The Collegian - March 31, 2023

Bard ain’t bad Shakespeare is still worth it in 2023

First PAC game won

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Faith and literature meet GCC Christian Writers Conference underway

David Zimmermann

Editor-in-Chief

The college’s annual Christian Writers Conference, hosted by the English Department and sponsored by the Lilly Fellows Program, aims to explore the Christian faith in global literature as expressed in this year’s theme: “Christianity and Core Texts at Global/Cultural Crossroads.”

The two-day conference began Thursday with three undergraduate paper pre-

News Column

Hahn returns for Faith for Life

David Zimmermann

Editor-in-Chief

Catholic theologian, bestselling author and alumnus Dr. Scott Hahn ’79 returned to his alma mater to present the latest Faith for Life lecture Tuesday evening in Crawford Auditorium.

Hahn, an esteemed biblical scholar, converted to Catholicism in 1986 after spending his early years as a Protestant believer, and eventually, a Presbyterian minister. With firsthand experience in both Christian traditions, Hahn continues speaking about Scripture and the Catholic faith.

“His talks have been effective in helping thousands of Protestants and fallen away Catholics to (re)embrace the Catholic faith,” his website reads.

sentations and critically acclaimed comic book artist Gene Luen Yang’s keynote address “Boxers, Saints and Coders,” and will continue with several more academic presentations today.

Senior Meredith Johnson, junior Sarah Soltis and freshman Joseph Shin presented their academic papers yesterday afternoon before Yang’s lecture.

The conference will feature papers on various cultural texts beyond the Western world, including those from the Middle East, Rwanda and India, and ask how those texts interact with Christian-

Should scientists endorse politicians?

Isaac Willour Staff Writer

“Stay in your lane.” We have all heard it before. Everyone from basketball players to actors has been hit with the injunction, even those society considers experts. Physicists, biologists and climate scientists have all been told to “stick to science.”

The nucleus of these sentiments is an understandable one. Scientists ought to be aware of the distinction between their scientific endeavors and their political opinions, even when the two necessarily mix.

That was the case in 2020, when the editors of Nature,

one of the most prominent scientific journals with millions of readers worldwide, endorsed Joe Biden for president.

Their endorsement cited Donald Trump’s handling of COVID-19 and climate change as primary rationales. The endorsement reads, “Donald Trump has taken an axe to a system that was intended to safeguard and protect citizens. Joe Biden must be given an opportunity to restore trust in truth, in evidence, in science and in other institutions of democracy.”

In the wake of Biden’s victory, Nature’s stance faded into obscurity until a new

ity.

“Christianity has often been mistaken for and sometimes presented as a purely Western phenomenon, but this has never been the case — Christian communities like the Ethiopian Church and the Saint Thomas Christians of India trace their roots back to the time of the apostles,” the college’s website stated.

“This fact is becoming ever more apparent today as the demographic center of even Western Christianity shifts

eastward and southward.”

English professor Dr. Eric Potter expressed his enthusiasm for the conference as it explores this very topic.

“Since Christianity is shifting, or has shifted, to the global South in terms of growth and numbers, and since the Kingdom of God is made up of people from every tribe and nation, I think this theme is especially timely,” Potter said.

This is the first year since spring 2017 that multiple academic speakers outside the college presented at the

Hosted by the Newman Club, this week’s Faith for Life lecture “Holy Is His Name: The Transforming Power of God’s Holiness in Scripture” was based on Hahn’s newest book of the same name. This marked the fourth time Hahn had spoken at the college in the last 20 years.

Hahn argued for the importance of the Eucharist in Catholic Mass and how the ritual should transform a believer’s understanding of Christ’s death, Catholic and Protestant alike.

“If the Eucharist is just a meal, Calvary is just an execution,” Hahn said. “But if the Eucharist is where the

Trueman honored for Christian wisdom

Ayden Gutierrez News Editor

Dr. Carl Trueman, professor of Biblical and Religious Studies at the college, is the recipient of the Davenant Institute’s first ever C.S. Lewis Award for Christian Wisdom.

The Davenant Institute, a non-profit organization focused on “the riches of classical Protestantism,” noted Trueman’s “exemplary public witness as a Protestant scholar,” resulting in him being the organization’s choice to receive the award.

The C.S. Lewis Award for Christian Wisdom honors public intellectuals and Prot-

estant scholars whose work, like Lewis’, “combine deep insight, historical perspective and resolute orthodoxy with winsome, articulate and persuasive presentations of Christian truth,” according to the Davenant Institute.

Trueman is being recognized for his academic scholarship and the challenge his work poses for classical and Christian understandings of the human person and political order.

“His recent work on ‘expressive individualism,’ first in ‘The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self,’ and then for a wider audience in ‘Strange New World,’ introduced many readers for the first time to the intellectual undercurrents behind the radical new understandings of sexuality and the human

condition that have upended our churches and our politics,” the institute said.

Trueman said he is both surprised and honored, adding he has not been given an award since his grammar school Latin Prize in 1983.

“After 40 years, this is basically a new experience. Frankly, I find it a little overwhelming,” Trueman said. “I write and speak on topics I am personally curious about, and that allows me to think issues through for myself. To know that others have found my work helpful and want to acknowledge such publicly makes me so thankful for their kindness and encouragement.”

Dr. Paul Kemeny, dean of the college’s Alva J. Calde-

GROVE CITY COLLEGE

Willie the Wolverine poses with admitted sudents in front of Breen Student Union during the annual Admitted Student Day.

HAHN

TRUEMAN

YANG

VANZANTEN

WRITERS 3 HAHN 2

Are sensitivity edits censorship?

Since February, the artistic integrity of English literature came into question when sensitivity readers started senselessly editing the works of multiple authors way past their original publications in an effort to update their “potentially offensive” language for modern audiences.

So far, Ian Fleming (James Bond novels), Roald Dahl (“Matilda”), R.L. Stine (“Goosebumps” series) and Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot detective novels) were the big literary names to have been targeted for their “outdated” sensibilities regarding race, gender, weight and mental health.

Words to expressly state ethnicity like “Jew,” as seen in Christie’s original “The Mysterious Affair at Styles,” are now redacted, and the term “fat” is replaced with “enormous” in Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” to avoid offending anyone, whether they fall into these demographics or not. Though these edits are minor instances of censorship, the fact there is even a job title exclusively designed for this purpose is absurd.

The role of a sensitivity reader, which most likely no one has heard of until recently, involves reading and assessing books with representation and inclusivity in mind. I personally find this notion ridiculous and detrimental to creativity, but I can understand if publishers want to do this to new manuscripts before initial publication. I don’t agree with it, but I can at least see an argument there. However, what I can’t get behind is editing older books, literature the general reader did not have problems with in the past. Which begs the question: Why is this happening now?

Perhaps this was inevitable as cancel culture has gained such a cultural foothold in the last 10 years, or maybe it has something to do with modern society’s willful ignorance of the past, blinding itself to valuable lessons previous generations have learned and passed on to the next. I don’t quite know the answer. However, I think this issue will only get worse in the months and years to come.

If popular authors like Christie and Dahl are now censored on some level, what will happen to the classic literary works of Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare, C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien in the future? I can’t imagine this possibility is too far off, considering all these authors (and George Orwell, ironically) were reportedly flagged last month by a U.K. counterterrorism program for promoting “right-wing extremism.”

The point I’m trying to make is when did we and, by extension, our culture become so weak and narcissistic that we are offended by the very idea of language? Literary works are a product of their time. For example, the n-word is a derogatory racial slur, but was a word clearly used in Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” because that was how Americans in the South viewed African Americans during the 1800s.

It doesn’t matter if you agree with the authorial intent or like certain words over others; you should let these inspiring authors speak to you because we all have something to learn from the past, both the good and the bad.

David Zimmermann Editor-in-Chief

Collegian Staff

Editor-in-Chief

David Zimmermann

Managing Editor

Caleb West

Section Editors

News

Ayden Gutierrez

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Sports Emma Rossi

Photo Chief Grace David

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Contributing

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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.

