Wolverines dominate the diamond
Baseball’s back in the
The
Friday, March 28, 2025
Student films debut on silver screen
Lydia Bennett Contributing Writer
The College’s highly anticipated annual Lux Mea Film Festival will return at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 in Crawford Auditorium for its milestone fifth year.
Produced by Professor of Communication Arts Gregory Bandy’s Special Events and Promotions class, the
film festival features original student films highlighting redemptive storytelling and spiritual truths.
This year marks a significant milestone for the festival as the event celebrates its fifth anniversary. After attracting over 900 attendees last year, Bandy and his students are aiming to reach a new record: a crowd of 1,000 attendees in celebration of the festival’s growth and success over the past five years.
Immediately following the festival, attendees are invited to join the reception in Staley Hall of Arts and Letters (SHAL) Atrium, which will begin around 9 p.m. The reception will offer a red-carpet experience of food, décor, additional photo opportunities and a VIP floor, providing a perfect setting to connect with the filmmakers and celebrate the creativity and passion behind the festival.
To honor five years of Lux
5 years of Lux Mea Bandy behind the scenes
Annie Levin Contributing Writer
The fifth anniversary of Grove City College’s Lux Mea Festival marks another opportunity for students to partake in the cherished tradition of coming together to watch student filmmakers showcase their skills and creativity on the big screen. While students of the College pour an immense amount of effort into the student-
run event, Gregory Bandy, a communication arts professor at the College, is the driving force behind the festival.
Bandy has over 30 years of experience as a writer, producer and director across various industries. Before joining the College in the fall of 2018, Bandy served as an assistant professor at Asbury Univer-
sity in Wilmore, Ky. for over a decade. During his time there, he co-founded the Highbridge Film Festival, which has since grown into one of the bluegrass region’s top cultural events. Bandy’s work in both academia and the film industry fueled his passion for creating opportunities for aspiring filmmakers. Inspired by the success of Highbridge, in 2021 he introduced a similar festival to the College.
“I just wanted to encourage storytellers – to give people an opportunity. Athletes have games, theater students have their performances and music majors have recitals. Filmmakers need film festivals to show off their films,” Bandy explained. His vision was to create an outlet where film-inclined students would be able to share their unique skillset
From paralysis to pirouttes
Violet Whitmore News Editor
Belief in miracles just got more convincing. After an accident her freshman year that left her partially paralyzed, junior Jessica Pratt is dancing, walking and successfully recovering thanks to expert medical intervention and the grace of God.
Pratt has dealt with various minor neurological issues since she was 11 years old. In 2022, during her freshman year at the College, that changed.
“I had an accident where I fell from the top of my lofted bed — total grandma moment,” she joked. “I landed on my tailbone, and from there my head slammed back and hit the floor. At the time, I was told I had a mild concussion and maybe a fractured tailbone that should clear up within about two weeks,” Pratt said.
However, as the year progressed, her symptoms remained. After encountering
a variety of health issues,
Pratt was diagnosed with post-concussive symptoms and functional neurological disorder (FND), a condition characterized by an impairment of voluntary motion. The accident also exacerbated a previous tic disorder not related to FND.
With the disorder, signals from the brain to the body get “lost in translation.”
“Think of it like my body had a software problem, and the Wi-Fi would just go out without me knowing why.
I knew I was physically capable of moving my legs, but when my brain tried to send the right messages, they wouldn’t budge,” Pratt explained.
Pratt’s experiences with paralysis varied. Her shortest episodes lasted a few seconds, but her longest lasted seven hours. Most averaged around two to four hours.
“Half the time, it was just my legs. Sometimes it was just my arms. Other times it was full body, except for my
head. Then on a bad day, it was everything, combined with the inability to speak and serious difficulties with
being able to string together a singular thought,” she described. The disorder caused
changes in her gait that required the use of a cane and
LUX MEA
This is the fifth year Lux Mea has been hosted by the Special Events class. Pictured above is this year’s class and Professor Greg Bandy.
BANDY
BANDY 3 MEA 2
PRATT
Julia Pratt dancing with her brother, sophomore Alex Pratt, before her accident. Orchesis this spring will be the first time since 2022 Pratt has performed in a show.
From the Tower
That’s all - folk(s)
There is much to be learned from American folk music.
The 1960s and 1970s were the peak of American folk music and reasonably so. The country was in great turmoil: American involvement in foreign affairs, economic strife, civil right struggles and mainstream mistrust of the government. Sound familiar?
Music, as an artistic expression of internal emotion and external struggle, creates a soundtrack not only for the era it was written in, but also for those who feel what the artist has felt.
Folk music captures culture, creates a collective memory and unites its listeners using simple lyricism and plain language. What can be impossible to explain in the spoken word or written text can be effortlessly communicated through song, making folk the national language.
While the nuances of American life in the year 2025 may not always directly translate to the songs of the ’60s and ’70s, the American psyche has remained quite similar. It’s always comforting to know that you’re not alone in a difficult time, and the same goes for the nation. We’ve survived horrific strife before, so why not believe we can do it again?
Protest through folk was common enough that it has become mainstream, especially with the recent release of the movie, “A Complete Unknown,” which follows Bob Dylan and the giants of folk that came before him.
Despite his recent resurgence in popularity, all folk music isn’t just Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues” or “Hurricane.” Titans of the genre, such as Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, John Prine and Tom Paxton are only some of the dozens more that come to mind.
There’s insight to learn, culture to participate in and perspective to be gained from folk music – especially now.
Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief
Collegian Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Emma Rossi
Managing Editor
Grace Scheller
Section Editors
News Violet Whitmore
Community
Emily Fox
Perspectives
Grace Scheller
Entertainment
Catharine Runion
Sports Mia Gallagher
Photo Chief
Luke Paglia
Copy Chief
Kathryna Hoyman
Business Manager
John Remaniak
Copy Editors
Anastasia Brown
Olivia Emerick
Kendall Lambrecht
Bonnie Pittman
Jesse Richardson
Staff Writers
Dom Puglisi
Matthew Purucker
Madison Lynch
Christa Bashinski
Garrett Gess
Staff Photographers
John Hake
Staff Adviser
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.
ELIZABETH BAKER
John Remaniak Business Manager
Most people crave closeness in some way.
You want someone, or something to be a part of, or to share. But what are you willing to sacrifice?
Are you willing to be vulnerable? Would you open yourself to being hurt in some way? This sacrifice out of your comfort zone is what must be present for intimacy. This article will not fully explore intimacy, but it will be a thought.
From a Christian perspective, vulnerability is a trait that reflects the humble and sacrificial nature of Christ.
Everyone in some shape or form tries to find intimacy, whether it be with a group, an individual or God. People want to share something emotionally, physically, spiritually, socially and intellectually.
It is this desire to share that reflects our inner longing for communion with the divine, as well as with another. What then is the risk of sharing something?
It takes the reality of vulnerability.
Ultimately, with our fallen nature we can betray, hurt or abandon something or someone. What then might this search for intimacy look like? It must be intentional.
In a group setting, it may look like actively participating in ordinary life with that
Mea, alumni filmmakers and former members of Bandy’s Special Events class are invited to attend the event. As a token of appreciation for their contributions to the film festival over the years, each will receive a complimentary ticket.
At its core, Lux Mea has always been about telling stories that shine a light on the human experience and guide us toward truth. As Bandy shared last year, “From the
group. It could be going to a club meeting or event, showing up and being the first one to greet someone and ask how they are doing.
Even the simplest of questions can open the opportunity to share the experience of creating unity. But it might not work out. That is the risk.
Someone might not share a part of themselves with you immediately, but that takes time. Deep growth in intimacy takes time.
