Collegian 9.3.2020 by The Hillsdale Collegian

Michigan’s oldest college newspaper

Vol. 144 Issue 2 - September 3, 2020

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No student COVID cases, college reports While Michican colleges close, Hillsdale stays the course with precautions in place

By | Sofia Krusmark Culture Editor After a week of in-person classes, no Hillsdale College students have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Dean of Men Aaron Petersen. Five students who showed symptoms have tested negative, and five more currently await test results. “I think the students came here ready to do their part, especially with all the precautionary measures to help

us get through these first two weeks,”Petersen said. “For the most part, it's been a spirit of cooperation and cautiousness. I look forward to when we can get back to normal.” President Larry Arnn and college administrators have asked students to wear masks on campus and to practice social distancing. Students also undergo daily temperature checks. Those with normal temperatures receive color-coded stickers which

By | Allison Schuster Associate Editor

Aug. 24 to postpone homecoming events until the spring semester, when it hopes to hold a more typical celebration. “Homecoming is a celebration of the lifelong connection that alumni have with the college,” McGinness said. It’s an important event for the Hillsdale community, she added, but the timing didn’t offer a safe way to welcome back generations of alumni, many of whom had already contacted the college to say they wouldn’t be attending homecoming this year due to the pandemic. McGinness said scheduling homecoming became difficult because of Michigan’s lockdown restrictions and the

must be displayed while on campus in order to enter the dining hall. In addition, 63 cross-country, golf, and tennis athletes and coaches have tested negative for the virus, according to Athletic Director Don Brubacher. The NCAA required all student athletes to be tested when they arrived on campus, even if they did not show symptoms of coronavirus. Student athletes must

receive additional temperature tests before practices, games, and meets. Those who report “any symptom whatsoever” and at any time are immediately tested, Brubacher said. “We test one or two every day so we can be certain about it,” he added. Simpson Residence Head Resident Advisor Barrett Moore, a senior, said every dorm has been tasked with making sure all residents get their temperatures checked

in the morning before leaving for class. “We offer morning temperature tests at 7:15 a.m., 7:45 a.m., and 8:30 a.m., and the RA’s have a rotation for that,” Moore said. “Everyone gets up for at least one check,” Moore said. “Right now, to a degree, everyone’s morning is centered around doing that before doing what you need to do. Like Simpson, other dormitories and Greek houses re-

quire daily testing, with house moms and resident assistants conducting temperature and symptom checks. Testing is performed on a rolling basis, giving students multiple opportunities for a health check no matter where they live. In the Pi Beta Phi sorority, roommates are required to sleep with their heads at opposite sides of the room.

See COVID A2

Alumni board delays homecoming Q & A with Victor Davis Hanson Hillsdale College has postponed next week’s homecoming celebrations due to health concerns about COVID-19. The college hopes to hold an alumni reunion event in the spring semester, according to Executive Director of Alumni Relations Colleen McGinness. “Homecoming was particularly early this year,” she said. “We felt that with the requirements the students are having to undergo with all the temperature checks and masks, we're focusing on keeping the community safe right now.” The college’s senior leadership officially decided

college’s health measures. The college had planned events around a Sept. 12 football game. Alumni events traditionally have revolved around the football tailgate. The football team is tentatively planning for a short spring season, but McGinness said she’s considering other possibilities for homecoming celebrations. Since the college contacted alumni to inform them of homecoming’s cancellation, their response has largely been supportive, she said. “I probably got 50 emails from alumni who have said this is the right call and we want to protect the student’s opportunity to go to school and have in-class training and education,” she said.

Right now, the alumni office is surveying alumni to learn what they prefer for a postponed celebration. McGinness said classes with 10-year anniversaries often draw the most alumni. “We have alumni who really get excited to come back on their 10-year anniversaries. So 10 years out, 20 years out, 30, 40: that's a lot of alumni,” she said. “When it's their 13th and 14th reunions, they're really disappointed not to be able to come back, so we want to make sure that we recognize and honor those people if we can.”

See Homecoming A2

College breaks donation records despite economic downturn By | Elizabeth Troutman Collegian Freelancer-

Courtesy | Alex Nester

Courtesy | Twitter

CNN analyst doxxes recent Hillsdale grad By | Caleb Lambrecht Collegian Reporter Alex Nester ’20 was “doxxed” on Twitter by CNN analyst Asha Rangappa last week after Nester raised questions in her reporting for the Washington Free Beacon about Rangappa’s public comments. “Doxxing” is the practice of publishing personal information for the purpose of encouraging harassment. Rangappa posted Nester’s email and phone number on Twitter after Nester, an intern at the Free Beacon, contacted Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, which employs Rangappa, for a comment on Rangappa’s criticism of former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley. On Aug. 25, Rangappa had accused Haley of changing her name to “Nikki” instead of using her given Indian name, Follow @HDaleCollegian

“Nimrata.” Rangappa suggested Haley did so to conform to racist conventions, which she claimed undermined Haley’s comments at the Republican National Convention on Aug. 24 that America isn’t a racist nation. In her article for the Free Beacon, Nester pointed out that Haley has gone by “Nikki,” her legal middle name, since childhood. In Punjabi, “Nikki” means “little one.” Nester also noted that Rangappa goes by her middle name, “Asha,” rather than her first name, “Renuka.” Prior to publishing her article, Nester emailed Yale University’s Jackson Institute, requesting a comment on Rangappa’s remark. Nester asked if Rangappa’s tweet was “appropriate.”

See Dox A2

Hillsdale College received more than $200 million in new donations in its latest fiscal year, which ended in June, setting a new record for its fundraising. “People in large numbers love the mission of the College and how we pursue it. Our determination to carry on pursuing it has been much admired by many,” President Larry Arnn said in an email. The college began the Four Pillars Campaign last October when it celebrated its 175th anniversary and dedicated Christ Chapel. The fundraising effort, which seeks to raise $686.8 million by 2024, draws its name from the four pillars described in the college’s founding documents and articles of association: learning, character, faith, and freedom. Because Hillsdale doesn’t accept federal funding, the college relies on the generosity of supporters to continue in its mission. The capital campaign will primarily fund undergraduate scholarships, as well as general operations, according to Nancy Johnson, a vice president of institutional advancement. Other funds will support endowments for outreach projects such as the Barney Charter School Initiative, and capital projects such as New Dorm, which is yet to be fully funded. According to Calvin Stockdale, senior director of institutional advancement, the

Four Pillars Campaign goes “right back at the core of what Hillsdale is as an undergraduate education.” Danny Drummond, institutional advancement associate, weighed in on Arnn’s push for the program. “Dr. Arnn is always going to fight for what he knows to be right, and for what Hillsdale has always stood for,” Drummond said. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Arnn continued to reach out to Hillsdale supporters. Johnson said supporters continue to view Hillsdale as a “voice of reason in these uncertain times.” The campaign also aims to endow about 50 faculty chairs in the music department, the developing master’s program in classical education, and elsewhere. Arnn, along with senior-level staff and Provost Chris VanOrman, plan to meet this week to discuss the use of these endowments. Hillsdale’s commitment to returning to in-person classes and holding an in-person graduation encouraged the supporters of Hillsdale’s mission, Johnson said. “They believe that our students are key to the future leadership of our country, both in big and small ways, both in public office and as citizen leaders and educators, in families, and in business— in communities across the nation,” she said. “They believe in and want to support you and your fellow students.”

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By | Madeline Peltzer News Editor Victor Davis Hanson is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, a military historian, and a visiting professor at Hillsdale College. His latest book is “The Case for Trump.” He gave a lecture at Hillsdale College on Wednesday titled “Plague, Panic, and Protests—The Weird Election Year of 2020.”

The past few months have been wild: We’ve been shut in our houses, our cities are burning, plus there’s a big election. What’s going on? I’m not sure if it would’ve happened like this if we hadn’t had the lockdown and the recession. The average age of these Antifa types is 27 and they’re angry at the system. They’re scared by the recession, frustrated by their student-loan debt, angry that their majors in environmental studies doesn’t translate into jobs, and they see people who are better off than they are and they resent it. How could that translate into voting patterns come November? I think it explains why we see these mysterious polls moving black support for Trump from 8% to 28% and Latinos from 22% to 36%. To a lot of minority people, these white kids with their whiny, shrill voices seem like privileged, spoiled brats. And when they see their enablers on cable television, even if they’re black or brown, they tend to be elites too. They may not like Trump but they think he’s gritty and effective and tells you what he thinks and they appreciate it. I think he’s going to do very well in a way that’s counterintuitive. Mitt Romney and the late John McCain knew how to appeal in the moderate sense, but they actually

came off as white elitists. Trump should come off that way because he’s a billionaire white person, except he’s an outsider. Nobody liked him in Manhattan, he has a Queens accent, he dresses funny, he looks weird, and he tells you what he thinks. That seems to appeal to working-class people. In any other year, defunding the police, burning cities, and looting businesses would be a sure way to lose an election. Yet until just a few days ago, the Biden campaign has ignored the situation, denied it, or encouraged it. Why? If somebody came from a different planet, they’d say you can easily beat Trump, you just need a working-class conservative black guy or white guy – it doesn’t matter – to talk about class and economic issues and deplore the violence and you win. But the Democrats can’t do that because they are captive to Bernie Sanders and the young people who make up about 20% of their party who are so hard left. They’re scared of them. If you look at what they’re being told by their intellectual champions, it’s “looting’s okay, stealing’s okay, every white person is a racist,” and they kind of believe that. They think they’re the cutting edge but they’re not. They don’t understand that most Americans don’t want looting or to stigmatize a whole race and say they’re all racists any more than they want to say blacks have a higher crime rate and therefore they’re all criminal. These people come out of the universities, which are all left-wing, and listen to the left-wing media, and they get bad advice.

See VDH A3

Hillsdale College erected a new statue of James Madison on the Liberty Walk. Carmel Kookogey | Collegian Look for The Hillsdale Collegian

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September 3, 2020

In brief:

Princeton Review gives Collegian high marks By | Reagan Gensiejewski Assistant Editor The Hillsdale Collegian ranks fifth nationally in the 2020 Princeton Review ranking of Best College Newspaper. Despite dropping from its third place ranking from last year, the Collegian still earned an impressive honor, ranking in the top 20 college newspapers in the country. Hillsdale was outranked by Syracuse University, Ithaca College, Rice University, and Columbia University respectively. Former Collegian Editor -in-Chief Nolan Ryan had nothing but praise for the recent ranking.

“It is incredible for a student newspaper at a small, liberal arts college to be in the top five in the country,” Ryan said. “The editorial staff and writers worked hard to produce good content for our readers, both on and off campus.” While the Collegian is not mentioned in many other national rankings, the Princeton Review is known for being one of the most prestigious and credible rankings. Nicole Ault ‘19 served as the Collegian editor-in-chief from 2018-2019. She is now a member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board. “It’s wonderful to see the Collegian maintain its high

Princeton ranking,” Ault said. “This is a sign of the hard work of the editors and writers and their ability to provide reporting that adds value to campus.” Hillsdale earned high marks in other categories as well, placing third for Most Engaged in Community Service and fifteenth for Best -Run Colleges. “I am proud of last year's staff because, after all, it is the camaraderie between editors and reporters that really drives the paper's success,” Ryan added. “I am confident that the Collegian will continue to be ranked among

the best college newspapers.”

College’s social media metrics break records By | Curtis Herbert Collegian Freelancer

More than 20 million people now view Hillsdale College’s social media accounts each month, according to recent data from the college’s marketing department. That’s about the size of Florida’s population. The college’s social media growth has exploded in recent years. Since 2014, its total follower count across all accounts increased from 122,000 to more than 1.4 million. Hillsdale’s YouTube channel has seen the most rapid growth. The channel has garnered more than 60 million views in the last decade, according to the college’s internal metrics. Most of those views have come in the past three years. The college’s channel is fourth in views among universities nationwide, behind only three

universities with major international recognition: Stanford University, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Hillsdale consistently outpaces other universities with much larger endowments and much greater name recognition, like Yale University and The University of Notre Dame. Ric Tombelli, the college’s director of digital marketing, said his office’s success can be attributed to Hillsdale’s reputation as an institution, one of not only solid academics but also conservatism and independence. According to Tombelli, Hillsdale’s brand reaches beyond the confines of the classroom and appeals to more than just the traditional targets of alumni and donors. “There are so many people engaged with the college outside of the college itself,” Tombelli said.

Hillsdale’s “arena of ideas,” as Tombelli calls it, is something people are hungry for. The college’s link to a common desire for truth and knowledge is a huge selling point for the college on social media. Gianna Green, Hillsdale’s manager of social mediaworks, cultivates the college’s unusual brand with a focus on quality over quantity and a recognition that social media is “people talking to people.” She said Hillsdale’s social media team, like the college at large, is committed to seeing people as more than just a demographic or a number. Success has not come easily. According to Green, social media can be either “a very fluid creature, or the world’s most mischievous toddler.” Like anything else, creating new posts and content involves making mistakes and learning from them.

“It was never before found in Michigan; it’s only the third locality in North America,” Swinehart said. He added that the artifact is “the oldest member of the entire genus worldwide,” which Swinehart said is especially crucial because it “sets back out understanding of when the genus first appeared — back to that 385 million-year-old range.” Matthew Hoenig, who co-authored an article accompanying the discovery with Swinehart and graduated from Hillsdale College in 2017, explained that the find could be useful in other ways, too. “The discovery could also be significant in understanding shark evolution, as sharks likely evolved only shortly before Phoebus itself evolved,” Hoenig said. Swinehart has crafted a life -sized model of the tiny shark by hand, which is also on display in the Fisk Museum. Such an undertaking would

have been almost impossible if not for another important discovery. “For many sharks, we don’t know what they look like, we just know it’s a shark’s tooth, and for a long time we didn’t know exactly what this genus looked like,” Swinehart said. “Then in 2019, some scientists discovered a complete one in Morocco. It was a different species but the teeth were very similar; it was from the phoebodus genus. I based my model off that one because variation of those species would be relatively minor.” A paleontologist in the making since he was 7 years old, Swinehart is thrilled with his “first paleozoic publication” and says he has more discoveries coming soon. Some may see finding a three-millimeter-long fossil as a feat of pure chance, but for Swinehart, “luck is where opportunity meets preparation.”

Hillsdale biology professor discovers new shark fossil By | Christian Peck-Dimit Collegian Freelancer Anthony Swinehart, professor of biology and curator of the Fisk Museum of Natural History at Hillsdale College, recently made what can only be described as the discovery of a lifetime: a three-millimeter long fossilized shark tooth found in the northern part of lower Michigan last August. The tooth belonged to phoebodus sophiae, a species of shark from the Middle Devonian Period. “The Devonian is an important geological period because it’s known as the age of fishes,” Swinehart said. “That’s when the fishes really began to radiate and diversify and that’s the time period in which the sharks emerged.” According to Swinehart, the fossil is not only a valuable addition to the Fisk Museum, but its discovery also holds a great amount of importance to science as a whole.

