The Collegian - Feb. 11, 2022

The beloved Bibza

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Prof gives students dating advice

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@Collegian_GCC @gcc.collegian The Collegian: The GCC Newspaper Friday, February 11, 2022

PDA is in the air, especially in MAP South

Women’s basketball keeps on winning

Collegian The Award-Winning Grove City College Student Newspaper

Vol. 107, No. 13

MyGCC forums attract interest Ayden Gutierrez News Editor

Senior Kyle Sweitzer reveals the class of 2022’s parting contribution to the college at the senior dinner last Thursday.

GRACE DAVID

NEW SIGN UNVEILED Latest senior gift sparks debate on campus Noel Elvin

Community & Entertainment Editor The class of 2022 crowded into MAP café on Feb. 3 for their 100 Days Out Dinner to hear the senior class president, Kyle Sweitzer, announce the senior class gift.

Large, red letters spelling “Grove” will grace upper campus by the start of the fall semester.

President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said this is one of his favorite senior gifts yet. The “Grove” sign will resemble the “Love” sign in Philadelphia, Pa. Various departments contributed to the senior gift decision: the Operations Office, the President’s Office and the Office of Institutional Advancement. Sweitzer pre-

sented numerous ideas that he had heard across campus since freshman year to the Advancement Department.

Afterwards, the Operations Department advised on what was plausible with funding.

“It’s a joint decision between those three departments and myself,” Sweitzer said, adding that the senior gift was a “last-minute switch.”

“The original plan was to enhance the outdoor classroom because senior class gifts often look half-finished, and I wanted to improve upon an existing feature,” Sweitzer said. “This project, however, would have been too high of a cost, and the administration knew that not all students would donate their whole deposit.”

“The Grove sign was a

more affordable option that was deemed more realistic of a goal to achieve,” he said.

“Having a large sign is a pretty common occurrence on college campuses, but I worry that the sign will not match the aesthetic of Grove City,” senior Michelle Slone said. “We have a traditional Gothic style campus that is so beautiful, but the sign is rather modern and seems to clash with the architecture of our buildings.”

Sweitzer encouraged the class of 2022, saying, “This is a great opportunity to give a gift to the school in gratitude to an administration that has done so much for us and is seeking a creative, realistic way to improve our campus.”

Slone said she donated some of her deposit towards the gift before it was an-

nounced: “I’ve gained a lot from my time at Grove, so regardless of what the gift would be, I wanted to leave something behind from my time here.”

While Sweitzer anticipates prospective students, alumni and families taking photos of or with the sign, some current students wish that the senior class gift focused more on the student body.

“In general, I wish senior gifts would be more about enhancing the life of the student body,” senior Olivia Kane said. “Something fun like last year’s basketball court or something useful such as refurbishments to a space like South Recreation or more water bottle refill stations.”

SENIOR GIFT 3

Barr set for Reagan Lecture Ayden Gutierrez News Editor

William P. Barr has been selected as the guest for the 14th annual Ronald Reagan Lecture, which will be hosted by the Institute for Faith and Freedom (IFF) on Thursday, Feb. 17, in the Pew Fine Arts Center.

The former U.S. attorney general will be participating in a conversation with Grove City College President Paul J McNulty ’80 and Dr. Paul Kengor, professor of political science and senior director and chief academic fellow of IFF. According to the Faith and Freedom website, the annual Ronald Reagan Lecture “illumines Ronald Reagan’s contributions to America and the world.” Each year, the Institute hosts an individual who worked for, knew or has produced important work on the 40th President.

“The goal of the Reagan

Lecture is to promote the principles of faith and freedom to the next generation of American leaders,” the website says. “As students learn about the life and accomplishments of Ronald Reagan, they can see the values of faith and freedom played out on one of the biggest political stages in the country.”

According to Kengor, the college has held the annual Ronald Reagan Lecture since 2007.

“The first was with Michael Reagan, the president’s first son,” Kengor said. “Af-

ter that, they included people like Bill Bennett, Peter Robinson, Ed Meese, Peggy Grande and many more.

These are people who worked with Ronald Reagan or knew him well. Furthermore, we try to bring in speakers who are prominent and compelling. Bill Barr certainly fits.”

Kengor noted that the event holds some interesting historical perspective as well.

“When Judge Robert Bork lost his confirmation battle before the Senate in 1987, after he was nominated by President Reagan to sit on the Supreme Court, his first public speaking appearance was here at Grove City College,” Kengor said. “I believe this is Attorney General Barr’s first public speaking appearance since he left office under President Trump.”

Although most people today know Barr as Donald Trump’s attorney general, Kengor said there is much more to Barr than one de-

scription.

“Few know that he got his start serving President Reagan,” Kengor said. “Prior to that, he was rich in experiences, including working for the CIA. He has seen and done a lot and has found himself unavoidably in controversies.”

Kengor noted that Barr’s visit is a testament not only to President McNulty but also to the Grove City College brand, as McNulty and Barr have been very close for decades.

“Also, crucial to our vision at the Institute for Faith & Freedom and Grove City College, Barr has been a stalwart defender of religious freedom,” Kengor said. “He has been an unflaggingly courageous champion of freedom of religion, conscience and unborn human life. He has never been afraid to stand for truth. He’s not someone to push around. He is very independent.”

MyGCC, the website for active Grove City College students and faculty, recently made a splash amongst the student body with the release of its forum section.

Jon DiBenedetto, a solutions developer for the college, was responsible for the release of the widget.

“I’ve been helping with redesigning MyGCC and in the process I was experimenting with all the different widgets the website builder had to offer,” DiBenedetto said. “The forum widget seemed to have a lot of potential for internal communication, so I figured I would just create it as a prototype to see if anyone used it.”

And use it they have.

From lost wallets, to missing backpacks, to ride requests to airports and even offers for Lego sets, the forum consists of a variety of content.

“I started brainstorming different categories to separate the conversations and make it easier for people to subscribe to them,” DiBenedetto said. “I honestly forgot about it until a little after Thanksgiving when I was cleaning up something on the site and saw that a bunch of posts had been added.”

Although excited about the idea, DiBenedetto noted that his expectations weren’t high.

“I didn’t have a lot of expectations for how the forums would be used. I honestly was just trying to create a space for students to find solutions to their problems.

It’s certainly been great to see it being used so much. I figured the lost and found section would get used but it’s great to see so many other sections getting some good traction.”

The website has received its fair share of criticism, even with the positive addition of the forums page.

“It’s great to know that the forums are being well received, but I’ve had a lot of feedback from staff and faculty who are upset with the changes being made to MyGCC, because they got used to the old layout,” DiBenedetto said. “In contrast, the student response has been much more positive. I think once the dust settles on the major changes there will be more universal buy-in for the site as a whole.

It’s very satisfying to see the progress we have made so far.”

As with everything, progress always warrants a setback of some sort. As one menu is about to release, another function of the website will see its demise.

“I’ll probably take down the ‘Prayer Request’ topic, since it hasn’t had anyone post on it,” DiBenedetto said.

FORUMS 3

Editorial

Page 2

The award-winning Grove City College student newspaper, Feb. 11, 2022

From the Tower

Chill out, lovebirds

You know it’s February…when it snows five inches every week, football fans prepare for the Super Bowl and Grover couples increasingly indulge in PDA, as Valentine’s Day approaches.

Which brings me to the topic of this editorial – dating culture on campus.

Dating at a Christian college is an exciting possibility as like-minded students get to know each other, but it also comes with its challenges, as there’s already enough academic stress here. On top of taking classes, doing homework, writing papers and deciding on a long-term career path, many students expect to find the love of their life at Grove. This may or may not happen.

Congrats to you if you find someone you want to spend the rest of your life with. At the same time, however, those of us (including me) who worry about never finding a godly spouse need to chill out.

If this is all we’re thinking about, we need to lower our expectations and rearrange our priorities. Maybe the reason you’re not dating right now is so that you can focus on improving yourself as a person and a Christian before becoming involved with someone else.

Many of us tend to think that falling in love with that special someone will instantly fix all our problems and make our lives easier, but the reality is that it doesn’t. Dating someone new is always fun and exciting (hopefully), but the lovey-dovey feelings you catch for them won’t solve anything. In fact, just the opposite.

Being in a relationship is incredibly hard, especially at this stage in our lives when we’re trying to figure out what the next five years look like.

I know three people that go here who are already engaged – and all three are juniors. Though I am happy to hear the news of their engagements, the rush to get married just doesn’t appeal to me. I can’t see myself proposing after a few months up to a year of dating, let alone in college.