The beauty of it is that because we are imperfect, we will always be given the opportunity to forgive if that piece we share is betrayed. Vulnerability allows that person to be intentional about what they are willing to offer of themselves, even considering the risk of getting hurt.
The sacrifice of knowing that your time, ambition and thoughts might be made to seem futile to those you wish to be close to is what makes you courageous and human.
In a group setting, finding the simplest form of shared life can be the root of more. Then, that simple vulnerability and risk of not being accepted is worth it.
In an individual sense, as physical beings, we are attracted to the physical. We are attracted to what our bodies can see, taste, touch, hear or feel. Many people want these senses to be applied to them.
They want to be known in a physical sense. They want to share this physical experience of life with someone.
Unfortunately, many people idealize the person they
very beginning, storytelling has been about darkness versus light,” aligning with the festival’s Latin name, which means “my light.” This year, Bandy hopes to bring even more powerful stories to the screen, touching hearts, pointing the audience to the truth and expanding their understanding of the world around them.
Eligibility to submit a film extends to any Grove City College student who has been enrolled for at least one credit this academic year, including summer school. All
want to be closest to, even though they are flawed as well.
So, two people must meet their identities head on. Both people know that the risk of knowing another person stems from a willingness for intimacy. This is just being human.
Sacrificing idealistic views of that person gives way to love. Communication in individual intimacy is important. However, when it doesn’t work out, what then? — sacrifice.
Neglecting oneself and being self-deprecating to the point of abuse should obviously be avoided. We cannot sacrifice ourselves to the point of personal harm and neglect. Still, sharing your flawed nature to be vulnerable, knowing it is worth the sacrifice, can be honorable. Knowing God in Christ is a means to knowing and being vulnerable to He who loved us first. Is it still a risk? Yes, but that is why faith and perseverance are so important. Intimacy is a risk, but so is its absence. What is life but risking being rejected, sharing your dreams, beliefs, opinions and love? Be intentional. Don’t let the risk of being rejected stop you from being authentic around those you choose to make that leap of faith towards intimacy for. When we are vulnerable with our sacrificial love and express our need for intimacy, we reflect how Christ was the saving vulnerable victim pouring his grace out sacrificially on the cross.
hardcopy film submissions must be delivered to Bandy’s office in SHAL 200K or classroom SHAL 207 by 12 p.m. on Monday, March 31. Further submission guidelines can be found on the festival’s website.
Festival tickets will be on sale for $5 in the Breen Student Union and on Eventbrite between March 31 and April 11 and can also be purchased at the door for $7 the day of the event.
The Collegian, March 28, 2025
Ido Ferber demos at GCC
Violet Whitmore News Editor
World-renowned Israeli potter Ido Ferber demonstrated his craftmanship at a workshop for students in Grove City College’s ceramics studio this week.
Though originally born in Israel, Ferber currently lives with his wife in Yamanaka Onsen, Japan. He has taught workshops across Europe, Japan and Israel, but this was his first time teaching in the U.S.
Last year, Chris Bauer, a ceramics instructor at the College, traveled to Japan. While abroad, he visited master potter Ken Matsuzaki’s wood-powered Japanese climbing kiln. While visiting the site, Bauer met Ferber, one of Matsuzaki’s apprentices. The two kept in contact and eventually scheduled a workshop that came to fruition this week.
Ferber began throwing at 15 years old but was vocationally trained as a carpenter and blacksmith. He later earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial design studies at Bezalel Academy and his master’s degree in ceramics craft at the Tokyo University of the Arts. After deciding to return to Japan, Ferber apprenticed with Matsuzaki, learning traditional Japanese firing, glazing and throwing techniques.
“There’re two sides to Japanese ceramics. One of them is highly precise, from Chinese traditions or craft.
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episodes of intense fatigue that were aided by an electric tricycle. Other symptoms included muscle weakness, insomnia, struggles with cognitive processing, full-body contractions, difficulties with speech and vision and a strong, thumping sensation in Pratt’s head and tailbone that she experienced 24/7 for about two and a half years straight.
“My parents, who have just been amazing throughout this entire process, did so much research figuring out what needed to be done to get me the help I needed. What seemed to be working the best was treatments delivered by people who were connected to functional medicine, specifically functional neurology,” Pratt said.
The Carrick Institute is the leading functional neurological institution in the United States. While many patients send forms requesting a visit with doctors, they don’t recognize that the Institute is a school with visiting professionals as well.
“It seems as though my form had gotten lost in the mix between the doctor and the school. For some reason, a year later, the paperwork happened upon someone’s desk again, and it was forwarded to the proper channels. It kind of has the words ‘God’s timing’ all over it,” Pratt said.
Pratt had been receiving treatment for two and a half years prior, but traveled to Minnesota for a six-day intensive treatment at the Carrick Institute with the hope that a doctor there could correct her problems.
“On the first day, the doctor ran about three hours of diagnostics on me, plus a cognitive test. From those diagnostics, he hypothesized that my brain was having a
Then, there is the more native Japanese or Korean inspired parts, which is very free form,” Ferber said.
Ferber emphasized that clay body, glaze formulation and firing techniques are most important to Japanese potters, where form is often secondary. “Once you master your skill, you try to find something else that technique can’t really describe, something more human. It gives you an opportunity to express something that you can’t express in precise form,” he said. “A lot of his thoughts about making are related to being a craftsperson, working with clay but also with other materials, like woodworking or blacksmithing, and how these things are interrelated
really hard time trying to determine where my body was in space, and it was therefore diverting a large amount of energy to my eyes, which were struggling with alignment,” Pratt said.
Large amounts of energy and brain function are devoted to eye movement, which was off-kilter for Pratt. “This was causing a large amount of energy to be used up on a daily basis, and my brain was receiving signals from the rest of my body that it had gone too far and that it needed to stop,” she explained.
“For the remaining five days, my doctor tried to reconfigure my brain’s conception of space and how that related to my body, and he aimed to realign that perception with my eye movements,” Pratt added.
Equipment used at the clinic included a GyroStim, a table that emitted little electromagnetic pulses for the head thumping, a nerve stimulator, a red-light therapy helmet which penetrated three inches into the brain, a VR headset and a moving platform that helped her regain balance while processing other stimuli.
Pratt followed a routine with all these exercises every day for six days – an hour and a half in the morning and then the same in the afternoon.
“By the last day, my body felt better, albeit confused. It wasn’t until I woke up the next day in my hotel room that I realized that I had really been fixed in a meaningful way. I do certain exercises multiple times a day to keep up progress and maintain recovery, and I still have health issues from before my injury that are somewhat exacerbated, but I’m confident that the worst of it is over,” Pratt said.
“With the amount of improvements in function and
in his life,” Bauer said. His love for pottery grew as he became more enmeshed in the techniques and functionality of ceramics. “I discovered more of the behind the scenes, like clay formulating, searching for my own clay and making my own glazes. I really like that scientific part of ceramics that other crafts don’t really have as much.” Through his demonstrations and presentations at the College, Ferber has bridged communities. “Learning about Ido and his personal experiences, Israeli culture and experiences in Japan has been really interesting, especially learning about the similarities and contrasts between different cultures,” Bauer said.
capability that I have had in such a short amount of time, and the way that God connected me to the right people at this time in my life, and the way that He answered the prayers of so many people who were thinking of me every day, I’d call that pretty miraculous,” she stated.
Pratt is thrilled to choreograph and dance in Orchesis this spring with her brother, sophomore Alex Pratt. “I’ve been wanting to perform in it since freshman year. I don’t want to overcommit to anything too early (I am still in a recovery period), so I’m only in one dance, but I can’t think of a better way to get back into performing then dancing to something I choreographed with one of my best friends,” she expressed. The positive effects of her treatment are already being seen. “When I finished up treatment, I came back to campus and felt like a new person. Many people have commented on how much brighter and more energetic I seem to be, and most days I just can’t help but smile. It’s beyond not needing a cane anymore. It’s the mental clarity that I have, the way everything looks brighter and sharper around me, and especially the lack of thumping in the back of my head that has been there for the past two and a half years. It sounds so cliche, but there are really no words other than Praise be to God,” she said.