Biology professor Swinehart discovered a new shark fossil. For more coverage, see B4

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A.J.’s Cafe overhauls menu to accomodate dining hall changes By | Virginia Aabram Assistant Editor

In an effort to curb the potential for transmission of COVID-19, A.J.’s Cafe is now one of multiple new mealswipe stations on campus, and will no longer be making sandwiches and snacks to order. Transitioning from a cafe to a meal spot, A.J.’s joins the new stations in Lane and the Old Snack Bar as Bon Appetit and campus administrators work to channel foot traffic away from the Knorr Family Dining Room. A.J.’s changes were conveyed to student employees just days before the start of the semester. “If I’m completely honest, it’s been pretty hard,” said senior Michaela Frohnen, the student manager. “We used to be a cafe, making sandwiches and salads, then all of a sudden we’re not.” Though the cafe’s coffee and ice cream remain available all day, its main function is now to serve “hot bowls,” hot boxed meals, for lunch and dinner. The three bowl options currently have an

Homecoming from A1

The college also typically hosts 50 and 60-year reunions that take place during convocation in April each year. The three-day reunion event was cancelled this past April due to COVID-19, however, so the college will host last year’s classes as well as this year’s this spring. These reunions may merge with the homecoming celebration. While the alumni office deals with the activities concerning alumni during homecoming — an event McGinness emphasized is first and foremost for those who have graduated from the college — the Student Activities Board leads the week’s festivities that pertain to current students. Student events such as Mock Rock, the wing-eating contest, and other inter-campus competitions will also be postponed until the spring, Director of Student Activities Alexandra Whitford said

COVID from A1

All Greek houses are required to prepare food to-go. “Everyone’s being compliant and has a good attitude about it. No one’s complaining. We are all just grateful to be here,” Moore added. On Sept. 1, Adrian College, a 40-minute drive east of Hillsdale with a population of about 1,800 students, reported 152 cases of coronavirus among students and staff, according to MLive. Central Michigan University reported 178 suspected and probable cases since reopening this fall. The Central Michigan District Health Department, separate

Dox

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Instead of replying to Nester’s request for comment, which is standard journalistic practice, Rangappa proceeded to tweet a screenshot of Nester’s email, which included both her email address and phone number. Rangappa has more than 600,000 Twitter followers. Rangappa captioned the tweet, “So @FreeBeacon has now contacted my employer to BREAK THE STORY that I go by middle name, just like Nikki. Because this is important news during the RNC.” Rangappa concluded the tweet by encouraging Twitter users to “respond to Alex.” Her tweet was eventually deleted for violating Twitter’s privacy policy, but not before several of her followers answered her call to action, expressing their intention to message and call Nester’s phone number. Fox News reported that

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Asian theme, but this flavor profile will change every 45 days with Indian and Latin inspired bowls slated for later this semester. Items that were previously available at A.J.’s for purchase with Liberty Bucks, such as candy, chips, energy drinks, and juice, now can be found in the Old Snack Bar, also known as the C Store. “We didn’t get rid of anything,” Frohnen said. “We just moved it.” Frohnen added that the new schedule of what can be purchased and when has been confusing to students. Meal swipes are only accepted from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch in A.J.’s, and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for dinner. Liberty Bucks can still be used to purchase coffee and ice cream throughout the day. “It’s becoming easier as we get used to the new system,” Frohnen said. “We all understand that this is what A.J.’s has to do this semester, but that it won’t be this strange meal swipe place forever. We’ll eventually be back to our old cafe, hopefully by next semester.” Though the changes are

not intended to be permanent, many students say they like the new routine. “I like the freedom of not being confined to eating at Saga. I find it less stressful,” said senior Alex Reid. “The bowls are like bento boxes, and the world cuisine makes me feel like I’m at Epcot every day.” Heidi Yacoubian, a senior who has worked at A.J.’s since her freshman year, said the new set up is a “faster and more effective” method of food service. “But it does change the job a lot, because it’s so much faster paced,” Yacoubian said. “It’s more about getting people in and out rather than spending time chatting over the counter. But I think they’ve made good changes given the circumstances.” She also urged students to express appreciation for the new chefs helping behind the scenes. “The chefs and workers that they’ve had coming from other schools are working so hard, and they’re super appreciative,” she said. “So just to say thank you to them whenever you get a chance.”

in an email. The change in semesters will provide the best opportunity for students to experience the events as normal as possible. “An event like Mock Rock would need to be altered significantly in order to be hosted in the current climate — just one reason why we’re hopeful that a spring Homecoming week will allow for more,” Whitford said. This change is reflected in the SAB schedule posted in the Grewcock Student Union and on the event magnets distributed throughout the student body. SAB will make more decisions as the college and state alter their guidelines. Barrett Moore, senior and head resident’s assistant in Simpson Residence, said homecoming has always been a special event for students, specifically in his dormitory. “It introduces them to the Hillsdale community and what it means to be a Hillsdale student,” Moore said.

“We’re serious about our studies, but we’re also serious about our friends and our fun. And homecoming is an opportunity, at least for the guys in the dorms, to build a community and come together as brothers and friends.” With homecoming postponed until next semester, Moore said he intends to encourage fellowship among students in other forms, such as potential intramural competition among dormitories. Moore’s RA team came into the school year knowing there was a chance homecoming would be cancelled, so they have been encouraging his residents to attend SAB events as a way to build friendships and unwind. “We just want to make sure the guys are engaged and involved in the immediate Simpson community and the wider campus community, and they can form the same friendships and have the same experiences and love Hillsdale the way we do.”

from the university, declared a public health emergency in Mount Pleasant and Union Township where the campus is located. Kalamazoo College cancelled its in-person classes last week following the examples of Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University. More than 100,000 Michiganders have contracted coronavirus and nearly 6,500 have died from it since March. All students who have experienced symptoms at Hillsdale are expected to report to Stephanie Gravel, the associate volleyball coach.

Should students show symptoms, they will be quarantined in the townhouses. The college administration is updated daily as well, Petersen said. “Our students are honest and want to be helpful,” Petersen said. “Plus, I suspect no one wants to jeopardize our having in-person classes. They want to take care of their community. I know a lot of students have said they want to make sure their professors aren’t in harm’s way. They are just being cautious and forthright.”

Nester received “dozens of harassing messages from the CNN contributor’s followers.” In a later tweet bemoaning her previous message being deleted, Rangappa tried to demean Nester by calling her an “intern who presented herself as a reporter” and saying that Nester “tried to Karen” her. “I stand by my story and my reporting speaks for itself, as does Asha’s tweet,” Nester told the Collegian. The incident garnered national attention, with both the Post Millennial and National Review magazine picking up the story. News of Nester’s situation even reached Haley herself, who took to Twitter to express her support. “It is a disgrace that CNN and Yale promote someone who would bully and attack a 22-year old just because she rightly called out her error,” Haley said in a tweet. “I’m proud of [Nester] for using the power of her voice and having courage to accurately

report hypocrisy.” Michael Clark, associate economics professor at Hillsdale College, called Nester one of his “all-time favorite students.” Clark praised Nester for her hard work and character that drove her to fully engage every class’s challenges. “She’s just a very nice individual that most people can relate to,” he said, “but with a humility and character that makes everyone want to be a bit better. She never put herself above anyone else.” Nester majored in economics and minored in journalism at Hillsdale College. She was opinions editor of the Collegian and a member of the Rho Gamma chapter of the Chi Omega sorority. Her summer internship at the Free Beacon was sponsored by the College Fix, and this fall, she will continue at the Beacon as part of the Public Interest Fellowship program.

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September 3, 2020

Pizza, Instagram, and a SWAT team: Hillsdale College employee experiences digital harassment over username By | Emma Cummins Senior Reporter It was a normal night in November 2019 at the Cote house. The boys were heading off to their basketball games when Shanna Cote received four unordered pizza deliveries from four separate pizza stores. The next night, the Cotes received the same unordered deliveries at their new, but not yet occupied, house. “My younger kids were a little freaked out,” Cote, art director for Hillsdale College, said. “How do they have our rental, new house, and work information? This is not stuff you can get in one place.” Cote would eventually learn that the pizza deliveries were a part of a larger coercion scheme to take her Instagram username. Earlier that month, Cote had received unordered pizza to her office with a note saying the pizza was from Instagram. This would happen three times to the Cote family, all in an attempt to coerce Cote into

giving up her Instagram username. She eventually called the local police, who sent her to the state police, to handle the issue. “The state trooper told me nothing illegal was happening and he couldn’t do anything,” Cote said. “Even harassment is illegal, and at the very least it was harassment.” Left to her own devices, Cote eventually found three others who experienced similar harassment, after one victim reached out to her through LinkedIn. According to Cote, living in a smaller city meant that she was relatively safer than other victims of this type of digital harassment. Some of the other victims, residents of larger cities, received unordered Uber rides or taxis at 3 a.m. In more serious examples, still more were victims of “swatting.” Swatting is a criminal harassment tactic of calling either the police or emergency services to bring the police, and even SWAT teams, to a particular address when

no real emergency or threat exists. The practice has been around since the early 2000s and a confirmed investigation by the FBI is currently happening in Stow, Ohio, where the same suspect in Cote’s case allegedly called the police to the home of one of the other victim’s parents. It wasn’t until Cote and three others from around the United States did their own investigation that they learned these “pranks” were part of a systematic attempt to coerce them to give up their Instagram usernames. According to Cote, there’s a lucrative market for short Instagram usernames. Her handle, @shan, is both short and potentially useful for the suspect in custody, Shane Sonderman. After the swatting incident in Ohio, the FBI took notice of the case. “For me, there was minimal contact or involvement with law enforcement after the state trooper told me nothing was happening,” Cote said. “Since

Mossey enacts new late fee policy Some students surprised by change By | Amelia Teska Collegian Reporter Mossey Library patrons are now responsible for replacing overdue items, instead of paying small late fees. As of July 1, 2020, the library will no longer charge overdue fines for anything but reserves, which will remain $1 per hour. Items will now be considered lost after a 21-day period. Instead of issuing a late fee, borrowers will be responsible for replacement. The library will charge a flat replacement fee of $75 and a processing fee of $25. The $75 charge may be dropped if the item is returned. Library Director Maurine McCourry said her staff implemented the policy change in an attempt to better serve Hillsdale students and streamline the business side of library affairs. “By eliminating overdue fines, students no longer have to waste time trying to pay the library, and library staff no longer have to deal with money,” McCourry said. “In part, this change was facilitated by the new copiers. Since we eliminated

the sale of copy cards, the only money library staff handled was related to fines. By eliminating fines, and sending all bills to the business office for collection, the library no longer has to handle money.” McCourry said all payments under the new policy will be handled by the business office, and any holds on a student’s account due to library charges will be handled the same way as other college charges. “We also felt that we had to emphasize the importance of keeping the library’s collections intact,” McCourry said. The library expects to see positive responses from the community as a result of the policy change. “We are hoping that students appreciate the elimination of fines and that they understand the need to streamline processes and increase the charges for lost materials,” McCourry said. “Purchasing and processing materials for the library involves a lot of people and supplies, and some materials simply can’t be replaced. We feel an obligation to preserve the collections for future use, and thus feel that we have to take loss of material

very seriously.” Student library employees, like Senior Natasha De Vergilio, said they appreciate the new policy. “I think the streamlined approach of having fines handled by the business office will be helpful,” De Vergilio said. “It's always nice to have everything in the same place and maintaining the cash drawer for fines was likely more work than it was worth.” She added that the “shock value” of a $100 fine would hopefully remind patrons to respect the library collection. “The librarians do a lot of work to update and maintain our collections and the time they used to spend tracking down overdue and missing books as patrons’ fines continued to rack up can now be put to better use improving the library and its services,” she said. Hillsdale College Professor of Philosophy Ian Church said he believes the change in policy is both fair and beneficial. “Especially given all the avenues opportunities people have to return books, it seems reasonable to me.”

History professor retires after 32 years By | Reagan Gensiejewski had no windows. When we moved to Delp, my new Assistant Editor office was huge and had two After 32 years of teaching windows—that was quite an upgrade.” at Hillsdale College, Watching the school Associate Professor of grow is not the only change History Lucy Moye has Moye has witnessed. Over retired from the history her decades of teaching, department. Moye has influenced many, Originally hired as a both as a professor and as medievalist, Moye taught the old Western Civilization the faculty advisor for the Catholic Society on campus. to 1648 course, in addition After taking American to the Heritage sequence. Heritage with Moye, She also taught a variety sophomore Alex Mulet not of history courses ranging only made the decision to be from Medieval England to a history major but also to Medieval Christianity as convert to Catholicsm. well as a now-discontinued Coming into college, course called “Society and Mulet was agnostic, but Family in the Middle Age.” Since arriving at Hillsdale after class with Moye, Mulet said her views changed in 1996, Moye has seen completely. the school and curriculum “It is not like she gave me change and grow. any specific consulting on “When I arrived, I was Catholicism, it’s just truth one of five historians. We speaks and she just let it be,” each taught four courses Mulet explained. “Especially every semester. The in office hours, you respond department has grown a lot since then!” Moye said in an and she either shoots it email. “The campus has too. down or says ‘yes exactly.’ In 1988, the newest building And that’s how you know.” Additionally, junior was the Sports Complex. Cooper Peterson said he felt My office was in the newly his interactions with Moye -completed basement of were beneficial while at Kresge, which is more or Hillsdale. less under the sidewalk “Dr. Moye’s lectures were that runs from the library always engaging,” Peterson entrance to Strosacker, and

said. “She always made class extremely interesting.” While she made clear that her time at Hillsdale College has been nothing short of wonderful, Moye will remain in Hillsdale County for the time being and said she is looking forward to retiring and spending her new free time travelling and doing genealogy. “I’m also looking forward to spending more time on animal rescue, a cause dear to my heart that I’ve been involved with for many years,” Moye added. “I hope I’ll be able to teach the odd seminar now and then, and I’d really like to sit in on some classes.” Moye said she will miss the college and all she was a part of. “Working with so many dear colleagues and students over the years has been a joy,” she said. “I particularly treasure the 22 years I spent as faculty adviser for Catholic Society, watching the group grow from a handful of students who could all meet around an 8-foot table to the large and vibrant group it has become in recent years.”

then, I’ve talked to the FBI agent in Tennessee. When this first started happening to me, everybody thought it was a teenager playing a prank.” The court case, USA vs Shane Sonderman, is being tried in Tennessee because the suspect resides there. The five victims identified, including the parents of one victim, reside in Oregon, Ohio, Tennessee, New York, Virginia, and Michigan. Cote’s initials are included in the list of victims of “overt acts” of harassment inflicted by the defendant. Sonderman is charged with multiple offenses, including extortion, transmitting communication with threats to kidnap or injure, and swatting from August 2019 to May 2020. The criminal case claims that the defendant and his co-conspirators established fake accounts on social media in order to find users with high-value usernames on Instagram, Snapchat, Minecraft, Twitter, and other social media platforms that could be

sold on the internet. As part of the attempt to extort a username from someone, the defendant and his co-conspirators would obtain the names, addresses and phone numbers of the owner’s family members. Harassment tactics included unordered pizza deliveries, changing phone numbers to make sure that calls could not be blocked, using temporary email accounts, and swatting the owner of the Instagram handle or the residence of a member of the owner’s family. The suspect pleaded not guilty and is currently out on bail and awaiting trial. Cote said the most surprising part of the experience was that “people blew it off.” Coming from a smaller town, though, Cote said incidents like this probably don’t happen very often and so they are not taken seriously. Hillsdale County Undersheriff Carl Albright said digital harassment is not uncommon for those who live in the county.

“It’s kind of frequent in today’s internet world and social media,” he said. “Harassers need to bear in mind that making threats and using any type of social media to make that threat is a 10-year felony.” Dean of Men Aaron Petersen said he does not recall any incidents in which he had to assist a student with an online threat or digital harassment. “I can probably count on two hands the amount of social media issues I’ve had, and it’s mostly students complaining about posts that fellow students have made,” he said. “I can’t recall having had much of this.” Since this experience, Cote said she is much more aware of digital safety. “I never really thought much about it until after this experience,” she said. “It makes me very cautious now. We have always talked about digital security with our kids but it definitely makes me more alert to keep an eye on stuff like that.”

