The Collegian – Feb. 14, 2014

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How does the latest blockbuster stack up?

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Friday, February 14, 2014

Debate team stands resolved

Est. 1891

Vol. 74, No. 13

The Grove City College Student Newspaper

‘Dancing at Lughnasa’

Samantha Van Slyke Contributing Writer

The Grove City College debate team emerged victorious at an invitational tournament in Athens, OH on Jan. 24.

The team had previously won the sweepstakes championship title at Bowling Green State University last fall.

“We weren’t sure, but we always aim to win,” junior Scott Alford said about the team’s expectations for the Ohio tournament. “That’s our goal. I think we felt pretty good about it, but we also had a lot to prove. We wanted to sweep.”

And sweep they did.The team ran undefeated in the tournament, claiming not only the overall sweepstakes champion, but also having four team members ranked first, second, third and fourth for top individual speakers.

While the tournament was not the largest in which the College has participated, the triumph was especially rewarding because of the freshness of the teams. Neither of the teams had worked together before, and none of the four debaters were seniors.

The College sent two teams to the tournament: junior Ben Crelin and sophomore Andrew Brackbill took first place, while Alford and sophomore Ryan Brown took second. In individuals, Brown took first place, Crelin and Brackbill tied for second place and Alford took fourth.

A debate tournament has a set number of rounds, usually 4 to 6, in which two teams take opposing sides of an argument. Each team must argue on a resolution, such as “This house believes that capitalism is more effective than socialism.”

The participants do not know the specific debate topics until about 15 minutes before the debate. Topics usually stem from recent news in areas such as immigration, foreign policy and politics.

Topics in the Ohio tournament included food stamp reform, the United States’ presence in Syria and the value of education versus employment.

According to Alford, the most interesting debate topic was education versus employment, with the resolution that “educaDEBATE 2

Grayson Quay Entertainment Editor At the first rehearsal, faculty director and professor of English and theater, Betsy Craig, asked the cast of “Dancing at Lughnasa” to tell her what the play was really about. Despite having read the play, none of the cast members could explain it.

Craig describes the play as a “memory play.” As an adult, Michael (junior Ethan Mitchell) looks back on the summer of 1936 in the Irish village of Ballybeg when he was seven years old, living with his mother and her four sisters. Craig describes this summer as a magical time in Michael’s life.

“We do not know that we are going through those periods of life until we relive them,” she said.

The two main events of the play involve the family getting a Marconi radio and the return of Michael’s Uncle Jack (junior Evan Burns), sent home after serving as a priest for 25 years in Uganda, while suffering from malaria and falling into syncretism. Gerry (sophomore John Laurie), Michael’s philandering father, also makes an appearance.

Through the interactions of the five sisters, the audience comes to see and to love them in the same way that Michael does. Kate (junior Laura Foley) is a schoolteacher and the head of the family. Maggie (senior Laura Doherty) is the funny one. Doherty describes her as a

“caregiver” who does whatever is necessary to lighten the mood, whether it is joking, singing or dancing.

Agnes (senior Victoria Benyo) tries to bring in money with her knitting, but struggles to do so as factories begin opening in the area. Rose (senior Julie Kucks) is described as simple but innocent, and the other sisters are very protective of her. Christina (freshman Alex Soberick) is Michael’s mother, who carries the shame of bearing a child out of wedlock.

As an adult, Michael observes his own childhood memories, but the audience never sees him as a boy. Instead, the other characters talk to an empty spot and the adult Michael, standing off to the side, contributes the lines he remembers saying.

“What’s important to you,” Craig said, “are the relationships in your life and what you take from them.”

Lughnasa is an Irish harvest festival held in late August.

In the play, the celebration of Lughnasa is closely linked to the tribal rituals that Jack witnessed in Uganda.

Doherty describes the rehearsal process as “pressure driven.” She spent last semester abroad in Ireland and had to audition and to attend the first rehearsal via Skype. With a production schedule shorter than that of most “One Act” plays, and a play that is longer than the majority of main stage productions, Doherty has described rehearsals as requiring a signifi-

CAMERON HOLLOWAY/COLLEGIAN

(Above) Seniors Julie Kucks and Laura Doherty rehearse a lively moment from “Dancing at Lughnasa. (Below) Senior Victoria Benyo as Agnes struggles to make money through her knitting. cant amount of work in a short amount of time.

She quickly added that Craig has made things easier by creating “an atmosphere of productivity and fun.”

The show is student directed by senior Annamarie Mickey.

The College will present this Tony Award-winning play by Brian Friel in Ketler Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Feb. 13-15.

Changing the world through a change of clothes Rebekah Fry

Contributing Writer

COURTESY CHLOE SMILEY

Junior Chloe Smiley (left) and Senior Scott Inderbitzen raise money for entrpreneurs through their clothing line.

Jane, a single Ugandan mother, works tirelessly for seven days a week to provide for both her children and sister. Yamid, a 26-year-old Columbian college student, pursues a degree in chemical engineering paid for entirely out of his family’s pocket. Nang, a 50-year-old mother, and her husband aid their six children on a combined salary of only $19 a day.

Kin Threads, a student-founded non-profit e-commerce clothing company, is on a mission. Its objective: to empower and to help provide for entrepreneurs like Jane, Yamid and Nang, who live in developing countries, through the sale of a unique clothing line.

Grove City College senior Scott Inderbitzen, junior Chloe Smiley and junior Anna Mittelman have teamed up to launch this vision.

“We’re hoping to change the world through a change of

clothes,” Smiley said.

Inderbitzen and Smiley first formulated their idea after attending a Kiva U conference in San Francisco, California. Kiva U is a non-profit organization that aids young people in addressing social issues and making lives better for many people around the world.

The vision Kiva casted for ending world poverty through micro-financing sparked an idea for their future company. After KIN THREADS 8

News

E!

Life

Perspectives

Sports

Project Okello sponsors comedy for a cause.

Pg. 2

‘The Walking Dead’ lurches back on AMC. Get Kara Halin’s take on Pg. 3

Take a look behind the scenes of SGA. Pg. 5

Earbuds in, God out?

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IM basketball fosters friendship on and off the court.

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The Collegian

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Feb. 14, 2014

Experts face off over evolution

Remembering the forgotten

Kendra Heckman

Jacob Sziráky

The debate between evolution and creation is nothing new. Many arguments, books and heated discussions between friends have centered on this topic.

However, on Feb. 4 at the Creation Debate at the Creation Museum in Kentucky, the same subject was approached by two educated men in this field. Grove City College students were able to watch the event live in Sticht Hall.

Bill Nye, known from his television show as the Science Guy, took the stand for the Evolution argument and Ken Ham, the founder and figurehead of the organization Answers in Genesis, defended the case for the Creationist theory.

Each of the men was given an even amount of time in which they would give their opening statements, followed by opportunities to present their main arguments. The debate wrapped up with a shorter amount of time in which the debaters were able to challenge one another’s theories. There was also a question and answer session from which members of the audience were able to ask both speakers questions about their viewpoints.

On Tuesday, Feb.11, 2013, Grove City College hosted a panel of criminology experts in hopes to put to rest some myths about the prison system in America.

The panel consisted of three experts in their fields, with experience in dealing with the justice system. The first expert was Dr. Paul Klenowski, a professor at Clarion University who specializes in white collar crime; the second was Dr. Suzanne Houk, psychologist and counselor at Grove City College and the third was Brent Richards, a prison and jail chaplain who now focuses on prison ministries located near Cleveland, Ohio.

Klenowski started the presentation by stating that the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Of every 100,000 Americans, 500 are under arrest. Over 2.3 million people are in jail every day and correctional facilities have a higher budget than education.

The panelists also presented several photos of correctional facilities and the lengths to which they are being pushed.

One of these prisons did not have enough cots, let alone cells for inmates to live in. These in-

Staff Writer

Contributing Writer

MNN.COM

Bill Nye and Ken Ham went head-to-head over evolution.

Both men grounded their ar- the focus point that the world guments in factual interpretation was designed and thus needed a of everything from time layout, creator. Nye disagreed and stated age of the soil and ice to the stars. that the model that Ham preDiscussion ranged from a variety sented was not viable and unable of places including the flood and to be supported by factual eviNoah’s Ark, the big bang theory dence. As the debate continued and the age of the earth. to progress, both men continued Several testimonies from out- to outline their cases, but they side sources such as astronomers, did not come close to any terms authors, engineers and scientists of agreement. were also included in the debate.

