The Collegian, Dec. 8, 2023

Movin’ on up

Coach past his prime?

O Tannenbaum!

SPORTS

PERSPECTIVES

COMMUNITY

Baseball’s Sasala headed to MILB

Colorado struggles under the spotlight

The

@Collegian_GCC @gcc.collegian The Collegian: The GCC Newspaper Friday, December 8, 2023

Christmas trees decks the halls

Collegian The Award-Winning Grove City College Student Newspaper

Vol. 109, No. 10

Stanton appointed associate editor of GSR Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief

GROVE CITY COLLEGE

Junior Anna Buckingham plays the cello during one of the Christmas Concerts in Carnegie. Weekday concerts feature students that will perform in the Musical Christmsa concert.

A very musical Christmas The Music Department fills campus with carols Mia Gallagher Staff Writer

It’s time to trim the trees, light the lights and indulge in the wintery wonders this beautiful season offers. And what better way is there to do just that than to join the Music Department for their fifth annual Musical Christmas at Grove City College?

This celebration, taking place tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Ketler Auditorium, has been a beloved campus tradition since 2019. Not only does it serve as a unifying force within the many ensembles of the Music Department, but it also brings the greater College community together for a night of holiday cheer.

“Our hope is that the community is uplifted by a wonderful evening of both sacred and non-sacred music of the season, that they get to hear and see our outstanding student musicians shining and that we are able to spread the good news of Christmas to those who hear. In all, we hope to glorify Christ through this performance,” Dr. Andrew Erb said.

The program showcases the talents of six of the department’s amazing ensembles: Jazz Ensemble, Stage Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, GCC Singers and Chamber Orchestra. These groups, under the direction of Dr. Joseph Hasper, Erb, Dr. Katherine Mueller and Dr. Jeffrey Tedford respectively, feature the talents of 142 students and promise to deliver another memorable performance this year.

“Each ensemble performs two to three selections with a max time of 10 minutes for each group. The format is that we start with one group, and then have some musical faculty read some program notes. During this reading, the students on stage move from one en-

GCC Singers performs Christmas classics at the College’s Carnegie Concert. semble to another or from off stage to on stage,” Tedford said.

“We combine all of the ensembles at the end and lead an audience sing-along consisting of several popular Christmas carols,” Erb added.

The set list for this year’s performance provides the perfect balance between Christmas classics and contemporary favorites. With more traditional pieces like “As Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” and “Candlelight Carol” coupled with the modern hits “Like It’s Christmas” and a “Christmas at the Movies” medley, it’s sure to give everyone something to look forward to.

“My favorite part as the Department Chair is seeing six ensembles come together to perform and share their gifts with the community while collaborating with Dan Wolfe as the Technical Director and Jonathan Bucci as the Director of Productions. It really is a building-wide event,” Tedford said.

“As a conductor, my favorite part is being on stage for the final sing-along and seeing the combined bands, choirs and orchestras performing together and then turning around for every

GROVE CITY COLLEGE

GROVE CITY COLLEGE

Top: Musical ensemble performs at the Carnegie Concert.

Bottom: Children take in one of the Carnegie Christmas Concerts. song to connect with the audience. It is a very special moment.”

With an iconic line-up of songs, an incredibly talented group of musicians and the magic of the season in the air, this concert is one you certainly will not want

to miss.

Come out to support the efforts of this dedicated department and let the wonder and hope of the season fill and sustain you for whatever these last few weeks of the semester may bring.

Grove City College Political Science Professor Dr. Samuel S. Stanton has been named an associate editor of the Global Security Review (GSR).

“GSR…is a professional and academic journal that is published online. The editorial staff are all professionals, retired professionals STANTON and academics who work or teach in the realm of nuclear forces and related matters,” Stanton said.

Within his role as an associate editor, Stanton will work closely with content discussing American nuclear modernization, foreign policy and nuclear strategy. He is one of three associate editors assigned to the journal Modernization and Deterrence section.

“Modernization and Deterrence is the nexus of foreign policy and the questions of nuclear strategy, deterrence and analysis of current nuclear policy and postures,” Stanton said.

His work as a senior fellow of the National Institute for Deterrence Studies (NIDS), an organization that provides analysis and education on security, policy and deterrence efforts, has prepared him well for the role. After NIDS acquired management of GSR last month, Stanton became involved with the journal. Before being named to his new position, Stanton published a piece in the journal in the spring.

“Professor Stanton is very well suited to this role. He’s been an active participant in academic conferences as a presenter and one who comments on research presented by others – and he’s extremely well read in the scholarly works related to deterrence and foreign policy. This role will also enhance his teaching as he’ll be engaging with new scholarly work and sharing it with students,” Dr. Michael Coulter, chair of the Political Science Department, said.

Since becoming a professor at Grove City in 2006, he has incorporated the phenomenon of causality, pressing upon his students the idea that “all political actions were caused by something, and that these political actions cause other outcomes.”

He teaches a variety of courses in the College’s Political Science Department: Research Methods in Political Science, International Relations, Great Power Politics, National Security, Terrorism/Counterterrorism, African Politics and Asian STANTON 2

Editorial

Page 2

The award-winning Grove City College student newspaper, Dec. 8, 2023

From the Tower

A farewell address

Goodbye, Collegian. That’s a statement I didn’t realize I’d have to say so soon, but here we are.

It seems like it was just yesterday when I emailed the Collegian over the summer prior to my freshman year to inquire about writing sports. When I arrived on campus as a freshman, I quickly found my way onto the staff as a contributing writer, mainly writing sports for Emily Rupczewski. Emily was the first staff member I got to know. She helped me assimilate into the culture of the Collegian, and I’ll always be thankful for that.

Slowly but surely, I became a regular in the tower on Wednesdays. I began to form a bond with everyone else on staff. David Zimmermann, Caleb West, Noel Elvin, Chris Murphy and Matthew Schoonover made me feel welcomed and accepted. We had a ton of fun designing on Wednesday nights and I will forever be thankful to them for all they taught me about journalism and newspapers.

As a sophomore, I was given the opportunity to be the News Editor. It was the first time I had done any journalistic writing that wasn’t about a sports team or an athlete. It was quite the challenge, but I learned so much about what it meant to be a journalist while covering the news of Grove City College.

During my time as News Editor, we covered a wide range of pressing stories that took the campus by storm. David Zimmerman and I worked together on a number of assignments, and through those times we were tested but persevered. David had his hands full being the Editor-in-Chief, but he was always a helping hand when I needed it in news.

I will forever be thankful for David and his work as our boss.

Going into my final semester, it was time for David and Caleb to graduate. As a result, Emma Rossi, the Sports Editor at the time, and myself were named the new Editor-inChief and Managing Editor, respectively.

This last semester has been nothing short of challenging. We have faced many trials as a staff, and I am thankful to everyone for their selflessness and dependability as we worked to deliver campus news to the College.

To Emma, our fearless leader. I know I can speak for our staff when I say we are so unbelievably proud of you. You are determined and hard-working and the Ravens are going to get a good one someday when they hire you on as a beat writer.

To Grace David, our Photo-Chief. You have been nothing short of incredibly reliable and your work is remarkable. Thank you for all the photos you captured of me on the field and for the constant work you have done for the paper.

To Hannah, our incredibly talented Copy-Chief. Thank you for fixing my mistake when I used the wrong version of won. You have a thankless job, but I am very thankful for what you have done in helping us produce a quality newspaper each week.

To Grace Sheller, thank you for what you have done with our Perspectives section. Your light-hearted presence in the tower was always appreciated, and I personally thank you for stepping up at the beginning of the semester when it was needed.

To Violet, thank you for stepping into the News Editor role and excelling each and every week. It is a tough position to step into, but you have done an amazing job in taking over the role.

To Joel, it has been a joy to get to work with you this semester. We knew each other from our football days, and I have appreciated getting to work with you and learn more about you. You learned the ins and outs of the job so quickly and you have done an amazing job with each issue.

To Emily, your progress has been nothing short of incredible. You took the Community section and have made it your own, and it has been a great section of the paper for us.

Ayden Gutierrez

Managing Editor

Collegian Staff Editor-in-Chief

Business Manager

Managing Editor

Copy Editors

Emma Rossi

Ayden Gutierrez

Section Editors News Violet Whitmore

Maercy Campion

Mia Gallagher Melody Shillito Kathryna Hoyman Hannah Williams

Staff Writers

Entertainment Vincent Clay

David Smith Dom Puglisi Garret Gess Mia Gallagher Abigail Joyner Hunter Oswald Brae Sadler Helena Ritenour

Sports

Staff Photographers

Community Emily Fox

Perspectives Grace Scheller

Joel Sledd

Photo Chief Grace David

2023 Photography Class

Staff Adviser

Nick Hildebrand

Copy Chief

Hannah Welker 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.

EDITORIAL TIMES OF INDIA

Why music criticism still matters Vince Clay

Entertainment Editor To a music nerd, a sarcastic “Who asked?” is one of the worst responses to an opinion that could be uttered by a friend, family member or random commenter online.