This week’s Green Eyeshade Award goes to Community

Editor Violet Whitmore for her creative headlines and encouraging attitude.

GRACE DAVID

Escape your comfort zone

Grace David Photo Chief

Last Friday, I gave a testimony in front of a few hundred students, and it was definitely one of the most terrifying things I’ve ever had to do.

For less than four minutes, I was doing something that simultaneously excited me and terrified me — and I didn’t hate it. For the many days before that, however, I was ready to do anything else.

My comfort zone is in the pews, partially listening in chapel, partially distracted by my own thoughts. I never thought I would be up there myself, speaking to my peers.

When our ICO mission trip group was asked to participate in that Friday’s worship service, I battled with God on giving my testimony.

I don’t like public speaking, but I knew God wanted me to share my mission experiences and how I had grown.

Often, God calls us out of our comfort zones for the good of ourselves and his kingdom. When we are challenged, we can grow in our character, skills, experience, relationships, confidence and leadership.

If everything was easy and comfortable with no challenges to overcome, would we actually learn? Would we actually grow? Whether it is a big challenge, like stepping into a new job with little experience or serving in missions on your own or a challenge

HAHN continued from 1

Passover of the new covenant is initiated, it couldn’t just be a meal or it wouldn’t have even risen to the level of the Passover of the old covenant.

that may seem smaller, like starting a difficult class or going out of your way to talk to someone and develop a new relationship, all challenges provide the setting to improve oneself.

But these things are frightening, and winning the challenge may not always appear worth the hardship we have to go through to get there.

But if we remain in our fear, lacking the boldness to do what we know could be good for us, how are we to grow, improve or lead? If we lack boldness, how are we to share the grace of God? If we lack boldness, are we anything like Jesus?

Forgetting our fear is difficult. Putting ourselves in uncomfortable situations is undesirable.

But God never fails. When we honor him and allow him to guide our hands and our feet, he will deliver us. When we work hard to face our fears, challenge what challenges us and step out in faith to follow God, we glorify him as Christians — that is what our true motivation should be.

There are many times in the Bible when God provides through trial. He told us we would face trials and tribulations (John 16:33). But he has overcome the world and everything it challenges us with.

In John 14, when Peter walked on the water during a dangerous storm, Jesus was there to catch him when he fell. When God commanded Moses in Genesis to go to Pharaoh and let his people go, Moses went and God provided his brother Aaron to speak for him. Paul faced

the Green eyeshade award Editorial Page 2 The award-winning Grove City College student newspaper, March 31, 2023

He also said Catholics and Protestants should “meet in the middle” more because “we have so much in common more than where we diverge” in doctrine, likening the two traditions to a dysfunctional family.

Hahn has authored over 40 books, some of his bestselling works including “The Lamb’s Supper,” “Reasons to Believe” and “Rome Sweet Home.” His most recent ti-

many trials, from his own anxious thoughts to his many months spent in prison, and God was still with him.

If these people and countless others failed to leave their comfort zones and turned away from what God had planned for them, where would they be? Where would we be, learning from their experiences?

God used situations that challenged these people for their individual growth, the good of his people and to teach us centuries later. If Paul hadn’t stepped out of his comfort zone after being blinded on the road, he might have continued to persecute Christians.

So, what does your comfort zone look like, and how do you escape it?

For me, it was giving my testimony in chapel. I also had to breach the walls of my comfort zone by climbing up a high rock on one of our ICO hikes, trusting my peers to guide my hands and my feet.

I was terrified of falling, but I trusted that God would guide me through — and he did.

Everyone’s comfort zone looks different. Escaping could be talking to someone new, taking a hard class or reaching out when you’re in a bad place. For some, leaving your comfort zone may even mean briefly escaping the echo chamber of your online opinions and courteously hearing what others have to say, even if you believe them to be wrong.

What does God have planned for you outside of your comfort zone? The only way for you to know where you can go is to step outside of that box in boldness.

tles are “Holy Is His Name,” “The First Society,” “The Fourth Cup,” “Romans: A Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture,” “The Creed,” “Evangelizing Catholics,” “Angels and Saints” and “Joy to the World.”

Hahn currently teaches theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville and serves as founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology.

“All our beliefs come from the Eucharist. All our beliefs are based upon the Eucharist because the Eucharist is Christ and Christ is the one who gave us the New Testament.”

Resense competes in national competition

Ayden Gutierrez News Editor

Grover-built business Resense competed last weekend for the chance to win $40,000 at Texas Christian University’s (TCU) Values and Ventures competition in Fort Worth, Texas.

The TCU Values and Ventures competition is a national and international business competition for undergraduate students and is one of the largest in the country.

Junior Luke Gilligan, chief operating officer of the company, detailed Resense’s involvement in the competition.

“We found out about the competition through the Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation at the college,” said Gilligan. “This was actually our second year attending this competition; however, this year we were able to grow our team, develop new products and learn from our customers. This allowed us to take Top 8 (out of 258) at the competition and place as an honorable mention.”

Resense first appeared in spring 2021 creating a customized box of products designed to ease the transition of patients going through the early stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Since its creation, the company has continued to find innovative ways to improve their product line.

The company recently launched a dementia-friendly newspaper, the Resense Register. The company also offers the Connect + Comfort Kit, which is an activity tool-

SCIENCE

continued from 1

study revealed the endorsement’s effect on the journal’s readers.

Stanford researcher Floyd Jiuyun Zhang examined how right- and left-wing readers viewed the journal after its political stand. He found that Trump-supporting readers reported significantly reduced trust in Nature as a scientific publication, as well as lower trust in scientists generally. Positive effects on Biden-supporting readers were small and mostly insignificant, according to the study.

TRUEMAN

continued from 1

rwood School of Arts and Letters, said the humanities school is thankful for the Davenant Institute’s recognition of Trueman’s contributions to contemporary Christian scholarship.

“The C.S. Lewis Award is richly deserved,” said Kemeny. “We are also grateful that our students have the opportunity to study with scholars, like Dr. Trueman.”

Trueman will receive the award and speak on “Prometheus Unbound, Man Abolished” at the First An-

kit for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia consisting of multiple different restorative products designed to improve brain health, exercise the senses and elicit longterm memories.

“Resense has the mission to bring comfort and joy to those living with dementia. As we created this product, we kept that mission in mind,” Gilligan said. “We wanted everything about it to bring comfort and not frustration.”

With senior citizens in mind, the company’s first goal was for the Resense Register to be easily accessible and readable. The Register is written in a larger font and includes a crossword. For many of these individuals, the Resense team found “it was a habit to do The New York Times crossword or daily crosswords in their local paper. We wanted to bring that back and make it more accessible,” Gilligan said.

“In our research when going into care communities, we found that many individuals missed opening up a newspaper every day. Newspapers were soothing to them and decreased agitation. So, by creating the Register we wanted to bring back that routine and activity of daily life and give them something that we know they will enjoy. Doing the same thing each day and adding structure has been proven to decrease agitation, restlessness and aggression.”

Gilligan also noted the company designed each article to elicit long-term memories for their patients.

The endorsement and the study raise questions about the objectivity of the scientific establishment that might lead conservatives to call into question the validity of the studies and research endorsed by journals like Nature.

The answers to those questions are complex, according to Grove City College professors from the STEM program.

To Dr. Erik Anderson, professor of mechanical engineering, the question of scientific endorsements rests partly on whether the purpose is simply tactical or im-

nual Davenant Award Banquet in Washington, D.C., on April 19.

“This year is the 80th anniversary of Lewis delivering the lectures that became ‘The Abolition of Man,’” said Trueman.

“My current project focuses on the same kind of question with which he engaged in that work: How have we in the modern West become so confused about what it means to be human?

As Lewis pointed out, the use of technology – the Promethean temptation – is key to this. I want to explore that

The Register houses articles about pets to remind patients of their pet-owning days as well as cooking recipes.

“We also added historical articles of people that they know such as Abraham Lincoln,” said Gilligan. “Unlike a current newspaper, we wanted to make sure they knew and recognized the content in the articles that are included.”

The company has several future goals. Through inter-

portant truth-telling.

