The Collegian – Feb. 7, 2014

Collegian

The ‘Frozen’ stops us cold.

Pg. 5 Friday, February 7, 2014

Est. 1891

Vol. 74, No. 12

The Grove City College Student Newspaper

Bush to give grad speech

Josh Evans News Editor

Grove City College announced yesterday at the senior dinner that Jeb Bush, former Florida governor − and potential 2016 presidential candidate − will be speaking at the College’s commencement ceremony on May 17.

Bush, the son of former President George H. Bush and brother of former President George W. Bush, currently works as the head of Jeb Bush and Associates, a consulting company that serves clients ranging from small technology start-ups to illustrious Fortune 500 companies.

However, much speculation has been raised about a potential run for president in 2016. While Bush has neither confirmed nor denied these rumors, he told CBS Miami last month that he will consider the decision later this year.

Bush will be the second of his family to do so, following former First Lady Laura Bush, who spoke at the 2011 commencement ceremony.

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush will deliver the commencement address to 2014 graduates on May 17.

Bush was elected governor of Florida in 1998 and was reelected in 2002, making him the only Republican in Florida’s history to serve two full terms as governor.

During his time as governor, Bush was known for major Medicaid reforms, as well as numerous education reforms, including the establishment of the

Florida Virtual School program, increased emphasis on standardized testing, and the One Florida proposal, which helped to end affirmative action admissions programs at state universities.

Bush was also a strong supporter of school vouchers and charter schools.

Bush continues to support education improvements as

chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education, which lobbies for immigration reforms.

He also serves as the co-chair of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, which works to help both children and their parents, particularly from lowincome families, learn to read and write.

The commencement cer-

COURTESY GROVE CITY COLLEGE

emony will be held on the quad between Harbison Chapel and Crawford Hall.

The Baccalaureate service will be held the night before, led by the officers of the Class of 2014 and featuring special music from the touring choir and a message from Dr. Ron Moore, senior pastor at the Bible Chapel in the South Hills.

Are Grovers too trusting?

Josh Evans News Editor

Nu Lamb alumni took steps to bring back the fraternity, refounding the group along its traditional values.

alumni, interested in restarting the fraternity along the lines of the old traditions.

“We all as a group share a vision of reflecting the traditions of the fraternity but not the behavior of past classes that caused the loss of the charter,” Hurst said. “We want to ensure that the Nu Lambs are committed first and foremost to Christ and secondly to each other, just as the fraternity was when it was founded 90 years ago.”

These students have worked with the alumni association to try to find other students with a similar mindset.

Johnston was excited to see how the students and alumni threw themselves into the rush process, and he said that the process was something unique and unusual for Grove City.

“This was not a situation of a block class being formed by the administration. This was a situation of having a core group of students working directly with

With the number of laptops, books, wallets and other valuables left unattended in nearly every public place on campus, the trust that Grove City College students have in each other is clear. However, such trust may be misplaced, based on the most recent crime reports available.

The College recorded 26 instances of theft in 2012, at a crime rate of 910 per 100,000 students. By comparison, the slightly smaller Geneva College had a theft rate of 269 per 100,000 students. The rate at nearby Slippery Rock University, is even higher than that of the College, at 467 per 100,000 students.

Seth Van Til, director of Campus Safety, believes the biggest problem is a lack of supervision of belongings.

“Because we have so few serious problems, people tend to be a little more lackadaisical about securing their belongings,” he said.

Van Til recommends that people lock up their belongings, keep valuables out of sight and avoid leaving things unattended.

“We rarely if ever have anything taken from a locked room,” he said. “Almost every theft is a crime of opportunity, where something was left unattended and somebody picked it up and away it went.”

Bike thefts are also reported relatively often, although Van Til estimates that approximately 30 percent of such cases are the

NU LAMBS 2

CRIME 2

ALLIE HULL/THE COLLEGIAN

The new Nu Lambda Phi

Louis Petolicchio Staff Writer

After becoming nonexistent a little over four years ago, the fraternity of Nu Lambda Phi is experiencing a dramatic rebirth.

Working closely with their alumni association, a pledge class of fifteen students, mostly freshman and sophomores, are working to re-found the disbanded frat.

Nu Lambda Phi was originally stripped of its charter in the fall of 2010 for a series for College violations, and due to further complications, was forced to remain inactive for an extended period of time.

Concerned brothers among the alumni were not ready to stand by and watch the once prestigious Nu Lamb fraternity fade away, so they began taking action.

After forming the Nu Lambda Phi Alumni Association, one of the few government-registered Greek associations on campus,

they received official sanction Nu Lambs have traditionally from the administration to pur- stood for the ideals of scholarsue corrective and restorative ac- ship, leadership, integrity, action aimed at the restoration of countability, fellowship and brotherhood, and that they were their charter.

NLPAA President, Dr. Al looking for men who would exemplify and Johnston ’64, along with pursue these Vice President values.

The Nu Lambs have Geoff Vinton “ We ’ v e ’83, formed traditionally stood for p r o m o t e d a committee these valthe ideals of scholar- ues for over of nine Nu Lamb alumni, ninety years,” ship, leadership, inencompassing Johnston said. tegrity, accountability, “Number one classes from 1964 to 1985, fellowship and broth- is scholarship. who desired You’re here erhood. to see their to be a stufraternity redent first, so claim its place on we expect you to campus. be an outstanding “Historically, Nu Lambda Phi student.” has had a reputation of being the However, this rebirth was neileadership fraternity,” Johnston ther a case of the administration said, “There were Nu Lambs in appointing a block class nor of nearly every organization on the alumni cherry-picking men campus, often in roles of leader- from the student body. Sophoship. We would like to see that more Alex Hurst explained that again.” he and three other students actuJohnston explained that the ally approached members of the

News

Life

E!

Perspectives

Sports

Grove City thespians represent the College at the Kennedy Center Festival.

Pg. 2

A little party never killed nobody at the Ganza.

Read more on Pg. 3

American Horror Story: Coven bewitches viewers.

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We have the cure for Bieber fever.

Pg. 9

Get the lowdown on what’s happening in Sochi this week.

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The Collegian

Page 2

Students make final cut Louis Petolicchio Staff Writer After delivering a powerful presentation of the musical “Les Misérables” this past fall, Grove City College flexed its theatrical muscle once again over intersession, this time at the regional Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

A number of students from the College were able to attend and compete in contests, with junior Ethan Mitchell and Stephen Horst ’13 competing in the Irene Ryan Acting Competition.

Hosted by the West Chester University from Jan. 14-18 in West Chester, PA, the festival’s acting competition had over 200 competitors in the first round.

Only 32 individuals were selected to move on to the semi-finals.

Both Horst and Mitchell, along with their respective scene partners, juniors Evan Burns and Mike Vogel, made the cut.

Mitchell and partner Vogel actually progressed to the final 16, where, although he did not advance further, Mitchell won the Voice and Speech Award.

“We did not expect that level of success,” Mitchell said. “Now the prize with the award was a purple yoga mat. I wasn’t sure what to make of that. But, [our success] really does speak volumes of the work that Professor Craig, Dr. Dixon, Dan Wolfe and Cliff Brown have done with us.”

Mats aside, the success of the College students should not be understated. According to Craig, professor of English and theater, the KCACTF is a big part of the collegiate theater world.

“Essentially, it’s the only collegiate theater festival held in the United States, full of workshops

CRIME

from page 1 result of someone borrowing a bike without asking the owner and then leaving it at a different location.

In the past, the College has also had problems with people stealing computer equipment from the Hall of Arts and Letters and the Technological Learning Center, but since the enactment of card access hours to those buildings, such thefts have been greatly reduced. Campus Safety members are looking at extending these policies to other parts of campus as well.

Another key figure from the report is the number of sexual assaults reported on campus.

While many campuses struggle with this crime, the College

Career Services continues to excel Jacob Sziráky Staff Writer

COURTESY ASHLEY WHITE BROTHERS

Juniors Ethan Mitchell (left) and Mike Vogel advanced to the final 16 in January’s theater festival at West Chester University. and training sessions for students and faculty in all areas of theater production,” Craig explained.

“It’s broken up into eight regions, and all the schools compete on an equal footing, large and small.”

While Craig was not present for the initial days of the festival, she drove through the night to help the students prepare their pieces when she learned of their acceptance into the semi-finals.

According to Mitchell, the two pieces he and Vogel presented to get into the final 16 were Neil Simon’s “Star Spangled Girl” and an excerpt from Shakespeare’s “Othello.”

Both Craig and Mitchell expressed pleasure at seeing the College, a tiny college which only offers a theater minor, hold its own against massive universities that have entire schools for the subject.