In my experience, you don’t really know who your significant other is after being with them for such a short time.

There are so many nuances to another’s character that you just scratch the surface in the honeymoon stage.

As I’m writing this, our staff adviser for the newspaper said that students should enjoy their twenties – because once those years are gone, we can never get them back.

Dating and getting married are a big part of growing up and starting your own life away from your parents, but it shouldn’t be the ultimate goal of yours. If it happens, it happens; but don’t be discouraged if all your friends move on with their lives.

There’s no rush; move at your own pace in a relationship.

So again: just relax and chill out.

David Zimmermann

Editor-in-Chief

Collegian Staff Editor-in-Chief

David Zimmermann

Managing Editor Caleb West

Section Editors News Ayden Gutierrez

Community & Entertainment Noel Elvin

Perspectives Clark Mummau

Copy Editors

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

Staff Writers

Nick Grasso Emma Rossi Connor Schlosser Sarah Soltis Isaac Willour Emma Whiteford

Staff Photographers

Joanna Thorpe

Mia Campagna Lydia Gilanshah Dan Kabakjian Eve Lee Maya Lindberg Nolan Miller Olivia Ortmann Max Pargeon Matthew Schoonover Gracie Turnbaugh Caleb Warrick

Business Manager

Staff Adviser

Sports

Emily Rupczewski

Photo Chief Grace David

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.

Valentine’s Day: The obligation holiday

Emily Rupczewski Sports Editor

Nothing is more offputting than watching the Christmas candy display by the registers of your local grocery store transform into a Valentine’s Day display overnight.

I had the pleasure of watching this happen at the store I work in and audibly groaned when I realized I would have to see the two worst clashing colors on display for over a month before the worst marketing scheme of a holiday was even here.

Valentine’s Day has to be one of the most useless and commercialized holidays on the calendar. Don’t come at me. I am writing this as a single person, but not a bitter single person. Let me explain.

If you take a stroll through your local Walmart or Target, most likely you’ll be greeted with the worst holiday aesthetic known to mankind – the awful pink and red. Seriously, I cannot think of an uglier color combination.

What’s crazier is that these in-store displays suggest these products should be gifts. Most of the adver-

tised Valentine’s Day “gifts” are tacky, cheaply-made dust-collectors that we get and are too afraid to throw away because they were a gift. The stuffed bear on the shelf holding the little “I love you” sign might be cute, but that’s where he belongs: on the shelf. Tip: women do not want this junk.

The Russell Stover and other generic assorted chocolates usually taste like plastic and are a quick thoughtless gesture when one’s partner knows that they should get their significant other a gift but has absolutely no clue what to buy.

Which brings me to my next issue with the holiday: the actual point. Sure, Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about love, but why?

Shouldn’t we show love and acts of love to the people in our lives every day, or at least on a regular basis? Do we really need a dedicated day on the calendar for that?

Valentine’s Day is nothing but an obligation and a consumerist holiday. The idea of having to get your significant other a gift out of obligation seems very inauthentic. Sure, you may love that person, but are you buying them a gift because you love them or because you have to?

I’ve seen too many people

This week’s Green Eyeshade Award goes to News Editor Ayden Gutierrez for his dependable, consistent writing and creative contributions to design night.

GUTIERREZ

scrambling, trying to gesture their love for their partner but have no idea how. My suggestion to you is actually to get to know your person and their love language and go from there.

On the flip side, I’ve also seen too many people overromanticize the holiday with the “I just want someone for Valentine’s Day to buy me all kinds of stuff.” Those who market this holiday do an excellent job creating a consumer base that is convinced they need everything pink and red to feel loved.

This holiday is a tricky one to grapple with. On one hand, if you don’t get your significant other a gift, you’re probably a scumbag. On the other, by giving into the obligation of participating in this inauthentic holiday, the consumer gives the corporations that market all this nonsense exactly what they want.

The only solution to this problem is to eliminate Valentine’s Day from the calendar. But that is very unlikely, so until then, we will continue to comply.

Join me next month, as I take on the next consumer holiday on deck: Saint Patrick’s Day – when the nonIrish folk wear green and get wasted for no reason.

This week in history...

Valentine’s Dance and D.C. Trips February 6, 1972 SGA holds student elections In this special SGA-themed issue, The Collegian reported on all things student elections. Story content in this 50-year-old issue ranged from interviews with the student government candidates to those very same candidates outlining proposals for their applied positions, which gave candidates another chance to convince the student body of voting for them.

February 12, 1982 Freshmen and sophomores organize Valentine’s Day dance

Green Eyeshade Award the

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

THE O’COLLY

This short article from The Collegian informed the campus of the Sadie Hawkins St. Valentine’s Dance, occurring that weekend.

Deviating from traditional dances in which the guy asks out the girl, this type of dance flips the script: female students ask the guys.

The article concluded with this call to action: “So girls, if you want to step out and take a chance at love instead of sitting at home and watching ‘The Love Boat’ on TV

tomorrow night, ask that cute guy you’ve had your eye on all semester to the St. Valentine’s Dance. Cupid won’t disappoint you.”

February 8, 2002 Students go to Washington, D.C., for CPAC Each year, a group of politically minded students from the college make it a priority to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), and 2002 was no exception. The 29th annual CPAC, held the weekend before, was located in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Notable conservative figures at the time, including Condoleezza Rice, William Bennett, Robert Novak, Ann Coulter and Grover Norquist, spoke at the national event.

This year, CPAC will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort hotel in Orlando, Fla., from February 24-27.

David Zimmermann

Editor-in-Chief

News The Collegian,

Feb. 11, 2022

Page 3

Increase in snowfall disrupts campus Nick Grasso Staff Writer

Severe weather has taken a toll on Grove City’s students, faculty and staff.

With several classes being held online recently, there is concern over how long these inclement conditions will be a hindrance.

Toward the end of last week, certain classes were held virtually, dining hours in Hicks, MAP and SAC fluctuated and commuting students had to change travel plans due to the winter weather.

On Thursday, Feb. 3, temperatures reached below freezing levels, causing cancellations and staffing shortages at the SAC. On Friday, ice on the roads kept many professors at home.

While teaching remotely may not be optimal, the college’s professors were able to adjust quickly to spontaneous changes in planning.

“For me personally, transferring classes to a remote situation doesn’t cause me stress,” Professor of Communications Shannon Barrios said.

“I am grateful for the technology that allows us to continue the learning process, even when circumstances prevent us from meeting face-to-face,” Barrios said.

“If nothing else, the last

two years really helped me to master adaptability as a skill.”

Spontaneous shifts to online learning can be frustrating, but safety is the priority. Ensuring that students and professors remain safe means virtual learning is a workable secondary teaching strategy.

“I really consider safety as the highest priority in determining whether to meet inperson or online. While most of my students live on campus, there are a few commuter students in my classes who travel a great distance to get to Grove City,” Barrios said.

Professors who live relatively far from campus are forced to make quick decisions about whether they can make it to school.

“I will usually try to come to campus, but when it comes to ice there really isn’t much a person can do to avoid sliding around. I have a half-hour drive to campus, so I have to consider that what is happening in Grove City might not be the same as what is happening here at home,” Dr. Kimberly Miller, chair of the Department of Communications, said.

For commuting students, the same decisions must be made. Senior Jayme Santoro commutes to campus every day. While she said she usually finds it convenient,

The now-icy Wolverine statue braves the latest winter storm this past week. weather issues often raise problems in the winter.

“Commuting is nice for the most part, but the weather makes it harder. It took me an extra 45 minutes to get to school because my car was frozen and the roads were so bad,” Santoro said.

Inclement weather conditions also affect the college’s food staff. Bon Appetit’s employees at the college have

experienced delays, staff shortages and more amidst this rough weather patch.

The GeDunk’s leading man Joseph Vagasky said, “Living locally is not so bad with the weather, but my 25-minute commute can make things tough, especially when I enter the town of Grove City, where the roads are not always clear.”

“When evening staff is

Campus Safety, state rep recognized Grove City College The college’s 2022 Florence E. MacKenzie Campus Community Awards winners are, respectively, the college’s Campus Safety team and local lawmaker and long-time attorney Tim Bonner.

The awards are presented each year to recognize those who work to bring the college and the community around it together in meaningful, beneficial ways and strengthen a town-gown relationship that goes back to the college’s founding as a community endeavor in 1876.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize these individuals who represent our commitment as a college to fostering a true community with the town of Grove City,” Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod, senior director of Alumni and College Relations, said.

This year’s Campus Award is going to the college’s Campus Safety for their tireless dedication to serving and protecting the community.

