The
@Collegian_GCC @gcc.collegian The Collegian: The GCC Newspaper Saturday, May 2, 2020
Collegian The Award-Winning Grove City College Student Newspaper
Vol. 105, No. 18
Four professors plan retirement David Zimmermann Staff Writer
GCC
As the class of 2020 moves towards graduation, the college is getting creative to plan a commencement service that will honor seniors.
Commencing plans College plans graduation with senior’s input Collegian Saff Grove City College announced in March that in light of the campus closure and restrictions on gatherings, commencement would be postponed until a later date. To determine the best time for a commencement cel-
ebration, Vice President of Student Life and Learning Mr. Larry Hardesty oversaw the creation of a senior survey. “We are deeply committed to doing an on-campus commencement with the senior class,” Hardesty said. “That commitment started with President McNulty from the
very beginning. Originally, we planned on doing something in the summer, but bit by bit it became apparent that we couldn’t because of the stay in place order being extended.” The survey offered five possible alternative dates COMENCEMENT 3
Along with the Class of 2020, the College will have to say its goodbyes to four professors, who are retiring at the end of the semester. In 1969, professor of biology Dr. Frederic Brenner started teaching at Grove City through a per- Brenner sonal connection. “The dean at the time was chairman of my Eagle Scout Board of Review, and we discussed teaching at a liberal arts college when I completed college and graduate school,” he said. In 1995, Dr. Lois Johnson, professor of education, started teaching early Johnson childhood education at the College and became involved in the Stan & Karen Johnson Office of Global Programs in 2004. She currently serves as the director of the office. “Because I am a Geneva College grad, I did not consider teaching at Grove City. But God had other plans, and I came thinking it would be short-term,” Johnson said. “However, the wonderful colleagues and students soon changed my mind, and I have now been here for 25 years. I have loved every minute, the people, and the strong stand
for learning and for Christ.” In 2004, Dr. Patricia Tinkey ‘75, professor of Spanish, came to campus teaching part-time. After her first academic year, she was then offered a full-time position at the College. “I had been teaching and working in Christian school education and really loved it, so initially it was a difficult decision to make,” she said. Tinkey “However, I had a wonderful mentor, who showed me how using both traditional and non-traditional resources and tools could make language learning both effective and fun at the college level.” In 2006, education professor Dr. Patricia Scheffler started teaching at Grove City due to her dissatisfaction with secular education. “When you are in public higher ed, the person that I have been trained to be at Covenant College, which is Scheffler a person with a Christian worldview, was something that I could not express,” she said. “It has been such a joy and delight to be at Grove City to seek and to develop my students in every aspect of their lives spiritually, emotionally, academically, and profesRETIREMENT 3
SGA Financial aid in bloom for fall semester election results Anna DiStefano News Editor
Executive Committee Executive President Meredith Gartman VP Student Affairs Zack Coryell VP Academic Affairs Mark Grasinger VP Social Affairs Izzy Patnode VP Comm and Marketing Katherine Gish Treasurer Maddy Temple Senior Class Class President Patrick Finley Student Affairs Rebecca Cloyd Academic Affairs Liam Hill Junior Class Class President Kyle Sweitzer Academic Affairs Zachary O’Neil Social Affairs Addie Cairns Comm and Marketing Nick Choiniere Sophomore Class Class President Jamin Smith Student Affairs Lauren Dacey Academic Affairs Caleb Van Grouw Social Affairs Megan Markel Comm and Marketing Olivia Deasy
The College announced this week that it will increase financial aid awards available to students this fall in a move to help families navigating college costs in a season of uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic. “Ordinarily, our low tuition and extensive financial aid make a Grove City College education distinctively affordable, but these are not ordinary times,” President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said. “Thanks to the remarkable generosity of the College’s faithful supporters, we will make the College even more affordable for families facing financial hardship.” Grove City College will invest an additional amount of nearly $2.5 million from its endowment and other gifts to increase awards for the 2020-2021 academic year. Sixty-six percent the College’s 2,300 students receive need- or merit-based financial aid from the College. All need-based aid recipients should see a 20 percent increase in their scholarship amounts under the plan. The total amount of funded scholarships will exceed $10 million. In particular, the College will make additional funds available to help students and families experiencing recent economic hardship. Such special consideration scholarships provide much
GCC
Grove City College has increased scholarship opportunities for the fall in an attempt to help famillies afford tuition in the fallout from COVID-19. needed assistance for students who otherwise might not be able to remain enrolled at the College. With a rise in the unemployment rate and a decline in personal incomes in the current environment, the College anticipates an increase in these types of situations and is preparing to support these students in the new academic year. A commitment of this level is an unprecedented initiative for the College, which is one of just a handful of truly independent higher education institutions that do not accept federal funding, including student loans and
grants. Reaffirming its core value of independence during this crisis, the College is not pursuing emergency funding under the CARES Act, which earmarked billions to help colleges and universities, or any future relief legislation. “I think it is important that GCC remains dedicated to its core value of independence, meaning not accepting any funding from the CARES Act,” Junior Elsie Becker said. She also noticed how this decision correlates to the College’s value of stewardship. “I am pleased to hear that GCC’s principle of steward-
ship which encourages the College to make sound financial decisions is allowing us to extend additional financial aid to people in need during this time. I would hate to not see one of my friends finish their senior year due to unprecedented financial hardships.” Grove City College is perennially recognized for offering the lowest tuition of any private college in Pennsylvania. Affordability has always been a key principle of the school’s mission to support motivated students to grow intellectually and spiritually since its founding in 1876.