“While we have only been going since 2009, this is not the

first time Grove City students have done very well at this festival, despite the fact we don’t have an official major,” Craig said.

She added that she was extremely proud of the theater department as a whole.

Mitchell echoed these sentiments, declaring that the College has something very special in its theater program.

“The friendships and memories you make there are long lasting, and I could not imagine myself having never been involved,” Mitchell said.

While he does not know how involved he will be in theater after graduating, he said it has had a great impact on him. He does not know if he will go to the festival again, but likes to think that he would if given the opportunity.

seems largely free of this problem, with the last reported sexual assault occurring in 2010.

However, Van Til believes that the numbers do not tell the entire story.

“We know that with a lot of sexual assaults, the reporting rate is very low,” he said. “Statistically, Christian colleges in blind studies don’t really have much difference from public areas, so we certainly encourage reporting of anything like that.”

Above all, Van Til emphasizes community participation in ensuring a safe and secure campus.

“One of the biggest things that makes Grove City College as much of a community as it is is people being involved; people reporting what they see is out of the ordinary,” he said.

NU LAMBS from page 1

the Association.”

The initiative displayed by the new pledges impressed the NLPAA greatly, and they are confident they made the right choice with their bids.

“These guys have already done a remarkable job, taking major leadership roles in reclaiming the reputation of the old fraternity,”Vinton said.

Vinton added that he has high hopes for his new brothers.

Notably recognizable Nu Lamb alumni include David Rathburn ’79, the current chairman of the board of Grove City College, and Lee Wishing ’83, the administrative director of the Center for Vision and Values, the College’s think tank.

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Feb. 7, 2014

Grove City College continues to impress in the realm of academia. The latest statistics from the Career Services Office claim that in the last six months, Grove City alumni have had a 96 percent placement rate, which means that 96 percent of the class of 2013 have gone on to either graduate school or have found employment.

Dr. James Thrasher, director of Career Services, had a lot to say about this great feat. The 96 percent is most certainly an important number, but perhaps it is not the only number that deserves attention. The time frame and the response rate are equally impressive.

“The bench mark has always been six months for colleges to calculate that number,” Thrasher said. He added that other colleges have been moving the time frame back from six months to nine or 12 months. The College has continued to stay true to the six month tradition.

Another important factor is the communication between the College and its alumni. Other colleges receive only 30 to 40 percent responses to their surveys. The College is, once again, the exception, not the rule.

“We are in 95 percent response with the class of 2013.

We know where they are and we know what they are doing,” Thrasher said. “We are anxious to know where they are for the students who are continuing to look for assistance.”

What is the secret of the These men are among other Nu Lamb alums who wish to see the fraternity return to its position of integrity from yesteryear.

Since there are no prior actives on campus any longer, the rush and pledge process is being overseen by the alumni association, a decision that, along with their counter-traditional decision to have their pledges wear active colors all week, has raised a lot of eyebrows among the Greek community.

In spite of the displeasure from various Greek groups, Johnston reinforced the fact that the NLPAA has been following an administration-approved process, and that they have no intention of controlling the fraternity after their new brothers finish pledge.

“Once these men become actives, it’s their fraternity,” John-

CSO’s success? Thrasher gives credit to both the faculty at the CSO and the students on campus. He accredits the faculty because he believes that they are all doing what they are called to do

by God. “If we weren’t excelling in our calling in the Career Services Office, I don’t think students would be as excited,” Thrasher said.

Thrasher believes that because the members of the office are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic, the students respond better.

“I’m excited that I am a part of an office like that,” he said.

He went on to say that students believe that God made them special and that He has a plan for who they are and what they can do in the world. Having faith in God’s plan gives students the confidence they need in order to do well.

“I think our students are really excited that God has uniquely created them and they have a certain set of transferable skills,” he said.

However, working hard at the College is not always enough, and to Thrasher’s displeasure, a lot of students do not take advantage of the CSO’s services.

“Students who wait till the eighth semester are going to have a hard time in the marketplace.” he said.

Thrasher encourages students to get involved with the CSO early because career planning is an important, four-year process. ston said. “The Alumni Association isn’t going to be running the show; it’s up to them. They share our values and traditions, but it’s up to them to keep building.”

Nu Lamb alumni have placed a great deal of expectation and responsibility

in

their

new

pledges, but they are confident that they have chosen the right men for the job.

“These guys are incredibly close already, and have accomplished so much,” Johnston said.

“They have the same goals and expectations the fraternity has had for 90 years, and we hope they will continue to embody that vision.”

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Claire E. Healey Dan Johnson Josh Evans Stephanie Pitman, Cristina Totten Grayson Quay, Katie Koller Kyle Burko, Esther Hoyt Ian Mikrut, Jessica Smith Chelsea Tarolli Andrew Eissen, Catherine Fitzhugh, Megan Hays, Holly Spofford, Michayla Wicker Megan Baak, Zoë Gowen, Kara Halin, Ryan Hampton, Brad Hummel, Mark Mariani, Louis Petolicchio, Breanna Renkin, Paul St. Jean, Jacob Sziráky Marissa Candiloro Caroline Bennett Sarah Logie Nathan Bergey, Oliver Kent, Kirsten Malenke Erika Bastian Michael Trombly Kara Halin, Emily Hicks Victoria VanBuskirk Nick Hildebrand

Feb. 7, 2014

Senior Spotlights

Life

Tri-Rho Ganza keeps it classy

Stephanie Pitman Life Editor

As May 17 approaches and the time comes to say goodbye to the Class of 2014, seniors are inclined to look back on their college years to reminisce upon fond memories and to reflect on their lives.These seniors have undergone four years of “rigorous academics” and will soon have a prestigious degree to prove it.

The following interviews provide a taste of what a few current seniors have grown to love about Grove City College and what they have learned in preparation for life after their college career.

Name: Roy Schleiden Major: Finance Hometown: Kansas City, MO Favorite memory of college: “A junior year fishing trip with my roommates.”

Favorite part about the College: “Definitely interacting with Campus Safety.”

An important lesson learned: “Your undergraduate degree doesn’t decide what field you have to work in, so pick the job you want after graduation and go for it.”

Favorite professor: Dr. Dalletezze Favorite class: Search Engine Optimization with Dr. Sweet Name: Nathan Kingsley Major: Biblical and Religious Studies Hometown: Cincinnati, OH Favorite memory of college: “80s music dance parties on my freshman hall.”

Favorite part about the College: “The professors; very approachable, easy to talk to and extremely wise.”

An important lesson learned: “No matter how hard you try, you will always fail at some point in your life. “ Favorite professor: “Dr. Kemeny – definitely the best professor to study abroad with!”

Favorite class: Theology of Spiritual Life with Dr. Bibza

Regina Riel Contributing Writer The Tri-Rho housing group threw the famous 29th annual Extravaganza Dance on Friday night, sponsored by the Student Government Association.

What makes the Ganza unique is the fact that it is hosted in Hicks Dining Hall. Every year, the Rhos spend their Friday afternoon transforming the cafeteria into a club-like atmosphere, complete with lounge seats bordering the dance floor and a bar with non-alcoholic “mock-tails” and mini cheesecake bites.

The group brought back many crowd favorites, including a photo booth, balloons and confetti. However, they also implemented some changes.

For example, the coat check system was changed from previous years. Rather than distributing tickets, sophomore John Hermesmann took each guest’s name. There was no chance of

Although he is perhaps best remembered as the president of Princeton University, Harold Willis Dodds’ roots lie deep in Grove City College.

Dodds was born on June 28, 1889 in Utica, PA. His father was both a Presbyterian minister and a Bible professor at the College. Due to his father’s position, Dodds spent a lot of time at the College and graduated from the institution in 1909.

After graduation, Dodds spent two years teaching in the public school system. However, he also continued his studies, earning a master’s degree in politics at Princeton University, followed by a Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dodds put his degrees to good use during World War

the other half at the DJ booth.

He enjoyed both roles and was even able to unleash his dance moves as a DJ. “Martin Lammers was off the chain. The ceiling literally could not hold him,” sophomore Jessica Smith said.

Some dancegoers were disappointed with the music choices this year.

“The music could have been better,” sophomore Carrie Anderson said.

However, there were some restrictions on music selection.

The songs needed to be clean, non-offensive versions. The music was a mix of current popular songs and classics from years past.

“Some of the restrictions deter us from playing certain hardcore rap songs. Despite the music being more pop, I still think it was very successful,” Lammers said.

With the 30th annual Ganza next year, the campus community is eager to see what the Rhos will do next.

Zoë Gowen Staff Writer

Did you know?

Staff Writer

losing a ticket, because when leaving, each person simply gave his name to receive his coat.

