The Collegian – Oct. 8, 2021

The

@Collegian_GCC @gcc.collegian The Collegian: The GCC Newspaper Friday, October 8, 2021

Collegian The Award-Winning Grove City College Student Newspaper

A major upgrade

Vol. 107, No. 5

Music prof wins contest Abigail Henriksen Contributing Writer

The annual Homecoming Powderpuff football game was held Monday night at Robert E. Thorn Field.

CALEB WARRICK

Homecoming events in full swing Ayden Gutierrez News Editor

Last year brought about many cancellations for the campus community.

Most notably, the Homecoming festivities at the college were cancelled last fall.

With many of the on-campus activities returning this semester, Homecoming this year was predicted to be the best one yet.

A full slate of events was held over the last week to gear up for the Homecoming football game against Geneva College tomorrow afternoon.

Last Friday, the Institute of Faith and Freedom hosted an American-themed dance at the HAL Courtyard.

The annual Powderpuff football game took place on Monday night at Thorn Field. David DiDonato ’05, associate pastor at the Bible Chapel in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, spoke last night

at the Student Worship chapel service. A 1920s Great Gatsby-themed Student Homecoming Dance will be held tonight at the HAL Courtyard.

The annual Homecoming Parade returns tomorrow and will make its way through campus and down Pine Street and South Broad Street. Before the football game tomorrow, the Homecoming King and Queen will be announced, along with parade float awards.

Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod, senior director of Alumni and College Relations, said that the college was thrilled to host Homecoming once again.

“We are excited about this Homecoming in particular because our alumni, friends and parents have missed being on campus,” MacLeod said. “It truly is a special place! The chance to come back home is something that

many are very excited about.

With 24 class reunions and seven milestone Greek reunions being celebrated, it will be the Best. Homecoming. Ever.”

MacLeod noted that while all events will be held normally, precautions are still being taken for the safety of everyone involved.

“Last year we offered a virtual homecoming for our guests,” MacLeod said.

“While it wasn’t the same as being on campus, we believe that our alumni, as well as friends and parents, appreciated the chance to see, hear from and learn more about the College. But there is nothing like being back on campus!”

She added, “We are working hard to make it Covidsafe this year as well. Most of the activities are held outside, we rented lots of tents and we’ll be encouraging social distancing when inside

wherever possible. We are super excited to welcome everyone home.”

Derek Johncour, the head coach of the junior Powderpuff football team, was thrilled to be able to participate in one of the most popular events of Homecoming.

“It was nice to see the campus come together for homecoming once again,” Johncour said. “I was able to experience a normal Homecoming my freshman year and the Covid-restricted homecoming my sophomore year, so to be able to see everyone come together and enjoy friendly competition again was very cool.”

As MacLeod previously stated, seven Greek reunions are being celebrated. The Theta Alpha Pi sorority is currently celebrating their 100th year anniversary.

“The process of planning EVENTS 3

Hume speaks on media controversy Ayden Gutierrez News Editor

The Institute for Faith and Freedom hosted “The Press and Free Society” on Wednesday, Sept. 29, with Fox News Senior Political Analyst Brit Hume.

Hume and President Paul J. McNulty ’80 led the Q&A-styled discussion in Crawford Auditorium.

Hume and McNulty tackled several questions that are relevant in the media today, including: • Are American voters receiving sufficient and ac-

curate information about the news events of our times?

• Are the major news outlets trustworthy?

• Have alternate sources of information provided reliable conduits of knowledge about significant matters of public interest?

• If a substantial erosion of fair and truthful news reporting has occurred, what is the nature and extent of the harm?

• Does it threaten the health of America’s democratic values?

Hume highlighted how the media today is polarizing America, giving many reasons as to why it has occurred.

“People read a lot that of-

fends them,” Hume said.

“Not only that, but it is also important to understand the business model of journalism in today’s society and how that has impacted the polarization that is ongoing.”

Hume credited the 1972 Watergate scandal as the most glorious moment in modern journalism. The infamous event shined a light on the potential power of the press; something that had not been seen before.

“When I first started in journalism, it was viewed as a trade,” he said. “Watergate showed everyone that journalism could become a profession.”

Hume described the business model that has sparked

controversy in modern journalism. Hume explained that online newspapers are now seeking the largest possible audience. To attain this goal, the editors have had to become businessmen in a sense to maximize profit. As a result, reporting credible, accurate news is no longer the top priority: gaining subscriptions is.

McNulty then asked Hume about bias and trust in the media. Hume pointed out that bias involves cancelling voices. According to Hume, people turn to social media first for their news. Due to legislation, social media platforms can block out those HUME 3

Music professor Dr. Joseph Hasper won 2nd Place in The American Prize in Composition for his choral music last weekend.

While Hasper is known on campus as the fun music theory teacher, he is also a prolific composer.

He has several hundred published compositions, “including everything from symphonic orchestra to pep bands,” Hasper said.

Sophomore Charlie Hubbell, who has had several classes with Hasper, said that he “has a unique wisdom about the intricacies of music theory and performance.

He has the initiative to put that wisdom into practice by writing excellent music.”

Entering contests and competitions gives Hasper motivation to write new music. He said that it “gives me a deadline, for one thing, which is great motivation for putting in the hours and actually finishing pieces.”

Hasper entered five of his choral songs in The American Prize, all intended for SATB (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) choir: “TwentyFour Hallelujahs,” “If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking,” “The Kings, They Came,” “Refuge” and “In The Fishery of Souls.”

While he composed the orchestral part of the score, Hasper used text from Scripture, Emily Dickinson and Sara Teasdale for the lyrics for his choral pieces.

When asked what inspired him to write these songs, Hasper said that each piece had its own special inspiration, but that in general he is “drawn to choral music because the voice is such an expressive instrument to write for.”

The American Prize in Composition is by no means the first time Hasper has received an award for his music.

“I won awards from the Anton Stadler Composition Competition, the Parade of American Music Composers Competition, the University of North Texas 360 Jazz Initiative and was a finalist in the Texas Small School Band Association Composition Competition,” Hasper said.

In addition to these awards, he received grants from the American Music Center, the University of Oklahoma School of Music, the Robberson Fund and was a guest composer at the Fresno New Music Festival.

Sophomore Madeline Helm, one of Hasper’s students, said that she was not surprised to hear that he had received this award.

“Both in class and out, CONTEST 3

Editorial

Page 2

The award-winning Grove City College student newspaper, Oct. 8, 2021

Grads impart words of wisdom Life beyond the pines Paige Fay ‘21

Former Editor-in-Chief Graduating college might make me old, but not too old that I forgot what it was like to be a Grover achiever.

And I don’t mean the triple-major-4.0-and-threeextracurriculars kind of Grover achievers, though we all know one. (You need to hate sleep and swear off fun for that kind of life— a promise I never would make.)

As I remember it, there were still Grover achievers who slept well and worked hard. Because, as most of you know, most Grovers don’t make it to Grove without achieving something (wish AP style allowed for italics). But there was still the drive to get an “A” and go to the BR on Long Island night. This is the kind of Grover achiever I’m talking about.

While the Grover achiever label often got a bad reputation (and probably still does), I have to admit something. The majority of “The Bubble” might scoff at them, but the outside world is desperate for achievers, of the Grover kind or not.

As I said before, I’m not saying you need to be a nosleep-no-fun kind of person.

But instead, it’s the spirit of achieving the world is after.

Because as I’ve found, and you’ll find, there’s not a lot of that post-Grove City.

Am I saying that by simply trying you’ll go above

and beyond your future employer’s expectations? No, although many of us may experience that. The bottom line is that achieving is a good thing, and Grove City is a great place to practice.

So, take the time to do so.

If hitting a deadline means staying up until 1 a.m., do it. Don’t just give up the points. If you have no idea what to expect on your next exam, go talk to the professor. Don’t just stay quiet because you’re afraid to ask. If you have no idea what your professor was talking about in class, do your research. Don’t just let it slide and guess on the exam. These little habits are what turn achievers into accomplishers in the workplace.

So, when it comes to your future job, be willing to stay after hours. Be willing to try writing that report in a format you’ve never heard of.

Be confident enough to ask thoughtful questions. Be brave enough to speak up in the meeting even if you don’t think you have anything to say. This doesn’t always mean you have to go the extra mile, but your willingness to do so will set you apart.

Because if you want to do well, others will notice.

Your employer is probably not giving out A’s because that’s not the measurement of achievement in the outside realm. You’ll know you’ve done well when your employer and coworkers respect you. And that respect is one of the most valuable things you can achieve.

Collegian Staff Editor-in-Chief

David Zimmermann

Managing Editor Caleb West

Section Editors News Ayden Gutierrez

Community

Copy Editors

Claire Josey Eve Lee Andrew Marston Lauren Ness Ashley Ostrowski Syd Travis Zachary Wood

Staff Writers

Clark Mummau

Scott Amon Connor Schlosser Sarah Soltis Isaac Willour Emma Whiteford

Sports

Staff Photographers

Noel Elvin

Perspectives

Emily Rupczewski

Joanna Thorpe

Mia Campagna Grace David Dan Kabakjian Eve Lee Maya Lindberg Nolan Miller Olivia Ortman Max Pargeon Gracie Turnbaugh Caleb Warrick

Business Manager

Staff Adviser

Photo Chief

Matthew Schoonover

Design Chief Chris Murphy

Copy Chief

Kathryn Miller

Nick Hildebrand

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 News Editor Ayden Gutierrez for carrying his section and his willingness to learn the ropes of Adobe InDesign.

We’re so glad to have you on staff, Ayden!

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

Gutierrez

CHARTERHOUSE

Getting out of my comfort zone Anna DiStefano ’21 Former Managing Editor

A few weeks ago, without thinking, I told a student to get out of his comfort zone.

He had asked me the far-toocommon question heard in high schools ’round the world: why are we doing this? And my response was not my own, but the words of my own high school basketball coach.

You need to get out of your comfort zone.

I was met with a halfhearted eye roll. That wasn’t the answer he was looking for.

Getting out of your comfort zone, however, is not a task to cross off. It’s not something you do once then never have to think about again. It’s a confrontation, a push to face the uncomfortable, whatever that may be.

In these months since graduation, I have noticed just how comfortable I had become. I was used to seeing my roommates every day, walking along the Quad where I had given tours and booked it to Christ Civ from the apartments and the rou-

tine of being at Grove City.

This is not to say that the college is a place where you stagnate, but you create a life, a routine, and that becomes your normal. That’s what you’re supposed to do.

And then you graduate. And your student discounts stop working.

Just as you’re meant to find community and create a pocket of comfort, college is meant to be a disruption, a nudge or even a shove into the uncomfortable. Calculated exposure to the unknown and new.

Some of these nudges were built-in, like the random acts of culture assignments in Western Civ. Some of these nudges came from seeking them out, like signing up for an ICO. Then, on that ICO, you get pushed by your team and the work you were doing. ’Mid the pines was growth, and yes, comfort.

Leaving the small town (or even just the campus) was itself, a step outside of the comfort zone.

Many of us moved on to careers or grad school (I’m sure the CSO has the numbers), some got married and are starting families and others moved back home, across the

country or across the world.

We’ve stepped out of our comfort zones. And isn’t that the point? We should want to be challenged, to grow, to stretch.

So maybe you’re like my student and are reacting to this editorial with a nonchalant, “okay, okay.” I promise, I am almost done. But maybe you’re someone who has stepped out of your comfort zone or need the courage to do so. To you I say, your step is your step. It may be a slight shuffle, a confident stride or a giant leap. The point is to get out of that comfort zone.