Though the debate between “I was born and raised on the creationists and evolutionists Christian model of creation, but may seem endless, the discussion I really enjoyed hearing what appears to be opening students’ Bill Nye had to say,” senior Elisa- minds. beth McDonald said. “Much of “I was really glad that I came what he had to say made sense to watch this,” sophomore Zach and it gave me a better idea of Rader said. “This really chalwhat evolutionists believe and lenged me tonight and I hope what standpoint they are com- that there were a lot of other people out there who feel the ing from.”

Ham continued to return to same.”

mates slept on plastic bins and placed their belongings inside.

Others slept on mats in the recreational facilities.

The presentation included a question and answer session.

The presenters made it clear that most people in prison are just people who made mistakes, and that only 15% of the entire prison population are psychopaths. 95% of the people in jail will get out and become part of society once more.

The panel also made the point that that rehab was ineffective in prison, but the emphasis is now put on getting inmates out of prison.

However, a majority of the time was spent discussing the importance of ministry in the prisons. The panel discussed the need for the inmates to spread the word of God themselves.

The panel noted that this practice would be beneficial in that it gives prisoners who are in for life a sense of purpose by spreading the good news of Christ.

The meeting concluded with a small presentation by the “unofficial” prison ministries at Grove City College. This ministry goes out to prisons and talks to inmates about Christ and forms relationships with inmates in order to make them feel remembered by the outside world.

Project Okello keeps students laughing for Africa

Megan Fabie

Contributing Writer Laughrica, hosted by Project Okello, promises to break the mold of most Grove City College events and to offer a night of hilarity on Saturday, Feb. 22.

Laughrica not only enables students to make a difference in the lives of Congolese refugees, but it also gives students a chance to laugh the night away.

The comedy event features David Pendleton, a nationally acclaimed and family-friendly

ventriloquist.

“It’s for a really good cause,” junior Anna Mittelman, Project Okello PR Leadership Board member, said. “The proceeds go towards Partners in Missions who work with Congolese refugees in Northern Uganda.”

Pendleton’s performances include a unique assortment of comical characters who each have different voices and personalities.

“For just five dollars you can enjoy a 90 minute professional comedy show with a premiere ventriloquist and comedian. Da-

World News Roundup clude filing jointly for bankruptcy, prison visitations and survivor benefits.

Compiled by Allison Rayburn

Federal Government to Ex- North Korea Remains Uncopand Rights to Same-Sex operative The North Korean governCouples The federal government announced this past weekend that it plans to expand the number of federal legal rights extended to same-sex couples as reported

by CNN. Attorney General Eric Holder announced that under the new policy, the Justice Department will recognize that same-sex spouses of individuals involved in civil and criminal cases should have the same legal rights as all other married couples.

Other federal rights covered under the new policy in-

ment has withdrawn its invitation for a United States senior official to come to North Korea to negotiate the release of American missionary Kenneth Bae. Fox News reported that the North Korean government made this decision in light of military exercises being planned for this month by South Korea and the U.S. Bae was arrested in 2012 for crimes against the government and was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. The U.S. State Department and Bae’s family have

100 Campus Drive Grove City, Pa. 16127 Phone: 724.458.2193 collegian@gcc.edu

vid is incredibly talented and just so funny,” junior Kate Rode, Project Okello member, said.

“Your money will directly benefit Congolese refugees, a fairly difficult demographic for us to help usually.”

Project Okello plans to have Tweet-to-Win contests where students can be entered to win gift cards or packages donated from local businesses.

“We really just want to earn a reputation for Project Okello, so that we can better serve our missionary partners,” Mittelman said.

Project Okello, a nonprofit club, partners with missionaries in Uganda and Central Africa. Through prayers, raising awareness and fundraisers, Project Okello enables the College campus and surrounding area to positively impact communities around the globe. It primarily supports Kenya’s Best Christian Camp, the Ugandan Water Project and Partners in Mission.

“The purpose of Project Okello is to be an instrument of hope, healing, and Christ’s love to the people of Uganda through prayer and action,” se-

been negotiating for his release.

President Obama stated that the United States will continue to do everything it can to secure Bae’s freedom.

cess to guns.Whether or not the Supreme Court will hear these cases remains unclear.

Right to Bear Arms?

This Supreme Court will decide this month whether or not it will hear two cases seeking clarification on what it means to bear arms. The National Rifle Association has brought two cases before the Supreme Court challenging the idea that while the Second Amendment permits U.S. citizens to own arms, that right does not extend to their ability to bear arms outside their residences.

In one case, the NRA is challenging a Texas state law that permits minors to own guns but stipulates that they are too young to apply for the license to carry said guns in public.

The other case involves the NRA challenging a decision by a Court of Appeals in New Orleans upholding federal and state laws governing minors’ ac-

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Section Life Section Entertainment Section Perspectives Section Sports Section Copy Chief Copy Editors Staff Writers

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

Design Chief Photography Manager Photo Selection Director Photographers Advertising Manager Business Manager Distribution Team Social Media Manager Staff Adviser

More Concerns with Healthcare.gov Despite recent claims, the issues with ObamaCare’s healthcare marketplace, Healthcare. gov, may not be over. Initial glitches in the healthcare marketplace network prohibited people from accessing the site. Although enrollment has picked up, it is nowhere near the Obama administration’s goals.

Accenture, the contractor hired to fix problems with the healthcare marketplace website, has a contract to oversee Healthcare.gov for one year, and this contract is worth about $91 million. The Washington Post reports that 30 projects in the last 10 years undertaken by Accenture have encountered technical and management problems. The Post also reports several states and the Pentagon canceling contracts with Accenture because of similar problems.

nior Christine Sampson, Project Okello secretary, said.

In the past, Project Okello has organized Chicken Patty Day and Wells for Hope. Laughrica will specifically help Reverend John Mulindabigwi, a Ugandan on the staff of Partners in Missions, in his work with Congolese refugees.

“We’re super excited about being able to come alongside Partners in Mission’s fundraising efforts to allow them to reach this group of people who are in such incredible need,” Sampson said.

DEBATE

from page 1 tion ought to be valued above employment.”

His team argued that while education is important, it is ultimately a luxury. Employment is necessary for survival, and while education can help one find better employment, one does not necessarily need an education to become employed.

Debate is an often overlooked, but extremely valuable skill.

“We want to be people who can critically evaluate the news stories and the worldviews that we’re presented with; the debate team gives us an outlet to sharpen and hone those skills,” Alford said.

The team meets twice a week to practice mock debates on various topics, which help its members to keep up to date on recent issues. The College will participate in several more debate competitions this semester, including the Novice Nationals and the PKD National Tournament.

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. 14, 2014

Entertainment

Page 3

A brush with Broadway

Pick of the Week

Safe and Sound

Claire McCray WSAJ Contributor With a band name like Death Vessel, listeners might expect something dark and brooding. However, Death Vessel, a band from Rhode Island, brings the opposite, COURTESY JOEY KENNEDY

Grove City College students went to Pittsburgh on Tuesday, February 4 to meet with cast members of the Broadway show “Wicked.” They participated in an acting workshop and learned about the audition process in addition to receiving advice from the cast members. Sophomore John Laurie said that the experience “did a lot to open our eyes to the world of Broadway.”

introducing listeners to airy neo-folk.The band’s upcoming album, “Island Intervals,” is a refreshing contribution to a competitive genre.

The overarching theme for “Island Intervals” is inspired by the time lead singer, Joel Thibodeau, spent in Reykjavik, Iceland and the landscapes he encountered there while producing the album. Thibodeau’s voice is sweet and delicate and is framed by the hushed minimalism of acoustic guitars and

barely-there

synthe-

sizers. The opening track, “Ejecta,” is a haunting and compelling introduction to the atmospheric nature of the album.

Cryptic lyrics, such as “backing Blackrock dirt and other derring-do/ bouncy castles home the exalted youth/ who gather on the strand with sprinkles in each hand/ going to battle blowhards thinking that they will lose,” may seem out of place standing

Survivors scatter in Walking Dead Kara Halin

when combined with the background

instrumentals

of pump organ, drums and glockenspiel, everything falls into place.