In addition, the Rhos were diligent about upholding Grove City College’s Christian principles at the dance. Prior to the Ganza, Rho vice president, junior Timothy Waldy, sent out a campus-wide email reminding students of the College’s policy of zero tolerance for on-campus consumption of alcohol and public intoxication.

“The Rhos reserve the right to deny entry to any individual or to remove anyone already admitted to the Ganza, if we deem that they are detracting from other attendees’ positive experiences,”Waldy wrote in the email.

The Rhos worked very hard to keep the dance classy. Martin Lammers, a sophomore Rho, explained how the underclassmen run the dance while the senior Rhos have their chance to enjoy the party.

Lammers spent half the night working at the mock-tail bar and

Grove City Arts Council to open community art gallery

While students of Grove City College were enjoying a long Name: Laurel Skorup winter break, members of the Major: Elementary Education and Grove City Arts Council were Special Education hard at work fundraising for the Hometown: Sandwich, IL purchase of the community’s Favorite memory of college: first art gallery. After three long “I am part of the cross country team months, their hard work has paid … and that in itself comes with off. many favorite memories. I loved On Feb. 8, the Arts committee winning PACs for the 25th year in will be hosting an open house at a row my senior year.” their new building at 222 South Favorite part about the College: Broad Street. In celebration of “The relationships you make here this event, the Grove City Arts are unlike any you’ll ever be around again. They are long-lasting Council has released a public inand built on a solid foundation. I loved that I could be a part of this vitation for an informal evening “bubble” for four years because it gave me time to mature and grow of music, light hors d’oeuvres in Christ.” and art from 7-10 p.m.

An important lesson learned: “Everyone has a story, and there“We have been sponsoring fore no one should be excused from showing them love.” arts events and a summer camp Favorite professor: Dr. Nichols and Dr. Genareo. for the past few years in variFavorite class: “I loved Behavioral Interventions. It is a class I feel ous locations around town, even like all educators and anyone who wants to be a parent should take.” putting on a play in the attic of the Yates’ garage on Pine Street,” Name: Sarah White Sarah Irani, local artist and Major: Political Science member of the Grove City Arts Hometown: Vancouver, British Council, said.

Columbia “Grove City Arts wants to put Favorite memory of college: on a public face so we can better “Watching guys go through pledge engage the community,” she said. every year. That’s always fun.”

“In our own space, exhibitions Favorite part about the Colcan stay up for a longer period of lege: “It’s probably really cliché, time, artists can work and we’ll but the relationships.” have space to put on small theatAn important lesson learned: rical productions.”

“The world is bigger than just us.

The Grove City Arts Council We can’t ignore the rest of the world.” is committed to developing and Favorite class: Intro to Criminal Justice supporting the aspiring talent of Favorite professors: Dr. Kimberly Miller and Dr. Paul Kengor local artists.Through hosting annual community events like the

Breanna Renkin

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COURTESY SARAH HEMPEL IRANI

The Grove City Arts Council opens its doors to the public to continue its commitment of supporting local artists.

Art Walk or the Pine Street Artisan Sale, the Council looks to develop a community’s approach to art. By coordinating classes and art camps throughout the year, artists in the community are able to instill the value of creativity in future generations.

Grace Ellis Barber is a resident artist and a supporter of the Grove City Arts Council. She is a painter and novelist looking forward to the opening of the community gallery.

“People look at art and say, ‘I could never do that,’ meaning they couldn’t imagine being that skilled,” Barber said. “The irony is that learning the skill is the

easy part.The hard part is getting up every day, facing the fear of rejection, failure and irrelevance and making art anyway.”

While the new gallery includes a private studio for artists, it will primarily be used to host community events in celebration of the arts.

“Nothing gives a person more courage and hope than being surrounded by other people fighting the same battles and winning,” Barber said. “I can’t wait for that. Artists need their own space and time to make art but they also need support and encouragement, especially from other artists.”

Notable Alumnus

I while working in the U.S. Food Administration. Later, he became the secretary of the National Municipal League and remained in this position until 1928.

Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes appointed Dodds to fix electoral problems in Latin America.

While there, Dodd became heavily involved in the Nicaraguan elections.

He not only helped to draft the Nicaraguan Electoral Law of 1913 but also supervised the election in 1928.

His efforts also included arranging a plebiscite that settled a conflict between Chile and Peru.

In 1925, Dodds became a part of the Princeton University faculty as a professor of politics. However, he did not become a full-time professor until 1927.

Dodds became chairman of the School of Public Affairs (now the Woodrow Wilson School) in 1930, where he recommended changes for the government of New Jersey, which were subsequently implemented.

Dodds became the president of Princeton University in 1933. His presidency faced extreme difficulties since he served as the school’s president during the Great Depression, World War II and the Korean War. Despite these hard times, Princeton flourished under Dodds’ reign. Dodds established the practice of ‘annual giving,’ which became a huge source of income for the school. He also created an accelerated program for soldiers heading off to war.

Princeton even expanded under his presidency with a new gymnasium, more dormitories, a new library and the acquisition of the Forrestal campus. Dodds also helped to strengthen Princeton’s academic programs, an achievement that was perhaps influenced by his passion for rigorous academics that he attained from his alma mater.

Life

Page 4

Elizabeth Manley

Greek Unity Week

Feb. 7, 2014

Contributing Writer During Greek Unity Week, when sororities take part in two weeks of meetings and activities while the fraternities take part in one, independent students often keep their eyes peeled for anything funny or exciting to take place.

One of the most well-known events occurs when the new members of the Omicron Xi fraternity have to help each other move across campus while they live for a day as either blind, mute or paraplegic. The pledges are forced to help one another to get through their day, relying solely on their new brothers.

“Greek unity week is literally our favorite time of the year.

There is no better feeling than bringing 12 new guys into our fraternity,” junior Omicron Xi member Stu Broughner said.

“Watching guys who are strangers at the beginning of the week become life-long friends is what makes Greek Unity Week so incredible.”

Most importantly, the week

Greek Unity Week is a time filled with traditions that welcome new members to the Greek community. is used to honor traditions and create bonds between the newest men or women joining the group. Many of the activities held during Greek Unity Week have a special purpose to their group and have been occurring for decades.

“Teaching traditions and facts about my sorority to the new girls helps them to understand

Things 2 Do Saturday, Feb. 8

Mathcounts 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. HAL and Hoyt Hall

Tuesday, Feb. 11 Disciple-Making 4 – 5 p.m. Sticht Lecture Hall West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine Presentation 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. HAL – Room 105 Career Services Workshop 7 – 8 p.m. HAL – Room 110 Freedom Readers 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Old MAP

Wednesday, Feb. 12 Study Abroad Fair 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. HAL Atrium

Thursday, Feb. 13 Date with the Doctors 5 – 7 p.m. MAP Café Office of International Education and Diversity Film Festival 7 – 9:30 p.m. Sticht Lecture Hall “Red” and “Dancing with Lughnasa” 7:30 – 10 p.m. PFAC Ketler Auditorium

why it is such a sacred sisterhood and how blessed they are to be a part of it,” junior Sigma Theta Chi sister Halle Morgan said. “I would never feel as comfortable and vulnerable with my pledge sisters as I do now if I had not gone through Greek Unity Week.”

Despite the strange events happening across campus, chaos does not usually occur in the classroom.

“Students are very good about keeping to appropriate classroom behavior and even if they are dressed strangely, I haven’t no-

ticed it as a distraction at all,” Dr. Kimberly Miller, assistant professor of communications studies, said.“I suppose that speaks to the level of our students overall and their respect for the classroom, their own education, as well as the education of others.”

Even though students have to deal with abnormally busy schedules outside of the classroom, they seem to know to respect their professors and acknowledge that education comes first.

Greek Unity Week has been a long College tradition and is

COURTESY MEGAN ROSSI

something that has brought entertainment to most of campus.

Campus sororities and fraternities are given the opportunity to come together to represent their respective groups and to bring in new members in fun and interesting ways.

Whether it is wearing carrots and silly name tags, singing in the Hall of Arts and Letters, or having a fashion show in the Breen Student Union, Greek Unity Week is never without a dull moment.

Feb. 7, 2014

Entertainment

Page 5

Frozen melts hearts Regina Riel

Contributing Writer “Frozen” is Disney’s latest animated film which tells the story of not one, but two Disney princesses. Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel) is the older sister who is plagued by the curse of freezing everything at her touch. Anna (voice of Kristen Bell), is her optimistic younger sister who seeks love and adventure.

Elsa is cold – almost as chilly as Grove City’s weather – and represents a young girl learning to love herself. In contrast, Anna is a doe-eyed young girl learning harsh realities of the world, while recognizing her individual qualities and value.