“My accident changed my life. It changed the way I think about my health, my relationships with my family and friends, my academics and most importantly my relationship with God. With my health constantly shifting between decent and terrible, there were some days that were really hard on me physically, relationally and spiritually,” Pratt said.
All the new courses and all the king’s men... GCC
“His kindness and generosity with his time and knowledge have been extraordinary. Ido is a great storyteller, and if you ask him the right question, he will tell a story that may or may not have to do with clay, but there’s always a lesson to be learned from that experience,” Bauer continued. During his stay, Ferber is teaching at Grove City High School, Grove City College, Slippery Rock University and Hope Center for Arts and Technology in Sharon. He will also participate in a wood firing hosted by Bauer and display his work alongside student work from the kiln from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 10 in the College’s Pew Fine Arts Center Gallery.
Pratt upholds a positive outlook despite her past and current hurdles. “The simple things in life are miracles. The fact that people can see, they can breathe, they can walk, they can recall memories, they can process information: all amazing aspects of God’s glory. Never take them for granted and thank God for them every day,” Pratt implored.
“I am called to follow God in every circumstance. When I am tired, or angry or totally overwhelmed with health or work, I am called to carry those things like a disciple of Christ. On the days where you feel like you can’t, pray that God would give you strength. It was His to begin with,” she said.
Even at her lowest, Pratt emphasizes the value of every experience she has shared with others. “I can ask others for help, and even on a bad day, I can help someone else. You always have something to give, and other people have more to give than they know. If you are struggling, let others know. Don’t deprive someone of the opportunity to be a good friend or family member,” Pratt said.
Though both nervous and excited about her future, Pratt can’t wait to explore new opportunities open to her, like internships, traveling and future career opportunities. “All of those doors are open to me again, but I’m a different person than I was when they were open to me before. No matter what I decide to do, I’m grateful for the way that God has walked with me through my struggles, and I’m excited to keep walking with Him in hopes that He will give me the opportunity to share His love with others,” she said.
Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief
Several departments in both the Hopeman School of Science, Engineering and Mathematics and Calderwood School of Arts and Letters have added courses to their programs.
Two new art classes will be available, including ART 107: Introduction to Ceramic. With the growing interest in ceramics, the course, which used to be a 300-level study, will now be available on Monday evenings as a 100-level intro course. With the impending renaming of the Biblical and Religious Studies Department, which will be called the Department of Biblical and Theological Studies (BTS), comes eight new courses. The new 200-level courses include BIBL 221: Great Doctrines of the Christian Faith, which can be taken without prerequisites. BIBL 230: Issues in Old Testaments Studies will also be available for students to take, along with BIBL 246: Camp Programming & Outdoor Leadership. BIBL 335: Exegesis of Old Testament Books and BIBL 336: Exegesis of New Testament Books will be available with prerequisites in RELI 218: Interpreting the Bible (now under the code BIBL 130) or HUMA 261/271: Scripture & Theology, which is part of the new HUMA core.
BIOL 105: Secret Life of Mushrooms will be taught by Professor of Biology Dr. Karen Luong every other fall semester. The course is intended to be an introductory science course for non-science majors as well as mushroom enthusiasts, providing important general science knowledge and specific details about fungal biology.
The Department of Communications and Visual Arts (CVA) is adding a course in Screenwriting for Short Film, COMM 279, available for non-CVA students interested in adding a creative elective without prerequisites.
SOCI 303: Sociology of Music and Culture and SOCI 304: Sociology of Health & Medicine have been added to the College Bulletin as well. SOCI 304, which will be taught by Dr. Matt Henderson in the fall, has SOCI 101: Foundations of Sociology and BIOL 101: General Biology 1 as prerequisites. SOCI 303, also taught by Henderson, will be available in the spring and does not have any prerequisites.
The History Department has officially hired a new professor, Dr. Andrew Baker. Baker will be teaching a new course HIST 390: The American Metropolis – PostCivil War US Urban History, which he taught at his previous institution.
PRATT
Ido Ferber demonstrates how to throw a lidded vessel.
11 years of McNulty
Emily Fox Community Editor
Last week, the College announced that Bradley J. Lingo ‘00 will become its 10th president. Over the past 11 years, the current president, Paul J. McNulty ’80, has led the College through significant events in its own history, such as a global pandemic and an everchanging political landscape. As his term comes to a close, the Grove City College community looks back on his legacy.
2014
The inauguration
After 10 years of serving on the College’s Board of Trustees, McNulty became the ninth president of Grove City College, following the retirement of Richard G. Jewell ’67. Jewell himself attended the inaugural ceremony along with two other former presidents of the College, including John H. Moore and Charles S. MacKenzie, the presiding president during the College’s Supreme Court case against the secretary of education. McNulty was highly regarded for his experience working as the deputy attorney general during George W. Bush’s administration.
The same year, McNulty was recognized as one of Ethisphere magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics,” ranking 65th among some of the world’s most well-known leaders, including Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, Mark Zuckerberg and Pope Francis. He was the “singular recipient of the magazine’s ‘Hall of Fame’ designation in 2014 ‘Attorneys Who Matter’ rankings,” according to a College press release from 2015. McNulty would make the list again in 2015.
2016 Pence speaks at commencement In 2016, McNulty brought former Vice President Mike Pence to campus for the first time. Pence spoke at the College’s 137th commencement. That year, Pence also delivered the commencement address to two of the country’s top universities, Notre Dame and the U.S. Naval Academy. Pence was the “highest ranking government official to
I used to go out with this guy, but it didn’t work out between us. That was over a year ago now, but every six to eight months, he comes back and tries to slide in again. I’ve tried every way I can think of to express that I don’t want to try again, but he just keeps coming back. I don’t want to block him because he’s a nice guy, so what should I do?
-Irresistible Grover
Block him.
Yes, you heard (read?) me correctly. It’s time for that final, undesirable last resort. I know that it seems cold and unfeeling. If it’s been
ever visit campus” and is the only VP to date to have visited the College while actively serving his term.
2019 Flight 93 Memorial Speaker Series McNulty had the honor of speaking at the Flight 93 National Memorial in a 2019 speaker series. He shared about his role as the lead prosecutor against one of the al-Qaeda conspirators behind the 9/11 attacks, Zacarias Moussaoui.
2020 An “unprecedented” time
McNulty saw the College through the challenges that accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Unlike
most universities and colleges, Grove City did not receive any federal aid during the pandemic. McNulty was at the forefront of the College’s response to the global crisis. He sent students home in the spring of 2020 and then welcomed them back to campus the following fall. Grove City prides itself on being one of the few colleges to maintain in-person classes during much of the duration of the pandemic. 2020 also marked the first year of the College’s nursing program.
2023
The largest campaign in College history
Phase one of Impact 150 launched during McNulty’s ninth year as president. The
campaign was called the “most ambitious fundraising effort in the College’s history” in a College press release. The first phase involved connecting Grove City’s STEM building to the oldest building on campus – Smith Hall (formerly Rockwell). This is the first time the building had been updated since 1931. Phase two is estimated to begin in 2026.