“What values do the editors of Nature communicate? They believe telling the truth is important,” he said. “I believe that the editors of Nature 100 percent believe that their assessment of Biden vs. Trump is correct and that the situation uniquely called for truth-telling.”

Noting how some rightwing outlets characterized Nature’s endorsement as indicative of progressive bias, Anderson asked, “What do they mean by biased? If you have a strong differing opinion based on good knowledge and information, that’s

question a little and do so in a way that honors the work of Lewis himself.”

Trueman has both written and edited more than a dozen books, including but not limited to: “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self,” “Strange New World,” “Luther’s Legacy,” “John Owen” “Histories and Fallacies” and “The Creedal Imperative.”

Trueman served as a member of the Davenant Institute’s Board of Advisors and delivered the keynote address at the organization’s Fourth Annual Convivium Irenicum in 2016.

action with customers and stakeholders, Gilligan and the company have found there is a need for other forms of media, along with the Register.

“We hope that in the future we can also create other forms of media and products that can replicate activities of daily life for these individuals,” said Gilligan. “However, making them more accessible and positive. One of these ideas is to create a positive

not bias.”

To Anderson, these accusations of bias miss the point of the debate about scientific endorsements — the truth of the actual claims being made about candidates and their potential impact on how science guides policy. “It’s not always virtue-signaling or bias when someone states their position publicly,” he said. “The question is: Are they right and does the situation call for public truthtelling?”

On the other hand, biology professor Dr. Jan Dudt sees a downside to scientific endorsements of candidates:

WRITERS continued from 1

Christian Writers Conference. Dr. Susan VanZanten, senior research professor in the Humanities at Valparaiso University, will address presenters and attendees at 1 p.m. today in the Morledge Great Room of Rathburn Hall.

VanZanten, former dean of Valparaiso’s Christ College honors college, is the author of many peer-reviewed and general essays, as well as nine books in areas as varied as African literature, American literature and Christian higher education.

Dr. Kristen Waha, associate professor of English, said of the guest speaker, “Dr. VanZanten has researched and taught African literature throughout her career, and her writing on faith in both African and American contexts should offer helpful ways to approach the themes of the conference.”

Among the conference pre-

newscast design specifically for these individuals.”

The company is also releasing the Resense Foundation, a non-profit fund that will support care communities and individual care partners. The company would help provide them with activities, products, resources, training and 1:1 mentoring with dementia care experts. They also have their eyes set on several other business competitions.

the portrayal of science as politically monolithic.

“I can completely understand the suspicion,” Dudt said about the drop in rightwing trust for Nature. He voices worry that a strongly partisan editorial stance from a prominent scientific outlet can “marginalize members of society who don’t go along with it.”

“The editors of Nature have a responsibility to make it clear they’re not speaking for every author,” Dudt argued. “Science has error — to marginalize a contrarian voice is contrary to the scientific ethic.”

senters today are college faculty Dr. Elizabeth Baker, assistant professor of history; Dr. Kristin Barbour, adjunct assistant professor of theatre; and Dr. Kelsey Madsen, assistant professor of French and chair of the Department of Modern Languages.

Faculty in the English Department hope the campus community and the public will further engage in the interaction between global literature and Christianity after the two-day event.

“I hope that attendees will leave the conference with a longer list of books and authors they want to get to know and with an increased sense of how Christianity speaks in and to a variety of cultures,” Potter said.

Those who plan on attending any of today’s conference events are encouraged to register online on the English Department’s webpage. No conference or registration fees are required for entry.

LUKE GILLIGAN

The Resense Register was recently created as an additional tool for dementia patients.

Upcoming Events... What’s fresh at the Grove?

Christian Writers Conference

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Friday, March 31

Rathburn Hall

Concert Band & Wind Ensemble Concert

7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 31 Ketler Auditorium South Sale

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 1

Old South Lobby and Quad

Track & Field Mini

Meet 2 - 8 p.m.

Wednesday, April 5

Robert E. Thorn Field

IFF Conference:

Post-Roe America

Thursday, April 13

Friday, April 14

Sticht Lecture Hall

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The Collegian: The Grove City College Newspaper

Debate club takes a debate dub Grove City takes home a national title

Eve Lee Copy Editor

The college’s Debate Team took home several awards, including a national championship, two weeks ago.

Freshmen Ginger Schiffmayer and Joshua Xu both won first place in the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) in West Chester, Pa., at the Pi Kappa Delta National Forensic Association National Debate tournament from March 1518.

The tournament “bills itself as the largest speech and debate tournament in the world with all kinds and sizes of schools — Ivy League, major research universities and elite private colleges,” Assistant Coach Dr. Andrew Harvey said.

The college sent 11 stu-

dent debaters to the event, according to Debate Captain Sebastian Anastasi, a senior.

Schiffmayer and Xu succeeded against larger universities, being the first at the novice level to outdo Morehouse College varsity seniors who offered “sharp competition,” according to junior Eden Kleiman.

Head Debate Coach Dr. Jason Edwards said novice debaters winning against varsity debaters was “simply unheard of and was generally assumed to be impossible — as was confirmed to me by several coaches and tournament organizers.”

Edwards said Schiffmayer and Xu “debated a grand variety of resolutions that included ones concerned with policy, values and facts,” and Kleiman praised the way the two freshmen crafted their arguments, used debate the-

ory and worked together. According to Anastasi, “Ginger and Josh were up against seasoned senior debaters, but you wouldn’t have known who the freshmen were.”

When asked why she enjoys doing the NPDA, Schiffmayer said, “It’s good to have a partner. You’re focusing on different areas of the argument. With a partner, you cover more ground.” Xu remarked that he likes the longer speaking times in which you can develop your argument more.

“The most important thing about Ginger and Josh winning is that it really is a total team victory,” Harvey said. “Coaches can help during prep time, but it is more a function of the team’s months of dedicated practice and teamwork that yields its fruit during tournaments.”

Denominational discrepancies

Junior varsity debater and sophomore Lauren Travieso earned second place in the International Parliamentary Debate Association (IPDA). Edwards reported that Anastasi earned third place speaker in Open IPDA, and the team itself won second place in the Tier One Debate Sweepstakes.

“The whole team represented the college extremely well which is what I expect, but at the same time the difficulty of what they are pulling off never ceases to astound me and I think is probably underappreciated by those unfamiliar with this activity,” Edwards said.

The Debate Team will have its last national tournament of the academic year today and tomorrow at Dayton University in Ohio.

My fiancé and I have different Easter traditions and belong to different denominations. How should we reconcile this when we have a family?

-Planning Grover

Dr. Love

Dear Planning Grover, Thanks so much for writing in, and that is definitely a question you’re not alone in asking. Whether you’re looking to be married in a year, five years, 10 years or never, you will need to make your own traditions as you move out and start your own family.

If you are going to be living by yourself, it would be easy to simply carry on traditions you had as a child. If you plan to go to your parents frequently for holidays, those traditions might end up happening anyway. Though there may be dif-

ferences between your denominations theologically, Easter is defined by the death and resurrection of Christ — no matter how you celebrate, you are ultimately tied to the authentic meaning and importance of this holiday, and this should be at the core of any traditions you decide to introduce into your family.

When you are married though, now you have two different sets of traditions to combine. If you’re a careful reader of my column, you might guess my suggestions: communication. Talk with your spouse about which tra-

ditions are really meaningful for you and which ones you would be fine leaving aside. Experience each other’s traditions so that you can better understand why they like those traditions.

Another good idea is to consider making your own traditions. What have you heard of other people doing, or what would be a good idea that reinforces the true meaning of the holiday?

What can you change or combine from your separate traditions that might reinforce your unity as a couple?

Holidays like Christmas and Easter are supposed to

be joyful and celebratory times to remember how much our Lord sacrificed for our sake. Remember to be gracious and communicate what you truly feel. These basic principles will set your relationship up well for celebrating holidays in wherever you go.

Dr. Love Love M.D.

JASON EDWARDS

The Grove City College Debate Team dressed for success, ready to compete in the NPDA competition two weeks ago.