“Frozen” manages to capture the classic spirit of Disney in a new heartwarming tale.The film is comparable to charming favorites such as “Snow White” and “Cinderella.” “Frozen” is loosely based on “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen, taking all the magic of classical romance and adding genuine and relatable humor. The heroines speak as if they are modern day teenagers rather than outdated Scandinavian princesses.

In addition to the excellent filming, the soundtrack of this movie is comprised of such catchy songs that it beat Beyoncé’s self-titled release for the first spot on the Billboard charts.

Students around campus have already heard a bevy of their peers singing, “Do you want to build a snowman?” Such music captures the magic in the film.

Aside from the movie’s humor and catchy tunes, “Frozen” develops important life-long lessons for children in an industry where such teachings are not always the case.

The typical Disney villain is not seen in this movie. Rather, the antagonist is actually Elsa’s control over her curse. She causes most of the conflict, yet she is not a bad person.

Interestingly, the character in Andersen’s original fairy-tale was an evil witch.

However, the inclusion of such a character is too predictable for this modern-day film.

Instead, Elsa is just a troubled girl trying to come to terms with who she is.

The film is relatable with its strained family dynamics that force the sisters to grow apart

from one another.

The desire to be loved is universally understood and connects with many audience members.

Beyond friendship, some students can likely relate to Anna’s desire for romance. Anna meets a prince and decides to marry him that same night.

However, the story is not a typical one in which a princess is saved by her knight-in-shining armor. Instead, it is a story that values sisterhood and female

e m p owe r m e n t over the clichéd happily-ever-after.

One of the most relatable parts of this movie is Elsa’s struggle with herself.

In her moving song, “Let It Go,” she sings about trying to hide her true self and declares that she cannot hide anymore.

Through this message, viewers are reminded that everyone is valued and that there is freedom in accepting one’s imper-

‘Lone Survivor’ a gripping tale of brotherhood tors to rescue them, but before they can land, a rocket propelled grenade strikes their helicopter, killing everyone on board.

Luttrell’s team kills many of the Taliban fighters, but soon Luttrell is the only one left. He manages to escape and is found close to death by an Afghani villager named Gulab, who has no love for the Taliban. After some internal debate, the village takes him in and tends to his wounds.

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rock with bone and bullets with

hospitality.

or letting them go and risking

flesh overwhelm the senses and

that they might alert the Taliban.

bring a visceral feel to the film.

This film will hit you like a punch in the gut.

In Luttrell’s final voiceover, he says that a part of him died

“Lone Survivor” is a war

After a brief and impassioned

The opening credits of the

on that mountain, which might

movie in a smaller package than

debate, Luttrell orders that the

film play over footage of actual

sound cliché unless viewers

audiences generally expect. For

captives be released.

Navy SEAL training. In the first

watch a news interview with the real Luttrell.

most of the film, viewers follow

Communication breaks down

shot, a young man sits in a boat,

a team of four Navy SEALs on a

and the SEALs are soon cor-

shaking from cold and exhaus-

“We never felt like we were

reconnaissance mission to locate

nered high on the mountain

tion. Clearly, he has been pushed

hopelessly lost,” he said. “We

a Taliban leader. The team con-

with a large force of Taliban

to the limit.

kept fighting until we were ac-

sists of Michael Murphey (Tay-

fighters closing in. They are out-

lor Kitsch), Danny Dietz (Emile

numbered and outflanked dur-

over him, asking over and over

Yet he is not dead.

Hirsch), Matt ‘Axe’ Axelson (Ben

ing the next hour of the movie,

“What’s six times three?” It takes

“We were lucky, I mean, I was

Foster) and the titular lone sur-

which is pure carnage.

the SEAL candidate, who could

A

drill

instructor

stands

tually dead.”

lucky,” Luttrell said.

For an hour, audiences watch

not be much older than the av-

Although Luttrell did not

four men being shot to pieces.

erage college student, several

die, he groups himself with his

The opening scene of the

Dietz has several fingers blown

seconds to remember.

brothers-in-arms who did. Their

film ensues, following a group

off. According to his autopsy, he

Similarly, Luttrell and his

sense of brotherhood is so pro-

of Navy SEALs through a typi-

was shot 11 times. The SEALs

team are required not only to

found that Luttrell truly and

cal day on base. After a briefing

scream and grunt with pain but

keep fighting, but to keep a firm

deeply believes that part of him

with Commander Kristensen

continue to fight. They are cor-

grip on the situation while they

died with his teammates and

(Eric Bana), they are off on their

nered at the top of a cliff several

do so. In the face of shock and

part of them lives on in him.

mission.

times and forced to jump 20

blood loss, they constantly assess

The film ends with a lengthy

Things go according to plan

feet or more, tumbling down

the situation and adjust their tac-

and sentimental tribute to the

until three young shepherds,

the mountainside, colliding with

tics. Murphy, having already tak-

brave men who sacrificed their

including one boy – all Taliban

rocks and tree trunks.

en several bullets, forsakes cover

lives during the operation for

vivor Marcus Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg).

sympathizers but unarmed –

The lengthy sequence also

in order to radio for help. Kris-

the sake of the lives of others.

stumble upon the SEALs’ posi-

shows off the film’s Oscar-nom-

tensen quickly rallies a force of

“Lone Survivor,” like the men

tion. They have to choose be-

inated sound work. Ricocheting

SEALs and Army Special Opera-

whose story it tells, has earned it.

fections.

One difficulty in approaching the film is that many people may watch it with expectations that are too high.

Especially for “Tangled” fanatics, the film may not live up to overblown expectations, but for any Grove City College students who have not been traumatized by the recent cold weather, “Frozen” is a magical experience. The cold never bothered me anyway.

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Hoffman dead of apparent overdose Grayson Quay Entertainment Editor T h i s Sunday, actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his Manhattan apartment BIOGRAPHY.COM of an apparent heroin overdose.

Hoffman won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2005 for his performance as the titular author in “Capote,” and scored nominations for his roles in “The Master” (2012), “Doubt” (2008) and “Charlie Wilson’s War” (2007).

Hoffman’s other notable roles include a strikingly good turn as an action movie villain in “Mission Impossible 3” (2006) and a comically deferential butler in “The Big Lebowski” (1998).

In addition to film, Hoffman also had a successful career as a stage actor, most notably playing Willy Loman in a Broadway revival of “Death of a Salesman.”

Hoffman also played Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” bringing his immense talent to a role that could have easily been forgettable.

According to TheWrap.com, Hoffman had only seven days of filming left for Heavensbee’s appearance in the final two films in the series, entitled “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay” parts one and two. The studio has no plans to reshoot his scenes with another actor and he will still appear in both films, but the filmmakers will need to find some way to work around his incomplete role.

Page 6

Through the Lens

Greek Unity Week

Feb. 7, 2014

Feb. 7, 2014

Through the Lens

Greek Unity Week (formerly known as “Pledge Week”) unites fraternities and sororities throughout campus in Greek chapel and a number of other events, pictured here.

COURTESY MEGAN ROSSI AND ALLIE HULL/THE COLLEGIAN

Page 7

Entertainment

Page 8

Feb. 7, 2014

American Horror Story Hauntings, asylums and witches

Pick of the Week

Kara Halin Staff Writer Horror is a genre that does not typically earn much time on the television screen. Shows like “The Walking Dead” and “True Blood” share elements of the genre and have seen success, but FX’s “American Horror Story” commits itself to the horror genre and has garnered much interest in doing so.

“American Horror Story” is a mini-series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk.

Murphy and Falchuk are also the creators of “Glee,” a television show with a vastly different tone than “American Horror Story.”

Each season of the mini-series is a self-contained story with a unique situation and cast of characters.

The first season, subtitled “Murder House,” portrays a family who moves into a haunted house, while the second season, “American Horror Story: Asylum,” explores the corruption and intrigue that confront both patients and administrators within an insane asylum.

The show’s third and mostwatched season, “American Horror Story: Coven,” ended on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The third season revolves around a coven of witches at Miss Robichaux’s Academy in New Orleans.

The Academy, run by Cordelia Foxx (Sarah Paulson), serves as a home for girls of the coven.

Four girls currently live at the Academy.

Most of the conflict in the coven comes from the struggle to determine the identity of the next “Supreme,” or the most powerful witch. Jessica Lange, who has given standout performances in each of the three seasons, plays Fiona Goode, the current Supreme and Cordelia’s mother.

The Supreme gains her title by possessing the power to perform all of the “Seven Wonders” of witchcraft.

As Fiona’s successor begins to gain power, Fiona becomes weak.