Staff Writer

After two long months, AMC’s “The Walking Dead” returned to TV this past Sunday, Feb. 9. The show will air eight more episodes to complete its fourth season.

When Rick and the gang left viewers in December, a battle at the prison had broken out between Rick’s group and the Governor and his allies. Rick and the Governor engaged in a brawl which ended in the Governor’s death. His death puts an end to the unrest between the two, which began in season three and was a prominent plot point.

Rick and Carl reunited after the battle and searched for Judith, but found only an empty baby carrier soaked in blood.

The survivors were separated in the attempt to leave the prison as chaos erupted. The most heartbreaking part of the episode was the death of Hershel, the oldest of the survivors and the moral backbone of the group.

Viewers who were expecting an action-packed midseason premiere may have been left disappointed. Now that the survivors have been separated, the comfort and protection of a large group is no longer present. The premiere highlighted the journeys of Rick and Carl and of Michonne after the fall of the prison.

Rick, barely hanging onto life

alone. However,

By far the most memorable track on “Island Intervals” is “Mercury Dime,” a bouncy song with an uplifting beat that harkens back to traditional folk. The lyrics, “there I go looking away, looky-loo/ when I wade in a fountain over you/ thirteen ways of looking mercurially blue/ when I gaze at a mountain out of view,” soar with the fragile power of Thibodeau’s willowy voice.

Behind the chorus, lyrical phrases are dotted with bell percussion, adding to the charming quality of the WALKINGDEADSEASON4SPOILERS.COM

after his tussle with the Governor, sets off with Carl to find somewhere to gather food and stay for a while. The tension between Rick and Carl culminates when Carl blames him for all of the deaths they have faced and proclaims he no longer needs his father.

Carl’s angst has been prevalent throughout season four, but in the premiere it reaches an almost unbearable point. He leaves the house where he and Rick are staying to prove his independence and is almost bitten by

walkers on more than one occasion.

Soon after these close calls, Carl returns to Rick and admits he still needs him. Despite Carl’s ungrateful attitude toward his father and his own pride, the transformation from feeling self-important torecognizing his need for Rick seemed rushed and could have been a conflict spread over a few episodes.

Michonne, back on her own, has adopted her old survival habits. She cuts the arms off of two walkers and ties them to

ropes, as she had done when the viewer first met her in season three. As she leaves the prison, she encounters Hershel’s now zombified and decapitated head and puts her katana through it.

A long-awaited plotline arose when viewers caught the first glimpse of Michonne’s past.

Her previous significant other, Mike, and her son are shown in a dream, which ties together the reason for her emotional response to holding Judith earlier WALKING DEAD 4

song.

Similar to Iron & Wine, Death Vessel is a singer-songwriter group that uses solid arrangements with quality lyrics to produce some of the best minimalist music in the revival of the folk genre.

Proving that atmospheric music can be interesting, Death Vessel’s newest album is a lyrical exploration of the beauty of barren landscapes and human emotion.

Page 4

Entertainment

Feb. 14, 2014

Everything is awesome!

FORBES.COM

Grayson Quay

Entertainment Editor “The Lego Movie” may be the best animated film since “Toy Story 3.” It is compelling, engaging, and striking in its visual style while also inducing enough laughter to serve as an ab workout.

Chris Pratt provides the voice for protagonist Emmet Brickowski. Emmet jumps out of bed in the morning and immediately reaches for “the instructions for how to fit in, make everyone like you, and always be happy.” President Business (Will Ferrell) comes on the air to remind everyone to follow the instructions or - as he adds in a barely audible aside - you will be put to sleep. No need to worry about that though, since Taco Tuesday is coming up!

With instructions like “Enjoy popular music,” the film’s satiric elements will amuse adult audiences.

Emmet, who can count the number of original thoughts he has had in his life on one of his C-shaped Lego hands, stumbles upon an ancient relic and is quickly swept up by the alluring rebel Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks). Constantly on the run from President Business’ henchman, Bad Cop (Liam Neeson),

WALKING DEAD in the season.

Toward the end of the episode, Michonne says, “I miss you, Mike.” Her vulnerability begins to be revealed, which is a refreshing change from the hardened warrior-like woman that dominates her character. Michonne tracks Rick and Carl’s footprints and in the final moments of the episode, Rick is peering through the door after she knocks.

While it would have been impossible to give justice to each of the survivors’ stories in one single episode, there was no indication of what was going on with the rest of the group. The viewer knows that Michonne and Rick are capable of fending for themselves, but the futures of the weaker survivors are uncertain and could have made for an

they traverse other Lego worlds like Middle Zealand and The Old West. Along the way, they join forces with blind wizard, Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman).

They bring Emmet, thought to be heir to a prophecy, to a council of rebel Master Builders being held at the Cloud Cuckoo Palace. The Master Builders are a diverse group made up of those who are bold enough to take apart Business’ rigid world and put it back together in new ways.

Other Master Builders include Superman (Channing Tatum), Gandalf, Michelangelo - both the painter and the Ninja Turtle - and Shaquille O’Neal (himself). The film includes cameos by other characters from a variety of fictional universes who have been Lego-ized over the years.

Upon arriving at the Palace, Emmet encounters Unikitty (Alison Brie) who informs him that in the Cloud Cuckoo Palace they have no government and no rules. The anarchic and individualistic creativity is set against the disciplined conformity of Lord Business, as he is known outside of Emmet’s home realm of Bricksburg.

Rather than taking an overly simplistic view of these themes, the film shows that there are

ARTICLE.WN.COM

exciting midseason premiere.

The most nail-biting part of the episode was the teaser for the next episode, which previewed the challenges that face some of the other survivors, including Glenn, Maggie and Beth. This is presumably where the action will originate this season, as their survival is uncertain.

The scattering of the survivors opens many possible avenues for the plot, and the preview to the next episode assured viewers that the best is yet to come.

While many questions were left unanswered, including whether or not Judith is alive, the season began with the promise of many unexpected turns.

New episodes of the Walking Dead air on Sunday at 9 pm on AMC.

drawbacks to unreserved commitment to either side.

Lord Business’ plan to unleash a superweapon called The Kragle leads to the climactic storming of his bad guy lair

by Emmet,Vitruvius, Unikitty, Wyldstyle, her boyfriend Batman (Will Arnett), the pirate Metalbeard and “1980-something space guy” (Charlie Day).

What is so brilliant about “The Lego Movie” is how it builds a plot and develops themes that will resonate with the experience of playing with Legos. The assortment of characters provides several unexpected laughs, but it also brings back youthful memories.

As a kid, it would have seemed perfectly reasonable to construct a story in which cowboys, con-

struction workers, and Wonder Woman (Cobie Smulders) all had parts to play.

Lord Business deploys robotic henchmen called Micromanagers, who pick up Lego people and set them down where they are “supposed to be.” This will be familiar to any former kid whose boundless creativity was checked by a domineering playmate. Those on the other side of the spectrum will identify with the frustrations expressed by Lord Business.

The animation style is an intriguing mix of stop-motion and computer generated imaging. Although it is an unusual mix of styles, it works surprisingly well. The animators should be congratulated for making plastic Lego people into characters with whom the audience can identify while also provid-

ing laughs at the oddities of their anatomy, such as when one attempts to do jumping jacks.

Distractions from the almost entirely Lego world of the film are limited. Legos pieces serve as smoke, water and even laser bolts.

Like “Toy Story 3,” this movie expertly combines humor that, aside from a few jokes clearly directed at small children, is smart, relevant and nostalgic. While the “Transformers” films tell stories that take place in the universe inhabited by a line of toys, “The Lego Movie” allows itself to be shaped by the experience of playing with the toys on which it is based. “The Lego Movie” is a film for both adults and children alike, as it successfully brings to life the imaginative world of Legos.

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Life

Feb. 14, 2014

Page 5

Sochi on campus Mia McMahon

MEP RAs bring Olympics to lobby

Contributing Writer The residence life staff in Mary Ethel Pew Hall is celebrating the 2014 Winter Olympic Games held in Sochi, Russia by hosting showings for the duration of the Olympics in its decorated lobby.