Center of a Tension Hillsdale physics professor makes astronomical discovery regarding center of the solar system

By | Jacob More Collegian Freelancer The center of the solar system has been contested since the 17th century. Some scholars assumed the center would be earth. Over time, it was discovered to be closer to the sun. Due to the work of Timothy Dolch, Hillsdale College assistant professor of physics, the estimation is as close as ever. After 11 years of research, Dolch and Italian physicist Michele Vallisneri published their findings in April of this year. Working with the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves this summer, Dolch used pulsars — pulsating stars with radio wavelengths — to triangulate and pinpoint Earth’s exact position in the solar system. Dolch likened NANOGrav’s satellite system to Google Maps. The satellite sends a ping down to the device in the traveler’s hand, obtains the time of arrival, and pinpoints the location of the device. “We're actually using pulsars for the exact same purpose in this case,” Dolch said. “So we can map exactly where we are based on when these radio pulses

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What about their strategy to blame Trump for everything? They think voters are dumb. You can see that in the vocabulary of disparagement they used in 2016: the irredeemables, the basket of deplorables, Obama in 2008 talking about the “clingers” who cling to their religion, Peter Strzok and Lisa Page laughing about the smelly people at Walmart. So they have a contempt for them and they don’t realize that these people are very astute and they listen to things and they remember. What impact, if any, do you think the party conventions will have on the election? If you looked at the polls before the conventions, there was an insidious but incremental gain for Trump. Part of that is because the news cycle is changing a little bit. The virus seems to be on the downswing of its second spike, quarantine has been redefined as putting kids back in school, the rioting is losing its appeal, Kamala Harris didn’t do much as Biden’s vice-presidential pick. The natural cycle that was so anti-Trump is starting to change. And so the two conventions each had a task: the DNC to stop that momentum and the RNC’s

arrive.” Studying the center of the solar system starts with knowing your relative position. Once that information is acquired, pulsars can detect gravitational waves and find the center of mass in the solar system. Dolch compares this process to finding the center of gravity of an object in physics. “You have to think of it like a balance,” Dolch said, holding up his fists. “If you have a big thing like the Sun over here and Jupiter over here, the center of mass of the system is not going to be exactly in the middle of the big one. It's going to be a little off center in the direction of the smaller one.” It’s along this line of tension — between the Sun and Jupiter — where the center of the solar system lies. The tracking of pulsars seems complicated, but Hillsdale College Astronomy Club President David Forman has a simple description. “From a boat on a storm -tossed sea, it would be hard to measure whether a light on shore were moving or not.” Forman explained. “As the earth spins through the solar system, it's hard

to make the measurements we need on phenomena throughout the galaxy.” While Forman wasn’t a part of the team who made the discovery, he was fascinated by the findings. He said that the discovery “did not surprise me, since Dr. Dolch is Dr. Dolch.” Forman’s compliments are well deserved. The gravity of such a discovery has the ability to brew excitement, and Professor Dolch’s findings have certainly earned the center of attention for astronomers and space-oriented students at Hillsdale College. Hillsdale Academy Valedictorian Katherine Knecht ‘20 was assisted by Dolch in her senior year physics capstone on pulsars. Knecht knew little about the subject at first, but Dolch quickly bestowed his wisdom. “He really introduced in me a passion for not only deep space, but also research,” Knecht said. “He stressed such an important effort to it that it made me feel like part of a team.” Knecht was “over the moon” when she heard about Dolch’s discovery on the center of the solar system. “It’s the kind of thing that anyone could be interested in.”

to accelerate it. After the two conventions were over, there wasn’t a wide margin, but the trends have continued. The polls that had a better record last time around but weren’t as prestigious—the Emerson poll, the Trafalgar poll, the Daily Express poll—they’re showing the race is dead even. There are two reasons why this matters. One is that Democrats are terrified of 2016, when the polls they count on now betrayed them and the polls they ridiculed and couldn’t be true were accurate. In their way of thinking, lightning cannot strike twice. The second thing that really bothers them is that Joe Biden should have never been their candidate. He’s not cognitively able to do it and they know it. They were given a great gift with the quarantine and lockdown. He was a half-candidate, a Zoom candidate. The only way you could force him to get out and run is to get the polls where Trump at least appears to be nearly even, and that’s what the RNC achieved in their convention.

we’re going to have a socialist agenda and we’ve never had that. Every socialist, whether it was Eugene Debs or Samuel Gompers, never got close. This time, they’re coming in the back door because of Biden and they can actually take power without having a majority support them. Kamala Harris basically ran as a socialist and nobody wanted her.

Every year people say this is “the most important election of our lives.” Do you think it’s true in 2020? I think it’s one of the top four or five most important elections. If Biden is elected

So what would that look like? If the Democrats win the Senate and get rid of the filibuster, which they say they will, and they keep the House, I think the first thing they’d do is pack the Supreme Court with six liberal justices. They’d abolish the Electoral College without amending the Constitution. They’d change the First and Second Amendment through court orders and executive orders —I can just imagine what it’d be like to try to buy a gun or what it’ll be like on campus to speak freely. They’re going to try to do something structural, not just political. So yes, I’m really worried that these are revolutionaries and in a normal year they’d have no chance, but because of COVID, the lockdown, the rioting, and Biden’s lack of mental capabilities, you could see our first socialist in history.

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The Weekly: Carpe diem

Governor Whitmer, open the gyms By | Josiah Lippencott

Weightlifting is essential to liberal education. By forcibly closing gyms these last six months, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer opposes excellence and moderation. Moreover, she violates citizens’ right to peaceful assembly. Whitmer should recant her edicts and re-open the gyms. If she will not, Hillsdale College should open them anyway. The elevation of the soul requires the strengthening of the body. Socrates argues in Book III of “The Republic” that those who study only music and poetry, without gymnastic, become “soft and tame.” For the good of the soul, exercise must be mixed with philosophical and musical education. As Socrates knew, honing the body elevates and moderates the spirited portion of man’s nature, making him courageous. Whitmer, by forcing the state’s gyms to close, denies Hillsdale students their right to pursue a full liberal education. Exercise and martial arts are political, too. The ancient Greek orator and diplomat Aeschines, in his speech “Against Timarchos,” notes that the Athenian lawgiver, Solon, prohibited slaves from exercising in the gymnasia and joining the palaestra, or wrestling school. Aeschines says the lawgiver, seeing the “noble results” that stem from working out, refused to grant such honors to the slaves. Whitmer banned gyms for the citizens of Michigan for the same reason. She knows, consciously or not, what the gym represents — bodily excellence, strength, and spiritedness. Such quali-

ties make men resistant to tyranny. Whitmer has reason to fear the cultivation of such virtues. Her interminable and unconstitutional emergency powers rest on the willingness of the people to tolerate her edicts without resistance. Hillsdale stands in opposition to such usurpations of power. The college’s mission proclaims dedication to self-government, liberal education, and the American constitutional order. By opening its gym to students, without restrictions, Hillsdale would stand for freedom. President Larry Arnn has already shown tremendous courage in simply reopening campus for classes. In a time when fear characterizes virtually every institution in American life, Hillsdale stands apart. Reopening the Roche Sports Complex would be a victory for normalcy and order. It could also mean, of course, mobilizing a panoply of state administrative agencies against the college. But that is unlikely. Karl Manke, a barber in Owosso, Michigan, who reopened illegally back in May, achieved a total victory against the state’s seizure of his business license. If the state government couldn’t defeat a lone small-town barber, it is unlikely it could defeat Hillsdale College. Additionally, Whitmer’s orders are already out of step with the rest of the country, as 43 states have already reopened gyms. Liberal education is worth fighting for. Freedom is worth fighting for. By reopening the sports center, Hillsdale College defends both. Josiah Lippencott is pursuing a master’s degree in the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship.

The opinion of The Collegian editorial staff The Class of 2020 didn’t get to finish its senior year on Hillsdale’s campus, but at many universities, the classes of 2021-2024 have it even worse. College students across the nation are facing a whole semester, perhaps even a year, of remote learning. Here, however, the partnership of college is thriving.

Hillsdale is used to being different from the rest of the country, but in the world of coronavirus, the blessings of our liberty may be greater than ever. We already receive an exceptional education. We have the privilege of studying books and authors that many of our generation haven’t even heard of. We learn the

things that enrich our souls and teach us how to be fully human. The fact that we are continuing to learn in person this fall only elevates these differences. The shortness of last semester taught us an important lesson. Nothing — not even Hillsdale College — is invincible. We don’t know what’s in

store in the coming months, and we can’t know. If there was an appropriate contemporary time for the old Latin adage ‘carpe diem’ — seize the day — now is that moment. As we return to our classes and community with comparatively mild new protocols, we should come to the table of knowledge rejoicing.

Insights on the art of studying Strategies to improve the learning process, from one student to another.

By | Dwight Lindley College is a time for profound desires, and hopefully, a steadily growing capacity to discipline and mold those desires. During my own time at college, I developed a deep desire for learning, but like many, my ability to do it well has come along more slowly. Are there any tips that would help ease the process for readers today? Here are some of the more clarifying insights I have gained over the years, offered from one student to another. Study: Considered as an act, study is close, focused, undistracted attention to some object of interest, be it a phenomenon, problem, person, or text. We can acquire knowledge of something in passing, lazily, by other means, but the deepest, most precious knowledge comes through study. Good students make it a regular part of their lives by means of the virtue of studiousness, that is, a habit of attending well to the most important objects of knowledge. Traditionally, studiousness falls under the umbrella of the cardinal virtue of temperance, which concerns the right ordering of desires. Just as it is temperate to want the right kind and amount of food, so it is temperate (studious) to want the right kinds and amount of knowledge. For example, there are limits to the amount of YouTube a studious person will take in, while there might be fewer limits on the attention she gives to Plato. To know your limits is to know what is good for you, and thus what will (in the long run) make you a happier, more fulfilled person. Attention: Attention is a finite resource: you have only so much to spend. It is common to imagine that one can flit around from this to that to the other thing, then finally

buckle down to do some work. Neurologically, however, it is not so simple. The fact is, everything you attend to within a certain timespan will stay with you throughout that time. If you pay attention to five objects within an hour, by the time you get to number 5, numbers 1-4 will still be with you, more or less, depending on the case. The moral of the story is that multi-tasking, while possible and attractive, is nevertheless poisonous to study. The more you do right before studying, or worse, while studying, the less focus you will be capable of.

plane mode. Why? Because, while search tools are incredibly helpful, they also present a profound temptation to distraction, and thus the fragmentation and weakening of our attention. If you need to look something up, use an old-fashioned dictionary or another source, or, if necessary, make a surgical strike into your phone for the answer and then put it straight back into your bag. Does your work raise interesting questions, remind you of a necessary email, or make you want to buy something (e.g. a poisoned rapier) on Amazon? Curious about

“Your workspace correlates in interesting ways with your mind or soul, and it is possible to bring order to your thoughts and attention by bringing order to your desk.” Environment: It almost goes without saying, therefore, that surroundings are important. Pick a quiet place, alone or with non-distracting people (that rare commodity), and clear the area of all unnecessary items. Your workspace correlates in interesting ways with your mind or soul, and it is possible to bring order to your thoughts and attention by bringing order to your desk. Get out only what is necessary and leave the rest for non-study times. Media: As you might be able to tell by now, it will be best to leave your phone and laptop (and perhaps your watch!) in your bag, preferably in air-

Facebook or Twitter? Write it down and do it later, in a time set aside for shallow activities. Thinking of listening to music? In some cases, this can help a person get into the zone, but if you find the song drawing away your focus, then kill it dead: reduce the mental clutter as much as you possibly can, and save the best of your attention for the deep work of study. Habits: It is important to build predictable, stable study time into your schedule. If you are erratic, your mind and capacity for study will be also. Your schedule reflects your way of life and thus stands as an embodied indication of what is important to you;

study deserves a privileged place in it. Is reading hard for you? Does focus present serious challenges? Welcome to the human race: we don’t emerge from gestation as readers or non-readers, focusers or non-focusers. These things become more and more possible for us, and feel more and more natural, as we build up the habit of doing them. It will be difficult at first, even painful, but you will grow into it over time, and much happier (as well as much more efficient) for it. A final tip: set up some kind of ritual to mark the beginning of a study period. Clean the desk, or say a prayer, or put on your study scarf — something to signal to yourself (and others, if necessary) that you are leaving the shallows and putting out into the deep. Review: The best students set aside time for reviewing what they have learned over the course of the week, the month, the semester, etc. How to do this? By far the most profitable way is to assume the role of teacher yourself, and re-present the material in your own words, in a way that would be clear to others. If you are able to teach the course at the end of the term, you have truly studied the material and made it your own. Many of these principles can be found in Plato, Aristotle, and the subsequent tradition, but one recent book on intellectual discipline, Cal Newport’s “Deep Work,” has helped me think the matter through within our present context. It is always easier to talk about studying than to do it, but I hope my reformulation of some old wisdom will help us all begin the semester well and take up the loving struggle once again. Dwight Lindley is an associate professor of English at Hillsdale College.

The importance of community in the age of COVID-19 By | Thomas Curro

The spring semester was supposed to be filled with exciting events like Centralhallapalooza. Then, COVID-19 struck. Overnight, state-wide stay-at-home orders, an endless number of event cancellations, toilet paper hoarding, and endless Zoom calls, all became commonplace. However, as the pandemic enters its sixth month, another pandemic seems to be brewing: one of mental illness. The isolation measures implemented to stop the spread of the virus have triggered huge spikes in mental distress indicators. In August, CNN reported that a recent study found 1 in 4 Americans between 18 and 24 had seriously considered suicide in the 30 days preceding the survey. Overall, Mental Health America reported an incredible 400% increase in depression and anxiety screenings between January and June of this year. These troubling statistics aren’t surprising—humans were never intended to live

in isolation. As Aristotle famously said, “man is by nature a social animal.” While services like Zoom have admirably attempted to virtually maintain our institutions, we must not ignore the importance of in-person interaction. A study from the desktop analytics firm Enkata revealed that working from home is less efficient than in an office space. Moreover, “Zoom fatigue” is a real phenomenon. Gianpiero Petriglieri, Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at INSEAD, asserts that discerning facial expressions, vocal tone and pitch, and body language on a video call is draining. Despite incredible 21st century advancements that have lessened the feelings of isolation during the pandemic, technology’s greatest attempts to re-create human interaction ultimately fail. Its efforts are dwarfed by in-person interaction — not just in the corporate world, but also in our personal lives. In my own experience, Zoom calls and classes quickly shifted from an interesting

novelty to an impersonal, the interaction. artificial ritual. Technology While many human infailed to re-create the human teractions on campus can be experience, lacking the intan- this way too, the experience gible qualities of an in-person of spontaneously visiting a conversation that enriches the friend’s dorm room or playing human a game experiof frisbee ence. cannot be Since captured I have rein a text turned to message campus, or FaceI have Time call. noticed While substansocial tial difdistancferences ing still between limits my virphysical tual and contact in-person like highinteracfives, and tions. In masks retrohide spect, the A view of Central Hall on Hillsdale’s smiles, endless campus. Thomas Curro | Collegian the act of texts, physicalZoom calls, and emails seem ly praying, dining, playing, stale, overly predictable, and and studying with others on artificial. These interactions campus is far more authenare constricted by the meditic and personal than those um of technology, as well as interactions were in isolation. external factors like internet Even as an introvert, I have connection, a predetermined found in-person gatherings length, and the purpose for to be far more enjoyable than

doing the same activities over Zoom. If we only address COVID-19 and ignore the importance of preserving our in-person communities in the midst of social distancing, then we will have defeated a biological sickness but succumbed to the mental sickness that is devastating young people nationwide. While our studies are of utmost importance and can dominate the majority of our Hillsdale experience, we must continue to commit ourselves to pursuing community. I encourage my fellow students to seek out and build community even more so than ever. Join a local church. Pursue courses and activities where you can study and work with like-minded individuals. Set aside time to get to know your friends on a deeper level rather than simply asking a generic “how was your day?” While this year is different, human beings are the same, and our eagerness to come together for the noble causes of education, faith, and friendship ought to exceed our fear of the virus.

Many students I have spoken with worry that it will be difficult to build community this year. While the circumstances are certainly challenging, the important thing is that we have an opportunity to be more intentional in our relationships. Instead of generic conversations, going through the motions, or closing our doors (literally and symbolically), we should push ourselves to build deeper community within our dorms, clubs, and classes. While we are still looking for a successful vaccine to end the COVID-19 pandemic, there is already a vaccine on campus against mental distress, and that is community. After five months of physical isolation, it is time to embrace the in-person gatherings that are essential to both the Hillsdale and human experience. If the past five months have taught us anything, it’s that community matters, and we have a collective responsibility to participate in it. Thomas Curro is a sophomore studying Politics.

