistics might be challenging, but I would like to see a living nativity float.

If you could create a new elective for nursing students, what would it be?

It would be an elective that involved a healthrelated mission trip.

What’s your favorite fall activity?

I would probably say watching Steeler football with my family.

What are you looking forward to this semester?

I truly enjoy engaging with students. It brightens my day when a student appears in my office to just say hello. I look forward to having more of those interactions.

CASTLE

PAGANO

LUKE PAGLIA

Scrum in ‘the City’ Grove City College Rugby team ahead of the ARUC Finals

Photos by Luke Morton

As the Grove City College Rugby team nears the end of the season, they can look back on a very sucessful 7-0 season. On Saturday Nov. 9, the College rugby will compete in the ARUC Finals game in Slippery Rock.

The College offers various club sports opportunities, among them, rugby. If you want to know more about the Grove City College rugby team, check out the article in the Community Section on page 4.

by Luke Paglia, Photo Chief

Perspectives

Phones in school

A necessary evil in today’s world

Emily Fox Community Editor

The battle for our attention in a world of technology is ongoing, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who is tired of talking about it. Nevertheless, it’s an important issue that needs to be considered – and there’s a lot more nuance than I think we realize.

We can all agree that we live in a generation of people who are addicted to their cell phones. Our attention spans are shorter, Netflix episodes are longer, and our screen

time as a whole just keeps climbing. Teenagers crave technology. It’s science. When we consume content, we get a burst of dopamine. It makes our bodies feel good, and the brain wants more of it. So, we watch five more TikToks. We play one more round of Fruit Merge (at least we do on the Collegian staff).

We watch one more episode of “Love is Blind”. Our phones are distracting, and they’re always with us. They’ve become a real issue when it comes to education. Kids are resourceful.

Teachers can’t keep up with the ways they’re managing to use their phones in class while evading getting caught.

It’s just not possible to prevent every student in a room full of iPad kids from posting their BeReal from their desk.

The obvious option is to ban kids from bringing their phones to school altogether. But I’m not so sure we should.

We live in a culture consumed by technology, but we also live in a world full of danger. According to an article on CNN, there have been 58 school shootings in the U.S. just this year, and 44 of those were in K-12 schools. Unfortunately, cell phones are a necessary evil. It’s important that our kids have the ability to call for help if there is an emergency.

Now, you could say that there are phones in every classroom, so our kids don’t need to bring them to school. But as someone who went to an old public school, the room isn’t designed for modern-day context. Most of these phones are located in the front of the classroom within view of the windows and doors. We’re taught to move to the part of the classroom that is least visible during an active shooter situation. It’s not safe to call from one of these phones.

Well, teachers have cell phones. But what if their phone happens to be dead, or it broke that day. Worse, what if the teacher has been

wounded and the kids need to call for help?

No matter how many angles we look at the situation from, there’s always going to be a circumstance where something goes wrong, and kids need immediate access to call the authorities.

So, it looks like we’re stuck with technology.

We live in a fallen world, and unfortunately one of the consequences of that is these grey areas. Technology may cause a lot of issues, but we need it. It’s a matter of safety, so we must learn how to adapt to the challenges it presents us when it comes to education.

Watergate changed the presidency

Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief

The American people respect the office of the presidency with far less reverence than they used to. Not just the president himself, but the office of the presidency in its whole, with advisors and cabinet included, used to be more removed from the people.

Americans have come to expect scandal, abuse of power and corruption as a natural part of politics. Americans have also come to expect that the media will expose these corruptions, and journalists chase these stories relentlessly. But it wasn’t always this way. One incident in American history forever changed the way the American people and the press view the office of the presidency.

In May of 1972, members of the Committee to Re-elect the President (known as CREEP) broke into the Democratic National Convention headquarters in the Watergate Hotel. They wore gloves, they stole secret documents and they planted wiretaps. When the wiretaps failed, CREEP sent five men back to Watergate to remedy the situation. On June 17, 1972, these five men were caught and arrested for breaking and entering.

Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward was sent to cover their trial. No one knew the significance of this break-in or who was behind it, and Woodward was given the assignment because he was a Post rookie and had spent only nine months in the newsroom and a little under two years in journalism.

Unbeknownst to him, his editors and Richard Nixon himself, Woodward’s article on the break-in would cause

the first domino to fall in a cascade of presidential perversion of power. His coverage, in partnership with fellow Post reporter Carl Bernstein, would leave a permanent stain on the office of the presidency.

What Woodward and Bernstein did was remove the sense of separation between the presidency and the people. They touched the untouchable, faulted the infallible and exposed the secrets that had acted as a stronghold for the presidency since the country’s founding.

“The people of the United States are entitled to assume that their President is telling the truth. The pattern of misrepresentation and halftruths that emerges from our investigation reveals a presidential policy cynically based on the premise that the truth itself is negotiable,” the two wrote in one of their books covering the Watergate scandal.

Their work changed the notion of investigative journalism and gave the newspapers a renewed sense of responsibility to justify the people’s previously unjustified skepticism. It’s never been taboo to voice discontent with the presidency, but because of Watergate, that discontent was rooted in the notion that the presidency was, and had been, corrupted by power. Because of this shift in the media’s coverage of the presidency, a demand from the public for complete transparency was now mandated. This shift didn’t occur overnight. Many people, some in the Post’s own newsroom, didn’t believe what Woodward and Bernstein were writing. Nixon denied their claims, and his advisors, when asked for statements, would give a non-denial denial, neither admitting nor omitting the truth. It was only when Nixon resigned

in 1974 that Watergate’s full weight was felt on the backs of the American media and the people who consumed it. Nixon himself acknowledged what Watergate would do to the office of the presidency moving forward. On one of his final nights in the White House, he met with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

He shared one of his reasons for finally resigning. “The important thing is the presidency. If need be, save the presidency from the President,” Nixon stated. In one of Nixon’s infrequent demonstrations of genuine emotion, he expressed remorse not only for himself but for what he did to the country and the office of the presidency, forever removing the boundaries that those in power had relied on to remain in control.

MICHIGAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Normalize challenging children

Catharine Runion Staff Writer

When I was in fourth grade, my father complained that his sophomore English students couldn’t understand Dickens’ “Great Expectations.” I took that personally and spent the next month reading it. I was baffled. The style was tricky to get used to, but once I accustomed my ear to it, none of the concepts and arguments in the novel were too difficult for a high school student to understand, let alone a 10-year-old.

Over the next decade, Dad would keep coming home with news that his administrators wanted him to take another book off his curriculum. Now, he’s required to teach his sophomores only one or two full-length novels per year. His current AP Literature class has never been asked to write a literary analysis essay.

Students can’t read or write anymore. That’s the conclusion that Rose Horowitch came to in an article published early last month,

Letter to the Editor

Dear students, As you know I try to be so encouraging when I’m around students but something happened this week that I found very disheartening and I’m sure you would too.

Apparently a student or 2 who walk from Hicks to their dorm after a meal and pass the TLC have tried to feed their half-eaten cookies, ice cream cones, and other desserts to a plant in a planter (boxwood for those of you who are plant savvy) that is right behind the TLC. I have photos if anyone would like to see this. The plant really appreciates their kindness but would prefer that they knock it off! Also the chewed gum and candy wrappers in there are not suiting the plant’s diet either. All of these items prefer to be in trash containers with the rest of their buddies. The groundskeepers report that they have cleaned out this plant MANY times so please listen up.

In general I have found that GCC students are pretty

“The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books.” Students are being asked to read fewer books in early and middle education than they have been in the past, and it’s taking a toll on their ability to keep up with, and meaningfully engage in, literary studies. Teachers hand out excerpts, but beyond that, the reading schedules aren’t very rigorous.

Professors from top colleges – think Princeton, Columbia, Georgetown – report that students are now showing up to universities with decreased vocabularies and linguistic abilities. That’s about as far as I got before the paywall blocked me out, so I must venture forth equipped only with what I have seen and heard. My dad’s experience over the last 25 years of his career is the data that will inform the rest of this article.