The Olympics, which run from February 7-23, are being shown in the dormitory’s lobby television, reserved solely for showing the Olympics.

This year’s Olympics have cost a reported $51 billion, officially making it the most expensive Olympic Games to date.

Esther Durling, a junior resident assistant in MEP Hall who has been publicizing the event, says that the building’s residence life staff is simply looking for a fun way to acknowledge the event.

“We’re all just really excited about the Olympics and wanted to create an environment where the entire campus is welcome to celebrate the United States and other countries around the world,” Durling said.

The opening ceremony, which took place on Friday, Feb. 7, kicked off in MEP Hall lobby with theme decorations and snacks like fresh-popped popcorn, chips, and “Olympic torch” cupcakes (cupcakes placed inside an ice cream cone topped with orange and red frosting). The opening ceremony alone drew a purported 80 people into the lobby at one time.

“People were coming and going—our RD, Becky White, said she’s never seen our lobby so full before,” Durling said.

Even during less popular events, the lobby’s television has attracted clusters of people looking for a communal spot to relax and watch the games together.

“I was making my RA rounds last night and stopped by the lobby to find about 20 people sitting around watching the Olympics,” Durling said. “Some people were knitting, others were doing homework, and people were just chatting—it was a pretty chill atmosphere.”

The staff advertised the event with a video on its Facebook event page to generate interest.

The video features Durling running through various campus locations dressed in a toga while

hoisting a fake torch.

The MEP Hall resident assistants are continuing to look for more ways to celebrate the Winter Olympics, noting that this will be the only opportunity for the student body to watch them together, assuming they follow the typical four-year graduation track.

“This is the only time during everyone’s collegiate career to celebrate together, so we want to go all out with this event. Our slogan is ‘If you’re gonna watch it, you might as well watch it with us,’” Durling said.

SGA: what does it really do?

Rachel Watson Contributing Writer

Nowadays, it is nearly impossible to see a poster in the Breen Student Union or on any residence hall that is not stamped with the tiny SGA logo at the bottom of the paper.

Most students know that the Student Government Association is a Grove City Collegesanctioned organization run by students, but the true purpose of the group seems to be a mystery to everyone except for the elite members. What is SGA, and what does it do?

“I think they plan events and I don’t really know what else they do,” freshman Tia Wood said.

“I have no idea, actually, and the funny thing is I applied for it,” freshman Kira Hellweg said.

“They plan events around campus, right?” freshman Larry Thompson said.

Upperclassmen were just as unsure as their freshman counterparts about the true nature of SGA’s mission on campus.

“They put on the coffeehouses and provide funding for some campus events and ministries,” junior Erin Eperthener said.

The members of SGA shed light on the nature of their organization and its contributions to

the College’s community.

“SGA is above all else a service organization. If a student is having an issue with anything from a flickering light bulb to conflicts with dining hours, we try our best to resolve it,” Thomas Kutz, a member of the Student Affairs Committee of SGA, said.

Kutz explained that SGA plans dances, coffeehouse concerts and food feedback forums.

“Our main purpose is to connect the students of Grove City,” Kutz said.

SGA is the heart of the student body.

Chesterton Cobb Junior Chesterton Cobb, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, works with the provost to raise questions about curriculum requirements and academic policy changes.

“SGA is the heart of the student body. We pray for them, facilitate their requests, and do anything we can to assist them,” Cobb said.

The president of SGA, senior Taylor Hunker, explained that the three main objectives of the organization are to support

the goals of the College, to be a communication link between students, administration and faculty and to respond to student needs.

“Members of SGA meet with the administration regularly so they can address needs and wants of the student body,” Hunker said.

SGA receives its funding from the Student Life and Learning Office. It works with the office to create a budget for the year and then uses its funds to run events and to purchase items for the College, such as the USA Today newspapers distributed around campus.

“Any non-profit official campus organization is allowed to request sponsorship from SGA for their events,” Hunker said.

“According to SGA’s operating documents, these events must be open to the whole campus, held on campus, and beneficial to building campus community.”

SGA’s varied involvement with the administration and the student body continue to ensure its influence on campus.

CAROLINE BENNETT/THE COLLEGIAN

Students enjoy watching the 2014 Winter Olympics in MEP lobby on the RAs’ makeshift screen.

GREEN EYESHADE AWARD This week’s award goes to junior Kyle Burko for his insightful editorial and his continued efforts to keep varied content in the Perspectives section.

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.

Kyle Burko

You don’t need to write to join our team!

For more information about being a Collegian photographer or artist, email collegian@gcc.edu.

Page 6

Through the Lens

‘Dancing at Lughnasa’

Feb. 14, 2014

Grove City College students present “Dancing at Lughnasa,” the story of a man’s memories of a summer spent with his mother and aunts in County Donegal, Ireland.

Feb. 14, 2014

Through the Lens

Page 7

Red

Inside the mind of the artist Jonathan Fisher

Contributing Writer

“Red,” one of Grove City College’s upcoming spring plays, will be presented in the Little Theatre of the campus’s Pew Fine Arts Center for the next two weekends. The play follows the Abstract Impressionist painter Mark Rothko (junior Andy Hickly) through the process of painting the murals for the Four Seasons restaurant in the Seagram building in New York City.

Rothko, nearing the end of his career, begins to question the relevance of his style with pop art on the rise. Although Rothko sees the new artistic styles as trivial and meaningless, his assistant, Ken (senior Troy Beaudry), suggests that each style has its own meaning.

According to the play’s faculty director, professor of English and theater Betsy Craig, the play explores the changing standards of aesthetic beauty in a society and the question of who has the power to determine such things.

A number of factors drew Craig to “Red.” The play gave her the opportunity to work with two actors in a small theater space. She also considers the play exciting and witty. “Red” explores how people view art, which Craig recognizes as thought-provoking material for a liberal arts campus.

Junior Taryn Cole, the student director of the play, expressed excitement about the intimacy of the theater setting.

The smells of Chinese food and the painting, completed on set, combined with the close

proximity of the audience, give viewers the feeling of being in the scene with the characters.

Cole also enjoys the combination of the content with the aesthetic. The audience sits surrounded by paintings on the walls of the theater. Audiences feel transported into the artistic world of Rothko.

A play of this nature requires the right kind of preparation.

Cole describes her experience of student directing as “intense and insightful.” She adds that due to the small size of the cast, she and Craig were able to work very closely with the actors. Craig describes the preparation process as “exhausting and exhilarating.”

Getting the play ready was a group effort, involving a dramaturge (senior Rich Christman) and the tech crew. Since the

show revolves around a painter, much effort went into ensuring historical accuracy.

The crew ensured that even the smallest details were accurately recreated. Attention was given to details as trivial as recreating how Rothko stirred his paint. The whole production team stepped up to the task of bringing this production of “Red” to its full potential.

In response to what the audience might take away from the play, Cole says that it is important to understand the mental and emotional conflict that Rothko is going through as he struggles with death and obscurity, when he dreams that his art will endure.

Craig refers to a quote from the play to summarize its essential message: “You have to learn, young

man. Philosophy. Theology.

Literature. Poetry. Drama. History. Archaeology. Anthropology. Mythology. Music. These are your tools as much as brush and pigment.You cannot be an artist until you are civilized.

You cannot be civilized until you learn. To be civilized is to know where you belong in the continuum of your art and your world. To surmount the past, you must know the past.”

Craig hopes audience members respond to the play by gaining a better understanding of the art of civilization and responsibilities that viewers have to it.

“Red” will be performed on Feb. 13-15 at 6 p.m., and on Feb. 21-22 at 7:30 p.m.

CAMERON HOLLOWAY/THE COLLEGIAN

Life

Page 8

KIN THREADS from page 1

hashing out some details, the two students then teamed up with the non-profit organization to create a platform from which they could contact various individuals.

“Ever since, we’ve been researching, designing, and laying the groundwork for a company that we believe will truly better the world,” Inderbitzen said.

Kin Threads operates on a four step process. It first locates entrepreneurs who have dedicated their lives to bettering themselves and their families through hard work. Next, it builds a shirt around that individual’s story. The profits from the clothing line, sold in the United States, are then converted to micro-loans. Finally, when

the loan is paid off, the resulting money is invested in finding and aiding more entrepreneurs.