Her battle to take down the next Supreme and to stay in power serves as the plotline throughout the season. Other plotlines that are less emphasized include the

Safe and Sound

Claire McCray WSAJ Contributor

IBTIMES.COM

coven’s feud with another group of witches in New Orleans, a witch hunter who is tasked with taking down the coven and the ghost of a serial killer that is freed at the Academy.

As the season progresses, conflict mounts and the witches of Miss Robichaux’s Academy struggle to fight for their lives and to protect the other members of the coven.

The season’s finale crowns the coven’s new Supreme. The final episode, which highlights the powers of each girl in the Academy, brings the mini-series to a close, but it leaves many viewers unsatisfied with the character development in the series.

Throughout the season, many characters are introduced but never encountered again, while others seem to serve little to no

purpose in advancing the plot.

For the most part, the cast stays the same from season to season, although the returning actors play vastly different characters in each season.

Evan Peters, who rose to fame in the show’s first season, returned for the second and third.

Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson and Lily Rabe have also held roles in all three seasons.

Kathy Bates, most recognized from her role in “Misery,” plays a significant role in “Coven” as Delphine LaLaurie. Delphine is a racist slave killer cursed with immortality.

Fiona frees her from being buried alive as a way of bothering Marie Laveau, a voodoo priestess of the rival coven. Stevie Nicks, frontwoman of Fleetwood Mac, also makes guest ap-

pearances on “Coven.”

Many viewers criticize the attitude the show adopts in depicting sensitive issues such as race, gender and sexuality. “Coven” has received criticism specifically regarding the show’s treatment of its female characters, the stereotypical portrayal of its black characters and the racist behavior of Delphine.

Amid these complaints, “Coven” saw its highest viewership of its three seasons.

With twists and turns along the way, “American Horror Story” keeps its viewer on edge.

Though fans of the show must wait until fall for a new season, “Murder House” and “Asylum” are currently streaming on Netflix.

‘Fading West’ takes a secular turn Courtney Justice Contributing Writer

The Christian alternativerock surfer boys have made a comeback and are ready to blow listeners away with the newest album from Switchfoot, “Fading West.” The California-native rockers are ready to show their listeners that they are still the same band, but with a new twist in alternative style.

The album was released on Jan. 14, 2014 with the hit single “Who We Are,” which was released in the band’s 2013 EP. In addition to the full album with 11 new songs, Switchfoot has released a documentary about the making of its new album that also includes clips from the band’s latest tour and the inspiration behind its unique sound.

According to Switchfoot.com, the band defines its journey of creating this attention-grabbing album as a “soul-stirring look at the long-beloved band, faced with the daunting question of what’s next – then finding the answer both out on the road and in their own backyard.”

The focus of this album is not only about maintaining an

adventure-seeking spirit, but also about remembering that one’s roots may be exactly where he belongs.

“Fading West” is full of loud,

teners to stand out and make a difference in the world of conformity with lyrics like, “Every day you’re alive, you change the world,” and, “What you say is

THELIBERTYINC.COM

upbeat tracks that beg listeners to sing along. The opening song to the album, titled “Love Alone is Worth the Fight,” is catchy and explores the album’s dominant theme of finding a sense of belonging in a world of opportunities.

The most compelling song that speaks to Switchfoot’s identity as a band is “The World You Want.” This song encourages lis-

your religion, how you say it’s your religion.”

Although some people may think that Switchfoot’s music is becoming more secular rather than overtly religious, Christians should accept it as a refreshing take on media consumption and the definition of Christian music.

Lead singer Jon Foreman admits that Switchfoot’s main pre-

rogative is not to sing Christian songs.

“Christ didn’t come and die for my songs, He came for me,” he said. “Yes. My songs are a part of my life. But judging from Scripture I can only conclude that our God is much more interested in how I treat the poor and the broken and the hungry than the personal pronouns I use when I sing.”

Switchfoot’s thought-provoking tracks may indicate a tour in the near future. The Fading West Tour begins this month on the west coast, and will be hitting Philadelphia and Stroudsburg, PA in late March.

At the end of Switchfoot’s documentary for its new album, Foreman expresses his thoughts about the band, its music and the band’s philosophy in making music.

“If these songs can bring hope to someone else the way that music has brought hope to me, that’s an incredible opportunity,” he said. “So at the end of it all, I want our songs to be the songs that brought people though the hard times, challenged them to ask the big questions and open the windows and the doors of the soul to look at a story bigger than ourselves.”

Capital Cities’ runaway hit, “Safe and Sound,” has been a popular hit on the radio, at dance parties and even on television commercials in the last month. The band has been around since 2008, but it only recently achieved fame with “Safe and Sound,” which ranked in the number one spot on the Alternative Songs chart in August 2013.

Since then, the band’s music has been used in several commercials and the group has begun touring with Katy Perry. While “Safe and Sound” is the standout single from Capital Cities’ first studio album, “In a Tidal Wave of Mystery,” the band offers much more and has even produced an indie-rock album.

Further into the album are the musical gems of “Farrah Fawcett Hair (featuring Andre 3000),” “Origami” and “Tell Me How to Live.” If the voice in the beginning of “Farrah Fawcett Hair” sounds familiar, it is because Frank Tavares, the voice of NPR’s funding credits, opens the track and allows the beginning of the song to build an electronic hook.

Tavares’ narration continues throughout the song, providing an unusual base that sticks in the listener’s mind well after the song is finished.

“Farrah Fawcett Hair” is a modern twist of Hammerstein’s “My Favorite Things;” the lyrics are essentially the band members describing people, places and things that they consider “good s***.”

Andre 3000’s lyric adds to the theme of the song, which breaks into audio clips of fans describing their favorite things. As a result of its different elements, “Farrah Fawcett Hair” establishes a sense of community with only a few electronic lines and lists of appealing objects.

“Origami” is a track composed of tightly woven synths and vocal effects. The repeated word, “origami,” over a kick snare drum track creates an airy feeling while the lyrics ground the track in reality, including lines like, “You got a head full of paper, but baby nothing like origami/ Shredded thoughts and makeup won’t make up for the missing piece of mind/ I saw you look in the mirror, the scenery was suddenly boring.”

“Tell Me How to Live” has a more blues-y vibe than the other tracks on the album. The lyric structure is simple compared to the other tracks, but what the song lacks in lyrics it makes up for with a breezy vibe and subtle hints of an anthem.

Capital Cities is much more than a one-hit wonder.

The complexity of its album and the layers of sound are evidence of a mature band on its way to even greater success in the future.

Perspectives

Feb. 7, 2014

The medium is the message Mark Mariani Staff Writer At its introduction into society, the photograph provided a stimulating sensation of thoughts and opportunity previously untapped by mankind. The prospect of gazing upon a piece of developed film and seeing a real-life representation of oneself, one’s experiences or one’s loved ones drove the Western world into a frenzy of excitement.

Little did mankind know that it would subliminally craze his nervous system and drastically alter the manner by which he perceives information. “A picture is worth a thousand words,” as they say. But I would amend that phrase to suggest that a picture is just another hypnotist that, to mankind’s general ignorance, has re-structured the manner by which he thinks.

Put simply, it is my conviction that most people do not think critically about the differences between the natures of media, nor the manners by which they mold the human brain.

Regarding the nature of media, one might think of the vast contrast between the aforementioned photograph, which can splash information upon one’s mind instantaneously, and a news story, which requires a considerably greater amount of time to digest. In comparison, the photograph is quick, easy and accessible against the written word, which takes long periods of time to think through, write down and edit for errors.

Regarding the manners by which media molds the human brain, one might consider proofs of examples and brain research.

For example, if a runner trains himself to run at a nine-minute pace, he will certainly not be able to keep up with a consistent five-minute pace.

In the same way, if one continually exposes his central nervous system to quick and easy stimuli, such as photographs, it follows logically that he will have difficulty pacing his mind for slower tasks that require sustained attention, such as reading or writing.

But this article would proceed from the aforementioned natures and effects of media to consider their impact upon Grove City

College students particularly, and mankind in general. Concerning college students, fast-paced media has disastrous effects on the student who cannot concentrate on a book for more than 20 minutes without putting it down, checking Facebook or texting a friend.

To his general ignorance, this student is daily bombarded, and subsequently subdued, by medium that are quietly yet directly responsible for shaping his neu-

the manner through which information is channeled directly shapes the thoughts of the participant.

To remember the example of the photograph: the person who continually receives information through bursts of images, videos and the like is objectively less fit to concentrate on a sustained reading assignment than the one who regularly conditions his mind to this task.

WIKICOMMONS

rological framework. This phenomenon can be explained by cause and effect: if the student is used to receiving his information in fast-paced formats, he then will be less capable of concentrating on class assignments that demand his sustained, methodical attention.