This isn’t because we just have a ton of horrible English teachers now, or because kids are just dumber nowadays, or because TikTok has rotted their brains (although I’m inclined to think that that is a part of it). Students can’t read because school administrators are failing them.

good about their trash but I do regularly find chewed gum in the plants or grass. Here’s what you do: after you put the gum in your mouth you keep the wrapper in your pocket. Then when done with the gum you put it back in the wrapper and dispose of it in the MANY trash containers you can find on campus, tada!

This is all part of becoming a grown up and I know how you all want so much to be mature and not treated like high school kids. If you happen to be walking along with a friend and they do something like this in your presence, tell them this is GROSS and call them to task. Offer a hand in getting their half-eaten food to a trash container ASAP if they don’t seem to get it.

This will encourage those caring for our beautiful campus that we are still admitting intelligent, responsible, and caring students.

There seems to be a growing attitude amongst adults in these roles that it is too hard for kids to read lots of books.

My father has watched as administrators repeatedly ask for “curriculum revision” in his department, forcing him to decrease the number of books his students are required to read and almost completely get rid of any writing assignments whatsoever. These rolling changes are accompanied by a dramatic shift in basic grammatical knowledge and writing ability.

One of the biggest hits to overall literacy in recent years came from the pandemic in 2020 and the years following. As public schools scrambled to accommodate governmental mandates, curriculums became more dumbed down than ever. It’s difficult to ask students to do challenging things when they simply don’t want to; so, instead of fighting that battle, school administrations have taken the easy way out and continued making school easier.

This isn’t just about books, either. The CDC is shifting developmental milestones in

response to the pandemic’s effect on babies. Rolling over has been moved from four to six months. A baby’s first word has been moved from 12 to 15 months. Three-yearolds are no longer expected to use full sentences, and, strangest of all, crawling has been removed as a developmental milestone. Children are now consistently developing more slowly. Though much of this is a direct result of unprecedented isolation, changing the guidelines around typical childhood lowers expectations around the board, and these developmental delays will tumble down through schools and workplaces over the next several decades.

Schools are mandating increased laxity in their grading policies. I cannot speak for every single school district, but I have seen and heard about many schools who refuse to discipline students for cheating or AI use. Many schools have also shifted to a pass/fail grading scale or enforce teachers to change the nature of graded work so as to inflate students’ grades.

In order for students to get into prestigious colleges,

they are required to have perfect grades. So, instead of encouraging students to work harder, schools merely make it easier for them to achieve high grades. But if prestigious colleges are now admitting unqualified students based off of inflated grades and test scores, the quality of education at such institutions is reduced even further. This leads us right back to where we started.

The question of reading is just a small piece of a much larger puzzle. As a society, we are so afraid of disciplining children that we are allowing them to thrive in mediocrity, much to their detriment. By discipline I don’t mean spanking and abuse: I mean the practice of requiring a child to do hard things. We have such a great fear as a culture of stress that we have reacted far too much and are now underestimating our children. Children are capable of great things when they are challenged, but there can be no growth without a healthy amount of struggle.

Phones in chapel send a bad message

Abigail Kengor Staff Writer

“Let us go rejoicing to the House of the Lord!” The Psalmist proclaims. This ought to be our attitude on every occasion of prayer: we are glad to be there because we are in God’s presence, and conversely, because we are in God’s presence, we rejoice in order to honor Him. This is the attitude to have when going to church, when saying daily prayers and when going to Chapel.

and body, faith and work. So, your actions in Chapel, too, must match your heart. Apathy, boredom or pride are never appropriate approaches to prayer.

Any invitation to prayer is a blessed opportunity. At Grove City, we are fortunate to have a requirement to receive this spiritual formation and to have mid-week community prayer time worked into our schedules. Even if you don’t find the presented structure very spiritually edifying, the solution is not to set it aside entirely, but to make the best use of it, delving deeper into this opportunity to grow closer to God by keeping your heart locked into prayer.

Letters to the Editor

Space will be provided for Letters to the Editor. However their inclusion is at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor. Letters must include verifiable contact information, such as an email address. Anonymous letters will not be accepted. The author’s name will appear with the letter. Statement of fact and opinion in letters to the editor, editorials and commentaries are the responsibility of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of staff, the college, its faculty or staff or the student body.