Seven questions with… Professor Betsy (Boak ‘77) Craig

Undead in the Urban Gaming Club

Violet Whitmore Community Editor

If the spring semester has you feeling like a zombie, you’re not alone. The Urban Gaming Club’s (UGC) campuswide Humans vs. Zombies (HvZ) game will have the campus crawling with them.

The game involves Nerf guns, missions for humans to complete and lasting friendships. The game begins today and lasts until Saturday evening.

According to Design Officer and senior Laura Hamilton, the “invitational is the club’s biggest event of the semester, where we invite off-campus guests from other schools, Nerf hobby organizations and independent players to play Humans vs. Zombies on Grove City College’s campus for an entire day or more.”

“This semester’s theme is ‘Monty Python and the Un-

Mia Gallagher Staff Writer

holy Brains,’ based off ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail.’ It involves a ton of prepping and coordinating with multiple campus offices such as Campus Safety and Student Life & Learning, and it’s always a ton of fun,” Hamilton said. “All Grove City College students and faculty and staff are welcome to participate, too.”

The entire club helps orchestrate and plan the game, with the invite already involving 50 people. There can be a range of 30-150 guests in attendance for any of the various games the club plays.

“During the game, club moderators (who run the game) and actors (who play NPCs) dress up in themed costumes for immersive world-building,” said Hamilton. “Each game follows a storyline through five missions, where the humans have varying objectives and the zombies have one objective: Grow the horde.”

Though the game is a daunting challenge, the players’ ability to work as a team and the connections the group have with each other make it achievable.

“We always look forward to the invitational because we get to connect with offcampus friends and play Nerf on a much larger scale than usual. We have many returning guests who have played on our campus at least three times, and they love coming back for more,” said Hamilton.

UGC Vice President and freshman Jenna Stanski emphasized that anyone with any type of experience level can join.

“A goal of the Urban Gaming Club is for people to be able to come, have fun playing whatever game we’re running and enjoy playing with us no matter gear complexity or experience level. We always have loaner blasters and darts on hand at meet-

Professor of English and Theatre

Why did you choose the career path you did?

ings and love to see new faces join us. The club is moderately low commitment, too, so members are able to just come and go to meetings as best fits their schedule.”

“In my opinion, the Urban Gaming Club is one of the closest groups on campus,” Stanski said. “HvZ bonds players in teamwork through high-stress situations. Working with and getting to know others and their strengths and weaknesses is key for mission success no matter what side of the game you’re on. The better you can do that, the more fun you get to have and ultimately, that’s the goal; we’re all there to have fun.”

For more information, visit the club’s Facebook page @GCCUrbanGamingClub or Instagram @gcc.urbangamingclub. Student, faculty and staff registration closes tonight.

Lights, camera, alumna

The entertainment industry isn’t limited to actors and directors, and the accomplishments of those at the top of the end credits would not be possible without the crew, management and marketing teams working behind the scenes to bring these theatrical productions to life.

Alumna Ashley Donaldson ’20 graduated from the college after studying music and business and now contributes her talents to WTA Media as a marketing specialist in this star-studded industry but does so in a way that allows her to stay true to her faith.

This unique, fast-paced job has allowed Donaldson to serve Christian filmmakers and promote faith-based projects including “Jesus Revolution,” “Lifemark,” “Family Camp,” “The Case for Heaven” and “Redeeming Love.” Each of the intricate details Donaldson and her fellow team members oversee allow these encouraging stories to move the hearts and minds of Christian and general audiences alike.

“My role as a marketing specialist in the Christian en-

tertainment industry primarily consists of coordinating communication with team members, working alongside marketing team members to create and execute campaign strategy, compiling data and campaign wrap reports and assisting with the planning and execution of early screenings and movie premieres,” Donaldson said.

“My favorite aspect of my job is the tangible ministry impact I get to see on a regular basis. Entertainment can reach souls in ways that other media or pursuits simply cannot. God uses all things for good and knows the needs of our hearts perfectly, reaching us in countless unique ways. It is beautiful to see God working through the unexpected, even through movies,” she said.

Donaldson cites the journey to her current career success as one laid out entirely by God. While at Grove City College, her studies as a business/music major and participation in extracurriculars like women’s golf, orchestra and choir taught her the value of a Christian work ethic. After graduation, she pursued an MBA at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., and from there it became clear where the Lord was calling her.

“I began applying for fulltime jobs in order to stay in

Tennessee post-graduation. I applied for my current position via LinkedIn, knowing no one who worked at the organization. I was blessed to make it through the phone and in-person interview process and began my position in August 2021,” Donaldson said.

Donaldson’s dedication to her faith and passion for sharing it with others is one each of us can learn from. Her attention to detail and desire to make an impact in this industry will continue to aid her in bringing these heartfelt stories to life. Her advice to the current campus community speaks to this very end.

“Remember that you are at Grove City College to succeed in your degree path and grow your relationship with God; however, be sure not to overlook your liberal arts classes that feel like a simple ‘requirement.’ It sounds dramatic to say, but I think I would be a different professional without having taken a freshman writing class. Your time at Grove City College is the perfect time for you to discover what you are passionate about – try your hardest to become an expert at that.

“Even if your passion doesn’t become your career, you will never regret pursuing it.”

I got into this career by accident. It wasn’t the plan — at least my plan. My mother insisted I have a practical degree if my parents were going to pay for college. So, I became an English teacher. Then I got into New York University’s graduate program in theatre and then into a theatre program that took me to England. I love English, and I love theatre. This job came open, and someone said I should apply. Here I am.

What’s your favorite movie?

Weirdly, I don’t think I have a favorite movie. Give me a movie with a great story. I am more interested in characterdriven movies than I am in action movies.

What is your favorite restaurant?

For a wonderful romantic dinner, I like the Paris Bistro in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Small and quirky restaurants that look like they have been around a long time and that are tucked into some hidden place are my type of restaurant.

What kind of music do you like to listen to?

I listen to classical jazz a lot. But I also love 70s, 80s and 90s rock. And there are times that I simply cannot get enough of classical. But when I work out, I always listen to music that makes me want to dance!

Do you have any interesting hobbies?

I love to cycle. In fact, I have a name for my bicycle — Bella Blue and she travels with me everywhere. My dream is to do a bike tour in Europe — particularly France and Italy.

What are you looking forward to today?

Well it is 7:30 in the evening as I answer this question and I am still in the office. So right now, I am looking forward to an evening at home. I don’t get a lot of those because I spend a lot of evening time in the theatre.

What do you like most about working at the college?

The people. I love my colleagues that I get to work with, and I love the students I teach in the classroom and work with in the theatre. The conversations I get to have with these people are so rich. I live a satisfying life here at Grove City because of the people I am with daily.

DONALDSON

LAUREN CREELY

The Urban Gaming Club in action, wielding Nerf guns and keeping a watchful eye.

ASHLEY DONALDSON

Alumna Ashley Donaldson ‘20 on the red carpet for her work with WTA Media.

It’s all in the details

A closer look at Grove City College’s architecture

The other day, a friend of mine pointed out a small detail on the top of STEM.

“Did you know that there are tiny planets up there?” she asked.

No, I didn’t.

So this week, I decided to go on a little tour of campus and find some of the parts of Grove City College’s architecture that may have gone unnoticed by most, me included.

It’s important to take a breath and slow down, and that’s when we notice the little things around us.

by Grace David, Photo Chief

Shakespeare isn’t simple Hard to understand does not mean bad

Grace Scheller Perspectives Editor

The Ides of March are no longer upon us, and as a cast member of this year’s spring play “Julius Caesar,” I’ve had the opportunity to observe each night’s audience in pretty excruciating detail. I’ve come to find that the reality of today is this: Today’s audiences have changed dramatically. For better and for worse. Make no mistake, however, the influx of positive feedback about the show was overwhelming. I’ve received my fair share of congratula-

Isaac Willour Staff Writer

In one of his final appearances, the famed author and prominent atheist Christopher Hitchens gave listeners a fiery address on the responsibility of free people.