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September 3, 2020 A5

A canceled NBA season would hurt the league’s social justice mission

By | Christian Peck-Dimit

The first round of the National Basketball Association playoffs hit a snag last week when the teams involved in every game decided to boycott their competitions for three days. The reason for this boycott was due to their anger over the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin on August 23. Boycotting games is a powerful statement, one that has proven successful in gaining the attention of the national media. This does not mean, however, that it is a viable long-term option for the league, especially when dealing with issues of social justice. The NBA, as well as other major sports leagues, have been platforms for athletes to make themselves and their causes heard for a long time. Even 60 years ago, NBA champion Bill Russell sat out of a game as a demonstration against racist behavior. Russell’s Black teammates on the Boston Celtics followed suit, as did Black players for their opponent, the St. Louis

Hawks. For those who choose to use their platform in this way, there are many opportunities to do so. Because team members are interviewed before, during, and after every game, they have the option to voice their opinions on anything from anger over a missed foul call, to a call to take action to promote racial equality. In this restarted season, the latter has shown to be the subject of intense focus for both players and coaches alike. However, suspending all professional basketball games because racism hasn’t completely ceased to exist in the last four months isn’t going to do anything to change society in the long run. What will make change is going back to playing games, making millions of dollars, donating much or all of it to anti-racism causes, and actually taking steps to organize protests and programs to fight against racism. Working to further limit instances of racism and police brutality will likely be a continued fight for a long

time. Emotional, spur-of-themoment reactions to events like these, especially from people who hold nation-wide influence like many NBA athletes do, will do little to help. In fact, it may discredit the fight for racial equality in this nation. As important as awareness of racial inequality in this country is, when it comes to getting the problem solved, money talks. Organizing rallies, creating ad campaigns, and even pushing for any kind of legislative change, all cost money. If the rest of the season is boycotted, the players and the league as a whole, would have

significantly less funds. From the NBA’s television deals with ABC, ESPN, and TNT alone, the league makes roughly $2.6 billion dollars annually. The bulk of this sum comes through the playoffs. This money is not only funneled back into improvement of the league itself, but also goes towards the improvement of Black communities. In an attempt to “deepen the NBA family’s commitment to racial equality and social justice,” the league announced on August 5 that for the next 10 years, each of the league’s 30 teams will

“As important as awareness of racial inequality is, when it comes to getting the problem solved, money talks.”

donate at least $1 million annually to the newly created NBA Foundation. As League Commissioner Adam Silver put it, the foundation “can advance [the league’s] shared goals of creating substantial economic mobility within the Black community.” The NBA would have difficulty paying this money now, and in the future, without the revenue gained from the restarted NBA season. Even more important in this situation, though, is the money made by the players, who are far more involved in issues of social justice than the team owners. Together, the teams in “the Bubble”, where the restarted NBA season is being played, pay their players more than $2.77 billion per year. Those who choose not to play, however, are subject to a cut in their salaries. In the most recent meeting of the National Basketball Player’s Association, which was held after the recent boycotted games, the association voted to keep the season going. This will, however, likely be far from the end of situa-

tions like the one the league found itself in earlier this week. Since 2015, an average of one unarmed Black person has been shot and killed by a police officer every two weeks. Statistically, this means that it will happen two to three more times before the conclusion of the NBA playoffs. Thus, the NBA and NBPA will likely be faced with multiple similar situations where canceling the remainder of the season will be brought up as an option. Due to the money that will be made by continuing the season, as well as the awareness which players can continue to raise by using their platform on national television, the NBA should continue the restarted season. Therefore, assuming that genuine, lasting, social change is the goal of the NBA and its Player’s Association — as opposed to powerful-looking, but otherwise empty public gestures — the NBA should not consider canceling their season. Christian Peck-Dimit is a sophomore studying English.

2020 vision: Kanye West’s presidential campaign exposes the realities of abortion By | Isabella Redjai “In 2020, I am running for the president of the United States.” It wasn’t Joe Biden, nor incumbent Donald Trump, who said this at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards. It was rapper Kanye West — and he kept his word. This past Fourth of July, West announced in a tweet, “We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States … #2020VISION.” Since then, West has acted on his pledge. He sat for a Forbes interview about his presidential bid, he held a campaign rally in South Carolina, and he’s even made his way onto the ballot in the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Many pundits have claimed that West started his bid in order to divert some Black American votes from Democratic nominee Joe Biden. In his Forbes interview, West alluded to this, saying, “I’m not denying it, I just told you. To say that the Black vote is Democratic is a form of racism and white supremacy.” However, he did say he is taking off the red ‘Make America Great Again’ hat for now. West has also shown his distaste for Biden, explaining in the same interview: “I was threatened as a Black man

into the Democratic party. And that’s what the Democrats are doing, emotionally, to my people. Threatening them to the point where this white man can tell a Black man if you don’t vote for me, you’re not Black.” Although media outlets have attempted to write off West’s controversial opinions as the result of bipolar disorder, his public appearances and statements could prove monumental for the Black community. Sure, there’s no way he could actually win, but the platform he provides for forgotten Black voters — who are concerned for their communities, hold a faith underrepresented by the Democratic Party, and care about the well-being of their children — could be a way to correct long-lasting misinformation and disempowerment. West’s platform is truly a movement that allows the Black community to break free from the assumption of voting Democrat. West released his Kanye 2020 platform through a website that details 10 key issues, all based in Scripture, that he’ll focus on in his presidential agenda. Some of his key issues include promoting prayer in classrooms, legal justice reform, and an “America First” foreign policy that resembles that of the current administration. One key matter that’s not mentioned on West’s website, but is a regular point of discussion at his public events and on his Twitter, is the mat-

ter of abortion. At West’s South Carolina rally on July 19, he began weeping as he yelled, “I almost killed my daughter!” Although the crowd shout-

effects it can have, such as broken homes, suicide, and depression. West even tweeted on July 31, “Over 22,500,000 black babies have been aborted over the past 50 years.”

Rappery Kanye West uses his presidential campaign to speak out against abortion. | Wikimedia Commons

ed back with words of encouragement, media outlets attempted to label his distress as a mental health issue. But perhaps West’s platform on pro-life rhetoric goes deeper than a bipolar episode. Many African Americans have accepted abortion as a solution for unwanted pregnancies without discussing the emotional and traumatic

According to census data and general estimates, this number is not an exaggeration. As West suggested, one should be deeply grieved over the thought of aborting a child. In response to those who are supposedly concerned about his mental health and claim his views are irrational and emotional, West tweeted, “I cried at the thought of

aborting my first born and everyone was so concerned about me … I’m concerned for the world that feels you shouldn’t cry about this subject.” Something this forthright about the nature of abortion has rarely been discussed by such a renowned, particularly African American, celebrity as Kanye West. And while West has said plenty of crazy and often not politically correct things, he has never been publicly shamed to the point of woke ‘cancellation.’ His music is too good and his fans are too loyal. But perhaps the immortal nature of West’s career will be a positive force for the prolife movement. Normalizing the idea that abortion is the equivalent of murder could actually save Black Americans from being susceptible to politicians who encourage Planned Parenthood funding and uphold Roe v. Wade in the name of feminism, women’s sexual liberation, and health, while actually making provisions for human termination. For example, this past summer, media outlets like USA TODAY and The New York Times published pieces detailing the racist roots of Planned Parenthood. For the first time, mainstream media discussed the fact that founder Margaret Sanger wrote explicitly racist letters and statements to friends, even saying at one time to Dr. C.J. Gamble, “We don’t want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the negro population.” This

was the mission of Sanger and her colleagues, and they began implementing Planned Parenthood into minority neighborhoods to accomplish their goals. For decades, discussing the history and founding purposes behind Planned Parenthood has been considered taboo. But now, with mainstream outlets and someone as prominent as West beginning the discussion about the evils of abortion, perhaps Black Americans will have an opportunity to see where systemic racism truly remains and is encouraged today. A House of Representatives policy report from 2011 titled “The Effects of Abortion on the Black Community” echoes these sentiments, stating, “Blacks who cry in desperation for political change must recognize that the majority of their civic leaders support policies which destroy their future constituency.” As West raises awareness about institutions such as Planned Parenthood that attack his very own and have done so as long as they’ve been in existence, there may be a real awakening for those who have considered Planned Parenthood to be a friend, and even savior, for minority communities. West’s campaign may fail, but for the pro-life movement and Black community, Kanye 2020 is already a victory. Isabella Redjai is a senior studying political economy.

Viral acceleration: Geopolitics after COVID-19 By | Brady Helwig John Gardner, a former lobbyist and political appointee, once wrote that “history never looks like history when you are living through it.” But it’s hard to escape the feeling that we are living through a historic year. While it’s too early to trace the ways that the events of this year will shape history, we can examine some of the macro trends in the geopolitical environment, in hopes of identifying potential pitfalls in our post-pandemic future. COVID-19 appears to have accelerated a series of geopolitical trends that have been years or decades in the making. Two of these trends include the return of geopolitical competition and the beginnings of the so-called fourth industrial revolution. First, the pandemic has deepened great power rivalry, especially between the United

States and China. American leaders have repeatedly condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s failure to contain the initial coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan. In addition, U.S. policy makers have rolled out a number of measures meant to cripple Chinese state-controlled tech companies, exacerbating what some experts have called the “geo-tech wars.” China has also pursued a much more aggressive foreign policy since the initial viral outbreak. The regime’s “wolf warrior” diplomacy campaign has seen Chinese diplomats adopt a threatening and belligerent tone, alienating countries like Australia and India. Meanwhile, ongoing border skirmishes in the Himalayas between Chinese and Indian troops have left dozens of casualties. Second, COVID-19 has shifted up the timeframe for

the coming period of transformative technological change known as the “fourth industrial revolution.” From telemedicine and Zoom classes to burger-flipping robots at McDonald’s, technology has offered new ways to overcome the inconveniences brought on by COVID-19. What most Americans don’t realize, though, is that these advancements may be hastening a rapid period of societal change. The fourth industrial revolution will transform how we travel, how goods are produced, how we consume media, and how we communicate. No industry will be left unscathed. Artificial intelligence, big data, 5G, and advanced biotechnology are a few of the driving forces behind the coming fourth industrial revolution. COVID-19 has served as the perfect proving

ground for many of these technologies. Powerful AI models, augmented by big data and machine learning, are now commonplace tools in the public policy toolbox. Meanwhile, biotechnology companies and AI startups have benefited from generous research grants and soaring stock prices. These trends have huge geopolitical implications. To put it simply, the global “operating environment” is much more turbulent than it was even a few years ago. As Henry Kissinger has implied, today’s geopolitical situation is something of a cross between that of preWorld War I Europe and the Cold War period. Like the pre-World War I era, the international environment features geopolitical rivalries between an array of powerful nation-states — an arrangement political scientists refer

to as ‘multipolarity. ’ At the same time, the two most powerful countries have entered a Cold War-like power struggle with ideological undertones. In the leadup to the first world war, the second industrial revolution transformed European societies, creating social turmoil and political instability. Likewise, today’s complex geopolitical situation will be further complicated by the onset of the fourth industrial revolution. In the coming decades, more actors — armed with increasingly powerful tools — will shape the geopolitical environment. This, coupled with the social effects of rapid technological change, is a recipe for disaster. With this in mind, our leaders must tread carefully moving forward. To counter China, American policy makers must continue standing up to Chinese Communist Party aggression. Responsible, long-

term competition will require both prudence and purpose. The fourth industrial revolution must also be approached with clarity of purpose. A faith in technological progress has always been a part of American cultural DNA, but the immense power of today’s emerging technologies could make them dangerous tools for social control. Today’s world is more dangerous than at any time in the last three decades. To shape the international environment, rather than be shaped by it, policy makers must approach geopolitical trends with prudence and strategic vision. Let’s hope the next generation of American statesmen is up to the challenge. Brady Helwig is a senior studying politics and is the president of the Alexander Hamilton Society.

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A6 September 3, 2020

Hillsdale schools bring students back in person By | Tracy Wilson Assistant Editor

Hillsdale area schools face a variety of back-to-school plans amidst the ongoing pandemic. The Hillsdale Community schools are offering students an option between in-person and remote classes. The Hillsdale Academy, on the other hand, returned to school in-person on August 31st, and will not be offering a hybrid or remote learning plan, according to Headmaster David Diener. “For hundreds of years, the process of education has involved human-to-human interaction between teachers and students, engaging

together in the process of learning,” Diener said. “We place a high value on in-person education and believe that we can fulfill our mission of providing an academically excellent classical Christian education to students and their families best in-person.” In order to accommodate face-to-face learning with safety in mind, Hillsdale Academy has put together a detailed set of guidelines and protocols to protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus within the school. According to the 20202021 Return to Learn plan, “All students in grades 6-12 will wear facial coverings when in hallways and com-

mon areas except during meals and if facial coverings cannot be medically tolerated.” The guidelines also include an “increased frequency in the cleaning and disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces,” and even “modular ionization technology which has been documented to neutralize and eliminate COVID-19 as well as other viruses.” “For the families who are concerned about safety, we have a number of really effective measures in place to create a school environment that is as safe as possible,” Diener said. “We’re starting the year not doing chapel, or opening ceremony, or lunch

Professor emeritus leaves college, heads to campaign for American Solidarity Party

By | Regan Meyer Senior reporter After the 2016 presidential primaries, Lucy Moye was less than enamored with her choices. The professor emeritus of history at Hillsdale College began to search for other political parties to support. After a bit of searching, she stumbled upon the American Solidarity Party. The American Solidarity Party, officially incorporated in 2016, is founded on the principles of Christian democracy. This election cycle, the ASP is running former junior high teacher Brian Carroll and Amar Patel as their presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Caroll is a certified write-in candidate in the state of Michigan. Moye, who helps run the Carroll campaign in Michigan, said that it is virtually impossible to get on the ballot as a third-party candidate. “ASP does not have a state organization in Michigan. There is no chance of getting on the ballot. You have to get 42,000 signatures in 6 months. For a minor party, that’s pretty much impossible,” Moye said. Just because the ASP can’t get on the ballot, doesn’t mean they won’t get votes. The ASP candidate in 2016 received about 6,500 votes in the presidential election. This year, Carroll anticipates that number to increase 10-15 times. “Both parties are shedding members,” Carroll said.

“We’re going to have a reorganization of our parties. We want to be in a position that if people want to give up on their parties, we’re available.” Carroll is in an uphill battle to win the presidency. But, he believes that a win for the ASP doesn’t necessarily mean a presidential victory. “We can force the major parties to adjust their platforms,” Caroll said. “In 1996, Ross Perro ran on a balanced budget. Both parties adopted their platforms to run on that policy. We would like to see both the democrats and the republicans stop taking prolife voters for granted.” Carroll and Moye were both attracted to the ASP because they didn’t have to pick and choose their social justice beliefs from the major parties. The ASP believes strongly in the sanctity of life from conception to natural death and the importance of human dignity in all aspects of government. “Philosophically, our view is that man is not just an atomized individual,” Moye said. “Our view tends to be rooted in the notion of every human being as an image-bearer of God. Every human being is precious and equal.” For the ASP, that view lends itself to small, localized markets and a primarily family-focused society. There’s no question that the party’s platform is rather different from the current societal structure

in the United States. But, Carroll believes that enacting the policy would be doable. “If I was to be elected, my first task would be to put together a bi-partisan cabinet. I’d make it heavy on pro-life democrats and add republicans that been more in favor of immigration justice and environmental justice,” Carroll said. “Hopefully, in pulling together a bipartisan administration, we would be able to break the log-jam in congress that has long plagued our country.” As for why he’s qualified to run the country, Carroll said that most current US politicians are not as qualified as they’d like voters to think. “Trump may know how to run a business, but he has no idea how to run a country. Biden has spent all of his life in government and is out of touch with the regular man on the street. We need to fill our leadership with people who understand the struggles of ordinary people,” Carroll said. Carroll also believes that most people who vote for him aren’t voting for him specifically, they’re voting for policy. “People who are voting for me this year are not voting for me because I was the most amazing junior high teacher that has ever lived. They’re voting or me because we have, far and away, the best platform of any political party in the United States.”

American Solidarity Party Presidential candidate Brian Carroll and Vice Presidential candidate Amar Patel. Courtesy | Brian Carroll

together, which are all important cultural aspects of our school. We want to minimize the potential contact tracing or effects that could happen if we have a positive case.” Hillsdale Community Schools have a different backto-school plan, which will offer students a choice between in-school learning and remote learning. Either option will begin on September 8th. According to Administrative Assistant for Institutional Development, Paula Crites, the district’s goals and priorities in creating the backto-school guidelines were to “ensure the safety and wellness of students and staff, deliver high-quality instruction to

students, regardless of the delivery model; and to provide flexibility and choice of instructional delivery through online and in-person options.” Crites noted that as of August 25th, 23% of students had registered for online courses. According to Hillsdale Community Schools’ Continuity of Learning Plan, COVID-19, “The District will utilize a hybrid approach for its Distance Learning Plan with hard copy instructional packets and online learning platforms... For students with internet access, but are without a device, Chromebooks will be made available.” Will Carleton Academy also plans to return to school

in-person, while offering the option of online learning. According to the Will Carleton Academy website, “All considerations have been analyzed to ensure a safe, healthy and productive return to school. Curriculum, student achievement and academic growth, and the social and emotional well-being of all students, staff and families have been discussed when considering the list of priorities for planning.” Each school and school district has carefully tailored a back-to-school plan most suitable for their students’ needs and may change protocol as information about the novel coronavirus changes.