Letters must be received by 5 p.m. on the Monday prior to the publication. All letters to the editor will be considered for pub-

Brenda McNulty GCC

First Lady

lication from students, faculty, staff and alumni.

To be accepted for publication, a letter must meet one of the following criteria: it relates to an article published in or issue discussed in paper; it contains information of interest to all, or a segment of our readership; it relates to college news or policy. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, correct grammar and punctuation, and length. We will not publish unsigned letters. We will not republish a letter that has appeared in another publication in part or in whole. Letters will be printed in the next edition of the paper in which space is available.

Despite the Christian Formation Office’s best efforts, students still file in week-toweek and, after standing to sing a few songs, methodically sit down, check out their minds and pull out their phones as soon as the chapel speaker steps up to the podium. Whether they mean it or not, the message sent is clear: Sudoku is more valuable than Scripture.

Sure, they might not say that in their hearts — they might happily attend their hall Bible study later that evening — but Chapel is a time to see how your actions reflect your heart. It’s not enough to honor God in imagination and dismiss Him in reality. Being created as embodied souls, we were tasked to glorify Him with our whole selves: soul

If you consider yourself better than the message (like freshman me), view the approach to Scripture as too basic or the songs as too wishywashy to bear any fruit, this is a problem best addressed by humility. Listen for what truth and depth there might be, and use the content presented as a springboard to deeper contemplation.

When seeing God offended, our reaction out of love should be to seek to give Him the love withheld by that sin. Pray for the truth to be discovered in those present and spend some time meditating on the Scriptural passage on your own or just offering silent praise to God. Ignoring God because other people are dishonoring Him is simply an illogical solution. Passively observing the liturgy and making an interior dialogue with God instead might be necessary, but scoffingly scrolling Instagram or pulling out chemistry in lieu of Christ never is.

The last point is simple honesty. Scanning in for a chapel credit is agreeing to spend the time properly (i.e., in spiritual formation) in exchange for a credit if nothing else. Any Christian should know the immorality of cheating, stealing and lying. Make the spiritual best of your Chapel time, appreciating this requirement’s beauty.

If it’s not laziness, apathy or pride at the heart of your Chapel disengagement, there is a more serious possibility that you feel you cannot participate in good conscience due to faith complications. If so, there are two options: go to the Fivers instead, or pray silently and respectfully to the Jesus whom you think is being misrepresented, whether by the song lyrics, biblical interpretation or words of a prayer. Don’t say “amen” to anything you don’t believe, but don’t say “I don’t care” either. If Jesus is being dishonored, set it aright by giving Him more honorable worship.

Netflix’s ‘Monsters’ Controversy teems from themes of abuse

Cecilia Landis Contributing Writer

Make no mistake, Netflix’s newest show “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” deserves its canonization by the media (social or otherwise) as one of the best popular culture moments of the year.

With the colorful characterization of the world of LA in the ‘90s, right down to the obsessive highlighting of Milli Vanilli’s greatest hits, of course viewers have found themselves attracted to the show. Whether he tried to or not, Ryan Murphy made a very pretty mini-series.

As the show’s popularity has grown, however, so has the romanticization of the Menendez brothers and their story. From both of the actors to the real-life Lyle and Erik Menendez, people all over social media are obsessed with the brothers and their story. While the publicity has to be a welcome outcome of their efforts, I don’t believe that it was the intent of the producers to see it so severely idealized.

In an almost ten-minute segment during the last episode of the show, viewers are given (for almost the first time) an opportunity to hear

from the side of the courtroom that isn’t actively gunning for the full release of Lyle and Erik Menendez: the prosecution.

In his closing argument, Menendez prosecutor David Conn delivers the most cutting remarks of the show, drawing the viewers away from the ideas presented by the defense that the sexually abused brothers were fully within their rights in the murder of their parents. He takes them instead to the idea that not only were the

brothers fully in the wrong, but they had never been abused in the first place.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the defendants and their legal team are guilty,” Conn states. “Not just of the crime of which they are accused, but of something even more sinister. They’re guilty of exploiting the trauma of real sexual abuse victims everywhere and trying to use it to get away with murder,” he says.