2024
Pence returns
In April of 2024, the College announced the establishment of the Center for Faith & Public Life. The purpose of the Center is “to expand awareness of the historic relationship between religious belief and public
Past pests persist
over a YEAR and nothing else seems to be working, blocking him sends a clear message and should finally get the point across to him. It’s already a bit unsettling that he won’t take a hint … even if it’s said to his (virtual) face. Since it’s a small world, “it might seem scary because what if people say”….who cares what they
say? I say, do what’s best for you. It’s not as if you blocked him directly after the breakup and never talked to him again. Although, judging from the tone of this prompt, you called it off for a good reason. Blocking him after that probably wouldn’t have been unwarranted. Staying friends with someone that you once went out with doesn’t tend to ever work out. I know you say that he’s a nice guy, but is he really? A nice guy would take the hint and bow out with grace. The term “nice guy” can start to be grating when their actions don’t match their persona. In this generation of social media and texting, people think that they should be able to speak with
you at all times. For some, blocking is seen as a drastic measure. To me, sometimes it’s inevitable.
Let’s be real, who wouldn’t be coming back? His inability to move on is understandable (women of God are truly that desirable), but it’s obvious that he couldn’t match that energy. You would think he would get it by now. One day, there will be a guy that 100 percent matches your energy and loves you as only a man of God could. If he hasn’t changed by now, it doesn’t seem that he will be ready for a relationship anytime soon. Don’t leave the doors open for undesirables. It gets drafty after a while.
While I don’t think you bear any ill will toward this
life, explore ways to integrate faith in public policy and service and strengthen opportunities for Christian engagement in public life,” according to a College press release. McNulty brought Pence back to campus to serve as the Center’s first distinguished visiting fellow. McNulty and Pence began co-teaching two classes at the College later that fall: Christianity and Public Policy and Faith and Public Service. McNulty taught the classes live while Pence attended through a video call when obligations prevented him from being on campus. Pence has become a familiar
guy, sometimes desperate guys get hit with desperate measures. Blocking him doesn’t reflect badly on you. Do NOT worry about anyone else’s opinion. You are standing firm with your boundaries and decisions, and that’s admirable. It will be so worth it in the end when you are getting ready to spend the rest of your life with someone who will love and respect you for eternity. Dr. Love is going to be cheering you on! What other push do you need?
Good luck!
Dr. Love Love M.D.
Over the past 11 years, McNulty has led the College through trials and triumphs. Top Left is his innauguration.
MCNULTY 5
Book it to Bookends
Christa Bashinski Staff Writer
Tucked on the corner of Broad Street, Bookends
Bookstore stands as a local haven for readers and homeschoolers alike. Mere minutes away from campus, Bookends offers a multitude of genres ranging from classics to historical fiction.
Its warm atmosphere serves as a cozy study spot, with its corner couches inviting guests to linger with a book or laptop. The bookstore just celebrated its oneyear anniversary this past November, marking a successful milestone in their entrepreneurship journey.
Tonya Beatty, owner and founder, is a 1995 Grove City alum who started the business to help homeschoolers. Having homeschooled all four of her children herself, the bookstore doubles as a resource center, as the two complement one another.
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too. “As I saw things in classes here I started thinking, ‘You know, I think people would really like this.’ That’s where it started,” he said.
Lux Mea is an entirely student-driven event. Students submit short films, up to eight minutes in length, to the Communications and Visual Arts Department, where faculty members curate the final lineup for screening. The selected films are then reviewed by industry professionals and nominated for in-house awards. Past guests have included award-winning names such as Katherine Ootsman, D.T. Slouffman and one of the College’s very own alumni, Brian Osmond ‘98.
The films span a variety of categories, though they do not exceed eight minutes in length. “If it makes you feel something and is made well, even if it’s 60 seconds, you probably have a shot at getting in,” Bandy said.
One thing that has stood out to the professor over the years is the narrative quality of the film submissions. “The students keep getting better at telling stories. If you watched the first year’s films — which were good in their own right — you’d notice measurable improvement,” Bandy shared. In other words, the student filmmakers continue to push the boundaries of creativity each year.
At the end of the day, one of the most special aspects of the festival for Bandy has been seeing the support from the audience. He fondly recalled a time when the lacrosse team showed up to buy tickets and cheer on a teammate, whose film was being screened that night. “I’ll never forget that year,” he said. He also described getting to see parents experience their children’s films on the big screen for the first time as being touching. “Watching
Attributing it to a “God thing,” Beatty shared how the business developed slowly and purposefully over a 10-year span. She spoke about her family’s love for reading and the influence it had on the store’s creation, particularly its name. Her oldest daughter once said that if she were ever to open a bookstore, she would call it “Bookends.” Fittingly, the store’s location at the end of the block adds a charming touch to the name.
Bookend’s inviting air is a direct product of its staff, whose prioritization of personal interactions puts it above any big chain bookstore or online retailer. Bookends attempts to design its collection to fit the customer’s wants.
If a book is not currently stocked, it is immediately ordered and then viewed to see if it is something that should be added to the available selection. When asked
about the process that goes behind selecting books, Beatty admitted that it’s a “hard choice, sometimes being a gut feeling” with her eldest daughter, an avid reader, helping her stay up to speed on the newest releases.
She draws on many resources from book organizations and publishers and ultimately gives the community the final sway on a purchase. Classics dominate the store’s best-selling charts, particularly Jane Austen’s works. Mysteries and suspense thrillers also remain consistent favorites, while young adult titles tend to see fluctuating popularity. Bookends draws an equal mix of residents and college students, bridging campus and community.
It is a store that features conversations as well as purchases, with many people stopping by just to say hi to Tilly, the 9-month-old corgi who serves as the store’s
personal mascot. Generally, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays Tilly’s friendly nature and wagging tail greet every customer that walks through the door.
With its traditional yet modern vibe, the store quickly became a gathering space for readers and visitors alike.
Beatty spoke about her time at Grove City College and the role her accounting degree played in becoming an entrepreneur. She credits her time at the College for giving her the confidence to say, “Okay, I can do this,’’ as she launched the business and handled the bookkeeping on her own.
With Beatty’s vision and Tilly’s presence, the bookstore continues to grow as a literary oasis, providing a warm space and a thorough resource to all that pass through.
them see their child’s work and hearing the audience react...that’s a pretty special moment,” Bandy said.
However, the event is not only a celebration of the films created by students on campus. It is a tribute to the students in Bandy’s Special Events class, who coordinate the festival as part of a semester-long, studio-style project. In this hands-on learning experience, the students work in teams, collaborating alongside the professor in an effort to bring the festival to life each year.
“People are impressed when they hear the entire event is executed by our own students,” he noted. “I had
somebody walk up to me last year and comment on how professionally our intro video was done. I told them it was shot and edited by my students, and they couldn’t believe it,” Bandy said.
As Lux Mea approaches its fifth anniversary, Bandy remains optimistic about the future – and rightly so.
“I’m excited that we made it five years and that we had such an incredible turnout last year. We want to have another crowd like that again,” he expressed.
From its red-carpet allure to the spirited atmosphere, the timing of the event marks a glamorous close to the academic semester. Attendance
Seven questions with…
Paulla Collar
GCC Dining Staff Member
What is your favorite thing about Grove City College?
My favorite thing about GCC is how beautiful it is. I used to drive past, but you can’t truly appreciate it until you walk through. I love walking around the campus. I am always amazed by how beautiful it is.
What are three things you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work I enjoy riding our Harley, woodworking (we have a woodworking business) and spending time with my 14 grandchildren.
If you could add something to Grove City’s menu, what would it be?
Fried chicken or quesadillas – we have them sometimes, but they’re my favorites.
If you were president of the College for a day, what would be your first order of business?
I would put more flowers around on campus because I’d love to look at them during my walks.
What’s your favorite book or movie?
“Gone in 60 Seconds” (movie).
What’s your best memory from when you were in your 20s?
Having my son – I had him when I was 23. Do you have a message you’d like to share with students?
Always strive to do your best!