But for mankind in general, a larger problem is exposed. To quote media ecologist Marshall McLuhan, “the medium is the message.”The impact here is that mankind is ignorant of this observation, and consequently subjects his mind to invisible alien influences.

To encounter a potential objection, it would seem simply naïve to contend that informational mediums – such as the photograph, printed newspaper or videos – are tools that respond to the higher intellect of their human masters. Rather, it is most reasonable to assert that

Some people might consider these cause-and-effect relationships yet still be indifferent to them. To that audience, this writer implores that it would but contemplate the manner by which even this printed article forces one to enter a train of logic, passing from sentence to sentence in a sequential format made possible by the medium of the phonetic alphabet, grammar and the printing press.

Every type of media affects the structure of the human brain, and the more one realizes this, the more one can be proactive in filtering which medium he would or would not like to accept into his daily lifestyle.

If one is interested in the brain research that supports this argument, Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows: What the Internet is doing to our Brains presents the information in a compelling and understandable fashion.

Page 9

Editorial

Get over Bieber The dangers of sensationalizing celebrities

Claire E. Healey Editor-in-Chief Last week, news of Justin Bieber’s arrest in Miami exploded in all national media.

According to police documents, the 19-year-old pop singer was under the influence of marijuana, alcohol and Xanax when police stopped him for allegedly drag racing in a Lamborghini on a residential street.

Bieber’s meteoric rise to stardom now appears to be tainted by his recent antics. In addition to the drag racing incident, the “teenie bopper” heartthrob also faces assault charges for striking his limousine driver several times in the back of the head.

Authorities also made an investigation about a reported egg-throwing incident in the Bieber’s neighborhood that may have involved the young celebrity.

A petition to the White House calling for the singer’s deportation to Canada now has over 236,000 signatures, far surpassing the minimum 100,000 signatures required to elicit a response from the administration. White House press secretary Jay Carney expects this response to come “relatively soon.”

As developments in this Bieber drama continue to unfold, we find ourselves asking the same question as countless other Americans: why do the singer’s questionable life choices keep dominating the national media? Here are a few reasons why the famous teenager’s antics shouldn’t be surprising, as well as the lessons we can take away from this unfortunately sensational news story.

Celebrities are people, like anyone else. Stars are humans and just as prone to mistakes as you and me. This face certainly does not excuse Bieber’s behavior, which appears to merit professional help and a serious dose of humility, but he’s definitely not the first 19-year-old boy to throw away rationality and get in trouble with the law. Despite the constant headlines documenting his every move, Bieber is no anomaly.

Stars who make it big can mess up big. The mon-

ey, attention and life of privilege that celebrities have when they hit it big can often go to their heads. They often think, as Bieber seems to, that they are above the law and can treat other people in a demeaning fashion.

Bieber’s young, immediate success should have been a warning bell that his young adult years would be tumultuous. With all this time in the spotlight, it’s no wonder he thinks that he can get away with breaking the law. He’s certainly not the first star to think so, so why does the media seem so shocked?

Be careful who you admire. Many of us have that one actor, musician or professional sports player that we simply adore. Kate Middleton’s impeccable fashion sense and seemingly charmed life as a British princess have mesmerized us for years.

However, it’s not a good idea to put anyone - even a princess - on a pedestal. Rising celebrities that initially seem like girland-boy-next-door types may appear to be good role models for young people, but it’s important to remember that we really don’t know much about their lives and personalities at all – their real characters might not be worth any admiration.

Our time is better served following news stories that have greater effects on the public. While Bieber’s poor choices should certainly raise eyebrows and remind us of the dangers of success and an inflated ego, there is no reason that this story should preoccupy so much of our attention through the media. It’s a much better use of our time to place our concerns with the political, social and religious issues in the news that actually affect our day-to-day lives.

As stars like Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Kim Kardashian continue to enrapture the media with their ridiculous cries for attention, remember to keep real issues in perspective.

While it is sometimes fascinating to follow the events of celebrity lives, there’s no reason to waste large amounts of our time actively following the ups and downs of such prominent figures.

More grace, less judgment Kyle Burko Perspectives Editor Have you ever watched someone fall on ice on the sidewalk and told yourself that you wouldn’t have slipped if you were that person? Have you ever seen someone sweat feverishly on an exam and confidently whispered to yourself that you would never have been as lazy as that person?

Or have you ever seen someone explode in anger at a referee’s call or a bad grade and quietly noted that you would never lose control like that? If not, this article is not for you.

Luke 6:37 says, “Judge not

and you will not be judged.”

This principle is one that everyone can understand but that few people put into practice.

Our natural response is to make instantaneous judgments about those around us every day. When meeting a friend, student or professor we decide whether or not the person looks friendly, is attractive, seems to have their life together and a variety of other subconscious determinations – all without thinking about it.

These judgments cannot be guarded against and are part of the unseen thinking about others in which we all participate.

What distinguishes these little judgments from the command

to “judge not” given in the verse above? What distinguishes them from the judgment of the woman caught in adultery in John 8?

These judgments differ because they do not end with the natural instantaneous judgments.

We look at the student, parent or friend and decide that we are better than them.

For instance, think about someone who is suspended from school for reasons of which you are aware.You are tempted to affirm that you are somehow better. You think, “If I were in his shoes, I would have exercised restraint and not done that. I would have recognized my fault and admitted it before things got

out of hand. Maybe I would have gotten away with what he did and not be suspended.”Even at Grove City College, where these kinds of judgments are much less prevalent, they are still pervasive.

Thinking about these kinds of judgments reveals that the one who wrongly judges is declaring to himself that he is better, smarter or more righteous than the other person.

The roots of the judgment tree are the false declarations that our sins are insignificant compared to those of others. We assert that in the other person’s shoes, we would have the sense and ability to succeed where they fail. In a way, we ignore

the struggles and stories of the people we judge. In many ways, we behave based on the way we have been raised and the friends with whom we spend our time.

In judging, we refuse to consider the other person’s unique past and circumstances. We refuse to think of them, and thereby assert our own selfishness.

Sober honesty about oneself is needed to remedy the insidious attitude of judgment to which we can fall prey. It is important to realize that we are on an equal playing field. Our own mistakes are not lesser than those of others. We are all in need of grace each day, no matter how educated or accomplished we are.

Perspectives

Page 10

Feb. 7, 2014

Put down the bullhorn, step away from the soapbox A different look at persuasion

Sarah Zimmerman Contributing Writer Frequently, people get caught up in the idea that good students are “politically correct.”

This idea has reached the point that people are scared to speak up about their ideas because they know the majority will talk them down and disagree. The movement transformed from the polite awareness of needing to correct people’s errors to something on which people pride themselves.

For decades, people have been focused on political correctness.

We fail to realize that what matters more than political correctness is emotional correctness.

Emotional correctness, as defined by columnist Sally Kohn, is tone, the feeling, how we say what we say. It is the respect and compassion we show one another. Persuasion does not begin with ideas, facts or data; persuasion begins with being emotionally correct.

It is really easy to be self-righteous, condescending, dismissive and even rude to anyone who disagrees with one’s worldview.

In other words, people can be politically right in their opinions but emotionally wrong.This idea

extends beyond the classroom and outside of Grove City College to that man with the bull horn on the popular street corner in your city who hands out pamphlets and somehow never runs out of air while spewing tales of fire and brimstone.

Whenever an idea is shoved down people’s throats, they are more likely to reject it and to run away rather than be persuaded by it. It is not the loudest voice that is respected, but the voice that is calm and steady; the voice that isn’t just a voice but a person with a name and face, who cares about more than proving that they are right.

God did not come to Elijah in the earthquake, the rushing wind or the fire storm, he came as the still, calm voice to meet his prophet.

Students at the College are too comfortable praising the actorturned-president of the 1980s and not so quietly disagreeing with the man currently in office.

It is hard to be someone who disagrees with the majority here even on a small issue.

We have classes that focus on the speculative mind which would make one hope for a chance to examine other philosophies besides Christianity.

There is a potential for discussion on how the world works and operates, how people were raised and how people see the world. But what happens after the class ends or someone cuts off the outlying opinion to correct them? It is not a big deal to disagree with someone, but it is how it is done that matters.

It has come to the point where people are more concerned about being politically right rather than emotionally right.

But what is more important, being right or being respected?

An uncommon question that started with Machiavelli and is still asked today: “Is it better to be feared or loved?” Machiavelli reasons that it is better to side with cruelty because it has a reliable response. It is not a question of fear at the College but an issue of being right.

Respect comes to those who earn it, student or dictator. It comes to those who strive to be open and respectful to their peers and colleagues. The best orator cannot get anyone to agree with them if people do not listen first.

Students spend so much time talking past each other and not enough time talking through their disagreements. If people can start to find compassion for

WIKICOMMONS

one another, then there is a shot at finding common ground.