Earlier this summer, Blake Lively’s infamous “It Ends

Legacy of Led Zeppelin’s landmark LP lasts

Ana Geike Contributing Writer

Over 50 years ago, a vision was spun of a haunted mansion in the English wilderness, the lore behind “The Lord of the Rings,” mysticism and tarot cards, mysterious artwork and nameless symbols.

In the heat of the age of classic rock, famed musical group Led Zeppelin did not foresee their fourth album’s transcendence of the boundaries of rock past and present, becoming a legend of the industry as fabled as the lore shaping its creation.

Led Zeppelin is known for encompassing an exceptionally distinctive balance between off-the-wall English rock culture character and shrewdly crafted, masterfully executed artistry.

arching notes of counterculture and self-discovery appear to drive the incomparable instrumentals, vivid storytelling, descriptive prose and framework of the album.

“Led Zeppelin IV” is technically untitled — a purposeful decision of the band countering the opinions of their producer, as well as culture itself – but is know as “IV,” based on the naming scheme of the the band’s second and third albums. What designates the album instead is four mysterious symbols created by Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham — in addition to a fifth symbol embodying the role of collaborator Sandy Dennys on “The Battle of Evermore”— voicing something meaningful or individual to each member.

The album is wrapped in what has recently covered to be copy of a 19th century photograph of local roof thatcher Lot Long (1892) combined with a picture of the Salisbury Tower in Birmingham, England, representing a city-town dichotomy and a call for appreciation of nature and meaningful living.

Along these lines of disentanglement from modern culture, Led Zeppelin has been associated to varying degrees with otherworldly or spiritual aspects and beliefs, and this is seen in fragments of the album as well. The hermit bedecking the back of the album harkens to the

tarot card The Hermit, a card meaningful to Page that voices self-discovery amidst the unknown. The Hermit is also the figure which Page played in the band’s short concert film “The Song Remains the Same.”

The album is one of the most consistent among the band’s collection, with these overarching messages and even the history of its recording location being written into the songs themselves.

Headley Grange, an old workhouse in the English countryside that sheltered many bands during recording periods, can be heard in the unique echoing drums of “When the Levee Breaks,” a song by Memphis Minnie refurbished by the band and underscoring emphasis on the old transitioning into the new. Robert Plant recounts penning the legendary opening lines to “Stairway to Heaven” with the opening notes from Page’s guitar swirling about his head and a sudden hunch that overcame him by the fireplace one night. He wrote out a storyline reminiscent of the landscape of “The Lord of the Rings” which threads throughout other songs, particularly “The Battle of Evermore.”

This album is a tapestry woven between the landscapes of past and present — a picture that is one half a vision of lingering, thoughtful, dedicated living spoken through a peaceful hermit in the country, and the other half a brick-and-mortar empire constructed of the fastpaced nature of commerce and individualism.

with Us” was released. The movie’s themes were used by Lively and her PR team as a promotional pedestal for her up-and-coming “self-made” brands, and she was accused of the exact same thing: the exploitation of real sexual abuse victims for the end of personal gain. The internet put Lively through the meatgrinder, calling her to account for her behavior during promotional interviews for the film and even digging up older interviews that called into question her very

character.

No one takes the exploitation of sexual abuse victims lightly – except perhaps Blake Lively – but in “Monsters,” we as an audience are handed two very important questions on a silver platter. First, how should we react when victims of abuse take revenge? And two, what happens when we find ourselves grappling with an exploitation of abuse?

For the rest of his efforts, Ryan Murphy seems to be trying to convince his audience of the brothers’ innocence (or, if not their innocence, then at least the understandability of their actions), but his final episode seems to ring out to the tune of something quite different. Regardless of whichever side you found yourself on at the end of the show (assuming you watched it), Murphy still asks us to consider the question of exploitation. Whether the Menendez brothers were sexually abused or not, the show calls us to not only stand up for victims of abuse, but to stand up against those who choose to exploit the experiences and trauma of those real victims.