Patrick Whalen, owner of Ad Astra, stands with Mill City Coffee bean roaster machine and packaged coffee beans. Kalli Dalrymple | Collegian

Ad Astra lays ‘grounds’ to become part of downtown Hillsdale coffee community

By | Isabella Redjai Senior Reporter In the heart of downtown Hillsdale, where the old Smith’s Flower Shop once resided, sits the newest addition to the town’s coffee culture: a specialty coffee roasting company, Ad Astra. Owner and Hillsdale locals Patrick and Kristi Whalen began Ad Astra Coffee Roasters this past year while living in Kansas. Its name, “Ad Astra,” is the Kansas state motto, where the Whalens’ business was born. Originally from Virgil, the Latin translation means, “To the stars through adversity.” “You reach the stars through adversity,” Whalen said. “Life isn’t a walk in the park and it’s not supposed to be. We gain excellence through adversity. Strength rejoices in the challenge.” Although Whalen and his wife met while students at Hillsdale College and working at the on-campus coffee shop Jitters, Kristi says it wasn’t until moving to Ann Arbor that they both became “big coffee drinkers.” After exploring a variety of beans and roasts across the United States while Whalen served in the Marine Corps from 2007 to 2018, Whalen and his wife tried single-origin specialty coffee at Comet Coffee. After that, they said, they couldn’t go back to regular coffee. “We didn’t know coffee could be like this,” Kristi said. “When we lived in St. Louis, Missouri, a friend showed us how to roast coffee on a popcorn maker. We thought we could make a business out of this.” Their initial coffee venture was a “huge hit,” according to Kristi, who said that they sold out shortly after beginning the new business. Now, the Whalen family’s addiction has become an entrepreneurial venture. Sitting in the old flower shop, they have a Mill City coffee bean roaster machine, potato sacks of raw beans, a white board with

a plethora of temperatures and numbers written across, a small laptop with Artisan Software that measures the roast, a work bench with labels and product bags, and a good old-fashioned drip coffee maker. Whalen described the process, saying you start to preheat the Chicago-made machine to a certain temperature, depending on the bean. According to Whalen, the denser the coffee bean, the higher temperature needed to roast the bean. Typically, this is around 400 degrees Fahrenheit. “I track data points to keep a consistent roast,” Whalen said. “The worst thing you can do is ruin the bean. The bean has all the potential.” Second, Whalen says that you wait to hear, what is called, the “first crack,” which he says is “a major cue in the roasting process.” Likening the sound to the pop of Rice Krispies, Whalen says the beginning of the first crack indicates the percentage of development time. He quickly tracks this on his white board. Next, the coffee beans drops into the cooling tray after roasting and returns to room temperature. “The beans are like grain before roasting. You could break a tooth!” Whalen said. “That ‘pop’ you hear is the release of water, as the bean loses density in roasting.” Ad Astra offers a variety of roasts, like Guatemalan, Colombian, Kenyan and Ethiopian—each with their own distinct accents, flavors, and strength. Whalen defines the “Maillard effect” as what “unlocks the flavor and makes the coffee taste so good.” The Ad Astra roasts, according to Whalen, each have their own distinct flavor. “Just like wine, the coffee has hints of vanilla, citrus, juniper, or molasses,” Whalen said. “The flavor depends on the altitude, soil, and year, like rainfall or climate, when a coffee bean is harvested.” The Hawk holds accents of blueberry.

The Kenyan roast is lemony. The Guatemalan is buttery and smooth. In addition, each Ad Astra product package and name tells a story. Every bag has a picture that represents that roast. For example, the Kenyan roast bag has a copy of a painting from Kenya, which hangs on the wall of their roasting space. The Hawk roast is named after Lt. William Hawkins, a Marine Corps officer, who personifies the phrase ‘ad astra’ and whose bravery in the Battle of Tarawa in World War II won him the Medal of Honor. “Many coffee companies don’t support those who grow it,” Whalen said. “We want to have relationships with the farmers and like to work with importers who know the name of the farmer.” As a local and family-owned business, who believes that “coffee constitutes community,” Ad Astra Roasters also wish to develop relationships within their own neighborhood. “I would love for coffee shops in Hillsdale to hold our coffee,” Whalen said. “I don’t want to go international. I like the local economy between friends and family.” In order to take part in the Hillsdale community, the Whalens put up shop in the local Hillsdale farmer’s market every Saturday morning. Hillsdale residents seem to be enjoying the new business’s contribution. “It’s not always easy to find a good roaster in a small town, but Patrick and Kristi know how to draw out the natural and complex flavors that are the sign of good coffee,” Cody Strecker, customer and professor of philosophy and religion at Hillsdale College, said. “Both their Ethiopian and their Kenyan roasts have become our favorite.” Strecker said,“Drinking something delicious and getting to support a small business and a local family doing work they love? No contest.”

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September 3, 2020 A7 Jacob Hooper, Andrew Fink’s campaign manager and Hillsdale College junior, stands with campaign sign. Courtesy | Jacob Hooper

Hillsdale College junior leads Fink to primary victory ager in December, and the two quickly bonded through something far removed from public policy: music. “Andrew and I debated over our very different tastes in music. Andrew really likes obscure 70’s music like the Allman Brothers, the Flying Burritos, and a few cool bands like ZZ Top while I like contemporary music like Bruno Mars, J. Cole, and Travis Scott,” said Hooper. This bonding ensured a secure partnership which would ultimately contribute to Fink’s victory in the August primary. A political campaign, much like any workplace, can have its fair share of adventure.

Hooper brought up several notable moments from his time on the campaign trail, ranging from meeting the son of a Detroit Metro area congressman to visiting one of the largest private firearms collections east of the Mississippi — which included an underground shooting range and a rifle used during the American Civil War. Beyond that, Hooper learned valuable lessons through his summer of campaign work, such as the importance of communication, outreach, and not taking political attacks personally. Both Hooper and Fink signed the Hillsdale College Honor

Statute 51.72 states that the By | Hannah Cote undersheriff takes the poAssistant Editor sition of the sheriff in the circumstance of vacancy in After 38 years of serving the office of sheriff. in Hillsdale County, Sheriff “Undersheriff Carl AlTimothy J. Parker submitted bright assumes the duties of his letter of resignation on sheriff, but not the title, and July 13, 2020, six months keeps them until the new before his term was set to expire. Undersheriff Carl Albright will complete the term, which ends Dec. 31. “There are many new challenges facing the next sheriff of Hillsdale County,” Parker said in his resignation letter. “I do not wish to be a ‘lame duck’ sheriff that makes critical decisions that will have a serious impact on the budget and the men and women who serve our county at the Hillsdale County Sheriff Timothy sheriff ’s office.” Parker resigned on July 13. Parker’s Courtesy | Facebook statement did not specify his sheriff is elected and qualireason for resigning, but the Hillsdale County Prosecuting fied,” Brady said. “Since he works at the will of the sheriff, Attorney Neal Brady offered his job as undersheriff will some clarity. also end when the new sheriff “Parker did not give any is elected.” reasons for his decision not It is currently unclear to seek a second term,” Brady whether Albright will finish said. “But he did say he was out the entirety of Parkmaking it effective on Aug. er’s term. Bianchi said that 7, so that the winner of the primary would be able to start Albright may submit his early without any interference own resignation. In this case, Brady, Bianchi, and Kast from the current administration during the finalization of would meet again to discuss who takes his place. the 2021 budget.” “Until the new sheriff is On Aug. 10, Probate Judge sworn in, Albright will fill in,” Michell Bianchi, Brady, and Bianchi said. “Albright could County Clerk Marney Kast not continue into the next met for an informational term even if he wanted to unmeeting to outline the acting less we appointed him, but the sheriff ’s new role. Michigan

new sheriff will take his place on January 1.” Once the elected sheriff takes office, Albright will move back to undersheriff unless the sheriff hires someone new. “Albright could continue to be undersheriff,” Bianchi said. “Or the incoming sheriff could name a different undersheriff, but I’m sure he would keep him as an officer at least in some capacity.” With the upcoming sheriff election, Brady said he believes the resignation and new sheriff will still create a forward-looking attitude within the county. “The new sheriff will suggest that Parker’s resignation will affect the community in a positive way because it will allow the infusion of new energy, new ideas, and an immediate critical evaluation with solutions to problems that previously were not addressed,” Brady said. As Parker steps down from office, Brady emphasized the great work he accomplished in the community. “One thing is without dispute, however,” Brady said. “The department will be without the experience of two people that combined have roughly 75 years of wisdom, training, and lessons to draw from. It is hard to argue that such an exodus of knowledge is good for any department and therefore the community.”

By | Maggie Hroncich Assistant Editor

When junior Jacob Hooper approached local attorney Andrew Fink after a GOP meeting last fall, he had no idea he would become his campaign manager. Hooper had been involved in local politics as a member of Hillsdale College Republicans and found himself agreeing with Fink’s stances toward small-government principles and fiscal responsibility. Fink, who later declared his candidacy for Michigan’s 58th House District, named Hooper his campaign man-

Hillsdale County sheriff resigns, undersheriff Albright to complete term

Code as students, which they took seriously when conducting the campaign. “When we sign this code, we carry it with us for the rest of our life,” said Hooper. “I can proudly put my name behind Andrew Fink and the campaign we ran.” Hooper also stressed his desire to thank the individuals who made his job successful, including Fink, the campaign social media manager, and supporters of Fink’s campaign. Ben Wilson, a volunteer for the Fink campaign and a good friend of Hooper said he worked incredibly hard this past summer. “He spent countless

hours talking to voters about important issues and did an impeccable job leading the campaign,” Wilson said. “Jacob’s dedication to the Fink campaign shows his love and devotion to freedom and liberty, and that he’s willing to fight hard for his values.” Fink shared these sentiments. “Jacob was intrinsic to the success of my primary campaign. His steady work ethic, energy, and integrity were beyond his years … we couldn’t have asked for a better first-time campaign manager, and we know Jacob will knock anything out of the park he sets his mind to, especially in politics.”

When asked about his plans for the future, Hooper said he is attending the Washington-Hillsdale Internship Program in the Fall semester of 2020, but he has not turned his eye away from Michigan. “In a few years, I would love to work on another campaign, especially if it is in the Hillsdale area. I know the streets around here better than my own home in Grand Rapids. Hillsdale became a second home for me this summer, and I hope to keep it like that for years to come.”

Gordmans is closing its doors Sept. 27. Josh Newhook | Collegian

Business in Hillsdale During COVID-19:

Gordmans Department Store By | Josh Newhook Assistant Editor

Gordmans Department Store will officially close its doors on Sep. 27th. Gordmans, part of the now-bankrupt Stages Stores, offers offprice clothing, jewelry, and houseware items at its 280 West Carlton Road location adjacent to Kroger’s. Store Manager Tina Reitz says sale markdowns at the already discount store are only increasing as the closing day arrives. “Everything is on sale 50 to 70% off currently,” she said. “All has to go.” The closing is part of the liquidation of Stage Stores after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 11th. 595 stores closed on Aug. 29 and the rest of their locations will

soon follow, leaving none remaining. Surprisingly, this came after a massive opening of over 150 Gordmans across the country in 2019, including the Hillsdale location, which opened on September 17, 2019. At the time, Stage Stores’ goal was to have 700 Gordmans stores in 42 states by the end of 2020. It is unclear if the Coronavirus had anything to do with the shutdown, but Reitz believes it has some part in it. “We speculated a little about the closing before the virus came,” Reitz said. “But COVID was the icing on the cake. It sealed the deal.” The store was closed for a long time during the pandemic. “We closed at the end of March and were closed for about 3 months,” Supervisor

Kiley Keser said. With no buyouts on the table, workers at the store will be laid off after the closing. Reitz is uncertain about her plans after closing. “Maybe I’ll take some time off before starting a new job,” she said. But the loss extends beyond just workers. The townspeople will miss Gordmans as well. Tami Brackman, who has periodically shopped at the store since its inception a year ago, is disappointed about its closing. “I’m very sad about it,” she said. “It’s a shame.” When asked where she will shop instead, she didn’t have another location in mind. “Nowhere around here,” she said. “There is nowhere else like this around.”

Charger

A8 September 3, 2020

Swim explores virtual options for 2020 competitive season By | Sara Kaitz Collegian Freelancer

The Hillsdale College swimming team is looking to hold virtual meets this season as coaches explore ways to compete during the COVID-19 pandemic. Head coach Kurt Kirner said he met last week with the coaches of the Great Midwest Athletic and the Mountain East conferences to discuss alternatives to in-person meets. “We’re looking into the possibility of doing virtual meets, where teams compete in their events at their pool, and the other teams compete in their events in their own pool,” Kirner said. “And if we do it through Zoom synchronously, we can see what the results are.” According to Kirner, schools can still hold their own practices and meets because swimming is considered to be one of the lowest-risk sports. “You know, it’s harder for it to linger in [the pool] since chlorine does kill Coronavirus,” he said. “We’re in a much better position than the sports

that are playing indoors and courts, or play out there where there’s contact.” Senior team captain Katherine Heeres said the Chargers are taking new precautions to continue practicing together this season. “We haven’t started official practice yet, but we have to split up the team in half,” she said. “We can only have 12 people in the pool at a time, and there’s one person on each end of the lane.” Although the team is thankful to practice together, Heeres admitted that it has been challenging to fully welcome the freshmen. “It’s been kind of hard to get the freshmen integrated in our team, especially since we have seven of them. We’re trying to figure out some strategies to still bond as a team,” Heeres said. “We’ve traditionally had a really good team atmosphere, especially last year, and we really want to keep that going because it’s something valuable.” As for now, the Chargers have developed a training plan that will allow them to stay in shape until the normal

season resumes. “Right now we’re basically training as we would in the off season,” Heeres said. “So that’s only eight hours a week of required team activity and practices, and then basically once we know what the status of our championship meet will be, whether it’s happening at the normal time in February or if it’s pushed back, that will help let us know when we can move into our normal season which is 20 hours a week, because we can only have 144 days of training season.” According to Kirner, COVID-19 is not likely to harm the swimmers on the team. Rather, he’s concerned that their performance will suffer if they have to stop practicing before the start of their competitive season. “I think this will bring more awareness and I’m hoping that once we get this under control, we have better things in place so that if kids are catching things, you’re not as susceptible,” he said. “Hopefully we’re coming up with some better ways outside of the pool to not bring things into the pool.”

Chance Stewart, a quarterback at Sturgis High, gets in a practice at the beginning of his 2014 senior season as a Trojan. Courtesy | James Buck | MLive

Stewart '19 returns to high school alma mater to coach football By | Julia Mullins Senior Reporter Former Hillsdale Chargers’ quarterback Chance Stewart ’19 has returned to his high school football field, but this time, he will be calling plays from the sidelines as the head coach. The Sturgis High School Football team welcomed Stewart back in June. Since then, Stewart has been coaching the team throughout the summer and into the school year. Stewart, who grew up in Sturgis, said he is excited for the opportunity to coach kids in his hometown and help them grow into competitors on the field and honorable men in the community. “The biggest thing about coaching will be setting kids up for success in whatever area life leads them,” Stewart said. “Kids are so impressionable in high school, and I’m excited to be able to have that impact on them and steer them in the right direction.” For Stewart, the community of Sturgis and the high school football team have always been important parts of his life. His father and two brothers played football for Sturgis, and Stewart said he looks forward to being back to improve the team’s culture. “The numbers of kids playing are starting to go back up, so I’m excited to see kids get motivated to come out and play football,” Stewart said. “Football is that one sport where you really have to put in the work all year, and the kids have really bought into that which is exciting.” Although high schools across Michigan have had to cancel their football seasons this fall, Stewart said that his team has still been able to practice. Stewart, however, added that telling the seniors their fall season had been cancelled was one of the hardest things he’s had to do as a coach so far. “We get to go out there and practice, and it’s my goal to make sure it’s enjoyable as possible,” Stewart said. Even though his team is

still able to get some work in through practice, Stewart said things feel different because of certain COVID-19 restrictions. “When the guys do anything good at practice, I can’t high five them or jump bump,” Stewart said. “COVID has changed the way a lot of things are done at practice.” Hillsdale College Head Football Coach Keith Otterbein said Stewart is a natural leader on and off the field. Otterbein added that Stewart worked tirelessly to improve his game and encourage his team members to do the same during his time as a Charger. “When he came in, a big part of why he ended up being such a phenomenal leader was his attitude when he got to campus,” Otterbein said. “He absorbed what the program was about. He studied the offense and just got in the mindset that he was going to wait his turn. When the opportunity came, he was going to look back and say that he had done everything he could to take advantage of that opportunity.” Stewart got that opportunity midway through his freshman season and was a regular starter for the remainder of his time at Hillsdale. Hillsdale College Football senior Martin Petersen said he grew up attending the same football camps as Stewart before playing alongside him as a tight end. Echoing Otterbein, Petersen added that Stewart set the tone for the entire team. “It started with Chance being one of the most talented guys on our team, but he came to work and get better every single day,” Petersen said. “He always brought effort to everything he did and wanted to get better every day, and that had a domino effect on the rest of the team. Stewart, who led the Chargers to a conference championship in 2018, said he hopes to carry this attitude into his coaching style and develop the work ethic of younger players. “Football is the perfect metaphor for life,” Stewart said. “It’s a beautiful game. Every detail matters on the foot-

ball field just like in everyday life. Every sort of action has a reaction that goes with it.” Prior to leading the coaching staff of Sturgis’ High School Football team, Stewart spent his time back home working in his family’s sporting goods store. Stewart said that he is now able to coach kids he has been seeing come into the shop his whole life. “Now I’m not the guy selling them their football jersey –– I’m the one coaching them,” Stewart said. Otterbein reflected on Stewart’s time at Hillsdale, adding that Stewart always went out of his way to help younger players at camps. “He’s got that grit, toughness, and competitive edge, which he demonstrated in everything that we had associated with our football program on the field,” Ottberbein said. “But then he was also the guy that would be the first in line coaching the kids at youth camp or helping out with Victory Day and having a ball with those kids.” Petersen said he anticipates Stewart will embrace all of the difficulties that come with being a new head coach of a football team and excel in his position because of the love he has for the game. “The thing about Chance is he knows that he’s got to learn a lot, and he’s ready for that challenge,” Petersen said. “He loves the game of football to the point where it’s second nature, and he’s always wanting to learn more. I have no doubt in my mind that he’s going to be an excellent coach at the high school level.” Otterbein said Stewart also understands that his role as a head coach is about more than teaching kids how to play football. “He’ll influence those kids and teach them the preparation it takes to win, but he’ll also help them understand that if you come up short but you’ve given it everything you’ve got, you don’t have regrets,” Otterbein said. “He’ll do a great job in teaching those life lessons, and he’s going to be a great role model for making the right choices in the community.”