One’s music taste and opinions are an innately personal expression and interpretation of the world, and hatred or flippancy towards such taste is disrespectful.

That much is clear. However, a new and more concerning question is beginning to make its rounds online and in conversations with friends: WHY ask?

Perhaps in some capacity, this is a valid question. Everyone has opinions, so why should the opinions of music publications and critics matter more than the opinions of others? Why must “rap Twitter” call the new Drake album “mid” one minute and then claim Kanye West “invented music” in the next?

Isn’t music subjective?

Well, yes and no.

Since the inception of popular music in the fifties, institutions like the Grammy Awards (1959) and publications like Rolling Stone magazine (1967) and Spin magazine (1985) began appearing as both a vehicle for music news and memorabilia for fans to purchase. In a time when music was digested through one stream - the radio - someone or something needed to set the precedent for what was in vogue, what was new and what was going to sell.

However, now that streaming services and rampant file

STANTON

continued from 1

Politics. Each of these courses relates to the research he has conducted throughout his career.

sharing online have dominated the last three decades of music consumption, what use do these publications have? Now, bands with a niche sound that may only connect with a couple thousand people can actually find an audience online, without battling for label attention, radio play or a team of 15 Swedish men who write songs for Justin Bieber. So, why do music publications matter?

The answer is simple: when it comes to the original role of determining radio play, they don’t matter anymore. Instead of one stream, now there are hundreds of ways to get your hands on free music online. Everyone can listen to exactly what they want to listen to, without the help of Rolling Stone or the Billboard Top 40.

However, for music critics like me, this new era of music consumption isn’t disappointing, nor is it a dead end.

It is, in fact, a brand-new world.

As a young, chronically online teenager exiting my middle school emo phase in 2017, I was looking for something more. I loved music with a deep passion and knew that with streaming I could listen to anything I wanted to with an internet connection.

That’s great, but I asked myself: where do I start? What else is worth my time?

I ate up music media voraciously, especially the content of critics. I began obsessively following Anthony Fantano of TheNeedleDrop because he reviewed a dubstep album I liked at the time. I followed John from ARTV, because he knew who Halsey was. I followed Amoeba music because they interviewed and

asked Young the Giant what their favorite albums were.

I’ve come a long way from EDM, Halsey and Young the Giant, but to this day my music taste and penchant for exploration would be nothing without the initial seeds sown by these people and publications with opinions.

In essence, that is the new role of the music critic, one that will define this era of superfluous music streaming. Now, it’s about interacting with what’s worth the listener’s time. In an age of everything at the public’s fingertips, what is worth checking out? It isn’t about “grading” albums like a high school group project anymore. Critiquing artists who are already massively popular, though a part of the job, is also not really the point anymore. Perhaps my favorite music critic of this “new” variety is Margeaux, known as @marg.mp3 on Instagram and TikTok. She posts shortform videos that either recommend an underrated album or show a hyper-specific playlist that she has made for a particular theme. Much of my current rotation is indebted to her recommendations, she seems particularly well-versed in female-led 90s rock groups.

All that aside, it is obvious that music critique will fare well into the 21st society.

Art is worth talking about in any form; given enough time, when albums are taught like novels in classrooms, music critique will be a vital source for discussion.

In a way, the naysayers are right. No one asked. However, when it comes to the fruitful discussion of works of art like music, it is certainly worth asking at all.

While contributing to multiple publications, journals and independently publishing work, Stanton has studied and written on International Security Issues, Ethnic Conflict, Terrorism/

Counterterrorism and South China Sea conflict.

“My focus is on understanding politically-motivated violent behavior at the state and sub-state level,” Stanton said.

the Green Eyeshade Award This week’s Green Eyeshade Award goes to our incredible editors, staff writers and copy editors.

Each one of our staff writers delivers quality content that is creative, interesting and representative of our campus community. Our copy editors consistently ensure that our paper publishes articles of the utmost quality, and their attention to detail is greatly appreciated.

To my editorial staff, from story pitches to the final hours of design night as Wednesday night turns to Thursday morning, your work is excellent. Working with you has made this difficult time a little easier each week.

To my managing editor, thank you for your four years of dedication to this paper.

It’s been real, it’s been fun; I could even say it’s been real fun. Congratulations on graduating early! We will miss you in the Tower.

The Green Eyeshade Award honors student contributors that demonstrate consistency and excellence in their work.

News The Collegian, Dec. 8, 2023

Page 3

Christmas, community and cocoa Radioactive Waste in Violet Whitmore

Grove City?

Hot cocoa, Christmas cookies and sweet vocal performance acts impressed audiences at the SGA annual Christmas “Cocoa” House this past Wednesday night.

The event, a spin on a reoccurring event SGA hosts called “Coffee House” allows musicians to showcase their talent and create a space for the College community to listen to holiday music and indulge in a hot cocoa bar.

Abigail Haught, Senior VP of SGA, helped organize the event. “Preparation begins with auditions about a month before the actual event. We collaborate with the Communications & Marketing Committee of SGA to make sure there are plenty of advertisements urging students to come and audition.”

In preparation for the event, Haught and Junior VP of Social Affairs Chloe Berger work hard to ensure everything goes according to plan.

Working in collaboration with Communications and Marketing, posters, schedules and online advertisements are released. Communicating with Parkhurst and Media Services is all part of the intricacies of a successful Cocoa House.

Attendees can attend with friends, alone, or study as they listen to the music, many students coming and going as they please. “We always have a focus on fostering community through hosting Coffeehouse. It’s a perfect event to welcome students from all areas of campus to participate in and enjoy,” Haught said.

Helena Ritenour

News Editor

Staff Writer Not five miles from campus, there is a radioactive trash mountain being built.

The

Tri-County

landfill

near the Grove City Outlets and other well-loved community areas has been closed since 1990, but the current administration is voting to reopen it and expand its capacity.

Currently,

Mercer

Tri-County has been granted a waste permit. This will allow waste not from only the Tri-County area but permit surrounding areas to dump waste as well.

The waste being brought in by the state will amass trash from an estimated 2.7 million people. This is 20 times GRACE DAVID

the amount of people living

Grove City students gathered for good music, hot cocoa and fellowship at the SGA Cocoa House.

in the Tri-County area and is

Berger describes it as a casual atmosphere. “It gives student performers an opportunity to have an audience, and it also creates a space for attendees to either work on homework or just listen to music (with free cocoa, of course). This is also what makes Coffee House special – it combines community with musical performance.”

“Specifically, for our Cocoa house event, attendees can expect a happy escape from

equivalent to the entire city

the stress of final exams to focus on the joy of the Christmas season,” Haught added.

Junior Maddie Mills, a student performer part of the group “All of the Other Reindeer” emphasized the importance of music inspiring togetherness.

“I think it’s a great way for everybody to be brought together in the community and appreciate the talent that we have here on campus. I think Christmas time is such a special time and there are

certain songs that just bring such a familiarity and a comfort to people when they hear them.”

“I love that through this event we can just appreciate songs that everybody knows and can connect with in some way-- everyone has a story that they hear in a song. It’s great to enjoy and appreciate music together through that, a great way to continue to enjoy fellowship and community through the holidays,” she said.

GCC choirs bring ‘beauty and light’ Violet Whitmore News Editor

Christmas is a time of year that emphasizes the joy of togetherness. Grove City College’s Touring Choir, Concert Choir and Chamber Choir know how to embrace harmony better than anyone.

This season, the choirs will sing at three concerts in addition to their performance “Gloria!” in Harbison Chapel last Friday featuring the works of Vivaldi, Bass and Howells. Future performances by the group will include the Carnegie Concerts and the Candlelight Christmas Services.

The choirs are conducted

by Dr. Katherine Mueller, a professor in the Music Department at the College.

The choirs practice and perform regularly throughout the semester to prepare for the Christmas concerts. Students in leadership roles help alongside Dr. Mueller, preparing the choir to ensure a great show.

“As President of the Touring Choir, I am uniquely positioned to see the group from a leadership perspective, understanding all of the different details that go into making sure the group runs smoothly,” senior President of Touring Choir Joseph Long said.

Each performance is given with the audience in mind, according to Long.

“Every time we perform,

we bring beauty and light to every person who hears us.

I hear so often of genuine thankfulness and gratitude from audience members, who are excited just to be able to hear and experience live choral music. It is a rare treat that is so needed in our world today,” he said.

“Choral concerts (from a Christian perspective) are about being a spectator to the beauty and radiance of music, which is a gift that God gives to his people. Psalms 97:12 says, ‘Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.’ By singing with joyfulness, we fulfill this command and help bring God’s love to those who hear us.”

“It’s a joy to be able to contribute to the holiday season at GCC and the candlelight services are always a respite from the stress of finals,” Sophomore Abby Bartel said.

“A lot of love and hard work goes into the preparation for this concert, and we sincerely hope that it’s a beautiful experience for those who come to watch!”