The 15 men and women who make up the Campus Safety team have a combined 141 years of public safety, fire, EMS and law enforcement experience.

They often serve as a bridge between local public service, police and fire departments and the college, routinely report and assist with accidents and incidents near campus and, in a recent instance, assisted in putting out a house fire near campus.

Campus Safety personnel are also regular partners with student groups on fundraisers and clothing and food drives that benefit the community.

GCC

The college’s Campus Safety team was awarded the 2022 Forence E. MacKenzie Award, along with State Rep. Tim Bonner.

“The officers are in this field because they truly want to help others and do the best they can do for their fellow man. There are many times that they follow up while off-duty to see how someone made out on a call that they handled or to follow-up on an incident that occurred the night before. These are duties they are not required to do as part of their job, but they truly care for the community,” one nominator said.

The college’s Campus Safety team consists of: Corporals Glen Grube, Jake Moore, and Todd Yeager;

Officers Jim Dickson, Garrett Miller, Steve Dunkerley, Clint Coyer, Matt McFeely, Robert King, Drew Cramer, Tom Sherman, and Logan Aydelott; Office Manager: Bonnie Burchfield; Assistant Director Kent McFadden; and Director Seth Van Til. The Community Award goes to 17th District Pennsylvania Rep. Timothy Bonner, a Grove City attorney who has served the college as a solicitor, teacher and friend for over 30 years. He’s provided legal advice to the college’s Board of Trustees, several presidents and others on

campus to ensure the college maintained its mission, vision and values. Until recently, he TIM BONNER taught a popular one-credit course titled “Know Your Rights.”

His role as a community leader has been even more impactful than his service to the college. He’s worked with nearly every civic and business organization in the greater Grove City community, from Little League to the United Way. He’s also served as president of the Mercer County Bar Association and as elder at East Main Presbyterian Church.

Bonner’s work on the merger of Grove City Medical Center and Allegheny Health Network was specifically cited in his nomination.

The merger benefited the college and the community by keeping the hospital open, investing in the facility and creating ongoing opportunities for the college to partner with the health care giant.

The Campus Award recognizes members of the faculty, staff, administration or student body, including student organizations.

The Community Award recognizes an individual, group or organization from the greater Grove City Borough area. Nominees for both awards must have met the criteria through volunteer effort, not through aspects of employment or other requirements that force interaction.

A ceremony and reception for the award winners is set for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24, in the Carnegie Alumni Center on campus.

CALEB WEST

called off, it makes jobs harder for the people here, but I understand that safety is the priority,” Vagasky said. “It is what it is. Everyone has been patient as we pull through it.”

As February continues, there is hope that the winter weather will ease up day by day. Until then, safety is the priority, as the college continues to navigate the icy situation.

SENIOR GIFT continued from 1

Senior Olivia Nitzsche, however, was extremely pleased with the gift, explaining how it addressed “a direct need on campus.

“I have seen so many families struggle to take pictures in front of our main sign close to the road. It’s an awkward and embarrassing task. This new sculpture is an iconic piece of art that makes the campus feel more modern and gives prospective students a cool picture opportunity!”

“It is a clear marketing win,” Nitzsche said, “and will definitely benefit the campus on social media.”

Sweitzer is actively working on achieving campus improvements, including seating outside Hopeman and Memorial, a new cap for the fountain outside of the Student Union and large pictures on the side staircases of HAL. These improvements have been added to operation’s Renewal & Replacement budget.

FORUMS

continued from 1

“My latest project is currently implementing a new work order system called ‘Limble.’ Next month, we plan to launch it for students to directly submit their work orders to the maintenance department. You’ll be able to track your work orders, review their status, and get updates on when they are scheduled to be completed.

This will be built into MyGCC as well!”

According to DiBenedetto, potential changes are still on the rise.

“At this point the major revamp process is finished, but that doesn’t mean you won’t see changes going forward,” DiBenedetto said.

Community The Collegian, Upcoming Events...

What’s fresh at the Grove?

On Campus: Lunar New Year Celebration 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 11 Ket Rec

Orchestra Concert 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 11 Ketler Auditorium

Opera Gala

7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 12 Arnold Recital Hall

Superb Owl Party 5:30 – 11 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 13 Crawford Auditorium

Professionalism and Etiquette Night 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 16 Morledge Great Room

14th Annual Ronald Reagan Lecture 7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 17 Ketler Auditorium

Connect with us!

Stay updated with our social media @Collegian_GCC @gcc.collegian The Collegian: The Grove City College Newspaper

Feb. 11, 2022

Page 4

Family life on campus Pursuing the ‘integrated’ life Sarah Soltis Staff Writer

For Bennett and Katelyn Potter, life on the college campus, though chaotic, is full of ministry opportunities through hospitality and community connection.

Married for nearly seven years, the Potters have lived and worked on Grove City’s campus for four years, as Bennett Potter is the Resident Director of Hopeman.

Accompanied by their children Theodore (5), Nellie-Jo (4), Marianne (2) and David Addison (1), the Potter family seeks, from their warmly lit and book-lined apartment in Hopeman, an “integrated” life.

“We’ve always lived where we’ve worked,” Bennett Potter said. “We were always really integrated in our community. That’s something I think we really wanted to continue.”

The Potters met while attending Moody Bible Institute and married after finishing their undergraduate degrees. They came to Grove City College after Bennett Potter completed seminary.

He is currently working towards a Ph.D. in historical theology at the University of Toronto.

“We were looking into Res Life stuff post-seminary, and then it just kind of happened that we knew a Grove City position opened up,” Bennett Potter said. “This was our number one – this was our dream job for RD positions because RD roles really depend on the school you go to.

We knew coming here that I could be with students intentionally.”

Working in Residence Life at the college presented a way to pursue the communal life that the Potters value.

“We just love having people in our house. That’s going to be our life together – hospitality and friendship. I really love rich, intellectual discussions, and this job puts it all together,” Bennett Potter said.

He added, “It’s almost like if we don’t host students every three or four days, we’re itching to make something or be with someone.”

Katelyn Potter appreciates her husband’s role, saying, “I’m able to participate a lot in his world with hosting and having students over, having great conversations with

CONTRIBUTED

Bennett and Katelyn Potter with their four children. students – that’s very easy to do.”

Campus life does present challenges to the Potter’s family of six, including the difficulties of laundry, space and time for their “kids to be outside independently,” she said.

Meals in the cafeteria, too, pose benefits and challenges to family connection.

“If you go at 6 p.m. on rush week, you’re not going to get a table, and it’s very loud and chaotic,” Bennett Potter said.

He added, “We go eat dinner at 4:30 and then come back and read books and enjoy our evening as much as we can.”

Katelyn Potter echoed her husband’s sentiment. “We’re not going to have really great family mealtime conversation in the cafeteria. There are formational aspects of our family that, in some ways, have had to take a little bit of a pass in this season, being on campus.”

Nonetheless, Katelyn Potter noted that their children are used to interacting with adults and are good at mak-

ing friends. Nelly Potter, thanks to a student and the college community, can easily take ballet lessons, and all the Potters enjoy the various games on campus.

“The kids love campus life in terms of going to sports,” Katelyn Potter said. “In the fall, they watch the marching band practice every Tuesday and Thursday.”

The RD role also combines professional aspects with “complex aspects,” like mental health challenges, emergency situations, withdrawal processes and more.

Ministry mixes with management and occasional chaos, yet Bennett Potter shared, “I tend to thrive in chaos.”

He said that his tasks fluctuate. “There are months where the work is much more intense, like August with RA training or February with RA hiring. Part of what makes the job really interesting is the seasonality.”

“It all bleeds together. It’s hard to differentiate it all,” Bennett Potter commented regarding his family’s role on

campus.

His role entails a variety of engagements, from weekly meetings and scheduled seasonal requirements to meals, mentorships and volleyball games with students behind Hopeman.

The campus-wide community of RDs includes nine other RDs, who work together through various committees and often enjoy fellowship together.

“There are veteran RDs, and there are new RDs. There’s always movement, because the position is somewhat transient, especially if you have children,” Bennett Potter said. “It’s overall really joyful.”

Regarding the transience of the RD position, Katelyn Potter said, “We’re planning on doing one more year, and we’re in the process of discerning transitioning into something else.”

In the meantime, although the Potters have “a whole life here,” Bennett Potter said, “I’ve always been fairly open to what the next step is.”