“We build a design around their story using fabrics and patterns unique to their region,” Inderbitzen said.

The company is expanding its line to encompass not only t-shirts, but sweaters, tanks and beanies.

A QR code, sewn on the logo of each article of clothing, allows the buyer to connect to the entrepreneur he or she is supporting through the Kin Threads website. The result is not only a shirt, but a story.

In the future, Kin Threads hopes to solidify connections with various college alumni organizations to develop closer relationships with the people the company supports. With these connections, the company will

Feb. 14, 2014

then be able to expand its help base and to reach a wider scope of individuals.

Through investing in Kin Threads, customers are able to help finance “an organization that will consistently help individuals, families and communities by spreading their stories to the people who need to hear them.”

Members of Kin Threads encourage people interested in the company to visit their website, Facebook page or Twitter feed for more information and updates.

Kin Threads is currently raising money through a web-based funding company, Indiegogo.

Their campaign, which ends on Feb. 16, 2014, hopes to raise $5,000.

COURTESY CHLOE SMILEY

Things 2 Do Friday, Feb. 14 “Red” 6-7:30 p.m. PFAC Little Theater “Dancing at Lughnasa” 8-10 p.m. PFAC Ketler Auditorium

Saturday, Feb. 15 “Red” 6-7:30 p.m. PFAC Little Theater “Dancing at Lughnasa” 8-10 p.m. PFAC Ketler Auditorium ICO LA Uperclassmen Talent Show 6-10 p.m. Crawford Auditorium

Sunday, Feb. 16 Vespers: “The Bethany Road” 6:30-7:20 Harbison Chapel

Monday, Feb. 17 Central Blood Bank Drive 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. PLC IM Rooms

Tuesday, Feb. 18 Professionalism and Etiquette Night 5:30-7 p.m. Rathburn Hall Morledge Great Room

Wednesday, Feb. 19 Visionary Entrepreneur Speaker Series 7-9 p.m. Sticht Lecture Hall

Thursday, Feb. 20 COURTESY CHLOE SMILEY

Office of International Education and Diversity Film Festival 7-9:30 p.m.

Fighting for the right to life Patty Folkerts

Contributing Writer “I believe in the pro-life movement.”

Grove City College sophomore Caleb Harshberger’s simple statement summarizes the belief that ties the members of the Life Advocates group together. Members are bound by a common belief that the unborn fetus is more than just a cluster of cells, stating that it is a human baby that deserves human rights.

“I think our culture has become so numb to the word

‘abortion,’ and it is the goal of Life Advocates to alert our communities and make them aware of how many children are denied life each and every year,” sophomore Brittany See, vice president of Life Advocates, said.

Life Advocates hosts many events on campus, including a guest chapel speaker at the end of February. Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, will be speaking in the morning chapel as well as at an alternative chapel at 7 p.m. in Crawford Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 27.

The Pew Promenade dance is another event hosted by Life Advocates, and its proceeds go to the Alpha Omega Center located in Slippery Rock, PA. The funds help to support the facility and to allow women who cannot afford a sonogram to receive one. “When a woman sees a sonogram of her baby displayed on the screen and a detailed description of the image, it is more than likely that she will change her mind and choose life for her baby,” See said.

The Center provides services such as hospital-grade pregnancy

Did you know?

Breanna Renkin Staff Writer Despite being only 49 years old, Grove City College graduate James “Jim”Van Eerden ’85 has a long list of achievements to his name. In addition to his educational accomplishments,Van Eerden has confounded charitable organizations that have assisted people globally.

Upon graduating from the College with a degree in business administration as a Presidential Scholar, Van Eerden earned a graduate study certification in international business from Oxford University, a MA in Philosophy from Trinity International University and an MBA from Wake Forest University. Currently,Van Eerden is a candidate for a doctoral degree in global education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Along with Paul Brooks,Van Eerden co-founded

tests, one-on-one sessions and information on abortions, adoptions and parenting, all free of charge.

Life Advocates also organizes two trips to Pittsburgh where members pray outside the doors of a Planned Parenthood facility.

The group even plans on hosting a movie night in Sticht Lecture Hall.

As a part of the pro-life movement, members of Life Advocates find purpose in their participation. They find their involvement in the group rewarding since they are able to par-

ticipate in the movement against abortion.

“Most people on campus are pro-life, but we are the few who are passionate about ending abortion and showing people how horrible it truly is,” Life Advocates president, sophomore Lauren Sestrich, said.

Members participate in weekly meetings on Mondays at 9 p.m. in Rathburn Hall to learn more about the pro-life movement and to discuss how to raise awareness of this issue.

Notable Alumnus

Helixx Partners, LCC, an intersection between an entrepreneurship business and a mission service. Serving as a business architect,Van Eerden worked with over 2,000 high-profile companies, including Southwest Airlines, USA Today and Pearson Education.

Van Eerden’s resume also includes working alongside many charitable organizations. He served as a board member for Rooted Beauty, a natural cosmetics company that aims to change women through their products and to help women escape poverty through the Woman2Woman project.

Additionally, he helped to launch the Pepsico Refresh Project in 2010 that awarded $20 million to people and businesses that developed new ideas to positively impact their communities. Other organizations he has worked with include The Center for Missional Entrepreneurship and the H20 Africa Foundation, which provided six million dollars in water grants.

Van Eerden has co-founded many charitable organizations, including the clothing company Sevenly,

which sells sustainable clothing and works with a nonprofit organization each week. He also co-founded the “M Awards,” which gives recognition to high school athletes who demonstrate excellent community service.

Van Eerden also co-founded Live58, Serving Ventures, The Centurions Program and Free Think University.

Van Eerden served as executive producer for awardwinning films such as “Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius,” “The Ultimate Gift,” “The Perfect Game,” “Running the Sahara” and “War Child.” He also worked on the Academy Award- nominated short film, “Most.”

Van Eerden also served as chief editor for Life(n) Books.

Van Eerden’s other accomplishments include serving as a guest lecturer at The National Press Club and Harvard University and serving on the Board of Directors for the Society of Classical Learning.

For his achievements,Van Eerden was awarded the College’s Alumnus of the Year award in 2010.

Perspectives

Feb. 14, 2014

Plugged in

Value judgments we make in wearing earbuds Mark Mariani Staff Writer On one’s strolls to class, it is not uncommon to pass by a student preoccupied by his earbuds, seemingly in another world.

Perhaps you may be one of these select students. When I began to think critically about this practice, I noticed a few important value judgments that are placed into this seemingly insignificant act.

My intentions are not to communicate a moral reprimand upon the people who do regularly do this; rather, its main intent is to address what seems to be common assumptions about the real world versus superficial worlds. Under this clarification, it is my position that the decision to “plug in” to music devices reveals an underlying discontent with reality. If its logical conclusions are considered, foregoing reality is a very dangerous road to travel.

Having never engaged in this act myself, I cannot assume to understand one’s reasons for listening to music while walking around campus. One might perhaps “plug in” to place himself into a proper mental framework for class, exercise, dinner and the like. Perhaps he might have suffered a recent heartbreak and in an effort to alleviate the turmoil, he is turning to jovial or morose music choices. Possibly, he simply enjoys a particular style of music and cannot imagine a three-minute walk without it.

I am sure I have not covered every motivation one might have, but frankly, a systematic list of motivations is not necessary to make my point. Whenever students choose to use earbuds, they communicate a value judgment over the world around them. They are saying that music is preferable to the quietness of a campus walk. They are saying that music is preferable to observing the green grass, spacious sky and beautiful Gothic architecture.

While someone can obviously still visually perceive the world around him while wearing earbuds, he loses one of the primary avenues through which he can do so. When hearing is impaired by music, students miss an entire element of the campus, and thus their overall perceptions of it are affected. The act also communicates to everyone else that those students do not wish to speak

with them.

Students communicate to themselves that their thoughtlives are not interesting enough to sustain a five-minute walk.

They purposefully forego the decision to ponder the mysteries of God, or acknowledge His glory in creation, by choosing their music instead.

If I were to bet on it, I would say that most students do not think critically about these decisions. Moreover, it is not readily apparent that this choice is

changed for a song on a playlist?