The last Carnegie Concert is happening today at the Carnegie Alumni Center from noon to 1 p.m. The Concert Choir will perform in A Musical Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. tonight in Ketler Auditorium in Pew Fine Arts Center. The choirs will perform in two services on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. in Harbison Chapel.

of Chicago. It will bring in 4,000 tons of garbage daily and have 600 garbage dumps every day.

The trash being brought into this landfill will, per the permit, include waste from radioactive fracking, which can affect the air and residents of the city. This radioactive material will release 85 thousand gallons of leachate, which is the liquid accumulated from the putrefaction of waste, into Wolf Creek and Slippery Rock Creek. Tri-County does not have a “comprehensive leachate management plan” as the public permit documents stated.

This trash mountain has been a concern for many residents of Grove City.

“This

landfill

is

going

to harm the environment, health and safety of the community. There is no reason for this landfill to be built at the expense of the public,” Jon Varro, a concerned community member, said.

The landfill will also damage private property, as local activists have cited Penn State data showing that landfills harm residential areas and lower the property value by 12.9 percent, meaning that Grove City home and property owners will be losing thousands of dollars on their property value, totaling close to 13 million.

Currently, a community group called The Citizens Environmental Association of the Slippery Area (CAESRA) is fighting the permit’s passing, as well as calling community hearings to attempt to address concerns at large.

Community The Collegian, Dec. 8, 2022

Page 4

Upcoming Events...

What’s fresh at the Grove?

3 v 3 Basketball Tournament 1:30 p.m.

Dec. 8 PLC Arena

Gingerbread House Competition 2 - 4 p.m.

Dec. 8 Ket Rec

Christmas Dodgeball Tourney 7 p.m.

Dec. 8 IM Rooms

Alumni Mock Interviews Dec. 8

Big Man on Campus

7 p.m.

Dec. 8 Crawford Auditorium

A Musical Christmas at GCC 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 8 PFAC

Winter Ball 8 - 11 p.m.

Dec. 8 STU

Christmas Movie Night 9 p.m.

Dec. 8 Sticht Lecture Hall

Dashing Through the Grove 2 p.m.

Dec. 10 810 Greenwood Dr.

Christmas Candlelight Service 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Dec. 10 Harbison Chapel

Acting and Stage Directing Final Plays 7 - 11 p.m.

Dec. 12 PFAC 21

Moonlight Breakfast

9 - 11 p.m.

Dec. 14 Hicks Dining Hall

GCC SOCIAL WORK INSTAGRAM

Social work majors attended the National Association of Christian Social Workers (NACSW) conference this past November.

Social Work serves Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief

Since its official accreditation at the College in 2020, the Grove City College Social Work Department has been using a Christ-centered program to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to serve their communities as social workers.

What began with the work of Dr. Lisa Hosack in 2013, when social work was offered as only a minor at the College, has evolved into an ever-growing department.

Dr. Jennifer Hollenberger joined the staff in 2018 as the Director of Field Education, intending to build the department’s field program.

She is one of three, working alongside Hosack and Dr. Vannessa Vassar-Bush.

“My interest in teaching social work came from a desire to connect faith to practice. When I learned (Grove City College) was beginning a faith-based program, I saw an opportunity to intersect my faith and my profession in a way that would benefit the next generation of Christian social workers,” said Hollenberger.

In the same year Hollenberger came to Grove City, the program was given candidacy status as a Council on Social Work Education

(CSWE) accredited program.

This came to an official finale when the department earned its initial full accreditation in 2020 and graduated its first class. “(Grove City College Social Work) is one of only a few faith-based Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) programs in our region, therefore, the integration of faith and learning is a unique aspect of our department,” explained Hollenberger.

In addition to the department’s faith-based approach, the curriculum offers two courses unique to a typical BSW program. The first is an International Social Problems class, which provides students of any major with an in-depth education on international social justice issues, their history and crosscultural social development models to address these challenges.

The second is Social Service Programs and Grants.

This course not only teaches students the process of grant writing, but it does so through a focus on “responding to human need through service that demonstrates compassion, competence and a commitment to promoting human dignity and flourishing.”

“Our program specifically added a range of courses that students interested in human

services, community development, non-profit management, social welfare policy and human diversity could take. Offering these courses contributes to a more wellrounded educational experience,” said Dr. Hollenberger.

The Social Work Department also works closely with the surrounding Grove City community. All senior BSW majors complete 400 hours of social work internship at a local organization during their final year.

Dr. Hollenberger explained the department also works closely with the Grove City community to meet needs through service projects, offering continuing education units and grant writing initiatives.

“Because student field placements are a key component to social work education, the need to build a solid field education program is vital and has led to much community engagement, which has resulted in positive relationships between the college and community organizations. Community engagement is both beneficial to the college itself and also to the community,” she said.

Since 2020, the department has seen four more graduating classes and welcomed several more students to the program. One of these

students is senior Lauren Miller, whose interest in social work began early in her life. “…(S)ocial work has been a part of my life since I took my first breath. I was born three months early, and we had a social worker who provided a wide range of services for my family and me that helped me to flourish into who I am today such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, free hospital parking passes, school services, etc. The list goes on,” said Miller.

“But what really sparked my desire to go into the mental health and direct practice realm is my own experiences as well as walking alongside friends who have experienced mental health challenges and/or abuse and neglect,” Miller continued.

Miller’s passion for mental health was on display at the National Association of Christian Social Workers (NACSW) conference, where she presented research on the Crisis Text Line.

“I focused on suicide as the topic of my research and aimed to show the success of this intervention as it addresses crises at the moment and how texting crisis counseling can be an effective alternative intervention to the traditional, in-person therapeutic setting,” Miller said.

How soon is too soon to get engaged?

I started dating my girlfriend at the beginning of the semester. We haven’t been together for very long, but I know I want to spend the rest of my life with her.

I want to propose, but my friends and family are concerned we are moving too quickly. Should I wait to propose or trust my gut?

Anxious Grover Dear Anxious Grover, Ah, young love. The infamous “ring by spring” puts a lot of pressure on Grovers to get engaged within their junior or senior year. I’ve even heard of people getting

engaged in their sophomore year.

Dear Dr. Love I think, as Christians, we tend to date with marriage in mind. For some, getting

engaged during college years is everything they could have hoped for. The idea of getting married and having children young is beautiful. However, I believe it causes many people to rush through the dating, engagement and marriage process.

When you are in college, you are in a bubble. There’s so much you haven’t seen and experienced. You are still developing as a person. As the two of you change, your plans may change as well.

In college, it is advisable to be prudent and focus on the reason you are there: to get a degree and then get a job. If you get engaged and/

or married before graduation, the next couple of years could be very hard. The two of you most likely do not know where you will end up for a job or where you will be living. The financial aspect will be difficult. The money you have saved up will be enough for you, but not a whole household. If you are worrying about the logistical side of things, it will put a strain on the love you have for one another.

Some people have it all figured out by the time they graduate. If that’s you, then I see no issue with getting engaged early. If you and your significant other truly

believe you are meant to get married, but you are both younger than seniors, then I believe a promise ring and a talk with each other’s families would be a good place to start. Waiting until you both are in a good place economically, developmentally and rationally is smart. Then, I think you can exchange your promise ring for an engagement ring.

Auspiciously,

Dr. Love Love M.D.

The Collegian, Dec. 8, 2022

Page 5

Seven questions with…

Mid the pines Abigail Joyner Staff Writer

There are few more recognizable symbols of the Christmas season than a well-decorated tree. Nearly every classic Christmas song makes some reference to the comfort, warmth and tradition of an adorned tree. This sentiment is well captured by the classic carol “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” which identifies trees as one of the key indicators of the advent season.

With many students far from home in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the college community puts forth a great effort to make the campus embody the season to the utmost.

The dining halls are filled with the sound of carols, dorm doors are decorated and the light of the star on top of Rockwell shines over the college grounds. But even more than those subtle details, it seems that at every turn there is a Christmas tree. This week, I gathered the opinions, perceptions, compliments and critiques of many students across the campus.

Some join junior Molly Galbreath in her sentiment that “if it were up to me every tree would be a Christmas tree,” and Piggy Pirger in his demand for “more, more, more.” It seems no one can be opposed to such a jolly symbol. Most students fell just barely on the positive side of indifference. However, there are many opinions about what constitutes a well-executed Christmas tree. Claire Mackanic remarked that “Christmas trees are cozy but can sometimes be tacky.”

Many students commented on the necessity for the decorations to be classy and intentional. Sophomore Julia Kistler identified “The core components of a Christmas

Charis Byun Coordinator of Administration and Care of Christian Formation Staff Writer Helena Ritenour What drew you towards working at GCC?

The Christmas tree in MAP South is a favorite of Christmas tree connoisseur Abigail Joyner. tree” as “festive illumination, contrasting shapes and harmonious colors.” Sophomore Nate Ehst took a much more minimalistic approach to his criteria by saying, “The most important part of a tree is lights.” Claire Mackanic criticized the tree on the main floor of the library for toeing the line of tacky because of its “lack of coherency” in ornaments. Junior David Stoner added to the “lack of coherency” critique by describing the tree as “overwhelming.”