How to shop for your boyfriend on V-Day I am completely stumped on what to get my boyfriend for Valentine’s Day. What should I do? Anxiously, Procrastinating Grover

Dear Dr. Love

Dear Procrastinating Grover, The clock is ticking, my friend. Valentine’s Day (also known as “Single Awareness Day” to those flying solo) is a random but special opportunity to enjoy some romance and express your care to your partner-in-crime.

Here’s what you do: At

an opportune time, inconspicuously take something that belongs to them, wrap it nicely, throw some chocolate and a wholesome loveydovey note in with it. Bam! You have the perfect gift.

Another option that takes a little more class requires you to be more thoughtful. Think about your inside jokes, what he likes that not many other people know or just something to make a regular gift more personal to

show how much you care.

Stay away from the “lastminute Valentine’s Day” gift section at Walgreens. Take some time to hand-write a note, and it does not have to be tacky. Just say why you love him, what you love about him and how much he means to you.

Detail is the name of the game, my friend. You do not have to go to town; but if you make a small, thoughtful gift that is personal and signifi-

cant, you will be better off than the plebeian who went all out but kept it basic and thoughtless. Best of luck, and make me proud.

Hasta la bye bye,

Dr. Love Love M.D.

The Collegian,

Feb. 11, 2022

Page 5

Seven questions with…

Dr. Devin Stauff ’05

Professor of Biology What do you listen to on the ride home?

Senior Ben Cacioppo conducts the symphony orchestra in “Dance of the Hours” at a dress rehearsal Wednesday.

CALEB WEST

Concert features Aria/Concerto winners and student conductors Ayden Gutierrez News Editor

Grove City College Orchestra’s annual Winter Concert will feature the winners of the Aria/Concerto competition and a pair of student conductors.

The show is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11 in Ketler Auditorium of the Pew Fine Arts Center. It is free and open to the public. It will be livestreamed at gcc.edu/ livestream.

“Our goal is always to perform music at the highest level, using our gifts to glorify God and bring joy to our audience,” Dr. Tedford, chair of the Department of Music and Director of Orchestras, said.

In addition, Tedford noted that this concert will feature two student conductors who have been working on their selections since October.

BEN CACIOPPO

OLIVIA KANE

They have been rehearsing, writing program notes and working on conducting and rehearsal technique.

Alarie Hurst ’24 will perform the “Allegro non troppo” from Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole, Op. 21 for Violin and Orchestra. Brayden Peppo ’24 will perform the first movement “Allegro” from Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F. Ben Cacioppo ’22 will conduct “Dance of the Hours” by Ponchielli. Olivia Kane ’22, will conduct the Overture to Rossini’s “Barber of Seville.”

“This concert is long awaited, as we have been working hard on the music since midOctober,” Kane said. “Every

ALARIE HURST

BRAYDEN PEPPO

year I look forward to the Student Conductors/Concerto Winners Concert, and this year it is even more special, as I will be sharing the stage with some really talented friends.

According to Kane, the audience can expect a wide variety of music performed by students from all different majors.

“This will be the first normal Student Conductors/ Concerto Winners concert since before Covid, which also makes it unique,” Kane said. “The stage will look a little different this year, as we await the installation of our new band shell, but we have chosen to make the best of it

by adding some pops of color to the backdrop.”

“I am thrilled to offer this concert to our campus community, local community, parents, families and friends. Our students have worked so hard, and the soloists and conductors have been preparing diligently for months,” Tedford said. “I am confident that our audience will come away from this concert impressed by the incredible talent at Grove City College and moved by the power of music.”

Tedford noted that there are 70 total students in the Symphony Orchestra this spring, with 10 of them being seniors. The seniors are as follows: Holly Smith, Mark Dixon, Jonathan Crawford, Elizabeth Frailey, Lillianna Kellogg, Miles Dorst, Ruth Eckman, Ben Cacioppo, Matthew James and Olivia Kane.

From ‘side-sitters’ to ‘Grover couples’ Noel Elvin

Community & Entertainment Editor Although students have been finding their significant others at Grove City College for many years, the term “Grover couple” has not been around very long.

Dr. Michael Coulter ’91, chair and professor of political science and humanities, said he does not recall the term “Grover couple” when he was a student. However, he did say that there were lots of them.

“I know over the years lots of Grove City students have met their spouses here, and I think it’s actually one of the great things about the institution,” Coulter said. “That’s a common feature of small colleges, particularly religiously affiliated colleges.”

As college sweethearts since freshman year, seniors Carli Walker and Caleb Seale are now engaged and planning to get married in September, a blessing of “attending a college with a community of like-minded people.”

Although they typically put more of an emphasis on their anniversary than Valentine’s Day itself (due to it

being only nine days after the latter), Walker and Seale prioritize intentionality and spending time together on Valentine’s Day above buying gifts.

“Spending time and prioritizing each other and being intentional with each other should be the goal anyway,” Walker said. “I feel like a lot of people use that holiday as one of the only times of the year to do that when you should be intentional with your partner year-round.”

Reflecting on meeting her fiancé at college, Walker enjoys being able “to go through the ups and downs of college life and grow up together.”

Although Coulter and his wife, Laura (Gold ’91) Coulter, did not begin dating until their junior year, they did meet as freshmen at the college. They got engaged outside of PEW Fine Arts Center the summer after their junior year and married the July following graduation.

“Back then it was much more culturally common to be married in your early twenties,” Coulter said.

During their time dating at the college, the Coulters watched movies in Crawford Auditorium prior to the days of streaming services, worked together as part of

Residence Life and were mutually involved in Life Advocates. They also enjoyed numerous dances.

Seniors Lauren Moneymaker and Micah Toney, another couple at the college, have been dating for over two years. They began dating after a year of working together and becoming friends at the college.

Moneymaker appreciates dating at college because of “proximity” and being able to live “life together,” mentioning how she likes to paint with him while he makes soap.

“We both have that same on-campus lifestyle, so it makes getting together much easier,” she said. “Dates are cheap, cause we can just get Hicks and call it good.”

In past years, Moneymaker and Toney have spent Valentine’s Day glass blowing and hiking at Freedom Falls.

When asked if they consider themselves a Grover couple, Moneymaker said no, explaining how she and Toney became friends before dating; they had a genuine interest in getting to know each other and not simply in having a boyfriend or girlfriend.

“Being a Grover couple is wanting to have that perfect

college relationship,” Moneymaker said. “Perfection is unattainable but loving someone healthily is.”

She said that “being a Grover couple is not inherently bad,” but she is glad that both her and Toney’s life plans complement each other, making their relationship work.

“We’re still individuals,” Moneymaker continued.

“When you’re a Grover couple, it’s easier to make it that you’re now one. I think that’s more of a marriage thing.”

While the term “Grover couple” appears to have become a term in the early 2010s, an alternative term used throughout the ‘90s was “side-sitters,” referring to students who sat in the same side of a booth instead of across from each other.

Coulter recalled certain areas on campus that students attempted to avoid: “Back in the day you always looked down at your feet when you’re walking through the Oak Room, because, otherwise, you’d be confronted with PDA couples.”

In a similar way, senior Shelbi Henkle noted that today MAP South Lobby is the place to evade: “MAP South is terrifying.”

I walk to work; but when I run, I often listen to classical music. I’ve been enjoying Gorecki’s string quartets recently.

What are you currently reading?

I’m working my way through the English translation of “The Red Wheel,” Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s historical novel about the Russian Revolution (I’m halfway through March 1917, the third of four ‘nodes’ in the series).

What’s something you’ve been pondering lately?

Other than “When will this pandemic be over?...”

Actually, related to the previous question about books I have been reading, “The Red Wheel” gets you thinking (and also hints at answers to your questions). How is it that the most educated and elite members of a society in a country with a form of government and social order that is far from perfect but certainly not without its merits (Tsarist Russia) can almost gleefully destroy that order? And even more, how is it that, instead of constructing a more perfect system, they end up with a form of government that stands out as one of the most monstrous and brutal that the world has known (the USSR of the 1920s1940s)? How does the Russia of Pushkin, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy end up with the NKVD and the Gulag? Perhaps these are poor ways of framing the question. Nonetheless these remain frightening things to ponder.

Favorite restaurant?

Probably Tamarind Exotic Indian Cuisine (they’re in Cranberry – check ‘em out if you like Indian food).

Name a movie that makes you emotional.

“Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (just kidding).

Actually, most of Terrence Malick’s films, especially “To the Wonder,” “Song to Song” and “Tree of Life.”

What are you looking forward to today?

Helping my kids work on the snow fort they’re building in our yard!

Favorite class you’re teaching right now?

I always enjoy the Cell Biology lab during the spring semester.