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Oren '16 signs with new professional track club By | Hannah Cote Assistant Editor

Emily Oren ‘16 was the Honda Woman’s Collegiate Sports Award recipient, a nine-time national champion, 14-time All-American, and still holds Hillsdale’s steeplechase record. Now this decorated alumna is taking her talent out west, stepping into a new season of training in preparation for the 2021 Olympics. In hopes of meeting Olympic qualifications, Oren recently signed with the On Athletics Club located in Boulder, Colorado. “I signed with OAC and this team because my coach of two years, Dathan Ritzenhein, took the job to coach this new group,” Oren said. “I wanted to continue to be coached by him. This group is also brand new. It launched this year and I thought it would be a cool experience to help get it off the ground and be a part of building it up.” Oren continued her outstanding track career after college when she first began working with the Gazelle Elite Racing team based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She will now be training with the OAC and promoting the On Running sportswear company. Ritzenhein has been a coach since 2014, beginning at the University of Oregon and then as an assistant at Grand Valley State University. Now he works for the OAC with Oren. “We are sponsored by the Swiss footwear and apparel company On Running, which is the fastest growing running shoe brand in the world,” Ritzenhein said. “They hired me as the coach at the beginning of the summer, but I have been working with some of the athletes for a little longer than that.” Ritzenhein wanted to continue his training with Oren even as he took the new OAC position. “When OAC hired me for this role, I really wanted

her to be a member of the team so we signed her to be on the women’s roster,” Ritzenhein said. Oren decided to continue training with Ritzenhein, even if that meant leaving Michigan. “Boulder is a running mecca, which is one of the reasons my group is based out of there,” Oren said. “It was a really easy transition for me into the group. I knew what to expect from Ritzenhein, and I trust him completely, or else I wouldn’t have moved across the country.” Despite Oren's impressive career so far, running, even at the college level, wasn't always her goal. “I didn’t even want to run in college until I decided I wanted to run at Hillsdale,” Oren said. “I loved the coaches and the girls I had met. Hillsdale is one of the main reasons I still have a running career.” Oren attributes all of her success to Hillsdale and the mentors she met as a student-athlete. “While at Hillsdale I had the best coaches, teammates, and made such great friends,” she said. “They all really encouraged me to become the runner they thought I could be. I never saw my own potential as a runner, but to my coaches’ credit they certainly did.” One of those mentors is Hillsdale head track coach Andrew Towne. “Towne always told me I could be a good runner and kept me going,” Oren said. “I lean really heavily on my Hillsdale community and always have. Without them my running career would likely be nonexistent.” Towne has known Oren since his first year coaching at Hillsdale in 2011. “Em was exactly what we were looking for then and what we continue to look for now,” Towne said. “We looked for people who wanted a tremendous education first and foremost, and who also wanted to see how good they could be.” Among all the athletes

Oren trains with her new team, On Athletics Club. Courtesy | On Athletics Club

Towne has worked with, Oren was a stand-out runner that pushed the attitude of the whole team. “Uncompromising—that is one the words I would use to describe Em,” Towne said. “She wanted to be her best and she didn’t want to accept any excuses or anything less than her best. She really set the tone for what we expected out of our program. She surpassed our expectations, and was one of our all-time greats when she was here at Hillsdale.” Towne still keeps in touch with Oren and has been invested in her post-collegiate decisions. “With any of our kids that have gone on to run past college, we hope that they had a really good experience while they were here, and we hope that they continue to evolve,” Towne said. “Em has been fortunate to get into a really good training group, which is something that’s really important in post-collegiate training. You need people around you not only that can push you physically, but in every way.” Oren is keeping her uncompromising attitude as she transitions in this new journey. “My goals remain the same as they were before joining this group, I just now feel better equipped to accomplish them,” Oren said. “My main goal is to try to make an Olympic team in the steeplechase. But I also just enjoy seeing what I can push my body to do and how fast I can go.” Oren hopes to represent Team USA in the steeplechase, and until then she will continue to train and compete until the Trials in 2021. “Oren has the potential to be an Olympian,” Ritzenhein said. “I think she can run so much faster, and it is a process that needs to start now. She has the skill set, so hopefully putting her in the right environment will help her get the most out of herself.”

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September 3, 2020

Debbi Wyse was stranded in Lima, Peru for 23 days. Courtesy | Debbi Wyse

Stranded in Peru during the pandemic:

A professor’s month-long exile because of the coronavirus shutdowns By | Callie Shinkle Study Break Editor

Few can say they were part of an “Americans Stuck in Peru” Facebook support group. But piano professor and assistant choral conductor Debbi Wyse, is now one of them. It all started in Lima, Peru. After visiting her son, an English professor at a local college, Wyse and her husband felt sick just days before their flights home. “We both, lo and behold, got fevers and had a pretty bad cough. And then we thought, ‘Oh great, here we go, we’ve got COVID,’” she said. Though it was a false alarm, the couple had already cancelled their flights home— right in time for the President to close the borders of the country by land, air, and sea. “We had no idea when we were going to get out,” said Wyse. “It turns out that we stayed for an extra 23 days.” So began their quarantine on the sixth floor of their son’s apartment complex. Because the apartment had two floors, Wyse and her husband shared the top floor while her son and daughter-in-law lived on

the bottom. to put them, so we decided to US Embassy in Lima. “We actually had our own stay in the apartment.” These updates included the balcony so we could look out With all commercial Embassy’s advice for Amerover the city, and we had sun, airports in Peru closed, Wyse icans out of country, such as and fresh air,” she said. and her husband were left the March 16 update which To pass the time, Wyse unsure when they would be read, “American Citizens who and her husband read books able to return to the US. Wyse remain in Peru should arand cleaned their son’s apartment. From scrubbing down their kitchen cabinets to cooking meals, Wyse describes that she was “basically their house maid because their regular one couldn’t come due to COVID.” Time outside was sparse. For exercise, Wyse walked up and down the six flights of stairs in the apartment building, as nightly curfew allowed men to go outside on Monday, Wyse quarantined in her son’s apartment. Courtesy | Debbi Wyse Wednesday, and Fridays’, and women on Tues- said that following the interrange lodging for the duration day, Thursday, and Saturday. national travel ban in Peru, for the quarantine period and But with hospital beds barely she and her husband immedi- plan to limit their movements. numbering 500, Wyse said, ately registered with the State Limited quarantine exemp“You can imagine, with a huge Department’s Smart Traveler tions include movement to city like Lima, if people start Enrollment Program in order obtain food and medical care.” getting sick there is no place to receive updates from the In addition to signing up

New professor brings Italy to Hillsdale By | Ava Helms and Sofia Krusmark Collegian Freelancer and Culture Editor

It’s been three months since the Vincenzis moved to Hillsdale and their home has been a revolving door ever since. Hospitality is the Vincenzi family speciality. On a typical evening, that means lime cheesecake and fresh pasta are on the table for their guests. Dr. Anna Vincenzi, a new assistant professor of history, will teach Western and American Heritage, alongside her courses on 19th and 20th century European history. Her husband, Lorenzo Vincenzi, hopes to teach an Italian language course in the spring. Junior Juan Vargas, a history major enrolled in 19th century European history, said he emailed the new professor before the start of the semester to get an early start on his reading assignments. “I emailed Dr. Vincenzi, and said, ‘Hey I’m in Hillsdale by myself and I would like to get started on my readings,” Vargas said. “Dr. Vincenzi emailed me back... and she said, ‘you’re here by yourself, you should come over for dinner. And we set a date.” “It’s like you get that great first impression that you’re not with just one more professor, you’re with someone who cares about you and wants to see you do good,” he continued. “That’s the feeling I got from her.” Vincenzi didn’t originally plan to study history. “My high school history classes weren’t very engaging, and, paradoxically, studying history was the only possibility that I had not considered as I thought about what to do in college,” she said. Little did she know that six years later, she’d be presenting

her dissertation on the American Revolution and its effects on Europe. Though Vincenzi spent nearly 23 years in Italy, it only took one semester in the United States to convince her to leave her hometown in Carpi, Italy, and move her entire life—and family—to the Midwest. “A friend and I decided to go somewhere else for the

After applying and being accepted into the PhD program in History at the University of Notre Dame, Vincenzi and her college sweetheart, Lorenzo, moved from Milan, where they were studying together, to the United States. As a fellow academic, Lorenzo said it was Anna’s intellectual ability that caught his attention.

Anna Vincenzi is a new history professsor and Italian citizen. Kalli Dalrymple | Collegian

semester, and we had the chance to meet a professor from Notre Dame because he was in Italy for a conference. We asked, ‘Can we just come and be in class? We would like to do that even if we don’t receive credit for it.’”

At first, both of them were passionate about literature, Lorenzo said, but later the two joined a history class. “We both liked it, but she clearly loved it since she decided to follow it as a career,” he said.

“In college, I wasn’t the best student,” Lorenzo said, laughing. “First of all, she was nice because she helped me study, which I didn’t love to do at the time. But it wasn’t just studying in order to have good grades, she was also really interested in what she was doing. That’s what struck me the most.” Through her semester abroad, Vincenzi realized the value in studying in the United States. The lecture style in Italy is less intimate, and Vincenzi noticed that many classes at Notre Dame invited students into the discussion, something she hopes to model in her classes at Hillsdale. “In Italy, the professor talks all the time. A relationship between the students and the professor isn’t encouraged at all, and he doesn’t encourage students to participate in the lecture,” she said. While attendance is mandatory at most schools in the United States, Vincenzi said Italian students are not required to go to any of their classes. That’s why she left. The American method changed Vincenzi’s perspective on teaching, and she now provides minimal historical context prior to assigning readings so students can first read, then learn through classroom discussion. To engage students, Vincenzi will also include reading from Emile Zola’s “Germina” and watching “Les Miserables” and “The Leopard”before the semester ends. “Her perspective is unique,” Vargas said. “There are a lot of themes in historical events that we who are not European or not Italian would see with one perspective. She has a different one, and it’s great to hear, because it gives you a better understanding of how things actually work. It’s not like you’re reading about something in a book. No.

for daily updates from the US Embassy, Wyse says she and her husband joined a Facebook group called “Americans Stuck in Peru.” With more than six thousand members, the group provided the necessary information for Americans who needed to get home to the US. As the State Department began arranging flights for citizens back to the United States, Wyse and her husband were told that they were a high priority because of their age. Every night, however, Wyse would get an update saying that more than 250 Americans had left that day. “About 6,600 people left Lima before we did,” Wyse said. “Every night we kept thinking, ‘tomorrow’s going to be the day we leave,’” she continued. “Every night I said ‘we better pack up and have our stuff ready to go in case we get a last minute call.’” But as the days passed, so did their certainty for a set departure date. An additional challenge to Wyse’s quarantine was that Hillsdale’s classes had resumed while she was in Peru. “I only had a couple meltdowns,” she said. Wyse continued to teach

online, however, despite the technical difficulties—and not having a piano. “She [Wyse] emailed her whole studio to figure out different lesson times and what technology she was going to use,” said senior Elyse Robidoux, one of Wyse’s students. “One of the things we ran into was audio-visual lag. Even though she could see my hands, she couldn’t hear what I was playing.” Despite the challenges Wyse kept her lesson plans and lengths the same, something that her students celebrated. “The fact that she persisted and kept going and doing her best as a teacher was incredible,” said Robidoux. Finally, on April 7th, the Wyses’ were scheduled for a flight to go home. They left 24 hours later. To begin their journey, Wyse and her husband were told to arrive at the US Embassy in Lima. “We stood in line on the sidewalk with our bags for about a half an hour. Then we made it through that line to sign some paperwork that we

See Peru B2

Fine arts create ways to perform in COVID-19 By | Alexa Robbins and Sofia Krusmark Collegian Freelancer and Culture Editor

Masks are required course material for the choir. Orchestra sections will practice separately. Ensemble dances will be minimized, and actors will be socially distanced. This is the fine arts at Hillsdale after the coronavirus. Despite new protocols due to COVID-19, Hillsdale’s theatre, music, and dance departments plan to keep students involved in the fine arts by having as many in-person performances as possible this fall. “What matters right is that everyone keeps their eyes on the prize,” said Music Department Chair and Orchestra Director James Holleman. “The prize is classes, college ensembles, and making music together. And the other stuff becomes secondary...so I’m hoping these other things are minor inconveniences until we’ve got a handle on this.” The Show Must Go On Chairman of the Theatre Department James Brandon said he and his colleagues are determined to make the year as normal and enjoyable as possible for students. “We are ready to adapt so that we can keep students engaged as much as possible,” Brandon said. Brandon said he has been developing safety protocols to minimize contact between theatre students while allowing them to continue rehearsing and learning in person. In

accordance with the College’s reopening guidelines, all students are required to wear masks during class, auditions, and rehearsals. Students will rehearse and perform in large spaces that allow them to continue social-distancing. Both theatre and dance departments have developed a new repertoire of shows for this fall to keep students involved in the fine arts and to keep up morale on campus. After March of last semester, the fine arts departments lost many opportunities to showcase their work due to the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing state shutdowns that caused students to have to complete the semester online. The theatre department had planned one-act plays for the month of April that never got to happen. Currently, the theatre, music, and dance departments both intend to host as many live performances as possible. Brandon said the number of guests will be limited, in order to minimize contact in auditoriums and concert halls. Additionally, he suggested the possibility of projecting performances over Zoom as an option to protect actors and guests that may not feel safe attending in-person performances. The theatre department plans to perform “War of Worlds,” a radio play by Orson Welles; a staged reading, “Travesties”; a play by Tom Stoppard, “J.B.”; and a play from the 1950s by Archibald MacLeish which retells the book of Job. Each