Tyler’s ‘Chromakopia’ is a masterpiece

Dom Puglisi Staff Writer

“Chromakopia” is Tyler, The Creator proving that he has mastered his craft, most significantly in the realm of production.

I am convinced that if Tyler conducted a symphony without any vocals whatsoever, I would instantly be able to tell that he conducted it; no one else puts together compositions in the same way. His signature fuzzy synths and popping drums are instantly recognizable and have produced a long trail of imitators who can’t quite replicate Tyler’s sound.

All of Tyler’s musical growth is encapsulated on this album, with cuts like “Rah Tah Tah” possessing the grimy industrial sounds of an album like “Wolf” without any of the awkward empty space. The beat sounds full and developed with no musical cracks left unfilled.

The melodic leanings of an album like “Igor” are fully realized in the lush arrangements and soulful vocals of “Darling, I.” Tyler even morphs a typical rap posse cut on “Sticky” into a sort of evolving jam-band joint. The stomping beat creates the vibe of a lunch table freestyle with whistles, horns and features spinning in and out of the track at light speed, making the track seem more like improvised jazz than a studio rap song.

This accomplishment of a musical fingerprint so unique that it can’t be replicated is reflected in Tyler’s highly

personalized rapping on this project. No one but Tyler could write the bars on this album, and more than any other of his projects it seems like there is no mask preventing us from looking right into Tyler’s eyes.

While other Tyler albums have been personal, there has always been a layer of storytelling which causes us to seem distant from Tyler himself. However, from the intimate whispers of the first track “St. Chroma” to his constant ruminations on age and the pressure of whether his music could carry on his legacy instead of, or better than, children of his own, there is no mistaking that Tyler is talking about his own fears and struggles in this album.

“Chomakopia” paints a firm picture of a man during a stage in his life when he needs to start figuring things out to a higher degree than ever before. The album is colored in with glimmering and deep shades of musicality that seem so unique that a description of the feeling they create is nearly impossible, creating a melodic cornucopia of sonic delight.

STEREOGUM

Wolverines wipe out Waynesburg

Nedilynn Bowser Contributing Writer

Grove City football secured its seventh win of the season last Saturday, Nov. 2 against the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets with a staggering score of 51-0.

Starting the game off strong, the Wolverines won the coin toss and deferred, leaving Waynesburg to receive. The Yellow Jackets opening drive, however, would come up short as junior linebacker Caleb Brubaker returned an 82-yard interception for the first score of the game. With a successful kick attempt by sophomore wide receiver and kicker Daniel Sullivan, the Wolverines’ score climbed to 7-0.

With 4:28 left in the first quarter, fifth-year wide receiver Scott Fraser scored the second touchdown of the game. Following another successful kick, Grove City now commanded a 14-point lead.

The Wolverines gained more momentum in the second quarter. With a rush of four yards, junior running back Ian Demeri scored a third touchdown for the Wolverines. Another successful goal kick launched the Wolverines 21 points ahead of the Yellow Jackets.

Senior running back Nico Flati then secured the team’s fourth touchdown, accompanied by a successful kick attempt. The Wolverines would finish the first half strong with a stunning 28-0 shutout.

Senior quarterback Logan Pfeuffer started the second half of play strong, connecting on a 2-yard touchdown pass to Fraser. The successful goal kick would bring the score to 35-0.

On the following drive, the Pfeuffer-Fraser duo stuck again, scoring on a 9-yard completion. Once again, Sullivan would deliver a successful goal kick, propelling the Wolverines to a 42-point lead.

The Wolverines only had a few loose ends to tie up in their final quarter. With 12:04 left, junior wide receiver Darviae Gray rushed for 10 yards to the endzone, setting up a staggering 49-0 score. After a successful kick-

off and a botched snap from Waynesburg, Grove City would add 2-point safety to their score.

“We knew if we could stop their run game it would make them uncomfortable and get them out of their identity. Ending the game with 0 points on the board for Waynesburg was the best way to end it,” Brubaker said.