And a small step is good, it’s needed. Personally, I have taken the last month to learn how to order in the Starbucks drive thru. Unlike the current Sports Editor, I am a Dunkin’ devotee. But I hated how nervous, confused and even dumb I felt when I couldn’t order coffee. That line that wrapped around the store frightened me, so my wallet and I acknowledged the nudge.

Find the small thing. Find that one little thing you’re holding back from doing.

Look it in the eye and walk towards it. Get out of your comfort zone.

This week in history...

Homecoming through the years Floats exhibit patriotic theme Oct. 19, 1991

Due to the end of the Gulf War earlier in 1991, the Homecoming Committee decided to make patriotism the theme for the parade floats.

“Instead of highlighting alumni, the parade will honor veterans of Operation Desert Storm, including Dr. Bruce Ketler.”

Activities in store for homecoming Oct. 2, 1981 “This year’s theme is the circus, with many fraternities, sororities, and independent groups contributing floats.” Between the different groups, a lion, elephant, cannon, clowns, a donkey, tightrope act, seal, tiger and a three-ring act were all featured throughout the parade.

“The evening will be celebrated by a variety of dinners and dances. The fraternities have announced their

own, while S.G.A. is holding a Homecoming Dance in the Crawford Social Room.

There is no charge. Featured will be ‘Dyce,’ an area rock and roll band.”

Parade highlights Homecoming, revision extends prizes to four Oct. 8, 1971 In 1971, several changes were made to the way the float awards function for the Homecoming Parade.

“In the past, a trophy for the first place was awarded to the winning fraternity.

After three successive wins, the fraternity was entitled to keep the trophy, which was the case last year when the Adelphikos fraternity had their third consecutive victory. This year, however, the trophy will not be handed over to the fraternity, but will be kept in the trophy case, and will be used for approximately twenty years.

The names of the victorious fraternity, year, and title of the float, space permitting, will be engraved.”

Additionally, “A special feature will include approximately ten faculty members or members of their families on horseback.”

Hannan reigns at homecoming Oct. 20, 1961 Homecoming sought to be the “largest and most active which G.C.C. has ever seen. More returning alumni and the largest parade ever is expected.”

“The theme for the parade this year will be Television Shows. There will be 63 floats, cars, and marching units. It will start with a police car and then go on with the car for the parade and Homecoming chairmen and Dr. and Mrs. Harker. The Student Council president with Dr. and Mrs. Ketler will be followed by the Queen’s float, the G.C.C. band,” and the group floats.”

Clark Mummau

Perspectives Editor

News The Collegian,

Oct. 8, 2021

Page 3

Coffee runs get longer and longer Gracie Turnbaugh Staff Photographer

Ayden Gutierrez News Editor

Employee shortages are affecting business across the United States.

Restaurants, retail stores and many other businesses are being forced to cut hours, fire employees or close their store all together. In Grove City, students are being stripped of certain dining options.

Dunkin’, Starbucks and the GeDunk are three student favorites that have recently made adjustments to combat understaffing.

Dunkin’, located less than half a mile from campus, is currently closing at 5 p.m. rather than its typical 10 p.m. due to internal struggles with management and understaffing. Dunkin’ also recently shifted to drive-thru only because of understaffing.

Sophomore Jonathan O’Brien, who has been working at Dunkin’ since spring 2021, speaks on the struggles of the work environment when there are not enough employees.

“When I started working again about three weeks ago, they only had me closing with one other person, and I was getting out at 11:30 to 12 a.m. most nights, because it was too much to do with basically no help,” O’Brien said.

For students of the college,

JENKINS

continued from 16

PhD in art history, but I decided to go with STEM,” said Jenkins. Her decision on the STEM program came from following the advice of her parents.

“They told me that my first love in life should be my hobby, and my second love should be my job so I never get tired of my hobby. I can do art on the side if I want to.”

Aside from creating artwork, in her spare time Jenkins also enjoys the reading and listening to music.

“I started ‘Only Dull People are Brilliant at Breakfast’

by Oscar Wilde, but I haven’t finished it yet, I’ve been so busy since I got here,” Jenkins noted. As for her current playlist, Jenkins has been

HUME

continued from 1 with whom they disagree.

Hume used the example of Twitter and Facebook banning President Trump’s account in January to analogize this thought.

When asked about trust, Hume noted how dangerous the lack of trust in the media is.

“Division means that we can’t agree on the facts,” Hume said. “It is extremely dangerous for our country to be this divided.”

Hume also pointed out the difference between traditional journalism and modern journalism. Hume got his start in reporting at The Hartford Times in the 1960s.

According to Hume, “jour-

EVENTS

continued from 1

a reunion year is a year long process,” Jayme Santoro, a member of Theta Alpha Pi Sorority, said. “The process, however, is fun, because you

this means less of the coffee that America runs on. Junior Erica Johns expressed her concerns on the situation.

“Dunkin’ is a great way to get coffee quick and easy because of their drive-thru,” Johns said. “I’m not always in the mood to walk, so it just makes sense for me to go to Dunkin’. I would hate to see it go down the same path as Starbucks.”

Starbucks, located in the Grove City Outlets, was facing struggles of its own. Unlike Dunkin’, however, Starbucks was not able to survive their struggles. The chain recently announced that they are temporarily closed for unknown reasons. The Outlet Mall failed to comment on the closing.

The GeDunk, the restaurant located in the Breen Student Union on campus, has shifted from serving their made-to-order options at all times to offering only that option in the evenings.

Sam Shepherd, the general manager for Bon Appetit at the college, stated that all three dining options are experiencing struggles with staff shortages.

“Labor shortages have affected all aspects of the food and hospitality industry as well as all other industries,” Shepherd said. “This includes all three units at the college. Restaurants and food/beverage operations have limited their operating on a Gretta Van Fleet and Mother Mother kick recently.

Though Jenkins stands out amongst her peers as a decorated Paralympian, at heart she is the quintessential Grove City student athlete with an evident love of learning, her hobbies and her newfound friend group. Jenkins is a perfect example of a Grover who is passionate, hardworking and has an elite sense of humor.

After taking three weeks off to adjust from the Paralympics, Jenkins has begun practicing with the swim team, prepping for their opening meet that will take place over fall break. This season, Jenkins aims to make it to the NCAA’s, and begin her journey toward collegiate swimming success. nalists lived in fear of getting something wrong.” Hume used Twitter to analyze modern journalism, saying that the platform is an “open sewer.”

However, even though Hume criticized the press, he made sure to acknowledge that a free press is better than a non-free press.

“The free press is not perfect, but we’ve seen countless times in history where a non-free press doesn’t work,” Hume said.

Hume ended the conversation by explaining how we can fix the problems that we have in the press. Hume suggested that society should be involved, should be reasonable in argument and should join a party that he or she likes. get to meet a lot of alumni along the way. We’re celebrating our 100th anniversary this weekend, and a lot of alumni coming back for Homecoming will be in attendance.”

Dunkin’ is one of many restaurants in the area suffering from low-employment. hours, reduced program enhancements and have closed many operations across the country.”

Shepherd noted that college students have recently stepped up to help debilitate the issue.

“We’re getting an excellent student turnout,” Shepherd said. “To date, we’ve hired 20

students from the college.”

The same cannot be said for Dunkin’. O’Brien says that the future of the Dunkin’ store relies on whether or not they can hire more employees.

“If they can get more employees and management gets better, then Dunkin’ will thrive, serving their cus-

MATTHEW SCHOONOVER

tomers, making money and being a great business not only to work for but also to get products from,” O’Brien said. “If they continue to be understaffed and treat employees poorly, it will be an overall bad experience for everyone.”

Dunkin’ failed to comment on the issue.

Finance column

Where do I even start?

Karsten Lagerquist Contributing Writer

Going to college forces students to do many things for the first time.

These things include living by ourselves, deciding what to eat each meal and structuring our day. Possibly for the first time, in college every student will be forced to consider their personal finances.

Whether it’s during freshman year after sending your first check to student accounts, during sophomore year when you spend more on outings than you anticipated or during senior year when the realities of life after college start to loom large, questions about personal finance will come!

As a finance major, I have frequently had friends ask me, with varying degrees of severity, about what they need to do financially to get on track, or (comically) if I could manage their finances for them. I won’t pretend to be an expert, because I am not.

However, I would like to offer a few topics that would be worth exploring for anyone looking to take ownership of their finances.

First, budgeting is key. On some level, we all know how the concept of budgeting works. Even so, few of us have really sat down to think about how we each can effectively budget. Budgeting is necessary because it helps create the habit of spending less than you bring in, a hallmark of wealthy savers everywhere.

A close cousin to budgeting is record keeping. I wrote an article a few weeks ago on the subject, so I won’t expand here other than to say that knowing where your money goes is important.

Next is investing. There are thousands, if

CONTEST

continued from 1 he is so knowledgeable and a pleasure to learn from,” Helm said. “He even maaged to make music theory fun, if you can believe that.”

Although there is a sweet success in winning awards, being acknowledged and re-

not millions, of ways to invest. It really only matters if you know one or two, though.

Learning how the stock market works is a simple place to start. Without knowing the answer to that question, it would be pointless to consider different types of investment.

Additionally, looking to understand credit and debt is also helpful. Student loans and credit cards are similar in that they both involve owing others money. If we owe others money, we owe it to ourselves to know how interest is calculated.

We should have a plan for how to pay that money back and, in the case of credit cards, how to build a good credit history so that we have the opportunity to take out loans for things like houses when needed.

Last but certainly not least is the discipline of tithing, giving 10 percent to the church. Not everyone does it, because Christians have differing views on its importance.

However, it is certainly worth considering and studying the related Scripture.

Nothing is automatic. You won’t understand any of these areas fully by the end of this semester, this school year or the rest of your college career. However, that doesn’t change how worthwhile of an endeavor it is to apply yourself to gaining a basic understanding of them.

None of these areas are ultra-complicated, math-filled skills. Anyone can gain an understanding by making an effort to read articles and ask questions. Pertaining to this thought, I recently came across a quote from Abigail Adams, in which she said, “Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence.”

ceiving recognition for hard work, Hasper said that there is great importance in putting everything in perspective. He quoted Galatians 6:14, which says, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

While an expert in writing music, Hasper still remains a professor at the college

teaching music theory, upper-level composition classes, as well as giving private lessons in composition.

He ascribes his success largely to his teachers and mentors. Hasper wants to be that inspiration for his students and an encouragement for whatever path they choose.

The Collegian,

Oct. 8, 2021

Page 4

Best. Court. Ever.

Addison Bennett

Jenny Baglia

Major: Communication Arts

Major: Molecular Biology

Hometown: Haddonfield, NJ

Hometown: Grove City, PA

Favorite Place on Campus: Kettler Dormitory; I will never be convinced that it isn’t haunted, but it will always feel like home.

Favorite Place on Campus: MEP 1st floor, baseball side.

Best College Memory: Going to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands with Dr. Byun and my friends Blaise, Grant, RJ and Charley… It hasn’t happened yet but it’s an absolute lock for best memory.

Richie Bochicchio Major: Biology with Minors in Business and Management Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA Favorite Place on Campus: Breen Student Union.

Best College Memory: Winning the PAC for swimming last year and seeing the team’s hard work pay off after a long season.

Grace Dymski Major: Finance Hometown: Carlisle, PA Favorite Place on Campus: Hicks Dining Hall at 12 PM.

Best College Memory: Being in the band during Grove City’s first ever post season victory freshman year and seeing lifelong friend Zach Trusky score his first career collegiate touchdown in the same game.

Best College Memory: Returning to campus for the first time since being sent home in March of 2020. Last fall semester, it was so amazing to be reunited with friends again and to be able to witness God’s faithfulness to our campus.