Through the Lens

Through the lens,

Feb. 22, 2019

The Collegian, Feb. 11, 2022

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The Collegian,

Feb. 11, 2022

Page 7

Walking Like an Egyptian Student explores the image of God on overseas trip Photos & Text Olivia Ortmann Staff Photographer The majority of my conscious life has been driven by one concept: discomfort.

I grew up moving around the country with my parents encouraging my siblings and I to expose ourselves to as much in life as possible in order that we recognize the expansive and diverse cultures that the Lord has provided for us to explore and appreciate.

This past winter break, me and my suitemates hopped in an airplane and time-traveled overseas to visit our friend and fellow Grover, Abigail Supplee, in her homeland of Alexandria, Egypt. Abby is half Egyptian and grew up living in Alexandria, which made her the perfect tour guide.

We were able to roam about the coast of the Mediterranean and stroll along the Nile, making stops for various Egyptian foods along the way while taking in the sights, sounds and smells of one of the world’s most ancient countries.

We spent most of our time fighting jetlag in Alexandria, but then took a train to Cairo so we could visit the wonderous Great Pyramids of Giza.

Some other notable moments of our journey were moseying through spice shops, silver stores and markets full of colorful and intricately designed trinkets.

Though exploring the streets and discovering the secrets of Egypt was absolutely exhilarating, the best part about the entire trip was the culture shock.

Exposing oneself to language barriers, religious differences and varying lifestyle habits

can be intimidating, but those things are exactly what we should be exposing ourselves to.

The world has much to offer outside of the “American dream”. It is increasingly common for people in our era to surrender their lives to comfort. Many people don’t even go to museums anymore because they can “just google the pictures”.

In the same way, people make excuses to remain in the comfort of their own lives because they can just google their curiosities away.

When Christ said in Mark 15:16, “Go out to all nations and preach the good news,” he meant it.

Traveling isn’t easy, especially after a pandemic.

As Christians, we are not called into a life of constant comfort and ease. The main point of our trip was to learn, about both the Egyptian culture as a whole and more specifically about Abby’s life in Egypt. We met many of her childhood friends and traveled to the Pyramids with her friend Sandra.

Learning is the starting point not just for our development as human beings, but also for our development as image bearers of Christ. To bear His image well, one must learn about His image, and that is something that a google search can never satisfy. The image of God is vast and beautifully complex… it is also not only found in the comfort of your dorm room.

Our trip was a once in a life-time experience, and even if you aren’t able to travel over land and sea and walk like an Egyptian, I encourage you to take a walk in another man’s shoes, even if they hurt.

Perspectives The Collegian, Feb. 11, 2022

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Is romance dead at GCC? Problems with Grove City’s dating culture

Eleanor Lynn

Contributing Writer As Valentine’s Day rolls around, Grovers can expect to see a strange array of moping and making out in celebration of the holiday.

Grove City is known for producing Christian couples faster than you can say “freshman year,” but the famed romance is not thriving. In fact, it is rapidly decaying.

Feb. 14 has a reputation of making single people feel more single and making an uncomfortable spectacle of those who are dating. However, the day does not have to be the horrible hormonal ordeal that our middle school selves made it. An excuse to eat chocolate and hug all your friends can thaw even your -10 degree frozen, dead and broken spirit if you let it

be just that. But people continue to neglect the fact that Valentine’s Day is not exclusively about romantic love.

If you want to dwell on the lovey-dovey, “who likes whom” aspect of things, then you’re sure to run into some interesting contradictions.

Students here seem to have a bad habit of developing excessively romantic and serious relationships or not developing them at all.

“Males and females need to build more friendships… and out of those friendships will come dating relationships which may or may not end up in marriage,” Dr. James Bibza, the beloved and outspoken professor of biblical and religious studies, said.

Dr. Bibza and I agree that students also tend to linger in the friendzone once they get there, waiting for absolute certainty about someone and asking them out only if they are marriageable material.

“How you figure that out without dating is kind of a mystery to me,” he said.

I’ve noticed that Grovers avoid any area in between the “friend zone” and the “I’m going to marry you” zone, and it creates unhealthy levels of pressure on new relationships, new interests and even new friendships.

The phrase “ring before spring” has become a deadline for upperclassmen who are nearing graduation without a significant other, and a standard for incoming freshman to be intimidated by. It used to mean that there were so many like-minded people here that you were bound to find the one for you.

“More people need to date here. There’s not going to be another time in our lives where we’re surrounded by so many Christian people of the same

values as us, because as soon as we leave that’s not going to happen. I think there’s a really good chance for us to meet our future husband or wife at a place like this,” Austin Garrett, member of Omicron Xi Fraternity, said.

Instead of taking that chance and recognizing that it might not work out, couples become over-invested and desperate to make sure the relationship is a success.

Grove City students try to climb ladders without using any of the rungs, causing many of them to

fall and hurt themselves with significant romantic injuries.

Romance involves development, interest and sincerity, nutrients which out campus is severely lacking.

If romance is to be revived, guys and girls should start with baseline appreciation of each other and step forward into dating relationships carefully and joyfully.

There’s no need to be afraid and urgent when God holds your life in his hands.

As Dr. Bibza says “You’re never going to develop a friendship with a girl if you’re not talking to her.” So get going, Grovers.

________________________ See if youName: can________________________________________________________ navigate the love life of a typicalDate: Grover: Start

Saint Valentine's Day Maze

Finish

Why voter narratives are so powerful Isaac Willour Staff Writer

Former Vice President Mike Pence make an exception to his “don’t criticize Trump” rule on Friday, Feb. 4.

Pence told an audience at the Federalist Society that he had “no right” to overturn the 2020 election results, despite former president Donald Trump’s urgings.

Trump refused to back down over Pence’s words, but the broader point remains: while more than half of the country is indicating a willingness to move on from 2020 (although not nearly as much as one might think), voter fraud is still an active issue for many voters.

In a move that should surprise no one, election legitimacy is taking flack from the left side of the aisle too. Recent Democratic hits don’t center on voting machines or ballot harvesting, they instead theorize that pushes for voter ID and election legitimacy are part of an “ongoing strategy” to keep minority voters away from the polls. Biden has slammed these policies as “Jim Crow 2.0,” claiming they “disenfranchise” non-Republican voters.

Are the criticisms from either side fully legitimate?

They absolutely are not. But despite the gaping holes in both parties’ rhetoric, theories about election legitimacy have a strangely enduring power. While there have always been problems with voter fraud narratives, that isn’t stopping former Repub-

www.AllFreePrintable.com lican candidates like David to admit it lost an election, Perdue from capitalizing on if people believe the election support from those who still was stolen. The left doesn’t hold on to it. Joe Biden used have to admit it struggles the Tulsa Massacre to launch with attracting political voting policy-related attacks moderates, if people believe on Republicans, attacks wel- it’s all the fault of racist voter comed by his supporters.

ID laws. It’s convenient cogAt their heart, the Repub- nitive dissonance. lican and Democratic stratIt’s human nature to think egies are the same. If only this way to avoid the fruspeople would stop embrac- tration and embarrassment ing “The Big Lie,” we could of being wrong; it’s easier make real progress. Both to claim a rigged game than narratives posit the same admit we’re bad players. On hidden premise: If only the religious side, the arguthose irritating people who ment becomes even more disagree with us would get crystal clear. It’s easier to out of the way, all desired claim our shortcomings are political progress would be the result of circumstances achieved. and environment than to It’s no secret that politics take responsibility for what are downstream of culture; we’ve done wrong. The probthis bipartisan political stub- lem is, the cycle of mistakes bornness belies deep-seated and shifting narratives has unwillingness to acknowl- no defined end. If either poedge our capability for los- litical party sticks with their ing. The right doesn’t have current messaging, they will

always have an explanation for their losses that conveniently avoids any meaningful change.

If this doesn’t work on the individual level, it cannot work on any broader level.

A December Axios/Momentive poll reported a majority of American adults are pessimistic for the coming year, on issues ranging from politics to the economy. When our two main political parties decide to parrot idiotic self-massaging narratives instead of honest evaluation of real problems, we should not be surprised at such collective pessimism.

It’s understandable why these narratives are compelling. But let’s not pretend for a moment they’re rational, excusable or leading the country to a brighter future.

The Collegian,

Feb. 11, 2022

Page 9

Word on the street...

What do you think about ring by spring culture?

Leah Flick

Ring by Spring culture at Grove City makes me want to jab an ice pick into my eye, but you know, we need little Grover babies, so…

Questionable but necessary

Clark Mummau Perspectives Editor

In New York City, gun violence is a problem. But are more guns the solution?