“We have the same job we always had,” exhorted Hitchens, coughing as the esophageal cancer that would soon claim his life coursed through his body. “There is no totalitarian solution that says that… if you will simply abandon your critical faculties, a world of idiotic bliss can be yours.”

Though marred by his blind spots, Hitchens’ underlying point was clear: the ideas marketed to us by supposed political betters do not possess the finality or efficacy they seem to. Sometimes these solutions are good. But sometimes, they simply sound good when a closer look reveals the uglier and

tory emails and mildly embarrassing, yet very appreciated, shout-outs in class, and Shakespeare fans all over campus have reached out to the cast and crew.

While the encouraging reactions are what we want, it seems there are still a few who weren’t fans. Both sides of the spectrum are understandable and even welcomed, but as a theater kid, there’s only one thing we, as a cast, dread hearing: “I didn’t get it.”

And before the “but its Shakespeare” card gets defensively yanked from your back pocket, let’s take a step back. Yes, it’s Shakespeare. Yes, Shakespeare is not necessarily for the faint of heart.

But these aren’t just words on a page anymore. You aren’t sitting in pre-AP English in your sophomore year of high school listening to your 70-year-old teacher describe the historical context behind the Battle of Philippi. Theater is meant to be live. It is meant to be genuine, involved and relevant. Something you can reach out and touch. Yes, the material is not as easily digested as newer works, but theater is not meant to be easy. Neither is Shakespeare. We can dress in modern attire, and we can substitute guns for knives, but at the end of the day, the audience must want it as much as the cast and crew. The SparkNotes

you used in sophomore year will not be accessible during the performance, so please don’t expect them to be.

Still, we must acknowledge that misunderstanding is inevitable, especially in today’s day and age. COVID has done quite a number on us socially. We all know our attention spans have shortened dramatically to the point where two and a half hours in one seat is a stretch, and no one truly prefers lingering in a big crowd for longer than they have to, even if it means staying the extra five minutes of curtain call.

These are all normal behaviors and don’t worry, the theater community has expected them.

Race reparations aren’t justice

prejudicial truth of what’s being peddled.

On few issues is this clearer than in the case of race reparations, most prominently a recent multi-billiondollar proposal from California. On their surface, race reparations are framed by their advocates as part of the quest for American justice — given America’s past of racism, isn’t the just solution to make financial amends with the descendants of Black Americans? Opposition is sometimes branded as a sign of everything from internalized prejudice to outright racial supremacy.

It’s our responsibility, however, to clear away the detritus surrounding reparations and get to the heart of the matter: Race-based reparations aren’t just, not because they’re justice delayed, but because they aren’t nearly enough justice.

It’s beyond question that the history of America contains truly horrific and vicious racism; this should not be sugar-coated to spare feelings. It’s dishonest to pre-

tend that America has always been the good guy on race issues and inaccurate to pretend that the racist parts of our history simply have zero remaining effects. Yet, it’s also a mistake to argue that racism is consequently the primary source of American misery. There’s at least one pernicious American condition outstripping racism for that title: poverty.

American poverty is distributed unequally along racial lines, yet it still affects countless non-Black Americans, and this is where the problem with reparations becomes real. Reparatory rhetoric is not centered on

alleviating poverty, although that ends up being the recurring theme of most reparations policies. This begs the obvious question: If reparations policies are mainly aimed at bettering the socioeconomic condition of Black Americans, why can’t their advocates just say so?

The implications of the follow-up question are likely the reason: If reparations policies better the lives of Black Americans but neglect the plight of thousands of Hispanic, Latino and white Americans, are such policies truly just? Does the alleged end of atoning for America’s racial sins justify racially tar-

However, just because something is incomprehensible to you doesn’t make it bad. Sitting down for our first read-through of “Julius Caesar” was painstaking, I’ll grant you that. I was confused about 40 percent of the time.

But dare I say, this means that Shakespeare isn’t an impressive playwright whose every work has stood the test of time? Absolutely not. This is arguably the world’s most talented writer; of course it’s not all going to click if you’re using little to none of your brain.

The beauty of live theater is incredibly immersive. To fully enjoy it, you must treat it as such.

geted policies that only fix the Black part of American poverty?

In these cases, for moral people, the answer is obviously no. No, it’s not just to reject non-racial ideas for reducing American poverty for all races in favor of poorly conceived racial notions with nebulous goals and even more nebulous justifications. No, it’s not moral to choose highly divisive race-based “solutions” over programs aimed at lifting Americans of all colors out of poverty. There are serious arguments to be made against reparations before even getting into the extent of America’s fight against racism.

If we’re to actually try and fix things, let’s fight instead for workable policies for all Americans, especially those below the poverty line, regardless of race. Difficult justice is better than performative half-justice. Seem difficult? Even impossible? Tough — we’re free people, and a world of incorrect, even ignorant bliss isn’t an acceptable option.

If reparations policies better the lives of Black Americans but neglect the plight of thousands of Hispanic, Latino and white Americans, are such policies truly just?

GRACE DAVID

Conservatives need compassion

Hunter Oswald Staff Writer

Ever since I came to Grove City in fall 2020, I have found it quite interesting how Grovers have introduced themselves based on some form of identity. The first words I often hear when Grovers meet for the first time are classical introductory phrases: “Where are you from?”, “What is your major?” and the most cliché of them all, “What do you want to do after college?”

It is a well-known fact that identity has always been an essential element in establishing new connections in our professional lives or relationships, but within the past few years I have noticed something strange. When I was interning for The American Spectator in D.C. last summer, I noticed at first the use of similar Grover phrases, but there was another phrase that was used often: “What’s your gender identity?”

The question of gender identity and the transgender movement has become the prime controversy of the ongoing culture war between the political left and right. Within the past few weeks,

both sides have taken the battle to the desks of two governor offices.

On March 2, Republican

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed into law Senate Bill SB0001 which prohibits any healthcare provider from performing any sex-change surgery on minors, along with establishing restrictions for any similar operations in the future.

Last Friday, Senate Bill 150 was put on the desk of Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear which would ban all sex-change surgeries for minors, prohibit the teaching of gender theory and place other restrictions regarding gender identity.

Governor Beshear vetoed Senate Bill 150 and released a statement stating, “My faith teaches me that all children are children of God, and Senate Bill 150 will endanger the children of Kentucky.”

The legislature overrode his veto this week.

While I, along with many of my conservative colleagues, have been supportive of the efforts to prevent children from engaging in these actions, there appears to be a predicament of which conservatives are unaware.

In a recent poll conducted by The Washington Post, they found that trans adults “are more than twice as likely

as cis people to say they felt depressed (48 percent, compared to 21 percent) or lonely (45 percent, compared with 21 percent).”

Fifty-seven percent of trans adults say that they are satisfied with their overall lives, but this is still lower than the national average of 73 percent.

The problem conservatives seem to ignore is that much of the focus has been on banning anything related to transgenderism and not on creating opportunities to help those suffering from mental disorders and personal complications. Conservatives have long been seen as the uncompassionate right-wing rednecks that will worsen other people’s lives.

Despite the perceptions of

What are you most looking forward to as spring returns?

Vince Clay ’26

conservatives by most people, we have an opportunity to finally change the script. Conservatives must wake up to the reality that compassion and care for our fellow man is how we win this issue. Now is the time to create programs and initiatives to provide the necessary aid for those needing our help, whether through therapy networks, providing treatments and medication or simply creating a trusting environment. Conservatives can give the hope and change that can enable many trans people to finally seek happiness by leading them to the light of truth. Through compassion and open minds, one can overcome the storm and we shall do so.

The rising prominence of incel culture

Mark Armour

Contributing Writer

A very concerning and growing group of modern young men is called incels. From Jordan Peterson’s prominent attention to a recent study by Psychology Today, incels are gaining media attention, and in no small part due to their proclivity toward violence and deeply harmful rhetoric. Even so, you may be excused for not even knowing what this strange word means.

Incel is short for involuntary celibate, but more importantly, it is a label young people, almost always young men, put on their sexual frustrations. What an incel wants is sex but usually fails to get a second date. What really sets an incel apart, though, is an almost militant sense of identity revolving around

their rejection by women.