Karsten Lagerquist

Katherine Gish

Major: Finance

Major: Marketing

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Hometown: Hershey, PA

Favorite Place on Campus: The tennis courts on match day.

Favorite Place on Campus: MEP second floor, PLC side.

Best College Memory: Being in the IM rooms when the cancellation announcement went out because of the polar vortex and the following two days without classes.

Best College Memory: Spending many afternoons at Beans on Broad sipping coffee and sharing stories with friends. I recommend trying the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Lattes; they are delightful.

Brogan McCutcheon Major: Middle Level Math/ Science Education Hometown: Springdale, PA Favorite Place on Campus: Hicks on a weeknight.

Best College Memory: Creating and using a Telegram chat to play Werewolf as a way to connect with many Grove City students over quarantine.

Sam Verrett

Olivia Kane Major: Music Education Hometown: Seaford, DE Favorite Place on Campus: Definitely either Rainbow Bridge, because of how pretty it is, or the SAC, because I love seeing and chatting with friends.

Best College Memory: Leading the Swing Dance Club. I have made so many of my closest friends through the dance community and have loved watching people grow as dancers.

Lizzy Swoboda

Major: Mathematics and Secondary Education

Major: History Secondary Education

Hometown: Beaver, PA

Hometown: Wheaton, IL

Favorite Place on Campus: The Chapel during Warriors is my favorite place. Nothing like staring at the stained glass, hearing so many people praise God.

Favorite Place on Campus: The omelet line for sure.

Best College Memory: Coming back from the summer this year after dealing with the many COVID restrictions and seeing everyone at the Graffiti Dance.

Best College Memory: HAL room dance parties during finals or any of the hundreds of Katie’s Korner runs I have made throughout the last four years.

Community The Collegian,

Oct. 8, 2021

Page 5

Alumni speak on sucess Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Award Recipients of 2021 Scott Amon Staff Writer

In recognition of the merit of a myriad of prestigious alumni, the college created the Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Award to honor the alumni who have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields.

Since its inception in 1964, the college has conferred this award to over 175 alumni. A few recognizable recipients of this award are Weir Ketler 1908, J. Howard Pew 1900, Dr. John Sparks and current president Paul J. McNulty ’80, to name only a few.

Tonight, three alumni will be honored as the recipients of this award in Harbison Chapel. A. Christopher Bakken III, Dr. Brian Pall and Christine Keener are the winners of the 2021 Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Award.

This article serves to highlight the recipients’ achievements and their thoughts on what success means.

A. Christopher Bakken III ’82 A. Christopher Bakken graduated from the college in 1982 with a degree in electrical engineering. He currently serves as executive vice president and chief nuclear officer at Entergy Nuclear, where he said he is “responsible for Entergy’s nuclear plants located in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Michigan as well as the company’s management services to the Cooper Nuclear Station for the Nebraska Public Power District.”

While in college “amid the pines,” Bakken met his future wife, Katherine Bakken ’82, and was part of the fraternity Sigma Alpha Sigma.

He also spent a lot of time in the computer lab where he said he “built an Othello game using an Intel 8086 processor, this was the era of Pong. Digital logic and chips were at the cutting edge in those days.”

For Bakken, success is when personal improvement

and growth coincide with positive change.

“Success to me is seeing organizations and individuals improve their performance as you work together to shape a new culture.”

Despite the success he has achieved, Bakken acknowledged that without the help of others committed to excellence none of his work would be possible.

“Whatever I have accomplished, it has been as part of a team of people committed to improving our performance in pursuit of excellence in our field.”

Dr. Brian Pall ’94 Jumping ahead several years, Dr. Brian Pall graduated in the class of 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He currently works at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care as a research optometrist.

Pall explained his responsibilities as “leading a team of research optometrists who are responsible for the creation and execution of the clinical strategies that ultimately leads to the launch of the next generation of contact lenses.”

Having enjoyed his time at the college, Pall recalled one of his favorite college moments: meeting his wife, Michele Pall ’93, who was also a student at the college.

He also revealed a few other highlights of college life: “Preparing for and participating in the annual Tri-Rho Dance Extravaganza, TriRho and ABT Spring parties” and “group study sessions for Anatomy & Physiology.”

Success, said Pall, is not so much what you do but how you accomplish the goal.

“Success is not only defined by ‘what we achieve’ but, more importantly, ‘how we achieve’ a task or goal.

Therefore, personal accomplishments that are achieved at the expense of others are clearly meaningless. True success is attained by those who consistently demonstrate integrity and model servant leadership.”

Pall added that he was honored to be a recipient of the Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Award and praised the college saying, “Looking back, I can unequivocally say that attending Grove City College was one of the best decisions of my life.”

Christine Keener ’97 Christine Keener graduated in 1997 with a degree in accounting and a minor in economics. She now works for the Alcoa Corporation where she serves as vice president of operations for Europe and North America.

Keener said, “I am responsible for the safe and efficient operations of Alcoa’s nine smelters in Norway, Iceland, Spain, Canada and the U.S., as well as a power plant and coke calcining facility in the United States.”

As a Grover, Keener recalls many high points in her undergraduate days, one of which was the meeting of her future husband, Chad Keener ’96, at the Graffiti Dance.

“Some of my best memories are just hanging out with friends in the dorms, including a regular Bible study that a few other Gamma Chi sisters and I did with some of our Ζeta friends.”

For Keener, success has a twofold definition. The first way she sees success is by fulfilling her duties to the best of her abilities.

“I consider myself successful in my role if I created value, drove improvements and left a role/organization in a better situation/condition than when it was entrusted to me.”

The other component to success is the ability to learn: “Success is also learning from my mistakes, failures and rejection and harnessing those experiences to make me a better leader and contributor.”

Keener concluded her interview with words of wisdom to students. “Go outside your comfort zone. You never know what doors will open for you. Walk through them and never look back.”

SUBMITTED

A. Christopher Bakken III ’82

SUBMITTED

Dr. Brian Pall ’94

SUBMITTED

Christine Keener ’97

The 2020 Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement Award recipients

Tonight in Harbison Chapel at 6:30, alongside the three recipients of the 2021 Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement Award, the three 2020 recipients will be honored in addition to the 2020 Distinguished Service Award.

Robert D. King ’69 King is an electrical engineer who devoted his career to changing the world’s dependence on fossil-fuel-driven vehicles.

Known as General Electric’s “father of electric vehicle research and development” at the time of his retirement in

2014, King and his research team developed technology and patents now used by more than 50 percent of hybrid-electric vehicles worldwide.

Lisa Adams Gordon ’78 Gordon is a television news anchor/producer for Erie New Now at WICU/ WSEE TV, the NBC and CBS affiliates in Erie, Pa., where she also works as a field reporter and hosts/produces the weekly public affairs program “The Insider.”

For more than 42 years she has applied her skills to the broadcast journalism field

in roles that include news director, live broadcast director, anchor, reporter, producer, assignment editor and digital news writer.

During her career, she has interviewed innumerable influential and controversial figures from all walks of life.

OEM and after-market vehicular climate systems and parts throughout the Levant, and in particular, Israel.

NITCOM is a major supplier to Israeli military industries and represents some of the largest names in the mobile air conditioning industry.

David H. Peiffer ’81 Peiffer is an e nt re p re ne ur and businessman who has more than 35 years of expertise in trade and commerce in the Near East. As founder and president of NITCOM Inc., he is a key player in the manufacture, marketing and sales of

2020 Distinguished Service Award Trustees Chair Emeritus David R. Rathburn ’79 received the 2020 Distinguished Service Award. Rathburn has been serving the College since his undergraduate years in the Student Govern-

ment Association. He served on the Board of Trustees for 28 years, the last 17 as Chair, a position he left in July of 2020.

During his years on the Board, Rathburn helped lead the College during a period of unprecedented growth and change: extricating itself from the federal student loan program; establishing a robust network of financial support; becoming one of the premier Christian colleges in the U.S.; raising half a dozen new structures – including a namesake Christian activities building; restoring numerous buildings and working with four College presidents.

Community The Collegian, Seven questions with…

Dr. Jeffery Tedford

Oct. 8, 2021

Page 6

A student-led business’ fresh brew

L&J Café bring coffee to campus Sarah Soltis Staff Writer

Chair of the Department of Music What do you listen to on the ride home?

I only live 0.5 miles from campus, so it’s a short trip.

I either listen to Pittsburgh sports radio or orchestral music that I am considering performing.

What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading “The Disney Way: Harnessing the Management Secrets of Disney in Your Company.”

What’s something you’ve been pondering lately?

I’ve been pondering the best approach to finding middle ground among those who view COVID-19 and other cultural issues from either side of the issues.

Favorite restaurant?

Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

Name a movie that makes you emotional.

The opening of any “Star Wars” gets me excited due to the music. Nonmusically speaking, I’d go with “Braveheart.”

What are you looking forward to today?

I’m really looking forward to Homecoming weekend to see former classmates for my 21st reunion and former students.

Favorite class you’re teaching right now?

I love every class but conducting the orchestra after working through 2020 COVID-19 protocols has been a true blessing, as we make music as a group to glorify God.

Student-run L&J Café testifies to the ability of simple enjoyments – like the steam swirling off a cold morning’s coffee or the buttery scent of a popcorn popper – to teach and connect.

Over the past year, senior Luke Eldridge, creator of L&J Café, has roasted, brewed and sold countless cups of coffee while gaining practical skills in business and “leading through serving.”

Last Saturday’s Fall Fest and HAL courtyard’s weekly “Latte Monday” both boast beans roasted by Eldridge.

With the help of several fellow Grovers, Eldridge roasts and sells batches of coffee on campus, supplying coffee to individuals, the college’s Christian Formation Office and a gift shop in Massachusetts, Eldridge’s home state.

Garrett Dickhudt, Eldridge’s “cold-call guy,” assists in outreach to potential clients while Eldridge’s sister, Grace, manages the company’s design, social media and website, with the help of Will Stevens and Bishop Wolff.

Even a coffee company composed of college students offers opportunities for growth. Eldridge shared that his team of “interns” are still getting acquainted with each other as he gets acquainted with the skills of “stewarding” a company.

Elridge said, “It’s just teaching me how to be a good leader.”

Encouragement and service embody Eldridge’s leadership approach. Grace Eldridge shared that her brother’s work to coalesce the company increases her appreciation and respect for him, and that the business has “really made us closer.”

Close connection has carried the company from its inception. Eldridge roomed with the “J” of L&J Café, Jacob Crowley, freshman year. Crowley, a Starbucks employee at the time, introduced Eldridge, a former Folgers and Mr. Coffee fan, to the intricacies of brewing.

When COVID-19 separated Eldridge and Crowley,

L&J Café served coffee at Fall Fest earlier this semester. they dreamt up a means of Eldridge shared. “YouTube bringing craft coffee down helps, too, but only to a certo earth, straight to the cam- tain extent – you just got to pus of the college. Visions of throw coffee in there and stir owning a café danced into it and see what happens.” reality after each spent the Amidst the trails of COVsummer learning to roast.

ID-19, Eldridge and Crowley From their first-floor win- managed to concoct comdow in Hicks, Eldridge and munity over coffee through Crowley sold made-to-order a dorm-room window and to coffee, freshly roasted in a pay off all coffee-related expopcorn popper. penses from the school year.

Elridge explained, “Coffee Whereas Crowley graduatgoes through two different ed and settled down, Eldridge phases of cracking, and when brainstormed expansion of you roast coffee, it smells like this community-building popcorn, and it sounds like business, purchased a home popcorn.” Roasting in a pop- roaster and began bagging corn popper “sounds pretty his own “L&J Café” beans obscure and unorthodox, this summer. but it’s probably the most inEldridge spends upwards expensive way you can start of 20 hours a week roastroasting coffee.” ing and managing coffee.