Editorial
Page 2
The Grove City College student newspaper, May 2, 2020
From the Editor’s desk
A heartfelt thank you Grace Tarr
Editor-in-Chief Like many of you, I am filled with nostalgia for college life, particularly because I am graduating and will not return in the fall. It’s hard to believe that this is my last issue of The Collegian. I’m not sure how I got fortunate enough to find The Collegian freshman year and to spend most Wednesday nights since then in the Crawford Tower. As my time at Grove City College and The Collegian comes to a close, I am increasingly grateful to the people who have been by my side. In saying goodbye, I also must say a heartfelt thank you to many. Nick Hildebrand, the newspaper’s advisor, deserves my great gratitude for his guiding wisdom. His oversight and dedication to producing great news week after week is what keeps us all going, that and his everready stories about working in newspaper journalism. I owe a debt of gratitude to Karen Postupac ’19 and James Sutherland ’19, for their leadership and encouragement from the time I first entered the office. Karen is an inspiring example of kind-hearted leadership and a true friend. James executed his job as Managing Editor and Editor-in-Chief with dynamic originalism and a knack for preparing the paper for future generations of staffers. The only fault in either of their work was their predisposition to hum two different tunes simultaneiously, an offense that I will probably forgive them for one of these day.
As Paige Fay ’21 takes charge for the upcoming year, I am confident that her wit and attention to detail will serve the paper well. With Anna DiStefano ’21 as her righthand woman, I know the paper will flourish. Photo Chief Wes Kinney ’20 never ceases to bring a creative energy wherever he goes and his work has animated the pages of the paper with a creative flair. Our Copy Chief Britney Lukasiewicz ’21 and her team of copy editors ensure that our paper is grammatically accurate and for their work this error-prone editor is eternally grateful. Sports Editor Connor Schlosser ’22 is a true Boston sports fan, a fact which in my very biased opinion has made him the perfect man for the job. Community Editor Fiona Lacey ’22 has a passion not only for great writing but is truly dedicated to fostering community and building friendships, an attribute which shows in her work. Entertainment Editor Nora Sweeney ’22 never ceased to bring humor to staff meetings. Perspectives Editor Josh Tatum ’20 learned how to fit more dictionary-sized words into one article than I have ever witnessed. The team of editors, writers and designers is too long to possibly thank everyone for their work over this year and their commitment to publishing the paper despite a world-wide pandemic and distance from campus. The Collegian, its readers and those who in years to come will look back to the paper to learn the history of Grove City College are grateful for their effort.
Collegian Staff Editor-in-Chief
Copy Chief
Grace Tarr
Britney Lukasiewicz
Managing Editor
Business Manager
Paige Fay
Davis Miller
Section Editors News
Copy Editors
Anna DiStefano
Community Fiona Lacey
Perspectives Josh Tatum
Natalie Dell Claire Josey Michael Martin Lauren Ness Elizabeth Schinkel Caleb West
Staff Writers
Connor Schlosser
Katheryn Frazier David Smith Mackenzie Stine Mallory Trumbull Jules Wooldridge David Zimmermann
Photo Chief
Staff Adviser
Wes Kinney
Nick Hildebrand
Entertainment Nora Sweeney
Sports
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.