Their messages are received and fueled by online circles, where incels can vent to each other and share ideas related to “incel theory.” If incel theory doesn’t raise red flags, it should.

A recent study published by Psychology Today identified a strong connection between incel identity and misogynistic, violent attitudes. This comes as no surprise to those who have seen incel groups.

Online incel rhetoric revolves around blaming women for their sexual frustration. Propelled by their failures in dating, incels claim women are happiest when their existence revolves around sexually gratifying men, and that feminism is what stole away their prospects at partnership. Some incels even want to legalize rape. Incels, in short, genuinely objectify women.

The rising prominence of

this online ideology comes alongside a considerable rise in porn usage and addiction among young men. In fact, most incels will admit to using porn or even claim it as a necessity.

Modern society revolves around finding happiness in pleasure, and that means defending porn. Despite its normalization, pornography usage is linked to the objectification of women, unstable romantic relationships and sexual dysfunction by changing the chemistry of the brain – all factors that push men into “involuntary celibacy.”

While the secular world is an easy scapegoat, the Church is not off the hook either. Beyond helping Christian men fight their pornography addictions, Christians tend to distort the Scripture’s teaching on sexuality. Too many Christians overzealously warp St. Paul’s call for women to submit to their husbands into a perverted

conflation of feminine identity to revolve around submitting to men even outside a marital covenant.

Finally, there’s been a distinct failure within many denominations to recognize vocations of celibacy and consecrated virginity with the same high dignity that St. Paul does in 1 Corinthians, and God in John’s vision of heaven in Revelation. Many of the same secular myths about porn are used to discourage vocations of celibacy and justify the rampant divorce and remarriage within the Church.

In short, such studies and behaviors on incels should be a call to all of us. Original sin puts our bodies above our souls, turning us into materialistic animals. We as Christians are called to conquer the flesh and honor his flesh that was given up sacrificially for us so our bodies can be cleansed, redeemed and restored to us in the next life.

I’m looking forward to spending time outside because it’s just so lovely and nice. I feel like I’m losing a piece of myself when I can’t go outside and spend time in nature. I just want to be able to eat and study outside. I’ll finally be able to run outside again! I love the truly beautiful weather.

Cat Runion ’26

I’m really looking forward to being able to open my window and hear the birds again! I can’t wait to hear all the sounds in the morning coming from outside my window and see the world come to life again.

Ava Fahs ’26

I’m really looking forward to not having to wear my coat anymore. Hannah, my roommate, makes me wear my coat right now because I don’t want to, so I’m excited to not wear it anymore.

Johnny Adkins ‘26

I’m looking forward to Easter! I always enjoy spring because I get to celebrate the risen Savior.

Anneliese Boonzaaijer ’25

I love it when spring comes and the trees bloom on campus! They are so lovely and beautiful, and I love getting to see them!

Alexa Steigner ’25

I’m really excited to be able to play cornhole again!

I love playing cornhole, especially out on the Quad! It’s always a great time, and I’m really looking forward to it.

Natili Reading ’26

I’m excited for the film fest, Lux Mea, coming up! I’m happy we are going to have warmer weather and that it’s closer to the end of the semester, too.

Tunes from the Tower ‘Ocean Blvd’

Vince Clay

Staff Writer

‘Scream VI’ is scary good

The iconic series’ sixth installment might be its best

David Smith Staff Writer

“Scream VI” hit theaters on March 10, introducing a fresh take on the slasher genre. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett incorporated elements of black comedy, “whodunit” mystery style and overt satire in the newest “Scream” movie.

The sixth installment of “Scream” was announced a few weeks after the successful 2022 reboot and earned a pleasant 77 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The plot of the film takes place one year after the Woodsboro killings. Now, the horror takes place at Blackmore University in New York City where Sam and Tara Carpenter (Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega,

respectively) are targeted by Ghostface once again. Who could be the killer?

Courtney Cox reprises her role as reporter Gale Weathers, and Hayden Panettiere returns as now-FBI-agent Kirby Reed from “Scream 4.” The pair works together to stop Ghostface in their tracks. Neve Campbell, unfortunately, does not return as Sydney Prescott, whom we are told is in hiding with her family.

“Scream VI,” just like its predecessor, appropriately carries the torch from the previous four films, all of which were directed by Wes Craven and three of which were written by series creator Kevin Williamson.

James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, the film’s screenwriters, provide witty dialogue, which is a “Scream” trade-

mark. In one scene where Sam is at a therapy session, she says to her shrink: “I stabbed him 22 times and slit his throat. And then I shot him in the head. But that’s not why I’m here.”

The original “Scream” is credited with revitalizing the slasher genre in 1996, with most of the films being direct-to-video. Today, we also have a successful reboot of John Carpenter’s “Halloween” franchise and films such as “X” and “Happy Death Day.”

With the current “Scream” films feeling so innovative, it is difficult to see slasher films going completely extinct, and I believe that is a good thing. Of course, it is a genre that can be overwrought, but it is apparent that new life has been breathed into it.

In fact, “Scream VI” ulti-

mately plays into the excess of horror fandom, which creates a platform for wickedly funny humor, an engaging mystery and a whole lot of action. All the nostalgia and self-referential elements don’t seem to be too much.

It is simply a part of the bigger picture, a piece of the puzzle. This film will keep you guessing. The suspense is at times unnerving, but that is the beauty of it all. Being perhaps the goriest and funniest in the horror franchise, “Scream VI” has proven its worth at the box office, earning nearly $140 million worldwide.

I would say it is one of the best movies to see in theaters now, especially if you are a fan of horror films. It is nice to finally see a well-made slasher film that takes place in the Big Apple.

‘Boston Strangler’ is no ‘Spotlight’

Nick Grasso Entertainment Editor

Matt Ruskin takes hold of the directorial reins in “Boston Strangler,” a crimethriller set in the 1960s starring Keira Knightley, Carrie Coon and Chris Cooper in leading roles.

The film follows Loretta McLaughlin (Knightley) in her quest to report on a series of disturbing murders in downtown Boston, all the while fighting against the deeply rooted sexism in journalism.

Make no mistake, this is a film about journalism and the empowerment of two women who risk their reputations to pursue a story that to this day, remains somewhat unsolved.

It’s less so a movie about a prowling strangler who preys on women of all ages and terrorizes the residents of Boston.

Sporting a decent cast, “Boston Strangler” has the makings of a good film, but it misses the mark in several ways. After witnessing the quality and memorability of “Spotlight” and “Zodiac,” the Knightley-led addition feels … well, forgettable.

The issue of sexism feels like the centerpiece of the film both in the reporting office and at home, where despite her best efforts, McLaughlin blatantly puts her career way ahead of her family on the priority list.

Including sexism as the film’s main plot point is appreciated as it was a negative aspect of not only journalism but also the working world at the time. However, overpowering the film with that motif may not have been the best choice.

It drowned out a necessary element of fear and suspense surrounding the murders, ultimately affecting how invested the audience might be in the culprit’s arrest. Additionally, much of the film examined the relationship between McLaughlin and her husband, who together have three children.

The husband, played by Morgan Spector, routinely expresses frustration when McLaughlin leaves the house

at ridiculous hours of the night and during family dinners. He is portrayed as being unsupportive of his wife’s endeavors, which is why I felt this portrayal was questionable.

McLaughlin was clearly not a presence in her children’s lives. In one instance, she packs a bag and prepares to leave for an investigative trip without warning, leaving her husband and kids wondering where she went.

To emphasize McLaughlin’s dedication to her work, the film portrays her husband in a negative light, when in reality he appears to have an issue only with his wife’s lack of presence within the family.

Toward the end of the film, the web of suspects and connections is spun with great complexity, which is no fault of the filmmakers – it was a complex criminal case. Unfortunately, the pace noticeably decreases around this time, which for me led to a dwindling of my interest.

“Boston Strangler,” currently streaming on Hulu, is a fine movie in which an impressive cast and interesting story battle with pacing issues and lopsided writing to create a largely forgettable experience.

For fans of journalism and slow burns, this film might qualify as worth the watch, but for the casual viewer, I wouldn’t recommend spending time on the project.