Though inexpensive, the Though Eldridge and his endeavor required patience team reached out to several and sparked excitement – El- local churches, small gift dridge admitted to once acti- shops proved a better marvating a fire alarm. ket for L&J Café’s beans, for Trial and error taught best, now.

GRACE DAVID

Revenue grew significantly in the month of September alone, but Eldridge held that the spring semester will shape the company’s future path – he has considered renting an off-campus space for a roaster upgrade with the goal of greater output.

The dream of opening a coffee shop lingers in Eldridge’s vision as he progresses through his senior year. Grace Eldridge, too, spoke of potentially joining her brother – such a place could be a venue to “host Bible studies once a week” and share the gospel.

As both siblings recognize, the current L&J Café allows for the application of their studies, for Christlike connection and for simple enjoyment. As Eldridge said, “I love talking to people, and this gives me an avenue to do that.” Fresh coffee can’t be half bad, either.

Don’t rush to the ring

How long should we date before we get engaged? Everyone does it differently; some people date for a year and others for five years... Uncertainly, Puzzled Grover

Dear Puzzled Grover,

Dear Dr. Love

In Grove City, it is a known fact that time in the dating realm flows differently than in the real world.

For example, when a couple is dating at GCC, they are likely to get married within a year, because one “Grover Year” is equivalent to ten years in the secular world! AMAZING! To this day, scientists are working day and night to research and understand this incredible phenomenon.

Keeping the magic of Grove City in mind, the re-

ality is that timing is essential. The right person at the wrong time is still the wrong person.

Marriage isn’t some cute concept of Hallmark moments and chick-flick romance. Marriage is one of the greatest covenants that a person can make; it is with another person before God, and it is even official before the state (those tax benefits are a GAME changer). You are literally taking responsibility for another person and laying down the habits of living for yourself to put the other person before you.

Both of you learn to love better, forgive better and grow

together.

Marriage and the intimacy shared between a husband and wife binds their souls; it is meant to bring them closer to Christ, as they grow and sharpen each other. That being said, if you and your significant other understand the incredible commitment, blessing and challenge of getting married, begin to pray about it. You’ll see signs that it’s meant for you (or maybe it’s not).

To make a long answer longer, engagement has no equation. Nothing can tell you how many days should pass before popping the question. It comes down to

spiritual and emotional maturity, commitment, chemistry and of course, the green light from the Big Man Himself … I’m talking about God, by the way.

Keep it Groovy, my Grover.

Best,

Dr. Love Love M.D.

The Collegian,

Oct. 8, 2021

Page 7

Upcoming Events...

What’s fresh at the Grove?

On Campus: Homecoming Dance

8 p.m.Friday, Oct. 8 HAL Courtyard

Soccer Games vs Geneva

Senior Trevor Iltis being creeked by some friends after being cuaght by surprise on Rainbow Bridge.

MATTHEW SCHOONOVER

Creeking: A long-standing tradition Abby Ruhl

Contributing Writer Heads turn to see a group of male students carrying a recently engaged male as a chant starts to form.

“Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek,” echoes across campus.

A group of women follow closely behind surrounding a woman donning an engagement ring who is clenching a towel to her chest. The chant grows louder as the group approaches Wolf Creek to cross Rainbow Bridge.

Creeking, a GCC ritual where an engaged male is carried to Wolf Creek and thrown in the water, has been a prominent tradition at Grove City College since the late 1970s and has exhibited very little change over the years.

Dr. Jarret Chapman ’04

was creeked in the spring of his junior year, embodying the GCC phrase “ring by spring,” when there was still a dam on Wolf Creek near where it crosses East Main Street.

“When you were tossed in, there was a good bit more depth.” Chapman said. “So, you would really get soaked.”

Alumni Gregg Ruhl ’88 also reminisced being carried further downstream near East Main Street. In more recent years, fiancés have been creeked right next to Rainbow Bridge.

While many engaged GCC couples are creeked, not all are, and members of all groups on campus can be found taking part in the tradition.

“Often times people in various campus groups will get creeked,” says Senior Caleb Carson.

Alumni Josh Ruhl ’17 re-

calls a long walk to Rainbow Bridge to creek a friend from Koinonia Gospel Team saying, saying, “We had started all the way in the music building. By the time we got to Wolf Creek, everyone was very tired of shouting and carrying the guy.

Once GCC students are engaged they should stay on the lookout, as they can be creeked at any time, from any place and are usually caught off guard.

Senior Trevor Iltis, who was creeked earlier this semester, was not expecting it to happen when it did. Him and his fiancée, senior Morgan Hordinski, were visiting with his parents when a bunch of his friends grabbed him as they were walking across Rainbow Bridge.

“A bunch of my friends were waiting on both sides of the bridge, and they ran towards me right when I was at

the base,” Iltis said.

While the male is normally the only one creeked, the tradition requires the female to be waiting with a towel for their newly soaked fiancé. If the female does not show up with a towel, the girl will also be creeked. So, it is in her best interest to keep a towel in her backpack at all times.

“My favorite part of it was seeing Trevor at the moment when his friends started rushing around him to carry him to the creek,” Hordinski said. “He started frantically emptying his pockets and handing me things to hold.”

Sophomore Etienne Pienaar has witnessed the events while fishing in Wolf Creek: “Usually, you hear them before you see them,” he said.

“This year I’ve seen two.”

During one’s time at GCC, it is hard to go without witnessing at least one creeking event.

Spontaneity and chaos of theater Rachel Ledford Contributing Writer

With only a magic eight ball, 24 hours and an empty stage, students set out to write and direct three different plays to perform that same night.

On Saturday, September 25 the theatre honorary group, Alpha Psi Omega, presented the 24-Hour Theater Festival. Starting Friday evening, three different groups were formed of directors, writers and actors. After some improv exercises and group bonding, the actors headed to bed while the writers worked through the night to write three brand new 10 to 15-minute plays to be performed for the first time the following evening.

The twist? Each play had to include a specific prop chosen by the senior coordinator, junior Leah Flick, and the junior coordinator, junior Audrey Glickert: a magic eight ball. Throughout the day on Saturday, the actors memorized their lines and created blocking for the play.

That night, The Little Theater in Pew Fine Arts Center filled up as audience members prepared to watch three plays that hadn’t existed 24 hours prior.

“Cursed Ball,” the first play performed, was written by sophomore Finch Wilson and senior Libby Bupp and

MAX PARGEON

Wife waits for a boat while Husband waits for his flight in the absurdist show, “Waiting for a Train.” was directed by senior Sarah Smith. Sophomore Danny Schlacter and freshman Noah Koons played two old men fighting over a stolen magic eight ball. The thievery resulted in the eight ball being cursed; they comically began going over the cursed scenarios they could end up facing. The humorous theme carried through to the second play, “Waiting for a Train.”

Written by junior Clark Mummau and directed by freshman Emma Will, “Waiting for a Train” was a whimsical type of humor compared to the wittier humor of “Cursed Ball.”

Will, senior Ethan Pierson and sophomore Elliot Eyre played three characters at a train station discussing why they were waiting for the train. Adding to the humor

of the performance, Eyre’s character would spontaneously burst into a monologue about the deep meaning behind the arriving train, while Will’s character developed an obsession with birds over the course of the play. Unfortunately, the train never did come, as far as we know, despite the insistence by Eyre that it will get here “any moment.”

“Over and Out,” the final play of the evening, was written by sophomore Ethan Kannel and directed by sophomore Whitney Leonard.

This play featured a daughter, played by freshman Mary Bargery, fondly looking back on memories with her father, played by Kannel, as she writes letters to him while he is off at war.

The play included flash-

back scenes where her father helped her study for a math test and taught her how to drive a car. Throughout the play the magic eight ball was used by Bargery’s character to find out how her dad was doing overseas. The moving performance ended with Kannel’s character being killed in action. Despite the play being just 15 minutes long, the emotional impact on the audience was clear.

“I honestly teared up after that,” audience member freshman Allison Dieter said.

All three plays showcased the talent of everyone involved. The writers, who produced a script in less than 12 hours, the directors, who helped to lead the execution of each performance and the actors, who memorized their lines over one morning and afternoon, should be commended.

This festival exhibited the art of theater, as the talented teams worked together to invoke true emotion in a short amount of time. While the end production was unbelievably polished, Flick noted that her favorite part of 24hour theater was its ability to be free.

“It takes away the very Grover idea of perfection,” Flick said. “During 24 hour, any idea is a good idea. And with a year like this, 24 hours of spontaneity and organized mass chaos are sometimes just what we need.”

4:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 8 (women) 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 8 (men) Don Lyle Field

Jazz Ensemble Performance 8:30-9:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 9 STA Courtyard

Homecoming Parade

11 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 9 Campus and S. Broad St.

Homecoming Pregame Show and crowning of homecoming king and queen 1:15 p.m.

Saturday, October 9 Thorn Field

Wolverine Football Homecoming Showdown 2 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 9 Thorn Field

AEX Fall Party

7:30-11 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 9 The Dudt Farm, 185 Patterson School Rd., Grove City

Homecoming Worship

10-11 a.m.

Sunday, Oct. 10 Harbison Chapel

One Story with Evenine Paultre 8:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 11 Sticht Auditorium

Wendell Berry & The Virtue of Convocation 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 12 STU Great Room

Connect with us! @Collegian_GCC @gcc.collegian The Collegian: The Grove City College Newspaper

Through the lens,

Through the Lens

Feb. 22, 2019

The Collegian,

Page 8

October 8, 2021

Fall Festivities Students celebrate fall events on campus Photos

Matthew Schoonover Photo Chief

Grace David & Caleb Warrick Staff Photographers

Homecoming has arrived and the fall festivities are in full swing. Students are able to engage in dances including the new “America Dance,” sponsored by The Instutute for Faith and Freedom which featured lots of patriotic lights, patriotic clothes and true American patriots.

The Java Jam featured students with musical talents along with the Grove City Jazz Band.

Fall Fest was full of fun games and activities to offer students a fun Saturday afternoon, and the Powderpuff game offered students a chance to take a break from studying their midterms.

Grove City also participated in a marching band competition on Thorn Field and performed in wonderous splendor. All these activities are only a foretaste of what is to come for this year’s homecoming festivities. - Matthew Schoonover

The Collegian

Oct. 8, 2021

Page 9

Perspectives The Collegian, Oct. 8, 2021

Page 10

Relentless diplomacy Biden needs to face harsh realities

Clark Mummau Perspectives Editor

President Joe Biden addressed the United Nations on Sept. 21 to describe his views on America and the United Nations for the next decade.

His words expressed a strongly collectivist perspective seeking to promote democracy through diplomacy over military power. While the speech sounds nice, I don’t think that it is feasible for the future.

Biden betrayed his collective ideology nearly immediately in his speech when he said, “Our collective future will hinge on our ability to recognize our common humanity and act together.”

He then addressed some of the large issues that the world is facing in its “decisive decade”: COVID-19, climate change, human dignity, human rights and the international system.

“We’re opening a new era of relentless diplomacy,” he said in regard to democracy.

“As the United States seeks to rally the world to action, we will lead not just with the example of our power but, God willing, with the power of our example.”

This was the first time Biden addressed America’s power, but he anticipated people thinking that he was advocating a weakened America.

“The United States will continue to defend ourselves, our Allies, and our interests… but the mission must be clear and achievable, undertaken with the informed consent of the American people and, wherever possible, in partnership with our Allies,” he said.