Another important element of campus Christmas trees is placement. Noah Byun was among several students to admire the tree in the windows of STU Great Room for its prominent location. While its spot induces a broad audience of admirers, Abby Plank explained

that “up close it severally lacks traditional elements” of Christmas beauty. Another strong opinion about location came from Collegian staff writer Dominic Puglisi about the tree in the very center of Hicks Cafeteria.

“When attempting to carry my delicious slop back to my table at Hicks, it always puts me in the holiday spirit to be absolutely obstructed by a ginormous Christmas tree.”

His rather sarcastic tone conveyed the importance of placement when it comes to these trees. David Stoner explained his favorite trees are the ones in the chapel because of their arrangement or “symmetree.”

The last consistent component of trees suggested was the tree’s topper. Several students debated whether a

EMILY FOX

star or an angel is more aesthetically pleasing. Provost Frank’s 14-year-old daughter Jinna simply stated, “Why have a tree with no star? A star makes everything better.” This crowning glory is the sole criterion for many as they assess Christmas trees.

Students offered many suggestions as to the best tree on campus, from trees surrounding the flagpole to the tiny trees on top of the pizza bar in Hicks. Personally, I think the very best and most festive tree on campus is the magnificent display in MAP South. The only rival is the beautifully decorated tree outside of President and Mrs. McNulty’s home.

These trees encapsulate the beauty of the season and bring the joy of Christmas to campus.

How to finish the semester strong Emily Fox

Community Editor The fall semester will wrap up just in time for Christmas, but students must face one more academic hurdle before they can enjoy a muchneeded break. Finals are approaching rapidly, and students are scrambling to finish up last-minute projects and papers all while trying to prepare for next week’s final exams.

Finals season is an overwhelming time for firstsemester freshmen and seasoned veterans alike.

Fortunately, the Academic Resource Center is equipped with expert advice and study strategies to help students survive finals season.

As finals approach, students must create a schedule to ensure they can balance last-minute assignments with productive exam preparation. Assistant Director of academic advising Michael Robinson recommends students begin to prepare for their exams as soon as possible to determine if there are any topics they need clarity on before final exam day.

Sophomore accounting tutor Juliana Marflak echoes this advice. Her exam preparation strategy consists of prioritizing reviewing topics

she is less confident in and spending minimal time on topics she is confident working with. She tells her students to use strategies that have worked for them before.

Robinson also advises students to outline a preset schedule for studying, as studying in short periods rather than all at once results in better preparation. He suggests using the Pomodoro method for exam preparation. This method involves short breaks between intervals of studying. Robinson described an example of this method: “Work on one thing for an interval of 25-30 minutes then take a short break to grab a drink and stretch the legs. After four to five sets of this, take a longer main break for 15-30 minutes; then start the routine again.

The most important thing to remember with this method is to focus entirely on your work in the 25-30 minutes of working.”

Students must also consider how they can create an environment where they can focus on their studies.

Robinson urges students to choose one where they know they will not be distracted while remaining in a place where they are comfortable.

He suggests taking advan-

tage of one of the many study spaces in the library such as the stacks, study rooms or the downstairs study area. To limit distractions, he recommends students keep their phones where they will not see them.

Robinson considers preparing example questions and concept maps to be one of the most efficient strategies for studying.

“Testing yourself is good retrieval practice and helps you commit information to your long-term memory and easily retrieve it when needed.”

“Try creating concept maps and diagrams, explaining concepts to yourself step by step and formulating questions and problems that you can come back to and solve, effectively creating a quiz for yourself.”

The night before the exam can be just as important for successful test taking as former preparation. Robinson recommends students ensure they get at least two quality nights of sleep before exam day and eat a hearty meal the night before. He suggests staying away from caffeine and opting for water, decaffeinated herbal teas or smoothies as caffeine can cause higher stress levels.

Sometimes even the most

prepared students can experience test anxiety that can influence their scores.

Robinson advises students to adopt several relaxation techniques to ease anxiety while taking an exam such as deep breathing, relaxing their muscles one at a time and counting to ten.

“Focus only on the present moment to help you stay grounded. Avoid thoughts about the future or past, and just take each question one at a time as they come… Ignore other people around you and don’t compare yourself to others.”

Finally, Robinson recommends taking advantage of online and in-person resources offered by the college. Students can visit the writing center in the library for assistance with papers, and they can visit Robinson’s office in the downstairs library for any academic concerns they may have before final exams. Students may also want to use resources found under the tutoring tab on myGCC. Finals season is one of the most challenging times for college students. However, students can be confident they are equipped with the studying skills and resources they need to thrive under pressure.

The opportunity to be more invested in this community and to work in closer proximity to my favorite person (my husband, Dr. Seulgi Byun) and to our four kids in this season of family life in Grove City.

What is your favorite part of the job?

The amazing students I have the joy and privilege of engaging with, formally or informally.

What’s your favorite Christmas tradition?

Stockings! Our stockings are handmade by my mom and unique to each family member. I love the challenge and joy of finding and receiving stocking stuffers that are personal, meaningful and fun for those opening them. At the toe of each stocking is the traditional Terry’s milk chocolate orange.

If your life had a soundtrack, what genre would it be?

Singer/Songwriter.

What are you looking forward to doing over winter break?

I love having everyone home to celebrate Christmas, so I’m most looking forward to just hanging out with my family over the holidays.

What is your favorite ornament on your Christmas tree?

I collect nativity sets and ornaments. It’s hard to choose a favorite nativity ornament, but I’ll go with the first one I ever got when I was first married.

It’s a small pottery nativity ornament from the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. where I grew up.

What is your favorite memory from this semester so far?

From chapel: Faith for Life lecture and PRM Conference with Sam Allberry.

Through the Lens

Through the lens, Feb. 22, 2019

The Collegian, Dec. 8, 2023

Reflecting through the lens GCC student photoraphers share their favorite shots of this semester

Taylor Henson

Becca Murray

Lucy Martin

Photography is a wonderful way to artfully tell a story--not just from one perspective, but through many!

Here are some different perspectives on the 2023 Fall semester. Vibrant colors range through all, every unique eye seeing it in a special way.

Many photographers featured here are displaying their work from Professor Bandy’s Digital Photography class.

Annie Grace Smith

Carmen Pompeii

Mia Campagna

by Grace David, Photo Chief

Mia Campagna

Taylor Henson

Becca Murray

Becca Murray

Page 6

The Collegian, Dec. 8, 2023

Olivia Foster

Page 7

Taylor Henson

Lucy Martin

Becca Murray

Taylor Henson

Mia Campagna

Olivia Foster

Mia Campagna

Carmen Pompeii

Perspectives The Collegian, Dec. 8th, 2023

Page 8

Deion Sanders

THESPUN.COM

A publicity stunt that’s past its prime Joel Sledd Sports Editor

The athletic department of the Colorado Buffaloes made a wish with a monkey’s paw to bring in their new head coach, and they are paying the price. Former NFL cornerback and Jackson State Tigers football coach Deion Sanders took the head coaching role for the Buffaloes earlier this year, possibly one of the most hyped coaching hires in recent College Football (CFB) history.

Once the news broke about this hire, sports media outlets could not stop talking about Coach Sanders and Colorado’s football program.

The high expectations for the Buffaloes matched the publicity they received.

Coach Sanders gutted the Buffaloes’ program, bringing in his own players and coaching staff. The Buffaloes finished the 2022 season 1-11: their worst record since 1989. While a rebuild was necessary to fix the program, Coach Sanders received criticism for the way he cast out former players. He brought in his own players and coaches and alienated many players from the 2022 roster, many of whom would transfer out or be cut.

Rebuilding a terrible CFB program in one year is never easy, but it was clear Coach Sanders was in over his head.

He was overconfident early in the season, and it shows

through his record. The Buffaloes are 4-8 this season, losing their last six games.

While they did improve from last year, it was clear the Buffaloes were not worth the constant media exposure they received before the season started.

Turning around a bad CFB program takes time, and you can’t expect quick results.

The problem is that Coach Sanders seemed to not understand this. He made some questionable coaching decisions during the season, such as promoting fights among players in practice. “We had a couple of fights, which I like,” said Coach Sanders.

“It’s a great thing. I always want to know who won because I keep records. I don’t break them up. Some coach-

es break them up. I don’t.

Some guys fight, hoping for a break-up. No, we’re going to let you go.”

The lack of accountability and discipline in Colorado football has been their biggest flaw, and it hasn’t improved at all throughout this season. The Buffaloes had the second most penalties this year with 107, averaging 8.9 penalties a game.

Other on-field results from Colorado players also raise some red flags. Opposing offenses averaged 34.8 points a game against Colorado and their defense ranks 126th in total defense so far this year.

On the other side of the ball, the Buffaloes have allowed the second most sacks this season with 56. Coach Sanders’ son and starting quarter-

back, Shedeur Sanders, had to pay the price for this mismanagement as a back injury prevented him from playing the last game of the season.