What actually seems unbearable is not the five-minute walk, but answering these questions in the affirmative. To do so would reveal a profound ignorance to the fact that God graciously created the heavens and the earth, all other humans and notions of truth. He also provided a Gospel that saves.

David said in the Psalm 8, “… when I look at thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

one of forsaking contemplation, conversation or appreciation for the world around us for the music of each individual’s choosing.

Once aware that these choices are made known, however, each individual becomes responsible for their actions that follow.

In light of the responsibility to make wise choices, “plugging in” seems antithetical to this end.

Particularly, the desire to submit the world to one’s own musical tastes, rather than to enjoy it for its own beauties, reveals a profound narcissism. This subtly communicates that one’s own prescribed world, set to the tune of his preferred music, is better than the one in which God has created.

Rather than understanding oneself as a member of a community, each person understands himself as an individual who purposefully denies civic interaction for intrinsically selfish reasons. Resultantly, this raises certain questions: are five-minute walks truly that unbearable that they must be spiced up with soundtracks? Are the students here truly that poor in conversation that they must preemptively be denied the opportunity to talk? Is God’s creation truly so unappealing that it must be ex-

established; what is man that Thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that Thou dost care for him? … O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is Thy name in all the earth!”

Paying attention to the world yields this kind of worship offered by David unto God. And this should be the striving point for everyone. If it is true that man was created for God, and that closely observing all of His creation – including fellow people – can lead one into worship, it seems only fitting that one should incline himself to do so in every manner possible.

Students will live better lives when they pay close attention to reality rather than separating themselves from it. It is not when reality is forgone, but rather when encountered, that they begin to render worship unto God, and thus fulfill their primary calling as created men and women.

While being “plugged in” might seem inconsequential, the practice feeds into a larger philosophy seeking to escape reality, and thus the means by which God can be worshipped. It is for this reason that all should seriously consider the question: our world, or the real world?

Page 9

Editorial

Keeping your head on the hardwood Kyle Burko Perspectives Editor It seems that the best origin stories start with humble beginnings. A dusty YMCA gymnasium. Two round peach baskets. Just 13 rules.

The year 1891 is hallowed in the world of sports for its introduction of what today comprises 30 massive franchises nationwide and billions of dollars.

Springfield, MA was the home of a rough concept of a game created by James Naismith that was designed to function simply as an “athletic distraction” for a rowdy men’s physical education class at Springfield College.There was no dribbling the ball. The game was nine versus nine. Naismith cautioned that the game be “fair for all players and not too rough.” A referee called out fouls for running the ball and for tackling the ballhandler. “Basket Ball” was born.

Basketball began during a time when “King James” was the name of the 1600s translation of the Holy Scriptures, “Kareem” was just a dairy product, and “Magic” was widely thought of as witchcraft rather than a high-leaping basketball extraordinaire. One can only dream of what Naismith would think of the billiondollar industry that emerged from his “athletic distraction” that was played with a soccer ball. His unenthusiastic gym class has evolved into millions of boys, young and old, having “hoop dreams” and watching every televised game of their favorite team.

Today, sports such as basketball have grown and left their humble beginnings to become a central focus of national attention – much more than just a winter distraction in a quiet YMCA gym in New Eng-

land. The rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers fans may be one of the greatest in the sport’s history. Rivalry adds a spice of the capitalist competitive spirit to sports and gives fans something to cheer about.

It is important to look at history of something to discover the original intent and purpose from time to time. We look at our family history and remember the struggles of ancestors and grandfathers to cross the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean and find opportunity on the “Golden Shores” of America.We look at the history of our country to find out what happened in its founding and why battles were fought.

In sports, the lesson learned from looking like this at the origins is a fresh perspective. We understand that as a society, we are masters at exaggerating the scope of something that starts small and with a small purpose.

Facebook started in a Harvard dorm room. It became a juggernaut with almost a compulsive pull on those who had not yet joined the social sphere it created.

Basketball started as an “athletic distraction.” May we today, especially as Christians, recognize sports within the right perspective. The next time we find ourselves debating a harsh referee call or passing up schoolwork in favor of watching the Lakers, may we remember the origin. Maybe this will help us remember that it is easy to magnify sports and to center our lives on them.

May the great sport of basketball that we watch and play stay an “athletic distraction” and not become the substance of our attention, as it quickly can become if we aren’t keeping our eyes open.

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.

Are we all masochists?

Rigorous education worth the effort in the working world Meagan VanTil Contributing Writer

Throughout the time that students spend at Grove City College, the question “why am I going to this school” is asked on a regular basis. There are endless complaints that students make against the school: the large amounts of homework, the exams that seem too difficult, the small number of people in the student body, the terrible food and the continuous snow accumulation.

These are just a few of the common criticisms that one hears about the College, and they all lead back to the main question at hand: why? Why do students put themselves through the endless hours of homework, the late-night study marathons, the freezing cold trek to class

and the mediocre food? The answer is that a degree from Grove City College is worth so much more than a degree from many other colleges and universities.

While not all employers will view it this way, the education that one receives at the College is so much more than simply getting passing grades or making the Dean’s List. When someone earns a degree from Grove City College, it means that they know how to think. When a person is able to say, “I graduated from Grove City College,” it means that he has fought and succeeded to fulfill the rigorous and (sometimes) ridiculous expectations that come with being a student here.

The student body of the College is a group of people who have been taught to view life through a critical lens and not

to blindly accept what they are told, but to instead ask questions and think for themselves.

Sadly, many people have not been taught to think for themselves. Instead, they blindly swallow and regurgitate information and worldviews with which they have been provided, and cannot answer the more important questions.

While asking the hard questions may not always make one popular and can indeed cause bitter disagreement, it is a trait appreciated by people of wisdom and character and is a skill that will serve one well when venturing into the world of reality.

Now, it is not fair to say that people who have not attended Grove City College do not know how to think; on the contrary, there are critical and smart

thinkers all over the world. This does not apply to a majority of our culture, however, as there is a difference between being smart and being intelligent.

While the definitions are similar, being smart generally carries with it the connotation of being book-smart: that is, being a person who knows many facts about a variety of topics. When a person is defined as being intelligent, it usually carries more weight.

Being an intelligent person means possessing the abilities to think, analyze, question and reason. These are not always qualities of someone who is merely smart. At Grove City College, students are taught to be both smart and intelligent, which puts them above many others.

To qualify, we are not alone in being taught to be intelligent;

there are many others who are educated similarly. The College seems to provide an above average education, however, and it is something for which one should be immensely grateful.

To conclude, the question must again be asked: Are Grove City College students masochists? It seems safe to say that, in a way, most are. But only inasmuch as it serves a higher purpose. Students go through a lot of work here, and there are days when each and every person dreams of going to a university somewhere warm and sunny with an abundance of beaches, no prohibition against alcohol and most importantly, very little real work. But students here are getting so much more, and while much of what is being gained is intangible, it makes all the difference.

Page 10

Perspectives

Feb. 14, 2014

Broaden your horizons Jenne Mante Contributing Writer There is nothing like the feeling of going somewhere new and experiencing things that you have never had a chance to experience before. Studying abroad is a great opportunity to do just that.

The opportunity to study abroad is not one that everyone can take. Many people will go their entire lives without the chance to live in another coun-

try and to experience a different culture. I encourage any student to study abroad; when presented with the opportunity to do so, one should take it, but there are also several things to consider when planning to study abroad.

The first thing to keep in mind is that the experience will not be perfect. I spent last semester studying at the University of Limerick in Limerick, Ireland. I had always wanted to study in Ireland and I would do so again if given the chance, but it still had some bad aspects along with

COURTESY JENNE MANTE

the good. Things do not always go as planned, but each setback is the beginning of a new adventure.

When you are in another country, there are many things that will happen that are beyond your control and that you do not expect. Junior Missy Eswein spent last semester at the Grove City College Campus in Nantes, France.

“The hardest part about studying abroad was dealing with issues beyond my control – like missed trains, expensive baggage fees and confusing maps – while trying to remain calm,” she said.

Being in a new environment and experiencing new things can throw you for a loop, so it is important to be willing to go with the flow.