Lana Del Rey released her ninth album “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd” last Friday. It’s an exciting release, one that follows the artistic feats of albums like her 2021 underrated “Blue Banisters” or the 2019 “Norman F****** Rockwell!”

If you didn’t already know, there is indeed a tunnel under Ocean Blvd. The Jergins Tunnel, which leads from downtown Long Beach to the ocean, was built in 1927 to provide access for pedestrians. The tunnel was for many years a thriving thoroughfare before it was closed by the Californian city in 1967.

The eponymous tunnel acts as a sort of metaphor for the themes of the album. In the title track, Lana describes the tunnel as a “Handmade beauty sealed up by two manmade walls,” but she could very well be describing the songs on her album. “Ocean Blvd” reads like a secret history, a memoir in a glass bottle that’s been pent up and aged by the salty air and the grit of the American coast.

Lyrically, themes of Lana’s family history, past lovers and religious awakening spill out in a sketchbook-like quality only hinted at in previous albums. Songs like “The Grants” or “Grandfather…” have the effect of family photos, like you are peering into intimate moments from times past.

“That’s how the light gets in,” Lana whispers on “Kintsugi,” convincing herself that the loss of her relatives will build the family stronger.

Musically, this album is Lana at her most sacred and orchestral. With help from Jack Antonoff, Jon Batiste and SYML, the pianos unfurl, the strings sweep and dive and the drums are largely brushed and used sparingly.

Sometimes, these intricate compositions clash horrifically with modern trap drums or sudden rhythm changes – look no further than “Fishtail” or “Peppers.” Despite these hiccups, most of this record blossoms when the cards are played right.

Career highs like the thrilling “A&W” and Californian “Let the Light In” play like epic odes to American culture and present-day womanhood.

Behind the façade and man-made walls of our everyday existence, there is for everyone a sense of identity, heritage and culture. So, if one day you pass by the tunnel under Ocean Blvd, take a peek inside. You just might learn something about yourself.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

PEOPLE

Baseball team takes out Titans

Emma Rossi Sports Editor

The Wolverines’ baseball team played its first home game of the season Tuesday. Grove City faced non-conference opponent, the No. 5 Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets, in a tough 13-1 loss, giving them a record of 145. Baldwin Wallace boasts a top-five ranking in Division III baseball per the Top 25 rankings of DIII Baseball. com.

The Wolverines’ offense was led by sophomore third baseman Mally Kilbane who hit two for three and had two doubles.

The Wolverines’ lone run was set up by Kilbane’s fourth inning double putting himself on first and freshman center fielder Nick Sampson on third. A single from sophomore right fielder Josh Minnich sent Sampson across home plate and put a tally up on Grove City’s side of the scoreboard.

Three pitchers took the mound across seven innings of play. Junior pitcher Christian Hoffman started for Grove City and pitched until the last batter came into rotation in the top of the third when sophomore pitcher Isaiah Zuchowski took over. Zuchowski pitched for three innings and senior pitcher Robby Randolph took the mound for the last four outs.

In their first Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) match-up of the season, the Wolverines took down the Westminster Titans in a twinbill on Monday.

To begin the day’s competition, Westminster opened scoring with a pair of runs in the first. While the Titans may have started the game, the Wolverines finished it. Kilbane doubled to tie it up in the fifth. Kilbane was followed a couple of innings later by Sampson, whose season’s seventh double put

the Wolverines up 4-2 to close out game one. Senior pitcher Tate Ostrowski tied his career-high in game one, striking out 13 men in seven and two-thirds innings.

One win wasn’t enough for the Wolverines, and they took to the field on fire in the doubleheader’s second set.

Sophomore designated hitter Shane Cato began a seven-run second inning with a single, sending two

Wolverines across home. Two more singles followed from Sampson and junior second baseman Lucca Baccari to improve the lead to 4-0. Kilbane closed the second with three RBIs from his day’s second double. In the following four innings, four runs were contributed to Grove City’s side of the scoreboard. In the fourth, Cato hit his career’s second homerun to put the Wolverines up 8-0.

Tallies in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings put the Wolverines up a whopping 11-0 and the Titans couldn’t take anymore. The 10-run mercy rule was applied, and the game was cut short at seven innings, giving Grove City their season’s fourteenth win and their first conference sweep.

Sophomore pitcher David Leslie pitched a shutout in game two, pitching only one

Appreciating our athletic trainers

Emma Rossi

Sports Editor

They’re on the sidelines, in the locker rooms and down the maze-like hallways of the PLC, but if you’re in the stands you might never notice them. The college’s athletic trainers might not wear the jerseys or take the field, but they serve an invaluable purpose to Grove City Athletics.

Head Athletic Trainer Rick Hawke has been a vital member of Grove City Athletics for 24 years. He joined the staff as an assistant athletic trainer in 1997 and was promoted to head athletic trainer in 2016.

Hawke has served athletes from 152 championship-winning teams across his nearly two and a half decades at the college.

While he has seen all that Wolverine athletics has to offer, a memory that stands out to him across his career is when the football team ended their 33-game losing streak by defeating Saint Vincent in 2017.

“The energy from the team and students and fans is something that I will never

forget,” Hawke remembered.

Hawke has worked with thousands of athletes during his time with the department, and he shared that his favorite part of the job is building relationships with the athletes that last beyond their time as Wolverines.

He explained how rewarding it is to get “to know the students and see them compete, especially when they had to overcome an injury to do so. It is great to see alumni come back and make a point to stop by and say hello.”

Hawke recognizes the uniqueness of Grove City Athletics and relishes the ability to live out his faith in his work.

“Being able to talk to students, coaches and administrators about faith is refreshing. It is comforting that we have the freedom to openly discuss our relationship with Christ. Also, our administration is extremely supportive of what we do,” Hawke said.

Hawke is joined on the staff by two assistant athletic trainers, Sydney Nesbit and Lauren Rose. Nesbit is in her fifth year in the position, and Rose is in her second.

Nesbit spoke similarly to Hawke about the opportunity to form relationships with the athletes and the con-

versations they have while working.

“Grove City College provides a great working environment with like-minded people,” she said of her experience working in the athletic department. “Our athletic department is like a family on and off the field.”

On a daily basis, the training staff assists athletes with rehabilitation for injured athletes, helping with exercises and treatments and preparing student athletes for practices and games.

Rose spoke of the trainers’ partnership with Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Sports Medicine doctors for clinics and frequent visits. AHN is only a mile from the college and serves as the community hospital.

“We are also very blessed to have two AHN sports medicine physicians come into the training room weekly to evaluate injuries and help us expedite the diagnostic process,” Rose said.

Rose explained how grati-

fying it is to help athletes heal and watch their recovery in action.

“My favorite part about being an athletic trainer is watching an athlete return to playing the sport they love after recovering from an injury. It’s so rewarding to see the hard work they put into their rehab and then seeing them back out on the field or court,” she said.

Rose, who joined the staff in October 2021, spoke to the special culture of Grove City Athletics.

“I think Grove City College is a great place to work because of the Christ-centered focus. I knew this was a special place on my very first day when the soccer team lost an overtime game and invited the other team to join them in prayer after the game,” shared Rose.

“Witnessing our athletes glorifying God in those moments is something so unique about Grove City College Athletics, that unfortunately, you don’t see often in athletics elsewhere. It makes me proud to be a part of this program and get to work with such a great group of athletes and coaches.”

hit with nine men taking the plate.

The Wolverine bullpen is an impressive place to be, with Grove City’s pitchers amassing 159 strikeouts across 149 innings.

Grove City baseball is back in action tomorrow, April 1 against the Washington & Jefferson Presidents in a doubleheader on the road.

The first game starts at 1 p.m.

MEN’S LAX

continued from 12 him past the 100-point mark in his career. Blythe had 76 points in his freshman season and 31 so far this year. He averages three points a game.

Blythe is just the seventh player in program history to achieve this astounding accomplishment, made even more notable by the fact that he is less than halfway through his collegiate career in the sport.