Colorado’s football program can only be turned around if coach Sanders can learn from his mistakes this season. If he can understand how to discipline his players and himself, the Buffaloes have a shot at becoming a powerhouse in the Big 12 conference.

As for now, Colorado football finishes a season with six straight losses and a lack of morale on the team. Coach Sanders has the potential to lead the Buffaloes into a great season if he can humble himself.

What’s going on in Steel City?

Ayden Gutierrez Managing Editor

Following a loss to their divisional rival Cleveland Browns, which is practically a sin within the city of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada was fired on November 21. Yinzers far and wide celebrated the news as if it were Christmas morning.

The following week, when the ‘Lers went to another divisional rival in Cincinnati, the Pittsburgh offense accumulated over 400 yards of total offense en route to a massive 16-10 victory to maintain their current playoff spot.

Steelers fans rejoiced far and wide as they finally were out

of Canada’s reign of terror.

The stairway to 7, as Steelers’ fans like to call their journey to their seventh Super Bowl, was back on and in full force.

To put this in perspective, during Canada’s tenure in the Steel City, he coordinated 44 regular season games and one playoff game. Not one of those games did the Steelers have 400 yards of total offense. According to an article written in The Athletic, every other NFL team had at least four such games with 400 yards in that span, and the average team had 10. In 33 of 45 games, the Steelers’ offense failed to score over 20 points in regulation.

So yeah, they stunk. In the most hilarious sense, of course, the Steelers would total 400+ yards in the first game without Canada as OC.

Because why wouldn’t they?

Running back’s coach Eddie Faulkner was promoted to the interim offensive coordinator and quarterback’s coach Mike Sullivan was promoted to the play caller. The tandem of coaches had much to celebrate following their first win at Cincinnati.

Yet, as we saw just seven days later, there is still one problem Steelers fans are currently facing: We still stink.

At 7-4, Steelers fans rode into Acrisure Stadium with their confidence through the roof as the 2-10 Arizona Cardinals came into “tahn.”

As the Steelers looked ahead in their schedule, they had three winnable games in a row with 2-10 Arizona, 2-10 New England, and 6-5 Indianapolis with backup quar-

terback Gardner Minshew.

With all the turmoil this team has gone through, they were in the driver’s seat to be sitting at 10-4 at the end of the month with a playoff spot almost locked.

Surely you can’t lose to 2-10 Arizona while riding the high of the previous offensive performance, right? Right?

So unbelievably wrong.

Pittsburgh went out and laid an offensive egg as they suffered a 24-10 loss to the Cardinals in what turned out to be a miserable day for Steelers fans. Not only were there two separate weather delays during the game, which never happens in football but starting quarterback Kenny Pickett suffered a lower leg injury that will sideline him for an extended period of time.

From what seemed to be

blossoming into an enjoyable playoff run now looks like a bleak, disgusting finish to the season.

As you’re likely reading this on Friday, I pray for the entire city of Pittsburgh that they somehow found a way to beat 2-10 New England last night in the dynamic battle at quarterback between Mitch Trubisky and Bailey Zappe.

If they lost, they now sit at 7-6 and are confronted with the horrifying question of whether or not Matt Canada was the actual problem. With a win, they sit here today at 8-5 and the playoff push is back on.

It’s the Steeler way, as some would say. Here’s to the post-Canada version of the Steeler offense. It’s time to find out if he was the problem all along.

The Collegian, Dec. 8, 2023

Page 9

Freedom over failure Hunter Oswald Staff Writer

After months of tension between two of America’s most prominent governors, the showdown between them has finally come to a head.

On Nov. 30, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis faced off against California Governor Gavin Newsom, with the debate moderated by Fox News commentator Sean Hannity.

Over the course of the 90-minute debate, both governors debated a plethora of topics related to each state’s governing philosophies, DeSantis representing Florida’s conservative management with Newsom defending California’s progressive.

Both DeSantis and Newsom sought to defend their states’ records, including their state’s tax systems, policies regarding the role of education and parental rights and their state’s stance on abortion.

DeSantis framed the debate as a clear choice between conservative success over progressive failure. As DeSantis stated in his introduction, “The country must choose freedom over failure.”

On the other hand, Newsom sought to frame his defense of California’s record as an apologia for Biden’s record.

Newsom stated that his purpose was to “tell the truth about the Biden-Harris record.”

While some would say that Newsom’s more articulative

nature and appealing posture made him the clear winner of the debate, I would beg to differ. Despite Newsom’s Clintonesque approach during the debate, Newsom’s performance clearly showed his disconnect from reality.

His efforts to align California’s “successful” record as a testimony to the Biden administration was by far one of the most obvious examples of this.

While Newsom argued that Bidenomics has been a clear success, reality would say otherwise. Heritage Foundation research fellows EJ Antoni and Peter St Onge state, “Since Mr. Biden took office, real earnings have plummeted as prices outpace wages: Inflation-adjusted weekly earnings are down about 5% since he took office. The drop in real earnings has piled on the sharp increase in borrowing costs over the last couple of years.”

Even when Hannity showed statistics from prominent sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CDC and FBI, Newsom had to either lie about what the statistics meant or deflect the question, as shown by his reluctance to answer Hannity’s question on abortion.

If there is one thing Newsom did for California and Biden’s record throughout the debate, it would be that he showed the absolute disconnect between progressive politicians like Newsom and the reality of their failed progressive policies that harmfully impact everyday Americans.

If Newsom’s lies and deflections were not enough, he may have harmed his future aspiration towards becoming president. When asked about California’s record on immigration and sanctuary cities, Newsom immediately stated, “I believe in border security.”

Now, his statement on immigration may seem like nothing, but this fundamentally opens him up for any challenge amongst his progressive rivals, who may wish to exploit any weakness for any possible political gain.

Despite Newsom’s effort to assert that he has no aspirations for the presidency, especially for 2024, it is no secret that he holds such ambitions. Even democrats such as Douglas Schoen, who worked for President Clinton and Michael Bloomberg, have recognized Newsom’s aspirations, “Gavin Newsom wants to run for president in 2024. That much is clear.”

Newsom knows that if he wants to run for president one day, he must secure support amongst his progressive base. In the wake of his statements, especially on immigration, this puts him at odds with progressives who may see this debate as a clear flipflop by Newsom and brings into question his reliability to enact their agenda.

Overall, Newsom’s performance against DeSantis was a major political miscalculation generated by his own ego. Newsom may have been articulate, but articulation cannot outweigh the failure of Newsom’s progressive record.

Approaching Q* with caution Brae Sadler

Contributing Writer November was a chaotic month for OpenAI, the company that released ChatGPT last year. Early in the month, co-founder Sam Altman was suddenly fired from his position as CEO of the company by the board of directors. Many of his friends and close associates were ousted as well. A few days later, Altman was hired by Microsoft to head a new AI research team. Meanwhile, at OpenAI, seven hundred of the company’s eight hundred employees threatened to leave unless Altman was reinstated. By the end of the month, he was back in as CEO and the board of directors was restructured. Many details remain unknown, but the debacle was connected to a new AI model called Q*.

This new program has the potential to revolutionize the technological industry yet again and should be approached with caution.

The details around Q* are hazy. However, we do know it represents a breakthrough for OpenAI. Currently, programs like Chat GPT are

ALL SPORTS

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Currently, the Wolverines are leading the PAC for men’s and women’s sports. Women’s sports at Grove City College have 39.5 points with Allegheny in second trailing by six points. The men’s race is much tighter, as the

limited. Granted, they are powerful, but these AIs can only regurgitate information.

If you were to ask Chat GPT to solve a complicated problem, it would have difficulty.

While still in its beginning stages, the Q* model is capable of solving grade-school math problems by itself. The AI is capable of basic problem-solving. If the OpenAI team can improve Q*, it has the potential to solve many problems only humans have the capability to do right now.

Several employees sent a letter to the board of directors about the dangers of Q*. They warned that the program could lead to the extinction of humankind. In reality, Q* is far from becoming the terminator. But there are real concerns about how new AI will impact the lives of humans.

Technology has been a boom to humanity since the Industrial Revolution. In 1870, individual Americans worked 3,096 hours a year.

Today, that number has been reduced to 1,757 hours a year.

Thanks to the gains from technology, we have more leisure time than ever before.

Ideally, we would spend this time with family, at church

or doing hobbies. Unfortunately, it seems most people, especially Gen-Z, waste this time on devices. The average American adult spends 4.8 hours on their phone a day and approximately 2.8 hours on social media. Many people sacrifice in-person activities for the internet.

Moreover, this shift online is not benefiting individuals.

In a survey of 16 countries, 59% of adults ages 18-24 feel lonely, and so do a majority of adults 25-34. Older ages still have significant lonely minorities. The more we go online, the more disconnected we are from the people around us.