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soared to a remarkable 900 last year, and the momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
Looking ahead to April’s event, Bandy is eager to see what new talents emerge.
“We’ve had some rockstars over the years. Hopefully, new heroes will arise and become part of the folklore of GCC,” he said.
As the festival’s legacy continues to grow, one thing is for certain: Lux Mea remains a vibrant celebration of its students’ potential and the power of storytelling.
face at the College and can often be spotted at Chick-FilA or talking with students in the Staley Hall of Arts and Letters.
Later in 2024, McNulty also saw the first Bitcoin donation in the College’s history. The Winklevoss School of Business was renamed in honor of the donor, Howard Winklevoss ’65, and he and his sons, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, visited campus for the school’s dedication this past November.
2025 Coming to a close As McNulty finishes up his final semester at Grove City College, the College’s community recognizes his leadership through the challenges and victories it has faced over the past 11 years. Whether it’s for establishing the Center for Faith & Public Life, bringing the highestranking government official in Grove City College’s history to campus, leading the College through a modern pandemic or his smiling face when he gets lunch with students in MAP cafeteria, thousands of students and faculty members will long remember the legacy of Paul J. McNulty.
GRACE DAVID
Bandy brought the College’s first film festival to campus five years ago.
Men and Women’s Lacrosse teams off to a hot start at the College.
Spring is here! One of the most beloved things about spring at Grove City College is a new season of sports.
One of the great spring sports that brings joy
SAC is Chick-Fil-LAME Student Union lacks without GeDunk
Aidan Nosal Contributing Writer
It’s been almost two years here at Grove City with the new Chik-Fil-A, and as good as the fast-food restaurant is set out to be, this is one chicken that crossed the road too early.
Although the new dining addition in the Breen Student Union (STU) is a big hit with the newer students, those who are tenured here at the school remember what we had before spicy chicken sandwiches were on the menu.
Before we had Chick-fil-A, we had GeDunk. An all-day café where the current Chick-
Fil-A sits, GeDunk was a revolutionary food spot on campus. In the mornings, they had freshly brewed coffee and breakfast sandwiches. Lunch was something new every day. And when the sun went down, the real party started.
GeDunk hosted a range of freshly cooked, grilled and fried foods alongside a plethora of carbonated drinks, fulfilling snacks and sweet desserts. The options were truly plentiful once darkness settled over campus. Chick-Fil-
A already has a limited menu size, and not being a fullsized restaurant means the number of available items is severely limited.
Unfortunately for us little chickens, we’re left to deal with three of the five un-
healthiest options at a ChickFil-A. The sheer number of choices is what drove so many to GeDunk. Our need for sustenance is “intended to be met by a diet of a wide variety of foods.” Although GeDunk’s choices were cash only, they were a price students here were willing to pay.
“The choices were endless. Chick-Fil-A gets old fast. GeDunk was fast, cheap and had all the options someone could dream of,” one senior on campus said.
However, this led to GeDunk breaking the bank of many of the College’s students. Its lunch options often left much to be desired on the plate with the limited food for one meal swipe, as opposed to the endless buf-
fet you can attain with a meal swipe at Map or Hicks.
Of course, the quality of Chick-Fil-A food is undeniable. Something can be said for the standard you’re guaranteed with every swipe at lunch. However, the quality of food isn’t the only thing that makes a good food spot. Chick-Fil-A’s atmosphere just can’t stand up to what STU used to be.
GeDunk wasn’t just somewhere to get high-quality food for a low price late into the study session. It was somewhere to break bread and enjoy time with friends.
The Student Union was rarely quiet late into the night, with the sounds of sizzling quesadillas and the laughter of students. When college students with a full plate of
homework went to GeDunk, they had the opportunity to fill their plate with something better.
Communal dining has shown significant psychological benefits. And what better way to clear our minds than fill our bellies after a late night of studying? Unfortunately for the student body, Chick-Fil-A is just a little more than pieces left over from a beloved spot the campus dearly misses. Chicken tender wraps will continue to live on in the hearts of many until they fade away with the graduating class of 2026. This is why we must speak up. Bring back the true king of Grove City dietary choices.
Doing less to achieve more
William Rybka Contributing Writer
Have you ever been to a good buffet? Have you ever put so much food on your plate that by the time you were halfway done, you weren’t even enjoying your meal because your stomach was so full? Unfortunately, this is parallel to what happens when students are committed to too much during their time in college. Whether it is because they want to stretch themselves or feel like they must, students often find
themselves involved in more than they can handle, thus derailing their college experience. While it may seem like the right thing to get involved in many activities early, overcommitting is more likely to lead to an unfulfilling college experience. Students would not overcommit if it were not alluring. The truth is, there are a lot of great things to be involved in on campus. Amongst sports, Greek life, ministries and clubs, it can be hard to turn down a good opportunity – just like a buffet. Unlike a buffet, however, you are being recruited by many of these different groups. They will say things like “It’s a
great resume builder” or “We have a great community,” which in some ways is true.
As a freshman looking for a sense of belonging, it can be very hard to turn down these invitations. However, being involved in too many activities can lead you to be swamped, exhausted and overwhelmed.
The negative effects of overcommitment go far beyond that of anecdotal evidence. According to a European study conducted in 2021, overcommitment leads to “effort-reward imbalance” or ERI. Of the 4,760 students studied, 78.5 percent of them reported “psychological distress” regarding their over-
committed college experiences. This is because they were exerting so much effort but not receiving much success or reward for their labor.
Everyone wants to be successful. However, being spread across a high volume of activities hinders the ability to be highly involved.
So, what’s the solution? While it is different for everyone, I believe the best way to combat this is to choose a few things you are passionate about and pour into those areas.
That may mean saying no and scaling back your involvement, but it means that your GPA may rise significantly. It also means that you
may be able to take breaks, which in turn makes your work better.
It may even allow you to take on leadership roles in both the classroom and in extracurriculars that you would not have been able to do otherwise. By being involved in less, you can accomplish more. While there are rare exceptions, most college students can only do a few things well at a time. So, before you make another time commitment, give it some serious thought. Do less. Achieve more.
WKBN
Watergate still relevant
Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief
A well-informed American must read the news. A wise and well-informed American must read the news with a distinct intentionality and conscientiousness.
On June 17, 1972, five men broke into the Democratic National Convention headquarters in the Watergate Hotel. They wore gloves, they stole secret documents and they planted wire-taps. That same night, these five men were caught and arrested for breaking and entering.
Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward was sent to cover their trial. What began as Woodward’s coverage of a “third-rate burglary” would evolve into one of the greatest scandals in American history – Watergate.
Watergate forced Richard Nixon to resign, led to the institution of several new government policies and resulted in criminal charges against 69 people, with convictions against 48 of them, as the New York Times reported.
While many historians have since diminished the credit given to reporters for forcing Nixon to resign, the influence of Watergate still affects American journalism and how Americans consume news.
What Woodward and his reporting partner Carl Bernstein accomplished, alongside dozens of journalists from dozens of major newspapers, changed the relation-
ship the presidency has with the press and tore down the wall that separated the inner workings of the Oval Office from the rest of the nation.
The press had never been a stranger to critiquing the president, but Watergate, preceded by the release of the Pentagon Papers and sandwiched in the middle of the Vietnam War, made criticism not just a right, but a responsibility.
Not only did this affect the relationship between the press and the government, but it made the actions of the Oval Office of paramount interest to the public because
now, the people had a reason to be wary of what was going on behind closed doors.
Director of Northeastern University’s School of Journalism Stephen Burgard explained that Watergate, specifically the media’s role in exposing the scandal, shifted the public’s view of the government.
“This was a new kind of jolt to the American psyche about government, and it came on top of the already disconcerting experience of the Vietnam War, which really got people thinking about American government and policy,” Burgard said.