Following a series of shootings in New York that left one police officer dead and an 11-monthold child who was shot in the face and another officer in critical condition, Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city would be bringing back a plainclothes unit from the stopand-frisk era to combat the violence.

While it is undoubtedly good that Adams, a former NYPD captain, would want to stop this violence, this unit might not be the full solution. This unit was disbanded in 2020 after a federal judge ruled it unconstitutional due to its disproportionate targeting of people of color. Ac-

NEW YORK POST

cording to NPR, “Only nine percent of people stopped were white. The vast majority, an estimated 88 percent, hadn’t committed any crimes.”

Is this unit then the right decision? Adams is putting measures in place such as body cameras and distinctive clothing that marks these officers as cops while still being plainclothes. Another hope is that developed technology will help officers understand people without needing to stop and frisk them.

Mayor Adams should be praised for this decision. In an age when the phrase “defund the police” has become a common cry (even though voters reject it), a Democratic mayor has decided to take a stance for law and order.

He has also demonstrated a commitment to growth by adapting the unit to improve from its prior version, which had many flaws.

One of the strongest parts

of the program is the plan to have law enforcement and health professionals cooperate to respond most effectively to mental health situations. Getting these people the treatments they need to improve and reintegrate with society is essential, and it requires more than simply locking people in jail.

While these changes are good, they will only do as much good as the officers are willing to do. Officers must be committed to improving the communities they are serving, which the new residency requirement will help to foster. The officers must be committed to upholding the principles that the unit is founded on, namely decreasing gun and gang violence.

To make this unit even better, New York should continue to develop the opportunities to prevent violence in the first place through community development. This must be done in conjunction

with police forces, though, because until communities can be changed, a process which takes years, and maybe even generations, violence will remain a problem. Additionally, the gospel must be proclaimed in these neighborhoods, because it is only through the gospel and the Holy Spirit that such change can truly come about.

Introducing a new unit, especially one that was removed only a few years ago, is a frightening choice. Will the unit repeat its previous mistakes? It seems likely.

People are imperfect, and training takes time to set in; real-life situations are different from training.

However, I believe that Mayor Adams is making the right choice in reinstating this unit to combat the rampant violence going on in New York City right now.

lege, I knew that I couldn’t go to a Tunisian college; they wouldn’t have as many resources for future occupational standings. So, my immediate family decided to go to the United States half a year before I went to college.

As I arrived in the States and got acclimated to the culture and weather, I grew to love it. Though I missed my Arab family and my culture that I had lived in, I had to admit that the opportunity in America is like no other. I saw people of every race and ethnicity having the same opportunity to get a high-end job and sustain their family.

That was when I realized that America was full of opportunity for all peoples and all races and all genders.

While living in Tunisia, I would have never realized that you could get a job without question. This is because in Tunisia getting a job has many different factors to it outside of experience and education: race, nationality, social standing and gender.

But when we arrived in

America, my dad and mom were able to get jobs within the first few months and were already getting more household income than we ever had in Tunisia in my 17 years of life there.

Though there was individual racism because of the color of my skin and the correlation to the horrific event of 9/11, there is no doubt in my mind that I and the rest of the Arab minority could be on equal footing in getting a job if we had the education and experience.

This is where the concept of critical race theory comes in. I believe CRT — in respect to American life — is nonexistent, at least in respect to institutional racism. Therefore, due to my experiences in this great country as a minority and an immigrant, I could never make the claim that critical race theory has any merit, because I have experienced the opposite.

This is where we get to what is happening at the college. There have been assertions that Grove City College

is accepting this flawed ideology as somehow sacrosanct.

I believe there is a difference between teaching an ideology and completely agreeing with it. Grove City College teaches Communism as an ideology in history to show how other groups thought and the dangers associated with it.

The same can be said about the idea of critical race theory as an ideology. Grove City College has taught critical race theory through books and lectures, but that in no way aligns the college with this dubious belief.

From my experiences of the world and coming to America and being accepted with open arms, I believe that the assertions of critical race theory are flawed; they don’t allow for the experiences of more minorities and immigrants who have succeeded in this great country.

The idea that Grove City College has a part in accepting this ideology is absurd and is not factual at face value.

An Arab’s insight on critical theory Sam Ishler

Contributing Writer I was born in Tunisia to an American father and a Tunisian mother.

My upbringing was normal but was also marked by the lack of income and job security for my parents. Although my parents were struggling financially in relation to average American means, we were a normal family in a multi-ethnic country.

Tunisia is a third-world country, and everyone is struggling together; but no one I am aware of complained about some sort of hierarchical ethnic class that was victimizing another race.

Growing up in a culture that was poorer than others, we were content because there was widespread comfortability and cultural understanding of the lack of national resources.

As I grew up and decided where I wanted to go to col-

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Chloe Kuhns It’s a lot of pressure on the female students, and if they don’t have a ring before graduation, then they feel a sense of failure, whereas they should feel success for even graduating.

Jill Ivory It’s kind of a sometimesunrealistic expectation, or it puts expectations to the point where it becomes more important than actually finding someone you’d actually want to marry. It makes marriage more of a concept you have to idolize than something that you’re supposed to enjoy.

Emma Will It can make people rush into engagements when they’re not necessarily ready to be engaged.

Luke Owen

It’s actually very interesting how it permeates the dating culture. It’s very different from my high school.

There was a sense that, if you were interested in pursuing a relationship with someone, you would date as a kind of self-exploration, trying to discover what you were looking for in a partner, and now coming here, where the sentiment is more that you court in order for the very direct result of marriage, rather than trying to determine what kind of relationship you might be looking for in the long term, but you almost have to go into it with the mindset of what you’re already looking for.

Malachi Abbott Congratulations to everyone who’s getting engaged or will be engaged soon. In my experience, I feel like Ring

by Spring culture is more talked about but less seen, but dating culture here is irritating to say the least.

Tyler Bailey People are different, so a lot of relationships are different, so the whole ring by spring concept in my mind is more like, you get into a relationship at college, and then you get your ring by spring, so it’s a two month thing, which seems really rushed, whereas, it just depends on the people.

Entertainment The Collegian, Feb. 11, 2022

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Cinematic taste-breakers Explore classic films from the ’50s to today Micah Toney

Contributing Writer The movie industry of today has become somewhat repetitive.

Large companies like Disney, Universal and Warner Brothers produce a wide variety of films, though they often feel very similar to one another. For some, watching these movies can become stale and uninteresting.

Thankfully, there is an endless supply of movies to watch that date back to 1902.

Within this article, I have compiled a list of what I call “cinematic taste-breakers” to help broaden your cinematic interests and tastes.

These films are not what you are used to. By using different styles of writing, distinct filming techniques and different end goals, these films offer different viewing experiences and can help you understand and appreciate movies in a deeper way.

“12 Angry Men” Directed by Sidney Lumet and released in 1957, “12 Angry Men” follows 12 jurors on a case in which a young Spani s h American, threatened with the death penalty, is accused of killing his father.

This film is the perfect example of how to pace properly and to keep things interesting throughout an entire film. It is a rather simple movie, with 12 unnamed characters who stay in a single room for the duration of the film while simply talking. Yet, for the whole movie, you will be sitting on the edge of your seat.

If you are terested in watching this movie, it is available t o stream on Ama z o n Prime or borr o w f r o m the Henry Buhl Library.

in-

“High and Low” A Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa in 1963, “High and Low” is a black-and-white detective thriller that resembles Hitchcock, but with more excitement. Gondo, an executive for a large shoe company, is a victim of extortion and is faced with a tough decision when his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped. Should he pay the costly ransom for someone else’s kid?

George Lucas, creator and director of “Star Wars,” drew a lot of inspiration from Kuro-

sawa’s films, especially “The Hidden Fortress.” He said in an interview that you can’t help but be influenced by his camera work. Lucas loved how Kurosawa used long lenses to make the characters stand out from the background.

“High and Low” is a good movie to start with if you are interested in expanding your cinematic taste to foreign films.

“Boy” “Boy” is a New Zealand coming-of-age story directed

by Taika Waititi in 2010. Set in 1984, the film follows Boy, an 11-year-old who lives with his gran, younger brother Rocky and a goat. When his gran leaves on a trip, Boy’s father returns out of nowhere and is not the heroic image he expected.

In Waititi’s characteristic style, this film is a lighthearted comedy mixed with hard-hitting emotional scenes that make you pause and reflect.

“Boy” was a major stepping-stone in Waititi’s career, and it helped enable him to direct movies like “Jojo Rabbit,” “Thor: Ragnarok” and his upcoming Marvel film “Thor: Love and Thunder.”