It can also be hard to know you are missing things that are

happening on campus. Junior Daniel Wilson spent last semester in Nantes and said that it was “totally worth missing everything on campus.” The College will still be here when you come back, and not much changes about it. You might miss a play, a dance or another event, but it does not compare to the fantastic experiences you will have when traveling abroad.

If you go to Europe, traveling between countries is inexpensive. Once you get there, it is easy to travel anywhere you want to go.There is an unbelievable amount of opportunity to explore new places and try new things.

When it comes to new experiences, do not be afraid to take advantage of them. Eswein encourages every person who studies abroad to “take advan-

tage of every chance you get to immerse yourself in the culture.

McDonald’s is cheap and familiar, but it’s also a wasted opportunity.”

One thing on which Eswein, Wilson and myself agree is that studying abroad is worth doing.

No matter where you go and what you do, it is an opportunity that you will only have once. In the words of junior Jonathan Bernhardt, another Nantes student, “It is so easy as a college student to travel, and it is a life changing opportunity that you do not want to miss.”

Studying abroad will take you out of your comfort zone and stretch you in ways that you never imagined and give you some of the most amazing experiences of your life.

Bill Nye vs. Ken Ham David Marr

Contributing Writer On Tuesday, Feb. 4, millions of Americans were able to watch two well-known gentlemen debate one of the oldest questions of humanity. The official topic was, “Is creation a viable model of origins in today’s modern scientific era,” but the heart of the debate was more along the lines of the following: Is creation or evolution the proper worldview to use in order to understand from where the earth came?

Bill Nye, “The Science Guy,” known for his popular children’s science shows, advocated for the evolution side. Ken Ham, president of Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY, argued on behalf of the creationist perspective.

The debate had a questionable foundation based on the scientists’ lack of credibility to represent an entire demographic of people who believe in either creation or evolution.

Nye studied mechanical engineering at Cornell University and received his B.S. in 1977.

After graduation he worked for The Boeing Company. Later, he began his well-known science show, “Bill Nye the Science Guy.” Ham earned a B.A.S. with a concentration in environmental biology from the Queensland Institute of Technology. He later received a certificate in education from the University of Queensland. He established a number of young-earth creationism groups, including the Creation Science Foundation and Creation Science Ministries (renamed Answers in Genesis).

Neither man has a doctorate, which is necessary to represent the viewpoint of millions of individuals. Also, the areas of expertise of both gentlemen are tangential to the necessary studies for this type of debate.

To represent either viewpoint, one needs some sort of extensive study in Hebrew or theology, in addition to extensive study in

any field encompassed by the natural sciences. This qualification would ensure familiarity with the original text of the creation story as well as the scientific principles that explain the evolution perspective.

In previous instances, both Nye and Ham made statements which reflected their ignorance and reluctance to hear the viewpoints of the opposing side.

In a Big Think telecast dated Aug. 23, 2012, Nye spoke about the dangers of creationism and the supremacy of evolutionary theory: “And I say to the grownups, if you want to deny evolution and live in your world ... that’s fine, but don’t make your kids do it because we need them.”

Ham is not immune from making such statements either.

In a video released by the Creation Museum on Sep. 6, 2012, Ham responded to “intolerant Bill Nye defenders” who posted feeds on Facebook two young earth creationists who responded to Nye’s comments in the Big Think video.

Ham explained their behavior by saying, “But you know, in a way, it’s really because they’re insecure … they’re saying ‘We refuse to believe that there’s a God who created.We reject the Bible.

We reject God’s Word.’”

What should future debates on the matter seek to achieve?

Brad Kramer, writer for “The Daily Beast” and graduate of Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, PA, puts it best in an article he wrote the day after the debate: “The better discussion is the larger one: the place of the sacred in modern secular life, and more specifically, the place of sacred texts like the Bible in the postmodern world.”

The search to explain how creationism and evolutionary theory fit into our world today should be at the foundation of every discussion on the matter.

Unfortunately, that was not the foundation we saw last Tuesday.

PASTOR

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COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

CHURCH PLANTER

CHAPLAIN

EDUCATOR

PITTSBURGH

THEOLOGICAL

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Your future here is bright • Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Joint Degrees in Law, Social Work, and Public Policy • Programs in urban ministry, world mission, and church planting • Faculty researching and writing on archaeology, the human genome project, and everything in between • $1.1 million in student financial aid

1-800-451-4194 www.pts.edu/GC

Bridging the Word and the World

What went wrong

Sports

Feb. 14, 2014

Page 11

Optimism in the Screening Sochi air as softball What to look for in week two team prepares Weekly Olympic for spring season Brad Hummel Staff Writer

Joe Setyon Staff Writer

As the Grove City College women’s softball team prepares for the spring season, there is a lot of excitement about the talent surrounding this year’s roster. The Wolverines are an extremely young team highlighted by eight freshmen and only one senior on a roster of 19, as well as first-year head coach Christine Slater (’11). However, this doesn’t mean the women have lowered expectations.

“There’s a lot of young talent … across the board, but the key will be giving them experience in real game scenarios,” junior catcher Sarah Morris said.

The team has greatly improved in many areas during practice, and these new skills will be vital as it tries to get the year off to a good start. In terms of pitching, Morris was optimistic, saying that so far the pitchers on the roster are doing a good job setting up the batters to gain control of each at nat. From what she has seen, they are also “getting better and better each day on hitting their spots.”

The improvement at pitching is positive for the team because if all five pitchers on the roster, three of whom are freshmen, can keep the team in games, the offense should be able to find ways to win.

The Wolverines have also been trying to improve base running skills this offseason, specifically by treading the defense and the pitching, but also by being more aggressive in general. If Grove City can efficiently implement

all of these skills in the coming season, it will bode well for the team’s fortunes.

The Wolverines will turn to several key players throughout the year, both pitchers and hitters. Morris highlighted several key players to look out for, such as sophomore outfielder Megan Lynskey and freshman pitcher Erika Aughton. In 30 games last spring, Lynseky batted an outstanding .384, with an on base percentage of .451 and was praised by Morris not only for her hitting, but also for her defense as an “outstanding outfielder.” Morris also praised Aughton, who is “very talented” but “also humble.”

Morris herself is also a big part of the team, not only as defensive catcher but also as a hitter.

In 32 games last year, Morris not only hit .306 but was also second on the team in runs batted in with 16.

It is impossible to forget Grove City’s best statistical hitter, junior shortstop Kelsey Shirey. Shirey was red-hot all of last year, hitting .441 with 18 RBIs and a .482 OBP. The Wolverines will look for contributions from these players, but also from others like lone senior Baylie Jones, who can play both infield and outfield, sophomore pitcher/infielder Emily Rothbard and sophomore infielder Casey Woodcock, among others.

Grove City undoubtedly has the talent and desire to win games, and as the season progresses it will be fun to see how each player, in addition to the team at large, is able to progress.

Senior history major and Olympic enthusiast Brad Hummel offers his insights on highlighted events from each day of the XXII Olympic Winter Games.

Friday, Feb. 14 – Freestyle Skiing: Women’s Aerials – Blending athleticism and airtime, skill and style, the aerials competition is a classic showcase of the human ability to achieve the Olympic motto of faster, higher and stronger. Since its installment at the 1994 Lillehammer Games, the event has had a decidedly international flare, with medalists representing countries as far away as Uzbekistan, Australia and China.

Saturday, Feb. 15 – Short Track: Women’s 1500m and Men’s 1000m – A red-letter day in one of the Winter Olympics’ most chaotic sports will feature a rising class of American speed skaters. As the American great Apolo Ohno moves from the rink to the commentary booth, the spotlight shines on American J. R. Celski, who looks to add to a pair of individual and team bronze medals he won in Vancouver.

Sunday, Feb. 16 – Speed Skating: Women’s 1500m – Historically, the Netherlands are a speed skating powerhouse, winning nearly all of their Olympic medals on the oval. Fresh off a victory in the women’s 3000m, Dutch skater Irene Wust will attempt to defend her title at half the distance and add to her three career gold medals.

Monday, Feb. 17 – Bobsled: Two-Man – With a sleek new bobsled designed by auto manufacturer BMW, American teams that finished off the podium in this event in Vancouver will hope to use the latest in aerody-

namic design to their advantage in Sochi. They can expect to be challenged by traditional powerhouse Germany, whose athletes won gold and silver medalists in two-man four years ago. Coincidentally, Germany is also the home country of the Americans’ sled architects.