In practice, such actions would make a difference. Listening to someone speak, even if you do not agree with him, can change a lot in how one would approach the argument.

However, it is not easy. Creating that dialogue in and out of classrooms allows people to see the full measure of life and to get perspectives on things they never grew up around.

My philosophy teacher in high school, with whom I disagreed on a regular basis, once told me that the only way to know what one truly believes is to learn about different world-

views and to then decide what is true in the canon of life. He and I might not have agreed on things, but I respected him because he listens to what students have to say.

Having that open mind and compassion toward peers, to learn and to see the differences in people, is of vast importance in rationally deciding what is and is not true in one’s own life.

By speaking without listening, we place a lower value on other’s opinions. It is not enough to be to be right all the time; people need to start trying to be emotionally correct as well.

Can you read this essay?

Dr. Gary Welton Vision and Values If you are still following along, then you can answer in the affirmative. According to a recent CNN article, however, a surprising number of the college athletes we watch playing basketball or football can only answer in the negative (“Some college

to respond. Of the 20 who responded, 13 provided data in a standardized format that enabled the researchers to compare the results. In the worst case, one university reported that 25 percent of its athletes participating in revenue-generating sports were reading at a level below that of “college literacy.”

At the other extreme, one university (Wisconsin) reported

WIKICOMMONS

athletes play like adults, read like fifth-graders”).

At one university however, UNC-Chapel Hill, the evidence appears to be even more daunting, where a graduate student researcher reported (in a controversial research project that has been recently suspended by the university) that “between 8 and 10 percent were reading below a third-grade level.”

Of the 38 public institutions CNN attempted to survey, 18 provided no data. Some of these claimed that they do not track the aptitude scores of their athletes. (Really?) Others refused the request. Yet others failed

that less than 2 percent of the athletes were below the standard on their reading skills. The other universities reported that between 7 and 19 percent failed to achieve this minimal standard.

An additional seven universities provided some data, but in a format that did not allow for standard comparisons.

Although the report is very concerning, I was especially interested and shocked that one of the large public universities that chose to respond used scores from the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT) rather than the SAT or the ACT. I am very familiar with the

WRAT, as I have administered it to many homeschooling students over my years of achievement testing. In the state of Pennsylvania, under the state’s homeschooling law, students are required to undergo approved achievement testing in third, fifth, and eighth grades. Parents are given some latitude in which achievement test they want to use, currently choosing from among eight approved standardized test options.

The list of approved tests was longer before June 2009, when a number of tests (including the WRAT) were removed from the approved list. When I inquired about the reason for the change, the representative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education noted that while the WRAT includes a test of reading recognition, it does not include a test of reading comprehension, and on that basis, was removed from the approved list.

I agree with that decision. In the approved test that I currently use, I observe a few students who are able to read the words presented to them, but are unable to consistently identify the correct meaning of the sentences they have read.

In the CNN story, a major public university is evaluating the reading skills of its college athletes using a test (WRAT) that is considered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to be insufficiently diagnostic in assessing the reading skills of third, fifth, and eighth grade homeschooling students. Apparently at this particular university, reading recognition is sufficient; reading comprehension is too much to expect.

If it is indeed true that many college athletes are reading at the fifth-grade level (and some

not even that), then there is something terribly wrong with education in America. Colleges, instead of focusing on collegelevel skills, are forced to remediate high school (and even middle school) skills.

As a result, many colleges are pressured to award college credit for work that is not truly representative of college-level performance. It is essential that profes-

sors demand college-level work, in the same way that it is essential that homeschooling families expect age-appropriate skills.

Anything less is unfair to the students, unfair to the tax-paying public, and unfair to future employers. We can and must do better.

Dr. Gary Welton is a professor of psychology at Grove City College.

GREEN EYESHADE AWARD This week’s award goes to senior Kara Halin for her consistency in providing reviews of current movies and TV shows on Netflix, as well as her distribution work.

The Collegian Green Eyeshade Award honors student contributors who have demonstrated consistency and excellence in their work.

Each week, The Collegian editors select a reporter, photographer or staff member who has made a valuable contribution to the paper. The award makes a valuable addition to a portfolio or resume.

Kara Halin

Write for The Collegian Interested in writing for The Collegian? The Collegian provides excellent opportunities for students who are interested in journalism careers, in writing and in exploring campus events and issues. All sections welcome new writers. Email the Collegian at collegian@gcc.edu.

Letters to the Editor policy Letters to the Editor should be sent to collegian@gcc.edu. They must be received by midnight on Sunday and must not exceed 300 words. The Collegian reserves the right to edit or hold any letter. Anonymous letters will not be printed.

Sports

Feb. 7, 2014

Screening Sochi

Junior history major and Olympic enthusiast Brad Hummel offers his insights on highlight events for each day of the XXII Olympic Winter Games.

Brad Hummel

Staff Writer

of women’s athletics to a global audience.

Wednesday, Feb. 12 – Figure Skating: Pairs – Russian hosts will have a tremendous reputation at stake as they compete on home ice in what has perhaps been their perennial best event at the Winter Games.

From 1964 until 2006, a Russian, Soviet or Unified Team pair won gold in the event.

With Russia left off the podium at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, the host country has high hopes to restore its skating legacy in Sochi.

Thursday, Feb. 13 – Biathlon: Men’s Individual – Combining the largely dichotomous skill sets of cross-country skiing and target shooting, biathlon requires mastery of timing and control over one’s own mind and body. The individual competition is sure to display the dedication of Norway’s Ole Einer Bjorndalen, the sport’s most decorated Olympian with 11 medals, who is set to compete in his sixth and final Games at the age of 40.

Stay tuned for more daily highlights from the second week of the Games in the next issue of The Collegian.

Weekly Olympic Rundown

Friday, Feb. 7 – Opening Ceremony – The prestige and pageantry of the Olympic Opening Ceremony is unrivaled by any sporting competition in Feb. 7 the world. Although it will be Opening Ceremony difficult to achieve the massive scale of the 2008 celebration in Feb. 8 Beijing, the Sochi organizing Snowboarding committee will hope to present a unique display of Russian Feb. 9 culture to a global audience.

Saturday, Feb. 8 – SnowAlpine Skiing: boarding: Men’s Slopestyle – Men’s Downhill Two-time American half-pipe champion Shaun White origiFeb. 10 nally planned an attempt to Alpine Skiing: add another gold medal to his standout career in the first of Women’s Super two events in Sochi, though Combined late reports say he dropped from the event. Slopestyle is a Feb. 11 new event at the 2014 Games Ski Jumping: and will feature snowboarders demonstrating aerial stunts on Women’s Individual a downhill course of oversized moguls.

Feb. 12 Sunday, Feb. 9 – Alpine Skiing: Figure Skating: Pairs Men’s Downhill – Alpine skiing’s marquee event showcases Feb. 13 both speed and skill on the Biathlon: slopes of the Caucasus Mountains. American hopefuls can Men’s Individual expect stiff competition from perennial European powers like Austria, a country which has 105 all-time Alpine medals, nearly double than any other contingent.

Monday, Feb. 10 – Alpine Skiing: Women’s Super Combined – Without the talents of the much-decorated Lindsey Vonn, the American team will be under pressure to fill the star skier’s noted absence in its Sochi debut. The Super Combined is notable for adding together an athlete’s times from a downhill run and a slalom run to determine the champion.

Tuesday, Feb. 11 – Ski Jumping: Women’s Individual Normal Hill – For the first time in Olympic history, women will compete in the sport of ski jumping.

Although the United States lacks a tradition of success in WIKICOMMONS the sport, American competitors will strive to exhibit their The American team will sorely miss Lindsey Vonn in the Super country’s widespread support Combined on Monday.

Women take three conference matches

Page 11

Winter’s remedy, summer’s sport Dan Johnson

can happen in baseball.

A true fan attends at least Managing Editor one game at his team’s home Baseball is a beautiful sport. stadium if at all possible. It’s a Many writers have waxed poetic markedly different experience on the subject, and worthily so. from watching the matchup on Summer calls in the smell of television.

The play-by-play is directed leather; the cracking and popping of the ball in mitt and on solely by the action (and perbat; the batter marking his ter- haps a helpful knowledgeable ritory in the dirt. fan seated nearby).

As I write, a large cap of The color commentary is snow sits mockingly on every fleshed out by the sounds of large patch of grass. The arm of the game — the umpire barkthe true baseball fanatic begs ing out calls, bat hitting ball, for the ache that comes after a the PA announcer booming half hour long toss. Their legs long to stretch out across a out the batters’ names and the field, any field, to run after the cheers at every mildly interesting play. ball in flight.