“Boy” is available to stream on VUDU. “The VelociPastor” Slightly different than the others, “The VelociPastor” is a low-budget B movie, directed by Brendan Steere in 2017. The premise of the movie is a pastor gaining the ability to turn into a dinosaur and fight crime and ninjas.

The film’s style and humor resemble that of the ridiculousness of “Sharknado.”

With such a small budget, they had to cut corners and get creative, which led to a hilarious product. It is a prime example of not needing a large production or budget to make a great mov-

Tunes from the Tower...

The Killers’ ‘Hot Fuss’

Chris Murphy Design Chief

Looking to other styles of music than strictly instrumental, I am returning to music that is more in-line with my casual listening taste, and this week I went through an album that was recommended to me: “Hot Fuss” by The Killers.

This album has cemented its place in the alternative music hall of fame for singles like “Mr. Brightside” and “Somebody Told Me.” You have more likely than not heard of the former, but the latter is one of my favorite singles to revisit.

Full of catchy chord progressions, strong bass lines and plenty of angst, “Hot Fuss” has a healthy mix of tone, with the tracks switching between poppy love songs, rock musings and electronic exhibitions. One of my favorite songs from the album is “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine,” featuring a memorable tune and each of these styles throughout the duration of the song.

The album maintains a fairly intense feel throughout the track list, with only a few moments of rest.

“Change Your Mind” feels like the emotional climax of the album with its post-

breakup feel, while “Believe Me Natalie” has a more relaxed tune, albeit more esoteric lyrics. That being said, the meat and potatoes of the album is in the sustained strength of the songs, which is apparent in singles like “Midnight Show” and “Smile Like You Mean It.” “Hot Fuss” is a different album from ones that I usually listen to, because it can be hard to listen to an entire album with a higher energy level in one sitting. This album, though, has some really high highs and is worth the listen.

ie; all you need is creativity and a talented team.

Love it or hate it, there is brilliance in the absurdity of this movie.

If you a r e interested in

watching “The VelociPastor,” you can stream it on Amazon Prime.

“Parasite” A Korean thriller directed

by Bong Joon-ho in 2019, this film follows a poor family and their attempt to work for the Parks, a wealthy upper-class family. It depicts the struggles and views of the lower class in South Korea.

“Parasite” is great example of having every detail flawless, which allows you to become fully immersed in the story itself. The film starts off as a comedy but then abruptly changes to a thriller/horror, creating a sudden juxtaposition of these two opposite tones.

If you were a fan of “Squid Game,” you will love “Parasite.” It is available to stream on Hulu.

Other taste-breaking movies not on the list that I would suggest watching are “The Kid” (1921), “Les Diaboliques” (1955), “Red Beard” (1965), “Fantastic Planet” (1973), “Come and See” (1985), “Delicatessen” (1991), “Iron Giant” (1999) and “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (2007).

Sports The Collegian, Feb. 11, 2022

Page 11

Sports at a Glance News

On Wednesday, wide receiver Cody Gustafson announced that he is officially declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft. Gustafson, an All-America Candidate and decorated Grove City Football legend had a record 2021 season and an iconic career with the Wolverines.

Results

Men’s Basketball (9-12, 5-9 PAC): W, Chatham (70-65) L, Chatham (74-64) W, Saint Vincent (72-36) GCC

Women’s Basketball (14-7, 11-4 PAC): W, Chatham (63-51)

Junior Rachael Wallace in a meet against Chatham last season. This season, Wallace made a NCAA B cut in the 100 fly back in December and will compete this weekend in pursuit of a PAC Championship.

PAC tankers seek 3-peat Emily Rupczewski Sports Editor

The women’s swimming and diving team enters their second day of the women’s PAC Championships where they look to become conference champions for the third year in a row.

Yesterday marked the start of the conference tournament with events in the 200 free relay, 500-yard freestyle, the 200 individual medley and the 50-yard freestyle. In the diving category, yesterday saw the one-meter dive after the morning prelims.

Diving for the Wolverines is freshman Kamryn Kerr.

Kerr made her NCAA regional cut back in November on the one-meter dive at Rochester with a qualifying score of 268.10 points where she earned second at the event and earned PAC Rookie of the Week for her success.

“I was very happy to get my regional cut and it definitely was a relief being able to go into PACs having both cuts

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continued from 12 “This group of seniors has been really special, because they were our first recruited players and so we’ve known most of them for almost five years now,” Jernstedt said.

“They have a lot of experience, and they know what we expect from a cultural perspective. It’s been awesome thus far watching them lead and take ownership over the team this year. I think we will go as far as they are willing to take us this season.”

In December, both Adams and Evans were recognized in USA Lacrosse Magazine as Division III Preseason All-Americans. Both are decorated seniors with many conference and United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) honors to their names.

Last season, Adams and Gladstone were named to the USILA Honorable Mention All-America team, while Evans earned USILA Third Team recognition. Evans was

so I can focus on just having fun this weekend,” said Kerr.

Two weeks ago, Kerr swept both the one-meter and three-meter diving events in meets against Westminster and W&J. The preliminary swim sessions for all three days are scheduled for 11 a.m., with the final sessions slated to begin at 6 p.m.

On the docket for today is the 400-medley relay, 200 medley relay, 400 individual medley, the 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breaststroke and the 100 backstroke.

The race to watch today is the 200-medley relay and the 200 free relay as both of those races look to make their NCAA B-cut as well.

In the sprints, sophomore Liz Hasse will be one to watch as she has continued to sweep the 50, 100 and 200 free all season.

Competing for the Wolverines in the 100 fly is junior Rachael Wallace. Wallace, who also made her NCAA Bcut back in December, will be one to watch in her respec-

tive butterfly races this week.

In the 100 and 200 backstroke, junior Rachel Ledford and Rachel Grubbs will also be ones to watch out for.

Tomorrow marks the final day of the three-day Championship tournament that will feature the 800 free, the 1650 free, 200 backstroke, 100 free, 200 breaststroke and the 200 fly, with the three-meter diving to follow the morning prelims.

Senior Jenny Baglia and junior Sarah Gann will compete for the Wolverines in the breaststroke and sprints as well.

The tournament takes place right here on campus in the James E. Longnecker Competition Pool where Grove City has been the conference tournament host every year since 1990.

Starting next Thursday, the men’s team will also have their turn to compete in the conference championships as they look to win their fourth consecutive PAC championship.

named PAC Defensive Player of the Year last season and also earned First Team AllPAC honors. Gladstone also earned PAC Offensive Player of the Year last season.

Adams, Bennett, Evans, Gladstone and Snell were voted to the 2022 PAC Men’s Lacrosse Players to Watch list.

Joining the senior class are the additional 12 returners that make up the junior and sophomore classes. Among them are sophomore midfielders Jack Atwood, Jack Carpenter, Griffen Agawa, Prince Ayivon, junior midfielder Max Chmura, goalkeepers sophomore Danny Stone and junior Jack Petit, sophomore James Petrolle, junior defenders Charley Brannan, Bailey Decker and Brock Simmons and junior long stick midfielder Kyle Coogan.

“We were very pleased with the guys coming back from last year and the progress they made over the offseason,” Jernstedt said. “We expect many of them to make

big jumps in terms of production on the field.”

Sophomore midfielder Eli Gebhart, sophomore attack Trenton Steele and junior midfielder David Kraus are also joining the squad.

The nine-man freshman team adds more depth to the Wolverines’ roster with four additional midfielders, a long stick midfielder, two defenders and two attacks. The freshman class will compete for starting spots on the field.

“This year’s freshman class is amazing,” Adams said.

“They are extremely talented, which means they will see a lot of playing time. We have really been incorporating them into the team and hanging out with them not just so that we are successful on the field, but also so that we can build lasting relationships with them.”

“They also are nuts,” Gladstone added. “Anytime you are hanging out with a freshman is always a good time, and you never really know what to expect when you encounter one in the wild. One

L, Saint Vincent (71-63)

Upcoming

Women’s Swimming & Diving Feb. 10-12, PAC Championships

Women’s Indoor Track & Field: Feb. 11, Baldwin Wallace Mid-February Open

Men’s Indoor Track & Field:

Feb. 11, Baldwin Wallace Mid-February Open

Men’s Lacrosse:

Feb. 12, 12:00 p.m. at Rhodes Feb. 13, 11:30 p.m. vs Colorado

Women’s Basketball: Feb. 12, 1:00 p.m. vs Thiel

Feb. 16, 5:30 p.m. vs Westminster

Men’s Basketball: Feb. 12, 3:00 p.m. vs Thiel

Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m. vs Westminster

WOLVERINE WEEKLY HONORS

Seth Ray Men’s Track & Field PAC Field Athlete of the Week thing I do know is that the freshmen this year are going to have a positive impact on and off the field.”