Tuesday, Feb. 18 – Nordic Combined: Men’s Individual Large Hill – The United States’ long history of failure in the sport of Nordic Combined came to an end in Vancouver in 2010 when four-time Olympian Bill Demong won his country’s first gold in this event followed by a silver in the team competition. Demong, the American flag bearer in the Opening Ceremony, now seeks to defend his title in a competition in which years of dedication finally paid off.

Wednesday, Feb. 19 – CrossCountry Skiing: Men’s and Women’s Team Sprints – The tenacity of flat-surface skiing is demonstrated in the rapid yet potentially tumultuous team sprints. The team to watch for in Sochi will be Norway, a country already adding to its record haul of 96 total cross-country medals coming into these Games, including nine in Vancouver.

Thursday, Feb. 20 – Figure Skating: Ladies Free Skate – Considered by many to be the marquee event of the Winter Games, Thursday’s Ladies Free Skate will determine who will join the likes of Norway’s Sonja Henie, Germany’s Katarina Witt and the United States’ Sarah Hughes in the pantheon of figure skating royalty. If American Gracie Gold hopes to live up to her name, she will have to beat

Rundown

Feb. 14 Freestyle Skiing: Women’s Aerials Feb. 15 Short Track: Women’s 1500m & Men’s 1000m Feb. 16 Speed Skating: Women’s 1500m Feb. 17 Bobsled: Two-Man Feb. 18 Nordic Combined: Men’s Individual Large Hill Feb. 19 Cross-Country Skiing: Men’s Team Sprints Women’s Team Sprints Feb. 20 Figure Skating: Ladies Free Skate out defending champion Yuna Kim of South Korea and Russian sensation Julia Lipnitskaia, who at 15 years old is already a gold medalist in the team competition.

Stay tuned for daily highlights from the final weekend of the Games in the next issue of The Collegian.

RADARONLINE.COM AND RAPPLER.COM

Sage Kotsenburg (left) was the first American to win a gold medal in Sochi. Gracie Gold, above, hopes to beat out stiff competition to win a medal in the Ladies Free Skate Thursday.

Support Your Wolverines!

February 14-20 Swimming and Diving Fri. – Sat. PAC Championships/ James E. Longnecker Swimming and Diving Invitational 10 a.m. Preliminaries / 7 p.m. Finals Women’s Basketball Sat. 5:30 p.m. Geneva (A) Wed. 6 p.m. Westminster (A) Men’s Basketball Sat. 7:30 p.m. Geneva (A) Wed. 8 p.m. Westminster (A)

Sports

Page 12

Feb. 14, 2014

Inside intramural: Basketball edition Sarah Logie

their free time to improve their

Photo Selection Director Each year a special season comes around. Some may even call it sacred. Athletes, competitors, friends and rivals join together to participate in men’s intramural basketball each winter.

Unsurprisingly, IM sports in general usually attract the masses, as Grove City College is ranked second in the nation for highest intramural participation. But IM basketball holds a particular draw.

Fraternities, housing groups and independents alike fill out rosters in hopes of gaining the gold (or, in this case, free t-shirts) awarded to the winning team.

Teams ranging from A to D leagues usually begin playing at the end of January and continue until the end of March.

The men can be found Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings from 8-11 p.m. in the intramural room. They practice, they prep and they play as excitement builds for game days. “[IM basketball] is essentially organized pick-up where everyone can compete against players of their own skill level and have

skills. With naturals like sophomore Drew Walsh, sophomore Gabe Moore and senior Steve Lantz, the team’s record of 4-3 does not come as a shock.

The AOs have also seen success thus far. Thanks to their experience, passion for the game and devoted players like junior Josh Eberly, senior Matt Roush and senior Ian Mikrut, they are expected to do well in A League.

“We have a lot of athletes who really love the game. Most of us played high school basketball, SARAH LOGIE/THE COLLEGIAN

Dozens of teams get together three nights a week to take a shot at IM stardom on the court. a good time,” super senior Anthony Lanza, IM basketball commissioner and captain of the Alpha Omega A league team, said.

Many find that the pure enjoyment of playing attracts them to this unique sect of sports.

“Our team is special because we have a lot of friendship,” senior Nu Del Chad Scott said.

While most students would agree IM basketball provides a chance to compete at a low-key level, they would also concur

that winning is the ultimate goal.

Once players hit the court, game faces are uncovered. Friends turn to foes, and comrades become competitors.

“The competitive spirit is what makes IM basketball my favorite sport to play,” senior Steve Lantz of the Nu Del team said.

The intensity and desire to win become palpable as fans crowd the sidelines for a view of basketball history in the making.

“We take our basketball se-

riously. We have a proud tradition of success in the B League and would like to continue our streak forward,” senior Matt Logie, said, coach of the Crons.

The Crons are currently 3-4.

Because of skilled shooters like sophomores Nick Pitcher and Allen Toth, and Logie’s motivational morale, future success seems attainable.

The Nu Dels, who are also in the B League, similarly mean business. They play pickup in

and some even thought about playing or have played for the College,” Lanza said.

The AOs are currently 5-2.

With many more games to be played, there is plenty of time for teams to establish themselves.

Whether it is the CRONS, Nu Dels, AOs or other teams such as Sig Sizzle, Straight Cash, Midnight Mischief or Residual Funk, IM basketball provides an opportunity for good old-fashioned fun and a chance to support friends.

Wolverines falter in conference play Ian Mikrut Sports Editor

The Grove City College men’s basketball team lost another two conference matches to drop to 8-13 as well as sixth place (5-8) in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference standings.

The losses came on Grove City’s home floor at the hands of first place Saint Vincent College, 6852 and in double overtime to W&J, 74-68.

The Wolverines have dominated at home (5-1 at home prior to this stretch), but Wednesday’s loss to the Presidents marks the third straight home loss for Grove City and adds to what is now a five game losing streak.

“It’s definitely frustrating,” senior guard Evan Schell said after Saturday’s loss. “Especially when these losses are coming in games where we feel like we didn’t perform to our full potential.”

Things did not bode well for

the Wolverines early into Saturday’s game as Saint Vincent nailed two unanswered threepoint shots within the first few minutes of play to take a lead they would not relinquish at any point. Although Grove City fought back, going on an 8 point run early in the first half, the players were never able to significantly cut into the Bearcats’ lead.

“We just couldn’t find the bottom of the net,” Schell said, “and where we came up short, [Saint Vincent] took advantage of opportunities and [was] able to convert on the offensive end.”

Grove City has been one of the best shooting teams in the conference, but Saturday’s second half saw the Wolverines shoot an abysmal 1-11 from three-point land. Rebounding has been a constant challenge for an undersized Grove City squad as well, which hurt the team in this matchup, getting

outrebounded by the Bearcats 42-27.

Four Saint Vincent players scored in double figures and forwards Dillon Stith, senior, and Sean Kett, junior, each posted double-doubles for the Bearcats.

Sophomore guard Stephen Tam was the high point man for Grove City with 13 points coming off of a career-high last week. Junior guard J.T. Schwartz posted 11 points along with four assists and five steals.

The Wolverines still have a chance to make some noise in conference play as they will close out this season with three straight PAC matchups before the conference tournament.

Grove City will travel to Geneva College this Saturday before heading to Westminster College and then finally closing out the season at home against Thiel College.

PAC Championships

Swimming and Diving team plays host

DAVE MILLER/ADM PHOTOGRAPHY

Sophomore guard Stephen Tam has stepped up of late, contributing a number of double-digit efforts. The men have struggled, though, dropping five straight games, including three at home. The men hope to bounce back in time for PAC playoff action.

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Write for The Collegian DAVE MILLER/ADM PHOTOGRAPHY

Senior David Bossert looks to lead the men to a championship after falling just short last year. Bossert took home the meet’s Swimmer of the Year award in 2013 after earning three individual victories. The women look to extend a streak of five consecutive years as PAC champions. The Wolverines host again this year. Preliminaries start at 10 a.m. Thursday to Saturday; finals, 7 p.m.

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.