Blythe also caused two turnovers and picked up one ground ball to round out his impressive stat sheet. Bui scored twice on Saturday as well, while junior attack Griffen Agawa and Davidson both scored one goal each to complete the Wolverines’ set of eight goals.

Senior goalie Jack Petit and junior goalie Danny Stone combined for eight saves in goal. The Wolverines fired in 15 shots on goal, scoring on more than half of their attempts.

Grove City’s next three games are against PAC opponents. They will face the 5-4 Westminster Titans at home tomorrow on Robert E. Thorn Field at 3 p.m. In the next two weeks, Grove City will compete against Franciscan and Chatham to get into the heart of their conference competition.

GRACE DAVID

Sophomore pitcher Isaiah Zuchowski slings the ball toward home plate during Tuesday’s game against Baldwin Wallace.

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Women’s LAX wins 2

Wolverines beat Bearcats big in first PAC game

Brynn Miller

Contributing

Writer

Grove City women’s lacrosse is heading into their conference games prepared after a 12-6 win over the Alfred University Saxons last Saturday morning and a 17-7 win against Saint Vincent College on Tuesday.

Saturday’s game had a total of three top scorers for the Wolverines. Sophomore midfielder Mara Polczynski, senior midfielder Madison Nazigian and sophomore attack Abigail Roetering all scored three goals against the Alfred defense. Putting up the other three goals were senior midfielder Meredith Basham with two goals and sophomore attack Meah Groves with one.

Grove City started strong right out of the gate with two unassisted goals from Nazi-

gian and Polczynski before the three-minute mark. The first quarter ended with 4-1 on the scoreboard. Nazigian scored the other two goals with assists from Polcynski and freshman attack Grace Forrey.

The Wolverines shut down Alfred’s offense during the second quarter, allowing no goals in their net but scoring three more. The score was 7-1 at halftime.

Both Alfred and Grove City scored two goals in the third quarter, bringing the score to 9-3 and three in the last quarter for a final of 12-6.

Sophomore goalie Elyse Kiggins stopped 10 of Alfred’s 24 shots.

“Defense did really well just working as a unit on Saturday. It was really exciting to just feel like we were in sync,” said Kiggins.

Grove City’s defense used

a face-guard strategy to lock down Alfred’s sophomore attack Amelia Booth. The face guard took freshman midfielder Reese Hasley out of her normal defensive position so she could lock onto her opponent, limiting Booth’s effectiveness. This restricted the Wolverine defensive unit to six men, but they managed to shut down Alfred’s offense.

When asked about what led to Saturday’s win, Polczynski said, “The emphasis throughout the game was to keep the focus off of the scoreboard and on our goals as a team. We kept our focus on each other and on our goals and I believe that it was that mindset that sealed the win.”

Going into Tuesday’s game, the Wolverines were ready for a competition and confident about their first

Men’s tennis secures first conference win

Joel Sledd Staff Writer

Men’s tennis is starting their spring season with a record of 5-3.

On Wednesday, March 22, the Wolverines beat Geneva College with a final score of 8-1. The team swept all six singles games to guarantee a Grove City victory.

Freshman Benjamin Jones won his singles game scoring 6-0 in both matches, and senior Ryne Talko won 6-1 and 6-0 in his singles match.

In the doubles matches, two out of the three duos beat Geneva. Juniors Gavin Miller and Jameson Sposato shut out their opponent for an 8-0 victory.

Head Coach Nathaniel Horner was happy with the victory, but he knew how much more the men are capable of.

“We did not play as well as we could have. It was a frustrating day, but we got it done,” he said.

On Friday, March 10, the team lost on the road to Lourdes College. In a final score of 6-1 in favor of Lourdes, the only points

came from double partners, senior Adam Scharnagl and Jones. Jones also won his singles match.

Over spring break, the men traveled down to Texas to play in a three-game series against local Texas teams.

They lost their first two matches but beat Texas Lutheran College on their last day, winning 6-3.

Horner recognizes this may be a slow start to the season, but he has also seen a lot of improvement within the team.

“Things are progressing a little slowly, but we’re moving in the right direction,” Horner said. “The biggest thing for us right now is building confidence.”

With seven remaining matches against PAC opponents, there is still time to improve their record and establish themselves as a threat.

Horner’s biggest compliment to the team was how much energy they bring.

“What’s improved the most is our energy. Our first couple of matches were a bit flat,” said Horner.

“At the beginning of the

year, we got caught a couple of times because our energy was kind of lacking, and it affected our level of play. But halfway through the season, we brought the fire to the court and it’s better than it was a couple of weeks ago.”

The team is looking forward to the divisional competition. So far in the season, the men’s only PAC opponent has been Geneva.

Horner spoke about the future of the season, saying, “We’re looking forward to playing Allegheny and Franciscan, those are two of the biggest conference matchups we have.”

There are still six more games to play before those matchups, but the team is using this time to prepare.

“It’s on the last weekend of the season before the PAC playoffs begin, so everything up until then will be preparation,” Horner said. “Hopefully, we’ll get blessed with some good weather. But we’re trusting our durability will hold up and our culture will continue to reveal itself.”

The team will travel to face Saint Vincent College on Tuesday, April 4 at 4 p.m.

conference game against Saint Vincent. A 17-7 win against the Saint Vincent College Bearcats on Tuesday marked their first Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) win.

“I think that joy and excitement of watching our playing mesh and pay-off in Saturday’s game will fuel us as we take on conference teams,” Kiggins said.

Roetering echoed her teammate’s confidence: “I’m so excited to go into conference play and show how well we can truly work together.”

The first quarter against Saint Vincent started out strong for Grove City. Roetering scored the first goal, and Polczynski, Jackson and Roetering followed to end the quarter with a score of 4-1. The second quarter saw a lot of action: Groves and Roetering both scored two

goals, and Polczynski, Dunda and Forrey secured the other three. Kiggins had four of her eight saves in this quarter, and the defense kept Saint Vincent to only three goals. The score was 11-4 going into halftime.

The second half saw two more goals from Polczynski, plus goals from Groves, sophomore midfielder Emily Arnold and Roetering. Saint Vincent fought back with three goals but could not match the Wolverines’ energy. The final score was 17-7 to give Grove City their first PAC win of the season.

The Wolverines are back in action at home tomorrow where they will face Westminster College at 12 p.m. on Robert E. Thorn Field.

Bearcats bested by soaring Wolverines

Rachel Ledford Contributing Writer

Emma Rossi Sports Editor

Men’s lacrosse put an end to their four-game losing streak on Wednesday night when they took down the Saint Vincent Bearcats 15-12.

Wednesday’s win was the Wolverines’ first taste of Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) action since March 7 when they defeated the Thiel Tomcats 22-4. With two PAC games under their belt, Grove City sets their sights on another undefeated season within the conference.

Sophomore attack Matt Blythe and freshman attack Mac Faircloth led the Wolverines’ campaign, scoring four goals apiece. Four goal games seem to be a trend for Blythe, as this was his fifth game this season scoring four or more. He leads the team in scoring with 26 goals so far this season.

He is followed on the leaderboards by freshman attack Kobi Bui, who has found the net 24 times this season. In Wednesday’s game, he added two more to his tally.

Freshman midfielder Boden Davidson earned his first hat trick as a Wolverine to contribute to Grove City’s side of the scoreboard. Graduate student midfielder Brett Gladstone and freshman attack Rigdon Greene each contributed one goal to round out the 15-goal final.

Graduate student long stick midfielder Addison Bennett led the team with four ground balls, followed closely by senior midfielder David Kraus with three ground balls. Senior defender Bailey Decker forced two turnovers.

Last Saturday, the Wolverines took on a formidable opponent in York College, losing 20-8. York made it to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament last spring and currently ranks at thirteenth nationally.

Despite this match-up, Grove City still found significant success, with the second quarter and fourth quarter only seeing a one-goal difference between the two teams.

Especially notable was the milestone-making performance of Blythe, whose four goals on Saturday pushed MEN’S LACROSSE

GRACE DAVID

Sophomore defender Sarah Jackson takes the ball up the field in Saturday’s 12-6 win over the Alfred Saxons at home.