See Arts B2

B2 September 3, 2020

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My summer of John Prine Musician’s legacy has lessons for Hillsdale By | Aidan Cyrus Collegian Freelancer The front porch of the Chase Residence, where I stayed this summer in Hillsdale, was busy after work hours -- fragrant with cigar smoke, and loud with conversation and waving at passerbyers. Reminded of this image, I am thankful for the memories of this summer in the Dale -- the summer I fell in love with localism. And whether or not you get a chance to stay in Hillsdale for a summer during your time here, you too can fall in love with localism by listening to esteemed folk singer, John Prine. The late John Prine, who died on April 7, due to COVID-19 complications, preached localism through his narrative, descriptive and relational storytelling style. Listening to John Prine invokes an appreciation for the local, but also a contemplation of the beauty found in the ordinary around us, especially here in Hillsdale. John Prine left an impact on both the music industry and how musicians understand storytelling. Many artists celebrated his life — including Brandi Carlisle, Nathaniel Rateliff and Jason Isbel l— and posted covers of his classic songs. An even greater tribute is the influence he had among current artists. Adrienne Lenker, Kevin Morby and Phoebe Bridgers all incorporate aspects of Prine’s compelling narrative style. No doubt Prine impacted the music industry, but beyond his impact on other musicians, Prine provides the Hillsdale College student (particularly those of us coming from urban areas) with something incredibly important: perspective. The transition for many of us from Chicago, New York or DC to Hillsdale can be a culture shock. But John Prine can help. Prine’s reflections on the ordinary remind us to admire the beauty around us here in Hillsdale, of which there is plenty. Take the first verse and chorus of his song “Fish and Whistle”: “I been thinking lately about the people I meet/ The carwash on the corner and the hole in the street/The way

my ankles hurt with shoes on my feet/And I’m wondering if I’m gonna see tomorrow/ Father, forgive us for what we must do/You forgive us we’ll forgive you/We’ll forgive each other till we both turn blue/ Then we’ll whistle and go fishing in heaven.” His theology might not be robust, but he encompasses the entirety of life in a verse and chorus with simplicity and ease. Prine focuses on the particular experiences in a day, all while repenting, forgiving, and hoping. In a beautiful way, these lyrics tell the story of our existence , which itself is the greatest

marks. It’s this contemplation of the ordinary that has shown me how beautiful Hillsdale was this summer, even in its imperfections. With Prine as your soundtrack, the Midwest comes to life. “Prine’s stuff is pure Proustian existentialism,” remarked Bob Dylan, Prine’s hero. “Midwestern trips to the nth degree.” He’s right. Prine follows a certain Proustian understanding of what it means to be an artist: a conveyor of the observable, natural, world. Prine’s world is the Midwest. It’s Hillsdale. The lack of a mall, a huge concert venue, etc. does not mean that there is a lack of culture. Instead, Hillsdale’s culture comes from its identity as a small, independent, hard-working town that’s full of people who love where they live. This reflection on the ordinary is a good for three reasons. As an appreciation of beauty, it is a good in and of itself -- an end to be pursued. Second, a participation in the act of wonder, an attitude Prine’s music invokes, is a cultivation of the virtue of humility, and a reminder that there is more to life than the self. Finally, in an appreciation of the local, it reminds us of the importance of having a sense of place. Too often we neglect our hometowns -- their local history or traditions, and, most importantly, our families who live there. John Prine and Hillsdale have taught me the need to be proud of where I come from, in both a familial and geographic sense. So go to the farmer’s market, look past the prison decor of Local Eatery and enjoy brunch with friends, attend local city council meetings, and most importantly observe the beauty in the ordinary around us in Hillsdale. In the words of Prine: “Blow up your TV, throw away your papers/Move to the country, buy you a home/ Build you a garden, eat a lot of peaches/Go and find Jesus, all on your own.” Add him to the Liberty Walk? I don’t know. Maybe that will be next week’s piece.

“It’s this contemplation of the ordinary that has shown me how beautiful Hillsdale was this summer. With Prine as your soundtrack, the Midwest comes to life.”

Peru from B1

would pay for our tickets… then we stood in another line.” A few more lines later and the Wyses’ boarded a charter bus to their plane, which took off from the Peruvian Air Force base. From there, the couple landed in the Dulles International Airport

Italy from B1

She’s been there.” Vincenzi did her dissertation on archives in Venice, Rome, Florence, and Naples, and attributed this research with giving her the possibility of spending time in many beautiful places. In some ways, Vincenzi said, Hillsdale reminds her of these places, as well as her home. Living in a neighborhood of professors and their children, her two young kids—Alessandro and Constanza—have the freedom to play in the streets. When growing up, Vincenzi said she and her sisters always played on the streets. “After our house, the

thing imaginable. Specifically, Prine invites us to interact with the freedom found in memory as we reflect upon the ordinary around us. Listening to “Fish and Whistle,” I’m reminded of the nice lady who works at Sud-Z drycleaning and the conversations we had this summer. I’m reminded of driving down Lake Wilson while the sun sets. I am reminded of the husband and wife who made dinner for us every Wednesday at St. Anthony’s before RCIA during the school year, and the grandma who gave us hand-made quilted bookin Washington D.C.—where flights from Kenya and Central American arrived at the same time. “There was hand sanitizer everywhere and people were wearing their masks, but it was still scary to be at such a central location with so many people coming in from all over the world. We had no idea if we were going to get

countryside started,” said Vincenzi. “So, on our street we were out on our bikes and playing with the neighbors all the time.” Hillsdale also has a “plaza,” or a downtown square, which reminds her of the beautiful and crowded cities along the Amalfi coast and in Venice, she added. One can hardly drive through these small Italian cities because of the amount of foot traffic. Vincenzi recalled her honeymoon trip in Praiano. Upon arriving at their bed and breakfast, the owner came rushing down the stairs to carry her bags all the way up to their room. “One could ask: why would you ever do some-

COVID that night or what,” Wyse said. COVID-19 worries aside, the Wyses’ came home and breathed a huge sigh of relief. “We were extremely happy to be back. All the passengers on the plain applauded when we got back to Dulles,” said Wyse.

thing as stupid as building a town like that, in that really impracticable position?” Vincenzi said. “And you could ask this of many of the towns in the Amalfi Coast, or of Venice....And yet, thousands of people through the centuries have lived there, taken care of their city, and made it one of the most beautiful things you’ll ever see. Convenience can’t explain this. I’m sure there were easier ways to establish a successful commercial outpost than draining a laguna and placing thousands of wooden stakes and platforms as they did in Venice. But the human heart needs that kind of beauty.”

NEEDTOBREATHE’s ‘Out of Body’ has staying power By | Asa Hoffman Collegian Freelancer There are some bands that are not notable for any single song or album, but still reside in the collective consciousness of society because they embody a universal mood or state of mind. Their music is streamed constantly and is enjoyed by a broad audience, but it’s nothing more than nostalgia’s subliminal soundtrack. NEEDTOBREATHE is one of those bands. And they’re back. “Out of Body,” released August 28, 2020, is the band’s first in four years and in several ways, marks a new era in the band’s journey. Most would recognize their past songs, but ask anyone to name their top hits off the top of his head, and he would struggle to come up with answers. Though their previous three albums have all reached the top ten of the Billboard 200, only one of their songs has made the Billboard Hot 100. While this is not a surefire metric by which to determine the quality of an artist’s work—my favorite band, Thrice, has never had a song make it to the Top 100—the disparity between an album’s success and the popularity of the songs on that album can be indicative of what people are looking for when they listen to a certain artist. But that said, NEEDTOBREATHE’s new album “Out of Body” offers more than just background noise -- it is a heartfelt storybook of songs that compensates for its lack of standout moments with an uplifting aura that only the most stubborn skeptic would frown upon. It’s the first NEEDTOBREATHE album that does not feature Bo Rinehart, the younger brother of lead vocalist Bear. The recording process itself was also completely new to the three remaining members, as they hit the studio at the outset of the pandemic and camped

Arts from B1 of these performances will be posted on the Fine Arts Calendar. Music as Collaboration For choir and orchestra, this semester is the anticipated “Messiah” season, which comes once every four years. As the choir and orchestra embark on learning Handel’s masterpiece, Holleman has to consider who can wear masks and who can’t, and to what extent social distancing is practical. “The strings [section] can wear masks, but woodwinds and brass are blowing into instruments,” Holleman said of the orchestra. “So right now we’re rehearsing separately; strings alone, winds alone, brass alone. We’re hoping, as we get in October, we can put it together.” “It’s the process that matters,” Holleman continued. “So as long as we’re in rehearsals together, whatever we have to do as far as an audience — be it live, live streamed or recorded —

out there until the album was finished. Fortunately, Bear and multi-instrumentalists Josh Lovelace and Seth Bolt managed to create a record that emerged unscathed from those complications. The first track on the album, “Mercy’s Shore,” stylistically harkens back to their 2011 release “The Reckoning,” which comes as a welcome return to form after the overproduced and overwrought “Hard Love” album. One cannot help but notice the middle-aged twinge to the lyrics of this track and others, and while it is not unsavory, it becomes wearisome at points. This weariness, however, is combated by a constant barrage of hope and perseverance in the choruses of the aforementioned track, “Hang On,” and “Riding High.” The latter is especially buoyant; its playful guitar riffs show that NEEDTOBREATHE is still very capable of enjoying themselves, something that is obscured by the band’s proclivity to beat the listenever over the head with the same sort of struggle and redemption story in many of their songs. “Alive” and “Child Again” balance this lightheartedness and solemnity with their lively feel. They also are an indication that NEEDTOBREATHE has a good chance at aging well. The trio has been making records since 2006 and are soon headed for their forties. The mid-career thematic and compositional stagnation heard in “Hard Love,” especially following a record as excellent as “Rivers in the Wasteland,” was worrisome for the band’s future, but this album proves they have plenty more fight left in them. Only the very best albums escape having an entirely skippable track, and “Out of Body” does not manage to make this escape. While Bear contributes a stellar,

vulnerable vocal performance in “Bottom of a Heartbreak,”, the surrounding musical and lyrical content is entirely flat. “Who Am I” also approaches blandness but is saved from irrelevance by its crafty folkpop melody. In contrast, “Survival” and “Banks” are standouts. In the past, NEEDTOBREATHE has collaborated with artists like Gavin DeGraw to great effect— and “Survival” continues the trend. The track features fellow travelers Drew and Ellie Holcomb, and the husband/wife duo rejuvenate the energy of the tune. Their featured melodies bring levity and amplify the song’s message of jubilant persistence. “Banks” is the inversion of “Who Am I” in that it does not whine or boast, but it offers to the beloved a sincere, yet joyful promise of love. The song nimbly avoids romantic platitudes while exclaiming, “I wanna hold you close but never hold you back, just like the banks to the river. And if you ever feel like you are not enough, I’m gonna break all your mirrors.” This song, Bear explained, is a dedication to the spouses of the band members, and there is no better track on the album to serve that purpose. Though it does not reside at the summit of musical craft, “Out of Body” is a solid album that is not only suited for blaring through car speakers on a summer drive, but also an album for contemplative listening. And, if a Hillsdale student needed more reason to give the record a spin, the band did take its name from these words of Socrates: “When you desire wisdom and insight as badly as you need to breathe, then you shall have it.” And in this case, maybe NEEDTOBREATHE’s wisdom is worth the listen.

that’s less important than the process.” Additionally, pieces from last spring’s orchestra concert have been added to the October concert, and several senior winners of the aria and concerto competitions will perform during this semester’s parent weekend. Domine Clemens ‘20 and Christa Green ‘20 will perform voice and senior Britta De-Groot will perform on the piano. Though recording pieces separately is a possible tactic it is never ideal, said Holleman. “We are in ensembles to be in a community with other musicians and to exercise our musical senses,” he said. “There’s this kind of nonverbal language of eyes and listening and motion and movement that causes real subtle changes that you can’t do when you’re staring at a screen and everybody’s on Zoom.”

men dancers in the Tower Dancers graduated without being able to perform in front of a live audience. This year, Hobbs said she wants to keep things as safe as possible while still allowing her students to have access to something as important as a live performance. To do this, Hobbs said she hopes to install more duets, solos, and trios into her performance repertoire so less students are on stage at one time. All equipment used in each dance class is being thoroughly sanitized and wiped down as well. There will be wipe stations in the studio and students will be required to wash their hands before class. “The fine arts are such an essential part of a liberal arts education, and people like dancers are athletes,” Hobbs said. “They need to maintain disciplined bodies with constant work. A year off is not possible.”

Dancing On Last year, upperclass-

Features New GOAL Program melds military experience with mentorship

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By | Madeline Peltzer News Editor Victoria Schmidt knows how much it means to a child when an older kid takes an interest in them. As a young cadet in her local Civil Air Patrol, CAP, squadron, she received mentorship from the older members in her program that made a lasting impact on her life. Now, as the founder of the Military Mentorship GOAL Program, Schmidt hopes to pay it forward to a new generation of cadets. Schmidt grew up watching her older brother go through CAP, the youth auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Schmidt joined at age 12, which was the soonest she could. As a senior at Hillsdale College, she’s now majoring in biology and plans to pursue military medicine after graduation, with the hope of becoming an Air Force doctor. “CAP is what made me who I am,” Schmidt said. “That’s what I spent most of my time in middle school and high school doing. It gave me a chance to develop my leadership skills. I met a lot of great people; I made some of my best friends through the program. I was kind of sad when I came to Hillsdale because I was like, ‘Oh, I guess that’s the end of Civil Air Patrol.’” Or so she thought. It was during her sopho-

September 3, 2020 B3

Heather Tritchka and Civil Air Patrol cadets lay wreaths at Fort Custer National Cemetary. Courtesy | Victoria Schmidt

more year that Jeffery “Chief ” Rogers, Hillsdale College’s Assistant Dean of Men, told her about the local CAP squadron meeting at the Hillsdale County Airport. Schmidt decided to drop by and before she knew it, she was volunteering with the group, providing help with drills and uniforms. “Then one day, Chief yelled at me from across the dining hall and was like, ‘Hey, you need to set up a meeting with

me,’” Schmidt said. “And I was like, ‘Um, ok.’” From that meeting, the idea of the Military Mentorship Program was born. “I met with him and he says, ‘So I have this idea,’” she recalled. “‘We have a lot of kids in the community who need strong mentors in their life. Can we do something to partner between Hillsdale College and the CAP program so Hillsdale students can work with these cadets?’”

Schmidt said it took her about a month to work out logistics and draw up a game plan before she finally sent a program proposal to Chief. By the end of April of this year, the program had been officially approved. “She did all the work,” Rogers said of Schmidt. “She drew up the Standard Operating Procedures. I was just the bridge.” Both Rogers and Schmidt emphasized that the purpose

of the CAP program isn’t necessarily to get students into the military, nor must student volunteers be military-oriented. There’s a place for everyone who wants to be involved, Schmidt said, adding that she’s received a good response from students and has already filled all six leadership positions. “You don’t have to have experience in the military to be involved,” she said. “You just need to have a specialty you’re willing to teach—mili-

tary history, physical therapy, physics, aerodynamics. There’s room for all kinds. I want these cadets to have a wide range of skills and be good citizens no matter where they decide to go.” Heather Tritchka, the Hillsdale CAP squadron commander and mom of a cadet, said their program is “thrilled” about Schmidt’s efforts to build a bridge between CAP and campus. “What I’m most excited to see come out of the partnership is the mentorship of the cadets from the college students,” Tritchka said in an email. “Hillsdale College attracts outstanding students who strive for excellence. I can’t wait to see these amazing college students, like Victoria, come into the program and start directing the cadets.” Schmidt said the program will be a “win-win for everyone,” offering college students the chance to build their resumes through hands-on, tangible experience in their future career field while giving cadets the mentorship they crave. “If you’re looking to give these kids a strong role model when they might not have one at home, or an example of strong academics when they might not have friends like that,” she said, “this is a great opportunity to influence someone for the rest of their lives.”