As the Wolverines prepare for their Senior Day game against Case Western tomorrow, Nov. 9, they are keeping their eye on the victory.

“Going into Case, we know that they haven’t played a defense like ours or an offense like ours. We know our identity and what we need to do to come out on top. We just need to stay anchored in our identity and start fast and finish faster,”

Women’s Volleyball secures key win on senior day

Natalie Hanna Contributing Writer

Grove City’s women’s volleyball team secured an important win at home this past Saturday, Nov. 2 against PAC rival Westminster, bringing them to a record of 14-11.

The team finished off the match with a 25-12 clinch in the fourth set, ultimately bolstering their conference standing to 5-4, keeping them in contention for a qualifying spot for the season-ending conference tournament.

“Our first game on Saturday was a really important one. There are a lot of teams in the conference with similar records who are all fighting for a few spots in the playoffs, so each game is really important,” junior hitter Lila Stonehouse said.

Understanding the significance of this match, the team brought a competitive game to the court. Leading the offensive drive was Stonehouse, who posted a dozen kills, and sophomore outside hitters Alexis Standford and Lily Lagaras, contributing 10 and eight kills, respectively.

Also aiding in the team’s successful efforts were senior setter Kennedy Kerr, who tallied 27 assists, and junior setter Brooklyn Wirebaugh, who chalked up 21. Wirebaugh also served three aces in addition to sophomore outside hitter Alayna Dorst’s four aces.

“We came in knowing we had to bring the energy and lay it all out in the floor, and it was really fun to see the team working together and

executing and having a lot of fun in the process,” Stonehouse said.

Defensively, Standford, freshman middle blocker Lilly Pool and sophomore middle blocker Kendra Klusch each recorded four blocks. Dorst pitched in with two blocks at the net and supported the back row with 16 digs in addition to sophomore libero Julia Fisher’s impressive 24 digs.

The team’s combined offensive power and defensive efficiency translated into a coordinated, dominant performance, bringing them one step closer to the conference tournament.

The second game didn’t go as well as the first, but “[it]

was a non-conference game, so the stakes weren't as high. Case Western is one of the top D3 teams, so it was fun to be challenged and play against high-level competition. This game was more about the experience and learning to play with a good team,” Stonehouse said.

With the conference tournament right around the corner, the team is focused on staying strong.

After heading to Waynesburg to face the Yellow Jackets on Wednesday, Nov. 6 for their final conference match, the team travels to Pittsburgh tomorrow, Nov. 9 for two more non-conference matches against Carnegie Melon and Oberlin.

BENNETT

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ful. God is so good,” Bennett said.

“Winning PACs had always been a goal of mine, but I knew the competition would be tough. Our team has worked incredibly hard, and that commitment to training has helped us all both physically and mentally. I’ve grown so much in my running and in developing mental toughness and race strategies, thanks to the guidance and support of our amazing coaches,” Bennett continued.

“Their input played a huge role in helping me push through and reach the top. I’ve given my best with each day of training and our races, and I’ve been blessed to see all of my efforts pay off. Yet the best part was sharing the moment with my teammates and seeing how excited they all were,” she said.

Placing next for the Wolverines in eighth was senior Ella Lyle with a time of 22:59.70, followed by senior Grace Smith, whose time of 23:36.60 earned her 13th overall.

Junior Michael Singley placed seventh overall for the Wolverines, with a final time

WINTER SPORTS

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will continue their 2024-25 program against Saint Vincent at 6 p.m tonight, Nov. 8.

Women’s Swimming Women’s swim and dive is ready and poised to pursue their sixth straight PAC title. With 11 All-Conference honorees returning to the program, including senior Kamryn Kerr, the 2024 PAC Diver of the Year, they certainly

of 26:20.20. Following Singley in the Wolverine’s top three finishes, sophomore Max Ware came in 12th, with a time of 26:40.40, and junior Caleb Hawke finished 15th with 26:45.60.

As the teams approach their regional competitions to close out the season, Bennett reflected on her time on the team and with her teammates.

“Our women's senior class has grown into something truly special over these four years. We’re more than teammates—we’re great friends,” she expressed.