The Wolverines will officially kick off their 2022 season this weekend in Memphis, Tenn., as they take on Rhodes College at 1 p.m. tomorrow and will challenge Colorado College at noon on Sunday.

“Going into this weekend we are super excited,” Evans said. “This is the most talented we have ever been, and it's an opportunity to be nationally ranked after one weekend. We have been working hard since we have been back

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continued from 12 played at high level.”

As the team advances to the final leg of their season, Fuss stresses their forward outlook and determination to keep improving, “We took their best hit and now we can adjust and learn from it for playoffs. Wednesday we play

at school and are ready to play someone in another jersey.”

“As a team, we aim to be our best, love deeply and be eternally focused,” Petrolle said. “We believe that if we play in a way that pursues these values, then we have the opportunity to be extremely successful this year.”

The Wolverines will compete in three more non-conference games on the road and will return home on Wednesday, Mar. 9, to face John Carrol on Robert E. Thorn Field. Conference play will begin at home on Saturday, Apr. 2.

Chatham and that is our focus. Today we are going to work at making practice the best we can and work at getting 1 percent better today.”

Grove City’s Senior Day starts at 1 p.m. is tomorrow, where the Wolverines celebrate senior guard Allison Podkul in their game against the 4-12 Thiel Tomcats in Grove City Arena.

Sports The Collegian, Feb. 11, 2022

Page 12

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Women's basketball 10-4 in PAC

is back Emily Rupczewski Sports Editor

The back-to-back PAC champion men’s lacrosse team returns to action tomorrow to kick off their 2022 season.

Entering his fifth season with the Wolverines, head coach and two-time PAC Coach of the Year Alec Jernstedt looks to lead Grove City through another championship season.

After winning the conference and advancing to the NCAAs in both 2019 and 2021, Grove City is predicted to do it again according to the PAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll that was released on Wednesday.

In their most recent scrimmages back in October, Grove City went up against Division I Cleveland State and brought in a victory against Division II Seton Hill. Competing above their division is not something that scares off this Grove City team.

“I’m really looking forward to watching the guys compete against some of the best teams we have ever played,” Jernstedt said.

Emma Rossi

“We are playing five teams ranked in the preseason top 20 and so the strength of schedule is much higher than it’s ever been, and I think we have a group that can be in all of those games.”

This year’s squad is the largest roster in program history.

They welcome a class of nine freshmen and three additional rookies to the team of 24 returners for a 36-man roster.

Staff Writer

The 12man senior class is comprised of defenders Josh Snell, Sam Luithle, Cody Adams, midfielder and faceoff Grant Evans, midfielders Jed Speers, Brett Gladstone and Keith Torrillo, long stick midfielder Addison Bennett, attacks Blaise Bishop and Josh Spicher and goalkeeper R. J. Miller.

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MAGGIE WILLIAMS

Wolverines break Chatham win streak Emma Rossi Staff Writer

In their second meeting in three days, the Wolverines did the seemingly unbelievable and defeated the first seed Chatham Cougars 7065.

Prior to Wednesday night’s incredible game, Chatham had only one loss this season, when two points off of a fastbreak made the 81-79 decision against Geneva two months ago on Dec 4. They were on an 11-game winning streak, but not anymore.

This win streak was ended in exhilarating fashion, bringing the decision down to the last minutes of play.

The game began with the same energy that would carry the Wolverines to victory after 40 minutes of hardfought battles on both ends of the court. Twenty-seven rebounds, 14 men with minutes and five fouls later, the Wolverines led the Cougars 21-19 after a high energy first half.

Grove City continued winning battles in the paint and taking advantage of Chatham’s sloppy mistakes in the second half. The game was neck-in-neck, tied seven times and kept both teams and the crowd on edge with 15 lead changes. The largest lead was only five points, as Chatham’s typically pristine shooting and clean passes were poorly shot and haphazardly overthrown.

In a nerve-wracking final minute, the Wolverines shot 12 free throws, making eight.

Chatham’s last-ditch effort fouling ended up driving the final nail in their coffin. The final score was a decided 7065.

Grove City ended the

GRACE DAVID

Senior center Josh Brown shoots the ball in Wednesday’s game against Chatham. The Wolverines defeated the Cougars 70-65. match with 55 rebounds.

Senior guard Ben Rose had 13 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Freshman guard Jonah Bock and junior forward Josh Bryan had 11 points apiece. Bock also tallied seven rebounds.

The Wolverines played the Cougars only two days earlier in a match rescheduled from Jan 12. In the first and seventh seeds first meeting this week, the Wolverines were bested by the 17-2 Cougars in Pittsburgh, falling short by only 10 points.

The game began at a steady back-and-forth pace, with Grove City leading at the half 27-23. The Wolverines’ offense was led by Rose’s 14-point game and a 13-point performance from junior forward Elijah White. Rose also tallied eight rebounds and seven assists.

To begin the second half, Chatham’s offense picked up

traction and posted 51 points in the second half. The final score was 74-64.

Last Saturday, Grove City came out victorious on the road against the St. Vincent Bearcats 72-36.

The Wolverines’ lockdown switch man-to-man defense was on full display in the dominant win. In the first half, Grove City held St. Vincent to only 16 points and performed with equal aggression in the second half, allowing a mere 20 points from the Bearcats’ offense.

Concerning his twentyman roster, head coach Steve Lamie said, “We are growing as a team. We are making fewer mistakes on both ends of the floor. In terms of defense, we have not held a team to that many points since 1999.”

Lamie’s unique approach to rebounding paid off yet again on Monday. Grove

City had 20 points of second-chance shots on their end of the court. The team posted 59 total rebounds, 32 of these were grabbed off the defensive glass. St. Vincent had only two points off of their less impressive four offensive rebounds.

The Wolverines put up an even 36 points per half. The offense was led by another stellar performance from White who tallied 16 points, six rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes of playing time. Red-shirt sophomore forward Luca Robinson had an additional nine points and four rebounds.

In their penultimate home game of the regular season, the Wolverines will celebrate seniors Rose, center Josh Brown and guard Isaac Thrasher in tomorrow’s game against the 3-15 Thiel Tomcats.

Grove City came out victorious in an electric 63-51 win against the 14-6 Chatham Cougars at home on Wednesday night.

The Cougars are currently ranked fourth in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference with a 8-5 conference record, while the Wolverines remain ranked second only to Westminster, with an overall record of 13-7 and a conference record of 10-4.

The game began with an evenly paced first quarter, with Grove City leading by only one to enter the second installment of the first half.

After both teams found their rhythm, the Wolverine’s aggressive style of play was on full display. Their hustle increased their lead to 27-23 going into halftime.

Freshman guard Mara Polcynski had six assists, four of which came in the first half.

The Wolverine offense was fortified by a 14-point performance from junior forward Nina Cano. Senior guard Allison Podkul had 12 of the Wolverines 43 rebounds, 30 of which were off the defensive glass.

The Wolverines came out of the locker room and into the second half on fire, controlling both ends of the court.

Their defense kept Chatham to a mere nine points, while on the opposite end of the court they combined for a 25-point quarter. Freshman forward Jaden Davinsizer responded to a missed call with a momentum-shifting block, leading Grove City to close out the third quarter with a 20-point lead.

In the fourth quarter Chatham rallied and finished with a 19-point quarter. Despite their efforts, Grove City still came out on top by 12 points. This was their last meeting with Chatham in the regular season.

The Wolverines lost to St. Vincent last Saturday 71-63 in the last match-up of their three-game road stand, ending their six-game win streak.

Grove City’s offense started strong in the first quarter, leading their opponents by five going into the second quarter. St. Vincent fell into a rhythm in the second quarter, scoring 23 points while holding the Wolverines to only nine. The Bearcats’ offense was bolstered by a 19-point performance from junior center Ella Marconi.

Despite rallying in the second half and outscoring St. Vincent by one, their efforts fell short by a margin of eight.

Cano had a career game, posting 19 points, eight rebounds and three steals.

Grove City took advantage of St. Vincent’s mistakes by scoring 29 points off of their 21 turnovers.

“We played very well on Saturday,” said head coach Chelle Fuss. “A few shot selections could have been better in the second quarter. Saint Vincent had a lot of emotion with them…and WBB 11