At the sound of a sniffle

On-call nurses ready to serve students

Caroline and Ethan Greb got married at Meckley’s Flavor Fruit Farm. Courtesy | Caroline Greb

Weddings from B4

blessing that we were able to get married three weeks earlier than we had planned,” Maria said. “Honestly I think that I was just thanking God for the coronavirus.” When quarantine began over spring break, the Berggrens had yet to do much of their wedding planning. They anticipated making most of the decisions for the event when the lockdown started, so they knew from the onset that plans were likely to change. Their original date was May 30, but the couple had their eye on a few backup dates since the start of quarantine. By early May, the two decided to move the ceremony up to May 9, which required changing the event entirely. Fortunately, Maria was never the girl with a Pinterest board of wedding ideas. Instead, she always envisioned a small ceremony. The original guest list consisted of just over 100 people. After making it through the dizzying back-and-forth process of a quarantine wedding, Maria’s foremost advice to other ‘COVID brides’ is to prioritize marriage plans before wedding plans. “Don’t sacrifice your marriage for a big wedding,” she said. “You can try to have it with just a small number of people, and that will be a super fun story to tell your grandkids one day.” Although she said it’s good to create a beautiful wedding for yourself and those who come, ultimately it is fleeting. The marriage is the main focus, and both Beggrens wanted to ensure they got married right away. “That’s temporary, but you should pour into your marriage that’s going to be lasting for the rest of your lives. That

is far more important.” One up-side to canceling their bigger reception was the amount the couple saved on food and decor. Maria said they hardly lost money as almost everyone involved in the wedding was sympathetic to their situation. She herself felt bad for the businesses she had to cancel on. Maria said she’s relieved her mom has taken over planning for her reception, which will take place later this month. Some couples, however, have chosen to forego the reception altogether. Michelle Bailey ’20 and her husband, Josh Bailey ’19, were working under the additional restrictive layer of regulations imposed by the United States military. Bailey, who’s in The Basic School in Virginia training to become a Marine Corps Officer, was only allowed to travel within 50 miles of the base with little opportunity for additional requested leave. The couple joked about the idea of eloping during spring break when Michelle visited Josh, but the possibility soon seriously entered the conversation. About two weeks before the wedding, the two began tentatively planning the small ceremony and nixing their prior plans. The Baileys were determined to get married despite all the additional obstacles. With none of her family present, Michelle drove out to Virginia, was married, and left for her honeymoon—all in a matter of three days. “So long story short: we ended up getting married in the backyard of someone’s house that we’d never met in Virginia,” Michelle said. “We found out two days before we got married that we for sure were allowed to get married with the Marine Corps.” Little details are important in any size wedding, and both

Maria and Michelle agree getting the marriage license during COVID was among the most difficult tasks as laws vary by state and often take multiple days to complete. Michelle’s friend, Avery Lacey ’20, lived an hour away and was fortunately able to join the limited wedding party, arriving with champagne and cake in tow. Both Michelle and Josh were able to have their rings mailed to them. Among other guests were both of Josh’s parents, one of Josh’s friends, and the pastor’s wife and daughter. After it’s all done, Michelle said her main feeling is relief. After constant indecision and waiting, the couple is happy to be married and have their wedding behind them. “I just felt like whiplash back and forth literally until the day before, that was the hardest part.” Michelle has tried to schedule a reception since then, but Josh’s leave request wasn’t approved. They’ve chosen to not go forth planning another reception, as she said she’s excited to have the planning and uncertainty behind her. When planning a wedding in two weeks, Michelle said that community, friendship, and prayer are essential parts of the process. Josh was able to get his pastor in Virginia to perform the ceremony, which led them to find a backyard where they could host the ceremony. The couple gained a lot of love and respect for others who helped make the last-minute ceremony a reality. “It meant a lot for the people who were able to be there, and I was really struck by just the generosity and openness of people…” she said. “Complete strangers were just the Body of Christ in a really cool way.”

By | Meghan Schultz Collegian Freelancer Hoping to assuage concerns involving COVID-19, Health Services introduced a new 24-hour on-call nursing staff to campus, in addition to the current masking and social distancing policies. On-call Nurse Kari Coupland manages a team of four nurses available for after-hour care over the phone or in person. Their presence allows Health Services to get ahead of any COVID-related concerns without having to wait for work week hours to ensure a student’s safety. “We want to make sure the students have access to Health Services 24-hours a day,” Coupland said in an email. “The ultimate goal is to keep students healthy and safe.” The EllucianGO app, now searchable by the name HillsdaleGo, features new health screening forms that recommend students who log symptoms of COVID to contact one of these on-call nurses. The Health Services office and dormitory resident assistants are additional access points for students who need to reach out to the on-call nursing staff. “The on-call number brings after hours availability for students to bring their symptoms to the attention of a registered nurse,” Staff Nurse Carol Drews said in an email, “as well as providing continuity of care for Hillsdale’s COVID-positive students.” The on-call number brings additional relief to students who recognize symptoms in

themselves at the end of a work day or week and desire immediate triage and care. “If you’re worried at five p.m. on a Tuesday night, you don’t have to wait until eight a.m. Wednesday morning,” Brock Lutz, director of health and wellness, said. “We just wanted to have that sort of flexibility, so that people felt cared for. Part of us trying to alleviate panic is saying we have someone who can interact with you twenty-four hours a day.” Lutz expressed that Health Services looked for people willing to work together as a team, and went on to describe how an intentional hiring process produced the mission-focused nursing staff. “We want people who will come in and see this as service, as supporting people,” Lutz said. “Not impersonal, detached healthcare, but really caring about people.” The team of nurses quarantines students with contact exposure, symptoms of COVID-19, or influenza. If the nurses move a student into a townhouse or apartment for quarantine, Health Services will equip that student with remote services such as technical support for online classes, meal delivery, and virtual church. This support ensures that students do not need to worry about falling behind in their classes and responsibilities. “What our COVID policy shares with the mission of Hillsdale is primarily the spirit of love,” Lutz said. “We’re doing what we’re doing because we love what we do and we

love people around us.” Lutz expressed how the conversations about the oncall team concentrated on what serves students’ needs rather than prioritizing cost. His biggest question when putting together the on-call nurse team was if each of them was someone he would entrust his own children to. “When we had this conversation, I don’t think anyone ever brought up money,” Lutz said. “It was more of a, ‘Boy, would this be something that would help our students, serve a need, and, again, help us to get to do what we really all want to be doing,’ and I think the answer was a resounding yes.” Coupland shared Lutz’s comforting interest in the well-being of students and empathized with the unease of their parents. “We want parents to have peace of mind that we are doing all we can to keep the students healthy, safe, and on-track,” Coupland said. “As a mother of three, this is important to me. Parents want to know that their children are being taken care of while they are away from home.” Love of education and learning and a desire for students to experience “what college is meant to be” grounds the new on-call nursing staff. “The entire Hillsdale Health Services staff truly cares for these students,” Coupland said. “We want students to enjoy their college experience, and we consider it our responsibility to do what we can to help them stay healthy and safe.”

from B4 probably more. They just went unnoticed. I guess it’s possible that it’s one of extremely few. We are going to find that out. We are doing more research, too.” Matthew Hoenig ’17 studied under Swinehart while at Hillsdale. Though he didn’t enter Hillsdale dreaming to become a paleontologist, after a couple of dinosaur digs with Swinehart—during one of which he helped excavate Donna the triceratops—he said paleontology became his passion. Working with Swinehart was “very enjoyable,” Hoenig said. “I am glad to be able to continue to do so.” Having just finished his master’s in earth & environmental science at Wright State University where his research involved cartilaginous fishes and sharks from Iowa and Illinois, Hoenig was a perfect candidate to help Swinehart continue his research. “I helped him identify the tooth and also put it in

paleontological context as far as the age of the rock and comparing that rock to the age of other localities from around the globe that have members of this genus,” Hoenig explained, helping to reveal the greater significance of this particular tooth. Because of this, the tooth sets the species, and the entire genus, back as much as 1.6 million years. It also complicates the possible use of Phoebodus sophiae as a proxy index fossil. It was thought to be restricted to the Middle Givetian Age. The new find occurs within the Early Givetian. Index fossils are fossils of species that came into being and went extinct within a short period of time and are also found worldwide. Once established, scientists use index fossils to date other neighboring fossils when datable igneous rocks are not locally present. Until Swinehart’s recent discovery, the Phoebodus sophiae appeared to be a good candidate for a proxy index fossil. A proxy stands in when no tradition-

ally established index fossil is present. Though slightly less accurate, a proxy still allows scientists to place a fossil’s date with relative certainty. The complicating fossil is now located in Hillsdale’s very own Daniel M. Fisk Museum of Natural History, right next to a life sized model of Phoebodus sophiae that Swinehart himself created—rather unconventionally. “I am a rather frugal individual and some of the materials used to sculpt things are quite expensive,” Swinehart said. “I mushed aluminum foil into the general shape, I wrapped it in masking tape, then I used notecards for the fins and a two part sculpting epoxy to cover it.” He topped off his discovery with an orange rubber anemone he purchased from Walmart for $2.50 to represent a living horn coral. Swinhart and his research partners will continue updating the museum exhibit with any new discoveries and data they find.

Shark

September 3, 2020

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Features

Anthony Swinehart created this model of Phoebodus sophiae after discovering its remains in Michigan. Courtesy | Anthony Swinehart

Shark tooth sheds light on ancient species By | Elizabeth Bachmann Features Editor Just across from Donna the triceratops in Hillsdale’s Daniel M. Fisk Museum of Natural History lies a tiny tooth about three millimeters in length. It is a tooth that represents the glory days of Michigan’s history, when it was a shallow tropical sea poised mere miles from the equator and filled with an assortment of tropical fishes, sharks, brachiopods, corals, and reefs. It is a tooth that would have been found in the mouth of a two foot long shark that might have swum through campus over 400 million years ago. When he found this small tooth in a publicly accessible fossil hunting site in Michigan, Professor of Biology Anthony Swinehart was able

to identify its owner as Phoebodus sophiae, a shark that lived in the Devonian period between 419 and 368 million years ago. Swinehart’s specimen is only the third shark of this species discovered in North America, and only the third species of shark from the Devonian period ever found in Michigan. Swinehart is now working with the world’s foremost shark expert, Chuck Ciampaglio, to continue on-site research into the species and search for more specimens and possibly new species. “The find was somewhat serendipitous,” Swinehart said, “but luck is where opportunity meets preparation.” His story begins on a routine fossil hunt on August 23 in Northern Michigan. In addition to teaching biology courses at Hillsdale, Swinehart curates the campus museum,

so he often spends his weekends combing through the silt and rock in search of fossils. “I just want to get specimens for the museum,” Swinehart said, “but as I do that, I am an opportunist. If I see something that is unusual and hasn’t been fully explored yet, I will take that path, and that’s what this leads to.” This particular trip, Swinehart was searching for “blue bits,” which are the color of fish material from Devonian rocks. The Devonian is known as the age of fishes. It was a time of significant radiation of different species of fishes and the origin of many lineages of fishes. Swinehart said this makes it important for understanding the evolution of the fishes and sharks both preceding and following the period. “I was thinking of armor

from armored fishes and I found some, but I was picking up every blue bit I saw,” Swinehart said. “And I saw a blue bit about the size of the head of a pin, and I thought, ‘Well, sometimes these are just the tip of the iceberg. So I collected all the blue bits and when I got this one out and looked at it under the microscope, it was a shark tooth.” This tooth belonged to a species of shark never before discovered in Michigan, and one of only three Devonian species found in Michigan to date. It was Phoebodus sophiae. Besides opening up the species to new locations, Swinehart’s specimen is also the oldest of the species in all North America, and possibly the world, by 1.6 million years— and Swinehart found it in an already well-docu-

mented public dig site. He explained that once a site has been thoroughly explored, scientists tend to move to “greener pastures,” where they have a better chance of finding exciting new specimens. For Swinehart, though, combing through these sites only adds to the adventure and the challenge. “There is always something more we can discover,” Swinehart said, “it just takes diligence. So, when I go fossil hunting, I am on my hands and knees. You can’t find new, unique things without really getting dirty and being thorough.” The skeletal structure of Devonian period sharks renders them particularly difficult to find, Swinehart said. With cartilaginous spinal cords and skulls instead of bone, most of

their skeleton—except their teeth and other small remains—breaks down instead of fossilizing. This contributes to the under-representation of known shark species from this period. For some perspective, these teeth are so tiny that typically scientists discover them only by bathing whole swaths of rock in acetic or formic acid for several weeks until everything else dissolves and the teeth sink lazily to the bottom for easy observation and cataloguing. But Swinehart, with his thick, coke-bottle glasses inches from the earth, found his tooth the old fashioned way. And he plans to find more. “I mean, what are the chances that that is the only one in a hundred acre quarry,” Swinehart said. “There are

See Shark B3

‘Thank God for coronavirus’: Tying the knot in quarantine By | Allison Schuster Associate Editor Few are thought to be more stressed than a bride planning her wedding, but Hillsdale College Social Media Manager Gianna Green ’17 said typical brides have nothing on those who managed to plan their wedding during quarantine. Although all couples face uncertainty regarding their wedding day, such as the chance of rain or the bride tripping on her way down

God than they could’ve known without such hurdles. Every wedding is first and foremost a celebration of God’s love, according to Senior Caroline Greb. Caroline and her husband, Ethan Greb ’19, both felt called to keep their wedding date as they originally scheduled since the beginning of their engagement last November, specifically for the purpose of sharing the Gospel. “To not have that opportunity to show such a clear

were just missing and slighting God on an opportunity to give him praise because I think we both know that the love that we have is only due to the grace of God,” Caroline said. Overall, the Grebs made few changes to their wedding story. The ceremony, reception, and their honeymoon were all similar to what they had planned from the start, all of which the couple credits to the hand of God in their planning process. Although,

Michelle and Josh Bailey eloped in a backyard in Virgina. Courtesy | Michelle Bailey

the aisle, so-called ‘COVID brides’ must fight the impending threat of government-mandated challenges no other brides in recent history have dealt with. Despite such outstanding obstacles, however, the many Hillsdale students and alumni who were married during the pandemic agree their weddings revealed more about themselves and

picture of God’s love for us to her family and to some of my family, I just think we would have looked back with regret,” Ethan said. Caroline echoed her husband’s sentiments, reiterating their reason for marriage is God. This encouraged the couple to carry on with their plans. “It would have felt like we

whether the wedding would legally be possible was uncertain for the majority of time leading up to the wedding day, Caroline’s original plans were largely safe for COVID since regulations mostly fell in their favor regarding worship services and outdoor gatherings. “These things happen where it’s unfolding before your eyes and the hand of

God is the only thing that can explain this reality working out this way,” Caroline said. Their wedding involved a lot of do-it-yourself work, most of which Caroline said she wouldn’t have been able to complete if her summer trip to Oxford had not been canceled in light of the pandemic. With every spare moment she was either sifting through antique shops, spraying thrifted bottle cans, or hand lettering signs for the big day. “It was a whole conglomeration of literally doing everything, which was fun because it was very personal to us,” she said. “I just kind of chipped away at things over the summer. It was also the biggest thing to look forward to.” The reception took place at Meckley’s Flavor Fruit Farm—a fall hot spot for students—where people were seated by family with spaces in between. Because she had to space out each group, Caroline had to reserve an even bigger tent and ditch the buffet-style dinner. The most stressful part about wedding planning was the unpredictable nature of the government restrictions. The Grebs had about five backup plans in their minds, even in the days leading until the event. With Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s restrictions in place restricting who can serve alcohol, they hired students to bartend. Coffee House Manager Jennifer Lutz served as the wedding coordinator and Kate Swope ‘21 acted as the reception coordinator, making the wedding a true community effort. The challenges and rewards COVID brides experience led Caroline and Gianna to bond, forming a friendship in which the two could swap wedding

advice and share in their struggles. Gianna and her husband, Tim Green ’20, also found the difficulty of planning their wedding under such strange circumstances brought out the best in people. Despite having to make so many accommodations, most people were willing to work at the cost of a typical wedding or put in extra work free of charge. The couple was married at the college and enlisted the help of Bon Appetit catering, whose management helped cut costs wherever they could. People were flowing with generosity, Gianna said. Rather than having large charcuterie boards, as Gianna dreamed, Bon Appetit created miniature charcuterie boards for each guest at the same price. Both her wedding planner and seamstress offered their skills at no additional cost, too. “A seamstress in Virginia saved me maybe $700 on alterations just because she was like, ‘You know what, you’ve been through enough, this is what I can do for you,’” Gianna said. Around 250 people attended the Greens’ Hillsdale wedding, where the ceremony was held at Christ Chapel and the reception in Searle Center. Overall, the couple only had to compromise on a few things. The worst part was the waiting in the months leading up to the wedding when they dreamed up back-up scenarios, crafted lists of pros and cons, and prayed to God their wedding would be legally allowed to take place. The couple asked their guests over email to stay home if they felt sick and made the event as safe as possible for those who came, including supplying masks and hand

sanitizer, as well as seating people further apart. Because much of Gianna’s family—particularly older members of her family—live in the Chicago area, the Greens hosted a second “open house” reception at a golf club there a couple weeks later. This “open house” style cut the amount of guests at the venue, which they already completely rented out to eliminate outside traffic. This also limited travel for the two receptions and largely separated the type of crowds at each wedding, as mostly younger college-aged students were at their Hillsdale reception. The uncertain nature of the lockdown required Gianna to set aside her expectations, she said. While she was referring to an etiquette book to rule her wedding planning prior to the pandemic, Gianna learned to rely less on custom and more on her own visions for her wedding. “I was like, ‘No rules. Now I make the rules.’ This is your wedding, and you can still have your dream. It’ll just take a lot of frustration and a lot of patience…” she said. “At the end of it, you do get a husband, which is pretty good.” While some couples carried on with their ceremonies and receptions with smallscale changes, others achieved their dream of marriage while making vast changes to their big day. Maria Berggren ’20 and her husband, Vins Berggren ’20, were married in the Arboretum in a gathering of less than 10 people to abide by regulations. Assistant Professor of Religion Don Westblade performed the ceremony. “We were just very anxious and excited. It was actually a

See Weddings B3