Q* is another advancement in technology that will make our lives easier. We can expect to gain more leisure time from the use of AI. Yet, it is likely we will not steward that time well. If we simply look at our phones in our free time, we will not gain anything. The more we spend on our devices, the more they govern us. New gadgets can make our lives worse if we do not use them wisely. Historically, this is what technology has done. While the benefits of OpenAI’s Q* cannot be denied, those gains will likely come at a steep cost.

men lead with 29 points. Geneva is right behind with 26 points.

Last year, the men’s athletic program finished first in the race for the All-Sports Trophy, while the women earned runner-up. The Wolverines have won three AllSports Trophies in the last three years.

The athletic department has fully transitioned to the winter season, which is already off to a strong start for all teams.

“As of now we’re rolling into the winter sports, so we’re hoping to continue operating in a similar fashion,” Gibson said.

Word on the street...

Did your parents allow you to believe in Santa Claus?

Maddy Galbreath ‘27:

Samuel Hertzer, ‘24:

“Yes, and to make it seem more legit, we would make reindeer food every Christmas Eve. We would make it with oatmeal, glitter and confetti.

We would each get our own little Ziploc bag and sprinkle it throughout the front yard.

The next morning, we would patrol the yard to see if the reindeer had eaten all of the food. Because we couldn’t see the food in the ground, that solidified our belief that Santa and his reindeer had been to our house.”

“My parents encouraged my belief in Santa, and I believed in him with all the trimmings.

We left out cookies, wrote him letters and my mom would threaten to call him whenever I was bad. I engaged in major cognitive dissonance to continue this belief in Santa until I was 12, when they finally told me the jolly fat man isn’t real. It took me until I was about 20 to start believing in him again. Truly, those were a dark 8 years.”

Mark Armour, ’24:

Lucy Tuttle ‘27: “I don’t think that I ever believed in Santa Claus (apart from historical knowledge of St. Nicholas). I think my older siblings must have told me he wasn’t real, though I don’t remember it. My mother, on the other hand, is adamant that Santa is real. Once, long after all her children were old enough to know the truth, she said something that suggested she didn’t believe in him.

We all got very excited, exclaiming that she had finally admitted she didn’t believe.

She instantly denied it. Her proof of his existence: the stockings are filled each Christmas. In her and Kris Kringle’s defense, I have never seen a sign to discredit that.”

“Of course, my parents let me believe in Santa! From an early age, they invited Santa to visit our house and quizzed us on the proper promulgation of Canon Law. Our parents made sure we knew that if they caught us celebrating Pentecost according to the Jewish Lunar calendar as decided in Nicea 325, they’d report us to jolly old Saint Nick and the only presents we’d get in our socking would be orders from the Holy See to submit to Rome or else the baptisms we’d perform would be invalid until Christmas next year. I don’t know how most college students don’t believe in Santa! How else do they explain the distinct absence of Arian heretics during the Christmas season? Because Santa takes them out with his Christmas magic, duh!”

Angelica Hatke, ‘25:

Emily Henreckson, ’24:

“I was never told that Santa or “Father Christmas” as my family calls him, wasn’t real. I was told he came to bring us presents and believed it all my childhood. Never at any point was I told that he didn’t come on Christmas Eve or that he wasn’t real.

As a Catholic, I knew other adults knew he was real too because Catholics all love the story of St. Nicholas (aka Santa Claus). So even now, being an adult myself, I do in that sense believe in Santa. Santa deniers won’t know what to say.”

“I don’t quite remember how strongly I believed in Santa, but it wasn’t for very long. I don’t think my parents tried very hard to keep me convinced!

There was a short time that I believed Santa filled our stockings with presents for Christmas day, whereas my mom was the one who wrapped all the presents we opened on Christmas Eve. I believed in the Tooth Fairy for way longer, even though she and my mom had the same handwriting”

Perspectives Policy The purpose of the Perspectives section is to give a space for student voices.

Here, student writers have the space to critique, question and analyze the world around them.

Perspectives articles represent the views of the individual writer. They do not represent the views of The Collegian, The Collegian staff or Grove City College.

While pieces in Perspectives are subjective by nature, The Collegian has standards for publication.

Articles submitted for publication are expected to provide arguments of substance that rely on fact and are void of foundationally emotional and biased arguments.

This is not a space to parrot party lines. Perspectives articles are expected to take original stances, and, where applicable, consider

the interaction of faith within their topic.

This is a space where all voices can be heard. It is our goal as The Collegian staff that Perspectives reflect the diversity of thought represented on the college’s campus.

Additionally, The Collegian will not accept a Perspectives article if the topic has not been reported on by the newspaper.

This means that the publication of a submitted or proposed article may be delayed so The Collegian can provide a factual, unbiased context for the paper’s readership.

If you would like to submit an article for publication or want further clarification of The Collegian’s expectations contact Editor-in-Chief Emma Rossi, or Perspectives Editor Grace Scheller.

Entertainment The Collegian, Dec. 8, 2023

Vince Clay

Page 10

Snow lands on top

Entertainment Editor Did the weather forecast call for snow? I’m seeing a lot of him, and that is most certainly the case for anyone with an online presence.

Tom Blyth, who plays future Panem dictator Coriolanus Snow, has amassed media attention as the internet’s new hot anti-hero for the new installment of The Hunger Games franchise.

Eyebrows were raised at the announcement of the newest prequel in Suzanne Collins’ legendary teenage dystopian epic--was this to be another baseless and unwarranted cash-grab on behalf of writer and director?

Let’s not forget the descent of J.K. Rowling herself in the past few years--it all started with The Cursed Child, the supposed ninth installment to the Harry Potter canon that felt like a toothless marriage of Interstellar time travel and old ideas from The Prisoner of Azkaban.

If reboots and prequels are to be good, it is essential that

MEDIA.CNTRAVELER.COM

they deepen the pre-existing canon, introduce new ideas or elevate the story to new contexts. Does “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” hold up? A resounding yes.

Much of the movie is centered around the titular games, this time taking place at their infancy. In-game battles, gore and alliances form major plot points in the story. Fraught relationships, divorced from the private into public view, are also back. The main tribute of the

movie is even from District 12, just like Katniss. Despite this, none of these tropes seem redundant to the original movies. This is due to the fact that the story the film is trying to tell is really about Snow--the dictator that would many years later rule during Katniss’s takedown of Panem.

In the story, Snow is a mentor and secret lover to the cunning and crowd-pleasing Lucy Gray (Rachel Zegler) from District 12. Through

this development, suddenly the strange and uncanny parallels between Katniss and Snow in the original trilogy are explained. It is truly a eureka moment -- “Songbirds and Snakes” feels like it belongs. It is a genius maneuver on Collins’ part--if it ever felt in the original trilogy that Snow played Katniss at her own game, it is because he actually did.

The movie does its plotline justice in nearly every way. The casting is excellent

and never feels out of place-especially Hunter Schafer as Tigris, whose avant-garde fashion style in shows like “Euphoria” mirrors her character’s own tastes. The soundtrack is also excellent-Olivia Rodrigo writes one of her best songs to date for the movie’s theme, mining from the same melodramatic vein of Lorde’s “Yellow Flicker Beat” from “Catching Fire.”

The editing is flawless, and the colors of the film are deep and rich without looking campy or distracting.

Like the original movies, what the movie lacks in gore it makes up for in scenes that aim for the heart. Several scenes across the film pack a devastating emotional gutpunch thanks to excellent performances by Blyth and Zegler. Another surprise was Peter Dinklage’s unsettling performance as Casca Highbottom, the creator of the games.

All in all, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is an essential watch and a worthy prequel to the canon of The Hunger Games.

David Fincher divides audiences with ‘The Killer’ David Smith Staff Writer

David Fincher’s latest film “The Killer” depicts the life of a hire-to-kill assassin who has to improvise when his plan is altered. The perplexing matter of Fincher’s new film is that it leaves the viewer with more questions than answers.

It stars Michael Fassbender as the title character in the middle of his act. We see him prepare for a hit and the camera shots show us his obstacles. He checks his heart rate via a watch, sets up his gun and then realizes that things might not go as planned.

“The Killer” has audiences polarized. There is no ques-

tion about it. One criticism is Fincher’s gratuitous use of the voice-over to illustrate Fassbender’s thought process and methodology.

Fincher is still defending the voice-overs in his film, stating it is an effective storytelling tool.

I personally disagree with him on that- a good film will depict the action between characters, which allows the viewer inside the mind of the character without needing to explain. With that being said, voice-overs have a time and a place. In “The Killer,” it almost functions as another character.

If that is what Fincher is attempting to convey through the voice-over, then it was a

success; otherwise, the effect is over-used. Currently, its audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is 59 percent and 86 percent from critics.

Fassbender’s acting chops, regardless of the voice-over, are at their best. He doesn’t flinch. He remains rather stoic in tumultuous situations. He remains true to his code. Fassbender’s character is tough. Even when it appears as though he is going to lose, he comes up on top.

He is ultimately no match for anybody, not even himself.

There is something innately unnerving about the title character. It is not so much his appearance but rather how cold and calculated he is and carrying out his thoughts

and plans.