While this certainly is comforting to hear, I can’t

REUTERS

imagine how we will pursue such ends without decreasing our defense budget, which likely will be a feature of one of the future budgets, especially because of how much funding he wants to increase in other areas.

“In April, I announced the United States will double our public international financing to help developing nations tackle the climate crisis. And today, I’m proud to announce that we’ll work with the Congress to double that number again, including for adaptation efforts,” Biden explained.

The idea of changing our preference from militarism to diplomacy isn’t likely to work well when we are facing increasingly hostile militaries in China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. No matter how strong or relentless our diplomacy may be, there is no telling how little some nations will be willing to listen to us.

To quell people’s fears about the strength of America after its shift to a focus

on diplomacy rather than power, Biden explained that he would push for Iran not to gain nuclear weapons and for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. While both of these are noble ends, they are not likely ever to pan out; America would be playing a dangerous game if it ever would trust those nations to keep their word on such a matter.

“The United States will compete, and will compete vigorously, and lead with our values and our strength,” he said.

His dreams for a future without another Cold War continued, as he reflected on the Middle East and his desires for a two-state solution between Israel and an autonomous, democratic Palestinian state. If Biden can achieve this, good for him, but people have been seeking an answer to the problem of Palestine since 1948 when Israel became a nation. How can a two-state solution ever be viable when both seek control over Jeru-

salem as a holy city? Surely Biden knows!

He perpetuated his wishful thinking by saying that the U.S. will “oppose attempts by stronger countries to dominate weaker ones, whether through changes to territory by force, economic coercion, technological exploitation, or disinformation.”

As noble as these ideas are, they are equally as condemning for America. We are a nation too fearful to confront China on its encroachment on other nations, such as Taiwan, or throughout the South China Sea. We also continue to ignore the slavery we promote in the developing world through our dependence on cheap overseas labor.

Fortunately, Biden recognized our imperfections.

“And while no democracy is perfect, including the United States — who will continue to struggle to live up to the highest ideals to heal our divisions, and we face down violence and insurrection —

democracy remains the best tool we have to unleash our full human potential,” he said.

As he concluded his speech, he continued to share lofty ideals of democracy and its benefits. While I agree that democracy is the best solution for the world, I disagree with many of Biden’s tactics of promoting America; they do not properly recognize how other nations, specifically those in conflict with us, do not agree with the principles Biden promoted.

If we want to be successful, we must indeed rely on relentless diplomacy, but we can never forget the harsh reality that those nations we are competing with do not share the same mindset. If they were to believe in such a collective ideology, then we wouldn’t even be having these problems. Of course, then, maybe we aren’t as collectivist as Biden would like us to be, if we’re not contributing even more to solving global issues.

The cognitive dissonance of athletic idolatry Isaac Willour Staff Writer

The Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving is not what most people would consider a mental colossus. The man made headlines for hinting at belief in a flat Earth and questioning heliocentricity. (Not like people I generally respect would ever buy into improbable political conspiracy theories, but heaven knows that drum’s been beaten to death.) However, the unvaccinated Irving’s most recent foray into the waters of public disapproval is fascinating, given its stark contrast to another star athlete only a few months ago.

A recent piece in The Atlantic went after LeBron James for “covering for vaccine refusers” like Irving, with author Jemele Hill lambasting unvaccinated NBA stars like Irving as “selfish,” voicing an opinion I find incredibly telling: “A little bit of public peer pressure wouldn’t hurt.”

This opinion is an abso-

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

lute 180-degree turn from Hill’s take on Olympian Simone Biles, when she wrote that Biles “redefined” Olympic sports in her decision to withdraw from the women’s gymnastics final in Tokyo over mental health issues and lost move syndrome.

Hill decried conservative figures who called Biles selfish, and praised her for her decision to withdraw. She then

framed the issue as “some people… cannot bear to see a woman of color making her own choices.” (That’s not particularly honest or accurate framing, but that’s another issue.)

My issue with Hill’s conflicting take on Biles is not that she’s wrong. Quite the opposite in fact—she’s right.

Biles made the right decision and there are several figures

on the right, including Charlie Kirk and Matt Walsh, who absolutely owe her an apology for what they’ve said about her. So why can’t Jemele Hill be consistent here?

If Hill had called for “a little bit of public peer pressure” on Biles post-Tokyo, she would have been absolutely out of line. So why is her attitude towards unvaccinated athletes like Irving now in vogue?

Hill’s cognitive dissonance is not particularly unique. A quick survey of the Twitter cesspool will show numerous examples of people who have nothing but support for athletes like Biles and nothing but derision for the unvaccinated among us. Why is mental health a perfectly acceptable reason for an athlete to make controversial career decisions, but vaccination status is somehow not?

The reason isn’t difficult to ascertain for those who approach life with a correct grasp of first principles. We have no issue making room for causes that touch our hearts and resonate with us on a personal level. But when it comes to causes that con-

flict with our personal biases, we’re infinitely less inviting.

As Christians, we should be able to pick up on why this is. In the words of Leo Cullum’s 1997 comic in the New Yorker, “it’s not enough that dogs succeed. Cats must also fail.” We’re fallen beings who have a deep need to feel not only that we are on the moral and compassionate side, but that everyone on the other side is immoral and cruel.

And we’re only too happy to apply this double standard to everyone from cultural heroes to political opponents to irritating neighbors.

Pro athletes are idols of the religion of Americanism.

When the idols stop blessing the empire with victory, it’s only a matter of time before people start wondering how much power they really have.

Our cultural idols are the same imperfect and flawed people we are, as much as our human nature wants to deify and demonize them along the lines of our own personal ideologies. We shouldn’t allow our cognitive dissonance to let us forget that they never held the power in the first place.

The Collegian,

Oct. 8, 2021

Page 11

Word on the street...

What are you looking forward to for Homecoming?

Paul Brown “I’m sure the food will be good.”

TEXAS TRIBUNE

The cost of leaving home Jackson Romo Contributing Writer

Some 15,000 Haitian migrants have been camped outside Del Rio, Texas, seeking entry into the United States for the past weeks.

Though the numbers have dwindled to 5,000, and many have been turned away by the administration, Del Rio alone has experienced 200,000 migrant encounters.

Many were horrified at the images of a horse-riding border-patrol agent whipping a Haitian migrant. These were, of course, lies. Even I could clearly see from the image that the agent was holding the reins, not a whip. These attention-grabbing headlines distract us from a biblical perspective on immigration.

First, immigration must be done legally. The Israelites always set the precedent of asking permission before crossing into another people’s land. In Numbers

20:14-21, Moses seeks the permission of the Edomites before the Israelites pass through Edom on the way to the Promise Land. Even 400 years earlier, in Genesis 47:3-6, Joseph asked Pharoah for permission to settle his family in Egypt.

Vice versa, foreigners living in Israel were expected to follow Israeli law if they wished to participate in Jewish society. Exodus 12:48-49 says, “A foreigner residing among you who wants to celebrate the Lord’s Passover must have all the males in his household circumcised; then he may take part like one born in the land…The same law applies both to the native-born and to the foreigner residing among you.”

Scripture clearly imposes citizenship requirements in Deuteronomy 23:7, “Do not despise an Edomite, for the Edomites are related to you.

Do not despise an Egyptian, because you resided as foreigners in their country. The third generation of children born to them may enter the assembly of the Lord.”

Second, immigration

should be discouraged, because man’s cultural and physical ties to his homeland are sacred. In Genesis 31:30, we learn that Jacob “longed to return” to his father’s household. In Hebrews 11:910, we see that the Promised Land is a shadow of our permanent citizenship in heaven. Though the Israelites had lived as wanderers, Jacob requested that his bones be buried at the Cave of Machpelah, with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah.

It is no wonder that, for most of human history, exile, or separation from one’s land and culture, has been a form of punishment. The Greeks punished murder with exile.

Even the Lord punished Israel with exile to Babylon.

Nehemiah said, “I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven” in mourning for the broken walls of Jerusalem and the distressed remnant (1:12). Upon returning to the promise land, Scripture records that “many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the

former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid” (Ez. 3:12).

Immigration, even as a free choice, can be destructive, because it is a form of selfexile. In “The Sun Worshipper,” G.K. Chesterton argues that capitalism has made slaves of men by destroying their connection to land.

Chesterton argues that medieval serfdom is preferrable, because it gave the serf a permanent home from which he could never be evicted or taxed out. Similarly, culture provides people with a sense of belonging in a way that a foreign land could not.

Immigration is also destructive to the culture that one leaves. Culture only lives on when passed to the next generation. If entire generations leave, then a culture cannot be passed down.

American culture should not be depriving Haitian culture of its younger generations, nor should it encourage Haitians to abandon their culture and homeland for the United States.

Is the vaccine mandate legal?

Jay Wilcox III

Contributing Writer Joe Biden signed an executive order on Sept. 9 requiring all government employees and contractors to be fully vaccinated within 75 days.

Federal employees who do not comply face disciplinary action or outright termination.

Furthermore, the Biden administration has mandated that all employees in private companies with 100 employees or more must be vaccinated or provide a weekly negative test result. Companies that do not comply could face fines.

Members of the media have labeled these actions “aggressive” and “surprising.” I, for one, would agree and even take it a step farther and call the move tyrannical. Naturally, many questions arise when we hear this news. However, it seems that there are two that cry out the most.

First, how will these mandates affect you and me? Second, is it even constitutional?

To the first question

(speaking mainly to the unvaccinated, of course), the mandate should not affect you, provided you do not work for a large company off-campus. However, even if you do not have a job offcampus, it could affect you in more indirect ways.

For instance, both of my parents are contractors for the federal government and sadly face the difficult decision of forgoing their freedom or forgoing their livelihood. This, of course, is a decision that I feel neither my parents nor any American for that matter should ever have to make.

With that being said, I come to the second question.

Is it constitutional? And the answer to that is absolutely not. In the president’s address on Sept. 9, he mentioned that his patience was running thin and blamed the unvaccinated for the spike in Covid cases.

“It’s just the President saying, ‘I have lost patience. You need to go get the vaccine immediately,’” Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma said in his Sept. 14 rebuttal to President Biden.

The sticky point is that the president is using an executive order, which means he does not need approval from

Melva Loock “I’m looking forward to the parade.

It’s fun to see the different high school bands play and to get a taste of the community nearby.”

Holly Smith

“The entire day of marching band, wearing my tuba for so many hours, and the inevitability that my left shoulder will sit lower on my body than my right shoulder for the rest of my life because of this instrument.”

Eden Kleiman “I’m looking forward to having fun at the dance.

We haven’t had a dance in ages, and I was in quarantine for the street dance; it’s really exciting to finally have a dance.”

Liz Frailey

“I like going to the parade every year. My family usually comes in to visit that weekend and meet up with their college friends, and I get to hang out with a lot of friends at the football game.”

Charlie Hubbell “I am most e x c i t e d about the band show at homecoming, because all those students currently are itching to put on a great performance to show the alumni we still got the stuff.”

AP

the other two branches to determine what Americans put in their bodies. A personal health decision such as this should never be left up to the federal government, let alone the president.

Again, I refer to Lankford’s rebuttal, in which he rightfully stated, “The president of the United States cannot just demand behavior from the American people.”

This statement is not only accurate, but it also highlights the gravity of the situation. This is easily one of the president’s most dictatorial moves yet. Honestly, I am more fearful of Biden’s disregard for the Constitution than the mandate itself.

As for the vaccine, I feel it should be treated as we now treat the flu shot, especially since more and more evidence is suggesting that future booster shots may be needed as the virus mutates just like the flu. If individual wishes to have the vaccine, they should get it. However, if they do not, they should not have to get it. Simple.

I get the flu vaccine personally, because I feel it is practical, valuable and safe for me.