But Watergate was more than 50 years ago, and its direct impact has faded, becoming something more difficult to trace to the year 2025. The quality of journalism has decreased and the quantity in news sources has increased.
While this is true, the scandal’s legacy can be cited as a source for two lessons for us, the modern news consumers.
The first is to “follow the money.” The line is a famous misquote from “All the President’s Men,” but it’s also the first rule of thumb for newsreaders. Every mainstream media outlet with enough
resources to conduct excellent investigative journalism is funded by someone with their own agenda.
“Great journalism was always the exception, not the rule. The economics of the business is now the bottom line instead of the best obtainable version of the truth,” Bernstein explained.
We must do away with our loyalty to only one news outlet. We need to read the story from multiple sources, several different networks and a variety of perspectives. Only then can we hope to get what is the “best obtainable version of the truth.”
The second lesson is to watch out for the “Haldemans.” H.R. Haldeman was Nixon’s top advisor, and thanks to his work behind the scenes, the press and public were impeded in their pursuit of the truth for a full two years before major action was taken.
The Haldemans of today orchestrate strategies to protect the president – like Donald Trump’s recent strategy of “flooding the zone,” which poses that if the media and the public are overwhelmed with a deluge of information evoking controversy and outrage, then eventually they can’t keep treading water and drown.
To be conscious news consumers, we must think outside of “the zone” in times of chaos.
There’s no denying the role Watergate played in shaping our modern news landscape, and as such, it is essential we learn from its impact and allow it to guide our engagement with news.
The merit of mission trips
June Lee
Contributing Writer
Instead of heading home for spring break this March, a number of Grovers chose to serve on Inter-Community Outreach (ICO) trips. ICO trips are student-led mission trips that allow Grove City students the opportunity to share the gospel and minister to local communities in both domestic and international locations. But how much benefit do short-term mission trips such as ICOs actually provide to the local community when compared to long-term service and alternative approaches to helping others?
I first realized the great blessings of a short-term mission trip in 2022 when I served on a trip to the Dominican Republic with my church. On the last day of the mission, some members of the Dominican church that we were serving thanked
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colm, Gianneski and Otto, who combined for 14 blocks on the day. Fair and Fisher would chip in three blocks apiece as well. From the back row, freshman libero Ben McVey tallied nine digs, followed by Fair and Shyu, who combined for 10 digs.
With only a few weeks to go till the PAC playoffs, the team is looking to ride the success of their senior day victory – and countless others – to make a convincing run for the coveted PAC title.
“Looking toward these next couple of weeks of volleyball, we are ready to rely on the hours of training that have
our team for coming. They emphasized how much of an encouragement it was to see brothers and sisters in Christ who loved and cared for them enough to travel to a different country to serve them.
This experience caused me to realize that a mission trip may not be solely about preaching the gospel or performing physical labor in another place. These trips also serve to build up those laborers in the field and strengthen them in their faith.
More recently, I also served on an ICO trip to Providence, R.I. The team served Providence Rescue Mission, helping to prepare and serve food during Thanksgiving week, one of the busiest times of year for the homeless shelter and soup kitchen. As a result of the trip, the team members were able to lighten the workload of the staff and complete some projects that required greater manpower,
gotten us to where we are and hope to continue to progress into this first postseason year. We are very excited for what we have accomplished as a team so far, but we know we aren’t done yet. I am excited to see how far this team can go together and how it will continue to grow in the many years ahead,” Fisher said.
After a faceoff against the Thiel Bobcats on Wednesday, March 26, the Wolverines will travel to Beaver Falls, Pa. to take on the Golden Tornadoes of Geneva College at 7 p.m. tomorrow, March 28.
such as deep-cleaning and organizational logistics.
It was a mutual blessing for the Mission, for whom the College’s Rhode Island ICO has been one of their longest-standing consistent volunteer groups since its founding, and for the team members, who had the chance to bond and serve together.
Senior Aliyah Shelatz, one of the co-leaders for the spring 2025 ICO Ashland in Northern Kentucky, has also witnessed firsthand the positive impact and blessing that a short-term mission trip can have on the work of local missions.
“Short-term missions … make a greater impact than we can even understand. I think it provides us with a different perspective of mission and helps us to recognize that the smallest thing makes a difference. Each of the missions we have served in Ashland said time and time again
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nette.
Roetering also caused six turnovers as Grove City forced 24 turnovers by the opponent. Robinette, senior defender Emily Arnold and senior defender Amber Wartman each caused three turnovers. Shilling and junior attack Jackie Rowell both collected four ground balls, while junior defender Reese Hasley won four draw controls. Senior goalie Elyse Kiggins earned the win with seven saves. Grove City outshot the opponent 28-17, including a 17-12 advantage in shots on goal.
that they are excited when we come because we get to come alongside them and see what they’re all about. We have the opportunity to do behind-the-scenes work, enabling these missions to focus their entire energy on the people that they work with. Through our work, we give them a break, energizing them to keep fulfilling God’s mission,” Shelatz said.
Above even the blessings of serving, short-term missions are also a chance for Christians to show Christ’s love to others.
“I have seen the fruit of many years of labor through the Ashland ICO trips and other ICOs in general, as each team goes and does numerous tasks to just help people. Their smiles from what we are doing are worth it to me. It fulfills a Christian call to serve. I have seen many lives impacted as they are treated with kindness in a broken world,” Shelatz shared.
Grove City recorded 20 turnovers in the game.
The Wolverines sit at 2-0 in the PAC, and after a convincing win over the Presidents, Grove City is the favorite to win this season. They played at Allegheny yesterday, followed by a home game against Westminster tomorrow. The team will then host Chatham on April 2 and visit Geneva on April 4. In mid-April, Grove City will face Saint Vincent, then return home to play nonconference Mount Union and then Bethany. The regular season wraps up with a road game at Thiel on the last Saturday of April.
Despite the blessings of short-term missions, those who embark on mission trips would also do well to be cautious. It can be easy to fall into the trap of pride, in thinking oneself “righteous” for doing good deeds, or in perceiving oneself as the savior of the poor and needy. But “let not the mighty man glory in his might,” warns the prophet Jeremiah.
Ultimately, it is God who gives the increase. He chooses to work through human laborers so that we may be involved in His divine plan. ICO trips have been and will be an exciting opportunity to bless many: Christian brothers and sisters in the field, the local community and the trip members themselves. However, the part we play is nothing boast-worthy. To become prideful in missions work is to turn a blessing into a curse.
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NEW YORKER
‘Severance’ season 2
A story of mystery and the pursuit of plurpose
Andrew Hoover Contributing Writer
Note: the majority of this review contains spoilers for “Severance” season one but not season two, except for the last paragraph which contains spoilers for both seasons.
Let me begin by saying that I cannot recommend this show enough.
It is my belief that “Severance” is the best currently airing TV show, and season two all but confirms this belief, easily placing it as one of my favorite shows.
It’s the perfect blend of dark comedy, science fiction, drama and satirical critique of the American corporate structure. “Severance” offers a compelling, thought-provoking narrative that proposes a very relevant question: what if you could separate your work life from your personal life?
This question is what the entire show revolves around. A company known as Lumon forces its workers to “sever” their brains. This procedure causes half of the population to exist in the real world, while the other only exists in a mysterious office space, filled with endless maze-like hallways.
These “Innies” have no memory of who they are or
of the real world. They don’t know who they’re working for, and they don’t even know what their “work” -- staring at a computer for eight hours a day and sorting numbers that fill them with subconscious emotions — is.
This brilliant setup invites constant intrigue from its audience, and the writers know how to perfectly dangle these mysteries with excellent writing and environmental storytelling. Season two of “Severance” takes everything that was perfect about the first season and magnifies it.