Ultimately, audiences know nothing about the killer. We don’t know his motives. We don’t know his backstory. Nothing. Still, the mystery of it all is what keeps audiences watching the rat race unfold. Fincher and his crew know how to keep the momentum burning, sometimes quickly and sometimes slowly.

Adding to the unnerving nature of the film is the score, appropriately composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of the industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails.

Although Fincher’s pacing is deliberate and meticulous, some may find it too slow and others may find it nause-

ating. For me, it was like an anxiety-provoking thrill ride into a hidden world that I wished I didn’t know of. But, like any other Fincher movie, we are not simply watching to be entertained. There is something attractive to the darker side of life in every David Fincher film, and “The Killer” is no exception.

“The Killer” is full of sudden twists and turns into the murky unknown. For those who are fans of Fincher, this one is just for you. For those who are simply interested, you may find yourself wanting more or wishing you hadn’t seen it.

‘Hotel California:’ A classic, 47 years later Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief

47 years ago today, Eagles released their fifth studio album, “Hotel California.”

Running just over 43 minutes, the album’s nine songs are an era of music encapsulated. Its influence was strong enough to change a generation of music and cause the implosion of its creators.

“Hotel California” opens with three of the band’s greatest hits, the first of which gives the album its name. The song is lauded as one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Fans and musicians alike have debated for decades its true meaning.

In a 2002 interview with “60 Minutes,” Eagles lead singer Don Henley explains that the song is a metaphor for American life.

“It’s basically a song about the dark underbelly of the American dream and about excess in America, which is something we knew a lot about,” Henley said.

The late Glenn Frey’s

MUSIC & ARTS

lyrics tell a chilling tale of a purgatorial hotel paired with the equally haunting guitar of Don Felder; the song traps its listeners in the hotel with the singer.

While Felder may have been the genius behind the iconic guitar solo at the end of Hotel California, the controversy that sparked the band’s eventual disbandment centered around Felder’s song “Victim of Love.”

“Victim of Love” was orig-

inally supposed to be sung

by Felder, but after giving an in-studio performance that didn’t meet the standards of the rest of the band, despite Felder’s protests, the song was given to Henley.

The album’s second track, “New Kid in Town,” is a melancholy ballad lamenting the loneliness and insincerity of Hollywood culture, with the one in the spotlight falling quickly into obscurity as the next sensation moves into town.

Frey sings, “There’s talk on the street it’s there to remind you/ Doesn’t really matter which side you’re on/ You’re walking away and they’re talking behind you/ They will never forget you ‘til somebody new comes along.”

The writing of Frey, Henley and the band’s frequent lyrical contributor J.D. Souther, tells the story of the very fate the Eagles would succumb to. Despite the fact that they could see the direction the band was headed, they couldn’t stop it.

After “New Kid in Town,” the album accelerates into “Life in the Fast Lane,” an aggressive and disorientingly fast-paced song based on an interaction that Frey had with his drug dealer.

Frey recounts the origin of the song in the 2013 documentary “History of the Eagles.”

“I was riding shotgun in a Corvette with a drug dealer on the way to a poker game.

The next thing I know we’re doing 90. Holding! BigTime! I say ‘Hey man!’ He

grins and goes ‘Life in the fast lane!’ I thought, ‘Now there’s a song title.’”

The album continues with two more slow ballads, “Wasted Time,” from Henley, followed by the distinctly rock-and-roll tenured voice of Joe Walsh performing “Pretty Maids All in a Row.” Bassist Randy Meisner, who would quit the band only a year after the album’s release, belts out his song “Try and Love Again.” The album closes with Henley’s “The Last Resort.”

Over the next four years, Eagles chased the same success and chart-topping attention they received after the release of “Hotel California”, but the pressure proved to be too much for the band and even Henley and Frey couldn’t live up to the standard that Felder had fallen short of while the band recorded in-studio.

An on-stage altercation in 1980 between Felder and Frey was the last domino to fall and the band called it quits.

Sports The Collegian, Dec. 8, 2022

Page 11

Basketball hits slump Joel Sledd Sports Editor

Wolverines’ basketball has hit a rough patch this past week. With losses to the conference opponents Saint Vincent, the men are now 5-3 and the women are 4-4.

The men lost to the Saint Vincent Bearcats 60-88 for their fifth conference matchup of the season. Junior guard Jonah Bock led the team with 18 points followed by junior guard Chase Yarberough scoring 10 points.

As of now, the men are in the middle of the PAC with a conference record of 5-3.

The men will play at Bethany at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29.

The women fell to the Bearcats after an attempted comeback by the Wolverines came up short. With a final score of 44-49, women’s basketball is now 4-4 on the season. Early in the match, the Wolverines seemed deflated, only scoring 12 total points in the first half. However, a phenomenal fourth-quarter performance from the women cut the Bearcats lead. With 59 seconds remaining in the game, the score was now 4245 with the Wolverines at a 3-point deficit. With one second left, junior guard Clara Hannon made the score 4447. Unfortunately, the game was closed out with two Saint Vincent free throws to end the game.

The women were handed their third loss of the season in a home game against Carnegie Mellon with a final score of 70-58. Both teams entered the second half tied 29-29. Carnegie Mellon started the second half with a 15-point series, stretching six minutes into the first quarter. The Wolverines respond-

Sports at a Glance

News

The Wolverines opened the indoor track and field season with the Youngstown State University Ice-breaker on Dec. 1. The unscored event featured over 30 other teams.

Three men finished in the top ten of their respective events: Senior Nick Gustaffson in shotput, sophomore Alex Mitchell in the 400m and junior Nick Petucci in the triple jump.

The women featured several key performers including junior Lydia Bennett, who recieved the PAC Track & Field athlete of the week for winning the women’s mile.

The Wolverines will continue their indoor season next year at the Youngstown State Invitational on Jan. 19.

Upcoming Men’s Basketball:

Dec 12, 7:30 p.m. @ Bethany Dec. 15, 5:00 p.m. @ Pitt-Bradford Dec. 30, 3:00 p.m. vs. Waynesburg GRACE DAVID

Freshman forward Isaac Cherry in action against Westminster. ed with their scoring series to cut Carnegie Mellon’s lead to just one point. With roughly nine minutes left in the game, Carnegie Mellon tallied 24 points to take the win.

Leading the Wolverines in points scored, field goals and total rebounds was junior guard Mara Polczynski.

PAC women’s basketball is extremely competitive. With a 3-2 conference record, the

Wolverines are tied for fifth place with Bethany in the PAC standings. Ahead of them are four other teams with four wins. Chatham sits atop the conference with a 5-1 conference.

The women will play again next week against conference opponent Bethany. The Wolverines will play at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at Bethany College.

Wolverine softball brings in new assistant coach Grace Sheller

Perspectives Editor Beth Campbell grew up in a time before women’s softball. For both girls and boys (but almost exclusively boys) one league and one sport existed. If you weren’t a boy, chances are you couldn’t play at all. But for Campbell, things changed.

“It was hard playing baseball, I got cut year after year by a man who coached in my area and didn’t think girls should get the same chance the boys did. So, finally, someone put together a team of girls and I knew that was my chance to play,” Campbell stated.

Since her first league, Campbell has been a committed ball player and now, her commitment and love for the game takes a different form as Grove City College’s (GCC) new assistant coach of the women’s softball team.

“I’m so stoked that she’s here. Thinking about where we will be now that she’s with us is so thrilling as someone who has been connected to the program for so long. It’s exciting having a full-time assistant coach, that way I can get help for me and the athletes,” stated head coach Kristen Cramer ‘08.

But this isn’t Campbell’s

first time coaching, and it certainly isn’t her first time as a team player. “Over the years, I’ve held many part time positions. I also have four kids. I coached at Saint Francis University, a division one school about two hours from here. I did whatever I felt called to do. But this summer, after taking a break from coaching for my daughter’s senior year of high school, I decided I was ready to get back in the game. I was offered this spot by Coach Cramer and realized that this is where the Lord was leading me,” Campbell stated.

Throughout her time on the field, Campbell’s faith had always been put first.

“An audience of one,” as she described it. “I play with the Lord and the Lord only in mind. It’s my core value as a player and a coach and I want for these girls to carry the same mentality above all.”

Campbell recounts playing and coaching softball with the same steadfastness and tenacity she carries in her life. But her time on the field came to an abrupt halt when unexpected news struck.

“At 36, I was told I had cancer. I learned as a player and as an athlete to persevere, to look at everything as ‘here’s the game to play and

how do I win it.’ When I was in treatment, I was told that my personality helped fight my cancer in the best way.

That comes from the game and my background, where I learned to never give up, to fight. I gained a new perspective. I hope this team does, too,” the coach stated.

Campbell is now back on the field and coaching the Grove City women’s softball team with her new values in mind.

Senior Lauren Harris and junior Kamryn Weissinger described their team’s freshly gained perspective since having Campbell on staff: “She has taught us that there is reason behind everything we do. Selflessness and hard work are our virtues, and they define how we operate,” said Weissinger.