Green Eyeshade Award the
This week’s Green Eyeshade Award goes to... Grace Tarr for her great talent as a writer, designer and editor and her inspiring leadership as Editorin-Chief and commitment to the ongoing legacy of The Collegian.
TARR
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Food safety during COVID-19 Anna DiStefano News Editor
On April 14, the Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Health ordered that employees undergo temperature screenings before their shifts. Any employee with a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will be sent home. My employer, a popular grocery store, had implemented this precaution a few days earlier, calling these screenings “wellness checks.” Upon passing your wellness check, you receive a sticker to wear on your nametag. It shows that you are healthy and do not pose a risk to customers or your fellow employees. Some might ask, aren’t these screenings an invasion of privacy? Yes, and no. Yes, your temperature is your personal information, but by working with the public during a global pandemic you have a responsibility for their health. When you work in service
Letter to the editor Samuel Worsham Last week, The Collegian featured an editorial detailing concern regarding the restrictions issued by state governments in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, specifically the protests in Michigan. These protests are motivated by two main reasons, one for personal liberties, and the other financial. These reasons, upon inspection, are unfounded and do not only demonstrate these protestors as wrong, but detrimental to the health of this country. Before considering these reasons, however, the hypocrisy of the media focus on Governor Whitmer and Michigan cannot be ignored. The subtext of the outcry against her is obvious; it paints a perfect political picture of brave Republicans fighting against an oppressive Democratic regime. Yet, almost identical stayat-home and business-clos-
for the public good, there are some sacrifices that you must make. Food service, if anything, it is an opportunity to practice sacrificial servanthood. It is an environment where the worker is at the mercy of the customer. Providing food is providing for the welfare of the surrounding area, and these greater ideals require me to humble myself to achieve them. Generally, this humbling is inconsequential, practically forgettable. But when I was asked to do something new, like temperature screenings, I was reminded that I don’t go to work for myself, but for others. This standard has always been true. Even before coronavirus, sick employees have been encouraged to stay home. These screenings, however, prompt us to consider even bigger issues. If the government and my workplace can require me to go through a screening, what else can they make me do? Will there come a time when my personal liberty is sacrificed for the greater good without my consent? What will the future look like? I think these questions are the ones that concern peo-
ple. I believe that they are a driving factor in the protests that have popped up in state capitols across the country. People are fearful for their freedoms and the long-term consequences of government intervention. These questions seem a long way from temperature screenings, but they are relevant. I don’t have the answers. Obviously, sick people shouldn’t go to work, and we should be transparent with our health at this time. I’m comfortable with that. That’s my responsibility. My responsibility is to the health and welfare of the people doing their grocery shopping. This responsibility is nothing new; it just looks different right now. In the grocery industry we refer to this responsibility as being “food safe.” Food safety is in the interest of both the customer and the employee and mandated by the Health Department. It used to mean that I tie my hair back, wear gloves and remove my earrings. Now, it means that I let a fellow employee wave an infrared thermometer in front of my forehead before I start my shift.
ing restrictions have been issued by the Republican governors of Ohio, Indiana, Florida, and other states. Michigan is not special, but it does fall into a perfect category to rile up a particular base. Regarding personal liberty, some sympathy must be given to the protestors. Individual freedom is a founding principle of our nation; however, this freedom only extends as far as to the individual. In the case of a pandemic, illness and death can result from the poor choices of others. Unfortunately, a cursory search of current news articles show that the public have often demonstrated that they are incapable of protecting themselves and others by social distancing, even with restrictions in place. Furthermore, similar restrictions were issued in the early 20th century in response to the Spanish Flu, and were largely upheld when challenged in court. The quarantine is not some “big plan” by leftists to restrict the liberties of freedom-loving Americans; it is instead a bipartisan decision
based upon the best-available science. Regarding the economy, again, some sympathy must be given. The restrictions due to COVID-19 have affected the financial well-being of many Americans with business closures and restrictions. Because of this, a holistic approach has been attempted by the government in the form of the stimulus payments and small business loans (Albeit, more support is needed). People do need a healthy economy to thrive, but if they do not survive in the first place, of what use is the economy? In conclusion, the Michigan protestors should not be applauded for their protests. They should be condemned for their selfishness. The only frightening thing in this situation is the utter lack of responsibility these protestors have demonstrated for their fellow man. The choice is not “Live Free or Die,” it is “Stay Put or Die.”