Season two primarily focuses on both “Innie” Mark and “Outie” Mark and their quest to investigate the bizarre lore and mysteries of the Lumon corporation. Since these two Marks are incapable of communicating with each other (as they are separate people in the same body), neither of them has any clue what the other is doing.
Innie Mark discovers what it means to live and forms a romance with one of his coworkers, Helly, while Outie Mark tries to uncover the mysteries revolving around his wife’s death, which in season one we discovered was faked by Lumon.
The way the show captures both Marks’ journeys, simul-
taneously juxtaposing and harmonizing with each other, is compelling and speaks to the level of talent the writers of the show possess. Each episode hooks the audience instantly, leaving them begging to learn more about the deep, dark unknowns the cult-like corporation of Lumon is desperate to hide.
The show also builds deeply upon other characters’ stories. Irving, Helly, Dylan, Mr. Milchik and even Ms. Cobel all get plenty of screen time. Not a single minute of it goes to waste, perfectly weaving their individual conflicts with the wider narrative.
Innie Dylan, for example, learned last season that his Outie has a wife and children, and is completely transfixed with learning more about his family. The tragic part is that they aren’t really his family. He has no memory of his wife or raising his children; he doesn’t even know what his house looks like.
Season two perfectly builds upon this plot thread in a heart-wrenching and beautiful arc.
At its core, “Severance” is a show about finding purpose. For a lot of the characters, this purpose is love. The Innies try to find meaning in the meaningless lives they’ve been selfishly thrown into by their Outies, and yet the
show never portrays these Outies as malicious or even antagonistic within the story.
The show causes the viewer to ask, “just how much agency do these Innies deserve? By quitting their jobs, are these Outies “killing” their Innies?” These questions are explored with meticulous care and philosophy by the writers. Still, it never overwhelms its audience with the usage of dark comedy and moments of lighthearted fun.
The season ends in perhaps the best singular episode I have ever witnessed.
The climax of the season boils down to a choice Innie Mark must make: reunite his Outie with his wife, or choose his girlfriend, Helly. He chooses Helly, and the two of them run into the unknown through Lumon, as his wife screams his name, begging him to come back as the season comes to a close.
The writers use the audience’s false belief that the Innies have no agency, demonstrating that these are real people with real lives who have found real purpose.
This cliffhanger leaves me in desperate anticipation for the next season, and I cannot wait to see in what direction this show will go.
Grace VanderWaal grows up
Catharine Runion Entertainment Editor
Most people know Grace VanderWaal as the quirky 12-year-old who didn’t know her own name and became the season 11 winner of “America’s Got Talent” for singing and playing the ukulele.
If you don’t remember that, you might remember her manic-pixie-dream-girl movie “Stargirl” from 2020.
Regardless of who she’s been in the past, VanderWaal wants to let the world know that she isn’t a little kid anymore. Coming as a relief to those tired of child singers, both her age and her music have finally caught up to the maturity of her voice.
Grace has announced her second full-length album, which will be released on Friday, April 4th. In anticipation of this album, Grace has released four tracks from it:
“What’s Left Of Me,” “Babydoll,” which features Aliyah’s Interlude, “Call It What You Want” and the thesis of the project, “Proud.”
The three later tracks are very good and hold their own, with mature lyrics that hint towards heartbreak and wild starlet behavior. However, “Proud” seems like it will be the underscoring message for the whole album.
Featuring jarring musicbox backgrounds, this track explores VanderWaal’s experience as a child star.
She grew up in front of the world, learning along the way how to be small, not to take up space, never ask for anything, apologize and quiet her own voice.
The feeling of being special, while also being designed and conformed into a specific image, still haunts her.
Now that she is everything they taught her to be and
wanted her to be, are they proud of her?
This album promises to be a good one. VanderWaal seems to be doing a good job of carrying her musical career over her
Tunes from the Tower... I Said I Love You First
Catharine Runion Entertainment Editor
As is the case with many other child stars, Selena Gomez has hardly seen a day without the limelight since before rising to fame on the Disney Channel.
She emerged first as an actress and then as a singer and has consistently fulfilled these roles since early childhood.
Gomez has starred in award-winning projects like “Emilia Peréz,” “Only Murders in the Building” and the “Hotel Transylvania” franchise. She has also kept a consistent presence in the music world.
She has also been on Time’s 100 list, made Billboard’s Woman of the Year in 2017 and is an activist and as well as a businesswoman.
Despite her stacked resume, the internet has historically chosen to focus on Gomez’s love life and personal appearance instead of her work.
To this day, her longstanding romance with Justin Bieber is still generating drama. More recently, Gomez has been scrutinized for rapid fluctuations in weight and her relationship with producer Benny Blanco.
The first track is a voice clip of Gomez delivering a tearful thank you to the cast and crew of the show “Wizards of Waverly Place.” The album segues into a somber ballad, “Younger and Hotter Than Me,” about growing older as a woman – and watching an ex’s girlfriends stay the same age.
“Call Me When You Break Up” is an upbeat song addressed to an ex that features Gracie Abrams and has garnered the most social media use. Songs such as “Sunset Blvd,” “Cowboy” and “Bluest Flame” are notably sexual in nature, leaning into Gomez’s mature edge.
Gomez and Blanco don’t limit themselves to one vibe or genre in this album. There is a lot of hyperpop, some Spanish pop, ’80s nostalgia and even hints of music from the 2010s.
The album’s promotional single, “Scared Of Loving You,” is a sweet love song that reminisces about past loves and the prospect of love in the future. It is the final track, ending on a hopeful note and looking into a future of healthy relationships.
Gomez is a good singer, but her voice lends itself to calm, atmospheric music rather than loud pop anthems. This album plays to her strengths, and though it may not win hordes of awards, it is enjoyable and easy to listen to.
coming-of-age. She’s not exactly going crazy and rebelling, but she needs the public to know through “Childstar” that she can’t stay the same. I can’t wait for the rest of the album.
Here’s hoping that in the future, the entertainment world can focus a little bit more on Gomez’s professional accomplishments than her personal life.
MELODIC MAGAZINE
SLASHFILM
Sports
The Collegian, March 28, 2025
Baseball opens PAC play with sweep of the Cougars
Matthew Purucker Staff Writer
The Grove City baseball team cruised to two victories on Saturday, using the 10run rule twice against Chatham in its first games of PAC play.
Grove City (11-6, 2-0) took the first contest 12-2 in seven innings in Munhall, Pa. Sophomore pitcher and third baseman Sam Bevin led the Wolverines with a dominant pitching performance from the mound, picking up his second win. Bevin went through all seven innings, allowing zero earned runs (two unearned), five hits and one walk. Bevin also struck out six batters.
“Our team’s goal was to win both games. I knew (senior pitcher) David Leslie was going to pitch a great game, and I wanted to as well. I know Chatham has excellent hitters, so I wanted to set a competitive tone by challenging their batters and minimizing walks. I wanted to use all parts of the strike zone to my advantage,” Bevin said.
Chatham (8-10, 0-2) could not stave off Grove City’s red-hot bats. The Wolverines knocked sophmore Gianni
“I know Chatham has excellent hitters, so I wanted to set a competitive tone by challenging their batters and minimizing walks. I wanted to use all parts of the strike zone to my advantage.”
Cantini, the Cougars’ starter, out of the game early and were eager to torment each pitcher they faced. The rough outing for Cantini included giving up seven earned runs off four hits and five walks in just one inning of work.
Later Chatham pitchers also struggled to find the strike zone, as Grove City drew a season-high 10 walks.
After a two-run first inning, Chatham’s bats fell silent, with the Cougars managing only three hits in the final six innings.