The team’s optimism regarding Campbell’s new position does not end with the players. Cramer further expresses her excitement by stating, “She has so much knowledge. It’s great to have someone on board who truly loves softball and is passionate about it. We are in the offseason right now, but I know we will continue to see great things from her come Spring.

We have a good season ahead, especially with Coach Campbell on board.”

Women’s Basketball: Dec. 12, 5:30 p.m. @ Bethany

Dec. 19, TBA @ Christopher Newport Dec. 20, TBA vs. Southern Virginia

Men’s Swimming & Diving: Jan. 12, 6 p.m. vs. Calvin

Jan. 13, 1 p.m. @ Penn State Behrend Jan. 20, 1 p.m. vs. Washington & Jefferson

Women’s Swimming & Diving: Jan. 12, 6 p.m. vs. Calvin

Jan. 13, 1 p.m. @ Penn State Behrend Jan. 20, 1 p.m. vs. Washington & Jefferson

Men’s Indoor Track & Field: Jan. 19, 12 p.m. @ Youngstown State Jan. 27, 10 a.m. @ Mount Union

Women’s Indoor Track & Field: Jan. 19, 12 p.m. @ Youngstown State Jan. 27, 10 a.m. @ Mount Union

WOLVERINE WEEKLY HONORS

Emma Herrmann Women’s Soccer All-America Honors

Lydia Bennett Women’s Track & Field Athlete of the Week

Owen Hancock Men’s Swimming Newcomer of the Week

Caleb Einolf Men’s Swimming Swimmer of the Week

Rachael Wallace Women’s Swimming Swimmer of the Week

Ben Bladel Vinny LePre Football Football First team All-Region First team All-Region

Sports The Collegian, Dec. 8, 2023

Page 12

A monumental fall season Joel Sledd Sports Editor

GRACE DAVID

Grove City Athletics is coming off one of the greatest fall sports seasons of the 21st century. Four teams won the PAC championship this year: women’s tennis, women’s crosscountry, women’s soccer and football. The last time four Grove City fall sports programs won the championship in the same year was in 2005 when men’s soccer, women’s tennis and men’s and women’s cross-country team won.

“They’re strong in their faith. I’m inspired by how hard all of our athletes have worked and all of our athletic staff,” athletic director Todd Gibson ’02 said. “One of the core values of the College is excellence, and being at the top of the standings doesn’t mean that you win every single sport, but it means you’re competing at a high level in every sport. I think it shows consistency and our desire to display excellence.”

The first of these four teams to claim the title was women’s tennis. Led by head coach Nathaniel Horner, the Wolverines defeated Allegheny 5-2 in the title match. Next up was women’s cross country winning their first championship title since 2015.

Under long-time head coach Melissa Lamie, women’s soccer took their fifth title win since 2000. Men’s soccer also fared well, earning PAC runner-up against Geneva.

Wolverines football concluded the fall with the best single season in Grove City College football history. Wolverines football had a monumental season, going undefeated, winning the PAC title and winning a game in the NCAA tournament for the first time in the College’s football history.

“I’m proud of how everything going on with those programs is exciting,” Gibson said.

Gibson enters his ninth year as the athletic director for the Wolverines. After witnessing one of the best fall sports performances for the college, he commented on the athletes, “I’m proud of not just what we have done, but how we have done it. The example our athletes set of competing to win, competing at a high level, doing all they can to be successful at sports, but also to be grounded in humility and they exercise great sportsmanship.”

With the conclusion of the fall sports season, the Wolverines men and women are in the lead to earn the PAC All-Sports Trophy. The PAC All-Sports Trophy is awarded to the school with the best performances in the fall, winter and spring seasons. The overall performance is determined by a point-based system. Earning a PAC title in one sport is worth 11 points, and getting runner-up is 10 points.

GRACE DAVID

JUMP TAG 8

MEGAN EISENTRAUT

GCC ATHLETICS

Wolverines take on Sasala to coach in minor league Calvin invitational Garrett Gess Staff Writer

Grove City College men’s swimming and diving team concluded with their participation in the Calvin Winter Classic in Grand Rapids, Michigan from Thursday to Saturday. At the three-day event, Grove City secured fifth, accumulating 528.5 team points. Grand Valley State, a Division II powerhouse, claimed victory with an impressive 2,248.5 points.

In the individual standings, sophomore Caleb Einolf achieved the Wolverines’ highest placement, finishing sixth in the 100 breaststroke in 56.67 seconds.

Einolf, alongside sophomore Will Sterrett, freshman Owen Hancock and sophomore Nathan Beukema, collaborated to secure eighth place in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:23.24.

The four also attained 10th place in the 200-medley relay (1:31.91), 10th in the 400 free relay (3:06.50), and 11th in the 400-medley relay (3:23.86). Einolf further contributed with an 11th-place finish in the 100 butterfly in 49.48 seconds.

Sterrett’s individual performance placed him 12th in the 400 individual medley, finishing with a time of 4:09.04. Freshman Bryce Pope secured the 13th spot in the 100 breaststroke and the 14th position in the 200

breaststroke.

For the women, they secured sixth at the Winter Classic. They accumulated a total of 452 team points during the competition. Grand Valley State, a dominant force in Division II, claimed the team title with an impressive 2,059 team points.

Two standout performers from Grove City achieved multiple top-10 finishes for the team. Senior Rachael Wallace claimed fourth place in the 200 butterfly in 2:07.30. Additionally, she secured seventh place in the 100 butterfly in 57.22 seconds.

In the diving events, junior Kamryn Kerr demonstrated her prowess by earning ninth place in both the 1-meter and 3-meter competitions. She achieved a score of 353.65 points in the 1-meter event and totaled 358.60 points on the 3-meter board.

A collaborative effort by Wallace, junior Sarah Kuchma, junior Emma Plank, and senior Liz Hasse resulted in a 10th-place finish in the 800 free relay within 8:00.47.

Junior Mikaela Jenkins secured 12th place in the 200 butterfly (2:13.14).

Another team composition featuring Wallace, Kuchma, Hasse, and freshman Ashley Rauhauser earned 14th place in both the 200 free relay and the 400 free relay.

The quartet of Hasse, Wallace, senior Emma Otten, and

sophomore Sarah Janicki claimed 15th place in the 200-medley relay. Furthermore, Hasse achieved 15th place in the 200 freestyle.

Three Wolverine swimmers received weekly honors from the PAC following their standout performances at the Calvin Winter Classic.

In the men’s category, Einolf was named Swimmer of the Week for his sixth-place finish in the 100 breaststroke and 11th-place finish in the 100 butterfly, along with his contributions to three relay teams.

Einolf’s times in these events lead the conference this season. Hancock claimed Newcomer of the Week, securing 14th place in the 200 butterfly with a conferencebest time and contributing to relay teams with conferencebest times.

For the women, Wallace earned Women’s Swimmer of the Week, achieving fourth overall and first among Division III swimmers in the 200 butterfly, seventh in the 100 butterfly and aiding the 800 free relay to 10th place.

Wallace’s times in the 100 and 200 butterfly events rank first in the conference this season.

Both the men’s and women’s teams return to action Friday, Jan. 12, when the Wolverines host Calvin at 6 p.m. in a non-conference dual meet.

baseball

Joel Sledd Sports Editor

Associate baseball coach for the Wolverines, Kyle Sasala, will be moving on from Wolverine baseball for a once-in-alifetime opportunity to help coach in minor league baseball.

SASALA Coach Sasala was recently presented with a coaching job for the Portland Sea Dogs, a Double-A team affiliated with the Boston Red Sox. Coach Sasala will take the role of infield coach for the sea dogs, as well as first base and assisting with hitters.

“It was pretty surreal,” he said. “It was a quick process-from first conversation to job offer was about less than two weeks. It was a quickmoving process. It was also a stressful process because it’s a big decision.”

Although the experience may have been stressful, it paid off in the end when coach Sasala secured a contract beginning on Feb. 15, 2024.

“I had some mutual connections that passed my name along, and I got a text message saying they wanted to talk to me. So I had a number of phone conversations.

Each conversation led to another one and it got to a point where I talked to the director of player development,” he said.

As the Wolverines’ baseball recruiting coordinator, coach Sasala has had a long-lasting impression on the players, starting at the moment they enter the college.

“Coach Sasala is a great dude. He leads by example.

His work ethic, himself and the way he coaches translate to how the team approaches baseball,” senior pitcher Nick Guidas said. “He’s a natural leader. He’s been a great mentor for me.”

After coaching for 10 years on the Wolverines’ diamond, coach Salasa reflects on the past and the players he has coached here.

“I love our guys here; I love working with our head coach.

I love the administration and the support staff. I’ve been here for 10 years so it was definitely a bittersweet thing telling the team. It’s tough to move on, but I thought it was a great opportunity that doesn’t come along very often.”

Although a bittersweet moment, the players wish him the best as he parts ways with Grove City’s athletic program to take on a coaching role in the minor leagues for the Portland Seadogs