Baseball is suited to the timMajor league pitchers and ing of a casual conversation. catchers report to spring trainThere’s plenty of time to dising tomorrow — not a moment too soon, as the football cuss all manners of things withseason came to a dreadfully in an inning while still catching one-sided end Sunday night. all the major plays.

Yet it’s S o m e funny how think Perhaps an unknown pace thea long a third of a year rookie will make his d ow n s i d e, can seem. the realdebut, kicking off an but The satisity is that so fying pop unexpectedly stelmuch goes in a glove within a month or lar career....Or a play on the smalltwo from could transpire strangest periods now will the game. be the aser than anything the of The catcher surance that imagination can mold. gets instructhe painful tions from months of his manager waiting are in the team’s intricately forending at long last.

From the first ball thrown in mulated system of signs while spring training to the last swing the third base coach takes signs of the bat in the World Series, from his own dugout. the baseball season lasts over The batter takes signs from eight months. To some it seems the third base coach to know excessive, but it truly brings whether he should let the pitch out the consistency necessary go by, bunt or swing away. The to succeed in 162 games (and, pitcher and catcher decide on a the hope is, in October baseball strategy as well — what pitch as well).

The teams that play the to throw, where to locate it, best get a shot at postseason whether to throw to an occuball, and that’s the way things pied base to keep the runner close. should work.

The avid fan can pay attenInstead of playing division opponents twice as in football, tion to such intricacies while a team plays each of its four di- the casual observer converses vision rivals 19 times over the with friends and keeps one eye course of the summer. on the game.

Baseball’s knack for generally Today’s world is fast-paced, sorting out the best teams does yet many ballparks still fill up. not in the slightest preclude Most clubs have responded to the possibility of peculiar out- necessity, making an extra efcomes. fort to fill seats, which seems Though winning and losing a chore in the midst of a long streaks do not take up as much recession. of the season schedule as other Many modern stadiums sports, they still contribute to are built to hold fewer fans positioning. Depending on the for a more intimate experitiming of a string of six wins, a ence, with the added benefit of team could drastically improve numbers that are closer to full its chances of winning the divicapacity. Television ratings have sion.

In baseball, anything can dropped in many markets.

That might be okay, though happen on a given day. A pitcher could allow no base — radio seems better suited to runners, or he could concede baseball anyway. A good radio 14 runs over three innings. broadcaster can paint the audiThe most remarkable thing, ence a picture of the field from though, is that every pitch has the sweat on the pitcher’s brow the potential to be incredibly down to the cleats digging in. important. The batter could hit For me, the warm voice of a three-run home run or line the late Phillies broadcaster into a triple play. One swing of Harry Kalas always seemed just the bat could mean the differin place at the end of the lonence between an eight-game winning streak and just another gest days of the year.

Baseball may have lost its loss in a disappointing season. place as America’s favorMy hometown team isn’t ite sport, but it continues to likely to factor much into the postseason race this year, but I hold its charm. For me, that’s still want to catch every game I enough. can. Why? Perhaps an unknown rookie will make his debut, kicking off an unexpectedly stellar career.

An accomplished base-stealer could swipe home when the opposition gets lazy. Or a play Feb. 8 - Pitchers and could transpire stranger than catchers report for anything the imagination can mold. spring training I was in attendance for Kevin Millwood’s no-hitter in 2003, the last season in the dilapidated Feb. 26 - Spring Veterans Stadium. Backup utiltraining games begin ity man Ricky Ledee provided the only run of the game on a solo home run in the first inMar. 31 - Opening ning and tracked down the ball Day (Houston vs. Texas) for the final out in the ninth, proving that almost anything

Important Dates

CAROLINE BENNETT/THE COLLEGIAN

The Grove City women earned home wins against Bethany (75-69) last Saturday and Franciscan (63-51) on Monday. They defeated host Chatham 72-58 on Wednesday to improve to 5-8 in PAC play.

Sports

Page 12

Feb. 7, 2014

Wolverines hit slump Men fall to Waynesburg, Bethany

Ian Mikrut

Sports Editor

After dropping two conference games last week, the Grove City College men’s basketball team finds itself below .500 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference with a record of 5-6. The two losses make up what is now a three-game losing streak for the Wolverines.

The first came in a heartbreaking loss to Waynesburg College on the road by only a three point margin. Despite Grove City’s ability to force 20 turnovers as well as limit the Yellow Jackets to only 39 percent shooting, the Wolverines were unable to convert big buckets in the second half to pull away.

Waynesburg’s edge in three-

point shooting also contributed to the loss as Grove City landed on the opposite side of the spectrum in a season in which they’ve consistently out-shot opponents, particularly from threepoint territory.

The individual achievement indicates that steady improvement from younger players will continue to be a factor for the remainder of this season.

The game was not without its bright spots however, as Grove City sophomore guard Stephen Tam led all scorers with

a career-high 20 points. The individual achievement indicates that steady improvement from younger players will continue to be a factor for the remainder of this season.

The second loss came at home, where the Wolverines have seemingly dominated conference play all year. The team lost to Bethany College in a seven point defeat.

The back and forth affair saw Grove City continue to dominate the deep shot, netting 13 threes while also shooting an impressive 47 percent from the field. Wolverine scoring leaders, juniors Mitch Marmelstein and Brian Giesler, each had 15 points in the game.

Rebounding, turnovers and fouls were the eventual dif-

CAROLINE BENNETT/THE COLLEGIAN

Above: Junior three-point specialist Brian Giesler (35) attempts a shot over Bethany’s Delonte’ Joyce (4).

Left: The crowd looks on as cheerleaders perform during a break in the action. ference makers for the Bison.

Bethany out-rebounded Grove City 34-28 while also getting 10 more points than the Wolverines from the free throw line (17-7).

The Bison also took advantage of 13 Grove City turnovers, turning them into 16 points of their own.

Bethany saw strong individual performances from senior Leslie Addy and sophomore Ramel

Young, who scored 18 points each. Young also recorded a double-double, grabbing 10 rebounds.

The Wolverines still have an opportunity to close out the season with a push in PAC standings as the remaining games on the schedule are all conference matches. Grove City will play Saint Vincent College at home this Saturday at 3 p.m.

Great start, bright future for club volleyball

Support Your Wolverines!

February 7-15 Women’s Basketball Sat. 1 p.m. Saint Vincent (H) Wed. 5:30 p.m. W&J (H) Sat. 5:30 p.m. Geneva (A) Men’s Basketball Sat. 3 p.m. Saint Vincent (H) Wed. 7:30 p.m. W&J (H) Sat. 7:30 p.m. Geneva (A) Swimming and Diving PAC/AMCC Championship Meet (H) Thurs.-Sat. 10 a.m. Preliminaries Thurs.-Sat. 7 p.m. Finals

CAROLINE BENNETT/THE COLLEGIAN

Above: The club volleyball team earned two home wins last Saturday against Allegheny College and Edinboro University (pictured) in a delayed season opener.

Above, left: Senior Ian Mikrut (in black) follows through at the net.

Joe Setyon

pounding a number of aces on the opposition.

Contributing Writer Not only did the team itThe Grove City College self race off to a 2-0 start to men’s club volleyball team the spring, but a crowd of fans came away victorious on Sat- showed up to cheer on the urday in what turned out to be home team. There was a lot to its first two games of the spring. cheer about as the Wolverines After having its first game sent fans home happy after two against the Indiana University wins.

Saturday’s action gives the of Pennsylvania cancelled due team reason to be excited. to bad weather last week, the team looked strong at home Freshman defensive specialist against both Allegheny College Daniel Atkins had an especially and Edinboro University, win- optimistic point of view.

The team is “hoping to go ning four combined sets and farther than any Grove City losing none.

Grove City won by doing club volleyball team has gone a bit of everything in games before,” he said.

The Wolverines make up that included some great a feisty team that has veteran serves, passes and hits. Two players who particularly stood leadership in seniors such as out during the double header middle hitter Ian Mikrut, but were freshman defensive spe- also a plethora of young talcialist Brent Rice and junior ent. On a roster of 16 players, a setter Jacob Nedley. The latter whopping seven are freshmen, player impressed when serving, meaning that these young play-

ers have time to develop under more seasoned players and then carry the torch until passing it down to the next generation.

Grove City also has reason for confidence after Saturday.

One might think that having the season opener cancelled would lead to more nerves going into the next week, but if so, the players hide them well.

Perhaps a portion of the team’s composure came from the ability to play the matches at home, but the fact remains: In a less than ideal situation to start the season, the Wolverines stayed cool and showed a taste of their capabilities.

The club will try to keep its winning streak alive at Edinboro on Saturday. The men are certainly off to a great start.