I know many who choose not to get the flu vaccine, however, and there is nothing wrong with that either. Why? Because it is their personal health choice, not that of the federal government.

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Perspectives The Collegian, Oct. 8, 2021

Page 12

Shutdown? Collegian Crossword

Does it even matter?

Ben Seevers

Contributing Writer

The government may shutdown soon if Congress does not act on the budget, and I hope that it does shutdown. Permanently.

Unfortunately, that is not how it works.

If it lasts a long time, it may cause problems for the political elite and may give freedom-loving people an opportunity to take back much of their lost liberty; it never lasts that long.

What does the government shutdown mean for us? It means grandma doesn’t get her check. It means poor little elementary schoolers cannot go to the Smithsonian on their annual field trip to D.C. It means that countless bureaucrats do not get their paychecks and many agencies shutdown their services.

All of it is a ploy. The politicians never suffer, but they pull at our heartstrings. They kick grandma down the stairs in order to justify blowing up the national debt. Republicans act like they care now, but they don’t. They did not care under Trump, and they will cave sooner or later.

From a libertarian standpoint, it is clear that the government should not raise the debt ceiling, they should not be in charge of infrastructure–all of it should be privatized–and they should not be spending 99 percent of the money that they are spending now.

What is the solution here?

It seems like an impossible situation. The federal government is holding grandma and bureaucrats’ paychecks hostage in order to get constituents in the districts of unwilling representatives to bend the knee. They should not submit. We need courageous representatives to say enough is enough. It may be painful, but the statement will be powerful.

However, this will never happen. Most will cave eventually, and the few who make their living from being the contrarians in Congress will be able to keep their constituents happy. The Biden ad-

ministration may get most of what they want, and the national debt will continue to climb.

The treasury has recently discussed minting several trillion-dollar coins to finance the national debt, but this is a foolish endeavor.

Who will use these coins?

Who wants these coins? How can they be used? The proposition is nonsensical. It relies on the idea that simply by declaring it so, the economy is all better and we have no more debt.

They might as well default.

If they were honest with themselves, they would. Defaulting on the federal debt may be the best route to take.

It would severely limit the federal government’s ability to take out future loans and as a consequence restrict government activity, but who knows what kind of solution they will cook up for that.

Whatever it will be, it cannot possibly be good. Essentially, this country is on a road to fiscal ruin, and there is no stopping it. So what shall we do? Stop worrying about it.

Focus on building up alternative structures outside of government. If the government shutdown comes, remain steadfast in your ideals against big government spending. Help grandma and the unemployed bureaucrat.

Care not for the national parks or monuments.

Additionally, pay mind to the free market stepping up to provide the services that government is not providing.

During the last government shutdown, the FDA shut down many of its inspection functions and in response, private food companies paid for private inspectors. So, come a week and the government shuts down, pray that it stays shutdown. Then, perhaps we may start to see real change for the better.

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Across:

Down:

3. Desired outcome from a throw 7. “Look to your left, look to your right, your future mate may be in sight.”

8. Team 9. A Grover’s estimation, perhaps 10. Large rectangle of grass 11. Soccer mom’s vehicle 12. The graduates 13. Out of this world (abbr.)

16. It’s always rising 18. That shindig on the road Saturday morning 19. Wear this to a formal occasion

1. Put this on a bruise 2. This publication 4. This week-long shindig 5. Willy’s species 6. GCC favorite medieval theologian 8. Sorority celebrating its centennial anniversary 14. What type of depravity (for Calvin)?

15. Term for a Greek city-state 16. Many groups have one of these on the Quad 17. ____. Homecoming. Ever.

A satirical look at race in America

My girlfriend shushed me

Here’s what it taught me about white supremacy It was about eleven o’clock, and I was convinced that I was in a safe place.

My Caucasian girlfriend and I had been dating for two months, and I could definitely see the relationship going long term. My romantic life aside, the peace inside my POC brain was about to be shattered, yet again, with just another reminder of all of the downsides that come from being a person of color in the 21st century.

As I snuggled into my girlfriend’s arms, I leaned up to ask her a question. I cannot recall what this question was about, I can only presume it was something mundane and sweet pertaining to the plans of tomorrow or something similar. And at that moment, it happened. I remember it clear as day as her white hand came down on my lips and a singular word exited her mouth.

“Shush.”

To many in 21st-century America, this may have seemed like an ordinary experience, an innocent moment of sass in a loving ex-

change. However, as a POC, the confusion and frustration I felt was palpable. I managed to hold on to my composure just long enough to give her a goodnight hug and such later. As she left, I was left pondering what in the world had just happened.

The fact is, my significant other’s shushing was not merely a desire for me to be quiet and enjoy the serenity of a romantic moment.

Whether she realized it or not, my girlfriend’s centuries-long internalized whiteness happened to manifest itself in an action that, while amusing and wholesome to her, was indicative of the historical struggle that BIPOC have to undergo on a daily basis.

The silencing of marginalized groups in America is nothing new. How many other Asian men like myself have been told to be silent for the greater good of society? How many have had the spirit of the word “shush” branded into them by the cruel word, the police

baton and the slave owner’s whip?

While this systematic oppression may have been a nothing or a joke to my girlfriend, to me, my shushing was par for the course- just another example of a marginalized voice being silenced for the comfort of a white oppressor.

I don’t know how I am expected to recover from this.

I do not want to live in an America where the shushing and silencing of my POC voice is normalized. While I may be able to cope with this environment and return to a loving relationship, I cannot be expected to cope with a society that is dedicated to silencing my voice and opinions.

When the silencing of minority voices is par for the course in our personal lives, we need to be willing to take the stand. We should not allow ourselves to be put down by the oppressive forces that seek to tell us “shush” so that their oppressive narrative may continue, no matter from whence they come.

Entertainment The Collegian, Oct. 8, 2021

Page 13

Romance film embraces ‘beauty in brokenness’ Emma Whiteford Staff Writer

What makes a movie worth watching?

In a culture fed by entertainment, we find ourselves frequently asking this question. The answer lies in how a film connects to the needs and desires of human nature.

In accordance with this thought, the “Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,” a 2018 historical film starring Lily James and Michiel Huisman, highlights humanity’s need for community. This film displays captivating character development, offers aesthetic visuals and reveals the importance of fellowship. Even so, the question remains of whether it is a worthwhile watch.

The movie begins in the throes of post-World War II London with an author, Juliet Ashton. She has struck up a correspondence with a small book club, named the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Intrigued by the club’s peculiar name and equally peculiar story, Juliet travels to Guernsey, a small island located on the English Channel, to investigate. There she encounters a chilling mystery and a captivating testament to bravery.

The society consisted of weekly book club meetings to fulfill the members’ starvation for community amid the

German occupation. However, as Juliet probes further into the story, she discovers one of the members went missing during the war, and this disappearance remains a well-guarded secret.

The film unfolds as Juliet unravels the mystery and the society members reveal the trials they endured during the wartime occupation. The merit of the movie lies in this character development. A vulnerable, guilt-ridden form of grief exists as an unspoken tension among the members.

However, as the story continues, the secrets come to light; thus, allowing their grief to heal in a very real and tangible manner. Additionally, this film displays the light that outlives the dark of war excellently. The resilience and bravery instilled in each character stays with them even as the signs of war begin to vanish.

To further emphasize the theme of prevailing beauty, the charm of the setting matches the depth of the characters. The picturesque scenery witnessed throughout the entire film includes mountains, beaches and a weathered harbor town which contributes to the overall charm of the film. It captivates the viewer with the beauty and class of the 1940s in both its brief glimpses of vibrant London life and the lovely picture it paints of

quaint, quiet island life.

Overall, the movie poignantly conveys the reality that community is essential by showing that one of the great trials of the German occupation was the isolation that it enforced. These people persevered amidst the struggles of war, because they had one another to depend upon.

Therefore, this film does an exceptional job at focusing on beauty in brokenness and revealing the light that gives people the strength to endure.

“The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” is charming and suspenseful. Despite all these exceptional qualities and the potential that the movie had to be truly captivating, it fell short.

The film is slow and requires an inordinate level of focus. The viewer cannot connect to characters in a way that enables them to feel their pain. Furthermore, the story does not haunt or stay with the viewer. It incurs no further contemplation and, thus, leaves one wanting.

The movie is intriguing and even enjoyable, but not notable. Even so, do not just take my word for it. It is on Netflix. Watch it yourself, practice the skills of analysis and discover what conclusion you come to about this peculiar film.

NETFLIX

Tunes from the Tower...

‘Supermodel’ Chris Murphy Design Chief

Foster the People’s “Supermodel” is, without a doubt, my favorite album.

Due to its very experimental style and mixed reception, I’ve been debating for weeks about including it in this column, but this is my section, dang it.

“Supermodel” has a very different sound from Foster the People’s previous album, “Torches,” which included the infamous hit single “Pumped Up Kicks.”

While “Torches” was a fairly typical album in terms of composition and style, “Supermodel” is a passion project of the band, involving foreign instruments and chord progressions to make a sound that’s been relatively untouched by most pop alternative artists.

At the same time, the album seeks to walk through singer Mark Foster’s personal experiences with a materialistic culture and his search for a more meaningful life, addressing God’s role in it, or a lack thereof. “Supermodel” is not a dime-a-dozen album; it speaks plainly about the

society in which it was made.

As far as the songs themselves, there are an incredible number of hidden gems and verses that cut deeply throughout the project.

“Nevermind” and “The Truth” are busy tracks lamenting about a lack of meaning, hitting the listener with strong lyrics.

“Are You What You Wanna Be,” “Ask Yourself” and “Coming of Age” are appeals to the listener for self-evaluation and reprioritization. “Are You What You Wanna Be,” the opening song, is an energetic kickstart to the album and the other two are heartfelt follow-ups.

“Pseudologia Fantastica,” “Best Friend” and “A Beginner’s Guide to Destroying the Moon” all have strong pop and even rock sounds with varying levels of intensity, while “Fire Escape” utilizes a calming guitar melody to bring the album to a close.

I don’t expect the album to be your favorite, but I have listened to this album countless times throughout the years and would be remiss if I failed to include it.

Imagine Dragons release new album Hannah Young Contributing Writer

Imagine Dragons was one of the first bands to bring alternative rock into the pop genre with notable hits like “Radioactive” (2012) and “Believer” (2017).

However, there has been an unusual silence the last few years, as their last full album was released in 2018.

Their notable grunge and deep melodies have been missing from our radio stations and Spotify playlists.

This September, they released their newest studio album “Mercury - Act 1.”

Their new album appeared on Spotify on Sept. 3. Fans eagerly clicked play, waiting to hear an impressive and energetic rock song. Instead, they were greeted with a haunting piano melody and soft lyrical tune.

I listened, captivated by the new style and even more surprised at how much it moved me. Although the album certainly features several songs with their typical hard rock, the album is undeniably different from their other music.

“My Life,” the first song of the album, introduces the new emotional exploration of personal pain and struggles that the band members experienced during their hiatus.

Through changes in style, lyrics and themes, Imagine Dragons has undoubtedly entered a new phase in their music career.

Every song on the album features deeply personal references to the struggles of the world and band. Songs like “My Life,” “Lonely,” “Easy Come Easy Go” and “Giants” directly mention battles with depression, addiction and

cancer. These extremely difficult topics are expressed in a raw and vulnerable way, making this album more like a diary rather than an entertainment album. The songs explain that the reasons behind their four-year hiatus extend past the pandemic.

For those that are not interested in an emotional exposé, there are plenty of more peppy songs intermixed. “Monday,” “It’s Okay” and “Follow You” are some of the band’s most hopeful and happy songs produced to date.