Meanwhile, the Wolverines kept piling on runs. Junior outfielder Nick Sampson paced Grove City with four hits and four RBIs, while senior third baseman Shane Cato added three RBIs from two hits. Combined, they brought four runners home in a seven-run Wolverine outburst in the top of the second inning. The second was lopsided
-- Sam Bevin
in Grove City’s favor, like the first game. Once again, Bevin paved the way, but his batting urged the Wolverines to victory this time around.
Bevin tallied three RBIs out of his four hits and drew one walk as part of Grove City’s 15-3 win in eight innings.
Freshman shortstop Sam Meredith also contributed three RBIs, two of which were from an 0-out single in the top of the eighth that helped trigger the 10-run rule.
The Wolverines’ bats did not cool off from the earlier game, as they smacked a season-high 20 hits. Eight of Grove City’s nine starters got on the hit parade.
Defensively, Leslie pitched a quality start and got his fourth win of the season. He lasted seven innings, allowing two earned runs and four hits, while walking one and punching out six. Sophomore
in this file photo from their match against
Men’s lacrosse edged out by York
Mia Gallagher Sports Editor
The Grove City College men’s lacrosse team faced a non-conference setback last Saturday, March 22 with a 13-14 loss against the Spartans of York College.
In spite of the final score, the Wolverines managed to battle back from a three-goal deficit in the fourth quarter to shorten the odds on the match. Further, the day saw stellar performances on both sides of the ball to set the team up for success in their upcoming conference schedule.
Leading the offensive charge for Grove City was senior midfielder Zachary Hougan, who tallied a teamhigh six goals and two assists in the match. Hougan was followed by classmate Alec Jones who put away two goals, including the gametying goal in the fourth quarter.
Also getting in on the scoring action were graduate student Noah Goad, sophomore Tyson Bui and juniors Stewart McClain and Rigdon
Greene, who each notched goals in the loss. A trio of senior Wolverines – Kobi Bui, Matt Blythe and Trey Zabroski – and Tyson Bui all secured assists in the match as well.
Defensively, senior Tyler Curry and junior defender
Sam Stevenson each contributed two caused turnovers to the team’s efforts. Graduate student Luke Rios and Zabroski also got in on the defensive action, securing five and three ground balls, respectively.
Taking care of business in cage was graduate student goalie Danny Stone, who recorded 15 saves in the decision – good for a save percentage of 52 percent.
On a team level, the Wolverines outshot the Spartans 49-31 and turned the ball over 19 times.
After a week off, the Wolverines will return to action tomorrow, March 29 for a conference match-up against the Westminster Titans. The rivalry match-up will take place on Robert E. Thorn Field, with the action beginning at 3 p.m.
pitcher David Gallagher allowed one run in relief in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Despite Bevin’s five-RBI day, he emphasized that he needs to continue developing consistency in the batter’s box if he wants to see similar results.
“(I have to) stick with a disciplined plate approach and keep working at getting my hands to the ball,” Bevin said. The two wins stretched
Grove City’s winning streak over Chatham to four.
The Wolverines have now bested the Cougars in eight of their last 10 matchups.
“It’s an honor to play for Grove City College. Coach Royer and Coach Kalbfus have put together a phenomenal baseball team. Everyone on our team supports each other, works hard, has a great attitude and finds ways to deliver when the pressure is on,” Bevin said.
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quarter. In the third quarter, the Wolverines held Salisbury to only one goal, while Grove City was able to score three goals, decreasing the deficit to only 5-3.
In the fourth quarter, the scoreboard read 8-4 in favor of the Sea Gulls until the Wolverines scored two final goals to end the game with a final score of 8-6.
“Our biggest challenge this year is our mindset around getting over the ‘Top 10 hump,’” Jernstedt said.
“We are close to being a team that consistently competes and wins games at the top of our level but for a newer program that is a new challenge. We are learning the consistency that it takes to compete at the top and we are challenging the guys with the schedule, but also by talking a lot about our mindset and defining excellence. We have to believe in ourselves to be able to play at a certain level before we are going to be able to do it,” he expressed.
The Wolverines will face Ohio Wesleyan at 3 p.m. tomorrow in Delaware, Ohio.
Abigail Roetering Women’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
EMMA ROSSI
Freshman outfielder Braeden Coyle. taking a swing at the plate.
LUKE PAGLIA
Sophomore Sawyer Strong secures a face-off
Bethany.
Presidents outplayed Lacrosse topples PAC powerhouse in statement win
Garrett Gess Staff Writer
The Wolverine women’s lacrosse team took down Washington & Jefferson with a score of 9-5 last Saturday at Don Lyle Field.
The low-scoring, defensive battle was fought amidst cold and windy weather. Senior midfielder Abby Roetering won PAC Women’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week thanks to her six forced turnovers in the W&J win.
Her efforts helped limit W&J to a season low for goals and 17 total shots, also a season low, while also forcing 24 President turnovers. She caused three turnovers and added two ground balls Tuesday against Baldwin Wallace in a narrow 11-10 non-conference setback. Roetering also scored in each game.
The victory came at an important time as the Wolverines are looking to
set the tone for the season. Grove City fell into a close thriller earlier in the week to Baldwin Wallace, a game in which the Wolverines had the advantage for the majority of the playing time. With a game against Washington & Jefferson, who are among the top teams in the PAC, on the horizon, Grove City took care of business. The Wolverines kept the ball in the Presidents territory for most of the game and maintained control.
Sophomore attack Gwen Shilling scored four goals for the Wolverines, while sophomore attack Taylor Blythe added two goals and one assist.
Grove City also saw contributions from Roetering, sophomore midfielder Jess Robinette and freshman midfielder Mia Mygatt, who each scored a goal.
Shilling netted two goals in the first quarter, giving Grove City a 2-1 lead just six minutes into
the game. W&J tied the game at 8:44 in the first quarter, but unassisted goals by Robinette and Blythe gave Grove City a 4-2 lead soon after. The Wolverines led 5-3 at halftime and carried a 7-5 advantage into the fourth quarter. In the final period, Shilling scored off a Blythe assist with 8:56
and
with a power-play goal at the 2:20 mark, assisted by
Wolverines find senior day success with sweep of Bethany
Mia Gallagher Sports Editor
The Grove City College men’s volleyball team advanced their conference record to 6-3 this past Saturday, March 28 with a commanding senior day sweep of the Bethany Bison.
The three-set victory featured standout offensive and defensive performance up and down the team’s roster, serving as the perfect sendoff to the program’s three seniors – Cael McEwen, Quintin Norris and Jim Shyu – and junior Andrew Fisher, who will graduate early.
“As a senior, it is great to
get a win on our day. I think that the win we had on Saturday really shows what we have been working towards this year. We have been very successful for our first season as a varsity team, and Saturday showed what we are capable of for the rest of the season,” Norris said.
“It has been an honor to be a part of and see how much our program has grown over these four years. As a senior on a first-year team, our ultimate goal was to make this team better than what it was before our time here.
I believe that we have seen success this past year and I cannot wait to see where this
program goes in the future,” he shared.
Headlining the offensive showing for the Wolverines was sophomore Max Gianneski, who recorded eight kills for the afternoon. His efforts were supported by freshman Keith Otto and McEwen, who added seven and six kills to the team’s tally, respectively.
Orchestrating the hitters’ dominant performance was sophomore setter Craig Fair, who notched 20 assists and six digs in the victory.
Leading the defensive front were junior Tieg Mal-
left,
Mygatt sealed the victory
Robi-
LUKE PAGLIA
Sophomore attacker Taylor Blythe tallied two goals and one assist in the team’s 9-5 victory over PAC rival Washington & Jefferson.
LUKE PAGLIA
Senior defender Sarah Jackson. transitioning the ball upfield against a tough President redefend.
JOHN HAKE
Sophomore hitter Max Gianneski, attempting a spike.