“The bond we share goes beyond running and has been built on incredible support, strong character, laughter and tons of shared memories. Their encouragement has been a driving force behind my own personal success and our team’s success as a whole,” Bennett said.

The Grove City College Twilight 5k will be held today on Robert E. Thorn field.

On Saturday, Nov. 16 both teams will compete in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Championships in Lock Haven, Pa.

have the talent necessary to do so.

Putting up impressive finishes at their first two meets of the season, the women are polishing up their performances to find continued success in their schedule. They will join the men’s team tonight, Nov. 8 at Saint Vincent to kick off PAC swim action.

Brubaker said.

EMMA ROSSI

Senior runningback Nico Flati dives into the endzone for a touchdown in this file photo from their victory aganist Thiel.

EMMA ROSSI Fifth year wide receiver Ryan Heckathorn, battling for yards.

LUKE PAGLIA

Senior Kennedy Kerr sets up sophomore Kendra Klusch for a kill.

Sports

Winter in the City Wolverines kick off 2024-25 winter program

Mia Gallagher Sports Editor

As the 2024 fall sports season wraps up over the next week and a half, the Wolverines will turn their attention to the court and pool, looking to build upon the accomplishments achieved thus far.

With both the men’s and women’s swim and dive season well underway and basketball action set to kick off this evening, here is everything you need to know headed in the 2024-25 winter sports season:

Men’s Basketball

After battling their way past Waynesburg in the PAC quarterfinals and just falling short to top-seeded Geneva in the semifinals, the men’s basketball team has a chip on their shoulder – one they’re fully prepared to act upon.

“Last season we were two points away from making the PAC championship game. That gave us confidence and motivation in the off-season because we know we are a good team and if we can improve, we will be a problem for the PAC next season. We also didn't have any seniors last year, so we have our entire team returning,” senior guard Chase Yarberough said.

The team, led by head coach Steve Lamie ’85 and captained by Yarberough and junior guard Mike Christenson, returns to action with seasoned veterans and leaders eager to turn the tables on their sixth-place PAC preseason ranking. They will kick off their 24-25 campaign this evening, Nov. 8 against Penn State Dubois at 6 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

Coming off a difficult 202324 season that ended without

“Last season we were two points away from making the PAC championship game. That gave us confidence and motivation in the off-season because we know we are a good team and if we can improve, we will be a problem for the PAC next season,” Yarberough said.

a PAC tournament berth, the women’s team enters the 2024-25 season ready to reinstate themselves as conference contenders.

The program, only having graduated three seniors, returns many key offensive and defensive players, setting them up for success. Led by head coach Jason Baker and a talented senior leadership team, women’s basketball will get to work this evening,

Nov. 8 against John Carroll at 7 p.m.

Men’s Swimming Looking to further solidify their dominant position in the PAC and Division III swim arena is the men’s swim and dive team, who have already made waves in the 2024-25 season with competitive finishes at the Brockport State Early Season Invitational and against Ash-

Historic victory in Beaver Falls

land. Under the direction of highly decorated head coach Dave Fritz ‘94, the men’s team returns 16 All-Confer-

ence honorees, including NCAA Division III qualifier junior Caleb Einoff. The team

Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief

The men and women’s cross-country teams closed out their season’s conference competition with the PAC Championships last Saturday, Nov. 2 in New Castle, Pa. The women’s team placed second and the men’s team placed fifth.

Senior Lydia Bennett earned individual champion after placing first, with a time of 21:54.30. Last season, Bennett finished fourth with a time of 22:48.4. During her rookie campaign, she placed seventh with a time of 25:08.0.

“Closing out my Wolverine cross-country career with a win at our conference meet was truly a blessing. After coming back from an injury, being able to race again was a victory in itself, and to have the opportunity to do so alongside my incredible teammates made the experience even more meaning-

JOHN HAKE

Junior captain Mike Chistenson and junior Kyle Randle box out Saint Vincent opponent in this file photo.

GCC ATHLETICS Swim will continue their 2024-25 program tonight against SVC.

JOHN HAKE

BENNETT