The album features plenty of alt-rock elements but also lots of piano and guitarbased music. As Imagine Dragons explores a newer, softer sound, they highlight the vocal and lyrical quality behind all their music.

“Cutthroat” and “Giants,” my two least favorite songs

on the album, cross over into the metal genre rather than alt-rock and are extremely aggressive. I believe that these two songs especially are a musical expression of the raw pain that the band has experienced in the last few years, but the vocals completely remove the audience’s ability to process the lyrics.

In the end, “Mercury - Act 1” is one of the most unique

and arguably best albums of Imagine Dragons’ decadelong career. Filled with many quality songs, this is certainly a no-skip album. It features the phenomenal lyrical skill of the band and wide range of vocal ability. There is a song on here for everybody to enjoy. My Spotify playlists are happy to feature Imagine Dragons’ talents once again and even more excited to hear what will come next.

Sports The Collegian, Oct. 8, 2021

Page 14

Golf A blast from the past begins Alum contributes success to Grove City PACs Emma Rossi

Contributing Writer

For this homecoming issue, the Collegian caught up with alumni, Adam Shick, who graduated in 2015 with a degree in Exercise Science.

Shick now works as the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Axis Sports Performance in Maryland.

The main clientele of Axis are elite high school athletes working towards playing their sport at the collegiate level, as well as college athletes pursuing professional play. Shick has also trained four professional athletes at Axis, including Houston Astros pitcher Pete Solomon.

Axis has also given another Grove City College alum the opportunity to intern.

Shick’s first encounter with Grove City College came in his senior year of high school at Lutheran Western High School in Sheffield Lake, Ohio, when he was recruited by former Grove City ColGCC lege defensive coordinator, Rob Skaricich. The following Former GCC football player Adam Shick ‘15 poses for his senior photo ahead of the 2014 season. year, Shick joined Wolvera lot of people.” Shick said, rience. “In high school, you ing football season.’” ines Football.

These friendships last beShick played football un- “I learned a lot through his still go home at the end of classes.” the day, but in college you’re yond your time at Grove der former head coach Chris For Shick, the most poialways together.

You’re livCity College.

In the summer Smith, who walked the Wolverine sidelines for 31 years. gnant feature of the culture ing down the hall from your of 2018, Shick married felShick’s senior year was of Grove City College ath- teammates, you do every- low Grove City Alum Meletics was the community. thing together. You live to- gan (Rossi) Shick ’15, now a Smith’s penultimate season.

Shick’s experience under From arriving on campus gether, you go study togeth- fourth-grade teacher. Standthe coaching staff of Grove early, to knowing what it is er, you always have someone ing alongside him were four City football has provided like to have the full-time job in your major that can help of his former teammates, Alex Jewell ’15, Robert Rolhim with insight into his own of football on top of academ- you out if you get stuck.” ics, “All athletes kind of knew Another valuable aspect lick ’15, Ron Dornin ’15, and coaching. “It was fun to be each other and had an underof being a part of Grove City Hayden Faust ’15. on the other side of it, and Now that he is six years renow I sometimes put myself standing.” Shick says. And College’s athletic commuthis distinctive connection nity is having upperclassmen moved from his time in the back in the player’s shoes was not just between teamthere to guide you. “(That) crimson uniform, Shick says, and remember how it felt to mates of the same sport, “It was always nice.

They can “One of the things I really got be coached that way” he said. went beyond football too, all tell you ‘Oh take this profesfrom Grove City was knowShick also appreciates sports had that.” sor, this class is harder, this ing how to prioritize the right what he learned from Dr. He describes the bonds class is better, here’s how to things.

You have to prioritize Jeffrey Buxton, who was also his advisor. “He thought formed between teammates really lay your schedule out the things within your skill about things differently than as unique to the college expe- so you’re not struggling dur- set that you really enjoy.”

National Sports Column

October baseball is back

Connor Schlosser Staff Writer

It’s October. When the flannels come out for the fall season, you can be certain the MLB postseason is around the corner.

The American League this season really put the ‘Wild’ in Wild Card. Just ahead of the final games for regular season, there was a possibility for four teams to tie for the two Wild Card slots up for grabs. But with the two wins by the Red Sox and Yankees, any postseason hopes for the Blue Jays or Mariners were immediately lost.

In a historic grudge match between Boston and New York, Beantown cashed in their Wild Card for a ticket to the playoffs in a 6-2 victory.

Now the Red Sox have the pleasure of dueling with the 100-win division leader

FOOTBALL

continued from 16 “He has a nose for the football and is in on almost every play.”

The ECAC also honored Gustafson earned ECAC DIII South Offensive Player of the Month. Currently, Gustafson

Tampa Bay in a five-game series. In 2016, the Rays finished fifth in their division with a 68-94 losing record, but now the tables have turned for Tampa. The Rays have the youngest average of playoff teams this season at 27.7 years, despite having 41-year-old veteran slugger and 2021 All-Star Nelson Cruz on roster.

The Astros are the favorites coming out of the American league, but the White Sox will not make it easy for Houston in their divisional championship series. Chicago’s pitching staff is one of the strongest in the playoffs and perhaps the most improved this season, earning one of the top two largest strikeout percentage increases in the league. This is largely thanks to their core of Lance Lynn, Carlos Rodon and Lucas Giolito.

The addition of Craig Kimbrel from the other side of Chi-town only adds depth

for the White Sox. According to Caesars Sportsbook, the Los Angeles Dodgers have the best odds to win the World Series with +375. From simply the standpoint of raw talent especially within their pitching staff, LA has appeared the strongest from the start of the season. In their matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, the Dodgers proved that their squad is not to be taken lightly as they broke a 1-1 tie in the 9th with a 3-1 walk-off win from Chris Taylor.

Take a drive up north on Interstate 5, and you’ll find that the Giants are prepping for their first playoff series since 2016. But what’s different this time around?

Aside from the mid-season acquisition of 2021 Chicago Cubs All-Star Kris Bryant, the Giants have maintained key pieces of their 2014 championship core in catcher Buster Posey and

the basemen Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt. Behind the Dodgers, Astros and Rays, you will find the aged San Fran squad ranked fourth in odds with +675.

The other National League matchup between the Braves and Brewers has experts divided down the middle. In their six regular season matchups, its an even 3-3 split. The biggest edge for Milwaukee going into the series is their pitching. The Brewers are considered to be second to the Dodgers dynasty in regard to pitching for this season’s playoffs with Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff on the mound. But the Braves’ ironic edge over the Brewers is their batting. Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman and Austin Riley make for one of the strongest, most consistent duos at bat this season.

This may be a year of underdogs.

is second in the NCAA DII with 46 receptions and leads the PAC in receiving yards with 635 as well as touchdown catches with 6.

The Wolverines return home this week for the big Homecoming game against rival Geneva College and have been preparing to make

Saturday’s game a memorable one.

“We’ve had great games with Geneva the last several years,” DiDonato said.

“They run an offense that’s different than anything else we see. That is a major focus for us in preparation for this week. We are excited to

celebrate Homecoming and see our alumni. One of our phrases is ‘each of us needs all of us.’ This weekend is a great picture of that phrase.”

The Wolverines will see a 2 p.m. start tomorrow on Thorn field immediately following the Homecoming festivities.

Aly Mapes

Contributing Writer After an adjusted season last year, both the men’s and women’s golf teams are ready to compete for PAC conference title this spring.

There are several new faces on the golf teams this year.

Both the men’s and women’s teams are very young, with a combined total of only five seniors.

The women’s golf team of this year consists predominantly of freshmen and sophomores. The two seniors, Kaylee Grieb and Maddy Temple, are the team’s co-captains. As the leaders of the team, they are looking to build team culture. To do this, the team is practicing together as much as they can this season.

“While we are individual, it’s great to have people who relate to us,” Grieb said.

The men’s team brought in a lot of new talent this season, including several freshmen and rookie junior Anthony Tambellini. The freshmen class includes Aidan Allen, Luke Kimmich, Adam Steinmetz and Max Vaughn.

Having such a young team presents several unique challenges. Many of the players are not as familiar with the courses and are adjusting from high school golf to collegiate golf. However, we can still expect results from these younger players.

Tambellini is excelling early has already won PAC rookie of the week two weeks in a row this fall. He is excited for the season and is already looking forward to play at Avalon Lakes at the PAC Championships.

After a whole summer of preparation, Tambellini is confident in his skills and experience.

“I can relax which helps us shoot good scores,” Tambellini said.

Isles’ goal is to find a balance between great rounds and bad rounds. Both teams are also looking to improve on their short game to help them find success.

“Specifically working on short game will help a lot,” Grieb said. “That scenario we can easily catch up to our competitors on.”

Most recently, the women’s team took third place in the Westminster Invitational last Saturday, Oct. 2 at the Avalon Field Club in New Castle. The team score was 422.

The women’s team hosted their annual invitational on Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Grove City Country Club.

They placed seventh, with an average score of 88.

The men’s team also placed third in the Westminster Invitational on Monday with a team score of 329. The team’s “A” and “B” squads each tied for third place with the same score of 329 per team.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the both the men’s and women’s teams will head to Vienna, Ohio where they will begin their first and second rounds of PAC Championships.

The Collegian,

Oct. 8, 2021 Page 15

Sports at a Glance

Results

Volleyball (12-6, 5-2 PAC):

L, Chatham (3-2); W, Lancaster Bible (3-1); W, Widener (3-0), W, Franciscan (3-1); W, Waynesburg (3-1)

Women’s Tennis (6-3, 2-2 PAC):

L, Westminster (8-1), W, Waynesburg (9-0); W, Lycoming (8-1); W, Clarion (4-3)

Men’s Soccer (5-6, 3-0 PAC):

W, Thiel (6-0); W, Waynesburg (4-2); W, W&J (2-0)

Women’s Soccer (5-6, 2-1 PAC):

W, Thiel (3-1); W, Waynesburg (1-0); L, W&J (1-0)

Men’s Golf (1-0):

Westminster Invitational, 3rd/13--329

Women’s Golf

Westminster Invitational, 3rd/5--422

Football (4-1, 3-1 PAC):

W, Waynesburg (38-0); L, Westminster (33-32)

Men’s Tennis (1-0):

MATTHEW SCHOONOVER

Freshman cross country runner Lydia Bennett crosses the finish line in last week’s meet against Thiel and Westminster. Bennett’s first-place 5K time of 19:51:65 helped push the Wolverines to victory.

It’s a Wolverine win streak Emily Rupczewski Sports Editor

Grove City sports teams have continued to put up wins in the past week and have ranked high in their respective competitions.

A number of athletes have been honored for their performances this week with recognition from the PAC, ECAC and numerous other publications.

Last weekend the men’s tennis team traveled to the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va., where they competed in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Southeast Championships. The team brought home two doubles victories. Senior Karsten Lagerquist and junior Ryne Talko won the B1 Doubles championship, while the sophomore duo of Michael Odrey and Jameson Sposato won the B2 Doubles title.

The women’s tennis team impressed with three straight wins over Clarion (4-3), Lycoming (8-1) and Waynesburg (9-0). The team played back-to-back away matches last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Each win fueled the next, as the Wolverines continued to steamroll opponents. The win streak snapped with a 8-1 loss at Westminster on Tuesday.

Freshman Emily Ivory went 5-0 last week in three team wins. Her wins earned her PAC Rookie of the Week in women’s tennis this week.

Volleyball’s five-game win streak was finally snapped with an extremely close 3-2 loss to Chatham on Wednesday night. The win-streak included wins over nonconference Pitt-Greensburg (3-0), two conference wins against Waynesburg (3-1) and Franciscan (3-1), followed by weekend success in Lancaster. There, they swept Widener (3-0) and upset host Lancaster Bible College.

