Collegian The
Friday, September 20, 2013
The Grove City College Student Newspaper
Vol. 74, No. 3
STEM Hall opens its doors Rebekah Fry
Contributing Writer
RYAN BRAUMANN/THE COLLEGIAN
Dr. Jan Dudt presents to an interested young student as his parents look on.
Grove City College held its first STEM Hall open house this past Saturday, Sept. 14. The science, technology, engineering and mathematics departments welcomed visiting prospective students for a day tailored specifically to their career interests. The events included an address from Dr. Stacy Birmingham, the Dean of Hopeman School of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics, program overviews and laboratory demonstrations. Along with gaining new insight into the various majors, parents and students were encouraged to visit the College’s newest academic building, STEM Hall. The 68,000 square foot facility features state-ofthe-art laboratories, instructional
room, and study spaces. This year’s open house highlighted the physics department. The presentation included an informative and interactive game show-style exhibition. Through a series of questions, it stressed the benefits of learning through hands-on research and interdisciplinary study. “[The open house] exposes the prospective students to the department at a greater depth while helping them to gain a better understanding of what it would be like to study at Grove City College,” physics department chairman Dr. Shane Brower said. Brower also described the program’s goal of giving a memorable,fun,and beneficial experience. Various students interested in STEM, page 2
Profs ready to counter Jewell highlights Barton once more giving spirit for
Brianna Buczkowski Contributing Writer
David Barton has long been a champion of Christian history and a player in the conservative right. An evangelical minister and self-taught historian, Barton founded WallBuilders, an organization based in his native Texas that produces books, CDs, DVDs, posters, curriculum and other materials that focus the idea that the nation’s founders argued against the separation of church and state. Their website alone is a huge resource as its hosts links, documents and articles relating to their main focus. Barton has been a favorite among popular conservative figures and worked as an informal advisor to their campaigns. He has received accolades and recognition from big names such as Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee, and Glenn Beck. Barton’s credibility was questioned last year when his book, “The Jefferson Lies,” published in May 2012, met with heavy criticism from secular and religious scholars. Eventually, lead
publishers stopped printing the book. Among those who took issue with the claims in Barton’s book were two Grove City College professors, Dr. Warren Throckmorton and Dr. Michael Coulter ’91. Throckmorton, a professor of psychology, was following Barton’s career and critiquing the claims on Barton’s personal blog when “The Jefferson Lies” was published. Throckmorton approached Coulter and together they wrote what is to date the largest critique of Jefferson: “Getting Jefferson Right: Fact Checking Claims About Our Third President,” published in July of 2012. “The first duty of Christian scholars is to get the facts,” Throckmorton said. “The first thing you have to do is find out what the truth is.” Many people, however, found the facts to be lacking in Barton’s book. After the book was recalled by the publisher in August 2012 (an unprecedented action which Throckmorton believes happened largely due to the positive reviews and atten-
tion drawn from his and Coulter’s book), Barton’s reputation was in free fall. Many critics questioned his knowledge and called his teachings “pseudo history.” The History News Network labeled his book “the least credible history book in print” and for a while it was unclear whether he would rebound. Over a year after the controversy about the recall of his book, it seems that Barton is back and is still loved and respected by conservative Christians. Earlier in the month, a Politico article profiled Barton’s rise back into the good graces of conservative circles and announced that he is still a “key ally of right.” The article references a poignant moment at a faith and politics conference this past summer in Iowa in which Barton was seen on stage in a prayer circle with Senator Ted Cruz. The conference included Senator Rand Paul, another highly influential and well liked figure among Christian conservative BARTON, page 2
anniversary
Claire E. Healey Editor-In-chief
Sunday Sept. 15 marked the 50th anniversary of President Richard Jewell’s first day on campus as a freshman. The occasion was celebrated by a special Vespers service featuring Jewell ‘67 as the speaker, whose message was titled, “The Charitable Heart.” Nearly every aspect of the service dually fit the theme of Jewell’s message as well as the anniversary of his arrival as a student at the College. The hymn, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” was sung, as well as Jewell’s favorite hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” The evening’s Scripture and responsive readings fit the theme of giving and were read by Jewell’s assistant, Betty Tallerico, and Dr. Robert Graham, the provost and vice president for academic affairs. The dean of the chapel,
Dr. Stanley Keehlwetter, also gave a personal introduction before Jewell’s sermon. “It’s a great honor for me to be in this pulpit,” Jewell said at the beginning of his message. Jewell began his talk by describing some of the influential figures involved in the foundation of the College, including Isaac Ketler, Joseph Newton Pew, and Sam Harbison. He also emphasized the pivotal contribution made by 256 residents of Pine Grove (Grove City), a collective $50,000 investment in the school that Ketler dreamed of building. “Without all those charitable hearts, we would not be here today,” Jewell said. Jewell outlined the contributions of various leaders at the College throughout their years, who through their time and money dedicated themselves to JEWELL, page 4
News
Life
E!
Perspectives
Sports
Coulter presents in Harrisburg about state government corruption. Pg. 2
Zumba students shimmy their way to fitness for free. Pg. 3
‘Pacific Rim’ proves to be unexpectedly larger than life. Pg. 8
Is Rathburn truly being used to its full potential? Kyle Burko raises some questions. Pg. 9
The football team is 2-0 for the first time in 9 years. Pg. 12