The Collegian,
May 2, 2020
Page 3
Blushing brides
COMMENCEMENT continued from 1
Grovers look to the future but delay plans Fiona Lacey
Community Editor Senior Rachael Stille never thought that her wedding would take place in the midst of global pandemic, and she especially never thought it could be postponed. “I’m just really trying to stay optimistic,” Stille said. “I’ve always been a planner. I’m learning to be more open to the possibility of things not going in other ways than I planned.” Like past years, many seniors (and some juniors) of Grove City College planned to get married this summer. Unlike past years, though, their weddings conflict with the social distancing and safety rules made to counteract the current COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the large numbers of people that usually attend weddings, most brides of 2020 are either reconsidering their wedding dates of waiting on the governor’s next plan of action. It is no different for the bridesto-be of Grove City College. Like Stille, senior Emma Hartshorn is currently waiting it out, keeping her wedding date scheduled, as normal, for mid-July. “I just want to know what to tell people,” Hartshorn said. “We haven’t even sent out our invitations. Everyone’s just waiting, including me.” Frustration and stress seems inevitable for these brides, as their months-long plans and preparations came to a complete stop, with no end in sight. “It’s just been such a frustrating waiting period. I have all this extra time to plan, but I can’t do anything, because we don’t know what things will look like in the future,” Hartshorn explained.
National sports
NFL quarantine quake Connor Schlosser Sports Editor
Trades, free agent signings and the NFL draft have sparked franchise changing decisions in league-wide shakeup. Five-time Pro Bowler tight end, Rob Gronkowski has re-emerged from retirement to reunite with the immortal Tom Brady. asTheir reunion will not be New England where they have spent their entire careers, but instead in Tampa Bay. Pro Bowl receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will accompany the newlook Buccaneers’ offense. Although Brady and Gronk’s move to the sunshine state is the biggest headline in the NFL, it is not the only big shift of talent. With Brady taking the starting job from Jameis Winston, New Orleans gave the 26-year-old the backup job to veteran Drew Brees. This will likely leave utility player and quarterback Taysom Hill, who signed a two-year extension, to stay behind the
PHOTO COURTESY OF EMMA HARTSHORN
Seniors Emma Hartshorn and Brooks Thomas have paused wedding planning due to COVID-19 “It’s all I’m thinking about, but I can’t do anything until we know.” The same goes for junior Kaitlynn Butts, who now plans to have a small ceremony in June. Butts described her thoughts throughout her decision to have a smaller ceremony. “At first it was a lot of waiting and uncertainty. Then it was just really sad [to realize that] it would change.” Butts decided to postpone her reception to August, while keeping the ceremony on the original date. “The covenant of marriage is still important, no matter how it happens.” Stille, whose original date was June 13, also plans to reschedule her reception if current trends continue, though many of her relatives have already booked their flights. Stille has received some RSVPs, but many guests are hesitant to guarantee their attendance due to the date of the wedding. “The RSVPs are very much up in the air.” Stille, Butts, and Hartshorne, along with many other Grove city brides, are waiting for any indication of good or bad news about the spread of COVID-19. Having been quarantined at home for 7 weeks, some are frustrated and some are hopeful. Noting the amount of extra time they all have, they’ve been able to reflect on this unexpected time in their young adult lives. “It’s hard to think that I newly acquired Winston. Another development in the quarterback department surrounds former MVP Cam Newton. With Carolina shipping the young Kyle Allen to Washington and signing Teddy Bridgewater in his absence, Newton’s free agency and future does not look like it will be with the Panthers. Hungry for his return to NFL action coming off foot surgery, Newton has been rumored to join the Redskins or even the Patriots, but his new team remains unclear. One of the best receivers in the game, Deandre Hopkins was traded away from Houston to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for Cardinals running back David Johnson and picks. Houston’s decision to ship off its prized receiver has received criticism and shock from players. Other wide receivers such as Stefon Diggs, Emmanuel Sanders, Brandin Cooks and Robby Anderson have all changed franchises. Diggs notably joins a growing Buffalo offense and dominant defense to challenge the Patriots for the throne of the AFC East. Moving Diggs may be the offensive weapon Josh Allen needs to stretch their opposition. Buffalo has the perfect opportunity to finally knock out the rebuilding Patriots. Emmanuel Sanders joins forces with Michael Thom-
PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHAEL STILLE
Junior Rachael Stille and fiance pose for their engagement photos, their wedding has been postponed but Stille remains positive. could be losing my entire Hartshorn noted that dream wedding, due to this,” while her wedding would be Stille said. “That’s been hard different, its purpose doesn’t to think about.” Stille will change. continue to think on the “It’s been a helpful time for bright side, however, and me to recognize the imporplans to take things one step tance of this marriage. It’s at a time. Hartshorn expressed her easy to get caught up in the sadness about the possible details of the planning.” Similarly, Butts anticior inevitable changes to her wedding itself that would pates her marriage to her fichange everyone’s experi- ancé, with or without a large ence. crowd. “Thinking of all my guests “The most important thing wearing masks and standis being able to marry my fiing six feet apart makes me ancé, Matthew. I think this so upset. You don’t want to make people uncomfortable. experience will impact how It just must be a different we do life together in the wedding than I thought it future. Everything in life is was going be.” subject is change.”
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as in New Orleans, Cooks moves into Hopkins place in Houston, and Anderson joins Carolina. With the first pick in the 2020 NFL draft the Cincinnati Bengals selected their new franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. Replacing Andy Dalton, Burrow will take the reigns of a Bengals squad that finished a measly 2-14. Expect a little upside with a youthful quarterback in the slot for Cincinnati, but do not expect to see the Bengals win their division. Baltimore is one of the winners of the draft selecting an exciting mix of positions most notably grabbing LSU’s prized linebacker Pat-
rick Queen. The Ravens just got better. The Cowboys also found success in the festivities at Roger Goodell’s basement. Dallas snatched up CeeDee Lamb from Oklahoma, arguably the best receiver to come out of the draft. Lamb will flank a Dak Prescott offense with Amari Cooper lining up on the other side for some hopeful chemistry. Dear sports, please come back. It has been far too long. As great as ESPN gossip is, we need to see action. Whether its a dunk, a catch, a hit, a goal, or even a holein-one, we need something to scream at. Sincerely, sports fans.
for commencement on Aug. 15, Sept. 5, Sept. 26, Oct. 3 (homecoming) or Dec. 5 or 19. “The survey was designed to honor the senior’s input. We surveyed on each of the dates for availability and then asked for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices. The goal was to keep the celebration on a Saturday to give students time to travel,” Hardesty said. The information collected from the survey was then passed on to President Paul J. McNulty ’80. “President McNulty is working with the wishes of the Trustees, professors and staffs, and students to find the most beneficial solution for those three communities,” Hardesty said. “Many decisions about the nature of the event have not yet been made, and each date offers different opportunities for celebrations.” A date has not yet been chosen, but Hardesty said that it was clear that students want to come back to celebrate commencement and the school is committed to honoring the seniors.
RETIREMENT continued from 1
sionally.” While retirement may be a normal part of life, the process will look different this year for college professors, not being able to say their farewells to students and faculty in-person. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, professors are glad to be able to teach online classes for their last semester. Tinkey said, “I so miss the traditional classroom. Language learning is such an interactive experience. It just cannot be replicated online. However, I am grateful that WebEx allows me to see all the faces, so that makes me feel like I still have a small piece of in-person classes.” In addition to staying connected with students over social media, Johnson hopes that she has made an impact on them. “Once you are part of someone’s life, it is hard not to realize the impact,” she said. After retiring from the College, Brenner will continue with his research, spend more time with his grandchildren, and continue to be active in scouting and conservation organizations. Unsure of what she will be doing, Johnson hopes that she will love whatever retired life may bring. Tinkey will spend time with her newborn granddaughter and hopes that teaching will continue to be a significant part of her life. “Teaching is my motivational gift, and I love using it to be a blessing to others,” she said. Originally planning on moving to North Carolina, Scheffler will stay in the Grove City area for the immediate future. Although these professors are beginning a new chapter in their lives, the one thing that they will miss most about teaching is the relationships that they have made with students and colleagues over the years.