For their efforts in the last week of gameplay, two Grove City volleyball players have received PAC and ECAC recognition. Sophomore middle blocker Anna DeGraaf earned PAC Offensive Player of the Week while teammate and freshman outside hitterturned libero, Mya Lathem, was recognized as ECAC

Rookie of the Month.

DeGraaf totaled 39 kills in four games last week with 2.60 kills per set and a .313 hitting percentage. DeGraaf showed immense precision last week, with only four errors in 112 attacks. She totaled 11 blocks last week and currently leads the PAC with .317 hitting percentage.

Lathem has stepped into a new role this month, filling in as libero and excelling at it. In 15 matches in the month of September, Lthem averaged 5.02 digs per set.

Lathem is 5th in the PAC in digs with 4.97 digs per set.

She also has 15 aces on the season.

Football played a strong defensive game this week with a 38-0 blow-out over Waynesburg.

Senior wide receiver Cody Gustafson caught the attention of ECAC, earning D-III South Offensive Player of the Month, while senior linebacker Parker Kilgore earned ECAC Defensive Player of the month.

Gustafson is second in NCAA DIII with 46 receptions and is first in the PAC in receiving yards with 635 and touchdown catches with six.

In addition to ECAC accolades, Kilgore is also this week’s PAC Defensive Player of the Week. He had 17 tackles and one and one half sacks in last weekend’s game against Waynesburg. He leads the conference with 55 tackles so far this season.

Senior kicker Nick Morrow also earned PAC Special Teams Player of the Week for converting all six kicks against Waynesburg last week as well as going 5 for 5 in extra points.

In soccer, the women’s team has won two straight with victories over Waynesburg (1-0) and Thiel (3-1).

Women’s soccer takes on Geneva at 4:30 this evening on Don Lyle Field.

Men’s soccer stands undefeated in the PAC at 3-0.

This past week saw not one but two hat tricks from two Grove City players.

Three out of four goals in last Saturday’s 4-2 Waynesburg victory were courtesy of junior center back Aaron McFeaters. His hat trick was the first for the Wolverines

since 2017.

Hat trick fever spread into the match on Tuesday, sweeping Thiel 6-0 for the first collegiate hat trick for junior forward Sam Belitz.

He had 3 goals on 6 shots and one assist.

McFeaters was honored by the PAC this week as Offensive Player of the Week for his 3 goals in 4 shots.

Grove City will face Geneva at 7 p.m. tonight on Don Lyle field following the women’s game.

Saturday afternoon, Grove City will also induct former player Jeff Thompson ’79 into the Men’s Soccer Hall of Fame following the 10:30 a.m. Alumni Game.

In cross country, both men’s and women’s teams placed first in last Friday’s Invitational consisting of Grove City, Westminster and Thiel. The women placed first with 17 points, while the men finished with 19.

Most notably, freshman Lydia Bennett won the fivekilometer race in 19 minutes and 51.65 seconds. Bennet has captured her fourth PAC rookie of the week honor this year and has also caught the attention of ECAC, who named her Cross Country Runner of the Month.

For the men, first, second and third place all went to Grove City runners in the five-kilometer: senior Nathan Warrick, freshman Jonah DeWitt and freshman Ben Raduns respectively.

DeWitt earned PAC Rookie of the Week for the second time this year due to his 5K time of 17:15:43.

In men’s and women’s golf, both teams took third at the Westminster Invitational this past week. The men’s “A” and “B” teams split a third place 329 victory out of 13 teams.

The women’s team scored a 422 out of five teams.

Overall, all of the Wolverines are off to a rocket start, posting statistical records, topping the conference and continuing win streaks.

Catch the women’s tennis team face off at 3:30 p.m. today against Thiel, the men’s and women’s soccer home double-header starting at 4:30 this evening and the Homecoming football game at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

ITA Regionals, B1 and B2 Doubles Champions

Men’s Cross Country (0-1): Thiel/Westminster, 1st/3--19 pts

Women’s Cross Country (1-0): Thiel/Westminster, 1st/3--17 pts

Upcoming

Women’s Tennis: Oct. 8, 3:30 p.m. vs. Thiel

Oct. 13, 6:00 p.m. at W&J

Women’s Soccer:

Oct. 8, 4:30 p.m. vs. Geneva Oct. 13, 5:00 p.m. vs. Westminster

Men’s Soccer:

Oct. 8, 7:00 p.m. vs. Geneva Oct 13, 7:30 p.m. at Westminster

Volleyball:

Oct. 9, 12:00 p.m. at Thiel Oct. 9, 2:00 p.m. vs. W&J Oct. 12, 7:00 p.m. at Franciscan Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m. vs. Waynesburg

Football:

Oct. 9, 2:00 p.m. vs Geneva

Men’s Golf:

Oct. 13-14, PAC Championships Rounds 1-2

Women’s Golf:

Oct. 13-14, PAC Championships Rounds 1-2

Men’s Swimming & Diving: Oct. 16, 10:00 a.m at Clarion

Women’s Swimming & Diving: Oct. 16, 10:00 a.m at Clarion

WOLVERINE WEEKLY HONORS

Emily Ivory Women’s Tennis

Anna DeGraaf Volleyball

Mya Lathem Volleyball

Cody Gustafson Football

Parker Kilgore Football

Nick Morrow Football

Aaron McFeaters Lydia Bennett Men’s Soccer Cross Country

Jonah DeWitt Cross Country

Sports The Collegian, Oct. 8, 2021

Page 16

Senior quarterback Josh Ehst launches the ball in the Sept. 18 game against Carnegie Mellon.

Best. Team. Ever.

MATTHEW SCHOONOVER

4-1Wolverines to face Geneva

Emily Rupczewski Sports Editor

The Wolverines football team dominated Waynesburg 38-0 on the road last Saturday.

The win marked their 500th in program history.

“One of the things we talked about heading into last week’s game was discipline,” Head Coach Andrew DiDonato said. “We often use the phrase ‘discipline equals freedom’. If we are disciplined to do our job with great effort, every play, then we will be free to find success. It was great to see the guys live this phrase out.”

And successful it was.

An early opportunity presented itself when senior cornerback Brandon Caffrey intercepted a pass at the intended Yellow Jacket at the Grove City 41 in the

first drive of the game. From there, the Wolverines drove to the Waynesburg 19, where senior kicker Nick Morrow took over and drilled a 3-yard field goal, putting the Wolverines up 3-0 with 11:22 left in the first quarter.

Morrow earned PAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors this week for his performance in the game last weekend, in which he also went 5 for 5 in extra points.

The Wolverines held the Yellow Jackets to zero points scored, a major feat and defensive achievement according to DiDonato.

“What stood out most was our defensive effort not giving up any points. Holding a team to zero points is very difficult to do, which shows how well our defense played through all four quarters.”

Senior linebacker Parker

Kilgore and junior linebacker Ryan Fleming both recorded 1.5 sacks, with senior safety Patrick Mark and freshman defensive end Bryce Spolnik each adding a sack as well.

Senior quarterback Josh Ehst led the offense on Saturday, completing 21 of 34 passes for 307 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver Scott Fraser caught 11 of those passes for 139 yards, and senior wide receiver Cody Gustafson caught nine passes for 139 and a touchdown as well.

For the running backs, freshman Nico Flati had 94 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, and junior Clayton Parrish scored three rushing touchdowns. Parrish now leads the PAC with 11 touchdowns this season.

Following Morrow’s 3-0 lead in the first quarter, Parrish put up another 7, scoring

campus, making friends, and learning to balance your classes and activities. This was all a part of Jenkins’ arrival to Grove City. Factor in a week to adjust to a 13-hour time difference and combatting jet-lag, Jenkins also learned to navigate unexpected campus-wide fame and attention.

“I didn’t expect everyone was going to know who I was before I got here until I was like… ‘my face is everywhere!’” said Jenkins. “I know the swim team obviously knew who I was, but I didn’t think like the whole campus essentially knew.

That was a little odd because I’d never experienced this before, so that was interesting. But everyone was really great.”

To arrive for the first time on campus and see your face on the front cover of the Collegian, on college announcements posted all over campus and on strangers’ social media is far from the average freshman experience.

Though the campus fame came as an initial shock to Jenkins, she is grateful for the support of the campus community.

“It’s so weird when I would

walk by some of the professors reading about me! I’ll have professors that I’m not even in classes with coming up to me, and it’s great to know that I made a good impression coming in and that they’re supporting this.” said Jenkins. “It’s nice to see the Paralympic movement get represented and people excited about me going to the Paralympics. Grove City’s really embraced the Paralympics which I really appreciate.”

Balancing student life with the demands of being a Paralympian requires discipline, something Jenkins excels at.

Jenkins starts her days early, going to lift in the morning, then going to classes, and swimming in the afternoons while getting homework in when she can.

When she’s not swimming or studying, Jenkins can be found hanging out in the Student Union with friends, or in one of her favorite spots on campus, like Harbison Chapel. There she enjoys playing the piano and admiring the architecture of the chapel.

“I like it when it’s like super late at night and no one’s in there and when you’re

Gold medalist reflects on campus life

Emily Rupczewski Sports Editor

A group of students sits together studying in the Great Room of the Breen Student Union. Among them is Paralympic gold-medalist, and Grove City College freshman swimmer Mikaela Jenkins, who is studying biology and health on a pre-med track.

When the rest of the freshman class was busy with freshman orientation and their first two weeks of classes, Jenkins spent those weeks defending her reigning world champion title and representing Team USA in the Paralympics in Tokyo.

For a Grove City College student to miss the first two weeks of classes sounds like a total disaster, but Jenkins, she was actually ahead of her peers, having already taken Writing 101 at the beginning of her senior year of high school and coming in with most of her work done for her other classes.

Returning from Tokyo two weeks into the school year took some adjusting. For any freshman, it takes time to get acclimated—learning your schedule and way around

on a one-yard run to give the Wolverines a 10-0 lead at the 6:46. The one-yard run came courtesy of Ehst’s 33-yard throw to sophomore wide receiver Ryan Heckathorn, putting Grove City right up next to the end zone and allowing Parrish to score.

The Ehst-Gustafson duo started the second quarter strong, as Ehst launched a 57-yard touchdown to Gustafson, giving the Wolverines the 17-0 lead in the first fifteen seconds of the quarter.

Flati scored his first collegiate touchdown four minutes after, contributing to the Grove City lead.

The third and fourth quarters became the Clayton Parrish show, as the running back scored touch down in each. A three-yard run at the 7:47 in the third quarter increased the Wolverines’ lead to 31-0. With 3:33 left in

the game, Parrish sealed the Wolverines’ victory, scoring from the one-yard line.

The Wolverines finished with 416 total yards and held Waynesburg to 238 yards.

Grove City was also four for four on fourth downs.

Kilgore posted an impressive 17 tackles, Patrick Mark took 11 and Fleming and Spolnik each had 7 tackles.

Kilgore’s performance this weekend earned him much recognition, as he captured multiple honors, including Defensive Player of the Week from both the PAC and the College Football Network for DII as well as ECAC’s Defensive Player of the Month for his solid season thus far.

“Parker’s 17 tackles are a great example of the impressive effort and energy he plays with,” DiDonato said.

FOOTBALL 14

INSTAGRAM: @GCC_SWIMDIVE

Paralympian gold medalist and freshman swimmer Mikaela Jenkins arrived to Grove City with her gold metals in hand on Sept. 5. walking up and you see the lights come through the stained-glass window,” says Jenkins. What you may not know about her is that she is a major art enthusiast and

considered studying art over bio-health.

“I actually considered going into art and getting my JENKINS 3